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History in the Hills: Standing up for steel

I think, like all of us, I was shocked by the recent news that the last vestiges of Weirton’s Steel industry will be idled in April. I should rephrase, I was shocked but not surprised. I think like most who have grown up here, issues dealing with the steel industry over the years, including foreign steel imports, tariffs, dumping of steel, etc., have been in our lexicon for decades. I can’t remember a time when these things weren’t issues for our community. I am sure for some the news of the decision to idle the remaining operations at Weirton was reminiscent of the event that ...

Life’s struggles can even lead to a broken arm

I held little hope that there would be a column from me this week. It’s been a pretty difficult one. Has anyone else ever gone through a really extensive rough patch that you begin questioning if Satan has been working overtime and it’s on you that he is focusing? The thought of this brings tears to my eyes ... even now, as I sit here to write this. It is truly unfair when one person is receiving so much heartbreak. And I am speaking for everyone who feels this way. Not just me. The ones who are always struggling despite all of their continuous — yet futile, efforts. ...

Counting the days until the session ends

Starting with my first regular legislative session back as a reporter for this newspaper in 2019 (my first session back was the special session on impeachment of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals in the summer of 2018), I would title my columns “Week x at the Legislature.” I haven’t done that this session. Because honestly, this session has not been worth writing about in my weekly “Reporter’s Notebook” column except in a couple instances (the Governor’s State of the State address, the bill lifting criminal liability protections from librarians). This has been ...

Voters and candidates need to prepare

We are coming into the end of February, and, thus, the beginning of March. That puts us a few weeks closer to the start of spring. It also means we are only a bit over two months before West Virginia’s primary election. We have an interesting mix of candidates this year, with many of our local incumbents facing off against candidates new to running for public office, as well as some who previously served as public officials but now are looking at different positions. There also are some who have run previously, but have never been elected. Through this newspaper, we always ...

The Public Service Commission needs you

Some of you might remember those old posters where a stern, bearded picture of Uncle Sam looks out solemnly over a caption that says, “I want YOU for U.S. Army.” Like Uncle Sam, I would like to say that the Public Service Commission needs you, too. If you are looking for an interesting place to work, you couldn’t find better than the Commission. Looking for the exotic? Yes, we have it. Looking for a place that will challenge your talents? Couldn’t find a better place. Want to work at a place where you can have a real impact and make a difference in the lives of many people? ...

Calendar needs a little updating, in my opinion

On those rare winter days when the temperature somehow finds a way to reach the upper ‘50s or low ‘60s, I say a small, quiet prayer that it will remain permanent until summer. Like so many others, I am so ready for this season to be over. Actually, I was ready for winter to be done with in October — even though it was technically still autumn. At least according to the calendar. I am fairly certain that whoever was the creator of today’s calendar, well … they pretty-much got it all wrong. So, I did an Internet search to discover who this creator of the calendar was ...