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Pool work a temporary pain

Editorials

Those who regularly use Weirton’s public swimming pools probably aren’t going to have a great time over the next several months, but, hopefully, the lack of use this summer will be worth it when the reason for all of the planned closures is completed. The Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation has taken up several improvement projects in recent years, many of them long overdue. Among those is the effort to finally move forward on a replacement and rehabilitation of the Starvaggi Memorial Pool, which will include a new design officials feel will better serve the public for many ...

Not a modern art fan

Letters to the Editor

To the Editor, Does anyone remember the National Endowment for the Arts uproar in the 1980s? “Artist” Andres Serrano took money from the National Endowment for the Arts — taxpayer funds — urinated into a small jar, suspended a plastic crucifix inside, and sealed it. Behold! Art! No talent required. No effort. Catholics were rightly offended, as were most common sensical Americans. The questions were roundly asked, “Is this art?” and “should we be paying for this?” As an addendum to my January 11th letter, titled “What is Art?,” which detailed the ridiculous ...

History in the Hills: Woven history

Local Columns

This month at Historic Fort Steuben, we are hosting our annual Spring Quilt show. We are in our 15th year for the show at the Fort and it is always one of my favorite events. This year, we have 45 quilts on display ranging from small lap quilts to large king-sized pieces. My colleague, Mary Snyder, does an incredible job organizing the event every year, and this year is no exception. I am always amazed at the craftsmanship of these unique objects. I grew up around quilts and quilting so, I know just a little bit of the process of creating these works of art. My grandmother was a ...

Make the state’s future the priority

Editorials

It’s a shame it took until the 55th day of West Virginia’s 2025 regular legislative session — which lasts for 60 days — for a lawmaker to publicly acknowledge what many Mountaineers have been thinking this year: Exactly why are lawmakers focusing on issues that will do little to nothing to move the state forward? State Sen. Vince Deeds, R-Greenbrier, took to the Senate floor Monday to address lawmakers on the session: “We’re in the 11th hour of this session, and this time next week, we’ll be home doing our regular duties as citizens of West Virginia,” Deeds said. ...

Licensing bill should do some good

Editorials

Hidden among the many bizarre attempts this session by state lawmakers to damage and control West Virginians was an important piece of legislation that should actually do some good — the Universal Professional and Occupational Licensing Act. Gov. Patrick Morrisey was right to quickly get his signature on the measure, which will allow those moving to the Mountain State to easily transfer their occupational licenses. It mandates that professional boards grant licenses to those who have been licensed in other states for at least a year, under certain circumstances. “It’s my ...

Increased ways to stay informed

Editorials

The City of Weirton has offered a way to alert its citizens of emergencies, office closures, and other notifications for almost a decade, and now officials are taking it a step further. Since 2016, individuals have been able to register to receive notifications from a variety of municipal departments and boards via e-mail and text messaging. Officials, though, note only approximately 1,000 accounts have been created in the years since. With the water issues experienced by the community earlier this year, many were clamoring for ways to be notified; often claiming they were unaware of ...