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History in the Hills: A look back at WW I

Local Columns

I am very proud of all my children, especially my oldest son, Paulie. He is smart, compassionate and is growing into a fine young man. What’s gratifying to me, though, is that he is developing a genuine love for history. As a child of two historians, he has always been exposed to our past, either through TV shows, books, trips to historic sites or the constant chatter from my wife and I about what we remember from the past and how things have changed. He likes to tease us when we start a story with the phrase “well, back in my day …” A huge part of his interest in so many ...

Get out and support small business

Editorials

Been stuck in the house for a while? Made one last run at the big box store before the snow, ice and frigid temperatures hit and haven’t spent an extra dime since? One day, we will be through this arctic spell. We’ll need to venture out and do a little shopping. Maybe we’ll just be ready to eat at a restaurant after having gone through everything in the pantry at home. When that time comes, consider spending your money with a smaller, locally owned establishment. Those who have either been forced to close or have seen VERY little traffic because of this weather may be in ...

Working to uplift all West Virginians

Editorials

How many of us regularly see social media posts and advertorials touting something along the lines of the top hidden gems to retire to in West Virginia? They’re everywhere. And most seem to be aimed at luring non-West Virginians to a few select locations after their retirement. But what if you already live here? What is the retirement landscape like, then? Well, according to WalletHub’s “2026’s Best and Worst States to Retire,” the Mountain State is fourth worst in the nation. There is one almost-bright spot. Our state ranks 18th for affordability and fifth for adjusted ...

Better protections a necessity

Editorials

West Virginians got a horrific reminder last week of the depth from which those trying to reform the work of the state Department of Human Services are trying to climb, with news that on Feb. 15, 2025, 11-year-old Miana Moran of Taylor County died in a case that has led to murder charges for her primary custodian. Miana was a sixth grader in virtual schooling through Upshur County Schools, according to a report by WCHS. A criminal complaint filed in Taylor County Magistrate Court said she weighed 43 pounds at her death. According to the WCHS report, Miana was wearing a pull-up diaper ...

A fix is needed for our school districts

Editorials

The state taking over local school districts, such as what happened recently in Hancock County, has become more common in West Virginia in recent years. With the state’s takeover of Hancock County Schools, there are now 10 county school districts out of the state’s 55 that are under some form of state control, whether that’s a complete take over or a state of emergency, where the county and state are working together to stave off that full takeover. So nearly one-fifth of all West Virginia school districts are in such peril that the state is either monitoring their decisions ...

Going after the empty buildings

Editorials

The City of Weirton is taking another step in its efforts to address blight and encourage new development in the city, although we imagine not everyone will be happy with this approach. As part of its regular meeting earlier this month, Weirton Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance to establish a vacant building registration program. There are those who have acquired a vast number of buildings in our community over the years, and, for whatever reason, have left them to rot and decay, with no maintenance or improvements, and with no occupancy. Some live in ...