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Protecting our older residents

Editorials

Our region’s population is aging, and that growing older population is increasingly vulnerable to a number of abuses. Sometimes they fall victim to complex scams, in this digital age. Sometimes they fall prey to those on whom they should most be able to rely. WalletHub estimates elder abuse is an issue that costs more than $2.3 billion per year. But the human toll is incalculable. Certainly, policymakers do their best to put in place measures to stem everything from gross neglect and exploitation to financial abuse. But some parts of the country are doing better than others. ...

Are we heading into line break season?

Editorials

Some weather forecasts are showing a big jump in temperatures later this week, as we appear to be climbing into the 40s – and even as high as 60 degrees in one instance – for the the next several days. That, no doubt, will be welcome after our area has experienced below-freezing temperatures following Saturday’s snow storm. One thing of caution to consider, though, is what often happens after such extreme cold temperatures are followed by a sudden warm up; water line breaks. We in the Ohio Valley are familiar with line breaks. They happen every winter, often as temperatures ...

Take extra precautions to prevent holiday fires

Editorials

Late fall and winter make up the peak season for home fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association, the U.S. Fire Administration and the American Red Cross. Cooking and home heating are the leading causes of fire during the winter months. Candles, decorations and Christmas trees are among other causes of fires during the last two months of the year. The joy of the holidays can quickly turn to tragedy if simple safety precautions aren’t taken with decorations. Overall, the American Red Cross reports that 47,000 fires will occur during the winter holidays. They will ...

Balance the discussion on County Road fire station

Editorials

It is a proposal that now has gone between two municipal administrations. The possibility of reopening Weirton’s County Road fire station has been discussed at various points over the last few years, in particular as efforts continue to attract new business opportunities to the northern parts of the city. It was raised again during last week’s meeting of Weirton Council, and will go through another full discussion as part of a work session scheduled for Tuesday night at the Weirton Municipal Building. The idea may sound simple enough. The previous city administration ...

Let there be light

Local Columns

The holiday season should be a time for reflection. We have much to be thankful for at this time of year. But sometimes we forget. First of all, I would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a prosperous new year. I think back on all the sacrifices our ancestors made to get us to where we are today. What a hardy bunch they were. This was especially true in our state, where access to the land was never easy. Many families came down the Ohio River from the Pittsburgh area. My family eventually settled in the Ohio River town of St. Marys. Or else, they hacked their way ...

Tell businesses to procure their own electricity –– it will build a stronger economy and protect West Virginians’ pockets

Local Columns

The cold days of winter have barely set in, and electricity is already one of the biggest concerns in West Virginia. At kitchen tables, in campaign speeches, and at national energy forums, people are asking the same questions: How do we keep power affordable? reliable? All while demand grows? At local hearings, residents are worried about rising bills. At economic-development meetings, leaders are debating how to power energy-hungry data centers. And just the other week in Charleston, energy experts at the West Virginia Energy Summit outlined a stark reality: demand is climbing, costs ...