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Continuing to smile ... the mask we all wear

Local Columns

It’s Sunday morning. The coffee is brewing. The newspaper is spread out on the kitchen table. And maybe, just maybe, you have somehow found a way to manage a moment of peace before the week’s anxieties begin. But in this one, single moment … let us be honest. How many of you reading this right now, are sitting there knowing how tomorrow you will once again be forced to wear the disguise of a smile on your face? Because just beneath the surface, your entire world feels as if it is a house of cards ready to crumble at any moment? For those of you who understand, I want ...

Starting to see the ballots take shape

Local Columns

While the 2026 primary election won’t be truly observed for another five months, the reality is the election season will get fully under way in just about four weeks. We’ve already heard from a few individuals who have filed pre-candidacy paperwork, but the official filing period for the 2026 election cycle in West Virginia is scheduled from Jan. 12 to Jan. 31. There are other deadlines for write-in candidates, as well as those seeking certain offices as a non-partisan candidate. All of that information can be found through the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office, which ...

Remain vigilant against scammers during the holidays

Local Columns

As West Virginia’s chief business registration and licensing official, it is the Secretary of State’s responsibility to license non-profits and charities that operate and solicit donations in West Virginia. We keep a list of approved charitable organizations and fundraisers readily available on our website at the following link: https://erls.wvsos.gov/OnlineCharitiesSearch/Search The holiday season is a time of joy, generosity, and togetherness. Families gather, communities celebrate, and people extend kindness to others. Unfortunately, this spirit of goodwill also creates ...

A new chapter for Community Bread Basket

Editorials

It appears the luck of the Community Bread Basket is turning, and the local organization will be able to put down some more permanent roots. For years, the non-profit best known for its food pantry operations and other charitable endeavors, operated out of a building on West Street in Weirton. A variety of issues with that building led to them eventually having to move. Since then, the Bread Basket has been operating out of temporary space at 3545 Pennsylvania Ave. - always keeping an eye out for something more permanent. After two years, and a big boost from a Weirton native, that ...

A stocking filled with old-fashioned penny candy

Local Columns

The wonderful Nutcracker Village in downtown Steubenville continues to evoke a feeling of joy, goodwill and generosity experienced during this holiday season, like Christmastime, which is part of the festive traditions, Tchaikovsky’s dance of the sugar plum fairy, a kindness, and spending time with loved ones. This cavalier Toy Soldier world of the Mouse king is cultivated by decorating, listening to Dean Martin sing “White Christmas” and a Sunday School Choral performing, baking fresh ginger bread cookies, and general positive cinnamon in the air feelings, giving a new ...

Having a safe, and responsible holiday

Editorials

’Tis the season … for the potentially nasty combination of holiday parties and weather-affected roads. And while we should bear in mind Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over all the time, local law enforcement agencies will be increasing efforts to stop impaired driving over the next few weeks. According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Program, there are some disturbing trends in West Virginia, where there were 58 alcohol-related traffic fatalities in 2023. Of the DUI arrests in the state since Jan. 1, 2025, 43% were double the legal limit or higher, 21% were 0.20 or higher and 1.6% ...