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History in the Hills: Our native history

Local Columns

Most of us here in our area are descended from immigrants. Many of my ancestors came over in the 20th century from Europe for a better life. My great-grandmother, on the other hand, had ancestors here going back to the 17th century, and they are interesting to track down. As a student of history, I found this aspect of my family tree rewarding because I can place them in different time periods of American history. With that history though, my family only came to this part of the world for a job when the mills came. My wife on the other hand, although she grew up in Brooklyn, has ...

Guest Opinion: The government is in the way of the American dream

Local Columns

Politicians at all levels like to campaign on the idea of shrinking, streamlining or removing barriers to growth that prevent regular Americans from realizing the version of the American Dream. This is something President Donald J. Trump has campaigned on because the President understands how burdensome navigating the government can be for the average citizen. President Trump has focused his effort shrink the size of government by attempting to wrangle in our national debt and streamlining bureaucratic methods. But at every step, the President is met by fierce special interests and ...

Find the right projects for opioid funds

Editorials

Brooke County officials find themselves at a crossroads familiar to many communities across West Virginia — deciding how to spend money secured through settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors. The intention behind those funds was clear: To help repair the devastation the opioid epidemic has wrought on our region and its families, its workforce, and its way of life. Yet, as discussions late last month before the Brooke County Commission reveal, the temptation to divert those treatment and recovery dollars toward law enforcement remains strong. The Brooke County ...

Clearing the air

Editorials

Today is a good day to clear the air. It’s the annual Great American Smokeout — marked on the third Thursday in November — when smokers will make the commitment to stop smoking for the day. The goal is to convince smokers that if they can quit for 24 hours, they can quit for good. You don’t have to stop smoking in one day. Start with Day 1, literature from the American Cancer Society reminds. It’s a great first step to stopping a bad habit that can lead to dire consequences. Like with most efforts, there is good news and bad news to report. According to the American ...

Remembering the rebirth of freedom

Editorials

The Civil War was far from over on Nov. 19, 1863, when the dedication ceremonies were held for the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg. Politicians and dignitaries had gathered in the small Pennsylvania town to remember the battle of July 1-3 of that year in which Union forces had defeated Confederate armies in what proved to be a major turning point in the war. The dedication came more than a month after the reburial of Union soldiers from their battlefield graves had started on Oct. 17. The featured presentation was supposed to be made by Edward Everett, a prominent ...

Giving it the old college try

Editorials

Though a well-trained, well-educated and skilled workforce is more important than ever, students seeking a higher education to prepare them for their careers are having a harder time being able to afford it. Sure, many people still believe having a college degree will translate to higher earnings, but students are increasingly challenged to decide whether the expense of that education (or the long-term debt they may incur) is worth the risk. According to WalletHub, the cost of attending a four-year public college has risen by an average of 30% over the past 20 years. And that cost ...