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Understanding co-owners of stock accounts

Local Columns

John didn’t realize it, but when he added his son’s name to his stock account, he made Tommy a joint owner. John didn’t work well with computers and needed help with keeping all of his records straight because of vision problems. He added his son for convenience’s sake. John decided not to make his son his financial power of attorney. He wanted to handle his own money matters. His will included a provision that his stocks would be donated to his favorite nonprofit organization. After John died, his stocks did not go to the nonprofit, but instead Tommy got them. Why ...

Trying to find myself a new quiet spot

Local Columns

Do you ever find yourself needing to get away from everything? An urge to just take off somewhere, shutting off your phone, or at least picking somewhere with little reception, and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the world? It brings to mind an exercise I went through as part of a merit badge class during my time in Scouts. Each of us were tasked with going out into the woods – a safe distance – sitting down and just observing our surroundings. We were asked to chronicle what we experienced. Through my life, I’ve attempted to use a similar method to help ...

OVAC All-stars are set to shine

Editorials

Fans of high school football in our region have been waiting for Saturday night for a long time. That’s when the 79th-annual Rudy Mumley Ohio Valley Athletic Conference All-Star Football Charity Classic will be played. As usual, the contest will allow the top graduated seniors from Ohio to square off against their counterparts from West Virginia, with kickoff set for 7:15 p.m. in Wheeling Island Stadium. Of course, there will be bragging rights on the line in the game, which was first played in 1940. Even more important will be the friendships that have been made during training ...

A fun week for all abilities

Editorials

With its signing 35 years ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act was designed to make certain that individuals with disabilities – no matter the kind – have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. It guarantees equal opportunity in public accommodations, employment, transportation, government services, and more. For the second year, the Weirton community is coming together to celebrate that landmark law, with activities designed for everyone. It begins Saturday morning with the Run the Distance, Embrace the Difference 5K, which will welcome participants of all ...

Insurance imbalance costing us dearly

Editorials

Health care coverage is on the minds of many these days, as we consider what changes at the federal level might mean for those covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Here in West Virginia, approximately 19% of the population is covered by Medicare and approximately 28% is covered by either Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, according to a report by the Association of Health Care Journalists. But the topic is broader than those two kinds of coverage. According to WalletHub’s “States Where People Spend the Most and Least on Health Insurance,” West Virginia ranks ...

A second chance to make the grade?

Local Columns

I’ve occasionally talked in this space about being a college dropout. In the past I used to qualify that statement as being a “proud” college dropout, though as I prepare to turn 43 on Friday, I’m not sure how proud of that I am anymore. I went to St. Marys Elementary School, Pleasants County Middle School, St. Marys High School and graduated from North Pleasants Christian School in 2000. I took a year off to decide my higher education options. I had thought about going to Marshall University at Huntington, but I just wasn’t ready to stray too far from St. Marys. So ...