Pats on the Back:
∫ To Ohio County officials for proceeding with construction of a new sports complex at The Highlands. The county Development Authority last week approved a $4.2 million contract for the first phase of the project. It will include a 180,000 square-foot building.
∫ To organizers of the Wheeling Arts & Culture Festival, held Friday and Saturday at the Heritage Port. It offered live music, visual arts, theatre, dance, literature, culinary demonstrations and make-and-take art activities.
∫ To the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce for its Leadership Wheeling and Youth Leadership Wheeling programs. Nineteen adults and 44 high school students graduated from the programs recently.