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Decisions Must Now Be Made on Bridge, Island

With it now official that the Wheeling Suspension Bridge will no longer support vehicle traffic, the years-long wait for that aspect of the bridge’s future is over. A new conversation about the future ­ —not just with the bridge, but with Wheeling Island as well — must begin immediately. We all had to wait through studies and discussions with state departments about what can cross that bridge, be it vehicles or pedestrians. Now we know the answer: feet and not wheels. So what now? How does the Suspension Bridge fit into the future of Wheeling? And how do we help the residents ...

Dental Health Is Crucial for West Virginia

Mountain State residents grew up knowing there were certain jokes that would be made at their expense once a person from another state found out they were West Virginians. Some variation on the “but you’re wearing shoes!” or “but you look like you have all your teeth!” was not uncommon. And we laughed it off. But the reality is West Virginia HAS struggled for generations — and still does struggle — with making dental health a priority. That’s backed up by a recent WalletHub study, “2026’s States with the Best and Worst Dental Health,” in which West Virginia ranks ...

Testing Kits Are a Good Idea

Worried parents often warn their children — of any age — to be wary when they go out to bars and restaurants. Generations of bar patrons have received admonitions from friends and family “Keep your eye on your drink! Be careful!” Despite those warnings, too many continue to fall victim to drugged drinks each year. According to a report by WTVG, state Sens. Louis Blessing III, R-Colerain Township, and Bill DeMora, D-Columbus, cited data that 1 in 13 college-aged people suspect they have been drugged at some point. They brought up the numbers as part of their introduction of ...

Inclusion On Ice A Fantastic Event

This Sunday, Ohio Valley residents of all ability levels will get the opportunity to enjoy an afternoon of ice skating. Inclusion on Ice returns for its fourth year from 1-4 p.m. at the Wheeling Park Ice Rink. It’s a day that gives children and adults alike the chance to take to the ice in an inclusive environment. The event was the brainchild of David George, who enlisted the help of Easterseals, Augusta Levy Behavioral Services and the Wheeling Nailers. “As each year has gone by, we have seen an increase in the number of participants attend our event from different age ...

Change In Hancock Co.

Hancock County School administrators and board members are learning the consequences of poor leadership ­—mainly the transformation from decision-makers to spectators. At this week’s Hancock County Board of Education meeting, new superintendent Walt Saunders informed both the audience and the board about how meetings will run for the foreseeable future. The board will hold meetings, but all decisions will come not from the board, but from the West Virginia Department of Education. Such is reality after the state department took over Hancock County Schools due to gross ...

Black History Month Is a Time To Reflect

Black History Month 2026 offers a chance to look at the impact Black Americans have made on our lives, and a special chance to reflect on an event that has been a part of the nation’s calendar for 100 years. “A Century of Black History Commemoration” is the theme that has been selected this year by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, the founders of Black History Month. It’s a wide-ranging topic, and one that puts the focus on how the commemoration of Black history has evolved during the past 100 years, and the impact it has had on the status of ...