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Keeping Kindness in the Ohio Valley

Groups from all over the Ohio Valley are showing in impressive fashion that their thoughts ­— and deeds — remain with the people of Ohio County still rebuilding after the June 14 flash flooding. Fourth Street United Methodist Church recently donated $10,000 to the church’s West Virginia Conference for flood relief. It is one of a growing number of local organizations stepping forward to offer assistance to their friends and neighbors. The Rev. Gary Rankin, pastor at Fourth Street, said the church simply had the money in its accounts and felt the best way to use it was to help ...

A Major Power Problem

Heat across our region likely has many households cranking up the air conditioning and using plenty of electricity. Combine household need with that of Ohio’s industrial energy consumers and PJM Interconnection is advising the strain on our electrical grid may be too great. “At the current pace, we are projecting a shortfall of energy,” said David Souder, executive director of PJM operations, according to a report by WBNS. In fact, Souder said another heat wave could lead the system to experience reserve shortfalls. That means PJM has had to come up with a plan. “That’s ...

Creating Bright Future for City

Leaders in Wheeling are helping the city step into a brighter, more sustainable future with the recent conversion of downtown streetlights to energy-efficient LED lighting. As this project progresses, we urge city leaders to work with American Electric Power to not only brighten downtown, but all the city’s neighborhoods through replacement of older, high-pressure sodium streetlights with new LEDs. The work already underway downtown is refreshing, to say the least. At Heritage Port, the downtown’s crown jewel, the older lights cast an amber pall over the area. Now, the new LEDs ...

One of Life’s Milestones

As has always been the case, young drivers need not just lots of practice, but lots of guidance before they get their driver’s licenses and hit the road on their own. One would think that would go without saying, but Ohio officials are worried enough about a growing trend that Gov. Mike DeWine has announced a new campaign to encourage parents to spend quality time helping their teen learn safe driving skills. State law requires teens to complete 50 hours of driving practice with a parent or guardian before receiving their probationary license. But the Ohio Traffic Safety Office ...

Move Over, Slow Down, Save Lives

West Virginia drivers have known for years that when they see an emergency or other vehicle at the side of the road with flashing lights, they are to move over and slow down. Starting at the end of last week, that law is even clearer about what is expected in such situations. Road maintenance workers are now also part of the law, which requires drivers approaching first responders or other vehicles stopped on the side of the road with lights flashing to move over one lane if possible, and to reduce their speed if not. “While AAA has been instrumental in getting Move Over laws ...

Improve Ohio Math Scores

Teachers and administrators across Ohio have done an excellent job implementing the science of reading curriculum. But according to a report by the National Council on Teacher Quality, it’s time to focus on math, too. According to the Ohio Capital Journal, the report placed the Buckeye State among 25 receiving a “weak” rating for policies to strengthen elementary teachers’ math instruction. “Ohio’s made significant investments in professional learning for teachers in reading, but much fewer investments in financially supporting professional learning in math ...