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Move on the RAIL Act

Norfolk Southern says it still expects site restoration in East Palestine to be “substantially complete by early/mid June.” This despite additional monitoring wells being installed as recently as the end of March, and sediment and surface water monitoring that continues to show evidence of the catastrophic derailment that occurred more than two years ago. However infuriating the progress of Norfolk Southern’s effort to “make it right” may be, though, the progress being made in Congress is even more frustrating. On the two-year anniversary of the derailment on Feb. 3, Vice ...

Capping Abandoned Gas Wells in West Virginia

Abandoned oil and gas wells have been a problem in West Virginia for more than a century. Lawmakers did the right thing during the most recent regular session by passing House Bill 3336, which allows operators to fill wells with cement without having to remove the central casing. That might not mean much to a lot of us, but the process is said to be easier, cheaper and safer. It could also help protect groundwater, and with staying on top of modernization efforts. “It gives accounting for the casings that are put in,” said Delegate Mark Zatezalo, R-Hancock, “the double casings ...

Make Ohio Shine Bright

With the summer season underway, state officials hosted an event last month to celebrate Ohio Tourism Day. Hundreds of exhibitors and attendees gathered in Columbus as a kind of pep rally to kick off the season. “The experiences you’ll have in the Heart of it All are unmatched—and so is their impact,” said Gov. Mike DeWine. “Whether you’re paddling through Hocking Hills, watching the sun dip below Lake Erie, or sitting down to a five-star dinner in Over-The-Rhine, you’re a part of something much bigger. Tourism brings serious dollars into Ohio and breathes life into our ...

Discussions Needed on Region’s Future

Numbers always tell an interesting story. When it comes to Wheeling’s population, a topic we plan to expand upon in this space in the coming months, the numbers paint a picture local leaders need to better understand if they do, indeed, want the city to grow and thrive in the future. Consider: Wheeling’s population as of July 1, 2024, according to estimates released last month by the U.S. Census Bureau, is 26,060. That’s the lowest level for the city’s population since — think about this — prior to the 1880 census, when Wheeling registered 30,737 residents, up from the ...

Right-Sizing School Budget

It’s only been a handful of years ago that Ohio County Schools spent $65 million in a year to educate students and operate facilities, school buses and the other items necessary for a public school district. That was 2017. This year, that same budget is $89.3 million. During that span, the number of students in Ohio County decreased by 550. In 2017, to educate 5,269 students, the county spent $12,336 per student. In fiscal 2025, that cost increased to $18,923.50 per student for the 4,719 children enrolled in the system. What changed? For one, property tax valuations on ...

Happy Birthday, Wheeling Park!

Wheeling is a special place. Its history, its role in serving as a gateway to America’s westward expansion, its Victorian-era architecture, and so much more factor in to making this such a unique spot. At the top of that list has to sit the city’s incredible public parks system. Wheeling Park, nestled in a quiet neighborhood along U.S. 40, is part of a parks system for the people built and maintained by the people that, frankly, is unmatched across the nation. Wheeling Park today officially marks 100 years of operation. In the past century it truly has grown to become the ...