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Marshall Memo: Knights of the Golden Horseshoe Are Named

Jacob Utt from Moundsville Middle School and Takoda Barton, Emily Gatts and Chloe Pickett from Sherrard Middle School are being recognized for their outstanding knowledge of West Virginia history by being named the 2024 West Virginia Golden Horseshoe winners in Marshall County. Given every year since 1931, the Golden Horseshoe test assesses student knowledge of state government, history, economics, geography, and current events. The Golden Horseshoe test is not a statewide competition which means 8th grade students compete against other 8th graders who attend school in their own ...

Calm Before the Storm

Here we are, with West Virginia’s primary elections on Tuesday and the conclusion of one of the more vitriolic campaign seasons I’ve ever witnessed. I’m a political junkie, but this campaign season has been political overload, with all the TV and radio commercials, mailers, and even text messages from candidates. I know many of you feel the same way because you let me know. Medium Buying, a company that focuses on broadcast media ad buys, did a breakdown of how much Republican candidates for governor paid for their media ad buys, determining that more than $22 million has been ...

Mothers Make the Difference in Their Children’s Lives

This Mother’s Day will be the 46th Mother’s Day without my mother being physically alive. I only had 17 Mother’s Days with her, and yet I can’t stop thinking about her from time to time. I lost my mother to cancer when I was 17 years old. She had three forms of cancer — breast cancer, lung cancer and brain cancer. I don’t think there is a day I don’t still think about her. She died when she was 36 years old. If your mother is alive, honor her. I am sure she made mistakes, but she’s still your mother. Some mothers have given up their jobs to stay at home to take ...

Marshall Memo: Recognizing Veterans; Pizza Party Day; and Plantings

Eleven Moundsville city employees were honored at this past week’s council meeting following an announcement by city manager Rick Healy. Healy said, “I remembered that May is National Military Appreciation Month and started thinking about members and veterans working for the city. “A little background — In 1999, Congress designated May as National Military Appreciation Month to ensure the nation was given the chance to publicly show their appreciation for troops past and present. It serves as a reminder of the profound contribution made by service members. “Each year, the ...

Who’s in ‘Poll Position’ For W.Va. Governor’s Race?

We are now nine days out from the May 14 primary, with early voting continuing this week until Saturday. And as I write this, I cannot tell you how the Republican primary for governor will go. As you all well know, I don’t do predictions. All I can do is tell you what the political weather is like at this moment. If the election were held at this very moment, it sure looks like based on polling and money expended that Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is the favorite, with former state lawmaker Moore Capito and Huntington businessman Chris Miller duking it out for the role of ...

Marshall Memo: Sherrard Middle Makes It Three in a Row at History Bowl

Sherrard Middle School made it three championships in a row in the West Virginia History Bowl as Team No. 2 defeated Mountain View Middle School to take home this year’s state title. Coached by Dan Gatts and Jeff Stephens, this year’s team consisted of Chase Fromhart, Connor Fromhart, Emily Gatts and Chloe Pickett. Emily Gatts was named the tournament’s MVP and earned an additional $300. Overall, the four top winners of the first-place team each received a trophy and $500 to celebrate the achievement. The team began its journey to The Cultural Center in Charleston by ...