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Marshall Memo: Violins of Hope, Peter Pan, a Halloween Party and Cruisers

The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra hosted a special school presentation in honor of Violins of Hope this past week in the John Marshall High School Center for Performing Arts. Violins of Hope is a national organization that brings together an exhibit of beautifully restored violins and other string instruments that were played by concentration camp prisoners during the Holocaust. For this concert, WSO musicians performed on those instruments for a reflective and powerful experience. Several collaborations took place as part of this unique experience. More than 150 JMHS students, faculty and ...

Anyone’s Race in GOP Primary for Governor

Last week was a fire hose of political news, from campaign finance reports to new polls to newly registered Republicans running for statewide office. Let’s start first with campaign fundraising in the 2024 Republican primary for governor. Attorney General Patrick Morrisey might have the most donations for the most recent three-month quarter, but Huntington businessman Chris Miller continues to be a wild card with his more than $3.6 million of cash-on-hand. Keep in mind, that haul includes both money that can only be used for the primary and money that can be used for the general ...

VA Must Honor Its Commitment To Care for Veterans

The U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs made a commitment to taking care of the health and wellness of our veteran community here at home; unfortunately, they are falling far short on that promise when it comes to emergency medical care. As chairman of the West Virginia Senate’s Committee on the Military and a combat veteran of the U.S. Air Force, I am appalled by the VA’s recently published plan to slash reimbursements for emergency medical transportation services provided to our nation’s veterans and the communities in which they live. Due to a rule change (“Change in ...

Marshall Memo: A Horror-Filled Prison; Community Awards; and Reynolds

Two major attractions at the former West Virginia Penitentiary are up-and-running this month. One is the Dungeons of Horrors while the other is the North Hall Walk. The dungeon is now in its 25th year while the “walk” has been an attraction for 10 years. These two events are expected to combine to attract more than 10,000 visitors. The two attractions will take place this weekend on Oct. 13-15, and will continue on Oct. 20-21, and Oct. 27-29. There will also be a special Halloween event on Oct. 31, and it is nearly sold out. The Dungeon of Horros has about 20 differences than the ...

Charting a New Course for Public Education?

The West Virginia Constitution states that “The Legislature shall provide, by general law, for a thorough and efficient system of free schools.” The education article in the state Constitution can cause some headaches, but it does serve as a firewall to ensure the state doesn’t go raiding dollars meant for education, and that all children have access to education. It helps give every student an equal footing and equality of opportunity. But over the last few years there has been a movement by many on the right to focus on school choice, which is sort of a misnomer. Parents in ...

Steadiness and Caring Needed for Homeless in Wheeling

Writing in response to an eviction notice posted Friday at the homeless camp on East Wheeling hill, comments supporting a homeless ban made in The Intelligencer, Wheeling City Council’s homeless ban discussion at Tuesday’s meeting, and scheduled homeless ban vote at next meeting. The city, straight down from our city manager, directed people to camp on the hill in East Wheeling, and now instead of continuing our deliberate, humane, and legal solutions the city is recklessly trying to evict and ban them. Instead, let’s steady ourselves a moment, wait for the Winter Freeze Shelter ...