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Taking A Fall Adventure

Editorials

It might not feel like it just yet, but fall is on its way. With the transition to colorful leaves and (for many of us) more comfortable weather comes yet another opportunity for Ohio to shine — especially for those who didn’t quite work the traveling bug out of their system over the summer. According to TourismOhio, the state offers “gold medal” leaf peeping opportunities, particularly at its 76 FREE state parks and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. "Everyone has their own idea of the perfect fall getaway, and that's what makes Ohio such a special place to visit," said State ...

Go Out And See All The Beauty Of West Virginia

Editorials

Last month, Travel + Leisure released its list of the most naturally beautiful states in the country. While most of us here know West Virginia is unbeatable on that front, the Mountain State placed second in the rankings — behind only New Hampshire. “Researchers noted (West Virginia) was the only state in the top 10 to perform consistently well across all measured categories, thanks to its extensive forests, more than 6,600 miles of rivers, six national parks, and nearly 200 waterfalls,” the magazine said. Work done over the past decade or so has certainly gained the attention ...

Reporter's Notebook: Under Review

Local Columns

Once upon a time, the Legislative Auditor's Office used to release many reports under the leadership of former Legislative Auditor/Legislative Manager Aaron Allred. The office enjoyed decades of independence during Allred's tenure under both Democratic and Republican majority leadership. But in 2024, the Republican supermajority leadership largely clipped the wings of the legislative auditor's independent authority. Sometimes it is easy to forget that the Performance Evaluation and Research Division and the Post Audit Division still exist, because their work product has slowed. But ...

W.Va Sen. Randy Smith: Common-Sense Regulation Can Strengthen W.Va. Manufacturing

Local Columns

From the industrial history of the Kanawha Valley to the advanced manufacturing facilities operating across our state today, West Virginia has long played an important role in American manufacturing. Our skilled workers make many of the materials and products that keep our economy and supply chains moving. To keep West Virginia competitive, protect good-paying jobs, and encourage new investment and technology, federal regulations need to keep up with the real world. We can protect public health and the environment while also supporting American manufacturing and economic growth. Most ...

Sad Ending for Hospital

Editorials

It was of no surprise this past Wednesday when the final auction for the former East Ohio Regional Hospital property in Martins Ferry attracted no bidders. It now appears the site will be forfeited to the state of Ohio over past-due taxes. It is a seemingly sad final chapter for a hospital that served generations of Ohio Valley residents and once stood as one of Martins Ferry’s most important institutions. East Ohio first closed in 2019 after being purchased by Alecto Healthcare Services, the same company that acquired and then closed the Ohio Valley Medical Center. There was ...

Law Enforcement Deserves Our Praise

Editorials

Many of us went to bed Thursday night expecting Friday morning to arrive without incident. For a few dozen local law enforcement officers, there was nothing routine about the hours in between. Shortly before midnight Thursday, a West Liberty police officer responded to a report of an armed man at an apartment complex. What followed was an all-night standoff involving West Liberty, the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department and the Wheeling Police Department. The armed man reportedly pointed a semi-automatic rifle at West Liberty Police Chief Tristan Painter. Later, after retreating into ...