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Investments In Center Wheeling Make Sense

Editorials

In introducing an ordinance to spend nearly $700,000 to replace the roof on the Lower Market House on Centre Market, the City of Wheeling made a prudent move for the future of that neighborhood, and not just in the obvious areas. First, let’s talk about the obvious. Centre Market has been a hub of commerce in Wheeling for so long. It’s crucial that it remains healthy and free from structural issues. Yet, that expenditure means so much more for Center Wheeling because of what isn’t there yet. The WVU Cancer Institute St. Joseph Regional Cancer Complex is beginning to take shape ...

Gambling Still A Problem

Editorials

As lawmakers continue to look for ways to kick-start our sluggish and somehow still backward-looking economy, West Virginians are falling prey to another draining and damaging addiction at a higher rate than in most other states. WalletHub’s “2026’s Most Gambling-Addicted States” placed West Virginia at sixth overall. It’s always a shock to come in first in one of these studies or reports, just to come to the understanding that on this one, first is worst. But the Mountain State is No. 1 for lottery sales per capita. The state is also first for legality of daily fantasy ...

Prescription Take Back Day Important

Editorials

Saturday is National Prescription Take Back Day, a twice-a-year opportunity for us to collect the expired and unused prescription drugs in our homes and dispose of them safely. Having those drugs around the home can be dangerous. They can become lost, stolen and sold illegally, or misused by friend, neighbor or another member of the family. Such a scenario could become a life-or-death situation for someone you love. It could start, restart or deepen an addiction. It could lead someone to any of a litany of bad choices. In a state like West Virginia, which already has felt the scourge of ...

A Call Home: McKinley Never Lost Touch With The People He Served

Local Columns

It became common practice over a dozen years in this editor’s chair that at least one or two Thursday or Friday afternoons each month were reserved for a phone call from then-U.S. Rep. David McKinley. McKinley, a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives during that time, would use at least an hour of his drive from Washington, D.C., back to Wheeling to call this newspaper and speak with either me or my predecessor, the late J. Michael Myer, to get a feel for what was happening in his district. McKinley understood that a politician who truly cares about doing what is ...

McKinley Always Put W.Va. First

Editorials

For those who followed his career, David McKinley’s legacy is neither complicated nor difficult to define. In more than four decades of public and professional service to his state, he consistently put West Virginia and its people first. McKinley died Friday at age 79. He is one of just a few local residents that have represented this area in Congress — and he did it very effectively. At a time when politics too often drifts toward division, sound bites and ambition, McKinley built his public life around something far more grounded: service to the communities he called home. ...

Even Little Things Are Important This Earth Day

Editorials

Earth Day is today, the annual celebration of this big blue and green ball on which we live and a reminder that she needs taken care of. There will be several big events scheduled around the country, and some nice-sized ones around the Ohio Valley to commemorate the day and make a significant impact on environmental awareness. Yet celebrating Earth Day doesn’t have to come with grand gestures or major events. We all can do our part in little ways this day and every day to ensure the Earth stays strong for a long time to come. For instance, if you’re leaving a room for a while, turn ...