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Pats on the Back

Editorials

- To Ohio County Schools Assessment and Federal Programs Director Walt Saunders, who was named Friday as the new superintendent of Hancock County Schools. - To Cameron High School graduate Ian Bush, a 184-pound wrestler at West Virginia University who was named WVU’s Athlete of the Week after two Big 12 conference road wins . - To Ohio County Schools for a successful “Tiny Patriots” event to promote the school district to parents of young children. - To congregants throughout Ohio County who came together at Lava Ave. Baptist Church to build booklets of the Gospel of John and ...

Tobacco Use Still an Issue in West Virginia

Editorials

The start of “political season” in many states brings with it a host of studies and reports filled with data that could inform legislative decision-making. Among them is another WalletHub study: “The Real Cost of Smoking by State (2026.)” In West Virginia, it may come as a surprise to learn, the lifetime cost of smoking is among the lowest in the country. The Mountain State ranks 38th for both out-of-pocket costs at $153,300 and financial opportunity costs at $2,685,329 over a smoker’s lifetime. It won’t surprise anyone who knows how Duke University got its name to know ...

Keeping Downtown Development Going

Editorials

A major downtown construction project’s return to the front burner for the city of Wheeling is fantastic news for its future. At its most recent meeting Wheeling City Council had its first reading of an ordinance that would allow the city to spend $59,000 on M&G Architects and Engineers’ services to get the ball rolling on demolishing several buildings on 14th Street — which would make way for a $63 million project that would include a restaurant, coffee shop, event center, hotel, condominiums and more right across from WesBanco Arena. Is it a huge step? Yes and no. It’s an ...

The Hospital Factor in West Virginia’s Economic Future

Local Columns

As Chair of the West Virginia Hospital Association (WVHA) Board of Trustees, I want to commend Governor Morrisey and the West Virginia Legislature for their leadership and focus on job growth and economic development as the legislative session begins. From my perspective, working at the intersection of healthcare delivery and economic development, these priorities directly support the sustainability of our healthcare system. That’s why I want to speak directly to West Virginia’s business leaders about why hospital sustainability must remain on the radar this session. The work being ...

Honoring Dr. King’s Legacy, Now More Than Ever

Local Columns

The following are remarks Vincent deGeorge has written in accepting an award from the Martin Luther King Jr. Committee. I am honored and humbled to be receiving recognition from our MLK Committee, and compelled by the weight & responsibility attached to the legacy of Rev. Dr. King to live into that legacy with these remarks. The Rev. Dr King’s legacy spans so many traditions, that are so needed today: In the tradition of faith, Rev. King spans Abraham, Moses, Jesus, so many saints and faithful to we people of faith today. In the tradition of thought, Dr. King, seeking truth, ...

Questions Remain for Hancock County Schools

Editorials

The next couple of weeks could very well determine much of the future for Hancock County Schools. A meeting held Tuesday between local officials and the West Virginia Department of Education included discussion as to whether the district will receive an advancement of funds to meet payroll; an issue Superintendent Dan Enich said was the result of a late drawdown of $475,000. On Jan. 26, the school board — and anyone else attending the board’s regular meeting — are scheduled to hear from Jeff Davis (not the former Hancock County commissioner) of Educational Consultants LLC, who ...