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John McCabe: Wheeling's Heritage Trail Needs Attention To Reach Potential

Local Columns

One of the highlights of working downtown, in my opinion, is the easy access to Wheeling Heritage Port and the Heritage Trail. I estimate that over the past three decades I’ve logged more than 10,000 miles walking on that trail, either during a quick break, after work or on the weekends. But, sadly, Heritage Trail is not what it once was. A combination of time, invasive plants and a general lack of maintenance — along with the trash left behind by some of the area’s homeless population that utilize the trail to shuttle between neighborhoods, or to access temporary camp sites — ...

Moundsville Growth Remains Impressive

Editorials

Last week was another impressive example of the growth that Moundsville has been experiencing over the past few years. Officials gathered at the site of the new Moundsville/Marshall County Indoor Recreation Center to celebrate its groundbreaking. Meanwhile, ground already was moving behind the audience. Work already was being done to make that facility a reality, which made those at the groundbreaking feel really good about its future. The new facility will house two basketball courts, each of which can convert into three pickleball courts, plus batting and pitching cages, a ...

Reporter's Notebook: Nothing But The Truth

Local Columns

The spread of misinformation (inaccurate information spread by mistake) and disinformation (false information spread deliberately) is nothing new in the history of humanity, but it sure seems like it's been getting worse lately. While my colleagues in local news media work to confirm information for stories that you may not see until later the same day or the next day, bad information is spread within seconds on social media platforms, such as Facebook and TikTok. For example, some on TikTok were accusing Gov. Patrick Morrisey of being absent and criticizing Parkersburg Mayor ...

John McCabe: A Quick Look at Spending in Marshall County Schools

Local Columns

It was interesting to read Wednesday that Marshall County Schools already is planning to get its five-year excess operating levy, which does not expire for nearly two years, on the ballot for renewal this fall during the midterm general election. School districts typically choose to run levy renewals, when possible, during primary election cycles, when fewer voters turn out to cast ballots. Certainly, if the levy would fail (I would not expect that to happen), this does give time for the board to get it back before voters again in the 2028 primary election. In the meantime, our ...

A Sound Proposal

Editorials

The historic homes and buildings of Wheeling have been a wonderful asset to the city over the years. As Jeanne Finstein recently told Wheeling City Council, those structures have been an enticement for those from outside to come to the Friendly City. The city already has procedures in place to make sure historic buildings are given more scrutiny before it’s decided to tear them down, but Finstein offered the council a new approach to decide which face the wrecking ball and which are attempted to rehabilitate. The suggested steps are: -- A list of contributing structures in an ...

No Need To Worry About The Nailers

Editorials

For the first time in decades, the city of Wheeling had to deal with the perils of professional sports. The Hoffman Family of Companies, the new owners of the Pittsburgh Penguins, formally announced Thursday that its ECHL affiliation would switch from the Wheeling Nailers to the Florida Everblades, a team the group already owns. This came as no surprise. Company president David Hoffman said weeks ago that he would be “run out of Naples” ­— the home region of the Everblades — if he didn’t make the change. If you look at it from a strict business angle, it makes sense. The ...