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Just Who Is My Neighbor: Will We Show Mercy to Those in Wheeling Who Need It the Most?

Local Columns

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus tells the story of a traveler beaten and left for dead on the side of the road. Two respected men pass by without stopping. Finally, a Samaritan — a foreigner, an outsider — sees the man’s suffering, is moved with compassion, and kneels beside him. He tends the man’s wounds, shelters him, and ensures his recovery. When Jesus asks, “Who was his neighbor?” the answer is clear: the one who showed mercy. That ancient story is playing out again on the streets of Wheeling and in communities across West Virginia. Once again, people who have lost ...

Questions Need Answered

Editorials

Wheeling’s elected leaders made their thoughts known last week when they voted 6-1 to support the closure of the city’s managed homeless encampment. City Manager Robert Herron followed up with a notice posted at the camp that it would be closed, effective Dec. 1. Council made its wishes known and the city manager followed through. That’s how the process works. But there are questions that need answered over the coming five weeks. - Members of council called the camp, in operation for nearly two years, a “failure.” Is there data to back that assertion? - Council members ...

A Clearer View for a Revitalized Downtown

Editorials

Wheeling’s downtown has been remade over the past five years — not in small ways, but with big, bold strides. From major infrastructure investments to open and vibrant public spaces, the city is recapturing its historic heart. Now, leaders are setting their sights on something that doesn’t require a new building or ribbon-cutting, but likely will be even more impactful to the city’s overall health and image: giving residents and visitors a clearer view of the Ohio River. City officials are preparing a project to trim back trees and brush along the riverbank near the south ...

Be Careful With Bats

Editorials

Most Ohio residents are used to thinking about seasonal changes in the rules such as burn bans or parking in such a way that the snow plow can get through. Perhaps less familiar is Ohio’s fall bat exclusion restriction period — from Oct. 15 through March 31. No, it has nothing to do with baseball’s off-season. This is a requirement that residents obtain permits before removing or relocating bats from homes or buildings. When white-nose syndrome (a cave fungus) showed up several years ago, Ohio started protecting bats, especially during their overwintering period. Despite that ...

Deputies, Firefighters Deserve Much Praise

Editorials

So often during their daily rounds do law enforcement officials go above and beyond in protecting the people in their communities. Another shining example of that came this past weekend in Ohio County. A pair of Ohio County Sheriff’s deputies, Aidan Zamborsky and Brenda Lesnett, as well as two West Liberty volunteer fire fighters, Ed and Elizabeth Wolfe, entered a home this past weekend to help someone who had fallen unconscious in a basement. When they entered that basement, they were faced with the same toxic gases that injured the resident. The victim was part of a three-man ...

S&P Report Right in Assessing West Virginia

Editorials

If the folks in Charleston want to take credit for positive reports from ratings agencies such as S&P Global, they’d better be ready to be held accountable for the negatives. While reminding elected officials they must be ready to make corresponding adjustments if there are negative revenue effects from Medicaid changes, S&P Global Ratings went on to express great concern over the sustained loss of population over the past 75 years. Combine our hemorrhaging of people with the fact that a high percentage of those who DO stay are living below the poverty line, and/or growing older ...