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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 ...

Rotary Leading by Example

Editorials

It is never too early to learn the value of community, character and hard work. That lesson was on full display last week in St. Clairsville, where members of the St. Clairsville Noon Rotary Club took time from their professional lives to visit second graders at St. Clairsville Elementary School. Through a simple but powerful story — “Andy and Elmer’s Apple Dumpling Adventure” — Rotarians shared an enduring message: honesty, fairness, friendship and service are the foundation of both good business and good citizenship. Those four principles, embodied in Rotary’s Four-Way ...

A Swing That Lifts an Entire Community

Editorials

A new swing may seem a small addition to a town. But in Wellsburg, the installation of the “Almost Heaven” swing represents something much bigger — pride, partnership and opportunity. Wellsburg’s new swing is part of a statewide initiative to place handcrafted wooden swings at scenic destinations. Each is designed to encourage visitors to stop, enjoy the view and share their experiences. Wellsburg’s location — framed by the Ohio River and the city’s historic downtown — provides a serene setting that tells the town’s story in a single snapshot. This is the sixth ...

Working Together To Keep the Region Healthy

Editorials

It’s always good to see organizations work together for the greater good — and that’s exactly what’s happening right now on both sides of the Ohio River. As the J.B. Chambers YMCA in Elm Grove undergoes major renovations, the Martins Ferry Recreation Center is stepping in to help ensure opportunities to stay active don’t skip a beat. For the next three months, the Wheeling YMCA will run several programs at the rec center — including senior fitness classes, adult evening workouts, and a youth basketball skills and drills clinic led by former college player Asia Roby. ...

Cleaning Up Moundsville

Editorials

Moundsville officials are taking necessary — and overdue — action to address serious safety concerns at several rental properties in the city. The sight of cockroaches and rats overrunning homes on Center, Cedar and Cypress streets is more than disturbing; it’s a public health crisis that no community can tolerate. Residents have every right to be alarmed. When vermin spill from one property into others, when neighbors are forced to endure swarms of roaches and the stench of decay, local government must intervene. City Manager Rick Healy and the Marshall County Health Department ...

Let Babydog Eat Cake

Local Columns

You’d be forgiven if you were to think that West Virginia only has one U.S. senator instead of two. Because based on appearances, Sen. Jim Justice appears to be doing the bare minimum. Sure, Justice is casting votes. If he has missed any, I’m unaware. The same goes for committee meetings. Justice is attending meetings, casting votes, and sometimes making speeches, though many times those speeches have little to do with whatever the committee is discussing that day. But is doing the bare minimum enough? One of my favorite movies is “Office Space.” In one scene, a server played ...