Editorials

A Good Path Forward

The Ohio County Family Resource Network gave Ohio County flood victims a wonderful gift for the holidays — the chance to come together and talk. The organization hosted a gathering at the Valley Grove Volunteer Fire Department as a way for victims to just sit down and discuss what they’ve gone through over the past six months. For some, it’s really the first time they’ve been comfortable in talking about what they’ve witnessed and what they’ve experienced. It wasn’t just the opportunity to talk to each other. A grief counselor also was on site for anyone who needed ...

Pats on the Back

- To everyone who rang bells this holiday season for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign. Your time and efforts will help a lot of people in need throughout the Ohio Valley. - To Wheeling Park High School football player Brennan Wack, who won his unprecedented second Curt Warner Award as West Virginia’s top prep running back. It was the capper to an amazing high school career. - To the anonymous benefactor who donated $225,000 toward building a new sale and show arena at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. That is no small gift, and will benefit everyone who uses those ...

‘No Red Tape’ Is the Right Move

“When someone asks for help, the answer shouldn’t be a stack of paperwork.” That is true in most facets of our lives, but in this case, U.S. Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va., is talking about addiction treatment — and rightfully so. Those ready and willing to seek help sometimes find themselves confronted with a daunting number of hoops to jump through. But Justice and U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., have introduced the No Red Tape for Addiction Treatment Act. “This legislation cuts through the red tape and puts lifesaving addiction treatment where it belongs — in the hands ...

Let the People Speak

A group of Ohio lawmakers believes public bodies within the state should be required to allow public comment before decisions are made. It may come as a surprise to you that is not already the case, but state law requires only that the public be allowed to attend and/or listen to meetings. House Bill 609 would address that barrier to civic engagement with a revision “to require a public body to allow for public commentary and testimony before taking formal action on any item.” State Reps. David Thomas, R-Jefferson, and Meredith Craig, R-Smithville, are leading the bipartisan ...

New OVGH Tower Is a Fitting Honor

The legacy of Ohio Valley General Hospital and Ohio Valley Medical Center will remain a visible part of Wheeling for years to come, thanks to a slew of people. Recently, the design for a tower bearing the former hospital’s OVGH letters was unveiled to the public. The letters used to adorn the tower at the hospital, but as it was being torn down to make way for the future WVU Cancer Institute St. Joseph Regional Cancer Complex, crews carefully removed the letters and the City of Wheeling stored them for safe keeping. Now, they’re at Wheeling Park High School, where machine tool ...

Laws Must Be Followed

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has been focused for years on improving literacy in the state; and in 2023, a law was passed to require teaching colleges and universities to align with the Science of Reading in its curricula for those who hope to become teachers. But a recent state audit shows that while most (33) have complied, five are in partial alignment and 10 are not in alignment. Among those 10 are Ohio State University and Ohio University. DeWine says the state has made “great strides” in implementing the Science of Reading in its K-12 classrooms, but that all 10 of the colleges ...