Editorials

Don’t Forget to Register to Vote

In many ways, the May 12 primary election is more important to West Virginians than if candidates for president were on the ballot. There are races for non-partisan offices that will be decided that day — county school boards, the state Supreme Court and more. There are countywide partisan races for which voters will select a candidate to move on to the November general election. There are levy issues to be decided. There are party nominations for local candidates to the state House of Delegates and state Senate. These are all matters and issues that will have much more impact on ...

Party Affiliation Important In This Primary Election

If you’re planning to vote the Republican ticket during the May 12 primary election, remember this: only registered Republicans can participate this year. If you’re a registered Independent and you don’t change your party affiliation prior to end of day Tuesday, April 21, then you will not be able to cast your ballot in the GOP primary. That’s a change from past years when the Republican primary was open to Independents. Party leaders voted to close it this year. You can check — and change, if you so choose — your party affiliation at govotewv.com. Independents can ...

Pompeo’s Contribution To The Arts Admirable

Cheryl Pompeo’s contributions to the arts in the Ohio Valley received a well-earned permanent acknowledgment this past week, when one of the dance studios at the Oglebay Institute School of Dance at the Stifel Fine Arts Center was dedicated in her name. For four decades, Pompeo has not only taught dance to children across the Ohio Valley, but has expanded the school to bring even more students to the school. “Cheryl Pompeo is absolutely amazing,” Oglebay Institute President Danielle McCracken said. “She brings her heart, her soul, her expertise to the School of Dance, and has ...

WVU Medicine Shows Belief In Ohio Valley

WVU Medicine’s belief that the Ohio Valley is worth investing in was reinforced earlier this week with the announcement of multi-million-dollar projects approved for the region. The health system announced that it will build a new community hospital in St. Clairsville, as well as a new cancer center at WVU Medicine Weirton Medical Center. The two projects will total $76.1 million — $56 million for the St. Clairsville hospital and $20.1 million for the Weirton cancer center — as part of $350 million in investments approved by the board. The board has approved projects over the ...

Bellaire Moves Forward

If the acrimony that surrounded Bellaire Village Council and Mayor Robert Dodrill late last week and earlier this week is what led to the conciliatory tones that group ultimately took with each other, then the earlier chaos might have been worth it. Dodrill shocked his constituents last week by announcing he would resign as mayor just three months after taking the oath of office, following former village fiscal officer Ginny Favede out the door. Among the reasons he offered were concerns over the village’s finances with the previous administration, as well as a feeling that other ...

New Tech Program A Great Addition

The most effective school districts are the ones that make sure the needs of every student are met, not just the highest academic achievers or the most athletically talented. Ohio County Schools is showing its mettle in that regard with a new program for its career and technical education students at Wheeling Park High School. The school is starting a program where students can earn certification in building automation systems while in high school. It’s a partnership with West Virginia Northern Community College. Students who complete the program exit high school with a capstone ...