Editorials

Get Into the Holiday Spirit in the Valley

The Halloween decorations are back in the basement around the Ohio Valley, making way for the holiday splendor that will soon adorn all corners of the region. The valley is now getting into the spirit of the holidays and there are plenty of places around where those wanting some Yuletide joy can enjoy some. The annual Festival of Trees will be open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. through Nov. 15 at the Pine Room at Oglebay Park Resort. Trains and trees will be on display daily and there will be several events throughout the week, the proceeds of which will go to Wheeling Health Right. And, of course, ...

Protect Working Kids

Gov. Mike DeWine has legislation on his desk that should not be difficult to reject. State Senate Bill 50 would allow 14- and 15-year-olds to work until 9 p.m. during the school year. According to a report by the Cincinnati Enquirer, the law would require permission from a parent or legal guardian and a work permit from a school, but it would allow students (some of whom could be in the eighth grade, based on their age) to work 18 hours a week or three hours a day during the school year, and 40 hours a week when school is not in session. The most surface-level reason to reject the ...

Solving Homelessness Will Take a New Approach

“Very few see us as human. Too many people have given up on us now. The only people we have on our side is supposed to be you guys.” That, from Jess Truex, a resident of Wheeling’s homeless encampment, to members of Wheeling City Council during their Tuesday meeting. Then this, from Mike Jaeger, another homeless person in the city: “Whatever it takes for us to come together to find some common ground, that’s what needs to happen. There’s nowhere else to go. If we live on the streets, we get locked up for vagrancy. I ask that you please try to work with us and find a ...

Steenrod Earns Its Blue Ribbon

Another Ohio County school earned yet another major honor this week, as Steenrod Elementary was named a West Virginia Blue Ribbon School for its overall excellence. Principal Michelle Dietrich said the school was on its way to National Blue Ribbon honors before they were notified that U.S. Department of Education was shuttering the program. Regardless of who is handing out the award, Steenrod is more than deserving. Long considered one of West Virginia’s top elementary schools, Steenrod has continued its great work. A veteran leader in Ohio County Schools, Dietrich has done a ...

Caring for Caregivers

Among the many other designations for November is National Family Caregivers Month — a time to recognize the role played by those who sometimes jeopardize their own long-term financial, physical and mental wellbeing to instead care for a loved one in need. According to data from AARP West Virginia, approximately 26% of Mountain State adults fall into the category of being a family caregiver. These people are often unpaid — and on their own — taking care of older parents, spouses and others for whom no one else has stepped up. In fact, AARP estimates there is approximately $3 ...