Editorials

Dancing Wheels A Great Event

Those who dance often talk about the joy they feel when participating in the art ­— the freedom and the beauty of expression. There are some in the community who, due to different disabilities, may not believe they can join in that joy. At Easterseals Rehabilitation Center this week, there was an event that smashed through that belief and showed people that anyone can be a dancer. Dancing Wheels, a nationally recognized physically-integrated dance company that unites performers with and without disabilities, again held a movement class in Wheeling, in collaboration with Easterseals ...

Time For A Clean-Up

Spring is here and it is a time for renewal. Part of that renewal can be in and around your home. Have a bunch of stuff that you just need to get rid of? The City of Wheeling his helping with that by holding several Spring Cleanup days around the city. Dumpsters are located on those days at areas around Wheeling for landfill-appropriate refuse. The containers will be at the following places on the following days. - April 10 - Former Dog Pound, Industrial Drive & Peninsula Street, Fulton - April 17 - Former Wheeling-Penn Closure, 19th Street, East Wheeling - April 24 - ...

Underrated Park Not Only Treasure

Those of you who have visited New River Gorge National Park and Preserve will have trouble believing anyone would fail to see it as a top destination for hikers, climbers, lovers of the outdoors and those who seek adventure amid unparalleled natural splendor. But according to U.S. News and World Report, the park is the No. 1 most underrated travel destination for 2026. “With its majestic forested hills and deep canyons, New River Gorge is often compared to the Smokies, but with shorter peaks, a more compact footprint and much smaller crowds,” according to U.S. News. It’s also ...

Foreclosures Increasing

Rising prices and a general economic malaise are hitting home — literally — in Ohio, as a new report shows foreclosure activity is increasing in the state. Realtor.com says the Buckeye State has a foreclosure filing rate higher than the national average — one for every 2,787 housing units. That is sixth on the list — just ahead of New Jersey, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. The national average is one in every 3,701 housing units entering foreclosure proceedings. Back in 2021, 8.4% of Ohio mortgage holders were spending at least half their income on housing, the ...

Sounding Alarm Over Area’s Population Loss

The population numbers for our region of West Virginia contained in the recent U.S. Census Bureau county population estimates release are, frankly, not surprising. The Northern Panhandle has been losing population for years. The estimates, based on county populations as of July 1, 2025, confirm the decades-long trend of people leaving our area. Consider this: there are 7,300 fewer people in the Northern Panhandle than on July 1, 2020. A six-county region that in 1970 had 201,940 residents today has 140,138. That loss — 61,802 people — is roughly equivalent to the current ...

Pats on the Back

- To all of Wheeling’s first responders who were recognized during Thursday’s ceremony at WesBanco Arena. Your service makes all of us safer. Thank you for your work. - To everyone, especially new sponsor The Health Plan, who have stepped up to support Bethlehem Apostolic Temple’s annual Easter giveaway. You’ll be making the holiday happier for a lot of families. - To Switzerland of Ohio school bus driver Paul Dietrich, who was recently surprised at Monroe Central High School with a 90th birthday celebration. Keep doing what you love, sir. - To the crew of the Artemis II. ...