Editorials

Create Real Future for Southern W.Va.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey arrived in Welch, W.Va., late last month with a determination to let the people of McDowell County know they have not been forgotten. In addition to announcements regarding money for other parts of the state, Morrisey touted the awarding of $1 million to address sewer system deficiencies in Bradshaw, in McDowell County. “Every man, woman, and child should have access to safe, clean drinking water,” Morrisey said. “Every business owner should have the opportunity to operate in a town with modern utilities, and every county should be part of our state success ...

Follow-Through on Mailers Right Move

Free, fair and trusted elections are integral to making our nation work. When that system comes under attack, it truly is necessary to identify those involved and allow the matter to work through the system. The West Virginia Secretary of State’s office and Wetzel County Prosecutor Timothy Haught deserve credit for seeing through a local case in which illegal mailers were sent to thousands of voters during Wheeling’s municipal election. Just recently, Haught, a special prosecutor in the case, brought 22 misdemeanor charges against 41-year-old Anand Patel of Wheeling over his ...

Center Wheeling’s Future Must Be a Priority Today

A comment earlier this week from Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron on employee parking for those working at businesses in Center Wheeling illustrates why city officials must start discussions now on a realistic long-term plan for that neighborhood’s future. “We’ve already had inquiries for about half of the (parking) spaces (available at the former Center Wheeling parking garage site). I’ve had a number of building owners tell me that their employees were feeding the meters. When the parking structure was there, it had monthly parking,” Herron told members of City Council ...

Stepping Forward for State’s Future

The Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce’s scheduled speaker at next week’s Lunch With Leaders program — Marshall University President Brad Smith — should be a big hit locally, particularly as Wheeling works through the process of identifying a path toward a new future. Smith is expected to speak on the happenings at Marshall — and how the university is helping West Virginia to form its own vision for the future. Smith, a Kenova native, brings a non-traditional career path to the top post at Marshall. He was a longtime executive at Intuit, serving as the tech company’s CEO ...

Tick Season Is Upon Us

If the thought of creepy crawlies sends shivers down your spine, fair warning: Tick season is upon us. According to a report by Ohio’s Country Journal, experts are seeing a shift in the number and species of ticks here; and many bring health concerns with them. “We’re seeing changes in the distribution of a lot of medically important tick species,” Risa Pesapane, an associate professor in ecosystem and wildlife health at Ohio State University told the Country Journal. “We have had new ticks arriving in the state of Ohio and becoming established here.” Sure, there’s the ...

City’s Fashion Week Designs Path Ahead

One of the more interesting ideas sown locally in recent years is underway right now — Wheeling’s inaugural Fashion Week. And some of the items being discussed from those involved in highlighting the city’s burgeoning fashion scene could be part of the remedy to help forge a new vision for the city. Consider this, from Spencer Porter, designer and founder of the Wheeling-based nonprofit Why Don’t You Stay Awhile, during a panel discussion Tuesday at the Ohio County Public Library: “Success to so many young people is getting out of here. But I think that’s good as well ...