Editorials

Focus on Jobs in Ohio

Ohio leadership has for some time been promising improvements in employment opportunities for Buckeye State residents. What we got — in droves — are data centers, which don’t check many of the boxes when it comes to benefiting residents. Policy Matters Ohio took a look at all those data centers and what they mean for the state. There are more questions than answers. According to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal, data centers could be costing the state a lot of money, particularly when one compares the tax revenue given up with the number of jobs created. “If the ...

Put West Virginia First at Session’s End

As West Virginia’s 134 elected lawmakers strap in for the final week of the 2025 regular legislative session, they would do well to consider the words of Wheeling businessman David H. McKinley, in what should be their primary focus: “It’s all about jobs. It’s all about advancing the economy. I have little interest in turning to the more divisive social issues that do nothing to advance our economy.” Unfortunately, much of the first 53 days of this legislative session have focused on issues that will do little, at best, to grow the economy or advance opportunities for all West ...

Council Correct To Hold Off on Cat Feeding Ban

Creating laws simply to deal with a specific situation — particularly when remedies to that situation already exist — is poor governance. It was appropriate then that Wheeling City Council held off this past week on an ordinance that would have outlawed the feeding of feral cats. Councilman Ben Seidler, whose ward includes Wheeling Island, put forth the measure after hearing from some residents about people on the Island leaving food out for stray cats. The ordinance was set for passage Tuesday. Dozens of residents opposed to the measure turned out at council, prompting Seidler ...

Pats on the Back

- To the student thespians, musicians, artists and others that took part recently at Wheeling Park High School’s Celebration of the Arts. The event showcased some of the exceptional talent at Wheeling Park High School and how instructors are helping that talent to grow. - To the West Liberty University biology students that have been working on a long-term restoration project at the northern tip of Wheeling Island, where they are planting trees and removing trash. Led by WLU’s James Wood and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Victor Elam, the students have planted 150 Sandbar ...

Crunch Time for W.Va. Lawmakers

One is tempted to wonder who in the motorcycle insurance industry got hold of state lawmakers this year, after discussion of a couple of motorcycle-related ideas in the House of Delegates. House Bill 2752 has actually been dubbed a “freedom from leg cramps bill” by state Delegate Chris Philipps, R-Barbour, who was a co-sponsor. It would let riders operate motorcycles or mopeds while standing as long as the rider faces forward and their feet are on the pedals. That passed the House 80-17. Meanwhile, Delegate David Foggin, R-Wood, offered an amendment that would have let ...

Students Working To Save the Hellbenders

It’s not often high school students find themselves on the front lines of preserving a species. But that’s happening right now at Indian Creek High School in Jefferson County where a team is working with others throughout Ohio in an effort to help save the endangered Eastern Hellbender salamander. The hellbender, found in many creeks and streams throughout our region, is an excellent gauge into the health of a waterway. Pollution, erosion and other issues have taxed the population in recent generations, with fewer young hellbenders surviving. Among other items, hellbenders help to ...