Local Columns

An Overview of Where Things Stand Between Israel, Hamas

Outside of an individual’s personal joy of their family’s achievements, there cannot be any greater joy than what was seen when three young Israeli women were released by their captors after 471 days in captivity. The looks on their faces and that of their relatives of joy, happiness, and relief, cannot be duplicated. Others are being released. But at what price? Significant concessions to the Hamas kidnappers should never be called a “deal,” said Professor Alan Dershowitz. “It was extortion. Would you call it a deal if somebody kidnapped your child, and you ‘agreed’ ...

The Wrath of CON

I am a Star Trek nerd through and through, ever since I can remember. Naturally, I’m a fan of “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.” I have many favorite scenes from that movie. I even have a Hallmark ornament of the (spoilers) famous engine room death scene with Adm. James T. Kirk and a mortally wounded Capt. Spock, separated by glass, unable to touch his dying first officer and friend. But one of my all-time favorite scenes is Khan appearing to outwit Kirk, stealing the Genesis device and leaving him, his ex-lover, their son and his landing party marooned in the center of a ...

Fair Net Metering of Solar Energy Important to W.Va.’s Future

For the past three years, my family has benefited financially and environmentally from rooftop solar on our small farm and home. We made this investment to lower our electricity costs and support a more sustainable future. Like many West Virginians, we saw solar as a way to take control of our energy needs while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. However, the future of solar investment is now at risk. American Electric Power, our utility provider, is seeking to reduce net metering policies, cutting the value of solar credits by over 70%. If approved, this move would hurt future ...

Understanding the Past Important to the Future

This year’s Super Bowl and Autumn Lockwood made history. Not only that but she also has a connection to the Ohio Valley. Autumn Lockwood makes history as the first Black woman to coach in the Super Bowl, and the first to win. Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LIX made history in several ways. One of them is that Lockwood was on the Philadelphia Eagles coaching team. She is a part of the sports conditioning Coaching team. She has been with the Eagles since August 2022. Before her present position, she was the sports performance coach at the University of Houston. She has a ...

They Are Coming for Us — They Will Come for You Next

As frustrating as it might be to hear politics preached from the pulpit, even more troubling is to find politicians attempting to legislate religious adherence. “Montani Semper Liberi,” “Mountaineers are always free,” our State motto proclaims, hearkening back to our origins and the rejection of slavery at the time of the Civil War. Those founders of our State wrote carefully to protect the freedoms of all West Virginians with our Constitution. In Article Three, our “Bill of Rights,” they laid out a defense of religious liberty even more strongly worded than that in the U.S. ...

Marshall Memo: Homecomings, Musical Honors and Family and Child Care Training

The Moundsville High School Alumni Association is gearing up for its 11th Homecoming Celebration, scheduled for Labor Day weekend on Aug. 29-30. The association will hold a pivotal meeting on Tuesday, March 11, at 6 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church to finalize preparations for the much-anticipated event. During the meeting, members will focus on updating alumni addresses and preparing to mail out 3,500 invitations to graduates spanning multiple classes. The Homecoming Celebration promises to be a grand reunion, bringing together former students to celebrate their shared history and ...