Local Columns

Playing the Special Session Waiting Game

Pick up a flower, assuming you have any after this dry summer. Begin picking off the petals and with each one, alternate between “there will be a special session next week” and “there won’t be a special session next week.” Signs as of today, according to the Magic 8-ball that is my brain, point to no. Speaking Friday with House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, he is skeptical but keeping his options open. “At this point, we have not received a call and at this point I’m not necessarily expecting one for August,” Hanshaw said. “That could change on a dime ...

Random Acts of Kindness Can Have Great Impact

I heard a story the other day about a young college student who loved running. It was great exercise and made him feel better. One day he was running so long and feeling so good that he lost track of time and where he was in the city. The city was a small college town, but he was not familiar with every part of it. He needed directions and was very thirsty. He began to knock on doors in the small neighborhood he found himself lost in. After a number of unanswered doors, finally a young woman opened a door asking the question, “Can I help you?” The young man was so thirsty and tired, ...

Marshall Memo: First Day of School; and ‘Fools’ Parade’ Showing

Tuesday is the first day of school for Marshall County students in grades 1-12. The first day of school for kindergarten students will be Wednesday, Aug. 21. --- The Marshall County Board of Education approved several personnel matters at its meeting held this past Tuesday. Resignations included Rick Young, custodian, Glen Dale Elementary, effective Nov. 30, 2024. Employment/Transfers included Claudia Callahan, Teacher of Kindergarten, Cameron Elementary and Samantha Fouty, from Teacher at Plays to Teacher of Grade Five, Hilltop Elementary; Joseph Thomas from Substitute Aide to ...

To Build or Not To Build … Are We Even Permitted?

Appalachia is an American energy powerhouse, supplying the natural gas that underpins U.S. energy security, national security and our nation’s leading role in reducing carbon emissions. These are truths widely recognized and fiercely defended by residents in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, so much so that candidate Kamala Harris’ campaign walked back her opposition of the industry to appeal to voters in the area. Although the debate over “fracking bans” has dominated headlines, it’s a red herring in the broader battle for U.S. energy leadership and environmental ...

Justice Family Business Woes Back in Spotlight

It has been nearly impossible to keep up with all of the business issues that Gov. Jim Justice is having. And make no mistake: These are the governor’s issues, not his adult children’s issues. Nearly every organizational chart for Justice-owned businesses continues to list him at the top of the pyramid or with a majority of control of the now 108 businesses that Justice lists on his 2024 financial disclosure report with the state Ethics Commission. And only eight of those businesses are in blind trusts, which takes the governor out of the management of those specific ...

Bus Routes Released; Healy Talks Parks; and Lions Look Ahead

The bus routes for the 2024-25 academic year have been posted on the Marshall County Schools website: Boe.mars.k12.wv.us. The complete list can be found under the Links tab at the web page. Click on Transportation and then Bus Routes. Choose a bus number to download a schedule. If you’re not sure what bus your child should ride, call the MCS Transportation Department at 304-843-4422. Each morning, make sure your child is at the bus stop a minimum of five minutes prior to the time listed. Students are not permitted to ride a bus other than the one assigned to their home address, ...