Local Columns

Marshall Memo: Hunt for Some Mountain State Treasures on West Virginia Day

Six Marshall County sites will take part in West Virginia Day on Tuesday in Moundsville and Glen Dale with a scavenger hunt, organized by the Grave Creek Mound and the Moundsville-Marshall County Public Library. A scavenger hunt guide can be picked up at the Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex at 801 Jefferson Ave. in Moundsville. Those taking part in the ``Hunt’’ are to bring their completed guide to the library, 700 Fifth St., Moundsville, to claim a prize! Prizes must be claimed by 6:30 p.m. In addition to the Mound and the library, other participants will be: - ...

Manchin’s Dilemma — and Opportunity

It remains to be seen what U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin will do in 2024. Will he seek the Democratic nomination for another term in the U.S. Senate? Will he make a third-party run for U.S. President? Will he take a guest spot on “The Masked Singer?” Regardless of what he does, Manchin, D-W.Va., is doing everything he can short of switching his party registration to win back the approval of a West Virginia electorate that has shifted its allegiances over the last several years to Republicans on the whole and to former (now indicted) president Donald Trump as its standard bearer. A good ...

West Virginia’s Future Is Still in the Coal Mines

Before West Virginia was a state, the impact of coal formed the makeup of America. Coal has a long, rich history of spurring economic growth and energy production—and that shouldn’t change anytime soon. Washington Democrats have had little respect for the deep roots coal has in West Virginia’s communities, workers, and economy. Due the trend of “green policies,” the far left has waged war on coal. Many coal mines have been forced to close or been abandoned, causing communities to be uprooted and jobs to disappear. Specifically, southern West Virginia has been left ...

Marshall Memo: World War II Weekend; ‘Collage Art;’ and a Scavenger Hunt

Although the Cockayne Farmstead World War II Weekend is three months away, things have started to shape up. Last year the event was held at the Cockayne Farmstead, however, this year’s event will take place at John Marshall High School on Sept. 9-10. As to the attractions, one will be that of a World War II camp where re-enactors will show what a soldier’s experience might have been like. Also, re-enactors will represent armored tank divisions, parachute infantry regiments, and the Signal Corps which was Sam Cockayne’s branch of service. People will also learn about what ...

Addressing Challenges With Health Care Staffing in W.Va.

The core mission of hospitals is caring for people. To fulfill that mission, hospitals need compassionate, skilled, trained, and dedicated professionals. In West Virginia, more than 49,000 compassionate caregivers are employed by hospitals, representing the largest segment of health care in the state. In fact, new data from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that West Virginia employs the highest percentage of individuals in health care compared to its total workforce. Our hospital workforce is our most precious resource. That’s why to gain further insight into hospital employment in ...

Money Issues Complicate Justice Campaign

I feel like I haven’t written about West Virginia politics in years, but it has only been a few weeks. I’m almost away in May, between my annual Florida vacation that takes up much of the middle of the month and an annual Memorial Day weekend trip to my friend’s Kentucky cabin to help clean grave sites. I feel like during that time away, however, just about anyone who has a debt owed by Gov. Jim Justice and his family-owned businesses have come collecting, including now the federal government. Last week, the Justice Department filed a civil case on behalf of the Office of ...