Local Columns

Marshall Memo: School Counselors; Events at the Strand; and 50th Class Reunion

National School Counseling Week 2023 will be observed this coming week. The theme this year is, “School Counselors Helping Students Dream Big,” sponsored by the American School Counselor Association. The counseling week is being held to focus attention on the contribution of school counselors. The week provides recognition for school counselors who implement comprehensive school counseling programs, “a vital part of the educational process for all students as they meet the challenges of the 21st century,” according to Marshall County Schools Student Services, Federal ...

Divisions Surfacing Within GOP Caucus

We got a small taste last week of some of the divides within the House of Delegates Republican caucus and a sign of things to come later in the session. The House passed last week Senate Bill 128, clarifying the authority of the governor and Legislature to proclaim and declare states of emergency and preparedness, by a wide margin — 93-3. SB 128 would limit states of emergencies declared by the governor to 60 days and would require any extension of a state of emergency to be approved by both the House and state Senate by adopting a concurrent resolution. Yet, the divisions were ...

Marshall Memo: Tourism Day in Charleston; Construction Updates; and Movies

Three individuals from Marshall County along with representatives from Hancock, Brooke and Ohio Counties were among participants at the annual West Virginia Department of Tourism Day event held at the state Capitol. The Marshall County representatives were Craig White, chairman of the Greater Moundsville CVB and general manager of Grand Vue Park, Olivia Archey with the CVB, and Tommy Haribol from the Palace of Gold. White said the event enables tourism personnel from throughout the state to meet state legislators, and to distribute information concerning different attractions. ...

We Deserve the Freedom From Fear in America

Many recent op-eds in our newspapers have openly questioned whether the freedom to own a firearm will ever be balanced by our right to live in freedom from fear, especially by parents and children victimized by violent shootings in our schools. University professors, psychologists, and sociologists now often argue that we should ban firearms, or even repeal the Second Amendment, but curiously never seem to provide an intellectual, psychological, or sociological analysis of the root cause of spree shootings. Psychology and sociology are powerful academic disciplines, and can provide a ...

Tax Cut Bill Has a Shaky Future

I don't like to make predictions when it comes to legislation. I've seen bills that are "sure things" die at the last minute, and I've seen bills that seemed certain to die come back to life by a clever compromise.But if you were to ask me at this very second if I think House Bill 2526, Gov. Jim Justice's 50% personal income tax cut bill, makes it out of the Legislature, I would have to say no. We still have 48 days left in the 60-day session, so anything can still happen, but I'm definitely skeptical as of now.I won't rehash a bunch of things that you might have already read in my ...

Marshall Memo: Courthouse Upgrades; Municipal Building; and Civil Air Patrol

There are some things missing in the front of the Marshall County Courthouse—namely the steps and ramp leading to the front door, the front porch, and the columns. But don’t worry, all but the columns and porch will be replaced. Actually the porch will become an enclosed area where security personnel for the building will be located. The outside work is being done in conjunction with work throughout the entire inside of the building, the latter work being done in the evenings after working hours and during the weekends. Work on the entire project expected to be completed in ...