Opinion

Be Careful With Bats

Editorials

Most Ohio residents are used to thinking about seasonal changes in the rules such as burn bans or parking in such a way that the snow plow can get through. Perhaps less familiar is Ohio’s fall bat exclusion restriction period — from Oct. 15 through March 31. No, it has nothing to do with baseball’s off-season. This is a requirement that residents obtain permits before removing or relocating bats from homes or buildings. When white-nose syndrome (a cave fungus) showed up several years ago, Ohio started protecting bats, especially during their overwintering period. Despite that ...

Deputies, Firefighters Deserve Much Praise

Editorials

So often during their daily rounds do law enforcement officials go above and beyond in protecting the people in their communities. Another shining example of that came this past weekend in Ohio County. A pair of Ohio County Sheriff’s deputies, Aidan Zamborsky and Brenda Lesnett, as well as two West Liberty volunteer fire fighters, Ed and Elizabeth Wolfe, entered a home this past weekend to help someone who had fallen unconscious in a basement. When they entered that basement, they were faced with the same toxic gases that injured the resident. The victim was part of a three-man ...

S&P Report Right in Assessing West Virginia

Editorials

If the folks in Charleston want to take credit for positive reports from ratings agencies such as S&P Global, they’d better be ready to be held accountable for the negatives. While reminding elected officials they must be ready to make corresponding adjustments if there are negative revenue effects from Medicaid changes, S&P Global Ratings went on to express great concern over the sustained loss of population over the past 75 years. Combine our hemorrhaging of people with the fact that a high percentage of those who DO stay are living below the poverty line, and/or growing older ...

Rotary Leading by Example

Editorials

It is never too early to learn the value of community, character and hard work. That lesson was on full display last week in St. Clairsville, where members of the St. Clairsville Noon Rotary Club took time from their professional lives to visit second graders at St. Clairsville Elementary School. Through a simple but powerful story — “Andy and Elmer’s Apple Dumpling Adventure” — Rotarians shared an enduring message: honesty, fairness, friendship and service are the foundation of both good business and good citizenship. Those four principles, embodied in Rotary’s Four-Way ...

A Swing That Lifts an Entire Community

Editorials

A new swing may seem a small addition to a town. But in Wellsburg, the installation of the “Almost Heaven” swing represents something much bigger — pride, partnership and opportunity. Wellsburg’s new swing is part of a statewide initiative to place handcrafted wooden swings at scenic destinations. Each is designed to encourage visitors to stop, enjoy the view and share their experiences. Wellsburg’s location — framed by the Ohio River and the city’s historic downtown — provides a serene setting that tells the town’s story in a single snapshot. This is the sixth ...

Working Together To Keep the Region Healthy

Editorials

It’s always good to see organizations work together for the greater good — and that’s exactly what’s happening right now on both sides of the Ohio River. As the J.B. Chambers YMCA in Elm Grove undergoes major renovations, the Martins Ferry Recreation Center is stepping in to help ensure opportunities to stay active don’t skip a beat. For the next three months, the Wheeling YMCA will run several programs at the rec center — including senior fitness classes, adult evening workouts, and a youth basketball skills and drills clinic led by former college player Asia Roby. ...