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Continue fight on overdose deaths

Something is happening to the numbers on overdose deaths in the Tri-State Area and across the country — and the change is a welcomed one. According to preliminary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Buckeye State in 2023 experienced its first significant decrease in overdose deaths since 2017. Dennis Cauchon, founder and president of Harm Reduction Ohio, told the Statehouse News Bureau he’d been watching the data and by early 2024 realized these were more than just incremental changes. “When I realized it wasn’t a quirk, it made me cry, because ...

Waging a battle against obesity

West Virginia comes in last or very near the bottom in all kinds of significant categories. It’s been that way for so long, it’s almost a running joke. And when the state is at the top of a list, it’s usually for something like leading the nation in overdose deaths. Now, research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the state is leading in another category: Obesity. The CDC says obesity is increasing across the country. All U.S. states and territories have obesity rates higher than 20 percent. But in the Mountain State, an astounding 41.2 percent of ...

Weirton’s bow hunt helps community

Each year, Weirton plays host to a controlled bow hunt within the city limits, organized by the Weirton Police Department with assistance from the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources and others. The main purpose of this hunt, the history of which spans more than two decades, is to help provide some control to the local deer population, and, in turn, protect deer and residents from the effects of overpopulation. That includes the spread of disease, the potential of vehicle crashes and damage to private property. In recent years, though, the hunt has found a way to give back ...

River Fest a great way to welcome fall

Fall officially arrived Sunday morning, and with it comes the expectation of cooler temperatures, a change of color in the trees and a variety of celebrations focused on the traditional harvest. A good way to welcome the season is by attending one of our local autumnal community events. New Cumberland’s Fall River Fest is set to take place Saturday and Sunday with a variety of vendors, entertainment and other activities for all ages. The festival will kick off at 9 a.m. Saturday with the River Fest 5K Walk and Run, with a course taking runners through town. It will be followed ...

A inspiration to reach for the stars

Many residents of the Tri-State Area, especially those who live in West Virginia, already know what a treasure the late Katherine Johnson was, and how important she and her colleagues were to the successes the United States had at the beginning of the space race. The White Sulphur Springs native and West Virginia State University graduate was among those who were known as human computers by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics and then the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Their work helped put a man on the moon. Though Johnson had already received the ...

Put safety first while enjoying homecoming

Homecoming celebrations for area high schools have begun. The festivities give students the opportunity to get out and enjoy themselves during this time of year, joining friends, family and alumni as they cheer on their team hopefully to victory, getting dressed up and dancing the night away. But they also should remember to do all of these things as safely as possible. There is certain to be lots of fanfare surrounding all of these events, but precautions must be taken. As during any time when students are out on their own, they must make certain to be careful if they are ...