Breaking News

Editorials

WVU moving in right direction

West Virginia University’s board of governors appears to be continuing the cost-savings and right-sizing measures that are meant to stabilize the financial position of the state’s flagship institution of higher learning. Meanwhile, they’re raising tuition again — 5 percent this year after the 3 percent increase approved last year. The board decided to cut bachelor’s degree programs in chemistry, math and aviation management at West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Beckley and cut bachelor’s programs in recreation, parks and tourism resources and wood ...

Ohio stepping up for county fairs

Each year, Ohio’s communities host fairs and festivals that unite generations in summer fun. Among the resources that allow them to do that are the funds provided by Ohio’s County and Independent Fair Grant Program. This year, it distributed $10 million in grant funding to “support county and independent agricultural societies with improvements …” The money is expected to be used for projects such as new grandstands, fixing or replacing old buildings, restroom facilities, parking and camping sites, electrical upgrades, lighting, signs and ADA accessibility improvements. ...

Ohio development needs to expand

A big tech company is making another big announcement about investing in central Ohio. That’s good news. But even better news is that Ohioans and their public officials are starting to figure out what that really means. Upon Google’s announcement that it would be investing another $2.3 billion into its data centers in New Albany, Lancaster and Columbus, WBNS-TV in Columbus noted the data centers consume immense amounts of electricity without creating a large number of jobs, once construction is finished. “Every sector of our economy is going to rely on some form of digital ...

County fair season’s here

Summer officially arrived at 4:51 p.m. Thursday, and that means there will be a lot to do across our region in the coming months — including the opportunity to attend a county fair. The Tri-State Area’s county fair season opens Monday, when the Harrison County Fair gets underway in Cadiz, renewing a tradition that started in 1847. County fairs have a rich tradition of offering something for just about everyone. Whether you enjoy seeing the displays presented by young people, like to admire the area’s top animals, listen to some live music, enjoy hearty helpings of fair food, ...

Don’t forget — your pets need protection

Have a hard time dealing with the sudden oppressive heat after getting into your parked car over the past few days? You immediately either rolled down all the windows completely or cranked the air conditioning as high as it would go, didn’t you? Now, think about those few moments of discomfort and imagine how very much worse it is for animals who are left in parked cars for an extended period of time on days like these. “A parked car can become an oven under the sun, even in mild temperatures,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of American Humane. “When it’s a ...

Weirton takes steps for future

Investment in Weirton’s infrastructure is continuing as city officials work to prepare the community for future opportunities. Last week, the Weirton Area Water Board was finally able to award a contract for its long-planned project to expand the capacity of its water treatment plant. The project, in the works for close to seven years, will move forward under the direction of Triton Construction, the same firm to serve as contractor of the expansion of Weirton’s wastewater treatment plant. Triton was the lone company to place a bid on the most recent effort, but additional ...