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Precise approach to gun violence

Lawmakers looking to reduce the number of gun crimes without stepping on the Second Amendment have to take a precise approach if they are to do any good. In Columbus, it seems the “Repeat Offenders Act” might be a good start. Introduced by Reps. Bernie Willis, R-Springfield, and Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Township, the bill would increase penalties for a person caught a second or third time having a gun illegally, according to a report by WBNS-TV in Columbus. It would increase penalties for using a gun during a violent crime, and provide mandatory sentences for some offenses. ...

Remembering those who protect, servce

We hope that everyone will take a moment and reflect on the lives and sacrifices of Leslie J. McDonald, Lafayette Mercer, Owen Burns, Scott Roe, Leonard Lamatrice and Thomas McGough of the Steubenville Police Department; William J. Snider and Michael Maguschak Sr. of the Mingo Junction Police Department; Benton Miller Sr. of the Toronto Police Department; Michael Brandle of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department; and Harding Duval of the Brooke County Sheriff’s Department. They are the law enforcement officers in our region who have lost their lives in the line of duty, and ...

Incident shows why concern is needed

We think about it a little less as the weather warms up, but a recent incident in Harrison County underscores the importance of having proper ventilation for alternative heat sources, and having working carbon monoxide detectors. Bowerston Volunteer Fire Department responders and those from other Harrison County departments arrived at a Bowerston home Tuesday to find four members of the same family in urgent need of help. “All four were severely ill with carbon monoxide poisoning,” Bowerston VFD Capt. Adam Reardon said. “They had utilized a propane stove with improper ...

Voter turnout must be better

Another election, another case of low voter turnout. According to the office of West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner, statewide voter turnout for Tuesday’s primary election was just 30 percent. That’s less than one in three registered voters in the state taking the time to be part of the process of electing candidates. Counties in the Northern Panhandle fared little better. Starting at the top of the state, Hancock County had 28.2 percent turnout, Brooke County had 32 percent turnout and Ohio County saw 40.1 percent turnout. Sadly, turnout was this low despite ...

Ohio’s teachers deserve better

Ohio teachers deserve better than the worry being stoked by questions about the State Teachers Retirement System. They can hardly be blamed for wondering what in the world prompted consulting firm Aon to cut its ties with the agency. Gov. Mike DeWine is right to be seeking an investigation, after Aon made several recommendations to improve corporate governance at STRS … and then showed itself out. “The unstated implication is that the governance issues at STRS are so concerning that Aon could not continue its contract in good faith,” DeWine said. “STRS may now be out of ...

Making investments in Weirton’s parks

While there has been much attention in the last year to discussions by the Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation and Weirton Council on what is and isn’t needed in the city’s recreational offerings, it has been nice to see some investment from outside of city government taking place. Last month, representatives of the Mon Power/First Energy Green Team unveiled a partnership with Weirton Parks, kicking off their efforts with the planting of various trees and shrubs — including flowering dogwood, silky dogwood, red bud, yellow birch, Canadian serviceberry, shrubby St. John’s ...