Breaking News

Editorials

We’re still facing some more winter

Regardless of what Punxsutawney Phil and his furry woodchuck pals said this morning, reality is on the calendar, and that indicates we have reached the midpoint between the end of fall and the start of spring. Groundhog Day lore relies on Punxsutawney Phil and his fellow forecasting groundhogs to tell us if there will be six more weeks of winter ahead or if we can expect an early spring. And it’s all based on whether or not the groundhog sees its shadow, according to the animal’s handlers. It’s great fun and a chance to relax a little and direct our attention to Gobblers Knob ...

Month offers a chance to reflect

Black History Month 2026 offers a chance to look at the impact Black Americans have made on our lives, and a special chance to reflect on an event that has been a part of the nation’s calendar for 100 years. “A Century of Black History Commemoration” is the theme that has been selected this year by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, the founders of Black History Month. It’s a wide-ranging topic, and one that puts the focus on how the commemoration of Black history has evolved during the past 100 years, and the impact it has had on the status ...

Show support for local businesses

Been stuck in the house for a while? Made one last run at the big box store before the snow, ice and frigid temperatures hit and haven’t spent an extra dime since? One day, we will be through this arctic spell. We’ll need to venture out and do a little shopping. Maybe we’ll just be ready to eat at a restaurant after having gone through everything in the pantry at home. When that time comes, consider spending your money with a smaller, locally owned establishment. Those who have either been forced to close or have seen very little traffic because of this weather may be in ...

Correction officer shortage concerning

According to a recent report by the Dayton Daily News, the Ohio state prison system was short more than 500 corrections officers at the end of last year. The Daily News conducted its investigation because Dayton Correctional Institution has the highest rate of openings, at 18.8 percent. Lebanon Correctional Institution has a vacancy rate of 11.5 percent and Warren Correctional Institution has a vacancy rate of 2.4 percent, the newspaper found. Those numbers are an improvement over the worst period in 2022, but still a significant problem for the system. Of course, state officials ...

Fix needed for schools in W.Va.

The state having to take over local school districts, such as what happened earlier this month in Hancock County, has become more common in West Virginia in recent years. Including Hancock County, there are now 10 county school districts out of West Virginia’s 55 that are under some form of state control, whether that’s been through a complete takeover or declaration of a state of emergency, where the county and state are working together to stave off that full takeover. That means nearly one-fifth of the Mountain State’s school districts have found themselves in such peril ...

Weirton going after buildings

Weirton officials are taking additional steps in their efforts to address blight and encourage new development in the city, although it appears everyone will not be happy with this approach. As part of its regular meeting earlier this month, City Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance that would establish a vacant building registration program. There are those who have acquired a vast number of buildings in the community during the years, and, for whatever reason, have left them to rot and decay, with no maintenance or improvements, and with no occupancy. ...