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Give them credit: The American Red Cross knows when to make alliances with adversaries, if it will help it complete its mission. With the startlingly high number of tornadoes this season, the Red Cross notes “It’s vital for blood donors to make time in between summer celebrations to give blood and help ensure lifesaving blood products are ready the moment they are needed in times of disaster or where severe weather may prevent people from being able to donate.” The Tri-State Area has not been immune to damage caused by storms — a tornado in May struck parts of Jefferson, ...

Thunder in the Ville a summer tradition

Area residents will start the countdown to the Fourth of July holiday this weekend in Wintersville. Thunder in the Ville, which will run Friday and Saturday, has for nearly three decades served as the Tri-State Area’s unofficial start of the Independence Day holiday. The formula for its success is simple — it offers a weekend of fun, activities for adults and children, vendors, food and, of course, fireworks. It’s a tradition that will be renewed at the Jefferson County Airpark. The festival will get started at 4 p.m. Friday, with opening ceremonies set to begin at 6 p.m. ...

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, ...