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History in the Hills: Local history on film

Many years ago, when I was in Boy Scouts with Troop 65 out of Memorial Baptist Church in Weirton, we had a great local history presentation by the late Chuck Cronin. Cronin gave a wonderful talk on Weirton Steel during World War II. In addition to the presentation, he brought in a 16 mm reel-to-reel projector and played a film called “Assignment Accomplished,” which showed the production of the 8-inch howitzer shells produced by Weirton Steel in 1944 and 1945. Little did I know at that time this event would spark a love for Weirton Steel history and World War II history that ...

Working together a key

Everyone who spoke at this year’s State of the County presentation offered a lot of information about what’s happening in and around the area. They also provided an optimistic look at the future of Jefferson County and reminders that one of the greatest strengths of the region is the willingness of residents and elected officials to work together. Despite what you might hear or want to believe, there’s a lot of economic growth happening throughout the region. Wintersville Mayor Mike Petrella, for instance, reminded the 70 or so people who gathered in the auditorium at Indian ...

Guest column/Carbon capture is not a climate solution

Carbon capture and sequestration is a process which captures carbon dioxide from industry emissions and injects the CO2 deep into the ground by way of Class VI injection wells. It is an unproven technology at scale and relies on tax-payer subsidies to be affordable. Once again, marginalized communities of the region will be facing more pollution from this process and taxpayers will be footing the bill. One of many risks associated with CCS is potential leakage of carbon dioxide. These leaks would negate any climate benefits that CCS might provide, and have the potential to asphyxiate ...

Guest column/Investing in West Virginia’s work force: Power of skilled trades

West Virginia’s economy has always relied on hard-working men and women who build the infrastructure our communities depend on every single day. A new report from the Marshall University Center for Business and Economic Research reinforces just how vital the state’s skilled trades workforce is — not only for the projects they build, but for the economic strength they bring to West Virginia. The numbers tell a clear story: Over the past two years alone, the West Virginia Building and Construction Trades Council’s members generated more than $8.1 billion in total economic ...

Guest column/We are staring at a looming port and trade catastrophe

During the pandemic, Americans learned how painful supply chain disruptions can be. Now, a newly proposed action from the Trump administration could unintentionally make the pandemic’s supply chain disruptions seem tame. President Trump is looking to rapidly rebuild American shipbuilding. That’s an important goal since the erosion of U.S. shipbuilding — and China’s growing dominance in global shipbuilding — must be confronted. But the administration’s proposed plan could send costs soaring for U.S. consumers, grind U.S. exports to a halt, wreak havoc at U.S. ports and ...

What if a shelter dog could talk to you?

Dear human: I saw you today. You walked past my cage and took a quick look at me before walking away. I got so excited, I began to bark. And then all of my neighbors began barking too. It became very loud in there. So loud. I am sorry for that. Perhaps you are sorry you came … because I am still here. Waiting. We all are still here. Waiting. Everyone is accounted for in our cages. No, I certainly wasn’t on my best behavior. None of us were. But I need for you to know that we just get too excited. I was excited because I had a chance to see somebody new. I don’t see ...