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Let’s shop local all year

It’s never been easier to shop. Need a loaf of bread or lunch? It’s just a few clicks away. How about a new pair of shoes, a sports coat or a shirt? All you have to do is find the right app and they will be on your doorstep in a matter of days. A new refrigerator or washer? It can be delivered before the end of the day. What about a car? You might not have to leave your couch at all — the entire transaction can be completed online or on your phone or tablet and the vehicle delivered straight to your home. With those transactions being so convenient to make, it can ...

History in the Hills: A talk on the Civil War

This past week, I had the opportunity to speak at the Civil War roundtable in Wheeling. The talk was held at the Ohio County Library in the auditorium on the lower level and there was a good turnout. I had a great time speaking to the group. Roger Micker, who asked me to speak, did so about a year ago after one of our Union Cemetery tours and I was honored to do it. Joining the ranks of presenters who have spoken to the group is humbling as despite my best efforts, the Civil War is something I am not an expert on. I had spoken to a Civil War roundtable before, once in ...

Guest column/Gobbler Tales continue to hold special messages

We all have the bad taste from the bitter election, so let’s turn the page where we find American Colonial history and the names of William Bradford, governor of Plymouth, and Massasoit, the chief of the Wampanoags, and a three-day celebration of the first Thanksgiving. “Falcons Wing, Turkey Pole Down take us back to Old Plymouth Town ...” — Aunt Clara in the episode of the “Bewitched” TV show, “A Thanksgiving to Remember,” on Nov. 23, 1967. Telling gobbler’s tales in front of a hearth with a flickering bright fire glowing, giving off the warmth of love during the ...

Guest column/Voters have sounded the alarm on rising energy costs

American voters soundly rejected Bidenflation at the ballot box on Nov. 5. In an ABC exit poll, 67 percent of Americans said the economy is in “bad shape.” That shouldn’t be too surprising, though, since inflation is wiping out many family budgets. In fact, a half-gallon of milk now sells for as much as $10 in parts of the United States. But what’s driving all of this budget-busting inflation? And what to do about it? Much of the problem stems from higher energy costs. CBS News reports that the price of electricity in the U.S. has jumped 28.5 percent since 2019. In some ...

Guest column/An historic moment for broadband in West Virginia

For years, government leaders and internet providers have worked to close West Virginia’s digital divide and bring affordable high-speed internet service to every home in our state. Last month, a landmark Broadband Summit in Charleston aimed to chart a path to finish the job. The timing couldn’t be better as the state prepares to receive over $1.2 billion in federal broadband investments, courtesy of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law championed by Senators Capito and Manchin. And with more than a quarter of West Virginians still lacking any options for high-speed service, the ...

Area has a lot to offer

While it’s important to get a reminder about the many good things that can be found across our area, it’s also nice to hear that some of those things that we might take for granted help to draw visitors and, sometimes, might just lead to people wanting to make the region their home. Examples of those sentiments could be found during the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting and awards banquet. The 160 or so guests who gathered Oct. 30 in the Christ the Teacher Academic Center on the campus of the Franciscan University of Steubenville heard about the chamber’s ...