Breaking News

Opinion

Guest column/Children with autism deserve care, not cuts

Local Columns

I recently read over my son’s last report card and was overwhelmed with pride. It showed how far he’s come — progress that, not long ago, felt out of reach. I made mental notes of the areas where we still need to do some work, but mostly I just sat with the joy of seeing comments like “participates well in class” and “a pleasure to have in class.” A few years ago, those kinds of remarks seemed impossible. My son is on the autism spectrum. He’s bright, curious and kind, but he faces challenges in areas that come more naturally to his peers — things like ...

25-Year Club picnic a success

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: The Weirton Steel 25-Year Club held its annual picnic on July 12. Thanks to hard work, it was a success. We would like to thank our sponsors who made it happen: First Choice America Community Federal Credit Union; Tudor’s Biscuit World; Hancock County Savings Bank; USW Local 2911; Brooke-Hancock Central AFL-CIO; Randy Skiles; Hauser’s Furniture; R.S. Saxon Jeweler; Steel and Wolfe Funeral Home; Mario’s Restaurant; Total Equipment; Follansbee McDonald’s; Holiday Inn; Wash-Rite Car Wash; Wine and Beverage Merchants of West Virginia; Gus’s Goodies; James White ...

Reminder to protect children

Editorials

Last week, the Jackson Township Police Department in Northeastern Ohio conducted Operation Unsportsmanlike Conduct, in which it targeted predators traveling in an attempt to solicit sex from children, during a multi-day operation. According to a report by WOIO-TV in Cleveland, the operation resulted in the arrests of seven men who were allegedly trying to engage in sexual activity with girls they believed to be under the ages of 13, 14 and 15. Stark County court records showed those girls were actually undercover police officers being contacted through cell phones, thank goodness. ...

Peach Festival tradition lives on

Editorials

For more than 60 years, the annual Peach Festival has been a mainstay for the St. Thomas Episcopal Church and the Weirton community. That tradition will continue from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday as the church offers a variety of peach-centered treats, along with cabbage rolls, haluski and other refreshments, with a variety of attractions and entertainment also in the works. This year, that includes a car cruise, craft and food vendors, an inflatable attraction for the kids, and more. Area residents will be able to stop by Saturday to get their fill of shortcakes, ice cream, pies ...

Guest column/West Virginia must finalize NIL for high school athletes

Local Columns

On Friday, West Virginia will finally step into the present when the state Board of Education approves Item I (WVSSAC, Series 2), allowing high school athletes to benefit from their name, image and likeness. This change isn’t just overdue, it’s essential. For years, I’ve spoken publicly and privately about the need to give our student-athletes the same opportunities already available to their peers across the country. When my colleague and I started lobbying for this shift in February, only 30 states and the District of Columbia had NIL policies in place for high school students. ...

Criticism of Yost choice shameful

Editorials

Last week, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the appointment of the state’s newest solicitor general — the person who serves as the state’s lead attorney for appeals in state and federal court. He has chosen Mathura Sridharan, an Ohio native who has been deputy solicitor general since 2021. “Mathura is a relentless defender of Ohioans, a champion of federalism and legal force to be reckoned with in a courtroom,” Yost said. “Her brilliant legal mind and masterful understanding of constitutional law make her the obvious choice to lead the team as Ohio’s ...