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Columns/Opinion

Statistical area merger ahead? Idea to combine federally designated regions worth exploring to spur real bragging rights

It would be utter exaggeration to draw parallels to our circumstances and those in "The Grapes of Wrath." But John Steinbeck's remark about bragging is as befitting today as then: "Perhaps the less we have, the more we are required to brag." Certain politicians and industry leaders of late often brag about our state's "economic recovery." How well we're doing now. But if we're doing so well, why are we still the poorest state? And let's face it, we're running out of taxes to cut or phase out to spark growth and development. However, recently we reported on a commercial real estate ...

Levy will improve more than schools: Preston voters’ recent passage of initiative casts a positive light on county’s future

Despite being eclipsed by SB 451, a groundhog unable to find his shadow and the gloom of winter, Preston County cast a positive light on itself Saturday. On its third attempt in 26 months Preston's voters passed a special school levy — by a comfortable margin — 3,073 for to 2,731 against. This, the day after the state Senate passed a controversial education "reform" bill that stands to drain already inadequate resources away from public schools. Not to mention on the day a certain groundhog oddly forecast an early spring only hours after a snowstorm and a polar vortex took a ...

Don’t let riotous behavior snowball: Police and WVU should respond accordingly to criminal acts during snow day block party

Why not let it snow arrests, expulsions and discipline? To simply chalk up Friday's snow day block party gone criminal to some kids misbehaving is a mistake. Setting a fire in the street, pelting police and municipal workers with bottles and rocks, refusing police orders to disperse and other blatant offenses go beyond acting up. Though most of this crowd may have not committed any crime, they were certainly not innocent, either. Unless you consider taunting and antagonizing the police as innocent, who acted with the utmost restraint. Law enforcement and others have correctly defined ...

State takes wheel on vehicle count: New law should help Fleet Management know what exactly is in its parking lot

Three years, thousands of vehicles (depends on whose estimate) and one House bill later, we have an answer. Of course, we still have questions, too, about the number of state vehicles and trailers licensed and insured, but this is a start. The state's official fleet number of 8,380 was obviously not easy to arrive at, but it's at least far below the mathematical mean among three state agencies. The state Department of Administration's Fleet Management Division lowballed its estimate — 7,500 — proof it had a handle on things, sort of. Not too far off the over/under estimate the ...

Could mother’s arthritis be affecting her eyes?

Q: My mother, who is 74 now, has been struggling with her arthritis for years, but lately she is also telling me her eyes are scratchy and dry. She’s having more trouble reading her Bible and medication labels. Is this related to her arthritis? A: Your mom likely has a very common symptom ...