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10 years and one pandemic later …

Depending on how you look at it, we’re either more than a week late in congratulating Dr. Lee Smith on his imminent retirement from the Monongalia County Health Department, or a little more than two months early. After 10 years leading the MCHD, Smith has announced he will retire in May and Dr. Brian Huggins will take over. Smith has more than earned his retirement after leading Mon County through the COVID-19 pandemic — especially those early days. Under Smith’s leadership — and with the hard work and dedication of MCHD employees — Mon County residents had access to ...

Cheat Lake State Park?

Amid all the drama surrounding Lake Lynn Generation and Cheat Lake Park, there is a ray of hope: a resolution introduced in the Legislature to consider making Cheat Lake a state park. A quick refresher: Lake Lynn Generation owns and operates the Cheat Lake hydroelectric dam and the recreational-use land surrounding Cheat Lake. Lake Lynn Generation has requested to remove about 307 acres from federal protection. The community is concerned that doing so would open the land to private development, destroying the existing recreation and access to the lake. On top of that, community ...

HB 4654 does not protect kids

Do you know what bills are currently sitting in the House Judiciary Committee, awaiting lawmakers; attention? Among the 513 bills, there are dozens of authorizations bills for state agencies and licensing boards; multiple bills related to sex crimes, including ones against children; several bills related to domestic violence; and dozens of others that would impact people’s lives for the better. Instead of pursuing those, House Judiciary dedicated several hours this past week to debating, then passing HB 4654 — “removing bona fide schools, public libraries, and museums from the ...

Only 1 protection for women in ‘Women’s Bill of Rights’

We previously opined on the so-called “Women’s Bill of Rights” — HB 5243 — that has absolutely nothing to do with women’s rights and everything to do with promoting an anti-trans, anti-nonbinary, anti-intersex agenda. Recently, House Democrats tried to amend in some actual women’s rights — but House Republicans killed all proposed amendments but one. Here’s what could have been in the bill: Removing a tax on feminine hygiene products. Certain consumer supplies deemed “essential” — like aspirin or antacids — are sold sales-tax-free, because it’s unfair ...

The Good, the Bad and the Stupid 5

Good: SB 159 — “prohibiting smoking in vehicle when minor 16 or under is present.” This bill  passed the Senate and was sent to House Finance. It is an indisputable fact that secondhand smoke is dangerous. That’s why smoking is now prohibited in a variety of spaces — especially indoor ones — even though smoking itself is still legal for adults. An adult can make an informed choice to use cigarettes despite knowing the risks — a child locked in the car with said adult doesn’t have the choice to not inhale the smoke, especially if the windows are rolled up. This ...

New ‘baby box’ a welcome addition, but doesn’t replace right to choose

As we reported at the end of January, Morgantown will receive West Virginia’s second “baby box” as part of the Norwood Fire Station’s renovations. The baby box will be built into an exterior wall, with doors that allow it to be opened from both inside and outside the firehouse. A parent or appointed representative can anonymously place an infant less than 30 days old inside the box; once the box closes, the exterior door locks and an alarm is sounded inside the building to alert staff. From there, the baby will be taken into custody and provided any medical care it may ...