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Editorial

Drivers: be mindful of school bus stops

Local drivers are, for the most part, back in the habit of obeying safety laws regarding school buses on the roads.But during this National School Bus Safety Week, it is important to remind ourselves not only of the rules but why they are so necessary.According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the danger is not just for those still riding on a bus. Between 2013 and 2022 there were 1.5 times more fatalities among pedestrians than occupants of buses — 169 people were killed. During that time 111 school-aged children died in ...

Take advantage of early voting

Wednesday marks the official start of the general election here in West Virginia, as voters can hit the polls starting at 9 a.m. There are four polling locations — the County Election Center (Mountaineer Mall): Mason-Dixon Historical Park; Suncrest Towne Centre; and the WVU Art Museum. If you can’t hit the polls on election day, vote early and make your voice heard.

Improve communication between Monongalia County and VFDs

At a time when communities throughout the state are struggling to staff volunteer fire departments, the last thing Monongalia County residents need is for county commissioners to stop communicating with the Monongalia County Volunteer Fire AssociationYet it appears that has happened.Association President Mickey Rhinehart is questioning why the commission asked his group to come up with a plan to distribute about $500,000 in county fire protection funds — the plan was presented last month — but then went ahead with its own plan. “It made the committee we had set up and the ...

Finding WVU’s next president

The search for West Virginia University President E. Gordon Gee’s successor is officially underway. The committee tasked with finding the university’s next president has issued a 52-page leadership profile highlighting the post and just what the university is seeking in its 27th leader.Consider this list of attributes included in the profile:“Deep and abiding commitment to student success.”“A track record of transparent decision-making that inspires trust … and reflects on-the-ground experience.”“Commitment to WVU’s values with emphasis on academic freedom and ...

National Guard deployed to help

West Virginia residents wishing they could be doing more to help those affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton can take some comfort knowing the Mountain State is sending some of its best to get to work.Last week, the West Virginia National Guard activated approximately 40 members for response and recovery efforts in Florida. Ten to 12 airmen from the 130th Airlift Wing will be joined by approximately 30 engineers from the 821st Engineer Construction Co. and equipment from the 601st Engineer Support Co.They’ll be under the command of the Florida National Guard and plan to spend ...

Honoring a true West Virginia icon

During last week’s special session of the West Virginia Legislature, lawmakers carved out time to honor someone important not only to the state, but to the country.They passed a resolution to place a statue of the late Hershel “Woody” Williams inside the U.S. Capitol.Williams, who died in 2022, was the last surviving Congressional Medal of Honor recipient from World War II.Born in Quiet Dell, W.Va., Williams was a Marine Corps veteran who was in combat in the Pacific.He received the Medal of Honor in 1945, after serving in the Battle of Iwo Jima with the 21st Marines, 3rd Marine ...