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Editorial Encore: More money, same problems: Where to use the surplus

EDITOR'S NOTE: We took a look into our editorial archive to see what was on our minds this time last year — and found that it was many of the same things as this year. We published an editorial Jan. 9, 2022, with a list of suggestions for how to use the $394 million surplus — now closer to $2 billion. There’s more money, but the same problems persist, so we’ve adapted last year’s list with this year’s numbers. Gov. Jim Justice’s administration has been good about bringing in surpluses at the end of the fiscal year. But it’s also been notorious for squirrelling the ...

We’ve made it to 2023

It’s one of those rare internet memes that’s all text and no image. It reads: “Nobody claim 2023 as ‘your year.’ We’re all going to walk in real slow. Be good. Be quiet. Be cautious and respectful. Don’t touch anything.” A similar meme went around before the last couple New Years, with “2021” and “2022,” respectively. After three years of sickness, political vitriol and global and economic tumult, no one can be blamed for approaching the new year with wariness. Some of us are still processing 2020, and the last two years feel like little more than an ...

W.Va. senator to sponsor eugenics bill

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat its mistakes. Unless, of course, they don’t think history’s “mistakes” are actually mistakes. At a meeting with Mineral County residents in early December, Sen. Randy Smith (R-Tucker) announced that he will be the lead sponsor for a bill that proposes anyone convicted of a drug-related crime can “volunteer” to be sterilized in exchange for a lesser sentence. “If you get caught with drugs ... but if you want to lessen your prison sentence, if you’re a man, you can get a vasectomy so you can’t produce ...

From our homes to yours: Christmas traditions

Merry Christmas! Happy seventh day of Hanukkah! And an early happy Kwanzaa (which will be celebrated tomorrow)!  In honor of the holiday season, we’ve asked The Dominion Post staff to share some of their favorite holiday traditions. Here’s what they said: Dave Raese, publisher: I used to go to a movie on Christmas because the afternoon was boring because we didn’t have extended family for the holidays. Then, I would volunteer to work Christmas Day so others in the newsroom could travel home. Now we, the family or those who can join us, try to go to a movie on Christmas ...

W.Va. GOP fixated on the ‘W’ in ‘WIC’

Where to even begin? Let us set the scene: It’s Dec. 15, and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources tweets out an image of two men (ostensibly a gay couple) lying side-by-side on the floor while one holds a baby aloft and the other makes a funny face. Along with the image, the DHHR tweeted the words: “No matter your family structure, WIC is here to help you and your children get the nutritional help you need” along with a link to WIC’s eligibility guidelines. The official Twitter account of the West Virginia Republican Party (using the handle @WVGOP) ...

Gritstone could become public recreation amenity

At the beginning of November, the pandemic claimed — though belatedly — another local business. Gritstone Climbing + Fitness was foreclosed upon, and at the end of November, the business was sold at auction to Unified Bank. Its doors have been closed since. The rock-climbing gym had a small but loyal following, and customers launched “Save Gritstone” campaigns on social media and a GoFundMe to support its former employees. It’s no wonder its patrons are so steadfast — Gritstone was the area’s only indoor climbing facility open to the public. The 20,000-square-foot ...