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Be mindful of youth during travels today

Forget about decades-old urban myths about razor blades and poisons hidden in Halloween candy — the real dangers tonight are more likely to come from inattentive drivers on local roads and children consuming candy that contains allergens.According to a report by The Hill, other risks include falls due to costumes that become a trip hazard (or reduce visibility), and candy that can lead to choking.Parents are advised by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to feed children before sending them out for their candy, to reduce the chance they will snack on a treat that contains an ...

Bureaucracy getting in the way in W.Va.

When most West Virginians think about being on top of things and getting the job done, they aren’t thinking about paperwork. But in Washington, D.C., we appear to be developing a reputation for just that.“All of the folks at the Department of Commerce who talk to me about our state say ‘wow, you guys are really ahead of the curve. You guys are really getting it done’ in terms of applications and paperwork,” U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said at the start of the 2024 West Virginia Broadband Summit in Charleston.That’s great. But getting a jump on all that paperwork ...

State DOH not serving county

In October of last year, leaders in Monongalia County were assured by state highways officials that a temporary traffic light would be installed at the intersection of Chaplin Hill Road and the Interstate 79 off-ramps at Exit 155 — one of the most difficult intersections to navigate in the region.A year later, that promise appears to be broken — at least temporarily — as no traffic signals have been installed. This has led county government and development officials to question just why there’s been no movement on rectifying this issue.It’s not uncommon for traffic to back ...

Properly dispose of prescription drugs

Tomorrow is National Drug Take Back Day. Across our region, there will be designated locations for those with old prescription medicines to properly dispose of what’s been taking up space in their cabinets. It’s the safest way to do so.From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., law enforcement, municipal, county and state agencies — with the help of states’ attorneys general — will staff Take Back sites. It’s an effort that’s been an important part of the National Drug Enforcement Administration’s work since 2010.“DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day reflects DEA’s ...

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.