Many who are upset that Parkersburg South High School science teacher David Foggin has been suspended over comments posted on his Facebook page are using the First Amendment as part of their argument. These folks must realize, however, those rights come with responsibilities, and freedom of ...

U.S. Labor Department figures showed Ohio ranked second in the country last month in terms of the raw number of jobs gained, 16,700. That is great news at first look. But upon closer inspection, the percentage growth does a better job of telling the full story. Between December 2013 and January ...

Autonomy is important for most residents of the Mountain State. We would rather make decisions for ourselves than put important choices in the hands of attorneys, hospitals or even relatives. That may be why West Virginia is one of only six states to have a program like e-Directive Registry, ...

When West Virginia's spring forest fire season began March 1, most residents probably were more concerned about keeping wood in the stove than any burning of outside brush piles. However, now that a few 60-degree days are making their appearance to let us know that, yes, spring will again ...

According to federal statistics, West Virginia produces less than 10 percent of the food its residents consume - and more than half of what is produced here comes from the poultry industry."We simply don't grow it here," said West Virginia Agriculture Commissioner Walt Helmick.In fact, we grow ...

UP: To Wood County Habitat for Humanity's 68th home dedication, which was held on March 9. The home, on Summers Street, was dedicated for the Dotson family; Melissa, Sam, Ozzy, Gunnar, Kelta and Matthew. Habitat uses volunteer labor, donations and donated materials and land to keep homes ...

In the weeks following the Jan. 9 chemical leak into the Elk River, the West Virginia Poison Center in Charleston was a busy place. The center's poison hotline fielded 2,785 calls from residents in the nine counties affected by exposure to the Crude MCHM-tainted water.The center now is facing a ...

Children, parents, coaches and anyone who might be part of Marietta Recreational Soccer League events are a little safer because of a donation by Camden Clark Medical Center this week. The automated external defibrillator presented to the league could be a life-saver.When tragedy struck last ...

It was a miracle no one was killed when a gas pipeline near Sissonville ruptured in December 2012. As it was, three homes were destroyed and a section of Interstate 77 was melted, requiring overnight repair. The potential for loss of life or serious injury was far too real. Now the National ...

Last week, representatives from several Midwest motorcoach companies were in Parkersburg to visit the area's tourist locations for possible inclusion during the upcoming tour season.The representatives, from Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania seemed to like what they were shown, ...

Vienna City Council members find themselves in a bit of a quandary over the idea of creating a position for a development director versus balancing the budget. The question appears to be whether the cost of a development director would be offset by revenue such a person might eventually bring ...

Alpha Natural Resources is about to have to shell out a record $27.5 million fine, and spend approximately $200 million to address toxic discharges into waterways in five states, including West Virginia. This is not the same company, nor is this settlement for the most recent pollution of the ...

UP: To grants totaling more than $400,000 for maintenance projects on the North Bend Rail Trail. The money, $300,000 from the West Virginia Division of Highways through its non-traditional grant programs and $100,000 the rail trail was previously awarded, will fix a longstanding water runoff ...

Wood County Commissioners Wayne Dunn and Steve Gainer might want to consider: If the county will not enforce its ordinance regulating the placement of video lottery establishments, why have such rules in the first place?The commission earlier this week, by a 2-1 vote, allowed the placement of ...

This winter has hit the Mid-Ohio Valley hard. Everywhere can be heard grumbles of "This is the worst winter in 20 years!" and "I'm so sick of the snow."But while local residents know all too well the toll this severe weather has taken on their own lives, it may not be so obvious the toll it has ...

E. Gordon Gee brought an amazing level of energy to Morgantown during the two months he served as interim president of West Virginia University. In a position some may have used to kick back and relax, filling an office while the search committee furiously sought out a suitable candidate, Gee ...

West Virginians want to do whatever can be done to prevent another disaster like the chemical leak into the Elk River on Jan. 9 when tap water was rendered unusable for 300,000 people. That may include new regulations enacted by the Legislature. But while it is understandable the heat of the ...

The drive to legalize marijuana gets lots of mileage from the belief that its effects are safer than alcohol or other drugs. As far as long-term health effects, that jury is still out.However, a recent study found that driving under the influence of pot is every bit as dangerous as getting ...

Last week, officials heard the results of a study in which potential economic impact from a hypothetical ethane cracker plant was listed in the billions of dollars. A critical part of that study, conducted by Tom Witt, professor emeritus and former director of West Virginia University's Bureau ...

UP: To Eastwood Volunteer Fire Department firefighters Kevin Harris and Chad Lynch for their efforts in saving two dogs that were trapped in a burning home this past Tuesday. The dogs are two of five belonging to Melina Huddy, whose home near the West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition ...