For years, activist appeals court judges and justices have made a mockery of the separation of powers to which they lay claim in preservation of their own authority. But just before the general election, our state Supreme Court signaled those days may be over in West Virginia. Separation of ...

Normally, this space is where I brief you on the whispers inside the state Capitol, but this week is the Thanksgiving holiday and you’ll get enough politics around your dining room table on Thursday. Now it’s time for something completely different. For the last few weeks I’ve been one ...

When talking about the paranormal there is a wide range of subjects that can and are included in this category. Normally I write about the haunted side talking about ghosts and my personal experiences. I do not get into talking about cryptids and psychics but these are still part of the ...

West Virginia University’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research tends not to sugar coat or spin the reports it releases. That means those reports are not always filled with simple answers or observations. There is often a catch. Last week, the BBER’s director, John Deskins, spoke ...

Thanksgiving is this coming Thursday and before you make plans for your annual dinner, visit to the grocery store with your long list of items to purchase, select who is invited for dinner and who is bringing what and have enough for everyone attending. Let’s stop and think for a moment of ...

For those who want a healthier or light version of many comfort food dishes, and want to use their Instant Pot, slow cooker, air-fryer to cook it in, or even a sheet pan, skillet or dutch oven, check out “Skinnytaste One and Done” by Gina Homolka. The book touts 140 “no-fuss” dinners ...

This past Tuesday evening the Chamber held its 2018 Annual Dinner & Awards Banquet. The event sold out with 301 members and guests in attendance! Attendees enjoyed a social hour thanks to our friends at Brick Insurance Group, a delicious meal from Valley Catering, networking, and our ...

One of the first rules of marketing is to be where your prospects are. What do they read? What do they watch or listen to? Where do they live and work? Where do they hang out or spend time? What websites do they frequent? What Social Media are they part of? What organizations do they belong to? ...

There are several new thrillers that readers will never see coming! First is a story of a long-held grudge in “The Spite Game” by Anna Snoekstra. High school bullying follows Ava through her adult life. Back when she was part of the in-crowd, Saanvi, Cass and Mel were her friends. They ...

Awards are great things! They are great because they give an organization external recognition for the hard work and effort that the team is doing day in and out. An award says that your peers are cognizant of the work you are doing and they are endorsing your efforts. Award presentations are ...

Members of Russell Chadwick American Legion Post 389 visited students at Beverly-Center on Friday, November 9, to present their Veterans Day program. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I on November 11, 1918. Led by Steve Wainwright, the program began with the ...

When I was a boy, my father and I hiked country roads on autumn afternoons collecting hickory nuts, a favorite snack. One memorable fall day, my dad hopped into our ‘57 Chevy and said, “Let’s take a ride.” It was 1959. I was seven years old. As we drove, my dad explained, “I’m ...

The historic Oakland Mansion was spiffed up for its first party in a while on Friday, Nov. 9. The occasion was a private reception for Chris Gilmer, president of West Virginia University at Parkersburg, as part of his inauguration activities. The Friends of West Virginia ...

The first automobile to be owned by a Parkersburger arrived here today The first automobile to enter the city and to be owned by a Parkersburger, arrived here to-day at noon, and this city has risen to the dignity of a metropolis by the acquisition. The machine is a fine one and came in over ...

Twenty years ago, I didn’t meet Stan Lee. As a high school graduation gift, my mother took my best friend, Jeff, and me to the Chicago Comic Con. On the second day, we headed over to the massive Marvel Comics booth to see who would be signing autographs when, suddenly, I heard a familiar ...

Challenging, painful, tragic, horrific, and devastating are some of the headlines pulled from media outlets from across our country in recent weeks. There is no secret that we as a country are hurting from all that we have and continue to endure — violence, intolerance, and disparity. There ...

We made it through Election Day, and I have the following observations I’d like to make. After covering the first state Supreme Court election under the nonpartisan category, it’s my humble opinion that the experiment failed completely. I was for making judicial elections nonpartisan. I ...

It’s been said money is the root of all evil. Not really. Real evil, at least in government, is spending money you don’t have. Here in West Virginia, our constitution doesn’t allow us to do that — technically. There’s a way around it, to which we’ll get in a moment. Mountain State ...

Last week I had a conversation with a gentleman who owns a local small business. Among the concerns he expressed was the education of our young people. Specifically, he was lamenting that young people hired into a position that included welding responsibilities “can’t even read a rule. How ...

West Virginia is one of the poorest states in the nation, and West Virginians face some of the highest rates of illness and disability. One of the few bright spots for the health of West Virginians has been the Medicaid program, jointly funded by state and federal governments. Today, Medicaid ...