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More work needed on scholarship program

Despite Hope Scholarship participation nearly doubling across the state, and a recent survey showing high parent satisfaction with the program, skeptics continue to insist reform of the scholarship program is needed. Upshur County Superintendent of Schools Tim Derico announced this month that the county's Hope Scholarship participation rose from 146 students last year to 273 this fall, nearly doubling. On Sept. 2, Randolph County Schools Superintendent Dr. Derek Lambert said, “Hope Scholarship participation increased by 119%, from 193 students to 423 students in one year. And I ...

With recent announcements, W.Va. is making this a ballgame

A little more than a year ago, we wondered whether West Virginia was even going to show up for Gov. Patrick Morrisey's proposed "economic backyard brawl." It has. And the scoreboard is getting tighter. Last August, we put the score at 49-0 in favor of our neighbors. Pennsylvania was touting $90 billion in energy and artificial intelligence investment. Ohio and Kentucky were cutting taxes. Virginia already had hundreds of data centers, with more planned. West Virginia? We were still trying to find the playbook and figure out who was supposed to be on the field. By November of last ...

With Recent Announcements, W.Va. Is Making This A Ballgame

A little more than a year ago, we wondered whether West Virginia was even going to show up for Gov. Patrick Morrisey's proposed "economic backyard brawl." It has. And the scoreboard is getting tighter. Last August, we put the score at 49-0 in favor of our neighbors. Pennsylvania was touting $90 billion in energy and artificial intelligence investment. Ohio and Kentucky were cutting taxes. Virginia already had hundreds of data centers, with more planned. West Virginia? We were still trying to find the playbook and figure out who was supposed to be on the field. By November of last ...

Honoring Fallen Heroes

During the last decade, a local man has spent countless hours organizing road and bridge dedications in the memories of Randolph County military veterans who lost their lives or who were lost in action. This morning, a bridge on the newly opened Corridor H segment in Randolph County will be dedicated in memory of a Kerens soldier killed in action in France during World War II. The ceremony renaming the Kerens Bridge Lazy Run as the U.S. Army Pvt. Preston D. Vanscoy Memorial Bridge will be at 10 a.m. today at the Leading Creek Fire Department hall in Kerens. Born April 26, 1912, in ...

Have we forgotten?

“Never forget.” What did we mean, when we declared as a country that we would forever remember the events and lives lost on Sept. 11, 2001? What do those words mean to the people born afterward? They are Gen Z and Gen Alpha, now. All they know is what they read in history books, what they hear from us, and how they see the rest of us living after we declared we would forever honor the memory of those who died in attacks by a small band of religious extremist terrorists. “The attacks of September 11th were intended to break our spirit. Instead, we have emerged stronger and ...

County fairs signal end of summer

As we enter September, we are in the twilight of our area's annual county fairs schedule. Each year, local residents can enjoy, in successive weeks, the Randolph County Fair, the Tucker County Fair and the Barbour County Fair. Even with the rain that often pelted our area this summer, a lot of good times were had at our local county fairs. Youngsters had their moment in the spotlight with the talent shows, 4-H demonstrations and livestock shows, and each of the fairs offered live music entertainment, carnival rides and, of course, that tempting county fair food. Dozens of ...