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Be a Friend

The American Red Cross of the Upper Ohio Valley is looking for some help from its “Friends” in another plea to get potential donors to step away from their busy schedules to roll up their sleeves. As a celebration of 30 years since the start of the beloved sitcom “Friends,” the Red Cross hopes donors will grab a friend “and be there for patients by making a blood donation.” Those who do so between Nov. 18 and Dec. 8 will get two pairs of Friends+Red Cross socks. Think of it as being an act in the spirit of “Friendsgiving.” “Festive activities and busy calendars ...

Season Spirit

Across our communities, some businesses and retail establishments have chosen to host Salvation Army Angel Trees this season. They are tangible reminders that each tag hanging from a branch is a child who, without you, might not have as merry and bright a Christmas morning this year. But with your help, so much is possible. Each tag is a child whose parents aren’t in a position to ask Santa to fulfill a wish list so long the gifts under the tree spill over into the next room. But just maybe, with you acting as go-between, there will be a few new toys, clothing, shoes, books, games ...

Misinformation

During an age in which a universe of information is at most people’s fingertips, it is no surprise to learn some are changing their approach to how they consume what they consider to be news. In fact, Pew Research Center analysts, with funding from the Knight Foundation, reported earlier this week a study showing approximately 20% of Americans say they regularly get what they consider to be news from digital influencers — most of whom (85%) are found on Elon Musk’s social media platform X. Only a slightly higher number of those who responded said they were Republicans than ...

Consolidation

Paul Hardesty hit the nail on the head last week regarding lawmakers who say they want to avoid school consolidations and/or see smaller schools for our students. “Well, guess what … they have the ability to effectuate the change,” he said. Hardesty is a state board of education member and legislative liaison. He is the previous state school board president and a former Democratic state senator from Logan County. His point was focused mostly on the money made available to county school systems. “We are hemorrhaging population loss in public schools. It’s going to get ...

Disaster

It came as no surprise Tuesday when the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals upheld the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission’s autonomy in managing high school sports. The first round of the West Virginia State High School Football Championships will kick off on Friday, with the season now set to reach its finale in Charleston on Dec. 13-14 when the championship games are held. “It is beyond question that the WVSSAC had the authority to reclassify under West Virginia Code of State Rules 127-3-10,” the Supreme Court’s order states. “Upon our review, we ...

Safety

Though our region includes a range of start dates for various hunting categories, for many local hunters, the big dates on the calendar are the start of buck gun season on Nov. 25 in West Virginia and deer gun season on Dec. 2 in Ohio. For many, that date is about more than hunting. It’s about tradition, family — maybe time alone in the woods or with friends at a deer camp. That’s why it is so important to head into these seasons with safety in mind. “Hunting is a time-honored tradition in West Virginia and it is essential that all hunters follow established safety guidelines ...