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Drug Abuse

First, the good news: According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of fatal overdoses in the U.S. decreased last year — down 3% from 2022. Now, the not so great news: That’s still 107,500 people who died at the hands of a decades-long substance abuse epidemic; and those same CDC researchers say the last time there was such a decrease, the number of fatal overdoses increased dramatically in the following year. Further, Brandon Marshall, a Brown University researcher who studies overdose trends, offered some less-than-comforting reasons for the ...

Boos & Applause

Applause to everyone who did their duty in our American democracy by casting their ballot in Tuesday’s West Virginia primary election. Applause as well to all the candidates who ran for office Tuesday, whether they won or lost. The only way for our country to move forward is for citizens to continue to take part in the political process. Now if we could just get MORE registered voters to come out to the polls, that would be a sign of real progress. Applause to a Tygart Valley United Way program that helped more than 800 local households file their taxes this year The Tygart Valley ...

Safety

We think about it a little less as the weather warms up, but a recent incident in Harrison County, Ohio, underscores the importance of properly ventilating for alternative heat sources, and having working carbon monoxide detectors. Bowerstown Volunteer Fire Department responders and those from other Harrison County departments arrived at a Bowerstown home Tuesday to find four members of the same family in urgent need of help. “All four were severely ill with carbon monoxide poisoning,” Bowerston VFD Capt. Adam Reardon told The (Martins Ferry) Times Leader. “They had utilized a ...

Bad Numbers

Another election, another case of low voter turnout in West Virginia. According to the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office, statewide voter turnout for Tuesday’s primary election was a measly 30%. That’s less than 1 in 3 registered voters in this state taking the time to be part of the process of electing candidates. Our local counties fared little better. Randolph County had 35.99% turnout; Upshur County, 39.40%; Barbour County, 36.90%; Tucker County, 34.31%; and Pocahontas County, 38.48%. Turnout was this low despite every county having contested ...

Emergency

Responding to emergency calls for blood and platelet donations is an important way to support the American Red Cross and those who receive those blood products. But even when there is no crisis, it is still important to answer the call for donations. Keeping the supply stable is essential. As always, donors of all types are needed, but the Red Cross says type O blood donors are crucial to keep up the supply. “When it comes to lifesaving care, there’s no letting off the gas — the American Red Cross needs donors to come to give blood over the next few weeks to keep the blood ...

Vote Today

West Virginia voters have several significant decisions to make today. From school board seats and local renewal levies to who will battle it out for the governorship or a spot in the U.S. Senate, choices made today will resonate for years to come. Do not let them be made by a miniscule percentage of the state’s residents. During the 2020 primary — which was, of course, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic — voter turnout was 36.53%. A mere 449,077 ballots were cast to decide the fate of 1.785 million people. Lest you blame that miserable turnout on the pandemic, let’s ...