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Reading comprehension

Columnists

Much like a lot of things these days, a speech given last week by West Virginia Board of Education President Paul Hardesty has become a Rorschach test depending on where you stand on the issue of public education versus “school choice.” During the state Board of Education’s regular meeting last week, Hardesty’s message was simple: if you believe in the notion of competition improving the quality of education, then lawmakers need to untie the hands of their local teachers and educators so they can better compete with private schools and home schooling. To demonstrate how ...

Risk vs. returns

Columnists

You would think that the Jimmy Kimmel affair might have given President Donald Trump pause about his “retribution” campaign. After being cocky in the week when Kimmel was off the air, MAGA operatives were surprised when he returned to late-night television. Furthermore, his ratings were higher than ever, so high that Sinclair and NEXSTAR instructed their affiliates to rescind their ban on Kimmel‘s show. But the lessons were not learned. Trump then turned his fury on James Comey, former FBI Director. He was indicted on vague and thin charges, with a rookie prosecutor handling the ...

MSFF reflections of 20th Century

Columnists

Forest Festival is a time of beautiful autumn memories. This year with Sterling Anne Kump becoming Queen Silvia LXXXVII, it is truly a new time to “Embrace Nature’s Charm” and remember that our local traditions are creatively inspired by a desire for excellence. The name Sterling means excellent and valuable like the British pound sterling. It stands for both honest government and reliable currency. Our tour through the Kump House with Sterling Kump featured family photos and the Forest Festival dresses that her relatives wore in the last century. There is a lovely pink velvet ...

Employee performance: Better to prevent than intervene

Columnists

I read an article on performance improvement plans (PIPs). It got me thinking about how companies can better approach employee performance. When a person in a workplace is not achieving outcomes, they are placed on a performance improvement plan. The PIP includes details on performance shortfalls and actions the person is expected to improve. It ensures that the supervisor is documenting issues and that the person is aware of the outcomes needed if they’re to stay on the job.   Being placed on a PIP can be seen as a last resort. Some people resign. Others go on to achieve ...

Stop the Flow

Editorials

State and regional law enforcement agencies continue to fight diligently against one of West Virginia’s most dangerous foes: the flow of fentanyl and other drugs that continues to endanger and kill Mountain States residents still falling victim to the substance abuse epidemic. On Sept. 10, the West Virginia State Police, the Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force and the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area worked together on what has been billed as one of the largest fentanyl busts in state history, in Mercer County. It yielded 54 pounds of suspected ...

Fire Season

Editorials

Fall fire season has arrived across our region. Don’t let a little rainy weather in September fool you, things are still dry enough to elevate the risk of wildfires. That risk is already higher now that leaves are hitting the ground, and other vegetation is either going dormant and drying out or dying altogether at this time of year. Lower humidity and fall breezes may be pleasant for us, but they, too, add to the risk. All those factors create “a situation where we have an elevated risk of wildfires here in Ohio,” according to the state Division of Forestry’s Aaron ...