What else hasn’t been handled properly in Bellaire municipal government? That question may be on the minds of some residents — as it should be, in view of news from the Village Council meeting last week. It was revealed during the meeting that for 15 years, no one in the water ...

Two serious chemical leaks within two weeks at St. Clairsville’s wastewater treatment plant constitutes an emergency. Just two weeks ago, a sulfur dioxide leak at the plant forced evacuations of some people living near it. Personnel from several fire departments responded. Then Monday, ...

You would be hard pressed to think of a product invented just because an innovative thinker or a company with big research laboratories wanted to do something nice for humankind. If there isn’t any money in it, it probably is not going to be developed. That is why Ohio Gov. John ...

We are all taught at a very young age that we must share with others. So why is it sometimes so difficult for us to apply that lesson as adults? It seems that municipal leaders in the villages of Belmont and Bethesda remember that lesson better than some others. After many years through ...

Every year the Belmont County Board of Commissioners allocates $20,000 to a local nonprofit, and that appears to be a good investment. Last week commissioners recognized the role of Harmony House Child Advocacy Center while presenting the organization with its annual allocation of county ...

The village of Bellaire has reached a rather dubious milestone, but the people who made it possible should be commended. Since community installed bright yellow receptacles two years ago, the village has collected and properly disposed of about 2,500 used hypodermic needles, according to ...

Unfortunately, the most valuable assets convicted drug dealers have often seem to be controlled substances. Obviously, the authorities cannot auction them off to help pay the bills for incarcerating the pushers. Those bills got out of hand years ago in Eastern Ohio. County officials reacted ...

If there is one thing certain to get the hackles of East Ohioans and West Virginians up, it is telling us that trying to do the right thing is, well, wrong. Two of our U.S. senators are being accused of just that. It has proved so difficult to repeal and replace the Obamacare health ...

Enforcing an old law already on the books may be a step in the right direction for the village of Bellaire. Village leaders recently met and discussed ways to deter illegal drug use and trafficking in the community. One step they debated was implementation of some sort of nuisance law that ...

Former Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert cut a pitiful figure this week as he left federal prison in Minnesota and his wheelchair got stuck on a bump in the sidewalk. His wife, fumbling at his side to manage his aluminum walker and other items, wasn’t immediately able to help him over ...

All too often, it seems criminals get more breaks than their victims from “the system.” That could change, at least to some extent, in Ohio. On the ballot in the Buckeye State this fall will be an initiative being referred to as Marsy’s Law for Ohio. The name comes from Marsy Nicholas, ...

Rarely does a month go by without us having to publish a police or court report involving an adult who has victimized a child sexually. Earlier this month, in fact, two men were indicted in Jefferson County, one for an offense involving an 8-year-old and the other for conduct with a ...

Martins Ferry city government dodged a fiscal bullet this year. Municipal officials cannot count on that happening in the future, however. City Council members approved an $11 million budget for fiscal 2018 during their meeting last week. Helping to keep that budget balanced — as well as ...

Several communities in the Ohio Valley could use up their entire annual budgets on a single project — demolishing dilapidated buildings — if they did not have other spending priorities. But critical services must be maintained, so many of the junk structures remain standing. Several ...

A health threat that has been around for several years is becoming more common in the local region, so area residents should learn more about the problem and take steps to prevent it. Lyme disease is a dangerous illness that is spread to humans through tick bites. Its symptoms include fever, ...

CHEERS to Ohio Valley Mall and Levin Furniture officials for reaching an agreement that will bring the retailer back to the St. Clairsville mall. The new tenant will fill the building on the mall’s perimeter that was vacated by hhgregg when it declared bankruptcy and closed all of its ...

It seems as if every time we turn around we are being asked to pay more for something. At least one local school district seeks additional funding from taxpayers in nearly every primary and general election. Some even hold special elections due to the urgent need for money to cover some ...

CHEERS to Senior Services of Belmont County for providing meals to some 900 homes throughout the county. Many elderly and disabled residents rely on the agency for their daily nutrition, so it is a critical service for our region. CHEERS to the St. Clairsville American Legion baseball team for ...

Fair season has officially arrived in Eastern Ohio. The Harrison County Fair is underway this week and will continue through Saturday evening at 550 Grant St. in Cadiz. The fair will host a “double feature” at 7 p.m. today with the mud bog and Ohio Mud Rod Pullers events both taking place ...

Monroe County officials are taking steps to ensure important roadways remain safe and serviceable in the wake of severe weather. County Engineer Amy Zwick spoke to commissioners last week, seeking action that would make it possible for the county to receive state and federal funds for slip ...