Dear Editor,On behalf of A.J. Feiock, an eighth grade student at Union Local Middle School, I want to sincerely thank the sponsors of the Belmont County Spelling Bee for providing him with the opportunity to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. Those sponsors ...

Dear?EditorThe St. Clairsville Area Soccer Association recently held its 14th annual steak fry.We want to express our sincere appreciation to the following persons and businesses who supported and donated to the event and helped to make it the most successful yet.Thanks to: Applebee's, Eat N' ...

Dear EditorWhy we question the importance of a good effective Government.Nothing I am about to write will be news to most people. Seeing it in print may help with decisions we must make in November.Government: People power.Too much government: Political power.Ineffective Government No ...

Dear Editor,The St. Clairsville fourth grade destination imagination team of the Per "4" ming Monkeys would like to extend their sincere thanks for all the generous support and encouragement given in order to attend the Global Finals in Knoxville, Tenn.The team, coaches, and parents had a ...

Dear Editor:It is said the memory is the second thing to go as one ages; one of your frequent contributors illustrates this with his latest rant concerning the EPA.Asserting the cause of the Gulf oil spill disaster is EPA regulation shows a total lack of memory of pre-regulation days....the ...

Dear Editor,We would like to thank everyone who supported the recent Shadyside Ladies Civic Club salad luncheon and raffle.The spring fundraiser was once again a huge success thanks to the hard work and dedication of club members, community members and supporters. A special thank you to the ...

Dear Editor,After reading Congressman Wilson's column in Saturday's paper, I can see he is trying to put his mask back on.The mask of fiscal conservation. If he succeeds, I think it is fairly certain we will see more of what he wants hidden - exploding debt, collapsing opportunities and the ...

Dear Editor,I hope Congress had a nice Easter break. Now it's time to deal with the real problems. Every time I hear about our President's rhetoric about the recovery of our country, I want to literally come unglued! While they were all enjoying a "Happy Easter" with their families (or secret ...

Dear Editor,I want to thank all of those who helped to make possible the recent dedication of the OHS marker in Union Square.Thanks go out to the American Legion Post #52, V.O.W. and Bellaire Park Commission whose financial contributions helped pay for the Marker. Bellaire Hardware, Mayor ...

Dear EditorIn a letter submitted to the editor on June 9, it stated that the Village of Bridgeport's Council meeting was on June 21 at 6 p.m., after this letter was published the meeting was re-scheduled for June 16 at 6 pm. due to the availability of the village's solicitor. One topic of ...

Dear Editor,I would like to take this opportunity to identify Mike Fischer, of the Deputy Phil Program, to the professional, religious and civic organizations serving Belmont County.It is our priority to teach our children the concepts of safety. Safety not only involves learning how to avoid ...

Dear Editor,On Monday, June 21 at 6 p.m., Bridgeport Village Council will have the third reading on an ordinance, that will increase the base water rate for most residents $5.Along with the base rate increase, those customers who use more than the base allotment of 7500 gallons will also see ...

Dear EditorOn Saturday, May 15, A-1 Service Center and Harbor of Hope Church put on their 2nd annual car show in the church parking lot. The weather was great and the food was outstanding!!! We had good music by DJ Spikeman and tons of door prizes!!!In our 2nd year for the car show, we had a ...

Dear Friends,On Friday, May 28, St John Central grade school held its annual Field Day at the Irish Youth Sports Complex. It is a day we will all remember!!Held on the last day of the school year, the Field Day was full of fun events. Inflatable activities for the kids were provided and ...

Dear EditorWe are seeing one of the most devastating consequences of this oil addiction in the Gulf of Mexico as the BP disaster worsens every day.If we remain dependent on oil, it leaves us open to spills that destroy our local economies and environment.Memorial Day is the day when we honor ...

Dear Editor,I want to share my thoughts and ideas.Recently, I was eating at Applebee's and was seated next to four young men, "30" something. As they were talking they used the "F" word just as one would use the word "and" in a conversation. Nice looking young men, they were. Not what would ...

Dear?EditorI'm sure we can all agree that the oil well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico is an unmitigated environmental disaster. When drilling in deep water, the technological problems are formidable and mistakes are unforgiving. One failure can spell disaster as we can all see. BP created this ...

Dear Editor,This letter is in reference to the Belmont County Court system consolidation. I hope all of you out there will support the County Commissioners in their effort with this project.This is a major step in saving Belmont County over $200,000 a year. No one will lose their job over this ...

Dear?EditorOn Sunday, May 2 Shadyside Student Council honored more than 100 students in grades 9-12 who have excelled academically over this past school year. The students had to be on the honor roll for the first three nine weeks in order to be eligible for this banquet. John "Gizzle" ...

Dear Editor,The family of John M. Ruskowski is humbled by the kindness and generosity of our families, friends and co-workers, neighbors and everyone who shared a moment of prayer for John, who was killed in a horrific truck/automobile accident last month.So many wonderful people will receive a ...