………I’m still pondering how the Hancock County School District ended up being taken over by the State Board of Education. Oh, I know why it happened and I know the chronology of when it happened. The people from downstate did a good job of explaining that part of the equation. We have the three year’s…

……..The February 2 Board of Education meeting where we were supposed to learn about what transpired in the school district that resulted in the State taking it over was a disappointment. While we learned how much we were in arrears and why, most of us were still left shaking our heads. Most of us already…

Those attending the February 2, 2026 meeting of the Hancock County Board of Education experienced a drastically changed meeting format. Since the State of West Virginia has taken over the Hancock County Schools, the Board of Education has been stripped of any decision-making capacity. The members no longer approve the agenda, vote on financials or…

Too lethargic, infirm, or unathletic For Shuffleboard? Or perhaps croquet feels a bit too competitive? Fret not, fellow old folks, and stir your fannies from the sitting room, because, boy, do I have the perfect activity for you! Imagine that badminton, paddle ball, and ping pong (in some junk sport inspired menage a trois) produced…

The late Lester Ross was inducted into the New Cumberland Hall of Fame posthumously on Sunday, February 1, 2026.  Lester will be a member of the 35t Hall of Fame inductees honored for their service to their fellow man and the community of New Cumberland. Lester was born on Ross Rd. in New Cumberland, a…

WHEELING, W.VA – West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) is proud to announce the following students have achieved academic honors for the Fall 2025 Semester: President’s ListThe President’s List is comprised of students who maintained a 4.0 grade point average in a minimum of 12 credit hours, excluding developmental courses. OhioBarnesville –Amanda Fornal.Bellaire- Robert Newhart.Bergholz-…

Rose M. Allen of East Liverpool, whose life was a tapestry woven with warmth and devotion, passed away peacefully at the age of 95. She left this world surrounded by the love of her family on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Crossroads Assisted Living. Rose was born in East Liverpool on January 18, 1931, to…

Leslie Ann Fields was inducted into the 35th group of New Cumberland residents honored for their service to their community. Leslie’s unwavering commitment to her hometown and her long history of participating in projects to benefit the community were cited as the reason for her inclusion into the most recent class. Born and raised in…

1/8 Robert Jacob, Newell – Disorderly 1/9 Benjamin Griffith, New Cumberland – DWLA, DUI 2nd and possession of controlled substance 1/10 Amy Crummitt, Wellsville – DUI 1st 1/13 Curtis Hunt, Newell – Stalking/ unwanted computer communication 1/19 Shawn Lonchar, Weirton – Possession of Meth 1/20 Davis III, Newell – Possession of Meth 1/20 Joseph Vargo,…

Uriah Cummings, State Financial Officer of the WV Board of Education, and Jeff Davis of Educational Consultants, stood before the Hancock County Board of Education and a large public crowd to find out what had caused the financial crisis in the County school system that resulted in the State taking over. The answer was clear.  …

Like most kids, I hated trips to the clothing store. Two hours deprived of whiffle ball, clubhouses, and Rock’em Sock’em Robots (the blue guy had a glass jaw, one jab and his melon popped up) was bad enough, but the commandeered time instead spent stuffing myself into ridiculous wool “slacks,” striped pullovers seemingly designed to…

.The response to candidates filing during an off year election has been encouraging.  This county is making a return to a two-party system and means that voters want a choice and candidates are not happy with the decisions being made by the current officials. ……….I was blown away by the number of candidates filing for the…

I wrote in my column that decisions on how to vote are based on many things. When Senator Shelly Capito Moore didn’t have any competition, I left the box vacant. I was very happy when former WV Senate President Jeff Kessler, a Democrat, decided to challenge her. I will vote for Jeff. My experience with…

2nd NINE WEEKS’ GRADING PERIOD 5th Grade Straight A Honor Roll: Blake Allison, Laila Behanna, Brinley Chaffin, Lyla Cole, Adalynn Durbin, Londyn Crummitt, Dakotah Davis, Adalyn Dawson, Raegan Dodd, Aubrey Duke, Vance Gregory, Bowen Hardy, Liam Hatch, Charlene Hurst, Krew Karpinski, Lydiabelle Krnaich, Alisann Manypenny, Koi Martsolf, Destiny Masters, Bryce McIntosh, Macie Murray, Paetyn Perry,…

Brayley Lash will be furthering her academic and softball career at West Liberty University. Brayley is a two time All State Honorable Mention in West Virginia. She was also a member of the Sectional and Regional Championship team in 2025. She will be entering her senior year with a .321 batting average with 99 hits…

The midnight hour is fast approaching for candidates to file for the 2026 election. At 3 p.m., Saturday, January 31. 11 people have filed for the Board of Education including incumbents and those seeking office the first time. Both House of Delegates and the Senate have competition and the County Commission has competition in both…

Do to the extreme low temperatures and drifting snow, we have decided to cancel the benefit turkey shoot this Saturday, January 31st, for the young Marine who was in a terrible accident in October. Please let anyone know that was planning on attending.An alternative date of Saturday March 21st has been scheduled for this event. Chester-Newell…

CHARLESTON – The Public Service Commission of West Virginia on Wednesday granted a siting certificate for a solar energy plant in southern West Virginia. The authorization was made to Twisted Gun Solar, LLC, and Twisted Gun BESS, LLC, without the necessity of a hearing. The plant will have no rate impact on West Virginia residents. On…