#marshallcounty

[coffeenuts]

[ledenews]

The Changing Face of a Hometown – In Photos – Vol. 4

It started here in Wheeling, believe it or not, back in the 1940s. That’s when people started leaving the Friendly City for opportunity across the Ohio River. There were 60,659 residents in Wheeling in 1930, and little by a lot since, the city’s population has dipped below 27,000 for the first time in 150 years. And when that takes place, the tax base shrinks, changes take place, decay threatens safety, crime increases, and government kicks cans down the road over and over again. Thankfully, efforts have been made by both the private and public sectors over the past few decades to bridge the region’s Rust Belt era to a still undefined but developing resurrection.One significant advantage Wheeling will have is, by the end of 2025, the state will have spent more than $360 million on infrastructure makeovers to the bridges and ramps along Interstate 70, to the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, and on the current $32 million streetscape in the downtown.This retaining wall along 14th Street is what supports Lind Street in East Wheeling, and it appears to need attention from the City of Wheeling.“Everyone knows downtown Wheeling will never be the retail area it once was because that’s not what downtown are these days,” said Erikka Storch, a former state lawmaker who was the Chamber of Commerce president during the 2010s. “The interstate work was long overdue, and the project on the Suspension Bridge was on the schedule for eight years until it finally took place because of the tour bus incident.“Even though the streetscape was delayed a couple of times because of the city, it’s still going to make a very positive difference in our downtown, and that’s very exciting to me. I can’t wait to see it for myself and I’m sure a lot of other people feel the same way,” she said. “I just know I’m thankful for the vision of former mayor Andy McKenize. If he didn’t see what was possible, and then make the deal with the state, who knows where’d we be today.”Another advantage, ironically, will be delivered by destruction.Despite the Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing by the electric scooter company in December, the Bird vehicles have remained available in many areas of the city.The $7 million demolition of the OVMC campus officially started nine days ago with crews starting with the Northwood and Hillcrest buildings. The plan calls for both of the former nurse’s quarters to be taken down next, and then the South and East buildings and the Education and Administration structure will follow.The West Tower, home of the general hospital and its EMSTAR unit until the sudden closure in late September 2019, is last on general contractor F.R. Bienke’s razing list.“It’s going to be a gradual process because of how large the campus is, and because of the removal of the materials that have to be moved away,” explained Bob Herron, Wheeling’s city manager since 2001. “The asbestos removal has taken place, and now the company will go one building at a time. It’s going to take some time.“But after the demolition, WVU (Health System) will begin the construction of the regional cancer center, so that’s the good news,” he said. “We’re also demolishing the parking garage on Chapline (Street), so a lot is happening in that area right now.”The Christmas Store at the Teacher's Store in Center Market is conducting its final clearance sale. and will close for good in the near future.The view from this open lot in Center Wheeling offers a look at what's taken place thanks to the population decline in a once prominent neighborhood.The south market house at Centre Market is home to several eateries, including Coleman's Fish Market, Tito's on the Market, Michael's Beef House, and Valley Cheese.Vegetation has caused much of the tunnel's eastside facade to become stained and unattractive since its last cleaning in 2009.The recent frigid evenings have kept families indoors and playing board games such as this classic. The number of venues offering live music has declined, but there still are several offering local performers on Friday and Saturday evenings.When Wesbanco Bank constructed its headquarters in downtown Wheeling back during the late 1970s, it changed the city's skyline forever. Despite the continued

[kuntryphotography]

My other work. #today #kuntrypicz #countryliving #outdoorphotography #photography #countryroad #marshallcounty #mrsnaphappy

[coffeenuts]

[ledenews]

An OPEN LETTER to … You … and We’re Even Saying Please …

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:Please …Take time to understand, learn something new, don’t litter, hug your kids, eat your vegetables, fly The Flag, check on your folks, sing your song, support free speech, celebrate someone’s success, follow the rules, make a wish, don’t raise a bully, trying something new, tell a joke, flip your hair with confidence, don’t ignore need, mentor the young, check on your folks, be the good guy, wait for a break in the action, ask questions, look both ways, and use your turn signals.Please …Know your rights, wear a helmet, stop dropping public F-bombs, cheer for children, don’t put our lives in danger, stick up for yourself, talk it out, read the directions, laugh out loud, refuse racism, assist lost strangers, wash your hands, tell a joke, feel the rain, help traditions continue, respect law enforcement, fight to live, wave back, go to the beach, clean your guns, quit smoking, hug your family and friends, be proud of yourself, don’t ever litter, have compassion, report crime, respect your elders, and for crying out loud, zipper merge.Please …Be proud of yourself, pray to your God, defend your rights, don’t drive distracted, compliment others, mentor the young, congratulate others, work hard, insist on inclusion, try something new, stop hurting others, make a wish, be an educated voter, hold government accountable, say please, live in reality, cover your sneeze, don’t send acronym texts, clean your child’s mess in restaurants, support local business, stop hurting others, support free speech, dance your dance, and play more cowbell.And please share and dream and play and listen and love and care and apologize and forgive. And please, be kind, too.Sincerely,Your Friends

[ledenews]

Storch: The Weight of Being the Bigger Person

“Be the bigger person.” Most of us have heard those words since we were children. They are usually spoken with the best intentions. They are said to encourage kindness over retaliation, grace over anger, and peace over conflict. They remind us that our character is measured not by how others behave, but by how we respond. That is admirable advice. It can also be exhausting. Somewhere along the way, many of us become the designated bigger person. We became the one who apologized first, even when we were not the one who caused the hurt. We became the one who overlooked rude comments, excused bad behavior, and convinced ourselves that keeping the peace was more important than expressing our own disappointment. We learned to smile through frustration because someone had to be mature. After a while, it starts to feel less like strength and more like a burden. Then we stopped. And some quietly walked away.  Being the bigger person often means swallowing words that deserve to be spoken. It means letting go of apologies that never come. It means carrying emotional weight that someone else should have been willing to share. There is a difference between choosing peace and accepting disrespect. Unfortunately, those lines become blurred when people begin to expect your grace instead of appreciating it. We have all seen situations where the dependable employee is expected to take on one more project. The reliable friend is expected to always understand. The family member who avoids conflict becomes the one everyone assumes will simply get over it. People rarely notice the effort it takes to consistently choose patience. They simply begin to expect it. That expectation can quietly become unfair. The truth is that being the bigger person should be a choice, not a permanent assignment. Strength is admirable, but strength without boundaries becomes permission for others to continue behaving poorly. Grace is beautiful, but grace without accountability teaches people they never have to change. There comes a point when maturity is not measured by how much mistreatment we tolerate. Sometimes maturity means having an honest conversation. Sometimes it means saying no. Sometimes it means walking away from people who continually mistake kindness for weakness. Those moments do not make us smaller people. They make us healthier people. Many of us were raised to believe that standing up for ourselves was selfish. We worried that speaking honestly would make us seem difficult. We feared disappointing others more than we feared disappointing ourselves. That mindset can slowly pick at our confidence. Resentment often grows in places where honesty has been ignored. Every unspoken frustration becomes another brick in a wall that eventually separates us from the people with whom we were trying so hard to not create conflict. Ironically, avoiding this conflict does not always preserve relationships. Sometimes it slowly damages them. Healthy relationships are built on mutual respect, not one person always absorbing every defeat. There is another side to this conversation that deserves some attention. Being the bigger person does not require becoming the silent person. Forgiveness should not erase accountability. Kindness does not eliminate consequences. Compassion cannot demand self-sacrifice every single time. These things can exist together. The strongest people I know are not the ones who never become upset. They are the ones who know when to extend grace and when to draw a line. Once it is drawn, it is not easily erased. They understand that protecting their peace is not selfish. It is necessary. They have learned that every disagreement does not require a battle, but every injustice does not require silence either. That balance takes wisdom. Perhaps the greatest lesson is realizing that being the bigger person should never require becoming a smaller version of yourself. You should not have to diminish your voice so someone else can remain comfortable. No one should have to carry every relationship while others contribute very little. No one should have to continually prove his/her character to people who have never examined their own. Grace remains one of the greatest strengths a person can possess. The world certainly needs more kindness, more patience, and more understanding. It needs honesty. It also needs accountability. The world needs people who recognize that dignity belongs to everyone, including themselves. The next time someone tells you to be the bigger person, perhaps ask this question first. Has everyone else done their part to become better people too? Because relationships, workplaces, families, and communities flourish when everyone accepts responsibility for their own actions. They do not thrive because one person endlessly carries the emotional load for everyone else. Being the bigger person is a noble goal, but being the only bigger person can become a lonely place to live. Read the full article

[ledenews]

Wheeling Nailers Acquire Defenseman Hunter Sansbury from Florida

WHEELING, WV- The Wheeling Nailers have announced a trade, which takes effect immediately. Wheeling has acquired defenseman Hunter Sansbury from the Florida Everblades in exchange for the ECHL rights to goaltender Gabriel D'Aigle. Sansbury, 25, has appeared in 11 career games with the Everblades, as he began his professional career late in the 2024-25 season. Over the course of his four years at Sacred Heart, Sansbury accumulated 18 goals, 46 assists, and 64 points. Prior to turning pro, Hunter played four years of college hockey at Sacred Heart University, where he served as the team captain during his junior and senior seasons. The Lomita, California native finished second among defensemen in scoring for the Pioneers during his sophomore, junior, and senior campaigns. Over the course of his four years at Sacred Heart, Sansbury accumulated 18 goals, 46 assists, and 64 points, while playing in 148 of 149 possible games. Hunter's best collegiate season came in 2024-25, when he posted 21 points and a +12 rating in 39 games, while helping the Pioneers to their first Atlantic Hockey playoff series win since 2018. Sansbury signed an ECHL contract with Florida prior to the trade, so he becomes the second player under contract with the Nailers this offseason. D'Aigle, 19, began his professional career this past spring, when the Nailers signed him to an ECHL contract. Gabriel went 1-2-0 with a 2.63 goals against average and a .925 save percentage in three regular season starts, which included a 38-save effort in his first career win on April 12th at Reading. The netminder also appeared in one postseason contest during the North Division Final Series against the Maine Mariners. Before turning pro, the Sorel-Tracy, Quebec native played four seasons of junior hockey with the QMJHL's Victoriaville Tigres. D'Aigle went 56-66-7 with a 3.94 goals against average and an .892 save percentage in 140 games for the Tigres. Gabriel was originally selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, and 2026-27 will be the first season on his three-year NHL entry-level contract with Pittsburgh, who is now the NHL affiliate for the Everblades. Hunter Sansbury and the Wheeling Nailers will begin the 2026-27 season in Indy on Friday, October 16th. The first home game is Saturday, October 24th against the Toledo Walleye. For information about season tickets, group tickets, ticket packages, and more, call (304) 234-GOAL or visit wheelingnailers.com. The Wheeling Nailers, considered one of the top things to do in Wheeling, West Virginia, provide affordable family entertainment for fans throughout the Ohio Valley. Read the full article

[ledenews]

U.S. Attorney Announces New Senior Leadership Team for Northern District of W.Va.

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey has announced a new Senior Leadership team to help further the mission in the Northern District of West Virginia. The Senior Leadership Team includes First Assistant Christopher J. Prezioso, Administrative Officer Sybil D. Ott, Criminal Division Chief Stephen L. Vogrin, Civil Division Chief Jordan V. Palmer, and Deputy Criminal Chiefs Jarod J. Douglas, Lara Omps‑Botteicher, and Zelda E. Wesley. Andrew R. Cogar has been appointed as district‑wide Senior Litigation Counsel, and Randolph J. Bernard has been appointed as Counsel to the U.S. Attorney. “There’s a saying that you’re only as good as those you surround yourself with, and I know this team of professionals will benefit the district and the citizens of the 32 counties we serve,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew L. Harvey. “I look forward to leading this team to further the mission of this office and the initiatives set forth by the Department of Justice.” This leadership group will strengthen the district’s core public safety priorities, including disrupting drug‑trafficking networks, reducing violence, protecting residents from fraud and financial crimes, and supporting vulnerable members of the community. The office will also continue advancing civil enforcement efforts, including the civil prosecution of program‑benefits fraud to safeguard federal resources and protect taxpayer dollars. In addition, the district remains committed to combatting illegal immigration by addressing associated criminal activity and working closely with federal partners to enforce immigration laws. Through coordinated action and continued collaboration with state, local, and federal agencies, the team will further the office’s mission of safeguarding the Northern District of West Virginia. Aligned with the Department of Justice’s mission to “uphold the rule of law, to keep our country safe, and to protect civil rights,” this leadership team is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, fairness, and professionalism in all aspects of the office’s work. To learn more about the Senior Leadership Team, visit www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/meet-us-attorney/senior-management-team. Read the full article