The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Opinion

August 14, 2009

Thumbs - Saturday, August 15, 2009

Thumbs up ... to George Brooks, the umpiring chief for West Virginia Little League’s District 4. Brooks has been chosen to umpire in the annual Little League World Series Aug. 21-30 in Williamsport, Pa.



Thumbs up ... to the 80th anniversary of the Lilly Family Reunion at Flat Top. This year’s event may have set a Guinness Book of World Records mark when between 2,500 and 3,000 members of the Lilly family attended the get-together.



Thumbs down ... to West Virginia’s per capita export rate of guns used in crimes being higher than any state except Mississippi. ATF data shows that more than 800 guns recovered by police in other states in 2009 were traced back to the Mountain State.



Thumbs up ... to Stratton Elementary, among eight West Virginia schools honored as 2009-10 Schools of Excellence. Stratton was the only area school to be recognized at a reception and banquet in Charleston.



Thumbs up ... to Raleigh County’s Crescent and Sophia-Soak Creek elementary schools, recognized by former President Bill Clinton and Dr. Clyde Yancy, president of the American Heart Association, in New York last week for transforming into healthier places for students to learn and staff to work.



Thumbs down ... to the sad fact that mortgage foreclosures in the state rose by 12 percent from 2007 to 2008. The West Virginia Banking Commission said there were 2,577 foreclosures in 2008, compared to 2,296 in 2007.



Thumbs up ... to the state Division of Highways’ plan to outfit employees in uniforms that stand out more. Employees who spend more than half of their work time on the roads and in traffic will wear reflective, high-visibility green shirts and pants with reflective striping to help them be more visible to motorists.



Thumbs up ... to the West Virginia Golf Association for another great summer of first-rate championships for all the golfers of West Virginia. The group also got the state Golf Hall of Fame off and running with a ceremony and banquet at The Greenbrier. Another project is construction of the golf house at Coonskin Park in Charleston where the Hall of Fame will be housed. The facility will also house The First Tee with a teaching area and driving range for the public.

Text Only
Opinion
  • No-bid contracts

    Lawmakers need to put checks, balances in place

    October 8, 2010

  • Negative campaigning

    Smear tactics do nothing but add to public’s distrust

    October 7, 2010

  • Deterrent

    Authorities’ use of murder charge could help curb copper thefts

    October 6, 2010

  • Mine safety

    For agencies to remain relevant, public must demand a better job

    September 30, 2010

  • Thumbs

    September 25, 2010

  • Sweep it up

    Volunteers to converge on litter today, tomorrow

    September 24, 2010

  • Fighting the flu

    CDC recommending vaccinations for everyone ages 6 months and older

    September 16, 2010

  • Dental hygiene

    Give kids healthy snacks and take advantage of programs

    September 8, 2010

  • Get it right

    Election officials must stop abdicating responsibilities

    August 22, 2010

  • Too late

    Reactive rather than proactive, MSHA decision on ventilation enforcement a slap in face

    August 18, 2010

Business Marquee
Balancing Act
Front page
Web Special Sections
  • Special Web Sections

    Click HERE for stories about natural gas and Marcellus shale gas extraction.

    Click HERE for stories about the Upper Big Branch mine disaster.

    Click HERE for stories about the passing of U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd.

    Click HERE for stories from The Greenbrier Classic PGA TOUR event.

    August 6, 2010

AP Video
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium 50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach