UP: To Friday's opening of the Downtown Farmers' Market for its fifth season. The farmers' market, held at Bicentennial Park on Market Street, has become a destination, Parkersburg officials say, bringing people downtown during the days it is open. The market will be open every Tuesday and Friday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
DOWN: To the high water that has kept Blennerhassett Island from holding its annual "Rendezvous on the River" this weekend. The heavy rain earlier in the week brought the river up and island officials rightfully feared it would make it difficult for the re-enactors to set up their campsites.
UP: To the people who took the time to do their civic duty to vote in Tuesday's West Virginia Primary Election. However, a thumbs down to the fact that less than 28 percent of registered voters took the time to go to the polls.
DOWN: To Parkersburg resident Shawn W. Crites who allegedly stole copper wire from Greenpak. Police found Crites inside the fenced-in property carrying 25 feet of copper wire. Copper wire thefts have caused millions of dollars worth of damage in West Virginia and have endangered lives. If Crites is found guilty, we hope he is severely punished.
DOWN: To West Virginia's election laws that allowed Keith Judd, a Texas prison inmate, to get on Tuesday's primary ballot. The Secretary of State's office has constantly said it doesn't have the authority to disqualify candidates from running, and this past session the Legislature refused to tighten rules to eliminate this type of thing. People may think Judd's running and getting 40 percent of the vote was an embarrassment to President Obama. However, we think it was an embarrassment to the state he was allowed on the ballot in the first place.
