UP: To the many entertainment options available to Mid-Ohio Valley residents today.
* The 80th annual Belpre Homecoming wraps up its run today with a parade, music, games and rides. According to homecoming officials, crowds have been larger this year.
* The 2012 edition of the Wirt County Fair also ends its run today at Camp Barbe Road with a carnival, bluegrass and country music and other assorted fair entertainment.
DOWN: To former Wood County Sheriff Ken Merritt for his actions in 2008 after learning his son Brian had stolen his county-issued credit cards and made several unauthorized charges. Merritt, who is again running for the office against incumbent Jeff Sandy, signed an agreement with the West Virginia Ethics Commission this past week, admitting he knew about the theft, but still allowed the county to pay for the charges. He also admitted he attempted to interfere with an investigation into the incidents. Merritt stated he took this action because he was afraid his son's girlfriend was involved in the theft and an investigation could prevent him from seeing his grandchild. Merritt agreed to a public reprimand from the commission and will pay $3,500 in fines and costs. This obviously was a difficult situation for Merritt, and while it may be easy to sympathize with the family situation he found himself in, there was no excuse for his actions once he learned what was happening. Citizens deserve elected officials who will do the right thing, even in difficult situations. Merritt deserves this reprimand and should consider himself lucky he was not prosecuted.
DOWN: To United Steelworkers Local Union 5668 for rejecting a five-year contract offer for Constellium Rolled Products in Ravenswood. The plant employs nearly 700 workers. We do not understand how workers in this economy can turn down what seems to be a fair contract offer and threaten to go on strike - especially since the plant has posted losses in 11 of the past 13 years.
UP: To this week's kickoff of a fundraising effort that will benefit the West Virginia Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The event, a joint effort between the state chapter and the West Virginia Oil Marketers and Grocers Association, will help fund wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions by selling $1 Make-A-Wish Stars at participating grocers. Last year's event raised more than $200,000 for Make-A-Wish. According to Jim Oppe, owner of the local Foodland markets and chairman of grocers association, that was enough to grant a wish to one person in each West Virginia county.
UP: To the Marietta's Fraternal Order of Police Pioneer Lodge 12 for sponsoring the annual Policeman's Pool Party this past week. Nearly 1,200 people - mostly kids - packed the Aquatic Center for the annual event and 28 lucky ones left with a new bicycle - and with a helmet provided by the Marietta City Health Department.
