Christina Myer

Public officials who have fallen victim to brief, distorted and whitewashed versions of the Christopher Columbus story that appeared in mid- to late-19th Century elementary school history textbooks would do well, in this era, to consider WHY there was ever a “Columbus Day” observed in the United States to begin with. As I have noted […]

This story may be old news to some, but I found out this week there may soon be another gorgeous place to hike nearby (ish). The Athens Conservancy and Nature Conservancy are working to conserve a 2,973 acre parcel donated by a private landowner whose family has owned it for a century. That’s a lot […]

It’s hard to know how to talk about the tragedies that occurred in Utah and Colorado this week, after observing the way the discourse has devolved in many circles. Perhaps adding to the chatter will make no difference, but it feels important to say a few things: No one — NO ONE — deserves to […]

Now that we are firmly into September, the pace at the newspapers quickens a little while we get ready for everything we’ve got planned for the next several months. (Bearing in mind, of course, that most of the work we do is unplanned or it wouldn’t exactly be news, now, would it?) In between all […]

If you are reading this on a full stomach after having a nice breakfast, perhaps not too big, though, after a big meal the evening before; and knowing there is food in your cabinets and refrigerator — maybe even a second fridge or freezer in the garage — you are one of the lucky ones. […]

Ever had a co-worker who was clearly looking to score points with the boss by repeatedly bragging that they had “accomplished” something that was just the job they were expected to be getting done anyway? Worse, have you ever had one who brazenly took credit for the work of someone else — worried less about […]

All right, everyone, the News and Sentinel Half Marathon and Two-Mile Race are about a week away. If you’re registered and have been training all this time, watch out. I did my last training walk/jog last weekend and finished four minutes under what I consider to be my “I’m not ready” time. Just hand me […]

Slapping the word “patriot” on things that are emblematic of anything but the behavior of a person who is truly patriotic seems to have become a favorite hobby of a few politicians who have forgotten who they were elected to serve and the founding principles they are bound to uphold. Throw a little Lee Greenwood […]

State lawmakers have had a couple of social media snafus lately that serve as a good reminder about how carefully we should all think before we post (or text, or email … or speak) AND how closely we should guard our social media and other digital communications. First, Del. Ian Masters, R-Berkeley, finds himself on […]

When natural disaster strikes in West Virginia, you’ll often find on these pages encouragement to help if you can. What happened last weekend in Ohio and Marion counties was enough to make me wonder how there would be enough help available. News outlets reported the eight deaths (I’m writing this Thursday afternoon. Officials are speculating […]