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DEAR PAW’S CORNER: Every morning, my next-door neighbor walks her dog past my house. Every morning, she berates her dog, calling him an idiot and a bad dog, especially after picking up his poo. I cannot see the dog doing anything wrong, so I don’t know why she’s constantly yelling at him. I know it’s affecting him, though — he has his tail between his legs most of the time. Is there anything I can do for that dog? — Bill in Oshkosh, Wisconsin

DEAR BILL: That’s hard to watch — emotional abuse can be as damaging to an animal as physical abuse.

Strong verbal correction is OK in obedience training when you need a dog to stop doing something immediately. But it should be limited to a firm “No!” and a quick tug on the leash if necessary -- followed by proper corrective training.

When an owner simply berates the dog and takes out their anger verbally on them, it isn’t training. It doesn’t correct their behavior. Behavioral issues often get worse, not better. And the mixed signals and negative feedback that the dog constantly receives can cause trust issues that never fully go away.

What can you do as an outside observer? Rescues or animal control likely won’t intervene in a simple case of yelling at a dog.

If you feel safe talking to the owner, try starting a conversation with them. You may be able to glean more info about why they are yelling at the dog, and you might be able to give training advice.

However, you should also observe and document the situation. Write down the dog’s physical condition and behavior and note if they deteriorate. If you see physical abuse from the owner, note the date, time and place and, contact animal control.

(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

By Steven Allen Adams

Parkersburg News & Sentinel

Gov. Patrick Morrisey laid out his legislative agenda and presented lawmakers a balanced budget after previously raising alarms about a potential $400 million budget hole in his first State of the State address as West Virginia’s 37th Governor.

Morrisey gave his first State of the State address last Wednesday night in the House of Delegates chamber to a joint session of the House and state Senate, as Morrisey’s cabinet officials, Board of Public Works members, justices, and guests looked on.

Morrisey was elected in November as governor, succeeding now U.S. Sen. Jim Justice. A former three-term attorney general, Morrisey took office on Jan. 13.

Starting off with a story about asking students attending West Virginia Boys State whether they plan to stay in West Virginia following graduation, Morrisey said his mission as governor is to work to make the state a place young people want to stay, work, and raise a family.

“The first question is: how many people here want to go to college? When I ask that question, nearly every hand goes up,” Morrisey said. “Then I follow up and ask: how many people think there will be a good job available for you here in West Virginia once you graduate? Every year, about 20% of the hands go up. Think about that. It’s heartbreaking: four out of five of these kids feel they need to leave the state to find a job.

“Tonight, I want to share my vision for how to make those hands go up and help kids and grandkids make West Virginia home forever,” Morrisey continued

Morrisey said he wants to leverage West Virginia’s rich history as an energy state and abundance of coal and natural gas. Morrisey also wants to grow the perception that West Virginia is an all-of-the-above energy state, willing to embrace micro-grids for manufacturing and small modular nuclear reactors in order for the nation to compete globally with countries, such as China.

Kent A. Leonhardt

W.Va. Commissioner of Agriculture

Facing what our new governor describes as a “massive deficit” in our state budget, I can’t help but notice that Medicaid and PEIA are among the primary causes.

This raises an important question. What could we have done over the past few decades to reduce these expenses? The answer is simple - promote healthier outcomes through better diet and nutrition.

Healthcare professionals have long advised us to eat healthier, and national discussions increasingly emphasize the importance of fresh fruits and vegetables over processed foods.

Yet, here in West Virginia, we’ve often ignored the ounce of prevention, only to pay the price for the pound of cure.

For decades, we’ve taken the cheaper, short-term path by relying on processed foods. That’s earned us another ranking at the bottom.

The WVDA, primarily through our WV Grown Program, consistently advocates for increasing the number of local foods in our diets while shortening the distance between the farm and table, thus improving our health.

We see food as medicine. Growing more food here in West Virginia is good for the environment, good for our health, and good for the economy.

For years, we have requested funding for the WV Grown program. Why? Funding for the program can exponentially increase its reach and effectiveness.

Connecting West Virginians to our agricultural producers gives them the power to choose local, whether that be from a farmers’ market or straight from the farm. The WV Grown Program supports our local communities to shorten the distance to your dinner table.

Money spent locally helps grow our economy. It also reduces the number of processed foods in our diet and leads to healthier lives.

The program, to date, has improved the bottom line for many West Virginia agribusinesses. Helping these rural businesses grow improves the quality of life for those communities. Improved communities result in better education outcomes, recreation, and health.

Funding WV Grown means supporting local communities economically and culturally. Now is the time to put real dollars behind this program and ensure our farmers, producers, and communities reap the benefits.

The USDA SNAP Stretch program has been a tremendous asset to West Virginians, allowing SNAP/EBT customers to double the value of their benefits. When shoppers use their SNAP/EBT card at participating markets, retailers, and farm stands, they receive an immediate dollar-for-dollar match to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables.

A minimal amount of stable state funding would be a huge win for our senior population, and the funding will be an income multiplier for producers selling at farmers markets to our seniors.

SNAP Stretch goes hand in hand with the FARMacy (food as medicine) programs gaining popularity and providing healthier outcomes to those living in food deserts that rely on dollar stores and gas stations for their meals.

Fresh foods do contribute to healthier outcomes. The closer we grow our food to the consumer the safer and healthier we are. Growing food locally adds to food security and supply stability. During COVID we saw food shortages, not because food was scarce, but rather the supply chains were disrupted. These disruptions are now an opportunity for West Virginia to move forward. Here in West Virginia, we have a huge food gap. That gap is an opportunity for growing our local economy. All of our neighboring states invest in their food systems. Some of those states use tobacco settlement funds, while others use legislative financial appropriations. It makes no difference to me how financial assistance is made available, but if we want a different outcome, then we need to try something different to improve our health.

West Virginia has a chance to break the cycle of poor health and improve our historically low public health rankings. By investing in local agriculture, we’re not just feeding our families, we’re building a healthier, more prosperous future for our state. Key steps toward this goal include insisting the Fresh Food Act is enforced, funding WV Grown, and improving the implementation of USDA food assistance programs.

A small investment in West Virginia agriculture will return big dividends.

Letters to the editor are encouraged. The writer must sign the letter and include a phone number and address for verification. Letters are subject to editing and those longer than 400 words will usually not be published. No more than one letter per month per person will be published. Political endorsements, as well as letters of opposition to any candidate, and thank you notes, are considered advertising, not subjects for letters.

1974 TEAM MEMBERS - Head coach Dave Cooper, assistant coach Trent Veach, players George Halterman, Randy Mongold, Dave Barr, Dennis Hill, Greg Veach, Ralph Ours, Bob Mohr, Steve Mathias, Jay Geary, Bobby Jack Harman and manager Buddy Alt.

“Imagine this - The U.S. has just withdrawn from the Vietnam conflict. Gerald Ford is sworn in as Vice President. Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak tree is the number one hit song and Blazing Saddles is playing at the Seneca Theatre. Gas was $.53 a gallon, milk was $.72 and according to J.J. Walker from Good Times, the Vikings were “Dy-No-Mite.

This season marks the 50th anniversary of the first undefeated regular season at 20-0. The 73-74 Vikings were comprised of a combination of young up-and-comers and seasoned vets from the 1972 state tournament team. The 74 Vikings won 10 consecutive informal summer league games, two scrimmages and a practice game against faculty and alumni, this squad won an additional straight 20 regular season games and two sectional games before bowing out in the regionals to Hedgesville in a crushing loss.

Vikings fall

61-57

ODD COUPLES MIXED LEAGUE

February 4th

TEAM STANDINGS: Terminators 68 – 24, Vetter’s Guns & Ammo 60 – 32, MMATFB 56 – 36, Split Happens 55 – 37, Empire Strikes 50 – 42, WELD 44 – 48, Country Cars & Trucks 42 – 50, Family Traditions II 33 – 59, Family Traditions I 33 – 59, Happy Bowlers 19 – 73.

MEN

HIGH GAME (SCRATCH): Cohan Kesner 300, Jon Hedrick 267, Larry Walp 248, Troy McGreevy 238. (HANDICAP): Cohan Kesner 300, Jon Hedrick 274, Larry Walp 260, Brent Berg 255.

HIGH SERIES (SCRATCH): Cohan Kesner 744, Tyler Halterman 651, Jon Hedrick 642, Ed Wompler 613. (HANDICAP): Cohan Kesner 744, Tyler Halterman 702, Brent Berg 677, Trevor Wratchford 669.

HIGH AVERAGE: Cohan Kesner 214.20, Jon Hedrick 202.13, Troy Mc- Greevy 199.30, Ed Wompler 195.63.

WOMEN

HIGH GAME (SCRATCH): Carissa Michael 257, Dee Anna McDonald 193, Emily Stark 188, Ashley Wratchford 176. (HANDICAP): Carissa Michael 272, Emily Stark, Ashley Wratchford and Wendy Whetzel 227.

HIGH SERIES (SCRATCH): Carissa Michael 605, Ashley Wratchford 534, Emily Stark 527, Dee Anna McDonald 518. (HANDICAP): Ashley Wratchford 654, Carissa Michael 650, Emily Stark 644, Rachel Stark 625.

HIGH AVERAGE: Carissa Michael 192.24, Sarah Earle 175.63, Dee Anna McDonald 172.14, Emily Stark 162.36.

THURSDAY NIGHT MEN’S LEAGUE

February 6th

TEAM STANDINGS: Balls Deep 61 – 35, Vetter’s Guns & Ammo 56 - 40, Vetter’s Mini Mart 53 – 43, Chillmers 52 – 44, Strikeforce 50 – 46, Petersburg Oil Company 50 – 46, Golden Lanes 49 – 47.

HIGH GAME (SCRATCH): Andrew Hawk 279, Evan Kesner 267, Gary Leatherman 257, Troy McGreevy 247, Jon Hedrick 234. (HANDICAP): Andrew Hawk 315, Evan Kesner 288, Gary Leatherman 284, Troy McGreevy 284, Eric Hartman 272.

HIGH SERIES (SCRATCH): Evan Kesner 680, Troy McGreevy 669, Cohan Kesner 660, Gary Leatherman 658, Don Himelright and Trevor Wratchford 629. (HANDICAP): Troy McGreevy 780, Trevor Wratchford 776, Danny Kesner 752, Evan Kesner 743, Jaxson Vetter 742. (HANDICAP): Cohan Kesner 744, Tyler Halterman 702, Brent Berg 677, Trevor Wratchford 669.

HIGH AVERAGE: Cohan Kesner 215.57, Don Himelright 206.90, Evan Kesner 206.89, Zachary Arbaugh 203.06, Gary Leatherman 200.14, Andrew Kesner 200.14.

SBV WOMEN

February 3rd

HIGH GAME (SCRATCH): Marsha Leslie 194, Cherry Hammons 184, Dee Anna McDonald 181. (HANDICAP): Marsha Leslie 234, Mernie Kimble 228, Cherry Hammons and Helen Bell 218.

HIGH SERIES (SCRATCH): Dee Anna McDonald 529, Cherry Hammons 510, Marsha Leslie 498. (HANDICAP): Marsha Leslie 618, Helen Bell 616, Dee Anna McDonald 613.

February 10th

HIGH GAME (SCRATCH): Dee Anna McDonald 109, Kathy Vance 189, Penny Sites 184. (HANDICAP): Dee Anna McDonald 237, Kathy Vance 226, Leslie Rohrbaugh 222.

HIGH SERIES (SCRATCH): Dee Anna McDonald 557, Penny Sites 484, Cherry Hammons 468. (HANDICAP): Dee Anna McDonald 641, Penny Sites 589, Stacey Heavner 580.

ODD COUPLES MIXED LEAGUE

January 28th

TEAM STANDINGS: Terminators 64 – 24, Vetter’s Guns & Ammo 59 – 29, MMATFB 53 – 35, Split Happens 51 – 37, Empire Strikes 49 – 39, Country Cars & Trucks 42 – 46, WELD 41 – 47, Family Traditions I 33 – 55, Family Traditions II 30 – 58, Happy Bowlers 18 – 70.

MEN HIGH GAME (SCRATCH): Larry Walp 266, Arron Faxon 255, Jon Hedrick 247, Cohan Kesner 238. (HANDICAP): Larry Walp 280, Brandon Ketterman 274, Arron Faxon 269, Trevor Wratchford 262.

HIGH SERIES MEN (SCRATCH): Cohan Kesner 739, Jon Hedrick 697, Larry Walp 694, Arron Faxon 664, Cohan Kesner 639. (HANDICAP): Larry Walp 736, Jon Hedrick 721, Arron Faxon 706, Trevor Wratchford 643.

HIGH AVERAGE: Cohan Kesner 212.67, Jon Hedrick 201.59, Troy McGreevy 199.33, Ed Wompler 195.18.