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Hello Wheeling! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. 

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: A pediatric hospital merger, gold and silver’s hot streak, and Cinderella on stage + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.

📰 In the news

Bigger campus in the works: Orchard Park Hospital in Wheeling has signed a letter of intent to merge with WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, planning to expand mental health services for children and adolescents — get all the details.

Building changes and relocations: HVAC upgrades at Wheeling’s City-County Building are nearing completion in a $12 million project promising energy savings. The Health Department will return, and commissioners approved $25,257 for afterschool programming — get all the details.

Local relief milestones reached: Work to rehouse Ohio County flood survivors is nearly complete, with few cases left open. United Way Upper Ohio Valley says over 120 cases have been closed as recovery continues — read the full recovery update.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Book club discusses “Eight Perfect Murders”
• Join Shadyside’s Adult Fiction Book Club
• Learn about fascinating marine mammals
• This top-tier home warranty is 50% off right now

🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+

Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance

Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.

From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.

As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.

It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.

🫶 We got your back

Small-plate vibes, big flavor: Skip the road trip and linger over shareable, from-scratch Appalachian comfort at Vagabond Kitchen, where seasonal menus keep things fresh and surprising. A cozy downtown standby for catching up, swapping bites, and leaving happily, slightly overfed.

Trail-ready tune-up: Wheelcraft Bicycles outfits riders with new bikes, e-bikes, rentals, and honest repairs, plus helmets, lights, and those easy-to-miss essentials. Locally rooted since 1992, they’ll keep your commute smooth and the Heritage Trail fun, so your bike hums instead of squeaks.

Movie night, reimagined: Swap sticky floors for art-house charm at Oglebay Institute’s Towngate Theatre & Cinema, where classic screenings, indie gems, and the occasional Dinner & a Movie set the tone for a low-key night. Settle in with popcorn, then let the conversation linger long after the credits roll.

Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.

📆 Fun for the whole fam

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

📖 Storytime @ Belmont County District Library | Wednesday (3/4) at 11:00 AM – Need a midweek reset for you and the tiny tornadoes? Storytime with Miss Anessa is an hour of reading, rhyming, singing, and blessedly structured fun for little ones 2+, and their grownups. Free, no sign-ups, yes, someone else reads the same story five times.

📚 Lil’ Bookworms Story Time and Craft @ Bellaire Public Library | Thursday (3/5) at 5:00 PM – Need 30 blessed minutes where someone else reads to your kid, then handles glitter? Hit the library for Lil’ Bookworms with Miss Bri, a sweet story, an easy craft, and plenty of imagination. For ages 3 to Pre-K, all welcome, with Thursday and Friday sessions.

👠 Cinderella @ Oglebay Institute’s Towngate Theatre & Cinema | Friday (3/6) at 8:00 PM – Towngate is polishing the glass slipper with Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, a charming, kid-forward staging that still lands all the classic tunes. Bring the grandkids, or borrow some, and practice your inside-voice singalong to In My Own Little Corner, Impossible, and Ten Minutes Ago.

🎨 Vendor/Craft Show @ Wheeling Salvation Army Youth | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Take a spin through the Salvation Army craft and vendor show, where you can browse local makers, chat with neighbors, and exercise your raffle luck. Expect favorite vendors, a Chinese auction, an open kitchen, and door prizes, because small-town fun still delivers.

🍵 Royal-Tea Party @ Oglebay Institute’s Towngate Theatre & Cinema | Sunday (3/8) at 5:00 PM – After the Cinderella matinee at Towngate, it’s royal-tea time with crafts, kid-friendly treats, and autographs from the cast. Limited to 30 mini monarchs, it’s $15 per child with one adult included, no fairy godmother required, just snacks, sparkle, and a brief reprieve for you.

🙋 Youth Show of Hands @ Wheeling Artisan Center | Wednesday (3/11) at 5:30 PM – Whether your first startup was a lemonade stand, or you just love a pitch, Show of Hands lets four middle school teams vie for real funding. Think Shark Tank energy, fewer egos, better snacks, and a big boost from Wheeling Country Day, and Wheeling Heritage.

🗣 Speech and Debate Showcase @ Wheeling Park High School | Wednesday (3/11) at 6:00 PM – If you’ve ever wanted to see arguments you can actually applaud, catch our State team’s Speech and Debate showcase before they trek to Morgantown for a shot at title number 46. Smart kids, sharp suits, and the Beneke Theater crowd, all flexing their rhetoric.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Wheeling report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 58°F – Low: 52°F – Precip: 72%

Rain likely. Cloudy, with a high near 58. East wind around 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Later: Rain likely before 7pm, then rain and a chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 52. South wind around 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 69°F – Low: 58°F – Precip: 91%

Rain before 4pm, then rain and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 69. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: Rain and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

This house is wild

This inviting first-floor 1-bed condo is set directly across from Wheeling Park, with instant access to trails and open lawns. A bright, spacious living area leads to a kitchen with modern appliances and generous counter space. The sunlit bedroom adds a calm vibe. Perks include in-unit laundry, an in-ground pool, and easy parking.

Take a peek inside →