Power Struggle: Comcast and Appalachian Power fight again over broadband pole attachment charges

July 15, 2026

CHARLESTON – Once again, a major telecommunications company is taking on one of West Virginia’s two electric utilities over the issue of unfair charges for attaching new broadband to poles. Attorneys for Comcast Cable Communications last week filed a pole attachment complaint against Appalachian Power with the Federal Communications Commission. The dispute centers on pole attachment fees, with Comcast alleging that Appalachian Power is flouting a prior 2026 FCC order by charging arbitrary percentages for infrastructure replacements. Comcast argues that it should only be responsible for the incremental costs specifically required for its new equipment,…

Waterford FFA members attend leadership camp

CARROLLTON — Waterford FFA members Elijah Rexroad and Derrick Wheeler recently attended FFA Camp Muskingum, where they participated in agriculture…

'One Vote!' premieres Friday in Marietta

MARIETTA – An original musical about the founding of Marietta and its influence on the new United States opens at…

Contributions exceed $100K in three local campaigns

Three candidates for the West Virginia Legislature from Wood and Pleasants counties have exceeded $100,000 in campaign contributions for the…

Around Town for July 15

The Padgetts to perform Sunday Lower Salem Methodist Church will host The Padgetts, a Southern Gospel Group, at 11 a.m.…

Local events for July 15

Events ¯ The Graysville Community Volunteer Fire Department, 38851 State Route 26, Graysville, will hold its annual carnival Saturday. A…

Local Sports

Parkersburg Post 15 delivers in first postseason test, defeats Ritchie 7-1

PARKERSBURG – Starting pitcher Wyatt Boice made the first three innings look stress-free. Ten…

Beverly/Lowell defeats Post 64, 5-1

Guzman returning to WVU baseball program

Kendall transitions into junior season at Findlay

Editorials

Consider being part of Ohio's polling place team

As Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s office prepares for a $1 million initiative to recruit and train another 40,000 poll workers before November, the folks at the local level understand this isn’t about volume as much as it is about preparedness. LaRose says the effort updates requirements and resources to ensure poll workers…

Even as there is plenty of room for improvement, Ohio is making an impression, as CNBC…

First place ranking should only inspire harder work

One wonders whether Ohio Senate Finance Chairman Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, sees the irony in railing against…

State-mandated civic centers could have opposite effect

Perhaps not enough Ohioans have been trying to reclaim their money, as the state Department of…

Don't leave unclaimed funds in hands of state

Business

PowerFlo Solutions grows Mid-Ohio Valley manufacturing footprint with Williamstown project

RENO — PowerFlo Solutions is expanding its footprint in the Mid-Ohio Valley as demand…

Crumbl to open new bakery in Vienna on July 17

PowerFlo Solutions to bring up to 200 jobs to Wood County in $20M investment

CHARLESTON – As multiple local and state emergency responders work to keep a fire at the…

Documents show recent history of violations at Peoples Cartage sister site near airport

Do you believe Lindsey Graham's political legacy will be positive or negative?

Local Columns

The Way I See It: Any vacation without a trip to the ER is a good one

MOV Climate Corner: Need for air monitoring effort only grows

Cracking the Code: Impressions of Scotland

Life in the early 1800s through the lens of newspaper notices

Neighborhood News

Around Town for July 15

The Padgetts to perform Sunday Lower Salem Methodist Church will host The Padgetts, a Southern Gospel Group, at 11 a.m. Sunday. A covered dish dinner will follow the service. All are welcome. Coin Club to host summer show July 25 The Parkersburg Coin Club is sponsoring its 4th annual summer coin show from 10…

TRENDING