Nerves of one kind or another control literally every part of your body. Every function of your entire body is under control of the nervous system. Every organ, tissue, cell is controlled by nerve impulses traveling from the brain to every part of the body. Nerves make possible all ...

I don’t want to accept that summer is winding down, but with children all across Eastern Ohio headed back to school this week it is undeniable. Sure, temperatures and humidity will remain high for a few more weeks. IN fact, students who attend classes in older buildings without air ...

We have all heard that we should determine our strengths and weaknesses. Some people might tell you to focus on your weaknesses and try to fix them. The crowd that I run with says just the opposite. As a leader work on your strengths to make them stronger. Find someone whose strengths are your ...

In many ways, the greatest strength of Appalachian Ohio has also been our greatest cross to bear. Our beautiful rolling hills are blessed with an abundance of natural resources, which have formed our economic and cultural identity. Over the past 150 years, we have seen our ore quarried, our ...

Every time we sign our name -- on a restaurant bill or on a check -- it can be easy to take for granted the skill that allows us to apply this unique stamp of approval. In today’s fast-paced world of technological advancement, the skill of cursive handwriting has been slowly removed from our ...

I finally got a real taste of summer this past week - it came in the form of the first homegrown tomato picked from my garden. I generally am not one to eat tomatoes. I don't ask for tomato slices on sandwiches; in fact, when they come as part of my order I often pick them off of my food ...

This spring I learned a couple of things that taught even this older lady a lesson or two. Last summer I remember knocking down a bird's nest from the corner of our house. I did not notice it being built, but I did notice the bird droppings on our siding. The bird had built its nest between ...

It seemed like winter would never end, then all of a sudden it was summer — or it appeared like it to me. I don’t know what happened to spring, but I am not complaining! I love the warm temperatures, the flowers blooming, the songs of birds in the morning and the green grass and trees. ...

I believe I fell in love with learning in the first grade, thanks to Mrs. Bartlett. Janie Bartlett was born on the same day as my mother, and they were colleagues and friends. When I look back on what I remember as a 6-year-old, I recall thinking that Mrs. Bartlett was beautiful, kind and ...

You've done it again, Eastern Ohio! One week ago today, we appealed to the public on page 2 of this newspaper, asking for donations to a toy drive to benefit the Martins Ferry Police Department. The effort was a part of our Business After Hours event, held in conjunction with the Martins ...

Believe it or not, spring has arrived. Yes, the season officially arrived a couple of weeks ago, though you wouldn't know it by looking out your window or walking out your door. At this writing, the temperature in Belmont is just at the freezing mark. Snow and rain - or some combination of ...

When was the last time you really took a day off? My husband, Mike, and I both have jobs that sometimes demand we work odd hours. We often find our selves at work at 10 or 11 p.m. or on a weekend. For that reason, our days off are not always the traditional Saturday and Sunday. And when we ...

It seems Eastern Ohio has been in the spotlight again in recent days, capturing the attention of politicians and industrial heavy-hitters. Last Monday, the Statehouse was buzzing with anticipation as Gov. John Kasich prepared to officially announce a "major international partner" for the ...

It may not always be easy to see, but people all around us are working to better our communities all the time. Sometimes, these people are elected officials, working in response to a public outcry or in an effort to fulfill a campaign promise. We expend a lot of energy being critical of these ...

I write a lot about the beauty of our region, but I have seen some ugliness here lately - and it’s had nothing to do with mud or flooding. Two things are at the root of the animosity I have seen among area residents - the school shooting in Parkland, Fla., and the well pad explosion and ...

I probably looked more like a pipeliner than a newspaper editor when I headed out the door for work on Thursday. With heavy rain in the forecast, my years in the news business told me to be prepared to get wet and dirty at some point during the day. I wore jeans and a sweatshirt and a pair of ...

Even if, inexplicably, you occasionally think about things other than professional baseball, consider this: Why are many premier free agents, particularly sluggers and starting pitchers, unsigned even while we are hearing the loveliest four words, “Pitchers and catchers report”? The ...

Republicans are understandably nervous about the parallels between the 2010 midterm elections that brought them to power and the 2018 midterms where Democrats envision a return to power. Eight years ago, a polarizing new president was facing his first midterm election. Progressives and ...

Dear Annie: My mother is 79 years old. She was born during the Depression, and I know that when she was younger, she didn’t get enough to eat. The problem now is that she still hoards food. She admits that she has a problem, but she can’t seem to stop buying food for the freezer. She has a ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: Recently in your column, you discussed the need for dosages to be exact in some situations. What about the medical marijuana issue? In our small town, there are four dispensaries. If someone truly felt he or she needed it for medical issues, would that person get the same ...