Breaking News

Opinion

Vaccinate against measles

Editorials

Though an outbreak in Ohio appears to have subsided since the spring, outbreaks of measles are still popping up all over the country. Most recently, Kentucky has announced its first measles outbreak of the year, with four cases in Fayette and Woodford counties. That brings the total in Kentucky to seven. In the U.S., the total number of confirmed cases this year sits at 1,267 — just shy of the 30-year high. Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah also have active outbreaks. So far, two children and ...

Road to the American dream began in Belmont County

Columns

Two hundred years ago this month, right here in Belmont County, history was made. On July 4, 1825, construction officially began on the National Road in Ohio. The groundbreaking took place in St. Clairsville — near the Courthouse — where people still walk, shop and celebrate our small-town charm today. While the world has changed dramatically over the past two centuries, the legacy of that bold vision still shapes who we are. The National Road wasn’t just a path—it was a promise. Commissioned by Congress in 1806 and often called “The Main Street of America,” it was the ...

The rockets’ red glare over my hometown

Columns

I took a break from working on today’s newspaper Friday evening to walk around my yard in the dark. I wasn’t admiring the landscaping — instead I was checking to make sure nothing was on fire. You see, ever since Ohio’s fireworks law changed, the people of Belmont celebrate July 4 in a big way. There is no official community event, but some folks in our neighborhood put on quite a show that many others in the village enjoy. Perhaps if I lived a block or two further from the action, I would enjoy them more myself. As it is, though, they make me worry more than they entertain ...

Perception — is it your reality or the reality

Columns

Perception is your reality but not necessarily THE reality! Or, said differently, what we believe to be true isn’t always the truth. On June 19, 1865 (Juneteenth) the last of the slaves in the USA learned they were free two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was made. Slavery officially ended with the ratification of the 13th amendment on Dec. 6, 1865. There was no internet or TV in 1865. Some slaves may not have been aware of this truth, continuing as slaves for months. The truth is they were free. Their reality was they were still slaves. Harvey Mackay, entrepreneur, ...

Salvation

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Lk 2:40-52, RSV, address Jesus Christ’s growth in wisdom, favor, & stature with God & man that continued on Golgotha when God the Father glorified God the Son-Jn 17:1- with the revelation that the collapse of the universe was imminent-Jn 5:17-20, Mt 24:36! God the Son glorified God the Father-Jn 17:1-with His wailing prayer of spirit, life, & power-Mt 27:45-46, Jn 6:63-proliferating the Son of man’s love for God the Father-Jn 8:28-29, 10:17-18, Rom 3:3-4-His own holiness-Mt 3:15, Jn 1:29, Lk 23:34-& His love for humanity-Mt 3:15, Jn 3:15-by saving the world-I Jn ...

Mental health stigma

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, We need to address the stigma against mental illnesses and related areas. People with mental illnesses aren’t faking anything. They are debilitating and can cause problems with physical health if left untreated. This shows up in headaches, fatigue, a weakened immune system, and increased risk for diabetes and heart disease. In addition to individual health, mental illnesses create difficulties forming meaningful relationships, being productive at work, and being motivated at school. Instead of judging others when they exhibit behavior one might typically think of as ...