My husband seems to take a lot of flak in my columns. It's all good natured, and I wouldn't do it if he didn't have the great sense of humor that he has. But it seems like every Sunday, my mom or my sister start with the, "Poor Justin" routine. Oh yes, he's so poor. He's got a wife who loves ...

A GUSHER of a deal came Bellaire's way Wednesday. It is one that offers the All-American Town an opportunity for growth and economic resurgence.Waco Oil & Gas is bringing an influx of optimism, jobs and cash to Bellaire. When the West Virginia company closed the door on purchasing the ...

I'm an animal lover. Growing up, we always had a dog or cat in the house. My sister and I jokingly called my mom "Saint Francis," the patron saint of animals, because it seemed like every stray or injured animal somehow wound up on our doorstep. Mom would never turn them away. And I enjoyed ...

The feeling of spring is in the air in YTR.Yards are abloom with colorful tulips, daffodils and crocuses. The sound of lawnmowers can be heard throughout. With the promise of spring comes rebirth, and a spirit of freshness and joy is felt all around. Families are looking forward to holiday ...

During a recent conversation with some legislators about school reform and the advantages of year-round education, my thinking went almost immediately to traditional Asian rice farming, athletics and the process of teaching intelligence. All are connected.Intelligence is the product of innate ...

ST. CLAIRSVILLE MAYOR Bob Vincenzo is a hilltop institution. Unfortunately, if any of four council members don't wise up soon, Vincenzo will be the former mayor.Monday's city council meeting turned into an inferno of disagreement.The city again is need of a finance director. That is because ...

The Yorkville Volunteer Fire Department will hold its annual Spaghetti Dinner on Sunday, April 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m at the fire hall.Dinner includes spaghetti, meatballs, salsa, bread and beverage/ Dine in or carry out. Cost of dinner is $7 for adult and $4 for children. "Con Mama Val la ...

Like most everyone in the country who works in an office, follows college basketball or has a pulse, I filled out an official 2012 NCAA Tournament bracket. As of this writing, I've not yet secured my Final Four or my champion; however, what I CAN assure you as of this writing is that, even ...

I HAD never considered the word, "geek," to be a complimentary term, so when my dear friend Betty Pokas informed me that she had volunteered me to be a guest speaker for Geek Week at the Puskarich Public Library, I was not sure if I should be flattered.I was not sure that the word geek was even ...

DEATH always yield sadness. Some more painful than others.The Martins Ferry School District is currently dealing with one of gut-wrenching proportions. The district lost one of its most beloved and highly respected teachers on March 9. That is the day Jeannie (Boehm) Splenda died ...

So maybe I'm not so great at this whole domestic thing after all.A while back, I had written about my newly found domestic prowess - how I would give Martha Stewart a run for her money. Maybe I just got cocky. Maybe it was that fancy college education that made me think, "If I can ace calculus, ...

THERE IS a new sheriff in town. Well, almost.Belmont County will welcome a new sheriff come next year. That is a certainty after Dick Flanagan defeated incumbent Fred Thompson in the Democratic primary Tuesday. He did so in sizable fashion, garnering 55 percent of the vote.Flanagan is no ...

The weather continues to be a mystery, one day it is 30 and snowy and another is 60 and sunny. But no matter, spring will arrive soon and the days will be "getting longer" with more daylight and brighter days. As the weather improves, activity increases at home and in the community. Remember to ...

AFTER MONTHS of campaigning, Ohio is poised for its primary election, part of Super Tuesday nationwide.Some 10 states will hold primaries Tuesday, with the Buckeye State and Georgia being the biggest prizes in the Republican presidential rollercoaster.The latest polls in Ohio have Rick Santorum ...

I HAVE a confession to make. After reading a particular book or seeing a particular film or television series, I often enjoy paying a visit to Amazon.com and calling up the reviews. More specifically, I tend to select the one-star reviews.I follow this same procedure whether I love the work, ...

OHIO'S PRIMARY election is just nine days away. In order to educate Belmont County voters somewhat better, a "Meet the Candidate Night" will be held this Tuesday at the Lansing Community Center.The political forum will run from 6-8 p.m. and will feature 13 candidates. Pastor David Demarest is ...

An International Culture Fair will be held at Buckeye Local High School on March 8 from -9 pm. The Foreign Language Club and the Buckeye Local High School Relay Team "The Websters" sponsor the program. There will be many activities including food tasting of various international dishes. Please ...

Blue is blue. Red is red. Brown is brown. Simple as that, right?For me, no, not really. And I've discovered something even stranger-my husband and I don't see the same colors! This development could seriously hinder our progress of fixing up our home.We've begun some lengthy, but much-needed, ...

THESE ARE some crazy times in our local schools.Within the past two weeks, at least three teachers have either been suspended for alleged improper conduct or led out of their respective school in handcuffs. So much for role models.Also, on two separate occasions this past week, a pair of ...

Bullying used to be viewed as something of a normal part of school, from the earliest years to fraternity hazing. Research, though, reveals bullying causes damage and sometimes death. Virtually every school shooting in America can be traced to bullying. Hundreds of thwarted shootings ...