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It’s time to challenge the darkness of the world

It was several years ago we heard the sad news of a comedic genius death in the person of Robin Williams. I was talking to someone about Robin Williams, and they were telling me they remember him from TV, but they only saw the shows in re-runs. I told them that I was old enough to remember seeing it in its original season. Anyone who has been on the planet and watched TV or went to the movies, saw talk shows and news programs has seen Robin Williams. He was born in Chicago on July 21, 1951, studied theater at The Julliard School before taking his stand-up act to nightclubs. He ...

Win-dow! Win-dow! Win-dow! A motivational chant

Anyone who reads this column on a regular basis knows that my husband Mike and I aren’t very good at taking days off. When we are off from work, we almost always find some project to occupy our time. It seems we are constantly remodeling and replacing outdated or insufficient things around our home and property. This past week was no exception. We took Thursday as a day off together, and even before it began we knew exactly what we were setting out to do. So, before we headed to bed on Wednesday, I tried to get us in the right mindset with a spirited chant: “Win-dow! Win-dow! ...

We must break China’s grip on U.S. defense supply chains

China’s Xi Jinping appeared supremely confident at a recent military parade in Beijing with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un. Xi’s assurance likely isn’t just a reflection of China’s growing military might. It’s also that China now holds the U.S. defense industrial base in the palm of its hand. Xi is well aware that China’s dominance of global mineral supply chains has ensnared both the U.S. economy and America’s military. According to The Wall Street Journal, more than 80,000 parts used in America’s weapons systems are manufactured with ...

Generic competition shouldn’t come at the expense of patient safety

One of the great triumphs of health policy is America’s generic drug market. Nine out of ten U.S. prescriptions are filled with generics. That overwhelming share saves patients and taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars annually — and fuels innovation. Pharmaceutical companies know that their exclusivity on new therapies won’t last forever — typically only 12 to 14 years — which incentivizes them to keep developing new treatments instead of relying on older ones. This achievement rests on one crucial principle: generics compete on cost, not by cutting corners on safety or ...

A perfect slice of autumn in Belmont County

When the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, you know it’s fall event season in Belmont County. Our hillsides transform into a canvas of color, our towns fill with the aroma of seasonal treats, and our communities come alive with festivals that celebrate the best of small-town Ohio. From time-honored traditions to quirky contests and pumpkin-filled fun, autumn here is about more than scenery—it’s about gathering together, making memories, and welcoming visitors to experience the spirit of Belmont County. The Barnesville Pumpkin Festival has been a hallmark of fall ...

The great pizza debate — what tastes like home?

Well, it’s inescapable — autumn is knocking at our door. Not only have daytime temperatures become much more comfortable, but some evenings are now positively chilly. They dry snap has ended with a few rain showers, further relieving the oppressive conditions of late summer. And, despite my best efforts to look the other way, fall colors are beginning to appear among the treetops, with a hint of pale yellow scattered throughout this tree and burnt orange tinging the side of that one. This is a time of year when we begin to think about comfort in the cooler months — a lap ...