Breaking News

Columns

Running away from war and back to prayer

When I was growing up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, there was a very nice elderly Jewish couple that lived next door to us. At the time we moved to this suburb from the inner city of Cleveland, there were very few minorities, especially African Americans, in the community. They said we moved from the ghetto, the inner city to the suburbs, but the real truth is we moved from the ghetto to a real ghetto. The definition of a ghetto as a noun is a poor urban area occupied primarily by a minority group or groups. The definition as an adjective is something that resembles or has the ...

Local region can lead the way to lower energy prices

Last week I brought in the mail, gave it to Lynnda and headed to my office. A few minutes later I heard, “Fourteen hundred dollars!” I ran in to see what was going on. Lynnda said, “Our electric bill is over fourteen hundred dollars!” We are on an annual budget. October is settle-up month. I expected a higher than normal bill, but not that high. Every month I pay more than our budgeted amount. Last winter December, January and February were cold months when our heat pump’s emergency heat was working hard, skyrocketing electric usage. Our average size home is ...

Fall has arrived in all its splendor ­— enjoy it

It seemed to happen overnight. First, “meteorological autumn” arrived, them the first day of fall appeared on the calendar. Soon, a few trees began to sport spots of colors other than green. Then — seemingly out of nowhere — brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow began to appear everywhere. In addition to festive mums, pumpkins and cornstalks that started popping up, Mother Nature used a broad brush to paint the rolling hills and steep valleys of our region in all of the colors of fall. In addition to noticing these changes during my daily commute, I had reason to drive ...

Leading an all-star team to future success

Years prior to my 2019 soccer injury, I was excited to be part of West Virginia’s first over 50 Veterans Cup team. The Veterans Cup is a national soccer tournament. Players had to be over 40 years old. Our team prepared for months practicing and playing together. We scrimmaged the University of Charleston’s men’s team. At the tournament in North Carolina, we lost all three games but grew as a team. Our third game was against the team who ultimately won the national championship in our age group. It was a close competitive game. After returning home, I got a phone call from the ...

Manufacturing Month spotlights Ohio’s workforce progress

COLUMBUS, Ohio ­— Across the nation, Manufacturing Day was Friday. In Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine has designated October as Manufacturing Month. From Cleveland to Cincinnati, from Marietta to Montpelier, our state’s No. 1 industry is preparing to inspire the next generation to make their careers in manufacturing. Ohio today finds its storied manufacturing sector more relevant than ever. We are the nation’s third-largest manufacturing state in terms of jobs and payroll, and Ohio manufacturers just set another record of $134 billion in annual economic output. As reshoring and ...

Fall in love with friendly, beautiful Belmont County

Cooler temperatures, comforting foods, cozy sweaters, and the beauty of colorful foliage all around makes Belmont County the perfect place to enjoy autumn’s splendor. So, roll down the windows, let the breeze blow through your hair as you take in the crisp fall air on a drive down one of our scenic byways. Belmont County is the only county in Ohio with three scenic byways: The Drovers’ Trail, Historic National Road, and the Ohio River Scenic Byway. These routes are perfect for an afternoon drive to see the hillsides come alive with yellow, orange, and red leaves. Peak leaf season ...