CHEERS to the Belmont County Senior Services staff for securing a $350,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Aging to support its expanding nutrition programs. Many local seniors rely on those services.

JEERS to the large number of municipal and township offices that went unfilled in the Tuesday election. There were several open positions for which no candidates filed.

CHEERS to all the victors in the election, as well as to those ho campaigned but did not win. Our communities depend on the people’s willingness to serve.

JEERS to news that the global death toll from COVID-19 topped 5 million this past week. That is 5 million lives lost in less than two years.

CHEERS to word that tourism is on the rise again in Belmont County. Tourism Council Executive Director Barb Ballint recently reported to commissioners that people are visiting for a variety of reasons — and in many cases they are spending time and money here.

CHEERS to John Callarik for being inducted to the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame. The World War II veteran is a Bridgeport resident who has operated his own businesses there, and he has served in elected office as well.