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Keep pets out of cold

The weather is only going to get colder — forecasts have Ohio Valley temperatures falling into the 20s overnight in the near future — and it’s time to think about our pets as those temps drop. Our furry friends, especially our dogs, aren’t built to withstand such frigid conditions. And if they’re really our friends, they shouldn’t have to. So there are some precautions everyone can take to make sure that our pets stay safe as we transition from autumn to winter. The most important and easiest step, according to the American Red Cross, is to ensure your pets come inside ...

Get to Work for Ohioans

Ohio lawmakers are missing an opportunity to show they are capable of stepping up when federal lawmakers do not. According to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal, there have not yet been any hearings — nor are any scheduled — for House Bill 502, “Appropriate funds for SNAP, TANF, WIC upon lapse in federal funds.” Introduced by Rep. Latyna M. Humphrey, D-Columbus, the measure would be a safety net — similar to efforts in other states — for the nearly 1.4 million Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients in Ohio. As Humphrey points out, “Grocery stores won’t ...

Don’t Forget to Vote

The candidates have had their chance to persuade. The organizations asking you to either renew or approve a tax levy for their services have done their part. Now it’s up to you. Get out and vote at your polling place today. If you didn’t take advantage of early voting, today is the day for Ohioans to go to the polls and cast their votes. On the ballots today are mayoral and city council races, township trustees contests, school board selections and more. And there also are a host of tax levies, charter amendments, and other items that require your attention. This is your ...

Time to Get Out and Vote

In just a few days, Ohioans that have not already voted will head to the polls for the Nov. 4 general election. According to the Ohio Secretary of State’s office, as of late last week there had been 61,308 absentee ballots returned and 98,382 early in-person ballots cast. Nearly 160,000 people had already weighed in on the candidates and issues. But at about this time last year there were 8.2 million registered voters in the Buckeye State, and 71.71% of them turned out to vote. Admittedly, that one was a bit more of a headline-grabber — but it was certainly no more important than ...

Building a ‘Bridge’ Between Past, Future

Something significant is rising in Bridgeport, built not only from steel and brick, but from a vision of what a small community can accomplish when it believes in itself. The Bridgeport Exempted Village School District’s new multipurpose facility, to be known simply as “The Bridge,” is well on its way to becoming a centerpiece for both students and the wider community. Officials expect the structure to be enclosed by winter, with roof work beginning around Thanksgiving. That means the walls will soon take their final shape, and by next August, the nearly 31,000-square-foot ...

Shining Light in the Dark

October marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but the truth is this crisis does not disappear when the calendar turns. As St. Clairsville Mayor Kathryn Thalman noted in her proclamation, the fight to end domestic violence must be year-round. Few understand this more than Sheila Abbott. Abbott founded Leah’s Wing in 2024 after her daughter, Leah Hines, was murdered in her sleep by an abusive partner. In sharing Leah’s story, Abbott has turned her pain into a mission to help others. Her message is simple but urgent: no one should suffer abuse in silence or feel they have no way ...