After the polls close today, Americans will all have a little less negativity in their lives.This midterm election season has seen as much activity as any in recent history - including presidential elections. Obviously there is much at stake at the polls today.There have been political rallies ...

IF YOU have not taken advantage of the early voting process, then Tuesday is your day.That is when November's General Election comes down the pike. And while there is no presidential contest highlighting the ballot, many issues of major local and state importance are featured.Statewide, several ...

Voters in Ohio's 6th Congressional District face a clear choice when they vote in Tuesday's election.They can return Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson to Washington or choose a new direction with Republican Bill Johnson. We endorse and recommend you cast your vote for Johnson for ...

IT IS one of the most enjoyable times of the year for children and adults, alike.Sunday is the official date for Halloween, but it is marked by celebrations, parties and trick or treating over the course of several days. Other than Christmas and birthdays, there is possibly no other day that ...

YET ANOTHER Eastern Ohio school district is planning on implementing drug testing.Buckeye Local made that announcement during this week's board of education meeting. It seems that drug testing is becoming the trend for local school districts.We expect many more to follow suit.Martins Ferry and ...

THE MENTAL health system in Ohio is in dire straits. Some even believe it is on the verge of collapse.The crisis is a result of the state's ongoing and substantial financial problems. Over the past three years, Ohio's mental-health programs have been slashed by 35 percent.A cutback of that ...

For decades, Belmont County has been a crossroads for commerce. Few counties in Ohio have the direct access to major highways, railways and waterways that are used to transport cargo across the nation.With access to Interstate 70 and Interstate 470, U.S. 40, Ohio 7, and the Ohio River, as well ...

WEDNESDAY PROVED a profitable day for Belmont County.That is when the Ohio Public Works Commission District 18 Executive Committee announced its "Issue II" funding allocations. Belmont County did quite well.The county was targeted to receive more than $940,000 in grant money and an additional ...

CAN'T WE all just get along?Apparently not, when it comes to the Bridgeport political scene. The re-establishment of the board of public affairs has been a divisive issue in the village for several months.The discussion ended Tuesday night.After its third and final reading, council members ...

TRUANCY HAS been a nagging problem in Belmont County schools for much too long. However, due to an innovative program, it is becoming a much less notable nuisance.The Belmont County Juvenile Court's Intake and Diversion Program has seen a drop of chronic truancy cases this year from 62 to 15. ...

Earlier this year, controversy unfolded when the future of the Belmont County Port Authority came into question. For several weeks, it appeared uncertain whether or not the economic development agency would be able to continue in the future. Funding was an issue, and funding was tight.Several ...

THERE IS a reason U.S. Senate candidate Rob Portman enjoys an enormous lead in public opinion polls among Ohio voters. Buckeye State residents recognize Portman is the better choice to represent them in Washington.Polls conducted during the past few weeks have Portman anywhere from 10 to 23 ...

AN EASTERN Ohio-based company is mining more jobs for local residents.Rosebud Mining Co. unveiled plans this week to break ground on its new Vail Mine in Freeport. The announcement is a dose of good news to both the Harrison County economy as well as the local work force.The mine in scheduled ...

OHIO IS in a deep economic rut. Unemployment stands at 10.1 percent, higher than the national average.The state's budget, expected to be at least $8 billion out of balance during the next two-year cycle, is a disaster. Far from improving, many public schools are struggling to remain afloat. ...

BELLAIRE RESIDENTS may not like some of the proposals village council has been considering, but we commend the governmental body for looking at ways to improve the All-American Town.Last month, it was put forth by one councilman that residents be charged some $3 a month to help fund street ...

Election season is heating up, and around every corner, someone is trying to influence voters. Groups want you to support their political candidate, or at least vote against his or her opponent. Others attempt to encourage voters to embrace a certain platform or policy, usually under the ...

YOU CANNOT put a price tag on safety.That is why we agree with the thinking of the Martins Ferry Volunteer Fire Department and its fire chief, Ed Duke.Duke addressed Martins Ferry City Council Thursday night. He delivered a proposal we are solidly in line with.Duke and his department's plan ...

THE MARTINS Ferry Lions Club is still in its infancy. The civic-minded group, however, has made its presence felt in the community.The Lions have staged many projects that have benefitted Ohio's oldest settlement. Martins Ferry is a much more scenic town thanks to the Lions' efforts.The Lions' ...

HALF FULL or half empty?Whether you are an optimist or a pessimist, the Martins Ferry School District's five-year forecast had something for each when it was unveiled during Monday's board of education meeting.The good news is that the budget package projects a positive balance for fiscal years ...

OIL?AND gas leasing seems to be the big boom lately, and everyone from local landowners to new companies have the potential to benefit from it.The big beneficiary from the latest trend of tapping into the Marcellus Shale can likely be the local and state economies.These natural gas reserves ...