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Stand Up For Ohio

“As stated in our lapse of appropriation correspondence dated Oct. 1, 2025, SNAP has funding available for benefits and operations through the month of October,” reads a letter dated Oct. 10 from Ronald Ward, acting associate administrator of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. “However, if the current lapse in appropriations continues, there will be insufficient funds to pay full November SNAP benefits for approximately 42 million individuals across the Nation.” We know that last year there were approximately 1.4 million Ohioans receiving SNAP benefits. A ...

Vaping a Serious Issue

The surge in youth vaping is no minor concern — it’s a full-blown crisis. In Belmont County Juvenile and Probate Court, Judge Al Davies spells it out clearly: “Vaping is out of control. Just when you think it can’t get any worse, it gets worse, and it’s so unhealthy.” Davies notes half of all suspensions in Belmont County’s public schools this year stem from vaping. That should concern every parent. What’s especially alarming is not just the volume of incidents, but the tenor of the messaging around them. Motivational speaker Trevor Tripp described how students often ...

Welsh Staying True to St. Clairsville Roots

It was a clear evening in downtown Columbus and the lights of the rink glowed bright, the crowd hushed as the moment arrived. A St. Clairsville native walked on to the ice and brought forth a familiar song as the air filled with a spirit that reaches far beyond the rink. That voice belongs to one of our hometown sons, Leo Welsh, who this year marks 22 years as the anthem singer for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Welsh’s journey reminds us what values from small-town roots can bring. A 1997 graduate of St. Clairsville High School, he followed his musical passion to ...

Program Strengthens Schools

Strong schools build strong communities — and nowhere is that more evident than in Ohio University’s Rural Teacher Corps. This innovative program isn’t just training future educators to teach; it’s preparing them to become part of the communities they’ll serve. That approach could make all the difference for our region’s school districts. Through a partnership with Building Bridges to Careers and support from the Rural Schools Collaborative, the Rural Teacher Corps gives students hands-on experience in real classrooms and communities. Interns like Amelia Woolard, Jessica ...

Rotary Leading by Example

It is never too early to learn the value of community, character and hard work. That lesson was on full display last week in St. Clairsville, where members of the St. Clairsville Noon Rotary Club took time from their professional lives to visit second graders at St. Clairsville Elementary School. Through a simple but powerful story — “Andy and Elmer’s Apple Dumpling Adventure” — Rotarians shared an enduring message: honesty, fairness, friendship and service are the foundation of both good business and good citizenship. Those four principles, embodied in Rotary’s Four-Way ...

Keeping Region Healthy

It’s always good to see local organizations work together for the greater good — and that’s exactly what’s happening on both sides of the river. As the J.B. Chambers YMCA in Wheeling undergoes major renovations, the Martins Ferry Recreation Center is stepping in to help ensure opportunities to stay active don’t skip a beat. For the next three months, the YMCA will run several programs at the rec center — including senior fitness classes, adult evening workouts, and a youth basketball skills and drills clinic led by former college player Asia Roby. It’s a smart, practical ...