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You can make a difference

Repeated reminders of our need to take care of one another have often come with pleas from vital non-profits for support over the past few years. Charitable giving is a priority for many who can make it part of their budget — and the number of people who share that priority appears to be growing. According to the most recent “Giving USA” report, charities received approximately $592.5 billion in donations in 2024 — a 3.3% increase over 2023. For 2024 the category that saw the biggest increase in donations was giving to public society benefit, followed by international ...

Making a difference for workers

Ohioans expect state government to do all in its power to leave as much of their hard-earned money in individuals’ and businesses’ pockets as possible. At least one agency — the state Bureau of Workers’ Compensation — continues to be recognized for its efforts to do so. In its biennial study of the workers’ compensation premium rates in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services has once again ranked the Buckeye State fifth lowest in the country. (In case you’re wondering, Oregon was 14th lowest.) In addition to ...

Hope for the future of EORH

A new chapter opened in the story of the Purple City on Monday, when it was announced that East Ohio Regional Hospital had been acquired by 360 Healthcare Inc., and that company President Harold Ramsey has launched efforts to reopen the facility this fall. The announcement was received by many as good news, though some people responded with skepticism about the facility’s future. Its history in recent years provides good reason for some doubt that Ramsey will have an easy road to reviving its operations. EORH most recently closed in March, when it was revealed that then-owner Dr. ...

All of the above energy

Heat across our region likely has many households cranking up the air conditioning and using plenty of electricity. Combine household need with that of Ohio’s industrial energy consumers and PJM Interconnection is advising the strain on our electrical grid may be too great. “At the current pace, we are projecting a shortfall of energy,” said David Souder, executive director of PJM operations, according to a report by WBNS. In fact, Souder said another heat wave could lead the system to experience reserve shortfalls. That means PJM has had to come up with a plan. “That’s ...

Cheers & Jeers

CHEERS to Belmont County Tourism for putting on quite an event to celebrate the beginning of construction to turn the Black Horse Inn into the new home of the Underground Railroad Museum. JEERS to ongoing tensions in the Middle East, where military action continues on various fronts. CHEERS to news that East Ohio Regional Hospital has been purchased by 360 Healthcare Inc. with plans to reopen the facility in the fall. Its closure in March left many people jobless and left a gap in available care for residents. JEERS to the ongoing heat wave that is smothering much of the country, ...

Enjoy Ohio this summer

A stretch of suffocatingly hot weather may have made it tempting to just stay indoors as much as possible, but a recent study reminds us Ohio has a great deal to offer outside. The best part is, it just takes a switch from the air conditioning in your house to the air conditioning in your car to go enjoy it. WalletHub’s “2025’s Best and Worst States for Summer Road Trips” placed the Buckeye State at an impressive third in the country. The idea for this particular group of researchers was to find road trips that were fun AND wallet-friendly, which is a bonus for all of us. We ...