As teenagers, many of us look forward to being freed from our bonds to our alma maters. But as we age and grow wiser, some of us become sentimental about our old schools and do what we can to help. Alumni play a big role in advancing the missions of high schools and colleges. They contribute ...
“Dr. Jelly Paws,” some Ohio State University athletes called him. It was a reference to the late Dr. Richard Strauss’ habit of groping their genitals and engaging in other forms of sexual abuse. Dozens of OSU officials, both inside the athletic department and in university ...
This weekend marks the unofficial start of summer for residents of Eastern Ohio and for people across the nation. It is a time to get away from work and to enjoy some fun with family and friends. While Memorial Day itself is a somber occasion established to honor those who have died in ...
Just slightly more than a decade ago, Belmont County officials became fed up with overcrowding at the county jail. Built in 1996, it had 84 beds, which at the time seemed sufficient. But in 2008, the jail was expanded to 144 beds. Within five years, even that was not enough. Belmont County ...
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is on a mission this month to encourage drivers to wear their safety belts. Troopers use the catchy phrase “Click It or Ticket” to remind motorists that a fine awaits those who fail to buckle up. If you do not use your seat belt, though, a traffic ticket ...
Had more attention been paid to Belmont County resident Shania Wells after charges related to mistreatment of animals were handled in 2017, some animals’ lives might have been saved. But can such a tragedy be avoided in the future? That remains to be seen. Wells was sentenced to 90 days ...
Spring is in full swing here in Eastern Ohio, and people all around us are enjoying the warm temperatures, blue skies and blooming flowers. We cannot, however, allow such things to distract us when we are behind the wheel of a vehicle. Regardless of how pretty the countryside around us may ...
If you are a homeowner, you probably expect the roof over your head to last for more than 11 years. Martins Ferry Board of Education members have the same opinion. Roofs on some Martins Ferry school buildings constructed about 11 years ago began leaking not long after the structures were ...
The St. Clairsville Area Chamber of Commerce honored several of its members last week, recognizing them for their contributions to the community as a whole. During its annual dinner, the chamber handed out awards in five categories: Business of the Year — Belmont Savings Bank; Community ...
At least three unwelcome guests came to our community last week, but local law enforcement had a welcoming committee ready to greet them and show them to their quarters. Three residents of Coshocton — a small city of about 11,000 people located east of Columbus and north of Zanesville - ...
Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump’s former personal attorney, is making a sleazy attempt to save his own skin by pandering to Democrats in Congress. They should turn him down flat. Cohen was caught red-handed in a variety of misdeeds by federal investigators. Last year, he pleaded ...
In the wake of numerous store closings, some positive changes are coming to the Ohio Valley Mall in St. Clairsville. One new addition to the retail site may seem like an odd fit at first glance. Rather than being a restaurant or a store, it is a health care center. The new Belmont County ...
Groans and gripes about the condition of many area roads are heard frequently. But when a school bus driver worries aloud about them, it is time for someone to do something about the problem. It happened last week during a Martins Ferry City Council meeting. Councilman Bruce Shrodes, who ...
A little more than a week ago, firefighters and emergency medical personnel who serve Belmont County gathered to honor many of their own. The annual Belmont County Fire & Squad Officers Association dinner is always an uplifting event, recognizing the heroism of the past year and the long, ...
It is high time more tax proceeds from natural gas and oil production are used to benefit the local area. State Rep. Jack Cera recently introduced an amendment to the state’s next transportation budget that would make that possible, and we believe lawmakers on both sides of the aisle should ...
Like many other states, Ohio has a semi-transparent system of funding highway and bridge maintenance and construction. The vast majority of state funding for the purpose comes from a tax on gasoline and diesel fuel. More than a billion dollars a year is derived from that source. Gov. Mike ...
Merely finding the owners of rundown buildings that ought to be demolished can be quite a chore. Ask virtually any mayor or city manager in the Ohio Valley. For any number of reasons, those who own abandoned and dilapidated structures in our area often live in other cities across the region ...
Belmont County takes good care of its senior citizens, and that tradition continued last week with an announcement from the Board of Commissioners. For many years, the people of Belmont County have consistently supported ballot measures to fund Senior Services. Those levies have provided for ...
This is a challenging time for the village of Bellaire. Residents of the community and the surrounding area recently received news of two major changes, and neither announcement was positive. First, word was released that St. John Central High School will close at the end of the current ...
Government budgets at all levels seldom seem to be lower than in previous years. On the rare occasions when they are, they often are accompanied by predictions of doom and gloom. Except in Belmont County. There, county commissioners have approved a 2019 budget of $21.9 million — about 2.5 ...