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Editorials

Real ID now required

Real ID officially went into effect Wednesday, and, while some federal officials appeared to indicate they would offer a minimal grace period before heavy enforcement, we would encourage residents to make sure they have these forms of identification in hand sooner than later. Of particular concern is for those of us who travel frequently, as a Real ID — indicated by a star on the driver’s license or other identification card — will be the document most of us will be using to board an airplane from here on out. The other is your passport. Beyond that, some federal buildings also ...

Cheers & Jeers

CHEERS to Belmont County Coroner Amanda Fisher, The Village Network Intensive In-Home Based Treatment Supervisor Marsha Woods, Harrison County Health Department Administrator Linda Masters, Harrison County Health Commissioner Annie Worthington and Monroe County Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Ohio CEO Beverly Perch, all of whom were named Mental Health Champions by the Mental Health and Recovery Board. JEERS to the extremely low voter turnout in the Tuesday primary/special election. Despite an important statewide issue on the ballot, turnout was in single digits. CHEERS to ...

Tougher penalties for OVI

Last month in Ohio, the penalties for operating a vehicle while under the influence became harsher. Liv’s Law (House Bill 37) is now in effect. It was born of tragedy, when Olivia Wright was killed by a drunk driver, and her father decided to act. “A constituent, Bryan Wright, brought this issue to my desk after losing his daughter, Olivia, to a drunk driver,” said state Rep. Mark Johnson, R-Chillicothe. “He pointed out to me how weak Ohio’s laws are compared to other states in the nation, and that is what inspired me to work on this legislation in an attempt to try and ...

Consider working the polls

As voters head out to cast their ballots today, each voting location will be staffed by dedicated individuals who make free and fair elections possible — the poll workers. Those who vote regularly likely will notice that the faces of those handing them their ballots and providing assistance as needed are familiar. In many locations across the local region, the same people staff polling locations year after year. Local boards of elections and the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office are constantly looking for new poll workers, as those who have performed the job for years or even ...

An opportunity to help

Our region is no stranger to natural disasters and other emergencies. And, as federal officials tell states more frequently that they are on their own after flooding and catastrophic storms, the assistance we can expect is changing. But while states such as West Virginia, Arkansas and Washington are figuring out how they will fend for themselves, residents know one thing is not changing. The Red Cross will be there to help. The American Red Cross depends on people helping people — mostly volunteers willing to do the work, lend a hand, and be there when someone else is in need. And ...

Making your voice count

Tuesday is a primary/special Election Day in Ohio — an easy one to miss amid the political excitement in the months following last fall’s general election. But it is important all the same. Polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. (Thank you, poll workers). If you filled out an absentee ballot, May 5 is the deadline for having it postmarked. But if you deliver it to your board of elections, you have until 7:30 p.m. Tuesday for that, too. There’s still time to do your homework — both by reviewing the ballot and reading newspaper stories on your local races and ...