Breaking News

Editorials

Hotline provides new hope

Law enforcement offices across the state, both on their own behalf and as part of larger task forces, have been battling human trafficking in Ohio for years. On Monday, state Attorney General Dave Yost announced a new tool that will let the rest of us better support that effort. A non-emergency hotline, 844-END-OHHT (844-363-6448), will send tips about suspected sex and labor trafficking directly to law enforcement personnel with experience investigating such allegations. Those who suspect such activity should not hesitate to use the hotline. “The hotline is a much-needed tool ...

We owe each other better

U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., could not have proved two points more handily earlier this month if he had tried. First, he proved the spreading of vicious lies about an immigrant community in Springfield, Ohio, has indeed led to the kind of hostility that puts those people (and their entire community) in danger. Second, he proved even those we should be able to hold to our highest standards are willing to once again publicly shout their racism and hate. They believe they have been freed of the shame of doing so. According to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal, Higgins was facing ...

Fighting for rail reform

In Ohio alone, residents received two reminders this week that rail safety reform is still desperately needed. On Wednesday a federal judge approved a $600 million class-action settlement for those affected by the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, in February 2023. A day before, residents of Whitewater Township, Ohio, received an evacuation order after styrene began leaking from a Central Railroad of Indiana railcar. Styrene, which is both toxic and flammable, is carried in tank cars. A pressure release valve on the tank began to vent styrene, prompting crews to ...

Cheers & Jeers

CHEERS to news that the Ohio Department of Transportation has its local fleet of snow removal vehicles ready to go to clear ice and snow from area roadways when the time comes. JEERS to the fact that a Barnesville tradition had to be canceled due to drought conditions. The Barnesville Fire Department opted not to hold its annual chicken barbecue to comply with the burn ban. CHEERS to word that Ranch Night BBQ & Concert will return to the Dutton family’s Flushing property next June. The country concert was well received by fans. JEERS to claims that Shadyside Village Council and the ...

Keep road workers safe

Frustrated with road work all over Ohio? Imagine how the workers must feel, as careless drivers zip by, ignoring the speed limit and traffic direction. It’s dangerous work, though it should be much less so. Monday, the Ohio Department of Transportation announced 58 road crews have been hit on the job so far this year. That surpasses last year’s total. Back in June, an ODOT worker was killed in a work zone accident on Ohio 60 in Muskingum County. “It is with a heavy heart that I share the devastating news of the loss of our ODOT team member and friend, Marvin “Marty” Crane. ...

Funding schools properly

In the absence of a viable, fair and constitutional school funding formula in Ohio, state lawmakers decided to focus on manipulating the language of the state constitution to allow them to spend taxpayer dollars where THEY want to. A look at school funding by WCMH shows more than $5.5 million in tax money is being used to support renovation projects at private schools, in part because of their link to the state’s education voucher program. WCMH reports there is funding in the form of grant payments for 11 private schools, hidden in the one-time community investments section of the ...