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Don’t spark a problem

A storm or two has made little difference for local counties suffering under an extended “extreme drought.” The consequences have been so extensive that Ohio Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon has issued a regional ban on open burning. In Athens, Belmont, Carroll, Fairfield, Fayette, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Tuscarawas, Vinton, and Washington counties, residents have a responsibility to follow the rules set by the ban. ANYTHING that could spark a fire is prohibited, such as: ...

Ohio’s development options

It’s getting harder and harder to be excited about new economic development announcements in Ohio, as the ones already on the table seem to be dropping off at an alarming rate. Intel’s One Ohio project may now be even closer to that edge. According to a report by WCMH, there are rumbles that Intel may be considering how to handle its computer chip manufacturing arm, as part of cost-cutting efforts. Intel has already said it is planning to lay off 15% of its global workforce, suspend its stock dividends program — and the company reported $1.6 billion in losses during its July ...

Cheers & Jeers

CHEERS to the organizers of the Belmont County Fair. Celebrating its 175th anniversary, the fair is jam packed with educational activities and entertainment for people of all ages. JEERS to word that the AMC Classic movie theater at the Ohio Valley Mall will close for good on Sunday. The mall has offered movies since 1980. Let’s hope that continues. CHEERS to the completion of the Capitol Theatre improvement project is complete. The Wheeling venue will be ready for its fall season. JEERS to the ongoing drought that is impacting our region. Not only is it taking a toll on lawns and ...

Parks in ‘the heart of it all’

Ohio bills itself as “the heart of it all,” for lots of reasons; and Buckeye State residents understand our incredible terrain and fascinating history also make it the heart of weekend getaway travel plans for those living in this part of the country. A research project by HomeToGo, in which it looked at search and demand data for state parks all over the United States backs us up. In fact, in its rankings of the top 50 state parks in the country, HomeToGo found Ohio has two of the very best. Hocking Hills State Park, in Hocking County, ranked third. Mohican State Park, in ...

Follow the will of the people

Ohio lawmakers and other elected officials have a habit of trying to circumvent the will of the people, no matter how loudly Buckeye State residents have spoken. Another example comes in the collection of state laws that combine to create a 24-hour waiting period for abortions. Franklin County Common Pleas Judge David C. Young rightly issued a temporary block on those laws, pointing to the decision by voters in 2023 to approve a constitutional amendment guaranteeing access to the procedure. Young went so far as to remind lawmakers the language of 2023’s Issue 1 was “clear and ...

Living longer in Ohio

For many Ohio residents, we’re here because we WANT to live here. But data released recently by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows Ohio residents are not living as long as residents of most other states. Ohio has the 12th shortest life expectancy in the country, based on 2021 data. Here the average lifespan is 74.5 years (77.5 years for women and 71.7 years for men). The national average is 76.4 years (79.3 for women and 73.5 for men). So what is shortening our lives, here in this state we love? Well, according to a report by WCMH, using National Library of ...