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Cheers & Jeers

CHEERS to word that a new, high-tech business opened its doors in Barnesville. Advance Manufacturing Labs uses 3D printing and other technology to produce tools and components. JEERS to the fact that area drivers are behaving recklessly when faced with traffic detours and delays. From running red lights to removing or driving around barriers, they are taking unnecessary risks. CHEERS to the firefighters who turned out to ballet a blaze in Bellaire Monday evening. And to all who volunteer to keep the rest of us safe. JEERS to the fact that two former Yorkville fiscal officers failed to ...

Giving the gift of life

Despite the drum beat of month-after-month pleas for blood donors to help the American Red Cross meet a desperate need, the organization’s supply has plummeted more than 25%. Consider what that means for those who rely on the Red Cross to supply blood and blood products that could save their lives. “The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces dangerous levels of heat and people head out for final summer travel plans,” the organization said Monday. “Since July 1, the Red Cross national blood supply has fallen by more than 25%, and blood ...

Ohio’s S&P rating up

It can be difficult to trust elected officials with our tax dollars, given how often we learn of instances of fraud, waste, abuse or poor decisions regarding our money. But Ohio residents have gotten some third-party confirmation that there is reason for confidence. Standard & Poor’s has upgraded its global ratings for Ohio’s Major New State Infrastructure Project Revenue Bonds to AA+. This comes after the ratings agency last year upgraded Ohio’s issuer default and general obligation bond ratings to AAA. These are important indications that at least some aspects of financial ...

Handling head injuries differently

Awareness of the consequences of head injuries for athletes has grown considerably in recent years. We know now that mental health and behavior can be dramatically affected by head injuries. A study by Ohio State University’s Chronic Brain Injury program, which was published Monday in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, says one group has been overlooked in the move toward better concussion surveillance. In surveying Ohio law enforcement officers, researchers discovered 74% reported a lifetime history of one or more head injuries — 30% of which reported to have happened on ...

Diversifying our energy base

Bureaucracy exists to serve itself, rather than the taxpaying public. Bureaucrats can wield licenses, permits, deadlines and other forms of red tape like precision weapons. Their zeal in doing so has bogged down our economic diversification and growth for too long. But a plan presented by U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., and John Barrasso, R-Wyo., could speed things back up, at least for one sector. The Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 is meant to eliminate some of the time and hoops that stall energy projects of all kinds. “The United States of America is blessed with abundant ...

Supporting the arts in Ohio

Schools and communities that value and support the arts and arts education understand such things are not a luxury. The arts are essential. Fortunately, it appears state officials and lawmakers understand that, too. This year, the Ohio Arts Council has been supported to the degree that it was able to approve a record $22.7 million in arts grants — 935 of them to Buckeye State artists and arts organizations. It is the largest single round of grants distributed to OAC funding applicants in the agency’s history. “On behalf of the board, the Ohio Arts Council thanks Gov. Mike ...