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Cheers & Jeers

CHEERS to Martins Ferry Volunteer Fire Department for organizing the annual Betty Zane Days festival, sponsored primarily by Unified Bank. The event brings the community together. JEERS to a weather forecast that prompted members of the Bellaire Business Alliance to cancel the car show they had planned for today. CHEERS to Belmont County leaders for placing a reduced levy on the Nov. 5 ballot in support of the Department of Job and Family Services and its Children Services branch. JEERS to the ongoing dust problem that is plaguing some residents in the Morristown area. But CHEERS to ...

Hope for the future

For victims of human trafficking, the damage can continue long after their circumstances have changed. Among the challenges is the criminal record that can follow them because of crimes committed while they were still being trafficked. Ohio lawmakers decided to do something about that, and Gov. Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 214 into law. It allows survivors of human trafficking to expunge certain criminal records. According to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal, state Sen. Stephanie Kunze, R-Dublin, introduced Senate Bill 214. It reads: “Any person who is or was convicted ...

Firefighters need support

As is happening in many industries, all over the state, Ohio’s fire departments are facing staffing shortages — and those who are working are getting older. The state fire marshal’s office says most of those staffing volunteer fire departments (and the majority of the departments in the Buckeye State are volunteer) are over 50. It is encouraging, then, to know last week 19 cadets graduated from the Ohio Fire Academy and are ready to get out and fill some of those gaps. According to a report by WSYX, the smaller townships relying on volunteer fire departments are facing the ...

Get ready to cast your ballot

Over the weekend, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose reminded voters we have passed the 100 days mark to the Nov. 5 general election. A key series of dates came along with the reminder: Sept. 20 marks the start of military and overseas absentee voting; Oct. 7 is the deadline to register to vote; Oct. 8 is the start of absentee and early, in-person voting; Nov. 4 is the final day to postmark absentee ballots to be mailed to local boards of elections; and then from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5, polling locations will be open for election day. Now is the time to find out whether your ...

Chinese tech concerns valid

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown’s heart is in the right place as he introduces the Countering Adversary Reconnaissance Act of 2024, even if the details need a little work. The measure’s aim is to “protect U.S. national security facilities, critical infrastructure, and American citizens by prohibiting connected vehicles produced in China and other adversaries near U.S. military bases and other federal installations.” Brown, D-Ohio, asserts the information and communications technology in internet-connected vehicles can collect sensitive information that poses a security ...

Cheers & Jeers

CHEERS to the village of Beallsville, which celebrates its bicentennial this weekend. Congratulations on 200 years of serving as a home to many proud residents for two centuries. JEERS to the fact that Austin Master Services failed to clean up its Martins Ferry facility by the court-ordered deadline of July 22. CHEERS to the arrival of yet another Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival at Heritage Port in Wheeling. The annal event draws hundreds of people to celebrate their heritage and its role in the community. JEERS to the fact that accidents continued to happen in the area ...