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Testing drivers’ sobriety

House Bill 230 is now on its way to the Ohio Senate, and lawmakers should give careful consideration to the measure, which would, among other things, authorize law enforcement to collect saliva from those suspected of driving under the influence of drugs. The saliva would be used in a rapid test to help an officer determine next steps — similar to the manner in which a Breathalyzer is used for checking blood alcohol levels. “They can do a swab of your mouth, test your saliva, and get an immediate result to know if you’re under the influence of drugs or not,” said state Rep. ...

Incomes not keeping pace

Numbers tell a story, and a recent batch of Buckeye State numbers should be raising some eyebrows. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services says both initial and continued unemployment claims increased in the last week of June. In fact, initial claims increased by 725 from the previous week, for a total of 5,879 initial unemployment claims filed. Continued claims were at their highest level in two months — the eight-week average is 39,377 continued claims filed. Ohio’s unemployment rate for May was higher than the national average, at 4.2%; and the labor force participation ...

Antisemitism still among us

Over and over, across the country, we are confronted with news that lets us know antisemitism and other hate crimes are not a thing of our past. They are horrifyingly present. But not here, we say to one another. No, that is something happening in other parts of the country. Nothing could be further from the truth. Monday the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati discovered 176 gravestones in two Jewish cemeteries had been vandalized, according to a report by WCPO. At the Tifereth Israel Cemetery and the Beth Hamedrash Hagadol Cemetery, stones were knocked over and cracked in half. ...

Cheers & Jeers

CHEERS to the United States of America for celebrating yet another birthday on Thursday. Celebrations will continue throughout the weekend at communities throughout our region. JEERS to news that U.S. 40 is closed to westbound traffic and reduced to a single lane of eastbound at the Blaine Hill Bridge. But CHEERS that officials are using an abundance of caution on the 1932 structure. CHEERS to the White House for posthumously presenting the Medal of Honor to two local Civil War soldiers. The honor was bestowed this week. JEERS to vandalism that caused significant damage to Shadyside ...

Celebrating our independence

Ever wonder how Americans got the idea that our Independence Day should be celebrated with fireworks? Credit John Adams, who wrote: “The second day of July 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival … It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.” Readers will note Adams believed the celebration ...

Celebrating safely

It’s hard to drive very far recently without seeing one of those giant tents, covered with banners meant to entice Fourth of July revelers into buying fireworks and other such novelties to enhance their celebration. Should you choose to stop by, be sure to follow some safety rules while you celebrate. First: Be certain a sober adult is the one setting off the fireworks. But then, choose a level surface with plenty of cleared space around it, and have a bucket of water on hand. Keep them away from houses or other structures, and bear in mind how dry it has been lately. Try to ...