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Editorials

Neighbors in need of help

As Gov. Mike DeWine declares a state of emergency in 11 Ohio counties after last week’s terrible storms, it is a reminder there are Buckeye State residents struggling to recover and in need of our support. Those living in Auglaize, Crawford, Darke, Delaware, Hancock, Licking, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Richland and Union counties were hit by disastrous weather that spawned an EF-3 tornado. It left three dead in Logan County. DeWine’s declaration can clear the Ohio National Guard to go in and assist with the recovery effort — mostly cleaning up debris on public property. But the ...

Preventing tragedies

There’s no way of knowing what might have been prevented when a Perry High School resource officer confiscated a firearm being carried by a student last week. The school, near Massillon, Ohio, said there were no threats to students or staff, according to a report by WJW. Still, Perry Township Police Chief Brian Taylor said the officer secured the gun, took the student into custody, and that the student is expected to face “appropriate disciplinary and legal actions.” While we may never know what the student was thinking, Taylor is right that the incident should be a reminder to ...

All of Ohio needs develpment

It may seem like a good problem to have, but Ohio’s historically low (for historically long) unemployment figures are creating a challenge for employers. The Buckeye State’s unemployment rate has been below 4% for 14 straight months, the longest such stretch in data that goes back to 1976, according to a report by The Columbus Dispatch. For January, the rate was 3.7%. “The Ohio unemployment rate ticked higher to 3.7%, but this remains a much lower rate than usual for the state,” Ben Ayers, senior economist for Nationwide, said in a research note reported by the Dispatch. ...

Cheers & Jeers

CHEERS to Pat Marcum and Discovery Toys for providing Easter baskets to be given to children in Belmont, Monroe and Noble counties. JEERS to the dangerous conditions that have led to a few brush fires in the region in recent weeks. Two of those fire burned dozens of acres apiece. The statewide burn ban is in effect for a reason. CHEERS to the Martins Ferry Area Chamber of Commerce for securing a prominent, interesting, local speaker for its annual dinner, which will feature Dr. Joseph Maroon on Monday. JEERS to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the “pause” in enrollment at ...

Local press: Shining light on darkness

As we near the end of this year’s Sunshine Week, communities across the country are suffering not just because their public officials are doing business in the dark, but because in some regions there are few (or no) news organizations left to keep an eye on those officials in the first place. Community support of newspapers has never been more important. Your support lends power to our efforts to shine a light on what public officials are doing with public money — particularly when those same officials wish to keep their actions hidden. Without community support, newspapers are ...

Supporting all Ohio families

Given the degree to which many Ohio politicians strain to show their desire to protect and support children and families, it is encouraging to see at least some money being put where their mouths are. Ohio’s Departments of Health and Children and Youth have awarded $5 million to 19 community- and faith-based groups that support pregnant women and “newly-parenting families.” It is worth noting that none of that money is going to organizations in our portion of the Ohio Valley, though perhaps we will see some benefit from the nearly $350,000 going to the statewide Baby’s 1st ...