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Opinion

Universities must lead the way to protect our freedom of expression

Columns

Freedom of speech has always demanded courage, and courage is the one virtue universities cannot delegate. When free speech becomes fatal speech — as it did recently with the assassination of Charlie Kirk on a college campus — Americans demand — and deserve — a change. As president of Youngstown State University, I feel compelled to make a commitment to help make that change, and I believe our nation’s university presidents like me can lead the way. The facts already announced by authorities are enough to deduce that the killer of Charlie Kirk opposed the viewpoints he ...

Fall in love with Belmont County this autumn

Columns

October is when Belmont County really shines. The mornings turn crisp, the hillsides glow with color, and our calendars fill with experiences that remind us why we love calling this place home. We welcome visitors with small-town warmth and send them home with big memories — proof that tourism isn’t just about trips; it’s about community pride, thriving local businesses, and the stories we tell about who we are. This fall has been no exception. Barnesville’s signature event once again put our region on the map, showcasing giant pumpkins, packed sidewalks, and that ...

I am a Humanist

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, I am a Humanist. I care about every human being, wherever they live or what color they are, or what religion they adhere to, or what language they speak. I am on their side. I root for them. Some might call or label me a Liberal, or Progressive, or a Democrat. I don’t care what label or expletive they use to define me. I share the view that “Any person’s death diminishes me as I am part of humankind so don’t seek to know for whom the bells toll, they toll for thee.” I want to share the wealth and food that is on this earth. I am dismayed at the evil that ...

Kindness on display

Editorials

Kindness seems like a pretty simple concept that we should all know and understand, yet there doesn’t seem to be enough of it to go around. Merriam Webster defines the noun kindness as: “the quality or state of being kind.” The adjective “kind” is itself defined as: “of a sympathetic or helpful nature.” The Ohio Valley Mall is teaming up with The Arc of Ohio and the Belmont County Sheriff’s Department this month to urge area residents and visitors to be more kind to one another. The effort is aimed at people of all ages, and the groups are providing a variety of fun ...

Shadyside ‘restructuring’ a failure

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, This is an open letter to the residents of Shadyside. If we do not already know one another, in a town the size of Shadyside, I am sure that we have at least heard each other’s names, or can make an association through friends or relatives fairly quickly. If we still haven’t made a connection, please allow me to introduce myself. If we don’t know each other directly, please introduce yourself to me if you see me on the street. I am a lifelong resident of Shadyside, member of the class of 2015, and contractor with several side ventures. You gave me the honor and ...

Marking 20 years as a married couple the simple way

Columns

My husband, Mike, and I reached a milestone this past week. On Thursday, we celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. It seems like just yesterday that we said our vows at The Barn — an event venue on the outskirts of Moundsville. However, a lot has changed in the intervening years. To mark the occasion Thursday, we considered taking a day trip and having a fancy dinner. We also thought about attending a concert we had been offered tickets to see. In the end, though, we just spent the day together, traveling around the area and making stops at some of our favorite spots. One way ...