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Stay safe, drive sober

Editorials

“If you feel different, you drive different. Drive high, get a DUI.” That’s the theme of an effort by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to help local law enforcement be highly visible from now through Labor Day as they crack down on those taking the risk to drive impaired. Even in states such as Ohio where (despite lawmakers’ best efforts to subvert the voters’ will) adult-use cannabis is legal for recreational use, it is still illegal to drive under the influence. It doesn’t matter what substance is to blame. But, ...

At Ohio’s community colleges, back to school means new opportunities

Columns

The “back to school” season is here, along with all the anticipation and the memories it brings. For the 200,000-plus Ohioans served by our state’s community colleges, “back to school” means new opportunities, and many options to support the journey. Students might be taking classes at the community college campus, online or at work. They could be earning an industry-recognized credential, an associate degree or even a bachelor’s degree in an applied field. “Back to school” for the youngest college students happens in high school, where earning college credit and even ...

Marking a milestone for America’s Black community

Columns

This month will be the 62nd anniversary of the March on Washington that took place on Aug. 28, 1963, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. There were a number of people that attended that great March on Washington at personal risk to their own careers. One was someone who passed on July 31, 2022. I speak of none other than the champion of champions, William Felton Russell, born Feb. 12, 1934. Bill Russell is reported to have said, “When I heard the speech, I had no idea that the words of that speech would last so long as they did.” In ...

Water frustrations

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor, Several neighborhoods in the Colerain and surrounding areas have been without water since Monday of this week. There are many section of the Belmont County Water System that have been problematic for many years, yet continued to be neglected, overlooked and not corrected. Many residence have reached out to the county commissioners, EPA, and the Attorney General with no avail. Promises of a solution to the problem have been uttered for decades, but nothing has been done for this known issue, except rate increases. Local neighbors, have had to bring water in for hygiene ...

Global hope for those of us who know and understand

Columns

SelectUSA is a large conference and exhibition in Washington, DC hosted by the U.S. Commerce Department to encourage foreign investment in the USA. All 50 states and U.S. territories are represented. Shale Crescent USA has an exhibit booth every year. Last year we had a stand-up sign comparing natural gas prices. Asia was $15/MCF, Europe was $14/MCF and Shale Crescent USA was $2/MCF. A gentleman from India saw the sign and asked my wife, Lynnda who was also working our booth. “Is that a mistake?” Lynnda responded, “No sir.” He then asked, “It is obviously an introductory price. ...

‘Beautiful Bill’ a bonanza for billionaires — Ohio pays the price

Columns

In his recent op-ed, Senator Jon Husted praises the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” as a “gift” to working Ohioans. Please let me set the record straight. This legislation isn’t beautiful, it’s brutal. It’s not for working families, it’s for Billionaires. It doesn’t strengthen our communities, it hollows them out. And BBB leaves our most medically vulnerable without the medical insurance they need. The BBB is both cruel, lopsided, and a budget buster. As Dean of the Ohio Delegation and a lifelong advocate for Ohio, I have never seen a bill so egregiously tilted ...