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Life lessons learned from great teachers, our moms

Columns

I was one lucky kid. My mom was a great teacher, and I was fortunate enough to have her teaching me before she ever ran a classroom of her own. Sadly, my mom, Grace Compston, died nearly nine years ago. As Mother’s Day approached this year and I found myself thinking about her, my thoughts turned to all that I learned from her — both as a child and as an adult. What are some of the most important lessons you learned from your mother? When I think back, I can hear Mom’s voice singing in many of my earliest memories of her. Whether we were at church where she sang hymns ...

9th Annual Jerry’s Walk a Success

Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor: On Sunday, April 27, 2025, Jerry’s Walk — Illuminating Suicide Awareness held its 9th annual suicide prevention walk in St. Clairsville. The event is an opportunity to encourage an open conversation around suicide with a goal of removing the stigma attached to what is truly a public health crisis. That stigma results in silence that tragically causes so many who are suffering to avoid seeking the help they need and deserve. The Walk also allows those who have survived a loss to suicide to come together and offer each other support. Jerry’s Walk wishes to thank ...

Voter turnout disappointing

Editorials

Tuesday was Election Day in Ohio, but you wouldn’t know it based on the number of people who turned out to vote. A mere 6.85% of Belmont County’s registered voters cast ballots in the special/primary election. According to unofficial totals released by the Belmont County Board of Elections, 3,086 people voted. More than 45,000 are registered to vote. Of the ballots cast, 830 were those of absentee voters, which includes early in-person voting. A total of 2,256 residents voted on Election Day. Of course this election didn’t feature any high-profile or presidential contests, and ...

Honor Mom on Mother’s Day and every day

Columns

How old am I? Recently, Prince Harry was seeking to repair any damage to the family that his book may have caused and also, he did not feel there was enough security being offered for him and his family while in England. One of the reasons he wants to reconcile is because he does not know how long his father has to live with his fight with cancer. One of the big stories over the past few years was that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were quitting their duties as the royal family. I don’t know how many times that has happened, but I know they are not the first. Yet still the act, the ...

Real ID now required

Editorials

Real ID officially went into effect Wednesday, and, while some federal officials appeared to indicate they would offer a minimal grace period before heavy enforcement, we would encourage residents to make sure they have these forms of identification in hand sooner than later. Of particular concern is for those of us who travel frequently, as a Real ID — indicated by a star on the driver’s license or other identification card — will be the document most of us will be using to board an airplane from here on out. The other is your passport. Beyond that, some federal buildings also ...

Cheers & Jeers

Editorials

CHEERS to Belmont County Coroner Amanda Fisher, The Village Network Intensive In-Home Based Treatment Supervisor Marsha Woods, Harrison County Health Department Administrator Linda Masters, Harrison County Health Commissioner Annie Worthington and Monroe County Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Ohio CEO Beverly Perch, all of whom were named Mental Health Champions by the Mental Health and Recovery Board. JEERS to the extremely low voter turnout in the Tuesday primary/special election. Despite an important statewide issue on the ballot, turnout was in single digits. CHEERS to ...