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Tougher penalties for OVI

Editorials

Last month in Ohio, the penalties for operating a vehicle while under the influence became harsher. Liv’s Law (House Bill 37) is now in effect. It was born of tragedy, when Olivia Wright was killed by a drunk driver, and her father decided to act. “A constituent, Bryan Wright, brought this issue to my desk after losing his daughter, Olivia, to a drunk driver,” said state Rep. Mark Johnson, R-Chillicothe. “He pointed out to me how weak Ohio’s laws are compared to other states in the nation, and that is what inspired me to work on this legislation in an attempt to try and ...

Consider working the polls

Editorials

As voters head out to cast their ballots today, each voting location will be staffed by dedicated individuals who make free and fair elections possible — the poll workers. Those who vote regularly likely will notice that the faces of those handing them their ballots and providing assistance as needed are familiar. In many locations across the local region, the same people staff polling locations year after year. Local boards of elections and the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office are constantly looking for new poll workers, as those who have performed the job for years or even ...

An opportunity to help

Editorials

Our region is no stranger to natural disasters and other emergencies. And, as federal officials tell states more frequently that they are on their own after flooding and catastrophic storms, the assistance we can expect is changing. But while states such as West Virginia, Arkansas and Washington are figuring out how they will fend for themselves, residents know one thing is not changing. The Red Cross will be there to help. The American Red Cross depends on people helping people — mostly volunteers willing to do the work, lend a hand, and be there when someone else is in need. And ...

Silence isn’t golden — communicate in love, business and more

Columns

Recently, I had a conversation with a friend from India. Shale Crescent USA is working with his company now for over seven years. They expanded to the Ohio Valley and have already created hundreds of construction jobs. They will be operational in the near future. I asked, “What has been the biggest challenge?” He responded, “Communication. Poor communication has delayed the project months and cost the company a lot of money.” Their biggest problem wasn’t technical or construction related. It was human beings who couldn’t effectively convey their idea or message to ...

Is the grass greener? You bet it is, and then some

Columns

Apparently, the grass in Belmont has completely recovered from last year’s drought. Nobody was happier than I was to see the grass everywhere turn green again this spring. The dry, brown, straw-like stuff that covered lawns across the region by last fall was pretty concerning. Not only was it not very attractive, but I wasn’t sure it wouldn’t die off completely. But a fairly wet winter followed by spring storms brought it — and just about every other type of flower, weed and foliage — bouncing back. Already, we have fallen behind on our mowing. Yes, we have definitely ...

Making your voice count

Editorials

Tuesday is a primary/special Election Day in Ohio — an easy one to miss amid the political excitement in the months following last fall’s general election. But it is important all the same. Polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. (Thank you, poll workers). If you filled out an absentee ballot, May 5 is the deadline for having it postmarked. But if you deliver it to your board of elections, you have until 7:30 p.m. Tuesday for that, too. There’s still time to do your homework — both by reviewing the ballot and reading newspaper stories on your local races and ...