Many Americans regarded Wednesday’s inauguration of President Joe Biden as a chance to start over; a turning away from the divisions of the past four years to move forward as one. It is essential, however, that Americans do not choose to move forward by ignoring the lessons we learned — the ...
“This morning, I realized that everything is about to change. No matter how I vote, no matter what I say, lives are never going to be the same. I have been confused by the hostility of family and friends. I look at people I have known all my life so hate-filled that they agree with opinions ...
Local residents may feel a sense of hope growing, as the COVID-19 vaccine has arrived, and distribution has begun. Don’t let the hope be dashed as you begin trying to get that vaccine for yourself or a loved one. The process will not be quick and easy, but by taking a few simple steps, we can ...
I am a Democrat and I voted for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris but I am greatly saddened by the “Big Lie” repeated over and over again by President Trump (and spread by social media like Facebook and Twitter) until 40% of the people believe that Trump won the presidential election. ...
In the past four weeks I have made numerous requests of Representative Bill Johnson’s office to provide evidence of the massive fraud that he and other Republicans have complained about. I have not received a single shred of evidence. Bill Johnson shares the blame in convincing millions of ...
For generations now, Americans have watched as around the globe extremist organizations found a way to recruit enough militarily capable men and women to carry out deadly terrorist acts against their own governments and innocent victims. Through it all, many Americans believed they understood ...
A recent speech on the floor of the US House during the impeachment debate paints a compelling reason to begin now to address the madness that has over taken the Republican Party. Rep. Jim Jordan from Ohio had the audacity to call for “unity” and for all Americans to move on from the ...
One wonders, as we look back on the tumultuous, divisive, harrowing year from which we have emerged, what kind of voice the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. might have brought to the discussion as we try to heal. In the worst moments, his vision for this nation seemed as far away as ever. But ...
Council members, administration and Marietta Collage officialS, Butler Street is a valuable part of public property. It currently is used as a street. The city has a responsibility to maintain it. It hasn’t been crack sealed since it was resurfaced 3-5 years ago. It has multiple crack ...
January 2021 surely offers much to talk about. Do we start with the pandemic and all the friends and family we’ve lost from it? Do we discuss the COVID-19 vaccine or the new government administration? Or, do we go directly to the weather? There are lots of reasons to feel unsure and nervous ...
Attention will turn to the topic of the history of the Irish in the Matamoras area. That group of immigrants brought with them a colorful culture combined with a religious strength and the skill of storytelling. They often took farms near to town which were along the river or high on the ...
Last month’s announcement that authorization had finally been received to transfer the federally owned historic Joseph Barker Jr. house into the hands of a local nonprofit was welcome, indeed. But perhaps more important was the reminder of the kind of teamwork it took to make such a move ...
As COVID-19 vaccines are being distributed throughout the state, and officials appear to have a good plan in place (if we all follow the guidelines) to start turning the corner in our fight against this virus, Ohio State University researchers threw a little cold water on the hope that is ...
As another wave of federal stimulus rolls in, checks in personal bank accounts are not the only benefit. State unemployment systems got a much-needed boost, too. In fact, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services says many of the state’s unemployment claimants will soon see the $300 ...
Officials working to get the COVID-19 vaccine to those who need it most have run into an unfathomable problem. Health care workers are buying into the nonsense that the vaccine might not be safe, and are refusing the shot. Not all of them are so bull-headed, of course. Many are doing the right ...
It was startling to read the news of Alice Chapman’s very recent passing. Mrs. Chapman – or Mrs. C, as she preferred the children to call her – was a significant part of the daily lives of generations of children through the Ely Chapman Foundation. My daughter spend evenings there after ...
I rarely make New Year resolutions, but this year I feel the need to do so. 2020 has been hell on wheels for most of us, and indeed, those of us who are blessed with empathy feel more deeply the suffering of all living things. Sometimes it’s too much and we have to turn away and go within to ...
It is never too late to earn your high school diploma, learn a new skill or change careers. And local residents don’t have to try to do any of those things alone, though it does take a little initiative to get the ball rolling. The folks at the Washington County Career Center, or the Aspire ...
Yes, Christmas is over in Marietta and the harsh, cold reality of another winter in the Ohio Valley is upon us. The lucky ones among us are off to warmer places to escape the cold or at least retreat to warm homes with cable tv and hot beverages at the ready. What do the homeless do? ...
Last week, the U.S. sent an Air Force B-52 bomber to the Persian Gulf in a show of force intended as a warning to Iran against carrying out attacks on U.S. forces or interests. A day later, however, acting secretary of Defense Christopher Miller announced the Pentagon has decided to send home ...