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Put pressure on those who can provide federal help

Editorials

Here we go again, as not just the Mid-Ohio Valley, but large sections of West Virginia find themselves in recovery mode after nasty storms, destructive winds — possibly a tornado or two — and flooding. Once again, state emergencies have been declared. Very late Tuesday, Gov. Patrick Morrisey was trying to keep track of the severe weather and all the communities that were affected. “Many West Virginians are helping communities deal with flooding, property damage, and dangerous conditions tonight,” Morrisey said. “State and local emergency officials are working to assist ...

Letter to the Editor: Thanks from Little Muskingum Grange #2621

Letters to the Editor

Little Muskingum Grange #2621 wishes to thank the sponsors of their sixth annual catfish tournament and other events of the grange. We are also very appreciative for all those who showed up to fish and support us. We also would like to thank Bob Echart for allowing our organization to use the dock area for sign up and weigh-in. Thanks to Nic Kidd for all his help. The Grange founded in 1867, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, fraternal, patriotic organization that advocates for rural Americans and agriculture. The Grange has a strong history in grass-roots activism, family values, patriotism, ...

Backyard Gardener: Invasion of the spotted lanternfly

Local Columns

Hello Mid-Ohio Valley farmers and gardeners! This week I want to talk about a new pest that has been found in West Virginia, the spotted lanternfly (ycorma delicatula). It officially has been found in Wood County and will certainly spread to other areas. Native to Asia, this pest was first detected in Berks County, Pa., in the fall of 2014. However, it has since spread to 14 counties in southeastern Pennsylvania, as well as counties in Virginia, Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey. In 2019, a small population of spotted lanternflies was found near the town of Bunker Hill, W.Va., in ...

Ohio EPA right to abandon blanket approach to data centers

Editorials

Ohio’s Environmental Protection Agency made an important decision this week when it opted NOT to proceed with a proposed statewide wastewater discharge permit for data centers. It is encouraging to see the agency understands the importance of reviewing this sort of thing on an individual, case-by-case basis. "After carefully reviewing the significant volume of public comments received on the draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System general permit for data centers, Ohio EPA has decided not to move forward with finalizing the general permit,” the agency said Tuesday, ...

Letter to the Editor: Thoughts on Knox Park

Letters to the Editor

As a person who has frequent occasion to walk by Knox Park, I would like to offer some observations. I see the park and its prominent raised bed in all seasons. The bed remains untended the majority of the time and currently is overrun with Bind weed, an invasive and noxious vine prohibited by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. There are also clumps of poison ivy, which can be a beneficial weed but not if you are inviting people to pick it. There is black walnut sapling as well as a coffee tree sapling. Both are native and desirable trees, but wholly unsuited for a raised bed. ...

Letter to the Editor: Stop the steal of Knox Park

Letters to the Editor

Adjacent to my side yard is an undeveloped, neglected acre or so of land that belongs to the City of Marietta. My dogs and I would love it if I expanded my fenced yard to give them more room to roam. Who would care? This is a “vacant” lot (except for trees, understory, deer, and squirrels) that no one ever uses—except to toss litter. Why can’t I just grab that land and consider it my own? No one would notice or care. I probably wouldn’t even have to pay property taxes on it! I wouldn’t take the whole lot, just a few feet where it borders my property. Why not? Claiming it ...