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Lawmakers must address school bus driver shortage (editorial for 7/31)

Though a state workgroup has recommended “comprehensive system change” for public school transportation, there is little agreement about what that change might look like, or how Ohio can accomplish the goal to “ease current system challenges and build the new system foundation.” According to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal, one major challenge is the shortage in people willing to be bus drivers. Among the other problems to be solved is transportation for students at private schools, religious schools, career centers and educational service centers. “Family school ...

Celebrate Buckeye State with trip to the fair

Buckeye State families looking to squeeze in one more family outing before the start of school should consider a trip to Columbus for the Ohio State Fair. The annual tradition began July 29 and ends Aug. 9. In between, there is plenty of food and fun in an event that has been growing since 1950. There are, of course, the traditional competitions in categories ranging from beef or goats to the creative arts or horticulture/floriculture. There are rides, entertainment — if hypnotists and magicians aren’t your thing, perhaps you’ll want to stay for Nelly, Sammy Kershaw or “Weird ...

Take advantage of Ohio sales tax holiday (editorial for 7/29)

Need a budget break on back-to-school shopping? Ohio’s Department of Taxation has one built in Aug. 7-9, with a sales tax holiday that should help. Though there is no expanded holiday this year, for those three days, clothing priced $75 or less, school supplies priced $20 or less and school instructional materials priced $20 or less will be exempt from sales tax. While most of us are capable of using common sense to sort it out, the department does note the sales tax holiday does NOT apply to “food in restaurants, boats/watercrafts, titled outboard motors, motor vehicles, alcohol, ...

Make support of affordable, accessible housing a priority

Affordable, accessible housing is getting harder to find in Ohio; and the “affordable” part is getting a little harder to define. A new report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition and the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio shows a “modest” two-bedroom apartment in the Buckeye State is even further out of reach now than it was a year ago. Last year, the group estimated a full-time worker would have to make $22.51 an hour to afford to rent at HUD’s Fair Market Rent without spending more than 30% of their income, according to a report by the Ohio Capital ...

Ask for state help after tornadoes

Though much of the talk about three tornadoes that struck last week has focused on West Virginia, the twisters were born in Washington County, where damage was significant. But though state help is already on the way in the Mountain State, with the hope that a federal declaration will be made soon, assistance may be harder to come by in Ohio. According to Washington County Emergency Management Director Richard Hays, only occupied residences count as “damaged property,” though he is still sending all his documentation to the state for assessment. "For the county ... I've been ...

As always, the helpers are all around us

“Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” Mr. Rogers may have been speaking encouragement to children when he taught us that, but its truth rings even clearer when Mid-Ohio Valley residents are forced to look — and respond — so often. This week, communities across our region and deep into West Virginia needed help. Flash flooding, high winds, and something new for many of us: tornadoes. That help arrived even before many families and communities were sure what they were going to need. Sharon Kesselring, executive director of the Ohio Valley Chapter ...