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Investing to create opportunity

A Washington County Career Center program was working last week toward meeting the needs of its students with the Building Bridges to Careers Community and Business advisory council meeting themed “Meeting in the Middle: Investing in our future talent.” The idea is to work toward having schools, industry and communities work together to support local talent — and to meet local needs. “Tonight is about thinking about the investment we see in our talent ecosystem – being future talent, our students,” said Emily Bentley, education engagement specialist with BB2C. “We’re ...

The “wrong” debate

Perhaps without meaning to, Ohio Rep. Johnathan Newman, R-Troy, demonstrated perfectly the problem with a portion of Ohio House Bill 583, “regarding the provision of online library database resources by public schools, public libraries, and state agencies.” The bill would amend state code to target “inappropriate” content that has made its way onto InfOhio and the Ohio Web Library — vendors used as online information databases in most public schools and libraries. HB 583 would establish “safety policy and technology protection measure requirements” for the companies. ...

Ohio focuses on education improvement

In his final State of the State address, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine was right to spend so much time on education — particularly reading. If we aren’t giving Buckeye State children the best start possible, it’s hard to see how public officials are going to be able to get much else right. They’ll just be playing catch-up. But there are bright spots on that horizon. DeWine’s persistence regarding the Science of Reading may be helping our youngest readers improve their reading performance. The governor and his team at the Department of Education and Workforce must be seeing evidence ...

Affordable housing challenges

Affordable housing remains a challenge for Ohioans — and that challenge only grows as rent puts a greater strain on an increasing number of households. According to the 2026 Gap Report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition and the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio, there are 422,098 extremely low-income renters in the state, and 73% of those report spending more than half their income on rent. That is an increase from 66% only five years ago. “For people at the bottom of the pay scale, rent is gobbling up most of their paychecks. But this report shows the rent ...

Ohio departments lining up for public safety

Given that Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services data shows there were 2,837 “use of force” incidents from 1,040 police agencies in the state in 2025, one would think law enforcement agencies would be clamoring to take advantage of the new Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. Established in 2024, the program gives law enforcement agencies an opportunity to demonstrate they are meeting standards set by the state Public Safety Department. “If an agency is willingly opening their doors to criticism, that shows great leadership. Having someone else come in ...

‘Rivals’ with no hesitation to help

Friendly rivalries and territorial touchiness aside, when it really counts, Mid-Ohio Valley schools are there for one another. That was proved again last week when the lights went out in Williamstown just ahead of the Class AA, Region I semifinal boys basketball game between Williamstown and Ravenswood. A transformer had blown, plunging the gym into darkness and leaving coaches and administrators scrambling for a solution; though coaches also tried to turn it into a motivator. “In talking with Mick, we have never experienced something like this — that’s the first time that has ...