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Ohio BWC still helping employers keep more money

It is rare for a state agency to consistently work to collect less money from its constituents, but Ohio’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has turned it into an art. Back in February, the bureau’s board of directors authorized a 1% rate cut for private employers, which took effect at the beginning of this month. It came on the heels of an earlier 1% rate cut for public employers, which was effective Jan. 1. Even before those changes went into effect, the bureau said the state’s approximately 245,000 employers (public and private) were paying the lowest average workers’ ...

School system works year-round for students

Though there is a misconception that those who go into education do so because they want to continue having summers off for the rest of their careers, a quick look at how many moving parts ground to a halt earlier this week for Wood County Schools gives a reminder that these folks work for our kids year-round. As crews battled a blaze just outside Parkersburg on Camden Avenue, buses had to be moved, facilities in the area had to be monitored, and decisions had to be made. Martin Elementary School, Edison Middle School, Franklin Elementary Center, the district’s MIS computer and IT ...

Mid-Ohio Valley knows how to help when disaster strikes

“We are very fortunate we live in a community that works together and helps each other out,” Wood County Commissioner Jimmy Colombo said Monday morning, as firefighters continued to battle the blaze at the Peoples Cartage facility. First responders from agencies across the Mid-Ohio Valley were on scene to support those trying to contain the fire — which, as of this writing, is contained, but will take days to extinguish. Many questions remain unanswered, but those answers will come in time. Meanwhile, we know for certain there is support coming from across the valley and ...

DeWine must strike ‘success sequence’ attempt

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has shown a willingness to use his veto power when the need arises. He’s not shy about that. It seems as though legislators quietly handed him another opportunity last month, as they passed Senate Bill 276, which includes new requirements for public school districts to teach the incredibly flawed “success sequence.” Most public school students grow up being taught they can dream big, be anything they want to be, work hard and aim high ... you remember the schpiel. But counteracting that, unless DeWine acts, will be a requirement that students also be told ...

Live up to hope founders had for us

As our country celebrates not just any Independence Day, but the 250th anniversary of one of the boldest declarations in human history, the festivities give us an excellent opportunity to look back on two-and-a-half centuries of this American experiment and check ourselves against what the founders hoped they were setting in motion. Draped in red, white and blue and surrounded by flags and fireworks, it is easy to forget how we got here and why we are free to celebrate as flamboyantly as we’d like. Richard Henry Lee made the motion to declare independence in June 1776, but not ...

Local VFDs need all the support we can give

We are deep into the season of ice cream social fundraisers, many of which benefit our volunteer fire departments. It can be easy to overlook how important these annual efforts are in supporting those who keep so many of us safe. More than 90% of fire departments in West Virginia are considered volunteer. Approximately 70% in Ohio are volunteer departments. Those who work as volunteers give up more than just their time and effort. A report by WBOY, which spoke with representatives of the Valley Volunteer Fire Department in Marion County, noted the effect such service has on ...