Breaking News

Editorials

Breaking cycles and instilling hope is important

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office has earned national recognition for its success in implementing the IGNITE program this year. In fact, the program is featured in this month’s issue of the National Sheriff’s Association’s IGNITE Insight publication. It is a significant accomplishment for those who have developed the program under Sheriff Mark Warden, with the department saying IGNITE represents a major shift from traditional incarceration to rehabilitation and long-term success. The initials stand for Inmate Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education. “Our ...

Here’s hoping CTPD funding is just the beginning

It turns out state officials are, indeed, working toward bringing more supports to public school students who are already thinking about life after high school graduation. Last week, Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce announced $7.1 million for the Career Pathway Support Networks Request for Applications. The money is part of a two-year effort to prepare students for in-demand careers through “advising, mentoring, exposure to various professions, and expanded career-technical education,” according to DeWine’s office. Funding will be distributed ...

You can never be too careful

Across the country, scammers continue to find success — particularly with older residents and their families — with a seemingly endless supply of techniques for separating people from their hard-earned money. Among the latest efforts is a scam in which a person receives a phone call, email or text that says they need to pay a fine, but that they should do so with Bitcoin, a gift card or other virtual currency. And yes, the wording is confusing and aggressive enough that people continue to fall for these scams in droves. In Ohio alone, between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, ...

Don’t drive drunk, don’t drive high

“If you feel different, you drive different. Drive high, get a DUI.” That’s the theme of an effort by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to help local law enforcement be highly visible from now through Labor Day as they crack down on those taking the risk to drive impaired. Even in states such as Ohio where (despite lawmakers’ best efforts to subvert the voters’ will) adult-use cannabis is legal for recreational use, it is still illegal to drive under the influence. It doesn’t matter what substance is to blame. But, ...

Marietta BOE has opportunity for students

“There is no power as a board member, the only power is when we’re acting collectively, not individually,” Marietta City Schools board member Russ Garrison said last week. It is an important sentiment for everyone to bear in mind after a meeting that included the introduction of a new board member and a working session that brought together the board with members of the community. With the beginning of a new school year, the Marietta City Schools Board of Education has a fantastic opportunity to start fresh. New board member, new superintendent, new high school principal — ...

Students with firm footing is priceless

Ohio parents want their children’s schools to educate them in all the traditional subjects, of course, but the idea is that our public schools are a big part of what prepares students for life beyond the classroom someday. To that end, Bucyrus City Schools in Crawford County has come up with an idea other districts might want to consider. According to a report by the Bucyrus Telegraph Forum, the district has partnered with Team NEO to credential EVERY staff member as either a career connections adviser or career connections ambassador. This isn’t just teachers. This is every ...