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Protect, talk to and check on your children

Earlier this week, the Jackson Township (Ohio) Police Department conducted “Operation Unsportsmanlike Conduct,” in which it targeted predators traveling in an attempt to solicit sex from children, over a multi-day operation. According to a report by WOIO, the operation resulted in the arrests of seven men who were allegedly trying to engage in sexual activity with girls they believed to be under the ages of 13, 14 and 15. Stark County court records showed those girls were actually undercover police officers being contacted through cell phones, thank goodness. But think about that ...

The important reminder of rail safety

With Congress on its August break, there are a number of important things not getting done. A couple of recent incidents in West Virginia remind us rail safety reform continues to be one of them. Last month, a minor train derailment in downtown Parkersburg closed a street, and had residents asking questions about the contents of the tanks that were leaning. Belpre Industrial Parkersburg Railroad officials responded quickly with information (the tanks were safely sealed and empty), and a crew to get the train back on track. There were no injuries. On Aug. 3, the St. Albans Fire ...

Enough is enough

Last week, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the appointment of the state’s newest solicitor general — the person who serves as the state’s lead attorney for appeals in state and federal court. He has chosen Mathura Sridharan, an Ohio native who has been deputy solicitor general since 2021. “Mathura is a relentless defender of Ohioans, a champion of federalism and legal force to be reckoned with in a courtroom,” Yost said. “Her brilliant legal mind and masterful understanding of constitutional law make her the obvious choice to lead the team as Ohio’s solicitor ...

Summer is special with Easterseals

Easterseals Rehabilitation is a familiar organization to most of us, even if we can’t quite put our finger on what it does. But for the organization’s clients and their families, the answer is simple — right there on the website. Easterseals is “committed to changing lives.” Here in the Mid-Ohio Valley, that happens year round in schools and through the Birth to 3 program; but summer is special. Or, rather, Summer Games ’25 at Civitan Park was special. For two days a week, from the beginning of June through mid-July, children who had received occupational or physical ...

The impact of IMPACT Day

Every once in a while, an opportunity for local students gives us a chance to see we have a lot to look forward to as they rise to leadership positions in our community, region and perhaps beyond. Last week, Belpre High School student leaders had a two-day retreat centered on leadership and collaboration. It included an IMPACT day — Inspire, Mentor, Partner, Advocate and Connect Together. “We want our students to see the impact they can have on the community — and the impact the community can have on them,” said Robin White, Belpre student council’s advisor. “I.M.P.A.C.T. ...

State officials need to work on retrieving money from the Intel project

Oh, to have been a fly on the wall when Gov. Mike DeWine, leaders of the Ohio Department of Development and JobsOhio learned the “well, actually …” that should have been attached to news a couple of weeks ago that Intel was going to “further slow the pace of construction in Ohio.” It was a red flag then that the company did not announce a new expected completion date. Now we know why. According to a report by WCMH, Intel also said it might have to stop work on the Ohio facility altogether if it cannot find external customers for its new 14A technology, which will not even ...