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Educators who go further inspire students who go further

Mid-Ohio Valley schools are filled with talented, dedicated educators who routinely improve their students’ lives and their communities. A couple of Marietta College employees are being honored by the Appalachian Regional Commission for fulfilling its mission in that regard. Alexandra Perry, dean of the McDonough Center for Leadership and Business, and Chris Scheppner, director of admissions for Marietta College, have been named Appalachian Teaching Fellows for 2024-25 because of their participation in the Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative. Marietta was the perfect spot ...

Assistance with house repairs

Not every region of the Buckeye State receives the same attention from Columbus, we all know that. In fact, rural Southeast Ohio tends to be an afterthought most of the time. But last week, state Rep. Kevin Ritter, R-Marietta, announced $300,000 is headed to Hocking Athens Perry Community Action to provide some much-needed assistance with housing repairs for low and moderate-income residents. Ritter’s 94th Ohio House District includes parts of Athens, Meigs and Washington counties, and he knows all too well the struggle for affordable, livable housing in the region. Those who are in ...

Underage drinking is a crime

It’s that time of year again, when many families start planning their prom, after-party, graduation, graduation party schedules. As they do so, the Ohio Department of Commerce and the Ohio Department of Public Safety have joined forces to remind them these accomplishments and milestones can be celebrated WITHOUT alcohol. In fact, the departments included liquor permit holders in the wide net they cast to address those who can help kids safer this season: “Addressing underage drinking requires a united effort from all members of the community, including parents and schools. By ...

Why not take the extra step?

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration calls our country’s substance abuse epidemic “a clear and present public health, public safety and national security threat.” No one needs to tell those living in our region that. We see it every day. And most of us wonder whether there is anything WE can do about it. There is. Among the ways we can combat the problem is taking advantage of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day to remove unneeded medications from our homes, preventing the possibility they might fall into someone else’s hands. The DEA calls it a “measure of ...

Ensure service to all Ohio kids

Ohio’s kids are facing challenges many adults cannot fathom in an age of social media and other online threats; incidents of bullying — not just in person, but via text; families struggling with economic and health challenges (including 45.6 drug overdose deaths per 100,000, in 2022); and an uncertain academic atmosphere in which lawmakers just don’t seem to be able to keep themselves out of educators’ way. It’s an atmosphere that can lead to mental health crises that require more help than what parents or teachers can offer. But Gov. Mike DeWine has announced an expansion of ...

Protect them, anyway

A U.S. District Court judge’s decision to strike down Ohio’s requirement that children under age 16 must have parental consent to use social media and some gaming apps is being viewed as a victory by trade group NetChoice (which represents TikTok, Snapchat, Meta and other companies) and some First Amendment advocates. But it is important to read all of what Judge Algenon Marbley had to say on the matter. Marbley did not say the intent of the law was not commendable. He said it went too far. Marbley said the law ‘’resides at the intersection of two unquestionable rights: the ...