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Editorials

Looking forward to seeing the difference

Ohio’s Department of Commerce reports the state is facing a serious problem as the number of firefighters declines while the number of emergency calls increases. Between 2018 and 2021, there was a 6.5% decrease in the number of volunteer firefighters as between 2018 and 2020 there was a 9% increase in emergency calls. Approximately 72% of fire departments in the state are volunteer — in Washington County, that figure is 70%, but municipalities that have paid fire departments are facing shortages, too. Washington County Career Center is looking to do something about that, and open ...

Overlooking importance of education

Though they have already significantly weakened the State Board of Education, Ohio lawmakers are now on the move to eliminate the public’s voice on what is left of the board. Members of the House of Representatives passed their version of the state budget earlier this month. It included the reduction of the state board’s membership from 11 elected members and eight members appointed by the governor to five — all of whom would be appointed by the governor, according to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal. Elected members serving this year are Kristie Reighard, Dist. 1, Swanton; ...

‘Transform the future’

The future is looking bright for our region’s history, as ground was broken last week on phase one of building a new facility for the Ohio River Museum. For nearly 50 years, the museum has taught visitors about our region’s past, and importance in the development of not just the Mid-Ohio Valley, but the state as a whole. The Ohio River has been the lifeblood that runs through our past, present and future — it brought members of the Ohio Company to the confluence with the Muskingum, where the settlement of Marietta was established; it (and the transportation it offers) helped our ...

Our region provides plenty of weekend fun

Last weekend was a wonderful example of the joys of living in our Mid-Ohio Valley communities. Easter parades (one in Parkersburg, one in Belpre) and fishing derbies (in both City Park and Southwood Park) provided just some of the activities that brought families together. For 15 years now, the Mid-Ohio Valley Easter Parade has wound its way through downtown Parkersburg to bring in the season and remind us of the celebration to come. “It was awesome and wonderful,” said event organizer Kiki Angelos. “It was everything that we wanted. We had beautiful weather, which made it ...

Decide to be a difference-maker

Most of us have the luxury of not thinking much about organ donation. But we should. “It’s one of the most profound gifts we can give, that transcends all boundaries and … saves lives,” said Brenda Hooper, intensive care unit clinical nurse manager at WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center and the hospital’s organ donation liaison. During an event last week at the hospital with Lifeline of Ohio, Ben Burns recounted his own realization after learning of the difference his father’s donation had made for a single mother in Texas. Now, he is an advocate — mentioning ...

Cheap, competitive transportation

It was a small thing. Just $25,000 included in this year’s state budget to let Ohioans know its elected representatives support the idea of real passenger rail transportation options for the state. The money will let the Buckeye State join the Interstate Midwest Passenger Rail Commission, according to a report by WBNS. That, in turn, will lead to conversations with Amtrak, the Federal Railroad Administration and others. A representative of All Aboard Ohio told WBNS there is work being done on a rail line that would connect Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton. There is ...