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The ultimate sacrifice for freedom

It’s the end of a school year; perhaps it is the opening weekend for swimming pools; it’s a three-day break — an excuse to travel, grill out, invite a few friends over and relax. It is Memorial Day weekend. And on Monday, in the midst of all that summer celebration, we must remember “to observe Memorial Day by praying, according to [our] individual religious faith, for permanent peace,” as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reminds us. It’s not much to ask from those of us who will be able to enjoy the results of the sacrifice by those who were willing to give ...

Welcome Mary Schaeffer to Marietta Local Schools

As incoming Marietta City Schools Superintendent Mary Schaeffer familiarized herself with her soon-to-be district during a board of education meeting earlier this week, members of the board were enthusiastic about her hiring. “We really believe that Dr. Mary Schaeffer really had that perfect combination of experience, expertise and care for students that we were looking for, and we feel that she’s going to be a wonderful fit,” board President Cody Parman said. She’s been a teacher, an assistant principal, a curriculum director and a superintendent. In fact, she served ...

Producing a common sense, compassionate plan

For Ohioans who care about making sure no child slips through the cracks in our system, data out of Franklin County is nothing short of appalling. The county’s Children Services agency has seen a horrifying FIVE child deaths in a little more than a year. According to a report by WBNS, state Rep. Dontavius Jarrells, D-Columbus, has had enough. “It’s heartbreaking,” Jarrells told the news station. “It’s an opportunity for us to really have a hard conversation around our system of care.” To that end, Jarrells says his office is drafting legislation after hearing the ...

Belpre businesses in transition period

Belpre’s business landscape is going through a period of transition — and opportunity — as familiar retailers move on, and others get a facelift. According to Mayor Susan Abdella, Fruth Pharmacy has joined Rite Aid in closing its Belpre location, but Go Mart is renovating its entire Washington and Main location. “It will be a whole new updated site that will look fabulous when you come into Belpre,” she said of Go Mart. But what comes next, as residents and business owners and public officials “see the face of Belpre changing?” Belpre is fortunate to have leadership ...

Ohio visitors and residents shine together

As we approach the unofficial start to summer, state officials hosted an event last week to celebrate Ohio Tourism Day. Hundreds of exhibitors and attendees gathered in Columbus as a kind of pep rally to kick off the season. “The experiences you’ll have in the Heart of it All are unmatched—and so is their impact,” said Gov. Mike DeWine. “Whether you’re paddling through Hocking Hills, watching the sun dip below Lake Erie, or sitting down to a five-star dinner in Over-The-Rhine, you’re a part of something much bigger. Tourism brings serious dollars into Ohio and breathes ...

Well-deserved recognition

In many newsrooms, there is a police scanner on most of the time, alerting us to events involving first responders that might also turn into news stories. Because we hear so much of the traffic that comes across each day, we have a window onto the incredible work done by dispatchers on behalf of both the rest of the first responders and the public. It’s gratifying, then, to learn that Washington County has become the first in Ohio to formally recognize 911 telecommunicators as first responders. County commissioners passed a resolution last week that officially acknowledged them as ...