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Ending the drain on struggling ratepayers

Ohio lawmakers finally acted in concert to rid Ohioans of a nearly $400,000 a day burden when they voted to end the subsidies for two outdated and unprofitable coal-fired power plants — one of which is in Indiana. The Ohio Valley Electric Corp. plants had been getting bailed out by a “legacy generation rider” in the infamous House Bill 6, back in 2019. For some, subsidies in HB 6 for coal-fired plants were deemed worse than those for nuclear plants, as the 1950s-era coal-fired plants were producing electricity that wasn’t needed, and are significant polluters. “It was an ...

A ‘beacon of support’

Our schools — our educators — are being asked to do so much for our children today. While lawmakers meddle and standards are set, technology changes and educational theories evolve, those working in our schools do their best to provide a quality education for our students and prepare them for the world once they have graduated. They also feed, clothe, counsel, find resources for and even help find homes for students. In extreme examples, there are teachers in our region who have personally purchased furniture for a student who needed to be placed in a new home. Most of the rest of ...

Consider being a ERV driver

Our region is no stranger to natural disasters and other emergencies. And, as federal officials tell states more frequently that they are on their own after flooding and catastrophic storms, the assistance we can expect is changing. But while states such as West Virginia, Arkansas and Washington are figuring out how they will fend for themselves, residents know one thing is not changing. The Red Cross will be there to help. The American Red Cross depends on people helping people — mostly volunteers willing to do the work, lend a hand, and be there when someone else is in need. And ...

We must move past hate

If it seems as though in recent years the atmosphere has become more charged with hate and division — perhaps even to the point of being dangerous — you’re not imagining things. Hate crimes are on the rise. To examine one category, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reports anti-Jewish hate crimes increased by 63% between 2023 and 2024. It seems as though the trend is not letting up. Earlier this month, an Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar in Miamisburg, Ohio, had to shut down for part of a weekend after it was tagged with anti-semitic graffiti, according to a report by ...

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 ...