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Well done, Washington County

Washington County schools have a lot to be proud of, with the release of Ohio School Report Card ratings last week. In fact, the Washington County Joint Vocational School District, which includes the Washington County Career Center, received a five-star rating — meaning it significantly exceeds state standards. That’s two years in a row now for such an outstanding performance. Warren Local and Fort Frye Local school districts both received four stars — meaning they exceeded state standards. “Our students and staff are what makes this happen first and foremost … it’s ...

Our public figures are supposed to be better

Public discourse has devolved to a dangerous degree as we approach another general election in November — that’s not news. But what is noteworthy is the manner in which public officials who SHOULD be held to a higher standard are willing to indulge in frightening rhetoric. Portage County, Ohio, Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski is entitled to his own opinions, of course. But as the chief law enforcement officer for the county, he must be more responsible than he was on social media late last week. Imagine living under the jurisdiction of a man willing to publicly declare “I say … write ...

Marietta had a sensational summer sendoff

What a wonderful couple of weekends we had on the waterfront in Marietta! Following on the heels of yet another successful Ohio River Sternwheel Festival, our levee played host to a floating piece of history. The USS LST-325 brought one aspect of World War II naval history off the pages and onto our waterfront as visitors from across the region were able to walk aboard to learn about the ship and others like it. Organizers of both the festival and the landing ship’s visit are to be commended for capitalizing on both our location and our welcoming community. Cheri Seevers, ...

Debt increase a red flag for economy

When finances get tight, some households turn to credit cards to get by. It’s not an ideal solution, and can lead to bigger problems down the road, but sometimes feels like the only way. According to WalletHub, the collective credit card debt of the United States is approximately $1.28 trillion — and $109 billion of that came from 2023 alone. But some regions are faring better than others. “Some parts of the country are racking up credit card debt at an alarming rate,” financial writer Adam McCann reported in WalletHub’s “States with Largest and Smallest Credit Card Debt ...

You are not alone in crisis

During this National Suicide Prevention Month, there will be a couple of opportunities for local residents to join the fight. At 9 a.m. Saturday, The Walk to Remember will be on the front lawn of the Marietta Armory. At 11:30 a.m. Sept. 28, the Mid-Ohio Valley Out of the Darkness Walk will be held at City Park in Parkersburg. Suicide Awareness Alliance of Washington County board member Karen Anderson said the focus of Saturday’s event is on not just awareness, but also on giving people an opportunity to talk about their experiences — perhaps losing a loved one or even having ...

Lawmakers must take access to health care seriously

A significant problem is sneaking up for rural Ohioans. Access to health care is disappearing. Aug. 31, Community Memorial Hospital in Hicksville (Defiance County) closed its doors permanently after having temporarily suspended services. As The Journal Gazette in Fort Wayne, Ind., points out, Community Memorial faced some of the same financial challenges experienced by many rural hospitals. Meanwhile, there’s another worry in the closure of hundreds of pharmacies. Rite Aid and Walgreens are of particular concern. Dave Burke, pharmacist, former state senator and executive ...