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How do we do better for officers’ head injuries?

Awareness of the consequences of head injuries for athletes has grown considerably in recent years. We know now that their mental health and behavior can be dramatically affected by head injuries. A study by Ohio State University’s Chronic Brain Injury program, which was published this week in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, says one group has been overlooked in the move toward better concussion surveillance. In surveying Ohio law enforcement officers, researchers discovered 74% reported a lifetime history of one or more head injuries — 30% of which reported to have ...

InfluencHer helps propel the next generation

Too often, the “influencers” young people find via social media are not the kinds of people who should be molding impressionable minds. In fact, some of them display behavior we hope our children will actively avoid. But there is no doubt young people do crave guidance and examples from more than just immediate family or adults they run into every day at school. Marietta Community Foundation and Building Bridges to Careers partnered to help meet that need this week, with the InfluencHer Leadership Summit for girls ages 10-12 in Washington County. It was meant to bring “together ...

Chance for clean slate will be boost for many

For victims of human trafficking, the damage can continue long after their circumstances have changed. Among the challenges is the criminal record that can follow them because of crimes committed while they were still being trafficked. Ohio lawmakers decided to do something about that, and Gov. Mike DeWine has signed Senate Bill 214 into law. It will allow survivors of human trafficking to expunge certain criminal records. According to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal, state Sen. Stephanie Kunze, R-Dublin, introduced Senate Bill 214. It reads: “Any person who is or was ...

Our communities are thankful for nursing programs

Getting a job in the health care industry requires a solid education, and that education can get expensive if resources are not available to help a student through. WVU Medicine’s Aspiring Nurse Program is doing something about that by giving financial assistance to students in exchange for an employment commitment in the nursing field after they graduate. “The Aspiring Nurse Program is such an incredible program,” said Carol Grove, chief nursing officer for WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center. “I know, for a fact, it has made a significant impact on many of our students. ...

Ohio’s fire departments are facing shortages

As is happening in many industries, all over the state, Ohio’s fire departments are facing staffing shortages — and those who are working are getting older. The state fire marshal’s office says most of those staffing volunteer fire departments (and the majority of the departments in the Buckeye State are volunteer) are over the age of 50. It is encouraging, then, to know last week 19 cadets graduated from the Ohio Fire Academy, and are ready to get out and fill some of those gaps. According to a report by WSYX, the smaller townships relying on volunteer fire departments are ...

Ensure your voice is heard where it counts

Over the weekend, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose reminded voters we have passed the 100 days mark as we count down to the Nov. 5 general election. A key series of dates came along with the reminder: Sept. 20 marks the start of military and overseas absentee voting; Oct. 7 is the deadline to register to vote; Oct. 8 is the start of absentee and early, in-person voting; Nov. 4 is the final day to postmark absentee ballots to be mailed to local boards of elections; and then from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 5, polling locations will be open for election day. Now is the time to find ...