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Ohioans should be prioritized

Ohioans hope for a rosy future, as politicians hand us promise after promise to distract from reality. We know there is potential, but numbers don’t lie, and the Ohio Department of Development’s Office of Research took a look at population projections from 2020 to 2050 to show us what the trends really suggest. Based on today’s rates of fertility, mortality and migration, by 2050 Ohio will lose 675,000 people — 5.7% of the population. Population stability and growth are predicted in only a few counties: Clermont, Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Geauga, Greene, Hamilton, ...

The xylazine crisis

Just as Ohio is beginning to see signs the tide is weakening (though not quite turning) in the substance abuse epidemic, a new danger rears its head. Xylazine-related overdose deaths are on the rise. Xylazine is an animal tranquilizer — not for use by humans — that is becoming popular. Speaking to WTOL about his observations in other cities, Matt Bell, the chief executive officer and founder of Team Recovery, said the drug is frightening. “These folks in Philadelphia, their drug of choice is Xylazine,” Bell said. “And in fact, if they know that someone has fentanyl, and ...

Improved health care in the MOV

Belpre residents are not the only people who should celebrate the groundbreaking of a new Women and Children’s Hospital at Memorial Health System’s Belpre Medical Campus. The opening of such a facility, in partnership with Akron Children’s, is an important leap in health care access for our entire region. As Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine put it, “This is world-class care that will be provided here.” No need to drive a couple of hours to another facility. “What this hospital represents is a major commitment by all of us to dramatically improve healthcare in Southeast Ohio,” said ...

Thank you to the REDHORSE squadron

Across the south, the effects of Hurricanes Helene and Milton have been devastating and deadly. Help is desperately needed, and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has made sure the Buckeye State is answering the call. Last week, airmen and soldiers were sent to North Carolina to assist with the recovery from unfathomable flooding and mudslides. This week, the Ohio National Guard has been activated after a request for assistance from Ohio by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. “As Florida recovers from one hurricane and braces for another, Ohio is ...

Administrators should be commended on SNAP adjustment

Officials with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services have made an important change that should help the program do a better job helping those who are part of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Earlier this week, ODJFS Director Matt Damschroder announced a sliding scale to allow recipients to move off the program gradually. That way, recipients will feel less as though they need to turn down promotions or new job opportunities to keep food on the table. “Fear of losing food benefits can be a deterrent to taking a new job, working more hours, or even accepting a ...

How to help those affected by Hurricane Helene

For those of us watching in horror as Florida, North Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina and Tennessee come to grips with the devastation left by Hurricane Helene, the first thought might be “I need to help. Now.” Whether the urge is to send money, send supplies or volunteer, we might have to be more patient than we’d like. Federal Emergency Management Agency guidance begins with something that might come as a surprise. Should you be trying to contact someone in the affected regions, text rather than calling. Texting leaves the lines open for ...