Breaking News

Opinion

Behave as “Easter people”

Editorials

For Christians, Sunday is the holiest day of the year — Easter. It is a day of celebration; commemorating the resurrection of the Son. For millennia, this season has also been a time to celebrate the return of the sun, when our minds are on a kind of rebirth and living again in the light. Easter brings us joy, yes. It also teaches us about sacrifice and love; and gives us a brightly colored reminder that we are supposed to love one another, too. For many, it is a day of dressing up, perhaps attending church, having a meal with family and then giving in to modern traditions ...

MOV Climate Corner: No kings, no exceptions

Local Columns

By Jean Ambrose Easter is the most important day in the year for Christians. It commemorates the state torture and execution of a political protester and agitator, Jesus of Nazareth, more than 2,000 years ago — and the disappearance of his body two days later. No one could have anticipated that minor event would become the foundation of a religious and political movement spanning millennia, one that today claims about 62% of Americans as followers. In historical terms Christianity’s spread was remarkable. Early Christianity created a radical community rooted in the belief that ...

Living Democracy: Religion clauses

Local Columns

Living Democracy Joy Cowdery The First Amendment has two provisions concerning religion: the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause. The Establishment clause prohibits the government from “establishing” a religion. The definition of “establishment” is unclear. Historically, it meant prohibiting state-sponsored churches, such as the Church of England or favoring one religion over another, or favoring religion over non-religion. Key cases have centered on school prayer, religious displays, and state funding for religious institutions, often requiring a ...

No matter how you measure it, a Firkin is a lot of butter

Local Columns

When Rufus Putnam and his group of men set out to form Marietta 228 years ago, they did a little shopping along the way to make sure they would have enough to eat. Among their purchases was 500 pounds of hard bread and a firkin of butter. Last year I wrote a long account of their April ...

Housing woes demand greater focus

Editorials

Rising prices and a general economic malaise are hitting home — literally — in Ohio, as a new report shows foreclosure activity is increasing in the state. Realtor.com says the Buckeye State has a foreclosure filing rate higher than the national average — one for every 2,787 housing units. That is sixth on the list — just ahead of New Jersey, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. The national average is one in every 3,701 housing units entering foreclosure proceedings. The report shows elevated foreclosure activity particularly in Cuyahoga, Highland, Jefferson and Lake ...

Rich history worth exploring

Editorials

Washington County residents grew up surrounded by so much important history that we sometimes become numb to just what has happened here over the millennia. It’s easy to forget, while looking out on a relatively modern cityscape, that just over there were parallel earthen walls — a Sacra Via that led up from the Muskingum, built by Hopewell-era people. Or over there, the Ohio Company had not just its Land Office, but a brickyard, tannery, brewery and much more. With a little help from the Ohio History Fund and Invisible Ground, the folks at the Campus Martius Museum are looking to ...