Breaking News

Opinion

Hibernating bats need all the help they can get

Editorials

Most Ohio residents are used to thinking about seasonal changes in the rules such as burn bans or parking in such a way that the snow plow can get through. Perhaps less familiar is Ohio’s fall bat exclusion restriction period — from Oct. 15 through March 31. No, it has nothing to do with baseball’s off-season. This is a requirement that residents obtain permits before removing or relocating bats from homes or buildings. When white-nose syndrome (a cave fungus) showed up several years ago, Ohio started protecting bats, especially during their overwintering period. Despite that ...

The Constitution, use it or lose it!

Letters to the Editor

There is something a foot in the Mid-Ohio Valley. People in Washington and Wood County are turning out for Democracy. Four members of Living Democracy: Engaging Citizens, a local citizens group, just finished teaching a four-week ILR (Learning in Retirement) class with 55 community members involved in learning about how the Constitution was written, how it has evolved and grown and what is happening to our Constitution today. Our hope is that these 55 citizens will go out and talk to family, friends and neighbors about the important principles in our Constitution; popular sovereignty ...

Providing records to Disability Rights Ohio

Editorials

A few years back, there was a trend among legislators to change laws regarding public records in a way they claimed was meant to better protect victims, especially children and particularly vulnerable older victims. The interpretation of those laws, however, has turned out to protect not the victims, but those who may have committed crimes (or at the very least been negligent) against those victims. When news organizations, advocacy groups or even other government bodies request documents that might help them better understand the details of incidents that, for example, result in the ...

Without our local farms, ‘there is no food’

Editorials

Last week, Washington County students got an opportunity to learn about a way of life that significantly affects their own — daily — but that none of us gives enough thought. During the Washington Soil and Water Conservation District’s 27th annual Farm City Days at Harline Valley Farms, fifth graders learned about local agriculture and the folks who do all that work. “They learn about all of the things in their lives that come from agriculture and where it comes from,” said Alexis Lane, education specialist for the district., adding presenters were doing demonstrations on ...

Miracle League continues to be more impactful

Editorials

Baseball buddies — current and former Parkersburg South High School baseball players — helped athletes compete during the third Miracle League of the Mid-Ohio Valley demonstration game held Oct. 4. The organization said it had its largest number of participants yet, with nearly two dozen athletes involved. “My hope is that through these games, business and community leaders in the area will see how great of a need this area has for activities and events for people with disabilities and will support us through donations of money, ideas or resources,” said League President Amber ...

Ohio has more pressing issues

Editorials

First, state lawmakers wanted to make sure teachers understood what they were NOT allowed to teach; now they are introducing the bits they do want teachers to include, despite repeated insistence they are not serving their own personal agendas by doing so. Ohio educators at all levels have responded with such fear to what is being called the “anti-DEI law,” that institutions such as Ohio State University are reportedly even banning some statements that acknowledge lands historically occupied by Native Americans. The university is asking its educators not to present FACTS to its ...