Breaking News

Opinion

It’s up to us

Editorials

While some states are fighting back against U.S. Justice Department requests for access to their voter registration lists and other elections information, Ohio has begun the four-year process of ensuring voter rolls here are as clean as they can be. Among the states that have received requests from the federal government so far, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Wisconsin have simply said “no.” Officials there say they have questions about the legality of the requests and how the information will be used. After all, state (and, really, county) elections officials are responsible for ...

Goldenrod — important native wildflower

Home and Garden

By J.J. BARRETT WV Extension Hello Mid-Ohio Valley farmers and gardeners. This week I want to talk about goldenrod, (genus Solidago). Driving through the countryside in autumn, you cannot help but see the tall, flowing yellow flowers of this perennial. Due to it blooming in the fall, ...

Protect, talk to and check on your children

Editorials

Earlier this week, the Jackson Township (Ohio) Police Department conducted “Operation Unsportsmanlike Conduct,” in which it targeted predators traveling in an attempt to solicit sex from children, over a multi-day operation. According to a report by WOIO, the operation resulted in the arrests of seven men who were allegedly trying to engage in sexual activity with girls they believed to be under the ages of 13, 14 and 15. Stark County court records showed those girls were actually undercover police officers being contacted through cell phones, thank goodness. But think about that ...

The important reminder of rail safety

Editorials

With Congress on its August break, there are a number of important things not getting done. A couple of recent incidents in West Virginia remind us rail safety reform continues to be one of them. Last month, a minor train derailment in downtown Parkersburg closed a street, and had residents asking questions about the contents of the tanks that were leaning. Belpre Industrial Parkersburg Railroad officials responded quickly with information (the tanks were safely sealed and empty), and a crew to get the train back on track. There were no injuries. On Aug. 3, the St. Albans Fire ...

Enough is enough

Editorials

Last week, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced the appointment of the state’s newest solicitor general — the person who serves as the state’s lead attorney for appeals in state and federal court. He has chosen Mathura Sridharan, an Ohio native who has been deputy solicitor general since 2021. “Mathura is a relentless defender of Ohioans, a champion of federalism and legal force to be reckoned with in a courtroom,” Yost said. “Her brilliant legal mind and masterful understanding of constitutional law make her the obvious choice to lead the team as Ohio’s solicitor ...

Thank you from Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department

Letters to the Editor

The Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department would like to sincerely thank everyone who came out to support our Annual Ice Cream Social on August 2. We had a record-breaking turnout this year, and the beautiful weather made it all the more special. Our members work hard behind the scenes to make this event enjoyable, but the success of the social wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support from our friends, fellow fire service members, and the entire Oak Grove community. We are especially grateful to the businesses and individuals who donated—whether it was baked goods, ...