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Shared duty of vigilance

Editorials

There are certain issues that go beyond politics, beyond petty disagreements, and the scourge of human trafficking in this country is certainly one of them. Policymakers continue to look for ways to stop it, and to find and protect its victims. Last week, Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, announced he is part of a bipartisan effort to put in place measures that should strengthen that effort. Along with Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., and U.S. Reps. Tim Walberg, R-Mich., and Lucy McBath, D-Ga., Husted is introducing the Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act. It would direct the Department ...

How it all started

Local Columns

Lynnda and I have done a prolonged celebration of our 50th wedding anniversary. This only happens once, and we wanted to enjoy it to the max. We started in mid-June with a second honeymoon to Disney World and dinner at the top of the Contemporary Resort. The weekend of the actual anniversary date we had a special cake and celebration with our church family. Last weekend, Lynnda and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary with our three children and most of our grandchildren at a mutually convenient resort since they all live out of state. That’s why I do the work I do at Shale ...

Why wait when you can register now

Editorials

Believe it or not, there is another election coming our way in Ohio this fall — a general election Nov. 4, to be exact. And while November may seem far away, deadlines related to that election are coming up quickly. For example, the deadline for petitions to be placed on ballots is Aug. 6. Those signatures collected by people running for elected office take time to acquire. “If they want to run for those offices then they go to the elections office here in Washington County and turn in their collected signatures which are then reviewed by board members,” said Mandy Amos, ...

A tough but very special assignment

Local Columns

A wedding engagement is one of the pivotal moments in any couple’s life. It is one of the things that they will hopefully remember for the rest of their lives. A few months ago, my wife Lori and I got a call from Erik, our daughter Emily’s long-time boyfriend. Erik had been planning ...

The kids really are going to be all right

Editorials

It’s the perfect time of year to stop by farmer’s markets to supplement your weekly (or, at least in my case, it seems almost daily) trips to the grocery store. It’s no wonder so many of us feel better in the summer: It’s not just all the sunshine and fresh air, it’s also the chance to eat garden-fresh heirloom tomatoes and a couple of peaches for dinner just because. (I have no regrets on that meal.) The other day, I was cutting up some cucumbers and little green onions to be tossed with a little dressing and eaten a bit at a time throughout the week, and if I closed my ...

Due Process and Constitutional Amendments

Local Columns

Due process is vital to a functioning democracy. It ensures fairness and prevents unreasonable government action by requiring the government to follow established legal procedures before depriving someone of life, liberty, or property. This protection is crucial for maintaining the rule of law and preventing the government from becoming tyrannical. The Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Amendments are part of the Bill of Rights, the core of the due process of law, and speaks to key aspects of the legal process in the United States. They provide safeguards for citizens and ...