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Vandals put city officials in no-win situation

Editorials

Too many in our communities have grown addicted to harassing public officials and public workers for both not doing enough with our money AND spending too much of it. Meanwhile, there is an element of troublemaker that just wants to cause problems for all sides. In Belpre, city officials have, indeed, worked hard to listen to residents’ needs and concerns. They have tried to address what they can, make repairs and improvements and generally improve quality of life in the community when, and this is essential, it is in their power and within their budget. Nonprofit organizations do ...

Get on the road for an Ohio vacation

Editorials

Efforts by those promoting Ohio as “the heart of it all” have caught the attention of researchers studying road-trip destinations across the country. In fact, according to WalletHub’s “Best and Worst States for Summer Road Trips (2026),” Ohio is ranked tenth. The Buckeye State is 24th for costs, 25th for safety and 14th for activities. In Ohio, those dealing with a vehicle break-down will be second-least in the country for repairs, according to the study. Good to know, even if your “road trip” is just to work and back every day. In other categories, researchers said Ohio ...

Family right to make difficult decision to report

Editorials

Most Americans have the idea of “if you see something, say something” burned into their minds. But acting on it — especially when what you see is a family member behaving worryingly — can be a little tougher. Family members of Tycen Proper, of Danville, Ohio, made the right decision and had the courage to follow through with it. In doing so, they may have saved many lives. Proper was allegedly part of what the U.S. Department of Justice has described as a plot to attack the Ultimate Fighting Championship Freedom 250 June 14. He is 19 years old and facing charges of conspiracy ...

Time for real talk about death penalty in Ohio

Editorials

There are 27 states in which the death penalty is still legal. Ohio Gov. Mike Dewine would like to make it 26. Earlier this week he said he believed the death penalty should be abolished in the Buckeye State. His position is that the death penalty is no longer a deterrent to violent crime. “I do not believe that argument today can be successfully made, nor do I believe that there’s any chance in the future the facts that I’ve cited to support that belief will change,” he said. “Therefore, I believe Ohio should abolish the death penalty.” DeWine’s position is no surprise. ...

Early Marietta: Nahum Ward snow travel adventures

Local Columns

We’re in full summer mode, so why not talk about snow. 200 years ago prominent Mariettan Nahum Ward was a frequent traveler in weather of all kinds. Nahum Ward was a successful business person and civic leader. Two cold weather travel adventures are chronicled in his personal letters, from Marietta College Special Collections – Ward papers. Spelling and punctuation are from the documents. The first trip featured a serious accident and severe cold on a stagecoach going from Baltimore to Philadelphia, reported in a letter to his wife Sarah dated January 6, 1822. Edited excerpts: "You ...

Cracking the Code: It's about time

Local Columns

Lynnda and I spent last week in Florida with our youngest son and his family. We went to Epcot on Monday and the Magic Kingdom on Thursday. Disney has a product called the Lightning Lane Pass, allowing you to get in a shorter, faster line for three rides of your choosing, with some restrictions. There is a cost for this service over and above park admission. The cost varies depending how busy the park is that day. Lynnda and I always buy the Lightning Lane Pass when we go to Disney. At this point in our lives, time is more important than money. Last week, I bought the Lightning Lane ...