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Using mind and heart for good

Editorials

Young people have a way of surprising us with their ability to use their brains AND their hearts to get the job done when adults sometimes falter. Learning of the plight of staff and volunteers at the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley trying to properly care for HUNDREDS of animals filling their shelter, 8-year-old Autumn Hughes organized a lemonade stand and caught the attention of Texas Roadhouse to help support her effort. She ended up raising more than $1,000. “She loves animals and she enjoys doing her lemonade stands,” her dad, Jacob, said. She also appears to already be a ...

Lend a helping paw to the HSOV

Editorials

Recently, the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley put out a cry for help. Desperate staff and volunteers were overwhelmed as the number of animals in the facility has them “drowning in dogs.” In fact, on July 22 there were 202 animals in the shelter. Those animals need food, medical care and socialization. They need to be walked, cleaned up after, bathed … it is too much. “There are dogs everywhere in our building – offices, bathrooms, closets, the garage. Staff is tired and defeated,” HSOV Director Amy Rogers said in a news release. “And the heartbreaking reality is, we ...

Climate change and children’s health

Local Columns

“I want you to act as if the house is on fire, because it is.” — Greta Thunberg, Swedish activist Children are uniquely vulnerable to climate change. In many parts of the world, people are facing multiple climate-related events such as severe drought, flooding, air pollution and water shortages … leaving children especially vulnerable to malnutrition and disease. Almost every child on earth is exposed to at least one of these climate and environmental hazards. Without action, the impacts will continue to grow. Children are often more vulnerable than the general population ...

9th and 19th Amendments: Conclusions to the Bill of Rights

Local Columns

The 9th and 10th Amendments to the Constitution both make clearer the rights of individuals. They are both part of the Bill of Rights and play a crucial role in defining individual rights and the balance of power between the federal government and the states. The 9th Amendment addresses rights that may not be specifically identified in other parts of the Constitution, and the 10th Amendment clarifies the division of rights by the federal and state governments. The framers of the Constitution recognized that it was impossible to list every single fundamental right a person should have. ...

Facts tell, passion sells

Local Columns

A few years ago, at an industry conference, my closing story was about running my first half-marathon with our daughter, Dannielle. The audience needed to know they have the ability to do great things if they believe and do the work. I’ve told the story over a hundred times. This audience was hearing it for the first time. To keep it fresh, I relive the events, telling it with the same passion as if it happened yesterday. This week, Lynnda and I are in Phoenix at Influence, the National Speakers Association’s Annual Conference. Professional speakers know, No. 1, it’s all about ...

Schools in early times

Local Columns

Leaders wanted the new Northwest Territory to be a civilized place where residents could live and prosper in peace. There was concern that this vast tract, larger even than the land of the original 13 states, could be overrun by lawless clans, traders, and speculators. The solution was the ...