JOHNSTON: Sarah Biehl mourns teammate

August 19, 2019

Earlier this month, Sarah Biehl was driving on the highway when she had to pull over to the side of the road. “My college coach called me and told me that Jeremy had passed away,” recalled the 25-year-old Biehl after finishing the 33rd annual Parkersburg News and Sentinel Half Marathon Saturday. “It was really hard hearing the news,” she added. “It was a shock to all of us in the (Beverly) community and at Shawnee. That’s for sure.” Jeremy Anderson, one of the running Anderson brothers at Fort Frye, was 28-years-old. Funeral services were held Friday, Aug. 9 in ...

Look out for the ‘Trump Bump’

July 11, 2019

Can you imagine President Donald Trump visiting and playing golf at Marietta Country Club or Parkersburg Country Club? Never gonna happen. Well...maybe I shouldn’t say never, because since 1980 two former Presidents were on the campaign trail in the Mid-Ohio Valley — Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. But Trump? Air Force One would probably have to make an emergency landing at Wood County Airport, north of Parkersburg, for that to happen. If Trump did grace the good people of the MOV with his presence, he more than likely would want to tee it up at one of the local private ...

Reds buyers, sellers at deadline?

July 10, 2019

To buy or to sell? That is the magic question for Cincinnati Reds general manager Dick Williams and his staff as the Major League Baseball trade deadline quickly approaches at the end of July. The Reds suddenly find themselves in the hunt for a playoff spot for the first time in five seasons as they stand just 4 1/2 out of first place in a five-team battle for the National League Central crown. Likely no team in baseball has as many options and possibilities as do the Reds as they have no less than five key players who can be free agents at the end of the season. Pitchers Tanner ...

On the ‘Trump Bump’ lookout

July 9, 2019

Can you imagine President Donald Trump visiting and playing golf at Marietta Country Club or Parkersburg Country Club? Never gonna happen. Well...maybe I shouldn't say never, because since 1980 two former Presidents were on the campaign trail in the Mid-Ohio Valley -- Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. But Trump? Air Force One would probably have to make an emergency landing at Wood County Airport, north of Parkersburg, for that to happen. If Trump did grace the good people of the MOV with his presence, he more than likely would want to tee it up at one of the local private ...

Reds’ Votto an enigma

July 6, 2019

Ask any Cincinnati Reds fan you know for their thoughts on first baseman Joey Votto and you are likely to get a variety of answers. “He is a sure-fire hall-of-famer,” one might say. “He has seen his better days and not worth the money he is being paid,” is another reply you might hear. The usually cash conscious, small-market Redlegs rewarded Votto back in 2012 with a mega 10-year, 218-million contract extension that they hoped would keep the Canadian-born slugger in a Cincinnati uniform for his entire career. After injuries cost him the bulk of the 2014 season, Votto ...

Soccer stars, President could help each other

June 29, 2019

Many years ago, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the Los Angeles Lakers were invited to the White House. And, according to Jeff Pearlman, the author of “Showtime,” the 7-foot-2 Laker center before leaving shook hands with President Ronald Reagan and informed the Leader of the Free World that he disagreed with “his policies and positions.” Apparently, all Reagan did was smile at Jabbar. Fast-forward to today, and President Donald Trump has extended an invitation to the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, win or lose, to be his guests at the White House at the conclusion of the World ...