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Honoring Those Who Keep Peace

Ahead of this National Police Week, law enforcement officers from across the Upper Ohio traveled through our communities as part of Operation Blue Sky. It was a recognition of officers serving now and those who have sacrificed their lives while protecting the rest of us. It is a local reflection of a nationwide effort to honor officers — not just in the U.S., but around the world. Many of them will head to Washington, D.C., for Police Officers Memorial Day and to participate in other Police Week events. Organizers of the national event say “We are dedicated to honoring the ...

Monitor Online Activities

A U.S. District Court judge’s decision to strike down Ohio’s requirement that children under age 16 must have parental consent to use social media and some gaming apps is being viewed as a victory by trade group NetChoice (which represents TikTok, Snapchat, Meta and other companies) and some First Amendment advocates. But it is important to read all of what Judge Algenon Marbley had to say on the matter. Marbley did not say the intent of the law was not commendable. He said it went too far. Parents should still be monitoring their children’s activities online at all times. In ...

Men’s Health An Important Topic

The last thing many men consider — particularly as they enter middle age — is their own personal health. If you fall in that camp then Dr. Angelo Georges, chief of internal medicine at WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, delivered a message Saturday during the inaugural “Blue Tie” event in Wheeling to raise awareness for prostate cancer that you might want to consider: “What I’m asking the men, we’re a little stubborn — we’re getting better about going in for yearly check-ups — is just follow your trends, educate yourself,” Georges, the event’s keynote speaker who ...

Big Changes in Education

Though they have already significantly weakened the State Board of Education, Ohio lawmakers are now working to eliminate the public’s voice on the board. Members of the House of Representatives passed their version of the state budget last month. It included the reduction of the state board’s membership from 11 elected members and eight members appointed by the governor to five — all appointed by the governor. According to the Capital Journal, as the terms expire for each of the current elected members or their positions become vacant, the seats would simply be ...

Keeping Cellphones out of Classrooms

Though a step behind some of our neighboring states (and a step behind some of our counties in West Virginia including Ohio County), lawmakers and Gov. Patrick Morrisey did an important thing with House Bill 2003 this year. It bans the use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices in K-12 classrooms during instructional time, and requires county boards of education to implement policies for storage of those devices during the school day and establish consequences for breaking the rules. “I think this is going to make a significant difference for teachers and ...

Safe Day on Water in Ohio

They say the two best days in a boat-owner’s life are the day they buy and the day they sell. But somewhere in between is a good day on which boaters finish their Ohio Boating Education Course and know they are better prepared for a safe summer on the water. “Spring is the perfect time to get prepared for a fun and safe boating season,” said Andy Foos, Ohio Department of Natural Resources boating education coordinator. “The Ohio Boating Education Course is a great way to make sure you understand key safety measures, navigate legal requirements, and become a more confident ...