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Staying safe in a connected world: A parent’s guide to digital wellness and protecting youth beyond the screen

Local Columns

Most of us grew up hearing the conventional wisdom that “sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Although it was never actually true, it is even less true today. Modern youth not only deal with harmful words from people they know in the real world; they often find themselves “ganged up on” by peers, strangers, and anonymous online communities through what is commonly referred to as cyberbullying. As we highlight the importance of digital safety and youth wellness this April, it is vital to recognize that the digital world is more than just a social ...

Officials show commitment to keep drinking water safe

Editorial

Eight years ago, then-Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine filed a lawsuit against DuPont, which accused the company of knowingly releasing “forever chemicals” into the Ohio River. Though a settlement was reached back in 2023, DeWine was not able to announce distribution of the $65 million settlement until this week. This time as governor, he stood with state Environmental Protection Agency Director John Logue to talk about how the money would be distributed in Belmont, Gallia, Larence, Meigs, Morgan and Washington counties. The improvements that will be funded have been a long time ...

Finding the right employee is going to take creativity

Editorial

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows Ohio has approximately 278,000 job openings. Among the fields with greatest need for workers is manufacturing. But finding the right employees isn’t easy. The Ohio Manufacturing Workforce Blueprint reports there could be 35,000 manufacturing job openings per year in the state, through 2037. Employers are going to have to get more creative and open-minded — and be willing to take a chance. That’s where programs such as the Training Assessment Placement Project come in. According to a report by WBNS, the program helps justice-involved ...

Consider being an organ donor

Editorial

As flags climbed flagpoles at hospitals throughout the Ohio Valley this past week, the message was clear — organ donation is one of the most important decisions one can make for others. The “Donate Life” flags are flying in celebration of National Donate Life Awareness Month, a reminder of the need for organ donors across the country. In the Ohio Valley, guest speakers offered examples of how organ donation can change lives for the better. They talked about their family members who have been donor organ recipients and the years those gifts have given them to spend more time with ...

Local help is available for those suffering from depression

Local Columns

Salem Regional Medical Center’s Behavioral Medicine & Wellness Center (BMWC) is encouraging community members to learn the signs of depression, reach out for help and remember they are not alone – effective treatment is available. Depression is a common but serious medical condition that can affect how a person feels, thinks and handles daily life. According to Jamie Benner, Program Manager for the BMWC, recognizing the symptoms early can help individuals begin the path toward feeling better. “Depression is considered a clinical illness when symptoms last for two weeks or more ...

The riskful art of chainsawyering

Local Columns

My wife is always bringing books for me from the used bookstore she manages. Yesterday she brought home “Barnacle Parp’s Chain Saw Guide” by Walter Hall (1977, 257 pages). That’s like giving Col. Sanders a book on “How to Fry Chicken.” But never mind. Just because I own 10 chainsaws, at least half of which will reliably start, and have heated our house with firewood for 40 years, that does not mean I couldn’t pick up a few tips from a book like this. After skimming for 10 minutes, though, I decided there was nothing in it for me to learn. Not that I couldn’t learn, ...