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Much to be done

Community News

Son Worshrag and his wife Busy Bee came home for a week’s visit over the July 4th holiday, so of course I put them to work, because there is much to be done. Besides, they offered. They worked with me to hoe the tomatoes and corn in my garden. They picked blueberries, the first picking of the summer. Worsh and I hauled a king-sized bed, and split and hauled two big trailer loads of firewood from the massive white oak that fell across our driveway and utility lines back in May. I’m close to getting that project cleaned up and off my to-do list, with of course much help from our ...

State legislators take aim at DeWine property tax vetoes

Local Columns

While school districts throughout the state are breathing a collective sigh of relief over Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of significant property tax changes, state legislators are thinking about overriding his decisions. The legislators I spoke to said they were disappointed and surprised about the vetoes, but I could definitely sense frustration and some anger with DeWine. Legislators, Republicans and Democrats alike, said the top issue they hear from their constituents is property tax relief. We all feel it. Recent property tax reappraisals saw property values go up 38% in Mahoning ...

Wildlife species making returns back to Ohio

Editorial

Since the mid 19th Century, Ohio has been a relatively bear-free state. Humans drove out the black bears 150 or so years ago, and they’ve been considered rare and an endangered species here ever since. That might be changing, however, as researchers are beginning to see black bears naturally expand their range back into our state. Recently, a female black bear was captured and fitted with a GPS collar in Ashtabula County. It will be the first time such study is possible for a female, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. “Researchers using the location information ...

We should all understand why we celebrate July 4th

Editorial

As Americans celebrate the anniversary of the adoption of our Declaration of Independence, it is important to take a hard look at why such a day is worth celebrating, nearly 250 years later. After all, the date has been a federal holiday only since 1870 — the heart of the Reconstruction Era, when lawmakers saw the value in finding ways in which Americans could be united in their celebration. (Christmas and New Year’s Day become federal holidays that year, too.) But since the beginning, there have been certain truths worth fighting for here — foremost among them that all men are ...

Celebrating the birthday of the finest nation in the world

Editorial

“The second day of July, 1776 will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.” — John Adams to his wife, written in 1776. Resolution for independence from the British ...

Individuals sure do matter when it comes to donations

Editorial

Repeated reminders of our need to take care of one another have often come with pleas from vital non-profits for support over the past few years. Charitable giving is a priority for many who are able to make it part of their budget — and the number of people who share that priority appears to be growing. According to the recent “Giving USA” report, charities received approximately $592.5 billion in donations in 2024 — a 3.3% increase over 2023. The donations data used for this report came before the layoff of tens of thousands of workers for non-profits for 2025 due to changes ...