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Editorial

Response to plea for blood donors still not yet enough

One plea after another for blood donors has been met with some response, but not nearly enough to meet the demand in our hospitals. According to the American Red Cross, “Donors have been stepping up to help rebuild the blood supply since the American Red Cross first announced our national blood shortage last month. Unfortunately, hospital demand continues to outpace donations. We need an additional 10,000 blood donations each week over the next month to meet patient needs.” If you have Type O blood, you are especially encouraged to give. Of course, there is a new round of ...

Government must pick up pace, so Ohioans can do the same

While high-ranking officials talked about making Ohio the kind of state in which all residents were within commuting distance of a major employer, most Buckeye State residents understood that commute involves getting into a personal vehicle. But perhaps there is finally progress being made on adding another option for some, as some of the billions of federal dollars allocated to expanding rail service in the U.S. may make their way to proposed Ohio projects. According to Axios, two proposed rail corridors would involve central Ohio: First, a “3C&D” line that would connect ...

Ohioans should be mindful of distracted driving change

Ohio residents have been given plenty of time to get used to the change in distracted driving law that took effect April 4. The six-month grace period is over, and law enforcement officers are now set to issue citations for those who are using electronic communications devices while driving. “The use of cell phones and other electronic communications devices while driving (is) a primary traffic offense for all drivers and allows law enforcement to immediately pull over a distracted driver upon witnessing a violation,” Gov. Mike DeWine’s office said. Drivers using, holding or ...

Here are important dates leading up to Nov. 7 election

Though it seems as though we just had an election in Ohio, another one is rapidly approaching. In fact, the deadline for Ohio residents to register to vote or update their registration is Tuesday. It’s an off-year election, but this is another significant one — there are two constitutional amendments on the ballot, in addition to important school, municipal and county races and decisions to make on a variety of levies and local issues. It is important eligible Ohioans check their registration — and then vote. Early voting starts Wednesday and lasts through Nov. 5. Absentee ...

Internet access for all must become a priority

During this national Digital Inclusion Week, Ohio Department of Development officials are focusing on making digital technology available and practical for all Ohioans — following the week’s theme “Building Connected Communities.” “You cannot have opportunities in a modern economy without access to broadband internet and the skills to use it, which is why our mission to make Ohio more connected is so important,” Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said Monday. “During this week, I encourage all Ohioans to take advantage of the resources available to become more knowledgeable and better ...

HB 33 is an example of the sneakiness of Ohio legislators

Ohio’s House Bill 33 took months to come to the public’s attention, having been sneaked into a nearly 6,200-page budget bill where only those few who knew about it and knew where to look for it would find it. There can be no more perfect argument for the need to fix — even better, repeal — HB 33 than the public’s extended lack of awareness of state government’s work to lengthen the shadows in which it hides. As summarized by the Public Notice Resource Center, HB 33 “allows municipalities to publish many or most of their notices on their own websites and social media feeds ...