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Marking the anniversary of a tragic day in history

Today marks the 24th anniversary of one of the most horrific days in the history of the United States. Yes, it has been that long already. If you need to be told exactly what significant, nation-altering event we are observing then, well, you are not much of an American. Period. Tributes and memorials will mark today — nearly a quarter-century since acts of terrorism across our skies had planes plunging to earth and creating mass casualties. We remember the tragedies of that day. We remember the sacrifices and acts of heroism. Local tributes will be paid throughout our region. Our ...

The swelling was excessive

After undergoing facial surgery for skin cancer on Wednesday, I texted a selfie of my swollen, stitched-up face to my racquetball buddies. “I want to know what the other guy looks like,” said Steverino. “Me, too,” said Roger Dodger. “I don’t know,” I replied. “He was wearing a mask. He had a knife.” Family members were stunned and repulsed by my appearance but tried to show sympathy. The 747, our youngest grandson, gazed in wonder at the dried blood, the stitches angling across my cheek like a dueling scar, and the bulging purple bag under my eye. He said, ...

Vaccines remain a big part of our health care

As political chatter raises questions about vaccines and legal requirements for them, some news close to home should remind us of their importance. According to the Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department, a measles outbreak was confirmed in the county on Aug. 29. Three children from the same family — all unvaccinated. And while those children are reportedly improving at home, the health department’s task now is to work with the family “to identify and follow-up with any exposure and contacts, and help where needed.” The Ohio news made its way into a report by the ...

Walking out on the truth won’t change it from being the truth

This article will hit a vast majority of Christians and non-Christians alike. I warn you ahead of time that I will use a Bible verse from God that each and every one of us lives in daily. The Bible verse is Genesis 4:6-7: “Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.’” This verse proves that God is omniscient (He knows all things). God knew that Cain was upset with his brother Abel ...

Ohioans 18-20 will need to take approved driving course

Get ready. At the end of this month, Ohio drivers aged 18, 19 and 20 will be required to take an approved driver training course and complete 50 hours of driving practice supervised by a licensed adult to get their driver’s license. This is training that is already in effect for those 16 or 17 years old, but it may come as a surprise to older new drivers unfamiliar with the “Class D” training, which must be completed before a driving test can be scheduled. Gov. Mike DeWine has been working to find ways to improve driver safety in Ohio. “We know that somebody who’s had ...

Senate Bill 64 would put some bite into animal protection laws

Twelve years ago, the Mahoning Valley took center stage in a successful statewide movement to significantly strengthen Ohio’s lame animal abuse laws. In the summer of 2013, Gov. John Kasich signed Nitro’s Law, named in memory of a Rottweiler that had been starved and neglected along with many others at a kennel in Youngstown. Notably, it marked the first time in history that Ohio would raise animal abuse and neglect to its rightful place as a serious felonious crime. In the intervening years, however, it has become painfully evident that Nitro’s Law — and several other ...