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Editorial

Added roadside truck parking spaces planned

Ever been driving out the interstate and watched a commercial truck swerve a little — maybe cross the center line and quickly right itself — and wonder how in the world they drive as much and as often as they do and keep themselves and the rest of us safe? Well, the truth is (just like drivers of smaller vehicles) sometimes they don’t. Sometimes they make mistakes because they are distracted. Other times, it is because they are exhausted. But Ohio officials have a plan to make a difference on that front by adding at least 1,400 truck parking spaces across the state where drivers ...

Long-term is right term for Intel’s ‘plan’ for Ohio

It gets a little harder each time to match state officials’ public optimism that Intel will live up to all its promises to Ohioans, when the news is that — again — the company is letting off the gas. In fact, last week Intel said it will “further slow” the pace of construction on a microchip facility that was supposed to be up and running this year. The last time we got such news, The Columbus Dispatch reported Intel was delaying its opening to at least 2030 or 2031. It is not clear now how much further that date might be pushed. “While the pace of construction in Ohio may ...

That first ripe garden tomato

A few days ago I ate my first vine-ripened garden tomato, standing over the kitchen sink with a salt shaker in one hand and red-ripe tomato in the other, juice dripping from my chin with each bite. That’s the way to eat the first tomato. Technically, my first garden tomato this year was a cherry tomato. I ate it standing in the garden, right where I found it, a few days earlier. Cherry and grape tomatoes are great, and I always pop a few in my mouth when I walk through my garden, but they don’t count when the question is, “Do you have any ripe tomatoes yet?” It’s not an ...

Ohio redistricting is back to square one

Ohio’s Redistricting Commission is, again, gearing up to redraw the state’s congressional map — ahead of the 2026 elections; and meant to stand for the next three elections. Voters already voiced their preference against one proposed redistricting reform measure last year. Gov. Mike DeWine’s idea for a different model has also been ignored. And so we are back where we started — recall that the redistricting commission essentially refused to do its job last time it was asked, caring little for the obviousness of their intent. First, of course, the Republican supermajority in ...

Our county fairs are throwbacks in time

There’s no glitz, glamour or full-scale high-tech wizardry used to awe which seems to be needed — or felt is needed — in this day and age of providing entertainment. No fancy 21st century version whistles, horns or gimmicks are involved. No, the summer fairs in our area like the 180th Columbiana County Fair, which officially opens Monday, and the upcoming Canfield Fair, which opens August 29 for its 179th year over 353 sprawling acres, are two examples of what is right with our area. Fairs provide good, old-fashioned entertainment for the young, old and all in between. And you ...

Contacting 988 can truly be a lifeline for so many

It’s not a subject most people want to dwell on, but Ohioans are fortunate some did a great deal of thinking about how best to help those who are struggling and in crisis — perhaps even having thoughts of suicide. When the 988 Lifeline was established, it was meant to give those experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis somewhere to turn — somewhere to get much-needed support. Since its establishment in July 2022, it has received 592,294 contacts, according to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal. People can reach out through calls, chats or texts, according to the Ohio ...