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Editorial

Paper clips and buggy whips

If you are reading this in Monday’s newspaper it is something of a miracle because I am writing it on clay tablets and may have to deliver it to the editor by Pony Express. Our internet is out. Were sadder words ever written? I could blame it on Britbox, because that’s what we were watching on TV when an episode of “Ludwig” froze up, a spinning little blip on the screen telling us that it was buffering, buffering, buffering, which is to say trying to download the next packet of digital ones and zeroes comprising that funny, charming murder mystery. My children, or I should ...

Recognizing the impact of volunteer fire depts.

Volunteer fire departments across our area and the entire state are experiencing reduced staffing levels at the same time they are receiving an increased number of calls. Of course, most of those who are working in those departments also have full-time jobs; and for many, those jobs are also jobs of service. That’s why the State Fire Marshal Division and Ohio Department of Transportation took a moment last Tuesday to recognize the more than 70 ODOT employees who also serve as volunteer firefighters or emergency medical technicians. The event focused on employees in ODOT Districts 5, ...

Food banks continue to face funding challenges

The esteemed Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley and the robust network of similar nonprofits in the Ohio Association of Foodbanks have never met a challenge they could not slay. Over the years, their critical mission has been far too important to let any pesky nuisances such as a national economic recession or a global health pandemic stand in their way of delivering essential food assistance to tens of thousands in the Valley and millions in Ohio. That’s why we’re confident that the same stellar resilient history of overcoming adversity will again shift into high ...

Have you heard these five common aging myths?

Much has been said about the senior generation and the lives that they live. Unfortunately, not all of it is based in fact. Join us as we debunk five of the most common myths about aging! #1 – Dementia Is Inevitable This one has been scaring people for some time now, and with seniors living longer and longer lives, it’s become increasingly persistent. Thankfully, it’s just not true! Dementia is common enough to warrant concern from the medical community and from family members of seniors; however, it is far from inevitable. Recently, doctors examined the brain of a ...

Don’t take the summer off from donating blood

Disasters near and far have deepened the desire in many to help — to somehow do something amid all this suffering and struggle. In many of the hardest hit places, the American Red Cross is helping — and if we can’t be involved in those direct efforts, we can certainly do something to help that organization fulfill its mission. Part of that mission is, of course, keeping hospital shelves stocked with blood and blood products. The need for that never ceases. At the moment, the organization is asking especially for those with type O to donate blood, though all types are ...

Non-use of seat belts can be a grave error

Seat belts. For the vast majority of us, putting on a seat belt when entering the car is second nature. But for some, apparently, the act remains optional — and that’s leading to fatal results. In Ohio over the Fourth of July weekend, 10 people died in car crashes, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Of those 10 fatalities, six were not wearing seat belts.  The issue goes deeper. According to the Columbus Dispatch, during the Fourth of July weekend troopers issued 2,286 seat belt and child safety seat violations. How is that possible in 2025? The problem is not isolated ...