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Editorial

Ohio’s elected officials need to serve us, not themselves

Ohio lawmakers and other elected officials have a habit of trying to circumvent the will of the people, no matter how loudly Ohioans have spoken. Another recent example comes in the collection of state laws that combine to create a 24-hour waiting period for abortions in the state. Franklin County Common Pleas Judge David C. Young has rightly issued a temporary block on those laws, pointing to the decision by voters in 2023 to approve a constitutional amendment guaranteeing access to the procedure. Young went so far as to remind lawmakers the language of 2023’s Issue 1 was “clear ...

Don’t be an at-risk driver, don’t be a statistic

Most people understand what at-risk drivers — those intoxicated from alcohol or drugs or distracted by hand-held devices — pose to the those driving along innocently, responsibly and intently aware of surroundings who, nevertheless, gets creamed by a drunk, buzzed or distracted driver. For a quick yet impactful read, visit the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s site (https://statepatrol.ohio.gov/). So far statewide, the OSHP registered 9,723 OVI enforcements, 39,832 seat belt violations — why anyone would not use a seat belt is way, way beyond us — 18,004 distracted driving ...

This Labor Day weekend, let’s be thankful for hard workers

Many will be enjoying a long holiday starting today as part of the Labor Day weekend. A real nice four-days off stretch to mark what many folks consider summer’s end. Labor Day once marked the end of traditional summer including back-to-school and the start of fall sports such as high school football. But not so much any longer. Schools have been in session, local swimming pools are closed for the season and school sports are well underway. Autumn is coming. With it comes the gorgeous colors of changing leaves, chills in the morning and evening airs, checks of our home heating ...

Recreational pot profit growth takes off in Ohio

Companies that have put down roots in Ohio to take advantage of the legalization of adult-use recreational marijuana are thrilled with the results. According to a report by The Canton Repository, in just the first four days, sales reached more than $11.5 million. That kind of demand also meant prices rose quickly. “Ohioans were clearly ready and excited for the historic end of cannabis prohibition in the Buckeye State: since the start of adult-use sales, foot traffic and transactions have already increased two to three times across all five Zen Leaf dispensaries statewide in ...

Parents: Don’t get caught up in ‘vaccine hesitancy’

It’s the start of a new school year, let the spreading of germs begin! If you are a parent or guardian who is not exactly enthusiastic about that prospect, it’s important to make sure your child is up-to-date on routine vaccines — and to consider a few others. According to a report by USA Today, children across the country are still getting caught up after a gap in wellness visits to pediatricians during the COVID-19 pandemic. That can mean a gap in protection against hepatitis B, rotavirus, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, haemophilus influenza type b, pneumococcal disease, ...

Vulnerable children needing foster care

Ohio’s most vulnerable children are in need of a larger support network, as the number of families willing to be part of the foster care program is shrinking. Further, the number of families who have training in dealing with children with behavioral challenges is even smaller. This despite approximately one-quarter of children having come into children’s services custody not because of abuse or neglect, but because of behavioral health, intellectual disabilities or juvenile justice involvement. “That surprises a lot of people,” Scott Britton, assistant director of the Public ...