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Editorial

Congrats to Johnson and carefully choose successor

News out of Youngstown this week may have come as a disappointment to Columbiana and Mahoning counties residents who have learned they can depend on having a representative as principled and conservative as our own Bill Johnson working on their behalf in Washington, D.C. Though he will no doubt do a remarkable job as president of Youngstown State University, he will leave big shoes to fill as U.S. Representative for Ohio’s 6th District. Johnson has served our region well for 7 terms. But he’s not done just yet. “This is not a goodbye … I will continue serving in the House for ...

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day

There is some debate over exactly when the first Thanksgiving was celebrated on our soil. Many trace it to a 1621 celebration in Plymouth in present-day Massachusetts. That feast and thanksgiving was prompted by a good harvest. It was, according to historians, actually celebrated between the Pilgrims and Indians. It’s been going on ever since. The message is timeless: giving thanks for an array of reasons. Even those we all take for granted day in, day out. Year in, year out. Pause and take a deep breath. Then let it release slowly. Be thankful for a simple breath of air. And it ...

Be careful if shopping for a pet this holiday season

As we approach the time of year when some families may be considering whether it is a good idea to bring a new pet into the family at Christmastime, news out of Holmes County reminds us there is a lot to consider in such a decision. Should a family determine they have the time, resources, willingness and whole-house agreement to make the commitment to love and care for a pet for the rest of its life (no pet should ever be a surprise or spontaneous gift), the next question is where to find the right pet. When looking to bring a dog into the family, it is essential to avoid rewarding ...

Be careful preparing Thanksgiving meals

As hosts begin planning their Thanksgiving meals next week, the Ohio Fire Marshal’s Prevention Bureau is reminding them to stay alert and practice patience in the kitchen. “More cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year, and it’s not hard to see why,” said State Fire Marshal Kevin S. Reardon. “Between cleaning, taking care of children and cooking multiple dishes at a time, there’s no shortage of distractions in and around the kitchen. Staying alert and paying attention to what you’re cooking can go a long way in ensuring those distractions don’t ...

How could a prison drug operation gone unnoticed?

It’s a plot straight out of a movie. But this time, the main character is accused of spending more than seven years running a very real international drug operation … while incarcerated in the Ohio State Penitentiary. Brian Lumbus Jr., 43, of Cleveland, had help from Giancarlo Miserotti, 51, an Italian resident and citizen, according to U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko. Lumbus is among 11 people charged by federal authorities for smuggling opioids including fentanyl and other substances from foreign countries, through Italy, for sale in the U.S. “From the confines of the Ohio ...

Keeping coal mines safe in West Virginia

West Virginians are as familiar with the dangers of mining. For us, the reality is if mining inspectors don’t do their jobs, it can be a matter of life and death. Yet, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, the Mine Safety and Health Administration slacked off even more than usual during the pandemic. “MSHA did not complete an estimated 1,589 mandatory mine inspections during Fiscal Year 2018 through Fiscal Year 2021 although it reported a nearly 100% completion rate,” the audit says. The audit did not go easy on MSHA, noting “errors ...