Opinion

The riskful art of chainsawyering

Local Columns April 13, 2026

My wife is always bringing books for me from the used bookstore she manages. Yesterday she brought home “Barnacle Parp’s Chain Saw Guide” by Walter Hall (1977, 257 pages). That’s like giving Col. Sanders a book on “How to Fry Chicken.” But never mind. Just because I own 10 chainsaws, at least half of which will reliably start, and have heated our house with firewood for 40 years, that does not mean I couldn’t pick up a few tips from a book like this. After skimming for 10 minutes, though, I decided there was nothing in it for me to learn. Not that I couldn’t learn, ...

Not voting for Leetonia tax increase

Letters To The Editor April 13, 2026

As a current resident, property owner for 25-plus years and an income tax taxpayer, I am concerned with paying high taxes to live or work in Leetonia. I feel that in the long term this will set Leetonia back for future growth and development. Leetonia is asking voters to pass an additional half percent income tax in the 2026 Primary election on May 5, 2026. This will increase your income taxes by $50 per $10,000 of taxable income. If your income is $50,000 you will pay an extra $250 per year. People are trying to find ways to reduce their tax liability, not increase it. They ...

Advice to the Salem mayor

Letters To The Editor April 13, 2026

Back in time, a Salem Mayor only had a term of two years. That changed in 1970 to a four year term. Surprisingly Dean B. Cranmer (D) already had accumulated 16 years of two year terms before he lost in 1970 to T. Emerson Smith, a retired grocer..who shortly later died in office and was law replaced by then Council President, Charles Alexander, a salesman who thus ended the business minded men in that office from thereon in my opinion, and the further development of Salem, and our starting point now because when “We” becomes ‘Me’ in that office, no good can come from that ...

Despite never living in Columbiana County, William McKinley’s connection to the area remains strong long after his assassination

Local Columns April 13, 2026

Editor’s note: The following column is the first of a new monthly series provided by the Lisbon Historical Society highlighting historical topics across Columbiana County. *** More than 125 years since his death, William McKinley’s connection to Columbiana County remains remarkably ...

Innovation, frugality needed for ‘affordability’ struggle

Editorial April 10, 2026

Ohioans are facing increasing struggles with “affordability.” In fact, we have been for several years now. Lawmakers know that, but aren’t always clear on what to do. A group of state representatives has come up with a collection of ideas they believe will gain bipartisan support. “Ohio is too expensive for too many, and it’s time that legislators and leaders stepped up to take action,” Ohio state Rep. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio, D-Gahanna, told the Ohio Capital Journal. “For too long, politicians in Columbus have steered the economy in the wrong direction.” Ideas ...

State senators need to be aware of demands made on power grid

Editorial April 9, 2026

State senators have plenty of work to do — for their constituents, they must remember — and among those tasks is understanding Ohio’s energy landscape and the demands we are placing on our power grid. Public Utilities Commission of Ohio Chair Jenifer French spoke to the body recently about the benefits of shorter regulatory timelines, noting that last year the commission signed off on 2,000 megawatts of behind-the-meter power (standalone power serving a facility) and 2,755 megawatts of traditional gas-generating facilities. She told the committee, “This is more gas-fired ...