Breaking News

Column

Will electricity be affordable in our post COVID-19 nation?

The COVID-19 pandemic is clearly wreaking havoc with the U.S. economy. And Americans are already feeling the pain. As Washington starts to grapple with this economic disruption, there’s a looming problem that must be addressed. Our nation will begin to dig out of the crisis in the coming months, but we’re going to need affordable electricity to do it — particularly for families that have suddenly lost jobs. Worryingly though, even before the onset of the COVID crisis, a number of factors have been threatening to drive up electricity prices in markets across the country. Why ...

Working for Ohio during the coronavirus pandemic

The unprecedented coronavirus pandemic has changed every facet of life in a short span of time. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated that unemployment for this quarter could rise to over 10 percent. According to a recent poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation, nine in 10 adults are now officially socially distancing themselves. In Ohio, more people filed for unemployment in March alone than in all of 2019.  Before we can get our country and our economy back up and running, we must solve the underlying coronavirus crisis, and Ohio can play a role in that ...

Preventing suicide during the COVID-19 pandemic

We are living through a global pandemic, with no firm idea how long it will last, whether or not we or our loved ones will be infected by this virus (or worse, die from it), or how long our lives will be upended. This uncertainty can cause and/or heighten anxiety and fear. For those living ...

Have a glorious and happy Easter weekend

Good morning and a very glorious and happy Easter weekend to all of you. It is a very special time for sure. Yes, let the Easter season be glorious and happy despite all that we have endured the past weeks and will continue to do so. This will all ultimately pass. No matter what the hardship there always is something to be thankful for. If you have children and grandchildren, enjoy them. Delight in their tearing gleefully into their Easter baskets for goodies and treats. And, of course, don't forgot to enjoy a jelly bean or dozen for yourself. Just save room for a scrumptious dinner that ...

State Rep’s message: Been actively involved

As your state representative I believe it is important that the people I serve know that I have been, and continue to be, actively engaged in the battle against COVID-19 in Columbiana County. Due to my position, I have had the unique opportunity to be a part of the inner circle of high-level video meetings with decision makers including the top tier of federal, state, and county officials. The CEOs, presidents and chief medical officers of a network of hospital systems, the commander of the Ohio National Guard, the Bureau of Prisons, and the state and county departments of health ...

Angst grows for prison workers

LISBON — All employees at the federal prison in Elkton have been told by the Columbiana County Health Department to follow the self-quarantine protocols when not at work because of their likely exposure to the COVID-19 virus. In a letter dated March 31, Health Commissioner Wes Vins stated since some people at the prison have tested positive, personnel are “considered contacts of known positive COVID-19 cases and therefore must maintain self-quarantine when not at the facility.” Quarantine protocol is to be followed at home, and travel and visitation is prohibited except to and ...