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A rough political road ahead for Sherrod Brown

For the first time in 32 years, Democrat Sherrod Brown no longer holds public office. If you go back 50 years, Brown was an elected official for 48 of them, starting as a state representative, first elected in 1974, and after eight years, he spent another eight as Ohio’s secretary of state. After losing reelection, Brown was out of elected office for two years before winning a U.S. House seat in 1992. With Ohio a solid Republican state, is there a place for a 72-year-old progressive-populist Democrat who has spent nearly all of his adult life as a politician? Brown said Dec. 17: ...

Embracing the spirit of Hospice volunteering within Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties

The holiday season is a time for reflection, gratitude, and generosity. As the lights twinkle and carols fill the air, we are reminded of the importance of human connection and the joy that comes from giving to others. In this season of giving, there’s no better way to embody the true spirit of Christmas than by becoming a hospice volunteer. And as the New Year approaches, volunteering in hospice care can be a meaningful resolution—one that transforms not only the lives of others but also your own. Spreading Holiday Comfort and Joy For many hospice patients, the holidays can be a ...

US Reps. Rulli, Joyce roll in campaign dough

It was a foregone conclusion that Dave Joyce and Michael Rulli, the two Republican congressmen who represent the Mahoning Valley, were going to win reelection. The only questions were: By what margin and how much money would they raise? The quick answer to both is: a lot. Joyce, R-Bainbridge, will start serving his seventh two-year term representing the 14th Congressional District next month. The district, which includes all of Trumbull County, had a 9.7% Republican advantage based on statewide partisan voting results during the previous decade. That number will definitely increase ...

Supporting each other: Preventing suicide and healing together

As the coordinator of the Columbiana County Suicide Prevention Coalition, I want to take a moment to reflect on the challenges our county has been facing. Recently, we’ve seen a rise in suicides, and with the holiday season fast approaching, I feel it’s crucial to address how we can support one another. The holiday season is often associated with warmth, joy, and togetherness, but for many, it can also be a time of deep sadness, isolation, and heightened stress. The pressures of the holidays can amplify these feelings, making it an especially difficult time for those who are ...

Replacing Vance in Senate will be DeWine’s decision

Gov. Mike DeWine has a big decision to make: Who will he select to replace U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance who will resign to be sworn in as vice president of the United States? Vance’s political career has skyrocketed in a short time. After getting the coveted endorsement from Donald Trump before the May 2022 Republican primary for the Senate seat, Vance had never held political office. Vance won the crowded Republican primary and then defeated Democrat Tim Ryan in the November 2022 election for the post held for 12 years by Republican Rob Portman. About 18 months into his Senate term, Trump ...

Voters sound alarm on rising energy costs

American voters soundly rejected Bidenflation at the ballot box. In an ABC exit poll, 67% of Americans said the economy is in “bad shape.” That shouldn’t be too surprising, though, since inflation is wiping out many family budgets. In fact, a half-gallon of milk now sells for as much as $10 in parts of the United States. But what’s driving all of this budget-busting inflation? And what to do about it? Much of the problem stems from higher energy costs. CBS News reports that the price of electricity in the U.S. has jumped 28.5% since 2019. In some states, the increase has been ...