Breaking News

Columns

New Dem congressional map for Ohio goes nowhere fast

You’ve got to give Democratic state legislators a little credit for their quixotic congressional redistricting map proposal. At least they offered something even though the map was never going to go anywhere. The Democratic redrawing of lines would take the current map that favors Republicans 10-5, though two of the Democratic districts are very much tossups, and make it an 8-7 map in favor of the GOP. The Democrats introduced the map Tuesday. By Wednesday, the House Rules Committee, controlled by Republicans, didn’t even bother to refer the bill to a committee. Not that it would ...

We must break China’s grip on U.S. defense supply chains

China’s Xi Jinping appeared supremely confident at a recent military parade in Beijing with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un. Xi’s assurance likely isn’t just a reflection of China’s growing military might. It’s also that China now holds the U.S. defense industrial base in the palm of its hand. Xi is well aware that China’s dominance of global mineral supply chains has ensnared both the U.S. economy and America’s military. According to The Wall Street Journal, more than 80,000 parts used in America’s weapons systems are manufactured with ...

Wealth, political party play pivotal roles in judge races

Running for the court of appeals — particularly for the first time and especially for an open seat — is an expensive venture. When Katelyn Dickey ran in 2024 for a vacant seat on the Youngstown-based 7th District Court of Appeals, she loaned $205,000 to her campaign fund with her husband providing $150,000. Dickey raised only $5,800 for the campaign from outside donors with $5,000 coming from the Columbiana County Republican Party. Judicial candidates need to use their personal wealth to fund campaigns because they are prohibited from receiving campaign contributions until 180 ...

Acton rolling out endorsements with Ryan’s candidacy looming

With Democrat Tim Ryan on a self-imposed Sept. 30 deadline to decide if he’s going to run for governor, Amy Acton, the lone declared Democrat for the position, is rolling out endorsements. The endorsements, including some locally, likely won’t impact Ryan’s decision. But it’s an effort to show Acton has support and isn’t going anywhere, even if the former 20-year congressman, who used to represent the Mahoning Valley in the U.S. House, enters the gubernatorial race. It’s no coincidence that the endorsements started coming out right after it was initially reported Aug. 12 ...

To the citizens of Columbiana County

The Columbiana County Auditor’s Office is currently working on what is called the “Triennial Update” of proposed values in accordance with 5713.01B and 5714.24 of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC). This legally-required process updates property values across the county based upon market trends and recent sales for the purpose of keeping them accurate and equitable. It is important to note that the money collected from property taxes plays an important role in keeping our communities safe and strong by helping fund our schools, police, fire protection, maintaining our roads and ...

Elderly suicide: The rise of a quiet crisis in Ohio

At 74, Jerry was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather who always prioritized his family’s needs. As he faced mental and physical health challenges, he began to feel like a burden. Believing that his family would be better off without him, he lost his battle with depression and died by suicide. Right now, in Ohio, more of our seniors are dying by suicide at a rate higher than any other age group. In the most recent report from the Ohio Department of Health, 361 Ohioans aged 65 and older died by suicide in 2023. Most of them are men, and most by firearm. It’s a heartbreaking ...