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We are proud to be part of National Newspaper Week

Newspapers and reporters have had a rough few years, as they’ve been lumped in with those in newsertainment who led too many to become distrustful of real journalists. For the men and women working in weekly and daily newspaper newsrooms, the objective is to avoid that twisting, curating and injection of agenda that has been masquerading as “news.” We do so strenuously. Why? Because we know how hard we must work to earn your trust; and that it is our responsibility to accurately and thoroughly report the news of our communities so you, our readers, are as informed as possible. ...

‘Operation Next Door’ brings home message

In naming its latest statewide human trafficking operation, the Ohio Attorney General’s Organized Crime Investigations Commission chose “Operation Next Door” as a way to bring home the message that the people committing these crimes are not distant strangers. They may, indeed, live right next door. With the help of more than 100 law enforcement agencies, 135 people were arrested for seeking to buy sex — some of them from minors, according to state Attorney General Dave Yost’s office. Of those 135, one was from Salem and the other from Canfield. Think of all those in our ...

State close to accepting crypto currency payments

Last week, Ohio moved one step closer to being able to accept crypto currency as payment for state fees and services. The news was greeted with congratulations from officials such as Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose. “Ohio has always been a state of pioneers and innovators,” LaRose said. “I want to commend Treasurer (Robert) Sprague, Auditor (Keith) Faber, and Attorney General (Dave) Yost for taking this bold step to position us at the forefront of the emerging digital economy. There’s a reason why we now rank among the top five states in the nation to do business. It’s ...

Common sense rules should be followed by gun owners

A person does not have to be a gun safety reform extremist to understand there are simply certain rules a person must follow in their own home (or for themselves, if they have carry permits) if they are to be responsible gun owners. Sadly, it is all too common for us to read of tragedies that resulted from irresponsible gun ownership, and get a reminder to do the right thing. On Monday, a 3-year-old boy in Columbus died after unintentionally shooting himself with a handgun that had allegedly been brought to the apartment where he and his mother lived. WBNS reported the victim’s ...

Rulli’s right: Energy future is a national security matter

As the U.S. Senate considers codifying the reestablishment of the National Coal Council, lawmakers have an opportunity. U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli’s bill drew support from enough Democrats in the House of Representatives that it is now moving to the Senate, which will consider whether it is necessary to back up the executive order that, among other things, called for reinstating the group that provides guidance on the future of coal technologies and markets. And Rulli, R-Ohio from Salem, is right. It is important for those making decisions about our energy future to have information and ...

Child Care Cred Program will help Ohio families

For many families, finding affordable child care is one of the bigger obstacles to being able to be full participants in the workforce. Sometimes it just makes more sense for a parent to stay home with the kids than to go out into a job that perhaps doesn’t even cover the costs of child care. With the launch of Ohio’s Child Care Cred Program, funding is now available for a program that helps split the child care burden. “Ensuring a stable workforce for Ohio’s growing economy encourages us to support our working families,” said state Sen. Tim Schaffer, R-Lancaster. “By ...