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Annual New Year’s don’t drink and drive message

The message is one we feel obliged to repeat this time each year. There are some people across our country, across our state and across our own area who will awaken today with a brand new year in the offing helped along with a drink or more. There will be so much promise and anticipation for 2025. These folks will celebrate and share good times tonight with family and friends as midnight beckons the fleeting hands of 2024’s clock. They will sing —or slur — along to “Auld Lang Syne.” Even if they don’t know all of the words. Which, actually, most of us couldn’t recite while ...

To all of our readers, have a wonderful Christmas!

The original version of the following piece appeared in the Salem News way back in 2004. The response created back then and each and every year is truly appreciated. It is presented having undergone a tweak, nip and a tug over the Christmas seasons. Thank you for your kindness! Merry Christmas to kids everywhere who tonight will squeeze tightly their eyes and strain to hear reindeer footsteps on the rooftop. They will finally fall asleep in a bed full of warmth and full of dreams. And Merry Christmas to all of us who wish we could still believe in a Santa Claus. Merry Christmas to ...

Ohio needs DeWine’s veto

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has been a champion for police departments throughout his career, working to secure more funding, better equipment and more training for departments across the Buckeye State. He also was a huge factor in helping departments across the state acquire money to purchase body cameras for officers, which have protected officers — and also the public. Now DeWine is the last, best hope that a higher level of integrity can be maintained regarding government transparency in Ohio. Lawmakers, in the late hours of the last days of the 135th General Assembly, approved ...

On Christmas Day celebrate the Light

Just a few short days ago, the winter solstice marked the longest night of the year. Darkness blanketed the hemisphere for longer than it will again until Dec. 21 next year. And so now, we turn toward the light. On Christmas Day we celebrate the arrival of a Light who prompted the announcing of “glad tidings of great joy.” A baby born to grow into a man who would ask us to understand we are loved and to love one another just the same. Wise men and visionary women sought him, tyrants feared him, and even then, there was the giving of gifts. Though this Christmas may see few ...

Nuts and all, have a great Christmas!

“It’s going to be nuts!” That was the succinct, declarative observation of someone planning to shop during the dwindling days before next Wednesday. The Christmas shopping countdown is down to about three-and-half days. Or, as this is written about 84 hours. Ummm no, make that 83 hours, 59 minutes and 54, 53, 52 — well, you get it — seconds. Tick, tick, tick. Not done shopping? No sweat. Join the crowd. Crunch time is here. The final sprint before the big day has arrived. That will inflate crowds like one of those giant blow up lawn Santas that juvenile punks relish ...

Gov. DeWine urged to veto HB 315

As they neared the finish line on a session during which they neglected bills that might have helped Ohioans, lawmakers also slipped into House Bill 315 a provision (similar to changes made in the last budget bill) that will undoubtedly hurt them. HB 315 passed with little notice shortly after 2 a.m. Friday, and will do little more than limit the public’s access to public information. Now it heads to the governor’s desk. Surely Gov. Mike DeWine will see through lawmakers’ attempt to keep public business in the shadows by removing the requirement that public notices be printed in ...