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OneOhio must responsibly carry burden of distributing $51 million

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine says he chose Alisha Nelson to be executive director of OneOhio “because I know that she shares my vision of intentionally using these settlement funds to help Ohioans struggling with substance use disorder for years to come.” Never mind what that says about the suspected motives of other potential candidates, it sounds as though DeWine believes OneOhio is under the right leadership to truly make a difference for Ohio residents. Doing so will be a challenge, and one that must be overcome in full view of the taxpayers. Having already been questioned on the ...

Another derailment and still no Railway Safety Act passage

In Lower Saucon Township, Pa., residents are awaiting the results of an investigation into yet another Norfolk Southern train derailment last Saturday. This one involved three trains and scattered rail cars along a riverbank. At least one was partially in the Lehigh River. So far, the National Transportation Safety Board seems confident no hazardous materials were involved when an eastbound Norfolk Southern train struck a stopped Norfolk Southern train, sending wreckage onto an adjacent track that was hit by a westbound Norfolk Southern train. There was a small diesel fuel spill and ...

Four long years later and COVID rules finally loosen

It took four long years, but U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials are finally ready to recommend parents should treat COVID-19 and its variants like any other respiratory illness. It is no longer a federal recommendation that students undergo isolation periods and masking. As deaths and hospitalizations from the virus drop, the CDC now says students can go back to school when their symptoms improve and they are fever-free for 24 hours without taking medication. The agency does still suggest that students are “encouraged” to wear a mask when they return to ...

Levy passage would keep county parks in great shape

Columbiana County has so much to offer. We are blessed with thousands of good, values-grounded citizens. We have strong school districts and businesses. We have a solid foundation of civic groups and churches. Great police, fire and first responder departments, too. We have plenty of things to do. Plenty of places to take advantage of including a wonderful parks system. Our parks are perhaps the biggest recreational attraction of our entire county. We need to keep it that way and we need to make the parks even better. A levy supporting the Columbiana County Park District is on the ...

Checking for unclaimed funds might just be worth your time

As we approach the end of February, Unclaimed Funds Month may be wrapping up, but that does not end the opportunity to check with the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Unclaimed Funds about whether there is money being held in your name. Department of Commerce data shows approximately one in seven people in the United States has unclaimed funds. And in Ohio the department is “safeguarding more than $4 billion in unclaimed funds.” “Many unclaimed funds belong to individuals who are over the age of 50, as well as some individuals who have passed away,” Superintendent ...

Ohio BWC lowers premiums reflecting workplace safety

Employers of all kinds appear to be doing better at keeping their workers healthy and safe on the job, as private employers of Ohio will now see their sixth rate reduction in a row on premiums paid to the Ohio Board of Workers’ Compensation. This follows a reduction for public employers that went into effect Jan. 1 In fact, according to the BWC, there will be a total of approximately $67 million less paid next fiscal year because of the change. “This reduction is a result of employers’ dedication to workplace safety and Ohio’s strong economic position,” said Gov. Mike ...