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Speed Awareness Day is a safety reminder for all

Ohio drivers get their share of criticism. For goodness sake, even the Ohio Department of Transportation felt the need to gently remind those traveling on some major highways to “Live in the moment, not the left lane.” But a more serious problem for Ohio drivers is that we are among 11 states in which there is a continued trend of speeding and dangerous driving that has lead to death and serious injuries. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, a July 26 Speed Awareness Day enforcement campaign is meant to address that trend here and in Arkansas, ...

Parkinson’s legislation is crucial for research

Among the items in Ohio’s newly passed state budget is a requirement that the Ohio Department of Health “establish and maintain a Parkinson’s disease registry for the collection and monitoring of the incidence of Parkinson’s disease in Ohio.” They’ve got two years to do it, but judging by concerns about the scant information available on the subject, it sounds as though officials should lose no time getting the ball rolling. “There’s really no clear cut and dry number that says there’s X number of people in Northeast Ohio that suffer from Parkinson’s Disease,” ...

Investigation is reminder that we all must be alert

Most of us have seen the signs posted in public restrooms, or flyers distributed at large events in an attempt to give victims of human trafficking a way to get help. And for the most part, people glance at those things, assume the messages have nothing to do with them and ignore them. The truth is we must all be vigilant, watching for indicators that should be reported or a person who needs help. It sounds as though that is exactly what happened in Pickerington, where a business called Massage Experts is being investigated for suspicion of acting as a front for human trafficking, ...

Large turnout is essential for Aug. 8 special election

With early voting under way ahead of the Aug. 8 special election to decide Ohio Issue 1, significant voter turnout will be essential to ensuring such an important decision is not made for all of us by a tiny percentage of voters. Changes to polling places in many counties may be a deterrent for some. But county boards of elections have done their best to send out postcards and other reminders to voters of the new location for some polling places. Check your mail, or, call your local board of election to be certain you know where to vote. Columbiana County: ...

Elected officials need to throw out all HB 6 trash

Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and former GOP leader Matt Borges may have experienced the legal consequences of taking part in the largest public corruption case in state history, but part of the legislation that scheme launched is still costing Buckeye State taxpayers approximately $150 million per year, according to a study by the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. State Rep. Ron Ferguson, R-Wintersville, is among the lawmakers trying to do something about that, according to a report by News 5 Cleveland. “The number one thing of Larry’s legacy, HB 6, continues to ...

Voter turnout imperative for critical Issue 1 ballot

At the voter registration deadline earlier this week, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said there are nearly 8 million registered voters here. Ahead of the Aug. 8 special election regarding Issue 1, however, LaRose does not appear confident there will be a representative number of Buckeye State residents making the decision for everyone. “We’re doing all we can to get the word out, to make sure people know. But I’m not going to predict numbers. I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s similar to what we saw in last year’s primary that was held in August,” LaRose told ...