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Letters to the Editor

Giving back to the community that grew me

To the editor: Growing up in Salem, Ohio, I was shaped by a caring community — from the teachers at Salem High School to the local Scouting program and the families, farms, and friends who encouraged my love of plants and the outdoors. Though I moved from Salem after high school, I carry these roots with me every day in my work with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, where I serve as a Horticulture and Forestry Agriculture Extension Agent. Cooperative Extension is a national public service partnership between land-grant universities and local communities — funded ...

Natural gas helping Ohioans stay warm

To the editor: With the cold front coming in and temperatures dropping quickly across the state, Ohioans need reliable and affordable energy to stay warm. Our state’s essential natural gas provides the dependable power for furnaces and heat pumps. With over 63% of Ohio residents relying on it for home heating, natural gas is the most dependable energy source for keeping families safe and warm through the holidays. The state benefits from a reliable supply, thanks to production in the Shale Crescent region. The Shale Crescent region, encompassing Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West ...

Congress needs to pass H.R. 5031

To the editor: After thirty years serving the people of Ohio in state government and now volunteering with veterans and seniors in care facilities, I’ve learned that good intentions don’t always lead to good outcomes. That’s exactly what’s happening with Medicare Part D drug price negotiations. Nobody disputes that prescription drugs cost too much. We all want lower prices for seniors. But when Washington cuts drug prices without considering how those drugs actually reach our most vulnerable citizens, we create new problems while solving old ones. Long-term care (LTC) ...

AI transforming healthcare

To the editor: As an IT director at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center, I see firsthand how technology is advancing medicine and changing lives for the better. Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming healthcare by improving diagnostics, streamlining operations and helping healthcare professionals make faster, more accurate decisions. These advances aren’t just exciting — they’re saving lives. But in today’s world, where threats from ransomware, phishing and foreign-backed cyberattacks are growing, cybersecurity has become synonymous with data security, ...

SNAP is vital element of social safety net

To the editor: SNAP is a vital element of the social safety net in the United States, significantly contributing to the reduction of poverty and the enhancement of food security for millions of Americans. As such, SNAP not only addresses immediate hunger but also establishes the foundation for enduring positive transformations within society. Our politicians in Washington are lamentably derelict in their responsibility to collaborate and resume their duties. We cannot remain passive while our fellow citizens are deprived of SNAP and other essential benefits. It is imperative that we ...

A successful tag day in Wellsville

To the editor: The Columbiana County Sheriff’s Office volunteered for the 14th year to conduct a tag day in Wellsville on Oct. 4 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Proceeds amounted to $2,100. A big “thank you” goes out to all the supporters who donated. The staff included Sheriff Brian McLaughlin, Special Deputy Willie Coleman, Sgt. Kevin Shulas, Deputy Jordin Campbell and Scherry Nolderi, assistant to the sheriff. KENNY BIACCO, Wellsville