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Holding Norfolk Southern accountable is just first step

Norfolk Southern says it still expects site restoration in East Palestine to be “substantially complete by early/mid June.” This despite additional monitoring wells being installed as recently as the end of March, and sediment and surface water monitoring that continues to show evidence of the catastrophic derailment that occurred there more than two years ago. Charts made available by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency show there is still visible sheen on affected waterways — in fact, instances of heavy sheen being observed as late as April in part of Sulphur ...

Don’t let Memorial Day celebrations take away from the somber remembrance of the holiday

To the editor: Hundreds of veterans and their families gathered all over the county to remember the men and women of our armed forced who gave the ultimate sacrifice. All veterans gave some but some gave all. Memorial Day is a celebration to remind us that we must never forget the high cost that was paid in order to establish and maintain our freedom and the liberties we all enjoy. The governor of the State of Ohio issued a directive that all flags be displayed at half staff until noon on Memorial Day. This is an honor that is granted limitedly because of the great significance that it ...

We need to avoid failures with protecting children

For Ohioans who care about making sure no child slips through the cracks in our system, data out of Franklin County is nothing short of appalling. The county’s Children Services agency has seen a horrifying five child deaths in a little more than a year. According to a report by WBNS, state Rep. Dontavius Jarrells, D-Columbus, has had enough. “It’s heartbreaking,” Jarrells told the news station. “It’s an opportunity for us to really have a hard conversation around our system of care.” To that end, Jarrells says his office is drafting legislation after hearing the excuses ...

Yost’s predictable exit may not be his last goodbye to politics

The Ohio governor’s election is more than 17 months away, but I have already written a considerable amount of articles and columns on it as candidates come and go. Attorney General Dave Yost, a Republican, is the latest to go after coming to the realization that he wasn’t going to beat Vivek Ramaswamy, the wealthy biotech entrepreneur who has the endorsements of the Ohio Republican Party, President Donald Trump and several prominent Ohio and national Republicans. It did not take that long for Yost to read the room, announcing his withdrawal from the race May 16. It came a week ...

Today is a day awash in red, white and blue

“The old general returned to the scene of battle, Where the great war had been fought, Once more he recalled the devastation, And the carnage that was wrought. As he walked among the white crosses, He remembered the sacrifices made, Deep inside he wonders now, Was it all worth the price they paid? And he thinks about war itself, What message does it give? Is it right that some must die? So others might have a chance to live?” “The Old General” was composed by longtime county resident, family man and veteran Bill Galchick. We like to run his words each Memorial Day. ...

Don’t forget to pause and reflect on Memorial Day

It’s the end of a school year; perhaps it is the opening weekend for swimming pools; it’s a three-day break — an excuse to travel, grill out, invite a few friends over and relax. It is Memorial Day weekend. And on Monday, in the midst of all that summer celebration, we must remember “to observe Memorial Day by praying, according to [our] individual religious faith, for permanent peace,” as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs reminds us. It’s not much to ask from those of us who will be able to enjoy the results of the sacrifice by those who were willing to give ...