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Opinion

Samaritan is another way of saying angel

Editorials

Our area is truly blessed with so many kind-hearted souls. Examples abound from bell ringers to those holding fund raisers of all kinds. Generosity and caring — especially toward children — is a trademark of the good folks of our communities. Selflessness is a characteristic. ‘Tis is truly the season of giving. We recently were on site for the annual Gingerbread Day in Salem. Over 600 children were treated to making gingerbread houses, meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus, interactive activities, eating goodies and taking home a number of items including mittens and stocking caps. All ...

Embracing the spirit of Hospice volunteering within Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties

Columns

The holiday season is a time for reflection, gratitude, and generosity. As the lights twinkle and carols fill the air, we are reminded of the importance of human connection and the joy that comes from giving to others. In this season of giving, there’s no better way to embody the true spirit of Christmas than by becoming a hospice volunteer. And as the New Year approaches, volunteering in hospice care can be a meaningful resolution—one that transforms not only the lives of others but also your own. Spreading Holiday Comfort and Joy For many hospice patients, the holidays can be a ...

US Reps. Rulli, Joyce roll in campaign dough

Columns

It was a foregone conclusion that Dave Joyce and Michael Rulli, the two Republican congressmen who represent the Mahoning Valley, were going to win reelection. The only questions were: By what margin and how much money would they raise? The quick answer to both is: a lot. Joyce, R-Bainbridge, will start serving his seventh two-year term representing the 14th Congressional District next month. The district, which includes all of Trumbull County, had a 9.7% Republican advantage based on statewide partisan voting results during the previous decade. That number will definitely increase ...

Editorials

Technology can be a wonderful thing. It also can be horrifying, particularly when the law does not keep up with innovations. Ohio lawmakers seem to be working to address one of those shortfalls, as the state House of Representatives just passed state Senate Bill 100, which makes it a crime to put or install a tracking device on someone else’s property without their consent. Seems like common sense, doesn’t it? But until the measure is signed in to law, use of, for example, an Apple AirTag to aid in stalking a victim is not in and of itself a crime. According to a report by the Ohio ...

Priorities must be kept in preventing elderly abuse

Editorials

It’s easy to pick out areas in which we wish Ohio and West Virginia were doing better for residents. The list is long and varied. But in one category, both states are doing quite well. In WalletHub’s list of “States With the Best Elder-Abuse Protections,” Ohio is 4th in the country and the Mountain State is 9th. Not too shabby. Given the age of our states’ populations, those are important protections, indeed. Ohio’s 32nd ranking for prevalence (share of elder-abuse, gross-neglect and exploitation complaints; estimated elder fraud rate; and elder fraud loss amount per ...

Ohio energy keeping us warm

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: As temperatures drop and winter sets in, we are all heading over to that thermostat. But many people have no idea the role Ohio’s natural resources play in keeping not only our homes but also homes across the nation warm and bright. Nearly half of U.S. households rely on natural gas as their primary heating source, and Ohio is no exception. Our state is a key producer of these vital resources, helping to meet the increased energy demands coming in the colder months. From heating homes to powering the electric grid during extreme weather, natural gas ensures that we ...