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License suspensions need a closer look

Ohio’s economy has a lot going for it, but there are weak spots. Among those problem areas is the number of people with suspended driver’s licenses. We’re not talking here about those whose licenses have been suspended for driving-related failures. These are suspensions because of legal debts such as unpaid fines and fees, child-support delinquencies or court judgments. According to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal, approximately 1.7 million Ohioans per year have their licenses suspended, and 60 percent of those are not because of bad driving. A study by the Federal Reserve ...

Dangerous situation along the Ohio River

No one likes to hear “I told you so,” but officials in Martins Ferry are hearing that and more as a fracking waste recycling facility is facing a complaint filed by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost in Belmont County Common Pleas Court. Filed March 25, the complaint requests a temporary restraining order against Pennsylvania-based Austin Master Services, which is accused of illegally storing excess quantities of brine and drilling waste. More specifically, Yost’s office said its chief concern is “the plant’s proximity to the Ohio River (about 500 feet) and to a drinking ...

Cummings to share his talents abroad

You will be hard-pressed to find a more giving soul in the Ohio Valley than Bishop Darrell Cummings. He leads his flock at Shiloh Apostolic Faith Assembly in Weirton and Bethlehem Apostolic Temple in Wheeling; he feeds the hungry during the holidays; Christmas for many is made brighter through his works; youngsters go back to school with all the supplies they need thanks to the efforts of Cummings and others; he provides spiritual direction through a regular column on our pages that he’s contributed for more than 30 years. He truly is a light that shines upon all that is good in our ...

Easter story is timeless

Some 2,000 years ago, an itinerant preacher in the Middle East was crucified for, as his executioners put it, claiming to be a king. There was no immediate worldwide news coverage of the event. There were no live images beamed to televisions, tablets and cell phones around the world, no tweets, no texts, no Facebook posts carrying the news of his execution at the hands of the powerful Roman state at the request of the Hebrew state under its control. There were no 24-hour news channels and no grim-faced anchormen and women providing background, and there was no analysis from ...

Egg hunts a part of special season

Easter egg hunts bring a sense of joy to children and adults each year. They serve as a marker for the season of renewal and as a way of welcoming spring. While many egg hunts were presented last weekend by area communities and organizations, there are several scheduled to be held Saturday. Formats can sometimes vary, but they all offer the chance for children to find eggs that are filled with candy and other prizes. The rites of spring also have become more inclusive during the years. An example was the second-annual Special Connections Eastern Egg Hunt held Sunday at the ...

Tips to help with spring cleaning

Spring has sprung, and for many that means an excuse to do a little spring cleaning. The Ohio fire marshal suggests that cleanup should be done with fire safety in mind, too. “A clutter-free home is a safer home when it comes to fire risks. That’s why it’s so important for Ohioans to take a few extra moments during spring cleaning to inspect their homes for potential fire hazards,” said Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon. “Even a small effort can make a big difference in preventing tragedies from occurring.” Everyone should heed ...