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Stepping up for foster children

Ohio’s most vulnerable children are in need of a larger support network, as the number of families willing to be part of the foster care program is shrinking. Further, the number of families who have training in dealing with children with behavioral challenges is even smaller. This despite approximately one-quarter of children having come into children’s services custody not because of abuse or neglect, but because of behavioral health, intellectual disabilities or juvenile justice involvement. “That surprises a lot of people,” Scott Britton, assistant director of the ...

Program helps W.Va. veterans

West Virginia’s Veterans’ Home Loan Program launches this month, after passage of state Senate Bill 261 earlier this year. The program will help eligible veterans purchase their first homes. In this real estate climate, that help could be significant. Republican State Treasurer Riley Moore, state Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, and representatives of the West Virginia Housing Development Fund were in Weirton Tuesday to talk about the program’s Sept. 12 launch. Moore is running for the U.S. House West Virginia 2nd District seat in November, and Weld is unopposed in his quest to ...

Tip tax legislation would be big help

Ohio Rep. Jay Edwards, R-Nelsonville, is working on a piece of legislation that would let hard-working Buckeye State residents keep even more of the money they earn, though the details are still hazy. According to a report by WCMH-TV in Columbus, Edwards is sponsoring House Bill 643, which, for now, is meant to “Express intent to exempt tips and gratuities from income tax.” All that is certain, then, is that the General Assembly intends to take a look at the matter. “These aren’t people getting rich. These aren’t millionaires. These are blue-collar people that are trying ...

Urgent need for blood remains

Those looking to this space for perspective on the pressing issues of the day may wonder why it contains yet another appeal for blood donors and support of the American Red Cross’s mission. It is because the need is that urgent, and only growing more so. Over the weekend, the Red Cross issued a plea for help, as the blood shortage that had already presented a challenge is getting worse. Severe weather, including the remnants of Hurricane Debby has canceled a significant number of blood drives that might have helped fill that gap. “The American Red Cross continues to ...

Labor Day offers chance to reflect

While Labor Day continues to serve as the end-of-summer holiday (it was moreso when the schoolchildren returned to the classrooms on the day after the first Monday in September) it should be about more than firing up the grill one more time. As we prepare to celebrate that holiday on Monday, it’s appropriate to take a moment and remember that people fought for protections for workers in a time not so long ago. Those battles led to safer workplaces, the rise of the middle class and benefit packages that helped build a nation. In our region, it is clear that change has arrived for ...

Gem City shines this weekend

One of the Tri-State Area’s longest running summer traditions will be renewed for the 46th time this Labor Day Weekend. It’s the Toronto Festival of the Arts, and it once again will offer residents from throughout the Tri-State Area the chance to enjoy a variety of music, arts and crafts, food and fun. Presented by Focus in Toronto, the event, which will run Saturday and Sunday, will be centered around the Gazebo Commons area of North Third and Main streets in the heart of the city and include the areas around the First Presbyterian and Riverview United Methodist churches. ...