Ohio’s ‘essential’ businesses adjust

April 27, 2020

Area companies deemed “essential” by the state of Ohio have taken a variety of steps to fight the coronavirus and keep employees safe. Several companies have closed for a brief time following a positive coronavirus test or a connection to a possibility of the virus spreading through a relative of an employee, according to area manufacturing leaders. Iten Industries, presently working on a major collaborative project to provide face masks for first responders, is also working hard to keep employees safe, said Chief Executive Officer Pete Huggins. He said the company was closed ...

Trump aims to pivot to economy

April 27, 2020

WASHINGTON — After two months of frantic response to the coronavirus, the White House is planning to shift President Donald Trump’s public focus to the burgeoning efforts aimed at easing the economic devastation caused by the pandemic. Days after he publicly mused that scientists should explore the injection of toxic disinfectants as a potential virus cure, Trump has now rejected the utility of his daily task force briefings, where he has time and again clashed with scientific experts. Trump’s aides are aiming to move the president onto more familiar — and safer, they hope — ...

Ohio virus death toll reaches 728; plan expected soon

April 27, 2020

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio health officials on Sunday reported that the state has had 728 confirmed and probable deaths associated with the coronavirus to date. The Ohio health department’s statistics show a total of 15,963 people have tested positive, with 3,178 of them having to be hospitalized. Last week, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine announced a plan to significantly boost daily testing in Ohio. The effort will push testing in the state to 15,000 a day by May 6, 18,800 a day by May 13 and 22,000 a day by May 27. The governor said this will allow a dramatic increase of testing in ...

April 27: EVENTS CANCELED/POSTPONED

April 27, 2020

Due to the precautions being taken surrounding the coronavirus, the following changes have been made regarding events and meetings in the local area: ¯ The Four Seasons Senior Citizens meeting for April has been canceled. ¯ The Jefferson County Safety Council announced that the April and May Safety Council meetings have been canceled. ¯ The Toronto Beautification Committee has canceled its geranium sales. ¯ The 2020 Lou Holtz/Upper Ohio Valley Hall of Fame banquet and associated events set for June 8 has been postponed. The scholarship application deadline has been extended to ...

Policing in a pandemic: Local departments find ways to stay safe, serve public

April 26, 2020

Whether conducting a traffic stop or responding to a disturbance, law enforcement officers must be prepared to protect themselves. And as the coronavirus pandemic has reached their communities, local law enforcement officers have learned to take measures to protect themselves against the ...

‘Steubenville Stimulus’ website encourages shopping local

April 26, 2020

STEUBENVILLE — Back when he was an undergrad, Tom Valentine said it was easy to lose sight of the fact that there were locally owned and operated businesses in town that could have benefited from his patronage. “Steubenville is not a traditional college town,” said Valentine, a 2017 ...