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State leadership needs focus on jobs

Ohio leadership has for some time been promising improvements in employment opportunities for Buckeye State residents. What we got — in droves — are data centers, which don’t check many of the boxes when it comes to benefiting residents. Policy Matters Ohio took a look at all those data centers and what they mean for the state. There are more questions than answers. According to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal, data centers could be costing the state a lot of money, particularly when one compares the tax revenue given up with the number of jobs created. “If the ...

Weirton hall looks for new members

Looking at the names of those who have enshrined in the Weirton Hall of Fame since its founding in 2008, can give you a sense of the history and dedication behind today’s community. From the city’s namesake, E.T. Weir, to its first mayor, Thomas Millsop, to longtime community volunteers including Nick Tranto, Deb Witkowski, Dr. J.K. Luthra and Jim Pauchnik, to businesspeople such as Vanessa Beaver, George Kondik, educators like Tracy Ohalek and Louis Kuntupis, the roster of those who have left a lasting impression, whether through their efforts to build something physically, ...

Another reminder about DUI dangers

The penalties in Ohio for operating a vehicle while under the influence will become more harsh on Wednesday. That’s when Liv’s Law (House Bill 37) will go into effect. It was born of tragedy, when Olivia Wright was killed by a drunk driver, and her father decided to act. “A constituent, Bryan Wright, brought this issue to my desk after losing his daughter, Olivia, to a drunk driver,” said state Rep. Mark Johnson, R-Chillicothe. “He pointed out to me how weak Ohio’s laws are compared to other states in the nation, and that is what inspired me to work on this legislation ...

Month puts spotlight on minority health

Everyone who is helping to organize local activities that are part of Minority Health Month say the focus will be on health education and lifetime preventative screenings. Those are important things to pay attention to not just in April, but all year long. According to the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, the month is designed to raise awareness of the disproportionate burden of premature death and illness in people from racial and ethnic minority groups; encourage action through education, early detection and control of disease complications; and focus ...

Remote monitoring push makes sense

A couple of members of Congress are not giving up on finding ways to fight the substance abuse epidemic that has gripped our region. Last week, U.S. Reps. Troy Balderson, R-Zanesville, and Robin Kelly, D-Ill., reintroduced the Remote Opioid Monitoring Act, which would direct the federal government to study the effectiveness of remote monitoring technology in helping health care providers track patients who have received prescriptions for opioids. “The opioid epidemic has devastated communities and families in Ohio and across the country,” said Balderson. “To combat this ...

Indian Creek offers unique opportunity

It’s not often high school students find themselves on the front lines of preserving a species. But that’s happening right now at Indian Creek High School where a team is working with others throughout Ohio in an effort to help save the endangered Eastern Hellbender salamander. The hellbender, found in many creeks and streams throughout our region, is an excellent gauge into the health of a waterway. Pollution, erosion and other issues have taxed the population in recent generations, with fewer young hellbenders surviving. Among other items, hellbenders help to control crayfish ...