Breaking News

Editorials

It’s important to spay, neuter pets

It’s a proven fact — spaying and neutering are effective, and humane, ways to save the lives of animals. These procedures are among many important responsibilities that come with owning a dog or cat. So along with providing a safe, warm home, food and water and daily exercise, we ask that animal owners please have their animals spayed or neutered to help stave off pet overpopulation problems. This also is the plea made on World Spay Day — it’s Tuesday — to remind pet owners of their obligations. The most recent estimates compiled by the American Veterinary ...

A chance to learn about the county

Among the most common complaints that are lobbed at elected officials at every level is a perceived lack of availability. That’s not the case with those who hold those positions in this area — the men and women who are willing to serve also are willing to provide their constituents with answers — and if they can’t do that on the spot, they will find the information and provide an explanation. Residents of Jefferson County will get to experience that for themselves Tuesday, when the second State of the County forum is held. Scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. in the auditorium ...

REAL ID deadline is approaching

It seems like a lifetime ago — in 2005, as a response to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks — Congress passed the Real ID Act. At the time, the idea was to have the program implemented by 2008, but opposition and other delays pushed the timeline. Most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic extended more than once the deadline for individuals getting identification documents that satisfy Real ID Act standards. But now, the agreed-upon deadline is approaching rapidly — it is less than three months away. Across the country, states are urging residents who have not already done so to ...

Completing FAFSA an important step

It would be hard to blame high school seniors and their parents for being uncertain about the financial aid landscape for post-secondary education right now. But it still might come as a surprise to know that now — and for years — fewer students are applying for available college scholarships. The National College Attainment Network examined the number of completed Free Applications for Federal Student Aid as of June 30 before each academic year, as a percentage of the number of high school seniors in each year. In 2018-19 (the high school class of 2018), 54 percent of seniors ...

Tressel bringing positive message

Those surprised by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s choice for lieutenant governor must have been encouraged last week when Jim Tressel spoke to the state about his priorities. When so much in Columbus can feel overly specific or exclusionary, Tressel understands it is time to look out for all residents of the state. “We’ve got to make sure the concern for our Ohioans and their fate, their future is our chief concern, and sometimes it doesn’t line up with what individually I’d really like. Maybe it doesn’t serve my needs. But the chief interest and the decisions we make need to ...

Cost of groceries an area concern

If you have experienced pain at the grocery check-out lately — and not because you still haven’t mastered ringing up your own produce — you’re not alone. In fact, according to a WalletHub study, States Where People Spend the Most and Least on Groceries, West Virginia is second only to Mississippi for the cost of groceries as a share of median monthly household income — the average spending on groceries in the state is 2.57 percent of the median monthly household income. By contrast, the lowest percentage is in New Jersey, at 1.5 percent. Ohio shoppers spend 2.19 percent ...