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Progress against a deadly problem

First, the good news: According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of fatal overdoses in the U.S. decreased last year — down 3 percent from 2022. Now, the not so great news: That’s still 107,500 people who died at the hands of a decades-long substance abuse epidemic; and those same CDC researchers say the last time there was such a decrease, the number of fatal overdoses increased dramatically in the following year. Further, Brandon Marshall, a Brown University researcher who studies overdose trends, offered some less-than-comforting reasons for ...

Let’s get ballot problem fixed

If Ohio lawmakers’ aim was to once again embarrass the state on the national stage and to prove the dangers of intentionally failing to address gerrymandering, mission accomplished. Let the back-slapping begin. In what can only be described as either a fit of petulance or an admission they do not believe their presumptive presidential nominee can win without a few dirty tricks, state senators and representatives derailed what should have been a simple fix to get Joe Biden on the November ballot. Recall, state law requires presidential candidates to be certified for placement on ...

Precise approach to gun violence

Lawmakers looking to reduce the number of gun crimes without stepping on the Second Amendment have to take a precise approach if they are to do any good. In Columbus, it seems the “Repeat Offenders Act” might be a good start. Introduced by Reps. Bernie Willis, R-Springfield, and Josh Williams, R-Sylvania Township, the bill would increase penalties for a person caught a second or third time having a gun illegally, according to a report by WBNS-TV in Columbus. It would increase penalties for using a gun during a violent crime, and provide mandatory sentences for some offenses. ...

Remembering those who protect, servce

We hope that everyone will take a moment and reflect on the lives and sacrifices of Leslie J. McDonald, Lafayette Mercer, Owen Burns, Scott Roe, Leonard Lamatrice and Thomas McGough of the Steubenville Police Department; William J. Snider and Michael Maguschak Sr. of the Mingo Junction Police Department; Benton Miller Sr. of the Toronto Police Department; Michael Brandle of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department; and Harding Duval of the Brooke County Sheriff’s Department. They are the law enforcement officers in our region who have lost their lives in the line of duty, and ...

Incident shows why concern is needed

We think about it a little less as the weather warms up, but a recent incident in Harrison County underscores the importance of having proper ventilation for alternative heat sources, and having working carbon monoxide detectors. Bowerston Volunteer Fire Department responders and those from other Harrison County departments arrived at a Bowerston home Tuesday to find four members of the same family in urgent need of help. “All four were severely ill with carbon monoxide poisoning,” Bowerston VFD Capt. Adam Reardon said. “They had utilized a propane stove with improper ...

Voter turnout must be better

Another election, another case of low voter turnout. According to the office of West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner, statewide voter turnout for Tuesday’s primary election was just 30 percent. That’s less than one in three registered voters in the state taking the time to be part of the process of electing candidates. Counties in the Northern Panhandle fared little better. Starting at the top of the state, Hancock County had 28.2 percent turnout, Brooke County had 32 percent turnout and Ohio County saw 40.1 percent turnout. Sadly, turnout was this low despite ...