Breaking News

Local Columns

Somehow I forgot to mention my Mother’s Day

So, I failed to mention that on Mother’s Day, my children once again remembered me. And I didn’t even have to tell them what day of the year Mother’s Day fell on. Somehow they just knew. For that, I am thankful. For them, I am thankful. My oldest son, Dylan, shipped me a box of Starbucks coffee, just as he does on my birthday and for other occasions. He knows it is my favorite and something I can’t always afford to buy myself. I appreciate his thoughtfulness. He truly is a special man. My second child, Caleb, who is the father of my grandson, little Layne, gave ...

Sundays are no longer what they used to be

Remember watching “The Andy Griffith” show? There would be certain episodes centered around days just spent sitting around on the front porch. And during these episodes, some weeks we would encounter moments where Andy was playing his guitar. Then once in a while, there was talk of ...

History in the Hills: The Start of Summer

I can’t believe this weekend is Memorial Day. It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating Easter and the first days of spring. Although the weather forecast is pretty cool this weekend to be sure, Memorial Day for a lot of us signifies the first days of summer. In my family, we usually spend the weekend at the pool; and on Monday, we would spend time at my grandmother’s home enjoying a picnic. In our area, summer is a busy time, and it’s a season I look forward to because there is so much to do. We spend a lot of time at the pool, working in the yard and spending time ...

Guest Column: Ohio’s schools need a career-focused transformation

Our representatives in the Statehouse have a long list of priorities to consider as they put together the 2026-27 state budget — that’s undeniable. But ultimately, none of those competing needs can be more fundamental than fostering a healthy economy with opportunity for all Ohioans to thrive. It’s the foundation for anything else we hope to achieve in our state. And there’s a critical opportunity-building tool that Ohio so far has failed to be put to full use: career-connected learning. That’s classroom instruction and work-related learning designed to inform and prepare ...

Guest Column: The Supreme Court is deciding whether justice has a zip code

In my law office, I’ve met with families this year who came in not knowing if their children would remain U.S. citizens. Not knowing if a court ruling in one part of the country would protect them in another. Not knowing if the law still worked for them at all. That’s the real-world cost of a case currently before the United States Supreme Court, Trump v. CASA, Inc. 24A884, which asks whether federal judges should continue to have the authority to issue nationwide injunctions. Strip that away, and justice becomes a patchwork where the protection of the Constitution depends on where ...

Somewhere along the way, our hearts changed

There were moments when I was putting together the above story when I was taken back to those days when I was around the age of being a fourth-grader. I guess that would be about, what … 10? I’m pretty sure all of us could go back and conjure up a few memories from our childhood during that time. You see, the children in that story are filled with a sadness for each of these dogs and cats living at the local animal shelter. And they are filled with so much love for every single one. No exclusions. Not just the cute puppy with its fabulous puppy breath. Not just the ...