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Regional bee arrives

One of the interesting aspects of preparing for the annual Jefferson-Harrison Regional Spelling Bee is reading the names of the multiple winners who have been a part of the program. The Herald-Star has presented the bee since its inception in the 1984-85 school year and there have been nine participants who have won more than once — three who won in nonconsecutive years, and one who finished in the top spot three times. Jimmy Yoo, who represented Steubenville City Schools, was the first winner. It was just a few years later that Amy Francy became the first two-time winner. ...

Guest column/Decisions at Eastern Gateway were not made easily

Jefferson Technical Institute ... Jefferson Technical College ... Jefferson Community College ... Eastern Gateway Community College. Four names, one college founded in 1967 in Steubenville. It is still known, affectionately, as Jeff Tech to many in our community. This college has been an important asset both for education and economic stability for more than half a century. The three initial presidents, Fred Robie, Edward Florak and Laura Meeks, made a lasting positive impact in the lives of thousands of students and our area at large. We are a better community because of them. ...

Guest column/Newspapers play a key role in keeping history alive

At Historic Fort Steuben where I am the director, people frequently come to us with old papers or documents they might have found in a book, in the estate of a deceased relative or in an odd place such as a box of old china. We usually suggest they take the article to the Jefferson County Historical Association or send it to the Ohio History Connection. But recently, I was given a document that I knew my son would find interesting. Jonathan is a military historian whose first “love” was the Civil War. When I received an actual discharge paper from an Ohioan who served in that ...

History in the Hills: Standing up for steel

I think, like all of us, I was shocked by the recent news that the last vestiges of Weirton’s Steel industry will be idled in April. I should rephrase, I was shocked but not surprised. I think like most who have grown up here, issues dealing with the steel industry over the years, including foreign steel imports, tariffs, dumping of steel, etc., have been in our lexicon for decades. I can’t remember a time when these things weren’t issues for our community. I am sure for some the news of the decision to idle the remaining operations at Weirton was reminiscent of the event that ...

Life’s struggles can even lead to a broken arm

I held little hope that there would be a column from me this week. It’s been a pretty difficult one. Has anyone else ever gone through a really extensive rough patch that you begin questioning if Satan has been working overtime and it’s on you that he is focusing? The thought of this brings tears to my eyes ... even now, as I sit here to write this. It is truly unfair when one person is receiving so much heartbreak. And I am speaking for everyone who feels this way. Not just me. The ones who are always struggling despite all of their continuous — yet futile, efforts. ...

Guest column/Confronting Ohio’s childcare dilemmas to ensure prosperity

There has never been a better time in history to be an Ohioan. We have an abundance of resources and variables working in our favor, including a low cost of living and a high quality of life. Our Gross Domestic Product is the seventh largest in the United States, and if Ohio were a separate country, it would be the 21st largest economy. We are now entering a manufacturing renaissance unlike anything witnessed by any other state, and with the kind of economic wins we’ve seen just in the last two years, the best is yet to come. While there is much to be proud of in Ohio, the state and ...