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Guest column/Dog days of summer are here

Here we are, in the midst of what my paternal grandmother called “the dog days of summer.” I don’t think it had much to do with dogs. Actually, the phrase refers to the hottest days of summer. My grandmother was a superstitious Irish woman so there might have been something more to it. But when I think of the dog days of summer, I think of high heat and humidity. I remember headaches when the heat was extreme, and hiding away to read my books when the headaches eased. We know so much more these days. Do you go to your weather app each day to see what you can expect that day? It ...

Guest column/Here are some tips for everyone as the temperatures rise

The days of sweltering hot temperatures are upon us. That means extreme heat interrupts the best of our summertime events — from family cookouts to baseball games in the park and outdoor races to raise funds for our favorite charitable organizations. We all know that uncomfortable feeling: When we’re sweaty, tired and weak, nauseous and, sometimes, even faint. These are all serious effects of high heat and they should not be ignored. But high temperatures can cause much more serious health issues — and even death, if we are not properly prepared when extreme heat is on the ...

Guest column/Local news is good news

It’s no secret that recent years have been tough on small businesses and on newspapers. A bipartisan bill, the Community News and Small Business Support Act, that has been introduced in Congress would offer relief to newspapers and local businesses. For too many newspapers, help can’t come soon enough. Economic challenges have resulted in too many communities seeing their local newspapers being forced to lay off staff, cut back on publication days or — worse yet — close. On average, two newspapers are closing each week. That hurts local businesses and residents in the long (and ...

History in the Hills: The Peter Tarr Furnace

Taking on the role as Hancock County administrator has certainly been a good transition for me. I enjoy working in a position that provides me with an opportunity to learn about many different things and, especially, the important role that county government plays in the life of our people. Leaving the museum world and transitioning to government really wasn’t as big a step as one may think. Being the administrator of the county gives me the opportunity to use my history training every day, particularly in the care of historic properties. Among the sites that the county oversees, ...

Football season is returning

Here’s a question: When did last year’s football season end for you? For some residents of the Tri-State Area, the shift to passing interest from great interest came on New Year’s Eve, when Ohio State suffered a 42-41 loss to Georgia in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. For many others, that moment came on Jan. 8. That’s when the Steelers finished their season with a 28-14 win over Cleveland. That victory was the team’s seventh in its last nine games and allowed the Steelers to finish with another winning season at 9-8, which, while it extended the streak of ...

Guest column/Older adults are struggling with substance abuse

There is an epidemic we don’t hear much about. There is just no denying that aging has its issues. But for some older adults, things become even more complicated. This issue is substance use disorder which often is unintentional, often misdiagnosed and untreated because some of the symptoms mock signs of conditions associated with aging. We will share some information and resources for you to read further. There is a lot more information available now than a decade ago, but there are still questions that need to be answered. According to 2018 data, nearly 1 million adults age 65 ...