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Guest column/I pray you are relishing your reunion

Local Columns

News of Marian Houser's death set me on an immediate search through tubs of newspaper photos, clippings and memorabilia I had promised myself I would organize and properly scrapbook for posterity when I retired from the Herald-Star as community editor almost three years ago now. The urgency to reflect and reminisce about my newsroom mother dictated my direction for the rest of that day – Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, the day "mommy-mommy" made her transition from earthly existence to heavenly glory. Make no mistake, Marian was on my mind along with the realization that I was now ...

Deceptive commercials

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: Many organizations solicit funds using commercials. Some organizations run their commercials year-round while others appear during the holidays. There are organizations that have services for children with illnesses or disabilities. There are organizations for veterans and their families. There are organizations that rescue and care for abused animals. The commercials for these organizations include testimonials from the actual people who receive the services or the employees. Parents speak about the treatments that their children are receiving for cancer. Children ...

Another election cycle has started

Local Columns

It seems like we barely get through one election cycle before the next one begins. That’s the position we find ourselves in once again as we head into the third full week of the new year. While mid-term elections don’t usually carry the same weight as a presidential, there will be a lot on the line as voters head to the polls for primary elections on May 5 in Ohio and May 12 in West Virginia and again on Nov. 3 when the general election is held. For starters, Ohioans will be selecting a new governor — whomever is elected in November will replace Republican Mike DeWine, who ...

Guest column/School choice is expanding for families across Ohio

Local Columns

When some people think about K–12 school choice, they often picture families in large metropolitan areas touring dozens of schools in search of the right fit. That certainly happens, but education options for families in Ohio and across the country are continuing to evolve. A new survey shows that last year, one in five parents living in suburbs, small towns and rural communities enrolled their children in new schools — the same rate as the national average. However, when asked about the year ahead, 43 percent of parents in small towns say they are likely to explore new school ...

History in the Hills: A ride back in time

Local Columns

I started my previous article about one of my favorite Woody Allen movies, “Radio Days.” While that is in fact my favorite, I also like a newer film of Allen’s called “Midnight in Paris.” This film debuted in 2011 and is about a man who visits Paris with his fiancée and falls in love with the city, but longs for the Paris of the past. He gets his wish because, while walking in the city at midnight, he is picked up by an antique car of the 1920s that takes him back in time. While in the 1920s, he meets all the movers and shakers of that time, like Ernest Hemingway, Scott and ...

Guest column/Maintaining momentum in fight against addiction

Local Columns

As we begin 2026, I am filled with optimism for the progress Ohio is making in the fight against addiction. Across our state, communities are working together to save lives, support families, and restore hope. This year, we have both the responsibility and the opportunity to build on that momentum. This past year marked a turning point for the OneOhio Recovery Foundation, the nonprofit organization created by our state’s leaders to manage and invest 55 percent of the funds received from the national opioid settlements. Through its first cycle of regional grants, the Foundation ...