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Free speech should be non-negotiable

Editorials

Freedom of speech is on a lot of minds these days — even Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, who spoke at the state Department of Higher Education’s Trustees Conference recently. According to a report by the Ohio Capital Journal, DeWine felt it important to remind policymakers on college campuses that an environment in which people are comfortable speaking freely is essential. His remarks were inspired, of course, by the killing of Charlie Kirk and its aftermath, though he noted the notion of whether Kirk’s death could have been prevented was a security issue, not a speech issue. ...

Riverfest helps open fall season

Editorials

The fall season officially arrived Monday afternoon, and with it an expectation of cooler temperatures and a change in the look of the world around us. What better way to welcome the season, then, than by attending one of our local autumnal community events? New Cumberland’s Fall Riverfest is set to take place Saturday and Sunday with a variety of vendors, entertainment and other activities for all ages. The festival will kick off Saturday with the Riverfest 5K Walk and Run, with registration at 8 a.m., and the race at 9 a.m. The course begins at the Hines Park gazebo, ...

Redistricting process shows some promise

Editorials

Though the results of Ohio’s latest redistricting attempt have yet to be seen, state House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima, should be commended for one thing: He says he will not give in to pressure from the White House to draw maps that meet the approval of President Donald Trump. “I’m most interested in what residents of the state of Ohio have to say,” Huffman said when asked about Trump and national influence, according to the Ohio Capital Journal. “Of course, the President of the United States is an important person too, but there are 11 million+ people in the state of ...

Credit card debt continues to grow

Editorials

When it comes to economic indicators, the big national metrics don’t always reflect what is happening in ordinary households. But families certainly understand what it means for them if they are forced to rely more on credit cards to get by. According to WalletHub’s States with Largest and Smallest Credit Card Debt Increases, released this month, Ohio has the eighth-largest credit card debt increase in the country in the second quarter. In the Buckeye State, the average credit card debt hit $40,748,707,089, an increase of $858,373,603 from the first quarter. The average household ...

Scouting still important

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: I am writing to share my thoughts on the importance of Scouting. This is for the communication merit badge. Scouting began in 1907 with Robert Baden-Powell’s first experimental camp, and since then, it has grown into a worldwide movement with millions of members. What makes Scouting special is not just the outdoor adventures, but the lessons of leadership, teamwork, and service that last a lifetime. Here in our community, Scouts continue that tradition by helping with service projects, volunteering at events, and building skills that prepare us to be responsible ...

This time of year is always a look at the past

Local Columns

It’s hard to believe it has already been an entire year since I wrote a column about my oldest son, Dylan, turning 32. I blinked. And this week, he turns 33. Still a good age, although it reminds me of how quickly time passes. It also shows me how I am really no further ahead than I was more than three decades ago. And it can hurt terribly. It truly does sadden me at times to realize I didn’t use the life I was given here wisely. But then again, how many of us really do? How many of us take advantage of the life God gave us and use it to our fullest potential? I ...