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Opinion

Drinking water priceless asset

Letters to the Editor

To the editor: I write to thank the Jefferson County Water and Sewer District for the service it provides to residents and other users. The public would be wise to recognize the essential value of good quality drinking water. We literally can’t live without it. We take it for granted at our peril and that is not an overstatement. Jefferson County water users are spread out all over the county and this adds to the expense of maintenance and operations. As was pointed out in the Aug. 3 edition of the Herald-Star, we are the largest geographic system in the state and that ...

Measles vaccine still important

Editorials

As political chatter raises questions about vaccines and legal requirements for them, some news close to home should remind us of their importance. According to the Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department, a measles outbreak was confirmed in the county on Aug. 29. It hit three children from the same family — all unvaccinated. And while those children are reportedly improving at home, the health department’s task now is to work with the family “to identify and follow-up with any exposure and contacts and help where needed.” The Ohio news made its way into a report by ...

Tressel program sets right tone

Editorials

Ohio is getting ahead of the game in terms of student fitness with a new plan from the lieutenant governor. The Team Tressel Fitness Challenge for students in grades 4-8 is a program developed by Jim Tressel — who has some experience in keeping students fit and healthy. “If we can add just a little better fitness and health, it will make us that much better,” Tressel said Aug. 25. His idea is a solid one. Rather than outdated and intimidating goals that might throw a young person off track, the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge would let students pick their own activities and ...

Career funding good first start

Editorials

It turns out state officials are, indeed, working toward bringing more supports to public school students who are already thinking about life after high school graduation. Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce in August announced $7.1 million for the Career Pathway Support Networks Request for Applications. The money is part of a two-year effort to prepare students for in-demand careers through “advising, mentoring, exposure to various professions, and expanded career-technical education,” according to DeWine’s office. Funding will be distributed ...

Library cards can open new worlds

Editorials

There are many important activities recognized during September. One, of course, is the Labor Day holiday, which we just celebrated. Another occurs a little more than a week from now, on Patriot Day, when we remember the lives lost in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. September also is Library Card Sign-Up Month, and local libraries are encouraging area residents who don’t already have the credential to register for one. According to the American Library Association, 66 percent of Americans have a library card. The simple item can open up a world of possibilities, from ...

Tell them your stories, they’re gonna need them

Local Columns

Once again, I am going to quote Benson Boone. He is the young singer I mentioned in my last two columns. He sings “Beautiful Things,” the song which my grandson just loves. Only this time, I am going to reference a song he entitled, “Momma Song.” It, too, is beautiful. But unlike last time, I won’t ask you to listen to it. Instead, I am going to quote a couple of the lyrics. You may wonder why I am using this space to quote the words of someone else? After all, this is Julie’s article, not Benson Boone’s. And yet, his words are ones I wish I could have ...