Editorials

Remain Safe in Frigid Weather

There are few situations where the phrase “abundance of caution” is more fitting than where the Ohio Valley stands now with its weather. The winter storm of the past weekend dumped several inches of snow —up to 13 inches in places like Cameron— on the ground. Residents have been digging themselves out ever since. State, county and city crews have been working around the clock to make the streets as safe as they can. This isn’t going to be an easy, or quick, fix. The biggest fly in the ointment will be the frigid temperatures the region will see for the next several days. ...

Check Unclaimed Funds

Looking for something to do while snow, ice and frigid temperatures have perhaps kept you home for more time than you’d like in recent days? It could be a good time to check out the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Unclaimed Funds website. According to a recent report by the Akron Beacon Journal, the state still holds more than $4 billion in dormant bank accounts, utility deposits and uncashed checks. That’s a huge chunk of your money just sitting (virtually) in Columbus. And remember, if you don’t claim it after more than ten years, you run the risk of it being used ...

Child Protections Need Strengthened

West Virginians got a horrific reminder last week of the depth from which those trying to reform the work of the state Department of Human Services are trying to climb, with news that on Feb. 15, 2025, 11-year-old Miana Moran of Taylor County died in a case that has led to murder charges for her primary custodian. Miana was a sixth grader in virtual schooling through Upshur County Schools, according to a report by WCHS. A criminal complaint filed in Taylor County Magistrate Court said she weighed 43 pounds at her death. According to the WCHS report, Miana was wearing a pull-up diaper ...

Keep Homes Safe in Cold Weather

The several inches of snow that has hit the Ohio Valley will come and go. The absolutely frigid temperatures coming with that snow will linger for a while — and that could spell big trouble for homeowners. The National Weather Service isn’t predicting a high temperature above 19 degrees for the rest of the week. The lows are forecast to dip to 0 several days. That’s not good news for homes with exposed pipes. When water freezes, it expands. If it expands too much, it can burst through those pipes and create a catastrophe, especially with the inclement weather. AAA has some ...

Fix Prison Staffing Issues

According to a recent report by the Dayton Daily News, the Ohio state prison system was short more than 500 corrections officers at the end of last year. The Daily News conducted its investigation because Dayton Correctional Institution has the highest rate of openings, at 18.8%. Lebanon Correctional Institution has a vacancy rate of 11.5% and Warren Correctional Institution has a vacancy rate of 2.4%, the newspaper found. Those numbers are an improvement over the worst period in 2022, but still a significant problem for the system. Of course, state officials were eager to put a ...

Public School Issues Need Solved ASAP

There are plenty of words that can be used to describe the revelation of major financial issues that led to the West Virginia Department of Education’s takeover of Hancock County Schools. Alarming. Disturbing. Embarrassing. According to the department’s investigations, the school district’s finances were in such disarray that district officials were contacting the state department for help just to make payroll. When was the last time a public school district in West Virginia needed help to simply pay its teachers and staff? Has it ever happened? According to Delegate Pat ...