Editorials

Protecting Ohio’s Children

For Ohioans who care about making sure no child slips through the cracks, data out of Franklin County is nothing short of appalling. The county’s Children Services agency has seen a horrifying five child deaths in a little more than a year. According to a report by WBNS, state Rep. Dontavius Jarrells, D-Columbus, has had enough. Jarrells says his office is drafting legislation after hearing the excuses from Franklin County Children Services. They say they don’t have authority to remove a child from a home without the help of law enforcement or juvenile court, for example. In ...

Focus Policies on the Future of West Virginia

Gov. Patrick Morrisey has been on quite a tour over the past few weeks as he signs legislation, makes important announcements and listens in communities all over the state. Here’s hoping he is using those visits to gain an honest understanding of where West Virginia stands against our competition in an economic Backyard Brawl. There has been little public discussion of that as of late, so let’s hope that initiative has not been placed on the back-burner. While there are bright spots here and there, for the most part the Mountain State’s communities and counties are struggling. ...

Be Safe Around the Water This Summer

Most of us understand and follow the rules when it comes to keeping our phones out of our hands and remaining focused when we drive. But those little devices can distract us at other potentially dangerous times, too. How many times have you been puttering through a parking lot, only to have to slam on your brakes when a person with their eyes buried in their cell phones walks in front of you? Or, how many times have you been asked to watch pets or children — perhaps at a park — and gotten sucked into scrolling on your phone only to be jolted back to reality just in time to prevent ...

Move on the RAIL Act

Norfolk Southern says it still expects site restoration in East Palestine to be “substantially complete by early/mid June.” This despite additional monitoring wells being installed as recently as the end of March, and sediment and surface water monitoring that continues to show evidence of the catastrophic derailment that occurred more than two years ago. However infuriating the progress of Norfolk Southern’s effort to “make it right” may be, though, the progress being made in Congress is even more frustrating. On the two-year anniversary of the derailment on Feb. 3, Vice ...

Capping Abandoned Gas Wells in West Virginia

Abandoned oil and gas wells have been a problem in West Virginia for more than a century. Lawmakers did the right thing during the most recent regular session by passing House Bill 3336, which allows operators to fill wells with cement without having to remove the central casing. That might not mean much to a lot of us, but the process is said to be easier, cheaper and safer. It could also help protect groundwater, and with staying on top of modernization efforts. “It gives accounting for the casings that are put in,” said Delegate Mark Zatezalo, R-Hancock, “the double casings ...

Make Ohio Shine Bright

With the summer season underway, state officials hosted an event last month to celebrate Ohio Tourism Day. Hundreds of exhibitors and attendees gathered in Columbus as a kind of pep rally to kick off the season. “The experiences you’ll have in the Heart of it All are unmatched—and so is their impact,” said Gov. Mike DeWine. “Whether you’re paddling through Hocking Hills, watching the sun dip below Lake Erie, or sitting down to a five-star dinner in Over-The-Rhine, you’re a part of something much bigger. Tourism brings serious dollars into Ohio and breathes life into our ...