Breaking News

Guest columnists

Vouchers empower families, don’t harm schools

For more than two decades, private-school vouchers have unlocked educational opportunities for thousands of Ohio students. In just the past year, more than 70,000 pupils —most of them low-income, minority or students with disabilities — used a state-funded voucher to attend private schools. In Youngstown, more than 1,700 pupils — about a fifth of the city’s students — did so. Unfortunately, some critics want to rip these opportunities away from Ohio students and their families. A recent op-ed in this newspaper written by a local superintendent, A.J. Calderone, boasts that ...

Wildlife management big part of being responsible

The topic of wildlife management is one that often evokes strong emotions but plays an essential part in conserving our natural ecosystems for future generations. White-tailed deer populations, in particular, have risen exponentially over the last 50 years. Statewide populations peaked in the early 2000s at 750,000 – a stark contrast to 17,000 deer statewide in 1970. Currently, Ohio’s deer population hovers around 680,000 and is controlled through regulated harvest set by the Ohio Division of Wildlife. The rebound of White-tailed deer in the state is truly a conservation success ...

Questions exist on plan to cull the park’s deer

We represent the concerns of the people of the Mahoning Valley that appreciate the unique treasures we have in our community, Mill Creek MetroParks. The park brings peace and tranquility to many who visit for their own pleasure. This includes hikers who enjoy the natural surroundings, the sounds of flowing water, birds, majestic trees and animals that bring the park to life — especially the deer. Runners are free spirits who want natural trails beneath their feet. We cannot forget the walkers, the bikers, the golfers and those who drive through the park just to be surrounded by the ...

Remembering civil rights activist during Women’s History month

As Women’s History Month celebrations continue, this column will focus on Dr. Dorothy Height, whom former President Barack Obama called the “godmother” of the civil rights movement. My generation probably remembers Height best for strategically reaching out and encouraging us to commit to social activist work as we were coming of age during the 1990s. By this time, Height was in her 80s, but she still tirelessly worked to help those struggling to find better job opportunities in Washington, D.C.’s urban areas while advocating for more support to assist young people battling the ...

Schools, taxpayers lose with HB1

There are many bills being debated in Columbus that will present a variety of financial challenges to public schools and local governments. Whether it be not updating to current financial data the components of the Fair School Funding Plan, to increasing by some estimates over $1 billion in costs to taxpayers to fund non-public schools, there is a great deal at stake for schools and communities. One proposed bill that would have a negative impact on both schools and taxpayers throughout Ohio is House Bill 1. House Bill 1, or HB1, of course, sounds good since it is being portrayed as a ...

Twin towns of tragedy in neighboring states

East Palestine, Ohio, and Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Fire and flood. Tragic twins? Acts of God? Acts of man? Time divides these destructive events by 134 years, but the human and environmental pain that these two events evoke catapults them toward each other like electrons in a collider. “Why?” becomes a demanding master that must be served. Who is responsible? “Success has many fathers and failure is an orphan.” Before both events occurred, there were forces at work in Johnstown and in East Palestine that precipitated the tragedies. In a metaverse-like time warp the ...