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ORCHID: To teachers in the Boardman Education Association for taking one for the team last week by approving a three-year contract with the large suburban school district that contains zero base-pay raises for them. Their unconventional and selfless action will benefit their team -- namely the administration of the school system and its taxpayers -- during these tough inflationary times. At a time when the National Education Association reports average teacher salaries are rising 3.5% this year, the nearly 300 BEA members' personal sacrifice not only will help avoid deficit spending but also will boost trust, good will and respect in the teaching staff from residents.
ONION: To the Youngstown Police Department for its role in delaying delivery of evidence to the Mahoning County Prosecutor's Office for review and disbursal to defense attorneys in criminal cases. In so doing, it slows or derails the wheels of justice. Just last week, Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Judge Maureen Sweeney dismissed a felonious assault charge against a Youngstown man from a 2025 South Side shooting after a defense attorney called for a severe sanction to protest late delivery of evidence. Mahoning Prosecutor Lynn Maro has been equally frustrated with the YPD's slowness in releasing evidence such as photos and crime lab reports. Maro said the prosecutor's office will continue to work with police to impress upon them the need to disclose all evidence in a timely manner. We hope this most severe sanction will end this recent series of embarrassing stains on the county's criminal justice system.
ONION: To young people who are getting their kicks by living dangerously by participating in the so-called "Orbeez Challenge." The challenge is a viral social media trend -- popular on TikTok and other platforms -- in which participants load toy guns, gel blasters, or airsoft rifles with Orbeez (water-filled gel beads) and shoot them at people, often strangers and innocent bystanders. The trend is clearly not harmless. Orbeez pellets can cause bruising, cuts, nosebleeds, or even more serious injuries if they hit sensitive areas. Five young people recently were arrested in Youngstown for shooting gel gun pellets at parishioners leaving a South Side church service. Though it's not certain, the perpetrators were taking part in the challenge, the injuries their alleged mean-spirited actions caused should ensure maximum penalties head their way -- and the way of anyone using such toy guns maliciously.
ORCHID: To the Ohio Arts Council for awarding a plethora of arts organizations in the Mahoning Valley approximately $400,000 in state grants to enhance their operations. Among the largest recipients is the acclaimed Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, which received a grant of $104,000. Such state support provides financial stability, supports public education programs, increases local community access to cultural activities and contributes to economic growth and vitality.
ONION: To dog owners in the Mahoning Valley who fail to prevent their pets from biting mail carriers, delivery personnel and others with legitimate rights on their property. The U.S. Postal Service reported last week that a mail carrier on a route in Boardman suffered a severe bite to his leg that was bleeding profusely and required hospitalization. Though the dog was tied to a chain, that was not enough to prevent harm to the hapless public servant. We hope that unfortunate attack will motivate others to ensure their dogs are kept totally out of harm's way -- even when tethered.
ORCHID: To the Canfield-based Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio for hosting a flea market last week for teachers throughout the region to take advantage of low-priced classroom set-up supplies. The second annual event gave teachers and retired teachers an easy outlet to sell excess or unneeded materials and supplies at bargain-basement prices. Considering it's estimated that many teachers spend upward of $1,000 from their own pockets to properly set up their classrooms each fall, it's not surprising that the market attracted scores of dedicated but budget-minded educators. Other ESCs in the state would do well to follow the Eastern Ohio center's lead.
ONION: To U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, for using vile and vulgar language toward Dr. Anthony Fauci at a recent congressional hearing. In a July 29 Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic, Moreno confronted Fauci with profane hostility. He shouted out, "Who the f-- do you think you were for doing that?" and called his pandemic legacy a "total disgrace," While Moreno indeed is entitled to his negative opinion of Fauci's leadership during the health pandemic, he degrades himself and his position by stooping to gutter-level language and a bullying demeanor.
ORCHID: To Cari Delgado, director of the Trumbull County Veterans Service Commission, for earning the "Something Good Initiative" award from the county Planning Commission for her dedicated advocacy, strong leadership and devoted service to throngs of local veterans. The veteran of the Navy and the Navy Reserves first joined the local commission in 2007. Ever since then, she's been a veritable Energizer Bunny in serving the wide scope of needs to her fellow veterans. She has assisted thousands in obtaining earned benefits, healthcare, housing assistance and support services such as addressing homelessness and post traumatic stress disorder. She also spearheaded creation of the permanent display at the group's office in Warren honoring military heroes and organized events for America250 to recognize veterans' sacrifices and contributions. She clearly has earned a respectful communitywide salute.