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Collaboration key to plugging local workforce gap

Various public and private entities across the Mahoning Valley are collaborating to execute a state-organized initiative to fill the workforce talent gap. And it’s working. It’s working because of structure, communication, strong local leadership and funding. Many area organizations are benefiting from the investment, as are job seekers, many of whom were displaced during the pandemic. The initiative is called “Ohio To Work,” and credit for it starts at JobsOhio, the state’s private nonprofit economic development corporation. Through the collective leadership and vision of ...

Be aware of teen dating violence

When their 18-year-old daughter, Tina, was brutally murdered by an abusive ex-boyfriend in 1992, Jim and Elsa Croucher, who lived in Monroe, Ohio, picked up the pieces of their shattered lives, determined to do all they could to prevent a similar tragedy for other families. They became trailblazers. The Crouchers started by educating themselves on dating violence and the warning signs of abuse. They were alarmed to learn that one in three girls and one in 10 boys have been a victim of teen dating violence. It became their mission to empower local teens with knowledge to keep them ...

Let games begin in Pittsburgh-Cleveland

I’m sleep deprived. And while I enjoy my new job, I try not to work all nighters at it. No, I have been losing sleep over the last two weeks because I love watching the Olympics, and to do so live. The last three Olympics, two winter games and one summer, have been hosted by Northern Asian cities. While that is certainly reflective of the region’s rising prominence, it is going to be good for viewership in the U.S. when the games next go to Europe (Paris and Milan / Cortina, respectively). It’ll certainly be good for my sleep patterns. Regarding the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics ...

Mahoning auditor clarifies points on tax values, schools

The Jan. 30 article titled “Challenge to school taxing divides legislators by party” had some omissions and misleading statements. The County Auditors Association of Ohio has issued a memorandum in opposition to the recent amendments to House Bill 126. The CAAO supported an earlier version of the bill that improved transparency and fairness, but is now opposing the revised version as too restrictive. As background, some Ohio school districts have aggressively filed Board of Revision actions against residential property owners. In Mahoning County for the last BOR filing period, ...

Razing of historic church follows its role in uniting community

Recently, after a long effort to save the Old Welsh Church on Elm Street, and years after the church fell into dangerous disrepair and ceased being used for religious worship, the Diocese of Youngstown filed paperwork with the city in preparation for razing the building. Naturally, this news has evoked sadness among many, since the structure is understood to be the oldest existing church structure in Youngstown. As vicar general for the diocese and an advocate for local history, I too share that sadness. I write now for two reasons: to help the public understand why it is necessary to ...

Time to make mental health parity a priority

Mental health is health — period. When someone gets the flu, or sprains an ankle, there’s no question about whether care is needed. If that person has health insurance, they can go to their doctor, or nearest urgent care or hospital. It’s often a commonplace, run-of-the-mill experience. You go in, you pay a copayment, you see the health care professional, and you’re on your way home. Unfortunately, the experience for someone with a mental health condition or in need of treatment for substance use disorder is usually very different. Often, people feel apprehensive about ...