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Federal lawmakers need to get on board with Railway Safety Act

Editorials

“This is why people hate Washington.” Outgoing U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, had good reason to speak his mind this week when lawmakers dropped the ball on the Railway Safety Act. Inspired by the Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine on Feb. 3, 2023, the act would have enhanced existing rail safety regulations and added mandates such as reducing train lengths, shortening the distance between hotbox detectors on freight lines, notifying local officials in advance of trains carrying hazardous cargo and a minimum two-person crew on every locomotive. But, as staff writer ...

Lawmakers looking to expand AG’s authority

Editorials

Ohio’s Supreme Court has already ruled the state attorney general cannot reject potential statewide ballot initiatives based solely on their titles. State lawmakers, many of whom are thinking no further ahead than state Attorney General Dave Yost, didn’t like the ruling and are putting together a measure that would expand the state attorney general’s authority to reject citizen ballot initiatives based on their title. According to a report by the Dayton Daily News, the proposal to make the state AG even more powerful was slipped in as an amendment to an otherwise unrelated bill ...

Samaritan is another way of saying angel

Editorials

Our area is truly blessed with so many kind-hearted souls. Examples abound from bell ringers to those holding fund raisers of all kinds. Generosity and caring — especially toward children — is a trademark of the good folks of our communities. Selflessness is a characteristic. ‘Tis is truly the season of giving. We recently were on site for the annual Gingerbread Day in Salem. Over 600 children were treated to making gingerbread houses, meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus, interactive activities, eating goodies and taking home a number of items including mittens and stocking caps. All ...

Embracing the spirit of Hospice volunteering within Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties

Local Columns

The holiday season is a time for reflection, gratitude, and generosity. As the lights twinkle and carols fill the air, we are reminded of the importance of human connection and the joy that comes from giving to others. In this season of giving, there’s no better way to embody the true spirit of Christmas than by becoming a hospice volunteer. And as the New Year approaches, volunteering in hospice care can be a meaningful resolution—one that transforms not only the lives of others but also your own. Spreading Holiday Comfort and Joy For many hospice patients, the holidays can be a ...

US Reps. Rulli, Joyce roll in campaign dough

Local Columns

It was a foregone conclusion that Dave Joyce and Michael Rulli, the two Republican congressmen who represent the Mahoning Valley, were going to win reelection. The only questions were: By what margin and how much money would they raise? The quick answer to both is: a lot. Joyce, R-Bainbridge, will start serving his seventh two-year term representing the 14th Congressional District next month. The district, which includes all of Trumbull County, had a 9.7% Republican advantage based on statewide partisan voting results during the previous decade. That number will definitely increase ...

Editorials

Technology can be a wonderful thing. It also can be horrifying, particularly when the law does not keep up with innovations. Ohio lawmakers seem to be working to address one of those shortfalls, as the state House of Representatives just passed state Senate Bill 100, which makes it a crime to put or install a tracking device on someone else’s property without their consent. Seems like common sense, doesn’t it? But until the measure is signed in to law, use of, for example, an Apple AirTag to aid in stalking a victim is not in and of itself a crime. According to a report by the Ohio ...