ORCHID: To U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Bainbridge, for acting to reverse this nation’s critical shortage of nurses. Federal health authorities project a shortage of 63,720 full-time registered nurses in the nation by 2030. New legislation sponsored by Joyce would provide federal support to improve and support essential programs that assist nursing schools in their capacity to educate students and ensure well-trained registered nurses are entering a steady workforce pipeline. Funding for this program, also sponsored by Joyce six years ago, is about to run out. Therefore, House and Senate members should not dilly dally in approving this critically needed bipartisan legislation.

ORCHID: To Trumbull County Commissioners Denny Malloy and Rick Hernandez for finally getting the ball rolling toward ensuring the county’s 911 dispatch center moves into the 21st century. They recently authorized Phillips Sekanick Architects of Warren and MCM Consulting Group Inc. of State College, Pa., to conduct structural engineering, space studies and cost analyses for a proposed renovation of a Cortland building owned by the Trumbull County Combined Health District. Repeated flooding problems and inadequate space to properly staff the facility have turned its present quarters into “a dungeon,” to borrow Malloy’s description. The new quarters solves those problems and brings many other benefits, not the least of which is rent-free space from the county’s Combined Health District. We, however, do understand Commissioner Tony Bernard’s concerns over the need for a clear financial plan for the long term. That’s why commissioners and financial leaders in county government should ensure such a detailed plan is in place sooner rather than later.

ORCHID: To the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber for taking concrete action to combat the brain drain that has plagued the Mahoning Valley for decades. The agency has launched a student engagement and workforce retention initiative to create pathways for skilled young professionals serving internships to remain in the region after graduation by immersing them in the area’s professional, social and cultural assets. As Brenda Linert, director of Community Impact for the chamber, aptly put it, “By introducing interns to the dynamic opportunities and supportive professional community here, we’re encouraging them to envision a future rooted right here in our region.”

ONION: To those dim-witted daredevil motorists who use public roads as NASCAR racetracks and thereby risk death and injuries to themselves and others. Recently, the Ohio State Highway Patrol cited two drivers for zooming 127 mph in a 65 mph zone in Butler County. Locally, since the start of 2025, about 180 drivers have been cited by the patrol in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties for exceeding posted speed limits by 30 mph or more. We have two words for those reckless drivers: Speed kills. The proof is in the numbers. Since 2020, the OSHP has recorded 1,976 deaths caused in high speed-related crashes statewide.

ORCHID: To Jackie Popovec and The Vindys, as well as acclaimed rocker Lita Ford, for lending their five-star talents to this year’s benefit concert for the Rich Center for Autism. The concert, which took place last weekend at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, was a resounding success thanks in large part to those two sensational female-led acts. As the Youngstown State University-based Rich Center this year marks its 30th anniversary, that lineup was no coincidence. It drives home the point that a group of five women who saw a need for services in the area for those affected by autism rallied together to create the much needed center. Today, thanks in large part to those women, the Rich Center’s innovative education and service programs have helped thousands from age 3 to 21 on the autism spectrum from throughout the Valley.

ORCHID: To Flor “Shorty” Navarro for making a $1 million gift to the Kilcawley: Centered on the Future Campaign at Youngstown State University in memory of his wife, Elba Lillian Navarro. In addition to their scholarship support and the Kilcawley gift, the Navarros have previously contributed toward the Nunziato Veterans Resource Center at YSU, the Navarro Commons in Meshel Hall and the newly endowed Elba Navarro Youngstown Community Music Project. “YSU is honored to have supporters like Shorty and Elba Navarro. Over the years, they have shown their love for our university by continually enriching the lives of countless students through their philanthropy,” said YSU President Bill Johnson.