ORCHID: To U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Bainbridge, for standing up to the principles of American jurisprudence, specifically that of defendants presumed innocent until proven guilty, in voting against a Republican measure to censure a Democrat New Jersey congresswoman. U.S. Rep. LeMonica McIver was arrested and charged with assault and other federal charges after her involvement in an immigration protest in May. Joyce was one of only five GOP House members nationwide to put the rule of law above political gamesmanship. Should she be found guilty, Joyce rightly argues she should resign or then be removed. The vote by Joyce, who represents Trumbull County in Congress, helped ensure the misguided and premature proposal was narrowly defeated.

ONION: To the reckless and dim-witted thief or thieves who’ve been having a field day in Vienna Township recently while seriously endangering public safety in the process. Specifically, the pilferers have been stealing stop signs throughout the township, as many as five recently, according to a township trustee. Some also have even made off with the poles supporting the signs. Not only does the absence of a needed stop sign at an intersection raise the risk of injury-inducing accidents, it also puts a hit on strained township coffers in replacement costs. Township authorities are correct in vowing the harshest punishment possible to the culprits. To them, we have a one-word stern urging: STOP!

ORCHID: To the Howland Rotary Club and other donors to the Southington-based Camelot Therapeutic Riding Center that has funded creation of the center’s innovative and creative “Horse Powered Reading” program. The initiative will feature a certified teacher who will work with children who may be struggling with reading. The students as young as third graders will be able to read to a horse inside an arena and feel comfortable without concern of being judged. The national program brings many proven results for children: increased motivation, improved focus and heightened emotional well-being, all contributing to a deeper understanding and enjoyment of reading. We urge concerned parents to harness those benefits for their children by calling 330-889-0036 to schedule an appointment today.

ORCHID: To Sophia Dye, a Lordstown High School and Trumbull Career and Technical Center senior, for going above and beyond the call of duty by taking direct action to ease hunger in the community. As part of her Girl Scout Gold Award project, she established a community food pantry box on Salt Springs Road near the fire station. The pantry, which also includes personal hygiene items, was recently dedicated. We urge members of the community to support Sophia by donating any nonperishable food and/or hygiene items so that it remains fully stocked for all those in need.

ORCHID: Posthumously to Warren hometown heroes Charlie Caffie and John Novak for being honored last week by city leaders with dedication of a baseball field and walking path in their names in the newly upgraded Perkins Park. Caffie, who was known affectionately as Warren’s “Mr. Baseball,” was inducted into the Trumbull County Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. The player, coach and groundskeeper managed the Warren Gamecocks as part of his seven-decade fervent association with baseball in the city. The designation of the new walking path in Novak’s name also is a perfect fit. The compassionate World War II veteran and long-time community volunteer walked the perimeter or Perkins Park almost daily until he was 98.

ONION: To youthful motorists who take the wheel without the needed commitment to safe and responsible driving. The Ohio State Highway Patrol recently released data showing that from 2023 to 2024, drivers from 15 to 25 years old were involved in 154,363 crashes, the majority of which they were at fault. Those crashes led to 398 deaths and 41,473 injuries. To its credit, however, the highway patrol has launched a statewide youthful driving safety campaign. Its DRIVE to Live program partners with schools and community groups to help teens build safe driving habits, such as not following too closely, obeying all traffic signals and speeding. Let’s hope the campaign puts a dent in careless teen driving.

ORCHID: To The Youngstown Playhouse and the Youngstown Foundation for ensuring that the show must go on this season — even for those with an inability to pay for tickets. Thanks to a generous donation of $60,000 from the foundation, the Valley’s largest community theater can set aside thousands of tickets for low-income families and for seniors and others on fixed incomes. The program merits robust applause on two fronts. First, it ensures the Playhouse will have full audiences for the variety of its shows that actors and technicians invest so much time in. Second, it opens a whole new artistic dimension to thousands in the community who otherwise would never have that opportunity.