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ORCHID: To Ashley Morrow of Bristolville for organizing a meeting designed to gather support for lobbying local community officials for stricter ordinances governing the care and treatment of companion animals. Morrow discussed strategies at a recent organizational meeting in Southington and plans another meeting March 28. Morrow rightly pointed to Campbell, to which we've awarded orchids for its strict and comprehensive animal welfare laws, as a model for other communities throughout the Mahoning Valley and the state. Campbell's taut regulations require that animals not be tethered inside an enclosure, that; enclosures must be cleaned regularly of feces and debris and that animals must be brought inside if the outdoor temperature is lower than 35 degrees and higher than 85 degrees. We wish Morrow success in her compassionate campaign and urge others to support her by emailing ashleyarnoldgrimm@gmail.com.
ORCHID: To Rebecca Nieminen of Kinsman, owner of Storyteller Photography, for having a whopping 32 of her photos chosen for "Ohio's 88 Counties Photography Project." The images will adorn the inpatient corridors of the massive new 24-story, 820-bed University Hospital, part of the The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Most of the photos provide picturesque and flattering images of landmarks and natural scenes in Trumbull, Mahoning, Ashtabula and Geauga counties. Not only will the displays recognize the keen eye and professional talents of Nieminen, they also will reflect well on the Mahoning Valley to patients and visitors from throughout the state and nation.
ONION: To careless drivers who fail to exercise caution and respect when traversing historic structures. Earlier this week, a pickup truck crashed into the historic 1831 Newton Falls Covered Bridge on state Route 534, causing some minor damage and forcing its closure. In recent years, the bridge has been closed far too many times in similar accidents that have caused significant damage to the nearly 200-year-old structure's trusses, not to mention much inconvenience to local motorists.Yes, we realize accidents do happen, but we must urge drivers to take extra-special care when crossing highly valued historic spans such as that in Newton Falls, the second oldest of its kind still in operation in Ohio.
ORCHID: To state Rep. David Thomas, R-Jefferson, for starting 2026 by acting just as admirably and conscientiously as he had done throughout 2025 as the leading state legislative advocate for property tax relief for all Ohioans. Thomas, who represents portions of the Mahoning Valley, this month introduced House Bill 613, which would implement much stricter and more transparent time lines to complete tax reassessments and refunds. Thomas' cumulative efforts, credited with saving Ohioans more than $3 billion in taxes over the next three years, are needed now more than ever this year to battle extremist efforts to abolish property taxes altogether in the Buckeye State.
ORCHID: To Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries for organizing a Thrift Trail that links about a dozen nonprofit community service organizations in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties that offer merchandise and services. Participating stores and consignment shops include the St. Vincent de Paul Society Mahoning District, Angels Missions in Trumbull County and The Way Station in Columbiana County. Goodwill has mapped out a guide to visit each and every participant -- with special deals or surprises for map holders. Get your map today by making a small donation at goodwillyoungstown.org/the-thrift-trail. In so doing, you will help strengthen and unite the generous and compassionate work of these vital helping agencies throughout our region.
ONION: To irresponsible cat owners in the Mahoning Valley who fail to properly care for their pets and who therefore often contribute to the problem of roaming feral felines. In Girard, many residents have complained to city officials recently about disease-plagued cats roaming the town, and city council is considering actions to combat the nuisance. Such unsocialized, free-roaming cats pose significant environmental, public health and animal welfare dangers. Therefore, cat owners must do their due diligence to keep pet cats indoors, vaccinate them and ensure they are spayed/neutered.
ORCHID: To Trumbull County Family Court Judge David Engler for implementing a promising program to help detainees at the Juvenile Justice Center with strategies to lead more productive and responsible lives. Engler has partnered with Pastor Jason David, a national touring speaker and award-winning recording artist, to introduce the MyTribe project at the center beginning next month. The faith-based program aims to provide rehabilitation, reduce recidivism and offer emotional support to youth in detention centers. We join Engler in hoping the program will be a "big success" so that other places throughout Ohio and the nation will use it and reap its rewards as well.