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ORCHID: To Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins and Christopher Becker and Mike Burnett on his staff for their ongoing work to reestablish meaty habitual criminal statutes with tougher penalties in Ohio law. In recent years, such taut and escalating prison sentences and fines for repeat felony theft, burglary and drug offenders have been watered down or rescinded in efforts to reduce prison crowding. But as veteran Prosecutor Watkins effectively argues, "Confronting repeat offenders with decisive consequences is essential to protect the financial well-being of our neighbors and preserve the vitality of our communities."
ONION: To Vanessa Clark, former employee of the Trumbull County auto title division of the clerk of courts office, for besmirching public trust in that government office. She was sentenced to jail last week for swindling about $1,900 in cash from the office and then tampering with records to hide the theft, according to prosecutors. After completing her 180-day jail sentence, she must serve three years of probation, pay $8,000 in fines and $1,906 in restitution. Those punishments are relatively tame, considering she could have faced a maximum of 16 1/2 years in a state prison.
ORCHID: To Warren native Matt Rutherford for his seafaring prowess that has landed him in the Guinness Book of World Records. He's duly noted as the first person in history to solo circumnavigate North and South America on a 309-day voyage in 2011 and 2012. Today he's out to top that by attempting to become the first sailor ever to circle completely around the Arctic Ocean on a nonstop solo journey. Rutherford's accomplishments become even more notable when realizing he overcame a troubled childhood in Warren as a son of parents caught up in a cult that led him to stray from the straight and narrow. Today, he's clearly rehabilitated and facing the daunting challenges of a new and adventurous path on the cold, icy, rough seas with a positive attitude. We wish him nothing but success in achieving his impressive goal.
ORCHID: To the Kinsman Fire Department for reaching the impressive and momentous milestone of 100 years of service to that community. Over those 10 decades, the all-volunteer staff of 15 firefighters has acquired a well deserved reputation for professional, timely and skilled life- and property-saving service to Kinsman and neighboring communities such as Gustavus. Like most volunteer departments around the country, however, the KFD is sometimes short-handed due to an increasing inability to attract young people to its ranks. We urge young men and women in that community interested in front-line public service to consider offering their service. Meanwhile, we urge all community residents to a special open house at the department Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. to celebrate the centennial and learn about the department's storied history
ORCHID: To the Ohio Arts Council for awarding a plethora of arts organizations in the Mahoning Valley approximately $400,000 in state grants to enhance their operations. Among the largest recipients is the acclaimed Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, which received a grant of $104,000. Such state support provides financial stability, supports public education programs, increases local community access to cultural activities and contributes to economic growth and vitality.
ONION: To U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, for using vile and vulgar language toward Dr. Anthony Fauci at a recent congressional hearing. In a July 29 Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing focusing on the COVID-19 pandemic, Moreno confronted Fauci with profane hostility. He shouted out, "Who the f-- do you think you were for doing that?" and called his pandemic legacy a "total disgrace," While Moreno indeed is entitled to his negative opinion of Fauci's leadership during the health pandemic, he degrades himself and his position by stooping to gutter-level language and a bullying demeanor.
ORCHID: To Warren-based Cockeye Creamery's Cockeye Cares Pint Program for sweetening the pots of Mahoning Valley nonprofits. The program involves the business collaborating with a chosen charity, and some proceeds from sales of pints of a custom flavor each quarter are donated to that group. Gateways to Better Living recently received a donation of $1,084 from sales of the exclusive Banana Cream Pie ice cream flavor during the second quarter of 2026. Gateways provides support and services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Trumbull and Mahoning counties. Other Cockeye Cares recipients have included Trumbull Mobile Meals and the Warren Family Mission. As a fringe benefit, the program provides ice cream lovers a great selfless reason to indulge in the cool sweet treat.
ORCHID: To Cari Delgado, director of the Trumbull County Veterans Service Commission, for earning the "Something Good Initiative" award from the county Planning Commission for her dedicated advocacy, strong leadership and devoted service to throngs of local veterans. The veteran of the Navy and the Navy Reserves first joined the local commission in 2007. Ever since then, she's been a veritable Energizer Bunny in serving the wide scope of needs to her fellow veterans. She has assisted thousands in obtaining earned benefits, healthcare, housing assistance and support services such as addressing homelessness and post traumatic stress disorder. She also spearheaded creation of the permanent display at the group's office in Warren honoring military heroes and organized events for America250 to recognize veterans' sacrifices and contributions. She clearly has earned a respectful communitywide salute.