Breaking News

Letters to the Editor

Rethink behavioral health: the advantage of community

DEAR EDITOR: Mental health services empower wellness, inspire hope and support compassionate care that meets patients where they are. Historic barriers like stigma, fear of judgment and limited access once kept people from seeking mental and behavioral health treatment. Today, that reality is shifting. Increased awareness, education and advocacy have sparked cultural change, encouraging more individuals to prioritize mental well-being. In fact, nearly a quarter (23.9%) of U.S. adults received mental health treatment in 2023, and young adults have led the way, with treatment rates ...

Ohio needs much stronger animal welfare initiative

DEAR EDITOR: I am writing to share with you an initiative I am working on to promote animal welfare in Ohio. I am currently developing a comprehensive bill that aims to ensure the humane care and safety of animals, particularly dogs, in various environments and weather conditions. The bill outlines guidelines for animal owners, caregivers and animal welfare organizations to provide adequate shelter, nutrition, and care for animals. It also includes provisions for reporting concerns and neglect, as well as penalties for noncompliance. As someone who is passionate about animal ...

Mike Watson brought joy to Valley children

DEAR EDITOR: For over 40 years there was a very selfless, kind and very merry Santa, who has left us with heavy hearts. We lost Mike Watson, who has been Santa Claus in our Valley every Christmas season, listening to over 2,000 children’s requests for Santa’s presents every year. Naturally, 100,000 children over the years were delighted to hear the ”Ho-Ho-Ho” of a Santa gone way too early — who made children’s hearts light up and whose presence felt so special as he shared their secret requests. A gentle man who has heard the requests of kids — who would hear a ...

Many priests are becoming overwhelmed, overworked

DEAR EDITOR: Recently the pastor of our Roman Catholic parish in Boardman, St. Catherine of Siena, resigned. The word was that the parish responsibilities overwhelmed him. It is easy to understand how that might be. It wasn’t long ago that three priests were assigned to handle the parish duties for St. Charles as well as the neighboring parish St. Luke, which was also his assignment. I don’t think his case is an exception. I believe many priests today who are well-meaning and dedicated are faced with much stress, the feeling of being overwhelmed and burned out by the ...

Mill Creek Park is in need of new management

DEAR EDITOR: We read that numerous roads and trails in Mill Creek Park are to be closed for years, (yes, years!) in an extensive program aimed at stopping the alleged pollution of the creek and its three lakes. As a frequent park walker, I am not aware of a situation that would mandate a program of this massive scope. Mill Creek already carries the effluent from the Boardman Sewage Treatment Plant as well as the far from pristine discharges of streams flowing into it from the east, west and south. And it flows into a river of questionable quality. This would seem to be a huge ...

Sound off!

I have two questions for State Rep. Dave Thomas. Republicans have had majority control in Columbus, Ohio, for 48 of the last 50 years, and super-majority control during the recent massive property tax increase. 1) Why are you and your party only now trying to solve a problem that has been yours for 48 years? And 2) Will your property-tax-bill approach reduce (police, fire, EMS) union memberships? Thus, reducing further the number of middle-class citizens in our state. — Cortland It is clear who is a hero and who is not. Sen. Mark Kelly earned dozens of combat service medals ...