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Brenda J. Linert

Locals recall lessons from John Lewis

The congressional website hosted by recently departed humanitarian and civil rights icon U.S. Rep. John Lewis remains active. Near the top of the site is a press release dated July 17, the same day he died, in which the Democratic congressman from Georgia explains a letter that he and fellow Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-California, and other bipartisan members sent to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos supporting two Center for Civic Education grant applications seeking funds “to expand the Center’s work to provide school teachers with professional development in the fields of elementary, ...

Let the kids play in sporting events this fall

My youngest son has been training since January for his senior cross country season that should be starting in coming weeks. Thanks to COVID-19, he already sacrificed his junior baseball season, even missing out on the high school team’s planned spring break trip to Myrtle Beach for a tournament in April. Who could have ever expected this past spring season to be a total wash? It’s been challenging as a parent, as a sports fan and as a journalist at a local newspaper that heavily covers high school sports. Here in this newsroom, we are moving ahead with our plans to cover ...

Fans won’t go easily with name change

The loyalty of Cleveland Indians fans soon could be tested again, this time as they face the possibility of not only the removal of their beloved Chief Wahoo mascot, but also now the team nickname. Via social media, the team on July 3 announced it was considering changing the 105-year-old Indians name. The Indians organization says it is considering the move in an effort to keep with the team’s commitment to have “a positive impact on our community” and its responsibility “to advance social justice and equality.” If that sounds familiar, it’s because it was the same ...

Brave local actors share stories of abuse

Several women recently came forward to relay testimonials about sexual harassment and assault in local community theater. They shared these stories bravely, without hiding behind anonymity, demonstrating great courage and strength. Certainly, they had to know going into this that there was a real possibility that, in cases like these, victims often become targets of doubt and harassment. Frankly, it’s easy to point fingers at accusers, especially when they come forward so many years after alleged sex abuse crimes occurred. Our reporter Andy Gray first broke the story detailing ...

Mug shots are vital parts of news stories

The San Francisco Police Department announced last week it will stop releasing mug shots of people arrested unless those people pose a threat to the public. The decision comes in an effort to stop perpetuating racial stereotypes, police Chief Bill Scott announced. He said the department no longer will release booking photos of suspects to the media or allow officers to post them online. Booking photos, of course, are taken when someone is arrested. They often are made public whether or not the person is prosecuted for the alleged crime, which some argue can undermine the presumption ...

‘Valley Grows’ comes to Tribune Chronicle

“It’s a murder hornet,” the headline in Monday’s Tribune Chronicle warned. Sure, that might sound frightening, but “only if you’re a bee,” it continued. The story detailed the recent arrival of native Asian “murder hornets” to America’s northern pacific coast and what it could mean to already struggling colonies of honeybees, if and when the giant hornets make their way to Ohio. It was written by David Sprague, a Master Gardener volunteer with a local Ohio State University Extension office. The story headed a page and a half of other interesting stories about ...