Columns/Editorials

Living at local camp shaped my life The place you grew up goes a long way toward defining you, for better or worse. Over the past few months, I’ve come to realize this myself. From the age of six unti...

On Aug. 1 we ran a story detailing the failing math and English grades at Marysville High School. We don’t think you need to do a study to figure out why the test scores are low. Just ask the students...

Next week is All Ohio Balloon Fest week in Marysville and Union County. For the 43rd straight year, hot-air balloons will ascend and glow (weather permitting) and music will fill the air at the Union ...

Seeing the worst of humanity in the happiest place on earth I went on vacation recently to the happiest, humidest, place on earth and came away a little concerned for humanity. Seven days in Orlando g...

Did he or didn’t he know? Athletics at The Ohio State University have taken a big hit this summer. It began with the allegations of sexual misconduct against a former sports doctor, who reportedly too...

Should art be excused from consequences? Our culture is good at gathering the energy to act on moral panic, but I think that energy is misdirected. Recently, a video by Dan Harmon, creator of the show...

The idea for a Reader Advisory Board came to us three years ago - to put together a group of people from the community to meet once a month, discuss ideas and concerns about the Journal-Tribune, or ju...

Freaky Friday Friday was a difficult day. I was on my way to work and I got a call from Cheryl Welty. Those of you who know Cheryl know that that she listens to the scanner the way a critic listens to...

Experience fosters my appreciation If there’s a type of music you don’t really like, try seeing someone who performs that music live. A few days ago, I went to a concert in Cincinnati. The headliner w...

For the past couple of weeks, U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, whose congressional district includes Union County, has been bombarded with claims that he ignored reports of sexual abuse by a team physician durin...

A father’s gift Sometimes when you hear an uplifting story you need to get out of the way and just let it tell itself. That’s not easy for a journalist to admit. I came across this story a while ago a...

You have to wonder why anyone in their right mind would want to run for office in Washington DC, whether it be for Congress or the White House. First, you have to go through the scrutiny and approval ...

A dad’s view of vacation I recently returned from family vacation. My wife, our three sons and I went to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. Since our return, nearly everyone has asked how it was. M...

Dr. Charles Krauthammer, noted author, newspaper columnist, physician and conservative voice died late last week at the age of 68 after a brief battle with cancer. He cast a giant shadow over the nati...

How to build a city There’s an old computer game called Sim City where, as the name suggests, you build a simulated city. You can put whatever type of zoning you want anywhere you want, you can plop a...

This coming Thursday, June 14, is Flag Day. It has been celebrated on the same date for more than 100 years. On May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson by presidential proclamation designated June 14 o...

The definition of valedictorian: the student having the highest rank in a graduating class who delivers the valedictory address at commencement exercises. The definition of salutatorian: an academic t...

The danger of assumptions If you’re reading this, you probably know at least two, or maybe more mistakes, I’ve made since I’ve been employed with the Marysville Journal-Tribune. About a week ago, I mi...

Our congratulations to Fairbanks High School for being ranked high in the list of best high schools in Ohio and in America. This is the seventh year in a row that Fairbanks has been in the top tier of...

The above screenshot is a still from the arrest video discussed in this column. The full video can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC6AhWzaFOY –––– Video offers a view of the criminal m...

Sunday is Mother’s Day, the holiday designated to honor all those women who are called mother, whether because of giving birth, by adoption or by some other means. Celebration of the holiday is rather...

Owning a “nothing animal” Generally, getting a dog is a cause for celebration. They’re man’s best friend, with you to the end and all that jazz. My dog, Gracie the Shih Tzu, is not one of those friend...

The kid next door One of my best friends while I was growing up in Marysville was a kid named Fi McAllister. His real name was Richard, but everyone called him Fi. The “i” in Fi was a long i (pronounc...

Dear editor, I am asking the citizens of Union County and the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center school district to please support Ohio Hi-Point’s upcoming permanent improvement levy. Support of Ohio Hi-Poin...

Ohio Senate Bill 13 is a curious case of proposed legislations that seems like it shouldn’t need to exist. Introduced by state senator Charleta Tavares, a Democrat from Columbus, the bill seeks to pro...

The value of a local newspaper can mean many things to local residents. Some see our role as the watch dog of the local tax dollars. Others liken us to being a nosy neighbor, but most don’t think of u...

I’m not sure why it is, but when we are young, time seems to pass at a snail’s pace. Then the older we get, the faster it passes. I think the longest year of my life was when I was 15 years old. You s...

Spring has sprung with longer days and flowers in bloom, as well as the fast approaching end of the school year. It’s time to start talking about making smart decisions when planning and hosting prom ...

Next week, the Marysville School Board will reportedly vote on a very crucial issue - whether or not to put a permanent levy on the November ballot. The first time this levy was introduced was 1989. L...

I am one of the many people working behind the scenes to deliver you the a small portion of the news on Facebook. I am engaged in helping build up our social media identity, something the paper hasn’t...