In spite of the unfortunate ending to this column, my thoughts and appreciation go to young Kayde, our neighbors who stopped by to help, and the deputy from the Adams County Sheriff's Office. You all should be commended for trying. I thank you.

March 4, 2026 is a day that will live in infamy. And already bad things are happening. Legendary football coach Lou Holtz died today around the time my wife bought a cheap Tracfone for me. Don't ask me for the number. I do not know it, nor do I want to.

As a dear and departed legal friend and adviser liked to ask me about such arrangements: Does it pass the smell test? It does not. Local taxpayers with good memories may recall similar arrangements with public officials and public contracts. We already plowed that ground, so I won't go over it again.

While a majority of Americans – including Democrats, Republicans and Independents – support a photo ID as proof of citizenship, the House Democrats overwhelmingly rejected the idea. Why? It's either because of their severe anti-Trump affliction or they realize an awful lot of noncitizens are likely to vote for the party that promises open borders and more freebies for illegals. (Probably both.)

Some days in this business do two things, both of which are personal: Urinate me off and waste my time. This is one such day. This is simply beyond the pale for anyone, much less a U.S. president.

Former Democrat President Barack Hussein Obama was often called the "Deporter-in-Chief," as the Obama administration removed more than 3 million illegal aliens over eight years, the highest number in U.S. history. I cannot recall much of anything even discussed about Obama's millions and millions of deportations of illegal aliens. No protests. No riots against law enforcement.

The crux of matter remains: How to ensure adequate funding for local schools, fire, police, EMS, libraries and developmental disabilities, should Ohio’s property taxes be abolished.

Unlike a sizable number of his congressional colleagues, Sen. John Kennedy does, indeed, possess the common horse sense that God gave a goose. (OK, sorry for the poor mixed metaphor.)

For the record, I have been in printing and publishing for 46 consecutive years; and in each and every one of those years, at least someone has said to me, "Print is dead." Somehow, I've made it for almost five decades. But today, in 2026, I almost – almost – believe print really is dead. OK. Close the casket, already. Let's make it a happy wake. Otherwise, prove me wrong.

One of the telltale signs of a bad meeting is food. If you walk into a conference room and there are donuts or bagels, coffee, juices and soft drinks, you're in for a long meeting. It's even worse when the dimwit who demanded the meeting orders sandwiches around noon. You can kiss productivity goodbye for that entire day.

Today, I ordered – online – a copy of Terence Moore's new book, "My Big Red Machine: The Tales, Drama, And Revelations Of A Fan Turned Journalist Covering Baseball's Greatest Team." Ostensibly, this was – and still is – to be a Christmas present for my 89-year-old father-in-law, Jim Graham. Of course, it is also my plan to quickly read Mr. Moore's book before it is gift-wrapped.

No doubt, I have written this before. I'm sure I've told it before. But around 20 years ago, I started calling Bill Fawley "the fourth commissioner," because so many newly elected commissioners were constantly seeking his advice on certain issues or policies. Needless to say, the "fourth commissioner" – and his institutional knowledge – will be missed by all.

We owe our most sincere thanks to you – everyone who reads and supports our newspaper and our website. Without our readers and advertisers, we could not possibly provide this essential community service. 

Southern Ohio Professor (and retired police chief and criminal investigator) Scott Reinbolt, J.D., was kind enough to share a copy of his 2025 book, "Adrift: A Citizen's Guide to American Policing," this past weekend. At 150 or so pages, it's a relatively quick read, and I enjoyed it. 

I have the feeling that younger generations (damn; I hate writing that, it makes me feel old) prefer social media posts to fair and accurate news reporting. Everyone on social media can present his or hers or "its, they's, them's" (in 2025 moronic parlance) expert reporting via cell phone video, regardless of the facts.