What ought to be of real concern for Republican lawmakers – at least those who claim to be among the party of fiscal responsibility – are the significant tax increases in Gov. Kasich’s $64 billion budget – a budget that increases spending by 23 percent over former Gov. Ted Strickland's $52 billion budget just five years ago.

John Belushi warned us. This just in: Swarms of locusts are devouring crops across Egypt. The timing doesn't help, either. Sure glad I gave up cicadas for Lent.

This past weekend, I received a wonderful note and a stained-glass vase from Abby Robinson. While I rarely accept gifts of any kind, I am making an exception this time. And since I am no longer a member of the Southern State Community College Board of Trustees, I will not have to reference it on my 2012 financial disclosure statement to the Ohio Ethics Commission. How about that!

In terms of overall qualifications – from editorial decision-making, to advertising and marketing, to pre-press and composition, to the finished press run, to circulation and distribution, Clarence Graham of Wilmington was among the best of the best. Those who worked with Clarence were all the better for that experience.

'Kasich has joined the dishonor roll of Republican leaders backing an expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. The governor has allowed himself to be bought off by the false promise of free money from the federal government.'

We remain Highland County's only locally owned and operated newspaper, and we think that really ought to mean something. When local readers and advertisers see a datelined financial story from New York that says some financial restructuring investment banking group announced the placement of $62.5 million in senior credit facilities following the formation of blah, blah, and blah…it's not this newspaper. Never will be. And don't worry. We're still your only locally owned newspaper. You want to speak with the owner, just give me a call. A local call.

From all early indicators, Congressman Wenstrup is the real deal. He's yet to learn the fake sincerity and convenient political-speak of his Republican predecessor in the Second District. Maybe the Highland County GOP can also extend an invitation to Dr. Carson one of these days. In fact, he'd be a great speaker for any public policy event – regardless of political affiliations.

From all early indicators, Congressman Wenstrup is the real deal. He's yet to learn the fake sincerity and convenient political-speak of his Republican predecessor in the Second District. Maybe the Highland County GOP can also extend an invitation to Dr. Carson one of these days. In fact, he'd be a great speaker for any public policy event – regardless of political affiliations.

Prior to settling in to watch Super Bowl 47, your only locally owned and operated, independent newspaper of record has a few housekeeping matters to address. Let's get right to it, as kickoff is only a few moments away. To begin with, there was a bit of misinformation shared at the Jan. 23 meeting of the Highland County Board of Commissioners.

Every now and then, you just have to follow the lead of one Ferris Bueller, who took an infamous day off from school some 27 years ago. Matthew Broderick said it well in his title character from the 1986 film: “Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Ferris went to a baseball game on his "day off."

There's an old axiom that suggests "Nothing is against the law until someone … er (complains)." There's also an old newsroom standard that goes like this: "People will tell you they want the truth, until the truth lands at their doorstep."

Highland County hunters and anglers are very fortunate to have a local store like Town and Country. For many years, if they needed something, that was the place to find it.

My heart says big brother John Harbaugh wins the Super Bowl. My head says younger brother Jim wins. We'll see. Either way, I am happy for Father Jack Harbaugh.

Gene Patterson and Ralph McGill can have a drink now and maybe exchange edits on a much more spiritual text. (Jeremiah's earlier works might be under a bit more editorial scrutiny now!) One thing's certain: The South and the nation were better places because of their humanity toward their fellow man as exemplified by Gene Patterson and Ralph McGill. Newspapers were better, too. A lot better.