• Rory Ryan 18 February 2010

    County not happy with $13,828 bill

    Highland County’s unemployment rate has been at or near the top in the entire state for months. Home foreclosures are increasing. County and city offices have struggled to balance their respective budgets. Food lines have been prevalent, almost reaching Great Depression levels. Yet on one invoice for one month, one county office is charged almost $14,000 of taxpayer money (at a rate of $1,604.40 for one full non-color page) for the publishing of legal advertising for, of all things, a listing of citizens who have not or cannot pay their respective property taxes. Absolutely amazing. How do they look the taxpayer in the eye?
  • Rory Ryan 12 February 2010
    A few words of thanks are in order
    Most of us who find ourselves busy enough trying to stay one step in front of the Repo Man (or, in my case this week, a few feet ahead of the Snow Plow Man) often forget a few of life’s simple courtesies.
  • Rory Ryan 5 February 2010
    We hope we're worth 83 cents a month
    In true “Jeopardy!” fashion, we’ll begin with the answer in the form of a question: “What is now?” (When is now?!)
  • Rory Ryan 29 January 2010
    Bright idea was doggone funny
    Conventional wisdom suggests that owning one’s own newspaper might be best left to the professionals. After all, as Baltimore’s second-most famous journalist, H.L. Mencken, said “A newspaper is a device for making the ignorant more ignorant and the
    crazy crazier.” Then again, no one’s ever accused me of being conventional – or wise.
  • Rory Ryan 22 January 2010
    Working where everyone cares
    Until this past Sunday night, I’d never heard of actor Michael C. Hall. That’s not altogether surprising. There were lots of people on the Golden Globe awards television show I’ve never heard of.
  • Rory Ryan 15 January 2010
    Unsound judgment on inspection fees
    Believe it or not, I like judges. Really. Granted, I’ve made more than my share of lawyer jokes over the years. But I cannot think of a judge I haven’t liked – including the one who once (and only once!) locked me out of a public courtroom more than a decade ago.
  • Rory Ryan 8 January 2010
    Don't eat the dog, heat the planet
    “The debate is over,” Little Al Gore told us a few years ago. Global warming is here. Never mind that Al Junior and his moneychangers refused to debate the matter and never mind that this little old third rock from the sun is actually cooling. Minor details.
  • Rory Ryan 5 January 2010
    Rory is not happy about the present climatic conditions in southern Ohio
    We tried to talk him out of this column, but we were too cold to argue with him
  • Rory Ryan 31 December 2009
    Typing 2010 isn't going to be easy
    In putting together the pages of the first 2010 edition of Highland County’s only locally owned and locally operated newspaper, one thing occurred to me right from the get-go: It is far easier for a one-digit typist to type 2009 than it is for him to type 2010.
  • Rory Ryan 24 December 2009
    Media reports often miss the obvious
    Before 2009 slips away, it seems only appropriate to offer a few thoughts on some end-of-year media reporting.
  • Rory Ryan 18 December 2009
    Sharing a few Christmas memories
    “What are some of your favorite Christmas memories?” was the seasonal
    question at a recent gathering. It was a good question, too. Very timely, in fact. (And, please, feel free to share your own Christmas memories, as contributing writer Jim Moore has, by joining the online discussion.)
  • Rory Ryan 10 December 2009
    Bill has potential to save tax dollars
    Many power brokers in the newspaper industry are keeping an eye on Ohio House Bill 345. This recently introduced legislation by five Ohio Democrats is worth consideration. In fact, even though it is a somewhat watered-down version of an earlier proposal, it is something Ohio lawmakers ought to pass and Gov. Ted Strickland ought to sign into law.
  • Rory Ryan 4 December 2009
    Parades a small part of Americana
    The youngster sitting with his mother at the northwest corner of the uptown Hillsboro intersection Saturday afternoon was probably no more than 2 years old. He was there for the holiday parade. But he was fading as fast as the late November sunset. When a nice gentleman, perhaps a grandfather or other relative, returned with a blanket and placed it around the young boy at around 3:55 p.m., it was as good as over.
  • Rory Ryan 27 November 2009
    Post 9/11: Putting America on trial
    How soon we forget.
        Americans seem to enjoy, again and again, proving George Santayana’s maxim that “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
  • Rory Ryan 20 November 2009
    New coach has great perspective
    New McClain Tigers coach Brent Eaton can’t be all bad. I can’t profess to know the Coach Who Follows The Legend, but I will say this: I already like the guy. You know why? Because anyone who has the theme song of “The Dukes of Hazzard” on his ring tone can’t be all bad.
  • Rory Ryan 13 November 2009
    County says farewell to 'Roz'
    First off, this week, let’s all give a heartfelt congratulations to Rosalind Newman. Mrs. Newman retires this week after 30 years of public service to Highland County.
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