Everyone deserves to be free, but over 40 million people are trapped in slavery today. On Thursday, June 25, the U.S. State Department released the 2020 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report. The TIP Report ranks 187 countries, including the U.S., on their efforts to combat human trafficking —…

I see by an article in your paper of June 24 that the easily misguided are at it again. By petition it is proposed that the Edgewood Warriors are no longer politically correct. I believe they were known as the Bulldogs when I was in school at the harbor. I quote from the article.

Although the “Emancipation Proclamation” signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 put an end to slavery in the United States, it  has continued for years. 

It is time for people of faith to retrieve the Bible from the clutches of religious fundamentalists who are caught up in the idolatry of bibliolatry. Bibliolatry is an excessive adherence to literal interpretations of the Bible. The Bible is filled with moral teachings culminating in a visio…

Many in America have lost their way with the medical, financial, social and misguided priorities driving them to the brink of madness. Most do not take time to reflect on the Christian heritage which made our nation the greatest in the world.

Well society is insisting upon erasing our History, tear down statues, remove past President’s names; the end goal of course is to eliminate our form of Government. Do away with the amendments and bill of rights, also elections.

Last month, Editor Ed Puskas wrote a profound and prophetic editorial “A sickening tale of Two Americas.” It was initiated over the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. Subsequently, the death of George Floyd brought us to a tipping point. Was it the nature of his death, suffocating under the knee of a …

A major star of the old M*A*S*H series has a “message” for mankind (I guess). It is printed in the latest AARP issue and starts off “trust in Science.” As a minister of the gospel of Christ for over 50 years I cannot stand by and say nothing about this. I think the following questions are in order.

I has been 20 years since I formed a local chapter of a nationwide advocacy group, The Children’s Rights Council. The group strongly agrees in the benefit of both parents. Their focus is directed at dads struggling or devalued on many fronts. Back then I fielded many calls from fathers strug…

Civilian review boards are not the answer and neither are other after-the-fact committee meetings and new passed laws.

   We are now approaching the time when we will be voting for our next President .... either Joe Biden or Donald Trump. All hell will break loose from both candidates and their party.  Every voter will vote in person or by absentee ballot to decide who their choices will be. Will we vote wit…

By 1:15 on, May 30, 2020, it was gone. No longer in existence except in the hearts and memories of so, so many people. A beloved scout camp since 1929, Camp Stigwandish is no more.

I have struggled to put words to the page with respect to what has been happening in our country since the brutal murder of George Floyd. 

My Uncle George was a poor white man who lived in hell all his life. He was born in poverty, orphaned as a child, suffered from untreated polio that left him crippled for life. His one leg was the size of a broom stick. He limped his way through life. He was not lazy. His highest level of em…

Racism is subtle. It is often found among those who believe that people of color are inferior. It is often found among those who blame persons of color and others for being poor and disadvantaged. Many, many persons of color and others were born into families and communities characterized by…

My old “secret” that I wrote about in my previous letter  was being jailed in Saudi Arabia. This “secret”  is about me and Uncle Sam.

Recently two county residents – one a businessman and the other a law enforcement officer- were denounced for remarks they posted on Facebook. As an occasional Facebook user, I wish to note that much of the problem is because Facebook has deteriorated into “Politics ‘R Us”.

There is talk in some Christian circles that there is a great awakening coming! It’s true the Bible prophesied a GREAT AWAKENING; it’s just NOT the one a new movement is promoting. 

PERSONAL PROTECTION RIGHT

When last I wrote I mentioned false prophets and miracles. I gave little help from the scriptures as to how to measure these things. Before doing so here I have to apologize for adding one more dire warning to the multitude of health and economic warnings you may already be burdened with.

With Memorial Day fast approaching and the current COVID-19 pandemic, we must consider if the public is at risk to gather to remember on May 25. Many participants take months to prepare for this day and their time, cost, planning and efforts must be considered. It is with a sad heart we Vete…

I have recently read that Petmin USA (air permit number PO126768) is asking permission to skate on the pollution standards that we have spent decades trying to get into effect.

I just want to thank all the people wearing masks, for you are helping me stay healthy. And I will keep wearing my mask to keep you healthy.

As a member of Ashtabula County Water Watch, and an Ashtabula resident who lives about 1,300 feet downwind of where the proposed Petmin pig iron plant will be sited, I’m very disappointed in Shelley Terry’s coverage of the Ohio EPA public hearing on Petmin’s second version of their air pollu…

As Professor Emeritus of English at Kent State University Ashtabula Campus, I am writing to say how much I admire Shelley Terry’s recent articles about the May 4 shootings on the Kent State Campus on May 4, 1970. This is a difficult subject, with many strands and political implications. It’s…

We are now in the midst of another world war — the coronavirus war. Millions of people have been killed and millions of others are wounded and waiting to die!

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I am employed at The Sanctuary of Geneva. I’ve read the piece you printed in your Saturday, May 2, 2020 edition about the community response to our resident’s petition for a little bit of sweetness. When I read the article, portions of it seem to send an ungrateful message and I’d like to ex…

Christine Flowers wrote a recent column which concerned the inconsistencies of the #MeToo movement. She made several misrepresentations which need to be corrected. Flowers states that a call was made in 1993, by Tara Reade’s mother to Larry King Live. By the way, the caller was unidentified …

Volunteers from the Ashtabula Elks Lodge #208 have been proud to be able to offer free cloth masks to its members and to our community.  To date, these volunteers have given away more than 600 masks.  Following the lovely article in the April 27th edition of the Star Beacon, the lodge’s phon…

Reader laments

Someone forgot about local history

County native fan

Friend remembers Frenchy Lesperance

Column brings back fond memories

For the past 30 years, hundreds have gathered annually in Ashtabula County the morning after the National Day of Prayer to continue lifting up prayers for the county at the Prayer Breakfast hosted by the Ashtabula County Concerts of Prayer Board. This year, for the safety of our community an…

April 26 was a cold damp Sunday in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our son Hans was disappointed that his long-awaited 40th birthday party was canceled. About 2 p.m. we went to our former barn (now Running Horse Farm wedding venue) in case anyone who didn’t realize that the party was can…

Fifty years ago three events occurred within days of each other which had a profound influence. On April 17, 1970, Apollo 13 landed safely in the Pacific after a journey of heroic ingenuity and technology. Five days later, the world celebrated the first Earth Day with hope for the future of …

In the winter 1966-67, I met my life’s best friend. I was told by the regular mail carrier Tony Butch, when you get to DiCesare’s Market, Elmer DiCesare will make you a sandwich and a cup of coffee and you can get warm.

Profits over people. That’s how the effort to begin “opening up”’ the U.S. economy is being framed. It’s a false distinction. Sober-minded people recognize that the current suspension of business and commerce is unsustainable. Big business loses billions, small business (i.e. 1-500 employees…

I cannot find words to defend any of the negativity that has transpired since last week and I see absolutely no benefit from enflaming or perpetuating it.

This letter is in response to the recent writer who stated, “We’ve only had nine cases of the Chinese flu ...” The virus is not called “Chinese flu.”