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Our opinion: Finding balance with winter heating

Our Opinion

Based on what has been a mild autumn, there’s hope for a warmer winter. That is definitely the case when considering the cost of heating our residences. According to PA Energy Ratings, the Commonwealth ranks 10th for the highest average winter heating cost. “Part of this is due to the fact that PA is situated where cold weather systems blow eastward from western Canada and the Plains States,” the platform notes. “These can sometimes collide with warmer, wetter weather systems moving up the east coast and cause ice storms or dump 1-2 feet of snow onto the region. Similarly, ...

Everyday communications are maddening

Local Commentaries

For me, communications in 2026 boil down to telephone, texting, or email. I don’t do smoke signals anymore. Alas, my arthritic hands have consigned hand-written notes to the back burner. When I hand write, maybe the first line or two have some resemblance to my once clear penmanship. Then ...

Our opinion: Get ready now to give buses more room

Our Opinion

Next year, Pennsylvania drivers will be required to stop 15 feet away from a school bus with its red lights flashing and side stop arm activated. The increased distance is part of legislation that was signed into law recently by Gov. Josh Shapiro. The state will begin educating drivers on the new requirement in December, with the legislation to take effect in a year. The legislation also establishes enhanced penalties for repeat offenders, addressing a gap in current law that does not provide increased punishment for those with second or subsequent violations. "Every child deserves ...

Our view: Keep animal abusers accountable

Our Opinion

A proposed state law that many right-thinking people in Pennsylvania might have considered to be a no-brainer or slam dunk in terms of virtually unanimous approval -- creation of a registry of animal abuse offenders -- is being greeted with a reception somewhat less enthusiastic. It's unfortunate that the measure, which could be a significant weapon in the battle against abuse of animals, is likely to be bumped into the new legislative year beginning in January, rather than being accorded the fast-track implementation of which it is worthy and making a positive impact starting in the ...

Our opinion: Additional oversight needed over painkillers

Our Opinion

There is an obvious gap in the system that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania uses to make sure prescription-level painkillers aren’t being abused, particularly, it appears, in rural areas. Twice in less than a year the state Attorney General’s Office has filed charges against two Warren County pharmacy employees who had found ways to manipulate systems in place to track painkillers ordered and used. In the case of Warren General Hospital’s in-hospital pharmacy, the theft was uncovered when computer systems used to dispense medication led to an investigation that uncovered two ...

Don’t believe budget claims by Shapiro

Local Commentaries

Gov. Josh Shapiro recently defended his fiscal record. During Pennsylvania’s one and only gubernatorial debate, the governor insisted that (1) he balanced the state budget, (2) Pennsylvania has an $8 billion surplus, (3) he has cut taxes, and (4) Pennsylvania is the only “growing economy ...