Annual water quality report is worth a read

July 11, 2026

With growing national attention on drinking water safety, many people are asking, “Is my water safe?” For residents of Warren County, that answer is readily available in your annual Water Quality Report—a simple, reliable way to understand what’s in the water coming into your home and what it means for your family. We encourage every resident to take a few minutes to review this report, also known as a Consumer Confidence Report. It’s one of the easiest ways to stay informed and feel confident in the water you use every day. These reports are designed to give you clear, ...

Flying with the fearless fussbudget

July 9, 2026

My Aunt Jo was an interesting old fuddy-duddy. But she was never one of my favorite relatives. She was my Great Uncle Garnett’s second wife – a piano and organ teacher in Tustin California. She was very persnickety. My mother was Garnett Keith’s favorite niece, and every time she ...

Consistent inconsistencies with high court

July 7, 2026

The Second Amendment to the Constitution is a relic of a bygone era of revolution. The Founders could not have contemplated that it would apply to semiautomatic handguns. The Founders absolutely could not have contemplated that it would apply to machine guns. The Founders could not have foreseen mass shootings. It is silly, therefore, to think the Second Amendment applies to present weaponry and situations. Therefore, there must be some other, more specific meaning to the Amendment related to the "well-regulated militia." That is the progressive argument, in a nutshell. The ...

American war of independence was no revolution

July 3, 2026

MECOSTA, Mich.—When this columnist was a newspaper reporter, one of the editors was fond of saying we needed to write in a way that would hold people’s attention when the kids were screaming, the dog was barking, and the television was on. Today’s column doesn’t follow that ...

Sunday was full of high notes

July 2, 2026

Sunday was opening day at Chautauqua, and like all Sundays during the 9-week season, admission was free. Ginger, my BFF from New York City, is visiting us this week for the holiday. She joined me Sunday as the interim president of Chautauqua Institution opened its 153rd season just before the ...

‘Dilapidated’ site gets too much attention

June 27, 2026

This letter is in regard to the dilapidated eyesore building (the “former Eagles Crest property,” as it seems to have no name predating 2018) at Liberty and Market streets. I watched the entirety of the June 10 RDA meeting video regarding its future. First, the first 25 minutes or so involves former and present city leadership arguing with the RDA members largely about procedure. Around that point, the only voice that mattered at that meeting spoke. It was the voice of the owner of Christie’s, Chris Arford. He stated very clearly that the building is an imminent disaster ...