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Our opinion: Saluting our freedom fighters

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day or the eleventh month 106 years ago, the hostilities of World War I came (for the most part) to an end. But though it was billed as the war to end all wars, American troops have continued to put their lives on the line for the rest of us and the world during another century’s worth of fighting. And so, since 1954, we have paused on Veterans Day to honor those men and women who have served us, in the U.S. Armed Forces. Those who chose — and those who had no choice — to serve sacrificed everything. Some did not come home. Others bear the ...

Our opinion: Bringing ‘Hometown’ spirit

You can always go home again. The question for Warren County is what, exactly, makes one want to go home again. The “This Is Your Hometown” campaign launched recently by the Warren-Forest Higher Education Council in partnership with the Warren County Career Center Marketing Class operates on the premise that those leave high school for college or military service do so with the idea that a reminder of what’s available here is enough to bring graduates back home. It’s not a bad idea. Reversing our population decline won’t happen in one fell swoop or one perfectly written ...

Our opinion: State needs responsible budget

Pennsylvania has reached the four-month mark without a state budget. The annual deadline for the state government’s spending plan is June 30. We believe it is inexcusable that our state is within hours of being four months overdue for passing a budget — but, as we editorialized this past summer, the proposal offered by Gov. Josh Shapiro was unrealistic. Shapiro has unsuccessfully pressed lawmakers for a $3.6 billion increase in spending. The proposal, in our estimation, does little to address court rulings that Pennsylvania’s system of funding public education does not comply ...

Our opinion: River cleanup efforts paying off

We’re always amazed by the amount of debris taken out of the Allegheny River each year by a dedicated group of volunteers. This year is no different. David Snyder, who has helped lead the cleanup for each of its 17 years, said the 2025 cleanup drew 154 volunteers who donated 1,232 hours. The crews removed 1,500 pounds of recyclable metal, 40 tires and 28 cubic yards of garbage – enough to fill the bed of a standard pick-up truck nine times. Kudos to those volunteers who gave their time and effort to beautify one of our greatest natural assets. But Snyder’s recent report to ...

Our opinion: Take the time to vote Tuesday

Tuesday is Election Day, with thousands of Warren County residents going to the polls to cast their ballot for township, borough, city and county offices. Precisely because no federal and few state offices are on the ballot this year, today’s election affects you more directly in your day to day existence than any other. These are the levels of government that provide the services that affect you every single day in one way or another through things like police and fire department staffing in the city, handling of neighborhood issues, animal control, road maintenance - including ...

Editor’s corner: More electing to participate in early voting

During last year’s presidential election, nearly 25% of Pennsylvania voters cast their ballot before the traditional Election Day. This begs a question: Should the state do more to promote early voting? For now, the option is limited. Registered voters have the option of applying for a mail ...