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Our opinion: State Police security lapses are inexcusable

There’s a lot to unpack in the days after an arson attack at the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion. We should all be able to agree that security around Gov. Josh Shapiro was inexcusably lax given that one of the most notorious recent acts of political violence had taken place in Butler, Pa., during last year’s presidential campaign. It’s hard to fathom how Cody Balmer was able to climb a fence, smash a window, enter the governor’s mansion, use a Molotov cocktail to start a fire and then escape. Police didn’t catch Balmer - he turned himself in. It’s worth mentioning the ...

Our opinion: New fund could boost Sugar Grove

A core group of Sugar Grove residents have started a fund that could provide a boost to projects benefiting their neighbors for years to come. Starting the Sugar Grove Community Fund was the easy part. The hard part comes next as the fund’s advisory committee tries to grow the fund. The first opportunity to do so en masse comes May 14 during Warren Gives. To help the fund grow the Community Foundation of Warren County will match the first $25,000 in donations to the Sugar Grove Community Fund, dollar for dollar. Donations can be made online at WarrenGives.org, or by contacting the ...

Our opinion: Taxes aren’t the only skill game issue

Sooner or later, the state Legislature and Gov. Josh Shapiro will have to come to an agreement on a path forward for skill games that have popped up in bars, taverns, veterans halls and convenience stores throughout the state. State courts have ruled the games aren’t illegal gambling because they are games of skill rather than games of chance that are limited to casinos. The state Supreme Court said last summer that it will consider an appeal by the state Attorney General’s office of a lower-court decision that found that what are often called skill games are based on a player’s ...

Our opinion: WAHS student group shows true leadership

Earlier this year Warren Area High School students formed a Leadership Club to promote inclusion and bring students from special education and general education together through meaningful events. The group’s first event will take place April 30 from 1 to 2 p.m. when the Leadership Club brings Warren Area High School’s inaugural Color Run to life on the track behind the Warren County Career Center for a one-mile run. Along the route, volunteers from the Key Club and Warren Area Elementary Center students will throw colors on the runners at four designated stations around the ...

Our opinion: State parks a vital resource

As warmer weather approaches, state officials are reporting a surge in reservations for campsites in state parks and forests. According to an article in Tuesday’s Sun-Gazette, the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is seeing a nearly 30% increase compared to last year. We can’t say that we find the increase surprising — Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests are some of its under-appreciated gems. Pennsylvania offers residents and visitors 124 state parks, encompassing more than 300,000 acres. The parks offer a wide variety of recreational opportunities ...

Our opinion: State Police security lapses are inexcusable

There’s a lot to unpack in the days after an arson attack at the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion. We should all be able to agree that security around Gov. Josh Shapiro was inexcusably lax given that one of the most notorious recent acts of political violence had taken place in Butler, Pa., during last year’s presidential campaign. It’s hard to fathom how Cody Balmer was able to climb a fence, smash a window, enter the governor’s mansion, use a Molotov cocktail to start a fire and then escape. Police didn’t catch Balmer - he turned himself in. It’s worth mentioning the ...