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Letters To Editor

Money talks in votes Dear Editor, Jeffrey Yass, Pennsylvania’s richest man, a wealthy billionaire powerbroker, is using his fortune to subvert our democracy. Yass is deeply involved in this year’s judicial retention races. This is only his latest intervention in our political system. He has for years donated huge sums to influence election outcomes to buy more favorable outcomes for his causes. You may have seen some of the direct mail political ads from Commonwealth Partners, a Political Action Committee he funds. He apparently is opposed to retaining three highly regarded ...

Rounding Third: Selling memories in the driveway

Local Commentaries

It’s time for a garage sale. I haven’t tackled this particular craziness in more than ten years, but it is time. In the years since, Dear Richard and I have donated saleable goodies to a handful of local charities as well as annual fundraising sales. We’ve dragged out furniture, rugs, and I even persuaded Richard to donate many of his unused tools. We parted with three air conditioners, lamps, and more of my late mother’s earrings than a jewelry store could stock at one time. Even my handblown wedding Austrian crystal now graces someone else’s dining table. But it was okay ...

Our opinion: Center kitchen a lesson in perseverance

Our Opinion

For years, volunteers at the Ruth M. Smith Center in Sheffield sold pies and cookies at the Johnny Appleseed Festival to make money to install a new kitchen at the center. The festival is no more. But thanks to continued community support from fundraisers, grant applications and a $100,000 anonymous donation the center’s new kitchen will become a reality. It’s a testament to what can happen when a group of dedicated volunteers sets a goal and doesn’t give up at the first, second, third or hundredth setback they face. The Smith Center staff have been preparing more than 30 ...

Our opinion: Contention with agreement

Our Opinion

Both Republicans and Democrats in the state Senate agree that loans taken out by governments, school districts and other agencies as the state budget stalemate drags should be interest free. One would think that would be a cause for celebration, or at least a hearty huzzah amongst lawmakers. But this is Pennsylvania, where when it comes to the 2025-26 state budget lawmakers have shown a predilection to argue about even the most mundane spending items. Predictably, that’s what happened last week. While the state House of Representatives was passing another version of a state ...

Our opinion: Tourism growth is impressive

Our Opinion

The growth in Warren County’s tourism industry — especially when compared to our neighboring counties in the Pennsylvania Wilds — is impressive. By most measures Warren County increased tourist spending on food and beverages, recreation, retail spending, transportation and overall spending at a higher percentage than neighboring counties. Part of that is due to the amenities Warren County offers. We’re blessed to be home to Allegheny National Forest, Allegheny Reservoir, trails, Chapman State Park, Kinzua Dam, camping, fall foliage, scenic overlooks and water activities. ...

U.S. shambles need fix

Local Commentaries

It’s hard to ascertain the mentality of the far left. Since 2016 the left’s vocabulary has contained words like Nazi, fascist, racist, all kinds of phobias, Hitler, garbage, deplorable, and more. When a sitting governor and former vice presidential candidate in 2024 recently made a toxic remark saying “maybe we’ll hear some good news” referring to President Donald Trump’s supposedly ill health, the listener has come to believe that the left has lost its ability to care about anyone who differs in ideologies or ideals. The hatred for this country and its founding ...