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Our opinion: Time to find common ground on Youngsville school

After a year of planning, Warren County officials have a plan for the former Youngsville High School building. The first phase of the project will move the county's Department of Human Services, Children and Youth Services and Penn State Extension office into the building. County officials are also reaching out to other potential nonprofit organizations to gauge interest in using space in the former school. It’s a good start to keeping people coming in and out of the building - which was always the preferred outcome rather than the former school building sitting dark and simply ...

Our opinion: State needs option for rural hospitals

Let us say up front that we hope the day never comes when Warren General Hospital leadership would need to consider a transition to becoming a Rural Emergency Hospital. Such a move would say a lot about efforts to reverse our region’s longtime trend of population loss and struggles to secure high enough reimbursement rates from the federal government. Pennsylvania currently has no Rural Emergency Hospitals, with legislation introduced recently by Sen. Lisa Baker creating a new state license category for Rural Emergency Hospitals. The designation would allow a Critical Access ...

It’s easier to vote for Garrity than Shapiro

Is Gov. Josh Shapiro really the best candidate to run our Commonwealth? I don't think so! If he is always touting affordability, then why is he the highest-paid governor, earning $253,870 per year, out of all 50 states? Maybe he should take a pay cut or decline his salary. At that point, he would be putting his money where his mouth is! That doesn't seem too affordable for the taxpayers to me. Yep, that's right. He makes more than Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York and Gov. Gavin Newsom of California. As a matter of fact, of the 10 highest-paid governors, only two are Republicans! All ...

Now is time to revisit abortion discussion

Having lived when abortion was illegal and watched its legalization, I think it’s time to have a hard discussion about the role of abortion in 2026. Abortion is not a new or progressive idea. Throughout human history, both ancient and recent, abortion has been used to end a pregnancy. Pregnant women have had to navigate a lack of the compassion and support now available. Centuries ago, pregnant women could be sent to the workhouse, cast out onto the street or denied medical care, resulting in complications or death. Their children could be forcibly placed in horrific orphanages. ...

Readers' Speak

Magic money Dear Editor, Here are just three of the economic goals of the DSA (Democratic Socialists of America). New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani wants free bus rides and rent control, but bus drivers still must be paid. Buses must be fueled, maintained and insured. Where will that money come from? Mamdani wants the tax burden carried by high earners. But the highest-earning 10% already cover 67% of New York City’s expenses, according to The Wall Street Journal. Rent control sounds kind; some residents are struggling. But landlords have maintenance, taxes and insurance to ...

The mice, St. David, and the knobs

The story begins with a cat and a stove. Our Maine Coon, Finian, used to camp in front of the stove at night. It took me a while to realize he was on sentry duty. It was a particularly winter behavior. Although I never actively look for signs of a mouse resident, it finally occurred to me that ...