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Our opinion: Find a middle ground on health proposal

No one wants to see Pennsylvania become New York with the heavy-handedness of the Empire State’s COVID-19 pandemic policies. At the same point, reasonable people should be able to recognize that the state Health Department needs additional authority to deal with emergent issues like the ongoing measles outbreak in the state. Doing nothing makes no sense. Accepting the Health Department’s proposed 502 pages of Chapter 27 regulations is ludicrous, because it feels as if the Health Department is trying to seize authority the state Legislature didn’t want to give in the first ...

Our opinion: A time of change for city public safety

The city of Warren’s public safety leadership is in a state of flux with the retirements of police chief Joe Sproveri and fire chief Dave Krogler. Both men have served the city capably over the years. Among Sproveri’s accomplishments as police chief was the department’s achievement of premier accreditation through the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission, a process that provides an outside evaluation of a police department’s policies, procedures and overall professionalism. Krogler helped advance the fire department through grant writing, equipment ...

Our opinion: Phone restrictions a part of life

There is nothing wrong with schools dictating cell phone use for its students. In 2025, U.S. News & World Reports said at least two-thirds of the states had policies for the devices. In Warren County, the school board this month came up with its own regulations. For older and more responsible students, there are certain restrictions while allowing use. It’s not the same for those in kindergarten to eighth grade. Those elementary and middle-age students are not allowed to use the electronics. It makes sense. According to the Institute of Education Science, “Teachers have ...

Our opinion: Riverfront plans are exciting

Warren residents have been hearing about improvements to the Allegheny Riverfront for the past couple of years. Talking about the project whets the appetite, but we think there will be more excitement for the future of the Allegheny Riverfront in Warren after the first phase of work begins in 2027. The boat launch, which will include space for approximately eight boat trailers, pedestrian parking, a floating dock and an ADA-accessible launch, is the first in a series of projects that will reshape the city’s relationship to the Allegheny River. The larger master plan includes a ...

Our opinion: School phone policy about common sense

We’re glad to see the county Board of Education has passed a new cell phone policy that limits the devices’ use during school hours. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade would not be permitted to have cell phones out or accessible during the school day. High school students in grades nine through 12 would have more flexibility, with limited exceptions for legitimate educational or other approved needs. Board member Misty Moore questioned how the district would ensure teachers consistently enforce the policy. "I still feel that there is a lot of gray area," Moore said, ...

Our opinion: Don’t jump to conclusions on data centers

We do not expect the furor about data centers to die down. What we can say about proposals to build data centers must be similar, as a matter of principle, to what we say about any development: If or when it is done, there are right ways to do it, transparent ways that address the concerns of neighbors and place the appropriate guide rails and limitations on development. The concerns with the use of non-disclosure agreements likewise apply to other developments in other fields. We hope public officials take heed of these concerns and can work on adhering more closely to the spirit of ...