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Our opinion: Lawmakers stumble on e-bike regulations

The Pennsylvania General Assembly, too often slow to react and slow to act, is again living up to that dubious, unflattering reputation, this time regarding e-bikes and e-scooters. Rather than already having properly addressed those topics with the best interests of the Keystone State and its residents in mind, the General Assembly continues to stumble along as the injury, death and damage totals tied to the bikes and scooters escalate. But, hey, as a CapitolWire article noted recently, the legislature has delivered the message that it is racing to update the commonwealth's e-bike ...

Our opinion: Color us happy at foliage time

According to the most recent Pennsylvania Fall Foliage report, Warren County’s leaves are about to be at approaching peak colors. In its weekly report, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources says “mid-summer and September rainfall quenched drought-stressed forests across the Commonwealth, greening tree canopies that are now primed for a fantastic autumn show. Bright fall color is developing nicely, especially across the northern tier counties and along the Laurel Summit on the Allegheny Plateau. “Expected cold nights in the forecast this week will continue to ...

Our opinion: Truck donation will benefit Clarendon

It may not sound like much, but the Allegheny National Forest’s donation of a fire engine to the Cherry Grove Volunteer Fire Department is incredibly beneficial to Clarendon-area residents. The transfer, made possible through the Federal Excess Property Program, places surplus federal equipment into the hands of local emergency responders to support public safety and wildfire response. The Cherry Grove Volunteer Fire Department is one of the local departments called upon when there is a wildfire, medical incident or car accident inside the Allegheny National Forest. "This engine ...

Our opinion: Skill games debacle is legislature’s doing

If there is one thing everyone in Pennsylvania can agree on, it is that a decision needs to be made one or another on skill games that are found in social clubs and businesses throughout the state. Of course, we can’t agree on that decision, hence the stalemate on the issue with a court-imposed Oct. 13 deadline for law enforcement to begin removing unlicensed skill games. What’s even more frustrating is lawmakers’ inability to bring legislation to a vote that would simply preserve the status quo to give lawmakers more time to dilly dally their way to a decision. Take, for ...

Our opinion: A way to help resolve EMS crisis

Quietly, the city of Warren is taking action that could benefit the rest of the county. City Council members recently approved a memorandum of understanding with the union representing city firefighters that will allow firefighters to pursue Advanced Emergency Medical Technician certification. Having firefighters capable of providing a higher level of EMS service obviously benefits city residents. Eight to 10 firefighters have expressed interest in the training. The initial goal had been to enroll six firefighters. The training will use a hybrid format, with some coursework ...

Editor’s corner: In troubled waters, border partners focus on lakes

No one could have predicted two years ago that a pair of Western New York’s treasured resources would become part of a political grudge that is part of strained international relations. When President Donald Trump issued the executive order to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America in late ...