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Our opinion: Ribfest may be prime for boost

Apparently, the return of Warren’s Ribfest could not have come at a better time. Warren’s event returns June 25-27 in downtown Warren with live entertainment and, of course, savory ribs. We have no doubt, after so long away, that Warren County residents will make their way downtown to support the event. They may be joined by some rib lovers from north of the state line with the recent news that Celoron’s longtime rib festival won’t take place this year. A confluence of air quality warnings caused by wildfires in Canada, poor weather during Celoron Ribfest weekends, ...

Our opinion: Slain trooper protecting community

The death of a Pennsylvania state trooper during a traffic stop on March 8 underscores how the lives of law enforcement officers are at risk even while performing some of their most basic duties. Cpl. Tim O’Connor was killed while approaching a car he had stopped after authorities were alerted about what was described as an “erratic driver.” O’Connor was shot to death while he was walking toward the car; it is believed that the driver fired from inside the vehicle. After firing the shot, the shooter, identified as Jesse Nathan Elks, 32, exited the car, walked a short distance ...

Our opinion: State needs a gas tax holiday

Gas prices were already too high in Warren County before the recent war began with Iran. The situation has only gotten worse in the past two weeks. Gas prices in Warren County are among the highest in the state at $3.790, second only to Mifflin County’s $3.797, according to the AAA. The national average of a gallon of gas is $3.539 as of Tuesday, while the state average is $3.644. Inflation has been a problem long before the bombing began in Iran, but the situation is becoming more acute in the wake of the Iran attacks. Pennsylvania motorists currently pay one of the highest ...

Our opinion: Crime Stoppers makes return

You’ll be seeing a lot of the Warren County Crime Stoppers this year. The organization wants to be more proactive this year helping law enforcement try to solve cold cases in Warren County and to publicly distribute cash rewards for tips that lead to arrests or cold case closures. You’ll also see the Crime Stoppers at community events such as the Downtown Warren Ribfest and the Warren County Fair, selling tickets for the Steer Dump fundraiser with a goal of 1,000 tickets sold. Those fundraisers help pay for the Crime Stoppers’ rewards along with contributions from local ...

Our opinion: Proper response to gas leak

Thursday was anything but ordinary for students at Warren Area High School after a gas leak was detected in the lower portion of the high school in the morning. Give credit to the school district and public safety officials for their handling of the situation - because things could have gone a lot worse. Students were safely relocated to the Warren County Career Center, where local law enforcement and EMS services were present. EMS personnel evaluated any students experiencing symptoms, and 15 students and one adult were transported to the emergency room for further ...

Our opinion: Proposed ER bill ignores reality

A bill being pushed by the American College of Emergency Physicians to require a board-certified or board-eligible physician be in a hospital emergency room at all times the Emergency Department is open has patients’ best interests at heart. That’s commendable. It’s also likely not realistic for rural hospitals that are closing due to decreasing patient volumes and expenses that are rising faster than revenues. At least three states - Indiana, South Carolina and Virginia - have signed on to bills similar to House Bill 2265, which was introduced in the Pennsylvania House of ...