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Our Opinion

Our opinion: Try tiered minimum wage hike

We’ve probably all grown tired of the legislative back and forth over the state’s minimum wage. A proposal that passed the state House of Representatives recently is better than some that have been proposed by state Democrats, with a tiered minimum wage that rises to $15 an hour in populous areas and increases to $12 an hour in more rural locations. Philadelphia County’s minimum wage would hit $15 on Jan. 1 of next year if the bill is adopted by the state Senate while phasing in through 2028 in the rest of the state. As we said, it’s an improvement over past bills that ...

Our opinion: Make phone ban tougher

The expression “time flies” is familiar to most people. However, time cannot “fly” fast enough regarding Pennsylvania’s new handheld-cellphone ban for individuals operating motor vehicles on commonwealth roadways. Until the full teeth of the law replaces the wishy-washy provisions currently in place, innocent drivers or vehicle passengers could die or be maimed — just because only a warning will be issued now, rather than a monetary penalty from violators’ wallets or pocketbooks. The possibility of a fine, rather than a warning, could deter some drivers from risking ...

Our opinion: What’s the plan with homeless?

Yes Virginia, Warren County has a homeless issue. It’s not like the crisis many bigger cities face. It’s not even the crisis Jamestown has seen over the past few years, and it’s nowhere near what Jamestown saw in 2024 that prompted its mayor to issue a state of emergency and take action to disperse the homeless from camping in the middle of its downtown area. Our issue is a little different. Homeless encampments in Warren County are more likely to be small and away from the hustle and bustle of downtown. It’s often a case of out of sight, out of mind. But there are homeless ...

Our opinion: Legislature must fix ARD program

A recent state Supreme Court decision ruling the use of diversion courts can’t be counted as a prior DUI offense by sentencing courts is creating a potentially serious problem. It’s a problem the state Legislature should fix - quickly. The Supreme Court ruled that counting ARD as a conviction violates the due process rights of those accused of DUI if they have to be resentenced later. That ruling means sentencing courts are no longer able to consider completion of the ARD diversionary program as a first conviction for DUI - and means lighter sentencing for those who complete ...

Our opinion: Officer makes good choice

It may be a while before a Grove City man is back in Warren County to face the charges filed against him. Given the circumstances, it’s not a bad thing. Keeping the man in Warren County after he twice fled from police officers on June 7 who tried to pull his vehicle over in Youngsville recently wasn’t worth the increasingly dangerous situation the traffic stop was creating. Zion A. Scriven, 28, has been charged with misdemeanor charges of fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, flight to avoid apprehension/trial/punishment, possession/sales/use of display documents and ...

Our opinion: Officer makes good choice

It may be a while before a Grove City man is back in Warren County to face the charges filed against him. Given the circumstances, it’s not a bad thing. Keeping the man in Warren County after he twice fled from police officers on June 7 who tried to pull his vehicle over in Youngsville recently wasn’t worth the increasingly dangerous situation the traffic stop was creating. Zion A. Scriven, 28, has been charged with misdemeanor charges of fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, flight to avoid apprehension/trial/punishment, possession/sales/use of display documents and ...