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Our opinion: Verdict protects freedom of speech

We are grateful for the Supreme Court’s unanimous verdict in National Rifle Association v. Vullo — a case that cut to the heart of freedom of speech. New York state officials targeted the NRA specifically because they found the NRA’s message objectionable, and pressured private enterprises to “blacklist” or refuse to conduct business with the organization. “Today’s decision confirms that government officials have no business using their regulatory authority to blacklist disfavored political groups,” David Cole of the American Civil Liberties Union, which argued on ...

Our opinion: Tourism measure eye-opening

Warren County Visitors Bureau officials are getting a better look at where visitors are coming from when they visit Warren County. Information from Zartico, a company that uses geolocation, lodging and spending data to help determine where tourists are coming from, should help local officials know where to spend local marketing dollars so we get the most bang for our buck. It’s interesting, for example, to know 41% of May visitors to Warren County came from Pittsburgh and State College, while only 4% each came from Erie, Charleston, W.V., and Buffalo. That’s good information to ...

Our opinion: Truancy, chronic absenteeism need more focus

School attendance rates’ slow climb back from the COVID-19 pandemic should be concerning to everyone - including school officials and parents here in Warren County. While we’re not sure that state Rep. Tracy Pennycuick’s proposal to change existing state law is the cure to the state’s flagging school attendance rates, we can’t fault Pennycuick from trying. Pennycuick proposes reforming the mid-year transfers for truant students from school districts to cyber schools, requiring cyber charter schools to share real-time attendance and academic data with the school district ...

Our opinion: Good, bad news on EMS

It’s good news that Warren County public safety officials are seeing fewer dropped 911 calls. That means we’re doing a better job of navigating the challenges that come with having fewer volunteer firefighters manning fire stations throughout the county when emergencies arise. That’s good news, because the struggle to recruit volunteer firefighters to man volunteer fire department ambulances isn’t going to go away any time soon. Those who need proof need only see the second half of what Ken McCorrison, county public safety director, said during a May Council of Governments ...

Our opinion: Two-way street for motorists, walkers

As another school year has come to an end, motorists need to be alert and aware when behind the wheel. Last month, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and its safety partners reminded motorists and pedestrians to always be on the lookout for each other. “Whether you are walking, driving, or riding your bike, it is critical for everyone to be aware of their surroundings,” said Community Traffic Safety Project Coordinator Mike Tautin of the Highway Safety Network. “And when you are walking, you should also make sure others are aware of you. Crashes happen in a ...

Our opinion: Warren Worx notches first win

Warren Worx has helped secure funding for five communities to provide a mobile WiFi hotspot in Sheffield, Youngsville, Sugar Grove, Warren and Tidioute. It might not seem like much given the much larger tasks in front of Warren Worx, but expanding internet access is a pretty significant win for the organization as it approaches its first year in existence. Communities will also receive funding to either create a new event or resurrect an old event that no longer exists — like the World War II reenactment that used to take place in Tidioute. There are a host of things like securing ...