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Our Opinion: Consolidation case remains clear

The days are dwindling before a possible consolidation vote that could reshape the educational landscape in Warren County. We still haven’t heard an argument that changes our mind that closing Youngsville and Sheffield high schools is necessary. The facts are still clear - our population is decreasing, we’re cutting electives and course offerings and the district’s finances are on shaky ground. While we understand the concerns of parents over what the closure of Sheffield and Youngsville means for their children, the school district can’t position itself for the future by ...

Our opinion: Clock ticking on rent, tax rebate

Senior citizens or those with disabilities have until Dec. 31 to apply for the state’s 2023 Property Tax/Rent Rebate program. The rebate comes with higher income eligibility limits and a bigger tax rebate amount. Through September, more than 500,000 tax rebates totaling more than $304 million for older Pennsylvanians and people with disabilities had been processed, nearly double the amount distributed through the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program at the same point in 2023. Roughly 107,000 first-time applications were received through September. Gov. Josh Shapiro said in October ...

Our opinion: Taking on domestic violence

We hope our state and local leaders pay attention to a troubling study by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. The study examined how survivors of domestic violence in rural communities face additional barriers and burdens in reporting the crime. Some of the barriers are logistical — rural areas do not have the same infrastructure, the same availability of public transit and health care services that more urban and suburban communities have. Other barriers are more rooted in perceptions — perceptions about how police will handle reports and about what neighbors will say. We, ...

Our opinion: Proceed with caution on vehicles

Pennsylvania is charging ahead with plans for cleaner fuel transportation infrastructure. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection awarded more than $2.55 million to improve air quality in communities through the vehicles. The 2024 Alternative Fuel Incentive Grant (AFIG) funding to municipalities and businesses will fund clean school buses, electric vehicle chargers, and other projects to lower air emissions from transportation. “Communities are investing in zero- and low-emission transportation because they recognize this is a pathway to cleaner air and better ...

Editor’s corner: Area malls long for holiday cheer of past

America’s shopping evolution began with bustling downtowns in the 1940s and ‘50s where residents would congregate — especially on weekends during the holiday season — to celebrate the season while Christmas shopping. Those fond days spark memories of longtime residents from Dunkirk to ...

Our opinion: Nominees deserve hearings

With plenty of buzz surrounding President-elect Donald Trump’s planned nominees for cabinet positions, it is understandable for opinions to form early. West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice was right, then, to suggest the candidates named should be given a chance. “He’s got to appoint the team that he absolutely believes in,” soon-to-be U.S. Sen. Justice said. “We have to absolutely be fair about this, and we’ve got to give them time to get their feet underneath them to do the job I know they’ll do.” It’s impossible to miss that in the same breath he is asking people to ...