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Letters To Editor

Get organized Dear Editor, It’s unfortunate that our Democratic country has a “Mafia”-like boss in Washington, D.C., along with a bunch who have fallen in line with the boss. Either they complied or faced a “hit “man. Their recent vote to confirm that Big Beautiful Bill is sufficient proof that their allegiance to the boss supplants their support to our nation and their constituents. The Boss has blackmailed certain university presidents, law firms and elected officials into submission. At the same time his wealthy supporters will benefit at the expense of you and I ...

Editor's corner: Can Stefanik conquer Big Blue wave of New York?

Our Opinion

Western New York Republicans know the clock is ticking when it comes to the 2026 election for New York governor. During a political fundraising event June 30 in West Seneca, party leaders and supporters came to hear from their potential great hope to be the next leader of the Empire State: ...

U.S. coming up short as great melting pot

Local Commentaries

By JAMES SPANGLER, OD A short time ago Times Observer ran a well deserved front page article on the book Rory Land by friend and Warren Area High School classmate TM Gay. It was about the ups and downs of a golfer, but also an honest look at the social mess of Catholic Ireland and Protestant England and the chunk of land in between Northern Ireland — Rory’s Land. England’s history is checkered with swings from Protestant to Catholic, acceptance to hatred, shifting to the whims and beliefs of royal regimes. The oppression of Catholics by Protestants was every bit as ...

Times have changed

Local Commentaries

I got a message on Facebook that said – and I am paraphrasing here- If you grew up in the era where you went out each morning and did not come home until dark you grew up in the best of times. I think that is true. When I think back to the way it was when I grew up, I am in awe of the things we did. When I got up, I had chores to do first. When they were done, I was allowed to do whatever struck my fancy. I had many neighborhood friends – boys and girls. We all played games together. In the evening when the weather got cooler, we often played kick the can. Someone raided their ...

Our opinion: Repeal Sunday hunting ban

Our Opinion

The only ones who should be unhappy if the state ends its prohibition on Sunday hunting are deer. The state Legislature recently passed House Bill 1431 - a measure that was far more contentious than it really should have been. Gov. Josh Shapiro’s office said in a news release Monday said he will sign the bill soon. It makes sense. The ban on Sunday hunting may have made sense decades ago, but it makes little sense now. Sunday has long been viewed as a day of rest - and state Rep. Robert Leadbeter, R-Catawissa, said that the institution of Sunday hunting would create “another ...

Rounding Third: Being bitten by travel bug

Local Commentaries

Of all the bugs I’ve known – from ants to aphids, from fleas to fruit flies – I like my travel bug the best. I was bitten early. After college, when I absolutely couldn’t decide what I wanted to do with my life, I embraced my travel bug and became a stewardess. It was the perfect solution. I realize how lucky I was to see a lot of this country and many other parts of the world. I never took it for granted. Recently, I was talking to a well-traveled friend about this, sharing some old experiences. We agreed that it’s truly the people you meet that make travel worthwhile, ...