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Williams honored for volunteer efforts with Sports Hall of Fame

Induction into a hall of fame — or recognition by one — represents more than a plaque or ceremony. It reflects dedication, commitment and service to a community over time. For the second year in a row, The Sentinel has the honor of recognizing one of its own as the Mifflin County Sports Hall of Fame honors reporter Greg Williams with its volunteer award. Williams is being recognized for his efforts in helping establish the organization and for the support he has continued to provide through the years. Over the years, Williams served in a variety of newsroom roles while also ...

State needs to ban ‘gas station heroin’

The colorful packaging bears trippy names like ZaZa, Neptune’s Fix, Pegasus and Purple Magic. Sold as an elixir or in pill form, the products promise feelings of “euphoria,” “happiness” and “bliss,” and are marketed to grab the attention – and cash – of young and old consumers alike. What the labels don’t disclose is that the main ingredient, tianeptine, is a highly addictive substance, and in high doses can mimic the effects of opioids, causing seizures, cardiac arrest, respiratory issues and ultimately death. Unregulated, it’s being sold as a “dietary ...

Losing Spirit is bananas for Latrobe airport

Gros Michel bananas may have been the perfect fruit. They were not just tasty. They grew in bunches ideal for shipping, with thick skins that protected the creamy white flesh all the way to American tables. Unfortunately, they were not resistant to disease. After decades of dominating the international produce market, they were all but wiped out by fungal blight more than 50 years ago. The bananas on shelves today are the Cavendish variety — still brilliantly yellow but somehow a pale imitation of their more flavorful cousin. The problem was not just the fungus. Growers had put all ...

New treatment for heart issue requires thought

Great progress has been made in treating aortic stenosis, a heart problem that reportedly affects at least 1.5 million Americans. In severe cases of aortic stenosis, calcium buildup has narrowed the opening of the aortic valve to the point where, if left untreated, can lead to heart failure and death. There apparently have been no statistics presented publicly about the prevalence of the condition to people in the six-county Southern Alleghenies region, or even statewide, but no doubt the condition has a local presence. It might be puzzling to some people why this topic has reached ...

Dementia training could help first responders

Legislation being drafted to require EMS personnel to undergo training to help them better interact with those living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias makes sense, at first blush. Sen. Lynda Culver and House members Maureen Madden and Kyle Mullins are looking for Pennsylvania to join Virginia by requiring training to help EMS providers recognize cognitive impairment and communicate effectively during emergencies. While fire departments can take the training on their own under current law,, Culver, Madden and Mullins want to make the voluntary training a ...

In hindsight, was NFL Draft worth it to Pittsburgh?

OK, the 2026 NFL Draft was a week ago. It’s time to ask the big question. Was it worth it? That depends on two things: Perspective and expectation. According to the NFL, the Pittsburgh draft was the most well attended in history. It dwarfed the drafts in Las Vegas, Green Bay and Detroit. People turned out in droves to celebrate their teams’ selections in a three-day riverfront revel. The first day broke opening records with 320,000 people. The 805,000 total smashed event-long numbers. There’s no doubt the draft was a success from the NFL’s standpoint — or for fans. Social ...