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Finding your people makes life better

When you know where you belong, it’s easier to be yourself. As an adult with autism, Sara Lamb’s search for belonging has been a long road, which is why I wanted to talk to her. Sara described herself as “quirky” and “shy.” When she attended public school as a child, she felt like a “lone wolf.” She said, “I just didn’t have a lot of lasting friendships.” Sara was homeschooled in high school and wasn’t diagnosed with autism until she was 16. It was Sara’s Aunt Amber who first considered autism a possibility after watching the 2010 biographical film “Temple ...

An honor well deserved

Induction into the Hall of Fame is the mark of excellence. It is recognition for career achievement. It is an honor a lifetime in the making. The Lewistown Sentinel honors one of its own this month. Brian Carson, Sentinel reporter and County Observer managing editor, will be given special recognition by the Mifflin County Sports Hall of Fame on May 10 for his writing and broadcast work covering local sports. Brian’s dedication to local sports began with a Sentinel column in 1992. In 33 years, his resume also includes broadcasting high school sports on radio, his ...

Leave police work to the police

Child predators are abhorrent, and all of them should be removed from society. Building a case against them is a job for the police. Securing a conviction is a job for prosecutors. So-called predator hunting groups have no place in the equation. Last Sunday, the Herald-Standard published an article profiling members of two such groups. It was apparent that members of Bikers Against Predators, based in the state of Indiana, and Niky Sal, operating out of Erie County, are proud to discuss their sting operations. As they explained it, members often pose as underage girls, texting or ...

Potholes are popping up everywhere

They’re a sure sign of spring. Potholes, much to the chagrin of motorists attempting to navigate the region’s roadways, are popping up again everywhere. The state Department of Transportation will spend more than $1.8 million and use 1,900 tons of asphalt to fix potholes across Washington, Fayette, Greene and Westmoreland counties this year. The seasonal freeze-thaw weather cycle is the culprit, and they are the bane of road crews who spend countless hours repairing them. As you drive around the next few months, keep an eye out for the bone-jarring craters. And watch out, too, for ...

Ditch the distraction

Rivers of a certain age might recall the days before cellphones encroached on our lives. It was an era free from constant communication with spouses, friends, co-workers and bosses. No text messages, no emails, no phone calls. No calendar alerts pinging reminders of forgotten appointments. No scrolling Facebook, Instagram, or any other social media platform. To be sure, there were – and still are – plenty of other distractions to divert the driver’s attention from the road: fumbling with radio controls, swatting the occasional bee that flies in through an open window, or ...

Residents around the Keystone State losing out by not stepping up

Pennsylvania has 67 counties, 500 school districts and 2,560 municipalities. With each step down that ladder, there are more and more opportunities for people to step up and participate in their government. There are commissioners, controllers, registers and clerks at the county level. There are directors for school boards. There are supervisors and auditors for townships. There are mayors and council members for cities and boroughs. And on top of that is a long list of appointed positions on authorities, committees and boards. And yet fewer people seem to be running for ...