Breaking News

Editorials

With fall comes warnings for driving more cautiously

October is here, and that means it’s time for drivers to be alert. This month, along with November and December, are the peak months for motorists to collide with animals, particularly deer. And of all 50 states, Pennsylvania has the highest number of claims filed annually for animal collisions, according to a just-released report from State Farm Insurance. All in all, you have 1-in-61 odds of hitting an animal when you are traveling on the roads of Pennsylvania, according to the report. It’s better than the 1-in-40 odds you have in West Virginia, but a far cry from the ...

Time to stop tax penalties on US hostages

Imagine being in prison on the other side of the world for months or years. The charges are politically disingenuous or outright lies. The government is hostile, and you don’t know when you might ever see your family again. Then, finally, your prayers are answered and you get to come home. And you are promptly billed for the taxes — with penalties and interest — you didn’t pay while you were caged. It has been two months since the high-stakes poker game that saw multiple countries making deals to shuffle 26 prisoners. The complex negotiations brokered through Turkey ...

Parents must regulate social media, too

Pennsylvania is poised to join other states implementing new limits on social media membership for children. One reason, though, that states are stepping in is too many parents are not. House Bill 2553, sponsored by Rep. Robert Mercuri, R-Wexford, would limit social media platform membership to those ages 14 and older. Social media companies would also have to require users to have an account to use the platform and certify that users are at least 14 years old by verifying the account holder’s driver’s license or other photo identification. Parents would be able to request a ...

What other papers are saying: Sports betting needs oversight

The new National Football League season will see plenty of records set on the field — and it’s expected to hit new heights off the field, too: specifically, the American Gaming Association projects that legal wagers on games will reach $35 billion, a 30 percent increase over last season. Most of that betting will involve online betting apps. In part, the growth reflects the fact that three new states — Maine, North Carolina and Vermont — have legalized legal sports betting, raising the total to 38 states and the District. And partly the projected growth reflects new incentives ...

Veteran’s efforts to reduce suicide are commendable

Having served his country for 34 years and losing his leg to exposure to weapons burn in Afghanistan, Kevin Bittenbender turned his efforts — his hard work and selflessness — to the men and women with whom he served. Bittenbender founded Joint Task Force 22 to Zero, a non-profit working to address post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries and suicide risks for veterans. In speaking to a human services expo organized by state Rep. Jamie Flick, R-South Williamsport, Bittenbender urged veterans struggling with thoughts of suicide or with PTSD or traumatic brain ...

Homecoming ushers in bustling fall season

In the heart of the Juniata Valley, as September’s gentle chill nips at our heels, a familiar stirring begins. It’s homecoming season - that curious blend of nostalgia and novelty, where the past and present dance an intricate waltz under Friday night lights. Homecoming arrives not with fanfare but with a steady rhythm that resonates through our towns. Juniata High School leads the charge on Sept. 27, with Mifflin County High School following suit a week later. The Indians will face off against Susquenita while the Huskies lock horns with Waynesboro. But to reduce these events to ...