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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 ...

Violence is the enemy.Seek togetherness, instead

For as much as our culture likes to hold itself as above political violence, people historically sure do a lot of it. The horrendous attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, as he campaigned in Butler, Pa. — nearly three hours to our west, just north of Pittsburgh — is another wretched entry to an equally wretched list. Political violence extends beyond presidents and candidates, of course – consider the shooting of Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise and the assault of Paul Pelosi, both among recent examples. In 2022, a man paused and called the police on himself ...

Report sheds light on Pennsylvania’s energy dilemma

What can Pennsylvania lawmakers do about a looming regional power shortage that they didn’t cause and can’t easily fix? This dilemma poses the most important energy issue facing the commonwealth. PJM Interconnection – which operates the regional electric grid serving 13 states and the District of Columbia – issued a report last year warning that, under current trends, there might not be enough electric generating capacity to keep the lights on by 2028-2030. The problem results from a combination of circumstances. First, demand for electricity is growing due to the ...

Never a question, community comes together when tragedy strikes

Tragedy seems to hit these pages far too often. There are benefit dinners, raffles, and rides scheduled almost every weekend to help those in need. The Juniata Valley community and its churches and civic organizations always seem to open their hearts — and their wallets — when a neighbor experiences dire straits. The circumstances have been horrific on occasion as a construction worker was electrocuted and is recovering, another father of five succumbed to cancer as the community steps up to support his family and even children have experienced traumatic health issues. And ...

Blair prison needs some serious ideas

It is instructive for officials of local-level governmental entities to watch what is happening in units of government around them. By doing that they can avoid others’ errors but also obtain valuable guidance on how to pursue their projects or other initiatives. They also can obtain valuable perspectives on how to justify what they are seeking to do and regarding the steps and strategies necessary to accomplish their objective or objectives. Apply that thinking to the situation involving the Blair County Prison, which has been on “life support” for decades as county leaders, ...