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On Easter, let Christ’s message never grow old

Easter should be a time of great joy, fulfillment and celebration, consumed by the knowledge and appreciation of Christ's victory over death. Unfortunately, this year, Easter seems destined to be somewhat less than that, when there is reflection and contemplation regarding this planet's big picture. As in other years, on Easter morning, it is true that most faithful will flock to services inside churches in the spirit of love and hope, while others will attend Easter sunrise worship services outdoors amid the same spirit, if weather permits. Regardless of where a congregation's ...

Rule should be changed

Last spring, a marker was placed at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Washington County honoring Dennis Krisfalusy, an Air Force veteran who was killed with his wife, Lois, in a devastating earthquake that hit Mexico City in 1985. The only problem for Krisfalusy’s family, though, is that Lois’ name could not be placed on the stone because of a federal rule that does not allow the names of eligible spouses or dependent children to be added to a headstone or marker if they died before 1998 or after last October. But Guy Reschenthaler and Chris Deluzio are among two ...

IRS needs stronger oversight

“IRS agents shouldn’t work from home” was the headline of an opinion article written by the U.S. Rep. Ron Estes and published in the March 4 edition of the Wall Street Journal. Estes, a Republican representing Kansas’ 4th Congressional District, hit the proverbial nail on the head when he wrote, “Some might argue that teleworking, with reduced overhead, offers a tax-saving benefit, but that’s realized only if the agency is providing adequate customer service. The IRS isn’t.” Anyone who doubts the accuracy or honesty of Estes’ statement needs only to talk with some ...

Child care and taxes are challenging issue

We do not envy our state legislators as they attempt to resolve one of the most difficult problems confronting Pennsylvania’s workforce — the shortage and expense of child care. The state House Finance Committee met recently, according to a report by The Center Square in Tuesday’s edition of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, to discuss the feasibility of employer tax credits to offer employees child care benefits. We understand and sympathize with the desire to incentivize child care benefits. A system that shares the costs will allow workplaces to hire and promote more completely ...

Locate, save historic buildings for community

What is historic, and worth saving, varies with the eye of the beholder, but some definition is urgent. Simply put, “historic” means “old and worth the trouble.” It applies to a building that’s part of a community’s tangible past. And though it might surprise cynics, old buildings can offer opportunities for a community’s future. Preserving these structures, like the Miller Cinemas and Embassy Theatre in Lewistown, are beneficial not only for a community’s culture, but also for its local economy. On April 1, the Miller Cinemas celebrates its 75th anniversary. It has ...

Biden is talking tough with Iran, but is he?

Two days after reissuing a $10 billion Iran sanctions waiver, the Biden administration on Friday threatened coordinated Group of Seven sanctions against Iran if it delivers ballistic missiles to Russia. The policy signal these two moves send is incoherence. G-7 leaders are talking tough. “Were Iran to proceed with providing ballistic missiles or related technology to Russia,” they write, “we are prepared to respond swiftly and in a coordinated manner including with new and signifi- cant measures against Iran.” Russia has benefited greatly from Iranian drones in its ...