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Nothing costs more than free: the difference between print and digital books

Did you know that with your Juniata County library card you can get more than 20,000 free digital books? eBooks are books that you can read on a tablet or smart device. eAudio titles are like books on CD but you can listen to them through your tablet or smart device. I often say that nothing is more expensive than free. Here is a glimpse into how we get those 20,000 free digital books available to you. When we pay for a print book, it’s a one-time fee for it and we own it forever. When we pay for a digital book, we get limited access to it and do not keep it forever. A print book ...

As a phoenix rising from the ashes

In ancient and medieval literature, the phoenix is depicted as a vibrant and majestic bird that is destroyed by fire, but through determination and perseverance rises from the ashes to become even more powerful and effective than before. The phoenix is the perfect personification of tenacity, persistence, and rebirth. As I contemplated the amazing things happening right now in our community, this is the symbol that immediately came to mind. Our Juniata River Valley, as well as the rest of the world, has been through the fire these last two years. We have experienced great loss, both ...

Congress must act to close immigration loopholes

The Biden administration’s open-border policies have incentivized more illegal immigration — threatening both the safety and security of American citizens. As the flow of illegal aliens and illicit drugs increases across our southern border, Congress must act to close loopholes in our immigration system that allow this humanitarian and national security crisis to persist. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol recently released updated statistics showing 164,973 border encounters occurred during the month of February. This amounts to a 63 percent increase compared to February of last year ...

Rush to legalize recreational marijuana ignores real public health and safety concerns

There has been a lot of news surrounding the recent Senate Law and Justice Committee hearings regarding the legalization of recreational marijuana, and as a member of that committee, I am concerned about the discussions that have taken place. The hearings have seemed one-sided, and the topics covered have been used to advance recreational marijuana legislation rather than provide a thorough vetting of all aspects of this controversial issue. Marijuana is not as harmless as some who favor legalization claim, and the science is clear. The National Institutes of Health, the Mayo Clinic, ...

There never was a good war or a bad peace

I, like many of you, have been watching the senseless war unfold in Ukraine and have been surprised at the emotions rising within me. They range from anger at the violence and death of innocent Ukrainians, to sadness as I witness the tearful good-byes as fathers hold their children, and wives and mothers cling to their loved ones, knowing it could be for the last time. I cannot begin to imagine their pain. We see them flashing across our screens, the faces, the tears, the hopelessness and fear in their eyes. What if those were my sons, my daughter, my loved ones? What must it feel like ...

Pennsylvania can substantively marginalize Putin’s global influence

The ongoing unprovoked atrocity on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his regime against the people and government of Ukraine has shocked the conscience of the world. The daily news clips of women and children huddled in subway tunnels turned into makeshift underground shelters, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky courageously leading his people, and so many families trying to protect their homes and loved ones is a daily reminder of the unnecessary evil being committed against innocent people. Like all Americans who believe in the sovereignty of nations and the right ...