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Postal service must practice better safety

Winding its way through Congress is legislation that would require the U.S. Postal Service to track crashes of vehicles carrying mail. The legislation, which carries the name Mail Traffic Deaths Reporting Act, and which passed the House on May 6, also would punish USPS contractors that fail to report accidents. Additionally, the Postal Service would be required to publish a yearly report focusing on its highway safety record. Are you surprised that the postal agency has not routinely been doing those things? So were many other people of this country when they learned about a Wall ...

A ‘smoke-free’ generation? Britain says it’s worth trying

It’s not just a United States thing; there are smokers around the world who wish they never had taken “that first puff” of a cigarette — for health or other reasons, including the cost of continuing what many call a habit. Regardless, smokers throughout this planet who have access to world news — and who pay attention to what is going on — are likely to be interested in following a story emanating from the halls of British government about an attempt to eventually ban smoking. However, three important questions hang over the United Kingdom effort to create what already is ...

We say ‘no’ to four-day school week

So, were specifically working parents engaged before the Pennsylvania Legislature and Gov. Josh Shapiro decided to allow public school districts to switch to a four-day school week if they so choose? We can’t really tell by the reports coming out of Harrisburg. And did anyone research the analysis that said students earn lower math and reading scores on standardized tests after their schools switch to a four-day schedule? Isn’t it true that student test scores are on the downturn? Further, those who support this mess say it will “save money and help recruit ...

We need more competitive gas pricing here

Some time in the next month or so, Lock Haven will get a new gasoline station. So what? (You might ask). Well, let's at least hope that the new Gas n Go to be opened by Weis Markets at Bellefonte Avenue and Commerce Street injects more competition here so that prices lower. Gasoline prices are volatile. We know that. We know that global forces tend to dictate the pricing, even though the United States is the top producer of oil in the world. But little old Clinton County seems to be out on an island when it comes to competitive pricing. Drive just 20 to 30 minutes south or ...

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 ...

Rural health care needs to break cycle

Sometimes it seems like rural communities are caught in a vicious cycle — jobs and amenities are not available that would keep young people there, and as the population declines, the remaining jobs and amenities shrivel, which makes a revival even harder to pull off. A recent story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette offered a case in point. It reported how a six-county region in the northern part of Pennsylvania will no longer have a hospital that offers maternity care because Elk Hospital in St. Mary’s plans on shuttering its obstetrics unit in the next two months. It’s an issue ...