Make a difference: Vote, please

October 29, 2020

Leaders of both major political parties agree on one thing: The presidential election scheduled for Tuesday is among the most important in American history. Its outcome will shape our government, economy, even our society for many years to come. Your life and that of your children and grandchildren will be affected profoundly. Don’t you want to have a say in the matter? To judge by voter turnouts in previous elections, many of your friends, family members, co-workers and neighbors simply don’t care about how we are governed. They do not bother to vote. Despite the ...

Civic, economic life can improve with expanded broadband internet

October 27, 2020

We are heartened by efforts to expand access to internet broadband service in rural Northcentral Pennsylvania. We are talking about the $2.5 million grant recently awareded to the SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) on behalf of four counties, including Clinton, Lycoming, Union and Northumberland Counties. The investment, if fully successfully, should provide broadband access to more than 1,500 homes, including over 20 businesses. Among them are 360 homes and seven businesses will be reached in the area east of Loganton and Bucktail Medical Center in Renovo comprising 14 miles of ...

No delay for COVID vaccine

October 23, 2020

When will we have an effective, safe, vaccine against COVID-19? That depends. Federal public health officials who are in the know and without any political agendas have said deliveries of vaccine can be expected sometime in January. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services predicts a vaccine could be approved by the end of the year, but points out it will take time to distribute. Dr. Moncef Slaoui, described as leading the U.S.’s vaccine effort, said researchers may know at some point later this year whether one of multiple vaccines being researched is effective ...

We must be vigilant

October 22, 2020

f the authorities are correct in their allegations against a group accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the 13 men ought to be viewed with a mixture of horror and disgust ... and we must remain vigilant to such potential violence. Real Americans do not attempt to change either society or government by force. Those who do so, no matter how foolish and, well, stupid they appear should be punished regardless of their ideology. Regardless of how you view her method of governing, Whitmer is absolutely right in describing those involved in the Michigan plot as ...

THANKS staff, firefighters, vendors for hospital reopening

October 17, 2020

When fire broke out at UPMC Lock Haven Hospital, the health system was actually investing in upgrading the facility by closing off an old boiler room. The fire that resulted, reportedly from a chemical reaction, filled segments of the hospital with heavy smoke and odor. Thus, the hospital had to get clearance from the state Department of Health amid meeting its own stringent standards before it could reopen to staff and patients. Alas, just about a month after the fire on Sept. 10, the hospital reopened this past Monday, Oct. 12. “I credit the quick response of our staff and ...

No shortage of masks this Halloween

October 10, 2020

At least there will be no shortage of masks. So goes one joke about Halloween 2020. It will be upon us in just a few weeks. And, while it may not seem a priority to many in government at all levels, it needs to be addressed. Halloween rivals Christmas in some ways in popularity among children. Each October, they delight in dressing up and ringing doorbells or knocking on doors, greeting people with, “Trick or treat!” We adults — many of us, anyway — enjoy seeing them. Is that Joey from down the street behind that superhero mask? Is that Susie from school ...