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School starts up again so please be aware

Every year we write reminding readers of the importance of being aware and driving carefully as school starts up again. Though there is nothing normal about this year’s return to school, one thing remains the same: It is, as ever, important to remember there are kids headed back to schools and those kids will walk to school and take buses that have to make multiple stops. Changes make it even more important to be aware constantly, rather than just in the school zones with which you are familiar. Just because there isn’t a school bus in one part of your neighborhood doesn’t ...

Make America smart again

Thank heaven for those gullible Americans. Let’s hope they never wise up. If they do, we’re out of jobs. One wonders whether that thought crosses the minds of Russian disinformation specialists who have had so much success sowing dissention in the United States. If not, it should. We Americans seem to be determined to allow internet liars from Moscow and other U.S. foes to manipulate us. Recently, a website linked to the Kremlin put out a false report that five Ukrainians died after taking a COVID-19 vaccine made in the United States. Media outlets in Russia picked up ...

It’s up to us

About 40% of the more than 170,000 Americans killed by COVID-19 have been residents of nursing homes. Somehow, despite knowing older people with pre-existing health conditions are most vulnerable to the virus, we as a nation allowed that to happen. Many of the deaths occurred during the early weeks of the epidemic, before the need for extraordinary long-term care safeguards was apparent. For a little while, it seemed as if COVID-19 was on the run in the United States. Then, millions of people suffering from overconfidence dropped their guard. Now, the epidemic seems to have ...

Let them play

The pain’s not over yet, and, yes, it’s going to be a tough road ahead. That’s the unfortunate bottom line that would follow the cancellation of fall sports, from high school athletic fields to local college and Big Ten and Penn State football. The new game is about staying healthy — and staying alive. Sad, though, how hard this will make it on local businesses that thrive during fall sports season. We saw what happened with cancelleation of spring sports. The term “sports bar” won’t be so valid. Wings and traditional tailgate staples may not be in high ...

Mail-in voting pits one threat against another

No one should have to choose between their health and their right to vote, and no one needs to if local election officials are provided with resources to keep the process safe at the polls, while also ensuring everyone’s ability to get a ballot mailed on time. We need to keep in mind our cherished senior citizens and remember that as they go, we go. It is imperative that we look out for them and keep in mind their well being while protecting their rights. So many times during this pandemic, we have heard the cries of people suffering because they have been cut off from loved ...

We abhor what’s happening in our communities

Theft of property and criminal trespassing have no place in our society. Nor does the public display of signs with swear words, especially near schools. But yet, that’s just what’s happening here. People are repeatedly stealing signs for candidates’ running for public office from people’s yards and porches. Law enforcement must vigorously prosecute these thefts so our residents feel safe. What a sad commentary on our state of affairs. We need more people to stand up and say enough is enough!