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‘Harden not your heart’

Facts, not fear. That must be our collective mindset and approach amid these trying times as our nation faces the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19. Yes, these are trying times. But by working together and showing compassion for one another, we will persevere. Indeed, the virus spread is testing our collective will to work together to stop this disease and to find a treatment for it. We’re sure you’ve seen on TV and on social media video of people fighting in the aisles of grocery stores over toilet paper, sanitizer and other health-care and cleaning products. Those ...

We’ll get through this

Many of us have little detailed, direct control over our investments, which are in 401K funds and other instruments through which we save money for retirement. But for those who can and do make regular decisions on how their money is invested, this has not been a pleasant week. One headline sums it up: Stock market takes worst dive since 2008. Blame COVID-19, otherwise known as “the coronavirus.” The possibility of a crippling worldwide epidemic has made some investors jittery. This is no time to panic, however. As both local and national investment professionals point out, ...

Police body cameras should be standard equipment

We are heartened to hear the the Lock Haven and Bellefonte Police Departments are on course to obtain body cameras for their respective law enforcement officers. No doubt, body cameras are an effective and important tool for investigation and prosecution. They help to bring truth into the courtroom when people are charged and crimes are contested. Seems to us that body cameras should be mandated. Kudos, too, to Clinton County District Attorney Dave Strouse and Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna for being catalysts for the respective departments through lobbying and ...

This must be our new slogan: Make more on-shore

We’re angry as hell over China’s lack of environmental and health regulations to help protect its own citizens and to help prevent all of us from diseases such as the coronavirus, or COVID-19. The United States is far too reliant on the Chinese and its communist government for everyday products. If the coronavirus/COVID-19 is not a wake-up call to private businesses to start manufacturing more critical and consumer products in the United States, then nothing is. Heck, we’d love to see our own First Quality start manufacturing medical masks and gowns that some say are flying ...

Closing Dickey pits cost against character

Based on consultants’ estimates, the Keystone Central School Board has an idea as to what it will cost to keep Dickey Elementary School open. The aging building is showing its wear. As the consultants from Crabtree, Rorbaugh and Associates reported, Dickey “would need to undergo major renovations in the near future to remain viable.” The long-term, get-it-right price tag? It could be several million dollars just to start, including an estimated $250,000 short-term investment to replace a critical electric transformer inside Dickey. The board then must also ask itself, ...

Use your head over coronavirus

So, how worried should I be about COVID-19 (coronavirus)? What do I need to do to keep myself and my loved ones safe? There is reason for concern about COVID-19, the coronavirus that has spread to 50 countries after breaking out in China. As of Thursday morning, the disease had killed about 2,800 people. An estimated 82,000 people have come down with it. Nearly all the victims are in China. Cases in other nations are reported in single and double digits, for the most part. Just 60 cases had occurred through Thursday in the United States. Patients here are being ...