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Our local pharmacists are right

Local pharmacists Jeff Packech and Chris Freeman are right: The state had no right to take vaccines away from them. In doing so, the state took away opportunity for more people to get vaccines. Once you start something, finish it, darn it. Jeff and Chris are passionate about wanting to be a part of the solution to this pandemic. Healthcare is in their blood. And as they told The Express this past week, they had no idea that the COVID-19 vaccine program would be ripped away from them and their patients. Freeman owns Mill Hall Pharmacy in Mill Hall. Packech owns Keller & ...

Bridge toll proposal: Users should pay

Those who use something should pay for it. Doesn’t that makes sense? So who can blame Gov. Tom Wolf for proposing that motorists pay a toll when driving over a group of bridges in Pennsyvlania? Pennsylvania motorists already pay a gasoline tax to maintain and develop roads and bridges in the Keystone State. What alternative to a user tax, toll or fee would anyone propose? Frankly, we like that idea over paying what is the United States’ second highest gasoline tax, which is just what those who buy gas in Pennsylvania pay. Of course, that’s surmising the gas tax will be ...

Here’s to closing ‘Main Streets’ to bring more people into downtowns

More outside or open air dining. Robust musical entertainment, street vendors and sidewalk sales. These are among the ingredients to a successful — and appealing — summer season in Lock Haven and Bellefonte as these communities and others work to bring people into their downtowns. Will PennDOT agree? You see, in many communities, “Main Street” is typically a state route, giving PennDOT final say over any road closures. And don’t forget about all of the activities planned on the water this year! As COVID-19 reared its ugly head last year, Lock Haven sought and was ...

Better days are ahead

We’ve often said that hope is the air we breathe. Perhaps we need to add this: Hope is the vaccine we all get. It has been a long, long year since COVID-19 came a knockin. Many of us now spend our days trying to breathe that hope. At least we should be. We should be hopeful as a way to honor those who we have lost ... and pay homage to those who are fighting to get us all out of the pandemic. This coming week, your community newspaper, The Express and its web site at www.lockhaven.com, will fill most of its print and online pages with hope — and hard work! We bring you ...

MH council’s proposal on rec vehicles looks like classic over-reach

We suggest Mill Hall Borough Council not waste its own time and that of its residents by considering an ordinance amendment that would require a person to get the consent of their neighboring property owner before they ride a recreational vehicle on their own property. The proposed expanded restriction just goes too far and infringes on people’s private property rights. Sure, there should be regulations guiding the use of people’s properties, such as setbacks for fences and buildings, or use and development depending on whether the property is zoned residential, commercial or ...

Schools can reopen safely, get kids back in classrooms

We make note of the column and editorial cartoons on this opinion-editorial page as we espouse that public schools do their best to reopen and get students back in the classroom — safely amid this pandemic. Fact is, at-home instruction is not as effective. Ask any teacher. Too many kids — and their parents — don’t pay attention. Kids get behind. We’ve spoken to some teachers and they tell us some kids are failing because their attention is not “in school” but rather, whatever is on TV or on their cellphone. Mom and dad — and especially the many single parents ...