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Juvenile crime more opaque by design

As Williamsport and Lycoming County debate juvenile crime and misbehavior, we must remind the public how difficult it is to understand how extensive or not these problems can be. Juvenile court records are sealed — unlike our reporting on felonies and misdemeanors for which adults are prosecuted, officials are prohibited from releasing the affidavits, sentencing reports and other documentation that sheds light on crimes in our region committed by adults. Thus, details about crimes committed by juveniles — regardless of whether neighbors are concerned about the teenagers circling ...

What other newspapers are saying: Schemes to gerrymander get worse

The redistricting arms race now roiling American politics was not merely predictable, but inevitable. It began the moment President Donald Trump picked up the phone last year to demand that Missouri, Texas and other red states gerrymander their congressional districts mid-decade to give Republicans an advantage in the upcoming midterms. Some Democratic-held states have responded in kind. The result is that in much of America this November, voters won’t be allowed to choose their politicians; the politicians are instead choosing their voters. It’s an untenable situation that will ...

Award winners a testament to value of volunteering

On a recent evening, members of our communities gathered in Williamsport to honor the sort of volunteerism and community service that we long have argued is both a cherished value or principle of our region’s character and something of which all of our neighborhoods and communities need ...

Tax hikes another reminder that state spending, mergers needed

We are glad for those districts in our region that will be able to avoid property tax increases this year. Of course we also worry about friends, family and neighbors in those districts that find it necessary to increase their millage rates. As we have noted before, the signs are clear that ...

What other newspapers are saying: Gambling still a problem

As lawmakers continue to look for ways to kick-start our sluggish and somehow still backward-looking economy, West Virginians are falling prey to another draining and damaging addiction at a higher rate than in most other states. WalletHub’s “2026’s Most Gambling-Addicted States” placed West Virginia at sixth overall. It’s always a shock to come in first in one of these studies or reports, just to come to the understanding that on this one, first is worst. But the Mountain State is No. 1 for lottery sales per capita. The state is also first for legality of daily fantasy ...

Stay calm, vigilant when dealing with scammers

Decent people are assaulted regularly by scammers attempting to gain their personal information, their money, and usually, both. A new round of scam attempts has taken things up a notch by including state seals. Law abiding citizens are used to being able to believe that if something comes ...