Breaking News

Other Commentaries

State can still avoid self-inflicted wound

How do you intentionally cut the income of tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians? By undermining an industry that’s become essential to local businesses, veterans’ organizations, fraternal clubs and small businesses across the commonwealth. For nearly two decades, skill games have been part of Pennsylvania’s local fabric. They help keep neighborhood establishments open, support VFWs and American Legions, fund volunteer fire companies and provide a financial lifeline for organizations and social clubs. In all, thousands of Pennsylvanians rely on the supplemental income from these ...

‘Trump power plant’ coming to Pennsylvania

UNIONTOWN — Scott Dunn did not get a call from Washington. Instead, he received calls from his constituents. The chairman of the Fayette County Board of Commissioners had watched the March announcement like everyone else: a $17 billion natural gas generation hub somewhere in southwestern Pennsylvania, with 4.3 gigawatts of capacity, financed through Japan’s investment commitment under the U.S.-Japan trade agreement, with NextEra Energy Resources as developer. The federal government called it Project South Mon. It would not say where. Dunn did the arithmetic anyone from Dunbar ...

Are we forgetting what this day means?

(The Sun-Gazette published the following column in its Sept. 11, 2021 edition) We all remember the emotions of Sept. 11, 2001 – fear, horror, sadness. But do we remember the defining collective emotion of our country on Sept. 12, 2001? It was unity. We were united by the sense that our great nation had been violated, and that we would only get past the horror to a viable, stable future by being one. Pettiness and arguments that lead to nothing were not going to cut it if we were to overcome this immense tragedy. We were not divided by political party, ideology, race, culture, or ...

Looking back on the 79th World Series

Now that the Little League World Series (LLWS) has come and gone I wanted to take a moment to recognize some of the special moments. We can agree that some of the highlights this year include Curaçao’s pitching domination in the final game, Japan’s heartfelt celebration after winning their final matchup with help from their smallest player. There was also the record-setting play of both “girls with game,” Kinley Rasmus of Phenix City, Alabama, and Carsynn Meyer of Paseo Verde Little League in Las Vegas, Nevada. One of my favorite moments of the series didn’t even occur on ...

Who is Williamsport’s Mary Jane Arnold?

Mary Jane Arnold, by all rights, should be known nationwide. Her daughter, Victoria Arnold, told me that in July, at age 95, Mary Jane Arnold passed away. Mary Jane Arnold of Williamsport, Pennsylvania changed history. Mary Jane and nine other women commenced an action on March 4, 1983, against Blast Intermediate Unit 17. The Plaintiffs were employed by Blast as teacher’s aids. Blast hired a shop assistant and paid him a greater salary than that paid to Plaintiffs—almost double. Plaintiffs alleged that the salary differential violated the Equal Pay Act as well as Title VII ...

State must back effort to stop transnational scams

Most of the crime my department investigates begins and ends in Lycoming County. A break-in has a point of entry. A stolen car has plates or a VIN. A hit-and-run has a driver who can be found with enough legwork. That’s the rhythm of local policing — follow the evidence, identify the suspect, and bring accountability home. But a crime involving one of our residents a few months ago didn’t fit that pattern. A caller claimed to be from the Lycoming Regional Police Department. He told a resident he had missed jury duty and now had a warrant. To clear it, he said he needed to drive ...