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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 ...

Lawmakers need to modernize gaming law

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Department of Pennsylvania, with a membership of nearly 60,000 combat veterans encompassing more than 400 posts in the Commonwealth, is a vibrant and vital member of our local communities. We provide safe havens for our Veteran population -- venues for active-duty, honorably discharged, and retired military personnel to congregate, socialize, and bond -- while also assisting our veterans with accessing critical support in the local communities and vital federal benefits. Beyond supporting our combat veterans, individual VFW Posts across Pennsylvania ...

President needs to tighten his belt

That’s my message to Donald Trump. Most of us know that when you’re living on a budget, you need to prioritize. You don’t spend money on things that aren’t necessary. Like that dress in the window? Sorry, rent’s due. Gotta get food for the family. There’s a doctor’s appointment next week. The dress will have to wait. Nationally, that ballroom would be spectacular and those bronze statues really should be gold. But the sailors on the USS Abraham Lincoln need food. Hawaii and several other states had major floods and people need help. There are problems with food born ...

School choice saves families struggling with affordability

Jeri Penrod and his family — his wife and their four children, Chloe, Andrew, Clara, and Ananias — faced financial ruin. But a few timely scholarships provided the family not only with a solid education but also with the financial stability they needed to persevere. For the past five years, the Penrods have been on the move. As a United Methodist pastor, Jeri has moved his family several times, as his denomination has appointed him to communities in need of his spiritual guidance. But this mobile lifestyle hit a brick wall in 2023. Jeri’s appointment unexpectedly ended, leaving ...