More questions need asked of rushed police regionalization process

February 21, 2023

I thought it was time that I should express my thoughts about the Old Lycoming Township Police Department and regionalization, now that the Old Lycoming Township Police Department no longer exists. I was unable to attend meetings last year to let the township supervisors know my thoughts on regionalization. When I became the first full-time chief of police for Old Lycoming Township I had ideas on how the department should be operated. I wanted to provide the best service to our community. Before coming to Old Lycoming Township I was an auxiliary police officer for the Williamsport ...

What we all need to know in an environment of high electricity costs

February 18, 2023

We’ve all experienced increased costs across virtually every aspect of our daily lives, from food and other goods at the supermarket, to the gas pump, and to a range of basic services. Electricity prices have certainly been no exception, as they too have increased significantly over the past two years, impacting consumers nationwide, including our neighbors, families and friends here in Pennsylvania. They’re a prime focus of our company, PPL Electric Utilities. PPL Electric doesn’t generate electricity or control the price of electricity supply. Rather, we are responsible for ...

Up the creek without a paddle

February 18, 2023

A few days ago I was making a mad dash to the market to pick up some essentials for the day’s meal. As it was my turn to shop, and I was determined to do so without the list that remained on my kitchen counter, my mind was playing memory games to fill the shopping cart successfully. Because I was so preoccupied, it wasn’t until I was in the store, heading straight for the produce, that I realized I had forgotten one very important item — my mask. In my hurry, I had left it in the car. And so began my “safety waffle.” Should I go back to grab my mask, or just take a ...

Strengthen election security

February 15, 2023

In January, the state Senate passed, and I supported, legislation that would present three state constitutional amendments to voters, including a requirement for Pennsylvania voters to present identification at a polling place before they receive a ballot. Approved identification would consist of photo and non-photo IDs alike. Senate Bill 1, which included these proposed constitutional amendments, must be approved by the House and Senate in two consecutive legislative sessions and then approved by voters through a ballot referendum. The bill made it through the first step by receiving ...

Nursing home residents know it matters

February 11, 2023

The world, including the U.S., Pennsylvania, and Lycoming County, is still in a pandemic. COVID-19 is not endemic yet. Pandemics are known to cause widespread disruption, illness, and hardship, as we have experienced since 2020. Endemic means a disease is spreading in a community at the normal or expected level. A pandemic begins to shift to an endemic once the disease becomes more stable and manageable. Have you ever visited a long-term care facility? If so, you most likely understand the environment and the enormity of what staff do every day, every hour, and every minute to keep our ...

The far-reaching, devastating impact of Amazon ending AmazonSmile

February 11, 2023

WILLIAMSPORT — Eighty-five years ago, Carl Stotz had an epiphany of sorts while he was passing a lazy summer day playing catch with his two nephews and tripped over a lilac bush while chasing a wild pitch. While nursing his wounds he had a flash of brilliance that would forever change the lives of children, families, communities, and small businesses around the world. Decades later, he recalled to author Lance Van Auken for his book Play Ball! The Story of Little League Baseball what he told his nephews: “How would you boys like to play on a baseball team? How would you like to ...