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Editorials

Back in ... 1948

- The body of an Army nurse, Dorothy M. Berger of Marshall Street, Shamokin, arrived in San Francisco. She had been killed in an airplane accident in New Guinea in 1944. - In Anniston, Ala., 44 year-old J.C. Barker was married to 12 year-old Betty J

Despite lobbying, student loan reform bill should become law

Private student-loan companies have launched a furious lobbying campaign against well-warranted reforms that would steer much more aid to students, and their families at no expense to taxpayers. The plan, passed by the House and pending in the Senate, wo

Bet you're in for some gambling odds and ends

I'm not much of a gambler. The biggest gamble I take these days is when I pass one rest stop along the interstate and it's 78 miles to the next one. I didn't start off life so cautiously, though. "You wanna bet" probably tied with "It wasn't me" as the t

This roll call of regional lawmakers was compiled by the Times-Shamrock Harrisburg Bureau. COURT: Senate Bill 1169 requires that defendants found guilty by a jury in a criminal case pay the court costs associated with their prosecution. The Senate approv

Trade shoes? What shoes?

Americans are the most generous people the world over. Over the course of world history, there has been no other nation that has provided its blood and treasure to free and aid people of all races and creeds. We are, as President Reagan paraphrased from
Letters to the editor

Birthright thanks Lourdes Regional for its support

To the editor: Birthright of Sunbury wishes to acknowledge the Respect Life Club at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School and their contribution toward a better quality of life for our mothers and babies. Their ongoing faithfulness has allowed Birthri

Soldier thanks community for show of support

To the editor: Bob Sandri, of Shamokin, put my address in the local paper. By doing so, I recieved a lot of Christmas cards over the holidays, and it helped keep my spirts up. I would like you to place a response in the paper on my behalf thanking the wo

CAFOs a concern in Catawissa area

To the editor: Residents of Columbia, Northumberland, Montour, Snyder, Union and surrounding counties, be aware of what is happening: CAFOs are entering Pennsylvania. Those not aware of a CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation) and operations, read

Board member won't restrict information flow

To the editor: In response to all the recent attention given to the Shamokin Area School Board's confidentiality resolution, I will offer the reason for my yes vote. The Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) standards and code of conduct for memb

Other commitments prevent run for 108th

To the editor: I would like to thank my family, friends and so many members of the community who have offered their support and encouragement for a potential run for the general assembly. I am truly honored and humbled. Anyone who knows me understands th
Don't get me started

Banning books protects no one

There are several phrases that are sure to get me started, and "banned books" is at the top of that list. Reading is one of the best, inexpensive ways to experience new places, understand historic events and cultivate empathy for the plights of others. R

'Pro-choice' ad exalts life

It's been almost three years since I started writing this column, and there are a few topics I've tackled more than once. Abortion is one of them. The definition of "rights" is another. Super Bowl commercials have graced this column a time or two. Lo and

Robertson's comment out of line

The other day, I was looking for a bookmark and found one on which my aunt Martha had written, "God showed Job that knowing 'who' is far more important than knowing 'why.' God often tells us, 'Trust me, even when you don't get answers.'" After reading he

Advising against dating advice

Every once in a while, I stumble across an article that makes me wonder if the author was typing in earnest, or going for the "Most Sarcastic Article" award. Dating editor Denise Ngo's "10 Things a good boyfriend won't ask you to do," found on Yahoo News
Week in News

One small victory for the public

I reported here just three weeks ago about the snag we ran into covering the unemployment compensation hearings for two fired Mount Carmel Borough employees. We had learned such hearings are open to the public, and our reporter was indeed welcomed into t

Breaking news minus attribution

Last week I wrote about a recent study by the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism that took a close look at the news "ecosystem" of Baltimore, Md., over one week in July. I wanted to further discuss a point in that study and how it
Walt's Way

Bet you're in for some gambling odds and ends

I'm not much of a gambler. The biggest gamble I take these days is when I pass one rest stop along the interstate and it's 78 miles to the next one. I didn't start off life so cautiously, though. "You wanna bet" probably tied with "It wasn't me" as the t

No wonder they call jobs 'work'

I suppose every job and profession, no matter how glamorous, exciting or financially rewarding, has its downside - even writing a newspaper column. If you hit, throw or kick a ball well enough, you might receive a salary higher than the gross national in
Talking Points

Trade shoes? What shoes?

Americans are the most generous people the world over. Over the course of world history, there has been no other nation that has provided its blood and treasure to free and aid people of all races and creeds. We are, as President Reagan paraphrased from

By now that first electric bill of the year has arrived. Opening up that dreaded envelope was a shock that was anything but static; it was more of a jolt straight from the socket. Once my hair receded back in place after doing its best Don King impressi

Prepping for an avalanche

In a strange twist of political irony, Barack Obama observed his first anniversary in the White House Wednesday by watching the Senate seat held by the late Massachusetts political lifer, Ted Kennedy, change from Democrat to Republican. It seems that i

The lost generation

Friday will be the 37th anniversary of the Supreme Court's radical decision in Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion. Since then, nearly 50 million abortions have been performed in the United States. They are America's lost generation. For a startling juxt
Capitol Matters

Report could shine green light on energy issue

HARRISBURG - A first-time report on green-sector jobs in Pennsylvania could turn the spotlight again on state legislation to foster greater use of clean energy.

Will green jobs spur legislation?

HARRISBURG - A first-time report on green-sector jobs in Pennsylvania could turn the spotlight again on state legislation to foster greater use of clean energy. A combination of public and private spending will create 115,000 "green" jobs directly and i

Green Jobs report: Hope, caution

A first-time report on green-sector jobs in Pennsylvania could turn the spotlight again on state legislation to foster greater use of clean energy. A combination of public and private spending will create 115,000 "green" jobs directly and indirectly du

State expects green sector to add 115,000 jobs

HARRISBURG - A first-time report on green-sector jobs in Pennsylvania could turn the spotlight again on state legislation to foster greater use of clean energy. A combination of public and private spending will create 115,000 "green" jobs directly and i

Capitol Matters: Pa. moves toward clean and green

HARRISBURG - A first-time report on green-sector jobs in Pennsylvania could turn the spotlight again on state legislation to foster greater use of clean energy. A combination of public and private spending will create 115,000 "green" jobs directly and i
Sound Off

Sound Off 02-08-10

No pity party Let's not have a pity party for Belfanti. He got paid well for all those 30 years he was at the trough in Harrisburg. And remember he's got a really good retirement coming from out of your tax dollar. Candidate 'C' I see that Bob Belfanti

Sound Off 02-07-10

Cooked books Mr. Hepler: A fraud is a fraud is a fraud. Whatever you want to call it, you don't do it. Fire charge This is in regard to charging by the fire department for coming to put out a fire. I think that is a little ridiculous. If someone has a ho

Sound Off 02-06-10

Comedy bit This is the latest laughable bit from our president judge. He and the commissioner chairman occupy two important positions of leadership? When the heck was he elected to run the county? Compassion lost Years ago, people in this area had a lot

Sound Off 02-05-10

Tune changed Obama changed his tune on the loss of one senator. Now he is trying to win back independents with tax breaks. Whatever happened to the $250 for seniors? Maybe if he loses another one with the senior vote, they will get $500. Get involved I h

Sounds stinky Hey Frog, that Grammy thing Sunday night stunk, stunk, stunk. Nobody could sing, and everybody was screaming. It was horrible! The only good one was Andrea Bocelli, but the lady who was singing with him ruined the whole song. That stunk and
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Centralia's final days State officials push to finish demolition

CENTRALIA - Standing before the wreckage of his bulldozed home, John Lokitis Jr. felt sick to his stomach, certain that a terrible mistake had been made. He'd fought for years to stay in the house. It was one of the few left standing in the moonscape of