Online now: Would you vote for a candidate for public office who is known to have been repeatedly delinquent on tax payments?
Last week's question: What local high school football team do you think has the best shot at making the state playoffs in 2010?
As explained in a story in this edition, Shamokin Area School District deemed its now well-known memo "sting" a success, but the facts do not support that conclusion.
Launched at the advice of a law firm last fall, the sting was intended to stop the lea
Northumberland County Commissioner Vinny Clausi said back in January when he touched off the sheriff department porn scandal that he felt compelled to act because the issue - as is too often the practice in local government - was being brushed under the
- Although America was not yet involved, World War II was moving into its third year in Europe.
- In the beginning, the Germans and Russians had been allies, but it didn't take long for that strange alliance to end, and, on this day, the Russians stopped
There are recent examples at the local, county and state levels where government officials have redoubled their efforts to collect taxes. Most notable was Pennsylvania's tax amnesty television commercial, where in what many considered a "Big Brother" app
To the editor: Today, I opened my mailbox and was totally appalled. I received a giant post card from Congressman Chris Carney that had the picture of a crying senior citizen on the front and on the back a vicious attack against his opponent, Tom Marino.
To the editor: Lake Augusta communities were treated to an amazing fireworks show this past Saturday. The individuals and organizations that collaborated on this spectacular event deserve a public thank you.
First one is for Robert "Chopper" Deitz, who
To the editor: I would like to thank God for having the privilege of knowing, respecting, admiring and loving such a dedicated and wonderful man, Mr. Albert Santor.
His devotion to Coal Township was remarkable, and deserves proper recognition, which I'm
To the editor: From reading the posts on the Internet and in The News-Item's "Sound Off," it seems there continue to be some misconceptions about Habitat for Wildlife (HFW).
The "Alaska site" located near Excelsior in Coal Township is open to the public
To the editor: In recent times I've been reminded of the Vince Lombardi quote, "People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses or the problems of modern society." Working together is necessary to overcome differences a
I found out six weeks ago that I'm going to have a baby. Get ready world, another opinionated person will grace our presence in March.
So far, the reactions I've received have been joyous, and I haven't heard the dreaded questions and comments mommies-to
Yesterday marked an important American milestone: The 90th anniversary of the signing into law of the 19th Amendment, which prohibits the government from denying an American the right to vote because of gender.
I'm happy to say that many women in my gene
There's been quite a conversation lately in "Letters to the Editor" concerning the Catholic church's response to child molestation accusations.
Good. Conversation and debate is the best way to bring a controversy into the light, where it can be properly
The first thing I learned in the Army was the Army Values: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage. I eventually learned that the proper answer to "Which of the Army Values is most important?" is honor, which means
We've published a number of stories and editorials on the practice of municipalities publishing public notices on their own websites as opposed to in the local newspaper.
Locally, Southern Columbia Area is the only district to have sought and received a
A decision this month by Commonwealth Court further defines the power of the state's relatively new Right to Know Law, and this one won't be helpful to the public.
Judge Dan Pellegrini said in ruling against the release of e-mails of court employees that
Labor Day means different things for different people. For me, it means that it is time that I should get around to planting spring onions.
Most people have no idea that the holiday originated with the noble aim of recognizing the contributions of worker
We are doomed to spend most of our lives getting ready for something and very little of our lives actually being ready.
We start getting ready to do something when we are babies, constantly gearing up for the next milestone in our young lives. Our little
Sound Off
What a joke
Now it comes to light that school board member Eric Belfanti can't make his tax bills. Maybe his dad Robert Jr. can donate some of the extra money he was going to put towards a monument to his "glorified legacy" to help "poor" Eric pay his ta
Pension and paycheck
I agree with the person who said the county should have given the detective job to a person who is not getting a pension from another good job he had.
Nice story
What a nice story about the wounded vets having a good time at Knoebels
Outrageous
The county is hiring a new detective that retired from the state after 25 years for $31,585 a year. He's probably getting a state pension that's about $45,000 a year, so he's making over $70,000 a year? Why not hire someone who really needs a
Respect forever
Thank God for Mr. Belfanti. He should have a monument to always remember and honor him throughout the years. He deserves respect forever. He was a Godsend to us in our lifetime.
Pushing garbage
I for one am glad the street sweeper isn't r
Stay single
Beware: Consolidation of local municipalities - that is a very dangerous trend to destroy Pennsylvania.
Down hill
Mount Carmel Township has really gone down hill over the past couple years. There are people partying on porches all hours, neig
The wheels of justice grind slowly, with the prosecution and disposition of major public corruption cases often taking years to complete. The political response to major events like the Luzerne County Courthouse scandal can take just as long, especially
For several hours last week, about 100 House lawmakers and senators gathered in one room for a serious discussion of transportation funding issues with two cabinet secretaries.
The meeting of the bicameral Transportation Caucus came right after Gov. Ed
Once upon a time, attending Penn State's annual football media day was like spending the afternoon at the theater minus the cost, admission line and the plush velvet seating. The affair was definitely more Off-Broadway than Broadway, but certainly entert
COAL TOWNSHIP - Top administrators and board members at Shamokin Area School District (SASD) were out to stop a "leak" of personnel information they suspected was coming from the administration office.
Their "sting" last fall led to the now well-known me
COAL TOWNSHIP - North Schuylkill's Brendan Shearn and Bloomsburg's Meghan Ashford looked to be in prime midseason shape Saturday at Shamokin Area's Purple and White Invitational.
No one must have told them that Saturday's race was only the first of the s
