Shamokin | Opinion

Letter: March is colorectal cancer awareness month

Dear Editor: March is colorectal cancer awareness month, and the Central Susquehanna Colorectal Cancer Task Force wants to remind our community friends about the importance of early detection and prevention. According to the National Cancer Institute, c

Why not make flood insurance mandatory in at-risk areas?

Amid unseasonably warm weather that has rapidly melted a deep snow pack, and forecasts for substantial rain, state insurance Commissioner Joel Ario quite rightly reminded Pennsylvanians this week that their homeowners' insurance doesn't cover flood damag

Back in ... 1961

- On St. Patrick's Day, it was fair and cold in Shamokin, where officials of the F&S Brewery revealed that they were getting ready to announce a new invention, one which would allow the tapping of a beer keg without the use of ponderous equipment. - The

Study shows validity of merit selection of judges

State appellate courts regularly make decisions that affect the lives of all Pennsylvanians. But the statewide campaigns that result in the selection of appellate judges are funded by a handful of interests that are highly likely to have direct dealings

With RTK track record, legal notices should stay

Local governments in Pennsylvania claim that the state law requiring legal advertising of government business in newspapers of general circulation, including this one, needlessly imposes costs on those governments. They want the Legislature to repeal the

Letters to the editor

Pigeon shoot ban part of larger goal

To the editor: Hollywood's Bob Barker has donated $1 million to an animal protection group to stop pigeon shoots in Pennsylvania. There are homeless shelters, food banks, fire companies and many other worthy causes that could benefit from such a gift. In

Welcoming foreclosure for Red Gold

To the editor: I live in Center City Apartments. I have stood by my convictions of the Red Gold and housing authority dispute from the beginning. In the beginning, which was in September 2009, when it was made public that Red Gold Enterprises (Gene Pica

Arc looks for volunteer caregivers

To the editor: "Top notch families wanted to befriend and nurture individuals with developmental disabilities who live on their own in our communities. If you and your family can help, please call the Arc, Susquehanna Valley at 286-1008 to volunteer." Yo

'Gift of counsel' shows students were wrong

To the editor: I read about the Lourdes students and their suspension. We should have the right to wear what we want. This led to a big discussion with my parents. They listened to my reasons why I believe the students should not be disciplined. Then the

Paying residents should have choice of ALS service

Dear Editor: I have some serious questions about these Advanced Life Support Services. If we, the citizens, are charged for these services, we should have a choice of who responds, which currently we do not have. It's like deciding to buy a Toyota or Hon

Don't get me started

It's OK for adults to curse. Really

I was expecting the worst when I read an article last week that said Bud Keene, coach to snowboarder and Olympic gold-medal winner Shaun White, "made several vulgar and expletive comments to White" before he took his final ride on the half pipe at the Wi

Week in News

More 'sunshine' to come

The News-Item in the past three or four months has filed several Right to Know requests with local governmental bodies. It's a fairly common practice for newspapers and other media - but also for individuals. Pennsylvania's new Right to Know Law took eff

Walt's Way

A Zdachovaczyswiczowsky by any other name would smell as sweet

One advantage of having a last name of more than two syllables and letters approaching and attaining double digits is that you get plenty of practice in spelling it. Spelling "Kozlowski" is no more intimidating than pronouncing it, but I have long since

Talking Points

An unhealthy deadline

Four Days. That's what is left of a presidential deadline for Congress passing ObamaCare. Historians are calling it the largest and most costly piece of social legislation in congressional history. The president who campaigned on transparency and brid

During last month's State of the Union address, President Obama openly criticized the Supreme Court for broadening First Amendment rights to corporations, which he said would lead to First Amendment rights for foreign companies. Where Obama loses me is t

First Lady Michelle Obama to announce goal to reduce child obesity problem

The timing couldn't have been better for First Lady Michelle Obama to announce that her goal as First Lady is to reduce the ever-increasing child obesity problem that's growing at an alarming rate across the country. Why? Lent. If there is one term assoc

By now that first electric bill of the year has arrived!

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

Capitol Matters

Capitol Matters: Some lawmakers respond to per diem criticisms

HARRISBURG - With legislative expenses emerging as an issue in this year's competitive races for Senate and House seats in Northeast Pennsylvania, lawmakers are developing their own policies on this matter in advance of any future rewrites of laws or cha

Some lawmakers opting to try accountability

HARRISBURG - With legislative expenses emerging as an issue in this year's competitive races for Senate and House seats in Northeast Pennsylvania, lawmakers are developing their own policies on this matter in advance of any future rewrites of laws or cha

Adjusting the House rules as per diems impact '10 election

With legislative expenses emerging as an issue in this year's competitive races for Senate and House seats in northeast Pennsylvania, lawmakers are developing their own policies on this matter in advance of any future rewrites of laws or chamber rules.

Capitol Matters: Shrinking state revenue puts bite on citizens

HARRISBURG - The continuing squeeze on state finances is taking a new toll on several hundred thousand Pennsylvanians who are either severely disabled, blind or elderly living on poverty-level incomes. These individuals receive monthly state payments to

State's financial problems takes toll on SSI recipients

HARRISBURG - The continuing squeeze on state finances is taking a new toll on several hundred thousand Pennsylvanians who are either severely disabled, blind or elderly living on poverty-level incomes. These individuals receive monthly state payments to

Sound Off

Sound Off 03-18-10

Toyota fan I have a 2009 Toyota Corrolla. I'd like to tell you people, I've had American cars all my life, the last one being a Chrysler. I had four water pumps installed in it. The corporate offices wouldn't admit there was a problem with it. I'll keep

Sound Off 03-17-10

Morale is down To the person who said they worked for the county previously and saw firsthand all the "crap" that went on: I have friends who still work for the county; I know what "crap" is still down there and how the morale is so horrible under Mr. Cl

Sound Off 03-16-10

Wrong path What I find so interesting is that Mount Carmel council had read and "approved" its budget every year and no one asked any questions before this. Let's review the council meeting minutes and see what that tells us. After reading the article i

Sound Off 03-15-10

Real reform Seniors had better take in action on this health care bill. Surely half a trillion dollars taken out of Medicaid is not going to bode well for the seniors in this country. They need to call Congressman Chris Carney and ask him to vote no on t

Sound Off 03-14-10

Failed Each day we read in the paper that the American Hose failed us even more. Now we know that all the money we just gave them for membership we are not getting back. We are finding out that they didn't even respect us enough to tell the borough that