As you know, Webb Weekly has always tried to give as much coverage as possible to anything related to drug prevention in our area.

It seems, sometimes, if there aren’t reports of dozens of heroin overdoses in the news, the opiod epidemic in our area and across the country can get pushed to the wayside.

However, the fact is, the drug problem in our community and in the US is as prevalent as ever — and we shouldn’t forget that.

The Williamsport Lycoming County Council of Republican Women is doing its part to support drug prevention in our area by hosting “The Road to Recovery”, on June 19th at 7:00 p.m. at the Genetti Hotel.

This program will offer the opportunity to ask questions of experts, hear testimonials, more. The panel experts include President Judge Nancy Butts, Judge Richard Gray, Judge Marc Levecchio, Dr. Fausnaught form Clean Slate and Drug Court Graduate, Seth Fredericks.

If you are interested in learning about prevention or the state of the epidemic in our area, I encourage you to go to the program. Admission is free and you get more information by calling 570-772-3940.

There is still a lot of work to be done in the area in the world of drug prevention, but I am happy to see groups like this out there trying to make an impact.

All of us at Webb Weekly are sad to hear of the passing of Richard James. Richard worked with us way back when the paper was just getting started. We worked together on several covers back then that involved me taking pictures and him making them look good.

In the years since, Richard has been an advocate for our community. He was an activist for equality, he recently helped organize #WilliamsportCleanup where he encouraged everyone in the city to get out and clean up litter in the area. From what I heard almost a half-ton of garbage was collected.

Lou has a better list of everything Richard did to make our community a little better, a little more peaceful and a little more equal on page 8.

We all wish his family the best in this difficult time. There is a celebration of his life being planned for Saturday, June 9th at 4:00 p.m. at City Alliance Church, 380 W. 4th St. Williamsport.

On a lighter note…

The Billtown Blues Festival is this weekend! I went for the first time last year and it was a lot of fun! I highly recommend getting down to the Lycoming County Fairgrounds and checking out this amazing event. The festival runs from noon-11:00 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 at the gate. The blues doesn’t care about rain, so the show goes on rain or shine. Be sure to bring an umbrella, a hat, some sunscreen, chairs and cooler. There is always plenty of food around so you can make it an all day event! This year’s line-up includes: CJ Chenier, Tas Cru, Ray Fuller, Rory Block, Dawn Tyler Watson, John Primer, JW Jones, Chris LaRose, and The Gabe Stillman Band.