The turn of one year to another year, 2023 to 2024, is always a time of transition and change, and very often, some events of great importance, and that transition from 1958 to 1959 — 65 years ago — was no exception. In the days leading up to the beginning of the New Year, the
This marks my eighth year of covering county government, and I am being very honest in saying that I enjoyed this year above them all. I am a person who likes to focus on the positives and not just dwell on the negatives, and there were many positives for the county in this past year.
While most cities during the past year were busy trying to hold their own and keep going, Williamsport, a survey shows, not only maintained its regular industries, but added several more to its already diversified list. Industries that have been established in the city continued to grow and, in several instance, made extensive improvements in
Williamsport’s community Christmas tree celebration Tuesday evening was a great success in spite of the inclement weather. The tree had been repaired and rebuilt it is now one of the most symmetrical the city has had, and the lighting is so perfectly placed that the illumination is splendidly balanced and the effect beautiful. In spite
When Christmas was celebrated 93 years ago in 1930, the country was in the middle of a dire economic downturn that would become known as the Great Depression. The year 1930 saw men, women, and children waiting in breadlines and going to soup kitchens in order to receive basic sustenance for their bodies. Those who
The one comment I receive more often than any other from this column is the discovery of the role of county government. Most citizens focus their attention to local government and those who are directing it: city or borough council members or township supervisors. This is normal because Pennsylvania was designed this way. Townships and
The federal government in Washington, has an advantage that state, county, and municipal governments do not have. These governments must have the money to meet their budgets through either taxes, grants, or investments. The federal government has these as well, but it also has the ability to create money. They literally represent the saying, “Money
As Christmas shoppers scurry around doing their Christmas shopping, it might be good to remember the golden days when downtown Williamsport was the retail center of northcentral Pennsylvania. There were department stores such as L.L. Stearns, Bush and Bull, Penney’s, Sears and Roebuck, and the Carroll House. The Carroll House was one of downtown Williamsport’s
It may be a new location, but it is still a display and auction of beautifully decorated trees — the proceeds from an auction for these trees to benefit the local Salvation Army. Last Christmas marked 20 years of success for The Salvation Army’s Festival of Trees at the Lycoming Mall. If you are new
Losses that will exceed $100,000 resulted from an early morning fire that destroyed the Masonic Temple business block of Montoursville. Starting in the kitchen of Lundy’s Lunchroom, 340 Broad Street, Montoursville at 1:50 a.m. the flames swept rapidly on the south side of the street, consuming nine business places, and making five families homeless. The
There are five fundamental rights listed in the first two Amendments to the US Constitution: – Freedom of speech. – Freedom of assembly. – The right to petition the government for grievances. – The right to bear arms. The one that does not get much attention, however, is the freedom of the press. I am
Meagan Murray has always been interested in helping others and improving their lives. It was with that in mind that at the age of 15, she used her birthday money, and money collected in yard sales she held that year, to purchase and collect 36 gifts to give to the women and children who would
