When the Lycoming County Commissioners brought up the subject of live-streaming their meetings a few years ago, I had to smile. It was hard enough for me to sit through those work sessions and regular meetings week after week; I could not imagine following them virtually from a single static camera. But, and not for
READ MORESeveral weeks ago, in November, the National Grange organization celebrated its 155th anniversary. In view of that, I thought it would be appropriate to write about a local grange with a historical distinction, Eagle Grange No. 1, located right here in Lycoming County, was the first Grange founded in the state of Pennsylvania. A little
READ MOREMy wife and I are elected representatives for the Republican Party in Clinton Township, and in that capacity, we get invited to several events. A couple of weeks ago, we received an invite in our email, “for those of you who worked the polls during this past election, you have been invited to a dinner
READ MOREThe best thing I can say regarding last week’s midterm elections is that thank goodness they’re in the books, and I don’t have to watch any more political advertising. I have talked to many republicans and democrats, and that was usually one of the first things they said. Before I get to my take on
READ MOREThe 2022 elections are over. Thank heavens. But a few folks think it is still going. Good lord, Johnny. Throw in the towel. Regardless of where you stand. You gotta admit that it was pretty bad. The negative campaigns were extremely annoying. Many of my friends say we are doomed. Several have even mentioned they
READ MOREHarry Truman held up the famous November 3, 1948 headline on the Chicago Daily Tribune, which stated, “Dewey Defeats Truman,” with a big smile on his face. Last week’s midterm elections might be remembered similarly. The pollsters were unanimous in their assurance that the Republicans would easily control the House of Representatives and, most probably,
READ MOREAs we approach what I believe is the most important midterm election in American history, I want to first give you a prediction if things don’t go the way of the Democratic Party and the current presidential administration. There was a time not that long ago that Democratic leader Chuck Schumer investigated the use of
READ MOREThe spotlight in the Williamsport area has suddenly shifted from the civic arena to a place more than 1,000 miles away. Throughout the area—on street corners, in buses, in homes, in businesses, in the stores, one word can be heard again and again — “Cuba.” The crisis has become the topic of conversation in every
READ MOREI’m going to begin this week with a topic that we must all find the positivity in, the United States of America Senate race between Governor Wolf’s former Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman and TV personality Dr. Mehmet Oz. For those of you waiting for some of my journalistic thoughts about the White House, the Wolf
READ MOREIt’s official; fall has finally begun! And for those of us who are fans of all-things autumn, the return of sweater weather brings forth a delightful sort of glee! As we settle into the season, I’ve been mulling over new ways to wear oversized sweaters. While they might seem basic, oversized knits can create a
READ MORE2022 is known as a midterm election year. Midterm elections are quite different from any other because they include a wide variety of political races — local offices, of course, as well as races for state offices and US Representative and Senate seats. This vast field results in the national media featuring a race here
READ MOREJohn Denver sang that West Virginia was almost heaven, but a better candidate would be a valley located about fifteen miles north of Williamsport. This amazing piece of God’s country is surrounded by some of the most beautiful hills anywhere. Because of the topography, there is virtually no ambient light, making the stars brighter at
READ MORELycoming County has very few big employers. The medical community (UPMC Hospital & Susquehanna Physician Services), the educational community (Pennsylvania College of Technology, Lycoming College, and the Williamsport and Loyalsock School Districts), and another major employer that many do not recognize as such — Lycoming County government itself. The county employs 550 full-time and another
READ MOREPenn State Cooperative Extension in Lycoming County is now accepting applications for the 2022 Penn State Master Gardener program. This program consists of a volunteer training course designed to provide experienced home gardeners with information and skills necessary to share their experience and knowledge with others and in the community. Why are people interested in
READ MOREI could hear the birds singing and chirping before the sun even woke up — what a perfect way to awake and start the day. I love the long hours of July sunlight. What a special time of the year. It goes without saying no matter where you look or listen; the daily topics are
READ MOREIt is amazing how everyone can know that something is true when in reality, it is not. This is best illustrated by quotes. Everyone knows that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s character Sherlock Holmes states, “Elementary, my dear Watson,” Humphrey Bogart told his pianist to “Play it again, Sam,” and Tarzan told Jane, “Me Tarzan, You
READ MOREStep aside New Hampshire and Iowa; your days of hogging up all the electoral oxygen in the country may be seeing an end. Pennsylvania has become the true battlefield state in the country. California and New York are solidly blue, Texas and Florida are bright red, and our very own Keystone State, the fifth most
READ MOREThere are times that even the best of writers are at a loss for words. The incredible tragedy that took place at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, which took the lives of nineteen children and two adult teachers, is simply unfathomable to comprehend. What causes an individual to not only want to take
READ MOREI couldn’t believe that a former president, and I’m talking Donald Trump, not Barack Obama, endorsed Dr. Mehmet Oz for a senatorial spot here in the great state of Pennsylvania. I’d really like to know the behind-the-scenes truth about that one. But hey, if he’s your man, get out and cast your vote. That is
READ MOREDuring the comments section at the end of the Lycoming County Commissioners Meeting on April 19th, the subject of election integrity came up again. Pennsylvania’s 2020 election has been an ongoing hot topic in the Commonwealth, with various lawsuits and even a proposal by Republican legislators for a forensic audit into that election’s results. To
READ MOREWhether or not you agree with all the aspects of global change, you have to admit the unpredictability of our weather has been extreme. The storms, wind, and isolation of weather patterns seem to be more severe and hard-hitting. The one thing that seems to stand out to me is drastic temperature changes, and there
READ MOREOne of the more unique aspects of this upcoming election is the number of individuals running for everything from state governor to local offices with no government experience. It is true that there was always the first person that the surgeon cut open or the first airplane that a pilot landed on the ground. Still,
READ MORECandidate Joe Biden did not make very many public appearances when he was running for the presidency, but during one of these appearances in July of 2020, he made a strange remark, even by Biden standards. He announced, “Milton Friedman isn’t running the show anymore.” This comment flew over almost everyone’s head, but looking back
READ MORELast week we featured the PA Gubernatorial race; this week, we will try to cut through the maze of the candidates running for US Senator from Pennsylvania for the seat currently held by Republican Pat Toomey. With the Senate currently at 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans, every race is going to be a battlefield. This
READ MOREThe upcoming Pennsylvania primary on May 17th, just a month and a half from now, will be one of the most difficult for PA voters in some time. The list of candidates is a long one, and even the most seasoned strategists are finding this year’s list daunting. This week we will be looking at
READ MOREThe Moore College of Art and Design, located in Philadelphia, is a prestigious school for those aspiring to careers in art and design. Its Summer Design Institute (SADI) is a highly sought-after summer school for budding young artists. One local girl, Avery Sauers, a junior at Williamsport Area High School, has been accepted to this
READ MOREThe purpose of this column is to keep the general public updated on what is going on in our local government, particularly at the county level. Routinely, the County puts out press releases from various departments that cover a wide swath of interest areas. Given that this is a weekly column, sometimes the deadline would
READ MOREThe upcoming primary election on May 17th and the general election on November 8th promises to bring a host of visitors to come knocking on our doors. There will be those with petitions to get themselves on the ballot, those who are on the ballot and want your vote, and those plugging for these candidates.
READ MOREScott Metzger could arguably be considered one of the best prepared Lycoming County Commissioners given his three decades of experience in the Adult Probation Department, half of those years as Deputy Chief, as well his lifetime experience as a business owner. Seeing from both the government and business sides of the coin, Scott is also
READ MOREThis year marks the 80th anniversary of the “Day of Infamy,” the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. One former Williamsporter, Joe Lockard is forever connected with the Pearl Harbor story. It might also be noted that two Lycoming County residents lost their lives in the Pearl Harbor attack—Paul Free and
READ MOREThe biggest task that confronts the election board of Lycoming County does not materialize on next Tuesday’s Presidential election day but comes after November 22 when county commissioners must organize as a board and count the GI ballot. At noon today the Registration Bureau was in receipt of about 2,100 servicemen’s ballots, each of which
READ MOREOn November 2nd, Lycoming County registered voters will go to the polls to vote for county sheriff, city council members, borough council members, township supervisors, school board directors, and other local offices. These are all important in their own way, and some races become quite heated. Yet what too many ignore on the ballot are
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