The Future Business Leaders of America is the largest student career business organization in the world. Each year, FBLA helps over 230,000 members prepare for careers in business. A group of students from the Jersey Shore FBLA are getting practical experience in operating a business through their involvement in operating a small store at the
READ MOREThere is something for all of us to dislike in President Donald Trump. That’s just who he is, and he’s never going to change. It is probably his greatest strength as a leader but could be his kryptonite as far as winning a second term in the Oval Office. I have written on at least
READ MORELast week and into this week, millions have been entertained and moved by Ken Burns’ latest epic documentary series “Country Music,” which chronicles the history of a genre of music enjoyed all over the world. Lycoming County has its own connection to this wonderful music through the late Bob and Dean McNett and their “Radio
READ MOREAnyone who has glanced at a calendar recently readily knows that fall is officially upon us. What might not be as obvious is the realization that this weekend will mark the beginning of the second half of the high school football season. The first five weekends of the schoolboy season have passed by without much
READ MOREA welcome back to school to all students, especially the Class of 2020. Growing up when I did, that almost sounds like a science fiction movie of the day. The title probably something like “Space Odyssey 2020” or maybe “Halloween 2020.” Jason’s grandson returns to terrorize high school graduates working a summer camp before they
READ MOREThere were occasions during my professional career when I was involved in conducting job interviews. Everyone-once-in-awhile I would ask the applicant a totally hypothetical question – “If the job fairy could grant you any job you’d want; what would it be?” It was an off-the-wall question with some surprising answers. One applicant once answered, “I
READ MOREThe world needs more zealots! Now, before you start sending me hate mail or demand that I be fired from writing any future articles hear me out. I am not remarking on religious zealots that twist religion to fit their own views of the way the world should be by bombing bus stations or shooting
READ MOREWith summer well under way and with lots of outside activities to enjoy, little thought is generally given to reading. There are, however, those rainy days that keep us inside and there are times when whiling away the hours while sitting along a stream or a woodsy setting and reading a good book can be
READ MORECongratulations to the South Williamsport Lady Mounties as they recently punched their tickets to the Little League Softball World Series. These ladies have captured the hearts of the entire region with their outstanding play. The gals were crowned the Eastern Regional champs and are now en route to Portland, OR to compete against the world’s
READ MOREIn the world of sports, anytime a team or individual puts USA across their chest, I become an instant fan. It could be badminton, curling or some sport I didn’t even know about prior to watching the Olympics. I know I’m not alone; probably 98% of Americans feel the same way. One of the great
READ MOREMost fans attending games at Bowman Field enjoy the games, the experience around them, and while attentive to the game on the field they are oblivious to what takes place before and after games in the Crosscutters clubhouse under the first base grandstand. That off-limits player’s sanctuary bears little resemblance to the opulence of Major
READ MOREWhen Tom Marino was elected for his fifth term of office for the U.S. House of Representatives, he was confident it would be his last campaign. What Tom did not expect was a life-threatening illness the first week of January of this year that almost cost him his life. It was a terribly difficult decision,
READ MORESince 1929 the Junior League of Williamsport has been a driving force behind initiatives that have significantly contributed to the health of our community. The members of the League reflect a wide range of backgrounds, interests and professional pursuits that work together to identify unmet needs and create bridges to facilitate change. For 90 years,
READ MOREAs the fracking boom has revolutionized natural gas production and transformed many areas of Pennsylvania, scientists have been looking into the resulting economic costs and health effects borne by those who live here. Their latest research results will be presented at a free public forum at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, at Lycoming College in
READ MOREOn Tuesday, May 21st, one of the most important elections in years will be held here in Lycoming County. Though all elections are important in some respect, this one has the potential of changing the direction of county government for many years to come. Though voting for mayors, borough council members or township supervisors are
READ MOREOver the past three years of this column, I have had the privilege of interviewing hundreds of individuals who have had some connection to Lycoming County government. Though everyone is interesting in their own way, far and away the most intriguing character is one of the four-legged variety. His name is Jedi, and he is
READ MOREFour times a year there is a very special meeting held on the 6th Floor of the Third Street Plaza Building in Williamsport. It has representatives from the Lycoming County’s district attorney’s office, adult and juvenile probation departments, the department of public safety, the prison, re-entry service, and Clinton-Lycoming Mental Health Joinder, among others. Chairing
READ MORECelebrating significant women in Lycoming County comes very close to home in this week’s feature. Putting together a weekly newspaper that has a circulation of 58,000 such as Webb Weekly requires enormous skills in planning, organizing, and managing. Jim Webb Jr. found the perfect person for the job, years before he knew it. Her name
READ MOREWhen Adam Makos was told by a fellow Lycoming College classmate, Pete Semanoff about a gentle old man named Clarence Smoyer, who had been a tank gunner during World War II, from Semanoff’s hometown of Lehighton, Makos had no idea that it would lead to an odyssey that would bring him to Cologne, Germany and
READ MOREAlmost a year ago, Mya Toon, Lycoming County’s Chief Procurement Officer, asked in a work session of the Board of County Commissioners to “award contract for EIP to PFM contingent upon EIP grant award.” The mind blurs in the barrage of abbreviations, but the commissioners acted like it was a Christmas gift. Commissioner Jack McKernan
READ MOREI was working at White Deer Golf Course in the spring of 2013, and a local youngster wanted to know if we were hiring. We told him no at first, but then this kid kept on calling. He literally dialed us every day for the next three weeks until we finally caved. Our relationship started
READ MOREYears ago, Ron “CI” Insinger, a freshly graduated college student looking for a job, was offered two choices. The Sullivan County graduate was offered the head coaching job at Canton, and a coaching position at Loyalsock. The decision might have been a difficult one at the time, but the final choice changed the course of
READ MOREImagine being a child and having to appear in a court proceeding, whether it is for a custody matter, a protective matter, or even a criminal matter. It can be a daunting and scary thing for many of these children, but there is a furry friend who provides a friendly and reassuring presence. That furry
READ MOREThe beginning of a new year is generally a time to make resolutions, but it also should be a time to do a little strategic thinking. All of us would benefit by examining the challenges of the coming year that should be factored into our thinking or planning. This is certainly true for county government
READ MOREFollowing an outstanding career as a player at Ursinus College, where he was a consecutive two-time All-American and two-time Centennial Conference Player of the Year and eleven years as an assistant basketball coach at Ursinus and Colgate University, Mike McGarvey was named Lycoming College men’s basketball coach this past June. With a non-conference opening mark
READ MOREThe Loyalsock Township School District is honored to host and evening with our 2018 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Jennifer Wahl. The community is invited to attend our program on November 19, 2018 at 6:00 p.m., and to hear Jennifer share her educational journey from high school through today. Jennifer R. Wahl has been
READ MORELast week’s column recounted the new developments at the Montgomery Athletic & Community Center and its plans to serve the community’s athletic and healthy lifestyle needs. While on a tour of the facility, athletic director Mike Snyder introduced me to Ryan Solomon, who was hired in July as coordinator of the building’s activities. Solomon was
READ MOREIt’s not the weather that keeps your eyes open these days. It’s not the paper skeletons that appear in your neighbor’s windows or the pumpkins that grin from their stoops, either. No, what really makes you howl are all the new Halloween-themed books for everyone in the family… Candy isn’t the only thing the smallest
READ MOREThere’s going to come a time, and it should be fun, that our pets will be able to communicate to us with more than a mere bark or meow. Some type of app, linked to their brain, plugged into our laptop or cell phone will expose their thoughts, channel and funnel them, then translate them
READ MOREAutumn has officially arrived, and I am so excited! Fall fashion is one of my favorite things, and each year I relish the chance to bust out plaids, tweeds, sweaters, and scarves as the heat and humidity give over to crisp and chilly days. Last year, all manner of blazers took center stage on the
READ MOREAt the regular Lycoming County Commissioners Meeting held on September 27th, three service recognition pins were awarded. Dave Bonus, from the Resource Management Services Department, received a 30-year service pin as did Karen Miller, from the Pre-Release Center. Carla Miller from the Department of Public Safety and Chris Shuck from the Prison received 20-year service
READ MOREIt doesn’t seem like that long ago that President George W. Bush attended the Little League World Series. The former president is a huge baseball fan, and at one time even owned the Texas Rangers. He was as excited about visiting the Little League World Series as the players who were participating. It was a
READ MORE