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Hope springs eternal despite struggles

This Christmas, many people here and around the world continue to wonder what percentage of humans on this planet really believe that Jesus Christ came to Earth to save the souls of mankind. Likewise, there no doubt is great wonderment also as to whether the phrase “fear of the Lord” really is believed and practiced as a real part of people’s lives. Thinking about happenings such as the Russia-Ukraine war, the destruction of — and suffering in — Gaza, the mass shootings witnessed in this country and the general turmoil that is inflicted on the lives of many innocent and ...

It’s time for cameras in Pa. courts

Those who follow news reports of criminal cases have likely seen photographs and/or video captured during out-of-state court proceedings and wondered why they don’t see similar scenes from inside Pennsylvania’s courtrooms. The short answer is: Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 112 prohibits cameras in courtrooms. The longer answer begins: Pennsylvania is only one of five states in the nation with very rigid restrictions that need to be updated for the sake of transparency and accountability. During the recent preliminary hearing held in Manhattan for Luigi Mangione, ...

Lawmakers need to answer tough questions

Pennsylvania lawmakers’ immediate first order of business after giving approval to a 2025-26 state budget — more than four months after the June 30 budget deadline — should have been approval of a process to repay counties and school districts for their interest costs necessitated by the budget impasse. For the benefit of anyone who has forgotten, lawmakers’ budget irresponsibility necessitated borrowing by counties, school districts and others in order to continue operating until legislators abandoned their political game-playing at others’ expense. Actually, the only ...

Altoona on tap to see housing high

Most people have heard the phrase beginning with “Year of the,” denoting an emphasis on one particular topic or group of topics — also possibly including a number of sub-topics of similar scope or substance. For Altoona, if all falls into place as deemed possible and workable, 2026 might well merit designation as the “Year of the House,” because of how housing-related preliminary work already underway is establishing the groundwork for exciting possibilities, going forward, for this forward-looking city. The effort that’s underway must continue — uninhibited. Leaders ...

Lakemont suit needs a mediator

Blair County’s recent decision to sue Lakemont Partnership and a decision in August by Lakemont Partnership to sue Blair County are evidence of a lease dispute too complex to be resolved quickly. That’s why we’re recommending Blair County Court of Common Pleas identify a mediator as fast as possible to work with both entities and set deadlines to be monitored by a judge. Perhaps a mediator — one with a good legal background — will be able to sort through the accusations and arguments in the lawsuits and work on potential resolutions. Some may shake their heads at the ...

College grads face hurdles to success

If a new prediction evolves into fact, many college students whose degrees will be conferred in the spring could face days, weeks, months or longer of anxiety or unfulfilled dreams, according to an article that was published in the Wall Street Journal last month. Some people might shrug off that notion, reminding others that it is commonplace for uncertainties and anxieties to greet new graduates beginning this new chapter of their lives. Of course, the level of uncertainty and anxiety will depend on students’ preparation for this new phase of their lives. Those who have engaged in ...