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Don’t fall victim to cyber scams

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission recently announced a smishing scam being sent by text to random cellphones, stating that the receiver has an overdue turnpike toll bill, and if it isn’t settled, additional charges will be incurred. The deceptive text claims to be from “Pennsylvania Turnpike Toll Services” and includes a link to pay the bill of $8.60, according to some local residents who have received the missive. The notice from the turnpike commission warns receivers not to click on an unsolicited text, email or similar message claiming to be from the turnpike or another ...

Medicare needs to offer explanation

At the time when Congress launched the Medicare Advantage program concept several decades ago, the theory in place was insurers would make Medicare more efficient, have an incentive to keep patients healthier and probably save money for the government in the process. Those at the forefront of promoting the concept at that time probably never in their wildest dreams anticipated that one day a major, well-respected national newspaper would have on its front page the headline “Medicare paid $50 billion to insurers for untreated ills.” Yet that was the headline in the July 9 edition ...

Unfortunate stigma will follow Butler

Hopefully, this country has witnessed its last assassination attempt on a political leader or officeholder although, judging from the mood of the United States now and possibly well into the future, that might be too much wishful thinking for which to feel confident and comfortable. Saturday’s assassination attempt directed at former President Donald Trump, now the 2024 Republican presidential nominee, should cause people of this country to remain anxiety-ridden, albeit vigilant, over what might lie ahead leading up to the Nov. 5 general election. And, concern cannot be limited ...

Investigations on senior abuse need urgency

Mirror readers, as well as other Pennsylvania residents who have access to reporting by the news organization Spotlight PA, were recipients of an extremely troubling report last weekend about lagging senior abuse investigations in this state. “Unconscionable” is too mild of a description for what Spotlight uncovered in its examination and analysis of official records it was able to obtain. What last weekend’s report revealed clearly is that more specifics need to be known about the problem, what is being done to correct the deficiencies that continue to exist, plus the need to ...

County’s plan for capacity study solid

Even if no significant or immediate public services changes result, an apparently upcoming state-supported “capacity study” focusing in large part on Blair County emergency services’ manpower shortages could provide guidance beneficial for the long term. Blair officials should acknowledge that possibility and keep the study close at hand as they work to resolve issues in the years, as well as just the months, ahead. It is important to acknowledge now that no one should be mislead into categorizing the study as having been a worthless exercise if planning or decisions based on ...

Accusations against NS troubling

The National Transportation Safety Board’s allegation that Norfolk Southern repeatedly tried to interfere with the investigation of the Feb. 3, 2023, Norfolk derailment on the outskirts of East Palestine, Ohio, near Ohio’s border with Pennsylvania, is the latest development in the rail company’s roller-coaster-like experience since the accident. The railroad’s image was dealt a huge blow — immediately and understandably — the moment the derailment occurred and during the days, weeks and months afterward regarding some decisions that were made about how to respond to it and ...