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Fears surface as report eyes railroad safety

Be forgiving toward anyone who is concerned, or even fearful, about the safety of railroad freight cars these days. Most of the people who read this past week’s Associated Press report about railcar safety inspections no doubt still are amazed that there have not been numerous other serious rail accidents, especially like the one last year that caused so much havoc, damage and fear in East Palestine, Ohio. Regarding fear, that reaction continues to be real even today, in and around the Ohio community. And it is important to note that any trepidation still oozing from knowledge of ...

Peoples’ secrecy questioned

Residents of this part of Pennsylvania who always have had good reason for all-around trust in Peoples Natural Gas Co. have had their confidence shaken as the result of the findings of a Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission investigation into the tragic July 26, 2021, gas explosion in Tyrone. The blast claimed the life of an 83-year-old woman, destroyed her home, injured four other people and damaged two other residential properties. Based on the PUC’s probe, it now seems reasonably certain that the initial, immediate Peoples response to the gas leak that triggered the tragic ...

Airport must meet needs of passengers

Not everyone will be happy about the Altoona-Blair County Airport Authority’s decision to redirect its 30-passenger jet service to Charlotte-Douglas International Airport in North Carolina, rather than continue the current service to Philadelphia International Airport. Seldom is there a change that is in everyone’s best interests, but the newly announced change, which will take effect Oct. 1, seems like it will better serve most of the people who fly out of and into the Martinsburg facility. That always must be the airport’s primary goal — to meet the needs of the would-be ...

‘Good’ death different for everyone

“The social and economic inequities patients suffer in life often shapes their death” was a key point of a July 13-14 article in the Review section of the Wall Street Journal. It is a key point most Americans should consider, not only when they become senior citizens but, in fact, well before. No one is immune from the necessity of looking well beyond the present to a time when frailty and need, now often beyond comprehension, are likely to be a part of daily life and tightening their terrible grip, seemingly with every passing day. But it was the “What’s next?” that ...

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 ...