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Turnpike must consider users, weather in plan

The two sides in the debate about whether the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission should construct a new section of roadway atop Allegheny Mountain and eliminate the existing Allegheny Mountain Tunnel might not be giving enough attention to what should be the most relevant consideration regarding the project proposal. That consideration is this: If the project were to be pursued by way of the commission’s preference to build new roadway and eliminate the tunnel, would the traveling public and the commercial drivers who use the toll road be subjected suddenly to a winter-weather ...

Rubber dams offer a lesson for others

The Altoona Water Authority has learned too late that it must be extra-vigilant regarding the inflatable rubber dams employed to increase water capacity at Lake Altoona and the Impounding Dam near Horseshoe Curve. Apparently, the authority, about seven years ago, put too much faith in the quality claims put forth regarding rubber dams made in China that ended up being installed locally. These current rubber dams are “clearly inferior,” said authority general manager Mark Perry. That’s indicative of the possibility that seven years ago not enough attention was given to quality ...

Government shouldn’t work in the dark

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review When government acts on behalf of the people, it is supposed to be clear. That’s why meetings are open. It’s why records are searchable. It’s why the Sixth Amendment guarantees a public trial. So why is Armstrong County conducting business in the dark? Niki’s Quick Six in Parks Township closed suddenly on May 15, about three weeks after a fatal shooting. The sheriff arrived, papers were served and the bar closed, all while TribLive staff was on the scene for an interview. Documents being served and a law enforcement presence in the wake of a ...

Remember the meaning behind Memorial Day

Each year, the Memorial Day federal holiday honors the men and women who died while serving in this country’s armed forces. This year, while honoring those who in past wars lost their lives, the holiday’s 2026 “version” is grasping the unwanted reality of having to honor brave military personnel killed during the current Iran war operations. And, in the days, weeks and months ahead, there is no guarantee that others’ lives will not be claimed during whatever other operations or defenses might be deemed necessary. The lives of many hundreds of thousands of American troops ...

Prison plans should shift to ‘Go’ status

Although the word “contingent” looms large over the proposed Blair County Prison-replacement project, action on May 12 by the county prison board has moved the project a significant step closer to groundbreaking. The word “contingent” is relevant because the land for the new prison, although selected, has yet to be purchased. If the purchase were to “disintegrate,” it would be a setback guaranteeing anyone’s guess as to what would happen next — and when. However, judging from information released by the county, it seems that the purchase is on track for ...

Congress must care more about the FAA

Most jobs have a level of stress associated with them. That’s a routine part of the work world, no matter what the occupation. However, when measuring and comparing levels of stress, the job of air-traffic controllers stands out as being high up in the degree of most stressful. That’s because of the many lives dependent on flawless, precise performance, even under the most difficult circumstances —and, indeed, almost routinely, there are many difficult situations controllers must navigate on virtually a moment’s notice and with no “window” for second-guessing whatever other ...