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Embracing creative expression

Meaningful messages do not always come from individuals perceived as experts, or who otherwise boast celebrity status. Meaningful messages also come from “common people” busy with their daily tasks, or else engaged in activities that allow expression capable of impacting others in a positive way. This editorial will focus on two individuals, one now deceased but who for many years enhanced police work in the city of Pittsburgh, while the other continues to be an asset and advocate on behalf of Altoona’s optimistic spirit. This local person can usually be seen by hundreds or ...

City must take gangs seriously

The question haunting the minds of many Mirror readers last weekend was “What is happening to our city?” Last weekend’s Page 1 article “Police: ‘Gang war’ led to shooting” opened many eyes to a situation that many believed previously could never erupt in this city that otherwise has so much good working on its behalf. In the past, the words “gang war” and “Altoona” never seemed to have anything in common but now they do, and this entire community has serious cause for concern. Thus, the following question must not be ignored: Is the Altoona region adequately ...

Small biz must be alert to new rule

Operators of some small businesses here and throughout the rest of the country could be facing some unpleasant times if they do not familiarize themselves — and take steps to comply — with a new federal disclosure rule that took effect Jan. 1. Trouble is, it appears someone on the federal level dropped the proverbial ball in terms of disseminating important information to the businesses in question. Thus, it is reasonable to conclude that some messy situations could be forthcoming, not only for many small businesses, but for the bureaucrats and other federal officials ...

Show love today and every day

(Editor’s note: The following editorial was written by former Mirror Staff Writer Amanda Gabeletto on Valentine’s Day in 2013. We liked it so much, we publish it each year.) Love covers a lot of ground. There is the love between a parent and a child. There’s love for one’s partner, sibling, friend, pet. There is even the very real love a child feels for a favorite stuffed animal. Any parent who has had to wash that stuffed animal or search frantically for it can attest to that. Some might say love varies in its degrees — that the love one has for a spouse cannot compare ...

Anticipating NTSB report on East Palestine

The National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation of the February 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment at East Palestine, Ohio, near that state’s border with Pennsylvania, probably will not be complete until this summer. But as an Associated Press article printed in the Feb. 2 Mirror showed, the scrutiny being accorded the after-derailment decision -making process is destined to produce valuable information for guiding railroads’ handling of such dangerous, health- and life-threatening events, going forward. If there is one shred of proverbial silver lining stemming ...

Here’s hoping Lakemont can find answers

The “new” Lakemont Park is going to require adjustment for the individuals and families that continue to patronize the recreational facility. Unfortunately, it won’t be an adjustment to which most of those park-goers are looking forward. Lakemont Park 2024 will be a scaled-back version, even of its most recent self. The decisions made on behalf of the park for the coming recreation season are mostly unwelcome but at the same time necessary. It also is true the changes coming have seemed inevitable for some time, and that is not said with the purpose of criticizing or casting ...