Interaction with police is important

February 3, 2023

Horrific incidents like the Jan. 10 death of Tyre Nichols resulting from an encounter with Memphis, Tenn., police put pressure on law enforcement departments across America not to fall victim to similar tragic circumstances and outcomes. It remains the opinion of millions of Americans that despite the Memphis department’s correct moves in the aftermath of Nichols’ death, department leaders and the elected officials who oversee it erred seriously by not monitoring the work and attitudes closely enough of officers assigned to the department unit in question. Now, unfortunately, ...

Simply put: Quit smoking, and don’t start

January 31, 2023

Did you know that Pennsylvania is listed as among the states with the worst policies to prevent and reduce tobacco use, according to the American Lung Association’s (ALA) recent 21st annual “State of Tobacco Control” report? In fact, Pennsylvania earned mostly failing grades on the report, but did show an improvement in access to cessation services, moving from an ‘F’ to a ‘D’ grade. Big whoop. The report evaluates state and federal policies on actions taken to eliminate tobacco use and recommends proven-effective tobacco control laws and policies to save ...

Breakthrough in Philly case brings hope

January 28, 2023

Philadelphia’s “Boy in the Box Mystery” shows why police in every jurisdiction across this country should examine their cold-case-deaths files to determine whether evidence still exists that, with the help of the emerging field of genetic genealogy, could prove productive in helping to unlock the most important long-elusive facts, evidence and secrets of those cases. The naked, badly bruised body of the boy in question, which had been wrapped in a blanket and placed inside a large JCPenney bassinet box, was found on Feb. 25, 1957, in a wooded area of the City of Brotherly Love. ...

Good news surrounding Altoona

January 26, 2023

The Mirror’s Jan. 11 editorial, which centered on the optimism that exists regarding the Gable’s building in downtown Altoona, also included the observation that many city residents were awaiting positive news dealing with the renovation of the former McCrory’s building, which also is in the city’s downtown core area. On Jan. 20, that wish was answered by way of a report presented to the Altoona Redevelopment Authority by developer Christopher Cook, the structure’s new owner. It probably is safe to conclude that Cook’s report was much more upbeat than even the most ...

Air failures must promptly be addressed

January 21, 2023

Anyone who follows news emanating from the federal government can rightly speculate that not enough is being done to address some of this country’s major problems and past omissions. One Webster’s Dictionary definition for the word “omission” is “apathy toward or neglect of duty,” and that definition probably accurately describes the current situation embedded in the Nation’s Capital — and which, really, has existed for more than a couple of years on some fronts. Both major political parties must share the blame, and it is past due for both political parties to face ...

Regional vets court makes sense

January 20, 2023

Blair County is destined to be an important component of a proposed regional veterans court, despite what actually might be a lesser need for the regional participation than that of some other anticipated or already announced member counties. As Blair President Judge Elizabeth Doyle has pointed out, vets who run afoul of the law continue to be “very ably served” by the local DUI and drug courts that hear most of the cases in which they are defendants. Still, as Judge Wade Kagarise, an Army veteran, has noted, some “specific treatment options would be available” to honorably ...