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Editorials

Mental health in schools remain priority

The Associated Press report “Mental health worries schools,” published in the Mirror’s Aug. 20-21 edition, merited categorization as a must-read for anyone having a child or children enrolled in elementary or secondary education. Whether or not a parent agrees or disagrees with the premise that schools should be delving into students’ mental health, parents need to be cognizant of opinions and concerns on both sides of the issue and be open-minded about the fact that there are reasonable arguments on both sides of the debate. This is a tough issue, one not likely to go away ...

Replacement plates are public service

Other areas across Pennsylvania, including some in this region, should strive to imitate what will be happening next month in Cambria County’s Richland Township regarding worn-out vehicle license plates. State Rep. Jim Rigby of Johns­town will be working in cooperation with Richland’s police department to get deteriorated or damaged plates off the roads — as they should be, for a number of reasons — by offering motorists a way to get replacement plates free of charge. Normally, a vehicle owner seeking a replacement plate would have to pay a $7.50 replacement fee to the ...

Legislature raises stakes on gambling

There never has been much doubt that the introduction — and continuing growth in numbers — of skill games in taverns and small shops across Pennsylvania would impact negatively some segments of the commonwealth’s “gambling infrastructure.” Even now, with one major analysis for the Pennsylvania Lottery having been completed, the full skill-games impact probably is not known. Meanwhile, what the future might hold is uncertain in a troubling way. At the same time, it is reasonable to speculate that the analysis’ chief finding might have ignored one significant, relevant ...

LL team capturing our hearts

Sports have a unique way of rallying communities. We see it regularly at the high school, college and professional level. But it’s especially captivating when it involves the innocence of young athletes such as the Hollidaysburg Little League team. Hollidaysburg has stormed its way into the Little League World Series, which begins in Williamsport on Wednesday night. The local entry, which clinched the Mid-Atlantic Regional championship on Friday in Bristol, Connecticut, plays Thursday night on ESPN2 against Pearland, Texas. The Mid-Atlantic title was actually the fourth ...

Commissioners must address CYF staffing

Blair County Children, Youth & Families has a staffing crisis so severe that it could take many, many months to resolve. Unfortunately, at least two of the top three county government leaders appear to be in no hurry to resolve it. If the county is to continue operating the department, it should have the capacity, personnel and leadership to carry out its responsibilities effectively. If it can’t, then the state — which monitors the department and provides a major portion of its funding — needs to come up with a plan for the department which handles the important role of ...

Focus on inflation must be now

Children will be heading back to school soon, and as we go through this yearly rite of passage, we’re all understandably looking at it through the lens we’ve unfortunately been looking at too many things this year. The lens of inflation. “I feel like everything is going up these days,” Jessica Reyes told the Associated Press. “I think it’s greatly affected us in all areas, in bills and in house necessities and school necessities.” It’s unfortunate that what should be a happy, momentous occasion for America’s families is being marred with anxiety and ...