Breaking News

Year of the Horse: Year of assimilation

As we celebrate the Chinese New Year and enter the Year of the Horse, it is worth pausing to reflect on what this moment may quietly offer us. In Chinese culture, the horse represents strength, steadiness, and the courage to move forward even when the path is uncertain. A single horse, however, rarely travels alone. It moves with others, keeping pace and changes when needed so it will not be harmed by dangerous animals. This is essential for social bonding and survival. I write as a Chinese American citizen who has been shaped by both Eastern and Western traditions. In recent ...

McCoy will represent all residents of 79th

I just recently met an outstanding young man who has thrown his hat into the political arena. You wouldn’t think that of a professional nurse, someone who already cares for everyone that he encounters. Caleb McCoy is running for the vacated 79th District house. He has made it clear that he will represent all of the residents of the 79th regardless of their political affiliation. How very refreshing it is to hear someone say that in a world where it’s either one side or the other is always right or has to be. It’s been a very long time since we’ve had someone who’s willing to ...

Disappointment felt on cusp of our 250th

I thoroughly enjoyed watching the recent Netflix documentary, “Miracle – The Boys of 80,” the story of our USA hockey team which miraculously defeated Russia 45 years ago in Lake Placid, N.Y. It reminded me that intense pride in America is an emotion I’ve totally lost under Trump’s unbridled, authoritarian presidency. I can’t sing the National Anthem in a public gathering any more. If I chose to fly the stars and stripes in front of my home, I’d feel compelled to unfurl Old Glory upside down because of the distress of incompetent, corrupt leadership we experience ...

Vote Verobish on March 17

A late friend of mine often said “I only vote in the primary.” At one time I could almost agree with that, but after I gave it some thought I found I must adamantly disagree with this half-hearted logic. The greatest degree of separation in government and you is the President of the United States, yet that’s the only one you’ll vote for? The government you’re most influenced by isn’t necessarily the top level. Many laws and regulations happen at the local level and the people in these offices often move upwards into higher offices. Who we have at the lower offices ...

Verobish will be responsible leader

The March 17 special election is an important opportunity for our community to make its voice heard. Local elections shape our future in very real ways, and participation is essential to ensuring our values are represented. Andrea Verobish is our Republican nominee, and she embodies the principles of responsible leadership, accountability and service to our community. Andrea understands the challenges facing our area and is committed to working hard for residents with integrity and common sense. Her dedication to practical solutions and transparent government makes her the right choice ...

Higher ed deserves real conversation

Sian Leah Beilock, president of Dartmouth College, a private Ivy League research university located in Hanover, N.H., presented a bold assessment of higher education in this country in an opinion article she wrote for the Jan. 26 edition of the Wall Street Journal. No doubt the bold assessment presented by Beilock was not received kindly by many educators across America. Therefore, Beilock’s views should be a starting point for in-depth discussion and debate even in places like the six-county Southern Alleghenies region (Blair, Cambria, Somerset, Bedford, Huntingdon and Fulton ...