Opinion

Game Commission seeks public comment

Letters to the Editor January 26, 2026

When the Game Commission asks I assume it’s required by law or because they think it makes them look good. If they really care about what the hunters want, survey all the hunters when they purchase their licenses each year. Since this is all computerized, it should be rather easy to do. Then publish the results, this should limit all the controversy they create. I believe most hunters would be better in tune with the decisions they make if they knew this is what the hunters want. Dennis Lee Nevling Altoona

Sunshine Law issue needs resolved soon

Editorials January 24, 2026

An article published in the Mirror’s Jan. 12 edition began with two paragraphs that are deserving of elaboration. First, the paragraphs in question: — “In December, a Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision ruled that with a majority vote, government entities could add anything to a meeting agenda without first offering public notice.” — “It’s a loophole created by what legislators say was a poorly written exception within the state’s 2021 Sunshine Act, a law intended to promote transparency in government.” Lawmakers, whether they be state or federal legislators, ...

Steve Sheetz brought spiritz to community

Letters to the Editor January 23, 2026

A humble and kind human being. An extraordinary business role model. A selfless and generous supporter of his community and all of the organizations for which he served as a champion. This does not even begin to characterize Steve Sheetz or describe the void that his passing has created. Even with the well-deserved national recognition and stature that Steve is respected and admired for, he remained “just Steve”! The “guy” that built a convenience store empire from a single location on Union Avenue, Steve was still a “guy” whose life was shaped by a community he ...

What defending life looks like

Letters to the Editor January 22, 2026

Jan. 22 is observed by Catholics across the United States as the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. It is a day to mourn lives lost through abortion, but also to ask a deeper question: do we truly believe every human life has value? Tom and Lena Hudson of Wauconda, Illinois, are the parents of nine children. Their seventh child, Sarah, was born weighing just four pounds and diagnosed with Trisomy 18, a severe genetic condition. Sarah cannot speak or walk. She cannot sit up for long. She is prone to illness and requires constant care. From the moment she was ...

PSU gatekeeping leads to closures

Letters to the Editor January 21, 2026

Penn State’s closing of 7 Commonwealth Campuses because of declining enrollments is its own fault. However, it fails to acknowledge its camouflaged complicity in that decline. University Park, the main campus, is The Gatekeeper for all campuses. It favors student placement at University Park to increase revenue to support its growth. Since 1967, University Park’s construction spiraled and student enrollment increased from 22,000 to 48,000. To pay for it, enrollment grew. Annual student costs increased, with out-of-state students paying $24,000 more. When students with equal ...

Return to Sunday school important

Letters to the Editor January 20, 2026

Bellwood attracted me and my family in the fall of 1959. We have enjoyed almost a lifetime of Christian leadership here and now I am 91 with 65 years in three business developments and Christian teaching our youth. I see troubling concerns facing our town as we journey to the future. Recently, our borough has worked to update our streets and services while we see the loss of M&T Bank, and an old 1896-built stone United Methodist church. Thanks be to God for establishing The Hope Center with a food program along with THE DOOR helping our youth to come to know Jesus. I read in the ...