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Opinion

As predicted, Old Crow degraded

Letters to the Editor

I am writing to express my deep concern over the degradation of the Old Crow wetland in Huntingdon; a place once teeming with salamanders, turtles, frogs, insects and native plants. Recent sediment pollution from the Rutter’s construction has already begun to choke this fragile ecosystem — an outcome many of us predicted when the truck stop project adjacent to the wetland was first proposed. Despite the clear risks, permits were hastily approved and planning corners cut, leaving this invaluable natural area vulnerable. Wetlands are not wastelands; they are living systems that ...

WPSU plans a loss for the community

Letters to the Editor

Is anyone else upset by the news that WPSU’s TV and radio will “cease operations next year?” This decision comes after government cuts to funding public TV and radio, and a decision by Penn State’s Board of Trustees’ Finance and Investment Committee. The university had considered transferring ownership and assets of WPSU to WHYY, a public media organization based in Philadelphia. But apparently this was not a viable alternative in the board’s view. Board Chair David Kleppinger’s comment that “this is a deeply disappointing outcome” is an understatement. We, and many ...

No room for haste in trail plan

Editorials

The future holds the answer of how the issue of a proposed trail network on Altoona Water Authority land in the Sugar Run Road area will shake out. The only thing certain at this time is that much discussion should be accorded the idea before a final decision is rendered. The threat of a lawsuit has been issued by a landowner in that area regarding the prospect of noise emanating from the trail, although there could be other concerns as well. Meanwhile, existing support for the trail idea includes the argument that the proposal would be for the best, but in what ways merits further ...

Week celebrates APP profession

Letters to the Editor

National Advanced Practice Providers Week is being celebrated Sept. 22-26. This year’s theme “Racing Toward the Future: Celebrating APPs” underscores the forward momentum of the APP profession and its pivotal role in advancing care, improving access to care and driving innovation in clinical practice. It is a week set aside to celebrate, honor and recognize the invaluable contributions and pivotal role APPs play in our health care system. The UPMC Altoona Advanced Practice Provider Committee in coordination with UPMC Altoona would like to recognize the outstanding care and ...

Have some compassion

Letters to the Editor

In light of the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk and the aftermath, I am trying to understand how citizens of the greatest country in the world can be so cruel and heartless. Politics aside, this young man was a son, a husband, a father and a human being. Where is the compassion for the family’s loss? Instead, people are actually celebrating his death, writing songs and dancing with joy. I’ve seen videos of people trampling his memorial. Amazon was selling T-shirts depicting the blood stains. How could someone be so depraved to think this behavior is acceptable? Loss of ...

Children, not drivers, have right-of-way

Editorials

Right-thinking people of Pennsylvania have to be wondering whether the study associated with obtaining a driver’s license in this state has begun being regarded as something that doesn’t really matter — that the information presented is part of a lame exercise worthy of being forgotten quickly. Does Pennsylvania really have so many drivers who don’t know what blinking red lights on a school bus mean? Then there’s the obvious follow-up question: Does Pennsylvania really have so many drivers ignorant of the potential costs associated with the illegal practice — in human ...