NEW CASTLE —
We think it’s safe to say that winter has officially arrived in Lawrence County.
Perhaps it’s the plummeting temperatures, or all that white stuff lying around. But we think the evidence is overwhelming.
And it may be a bit disconcerting, particularly for motorists or folks who have to shovel sidewalks and driveways. After all, last winter caused barely a ripple around here. While there were a few modest snowfalls, the season was remarkable for its unusually mild temperatures and lack of precipitation.
Now, with about a foot of snow on the ground, local residents are getting a reminder of what real winter looks like.
All of this snow indeed has its charms, and one of the joys of living in western Pennsylvania is the change of seasons. Plus, if you appreciate such activities as sledding and cross-country skiing, current conditions are ideal.
Yet while people may have varied opinions about winter and snow, we think it’s worthwhile for motorists to keep the risks in mind.
Here at the New Castle News, we couldn’t help but notice the frequency of accidents that have accompanied this year’s snowfalls. Although most of these did not lead to injury, they certainly produced inconvenience — not only for those involved, but for other drivers trying to get around them.
It may be that last year’s lack of snow tended to spoil people into downplaying the impact of bad roads during snowstorms. For instance, the snow came down so hard and so fast the day after Christmas that it was impossible for road crews to keep up with it.
In short, snow is pretty, but it also can be pretty dangerous for traffic. Motorists need to take care when roads are bad, especially when they haven’t had much experience lately traveling in icy conditions.
And, of course, it always makes sense to pay attention to weather warnings and try to avoid driving when conditions are bad.
Still, we know that staying home is not always possible. Getting from Point A to Point B — for work, school and other purposes — is an essential part of modern life. But the old advice about taking your time and being aware of conditions is especially important this time of year.
Let’s be careful out there.
Editorials
Our Opinion: Recent snowfalls may be pretty to look at, but also pose risks
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Our Opinion: New Castle school tuition travesty? Enough is enough
New Castle’s taxpayers deserve an explanation. And some money. With the release of the latest Pennsylvania auditor general’s report on the city’s schools, it’s been revealed that some district employees abused taxpayers to the tune of more than $110,000.
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Our Opinion: IRS probe may reveal multiple problems
When a murky scandal is investigated, the goal is to obtain clarity, as well as to right any wrongs. But reaching such a conclusion can be a tortuous process. And so it is with the current probe of allegations of political targeting by the Internal Revenue Service.
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Our Opinion: Supreme Court rejects patents on human coding
We can all take comfort in knowing we still retain the rights to our own genetic material. That might seem to be obvious, but a case before the U.S. Supreme Court involved questions over whether private companies could patent human genes as their own.
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Our Opinion: Vo-tech nursing program faces elimination in budget crunch
The past few years have been difficult financially for Pennsylvania’s education system. Tight budgets produced by an economic slowdown, weakening support from Harrisburg and an ever-increasing rise in personnel costs has created a fiscal bind for most school districts, those in Lawrence County included.
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Our Opinion: Government’s seizing records a threat to liberty
(Second of two editorials): America’s director of national intelligence had a ready explanation this week regarding the need to seize everyone’s phone records. “Well, you have to start someplace,” James Clapper told NBC News. Let’s stop and think about that for a moment.
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Our Opinion: News leaks reveal dramatic scope of government data collection
(First of two editorials): In case you had any doubts, Big Brother is watching. And listening. And for all we know, smelling and tasting as well.
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Our Opinion: Pennsylvania has transportation needs, but plan has problems
Spending money on transportation projects is a popular political pastime. After all, what’s not to like about programs that create jobs and make driving smoother and safer? Yes, construction is an inconvenience, but generally, the public understands it’s necessary for the greater good.
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Our Opinion: IRS conferences take advantage of public funds
Things aren’t getting any better for the Internal Revenue Service. In fact, the credibility of the nation’s tax collection organization seems to be eroding away as Americans look on with disgust.
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Our Opinion: Ruling assures sweeping access to DNA
Do you trust government? Well, you better, thanks to a new U.S. Supreme Court decision that gives law enforcement — and ultimately others in government — the ability to access sweeping new information about individuals.
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Our Opinion: Declines recorded all across Lawrence County in latest data
Lawrence County’s long trend of population decline was highlighted when the Census Bureau reported yet another drop. Last month, the bureau said that the county’s population fell from 91,108 in 2010 to 89,871 in 2012. This compares to figures from 1960, when the county’s population was recorded at 112,965.
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