By the time the Democratic primary gets to Pennsylvania in late April, it might be all over and the die might be cast.

The information that is hitting the news every day about the coronavirus — also known as COVID-19 — is scary.

Officials are talking about the Office of the State Fire Commission — and its future role in leading emergency services across the commonwealth.

The U.S. Senate took steps Thursday to make sure that President Donald J. Trump cannot unilaterally take action against Iran without talking to the legislative branch of government first.

If you follow the crime news, you might have noticed something really disturbing.

Markie Mason did not have an opportunity to live a life.

We have something exciting to talk to you about.

Keeping a community safe is not for the faint of heart.

The vote might be over, but the division is not.

There are going to be a whole lot of terrible roars and much teeth gnashing over the next few days as the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump comes to a close.

Ellwood City Mayor Anthony Court is right about two things.

We have already talked about the fact that we, and many other communities across this state and country, have public bodies that do not understand the Sunshine Law — and neither do their solicitors.

There will be a lot of people talking about Kobe Bryant’s athletic prowess and his rightful designation as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

Some people have been wondering why we did not cover New Castle Mayor Chris Frye’s inaugural ball.

It was such a momentous news day Wednesday that you might not have remembered that your legislature is pretty busy in Harrisburg. The legislature decided by a vote of 120-74 to ban the use of handheld cell phones in vehicles.

Animal abuse and neglect is a chronic problem in communities around the state — and really the nation.

There are people in general — and politicians and bureaucrats in specific — who think the Sunshine and Open Records laws don’t apply to them.

It is officially here. New Castle has a new slate of leaders.

As another year dawns, we pause to think about where we have been and where we are going. This has been an historic year. New Castle will have a new mayor and some new faces on its city council.

This is the rush weekend, the time when those last-minute gifts and the details that make Christmas special are on the to-do list.

For the second time in less than two weeks, two major governing bodies have indicated that to continue operating in the black, they will need to raise taxes in some form.

It was just one line — a reference to a meeting described like it was not a big deal during the most recent gathering of the Lawrence County Board of Commissioners.

Over the next few weeks, Lawrence County and cities, boroughs, townships and school boards around the area will be wrapping up 2019 and getting ready to start anew in 2020.

For 33 years, dancers of all ages — and their parents — have given up part of their holiday time to create a special memory for generations of New Castle area residents.

Sometimes it is hard not to believe what others say about you.

Thanksgiving can often get lost in the hustle and bustle of the beginning of the Christmas season.

Pennsylvania’s governor is expected to sign a bill sent to his desk this week by the legislature concerning the sale of vaping products.

It is great that the newly elected county commissioners want to know what is going on with their county’s finances — and even better that they want to keep informed about decisions that are being made right now that could affect Lawrence County’s future.

There is going to be a lot to talk about in the next couple of weeks as the impeachment hearings against President Donald Trump unfold in Washington, DC.

Some of you have been asking if the New Castle News has stopped running letters to the editor.

The election is over and the city of New Castle has a new mayor.

In a couple of days, New Castle and Lawrence County voters will be asked to make choices that will affect their future and those of their children and grandchildren.

There is always talk about how to change the fortunes of a community.

Hard to believe 18 years have passed since the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

If you think there is no reason for you to vote come November, think again.

It’s no secret that many governments just can’t get along on the world stage. Maybe they should try meeting on the baseball field instead.

Come November, voters will have the chance to approve a home rule study, and if they do, to elect simultaneously a panel that will perform that study.

Lawrence County bid farewell to one of its favorite sons last week.

In an effort to balance trade with foreign countries, and to bolster the United States’ economy, President Donald J. Trump and his advisers have devised a scheme to bring overseas production of American products home by introducing tariffs.

New Castle City Council has requested that a question to create a home rule study and a panel to execute it be placed on the November ballot.

It’s sad — but not at all unexpected — to see high school football participation declining in the county.

There are a variety of things parents try to make sure their children have before they go back to school — clothes, book bags, pens, notebooks, computer access.

It’s just about here — time for school to be back in session after a summer break.

We’ll drink to that. Ellwood City area residents were expected to be among the first this week to start receiving water from a new $50 million treatment plant in New Beaver Borough.

We’re glad to see Mayor Anthony Mastrangelo end his legal challenge to the Dollar General project on the North Hill.

The immediate reaction is to call them powerful thoughts and images.