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Brenda J. Linert

Still waiting for legislators to play ball

Every year, right around now, this newspaper and most other media outlets become deeply entrenched in the election process — and well, a few other things. It’s not uncommon for the newsroom to start ramping up for election season right around the start of Major League Baseball spring training. This year, I’m not so sure about either. Normally, this would be the election cycle when candidates would be seeking federal and state legislative seats for statewide offices like governor and U.S. senator, and for countywide races like county commissioner, county auditor and a few ...

No one seems to play like the old days

Many of us probably can remember pickup softball games on a neighborhood sandlot, getting together for an impromptu game of “kick the can,” “snap the whip,” or just going for a bicycle ride around the neighborhood with friends. I recall riding my bike with friends on summer days — or even on warm evenings during the school year — to gather at one of our houses. We had fun doing any of those types of things, or jumping rope, practicing our “gymnastics” or creating contests to see who could swing a hula hoop around our hips the longest. I had to be home by the time the ...

Agree or not, our freedoms protect us all

I once had a debate with a friend about freedom of expression stemming from a news story about someone burning the American flag. “They ought to go to jail for that!” stormed my patriotic friend. He became even more appalled when I noted that flag burning is a protected right. Unless the person lighting the match is breaking some other law, burning an American flag is protected by the First Amendment as a symbolic form of speech. Yes, it was a bit of a challenge to explain the irony that the American flag is a representation of our rights as Americans, including the one that ...

Pittsburgh Steeler fans can be content, for now

It’s finally official. Go ahead, Browns fans. You can start the celebration. My husband already did. I sat forlornly on the couch Thursday, struggling to hear the solemn words of Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement video playing on my cellphone. But even with the volume cranked up, I barely could hear it over my husband’s joyful singing. “Hap-py days are here again! The skies above are clear again ...” You get the picture. Yes, the quarterback who had the Browns’ number for the last 18 years is hanging up his cleats. Later, after watching the two-minute video ...

Virtual access not right for all situations

Oh, how far we’ve come in this digital age as we move toward total government transparency for everyone. I have to admit, sometimes I absolutely love the idea of “virtual” or online accessibility! But other times? Not so much. Warren City Council members last week made great strides toward ensuring transparency and accessibility. Council unanimously approved its intent to return to livestreaming council meetings, thereby allowing residents and taxpayers options to watch their elected officials’ discussions from the comfort of their living room recliner — or while they are ...

Cheer for a little bit of snow this weekend

My mother, my husband and probably also my boss will most certainly turn up their noses at the pronouncement I’m about to make — but here goes: I’m ready for some snow! And if predictions hold true, there’s a good chance we’ll get it. As of this writing, forecasters are still pretty non-committal, saying only that it’s “likely” we’ll get snow. At this point, estimates are somewhere around 6-ish inches or more. Wonderful! I’ll take it! I admit, I enjoy a few good douses of snow per winter. After that, I’m satisfied, and it can go away. Let’s face it, it’s ...