Opinion

Does removing LGBTQ books from libraries undermine First Amendment Rights?
I write in response to letters by Mr. Richard Hoover (May 27th) and Mr. Paul Miller (May 18th) concerning the ...
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Reader challenges library’s inclusion of LGBT-themed books citing community and religious concerns
I take exception to the May 25th commentary by Mr. Paul Miller labeling the exclusion of LGBT-themed books from Samuels ...
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Beyond politics and ideologies: The universal language of hugs
I’m a hugger. I am not ashamed to be a hugger. Hugging is good for my soul. It’s touching, heart-to-heart ...
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Summer Madness
In an ode to Kool and the Gang, the Fresh Prince wrote these lyrics in a 1999 song entitled, ‘Summertime.’ ...
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35th annual Virginia Wine & Craft Festival shines bright thanks to community’s unwavering support: Chamber of Commerce Director extends gratitude
I’d like to extend a huge THANK YOU to everyone involved in making the 35th Annual Virginia Wine & Craft ...
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Championing Community Values: Ensuring child-friendly environment at the Samuels Library
Isn’t it just like a Democrat to begin a rant by name-calling while demonstrating his ignorance of the Constitution? According ...
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Pornographic books in Samuels Library in kids section
I’m not here to tell you what to do, and you’re not here to tell me what to do. But ...
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Book Banning
Recent news of efforts to ban mostly LGBTQ-themed books at Samuel’s Public Library in Front Royal highlights how comfortable a ...
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Commentary: Virginia’s Langley-Eustis base shares toxic PFAS legacy similar to NC’s Camp Lejeune
Almost 90,000 Virginian veterans who served at Camp Lejeune may have been affected by the base’s toxins, and “forever chemicals” ...
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A new department to mitigate aggravation?
We haven’t seen our rate-adjusted tax bill or had the first meeting with the Board of Equalization, so why are ...
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Pence cites achievements in announcing School Board re-election run
I am seeking re-election for the South River School Board seat in November because I want to continue the momentum ...
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From farmland to subdivisions: The controversial plan for Rockland’s future
I’m writing about the proposed rezoning of the Shenandoah Valley Golf Course’s 104 acres in Rockland from agriculture to suburban ...
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Commentary: There’s more to Senator Warner’s local press resolution than a commendation
My eye was drawn to a short story in the Virginia Mercury last week about the commonwealth’s senior U.S. senator, ...
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Book censorship and the importance of autonomy in reading choices
As a child, choosing books from the library was one of my favorite activities. I traveled to the library with ...
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He is Risen
The Season of Easter is a movable feast. The holiday is celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full ...
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Peace and fair taxation without appeal
S. Fox’s notable letter of 3/31/23 documents the “fear and grief” of inaccurate reassessment that results in unfair tax, the ...
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Commentary: GMU’s president is right to reject students’ call to cancel Youngkin’s commencement speech
I don’t know Gregory Washington, the president of George Mason University. I am not an alumnus of his school. To ...
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Real Estate Assessment – My appeal was successful
“In contrast to Ms. Wulf’s complaints about the assessors and the assessments, I much appreciated the opportunity I had to ...
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An engaged Board of Supervisors is essential
In January, when Warren County Administrator, Ed Daley, introduced a Code of Conduct, he assured the cautious that it wouldn’t ...
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Maybell Smoot (1936 – 2023)
Maybell Smoot, 86, of Front Royal, Virginia, passed away on Friday, March 24, 2023, at the Blue Ridge Inpatient Care ...
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Commentary: Vape Shop regulations – Discriminatory or Failure to Act?
I read in a recent local publication (NVDaily: “Front Royal Council Discusses Vape Shop Boom,” March 17th) that Front Royal ...
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It’s not complicated
At the March 7, 2023, Board of Supervisors meeting, it was reported that homeowners of Warren County did a “good ...
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Commentary: The Big Chill
Running the gauntlet of life I’m reminded of a time when Graham Nash (of the musical band Crosby, Stills and ...
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Questions about recent assessments
When you hear, “It’s complicated,” in answer to your questions on the recent property reassessment, ask who walked the property, ...
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Commentary: Can carriage houses and granny flats ease the housing crisis?
Whether carriage houses, in-law suites, English basements, or granny flats, what all accessory dwelling units (ADUs) have in common – ...
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Commentary: Farewell and adieu – Possible pitfalls and historical context of pending legislative retirements
I was something of a young pup in the Virginia Capitol press corps, at least in terms of tenure on ...
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Commentary: Another session with vital work left undone: Virginia outgrows its part-time legislature
It’s been a long time since the biggest business in Virginia was tobacco. Or since people hunted rabbits where rail ...
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Commentary: Near-record road deaths may compel Va. to spend 15% of highway safety dollars on walking and biking
Since last fall, crashes on Sudley Road have claimed the lives of Del. Danica Roem’s constituents just last week, in ...
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Commentary: Why Sen. Chap Petersen is right: Va. shouldn’t build Dan Snyder a stadium
Thirty years ago, Washington’s pro football team commanded unparalleled loyalty in the Old Dominion and commensurate deference from its elected ...
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Va. General Assembly: In final week, uncertainty clouds energy bills
With adjournment less than a week away, the 2023 General Assembly is a mixed bag for electricity consumers, with the ...
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