Today's News Wednesday January 11, 2012

Local News-Wednesday, January 11, 2012


Penn State Master Gardeners Visit Blue Mt. Elementary

The Penn State Master Gardeners, regular guests on WPPA's Step Up To the Mic program, paid a visit to the second grade students at Blue Mountain Elementary East in Orwigsburg on Tuesday. The students in the five classrooms have been studying about seeds since November, and their teachers thought that the Master Gardeners could expand on what they had already learned. Blue Mountain formed a committee called Agricultural Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics in 2010, and lessons from 4-H books are part of the curriculum that is taught as an elective throughout the district.
Blue Mountain removed agricultural education as a full-time curriculum in 1999 due to diminished participation.

State, County, Local Officials Partner To Remove Safety Hazard In Tower City

The dilapidated Knights of Pythias building in Tower City is undergoing demolition thanks to the concerted efforts of officials at the state, county, and local levels. County and local officials worked together to make the demolition happen after a partial collapse of the building at 518 E. Grand Avenue in the borough. The work is funded largely through the county's demolition program, which is supported in part by state funds. Tower City is responsible for 25 percent of the nearly $45,000 contract. A few weeks ago, the long-deserted building partially collapsed, forcing one woman out of her home. The borough sought an emergency declaration in order to get county support for the demolition. Tower City Mayor Dan Daub said the demolition creates new opportunities for development in the borough. The work is being done by Northeast Industrial Services of Mount Carmel, and should be completed this month.

Norwegian Township Officials Want Traffic Light At 901 and 209 Intersection

The intersection of Routes 901 and 209 at the Turkey Hill on the Pottsville Minersville Highway has seen more than its share of accidents over the years, and the Norwegian Township Supervisors want PennDOT do see if a traffic light could be installed. There were 28 crashes at the intersection between 2006 and 2010, one of them a fatality. It is particularly difficult to turn left from Route 209 to travel toward Minersville. PennDOT would have to complete a traffic study to see if a light is justified, and the township would have to bear the costs on installation and upkeep.

Man Arrested For Riding Bike Under The Influence

Pennsylvania State Police at Lykens report that 54 year old Barry Lee Stazewski was riding his bicycle the wrong way on Moore Street in Millersburg when he failed to stop at the intersection with Market Street. He turned into the path of a Jeep driven by Lori Daniels, who lives in Millersburg. Daniels swerved into the other lane to try to avoid a collision, but Stazewski ran into the passenger side door of Daniels' vehicle. During their investigation, State Police determined that Stazewski was riding his bike while under the influence of alcohol. He has been charged with D.U.I and a traffic violation.

State and National News Wed. January 11, 2012

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum says he wants to emerge as the "true conservative" of the GOP primary race. Santorum is locked in a tight race for fourth place with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich in New Hampshire's GOP primary. Mitt Romney came in first.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A Pennsylvania newspaper says former U.S. Senator Arlen Specter has suggested that Democrats think about supporting Hillary Clinton rather than Barack Obama for president in 2012. The Philadelphia Inquirer says Specter was asked in a meeting with the Inquirer editorial board whether Clinton should replace Vice President Joe Biden as Obama's running mate. According to the paper, Specter said "A better alternative is to make
Hillary the nominee."

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - People in Pennsylvania seeking food stamps may soon have to pass an asset test that state officials say will help ensure the program aids those who need it most. However, advocates for the poor say it may hurt people who genuinely qualify for the federal benefit.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Lawyers and experts in child abuse are among the people named to a new panel set up to study Pennsylvania's child abuse laws and propose potential changes. Legislative leaders and Governor Tom Corbett have announced members of the Task Force on Child Protection, which has until the end of November to issue its findings and recommendations.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Mitt Romney apparently has no illusions about his strong win in yesterday's New Hampshire Republican primary. He told a crowd in Manchester, "Tonight we celebrate. Tomorrow we go back to work." Next up is the South Carolina primary on Jan. 21, where the 25 delegates are winner take all.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama flies to Chicago this afternoon for three fundraisers, two of them with big-money supporters. The first, at the University of Illinois at Chicago, has tickets starting at $44. But one of the others has tickets starting at $7,500, and the third goes for $35,800 per couple.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Michelle Obama is expected to announce today that more than 100 medical schools have agreed to increase training and research into mental problems and injuries facing some combat veterans. It's part of the first lady's Joining Forces campaign, and will include improving treatment for traumatic brain injury.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The small town of Cordova, Alaska, is waiting on an order of shovels as it continues digging out from almost 15 feet of snow. A city spokesman admits it's ironic. One of the concerns is the strain on roofs, with two homes and four commercial buildings already suffering collapses.

UNDATED (AP) - Vicksburg National Military Park in Mississippi is having problems with wild hogs, which have moved in since the flooding last year. They're tearing up the landscape, and it's feared they could undermine some of the park's 1,370 monuments. The park superintendent says it looks like some areas have been plowed.