Archive - Feb 2012 - News Article

Way Back When

February 27, 2012

(The Spirit is pleased to share with our readers vignettes of life in the 19th century as originally reported in past issues of the newspapers. These reproduced stories include their original headlines and spelling.)

Local Intelligence
(April 29, 1896)

Coming to Punxsutawney
Mention has been made in these columns of the effort being made to induce Prof. W. Irving Colby, the noted teacher and author, to give a five weeks' course in German here. The number of names required to insure his coming have been secured, and the following letter from Prof. Colby explains itself:

In a dark year, Punxsy grads help PSU break THON records

February 24, 2012

UNIVERSITY PARK — Last weekend, after months of scandal and media scrutiny surrounding their school, Penn State students took to the floor at the Bryce Jordan Center for the annual IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon — better known as THON — and showed just what the phrase “We are Penn State” means.

And two PAHS graduates — Brittany Baker and Keri Dinsmore — helped Penn State shatter last year’s record, raising $10.7 million for pediatric cancer research and to help emotionally and financially support families affected by pediatric cancer.

Thompson’s ‘bus stops here’ for re-election announcement

February 24, 2012

BROOKVILLE — “The bus stops here” was the slogan of the day when U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson’s (R-5) bus tour paid a visit to the Jefferson County Courthouse Friday during his 2012 election announcement tour.

“We’re in the middle of a four-day, 16-county, 23-stop 700-mile campaign bus kickoff,” he said, adding that he does three things when running for reelection: He works hard, he does the right things, and he communicates with his constituents.

Thompson said he likes the message it sends when he’s running for re-election every two years.

Brockway residents question Flatirons’ proposal

February 24, 2012

BROCKWAY — Wednesday night, more than 150 people attended a public hearing to voice their concerns about a gas company’s proposal to drill in Brockway borough.

Sen. Joe Scarnati (R-25), state Rep. Sam Smith (R-66) and state Rep. Matt Gabler (R-78), called the meeting to give Brockway residents the opportunity to get answers from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Flatirons Resources, the company whose proposal has caused dissatisfaction for local residents.

Police, PennDOT offer reminders about new teen driving law

February 24, 2012

PUNXSUTAWNEY — There were no citations, only warnings: Pennsylvania’s new laws regarding teenage drivers have changed, and unless they are in compliance, they will be cited.

Thursday, Punxsutawney Borough Police officers, Pennsylvania State Police troopers and representatives from PennDOT performed a detail during dismissal at Punxsutawney Area High School, handing out literature about the new law — Act 81, which took effect Dec. 27, 2011 — and to check for seatbelt usage among departing students.

Lent asks Catholics to pray, to fast and to give

February 24, 2012

PUNXSUTAWNEY — Wednesday marked the beginning of the Lenten season for Roman Catholics around the world.

For the next six weeks, Msgr. Joseph Riccardo, of the Ss. Cosmas & Damian parish, is asking his parishioners and all Catholics to remove the growing number of distractions that usually inhibit a person of faith from making a full commitment to the Lenten season.

“It’s a hectic world, and we’re distracted by many things,” he said. “We have a lot of responsibilities and commitments, and unfortunately, that also serves as a distraction to the practice of our faith.”

CAUGHT BETWEEN TWO MOLLIES

February 23, 2012

Jake (played by Dan McGinley) pauses a minute with "The Mollies:" Grown daughter Molly (Kimberly Robinson, right) and Molly as a 12-year-old (Elissa Hill, left) in this scene from "Jake's Women" by Neil Simon. The Punxsutawney Theatre Arts Guild's first production of 2012 begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday and runs again Saturday, as well as March 2 and 3, in the auditorium at Punxsutawney Area Middle School. Tickets are available at the door. This dramatic comedy is intended for mature audiences and contains some adult language and situations. (Photo by Tom Chapin)

Slick roads catch drivers by surprise

February 23, 2012

BELL TOWNSHIP — A Punxsutawney woman was flown by emergency medical helicopter to an area trauma center following a one-vehicle accident that occurred at 6:45 a.m. Wednesday on Bells-Cloe Road, Bell Township, along with a rash of other accidents due to icy road conditions.

Flatirons, Scarnati take drilling case to Brockway

February 23, 2012

BROCKWAY — Wednesday, the Shale debate came into clear focus as residents of the Borough of Brockway expressed their concerns about a proposal by Flatirons Resources to drill a well in the borough.

Residents were given this opportunity at a public meeting that took place at the urging of Sen. Joe Scarnati (R-25), state Rep. Sam Smith (R-66) and state Rep. Matt Gabler (R-78).

Pa. Lottery scratches Gus

February 21, 2012

HARRISBURG — As if there were any doubts, Punxsutawney Phil again sits as the only Pennsylvania groundhog that matters, as his lottery-pitching wannabe has apparently scratched his last ticket.

Tuesday, during a hearing on the state Department of Revenue budget, Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Todd Rucci said that the lottery has pulled the plug on spokesgroundhog Gus, dubbed “The Second-Most Famous Groundhog in Pennsylvania.”

Rucci said that the TV campaign featuring Gus ended this month, although Gus will still appear on the lottery’s Web site for a period of time.