Archive - News Article

Counselor outlines changes to PAHS graduation projects

January 12, 2011

PUNXSUTAWNEY — They may not know it, but today’s freshmen at PAHS are already working toward completion of their senior projects.

Punxsutawney Area High School students will still be required to complete senior projects in order to graduate, but starting with the Class of 2014 — this year’s freshmen — the projects will become more career and community service oriented.

Monday, guidance counselor Emily Cassidy told the Punxsutawney Area School Board that committees met once a month over the past year to revamp the graduation project program.

Montgomery Twp. family escaped fire with their lives

January 12, 2011

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP — Family members who lost their home in a fire Dec. 26, 2010, on Rock Run Road in Montgomery Township lost everything they owned except their lives, but continue to receive assistance.

Sean Connor, who is the assistant manager at the Punxsutawney Wal-Mart, and his wife Mary, who is a cafeteria worker for the Purchase Line School District, and their youngest daughter Katarina, had just returned home the evening of Dec. 26 when their dog, Ringo, became restless after Sean had gone to bed.

Punxsy Phil teams up with Foursquare for high-tech event

January 12, 2011

HARRISBURG — Punxsutawney Phil and the state Pennsylvania Tourism Office chose an unusual location to announce the latest technological promotion for Groundhog Day 2011: The state Farm Show & Expo.

Maybe it’s not too unusual, however, because last year, Punxsy Phil and tourism officials announced that his prognostication would be sent to his loyal followers via text message.

There won’t be text messages this year, but followers of the Foursquare mobile platform have an opportunity to earn a special PA Groundhog Day badge if they “shout” their current location Feb. 2.

Phil’s home receives new look at library

January 11, 2011

PUNXSUTAWNEY — Gobbler’s Knob is best known as Punxsutawney Phil’s home worldwide Feb. 2, but as everyone knows, his true home is in what has been known as the Groundhog Zoo in the Punxsutawney Memorial Library.

But recently, Groundhog Club Inner Circle president Bill Deeley said that Phil’s home in the library has undergone some much-needed renovations — as well as a new name.

“We replaced the burgundy canopy on Phil’s home that said ‘Groundhog Zoo’ with a green canopy that says ‘Phil Burrow’ on it,” Deeley said.

Weaver offers agreement to council

January 11, 2011

PUNXSUTAWNEY — Former Punxsutawney Borough Police officer Sean Weaver extended an olive branch in the form of a settlement to the members of Punxs-utawney Borough Council during Monday’s monthly meeting.

In August 2010, council did not offer Weaver and Pat Renwick full-time police employment at the end of their probationary periods. But during its Sept. 13 meeting, council hired Renwick but not Weaver.

Monday, Weaver spoke to council regarding a lawsuit he filed against the borough for not hiring him full-time.

New state exams coming for district

January 11, 2011

PUNXSUTAWNEY — New statewide graduation exams are on the horizon, which in turn will change the Punxs-utawney Area School District’s entire curriculum and graduation requirements.

Basically, “It’s more testing,” PAHS Principal David London said.

Monday, London, guidance counselor Emily Cassidy and director of federal programs and curriculum Richard Galluzzi reviewed the proposed Keystone Exams, which London said are designed to help all students, beginning with the Class of 2015, demonstrate proficiency in state academic standards.

Wolfe: New program in district a success

January 9, 2011

PUNXSUTAWNEY — The new SchoolReach notifications system in the Punxsutawney Area School District has worked well in its first attempts to communicate important messages to the public.

District superintendent Dr. Keith Wolfe pointed out that thankfully, the district has only had to use the system once so far this year.

Way Back When

January 9, 2011

(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
(January 29, 1896)
THE TELEPHONE COMPANY
An Enterprise Organized in Summerville That Is Branching Out

Winter Royalty

January 8, 2011

The PAHS senior class chose Megan Muth (second from left) as the Winter Queen and Taylor Powell (third) as the Winter Princess. They were accompanied by their escorts Adam Murdock (far left) and David Roberts. (Photo by Tom Chapin/The Punxsutawney Spirit)

Ed Rendell reflects on eight years as governor

January 8, 2011

HARRISBURG — He may be leaving Harrisburg, but outgoing Gov. Ed Rendell said he won’t forget Punxsutawney.

“I’ll always have a sweet spot in my heart for (Punxsutawney) Phil,” he said during a conference call with Pennsylvania newspaper editors Friday. “Phil was in my first inaugural parade. It was freezing, 18 degrees, and Phil comes along, being driven in his warm traveling pen.”