Here is a sprinkling of news items from newspapers …
Intelligencer Journal/New Era … March 31 … This winter just will not end; “Rain, wet snow expected overnight”

The Daily-Item, Sunbury, PA … March 28 … This is another sign of the “new normal” – what happens in a post-financial crash, belt-tightening nation. “Firefighters may be forced to pay for their own training.” And this consolidation and compression issue is not only in Pennsylvania, here is a article about firefighter position eliminations in DeKalb County, Georgia. And from closer by, this article from the Intelligencer Journal/New Era … March 30 … “East Hempfield weighs tax to fund fire companies.”

Intelligencer Journal/New Era, Lancaster … March 30 … “Columbia imposes setback for fences” BY TERESA BONO, Correspondent.  The article describes the actions discussed and the subsequent approval of a Borough ordinance at the March Borough Council Meeting. “Columbia Borough Council approved an ordinance March 14 requiring homeowners who are installing new fences to leave a 2-foot space inside their property line for maintenance.” This article appears on page B6.

News Release from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, March 30, 2011 … If you are a parent, there are times when you have reservations or concerns about vaccines for your children or yourself. “The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today unveiled an innovative new website to help parents and other consumers learn about the most effective way to protect themselves and their children from infectious diseases and learn about immunization. Vaccines.gov brings together the best in federal resources on vaccine and immunizations to provide consumers with easy-to-understand health information specifically for their needs.” 

And this letter to the editor from a Columbian: “First a dog and then a person? TO THE EDITORS: To the people who threw the dog out of the truck on Route 30, you are the biggest cowards of all time. I’ll speak for that poor dog since he can’t. What did I do so bad that you did that to me? You can’t imagine what it felt like when I hit the road and how much pain I am in. At least you could have stopped and put me out or at least taken me to a shelter, if I was so bad or you just didn’t like me. I’d rather be dead than have to be with anyone like you. If you are caught, you should have to do jail time and pay a fine, and I mean no less than one year and $5,000. I’m sure that if you are low enough to do that to a dog, you would do it to a person.” Richard Mutzabaugh, Columbia. 

York Dispatch, March 29 … “Who has the highest tax bill in York County?” This article looks at each community and township in York County and compares the taxes homeowners pay. There is a comprehensive chart showing the municipal and school taxes for each.

York Dispatch, March 29 … Here is an idea that makes sense to us: “Pa. speaker seeks to cut 50 members from House.” We will try to get more information on this.

Intelligencer Journal/New Era … March 29 … Columbia is saddened today as a Columbia benefactor obituary notice states, “George G. McGinness, 96, of 1020 Manor Street, Columbia, PA, died at his residence on Sunday.” 

In the “150th Anniversary of the American Civil War” series that debuted today in the Intelligencer Journal/New Era, Columbia is listed frequently, of course. Columbia’s role in history includes stories about early residents “blacks (with) deep roots in the Susquehanna River town of Columbia” and the volatility of the issues of the day … slavery and the beginnings of the underground railroad. Larry Alexander is the author of the articles in today’s paper; he is a first-rate historian and a captivating writer. 

Intelligencer Journal/New Era … March 29 … This story: “Lancaster City to test Susquehanna water for radioactivity”

Intelligencer Journal/New Era … March 28: The Food Safety Act continues to surface issues in “Food regs burn barbecues – Fundraising tool draws attention of inspectors.”

Lancaster Newspapers All-Stars … Winter Sports 2011 (bowling, wrestling, basketball, rifle and swimming) … There’s a special section in the March 28 newspaper applauding the “top scholastic athletes in the Lancaster-Lebanon League.” Congratulations to these Columbia High School athletes: Derek Zercher and Marcus Fischer, wrestling (section three all stars); Ezar Bush-McGinnis, Jeffrey Carroll, Marcus Fischer, Zac Helm, Rachel Knighton and Adam Mowrer, wrestling (Academic all-stars). [NOTE: To be eligible for recognition by the Lancaster-Lebanon County Wrestling Officials Association, a scholar-athlete must have maintained all A’s and B’s in all courses throughout the season.] 

Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News … March 27: “Medicare rise could mean no Social Security COLA” Those receiving social security benefits likely are facing a future with less money. According to this article, “The government is projecting a slight cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security benefits next year, the first increase since 2009. But for most beneficiaries, rising Medicare premiums threaten to wipe out any increase in payments, leaving them without a raise for a third straight year.”

Phillies Opener … Friday April 1 … Philly.com offers a “Daily Phillies News” email service; you can sign up here.

York Dispatch, March 28 … “Forecast: More snow for York County this week”

Though not a newspaper, the Science and Development Network, contains insight into topical and relevant information. This editorial, “Nuclear power: bruised but not broken” (subtitled “The world still needs nuclear power — but it must be safer and more transparent.”) offers another look at the inclusion, rather than the absndonment, of  nuclear powered energy generation. [Editor’s note]: Please notice their use of the word “transparent.” We continue to reinforce that people have a right to know information; specifically information about government, public agencies and not-for-profit agencies. Maybe “they do care but the information is not shared openly!”