today’s news and information gleanings from here and there! Today’s Weather!   Today in History!

Quote for today… “It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.” – Thomas Jefferson.

• Sacrificing freedom in the name of “keeping us safer” … How can “safer” be measured? Here’s one measure of crime statistics in Pennsylvania communities:
  We continue to look for documentation that surveillance cameras reduce crime; we have found nothing to substantiate that. Crime is reduced with good policing and an alert, responsive citizenry. The Pennsylvania State Police Uniform Crime Reporting System may provide one view about “reported” crime in any Pennsylvania community; you can use this site to view statistics in Columbia or to compare statistics among communities.
• And the economic news keeps getting … worse! (LancasterOnline.com)
• Now Armstrong announces layoffs … (Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era)
• Chef Scott Bolden holds out a True Margherita Pizza, with fresh mozzarella and local tomatoes, at the patio area of the John Wright Restaurant in Wrightsville. Read the article from today’s Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era.
• POLICE LOG: COLUMBIA: Cyle A. Williams, 19, of 7 W. Main St., Mountville, was charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine, possession of a small amount of marijuana and disorderly conduct after an incident Monday night in the 400 block of Cherry Street. – MARIETTA: Scott D. Rohrer, 40, of 149 E. Market St., Marietta, was recently charged as the result of a traffic stop June 29 at East Market Street and Aaron Avenue. (Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era)
• “A statewide sex offender sweep led to the arrest of 40 Megan’s Law offenders — with 10 of those arrested from York County, the most in any other area, said acting U.S. Marshal Martin Pane.” Read the article from the York Daily Record.
• Article says the economy is growing at the slowest pace since the economy began.
• Debt showdown: How the debt crisis could affect average Americans (York Daily Record)
• THE water tower makeover (York Daily Record)
• Here’s a 10-minute video background on CCTV (surveillance cameras). Don’t know why but the “streaming” during the video is slightly disconcerting; the message though is provoking.