today’s news and information gleanings from here and there! 

• Today’s Weather! 
• Today in History!
• Traffic Cam Rts. 30 & 441
• The Official Time! – Population Clock (U.S. and World)

Quote for today… “Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” – Norman Vincent Peale

• Occupy Lancaster’s petition to stay in ArtPark after January 1, 2012 has been denied. From the Facebook page: “12/21/2011: Please join us as we discuss the future of the Occupation site at Art Park. Our application to extend our permit to assemble in Art Park has been denied by the city. We need to put our heads together to figure out what to do! – Occupy Lancaster Facebook page
• “Lancaster County to charge for property assessment appeals” – LancasterOnLine
  
• Winter preparedness tips – “Keep enough supplies in your home to survive on your own, or shelter in place, for at least three days.” – New York City Office of Emergency Management
  
• Letters to the editor includes one from Columbia Food Bank leaders – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era
  
• “Mountville councilman suggests need for fire tax” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era
• Some teachers getting raises: “Lancaster County Career & Technology Center teachers have approved a two-year contract that includes a 1.6 percent pay hike this year and a wage freeze in 2012-13.” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era
  
• Where’s the difference? One demagogue-like house leader is pretty-much like another – “House vote on payroll tax cuts fails middle class” – Minneapolis Star-Tribune

• POLICE LOG: “WEST HEMPFIELD TWP.: A laptop, iPod, cash and jewelry were taken from a home in the 4000 block of Nolt Road Friday. A loss amount was not reported. – John Stepanian, 50, of Mountville, was charged Friday after he allegedly drove through a stop sign at Spring Hill and Huntington Drive and struck another vehicle. There were no injuries. – Cash, pocket books and a cellphone were taken from two unlocked vehicles Sunday in the 800 block of Old Chickies Road. Amount of loss is not known. – MANOR TWP.: Over $100 in cash and electronics were taken from a home on Greenbriar Circle in the past few weeks. An acquaintance is a suspect. – A township woman’s credit card was recently used to make unauthorized purchases in Ohio totaling more than $200. – A window of a vehicle was smashed and a $50 briefcase stolen from a vehicle while its owner was shopping for 20 minutes inside the Rite Aid store on Columbia Avenue on the night of Dec. 14, police said. The briefcase was found the next day in the 4200 block of Oregon Pike. – A $5,000 farm tractor was stolen from the Frey farm at 740 Stehman Church Road sometime in the last month, police said. It is a red 1970’s International 656 tractor. Police ask anyone with information to call Det. Mike Phenneger at 299-5231. Tipsters also may call Lancaster City/County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-322-1913 or anonymously text LANCS plus your message to 847411 (TIP411).” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era
  
• Huh? – “A 15-year-old Manor Township boy is facing charges for allegedly having inappropriate contact with an 11-year-old girl, police said. The alleged incidents occurred at the boy’s home over a period of several months, according to Manor Township police Sgt. Jim Alexander. Alexander said police launched an investigation Dec. 6 after officials from Lancaster County Children & Youth Services notified them of the reported assaults. After a weeklong investigation, Detective Mike Phenneger filed charges of aggravated indecent assault, statutory sexual assault and indecent assault through the Lancaster County Office of Juvenile Probation.The boy was admitted to the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center. ” – – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era
• Packed house at York’s council meeting – “York council hears budget complaints” – York Daily Record
• Enjoy “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” with Brenda Lee from youtube.com: