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… “The best thing one can do when it’s raining is to let it rain..” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

• Real “sportsman” – “Police: Man killed cow with bow and arrow” – York Dispatch

• “Columbia lures students back with virtual ‘academy’” – MyColumbiaNews

• “Local peace and justice groups will mark May Day with a celebration today in Lancaster Square. Established as International Workers Day in 1890, the day recognizes workers around the world. Activities for Lancaster workers and their families will be hosted by groups including the Lancaster Coalition for Peace & Justice, Occupy Lancaster and the local chapter of the International Workers of the World. The event runs from noon to 7 p.m.” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era

• POLICE LOG: “LANCASTER TWP.: Amber M. Vanaulen, 21, of Union Street, Columbia, was charged with taking $30 worth of merchandise April 23 at Giant, 1360 Columbia Ave.” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era

• “An Adamstown man is facing charges for allegedly shooting his dog and then leaving it to die along the side of the road.” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era

• National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 3

• “Local nonprofit Music For Everyone will give 2012 grant awards totaling $64,473 to 41 schools and community organizations. The grants will be presented at a First Friday ceremony this Friday at 5:30 p.m. in Lancaster city’s Binns Park. Live music will be performed by student groups from grant-winning schools, including Burrowes Elementary, Buchanan Elementary, Conestoga Elementary and Wheatland Middle School. This year’s sum is the largest in MFE’s history.” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era

• “A Mother’s Day Tea and Luncheon will be offered Saturday, May 12, at noon at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 239 E. Market St., Marietta. The luncheon will feature homemade chicken corn soup, chicken salad on a croissant, beverages and dessert. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7.50 for children 12 and under. Reservations are requested by calling Barb Frey at 653-1676 or Karen Whetstone at 665-0759. Women are encouraged to wear special hats. There will be a gift for the most creative hat as well as several door prize drawings. There also will be a raffle drawing for a special basket of goodies. Proceeds will go to the church’s prayer quilt ministry and other outreach programs.” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era

• And who couldn’t see this coming? “This year, taxpayers are supposed to start reporting — and paying — taxes on items they buy online, via catalogs or at stores outside the state. It appears that fewer taxpayers (35% fewer) offered to pay up than the state expected. All of the 2011 state personal income tax returns have not been processed. However, Revenue Secretary Dan Meuser is bracing for disappointment in the first year’s collection of the “use tax” — the equivalent of the 6 percent sales tax on Web purchases or items bought outside the state.” – Harrisburg Patriot-News