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… “You win a few, you lose a few. Some get rained out. But you got to dress for all of them.” – Satchel Paige

• Day 2 – Complete coverage of the Sandusky trial – Harrisburg Patriot-News

• “Three Lancaster County Elks lodges will host Flag Day programs in Binns Park on Thursday. The Lancaster, Columbia-Middletown and Ephrata Elks lodges will begin the day at 7 a.m. with a flag-raising ceremony at the Lancaster County Government Center, 150 N. Queen St.” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era

• It’s about time!” – State lawmakers are considering a bill that would penalize drivers who ignore roadblocks and plunge their vehicles into flooded roadways, endangering their lives and taxing local rescuers.” – Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

• Boating anywhere on a good day requires skill and caution; on a rainy day in the Susquehanna … well … that’s just nuts! – York Daily Record

• Letters to the editors in today’s Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era: examples of frustration toward elected “public servants.”

• “Wusses” – You can bank on it; what do elected “public servants” do after they retire? They get paid to lobby; to speak or to write books. Former Pennsylvania Governor Rendell follows suit with his book: Nation of Wusses. How predictable. – Harrisburg Patriot-News

• The Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center, along with major sponsors, Union Community Bank and Donegal Insurance Group, will host the 32nd annual Antique, Art & Craft Show on Saturday, June 30 from 9 am to 3pm. This popular outdoor event runs from 9 am to 3 pm and features 200 vendors filling Locust Street Park and lining the main thoroughfare.  Look for a mixture of artwork, crafts, antiques, food and entertainment by the VFW Band and Sneakers the Clown.  Free parking & free shuttle service is available from Glatfelter Field located along Rt. 462 at 12^th Street in Columbia.  This event is FREE and is held rain or shine.

• Yesterday, “the FBI announced that violent crime dropped 4% in 2011, compared to a 5.5% drop in 2010. Nationally, the murder rate fell 1.9% from 2010, and robbery, forcible rape and assault fell 4% each. However, among the cities with the highest violent crimes rates, the trend is not entirely positive. A 24/7 Wall St. review of 2011 FBI crime data shows that violent crime rose in more than half of the cities that have among the highest rates in the country. In seven of the 10 cities, murder rates increased. In eight of the 10, burglary went up. Strained budgets are forcing police layoffs that many cities cannot afford to make. Here’s the link to the list of “The most dangerous cities in America.” – 24/7 Wall Street