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

Quote for today… “Without music, life would be a mistake.” – Friederich Nietzsche

• “A pathogen is rotting our democracy from the inside out.” – This great line comes from a support plea from PublicCitizen; the email is worth reading.

• Sunshine Week is a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information.

• Down with spy apparatus including spy cameras: Conoy Township’s dealing with drones on Thursday evening is capturing broad attention as a public hearing on a proposed nuisance ordinance which includes the prohibition of  “the operation of remote-controlled or other non-tethered aircraft over property not owned by the operator and without permission of the property owner.” – MyDonegalNews

• Here’s a truly remarkable video about human triumph and the power of music.

• Meeting this evening – Borough Council -2nd Monday at 7:00 pm – Borough Website

• “O-o-o-p-s” – A state trooper’s patrol car was sideswiped late Saturday night by an elderly woman who was driving the wrong way on Interstate 83.” – Harrisburg Patriot-News

• Letters to the editors in today’s Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

• Editorial: “Regionalized fire protection thankfully gaining momentum” – Williamsport Sun-Gazette … and a commenter says, “They need to regionalize Police Departments too.”
  

• Starting this year, a Dauphin County township will pay some volunteer firefighters and fire police officers monthly benefits through a Length of Service Award Program. – Harrisburg Patriot-News

• Eric Smith, bachelor of science in business administration/marketing and Byron Tuell, bachelor of arts, communication studies, of Columbia, were awarded degrees by Kutztown University. – Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

• “The following local residents were named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Millersville University: Columbia — Megan Binkley, Amanda Bletz, Corinne Bletz, Stephen Gargano, Mandee Hatcher, Ryan Knode, Connor Mahaffey, Thomas Nikolaus, Ashlyn Null, Eric Troup, Amanda Walter and Brandyn Zink. Marietta — Tracie Homsher, Randall Lewis, Zachary Pickell, William Stuckey and Janella Vargas. Mountville — Lina Altenderfer, Allison Baker, Charlotte Guerin, Jared Hogentogler, Elizabeth Kalbach, Emily Laufer, Ryan Lower, Laura Martin, Alison Medence, Krystal Murphy, Natalie Rizzo, Katelyn Trostle, Caleb Walker and Nicole Zeigler. Washington Boro — Nicholas Dennis, Brittany Rohrer and Matthew Ruhl.” – Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

• FLASHBACK – “ICE SHOW: Thousands of Lancaster County residents spent a balmy Sunday afternoon watching the breakup of the rapidly melting ice on the Susquehanna River, the Intelligencer Journal reported: ‘Thousands of countians, out for their Sunday drive, turned toward the river, jamming all roads in the area. Mountville police checking autos moving west through that borough Sunday afternoon said they counted 1,400 vehicles in an hour’s time.’ Lured by the spectacle of near-calamity — the river had flooded nearby communities during past ice-melts — people flocked to prime viewing spots along the riverbanks. The ice across the river had been measured at 19 inches thick, and temperatures pushing into the 50s resulted in a quick thaw. However, despite the occurrence of severe flooding further north, no flooding was reported in Lancaster County. (March 11, 1963)” – Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era