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

Quote for today… “In 2014, Bitcoin was declared one of the worst performing assets of any kind. It has fallen almost 66% in value from its high point in early 2014.” – From this article at The Conversation: “2014 was a bad year for Bitcoin and 2015 is unlikely to be much better.”

Maybe it’s from all the cigarette butts that end up in The River?

• “PCB contamination causes fish consumption advisory for catfish caught from Susquehanna River in Lancaster County” – Lancaster OnLine

• The price of the transportation bill passed last year: “The legislation repeals the 12-cent-per-gallon tax levied at the pump and shifts gas tax collections to wholesalers by raising the Oil Company Franchise Tax rate and lifting an artificial cap on the tax. The formula is complicated but will result in a net increase in the state gasoline tax of 9.5 cents per gallon starting Jan. 1; another 9.7 cents for 2015; and at least 8 cents for 2017. It is not clear how that will affect pump prices, but if wholesalers pass on the entire 2014 increase, a motorist who drives 12,000 miles in a vehicle that gets 24 miles per gallon would pay $47.50 more next year. If no other states raise their gasoline taxes, Pennsylvania will go from having the 15th-highest tax in the U.S. to the fifth-highest. – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

• Plus these increased driving costs; start thinking about walking or taking the bus – Lancaster Online

• “Ring in 2015 at the Experience with 15% off your admission. This is a perfect way to kick-off the new year with your friends & family.” – The Turkey Hill Experience

• “December 31 – 4th annual Family Fun New Year’s Eve Celebration at Turkey  Hill Experience – 4-6 pm. Turkey Hill Experience, Third and Linden  Streets, Columbia. This free event, held in the parking lot of  Turkey Hill Experience, will take place rain or shine.  Many vendors  representing area businesses, civic organizations, etc., will be on hand to  provide free family fun – games, activities, crafts, giveaways, and more.   The highlight of the evening will take place at 6pm with the dropping of  a large ice cream cone to ring in the new year.” – Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce Website

A new generation of wine drinkers.

• Wine drinking in America today: “US the largest wine consuming nation in the world” – The Conversation

• “Ethics cesspool: No wonder the state Legislature is a rogue’s gallery“ – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

• “Gap between rich, poor schools doubled in 4 years” – Philly.com
  

Comparison of three school districts – Columbia Borough, Donegal (an adjacent one) and Pequea Valley (similar enrollment numbers) for 2012-134 (SOURCE: OpenGov.org)

• It’s a universal response among dictators and a bunch of politicians, folks who’ve screwed up and xenophobes: “Cosby Team’s strategy: Hush accusers, insult them, blame the media” – The New York Times