Why PA Has School Strikes

Taxpayer activist Bob Guzzardi informs us that Mike Vereb, member of Republican State House leadership and the representative for the 150th District, has taken $16,500 since 2008 from PSEA-PACE, which is the public school teachers’ union.

Guzzardi notes that members of House Republican Leadership with exception of Sandra Major (R-111) caucus chairwoman have received substantial payments from PSEA-PACE. For more information  visit  https://www.campaignfinanceonline.state.pa.us/pages/CFReportSearch.aspx

And this is why commonsense educational and tax reform never seems to prevail in Pennsylvania.

Why PA Has School Strikes

Why PA Has School Strikes

Flu Up In Pa.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has reported a recent significant increase in influenza activity across the state since Thanksgiving, says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129). 

Flu activity has risen from sporadic to widespread throughout the Commonwealth, meaning at least half of the state’s regions are experiencing outbreaks of influenza or increases in influenza-like illness. The flu made an appearance earlier this year than in most flu seasons, as widespread activity is usually not seen until January. 

To protect yourself and your loved ones against the flu, the department recommends the flu vaccine for everyone over the age of 6 months. The vaccine is especially important for the elderly, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions that place them at increased risk of complications from the flu. 

In addition to getting vaccinated, individuals should take precautions to keep the flu from spreading, including: covering the nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, staying at home when ill or experiencing flu-like symptoms, washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based sanitizers when soap and water are not available, and cleaning and disinfecting high-use surfaces, especially if someone has been coughing or sneezing in the area. 

For information on seasonal influenza, visit www.health.state.pa.us.

Cryptowit

By William W. Lawrence Sr

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Answer to yesterday’s puzzle: A traitor is everyone who does not agree with me. 
King George III

Tidbit Of The Day

J.P. Morgan’s uncle wrote Jingle Bells.

Gun Shots Lead To Charges

By Pattie Price

Peter Bowen, 25, of Newtown Square, was held for a Jan.16 arraignment in Common Pleas Court on the charge of recklessly endangering another person following a hearing Thursday before Magisterial District Judge Lee Hunter. In exchange for the waiver the charge of possession of a controlled substance was withdrawn. The charges stem from an incident 4 p.m., Oct. 26, on Fairview Avenue.

According to the affidavit, Newtown Detective John Newell and several other officers responded to the 4300 block of Fairview Avenue to investigate a report of “shots fired.”

When police arrived they heard additional gun shots. Police entered the wooded area and located Bowen and his friend. Both men denied having or firing a gun, but said they had set off fireworks.

Bowen’s friend told police that a gun was buried under a pile of leaves a few feet from the fire pit where the men were located.

Newell found a loaded black .22 caliber revolver, and next to the gun he found a bundle of suspected heroin.

Confiscated from Bowen were two empty blue bags containing heroin residue and a pocket knife.

Both men admitted they had used heroin and drank a few beers while shooting the gun.

Bowen told police that he brought the gun from his friend’s house and that the gun belonged to his brother.

* * * 

Shariff Blackwell, 33, of Philadelphia waived a hearing on the charges of DUI and possession of a small amount of marijuana. In exchange for the waiver the charges of speeding, operating a vehicle following suspension of registration, and careless driving were withdrawn. The charges stem from an incident 3:18a.m., Oct. 21, on West Chester Pike near Bishop Hollow Road.

According to the affidavit, Newtown Officer Joe Vandegrift saw the driver of a black Lincoln Navigator speeding on West Chester Pike. He clocked the vehicle at 79 mph in a posted 40 mph zone and stopped the driver who was identified as Blackwell.

Blackwell had a strong odor of alcohol and admitted he had been drinking at West Chester University’s Homecoming.

A portable breath test revealed a blood alcohol level of .196 percent. He was transported to Springfield Hospital for a blood test.

A computer check revealed Blackwell was arrested for DUI in 2005 and that his registration was suspended.

After Blackwell was processed he placed a small container of suspected marijuana on the floor where he was seated.

Blackwell is scheduled for a Jan. 16 arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

* * *

Desmond Davis, 44, of Prospect Park, was held in abstentia for a Jan. 16 arraignment in Common Pleas Court on the charges of bad checks. The charges stem from an incident 9:40a.m., Oct. 5, at Niemeyer’s, 19 S. Newtown Street Road.

According to the affidavit, Newtown Officer Dave Wilding said an employee of Niemeyer’s reported Davis made a purchase of $918.89 on May 11 and his check was returned the following day for non-sufficient funds. Niemeyer’s contacted Davis and he promised to make payments. On June 29, Davis finally made a payment of $100. When he didn’t make any more payments after numerous phone calls, police were contacted to prosecute Davis.

* * * 

Cheryl Scout, 63, of Drexel Hill, plead guilty to harassment for an incident 6:20p.m., Nov. 16, at 126 Pine Street.

According to the affidavit, Newtown Officer Joe Vandegrift  said Ms. Scout called her ex-boyfriend 13 times in 24 hours, despite a PFA. He said Ms. Scout attempted to contact him 46 times between June and November, While taking the report, the victim’s cell phone rang and Vandegrift advised Ms. Scout that she was going to be arrested for plotting to run her ex-boyfriend over in Casey’s parking lot.

Police said at the time of the incident, Ms. Scout was on bail for a previous harrassment incident of her ex-boyfriend.

Newtown Tragedy Inspires Respect For Life Act

Callous people are attempting to use the tragedy in Newtown, Conn. to advance their pet political cause, namely greater restrictions on the private possession of firearms. The lead stories in today’s, Dec. 17, Philadelphia Inquirer and Delaware County Daily Times are both quasi-editorials pushing for more gun control.

You never want a serious crisis to go to waste,” as Rahm Emanuel would say.
OK, we can play that game. We are proposing the Respect for Life Act. This law would ban abortion in order to create a culture where it’s inconceivable to take an innocent life with premeditation. Mass, random school shootings targeting children really didn’t start in this country — Olean, NY in 1974, San Diego in 1979 — until after Roe v. Wade was decided so one can’t deny a correlation. Certainly can’t hurt anything, right?
But we want to take it further. We want it taught to all that there will be a universal accounting for the acts they do while they breath. So our bill will include a requirement that the 10 Commandments be placed on every school room wall — the Talmudic division is fine — and that each day begin with the reciting of the Lord’s Prayer with special emphasis on the “lead us not into temptation” and “deliver us from evil” parts.
While this law would go a long way into making our schools, and society, as safe as they were in 1960 it would still not be enough, though.
And that is why we are also proposing the Bring Back The Cuckoo’s Nest Act. This law would once again give families, and society, the ability to incarcerate their loved ones in mental facilities if they should display behavior indicating a tendency for irrational violence to themselves or others.
One personally knows at least three people who committed acts of gun violence — including a mass shooting — who would have been locked away before the deed in saner times.
Newtown Tragedy Inspires Respect For Life Act
Newtown Tragedy Inspires Respect For Life Act

Cryptowit

By William W. Lawrence Sr

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Vtyr Rpzcrp TTT
Answer to yesterday’s puzzle: In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalms

My Inconclusive Travel Plans

Courtesy of Cathy Martin

I have been in many places, but I’ve never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can’t go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone. 

I’ve also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there. 

I have, however, been in Sane. They don’t have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work.

I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump, and I’m not too much on physical activity anymore. 

I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often. 

I’ve been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm. 

Sometimes I’m in Capable, and I go there more often as I’m getting older. 

One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get! 

I may have been in Continent, and I don’t remember what country I was in. It’s an age thing. They tell me it is very wet and damp there.

Cryptowit

By William W. Lawrence Sr

Rw ynjln R fruu urn mxfw jwm bunny, oxa hxd juxwn, Uxam, vjtn vn mfnuu rw bjonch.

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Answer to yesterday’s puzzle: I got a job working construction for the Johnstown Company but lately there ain’t been much work on account of the economy
Bruce Springsteen

Tidbit Of The Day

More American soldiers died in prison ships in New York Harbor during the Revolutionary War than in all its battles combined.