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Boston Bombing Update

By Alex T. : 30 April 2013

Federal authorities are calling into question the level of involvement of the dead Boston Marathon bombing suspect’s wife.

Two senior law enforcement officials said that her level of involvement varies greatly. She may have knowingly, or unknowingly destroyed evidence, helped the bombers evade capture or even help plan the attack.

FBI agents are now testing the female DNA found on a piece of the pressure cooker used as a bomb in the Boston Marathon bombing to determine whether or not it belonged to Katherine Russell, the wife of Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the officials said.

The FBI acquired a sample of Russell’s DNA while she was staying with family in Rhode Island.

The focus on Russell is an attempt by the FBI to determine who else may have been involved in aiding the bombers.

While the authorities do not believe the bombers had ties to a larger terrorist network or had accomplices, they are skeptical that others did not know of their plans or did not help them destroy evidence.

Bombing In Boston

By Alex T. : 16 April 2013

A series of bombings took place Monday in Boston, Mass. Killing three and leaving 176 people injured. The FBI has stated that the list of suspects and motive is still wide open. Photos that are believed to contain the location of the bomb prior to the explosion have surfaced.

The FBI is still investigating many leads and has nothing so far.

“We also know this; the American people refuse to be terrorized. Because what the world saw yesterday tin the after math of the explosions were stories of heroism, kindness, and generosity and love,” said President Barack Obama in a press conference on Monday shortly after the bombings.

Equinunk Community Events

Pine Mill Community Hall will begin its schedule of monthly Pancake Breakfasts on Sunday, April 21st, from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. and will continue on the third Sunday of each month until October. Breakfasts include cheese omelets, (or eggs the way you like them,) sausage, home fries, blueberry or plain pancakes, coffee, tea, and juice. Adults $7.00, child under twelve, half portion, $3.50. The Hall is located on Pine Mill Rd. which extends from the center of Equinunk to Rte. 371 in Rileyville. It sits about halfway between those two points. Call 570-224-8500 for information.

Equinunk Community Events

Manchester Community Library has reopened. Regular hours are Mondays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wed. 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Sat., 9 a.m. to noon.

Computer time is available with three terminals, fast DSL service, and wi-fi access.

On Wednesday evenings certified teachers are on hand to provide tutoring, reading and math help, and test preparation. These services are free to nearby residents of NE Penna. and NY state. Call 570-224-4173 for information.

Mah Jongg games are held at the library on Mondays, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. All players are welcome, both experienced and beginning level. There is no charge.

The library is located at 3879 Hancock Hwy, Equinunk. Follow the driveway past the Manchester Township office to the building at the end of the drive.

Assault in Baghdad

By Matt S: 22 March 2013

There are at least 18 dead and 58 wounded in a suicide attack on Iraq’s Ministry of Justice in Baghdad shortly after noon on Thursday according to The Wall Street Journal.

Three cars exploded around the central Ministry of Justice building. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Officials said two gunmen detonated explosive suicide vests, while the other two gunmen were shot dead by Iraqi security forces.

These violent attacks on civilians are not unusual for the area but have been occurring with more frequency in the past months. This recent attack was only blocks from the Green Zone, which houses the U.S. Embassy and other crucial government buildings. The attacks will not stop until some justice is established.

 

Bridge Students at Teen Life Conference in Boston

By: Shannon S .:  15 March 2013

Rachael and Ali representing the Bridge Program at the Teen Life Conference in Boston.
Rachael and Ali representing the Bridge Program at the Teen Life Conference in Boston.

“It was cool … I hope someone who was in need of The Bridge Program found it,” said Rachael D.

The Family School’s new transition program, The Bridge, was promoted at the Teen Life Conference in Boston last Sunday.

The mission of the conference is to provide resources for teens and their families to address relevant health care issues and post-high school career options. Educational lectures, health screenings, interactive informational booths, and physical fitness activities were presented to the teens and their families.

Managing the booth were Jeff Brain, Dean of Admissions, Marian Curtis, Admissions Counselor, and two current Bridge students Rachael D. and Ali G.

“I hope someone who was in need of The Bridge Program found it,” said Rachael D.

In the midst of the entire event, Ali and Rachael’s enthusiasm for thier program stood out to such an extent that Ali G. was interviewed and videotaped by Boston News Network (BNN). She and Rachael explained what the Bridge has done from them. Brain and Curtis provided detailed information about the  two components of the program –the on-campus and off-campus options.

As The Family School has expanded its mission –building character and saving lives –to encompass college students, it has allowed many to grow and move forward in healthy and postive way.  The Bridge program gives other teens and their families a chance to open their eyes to new possibilities and even better, a promising future.

 

Jeff Brain smiles while he promotes The Bridge.
Jeff Brain smiles while he promotes The Bridge.
Ali G. being interviewed by Boston New Network.
Ali G. being interviewed by Boston New Network.

Swine Disaster

Sally Heggeman: 12 March 2013

Over 2800 dead pigs were found Monday floating down the Huangpu River which cuts through the center of Shanghai. According to the Seattle Times, a thorough investigation is taking place to figure out who dumped the carcasses. Many Chinese citizens are blaming farmers. Officials say the first pig carcasses were spotted Thursday and over the weekend the numbers have rapidly heightened and are expected to keep rising.

The director of Shanghai’s Songjiang District Environmental Protection Bureau, Xu Rong told Global Times “So far, water quality has not been affected, but we have to remove the pigs as quickly as possible and can’t let their bodies rot in the water.”

Samples of the pigs are being sent off for testing to identify the cause of death.

Congressman Gibson Meets Local Business Owners

By Alex T. : 3 March 2013

Congressman Gibson talking with Jerry DaBrescia about the Town Square project.
Congressman Gibson talking with Jerry DaBrescia about the Town Square project.

Republican Congressman Chris Gibson met with members of The Hancock Partners and other local officials last Friday to introduce himself and to discuss some issues relevant to small, rural communities in Delaware County. The primary issues were federal aid for small business, boosting the economy, and creating jobs.

The Rails to Trails project was brought up in regards to business growth in Hancock. The project takes old unused railroads and turns them into trails for public recreation.

The idea is that tourists come through Hancock to experience the new Rails to Trails project by hiking, biking, and walking on the trails themselves.

Chris Gross, of Upper Delaware Real Estate, asked Congressman Gibson if he would like to see the progress of the Town Square project after the meeting, Gibson accepted without hesitation.

The project started in 2004 and is nearing  completion. The Town Square will attract potential second home buyers and businesses to stay, live, and do business in Hancock.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our country…”


Gibson also shared that bringing small business back to the rural communities is a very important issue to him.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our country,” said Gibson.

This is especially true in areas such as Hancock where farming and small businesses fuel the economy. Gibson shared that he supports the Whitespace Technology, which brings broadband connections to rural parts of New York. Thurman, a remote town in Warren County, has begun to implement the technology with much success, according to Gibson.

In our current political climate no meeting is complete without the controversial topic of hydraulic fracturing for the extraction and production of natural gas.

Gibson shared his stance on hydrofracking. He is a supporter of the “FRAC Act. The FRAC Act, if passed, will ensure the safe extraction of natural gas by hydro fracking.

Gibson conceded that natural gas extraction, and the jobs and income it provides, may be beneficial for Hancock and other communities and the nation as a whole.

The proposed FRAC Act would require the energy industry to disclose all the chemicals used in the hydraulic fracturing fluid. The gas industry opposes the legislation.

The meeting ended in the Town Square where Gibson said he would like to attend the opening ceremony of the Town Square.

Who Let The Dogs Out?

Matt S. : 22 January 2013

Jen Culver and Emme working together in a training exercise
Jen Culver and Emme working together in a training exercise

 

The Dog Corps program at The Family School gives students the opportunity to work with search and rescue dogs. They assist in the training exercises and the overall care of the dogs and sometimes go on searches.

Program Director, Rita Argiros, heads the Dog Corps program with assistance from Jen Culver and two student interns – Jimmy W. and Patrick W.

There are ten members officially enrolled in Dog Corps with addtional students in Jen’s dog training class.

Many of these dog training students are looking forward to joining the Dog Corp program next semester.

At the school the students in Dog Corps learn how to communicate with the dogs and how to train them before they go on searches. They conduct many Search and Rescues for missing and deceased people throughout the New York and New Jersey area and have the opportunity to attend several search and rescue training conventions.

The members in Dog Corps will be taking a first aid and wilderness class next month to learn to be certified in these two areas.