More Blockbuster Stores Closing

Say farewell to Blockbuster, the video chain that was once one of the biggest brand names in America.

The chain’s new owner, Dish Network (DISH +1.58%), has said it will close 500 under-performing Blockbuster locations with expiring leases, and it may close more beyond that. There were only about 1,500 Blockbuster stores left, so the announcement is one of the final nails in the coffin for the former video powerhouse.

Not that many people are complaining. Former Blockbuster customers still grumble about the chain’s strict return policies.

Remember the days when you raced to the store to get that movie back on time?

Read more: http://money.msn.com/top-stocks/post.aspx?post=e4ad0423-bd75-4a2c-a689-2837c7ae6729

Easton Mayor Applauds Crime Reduction, Economic Development

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Editor’s note:  Will we ever see a headline like this with POTTSTOWN in it?????

Mayor Sal Panto Jr. believes there is much to applaud in Easton, Pa. — a falling crime rate, promising redevelopment projects — but also much yet to do.

Panto outlined his vision for 2012, and mentioned some of the successes of 2011, in a “state of the city” speech Wednesday night before City Council, noting an 11 percent drop in crime overall, and a 37 percent drip in violent crime since 2006.

“Easton is becoming safer for families,” Panto said.

It is a theme he has stuck with in the march to redevelop the downtown into a place to work, eat and live, not just visit from time to time. Panto talked in the speech of a 24/7 downtown, which he said can only happen with new development drawing in full-time residents.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/easton/mc-easton-state-of-the-city-20120222,0,5829329.story

Driver Hurt When Rig Rolls Down Embankment Along Route 422

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A truck driver was critically injured and the westbound lanes of Route 422 in Amity Township were closed Wednesday morning after a tractor-trailer rolled down an embankment along the highway, police said.

Leonard Barnard, 45, of Philadelphia was westbound in a rig hauling produce about 5:15 a.m. when he lost control near River Bridge Road, just west of the merge ramp from the Pottstown Bypass, police said.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=366826

Fleetwood School District Administrators Freeze Their Pay

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Facing a budget gap as large as $2.4 million, Fleetwood School District administrators have agreed to freeze their pay for a second straight year.

Dr. Paul B. Eaken, superintendent, announced the move at a school board meeting this week.

The administrators’ contract with the district is set to expire at the end of the school year. The group has agreed to a one-year pact that does not include salary increases.

Eaken said administrators did not feel it was appropriate to accept pay raises when the district is facing financial difficulties that will likely impact students and staff.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=366805

Kutztown School District Considers Closing Albany Elementary

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In a potential belt-tightening move, the Kutztown School Board has raised the idea of closing Albany Elementary School next year.

At a recent budget and finance committee meeting, the board directed administrators to arrange for a public meeting on the issue.

That forum will be March 6 at 7 p.m. in the Kutztown High School auditorium.

Superintendent Nicholas Lazo Jr. emphasized that the board has not made a decision to close Albany Elementary, located along Route 737 near Kempton.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=366812