Standard & Poor’s Increases Pittsburgh’s Credit Rating To A

A map of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with its neighborhoods labeled. For use primarily in the list of Pittsburgh neighborhoods. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s has bumped up Pittsburgh’s credit rating three notches to A, a move that could save the city money on future borrowing by improving the city’s credit profile.

The agency cited a number of factors in moving the city’s credit rating up from BBB.  First, it said the city’s resilient economy and “deep and diverse economic base” which allowed the city to fare relatively well during the economic downturn.  It also cited the presence of two state-appointed oversight boards that have kept close tabs on the city’s budget since the state of Pennsylvania declared it financially distressed nearly a decade ago.

S&P analyst Andrew Teras also cited the city’s debt management, increase in reserves and ability to manage long-term liabilities, like pensions.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/business/news/standard-poors-increases-pittsburghs-credit-rating-to-a-693510/#ixzz2XX5qOifp

Some Roads Reopen As DuBois, Nearby Locations, Begin Flood Recovery

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Clearfield County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Water receded in some areas overnight and main thoroughfares have reopened in DuBois, Clearfield County, emergency officials said today.

Clearfield and Jefferson counties declared disaster emergencies after about 6 inches of rain fell by 3 p.m. Thursday, leaving as much as 4 feet of water on some streets and forcing the closure of all roads going into DuBois.

Between 7 and 8 inches of rain fell in some parts of Jefferson County, Department of Emergency Services director Tracy W. Zents said at a press conference this morning.

“Right now, we’re getting out of the response mode, and into the recovery mode,” Mr. Zents said.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/state/some-roads-reopen-as-dubois-nearby-locations-begin-flood-recovery-693507/#ixzz2XWzWozWL

More flood coverage: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/state/4-feet-of-water-close-all-roads-into-clearfield-county-city-693413/

Wilkes-Barre Barber Shop Alleged Hub Of Drug Trafficking

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WILKES-BARRE — Undercover drug agents believe Ramon Colon was providing more than haircuts from The Master Barber Shop on Hazle Avenue.

Billed as the “The Best Cut in Town,” the barbershop that opened within the last year was “the hub” of a major cocaine and marijuana trafficking organization, said state Deputy Attorney General Tim Doherty.

Colon, 26, and his wife, Alexandra Mateo, 21, of Mayflower Crossing, Wilkes-Barre, were described by Doherty as the alleged ring leaders that peddled hundreds of pounds of marijuana and several kilos of cocaine from New York City to Luzerne County for the last eight months.

About 15 drug agents armed with assault rifles and wearing bulletproof armor served search warrants early Thursday morning at the barbershop and across the street at Idley’s Furniture Store. The apartment of Colon and Mateo at Mayflower Crossing on South Empire Street was searched, as was a residence on Coplay Place in Mountain Top.

Read more:  http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/633462/W-B-barber-shop-alleged-hub-of-drug-trafficking

Pottsgrove Manor To Host Symposium On Colonial Iron Industry

Pottstown, PA (June 28, 2013) – On Saturday, July 20, 2013 from 10:00am to 3:00pm, historic Pottsgrove Manor will host a symposium on the production of iron in early Pennsylvania.

The symposium, entitled “Making Iron in Colonial America,” is being held in conjunction with Pottsgrove Manor’s current exhibit, “Forging a Lifestyle: Ironworking with the Potts Family,” which explores the early Pennsylvania iron industry and the Potts family’s integral industry involvement.

Those interested in the area’s early industrial roots will not want to miss this symposium.  At 10:00am, Rick Brouse, one of Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site’s most experienced colliers, will give a talk on the process of making charcoal, the fuel of early American ironworks.  After his presentation, a tour of the mansion and Pottsgrove Manor’s iron exhibit will be offered.  Participants will enjoy a boxed lunch, provided by Pottstown’s own Positively Pasta, and have time to shop in the museum store before the afternoon presentation.  At 1:30pm, local historian Robert Wood will give an illustrated presentation on the process of making wrought iron in early charcoal-powered ironworks, describing the steps involved and giving a sense of the huge expenditure of resources that went into iron production in the colonial era.

The symposium is open to participants ages 12 and up.  There is a fee of $20.00 per person, which includes a boxed lunch with a choice of sandwich.  Spaces are limited.  Registration and payment are required by July 16, 2013.  Registration forms are available at Pottsgrove Manor or can be downloaded from http://montcopa.org/DocumentCenter/View/4379.

The “Forging a Lifestyle” exhibit can also be viewed on a guided tour of Pottsgrove Manor during regular museum hours Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm, and Sunday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.  Tours are given on the hour.  The last tour of the day begins at 3:00pm.  The site is closed Mondays and major holidays.  Groups of ten or more should preregister by calling (610) 326-4014.

Pottstown Manor is located at 100 West King Street near the intersection of King Street and Route 100, just off Route 422, in Pottstown, Pennsylvania.  Pottsgrove Manor is operated by Montgomery County under the direction of the Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites Division of the Assets and Infrastructure Department.  For more information, please call (610) 326-4014, or visit the website at www.montcopa.org/pottsgrovemanor. Like Pottsgrove Manor on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pottsgrovemanor.

Snowden’s Father Says Former Contractor May Return If Conditions Met

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The father of former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden said in an interview that while he has not had recent contact with him, he is reasonably confident his son would return to the United States if certain conditions were met.

Those conditions could include not detaining Snowden before trial, not subjecting him to a gag order and letting him choose the location of his trial, NBC News said on Friday.

The NBC report added that Lonnie Snowden plans to make those points in a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to be sent through his lawyer later on Friday.  Representatives for the Justice Department could not be reached immediately for comment on the letter.

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-usa-security-snowden-father-20130628,0,2083504.story#ixzz2XWq98dFA
Follow us: @mcall on Twitter | mcall.lv on Facebook

Allentown Schools Cut 151 Jobs, Hike Taxes 8.2 Percent

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Lehigh County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Allentown School Board approved a final 2013-14 budget Thursday that spares full-day kindergarten and most elementary school related arts positions but cuts 151 jobs, sending a ripple effect throughout the district.

School directors voted 5-4 to adopt a spending plan that slashes 127 teachers, 14 administrators and 10 maintenance/custodial workers from the district’s payroll.  The cuts are accompanied by an 8.2 percent tax increase and a $10 million contribution from the district’s savings to keep the district afloat for another school year.

The only change to the $242 million budget was elimination of two vacant administrative positions — director of special projects and director of professional development.  That decision saves about $200,000.

Full-day kindergarten and elementary school music, art and gym teachers, originally in jeopardy of being cut, are retained in the final budget.  But the district will eliminate all five of its elementary librarians along with 19 middle-school related arts teachers.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-allentown-schools-final-budget-20130627,0,7917258.story#ixzz2XWm7azLQ
Follow us: @mcall on Twitter | mcall.lv on Facebook

Target Cuts Ties With Deen; Drugmaker Distances

English: Logo of Target, US-based retail chain (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

NEW YORK — Paula Deen’s merchandise and media empire is fast unraveling.

Retailers Target Corp. and Home Depot Inc. and diabetes drug maker Novo Nordisk became the latest companies to sever ties or distance themselves from celebrity cook Paula Deen as fallout builds from revelations that the Southern celebrity chef used racial slurs in the past.

Target, based in Minneapolis, said Thursday that it will phase out its Paula Deen-branded cookware and other items, which were sold on its website and in its stores.

“Once the merchandise is sold out, we will not be replenishing inventory,” said Molly Snyder, a Target spokeswoman.

Read more:  http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130628/ENTERTAINMENT01/130629313/target-cuts-ties-with-deen-drugmaker-distances#full_story

Berks Commissioners Expand Hotel Tax To Include Entire County

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Berks County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

All hotels and motels in Berks County must begin collecting a 5 percent room tax starting Oct. 1.

The county commissioners in a 2-1 vote Thursday extended the tax to facilities beyond the 15-mile radius of the Sovereign Center established when the tax went into effect March 1, 1997.

The tax currently produces about $1.7 million annually, with 80 percent going to the Berks County Convention Center Authority to repay money borrowed to build the center and 20 percent going to the Greater Reading Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The expansion is expected to bring in an additional $310,000 in 2014.

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=488474

Pennsylvania Officials Warn About Potentially Fatal Heroinlike Drug

State officials have issued a warning about a heroin like drug that has caused 50 deaths in Pennsylvania already this year, including four in Berks County.

Berks District Attorney John T. Adams confirmed Thursday that toxicology reports have shown that four overdose deaths reported earlier this month all involved the drug fentanyl.

The state Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs said Thursday that fentanyl and its derivative, acetyl fentanyl, has been blamed for at least 50 deaths in 15 counties. Five nonfatal overdoses also have been reported.

The state also is awaiting toxicology reports from overdose deaths in several other counties.

Read more:  http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=488448