Category: News

By Sarah Garner –

People all over the world are wondering “who will say what next.”

Numerous people were interviewed and put on stand for the sake of a 3-year-old girl who was found dead, yet the story is unclear on who killed her or how it happened.

Was it murder or was it an accident?

Orlando resident Casey Anthony’s three year old daughter Caylee  went missing in June 2008. There were multiple stories in the trial of Anthony on exactly what happened. First the nanny took her and now she drowned in the family swimming pool. The only thing is, she was reported missing a month after her “drowning.”

“How in the world can a mother wait 30 days before ever reporting her child missing? That’s insane, that’s bizarre… The answer is actually relatively simple. She never was missing,” said Jose Baez, Anthony’s lawyer. “Caylee Anthony died on June 16, 2008 when she drowned in her family’s swimming pool.”

There are many things about this case that are making people all over the world so addicted.

According to ABC news, Anthony’s lawyer also stated that her father George Anthony, Caylee’s grandfather, found the body in the backyard pool and disposed of it, leaving evidence to implicate his daughter.

Her lawyer also claims that she was sexually abused as a child and is used to hiding pain, which is why she kept her daughter’s death a secret.

“On June 16, 2008, after Caylee died, Casey did what she’s been doing all her life, hiding her pain, going into that dark corner and pretending that she does not live in the situation that she’s living in… it all began when Casey was 8 years old and her father came into her room and began to touch her inappropriately and it escalated,” said Baez.

He denies ever doing such a thing and said that at this trial was the first time he heard of the drowning theory.

“When I heard that today, it hurt really bad. If I would have known something happened to Caylee, I wouldn’t be hear today,” said George Anthony. “I would have done everything humanly possible to save my granddaughter if what was stated prior really happened.”

Casey’s lawyer states that the reason she kept it inside and didn’t say anything about the death was because of her abuse as a child.

“Casey Anthony was raised to lie,” said Baez. “Sex abuse does things to us, it changes you.”

By Dayonte Dixon –

Manor Township police are asking the public for help to catch to retail thieves that are suspected of stealing two large boxes of Axe Deodorant.

Each pack is only worth five dollars yet these teens were still willing to break the law to steal multiple packs of these deodorants.

“It’s understandable if it’s somebody who is less fortunate and doesn’t have enough money to provide basic needs like deodorant,” said senior at Penn Manor High School Ryan Mays.

These suspects were seen shoving two large boxes of deodorant into a white trash bag and leaving the store within one minute. They then left and began walking down the block.

They walked east on Ursinus Avenue for about two blocks before a witness lost sight of them, police said.

A possible reason for this action is because teens today are more desperate to fit in and will be willing to go to further lengths to do so.

“If I’m already less fortunate I would steal it (deodorant) because why should I have to put up with the teasing of others about how I stink?” Mays said.

By Simon Zimmerman –

Stealing a candy bar or even a bracelet might be tolerated, but a dog? Now that’s crossing the line.

A woman and five other companions reportedly stole a 6-month old beagle from the Humane League of Lancaster County on Monday, but was then returned on Thursday into the safety of the shelter.

Surveillance cameras shot the woman and her followers looking through their choice of puppies until they finally found their victim, a beagle puppy with a existing eye condition that may or may not require medical attention.

After noticing that the dog was not in it’s kennel or on the property at all for that matter, staff members checked the video cameras and reported the crime.

The crime is being handled by East Lampeter Township Police very seriously and carefully.

Through examination of the surveillance camera, Police and staff members were shocked at what they saw.

“We were amazed when we went back and watched the video footage and saw the woman clearly removing a leash from the merchandise display and going back to get the dog,” said Becki Meiss, director of marketing for the League.

This footage was not only shocking but it was also very upsetting to Meiss and all of the League’s staff members.

“Our staff and volunteers are all very upset, we would just like to have the dog returned safely to the shelter,” added Meiss.

Hunter is the dog’s name. He is a male beagle mix puppy who has not been neutered. His coat is black, tan, and white and he weighs between 20 and 30 pounds.

When the puppy was returned on Thursday the shelter was very grateful to have to puppy back in their hands.

No charges were filed against the woman who stole the puppy, reportedly because she could not afford the adoption fee.

By Lyta Ringo –

One man claims he has overcome the impossible.

He was HIV-positive and now he’s not.

When you are HIV-positive, the risk of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is much higher. However, it is possible to have HIV and not contract AIDS.

According to an article posted on the aidsmap, a man named Timothy Ray Brown from Berlin, was suffering from not only leukemia, but also HIV. Brown underwent a stem cell transplant in December for his Leukemia. Since his transplant, Brown has reportedly been cured of HIV. Both Brown and his doctor have stated that he was HIV-positive before the transplant, and he is now currently HIV-negative.

According to a report in Blood, a medical magazine, a conclusion was drawn after extensive testing saying it “strongly suggests that the cure of HIV has been achieved.”

The cure of HIV has also been added to the top ten list of medical breakthroughs of 2010. Some other medical breakthroughs include an artificial ovary, for those battling infertility and wanting to conceive.

The stem cell transplant also has a lot of other doctors coming up with more ways to “personalize” the treatment. According to Foxnews.com, “scientists have used genetic engineering in six patients to develop HIV-resistant blood cells.”

When a transplant is done, you are receiving someone else’s cells that are just compatible with your blood type. What these researchers are trying to do is use the patient’s own blood cells to create an HIV-resistant blood cell. This would insure that the body wouldn’t end up rejecting the cell because it is it’s own.

Dr. John Zaia described the cure as a “functional cure,” in the Foxnews article, meaning it may not be the complete cure to HIV but it could build patient’s immune systems up to the point where their own bodies can fight off the infection.

Another man, the famous NBA Laker’s player, Magic Johnson, came forward in 1991 announcing that he would be retiring, officially leaving in 1992 after the All-Star Game, due to the fact the he had contracted the HIV virus. Since then reports have stated that Johnson has been cured of the virus.

However, in an article written by Dara Akiko Tom, a writer for the Associated Press, Johnson has not been cured of the virus. He has been taking protease inhibitors, which “reduce illness and lengthen lifetime.” This medicine is believed to be the cause of his cell counts becoming so low that the disease is in the undetectable state.

According to the Associated Press, Johnson himself said, “If it wasn’t for the Lord’s blessing, I wouldn’t be as healthy as I am now.”

Dr. Jeffery Laurence said in the Associated Press article, “Nearly 90 percent of the people who take the powerful drugs within a few months of being diagnosed HIV-positive have undetectable levels similar to Johnson’s condition.”

HIV infection is a worldwide epidemic. In a 2009 report conducted by the Worth Health Organization’s UNAIDS, there were roughly 33.4 million people in the world living with HIV.  In 2008, roughly 2.7 million new HIV cases were reported.

According to the un.org website, “It’s been thirty years since the HIV/AIDS epidemic began, and currently, in the U.S. there are 10 million people waiting for treatment.”

By Lyta Ringo –

Back in 2006, New York banned smoking in indoor places. Shortly after, many states began to prohibit indoor public smoking as well. New York’s ban even spread to the entire UK.

New York is back at it again. Published on the BBC news website was an article announcing that outdoor smoking is now being banned in certain areas.

The areas include public beaches, municipal parks and even Times Square.

Spain actually took the lead on this one, banning smoking near hospitals and school playgrounds.

“I don’t think smoking outdoors is really harmful, it is what it is I guess,” said Penn Manor junior Mitch Wise, “now outside a hospital, that’s just bad morals.”

Found in the BBC news article, “New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s office has cited studies suggesting that sitting three feet away from a smoker outdoors can expose people to the same passive smoking risk as would occur indoors.”

No smoking signs have become a very popular thing to see. Before you could go to a restaurant and choose either a smoking or a non-smoking section. Nowadays you can’t even smoke outside most restaurants, you’re asked to walk away. For some smokers this can be a good thing, for others it’s a hassle everyday.

The smoking ban isn’t the only thing keeping smoking in the news either. A couple of months ago the Food and Drug Administration began considering a ban of menthol cigarettes, because they appeal to teens, they are easier to smoke and harder to quit. One Turkey Hill employee said, “They’re pushing for (a ban on menthols) by the end of June.”

That’s a hint that menthol will no longer be sold anywhere.

Again, another good push for any smoker trying to quit.

Has New York set another standard for the rest of the world? If so, how will this outdoor ban affect those who do smoke?

Sophomore Adrienne Eager said, “If you can’t smoke outdoors where the (heck) are you suppose to smoke? Just ban it all together.”

By Katie Breneman –

The dress of a new era.

Kate Middleton, now  Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge was married on April 29, 2011 at Westminster Abbey. Her wedding dress was designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen’s fashion house.

According to cbsnew.com, Kate Middleton was very involved with the dress design. She wanted her dress to be very traditional.

“The dress is made of French Chantilly lace and English Cluny lace throughout the bodice, skirt and underskirt. The dress, made of ivory and white satin gazar, was designed to emulate an opening flower. The train measures almost nine feet long.The lace applique for the bodice and skirt was hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework. Individual flowers were hand-cut from lace and hand-engineered onto ivory silk tulle to create the dress’ design, which incorporates the rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock. The back of the dress was finished with 58 gazar and organza covered buttons fastened by Rouleau loops,” stated cbsnews.com.

Many designers were anxious to see the dress for the very first time.

Don O’Neill, the creative director of Theia, bridal house in Manhattan, was ready to design Middleton’s dress.

“He has already designed, and plan to sells, a gown he thinks will emulate her choice. Slender and long-sleeved, its decorously scooped neckline encrusted with crystals and silver bullion thread, it will boast a five-foot train,” O’Neill said.

Jane Wang, owner of an upscale bridal house in Midtown Manhattan. She is charging a rush fee of 15% of the dress that will be roughly around $3000.

Jim Hjelm, bridal designer in New York.

“We’ll probably gamble and have a dress or even three styles out before October,” said Hjelm.

Shala Moradi, a dress designer in Long Island hopes to have a finished design within 8 weeks from the royal wedding. The dress will cost around $2,000, dailymail.co.uk said.

The replications of the royal dress will be out on the market shortly.

By Alyssa Jahnke –

The Penn Manor School Board is working hard to find solutions to renovating Hambright Elementary School.

At the May 2 school board meeting, there was discussion about the school needing to be brought up to code.  With the school district continually growing larger, the amount of room is too small, according to published reports.  The school board wanted to get the citizen’s comments before they made a decision.  The two options presented were renovating it or building a new building. The cost to renovate or build new would not raise taxes for taxpayers.

If the district decides to renovate the school, there will be roughly 20 more years of use added on to Hambright.  The advantages to this is the school will keep its current location and the cost will be lower.  The disadvantages would be the lack of space for construction and the amount of traffic that would be around the school.  Renovating the school would cost an estimated $9.5 million.

Creating a new school would allow no disruption to the learning process and provide specific needs to be met.  The estimated price to build a new school would be $15.5 million. It would take about three years for the school to be built.

One woman that was there had spoken about how her mind was changed from renovating to building a new school.  She said how she did not wan to see the school move location but the lack of space was hurting her childrens’ learning experience.  Her kids have to sit out in the hallway to receive extra help in learning because there are no extra rooms or space to be in.  The school board will decide on a plan for Hambright at the next school board meeting.

Another problem facing the district, is performance contracting.  New light bulbs could be installed in schools.  The cost and savings that would come out of this has not been estimated yet.  Personnel realignment for the 2011-2012 school year was discussed.  Cutting back hours for employees and not replacing those who retire.  They are looking at the staff members leaving and seeing who can not be replaced with the least impact.  This will save money for the school.  The effects of cutting and not replacing hours can hurt the education aspect.  PSSA scores were also brought up, whether they would be hurt by the loss of staff.

By Cynthia Rodriguez and Brandon Bowers –

The day has come for 18 year olds to finally vote for pubic office, district attorney, city borough and townships.

But will they?

“I’m not, I don’t vote, never had a hand in politics,” said Penn Manor senior Tyler Beckley, 18 years of age but not registered to vote.

Although there are an estimated 300,000 registered voters in Lancaster County, it won’t be clear until the polls close, just how many of them will actually vote during this lackluster mid-term election where only some county, city, borough and township positions are up for grabs, along with some state and local judges.

The polls open Tuesday morning at 7 a.m and will be closing at 8 p.m.

Some 18 year olds may be excited to vote and some may not be interested.

“Not really, I just don’t care about it,” said senior Cody Welch about the election.

On the other hand, some local students are very excited about voting.

Brandon Patterson, a 19-year-old student at York Technical Institute said, “(It’s a) new experience, new people to look forward to in different positions like state and county judgeships.”

For lots of statistics about youth voters in America go to this website:

http://www.civicyouth.org/

A student from Penn Manor High school, Mackenzie Caterbone said, “I think that 18 is too young, you should have a better understanding about everything.”

Caterbone, who is not 18,  said her father is running for a local public office.

“He wants to go in for (get elected to) a borough position, she said.”

Caterbone said she knows someone who is going to vote.

“My aunt,” she said.