Domestic Violence in PA - Lose your right to bear arms

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Gun control is a hard sell in this state, where hunting is a deeply ingrained tradition. But thanks to an unusual political partnership, judges are getting new powers to disarm domestic violence defendants.

A law set to take effect in May will allow courts to force people accused of domestic violence under protection-from-abuse orders to give up all their guns.

Most states have similar statutes, but it's a big change for Pennsylvania, where the Legislature has long been a champion of gun owners' rights. For nearly 30 years, courts have been able to force domestic-violence defendants to surrender only those weapons they have used or threatened to use against a victim.

In 2002, that meant police had to return the 9 mm handgun Michael H. Bechtel had surrendered after a domestic harassment incident, even though his estranged wife had obtained a protection-from-abuse order against him.

That August, about four months after getting the gun back, Mr. Bechtel used it to kill Raienhna P. Bechtel, 22, their 3-year-old son, Jacob, and two other adults in the woman's home at the time. He pleaded guilty and is serving four life terms in prison.

If the new law had been in place, the killings "may never have happened," said Ms. Bechtel's mother, Joan Starr.

"He probably might have come after her with his hands [instead]. She might have had an opportunity to fight back," Ms. Starr said.

The new law, which was signed last month, resulted from a rare meeting of minds among lobbyists for abuse victims, police and gun owners in a largely rural state with gun laws that have earned a D-plus from a major gun-control group.
"If you are law-abiding and you have never threatened anyone with a gun, you don't have to worry about this law," said Rep. Katie True, a Lancaster County Republican and NRA member who sponsored the bill.

The legislation is aligned with a provision of federal law that prohibits anyone subject to a restraining order or convicted of a domestic-violence crime from owning firearms, said Jill Morris, public policy director for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

"If you take one [gun] away, you've got to take them all away," Ms. Morris said.
The law also doubles the maximum time limit on protective orders to three years.
It will allow judges to order defendants in protection-from-abuse cases to turn over their guns and other weapons to a sheriff or approved third party – such as a friend or relative – within 24 hours of issuing a restraining order. A weapons surrender would be mandatory if a defendant violates a protection order.

The law includes a unique system to ensure third parties are held accountable if they return a weapon before the order is lifted, said Amy Sousa, policy specialist for the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. They will have to get a free safekeeping permit from a county sheriff, and they could be charged with a misdemeanor if they return a weapon without court approval.

Kathy and Mike Dyabelko of Lebanon say that provision could have prevented the 2001 death of their daughter.

Police say an ex-boyfriend killed Stacy Dyabelko, 25, and himself with a gun he had been ordered to give up but that a friend had eventually returned to him.
The Dyabelkos were invited to the Capitol by Gov. Ed Rendell for a private bill-signing ceremony Nov. 10.

"It was very bittersweet," Ms. Dyabelko said. "I do believe that if she had survived, this is what she would have wanted. She didn't want to see him die. She was not ready to die."


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NOTE: as a supporter of "the right to bear arms" and the NRA, I think this
new law is not a bad idea. Some people are just not meant to own weapons, even
though, when they get stupid enough to kill another person, they're beyond help
anyway and sadly, they don't realize the strength they have even without a weapon.
It's unfortunate that some of these domestic violence offenders feel like they
need to try and control and intimidate others.

Aztec Oil & Gas Issues Update on Progress in Pennsylvania Drilling Program

Aztec Oil & Gas Issues Update on Progress in Pennsylvania Drilling ProgramAztec Oil & Gas, Inc. has been informed by the operator of its drilling project in Pennsylvania that a number of additional wells have been successfully drilled. Aztec previously announced in late October that it has taken a minority working interest in a program to drill up to 40 natural gas wells located in Cambria, Clearfield and Potter counties in Pennsylvania.As previously announced, drilling of the first well has already been completed. It is now awaiting a pipeline connection. In addition, the Company is hereby announcing that the Pennsylvania Well # 2 has been spudded and the drilling was completed and casing set on October 23, 2005. The well is expected to produce natural gas from three regionally producing reservoirs. The well has been logged, and completed, and is now awaiting a pipeline connection.

Full story here:

Pennsylvania Launches IflyPA.com

to Promote Flying out of Commonwealth Airports
Monday November 14, 11:00 am ET
Site Helps Travelers Shop with Intelligence when Booking Air Travel


HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced a consumer website to help air travelers compare in-state fares with out-of-state fares, along with other costs associated with traveling to an out-of-state airport.

The website offers air travel facts, cost comparison scenarios and direct links to Pennsylvania's 15 scheduled-service airports.

IflyPA.com spread its wings at the new Harrisburg International Airport terminal with the help of representatives of Pennsylvania's airports and other airline industry professionals, including a number of the 210,000 front-line employees directly affected by increases and decreases in air travel.

"This new website is a smart-shopper's guide for air travelers," said Governor Edward G. Rendell. "Many air travelers never consider additional cost factors like gas and parking when comparing fares at out-of-state airports. This site will give travelers the information they need to know for checking whether they are really getting a better deal outside the state-we think they will find our airports are competitive."

Research indicates that many Pennsylvanians are actually paying more to fly out of out-of-state airports after calculating factors like mileage, gas, parking fees and other travel costs in addition to factors like convenience and travel time. Some travelers actually spend $100 or more in many cases.

"The average Pennsylvania airfare has dropped 26 percent since 2000, one of the largest airfare declines of any state," said PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E., who launched the website. "For the first time since 1992, Pennsylvania is below the national airfare average. That's great news for Pennsylvania air travelers, airlines, airports and the people employed in the air travel industry."

Biehler added that in terms of airfares alone, Pennsylvania residents are spending $270 million each year to fly from out-of-state airports.

IflyPA.com is supported by an aggressive statewide advertising and public relations campaign. For more information, visit http://www.IflyPA.com.

The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us.


CONTACT:
Kate Philips
717-783-1116

Kirk Wilson (PennDOT)
717-783-8800


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Support Pennsylvania Wineries

I just received this email today from a local winery in
Kane, PA. They are asking for our help (see below).
I have already sent an email to my local state
representative and thought you might be interested
in helping out too. Please forward this message to as
many friends of yours who you know in the area or state
of Pennsylvania who might be interested in helping our
local, family owned wineries in this great state continue
to do business.

Take a moment to write to your legislator, click here for portal
into State of PA government affairs. We live in a wonderful state.
Let's keep this industry happy, healthy and thriving in the state
of Pennsylvania.

Thank you for your time.
------------------------------------------------------------------

Greetings from all of us at FWC,


There are forces out there in the market place that want to see the Pennsylvania wine industry die! This is not an exaggeration. Your may have heard that the Pennsylvania Wine Industry is under attack from forces that would like to put us out of business, or severely curtail our ability to conduct business. Already, the PLCB has issued an order that prohibits us from shipping directly to our customers who live in PA after Nov. 1, 2005. The shipping issue goes back to the Supreme Court Ruling of May 2005 that says, if a state allows shipments of wine within their state, it is unconstitutional for them to prohibit shipments into the state from other states. Well PA does not allow shipments of wine from outside the state. So the legislators have to decide which way they are going to go, they either have to open up the shipping to all states, or not allow any shipping of wine, even within the state. They have not made a ruling yet, so until they do, we apparently are breaking the law by shipping wine to our customers. Therefore, we have to stop until the ruling is made. The problem, however, is that the PLCB is very worried about their wine sales if they open up the shipping. We are afraid that their goal is eventually to stop all retail sales of our wine, forcing us to have to sell through wholesalers, which would put almost all of us out of business. We believe in free trade and have confidence in our product that open shipping will not affect our sales. But the PLCB is worried that they will lose out if a PA resident can go on line and order their wine to be delivered to their home, rather than go to the PA Liquor store and purchase it. Wholesalers are the ones with the money and the influence in the state. There is a press conference scheduled for all Pennsylvania Wine Association members on October 18, 2005 in the capitol building in Harrisburg. We are trying to bombard the legislators with letters of support prior to this press conference.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! If you would be so kind as to contact your elected PA representatives. Let them know that you value and support Pennsylvania Small Farm Wineries and that you want them to pass legislation that allows wineries to ship wine directly to their customers. Here is a sample letter:



Dear Representative/Senator________________,



As your constituent, I strongly support the Pennsylvania Small Farm Winery Industry. And I urge you to do the same!



Pennsylvania wineries offer the best of Pennsylvania agriculture and tourism, they are employers, and they pay significant sums of money in the form of taxes.



I greatly enjoy visiting my local Pennsylvania winery, Flickerwood Wine Cellars, (or insert other winery names here) because of the variety of award winning Pennsylvania wines they offer, the friendly staff, and the total ambiance of the winery experience.



Please support legislation that promotes Pennsylvania wineries and the services they offer.



Sincerely,



(Your Name)



Please log on to http://www.state.pa.us for information on your local legislators.



Once again, thank you for your time and support of us and PA wineries.

Ron & Sue

Rick & Sharon

Dana, Tina, and the rest of the Zampogna Gang

Opera Legend Marilyn Horne

Mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne is among the winners of Pennsylvania's Governor's Awards for the Arts for 2005, governor Ed Rendell announced. The opera legend, who was born in Bradford, Pennsylvania, is the winner of the Distinguished Arts Award.

As a fellow Pennsylvanian, I would love to meet Marilyn Horne one day.
What a beautiful woman she is and I'm proud that I'm from the same
"neck of the woods". Marilyn, we're proud of you.

source:

Pennsylvania Hosts World's Largest Dairy Cattle Show

Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today invited the public
to attend the 42nd All-American Dairy Show, the largest dairy
cattle show in the world, which runs Sept. 17-22, 2005, at the
Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. This year's show will feature
more than 3,600 head of cattle by participants from 27 states.

"The dairy industry is Pennsylvania's largest agricultural business,
ranking fourth in the country and contributing more than $4.2 billion
annually to our state's economy," said Governor Rendell. "This show
offers the highest prize awards of any dairy show and brings together
some of the best dairy breeders from across the country. Pennsylvania
is proud to host this national event."

The All-American includes seven national dairy breed shows for junior
and adult exhibitors, including: Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey,
Holstein, Jersey, Milking Shorthorn and Red & White.

Youth activities include a national showmanship contest, the Junior
Dairy Management Contest, a 4-H and FFA Dairy Judging Forum, the
Invitational Youth Dairy Cattle Judging Contest and an ice cream
social hosted by state Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff.

"Pennsylvania is committed to developing future leaders in the dairy
industry," said Wolff. "Participating in national competitions such
as the All-American Dairy Show and learning how to breed dairy cattle
at a young age are experiences that will benefit our youth and
Pennsylvania for a lifetime."

Highlights of this year's show include::

Lower taxes in PA?

Governor Rendell - please make this happen. I am a single mother and a tax cut would be a huge help to me. My taxes are killing me. This would be such a relief.

READING, Pa., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Every Pennsylvania homeowner
would be eligible for property tax relief under a proposal announced
Monday by Governor Edward G. Rendell and outlined today in Reading
by Secretary of Revenue Gregory C. Fajt.

Fajt said limited slots gaming approved last year will generate
$1 billion for statewide property tax cuts. Governor Rendell wants
to require all school districts to offer gaming-funded property tax
relief. He has asked the General Assembly to amend Act 72, the
legislation that will implement property tax relief, to remove
language that gave school boards the power to decide if gaming
revenue is used to reduce property taxes in their district.

"Rising property taxes are a problem for all Pennsylvania
homeowners," Fajt said, "but are especially burdensome for older
Pennsylvanians and others living on fixed incomes.

"School boards should not be able to say 'no' to $1 billion
in school property tax cuts. Property tax relief should be
universal, and it should happen as soon as possible."

source:

Pennsylvania Unlikely to Receive Additional Evacuees from Gulf Region

"Although the commonwealth is prepared to accept hurricane evacuees and meet their needs, the U.S. Department of Homeland today advised us that it does not appear that Pennsylvania will receive any organized, officially sanctioned flights in the near future, but we will continue to provide assistance to evacuees who choose to come to Pennsylvania on their own," said Governor Rendell.

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Katrina relief - We just keep on giving

NE Pennsylvania News Alliance telethon raises approximately $295K

Two people anonymously gave $5,000 each. One man wanted to donate a job. Another offered to share his home.

With each ring of the phone, Northeastern Pennsylvanians showed their generosity Thursday, donating an estimated total of $294,627.66 for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Thursday's donations even surpassed money raised during the Northeast Pennsylvania News Alliance's Sept. 11, 2001 telethon, which earned more than $225,000. A News Alliance telethon for the Asian Tsunami in January raised more than $270,000.

read the complete article here:

Good apple season for Pennsylvania in 2005

Pennsylvania produces about 11 million bushels of apples a year; nearly half of those are grown in Adams County, said John Rice, an owner of Rice Fruit Co. in Gardners and a former chairman of the U.S. Apple Association, an industry group.

The state ranks as the fourth-largest apple-producing state in the nation behind Washington, New York and Michigan.

In Pennsylvania, growers began harvesting apples in August, with varieties such as Miltons and Red Melbas among the first to be picked. They might be slightly smaller in size than last year, Loomis said.

But for now, the varieties being picked, such as the popular McIntosh and Red Delicious varieties, look to be of good size, growers say.

Growers say all varieties - from the tart Granny Smiths to the super-sweet Fujis - will taste good.

Read the complete article here:

original article:
By GENARO C. ARMAS
The Associated Press

Honoring Flight 93 - September 11, 2001

I just got done watching the documentary tonight on
The Discovery Channel about United flight 93 and the 40 heroes on board who helped to save many others, quite possibly, our nations capitol on that fateful day. I was so proud to hear the family members of those heroes, speak so fondly of the wonderful people who live in that small village, Shanksville, PA and how they would rather have their loved ones interred in such a wonderful place with such wonderful people and I said to myself, ya know what, I feel comfortable saying that any small town, especially in my great state would have treated that whole situation the exact same way, especially small town America. We have some of the greatest people who live and work in this beautiful state.

I'm so proud to be from Pennsylvania. I have relatives from Somerset County
and I take great pride in knowing that some of my family are from that neck
of the woods too. It literally brought tears to my eyes over the pride I feel.

Check out the website which honors this field of honor and those heroes who are buried there forever.

Be careful when you want regular gas

I was told that if you go to get gas and they are out of regular unleaded then they HAVE to sell you the next octane up for the same price as regular....its a law...there's an 800# on the pump or somewhere in the station that you call if they are not doing it....might come in handy if we start running out.

Pennsylvania opens its' arms to Katrina victims

PA Governor Rendell Announces Pennsylvania on 'Stand by' to Receive Evacuees From Gulf Coast Region.

I just love Pennsylvania!! I am so glad that I am a part of this great state and what they are doing to try and help those victims of Katrina.

Check out the story here:

Operation Bottled Water - Westfield, PA

and surrounding areas sent cases of water on a truck along with money which was collected in the church parking lot. I'm proud to see Pennsylvania doing so much for Katrina victims.

Check out the entire giving story:

I have to say I'm proud to be from Pennsylvania.

Katrina victims.....need a job?? Come to Pennsylvania

Hurricane victims can have a job in Pennsylvania

I love my state. They're saying, come on, we have jobs here for you and let me tell you how beautiful this state is. Some of the nicest people you'd ever want to meet. There is hunting and fishing here, close to Philly and Harrisburg. Not far from NYC either.

Read the article:

PA Game Commission Seeks info on Barn Owl Sightings in S eastern/central regions

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Game Commission
officials today announced that they are seeking information on barn owl
sightings. Barn owls, which have been in decline for several decades, are a
species of concern that have great management and recovery potential in the
southeastern and southcentral portions of Pennsylvania.
The Game Commission has developed a Barn Owl Conservation Initiative to
help in the conservation and potential recovery of this species. The
initiative's goal is to compile existing information on barn owl locations,
including nest sites and incidental occurrences, as well as document new sites
and sightings.
"Our objective is to focus on habitat issues by assessing the foraging,
nesting and roosting habitats where known barn owls exist or have existed in
the past," states Jamie Zambo, Game Commission Southeast Region Wildlife
Diversity Biologist. "We are looking for cooperation and participation in
this important effort."

Read the entire article here:

Pennsylvania Sunday Beer Sales Begin

Iron City Beer or Rolling Rock. I sure hope it's something other than
those two *wink* Do they even make Iron City any more? *chuckle*

PITTSBURGH -- Thirsty Pittsburghers finally have a chance to quench
that thirst, even on Sundays. Sunday was the first day of Sunday beer
sales in Pennsylvania. About 800 of the state's 1,300 beer distributors
paid the $100 fee for a license. In Oakland, sales were brisk at
University Beverage once word got out that they were open. "It's just
100 percent good news," said Dario Maragni, of the University Beverage Center. "Everything we get in, it's just going to be profit. It's an
extra day of beer sales." Distributors will be open from noon-5pm
on Sundays. Many are hoping the Liquor Control Board will expand the
hours even more.

Read the article here:

note: I think this is a great idea. Now folks in Pittsburgh don't have to
send their wives to the bars on Sunday to pick up a 6 pack for them while
watching they watch the Steelers. Probably good for the economy too. All I
can say is "It's about time!!"