Breaking News

News

US Forest Service closing 23 research facilities as part of reorganization

Outdoors

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The U.S. Forest Service is closing 23 research and development stations in more than a dozen states as part of an organizational overhaul under President Donald Trump that is intended to trim costs and concentrate the agency’s resources in Western states, officials said Thursday. The work being done at the research stations will continue at other sites, Forest Service Associate Chief Chris French said in an interview. An additional 41 research facilities that faced possible closure will remain open after local officials and members of Congress raised concerns ...

In the parks

Outdoors

Various local parks will offer programs that folks may be interested in attending. All children must be accompanied by an adult in order to participate. The programs may be modified or cancelled in the event of severe weather or community guidelines. Stream Study WATERVILLE — On Saturday, Sept. 5, at 3:30 p.m., join the Little Pine State Park naturalist to do a “Stream Study” to learn about some different aquatic insects that call Little Pine Creek home. Meet at the campground entrance. Star Tour WATERVILLE — On Saturday, Sept. 5, at 8:30 p.m., join the Little Pine State ...

Jerry Sandusky’s lawyers want to put off accuser’s recantation hearing in a bid for a new trial

Local news

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Lawyers for former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky asked Thursday to cancel a court date for a hearing over a claim that an accuser wants to recant allegations that Sandusky sexually abused him years ago. The hearing was scheduled for Sept. 8 in the latest bid by Sandusky’s lawyers to secure a new trial for him. The judge in the case scheduled a status conference Friday to discuss it with defense lawyers, who suggested in a court filing that they want first to appeal the judge’s refusal to hear other claims besides the accuser’s ...

The disease that decimated American elms could help bring them back

Outdoors

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The very disease that has decimated millions of American elms in the U.S. is now being used to bring the iconic trees back. In Vermont, Leila Wilson, a research ecologist with the U.S. Forest Service, is one of the scientists leading an effort to beat Dutch elm ...

Local church briefs

Religion

Summer Concerts LAMAR — Lamar Lighthouse Camp will be having their Summer Concert Series each Sunday evening through Sept. 27. All of the concerts begin at 6 p.m. and are free, with a love offering taken during the service. Concerts in September will be South of Mason on Sept. 6, followed by Tru Vintage and the Fuller Family Singers. GloryWay will bring the last concert of the summer on Sept. 27. For more info visit www.lamarlighthousecamp.org or call 570-337-0203. Blood Drives Local churches will be hosting blood drives over the next several weeks. Blood donors of all ...