Captain Robert Scheetz

It is been three years since Captain Scheetz was KIA, from wounds received in a an attack on 5/30/04.

I did come across a book that was written by Jessica Redmond called a Year of Absence. In the book, Jennifer Scheetz the wife of the Robert, is one of six women interviewed while their husband is deployed in Iraq. Rest in peace Bobby and I will continue to pray for your family.

A Sad Ending for Howard Porter former Villanova Star

One of Villvanova's greatest basketball players in the school's history and former Final Four MVP, died of injuries received in a street beating between May 18th and 19th in Minnesota. When Villanova reached the final and scored a shocking victory over Georgetown in1985, there was some attention to that 1971 team that reached the championship game against UCLA.

As a freshman at Villanova in 1985, nothing was said too much about Porter and what he was currently doing at that time. Little did the student body know, but Porter was at rock bottom in 1985.

Here is a story from Villanova's Alumni magazine that somewhat puts the 1971 asterisk in perspective. There is still an ongoing police investigation into Porter's beating and death.

Heartland Conference Alignments Announced in All Sports

The Heartland Conference announced their alignment for all scholastic sports for the 2008 season. What prompted the creation of the conference is to cut down on travel and make scheduling easier especially for sports like football.

Shamokin and Mount Carmel Area's having major scheuduling problems throughout the last decade, does not solve their scheduling problems in football. On paper the schools were placed in Division II along with Southern Area, Warrior Run, Central Columbia, and Loyalsock. Below is an article by the Press-Enterprise detailing the future scheduling woes of Southern, but I think Shamokin and Mount Carmel will have the same problem once again.

Look at article and judge for yourself.

Southern Columbia's football team will play in a division of larger
schools when the Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference begins play
in 2008.
The PHAC recently announced the divisional alignments for the 25 schools
that will compete in the 18 varsity sports the league offers.
Southern, which based on enrollment numbers should play in the smaller
Division III in football, agreed to move up to Division II, which is
reserved for mid-sized schools. Lewisburg, a Division II school by
enrollment, dropped down to Division III.
Southern Columbia, the five-time defending state champion, is classifed
a Class A school by the PIAA. Class A is the smallest of the state's
four classes.
Aligning football teams proved to be the league's toughest challenge,
according to Lewisburg athletics director John Vaji, the PHAC's
spokesperson. The main problem was some small schools felt they couldn't
compete with Southern, Vaji said.
Aside from Southern, Division II consists of Central Columbia,
Loyalsock, Mount Carmel, Shamokin and Warrior Run - all teams that were
on Southern's schedule last season.
Southern must find five other games, which could be challenging. It will
most likely have to schedule the new league's biggest schools in
Division I, which includes Danville, Jersey Shore, Miflinburg, Milton,
Montoursville, Selinsgrove and Shikellamy, Vaji said.
Teams must play every team in their division once in football and
wrestling, and twice in every other sport. Football teams are free to
schedule their five non-division games outside of the league.
The alignments are as follows:

Baseball (24 teams)

Division I: Danville, Jersey Shore, Midd-West, Mifflinburg, Milton,
Montoursville, Selinsgrove, Shikellamy. Division II: Bloomsburg, Central
Columbia, Hughesville, Lewisburg, Loyalsock, Mount Carmel, Shamokin,
Warrior Run. Division III: Benton, Millville, Montgomery, Muncy, South
Williamsport, Southern Columbia, St. John Neumann, Sullivan County.

Boys basketball (24 teams)

Division I: Danville, Jersey Shore, Mifflinburg, Milton, Montoursville,
Selinsgrove, Shamokin, Shikellamy. Division II: Central Columbia,
Hughesville, Lewisburg, Loyalsock, Midd-West, Mount Carmel, Southern
Columbia, Warrior Run. Division III: Benton, Bloomsburg, Millville,
Montgomery, Muncy, South Williamsport, St. John Neumann, Sullivan
County.

Girls basketball (24 teams)

Division I: Jersey Shore, Midd-West, Mifflinburg, Milton, Montoursville,
Selinsgrove, Shamokin, Shikellamy. Division II: Central Columbia,
Montoursville, Hughesville, Lewisburg, Danville, Mount Carmel, Southern
Columbia, Warrior Run. Division III: Benton, Bloomsburg, Millville,
Montgomery, Muncy, South Williamsport, St. John Neumann, Sullivan
County.

Bowling (9 teams)

Single division: Central Columbia, Danville, Lewisburg, Midd-West,
Mifflinburg, Milton, Selinsgrove, Shikellamy, Southern Columbia.

Boys cross country (16 teams)

Division I: Danville, Jersey Shore, Midd-West, Milton, Montoursville,
Selinsgrove, Shikellamy, Williamsport. Division II: Bloomsburg, Central
Columbia, Lewisburg, Mount Carmel, Shamokin, Southern Columbia, Sullivan
County, Warrior Run.

Girls cross country (24 teams)

Division I: Danville, Jersey Shore, Midd-West, Milton, Montoursville,
Selinsgrove, Shikellamy, Williamsport. Division II: Bloomsburg, Central
Columbia, Lewisburg, Mount Carmel, Shamokin, Southern Columbia, Sullivan
County, Warrior Run.

Field hockey (14 teams)

Division I: Danville, Lewisburg, Midd-West, Mifflinburg, Milton,
Selinsgrove, Shikellamy. Division II: Benton, Bloomsburg, Central
Columbia, Millville, Muncy, Southern Columbia, Warrior Run.

Football (19 teams)

Division I: Danville, Jersey Shore, Mifflinburg, Milton, Montoursville,
Selinsgrove, Shikellamy. Division II: Central Columbia, Loyalsock, Mount
Carmel, Shamokin, Southern Columbia, Warrior Run. Division III:
Bloomsburg, Hughesville, Lewisburg, Montgomery, Muncy, South
Williamsport.

Golf (23 teams)

Division I: Danville, Jersey Shore, Midd-West, Mifflinburg, Milton,
Selinsgrove, Shikellamy, Williamsport. Division II: Central Columbia,
Hughesville, Lewisburg, Loyalsock, Montoursville, Mount Carmel,
Shamokin, Warrior Run. Division III: Benton, Bloomsburg, Montgomery,
South Williamsport, Southern Columbia, St. John Neumann, Sullivan
County.

Boys soccer (25 teams)

Division I: Danville, Lewisburg, Midd-West, Mifflinburg, Milton,
Montoursville, Selinsgrove, Shikellamy, Williamsport. Division II:
Bloomsburg, Central Columbia, Hughesville, Jersey Shore, Loyalsock,
Mount Carmel, Shamokin, Warrior Run. Division III: Benton, Bloomsburg,
Millville, Montgomery, Muncy, South Williamsport, St. John Neumann,
Sullivan County.

Girls soccer (25 teams)

Division I: Danville, Midd-West, Mifflinburg, Milton, Montoursville,
Selinsgrove, Shamokin, Shikellamy, Williamsport. Division II: Central
Columbia, Hughesville, Jersey Shore, Lewisburg, Loyalsock, Mount Carmel,
South Williamsport, Warrior Run. Division III: Benton, Bloomsburg,
Millville, Montgomery, Muncy, Southern Columbia, St. John Neumann,
Sullivan County.

Softball (24 teams)

Division I: Danville, Jersey Shore, Montoursville, Mifflinburg, Milton,
Selinsgrove, Shamokin, Shikellamy. Division II: Central Columbia,
Hughesville, Lewisburg, Loyalsock, Midd-West, Mount Carmel, South
Williamsport, Warrior Run. Division III: Benton, Bloomsburg, Millville,
Montgomery, Muncy, Southern Columbia, St. John Neumann, Sullivan County.

Swimming (8 teams)

Single division: Bloomsburg, Central Columbia, Danville, Jersey Shore,
Montoursville, Mount Carmel, Shamokin, Williamsport.

Boys tennis (16 teams)

Division I: Danville, Jersey Shore, Mifflinburg, Loyalsock,
Montoursville, Selinsgrove, Shikellamy, Williamsport. Division II:
Bloomsburg, Central Columbia, Hughesville, Lewisburg, Milton, Muncy,
South Williamsport, St. John Neumann.

Girls tennis (16 teams)

Division I: Danville, Hughesville, Jersey Shore, Milton, Montoursville,
Selinsgrove, Shikellamy, Williamsport. Division II: Bloomsburg, Central
Columbia, Lewisburg, Loyalsock, Montgomery, Muncy, South Williamsport,
St. John Neumann.

Boys track (18 teams)

Division I: Danville, Jersey Shore, Lewisburg, Selinsgrove, Shikellamy,
Williamsport. Division II: Central Columbia, Milton, Mifflinburg, Mount
Carmel, Montoursville, Shamokin. Division III: Bloomsburg, Hughesville,
Montgomery, South Williamsport, Southern Columbia, Warrior Run.

Girls track (18 teams)

Division I: Danville, Jersey Shore, Lewisburg, Selinsgrove, Shikellamy,
Williamsport. Division II: Central Columbia, Milton, Mifflinburg, Mount
Carmel, Montoursville, Shamokin. Division III: Bloomsburg, Hughesville,
Montgomery, South Williamsport, Southern Columbia, Warrior Run.

Wrestling (23 teams)

Division I: Danville, Jersey Shore, Midd-West, Mifflinburg, Milton,
Selinsgrove, Shikellamy, Williamsport. Division II: Bloomsburg, Central
Columbia, Hughesville, Lewisburg, Montoursville, Mount Carmel, Shamokin,
Warrior Run. Division III: Benton, Loyalsock, Montgomery, Muncy, South
Williamsport, Southern Columbia, Sullivan County.

Little League turns deadly?

A central Pennsylvania man was arraigned on charges of involuntary manslaughter. The incident stems from an altercation started about Little League eligiblity. Read about the story here.

Bob Woodward to address Bucknell University

This weekend Bob Woodward will address Bucknell University. Which Woodward will show up? The one above who views news as a commodity or the former journalist we see below?

LIVESTRONG DAY

Today is Livestrong Day throughout the country. If you haven't already, wear yellow. Help raise awareness in you area. Call on Congress for funding for research. Just do it!!!!!!!!! Lance won the most grueling sporting event 7X after being diagnosed. What can you do?

HR 1738

The Colorectal Cancer Early Detection, Prevention and Treatment Act


HR 1738

Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States. In 2007, an estimated 153,760 new cases will be diagnosed and an estimated 52,180 men and women will die from the disease. A significant percentage of these cancer diagnoses and deaths could be prevented, if more people took advantage of colorectal cancer screening.

When colorectal cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, the 5 year survival rate is 90 percent. However, when cancer is not diagnosed until it has spread to distant organs, the 5 year survival rate is only 10 percent. Furthermore, the disease can be prevented through the early identification and removal of pre-cancerous polyps, detectable only through colorectal cancer screenings. Between 30,000 – 44,000 lives a year could be saved if everyone over 50 got screened for colorectal cancer. Of the 52,180 people expected to die of colorectal cancer in 2007, 50-80% could be saved if they were tested. Eliminating the financial barrier to screening is essential.


The Colorectal Cancer Early Detection, Prevention and Treatment Act will establish a life-saving program to fight colorectal cancer, one of the most easily preventable cancers.


This bill:

• Establishes a program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide screenings and treatment for colorectal cancer.
• Targets screening services toward individuals between 50 - 64 years of age (the pre-Medicare population), or those under 50 years old but with high risk of such cancer.
• Gives priority to low-income, uninsured and underinsured individuals who would not otherwise have coverage for colorectal cancer screening, diagnostic follow up, and/or treatment.
• Provides case management and referrals for medical treatment of screened individuals.
• Ensures the full continuum of cancer care for individuals screened, including the appropriate follow-up for abnormal tests, diagnostic and therapeutic services, and treatment for detected cancers.
• Provides education and training for health professionals in the detection of colorectal cancer.
• Develops and disseminates findings and outcomes data in order to evaluate the program for cost, effectiveness and reach, which will inform ongoing community screening and treatment efforts.

CBS fires Gen. Batiste over VoteVets ad.

Iraq veteran Gen. John Batiste “has been asked to leave his position as a consultant to CBS News” over a new VoteVets ad criticizing the Iraq war.



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Romney: It’s ‘Entirely Possible’ That Saddam Had WMD And Hid Them In Syria

Mitt Romney is still a believer. Last night on Fox’s Hannity & Colmes, host Sean Hannity asked Romney whether he thought Iraq hid weapons of mass destruction in Syria prior to the invasion. “It’s entirely possible,



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Is there a link between Mountain Biking and strength training?

Judge for yourself.

Cannondale Bike Demo Day in PA

Cannondale Demo Day

Cannondale bicycles will be having a demo day on May 10th from 4 to 7 at Spyglass Ridge Winery just south of Sunbury, PA. The event will represented by three local bike shops:

Runner's Roost - Sunbury

Campus Cycle - Lewisburg

Marty's Bicycle - Muncy

Great chance to test ride 2007 road and mountains bikes and early in the season. Rumor is early 2008 models may make an appearance. Enjoy some of the is early dry stretch of weather.

The coal region voice took part in last week's Bike for Bob fundraiser in Lewisburg. Weather was windy but ok for riding....a little more cloudy than most people liked but the rain held off.

Chris Matthews "obsessed " with Hillary Clinton

During last night's Republican Debate, Matthews asked the 10 candidates what do they think of Bill Clinton possibly back in the White House? I met Matthews at Bucknell University on Palm Sunday in 2006. In his chat with the press before his speech, he gave unsolicited banter about Hillary and why we (USA) should not elect her. For the record, Hillary is third on my list of choices for the Democratic nominee.

Once again in unison, the 10 candidates bashed "Hillary care". We are approaching 50 million without healthcare and alot of that number are children. One payer system is totally different than socialized medicine.

Why does "Tweety" seem so obsessed with Hillary. Maybe he will shed some light at Villanova's commencement speech coming up soon.

A few highlights from last night:

Thompson on American's killed and wounded - "over 3000 and thousands". Almost!!!!

Romney on Mass's heath plan - he mentioned free market health care over and over. Translation - who ever has the most money and influence will control the "free market".

Jessica Alba good for the NBA?

COULD JESSICA ALBA BE GOOD FOR THE NBA?

With Golden State winning last night will images like this be common on our TV screens? I could almost hear Donald Trump calling Mark Cuban a loser again.

Here is an idea! Have the NBA invest in itself. Buy up the front row and give the tickets to the fans like the one above. Presto!!!!!!!!!! Ratings through the roof.

Dave Shinskie off to good start

Dave Shinskie, 2002 Mount Carmel Area grad, is off to a good start for the first month of the season for the Ft. Myers Miracle. The Miracle are the Minnesota Twins high single A affiliate.

Games through May 2nd, Shinskie's stats read:

Wins - 2

Losses - 1

ERA - 3.46

Innings - 13

Runs - 5

Earned - 5

HR - 1

Appearances - 7

Shinskie's stats are in line with the rest of the relievers in the amount of apperances and innings pitched.

Study: 1 In 4 Kids Go Without Health Care

A new report out Thursday from a non-profit health group says far too many kids are falling into a huge health care crevice, CBS News has learned exclusively. It says more than 25 percent of children lack access to regular health care.



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Dachshund saves family from black bear.

Dachshund named "Rocky" saves family from black bear.

In central Pennsylvania, it seems with any passing year man and black bears cross paths more often from Spring to the end of autumn as growth and habitat mesh together. This past Sunday, a family left their minature dachshund, named "Rocky" outside to what was perceived as deer in the woods next to their development. However, the sound was not of deer in the woods, but a mother black bear and her two cubs. This is the scenerio where most black bears are likely to attack. "Rocky" met his end, but in all likelyhood may have saved a family that included two young boys from a future attack.

Wildlife officials are planning on trapping the bears and moving them.

Dachshunds for the size and build are probably one of the brightest and mostly loyal of a hound breed. Having a dachshund for a family pet for most of my life only proves their loyalty once again. "Rocky" you are hero.

Read the newpaper account here and television here.

Mission Accomplished

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Heckuva a job, Georgie.......four years and counting!!!! Over 3000 servicemen have lost their lives since this picture was taken. May they never be forgotten.

To the soldiers:

You didn't pick this fight and continue on despite all the hardship. We continue our salute to you and your families and we pray for your safe return.