News From Across Penn’s Woods

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AUGUST 12, 2010 | Investigative Report by JIM PANYARD

EDINBORO- What were conceivably the happiest three years of 18-year-old Kieran
McHugh’s life ended in the early morning hours of September 14, 2008, shortly
before he was discovered hanging by bed sheets from his third floor dorm room
window at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook, a resident of Edinboro, ruled the freshman’s death a suicide and said no autopsy was necessary. "There was no reason for an autopsy. The (dormitory room) door was blocked from the inside. There were no footprints on the ground outside," Mr. Cook said.

The Edinboro University police department handled the investigation, but refuses to reveal any details of the case without Mr. Cook’s approval and direction.

[L]PAIndependent.com[EL] to read more.

$141 Million Goes to Stadium Construction
Includes two $1.5 million high school football stadiums

AUGUST 10, 2010 | by MATT COYNE

During his two terms as governor, Ed Rendell has spent at least $141 million on
athletic facilities, $5 million of which went to high schools – including $1.5
million, $3,000 per student, to renovate Panther Valley High School’s football
stadium.

The rest of the $141 million, included in a list of Redevelopment Assistance
Capital Program funds given to athletic facilities from 1999 until March of this year, covers minor league baseball stadiums, college athletic facilities, a new arena for the Pittsburgh Penguins and a stadium for Major League Soccer’s
Philadelphia Union. Click [L]paindependent.com[EL] to read more.

Pennsylvania Ranks Fourth in Unemployment Debt
Without resolution, will increase from $3 billion to $7 billion

AUGUST 6, 2010 | by DARWYYN DEYO

A report issued by the Council of State Governments marks Pennsylvania as fourth among the 31 states suffering from unemployment debt and borrowing from the federal Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, and fifth among the per capita placed upon the state’s taxpayers.

To date, Pennsylvania has borrowed over $3 billion for its unemployment
compensation fund from the federal government, translating to a per capita burden of $238.69, which number would include those who are unemployed and below the poverty line. Adjusted for the unemployed, the per capita cost rises to $262.90, and adjusted for those living under the poverty line, the per capita burden is $271.58.

Adjusted for the expected increase in the debt once tax credits expire and the
interest due kicks in, the per capita burden is $555.35. Click [L]www.paindependent.com[EL] to read more.

More Stories
Both Major Gov. Candidates Embracing School Choice | August 12, 2010
Drillers Want "Forced Pooling" For More Access to Gas | August 12, 2010
State Reps to Rendell: Cut the WAMs | August 11, 2010
Schools To Get Funding Windfall In Rendell’s Plan | August 11, 2010
Onorato, Williams Likely To Discuss School Choice Wednesday | August 10, 2010
Gaming Board Hails "Record Year" For PA Casinos | August 10, 2010
No More Stimulus Coming After FMAP, Says Rendell | August 9, 2010
Treasurer, Gaming Board still on the outs | August 9, 2010
Business Representatives Argue for Unemployment Compensation Solvency | August 9, 2010
Citizens Barred From Attending Rendell Public Event on Transportation | August 6, 2010

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promoting open, transparent, and accountable state government by reporting on the
activities of agencies, bureaucracies, and politicians in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.

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