Backyard news and links, 08.15.08

* Two CD schools failed to meet benchmarks on state exams last school year:

– CD East High School – math and reading ... most student groupings failed math test; only low-income subgroup failed reading

– Swatara Middle School, math and reading ... black student subgroup failed math; low-income subgroup failed reading

For details on all CD schools, go to this state Web site.

(Source: The Patriot-News)

* This week's edition of The Paxton Herald rips CD school board member Christian Malesic for sending out a newsletter with a school district logo on it (see photo; click it to view larger version). For more details, pick up a copy of the paper at a local retailer. By the way, you can usually get FREE copies of The Paxton Herald, which is distributed on Wednesdays, at Amelia's and Karns Foods.

* Also in this week's Paxton Herald, publisher Annette Antoun congratulates Lower Paxton Twp. officials for proposing an ordinance that would require fast food joints to provide outside trash receptacles. There will be a public hearing on this proposal on Sept. 2.

* Lower Paxton Twp. man convicted of first-degree murder.

* Let's wrap things up with a "let's get political" news ... U.S. Rep. Tim Holden, who represents Linglestown-area residents in D.C., takes a pass on a pair of debates this weekend with Republican challenger Toni Gilhooley of Lower Paxton Twp.