Interested in a state elected office?

Even though an election was held earlier this month, time's a wasting if you want to run for a seat in the PA Legislature in 2012.

The Senate seat is up for grabs next year because Sen. Jeff Piccola has recently announced that he is not running for re-election. He's been in the office since 1995, and previously was a state rep for 18 years.

If you're interested in a House seat, you most likely will face competition in the primary or general elections from Rep. Ron Marsico. He's held the seat since 1995.

According to a Patriot-News report, Marsico is mulling whether to take a shot at the senate seat Piccola is vacating.

Holiday season arrives in Linglestown

Starting things off this year is a Christmas concert by the Keystone Concert Band this Saturday, Dec. 3 at 11 am at St. Andrews in the Valley Evangelical Church, 4620 Linglestown Road.

This holiday season officially arrives in the Linglestown area this Sunday, Dec. 4 with the annual Christmas carol-singing and tree-lighting at 6 pm. It will held in the northwest quadrant of the square in front of the St. Thomas Restaurant. CLICK HERE for more details.

Finally, Santa will take his annual tour of the area with Linglestown Fire Company on Sunday, Dec. 18.

Backyard News, 11.26.11

* Goodbye Black Friday, and welcome to Small Business Saturday. The only Linglestown deal that I'm aware of is at St. Thomas Roasters – spend more than $5 today and Geof will give you a coupon good for a free brewed coffee of any size.

* Speaking of shopping, I gave the midnight start of Black Friday a whirl and only lasted 41 minutes at hhgregg at Paxton Town Centre because the checkout lines wrapped around the store.

I went back during the 10 am hour Friday and purchased the last one of the item that I targeted. While checking out, a store employee said the midnight start attracted triple the number of shoppers as compared to last year.

* Before too much time elapses, congratulations go out to the midget-division team of Linglestown Colts youth football program for winning the league championship. The pony team also gets a shout-out for being the runner-up in that division.

* Saw it on Facebook – In response to Lower Paxton resident Jay Purdy spending hours untangling Christmas lights: "It occurs to me there are some advantages to being Jewish."

* I have some days off from my regular job next week, so check back for township news and details about the start of the holiday season in the Linglestown area.

Christmas tree saga unfolds in Linglestown

It's amazing how the simplest things in life can take unexpected twists and turns -- like placing a Christmas tree in Linglestown's newly renovated square.

In years gone by, a tree made out of lights was strapped to the flagpole, but something new is in the works this Christmas season.

Villagers hatched a plan to plant an evergreen tree in a grassy area this year and then add one each of the next three years so all the quadrants have a tree.

OK, find a tree and start digging. Whoa Nelly!! This is where it gets a tad complicated.

Before a tree finds a new home in the square, the fine folks on Lower Paxton's Shade Tree Commission needed to be consulted. They rule over trees located in public rights-of-way like the square.

I've been told the tree panel's response was lukewarm at best for permanently locating a Christmas tree in the square because they grow too big and could block the view of motorists.

It looks like a temporary tree will be used based on a piece of rebar poking out the ground at a circled "x" in the square.

One way or another a tree will be ready to go for the Carol Singing and Tree Lighting on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 6 pm.

Backyard News, 11.17.11

* Linglestown residents Bill Minsker and Bill Seeds are working hard to obtain permission to plant an evergreen tree in the square for the tree-lighting on Sunday, Dec. 4.

* The Linglestown Colts, the area's youth football group, has two teams in the Keystone Midget Football Conference's Super Bowl this Saturday, Nov. 19 at Landis Field at Central Dauphin Middle School. Game times are 1:15 pm for the Pony team and approximately 2:30 pm for the Midget team.

* The Lower Paxton supervisors will conduct a budget workshop meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 4 pm at the Municipal Center on Prince Street.

* A gospel concert by Elvis impersonator Brad Crum will be held this Sunday, Nov. 20 at 6 pm at Linglestown Church of God located across from the Linglestown fire station. No admission charge – a free will offering will be taken.

* According to a Q-Tip, signs on Linglestown Road announce the opening of Linglestown Foodery, a carry-out deli located in the plaza with Papa John's. CLICK HERE for more info posted on craigslist and HERE for the eatery's Facebook page.

Linglestown church hosts veterans dinner

About 100 people attended a Veterans Day Dinner held Friday at New Hope Church. The veterans and their families were treated to a military-style dinner that featured chili mac.

Several veterans shared memories from their time of service, and Dauphin County Judge Todd Hoover explained the need for veterans to serve as mentors for the county's new Veterans Court that will start next year.

Hawk sighting in Linglestown

I spotted this hawk stalking a small bird in my backyard this morning. It may be a Cooper's Hawk.

My wife was able to walk within 10 yards of the hawk to take the photo.

Veterans honored at CD High

Related link: Central Dauphin High School Alumni Association

Ground broken for new Veterans Memorial

As part of a Veterans Day ceremony, local veterans and Central Dauphin High School Alumni Association members broke ground today on a new Veterans Memorial at the high school on Piketown Road.

Check back later for a video report.

Linglestown pastor helps to bless prayer shawls

Rev. William Alford of St. Andrew's of the Valley Episcopal Church in Linglestown participated in the blessing of more than 200 pocket prayer shawls during a Veterans Day service held Thursday at the Lebanon VA Medical Center.

Pocket prayer shawls can be carried in pockets or used in situations where a large shawl is not appropriate or allowed, such as intensive care units or by our troops in combat.

The prayer shawls were distributed to veterans in the hospital after the service.

CD alums to hold Veterans Day Ceremony on Friday

Event to include formal start of Veterans Memorial project at high school.

The Central Dauphin High School Alumni Association is hosting a Veterans Day Ceremony on Friday, November 11, 11 am in the auditorium of the high school at 437 Piketown Road. The event is open to the public and will pay tribute to all veterans, with special recognition of the thirteen CDHS graduates who have been killed in action while serving our country. At the conclusion of the program, a brief groundbreaking ceremony will be held on the future site of the new Veterans Memorial being constructed by the alumni association.

Among the expected attendees are local veterans and community members, alumni, school district administrators, township supervisors, county commissioners and state senators.

The $60,000 granite and brick memorial project is being completely funded by private donations and is scheduled to begin construction in the spring. In addition to making general donations, citizens and businesses are able to purchase engraved granite pavers “in honor of” or “in memory of” anyone. Details on how to make a donation, to be a sponsor, or to purchase a paver are available on the CDHS Alumni Association's website, or by calling (717) 541-0220.

CLICK HERE for a story by The Patriot-News about the Veterans Memorial project.
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Pictured is an artist's rendition of the planned memorial that will be constructed at Central Dauphin High School.

Media circus comes to Linglestown

I walked over to Linglestown's district justice office along N. Mountain Road to check out the scene of one of today's top national news stories – the sex abuse scandal at Penn State. Two university officials, Tim Curley and Gary Schultz, were arraigned on charges for failing to report possible sex abuse to police and perjury.

My interest wasn't on the court proceeding. I wanted to see the media working on a big story.

There were at least nine TV news crews from Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and the Harrisburg region, plus several reporters for newspapers, wire services and radio stations.

CLICK HERE for photos of what took place.
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The photo was taken inside the office building that houses the courtroom of District Justice William Wenner. It's located in front of Linglestown Middle School.

Penn State scandal lands in Linglestown

Several high profile criminal cases – namely corruption cases against state lawmakers – recently began their trek through the state's justice system in the courtroom of District Justice William Wenner in Linglestown.

Another one is happening today at 2 pm when two Penn State administrators are scheduled to be arraigned at Wenner's office on charges related to a sex abuse cover-up scandal. The story is being covered by national media organizations.

The courtroom is located in a multi-story office building located in front of Linglestown Middle School.
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Hat tip to John Micek, statehouse reporter for The Morning Call of Allentown, Pa.

Video: Bears captured in Linglestown area

CLICK HERE to view a WHTM abc27 report on the bears captured last week by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

Police make arrests in LP serial burglaries

One of the Friday's top stories in the Harrisburg region was the announcement of arrests in over 100 burglaries in Lower Paxton Township and other parts of the midstate.

CLICK HERE for the story and video from The Patriot-News.
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On a related note, CLICK HERE to learn how to keep bad guys from ripping you off. (Hat tip to SWAN and Rock The Capital)

Lower Paxton crime updates aplenty

Local news websites today are packed with updates about the criminal element in Lower Paxton Township.

– Police are investigating three burglaries that occurred since Tuesday on Covey Court, M Street and Red Top Road. From WHTM abc 27.

– The suspect in a Lower Paxton Township jewelry store heist has been arrested in Houston. From WHP TV-21.

– Police to announce arrests in Forest Hills burglaries today at 3 pm. From PennLive.

– Although not criminals, those pesky bears that have been feasting on backyard fare in and around the Linglestown Road corridor have been captured and relocated. From PennLive.

– Last but not least, the fine folks affiliated with community watchdog group SWAN recently met with Lower Paxton police to learn how to keep bad guys from burglarizing their homes. CLICK HERE to view a video of the session courtesy of Rock The Capital.

New eatery quietly opens in Linglestown

The Mountain Road Diner located in the space formerly occupied by Geo's Country Oven is now open, according to a recent Q-Tip.

Also, per signage, Linglestown Family Restaurant will open soon in the old Krusty's space at the Sports City on Linglestown Road.

Linglestown-area vets invited to dinner