Pennsylvania
Day 107 – Pennsylvania's First Victim – The Trek
Day 107
Start: Spring
End: Stealth Site
Miles Hiked: 19.9
Miles on AT: 1187.7
My day started with a short, gradual climb, which, looking at PA’s elevation profile, seems par for the course. Right when I was about to start climbing, I noticed a funny feeling under my foot. Lifting my foot to examine the underside of my right shoe, I found that a piece of tread was hanging on for dear life. Unable to do anything to remedy the situation, I cut off the flapping piece and put it in my trash bag. I guess that was PA’s first victim for me.
The rocks hadn’t started in earnest, so the climb was nice and easy. There wasn’t too much to say about the trail other than that it was flat, rock-free, and cruisey. The hours sped by as I stayed on the ridgeline for miles.
Eventually I crossed a beaver dam bog that only had one little section to traverse over logs. The section was literally 6 feet wide and of course I slipped on the log and got one of my feet wet. Oh, well.
On the other side, I reached the second ridgeline of the day, where I was greeted with rain. It didn’t rain too hard, but I was also trying to navigate a section of overgrown, thorny bushes while holding my umbrella. The thorns tore at the fabric of the umbrella, leaving tiny pinholes. They didn’t do irreparable damage, but it was definitely frustrating to get myself and my umbrella torn up by thorns.
With my patience wearing thin, my goal was to make it to a new hostel called Stay-AT-Swatara that had pizza and snacks available for purchase. I only had about 3 more miles, but they felt like they took forever. Finally, I got there in time for dinner.
There were a few other hikers around, so we chatted while we ate. I hung out for about 2 hours. I strongly considered staying, but it was next to a loud road, not ideal.
Around 7 pm, I left to get another 2 miles in before calling it quits for the day. I couldn’t really escape the loud road noise, but it was a little quieter up on the ridge. It was dusk by the time I found my campsite and dark by the time I got in my tent. I could see the lights of the town and highway below.
It was a windy night, but it wasn’t going to rain. I put my ear plugs in and drifted off to sleep.
And that’s day 107.
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A Pennsylvania court ruling is reshaping abortion access in the state, striking down a decades-old ban on using Medicaid to pay for abortions and declaring that the Pennsylvania Constitution guarantees a right to abortion.
The decision came Monday from the state’s Commonwealth Court. In a 4-3 vote, judges ruled in favor of abortion rights in Pennsylvania and invalidated the state’s restriction on Medicaid-funded abortions.
Local abortion-rights advocates praised the ruling as a major step toward protecting access for low-income residents. Adrienne Daily, co-founder of Johnstown for Choice, said, “Everybody should have the right to that. If you restrict the coverage, you’re obviously discriminating against those that have lower income.”
Opponents of abortion rights called the decision a dramatic expansion of the court’s power and warned it will force taxpayers to pay for procedures they oppose. Michael Geer, president of the Pennsylvania Family Institute, said, “Taxpayers now in Pennsylvania will have no choice under this court ruling to fund abortions. And there are many, many millions of Pennsylvanians who think abortion is wrong. It’s the taking of an innocent human life and to force taxpayers who conscientiously object to abortion to then fund it is just plain wrong.”
Abortion-rights advocates pushed back, arguing abortion access is healthcare and a personal decision. Daily said, “This is a family issue. This is a personal issue. This is a bodily autonomy issue.”
Pro-life leaders also warned the ruling could have broader implications for other abortion-related laws. Geer said, “It is sweeping and there’s no question it’s judicial overreach.” He added, “If this ruling stands, it will invite attacks on every remaining pro-life safeguard that has been put into law by lawmakers at the behest to the people of Pennsylvania over decades.”
The case could still be appealed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. That decision lies with Republican Attorney General Dave Sunday. His office has not provided a response, but the Associated Press reported a spokesperson said the office is reviewing the decision and did not say whether it will appeal.
Johnstown, Pa. (WJAC) — The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame just released this year’s list of inductees, and a new clothing store just opened in the Johnstown Galleria.
What do these two things have in common?
If you grew up listening to 90’s hip-hop, then you’re probably familiar with the Wu-Tang Clan.
Wu-Tang Clan member opens clothing store in Pennsylvania (WJAC)
They said, “We’re in the building right now, we’re out in Johnstown making it happen, fashion and rapping, and Wu-Tang, you already know Wu-Tang is the witty, unpredictable talent and natural game. So, it’s all grassroots with us, man. We do everything from scratch.”
They’re being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year, and Darryl Hill, aka Cappadonna, and manager Al “Heck” Felder are opening the Pillage, a clothing store in the Johnstown Galleria, selling apparel with a purpose.
Cappadonna said, “‘Cappadonna,’ that stands for ‘Consider All Poor People Acceptable, Don’t Oppress Nor Neglect Anyone,’ and we stand on that.”
They were introduced to mall owner Leo Karruli through Mustafa Curry, a childhood friend from New York, who owns a store on Main Street in Johnstown.
Heck said, “BK Styles, I’ve got to give a shout out to my boy, Mustafa. They’ve got some apparel down there, too. We’re all over. We’re spreading the word and we’re spreading the love.”
Wu-Tang Clan member opens clothing store in Pennsylvania (WJAC)
Their other clothing line, Angry Elephant, promotes being good stewards of the Earth, with a portion of the proceeds protecting the animals from poachers.
They said they believe in always putting God and family first.
Cappadonna said, “When you recognize the God in us, then you can see the God in you.”
They said they want kids to know that violence is not the answer, and it doesn’t cost anything to be kind.
Cappadonna said, “We just want to say that it’s nice to be important, but it’s even more important to be nice.”
A mother and her six children died when their Central Pennsylvania home exploded and caught on fire Sunday morning, state police said.
The explosion and fire happened at around 8:30 a.m. at a home on Long Run Road in Lamar Township, Clinton County, which is roughly 35 miles from State College. Crews arrived on the scene and found the home fully engulfed in flames, with the mother and her six children trapped.
State police identified the 34-year-old woman who died in the fire as Sarah B. Stolzfus. Her 11-year-old son, 10-year-old son, 8-year-old daughter, 6-year-old daughter, 5-year-old son and 3-year-old son also died in the blaze, according to state police.
A propane leak inside the house might’ve caused the explosion and fire, state police said. Propane tanks outside the home did not explode or contribute to the fire, according to state police.
The explosion and fire are under investigation by state police.
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