Pennsylvania
Landscape students at Pennsylvania College of Technology compete nationally; receive scholarship
The 48th annual National Collegiate Landscape Competition proved to be fertile territory for the talents of Pennsylvania College of Technology students enrolled in landscape/plant production technology.
Held recently at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, the annual competition is considered a powerhouse event, bringing together the nation’s top landscape and horticulture students and the biggest industry manufacturers and suppliers, as well as leading companies in the field. In attendance were 50 schools and 650 students.
At the three-day gathering, second-year student Laura A. Snyder, of Harrisburg, received the Akerman Family Scholarship of $1,000 through the National Association of Landscape Professionals Foundation.
Of the 595 students competing, Snyder placed seventh overall in total points. She earned three top-10 finishes: fourth in the Lighting competition, eighth in Sales Presentation and eighth in Annual/Perennial Identification.
Of the 50 schools competing, Penn College placed 16th overall and achieved eight top-10 finishes in various categories.
“I’m very proud of the Penn College team and our 16th-place finish at NCLC,” Snyder said. “Attending an event that encourages and advances students of the industry is motivating beyond compare. Thank you to everyone who offered their support, and especially Mr. Bower for making our trip to NCLC possible.”
In addition to Snyder, others achieving those top-10 wins were: Luke C. Miller, of Wexford, second in the Compact Excavator competition; Miller and Jake A. Seasock, of Lancaster, seventh in Truck and Trailer Operation; Steven K. Thompson Jr., of Garnet Valley, and Peyton E. James, of Orwigsburg, ninth in Landscape Maintenance Operations and 10th in Irrigation Assembly; and Mickey D. Malec, of Roaring Brook Township, 10th in Compact Track/Skid Steer Loader Operation.
“NCLC 2024 was an amazing experience,” Miller said. “It was such a privilege to meet and connect with different companies, schools and upcoming industry professionals. I truly enjoyed getting to work with my fellow peers and bringing home a second-place win for our school.”
Carl J. Bower Jr., assistant professor of horticulture, who chaperoned the nine-member Penn College crew, added, “I couldn’t be prouder of these students. They all competed in multiple contests, several in disciplines they have not studied yet in class. They competed against two- and four-year programs and against students who have competed in this contest before. Eight of the nine were first-year students, so I’m really excited to see what they can do next year.”
The students are all members of the Penn College Horticulture Club, and others who attended were Tyler J. Dinatale, of Mohnton; Gretchen A. Kellar, of Butler; and Saudiah Wells, of Williamsport. Two landscape alumni accompanied the Penn College group on the trip: Ronald A. Burger and Sophia G. Wiest.
For more information on Penn College’s Associate of Applied Science degree in landscape/plant production technology, visit the School of Engineering Technologies or call 570-327-4520.
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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