Numbers in the news

30

Milk prices could rise as much as 30 cents per gallon by October. Rising fuel and feed costs incurred by dairy farmers and a growing global demand for milk products are the major factors. Ken Bailey, an agricultural economist at Penn State, forcecasts the average retail price of milk will be $3.35 by October.

Costs have surged for fuel and petroleum-based products. Prices are also rising corn used to feed dairy cows, due in part to the growing use of corn production of ethanol. Also, demand is rising for skim milk powder, dry whey and whey protein concentrates, which are exported for feeding programs in areas including the Middle East, Asia and Cuba.

Sen. Bob Casey is trying to persuade Congress to pass a measure that would pay Pennsylvania dairy farmers a $125 million federal subsidy for milk produced over the past six months.

Pennsylvania has been losing more than 200 dairy farms per year, Sen. Casey said.

8

It's possible that eight Western Pennsylvania bank robberies, including a February holdup in DuBois, are related, according to the FBI.

Banks have been robbed in New Castle, Waynesburg, Grove City, DuBois, Zelienople and Clarion. In each robbery, a male has approached the teller and displayed a demand note, referencing a weapon. The suspect is apparently white, but Hispaniclooking, early 30s to early 40s and about five-foot-eight.

Police fielded more than 10 tips after the DuBois robbery, speaking to people in Emporium, St. Marys and Punxsutawney.

70

Pennsylvania's aging population is putting the squeeze on the state budget for care of the elderly. One solution is to shift funds from nursing homes to home-based services, which are less expensive.

Currently, 70% of state funds go to long-term care facilities, compared to 30% for in-home care. The Rendell administration wants to change the ratio to 50/50. The number of Pennsylvanians 85 or older is growing by 13% annually.

41

Forty-one percent of employers in Pennsylvania say they are having trouble finding qualified people for job openings.

Jobs that are hardest to fill are (in order): sales representative, teacher, mechanic, technician, management/executive, truck driver, deliverer, accountant, laborer and machine operator.

Nurses and engineers previously appeared in the top 10, but dropped out in 2006.

75

If past trends hold true, 75% of smokers who try to quit in 2007 will fail.

9

Persons wishing to vote in the May 15 primary have nine days to become registered. April 16 is the last day to register before the primary, which decides Democratic and Republican nominations for local, county and school district positions.

Only registered Democrats and Republicans can vote in the primary for candidates. But, all registered voters can vote on the school tax-shift ballot question.