Numbers in the news

13

There are now 13 more trained "drug recognition experts" with Pa. State Police troops across the state. To date, 30 state troopers and four municipal officers have successfully completed the training through the National Highway Safety Administration.

These officers are equipped to detect if a driver is under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Of the suspects they have apprehended to date, 51 percent have been found to have marijuana in their bloodstream.

3,000

The 9,000-acre Treasure Lake property near DuBois has about 3,000 undeveloped acres remaining. Treasure Lake Property Owner Association has hired a consultant to draw up a master plan that will help the organization decide how to meet future demands for housing and other facilities.

A detailed survey was sent to 4,200 property owners. Some 1,325 people responded, sharing their views on development options such as commercial office, residential, vacation rentals and coal mining.

166

Northwest Savings Bank this week acquired CSB Bank, with locations in St. Marys, DuBois, Clearfield, Coalport and Curwensville.

With the acquisition of CSB, Northwest now provides fullservice retail and commercial banking through a network of 166 community offices in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Maryland, and Florida.

200

Researchers still have not found specific causes of "sudden infant death syndrome" (SIDS), but studies point to some contributing factors.

Infants whose mothers smoke while they're in the womb, or who are exposed to second-hand smoke after birth, have a 200 percent greater risk of SIDS than those who are not exposed.

Mothers' smoking during pregnancy and infants' exposure to second-hand smoke have also been documented to increase the child's chances of getting acute respiratory infections, ear problems, severe asthma and impaired lung growth.

50

Fifty percent of cigarette smokers age 50 or older will not live for 15 more years.

28

The average school day in the U.S. is 6.5 hours, with students attending classes an average of 180 of a year's 365 days.

That ranks the U.S. at No. 28 -- dead last -- among the world's 28 industrialized nations in hours spent in the classroom.

2

Only two movies produced since 1982 are ranked in the top 50 of all time. "Schindler's List" (1993) rings in at No. 8, while "The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring" (2001) is No. 50.

Rankings were prepared by the American Film Institute. Topping the list is "Citizen Kane" (1941), followed by "The Godfather" (1972) and "Casablanca" (1942).

9.1

There's a study out that documents the severe hit the lower and middle class take when gas prices rise.

Low-income households (those with annual net income under $17,600) pay 9.1 percent of their income toward tax. The figure slides to 5.9 percent for those making between $17,600 and $33,400.

10

Pennsylvania's doctors are growing older and there are fewer new physicians coming along to take their place.

There's a measure before the state legislature (House Bill 1093) that would allow the state to forgive doctors' medical school loans -- often more than $100,000 -- if they agree to practice in Pennsylvania for at least 10 years.

Only about 8 percent of doctors who are educated in Pennsylvania medical schools end up starting their practices in the state. The percentage of Pennsylvania doctors under the age of 35 has been dropping for 15 straight years and is now at 3 percent.

Economic opportunities elsewhere, combined with high medical malpractice insurance premiums, are two of the major reasons for the exodus.