Numbers in the news

30

Who says voters are not influenced by the early presidential primary elections?

Last week, John McCain was leading the polls among likely voters in Pennsylvania's April 22 Republican primary election. McCain was favored by 30 percent of Republicans, followed by Rudy Guiliani (14), Mike Huckabee (12), Fred Thompson (8) and Mitt Romney (7).

Just before the Iowa caucuses, Guiliani was favored by 27 percent. McCain and Huckabee each polled 13 percent. Thompson (6) and Romney (6) were also on the radar screen.

Meanwhile, in December Hillary Clinton had a big lead over Barack Obama, 43-15, among Pennsylvania Democrats, with John Edwards supported by 9 percent. Those figures haven't changed much. Last week, Clinton was favored by 40 percent, Obama by 20.

3.5B

A study spotlighting the economic impact of hunting and fishing yielded some interesting results.

Pennsylvania's hunters and anglers, numbering about 1.4 million, spend $3.5 billion per year on their sports. That spending directly supports 51,000 jobs, creating a payroll of $1.7 billion.

Local and state taxes of $371 million are generated by that spending.

12.7

Disappointing financial results didn't stop many corporations from approving fat salary increases for their executives.

Chief executive officer compensation rose by an average of 12.7 percent in 2007. That came on top of an average salary increase of 16 percent in 2006.

2

Maple syrup producers usually use wood to boil down sap, which consists of just two percent syrup and 98 percent water.

To be considered syrup, the liquid must consist of at least 66.5 percent sugar. The remaining 33.5 percent is, of course, water.

5

Just five percent of smokers who try to quit on their own, without medical help or support group involvement, are successful.

Seventy percent of today's smokers agree with the statement, "I want to quit."

Pressure is mounting on health insurance companies to offer coverage of smoking cessation. Just four percent of insurance policies will pay for medical intervention.

Smoking-related illnesses cost the health care industry about $5.2 billion annually.

47

A recent poll showed that 47 percent of Pennsylvanians rate President Bush's performance in office as poor. Eight percent said he is doing an excellent job, while 22 percent said he's doing a good job. The remaining 23 percent rated Bush's performance as fair.

858

McKean County saw a modern-day record number of crimes committed in 2007 and the trend is likely to continue this year.

District Attorney John Pavlock said people are stealing to support drug addictions and there has also been an upswing in driving under the influence of alcohol offenses. A total of 858 criminal cases were filed in 2007.

Juvenile crime is also on the increase, Pavlock said.