FAILING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE
By Nathan Mains
      (Nathan Mains is the president and state director of Communities in Schools of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg.) Here’s a brief quiz: Can you name the nation with the following education problems? -- 1 in 5 ninth-graders fail to graduate from high school. -- 40 percent of minority students fail to graduate on time.
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Through An Old Timer’s Eye s
BY HOWARD ‘MAC’ MCDONALD
      President Obama delivered his State of the Union address last week and, even though I didn’t watch it, I know exactly how it went.
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Protecting Water
      To the editor: More and more, Pennsylvanians are becoming aware of the many environmental threats posed by drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale. In recent months, gas drilling in Pennsylvania has led to toxic pollution in nearby streams and rivers, and local communities’ drinking water supplies being contaminated.
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Drug Culture: Learn More
      To the editor: Parents, law enforcement officials, teachers and all others are welcome to attend a drug awareness program, sponsored by the St. Marys Police Department in conjunction with the St. Marys Youth Center and the Community Education Council of Elk and Cameron counties.
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Community Chest Update
      To the editor: We are four months into the 2010 fund drive. Through January, we have collected $7,282 toward our $20,500 goal. Progress can be charted on our sign hanging at the old Emporium Hardware building. The sign is updated at the end of each month.
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