Eyewitnesses tell exploreClarion.com that the storm has knocked down dozens of trees along Route 36 and caused damage to structures throughout the area.

Extensive damage was reported in the Clarington area.

Storm damage has also been reported in Sigel.

A portion of Route 36 was closed for several hours due to damage caused by the storm.

No injuries have been reported.

The women’s at-large program for Academic All-America includes the sports of bowling, crew, fencing, golf, gymnastics, field hockey, ice hockey, lacrosse, rifle, skiing, tennis, and water polo.

The Academic All-America program is run and voted on by members of CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). The Division II program has eight regional teams.

“This is an outstanding honor for Kayla,” said 13th year Clarion head swimming coach Mark VanDyke. “She epitomizes the true concept of the term student-athlete and we have been privileged to have her at Clarion for four years.”

Shull, a senior Speech Pathology & Audiology major from Franklin, Pa. and Rocky Grove High School, carries a perfect 4.0 GPA. She was a two-time NCAA Division II All-American this season placing fifth in the 100 backstroke in a Clarion-record time of 55.40 while also taking 16th in the 200 freestyle.

Named the PSAC Champion Scholar (highest GPA at a PSAC Championship event) for the second straight year in 2013, and recently named for the third straight year to the PSAC Academic Top Ten, Shull helped Clarion take second at the PSAC Championships by earning PSAC titles in the 100 backstroke and 400 medley relay while also taking second in the 50, the 100 freestyle and the 200 medley relay. It was her fourth consecutive PSAC title in the 100 backstroke.

In 2012 Shull was a two-time NCAA Division II All-American with a fifthplace finish in the 100 backstroke (record time 55.45) and was 14th in the 200 freestyle. Clarion finished 22nd at nationals and 2nd at PSAC’s.

In 2011 helped lead Clarion to a 4th place finish at the NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving Nationals in San Antonio, Texas. She was a six-time
All-American including a 5th place finish in the 100 backstroke where she set a new school record with a time of 55.94. She was also 12th in the 100 free (51.27) and was part of four A-A relays including the 5th place 200 medley, 6th place 400 and 800 free and the 8th place 200 free relay.

The 2010 PSAC Freshman of the Year, Shull was a five-time All-American at nationals in 2010. She was third in the 100 backstroke with a then record
time of 56.27 and was part of four relays including the 5th place 200 medley, 6th place 400 free, 8th place 400 medley and 10th place 200 free. Clarion finished sixth as a team at the 2010 NCAA’s. Clarion was 2nd at PSAC’s with Shull winning the 100 back and part of 4 winning relays.

In her career, Shull was a 15-time NCAA Division II All-American.

Kayla is the daughter of Brian and Cheryl Shull of Franklin, Pa.. She has a sister Jillian and a brother Addison. She is a 2009 graduate of Rocky Grove High School.

CLARION NOTES: The Golden Eagles have enjoyed three Academic All-America awards already in the 2012-13 year. Hannah Heeter earned Capital One second team Academic All-America honors in both women’s volleyball and basketball this season, while men’s basketball player Mike Kromka also earned second team Academic all-America honors this Spring.

For the third year, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is partnering with Gander Mountain to provide first-time campers with needed gear and a reservation for two nights at participating state parks for just $20. Meanwhile, a new cooperative effort with The North Face will be offering staff-guided Family Camping Programs at parks; discounted park stays; and camper-oriented activity guides.

“Our state parks are busy rolling out the welcome mat for another fun-filled season and these two outdoors-oriented sponsors have offered a hand,” DCNR Secretary Richard Allan said. “Both programs encourage and promote park camping, offering first-timer help and equipment for some; special assistance for families; and costs savings for all.”

“The First Time Camper Program is being offered at 16 state parks across the state,” Allan said. “You can’t beat this offer as far as the cost and a chance to enjoy many other activities at our state parks such as hiking and fishing. A park staffer will even help you set up camp.”

Sixteen state parks are participating: Black Moshannon, Centre County; Caledonia, Franklin County; Chapman, Warren County; Colonel Denning, Cumberland County; Gifford Pinchot, York County; Hills Creek, Tioga County; Keystone, Westmoreland County; Lackawanna, Lackawanna County; Little Pine, Lycoming County; Locust Lake, Schuylkill County; Ole Bull, Potter County; Parker Dam, Clearfield County; Promised Land, Pike County; Raymond B. Winter, Union County; Ryerson Station, Greene County; and Sinnemahoning, Cameron and Potter counties.

Reservations can be made by calling the park office directly. The program runs from Memorial Day weekend through the summer.

Gear provided by Gander Mountain and DCNR includes a four-person tent; rain tarp; four sleeping pads; four camp chairs; flashlight; lantern; camp stove; and four hot dog/marshmallow sticks. The gear must be returned upon departure.

Participants will need their own food, cooking utensils and bedding. Suggested packing lists will be provided.

Family fun is the keystone of the partnership between DCNR and The North Face in which several state parks volunteered to offer staff-led, guided camping experiences from early June through early September.

Seven state parks are participating in the Family Camping Program: Jacobsburg, Kings Gap, Ohiopyle, Pymatuning, Delaware Canal, Presque Isle and Yellow Creek.

“Visitors can look forward to an overnight camping experience in which we supply just about everything from cook stoves to needed supplies,” Allan said. “We’ll guide you the whole way — from setting up your tent and making dinner to leading you on a guided hike or kayak adventure.”

In addition, as part of this cooperative effort, an activity guide was created that focuses on state parks offering five outdoors pursuits: camping, hiking, biking, wildlife viewing and play. Both the guides and coupons for a $10 discount off the fee for a second night of state park camping will be given out to anyone purchasing The North Face gear or clothing at any The North Face store or authorized retailer in Pennsylvania.

With 120 state parks covering about 300,000 acres, there is a state park within 25 miles of nearly every Pennsylvanian. The parks feature an array of recreational opportunities, provide a forum for multiple environmental education programs and conserve thousands of acres of unique natural areas, among many other features.

State parks also serve as economic generators to the communities that surround them, generating about a billion dollars annually in economic activity.

Details on the First Time Camper and Family Camping programs and information on Pennsylvania’s state parks can be found at www.visitPAParks.com.

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

“A wealth of healthy hiking activities is offered to all ages and abilities thanks to the cooperative efforts of the co-sponsoring Keystone Trails Association and our bureaus of state parks and forestry,” Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Richard Allan said.

“Entering its 12th year, this event has become increasingly popular as we reach out to the uninitiated and offer a wide variety of highly organized hikes,” Allan said. “The ‘welcome mat’ is out to novices and trail-hardened veterans alike, inviting them to hike in our state parks, forests and municipal greenways in this annual salute to healthy exercise and the serenity of those very special outdoors places.”

The nine-day Hiking Week, offering more than 70 organized hikes, concludes Sunday, June 2, and encompasses National Trails Day on June 1. The co-sponsoring trails association and DCNR have been encouraging suggestions on new hikes that could be added to this year’s schedule at www.ExplorePAtrails.com.

Special events planned by DCNR and the Keystone Trails Association will take place in parks, forests, cities and towns across the state. All of the scheduled hikes have leaders and include a variety of lengths and terrain — from easy strolls along urban greenways to strenuous treks in some of Pennsylvania’s rugged mountain areas. Special hikes include night hikes; wildflower walks; hikes for people with disabilities; and pet and geology walks.

A goal of more than 100 hikes has been set, with state forests and parks across the state being asked to schedule and oversee activities. For more information, visit http://www.ExplorePAtrails.com/hikingweek.aspx.

Organized in 1956, KTA is an umbrella organization made up of 44 hiking and outdoors organizations in and around Pennsylvania. For more information visit www.KTA-Hike.org.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

“This is just another attempt by a liberal blog in Washington D.C. to malign the governor by taking comments out of context made during an hour-long interview with ‘Al Dia’ newspaper, based in Philadelphia.”

“During an hour-long interview with the editors of ‘Al Dia,’ Governor Corbett discussed issues facing the Latino-Hispanic community in Pennsylvania and nationwide, the governor answered questions and discussed issues, including his desire to ensure his administration represented all of the various communities in Pennsylvania,” Harley said.

“This is just another attempt by an extreme, left-wing blog to malign Governor Tom Corbett,” Harley said.

This was the second time in recent weeks that “ThinkProgress,’’ a liberal left-wing blog, has taken the governor’s comments, made during interviews with the media, out of context for political purposes and did not use his entire statement. Its website boasts of winning awards for “the best liberal blog.”

This group’s latest attempt to discredit the governor came during an hour-long interview with the editors and reporters of the ‘Al Dia’ newspaper. The governor spoke about his recent trade mission trip to South America and bringing jobs to Pennsylvania.

When asked about the number of Latinos working on his staff during the interview, Corbett said, “None, right now.’’ However, Corbett was referring to his immediate staff which consists of a handful of people.

The facts are that Corbett has appointed numerous Latino-Hispanics in his administration cabinet, including Dr. Eli Avila, who served as Secretary of the Department of Health, as well as boards and commissions.

Early in his administration, Corbett named Maria Montero as director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs (GACLA) as an advocate for its Latino community. The 25-member advisory commission is comprised of Latino-Hispanics from across the state.

GACLA makes recommendations to the governor on policies, procedures and legislation that would affect the Latino-Hispanic community in Pennsylvania and serves as the governor’s liaison to Latino-Hispanics in order to ensure that state government is accessible and accountable to their community.

“I meet with the governor to talk about important issues in the Latino-Hispanic community,’’ Montero said. “He is 100 percent supportive of Latino-Hispanic leadership and is very interested in keeping an open pipeline with increasing the number of Latino-Hispanics who serve in state government at all levels. There are nearly 1,500 Latino-Hispanics working in the Corbett administration.

“More importantly, education is a key focus of GACLA. The governor is supportive of all GACLA’s efforts in helping increase high school graduation rates,” Montero said.

In addition, Ken Trujillo, was nominated by the governor as commissioner for the Liquor Control Board. His nomination, however, was blocked by Senate Democrats.

Kiera and Sabrina Vinson, members of Girl Scout Troop 20339, delivered cookies donated during their annual cookie sale. Bobbie Lawrence of the VFW was thrilled to receive the donations. They will be sent out in care packages, organized and sent to troops as a function of the VFW Post and Auxiliary. Photo submitted by Jennifer Vinson.

Jesse Kelley (left) was recently inducted into the Clarion Rotary Club. Rotarian Orv Lerch was his sponsor. Kelley is director of the Clarion County YMCA.

A statement from the Nash County Sheriff’s Office said 24-year-old Tiara Drake wanted some of a relative’s cheese on Friday, but the woman refused to share.

The sheriff’s office said Drake awakened before the rest of the family the next morning and used detergent, window cleaner, and a household cleanser to poison the cheese.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/20/tiara-drake-accused-of-tr_n_3309133.html?utm_hp_ref=weird-news&ir=Weird%20News

Dream Cupcakes

Ingredients

1 reg size pkg chocolate cake mix
2 – 3 oz pkgs cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1/8 tsp salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup flaked coconut

Directions

~Preheat oven at 350°.

~Prepare cake mix according to package directions for cupcakes. Fill paper-lined muffin cups half full.

~In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg and salt until smooth. Stir in chocolate chips and coconut.

~Drop about 2 teaspoonfuls of cream cheese mixture into the center of each cupcake. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Store in the refrigerator.

~Makes about 2-1/2 dozen.

Police say an unknown perpetrator(s) arrived on the scene and pushed over a metal gate owned by a 46-year-old Strattanville man to gain access to his property and then left the scene.

The investigation is ongoing.

Police say a 15-year-old male from Clarion is under investigation for the alleged rape of a 15-year-old girl at a location in Beaver Township.

Police say the alleged rape occurred some time in January or February.

No further details were released.

A representative with Clarion-based State Police declined to comment on the investigation.

Officer Stormer of the Brookville Borough Police confirmed that the item was not a gun. It was a gun shaped lighter.

The 8-year-old girl allegedly found it in her bookbag at lunchtime and gave it directly to her teacher. She said it was not in her bag when she got her books out in the morning.

According to the girl’s father, her punishment for finding this lighter and turning it in to the teacher was three-days in-school suspension.

When the girl’s father voiced his concerns to the Mrs. Sandra Craft, Superintendent of Brookville Area School District, Mrs. Craft allegedly said his daughter was in possession of the lighter and had to be punished.

A phone call was made to Dr. Robin Fillman, principal of Pinecreek Elementary School, and although exploreClarion was unable to speak to her, we were directed to the superintendent, Mrs. Craft.

On Tuesday, May 14, exploreClarion met with Mrs. Craft. Mrs. Craft indicated that it was going to be a very short meeting.

When asked what she could tell us about the incident, Mrs Craft said, “Discipline was handled according to school policies and procedures.”

It was explained to Mrs. Craft that exploreClarion received letters to the editor and several comments concerning this matter. It was conveyed to her that angry parents and outraged readers want answers.

Mrs. Craft: I have a phone right here (pointing to her phone), and they can call me (at 814-849-1100).

exploreClarion.com: What is the school’s side of the story?
Mrs. Craft: No comment.

exploreClarion.com: Is what is in the letter to the editor true?
Mrs. Craft: No comment.

exploreClarion.com: Has the girl served her suspension?
Mrs. Craft: No comment.*

exploreClarion.com: Is there more to the story?
Mrs. Craft: No comment.

exploreClarion.com: What did the girl do wrong?
Mrs. Craft: We did what we were required to do.

exploreClarion.com: What specifically was she punished for?
Mrs. Craft: No comment.

exploreClarion.com: Why did you call the Pennsylvania State Police?
Mrs. Craft: The building location is not within the Borough of Brookville, so the Pennsylvania State Police were called.

Mrs. Craft gave the following statement to exploreClarion: We followed school policies and procedures to maintain the safety of all children.

*Note: exploreClarion.com followed up with Christopher Donaldson, the girl’s father, and asked if his daughter served the suspension. Mr. Donaldson gave the following response:

“No, we did not send her to school those three days. We sent her to school on the fourth day with an excuse that said we did not agree with the schools punishment so we did not send her. I believe they counted it as 3 days out of school suspension since we didn’t send her.

RELATED ARTICLES
Letter to the Editor: 8-year-old Suspended after Finding Gun Lighter in Backpack

Eyewitnesses tell exploreClarion.com that the storm has knocked down several trees and caused damage to structures throughout the area.

Storm damage has also been reported in Cook Forest and Sigel.

A portion of Route 36 is currently closed due to damage caused by the storm.

No injuries have been reported.

Stay with exploreClarion.com for continuous coverage of this Breaking News story.

Fire crews from Oil City, Cornplanter, Reno, Rockland, Pinegrove, Washington Twp., and Emlenton RIT assisted Seneca Fire Department.

Seneca Hill was closed due to the fire.

The structure was destroyed, as well as several valuable items and over $300,000.00 worth of inventory.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

No injuries have been reported.

B & B Glass is owned by Jan & Ray Beichner.

Photo by Shane Smerkar.

Captured on Seneca Hill by Michael Cook.

Captured on Harold Street Submitted by Joann Chelton.

Police say the accident happened on Tuesday around 3:00 p.m. along Route 28.

According to police, a 1997 Suzuki X-90 operated by 25-year-old Joshua Walker, of Oak Ridge, Pa., struck an embankment and flipped over, causing Mr. Walker to be ejected from the vehicle.

Walker was not wearing a safety belt.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.