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Yahoo
30-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
It happend so fast
I was so young and naive when, just out of high school, I served in Vietnam. Discharged, I was living in New York City when disturbing images of the fall of Saigon dominated my TV screen. There was no 24-hour cable news at the time, so America had to depend on other media outlets, such as newspapers' first-person stories. Images were shown nightly on the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite (the most trusted man in America). My reaction was anger. I was sickened, although not surprised at what was unfolding in-country. The chaos surrounding the withdrawal broke my heart. As best I can recall, while sitting alone in my parents' basement, I wondered: What do you say to the American families who lost loved ones in that war? An estimated 58,000 American deaths. Have all those lost lives and injuries come to naught? Even now, thinking back, did anything about that time I spent there make sense? Maybe that we served with honor and bravery. We answered the call, while so many of our peers at home didn't. The fall came quickly as it so often does in situations such as this. And the irony that has followed me half a century since: How could anyone who spent any amount of time there have predicted that a new generation in Vietnam would be welcomed as friendly trading partners and the country now a popular tourist destination? I get it: Time can change everything. Attitudes. Alliances, certainly. Time can heal physical wounds. But among my brother vets, the psychic wounds of that war are scars that run deep under the skin and will never heal. When I watched the botched withdrawal of our troops from Kabul airport, I was eerily reminded of how history often repeats itself. And not always for the better. These days, I spend less time thinking about Vietnam and more — as a reporter for this newspaper — about what I can do every day to honor those who fought in 'Nam, Kuwait, Afghanistan-Iraq. We can do better for them in terms of services and support, and we must. I am grateful that with time, the public's view of the military during the Vietnam War has changed as well, although it took decades to do so. These days, in my quietest moments, I am trying to make sense of it all. What I did. Where I was. In retrospect, nothing makes sense. And probably never will. Let me set the record straight: I was never a combat medic. I did a lot of my time in safely guarded medical units. I am no hero, and have never pretended to be. But I was surrounded by heroes. The strength and resolve of those I met know no boundaries. Those memories sustain me in my worst moments. I suppose the only 'good' thing to come out of the fall of Saigon was that it marked the presumptive end of our involvement. Rick Dandes is a reporter for The Daily Item.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
State extends low-income heating program
The Daily Item SUNBURY — The state Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program season has been extended to April 18. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, more than 300,000 families use the program, LIHEAP, which is especially critical for older adults and low-income families. The original end of the program for the 2024-25 winter season was April 4. 'The LIHEAP season is now closing for the year on April 18, so Pennsylvanians who may still need help with their heating bills from this winter should apply now,' DHS Secretary Val Arkoosh said. 'LIHEAP helps our community's most vulnerable citizens — children, older Pennsylvanians, people with disabilities, and low-income families — make ends meet and keep their homes safer. If you are still having trouble paying your heating bills, please apply by April 18 so LIHEAP can help ease this burden.' Arkoosh's office said it has adequate funding to continue the current season despite federal staffing cuts to the office that overseas LIHEAP. Arkoosh urged Pennsylvanians behind on or having trouble paying to heat their homes to apply for the program. Federal funding changes have not impacted this season but Arkoosh's office said the funding will be critical for next season. LIHEAP provides cash or crisis grants to renters and homeowners with annual income at or below 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Limit, which is $22,590 for individuals and $46,800 for a family of four. Pennsylvanians can apply for LIHEAP online at and for other public assistance programs online or by phone at 1-866-550-4355.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
Convicted killer Miranda Barbour claims ex-state parole officer sexually abused her inside prison
WILLIAMSPORT — Convicted killer Miranda Barbour is asking for an undisclosed amount of money after claiming in a federal lawsuit she was sexually abused by a parole agent inside the State Correctional Institution at Muncy. Barbour, 30, received a life sentence in 2015 for the brutal stabbing death of 42-year-old Troy LaFerrara, of Port Trevorton, in 2013. LaFerrara's body was found in an alley behind Catawissa Avenue, on Nov. 11, 2013. Miranda and Elytte Barbour, both of Selinsgrove, met LaFerrara at the Susquehanna Valley Mall after connecting through a Craigslist ad, according to police. Miranda Barbour asked LaFerrara to get into her red Honda CRV and the two drove to LaFerrara's home in Sunbury. When the two pulled up to LaFerrara's 8th Street home, Elytte Barbour popped out of the back seat from under a blanket and began to choke LaFerrara with a cord while Miranda Barbour stabbed LaFerrara more than 20 times. The newlywed couple then dumped LaFerrara in the alley. The Barbours were arrested by now Sunbury Police Chief Travis Bremigen on Dec. 3 and Dec. 6, 2013. The Barbours claimed to kill LaFerrara because they just wanted to kill someone. Elytte Barbour was also sentenced in 2015 to life in prison without parole for the murder. After her arrest on Feb. 14, 2014, Miranda Barbour gave an exclusive interview to The Daily Item in which she claimed to kill at least 22 people. None of Barbour's claims were substantiated, according to law enforcement officials. Miranda Barbour's story went global and last month in the federal lawsuit filed in the U.S. Middle District, in Williamsport, claims the parole agent, Kenneth Jones, sexually abused her inside the prison on several occasions. Jones has been charged for the alleged crimes, according to court documents. Miranda Barbour claims Jones began to groom her and that he would tell her if anyone found out they were having sex they would believe him because she was incarcerated, according to the suit. In the summer of 2023 Miranda Barbour claims Jones began asking for sex every day and sometimes multiple times a day, and she felt she could not say no, according to the suit. At one point, Miranda Barbour claims she thought she might have been pregnant, and she told Jones, who allegedly told her to fall down the steps or get in a fight with another inmate in an attempt to misscary, the lawsuit claimed. In another alleged encounter Miranda Barbour had with a prison official she asked why she wasn't being protected, and Miranda Barbour claims she was told, "we were waiting for you to hang yourself," according to the filing. Miranda Barbour is seeking a jury trial.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bucknell professor leads study making inroads on Parkinson's research
The Daily Item LEWISBURG — A new study led by a Bucknell biomedical engineering professor has identified key insights into optimizing deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease patients to help alleviate symptoms such as deviations from normal walking. Deep brain stimulation, or DBS, is a surgical treatment option for Parkinson's patients who no longer benefit from traditional medications such as levodopa, which over time can cause side effects like dyskinesia — involuntary movements. The procedure involves implanting electrodes in the brain to deliver electrical pulses that modulate abnormal neural activity in targeted regions. While effective, DBS outcomes vary depending on where stimulation occurs. 'DBS is typically for patients who have exhausted all other treatment options,' Karlo Malaga, who led the study, said. 'It isn't a first-line treatment, but for some, it offers significant relief from debilitating motor symptoms.' Malaga's research team, which included recent Bucknell grad Jackie Zak and collaborators from the University of Michigan, analyzed data from 40 Parkinson's patients with DBS implants in the subthalamic nucleus (STN). Using MRI and CT imaging, researchers created 3D electric field models for each patient, enabling them to visualize how DBS affected specific regions of the STN. This approach revealed that stimulation targeting the anterior STN significantly improved gait-related symptoms. 'Our study found that more anterior stimulation within the STN correlated with better outcomes for gait disturbances,' Malaga said. 'This was based on our tissue activation analysis with gait scores from the Movement Disorder Society's Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale.' Notably, patients with more anterior STN activation showed greater improvement in freezing of gate, or FoG, and overall gait scores compared to those with more posterior activation. However, anterior targeting also carries risks, as previous research has linked it to potential side effects, such as worse neuropsychological outcomes in patients with a history of depression. The new findings build on earlier studies indicating that DBS outcomes depend on precise stimulation location. The research suggests that side effects often arise from unintended stimulation of nearby structures, highlighting the need for accurate targeting. 'The relationship between stimulation location and clinical outcomes is complex,' Malaga said. 'Our study emphasizes the importance of patient-specific models to optimize DBS for each individual's symptoms while minimizing side effects.' Using data-driven computational modeling, the researchers demonstrated that stimulation spread — influenced by factors like stimulation amplitude and tissue conductivity — can be individually modeled through the volume of tissue activation models. Unlike traditional electrode-based analyses, which focus solely on electrode position, the volume of tissue activation models accounts for stimulation spread in all directions from the electrode and its impact on adjacent brain regions. The study's findings have significant implications for clinicians seeking to refine DBS therapies. By identifying symptom-specific 'sweet spots' within and around the STN, clinicians can personalize DBS settings to address individual needs. For instance, anterior stimulation may benefit patients with gait disturbances, but caution is needed to avoid exacerbating other symptoms or cognitive impairments. 'Parkinson's isn't just one disease,' Malaga says. 'It's a collection of symptoms that vary from patient to patient. Our goal is to make DBS as precise and effective as possible, leveraging today's technology to its fullest potential while we continue searching for a cure.'
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Record number of nonprofits registered for Raise the Region
The Daily Item A record 376 nonprofits are registered for the 30-hour online fundraiser Raise the Region, which kicks off Wednesday night. The First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania and longtime partner Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships will host the annual 30-hour online fundraising event beginning at 6 p.m. The online drive ends at 11:59 p.m. Thursday. Since its inception in 2013, Raise the Region has raised more than $19 million for local nonprofits, showcasing the incredible generosity of the north central Pennsylvania community. 'Raise the Region was born out of a vision to unite our community in a powerful way, by harnessing the generosity of individuals to support local nonprofits,' Erin Ruhl, director of Community Engagement for the foundation said. 'What started as a bold idea to strengthen our region has grown into a transformative 30-hour giving event, empowering organizations to continue their vital work and making a lasting impact on the lives of those they serve.' Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships have pledged a $175,000 contribution to stretch donations made to participating nonprofits. This year's event continues to offer an opportunity for donors to make a significant impact by supporting local nonprofits that serve Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Tioga and Union counties. 'We are thrilled to see such a strong showing of local nonprofits, and we are deeply grateful to our presenting sponsor, Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships, for making this event possible,' Ruhl said. 'Raise the Region would not be possible without the incredible support of our sponsors. Their generosity amplifies the impact of every donation, empowering nonprofits to serve our communities in meaningful ways.' Preregistered nonprofit organizations will be featured on the event's platform, where donors can make tax-deductible contributions. In addition, donors can help nonprofits qualify for $125,000 in monetary prizes sponsored by organizations. Notable prizes include a $5,000 Grand Prize for the nonprofit with the most unique donors and a $1,000 Sleepwalker Prize for the nonprofit that raises the most money between midnight and 5 a.m. on Thursday. 'Donors are the heart of Raise the Region,' Ruhl said. 'Their generosity fuels the mission of local nonprofits, turning passion into impact. Every gift provides vital resources and hope for those in need. Together, donors make it possible to build a stronger, more vibrant region for all.'
