Congressman John Murtha

John Patrick Murtha Jr. was born on June 17, 1932 in West Virginia. He graduated from high school in 1950. Murtha attended college, but did not graduate. He was in the United States Marine Corps for three years. Then he was in the Marine Corp Reserves for eleven years. He did not become a member of the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives until 1967. Once he finished up in the Marine Corps in 1969, he entered the field of politics. In 1974 he was elected as a Democratic congressman for the Ninety-third Congress in a special election. Murtha was elected due to the sad death of John P. Saylor. Murtha remained in office until his death on February 8, 2010 in Arlington, Virginia.
Mr. Callihan, 8th grade civics teacher, stated, “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Congressman Murtha. He did a great job raising the economy for our local community after the 1977 flood. He was a good congressman. Also, the 8th grade students did a wonderful job on Tuesday [February16th] for Congressman Murtha’s procession. I have personally received emails and phone calls from local leaders saying they were greatly impressed by the seriousness of our students.”
The 8th grade students had a once in a lifetime chance to be a part of history. Mr. Callihan got the students security clearance from the FBI to line the students along Luzerne Street to pay tribute to Congressman Murtha as his hearse went by. Former President Bill Clinton was riding in a limo during the procession. Many famous congressmen and women and state officials were there and appreciated the 8th graders’ respect.

Girls JR High Volleyball

The JR high volley ball team consists of 7th graders, Baylee Bortz, Maggie Clark, Sarah Fisher, Aubri Fisher, Nina Foster, Kayleigh Grassemyer, Kayleigh Keefe, Kylie Smith, Hayden Spangler, and Nicole Taylor. The team consists of one 8th grader, Alyssa Miller. The 9th graders consist of Sarah Marley, Leah Mercik, Kaitlyn Mical, Karly Grow, Erin Rodgers, Rachel Roper and Brianna Trentini. This year the team has 5 wins out of 5 games. Whenever the team started off they were doing very well. They started off in the 2006 and 2007 season with 3 losses and 16 wins. In the season of 2007 and 2008, 2 losses and 17 wins. In 2008 and 2009 the team had 4 losses and 14 wins. The team is improving their scores every year. The team is a very good team and they have been for the past few years. Hopefully they will keep up this good streak and do well for the seasons to come. All of the home games will begin at 4:00 PM on May 3rd, 4th, 11th and the 13th. The away games will also be at 4:00 PM on May 6th at Greater Johnstown Senior High School and one will be at 4:30 PM on May 18th at Bishop Carrol High School.

Allen Iverson out for Season

It was announced that Allen Iverson would not be playing for the Philadelphia 76ers for the rest of the season. This is due to his sick 4 year old daughter. He went on indefinite leave on February 22nd to go to Atlanta to care for her. The 76ers organization said it was a distraction to the team and the players with Allen trying to and balance out this and his personal life. Iverson signed with the Sixers on December 2nd after retiring, but then coming back as a free agent. While with the 76ers, Iverson was averaging 13.8 ppg and 4 apg. As of the 2011 draft Iverson will be a free agent. It is questionable if he will return next season.

Pitt Basketball

The Pitt basketball season so far has been shaky. There wins had been tremendous, for example the win over Syracuse. Syracuse was undefeated until playing Pitt. Ashton Gibbs was the difference in this game shooting over 40% in three pointers (the shot is taken behind the three point arc). The Pitt lineup is a very well put together, Jermaine Dixon, is Pitt’s best defensive player. Gibb’s has been the most effective offensive player, he has a PPG% (points per game) of 16.5 points a game. His 3PA (three point average) is 41.5%. He is the best three ball shoot in the Big East.
One of the most thrilling wins for Pitt was the win over Louisville. Pitt ended up beating L’ville in overtime. Pitt is ranked #23 in the Big East. There game against W. Virginia ended up with people throw items on the court. The assistant coach got hit by a coin. The season is still going on, and seems the Panthers will go to the March madness tourney.

Poe Toaster is a No Show

January 19, 2010, was the birthday of Edgar Allen Poe. This year is the 201st reunion of his birthday. On his birthday every year the Poe Toaster pays his grave a visit in Baltimore, Maryland. This mysterious masked figure in a cloak, top hat, and cane leaves a half bottle of alcohol along with three red roses. Why he does this, nobody really knows. This is a big deal; the Poe Toaster is taken very seriously. Every year people from all over the world come to see the Poe Toaster. It was very disappointing that the Poe Toaster did not show. It makes certain people feel they can no longer trust him to show up so now when you visit his grave on his birthday everyone will have to bring roses and alcohol.
This incident made eighth grade teacher Mrs. Weaver very upset and puzzled. The idea that the Poe Toaster is unreliable can hurt the tour site in Baltimore. This is an exact quote from Mrs. Weaver, “I am very surprised that the Poe Toaster did not make an appearance this year. It seems a shame that a 60 year tradition might not continue. I think the Poe Toaster adds to the mysteriousness of Poe, and his absence really takes away from this very unique way of honoring and celebrating Poe’s birthday. January 19, 2011 will hopefully bring the return of the Poe Toaster so the tradition can continue.”

Spring Movie Preview

Valentine’s Day: This is a new romantic comedy due out on Feb. 12 of this year. This movie brings together some of the most famous actors and actresses. For example the main characters are: Bradley Cooper, Taylor Lautner, Anne Hathaway, Ashton Kutcher, Julia Roberts, Patrick Dempsey, Joe Jonas and Taylor Swift.
Leap Year: A romance comedy comes to screen when Amy Adams play the star Anna who wants to propose to her boyfriend. Along the way, she meets Matthew Goode who plays Declan, and something clicks between them.
When in Rome: This movie stars Kristen Bell, Josh Duhamel, Dax Shepard and Jon Heder. Kristen Bell plays Beth; she is a young New Yorker trying to find love. She takes a trip to Rome hoping to find a boyfriend when things turn upside down.
Dear John: Originally a novel, the movie will be released in February. The plot of this story surrounds the time after the September 11, 2001 attack. The main character played by Channing Tatum is on leave (from the army) and meets Amanda Seyfried a college girl he falls for.
Beauty and the Beast in 3D: This Disney classic is being brought to theaters on Feb. 12th. This movie is a cartoon about a French girl who lives with her father. The Beast wants to take Belle’s (the French girl) father prisoner; instead she offers herself and finds a prince within the Beast.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief: This popular book is now a major motion picture. The plot of this movie is based upon Percy finding out he is the descendant of a Greek God. This action film is a battle between gods and half bloods.
Alice in Wonderland: This classic Disney hit directed by Tim Burton comes to theaters March 5th of this year. The Mad Hatter is played by the famous Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway plays the White Queen, Stephen Fry plays the Cheshire Cat and other stars are cast to make this an enjoyable movie. Alice in Wonderland is about a 19 year old girl who gets knocked into a magical world where characters are crazy of their rockers!
How to Train Your Dragon: A new animation movie due to hit theaters March 26, 2010. This is a fantasy movie with magical dragon duels and Viking fights. Some familiar voices in the movie you will hear are: America Ferrera, Gerard Butler, Jonah Hill and Jay Baruchel.
The Last Song: Successful singer Miley Cyrus debuting this new movie on April 2nd, 2010.

Google Chrome

Google Chrome® is Google’s web browser. Chrome starts up much more quickly than Internet Explorer® and is downloadable for Windows XP, MAC, Linux, and Windows 7. Being built for easy use, Chrome allows you to search and move to new web pages in the same box, organize tabs however you wish, and get to your favorite websites with just a click, from the thumbnails of your most visited sites in the New Tab page. Now Google Chrome also features the stylist option to be able to pick and choose between many different styles and backgrounds for your browser. Another great tool is the ability to search straight from the address bar. No more switching the website and loosing concentration. Just go straight to the search, and if you want to order something for someone or you just want to have a surprise, go to tools and click on incognito to search and browse undercover. It is featured on the Google website. You can get to the download by going to the “more” tab on the website, and clicking on “even more.” It is easy to download and quick to start. So get on the site and download now!