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Phillies set for key twin bill with Mets

NEW YORK – Oh, it is on. Brett Myers, Jimmy Rollins, Mike Schmidt and Tropical Storm Hanna set up a nine-hour showdown today against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium that could pull the Phillies into a first-place tie in the National League East or drop them as far back as four games with 19 to play.

Trial of ex-State Sen. Wayne Bryant set to start

With more than 100 public officials convicted for corruption in the last seven years, New Jersey residents have gotten used to politicians passing through the criminal dockets.

'A nice little tropical event'

Tropical Storm Hanna buffeted the region yesterday with 50 m.p.h. winds and fitful downpours that flooded roads and induced some small streams to jump their banks.

Jousting over jobs

DURYEA, Pa. - Appearing before Pennsylvania voters again, Sen. Barack Obama and his running mate yesterday blamed the Bush administration for the sluggish economy and criticized the Republican Party for not addressing the issue in greater detail at its convention.

Tropical Storm Hanna likely to hit region today with rain, winds

Tropical Storm Hanna is threatening the region with up to two months' worth of rain and gale-force winds today, and widespread power outages and road flooding appear to be all but a certainty.

Pa. dentist charged with dumping medical waste

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, N.J. - New Jersey authorities have charged a Main Line dentist with illegally dumping needles and other medical waste that washed up on Avalon beaches, forcing a spate of closures.

Jobless: The rate climbs to 6.1 pct., a five-year high. 84,000 jobs were lost in August.

No need to tell Gilberto Ramos yesterday's depressing statistics about the job market. "I'm a little upset now, because I'm actually experiencing it," said Ramos, 44, of South Philadelphia.

Republicans: McCain and Palin cite tough times, vow "change is coming."

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. - John McCain and Sarah Palin kicked off the final two months of the presidential campaign to cheers from big crowds as they stressed themes of a strong America and concern about the sinking economy.

Disability advocates see Palin as a leader

Jennifer Bonawitz cried when she saw baby Trig cuddled in his sister's lap as his mother took the stage Wednesday night at the Republican National Convention.

Torn apart in Gaza, teen gets therapy here

Swaying but maintaining his balance inside a hospital therapy room, 15-year-old Asaad Mahmoud is learning to walk on prosthetic legs, circling the floor with bright-eyed determination, and tackling the daunting challenge of stairs.

Dentist's home searched in medical-waste mystery

Authorities yesterday searched the Main Line home of a dentist who they believe may have been involved in dumping some of the syringes and other medical waste found on eight Jersey Shore beaches in the last two weeks.

McCain says he aims to end partisan rancor

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Accepting his party's presidential nomination here last night, John McCain pledged to try to end the partisan rancor that has dominated the nation's politics and questioned the ability of his Democratic rival to do the same.

Making a return to maverick roots

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The January night he won the New Hampshire Republican primary, six months after his campaign was broke and left for carrion, Sen. John McCain walked into a hotel ballroom to chants of "Mac is back!"

Steelers slam Texans

The Steelers rolled over the Houston Texans, 38-17, on the strength of three touchdowns by Willie Parker and two more by Hines Ward in the season opener today at Heinz Field.

Penn State's Hayes will miss rest of season

Penn State confirmed today that defensive end Jerome Hayes will miss the remainder of the 2008 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Armstrong teen killed in Allegheny Township accident

A 17-year-old student from Armstrong County was killed when a sports utility vehicle crashed into a tree in Westmoreland County.

Parkway East outbound restrictions to end at 3:30 p.m.

The summer's worst backups on the Parkway East should be over by the time traffic lets out at the end of the Steelers game today.

Robbery, chase suspect 'a lost soul'

JohnMcAleavey, 36, of 526 Springfield St., West End, was arraigned on three counts of robbery, one count of criminal conspiracy, one count of aggravated assault and one count of an accident involving damage of an attended vehicle or property.

Powerful storm raises fears from Caribbean to Gulf

"Extremely dangerous" Hurricane Ike grew to fierce Category 4 strength Saturday as it roared on an uncertain path that forced millions from the Caribbean to Florida, and Louisiana to Mexico, to nervously wonder where it would eventually strike.

North Shore tunnel borer embarks on return trip

The 500-ton machine started the second transit tunnel from Downtown to the North Shore alongside the tube it completed in July.

New mines lag as coal booms

While prices are at a record high, the demand has yet to result in more jobs and businesses.

Young workers go into the mines for money

The coal industry must replace retiring miners and finding experienced employees is difficult.

Industrial plans spur coal price spike

Blizzards and floods half a world away have helped push Pennsylvania toward a coal-mining boom.

Reactions mixed on comparison of city to hell

Writer James Parton, in a 1866 article for The Atlantic Monthly, compared the view of Pittsburgh to "hell with the lid taken off."

Pollutant levels concern group

The Allegheny County Health Department can't tell which toxic chemicals are wafting across the Ohio River from Neville Island's industrial complex or how much of the air consists of those chemicals. An initiative by Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato could keep the department from ever figuring that out.

Highland Park man revives FEMA

Glenn Cannon of Highland Park restructures the agency to respond quicker and with greater efficiency.

Casino payout stirs little interest

Local communities are slow to join a task force on illegal gambling.

State money meant to fund police work

Regardless of politics or plights, the district attorneys in Allegheny and Armstrong counties soon will increase the number of police officers investigating illegal gambling with video poker and slots machines.

Pitt honors pair for community service

The University of Pittsburgh has named Marc Cherna and James E. Rohr winners of its Institute of Politics Award for Excellence in Community Service.

Monroeville optometrist pioneered use of contact lenses

Dr. Theodore L. Altman of Monroeville, died on Friday, Sept. 5, 2008, in his home. He was 76.

Newsmaker: Judith A. Bolsinger

Judith A. Bolsinger was recently appointed director of enrollment management at Carlow University.

Well site owners told to be careful

A South Huntingdon farmer with recently drilled gas wells on his property, had a word of advice for landowners thinking about gas wells leases for their own land: Think before you act and, above all, get an attorney.

Drilling pumps up town, school district budgets

Municipalities -- and school districts -- are lining up to take advantage of the natural gas reserves trapped in the Marcellus Shale underneath the region.

Punishing ridges require hard labor from soldiers in 1758

British Gen. John Forbes' August orders were clear and concise in 1758. Thousands of soldiers camped at Raystown (Bedford) would push the Forbes Road due west, taking on the three punishing ridges -- Allegheny, Laurel and Chestnut -- in the Laurel Highlands.

Interstate 70 work slated to begin Monday

Core drilling work on Interstate 70 near the Smithton interchange will begin Monday and continue through October between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Police blotter in Westmoreland County

The following establishments were issued Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement citations.

Heritage Museum to feature chefs

In the interest of preserving traditional recipes and techniques, the Monessen Heritage Museum will kick off a series of ethnic chefs events by playing host to Rizzi DeFabo of Rizzo's Malabar Inn in Crabtree.

Teacher pens young adult novel

Set in Italy's Apennine Mountains, "Mink" is a stirring tale of adventure, courage and the quest for survival.

Monessen 1962 grads showed class with mix of brains, brawn

Mention the 1961-62 school year at Monessen High School and most people -- especially sports fans -- will recall that it produced the WPIAL Class AA championship football team. But there was much more to the Class of 1962 than athletics.

Athletic excellence abounded

Scottdale library building charms residents

Beautiful and deep rich tones of rust and mauve warmed by focused lights and accented with soft leather couches and wooden furnishings greet visitors to Scottdale's newest building.

Woman dies in Allegheny Township crash

An unidentified woman died instantly when she crashed her SUV on Hyde Park Road.

Uniontown man keeps faith with cancer victims

A year after his last chemotherapy treatment, cancer survivor and Uniontown resident Steve Voytek Jr. has cut and donated his hair to the Locks of Love organization.

Chalk Hill girl oversees work on cat enclosure

A Chalk Hill girl has built an outdoor cat enclosure for a local animal shelter.

Laurel Highlands preparing strategic plan

The Laurel Highlands School District is developing a strategic plan to guide the district through the next six years.

Perryopolis scout hopes project inspires others

Steve Cowen of Perryopolis saw that his school needed track facilities, so the Frazier High School senior designed a long jump/triple jump for his Eagle Scout project.

Albert Gallatin initiative boots teachers

At one time, it was the Westinghouse Corporation slogan, "Progress is our most important product," that epitomized the success of the far-reaching company.

IUP program to remember victims of 9/11

Indiana University of Pennsylvania plans to honor the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with a memorial service on the anniversary, Thursday.

California ministry welcomes students with cookies

Missing home-cooked meals is one of the downsides for college students venturing off on their own.

Berlin fair celebrates its 70th year

Before placing those garden vegetables on the dinner plate this week, it might be a good time to take some entries over to the Berlin Brothersvalley Community Fair in Somerset County.

Long Beach takes PONY title

fter losing to Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, in the 2007 PONY League World Series championship, Long Beach, Calif., avenged that setback by winning this year's PONY title in dramatic fashion at Lew Hays Pony Field, Washington, Pa.

Ringgold's Schartner commits to New Jersey Institute

Standout Ringgold High School girls basketball player Emily Schartner has given a verbal commitment to continue her academic and athletic careers at The New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, N.J.

Fumo 'ruthless' master of power

The federal trial for state Sen. Vincent Fumo, 65, starts Monday, the third time he confronts charges. This time, Fumo faces a 139-count indictment that accuses him of defrauding the Senate, a Philadelphia nonprofit agency and a seaport museum of $3.5 million.

Erie County grandparents jailed in homework assaults

An Erie grandmother and grandfather are in the county jail after a violent feud over how to reprimand their grandson for not doing his homework.

Gas companies encourage budget plans

With prices going up, enrollment can help avoid the shock of high heating bills.

Leechburg festival shows it support

The volunteer fire department's fundraiser honors the emergency responders lost in the Sept. 11 attacks.

Steelers' Sweed, Anthony Smith among inactives

Wide receiver Limas Sweed and safety Anthony Smith are among the inactive players for the Steelers' regular-season opener today against Houston.

Big Ben leading the way

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger makes his 56th career NFL start in today's season opener against the Houston Texans at Heinz Field.

Steelers Q&A with DE Brett Keisel

Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel is in his seventh season, which is seven more than most seventh-round draft picks play in the NFL.

The matchup: Texans' defensive lline vs. Steelers' offensive line

The Texans are smaller and quicker, relatively speaking, up front, which helps explain their apparent ambivalence to tipping off many of their stunts.

Trib reporter Scott Brown's NFL picks

Scott Brown is a Steelers writer for the Tribune-Review. He makes his predictions for the NFL games to be played today.

NFL may extend regular season a week for 2009

By this time next season we may already be anticipating Week 2 rather than another Kickoff Weekend in the NFL.

Analysis: Can lightning strike twice?

Because Brett Favre's career actually began in Atlanta, he was technically never destined to follow in the footsteps of Starr, Griese, Staubach, Bradshaw, Elway and Aikman.

NFL power poll

Here is the Fourth & Goal's Top 32.

The matchup: Browns OT Thomas vs. Cowboys OLB Ware

If Joe Thomas has a weakness, it's holding up while executing the type of deep sets he'll have to employ if he hopes to keep Ware from crashing down on QB Derek Anderson from the edge.

Pirates squander lead, lose to Giants

A seventh-inning collapse by the Pirates' bullpen Saturday allowed the San Francisco Giants to steal a 7-6 victory.

Notebook: Extra players increase Russell's options

Pirates manager John Russell said the extra players give him more flexibility for late-game matchups, but he'll still play his regulars more often than not.

How they scored: Giants 7, Bucs 6

The San Francisco Giants beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 7-6, Saturday, Sept. 6, at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

Pirates farm report

Here's how the Pirates minor league teams fared in their games played Saturday, Sept. 6.

Turtles quick to snap

When fishing for turtles, look for undercut banks marked with slack water and tangles of roots over a soft, muddy bottom.

Turtle fishing loses popularity among area outdoorsmen

Though turtles can be caught by hand, on hook and line, or with hoops and line, fewer and fewer people seem to be pursuing them, say those who still do it.

Notebook: 23 clubs to get 1,500 pheasants for junior hunts

All of the hunts are open to the public, though pre-registration is required. Junior hunters, ages 12 to 15, can participate and shoot up to two birds per day.

New in equipment: Green Ring Mojave

If you're a hunter who spends a lot of time glassing for game, Leupold has come out with a new set of binoculars that is designed to be lightweight yet high quality.

'Big Least' Pitt's best friend

A win is a win, but did anyone's opinion of Pitt dramatically change during this life-and-death struggle with Mid-American Conference member Buffalo? Mine didn't.

Pitt rebounds with victory over Buffalo

The Panthers played as if they had something to prove Saturday night, rediscovering their rhythm on offense and taking advantage of two costly personal-foul penalties for a 27-16 victory at Heinz Field.

Spotlight: Pitt 27, Buffalo 16

The Pitt Panthers beat the Buffalo Bulls, 27-16, Saturday, Sept. 6, at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

Royster runs for 3 TDs, as Penn State rolls

Penn State's players felt a sense of success on both counts yesterday, reflected in a Beaver Stadium scoreboard that at game's end read Penn State 45, Oregon State 14.

Spotlight: Penn State 45, Oregon State 14

The Penn State Nittany Lions beat the Oregon State Beavers, 45-14, Saturday, Sept. 6, at Beaver Stadium in University Park.

East Carolina stings West Virginia

No. 8 West Virginia fumbled away a chance at victory Saturday against East Carolina. Two first-half fumbles allowed East Carolina to take a 14-point lead and eventually coast to a 24-3 victory.

Robert Morris coasts in season opener

That Robert Morris led Morehead State by 13 points as halftime approached was a comforting thought to the Colonials in their college football opener Saturday at Joe Walton Stadium.

Roundup: Bloomsburg clips California (Pa.)

Oscar Rivera's 52-yard interception return for a touchdown late in the third quarter helped No. 18 Bloomsburg upset No. 5 California (Pa.), 24-17, in a nonconference game. The loss snapped Cal's 12-game regular-season winning streak.

District spotlight

Remnants of Hurricane Hanna made for sloppy play at Shippensburg and Kutztown. Edinboro and Shippensburg combined for 15 fumbles in their game, and it was a similar story at Kutztown, where the host team and Clarion combined for 12 fumbles.

Ohio State survives scare from Ohio

After barely beating Ohio University, No. 3 Ohio State was not a happy football team. In fact, the sluggish win felt more like a loss.

Shady Side Academy capitalizes on turnovers

Shady Side Academy's passing game was rendered ineffective, it's offense posted less than 100 yards in the first half, and the Indians didn't look threatening against Freeport's defense for most of Saturday afternoon.

Western Beaver topples Springdale in OT

After tying the game with 19 seconds left in regulation, Springdale dropped a 34-26 overtime decision Saturday afternoon to Western Beaver at Rich Niedbala Field.

Shenango's big plays doom Leechburg

Shenango defeated Leechburg, 38-0, on Saturday night in a nonconference game.

Bentworth tops Geibel, 21-7

Derek Damich scored on a pair of touchdown runs to lead Bentworth (1-1) over Geibel (1-1) in a non-conference game.

Brashear rumbles Langley, 48-14

Bruce Patterson ran for four touchdowns, and Henri Chapman threw for two more, as top-ranked Brashear (2-0) beat City League opponent Langley (0-2).

Kiski School passes Valley Forge, 6-0

Chantz Green recovered a fumble in the end zone with 1:45 left in the fourth quarter to propel Kiski School over Valley Forge.

Laurel Valley come out on top, 29-22

Marcus Welshons rushed for 131 yards and a 17-yard touchdown in the second quarter to lift Laurel Valley over Penns Manor in District 6.

Central Catholic halts Canon-McMillan rally

Defending Class AAAA PIAA champion Central Catholic won its first game of the season Saturday night by stifling a Canon-McMillan rally with interceptions by Ryan Zeh and Shane Yuhas in the final five minutes of a 17-13 non-conference win.

Notebook: Highlands' Albert savors solid victory

Highlands' 20-12 victory over Class AAA No. 2-ranked Montour on Friday is near the top of Sam Albert's list of biggest wins.

Gateway's Krystek paces field, wins race

Gateway's D.J. Krystek won the top boys varsity race in 15:53, and Norwin's Leslie Kovach took the girls title in 18:31.

Leader Furyk sets course record

Jim Furyk only wanted to give himself a chance in the BMW Championship, and it took 36 holes to do it on a marathon Saturday at Bellerive that put him atop the leaderboard for the first time all year.

Roundup: Reid leads Sorenstam by six shots

Annika Sorenstam shot a 5-under-par 68on Saturday to trail Melissa Reid by six shots after the second round of the Nykredit Masters.

Rain washes out women's final

Serena Williams waited six years to return to the U.S. Open final. What's another day?

Federer beats Djokovic, reaches U.S. Open final

Ominous clouds overhead, the sort of hard court that troubled him this season underfoot, Roger Federer sensed something Saturday he hadn't in quite a while.

Inexperience stands between phenom Kyle Busch and a Sprint Cup championship

Shortly after qualifying was canceled at Richmond International Raceway, during an evening news conference, a word halted Kyle Busch's confidence for just a few seconds.

Gordon eager to return to Victory Lane

He's the most accomplished driver in the NASCAR garage, and by a wide margin, but changes in the Sprint Cup Series have not been very kind to Jeff Gordon.

Pokrivka wins StrongLand expert race again

Tarentum's Justin Pokrivka makes it a point to participate in the Tour de StrongLand each year. He also makes it a point to win.

Russian firms spend billions to acquire region's plants

Russians are doing more than just visiting steel mills and steel-supply plants to see how they work -- they're buying some of the nation's steel industry assets, thanks in large part to Russian tycoons who are worth billions of dollars, experts say.

Personnel Moves

This is a listing of promotions, hirings and other personnel actions at area companies.

Salt becomes a valuable commodity

Lagging supplies and increasing costs of road salt aren't just a concern for municipal governments.

Woe is the man who tries to sell his palace

The real estate market isn't pain-free when you own a 26,000-square-foot house. You may have to cut millions off the price when you want to sell the darn thing ... uh, er, that is, the beautiful and tasteful although perhaps a bit too large thing.

Remark about ancient scrolls leads to novel

"The Night Villa" continues author Carol Goodman's penchant for combining her classical background with plots that include an aspect of mystery.

Hollywood legends will tell all this fall

Remember when Hollywood was glamorous? Lots of stars do, and they're reliving the glory days. It seems every Hollywood celebrity of a certain age -- from Tony Curtis to Robert Wagner -- has written an autobiography this fall. Will they all find an audience?

Book details how Midwest pilot led jet to safety

Midwest Airlines pilot Gerald Earwood was flying about 100 miles west of New York when he first noticed what seemed like wisps of smoke coming off the World Trade Center.

Artist looks at the re-use of former retail sites

Julia Christensen's photographs are featured in a new exhibit titled "Your Town, Inc." at the Miller Gallery at Carnegie Mellon University.

Lawrenceville galleries: A revolving door

After a two-year run, last weekend saw the last of LaVie gallery in Lawrenceville. With an impromptu closing party scheduled for the Friday evening before Labor Day, gallery co-owner Bronwyn Loughren says, "We closed quick, so there wasn't the usual crowd."

City of Asylum celebrates what makes 'home'

Once a year, Sampsonia Way on the North Side becomes a home for more than the political-exile writers who have found a haven there.

CD reviews: McCaslin shows mastery of 'Tools'

Donny McCaslin is such a strong saxophonist, he can dominate the sound of an album even when it isn't his own. His "Recommended Tools" is a excellent display of his speed, tone and melodic conception.

Nautilus: Taste of close-quarter undersea living

This being the 50th anniversary of the USS Nautilus' historic crossing of the North Pole, it seemed like a good time to visit Groton, Conn., and tour the world's first nuclear-powered submarine.

Tropea: A sweet stop on Italy's southern coast

The Calabrian seaside town of Tropea, six hours by train south of Rome, is hardly a secret. But compared to the more well-known Italian resort towns, it attracts few Americans, and off-season, being here can feel like wandering into a party waiting to happen.

Briefs: Cruise the Nile with an Egyptologist

If you enjoyed "Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs" at the Omnimax Theater at the Carnegie Science Center, you can meet one of the stars of the documentary, Egyptologist Bob Brier, on a 10-day trip to Egypt.

Unexpected riches await in Bramwell, W.Va.

Even a hundred years after its heyday, Bramwell, W.Va., remains a tiny Victorian testament to a time when coal was king and the geological riches of the state provided wealth to a collection of mine owners, men who built grand, beautiful homes, many of which remain today to be toured and appreciated by visitors.

Local produce makes linguine dish better

Seasonal local food is always a winner -- it tastes better and usually costs less. And because it hasn't been shipped miles and miles from a distant point, it helps our environment. I think my guests will be delighted that we'll be enjoying a delectable supper with a small carbon footprint.

Trib tested: AriZona Iced Tea Stix

These mini-packets of powdered tea are sugar-free and zero calories, while still preserving the natural benefits of tea.

Salsa is the ultimate low-fat flavor boost

When the grill is wafting the contented smoke of summer cooking, you can dance around the table if you pass a bowl of salsa.

Late-summer harvest yields simple succotash

Here's a new twist on the classic corn-and-lima-bean combo: You simply spread frozen lima beans on an oiled tray (no need to defrost), toss them with freshly shorn corn and some garlic and tarragon, cover, and roast everything in the oven.

Cala Lily Cafe owner strives for satisfaction

When Rick Rivero opened Richland restaurant seven years ago, his hard work paid off almost immediately. Pittsburgh magazine's blue ribbon committee named the 50-seat establishment best new restaurant.

Puppy shouldn't be left outside alone

We just got a 9-week-old German shepherd puppy. We are not certain whether we want to put a kennel outside with a doghouse, or whether we can have his doghouse outside and install an invisible fence.

Fall TV season a muddled mix

Weird. That's the only word to describe the fall TV season, which is the biggest casualty of the 100-day writers strike.

Fox hopes new show moves off the 'Fringe'

In a different world, "Fringe" might have crept quietly onto the TV schedule. It could have scored slowly.

Washington County bed and breakfast offers taste of life on the farm

Picture a quiet weekend at a rural bed and breakfast inn -- sinking into a plush antique bed, reading in a quiet room without telephones and TVs, walking along tree-shaded lanes, enjoying a generous country breakfast and feeding the chickens.

Giving up control (at least a little)

I'm not exactly sure when I became a control freak.

Yes, I'm listening

I'm on the phone; it's hard to talk to people anymore.

Performances, crafts highlight Saxonburg arts festival

The 23rd annual free celebration of the arts again is featuring indoor and outdoor performances, a car show, gas engine and antique tractor displays, craft, art, Ikebana flower arranging and photography exhibits and food at several locations.

The race for president: And they're off ...

The American people will be bombarded for the next two months with an unprecedented volume of pandering populist pap. The Democrats' prescription for "change" will sound enticing. But little of it will pass the sniff test.

Art's worthy shepherd

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation is poised to accept an exquisite gift from Pittsburgh to help celebrate the Guggenheim Museum's 50th anniversary of the Frank Lloyd Wright landmark building in New York.

Sunday pops

Former Republican House Majority Leader Tom DeLay is urging the liberal media to keep trashing GOP veep nominee Sarah Palin. How's that? The more media trash-talk the Alaska governor, the more the party's sleeping giant, women, wake up, he says.

The Power of Palin (& other political pontifications)

You've heard how Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin is a "game changer" in this election. Indeed she is. But she's also a party changer.

The experience trap

Good thing George Stephanopoulos wasn't a Sunday morning TV pundit in 1912.

Sexism in the Twin Cities

The one thing that Democrats, Republicans and analysts agreed on regarding Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin was that the double standards on parenting directed toward her crossed all kinds of lines.

Put me in, Coach

While your stocks may be spiraling downward as a result of George W. Bush's failed economic policies, my political stock is on the rise. In the 1970s, I was an elected member of East McKeesport Borough Council.

She's a Pittsburgh girl

Some folks are befuddled by who Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin is. I know exactly who she is. She's a "Pittsburghgirl."

The politics of 'better off'

John McCain, who is in what Macbeth called "the sear, the yellow leaf" of life, has revived an oldie from seven elections ago with a campaign commercial asserting: "We're worse off than we were four years ago."

Differences between sex 'church,' others subtle

The ministers of most churches probably would be reluctant to be photographed wearing tuxedo thong underwear -- one of several differences between the Church of Spiritual Humanism and most other houses of worship.

This veep could make all the difference

No one votes for vice president. Supposedly.

Heed Washington's words

On Sept. 19, 1796, America's first president, George Washington, penned his farewell address.

The price of nationalization

The share prices of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac saw a substantial rebound last week as rumors spread of possible nationalization of these two mortgage giants.

Base-year assessments

On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on Allegheny County's appeal of a lower court decision that decreed state laws allowing base-year assessments to be unconstitutional.

The race for president

The nominating conventions, each dramatic in different ways, are done and Americans are on the last lap toward the new presidency.

The comedy that is Obama

Rudy Giuliani had me in stitches during his red-meat keynote address at the GOP convention. I laughed out loud when Giuliani laughed out loud while noting Barack Obama's deep experience as a "community organizer."

Palin strikes a liberal nerve

When MSNBC's Chris Matthews suggested in Denver that Barack Obama earned his present elevation in American politics -- unlike "showcase appointments" like Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice -- he reminded the world of the peculiarity of liberalism.

The perils of Palin

John McCain's selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his Republican running mate is likely to push social issues back into prominence in a presidential campaign dominated so far by the economy and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Seven years to 'climate midnight'

The world may have only seven years to start reducing the annual buildup in greenhouse gas emissions that otherwise threaten global catastrophe within several decades.

Happy 100th, Richard Wright

Richard Wright would have been 100 years old on Sept. 4. This great black writer not only helped change the face of American fiction but he also helped pull the curtain down on Jim Crow.

Mommy wars

Like none before it, this presidential campaign is redefining what it can mean to be a woman.

Best of the blogs

McCain's speech wasn't as funny as Sarah Palin's and his delivery wasn't as good as Obama's.

Barack fumbles

The Democrat presidential nominee made headlines for mangling the Penn State football team's nickname. Answering a question during a campaign stop in York, he referred to them as the "Nittaly Lions."

Spare us more change

George W. Bush has been in office for 7 1/2 years. For the first six years, the economy was fine.

Turnpike conversion

Until I read the Trib's story about the escaped 4-foot-tall emu that created a traffic jam on the turnpike ("Taser ends emu scamper on Pennsylvania Turnpike," Sept. 3 and PghTrib.com), I thought that the biggest threat to the turnpike by Australians was that, if awarded the lease to operate it, they would rip the concrete out of the ground and ship it home to Oz.

Man honored for his giving nature

PORT MATILDA — Nobody ever gave Artie Frye a real birthday party with decorations and guests — until Saturday.

Police Report

Millheim man arrested in domestic incident

Voters weigh candidates as campaigns in final stretch

The cameras swing around to the voters now.

Visitors welcome at tailgate

On Saturday, Erica Shoop asked some Oregon State fans what flavor jello shot they’d prefer, and her father Gary invited them to get out of the rain under his tent.

FAN OF THE WEEK: Fran Sonne

Fran Sonne, an attorney and college instructor, watched some pregame coverage in her living room on Saturday morning before joining a caravan of decorated cars headed to Beaver Stadium.

Your turn: Share Beaver Stadium experiences

Penn State routed Oregon State 45-14, and a predominantly white-clad Beaver Stadium crowd cheered from the start.

A.M.BRIEFING

Harriott cited for license violation

Adult classes add flavor of valley

For more than a decade, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute has expanded the horizons of curious adults.

Woman injured in Airport Road crash

SPRING TOWNSHIP — Two Bellefonte-area residents were injured Saturday night after their car crashed into a telephone pole off Airport Road.

Nittany Lions roll over Beavers

No. 19 Penn State shoved aside the distractions and Oregon State before more than 108,000 fans at Beaver Stadium.

Tattooed fan wears PSU all year long

We recently asked readers to come forth if they or someone they know could qualify as the craziest fan of Penn State football in our first Crazy Fan contest.

Chain crash hurts 2

HARRIS TOWNSHIP — A chain collision involving four vehicles Friday evening on U.S. Route 322 left two people injured and traffic stopped for more than half an hour.

Pills, pot taken from apartment

A list of the items seized by police from the on-campus apartment of four football players includes marijuana and prescription pills.

Mural shows town's true colors

MILLHEIM — If only all laundry looked this good.

PSU revamps student ticket system

UNIVERSITY PARK — The idea of electronic student football tickets that can’t be sold on the Internet for hundreds of dollars appeals to Penn State freshman John Tecce.

CCCF gives out $38,000 in grants

The Centre County Community Foundation issued almost $38,000 in grants for the third quarter of the year to the following organizations:

Local Briefs

Minor injuries reported in two-car collision

COURTREPORT

Information compiled by the Centre County Court Administrator’s Office on Aug. 27: