Herb Riede's Blog

Deer shot after crashing through school window
Associated Press
McSHERRYSTOWN, Pa. - A deer crashed through a window at a high school while class was in session and landed in an empty hallway, where authorities killed it because of its injuries.
The 150-pound doe broke through the window next to the gym at Delone Catholic High School in McSherrystown, about 35 miles south of Harrisburg, late Monday morning.
"I heard it," said guidance counselor Christopher Cline, whose office is nearby. "When I came out, she was flopping around and struggling to get up."
Police Chief D. Michael Vial, after consulting with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, fatally shot the animal. He said it had a broken leg.
"When a deer is hurt like that, there's no hope for it," he said. "It was the right thing to do."
That type of incident is not uncommon during deer mating season, said Wildlife Conservation Officer Darren David of the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Principal Maureen Thiec said at least three deer have crashed through the school's windows in recent years.
"I think they might want to put Plexiglas up," Thiec said.

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OK, I've received some interesting comments about this one.

From criticism to jokes.

About Criticism: I know that a wounded animal is dangerous to handle or move, and with the Game Commission hours away (and the resolution the same), the Game Commision advised the action at the scene. The Chief absolutely did the right thing. See: "after consulting with the Pennsylvania Game Commission"

About Jokes: No, McSherrystown isn't full of rednecks. Or hillbillies (although I'm half hillbilly!). If anything, McSherrystown is becoming more and more urban (density > 5,000/sq. mi.) and the wildlife in the surrounding area that is getting developed is losing it's habitat. I also appreciate the suggestion that the Mayor should have swooped in in Rambo gear and saved the day for a re-election photo op, but I'm more of a nerd, and haven't passed a hunter safety course yet.

In all seriousness, as this happened three times over the past few years, this is a local issue most likely tied to the opening of archery season. Thankfully the hall was vacant.

I hope Delone can have more luck in the future and can avoid similar occurances, and if they occur, there isn't any injuries.

Evening Sun - 'Operation Reindeer' needs help for holidays: "'Operation Reindeer' needs help for holidays
By JENNIFER NEJMAN
For The Evening Sun
Article Launched:11/13/2006 09:45:00 AM EST

The Mental Health Association of York and Adams Counties needs volunteers and gifts for 'Operation Reindeer 2006,' a program to collect, wrap and distribute holiday gifts to York and Adams county residents who have a mental illness.

Individuals, families, church groups and businesses can help by collecting and donating gift items from an individual's wish list; donating wrapping paper; or volunteering to wrap gifts.

In the past, the gifts have gone to people spending the holidays at Harrisburg State Hospital. Since that hospital's closure late last year, the association has partnered with Wernersville State Hospital in Berks County. They are collecting gifts for 85 York and Adams county residents now in that hospital and some people living in the two counties.

Gifts needed for men include aftershave lotion, belts, socks, bedroom slippers and button-down shirts. Gifts needed for women include nightgowns, jewelry, flannel shirts, sweatshirts and pullover tops.

The wrapping extravaganza will be held 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 9 at the York office, 36 S. Queen St.

AT A GLANCE:

Drop-off of gifts runs from now until Dec. 1. The drop-off sites are:

¥ Hanover Council of Churches, 136 Carlisle St. in Hanover

¥ Holiday Hair, West Manchester Mall

¥ Mental Health Association, 304 York St., Suite F, Gettysburg

¥ Mental Health Association, 36 S. Queen St. in York

For details or wish lists, call Donnie Gibson of the Mental Health Association at 843-6973.

Evening Sun - 2006 General Election: "There were problems with the vote-counting machine at the SAVES station in McSherrystown this morning, but voting continued."

Mayor's Note: I have visited the precinct and talked with the election judge there and the county election officials ensured every vote was "counted" by the machine.

While I was there, they also had difficulty using the computer voting machine which marks the paper ballot for you, requiring a reboot of that machine.

This would not prevent voting, unless using the touch screen is your only available secret ballot method due to limitations.

A second hand report of one (the?) incident that happened this morning is that a ballot jammed in the machine and would not go through either way.

Also, I heard a second hand report of the need to call the county and using help screens to process a ballot at the Elm Street Conewago (VNA) precinct.

Because of irregularities, I would suggest any race +/- 4% ES&S or similar questionable ballots* to be hand counted.

Yes, these are arbitraty numbers, and probably can't apply to every size of race, but adjust and discuss...

(* any methods that have shown unusual amounts of irregularities or problems / ballots > 0.25%)

If I Was Running Things Pseudocode:
if (sum(ballots at precincts with clear evidence of problem)) > (0.25% of all ballots)
then method = irregular = "smoke"
else method = regular

if (margin of victory) < (4% of all ballots) = recount = "fire"

In any case, every thing is running fine.

I still need to vote! (I'm going to take my daughters with me!)