It's not news to anyone that we've changed the appearance of The Sun during the last 15 months.  We'd like to think this change was welcomed by all of our readers.  We've added more color, more photographs, and more local news that lets you have your finger on the pulse of your community.

   Recently The Sun has underwent another change.  We have now begun servicing the subscribers of The Hershey Chronicle, both via the newsstand and in your mailbox.  While many of you were not aware, or may have never read The Sun, we hope that by now you have discovered that your Hershey news coverage has not disappeared and is being provided better than ever in The Sun.

    We are interested in how you feel about the recent change, and want to know if you're satisfied.  Answer the poll to the right or if you'd like, contact The Sun through email at news@thesunontheweb.com, and tell us how you feel.

Weathermen or Car Salesmen?

    So who do you believe more lately, weathermen or car salesman?  For me it's pretty much a tie.  I think it's about a 50/50 shot, 50% chance their right, 50% chance their wrong…which is pretty much worthless.

    Last evening (Wednesday) I watched the news before I made my way around Sun Country delivering the newspapers to our vendors.  "A few flurries, nothing to be concerned about," a local weatherman said…I won't mention any names.  And guess where I found myself last night at 11:00 p.m. when I returned home…? At the bottom of the driveway, literally spinning my wheels.   My car was stuck there for about an hour, and with the help from my boss, who salted and snow blew the driveway, I was able to get up.  Then I thought about the weatherman…

      This morning on my way to Palmyra I entered a winter wonderland right before I got to the Palmyra square.  They had gotten about four inches.  I am sure they had probably watched the  same weatherman I did the night before.

      On Monday, ABC 27's Mick O'Hearn spent the better part of five minutes ranting and raving about the National Weather Service's premature notification that bad weather was coming.    Guess what Mick? 12 hours later areas of Lancaster County had over a foot of snow.

      My boss, a former meteorology major, said TV news weathermen have lost the ability to "look out the window."  It seems to me these weathermen are to caught up in models and forecasting software.  Super Doppler…I think Blooper Doppler fits better.

Like It or Not, You're In Steeler Country

     Whether you're tired of hearing from their fans, or excited every time you hear the Steeler fight song…like it or not, you're in Steeler Country.

     I for one am not a fan, but as the entire country gears up for Superbowl XLIII you can't help but feel that Steeler pride.

      Last week I drove to California, Pennsylvania, which is about 30 miles south of Pittsburgh.  While I was traveling West on the Turnpike I saw a banner waving on one of the overpasses as I approached California.  "You're in Steeler Country," it said.  It surprised me that no one from the Turnpike took the banner down.  Then it occurred to me, they might have put it up!

      I thought back to two weeks ago when I was on the turnpike the Saturday before the Steelers and Eagles played in their conference championships.  The signs, where you usually find the Amber Alert along the highway, were cheering on the Eagles and Steelers, ironically along a roadway which connects both cities.

      The feeling here in Sun Country isn't much different, although four hours away from Pittsburgh, the passion for Pennsylvania football is energizing.  Go to any bar or pub and within minutes you will hear the beloved Steelers fight song...."Pittsburgh's going to the Superbowl."   

       And on Sunday we will watch them in the Superbowl, as the franchise looks to win their sixth Superbowl trophy.

Rosie's Leveled in Blast

     The once popular Hummelstown restaurant, Rosie's East End, was reduced to rubble following a blast, Wednesday, May 21, around 1:30 p.m.  I was one of the first to arrive on the scene, and for the first time in my life my journalism instincts were superseded by my concern for those who may have been injured.  Sun editor Dave Buffington rushed to an over turned van to see if anyone was trapped inside.  "Is anyone in there," he yelled.  Thankfully no one was inside.  I fumbled to turn on my camera as my hands and fingers trembled,  and the heat from the fire grew increasingly hotter.  Minutes later, a second less severe blast, caused the flames to shoot higher, and the smoke turned darker.  A lone Hummelstown fire truck, which was first to arrive at the scene, made his way over to the flaming rubble and began dousing it with water.  Sun photographer Nathan Merkel took this photograph of me during the blaze.  - Drew Weidman

The Sun Takes To the Sky

For our photo special this week, The Sun took a trip in a Cessna Airplane, courtesy of Reigle Airport in Campbelltown.  While we did capture many historical and well known land marks in the Hershey area, we plan to take another trip to capture some more of Sun country.  If you have any good ideas for our next aerial photo special, let me know.  If you would like to see a video of our take off, click on "The Sun airplane ride" link to the right!

Growth in the Hanovers

In the April 9 edition of The Sun, reporter Peter Durantine explored the population trends of South, East and West Hanover townships.  As the numbers have indicated, these townships are growing, and will likely continue to grow.  As a resident in the Sun Community, what are your thoughts on the development of these townships?  Will the Hollywood Casino in East Hanover Twp., prompt more residential growth or more business growth in the area?  Is there a “growth limit” in any of these townships?

Hotel Appeals Case Ruling

On Dec. 18, Judge Kleinfelter ruled in favor of the appellants, when he ordered that a new hearing be held to present the hotel plans.  During that hearing, in which Judge Kleinfelter will preside, Jules Patt will again have to prove why five variances should be granted in order for him to build a hotel.  What are some of your thoughts after reading the Jan. 2 issue of The Sun?  Was  Judge Kleinfelter's ruling justified?

*For background on this story, see previous blog post.