What's going on in Western PA?

Welcome to "Only in State College", Western PA edition:

What's up with the Amish community in Western PA?  First we had that hit-and-run buggy story from a few weeks ago, and now this story appears:

http://www.centredaily.com/2014/04/15/4135952/cops-dress-as-amish-to-target.html

So I get having to go undercover for a couple of months/long period of time if you're trying to infiltrate some kind of crime syndicate, or drug cartel, or prostitution ring....but two months inside the Amish world to catch a flasher?  And there was a female officer assigned to this, so did they really need a second undercover officer, and one that is male?  Couldn't they get a second female officer?  And now that officers have been accepted as part of their community, where could this lead for future missions?  Undercover operations to catch a whoopie pie scam, or some kind of illegal quilt caper? 

Unless, of course, the perps M.O. was to target and flash the cross-dressing Amish demographic....but the flashing was targeted towards children...which is a whole other story full of bizarre.

And then they posted the sting operation on the police FB page, to counter anyone from doing this in the future, because apparently flashing the Amish is all the rage on the police blotter, these days, in Mercer and surrounding counties.

I'm thinking there is a movie, somewhere, in all of this....but as one of my online buddies mentioned, it might be one of those movies that has some letters from the end of the alphabet in there.

As God is my witness...

It would appear that radio station WKRP was doing another promotion in our area this morning.

http://www.centredaily.com/2014/04/06/4122798/driver-injured-when-car-hits-turkey.html?sp=%2F99%2F264%2F&ihp=1

Between that story and the one about the serial snake stealer, it would appear that it's a zoo out there, in Happy Valley.

http://www.centredaily.com/2014/04/04/4120017/milesburg-man-again-accused-of.html

Now all we are missing is a runaway emu story....stay tuned!

The gift that kept on giving...

Life is like a box of chocolates....well, maybe not...

http://www.centredaily.com/2014/02/09/4027227/man-charged-with-trespassing-in.html

Hold the mayo...

 What is our sweet little town coming to...when CATA bus drivers experience random acts of violence, like this one?!?!?

http://www.centredaily.com/2014/02/09/4027247/woman-throws-sandwich-at-cata.html

A juicy little story!

 http://www.centredaily.com/2013/11/02/3868025/men-allegedly-steal-orange-juice.html

Where does something like this end?

First you have those people that don't put a couple of bucks in the box at those unmanned roadside vegetable stands...or you have those gas station drive offs...and then you hear stories about people crashing weddings and getting meals for free...and now this story of pilferage and plunder of the highest magnitude, and at one of State College's finest eating establishments, no less!

And it can only escalate from here.  One day it's orange juice, the next day it's coffee...and before you know it, you're going for the holy grail....the 128oz monster sodas at Sheetz/Uni-Mart....when will it end?

Or perhaps the real story, here, is how 3 glasses of orange juice was nearly $10? 

Hopefully, before too long, media outlets will have have some surveillance tapes released, and some forensic sketches handed out, so we can get a better idea who these three perps really are, and be on the lookout.

Too bad it didn't happen when Syracuse was in town.

Delightfully sweet and fun to munch 'cause it keeps it's crunch!!

http://www.statecollege.com/news/local-news/police-find-candy-treats-laced-with-pot,1406082/

So....not gonna lie...I kinda like the paring of Cap'n Crunch and Fruity Pebbles in a treat bar....and it's a two-fer because not only can you get high, but it'll solve that munchies problem, as well.  ;)

And in a college town, it's not surprising that this kind of thing would pop up...but it is a good reminder to parents to always check anything that people give their kids...ya just never know what might be in that fruity treat.

Be safe, everyone!

Paper or Plastic?

 So this happened this afternoon, and my local North Atherton Street Walmart:

http://www.centredaily.com/2013/07/09/3682404/man-accidentally-shots-himself.html

It's those plastic bags, I tell ya!  In a related story, can you even get paper bags at Walmart?

I'm also left wondering if this would have happened if he was carrying his groceries in some of those reusable canvas bags...hrmmm....that could be another selling feature to switching over to those.

In 2004, something like 6.76% of Pennsylvanians had permits to carry a concealed firearm  (I looked it up...trust me on this one, it was online so it's obviously true) Put another way, almost 7 out of every 100 people in Walmart will have a concealed firearm.  Chew on that while you're watching someone juggle a bunch of bags, when they are checking out.

Of course, you could always shop at the Weis Market on Martin Street, which I affectionately call "Tumbleweed Weis" due to the lack of any crowds there on a normal day.  Since they average about 6-7 shoppers whenever I've been there, the percentages of someone carrying a firearm are pretty much statistically negligible.

As one of my Facebook buddies commented about the incident....perhaps if everyone in the parking lot was carrying a firearm, this would never have happened....but that's a debate for another time and page...I just liked the comment.

Last thought:  At least it wasn't the Greeter.

Until next time!