Americans

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran's envoy to the United Nations has confirmed that a female American held for more than a year will be released. Iran had earlier announced that one of the three Americans captured by Iran in July 2009 would be released to mark the holidays at the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Bak Sahraei, second counselor of the UN mission confirmed Thursday in an e-mail that Sarah Shourd would be the one set free on Saturday.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The number of people living in poverty has climbed to 14.3 percent of Americans, with the ranks of working-age poor reaching the highest level since at least 1965. The Census Bureau says that about 43.6 million people, or 1 in 7, were in poverty last year. That's up from 39.8 million, or 13.2 percent, in 2008. The number of people lacking health insurance rose from 46.3 million to 50.7 million, due mostly to the loss of employer-provided health insurance during the recession.

A new University of Baltimore report indicates that growth in America is outpacing that of Europe. Unfortunately, the growth being talked about is not economic, but citizens' weight. It's a matter of concern for all Americans, whether or not they're overweight. The university study revealed that almost 66 percent of Americans are overweight or obese. In Europe, that figure ranges from 33 percent to 50 percent. Not only does obesity raise the public's cost for health care, but The Associated Press also reported that according to a recent study reviewed in the New England Journal of Medicine, obesity threatens to lower life expectancy in the U.S. as well.

It's early in the morning and Teri McGarity tries to get a jump on her day. There are e-mails to check, errands to run and appointments to keep. Then she gets down to business - her business. McGarity is the owner of Shape Up Shop-Women's Fitness on Northern Avenue in Hagerstown. After working, marrying, raising two children and doing the accounting for Carquest Auto Parts, owned by Teri and her husband, Jim, she could have kicked back and relaxed. But with a spirit that wasn't ready for a sedentary lifestyle, the local woman took a small detour.

MARTINSBURG, W.VA. -- Frankie Tan wants to vote. A native of Malaysia, Tan decided to become a United States citizen so he could vote in this year's presidential election. "Everyone who has an opinion should vote," said Tan, who has lived in the United States for 20 years. Tan, of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., was among nearly 60 people from 26 nations who on Friday morning in a federal building in Martinsburg, W.Va., took the oath of allegiance for new citizens. "I'm so proud," said Ann Harkins, Tan's wife of 14 years.

Williamsport High School's cheerleading squad hosted an NCA (National Cheerleaders Association) camp this summer. During the three-day camp sessions, the girls were taught cheer, chants, dances and other team-bonding skills. The NCA staff looked for nominees for All-Americans - outstanding individuals who display superior skills in jumps, tumbling, stunting, motion technique, leadership and dance. Kelsey Hutzell, a senior and cheerleading captain at WHS, was selected. She will travel to Philadelphia to march with fellow All-Americans from across the country in the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade, one of the oldest Thanksgiving Day parades in the country.

BEIJING (AP) -- Don't doubt this U.S. men's basketball team -- and sure don't challenge them, either. Especially if it's going to make Kobe Bryant flash his NBA MVP form. Bryant scored 25 points in his best game in Beijing, and the men's U.S. Olympic team advanced to the semifinals by beating Australia 116-85 on Wednesday night. The United States will play defending champion Argentina or Greece on Friday night for a spot in Sunday's gold medal game. Locked in what looked like another tough game in Australia, the Americans sent the Aussies' upset hopes down under with a 14-0 burst to open the second half, featuring nine points from Bryant.

BEIJING (AP) -- Outplayed and overwhelmed for most of the night, the Americans got the only shot they needed. Olympic champions, once again. Carli Lloyd scored in the sixth minute of extra time Thursday night, Hope Solo bailed out her teammates time and again, and the United States beat Brazil 1-0 to win the gold medal in women's soccer for a third time in four Olympics. As the final whistle sounded, the Americans charged across the field, hugging anyone in sight. Someone handed out flags, and several players took off, running.

It was 62 years ago today and the number of those who remember it firsthand has been dwindling recently, but it is a day that no American should ever forget. It was the D-Day invasion of France, four years after that country had been subjugated and the British forced back to their island, which was no haven from the German bombs and missiles. Planned since late 1943, it has come to be known as the decisive battle of Western Europe during World War II, not because it was an easy victory.

To the editor: It has been said that the government is responsible for helping the victims in national emergencies such as Hurricane Katrina. I agree. This is true. So while Mayor Nagin debated with himself about whether he had the authority to use school and metropolitan buses to evacuate the people of New Orleans before they were flooded, wondering whether it was even legal to do so, thousands of American people were already coordinating emergency relief efforts.

The clothes Abraham Lincoln wore to Ford's Theater, the flag on Iwo Jima, Stonewall Jackson's uniform, pre-Columbian textiles and hundreds more artifacts like them have been spread across tables in a small shop in Ranson. Textile Preservation Associates has been conserving artifacts and preparing them for display since it was opened in 1987 by Fonda Thomsen. Cathy Heffner came on board in 1989 and bought the business from Thomsen in 2007. A 1976 graduate of Brunswick (Md.) High School, Heffner's participation in a work-study program in National Park Service conservation labs during her senior year led to a full-time job as a textile conservator with the agency.

The sixth annual Bark for Life of Washington County raised more than $2,200 to help fight cancer, said Cathy Beckley-Thomas, the American Cancer Society's community manager for Washington County. Beckley-Thomas said 48 dogs were registered, which is a record for the local event. In addition to walking a lap around Fairgrounds Park, participants could compete in several contests, including ones for best-dressed dog and best trick.

The competitive events included everything from the 50-meter dash to the standing long jump. But it was the spirit of community and camaraderie that stood out Saturday at the 39th annual Boonsboro Sons of the American Legion's Junior Olympics for Washington County's fourth- and fifth-graders. About 500 students from 25 schools in the county took part in the event at Boonsboro High School, according to organizers. Richard Secrest, director of the event, said the event epitomizes the spirit of community.

Attiya Latif is the youngest of three children and the last of her siblings to participate in the local American Legion Oratorical Contest. The contest is designed to foster a deeper knowledge of and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students, according to the legion's website. “It was always a big thing. It was like a family thing,” said Attiya, 16, who was born and raised in Hagerstown. The Latif children were raised to value the freedoms and protections of the U.S. Constitution, upon which the contest is based.

Local author Mary Rubin of Hagerstown had two bags full of books and had her mom fill up two more bags so she could take home as many books as possible from the American Association of University Women book sale Thursday. “I like history, travel, biography, mystery,” Rubin, 45, said. “I really go through all the tables.” She said she was looking to add to her 6,000-book collection. Her mom, Kay, 84, said that they have been going to the sale for more than 25 years.

Fifty years ago, libraries were beginning to shift from stuffy, dark rooms lined with shelves of books to participatory sites of culture and learning. The image of studiousness and solitude was being replaced by stimulation and conversation. There were expanding learning spaces, opportunities for creating and sharing original works and ideas, youth programs and a sense of community connectedness. In Hagerstown, the Washington County Free Library was no exception to the transition.

The excitement began building for the second Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown on Thursday afternoon as people crowded into the new location of the Washington County Arts Council for an opening reception and a chance to rub elbows with one of the stars of this year's festival - Tony Mendez. Mendez, the former CIA agent whose work to free six Americans in Iran provided the storyline for the Academy Award-winning movie “Argo,” arrived at the arts council at 34-36 S. Potomac St., dressed in a black tuxedo and in the company of his wife Jonna.

The Iraq war began 10 years ago: What did we learn? To the editor: Is America better off after our war in Iraq? Is Iraq? We have a huge bill of $2.2 trillion to settle but not much else. If you choose to identify Iraq as a lesson, call it tuition. If you opposed this war from the start, like many Americans, you can legitimately express your outrage. We should have listened to Congressman Dennis Kucinich. The numbers: 4,487 American military deaths, approximately 3,400 U.S. contractors perished, 32,226 U.S. troops wounded, 190,000 total dead, mostly Iraqis.

Andrew Potts is determined to become a cancer doctor no matter how many sleepless nights it takes. After staying awake for 24 hours at a time at seven American Cancer Society Relay for Life events, Hedgesville High School's senior class president should be ready for late night study sessions for medical school. “I'm sure it's taken years off my life, but it's well worth it for Relay for Life,” said Potts, 18, of Falling Waters, W.Va. Potts, who was recently recognized by the American Cancer Society for outstanding student leadership, said he hopes to get other young people to stay up with him at this year's relay, which is slated for June 1 at Martinsburg High School.

If you have an interest in helping contribute to the eventual return of American chestnut to the forest ecosystems, the 2013 American Chestnut Grower School might be your cure for spring fever.  The workshop will be held Friday, April 5, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Penn State Extension office in Franklin County, which is at 181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg.  There is a registration fee of $25 payable at the door. To register or for more information, call 717-263-9226. Directions are available at: http://extension.psu.edu/franklin/directions . Workshop topics will include:  American Chestnut, past, present and future  The American Chestnut Foundation  Site selection, your first consideration as a grower  Establishment of American chestnut from seed  Seedling protection and aftercare  Common chestnut diseases and pests  Participation in on-going site evaluation and pest surveys  Other “Citizen Science” opportunities Those indicating an interest in participating in on-going site evaluations and pest monitoring efforts will receive 10 open pollinated American chestnut seeds and protective seedling shelters with stakes, soil amendment mix, handout materials and light refreshments The workshop will offer several opportunities to become involved in the foundation and other multistate chestnut research and restoration efforts.