Consumer Reports says that “without warning or public discussion” 19 dairies in Pennsylvania were notified that their labels were “false or misleading and need to be changed.” What did the labels say?
Police Blotter On Demand? Comcast Helps Catch Bank Robbers Thanks To Bored People
By November 13, 2007
Comcast has issued a press release claiming that they’re helping to solve crimes with something called “Police Blotter On Demand” a trial program launched in the Philadelphia area.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Cracks Down On Drug Reps
By November 13, 2007
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center is cracking down on drug reps, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Details are still sketchy, but the general idea is that drug reps will no longer have direct access to doctors, but will instead drop off samples via a central office that will then distribute them to the staff.
Pittsburgh Tries To Publicly Shame You Into Paying Your Parking Tickets
By October 17, 2007
In a recent attempt to resolve it’s financial woes, the city of Pittsburgh decided to try and collect on all unpaid parking tickets and other traffic violations since 2003.
Customer Asks Grocery Store Clerk For Change On A $1 Million Dollar Bill Then Freaks Out
By October 9, 2007
A unidentified man asked a clerk at a Giant Eagle store in Pittsburgh to make change on a $1 million dollar bill featuring Grover Cleveland’s portrait. When the cashier refused and confiscated the fake money, the man attacked an electronic funds transfer machine and then reached for her price scanning gun.
K-Mart Illegally Taxes Toilet Paper
By October 6, 2007
A Pennsylvania K-Mart levied an illegal $0.28 tax on Mary Bach’s $3.99 12-pack of Angel Soft toilet paper. Pennsylvania’s sales tax guide clearly states that toilet paper is a non-taxable item. Mary first spoke with a cashier after noticing the illegal charge. When K-Mart again charged her the tax on a second visit, she decided to sue.
Philadelphia Mayor Cracks Down On Tax Evaders, Finds Out He Is One
By September 25, 2007
Philadelphia’s mayor, John Street, also known as the “iPhone Mayor,” (because he camped out for an iPhone) told Philadelphia he was cracking down on tax scofflaws… only to find out that he is one.
Mayor of Philadelphia Camps Out For An iPhone
By June 29, 2007
NBC 10 in Philadelphia had some people camped out for an iPhone when what did they see? Wait, is that… the Mayor? It was:
Donning a white baseball hat and warmup suit — complete with an iPod strapped to his arm — a casual Philadelphia Mayor John Street patiently sat on a lawn chair on a South Philadelphia sidewalk, hoping to get his hands on the new Apple iPhone Friday morning.
Snakehead Found In Can Of Green Beans
By June 15, 2007
It is a symptom of our curious existence that while processed vegetables and fruits give us the constant convenience of food that has been cleaned and prepared, the truth remains that mechanization and automation of the processing is imperfect, and the price we pay for never having to pull a bean from a garden is that, occasionally, there will be a decapitated snakehead on our dinnerplate.
Surgery With A Warranty?
By May 17, 2007
What if your surgery came with a warranty? One group of hospitals in central Pennsylvania is trying it, according to the NYT:
The group, Geisinger Health System, has overhauled its approach to surgery. And taking a cue from the makers of television sets, washing machines and consumer products, Geisinger essentially guarantees its workmanship, charging a flat fee that includes 90 days of follow-up treatment.
Local Government Powerless Against Comcast, Tells Residents To Switch To Satellite
By March 29, 2007
“We’re between a rock and a hard place,” Gregor said. “We could drop the franchise, but then a lot of people won’t have television.”
No Sopranos For You: Comcast Says Switch To Digital Or Lose HBO
By March 22, 2007
“I guess the thing that bothers me is, the service is bad and rates keep increasing,” said Alan Letofsky, one of many customers who recently received a notice from Comcast saying they would need a digital-cable box to keep HBO, which telecasts The Sopranos. “We just don’t want to give any more money to Comcast.”
Trans-Fats Banned In Philadelphia
By February 8, 2007
The Philadelphia City Council has unanimously passed a city ordinance banning trans-fats from most dishes served by restaurants:
Verizon Declares Woman Dead, Stops Her Pension
By January 9, 2007
Verizon can’t do anything right lately. A reader sends us a story from the Philadelphia Daily News about a Verizon retiree who has been declared dead by Verizon. Now they’ve not only cut off the woman’s pension, but they’re trying to get several of her checks back.
Super Exciting News: Governor of Pennsylvania Eats At A Taco Bell
By January 2, 2007
“Maybe,” thought the governor and the governor alone, “I should get eat some Taco Bell, on TV, with the curiously Australian president of Taco Bell, Greg Creed.”
Driver’s License Data Stolen in PA
By December 1, 2006
If you’re one of 11,000 people from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, you might be at risk of ID theft after a driver’s license facility computer was stolen Tuesday. The computer contained photos, addresses and in about half the cases SSNs. The thieves also stole equipment for making driver’s licenses. Whoops. —MEGHANN MARCO
RecycleBank: Get Coupons For Recycling
By November 20, 2006
RecycleBank picks up your recyclables and rewards you with, among other offers, Starbucks coupons. While we haven’t tried it, (we live in New York, silly), we think the idea sounds nice.
