My Living Journals

The Flintstone Characters Turn 50 Today Fifty years ago today, the world was introduced to The Flintstones characters, most notably Fred, Wilma, Barney, and Betty. The cartoon was the first animated series to air in prime time, and adults and children alike couldn’t wait for the show’s premiere. The series, which was created by Hanna Barbara, ran for six seasons. It was the longest running animated prime time show up until the Simpsons came along. The Flintstones was made to imitate modern time situations, but set in the prehistoric era. The Flintstones characters were even inspired by real life actors and actresses. It’s no secret that the show was modeled after The Honeymooners, with Fred being reminiscent of Jackie Gleason’s character, Ralph Cramden. Fred Flintstone’s neighbor and friend, Barney Rubble, was made to resemble Art Carney’s character, Ed Norton. Wilma and Betty took on the personalities of .. more»

SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY, Pa. -- Flooding is hitting parts of the Susquehanna Valley today as severe weather moves through. School Closings IMAGES: Flooding Pictures From News 8 Crews U Local Flooding Slideshow Join Our Live Weather Chat WGAL.com Radar Options Check Road Conditions With PennDOT's Traffic Cams Check Traffic Flow Data News 8 has crews out across the area, taking pictures and video, and filing updates. You can keep track of all of it throughout the day at WGAL.com.Here's a rundown of some of what's going on because of the storms: Gov. Ed Rendell has ordered the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to activate its Emergency Operations Center so state agencies can assist local governments and residents as they deal with the heavy rainfall in many parts of the state. Rendell has also directed the Pennsylvania National Guard to be .. more»

Ecuador's president Rafael Correa speaks to a demonstrator during the protest. Photograph: Dolores Ochoa/APPolice and military units stormed the airport in Ecuador's capital and burned tyres in front of their bases today in a chaotic rebellion over austerity measures that cut their benefits.Scores of uniformed men overran the landing strip at Quito's main airport, forcing flights to be cancelled, and others confronted the president, Rafael Correa, in a dramatic showdown at a police regimental barracks.Correa challenged the protesters to kill him, according to local media. "I'm not taking one step back. Gentleman, if you want to kill the president, here he is, kill him if you have the guts." The rebel officers responded with shouts, stones and teargas canisters, prompting Correa's bodyguards to spirit him from the scene.The protests rapidly spread to bases and barracks in three provinces, with witnesses reporting looting, compounding a political crisis that could prompt .. more»

NYC officials confirm suicide of Rutgers student (AP) – 18 minutes ago NEW YORK — A body found in the Hudson River off New York City has been identified as that of a student whose sexual encounter was allegedly secretly streamed online.The New York City medical examiner's office said Thursday that 18-year-old Tyler Clementi committed suicide. Spokeswoman Grace Burgess says he drowned and had impact injuries on his torso.A family lawyer had already said Clementi jumped off the George Washington Bridge, but officials at the time had not identified the body.Clementi's roommate at New Jersey's Rutgers University and another freshman have been charged with invading the teen's privacy.Prosecutors say they used a webcam to surreptitiously transmit a live image of Clementi having sex with a man Sept. 19.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — The .. more»

September 30, 2010 Southtown Star, Sun-Times Media .. more»