The big top's in town

That's a cool photo on A1 today of two contortionist sisters performing at the Jaffa Shrine Circus. Gary Baranec said he wasn't supposed to give away too much of what was going on in that photo, but suffice it to say the young ladies fit themselves into a pretty tight space.

Also, on D1, make sure to read Jimmy Mincin's story on Alex Hilton of Duncansville. He joined the circus last year and is back in town with the circus this week. It's a really neat story.

Mother of the year candidate: Dinene Ford of Bellwood, who left her 5-year-old in the car, which was running and unlocked, while she went shoplifting. Now I guess she left it running so he wouldn't get cold, so maybe she gets points for that. She ended up with a year of probation. Read Phil Ray's story on A1.

More cutbacks look likely in the local schools. Spring Cove School Board is proposing numerous staff and faculty cuts. See Bill Kibler's story on A1. David Hurst has a story on A8 about how Central Cambria School Board is trying to cope with its projected state cuts. Right now teacher pay freezes aren't under consideration, but nothing's definite right now.

Have you cut back on your driving as gas prices move upward? MasterCard Spending Pulse has found Americans are buying less gas than a year ago, when prices were cheaper. See the wire story on C1. I wonder what people are doing -- carpooling? Taking the bus? Walking?

Linda Gracey is hard at work on a special section coming out on Sunday in advance of the new bishop's ordination. There's an ad for the section on D3 today.

It's time for all you moms out there to get your name in consideration for the Mirror's Mother's Day Makeover. Entries are due April 20. See the entry form on D6 today.