Orie Melvin resigns; governor has chance to appoint new justice
Convicted justice to depart May 1
March 26, 2013 12:12 am
By Timothy McNulty / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Republican Gov. Tom Corbett will have to reach across the aisle to fill a seventh seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which has been deadlocked for nearly a year.

Suspended Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin submitted her resignation Monday, a month after she was convicted on public corruption charges. She is due to be sentenced May 7 and in a letter to Gov. Corbett, she said "it is with deep regret and a broken heart" that she tendered her resignation, effective May 1.

"It has been my honor and privilege to serve the people of this Commonwealth for the past 28 years, and I am deeply saddened that I am not able to fulfill my commission."


http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/state/orie-melvin-resigns-governor-has-chance-to-appoint-new-justice-680887/

Frozen Gun Laws
Written by Rob Rogers on Sunday, 24 March 2013.

Despite all the talk by Obama and others about stricter gun laws in the wake of the Newtown massacre, it looks like once again Congress won't have the courage to take on assault weapons. This is just sad.

A softer side of Katherine Webb, just for Mr. Blondie.

Al Franken has had an interesting path to the U.S. Senate. Do you remember way back when he was on "Saturday Night Live," he had a small part in the movie "Trading Places" as one of the two guys entrusted to guard a gorilla on a train on New Year's Eve? He's come a long way, to be sure.

Mayoral Mess 
Written by Rob Rogers on Tuesday, 05 March 2013.

Boy Mayor, the cartoonist's gift that keeps on giving, will no longer be giving after 2013. That's right, folks. The juice box comes with an expiration date.

Big Wheel Down
Written by Rob Rogers on Monday, 04 March 2013.

Luke Ravenstahl shocked the region when he said he wouldn't be seeking another term as mayor. Nobody is sadder about the news than I am.