A volcanic eruption began in Iceland. Early Tuesday the ash spread to Europe. This forced many British airlines to cancel many flights. This ash is predicted to spread over Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England, according to Britain's weather agency, the Met Office. There is also a strong possibility it could affect Denmark. The ash can be a serious hazard to aircraft, reducing visibility, damaging flight controls and ultimately causing jet engines to fail. This volcano affected many airlines and traveling.

Opening day at Knoebels was very busy opening day. The numbers were up five percent more than last year. Knoebels has been honored by the National Amusement Park Historical Association as its favorite traditional amusement park in the country. They recently made the park smoking restricted. There are now designated smoking areas. Until Memorial Day, Knoebels is only open weekends.

Since gas prices rose Ford gas been struggling. They're trying to give incentives out to customers buying their vehicles. They're not only having problems with the vehicles but the technology inside. With gas prices rising people just want the simplest and cheapest vehicle. The technology may be a turn off.

Recently seven of the Mount Carmel Area Odyssey of the Mind teams went to Williamsport. Three out of the seven teams advanced to world. Odyssey of the Mind is a competition that anyone can compete in. The teams consist of five to seven people. This competition has two parts. The first is your long term problem. At the beginning of the season you pick a problem. There are five total. You then have to solve this problem within an eight minute skit and meet all of the regulations. The second part is spontaneous. The team enters a room with three judges. You can receive a hands-on problem, a hands-on verbal problem, or a verbal problem. Each problem varies on topics and you have a specific amount of time. You are also limited to how many times you may answer. Each of your teams received 1st or 2nd place at the state competition. They will be going to the University of Maryland where they will compete for a world title. Spontaneous and the long term problems are on separate days. Pin trading and shirt trading are only two of the many activities to do during their time there.

The Air France Airbus 380 hit the smaller plane while taxiing to the runway for takeoff. The smaller plane then caught on fire. Emergency crews eventually put the fire out.The passangers remained calm as they were alerted to what happened. After a few hours the plane was evacuated and everyone was safe. Their luggage was also ok. This happened because the smaller plane was landing when the other was getting ready for take off. Everyone was safe.

Scientists, in Brazil, are trying to use fibers from fruit to make a stronger light plastic to create car parts. They are 30 percent lighter and 3 or 4 percent stronger. This could also improve the fuel economy. Fibers found for these products can be found in pineapple leaves and stems, bananas, coconut shells, agave, and cattails. The new plastics are more resistant to heat, water and spilled gasoline than conventional plastics.

Radiation from Japan's earthquake was recently found in California,Hawaii,Washington,Colorado, and Oregon. They were only small levels but they could increase over time. Most studies are being done by the EPA. Air monitors are tracking these particles. The particle most recently found is iodine-131.

Mount Carmel Township is trying to ban selling, delivering, or buying synthetic drugs. They will be the first township with this ban but they want to see it happen. If it goes info effect, it will start April 20. After this date punishment by law will be put into place.