Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

IN BRIEF

Plum pox virus eradicated in Pa. Factory orders rise 1.8 percent Child services grants available Willow Valley wins marketing awards

HARRISBURG (AP) -- Pennsylvania officials say the plum pox virus hasn't reappeared and is now classified as eradicated in the state.

Agriculture Secretary George Greig said Monday that the milestone "officially closes the books" on the battle against the virus after three years of monitoring.

The state was declared free of the plum pox virus in October 2009. Testing last summer included more than 41,000 leaf samples, largely from orchards in the region that includes Carlisle, Gettysburg, York and Lancaster.

The virus can harm fruit-bearing and ornamental varieties of almond, apricot, cherry, nectarine, peach and plum stone fruit trees.

The plum pox virus was found in Adams County peach trees in 1999.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. factory orders increased in December even though companies trimmed their orders for goods that signal investment plans.

Factory orders rose 1.8 percent in December compared to November, when orders had fallen 0.3 percent, the Commerce Department said Monday.

But demand for core capital goods, a category considered a proxy for business investment plans, dipped 0.3 percent in December after strong gains of 3.3 percent in November and 3 percent in October.

Orders for durable goods, items expected to last at least three years, rose 4.3 percent, slightly below the 4.6 percent estimated in a preliminary report. The increase reflected strong gains for military and civilian aircraft.

The S. June Smith Foundation announced Monday that it's seeking applications for grants of up to $3,000.

Eligible are Lancaster County nonprofits that provide services to children with developmental disabilities and delays.

Applications may be downloaded at sjunesmith.org. Applications are due by April 12. Grant decisions will be announced on or after May 31.

Willow Valley Retirement Communities won three awards in the 2012 International Council on Active Aging's "Rebranding Aging" marketing competition.

It won a silver award in the brochure category and bronze awards in the direct-mail and website categories.