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Video with Millersburg scene
is in competition

A video which was filmed partially in Millersburg has been entered in a nationwide contest.

“Honor: Pass It On,’’ which depicts people thanking a U.S. serviceman returning home, was created by Brandon Hess, 22, of Mechanicsburg. Hess is the son of David and Sheri Specht Hess and the grandson of William and Janet Specht of Millersburg.

The Millersburg segment was filmed on Market Square and depicts the serviceman disembarking from a bus and being greeted by dozens of people waving U.S. flags. Several area residents are in this segment. Other segments were filmed at the railway station in Harrisburg and at a Mechanicsburg restaurant.

The video has been entered into a contest sponsored by talk-show host and author Sean Hannity. Hannity asked for videos with the theme of honoring U.S. service personnel.

The video can be rated through Friday, July 30. To view and rate the video, log on to www.hannity.com,  then scroll down to ‘‘Most Popular’’ and click onto ‘‘Videos’’ and find ‘‘Honor: Pass It On.’’ To rate the video, click on the fifth star on the bar below to submit a rating.

The four videos with the highest ratings will be available for public voting Monday through Thursday, Aug. 2 through 5. One vote per computer per day, up to five votes, will be accepted.

Several prizes will be awarded. A 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Freedom Edition is the grand prize.

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Susquehanna Valley may
face drought conditions

As of July 26, press time for this week’s Sentinel, no drought declarations have been issued in the Sentinel's coverage area of Dauphin, Northumberland and Schuylkill counties.

However, that could change ‘‘if precipitation amounts do not return to normal,’’ according to a statement issued recently by the Susquehanna River Basin Commission.

Several counties in the river basin currently are experiencing precipitation deficits, particularly Northumberland and Snyder, where deficits are about five inches below normal, according to the SRBC.

‘‘Recent rain-heavy events did provide some needed relief for stressed streams and some groundwater resources in the Susquehanna basin. The improved conditions, however, will be temporary and short-lived if precipitation amounts do not return to normal,’’ the SRBC said in its statement.

The SRBC convened a Drought Coordinating Coordinating Committee in mid-July to assess water resource conditions throughout the basin. The committee will meet again in mid-August.

The committee is assessing five parameters to determine if drought conditions are emerging. Those parameters are precipitation deficits, stream flows, groundwater levels, soil moisture and water-supply reservoir levels, according to the SRBC.

‘‘If precipitation amounts do not return to normal, water challenges could emerge as the summer progresses,’’ the SRBC said. ‘‘Impacts during drought can stress water supplies for domestic water uses, agriculture and other water dependent businesses, aquatic habitat, recreation and other activities.’’

The SRBC said residents and businesses can take several water-conservation steps to forestall drought conditions:

• Repairing leaking toilets and leaking and dripping faucets;

• Installing new shower heads and sink faucets equipped with aerators, spray taps or other water saving devices;

• Installing water saving appliances and devices such as low-consumption toilets;

• Taking short showers instead of baths;

• Using dish washers and washing machines only when filled to capacity;

• Not letting water run continuously when shaving, brushing teeth or washing dishes by hand;

• Refrigerating  tap water to avoid running the faucet waiting for the water to get cold.

• Sweeping sidewalks and driveways, not using a hose on them;

• Washing vehicles at car wash establishments that recycle water;

• Not watering established lawns (grass does not die during dry conditions, but usually goes dormant);

• And selecting flowers, plants, shrubs and trees that are more tolerant of drought conditions.