The following was previously reported in the Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era:

Speedwell Forge, the 106-acre lake, which was popular with fishing, boating and nature enthusiasts until it was drained in October, has apparently refilled itself by clogging the weakened dam on Hammer Creek with debris, according to a nearby resident.

But that’s not a good thing, Lakeview Drive resident Larry Long warned. There is less water flowing out than is coming in; if we get more rain this week and the water continues to rise, he said on Monday, the dam could break, flooding about 80 homes downstream.

Hammer Creek feeds into the man-made lake from the north and flows southeast from the spillway in Elizabeth Township.

The lake was drained in October after officials with the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission discovered cracks and fissures in the dam caused by recent storm activity, including Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

Though nature played it’s role in refilling the lake this week, plans are already in motion to drain it again — and to keep water levels low until the dam can be rebuilt.

By: GARY P. KLINGER Record Express Correspondent, Staff Writer

Lititz Borough residents moved a step closer to seeing a tax increase for the 2012 fiscal budget as borough council proposed a .5 mill boost. This is the first such increase since the 2007 budget, and council members pointed out that local residents will still enjoy what may be the lowest real estate tax rate among county boroughs.

Budget chairman Shane Weaver proposed the rate increase with a certain degree of hope that another such increase might be staved off for at least a year or two. He did, however, concede that a number of challenges may make that a difficult challenge to meet with the ongoing economic situation and changes in the way Earned Income Taxes are assessed and collected.

With a .5 mill increase, real estate owners within the borough would now be assessed at 2.1 mills. That would amount to an additional $50 in taxes per $100,000 of assessed real estate value.

According to borough manager Sue Barry, the average house in the borough is assessed at $138,000.

Weaver explained to council that his committee considered proposing a lower tax rate but felt it would not be the fiscally responsible thing to do.

Inside P.J. Roebuck is in the news this week. Page A9. What’s on the minds of Warwick students these days? Page A17. A local movie premieres at Penn Cinema this Friday. Page A19. High school basketball previews are in this week’s sports section. Page B1.

The community of Lititz first gathered to ring in the season in Lititz Springs Park in 1994, beginning what has become a welcome holiday tradition.

This Friday evening at 6:30 p.m., Christmas in the Park will commence with a prayer and the lighting of the community Christmas tree.

A 12-foot live Douglas Fir from the George K. Biemesderfer and Son Landscaping nursery was recently planted to serve as the permanent Lititz Springs Park Christmas Tree. The tree and planting were donated by George K. and Joyce G. Biemesderfer.

The tree lighting will be followed by a performance by the Warwick High School Concert Choir and Production Companies.

The centerpiece of the evening is the illumination of the park by candles. Each attendee receives a candle upon arriving, and by the end of the event, the park will twinkle with lit candles and luminaries.

The event wraps up as everyone is invited to sing carols along with the Concert Choir and Lititz Moravian Trombone Choir.

Those attending are encouraged to bring non-perishable edibles for a food drive for the Warwick/Lititz Community Chest. Local Boy Scouts will also be collecting for Toys for Tots. Coffee and hot chocolate will be sold, with proceeds benefiting the Warwick school sports program.

By: KELLY WITHUM Special to the Record, Staff Writer

Five years ago, before there was Venture Lititz, the sidewalks of our downtown rolled up every evening at five o’clock. Many of the traditional businesses had departed and, despite the best efforts of private groups trying to preserve the area, things were beginning to get a bit frayed.

We didn’t have to look very far to see our future. Neighboring communities sported empty storefronts and barren streetscapes. So Lititz Borough and Warwick Township, through the participation of many of their citizens, created a groundbreaking joint strategic plan that both recognized the critical importance of the downtown and created a mechanism to combat its decline: Venture Lititz,

This non-profit revitalization organization was given a five-year life supported by a combination of state and community funding. Instead of making more plans and forming more committees, Venture Lititz got to work, quietly and efficiently combining outside expertise and volunteer creativity with its stream of grants and local donations to create an impressive list of positive accomplishments.

Today’s Downtown Lititz has new life, new verve and a new and enthusiastic direction. But, equally important, this transformation has been managed without sacrificing our Downtown’s historic look and charm, nor its critical role as the true heart of our community.

Mildred B. Weaver, 92, of Manheim, died peacefully and went home to be with her Lord and Savior Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011 at the Pleasant View Retirement Community, Manheim.

Born in Rapho Township, she was the daughter of the late Aaron and Lillie Bender Hess. A homemaker, she was the loving wife of the late Melvin M. Weaver, who died in February of 1989.

She was a member of Erb Mennonite Church, Lititz and was active with the women’s sewing circle in her early years. Mildred volunteered for the Mount Joy Gift and Thrift Shop and at the Pleasant View Retirement Community Gift Shop. Her interests included: quilting, ceramics, baking her famous home-made donuts and visiting the family cabin in the mountains. Mildred had a life-long passion for her family and she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Surviving are four sons: Kenneth, husband of Judy Stauffer Weaver, of Lititz; Marlin, husband of Marilyn Kreider Weaver, of Chardon, Ohio; Harold, husband of Janice Frey Weaver, of Astoria, Ore.; and Clifford, husband of Diane Haldeman Weaver, of Manheim; 11 grandchildren: Troy, Todd, Twain, Michelle, Matthew, Ryan, Craig, Chad, Alissa, Angela and Brent; 20 great-grandchildren; two brothers: Charles Hess, of Lititz; and Paul Hess, of Morgantown; and a sister: Emma Good, of Terre Hill.

Ingrid M. Travis, 92, of Manheim, and formerly of Hartford and Avon, Conn., died peacefully Friday, Nov. 25, 2011 at the Pleasant View Retirement Community, Manheim.

Born in Hartford, Conn., she was the daughter of the late Adolph and Anna Jansson Monson.

In her early years Ingrid worked in the office for Travelers Insurance in Hartford. She was the loving wife of William S. Travis, who died in 1978.

Ingrid was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Hartford, Conn., and served as a deacon and elder; she was also an affiliate member of Wayside Presbyterian Church in Landisville. Ingrid was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Connecticut. Her interests included: playing bridge, table tennis, flower arranging and gardening. She was a member of the Hartford Gardening Club and was the recipient of many gardening and flower awards. Ingrid was the co-founder of the Silver Foxes, a senior citizen dance troupe from Pleasant View Retirement Community that was known locally and performed and raised money for Alzheimer’s research and support. Ingrid and her family throughout their life loved to summer at Point O’ Woods Beach in South Lyme, Conn., and had many fond memories of that special part of the world.

Francis E. Roberts Sr., 83, of Lititz, husband of Evelyn S. Roberts, passed away Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011 at Lancaster Regional Medical Center on their 62nd wedding anniversary.

Born in Charlestown, N.H., he was the son of the late Harry S. and Jeanette B. (Craig) Roberts.

He worked in the management department for the former Hubbard Farms for over 22 years. He was a member of the International Society of Poets and thoroughly enjoyed writing poetry, composing music and also previously wrote a book. He also enjoyed building things and spending time with his family. He was an active member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children: Francis E., husband of Judy Roberts Jr., of Milton, Fla.; Ruth J., wife of Ron Smith, of Mt. Joy; and Kathleen A. Roberts, companion of Archie Shelley, of Lititz; a brother: Daniel H. Roberts, of Arizona; 10 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Dec. 3 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 301 St. Thomas Road, Lancaster, PA 17601, with Rev. Jonathan E. Currier officiating. Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family.

Reba W. Reppert, 85, of Manheim, died peacefully at home surrounded by her family following a brief illness Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011.

Born in Penn Township, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Stella Hilton Witman. She was the loving wife of Harry James "Jim" Reppert and they observed their 65th wedding anniversary in February of this year.

Reba was employed by the former Raymark Industries Manheim in her early years. Reba was an active and faithful member of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Manheim, and was involved in many activities and groups within the church. Her life’s passion was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and she devoted much of her life to participating in all of their activities.

Surviving in addition to her husband are three daughters: Donna L. Rhodes, of Manheim; Gail E., wife of James Phillips, of Pottstown; Teresa A. "Terri," wife of Dennis E. Enck, of Manheim; a son: Scot J., husband of Susan Merkey Reppert, of Manheim; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two sisters: Gladys, wife of Leslie Johnstone, of Virginia Beach, Va.; Lenore "Peggy" Ellison, of Leonardtown, Md.; and a brother: Clarence "Whitey," husband of Paula Witman, of Manheim.

Domenico Predoti, 89, of Landis Homes, Lititz, and formerly of Vero Beach, Fla., passed away Friday, Nov. 25, 2011 at Hospice of Lancaster, Mount Joy.

He was born in Cittanova, Reggio Calabria, Italy, to the late Giuseppi and Concetta (Muraturi) Predoti.

Domenico is survived by his wife: Palma (Fondacaro) Predoti, of Landis Homes. They would have celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary on Dec. 18.

He immigrated to America in 1948 after serving with the Italian Army as a cook for the King in World War II. Domenico was a member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church. He retired from the maintenance department at Dodger Pines Country Club in Vero Beach, Fla. His career started off in the embroidery industry then as a custodian in the Teaneck school system in New Jersey. He formerly resided in Hudson and Bergen Counties in New Jersey, Vero Beach, Fla., and moved to Landis Homes four years ago. He enjoyed playing bocce ball, guitar, bagpipes, harmonica and cooking Italian meals.

Surviving in addition to his wife are two sons: Joseph, husband of Anna Predoti, of Lititz; John, husband of Josie Predoti, of Vero Beach, Flad.; a daughter: Connie, wife of James Andrews, of Sarasota, Fla.; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.