Pa. governor's spokesman dies

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Ronald H. Jury, the communications director for Gov. Ed Rendell, died of cancer at his Harrisburg home Sunday. He was 56.

A former journalist, Jury had overseen communications planning in the executive branch since his appointment in July 2005, according to a statement Monday by Rendell announcing Jury’s death.

Jury was also active at his alma mater, Lock Haven University, serving in several capacities over the years. The Jury Fountain of Excellence, which he donated in October 2003, is near the school library.

Jury, who grew up in Bigler, gained his first newspaper experience as a student reporter for The Progress in nearby Clearfield and later wrote for The Express in Lock Haven. Jury also was a reporter at The Patriot-News in Harrisburg and an editor at The Record-Courier in Kent, Ohio.