Local News-Friday, April 6th

The state Education Department says more than 40 percent of Pennsylvania's school districts will have the option to increase property taxes this year above the inflation rate without seeking voters' approval. Department spokeswoman Sheila Ballen says the agency granted exceptions to the referendum requirement to 210 of the state's 501 school districts. The 2006 law also will cut property taxes for homeowners. The law requires districts to keep their property-tax increases within an inflationary index that varies from district to district, starting with the 2007-2008 budgets that are now being finalized. School boards that propose larger increases are required to place the proposal on the May 15th primary ballot -- unless they can convince state officials or a county judge that the increase is justified by factors such as the costs of special education, health insurance or rapid enrollment growth. In Schuylkill County, 7 of the 12 public schools qualify for exceptions under Act I.

A man on death row for killing a Schuylkill Haven area man is continuing his fight for his life. Ronald Champney, who was sentenced to death for killing Roy Bensinger in 1992, has been in Schuylkill County Court for the past few weeks, seeking to have his conviction overturned. According to the Pottsville Republican and Herald, the latest twist in the case being heard by President Judge William Baldwin is that former county District Attorney Frank Cori will testify Monday. Cori represented David Blickley, whose testimony was key to Champney’s conviction in 1999. Cori represented Champney in other matters while in private practice. Ronald Champney was paid by Bensinger’s wife, Beth, to shoot him at close range at their North Manheim Township home.

State police are looking for a man who took money from a Hamburg man’s bank account Tuesday. Troopers at Schuylkill Haven say that a short black man came into the Leesport Bank on Route 61 and provided specific information about James Waits’ bank account. He withdrew over $16-hundred dollars from the account and left. The suspect is a very dark skinned, black male, approximately 5 feet, 6 inches tall, 180 to 200 pounds and in his early-to-mid twenties. Contact Schuylkill Haven State Police at 593-2000 if you have information about the case.

State police investigated a 3-vehicle-crash near Palo Alto yesterday. Schuylkill Haven troopers say that Paul Harding and Christy Lawrence, East Troy, Wisconsin, were southbound on Route 61 when their pickup truck was rear-ended by a car operated by Michael Warnstorff of Pottsville. He failed to stop for traffic in front on him. The impact pushed Harding’s truck into the back of Thomas Dempsey’s SUV. Harding and Lawrence were taken to Pottsville Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Other passengers in Dempsey’s car were not hurt. State police will cite Warnstorff in the chain reaction crash.

Today is Good Friday, one of the most solemn and holy days of the church year. On this day, Jesus Christ was put to death on a cross for sinners. He was resurrected on Easter Sunday. Churches across the region will mark the day with services and vigils throughout the afternoon and evening, and sunrise services on Sunday morning. Jewish faithful are celebrating Passover this week, an observance of their freedom from Pharoah some three-thousand years ago.
WPPA/T102 News hopes you have a safe, healthy and Blessed Easter weekend.