Today's News-Wednesday, August 29th

Pottsville police arrested a city man yesterday on drug charges. A warrant was issued for Richard Deiter, of John O'Hara Street. An investigation by police indicated that Deiter was in possession of several ounces of marijuana, with an estimated street value of $800 dollars. They also uncovered paraphernalia and over $7-thousand-dollars in cash. The Pottsville Housing Authority plans to begin eviction proceedings against Deiter and the woman he lives with. They also will forward the information to the Federal Office of the Inspector General for felony fraud charges. Pottsville police have a confidential tip line to report suspected drug activity. Call 622-1234, mailbox number 150.

Additional persons have been charged in connection with a fight at a Mount Carbon establishment Friday morning. State police at Schuylkill Haven now say that the owner of Goodfella's Café, Michael Glauda, and Herbert Perkins of Pottsville, will be charged with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct, according to the Republican and Herald.
As we reported last Friday, the fight broke out around 2am, when Perkins was reportedly arguing with Glauda's daughter. She called for security, and a crowd exited the bar into the parking lot, including Perkins and 34-year-old Carl Johnson of Pottsville. In documents filed in district court, Perkins began fighting with Lawrence James, biting his ear. Glauda reportedly punched Perkins in the face. At Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Johnson was arrested for creating a disturbance in the emergency room waiting area. State police from several barracks, as well as several local police departments assisted at the scene. Preliminary hearings will be held for Glauda and Perkins in October before District Judge David Plachko.

As we get closer to fall, its time to begin budget preparations at the Schuylkill County courthouse. Interim County Administrator Darlene Dolzani announced that departmental presentations for the 2008 county budget will begin on September 6th from 9am to 1pm.
The process continues on September 11th, 17th and 25th at various times throughout the day. In October, presentations will take place on October 1st and 4th. All county budget presentations will take place in the Hofmann Room at the County Courthouse.

A Minersville man is charged with numerous offenses following two incidents in the borough.
Claude Taylor and Keith King were arguing over a woman at a home on North Street in mid July, and began fighting. Both were arrested and charged with assault, harassment and disorderly conduct. This past Saturday morning, Taylor stole a purse from a woman, after asking her for a cigarette. The woman had $45 dollars in her purse at the time. Taylor now faces additional charges of theft and related offenses.

Its time to come home to northern Schuylkill County this Labor Day weekend. Upper Schuylkill, an organization uniting 6 northern Schuylkill County communities is hosting the annual gathering all weekend at various venues. Among the events are a special homecoming dinner theatre at the Mahanoy City Elks Lodge at 6pm. An exclusive performance of "Our Town, Your Home, One Heritage", featuring the heritage of Schuylkill County through song, poetry, comedy and drama. The performance is being conducted by Lift Your Spirits Performing Arts. Saturday, its breakfast and a farmers market in Ringtown, the annual ABA parade, and more activities throughout Sunday and Monday. Upper Schuylkill was formed in 2004 to promote downtown revitalization in Ashland, Frackville, Girardville, Mahanoy City, Ringtown and Shenandoah. For a complete list of activities, call Upper Schuylkill's offices at 773-1688, or log on to their website- www-dot-upperschuylkill-dot-com.

An Ashland man is in Schuylkill County Prison for several offenses following an incident early Monday in the borough. The Republican and Herald reports that Ashland police responded to a call about a man breaking into a home on Race Street. Officers found that Robert Earls was found inside the home, grabbing a man by the throat, when they arrived. Earls was charged with criminal trespass, loitering and prowling at night, simple assault and public drunkenness. After arraignment, he was taken to the County Prison, being unable to post bail.

A Freeland man is charged with retail theft after stealing merchandise from a local store. Norwegian Township police now say that Joseph Watson attempted to steal clothing from Boscov's Department Store at Fairlane Village last week. The items are valued at $166 dollars.
He faces charges of retail theft.

PennDOT will suspend work on Interstate 81 northbound in Schuylkill County so traffic moves freely over the Labor Day Holiday. The work will be suspended from early Friday, August 31st until early Tuesday morning, September 4th. Single lane conditions will return early Tuesday morning on I-81 north between the Pine Grove and Tremont Tower City exits.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - It's been two years since Hurricane Katrina made landfall and flooded 80 percent of New Orleans, killing more than 1,600 people in Louisiana and Mississippi. President Bush and Mrs. Bush are in New Orleans to mark the moment. A candlelight
vigil is scheduled at dusk.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Now that he's offered an apology to Idaho -- while still insisting he did nothing wrong -- Senator Larry Craig is waiting to see if voters are in a forgiving mood. He defended himself yesterday against a police report that alleges he tried to engage in a homosexual encounter with an undercover officer.

BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is in Karbala trying to restore
order after two days of clashes between rival Shiite militias. Meantime, Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has ordered his militia to suspend activities for six months in order to reorganize the force.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran's Foreign Ministry says the U.S. military's detention of eight Iranians in Baghdad is an act of interference in Iraq's internal affairs. The government has called a Swiss diplomat who represents American interests in Iran in order to protest the episode. The Iranians have been released.

NEW YORK (AP) - The dog belonging to the late real-estate billionaire Leona Helmsley is set for life -- and for death, too. Helmsley has left her white Maltese, Trouble, a 12-million-dollar
trust fund. When Trouble dies, the will directs that her remains be buried next to Helmsley's in the family mausoleum.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A state lawmaker says two western Pennsylvania groups vying for the state's final harness racing license have talked about combining their efforts, instead of
competing against one another for the license. Representatives of Bedford Downs of Lawrence County and Valley View Downs of Beaver County aren't commenting on the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review report.

ATLANTA (AP) - EarthLink plans to cut 900 jobs -- about half its work force -- and close offices in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and in three other states. The Atlanta-based Internet service provider says it's part of a restructuring plan beginning right now and aimed at reducing operating costs. Company president and chief executive Rolla Huff says more cuts could be announced before end of the year.

CATONSVILLE, Md. (AP) - Police in Maryland and Pennsylvania are looking for a criminal suspect who escaped early yesterday from a Maryland state mental hospital. Police have obtained a warrant charging 32-year-old Paul McGlothlin with first-degree escape. A
warrant is also on file with police in Pennsylvania charging McGlothlin with strong arm rape.

PENN HILLS, Pa. (AP) - Allegheny County police have charged an 18-year-old Penn Hills man with stabbing his 11-year-old twin brothers, killing one of them. Police are still looking for Troy
Hill and say he may be armed and dangerous because the did not find the knife they believe he used to stab the boys. The boys' grandfather found Tyrel and Tyron Hill stabbed in the home after school yesterday.

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - For the first time in 77 years, Lackawanna County may use paper ballots in the November 6th election. The problem is whether changes made to correct a glitch in a new touch-screen voting system can be certified in time. Wayne County officials also are exploring alternatives. Northampton County is putting its old mechanical voting machines back in service for the election.