Today's News-Friday, December 14th

A landmark Pottsville jewelry store was robbed Thursday night. Three people reportedly robbed Murphy Jewelers on Market Street just before 7:30pm. The Republican and Herald reports that the bandits got away with an undetermined amount of merchandise. The store was scheduled to be open until 8pm. Owner Pat Murphy was hit on the head with a pistol during the heist. No one else was injured. Reports indicate that several people passing by reported suspicious activity near the store around the time of the robbery. Pottsville and state police are investigating and looking for the trio of thieves.

A Cressona family who lost two family members in a horrific fire in July is rebuilding, with the generosity of a local congregation and the public. Faith Worship Center of Orwigsburg is sponsoring a New Home Shower for Jim and Noah Shaak. The father and son are rebuilding their home and lives after the tragic fire deaths of Lisa and Joab Shaak. Their home was destroyed by the fire, and a modular home is being constructed at the site in Cressona. The family expects to be in the home for Christmas, but they need household goods and financial help. The church has established registries at Boscov’s and Wal Mart department stores, and people can buy items, either in person, or online, to help out. There are a variety of items at different price levels available for purchase. Cash donations are also welcomed. For information about the program, contact Faith Worship Center at 366-5131.

The Schuylkill County Commissioners Wednesday approved two contracts and authorized a rate agreement with the Pottsville Parking Authority. Avenues of Pottsville, formerly United Cerebral Palsy, was awarded a one year Courthouse Complex cleaning contract on a low bid of $91,872 and Petco Inc. of Scranton was approved to provide Dietary Equipment at Rest Haven with a contract cap of $32,000. The Pottsville Parking Authority agreement calls for providing 90 parking spaces in the Capitol Parking lot at $27.50 per month and 10 parking spaces along Laurel Blvd. at $17.50 per month. The total cost is $31,800 for the period January 1st through December 31st 2008. The cost is the same as the county is now paying for the parking spots.
The Commissioners also approved three retirements and five appointments. The retirements include, Kathy Lesher of Pottsville from Domestic Relations, Jeanne Androshick of St. Clair from Central Services, and Dan Dereskiewicz of Shenandoah from Maintenance at the Prison. Kent Watkins of St. Clair was appointed Assistant Public Defender, Star Wishkin, Cumbola, Lynn McNamara, Pottsville and Erin Loftus of Seltzer were appointed Part-time Nurses aides at Rest Haven. Shelly Abell of Pottsville was appointed part-time LPN at Rest Haven. Rest Haven also had three resignations that required no action by the Commissioners.

A Jim Thorpe man is in jail after leading police on a high speed chase through parts of Carbon and Schuylkill counties early Thursday. Police report that Michael Guth, Lehigh Street, told a clerk at a Jim Thorpe convenience store that he was going to commit suicide. He also called Carbon County 9-1-1 to report same, then took off from the store on Route 209, with police in pursuit. At one point, the chase exceeded 100 miles per hour. The chase continued into Schuylkill County, on Routes 54 and 309. Police stopped Guth in McAdoo. A chase on foot ensued, and the suspect began to fight off officers. One Jim Thorpe police officer injured his knee. Guth was taken to Gnadden Huetten Hospital for a blood alcohol test. He faces other charges as a result of the pursuit by police from three counties and state police from Hazleton.
After arraignment, Guth was taken to Carbon County Jail.

Pennsylvania transportation agencies seeking approval to collect tolls on Interstate 80 will have to answer some tough questions from federal officials. The Federal Highway Administration has asked for a range of information -- from a simple request for a three-month-old state
report to answers to questions that go to the heart of why the plan should receive approval.
The tolls are vehemently opposed by many public officials in northern Pennsylvania, and opponents promptly called the questions a sign that Pennsylvania's plan is doomed.
However, the federal agency says it is normal to seek such information from the state.
A hearing about the project is being held in Pottsville this morning, at the Sovereign Majestic Theatre.

Now that former Senator George Mitchell has released the findings of his investigation into the use of steroids in major league baseball, legislators in Harrisburg want to take a closer look at their use by teenagers. Legislation has been introduced by Berks County Democratic Representative Dante Santoni, to establish a task force to investigate steroid use by teenage athletes in the state:

SANTONI

The proposed group would include experts in health, education and athletics. They would study the problem, make recommendations and develop an education program for use in schools.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, steroid use among teen athletes has more than doubled over the last decade, with an alarming increase among teenage girls.

A Kulpmont woman suffered minor injuries in a crash in Lebanon County yesterday. State police report that Elizabeth Mikosh was driving her SUV on Interstate 81 in Bethel Township when she lost control while attempting to slow down for traffic. Her vehicle slid into an embankment and rolled over. Her vehicle had to be towed from the scene.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Minor flooding is occurring along the Monongahela River in the greater Pittsburgh area. The National Weather Service says the river will crest about a foot above flood
stage at Point State Park in Pittsburgh about noon. No evacuations are reported, though minor basement and road flooding is being reported. Several roads had to be closed Thursday night.

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Pediatricians are rushing to stock up on a crucial baby vaccine, a day after Merck said it was recalling over one million doses and suspending production indefinitely. Parents are calling doctors' offices to ask whether their children are safe if they recently got the Hib vaccine. Parents are being told there's virtually no effect except swelling and redness around the injection.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphia City Council is dropping its proposal to allow nonunion work on the $700 million Pennsylvania Convention Center expansion. Instead, council members propose to require trade unions to submit a long-term diversity plan to be approved by the council before they can sign agreements to work on the project.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The former chief executive of the bankrupt Le-Nature's drink company is fighting for his right to remain silent in federal bankruptcy court in Pittsburgh. Greg Podlucky is under federal investigation for alleged accounting fraud at the Latrobe company. But he's also being sued by a New Jersey insurance company that says he lied to get a $7.5 million business liability policy.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - State College police say they are searching for a murder suspect who escaped out a hotel window. Antonio Lorenzio Winkleman is wanted for allegedly shooting and killing a 51-year-old man in Cambria County on Sunday. Police say they located Winkleman at the Super 8 Motel, but he fled when police arrived at his room.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Americans have been paying a lot more for gasoline, clothing, prescription drugs and other items -- leading to the biggest jump in consumer prices in more than two years. They rose by eight-tenths of one percent in November, the biggest
increase since a 1.2 percent surge in September of 2005.

UNDATED (AP) - About a half million homes are still without power in Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri today. Mother Nature isn't expected to help out utility workers trying to get things back up and running following a three-day storm earlier this week. Heavy snow is forecast for parts of Oklahoma.

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - A budget deal could be on the horizon in Congress. Congressional negotiators are slashing funds from hundreds of federal programs to meet President Bush's strict domestic spending limits. The White House says it's "encouraged" by the talks.

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - After releasing a scathing report on steroids in baseball to the public, former Senator George Mitchell will head to Congress next week. Mitchell will testify alongside
baseball commissioner Bud Selig and the player's union chief before a House panel next week.

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - New Jersey is poised to become the first state in four decades to abolish the death penalty. State lawmakers have voted to end capital punishment sentences in the state. Governor Jon Corzine is expected to sign the bill within a week.