Today's News-Saturday, February 23rd

CRESSONA - Officials from PennDot met with representatives from Cressona, Schuylkill Haven, North Manheim Township among other area Legislators to discuss the on going concerns with the Cressona Bridge yesterday. According to information provided to WPPA News from Penn Dot the following remedies were discussed for the plagued bridge that catches tractor trailers on a regular basis.

1. PennDOT will be designing an overhead warning device that trucks will "hit" before they get to the bridge, sometimes known as a "headache bar." This would not cause damage to the truck, but would surely be enough to get the operator's attention. Penn Dot is unsure at this time how long it will take to design and the construct.

2. Penn Dot will also be looking into revamp the signs to direct trucks where to go (over Wilder Street and Beckville Road). The current signs only have restriction verbiage, i.e. "No Trucks Over X Height."

3. Stricter truck restrictions that may limit the size (width, length) of trucks (i.e. 102" wide, or a general 40' in length restriction). Also may be put into place. However, municipal officials will need to agree on the size(s) of the restrictions.

4. Penn Dot would be willing to work with local officials to contact large employers and business parks to have them alert their drivers and their contracted delivery services to let them know what routes they may take (not the 183 Bridge).

5. Penn Dot is taking all comments into consideration and plan to have answers in two weeks with our proposed changes.

PORT CARBON - Port Carbon police picked up a Mahanoy City man on outstanding warrants Thursday morning. Nineteen year old John Liptok was arrested when he came to the Port Carbon police station to make a complaint regarding an unauthorized use of an automobile. A subsequent computer check revealed that he was wanted in both Schuylkill and Dauphin counties. Liptok was lodged in Schuylkill County Prison, awaiting further court action.

RINGTOWN - The Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement's district office in Allentown released reports of numerous businesses with violations, including one in Schuylkill County. According to the Republican and Herald, Happy Louies Inc., 371 Brandonville Road, Ringtown, operated the establishment without a valid health permit or license from March 1 until Sept. 6, 2007, according to the report. These charges will be brought before an administrative law judge, officials said. The judge has the authority to impose penalties ranging from $50 to $1,000 for minor offenses and up to $5,000 for more serious offenses. In addition, the judge can also impose a license suspension or revocation of the license based on the severity of the charge brought and can also mandate training for the license in an effort to educate them on the requirements of being a licensee.

TURKEY RUN - Shenandoah firefighters battled a blaze that destroyed an unoccupied building on Old Turkey Run Road about 2 a.m. Friday. According to the Republican and Herald, Borough fire Chief Richard P. Mensick said firefighters were called about 2 a.m. to an area now known as the 600 block of South Main Street for a structure fire. It was there that Mensick said fire was discovered in a structure where someone had stored wooden pallets. The chief said there was no building at the site, only the foundation of a structure with pallets inside on fire. Since there was no building or utilities, Mensick said the fire was "definitely suspicious." The chief said no one was injured and firefighters had the blaze under control in about 30 minutes but remained on the scene until about 4 a.m. to make sure the fire was out. Shenandoah EMS assisted at the scene, Mensick said.

HAGATNA, Guam (AP) - Two Air Force pilots are safe after their B-2 stealth bomber crashed today shortly after taking from the U.S. Air Force Base on Guam. Service officials say the plane was on its last flight out of the island after a four-month deployment there. It's the first time a B-2 has crashed.

BAGHDAD (AP) - The U.S. military confirms the heavily protected Green Zone in Baghdad has been hit in a rocket or mortar attack. There is still no word on damage or injuries but nearly ten rounds apparently landed in the area. It's the fourth time this week that U.S. installations have been targeted by rocket or mortar fire.

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) - Serbia's top state prosecutor says authorities are hunting for those who took part in Thursday's attacks on the U.S. and other embassies in Belgrade. Serbian police say they've arrested nearly 200 rioters from the incident, which has been strongly condemned the U.S.

UNDATED (AP) - Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are splitting their time between Texas and Ohio this weekend in a scramble for support ahead of the two states' March 4th primaries. Last night, Clinton rallied in the Buckeye State, while Obama spoke to a crowd in Austin.

WEST POINT, N.Y. (AP) - Will Smith isn't up for an Academy Award this year, but he can claim he got one anyway. He's being honored by cadets at the U.S. Military Academy. He's getting West Point's first-ever, Cadet Choice Movie Award for his role in "I Am Legend." The Military Academy award goes to the best personification of West Point leadership qualities on the silver screen.