Today's News-Tuesday, March 18th

Pennsylvania's chief financial watchdog was in Schuylkill County Monday, seeking votes for re-election. Auditor General Jack Wagner, is seeking another term as the taxpayer's advocate in Harrisburg. Wagner cites his accomplishments for WPPA/T102 News:

WAGNER

Wagner visited with guests yesterday at the annual St. Patrick's Day luncheon at the Pottsville Club. Prior to his election as Auditor General, he served as a Pittsburgh City Councilman and state Senator.

Four possible bidders are now in the running for the purchase of Schuylkill County's 1912 building. The deadline passed at close of business yesterday.
According to the Republican and Herald, in addition to Penn State Schuylkill's Advisory Board, North Manheim Township, Metropolitan Development Group of Wyomissing and Barry and David Jones, are also interested and have submitted bids. The property, part of the Rest Haven complex, and a parcel of more than 30 acres are included in the deal. Some of the bidders want the land only. Specific details of the bids were not announced. County officials want to study all of the offers before making them public.

A Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania State Treasurer visited Schuylkill County yesterday. Rob McCord, a Montgomery County businessman and venture capitalist, stopped by the annual St. Patrick's Day luncheon at the Pottsville Club. McCord spent a decade working on Capitol Hill for a number of Democratic Congressmen and Senators, including former Vice President Al Gore. He is a co-founder and Managing Director of Pennsylvania Early Stage Partners, and the Eastern Technology Fund. WPPA/T102 News asked McCord what his focus would be, if elected State Treasurer, to invest the state’s monies wisely:

McCORD

The state Treasurer is the custodian of the Commonwealth's money, and is responsible for investing funds in a safe and prudent manner. Incumbent Treasurer Robin Weismann is not seeking re-election.

A Barnesville man has been granted bail while he awaits trial on murder charges. County Judge D. Michael Stine decided to grant bail to Robert Hartranft, who faces third-degree murder charges, involuntary manslaughter and other counts, in the death of David Ruhl in March, 2007, at the home of Edward Sestakaukas. In February, Judge Stine dismissed charges of first-and second-degree murder. There are conditions to the unsecured, $100-thousand-dollars bail. He must live at his mother's home, immediately go back to work and other requirements. Hartranft will be free, unless he violates one of the bail requirements, until he goes to trial in June.

Orwigsburg Borough Council is holding a special meeting on Monday, March 24th to hear a proposal about selling their water and wastewater operations.
The Schuylkill County Municipal Authority is interested in purchasing the systems. Discussions about a possible sale by Orwigsburg began a few months ago, according to borough officials. SCMA has acquired several water systems surrounding Orwigsburg, and thus, talks about a possible sale were renewed.
SCMA has proposed several options, including the purchase of the water and sewerage systems and assuming the debt. The Municipal Authority would also pay $350-thousand-dollars to be used to construct a borough garage, since the current one is attached to the water treatment plant. A second option would include a debt for assets transfer, which includes about 390 acres that Orwigsburg owns in Blythe and West Brunswick Township, the former watershed. The cash payment for a garage and $1-million-dollars.
Borough residents could see a significant savings in the cost of water-related services if a deal is approved. Letters outlining the proposals are being mailed to water customers this week. Community input and attendance is encouraged at the meeting, Monday, March 24th at 7pm at the Orwigsburg Historical Society on East Mifflin Street.

A local pet store and the Ruth Steinert SPCA have teamed up to help pet owners with reduced cost shots for their animals. Sasha's Canine Bakery, Kings Village in Minersville, and the shelter, located near the Schuylkill County Airport, held their first Affordable Pet Vaccine Clinic over the weekend. The combined effort was scheduled Saturday at Sasha's from 10:30am till noon. But, the overwhelming public response extended the session until 6pm. 123 pet owners took advantage of the program, getting shots for their pets at a significantly reduced cost. The Ruth Steinert SPCA couldn't accommodate the large number of customers, which is why it was moved to the pet store in Minersville. All shots are administered by state licensed veterinarians. Another pet vaccine clinic will be held on Saturday, April 12th at Sasha's Canine Bakery. The clinic accepts only cash payments for shots.

A Pottsville man is facing charges following a crash in North Manheim Township Saturday. Schuylkill Haven state police report that 26-year-old Adam Newswanger was traveling on Tumbling Run Road when he lost control of his Pontiac Sunbird. The car spun across the road and down an embankment. Newswanger showed signs of intoxication, according to police. He was taken to Pottsville Hospital for a blood test. Charges are pending the results of those tests.

A Minersville woman was arrested on an outstanding warrant. Cass Foster Township police were looking for Leslie McMinn on a warrant from 2007 for violating of the controlled substance act. She was arraigned and lodged in the Schuylkill County Prison, in lieu of $75-hundred dollars bail.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Morning commuters are encountering detours and big traffic tieups because of a shutdown of Interstate 95 in North Philadelphia. Crews are making emergency repairs to a 4-foot-long crack several inches wide in a concrete support pillar. The work is likely to last through Tuesday and Wednesday - and PennDOT says maybe even longer.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The state House of Representatives plans to resume debate today on whether there should be a law requiring people to report lost or stolen handguns to police. When police come across a handgun in a criminal investigation, a first-time owner could be charged with a summary offense. A second offense would be a misdemeanor and a third offense a felony.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Barack Obama plans to give a major speech on race and politics this morning in Philadelphia. Hillary Clinton is to appear at Philadelphia City Hall in the afternoon, then campaign in Millersville. Former President Bill Clinton is scheduled to tour Pennsylvania on Wednesday, visiting Bethlehem, Allentown, Wilkes-Barre and Stroudsburg.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A federal jury in Pittsburgh this morning will start deliberating the trial of pathologist Cyril Wecht. The government says the former Allegheny County coroner used county employees, resources and equipment to save his private pathology practice money. Wecht's attorney says prosecutors are trying to bulldoze the jury into convicting him with an avalanche of documents.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A bill to provide health insurance to about 270,000 uninsured Pennsylvanians has passed the state House of Representatives and been sent to the Senate. The vote Monday was 118 to 81, with Democrats providing most of the support. The bill would cover legal residents ages 19 to 64 who meet income guidelines and have gone six months without insurance.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Fed is set to offer more relief for the sagging economy. Analysts expect the central bank to cut interest rates by at least a half point today but somke say it could be more.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - States are taking a hard look at cutting back on government health insurance and benefits amid the economic slowdown. An Associated Press review of all 50 state budgets shows hundreds of thousands of poor children, disabled and the elderly could lose coverage.

SUPREME COURT (AP) - The Supreme Court will hear arguments today
on Washington, D.C.'s 32-year-old handgun ban. The Second Amendment
"right to keep and bear arms" is at the center of the case.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Barack Obama will give a major speech on "race, politics, and unifying our country" in Philadelphia today. The Illinois senator is expected to call for Democrats to tone down rhetoric on race.

BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AP) - Vice President Dick Cheney is set to meet with Iraqi leaders before ending his visit to the war torn country. Cheney spent the night at Balad Air Base before having breakfast with troops this morning.