Today's News- Friday, May 9th

Today, WPPA marks its 62nd anniversary of providing quality programming to Schuylkill County. On May 9th, 1946, A.V. Tidmore brought radio to Pottsville, and we are proud of our accomplishments in serving the listening public. To the entire Tidmore family, Happy Anniversary, WPPA.

Three people escaped injury in a crash Thursday morning in northern Schuylkill County. 65 year old Salvatore Maddafari of Shenandoah and his passenger, Antonette, were stopped at the intersection of Route 54 and Main Street in Mahanoy Township. 45-year-old Jose Gallegos was traveling west on Route 54, when Maddafari pulled out in front of him. Gallegos hit Maddafari's car. Emergency personnel on scene checked the motorists for injuries, but none were found. All were wearing seatbelts. The crash happened before 10am Thursday.

An investigation into a March, 2008 theft results in the arrest of two men. Schuylkill Haven state police were called to the Hegins Trap Club, where someone broke into the club and took money. Investigators were able to locate the thieves, based on a similar incident in Hegins Township. They have charged a 17 year old male and 19-year-old Cory Rudisill of Elizabethville. Rudisill was arraigned on burglary and related charges yesterday. He was returned to Schuylkill County Prison, where he was already lodged on other charges.

A fire yesterday in Coaldale has been ruled arson. The blaze, at 227 West Ruddle Street, broke out last evening. State police fire marshal John Burns indicates that the fire was intentionally set. Multiple starting points were found during the investigation. No injuries were reported in the blaze. Damages are estimated at $50-thousand-dollars. Burns was assisted by Coaldale police and fire officials. The investigation continues as to who may have set the blaze. The 17 year old was charged through the juvenile justice system. He awaits a hearing.

The 15th annual Relay for Life gets underway this afternoon in Pottsville. The 24-hour event brings people of all ages together to walk for those who have lost battles to cancer, and for those who have beat it. It starts at 3pm. More than 50 teams have already signed up. Remembrances in the form of candle luminarias can be purchased to light the track at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The moving ceremony will take place at 10pm. Relay committee member Ed Keyworth fills us in:

KEYWORTH

Veterans Stadium is transformed into a tent city for the 24 hours. People are encouraged to come by and support the Relay, benefiting the American Cancer Society. For more information, contact the American Cancer Society at 622-4400.

A Shenandoah man is facing drug charges. Wednesday, borough police arrested Brandan Rosado, following an investigation into sales of cocaine to a confidential informant during March. He was arraigned on drug delivery and possession charges, and related counts. Rosado was taken to Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post the $25-thousand-dollars cash bail.

The Sovereign Majestic Awards were handed out last night, celebrating the stage productions of area high schools. The third annual event was held at Pottsville High School. School musical and theatrical productions were judged by a panel, who traveled the county to see the best of the best. Twenty five honors were handed out. Taking top honors of outstanding production was North Schuylkill high school, for the musical "Crazy For You". Nativity BVM garnered Outstanding Production Number, from "State Fair". Lead actor honors went to Ryan Merwine of North Schuylkill. Leading actress was Samantha Wood from Pottsville High. Other Sovereign Majestic Awards went to schools in categories for vocalists, hair and make up, costume and lighting and other musical honors.

A Llewellyn man is spearheading an effort to help surviving World War Two veterans to travel to Washington to visit their memorial to fallen comrades with a benefit concert tonight. George Acaley and the Southern Schuylkill Rotary Club are bringing the world-renowned Glenn Miller Orchestra to Schuylkill Haven High School at 7pm this evening. There are fewer and fewer World War Two veterans living today in the region, and many have not seen the memorial in Washington. The proceeds from the concert will help to defray the costs of taking those veterans to see the memorial. For ticket information, contact Acaley at 544-5264.

The County District Attorney asked the Commissioners Wednesday to approve a supplemental budget appropriation for funding it received under the COPS Methamphetamine Initiative. District Attorney James Goodman said his office received just over $269-Thousand-300-Dollars as its share of an almost $450-Thousand Dollar grant received by the city of Pottsville. Goodman said the funding will pay newly hired Assistant District Attorney Michael Stine's salary and benefits for three years. The remainder of the money will go for drug task force equipment and to pay overtime for municipal Police Officers in the task force. In other business, the commissioners approved the hiring of Joan Copeland of Schuylkill Haven as Director of Staff Development at Rest Haven. The salary board set her salary at $50,325.00 per year. The Salary board also agreed to create the position of Probation aide and reclassify a secretary position to that of probation aide. Ann Marie Zeth of Minersville was named to the position. The salary board also created the position of Drug and Alcohol Assistant Administrator and set the salary for the position at $34-Thousand-269-Dollars.

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - Hillary Rodham Clinton has gained the endorsement of one of Pennsylvania's handful of remaining uncommitted Democratic superdelegates. U.S. Rep. Chris Carney noted early today that Democrats in his northeastern Pennsylvania district supported Clinton by a more than 2-1 margin in the April 22 primary. Carney says, "I will respect their decision."

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Some Philadelphia politicians say Saturday's murder of a policeman is evidence that the type of weapon used should be banned. Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski was shot at least five times with a Chinese SKS rifle while responding to a bank robbery. Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter calls the gun "a high-powered rifle that no one should have their hands on."

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Rev. Al Sharpton is calling a videotaped police beating this week of three shooting suspects in Philadelphia "worse than Rodney King." Sharpton's reference to the notorious 1991 Los Angeles police beating of a black man irks Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey. Ramsey does not believe Monday's confrontation was racially motivated.

WAYNESBURG, Pa. (AP) - A Greene County jury has convicted a farmhand of raping and killing a 12-year-old girl. The jury found 51-year-old Jeffrey Martin, of New Geneva, guilty Thursday morning of killing Gabrielle Bechen on June 13, 2006. Now the jurors must decide whether he should be sentenced to death or to spend life in prison without parole.

WRIGHTSVILLE, Pa. (AP) - The borough of Wrightsville is considering disbanding its police force. The York County borough started its police department two years ago, but it's costing more than expected. Also, it isn't patrolling 24 hours a day, seven days a week as had been planned. Borough Council Vice President Larry Kirkessner says the police force "is not anywhere close to the promises."

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) - Myanmar's military government is thanking the international community for it's cyclone relief assistance. But it's refusing to let foreign workers in to deliver it. One plane carrying relief aid was turned away because it had a search-and-rescue team and reporters on board.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - Hillary Clinton is taking her pitch for the Democratic White House bid to superdelegates in spite of pundits who say she can no longer beat Barack Obama for the nomination. Clinton argues she has "a much broader base" for a coalition to beat Republican John McCain.

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - A Democratic plan to put thousands of struggling homeowners into cheaper, government-backed mortgages is being derided as a bail-out by Republicans. The plan cleared the House yesterday. President Bush is threatening a veto if it makes it past the Senate.

BAGHDAD (AP) - The U.S. military is debunking Iraqi claims that the leader of al-Qaida-in-Iraq has been captured. A military spokeswoman says the man the Iraqis captured has a "similar name" to Abu Ayyub al-Masri, but is not the terrorist leader.

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - It's a big win for a Louisiana construction company owner who lost two homes in Hurricane Katrina. Carl Hunter has claimed a 97-million-dollar Powerball jackpot. The 73-year-old businessman picked up the winning ticket while buying a gallon of milk for his wife at a suburban New Orleans gas station.