Today's News - Monday, June 23, 2008

BREAKING NEWS AT 1030AM MONDAY

An Ashland man is under arrest for holding up a borough convenience store Sunday night.
Officers from Ashland PD were called to Turkey Hill, 1638 Centre Street around midnight, and found that 24-year-old Bryan Uroskie had entered the store, brandishing a knife and wearing sunglasses and a bandana, demanding money. The clerk handed Uroskie money from the register, and he fled on foot. Surveillance footage and other leads led them to Uroskie. Items tying him to the robbery, and the cash were found at his home. Uroskie was charged with three counts of robbery, theft, receiving stolen property and other counts by Ashland police. He was arraigned via video conference and sent to county prison in lieu of $25-thousand-dollars bail.



More than a year ago, worshippers at the Islamic Society of Schuylkill County suffered a fire at their house of worship in Mechanicsville. After a year of hard work and significant expense, they welcomed the public to an open house Sunday. Members of the congregation and well wishers from all over the county came to the event to unveil an expanded prayer house on East Norwegian Street. Fire heavily damaged the property in April, 2007. Worship leader Dr. Maqsood Malik talks about the road back:
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The renovations cost several hundred thousand dollars, funds which came from insurance monies, donations from the more than 100 members of the society and the support of the community. Dr. Malik explains some of the renovations:
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More than 100 people attended the open house.


Frackville state police are investigating a theft at a Mahanoy Township gym. An unnamed suspect took $16-hundred-dollars in cash and a bottle of prescription medications from Bad Dog Fitness on Route 924. Troopers are asking for the public's help in their investigation. Anyone with information may call the Frackville barracks at 874-5300.


State police are investigating a case of vandalism at a home in Girardville Saturday. Someone entered the home of Sarah Hennessy on Pine Street during the afternoon or evening hours and spray painted the walls of the home, then fled. Frackville state troopers are looking for the vandals.


A New Philadelphia woman suffered moderate injuries in a DUI related crash in East Norwegian Township early Sunday. 21-year-old Malorie Paltanavage was driving south on Route 209 and fell asleep at the wheel. Her Volkswagen Golf hit a utility pole, then rolled on the driver's side and ended up on its roof. Paltanavage left the scene. Schuylkill Haven state police found her at the Pottsville Hospital, and suspected she was driving under the influence of alcohol. She underwent blood tests. The crash happened at 1:45am yesterday.


Troopers from the Schuylkill Haven barracks of the PA State Police are looking for two individuals who broke into the Hegins Community Pool yesterday. Just before 1am, 2 people wearing hooded sweatshirts jumped the fence at the pool and broke into the concession stand. They took an undetermined amount of cash, then fled towards the Hegins Community Park. Anyone with information should call state police at 593-2000.


The Schuylkill Haven community came together yesterday to honor the memory of a beloved doctor and his wife. Dr. Hermann Zwerling, and his wife, Mary, through the Zwerling Trust, made a sizeable contribution to the Haven school district. Sunday, the auditorium was rededicated in their memory. Zwerling practiced medicine in Schuylkill Haven for nearly 5 decades. A crowd of more than 200 people attended the celebration, complete with music from the Schuylkill Haven Elementary's Little Hurricanes, and Metropolitan Opera Tenor Dr. Paul Pitts. A wonderful time was had by all in attendance. The concert was sponsored by Sovereign Bank. Wealth Management Division official Sharlene Hoffman said that the contribution from the Zwerling Trust will keep the memory of the couple alive:
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Zwerling came to Schuylkill County in 1947.

TOBYHANNA, Pa. (AP) - A state official says he wants to get lifeguards back on duty at state park beaches in Pennsylvania. It was announced earlier this year that it would have an open swim policy at state parks. The agency says was having a hard time finding guards. Auditor General Jack Wagner says they're needed.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Port Authority of Allegheny County says it will have to cut routes and increase fares unless it can reduce spending by $20 million. Port Authority officials say the savings can be achieved through talks with the unions, but right now health care and pension costs are out of control.

BRIDGEVILLE, Pa. (AP) - The state is investigating a series of violent incidents involving people who have received psychiatric treatment at Mayview State Hospital. During the past year, four former Mayview patients have died violently and three have been arrested.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Two townships in suburban Harrisburg are affected by a water main break. Many United Water customers in Susquehanna Township and Lower Paxton Township lost water service Sunday. The utility says when service is restored, customers should boil their water before consuming it.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A plan by Unisys Corp. to put its name up in 11-foot-high red illuminated letters on a landmark Philadelphia skyscraper is drawing protests from luxury condo owners. The city administration says the signs would be a great way to advertise that Philadelphia is becoming a better corporate home.

VIENNA, Austria (AP) - A pledge from Saudi Arabia to boost oil production hasn't kept oil prices from rising. The Saudis have announced they will put out 200,000 additional barrels a day next month and more if needed. Crude prices are up about a dollar today to more than $136 a barrel.

SUPREME COURT (AP) - The Supreme Court is beginning what will almost certainly be its final week of work before its summer break. Justices still have not handed down decisions on cases dealing with gun rights and the death penalty for rape of a child.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A giant in the world of standup comedy has died. George Carlin died of heart failure in California last night at the age of 71. Carlin became a counterculture hero whose defense of free speech in his most famous routine "Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television" led to a key Supreme Court ruling on obscenity.

LOUISIANA, Mo. (AP) - The water is still high on the swollen Mississippi River, but the rise is beginning to stop. More cresting is expected on the river today. Some areas won't see the river hit its high point until Wednesday and are still in danger of flooding.

BEIJING (AP) - Beijing has come up with a plan to ease pollution and save energy in the city: ordering half of its cars off the road. The move is beginning today in an effort to clear the air ahead of the Olympic Games in August.