Today's News- Thursday, June 5th

Five suspects in a strong-armed robbery spree in Northumberland County Tuesday night were caught in Schuylkill Haven. Just before midnight Tuesday, state police at Schuylkill Haven reported to Northumberland County Communications they had the suspects in custody. They were found in a sport-utility vehicle at the Fast Fill gas station along Route 61. Police found a Barreta .25 semi-automatic pistol in the vehicle. The gun was allegedly used in robberies at Maple Leaf Nursing Home in Shamokin; a car wash near Boyer's Market in Mount Carmel Township, and a Turkey Hill Minit Market, East Fifth Street in Mount Carmel. The five arraigned are: 23-year old Engel Vargas, 19-year old Marcos Gurrero, 21-year old Yoel Luciano, 20-year old Jose Acosta and 24-year old Jonathan Nolasco, all of Allentown. All five are locked up in the Northumberland County prison in lieu of $125-thousand-dollars bail each. They have a preliminary hearing next Thursday.
(WGRC)

Approval of a grant amendment from the Department of State will bring Schuylkill County an additional $215-thousand-dollars from the Help America Vote Act. Grant writer Gary Bender told the Commissioner's Wednesday that the monies will be added to the $130-thousand-dollars the county presently has available, bringing the total to just over $345-thousand-dollars. Bender also said the regulations require that the money be placed in separate interest bearing accounts, rather than the way the monies are currently being handled in the Controller's office. Controller Melinda Kantner requested copies of the letters from the Department of State, outlining what is necessary. She said that it will be completed.

A Tremont Township service station was burglarized overnight Tuesday. Schuylkill Haven state police report that someone broke into Morgan's Service Station, 190 South Tremont Avenue. They gained access by smashing a large window on the front door. Once inside, an undetermined amount of cash was taken. Troopers are continuing their investigation.

Two schools incurred damages due to vandalism during the overnight hours Tuesday. Someone damaged the lawn at the Mahantongo Elementary School by driving in circles on it. School officials estimate that $500 dollars in damage was done. Three Shenandoah Valley school buses were damaged, including a smashed window and fire extinguishers discharged. Police are investigating.

Port Carbon police report that a missing teenager has been found. Chelsea Harper had not been seen since Sunday night. She was found along Route 183 in Berks County by state police yesterday afternoon. Harper was returned to her family. 20-year-old Travis Schuller of St. Clair was arrested by Port Carbon police near his home on a warrant issued by district court. Officers charged him with interfering with the custody of a child, involving a 14-year-old Port Carbon female. Schuller was committed to Schuylkill County Prison, then released. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 12th.

Two people avoided injury in a crash outside of Pottsville Tuesday night. Around 8:30pm, Nicole Rothermel of Pottsville was driving south on Route 61 and failed to stop at the intersection of 61 and Mill Creek Avenue. Her vehicle crashed into a car operated by Thomas Mozloom of St. Clair, which was traveling on Mill Creek Avenue. Both cars had to be towed from the scene.

A New Ringgold woman suffered minor injuries in a crash in East Brunswick Township early Wednesday morning. 29-year-old Amber Devline was traveling near New Ringgold around 3:30am when she swerved her car to avoid a deer that was crossing the roadway. Her vehicle went over a small embankment and struck a tree. State police at Frackville responded to the call.

Seven county residents were appointed to the newly formed Luzerne/Schuylkill/Carbon Tri County Airport Advisory Board at the Commissioners work session Wednesday. The appointees include George Andrews, Sheppton, Joseph Baranko Sr., McAdoo, Dennis Keefer, Wayne Township, Henry Nyce, North Manheim Township, Joseph Palubinsky, Ringtown, and Noble Quandel and Joseph Schlitzer of Pottsville. The appointments are expected to be approved next week, in addition to the resolution creating the board. In other business, District Attorney Jim Goodman asked for approval for his office to join with the PA District Attorney's Institute to implement a statewide automated victim notification system. It will download necessary information from participating agencies in the county into vendor's computers. The system would then provide notification to registered persons regarding the release from custody or transfer from one facility to another of persons held in custody here. The DA's office would enter into an agreement to implement the system here in Schuylkill County.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Now only one Pennsylvania superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention hasn't committed to a presidential candidate. He is Rep. Tim Holden, who serves a central Pennsylvania district. Two other Pennsylvania congressmen Wednesday said they'll vote for Sen. Barack Obama at the convention in Denver: Mike Doyle of Pittsburgh and Jason Altmire, a freshman from outside Pittsburgh.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's state government pension fund says its investments lost just over 4 percent in the first quarter of the year. The State Employees' Retirement System says preliminary indications from April and May, however, are that much of those losses have since been recovered. The $34 billion pension system had had several years of strong investment returns
previously.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphians in danger of losing their homes in the nationwide mortgage crisis have a new resource for help. The local court system will begin a pilot program next week requiring mediation between homeowners and lenders before any foreclosure can occur. Mayor Michael Nutter unveiled the program yesterday, noting the city expects 8,500 foreclosure filings this
year.

FORD CITY, Pa. (AP) - Family members say a soldier from Armstrong County has been killed in Iraq. They say 19-year-old Pvt. Joshua Waltenbaugh of Kittanning Township died from injuries sustained from small-arms fire in the past several days. Family members say they were notified of Waltenbaugh's death on Tuesday and that the incident is under investigation. Waltenbaugh was was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - The South Carolina Senate has approved plans to raise money for a portrait honoring the black president pro tem that led the chamber during Reconstruction. Sen. Stephen Swails was in the Union's 54th Massachusetts Regiment and fought at Battery Wagner on Morris Island in a battle memorialized in the movie "Glory." Swails was a native of Columbia, Pa.

GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba (AP) - The alleged mastermind of the Nine-Eleven attacks is making his first public appearance since he was captured five years ago. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four alleged plotters will be arraigned before a war-crimes tribunal in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, today.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Barack Obama tells CBS News he's considering Hillary Clinton as a running mate since they share similar views on most issues. On Saturday Clinton will congratulate Obama on his victory and give him her support.

UNDATED (AP) - At least three people were killed yesterday as severe storms battered parts of the nation. The Ohio Valley was hit especially hard, and reports of funnel clouds and tornadoes are coming from several states.

KINGMAN, Ariz. (AP) - Imprisoned polygamist leader Warren Jeffs has won a minor victory after an Arizona judge dismisses four charges regarding alleged sex with minors. Jeffs still faces four other counts.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - For the 11th time in franchise history, the Detroit Red Wings are raising the Stanley Cup. The NHL champions beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 last night, to win the series four games to two.