Today's News-Wednesday, June 11th

Two white males attempted to rob a Pine Grove area motel last night. Just after 9pm, the pair entered the Colony Lodge Motel on Route 443, and pointed a gun at the clerk, 49-year-old Vajya Patel, demanding money. Patel ran to a back room, locking the door. The bandits attempted to break into a locked cash box, but were unsuccessful and fled the scene. Schuylkill Haven state police are continuing the investigation.

The owner of the Pitman beagle kennel, which caught fire last week, has other issues to deal with after nearly a dozen more animals were found at his property in Girardville. Hillside SPCA shelter workers were called to John Yagielniskie's home in Girardville yesterday after reports that the beagles were being kept in a trailer in the hot weather without adequate water, and several were in a backyard kennel. The animals were reportedly saved from the fire on June 3rd, according to the Republican and Herald. The trailer was parked on Ogden Street, and were apparently in distress when shelter workers arrived. They attempted to take possession of the animals, but Yagielniskie's son took them away before a search warrant could be served. The animals were reportedly taken to Ringtown. Reports indicate that Yagielniskie claimed the animals were safe in the trailer. SPCA workers beg to differ, and plan to pursue charges against the owner for cruelty to animals. The fire at the kennel has been ruled accidental.

Recent warm temperatures and high humidity has local officials issuing a summer safety warning to residents of Schuylkill County. Local Emergency Management Coordinator Art Kaplan gives us warning signs of what to look for:

KAPLAN (click to listen)

During the long, hot dog days of summer, remember to drink plenty of water and avoid beverages that contain caffeine and alcohol. Kaplan also says be mindful of your pets, and senior citizens. Be sure to never leave pets alone in vehicles. For more information on summer safety, log onto scema.org.

More preschoolers die in gun violence every year than law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. It's a fact featured in a new report that compiles Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics of children killed by guns. Pennsylvania lost 138 children to gun violence in one year. Deborah Smith reports.

SMITH (click to listen)

A Klingerstown man has been found guilty of rape and related charges in Schuylkill County Court. 29-year-old Justino Diaz-Espiridio, who is in this country illegally, raped a 20-year-old Klingerstown woman last fall. Espiridio claimed that the sex was consentual. In addition to rape, he will face jail time of 10 to 20 years on burglary, criminal trespass and indecent assault charges. A charge of aggravated indecent assault was dismissed. Espiridio faces deportation after his sentence has been served.

A Schuylkill County legislator is trying to help firefighters who are exposed to cancer-causing substances while fighting fires. Representative Neal Goodman announced yesterday that a bill he sponsored has moved out of the Labor Relations Committee to designate cancer as an occupational disease for firefighters who have served at least 4 years. Goodman said that firefighters dedicate their lives to the service of others, but frequent exposure to cancer-causing chemicals may increase their chances of developing cancer. The bill now moves to the full House for consideration.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A legislative report released today says it appears slot-machine gambling is hurting the sales of state lottery tickets most in areas near the casinos. While the lottery reported a slight statewide sales increase from 2006 to 2007, sales dropped in five of six counties that have casinos.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A new proposal to avert the possibility of state government furloughs - at least for an additional week - is being floated in the state Legislature. But Republicans warn that the measure also has a provision that would trigger a spending free-for-all next year that will lead to future tax increases.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The House is expected to consider a $14.4 billion Amtrak bill today. The bill would authorize generous levels of direct funding for the national passenger railroad over the next five years. Some of the money would go to a program of matching grants to help states set up or expand rail service.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphia area transit police say they'll walk off the job if they can't get a contract settlement. Union leaders say the approximately 200 transit police could go on strike Thursday afternoon. If there is a strike, SEPTA says, supervisors, city police and security guards will protect the riders.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - An infant girl allegedly killed by a 7-year-old at an in-home day care in Pittsburgh is being laid to rest. The funeral for 10-month-old Marcia Poston is scheduled for 11 a.m. Police say the 7-year-old granddaughter of the day care operator told them she twice threw the infant onto a carpeted
cement floor.

WASHINGTON (AP) - John McCain says record-high gas prices probably aren't dropping before November's election, and in fact may get even higher. McCain tells NBC's "Today" show that oil companies should "absolutely" return some profits to consumers, and also work to reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Officials say a sandbagged levee has done its job so far and stopped the Cedar River from flooding Cedar Rapids, Iowa. But with more rain looming, volunteers are needed this morning to help shore up the wall.

MESEBERG, Germany (AP) - President Bush says he wants a diplomatic solution to end a nuclear standoff with Iran. But he also told reporters in Germany that "all options are on the table," and that includes a military strike.

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER, Houston (AP) - Space shuttle Discovery has pulled away from the international space station and is getting ready to return home. The shuttle will land on Saturday. It spent nine days docked at the space station.

NEW YORK (AP) - NBA commissioner David Stern says it's not true. He's responding to an ex-referee's allegations that a 2002 playoff series was rigged by league referees and officials. Stern says that Tim Donaghy's claims of that, and other crooked misdeeds, are baseless.