Today's news - Thursday, July 10, 2008

Union head at commissioner meeting

A representative for the union covering employees at the Schuylkill County Children and Youth Services hand delivered a proposal for a new contract at Wednesday's Commissioners meeting. Bob Kallish, Business Agent for Local 668 of the Pennsylvania State Service Union complained to the commissioners that only two negotiating session have been held since the contract ran out at the end of last year. Assistant County Solicitor Jay Jones said the union has the county's proposal and was waiting for the union's counter proposal. Jones said emails to the union requesting their proposal went unanswered. Kallish said he received no response from the county negotiating team to schedule meetings.

Drug bust in Pottsville

A New York man is jailed following a major drug bust late Tuesday. Pottsville city police found a large amount of marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine at a North Centre Street home. Police believe that a drug ring was operating from the property, and several others in the city. A search of 16 East Patterson Street in St. Clair uncovered a significant amount of the drugs as well, with a street value of more than $10-thousand-dollars. 28-year-old Zachary Guichard of Brooklyn, New York was taken into custody. Authorities say that the drugs were brought from New York for distribution here in the county. Following arraignment, Guichard was remanded to the county prison. Additional arrests are expected.

Crash on I-81

A Fort Drum, New York man suffered minor injuries in a crash on I-81 early Wednesday. Daniel Klimaitis was southbound on the interstate and lost control of his car. The vehicle hit an embankment. Police believe he was driving drunk. Charges are expected to be filed after blood test results are available. The crash happened around 4am.

Former Minersville manager hired in Haven

Schuylkill Haven has a new borough administrator. At a special meeting last night, Scott Graver was hired to the position at a salary of $76-thousand-dollars, according to the Republican and Herald. Graver had previously been Minersville's borough manager. He replaces Jim New, who left the area earlier this year.

Controller questions 1912 building cleanout

County Controller Melinda Kantner Wednesday questioned why the county did not seek bids for the cleanout of the 1912 building, which was sold to Penn State. Kantner said the county could have made money on a substantial amount of material in the building. County Engineer Lisa Mahall (muh-hall) said everything in the building had been previously declared junk, and the county didn't have to spend any of its money to clean out the building. She said the county doesn't have the manpower to do the job itself. Kantner said she spoke to the contractor doing the cleanup after receiving two anonymous calls that building may contain items the county could have made money on. County employees have been banned from the building unless they sign a waiver because of the possibility of hazardous materials in the building. Mahall said the county's agreement with the contractor allows him to salvage anything he can from the building. The Commissioners also gave their approval for a new radio console for the county 9-1-1 center, at a cost of more than $2-million-dollars. The monthly prison board meeting will take place next Wednesday in the Commissioners board room at 11-am.

MARIANNA, Pa. (AP) - State police remain on the scene of atriple homicide in Washington County, where a young mother and two children have been suffocated in their home. Police say they wantto question the children's father, 38-year-old Orlando Maurice Guarino.

NEW YORK (AP) - Dow Chemical says it has agreed to buy Philadelphia-based specialty chemicals maker Rohm and Haas for $78per share, or more than $15 billion. The deal is pending approvalby Rohm and Haas shareholders and regulatory approvals.

COOPERSBURG, Pa. (AP) - A 66-year-old woman awaiting trial in the shooting death of a fellow member of a Bucks County church has new legal troubles. Mary Jane Fonder of Springfield Township is now accused of continuing to collect her missing father's pension.

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) - The Delaware River Port Authority is set toannounce proposed increase for bridge tolls and train fares. The DRPA operates four Philadelphia-area bridges connecting New Jersey with Pennsylvania, as well as the PATCO Speedline trains.

HIBBS, Pa. (AP) - Fayette County officials say another state prison is being planned in the county. Officials in German Township say they've met twice this year with Corrections Secretary Jeffrey Beard about a planned 2,000-bed prison that could create 500 jobs.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran is test-firing missiles for a secondday in a row. State media say the weapons have "specialcapabilities" and included missiles launched from ships in thePersian Gulf, along with torpedoes and surface-to-surface missiles.

OROVILLE, Calif. (AP) - At least 50 homes in NorthernCalifornia's Sierra Nevada foothills have been destroyed by awildfire. The fire is threatening thousands more homes across ariver in the town of Paradise. That's where 74 homes were destroyedby another wildfire last month.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Some Americans are going cold on hot sauce.Three main ingredients in salsa -- tomatoes, jalapenos and evencilantro -- are now suspects in the salmonella poisonings that havesickened more than a-thousand people.

MIAMI (AP) - Hurricane Bertha is back up to a Category Twostorm. With sustained winds of 105 miles-per-hour, it's expected tobecome slightly stronger over the next 24 hours as it approachesBermuda.

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - For one airline, in-flight movies are aboutto go the way of free baggage. US Airways says it's going to save10 million dollars a year on fuel by eliminating the weight ofin-flight entertainment systems on domestic flights, beginning inNovember.