Today's news - Thursday, July 3, 2008

Holiday Travelers

With the holiday weekend approaching many motorists are wondering what they can expect driving in the Keystone state. Reporter Kerry Dowd spoke with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and has more...

DOWD

Williamstown man kills self; home burned by arson

State police say a man whose body was found in his burned northern Dauphin County home committed suicide. Police say 29-year-old Shawn Bentzel of Williamstown shot himself in the head. Police also say the fire in his home was arson. When police and firefighters were called just before 1 a.m. Wednesday, the duplex where Bentzel lived was fully engulfed in flames. Troopers say the fire destroyed the duplex and also caused heavy damage to a neighboring home.

Fresh Air kids arrive

Six children from New York City will have an opportunity to enjoy some "fresh air" in our area. The kids came by bus to Pottsville to be picked up by host families for their summer vacation as part of the Fresh Air Fund program. Ginger Kunkel, area chairperson, told WPPA/T102 News that a total of 20 inner-city kids from the Big Apple will visit through the summer. They will get to experience all that Schuylkill County has to offer. The 6 kids that arrived last night are all being welcomed by families who have hosted children before. The Fresh Air Fund is a not-for-profit agency that has provided free summer vacations to more than 1.7 million children since 1877. Each summer, thousands of children visit volunteer host families in 13 northeastern states and Canada. Last year, 14 Fresh Air children stayed with families in greater Schuylkill County.

Pottsville man charged in investment scam

A Pottsville man was charged Wednesday with swindling more than $300-thousand-dollars from 25 people who thought that they were making investments. 37-year old Thomas Wiley Junior was arraigned on 25 counts each of theft by deception and several related counts. The Republican Herald reports Pottsville City Police Detective Glenn Dove filed the charges against Wiley in connection with incidents that happened between May 2007 and May of this year. Wiley was recommitted to the Schuylkuill County Prison in lieu of $50,000 straight cash bail, where he is being held on $25,000 bail on a separate charges of bad checks and forgery.

Additional mobile cabinets & kitchen installation approved

The Schuylkill County Commissioners accepted a quote to install recently purchased kitchen equipment at the county prison Wednesday. Northeastern Food Services will install the equipment for just over $7-thousand-dollars. Three additional mobile cabinet carts were bought for $851.00 each. The carts had been accidentally left off the kitchen equipment list. The other equipment will cost $112-Thosuand Dollars. Funding for the new kitchen will come from the prisons share of DUI fines and fees. The Courthouse will be closed on Friday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day.

911 center to get new radio console

The County's 9-1-1 center will soon have a new radio console, costing more than $2.2 million dollars. Center Director Scott Krater asked the Schuylkill County Commissioners for approval to buy the console through a state contract with Motorola. Krater said a down payment of $1-Million Dollars has been secured from Act 56 funds. The remainder will be paid through a 10-year lease/purchase agreement with Motorola. The present console was installed in 1992 when the 9-1-1 center first opened.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) - Northampton County District Attorney JohnMorganelli says a 10- to 20-year prison sentence in the rape androbbery of an 82-year-old Bethlehem woman isn't long enough. Hesays he'll ask a judge to reconsider the sentence of 28-year-oldBobby Buskirk.

READING, Pa. (AP) - The girlfriend of a shooting victim whosebody was found in a partially burned-out car in Reading last weekhas been charged with taking part in his murder. Police said22-year-old Clarissa Castro is charged in the death of 30-year-oldOscar Sanabria.

CARLISLE, Pa. (AP) - Authorities have identified the man whodied from an accident while riding an inner tube down a creek inCumberland County. He is 70-year-old Leon Clymer of Oklahoma City,who was with a group attending a conference at Messiah College.

SHAVERTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A 28-year-old man already accused ofdressing as a priest to charge groceries to a church is now accusedof extortion against a real priest. Brian Rush is in the LuzerneCounty Correctional Facility in lieu of $10,000 bail.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The only known autograph of Abraham Lincolnfrom the day of the Gettysburg Address will be shown at theNational Constitution Center in Philadelphia. The signature is inan autograph book purchased at auction by businessman Lewis Katz.

LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AP) - One family member says theword miracle has been redefined, after three Americans held hostagefor more than five years were rescued in Colombia yesterday. Thethree were captured after their drug-surveillance plane went downin the jungle.

RANDOLPH, Vt. (AP) - Prosecutors will talk more about the deathof Brooke Bennett at a news conference in Vermont today. FBIdocuments say Bennett's uncle planned to initiate the 12-year-oldgirl into a child sex ring last week. Her body was found yesterdayburied a mile from his house.

BIG SUR, Calif. (AP) - It could take all month before a ragingwildfire in Big Sur, California, is fully contained. The last 850or so residents were told to evacuate yesterday after the blazejumped a fire line.

CINCINNATI (AP) - Ground beef is being recalled from Krogergrocery stores in more than 20 states amid concerns of E. colicontamination. The beef was produced between May 16th and June24th. Kroger says the ground beef being sold at stores now is safe.

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) - An Oregon man wants to fly to IdahoSaturday in his lawn chair. It'll be attached to 150 giant heliumparty balloons for the planned 300-mile trip.