Today's News-Monday, August 18th, 2008

BREAKING NEWS...

Charges continued to court in Ramirez case

After a day long process of witnesses and cross examination, all charges except Murder One remain for two of the young men and all charges stand for court in the other.

The state's case, led by Assistant District Attorney Robert Frantz, called several witnesses in the beating death case of Luis Ramirez. Crystal Dillman, Ramirez' fiance' took the stand first to recount the events of the evening of July 12th. Ben Lawson, Jr., who was also with the group when the fight broke out, testified about July 12th and who was involved in the beating of Ramirez. A neighbor, Elizabeth Schlack, wrapped up the morning's testimony of what she saw from her bedroom window. After a break for lunch, the Commonwealth called Eileen Burke of West Lloyd Street, who said she saw and heard shouting and racial slurs uttered during the fight. DA's Detective Dennis Clark discussed the preliminary autopsy conducted, which determined that Ramirez died of blunt force trauma to the head. District Judge Kilker ruled that all charges except for the Murder One count will be carried over to court. More tomorrow on WPPA/T102 News.

Protestors halt the preliminary hearing of three Shenandoah men charged in the beating death of 25-year old Luis Ramirez...

With courthouse security high and a packed courtroom, testimony for the district attorney's office began just after 9:30 AM with three witnesses called to the stand, one being the victim's fiancee, Crystal Dillman. Judge Kilker recessed for lunch shortly after 12:30 PM with testimony to continue throughout the afternoon. Representatives from the Pennyslvania Human Rights and the Mexican/American Legal Defense & Education Fund are sitting in on this preliminary hearing.

Home invasion near Orwigsburg, items may have been taken for scrap

Frackville state police are investigating a burglary at a home in East Brunswick Township. The break-in was discovered on Saturday at a home on Ridge Road, owned by Dorothea Schaeffer of Kutztown. A treadmill, a lawnmower, two refrigerators and 4 metal chairs were stolen. Troopers believe that the items were taken for their scrap value. Anyone with information should call the Frackville barracks at 874-5300.

Man identified in Friday fatality

A Berwick man has been identified as the victim of a fatal crash Friday afternoon on Interstate 81. 37-year-old William Bowman died from injuries when his van ran into the back of a tractor trailer driven by 71-year-old Edward Naugin of Throop. Bowman was pronounced dead at the scene. Naugin was not injured.

Theft of steel grates on Reading Anthracite property investigated

Reading Anthracite Coal Company has been vicitimized by thieves again, this time at the Oak Hill Electric Transfer Station in Cass Township. State police say that a security fence was cut and four stainless steel grates taken. The theft was discovered early Saturday. The investigation continues.

Mt Carmel Township man charged with raping 14-year-old

A Mount Carmel Township man is jailed on charges of raping a 14-year-old girl in Lavelle. 60-year-old James Bucher (boo-ker) is accused of luring the girl from her home into his vehicle. He reportedly took her to a remote location and raped her Friday morning. Charges against Bucher include rape, voluntary deviant sexual intercourse and related counts. He is locked up in Schuylkill County Prison on $50-thousand-dollars bail.

Penn State streaker's lewdness charge dismissed

BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) - A judge has dismissed a lewdness charge against a Penn State student who joined an annual naked run held to usher in spring finals. Centre County Judge Bradley Lunsford says there is no evidence that Elizabeth Burke "affronted or alarmed" anyone or intended to do so in the annual Mifflin Streak. He dismissed the misdemeanor open lewdness count and a summary disorderly conduct charge on Friday. Burke's attorney, Stacy Parks Miller, called the case "a harmless episode of youthful exuberance." But Centre County District Attorney Michael Madeira says he is considering an appeal. Burke was one of seven people arrested at the event, which drew 1,000 to 1,500 spectators just after midnight May 5. Five of the other defendants have either pleaded guilty to reduced charges or entered a program for first-time offenders that could clear their records.

Ridge says GOP would accept abortion-rights VP, though McCain view would prevail

CHICAGO (AP) - Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge says he thinks Republicans would accept a vice presidential candidate who supports abortion rights. But, he said, whomever John McCain picks as a running mate should defer to McCain on the issue. McCain opposes abortion rights, but he riled some conservatives last week when he suggested his running mate could - like Ridge - support abortion rights. Ridge said on "Fox News Sunday" that the vice president "is not an independent voice" but echoes the position of the president. Ridge is believed to be on McCain's short list of vice presidential candidates. The Democratic National Convention, where Barack Obama and his running mate will be nominated, is just a week away. On Monday, Obama plans to visit New Mexico, home of Gov. Bill Richardson. He plans to spend Wednesday and Thursday in Virginia, home of Gov. Tim Kaine.

Pa. Republican House staffers subpoenaed

PITTSBURGH (AP) - House Republican spokesman Steve Miskin says the state attorney general has subpoenaed several GOP House staff members in an investigation into whether state money was used to pay for political campaign work. Miskin tells the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that he does not know how many staffers had received subpoenas or where they worked. Last month, 12 people connected to the House Democratic caucus, including a former Democratic whip and one sitting legislator, were charged in connection with the probe. A grand jury that reviewed the evidence accused the defendants of illegally diverting millions in taxpayer dollars to underwrite political campaigns and personal perks. Attorney General Tom Corbett, a Republican, says he anticipates more arrests. He says he is investigating all four caucuses in the
House and Senate.

Some return home after massive Pa. fire

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. (AP) - Residents have begun to return home after a massive fire at a suburban Philadelphia apartment complex. Wednesday's fire in Conshohocken displaced nearly 400 people and destroyed two buildings. Residents of two other buildings were also evacuated. They were allowed to begin returning home on Sunday. The two heavily damaged buildings are being demolished. Investigators believe the blaze started at an adjacent construction site. The cause has not yet been named.

Pa. wine lovers fight control of shipped purchases

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Wine lovers are fighting the latest attempt to limit the direct shipment of wine to Pennsylvania consumers. A pending bill would require wineries to ship consumer purchases to the state Liquor Control Board, which would send the wine to the consumer for a fee. Supporters say direct wine shipments could deprive the state of tax revenue and make it easier for minors to buy wine. But critics say 35 states allow direct shipments, and Pennsylvania should look to them as a model. Pennsylvania's restrictive wine laws have been in flux since a
series of federal and state court decisions three years ago. One federal judge called the state's ban on out-of-state wine shipments unconstitutional.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is resigning to avoid an impeachment battle he says will harm the nation's interests. Musharraf says he leaves knowing whatever he has done "was for the people and for the country." He has dominated Pakistan since seizing power in a 1999 military coup.

GORI, Georgia (AP) - Residents of the Georgian city of Gori are still waiting for Russian forces to begin their promised pullout. So far it hasn't happened yet. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is heading to Europe this morning to discuss the situation with NATO allies.

KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) - Tropical Storm Fay is pounding Cuba with torrential rain and wind. Dozens of low-lying communities have been evacuated. Schools are closed in the Florida Keys and shelters have been opened. But with the storm approaching, many residents and tourists don't seem to be in much of a rush to leave.

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) - Today in Ohio, testimony begins in the retrial of a woman accused of killing her month-old daughter by burning her in a microwave oven. Before her first trial ended in a mistrial, prosecution witnesses said China Arnold admitted to killing the baby by putting her in the microwave. Defense witnesses said Arnold insisted she was innocent.

DENVER (AP) - Qwest Communications has reached a tentative agreement with its largest union about a day after a labor contract had expired. The three-year deal is with the Communications Workers of America, which represents about 20,000 Qwest employees in 13
states. There's a separate agreement with Qwest employees in Montana.