Today's News-Saturday, August 30, 2008

History comes alive with Civil War events

Schuylkill County men and women have always risen to the call of our nation. That commitment will come alive in the county next week. The Schuylkill County Historical Society is sponsoring "Sparks Around the Campfire...The Story of Schuylkill County in the Civil War" will run from September 3rd thru 6th at various venues in and around Pottsville. A Patriotic Rally at Sovereign Majestic Theater on Wednesday will help visitors relive the music and patriotism of the Civil War. Tour the gravesites of those who served the Union in the Civil War, hear lectures about famous units like the 48th and 96th Pennsylvania, and more throughout the week. Stu Richards, Civil War historian says that Schuylkill County's contribution to the War Between the States was significant:

RICHARDS

For a listing of all "Sparks Around the Campfire" events, log onto the Historical Society website at http://www.schuylkillhistory.org/.

Employee Steals from Yuengling

A Mechanicsville man was charged with stealing over two thousand dollars in gift shop merchandise from the Yuengling Brewery. Keith Eisenhart, a forklift operator at the Mill Creek operation of Yuengling Beer Company is expected to be charged by East Norwegian Township Police for stealing items over a four to six month period by climbing a ten foot fence to get to the items. According to police reports Eisenhart admitted to the crime and was storing the items at two different locations. Other arrests are possible in the investigation.

SV Mum

The Shenandoah Valley School District is keeping quiet about the choice of two district families involved in the beating death of an illegal immigrant as it concerns the education of their children. District Superintendent Stanley Rakowsky is quoted by the Republican and Herald as stating this is a "private matter and any further comment will have to come from the families." Brandon Piekarsky and Colin Walsh are free on bail at this time.

ERIE, Pa. (AP) - A defense attorney says his client will enter a plea in the bank robbery that led to the collar-bomb death of an Erie pizza deliveryman. Attorney Jamie Mead says Kenneth Barnes will plead guilty to conspiracy for his role in planning the August 2003 heist that left Brian Wells dead.

WARREN, Pa. (AP) - Five northwestern Pennsylvania men are accused of making or exploding pipe bombs. Warren Police began investigating the men after discovering a four-foot-long explosive in July while responding to a possible home invasion call.

NEW STANTON, Pa. (AP) - The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is closing the New Stanton service plaza for nine months for reconstruction. The service plaza, which only serves westbound traffic, will close Wednesday. It's expected to reopen by next Memorial Day with more food choices and modern facilities.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A Pittsburgh man will stand trial on charges he shot and killed a man in an argument over an iPod. Twenty-year-old Darin Davis is charged with homicide in the July 21
death of 31-year-old Jason Glenn, of McKees Rocks.

MEADVILLE, Pa. (AP) - A northwestern Pennsylvania man will spend five to 15 years in prison for the sexual assault of two young girls. Christopher Cote, of Cambridge Springs, was sentenced under terms of his "best interest plea" to assault charges. In the January plea, Cote didn't admit to the assaults, but felt it was in his best interest to plead based on the case against him. Police
say he assaulted the girls while watching them in July 2007.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - With Hurricane Gustav on its way, President Bush has declared an emergency in Louisiana, a move that allows the federal government to help with disaster relief. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin (NAY'-gin) says an evacuation order is likely. The storm could strike anywhere along the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle to Texas.

GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands (AP) - Hurricane Gustav has revved up to a Category 2 storm as it barrels toward Cuba. The National Hurricane Center says top winds are near 110 miles per hour. The storm has left 71 people dead in the Caribbean.

BEIJING (AP) - China's official Xinhua (shin-wah) News Agency says a 6.1 magnitude earthquake has struck Sichuan province. There are no reports of casualties. The region has been hit by scores of aftershocks since the a 7.9 magnitude earthquake hit Sichuan province in May. It killed nearly 70,000 people and left 5 million homeless.

UNDATED (AP) - John McCain's running mate is already energizing conservative religious leaders. A spokesman for the Southern Baptist Convention says Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is "straight out of veep central casting."

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) - The woman who proudly declared she put 18 million cracks in the ultimate glass ceiling is congratulating John McCain's V.P. pick, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin (PAY'-lin). Still, Hillary Rodham Clinton, who picked up 18 million votes in her attempt to become president, says the Republicans' policies "would take America in the wrong direction."