Today's News-Friday, June 12, 2009

MAJOR FRAUD CASE NETS ARREST OF HAVEN COUPLE

A Schuylkill Haven couple is jailed for running a scam that netted them more than $265-thousand-dollars in goods and cash, according to information from Fogelsville state police. Kuldeep and Ruth Singh, 420 High Street, were taken into custody Thursday and charged with identity theft, conspiracy and related counts. Apparently, the couple started the scheme by opening credit card accounts at Bank of America and Discover, then purchased items on line and had them sent to properties the couple owned in Pottsville, Cressona and Schuylkill Haven. The Singh's also got cash from ATM's. The couple couldn't post the half million dollars bail, and were jailed in Lehigh County Prison. A preliminary hearing is next week.

FIRE DESTROYS HOME IN TAMAQUA

A fast moving fire destroyed homes in Tamaqua Thursday, leaving two families homeless. The Republican Herald reports that fire broke out at 314 Railroad Street around 11am, then spread and damaged 312 Railroad with flames. Families with small children lived in the properties, and are being assisted by the Red Cross and Salvation Army. The cause of the fire appears to be accidental.

THE CASE OF THE STOLEN BOAT

An Auburn man is jailed on burglary charges following an incident at Lake Wynonah Wednesday. State police at Schuylkill Haven report that 20 year old Cory Shane entered a building at the rear of 2626 Wynonah Drive and spent the night there. Around 2pm, Shane took a paddle boat from the yard at 2627 Wynonah Drive and paddled it to D Dock at the lake then took it out. Shane was apprehended near the Lake Wynonah Lodge, and arraigned on the burglary charges.

ENERGY POOL TWO

The demand for energy savings by county businesses has prompted the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce to open a second energy pool. Partners in the Schuylkill Chamber make up a significant number of the first pool members to realize savings on the cost of electricity, and with OnDemand Energy solutions and other participating chambers of commerce, the second pool is underway. Meetings will be held on Tuesday at 8am, 11am and 2pm for businesses to learn more about the ChamberChoice energy pool. Reservations are a must, by calling 622-1942.

THE HUNT IS ON

High school teenagers, listen up! You say there is nothing to do this summer? STS, the Schuylkill Transportation System is offering a fun way to learn about the county and the bus system with “The Hunt Is On.” Joan Breslin, Marketing and Service Support Coordinator for STS explains;

BRESLIN 1

The hunt takes place on Thursday, June 18th. Participation is limited to ten students from each starting point, in Shenandoah, Minersville, Schuylkill Haven and Pottsville. Registration deadline for STS “The Hunt is On” is Monday, June 15th. For more information, call 429-2701.

SHANKSVILLE, Pa. (AP) - Today is the deadline set by the U.S. government to get all the land needed for the Flight 93 memorial in western Pennsylvania without using eminent domain. National Park Service acting Director Dan Wenk says the land owners and the government have been working together all week to get the transaction done without seizing the land.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Two robbery suspects have been charged with four counts of murder for a traffic crash that killed a woman and three young children. The latest charges against 18-year-old Donta Cradock and 20-year-old Ivan Rodriguez in Wednesday evening's crash
were announced late yesterday afternoon.

PITTSTON, Pa. (AP) - A Pennsylvania state trooper killed in the line of duty will be remembered at a funeral service today. Hundreds of people including many police officers showed up at a viewing yesterday to pay their respects to Trooper Joshua Miller. The funeral will be held at the Pittston Area High School stadium.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The number of Pennsylvania homes in foreclosure dropped in May by the biggest percentage in eight months. New figures out yesterday from foreclosure listing firm RealtyTrac Inc. show foreclosure filings in Pennsylvania slid 13 percent from April to last month. Pennsylvania's foreclosure rate is about one-third of the national rate.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A final pep rally is set for noon today in downtown Pittsburgh to wish the Penguins well in the final game of the Stanley Cup series. Fans are encouraged to gather on Forbes Avenue between the Allegheny County Courthouse and City-County Building and to bring a non-perishable food item for a food bank.

NEW YORK (AP) - Today is the day TV stations across the country are switching from analog to digital signals. The Federal Communications Commission has put 4,000 operators on standby to
handle calls from viewers who may be confused by the switch. One research firm says more than 2 million households weren't ready as of last week.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The House is scheduled to vote today on a bill that would put the Food and Drug Administration in charge of regulating cigarettes and other tobacco products. The Senate passed the measure yesterday. It also gives the FDA power over how cigarettes are marketed.

DALLAS (AP) - A day of powerful storms has left widespread damage across central Texas. The storms began whipping the Dallas-Fort Worth area Wednesday night with winds up to 70 mph and as much as 8 inches of rain in places. More than 180,000 homes and businesses are without power.

BASEL, Switzerland (AP) - Swiss drugmaker Novartis says it has produced a first batch of swine flu vaccine. The announcement comes weeks ahead of expectations and a day after the World Health Organization declared the A(H1N1) virus a pandemic.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iranians are headed to the polls today to decide whether to stick with hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad or replace him with a reformist challenger. Mir Hossein Mousavi is complaining that some of his representatives have been blocked from entering polling stations.