Today's News-Saturday, June 6, 2009

DDAY OBSERVED WITH TRIP

65 years ago today, a massive Allied invasion by sea and took place on the shores of Normandy, France, that turned the tide of World War Two. Many young men from our area took part in that assault, some paying the ultimate price. The hard work and generosity of a Minersville area man is affording veterans and proud Americans to travel to Washington DC to visit monuments for their fallen comrades. George Acaley has arranged for three busses to travel to our nation's Capitol for the day, in honor of their service. After 8am, the busses will travel through downtown Pottsville, and as a fitting salute, residents are asked to give them a proper sendoff by lining the streets. Thank you to all who served our country.

WWII WEEKEND

Eyes will be to the skies this weekend in Berks County. WPPA News Reporter Kerry Dowd tells us why:

DOWD MAAM

SOJURN PADDLES OFF

The annual pilgrimage down the scenic Schuylkill River gets underway today with the 11th Schuylkill Sojurn. The Island in Schuylkill Haven was a flurry of activity last night as canoes, kayaks and tents littered athletic fields as water enthusiasts prepared for the week long event. Schuylkill Greenway Association Executive Director Kurt Zwickl gives us a look at how many paddlers will take part:

ZWICKL 1

Day one's trek will take boaters from Schuylkill Haven to the Auburn Dam, then on to Port Clinton. Of special note this year, a closer look at the health of the Schuylkill will be examined by scientists from the Stroud Water Research Center. Kurt Zwickl:

ZWICKL 2

The Schuylkill Sojurn will wrap up next weekend in Philadelphia. We wish all the participants smooth sailing.

ROLLOVER CRASH IN WEST BRUNSWICK TWP

A Reading man was injured in an early Friday morning crash in West Brunswick Township. 22 year old Christian Gerber was southbound on Route 61 and lost control on a left curve. His SUV struck a vinyl fence at 2054 Centre Turnpike, rolled over and struck a tree. Gerber was taken to Reading Hospital for treatment. The crash happened around 3:30am Friday.

FOUR ARRESTED FOR DRUGS IN POTTSVILLE

Four people were arrested by Pottsville police on drug charges earlier this week. 34 year old Charlotte Crabbe is charged with selling marijuana and other related counts from her home on two occasions. 19 year old Donte Brown was found to have pot in his possession and will be charged as well. 20 year old Ebony Williams was apprehended on a warrant for selling marijuana from an Arch Street home. Thursday, 26 year old Shawn Hunt was arrested for selling drugs and other drug related counts. He faces additional charges as well. Crabbe, Williams and Hunt were jailed in the Schuylkill County Prison. Pottsville residents with information about illegal drug activity can call a confidential tipline at 622-1234, mailbox 150.

ASHLAND WOMAN MISSING

Police in Ashland are looking for a woman reported missing since May 30th. 28 year old Catherine Feeney was last seen getting off of an STS bus that day in Pottsville. She is described as being 5 feet 2 inches tall, 150 pounds with dark blonde hair and blue eyes. Police say that Feeney may be in the New York area, since her bank card was reportedly used on June 1st at a fast food restaurant. Anyone with information should call Ashland police or the Schuylkill County Communications Center.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Several members of Congress are seeking an investigation into the handling of veterans' benefits claims in the Pittsburgh area. A federal report found that the Pittsburgh VA office's performance numbers were artificially inflated due to a delay in the processing of veterans' claims.

SOMERSET, Pa. (AP) - The federal government says it will negotiate with landowners for one week in an attempt to get property needed to build a Flight 93 memorial in Pennsylvania
without using eminent domain. The Interior Department says that if things aren't worked out by then, the land will be seized.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A convicted drug kingpin is fighting charges he and his allies took part in a dozen Philadelphia-area murders. Kaboni Savage pleaded not guilty to a new indictment. Prosecutors say Savage and his co-defendants killed rivals, witnesses, and six relatives of an associate-turned-informant.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Two men accused of conspiring to get a handgun onto a plane at Philadelphia International Airport have been released on bond. The FBI says 29-year-old passenger Damien Young was released on $50,000 bond and US Airways customer service
agent Roshid Milledge was released on $10,000 bond.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Governor Rendell says the state's first resident to die of swine flu had also suffered from diabetes and asthma. A 55-year-old Berks County woman died after contracting
swine flu.

CAEN, France (AP) - President Barack Obama and French President Nicholas Sarkozy are again calling for Iran not to develop a nuclear weapons program. On another topic, Sarkozy agreed with Obama's call for Israel to stop building settlements in the West Bank.

BAGHDAD (AP) - The U.S. military says insurgents are increasingly using teenagers to stage attacks against American and Iraqi security forces. The military says at least five youths
ranging in age from 14 to 19 have been involved in grenade and suicide attacks in recent weeks in northern Iraq.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration is said to be considering a plan to allow Guantanamo detainees facing the death penalty to plead guilty without a full trial. The New York Times says this option would be mostly aimed at detainees accused of planning the 9/11 terror attacks.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - South Korea's president says his country won't give in to North Korean nuclear and missile threats. For its part, the North is accusing the South of sending patrol boats into its territorial waters - something South Korea denies.

MEXICO CITY (AP) - At least 29 children are dead after a fast-moving fire broke out at a day care center in northern Mexico. Friday's fire may have started at a tire and car warehouse and
spread to the day care center.