Today's News-Tuesday, June 18 2009

MAN ACCUSED OF MURDER FOUND

A Virginia man is in custody for allegedly killing his brother and implicated in the death of his ex girlfriend. Police report that Justin Slater was in the county over the weekend. It was first reported yesterday that local authorities assisted the Frederick County, Virginia Sheriffs office in looking for a car that was stolen by Slater, who is accused of killing his brother Gregory in Winchester, Virginia last week. Slater’s girlfriend, Kayleigh Plamondon, was also missing, but that search was suspended after a body was found in a home in West Virginia. Slater came to Schuylkill County from New York state, ditched the Jeep he was driving, stole a car in the Pine Grove area and headed to West Virginia where he was arrested. The Jeep was found by authorities down a 40 foot bank near Newtown. Slater is to be extradited to Virginia to face charges.

WEEKEND BURGLARY

A Tremont Township business was burglarized overnight Sunday, with several items taken. The unknown thieves entered Michael Coal Company on West Main Street in the township and went through several trailers on the property. An estimate of loss is not available, but the burglars fled the scene. Schuylkill Haven state police are investigating.

GIRARDVILLE MAN CHARGED AFTER INCIDENT EARLY MONDAY

An 18 year old Girardville man is jailed following an incident Monday. Frackville state police report that Cory Weikel and 25 year old Amber Judge were involved in a dispute at a home in Nuremberg early yesterday. The disturbance turned physical and Weikel allegedly assaulted Judge, then failed to leave when told to by police. Weikel was charged with harassment, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, and following arraignment, was taken to the county prison.

DAM IMPROVEMENTS

Dams in our area will get fixed with state grant monies. Senator Dave Argall and Representative Jerry Knowles announced $5.3 million dollars to repair the Lower and Upper Owl Creek Dams. The borough of Tamaqua is getting the money to protect residents and businesses that could be affected if the dams fail. The monies are part of 5 dam improvement projects here in Schuylkill.

UPPER DARBY, Pa. (AP) - A man in suburban Philadelphia is accused of raping and killing his 84-year-old neighbor. Jane Morgan's body was found in her apartment last September. Upper
Darby police say 61-year-old Billy Williams, who also lived in the Long Lane Apartments, was arrested Monday after his DNA matched evidence from the scene.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A former airline worker and his roommate have been formally charged with sneaking the roommate's unloaded handgun onto a plane at Philadelphia International Airport. Roshid Milledge and Damien Young of Philadelphia were named in the federal information filed yesterday. US Airways confirms both employees no longer work with the airline.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's State Employees' Retirement System says two judges who have pleaded guilty to corruption charges lost their pensions at the time of their plea.
Luzerne County judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan took payoffs of more than $2.5 million in exchange for placing juveniles in private detention facilities.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Pennsylvania Supreme Court says a takeout-only policy for beer sales at an Altoona Sheetz convenience store isn't permitted by state law. In a 5-1 ruliing yesterday, the court says that Sheetz's retail dispenser license requires some beer to be consumed within the store, which Sheetz hasn't been allowing.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) - Despite city officials refusing to extend a parking permit, a Lehigh Valley man says he's not taking away his hot dog cart from a Bethlehem parking space. Edwin Padilla got a 10-day permit for his hot dog cart. But after complaints from nearby restaurants, the city refused to extend the permit that expired.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Violent clashes in Iran's capital have left seven people dead. That's according to a report from Iran's state radio, which says the shootings followed a mass rally over
allegations of voter fraud. Witnesses say the fatal shots were fired by a militia linked to Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama meets with South Korea's president today to discuss the North Korean nuclear standoff, among other things. Obama and President Lee Myung-bak will likely condemn the North's recent missile and nuclear tests. They're also expected to express their refusal to accept the North as a nuclear weapons power.

TOKYO (AP) - The designated heir of North Korea's ailing leader has reportedly made a secret visit to China. A Japanese newspaper says the 26-year-old son of Kim Jong Il met with China's president. The paper says the Chinese leader took the opportunity to urge North Korea to halt its nuclear and missile tests.

STOCKHOLM (AP) - General Motors says it has signed a deal to sell its Saab unit to a consortium led by a Swedish carmaker. The sale includes an expected $600 million funding commitment from the European Investment Bank. The agreement is also guaranteed by the
Swedish government.

NEW YORK (AP) - Michelle Obama has been honored for her contributions to fashion at the industry's annual awards ceremony in New York. The Council of Fashion Designers of America handed out its awards last night. The group's president discussed the First lady's "unique look" and her "meteoric rise as a fashion icon."