Today's News-Friday, June 4, 2010

METH LAB BUSTED
A police investigation has led to arrest of a Hecksherville couple on drug related charges, stemming from an incident in December. Local police and county drug task force members executed a search warrant at the home of John and Amanda Gill, 865 Valley Road, on Wednesday. Police found drug paraphernalia used to make methamphetamine, along with drugs, guns and money. John Gill, age 49, was charged with violations of the controlled substance act. Police attached a GPS monitor to Gill as he was admitted to the hospital for treatment of injuries received in an ATV accident prior to his arrest. Amanda Gill, 48, has been charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution. She was jailed in the county prison. Additional charges will be filed against the Gill's, along with two other people that were present at the time of the search Wednesday. The confidential informant line to report illegal drug activity is 800-414-1406, or by calling local police.

POTTSVILLE MAN CHARGED WITH HUFFING
A Pottsville man arrested on suspicion of D-U-I for inhaling compressed air. Troopers say 22-year old James Marconis Junior of Pottsville was seen inhaling from a can of compressed air in the Fairlane Village Mall Parking Lot in East Norwegian Township just after 2:30 Wednesday afternoon. He then drove to his home in Pottsville where he was again seen huffing from another can of compressed air. Police took Marconis into custody at his home and took him to Schuylkill County Medical Center South for a blood test. The compressed air contains difluoroethane which provides a very brief high when inhaled. Charges are pending the results of the blood test.

MAN ARRESTED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT
A Pottsville man is charged with with statutory sexual assault, stemming from an incident last November in New Philadelphia. State police at Frackville allege that 22 year old Brent Herb had sexual intercourse with a 14 year old girl on or around November 15th. Charges of sexual assault, indecent assault and corruption of minors were filed against Herb on Wednesday. Following arraignment, he was jailed in the county prison, being unable to post bail.

BREAK IN AT NORWEGIAN TOWNSHIP
State police have made an arrest in a burglary early Wednesday in Norwegian Township. 29 year old Clinton Knott of Jersey Shore reportedly broke into the home of Erin Hammer, 308 Heritage Heights. Some personal items were taken, including US Savings Bonds in Knott's son's name. Cops apprehended Knott by mid morning. He's charged with violating a PFA, theft and receiving stolen property, was arraigned and released on bond.

MYSPACE CASES
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A U.S. appeals court in Philadelphia must decide if schools can discipline students for lewd, harassing or simply juvenile Internet speech posted off-campus. Two students, including one from Blue Mountain School District, are fighting suspensions they received for posting derisive profiles of their principals on MySpace from home computers. The American Civil Liberties Union says school districts cannot reach beyond school grounds in such cases to impose discipline. The two Pennsylvania school districts argue the postings could be disruptive at school, and say they have the right to maintain order. In a rare move, all 14 eligible judges on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments Thursday. Legal experts hope the Supreme Court will soon clarify the limits of school discipline for online speech.

VETS HEADED TO DC
Area veterans who served in World War Two, Korea and Vietnam are headed to Washington Saturday to pay respects to their comrades. This is the third year for the veterans trip, says Don Kachelries, who helped organize this year's pilgrimage:

KACHELRIES

The busses will leave from the St Clair Walmart at 8am , with an escort through St Clair, Pottsville and Schuylkill Haven as they head south. Kachelries is asking everyone to line the route to give the vets a great send off.

SOJOURN STARTS TOMORROW
The annual paddle down the picturesque Schuylkill River gets underway tomorrow with the 12th edition of the Sojourn. More than 200 paddlers will participate in all or part of the Sojourn, beginning at the Island in Schuylkill Haven and ending in Philadelphia on June 12th. This year's theme is "Schuylkill River, the River of Revolutions" and the programming conducted by the National Park Service. Paddlers will gather on the Island tonight from 4 to 8 pm for check in, a chicken barbecue dinner and an ice cream social.
　
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) - A Penn State student who claimed he was injured when university police tackled him during an annual naked run on campus to usher in spring finals has settled a lawsuit. Christopher Ferry, of West Chester, had sought more than $150,000 in damages. Terms of the settlement were not released.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A financier charged with traveling overseas to have sex with a 12-year-old Russian ballet dancer and continuing the relationship in Philadelphia is being held without bail. A federal judge denied Kenneth Schneider's bail request, saying he has ample financial resources to flee. The Berwyn resident's lawyer says he'll fight the charges.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A former Pennsylvania liquor enforcement officer has pleaded guilty to extorting bar and restaurant owners with liquor licenses out of money. Prosecutors say 35-year-old Gina Maria Kepler extorted $13,000 in Bucks and Montgomery counties between October 2006 and October 2008. She's to be sentenced on September 15th.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The trial of a woman authorities say was caught on video assaulting police during the Group of 20 international economic summit in Pittsburgh has been postponed until next month. Police say 22-year-old Lauren Wasson threw a bicycle at police during a protest. She says police shoved her as she was trying to slow down and let a pedestrian pass.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Determined to project both command and compassion, President Barack Obama returns to the Louisiana coast today for another look at efforts to stop the oil spill and prevent fouling of sensitive wetlands. The president underscored his focus on the Gulf by abruptly canceling plans for a trip to Indonesia and Australia later this month.

GRAND ISLE, La. (AP) - Live video footage shows oil flowing seemingly unimpeded after a cap was seated atop a blown-out Gulf of Mexico well. But the oil is also obscuring the view, making it
impossible to tell if BP's latest attempt to curtail the nation's worst spill is having any success.

ISTANBUL (AP) - Turkey's deputy prime minister says relations with Israel are being reduced after the deadly raid on a flotilla of ships heading for Gaza. The official says economic and defense cooperation with Israel will be reduced amid tensions after the killing of nine Turkish activists.

LIMA, Peru (AP) - A Dutch man linked to the 2005 disappearance of U.S. teen Natalee Holloway in Aruba could face murder charges in Peru once he is returned there. Joran van der Sloot was taken into custody in neighboring Chile and authorities plan to fly him back to the border. He's the prime suspect in the death of a woman in Peru.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Discovery of the toxic metal cadmium has prompted McDonald's to recall 12 million drinking glasses it is selling to promote the new "Shrek" movie. The metal is contained
in painted designs on the cheap collectibles. The burger giant says it wants customers to stop using the 16-ounce glasses.