Today's News-Saturday, August 7, 2010

Schuylkill Haven State Police are investigating a bank robbery that occured around quarter to ten yesterday morning at the Susquehanna Bank branch on route 61 in Orwigsburg. According to police reports, a white male, approximately six feet two inches walked into the bank and handed a teller a note demanding cash. After being handed an undetermined amount of money he fled the scene a small black or dark colored vehicle, possibly a Mazda RX7 and drove south. The thief was wearing a dark colored baseball cap, long sleeved flannel shirt and cargo shirts. He is of a medium build, short dark hair and slight facial hair. He is believed to be in his mid 20's to mid 30's and anyone with information is asked to call State Police at Schuylkill Haven at 570-593-2000.

Representative Jerry Knowles is reminding local residents to be cautious when hiring a contractor to perform repairs and renovations to their homes. Knowles points out that their are several things consumers should look out for to protect themselves from disputable or fraudulent home improvement contractors. Those that come to a home and point out specific problems should be met with caution. If the vehicle in which they arrive in is not marked and they refuse to provided proof of insurance, it is safe to say they may not be a refutable contractor. Representative Knowles added that consumers should check for at least three or four references and that the contractor is registered with state and local governments. He furthers to remind residents that they should provide you with a contract to include start and finish dates and a three day right to cancel notice, consumers should never sign a blank contract or hire a contractor without a business card or local phone number and address. Also, final payments should be withheld until work is finished and the homeowners are completely satisfied. In 2008, the Legislature passed the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act that requires all contractors who perform at least five thousand dollars worth of home improvements per year register with the Attorney General's Office. To find a list of registered contractors, visit the Pennsylvania Attorney General's website at www.attorneygeneral.gov/hic.aspx.
　
Folks got a leg up last night for the 17th Annual Great Pottsville Cruise. About 200 folks packed into Pine View Acres to dance the night away to the sounds of The Mudflaps. Cruise events will continue from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today with the Cruise-In to Jerry's Classic Cars & Collectibles Museum on Centre Street in Pottsville. From 6 to 9 p.m., the cruisers will Cruise-In to Coney Island Downtown. The Great Pottsville Cruise is hosted annually by Pottsville Lions Club Charities and Pottsville Pride. The Cruise is a five-day event that began Wednesday with the Cruise-in and Warm-up at Maroon's Sports Bar & Grill. The actual cruise will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Cruisers will ride along a 10.4-mile, two-way cruise route through Pottsville and a section of Norwegian Township. More than 1,000 cruisers and 10,000 people are expected to be in the city for the event.

Saint Clair police have obtained an arrest warrant for a 26-year-old New Ringgold man charging him with robbing the Uni-Mart store Thursday night. According to the Republican and Herald, Police said Joshua J. Green, 591 Stony Lane, is charged with two felony counts of robbery and one misdemeanor count each of simple assault, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. In his criminal complaint Sgt. William Dempsey said Green entered the store at 61 S. Second St. just after 9:30 p.m. and tried to purchase cigarettes but could not provide identification to confirm his age when asked by the clerk. Green then walked around the store and selected an item from the candy section and went to the register to pay for the 25-cent purchase. When the clerk opened the register, Dempsey said Green tried to grab the money inside and struggled with the clerk. During the struggle, the clerk cut her arm and was eventually overpowered by Green, who was able to take $161.70 and flee the store, run across Second Street and then onto Lawton Street, where he got into a Chevrolet Blazer and drove off. Dempsey said police learned later that Green stole the vehicle from his girlfriend in Rush Township. After obtaining store surveillance images, Dempsey said he showed the photos to Green's grandmother and a friend, who confirmed his identity. Police said Green is about 6 feet tall with brown hair, weighs about 140 pounds and, at the time of the robbery, was wearing a dark-colored T-shirt, plaid shorts, dark shoes and a light-colored hat. Although police said they know Green's identity, they are asking for anyone with information on his whereabouts to call them at 429-3050 or through the Schuylkill County Communications Center.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The major party candidates for governor are scheduled to meet in a debate in Hershey next month. Republican Tom Corbett and Democrat Dan Onorato will debate at the annual Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry dinner on September 27th. Former ABC News anchor Ted Koppel will moderate.

PENNDEL, Pa. (AP) - A counselor at the facility near Philadelphia where an autistic man died after being left in a hot van has been arrested on drug charges. Bristol Township police say
Uron Brinson of Trenton, New Jersey, sold $5,000 worth of cocaine in the parking lot of Woods Services to a police informant.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Officials say no one was hurt when a Miami-bound plane was forced to return to Philadelphia International Airport after a tire burst during takeoff. The US Airways Boeing 737 circled the airport for over an hour to burn fuel then landed about 2:30 p.m.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) - Bethlehem police have arrested a woman they say robbed a bank in a clown costume. She was captured about five minutes after the bank robbery yesterday. Officers found her in her car changing out of the clown suit.

LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) - The World Boardgaming Championships are drawing hundreds to Lancaster this week from around the globe. The games are largely divided between lengthy strategic military games and others classified as Eurogames, such as the fantasy dice game "Settlers of Catan.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says the new health care law and efforts to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse is generally making Medicare stronger and cutting health care costs for seniors. In his weekly media address, Obama says Medicare is on stronger financial footing and will exist for many more years.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Illinois Rep. Peter Roskam is criticizing government spending and the prospect of higher taxes at a time of continued high unemployment. President Barack Obama wants to let a series of tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans expire in January. In the weekly Republican media address, Roskam says such a move will further damage the economy and says Obama isn't listening to Americans.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Elena Kagan joins the Supreme Court today. Chief Justice John Roberts will swear in Kagan twice. She will recite one oath as prescribed by the Constitution during a private ceremony. Roberts will then administer a second oath, taken by judges, with Kagan's family and friends and reporters present. Kagan's formal installation is Oct. 1.

MIAMI (AP) - Beaches are closed across Bermuda as it awaits Tropical Storm Colin. Authorities are warning of high winds and dangerous surf. A tropical storm warning is up and Colin's center
is expected to pass near or over the British territory Saturday.

SRINAGAR, India (AP) - Rivers of mud roaring down mountainsides have killed at least 130 people in Indian-controlled Kashmir. The slides triggered by a cloudburst followed by flash floods hit a Himalayan desert region. At least 400 people have been injured.