TODAY'S NEW: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2010

ORWIGSBURG MAN ROBBED AT GUNPOINT

AN ORWIGSBURG MAN WAS ROBBED AT GUNPOINT LATE FRIDAY NIGHT, WHILE ENTERTING HIS MOTEL ROOM AT THE COUNTRY SQUIRE MOTEL IN NORTH MANHEIM TOWNSHIP. THE MAN WAS FORCED INTO HIS ROOM AS THE SUSPECTS REMOVED HIS WALLET CONTAINING FOUR-HUNDRED-FIFTY DOLLARS IN CASH AND VARIOUS CREDIT CARDS. THE SUSPECTS ARE DESCRIBED AS TWENTY-SOMETHING FEMALES, ONE WHITE AND ONE HISPANIC, AND DRIVING A WHITE SEDAN WITH MASSACHUSETTS LISENCE PLATES. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE STATE POLICE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN.

GIRARDVILLE WOMAN PLEADED GUILTY IN THEFT

MICHELLE CONNORS, OF GIRARDVILLE, PLEADED GUILTY FRIDAY ON TWO COUNTS EACH OF THEFT AND RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY. CONNORS WAS SENTENCED TO ONE TO FIVE YEARS IN A STATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND FIVE YEARS OF PROBATION FOR STEALING MORE THAN ONE-HUNDRED-SIXTY THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM MARY OCONNELL AFTER BECOMING HER POWER OF ATTORNEY. ACCORDING TO THE REPUBLICAN HERALD, CONNORS APOLOGIZED AND STATED SHE HOPES OCONNELL WOULD FORGIVE HER ONE DAY.

STATE POLICE PARTICIPATE IN MOTOR COACH SAFETY WEEK

THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE, PENSYLVANIA PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION AND MUNICIPAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WILL CONDUCT SAFETY INSPECTIONS OF MOTOR COACHES AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE DURING MOTOR COACH WEEK, WHICH RUNS THROUGH NOVEMBER 19TH. MOTOR COACHES ARE INSPECTED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR ACCORDING TO PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE COMMISSIONER FRANK PAWLOWSKI, BUT THIS WILL BE A LARGE-SCALE EFFORT TO ENSURE THAT THE VEHICLES ARE FREE OF SAFETY HAZARDS AND REACH THEIR DESTINATIONS SAFELY.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS DESIGNATE LEADERSHIP TEAM

THE ONE-HUNDRED-AND-TWENTY-TWO MEMBERS OF THE INCOMING PENSYLVANIA HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS ELECTED THEIR LEADERSHIP TEAM FOR THE UPCOMING SESSION THAT BEGINS JANUARY 4TH. REPRESENTATIVE SAM SMITH WAS NOMINATED FOR SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND REPRESENTATIVE MIKE TURZAL WAS SELECTED TO BECOME THE NEW MAJORITY LEADER. REPRESENTATIVE STAN SAYLOR WILL SERVE AS MAJORITY WHIP. THE NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM IS UNITED IN RESTORING CITIZENS’ CONFIDENCE IN STATE GOVERNMENT, CONTROLLING EXCESSIVE STATE SPENDING, AND ULTIMATELY LOWERING TAXES ON HARD WORKING PENSYLVANIANS.

STATE NEWS

GETTYSBURG, PA. (AP) - THE STATE POLICE COMMISSIONER, THE COUNTY PROSECUTOR AND A GAME COMMISSION OFFICIAL ARE PLANNING TO DISCUSS THE SHOOTING DEATH OF A WILDLIFE OFFICER. THE AFTERNOON NEWS CONFERENCE CONCERNED THE SHOOTING DEATH OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION OFFICER DAVID GROVE IN ADAMS COUNTY. POLICE HAVE DETAINED A PERSON
OF INTEREST IN THE CASE, CHRISTOPHER LYNN JOHNSON.

ALLENTOWN, PA. (AP) - A MEDICAL EXPERT TESTIFYING FOR THE DEFENSE IN THE TRIAL OF A MAN CHARGED IN A TODDLER'S BEATING DEATH SAYS THE CHILD'S WOUNDS ARE CONSISTENT WITH AN ACCIDENT. EUGENIO TORRES OF N.Y., IS CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE IN ELIJAH STRICKLAND'S
DEATH IN 2008. AUTHORITIES SAY STRICKLAND HAD BURNS, A SKULL FRACTURE AND INTERNAL BLEEDING WHEN HE DIED IN NORTHAMPTON COUNTY.

NATIONAL NEWS

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYS THAT WHILE ASIA'S RAPID GROWTH WILL LEAD TO COMPETITION FOR JOBS, COUNTRIES SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PROSPER AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHER NATIONS. SPEAKING TO EXECUTIVES AT A BUSINESS SUMMIT IN JAPAN, OBAMA SAYS NO COUNTRY SHOULD HAVE A MONOPOLY ON TRADE AND ECONOMIC GROWTH.

MOUNT MERAPI, INDONESIA (AP) - THE DEATH TOLL IN A SERIES OF ERUPTIONS FROM INDONESIA'S MOUNT MERAPI HAS CLIMBED TO 240. THE FIGURE HAS CONTINUED TO RISE SINCE A MASSIVE BLAST ON NOV. 5. CREWS ARE PULLING MORE BODIES FROM SMOLDERING VILLAGES, PEOPLE ARE DYING FROM THEIR WOUNDS AND OFFICIALS ARE COUNTING DEATHS INDIRECTLY CAUSED BY THE VOLCANO.

ANNAPOLIS, MD. (AP) - FEDERAL PROSECUTORS IN MARYLAND HAVE CHARGED A MARRIED COUPLE, BOTH TOP POLITICIANS IN THEIR SUBURBAN WASHINGTON, D.C., COUNTY, WITH TAMPERING WITH EVIDENCE AND OTHER CHARGES. A PROSECUTOR SAYS THE CHARGES GREW OUT OF A 5-YEAR-OLD INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED REWARDS PROVIDED BY REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS TO LOCAL POLITICIANS IN EXCHANGE FOR FAVORS.