LOCAL NEWS: TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2011

THREE MEN CHARGED IN BANK ROBBERY

AFTER HOLDING UP A SCHUYLKILL COUNTY BANK MONDAY MORNING, THREE ROBBERS ARE NOW BEHIND BARS. POLICE HAVE TAKEN THE READING MEN INTO CUSTODY FOLLOWING A CHASE DOWN ROUTE 61 AT SPEEDS EXCEEDING 100 MPH. POLICE REPORT 20-YEAR-OLD JUSTIN SMITH AND 23-YEAR-OLD ORLANDO LUIS VELEZ JR. ENTERED THE FRONT DOOR OF THE UNION BANK AND TRUST IN WEST BRUNSWICK TOWNSHIP CARRYING HAND GUNS AND DEMANDING MONEY. 21-YEAR-OLD QUAMAINE SMITH-TISDALE WAS WAITING OUTSIDE IN THE GETAWAY CAR. POLICE SAY ONE MAN WAS WEARING A BULLET PROOF VEST. A PRELIMINARY ARRAIGNMENT WAS HELD AT SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON, SETTING BAIL AT $300K FOR SMITH AND SMITH-TISDALE AND $400K FOR VELEZ. ALL THREE MEN REMAIN IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON UNABLE TO POST BAIL.

JURY SELECTION BEGINS IN MURDER CASE

JURORS HAVE BEEN SELECTED FOR THE DEATH PENALTY HOMICIDE CASE OF A BERKS COUNTY MAN CHARGED WITH KILLING A SHENANDOAH MAN IN MARCH 2010 IN FRONT OF HIS CHILDREN. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS JURORS SELECTED WILL DECIDE WHETHER 32-YEAR-OLD JULIUS ENOE SHOT BRUCE FORKER IN HIS APARTMENT. IF THEY FIND IT WAS FIRST DEGREE MURDER, THEY THEN MUST DECIDE IF SUFFICIENT AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES EXIST TO IMPOSE A DEATH SENTENCE AGAINST HIM. ENOE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD IN THE COUNTY PRISON WITHOUT BAIL.

RULES SET FOR MAY TRIAL OF FORMER SHENANDOAH COPS

THE JUDGE IN THE FEDERAL TRIAL OF TWO FORMER SHENANDOAH POLICEMEN CHARGED WITH RUNNING AN EXTORTION SCHEME IN THE BOROUGH SET COURTROOM RULES MONDAY VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL TO THOSE IN THE JANUARY TRIAL OF THREE EX-OFFICERS WHO ALLEGEDLY OBSTRUCTED THE PROBE OF THE FATAL BEATING OF AN ILLEGAL MEXICAN IMMIGRANT.IN A FOUR-PAGE ORDER, SENIOR U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE A. RICHARD CAPUTO BARRED CAMERAS, CELL PHONES AND SIMILAR AUDIO AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES FROM COURTROOM 3 AT THE MAX ROSENN UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE, WILKES-BARRE, WHERE THE TRIAL OF MATTHEW NESTOR AND JAMIE GENNARINI WILL BE HELD MAY 10TH. A FEDERAL GRAND JURY INDICTED NESTOR, SHENANDOAH'S FORMER POLICE CHIEF, AND GENNARINI, ITS FORMER POLICE CAPTAIN, IN DECEMBER, 2009, ON CHARGES RESULTING FROM AN ALLEGED EXTORTION SCHEME. PROSECUTORS ALLEGE THAT FROM 2004 THROUGH 2007, NESTOR AND GENNARINI EXTORTED CASH FROM THREE BOOKMAKERS OPERATING AN ILLEGAL GAMBLING OPERATION IN THE BOROUGH. IN EXCHANGE, THE SHENANDOAH POLICE TOOK NO ACTION AGAINST ANY OF THE BOOKMAKERS DURING THE TIME OF THE CONSPIRACY. (WGRC)

EARLY RETIREMENT OFFERED TO MAHANOY AREA FACULTY

THE MAHANOY AREA SCHOOL BOARD VOTED MONDAY TO OFFER EARLY RETIREMENT INCENTIVES TO ADMINISTRATORS, SUPERVISORS AND TEACHERS. THE DECISION CAME AFTER A $1.1 MILLION BUDGET GAP AWAITS THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THE SCHOOL BOARD VOTED ON TWO RETIREMENT INCENTIVE OFFERS- ONE FOR ADMINISTRATORS/SUPERVISORS, THE OTHER TO MEMBERS OF THE MAHANOY AREA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION. GOVENOR TOM CORBETT’S PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES CUTS IN EDUCATION SPENDING EVEN THOUGH A FINAL 2011-12 STATE BUDGET HAS NOT BEEN ADOPTED.

LOCAL STUDENTS DONATE TO CHARITY

THIRD GRADE STUDENTS AT JOHN S. CLARKE ELEMENTARY CENTER HAVE VOTED TO DONATE MONEY TO 5 LOCAL CHARITIES AND THE RESULTS ARE IN! A TOTAL OF $1,500 WAS DISPERSED BETWEEN THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, POTTSVILLE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY, SCHUYLKILL BICENTENNIAL COMMITTEE, MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION AND SOVEREIGN MAJESTIC THEATER. THROUGH THE KAREN CHATTIN NEY EDUCATION FUND, STUDENTS EXPERIENCED THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CONTRIBUTING TO COMMUNITY LIFE.

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY GREEN CHALLENGE

USING THE THEME "INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE FORESTS," OVER 6,000 STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE ANNUAL SCHUYLKILL COUNTY GREEN CHALLENGE THAT IS ADMINISTERED BY THE SCHUYLKILL CONSERVATION DISTRICT. INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS AND TEAMS NOT ONLY LEARNED ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF FORESTS WORLDWIDE, BUT WERE AWARDED $12,000 IN PRIZE MONEY FROM CORPORATE SPONSORS. A THREE-TIERED COMPETITION WAS HELD THAT FEATURED AN EARTH DAY POSTER CONTEST, AN ENVIRONMENTAL ESSAY CONTEST AND A TEAM CHALLENGE.

OVERTURNED DUMP TRUCK INJURES ONE

TRAFFIC WAS SLOWED MONDAY IN THE WESTBOUND LANES OF INTERSTATE 180 FOLLOWING A CRASH LATE MONDAY MORNING IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY. THAT CRASH HAPPENED JUST BEFORE ELEVEN A.M. ON THE WESTBOUND LANES OF THE INTERSTATE NEAR THE ROUTE 54 INTERSECTION IN DELEWARE TOWNSHIP. POLICE SAY A DUMP TRUCK DRIVEN BY 66-YEAR OLD WILLIAM DELSITE OF MILTON ROLLED OVER AFTER GOING UP AN EMBANKMENT TRAPPING HIM INSIDE THE CAB OF THE TRUCK BEFORE HE WAS EXTRICATED. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE OF THE DUMP TRUCK HAULING ASPHALT BLEW OUT LEADING TO THE CRASH. LIFE-FLIGHT WAS SENT TO THE SCENE AND REPORTEDLY LANDED ON THE INTERSTATE TO FLY DELSITE TO GEISINGER MEDICAL CENTER WITH WHAT POLICE SAY WERE MODERATE INJURIES. (WGRC)

PSU-SCHUYLKILL TO HOLD INTERVENTION EVENT

IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT TRAGEDY IN ARIZONA, PENN STATE SCHUYLKILL AND SCHUYLKILL NAMI TEAMED UP TO COORDINATE AN EVENT TO RAISE AWARENESS OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN HIGHER EDUCATION. A THREE HOUR PRESENTATION TONIGHT IN THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS BUILDING ON CAMPUS WILL DISCUSS BEHAVIOR AND EXPRESSIONS THAT CAN BE RECOGNIZED IN STUDENTS TO AVOID VIOLENCE AND SEEK HELP. THE FORMAT FOR THE EVENT WILL CONSIST OF SEVERAL 20 MINUTE PRESENTATIONS WHICH WILL BE OPEN FOR DISCUSSION. THE PURPOSE OF THE SYMPOSIUM IS TO RAISE AWARENESS AND DISCUSS SITUATIONS IN WHICH MENTALLY HEALTHY STUDENTS CAN FACE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. JOIN PENN STATE AND SCHUYLKILL NAMI ALONG WITH LEHIGH CARBON COMMUNITY COLLEGE, MCCANN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MH/MR TONIGHT AT SIX OCLOCK TO RAISE AWARENESS AND BANISH THE TABOO OF MENTAL HEALTH ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

STATE NEWS:

YORK, PA. (AP) - THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS CONFIRMED THAT A TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA OVER THE WEEKEND, DAMAGING A MALL AND OTHER STRUCTURES. FORECASTERS SAY A SMALL TORNADO WITH WINDS UP TO 85 MILES-PER-HOUR TRAVELED ALONG ALMOST ONE-HALF MILE IN WEST MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP IN YORK COUNTY ON SATURDAY NIGHT.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - DISABLED PENNSYLVANIANS TRYING TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES ARE SUING STATE WELFARE OFFICIALS OVER ALLEGED DELAYS WITH THEIR APPLICATIONS FOR IN-HOME CARE. DISABILITY LAWYERS SAY LONG DELAYS ARE DENYING THEIR CLIENTS HELP WITH BATHING, MEAL PREPARATION AND OTHER ESSENTIAL NEEDS.

SOMERSET, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SAY ONE OF TWO MEN INJURED IN WHAT THEY BELIEVE WAS A DISPUTE OVER A DRUG DEAL HAS DIED. THE CAMBRIA COUNTY CORONER DENNIS KWIATKOWSKI SAYS SAMUEL TAYLOR JR. OF PITTSBURGH WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD SUNDAY. HE HAD BEEN SHOT IN THE HEAD EARLY THURSDAY IN A SOMERSET APARTMENT.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THOUSANDS OF STATE EMPLOYEES IN HARRISBURG ARE TO BE BACK ON THE JOB AS USUAL TODAY AFTER GETTING AN UNEXPECTED DAY OFF DUE TO A WATER LINE BREAK THAT LEFT PARTS OF THE CITY WITH LOW WATER PRESSURE. THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ON
YESTERDAY SENT WORKERS IN THE CAPITOL COMPLEX HOME AS CREWS WORKED TO FIX A LEAK. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE GOVERNOR SAID WORKERS ARE DUE BACK AT WORK AT THEIR REGULAR TIMES TUESDAY.

NATIONAL NEWS:

BONNETSVILLE, N.C. (AP) - NORTH CAROLINA COMMUNITIES ARE CLEARING AWAY RUBBLE AND DEBRIS FROM THE WORST TORNADO OUTBREAK IN NEARLY 30 YEARS AS OFFICIALS FRET ABOUT RECOVERY COSTS IN THE TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. NORTH CAROLINA GOT THE WORST OF THE WEATHER WHICH RAGED THROUGH DENSELY POPULATED CITIES, TRASHING HOMES, BUSINESSES AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND KILLED AT LEAST 44.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE SUPREME COURT HEARS ARGUMENTS TODAY ABOUT WHETHER FEDERAL COURTS OR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ORDER UTILITIES TO CUT THEIR CARBON EMISSIONS. ENVIRONMENTALISTS CONTEND THE COURTS HAVE THE AUTHORITY. UTILITIES AND THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION SAY IT'S THE EPA.

PHOENIX (AP) - JURY SELECTION BEGINS IN PHOENIX TODAY FOR A 46-YEAR-OLD FORMER CONSTRUCTION WORKER ACCUSED OF KILLING NINE PEOPLE IN 2005 AND 2006. MARK GOUDEAU IS GOING ON TRIAL FOR MURDER. THE VICTIMS - EIGHT OF THEM WOMEN - RANGED IN AGES FROM 19TO 39. THEY WERE KILLED GOING ABOUT THEIR DAILY ACTIVITIES.

WASHINGTON (AP) - MOTORCYCLE DEATHS DROPPED FOR MOST OF LAST YEAR BUT SAFETY ADVOCATES ARE STILL CONCERNED. THEY SAY DEATHS BEGAN TO CLIMB TOWARD THE END OF THE LATEST REPORTING PERIOD. DEATHS PLUNGED WHEN THE ECONOMY TANKED, SUGGESTING A DROP IN
RECREATIONAL RIDING THAT MAY BE ENDING NOW THAT THINGS ARE IMPROVING. A BIKE OWNERS' GROUP SAYS THE RECESSION ACTUALLY INCREASED RIDERSHIP.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION HAS SUSPENDED ANOTHER AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER AND A MANAGER. THE FAA SAYS THE CONTROLLER IN CLEVELAND WAS WATCHING A DVD AND THAT HIS MICROPHONE WAS INADVERTENTLY TRANSMITTING THE MOVIE SOUNDTRACK FOR MORE THAN THREE MINUTES. THAT PREVENTED HIM FROM HEARING INCOMING
RADIO CALLS.