Today's News: Friday, November 11, 2011

Veterans Day

Today, the 11th day of the 11th month, we pause to pay honor to all veterans who have served our country, in war and in peactime. The significance of the date came about as a result of the signing of the Armistice ending World War One in 1918. It became known as a holiday in this country in 1926. And on June 1st, 1954 the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all US Veterans. The government continued to tinker with the commemoration to the fourth Monday in October in 1968, then back to the actual day in 1978 by an act of Congress. There are a number of observances being held locally today, including at the County Vietnam Veterans Memorial at First UCC in Schuylkill Haven at Noon today. Please take a moment to remember those who have, and continue to protect our freedoms!

Law Enforcement Officers honored

Forty-nine Pennsylvania State police troopers are among 66 law enforcement officers to be honored by a statewide association for their efforts to combat drinking and driving in our state. The Pennsylvania Driving Under the Influence Association was founded to reduce deaths and injuries resulting from DUI. On Wednesday they held their annual meeting in Lancaster to honor these recipients.

Boil Water Advisory lifted

The Boil Water Advisory for all Pine Grove Water Customers has been lifted. The Pine Grove Borough Water Department appreciates your patients. If you have any questions, please contact Pine Grove Borough at 345-3555.

County Commissioners Offer Congratulations to New Members

During their meeting on Thursday, the Schuylkill County Commissioners offered their congratulations to the newly elected commissioners, and said a fond farewell to those county office holders who were unsuccessful in the bids for reelection. Frank Staudenmeier is the only member of the Board of Commissioners who will remain in office for another term, as Mantura Gallagher and frank McAndrew chose not to seek another four years. Staudenmeier will become a majority commissioner after fellow Republican George Halcovage is sworn into office. They will be joined by Democrat Gary Hess as all three strive to take Schuylkill County into the future. In other business the commissioners approved a proclamation declaring the week of November sixth through the twelfth as :Schuylkill County Farm/City Week”. The proclamation states that farms and cities will be partners in economic progress to ensure a better quality of life for future generations.

Shenandoah Man Going to Court After Alleged Break-In

A fifty three year old Shenandoah man who was found living in the woods has had charges against him held over to court after a preliminary hearing on Thursday. Mark Tutko is charged with stalking, loitering and prowling at night, and a summary charge of harassment after he allegedly broke into the home of Barbara Bisco and woke her by caressing her leg while she slept. After the break-in, Tutko fled into the woods, where he was captured by police one month later. After the hearing, Tutko was returned to Schuylkill County prison, where he is being held on thirty-five thousand dollars bail.

Graffiti Of War Exhibit Opens Today In Pottsville

In honor of veterans everywhere, an exhibit titled Graffiti of War will open today in Pottsville. The gallery is a showcase for about one hundred fifty pieces of art created by soldiers in the war zones of the Middle East. This is the first stop on what will become a nationwide tour for Graffiti of War, and it is presented by Block of Art and Schuylkill County VISION. Atrwork will be displayed at seven locations throughout the city, including the BOA Gallery at 205 West Market Street, the Schuylkill County Historical Society on Centre Street, Studio L Photography, Sage Coffeehouse & Tea Garden, the All American Café, and two locations next door to the BOA Gallery. The exhibit was made possible through the sponsorship of M&T Bank, Partridge House Bed & Breakfast, and Schaeffer’s Harley Davidson.

State News:


STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Governor Tom Corbett says he supported
actions by Penn State's trustees to force out football coach Joe
Paterno and university President Graham Spanier (SPAN'-yer), saying
he'd lost confidence in their ability to lead. Corbett made the
comments yesterday after a second day of private meetings by Penn
State trustees amid an unfolding child sex abuse scandal involving
the school.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - The new interim president of Penn
State says this is one of the saddest weeks in university history.
Rodney Erickson released a statement yesterday saying he will do
his best to confront the challenges facing the school in the wake
of a child sex-abuse scandal. University trustees fired previous
President Graham Spanier (SPAN'-yer) on Wednesday.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Penn State says assistant coach Mike
McQueary won't coach the Nittany Lions on Saturday because
"multiple threats" have been made against him. The university
released a statement last night saying it would be "in the best
interest of all" if the receivers coach didn't attend the game
against Nebraska at Beaver Stadium.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A long-powerful Pennsylvania senator has
been re-sentenced to 61 months in prison in a sprawling corruption
case, up from 55 months. Vincent Fumo was convicted of defrauding
the state Senate, a neighborhood nonprofit and museum of millions.
The Philadelphia Democrat faced about 20 years under federal
guidelines at his 2009 sentencing, but a judge initially sentenced
Fumo to 4 1/2 years.

National News:


WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is heading off to Asia
today on a 9-day trip that will include two summits with officials
from a region the administration views as a rising voice in world
economic and political affairs. Obama is trying to deepen America's
relationship with Asia, eyeing jobs and security interests back
home.

DETROIT (AP) - A 24-hour Christian rally starts tonight in
Detroit -- home to one of the largest Muslim communities outside
the Middle East. The Christian group says one of the problems
facing the U.S. is "terrorism that has its roots in Islam." Local
organizer Ellis Smith of Detroit's Jubilee City Church says the
event is not anti-Muslim.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (AP) - Supporters of Republican Herman Cain
seemed undeterred by the furor of the sexual harassment allegations
against him as the candidate stumped in Michigan. Cain's first
foray among voters since the allegations drew large and
enthusiastic crowds.

MIAMI (AP) - A tropical storm warning remains in effect for
Bermuda, which is expected to see 1 to 3 inches of rainfall from
Tropical Storm Sean. The storm has weakened and is expected to be
absorbed by a frontal system tonight or tomorrow. Ocean swells are
affecting the southeastern U.S. coast with life-threatening surf
and rip currents.

VAN, Turkey (AP) - The recovery of another body in one of two
collapsed hotels in eastern Turkey brings the death toll from
Wednesday's magnitude 5.6 earthquake to 13. The hotels, apparently
weakened by last month's magnitude-7.2 earthquake, came down during
Wednesday night's temblor. The October quake killed more than 600
people.