Today's News Fri. December 23, 2011

Local News Fri. December 23, 2011

As we celebrate during the Christmas season, we should be aware of the dangers that can be associated with those big family dinners. We have more from Penn State Ag Sciences:

FOOD SAFETY

Local Municipalities Adopt 2012 Budgets

The Borough of Ashland formally adopted their 2012 budget at the meeting of council on Wednesday night. Ashland residents will not see an increase in property taxes in the coming year, but council did vote to increase the sewer rate by $10.00 per quarter. The final vote was not without issues, as several budget options were explored and rejected before the final vote. Rush Township supervisors also approved a final budget for 2012 during their Tuesday meeting. Residents there can also expect to pay the same tax rate, but they will enjoy a lower trash collection rate, as it will drop from $145.00 per year to $130.00.

State Police Respond To Theft of Vehicle In Girardville

State Police from the Frackville Barracks are investigating the theft of a red 2000 Ford pickup truck that was taken from the alley at 2nd and Ogden streets in Girardville. Joseph Womer, who lives at 146 North Second Street in the borough reported the truck stolen sometime between Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Anyone with information can call Frackville PSP at 570-874-5300.

Hit And Run Crash In Cressona Injures Pine Grove Woman

Cynthia Yoder, of Pine Grove, was driving her Chevrolet Blazer southbound on Route 183 through Cressona Borough on Thursday night when a green Jeep Liberty that was traveling northbound collided with her. The incident happened at the intersection on Route 183 and Route 901 near the Mobil gas station. After impact, the Jeep fled the scene eastward on Pottsville Street toward Route 61. Yoder's vehicle received major damage and had to be towed from the scene. The Jeep has damage to the left side in the front and rear. Anyone with information on this incident should call Schuylkill Haven PSP at 570-593-2000.

Shenandoah Resident Accused Of Assault Waives Hearing

Andrew Schmidt, a resident of Shenandoah, went before Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker on Thursday to face charges that he assaulted Jackie Sotomayor, who is the mother of his child, on November 18. Shenandoah police were called to the scene after Schmidt allegedly threw Sotomayor to the ground and choked her, telling her she was going to die. The alleged assault took place in front of their three year old son. Schmidt faces multiple charges as a result of this incident, and he waived his right to a preliminary hearing. Judge Kilker returned Schmidt to the county prison, where he is being held on $25,000 straight cash bail, to await trial.

State and National News Fri. December 23, 2011

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A Republican-crafted remake of Pennsylvania's congressional districts is now law. Governor Tom Corbett signed the bill yesterday without comment. It shrinks the number of congressional districts from 19 to 18 and tries to ensure at least 12 are held by Republicans.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphia prosecutors have refiled charges against a suspect in the case of mentally disabled adults found locked in a basement. Prosecutors say they're refiling kidnapping, assault and other charges against Eddie "the Reverend Ed" Wright. On Tuesday, a judge agreed to drop charges against Wright after his attorney argued he was more a victim than a perpetrator.

THOMASVILLE, Pa. (AP) - A small plane has crashed in a field in south-central Pennsylvania, killing the pilot. The crash happened yesterday evening in Jackson Township, about two miles from the York Airport in Thomasville. Northern York County Regional Police say the pilot was a 38-year-old man from California. He was the only person aboard.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The preliminary hearing transcript for two Penn State administrators charged with perjury and failure to report suspected child abuse is now available online. Dauphin County officials announced yesterday the transcript from the December 16th hearing has been made available to the public. The hearing resulted in charges against Tim Curley and Gary Schultz being forwarded to county court for trial.

UNDATED (AP)- It's more than the holiday shopping season. It's also open season for shoplifters. During the four weeks leading up to Christmas, an estimated $1.84 billion in merchandise will be shoplifted this year. The Global Retail Theft Barometer says that's up about 6 percent from 2010.

NEW YORK (AP) - The roads should be getting more crowded as Americans head out for holiday visits with family and friends. AAA says about 92 million people will travel 50 miles or more from today through Jan. 2, an increase of 1.4 percent over last year. The federation of motor clubs says 90 percent will travel by car.

WATERVILLE, Maine (AP) - Police have intensified their focus on the house where a missing 20-month-old Maine girl lived. As the search for Ayla Reynolds comes to the end of its first week, police also continue to look through fields and waterways and run down leads.

ISLAMABAD (AP) - The Pakistani army has rejected a U.S. investigation into American airstrikes last month that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. The report released yesterday says both the U.S. and Pakistan made mistakes that contributed to the deadly incident.

UNDATED (AP) - Approval numbers for Angels and Santa Claus are the stuff some politicians can only dream about. A new Associated Press-GfK poll shows 77 percent of adults saying they believe in the existence of angels. And more than 8 in 10 American grown-ups say they believed in Santa when they were children.