Today's News Friday January 13, 2012

Local News-Friday, January 13, 2012

Shenandoah Police Seek Help In Finding Car Thief

Shenandoah police have issued a warrant for the arrest of Franklin R. Sterner, who resides in the borough, on multiple charges related to the theft of a vehicle on December 27, 2011. Police report that Sterner stole a Pontiac Grand Am that belongs to Adam Lizbinski, then drove through town at a high rate of speed. He collided with houses and cars, and when police approached him he fled the scene, driving the wrong way on one-way streets and running stop signs along the way. The car was found on West Chester Street, where it had hit a garage and utility pole. Sterner fled on foot into a nearby wooded area, and he remains at large. Anyone with information about Sterner's whereabouts is asked to call Shenandoah Police at 570-462-1008.

Saint Clair Teacher Facing Federal Charges Of Child Pornography

Charges related to possession and distribution of child pornography were withdrawn by Schuylkill County prosecutors against Todd C. Evans on Thursday. Evans has been charged by federal authorities with similar crimes, so to avoid double jeopardy issues, the state and local charges had to be withdrawn. Evans is in federal custody pending trial, and faces the possibility of up to twenty years imprisonment, monetary fines, and supervised release if he is convicted. Authorities say that Evans had pictures and movie files that included pornographic images of children on his home computer when his home was raided by police in December, and that he had posted these images on peer-to-peer accounts online.

Movie Theater At Schuylkill Mall Set For Major Upgrade

According to Mark Clement, manager of the movie theater at the Schuylkill Mall, a major change is on the way for local moviegoers. King Theater Circuit of Philadelphia owns the lease on the four-screen movie complex, and they will soon begin work to completely remodel the facility. When work is finished sometime in May there will be six screens instead of four, with stadium style seating for 825 patrons and a renovated lobby. New signs will also be installed outside the mall, and the name will change to "The Pearl at Schuylkill Mall With PXC". PXC is a wide screen digital projection system developed by Pearl that can show three dimensional movies, and it will be featured on all six screens. Clement said that the outdoor theater, called "Movies On the Mountain" will also be available during warm weather months.


Pottsville Area Superintendent Retiring

Pottsville Area School District Superintendent Dr. James Gallagher is retiring, and WPPA's Bob Bechtel has the story:

GALLAGHER

State and National News Friday January 13, 2012

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (AP) — Penn State President Rodney Erickson says it "grieves" him when people refer to "the Penn State scandal" because he thinks it centers on just one person — former football assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, who's accused of molesting boys. About 650 alumni attended the sometimes heated 90-minute meeting outside Philadelphia yesterday. It's part of Erickson's effort to repair the school's image. Another meeting takes place today in New York.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Joe Paterno's son, Scott, says it's becoming apparent his father's ouster as Penn State head coach by school trustees "was not handled well." Scott Paterno's comments to the Associated Press were in response to a trustees' statement that Paterno was immediately removed and not allowed to retire after the season because of "extraordinary circumstances."

CHESTER, Pa. (AP) — A school district in impoverished Chester is asking a federal court to force the state to increase its financial support as the 3,700-student district teeters on the brink of insolvency. Chester Upland School District filed the lawsuit yesterday in Philadelphia, saying it needs advance funding to pay teachers and staff, operate the schools and pay charter schools.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The city of Philadelphia is rolling out a new arts marketing campaign. The $2 million, two-year campaign is seeking to position Philadelphia among the world's great art destinations, attract new audiences, and generate overnight stays from visitors worldwide. It's being called "With Art, Philadelphia," a nod to the city's current tourism campaign called "With Love, Philadelphia."