Today's News Tuesday January 17, 2012

Local News Tuesday January 17, 2012

Donaldson Man Sentenced For Sex Crimes

Seventy-seven year old Robert E. Barry, of Donaldson, received his sentence from President Judge William Baldwin in Schuylkill County Court on Monday. Barry was convicted in September of multiple counts related to the sexual assault of three young girls that happened during the 1990's and early 2000's. All three women testified during Barry's trial, and one spoke during the sentencing hearing. For his crimes, Barry was sentenced to nine to eighteen years in state prison and lifetime Megan's Law registration. Barry's attorney had asked that Judge Baldwin consider house arrest in consideration of Barry's age and medical condition, but that request was denied.

Icy Road Contributes To Accident On Route 54

Two people escaped a single vehicle crash on Route 54 in Mahanoy Township without injuries. Amanda Ackroyd, of Shenandoah, was driving west on the highway when she lost control on the slippery roadway. Her car crossed the eastbound lane and collided with a stone wall, then spun around and came to rest against the wall. Both Ackroyd and her passenger, Shawn Aaron Lutz also of Shenandoah, were wearing seatbelts and were uninjured. Frackville State Police responded to the call, along with Shenandoah EMS. Ackroyd has been charged with driving too fast for conditions.

Tamaqua Man Faces Additional Charges After Resisting Arrest

An off-duty police officer recognized a man who had an outstanding warrant, and notified an on-duty officer, who then approached 26 year-old Kareem Jamiai West Walker to place him under arrest. As handcuffs were being applied, Walker assaulted both officers in an attempt to escape. The officers were assisted by passing motorists, and Walker was subdued and arrested. He now faces felony charges of aggravated assault, recklessly endangering, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct on top of the simple assault and harassment charges resulting from a December 30 incident. Walker is in prison awaiting preliminary hearings on all charges on January 24.

Mahanoy City Moves To Protect Firefighters

In an effort to let firefighters know what awaits them inside dilapidated buildings in Mahanoy City, borough council has authorized the placement of warning signs on their front doors. Fire Chief Randy Kalce and Code Enforcement Officer William Killian III have begun the process of posting the signs on some of the estimated one hundred unsafe buildings in the borough. Many of these building have sat abandoned and neglected for years, and contain hidden dangers that could put firefighters at risk of serious injury or death. The signs include coded warnings to alert firefighters of holes in the roof, missing stairs, or damaged floors.

Get "Wild About Winter" On January 21 At Hawk Mountain Sanctuary

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, located off Route 895 near Kempton, will be presenting a program titled "Wild About Winter" on Saturday January 21. Visitors will be able to get information about winter birds, see animal tracks that are common to this area, and take a short walk to a scenic overlook. There will be activities for children and two live raptor programs inside the visitor center. The program starts at 11:00 AM and continues until 3:00 PM. Visitors who want to walk to an overlook should dress for the weather and wear sturdy walking shoes. Trail fees for non-members are $5.00 for adults, $4.00 for seniors, and $3.00 for children 12 and under.

State and National News Tuesday January 17, 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) - Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum is on the defensive against criticism for his votes supporting President George W. Bush's "No Child Left Behind" law
and his rejection of anti-union legislation. The former Pennsylvania senator said yesterday in a South Carolina debate it was a mistake to vote for Bush's signature sweeping education overhaul. And he said he voted against right-to-work legislation only because his state was against it.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Jury selection is scheduled to get under way tomorrow in the public corruption case against a Pennsylvania lawmaker charged with illegally using taxpayer-paid employees to perform campaign work. Opening statements in the trial of Greene County Democrat and former House speaker Bill DeWeese are scheduled next week.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Authorities in Philadelphia say a head-on crash has claimed the lives of two women and seriously injured a third. Police say the crash happened on Kelly Drive along the
Schuylkill River yesterday afternoon. Officers say a car crossed the center line and crashed head-on into a minivan.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The longtime head of a citizens advisory committee on Pennsylvania's parks and forests has been fired. Fellow members and environmentalists say the action could reduce public oversight of gas drilling in state forests. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says Kurt Leitholf was told last week by the Corbett administration that his position was being eliminated.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The government is setting up what it calls an ambitious plan to develop ways to treat and prevent Alzheimer's disease. A newly released draft of those goals sets a deadline of 2025 to find better treatments for the mind-destroying illness and offer better day-to-day care for those who have it.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Parents are having a tough time getting their kids into prekindergarten because of shrinking budgets in school districts across the country. Research shows that children who don't attend a quality preschool enter school about 18 months behind their peers. About a quarter of the nation's 4-year-olds and more than half of 3-year-olds attend no preschool.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Opponents of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker say they'll turn in more than enough signatures today to force the Republican into a recall election. The recall effort started after the governor pushed a law last year to end nearly all collective bargaining rights for most public workers.

ROME (AP) - Italian authorities say at least 29 people are missing following Saturday's cruise liner accident off the Tuscan coast. There's no word as to why the number of missing jumped from 16 people, but they say among the missing are 10 Germans and two Americans. Six people are confirmed dead.

WASHINGTON (AP) - New research suggests that babies read lips when they're learning to talk - they don't just listen to sounds. Florida scientists say at about 6 months, babies begin studying
mouths when people talk to them to master the lip movements. The research offers more evidence that quality face-time between babies and their parents is important.