WPPA & WAVT LOCAL NEWS

Today's News Saturday January 28th, 2012

2012-01-28T07:17:00.000-05:00

The former Cardinal Brennan Junior/Senior High School property will now be taxed under an agreement reached this week in Schuylkill County Court. As reported in the Republican Herald, under the agreement, the 95.5-acre property at 130 Academy Lane, Fountain Springs, has a fair market value of $825,000 - $650,000 for the buildings and $175,000 for the land. Judge Jacqueline L. Russell signed an order approving the stipulation and canceling the trial in the case, which had been scheduled for Feb. 21. The diocese conceded that the property can be taxed, since the school is closed and no religious activity is conducted there. As a result, the diocese will pay real estate taxes on the property to the county, township and district for the first time. Lawyers for the diocese, district, county and township signed the agreement Thursday to settle the real estate tax assessment appeal the diocese had filed Oct. 20, 2011. In the settlement, the parties accepted the appraisal of Raymond C. Geiger Jr., a certified appraiser with Raymond C. Geiger Real Estate, Allentown, in setting the property's fair market value.

McAdoo police are searching for the man who robbed the Fegley Mini-Mart at gunpoint Thursday night. According to police, the man entered the convenience store about 9:13 p.m. and pointed a black handgun at the clerk and demanded money. No one was hurt, police said. The robber made off with an undetermined amount of money, cigarettes, a pack of Mentos gum and a cigarette lighter, police said. He fled on foot, police said. Police said the man was wearing blue jeans, boots, a black hoodie, and a full red ski mask. The clerk believed the man had facial hair, possibly a goatee, and had a very soft voice. Police are checking surveillance videos and following up on leads. The Kline and Rush township police departments assisted. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 570-929-2590.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama and Republicans used
their weekly radio and internet messages to express differing views
about lack of action in Washington. Obama is calling for government
reforms to ease gridlock. For the Republicans, Florida Sen. Marco
Rubio says the lack of progress mostly reveals Obama's lack of
achievement and failed leadership.

UNDATED (AP) - The two leading candidates in Florida's
Republican primary are maintaining a sharp emphasis on wooing
voters ahead of Tuesday's ballot. Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich
have multiple events today and through the weekend.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is
acknowledging publicly for the first time that a Pakistani doctor
charged with treason in Pakistan provided key information to the
U.S. for the Osama bin Laden raid. Panetta told CBS's "60
Minutes," in a profile to be broadcast on Sunday, that he's "very
concerned" for the doctor.

CAIRO (AP) - Syria's ambassador to Egypt is accusing Cairo of
failing to protect the Syrian embassy after it was stormed
yesterday. He's also accusing oil-rich Gulf Arab nations of backing
opponents of President Bashar Assad. Numerous Syrian activists have
taken refuge in Egypt.

LONDON (AP) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai is in Britain for
talks with Prime Minister David Cameron, a day after France
announced it would withdraw its troops a year earlier than the 2014
date agreed by NATO. Britain's Foreign Office says the meeting "is
about long-term partnership and commitment beyond 2014."

Today's News Friday January 27, 2012

2012-01-27T08:49:00.003-05:00

Local News Friday January 27, 2012

Penn State Schuylkill May Get Health Center

The CEO of Rural Health Association of Luzerne County spoke to a group of about twenty five people during a public meeting at Penn State Schuylkill Campus on Thursday. Ed Michael was there to discuss the creation of a Federally Qualified Health Center for Schuylkill County. He talked about the Black Creek Health Center that serves Wyoming and Luzerne counties, and what a clinic in Schuylkill County could provide for residents. These clinics primarily provide medical and dental services for people who do not have health insurance, but are available to people of all income levels. The effort to establish the clinic is spearheaded by Schuylkill County's VISION, and the public meetings are being held to allow people to learn and ask questions.

Spring Glen Man Will Go To Trial After Slashing Incident

Twenty five year old Joshua Thurman, of Spring Glen, waived his right to a preliminary hearing on charges that he attacked Natalie Barr. Thurman appeared before Magisterial District Judge Carol Pankake of Tremont on Thursday, and was sent back to Schuylkill County prison where he has been held since he was arrested on January 18 to await trial. He is being held on $250,000 straight cash bail. Thurman is accused of slashing Barr's throat with a box cutter knife, then knocking her down and beating her during an argument on the porch of the apartment building where they lived.

Mahanoy City Receives Grant For Downtown Improvement

A grant will help Mahanoy City make improvements to the downtown area. Reporter Sibrena Stowe has more:

MAHANOY CITY

Bill To Shrink Size Of State Legislature Passes Committee

Speaker of the Pennsylvania House Sam Smith has introduced legislation that would reduce the size of the House of Representatives. WPPA/T102 reporter Joe Oliver filed this story:

SMITHBILL

Small games Of Chance Bill heads To Governor's Desk

Legislation to amend the current Small Games of Chance law, allowing for non-profit associations to raise revenues to support their community and maintain their organizations, was approved in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and has been sent to the governor to be signed into law, said rep. Mike Tobash (R-125), who voted in favor of the bill. House Bill 169 will update the Local Options Small Games of Chance Act and allow for increased limits for prize payouts. The update to the Small Games of Chance was needed, as the limits have not been changed since 1988. Rep. Tobash was quoted as saying "This legislation will go a long way when it comes to helping nonprofit organizations, such as volunteer fire and ambulance groups, and other civic associations raise the money that they need to keep doing the great work they do in our communities." Small games of chance are used by charitable organizations to raise funds to pay for equipment, training, or to assist those in the local community.

State and National News Friday January 27, 2012

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Former Penn State football stars and others paid tribute to Joe Paterno in a huge campus memorial service that exposed a strong undercurrent of anger over his
firing. Paterno's son Jay received a standing ovation when he declared: "Joe Paterno left this world with a clear conscience."

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A Ukrainian hockey coach charged with fondling a teen player in Philadelphia is due in court today. Federal authorities will seek to detain 48-year-old Ivan Pravilov. They say he threatened a teenage witness and has no local ties. An indictment charges Pravilov with taking a 14-year-old Ukrainian boy from Delaware to the coach's Philadelphia apartment this month and fondling him. His public defender isn't commenting on the charges.

READING, Pa. (AP) - Authorities in eastern Pennsylvania say a 65-year-old man was justified in shooting two teenagers - one fatally - who tried to rob him as he rode his bike along a popular river trail. Berks County District Attorney John Adams says the bicyclist acted in self-defense after three teens knocked him off his bicycle in Cumru Township on Wednesday. Police say two of the teens were assaulting the man when he pulled out a gun and shot them.

CARLISLE, Pa. (AP) - The longtime president of Dickinson College says he is going to retire. William Durden announced yesterday that the next academic year will be his last at the central Pennsylvania college. He'll step down on June 30, 2013. The 62-year-old Durden has been president of Dickinson since 1999.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Last year was a weak one for the economy, but it likely ended on a hopeful note. A survey by FactSet says the economy likely grew at an annual rate of 3 percent in the
October-December quarter. The gain would represent modest improvement from this summer, when the economy grew just 1.8 percent.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - The two Republican presidential candidates who've each won one primary apiece are sparring over Florida. At the last GOP debate before next Tuesday's Florida contest, frontrunners Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich repeatedly clashed over issues such as immigration and spending. Rick Santorum got an applause when he told them to stop attacking one another.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) - President Barack Obama is wrapping up a three-day tour to boost proposals he made during this week's State of the Union address. He'll visit the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor today and is expected to talk about college affordability. The head of the Republican party in Michigan says the visit is "a taxpayer funded campaign stop."

WASHINGTON (AP) - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is making it clear she wants to step aside if President Barack Obama is re-elected. Clinton says she would stay on just long enough for a replacement to be named. Clinton told State Department staffers Thursday that two decades of service is enough, and that she's tired and is paying no attention to the GOP presidential debates.

KINGSTON, Ontario (AP) - A jury in Ontario, Canada soon will start deliberating the fate of a couple and their adult son, accused of drowning four family members. Prosecutors say the three
teenage daughters of Afghan-born Mohammad Shafia were killed because they dishonored the family by defying rules on dress and socializing. The fourth victim was Shafia's first wife, who was
living with him and his second wife.

Today's News Thursday January 26, 2012

2012-01-26T08:36:00.002-05:00

Local News Thursday January 26, 2012

Schuylkill County Commissioners Met On Wednesday

The Schuylkill County Commissioners met on Wednesday. Reporter Bob Bechtel was there, and he filed this story:

COMMISSIONERS

Hazleton Man Sent To State Prison After Trial No-Show

A Hazleton man who missed his trial on DUI charges in December was arrested by Hazleton Police, and has been sent to State Prison. Hector Berberena-Soto was scheduled for trial in Schuylkill County court on December 7, but failed to appear. A warrant was issued for his arrest, and he was apprehended on December 17. The charges stemmed from a car accident in September when Berbereno-Soto was found to have a blood alcohol level of 0.23 percent, or three times the legal limit. In reviewing Berbereno-Soto's past criminal record, Judge Charles M. Miller called the defendant a danger to society, and committed him to eighteen months to five years in State Prison.

Pottsville Family Sickened By Carbon Monoxide

Pottsville resident Mallory Harig, who lives at 1102 Fairmont Avenue with her two children, smelled sulfur fumes in her home and began feeling ill, and she called for help. Pottsville firefighters arrived on scene to discover that the Harig residence, as well as the adjoining home of Craig Lambert, had extremely high levels of carbon monoxide gas. The Harigs were taken to Schuylkill Medical Center South Jackson for treatment, and firefighters ventilated the homes. On investigation, it was found that the stove pipe from the coal stove in Lambert's home came loose, and caused the problem. The carbon monoxide detector in the Harig residence was not functioning at the time. Pottsville Fire Chief Todd March said that all residents should install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors to protect themselves from this colorless, odorless gas.

Public Hearing In Schuylkill Haven Debates Need For Cell Tower

A public hearing was held in the Schuylkill Haven Council Chambers on Wednesday evening to discuss the need for a cellular tower that Verizon Communications has proposed in the borough. Richard Comi, of the Center for Municipal Solutions in Glenmont, New York testified for those who oppose the 195 foot tower's placement:

COMI

All parties have fifteen days to submit comments or relevant information to council, and a final decision could come sometime in March.

Argall Legislation Addressing Corrections Officers Pay Passes Senate

Legislation addressing pay differences between corrections managers and lower-ranking officers passed the Senate Tuesday by a final vote of 45-5. Senate Bill 1019, with David Argall as its primary sponsor, now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senator Argall said in a statement that "with two state correctional institutions in Schuylkill County, this problem is impacting morale and the DOC's ability to promote from within." He also had this comment about the bill:

ARGALL

State and National News Thursday January 27, 2012

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Thousands of students, alumni and fans took to the streets in and around Penn State to say goodbye to Hall of Fame football coach Joe Paterno. They lined the route of the funeral procession and watched in silence as the hearse carrying his casket drove by. Paterno died on Sunday at the age of 85, about three months after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - An American aid worker rescued by Navy SEALs in Somalia is being recalled as a role model for her college classmates. Thirty-two-year-old Jessica Buchanan was rescued early yesterday with a man from Denmark. They were working with a de-mining unit when gunmen kidnapped them in October. Buchanan graduated from Valley Forge Christian College in 2007.

SINKING SPRING, Pa. (AP) - Authorities in eastern Pennsylvania are investigating a shooting on a trail along the Schuylkill River that left one teenager dead and another wounded. According to
WFMZ-TV, officials in Berks County say the gunfire erupted yesterday during a confrontation between three 15- and 16-year-olds and a man who was riding his bicycle along a trail in Cumru Township.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says the former owners of a Superfund site near Philadelphia have agreed to pay $2.1 million in past cleanup costs. The EPA says in a statement that Occidental Chemical Corporation, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations and Glenn Springs Holdings, Incorporated have also assumed responsibility for all future cleanup costs at the site, about 40 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

PARIS (AP) - French authorities have arrested the former top executive of a company at the center of a breast implant scandal. Implants affecting tens of thousands of women worldwide were pulled from the market in several countries amid fears they could rupture and leak silicone into the body.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. government still owns stakes in 458 companies helped in the financial bailout. The acting special inspector general for the bailout also says some of the nearly $133 billion that companies owe U.S. taxpayers will never be recovered.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The chairman of the National Labor Relations Board says he plans to push for new rules that would give unions a boost in organizing members. Republican lawmakers have been at odds with the board, saying it makes too many union-friendly decisions.

BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraqi officials say insurgents have targeted a house belonging to two policemen brothers and their families, killing 10 people inside. The attack happened early Thursday
morning about 31 miles south of Baghdad. Officials say the two officers and eight others were killed after the insurgents planted bombs around the home.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - A suicide bomber in southern
Afghanistan has killed at least three people and wounded more than
30 others. An official says the bomber slammed into the gates of a
building housing aid workers Thursday in Helmand province.

Today's News Wednesday January 25, 2012

2012-01-25T07:52:00.003-05:00

Local News Wednesday January 25, 2012

House Fire In Mahanoy City Leaves Nine Homeless

Mahanoy City firefighters were called to a report of a structure fire at 411 West Market Street at 5:13 p.m. yesterday. When they arrived they found a second floor bedroom on fire and heavy smoke in the structure. Fire Chief Randy Kalce reported that firefighters entered the building and knocked the fire down quickly, but the residence was left with damage from fire, smoke, and water. The property is owned by a man from Wilkes-Barre, and was rented to Joseph Vezo, Jennifer Taylor, and their six children who range in age from nine years to newborn. The family is being assisted by the American Red Cross, and has apparently moved in with relatives until repairs can be made. Chief Kalce credits the presence of a working smoke detector with limiting damage to the home.

Blue Mountain School Board Votes For Tax Increase In Preliminary Budget

During their most recent meeting, the Blue Mountain School Board voted 5-3 to approve the preliminary budget for 2012-2013. That budget includes expenses of just over $38 million and income of less than $37 million. That shortfall would make it necessary to increase the district's tax rate from the current 34.9 mills to over 36.8 mills. That is the maximum increase allowed by state law. The board will also apply to the state for exceptions for special education and retirement expenses. If granted, those exceptions would allow for further increases in the tax rate. Even with the proposed increases, the board still faces a shortfall of over one million dollars, which may be reduced by state and federal funding.

Pine Grove Borough Issues Water Boil Alert

Pine Grove borough officials have issued a water boil advisory for residents who live on South Tulpehocken Street between Maple and Wood Streets, and those living on Peach Street between Maple and Wood Streets. Borough workers will be making repairs to a fire hydrant in that area today, and will shut down the water main, causing a drop in pressure in the water system that may allow contaminants to enter the system. Residents should bring water to a boil for at least one minute, then allow it to cool, before using it. Residents will be notified when it is no longer necessary to boil tap water. For more information, call the Pine Grove Borough at 570-345-3555.

Men Needed For Charity Walk

The Sexual Assault Resource and Counseling Center, or SARCC, is looking for a few good men who are willing to participate in the next Walk a Mile In Her Shoes fundraiser. President and COO Jenny Murphy-Shifflet said the men will put on high heels for the charity walk, which will take place on February 16^th at the YMCA on North Centre Street in Pottsville. The walk will be recorded and played on YouTube. Men who look good in heels are asked to call the SARCC offices in Pottsville at 570-628-2965 or in Lebanon at 717-270-6972 for more information, or go to www.sarcclebanon.org.

PennDOT Has A Website To Help Winter Travelers

When preparing for travel this winter, motorists can check road conditions on more than 2,900 miles of state roads by calling 511 or visiting www.511PA.com. The website is free, and it's available 24 hours a day. It has traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, average traffic speeds on urban interstates and expressways, and access to more than five hundred traffic cameras. The 511 site also provides easy-to-use, color coded winter road conditions for all interstates and other routes covered in the 511 reporting network. Twitter users can also follow local PennDOT information at www.twitter.com/511PAAllentown.

State and National News Wednesday January 25, 2012

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Another day of public mourning for the late Joe Paterno culminates today with a private funeral and burial service. Alumni, residents and students are expected to attend a four-hour visitation this morning before the afternoon funeral. A campus memorial service is set for tomorrow.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Jurors in the government corruption trial of state Representative Bill DeWeese are expected to hear more testimony from a former aide who handled DeWeese's campaign finances. Witness Kevin Sidella has been granted immunity. He acknowledged he devoted most of his legislative work time to campaign matters for the 2006 election.

WASHINGTON, Pa. (AP) - Jurors in Washington County have convicted two men in the 2003 murder of an informant who was responsible for the arrest of one of the men on drug charges. John
Bronson Jr. and Michael Duncan were found guilty in the execution-style shooting death of John Newman.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Authorities have released the name of a woman who was gunned down by a masked man at the north Philadelphia convenience store where she worked. Police say Rosemary Fernandez-Rivera was shot four times Monday evening in the Caribe Mini Market. Investigators believe the gunman intended to kill her.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal Reserve policymakers will be giving their forecast for short-term interest rates later today. They'll look at where they expect rates to be at the end of each of the next three years. Many private economists expect that the Fed unlikely will increase the borrowing rate before 2014.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Fresh from his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama sets off today on a three-day tour of politically crucial states. He'll visit a conveyor belt maker in Iowa and an Intel plant in Arizona, promoting his agenda to attract more manufacturing to American soil. Obama's trip also includes Nevada, Colorado and Michigan.

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) - Two aid workers who had been held captive in Somalia since October have been rescued by U.S. military forces. U.S. forces conducted a raid early this morning, freeing American Jessica Buchanan and Dane Poul Hagan Thisted. They had been working with a de-mining unit of the Danish Refugee Council when they were kidnapped by pirates.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno will be buried today. Before a private funeral, thousands of people are expected to attend a four-hour visitation. Paterno died Sunday of lung cancer, just two months after being fired in the wake of child sex-abuse charges against a former assistant.

WASHINGTON (AP) - School lunches are about to get healthier. First lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack are announcing today that most school meals will have less sodium, more whole grains and more fruits and vegetables as sides. Pizza still will be on the menu, but it'll be made with healthier ingredients.

Today's News Tuesday January 24, 2012

2012-01-24T06:05:00.012-05:00

Local News Tuesday January 24, 2012

Two Schuylkill County communities are receiving an economic shot in the arm. WPPA/T102 reporter Sibrena Stowe has the story:

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

One Car Accident Near Blue Mountain High School Kills Tamaqua Man

State Police from the Schuylkill Haven barracks responded to a single vehicle accident on Route 443 near the Blue Mountain High School on Monday morning. A Ford Explorer driven by Mark Beltz, of Tamaqua, was travelling east on Route 443 when it left the roadway, struck a road sign, and travelled about twenty feet up a dirt embankment, where it struck several bushes. The vehicle spun and rolled onto its roof as it came back down the embankment, and stopped in the eastbound travel lane. Pottsville/Schuylkill Haven EMS transported Beltz to Schuylkill Medical Center South Jackson Street, where he was pronounced dead. Police are continuing their investigation, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the cause of death.

Candlelight Vigil For Paterno Held At Penn State Schuylkill

A candlelight vigil was held Monday night at Penn State Schuylkill Campus to pay honor to the former football coach Joe Paterno, who died on Sunday. Jodi Staller, Campus Marketing Communications Specialist, said about forty people from the campus and community shared tears and remembrances of Paterno, who coached the Nittany Lions for more than six decades. Today begins three days of mourning of Paterno in State College.

Clubhouse Of West Penn Archery Club Destroyed By Fire

A fast moving fire destroyed the clubhouse of the West Penn Archery Club on Sunday night. According to West Penn Fire Chief Dennis Fritzinger, most of the building had already been consumed by the fire when the first units arrived on scene. Because of that, no firefighters were sent inside the building, and the fire was attacked from outside. Fritzinger said the clubhouse is a total loss, but he had no estimate of the amount of damage. State Police Fire Marshall John Burns has been called in to try to establish the cause and origin of the fire. Firefighters from West Penn Fire Company No. 1 were assisted at the scene by Walker Township, New Ringgold, Mahoning Valley, and Tamaqua fire companies, as well as Penn Mahoning EMS.

Pennsylvania DEP Accepting Applications For Environmental Awards

Environmentally conscious businesses, organizations, and individuals have until January 30 to apply for the 2012 Governor's Environmental Excellence Award. The award is open to any Pennsylvania business, government agency, educational institution, individual or farm that has created or participated in the development of a project that promotes environmental stewardship and economic development. The projects must have been completed between August 1, 2010 and July 31, 2011, and will be evaluated based on a number of criteria. Applications and more information can be found at www.dep.state.pa.us, and clicking on the button "Apply for the Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards."

More Pennsylvanians Could Find Themselves On Brink Of Being Homeless

Fewer Pennsylvania families and veterans found themselves homeless in the past two years; a positive sign during tough economic times. But a new report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness says that scenario is bittersweet. Tom Joseph reports:

"HOMELESS"

State and National News Tuesday January 24, 2012

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - The viewing, funeral and memorial service for former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno are scheduled for the campus where he worked for more than six decades before being fired in the wake of the child sex-abuse charges against a former assistant. Members of the board of trustees that replaced the coach say Paterno's family is putting the event together, but some of them will attend to pay their respects.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama has offered his condolences to the family of legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, who died on Sunday of lung cancer. The White House says the president spoke with Paterno's wife, Sue, and son, Jay, yesterday to express his condolences.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - State senators have approved a bill that would update Pennsylvania law to ensure residents continue to qualify for up to 13 weeks of federally paid jobless benefits. Senators voted 47-3 yesterday to send it to the House.

WYNNEWOOD, Pa. (AP) - A sports announcer for 45 years and a Philadelphia Phillies broadcaster for a quarter-century has died. Andy Musser was 74. Musser's son says his father died Sunday night at his home in Wynnewood in suburban Philadelphia. Musser retired in 2001 after 25 years with the Phillies. He worked throughout his tenure beside Harry Kalas.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Tonight President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address to Congress. With his re-election campaign underway, the president is expected to urge higher taxes on the wealthy, propose ways to make college more affordable and offer new steps to tackle a debilitating housing crisis.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney says his 2010 tax returns and an early report on his taxes for last year will generate chatter but not any surprises. At last night's debate in Tampa, Fla., Romney said, "I'm proud of the fact that I pay a lot of taxes." His tax returns show he paid about $3 million in federal income taxes and earned $21.7 million income in 2010, mostly from investments.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Mitt Romney says his Republican presidential rival Newt Gingrich was nothing but a consultant "hired by the chief lobbyist of Freddie Mac" when his firm was paid $300,000 by the mortgage giant. At last night's debate, Gingrich, scoffed at the suggestion he was "influence peddling" and said he's never
suggested that Romney's consulting working was lobbying.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal job discrimination complaints have risen to an all-time high. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission received nearly 100,000 charges of discrimination during the 2011 fiscal year, the most in its 46-year history. Experts say the increase reflects the growing diversity of the nation's work force.

HICKMAN, Ky. (AP) - A man charged with killing the mayor of Hickman, Kentucky is scheduled to appear in court today. Thomas Lattus faces a murder charge in the Monday morning shooting of 68-year-old Charles Murphy, the mayor of the town of about 2,500 people. Police say Murphy had dated Lattus' stepmother.

Today's News Monday January 23, 2012

2012-01-23T07:40:00.002-05:00

Local News Monday January 23, 2012

Hearings On Legislative Redistricting Held Today

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania will meet today for the purpose of hearing objections to the legislative redistricting proposal that was completed this month. It is expected that there will be several objections presented to the court during this session. The hearings will be televised live over the Pennsylvania Cable Network. Sessions of the court are normally recorded for later broadcast, but the Justices decided to allow live broadcast of these proceedings, noting the profound affect the redistricting plan will have on political districts across the Commonwealth. The hearing will begin at 9:30 this morning, with eleven appeals to be heard by the Court.

PennDOT Releases Roadwork Schedule For This Week

PennDOT Engineering District 5 Safety Press Officer Sean Brown has released the schedule for roadwork to be conducted this week. Crews are scheduled to be working on Route 209 between Port Carbon and Middleport; Route 895 between New Ringgold and Andreas; Lehigh Avenue in Frackville between I-81 and Route 924; Route 339 between Mahanoy City and Brandonville; Pine Creek Drive in Ryan Township between Barnesville and Hometown; I-81 northbound between the Lebanon County line and Exit 100; and I-81 southbound between Exit 138 and Exit 124. Motorists may experience lane restrictions and slowdowns in these areas.

Pedestrian Struck By Pickup Truck In Tower City

John Mayeresky, of Tower City, was driving his pickup truck on Saturday on Route 209 through the borough, when Joshua Bordner ran into the roadway in front of him. Mayeresky struck Bordner, causing him to roll onto the hood of the truck. Mayeresky then struck three parked vehicles, causing severe damage to them and throwing Bordner approximately seventy five feet. Bordner was found on the street under a pickup truck. He was transported from the scene by Tower City Ambulance to Schuylkill Medical Center East, then was transferred to Lehigh Valley Medical Center, where he was listed in serious condition. Mayeresky was taken to Schuylkill Medical Center South to be tested for possible DUI charges. Schuylkill Haven State Police continue their investigation, and charges against Mayeresky are pending.

Rollover Accident Closes Route 61 On Frackville Grade

A single vehicle accident closed Route 61 on the Frackville grade on Sunday. A Jeep Liberty driven by Hye Hillibush was travelling southbound approximately one mile south of Mall Road when Hillibush lost control of the vehicle on a sharp turn. The Jeep left the roadway, struck an embankment, and rolled over. Traffic was stopped while Hillibush was removed from the vehicle. She was transported to Schuylkill Medical Center for treatment of unknown injuries, and the Jeep was towed from the scene.

Crash On I-78 Involving Car And Snow Plow

A PennDOT snowplow driven by Ray Boyer, of Leesport, was plowing snow from the right lane of Interstate 78 in Berks County on Saturday when a vehicle passed the plow in the left lane. The operator of the car, Javier Lugo-Ramos, of Lebanon, lost control on the snow-covered roadway, skidded off the right side of the road, and hit the guiderails. After the car bounced off the guiderails, it travelled back onto the roadway into the path of the snow plow. The driver of the plow truck swerved into the left lane to try to avoid hitting the car, but it slid in front of the plow and was struck, causing it to roll over onto its roof. Lugo-Ramos and his passenger were wearing seatbelts, and were not injured.

Theft Of Copper Wire Investigated By State Police

Pennsylvania State Police from the Frackville Barracks are investigating a theft from Blaschak Coal Company at 163 Delano Road in Mahanoy Township. Police report that the theft occurred sometime between 10:00 p.m. on Saturday and 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. Someone entered Blaschak's property and removed approximately six hundred feet of copper electrical dragline wire from a wooden spool. State Police ask that anyone with information about this theft contact them at 570-874-5300.

WEATHER WATCH 1/21/12

2012-01-21T07:08:00.006-05:00

CLOSED

Luzerne County Community College

Alvernia University – Classes For Today Cancelled

STS Fixed Route Busses Are Cancelled

Curves In Schuylkill Haven

No Meal Today at the Pottsville Soup Kitchen

All Hip Hop Classes at Dalinda Dance Studio Cancelled

PARKING BANS

Mahanoy City – No Parking on Center or Main Streets during the storm

PPD.

Schuylkill League Wrestling Tournament – Tomorrow @ Noon

District 4 CYO Basketball @ Cardinal Brennan

All youth bowling leagues at Strike Zone Alleys are cancelled today. The bowling center will open at noon.

Fellowship movie night at St. Ambrose RCC in Schuylkill Haven is cancelled tonight, and will be rescheduled.

FOR ROAD CONDITIONS PLEASE VISIT 511pa.COM

Today's News, Saturday January 21st, 2012

2012-01-21T06:50:00.001-05:00

Pottsville Man to Remain In Prison

The Pottsville man termed a "person of interest" in the November killing of another city resident remains behind bars as a Schuylkill County judge declined Friday to lower his bail in two other cases. The Republican Herald reports Edward J. Miller Jr. did not justify a reduction in his $250,000 total straight cash bail, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin ruled after a hearing. Miller then returned to the county prison, where he is being held on $200,000 straight cash bail in one case, in which he is charged with robbery, robbery of a motor vehicle, aggravated assault, theft, receiving stolen property and simple assault, and $50,000 straight cash bail in the second, in which he is charged with escape, institutional vandalism and criminal mischief.

Senator Argall Announces Drug Testing Program

In a press release this week, Senator David Argall said that he has been meeting with constituents for some time in an attempt to learn about waste, fraud, and abuse within the welfare system. One of the suggestions mentioned during many of those meetings was to drug test welfare recipients to try to prevent welfare benefits from being used to purchase illegal drugs. As a result, the Department of Public Welfare will begin a pilot program in Schuylkill County to test applicants and recipients for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and General Assistance who have been convicted of a felony drug offense within the past five years and applicants who are currently on probation for a felony drug offense. If the trials in Schuylkill and other counties work out, a statewide plan will go into effect on July 1, 2012.

Penn State Trustees Select New Leaders

A banking executive has been selected to guide Penn State's Board of Trustees through the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Trustees elected Karen Peetz as president of the 32-member board. Peetz is a vice chairman of The Bank of New York Mellon. Peetz says the board will focus on themes of change, reform and transparency. The trustees also elected farm owner Keith Masser as the vice chair. They're replacing Steve Garban and John Surma, respectively, as trustee leaders. Garban and Surma decided not to run again. They and other trustees have been criticized by some alumni and former players for their actions after former assistant football coach Sandusky was charged with dozens of counts of child sex abuse last November. Peetz says that "all of us, including the board, with the wisdom of hindsight could have done things differently."

Two Men Charged In Schuylkill Haven Beating Released on Bail

Two of three Philadelphia men who allegedly entered a Penn State Schuylkill student apartment building last month and injured three people are free after a judge reduced their bail Friday in Schuylkill County Court. According to the Republican Herald, Alfred W. Booker Jr. and Leonard L. Stubbs had their bail lowered by Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin to $50,000 unsecured from $100,000 straight cash. A Schuylkill County Prison spokesman said late Friday afternoon that each man had been bailed out and was no longer behind bars. Assistant District Attorney J.T. Herber III said prosecutors and the defendants had agreed to the reduction, but otherwise declined to comment on the case.

Haven Man Cited In Crash

A 37-year-old man escaped injury when his vehicle hit a mailbox, traveled down an embankment and flipped over. State police at Schuylkill Haven said the accident occurred as Shawn Hunter, Schuylkill Haven, was driving east on Blue Mountain Road, 820 feet east of Route 183, and he became distracted and struck a mailbox. After hitting the mailbox, police said, his 2000 Chevrolet Blazer traveled along the embankment and flipped on its driver side and into the eastbound lane of the road onto its roof. The Blazer also hit a tree on the south berm after traveling in a southeast direction, police said. After striking the tree, it then traveled back into the eastbound lane, stopping on its roof facing northeast in both lanes of travel, police said. The Summit Station Fire Company assisted at the scene. Police said Hunter was charged with a violation of failing to drive on roadways laned for traffic.

New Gizmos

Want to control a toy car with your mind? Lounge about as a computerized drink machine mixes your favorite cocktail? Or embarrass an oversleeper with an alarm clock that takes the person's picture then posts it on Facebook? Engineering students at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh invented these gizmos and others in under a week on a shoestring budget. More than 100 students demonstrated their inventions Friday at the school's third annual Build-18 festival. The festival challenge? To create a cool product quickly. Other projects involved theoretical science, such as levitating a small disk of superconducting material over magnets.

UNDATED (AP) - A scheduling quirk has put Mitt Romney and Newt
Gingrich in the same place at the same time today as they make
last-minute appeals to South Carolina Republicans voting in today's
presidential primary. And the two are locked in a tight contest for
the primary victory as well. Rick Santorum is also campaigning
today in South Carolina.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says visitors to the
U.S. spend money and are good for the economy and jobs. In his
weekly media message, he says congressional foot-dragging has
prompted him to take executive actions in several areas he thinks
could spur hiring. For the Republicans, Texas Rep. Jeb Hensarling
accused Obama of being long on promises but short of results.

ROME (AP) - Data says a cruise ship aground off Tuscany has
stabilized on rocks again. That's allowing divers to resume the
search of the submerged portion in an effort to find 21 people
still missing. It is unlikely any of the missing could still be
alive.

RENO, Nev. (AP) - Nevada officials say the source of a brush
fire that destroyed 29 homes near Reno is an "extremely
remorseful" elderly man who has admitted that he improperly
discarded fireplace ashes at his home south of town. The fire has
burned nearly 3,200 acres and is about 65 percent contained.

SEATTLE (AP) - It's a chilly weekend for tens of thousands of
residents in the Northwest who are without power after a winter
storm that brought snow, ice and powerful winds. The weather is
expected to warm up a bit, bringing the threat of more severe
floods. The storm system has been blamed for three deaths.

Today's News Friday January 20, 2012

2012-01-20T06:47:00.003-05:00

Local News Friday January 20, 2012

Pennsylvania Game Commission Addresses Wild Bird Feeding

People have been feeding wild birds for a long time, but the Pennsylvania Game Commission has published a news release that says there are several things to consider before hanging that feeder. The first thing to look at is the health of the birds. Biologist Doug Gross says the preferred answer is to plant vegetation that is beneficial to birds rather than hanging a feeder, but if that isn't possible, then consider proper placement of a feeder, keep it clean, and fill it with the seeds that will attract the desired birds. The release covers other factors, like keeping the birds safe from predators, and other animals that may be attracted to the feeder. For the full release, go to www.pgc.state.pa.us, and check the Press Release button under Quick Clicks.

Senators Casey And Toomey To Display Unity At State Of Union

Democrat Bob Casey and republican Pat Toomey, Pennsylvania's current Senators, have stated that they will sit side by side during the State of the Union address on January 24 as a show of unity. Senator Casey stated that "Pennsylvanians want their lawmakers to work together to solve problems. Over the past year, Senator Toomey and I have collaborated on a host of issues. I look forward to sitting next to Senator Toomey, and to continuing our work on behalf of the Commonwealth." Senator Toomey said "I am pleased to sit with my colleague from Pennsylvania. (It) is a small but worthwhile step toward setting a civil and cooperative tone for the challenging work ahead of us."

Spring Glen Man Jailed For Slashing Attack

Joshua Thurman, of 34 Schoolhouse Road in Spring Glen, is in Schuylkill County prison after he violently attacked his girlfriend on Thursday night. According to State Police at Schuylkill Haven barracks, Thurman was on the front porch of the house he shared with Natalie Barr when he produced a box cutter knife and slashed her throat. He knocked Barr to the ground and continued to attack her by hitting her about the head and face. The attack was stopped through the intervention of a neighbor, and police were called to the scene. Thurman was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Carol Pankake on charges of attempted homicide, assault, terroristic threats, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is in prison in lieu of $250,000 straight cash bail.

County Firefighters Have A Busy Day

Firefighters from Frackville were called to fight a blaze at a former beauty salon on Lehigh Avenue on Thursday. The call came in as an odor investigation, and the fire was discovered in a back room of the building, which has been unoccupied for several months. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, limiting the damage to one room. State Police Fire Marshall John Burns has determined that the fire was intentionally set. In a separate incident, a smoky blaze severely damaged the offices of Alpine Building Supply along Route 183 in Wayne Township. Heavy smoke forced the closure of the roadway for a time, while firefighters worked to extinguish the flames that started above the ceiling of the one hundred year-old structure. A wood stove used to heat the building may be the cause of the fire.

Pa. House Of Representatives Scholarship Applications Available

State Representatives Jerry Knowles of the 124^th District and Mike Tobash of the 125^th District have announced that high school seniors can now apply for a Pennsylvania House of representatives Scholarship to help cover the cost of higher education. Two students who are preparing for post-secondary education are awarded four-year scholarships each year through a program funded by individual and corporate donors. Applicants must be Pennsylvania residents planning to attend a Pennsylvania school. For information, or to apply, go to www.RepKnowles.com or www.RepTobash.com. Application deadline is March 1, 2012.

State and national News Friday January 20, 2012

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's unemployment rate dropped for the third straight month in December and payrolls expanded slightly. The state Department of Labor and Industry estimates the rate fell to 7.6 percent from 7.9 percent in November.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - The Environmental Protection Agency is once again vowing to deliver fresh water to four homes in a northeastern Pennsylvania village where residential water wells were found to be tainted by a gas driller. The agency made the announcement yesterday. Two Dimock Township residents tell The Associated Press the EPA told them the first tanker truck would
arrive this afternoon.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphia's troubled school system has named a "chief recovery officer" and announced other leadership changes. The School Reform Commission has named Thomas Knudsen to a new title of chief recovery officer. He will function both as superintendent and chief financial officer of the cash-strapped district. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports Knudsen previously led a turnaround at Philadelphia Gas Works. He will work under a $150,000, six-month contract.

READING, Pa. (AP) - Authorities say a woman in eastern Pennsylvania has been charged with third-degree murder after allegedly giving her 1-year-old granddaughter a fatal dose of painkillers while she was babysitting. The Reading Eagle reports state police filed an arrest warrant yesterday and Penny Kochel surrendered in connection with the May 2009 death of Leanna McEntee.

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) - Six NATO troops have been killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. The U.S.-led coalition says it's still investigating how Thursday's crash happened, but says there was no enemy activity in the area at the time. The coalition has not released the nationalities of those killed.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney says he's not releasing his tax returns until after Saturday's South Carolina primary. Newt Gingrich has released his tax returns, showing he paid more than $994,000 in federal taxes on more $3.1 million in income in 2010.

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - Newt Gingrich says his second wife's claims that he asked her for an open marriage are false. At Thursday night's Republican presidential debate in South Carolina,
Gingrich blasted the moderator for opening up the debate with the issue, and said, "I think the destructive, vicious, negative nature of much of the news media makes it harder to govern this
country, harder to attract decent people to run for public office."

NEW YORK (AP) - Demonstrators in more than 100 U.S. cities say they'll "occupy the courts" Friday to protest a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that removed most limits on corporate and labor spending in federal elections. The group called Move to Amend says the protest will kick off petition drives to gain support for a constitutional amendment that would "ban corporate personhood."

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Police in San Francisco believe a man had too much to drink when he drove his SUV onto the underground tracks of the city's subway system, shutting it down for more than two hours Thursday. Forty-year-old Scott Mitchell was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, driving on train tracks and failure to obey a traffic sign.

Today's News Thursday January 19, 2012

2012-01-19T09:55:00.005-05:00

LOCAL NEWS THU. JANUARY 19, 2012

Union Station Contractors Face Additional Lawsuits

The contractors who performed work during the construction of Union Station in downtown Pottsville are facing lawsuits as a result of damage allegedly caused by their work. Insurance carriers for William H. Lane, the prime contractor, and two subcontractors, H.T. Sweeney & Company and Force Drilling LLC, have been sued by AAA Schuylkill and homeowner Sarah Donohue, who owns the residence located next to AAA on South Centre Street. The owners allege that drilling work performed during construction of a retaining wall caused structural damage to their buildings, and seek compensation from the insurance companies to perform needed repairs.

Frackville Woman Charged In Handgun Incident

Kimberly Schappell, of Third Street in Frackville, was arrested by Frackville Police after a domestic incident in which she allegedly threatened Stephen Barrett with a loaded handgun. Police were called to the residence where both Schappell and Barrett live after Barrett reported that Schappell pointed a loaded 45 caliber handgun at him and threatened to shoot him. Police found Schappell in a bedroom, and found the handgun outside the house on the lawn. They indicated that Schappell appeared to be intoxicated at the time of her arrest. She was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Christine Hale, and was committed to Schuylkill County prison in lieu of $50,000 straight cash bail.

Arrest Made In Frackville After Shots Fired Into House

Frackville Police responded to a call from the resident at 221 Church Street in Ryan Township, who said that shots were fired into his house. Officers discovered that two shots hit the wall in the living room of the house, near a chair where the resident was seated. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the shooter was nineteen year old Dillon Fogarty, who lives in Shenandoah. Fogarty was arrested and charged with multiple crimes related to illegal possession and discharge of a firearm and resklessly endangering another person. He was arraigned before on-call Magisterial District Judge Carol Pankake of Tremont, and was committed to Schuylkill County prison in lieu of $35,000 straight cash bail.

Congressman Holden Releases Statement About SOPA

Congressman Tim Holden has released a statement regarding the Stop Online Piracy Act, commonly known as SOPA. Representative Holden said that he originally believed that the bill would eliminate theft of intellectual property by foreign websites. However, there are unintended consequences to the bill that might stifle innovation and limit free speech on the Internet. Holden's statement says "An open Internet requires that we find a better approach that is acceptable to all sides. Therefore, I am today withdrawing as a cosponsor of this bill and will work to find a solution that protects both the openness and innovation of the Internet as well as the intellectual property."

Schuylkill Haven Borough Looking For New EMA Deputy Coordinator

In a surprising move, Schuylkill Haven Emergency Management Deputy Coordinator Mike Gossard submitted his resignation to council during their Wednesday meeting. Gossard indicated he felt uncomfortable holding the position while living outside the borough, but that the decision of the Schuylkill Haven Fire Trustees to replace Fire Chief Robert "Boat" Peel was what pushed him to make his decision. Borough Council took no immediate action on Gossard's resignation, but will probably address it at their February meeting. The borough's Emergency Management Coordinator, Ed Yeich, has not indicated a desire to leave his position. Council also received the resignation of Mitch Tracey from the recreation board because of work conflicts. Robin Biever and Debra Davis were appointed to the two vacant spots on the rec board.

Former POW Speaks To Pottsville Rotary Club

World War Two POW Abe Barrone spoke to the Pottsville Rotary Club yesterday, and WPPA's Bobby Bechtel was there to hear his story.

WWII POW

State and National News Thursday January 19, 2012

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Corbett administration has cut funding by 70 percent for wildlife research projects meant to examine the impact of natural gas drilling and climate change. StateImpact Pennsylvania reports the secretary of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources eliminated 13 projects without consulting the staffers who recommended them for funding.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Auditors have released a searing report on the financing of the costly municipal trash incinerator in Harrisburg. The report blames a lack of due diligence on the incinerator's renovation project, professionals who ignored red flags, and an unnecessarily complex debt structure that created excessive fees and increased risk.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Authorities in Philadelphia say a city dentist and his daughter have been charged with submitting almost $5 million in fraudulent medical bills to insurance companies over the past decade. Prosecutors say Dr. Owen Rogal of Philadelphia and 50-year-old Kim Rogal of Delaware overbilled at least 15 firms.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia is planning events all year that it says will make it America's headquarters for the Constitution's 225th anniversary. The center is planning new exhibits, programming and online webcasts and contests to celebrate the document and its legacy of freedom.

NEW YORK (AP) - A pro-democracy group says the world continues to become less free and tolerant despite glimmers of hope like Arab Spring. The Washington-based Freedom House says in a report that 26 nations became less free and tolerant last year, while only 12 showed overall improvement. It's the sixth consecutive year that declines led improvements.

ROME (AP) - Divers are again scouring the submerged area of a cruise ship that capsized off Italy's Tuscan coast. Divers reentered the ship when officials determined it had stabilized after shifting on the rocks a day earlier. There are 21 people still missing.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - A maritime watchdog says overall worldwide sea piracy dropped slightly in 2011, dipping for the first time in five years. But the International Maritime Bureau says Somali pirates intensified their attacks.

UNDATED (AP) - The five Republicans seeking their party's nomination for president plan to get their licks in ahead of tonight's last televised debate before Saturday's South Carolina primary. Newt Gingrich is speaking at two town hall meetings while Mitt Romney plans to visit his campaign headquarters in Charleston. Rick Santorum has events scheduled in two cities.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Certified vote totals from the Jan. 3 Iowa Republican caucuses become available later this morning. The vote total reported by the party on the night of the caucuses showed an eight vote win by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney over former Sen. Rick Santorum. It was the closest outcome in the event's history.

Today's News Wednesday January 18, 2012

2012-01-18T05:43:00.004-05:00

Local News Wednesday January 18, 2012

Truck Driver Injured In Rollover On I-81

The driver of a tractor trailer was injured when her rig drifted off the side of Interstate 81 in Butler Township and rolled down an embankment. State Police report that Lorisa Feltner, of Carlisle, was traveling southbound near mile marker 122 when she lost control of her truck, which took out 170 feet of guardrail, went 200 feet down a steep embankment, and rolled onto its roof. Feltner was able to climb up the bank on her own, but was transported to Geisinger Medical Center by Frackville Ambulance. She has been cited for failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic. State Police were assisted at the scene by Frackville EMS, Shenandoah EMS, Goodwill Fire Company, Altamont Fire Company, and Englewood Fire Company.

Blue Mountain School District Affected By Supreme Court Decision

The U.S. Supreme Court decided not to rule on three cases involving students who posted parodies of school officials and other students from their home computers. That means that lower court rulings are allowed to stand in those cases. The implications of this decision will be felt by Blue Mountain School District, as they took action to suspend a student who created a fake profile of a school principal describing him as a pedophile. The district suspended the student for ten days at the time, but the high court decision will allow the student to seek damages from the district for their actions. Blue Mountain Superintendent Robert Urzillo said the decision is "disappointing, unfortunate, and wrong". He said this decision could have a domino effect on schools nationwide.

Four Men Accused In Penn State Beating Will Stand Trial

Four men accused in the beatings of Penn State students in Schuylkill Haven waived their right to preliminary hearings, and will stand trial in Schuylkill County court. Alfred Booker, Jr., Christopher Cheese, and Leonard Stubbs, all from Philadelphia, and Christopher Scott of University Drive in Schuylkill Haven, all went before Magisterial District Judge James Ferrier yesterday. After negotiations between prosecutors and defense attorneys, some charges were withdrawn, but the defendants still faces charges of conspiracy, recklessly endangering another person, and criminal trespass. Bail for Booker, Scott, and Stubbs was kept at $100,000 straight cash, and $250,000 straight cash for Cheese. Scott posted bail, and was released, but the others were returned to Schuylkill County prison.

State and National News Wednesday January 18, 2012

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Education officials in Philadelphia are pledging more accurate reporting of school violence and better support for victims as part of a plan to make the district safer. The district's Blue Ribbon Commission released a report yesterday outlining several strategies for reducing truancy, suspensions and violent incidents.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A cash-strapped school district in suburban Philadelphia will continue operating with a $3.2 million infusion of state money. A federal judge approved the payment to the Chester Upland School District yesterday. The district had said it wouldn't meet this week's payroll without the funds.

LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) - A central Pennsylvania car salesman has pleaded guilty in the death of a man he was taking on a test drive more than a year ago. Michael Hershey of Landisville pleaded guilty yesterday in Lancaster County Court to homicide by vehicle, driving under the influence, and reckless endangerment. Authorities say he had been drinking and was speeding when he hit an embankment in East Hempfield Township, killing customer Jon Jensen and injuring the victim's son.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Penn State University plans to post online the compensation for a Washington attorney serving as a legal adviser to the university's president, along with fees for others hired to help with crisis management at the school. Former White House counsel Lanny Davis was hired last month to advise university President Rodney Erickson. Davis now heads a law and crisis management firm.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration is providing law enforcement throughout the country with an analysis on homegrown terror, including things to look for when identifying violent extremists. Nearly 50 senior federal, state and local law enforcement officials will attend a conference today at the White House to discuss the report by Homeland Security.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Republican-led House is expected today to approve a measure to block raising the government's borrowing cap by $1.2 trillion. Under a bipartisan agreement reached this past summer, the debt ceiling is automatically raised 15 days after the president notifies lawmakers that the government is close to its $15.2 trillion cap - unless Congress says no.

ROME (AP) - An Italian Coast Guard officer tells the captain of a cruise ship that he must return to the capsizing vessel to save frantic passengers. The captain refuses to leave the safety of his lifeboat. Italian officials have released a recording of the conversation that happened after the ship rammed into a reef off the Tuscan coast. The captain now faces criminal charges, including manslaughter.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) - Officials in Ethiopia are now saying that four people were kidnapped in an attack by gunmen on a group of European tourists. Ethiopia's communications minister says the gunmen also killed five other tourists and wounded two. The incident early Tuesday happened near the border with Eritrea.

NEW YORK (AP) - A man who admitted killing four people in a rampage of stabbings, carjackings and other crimes will appear in a New York City court today for sentencing. Maksim Gelman pleaded guilty to murder, assault and attempted murder in the February 2011 crimes that spanned two days. He could get up to 100 years in prison.

Today's News Tuesday January 17, 2012

2012-01-17T08:27:00.004-05:00

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.

Today's News Monday January 16, 2012

2012-01-16T11:57:00.003-05:00

Local News for Monday January 16, 2012

Man Charged For Public Drunkenness

A Port Carbon man was charged by State Police over the weekend for causing a disturbance at a public facility. According to reports, 45 year old John Miller was at the Port Carbon library after 2 p.m., apparently intoxicated. Troopers were called and detained the suspect.

Snow Covered Roadway Leads To Crash

Snow covered roads led to a downed utility pole on Sunday morning in North Manheim Township. State Police at Schuylkill Haven say the unidentified driver, perhaps operating a Chevy Blazer, apparently slid into the utility pole on Second Mountain Road, shearing it off. The top portion of the pole fell onto the roadway and blocked part of the road, forcing it to be shut down for several hours for cleanup. The crash took place around 3:30 AM Sunday.

Rollover Accident On I-81 In Kline Township

Slippery roadways contributed to a crash on Interstate 81 around mile marker 138. A Toyota driven by Philip Covell of Vienna, Virginia was crossing a bridge in the northbound lanes when it hit a patch of ice and spun out of control. The car left the road and skidded about 120 feet through the grass in the median. Covell and his passenger, 14 year-old Leanna Covell, w2ere transported to Hazleton General Hospital for treatment.

PennDOT Continues Work Projects On County Roads

PennDOT District 5 Safety Press Officer Sean Brown reports that road work will be going on this week on Dark Water Road between Burma Road and Route 61; Lake Road between Pine Grove and Cressona; Main Street in North Union Township; Route 339 between Brandonville and the county line; Route 895 between Andreas and New Ringgold; Route 209 between Port Carbon and Middleport; I-81 southbound between Exit 134 and Exit 124; and I-81 northbound between the Lebanon County line and Exit 104. Motorists are advised that they may encounter lane restrictions and delays in these areas.

Today's News-Saturday, January 14th, 2012

2012-01-14T08:52:00.000-05:00

SCHUYLKILL CAMPUS HAS NEW LEADER

Pennsylvania State University named a new chancellor for its Schuylkill campus Friday. Kelly M. Austin, vice president of finance and administration at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, will replace R. Keith Hillkirk, who moved to the role of chancellor at Penn State Berks in 2011. Austin currently is the chief business and administration officer of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown since 2008. His duties included the development and implementation of a strategic plan, collaboration with senior officers to ensure student retention and leading the development and implementation of the campus operating budget, capital budget and auxiliary budget. Austin has also been active in numerous community service organizations, including United Way, Special Olympics, Make-A-Wish, Habitat for Humanity and March of Dimes. Austin will officially take over the reigns as chancellor of June 1st.

YUENGLING TAKES OVER TOP SALES BY U.S. BREWER

D.G. Yuengling and Son, which proudly bills itself as America's oldest brewery, has something new to brag about. The Pottsville company, whose sales surged last year when it entered Ohio, has become the largest American beer-maker by surpassing Boston Beer in 2011 sales. That's right. A beer launched by a German immigrant in 1829 to quench the thirst of Pennsylvania coal miners can claim a distinction once held by Anheuser-Busch, maker of the iconic Budweiser brand, which got gobbled up by a Belgian company a few years ago. Boston Beer, which makes Samuel Adams and has a plant in Fogelsville, became the country's largest domestic-owned brewery in 2008. And Yuengling was a close second. The two companies have since been neck-and-neck in sales until the end of 2011, when Yuengling started selling beer in its 14th state, Ohio. Yuengling sold 2.5 million barrels of beer in 2011, up 17 percent from the previous year, according to Beer Marketer's Insights in Suffern, N.Y., a magazine that tracks the beer industry. Boston Beer sold 2.4 million barrels in 2011, the magazine estimated. Yuengling is expected to retain the distinction for the foreseeable future. Its 2012 sales will likely increase since this will be its first full year in Ohio.

ALLENTOWN MAN PLEADS TO DRUG CHARGE

Hector Rivera helped his brother distribute methamphetamine in Schuylkill County for five years, and will forfeit several more years than that of his freedom for doing so. As reported by the Republican Herald, Rivera of Allentown, pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court in Scranton to one charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute in excess of 500 grams of methamphetamine. Senior U.S. District Judge Edwin M. Kosik accepted the plea, ordered the U.S. Probation Office to prepare a presentence report and said he would schedule sentencing at a later date. However, U.S. Attorney Peter J. Smith said that under a plea agreement between Rivera and prosecutors, the defendant will be sentenced to spend 144 months in a federal correctional institution.

PORTO SANTO STEFANO, Italy (AP) - One passenger calls it a scene
from the Titanic. Others say the evacuation was chaotic. A luxury
cruise ship ran aground off the coast of Tuscany last night,
gashing open the hull and forcing some 4,200 people to evacuate.
Officials say at least three are dead and 69 unaccounted for.

ZUBAIR, Iraq (AP) - Iraqi officials say at least 53 Shiite
pilgrims have been killed in a bomb attack near the southern port
city of Basra. It's the latest in a series of attacks during Shiite
religious commemorations that threaten to further increase
sectarian tensions just weeks after the U.S. withdrawal.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Officials in Nome, Alaska, are deciding
where to moor a Russian tanker to safely pump much needed fuel into
city tanks but still be able to free the ship with the help of an
ice-breaker. The tanker can't dock because the port is iced in and
the ice-breaker can't operate too close to shore. A November storm
prevented Nome's final barge delivery of fuel for the winter.

UNDATED (AP) - Five Republican presidential candidates will meet
at a South Carolina forum today hosted by former Arkansas Gov. Mike
Huckabee, who ran for the nomination in 2008. Ron Paul is the only
one not participating. Rick Perry, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich
also have other South Carolina events, a week ahead of that state's
primary.

LISBON, Portugal (AP) - A Department of Justice official says
the United States has asked Portugal's Supreme Court to review its
refusal to extradite American fugitive George Wright. Portuguese
police captured Wright in September last year, 41 years after he
escaped from a U.S. prison where he was serving a sentence for
murder. He had been living in Portugal since 1993.

Today's News Friday January 13, 2012

2012-01-13T09:03:00.003-05:00

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."

Today's News Thursday January 12, 2012

2012-01-12T05:42:00.004-05:00

Local News-Thursday, January 12, 2012

Environmental Regulations Are Job Creators, Not Job Killers

ENV JOBS52

Rep. Tobash Says There Are Record Crowds At The Farm Show

TOBASH44

Mootz Candies May Re-open If Lawsuit Is Successful

The owner of Mootz Candies, Joseph "Ned" Buckley, has indicated that he may re-open the iconic candy making business if he is successful in his bid to win a legal award from three contractors who erected Union Station. The suit alleges that the contractors negligently caused damage to the foundation of the building that houses Mootz Candies on South Centre Street in Pottsville while installing a retaining wall near Union Station. The damage caused cracks in the building, and it became necessary to close the business. Estimates for repair or replacement of the building are over two million dollars, and the estimated loss of business is approximately $750,000, so Buckley has sued for $2,750,000 in total losses. The City of Pottsville, owner of Union Station, is not named in the suit.

New Trial Request Will Be Heard Today For Donchak And Piekarsky

A panel of three federal judges will consider a request today for a new trial in the case of Derrick Donchak and Brandon Piekarsky of Shenandoah. Both men were sentenced to serve nine years in federal prison for the 2008 beating death of Luis Eduardo Ramirez Zavala. Defense attorneys will present their argument that their clients' rights to protection from double jeopardy were violated, and that other errors were committed during their Federal trial. If the appeal is successful, the existing convictions and sentences will be overturned, and a new trial will be scheduled.

Schuylkill County Commissioners Hear Public Input At Wednesday Meeting

The newly installed Schuylkill County Commissioners heard public comment for the first time during their Wednesday meeting. Vickie Macklin, CEO of Concerned Citizens of Schuylkill County, welcomed the commissioners and told them they will hear from her any time her group has concerns. She mentioned that the Commissioners might want to address the lack of parking around the courthouse. George Holmes, of Wayne Township, presented the commissioners with a copy of an ordinance from Lees County, Florida that regulates items that can be sold for scrap. This law is designed to make it unprofitable to steal copper wiring and other items. The commissioners also approved termination of leases for recycling areas in Orwigsburg and Pine Grove.

State and National News Thursday January 12, 2012

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Penn State University president Rodney Erickson faced a crowd of about 600 people in Pittsburgh last night to answer questions about a child sex abuse scandal and the firing of longtime football coach Joe Paterno. Many people cheered at the suggestion the board of trustees resign. Erickson is attempting to repair the school's image in the wake of the scandal.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - A Penn State administrator charged with failing to report an allegation of child sex abuse involving a former assistant football coach has been diagnosed with a recurrence of lung cancer. Athletic Director Tim Curley's wife says doctors are monitoring his condition after an illness first diagnosed in June of 2010 flared up again.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Federal authorities say they've seized 130 pounds of cocaine in three unattended duffel bags at Philadelphia International Airport. Customs and Border Protection officials say the bags arrived on a flight from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. No arrests have been made.

HANOVER, Pa. (AP) - Family members say a couple married for more than six decades died 12 hours apart in central Pennsylvania over the weekend. Eighty-one-year-old Richard Trimmer had been hospitalized after a fall when his children told him on Sunday his wife of 61-years, Nancy, had died in her sleep. Richard Trimmer was dead a few hours later, succumbing to lung cancer.

UNDATED (AP) - The Republican presidential candidates are working South Carolina today, getting ready for the primary in nine days. Frontrunner Mitt Romney hosts an early morning meeting with voters in Greer. Jon Huntsman attends a GOP breakfast on South Carolina's Daniel Island, Rick Perry has several events in the state and Rick Santorum will hold a town hall meeting in Charleston. Newt Gingrich has two afternoon events in Columbia.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida doesn't hold its presidential primary until Jan. 31, but the voting already has started, and candidate Mitt Romney will attend a rally in West Palm Beach later today. As of Tuesday, 424,000 Republican absentee ballots had been mailed to military personnel, overseas residents and other Floridians. About 84,000 have been returned.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The video shows four Marines urinating on the corpses of Taliban fighters. The Marine Corps says it's not sure if the video is real or where it came from, but it's investigating. It says, "The actions portrayed are not consistent with our core values and are not indicative of the character of the Marines in our Corps."

NEW YORK (AP) - Some of the Occupy Wall Street protesters have no place to go if they're not camping out in New York City's Zuccotti Park. They've become a band of homeless Occupiers. About 100 protesters have been sleeping in various churches since Mayor Michael Bloomberg shut down their camp in November. The movement has spent about $20,000 keeping them fed and sheltered.

MEXICO CITY (AP) - Paramedics in Mexico City are drawing catcalls after one of them dropped a donor heart being rushed to the hospital. Police say after getting off a helicopter, the paramedic carrying the heart tripped, and the plastic-wrapped organ tumbled out of a cooler and onto the street. There's no word whether the heart could still be used.

Today's News Wednesday January 11, 2012

2012-01-11T09:37:00.002-05:00

Local News-Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Penn State Master Gardeners Visit Blue Mt. Elementary

The Penn State Master Gardeners, regular guests on WPPA's Step Up To the Mic program, paid a visit to the second grade students at Blue Mountain Elementary East in Orwigsburg on Tuesday. The students in the five classrooms have been studying about seeds since November, and their teachers thought that the Master Gardeners could expand on what they had already learned. Blue Mountain formed a committee called Agricultural Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics in 2010, and lessons from 4-H books are part of the curriculum that is taught as an elective throughout the district.
Blue Mountain removed agricultural education as a full-time curriculum in 1999 due to diminished participation.

State, County, Local Officials Partner To Remove Safety Hazard In Tower City

The dilapidated Knights of Pythias building in Tower City is undergoing demolition thanks to the concerted efforts of officials at the state, county, and local levels. County and local officials worked together to make the demolition happen after a partial collapse of the building at 518 E. Grand Avenue in the borough. The work is funded largely through the county's demolition program, which is supported in part by state funds. Tower City is responsible for 25 percent of the nearly $45,000 contract. A few weeks ago, the long-deserted building partially collapsed, forcing one woman out of her home. The borough sought an emergency declaration in order to get county support for the demolition. Tower City Mayor Dan Daub said the demolition creates new opportunities for development in the borough. The work is being done by Northeast Industrial Services of Mount Carmel, and should be completed this month.

Norwegian Township Officials Want Traffic Light At 901 and 209 Intersection

The intersection of Routes 901 and 209 at the Turkey Hill on the Pottsville Minersville Highway has seen more than its share of accidents over the years, and the Norwegian Township Supervisors want PennDOT do see if a traffic light could be installed. There were 28 crashes at the intersection between 2006 and 2010, one of them a fatality. It is particularly difficult to turn left from Route 209 to travel toward Minersville. PennDOT would have to complete a traffic study to see if a light is justified, and the township would have to bear the costs on installation and upkeep.

Man Arrested For Riding Bike Under The Influence

Pennsylvania State Police at Lykens report that 54 year old Barry Lee Stazewski was riding his bicycle the wrong way on Moore Street in Millersburg when he failed to stop at the intersection with Market Street. He turned into the path of a Jeep driven by Lori Daniels, who lives in Millersburg. Daniels swerved into the other lane to try to avoid a collision, but Stazewski ran into the passenger side door of Daniels' vehicle. During their investigation, State Police determined that Stazewski was riding his bike while under the influence of alcohol. He has been charged with D.U.I and a traffic violation.

State and National News Wed. January 11, 2012

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum says he wants to emerge as the "true conservative" of the GOP primary race. Santorum is locked in a tight race for fourth place with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich in New Hampshire's GOP primary. Mitt Romney came in first.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A Pennsylvania newspaper says former U.S. Senator Arlen Specter has suggested that Democrats think about supporting Hillary Clinton rather than Barack Obama for president in 2012. The Philadelphia Inquirer says Specter was asked in a meeting with the Inquirer editorial board whether Clinton should replace Vice President Joe Biden as Obama's running mate. According to the paper, Specter said "A better alternative is to make
Hillary the nominee."

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - People in Pennsylvania seeking food stamps may soon have to pass an asset test that state officials say will help ensure the program aids those who need it most. However, advocates for the poor say it may hurt people who genuinely qualify for the federal benefit.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Lawyers and experts in child abuse are among the people named to a new panel set up to study Pennsylvania's child abuse laws and propose potential changes. Legislative leaders and Governor Tom Corbett have announced members of the Task Force on Child Protection, which has until the end of November to issue its findings and recommendations.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Mitt Romney apparently has no illusions about his strong win in yesterday's New Hampshire Republican primary. He told a crowd in Manchester, "Tonight we celebrate. Tomorrow we go back to work." Next up is the South Carolina primary on Jan. 21, where the 25 delegates are winner take all.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama flies to Chicago this afternoon for three fundraisers, two of them with big-money supporters. The first, at the University of Illinois at Chicago, has tickets starting at $44. But one of the others has tickets starting at $7,500, and the third goes for $35,800 per couple.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Michelle Obama is expected to announce today that more than 100 medical schools have agreed to increase training and research into mental problems and injuries facing some combat veterans. It's part of the first lady's Joining Forces campaign, and will include improving treatment for traumatic brain injury.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - The small town of Cordova, Alaska, is waiting on an order of shovels as it continues digging out from almost 15 feet of snow. A city spokesman admits it's ironic. One of the concerns is the strain on roofs, with two homes and four commercial buildings already suffering collapses.

UNDATED (AP) - Vicksburg National Military Park in Mississippi is having problems with wild hogs, which have moved in since the flooding last year. They're tearing up the landscape, and it's feared they could undermine some of the park's 1,370 monuments. The park superintendent says it looks like some areas have been plowed.

Today's News Tuesday January 10, 2012

2012-01-10T09:13:00.003-05:00

Local News-Tuesday, January 10, 2012

PennDOT Announces Road Work In Schuylkill County

Sean Brown, Safety Press Officer for PennDOT's Engineering District Five, has announced the roadwork schedule for the week of January 9 through 13. Crews will be doing shoulder work on Route 209 between Port Carbon and Middleport; sealing cracks on Route 895 between New Ringgold and Andreas; maintenance work on Route 339 between Mahanoy City and Brandonville, and Route 125 between Tremont and Ravine; and crack sealing on First Street between the Luzerne County line and Nuremburg. Work on Interstate 81 continues, with pothole patching and crack sealing going on southbound between Exit 131 (Rte. 54) and Exit 124 (Rte. 61); and northbound between the Lebanon County line and Exit 104 at Ravine. Motorists should be prepared for possible lane restrictions and traffic delays in these areas.

Rep. Knowles Will Seek Reelection In 124th District

State Representative Jerry Knowles has made it official. He will seek re-election to the Pennsylvania State House from the 124th District. The official announcement came in a press release on Monday January 9. Rep. Knowles stated in the release "While Republican leadership ended (Governor) Rendell's out-of-control spending, there is still much to be done to get our state back on track. As a former small business owner, I will continue to fight for taxpayers and work with our industrial community, business leaders, and local governments to recruit and retain good jobs in Berks, Carbon, and Schuylkill Counties." Knowles was originally elected to the State House in a June 2009 special election to fill out the term of Senator Dave Argall.

Pepsi Waiting For Return Of Trucks From New Jersey

The three trucks and trailer that were stolen from the Pepsi bottling plant south of Schuylkill Haven over the weekend are still in possession of New Jersey police while their investigation continues. Dennis Marchalonis, who is the Security Manager for Pepsi's Northeast Region, said that they expect to have them back in the next day or two. He said that this has happened to Pepsi several times in the last few years in the northeast region. The trucks were always recovered, but the product that was on them had been sold by the thieves. It appears that the product from the latest thefts was not removed from the trucks. The Auto Theft Task Force of the Pennsylvania State Police is assisting New Jersey Police with the investigation.

Shenandoah Man Pleads Guilty To Child Pornography Charges

A Shenandoah man has filed a guilty plea in Federal Court to charges that he used his computer to produce child pornography. Jonathan Binns made his plea before Senior U.S. District Judge Edwin M. Kosic in Scranton on Monday, but he will not know his sentence until after the U.S. Probation Office completes a presentence report. Binns was indicted by a federal grand jury in January of 2011, and was accused of producing and possessing child pornography. He faces a maximum sentence of thirty years in jail, but must serve a mandatory fifteen years minimum sentence. After his federal case is complete, Binns may also face charges at the county level related to sexual assault against two girls in Shenandoah in 2010.

State and National News Tuesday January 10, 2012

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Sue Paterno says she and husband Joe Paterno gave $100,000 last month to Penn State, split between a library and an undergraduate fellows program that bear the family name. Sue Paterno says it was an annual gift to the Paterno Liberal Arts Undergraduate Fellows Program and the Paterno Library.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Authorities in eastern Pennsylvania have identified a man found shot to death in Allentown a week into the new year. The Lehigh County coroner's office says Hagos Mezgebo was shot early Saturday and was later found dead on the sidewalk four blocks from his home.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Arlen Specter is out of office, but Pennsylvania's longest-serving U.S. senator isn't done trying to make an impact on public debate. The pilot episode of a political-affairs show he's hosting will air Friday night on Maryland Public Television.

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - Most of the Republican presidential candidates are out today, trying to secure more votes as New Hampshire voters go to the polls in the nation's first presidential primary. Polls suggest that Jon Huntsman may be on the rise in the Granite State, but Mitt Romney is the overwhelming favorite.

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum says he'll be pleased if he finishes in the middle of the pack in today's New Hampshire primary. He tells Fox News Channel that would be proof he's "climbed up and reached the pack." Newt Gingrich tells CNN he expects to finish in the "top three or four"

BEIRUT (AP) - Syrian President Bashar Assad says he's not going anywhere. In his first speech since June, Assad insisted he still has his people's support and he's promising to respond to threats against him with an "iron hand." Assad once again claimed that a foreign conspiracy and terrorists are behind the unrest in his country.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Police in Columbia, S.C. have found a shovel and what appear to be bloody clothes and a blanket at the home of a woman whose toddler has been missing since Thanksgiving. Search warrants show that 22-year-old Zinah Jennings' home was searched after her stepfather told police he saw her in the backyard with a shovel about the time Amir Jennings disappeared. The items are being analyzed.

NEW YORK (AP) - A New York City school employee has lost her job for faking her daughter's death so she could go to Costa Rica. Joan Barnett allegedly told school officials her daughter died in the Central American country. The Daily News says a school official became suspicious and a Costa Rican government official confirmed the document was a fake. Barnett pleaded guilty to charges in the fall.

Today's News Monday January 9, 2012

2012-01-09T09:07:00.002-05:00

Local News-Mon, January 9, 2012

Vehicles Stolen From Schuylkill Haven Pepsi Plant

Someone cut the chain on the front gate at the Pepsi bottling plant on Keystoker Road south of Schuylkill Haven on Friday night and stole two Pepsi trucks and a tractor trailer. All the trucks were loaded with product, and the keys were locked inside a building. Just after midnight on Saturday morning a New Jersey State Trooper pulled one of the trucks over for speeding on I-78, and the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. The other trucks and the trailer were later found in Paterson and Bayonne, New Jersey. It appears that the Pepsi products were left on the trucks, but an inventory must be taken. The investigation into this incident is continuing.

Lost Creek Woman Loses Life In Car Crash

Patricia Ann Nork, of Lost Creek, lost her life in a car crash on Saturday afternoon. She was driving in the right hand lane of Aristes Road in Union Township when she failed to negotiate a curve in the road. Her vehicle left the road and struck a tree, then hit a second tree and a barn, and came to rest against another tree. Nork sustained fatal injuries in the accident. State Police indicate that Nork was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. Emergency personnel from Ringtown and Aristes assisted State Police at the scene.

Visitors Bureau Releases 2012 Schuylkill County Visitors Guide

When the Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau put the 2012 Visitors Guide together, they decided to take matters into their own hands. Executive Director Regina Gargano said the 2011 version of the guide was printed by a company in Lancaster, and was not received well by local residents or the board of directors. A decision was made to produce the 2012 guide in-house, and have it printed locally, and the results are much better. The 2012 "Official Schuylkill County Visitors Guide" has been released, and it focuses on outdoor activities throughout the county, including a picture from the Schuylkill River Sojourn on the cover. It will be making its way to many local and regional locations, or can be picked up at the Visitors Bureau inside Union Station in Pottsville.

American Red Cross Blood Drive Coming To Fairlane Village Mall

As we move into the second full week of 2012, many resolutions are still fresh in our minds. If one of the items on your to-do list is to donate blood, stop by the American Red Cross 1-11 Blood Drive at Fairlane Village Mall on Wednesday from 11am till 7pm. Presenting donors will receive a soup mug and spoon set, an Iron Chef Cat Cora Recipe Card and will be eligible to win a $111 Visa Gift Card. Make your appointment today by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or stop by Fairlane Village Mall on Wednesday.

Representative Tobash Announces Grants For Volunteers

State Representative Mike Tobash has announced that 49 volunteer fire and ambulance companies within the 125th Legislative District have been awarded more than $430,000 in grants from the Commonwealth. Representative Tobash said "Our volunteer emergency service providers are simply outstanding, sacrificing their time to help people in need and protect public safety. These grants will help our fire and ambulance companies continue their mission of service to our communities." The grant money, which comes from state gaming revenues, may be used for construction or renovation of facilities, to purchase or repair equipment, to provide training, or to reduce existing debt. For a complete listing of awards, go to www.reptobash.com.

State and National News Monday January 9, 2012

LANGHORNE, Pa. (AP) - No new talks are scheduled before teachers in a southeastern Pennsylvania school district are slated to strike. Teachers in the Neshaminy School District in Bucks County have announced a walkout starting today. The district says it cannot afford the union's proposal.

ERIE, Pa. (AP) - Authorities say a man was killed and a woman injured in a fire in western Pennsylvania. Officials tell The Erie Times-News the blaze does not appear to be suspicious. Emergency dispatchers say the fire was reported early yesterday morning in a first-floor apartment.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Broadcast Pioneers says weatherman Herb Clarke has died. He was 84. He worked for WCAU-TV in Philadelphia for 39 years. The organization says Clarke's wife Barbara said her husband died yesterday of complications from Alzheimer's.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Just two days into his new job and Penn State coach Bill O'Brien is already getting a standing ovation. Joe Paterno's successor received a hero's welcome when he was introduced to fans during a break in the first half of the basketball game yesterday between Number 12 Indiana and Penn State. O'Brien plans to stay on as the New England Patriots offensive coordinator for the rest of the NFL playoffs.

VIENNA (AP) - Diplomats are confirming that Iran has begun uranium enrichment at an underground bunker. The diplomats say the news is especially worrying because the site is being used to make material that can be upgraded more quickly for use in a nuclear weapon than the nation's main enriched stockpile.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is expected to announce a 20-year ban on new mining claims on public land surrounding the Grand Canyon. Salazar has said that although uranium is an important part of a comprehensive energy strategy, the Grand Canyon is a national treasure that must be protected.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Dozens of National Guard troops are helping residents in the town of Cordova, Alaska dig out of from under more than 18 feet of snow. That amount of snow over the past weeks has collapsed roofs, triggered avalanches and trapped some people in their homes. Guard troops couldn't reach the town until yesterday.

Today's News-Saturday, January 7, 2012

2012-01-07T06:46:00.001-05:00

Man That Hit Ringtown Cyclist Now Charged

According to the Republican Herald, Laguna Pueblo police filed charges Thursday against the driver of the vehicle that hit and killed a 19-year-old cyclist from Ringtown, three months after the U.S. attorney in New Mexico announced they lacked evidence to pursue charges. John Anczarski was cycling cross-country with friends to raise money for breast cancer research when he was struck by a vehicle June 21, 2010, that was driven by Gilbert Waconda along State Road 124 - a stretch of Old Route 66 - in New Laguna on the Laguna Pueblo, an Indian reservation about 45 miles west of Albuquerque. Laguna Pueblo police charged Waconda with vehicular homicide and reckless driving. However, since tribal governments can only prosecute crimes as misdemeanors, the maximum Waconda could face is up to one year in prison for each charge.

Farm Show Set to Begin

Agriculture Secretary George Greig invites Pennsylvanians to celebrate agriculture - from farm gate to dinner plate - during the 96th Pennsylvania Farm Show at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg. The eight-day show, the largest indoor agricultural exhibition. The Pennsylvania Farm Show runs Jan. 7-13 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Jan. 14 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free and parking is $10. The Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center is easily accessed from nearby Interstate 81. For a complete schedule of Farm Show visit www.farmshow.state.pa.us and select the tab for "2012 Show."

Legislator Wants Stop On Court-Ordered Reassessments

As the new county executive in Allegheny County defies a court ordered property tax reassessment, a Pittsburgh lawmaker is again calling on the state legislature to approve his measure that would place a moratorium on court-ordered reassessments. Howard Ondick has this report.

ONDICK

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Archdiocese of Philadelphia plans to
shutter about a quarter of its Roman Catholic high schools and
close or combine nearly 30 percent of its elementary schools mainly
because of rising costs and low enrollment. The moves will displace
almost 24,000 students and leave the region with four fewer high
schools and 44 fewer elementary schools at the beginning of the
next academic year.

LANGHORNE, Pa. (AP) - Teachers in a southeastern Pennsylvania
school district have given notice to district officials that they
will go on strike. The Neshaminy School District teachers said the
strike will begin on Monday. School district officials say if the
strike does happen, some special education and athletic activities
will continue.

BEAVER FALLS, Pa. (AP) - Authorities say a 16-year-old girl was
struck and killed by a passing train in Beaver Falls, about 40
miles northwest of Pittsburgh. The Beaver County Times reports that
Taylor Elizabeth Donnadio, a junior at Beaver Falls High School,
was struck by a Norfolk Southern train early yesterday afternoon.

BALTIMORE (AP) - Maryland lottery officials say a Pennsylvania
couple has claimed a $128.8 million Powerball prize in Maryland.
The couple, who chose to stay anonymous, claimed the prize
yesterday at lottery headquarters in Baltimore.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says in his weekly
media message that one way of putting people back to work is to
bring jobs back to the U.S. The White House is holding a forum next
week. For the Republicans, New York Rep. Nan Hayworth, R-N.Y., says
a focus on small business and reducing regulations is the way to
go.

WASHINGTON (AP) - An overhauled definition of rape will count
men for the first time and drop a requirement that the victim must
have fought back. The change will increase the number of people
counted as rape victims -- an important shift because lawmakers and
policymakers use crime statistics to allocate money and other
resources.

BEIRUT (AP) - Activists say there's been more deadly violence in
Syria. They say Syrian troops opened fire on demonstrators holding
sit-ins in two parts of the country, killing one and wounding at
least 20.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Residents of a northeastern Pennsylvania
village say the Environmental Protection Agency is promising to
deliver fresh water. Dimock township homeowners have been without a
reliable supply since a Houston-based natural gas driller stopped
making deliveries more than a month ago. Cabot has been accused of
tainting water wells.

HOUSTON (AP) - The National Weather Service says 2011 was Texas'
driest year on record as well as its second hottest. The average
rainfall for the drought-stricken state last year was just 14.88
inches. The summer was the hottest in U.S. history with an average
temperature of 86.8.

Today's News Fri. January 6, 2012

2012-01-06T07:24:00.002-05:00

Local News-Fri, January 6, 2012

Palo Alto Woman Held Over For Trial In Hit-And-Run Case

Joan Trayah, of Port Carbon, will be going to trial to face charges related to an alleged hit-and-run incident that happened on December 12, 2011. According to police records, Trayah made a u-turn on East Lawton Street in St. Clair and ran over 75 year-old Ho Ching Lan near the entrance to a parking lot at the Buckhorn Cafe. After the incident, Trayah went inside the Buckhorn, where she worked, and failed to report what happened. When confronted by police, Trayah initially denied any involvement, but later confessed to running over the victim. She went before Magisterial District Judge David Plachko yesterday for a preliminary hearing, where all charges were held over to court. Trayah remains free on $50,000 unsecured bail while awaiting trial.

Schuylkill Zoning Hearing Board Hears Testimony About Proposed Airport

The Schuylkill County Zoning Hearing Board met for two hours on Thursday for the purpose of hearing testimony about the impact of a proposed cargo airport in parts of East Union and Kline Townships. Gladstone Partners LP, of Pittsburgh, applied for a special exception for the purpose of building a regional cargo airport near the Humboldt Industrial Park in June of 2009. Two professional witnesses testified before the board that the area where the airport would be built does not have sufficient infrastructure to handle a project of this size. They also testified that the plan does not contain studies on environmental or traffic impact, or on-site water and sewage issues. More witnesses will be heard during the next meeting of the Zoning Hearing Board on February 2 at 7:00 p.m.

FEMA Presents Plans To Prepare For Emergencies

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has published a report that states 2011 was one of the most active years for disasters in recent history, and encourages all Americans to prepare themselves for more of the same in the future. Region III Administrator Mary Ann Tierney is quoted as saying "One of the most important lessons we can take away from 2011's devastating storms such as Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee is that disasters can impact all of us, no matter what part of the country we live in." She suggests that people prepare by putting together an emergency supply kit, making an emergency plan, and learning about the hazards in their area. For more information about FEMA's Resolve to be Ready in 2012 program, go to Ready.gov and CitizenCorps.gov.

Little Help Available In County For Homeless

According to the lead story in today's Republican Herald, Schuylkill County no longer has a homeless shelter, and resources to provide help for the homeless are scarce. Schuylkill Community Action reports that they receive approximately fifty requests for assistance each year from people who tell them they are homeless. A group of local churches operated shelters that were staffed by volunteers, but a lack of funding and volunteers caused them to cease operations in 2009. The United Way said that federal funding for emergency food and housing has been drastically reduced in the last year, and there is very little they can do to help. While Pottsville does have two soup kitchens, and there are several food pantries in the county, the nearest homeless shelter is located in Harrisburg.

State News Fri. January 6, 2012

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - According to multiple reports, New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien has agreed to replace Joe Paterno as Penn State's head coach. Citing unnamed sources, ESPN first reported last night that an official announcement would be made on Saturday, and that O'Brien would continue on as an assistant with the Patriots the rest of the postseason.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Police say speed was likely a factor in a triple fatal car wreck that killed the driver and his two
passengers near a Philadelphia mall. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports police identified the victims as 20-year-old Anthony Christensen of Bensalem; 17-year-old Christopher Alcalde of Philadelphia; and 15-year-old Bensalem High School student Lucrecia Santamaria.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Authorities say a gas line explosion injured two workers and ripped the porch off an Allentown row home yesterday. Employees of a subcontractor for UGI Utilities were working on a gas line at the home when the blast happened. Officials say the injured workers were taken to a hospital.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Farmers, agribusiness workers and visitors who want an up-close look at livestock and farm products are converging on Harrisburg for the annual Pennsylvania Farm Show. The event kicked off yesterday with the unveiling of the butter sculpture. This year it honors the 100th anniversaries of the Pennsylvania 4-H and State Association of County Fairs.

Today's News Thu. January 5, 2012

2012-01-05T05:03:00.004-05:00

Local News-Wed, January 4, 2012

New Panel Of Schuylkill County Commissioners Meet For First Time

The newly installed board of Schuylkill County Commissioners, Frank Staudenmeier, George Halcovage, and Gary Hess, held their first meeting of 2012 on Wednesday. They reiterated their campaign promises to maintain an open door policy to the public and to encourage the development of business in the county. Chairman Staudenmeier said that the doors to the commissioners' office will remain unlocked during business hours, something that has not happened in several years. Commissioner Hess said that the development of communities within the county will help the whole county move ahead. Commissioner Halcovage spoke about the importance of open communication in the conduct of county business. All three agree that county government must be run efficiently and in a businesslike manner to provide county residents with the services they expect in a cost-efficient manner.

Pottsville Fire Department Responds To Fire In Apartment

When workers who were renovating an apartment turned on the power for the stove they had just installed, they caused a fire that damaged the kitchen. Apparently, a burner on the electric stove was turned on, and nobody had noticed. When the workers went to the basement and turned on the electricity, materials that were sitting on top of the stove ignited. By the time the workers returned upstairs, the fire had spread to the hood and cabinets above the stove, and a call was placed to 911. Pottsville Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire, but the apartment received smoke and water damage. The property at 602 Mahantongo Street is owned by Hyman Properties, and the apartment was not occupied at the time of the fire.

Reorganization Is The Name Of The Game For Local Government

Government entities are in the process of reorganizing for the year 2012, and while some will stay the same as last year, many have had to make changes because new members have been elected to office. Ringtown Borough has fewer members on their council, as they are in the process of shrinking from seven members to five. Gilberton and Cressona boroughs are making the same transition, and Girardville has had five council seats for several years. North Union Township reorganized, but will retain the same leaders as they had last year, while East Union Township has a new Vice Chairman in the person of newly elected Jon Dettery. McAdoo Borough will operate with a new President, John Shigo, and a new Vice-President, Marion DeBalko.

State and National News Thu. January 5, 2012

MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) - Presidential contender Rick Santorum is defending previous statements and votes after he nearly defeated rival Mitt Romney in Iowa's leadoff nominating contests. Santorum faced questions yesterday about his statements on same-sex relationships, his support for a prescription drug benefit for seniors and his work on programs for blacks.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's highest court is making contingency plans to hear appeals of the 2012 state legislative redistricting plan - even though none has been filed. The justices have amended their 2012 schedule to include a January 23rd session in Harrisburg to hear arguments on possible appeals.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - One of the government's top scientists says much more research is needed to determine the possible impacts of shale gas drilling on human health and the environment. Dr. Christopher Portier (POR-tee-ay) of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says studies should include all the ways people can be exposed, such as through air, water, soil, plants and animals.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Police say a car went out of control and flipped over near a northeast Philadelphia mall, killing three occupants. A police spokeswoman says the car was heading north at a high speed near Franklin Mills Mall last night when it flipped over multiple times, landing on its roof. Three people inside were killed.

Today's News Wed. January 4, 2012

2012-01-04T05:41:00.002-05:00

Local News-Wed, January 4, 2012

Ninety-Sixth Pennsylvania Farm Show Opens Saturday

The 96th Pennsylvania Farm Show, the nation’s largest indoor agricultural exhibition, will open Saturday January 7 and run through Saturday the 14th. It will include almost six thousand animals, ten thousand competitive exhibits, and three hundred commercial exhibitors. Those who attend this year can make use of online tools to help them navigate through the show's 24 acres and nearly 250 events and activities. An interactive map and scheduling tool is available, as well as a mobile app. Both can be found at www.farmshow.state.pa.us. At the fair, there will be digital kiosks in the Cameron Street Lobby and in the Department of Agriculture booth in the Main Hall. The 4-H will also have information booths throughout the complex in small red barns. There will be many new activities and events, in addition to traditional favorites. Admission to the Farm Show is free, and parking is $10.00.

Route 183 Closed In Cressona After One Car Crash

WPPA and T102 reported yesterday that Route 183 was closed between Route 61 and the traffic light in Cressona. The closing was the result of a one car crash on Pottsville Street that took out a telephone pole and cut power to the area. Margaret Phillips, of Blandon, was driving west on Pottsville Street when she lost control of her car and sheared off a pole. Her car traveled off the road and struck a garage at 132 Pottsville Street. Phillips was taken to Reading Hospital by helicopter for treatment of her injuries. PPL responded to the scene and replaced the pole, restoring power to approximately 484 customers before 10:00 a.m. State Police were assisted at the scene by Cressona Fire Department, Fire Police, and Pottsville EMS.

State Police Release Accident Totals For New Year’s Holiday Weekend

Pennsylvania State Police investigated 552 crashes over the four day New Year's holiday weekend. Those crashes claimed the lives of ten people and injured 172 others. All those numbers were lower than the reported incidents last year, when eleven people were killed in 693 crashes. Seventy nine of the reported incidents involved operators driving under the influence, including two fatalities, and six of the ten people killed were not wearing seat belts. Troopers also made 285 arrests for D.U.I, issued 379 citations for failure to wear seat belts, and cited 51 drivers for failing to restrain children properly in child safety seats.

Bedding Manufacturer In Mahanoy Township Purchased By Texas Company

International Bedding Corporation, located in Mahanoy Township near the Fabcon plant, has been purchased by Corsicana Bedding, Inc. of Corsicana, Texas. According to details of the sale, the business was purchased in its entirety, and will apparently continue with business as usual. Today's Republican Herald quotes Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation President Frank Zukas as saying that he thinks workers should not be concerned for their jobs, but that the Pennsylvania Career Link Center in Pottsville will continue to monitor the situation at the plant in case anything changes.

State and National News Wed. January 4, 2012

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The chairman of the Iowa Republican party says former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has won the Iowa caucuses by eight votes. Chairman Matt Strawn made the announcement of the razor-thin margin from Des Moines. Romney narrowly edged out former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum.

ERIE, Pa. (AP) - Weather officials say the first winter storm of the year brought a foot and a half or more of snow to parts of northwestern Pennsylvania. The National Weather Service says another 3 inches of snow was recorded at Erie International Airport during the day yesterday, following overnight snow that dumped as much as the 15 inches in Corry in Erie County.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia officials are waiting to hear which state will be the home for a huge new petrochemical plant. Shell Oil Company says the announcement of a site will happen early this year, but won't say which state has the lead.

NEW YORK (AP) - The NHL Winter Classic between the host Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers was the fifth-most watched regular-season NHL game in 37 years. New York's 3-2 victory on Monday at Citizens Bank Park averaged 3.74 million viewers to NBC. It was the fifth edition of the outdoor game.

Today's News Tues. January 3, 2012

2012-01-03T09:14:00.002-05:00

Local News-Tue, January 3, 2012

Penn State Master Gardeners To Present Workshop

The Penn State Schuylkill Master Gardeners are preparing for a workshop presentation titled "The Woods In Your Back Yard", which will be held on Saturday January 21, 2012 from 9:30 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. The workshop will assist landowners with recognizing the importance of wildlife, recreation, and water quality on their property. Participants will learn how to evaluate their interests in the property, develop goals, and prepare a multi-stage plan that they can implement. The workshop will be held at the Schuylkill Ag Center, which is located on Ag Center Drive just off the Gordon Nagle Trail, and will be presented by Jim Finley of the Penn State Forestry Department and Frank Snyder from the Forestry Department of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

PennDOT To Begin Roadway Project In Rush Township Today

A contractor working for PennDOT will begin a project today to repair damage that was done by Tropical Storm Lee back in September. Jay Fulkroad & Sons Construction Company will begin work on Clarks Valley Road in Rush Township, where they will be replacing pipe drains that run under the roadway. The road will be reduced to one lane during the project, which should be completed sometime in early February. At 7:00 p.m. Friday the road will be closed to all traffic just south of Carsonville Road so crews can excavate and replace the drainpipe located there. A detour has been set up, and motorists will be directed around the site until the road is reopened early on Sunday.

Schedule Of 2012 Hikes And Activities Released

Schuylkill On the Move, a project of Schuylkill County's VISION, and Diakon Community Services have released schedules for hiking activities that will be conducted in 2012. Patrick M. "Porcupine Pat" McKinney, who is the environmental education coordinator for the Schuylkill Conservation District, commented on the scheduled activities, saying that there is a "very good itinerary laid out in all areas of the county". The first scheduled hike is on January 28 at Locust Lake State Park, and many other hikes are planned throughout the year. Hikes are always led by guides who explain the history of the areas visited as well as the plants and wildlife that can be found there. The complete schedules are available at www.schuylkillvision.com.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Releases Raptor Counts For 2011

According to a press release from Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Kempton, the 2011 raptor count has ended with more than 22,000 migrant hawks, eagles, and falcons included in the tally. Senior Monitoring Biologist Dr. Laurie Goodrich said in the report that "Some cold weather migrants lingered to our north or are just starting to move now." The late migration has been attributed to the warm temperatures experienced in the northeast this fall. Raptors are counted between August 15 and December 15 each year, and the 22,776 birds counted is above average. There were over 13,000 broad winged hawks, which is the highest count since 1986, and the 296 bald eagles that passed by was also above average, but most species fell well below their normal numbers.

State and National News Tue. January 3, 2012

ERIE, Pa. (AP) - The National Weather Service says a storm coming off Lake Erie could drop more than a foot of snow on parts of northwestern Pennsylvania. Forecasters say visibility on roads
in the region may be reduced to near zero this morning. A Lake
Effect Snow Warning has been issued until noon for northwest
Pennsylvania and northeast Ohio.
POLK CITY, Iowa (AP) - Republican presidential hopeful Rick
Santorum is dismissing Mitt Romney's business experience and says
the nation is looking for inspirational leaders instead. Romney
often points to his experience as governor of Massachusetts as
preparing him for the White House. But Santorum tells Iowa
supporters the nation is hungry for leadership.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter has been
sworn in for a second term, vowing new efforts to crack down on gun
violence and improve public education in the nation's fifth-largest
city. Nutter says high crime rates in many areas and a lack of
quality public education are holding the city back. But he vows not
to leave anyone behind in his efforts to address the problems.
KENNERDELL, Pa. (AP) - A friendly neighbor helped save a western
Pennsylvania dog from a house fire by performing mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation on the animal. The Oil City Derrick reports the
3-year-old black lab and husky mix was overcome by smoke at a fire
in Kennerdell, about 80 miles north of Pittsburgh. The newspaper
says the dog was unresponsive until a woman who lived nearby held
the dog's nose and gave it mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Today's News-Monday, January 2, 2012

2012-01-02T04:26:00.000-05:00

Woman Goes Missing in Pottsville

Emergency responders spent part of the morning New Years Day looking for an elderly city woman. Pottsville police reported that 79 year old Dolores Rose walked away from her home in the 22-hundred block of Mahantongo Street around 7:30am. Authorities say Rose suffered from advanced dementia. Thankfully, the woman was found safe and sound around noontime yesterday, not far from her home.

Polar Bear Plunge

The mild temperatures lured about 70 people to the 3rd annual Pine Creek Polar Bear Plunge near Valley View on New Years Day. The water temperature was in the 40's, almost the same temp as the outside air. Participants paid $20 dollars to take part, to support the local trout nursery. They also received a free Pork and Sauerkraut dinner to ring in the new year!

Today's News-Saturday, December 31st, 2011

2011-12-31T06:38:00.002-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Goodman Seeking Applicants for Valley Forge Military College Appointment Applicants

State Representative Neal Goodman of Schuylkill County is seeking applications from students in the 123rd Legislative District to participate in this year’s Valley Forge Military College Legislative Appointment Initiative. One appointee will receive a minimum $12-thousand dollar annual scholarship to attend the school, which has been designated as Pennsylvania's official military college by the state House. The scholarships are fully funded by the college; no taxpayer money is used. Goodman says it is a great opportunity to attend one of our nation's top military colleges. The college offers an Army ROTC Early-Commissioning Program as well as a transfer program to top-tier four-year colleges and universities throughout the country. For qualifications, call Goodman’s Mahanoy City office at 570-773-3075. The deadline to apply is February 15^th.

Frackville Borough Has A Budget

Frackville Borough Council formally adopted its 2012 operating budget with no tax increase at Thursday's special meeting. As reported by the Republican Herald, the budget was tentatively adopted on Dec. 14, at which time estimated expenditures exceeded anticipated revenues, but in the past two weeks, borough council worked on closing the gap, resulting in a surplus. Before the budget was brought to a vote, Councilwoman Karen Domalakes requested an adjustment on a line item for fire protection by increasing the borough's contribution on the payment of the Good Will Hose Company's new fire truck from $2,500 to $5,000. The requested amendment was approved. The budget was formally adopted on a 4-1 vote, with President Ron Jordan, Vice President Bradley Gotshall, John Morgan and Domalakes voting in favor. The dissenting vote was made by Patrick O'Boyle. The budget also includes a contribution of $10,000 to the Frackville Free Public Library in 2012, up from $5,000 in 2011.

Tools Stolen In West Mahanoy Township

West Mahanoy Township police are investigating a burglary that occurred between 3:30 p.m. Tuesday and 7:30 a.m. Wednesday at 213 S. Wylam St. in the Altamont section of the township. Police said James Sonnon Jr., Pottsville, employed by House Doctors Contractors, reported someone entered the home and stole tools valued at $1,845 before fleeing the area undetected. Police said the home owner, Phillip Klemow, was not there at the time. Anyone with information is asked to call police through the Schuylkill County Communications Center at 570-462-1991.

Hit and Run on Schuylkill Mountain Road

State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a hit-and-run crash that occurred at 1340 Schuylkill Mountain Road in South Manheim Township between 2:15 and 2:30 a.m. Friday. Police said an unidentified vehicle was traveled west when the driver failed to negotiate a right curve, crossed the eastbound lane and went off the road traveling through the front yard of the home owned by William Betz. Police said the vehicle then struck and damaged about 35 feet of split rail fence before the driver fled the scene, adding that the unidentified vehicle may be a Jeep Wrangler. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 570-593-2000.

Crash on Route 443

Two people were injured in a two-vehicle crash at 8:25 a.m. Friday on Route 443 near Shady Lane Road in North Manheim Township. State police at Schuylkill Haven said the crash occurred as a 1993 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 driven by Joshua A. Sophy, 18, of Orwigsburg, was traveling west on Route 443, while a 1990 Ford Bronco driven by Michael G. Kurchock, 53, of Port Carbon, was traveling east on Route 443. As Kurchock was slowing, beginning to make a right turn, Sophy crossed into the eastbound lane and struck Kurchock head-on. Kurchock was pushed backwards and came to final rest off the side of the eastbound lane, while Sophy continued to travel forward and struck a tree on the side of the eastbound lane, where it came to final rest. Both were transported to West Reading Hospital by Pottsville/Schuylkill Haven EMS for injuries of unknown severity. Sophy was charged with misusing lanes of traffic.

Forged Check Nets Charges

State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a theft and forgery that occurred between 9 and 9:15 a.m. Thursday at Union Bank and Trust Company, 25 S. Centre St., Pottsville. Police said James McGuire, unknown age and location, used a check belonging to Robert Dean Steffie, 59, of Auburn, in order to defraud him of $200. Anyone with information regarding the investigation is asked to contact state police at Schuylkill Haven at 570-593-2000.

STATE NEWS

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A pair of Allentown homes structurally damaged by a massive sinkhole may have to be demolished. Allentown fire Chief Robert Scheirer (SHY'-uhr-er) says the 19th-century rowhouses have shifted badly. He says the conditions of several other homes are being assessed. City officials are unclear on what caused the sinkhole to open Thursday.

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A suburban Philadelphia paralegal hired to administer family estates is charged with stealing $143,000 from clients. Bucks County police say Patricia Ann Fisher also paid herself about $34,000 in fees. The theft charges against the Chester County paralegal come as she faces her third DUI case since
2009.

AMES, Iowa (AP) - Republican hopeful Rick Santorum is stepping up his grassroots efforts in Iowa, turning his attention to delivering backers to next week's caucuses. The former Pennsylvania senator says his campaign is working hard on turnout efforts. Santorum has sent out a fundraising appeal on the heels of his improvement in polls.

DALLAS (AP) - Joe Paterno's son says his father is improving while undergoing treatment for lung cancer that was diagnosed last month, several days after he was fired as Penn State's head coach. Nittany Lions quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno calls JoePa "a fighter" taking on cancer as another challenge. Penn State is in Dallas preparing for the TicketCity Bowl on Monday against Houston.

NATIONAL NEWS

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Mitt Romney and Ron Paul have been leading polls of likely Republican caucus-goers in Iowa. But the two leading presidential candidates are leaving the stage their rivals today. Romney is scheduled to campaign in New Hampshire, while Paul is taking time off in his home state of Texas. Newt Gingrich, Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum and Rick Perry all remain in Iowa, where they are working to win over the many still-undecided voters.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Authorities in Southern California have not ruled out a connection between a car fire last night and a series of arson blazes earlier Friday in Hollywood. Fires were reported in nearly two dozen locations in the area during a four-hour period before dawn. Los Angeles Fire Capt. Jaime Moore says arson investigators consider the latest blaze in an underground garage in Hollywood "to be an incendiary fire similar" to the morning fires.

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - Police in Waterville, Maine, say they are now treating the case of a missing 20-month-old girl as a criminal investigation. Ayla Reynolds was last seen two weeks ago when her father put her to bed. Justin DiPietro reported her missing when she was nowhere to be found the following morning.

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - Ethiopian troops have opened a third front against al-Shabab militants in Somalia. A resident and a military officer says the Ethiopian troops entered a Somali border town today, prompting residents to flee. Kenyan troops are also fighting al-Shabab in Somalia's south, while African Union troops in Mogadishu have mostly pushed al-Shabab fighters out of the capital.

APIA, Samoa (AP) - The New Year's Eve parties have started a whole day early on Samoa. The South Pacific island nation realigned itself from the Americas side of the international date line to the Aisa side to be more in tune with its key trading partners. That made Samoa the first country to ring in 2012.

Today's News-Friday, December 30, 2011

2011-12-30T05:20:00.000-05:00

Tombstones Found Off Burma Road

State police are looking for the vandals who dumped old tombstones along an area road. Schuylkill Haven troopers Wednesday report the stones, some dating back to the 1800's were found alongside the Burma Road in East Norwegian Township. While its not exactly clear where the tombstones came from, police think they may have come from a cemetery in Clinton County. Anyone with information about the vandalism should call the Schuylkill Haven barracks at 593-2000.

Tax Increase in Pottsville City

Pottsville City Council approved their 2012 spending plan Thursday afternoon, with a property tax increase. The Republican Herald reports the budget, just over $8-million dollars, includes a six tenths of a mill increase, the second such consecutive hike. Officials say the tax increase was necessary to cover rising healthcare costs, but they are looking at other possible alternatives to cover the city's 61 full time employees.

Polar Bear Plunge to Ring in New Year

When we think of ringing in the New Year, parties, football and resolutions come to mind. There are also activities for the hale and hearty folks…the Polar Bear Plunge. The 3^rd annual sojurn into really cold water will take place in our area on Sunday, January 1^st at 1pm at Pine Creek in Valley View. According to organizer Jim Reed, for just $20, participants can jump into the creek, then feast on the traditional Pork and Sauerkraut dinner at the Valley View Gun Club. Pine Creek Polar Plunge is a fundraiser to support the trout nursery, which grows trout for use in public and private stocking. Anyone can participate, but you’ll need your parents permission to participate if you're under 18.

Christmas Package found on Burma Road

Even though most of the Christmas presents have been opened already, one particular toy needs to be connected with its rightful owner. An area resident contacted us yesterday, stating she found the package along the Burma Road in East Norwegian Township on Christmas afternoon. The package was addressed to Jade, from Everyone. If you happen to know who the gift belongs to, contact WPPA/T102 News at 622-4440 and we'll connect you with the person who found it.

Burglary In Tuscarora

State police at Frackville continue to investigate a burglary at a home in Tuscarora between Wednesday night and early Thursday. Someone forcibly entered a home on Chestnut Street in the village, removed jewelry, coins and clothing then fled. If you can help state police, call them at 874-5300.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Elder advocates say a lack of gay-friendly affordable housing for seniors is leading many to hide their sexual orientation after years of being open about it. Gay seniors fear discrimination, disrespect or worse by health care workers and residents of elder housing facilities. Experts say the issue is becoming more urgent as baby boomers begin turning 65 this year. They say the gay elder population is expected to double, to at least 3 million, by 2030.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Some Pennsylvanians are wondering who represents them in Harrisburg amid plans to hold special elections next year to replace six state representatives who are stepping
down in the middle of their terms. House officials said Thursday the new lawmakers will be picked based on the 2012 statewide legislative redistricting plan - not the same voters who elected the present House members last year.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A bus company that took passengers from several cities to New York City has been shut down amid safety concerns. Authorities have ordered Double Happyness Travel Inc. to
immediately cease operations. Double Happyness takes passengers from Albany, N.Y., Baltimore, Md., and Wilmington, Del., to stops in midtown Manhattan and Chinatown in New York City.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Authorities in Allentown say a sinkhole that forced residents to evacuate has spread to a nearby cemetery, threatening dozens of graves. A judge has given Lehigh County
Coroner Scott Grim the right to decide if the graves should be exhumed from the Union and West End Cemetery. Grim says no decision has yet been made. Fire Chief Robert Scheirer says 54 graves are
threatened, most more than a century old.

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) - Most Republican presidential candidates are campaigning across Iowa in garishly painted buses equipped with loudspeakers blaring campaign music. But Rick Santorum is using a
pickup truck. He's also not able to afford to buy time for the number of TV commercials that others are using. But the scaled-down approach seems to be working, and some polls show him overtaking
conservative rivals like Michele Bachman and Rick Perry.

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) - North Korea has declared Kim Jong Un its Supreme leader and it's also issuing a warning. On the final day of official mourning for Kim Jong Il, North Korea's National
Defense Commission has declared that there will be no softening of the country's position toward South Korea and no deal with its President Lee Myung-bak, who stopped a no-strings-attached aid
policy toward the North in 2008.

CAIRO (AP) - Egyptian rights groups are accusing the country's ruling military council of using "repressive tools" like those used during ousted President Hosni Mubarak's rule. Several groups issued a joint statement accusing military rulers of waging an "unprecedented campaign" against pro-democracy organizations. Security forces stormed offices of 10 rights organizations yesterday.

MOSCOW (AP) - Firefighters are battling a blaze aboard a Russian nuclear submarine in an Arctic shipyard. The Russian military says seven crew members have been sent to hospitals after inhaling toxic
fumes and a number remain on board. It's unclear whether crewmembers are trapped or have been ordered to stay inside. The Defense Ministry says there has been no radiation leak from the fire.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - New York lawmakers are considering a bill that would require new registered nurses to earn bachelor's degrees within 10 years to keep working in the state. It's part of a national push to raise nursing education standards. Most registered nurses have two-year associate's degrees. No state currently
requires a four-year degree for initial licensing or afterward.

Today's News Wed. December 28, 2011

2011-12-28T07:21:00.003-05:00

Local News for Wed. December 28, 2011

Deer Lake Man Killed By Carbon Monoxide

The death of 47 year-old Richard Golab, of 116 Maple Boulevard in Deer Lake, was apparently the result of carbon monoxide poisoning. Dr. Richard Bindie performed an autopsy on Golab and he determined that death was caused by inhalation of poisonous fumes put out by a faulty coal stoker. Emergency crews were called to Golab's residence on Monday, where they found Golab dead and 51 year-old Diane Squyres suffering from the effects of inhaling carbon monoxide. Squyres was taken to Schuylkill Medical Center South Jackson Street for treatment. Deer Lake and West Brunswick Township Fire Department assisted at the scene by ventilating the house. Officials report that there were no carbon monoxide detectors in the home.

Firefighters Say Goodbye To Summit Station Chief

A somber procession made its way from the Geschwindt Stabingas Funeral Home on Main Street in Schuylkill Haven to a cemetery on Summer Hill on Tuesday as local firefighters gathered to say goodbye to one of their own. William Heffner, who was Chief of the Summit Station Fire Company, passed away last week, and was laid to rest on Tuesday surrounded by his family and the police and firefighters that he had served for over thirty years. Heffner was employed as a dispatcher for the Pennsylvania State Police, and troopers turned out in large numbers to pay their respects and control traffic. Heffner's casket was carried through a steady rain on the back of a 1950 Mack fire truck, followed by over twenty pieces of fire apparatus and many private vehicles.

Salvation Army Surpasses Kettle Collection Goal

Captain Adam Hench of the Salvation Army reported that the Red Kettle drive in Schuylkill County surpassed the goal of $75,000 that was set for the 2011 collection. The final numbers are in, and the total of all donations is $82,811.62. Captain Hench expressed his gratitude to all those who gave so generously this year, and said that the Salvation Army will be able to help many local residents with the money received.

State and National News Wed. December 28, 2011

GROVE CITY, Pa. (AP) - General Electric Company's transportation unit has announced plans to build a diesel engine plant and upgrade an existing plant in western Pennsylvania, bringing up to 150 more jobs to the area. GE Transportation says it will spend $35 million on the new Grove City plant and $37 million on the existing plant a
few miles away.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Police say a north Philadelphia woman shot and killed a man she said was assaulting and trying to rob her son. Police say the woman told them her son was entering the apartment building when he was attacked in the stairwell. Investigators say the mother told them she came downstairs with a gun and shot the
attacker.

ELKINS PARK, Pa. (AP) - Authorities in suburban Philadelphia say an arrest warrant has been issued in the death of a man who was shot and killed while wrapping gifts early Christmas morning. Authorities in Montgomery County say Robens Borno was sitting at the dining room table of a Cheltenham Township home with his girlfriend and her mother wrapping gifts when two men came in and one of them shot him several times.

MOUNT POCONO, Pa. (AP) - A coroner has ruled the death of a man whose torso was found wrapped in garbage bags along a northeastern Pennsylvania road a homicide. Police in Monroe County say a passing motorist spotted the black bags on Monday on Route 191 in Paradise Township.

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) - A neighbor says a Fort Wayne, Indiana trailer park where a 9-year-old murdered girl lived has a convicted sex offender living at just about every address. The neighbor, a sex offender himself, says 39-year-old Michael Plumadore, also shares his history. Police say Plumadore told investigators he killed the girl he was babysitting last week and then dismembered her.

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) - Tomorrow, a national memorial service will be held for North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, who died Dec. 17 of a heart attack. Today, tens of thousands of North Koreans lined the snowy streets of Pyongyang to watch as Kim's black hearse wound its way through the capital for his funeral service. At one point Kim's youngest son and successor Kim Jong Un, walked with one hand on the hearse.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - The Taliban says it killed three NATO service members in Afghanistan. The troops were killed Tuesday by a roadside bomb in the eastern part of the country. There's no word on their nationalities, although the Taliban says the target was a U.S. military convoy.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Democrats fear that Sen. Ben Nelson's choice to not run for a third term will set the GOP up for an easy victory for the Nebraska seat. Nelson survived nearly two decades representing heavily Republican Nebraska, but the 70-year Democrat announced Tuesday that he wouldn't be running again.

LAS VEGAS (AP) - The U.S. travel industry is pushing Congress to ease travel restrictions for foreign tourists. The federal government strengthened travel requirements in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks. Nearly 7.6 million nonimmigrant visas were issued in 2001, compared to fewer than 6.5 million in 2010. The U.S. Travel Association says fewer foreign tourists mean fewer dollars for the tourist industry.

Today's News Fri. December 23, 2011

2011-12-23T05:39:00.004-05:00

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.

Today's News Thu. December 22, 2011

2011-12-22T07:13:00.003-05:00

Local News Thu. December 22, 2011

Commissioners Pass 2012 Budget With No Tax Increase

At their Wednesday meeting the Schuylkill County Commissioners approved the budget for 2012. In a statement issued by the Commissioners, they noted that there will not be a tax increase associated with this budget. They credit the hard work and dedication of the row officers and department heads for the positive financial results that have placed Schuylkill County on the solid financial footing it now enjoys. Since 2008, the unreserved county fund balance has increased to a historic high of over eleven million dollars. They also noted that Standard and Poors has upgraded the county's rating from A to A+, and the principal on bonded debt outstanding is the lowest it has been in over twenty years.

Additional Charges Filed Against St. Clair Teacher

A teacher at the St. Clair Middle School who was arrested on December 7 on charges related to possession and distribution of child pornography now faces a trial in federal court. Todd Evans was arrested by the State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation earlier this month, and was sent to Schuylkill County Prison, but he now faces federal charges as well. Evans was indicted by a federal grand jury on Tuesday and, if convicted, could be sentenced to a maximum of twenty years in federal prison, $250,000 in fines, and five years to life of supervised release. His preliminary hearing on the county charges is scheduled for January 12, 2012 before Magisterial District Judge David Plachko of Port Carbon.

Schuylkill Haven Borough Holds Line On Taxes

At their meeting on Wednesday evening, Schuylkill Haven Borough Council gave their final approval to the 2012 budget. There will be no increase in taxes for residents of the borough next year as a result of the new budget. Mayor Gary Hess said his good-byes to those in attendance, and expressed his gratitude to council, employees, and residents for supporting him during his time in office. Hess has resigned his post because he was elected to be a Schuylkill County Commissioner. Council also discussed the formation of the Campus/Community Climate Committee, which will address the relationship between the borough and Penn State Schuylkill Campus. Borough Manager Scott Graver, Councilman Roger Spotts, and attorney Mark Semanchik were named to the committee, and they are looking for others from the community to join them.

Schuylkill Mall Will Be Home To Dunham's Sports Store

The Schuylkill Mall and Dunham's Sports have announced that Dunham's will be opening a retail location at the mall sometime next year. Dunham's has over 160 stores, and 23 of them are located in Pennsylvania. They will occupy the site where Black Diamond Antiques is currently located. Black Diamond will relocate to the former Steve and Barry's store, which was vacated in 2009. Schuylkill Mall Manager Elaine Maneval said this is good news for the mall, which recently lost the Payless Shoe store.

Salvation Army Will Have Winter Coats For Those In Need

Thanks to the generosity of the members of the Schuylkill County Bar Association, many residents who are down on their luck will be able to pick up a winter coat. According to a story in today's Republican Herald, the coats will be available at the Salvation Army headquarters located at 400 Sanderson Street in Pottsville between noon and 1:00p.m. on Friday. The Bar Association has teamed with the Salvation Army each year since 2008 in an effort to help those in need, and they have donated over a thousand coats so far. Those wishing to pick up coats need not register, and sizes will be available for adults and children.

House Passes Bill To Boost Anthracite Industry

The Pennsylvania house of Representatives has passed HB 1813, written by Rep. Mike Tobash of the 125th District, that would ease bonding regulations for anthracite coal miners. The bill would allow mine operators to free up money that could be used to reinvest in their operations. That could include re-mining closed sites, which would then be reclaimed. The bill has the support of the Pennsylvania Anthracite Council, the Pennsylvania Coal Association, and environmental groups like the Schuylkill Conservation District. Rep. Tobash stated in a press release that this bill would provide a "golden opportunity right here in our own back yard because the worldwide demand for anthracite coal is at its highest level in years." The bill passed the House by a vote of 193 to 1, and now goes to the Senate for consideration.

State and National News Thu. December 22, 2011

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Pennsylvania Supreme Court says juries will have to rule when a defendant in a death penalty case wants to argue he or she is mentally disabled and therefore ineligible for execution. The high court has upheld the death penalty for Abraham Sanchez Jr. He was convicted of the 2007 random shooting death of businessman Ray Diener in Elizabethtown.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - New federal pollution standards targeting the nation's dirtiest power plants may help lead to the shutdown of some coal-fired plants in Pennsylvania, although it's not yet clear how many. The Harrisburg-based Electric Power Generation Association says low natural gas prices and high coal prices could also contribute.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Officials are trying to find out who gave birth to a newborn girl who was found inside a cardboard box on a north Philadelphia sidewalk. Police say the child found yesterday was in good condition after she was rushed to a hospital.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Three Philadelphia police officers have been injured, one critically, in a crash in north Philadelphia. A police spokeswoman says the officers' car was hit at an intersection in the Logan section of the city yesterday afternoon.

BAGHDAD (AP) - The worst violence to hit Baghdad in months has killed dozens of people and injured scores more. The bombings targeted neighborhoods around the city in an apparently coordinated campaign of violence designed to wreak havoc.

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkey's Foreign Ministry says President Bashar Assad's regime is turning Syria into a "bloodbath." The ministry strongly condemns the continued attacks against civilians despite an agreement with the Arab League to halt the bloodshed. It says the attacks raise doubts about Syria's "true intentions."

WESTERVILLE, Ohio (AP) - Some fire officials are questioning the safety of a type of flexible metal tubing used for gas lines in homes across the United States. Fire officials, researchers and manufacturers are investigating concerns that the corrugated stainless steel tubing, made of thin metal coated in plastic, is susceptible to leaks caused by lightning strikes.

NEW YORK (AP) - Eight soldiers face charges ranging from maltreatment to involuntary manslaughter in the death of
19-year-old Army Pvt. Daniel Chen of New York City. The Pentagon says it has transferred the soldiers to another base in Afghanistan amid allegations that they mistreated Chen shortly before he committed suicide.

DENVER (AP) - People trying to track the jolly old elf's annual journey have an app for that this year. Volunteer Santa-trackers at NORAD are also bracing for tens of thousands of calls and emails on Christmas Eve. NORAD Tracks Santa already has more than 754,000 "likes" on Facebook this year, and 60,000 Twitter followers. A new smart phone Santa-tracker app is also available.

Today's News Wed. December 21, 2011

2011-12-21T05:36:00.002-05:00

Local News Wed. December 21, 2011

PennDOT Working On Area Roadways

PennDOT is performing scheduled maintenance on many roads in and around Schuylkill County, including pothole patching, crack sealing, and shoulder repairs. The roads affected by this work include Route 443 between Orwigsburg and Schuylkill Haven and between South Tamaqua and Lehighton; Route 895 between Auburn and Deer Lake; Route 924 in Shenandoah; Route 125 between Tremont and Ravine; and Route 209 between Tremont and Tower City. The work is planned between 7:00a.m. and 3:00 p.m. through Friday December 23. Drivers should be alert for lane restrictions and traffic delays in these areas.

New Regulations For Teen Drivers Take Effect Christmas Eve

Teenage drivers in Pennsylvania will have to deal with new laws that take effect on Christmas Eve. These new laws require 65 hours of supervised behind the wheel driver training for permit holders younger than eighteen. That is 15 more hours than were needed before. Ten of those hours must be night time driving, and 5 hours must be during inclement weather. Drivers under the age of 18 will not be allowed to transport more than one passenger who is also under 18 unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Junior drivers and passengers are required to wear seatbelts. Failure to do so will be a primary offense, which means officers may stop junior drivers and cite them just for failure to wear seatbelts. For more information, go to www.dmv.state.pa.us, and click on the "New Teen Driver Law 2011" button.

Multiple Collisions On Route 61 On Tuesday

Emergency responders and State Police were kept busy on Tuesday afternoon as there were two multi-car accidents on Route 61 in just over an hour. The first incident happened in North Manheim Township near Tobash Road as a car driven by Taylor Housel, of Schuylkill Haven was traveling southbound when it crossed the concrete divider and struck two vehicles that were traveling northbound. Housel and one other driver received minor injuries in the crash. Just over an hour later in Port Clinton something similar happened. Brandon Bashore of Schuylkill Haven was traveling southbound when the car he was driving crossed over the concrete divider and collided with two cars that were heading north. Bashore was taken to Reading Hospital, and Monique Brennan of Pottsville, who was struck head-on, was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital with moderate injuries.

Propane Leak At Alpha Mills In Port Carbon

An employee at Alpha Mills in Port Carbon averted a potential disaster when he discovered a leaking propane tank and took action. Maintenance Supervisor Glenn Sattizahn, who is also an Assistant Fire Chief in Schuylkill Haven, entered the building and realized there was a leak from a faulty valve on the propane tank on a forklift. Sattizahn took immediate action by turning off the heating plant in the building, opening all the doors, and calling 911. Port Carbon Fire Department responded and ventilated the building. Chief Mike Leibensberger credited Sattizahn with taking the appropriate actions to prevent an explosion.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A veteran Philadelphia sportswriter has been accused in a newspaper report of molesting children decades ago. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports three women and a man claim Bill Conlin groped and fondled them in the 1970s, when they were ages 7 to 12. Conlin is a Hall of Fame baseball writer and Philadelphia Daily News columnist. He retired yesterday from the paper.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A Philadelphia judge has ordered three suspects to stand trial in a case involving four mentally disabled adults who were found locked in a filthy basement. The judge dismissed charges against a fourth defendant, citing testimony that Eddie Wright was sometimes held captive as well.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Competing proposals to strengthen regulations over natural gas drilling and impose an impact fee on the industry appear headed to a joint committee of the House and Senate to iron out the differences. The House voted unanimously yesterday against the Senate's plan, which puts the bill on track for a conference committee.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Officials in Philadelphia say an ambitious plan to transform low-performing schools will improve education and help the city compete for millions of dollars in funding. The Great Schools Compact is an effort to identify and replicate best practices at the city's highest-performing schools, regardless of whether they are charter or district-operated.

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - The European Central Bank is trying to reassure markets that banks will have long-term financing amid tensions triggered by the eurozone debt crisis. The ECB is making unprecedented three-year loans to the continent's banks in an effort to bolster Europe's stressed financial system. Results are to be announced today.

WASHINGTON (AP) - There's holiday acrimony across the Washington political landscape. President Barack Obama and his Republican rivals are slugging it out over efforts to prevent payroll taxes from increasing on 160 million workers on Jan. 1. House Republicans are demanding that the Senate join negotiations to produce an agreement within days. Senate Democrats say the House needs to pass a stopgap measure first.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Federal Aviation Administration is about to reveal how it will tackle the problem of overtired airline pilots. Rules aimed at preventing airline pilots from flying while dangerously fatigued are to be released today. The effort stems from a deadly 2009 crash near Buffalo, N.Y.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - The railroad is up and running in Afghanistan. Officials say Afghanistan's first major railroad service in the country's north should ease the U.S. military's supply flow and is key to future trade as it links Afghanistan to neighbors' railways. The train completed a 47-mile test run.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - Anger in South Korea is directed against top intelligence, security and foreign affairs officials for failing to know about North Korean leader Kim Jong Il's death before an official announcement. Seoul's main opposition party is calling for the dismissal of the officials.

Today's News Tues. December 20, 2011

2011-12-20T05:46:00.004-05:00

Local News For Tue. December 20, 2011

Mahanoy Township Police Arrest Man For Burglaries

Mahanoy Township Police have been investigating a string of burglaries in the area, and a call from a resident on Roosevelt Drive has led to the arrest of 23 year old Dennis Bachman. When Michael Stetts noticed a vehicle parked near his home, he got a description and the license number, and called police. They traced the vehicle to Bachman and went to his home, where it was discovered that he was in possession of stolen property that belonged to Stetts. Bachman admitted to police that he had committed other robberies at the same location on November 25 and December 14. Bachman was charged with two felony counts each of burglary and criminal mischief, as well as receiving stolen property, theft, and loitering and prowling at night. He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Carol Pankake, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $5000.00 straight cash bail.

Pottsville Area Superintendent Announces Retirement

Pottsville Area School District Superintendent Dr. James Gallagher has announced that he plans to retire by spring. Dr. Gallagher announced his plans during an executive session of the school board on December 5, and will make it official during the next work session of the board on January 11, 2012. His work history with the district is extensive, having begun his career as a teacher at the high school in 1973. He became Vice-Principal of D.H.H. Lengel Middle School in 1981, principal of the High School in 1987, and superintendent of schools in 1993. Dr. Gallagher's retirement date is April 5, and the school board has appointed a committee to seek a replacement.

Festival of Lights Begins At Sundown Today

Members of the Jewish faith are preparing for the start of the eight day celebration of Hanukkah at sundown today. Hanukkah commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian army in 165 BC, as well as the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. It is not a high religious holiday, but a time of festivity, with games, gift-giving, and family meals of foods cooked in oil. Each day brings the lighting of another candle on the menorah, which must be done according to a strict tradition that involves a total of 44 candles.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A bill to redraw Pennsylvania's Congressional districts while helping ensure the majority are held by Republicans is headed toward a final vote in the state House. Republicans defeated various Democratic amendments to the bill yesterday. A final vote is scheduled for today.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A bill that would refinance Pennsylvania's unemployment compensation debt to the federal
government is back in the state Senate's hands after passing the House in amended form. The House voted 193-to-1 yesterday to authorize bonds to pay off the federal loans.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A Pennsylvania bill to authorize $1.7 billion in new state borrowing is nearly law after the divided state House voted to approve the measure that passed the Senate about six months ago. The House voted 119 to 75 yesterday to approve the bill the Corbett administration says is needed to keep construction projects going around the state.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A mentally disabled man says he didn't see his government benefit checks for 10 years after he began living with a woman now charged in a widespread fraud and abuse scheme. Edwin Sanabria also testified he was once kept in a closet that was nailed shut by Linda Weston. Sanabria testified yesterday at Weston's preliminary hearing.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Senators already have left Washington for the holidays, but House Republicans want them back. The GOP says it wants to negotiate the payroll tax cut after the Senate passed a two-month extension last week. House Republicans want a one-year extension, but the Senate's top Democrat has said he'll refuse to
negotiate until the House passes the short-term version.

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) - There are no signs of unrest or discord in Pyongyang as North Koreans mourn the death of leader Kim Jong Il. But the possibility of a power struggle has heightened tensions in the region. Meanwhile, state media are giving indications that Kim's youngest known son Kim Jong Un will succeed his father. They've been referring to him as "a great person born of heaven", a term previously used only for his father and grandfather.

ISLAMABAD (AP) - A Pakistani official says the CIA hasn't fired missiles at militants in the country since last month's deadly NATO airstrikes along the Afghan border. Tensions between Pakistan and the United States are at their lowest point in years following the airstrikes that killed 24 soldiers. The Pakistani army then closed its border with Afghanistan to trucks carrying U.S. and NATO war supplies.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Dangerous winter weather in the Great Plains is being blamed for at least six deaths. Two people were killed in the crash of a prison van in eastern Colorado and four people were killed in a head-on crash in New Mexico. The National Weather Service said about 10 inches of snow had fallen before dawn in western Kansas.

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - A man who planted a bomb along a Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade route in Spokane, Wash. in January will appear in court for sentencing today. Kevin Harpham could get up to 32 years in prison after pleading guilty to federal charges. Officials say the pipe bomb was loaded with lead fishing weights coated in rat poison, which can make it harder for bloodied wounds to clot.

Today's News Mon. December 19, 2011

2011-12-19T05:28:00.004-05:00

Local News For Mon. December 19, 2011

Holiday Stress Magic Number For Pennsylvania $646.00

With the Christmas shopping season entering the home stretch, financial planners say now is a good time for a check-up on the family budget. Tom Joseph reports:

BUDGET

2012 May Be Tough For Pennsylvania's Dairy Producers

The droughts, floods, and tornadoes of 2011 are now just a fading memory to most Americans, but an ag economist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences says the year's bad weather will impact next year's milk supply. More from Gary Abdullah:

MILK

Changes Coming To Hunting License Regulations

The Pennsylvania Game Commission has announced the passage of House Bill 735, which removes the requirement for hunters and trappers to display their licenses on an outer garment. The bill, which was sponsored by Rep. Keith Gillespie of York County, has been under consideration by the House since it was introduced by Schuylkill County Rep. Neal Goodman in 2003. Game Commission Executive Director Carl Roe said "With today's new license format, this change in law will make hunting less complicated, improve license management by hunters and trappers, and limit the inconveniences and troubles associated with lost or misplaced licenses." The new regulation does not take effect until February 13, so hunters must continue to display their licenses until then.

U.S. Representative Tim Holden's Territory Shifts North And East

The Pennsylvania Senate has approved the redistricting plan for the Commonwealth, and if it is also approved by the House, and signed by Governor Corbett, the Seventeenth District of Rep. Tim Holden will look dramatically different than it does now. Instead of extending southward and westward into Berks and Dauphin counties, it will now stretch north and east into Carbon, Monroe, and Northampton counties all the way to the New Jersey border. Gone will be the cities of Reading, Lebanon, and Harrisburg, but Holden will welcome Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Pittston, and Easton under his umbrella. This move would mean that Rep. Holden would represent virtually the entire anthracite coal region in Congress.

Shenandoah Police Seek Information On Armed Robbery

A man armed with a handgun walked into the Valero convenience store on South Main Street in Shenandoah at about 10:40 p.m. Saturday night. He demanded money from the clerk while brandishing the handgun, and when he got what he came for, he fled on foot. It is not known how much money the thief got, nor do police have a description of his clothing or the type of handgun he used. The robber was described as a white male about five feet seven inches tall, with a thin build. If anyone has any information about this crime, contact Shenandoah Police at 570-462-1008. All information received will remain confidential.

DUQUESNE, Pa. (AP) - Western Pennsylvania authorities say one person is dead and seven others wounded after a shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party. Police were called to the Duquesne home before midnight on Saturday after shots rang out in the basement. Officials say 18-year-old Drew Bracey was pronounced dead early yesterday at a hospital. Police tell WPXI-TV about 50 people were inside the home for the party.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Experts say Marcellus Shale natural gas production is expected to keep rising in 2012, yet landowners may find signing lease deals isn't as easy as in years past. That's because the business of Marcellus Shale gas drilling is starting to change as new forces emerge. Among them are drilling opportunities in shale states other than Pennsylvania.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A western Pennsylvania newspaper says hospitals nationwide are spending billions on large new facilities "in a medical arms race" to dominate markets and increase profits. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says this will ultimately increase health care costs for patients, taxpayers and others. Pennsylvania ranks fourth in spending and has no agency to regulate the need for hospital construction.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A new study says poor Philadelphia residents charged with murder and represented by a court-appointed lawyer are convicted more often and serve longer prison terms than those represented by public defenders. The Philadelphia Inquirer says the federally funded RAND Corporation study concludes public defenders
reduce their clients' murder conviction rate by 19 percent and lower the probability their client gets a life sentence by 62 percent.

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) - North Korea is calling on the country to "faithfully revere" its new leader following the death of Kim Jong Il. The North's official Korean Central News Agency describes Kim's son, Kim Jong Un, as a "great successor" to the country's guiding principle of self-reliance.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Residents of Los Angeles' normally bustling Koreatown are reacting quietly so far to the death of North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Il. Few looked up from their food and drinks as news of the death played on virtually every television Sunday night in bars and cafes in the densely packed neighborhood.

WASHINGTON (AP) - House Republican leaders are getting set to make changes after shunning a bipartisan payroll tax cut bill approved by the Senate. The House returns to work today, but it's initially unclear what changes House GOP leaders might make to satisfy conservative lawmakers.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - Investigators aren't sure whether the video is authentic, but party officials in Iowa are taking no chances with the security of their upcoming caucuses Jan. 3 after an anonymous hacking threat. Republican Party officials have instructed precincts to use paper ballots as a backup and they've taken other steps to protect the database and website.

CAIRO (AP) - Syria's deputy foreign minister is expected to sign an agreement today allowing Arab observers into the country. The Arab League has given Syria until Wednesday to sign the deal. If not, the League says it will likely turn to the U.N. Security Council for action to try to end the Syrian regime's crackdown on a 9-month-old popular uprising.

Today's News - Saturday, December 17, 2011

2011-12-17T06:25:00.003-05:00

LOCAL NEWS

As their service to the County Board Commissioners comes to a close, the Schuylkill County Commissioners chose to close another chapter in dropping a lawsuit filed against outgoing County Controller Melinda Kantner. A document filed Friday in Schuylkill County Court by county solicitor CAL Shields, the commissioners said they would withdraw the lawsuit they filed against Kantner in which they sought to force her to complete two state-mandated financial reports. That lawsuit was another piece to the continuing battle between the commissioners and Kantner to do two things within 30 days: complete financial reports for the state Department of Community and Economic Development and the Court of Common Pleas, and supply the county's external auditor, Pottsville certified public accountant Sam Deegan, with whatever he needs to audit county books. Friday's action marked the second time since the Nov. 8 election that the commissioners had dropped a lawsuit against Kantner.

Ryan Township Supervisor Champ Holman was sworn in Friday as the new deputy secretary for community affairs and development with the state Department of Community and Economic Development. According to the Republican-Herald, Gov. Tom Corbett appointed the 59-year-old Mahanoy City native to the post Nov. 14. Holman took the oath of office Friday at Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer's office in Tamaqua. He has served in various capacities in local government, including as chief of staff for the late Sen. James J. Rhoades from January 1981 until Rhoades' death Oct. 18, 2008, from injuries suffered in a car accident the day before. Holman served as a senior adviser in the office of state Sen. David Argall, R-29, from March 2009 until Nov. 11, when he was named acting deputy secretary by Corbett. The Department of Community and Economic Development fosters opportunities for businesses to grow and for communities to succeed, according to its website at www.newpa.com. DCED helps organizations fund their projects or start or expand their businesses.

County officials announced yesterday that they received a $500,000 state grant to fund 50 percent of the costs of renovating the government services building at 410 N. Centre St., Pottsville. The renovations will allow Schuylkill County Children & Youth Services to occupy the building's entire first floor in revamped, improved and secure facilities, enabling the agency to hire more workers and provide more and better services to abused and neglected children. State Rep. Neal P. Goodman, D-123, who helped secure the grant, said the project also will benefit the children and families who need the agency's help. As a result, the state allocated $500,000 from the Office of the Budget's Redevelopment Assistance Capital Grant Program to help fund the project.

The Minersville man charged with trying to kill another man by stabbing him in July in Pine Grove returned to prison on Friday, as a Schuylkill County judge revoked his bail. As reported by the Republican and Herald, Todd R. Gibson violated conditions of his bail by engaging in criminal activity and failing a drug test, Judge John E. Domalakes ruled. Gibson had been free after posting $1,000, or 10 percent of the $10,000 bail amount Domalakes had set on Aug. 5. However, Gibson recently has been charged with terroristic threats and harassment in another case. On Dec. 7, prosecutors dropped an indirect criminal contempt charge that also had arisen from that case due to possible double jeopardy problems.

STATE NEWS

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Former Penn State officials Tim Curley and Gary Schultz have been ordered to trial following yesterday's preliminary hearing on charges of lying to a grand jury in the university's child sex-abuse scandal. Lawyers for the administrators say their clients will be exonerated at trial.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The sister of Republican state Senator Jane Orie and Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin has surrendered to face additional charges in a campaign probe. Authorities say 57-year-old Janine Orie illegally directed the judge's former Superior Court staff to do campaign work for Melvin in 2003 and
2009.

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - A northeast Pennsylvania developer at the center of one of the biggest judicial scandals in U.S. history has agreed to pay more than $17 million to settle a lawsuit filed by juveniles who were locked up in youth detention facilities built by his company. The settlement with Robert Mericle (MEHR'-ih-kuhl) and
Mericle Construction was announced affects as many as 2,400 plaintiffs. Federal prosecutors said a pair of Luzerne County judges took illegal payments from Mericle.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Pennsylvania-born cardinal who was the country's voice of the Vatican's midnight Christmas Mass for 25 years has been laid to rest at a Philadelphia cathedral. Cardinal John Foley was remembered yesterday for his humility, intelligence and humor in a homily delivered by New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan. Foley died December 11th after a battle with leukemia. He was 76.

NATIONAL NEWS

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran's foreign minister says Tehran wanted to test U.S. reaction by deliberately delaying its announcement of the capture of an American surveillance drone. Ali Akbar Salehi is quoted by the official IRNA news agency as saying Iran's armed forces intercepted and brought down the pilotless aircraft without
any foreign assistance. Iran has rejected U.S. demands to return the drone.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Compromise legislation to extend Social Security payroll tax cuts and jobless benefits for two months is expected to pass the Senate today and move to the House. Democrat and Republican leaders couldn't agree on enough spending cuts for a one-year extension. The Senate is also expected to send President Barack Obama a spending bill that keeps the government running.

BERLIN (AP) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel is stressing the importance of adherence to new rules most of Europe has agreed on to stabilize the euro. In her weekly podcast, Merkel also says it's time to pay attention to generating economic growth.

CAIRO (AP) - Hundreds of protesters threw stones at Egyptian soldiers in a second day of clashes in central Cairo. The violence threatened to ignite a new round of clashes after two peaceful days of voting in an election considered the freest and fairest vote in the country's' modern history.

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - Nearly 200 people are dead and scores are missing after tropical storm-triggered flash floods in the southern Philippines. Officials say the search for victims and survivors continues.

Today's News Fri. December 16, 2011

2011-12-16T07:01:00.004-05:00

Local News For Fri. December 16, 2011

House Bill Would Ease Inheritance Tax On Family Farms

Legislation which would alleviate the financial burden of the inheritance tax on Pennsylvania's family farms was approved by the State House of Representatives. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Stephen Bloom (R-Cumberland) would exempt transfers of agricultural assets from the inheritance tax when the receiving heir is a sibling or child of the deceased farmer. Rep. Bloom says this simple form of tax relief will allow more Pennsylvania farms to stay intact and help increase the amount of land remaining in agricultural use. Mike Davies reports:

DAVIES

BARTRAM TRAIL EXTENDED

A newly finished section of the Schuylkill River Bartram Trail was dedicated Wednesday by state and county officials. The recently completed project includes a 400 foot extension of the trail to Main Street in Landingville, as well as repair of the former railroad bridge over Mahannon Creek. The Schuylkill River Heritage Area completed the $210-thousand-dollar project in partnership with Schuylkill County, with funding coming from the county, the Pennsylvania DCNR Growing Greener Fund and Legislative Initiative Grants secured by Senator Dave Argall, the late Senator Jim Rhoades and former Representative Tim Seip. The Schuylkill River Trail project will eventually stretch the entire length of the river, from Pottsville to Philadelphia.

Frackville Adopts Preliminary Budget With No Tax Increase, Yet

At their meeting on Wednesday evening, the Frackville Borough Council reviewed the tentative 2012 budget before voting to adopt it. There is a deficit in the budget of about $15,000, but council is not finished looking for ways to trim budget items, so there are no plans for a tax increase. Questions remain about whether a grant received for roof repairs can be applied against the line of credit, but it appears that borough residents will continue to be taxed at the current rate of 15.58 mills. The final vote on the budget will be taken at a special council meeting that is scheduled for December 29 at 6:00 p.m.

PennDOT Introduces New Weapon In Fight Against Snow

PennDOT has announced that it will be using a new tool this winter to clear snow from Interstate 81 in Schuylkill County. The tow-plow is a recent addition to the fleet that will allow one plow truck to do the work of two. The tow-plow will be attached to the back of a regular plow truck, and will increase the plow width from one lane to two. PennDOT says these units can only be used on limited-access roadways because of their size, but with one truck doing the work of two, other plows will be free to focus on secondary roads. PennDOT has released a list of safety tips for motorists so they can drive safely when roads are being plowed. The list is available on PennDOT's website.

Christmas Will Be Brighter Because Of Efforts Of T102 And McDonalds

T102 radio personalities RC and Courtney Roberts visited the McDonalds restaurant near St. Clair yesterday to receive donations for Toys for Tots. The campaign has become an annual event, and featured live broadcasts every hour from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. They reported that the need for toys this year is greater than other years due to the losses suffered by local families affected by flooding from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Residents responded to the need, flooding McDonalds with several truckloads of new, unwrapped toys, and donating over $5,500 that will be used to purchase even more toys. Everyone at T102 and Toys for Tots expressed their gratitude for the generosity displayed by those who gave of themselves to help others. Many local children will have a Merry Christmas because of the donations received.

State and National News Fri. December 16, 2011

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Two of Penn State's top administrators are heading to court to fight perjury charges and allegations they didn't respond properly nine years ago after getting a report that a young boy had been sodomized in the football team's showers. Gary Schultz and Tim Curley's preliminary hearing in Harrisburg today will provide more of the alleged evidence against them.

MEDIA, Pa. (AP) - Three women have been found not guilty of abusing an elderly dementia patient at a suburban Philadelphia care home. A Delaware County judge acquitted Ayesha Muhammad, Tyrina Griffin and Samirah Traynham yesterday of all charges. Authorities say the abuse was captured on a hidden camera after the patient
complained to her family she was being abused by workers at the facility in Haverford.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A bill that could force the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and insurer Highmark to settle their dispute over health coverage in western Pennsylvania is headed to the state Senate. The state House voted 186-6 to approve the bill yesterday.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The city of Philadelphia will receive a $10 million federal grant for transportation infrastructure
improvements. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood was in the city to make the announcement. He says the grant will pay for upgrades to 100 traffic controllers. The money also will fund upgrades to handicapped ramps and pedestrian countdown signals at crosswalks.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - It's sentencing day for Barry Bonds, who was convicted of obstruction of justice for trying to mislead a federal grand jury investigating sports doping. Bonds, who is set to appear in federal court in San Francisco, could get anything from probation to 21 months in prison.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The House is expected to vote today on a massive $1 trillion-plus year-end spending package in time to avoid a possible government shutdown this weekend. The Senate could then follow suit. The spending bill has bipartisan support but is likely to encounter resistance from conservative tea party lawmakers who want far more significant cuts to government agencies.

TOKYO (AP) - Japan's prime minister says the country's tsunami-damaged nuclear power plant has reached a stable state of "cold shutdown" and is no longer leaking substantial amounts of radiation. The March 11 tsunami sent three reactors at the plant into meltdowns in the worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - A Canadian sports doctor could get up to 18 months in prison for bringing unapproved and mislabeled drugs into the United States. Anthony Galea will appear in court in Buffalo, N.Y. today for sentencing. Galea had a high-profile client list, such as Tiger Woods and other pro athletes, whom he helped come back from injuries. Galea told the judge his arrest has had a devastating effect on his status as a sports doctor.

Today's News Thu. December 15, 2011

2011-12-15T05:42:00.005-05:00

Local News For Thu. December 15, 2011

High Tunnels Can Change The "Local" In Local Foods

If you are a local foods enthusiast, you are coming to Pennsylvania's toughest season. But a vegetable specialist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences says high tunnels can help producers and gardeners to grow local, grow longer, and make a profit. Gary Abdullah has more:

HIGH TUNNELS

Crash On I-81 Claims Life Of Joliett Woman

A Tuesday crash on Interstate 81 near the Highridge Business Park exit claimed the life of Laurie Wolfgang of Joliett. State Police report that Wolfgang was driving her 2005 Chevrolet Equinox southbound when, for some reason, she ran into the back of a Kenworth truck tractor that was being towed by Allen Channell of Parsons, West Virginia. State Police are still investigating the accident, and ask that anyone who has relevant information call them at 570-874-5300.

Senator Argall Introduces Resolution To Study Impact Of Breweries

The Senate Law and Justice Committee unanimously passed a resolution on Wednesday sponsored by Senator David Argall (R-29) to study the economic impact of breweries in Pennsylvania. Senate Resolution 216 will thoroughly examine the economic impacts, with a focus on jobs, of breweries in Pennsylvania through the General Assembly's Legislative Budget and Finance Committee.

ARGALL

Palo Alto Woman Charged In Pedestrian Accident In Saint Clair

Saint Clair Police were dispatched on Monday for a pedestrian who had been struck by a car on East Lawton Street outside the Buckhorn Cafe. On arrival, they found 75 year-old Ho Ching Lan lying on the pavement with serious injuries. She was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital for treatment of fractured ribs, a punctured lung, and other internal injuries. Police received information from witnesses that led them to arrest 62 year-old Joan Trayah of Palo Alto. Trayah has been charged with multiple counts related to the incident, and was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge David Plachko, who released her on $50,000 unsecured bail. She will have a preliminary hearing on December 22 in Judge Plachko's office.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A Republican-designed map of Pennsylvania's 18 new Congressional districts that would take effect for a decade is over a first hurdle. State senators voted 26-24 last night to approve the proposed map, over howls of protest from Democrats who say it carves up communities simply to shore up the re-election chances of Republican congressmen. The bill still requires approval from the House and Governor Tom Corbett.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A bill to impose more stringent regulations on abortion clinics is almost law over the objections of abortion rights supporters. The state Senate voted 32-18 yesterday for a bill that won approval from the House a day earlier. Governor Tom Corbett is expected to sign it.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - A Penn State trustee heading the board's inquiry into child sex abuse allegations against a retired assistant football coach says he hopes the investigation will be finished by the end of the academic year. Kenneth Frazier heads the trustees committee that appointed former FBI director Louis Freeh to handle the internal investigation into the criminal charges against Jerry Sandusky.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Pennsylvania Legislature has approved the creation of a state task force on child abuse. After more than two hours of wide-ranging debate, the House voted 191-5 last night to join the Senate in authorizing an 11-member panel to examine the adequacy of state laws designed to protect children.

UNDATED (AP) - The latest debate among six Republican presidential hopefuls is tonight in Sioux City Iowa. It'll be the last forum before the Iowa caucuses next month. Some of the candidates are squeezing in campaign events ahead of the debate. They include Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry.

BAGHDAD (AP) - The U.S. formally shuts down the Iraq war today. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is in Baghdad for a ceremony to help do it. The flag of U.S. Forces-Iraq has officially been retired. There are about 4,000 U.S. troops left in Iraq.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - Hurricane forecaster William Gray and his research partner have usually begun making next season's hurricane predictions by December, but not this year. Gray says that right now, it's anybody's guess how the season will turn out. So the forecasters will wait until spring, when computer modeling should be more effective.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Researchers say that your hands may be on the steering wheel but if you're on the phone your brain is elsewhere. Studies show that's why drivers get distracted during cellphone conversations, even on hands-free phones. It's part of the reason the National Transportation Safety Board is recommending an end to hands-free, as well as handheld, cellphone use while driving.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - A University of Iowa journalism professor has touched a nerve with his criticism of the state's first-in-the-nation Republican presidential caucuses. Stephen Bloom paints Iowa as undereducated and an economic wasteland undeserving of its political clout. Critics have hit back hard, with some of them telling Bloom to leave.