‘Drug Houses’ Seized Under Hazleton Plan

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note:  Now that clearly sends a message that drug dealers aren’t welcome in Hazleton!

HAZLETON, PA — In addition to potentially losing her freedom, a woman arrested in a drug raid Friday also could lose her home under a new initiative of the Hazleton Police Department.

After police served a search warrant at 134 Pine Tree Road and arrested the three people inside, a city official posted a dark red sign in the front door window with the word “CONDEMNED.”

“The new idea actually has been on the books for quite some time — using the city’s nuisance property ordinance” to clean up neighborhoods, Police Chief Frank DeAndrea said at a press conference at City Hall Friday afternoon.  “And since the mayor has put code enforcement and the health department under the supervision of the police department, I thought we would attempt to take a new approach.”

When advised Thursday of the operation planned for Friday by his narcotics unit lieutenant, DeAndrea called Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis and requested her view on the city condemning the Pine Tree Road house “because it’s unsafe for human cohabitation, it’s a danger to the community,” DeAndrea said.

Read more:  http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/394624/Drug-houses-seized-under-Hazleton-plan

Owner Of Chink’s Steaks Yields To Pressure, Will Change Shop Name

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Philadelphia County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

To a steak shop in Philadelphia‘s Wissinoming section that remains pretty much as it was when it opened 64 years ago, big change is coming Monday.

Chink’s Steaks on Torresdale Avenue is taking on a new name: Joe’s Steaks & Soda Shop.

Some will consider it a long-overdue act of racial sensitivity at a business whose name – the founder’s nickname since childhood and a slur against Chinese – has drawn fire from Asian Americans.  Others no doubt will protest the switch, including regulars who have griped about any shift in how things are done at the retro-1950s eatery, even the addition of french fries to the menu about four years ago.

Some might even think it’s an April Fool’s prank.  But this is no joke.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20130330_Steak-shop_owner_takes_hint__goes_with_new_name.html#ixzz2P2LzSgAZ
Watch sports videos you won’t find anywhere else

North Korea Says It’s In State Of War With South Korea

English: Own work, based on Wikipedia blank map. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Editor’s note:  Nut jobs with nukes!  Never a good combination!

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea issued its latest belligerent threat Saturday, saying it has entered “a state of war” with South Korea a day after its young leader threatened the United States because two American B-2 bombers flew a training mission in South Korea.

Analysts say a full-scale conflict is extremely unlikely and North Korea’s threats are instead aimed at drawing Washington into talks that could result in aid and boosting leader Kim Jong Un’s image at home.  But the harsh rhetoric from North Korea and rising animosity from the rivals that have followed U.N. sanctions over Pyongyang’s Feb. 12 nuclear test have raised worries of a misjudgment leading to a clash.

In a joint statement by the government, political parties and organizations, North Korea said Saturday that it will deal with all matters involving South Korea according to “wartime regulations.”  It also warned it will retaliate against any provocations by the United States and South Korea without “any prior notice.”

The divided Korean Peninsula is already in a technical state of war because the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a cease-fire, not a peace treaty.  But Pyongyang said it was scrapping the war armistice earlier this month.

Read more:  http://www.philly.com/philly/news/nation_world/20130330_ap_nkoreasaysitsinstateofwarwithskorea.html

Oxford Development Co. Still In Talks With Possible High-Rise Tenants In Downtown Pittsburgh

English: Downtown Pittsburgh (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Another deadline will come and go without a decision by Oxford Development Co. on whether to build a 33-story skyscraper on Smithfield Street or renovate an existing building there.

Oxford initially had hoped to decide by the end of 2012 before extending the time frame to Sunday, the end of the first quarter.

While Shawn Fox, director of business development for the company, acknowledged that the firm probably won’t meet that deadline either, he added that Oxford is closing in on a decision.

“It’s not going to go that far into the future,” he said.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/business/news/oxford-development-co-still-in-talks-with-possible-high-rise-tenants-in-downtown-pittsburgh-681417/#ixzz2P2GZ6Up6

Art Fusion 19464 Jazz Night Sells Out!

 

Jazz Nite II is tonight! Remember to use the rear entrance and arrive 15 minutes before the show begins.  This event is SOLD OUT.

No tickets will be available at the door.