Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport Applies For Grant To Expand Service

Locator map of the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre Metropolitan Statistical Area in the northeastern part of the of . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

AVOCA, PA — The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport has applied for a $575,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to help expand service and market the airport.

The application was filed this week with the FAA’s Small Community Air Service Development Grant program.

The grant would be used toward a nearly $1.2 million initiative that includes enticing airlines to add flights to leisure and business destinations not currently offered out of Northeastern Pennsylvania including Tampa, Boston, Pittsburgh, Washington and Las Vegas, said Barry J. Centini, the airport’s director.

Money would be used to help subsidize the airlines, could go toward landing fees and other offers making flying in to and out of the area more attractive, Centini said.  Additional money would be used to amplify marketing efforts for those airlines and existing airlines.

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/792704/Avoca-airport-applies-for-grant-to-expand-service

Penn President Gutmann’s Pay Tops $2 Million

English: Author: Stuart Watson (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The University of Pennsylvania sharply increased the compensation package for its president, Amy Gutmann, from $1.46 million in 2010-11 to more than $2 million in 2011-12 – a pay boost of 43 percent, according to the university’s latest tax filing.

David L. Cohen, executive vice president of Comcast and chairman of Penn’s board of trustees, said in a statement that Gutmann’s compensation “is very much performance driven, and speaks to the extraordinary success that she has had in recent years.”

Cohen said the trustees “feel that we have the best university president in the country in Amy Gutmann and we believe her compensation should reflect that reality.”

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20130831_Penn_president_Gutmann_s_pay_tops__2_million.html#r8Dc31lcog2pkSVw.99

UPDATED: Pottstown Police Seek Bank Robbery Suspect

Location of Pottstown in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

POTTSTOWN — A man reportedly attempted to rob the National Penn Bank branch at the intersection of High and Franklin streets Friday afternoon.

Approximately 10 police officers responded to the bank around 3:45 p.m. after the suspect fled down South Franklin Street.

Some officers were interviewing bank employees and any witnesses inside the bank, while others walked around the block talking to residents who were standing near the scene.

According to Montgomery County Emergency Dispatch, the suspect was a white male in his 30s wearing a brown, hooded sweatshirt.  The sweatshirt may have had some kind of a logo on its back, police believe.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130830/NEWS01/130839914/updated-pottstown-police-seek-bank-robbery-suspect

Schuylkill County Police Chief’s Suspension Extended

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

GILBERTON, PA – The suspension of a Schuylkill County police chief was extended indefinitely Friday.  Gilberton Chief Mark Kessler is accused of posting online videos in which he fired borough-owned automatic weapons while shouting obscenities.

The Gilberton Borough Council had been scheduled to hold a disciplinary hearing but had to postpone it because of a scheduling conflict, Kessler’s attorney said.

Attorney Joseph Nahas said Kessler’s disciplinary hearing will most likely be held next week.  The indefinite suspension is expected to remain in place until both sides can meet.

Nahas and Kessler himself have both said they expect the chief to be fired.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=505474

Goodbye, Tollbooth: E-ZPass Will Soon Retire A Turnpike Icon

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is moving ahead with plans to convert to an all-electronic toll collection system by 2018, an inevitable nod to technology that will improve the situation for motorists.

Once fully implemented, the 545-mile turnpike’s 76 tollbooths will be a thing of the past.  Vehicles would maintain normal highway speeds as they pass under overhead stanchions equipped with electronic readers, which is what happens now in some E-ZPass lanes.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/editorials/goodbye-tollbooth-e-zpass-will-soon-retire-a-turnpike-icon-701322/#ixzz2dTiWEbl9

US May Go It Alone On Syria

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Thursday prepared for the possibility of launching unilateral American military action against Syria within days as Britain opted out in a stunning vote by Parliament.  Facing skepticism at home, too, the administration shared intelligence with lawmakers aimed at convincing them the Syrian government used chemical weapons against its people and must be punished.

Despite roadblocks in forming an international coalition, Obama appeared undeterred and advisers said he would be willing to retaliate against Syria on his own.

“The president of the United States is elected with the duty to protect the national security interests in the United States of America,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.

Even before the vote in London, the U.S. was preparing to act without formal authorization from the United Nations, where Russia has blocked efforts to seek a resolution authorizing the use of force, or from Capitol Hill.  But the U.S. had expected Britain, a major ally, to join in the effort.

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/news/793287/US-may-go-it-alone-on-Syria

Eagles Sloppy In Loss To Jets

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Missed assignments, fumbles, dropped and batted passes, egregious errors in judgment, penalties, confusion and a pick-six to seal the verdict.

All the food groups of an NFL exhibition game featuring almost all backups were presented in an exquisite, all-you-can-eat, soup-to-nuts smorgasbord Thursday night at MetLife Stadium, where the Philadelphia Eagles dropped a 27-20 decision to the New York Jets in their final preseason game.

By the end, coaches on both sides were left to determine whether the fringe players who seemed to separate themselves actually played that well or just looked like they did because the men across the line from them didn’t.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/sports/mc-eagles-jets-0829-20130829,0,5070189.story#ixzz2dTYFrTbe
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Unions Call For Yuengling Boycott After Owner’s Support Of Right-To-Work Law

English: Finished bottles of Traditional Lager being placed into cases at Yuengling Brewery, Pottsville, PA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In response to a statement made Monday by the head of D.G. Yuengling and Son Inc. calling for a “right-to-work” law, a local labor union leader is calling for a Yuengling boycott.

“We’re against anyone who’s for a right-to-work law in this state,” Gary Martin, Pottsville, vice president of Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades Council, said Thursday.

Richard L. “Dick” Yuengling, president and owner of the Pottsville-based brewery, made the statement Monday at a Pennsylvania Press Club luncheon at the Harrisburg Hilton, according to The Associated Press.

Yuengling said Monday the state would attract more business if it adopted a right-to-work policy that would make it more difficult for unions to organize, according to the AP.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-yuengling-boycott-unions-right-to-work-20130830,0,113793.story#ixzz2dTUro2mu
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Two Charged In Slaying Of Birdsboro Man

A 1947 topographic map of the Reading, Pennsylvania area. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Reading police obtained arrest warrants for two men in the shooting death of a Birdsboro man whose body was found in an alley last month.

Police identified Johnnie L. Nelson, 26, of the 800 block of North Fifth Street, and Eric Harding, 23, of the first block of Gouglersville Road, Cumru Township, as suspects in the death of Darryl A. Jones, 26.

Both are already in Berks County Prison for parole violations.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=505236

Japanese Manufacturer Moving North American Headquarters To Wyomissing

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A Japanese manufacturer is moving its North American headquarters to Wyomissing.

Seibu Giken Co. Ltd.’s North American operation, SG America Inc., Owatonna, Minn., is relocating to 220 N. Park Road and initially creating 15 to 20 skilled jobs in production, logistics, assembly and engineering.

The operations in Owatonna will close.

“Relocating to the greater Reading region from Owatonna was a strategic decision for SG America,” said Ray Suhocki, general manager, North American operations.  “The Mid-Atlantic location provides access to a larger labor pool and allows us to take advantage of greater Reading’s lower cost of doing business.”

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=505234

18 Charged In Wilkinsburg Heroin Ring

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

Detectives had known about the Wilkinsburg Crew for quite some time when they met with a confidential informant on Oct. 8, 2012, searched him for drugs and cash and then asked him to call a number operated by the violent heroin dealers.

There was no answer.  Almost immediately, the informant received a call back.  The man on the other line had two bundles — or 20 stamp bags — of heroin called Daily Dosage.  It was less powerful than the kind the informant had requested, but it could be his for $140.

The informant got into a car, drove down winding McNary Boulevard in Wilkinsburg and parked in an agreed-upon location.

A boy, about 13 years old, walked up to him and passed him 56 bags of heroin.  The informant handed the boy cash and the two parted ways.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-east/18-charged-in-violent-heroin-ring-in-wilkinsburg-701252/#ixzz2dQHV2vQ5

Two Women Arrested On Heroin Delivery Charges

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

KINGSTON, PA – Drug agents with the Luzerne County Drug Task Force and police in Kingston and Wilkes-Barre arrested two women on charges they sold heroin.

Tiara McDuffie, 22, of Building 324 Sherman Hills apartment complex, Wilkes-Barre, and Shantique Goodson, 27, of 7 N. Meade St., Wilkes-Barre, were arrested Wednesday after they allegedly sold heroin in the area of Schuyler Avenue and West Market Street.

Authorities set up to buy 99 heroin packets from McDuffie and Goodson, according to a news release.

The heroin packets were stamped “Aftershock.”

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/791466/Two-women-arrested-on-heroin-delivery-charges

Allentown Four-Corner Rally Opposes U.S. Strike In Syria

English: City of Allentown (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hundreds of local Syrian-Americans crammed into the four corners of a major Allentown intersection Thursday evening to oppose threatened U.S. military action in Syria.

“Hands Off Syria,” read many of the protesters’ signs, held up to the traffic at Airport Road and Union Boulevard.

“We want peace! We want peace!” they chanted in large groups, Syrian and U.S. flags waving above them.

The demonstrators said they don’t believe Syrian leader Bashar Assad has killed rebels with chemical weapons, as President Barack Obama has said in making the case for an attack on Syria.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-allentown-syrians-airport-road-rally-20130829,0,7402139.story#ixzz2dQD3oRea
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Inventor Of The Foam Finger: Miley Cyrus Took An ‘Honorable Icon’ And ‘Degraded It’ At 2013 MTV VMAs

Editor’s note:  And the choir says, AMEN to that!  A truly revolting performance!  I liked  Kelly Clarkson’s description #pitchystripper.

Steve Chmelar was 16-years-old when he invented the concept that would later become the foam finger, formally known as the original “No. 1 finger” – a prop intended to support his high school basketball team in 1971 at the Iowa state championships.

What the 59-year-old Vice President of commercial sales at a construction supply company did not intend for his invention, was for it to be used by Miley Cyrus in such a manner during her controversial Sunday performance at the VMAs.  Chmelar, who didn’t see her moves live on Sunday, told FoxSports.com that he watched it after a family member told him about it via Facebook.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/entertainment/celebrities_gossip/Inventor-is-not-happy-with-Miley-Cyrus-use-of-the-foam-finger-at-the-VMAs.html#qGa8SRYhFDIjtFBX.99

September Hearing Is First Step In $38M Renovation At Owen J. Roberts

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

SOUTH COVENTRY TOWNSHIP, PA — The Owen J. Roberts School Board has unanimously set Sept. 26 as the date for the public hearing on its $19 million renovation and expansion plan for East Vincent Elementary School.

Business Administrator Jaclin Krumrine said the hearing, which is required by law and is the primary opportunity for the public to comment on the first phase of the proposal, will be held at 7 p.m. the school itself, which is located at 340 Ridge Road.

Following the hearing, the district hopes to put the full project out for bid in “late November, early December,” she said.

The renovations at East Vincent are part of a three phase project that will take several years and cost taxpayers about $38 million.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/article/20130829/NEWS01/130829428/september-hearing-is-first-step-in-38m-renovation-at-owen-j-roberts

Reading Police Pulled From The Citadel

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States Public School Districts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

City police officers have been pulled from their stations at the Reading Citadel intermediate high school while the school district figures out how it’s going to come up with the money to pay for them, district officials said Wednesday.

“We don’t have coverage in the building,” school board President Pierre V. Cooper told fellow board members at the end of their meeting.

“The police are circling and in the area, and they can be there at a moment’s notice,” Cooper said.  “But they are not in the building.”

The two officers stationed at the Citadel, who also serve the high school, were at the school for the first day but were reassigned to regular city patrols later in the week, Dr. Carlinda Purcell, superintendent, said after the meeting.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=505051

Sovereign Center To Receive Larger Share Of Parking Funds

Map of Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Sovereign Center will get an extra $45,000 a year, thanks to the Reading Parking Authority’s agreement Wednesday to change the split of parking revenue coming from civic center events.

Since 2006, the authority has taken 75 percent of the revenue after expenses, giving the civic center 25 percent.

However, P. Michael Ehlerman, chairman of the Berks County Convention Center Authority that oversees the civic center, has asked that the parking board go back to the original split – the two sides each get 50 percent of the revenue after expenses.

The request came during a meeting of the authorities requested by Mayor Vaughn D. Spencer, said parking board member Lawrence P. Murin, who also is a special assistant to Spencer.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=505048

Pittsburgh Public Schools Puts Brookline K-8 Principal On Leave After McCandles LA Fitness Lewdness Accusation

Map of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pittsburgh Public Schools placed the principal of its Brookline K-8 campus on paid administrative leave, the district said today, after he was accused of asking a 17-year-old boy to allow him to perform oral sex.

Alfonzo DeIuliis, 37, was arraigned Tuesday on charges of unlawful contact with a minor, indecent assault, two counts of indecent exposure, open lewdness and harassment, according to court records.

He likely will be released tomorrow after he completes a behavioral clinic “to make sure he’s not a danger to himself or others,” standard procedure when charges involve accusations of a sex-related assault, his attorney, Phil DiLucente, said.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/pittsburgh-public-schools-puts-brookline-k-8-principal-on-leave-after-arrest-701054/

Harrisburg Officials Say They’ll Compromise On KOZ Incentive

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

HARRISBURG – City officials will decide next week whether to allow tax breaks to entice badly needed development on 10 properties – most of which do not generate any revenue currently.

Representatives from the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation, Hamilton Health Center, and the local public school district lobbied City Council’s Community Development Committee Wednesday night for a Keystone Opportunity Zone.

Target sites include four closed schools and the half-finished Capitol View Commerce Center abandoned by developer David Dodd, who’s now awaiting sentencing for defrauding the $28 million project of federal funds.

Read more: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/08/harrisburg_officials_say_theyl.html#incart_river_default

Ten Arrests Follow Wilkes-Barre Drug Raid

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

WILKES-BARRE, PA — Ten people were arrested and heroin was seized after a drug raid on South Welles Street on Tuesday.

The Wilkes-Barre Police Department TAC-Unit, with the assistance of the Pennsylvania State Police and Attorney General’s Office, executed a search warrant at 135 S. Welles St., charging 10 people with drug trafficking and related offenses.

The search warrant also resulted in the seizure of “a significant amount” of heroin from the South Welles Street home, the city said in a press release.

Over a three day period, law enforcement agencies charged a total of 16 individuals with drug activity through buy-bust operations, including the raid on South Welles Street. This investigation is part of an ongoing effort between local and state law enforcement agencies to target drug activity and violent crime in several Wilkes-Barre neighborhoods.

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/788791/Ten-arrests-follow-Wilkes-Barre-drug-raid