Daily Archives: August 14, 2013
Lutherans Elect Presiding Bishop In Pittsburgh Vote
Bishop Elizabeth Eaton of Cleveland has been elected presiding bishop of the 4 million-member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
On the fifth ballot she defeated 12-year incumbent Bishop Mark Hanson 600-287.
Both are considered centrists in a denomination that lost 500,000 members after a 2009 decision to permit partnered gay clergy.
She is the first female presiding bishop in the nation’s largest Lutheran denomination.
Harrisburg Police Chief Pierre Ritter To Retire; Mayor To Name Replacement Thursday
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Dauphin County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Harrisburg officials will hold a news conference Thursday to announce the retirement of city police Chief Pierre Ritter.
Mayor Linda Thompson also is expected to announce Ritter’s successor, said Robert Philbin, the city’s interim chief operating officer.
Ritter was named chief in January 2010. He has been on the city’s police force for more than 30 years.
Landlords question Wilkes-Barre’s ‘One-Strike’ Rental Policy
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
WILKES-BARRE — A proposed ordinance to “get tough” on crime by targeting problem rental properties passed the first reading by City Council on Tuesday night, and drew a mixed response from residents and landlords.
The amendment that sets a “one-strike” limit for landlords or tenants who know of gun and drug crimes committed on the property still needs a second reading at council’s Sept. 12 meeting before it can be enacted 10 days later.
But landlord Chris Puma of Ashley cautioned against proceeding with the amendment and suggested that instead of “punishing the landlord” the city hire more police and code enforcement officers.
He presented a scenario in which the six-month shutdown of a property as stated in the amendment cuts off the revenue for a landlord who has no knowledge of his tenant’s criminal activity. From there, the landlord conceivably can’t pay the taxes, the property ends up at a sheriff’s sale and the city loses tax revenue.
Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/752677/Landlords-question-one-strike
Off-Duty Bethlehem Police Officer Charged With DUI After Crash
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Northampton County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
An off-duty Bethlehem police officer was charged Wednesday with drunken driving, six days after he flipped his sport utility vehicle and crashed into three parked cars, according to city police.
Richard M. Hoffman, 34, had a blood-alcohol content of 0.16 percent, twice the state’s legal limit to drive, and admitted he had been drinking before he plowed into the cars at East Broad and High streets, police said.
Although the crash happened early in the morning of Aug. 8, Bethlehem police officials released no details about the crash until Wednesday, saying they needed the complete accident report before filing charges.
Hoffman is on paid administrative suspension with the department pending the outcome of the criminal charges against him, which include the highest rate of drunken driving, drunken driving and careless driving, according to police Chief Jason Schiffer. Police are also conducting an internal investigation, Schiffer said.
Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-t-bethlehem-police-officer-dui-crash-richard-ho-20130814,0,542254.story#ixzz2bzsFJTlX
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‘Bachelor’ Star Gia Allemand Dies At 29
Reality TV star and model Gia Allemand, who notably appeared on season 14 of ABC’s The Bachelor, died Wednesday of an apparent suicide in New Orleans. She was 29.
Allemand was discovered Monday night in her home by boyfriend, NBA Pelicans player Ryan Anderson, who dialed 911, it says in the statement released by her family following her death.
“Due to a critical loss of brain and organ function, life support was withdrawn,” the statement says. “Ms. Allemand passed away peacefully with her mother, boyfriend, and other lifelong friends by her side.”
She was taken Monday night to University Hospital following “a serious emergency medical event,” her rep shared in a statement released Tuesday. The details of her condition were not immediately disclosed. She was later placed on life support.
Norristown Teen Shot In Broad Daylight
Location of Norristown in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
NORRISTOWN — Norristown police responded to Scott Alley on the 1000 block of Willow Street Wednesday after a 911 call reporting a 16-year-old boy had been shot at Willow and Elm streets just after 6 p.m.
Norristown Police Chief William Richet said the bullet went through the victim’s chest, but he was in somewhat stable condition.
“He was able to tell us his name and how old he is when we arrived,” Richet said.
The teen was taken away in an ambulance and later flown to University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia.
Reading Gets State Designation As Keystone Community
Editor’s note: We are very pleased to see that the leadership is trying to move Reading forward and improve the city.
Led by two dozen chanting cheerleaders from Reading High School, a procession of city and state officials this morning marched down Penn Street to a Penn Square news conference to excitedly announce the city has gotten what it began seeking a year ago:
That’s state designation as a Keystone Community, which approves its inclusion in the Main Street program and its right to seek state economic development help and millions in potential grants.
“You’re taking the challenges you face head on . . . you’re thinking strategically,” C. Alan Walker, secretary of the state Department of Community and Economic Development, told the crowd as he announced the designation.
“One of the best things we can do to preserve our downtowns. They’re worth preserving,” he said.
Mayor Vaughn D. Spencer said it’s always good to see something come to fruition.
