Five Arrested In One Of Largest Heroin Busts Ever For Scranton Police

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

A man purported to be the main supplier of heroin in the Hazleton area was arrested Thursday night, smashing his drug ring and landing the Scranton Police Department one of the largest heroin seizures in its history.

Officers from the Scranton Police Special Investigations Division, with the assistance of Lackawanna County detectives and agents from the FBI, arranged a deal between a confidential police informant and Willy Perez, 35, who officers learned was operating a heroin ring in the Scranton and Hazleton areas, police said.

Mr. Perez had several people package and deliver heroin and cocaine for him, sometimes in disguise, according to an arrest affidavit. One “runner,” known as “Mohamed,” wore Domino’s Pizza delivery uniforms as a cover when delivering the drugs.

Read more: http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/five-arrested-in-one-of-largest-heroin-busts-ever-for-scranton-police-1.1574862

Judge Expunges Matthews’ Criminal Record; Grand Jury Documents Retained

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MONTGOMERY COUNTY COURTHOUSE — The criminal record of the former chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners was expunged Friday, with the exception of materials contained in a grand jury report that led to his arrest more than a year ago.

Court of Common Pleas Senior Judge William T. Nicholas granted the petition to expunge the misdemeanor charge of false swearing to a grand jury against James Matthews, who was arrested and resigned as board chairman in December 2011.

But the judge’s order included an amendment that information contained in the grand jury transcripts and exhibits leveled against Matthews — following an investigation into the Montgomery County commissioners two years ago — would not be expunged.

Read more: http://www.timesherald.com/government-and-politics/20131025/judge-expunges-matthews-criminal-record-grand-jury-documents-retained/1

‘Under-Performing’ Weis Markets In Pottstown Closing Nov. 9

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POTTSTOWN, PA — Weis Markets announced Friday it will close its Pottstown supermarket and pharmacy over the next two weeks.

A total of 35 full and part-time employees will be affected by the closure.

According to a press release issued by the company late Friday afternoon, the pharmacy will close Oct. 31 and the store will close Nov. 9.

“Our store is closing due to continuing under-performance,” said Dennis Curtin, Weis Markets’ director of public relations.

Read more: http://www.pottsmerc.com/general-news/20131026/under-performing-weis-markets-in-pottstown-closing-nov-9

Democrats, Republicans Losing Battle For New Voters

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

Political pundits warned about it.

Party leaders downplayed it.

But the voters have spoken.

For the first time in memory, the number of new Berks County voters who selected nonpartisan, or other, eclipsed those registering under one of the two major parties.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=517374