Bus Driver And Three Passengers In Critical Condition Following Fatal Crash

NEW COLUMBIA, PA — One woman was killed and 44 people were injured early this morning when a Greyhound commercial passenger bus and tractor trailer collided on Interstate 80 in Union County.

Approximately 20 ambulances from five counties responded to the crash site on Interstate 80 westbound at Mile Marker 206, about four miles west of the Route 15 interchange in White Deer Township.

State police at Milton said the accident occurred at 1:41 a.m., but no other details have been released.

A total of 49 passengers, plus the bus driver, were aboard the passenger bus traveling non-stop from New York City to Cleveland, Ohio.

Read more: http://dailyitem.com/0100_news/x703134040/BREAKING-NEWS-Charter-bus-and-tractor-trailer-crash-in-Union-County

Regional Task Force Helps Upper Merion Police Cut Down On Car Theft

Location of Upper Merion Township in Montgomery County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

UPPER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA— In the first week of August the Upper Merion Police Department announced six cars were stolen in July, making the total for the years to date 16, one less than this time in 2012.

Two of the vehicles were recovered, police said, but no arrests have been made.

Many stolen cars are taken out for joy rides are later recovered, but some are sold for parts or all over the globe to be sold.

“There is a more organized element to it, though not like an organized crime mafia like you may think of,” said Detective Robert Pilcicki of the Upper Merion Police Department and the Pennsylvania State Auto Theft Task Force.

Read more: http://www.timesherald.com/article/20130824/NEWS01/130829810/regional-task-force-helps-upper-merion-police-cut-down-on-car-theft#full_story

Conrad Weiser Coach Charged In Sex Assault

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

A Conrad Weiser High School athletics coach was charged by state police late Friday night with having sex with a 16-year-old girl he coached.

Troopers said they arrested Benjamin J. Stopper at his South Heidelberg Township home at about 9:15 p.m. He was awaiting arraignment in Reading Central Court late Friday night.

Stopper, 31, of the 200 block of Longview Drive had a three-month-long sexual relationship with the girl, troopers said.  He would meet her at his house and her home, give her rides home from practice and even took her along on a business trip to Philadelphia.

Troopers said they contacted school officials late Friday night to let them know about the charges.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=503002

West Reading Committee Weighs Police Options

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

A committee formed by West Reading officials last month is looking into the possibility of consolidating the borough’s police force.

James Gallen Jr., a borough councilman and committee member, said the committee – rounded out by Council President Kevin M. Conrad, Councilwoman Elizabeth Heckler and Mayor Shane J. Keller – will enter into discussions with neighboring municipalities and the state police regarding the future of West Reading’s troubled police department.

“We’re exploring consolidation as a cost-saving measure,” Gallen said, adding that Wyomissing would be “a natural fit.”

The talks will extend to other nearby departments, which could include Shillington, and Cumru and Spring townships, he added.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=420092