Wedding Aboard Pittsburgh’s Gateway Clipper Ends In Arrests

A groom, his brother and a member of the bridal party were arrested early Monday when a drunken fight erupted after the newlywed was accused of harassing a server working at the wedding reception aboard the Gateway Clipper.

Mark Andrew Williams, 33, of Crafton, who had been married only a few hours, was charged with riot, harassment, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and public intoxication after his arrest during what a criminal complaint calls a “tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving situation” at 12:55 a.m. that drew a crowd to the Clipper fleet dock at Station Square.

His brother, David Williams, 35, of Plum, an off-duty state police officer, was charged with riot, assaulting two Pittsburgh police officers, resisting arrest and related crimes.

Read more: http://triblive.com/news/allegheny/6718119-74/williams-arrest-clipper#ixzz3CBj3dS00
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Teacher Shows Up Drunk On First Day Of School With No Pants On

Police: Easton Slaying Victim Connected To Drug Trade; Won’t Comment On Motive

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

Four days after a 28-year-old woman was found shot to death in the West Ward, Easton authorities identified her and said she is linked to the drug trade, though they would not comment on a motive.

Authorities said Thursday they had no current address for Amanda Stratford, but online searches link the victim of Sunday’s homicide to the Wilkes-Barre area, where she lived for several years.

Easton police Lt. Matthew Gerould would not comment on a motive in the slaying, nor say if authorities have any suspects in custody, but said she likely knew her killer or killers. He said investigators were releasing Stratford’s street nickname, “Money,” in hopes that anyone who knew her may come forward with information.

Stratford was involved in drug trade “in and around” Easton and other areas, Gerould said.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-easton-homicide-victim-identified-shooting-20130926,0,2668397.story#ixzz2g6mGOcX0
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Police: Drunken Scranton Man Raids Stranger’s Refrigerator

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

Steven Johnson had everything in place for a late-night surf and turf snack and a nightcap early Thursday morning: steak cooling on the stove, clams and shrimp in the refrigerator and bottles of coconut rum and vanilla vodka chilling in the freezer.

The 24-year-old does not live at the 339 William St. home, but his snacking did not seem to bother the couple fast asleep on the living room couch.

So, on his way out, Mr. Johnson made himself a to-go bag.

Just as Mr. Johnson walked out of the kitchen, the man on the couch, Phillip Schwartz, woke up and watched him head out the door and called the police, according to a criminal complaint filed by city police Officer Melissa Forsette.

Read more: http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/police-drunken-scranton-man-raids-stranger-s-refrigerator-1.1400735

Macungie Councilman’s Public Urination Case Going To Lehigh County Court

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

A Macungie man told a judge Monday that he and his 3-year-old son saw Borough Councilman Linn Walker’s penis as Walker urinated outside his house in July.

Walker’s defense attorney argued that the alleged act doesn’t amount to open lewdness, the crime Walker is accused of committing that day.  But District Judge Donna Butler said she heard enough evidence during a Monday afternoon preliminary hearing to send Walker’s case to Lehigh County Court.

“I don’t think we would have a whole lot of [media] here today if peeing in public was a normal thing to do,” Butler said in issuing her ruling, adding, “I don’t pee in public.”  She said a jury can decide whether Walker committed a lewd act as alleged.

Walker did not speak to reporters before or after the hearing at District Court in Emmaus.  Although he said after he was charged on Aug. 3 that he planned to step down from council, he has not submitted his resignation to the borough.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-macungie-councilman-walker-lewd-urination-20120827,0,182651.story

Penn Square Consultants Get An Earful

Editor’s note:  Taking care of the root problem needs happen…crime and blight need to be addressed before cosmetics can lure people downtown.  Cleaning up the downtown is necessary but business owners and shoppers need to feel safe above all else.  Without the root problem being addressed, it’s another case of putting lipstick on a pig.

The consultants designing Downtown 20/20 – what Penn Square should look like to attract more out-of-towners – say they’ve gotten an earful of criticism and suggestions at three recent public hearings, and have tweaked the plans to accommodate some comments.

But they also got an earful this week from City Council members, who said that although they liked the ideas, nothing will happen until the city begins resolving Penn Square’s larger issues.

“Nobody wants to go downtown with all the drunks sitting around,” Councilwoman Donna Reed said at a work session with the 20/20 steering committee and the consultants. “It’s just an uncomfortable, disgusting place to walk.”

She said the Downtown Improvement District said its biggest challenge is dealing with public drunkenness, and the city needs to start enforcing its loitering laws and getting rid of the reeking trash containers on North Fourth Street.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/Article.aspx?id=410399

Macungie Councilman Will Resign After Being Charged With Urinating On Neighbor’s Porch

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

A Macungie borough councilman has decided to resign after being charged with open lewdness, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness for allegedly urinating on a neighbor’s porch Friday afternoon.

A police officer was on the unit block of W. Chestnut Street investigating complaints that Linn Walker, 70, had repeatedly urinated on neighboring properties when he observed Walker relieving himself in public about 3:30 p.m., according to Police Chief Edward Harry Jr..

“While the officer was speaking to [residents], Walker exited his home and proceeded to a neighbor’s home at 43 W. Chestnut St. where the officer and the residents witnessed him urinating on the porch pad of that home and a garden hose and gas can lying next to the porch,” Harry wrote in a news release.

Residents had reported seeing Walker urinate outside during daylight hours and in full view of them and their children on numerous occasions, Harry said in the release.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/police/mc-macungie-council-member-urinating-20120804,0,1829243.story