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Scandals lead lawmakers to target child abuse laws

January 22, 2013, 10:17 am
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HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania lawmakers are starting to debate potential changes to the state's child abuse protection laws, starting with testimony by members of a task force that issued detailed recommendations two months ago.

The state House's Judiciary and Children and Youth committees held a three-hour hearing Tuesday that featured as witnesses lawyers and doctors who served on the Pennsylvania Task Force on Child Protection.

Legislative leaders say they expect to move quickly on some changes to laws on how child abuse and child sexual abuse are reported and investigated, while others will take more time.

The Jerry Sandusky and Catholic clergy molestation scandals are part of the reason for the new push, but officials say it's been too long since the state's child protection laws were given an overhaul.

 

©2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Voter ID trial date set

January 22, 2013, 11:38 am
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The trial date for the Voter ID law has been set for July 15, 2013.

The plaintiffs in the case; Public Interest Center of Philadelphia, Advancement Project, the ACLU of Pennsylvania, and the Washington, DC law firm of Arnold & Porter are asking the court to extend the preliminary injunction against the law until the finish of the trial.  The Judge, Robert Simpson, has set a date of March 21st for a decision on the extension.
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Harrisburg City Communication Director leaving Mayor's Office

January 22, 2013, 12:24 pm
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Harrisburg City Mayor, Linda Thompson, announced Tuesday that Senior Advisor and Director of Communications Robert Philbin will leave City government on February 1.

Philbin said he will look for career options while still providing services to the Mayor's Office at the Mayor's discretion.  

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Police looking for two suspects for computer theft from Walmart

January 22, 2013, 12:32 pm
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The West Manchester Police Department is looking for help to identify two suspects in connection with computer theft.

On January 16, the two suspects and a female stole two desktop computers from Walmart.

If you know any information about the suspects you are asked to call PO Matthew R. Emig with the West Manchester Township Police Department.  The reference case number is 20130116M0028.

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Vigil to mark anniversary of Joe Paterno's death

January 22, 2013, 12:40 pm
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STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Supporters of longtime Penn State football coach Joe Paterno are marking the anniversary of his death with a candlelight vigil.

The Hall of Fame coach died of lung cancer on Jan. 22, 2012, at age 85. On Tuesday, supporters are holding a vigil at a mural in State College that includes a depiction of Paterno. A family spokesman has said the Paternos would not take part.

Organizers say they will light 409 candles, one for each of Paterno's victories before 111 were stripped as part of NCAA sanctions in response to the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal.

Sandusky was convicted in June of 45 counts of child sex abuse and is serving a lengthy prison sentence. His arrest tarnished Penn State's storied football program and led to Paterno's firing.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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Police file charges in for April 2012 shooting in Lebanon

January 22, 2013, 12:46 pm
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Lebanon Police have filed charges for a shooting incident in April 2012.

Jose Gonzalez, 20, of Lebanon has been charged with criminal attempt to commit homicide and aggravated assault.

On April 8, police were called to the Emergency Room at Good Samaritan Hosptial for a gun shot victim. 24-year-old Jose Martinez had a gunshot wound to his neck and is now suffering from permanent paralysis to his lower body.

Martinez and Gonzalez attended a pary at 228 Brookside Apartments.  An argument started at the party, and then turned into a physical fight. Martinez was shot during the fight.

Gonzalez is in Lebanon County Correctional Facility with $1 million bail.

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Over 150 sponsors pull out of Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show; causing concern over fate of show

January 22, 2013, 1:10 pm
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The Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show is billed as the largest show of its kind in North America. But after the event made a decision to ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines, it may now lose that title.

"We felt that getting involved last year was a good business decision. It has a lot of coverage, a lot of exposure," said Ben Bode of Trop Gun Shop in Elizabethtown. 

Trop was one of the first vendors to boycott the show, and their customers responded. Trop's Facebook page exploded with 'likes', they received letter, faxes and praise from clients.

But that's not the case for the nine-day-long show, which is scheduled to begin on February 2.

Since the announcement of the ban, this Facebook page calling for a boycott already has nearly 10,000 likes. This is the Facebook list of vendors that have pulled out; more than 175 along with 20 celebrity speakers.

"While it was certainly a big decision, we could not rectify participating in something like that with an organization that is not supporting our second amendment rights." Bode said.

We did ask Bode at Trop Gun Shop if the store would consider going back to the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show if the organizers dropped the ban. And he said no, the damage has been done.

The show has about 1200 vendors, so about 15% are gone.

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Wednesday is last day to trash your electronics before you most e-cycle

January 22, 2013, 1:11 pm
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Wednesday is the final day you can place televisions, computers and other electronic items along the road for a waste hauler to pick up. After that, state law will prohibit discarding them in landfills or incinerators.

Pennsylvanians have been recycling for years. Paper, cardboard, glass and aluminum are the big items, but now new items will be added to the must recycle list.

The 2013 Recycling Industries Congress is underway in Harrisburg. Recycling is a major industry in the state and is expected to grow as new disposal prohibitions take effect Thursday.

The economic statistics including 3,800 businesses, 5,200 employees, a $2.2 billion dollar payroll and annual gross sales of $21 billion dollars.

The new mandatory recycling is for electronic components like televisions, computers, keyboards and mouse devices. Recycling will be user-friendly for you.

“They can call their municipalities, or Goodwill does a recycling plan,” explained Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Krancer. “They can call the retailer from where they bought the device. It will be very user friendly for folks that do this." 13:14:28

Secretary Krancer says heavy metals are not good for the environment. Recycling will keep them out of landfills and incinerators will reduce the harmful effects they can have in the ground, air and water.

DEP says they don't expect waste haulers to pick up the prohibited items, nor will landfill operators and incinerators accept them for disposal.

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JUST IN: 'Victim 6' sues Jerry Sandusky, Penn State and Second Mile

January 22, 2013, 1:18 pm
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HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - One of the young men who testified against Jerry Sandusky last summer is suing the former assistant coach, Penn State and the charity for young people that Sandusky started.

"Victim 6" sued Tuesday in federal court in Philadelphia, claiming Sandusky's behavior was "ratified" by The Second Mile and Penn State and that the organizations acted with reckless indifference to his rights.

Sandusky is serving a lengthy state prison term after being convicted of sexual abuse of Victim 6 and nine other boys.

Penn State is declining comment and messages weren't immediately returned by a Second Mile official or Sandusky's civil lawyers.

Victim 6 testified that Sandusky, calling himself "the Tickle Monster," grabbed him inside a university shower in March 1998. His mother's complaint triggered a police investigation but no charges.



(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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Closing of two prisons to save money not sitting well with everyone

January 22, 2013, 1:24 pm
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Several members of the Senate Judiciary Committee were critical of a Corbett administration plan to close two state prisons. The senators complained about timing, job losses and economic impact.

The State Department of Corrections announced two weeks ago the closing of two older prisons. They would be replaced by the newly-constructed State Correctional Institution in Benner Township, Centre County.

"Our charge from day one was cut spending in corrections, cut spending in corrections,” stated Department of Corrections Secretary John Wetzel.

Scheduled to be closed is SCI Cresson in Cambria County, which originally opened in 1913 and houses about 1400 inmates. The other is SCI Greensburg in Westmoreland County, which is 44-years-old with a population of less than a thousand prisoners.

The new state of the art facility in Centre County is expected to save the state taxpayers $23 million dollars a year.

At Tuesday's judiciary committee session, several senators in whose districts the prisons are located questioned how decisions were made and why the state failed to launch a formal transition plan.

"Here's our plan. Here's why we're shutting these down,” demonstrated Allegheny Democrat Jim Brewster. “Here's our intent with the employees. Here's an effective reuse of the buildings. None of that was done."

Corrections Secretary john Wetzel says much of that was done or plans to do so are underway. As far as selecting the prisons to close, that was strictly dollars and cents.

"This was a decision based on data,” issued Wetzel. “It wasn't based on politics or any bias toward one facility versus another. These were the two facilities that made the most sense."

Corrections will begin marketing both prisons for reuse once inmates have been transferred out. Keeping them empty will cost the state about $5.5 million annually.

Even then, the prison closings will save taxpayers $23 million a year.

The department doubts the two prisons would need to be reopened in the future. Inmate population is on the decline. In the past six months the number of inmates behind bars has dropped by five hundred.

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Flu season still causing concern statewide

January 22, 2013, 1:25 pm
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A few weeks ago, it looked like this flu season had the potential to be one of the worst in recent years, and it appears it will be.

"Many light season and many heavy seasons. This is one of the worst ones we've seen in some time." Explained Dr. Joseph Kontra of Lancaster General Hospital.

Kontra says the flu, from season to season changes, and this year's strain is a severe one.

On Tuesday, the PA Department of Health released the most recent numbers of people with the flu. This week, there were 4900 cases in PA, which is down from 5800 the week before.  Lancaster and York Counties have seen the most cases this year.

The Department of Health estimates that 5-10% of the state's population gets the flu each year, with up to 2,000 dying from it.

Doctor Kontra says a person should go to the hospital if they are experiencing shortness of breath, severe headache, body aches, and loss of appetite.  He also says many places are taking precautions to help prevent the spread. "There are facilities, like nursing homes that have actually shut their doors to visitors in Lancaster County and that is kind of an extreme measure. Hopefully, we won't have to get to that point."

Kontra said it's still not too late to get a flu shot. He said the season has not peaked and the flu could go on for months.

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Lottery hearing reveals a need for the lottery to bring in money

January 22, 2013, 1:32 pm
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Pennsylvania House of Representatives held a hearing on what the privatization of the lottery would mean for senior citizens and current beneficiaries.

Funding is the issue and the Representatives were particularly interested because if the lottery funding decreases, our State Reps. say the money is still going to have to come from somewhere.

“Lottery funding in and of itself won't solve the problem we are going to need more general funding as well,” stated Ron Barth, CEO of Leading Age of Pennsylvania.

Barth was one of many who testified before the house committee to learn more about the needs of Pennsylvania senior citizens and what the lotteries’ private management agreement would mean to them.

“The fact of the matter is we need more,” Barth stated. “A growing, exploding senior citizen population to the extent that it's going to use up all the senior services.”

Representative Lynda Schegal Culver says she heard the message loud and clear that if the lottery funding does not keep up and continue to increase, that money is going to have to come from somewhere.

“It's going to fall back to us to find another source of funding and we need to make sure that this continues to expand in whatever way we can,” Representative Culver of the 108th District said. “Do have a vested interest, yes, extremely vested interest.”

Wednesday, the hearing will continue with the Governor’s Administration and Camelot, as well as lottery union officials.

It is almost a guarantee the question will come up of how much money a ticket will cost and how much will be dedicated to senior citizen services.

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UPDATE: Men arrested for robbing older woman while she was at church on Christmas Eve

January 22, 2013, 1:37 pm
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UPDATE:

Victor Sorrentino turned himself into Southern Regional Police on Tuesday. He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey Joy and committed to York County Prison on $50,000 bail.

Gregory Sorrentino is currently in prison in Baltimore County, Maryland and awaiting extradition to York County.
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Police are searching for two men for a robbery that occurred at the St. John’s the Baptist Catholic in New Freedom.

Just before 330 p.m., two white males entered the church prior to church services beginning. One removed a wallet from the purse of a 78-year-old woman as he took her jacket off.

The victim saw what took place and confronted one of the suspects. The man shoved the woman backwards into a wall and bench, causing her to fall.

Both suspects fled in a green pick-up truck.

Detectives identified the suspects as Victor Sorrentino, 57 of Dundalk, Maryland and Gregory Sorrentino, 54 of Joppa, Maryland.

Both are charged with robbery, simple assault, theft and receiving stolen property.

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Office of Inspector General announces December 2012 welfare fraud adjudications

January 22, 2013, 1:43 pm
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The Office of Inspector General, announced the names of residents who pleaded guilty to welfare fraud in December 2012.

The following individuals were prosecuted and sentenced for fraudulently receiving public assistance benefits:

· Aqeela Brown, 35, of Lancaster, Lancaster County, received more than $1,050 in SNAP benefits. Brown was ordered to pay full restitution and fines.

· Mohammed N. Brown, 25, of Reading, Berks County, received more than $2,050 in SNAP benefits. Brown was sentenced to five years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs and fines.

· Frank E. Buffington, 38, of Middletown, Dauphin County, received more than $1,900 in SNAP benefits. Buffington was sentenced to one year probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs and fines.

· Angelique M. Calloway, 42, of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, received more than $2,350 in SNAP benefits. Calloway was sentenced to two years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs and fines.

· Tammy M. Fishel, 48, of Enola, Cumberland County, received more than $1,450 in SNAP benefits. Fishel was sentenced to six months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and fines.

· Beth Heller, 28, of Sunbury, Northumberland County, received more than $3,450 in SNAP benefits. Heller was sentenced to one year probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and fines.

· Patrick J. Laudermilch, 38, of Annville, Lebanon County, received more than $1,100 in cash assistance benefits. Laudermilch was sentenced to 18 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs and fines.

· Tray Lias, 49, of Lancaster, Lancaster County, received more than $1,200 in SNAP benefits. Lias was ordered to pay full restitution and fines.

· Douglas H. Middleton, 59, of Reading, Berks County received more than $1,800 in cash assistance benefits. Middleton was sentenced to five years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs and fines.

· Jamie Neidigh, 30, of Newville, Cumberland County, received more than $3,200 in subsidized child care benefits. Neidigh was sentenced to two years probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs and fines.

· Clarissa L. Ortenzi, 26, of Lebanon, Lebanon County, received more than $1,150 in SNAP benefits. Ortenzi was sentenced to 18 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution, costs and fines.

· Kathy J. Pittman, 38, of Ronks, Lancaster County, received more than $1,200 in SNAP benefits. Pittman was ordered to pay full restitution and fines.

· Whitney J. Powell, 24, of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, received more than $1,200 in SNAP benefits. Powell was sentenced to 12 months probation and was ordered to pay full restitution and costs.

· Jose L. Rodriguez-Ortiz, 64, of Lancaster, Lancaster County, received more than $1,400 in SNAP benefits. Rodriguez-Ortiz was ordered to pay full restitution, costs and fines.

· Tracey L. Snyder, 45, of Elizabethtown, Lancaster County, received more than $1,100 in SNAP benefits. Snyder was ordered to pay full restitution and fines.

· Helen Tang, 53, of Lancaster, Lancaster County, received more than $1,350 in cash assistance benefits. Tang was ordered to pay full restitution and costs.

Anyone found guilty of welfare fraud could face a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and fines up to $15,000, mandatory restitution and program disqualification.

The Office of Inspector General also relies on tips from concerned citizens. To report suspected fraud, call the Welfare Fraud Tipline at 1-800-932-0582. Callers may remain anonymous.

Visit the Pennsylvania Office of Inspector General online at http://www.oig.state.pa.us.
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Former Lebanon pastor convicted of killing his second wife

January 22, 2013, 1:44 pm
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STROUDSBURG, Pa. (AP) - A former Pennsylvania pastor has been convicted in the 2008 death of his second wife, but still awaits trial in the 1999 death of his first wife.
   
Arthur Schirmer blamed the second death on a slow-speed car crash and said his first wife fell down the stairs.
   
But authorities ultimately charged him with bludgeoning both women.
   
The verdict Tuesday comes after Schirmer testified Friday in Monroe County Court.
   
He told jurors that he was driving his second wife, Betty, to the hospital for jaw pain when a deer crossed their path, causing them to crash.
   
He is the former associate pastor at a Methodist church in Reeders in northeast Pennsylvania.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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Pennsylvania legislators taking steps to prevent child abuse

January 22, 2013, 1:56 pm
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Child abuse protection is in front of Pennsylvania legislators, who are in the early stages of possibly changing the state's laws.

Lawmakers are hearing testimony by members of a task force who made recommendations last year.

The AP says some changes are expected quickly, while others may take more time.

The goal of the changes would be to make it easier to detect and punish child abusers.

Lawyers and doctors from the Pennsylvania Task Force on Child Protection testified at a three hour hearing Tuesday, held in front of the House Judiciary and Children and Youth Committees.

The Jerry Sandusky abuse scandal and the catholic clergy scandals pushed the changes. Other bills under consideration include to crack down on child abuse include to provide for harsher sentences in some cases of possession of child pornography and require better sharing of information.

Rep. Sheryl Delozier backs the bill package. “A lot of information came out of the hearing, but it doesn't need to be huge, a 12 step way to protect victims.”

Dauphin County Representative Ron Marsico also drafted a bill that would make it illegal to retaliate against anyone who files a child abuse report.

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Students will hold candlelight vigil to remember Joe Paterno

January 22, 2013, 2:01 pm
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Tuesday marks the one year anniversary of Joe Paterno's death.

Despite temperatures potentially in the single digits, a vigil is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday.  The vigil will be held at a mural in Downtown State College that still depicts Paterno's image.

The former Penn State icon watched his legacy tarnish in his final days, and in the months following his death.  The NCAA sanctions stripped Paternos name from the record books.

But there's still support for him in Happy Valley. 

A family spokesperson has confirmed the Paterno family will not take part in the vigil.
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Cars stolen after turned on to warm up; Police warning residents not to leave cars on and unattended

January 22, 2013, 2:08 pm
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Susquehanna Township Police are investigating two auto thefts.

The thefts occured when the owners started the car to warm it up due to cold weather.  The owners went back inside their homes, and the cars were stolen. 

On Friday, someone stole a 2003 Cadillac from the 2200 block of Boas Street. The car was found later, unoccupied, in the 1900 block of Zarker Street. 

On Tuesday, a 2009 Silver Ford Fusion was stolen from a driveway in the 3500 block of Schoolhouse Lane. The owner started the car, went inside his home, and came out two minutes later. The owner witnessed the car driving away. 

Police are asking for anyone with information or anyone who witnessed these thefts to contact Det. Cairns at 909-9242 or email dcairns@susquehannatwp.com. 

Police are also warning residents against leaving cars on and unattended. 
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Electronic medical records becoming the new normal across U.S.

January 22, 2013, 2:23 pm
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Electronic medical records, if your doctor’s offices isn’t already using them, likely they will be soon.

Doctors we spoke with said while it is not necessarily a mandate to have medical records on electronic file, they said there are financial incentives and down the road financial penalties to do so.

Mark Rowand, family physician at Dallastown Medical Associates in York County, says his practice switched to electronic medical records about two years ago.

“Basically all medical information and electronic filing of medical information lists your past medical information,” Rowand explained. “Ordering lab reports, everything is done through the computer and you can get that medical request through the computer.”

He says part of the reason medical professionals are switching is because of Medicare incentives and they started a few years back.

“The electronic incentives came before the Affordable Healthcare Act,” stated Rowand. “Medicare started making some initiatives and made a concerted effort to get everyone in communication with each other when they did it initially, there are incentives but when you don't then you get some penalties.”

It is believed that this will be helpful in case someone is out-of-town for either work or vacation as well.

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Man arrested for sexual assault of 86-year-old woman with dementia

January 22, 2013, 3:31 pm
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An Ephrata man is facing charges for sexually assaulting an 86-year-old woman in his nursing home.

Officers were called to a nursing home on 604 Oak Street in Akron for a report of a sexual assault that occured overnight. 

Glenn Hershey, 65, is facing involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault and sexual assault. 

According to an affidavit, Hershey admitted to sexually assualting an 86-year-old woman who is a resident of the nursing home.   The woman suffers from Dementia and Alzheimers.

Hershey was known to staff as suffering from incontinence, sexual addictions and impulses and he is a Megan's Law offender. 

He was arraigned and committed to Lancaster County Prison with $200,000 bail.

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