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Corbett doesn't 'recommend' Medicaid expansion

February 5, 2013, 9:12 am
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HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Corbett says he doesn't think it's a good idea to expand Pennsylvania's Medicaid program under the federal health care law unless Washington gives his administration more flexibility to manage it.

Corbett said Tuesday in the text of his budget speech that the expansion will be financially unsustainable for Pennsylvania taxpayers without serious changes. He says that, as a result, he can't "recommend" what he calls a dramatic Medicaid expansion.

He also says the federal government must give a clear answer about what the expansion would cost taxpayers, and he says it shouldn't stop sending millions of dollars to Pennsylvania hospitals as leverage.

Democrats and health-care advocates say it'll save the state tax money it's already spending and provide a big boost to Pennsylvania's health care sector.

 

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Corbett calls for Pa. pension overhaul

February 5, 2013, 11:21 am
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HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Corbett says overhauling Pennsylvania's pension systems for state workers and school employees is the single most important thing lawmakers can do.

In Tuesday's budget address, the Republican said the pension debt is like an avalanche that threatens to stop economic growth and take funding from schools and senior citizens.

Corbett wants a new mandatory defined-contribution plan for new hires, reductions in future benefits for current employees and reduced annuity payments to employees who withdraw their contributions.

State Budget Secretary Charles Zogby says the changes will save $175 million in the fiscal year that starts July 1. Corbett proposes using those savings to reduce taxpayers' contributions to the two major pension systems.

Public employee unions say reducing benefits for current employees is unconstitutional and have vowed to sue.

 

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Dauphin County man wanted on child sex abuse charges

February 5, 2013, 12:53 pm
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On January 21st 2013, officers were called to the Harrisburg Hospital on reports of sexual abuse of a child. While at the hospital, a child under the age of 10 told officers that Margarito Collazo-Perez had been sexually abusing her over the past few months.

Perez is believed to be aware of the investigation. He has recently worked for a landscape company. He may be using vehicles owned by associates. He does not have a license to drive in PA.

If you have any information on the location of Perez, contact police.
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Latest study says we spend four percent of income filling up our gas tanks

February 5, 2013, 1:01 pm
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Gas prices are once again climbing, this time jumping over ten cents in one week in Central Pennsylvania.

This latest hike is coming off of news that last year Americans spent a record amount of money on gasoline.

At the pump, people are definitely noticing.

You've got to fill up, even when it's painful. For one person we talked to, that pain was $90 in gas.

In the last week, gasbuddy.com says in the Harrisburg area, prices have jumped 11.4 cents per gallon, with an average price of $3.63.

Mark Early is watching the jump before his eyes.

“I was over in York this morning and they were $3.45 over there and seeing $3.65 a mile a way from here, jumping up and down like crazy,” Early explained.

He's not alone.

“Its jumped rapidly and because I'm a subcontracted courier it does effect me in the wallet very quickly,” Anderson commented.

“I drive a caddy, so its expensive to fill it up,” Chelsea Feuerstacke told us. “So when I see prices go up everyday it's getting crazier and crazier, waiting to hit four dollars very, very soon.”

Experts have predicted that $4 dollar mark could be here by April.

So what's a driver to do? Switch it up!

“I'm looking into different options because gas is just too expensive these days,” one person told us.

“I got rid of my four wheel drive I've had all my life, now I'm driving a Prius,” another stated.

“I'm driving a lighter vehicle that is better on gas because of that, I make things as efficient as possible at this point,” another person filling up said.

For others, they just have to pump the gas and bear the pain.

“I use my truck every day, it's a problem but you have to stay loose,” commented Armand Paquin.

“I just figure if I want to drive I got to pay, otherwise I got to walk in the cold, which is no fun,” Robert DiGuardi added.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration says in 2012, households spent an average of $2,912, or just under four percent of their household income.

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Two arrested for robbery in Harrisburg

February 5, 2013, 1:07 pm
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On February 4th just before 11:00pm, officers were approached by a young man who said he had just been robbed at knife point. He was walking back from a restaurant in the 1300 block of Market Street with some food when 19-year-old Demero Johnson and 20-year-old Jeremiah Small came up behind him. One of them pointed a large knife at the victim's face and demanded his money. They took the victim's cell phone and food order. He was able to give police a good description of Johnson and Small.

Police later saw the pair in the area of South 15th and Chestnut Streets. One of them tried to run, but he was eventually caught. One robber also threw the knife on the road and the stolen objects, along with other cell phones were found on the robbers.

Both Johnson and Small are currently in Dauphin County prison.
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Governor Corbett releases his budget, says it is time to 'be truly innovative'

February 5, 2013, 1:12 pm
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Governor Corbett released his budget for the upcoming fiscal year and he has kept his campaign promise to not raise income or sales taxes while balancing the budget. But it does increase state spending by a little more than two percent.

In his $28.4 billion budget, Governor Corbett tackles some big issues that are causing a lot of controversy. He is calling for major changes in state government to “fulfill the promise of a brighter future for all Pennsylvanians.”

“Now is not the time to be timid in our approach,” Governor Corbett stated during his budget address. “Now is not the time to cling to old ideas and the status quo. Now is not the time to make small changes and expect big results. Now is the time to be truly innovative.”

Governor Tom Corbett addressed a lot of tough political issues Tuesday when he delivered his budget in the House chambers. He talked about pensions and how they must be reformed. His plan calls for reducing pension benefits for future and current workers while not taking anything away from current retirees or what current employees have already earned.

It would also set up a 401k style-plan for future hires.

“Resolving our pension crisis will be the single most important thing we do for decades to come,” Corbett cited.

The governor addressed transportation, saying our infrastructure needs repaired. To raise money, he's calling for an increased tax on oil and gas companies while decreasing consumer gas taxes by 17 percent.

“Transportation is the bloodstream of our economy. If it fails, our economy fails,” Corbett admitted.

The Governor continued his push to privatize the state's lottery system which he says saves $50 million to further help seniors. And he wants to create a Passport for Learning block grant with $1 billion over the next four years made from the sale of state liquor stores.

“He's taking the state in the wrong direction,” opined Democrat Vincent Hughes, who represents Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties. “The number one issue that people are concerned about in Pennsylvania is jobs and going back to work and economic development.”

“I'm very disappointed,” agreed newly elected Democratic Senator Rob Teplitz. “It's a budget proposal based on false choices and unrealistic revenue estimates and it sets out a vision for Pennsylvania that I fundamentally disagree with.”

The governor also called for a reduction of the state corporate income tax from 10 percent to 7 beginning in 2015.

From here the budget goes to the House and Senate where parts of it will be challenged. It's due by midnight on June 30.

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Cumberland Valley to begin random searches of student's cars in the parking lot

February 5, 2013, 1:20 pm
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Believing drug possession by students has gone from inside lockers outside to the parking lots, the Cumberland Valley School District will conduct random searches of parked vehicles by drug-sniffing dogs.

The new policy has been under development for about a year. It was approved Tuesday night by the school board.

There was no rush to write the policy. Nor are there any plans at this time to conduct a parking lot vehicle search.

It was developed by the school board and district administration with collaboration among local law enforcement and the Cumberland County District Attorney's Office.

With the aid of certified dogs, local law enforcement will conduct the random searches. Students are banned from bringing items like drugs, alcohol, weapons and explosives into school.

While the district takes it seriously, it's a game for the dog, as the k-9 sniffs around the outside for possible drugs, he suddenly sits when he hits on the smell of drugs. The reward is a game of play for the dog.

Bill Castle is a retired police chief, a former police k-9 handler. He is currently a nationally-recognized dog trainer.

At his headquarters in Monroe Township, he has taught dogs and cops how to work together, including thousands of teams for drug law enforcement. A graduate of Cumberland Valley Schools, as are his three adult children, Castle thinks the new policy makes sense and will pass constitutional muster.

"They all have to sign a release to park there, that they can search their vehicles which they should be especially with today's problem with terrorism and all the acts of violence,” commented Bill Castle of Castle’s K-9. “School district needs that authority, I commend the school board for taking this step I think it's a bold step as most are worried about offending somebody. I am worried about these drug dealers offering our students."

Any searches would be coordinated with the Cumberland County Drug Task Force. The searches could be done by using a lottery system of numbered parking decals or by selecting a specific student parking lot and searching vehicles at random.

Board members decided after due deliberation now is the time to put the policy in place. It will also be included in a soon-to-be prepared new student handbook.

They believe it maintains a safe school environment while respecting individual protections guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.



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Sue Paterno to give first television interview since Sandusky scandal

February 5, 2013, 1:27 pm
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The widow of Penn State football coach Joe Paterno will sit down for an interview with Katie Couric.

This will be the first time that Sue Paterno has spoke publicly since the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal hit Penn State.

Joe Paterno was fired as coach in November 20111 because of the scandal.

He died from lung cancer last January.

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Corbett's budget creating some controversy

February 5, 2013, 1:28 pm
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Governor Corbett in his budget is addressing a lot of politically hot topics that are creating controversy.  And that could be seen today in the Capitol before and after the Governor delivered his budget. 

Governor Corbett:
"Great challenges must be met if we are to continue strengthening our Commonwealth and fulfill the promise of a brighter future for all Pennsylvanian's."

Today in the Capitol, Governor Corbett presented his budget for the upcoming year.  While it is balanced and doesn't increase sales or income tax, it is creating a lot of controversy.  And one of the issues is education.  In his budget, the Governor calls for an increase in funding for public schools by $90,000,000 while maintaining spending levels for higher education.  He also wants to create a passport for learning block grant worth $1,000,000,000 over the next four years from the sale of state liquor stores. 

But protesters say selling liquor is not a core function of government.

Kimberly Washington, Protester:
"Corbett is just sitting back cutting funds, making more prisons to put our children in.  If we don't educate them they will be there."

The Union Food and Commercial workers which represent state liquor stores also had a strong presence.  They claim the Governor is wrong that privatizing liquor stores will increase availability and bring in more money to the state. 

Wandell Young, UFCW Local 1776:
"This is all about political gamesmanship because his poll numbers are low and he's trying to do and say anything to juice up his numbers at the expense of Pennsylvanian's."

One more important note from the Governor budget address, he said he has sent a letter to the federal government saying the state will not comply with the demands of the Affordable Care Act. He said the state simply can't afford it.  From here the budget goes to the House and Senate where parts of it will be challenged.  It's due by midnight on June 30th.
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VIDEO: Home surveillance cameras catch burglars in the act, scare them off

February 5, 2013, 1:37 pm
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Police in Cumberland County are on the lookout for two burglary suspects.

Home surveillance video caught the men in the act.

You've seen the sign warning that this house is protected by electronic surveillance. Have you wondered if there really is a security system?

For one household in Penn Township north of Newville, the people who tried to rob them learned the hard way those signs are true.

There are some people who feel it's safer to live in the country than the city. Others swear remote areas attract trouble. This story is about having a home security system normally seen in the city, in a rural area.

This is busy route 233 and to the south is Interstate 81. North is the Borough of Newville. A private lane goes back to a home that was broken into late Saturday night, and surveillance pictures show the two men involved.

They broke into the home through a basement door and an internal alarm went off in the house. It apparently spooked the intruders who then fled on foot.

The home's security system recorded still and action video shots. Take a close look at who the troopers are looking for.

In this instance, the signs should have served as notice to the burglars. The surveillance system shows both suspects, so stay alert and if either of the men look familiar, call State Police at Carlisle at 249-2121.


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Man breaks woman's jaw, then tries to commit suicide

February 5, 2013, 1:57 pm
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Just before 8:00am on February 5th police were called to a home on Houtztown Road in Myerstown. During an argument between the two people who lived there, the man, 56-year-old David T. Allwein punched a woman and broke her jaw along with other facial injuries.

After that, Allwein went into the garage, and in an attempt to commit suicide, used an electric saw to cut off his left hand. Both Allwein and the victim were taken to the hospital for treatment of their injuries.

Allwein is being charged with Aggravated Assault and other charges.
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Wellspan Health and York teaming up to give York city police a new training center

February 5, 2013, 2:15 pm
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Wellspan Health and the city of York are teaming up to give York City Police a new training center. The state of the art facility will help enhance the skills of area police offers and offer a secure storage center for evidence.

The training center will be on the 4th floor of the York City Police Station thanks to a $600,000 donation from Wellspan.

Mayor Kim Bracey, York:
"The financial generosity will not only provide the opportunity for our police department to reach full accreditation but for our offices and officers across the county to receive state of the art training in a state of the art facility."

The new facility will help with the move toward accreditation of the York City Police Department.
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UPDATE(2): Everyone allowed back into homes after large gas leak in Red Lion

February 5, 2013, 2:40 pm
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UPDATE:

Part of West Broadway has been reopened and fire crews have left the scene.

Everyone also is allowed back into their homes at this time.
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The gas leak continues in Red Lion Boro on West Broadway.

No one was injured, but over 15 homes were evacuated due to the gas leak.

A shelter has been set up at the Leo Fire Company in the 200 block of West Broadway, however at this time the shelter is empty.

CBS 21 will keep you up-to-date on when it is safe for people to return to their homes. 
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We are following breaking news out of York County.

Emergency crews are on the scene of a natural gas leak in Red Lion Boro. Right now numerous people in the 600 block of West Broadway are being evacuated.

Right now, Columbia Gas is on the scene and no injuries are being reported.

That part of Broadway, or Route 74, is closed at this hour.

We have a crew headed to the scene and will bring the latest as soon as more information becomes available.


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Man heads home from Penn State Hershey with artificial heart, only one of its kind in PA

February 5, 2013, 2:52 pm
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Every day, what was once science fiction becomes real.

Tuesday, a Palmyra man is at home, meaning he is the only man in PA living at home with a totally artificial heart after leaving the hospital Tuesday.

This incredible medical breakthrough took place at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.

No wants to use an artificial heart, but when you consider the alternative, it is an exciting possibility and that possibility is now more and more a reality.

But not the reality of actually going home with an artificial heart, that is until now.

The machine is known as ECMO for short, but it is a machine that keeps you tied to the hospital. But it is something a lot smaller that is letting Bob Phillips go home at last after his heart attack.

We were unable to interview Mr. Phillips because doctors were concerned that it would cause his blood pressure to spike to a potentially unhealthy level.

Even though Bob was in good shape and looked much younger than his 74 years, his heart attack last August was so severe that his heart was not repairable.

“The wall between the two pumping valves was destroyed,” explained Dr. Walter E. Pae, Penn State Hershey Medical Center Surgeon and Professor.
“So his whole heart was essentially rotted.”

There has been about 1,100 artificial hearts implanted in the USA.

Bob could have actually been home months ago, but the hospital had to make sure the infrastructure was in place.

Those on artificial hearts like Bob Phillips have about an about 80 percent chance of getting a heart transplant and because he was in such good health, except for his heart, he could on average expect another ten years of life with his new heart. But he has to hold on until then and the wait time can be about a year.



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Local teen stars honored as PA’s top youth volunteers

February 5, 2013, 4:00 pm
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A high school and middle school student, both from the Mechanicsburg area, received high praise Tuesday for their volunteer service.

Adam Breneman, 17 of Mechanicsburg, attended Cedar Cliff High School and is already enrolled at Penn State University. Breneman was one of the top high school football players in the country and will likely play TE for Penn State.

Breneman used his status as a top athlete to help find a cure for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. A close family friend to Breneman has been battling the fatal neuromuscular disease.

The middle school student, Devon Rodriguez-Cayro, 14 of Mechanicsburg is a student in the Mechanicsburg School District.

Devon won the award for her work in raising over $12,000 for the Harrisburg Humane Society’s Penguin Plunge. In fact, we spoke to Devon at the plunge!

Devon sold homemade treats at school and craft shows to help raise money.

The awards were given by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a national program honoring middle and high school students for outstanding volunteer service.

Also, Katye Trexler, 18 of Harrisburg, was a distinguished finalist for the award.

Adam and Devon will each receive $1,000, engraved silver medallions and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. where they will join other top volunteers for four days of national recognition events.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards are sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). It is the United States’ largest youth recognition program based solely on volunteer service.

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Update: Police locate one person, still looking for another in connection to shooting

February 5, 2013, 4:50 pm
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UPDATE:

Police have located Joseph Steele, who was wanted for questioning in connection with a shooting at the Sunoco A-Plus on North Sherman Street in York.

They are still searching for Floretha Williams.

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York City Police are looking for two people for questioning in reference to a shooting on February 1.

Police are looking to talk to Floretha Williams and Joseph Steele.

Both are wanted for questioning in reference to the shooting that happened at the Sunoco A-Plus parking lot on North Sherman Street in York.

Anyone with a knowledge of where these two people are should call York County Crime Stoppers at 717-755-TIPS.

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New Senate Bill would allow for DNA testing of suspects of serious crimes

February 5, 2013, 5:34 pm
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A new senate bill proposes that DNA testing become mandatory before someone is convicted of a crime. The process is already done in 26 other states, but it isn’t getting through Pennsylvania without some opposition.

When someone hears they need to give a DNA sample, there is a misconception of what that entails.

No surgery, no needles, just a swab of the mouth.

“Many people have been exonerated through the use of DNA evidence,” commented Dominic Pileggi.

Senator Dominic Pileggi is sponsoring Senate Bill 150. He calls it a common sense step that’s proven to save lives across the country.

“We already take a sample now after conviction, this is a tool to have this evidence collected prior,” Pileggi explained.

Before it even gets to conviction, if you are convicted of any crime, you are booked and fingerprinted. Pileggi’s bill now adds DNA testing, but only for serious crimes.

Serious crimes in this case pertains to felonies and sex offenses.

“This bill merely modernizes the process,” stated Dauphin County First Assistant District Attorney Fran Chardo. Chardo explains that a sample will be placed into a database separate and apart from other databases.

“This database will help solve crimes, identify the guilty and exonerate the innocent,” Chardo commented.

The ACLU views this as unlawful, a unfair infringement on someone’s rights before they are “convicted of a crime.”

“It does have an air of big brother, invasive,” believes defense attorney Bill Costopoulos.

Costopoulos adds the technology of DNA testing is so advanced it can do as much good as it can harm.

“Having read it I think it's on solid ground constitutionally,” Costopoulos added.

In their letter of opposition to the senate, the ACLU points to in their view the “ineffectiveness” of this process in Maryland, where last year 10,666 DNA samples were collected…and led to nine additional convictions. They feel this does not outweigh the costs.

This bill is in position for final passage in the Senate, Senator Pileggi expects a strong vote in favor of enacting the mandatory DNA testing. The Senate is expected to vote on Wednesday.


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Labor laws passed by Congress apply to everyone, except Congress

February 5, 2013, 6:00 pm
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In just about every workplace in America, your rights as an employee are posted for all to see.

Those rights are based on labor laws drawn up and passed by members of Congress.

As it turns out, not everyone abides by those laws.

It was discovered it's the members of Congress themselves who are knowingly not playing by their own rules.

Hometown Italian food is mouthwatering for many, but Assistant Manager Joe Ptak says keeping the pizza hot and the pasta fresh are only part of his duties. It's also his job to make sure quite a few policies are followed.

"As a business person we have to post all kinds of literature or whatever you want to call it,” Joe Ptak, Assistant Manager of Mama’s Cucina said. “From the state, from the federal government, from the city."

And so do most other business owners all around the country. But it turns out many workplace laws passed by Congress don't actually apply to them.

“Congress has often had the ‘do as we say not as we do’ attitude when it comes to things like health care or pension benefits or even workplace laws,” stated Pete Sepp, Executive Vice President for the National Taxpayers Union.

Sepp says the legislative branch is growing more and more out of touch with those they're elected to represent.

“Lawmakers will become law fakers and that undermines our entire system of government,” Sepp commented.

For most employers, not displaying this could result in several thousands of dollars in fines. It's one many workplace laws members of congress passed but then exempt themselves from following.

According to the U.S. Office of Compliance, congressional members and their staff are also exempt from keeping proper workplace records, from anti-discrimination training to subpoenas for health and safety probes.

Also, legislative branch workers who report wrong-doing are also not protected by the whistle-blower protection act. Nor can they request information from federal agencies under the Freedom of Information Act.

It's one of a growing list of examples why the frustration level with Congress is going up, and the approval rate is going down.

“I don't see why that's fair,” Ptak of Mama’s Cucina stated. “We have to work hard to do what we have to do and they can just do whatever they like.”

You may remember back in 1995, Congress passed the Congressional Accountability Act, which applies provisions of laws, like the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Civil Rights Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act to the legislative branch.

Those laws may now have to be followed but as you can see there are still many others that aren't.


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Meeting in Carlisle about controlling feral cat populatiion

February 5, 2013, 6:05 pm
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Often looks can be deceiving and that is the way it is with cats. You may think of them as cute and cuddly, but the reality is that in the wild they are an a dangerously expanding population, a danger to themselves and to other wildlife.

Tonight a group in Carlisle met to try to teach those interested in how to limit the exploding feral cat population in Central PA.

In eight counties here in South Central PA, there are estimated 350,000 to 400,000 wild or feral cats and that population is growing. The reason? About 85% of indoor pet cats are spaded or neutered, that number drops to a mere 3% for wild cats.

Those unaltered cats and us humans often get in trouble with the same type of  behavior.

Christine Arnold, President, Nobody's Cats Foundation:
"If kittens are born, their life can be brutal. In the first year of life about 65% to 70% of kittens die, from starvation or injury or illness. They do add stress to already stressed species, but we believe that one species that provides the most stress for all other species is the human being."

Doug Vanston, Dickinson Law School Student:
"I go running at night and I see a lot of the cats running around."

And Doug says euthanasia won't work.

Vanston:
"It just doesn't work,you can never kill them fast than they can reproduce."

Tonight students from Dickinson Law School were leaning how to catch the cats.

Erik Neiman, Dickinson Law School Student:
"You put out the cages and they seem to come it pretty quickly, they step on a trap the cage closes up and you have the cat."

Here is what the programs does.

It's called "Trap, neuter, return," because the cats are put back to where they came from, where they have already been living, It's just that they have been spade or neutered and rabies vaccinated.

If you like to help by rounding up some of the stray cats in your neighborhood the Nobody's Cats Foundation is having an open house at their tactile in Camp Hill this Saturday between 1:00pm and 3:00pm.

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SWAT team called out to Carlisle apartment, take one away on drug charges

February 5, 2013, 7:42 pm
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Several people are unable to get into their apartment above Redd's smokehouse BBQ on North Hanover Street after a police incident Tuesday evening.

The SWAT team was called out to the residence and officers entered the apartment.  One person was taken out in handcuffs.

Police say they went there to serve a search warrant and did not find who they were looking for.  However, the person they arrested will face minor drug charges.

CBS 21 will provide more information when it is released by police. 
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