MIDSTATE NEWS

News from Harrisburg, Cumberland, Dauphin, York & more

Two accused of drug, firearms violations

by MATTHEW KEMENY, Of The Patriot-News

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 2:00 PM

Two Harrisburg residents were accused of drug and firearms violations following a traffic stop last week in Susquehanna Township.

Anthony Burnett, 21, of the 2400 block of Reel Street and Lashay Bradley, 21, of Hall Manor were stopped about 11:30 a.m. Nov. 26 in the 3800 block of Walnut Street. Officer Ryan Lindsley determined the driver, Burnett, was not licensed and had given a false name, police said.

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Napolitano unruffled by Rendell's 'no family' remark

by The Associated Press

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 1:52 PM

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell was picked up on an open microphone explaining why Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano is a good choice for Homeland Security secretary: The job requires someone who has "no life," and Napolitano is perfect because she "has no family."

Rendell made the comment Tuesday at a meeting of the National Governors Association in Philadelphia that featured President-elect Barack Obama. Rendell said Napolitano is "perfect for that job, because for that job, you have to have no life. Janet has no family. Perfect. She can devote, literally, 19-20 hours a day to it."

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Erie man gets 45 years in 'collar bomb' death

by The Associated Press

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 1:47 PM

ERIE -- A Pennsylvania man has been sentenced to 45 years in federal prison after apologizing for his role in a bizarre plot in which a pizza deliveryman turned robber was killed by a bomb locked onto his neck.

Fifty-six-year-old Kenneth Barnes of Erie says in a federal courtroom that what happened to the deliveryman, Brian Wells, "wasn't supposed to be."

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Convicted sex offender accused of failing to register

by MATTHEW KEMENY, Of The Patriot-News

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 1:45 PM

A Texas man accused of failing to register as a convicted sex offender was arrested in Swatara Twp. earlier this week, police said.

Clinton Payne, 24, was convicted of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl nine years ago in Texas, according to the state's online sex offender registry. His requirements including registering annually.

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Lebanon police mourn death of drug/patrol dog

by BARBARA MILLER, Of The Patriot-News

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 1:12 PM

LEBANON -- A German Shepherd drug and patrol dog that helped police remove narcotics from the streets of Lebanon County over the past six years died unexpectedly Nov. 22, Lebanon Police Chief William Harvey said this week.

Drome, partner of Patrolman Brett Fisher, died during emergency surgery after becoming ill while on duty at the Lebanon holiday parade, Harvey said.

In the past six years, Fisher and Drome participated in more than 500 police incidents and were "instrumental in removing countless amounts of narcotics and illegal drugs from Lebanon County," Harvey said.

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Philly police use fake refund letters to nab 85 fugitives

by The Associated Press

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 12:30 PM

PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia police used the false promise of refund checks to snare dozens of fugitives.

The police department's major crimes unit set up a phony city agency called the Philadelphia Commission of Economic Revitalization and sent letters to 734 people with active warrants.
The letters told recipients to show up to collect refunds of about $1,400 for reasons such as unclaimed inheritance, overpayment of taxes or medical overpayments.

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Tyco Electronics cites continued weakness in orders

by TOM DOCHAT, Of The Patriot-News

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 12:17 PM

Citing continued softness in its orders, Tyco Electronics Ltd. said today it expects its first quarter sales and earnings to be at the lower end of the range it provided to investors in early November.

The company, based in Berwyn, company said its November orders were weaker than October's, particularly in the electronics component segment that is a major employer in south-central Pennsylvania.

On Nov. 6, the company projected first quarter sales of $2.9 billion to $3 billion, and earnings of 24 to 28 cents a share.

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Rendell: Arizona governor great for job because she has 'no family'

by The Associated Press

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 12:16 PM

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell was picked up on an open microphone saying Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano is a perfect fit for U.S. Homeland Security secretary because she "has no family."

Rendell made the comment Tuesday while attending a meeting of the National Governors Association in Philadelphia that featured President-elect Barack Obama.

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Airport appoints Right-to-Know official

by DAN MILLER, Of The Patriot-News

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 11:51 AM

Owners of Harrisburg International Airport today appointed Randy Hicks as Right-to-Know Law records officer for HIA and Capital City Airport.

A new state law that becomes effective Jan. 1 requires public bodies designate an official to handle requests from citizens for documents and records. Under the new law all records are considered public unless specifically exempted. This is a significant change from current law, where the person or entity seeking disclosure must prove that a document is public.

Airport owners Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority will post information on how to request documents under the new law on the authority Web site, http://www.flyhia.com. Hicks is manager of terminal operations and parking at HIA. His appointment also covers documents pertaining to two other authority-owned airports, Franklin County Airport and Gettysburg Airport.

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Harrisburg Area Humane Society runs out of cat litter

by The Patriot-News

Wednesday December 03, 2008, 11:45 AM

The Humane Society of Harrisburg Area, which houses more than 300 cats and uses a ton of kitty litter a week, ran out last week, spokeswoman Kelly Hitz said.

Donations of non-scoopable cat litter can be dropped off at the shelter at 7790 Grayson Road in Swatara Twp.

While you're there consider adopting a cat, dog or rabbit. The shelter is offering half off its adoption fees at a holiday open house from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday.

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