WHP CBS 21: Local News

Government accused of spying on the media, but could they also be spying on you?

Thu, 23 May 2013 21:51:32 -0400

How much spying and record-seizing can the federal government do in a country where freedom of the press is written into our Constitution?

That's a question journalists have been asking a lot. Especially in light of federal investigations into reporters at the Associated Press and Fox News.

But what if your not a journalist, what if you don't exercise your First Amendment rights in the same way, can the government snoop just as much into your private life?

There was a time when to be spied on was novel, perhaps, even romantic. To lead a life so full of intrigue it captured the attention of the feds in black.

But revelations in recent weeks of the Department of Justice spying and seizing records from reporters linked to media giants such as the Associated Press, Fox News, and an alleged case with a CBS reporter. Raises fears of a big brother that knows no bounds.

"The government has a tremendous amount of power which to some extent, should be scary for all of us," stated Byron Warnken with www.warnkenlaw.com.

It is for Michael Thomas as he scours the web looking for work.

"It feels like they're taking away our freedom,” Thomas believes. “If they can look in our email, what's to say they're not listening in on our phone calls?”

If the government can rifle through the phone records and online presence of journalists reporting on sensitive issues, what can big brother do to you or me?

Lawyer Byron Warnken has written extensively about search and seizure.

"Could the government seize my information or yours? Yes," Warnken added.

Go online and you are in effect opening the front door of your home to a government that has technology and quite often the law on its side to pry into your life.

Professor Mark Graber is a leading scholar on constitutional law.

"Government can far more easily find out about us," Graber stated.

68 percent of voters in a Fox poll this week said government is threatening their civil liberties.

What can any of us do to keep the feds nose where it does not belong?

Especially, when we don't know it's there in the first place?

"You can keep more secret from the government if you never use the internet," Graber admitted.

The Department of Justice has defended it's actions saying it's a matter of protecting classified information.

Duo arrested for stealing over $4,000 in DVD box sets from Target

Thu, 23 May 2013 20:10:34 -0400

Two people have been arrested after they stole over $4,000 in DVD box sets on two occasions.

The first incident occurred on March 22, with over $3,400 worth of box sets being stolen.

Then less than a week later on March 28, over $700 was stolen.

During the investigation, police identified Kenneth O'Brien and Davina Bedingfield as the suspects.

Both were charged with two counts of retail theft and two counts of criminal conspiracy to commit retail theft.

Police investigating theft of tools, Nintendo DS from garage

Thu, 23 May 2013 20:01:31 -0400

A Manchester Township resident realized that sometime between May 19 and 20, someone entered their attached garage and stole items.

The incident occurred on Wicklow Drive.

Items taken include a Black and Decker cordless trimmer, a Black and Decker cordless blower, Black and Decker rechargeable batteries and chargers.

Also taken was a sunglasses holder and a Nintendo DS gaming system.

Anyone with information should call the Northern York County Regional Police at 717-292-3647.

Masked man enters Bella Italia Restaurant, uses gun to rob store

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:53:36 -0400

State Police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred at the Bella Italia Restaurant in Brecknock Township, Lancaster County.

Around 210 p.m., a white man entered the restaurant on Maple Grove Road and displayed a gun, demanding money.

The actor fled the restaurant with cash.

The suspect was wearing a white t-shirt, black cargo pants, an orange ski mask and brown sunglasses.

Battle Of Gettysburg now on a stamp

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:33:13 -0400

The U.S. Postal Service unveiled two new Civil War Forever Stamps Thursday, including one featuring the Battle of Gettysburg.

"We use iconic images as a way to represent, not only postal culture but American culture," said Jeffery Williamson, Chief Human Resources Officer for the USPS.

Williamson, a Gettysburg College graduate, was on hand to announce the new stamp. Several distinguished guests including the Mayor of Gettysburg and others, joined together in the celebration.

But for Clate Dolinger of Virginia, he was busy signing autographs from enthusiastic stamp collectors. It wasn't too long ago he realized he had a connection to a picture on the stamp sheets.

"I went to the Post Office and aked a lady about putting an order for some," said Dolinger. "She said 'You're kins with them, aren't you?' and I said, 'yes'!"

Dolinger, surprised, realized he was the great-great-grandson of one of the men in a historic photograph printed on the back of souvenir stamp sheets.

USPS officials sold the stamp sheets to the collectors and other visitors on hand. One official said it is one of the largest turn-outs he's seen at a stamp unveiling.

The USPS also unveiled another new stamp for the Seige of Vicksburg in Mississippi.

Both the Gettysburg and Vicksburg stamps are valued as the current First Class Mail, 1-ounce price and can be purchased at your local Post Office or online at www.usps.com/stamps

Two arrested for stabbing incident over 'American Idol'

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:14:13 -0400

Two people from York County are behind bars for stabbing each other, following a disagreement about American Idol.

According to officials, on May 15, Karen Elaine Harrelson, 48, and Gregory L. Stambaugh, 57, were watching "American Idol" in the basement of Stambaugh's home in Manchester Township. The couple got into a drunken argument over which contestant should win this season's "American Idol" title.

Police say one of the two went to the kitchen, got a knife, and stabbed the other person.

When police questioned the couple, both said the other person stabbed them first.

Both were treated at York Hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

Harrelson and Stambaugh were both charged with two counts of simple assault and one count of aggravated assault, according to the affidavit.

Harrelson remains in York County Prison in lieu of $30,000 bail. Stambaugh is also in York County Prison in lieu of $70,000 bail.

UPDATE(2): Boy Scouts approve plan to allow openly gay scouts, Equality PA releases statement

Thu, 23 May 2013 05:48:00 -0400

UPDATE:

In January, the Boy Scouts will allow gay members.

In a dramatic shift from previous policy, the group's national council voted on the controversial issue and its getting mixed reaction.

The Boy Scouts of America's National Council voted to allow openly gay boys as members. The vote came after decades of debate over whether the century-old youth group could exclude gay scouts.

"Simply because you've been teaching something for a long time doesn't mean it's right," stated one person.

In a statement, the council said, "The Boy Scouts of America will not sacrifice its mission, or the youth served by the movement, by allowing the organization to be consumed by a single, divisive, and unresolved societal issue."

More than two and a half million boys are involved in Scouting. Those who wanted to keep the ban say being homosexual violates the scouts' oath, in which boys vow to keep themselves "morally straight."

About 70 percent of Boy Scout troops are chartered by religious organizations, many of which are opposed to homosexuality. The ban on gay scouts became a national issue in 1990, when Eagle Scout James Dale was removed as assistant scoutmaster because he was gay.

In 2000, the case went to the U.S. Supreme Court, which decided 5-4 that the scouts had the right to discriminate who could join.

After the announcement was made, Ted Martin, Equality Pennsylvania Executive Director, released the following statement:

“The decision to lift the ban is the first time the organization has welcomed openly gay youth — an important step in the right direction. The Boy Scouts of America is more in touch with modern America today than it was yesterday.

“But the Boy Scouts of America still has a long way to go before it will regain the trust of its donors, members, and the American people, a majority of which think this ban must end not only for kids, but for adults too.

“Maintaining the ban on gay adults sends a dangerous message to young people that gay adults, like their friends' parents or even their teachers, can't be trusted. By banning gay parents, the Boy Scouts are giving credence to long-debunked myths and stereotypes that promote fear, misunderstanding, discrimination, and hate.

“The Boy Scouts of today are going to be the leaders of tomorrow. We should be teaching our leaders the importance of diversity and respect.”

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The Boy Scouts of America's National Council has voted to ease a long-standing ban and allow openly gay boys to be accepted as Scouts.

Of the local Scout leaders voting at their annual meeting in Texas, more than 60 percent supported the proposal.

Under the proposal drafted by the Scouts' governing board, gay adults will remain barred from serving as Scout leaders.

The outcome is unlikely to end a bitter debate over the Scouts' membership policy.

Some conservative churches that sponsor Scout units wanted to continue excluding gay youths, in some cases threatening to defect if the ban were lifted. More liberal Scout leaders - while supporting the proposal to accept gay youth - have made clear they want the ban on gay adults lifted as well.

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The National Council of the Boy Scouts of America is scheduled to vote Thursday on changing the group's long-standing ban on openly gay Boy Scouts.

The resolution on the table would not allow youth scouts to be excluded based only on their sexual orientation, but the ban on gay adult leaders would remain in place.

Leaders with the Boy Scouts of America are gathering in Texas just outside the national head quarters for their annual three day meeting.

The topic gaining national attention: a vote on whether to allow openly gay scouts into the organization.

The issue has divided many associated with the organization.

Scout Master, Don Smith, has been a Boy Scout troop leader for more than 30 years.

He joined scouts and parents in a rally Friday, May 17th in Mechanicsburg, opposing any change to the membership guidelines.

"The existing policy does not restrict who can join, it's an inclusive policy from that level, it does however limit behavior that can be conducted once you join," says Smith, Scout Master of Troop 107.

Currently, as long as a scout doesn't talk about being gay, he is permitted to join and maintain membership.

Zachary Brillhart, Senior Patrol Leader of Troop 304 says, "It currently does not ban gays, it's just that we don't want them to be open about it. We want everyone to be on the same level."

Pro-gay groups argue the same consideration needs to be given to any scout, regardless of sexual orientation.

The results of the vote are expected to be announced Thursday afternoon.

You can count on CBS21 News to follow the verdict.

Look for updates on-air and online.

GIVE MOORE: Women start supply drive, fundraisers to help tornado victims

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:44:49 -0400

The images out of Oklahoma from the tornado aftermath are devastating, and many people want to help.

Two women from York County are already organizing fundraisers and a supply drive.

Deanne Stine and Jennifer Hunkle hadn’t seen each other in years, but when Hunkle posted a plea to help on social media, Stine contacted her.

Together the women are organizing supply drives collecting everything from toys to deodorant to food. It goes straight to a local church near Moore, OK that delivers it to victims and to emergency workers.

In addition, they’ve created T-shirts with the help of 2 The Tee. They say “GIVE MOORE” and cost $10. All proceeds go straight to the victims.

For information on how to donate supplies, contact Jennifer or Deanne at givemoore2013@gmail.com.

To order a Give Moore t-shirt, visit https://2thetee.tuosystems.com/stores/givemoore

UPDATE: No vote on whether to allow strip club in strip mall after hours of testimony

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:37:46 -0400

UPDATE:

A packed meeting about whether to allow a strip club to open doors in a small York County community ended without a vote Thursday night.

Attending the zoning board hearing, you felt more like you were inside of a court room. There were testimony and cross examinations.

The hundreds of people who showed up made it clear, they don't want this in their small town.

"But I know that's what we're doing tonight, standing against this, he's pleased with us," stated Antioch Baptist Church Pastor Daniel Warner.

They're not protesting, they're praying that a proposed strip club stays out of Chanceford Township.

"We're just asking the Lord to intervene in this situation and to stop this strip club from going in in this community and I think I told you before that protesting is a weak way to do it,” believes Pastor Warner. “We're going to the Lord, he controls everything."

Developers want to put the strip club in a small plaza, next to a family restaurant and down the street from Clearview Elementary School off Delta Road, where Thursday night’s meeting took place.

Before the meeting, some of the people who prayed later laughed when the township's attorney asked about a gentleman's club expert's resume.

"They generally come from 25 years working in clubs, how many years have you worked in clubs?" shot back Jeff Levy, Executive Director of PA Hospitality and Entertainment Association.

Mostly the zoning board wanted to know if having a strip club in the township would bring crime along with it. Jeff Levy, pulled out studies, he says they prove it doesn't.

"What we're finding is that there is more crime in places like high school, IHOP, McDonalds, Walmart and you're going to laugh at this, but Chuck E. Cheese."

"As they sit there and they say about their crime being lower in their facility than in a Walmart or a Chuck E. Cheese or McDonalds, why is that? Yeah, they have the lights/security, they're bringing the crime into those areas, those 3,000 foot areas, their facility is bringing the crime in, in my opinion and that disgusts me," stated Kim McCleary, who is against the proposed club.

"Of course I don't want this in our community, I mean I'm afraid of crime I'm afraid what's going to happen it being so close to the school," commented Chanceford Twp. Resident Karen Shaffer.

The ordinance says schools have to be at least 1,000 feet away from businesses like strip clubs and one of the zoning board members tell me the school is more than 1,000 feet away from the proposed site.
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A meeting is getting underway Thursday night about whether to allow a strip club to open doors in a small York County community.

Hundreds of people are expected to be there, not protesting, but praying instead.

The zoning hearing board could vote on whether it will allow a strip club to open up in a small plaza not far from an elementary school.

You may remember, earlier this month, members of the Antioch Baptist Church prayed at a strip mall against a strip club. The proposed site of the strip club in Chanceford Township, sits right next to a family restaurant off Delta Road.

Thursday night, they're doing it again...only this time, they're praying down the road at Clearview Elementary School, where the zoning hearing board could decide the fate of this proposed strip club.

"We're just asking the Lord to intervene in this situation and to stop this strip club from going in in this community and I think I told you before that protesting is a weak way to do it,” stated Antioch Baptist Church Pastor Daniel Warner. “We're going to the lord, he controls everything."

According to the ordinance a business like a strip club must be at least 1000 feet from schools.

Even though the proposed site seems to only be down the street, CBS 21 News has been told the proposal fits that requirement.

We'll be covering the meeting and keep you posted on the air and on twitter and Facebook.

Police warn not to give to child and woman who are part of charity scam

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:07:22 -0400

Middlesex Township Police Department are warning residents not to give money to a school aged boy and a woman.

The pair says they are collecting money for either March of Dimes or other charities as part of a school drive. However, no local schools are taking part in any fund drives.

Police ask that anyone who is visited by these two to call them immediately and attempt to get a license plate number.

Even charities must have a solicitation permit to go door to door in the township.