WHP CBS 21: State News

Police search for wandering bear in Philly suburbs

Mon, 20 May 2013 06:29:46 -0400

BENSALEM, Pa. (AP) — Police and wildlife officers are trying to track down a black bear that's been spotted wandering around several residential areas in suburban Philadelphia for days.

Bucks County residents most recently spied the animal roaming a soccer field in Bensalem. It was initially spotted in Solebury Township on May 7 and was then reported in nearby Hulmeville on Thursday.

Wildlife officers say the bear may be searching for a mate. It's been seen in backyards, fields and other areas. Authorities are cautioning people to stay away from it.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission set a trap for the bear Saturday, but it hasn't been caught. Officials say that once it's caught it will be taken back to a more rural area, such as Pike County or Centre County.

Hofstra College student being held hostage, shot and killed by police

Sat, 18 May 2013 21:56:37 -0400

MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) - Authorities say a police officer's bullet killed a New York college student during the response to a home invasion at an off-campus home.

Nassau County homicide squad Lt. John Azzata said Saturday night that Andrea Rebello was killed by a police officer as she was being held in a headlock by a masked intruder.

Azzata says the police officer opened fire as Dalton Smith made a motion to fire at the officers early Friday morning.

Azzata says the officer fired eight shots, hitting Smith seven times and Rebello once in the head, killing her.

Earlier Saturday, police said Smith had an extensive criminal history and was wanted on a parole violation related to a first-degree robbery conviction.

Criticism flares around new Pa. graduation tests

Sat, 18 May 2013 17:16:49 -0400

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A move to toughen academic achievement standards and tie them to graduation tests for public school students is facing a groundswell of criticism.

After hours of hearings this week on the tests, top Republican lawmakers are trying to figure out what to do about the criticism. Gov. Tom Corbett proposed the concept last year and it needs approval from a government regulations board.

Under the proposal, students in the 2016-17 school year must pass a set of three course-specific exams in algebra, biology and English literature to graduate.

Some Democratic lawmakers and school administrators question the wisdom of requiring a graduation test in poorer school districts that struggle to afford small class sizes and instructional materials.

Conservatives worry that the standards are stamping out local control of education.

Thieves steal 13 snakes from central Pa. family

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:48:50 -0400

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — State police are looking for whoever stole 13 snakes from a central Pennsylvania family's home.

The incident happened sometime Wednesday night when somebody parked at a nearby gas station, hopped a fence and got into the State College home through a window.

Dawn Robinson says he family has about 70 snakes and that the thieves took the most expensive pythons they own, eight pregnant females and five males worth about $30,000 total.

The family is offering a $1,500 reward.

Police and the Robinsons' believe the thief or thieves knows something about snakes and may have even visited the couple's mobile home before.

Postal Service stamp commemorates Gettysburg

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:45:01 -0400

GETTYSBURG, Pa. (AP) — The U.S. Postal Service is issuing a special stamp commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.

The stamps will first be issued at a ceremony at Gettysburg National Military Park on Thursday, a day before they are scheduled to go on sale across the rest of the country. The stamp depicts a painted image of a chaotic battlefield, with smoke rising from fired rifles.

The three-day battle in July 1863 was the largest of the Civil War. It is considered the war's pivotal moment after Northern forces turned away a Confederate advance.

The Postal Service has been commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War with a series of stamps. A stamp commemorating the Battle of Vicksburg will also be released next week in Mississippi.

Pittsburgh zoo unveils new tiger cub to public

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:09:21 -0400

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Officials at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium are showing off their new Amur tiger cub to the public, though the 6-week-old cat can only be seen on a video monitor for now.

Zoo officials say the cat weighs about 9 pounds and they're slowly introducing him to meat, though it will be a while before he's weaned from his mother.

The cub is still too small to display in the zoo's outside yard, so visitors will settle for viewing him on a video monitor at a window into the outdoor display.

Amur tigers were once referred to as Siberian tigers, but they're no long found throughout that region. They're named for the Amur River in far eastern Russia where nearly all the big cats are still found the wild.

Pa. park's plans cause fireworks from neighbors

Fri, 17 May 2013 06:49:13 -0400

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) — There are some fireworks in an eastern Pennsylvania community because of an amusement park's summer plans.

Dorney Park in Allentown wants to have a seven-minute fireworks show every night for eight weeks. Some people living in the near the park say that is a lot of noise and there are other ways to attract customers.

Park spokesman Bernard Bonuccelli says most of the park's neighbors will not even see or hear the show.

Other neighbors say daily fireworks could take away from the park's special holiday fireworks shows.

If the plan is approved, the shows will run every night from June 29 through August 25.

Penn State's Nittany Lion shrine closed for rehab

Thu, 16 May 2013 07:39:57 -0400

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — The Nittany Lion Shrine at Penn State University has been closed for renovations.

The university on Monday officially closed off the popular statue, where students and alumni flock to have their picture taken with the school mascot. The shrine is being closed for improvements that include improved access, new sidewalks and a ramp to help make it handicapped accessible.

Penn State spokeswoman Laura Stocker tells the Centre Daily Times (http://bit.ly/15Pp1Uo ) the improvements are a gift from Penn State's Class of 2012. Officials say the class has donated $170,000 for the project so far.

Preliminary work began April 15, but the shrine reopened briefly for graduation photos.

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Information from: Centre Daily Times, http://www.centredaily.com

Pa. senators to hear from beer, liquor sellers

Tue, 14 May 2013 06:49:20 -0400

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — State senators will continue exploring the liberalization of Pennsylvania's wine, beer and liquor laws in a second hearing that'll focus on groups that make and sell alcoholic beverages.

The Senate hearing Tuesday afternoon is the second of three planned hearings, as Gov. Tom Corbett pushes his fellow Republicans who control the Legislature to expand the sale of alcohol to more outlets.

A bill passed the House in March that would create 1,200 new private wine and liquor store licenses and allow thousands of bars, restaurants and grocery stores to begin selling bottles of wine.

Among the people testifying in front of the Senate Law and Justice Committee are expected to be representatives of beer distributors, bars, restaurants, wineries and more. Corbett wants a bill on his desk by July 1.

Jury meets for Day 10 in PA abortion clinic deaths

Mon, 13 May 2013 10:12:20 -0400

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A Philadelphia jury is meeting for a 10th day in the murder trial of a longtime abortion provider.

Dr. Kermit Gosnell is charged with killing a patient and four babies allegedly born alive and then killed with scissors.

Defense lawyer Jack McMahon argues that the babies were killed in the womb with an abortion drug, and he says the 41-year-old patient died of medical complications.

The jury's options include first- and third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.

The panel must also weigh more than 200 abortion-law charges. Prosecutors say Gosnell performed illegal, third-term abortions and failed to counsel women 24 hours in advance.

And unlicensed doctor Eileen O'Neill, the only co-defendant, is charged with false billing.

Four former clinic workers have pleaded guilty to murder, and others to lesser charges.