myerstownherald.com

January 15, 2010

POLICE: MAN SHARED CHILD PORN

Filed under: NEWS — Administrator @ 1:18 pm

A North Londonderry man downloaded and shared child pornography recently, Lebanon County detectives said.
Eric Brown, 26, also had marijuana and drug paraphernalia in his bedroom, detectives said.
A county detective, working as a member of the Internet Crimes against Children Task Force, was notified that Brown was sharing child pornography over public file-sharing sites, officials said.
A search warrant of Brown’s computer revealed that he shared movies and images of child pornography, detectives said.
Brown faces several charges including dissemination of child pornography and possession of child pornography.
Brown surrendered to county detectives on Jan. 14 and was arraigned before being released on $50,000 unsecured bail, officials said.

Vehicle strikes, kills deer
A vehicle struck and killed a deer on Route 61 in North Manheim Township on Jan. 13, state police at Schuylkill Haven said.
The deer bolted in front of a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by Sheila McDonnell, 40. of Orwigsburg, state police said.
The deer died on impact, state police said.
Nobody inside the vehicle was injured.

Slug slices woman’s tire
A jerk sliced a tire that was parked at Grandview and Irwing roads in South Hanover Township, Dauphin County, on Jan. 14, state police at Harrisburg said.
The victim is Jeanette Neidig, 20, state police said.
The tire costs about $85.

Police: Man pushes woman, damages car
A 39-year-old Lititz man is accused of pushing a woman during an incident in Main Street in Schaefferstown on Jan. 12, state police at Jonestown said.
Dean Shelley also scratched the victim’s car with keys, state police said.
The victim is Cyreene Ginder, 42, of Schaefferstown, state police said.

Police: Teen arrested for DUI
David Maldonado, 19, of Lebanon, was arrested for DUI after a traffic stop on Mifflin and Partridge streets in Lebanon on Jan. 2, state police at Jonestown said.

Police: Man choked, punched woman
A 22-year-old Elizabethtown man choked and punched a 23-year-old woman in the face during an incident in Market Street in Londonderry Township, Dauphin County, on Jan. 14, state police at Harrisburg said.
Ivan Fontanez also pulled the woman’s hair before driving away with the woman’s vehicle without her permission, state police said.
Fontanez was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, state police said.

Vehicle hits parked vehicle, flees
An unknown vehicle struck a parked vehicle and fled the scene on Caroline Avenue in East Norwegian Township between Jan. 13 and 14, state police at Schuylkill Haven said.
Anybody with information is asked to contact the state police at (570) 593-2000.

Woman receives harassing text messages
A woman received harassing text messages recently, state police at Hamburg said.
The victim is Patricia Adam, 39, of Shoemakersville, state police said.
An investigation continues.

TIME TO PULL THE PLUG ON McNABB

Filed under: ERIC FISHER — Tags: , — Administrator @ 11:28 am

By ERIC FISHER
The Eagles couldn’t come up with any answers between their regular-season finale against Dallas and their first-round playoff exit. Consequently, they enter the offseason with more questions.
First and foremost, they must answer the questions about their quarterbacks. Donovan McNabb, Kevin Kolb and Michael Vick are all entering the final year of their respective contracts. All three will not be back next season.
There are other areas that need to be addressed: offensive line, defensive end, linebacker, safety, running back, etc. But the biggest decision will involve the quarterbacks. And when we’re talking about decisions on quarterbacks, we’re really talking about McNabb.
After 11 years, is the Donovan McNabb era over?
McNabb has never been as good as his cheerleaders boasted, nor has he been as bad as his detractors claimed. He’s been very good. At times, he’s been great.
He has never, however, been an elite quarterback. And he certainly isn’t an elite quarterback now. That’s why the Eagles should take the best offer they can get and trade McNabb.
The idea that McNabb is an elite quarterback is dispelled by looking at the other playoff quarterbacks. Peyton Manning (Colts), Drew Brees (Saints), Brett Favre (Vikings), Kurt Warner (Cardinals), Philip Rivers (Chargers), Tom Brady (Patriots) and Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay) are all superior to McNabb. You can even make an argument that Carson Palmer (Bengals) and, heaven forbid, Tony Romo (Cowboys) are better than McNabb.
Of the 12 starting quarterbacks from playoff teams, McNabb ranks, at best, eighth. Critics may rank him as low as ninth or 10th.
The playoff quarterbacks comparison demonstrates that McNabb is not an elite quarterback. Even if one concedes that McNabb used to be a terrific quarterback, he is no longer worth a contract extension.
Now try to imagine McNabb playing next season without a contract beyond the end of the year. McNabb isn’t the most secure guy under normal circumstances. With an expiring contract and competition waiting in the wings, the ultra-sensitive McNabb would be even more insecure.
McNabb has already had his share of quirky moments during 2010. Following the 24-0 loss in the regular-season finale, McNabb answered a question about the Eagles’ youth by saying that, yes, the Eagles showed their youth during the loss to Dallas.
He should have responded that all the Eagles, young and old, played poorly and it takes a team effort to lose 24-0. Instead, McNabb seemingly threw the younger players, including receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, under the bus. McNabb’s passing of the buck was as off-target as his passes to Jackson and Maclin on deep routes behind the Dallas secondary.
This isn’t to say the losses to the Cowboys were McNabb’s fault. There was plenty of blame to go around. But it’s not McNabb’s job to spread that blame.
Another uncomfortable moment came as McNabb led the Eagles down the tunnel to the field prior to their playoff debacle. Actually, “led” is probably the wrong word. His teammates, including Jackson, appeared embarrassed by McNabb’s air-guitar routine.
McNabb’s pregame routine appeared to be another attempt of trying too hard to act cool and relaxed – as if nothing bothers him – when nothing could be further from the truth. We have repeatedly seen this dynamic in effect at numerous news conferences.
Speaking of news conferences, McNabb’s final quirky off-the-field moment came when he proclaimed that, despite the consecutive losses to the Cowboys, this was a great season. He also resorted to passive-aggressive behavior by sarcastically apologizing for not winning all 16 regular-season games.
Hey, Donovan! You’ve been in Philly long enough to know that any season that ends with two humiliating losses to the Cowboys isn’t a great season. And nobody is complaining that the Eagles didn’t go 16-0. But is one or two victories over playoff teams too much to ask?
It’s time to cut ties with McNabb. It’s been a great run. But it’s over. The Eagles may or may not be better with Kevin Kolb. They won’t, however, be better with McNabb returning as the starter.
My intial reaction to the idea of trading or cutting McNabb was that Andy Reid will never do it. Reid and McNabb seem joined at the hip.
Then I started thinking about the contract situation. When the Eagles restructured McNabb’s contract, they gave him more money, but did not extend it for additional years. The hesitation to extend the contract certainly indicates the Eagles’ reluctance to commit to McNabb. That is a sign that Reid may decide to go in a different direction.
The different direction is Kolb. The third-year quarterback looked good earlier this season when McNabb was injured. It’s time to let Kolb grow with the young receivers and running backs.
Elevating Kolb would also indicate that the Eagles are making a transition to the future. Bringing McNabb back would indicate to Eagles fans that they’re in for more of the same.
A new beginning trumps more of the same.
That’s why it is time for the Eagles to cut ties with Donovan McNabb.

January 13, 2010

HIGH-SPEED CHASE ENDS IN DEATH

Filed under: NEWS — Administrator @ 4:37 pm

A 27-year-old Elizabethtown woman was killed after her vehicle crashed during a high-speed chase with police in Rapho Township on Jan. 12, state police at Ephrata said.
Jennifer Carr was involved in a hit-and-run incident on Cloverleaf Road, and after fleeing the scene, Carr’s vehicle nearly hit a Northwest Regional police officer head-on before entering Route 283, state police said.
Carr led Northwest Regional police on a high-speed chase, leaving Route 283 at Route 772, state police said.
Carr’s vehicle went onto a grass divider and ran a stop sign before slamming into a vehicle driven by Jay Deiter, 43, of Bainbridge, state police said.
Carr was pronounced dead at the scene, state police said.
A passenger in Carr’s vehicle — Beth Flaharty, 32, of Elizabethtown — was taken to Lancaster General Hospital for a major injury, state police said.
Deiter had a minor injury.

NEWS ROUNDUP

Filed under: NEWS, Uncategorized — Administrator @ 3:40 pm

Police: Man hits woman
A 25-year-old Middletown man struck a 22-year-old Royalton woman and pulled her to the ground during an incident on Dogwood Road in Londonderry Township on Jan. 12, state police at Harrisburg said.
The suspect — who wasn’t identified — faces a harassment charge, state police said.

Police: Man stole car
A man stole a 1992 Ford Taurus from the parking lot of Portabellas Bar on East Harrisburg Pike on Londonderry Township between Jan. 12 and 13, state police at Harrisburg said.
The suspect, Dan Quackenbush, 31,of Middletown, was arrested after the vehicle was found on the 500 block of Highland Avenue in Harrisburg, state police said.
Quackenbush was charged with theft of motor vehicle, state police said.

Police: Man punches woman — in face
A man punched a woman in the face after an argument turned physical at the Travel Center of America in West Hanover Township, Dauphin County, on Jan. 12, state police at Harrisburg said.
The suspect, Darnell Williams, 26, of Rochester, N.Y., faces an harassment charge, state police said.
The victim is Allania Williams, 26, of Rochester, N.Y., state police said.

Police: Woman, girl face charges after altercation
Lisa Marko, 42, of Jonestown, and a 15-year-old Jonestown girl face a harassment charge after a physical altercation in the Subway/Exxon parking lot in Union Township, Lebanon County, on Jan. 11, state police at Jonestown said.
Marko also faces a disorderly conduct charge, state police said.

Police: Woman resident charged with DUI
Tammy Carper, 42, of Manheim, was charged with DUI after an incident on North Colebrook and Breneman roads in Rapho Township on Jan. 12, state police at Lancaster said.

Vehicle hits embankment, rolls over
A vehicle driven by Justin Loeb, of Bernville, struck an embankment and rolled over on its side on Manbeck Road at Dry Hollow Road in Upper Tulpehocken Township on Jan. 12, state police at Hamburg said.
Loeb was not injured.

Police: Teens face drug charges
A 17-year-old Lebanon girl was charged with possession of marijuana and Daniel Hoffman, 18, of Lebanon, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia after a traffic stop on East Main Street and Third Avenue in Annville on Jan. 8, township police said.

Vehicles crack up in parking lot
Vehicles driven by Robert Springborn, 81, of Lebanon, and Aaron Chambers, 39, of Palmyra, were involved in an accident in the Blue Mountain Thrift Store parking lot in Annville on Jan. 9, township police said. Nobody was injured.

Vehicles collide in North Manheim
Vehicles driven by Karen Gavalis, 60, of Minersville, and Megan Williams Blackmon, 23, of Pottsville, were involved in an accident on Route 901 in North Manheim Township on Jan. 12, state police at Schuylkill Haven said.
Nobody was injured.

January 12, 2010

POLICE: 3 KIDNAP MAN AT GUNPOINT

Filed under: NEWS — Tags: — Administrator @ 2:14 pm

Three people allegedly kidnapped a man at gunpoint from his home in Lower Alsace Township on Dec. 20, state police at Reading said.
The suspects, Jay Fisher, 48, Taryn Fisher, 46, and Rafael Machado, 37, allegedly took the victim to their home in Reading where Fisher allegedly pointed a handgun at home and threatened to shoot him, state police said.
The victim eventually was able to escape and returned home before reporting the incident to police, state police said.
The three suspects were charged with kidnapping, aggravated assault, terroristic threats, and conspiracy. They were arraigned and placed in Berks County prison, with bail set at $50,000 each.
The state police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, state police at Reading, Reading City police, Central Berks Regional police and the Berks County District Attorney’s Office participated in the investigation that led to the arrests.

Police: Boy had marijuana at school
A 17-year-old boy, of Palmyra, was charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia for an alleged incident at the Lebanon County Career and Technology Center in South Lebanon Township on Jan. 5, township police said.
He was released to juvenile probation officers.

Police: Man trespassed at apartment
Bradley Cruz, 20, of Lebanon, was charged with criminal trespass for an alleged incident at an apartment on East Cumberland Street in South Lebanon Township on Jan. 6, after he was warned by the owners not to enter the apartment, township police said.
Additionally, Chazzity Candelario, 18, of Lebanon, was charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution.

Troopers: Man violates order, contacts woman
A man allegedly called a woman on the telephone after he was not allowed to have contact with her in Branch Township on Jan. 5, state police at Schuylkill Haven said.
The suspect, Kyle Logullo, was charged with a protection from abuse order violation.

Losers swipe three air conditioners
Losers swiped three air conditioners from a storage garage on Pottsville Street in Cressona on Jan. 6 or Jan. 7, state police at Schuylkill Haven said.
The victim is Brenda Faust, 49.
Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at 570-593-2000.

Vehicle strikes box trailer
A vehicle driven by Diane Reichard, 42, of Lebanon, went out of control on a snow-covered surface, slid across a gravel parking area, struck a box trailer and came to rest partially underneath the trailer on Awol Road near Racehorse Drive in Union Township, Lebanon County, on Jan. 8, state police at Jonestown said.
Reichard suffered a minor injury.

POLICE: WOMAN GRABS DRIVER IN FACE

Filed under: NEWS — Tags: — Administrator @ 2:13 pm

A woman allegedly grabbed her boyfriend in the face while he was driving on North Market Street in Jackson Township on Jan. 8, during an argument over the woman’s consumption of alcohol, state police at Jonestown said.
The suspect, Elizabeth Goshert, 48, of Jackson Township, was charged with harassment.
The victim, a 45-year-old man, of Jackson Township, suffered minor injuries.

Inmate escapes from prison
A 34-year-old inmate escaped from the Harrisburg Community Corrections Center on Jan. 10, state police at Harrisburg said.
The inmate, Orlando Luis Rodriguez, of Harrisburg, is a white and Hispanic and is also known as Orlando Rodriguez-Arriaga, state police said.

State police arrested 96 in December
State police at Schuylkill Haven arrested 96 suspects in December.
The station, which handled 555 incidents, investigated 87 crashes and issued 127 citations, state police said.
Troopers investigated 12 hit-and-run cases, and made six DUI arrests, state police said.

Vehicle strikes pole, keeps going
Vehicle slammed into a utility pole — severing the pole at its base — and kept going.
The unknown vehicle barreled into the pole on Route 61 in South Manheim Township on Jan. 11, state police at Schuylkill Haven said.
Troopers scoured the area and was unable to find the vehicle, state police said.
Anybody with information is asked to contact the state police at (570) 593-2000.

Police: Man, woman get into fight
A man and a woman punched each other during a domestic incident on the 100 block West Market Street in Jonestown on Jan. 10, state police said.
The 24-year-old Jonestown woman also was choked during the altercation with the 37-year-old Jonestown man, state police said.
Both arrested, arraigned and placed in Lebanon County Prison on $2,500 bail, state police said.

Vehicle flips 5 times during accident
A 26-year-old Reading man was arrested after his vehicle flipped five times during an accident, state police said.
A speeding vehicle driven by Hector Cabrera swerved and hit and embankment before flipping on Route 61 in North Manheim Township on Jan. 10, state police at Schuylkill Haven said.
Cabrera failed a field sobriety test at the scene and was arrested for suspicion of DUI, state police said.

Metal coil causes accident
A metal coil caused an accident in which the driver was taken to the hospital, state police said.
A vehicle driven by Daryl Martin, 50, of Pine Grove, went over metal coil that was lying in a lane on I-81 in Union Township, Lebanon County, on Jan. 11, state police at Jonestown said.
After impact, Martin pulled over and was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital for minor injuries, state police said.
The coil fell of a tractor-trailer, which caused several accidents, state police said.

Ephrata man arrested for DUI
Edward Anderson, 24, of Ephrata, was arrested for DUI after a traffic violation on Route 272 in East Cocalico Township on Jan. 11, state police at Ephrata said.

North Annville accident injures 2
Vehicles driven by Paul Mefferd, 39, of Mt. Gretna, and Tracy Romberger, 46, of Annville, were involved in an accident at Syner and Palmyra-Belle Grove roads in North Annville on Jan. 11, state police at Jonestown said.
Both drivers were taken to Hershey Medical Center for minor injuries, state police said.

Losers swipe $11G from account
Goons removed $11,485.72 from a bank account fraudulently over 17 months, state police said.
The jerks obtained the money from National Penn Bank in Shartlesville because the account holder was dead, state police at Hamburg said.

Police: Driver dozes; vehicle strikes pole
A vehicle careened out of control — hitting mailboxes and a utility pole — after the driver fell asleep, state police said.
The driver, Joseph Moyer, 77, of Pine Grove, dozed off, and his vehicle crossed Route 125 in Pine Grove before striking two mailboxes and the pole, state police at Schuylkill Haven said.
The utility pole was sheared.
Moyer was not injured.

Box truck rolls onto its side
An onramp on I-78 was shut down for about three hours after a box truck rolled over onto its side during an accident.
The box truck, driven by Michael Zangrillo, of Oceanside, N.Y., hit a guide rail and rolled over at exit 40 in Greenwich Township on Jan. 10, state police at Hamburg said.
Zangrillo suffered minor injuries and was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital.

Police: Boys tried to steal from vehicle
Two Palmyra area boys, aged 14 and 15, tried to steal items from a vehicle on North Lincoln Street in Palmyra on Dec. 15, borough police said.
The boys were charged with criminal attempt and criminal conspiracy on Jan. 12, police said.
The victim is David Hoffsmith, of Palmyra, police said.

Vehicles crack up in Palmyra
Vehicles driven by Cole Witmer, 17, of Palmyra, and Brian Hiesey, 29, of Newmanstown, were involved in an accident at Main and Locust streets in Palmyra on Jan. 11, borough police said.

Police: Boy had victim’s purse
A 15-year-old Palmyra boy had a woman’s purse in his possession, Palmyra police said.
Police filed a juvenile allegation against the boy, officials said.
The purse belonged to Vicki Ford, of Palmyra, police said.

Troopers: Woman tries to steal items from Cabela’s
A woman allegedly tried to steal items worth $324.96 from Cabela’s in Tilden Township on Jan. 9, state police at Hamburg said.
The suspect, Miriam Alicea, 43, of Philadelphia, was charged with theft. She was arraigned and placed in Berks County prison.

Vehicle travels into wooded area
A vehicle driven by Jennifer Handschuh, 29, of Hamburg, traveled into a wooded area, struck a tree and rolled onto its side on Mohrsville Road near Main Street in Perry Township on Jan. 3, state police at Hamburg said.
Handschuh suffered a moderate injury, and she was taken by Schuylkill Valley Ambulance to Reading Hospital.

Truck tractor shears electrical pole
A truck tractor sheared an electrical pole at Main and Bellevue avenues in Perry Township on Jan. 6, and kept going, state police at Hamburg said.
The suspect vehicle is described as a Kenworth tractor, likely Michigan registration and with possible damage to the right side, state police said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at Hamburg.

Vehicle strikes embankment, rolls over
A vehicle driven by Carlos Urena-Valverde, of Elizabeth, N.J., struck an embankment and rolled over onto its left side on I-78 in Greenwich Township on Jan. 6, state police at Hamburg said.
The road was closed for about three hours.

Creeps steal kerosene from biz
Goons stole kerosene from Sheetz on Shoemakersville Avenue in Shoemakersville on Jan. 7, state police at Hamburg said.

Slugs steal Wii games, console
Goons stole a Wii game console and Wii games from a trailer on Brown Road in Bethel Township, Berks County, on Jan. 5 or Jan. 6, state police at Hamburg said.
The victim is Randy Light, 33.

Lowlifes swipe windshield wipers
Goons swiped the windshield wipers from a vehicle at Love’s Service Plaza on Mountain Road in Upper Bern Township on Jan. 7 or Jan. 8, state police at Hamburg said.
The victim is Stephanie Frantz, 34.
Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at 1-877-523-6373.

Troopers: Man threatens clerk
A man allegedly threatened a clerk with bodily harm and threatened to wreck the store at the AT&T Store in Fairlane Village Mall in Norwegian Township on Jan. 7, during an argument about the man’s cellphone, state police at Schuylkill Haven said.
The suspect, Shawn Daniels, 40, of Frackville, was charged with harassment and disorderly conduct.

January 8, 2010

JERSEY SHORE: A MUST-WATCH TRAIN WRECK

Filed under: MOLLY DAVIS — Tags: , — Administrator @ 1:53 pm

By MOLLY DAVIS
Oh, “Jersey Shore,” how I love thee.
You absolutely make my Thursday nights.
Thank you, MTV, for spotlighting the over-muscled, over-tanned, over-gelled (over-everything’ed) existence of seven twenty-somethings staying in Seaside
Heights for the summer.
Or, as it’s known to some, “Sleazeside” Heights.
The cast of the show includes Sammi “The Sweetheart,” Pauly D, Ronnie, Mike AKA “The Situation,” Jenni AKA “Jwoww,” Vinnie and last, but certainly not least, Nicole AKA “Snooki” or “Snickers.”
The girls are tan and scantily clad.
But I really don’t have anything negative to say about the girls.
Snooki is a riot, Sammi is cute, and Jwoww is very entertaining.
Snooki is my favorite – she took a punch in the mouth like a champ, loves pickles and says things like “I friggin’ invented the poof” – referring to her high hair.
JWoww has the attitude of a guy, likes eating sliced deli ham after drinking, and says, “I will rip a guy’s head off after having sex with him.”
Sammi is more of an observer, choosing to stay out of most conflicts (re: barfights) and lie low with her roommate/boyfriend Ronnie.
Which brings us to the other denizens of the house.
The boys.
Sweet fancy Moses, they are ridiculous.
What a mess.
Tatted up, Ed Hardy clad, dancing-like-they’re having a seizure, arrogant cavemen.
They look greasy – literally oily.
I don’t know if it’s hair gel runoff that seeps slowly from their head throughout the night or if they slick themselves up with something.
Out of the four guys, Mike “the situation” is by far the worst.
He offends me, and I am not easily offended.
First, he refers to himself as “The Situation.”
That in itself is laughable.
Yes, you have a six pack.
We know.
Please stop lifting your shirt up.
We get it.
My favorite moment was when Sammi shut him down.
Mike thought he was going to bed her – but she switched it up and went for Ronnie, another roommate.
“The Situation” did not like this turn of events one bit.
He whined, sulked, verbally abused Sammi for her choice, and still expects her to come around and see that he’s the better choice.
Hold your breath, have another Jaeger bomb, and do some more reps at the gym.
It is a “Situation,” as you so eloquently put it EVERY 30 SECONDS.
Only the “Situation” is not a good one.
Mike is very aggressive with the girls he’s trying to bed – way past pushy.
If he didn’t disgust me, I’d pity him for trying too hard.
You know when you’re watching something and you feel embarrassed for the person who’s making an idiot of themselves?
It’s like that.
Only multiplied by 100.
He doesn’t seem to understand the word “no.”
In one instance, he’s trying to get the night’s target into the hot tub, and she says “no,” repeatedly, so he hounds her.
“The girl was lame,” he told the camera, like the girl owed it to him to strip down and get in the jacuzzi because she was in the presence of “The Situation.”
And talks to the camera like the girl’s a b**ch – like she owes him something.

You’re not entitled to anything – the way you spin it in your head like the girl has some sort of deficit for turning you down is pathetic.
Not to mention, delusional.
Take a cue from your male housemates – they are gentleman, and although they too are all about hooking up at the end of the night, they have some dignity and class about it – whereas you have less than none..
If a girl turns him down, in his mind, she’s “hatin’.”
Or she can’t handle him.
It couldn’t possibly be that you’re an unattractive idiot.
If “The Situation” were to read this, he would no doubt feel that I wanted him and was just “hatin.”
Yes, I am “hatin.”
“Hatin” all the way to the nunnery, ’cause if it was between “The Situation” and chastity?
Sign me up, sisters, and point me to my habit.

POLICE: MAN, 68, EXPOSED HIMSELF

Filed under: NEWS — Administrator @ 1:50 pm

A 68-year-old Lebanon man was charged with indecent exposure after allegedly exposing his genitals on the 500 block of Lehman Street in Lebanon on Jan. 6, city police said.
Michael Shannon was taken into custody and also was charged with open lewdness and disorderly conduct, police said.
Witnesses told officers that Shannon was in the area of a bus stop, acting disorderly and yelling profanities, city police said.
Shannon’s pants were starting to fall down and one of the witnesses told him to pull up his pants, city police said.
Shannon became louder and pulled his pants completely down, exposing his buttocks and genitalia, city police said.

Police: Man assaulted employee
A 44-year-old Annville man assaulted an employee at an establishment on the 300 block of South Hershey Road in West Hanover Township, Dauphin County, on Jan. 6, state police at Harrisburg said.
David Bosworth was taken into custody for assault and related charges, state police at Harrisburg said.

Police: Man slapped son, 7, in face
A 33-year-old Jonestown man is facing an harassment charge after allegedly slapping his 7-year-old son in the face on West Market Street in Jonestown on Jan. 6, state police at Jonestown said.

Jerks steal comforter, lincoln logs from vehicle
Thugs swiped a Down comforter and Lincoln Logs from a vehicle at Oakglade Plaza in South Hanover Township, Dauphin County, between Dec. 28 and Jan. 4, state police at Harrisburg said.
The comforter was worth $169, and the Lincoln Logs cost $40, state police said.
The victim is Jamie Witcoski, of Rector, state police said.

Accident shuts down I-78 for 3 hours
Interstate 78 east was shut down for about three hours after a Volvo truck hit an embankment and rolled over in Greenwich Township on Jan. 6, state police at Hamburg said.
The driver, Carolos Urena-Valverde, wasn’t injured in the accident at mile marker 39.9, state police said.

Police: 2 snorted drug at casino
Two Harrisburg residents were snorting Oxycodone in the Hollywood Casino at Penn National recently, state police said.
Adelaide Johnson, 24, of Harrisburg, faces a charge with possession, and Benjamin Fields will be charged with possession with the intent to deliver, state police said.

Vehicle hits pole, wall
A vehicle driven by Orion Fichter, 21, of Barto, struck a utility pole and a wooden retaining wall on Old Route 100 in Washington Township on Jan. 6, state police at Reading said.
The vehicle wound up on the rear backyard of a residence, state police said.

Vehicle slides, hits tree, ditch
A vehicle driven by Bronwen Thomason, 29, of Lititz, slid on a snow-covered Hopeland Road and struck a tree and a ditch in Elizabeth Township on Dec. 31, state police at Ephrata said.
Nobody was injured.

Pellet punks shot window
BB bozos shot a hole through the front window of a residence on Reifsnyder Road in Elizabeth Township between Jan. 3 and 5, state police at Ephrata said.
The victim is Daniel Zimmerman, 32, of Lititz, state police said.

Knuckleheads steal mail
Punks pilfered mail from a home on Acorn Lane in Elizabeth Township between Dec. 1 and Jan. 5, state police at Ephrata said.
The victim is Richard Sweater, 57, of Lititz, state police said.

Police: 2 charged after fight
Two suspects got into a fight at the Fivepointville Fire Company in Brecknock Township on Jan. 1, state police at Ephrata said.
A 17-year-old East Earl boy and Howard Martin, 23, of Bowmansville, were charged with disorderly conduct.

Woman’s vehicle goes airborne, hits several trees
A 45-year-old woman had to be extricated from her vehicle after a wild accident in which the vehicle went airborne and hit numerous trees, state police at Schuylkill Haven said.
A vehicle driven by Laura Whitley, of Pottsville, lost control on a curve hand hit a guardrail on Route 61 in North Manheim Township on Jan. 5, state police said.
After impact, Whitley’s vehicle went through the parking lot of Penske before hitting a utility pole, state police said.
After the collision, Whitley’s vehicle went into the air — over an embankment — before hitting the trees, state police said.
Whitley was entrapped and had to be freed by members of the Pottsville Fire Department.
She was taken Schuylkill Medical Center South for treatment of injuries.
The right lane of Route 61 was closed for several hours.

Creeps steal kids’ Christmas gift
Thugs stole numerous items from a residence — including a Christmas gift the victim bought for her kids — on Sunrise Court in Swatara Township, Lebanon County, between Jan. 3 and 4, state police at Jonestown said.
The creeps grabbed two televisions, a PlayStation console, several games and a V-smile that was given to the victim’s children, state police said.

THE BOYS ARE BETTER

Filed under: ERIC FISHER — Administrator @ 1:17 pm

By ERIC FISHER
The Eagles lost to a better football team on Sunday. It’s that simple.
The Dallas Cowboys beat the Eagles twice this season. That’s not a fluke. Especially when the second game was a 24-0 shellacking.
Unlike Cincinnati or Arizona, which can claim that their rematches this weekend with the Jets and Packers, respectively, will be different than Sunday’s lopsided defeats, the Eagles have no such defense. The Bengals and Cardinals had no incentive to play well. The Eagles did.
If the Eagles had defeated the Cowboys, they would have secured the No. 2 seed in the NFC. They would have had a bye this weekend and would have been guaranteed at least one home playoff game. Now, the Birds must win three road games to reach the Super Bowl.
But, as coaches say every week: one game at a time. First, the Eagles have to get past Dallas.
History says the Eagles will win this Saturday (8 p.m., NBC). Since Andy Reid became head coach, the Eagles are 7-0 in their opening playoff game. During this same stretch, the Cowboys haven’t won a playoff game. While the Eagles were going to five NFC championship games and one Super Bowl, the Cowboys were missing the playoffs or going one-and-done.
Cowboys coach Wade Phillips is 0-4 in playoff games. Quarterback Tony Romo is 0-2.
Unfortunately for the Eagles, Saturday’s game won’t be decided by history. It will be decided by this year’s Cowboys and Eagles. And this year’s two head-to-head meetings are evidence that the Cowboys are better.
Additional evidence supporting the Cowboys’ superiority can be found in the teams’ records. The Cowboys went 4-2 against teams that finished the season with a winning record, including a 3-2 mark against playoff teams (beating the Eagles twice and New Orleans once; losing to San Diego and Green Bay).
The Eagles compiled a 1-4 record against teams that finished the season with a winning record, with the only victory coming against Atlanta (9-7), which was missing quarterback Matt Ryan and running back Michael Turner. Otherwise the Eagles did not defeat a team that finished with a winning record, going winless against playoff teams (losing twice to Dallas and once to the Chargers and Saints).
This isn’t to suggest that the Eagles’ 11-5 record is a house of cards or some sort of mirage. It was real. The Eagles deserve credit for achieving that record despite numerous injuries.
At the same time, however, the Eagles aren’t quite as good as their gaudy record and six-game winning streak made it appear. Their six-game winning streak included narrow victories over the Bears, Redskins and Broncos, as well as a wild 45-38 win over the Giants. Again, the Eagles deserve praise for pulling those games out, but they are a good team capable of producing big plays at crucial moments rather than a terrific team that can dominate opponents.
The problem for the Eagles this Saturday is that they haven’t been able to generate those big plays against the Cowboys. Dallas has allowed just 250 points all season, second only to the Jets, so their ability to bottle up the Eagles isn’t an accident.
Not only has the Cowboys defense stifled the Eagles offense twice this season, but the Cowboys offense moved the ball at will against the Eagles defense on Sunday. The Cowboys ran the ball. The Cowboys threw the ball. The Cowboys controlled the ball.
Unless you believe that Reid brilliantly kept his cards close to his vest, thereby lulling the Cowboys into a false sense of security, the Eagles are in trouble Saturday.
This doesn’t mean the Eagles can’t win. I fully expect them to make a better effort than they did Sunday.
There are several things the Eagles can do in order to prevail. First, they must apply more pressure on Romo. One way to do that is by taking an early lead. An early Eagles lead may force Romo to try to make more big plays, and that should make him more prone to turnovers.
The problem with that scenario is that Romo, whom the Eagles used to be able to rattle, has been largely unflappable this season. One reason for that is the Cowboys’ balanced offense doesn’t put all the weight on his shoulders.
Speaking of balanced offenses, the Eagles should use one to defeat the Cowboys. Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg only called eight running plays Sunday. That’s absurd. A better running game will set up effective play-action fakes that could produce big plays in the passing game. It will also help the Eagles control the clock and keep their defense off the field.
Remember, however, that center Jamaal Jackson’s season-ending knee injury means the Eagles are once again running behind a revamped offensive line. Nick Cole, Max Jean-Gilles and Winston Justice are not a trio anyone envisioned starting for a playoff team.
Does all this mean the Eagles can’t win? Of course not.
The Eagles can win Saturday. But to do so, they must beat a better team.

NHL’S SHOWCASE GAME MORE THAN A CLASSIC

Filed under: ERIC FISHER — Tags: — Administrator @ 1:00 pm

By ERIC FISHER
Standing outside in the cold on January 1 doesn’t sound very appealing, but hundreds of thousands of people entered a drawing to have that opportunity. And they were willing to pay for it.
As the demand for tickets demonstrates, the NHL has found a winner in the Winter Classic.
This year’s game, the third in the series, took place in historic Fenway Park. The game featured the hometown Boston Bruins hosting the Flyers.
To call the Winter Classic a game doesn’t do it justice. It isn’t simply a game. It’s an event. In fact, at times the game appears secondary.
The atmosphere inside Fenway was incredible. The atmosphere outside was amazing as well, with Yawkey Way and Lansdowne St. (behind the Green Monster) closed off to traffic. The other streets surrounding Fenway weren’t closed to traffic, but cars moved slowly and carefully as fans of both teams filled the streets.
The NHL, which frequently is on the receiving end of blunt criticism, deserves nothing except praise for the Winter Classic. The presentation of the event was just about perfect.
I had the privilege of attending this year’s Winter Classic. The following are some observations from Fenway:
CLASSIC DUO: The honorary captains for the game were Boston’s Bobby Orr, considered by many observers to be the greatest defenseman of all-time, and the Flyers’ Bob Clarke, the diabetic kid the Flyers took a chance on, and the move paid off when Clarke developed into the team’s leader, an NHL MVP and the captain of two Stanley Cup championship teams. Having Orr and Clarke take the ceremonial opening face-off was perfect. (No, Clarke didn’t slash or spear Orr.)
COOLEST MOMENT: Aside from seeing Clarke and Orr together on the ice, the coolest moment was when the stealth bomber flew over the field just before the game. The bomber emerged silently from beyond the green monster. You didn’t hear a thing, then, all of a sudden, the plane is upon you, making no sound as it approaches.
CLASSIC FIGHT: There seemed little doubt the Flyers and Bruins would produce the first fight in Winter Classic history. Sure enough, the Flyers’ Dan Carcillo pounded the Bruins’ Shawn Thornton during the first period.
WEATHER REPORT: Despite worries caused by the weather forecasters during the days prior to the game, the weather was perfect. First, there was no rain. Second, the temperature never got warm enough to affect the ice and make playing conditions overly difficult. I didn’t even wear a hat at the game and my gloves stayed in my jacket pocket until in between the second and third periods.
FREQUENT FLYERS: Flyers fans continue to “travel well.” Tons of Flyers fans made the trek to Fenway. Although outnumbered 4:1 or 5:1, Flyers fans more than held their own as the respective fan bases chanted “Let’s Go Flyers!” and “Let’s Go Bruins!” back and forth throughout the game.
COMMON GROUND: Flyers and Bruins fans found something they could agree upon. Alternating “Let’s Go (Flyers/Bruins)!” chants were replaced with derogatory chants about the world champion New York Yankees, disliked by both Flyers and Bruins fans.
COMMON GROUND II: A similar thing happened after the NHL showed commercials on the center field video screen. The commercials featured Penguins center Sidney Crosby, who became the focus of additional negative chants shared by both Bruins and Flyers fans.
FAN FRIENDLY: The Flyers received cheers from Flyers fans every time they entered or exited via the third-base dugout. Most Flyers acknowledged the crowd in one way or another. A few players, most notably Scott Hartnell, even gave out pucks to the crowd.
LORDS OF THE RINGS: Another addition to this year’s festivities was that the United States Olympic Hockey team announced its roster shortly after the game ended.
HARD HITS: Appropriately for a baseball stadium, there was a lot of hitting during the Bruins-Flyers game. With these two blue-collar fan bases, you weren’t expecting the Ice Capades, were you?
HIGH FIVE … OR SIX!: The Flyers were irate after the referees and linesmen missed a fairly obvious too-man-men-on-the-ice penalty on the Bruins during overtime. During overtime, each team is only allowed four players plus a goalie. It appeared the at the Bruins had five – and possibly even six – players on the ice as they moved the puck from their own zone toward the Flyers’ zone and produced the winning goal in the Bruins’ 2-1 triumph.
SAME TIME NEXT YEAR: Rumors are that next season’s Winter Classic will be held in New York, at either Yankees Stadium or the one of the other new stadiums. The likely opponent would be Washington, which features exciting goal-scorer Alex Ovechkin. Other possible sites include Minnesota and Colorado.
The Winter Classic isn’t simply a game. It’s an event. It’s a spectacle.
The atmosphere was incredible. The game was terrific.
Watching the Flyers battle the Bruins outdoors at Fenway Park truly was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Who ever imagined that sitting out in the cold on New Year’s Day could be so much fun?

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