Emporium Man Charged With July, 2010 Burglary

An Emporium man has been charged in a burglary on Bobby's Run Road in Shippen Township that occurred nearly two years ago.

Michael James Hallowell, 20, of Hillcrest Drive, Emporium, PA, was identified by State Police as the person believed to be responsible for the crime.

Trooper James P. Yoder, of the Emporium barracks, said the burglary of the residence of Edward Niebauer occurred between 7-23-2010 and 7-28-2010. An unknown actor forced entry into the victim's residence and removed a handgun and an undetermined amount of money.

After further investigation, Hallowell has been accused of being responsible for this crime. He was taken into custody and arrested on Thursday. He was arraigned before District Judge Barry Brown on charges of Burglary (F1); Criminal Trespass (F2); Theft By Unlawful Taking (F2) (relative to stolen gun); Receiving Stolen Property (F2) (relative to stolen gun); Theft By Unlawful Taking (F3); Receiving Stolen Property (F3); and Criminal Mischief (Summary).

Judge Brown set bail at $50,000. Hallowell posted bail and was released pending further proceedings.

Some shots from the Memorial Day Parade

Study suggests Pa. tourism commission, tax changes

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A new state-funded study says Pennsylvania should create an independent tourism commission and change the handling of county hotel room tax revenue.
The study by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, a legislative research agency, looks at ways to help promote tourism in the commonwealth, The (Scranton) Times-Tribune (http://bit.ly/M3Hbb9 ) said.
State spending for tourism promotion has dropped sharply in the past few years, leaving tourism promotion agencies to rely more heavily on hotel room tax revenues. Gov. Tom Corbett has proposed $3 million for tourism in the 2012-13 fiscal year, which would be $1 million less than current funding. In addition, a half-century-old state subsidy for ad campaigns by regional tourism promotion agencies ended this year.
LINK

Pa. tourism promotion faces challenges - News - Republican Herald

Pa. tourism promotion faces challenges - News - Republican Herald

"Almost 70 percent of the income for 45 tourism promotion agencies in mid-sized counties comes from the hotel room tax, the center study said. The amounts ranged from a low of $10,500 in rural Cameron County to $2.8 million in Monroe County, the heart of the Poconos."

Causer's Stream Obstruction Removal Bill Clears House Committee

HARRISBURG – The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee today approved legislation authored by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) to streamline the process for removing potential flood hazards from streams.
“The process for removing obstructions such as gravel bars from our streams is not only inefficient and cumbersome but also a threat to public safety,” Causer said. “The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has been unable to offer a solution to the problem, and we simply cannot wait any longer.”

House Bill 2359 aims to create a clear, efficient and effective process to better manage stream obstruction problems without an unnecessary, complicated and expensive permitting process. The bill also includes measures to further expedite stream clearings when such activities are deemed to be an emergency by local, county or state authorities.

“In Emporium, Cameron County, borough officials have been trying to remove a gravel bar for more than five years but have been unable to get the go ahead from DEP to do so,” Causer said. “And they aren’t the only ones. There are other communities in our area and across the state that have experienced similar roadblocks. It’s just ridiculous.”

Causer and other lawmakers in rural areas of the state questioned DEP Secretary Michael Krancer extensively about the issue of gravel bars during House Appropriations Committee hearings earlier this year, and the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee held an informational meeting on the topic as well.

The bill passed the committee by a vote of 21-2. It now goes to the full House for consideration.

Stream Obstruction Removal Bill Clears Committee

BREAKING: McKean County Jail Escapee, America’s Most Wanted Fugitive Captured

MCKEAN CO. – A prison escapee and alleged sexual predator has been captured in Chautauqua County, NY.

Joseph Chapman, 28, was arrested yesterday by New York State Police after a local resident recognized him from an episode of America’s Most Wanted.

Chapman has allegedly been living under the name Joshua Tompkins, near Arkwright, NY.

Chapman escaped from the McKean County jail in 2007 after walking away from a morning work detail, and has been wanted on charges involving the sexual assault of a child and rape.

Officials say Chapman has made a habit of targeting single women with children. Police say he preys on their insecurities and low self-esteem — or in some cases, developmental disabilities — in order to weasel his way into their life. Chapman relies on the internet as his facilitator.

Chapman is currently incarcerated in the Chautauqua County jail awaiting extradition.