Reading Eagle (Reading, PA) articles from July 2011

Reading Eagle (Reading, PA) archives from July 2011

OPINION: If only they could live until they understand.
July 31, 2011... Byline: Harry Deitz July 31--When they get older, they may understand. Some of them won't -- get older or understand -- because they don't take seriously the danger that exists with risky actions. Many young people don't seem to believe...

Reading Eagle, Pa., John D. Forester Jr. column.(Column)
July 31, 2011... Byline: John D. Forester Jr. July 31--It really doesn't matter whether Congress and the president reach some last-minute accord and raise the national debt limit by Tuesday's deadline. They've already missed it and we have consequences to...

EDITORIAL: Issue of troubled rural intersections goes beyond Oley (7/31/11).(Editorial)
July 31, 2011... July 31--The plan to put stop signs at the western intersection of Route 662 and Route 73 in Oley Township hasn't won a lot of fans. On one side are people who wanted a traffic light at the intersection in response to the death of Oley...

Pressure ratcheted up for Eagles.
July 31, 2011... Byline: Steve Patton July 31--BETHLEHEM -- It's not as if there wasn't already tremendous pressure on the Eagles to win a Super Bowl, given how close they've come without succeeding in the last decade. But what they did over the last...

Bears fall in final but still moving on.
July 31, 2011... Byline: Beth Hudson July 31--Catcher Josh Schnell and his Boyertown teammates had just played six hours of baseball. They were drained. They were sweaty. And, yes, they were disappointed. Through it all, Schnell seized on a bright...

Brown is sent down, but still in Phils' plans.
July 31, 2011... Byline: Brian Smith July 31--The press release the Philadelphia Phillies sent out Saturday stated that outfielder Domonic Brown was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley to make room on the 25-man roster for off-the-DL third baseman Placido...

Young happy to join Reid, Philadelphia.
July 31, 2011... Byline: Steve Patton July 31--BETHLEHEM -- Vince Young readily explained his decision to quickly sign with the Philadelphia Eagles following his release by Tennessee. "Andy Reid," said the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback, adding that "some...

R-Phils' Rivero adjusting to life at the hot corner.
July 31, 2011... Byline: Mike Drago July 31--On the surface the move seemed curious. Spots on Philadelphia's 40-man roster are a precious commodity, but the Phillies made room on theirs last November for Carlos Rivero, a 22-year-old shortstop waived by...

Eagles sign Jenkins; send Bunkley to Cleveland.
July 31, 2011... Byline: Steve Patton July 31--BETHLEHEM -- Another day, another round of player moves for the Eagles. Unable to restrain themselves for more than 24 hours, the Eagles jumped back into the post-lockout fray late Saturday afternoon by...

Reading Eagle, Pa., Sportswriters' Notebook column.(Interview)(Column)
July 31, 2011... July 31--I don't know Ryan Vogelsong. But from my limited contact with him, I think it's fair to say that the Kutztown University product, who's enjoying a breakout season as a starting pitcher with the San Francisco Giants, hasn't let...

Bagging his bag man just the latest of Woods' woes.
July 31, 2011... Byline: Mike McGovern July 31--Tiger Woods has done some amazing things during his career. He's won 14 major championships, including the Tiger Slam, when he held all four at once. He won the 2008 U.S. Open on one leg. He went...

Phillers.
July 31, 2011... Byline: Mike Drago July 31--Steve Susdorf was just a day or two shy of taking over the Eastern League batting lead when he was injured Monday as he tried to beat out an infield single and stumbled over the bag at first, dislocating his left...

BRIEF: Owls bumped by Blackhawk.
July 31, 2011... Byline: Beth Hudson July 31--Blackhawk traveled about 300 miles to play in the Pennsylvania American Legion State Tournament. Now the Region 6 champion will make a long trip next week as well. Blackhawk, a Beaver County squad,...

Reid sees three top corners as a plus, not problem.
July 31, 2011... Byline: Steve Patton July 31--BETHLEHEM -- The Philadelphia Eagles have three Pro Bowl-caliber cornerbacks on their roster, meaning one will technically not be a starter if the team really does intend to keep them all. Not a problem, said...

TV and art films: July 31 to Aug. 6.
July 31, 2011... Byline: Tony Lucia July 31--For the week of Sunday, July 31, through Saturday, Aug. 6. Reviewed by Tony Lucia. Gattaca (1997). The best science fiction films invariably are about ideas rather than special effects, and writer-director...

Book a testament to those who served in Korea.
July 31, 2011... Byline: Ron Devlin July 31--BERKS COUNTY, Pa -- Walter M. Zweizig couldn't wait to join the Army. Too young to fight in World War II, he dropped out of high school and enlisted in 1948, only days before he turned 18. The recruiter in...

Reading Eagle, Pa., Bill Uhrich column.(Column)
July 31, 2011... Byline: Bill Uhrich July 31--READING, Pa -- Bird-watchers use spotting scopes all the time to make fascinating discoveries. Occasionally, a bird-watcher makes a fascinating discovery by just asking to look through a scope. And...

BRIEF: Event raises money to help Zambia.
July 31, 2011... July 31--Impact the World: Save Zambia's Children held its first fundraiser in Berks County Saturday in Bern Township. "We've received overwhelming and positive response from the community," organizer Elizabeth Sichinga said. Wayside Chapel...

Elm Street program to spruce up West Reading street.
July 31, 2011... Byline: Ashley Gold July 31--South Sixth Avenue in West Reading is about to get a face-lift. The exteriors of 10 properties on the block will be painted in bold new colors in September as part of a Let's Paint the Town project -- and...

Donation helps set direction for Tilden police.
July 31, 2011... Byline: Steve Henshaw July 31--Tilden Township's three police officers generally don't need a map to find their way around the 19-square-mile municipality bordering Hamburg. But its new police chief thought it was important to get GPS...

Police seek suspect in deadly shooting in Reading.
July 31, 2011... Byline: Holly Herman July 31--Police are searching for a 17-year-old city boy charged with killing a 20-year-old and injuring two others in a fight early Saturday after a party in Reading. Matthew K. Perkins of the 900 block of Scott...

Police charge three men in shooting in city.
July 31, 2011... Byline: David Mekeel July 31--Three men are in custody on charges they shot a city man at 11th and Greenwich streets. The victim, identified in court documents as 33-year-old Bennie Lee Fair, was shot once in the upper back and once in...

BRIEF: Car strikes, injures bicyclist in Windsor Township.
July 31, 2011... July 31--A bicyclist was injured Saturday afternoon in Windsor Township after being struck by a car, state police at Hamburg said. Joshua Adams, 34, of Hamburg was riding his bike about 3:30 p.m. eastbound along Old Route 22 east of Franklin...

Don't call them old.
July 31, 2011... Byline: Bruce Posten July 31--In spite of ominously low retirement savings statistics, many defiant baby boomers apparently prefer to believe in encores rather than final acts. For them, aging and retirement have become somewhat...

BRIEF: Wanted in Berks.
July 31, 2011... July 31--The Berks County sheriff's department is seeking the following fugitives: Richard Vazquez, 31, whose last known address was in the 900 block of Patton Avenue, is wanted for failing to appear at a hearing on forgery and theft...

BRIEF: Tips sought in bank robbery.
July 31, 2011... July 31--Crime Alert Berks County, a civilian crime-fighting group, offers cash rewards of up to $5,000 to anyone supplying tips that lead to an arrest in this case or any other case or crime. Tipsters with crime information can call...

Scholarships.
July 31, 2011... July 31--DeVonna Smith, a 2011 graduate of Reading High School, placed second in the Verizon Wireless/United Negro College Fund Black History Month Essay Contest for the Philadelphia region. Smith won a $4,000 college scholarship, a computer and...

Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences graduates.
July 31, 2011... July 31--The following area students received awards at the Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences graduation ceremony: Highest grade-point average in Nursing, Alison Wolters, Reading; Radiologic technology, Alicia Howard, Sinking...

Mount Penn closer to joint ordinances.
July 31, 2011... July 31--A task force of Mount Penn officials has held the second of three workshops to create joint zoning and subdivision and land development ordinances with Lower Alsace Township. Borough Treasurer John Skrincosky Jr. said the borough...

BRIEF: Military news.
July 31, 2011... July 31--Army Pvt. Robert A. Pacheco, a son of Victoria Rodriguez, Spring Township, has graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. *** Corbin L. Moyer, a son of Steven G. and Lea C. Moyer,...

BRIEF: Heat, humidity on the way back.
July 31, 2011... July 31--Don't get too used to this weekend's break from seriously sticky summer weather. Saturday's sunshine and low humidity should stick around for a little while, but storms and a return to humid weather are expected by Monday. A...

BRIEF: Kutztown's Main Street rumbles as muscle cars move in.
July 31, 2011... July 31--Main Street in Kutztown was rumbling Saturday as 400 powerful vehicles pulled into town for the annual Muscle on Main car show. About 2,000 spectators were expected at the event. Those who visited got a chance to roam Main Street,...

Domestic relations fugitives.
July 31, 2011... July 31--The Berks County sheriff's department has provided this information about people wanted for failure to appear in family court. Included on this list are those who are delinquent in child-support payments and for whom bench warrants had...

BRIEF: Cabrini College graduates.
July 31, 2011... July 31--The following area students earned degrees from Cabrini College, Radnor: Master of education: Ashley Andrews, Robesonia; Jennifer Asplint, Valerie Deysher, Kevin Fretz, Stephanie Landis, Edith Rubert, Chad Shalaway, Jessica...

Campus notes.
July 31, 2011... July 31--Graduation honors are signified as follows: ***with highest honors; **with high honors; *with honors. The following area students graduated from Lafayette College, Easton: *** Lauren M. Huyett, Blandon, received a bachelor of...

BRIEF: Bernville brims during community day.
July 31, 2011... July 31--Bernville Community Day was celebrated Saturday in Umbenhauer Park with a full afternoon of family fun. Music was provided by the Dixieland Band and Rajah Concert Band. The free event also featured a silent auction, food, games,...

2 teens honored at Reading Fair awards banquet.
July 31, 2011... July 31--Allison E. Miller of South Heidelberg Township and Brandon H. Grumbine of Bethel Township were honored as outstanding FFA members at the Reading Fair awards banquet. The Agricultural and Horticultural Association of Berks County, which...

BRIEF: Albright College accelerated degree recipients.
July 31, 2011... July 31--The following area students received bachelor of science degrees from the Albright College Accelerated Degree Completion Program: Honors are indicated as follows: ***with highest honors; **with high honors; *with honors: ***Jane L....

Couple get education on aging.
July 31, 2011... Byline: Bruce Posten July 31--Four years ago, baby boomer Peggy Kiebach of South Heidelberg Township hadn't yet retired and would never claim to be an expert on Medicare, Social Security, powers of attorney, elderly tax and legal services,...

Retailers find ways to cash in on boomers.
July 31, 2011... Byline: Bruce Posten July 31--A sign at the Pepperidge Farm Thrift Store at VF Outlet Center, Wyomissing, reads: "Are you 55? You don't look it! Notify cashier before sale. Thank you." The sign goes on to say that on Tuesdays and...

Senior groups struggle to attract boomers.
July 31, 2011... Byline: Bruce Posten July 31--DiAnn Black, 61, of Centre Township was one of the few young baby boomers enjoying this summer's Berks Encore Picnic in Willow Glen Park, Sinking Spring. She was there with her 66-year-old husband, Mike, who...

Berks doctor taking another run for Gerlach's seat.
July 31, 2011... Byline: Mary Young July 31--No one knows what the 6th Congressional District will look like in 2012 because the redistricting process that takes place every 10 years is under way. Still, Manan Trivedi, a Democrat and a Reading Hospital...

R-Phils phillers: 7/31.
July 31, 2011... Byline: Mike Drago July 31--Steve Susdorf was just a day or two shy of taking over the Eastern League batting lead when he was injured Monday as he tried to beat out an infield single and stumbled over the bag at first, dislocating his left...

Reading Eagle, Pa., Mary Young column.(Column)
July 30, 2011... Byline: Mary Young July 30--If you're among those people in Berks County who think deputy sheriffs should not be as involved as they are in law enforcement, consider this. Thanks to Deputy Mark Vandermartin, we have six fewer illegal...

EDITORIAL: One board member right: Priorities seem out of order (7/30/11).(Editorial)
July 30, 2011... July 30--Kutztown School Board member Alan J. Darion appeared to be right on target last week when he questioned the priorities of the district superintendent as well as those of a couple of his fellow directors. Darion, a retired teacher...

Berks County residents have local choices for their staycations.
July 30, 2011... Byline: Shannon Simcox July 30--With the high price of gas and high unemployment, more people than ever may be choosing to stay at home during vacation time, giving rise to the term staycation. Fortunately for folks in Berks County, there...

Eagles land the biggest prize.
July 30, 2011... Byline: Steve Patton July 30--BETHLEHEM -- They really did have a big plan. The Philadelphia Eagles insisted they were ready to move aggressively once the NFL labor situation was resolved, and made good on that promise Friday night with...

Bears beaten by Bristol, wake up to down Owls.
July 30, 2011... Byline: Beth Hudson July 30--First baseman Andrew Gehringer said Boyertown isn't accustomed to playing in the morning. Friday, that was a problem. The Region 2 champion Bears and Region 3 champ Bristol started their winners bracket final...

Gibraltar church to host Pagerly fundraiser today.
July 30, 2011... July 30--A car show, a live band, a disc jockey, a pig roast and an auction are among the activities being held today at a Gibraltar church to raise money for the family of Kyle D. Pagerly, a deputy sheriff killed June 29 in a shootout with a...

Reading Eagle, Pa., Living History column.(Column)
July 30, 2011... Byline: Bruce Posten July 30--Retired farmer James Reinhart turned 100 in early June, and about 100 friends showed up to celebrate at a longtime neighbor's farm in Richmond Township. "I've had some good times and some bad times," said...

Surveillance photo shows bank robber.
July 30, 2011... July 30--West Reading police Friday released a surveillance image of a man robbing the Berkshire Bank branch on Penn Avenue. The man, described as a middle-aged white man, displayed a handgun and demanded money from a teller. The man got...

BRIEF: Birdsboro woman wins Taylor Swift tickets during Pagerly fundraiser.
July 30, 2011... July 30--Karen Venkler of Birdsboro won two tickets to a sold-out Taylor Swift concert in Philadelphia at a Support Your Local Fire Company event held Friday at Dairy Queen in Kenhorst. Berks Fire Water Restorations Inc. sponsored the event...

Volunteers from Oley church assist at camp for young tornado victims in Alabama.
July 30, 2011... July 30--Melissa Sauer felt a small hand clutch her arm when the thunder started booming. The 10-year-old boy next to her was afraid -- he was thinking of the tornadoes that ripped through his community in Huntsville, Ala., three months ago....

Prosecutors specify charge in Kalina case.
July 30, 2011... Byline: Holly Herman July 30--Michele G.M. Kalina has been charged with a single count of third-degree murder in the slaying in one of the five infants she was initially accused of killing between 1996 and 2010, records disclosed Friday. ...

Oley Township veterinarian dies on diving excursion off Long Island.
July 30, 2011... Byline: Don Spatz July 30--An Oley Township veterinarian died of an apparent heart attack during a diving excursion off Long Island, East Hampton officials said Friday. Dr. Timothy J. Barrow, 64, of the Oley Valley Animal Clinic along...

Cumru Marine's goal: taking soccer star to ball.
July 30, 2011... Byline: Mike Urban July 30--When Cpl. Eric Sears invited his dream date to the upcoming Marine Corps Ball, he didn't ask her the old-fashioned way. After all, the Cumru Township man has never even met her. Sears, 22, would love to...

BRIEF: Tanker truck crash closes I-78 lanes in Lehigh County.
July 30, 2011... July 30--Eastbound Interstate 78 in Lehigh County was closed most of Friday after a tanker truck carrying used motor oil rolled and spilled at Route 100 a few miles from the Berks line. The lanes were opened about 10 p.m. The interstate...

BRIEF: Man hit by gunshots near 11th and Greenwich.
July 30, 2011... July 30--A man was shot near 11th and Greenwich streets Friday afternoon and taken to Reading Hospital after emergency responders found him on a sidewalk near the intersection. City police said he suffered gunshot wounds to a shoulder and...

BRIEF: Gunman robs store in Muhlenberg.
July 30, 2011... July 30--A gunman robbed a Muhlenberg Township store Friday of an unspecified amount of money. No injuries were reported in the holdup shortly before 2 p.m. at the San Francisco Market, 4848 Kutztown Road. The man showed a black handgun,...

Tax board sets Berks assessment rate.
July 30, 2011... Byline: Mary Young July 30--The magic number needed this year to determine whether the tax assessment on a Berks County property and the taxes based on that assessment are higher than they should be is 73.2 percent. Property owners who...

Driver found nearly 15 hours after crash.
July 30, 2011... Byline: Steve Henshaw July 30--As workday traffic buzzed along Route 422 in Amity Township throughout the morning and early afternoon, a Pottstown woman lay unseen and badly injured in the woods, less than 100 feet from her wrecked car. ...

Reading Eagle, Pa., Ron Devlin column.(Column)
July 29, 2011... Byline: Ron Devlin July 29--The Kutztown School Board had just finished an hour of bantering over teacher layoffs when, during the public comment period, Wayne Hopkins rose to be recognized. What he said next stunned the board,...

Reading Eagle, Pa., John Fidler column.(Column)
July 29, 2011... Byline: John Fidler July 29--IMAGES AND STORIES OF CHILDREN -- starving in east Africa, convicted of killing each other here in Reading, being slaughtered by a fanatic in Norway and, blessedly, actually helping each other in Arizona -- have...

The Water Guy Express opens in Exeter.
July 29, 2011... Byline: Karen Miller July 29--AH, It Sounds So Refreshing -- a store for all manner of water and water-related products. And refreshing is what brothers Bryan C. and Douglas R. Shinn, principals of The Water Guy, Cumru Township, hope is...

National Penn boosts earnings.(Financial report)
July 29, 2011... Byline: Shannon Simcox July 29--Reading Eagle Thursday was a good day for National Penn Bancshares Inc., by the president and chief executive officer's own admission. "We believe the quarter was our best because we have been able to...

Done deal: Kolb Arizona-bound.
July 29, 2011... Byline: Steve Patton July 29--BETHLEHEM - It didn't happen right away, but it did happen, and it's tough to find fault with any aspect of the move. The Philadelphia Eagles' long-expected trade of quarterback Kevin Kolb to Arizona for...

State tournament suspended by rain.
July 29, 2011... Byline: Beth Hudson July 29--Day Four of the Pennsylvania American Legion State Tournament is still something of a mystery. That's because two teams didn't have a chance to finish their game on Day 3. Berks Legion League and Region 2...

County hires firm to oversee search for contractor to repair services center.
July 29, 2011... Byline: Mary Young July 29--The Berks County commissioners Thursday approved a $40,700 contract with a Harrisburg firm to oversee the search for a contractor to repair $450,000 in damage to courtrooms and offices caused by a June water leak....

For Reading students, a lesson in career goals.
July 29, 2011... Byline: Ashley Gold July 29--Reading students got a sneak peak this week of possible career choices available right here in Berks County. Upward Bound, a program at Reading Area Community College, joined with Junior Achievement of Greater...

Muhlenberg contractor bilked many of nearly $750,000, officials say.
July 29, 2011... Byline: Steve Henshaw July 29--The owner of a Muhlenberg Township contracting business was arrested and charged with cheating subcontractors, suppliers and customers out of nearly three-quarters of a million dollars over a three-year period,...

KU lays off 11 employees due to budget reduction.
July 29, 2011... Byline: Jason Brudereck July 29--Eleven Kutztown University employees have been laid off as part of 47 mostly vacant positions that have been eliminated to reduce KU's 2011-12 budget by $3.8 million to make up a shortfall, the university...

Widow given slain deputy's awards.
July 29, 2011... Byline: Mary Young July 29--The awards honoring deputy sheriffs for outstanding service to Berks County last year had been ordered months ago. They arrived from the printer shortly after Deputy Sheriff Kyle D. Pagerly, 28, was killed June...

Mega-heat equals megawatts.
July 29, 2011... Byline: Dan Kelly July 29--Last week's record high temperatures have passed, but the heat still may be on PPL Electric Utilities and Met-Ed. The two major electric utilities serving Berks County say they withstood the record heat,...

Reading Water Authority agrees to cut tapping fee for prospective customer.
July 29, 2011... Byline: Don Spatz July 29--The Reading Area Water Authority, trying to lure a company promising 250 jobs to the city, agreed Thursday to save the company about $37,700 by cutting its tapping fee in half. But member Thomas Brogan, the sole...

BRIEF: Airport ordinance tabled.
July 29, 2011... Byline: Erin Negley July 29--NORTH HEIDELBERG TWP. Airport ordinance is tabled by board The North Heidelberg Township supervisors Wednesday tabled a proposed airport ordinance that would regulate the height of structures....

EDITORIAL: Public should be kept informed of cop-conduct probe (7/29/11).(Editorial)
July 29, 2011... July 29--Two issues have arisen from the investigation by Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams into allegations that several West Reading police officers misused stun guns. The first is a matter of common sense; the second is a matter of...

Reid has nothing to say about Kolb, Jackson.
July 28, 2011... Byline: Steve Patton July 28--BETHLEHEM -- Andy Reid was quite happy to talk about how excited he is to be back at Lehigh University and his plans for the team's training camp here. But questions about Kevin Kolb or DeSean Jackson or any...

Vogelsong 'a savior' for Giants.
July 28, 2011... Byline: Brian Smith July 28--PHILADELPHIA -- When the San Francisco Giants opened spring training in February in Scottsdale, Ariz., Ryan Vogelsong was just another pitcher, a guy who could go about his business in anonymity. Interview...

Reading Eagle, Pa., Holly Herman column.(Column)
July 28, 2011... Byline: Holly Herman July 28--I've watched Reading attorney Allan Sodomsky try numerous high-profile cases during the course of his two-decade career as a criminal defense attorney. From what I've observed during that time, Sodomsky...

Boyertown book store fills longtime hole in business district.
July 28, 2011... Byline: Shannon Simcox July 28--It's an avid reader's dream and may be the first of its kind in Boyertown. The Book Nook Used Book Store, 130 E. Philadelphia Ave., is not only the only bookstore in Boyertown, but is also considered to be...

Bears rally again, beat Blackhawk.
July 28, 2011... Byline: Beth Hudson July 28--Coach Rick Moatz knew there was a reason he shifted shortstop Chris Werner up to fifth in Boyertown's batting order. But, just in case, Werner reminded him Wednesday at Owls Field. With a runner on third and...

Offensive struggles for R-Phils continue.
July 28, 2011... Byline: Mike Drago July 28--Trade rumors are swirling throughout baseball these days, and the Phillies seem to be in the middle of a lot of them. Philadelphia general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is on the lookout for a right-handed bat to prop up...

Summer camp teaches lessons in living 19th-century life.
July 28, 2011... Byline: Ashley Gold July 28--While many children and teenagers at summer camp play sports and make crafts, those at the Junior Apprenticeship Guild Camp at historic Joanna Furnace this week were busy learning trades from the 1800s. The...

Kenhorst advances measure to limit student housing.
July 28, 2011... Byline: Liam Migdail-Smith July 28--College student housing in Kenhorst would be limited to several streets with a proposed change to the zoning ordinance. The proposed change would restrict renting by two or more unrelated students to...