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• Palin stepping down as Alaska governor -

  WASILLA, Alaska (AP) — Alaska Gov.

• Drowning death in Pike County creek (with video) -

  A man died Friday afternoon while swimming in a Pike County creek.

• Getting the biggest bang for your buck -

  With the economy a bust, consumers who still wants some July 4th "boom" can get bargains — even at the last minute.

• Man reportedly assaults woman outside Chestnuthill Township store -

  Police are looking for a man in his early 50s who approached a 22-year-old woman in the Dollar General parking lot in Chestnuthill Township, grabbed her by the hair, felt her breast and tried putting his hand down her pants.

• Pike County Humane Society postpones picnic -

  The Pike County Humane Society has postponed its picnic that was scheduled Sunday because some of the dogs have kennel cough. A new date has not yet been set.

• Tobyhanna mom, daughter face drug charges, suspected supplier sought -

  A Pocono Mountain Regional Police investigation has led to the arrests of a woman and her daughter on drug trafficking charges in Coolbaugh Township, but police are looking for the suspected supplier.

• Emergency dog food distribution scheduled in Brodheadsville -

  The Animal Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley, in cooperation with the Eastern Pennsylvania Animal Alliance, will host an emergency dog food distribution to families in need of assistance.

• East Stroudsburg man arrested after dropping baby down stairs -

  An East Stroudsburg man was arrested on Monday morning after he tried to run away from police with his baby in his arms and dropped the child about 10 feet while drunk, according to Stroud Area Regional Police.

• Palmerton school official charged with raping boy -

  LEHIGHTON (AP) — An eastern Pennsylvania school official has been charged with raping a boy.

• New way to get an apple a day in Stroudsburg -

  STROUDSBURG — Salvatore Vito plans to get fresh with his customers.

• Wedding-crashing thief in Mount Pocono sought -

  Police are looking for a woman who posed as a guest at two wedding receptions, approached gift card boxes at each wedding, took the cards and left.

• Pocono Mountain bond rating downgraded -

  The Pocono Mountain School District's credit score has been downgraded — a move that could hit taxpayers by making it more costly for the district to borrow money and pay off its debts.

• Werry's Pub in Marshalls Creek is shopped around as a strip club -

  MARSHALLS CREEK — A landmark Middle Smithfield Township bar and restaurant connected to a township supervisor is up for sale — as a strip club.

• Adult-oriented zoning rules in Middle Smithfield Township -

  Middle Smithfield Township defines adult-oriented usages as limited to adult bookstores, adult movie theaters, massage parlors or adult live entertainment.

• Highlights in Pocono News, June 25 - July 1 -

  Editor's note: This column features some of the high and low spots in recent news. Items may not always be top stories, but they are items we think are of interest.

• UPDATE: East Stroudsburg University power to be back on by 10 p.m. tonight -

  The lights will be back on at East Stroudsburg University by 10 p.m. tonight, Thursday, following an all-day power outage.

• East Stroudsburg car dealership employee found with 300 stolen inspection stickers -

  Cleveland C. Pierce, 59, of Stroudsburg, has been charged with receiving stolen property and theft after police found 300 state inspection stickers in his car after a traffic stop on Ridgeway Street in East Stroudsburg on June 22.

• Pa. boy, 2, dies after being left in hot car -

  PENNDEL, Pa. (AP) — A toddler who was accidentally left in a hot minivan outside his suburban Philadelphia day care center has died of hyperthermia.

• Woman acquitted of stealing from Chestnuthill employer -

  A jury Wednesday acquitted Michelle Kapalski, 42, of Albrightsville, of stealing from her former employer, Heller’s Gas Company, in Chestnuthill Township, which leaves the question of what happened to the money if Kapalski didn't take it.

• Carbon school official charged with raping boy -

  LEHIGHTON, Pa. (AP) — An eastern Pennsylvania school official has been charged with raping a boy.

• Tobyhanna mom, daughter face drug charges, suspected supplier sought -

  A Pocono Mountain Regional Police investigation has led to the arrests of a woman and her daughter on drug trafficking charges in Coolbaugh Township, but police are looking for the suspected supplier.

• Pocono Thursday midday: wedding crasher, bike bandit, firecracker weekend -

  Guard those gift cards. Police are looking for a woman who posed as a guest at two wedding receptions and swiped gift cards.Here's what she looks like.

• Police: Western Pa. home worker stole rings off fingers -

  GREENSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A former worker at a western Pennsylvania home for Alzheimer's patients has been charged with literally stealing the rings off the fingers of three women while caring for them.

• DEA joins Michael Jackson death investigation -

  LOS ANGELES (AP) — With the federal Drug Enforcement Administration now joining the investigation into Michael Jackson's death, Jermaine Jackson says he would be "hurt" if toxicology reports show that his younger brother abused prescription drugs.

• Woman steals gift cards from Mount Pocono weddings -

  Police are looking for a woman who posed as a guest at two wedding receptions, approached gift card boxes at each wedding, took the cards and left.

• Pocono Consumer news: Ready for fireworks; borrow that bag; electric efficiency -

  Operators of the thousands of

• Man assaults woman outside Chestnuthill Dollar General -

  Police are looking for a man in his early 50s who approached a 22-year-old woman in the Dollar General parking lot in Chestnuthill Township, grabbed her by the hair, felt her breast and tried putting his hand down her pants.

• Accident in N.J. injures two, backs up I-80 East -

  Two people were injured in a two-vehicle accident on Interstate 80 East on the New Jersey side, more than a mile from the bridge, shortly before 8 a.m.

• Pocono Thursday: Driver says she hit weed whacker; music dies; rain won't quit -

  A bizarre twist in the pedestrian fatal. A Tobyhanna woman says she didn't hit Robert Apuzzi with her car last week.

• Effort bike bandit with cast sought for attempted burglary -

  Police are searching for a young man who tried to steal a dirt bike from a Chestnuthill Township home in the early morning hours of June 23rd.

• Police say driver did hit Tobyhanna man with her car -

  The account given by driver Lisamarie Ostuni of the fatal accident on Route 196 in Coolbaugh Township on June 23 conflicts, at least partially, with that given by police.

• Tobyhanna woman says she didn't hit victim with her car -

  The driver involved in an accident that killed a pedestrian on Route 196 in Coolbaugh Township on Tuesday, June 23, says the victim was working in the street without safety flags or warning markers.

• Bushkill woman pleads guilty in restaurant arson case -

  Carmen DelValle, 39, of Bushkill, pleaded guilty Thursday to setting a June 18 fire that caused more than $5,000 in damage to the Log Cabin restaurant and bar in Lehman Township.

• Woman pleads guilty in Bushkill restaurant arson case -

  Carmen DelValle, 39, of Bushkill, pleaded guilty Thursday to setting a June 18 fire that caused more than $5,000 in damage to the Log Cabin restaurant and bar in Lehman Township.

• East Stroudsburg man arrested after dropping baby down stairs -

  An East Stroudsburg man was arrested on Monday morning after he tried to run away from police with his baby in his arms and dropped the child about 10 feet while drunk, according to Stroud Area Regional Police.

• Construction begins at Eastburg's Purple Pit -

  EAST STROUDSBURG — The project is finally under way.

• UPDATE: East Stroudsburg University power to be back on by 10 p.m. tonight -

  The lights will be back on at East Stroudsburg University by 10 p.m. tonight, Thursday, following an all-day power outage.

• East Stroudsburg Fourth of July bash could attract 25,000-plus -

  On a cold spring night, a ship plowed through the frigid North Atlantic waters. A solitary musician broke the silence with hot new licks.

• Conference, concert, fireworks at Pinebrook -

  Pinebrook Bible Conference continues its 76th Summer Bible Conference with the second conference beginning Sunday through Friday, July 10.

• Poconos Court Blotter: Thursday, July 2 -

  The following cases appeared before Tannersville Magisterial District Judge Thomas Olsen. All except the last two cases will head to Monroe County Court.

• For homeless, E-burg camp is the last stop -

  EAST STROUDSBURG — It's no secret there are, and have been over the years, dozens of homeless people who live near the train tracks in East Stroudsburg behind the Kmart and Weis Market in the shopping center on Lincoln Street.

• Pike shelter steps in to care for Monroe's pets -

  SHOHOLA — The voice on the telephone was faint and pleading.

• Stroud Regional cops do what they can for abandoned, stray dogs -

  Police have to be tough when it comes to hauling in suspects, but soften when taking in stray or abandoned dogs.

• Rail victim ID'd; no family found to claim body -

  EAST STROUDSBURG — The man killed Sunday when he was run over by a train while lying on tracks in East Stroudsburg was a 52-year-old homeless man, and no family has been located to claim the body, according to Monroe County Coroner Dave Thomas.

• Dogs found in Eastburg returned to owners -

  Thanks to concerned residents and Stroud Area Regional Police, two young female dogs found wandering Saturday in East Stroudsburg have been returned to their owners.

• Kiwanis Club presents Bramblet award -

  Michaela R. Mulvey of Stroudsburg High School was honored by the Kiwanis Club of the Stroudsburgs with the Jim Bramblet Citation and a $500 check on May 20 at Pocono Inne Town.

• Stroud Regional Police update: Both dog owners have been found -

  Both dogs found wandering last week have been reunited with their owners, according to Stroud Are Regional Police.

• Man hit, killed by train while asleep on tracks in East Stroudsburg -

  A unidentified man sleeping on train tracks behind Kmart was struck and killed by a freight train on Sunday afternoon.

• Purse stolen in car break-in outside wellness center in East Stroudsburg -

  Linda Burns of Stroudsburg heard purses had been stolen from lockers at Pocono Wellness Center in East Stroudsburg.

• Man hit, killed by train in East Stroudsburg -

  Stroud Area Regional Police have confirmed that a man was killed this afternoon when he was hit by a train behind the Kmart in East Stroudsburg, apparently sleeping on the tracks.

• Eastburg school chief Rachael Heath says she'll retire -

  EAST STROUDSBURG — Rachael Heath, the superintendent of East Stroudsburg's schools, has announced her intention to retire in September.

• American Freedom Festival 5K Run in East Stroudsburg -

  The Pocono Family YMCA will host the American Freedom Festival 5K Run at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 4, at Dansbury Park in East Stroudsburg.

• Doctor donates photos to benefit Monroe County's visually impaired -

  He has an eye for his career — and his hobby. Dr. Amit Gupta, an ophthalmologist at RetinaCare Associates Inc. of Stroudsburg, is donating his talent to help a local charity that specializes in vision.

• Gary Curtis celebration Sunday at East Stroudsburg American Legion -

  The American Legion in East Stroudsburg will host a celebration of the life of Gary Curtis from 1 to 9 p.m. Sunday.

• East Stroudsburg property tax increases announced -

  EAST STROUDSBURG — Property taxes in East Stroudsburg Area School District will go up more than 8 percent in Monroe County and 3 percent in Pike after the district's school board adopted its budget Monday night.

• East Stroudsburg school board puts child care service in bind -

  EAST STROUDSBURG — Latchkey care for 125 East Stroudsburg children could be shuttered after the district's school board voted Monday to charge nonprofit groups to use its schools.

• Tobyhanna mom, daughter face drug charges, suspected supplier sought -

  A Pocono Mountain Regional Police investigation has led to the arrests of a woman and her daughter on drug trafficking charges in Coolbaugh Township, but police are looking for the suspected supplier.

• Tobyhanna mom, daughter face drug charges, suspected supplier sought -

  A Pocono Mountain Regional Police investigation has led to the arrests of a woman and her daughter on drug trafficking charges in Coolbaugh Township, but police are looking for the suspected supplier.

• Police say driver did hit Tobyhanna man with her car -

  The account given by driver Lisamarie Ostuni of the fatal accident on Route 196 in Coolbaugh Township on June 23 conflicts, at least partially, with that given by police.

• Tobyhanna woman says she didn't hit victim with her car -

  The driver involved in an accident that killed a pedestrian on Route 196 in Coolbaugh Township on Tuesday, June 23, says the victim was working in the street without safety flags or warning markers.

• 'Rodeo' Bob fondly recalled following death in Coolbaugh Township -

  Friends of Robert S. Apuzzi remembered him as a motorcycle rider and antique car collector, a hard-working motor-head who loved to fish and have fun.

• Court briefs for Wednesday, July 1 -

  District Judge Fluegel

• Scavello plans to push for dedicating part of Route 611 in trooper's honor -

  State Rep. Mario Scavello plans to introduce legislation to dedicate a section of Route 611 in Coolbaugh Township as “Trooper Joshua D. Miller Memorial Highway,” in honor of the state police trooper who died in the line of duty.

• Battle with brain cancer continues for Pocono teen -

  A teenage girl bravely battling brain cancer continues to draw support from her family and friends as she begins months of chemotherapy.

• Cops report fight with gunshots fired in Coolbaugh -

  Pocono Mountain Regional Police reported the following:

• Driver, victim in Coolbaugh Township pedestrian accident ID'd -

  TOBYHANNA — The motorist and man she reportedly killed Tuesday afternoon on Route 196 in Coolbaugh Township have been identified.

• Motorist, man involved in Coolbaugh fatal accident identified -

  The motorist and man she killed Tuesday afternoon on Route 196 in Coolbaugh Township have been identified.

• Man finally charged in '04 meat cleaver murder in Pocono Township -

  Robert G. Giardini, 66, of Pocono Township, has been charged with using a meat cleaver to fatally wound a man in his home in April 2004.

• UPDATE: Motorist, pedestrian killed on Rt. 196 in Coolbaugh identified -

  TOBYHANNA — A man doing yard work beside Route 196 was killed when he was struck by an SUV Tuesday afternoon.

• Wedding-crashing thief in Mount Pocono sought -

  Police are looking for a woman who posed as a guest at two wedding receptions, approached gift card boxes at each wedding, took the cards and left.

• Woman steals gift cards from Mount Pocono weddings -

  Police are looking for a woman who posed as a guest at two wedding receptions, approached gift card boxes at each wedding, took the cards and left.

• Cops report fight with gunshots fired in Coolbaugh -

  Pocono Mountain Regional Police reported the following:

• Ohio man charged in Mount Pocono bank robbery -

  Pocono Mountain Regional Police on Tuesday charged William Ronald Curtis, 41, of Levittown, Ohio, in the May 29 robbery of the Citizens Savings Bank in Mount Pocono.

• Ohio man charged in Mount Pocono bank robbery -

  Pocono Mountain Regional Police on Tuesday charged William Ronald Curtis, 41, of Levittown, Ohio, in the May 29 robbery of the Citizens Savings Bank in Mount Pocono.

• Mount Pocono bones identification: William Bishop, 47 -

  The bones found last week near Route 940 northeast of Mount Pocono are the remains of William Bishop, who disappeared June 5, 2005, police said Wednesday.

• Police say driver did hit Tobyhanna man with her car -

  The account given by driver Lisamarie Ostuni of the fatal accident on Route 196 in Coolbaugh Township on June 23 conflicts, at least partially, with that given by police.

• Tobyhanna woman says she didn't hit victim with her car -

  The driver involved in an accident that killed a pedestrian on Route 196 in Coolbaugh Township on Tuesday, June 23, says the victim was working in the street without safety flags or warning markers.

• Contractor charged in Tobyhanna Township illegal dumping case -

  Contractor Chad Rhoades, 32, of Exton, is awaiting a future district court preliminary hearing on charges in a Tobyhanna Township illegal dumping case.

• 'Rodeo' Bob fondly recalled following death in Coolbaugh Township -

  Friends of Robert S. Apuzzi remembered him as a motorcycle rider and antique car collector, a hard-working motor-head who loved to fish and have fun.

• The day Michael Jackson played in the Poconos -

  Thirty-six years ago, the country was embroiled in the Watergate scandal, Tony Orlando and Dawn topped the charts, and Michael Jackson played a concert in the Poconos.

• Monroe County lawyer elected as vice president of state Bar Institute -

  Monroe County attorney Jane Roach Maughan recently was elected vice president of the Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s Board of Directors.

• Man heads to court in June 7 arson case in Tobyhanna Township -

  Michael Bartell Jr., 30, of Pocono Summit, will head to Monroe County Court on charges of setting the June 7 fire at Classic Quality Homes on Route 940 in Tobyhanna Township.

• Man heading to county court in Tobyhanna Township arson case -

  Michael Bartell Jr., 30, of Pocono Summit, will head to Monroe County Court on charges of setting the June 7 fire at Classic Quality Homes on Route 940 in Tobyhanna Township.

© 2009 Pocono Record. Used with permission from the Pocono Record, a division of Ottaway Newspapers, Inc.

© Copyright 2001-2009 WorldNow and WNEP. All Rights Reserved

© Copyright 2001-2009 WorldNow and WNEP. All Rights Reserved