News for 1/31/13

Sandusky                                                                         1 31 13
Jerry Sandusky will not get a new trial. Judge Cleland denied the request from Sandusky's defense team yesterday citing that there was "no basis for the defense to claim the trial was not a fair one." 

In Cleland's 27 page order, he also said that based on Joseph Amendola's testimony, the attorneys for Sandusky conceded that their post trial review turned up no material that would have changed their strategy. The judge also denied the defense's request to throw out the charges relating to Victim 8.

In post trial motions, lawyers for Sandusky argued that they needed more time to prepare for the trial and Judge Cleland should have allowed a delay.  

The ruling is expected to lead to appeals to the state Superior Court

Explosive
State Police in Philipsburg are looking for the person responsible for placing an explosive device inside a residential mailbox and blowing it up. 
Police said someone placed the explosive device in a mailbox along Laurel Hill Drive in Rush Township sometime over the weekend. 
Anyone with information is asked to contact State Police. 

Corman
The State Senate voted unanimously yesterday to pass a proposal by Senate Appropriations Chairman Jake Corman to keep the fines given to Penn State by the NCAA in Pennsylvania.

The fine will go into an endowment fund for programs to help prevent child sex abuse and protect and help victims. Penn State paid its first 12 million dollar installment of the fine into a fund in December. The NCAA agreed not to disperse the money pending a lawsuit by Corman to keep the money in the Commonwealth, which was filed earlier this month.

The bill now goes to the state House.   

Corbett
Governor Corbett unveiled his plan yesterday to privatize Pennsylvania's state run wine and spirits stores. 

His plan would call for shutting down the state-run liquor stores and 1200 licenses auctioned off. Corbett's plan would also open beer and wine sales to places like supermarkets and convenience stores which he believes will give Pennsylvania's more choice and convenience. 

Racial Incidents

Penn State Police are investigating two racially motivated criminal mischief incidents at Brumbaugh and Shunk Halls.

The incident in Brumbaugh Hall happened sometime between 8am and 4:30pm on Monday when a racially motivated message was spray painted in a stairwell. The incident in Shunk Hall occurred sometime between 8pm and 12:15 am Monday and Tuesday when a permanent marker was used to write a racially motivated message on a bulletin board. 
Anyone with information about the incidents should contact Penn State Police or Centre County Crime Stoppers.

PA Tax Ranking
A report that examines state and local taxes across the nation says Pennsylvania is one of the most regressive tax states in the country.

According to a new study by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, working families in Pennsylvania pay a a far higher share of their income in state and local taxes than the state’s wealthiest earners.

The report says middle-income families in Pennsylvania pay more than double the share of their income in taxes than the very wealthiest Pennsylvanians, while low-income families pay nearly three times as much ranking the Keystone State as the 8th most regressive in the nation.

Boil Advisory.
A small number of residents in State College remain under a Boil Water Notice due to a water main failure on Tuesday.

The addresses that are affected include 1700-1820 South Atherton Street (exclusind 1811 South Atherton Street), 105-164 Joyce Drive, 110-151 Suzy Circle, 112-129 Vivian Way and 800 West Branch Road. 

It is recommended residents bring all tap water to a rolling boil for one minute and let cool before using. An alternative is to use bottled water.