107 arrested amid immigration sweep
PHILADELPHIA » Federal immigration officials say 107 people were arrested in Philadelphia as part of a nationwide sweep focusing on what they called “sanctuary” jurisdictions, which limit local authorities’ cooperation in immigration investigations.
In a news release Thursday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said that the four-day operation netted 498 people wanted for immigration violations. Of those, 317 had criminal convictions.
The release says a citizen of the Dominican Republic who entered the country illegally and had been convicted on firearms charges was among those arrested in Philadelphia. Officials say he had previously been arrested by local police, but was released before ICE could take custody.
ICE acting Director Tom Homan said local policies of non-cooperation create magnets for illegal immigration, forcing the agency to use more resources in those communities.
Frat where Penn St. pledge was fatally hurt cited over codes
STATE COLLEGE, PA. » The Penn State fraternity where a student was fatally injured during an alcohol-fueled pledge night in February is accused of violating local ordinances by renting rooms to alumni during home football weekends.
The citations issued to the Beta Theta Pi house say it needs a new permit to change the occupancy type of a commercial building. They also say it can’t operate as a hotel-type rental without a fire safety program license.
The Associated Press reported earlier this month that alumni had been emailed an offer to rent rooms for prices that ranged from $50 to $350.
Penn State banned the fraternity after the death of 19-year-old engineering student Tim Piazza, of Lebanon, New Jersey.
Pennsylvania launches program to promote state’s brewers
HARRISBURG, PA. » Pennsylvania is giving its breweries a boost with a new marketing initiative designed to highlight local beer producers.
Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday rolled out the PA Preferred Brews initiative, which identifies beer brewed in the state with Pennsylvania-grown ingredients.
Officials say beer is a nearly $6 billion annual business in Pennsylvania, with more than 300 licensed breweries.
Wolf says the new program is a way for Pennsylvania breweries to differentiate themselves in a competitive market, including a logo for licensed participants to display on their products.
The state’s craft brewers can participate if their beer is brewed in the state, meets state and federal production standards and is made from hops, grains or other products that come from Pennsylvania.
School superintendent’s DUI comes on heels of coach scandal
WEST MIFFLIN, PA. » A Pennsylvania school district superintendent has been charged with drunken driving.
State police charged West Mifflin Superintendent Daniel Castagna with speeding, careless driving, drunken driving and other charges stemming from a Beaver County traffic stop about 3 a.m. Sept. 22. Castagna isn’t commenting because he’s yet to receive the police complaint in the mail.
Parents in the district were upset to learn of the charges Thursday, a day after Castagna announced that an unnamed assistant coach has been placed on leave while the district investigates alleged “inappropriate behavior” with a former student.
Police: Man fatally stabbed near Philadelphia’s main library
PHILADELPHIA » Police say they’ve arrested a person after a fatal stabbing near Philadelphia’s main library during the morning rush.
Authorities say a man in his 50s was stabbed multiple times in the neck and face and was pronounced dead at around 8 a.m. Friday near the Free Library in Center City.
Police have recovered a weapon and say an arrest was made at 17th and Vine Streets. They haven’t released the names of either person.
State cites Penn State Hershey for delays, 2 deaths
HERSHEY, PA. » State health officials have cited Penn State Hershey Medical Center for delays in the care of three patients, including two who died.
The report, released Thursday, stemmed from an unannounced survey conducted in July.
Investigators said a response team should have been called sooner for a 6-year-old boy after coming to the hospital with a high heart rate and other ailments in June. The boy died.
Another patient eventually died after waiting more than two hours for treatment after a fall.
Officials say the hospital did not correctly diagnose a patient who was suffering from a stroke.
FAA bans drone flights near major U.S. landmarks
NEW YORK » The Federal Aviation Administration is banning drone flights within 400 feet of several national landmarks, including the Statue of Liberty and Mount Rushmore.
The FAA announced the no-fly drone zones at 10 Department of the Interior sites on Thursday. They take effect Oct. 5.
The restricted sites also include Boston National Historical Park, Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park and Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louise, Missouri.
Five dams are also on the list: Nevada’s Hoover Dam, Shasta and Folsom Dams in California, Arizona’s Glen Canyon Dam and Washington’s Grand Coulee Dam.
Drone violators may face civil penalties and criminal charges.
The FAA says the new restrictions came at the request of U.S. national security and law enforcement agencies.