Dad accused of baby abuse wants 'fair shot'

CATAWISSA -- A Catawissa-area man accused of abusing his 2-month-old son was "hoping for a fair shot" to stay out of prison yesterday, he said before a hearing. Matthew J. Sacks' lawyer said the father understood he wouldn't be able to see his infant son, who police say was covered in bruises and suffered bone fractures as a result of Sacks' violent temper. Attorney Greg Moro said they would even understand if the court kept Sacks, 25, from seeing his 6-year-old daughter, who police say Sacks also abused when she was 4 months old.

Berwick football game postponed

ALLENTOWN - The Bulldogs will have to wait until tomorrow to face off against Archbishop Wood. Organizers postponed the football game, originally scheduled for tonight, due to fear of freezing rain. The teams will now face off in Allentown's J. Birney Crum Stadium at 5 p.m. Saturday for the right to represent the East in the PIAA Class AAA title game.

Armed robbery suspect sought

BLOOMSBURG -- A man with a garbage bag wrapped around his face and armed with a utility knife tried to rob the owner of Em's Pink Wieners hot dog cart early Friday morning in the parking lot at the corner of East Main Street and Lightstreet Road, police say. Emily Zenzel said she and friend Brian McCollom were packing up the cart, which was set up in the public lot next to the Bloomsburg Diner, around 2:15 a.m. Although she usually stays open until 3 a.m., it was pouring rain and business was slow, Zenzel said.'Thought it was a joke'

Killer gets up to 40 years in prison

BLOOMSBURG -- Abraham Kline will serve the maximum 20-40 years in state prison for killing his girlfriend, a judge ruled Thursday afternoon. Kline came to Columbia County Court for sentencing in the death of Jocelyn Romano, 35, in May 2012 outside their home near Waller. A jury convicted Kline of third-degree murder on Nov. 19. Kline, 40, shot Romano after the two argued over her plans to return to her estranged husband and their three children in Washington, Pa.

Father broke infant's bones in abuse, cops say

CATAWISSA -- A father is facing charges for abusing his 2-month-old son, leaving the infant with broken bones and bruises on at least three separate occasions, police say. It's the second time Children and Youth officials have investigated Matthew J. Sacks, 25, Catawissa, police say. The baby boy's injuries are startlingly similar to fractures and bruises his half-sister suffered in 2008, police note.

Thief steals $10G in jewelry, cash at Arcus Brothers

BLOOMSBURG -- Someone stole a bank deposit bag holding coins, cash and gold jewelry worth more than $10,000 at Arcus Brothers Stereo Center on Tuesday, police said. "This is the worst thing that ever happened to me in my life," said store owner Steve Arcus, who's been buying and selling electronics, collectibles and entertainment merchandise for 42 years. The missing items include about 50 gold rings, a men's 14-Karat gold Bulova watch and cocktail diamond rings. "My nerves are shot over this," Arcus said.

Loose truck tire flattens car

SCOTT TWP. -- A tractor trailer tire came loose from an eastbound rig and peeled back the roof of a westbound car on Interstate 80 this morning, police say. The errant tire flattened the passenger seat of the Toyota Camry, but the driver, who was traveling alone, was uninjured, according to reports from the scene. The wheel also hit a third vehicle, a Honda CR-V, but the damage was not as severe. State Police at Bloomsburg are investigating the 10:20 a.m. crash. Look for more details on this story as they become available.

BU's head football coach job down to 2 finalists

BLOOMSBURG -- Two former coordinators under legendary coach Danny Hale are the only finalists for the Bloomsburg University football coaching job. Paul Darragh, the former defensive coordinator who for almost 10 months has served as interim head coach, and ex-offensive coordinator Tom Pajic are the candidates for the position, the school announced Tuesday. The full-time post has been vacant since Feb. 22, when Hale -- who was 173-56-1 in 20 years at BU -- announced his resignation.

The PE Sneak Peek: Dec. 3, 2013

Here's a look at the stories that are keeping our reporters busy Tuesday: * "I'll pay anything" to get out of a DUI, a suspect allegedly told a policeman. See our online report. * Down on their luck, travelers stand outside a local store with a sign asking for help. * "I'm not going to be a screw-up anymore," says a man charged with vandalizing a local park. * A suspect comes to court on charges he ran into the river to escape the law.

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