Supreme Court strikes down Defense of Marriage Act

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that legally married same-sex couples should get the same federal benefits as heterosexual couples. The court invalidated a provision of the federal Defense of Marriage Act that has prevented married gay couples from receiving a range of tax, health and retirement benefits that are generally available to married people. The vote was 5-4. Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote the majority opinion.

Tractor-trailer loses control, flips during downpour

MIFFLINVILLE -- A UPS tractor pulling a double trailer flipped on its side a few miles east of the Mifflinville exit on Interstate 80 Tuesday afternoon. The truck was traveling in a three-vehicle convoy when a heavy rainstorm hit. The wheels on one of the trailers kicked out and the truck plunged off into the median, police say. Traffic was not restricted on the highway, since the truck was completely off the road.

Woman gets 14-28 years for setting fire to home

WILKES-BARRE -- Convicted arsonist Gail Schneider was sentenced this morning to 14-28 years in state prison for setting fire to an apartment home and trapping two 92-year-old women inside. Schneider, 44, of 353 N. Market St., Berwick, was also ordered to pay $1.2 million in restitution for the September 2010 blaze, which prosecutors say she set in apparent retribution for being evicted from the place.

What we're working on for June 22

Here's a look at the stories our reporters are working on today: * The behavior of a Bloomsburg policeman has cost him his job. Pete Kendron has the details. * A plan to protect two businesses from flooding has more hurdles to clear before construction can begin. * A Stillwater man managed to stay out of trouble for 72 hours after being released from prison. Kristin Baver has the story on the new charges he faces following a pair of incidents in Catawissa.

Ex-BU student sold fake military circuits, feds say

A former Bloomsburg University student faces federal charges that he and others sold fake high-tech electronics that could have endangered military lives, according to court papers. Hao Yang, a Chinese national here on a student visa, mailed 341 counterfeit "military-grade integrated circuits" to a Florida company from his address in Bloomsburg in December 2011, according to an indictment approved by a federal grand jury in Maryland.

Gallery: Bear in Bloom

A bear wandered through the east end of Bloomsburg on Wednesday afternoon, eventually ending up in the grassy area behind the St. Paul Episcopal Church near Main and Iron streets. He was cornered there by police, sheriff's department employees and Game Commission officers. Here are some photos from Photographer M.J. Mahon from the hour and a half it took to tranquilize the bear and move it to a bear trap.

Bear captured in Bloom

BLOOMSBURG -- A young bear out exploring new ground ambled right into the heart of the downtown Wednesday afternoon. His visit caused quite a stir, drawing a police pursuit and crowds of curious onlookers. It came to an end in the quiet shade of a few trees behind St. Paul's Episcopal Church with the help of a couple tranquilizer darts. And then he was on his way back to the wilderness in a Game Commission bear trailer. The trouble started just after noon, when the young bruin was spotted near Catherine and 10th streets. It made its way north, and went right across Main Street near Iron.

Alleged youth football thief in court

SHICKSHINNY - A Shickshinny woman charged with stealing $15,000 from a children's football league sent a charge of theft on to Luzerne County Court on Wednesday morning, but not before a district judge used Mary E. Kramer's hearing to issue a warning to other non-profits. "Any volunteer group, a PTO, chuches, a fire company, a booster club that has fundraising: Please check your books, and have someone audit your books," said District Judge John Hasay. "If someone is stealing from children, anybody would steal from anybody."

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