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."

What we're working on for June 19

Here's a look at the stories keeping our reporters busy Tuesday: * A car drives over an embankment, leaving a handicapped woman inside with her wheelchair and oxygen tank. Reporter Susan Schwartz and photographer M.J. McDonald have just returned from the scene. * A suspect who ran from police outside a busy fast-food restaurant kicks out the window in the back of a police cruiser after he's apprehended. Pete Kendron has the tale.

FROM THE ARCHIVES: 65 years ago, a plane crashed into county history

Sixty-five years ago yesterday, a plane crashed in southern Columbia County, killing all 43 people aboard, making it one of the deadliest accidents in county history. Here's a story about the crash by former Press Enterprise Writer Bob Bauder, originally published on April 7, 1996.The airliner was clearly in trouble when John Broda spotted it flying low over the Wilburton No. 2 Hose Co.

More post-prom party teens in court Tuesday

MOUNT CARMEL -- Eight more Danville teenagers were in court Tuesday on charges from a post-prom party bust in May. All were given the chance to keep their records clean by entering a special program for first-time offenders. The students were lucky, said District Judge Hugh Jones. Jones said he's the only judge who offers such a program in Northumberland County. Otherwise, he said, the defendants would have to fight the citations in court, or plead guilty and face a license suspension.

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