Free Republic

ARNOLD, Pa. - Several weeks after she first came under fire for a social media posting, Arnold Mayor Karen Peconi is pushing back against those who would have her removed from office. The post in question was referred to protesters demanding action after Antwon Rose was shot and killed by an East Pittsburgh police officer. “They don’t care about jobs for Pgh.. none of them work now," she said. Peconi issued an apology for the comments, but that wasn't enough for many residents. Tuesday night, the Arnold City Council voted to send a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf requesting he...

Officials in the U.S. Pennsylvania town of Hazleton strengthened a local law designed to drive illegal immigrants away in a bid to defend the measure against legal challenges. The new law, approved by a vote of 4-1, increases pressure on local employers to avoid hiring illegal immigrants and raises fines for landlords who rent rooms to them. Landlords will be fined $250 a day for each illegal immigrant they rent to. READ MORE

John Grogan | Time to unload on gun stupidity By John Grogan Inquirer Columnist The funeral, all these years later, sticks with me. There had been an accident involving two boys and a loaded handgun, and I had arrived early for the service. Outside, the undertaker paced, waiting for the family to arrive, and a priest smoked a cigarette, ready to pray. Inside, I stood alone beside a small casket holding an 8-year-old boy, shot through the forehead by his best friend. The details of the death should have been shocking, but they were numbingly familiar: yet another gun brought...

Authorities to consider charges against man By Keith Mayer Reading Eagle A Reading shopkeeper on Friday fatally shot a knife-wielding man who had robbed him of an undetermined amount of money, city police said. Gregorio Zarzuela, 58, the owner of Gregory's Market, 12th and Green streets, ran out the front door, turned and fired once at the fleeing robber about 12:30 p.m., investigators said. Zarzuela killed the man, who fell face up onto the sidewalk on the west side of the street, authorities said. Officials had not determined the identity of the dead man; he was checked for identification, but...