STROUDSBURG - After deliberating for nearly 5 1/2 hours and questioning the judge twice Monday, a Monroe County jury found Thomas P. Senavitis, 46, of Kunkletown, not guilty of vehicular homicide in the October 2008 death of state Sen. James J. Rhoades.
Twenty-nine witnesses were called during the four-day trial, which began Wednesday. The jury entered deliberations about noon Monday and read its verdict at 5:25 p.m.
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STROUDSBURG - Thomas P. Senavitis was silent after being acquitted Monday of homicide by vehicle in the death of state Sen. James J. Rhoades, but his wife breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm happy about what happened," Dolores Senavitis said after the verdict
was read. "I'm actually surprised it was a nice and fair jury that paid attention to what was going on."
Thomas Senavitis, 46, of Kunkletown, had been accused of driving drunk in connection with an October 2008 car accident on Route 209 that killed Rhoades. Thomas Senavitis was found not guilty of homicide by vehicle/DUI, homicide by vehicle and two counts of aggravated assault by vehicle/DUI.
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SHAMOKIN - The debate over health care comes to the city today as focus continues on U.S. Rep. Chris Carney's position should legislation be voted on later this week.
Local residents associated with Pennsylvania Health Access Network (PHAN) will gather at 3 p.m. outside Carney's office at Mill Road Square, 521 Franklin St., according to a press advisory from the organization. It's calling the rally "Health Care Reform - March to the Finish!"
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Editor's note: Third in a occasional series.
CATAWISSA RR - The cast and crew of Southern Columbia Area High School's production of "Once On This Island" are ready to entertain and amaze audiences this weekend.
Final dress rehearsals are under way this week for the performances Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the school's auditorium. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for students and senior citizens.
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CATAWISSA RR - The collective bargaining agreement between the Southern Columbia Area School District and the non-instructional district staff union was approved Monday night at the school board meeting, leaving one district employee with a bad taste in his mouth.
"I know you negotiated with the union, but the vast majority don't agree with what is going on," said Derek Stein, assistant mechanic for the district.
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MAHANOY CITY - Construction is expected to begin again on the long-awaited Molly Maguire Historical Park in this Schuylkill County borough.
Borough council Vice President Patricia A. Schnitzius, chairwoman of the Community Development Committee, said it is anticipated construction on the park should begin in the spring and six information panels for it will soon be ready.
In the works since 2002, the park, near the Citizens Fire Company in the downtown, is expected to be a focal point for people interested in anthracite region history. Local officials hope it will be a must-see destination for visitors to Schuylkill County.
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Mount Carmel Borough to appeal
MOUNT CARMEL - Mount Carmel Borough Council will appeal the decision of unemployment compensation board referee Maurice Pap La Rin that granted unemployment benefits to two former longtime borough employees who were fired, according to council President Tony Matulewicz.
Borough Manager/Secretary Joseph K. Bass and borough Treasurer Marian Muldowney testified at separate hearings last month at the Selinsgrove CareerLink building that their actions did not constitute willful misconduct and that they deserved unemployment benefits. Pap La Rin, in his subsequent ruling, agreed.
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