Jewelry Store Manager Arrested for Theft
Franklin – The manager of a jewelry store in Venango County is facing felony charges after she allegedly stole more than $100,000 from her employer. 44-year-old Rhonda Beichner was charged on Tuesday with crimes related to retail fraud, retail theft, and regular theft after she allegedly pilfered almost $105,000 from a Cranberry Township jewelry store between January 2023 and January 2024. According to the Pennsylvania State Police, Beichner confessed to outright taking more than $3,500 cash from her store’s proceeds, but the bulk of her theft allegedly comes from under-ringing sales and pocketing the difference to the tune of $101,373.75.
DMVs Closed for Columbus Day
Harrisburg – In recognition of Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day, all PennDOT photo and license centers will be closed from Saturday, October 12th through Monday, October 14th, reopening on Tuesday. In the meantime, most services including all forms, publications, and driver training manuals, can be obtained online by visiting DMV.pa.gov. The Pennsylvania State Police and local law enforcement will be stepping up patrols and set up checkpoints for intoxicated and aggressive drivers over the three-day weekend.
Power Tools Stolen from Worksite
Grove City – The Pennsylvania State Police in Mercer are investigating the theft of thousands of dollars worth of power tools from a contractor’s truck that was left at a construction site. The truck belonging to Hunter Construction of Fulton, NY, was broken into sometime between September 27th and October 1st at a job site on Centertown Road in Pine Township. The thief or thieves damaged the handles and locks on multiple toolboxes kept on the truck and stole a large number of tools, all of them are emblazoned with the letters ‘HC’. If you have information call (724)662-6162.
PA to Recognize New Holiday
Harrisburg – Pennsylvania’s legislature approved a bill that would create a new official holiday in the Commonwealth. The five-day festival known as Diwali (pronounced Deevallee) is sacred to Jains, Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists around the world, including thousands in PA. Legislation to officially recognize the holiday passed both the House and Senate with only seven officials voting nay and is expected to be signed by Governor Shapiro. The recognition of Diwali will not include any school or office closings. This year, Diwali begins at the same time as Halloween.