Suspect in 1998 Homicide Case Arrested in Mexico

Issue #076

In this Pottstown Local Scoop Issue…

 🎵 The Red Corner Benefit Benefit…

📚 Antietam School Board Holds Emergency Meeting Over Occupancy Concerns Ahead of New School Year

👮🏼‍♂️ Suspect in 1998 Homicide Case Arrested in Mexico; Authorities Seek Information on Remaining Fugitive

 📲 iPhone 15 Pro Max Release Delayed Due to Image Sensor Shortages; Other Models Expected to Ship On Time

🌤️ Pottstown PA Weather

 📅 Lots of Events This Week

⚾️ Harper's Inside-the-Park Home Run Propels Phillies to 10-4 Victory Over Giants in Key NL Wild-Card Matchup

 🏈 Pottstown High School’s Football Season Schedule

 

Pottstown PA Weather

The Red Corner Benefit Benefit…

Save the date and join us for a special fundraiser for our friends and neighbors, the Red Corner Benefit Benefit. 

Featuring Sam Carlson, Jason Nesta & Friends, Jonathan Hayes, Hay Creek Valley Gold Band, Wood Flower, Pocono Jones & The Bear, and The Keystone Breakers!

Saturday, August 26th (final times and lineup subject to change):

  • Gates open at 11:30 AM

  • Music from 12-9:30 PM

  • Pre-sale day pass $40 / Day of $50

  • Pre-sale music & camping $60 / Day of $70

  • Pre-sale ticket pricing ends 8/25

  • Limited tickets and camping available

  • Additional event details

  • Parking is available on-site and included in the ticket

  • Kids 16 and under are free - donations encouraged

  • Bring a folding chair and/or blanket for you and your group

  • Sorry, but for the safety of all, no pets are allowed

  • Event is rain or shine and non-refundable

  • Your email receipt serves as your ticket

Red Corner Benefit is a non-profit charity dedicated to raising funds and awareness for local children battling cancer. Their annual Benefit, hosted on the 3rd Saturday of every October, consists of live music, food, drinks, face painting, pumpkin painting, a mobile zip line, a petting zoo, bonfires, sky lanterns, and a generously donated professional fireworks show all comprised to raise funds for a local child fighting cancer. Each year a new child is chosen with the help of all previous recipient families, friends, and organizers of RCB. Their goal is to raise awareness of the number of children fighting cancer, to give them the financial and emotional support needed during such difficult times, and to create a very special day in each child’s life to help combat the daily struggles they endure during their battle.

Antietam School Board Holds Emergency Meeting Over Occupancy Concerns Ahead of New School Year

The Antietam School Board held an emergency meeting due to concerns raised by Mount Penn Borough officials about the occupancy of schools that will be used this year.

Due to flood damage, Antietam Middle Senior High School students have been relocated to the Elementary Center, Primary Center, and Trinity United Church of Christ.

The borough had warned that Certificates of Use and Occupancy might be revoked. The school district said it had shared plans with the borough council, but no further questions were asked.

The borough has occupancy information for the Elementary and Primary centers, and additional data will be provided as the school year progresses. School started on Monday August 21st.

You’re Invited To Join the Pottstown Local Scoop - Official Community Discussion Group on Facebook

We’re so glad you’ve joined the Pottstown Local Scoop - Official Community Discussion Group! This group was created as a place for residents to come together and discuss everything happening in our great town.

Whether you’ve lived here your whole life or just moved to Pottstown, we’re excited to have you as part of this community forum. Here are a few things we hope you’ll use this group for:

  • Share local news and events - help your neighbors stay in the know!

  • Recommend your favorite local businesses - help support our local economy

  • Ask questions and get advice about the area

  • Join or organize community groups and meetings

  • Stay up to date on town issues and developments

  • Connect with fellow residents who share your interests

  • And more! Everything Pottstown-related is welcome.

This group is for residents to discuss news, events, businesses, issues, and anything else related to our town. Let’s keep the conversations friendly, relevant, and productive.

We can’t wait to see members sharing local insights, tips, and perspectives.

Introduce yourself in the comments!

  • What brought you to Pottstown?

  • What do you love about the town?

  • What would you like to see happen here in the future?

Thanks for being part of this community forum. We’re looking forward to the great discussions ahead!

Suspect in 1998 Homicide Case Arrested in Mexico; Authorities Seek Information on Remaining Fugitive

The Reading Police Department revealed on Monday that they have apprehended a suspect connected to a 1998 homicide case.

The alleged perpetrator of a deadly drive-by shooting that occurred more than two decades ago has been arrested in Jalisco, Mexico. The individual, 43-year-old Israel Mendoza, is facing charges for the murder of Michele Lutz, who was tragically shot and killed on August 2, 1998, at the intersection of Front and Elm Streets.

The U.S. Marshals Office, in collaboration with local law enforcement, took Mendoza into custody.

During the initial investigation of the murder, authorities had identified four suspects: Placido Rodriguez, Joshua Ramirez, Robert Radhames-Herrera, and Mendoza.

Back in 1998, Rodriguez and Ramirez were apprehended and eventually pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit 3rd-degree murder. Both suspects received prison sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years.

However, police have disclosed that Radhames-Herrera is still on the run.

If anyone has information regarding Radhames-Herrera's whereabouts, they are urged to contact the Reading Police Department at (610)-655-6116. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Alert Berks County at 877-373-9913.

iPhone 15 Pro Max Release Delayed Due to Image Sensor Shortages; Other Models Expected to Ship On Time

Apple is set to announce its iPhone 15 series in three weeks, with shipments expected to start in four weeks. However, the premium iPhone 15 Pro Max model, which features the most advanced camera system, may face delays into October due to image sensor availability issues.

Sony, the camera parts supplier, is reportedly unable to provide the image sensor for the Pro Max model on time. This model is expected to feature a periscope lens system for greater optical zoom.

The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus will have ultra-wide and wide cameras, but not telephoto cameras. Apple has previously faced similar delays with other iPhone models. The new iPhone 15 lineup is also expected to feature USB-C charging ports and a Dynamic Island design. The Pro models will likely use titanium instead of stainless steel and replace the mute switch with a programmable button.

The Alley Arts & Craft August Event

You’re invited for an afternoon of sipping and shopping!

WHEN: SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 2023 AT 12 PM – 5 PM
WHERE: The Alley On High Street, 228 E High Street Pottstown PA

A great gathering of local artists will be set up and sharing to make The Alley and artisan market.

You’re not gonna wanna miss this event. Great Alley drinks, good music, amazing artist, family and dog friendly.

Free parking in the back lot and free admission. The only vendor contact for this event is Christy Morrell from Made by Morrell.

Upcoming Local Events

Got an upcoming event you want us to share?

PHILLIES

Harper's Inside-the-Park Home Run Propels Phillies to 10-4 Victory Over Giants in Key NL Wild-Card Matchup

Bryce Harper's thrilling inside-the-park home run highlighted the Phillies' 10-4 win over the San Francisco Giants on Monday night in a critical clash between National League wild-card contenders.

Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm, and Edmundo Sosa each contributed home runs for the Phillies, who moved three games ahead of the Giants in the wild-card race.

"This is a huge opening game for the series. We're competing against a strong team for that top spot," said Harper.

In the fifth inning, Harper sent the crowd of 36,274 into a frenzy with his electrifying home run off Sean Hjelle. The ball bounced hard off the high left-center wall, and center fielder Wade Meckler struggled to pick it up, failing twice before throwing it toward home. Harper's speed made it unlikely he could have been caught with anything less than a perfect toss and relay.

"I saw J-Roll (Jimmy Rollins) do it, and I saw (Chase) Utley do it a few times," Harper remarked. "Being part of that is incredible."

The two-time NL MVP, who has been regaining his power in recent months after offseason Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, hit his 10th home run of the season and 295th of his career. Harper had previously hit an inside-the-park homer in Philadelphia on July 27, 2021.

"When you hit a ball like that, you run as hard as you can just in case," he said. "It's pretty cool."

The Giants, who have now lost four of their last five games and 11 of their last 15, received home runs from LaMonte Wade Jr. and Joc Pederson.

Giants manager Gabe Kapler said, "We don't want to dwell on a single game, especially one that didn't go well. We need to move on and not repeat this performance in the upcoming games."

San Francisco entered the game with a slim 1½ game lead over three fourth-placed teams in the wild-card race: Arizona, Cincinnati, and Miami, each with a 64-61 record.

Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola (11-8) rebounded after a rocky start, eventually allowing just two runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and one walk.

"When you give him a second chance, he's going to make you pay," Kapler commented.

Harper's homer put the Phillies up 6-2, and they expanded their lead with four runs in the seventh on a two-run triple by Johan Rojas and Schwarber's 444-foot two-run blast to the second deck in right field. Schwarber's homer, his 33rd of the season, followed his NL-leading 46 last season.

"Overall, a great game," Nola said.

The Phillies got on the board in the second inning with two runs off Giants reliever Sean Manaea (4-4), when Sosa hit a home run on a 93-mph fastball into the Philadelphia bullpen in center. Bohm followed with a solo shot off Manaea in the third inning. Manaea, who had gone 20 consecutive games without allowing a home run, gave up three runs in 2⅔ innings in relief of opener Scott Alexander.

Bohm made two standout defensive plays at first base, while on the Giants' side, Trea Turner advanced to second after a single in the first inning due to Meckler's fielding error. Meckler then failed to hold Harper to a triple, and left fielder Blake Sabol misjudged Rojas' line drive in the seventh.

Pottstown Senior High School Football Schedule

Varsity Football

  • Saturday - August 26th at 1:00 PM vs MLK

    (AWAY) - Benjamin L. Johnson Field 

    1199 E Sedgwick Ave Philadelphia, PA 19150

  • Thursday - August 31st at 7:00 PM vs Interboro Senior HS (AWAY) Interboro Senior High School

    16Th & Amosland Road Prospect Park, PA 19076

  • Friday - September 8th at 7:00 PM vs Harriton Senior HS

    (Home) Pottstown High School

    750 N Washington St Pottstown PA, 19464

  • September 15th at 7:00 PM vs Executive Education Academy Charter

    (Home) Pottstown High School

    750 N Washington St Pottstown, PA 19464

  • September 22nd at 7:00 PM vs Pottsgrove

    (Home) Pottstown High School

    750 N Washington St Pottstown, PA 19464

  • September 29th at 7:00 PM vs Phoenixville

    (Away) Phoenixville High School

    1200 Gay St Phoenixville PA 19460

  • October 6th at 7:00 PM vs Upper Perkiomen

    (AWAY) Upper Perkiomen

    2 Walt Rd Pennsburg PA 18073

  • October 13th at 7:00 PM vs Pope John Paul II

    (Home) Pottstown High School

    750 N Washington St Pottstown PA 19464

  • October 20th at 7:00 PM vs Upper Merion Area

    (Home) Pottstown High School

    750 N Washington St Pottstown PA 19464

  • October 27th at 7:00 PM vs OPEN

    TBD - PAC Crossover Week

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