A York County woman is facing charges after her children tested positive for drugs, police said.

Stacy Fincher, 26, is charged with two counts of unlawful child neglect.

Authorities said her 6- and 7-year-old children both tested positive for methamphetamines.

She is being held in the York County Jail on $20,000 bond.

Eyewitness News is gathering more information on this story. Check back with WSOCTV.com for updates throughout the day.

The five puppies - with their umbilical cords attached - had to be euthanized, because most of them were missing their limbs, Smith said.

"They were suffering and in pain," she said. "Our veterinarians felt the most reasonable and humane thing to do was to euthanize the puppies."

Smith said the evidence suggests that a person is not responsible for the mutilation, but rather, it was most likely the puppies' mother or another aggressive dog in the area where they were born.

"The offense is how the people chose to dispose of the dogs,"

Smith said that on the morning of June 6, SPCA humane officer Nicole Boyer was sent by York County 911 to the large metal trash bin at East Fourth Street, near North George Street.

Northern York County Regional Police had already arrived and had retrieved the bag from the trash bin, she said.

York County 911 had received a call that morning from a person who thought they heard a cat in distress.

"Someone heard crying from a dumpster and thought it was kittens, which wouldn't be unusual this time of year," Smith said. "They followed the crying to the dumpster."

Boyer immediately took the puppies back to the SPCA's offices at 3159 N. Susquehanna Trail in Manchester Township, where they were examined by the agency's two veterinarians.

That's when the decision was made to euthanize them.

"They would have had no quality-of-life whatsoever," Smith said.

Boyer continues to investigate the case and is asking for the public's help to locate who is responsible.

"I'm sure someone knows where these puppies came from," Smith said.

@TedCzechYDR; 771-2033

How to help

Anyone with information about where the mutilated pit bull puppies were born and kept is urged to contact SPCA humane officer Nicole Boyer, call 717-764-6109, ext. 127.

ALFRED, Maine — Two ministers have been indicted by the York County grand jury.

One is charged with falsely billing MaineCare for counseling sessions at a faith-based center in Limerick. The other is charged with possession of child pornography.

Ronald Petersen, 56, of Bridgton is charged with theft by unauthorized taking of more than $10,000.

James Napier, 61, of Alfred is charged with 29 counts of possession of sexually explicit materials of a child younger than 12, Class C crimes, and two counts of possession of sexually explicit material of a child under the age of 16, Class D crimes.

Both men were indicted June 6 by the York County grand jury. The list of indictments was made public Monday.

Petersen was associated until about 18 months ago with the Hope Recovery Center, which was affiliated with and located near the Faith Christian Center in Limerick, according to the Maine Attorney General’s Office.

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $20,000 and could be ordered to pay restitution.

Assistant Attorney General Leanne Robbin, who is prosecuting the case, said Monday that Petersen was an associate pastor at the church. He provided substance abuse treatment between Sept. 1, 2010, and Jan. 30, 2012, at the Hope Recovery Center. Robbin declined to say how much Petersen is alleged to have billed fraudulently to MaineCare.

Napier was associated with New Beginning Christian Mission and had been associated with the mission for five years when he was arrested on Aug. 31, 2012, according to a previously published report. The mission ministers to poor and homeless people in downtown Biddeford.

He remains free on $500 cash bail.

If convicted, Napier faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 on the Class C crimes and up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $2,000 on the Class D crimes.

YORK A downed power line in downtown York knocked out power for about 2,700 Duke Energy customers Wednesday afternoon.

The line fell at Hunter and East Liberty streets, said Pete Brooks, Duke Energy spokesman.

The "fairly significant" outage was first reported to Duke just before 1:30 p.m., Brooks said.

The outage affected the Moss Justice Center, Walmart shopping plaza and traffic lights at busy intersections.

Crews are on the scene, but Brooks was unsure what caused the line to fall.

Officials expect power to be restored by 5 p.m.

Follow along live here.

Take a look at the list of graduates.

West York Area High School Class of 2013: Courtney Marie Alwood, Rikke Andersen, Briana M. Anderson, Brittany N. Armpriester, Dakotah Rudy Auman, Lena Beatriz Baker, Ashley J. Bennett, Joshua Andrew Bentzel, David Michael Billet, Santana Marie Bland, Austin Leigh Bowser, Taylor Michelle Brooks, Brady Ryan Bushover, Joshua A. Cameron, Adrian Lee Campbell, Matthew Evan Campbell, Kasandra M. Chavez, Chiemeka Kingsley Chikezie, Samara S. Chisolm, Jarin F. Chowdhury, Tangia F. Chowdhury, Kara Lynne Clancy, D'Lainie Scotte Conley, Tyler Brandon Cook, Abigail Beth Cox, Dylan E. Cunningham, Elizabeth S. Cutright, Connor E. Daugherty, Tyler James Davis, Carmen Noemi Dominguez, Paul Joseph Dreyer, Alexandria Kathryn Druck, Nicholas Jordan Duncker, Autumn E. Dutton, Jonathan Robert Ellis, Holli Ann Eppley, Benjamin Evangelisti, Lauren Noel Fink, Devon R. Fissel, Jacob Daniel Flohr, Alexandra Michele Folk, Angela Li Fooks, Anthony Franklin, David Michael Friend, Shawn James Frigm, Taylor Zachary Fuhrman, Luke Zarek Furman, Gregory Lynn Gable, Andrew Hartley Gaines, Hiram Marcus Gautier, Nicholas M. Geller, Jacob Gemmill, Tanner Rahe Gerace, Tyler Devyn Gettel, Brittni Gettys, Alexander Steven Gibson, Zoie C. Glatfelter, Sara Daisy Gomez Rivera, Stephanie Rae Madison Gross, Sophie

York, PA -

Elder abuse reports have increased in Pennsylvania and York County, officials said at Wednesday's county commissioners' meeting.

In a proclamation, County Commissioner Doug Hoke said elder abuse reports in Pennsylvania increased by 35 percent from 2007 through 2011.

Stephanie Frey, director of social services with the York County Area Agency on Aging, said York County has seen an increase, as well.

"We're averaging about 55 reports of need each month," Frey said during the meeting. "And we've really seen a lot of financial exploitation cases."

Frey said afterward that people can report cases of suspected abuse to the local agency.

"We will take that report, and we fully investigate all types of abuse that ... are out there," Frey said.

Types of abuse can include physical, emotional, verbal, financial and sexual, as well as neglect, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.

Wednesday's proclamation named Saturday as a day dedicated to elder abuse prevention in York County. Hoke said there are about 86,000 county residents age 60 or older.

A Department of Aging news release from earlier this month said Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Debra Todd is chairwoman of the newly established Elder Law Task Force, which was formed to study issues relating to guardianship, abuse and neglect, and access to justice for older Pennsylvanians.

The task force will make recommendations for court rules, legislation, education and best practices, according to the release. Amy Kelchner, spokeswoman for the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, said the task force expects to deliver recommendations mid-2014.

By the numbers

Here is a look at the number of reports of need for protective services for York County in recent fiscal years:

2008-09: 499 reports

2009-10: 593 reports

2010-11: 630 reports

Statewide, there were 18,129 such reports, and 4,344 of the cases were substantiated as needing protective services.

Source: Older Adults Protective Services Annual Report for fiscal year 2010-11 from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging

How to report supposed abuse

For the York County Area Agency on Aging, call 717-771-9610 or 1-800-632-9073.

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging says people can also contact a 24-hour statewide elder abuse hotline at 1-800-490-8505.

For more information, visit www.aging.state.pa.us.

@edmahonreporter; 771-2089

5:25 a.m. update: York County is under a severe thunderstorm watch until 11 a.m. and a flood watch until 8 p.m., the National Weather Service said.

All of central Pennsylvania is warned to watch for severe weather this morning as a line of thunderstorms moves east across the state, the service said. The storms have the potential for dangerous lightning, torrential downpours, damaging winds and hail, and residents should be prepared to take shelter as storms move through.

The flood watch means there's a potential for flooding along small streams and creeks and in areas with poor drainage, the service said.

For current conditions, check the abc27 radar here.

11:35 update: York County remains under a flood watch, according to the National Weather Service.

The flood remains in effect from 2 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday. The area is expected to get severe thunderstorms throughout the day Thursday, according to NWS.

The area could get one to two inches of rain, according to WHTM abc 27.

High temperatures are expected to be in the low 80s, both weather forecasters report.

4:41 p.m. update: York County could see a couple of isolated storms Wednesday night and severe thunderstorms throughout the day Thursday, according to meteorologists.

"What happens this evening depends on what happens in the Midwest, like in Illinois, Indiana, and how fast the storms move through those states," said Ryan Coyle, meteorologist with WHTM abc27. "There is a flooding threat Thursday because everything is already saturated, so you could get a flooding when you tack on one to three inches of rain."

Flooding issues are only expected for small streams and creeks, he said.

"But the main rivers, like the Susquehanna River, should be fine," Coyle added. "They can hold this water."

The county's weather issues could start off with a couple of isolated storms after 10 p.m. Wednesday, Coyle said.

Both Coyle and Erik Pindrock, meteorologist with AccuWeather.com, said they doubt the area will experience a "derecho," which Coyle described as a very large wind storm imbedded within a thunderstorm.

However, the county could get severe thunderstorms with powerful winds Thursday, they said.

"Over the next 24 to 36 hours, it's going to be very active and very dangerous for the York County area," Pindrock said. "There's a potential for damaging wind gusts, hail, flooding, downpours and even a potential for an isolated tornado in the area."

The potential for getting severe storms would wind down Thursday evening, Pindrock said.

"Throughout the day Thursday is the concern," he said.

The high temperature Thursday is expected to be near 80 degrees, according to Pindrock.

1:03 p.m. update: York County and most of central Pennsylvania is under a flood watch from Wednesday evening until late Thursday, the National Weather Service said.

A strong storm system will bring several rounds of heavy showers and thunderstorms through the region Wednesday night and through the day Thursday, the NWS said.

There is a potential for flooding along streams and creeks and in low-lying areas, especially those normally prone to flooding, the service said. Anyone living in those areas is advised to be prepared to take action if there is flooding.

Previous story: A potent storm is likely on its way to York County.

Although it hasn't shown up on the map yet, the bulk of the storm will probably hit the area during the day Thursday, in the late morning or afternoon, said John LaCorte, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in State College.

"I wouldn't rule out the 'tornado' word," he said.

The weather that will hit this area on Thursday is the result of a gigantic line of powerful thunderstorms that could affect one in five Americans on Wednesday as it rumbles from Iowa to Maryland packing hail, lightning and tree-toppling winds.

Meteorologists are warning that the continuous line of storms may even spawn an unusual weather event called a derecho (duh-RAY'-choh), which is a massive storm of strong straight-line winds spanning at least 240 miles.

Wednesday's storms are also likely to generate tornadoes and cause power outages that will be followed by oppressive heat, said Bill Bunting, operations chief at the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla.

The threat: The risk of severe weather in Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio, is roughly 45 times higher than on a normal June day, Bunting said. Detroit, Baltimore, Washington, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and Louisville, Ky., have a risk level 15 times more than normal. All told, the area the weather service considers to be under heightened risk of dangerous weather includes 64 million people in 10 states.

"It's a pretty high threat," Bunting said, who also warned that the storms will produce large hail and dangerous lightning. "We don't want to scare people, but we want them to be aware."

Wednesday "might be the worst severe weather outbreak for this part of the country for the year," said Jeff Masters, meteorology director at Weather Underground.

You can have tornadoes and a derecho at the same time, but at any given place Wednesday the straight-line winds are probably more likely.

Last year, a derecho caused at least $1 billion in damage from Chicago to Washington, killing 13 people and leaving more than 4 million people without power, according to the weather service. Winds reached nearly 100 mph in some places and in addition to the 13 people who died from downed trees, another 34 people died from the heat wave that followed in areas without power.

Derechoes, with winds of at least 58 mph, occur about once a year in the Midwest. Rarer than tornadoes but with weaker winds, derechoes produce damage over a much wider area.

Wednesday's storm probably won't be as powerful as 2012's historic one, but it is expected to cause widespread problems, Bunting said.

The storms are the type that will move so fast that "by the time you see the dark sky and distant thunder you may have only minutes to get to safe shelter," Bunting said.

Around here: If the storm remains intact after crossing the Appalachian Mountains, which would be rare for a derecho, it should hit the Washington area by late afternoon or early evening, he said.

For Washington, Philadelphia and parts of the Mid-Atlantic the big storm risk continues and even increases a bit Thursday, according to the weather service.

LaCorte expects the bad weather to hit this area and says residents should stay tuned to storm updates, as they change rapidly.

This area won't see oppresive heat in the wake of the story, he said.

Today's high is 84 degrees, and temperatures will hover in the 70s this week, according to the weather service.

York Dispatch staff writer Mollie Durkin contributed to this report.

by ELIZABETH THOMAS / WCNC.com

WCNC.com

Posted on June 12, 2013 at 5:03 PM

YORK, S.C. -- The York County Sheriff's Office and a member of the Attorney General's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force arrested a York man on child sex charges on Wednesday.

Keith Fitzgerald Burris, 45, is charged with one felony count of criminal solicitation of a minor and one felony count of sexual exploitation of a minor, third degree.

Authorities say Burris, a registered sex offender, admittedly sent inappropriate text messages to a minor.

The investigation continues.

Both charges against Burris carry imprisonments of up to 10 years each.

The worst of this morning's storms appears to have moved through the Harrisburg area and is now moving toward the city of York and southern York County, according to radar images from AccuWeather.

The National Weather Service in State College said that parts of Franklin, Adams, Cumberland and northern York counties received anywhere from a half inch to more than an inch of rainfall from the line of storms that went through the area just after 7:30 a.m.

There were reports of minor damage in the area, including a house in South Newton Township, Cumberland County that was reportedly struck by lightning.

A thunderstorm watch is in effect for Franklin, Adams, Perry, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon, York, Lancaster, Schuylkill, Juniata, Mifflin and Centre until 11 a.m., according to the weather service.

The flood watch is in effect for the same counties until 8 p.m., forecasters said.

8:45 a.m. update: York County now has a flood advisory as storms moving through the area cause rapid rises in small stream and also urban flooding, the National Weather Service said.

For current road conditions, click here.

The area remains under a severe thunderstorm watch until 11 a.m. and a flood watch until 8 p.m.

7:40 a.m.update: York County is under a severe thunderstorm warning until 8:30 a.m., the National Weather Service announced.

A line of severe storms is moving east into the area at 45 mph, the NWS said. The storms are capable of producing hail that's 1 inch in diameter and damaging winds up to 60 mph.

These storms are also producing near-continuous cloud to ground lightning, the service said. Everyone is urged to take shelter inside as these storms pass through.

5:25 a.m. update: York County is under a severe thunderstorm watch until 11 a.m. and a flood watch until 8 p.m., the National Weather Service said.

All of central Pennsylvania is warned to watch for severe weather this morning as a line of thunderstorms moves east across the state, the service said. The storms have the potential for dangerous lightning, torrential downpours, damaging winds and hail, and residents should be prepared to take shelter as storms move through.

The flood watch means there's a potential for flooding along small streams and creeks and in areas with poor drainage, the service said.

For current conditions, check the abc27 radar here.

11:35 update: York County remains under a flood watch, according to the National Weather Service.

The flood remains in effect from 2 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday. The area is expected to get severe thunderstorms throughout the day Thursday, according to NWS.

The area could get one to two inches of rain, according to WHTM abc 27.

High temperatures are expected to be in the low 80s, both weather forecasters report.

4:41 p.m. update: York County could see a couple of isolated storms Wednesday night and severe thunderstorms throughout the day Thursday, according to meteorologists.

"What happens this evening depends on what happens in the Midwest, like in Illinois, Indiana, and how fast the storms move through those states," said Ryan Coyle, meteorologist with WHTM abc27. "There is a flooding threat Thursday because everything is already saturated, so you could get a flooding when you tack on one to three inches of rain."

Flooding issues are only expected for small streams and creeks, he said.

"But the main rivers, like the Susquehanna River, should be fine," Coyle added. "They can hold this water."

The county's weather issues could start off with a couple of isolated storms after 10 p.m. Wednesday, Coyle said.

Both Coyle and Erik Pindrock, meteorologist with AccuWeather.com, said they doubt the area will experience a "derecho," which Coyle described as a very large wind storm imbedded within a thunderstorm.

However, the county could get severe thunderstorms with powerful winds Thursday, they said.

"Over the next 24 to 36 hours, it's going to be very active and very dangerous for the York County area," Pindrock said. "There's a potential for damaging wind gusts, hail, flooding, downpours and even a potential for an isolated tornado in the area."

The potential for getting severe storms would wind down Thursday evening, Pindrock said.

"Throughout the day Thursday is the concern," he said.

The high temperature Thursday is expected to be near 80 degrees, according to Pindrock.

1:03 p.m. update: York County and most of central Pennsylvania is under a flood watch from Wednesday evening until late Thursday, the National Weather Service said.

A strong storm system will bring several rounds of heavy showers and thunderstorms through the region Wednesday night and through the day Thursday, the NWS said.

There is a potential for flooding along streams and creeks and in low-lying areas, especially those normally prone to flooding, the service said. Anyone living in those areas is advised to be prepared to take action if there is flooding.

Previous story: A potent storm is likely on its way to York County.

Although it hasn't shown up on the map yet, the bulk of the storm will probably hit the area during the day Thursday, in the late morning or afternoon, said John LaCorte, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in State College.

"I wouldn't rule out the 'tornado' word," he said.

The weather that will hit this area on Thursday is the result of a gigantic line of powerful thunderstorms that could affect one in five Americans on Wednesday as it rumbles from Iowa to Maryland packing hail, lightning and tree-toppling winds.

Meteorologists are warning that the continuous line of storms may even spawn an unusual weather event called a derecho (duh-RAY'-choh), which is a massive storm of strong straight-line winds spanning at least 240 miles.

Wednesday's storms are also likely to generate tornadoes and cause power outages that will be followed by oppressive heat, said Bill Bunting, operations chief at the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla.

The threat: The risk of severe weather in Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio, is roughly 45 times higher than on a normal June day, Bunting said. Detroit, Baltimore, Washington, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and Louisville, Ky., have a risk level 15 times more than normal. All told, the area the weather service considers to be under heightened risk of dangerous weather includes 64 million people in 10 states.

"It's a pretty high threat," Bunting said, who also warned that the storms will produce large hail and dangerous lightning. "We don't want to scare people, but we want them to be aware."

Wednesday "might be the worst severe weather outbreak for this part of the country for the year," said Jeff Masters, meteorology director at Weather Underground.

You can have tornadoes and a derecho at the same time, but at any given place Wednesday the straight-line winds are probably more likely.

Last year, a derecho caused at least $1 billion in damage from Chicago to Washington, killing 13 people and leaving more than 4 million people without power, according to the weather service. Winds reached nearly 100 mph in some places and in addition to the 13 people who died from downed trees, another 34 people died from the heat wave that followed in areas without power.

Derechoes, with winds of at least 58 mph, occur about once a year in the Midwest. Rarer than tornadoes but with weaker winds, derechoes produce damage over a much wider area.

Wednesday's storm probably won't be as powerful as 2012's historic one, but it is expected to cause widespread problems, Bunting said.

The storms are the type that will move so fast that "by the time you see the dark sky and distant thunder you may have only minutes to get to safe shelter," Bunting said.

Around here: If the storm remains intact after crossing the Appalachian Mountains, which would be rare for a derecho, it should hit the Washington area by late afternoon or early evening, he said.

For Washington, Philadelphia and parts of the Mid-Atlantic the big storm risk continues and even increases a bit Thursday, according to the weather service.

LaCorte expects the bad weather to hit this area and says residents should stay tuned to storm updates, as they change rapidly.

This area won't see oppresive heat in the wake of the story, he said.

Today's high is 84 degrees, and temperatures will hover in the 70s this week, according to the weather service.

York Dispatch staff writer Mollie Durkin contributed to this report.

A severe spring storm ripped through the region Thursday morning, leaving damage, flooding and downed trees and power lines in its wake.

More than 300 York County residents were without power as of 2:30 p.m., and Met-Ed reported outages could also be high in the afternoon when a second wave of storms are expected pound the region.

Dallastown had the most lights out around noon, with 95 outages reported. Springettsbury Township had 79 outages and York City had 47 outages.

More storms are expected to move through the midstate between 2 and 10 p.m., according to Met-Ed meteorologists.

The energy provider is preparing for the storms by getting additional crews ready-including contract workers-to repair damage caused by heavy winds, said Met-Ed spokesman Scott Surgeoner.

Crews will work throughout the day, as long as there's no lightening, to restore outages, he said.

As of 9 a.m., Met-Ed reported 8,585 York County customers were without power.

Areas hardest hit by the Thursday morning outages included Springettsbury Township with 1,130 outages, followed by West Manchester Township with 1,106 outages, Dover Borough with 1,096 outages and Dover Township with 907 outages.

All other municipalities had between one and 300 outages.

Most outages were caused by heavy winds knocking down trees, branches and power lines, Surgeoner said.

Met-Ed expected to have power restored to those customers by mid-morning.

But it may only be on for a short time.

"It's quite possible those same customers will be without power again this afternoon when the second wave of storms hits," Surgeoner said. "Our meteorologists said the storms we are expecting this afternoon and evening will be severe enough to knock out power again.

The energy provider serves nearly 172,000 customers in York County.

PPL, which serves about 8,000 customers in York County, reported 11 local customers were without power on Thursday.

Craig Almquist, left, and Alex Smith are York natives whose band, Cold Fronts, recently signed with Sire Records. (Submitted photo)

As a music hub that produced bands such as Live, Kingsfoil and Halestorm, York is no stranger to the spotlight.

And just last week, two York natives took a big step toward becoming rock stars when their band, Cold Fronts, got a legitimate record deal.

Up until then, 24-year-old Craig Almquist was baby-sitting to pay the bills.

Almquist, who now lives in Philadelphia, formed Cold Fronts in 2011 with fellow Yorker Jake Hammill, who has since left the band.

Cold Fronts has switched up considerably since it started, but he and Alex Smith are the two mainstay members. They both graduated from York Suburban - Almquist in 2007 and Smith in 2005.

Almquist is the group's singer, songwriter and guitarist, and Smith is the drummer. Two friends from Philadelphia, Peter Helmis and Chris Baglivo, play bass and guitar, respectively.

How it all started: Back in high school, Almquist and Smith were known to have a serious penchant for music.

Almquist wanted to start a band but didn't have the confidence, so he started Crunk Alms, a hip-hop and folk fusion that began purely as a joke.

Featuring an anthem to his hometown, "The 717," the high-schooler started to become well-known around York.

As it turned out, his "crunk" alter ego brought out the performer in him.

"I think that kind of just gave me the confidence to write songs and put on a show," he said.

Dave Almquist, Craig's father, advised and supported Cold Fronts as it got started. Music has been a major part of his son's life since high school, the Spring Garden Township resident said.

"He loves to write music, so he's always interacted with people who play music," he said. "I'm thrilled he has the opportunity to make a record and perform and do what he loves to do."

Smith, who also moved to Philadelphia, has spent a long time on stage, as well, notably drumming for the local band Tea, a rock-funk group. He has played the drums for about 11 years, he said, studying theory and nontraditional drumming methods along the way.

Almquist found his love of music in "Pinkerton" by Weezer, and the catchy, dramatic album inspired the music he makes today, he said. Smith said he's most inspired by The Zombies, Stevie Wonder, Prince and "old-school dance music."

Smith described the Cold Fronts' sound as "raw Philly rock."

Making it big: Cold Fronts owes much of its success to its live presence - and a little bit of luck.

The band was performing on a street corner during last year's South By Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, when Seymour Stein took a copy of the band's EP. He's vice president of Warner Bros. Records and founder of Sire Records.

"We had no clue who he was," Almquist said. "We just kind of went about our tour."

The band spent the next year going back and forth with the label.

"Next thing you know, they're asking to meet our lawyer," Almquist said.

Then they had to get a lawyer.

On May 21, the band signed a record deal with Sire Records, a Warner Bros. company. Other bands on the label include Regina Spektor, Tegan and Sara and Lights - notable acts that combine pop elements with folk and electronic stylings.

What's next: In the meantime, Cold Fronts will pick a producer and begin to record its first full-length album. The label will help it narrow 30 or 40 songs down to an album's worth, Almquist said, which is a big decision-making process.

He said the band is interested in getting a little more experimental in the studio, as it will have more time and resources to try new things while recording.

The band aims to record in August and go on tour across the country in September. Almquist said the album will drop toward the end of the year.

He said the band is aware of and has discussed the consequences of "signing with 'the man,'" but it's not worried about losing its sound.

"We don't necessarily feel any different," Almquist said. "To me and Alex, we just feel like we're playing in the garage."

Listen: Cold Fronts' next big performance will be with The Front Bottoms at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia on July 11. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and the show starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $12-$15 and can be purchased online at philly.worldcafelive.com. The all-ages show is on track to sell out.

Download the EP that started it all, "Pretty American," for free on the band's website, www.coldfronts.us.

Reach Mollie Durkin at mdurkin@yorkdispatch.com.

A film about the Tuskegee Airmen and the Commemorative Air Force Red Tail Squadron plays in a tractor-trailer as part of the Rise Above Traveling Exhibit. The exhibit is in York through Friday. On Saturday, it will move to Aviation Days at the York Airport in Jackson Township. (DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS - KATE PENN)

A bit here and a bit there, Jeanette Hollis said. For the past two years, that's how she and her husband, Terry, have spent their retirement -- trying to change the world by reaching out to a handful of people at a time.

For 42 weeks, the pair from Mississippi, travels the country in their tractor-trailer, towing a 53-foot trailer housing the Commemorative Air Force Red Tail Squadron Rise Above Traveling Exhibit.

They make stops -- Arizona, Alabama and this week in the Queen Street Parking Lot in York -- to tell the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first all-black squadron to fly for the U.S. military.

Tucked in the only shade they could find under the shadow of the steps leading up to the trailer, the couple said Wednesday they hope it's a story that opens up people's minds.

Operating from segregated bases, the Tuskegee pilots flew the Mustangs in battle during World War II and earned a reputation for courage and skill.

"They were brave and heroic and strong-willed," Jeanette Hollis said.

The exhibit consists of a 391/2-foot long, curved screen, which airs a short film featuring interviews from historians and airmen and flight footage from the cockpit of a restored P-51C Mustang fighter plane.

Tuskegee pilots flew Mustangs from 1943 to 1945, and the Red Tail Squadron's restored Mustang will fly Saturday and Sunday during the fifth annual Aviation Days at York Airport.

They've

When you sit in front of the 160-degree screen watching the flight footage in front of you, and you look left and right to see wingtips on either side of you, Terry Hollis said, it's almost like you're flying with them.

At about 1 p.m. Dale Pritz joined the Hollises outside the trailer in the heat. He was on his way to pick up a group of employees and bring them to the exhibit.

Pritz, along with a host of sponsors, was responsible for bringing the exhibit to York. He is a pilot, but said the lesson of overcoming adversity transcends the experience of flight.

"I started with $500 in my pocket," he said. He now runs his own business, Pritz Auto Body, and dreams of owning "one of those Mustangs."

The exhibit is about inspiring younger generations to chase what they want, Pritz said as he watched 3-year-old Dreanna Ellis cross the parking lot holding the hand of her father, Andre Ellis.

Ellis brought Dreanna to the exhibit because she loves airplanes, he said. "She's constantly spotting them out in the sky."

Jeanette Hollis leaned down to speak to Dreanna. The movie will be "a beginning," she told her.

The kids she meets, "they've got dreams," she said. "We try to tell them, whatever your dream is ... never let your dream die."

While Dreanna and her father walked up the stairs into the exhibit, a man exited by himself at the far end of the trailer.

He made his way toward Pritz slowly.

How did he like the movie, Pritz wanted to know.

"It's a great show," the man said.

If you go

What: Commemorative Air Force Red Tail Squadron Rise Above Traveling Exhibit

Where: Queen Street Parking Lot at Sovereign Bank Stadium through Friday, moving to Aviation Days at York Airport in Jackson Township on Saturday and Sunday

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: Free

More:www.redtail.org

"Dire" is how Mayor Kim Bracey described the financial landscape of Pennsylvania's smallest cities, known as third-class cities, as she testified Thursday before state legislators at York College.

"Systemic constraints and structural deficits batter us every year," Bracey told members of the Senate and House committees on urban affairs.

Bracey, along with representatives from the college, York County Economic Alliance, law enforcement personnel and community leaders, called for meaningful reform at the state level to reverse decline and promote growth in urban centers.

Here are some of the issues they identified:

Soaring pension costs Pension reform was named as a priority by nearly every speaker who testified. "Even the best-managed communities don't have the tools they need to truly hold down the often spiraling cost of pensions," Bob Jensenius, vice president of the York County Economic Alliance, said. The financial strain caused by pensions pressures communities across the state -- rural and urban -- to cut services and raise taxes, Jensenius said. Bracey testified that the city of York faces a $50 million deficit by 2016 because of pension costs.

Act 111 The act ensures binding arbitration for police and firefighters in exchange for prohibition against strikes, Bracey said. But while the intent is good, the binding arbitration is a major contributor to rising

Support for higher education Chad Linder, director of government and community relations at York College, said the state should do more to support private, nonprofit colleges and universities. Such schools generate nearly 50 percent of degrees awarded in Pennsylvania but receive only 11 percent of state funding, he said. Linder also called for support of the Middle Income Student Debt Reduction Act, which would provide grants to families with an annual income between $80,000 and $110,000.

Funding for housing development There is demand for 600 to 800 new market-rate housing units in the York area, but development is being impeded by a lack of state funding for mixed-use properties. Blanda Nace, senior development manager for York County Economic Alliance, said. Nace told the legislators that guideline restrictions are another imposing hurdle to residential development.

Property tax reform David Cross, chairman of the York Redevelopment Authority, said school property taxes represent more than half of city residents' total tax bill. The "predatory" state-mandated property taxes preclude investment in the city and force residents out of their homes, Cross said.

By the numbers

53 -- Third class cities in Pennsylvania

5 million -- Residents in Pa.'s so-called small cities

3,200 -- Separate local government pension plans in Pennsylvania. The state holds 25 percent of all such plans in the nation.

66 -- Pa. counties with at least one municipality with a pension plan under a high level of distress. There are 67 counties in the state.

41 -- Percentage of Pennsylvanians living in financially stressed municipalities

Source: Testimony of Mayor Kim Bracey before a joint session of the Senate Committee on Urban Affairs and Housing and the House Committee on Urban Affairs

Three people were pulled from the rain-swollen Codorus Creek, including a good Samaritan who jumped in to rescue two boys, in York City on Thursday.

Brothers Michael Jeffers and Nate Jeffers Jr., ages 12 and 13, were fishing near the North Beaver Street bridge when, about 3:30 p.m., one of their lines became caught on something in the water.

One of the boys went into the creek to untangle it but was swept away the swift-moving water. The second brother jumped in to help but was also overtaken by the water, said Capt. Robert Behler of York City Fire/Rescue Services.

They were able to grab hold of a tree branch in the water and began to call for help.

Michael Hawkins, who lives along nearby Stevens Avenue, said he heard the boys' yelling and jumped into the creek.

"I dove in and grabbed one of them," he said, adding he told the other boy to hold onto the branch.

Rescued: York City Police officers and firefighters arrived on the scene, and a firefighter tossed a rope and a life preserver to the three, Behler said.

Rescuers used the rope to pull them out of the water and onto the creek bank. Firefighters had to lower a ladder down the steep bank in order for the trio and rescuers to climb up the bank.

All three were checked out by medics from White Rose Ambulance at the scene.

Hawkins said he's glad he was nearby and heard the boys call for help.

"I just didn't want anything to happen to the kids," he said.

Thankful: As Michael and Nate stood shivering wrapped in a towel, their father, Nathaniel Jeffers Sr., said he's thankful his sons were pulled from the water otherwise unharmed.

"I'm lucky they're here," he said. "I was scared when they (neighbors) told me (what happened). I was really scared."

At the time of the rescue, the creek was running high after heavy rains hit the area Thursday morning.

Though the creek didn't appear to be moving too fast, there was a swift-moving undercurrent, Behler said.

He advised everyone to say out of creeks after a rain storm, even if the water appears safe.

"Especially after a heavy storm, the water may look calm but it is not," Behler said.

- Reach Greg Gross at ggross@yorkdispatch.com.

Only a few showers and a chance of storms seem to stand in York County's way to a pleasant weekend, according to Craig Evanego, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in State College.

"Right now, we're starting to think that the worst of the storms might go south of us," he said, noting Baltimore and Washington, D.C., as cities that could get hit hard.

But York can expect to see some showers or storms from the late afternoon -- around 4 or 5 p.m. -- on, Evanego said. Conditions should start improving later this evening, he said.

"Once we get that out of here, it looks like a decent weekend," Evanego said.

Previously reported: A severe thunderstorm rolled through York County from 8 to 9 a.m. Thursday,

Rain arrives in York City Thursday morning.

CHECK THROUGH THE DAY FOR MORE PHOTOS (Randy Flaum)

Although the storms blew through fairly quickly, similar storms could pummel the area this afternoon and evening, said Craig Evanego, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in State College.

"We don't get two rounds of severe weather too often, but today could be one of those days," he said.

A moderate thunderstorm risk continues throughout Thursday, Evanego said.

"Usually in Pennsylvania, we'll only see slight risks," he said.

There is also a risk of high winds, hail and even an isolated tornado in the afternoon, he said.

Outages: More than 8,500 York County residents were without power as of 9 a.m., and Met-Ed reported outages could also be high in the afternoon when a second wave of storms is expected pound the region.

Met-Ed meteorologists were expecting more storms to move through the midstate between 2 and 10 p.m.

The energy provider is preparing for the storms by getting additional crews ready - including contract workers - to repair damage caused by heavy winds, said Met-Ed spokesman Scott Surgeoner.

Crews will work throughout the day, as long as there's no lightning, to restore power, he said.

Areas hardest hit by the Thursday morning outages included Springettsbury Township, with 1,130 customers without power, followed by West Manchester Township with 1,106, Dover Borough with 1,096 and Dover Township with 907 outages.

Most outages were caused by heavy winds knocking down trees, branches and power lines, Surgeoner said.

Met-Ed expected to have power restored to those customers by mid-morning.

But it may only be on for a short time.

"It's quite possible those same customers will be without power again this afternoon when the second wave of storms hits," Surgeoner said. "Our meteorologists said the storms we are expecting this afternoon and evening will be severe enough to knock out power again."

The energy provider serves nearly 172,000 customers in York County.

The damage: County-wide there were several reports of down trees and wires, as well as localized flooding on certain roads, said county spokesman Carl Lindquist.

Most of the reports of damages the county received were from York City and areas around it, he said.

By Friday, the storms should move out of the area and sunny skies should return.

"Tomorrow we should see improving conditions," Evanego said. "It looks like improvement heading into the weekend." Friday could see a shower or two, and Saturday and Sunday's high pressure could produce a good amount of sunshine and seasonal temperatures, said Bill Deger, a meteorologist with AccuWeather.com in State College.

Vincent Kevin Fenner Jr. (Photo courtesy of Cumru Township Police Department)

A York County teen wanted for an April carjacking and police chase in Berks County was arrested Thursday by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, according to a news release.

Police in Cumru Township, Berks County, said Vincent Kevin Fenner Jr., 17, of York County had been wanted for the April 15 incident.

Cumru Township Police had received a report of a carjacking at Supreme Cleaners, a business in the 1600 block of Lancaster Avenue in Berks County, according to a news release.

A male victim, an employee at Supreme Cleaners, was leaving work when he got into his car and was approached by a Hispanic woman accompanied by Fenner.

The woman asked the victim if she could use a cellphone and Fenner displayed a handgun, police said.

Fenner threatened to kill the man if he did not step out of his vehicle and hand it over to them, the release states.

When the man got out of the car, police said, he was told to run, which he did, and was not hurt.

About an hour later, police said, Fenner was seen driving erratically on Route 30 near Route 283 in Manheim Township, Lancaster County.

A state trooper tried to stop Fenner, who led police on a chase until he crashed and then ran on foot, according to the news release.

Police searched the area, but could not find Fenner. Police added that the woman was not with Fenner at the time of the chase.

A warrant was issued for Fenner's arrest on May 31 by Cumru Township Police.

Police arrested Fenner Thursday and are charging him as an adult with robbery of a motor vehicle, theft, possession of a firearm and other charges.

Fenner is in Berks County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail.

How to help

Cumru Township Police are still looking for a Hispanic woman who was with Vincent Kevin Fenner Jr. at the time of the carjacking.

She is described as being about 35 years old, 5-feet-5-inches tall and weighing about 140 pounds. She has dark, shoulder-length hair.

Anyone with information is asked to call Cumru Township Police in Berks County at 610-777-9595. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Berks County Crime Alert at 877-373-9913.

@ralefever; 771-2088

9:30 p.m. update: About 180 residents are without power, according to a Met-Ed outage report.

Glen Rock still has about 100 outages reported. About 80 residents are without power in Chanceford Township, Dallastown and Red Lion areas.

Power is expected to be restored by 10:30 p.m. in Glen Rock, 11 p.m. in Chanceford Township and 11:30 p.m. in the Dallastown area, according to the Met-Ed outage report.

6:30 p.m. update: Close to 300 residents are without power, according to a Met-Ed outage report.

Glen Rock has about 100 outages reported. About 40 outages are reported for the Red Lion area and 20 for each of the Chanceford Township, Hallam Borough and Dallastown areas. The Hanover area has more than 100 outages reported.

Power is expected to be restored by midnight, according to Met-Ed.

A severe spring storm ripped through the region Thursday morning, leaving damage, flooding and downed trees and power lines in its wake.

More than 300 York County residents were without power as of 2:30 p.m., and Met-Ed reported outages could also be high in the afternoon when a second wave of storms are expected pound the region.

Dallastown had the most lights out around noon, with 95 outages reported. Springettsbury Township had 79 outages and York City had 47 outages.

More storms are expected to move through the midstate between 2 and 10 p.m., according to Met-Ed meteorologists.

The energy provider is preparing for the storms by getting additional crews ready-including contract workers-to repair damage caused by heavy winds, said Met-Ed spokesman Scott Surgeoner.

Crews will work throughout the day, as long as there's no lightening, to restore outages, he said.

As of 9 a.m., Met-Ed reported 8,585 York County customers were without power.

Areas hardest hit by the Thursday morning outages included Springettsbury Township with 1,130 outages, followed by West Manchester Township with 1,106 outages, Dover Borough with 1,096 outages and Dover Township with 907 outages.

All other municipalities had between one and 300 outages.

Most outages were caused by heavy winds knocking down trees, branches and power lines, Surgeoner said.

Met-Ed expected to have power restored to those customers by mid-morning.

But it may only be on for a short time.

"It's quite possible those same customers will be without power again this afternoon when the second wave of storms hits," Surgeoner said. "Our meteorologists said the storms we are expecting this afternoon and evening will be severe enough to knock out power again.

The energy provider serves nearly 172,000 customers in York County.

PPL, which serves about 8,000 customers in York County, reported 11 local customers were without power on Thursday.

Jed York, the 49ers' CEO, admitted nothing could fully prepare him for being the public face of one of the most prominent franchise in all of sports.

"But I certainly knew there was nothing I wasn't going to do to be successful," said York, whose dogged determination helped the 49ers land a new stadium in Santa Clara and Super Bowl L. "The guts and drive my grandpa had, he instilled in me."

It shows. The 31-year-old York is entering his third year as the 49ers' CEO, seemingly on top of the world. Three years ago, the 49ers were a sad-sack franchise, so far away from their glory years that one could never imagine a turnaround was imminent.

Today, the organization is a model of stability, having reached the NFC Championship Game two straight years and the Super Bowl this past year. When York left his job as a financial analyst for Guggenheim Partners in New York City to join the 49ers in 2005, some of his first jobs included sewing names on the back of jerseys and learning how to tie an ice bag and wrapping an ankle.

York versed himself in every aspect of the organization — from the ground floor up — and there was no time for his ego and pride to get in the way. Confident yet humble, York's overall vision of running an organization revolves around hiring innovative people, exchanging ideas through heated discussions and allowing everyone to do their jobs.

"I'm not going to micromanage," said York, who was at SAP in Palo Alto earlier this week along with 49ers President Gideon Yu to talk about the team's partnership with SAP. "The first thing about leadership is you need to be present to be successful."

Although York embraces the use of technology to help a team, the NFL isn't exactly at the forefront of innovation when it comes to action on the field.

"As of now, the NFL won't even allow [a coach] to use a calculator in a game," York said. "In [some] sports, if teams are using a spreadsheet, that's advanced technology."

York admires former Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who has won an NBA record 11 titles as a coach but garnered criticism along the way for only being able to win because he had some of the greatest players in the history of the game on his rosters.

"I hope my biggest criticism will be that of course I had success because I had all the superstars," York said. "I hope people say that about me 20 years from now."