Pennsylvania

Escaped inmate Michael Burham sniffed out by Pennsylvania couple’s friendly dog near their backyard after 9-day manhunt

Published

1 year ago

July 18, 2023

Escaped inmate Michael Burham sniffed out by Pennsylvania couple’s friendly dog near their backyard after 9-day manhunt

This pooch has a nose for finding criminals.

The nine-day manhunt for escaped inmate Michael Burham ended when a Pennsylvania couple’s friendly dog alerted them to the man hiding out near their backyard.

Homeowners Ron and Cynthia Ecklund called police on Saturday and told them about the escaped homicide suspect after their dog, Tucker, began barking at Burham, 34, who was captured at gunpoint after running into the woods.

Cynthia said Tucker, who received a juicy steak for tracking down the alleged killer, alerted her and her husband that something was wrong on Saturday afternoon.

“Our dog was laying out in the sun, and suddenly he jumped up and started to bark and ran toward our creek,” Cynthia told Fox News.

When the dog appeared to ignore the couple’s call for him to return, they figured Tucker was either chasing animals by the creek or greeting a passerby.

Michael Burham is accused of shooting Kala Hodgkin to death in New York before lighting another woman’s car on fire, then kidnapping a Pennsylvania couple.

Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office

The Ecklunds said it was not uncommon for Tucker to also bother local fishermen to play with him, but he would always rush back when they called for him.

When Tucker continued to bark, the couple hopped on their golf cart to investigate, and that’s when they found Burham, shirtless and wearing rolled up pants that were clearly part of an orange prison outfit.

Homeowners Ron and Cynthia Ecklund called police on Saturday and told them about the escaped homicide suspect after their dog, Tucker, began barking at Burham.

Burham was captured at gunpoint after the dogs helped sniff him out. — Burham was captured at gunpoint after the dog helped sniff him out.

“My husband and I both recognize it as Michael Burham immediately,” Cynthia said of the fugitive who had dominated headlines in local and national news since his escape from Warren County Jail.

Remembering that Burham, an army veteran and self-taught “survivalist” was to be considered armed and dangerous, the couple maintained their distance and asked him what he was doing.

Burham told them he was just camping, and the couple quickly left and called 911.

Police tracked him as he moved through the woods, where he attempted to hide, but he was surrounded and taken into custody at around 5:50 p.m.

The couple both recognized Burham and kept their distance as they figured out their next move.

The couple called 911 and Burham was captured at gun point.

Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens told reporters Burham looked “tired” and “worn out” after he was arrested.

Burnham was being held on 26 counts related to arson, kidnapping and burglary when he escaped Warren County Jail on July 6 by rappelling from the facility’s roof using a rope he had fashioned by tying bedsheets together, according to an affidavit.

He is also under investigation for raping and killing the mother of his child in Jamestown, New York, according to police there. He also set the woman’s car on fire.

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Pennsylvania

Messiah Lifeways receives $1 million in funding from Pennsylvania

Published

13 mins ago

November 25, 2024

Press Room

Messiah Lifeways receives million in funding from Pennsylvania

An artist’s rendering depicts the Ferncrest campus. (Image from https://fernecrest.messiahlifeways.org/ used with permission of Messiah LIfeways)

Mechanicsburg, PA-based Messiah Lifeways has received $1 million through the commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s 2024 Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.

RACP grant funding is meant to be used for the design, acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects.

The retirement community has allocated half of the funding to prepare the site and construct the organization’s Fernecrest campus in New Cumberland, PA, for which ground was broken earlier this month. The other $500,000 will support HVAC upgrades at the Messiah Village campus in Mechanicsburg.

Messiah LIfeways said that the monies allocated to the Fernecrest property will allow it to focus on amenities such as a nature trail, a fitness center, dining venues “and various other perks designed for residents to enjoy the scenic landscape.”

Messiah Lifeways CEO and President Karl Brummer said in a press release that the grant money was an honor, “having the value of our efforts to meet the growing and evolving needs of older adults recognized and supported in such a tangible and transformational way.”

“These dollars will help us move our mission forward, broadening our regional reach and meeting a growing need for places where people can not just reside as they age, but also where they can gain a meaningful community with whom they can learn, explore and thrive, he added.

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Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania State Finalist Toby Herzog Commits To William & Mary For 2025

Published

8 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

Pennsylvania State Finalist Toby Herzog Commits To William & Mary For 2025

Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.

Toby Herzog from Ambler, Pennsylvania has announced his commitment to continue his academic and athletic careers at William & Mary beginning in fall 2025.

“I am ecstatic to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at William & Mary. Thank you to all of my coaches, teammates, and parents for your continuous support. Can’t wait for 2025! GO TRIBE! “

Herzog swims for Upper Dublin Aquatic Club and is in his senior year at Upper Dublin High School, botu out of Fort Washington, PA. This past March, he finished 4th in the 100 breast at the PIAA 3A State Championships swimming to a 55.63. He was slightly faster in prelims with a 55.46 which made him the 2nd seed heading into finals. His best time of a 55.35 from December 2023 notably would have finished 3rd.

In addition to his ‘A’ final appearance in the 100 breast, he also won the 200 IM, clocking a 1:53.43, a personal best time. He made huge strides in the event as a junior as he started his junior campaign with a best time of a 2:04.80.

Herzog’s best SCY times are:

100 breast: 55.35
200 breast: 2:02.18
200 IM: 1:53.43

The William & Mary men finished 5th out of 6 teams at the 2024 CAA Championships. The team was less than 100 points behind 4th place Drexel.

Based on his best times, Herzog has the potential to be an immediate impact upon his arrival. His best time in the 100 breast would have made the ‘B’ final. The team notably had 2 ‘A’ finalists in the event with Brock Rempe (54.00) and Logan McDonald (54.01) finishing 5th and 6th. Herzog’s best time in the 200 breast would also have made the ‘B’ final.

Herzog will arrive next fall as a member of the class of 2029 along with Leo O’Keefe (backstroke), Blaise VanSlyke (sprint free), and Aiden Grendysz (fly).

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Pennsylvania

Pa. STEM center made possible by Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation

Published

17 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

Pa. STEM center made possible by Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation

STEM careers can lead students to earn higher salaries, but it isn’t always accessible for all children to pursue STEM programs or careers.

“Most Americans believe K-12 STEM education in the United States is either average or below average compared with other wealthy nations,” according to an April 2024 Pew Research Center survey.

The study also revealed that “recent global standardized test scores show that students in the U.S. are, in fact, lagging behind their peers in other wealthy nations when it comes to math,” but are doing better than average in science compared with pupils in other countries.

The foundation is for all students but it places centers in neighborhoods handpicked because they don’t have access to technology education or abundant financial resources. Ripken Jr. explained, “A lot of our centers are in rural (or inner-city) areas.”

Joe Rossow, executive vice president of STEM and outcome measurements at the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, noted that “rural areas don’t have that tax base… it’s hard for them to get new equipment, and new furniture and new things.”

Calvin Butler, president and CEO of Exelon and board chairman of the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation (left) Cal Ripken Jr., baseball Hall of Fame shortstop (center) and PECO senior VP Doug Oliver (right) pose with the Philly Phanatic at the ceremonial ribbon cutting for a new STEM center at the Tinicum School in Delaware County, Pa., on November 20, 2024. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)

In a 2021 report, Pew research also revealed that “Black and Hispanic workers remain underrepresented in the STEM workforce compared with their share of all workers.” The research stated that while women make up half of those employed in STEM jobs, most are in health-related careers. Women are underrepresented in other occupations, according to the report.

The foundation aims to help level the field and alter the stigma that prevents students from entering STEM-related careers. Rossow said they have seen an increase in girls showing interest in their STEM center programs. An analysis of application data from students in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Maryland found that 60% of female students had a higher increase in STEM engagement, 53% of female students had a higher percentage of STEM enjoyment and 50% of female students’ chances increased to enter STEM careers.

“Some of our female students had an increase in critical thinking as problem solvers and after that study, we didn’t realize it (the centers) really had an impact on our female engineers,” Rossow said.

The foundation’s mission is to partner with youth-serving organizations and schools across the country to provide educational life skills curriculum.

A mission that Ripken Sr. believed in wholeheartedly, according to Ripken Jr.

In Pennsylvania, STEM centers have opened at Saint Aloysius Parish School in Pottstown, Scott Sixth Grade Center in Coatesville, Delta-Peach Bottom Elementary in Delta, Robert K. Shafer Middle School in Bensalem, Feltonville School of Arts & Sciences and Avery Harrington School in Philadelphia.

The organization plans to open more centers in the future.

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