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Pennsylvania man sets Guinness World Record after watching 777 movies in theaters in one year: ‘All for a good cause’

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Pennsylvania man sets Guinness World Record after watching 777 movies in theaters in one year: ‘All for a good cause’


This movie buff is finally the star of the show.

Pennsylvania man Zach Swope saw 777 movies inside theaters over the past year in an attempt to raise awareness for autism and suicide prevention, setting a Guinness World Record.

Zach Swope, 32, a self-proclaimed “Lover of Films,” began his movie journey on July 5, 2022, when he went to watch Steve Carrell’s hit film “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” according to a Guinness World Records press release.

The film fanatic, who has Asperger’s syndrome, was motivated to watch as many shows as he could because was doing it for the two causes.

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“I am a suicide survivor and have lost people I care about to suicide,” Swope said. “This was an amazing journey that I dedicated a year of my life to, and it was all for a good cause.”

Swope watched approximately three movies during the week as he worked his full-time job early in the day. Weekends were all-day endeavors.

He prioritized short-length movies which allowed him to watch more in a day as he used a Regal Unlimited membership, which gives him access to every film for just $22 per month.

The film fanatic, who has Asperger’s syndrome, was motivated to watch as many shows as he could because was doing it for the two causes.
Regal/Facebook

Swope targeted 16 to 17 movies per week, depending on whether he took a day off to “mentally recharge.”

Throughout his record attempt, Swope adhered to a set of strict rules: each film had to be watched in its entirety and he had to be independent of any other activity, meaning he couldn’t fall asleep or check his phone while the movie was playing.

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Swope wasn’t allowed to eat or drink during the viewing and was monitored at all times by theater employees to ensure he didn’t break any of the rules.

Swope’s most-watched film over the calendar year was “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” which he viewed 47 times.


On June 2, Swope surpassed the previous world record of 715, set by Frenchman Vincent Krohn in 2018, when he watched "Spider-man: Across the Spiderverse"
On June 2, Swope surpassed the previous world record of 715, set by Frenchman Vincent Krohn in 2018, when he watched “Spider-man: Across the Spiderverse”
Regal/Facebook

Swope says he began watching the movies in July 2022 but his world record certificate indicates he began in May.
Swope says he began watching the movies in July 2022 but his world record certificate indicates he began in May.
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The two runner-ups were “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” and “Thor: Love and Thunder” at 35 and 33 times respectively.

On June 2, Swope surpassed the previous world record of 715, set by Frenchman Vincent Krohn in 2018, when he watched “Spider-man: Across the Spiderverse.”

An initial goal of 800 movies was set but Swope realized that number wasn’t achievable he decided to “end on lucky number sevens.”


Watching nearly 800 movies in a year means there would be multiple viewings of the same film, and out of all the ones he watched, Swope saw "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish" the most at 47 times.
Watching nearly 800 movies in a year means there would be multiple viewings of the same film, and out of all the ones he watched, Swope saw “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” the most at 47 times.
Regal/Facebook

Swope watched “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” as the last movie of his yearlong binge on July 5.

The 777 movie record didn’t burn him out, as a few weeks later he watched the highly anticipated World War II thriller “Oppenheimer” he told Regal Cinemas.

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His least favorite movie was “The Devil Conspiracy,” a sci-fi horror film which he only saw once.

“That’s a movie I’d rather forget,” he told the “Morning X” radio show.

Swope was no stranger to movie theaters before he began his yearlong binge, as he used to average 100-150 films in theaters a year.


The 777 movie record didn't burn him out as a few weeks later he watched the highly anticipated World War II thriller "Oppenheimer" he told Regal Cinemas.
The 777 movie record didn’t burn him out as a few weeks later he watched the highly anticipated World War II thriller “Oppenheimer” he told Regal Cinemas.
Regal/Facebook

He is unsure of his next venture, but there’s always a chance he will attempt to watch more than 777 movies in a year.

“Who knows, maybe I’ll go back and try to break my own record?” he added.

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Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania State Police Reports: Suspect snorts cocaine at the station; Tased along I-476

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Pennsylvania State Police Reports: Suspect snorts cocaine at the station; Tased along I-476


The latest new reports from the Pennsylvania State Police Media station:

June 20

Drugs: Troopers charged a 27-year-old New Castle woman with possession of drug paraphernalia after they observed a white powder under her nose and a wax glassine bag on her lap while she was waiting in the station headquarters on Baltimore Pike. She had been in custody but additional charges were added.

June 15

Fraud: A 53-year-old Springfield man walked into the Media station to report an unknown person used his TD Bank credit card to make purchases online.

June 14

Resisting: At 7:10 p.m. troopers stopped a black Mini-Cooper on Interstate 476 south in Marple for traffic violations. Once stopped, a passenger got out and ran. Troopers intersected him and the male got into a fighting stance and attempted to fight the trooper, who deployed a Taser. The male, Shane Rowe, 28, of Marcus Hook had a warrant for his arrest in the borough. He also provided a fake ID to Troopers and was arrested.

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June 7

Theft: Troopers responded to Concord Crossing in Concord Township for identity theft. No leads, cased closed.

Vehicle theft: Troopers took the report of a 76-year-old Media man who said that his Kia Soul was stolen.

DUI: At 11:53 p.m. troopers stopped a 2017 Nissan Altima on Smithbridge Road west of Route 202 for vehicle code violations. The operator, a 35-year-old Wilmington man, was found to be under the influence.

June 6

Vehicle theft: A 2015 Lincoln was stolen from the driveway of a 91-year-old Edgmont resident on West Chester Pike. The keys were left in the vehicle.

Vehicle taken: Troopers charged a 39-year-old Aston man after a Ford F-250 from Northwinds Rentals in Glen Mills taken without permission by deceit.

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DUI: At 7:42 p.m. A 2018 Kia exited the ramp from Interstate 95 to Stewart Avenue, crossed the road back down the on ramp and crashed into the guiderail on the Interstate. The driver, a 22-year-old from Secane, was found to be under the influence.

June 5

DUI: At 1:59 a.m., troopers stopped a 2014 Jeep in Interstate 95 south in Ridley. A 44-year-old Philadelphia man was found to be under the influence and arrested.

June 4

Harassment: Troopers responded to the Home Depot in Concord for the report of harassment. The subject, a 42-year-old Aston male, was not there but was later identified and issued a citation.

June 1

Extortion: Troopers responded to Maris Grove Medical Center in Concord for a 72-year-old man who was extorted by an unknown subject out of $500 in Bitcoin.

DUI: At 1:49 a.m., a 2010 Honda was stopped on Route 202 at Smithbridge Road for equipment violations. The 22-year-old female driver from Wilmington was found to be under the influence.

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Theft: Troopers responded to Pop’s Pizza on Route 202 in Concord for a subject attempting to pass a counterfeit $100 bill to pay for food.

Harassment: Troopers investigated a 17-year-old Glen Mills student harassing a female student by email and in person during school.

May 31

Trespass: At 11:26 p.m. troopers responded to the former Sleighton Farm School for a disturbance. An 18-year-old male from Glenolden driving a 2013 Mercedes Benz was issued a citation.

May 29

Assault: At 2:13 p.m. troopers responded to Elwyn school for a 14-year-old male from Upper Darby striking a faculty member. The youth was arrested and subsequently turned over to his guardians.

May 9

Assault: At 9:53 a.m. Troopers responded to the 100 block of Fairmont Avenue in Concord Township for juvenile who struck an 8-year-old in the head.

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April 30

Fleeing: At 1 p.m., troopers were contacted by Upper Providence police who were following a 2004 Ford Taurus for a series of thefts in Springfield. A traffic stop was attempted at Route 352 and Gradyville Road but the vehicle fled. The pursuit was terminated after the Ford crossed into the opposite direction at North State and West Rolling roads. The Ford was last seen on North State missing a rear bumper.

April 28

Retail theft: Just after 4 p.m. LensCrafters in the 500 block of Wilmington West Chester Pike reported the theft of 20 pairs of glasses valued at a total of $7,466.

DUI: At 10:28 p.m., troopers stopped a 2015 Mercury on Interstate 95 in Tinicum for straddling the dotted line. The driver, a 54-year-old male from Philadelphia, was found to under the influence and was arrested.

April 20

Theft: A 64-year-old man, a resident of the 1400 block of Pheasant Lane, Edgmont, walked into the station to report he had lost $4,000 after giving his credit card information to a subject online.

April 13

Pursuit: Troopers attempted to stop a vehicle committing multiple traffic violations on Interstate 95 north. The pursuit ended for safety reasons after the vehicle entered the Philadelphia International Airport.

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DUI: At 3:21 a.m., troopers stopped a 2024 Toyota Crown for traffic violations on Interstate 95 south in Ridley Township. The operator a 30-year-old  Wilmington man was found to be under the influence and to be in possession of narcotics.

April 12

Harassment: At 4:13 p.m., troopers responded to the 100 block of Forge Road in Middletown for an active domestic between mother and daughter. The victim said she canceled her mother’s dinner reservation plans after the mother threw car keys at her, hitting her in the face. The 56-year-old mother admitted to the throwing the keys after the plans were canceled. She was charged with harassment.

April 10

Retail theft: Wegman’s in Concord reported $844 in crab meat had been stolen by a male wearing a black jacket, pants and hat.

April 5

Theft: Videon Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram on West Chester Pike reported the theft of $2,800 in auto parts.

March 26

Theft: An 88-year-old resident of Hayburn Road in Chadds Ford Township reported that someone attempted to by a iPhone for $629 using his credit card information. The funds were recovered by the bank.

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Protection from abuse: Just before 6 p.m., troopers responded to Bishops Drive in Chester Heights for the report of PFA violation. The boyfriend, a 26-year-old male from Egg Harbor, N.J., was attempting to use a Instagram business account to contact her.

March 25

Weapon found: A civilian turned in a weapon at the station. They found a Sig Sauer handgun fully loaded on a parking lot of a business on Evergreen Drive in Concord.

Retail theft: Wawa in Granite Run reported at 4:38 p.m. that a male took assorted snacks and fled in a silver Honda CRV.

Retail theft: At 2:46 p.m., troopers responded to the Acme in Granite Run for the theft of $500 in mostly nonedible groceries and a $75 bag of dog food.

March 14

Pursuit: Just after 10 p.m., troopers attempted to stop a Chrysler 300 on Baltimore Pike near Concord Road for traffic violations. The pursuit continued north but was called off due to safety concerns. The Chrysler later hit a guide rail at the Media Bypass and became disabled. The occupants, a 22-year-old Philadelphia man and a 25-year-old Darby man, ran but were later apprehended by police.

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March 8

Retail theft: At 3:42 p.m., troopers responded to Lens Crafters on Route 202 in Concord for a theft of 22 frames valued at $8,800, taken by two women who fled in a Hyundai Kona.



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Pennsylvania

Trump focuses on immigration, crime in first-ever rally in Philadelphia

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Trump focuses on immigration, crime in first-ever rally in Philadelphia


The former president painted a bleak picture of international politics.

“Our border is overrun, inflation is raging. Crime is out of control. Europe is in chaos. The Middle East is exploding. Iran is emboldened. China is on the march, and this horrible, horrible president is dragging us toward World War III,” Trump said. “We’re going to be in World War III soon.”

Trump also took on topics such as vaccine and mask mandates and critical race theory in schools, emphasizing his opposition to each. He made personal digs at Philly native and CNN anchor Jake Tapper, who will co-moderate the first presidential debate on June 27. Trump also spoke against the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports.

The former president weighed in on the Pa. U.S. Senate race, throwing his support behind Republican candidate Dave McCormick, who is attempting to unseat incumbent Democrat Sen. Bob Casey.

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“You have my total support and my total endorsement, and you got to win, Dave McCormick,” Trump said, calling him a “seventh-generation Pennsylvanian” and inviting McCormick on  stage. McCormick returned the favor by endorsing Trump.

“We need new leadership,” McCormick said. “We need a new president in the White House that’s going to get our country back on track.”



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John Apa, Sharon, PA

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John Apa, Sharon, PA


 SHARON, Pennsylvania (MyValleyTributes) – On Thursday, June 20, 2024, we lost our beloved father John Apa  at age 91 where he resided for the past 2 years at John XXIII.

John was the second child of the late Giovanni and Annetta (Perri) Apa, born October 13, 1932 in Sharon, Pennsylvania.

He married the former Doris M. Welches on January 20, 1956 and she survives in Hermitage, Pennsylvania. 

John was a 1951 graduate of Farrell High School and attended Youngstown State University, Penn State-Shenango Valley Campus and HEI Institute in Niles, Ohio.

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John served his country honorably in the U.S. Army for two years during the Korean Conflict.

John worked for The Sharon Steel Corporation for 35 years as an Electrical Wireman and Lineman. He also wired many new homes being built in the Shenango Valley in his spare time.

After he retired, he took accounting classes and did taxes free of charge with The Keystone Blind Agency for many years. 

John walked in his father’s footprints and had a gorgeous garden for many years. He was always giving the fruit of his labor to family and friends. John loved keeping up to date with world events and family in Italy via his computer. He loved listening to music on different computer sites and singing along. He was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Sharon, Pennsylvania and its Presbyters Class, Elder and Senior Fellowship.

Besides John’s wife, Doris, he is survived by two daughters, Rhonda Guerino-Chalenor (Steven) of Hermitage, Pennsylvania and Brenda Apa Burleson (Jim) of West Middlesex, Pennsylvania and son, John P. Apa (Tracy) of Hermitage, Pennsylvania, also, an “adopted daughter”, Connie Muna of Farrell, Pennsylvania. Also, five grandchildren Allyson Knott (Fred) of Wrightstown, New Jersey, Julia Hilderhoff (Bill) of Irwin, Pennsylvania, Natalie Votaw (Derek) of Knoxville, Tennessee, John T. Apa (Jamie) of Wake Forest, North Carolina and Justine Apa (Cody Smith) of Girard, Ohio. John is also survived by a sister, Joanne Jackson (Farrell) of Naples, Florida, and eight great-grandchildren.

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John was preceded in death, besides his parents, his sister, Antoinette Sabella and brother-in-law, Reverend Ty Sabella and his grandson, Christopher Donnelly.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 6, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Rick Stauffer officiating, followed by a luncheon at the church. Entombment was in Hillcrest Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Arrangements have been handled by Harold W. Stevenson Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church at 263 East State Street, Sharon, PA  16146.

A television tribute will air Sunday, June 23 at the following approximate times: 8:58 a.m. on WKBN and 7:58 p.m. on FOX. Video will be posted here the day of airing.
 

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