Pennsylvania News Briefs

Pennsylvania’s first new medical school in 46 years is nearing a big funding goal.

Within the next week, Commonwealth Medical College will likely have enough donations to fulfill its promise of scholarships of $20,000 a year — or $80,000 total — for all 60 members of its first class.

The total community commitment for scholarships is already at $4.6 million, and will be $4.8 million when the goal is met.

The financial support has officials from the Scranton-based college optimistic that the school may one day be tuition-free.

Twenty-five students have already committed to be part of the school’s first class next fall.

READING

Cache of stolen guns found; teen arrested

Police investigating a string of burglaries uncovered a cache of stolen guns and other items inside a Reading home.

Police say a 17-year-old boy was arrested at the scene and will face unspecified charges through the juvenile probation system.

Reading police, state troopers and members of the state police auto theft task force searched the home on Saturday afternoon.

They say they found 15 stolen guns, a 46-inch flat screen television, ammunition, a camera, binoculars, and several sets of car keys.

PHILADELPHIA

Police seeking suspect in convent burglary

Philadelphia police are looking for a suspect in connection with a burglary at a convent on the grounds of Holy Family University.

Detective Rick Sysol said the robber entered a residential hall for nuns at around 4 a.m. Saturday.

Sysol says the suspect apparently entered three or four bedrooms and took personal items from the residents.

Among the stolen items is a solid silver cross on a silver chain, given to a 94-year-old resident when she entered the order.

PHILADELPHIA

House blaze kills man mile from 7-alarm fire

A house fire claimed the life of a North Philadelphia man as firefighters continued to mop up hot spots from a seven-alarm blaze less than a mile away.

Authorities say the fire at the home on Gratz Street was reported shortly before 4 a.m. They say a man in his 60s was taken to Albert Einstein Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The blaze was declared under control at about 4:30 a.m.

Fire dispatchers say two firefighters also sustained minor injuries. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.

SOMERSET

Pheasants Forever plans bird transplant

A group is trying to bring thousands of wild pheasants from Montana to Pennsylvania, both to expand game bird hunting and benefit the environment.

Members of Pheasants Forever, a national group, are spearheading efforts to bring wild pheasants to sites across more than 14,000 acres. The plan calls for 1,000 birds to be transplanted to Washington and Montour counties and Brothersvalley and Stonycreek townships over the course of three years.