Philly student has swine flu

A student at Samuel Pennypacker Elementary School was among five new cases of swine flu that were confirmed yesterday by the city's Health Department.

Health Commissioner Donald F. Schwarz said the West Oak Lane school would remain open because there was no evidence to suggest that the virus had spread. The student was not seriously ill, he noted.

Fernando Gallard, a school district spokesman, said letters went home with parents of Pennypacker students on Wednesday informing them that one student likely had the virus.

Information sessions will be held for parents at Pennypacker, on Washington Lane near Thouron, at 5:30 p.m. Monday and 7 a.m. Wednesday, Gallard said.

Schwarz said none of the four other cases resulted in serious illness.

Gun buy-back in the NE

The 15th Police District, headquartered at Harbison Avenue and Levick Street in the Northeast, is hosting a gun buy-back program today from 10 a.m. to noon. Members of the community can turn in a gun, no questions asked, at Tacony Baptist Church, at Disston and Hegerman streets, in exchange for a $50 ShopRite voucher.

Cell-phone headset giveaway

Spurred by the new ban on talking on a handheld cell phone while driving in the city, all area Wireless Zone stores will be giving away hands-free headsets. The promotion lasts until the end of the month at the store on South Street near 3rd and at locations in Chalfont, Feasterville, Langhorne, Richboro and Warminster.

Vet museum to honor Kalas

The Pennsylvania Veterans Museum on Monday will honor late Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas, an Army vet who supported the museum. His son Kane will sing "America the Beautiful" and read a poem written by his father, then present to the museum, in Media, the flag that was draped over his father's casket. The ceremony is part of the borough's Memorial Day celebration, which begins with a parade at 10 a.m.

2 arrested in Delco break-in

State police yesterday arrested two suspects in a Concord Township home invasion in which a 48-year-old woman was bound with duct tape. Police said two men - one was armed - entered the home about noon and forced the woman to open her safe. They stole jewelry, money and credit cards, police said, and unsuccessfully tried to take a TV.

Ex-trooper convicted

A former Pennsylvania state trooper has been convicted of helping truck-stop pimps and prostitutes as young as 12 by tipping them off about police operations. Shawn Dillard, 39, of Harrisburg, was convicted by a federal jury on Thursday of aiding interstate prostitution, obstruction and lying to investigators. Prosecutors said he warned prostitutes about undercover operations and law-enforcement sweeps at an Interstate 81 truck stop and took money and sexual favors in return for leniency. *

- Staff and wire reports

CLARIFICATION:

A brief in Saturday’s Daily News should have said that area Wireless Zone stores are giving away “hands-free” headsets, not “wireless” headsets.