[naviga:h3]Police say teens left carcasses as prank[/naviga:h3]

CANONSBURG — Four teenagers enjoying a prank are apparently the culprits who left animal carcasses, including a painted deer, near the picket line of striking teachers in the Peters Township School District.

Peters Township police said Friday that the boys, all 16 or 17, are remorseful, but probably facing charges and a fine.

The last animal found, on Tuesday, was a deer spray-painted blue with the teachers’ union initials.

The teachers have been on strike since Oct. 28.

Police say the boys thought it was funny when someone threw a dead squirrel at picketing teachers from a passing vehicle and decided to escalate it as a prank. They then left raccoons, squirrels and two deer along the picket line for teachers to find.

Teachers had suggested it was an intimidation tactic.

[naviga:h3]Economy, payrolls improved in Oct.[/naviga:h3]

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate showed signs of improvement last month as employers added jobs.

The state Department of Labor and Industry said Friday the jobless rate slid two-tenths of a percentage point to 5.1 percent in October, although it still remains above Pennsylvania’s post-recession low of 5 percent reached last December.

The national rate is 5 percent.

The state’s civilian labor force grew by 5,000, to remain slightly above 6.4 million. Employment jumped by 14,000, closer to 6.1 million, while unemployment dropped by 9,000 to 330,000.

The biggest gainers were the leisure and hospitality and education and health services sectors.