WILKES-BARRE — A woman who marketed "gothic kittens" with ear and neck piercings over the Internet was convicted of animal cruelty.

A Luzerne County jury on Wednesday convicted dog groomer Holly Crawford, 35, of one misdemeanor count and one summary count of animal cruelty, but acquitted her of two separate counts. She will be sentenced March 31.

Crawford was charged in December 2008 after animal welfare officers took several kittens and a cat from her home. Deputy District Attorney David Pedri told jurors Crawford inflicted pain upon three black kittens because, he alleged, "she thought it was neat" to sell gothic kittens on the Internet.

Defense attorneys argued parents allow children to get pierced ears at young ages, and it would be wrong to hold cat owners to a higher standard.

PENN HILLS — Teachers at one of the Pittsburgh area's largest school districts are on strike after an emergency negotiation session failed to yield progress on a contract.Teachers in the Penn Hills School District started manning a picket line this morning in a walkout that affects more than 5,000 students. Classes were canceled for the rest of the week.The Penn Hills Education Association said the school board is seeking a wage freeze and higher teacher contributions for health insurance. The board said the district can't afford more and is trying to avoid raising taxes.The teachers have been without a contract since August. By law they will only be able to strike a few days so students can return in time to receive 180 days of instruction by June 15.