HARRISBURG — Jury selection is scheduled to begin Wednesday in the public corruption case against a Pennsylvania lawmaker charged with illegally using taxpayer-paid employees to perform campaign work.

Opening statements in the trial of Rep. Bill DeWeese, D-Greene County, are scheduled Jan. 23. The 61-year-old former speaker and floor leader is charged with conflict of interest, conspiracy and four counts of theft for what prosecutors allege was the misuse of public resources for campaign purposes.

Defense attorneys unsuccessfully argued for dismissal of the case and also asked that jurors be brought in from another county due to pretrial publicity. Dauphin County Judge Todd Hoover said last month he that he was inclined to address the makeup of the jury if problems arise.

PITTSBURGH — A Western Pennsylvania lawmaker has resigned her seat in the state House of Representatives two weeks after being sworn in as controller of Allegheny County.Democrat Chelsa Wagner of the Brookline section of Pittsburgh had represented the 22nd legislative district for five years.As part of a statewide reapportionment, the district is slated to be transferred to Lehigh County in northeastern Pennsylvania due to population gains.In a statement Monday, Wagner said it had been “a distinct honor” to serve the district, and she was confident that her House colleagues would be “zealous advocates” for the needs of the residents.

CONNELLSVILLE — Two Western Pennsylvania girls who died following a collision between a car and a sport utility vehicle were honored Sunday night in a candlelight vigil.Several hundred people attended the event at the South Connellsville Volunteer Fire Company in Fayette County despite frigid temperatures, joining in prayer and songs to honor 12-year-old Dawnielle Victor and 14-year-old Tayler Darrell. Many then walked two blocks to leave candles in front of Victor's home.State police said the two girls were riding in a car that crossed the center line of a snowy Connellsville road and collided with the SUV at about 1:30 p.m. Friday. Victor died Friday at Highlands Hospital and Darrell died at 3:50 p.m. Saturday at Children's Hospital.

MONONGAHELA — A southwestern Pennsylvania man allegedly sparked a self-defense shooting by twice trying to run down another man who was walking his dog.Authorities say 56-year-old Anthony Pellegrino demanded to be arrested after trying to run over the other man Sunday night in Monongahela.Pellegrino allegedly tried to run the man over, then back up and hit the man after he missed the first time.