Today's News-Tuesday, July 14, 2009

NEVADA MAN FACES FEDERAL CHARGES

A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS SENTENCED A NEVADA MAN FOR HIS ROLE IN A DRUG RING. THE US DISTRICT COURT IN SCRANTON RELEASED THE SENTENCING INFORMATION MONDAY, INDICATING THAT 60 YEAR OLD DAVID RICCIARDO OF HENDERSON, NEVADA WILL SPEND A YEAR IN PRISON ON CHARGES OF CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE METH, COCAINE AND MARIJUANA. RICCIARDO HELPED TO BRING LARGE QUANTITIES OF THE DRUGS TO THE COUNTY AND TO THE PHILADELPHIA REGION FROM 2005 TO 2007. RICCIARDO WAS FOUND GUILTY ON THE CHARGES IN 2008. HE ALSO HAS TO PAY FINES IN ADDITION TO THE JAIL SENTENCE. LOCAL AUTHORITIES AIDED IN THE EFFORT.

SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CASE TO BE SETTLED

A SPANISH MAN WILL BE SENTENCED LATER THIS WEEK ON CHARGES THAT HE CAME TO OUR AREA TO HAVE SEX WITH A THREE YEAR OLD CHILD. 27 YEAR OLD EDUARDO SANCHEZ-MORANGUES OF MADRID, SPAIN, HAD PLEADED GUILTY IN APRIL TO CHARGES OF TRAVELING TO ENGAGE IN ILLICIT SEXUAL CONDUCT WITH A MINOR. ANOTHER MAN, DAVID WITMER OF PINE GROVE, IS ALREADY IN PRISON FOR EXPLOITING THE CHILD. SANCHEZ-MORANGUES CAME FROM CALIFORNIA TO PINE GROVE VIA BUS IN 2005 AND SEXUALLY ABUSED THE THREE YEAR OLD BOY WHILE WITMER FILMED IT. REPORTEDLY, THE TWO MEN MET ONLINE . SANCHEZ MORANGUES FACES 30 YEARS IN PRISON AND A FINE.

TEEN FOUND GUILTY IN FIGHT

A TEENAGER WHO WAS INVOLVED IN A FIGHT AT POTTSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL EARLIER THIS YEAR WAS FOUND GUILTY OF DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND ORDERED TO PAY A FINE. JUDGE D MICHAEL STINE RULED THAT 18 YEAR OLD JORDAN SCHNECK GOT INTO A FIGHT WITH 18 YEAR OLD MILES MILLER OF MARLIN. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD INDICATES THAT SCHNECK CONTENDED HE WAS ONLY DEFENDING HIMSELF FROM MILLER. MILLER HAS ALREADY PLEADED GUILTY AND PAID A FINE IN THE CASE.

SUCCESSFUL DUI CHECKPOINT

TEN POLICE DEPARTMENTS NABBED A HANDFUL OF DRUNK DRIVERS OVER THE WEEKEND. THAT’S ACCORDING TO INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE NORTH CENTRAL HIGHWAY SAFETY NETWORK, WHO REPORTS THAT 491 CARS WERE CONTACTED FRIDAY NIGHT NEAR SHENANDOAH, 25 VEHICLES WERE DETAINED, 8 DRIVERS TESTED FOR DRUNK DRIVING AND 6 ARRESTS. FOURTEEN OTHER TRAFFIC ARRESTS WERE MADE.

SWIM CLUB-MINORITIES
PHILLY CAMP REJECTS SUBURBAN POOL'S OFFER
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE PRESIDENT OF A SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA SWIM CLUB SAYS HE WILL RESIGN IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES TO RESOLVE A DISPUTE WITH A DAY CAMP THAT ACCUSES THE CLUB OF RACISM. VALLEY CLUB PRESIDENT JOHN DUESLER SAYS THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAMP, CREATIVE STEPS, HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH RACE. HE SAYS THERE WERE SO MANY CHILDREN AT THE CLUB, MANY OF WHOM COULDN'T SWIM, THAT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. ATTORNEY MICHAEL KULDINER REPRESENTS THE DAY CAMP AND THE FAMILIES OF MAJORITY OF THE BLACK AND HISPANIC CHILDREN WHO SWAM AT THE THE VALLEY CLUB IN HUNTINGDON VALLEY ON JUNE 29. HE SAYS IN ADDITION TO THE BOARD MEMBERS STEPPING DOWN, THE CLUB SHOULD EXPEL THOSE MEMBERS WHO USED BIGOTED LANGUAGE THAT DAY. WHEN REACHED AT HIS HOME BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS AND ASKED IF HE WOULD STEP DOWN IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES TO RESOLVE THE MATTER, DUESLER REPLIED, "ABSOLUTELY YES."

PREGNANT WOMAN-FATAL
PREGNANT WOMAN DIES IN PA. CRASH
NORTH EAST, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE SAY A PREGNANT WOMAN HAS BEEN KILLED IN A NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA TRAFFIC CRASH. POLICE SAY 25-YEAR-OLD LAURA WALSH RAN A STOP SIGN AND WAS HIT BY A TRUCK IN NORTH EAST TOWNSHIP, ERIE COUNTY. SHE WAS AIRLIFTED TO A HOSPITAL AND PRONOUNCED DEAD A LITTLE OVER AN HOUR LATER.

POLITICAL CONSULTANT CHARGED
PA. POLITICAL CONSULTANT TO STAND TRIAL
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A POLITICAL CONSULTANT FROM PENNSYLVANIA'S LEHIGH VALLEY ACCUSED OF FILING FRAUDULENT CAMPAIGN EXPENSE REPORTS AND SUBMITTING DECEPTIVE INVOICES HAS BEEN ORDERED TO STAND TRIAL. THOMAS SEVERSON LIVES IN PEN ARGYL AND OWNS PRECISION MARKETING INC. IN EASTON. HE FACES CHARGES INCLUDING 12 COUNTS OF FELONY TAMPERING WITH PUBLIC RECORDS. SEVERSON AND HIS LAWYER DECLINED TO COMMENT TO A REPORTER FROM THE EXPRESS-TIMES OF EASTON AFTER HIS PRELIMINARY HEARING IN HARRISBURG ON MONDAY. THE PROSECUTION IS BEING HANDLED BY PENNSYLVANIA ATTORNEY GENERAL TOM CORBETT'S OFFICE BECAUSE NORTHAMPTON COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY JOHN MORGANELLI HAS BEEN A CLIENT OF SEVERSON'S FIRM.

TWO DEAD
DEATHS OF MAN, WOMAN IN PA. HOME INVESTIGATED
WILKES-BARRE, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING THE DEATH OF TWO PEOPLE IN A HOME NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE HOME IN NEWPORT TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY, ON MONDAY AFTERNOON. A MAN AND A WOMAN WERE FOUND DEAD IN THE HOME. THE NAMES OF THE MAN AND THE WOMAN WERE BEING WITHHELD LATE MONDAY NIGHT SO THEIR FAMILIES COULD BE NOTIFIED.

SENATOR INVESTIGATION-TRIAL
EX-PA. SEN. FUMO FACES SENTENCING TODAY
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - FORMER STATE SEN. VINCENT FUMO FACES A FORMIDABLE PRISON TERM WHEN HE IS SENTENCED TODAY. U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE RONALD BUCKWALTER HAS SAID SENTENCING GUIDELINES CALL FOR THE PHILADELPHIA DEMOCRAT TO GET ABOUT 11 TO 14 YEARS. A DEFENSE LAWYER HAS SAID A SENTENCE OF LESS THAN ABOUT 11 YEARS WOULD MAKE FUMO ELIGIBLE FOR A MINIMUM-SECURITY PRISON CAMP. FUMO WAS CONVICTED ON 137 FRAUD, OBSTRUCTION AND TAX-EVASION COUNTS AFTER A FIVE-MONTH TRIAL.

STATE BUDGET
PA. HOUSE PANEL OKS COMPETING BUDGET BILLS
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - TWO COMPETING SPENDING PLANS ARE ON THE WAY TO THE HOUSE FLOOR AS PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATORS WORK TO BREAK A TWO-WEEK-OLD PARTISAN BUDGET IMPASSE. THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE VOTED OUT THE BILLS MONDAY AFTER DEMOCRATIC LEADERS HAD PROMISED TO TAKE ACTION ON A REPUBLICAN-PENNED BILL, EVEN THOUGH THEY OPPOSED IT. THE VOTE FOR A DEMOCRATIC-PENNED BILL WAS ALONG PARTY LINES, 19-TO-14. THEN THE COMMITTEE TOOK A VOICE VOTE TO MOVE UP THE GOP BILL WITH A NEGATIVE RECOMMENDATION. DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ARE MORE THAN $1 BILLION APART ON THEIR SPENDING PROPOSALS. DEMOCRATIC LEADERS ARE PUSHING FOR A TAX INCREASE IN AN EFFORT TO AVERT WHAT THEY SAY WILL BE DEVASTATING CUTS TO CRUCIAL PROGRAMS. REPUBLICANS HAVE VOWED TO OPPOSE ANY TAX INCREASE.

SCHOOL DESEGREGATION
LONG-RUNNING PHILLY DESEGREGATION SUIT SETTLED
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A PENNSYLVANIA JUDGE HAS APPROVED A SETTLEMENT IN A NEARLY 40-YEAR-OLD DESEGREGATION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA. COMMONWEALTH COURT JUDGE DORIS SMITH-RIBNER APPROVED THE SETTLEMENT YESTERDAY IN THE LAWSUIT BROUGHT BY THE STATE'S HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION. THE COMMISSION SUED IN 1970 SEEKING TO CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP BETWEEN WHITE AND MINORITY STUDENTS. THE AGREEMENT AIMS TO RAISE THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDENTS IN "RACIALLY ISOLATED" SCHOOLS THAT ARE AT LEAST 90 PERCENT BLACK OR LATINO. THE SETTLEMENT SEEKS BETTER PAY FOR TEACHERS AND FIRST CRACK AT PILOT PROGRAMS FOR LOW-ACHIEVING SCHOOLS.

NORTHERN LIBERTIES SHOOTING
SUSPECT IN PHILADELPHIA DOUBLE MURDER SURRENDERS
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A 40-YEAR-OLD MAN ACCUSED OF PLANNING A ROBBERY THAT TURNED INTO A DOUBLE MURDER LAST MONTH HAS SURRENDERED TO PHILADELPHIA POLICE. JAMES WILSON TURNED HIMSELF IN MONDAY EVENING ACCOMPANIED BY HIS LAWYER. ATTORNEY CHRISTOPHER WARREN SAYS HIS CLIENT, WHO'S ALSO KNOWN AS KEITH EPPS, MAINTAINS HE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CRIME. WILSON ISN'T CHARGED IN THE DEATHS OF RIAN THAL AND HER FRIEND TIMOTHY GILMORE. HE FACES BURGLARY AND OTHER CHARGES.

WASHINGTON (AP) - HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE EXPECTED TO UNVEIL THEIR VERSION OF A SWEEPING HEALTH CARE BILL TODAY. THAT'S AS PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAS BEEN PRODDING SENATORS TO WORK FASTER ON THEIR COMPANION BILL. THE PRESIDENT HAS SAID HE'D LIKE TO SEE A SENATE MEASURE READY THIS WEEK.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARING CONTINUES TODAY FOR SUPREME COURT NOMINEE SONIA SOTOMAYOR. SHE GOT TO SPEAK FOR ONLY ABOUT FIVE MINUTES AT THE END OF YESTERDAY'S SESSION. LAWMAKERS WILL GET TO HEAR MUCH MORE FROM HER TODAY, AS SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE MEMBERS OFFICIALLY SUBMIT THEIR QUESTIONS.

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. (AP) - NASA WILL TRY AGAIN TOMORROW TO LAUNCH SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR. THAT'S AFTER NASA'S FIFTH LAUNCH ATTEMPT ENDED IN ANOTHER DELAY YESTERDAY. ENDEAVOUR IS CARRYING THE FINAL SEGMENT OF JAPAN'S $1 BILLION SPACE LAB, AS WELL AS HUNDREDS OF POUNDS OF FOOD FOR THE SPACE STATION CREW. IF IT DOESN'T GET OFF THE GROUND SOON, IT MAY HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL JULY 26.

PHOENIX (AP) - ARIZONA'S REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR HAS SIGNED A BILL THAT IMPOSES NEW MANDATES AND RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTION. IT ALSO SETS A NEW COURSE FROM HER DEMOCRATIC PREDECESSOR, FORMER GOV. JANET NAPOLITANO. ONE OF THE BILL'S PROVISIONS IS A REQUIREMENT THAT THOSE WHO VISIT AN ABORTION PROVIDER WAIT 24 HOURS BEFORE GETTING AN ABORTION.

URUMQI, CHINA (AP) - THERE'S TIGHT SECURITY IN THE CAPITAL OF CHINA'S WESTERN XINJIANG (SHIHN-JAHNG) REGION, A DAY AFTER POLICE FATALLY SHOT TWO UIGHUR (WEE'-GUR) MEN AND WOUNDED A THIRD. YESTERDAY'S SHOOTINGS MARK THE FIRST TIME CHINA'S GOVERNMENT HAS ACKNOWLEDGED ITS FORCES HAVE OPENED FIRE AMID INCREASING ETHNIC VIOLENCE. TODAY, POLICE ARE BLOCKING ACCESS TO AREAS NEAR THE FATAL SHOOTINGS.

Today's News-Monday, July 13 2009

ROADWORK ON AREA HIGHWAYS

PENNDOT HAS ANNOUNCED THE FOLLOWING ROAD WORK TO COMMENCE TODAY THAT MAY CAUSE DELAYS:

1) GORDON NAGLE TRAIL BETWEEN CRESSONA AND POTTSVILLE. POTHOLE PATCHING CONTINUES THROUGH MIDWEEK.

2) ROUTE 924 BETWEEN ROUTE 54 AND POPLAR STREET IN SHENANDOAH FOR POTHOLE PATCHING.

3) BRIDGE REPAIR ON ROUTE 924 BETWEEN THE WEST MAHANOY TOWNSHIP LINE AND FRACKVILLE BOROUGH LINE.

4) DRAINAGE WORK –US ROUTE 209 BETWEEN ROUTE 901 AND TREMONT BOROUGH LINE.

DRUNK DRIVER CRASHES INTO BAR

A SHEPPTON WOMAN IS FACING CHARGES FOLLOWING A CRASH SUNDAY NIGHT. FRACKVILLE STATE POLICE SAY 41 YEAR OLD JODI OLSEN WAS SHOWING SIGNS OF INTOXICATION AT THE MONTFORT MOTEL IN EAST UNION TOWNSHIP AND WAS ASKED TO LEAVE. POLICE SAY SHE PASSED OUT BEHIND THE WHEEL AND HER VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A FENCE AND CRASHED INTO THE BAR. OLSEN’S CAR HAD MINOR DAMAGE BUT THE BAR INCURRED MAJOR DAMAGE. OLSEN WILL BE CHARGED UPON RECEIPT OF BLOOD TESTS.

FIVE HURT IN CRASH ON I 81

FIVE PEOPLE WERE HURT IN A CRASH ON INTERSTATE 81 SATURDAY AFTERNOON. FRACKVILLE STATE POLICE SAY 46 YEAR OLD KATHLEEN TEMPLE WAS nORTHBOUND IN THE TRAVEL LANE NEAR MILE MARKER 135 WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES, STRIKING THE VEHICLE DRIVEN BY 24 YEAR OLD MATTHEW CORRIDONI OF WORMLEYSBURG. BOTH VEHICLES LEFT THE ROADWAY AND ROLLED OVER. TEMPLE WAS TRAPPED IN THE CAR UNTIL FREED BY RESCUE PERSONNEL. SHE WAS FLOWN TO GEISINGER MEDICAL CENTER ALONG WITH A 16 YEAR OLD FEMALE PASSENGER. CORRIDONI AND TWO OTHER PASSENGERS IN TEMPLE'S CAR WERE TAKEN TO OTHER AREA HOSPITALS. TEMPLE WILL BE CITED IN THE CRASH.

HIT AND RUN IN SCHUYLKILL TOWNSHIP

A 21 YEAR OLD MARY D MAN SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES FOLLOWING AN INCIDENT EARLY SATURDAY. KYLE KUNKEL WAS REPORTEDLY UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL WALKING ALONG SUNNY DRIVE AND BELIEVED THAT HE MAY HAVE BEEN STRUCK BY A VEHICLE SINCE HE SAW LIGHTS COMING TOWARD HIM. KUNKEL WAS KNOCKED TO THE GROUND UNCONSCIOUS. HE WAS PICKED UP BY A PASSERBY AND TAKEN TO ST LUKES HOSPITAL IN COALDALE.

GOOD CROWD AT HAVEN FAMILY FUN DAY

THE SECOND TIME WAS THE CHARM IN SCHUYLKILL HAVEN SUNDAY AFTER ORGANIZERS POSTPONED THE FAMILY FUN DAY. THE ANNUAL EVENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY ON THE ISLAND IN HAVEN, BUT WITH THE THREAT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE COMMITTEE DECIDED TO MOVE IT TO SUNDAY. A HORSE DRAWN WAGON RIDE, GAMES FOR THE KIDS, MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT AND FOOD HIGHLIGHTED THE DAY, WHICH CULMINATED WITH A NEARLY HALF HOUR LONG FIREWORKS DISPLAY SUNDAY NIGHT.

MOSQUITOES EVERYWHERE

YOU MAY NOT HAVE CARED FOR ALL THE RAIN AROUND PENNSYLVANIA LAST MONTH BUT MOSQUITOES WERE LOVING IT, AND NOW EXPERTS ARE PREDICTING THEY’LL BE COMING ON STRONG FOR THE REST OF THE SUMMER. TOM JOSEPH REPORTS.

JOSEPH BUGS

BIDEN-SURGERY
JILL BIDEN, VP'S WIFE, TO HAVE OPERATION TO RELIEVE SHOULDER PAIN WASHINGTON (AP) - JILL BIDEN, WIFE OF VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN, WILL HAVE ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY MONDAY TO RELIEVE SHOULDER PAIN. MRS. BIDEN WILL HAVE THE OUTPATIENT PROCEDURE PERFORMED AT THOMAS JEFFERSON HOSPITAL IN PHILADELPHIA, THE WHITE HOUSE SAID SUNDAY. THE VICE PRESIDENT WILL ACCOMPANY HER TO THE HOSPITAL, AND THE BIDENS PLAN TO SPEND THE REST OF MONDAY AND TUESDAY AT THEIR HOME IN DELAWARE. JOE BIDEN WILL RETURN TO WASHINGTON ON TUESDAY EVENING, THE WHITE HOUSE SAID.

VIEWING HARRISBURG
STATE EMPLOYEES BRACE FOR 'PAYLESS PAYDAYS'
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA'S BUDGET BREAKDOWN IS APPROACHING ITS THIRD WEEK, WITH NO END IN SIGHT, AND ANXIETY IS MOUNTING AMONG THE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO KEEP THE STATE GOVERNMENT RUNNING. WITHOUT A BUDGET TO AUTHORIZE PAYMENTS FOR WORK PERFORMED SINCE JUNE 30, THE "PAYLESS PAYDAY" HAS BECOME A DISCOMFORTING NEW FACT OF LIFE FOR MOST STATE EMPLOYEES. SOME HAVE ALREADY SEEN THEIR PAYCHECKS REDUCED. MANY MORE WILL BE IN THE SAME BOAT FRIDAY, AND IF THE POLITICAL IMPASSE AT THE CAPITOL LASTS THROUGH JULY 31, THEIR PAYCHECKS WILL STOP ALTOGETHER. THINGS COULD BE WORSE. SEVERAL CREDIT UNIONS AND BANKS ARE OFFERING NO- OR LOW-INTEREST LOANS AND OTHER SPECIAL HELP FOR AFFECTED WORKERS. THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE REMAINS INTACT AND IS NOT EXPECTED TO BE AFFECTED. AND ALL EMPLOYEES WILL BE REIMBURSED ETROACTIVELY FOR MISSED WAGES ONCE A BUDGET IS SIGNED INTO LAW.

STATE BUDGET-BLUE DOGS
'BLUE DOG' DEMS BITE INTO DEBATE ON PA.'S BUDGET
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - AS POWERFUL POLITICIANS CLASH OVER PENNSYLVANIA'S LENGTHENING STATE BUDGET IMPASSE, MEMBERS OF A SMALL BAND OF LARGELY BACKBENCH CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRATS ARE EXERCISING A LITTLE MUSCLE OF THEIR OWN. THE SO-CALLED "BLUE DOG" DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE HAVE OPENLY DEFIED A CALL BY GOV. ED RENDELL AND LEADERS OF THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY TO SUPPORT AN INCREASE IN THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX. MANY OF THE 25 OR SO BLUE DOGS ARE FROM WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA, WHERE MANY TOWNS ARE STILL STRUGGLING TO OVERCOME THE LOSS OF HEAVY INDUSTRY. INCOMES IN THE REGION TEND TO BE LOWER THAN THE STATE AVERAGE AND BANKRUPTCY RATES HIGHER. ALLEGHENY REP. NICK KOTIK SAYS MEMBERS HAD MISGIVINGS ABOUT DEFYING CAUCUS LEADERS. BUT THEY FELT THAT AN INCOME TAX INCREASE DURING SUCH ECONOMIC DIFFICULTY WOULD BE SO UNPOPULAR IN THEIR DISTRICTS THAT THEY COULD NOT AFFORD TO BE GOOD SOLDIERS AND SUPPORT IT - OR EVEN QUIETLY OPPOSE IT, HE SAID.

SWIM CLUB-MINORITIES
PA. SWIM CLUB ACCUSED OF RACISM TO ASK KIDS BACK
HUNTINGDON VALLEY, PA. (AP) - A PRIVATE SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA SWIM CLUB ACCUSED OF RACISM AFTER IT CANCELED THE MEMBERSHIPS OF DOZENS OF MINORITY CHILDREN SAYS IT WILL SEEK A MEETING TO WORK OUT AN AGREEMENT FOR THE CHILDREN TO RETURN. MEMBER AMY GOLDMAN SAYS THOSE AT A HASTILY CALLED MEETING AT THE VALLEY CLUB OF HUNTINGDON VALLEY ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON VOTED TO REINSTATE THE MEMBERSHIPS OF CREATIVE STEPS AND TWO OTHER DAY CAMPS AS LONG AS SAFETY ISSUES, TIMES AND TERMS CAN BE AGREED UPON. THE 65 MOSTLY BLACK AND HISPANIC CHILDREN WERE TO SWIM ONCE A WEEK AT THE CLUB. BUT DIRECTOR ALETHEA WRIGHT SAYS SEVERAL REPORTED HEARING RACIAL COMMENTS, AND THE CAMP'S $1,950 WAS REFUNDED A FEW DAYS LATER. THE CLUB SAYS THAT WAS DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. THE PENNSYLVANIA HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION HAS OPENED AN INVESTIGATION AND SEN. ARLEN SPECTER HAS ASKED THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO LOOK INTO THE MATTER.

NORTHERN LIBERTIES SHOOTING
LAWYER: PHILA. DOUBLE SLAYING SUSPECT TO SURRENDER
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE LAWYER FOR A MAN ACCUSED OF PLANNING A ROBBERY THAT TURNED INTO A DOUBLE MURDER AT AN UPSCALE PHILADELPHIA
APARTMENT BUILDING SAYS HIS CLIENT WILL SURRENDER MONDAY. POLICE HAVE BEEN HUNTING FOR 40-YEAR-OLD JAMES "POOH" WILSON IN THE JUNE 27 SHOOTING DEATHS AT THE NEWLY OPENED PIAZZA AT SCHMIDT'S IN THE NORTHERN LIBERTIES SECTION OF THE CITY. ATTORNEY CHRISTOPHER WARREN TOLD THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER THAT HIS CLIENT SAYS HE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CRIMES AND WILL TURN HIMSELF IN MONDAY AT THE POLICE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING. POLICE HAVE ALSO BEEN SEEKING 32-YEAR-OLD DONNELL MURCHISON, WHO IS ACCUSED OF SHOOTING 40-YEAR-OLD RIAN THAL AND THEN 41-YEAR-OLD TIMOTHY GILMORE IN THE HALLWAY OUTSIDE THAL'S APARTMENT. INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY FOUND A LARGE AMOUNT OF DRUGS AND MONEY IN THE UNIT. TWO OTHERS BELIEVED TO HAVE PLAYED A ROLE IN KILLINGS WERE ARRESTED EARLIER.

ATTORNEY-PRISON DRUGS
DA: ATTORNEY TRIED TO GET DRUGS INTO PA. PRISON
MEDIA, PA. (AP) - A PRELIMINARY HEARING IS SCHEDULED THURSDAY FOR A PHILADELPHIA ATTORNEY ACCUSED OF TRYING TO BRING DRUGS INTO DELAWARE COUNTY PRISON WHILE VISITING AN INMATE. THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SAYS 61-YEAR-OLD RANDALL SOMMOVILLA WAS ARRESTED FRIDAY NIGHT AFTER A SUBSTANCE BELIEVED TO BE HEROIN WAS PICKED UP IN A ROUTINE SCAN. OFFICIALS SAY SOMMOVILLA HAD COME TO THE PRISON AFTER VISITOR HOURS TO SEE A WOMAN AWAITING EXTRADITION TO NEW JERSEY. SOMMOVILLA WAS CHARGED WITH DRUG AND CONTRABAND POSSESSION AND RELEASED ON BAIL. AUTHORITIES SAY HE TOLD POLICE HE BELIEVED ANOTHER WOMAN HAD PLACED THE DRUGS IN HIS CLOTHING. DELAWARE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY G. MICHAEL GREEN SAYS SOMMOVILLA FACES A MANDATORY MINIMUM OF TWO YEARS IN PRISON IF CONVICTED.

WASHINGTON (AP) - SUPREME COURT NOMINEE SONIA SOTOMAYOR IS EXPECTED TO TELL THE STORY OF HER RISE FROM POVERTY IN NEW YORK CITY TODAY WHEN SHE MAKES AN OPENING STATEMENT AT HER CONFIRMATION HEARING. REPUBLICANS PROMISE SOME TOUGH QUESTIONS BUT DEMOCRATS HAVE THE VOTES IN THE SENATE TO MAKE HER THE COURT'S FIRST HISPANIC AND THIRD WOMAN JUSTICE.

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. (AP) - MORE STORMY WEATHER LOOMS TODAY AS NASA TRIES AGAIN FOR A SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH TO THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION. IT'LL BE THE FIFTH TRY TO LAUNCH ENDEAVOUR. THUNDERSTORMS PREVENTED A LAUNCH YESTERDAY.

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (AP) - CALIFORNIA'S LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SAY THEY HOPE A DEAL TO CLOSE THE STATE'S $26.3 BILLION BUDGET SHORTFALL HAPPENS BY WEEK'S END. LAWMAKERS SAY THEY AND GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER ARE MAKING PROGRESS AFTER A WEEKEND OF CLOSED-DOOR MEETINGS AT THE CAPITOL, BUT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT A DEAL REMAINS ELUSIVE.

PENSACOLA, FLA. (AP) - TWO MEN BEING HELD ON OPEN MURDER CHARGES IN A WEALTHY FLORIDA COUPLE'S SLAYINGS ARE DUE IN COURT TODAY. ARREST WARRANTS SAY THE MEN WENT TO THE COUPLE'S HOUSE INTENDING TO ROB IT. THE COUPLE WAS KNOWN FOR ADOPTING CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (AP) - AFFECTED WEB SITES ARE RETURNING TO NORMAL TODAY IN SOUTH KOREA AFTER A SERIES OF CYBERASSAULTS THAT HAVE CAST SUSPICION ON NORTH KOREA. SOUTH KOREA'S SPY AGENCY TODAY LOWERED THE COUNTRY'S CYBERATTACK ALERT LEVEL. DOZENS OF SOUTH KOREAN AND U.S. WEB SITES WERE TARGETED IN THE SO-CALLED DENIAL OF SERVICE ATTACKS.

Today's News - July 11, 2009

Pottsville Area school board hired three new principals Wednesday, two in the middle school and one in the high school, Superintendent James T. Gallagher said Friday. The action had to be taken because the principal at D.H.H. Lengel Middle School, Edward L. Hauck, and the middle school assistant principal, Robert Nestlerode, retired at the end of the school year, Gallagher said. The board hired Tiffany Reedy, Pottsville, who had served as assistant principal at the high school, as middle school principal. Meanwhile, Michael Maley, principal at Saint Clair Area Elementary/Middle School, was hired as assistant high school principal. Raymond Yost, Palo Alto, who served as a special education teacher at the middle school this year, was hired as assistant principal at the middle school.

Federal stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are set to make improvements to routes 924 and 61 in Frackville and West Mahanoy Township. As reported by the Republican and Herald, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Pennsy Supply Inc., Hummelstown, Dauphin County, was awarded a $719,892 contract to improve Route 924 between Route 61 and the Gilberton borough line and Route 61 between the West Mahanoy Township line and Route 924. he projects are scheduled to begin within the next several months and will include milling, paving and curb ramp and guiderail upgrades. PennDOT will invest a total of $122 million of federal economic recovery funds on 23 transportation projects, which include road and bridge improvements and Intelligent Transportation System installations within the six-county District 5 region. According to PennDOT, the money will not only create and retain construction jobs, but safer roadways will encourage local communities and businesses to grow.

A 22-year-old Mohrsville woman escaped injury in a crash on Broad Street in this southern Schuylkill County community at 11:20 p.m. Thursday. State police at Schuylkill Haven said Felicia Binder had her 1994 Ford Taurus parked directly behind a 1989 Chevrolet truck when the woman tried to leave. In the process of doing so, she struck the rear bumper of the truck and then fled the scene. Several minutes later troopers said Binder was involved in another crash on Pine Road in Tilden Township, Berks County. In connection with that crash, she was placed under arrest for suspicion of DUI.

The bridge over the Little Schuylkill River in South Tamaqua is scheduled for refurbishment in about two years. According to the Republican and Herald, work crews will be in the area beginning late next week to collect data that will assist engineers in designing the bridge project. Ronald J. Young Jr., spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, said motorists traveling Route 309 south from Spruce Street in Tamaqua to Owl Creek can expect delays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning Thursday and continuing through July 24 as crews drill test bore holes along the roadway. According to Young, drilling test holes is a common in any bridge replacement or refurbishment project. The project is expected to go out to bid in the spring of 2011, and construction should begin about two or three months after contracts are awarded, Young said. The project is part of the state's 2009 12-year Transportation Improvement Plan. In addition to rehabilitation of the South Tamaqua bridge, major bridge projects included on the 2009-20 program include: Mady's Big and Small bridges on Route 61, Pottsville; Snyders Bridge on Route 309 over Lizard Creek; the Auburn Arch Bridge; and the Pottsville Street Bridge, Port Carbon. Several projects in the first four years of the 2009 program will overlap and continue in the second and third years, including one at the Collins Street Bridge, Palo Alto. Pennsylvania has the largest number of structurally deficient bridges in the nation - nearly 6,000 statewide. A structurally deficient bridge is safe, according to PennDOT, but in need of major repairs or replacement to bring it to current standards. The average age of bridges in the state system is 50 years old.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A lawyer released from a suburban Philadelphia prison after serving 14 years for a civil contempt charge in a divorce case says judges have too much discretion in such cases. H. Beatty Chadwick says he lost the millions that he ex-wife claimed he hid. He's 73 and says his only income is Social Security.

HUNTINGDON VALLEY, Pa. (AP) - The head of a private suburban Philadelphia club says safety, not racism, was the reason for the cancelation of a deal with a day camp allowing 65 minority children to swim there. John Duesler says there were too many children for the size of the pool and the available number of lifeguards.

YORK, Pa. (AP) - A fire in York that destroyed 15 row houses and displaced 61 people from their homes has been ruled arson. City Detective Al Clarkson says police are pursuing leads about who may have started Wednesday's fire. There were no serious injuries, but property damage is estimated at $2.6 million.

STROUDSBURG, Pa. (AP) - A man whose property had as many as 12 bodies buried on it has been convicted of a 2003 home-invasion robbery. A Monroe County jury convicted 35-year-old Hugo Selenski on Friday. Selenski has been acquitted of murder in the deaths of two of the people buried on his land.

LAS VEGAS (AP) - An Allegheny County woman has filed a federal lawsuit against a Nevada company over fee disclosure requirements for credit and ATM services at casinos. Theresa Jackman's lawsuit claims Global Cash Access Holdings failed to properly disclose a fee it imposed on a withdrawal she made at a Global Cash ATM at the Meadows Casino in Washington, Pa.

ACCRA, Ghana (AP) - President Barack Obama meets with the president of Ghana this morning at the start of a 21-hour visit. He then speaks to Ghana's parliament, where he'll talk about his hopes for Africa's future prosperity while reflecting on its enduring troubles.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration is being pressured to investigate the deaths of Taliban prisoners in Afghanistan in 2001, but says it has no grounds. The Pentagon says there's no sign American troops were involved or even knew about it.

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) - Two days of talks on the future of Honduras have gotten nowhere, and no more talks are currently planned. Delegates representing the ousted government of Manuel Zelaya met with delegates of the interim government that forced him into exile.

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) - Police in the Florida Panhandle are asking people to watch for an old red van that may be carrying the killers of a wealthy couple with 12 children. Police say they were killed Thursday night in their home. None of the eight children there was hurt.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Just a few days ago, pitcher Jonathan Sanchez of the San Francisco Giants was still demoted to the bullpen. But last night, he likely improved his standing by throwing a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres. Final score: Giants 8, Padres 0.

Today's News-Friday, July 10, 2009

WOMAN IDENTIFIED IN FATAL PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT

POLICE ARE CONTINUING THEIR INVESTIGATION INTO A FATAL PEDESTRIAN CRASH LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY. WE FIRST TOLD YOU YESTERDAY THAT A WOMAN WAS TRYING TO SLOW TRAFFIC DOWN ON ROUTE 901 IN MT CARMEL TOWNSHIP DUE TO A CAR FIRE WHEN SHE WAS STRUCK AND KILLED. STATE POLICE SAY THAT WOMAN WAS 34 YEAR OLD WANDA WISSINGER OF SHAMOKIN. SHE WAS STRUCK BY A CAR DRIVEN BY 41 YEAR OLD JENNIFER BRADY OF DANVILLE. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF ROUTE 901 AND 54 NEAR LOCUST GAP.

FIRE DESTROYS VACATION HOME

AN EARLY MORNING FIRE DESTROYED A HOME IN WESTERN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY THURSDAY. FIRE INVESTIGATORS ARE COMBING THROUGH WHATS LEFT OF DAVID AND JUDY MOYER’S SUMMER HOME IN THE VILLAGE OF FOUNTAIN. AN UNKNOWN FIRE GUTTED THE PROPERTY AT 417 PINE DRIVE ACCORDING TO THE CITIZEN STANDARD. THE MOYERS LIVE IN STRASBURG AND WERE REPORTEDLY LAST AT THE HOME TWO WEEKS AGO.

BLOOD DRIVE

THURSDAYS BLOOD DRIVE IN SCHUYLKILL HAVEN WAS A SUCCESS THANKS TO YOU. THE AMERICAN RED CROSS “O WHAT A SUMMER” CAMPAIGN WAS AT THE JERUSALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH, WHERE MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE CAME OUT TO DONATE THE GIFT OF LIFE, EXCEEDING THEIR GOAL. BLOOD SUPPLIES ARE SHORT DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, BUT THE NEED FOR IT NEVER TAKES A HOLIDAY. SO….ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES ONE MORE TIME TOMORROW AS THE SUMMER CAMPAIGN WRAPS UP AT FAIRLANE VILLAGE FROM 10AM TO 3PM. MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY BY CALLING 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. FROM ALL OF US AT WPPA AND T102, THANK YOU.

PA. DEMS TO ADVANCE GOP BUDGET THEY HAVE ASSAILED

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - DEMOCRATS IN THE PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ARE PUSHING FOR A BUDGET PASSED BY THE SENATE TWO MONTHS AGO ENTIRELY WITH REPUBLICAN VOTES. HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS CHAIR DWIGHT EVANS SAYS STATE EMPLOYEES AND TAXPAYERS ARE THE ONES WHO ARE SUFFERING:

EVANS

ITS PART OF A COMPLEX STRATEGY TO GET REPUBLICANS TO AGREE TO RESTORE SOME BUDGET CUTS. IF THE BUDGET PASSES THE HOUSE WITH NO AMENDMENTS, GOV. ED RENDELL COULD REJECT IT ENTIRELY, OR THE DEMOCRAT COULD USE HIS LINE-ITEM VETO TO CUT $1.7 BILLION FROM THE GOP PLAN. THAT WOULD MEET THE STATE CONSTITUION'S REQUIREMENT FOR A BALANCED BUDGET. HOUSE REPUBLICAN WHIP MIKE TURZAI SAYS RENDELL’S PROPOSED PERSONAL INCOME TAX INCREASE IS DEAD.

TURZAI

PENNSYLVANIA’S FISCAL YEAR BEGAN JULY 1ST.

CYCLIST HURT IN CRASH

AN ANDREAS MAN WAS HURT THURSDAY WHEN HIS MOTORCYCLE COLLIDED WITH A CAR IN WEST PENN TOWNSHIP. POLICE REPORT THAT 89 YEAR OLD THOMAS FUDGE OF TAMAQUA WAS EASTBOUND ON ROUTE 443 WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO TURN LEFT. HIS CAR CROSSED INTO THE PATH OF COLTON GIBISERS MOTORCYCLE. GIBISER WAS THROWN FROM THE BIKE. HE WAS FLOWN TO ST LUKES HOSPITAL WHERE HE IS REPORTED TO BE IN FAIR CONDITION TODAY. FUDGE HAD MINOR INJURIES AND WILL BE CITED IN THE CRASH.

BODIES UNEARTHED
PA. JURY TO DELIBERATE SELENSKI FATE FRIDAY
STROUDSBURG, PA. (AP) - JURY DELIBERATIONS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN FRIDAY MORNING IN THE TRIAL OF A MAN ACCUSED OF A HOME INVASION ROBBERY IN NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. THIRTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD HUGO SELENSKI IS BEST KNOWN FOR THE HUMAN REMAINS FOUND BURIED ON HIS PROPERTY IN KINGSTON TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY. POLICE HAVE SAID AS MANY OF 12 SETS OF REMAINS WERE FOUND THERE. HE WAS ACQUITTED OF MURDER IN THE DEATHS OF TWO OF THOSE PEOPLE AND IS AWAITING TRIAL IN THE DEATHS OF TWO OTHERS. BUT THE CURRENT TRIAL IS ABOUT THE ROBBERY OF MONROE COUNTY JEWELER SAM GOOSAY AT HIS HOME IN JANUARY 2003. PROSECUTORS ARE TRYING TO USE EVIDENCE FROM THE ROBBERY CASE AGAINST SELENSKI IN THE UPCOMING MURDER CASE. THE DEFENSE IS FIGHTING THE USE OF THAT EVIDENCE.

GRADUATION EXAMS
ED BOARD CHAIRMAN OFFERS PLAN FOR GRADUATION TESTS
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THE CHAIRMAN OF PENNSYLVANIA'S BOARD OF EDUCATION IS TOUTING A PLAN TO PHASE IN NEW HIGH-SCHOOL GRADUATION COMPETENCY TESTS THAT HE SAYS WILL SAVE TIME AND MONEY. JOE TORSELLA SAID THURSDAY THAT THE BOARD DEVELOPED THE PLAN WITH SCHOOL BOARD OFFICIALS, TEACHERS AND LEGISLATORS IN AN EFFORT TO RESOLVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROPOSED KEYSTONE EXAMS. THE EXAMS WOULD BE PHASED IN OVER SEVEN YEARS STARTING NEXT YEAR AND WOULD BE TAKEN THROUGHOUT HIGH SCHOOL AS STUDENTS COMPLETE COURSE WORK IN SPECIFIC SUBJECTS. THEY'D REPLACE THE PENNSYLVANIA SYSTEM OF SCHOOL ASSESSMENT TESTS NOW USED TO MEASURE STUDENTS' PROFICIENCY IN THE ELEVENTH GRADE. LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS COULD SUBSTITUTE THEIR OWN TESTS, BUT STATE APPROVAL WOULD BE REQUIRED IN ADVANCE. TORSELLA SAYS THE BOARD IS EXPECTED TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSAL AT A MEETING IN MID-AUGUST.

MOTHER-SON SLAYINGS
DEATH PENALTY SOUGHT FOR PA. DOUBLE MURDER SUSPECT
BRODHEADSVILLE, PA. (AP) - PROSECUTORS IN NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA ARE SEEKING THE DEATH PENALTY FOR A MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING HIS GIRLFRIEND AND THEIR 2-YEAR-OLD SON. DURING HIS ARRAIGNMENT THURSDAY EVENING IN BRODHEADSVILLE, 23-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL PARRISH REFUSED THE HELP OF A COURT-APPOINTED LAWYER AND SAID HE PLANS TO REPRESENT HIMSELF. POLICE SAY PARRISH KILLED 21-YEAR-OLD VICTORIA ADAMS AND 2-YEAR-OLD SIDNEY PARRISH ON MONDAY NIGHT IN THEIR APARTMENT AT EFFORT IN RURAL MONROE COUNTY. PARRISH AND A COMPANION, 23-YEAR-OLD CONRAD JANKOWSKI, WERE ARRESTED IN SOMERSWORTH, N.H., AROUND MIDNIGHT TUESDAY.

TEXTING WHILE DRIVING
PA. SENATE OKS BILL TO BAN TEXTING WHILE DRIVING
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A BILL IS ON THE MOVE IN THE PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE TO PUNISH PEOPLE CAUGHT SENDING ELECTRONIC TEXT MESSAGES WHILE DRIVING. THE STATE SENATE VOTED 44-3 TO APPROVE THE BILL THURSDAY AND SEND IT TO THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. UNDER THE BILL, A MOTORIST IN PENNSYLVANIA CAUGHT TEXTING WHILE DRIVING WOULD BE FINED $100. THE VIOLATION WOULD BE A SECONDARY OFFENSE, MEANING THE MOTORIST MUST BE PULLED OVER FOR ANOTHER, MORE SERIOUS VIOLATION IN ORDER TO
BE TICKETED FOR TEXTING WHILE DRIVING. THE SPONSOR, SEN. ROBERT TOMLINSON OF BUCKS COUNTY, SAYS 10 STATES HAVE OUTLAWED EXTING WHILE DRIVING, AND EIGHT OTHER STATES BAR TEXTING BY NOVICE DRIVERS OR MOTORISTS WITH CERTAIN SPECIALIZED CLASSIFICATIONS. HE SAYS TEXTING WHILE DRIVING IS DISTRACTING, DANGEROUS, UNNECESSARY AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY.

SWIM CLUB-BLACKS
CLUB: RACISM ACCUSATIONS AT PA. POOL UNTRUE
HUNTINGDON VALLEY, PA. (AP) - A SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA SWIM CLUB ACCUSED OF KICKING OUT A GROUP OF MINORITY CHILDREN VISITING FROM THE CITY DENIES ANY RACIAL DISCRIMINATION. THE VALLEY CLUB IN HUNTINGDON VALLEY SAYS ACCUSATIONS OF RACISM TOWARD THE CREATIVE STEPS DAY CAMP ARE UNTRUE. IT SAYS IT WAS OVERCROWDED AND RETURNED FUNDS TO MORE THAN ONE CAMP. CREATIVE STEPS DIRECTOR ALETHEA WRIGHT SAYS THE CAMP PAID FOR
WEEKLY SWIM TIME AT THE GATED CLUB, WHICH IS IN A VILLAGE THAT STRADDLES TWO TOWNSHIPS WITH OVERWHELMINGLY WHITE POPULATIONS. BUT SHE SAYS ON JUNE 29 SOME OF THE CHILDREN SAID THEY HEARD PEOPLE ASKING WHAT "BLACK KIDS" WERE DOING THERE. THE CLUB SAYS ANY COMMENTS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN MADE BY MEMBERS AREN'T SHARED BY ITS BOARD. BLACK OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST SWIMMER CULLEN JONES SAYS "HEARING ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENED TO THESE 65 KIDS IS BOTH DISTURBING AND APPALLING."

SENATOR INVESTIGATION-TRIAL
EX-SEN. FUMO LOSES SECOND BID FOR NEW FRAUD TRIAL
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - CONVICTED FORMER PENNSYLVANIA SEN. VINCENT FUMO HAS LOST A SECOND REQUEST FOR A NEW TRIAL IN HIS 137-COUNT FRAUD CASE. THE 66-YEAR-OLD PHILADELPHIA DEMOCRAT FACES SENTENCING NEXT WEEK AND COULD GET MORE THAN 10 YEARS. A JURY IN MARCH FOUND THE WEALTHY BANKING HEIR DEFRAUDED THE SENATE, A NONPROFIT AND A MUSEUM BY USING THEIR ASSETS FOR PERSONAL AND POLITICAL CHORES. PROSECUTORS PUT THE LOSS AT $4 MILLION. FUMO ALLEGES JURY PREJUDICE, SAYING ONE JUROR REFERENCED THE
DELIBERATIONS ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER AND ANOTHER LEARNED FUMO HAD BEEN ACQUITTED IN AN EARLIER CASE. THE JUDGE'S RULING THURSDAY DISMISSES THOSE ARGUMENTS. THE JUDGE MUST STILL DECIDE IF FUMO PERJURED HIMSELF AT TRIAL AND OTHER MATTERS AFFECTING HIS SENTENCE.

REFORM ADVOCATE-ETHICS
AP: STATE TO APPEAL RULING ON ETHICS PANEL RULE
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA'S ATTORNEY GENERAL IS APPEALING A FEDERAL JUDGE'S ORDER THAT BLOCKED THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION'S GAG RULE ON PEOPLE WHO FILE COMPLAINTS. STATE LAWYERS FILED NOTICE OF THEIR APPEAL TO THE 3RD U.S. CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS ON THURSDAY. THE STATE IS SEEKING TO OVERTURN U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE CHRISTOPHER CONNER'S ORDER GRANTED A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION SOUGHT BY CITIZEN ACTIVIST GENE STILP OF HARRISBURG. THE JUDGE SAID THE COMMISSION'S BAN ON DISCLOSING INFORMATION ABOUT ANY PENDING COMPLAINTS PROBABLY VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH. STILP CALLED THE DECISION TO APPEAL AN "IDIOTIC WASTE OF THE TAXPAYERS' MONEY."

GERMANTOWN WHITE HOUSE
PA. HOUSE WHERE WASHINGTON STAYED IN 1790S REOPENS
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A HOUSE WHERE GEORGE WASHINGTON STAYED TO ESCAPE A YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC IN PHILADELPHIA IN 1793 AND TO GET AWAY FROM CITY HEAT IN THE SUMMER OF 1794 IS REOPENING TO THE PUBLIC THIS WEEKEND. THE HOUSE IS IN GERMANTOWN, WHICH IS NOW PART OF PHILADELPHIA BUT WAS A RURAL RETREAT IN WASHINGTON'S TIME. THE HOUSE CLOSED IN FEBRUARY 2008 FOR AN EXTENSIVE RENOVATION AND REOPENS ON SATURDAY. STARTING SATURDAY, THE GERMANTOWN WHITE HOUSE AT 5542 GERMANTOWN
AVE. IS TO BE OPEN FROM NOON TO 4 P.M. EVERY DAY BUT MONDAY AND TUESDAY. ADMISSION IS FREE. A PUBLIC CEREMONY MARKING THE REOPENING IS TO TAKE PLACE FROM 5:30 TO 8 P.M. FRIDAY AT THE NEARBY IMPACTING YOUR WORLD CHRISTIAN CENTER, 5507 GERMANTOWN AVE.

Today's News-Thursday July 9 2009

BERNVILLE MAN KILLED

STATE POLICE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN HAVE JUST RELEASED DETAILS OF A FATAL CRASH ON ROUTE 183 THAT HAPPENED SUNDAY AFTERNOON. TONY BYLINA OF LAWRENCEVILLE, NEW JERSEY PULLED OUT ONTO ROUTE 183, FORCING TWO MOTORCYCLISTS, BARRY AND SUSAN STURGES OF BERNVILLE TO TAKE EVASIVE ACTION TO AVOID COLLISION. BOTH LOST CONTROL OF THEIR CYCLES. SUSAN STURGES RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES BUT HER HUSBAND WAS THROWN FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. HE DIED MONDAY AT READING HOSPITAL FROM HIS INJURIES. THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING. WITNESSES ARE ASKED TO CALL SCHUYLKILL HAVEN STATE POLICE AT 593-2000 WITH INFORMATION.

HEARING ON CAB SERVICE HELD

A LENGTHY HEARING WAS HELD WEDNESDAY IN POTTSVILLE TO CONSIDER A REQUEST TO EXPAND CAB SERVICE IN SCHUYLKILL AND CARBON COUNTIES. CLAUDE AND LINDA DAVIS, POTTSVILLE NATIVES, WANT TO START CHARLIE’S CAB SERVICE ON A 24 HOUR BASIS. PUC ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE EMBER JANDEBEUR PRESIDED OVER THE HEARING TO CONSIDER DAVIS’S APPLICATION TO START THE SERVICE. ACCORDING TO THE REPUBLICAN HERALD SOME QUESTIONS WERE RAISED BY THE JUDGE ABOUT DAVIS’S PAST CONVICTIONS FOR BAD CHECKS, AGGRAVATED BATTERY AND JURY TAMPERING. THE ADEQUACY OF DAVIS’S FINANCING PLAN WAS ALSO CALLED INTO QUESTION. CURRENTLY, BLACK DIAMOND CAB OFFERS CAB SERVICE IN NORTHERN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY AND OPPOSED DAVIS’S REQUEST TO OPEN A SECOND CAB SERVICE IN SCHUYLKILL. JUDGE JANDEBEUR WILL RULE ON THE REQUEST IN THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS.

STIMULUS MONIES TO FIX ROAD

MORE FEDERAL STIMULUS MONIES ARE TRICKLING INTO OUR AREA, THIS TIME TO FIX A MAIN ARTERY IN NORTHERN SCHUYLKILL. PENNDOT ANNOUNCED WEDNESDAY THAT MORE THAN $719 THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM THE AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT WILL BE USED FOR MILLING, PAVING AND OTHER UPGRADES ON ROUTE 924 BETWEEN ROUTE 61 IN FRACKVILLE AND THE GILBERTON BOROUGH LINE, AND ON ROUTE 61 BETWEEN THE WEST MAHANOY TOWNSHIP LINE AND ROUTE 924. WORK IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN THE COMING MONTHS.

SEXUAL ASSAULT ARREST

A MINERSVILLE MAN HAVE CHARGED A BOROUGH MAN WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT FOLLOWING AN INCIDENT IN MAY. BOROUGH POLICE INDICATE THAT 28 YEAR OLD CLINTON KNOTT WAS CHARGED WITH SEX RELATED CHARGES AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY FORCED HIMSELF ON A 29 YEAR OLD WOMAN AND HAD SEX WITH HER. CHARGES AGAINST KNOTT WERE FILED IN DISTRICT COURT.

BLOOD DRIVES

ABOUT EVERY TWO SECONDS SOMEONE NEEDS BLOOD IN AMERICA. DURING THE SUMMER THE AMERICAN RED CROSS SEES A 10 TO 15 PERCENT DROP IN BLOOD DONATIONS DUE TO DONORS BEING ON VACATIONS AND FEWER BLOOD DRIVES IN SCHOOLS SAYS TONY FERLENDA, NORTHEAST PA BLOOD SERVICES CEO. BUT THERE IS STILL TIME TO HELP IN THE "O WHAT A SUMMER" BLOOD CAMPAIGN, OF WHICH WPPA AND T102 ARE A PART. YESTERDAY, THE RED CROSS COLLECTED 42 UNITS AT THE ROLLER ROOST IN POTTSVILLE. TODAY THE BLOODMOBILE VISITS JERUSALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH IN SCHUYLKILL HAVEN FROM NOON-6PM WITH A GOAL OF 98 UNITS. SATURDAY, THE BLOOD DRIVE SHIFTS TO FAIRLANE VILLAGE FROM 10AM TILL 3PM. ALL DONORS ARE WELCOME, BUT THE FOCUS OF THE CAMPAIGN IS ON TYPE O DONORS. MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT BY CALLING 1-800-GIVE-LIFE OR STOP BY ONE OF THE SITES. THANK YOU.

WOMAN DIES FROM BEING STRUCK BY CAR

A WOMAN WHO TRIED TO WARN TRAFFIC ABOUT A CAR FIRE IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY IS DEAD AFTER BEING STRUCK BY A VEHICLE LAST NIGHT. IT ALL HAPPENED JUST AFTER 11PM NEAR THE ROUTE 54/901 INTERSTECTION IN MT CARMEL TOWNSHIP NEAR LOCUST GAP. APPARENTLY THERE WAS A CAR FIRE NEAR THE INTERSECTION WHEN THE WOMAN TRIED TO ALERT OTHER DRIVERS ABOUT THE BLAZE, SHE WAS STRUCK AND KILLED. THE NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY CORONER WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND PRONOUNCED THE WOMAN DEAD. ROUTE 901 WAS CLOSED FOR SEVERAL HOURS.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A FEDERAL PROSECUTOR SAYS THE ONLY WAY TO INTERPRET THE GUILTY VERDICT FOR FORMER PENNSYLVANIA STATE SEN. VINCENT FUMO IS THAT HE PERJURED HIMSELF DURING THE TRIAL. THE JUDGE SENTENCING FUMO NEXT WEEK PLANS TO RULE THURSDAY ON THAT QUESTION. THE JURY FOUND THAT FUMO USED STAFF AND RESOURCES OF THE SENATE AND NONPROFITS FOR PERSONAL AND POLITICAL CHORES. FUMO MAINTAINED THEY DID THE WORK ON THEIR OWN TIME.

HUNTINGDON VALLEY, PA. (AP) - A SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA PRIVATE SWIM CLUB TURNED AWAY CHILDREN FROM A DAY CAMP AFTER THE CAMP'S DIRECTOR SAYS MEMBERS QUESTIONED WHY BLACK PEOPLE WERE SWIMMING THERE. CLUB PRESIDENT JOHN DUESLER TELLS PHILADELPHIA TELEVISION STATION WTXF THAT SEVERAL CLUB MEMBERS COMPLAINED BECAUSE THE CHILDREN "CHANGED THE ATMOSPHERE" AT THE POOL, BUT SAYS THE COMPLAINTS DIDN'T INVOLVE RACE.

COLLEGEVILLE, PA. (AP) - AN EXPLOSIVE DEVICE FOUND IN A SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA PARKING LOT HAS BEEN DISARMED. MONTGOMERY COUNTY SHERIFF JOHN DURANTE SAYS THE DEVICE WAS FOUND WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AT LANDES BROTHERS FOOD IN UPPER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP. HE SAYS THE MATERIALS WILL BE TESTED IN A LABORATORY.

YORK, PA. (AP) - DOZENS OF PEOPLE ARE DISPLACED FROM THEIR HOMES AFTER FIRE RIPPED THROUGH AN ENTIRE BLOCK OF ROW HOUSES IN SOUTH-CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA. YORK FIRE CHIEF JOHN SENFT SAYS THERE ARE NO SERIOUS INJURIES FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON'S FIRE BUT MASSIVE DAMAGE. SENFT SAYS THE FIRE SPREAD QUICKLY, MOST LIKELY BECAUSE THE HOUSES DIDN'T HAVE FIRE WALLS.

BETHLEHEM, PA. (AP) - THE U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN KICKS OFF THURSDAY ON THE LONG, NARROW FAIRWAYS AND UNDULATING GREENS OF SAUCON VALLEY COUNTY CLUB. THE TYPICALLY TOUGH USGA SETUP ON THE BETHLEHEM COURSE WILL PLAY MORE THAN 6,700 YARDS TO A PAR 71.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (AP) - SOUTH KOREAN WEB SITES ARE UNDER CYBER ATTACK AGAIN. A STATE OFFICIAL SAYS SEVEN SITES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED, INCLUDING ONE GOVERNMENT SITE. SOUTH KOREA'S SPY AGENCY SUSPECTS NORTH KOREA IS BEHIND THE ATTACKS. EARLIER ATTACKS HAVE AFFECTED WEB SITES IN THE U.S. TOO, INCLUDING THE WHITE HOUSE AND THE PENTAGON SITES.

TEHRAN, IRAN (AP) - OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS IN IRAN ARE CALLING FOR NEW DEMONSTRATIONS TO PROTEST THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION THEY SAY WAS STOLEN FROM THEIR REFORMIST CANDIDATE. THERE HAVE BEEN NO MAJOR PROTESTS SINCE A GOVERNMENT CRACKDOWN MORE THAN A WEEK AGO. THE GOVERNOR OF TEHRAN PROVINCE WARNS SECURITY FORCES WILL "SMASH" ANY MORE.

KABUL (AP) - THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF DEADLY BOMBINGS IN BOTH IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN TODAY. MILITANTS SET OFF A MASSIVE BLAST ON A ROAD LEADING TO THE AFGHAN CAPITAL, KILLING 25 PEOPLE INCLUDING MORE THAN A DOZEN SCHOOL CHILDREN. THREE ROADSIDE BOMBS IN BAGHDAD HAVE KILLED SEVEN, WHILE A PAIR OF SUICIDE BOMBERS STRUCK IN NORTHERN IRAQ, KILLING AT LEAST 34 PEOPLE.

ARUSHA, TANZANIA (AP) - THE FRENCH NAVY HAS ARRIVED ON AN ISLAND OFF THE TANZANIAN COAST TO HELP SEARCH FOR THE REMAINS OF THE YEMENI AIRLINE THAT CRASHED INTO THE INDIAN OCEAN WITH 153 PEOPLE ON BOARD LAST MONTH. THE PLANE WENT DOWN OFF THE COAST OF THE COMOROS ISLANDS. CURRENTS ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE CARRIED DEBRIS MORE THAN 500 MILES. ONLY ONE PERSON SURVIVED THE CRASH.

PORT RICHEY, FLA. (AP) - THE COAST GUARD IS SEARCHING THE WATERS OFF FLORIDA'S GULF COAST FOR FIVE PEOPLE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN ON A PLANE THAT WENT MISSING YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. A TWO-MILE DEBRIS FIELD HAS BEEN FOUND. THE TWIN-ENGINE CESSNA WAS FLYING FROM MCKINNEY, TEXAS, TO TAMPA WHEN IT WENT DOWN AFTER REPORTING TURBULENCE.

Today's News-Wednesday, July 8 2009

BIG HAUL

IT WASN’T YOUR ORDINARY BREAK IN AT THE NEW RINGGOLD MARKET EARLY TUESDAY. THIEVES GOT AWAY WITH AN ATM MACHINE. TWO WHITE MALES GAINED ENTRY BY SMASHING THE GLASS ON THE FRONT DOOR, AND REMOVED THE CASH MACHINE AND MONEY THEN FLED THE SCENE. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION SHOULD CALL FRACKVILLE TROOPERS AT 874-5300.

NEW RINGGOLD MAN HURT IN CRASH

A NEW RINGGOLD MAN WAS INJURED IN A MONDAY EVENING CRASH IN EAST BRUNSWICK TOWNSHIP. 22 YEAR OLD JEFFREY NEIFERT WAS TRAVELING EAST ON ROUTE 443 AND FAILED TO NEGOTIATE A LEFT CURVE, LEAVING THE ROAD AND STRIKING A UTILITY POLE. NEIFERT WAS AIRLIFTED TO LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL WHERE HE WAS TREATED AND RELEASED. THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES.

TRAVEL NOTE

WORK CONTINUES ON THE BRIDGE SPANNING THE SCHUYLKILL RIVER IN PORT CLINTON. HOWEVER, A NEW TRAFFIC PATTERN WILL BE IN EFFECT BEGINNING TODAY. PENNDOT SAYS THAT NORTHBOUND SINGLE LANE WILL TRAFFIC WILL BE SHIFTED BACK TO THE NORTHBOUND SIDE OF THE BRIDGE WHILE SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC REMAINS THE SAME, BUT SINGLE LANE CONDITIONS WILL REMAIN WHILE THE PROJECT IS COMPLETED IN FOUR TO SIX WEEKS.

NORTH SCHUYLKILL BOARD MOVING FORWARD

THE FIVE MEMBER NORTH SCHUYLKILL SCHOOL BOARD MADE SOME SMALL STRIDES AT TUESDAYS MEETING, INCLUDING THE APPOINTMENT OF AN INTERIM SOLICITOR. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THAT ATTORNEY JAMES CARAVAN OF SCHUYLKILL HAVEN WAS APPOINTED TO REPLACE MARK SEMANCHIK WHOSE CONTRACT RAN OUT AT THE END OF JUNE. BEFORE A FULL AUDIENCE, THE BOARD DISCUSSED THE PROPOSED RENOVATION PROJECT FOR THE ATHLETIC FIELD AND TRACK AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, BUT ONCE AGAIN, DID NOT VOTE TO PROCEED OR TURN IT DOWN. REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE BOARD IS CONCERNED THAT THE WORK COULD NOT BE COMPLETED IN TIME FOR THE FALL SPORTS SEASON. THE CONTRACTOR COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD BE DONE BASED ON FACTORS LIKE WEATHER OR OTHER CONTINGENCIES. FOUR OF THE FIVE DIRECTORS WERE APPOINTED BY A COUNTY JUDGE AFTER 8 OF THE NINE BOARD MEMBERS WERE REMOVED.

RENDELL SAYS NEARLY 800 LAYOFFS ARE IMPENDING

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - GOV. ED RENDELL SAYS STATE GOVERNMENT WILL LAY OFF CLOSE TO 800 EMPLOYEES BECAUSE OF SPENDING CUTS THAT ARE LIKELY. RENDELL SAID TUESDAY THAT PINK SLIPS WILL GO OUT WHEN HE AND THE LEGISLATURE AGREE ON A BUDGET, PERHAPS SOONER. RENDELL SAYS HE DEEPLY REGRETS THE LAYOFFS, BUT THAT HE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO PERSUADE LABOR UNIONS TO ALLOW ROLLING FURLOUGHS AS AN ALTERNATIVE. THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE ARE IN THE SEVENTH DAY OF A BUDGET IMPASSE OVER HOW TO DEAL WITH A MULTIBILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT. EGOTIATORS PICKED UP ANOTHER 72 MILLION DOLLARS IN POTENTIAL SAVINGS, BUT RENDELL IS RESIGNED TO THE FACT THAT THE CUTS WILL NOT BE ENOUGH:

RENDELL BUDGET

DURING THE IMPASSE, STATE GOVERNMENT IS UNABLE TO PAY MANY BILLS, INCLUDING THE PAYROLL FOR MUCH OF ITS 79,000-MEMBER WORK FORCE. RENDELL SAYS HE PLANS TO WRITE TO THE STATE'S LARGER VENDORS ASKING THEM TO CONTINUE PROVIDING SERVICES DURING THE IMPASSE.

BLOOD DONATIONS NEEDED

EVERY SECOND OF EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY HOUR SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEEDS BLOOD. IT NEVER TAKES A HOLIDAY…AND THAT’S WHY YOUR LIFE SAVING GIFT IS NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER. THE AMERICAN RED CROSS HAS TEAMED UP WITH WPPA AND T102 FOR THE “O WHAT A SUMMER” BLOOD DRIVE WITH CONVENIENT SITES AVAILABLE IN THE COUNTY TO GIVE BLOOD. TODAY, THE BLOODMOBILE STOPS AT ROLLER ROOST IN POTTSVILLE FROM 11:30AM TILL 6PM…TOMORROW AT JERUSALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH IN SCHUYLKILL HAVEN FROM NOON TILL 6PM AND SATURDAY FROM 10AM TILL 3PM AT FAIRLANE VILLAGE MALL. MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT NOW BY CALLING 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.

HOPKINS TO REMAIN IN JAIL

A CONVICTED ARSONIST WHO SET A FATAL FIRE IN 1990 IN MAHANOY CITY LOST HIS APPEAL AND MUST SPEND THE REST OF HIS LIFE IN PRISON. IN A 26 PAGE OPINION U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE JOHN JONES RULED THAT 57 YEAR OLD ELWOOD HOPKINS WAITED TOO LONG TO FILE HIS LATEST APPEAL, THE FIFTH CHALLENGE THE DEFENDANT HAS RAISED TO HIS CONVICTION. A COUNTY JURY CONVICTED HOPKINS ON NOVEMBER 14TH 1990 OF INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER AND ARSON RELATED CHARGES IN THE FIRE IN HIS APARTMENT THAT SPREAD TO AN ADJOINING PERSONAL CARE HOME, CLAIMING THE LIFE OF 88 YEAR OLD HARRY KRAUT.

BODIES UNEARTHED
PA. MAN FACES TRIAL IN 2003 ROBBERY
STROUDSBURG, PA. (AP) - A NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA MAN HAD AS MANY AS 12 SETS OF HUMAN REMAINS BURIED ON HIS PROPERTY IS TO GO TO TRIAL TODAY ON KIDNAPPING AND ROBBERY CHARGES. THE TRIAL IN MONROE COUNTY IS OVER A HOME INVASION ROBBERY THAT 35-YEAR-OLD HUGO SELENSKI IS ACCUSED OF COMMITTING IN 2003. SELENSKI IS ALSO CHARGED WITH MURDER IN LUZERNE COUNTY, WHERE HE LIVES. HE IS ACCUSED OF KILLING MICHAEL KERKOWSKI AND TAMMY FASSETT, WHOSE REMAINS WERE FOUND BURIED ON HIS KINGSTON TOWNSHIP PROPERTY IN 2003. PROSECUTORS SAY FLEX TIES AND DUCT TAPE USED IN THE MONROE COUNTY ROBBERY ARE SIMILAR TO THE TIES AND TAPE USED ON KERKOWSKI AND FASSETT. SELENSKI WAS ACQUITTED IN 2006 OF KILLING TWO SUSPECTED DRUG DEALERS WHOSE BODIES ALSO WERE FOUND ON THE PROPERTY.

1991 MURDER
JURY TO DELIBERATE 3RD DAY IN 1991 PA. SLAYING
ERIE, PA. (AP) - A JURY IN NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA IS TO RESUME DELIBERATIONS WEDNESDAY IN THE TRIAL OF TWO BROTHERS ACCUSED OF KILLING A WOMAN IN A CRACK HOUSE IN 1991. THE ERIE COUNTY JURY WAS UNABLE TO REACH A DECISION MONDAY OR TUESDAY IN THE TRIAL OF 55-YEAR-OLD THOMAS JORDAN, A CONVICTED RAPIST, AND 50-YEAR-OLD TAMMY JORDAN, BOTH OF ERIE. THEY DENY KILLING 23-YEAR-OLD SABRINA KOWAL IN A DISPUTE OVER DRUGS AND MONEY. KOWAL'S NAKED, BATTERED BODY WAS DUMPED ON A BACK ROAD IN SUMMIT TOWNSHIP, AN ERIE SUBURB.

SENATOR INVESTIGATION-TRIAL
FUMO'S LAWYERS CITE HEALTH WOES IN BID FOR SHORTER SENTENCE
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - LAWYERS FOR FORMER STATE SEN. VINCENT FUMO SAY THE SENTENCE PROSECUTORS ARE SEEKING FOR HIS FRAUD CONVICTIONS WOULD MEAN THE PHILADELPHIA DEMOCRAT WILL DIE IN PRISON. PROSECUTORS SAY SENTENCING GUIDELINES CALL FOR 21 TO 27 YEARS. FUMO IS 66 YEARS OLD NOW AND HIS LAWYERS NOTE HE'S BATTLING HEART PROBLEMS, DIABETES AND OTHER HEALTH WOES. PROSECUTORS, THOUGH, SAY FUMO'S HEALTH PROBLEMS ARE HARDLY EXCEPTIONAL AND CAN BE MANAGED IN PRISON. FUMO'S LAWYERS ARE SET TO CHALLENGE THE PRE-SENTENCE REPORT AT A HEARING ON WEDNESDAY.

MOTHER-SON SLAYINGS
PA. MAN SOUGHT IN SLAYINGS OF GIRLFRIEND, CHILD
EFFORT, PA. (AP) - POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR A NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA MAN THEY SAY KILLED HIS GIRLFRIEND AND THEIR SON IN THEIR APARTMENT. POLICE SAY 23-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL JOHN PARRISH OF EFFORT FATALLY SHOT 21-YEAR-OLD VICTORIA MARIE ADAMS AND 2-YEAR-OLD SIDNEY MICHAEL PARRISH LATE MONDAY NIGHT. POLICE SAID HE REMAINED AT LARGE LATE TUESDAY NIGHT AND WAS BELIEVED TO BE CARRYING GUNS.

LEGISLATIVE BONUSES
PA. LEGISLATIVE BONUS TRIAL DELAYED UNTIL JANUARY
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - ELEVEN PEOPLE CHARGED WITH DIVERTING PENNSYLVANIA STATE RESOURCES TO HELP HOUSE DEMOCRATS WIN CAMPAIGNS WILL GO TO TRIAL IN JANUARY. THE TRIAL IS TO COME EXACTLY THREE YEARS AFTER NEWS FIRST BROKE THAT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN BONUSES WERE DOLED OUT TO LEGISLATIVE AIDES. A 12TH PERSON, FORMER STATE REP. SEAN RAMALEY, GOES TO TRIAL IN SEPTEMBER. THE BEAVER COUNTY DEMOCRAT IS ACCUSED OF HOLDING ON CHARGES THAT HE HELD A LEGISLATIVE JOB THAT FEATURED FEW RESPONSIBILITIES SO HE COULD SPEND HIS TIME CAMPAIGNING. DAUPHIN COUNTY JUDGE RICHARD LEWIS ANNOUNCED THE NEW TRIAL SCHEDULE TUESDAY AFTER A DAYLONG HEARING. LEWIS DIDN'T RULE ON WHETHER THE DEFENDANTS WILL BE ALLOWED TO CALL TO THE STAND 17 STATE REPRESENTATIVES AND 29 GENERAL ASSEMBLY EMPLOYEES WHO WERE SUBPOENAED LAST WEEK. THE DEFENSE SAYS THOSE WITNESSES CAN PROVE CLAIMS OF SELECTIVE PROSECUTION AND
PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT.

PENNSYLVANIA-SENATE
SPECTER MAY FACE 3-WAY NOMINATION CONTEST IN 2010
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - SEN. ARLEN SPECTER MAY HAVE ENDORSEMENTS
FROM TOP LEADERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, BUT IT APPEARS LIKELY HE'LL FACE COMPETITION FOR HIS NEW PARTY'S NOMINATION WHEN HE SEEKS RE-ELECTION IN 2010. U.S. REP. JOE SESTAK, A RETIRED NAVY VICE ADMIRAL FROM THE PHILADELPHIA SUBURBS, AND STATE REP. BILL KORTZ, A FORMER U.S. STEEL CORP. MANAGER FROM THE PITTSBURGH AREA, BOTH SAY THEY PLAN TO CHALLENGE THE FIFTH-TERM SENATOR. NEITHER MAN HAS FORMED A CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE TO RAISE MONEY FOR THAT PURPOSE YET. SPECTER, A LONGTIME REPUBLICAN, DEFECTED TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN APRIL, SAYING THE PENNSYLVANIA GOP HAD GROWN TOO CONSERVATIVE FOR HIM TO WIN NEXT YEAR'S PRIMARY. HIS DEMOCRATIC SUPPORTERS INCLUDE PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AND GOV. ED RENDELL.

SLOTS CONTRIBUTIONS
PA. SENATE OKS BILL ON TOUGHER GAMBLING REGULATION
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - LEGISLATION TO TOUGHEN ANTI-CORRUPTION MEASURES AROUND PENNSYLVANIA'S GAMBLING INDUSTRY IS HEADED TO THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THE SENATE APPROVED THE BILL TUESDAY IN A NEAR UNANIMOUS VOTE, 47-1. ITS PROSPECTS ARE UNCERTAIN IN THE HOUSE, WHERE LEADERS SAY THEY WILL LOOK IT OVER WHEN IT ARRIVES. A KEY PROVISION OF THE BILL WOULD REINSTATE A BAN ON CASH CONTRIBUTIONS TO POLITICAL CAUSES BY GAMBLING INDUSTRY EXECUTIVES AND INVESTORS. IN APRIL, THE STATE SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN A FIVE-YEAR-OLD BAN, SAYING A COMPLETE PROHIBITION ON CONTRIBUTIONS WENT FARTHER IN PRACTICE THAN CALLED FOR BY THE 2004 LAW. THE BILL ALSO WOULD TOUGHEN THE PENNSYLVANIA GAMING CONTROL BOARD'S "REVOLVING DOOR" POLICY TO REQUIRE TOP AND MIDLEVEL EMPLOYEES TO WAIT TWO YEARS, INSTEAD OF JUST ONE, BEFORE WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY.

ROME (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAS ARRIVED IN ITALY WHERE HE'LL ENGAGE IN TALKS WITH OTHER WORLD LEADERS ON CLIMATE CHANGE, THE ECONOMY AND IRAN. THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS LEADERS AT THE G-8 WILL "EXCHANGE VIEWS" ON THE ECONOMY, BUT DON'T EXPECT CONCRETE MEASURES TO COME FROM THE MEETINGS.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (AP) - COULD NORTH KOREAN HACKERS BE BEHIND
SUSPECTED CYBER ATTACKS THAT HAVE PARALYZED SOUTH KOREAN AND U.S. GOVERNMENT WEB SITES? SOUTH KOREA'S YONHAP NEWS AGENCY SAYS MILITARY INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS ARE LOOKING INTO THE POSSIBILITY. SOUTH KOREAN OFFICIALS SAYS THE PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED IN THE U.S. AND SOUTH KOREA DO APPEAR TO BE LINKED.

URUMQI, CHINA (AP) - PARAMILITARY POLICE ARE GUARDING ROADS LEADING INTO UIGHUR (WEE'-GUR) NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE MAIN CITY OF WESTERN CHINA'S XINJIANG (SHIN-JAHNG) TERRITORY. STREET BATTLES BETWEEN THE MINORITY UIGHURS AND HAN CHINESE HAVE LEFT 156 DEAD.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A CONGRESSIONAL REPORT SAY THERE ARE GAPS IN SECURITY AT FEDERAL BUILDINGS AROUND THE COUNTRY. THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE SAYS INVESTIGATORS CARRIED BOMB-MAKING MATERIALS PAST SECURITY AT 10 FEDERAL BUILDINGS. THE REPORT ALSO SAYS THE INVESTIGATORS WERE ABLE CONSTRUCT EXPLOSIVE DEVICES ONCE INSIDE THE BUILDINGS.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON IS RUNNING UP AGAINST REPUBLICAN OPPOSITION IN THE HOUSE. AT YESTERDAY'S PUBLIC MEMORIAL SERVICE, TEXAS DEMOCRAT SHEILA JACKSON LEE PLEDGED TO PASS A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO HONOR THE POP STAR. BUT, GOP REP. PETER KING SAYS JACKSON IS A "PERVERT" AND HE'LL DO "WHATEVER" HE HAS TO TO OPPOSE THE LEGISLATION.

Today's News-Tuesday, July 7, 2009

SCARBINSKY NAMED INTERIM ADMINISTRATOR

A LONGTIME COUNTY EMPLOYEE IS KEEPING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS SEAT WARM WHILE A SEARCH CONTINUES FOR A PERMANENT REPLACEMENT. COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR MARK SCARBINSKY WAS APPOINTED INTERIM COUNTY ADMINSTRATOR AFTER DARLENE DOLZANI RETIRED LAST WEEK. ACCORDING TO THE REPUBLICAN AND HERALD COUNTY OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR THE $65-THOUSAND-DOLLARS A YEAR POST. SCARBINSKY WILL BE PAID AN ADDITIONAL STIPEND WHILE SERVING IN THE INTERIM POSITION.

BLIGHT FIGHT

THE PROBLEM OF RUN DOWN PROPERTIES IN OUR COMMUNITIES MAY SOON BEGIN TO TURN A CORNER AFTER THE PASSAGE OF A BLIGHT BILL INTRODUCED BY SENATOR DAVE ARGALL. ARGALL WAS IN PORT CARBON MONDAY TO TALK ABOUT SENATE BILL 900, WHICH MOVED OUT OF THE URBAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE. THE SENATOR EXPLAINS THE LEGISLATION:

ARGALL BLIGHT

THE LEGISLATION IS BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF THE BLIGHT TASK FORCE, A COALITION DEDICATED TO TACKLING THE PROBLEMS OF BLIGHTED AND ABANDONED BUILDINGS ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA. THE LATE SENATOR JIM RHOADES CREATED THE BLIGHT TASK FORCE AND WORKED TIRELESSLY TO REDUCE THE PROBLEM BEFORE HIS DEATH LAST FALL.

PINE GROVE MAN HIT BY CAR

A PINE GROVE MAN WAS INJURED WHEN HE COLLIDED WITH A CAR WHILE WALKING ON ROUTE 61 SUNDAY EVENING. STATE POLICE SAY 39 YEAR OLD JAMES RUNYON WAS WALKING IN THE NORTHBOUND PASSING LANE AND TALKING ON A CELL PHONE WHEN HE WANDERED INTO THE PATH OF A CAR OPERATED BY 21 YEAR OLD JACQUELINE SAFKO OF OLYPHANT. RUNYON WAS THROWN ONTO THE WINDSHIELD OF SAFKO’S CAR. RUNYON WAS FLOWN TO LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.

MOTORCYCLIST INJURED IN CRASH

AN ELYSBURG MAN WAS HURT WHEN HIS MOTORCYCLE COLLIDED WITH A VEHICLE IN FOSTER TOWNSHIP MONDAY NIGHT. 57 YEAR OLD DAVID LINDENMUTH WAS EASTBOUND ON ROUTE 901 AND ARLIN SENSENIG OF MYERSTOWN WAS WAITING AT THE OFF RAMP OF INTERSTATE 81. STATE POLICE SENSENIG DIDN’T SEE LINDENMUTH AND PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF HIM, AND LINDENMUTH WAS THROWN FROM THE MOTORCYCLE. HE WAS FLOWN TO GEISINGER MEDICAL CENTER FOR TREATMENT.

MAJOR SEWER WORK UNDERWAY

MAJOR UPGRADES ARE UNDERWAY FOR ONE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY TOWNSHIP THANKS IN PART TO FEDERAL LOAN MONIES. CONGRESSMAN TIM HOLDEN PRESENTED THE CHECK FOR $640 THOUSAND DOLLARS MONDAY, THE FINAL PART OF THE FUNDING NECESSARY TO COMPLETE WAYNE TOWNSHIPS SEWER UPGRADE. MORE THAN THREE MILLION DOLLARS IN LOANS AND GRANTS HAD BEEN RECEIVED SEVERAL YEARS AGO, BUT MONDAY’S FUNDING COMPLETED THE FINANCING PACKAGE TO REPLACE MORE THAN 7 MILES OF SEWER PIPE. THE MONEY CAME FROM THE US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURES RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

BLOOD URGENTLY NEEDED

AS WE ROLL OUR WAY INTO THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER MANY OF US DON’T THINK ABOUT DONATING BLOOD. BUT SUPPLIES OF BLOOD PRODUCTS ARE AT DANGEROUSLY LOW LEVELS AND YOUR HELP IS URGENTLY NEEDED. WPPA AND T102 ARE PARTNERING WITH THE AMERICAN RED CROSS FOR THEIR "O WHAT A SUMMER" BLOOD CAMPAIGN. THERE ARE SEVERAL STOPS SLATED IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY….WEDNESDAY, AT THE ROLLER ROOST IN POTTSVILLE, THURSDAY AT JERUSALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH IN SCHUYLKILL HAVEN AND SATURDAY AT THE FAIRLANE VILLAGE MALL. MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY, WON’T YOU, BY CALLING THE RED CROSS AT 1-800-GIVELIFE.

LEGISLATIVE BONUSES
PRETRIAL MOTIONS ON TAP IN LEGISLATIVE BONUS CASE
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THE CRIMINAL CASE AGAINST TWO FORMER STATE LAWMAKERS AND 10 OTHERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS IS HEADING TO A COUNTY JUDGE FOR ARGUMENT OVER PRETRIAL MOTIONS. THE HEARING THAT'S SCHEDULED TO BEGIN TODAY IN DAUPHIN COUNTY COURT COULD LAST TWO DAYS. JUDGE RICHARD LEWIS IS BEING ASKED TO DECIDE IF THE DEFENDANTS SHOULD BE TRIED SEPARATELY, IF PROSECUTORS ARE TURNING OVER ENOUGH DISCOVERY MATERIAL AND WHETHER ANYONE'S BEEN IMPROPERLY SINGLED OUT FOR CRIMINAL CHARGES. DOZENS OF SUBPOENAS WERE ISSUED BY SOME OF THE DEFENDANTS' LAWYERS IN RECENT DAYS, TARGETING LAWMAKERS AND LEGISLATIVE AIDES. LEWIS MAY HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER TO FORCE THE RECIPIENTS TO TESTIFY. THE DEFENDANTS ARE CHARGED WITH THEFT, CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND CONSPIRACY. PROSECUTORS SAY THEY DIVERTED PUBLIC RESOURCES AND STATE EMPLOYEES FOR CAMPAIGNING OR OTHER IMPROPER PURPOSES.

SHRINERS HOSPITALS
DELEGATES VOTE TO KEEP SHRINER HOSPITALS OPEN
SAN ANTONIO (AP) - SIX SHRINERS HOSPITALS THAT WERE POSSIBLE TARGETS FOR CLOSING APPEAR TO HAVE WON AN INITIAL REPRIEVE. THE FACILITIES INCLUDE ONE IN ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA. DELEGATES AT A NATIONAL SHRINERS CONVENTION VOTED YESTERDAY TO KEEP ALL THE SHRINERS' 22 HOSPITALS OPEN, BUT NO DECISION ON THE FUTURE OF THE HOSPITALS IS FINAL UNTIL THE CONVENTION ENDS THURSDAY. THE DELIBERATIONS ARE DONE IN SECRET BY THE FRATERNAL ORDER AND THE MEMBERS ARE ALLOWED TO TAKE UP NEW PROPOSALS BETWEEN
NOW AND THE END OF THE CONVENTION. IN ADDITION, THE DELEGATES VOTED 756-482 TO REOPEN THE SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN-GALVESTON. THE BURN HOSPITAL HAS BEEN CLOSED SINCE HURRICANE IKE HIT IN SEPTEMBER. TOMMY LAMBRIGHT, A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF THE GALVESTON HOSPITAL, WARNED THAT EFFORTS COULD BE MADE TO BRING UP NEW MEASURES TO KEEP THE HOSPITAL CLOSED, THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE REPORTED.

STATE BUDGET
RENDELL, LAWMAKERS HOLD BRIEF BUDGET NEGOTIATION
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THERE'S NO INDICATION THAT PROGRESS WAS MADE IN A MEETING BETWEEN GOV. ED RENDELL AND TOP LEGISLATIVE LEADERS OVER THE STATE BUDGET. THE MEETING BROKE UP AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES. THE SIDES ARE ABOUT $2 BILLION APART, AND REPUBLICANS ARE FIGHTING DEMOCRATIC PROPOSALS TO ADD NEW TAXES OR EXPAND EXISTING ONES. THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR OFFERED ANOTHER $72 MILLION IN CUTS, WHICH REPUBLICAN LEADERS SAID THEY WOULD EXAMINE BEFORE MEETING AGAIN. MONDAY'S BRIEF MEETING WAS THE FIRST SINCE THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND, AND CAME NEARLY A WEEK AFTER THE STATE STARTED ITS FISCAL YEAR WITHOUT LEGAL AUTHORITY FOR MUCH OF ITS SPENDING.

CHILD RAPED
PA. MAN CHARGED IN RAPE OF 5-YEAR-OLD GIRL
TAYLOR, PA. (AP) - A NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA MAN IS ACCUSED OF RAPING A 5-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN HER BEDROOM. FELIX MONTOYA AND THE GIRL'S FAMILY BOTH LIVED IN THE MAPLE MANOR MOBILE HOME PARK IN TAYLOR, BUT THEY DIDN'T KNOW EACH OTHER. THE TRAILER PARK'S MANAGER SAID MONDAY THAT MONTOYA WAS ALLOWED TO LIVE THERE ONLY AFTER SHOWING PROPER IDENTIFICATION AND PASSING A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK. POLICE SAY THE 40-YEAR-OLD MAN SHOWED UP UNINVITED AND DRUNK AT THE FOURTH OF JULY PICNIC THAT THE FAMILY HELD SATURDAY AND WAS ASKED TO LEAVE. POLICE SAY WHEN THE GIRL'S MOTHER CHECKED ON HER AT ABOUT 2 A.M. SUNDAY, SHE HAD SEVERE INJURIES AND MONTOYA WAS IN THE ROOM. WHEN A JUDGE ASKED MONTOYA IF HE HAD ANYTHING TO SAY, HE REPLIED, "I AM SORRY FOR REAL. I NEVER DID ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE IN MY LIFE. IT IS STUPID."

ALLENTOWN ATTORNEY-CHARGES
PA. LAWYER PLEADS IN $5 MILLION TAX-EVASION CASE
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - AN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA LAWYER HAS PLEADED GUILTY TO FAILING TO PAY $1.9 MILLION IN TAXES ON $5 MILLION IN UNREPORTED INCOME. LEHIGH VALLEY LAWYER JOHN KAROLY JR. HAD BEEN SCHEDULED TO GO ON TRIAL MONDAY IN FEDERAL COURT IN PHILADELPHIA. PROSECUTORS ARE DROPPING CONSPIRACY CHARGES AGAINST SEVERAL CO-DEFENDANTS, INCLUDING KAROLY'S SON, AND WILL RESOLVE OTHER CHARGES THROUGH A NON-JURY TRIAL. THE INDICTMENT CHARGED KAROLY WITH FAKING THE WILLS OF HIS WEALTHY BROTHER AND SISTER-IN-LAW, WHO DIED IN A 2007 PLANE CRASH. KAROLY HAS AGREED TO GIVE UP ALL CLAIMS TO THEIR ESTATE. THE 59-YEAR-OLD KAROLY COULD FACE PRISON TIME ON THE THREE TAX COUNTS. HE IS WELL-KNOWN IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY FOR SUING POLICE DEPARTMENTS OVER CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUES.

JUDGE-CHARGES
PA. ETHICS PANEL FILES CHARGES AGAINST ERIE JUDGE
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A DISTRICT JUDGE FROM ERIE COUNTY IS ACCUSED OF VIOLATING THE STATE CONSTITUTION AND ETHICAL RULES BY HARASSING WOMEN AND LYING ABOUT HIS QUALIFICATIONS TO HOLD OFFICE. THE STATE JUDICIAL CONDUCT BOARD FILED THE CHARGES MONDAY AGAINST JUDGE GERARD ALONGE. THE BOARD ALLEGES THAT ALONGE BROUGHT DISREPUTE TO THE JUDICIARY BY MAKING HARASSING PHONE CALLS AND HAVING IMPROPER CONTACT WITH MORE THAN A HALF-DOZEN WOMEN, INCLUDING LAWYERS AND LAW CLERKS HE WORKED WITH. ALONGE'S LAWYER, PHILIP FRIEDMAN OF ERIE, DECLINED TO COMMENT ON THE CASE. THE STATE COURT OF JUDICIAL DISCIPLINE WILL DECIDE WHETHER THE CHARGES ARE TRUE AND WHAT, IF ANY, SANCTIONS SHOULD BE IMPOSED.

PRISON GUARDS FIRED
4 W.PA. PRISON GUARDS FIRED, 2 RESIGN
GREENSBURG, PA. (AP) - THE WESTMORELAND COUNTY PRISON BOARD HAS FIRED FOUR PRISON GUARDS AND ALLOWED TWO OTHERS TO RESIGN FOLLOWING AN INVESTIGATION OF AN INMATE'S ALLEGED BEATING. PRISON AUTHORITIES SAY THE INMATE WAS REMOVED FROM HIS CELL LAST MONTH AND BEATEN AS ONE OF THE GUARDS AS SOME OF THE OTHERS WATCHED. COUNTY COMMISSIONER CHARLES ANDERSON, WHO SERVES ON THE BOARD, SAYS THE GUARDS ACTIONS CAN'T BE TOLERATED. THE PRISON BOARD FIRED THE FOUR ON MONDAY.

PENN-SIRENS
PENN TO INSTALL SIREN ALERT SYSTEM ON CAMPUS
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA IS INSTALLING MORE THAN A DOZEN SIRENS ON CAMPUS AS PART OF AN EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM. THE 13 SPEAKERS WILL COMPLEMENT A SYSTEM THAT ALREADY SENDS TEXT MESSAGES, VOICEMAIL AND E-MAIL TO STUDENTS, STAFF AND FACULTY DURING CAMPUS EMERGENCIES. THE SIRENS WILL SOUND A TONE FOR 15 SECONDS, FOLLOWED BY VOICE INSTRUCTIONS. PENN SAFETY OFFICIALS SAY THE SYSTEM WILL BE HEARD IN ABOUT 95 PERCENT OF THE OUTDOOR CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT. OFFICIALS SAY THE VOLUME IS NOT DESIGNED TO PENETRATE BUILDINGS, BUT WILL BE AUDIBLE ABOVE NORMAL STREET NOISE IN SURROUNDING WEST PHILADELPHIA. THE IVY LEAGUE UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCED MONDAY THAT IT WILL BEGIN TESTING THE SYSTEM IN MID-AUGUST.

MOSCOW (AP) - AFTER MEETING WITH RUSSIA'S LEADERS THE PAST TWO DAYS, PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAS BEEN SPEAKING DIRECTLY TO THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE. IN A SPEECH AT MOSCOW'S NEW ECONOMIC SCHOOL, THE PRESIDENT SAID RESETTING U.S.-RUSSIAN RELATIONS REQUIRES UNDERSTANDING AND COOPERATION, NOT JUST BETWEEN LEADERS BUT BETWEEN PEOPLE. OBAMA SAY THE TWO COUNTRIES ARE NOT "DESTINED TO BE ANTAGONISTS."

MOSCOW (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAS BEEN LAYING OUT HIS VISION OF THE COMMON INTERESTS THE U.S. SHARES WITH RUSSIA. AT THE TOP OF THE LIST ARE HALTING THE SPREAD OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND CONFRONTING VIOLENT EXTREMISTS. IN A SPEECH TO RUSSIAN COLLEGE STUDENTS HE SAYS WASHINGTON AND MOSCOW MUST BE UNITED IN RESISTING NORTH KOREA'S ATTEMPT TO BECOME A NUCLEAR POWER AND IRAN'S EFFORT TO GET A NUCLEAR WEAPON.

ISLAMABAD (AP) - PAKISTANI INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS SAY FIVE FOREIGNERS ARE AMONG AT LEAST 12 MILITANTS KILLED IN A SUSPECTED U.S. MISSILES STRIKE ON A TRAINING CAMP RUN BY PAKISTANI TALIBAN LEADER BAITULLAH MEHSUD (BEH'-TUH-LUH MAH-SOOD'). TOP ARAB LEADERS OF AL-QAIDA ARE BELIEVED TO BE HIDING IN THE AREA WHERE THE ATTACK TOOK PLACE NEAR THE AFGHAN BORDER IN SOUTH WAZIRISTAN.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - MICHAEL JACKSON FANS ARE PREPARING FOR A FINAL PUBLIC FAREWELL TO THE KING OF POP. LOS ANGELES POLICE ARE HOPING TO AVOID A MOB SCENE DOWNTOWN TOMORROW'S MEMORIAL AT THE STAPLES CENTER, WARNING THOSE WITHOUT TICKETS TO STAY AWAY. PARTICIPANTS WILL INCLUDE STEVIE WONDER, MARIAH CAREY, USHER, LIONEL RICHIE, JENNIFER HUDSON AND JOHN MAYER.

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA (AP) - SARAH PALIN IS RETURNING TO THE PUBLIC EYE LATER TODAY. THE ALASKA GOVERNOR IS HEADING TO A REMOTE FISHING VILLAGE 30 MILES NORTH OF THE ARCTIC CIRCLE. SHE'LL SIGN A BILL THERE DESIGNED TO BRING PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS TO SMALL TOWNS. IT COMES FOUR DAYS AFTER ANNOUNCING HER RESIGNATION.