State News-Thursday, Nov. 16th

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A state regulatory review board is scheduled to vote today on whether Pennsylvania may enforce tougher limits on mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants. Opposition from power companies and business groups has been strong. But Democratic Governor Ed Rendell insists that lower limits standard will help Pennsylvania improve the health and quality of life of its residents. Pennsylvania would be the first major coal state to adopt mercury emissions that are tougher than the federal standard.

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (AP) - A Marine Corps reservist charged in the accidental shooting death of his roommate in Iraq is expected to get a verdict today. Twenty-one-year-old Lance Corporal Sean Riley is being court-martialed for the death of military policeman Lance Corporal Adam Fales. Riley and his co-defendant, 21-year-old Lance Corporal Michael Fulcher, are members of a reserve unit from Lehigh County (Pennsylvania). Fulcher pleaded guilty Tuesday to negligent homicide and negligent use of a firearm. He was sentenced to six months in military jail.

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (AP) - Private First Class Jesse Spielman of Chambersburg (Pennsylvania) remains charged with rape and murder. That's even though a co-defendant told a judge Spielman didn't participate in raping a 14-year-old Iraqi girl last spring and killing her and her family. But Specialist James Barker says Spielman was at the house when the assault occurred and knew what the others intended to do. Under military law, those present when a crime is committed can be charged even if they didn't play an active role. Barker pleaded guilty yesterday (Wednesday) and has agreed to testify against the other defendants. His lawyer says it's to avoid getting the death penalty.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Chester County elections officials don't expect to announce the results of two close legislative elections until after Thanksgiving. Republicans have retained control of the state Senate in last week's elections, but control of the House remains in doubt. And one of those Chester County races is the closest of the three House contests and could decide which party controls the lower chamber. Absentee, provisional, emergency and military and overseas ballots take longer to count. Republicans won at least 99 seats and Democrats won at least 101 in last week's election.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A Presbyterian minister accused of breaking church law by performing a wedding for a lesbian couple is off the hook. The Reverend Janet Edwards was facing a church trial in Pittsburgh, but it turns out the charges were filed too late. The Permanent Judicial Commission of the Pittsburgh Presbytery said yesterday (Wednesday) that it is not saying which side of the dispute was right. The constitution of the Presbyterian Church U-S-A reserves marriage for a man and a woman, although ministers may bless other types of "holy unions."

WASHINGTON, Pa. (AP) - A new overpass across Interstate 70 is slated to open Friday, nearly eleven months after a span of the bridge collapsed onto the highway in Washington County. The December 27th collapse of the Lakeview Drive bridge injured three people in a minivan that crashed into the fallen concrete. Another car was hit by falling debris but the two occupants were unhurt. The state Department of Transportation closed and removed the 45-year-old overpass shortly after the collapse. The incident prompted PennDOT to inspect similar concrete box-beam bridges across the state. Two other bridges were closed on the same stretch of I-70. The North Main Street Bridge, near the junction of Interstate 70 and 79, has been replaced.