State News-Tuesday, Jan. 23rd

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - After nearly two decades, Brian Hall's conscience got the best of him. The Philadelphia man flagged down a patrolman and gave a confession in the killing of a woman whose case had long confounded police. But it turns out he wasn't ready to admit to first-degree murder. Hall, who's now 55, is expected to plead guilty to a general homicide charge today. Then he wants to let a jury decide his degree of guilt. The proseuctor says Hall committed first-degree murder. But defense lawyers say the facts don't justify a conviction on that charge. The 18-year-old victim, Rosella Atkinson, was found four months after her 1987 slaying. But the body was so decomposed that it wasn't identified until 1990. Hall flagged down the police officer in 2005.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - An interfaith kidney transplant is scheduled today at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The Reverend Karen Onesti, who pastors a United Methodist church in New Jersey, is donating one of her kidneys to Rabbi Andrew Bossov, whom she met four years ago through the Interfaith Council of Greater Mount Laurel. Bossov's kidneys have been failing for years, forcing him to undergo frequent dialysis, so she offered him one of hers. After months of tests for compatibility, surgeons approved the transplant. Onesti says she believes it's what God wants her to do. Her church is holding a 24-hour vigil beginning to pray for the transplant.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Pittsburgh City Councilman Bill Peduto has announced his bid for mayor, challenging Mayor Luke Ravenstahl in May's Democratic primary. This is 42-year-old Peduto's second run at the office. He ran in 2005, losing to Bob O'Connor, who died September First from a rare form of brain cancer. Soon after, 26-year-old council president Luke Ravenstahl was sworn in as mayor. Peduto says he has been a financial watchdog in his five years on City Council. Peduto says he has raised about 40-thousand dollars in campaign contributions and has received pledges totaling 500-hundred thousand dollars.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Congressman Bob Brady will enter the Philadelphia mayor's race. Brady plans a formal announcement on Thursday. He joins a crowded field of candidates for the Democratic nomination. Other declared candidates for the Democratic nomination are Congressman Chaka Fattah, former City Councilman Michael Nutter, state Representative Dwight Evans and businessman Tom Knox. Labor leader John Dougherty is considering running. Because of the Democratic Party's dominiation of city politics, its nominee is heavily favored to win the general election. No Republican is running yet, but there is a Green Party
hopeful.

LEBANON, Pa. (AP) - A viewing and service are scheduled today in the Northern Lebanon High School for two 17-year-old students killed in a car accident. Katie Eckert and Charles Bates, both of the Jonestown area, were pronounced dead at the scene of Friday night's crash on Route 343. State police are continuing to investigate the accident. The viewing is scheduled from 3 p-m to 6 p-m in the high school auditorium followed by a service at 7 p-m.

UNDATED (AP) - Scientists in the Delaware Valley region are meeting this week to learn new ways to save area waterways. Scientists with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources are meeting with hundreds of other experts at a three-day conference that begins today in New Jersey. They'll examine the latest research and then discuss how to clean up the Delaware River and Bay.