Local News-Friday, March 30th

A Washington Township man made his case for stopping a proposed duck farm in the township at Wednesday’s Schuylkill County Commissioners meeting. John Hughes grilled the board about the plan, and questioned the approvals already given for the duck farm. One of his biggest complaints had to do with the approval of a manure cesspool for the 62-acre animal farm. Hughes said that by approving this project, is may set a precedent for other “corporate” poultry farms to come to Schuylkill County. The County Planning Commission gave approval for the farm, but it needs a building permit from the Washington Township supervisors before it can proceed. The farm would raise Peking ducks shipped from Berks County duck farm, and after growing time, would be returned there for processing. Hughes and a group of concerned residents are holding a meeting about the matter at the Washington Township Municipal building in Pine Grove on Tuesday night at 7pm.

The Schuylkill County Commissioners Wednesday approved a bid for renovation work at the Tremont Senior Center. Bognet, Inc. of Hazleton was low bidder on the project with a bid of $144,000. The Tremont Center will be moving into the former Tremont Elementary School building after renovation work is completed. In a related matter, the Commissioners approved a new lease with Tremont Borough for space at the former school building. The space will be leased on a month-to-month bases at a monthly rental rate of $410.00 which includes a $45.00 cost for sewer services. The buildings cafeteria will be utilized as a temporary location for the Nutrition/Senior center. In other business, the Commissioners approved a new lease with the Shenandoah American Legion, Anthony Damato Post home to use the main hall area, kitchen and bathrooms as a senior center. The space will be leased on a month-to-month basis at a monthly rental of $750.00. A five-year lease was renewed for the office of District Judge in Frackville. The lease with Thomas McAndrew of Frackville for 619 West Oak Street consists of 2,500 square feet comprising of the entire first floor of the building at a monthly rate of $2,200.

The Schuylkill County Commissioners gave their approval to seek a $100-thousand-dollars grant to begin some restoration work in Court Room Number-One in the Court House during their board meeting Wednesday. At last week’s work session, the Commissioners were told that a total restoration and rehabilitation of the court room has been estimated at $355-thousand-dollars. Other grants may become available to complete the work. The ornate court room has many unique features such as large murals which need to be restored. Commissioner Mantura Gallagher had said it’s the second largest court room east of the Mississippi River and is used for mostly ceremonial events. In other business, The Commissioners awarded a contract for Rest Haven linen and personal laundry services to Paris Healthcare Linen services of Dubois, Pa. for a period of two years at a total cost of just over $509-thousand-dollars.
Approval was granted to STS for file an equipment grant application with PennDot for six wheel-chair accessible small transit buses and six two-way mobile radios, at a cost of $399-thousand-dollars. Approval was granted to advertise for bids for a coal contract for the court house and prison for one, two and three year periods. Bids will be opened April 18th and tentatively awarded April 25th. One bid was received for a cleaning services contract for the County’s Human Services Building. TKO Cleaning Service, Pottsville bid $42,500 for one year of cleaning services and $85,000 for a second year. The tentative award date is April 11th.

New monies to help revitalize a Tamaqua neighborhood are coming from the state. Senator Jim Rhoades and Representative Dave Argall said yesterday that $400-thousand-dollars from the Department of Community and Economic Development will help the South Ward of Tamaqua. The grant is provided through the state’s Elm Street Program. The monies will upgrade seven buildings in the neighborhood, as well as renovating the Spruce Street pedestrian stairway and to build the South Ward Neighborhood Center. PennDOT’s Home Town Streets program will kick in $92-thousand-dollars in addition to the $62-thousand-dollars in private funding already committed.

An investigation into thefts of equipment from an area mining company several years ago results in the arrest of a Bernville woman. Coaldale police say that 26-year-old Jennifer Cougle, formerly of Bernville, was returned to the state from Florida to face theft charges after she allegedly stole $75-thousand-dollars worth of stainless steel drilling equipment from Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company between August, 2004 and March, 2005. Fifteen pieces of equipment were taken on several occasions, then sold at a scrap operation in New Jersey. Cougle was helped by a man who worked as a security guard at the plant. Cougle was arraigned and taken to prison after she was unable to post the $75-thousand-dollars bail. The investigation continues.

A one vehicle crash left a Williamstown woman injured Wednesday morning. Christine Reinoehl was driving north on Interstate 81 in Ryan Township, when her car left the road. It traveled more than 190 feet down a ditch, struck a tree, then rolled over, ending up on its roof.
She was taken to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center for treatment. Frackville State Police were assisted by emergency crews from the Englewood Fire Company and Frackville EMS.

National and State News-Friday, March 30th

WHITE HOUSE (AP) - President Bush plans to do some damage control today when he visits Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He'll talk to veterans and hospital staff, trying to reassure them the government is doing something following the scandal over shoddy treatment of wounded soldiers.

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - A Democratic congressman from Virginia doesn't think the Congressional leadership will give in to the White House on troop withdrawal language attached to an Iraq war funding bill. Jim Moran says voter backlash could result. The White House wants no strings attached and promises a veto.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Animal rights advocates say a dog and cat food recall should be expanded to dry varieties too. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals plans to make the appeal today in Washington, saying dry foods are also making pets sick. The government and veterinarians say there's no such trend.

PARIS (AP) - If the late Pope John Paul achieves sainthood, a mysterious nun who claims a miraculous cure from Parkinson's disease could have a lot to do with it. Today, she'll be a mystery no longer. Sister Marie-Simon-Pierre, described as gentle and reserved, is addressing a news conference in Paris.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Enjoy the blossoms but keep off the trees. That's the word from the National Park Service as the National Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off tomorrow in Washington. Each year, visitors veer off the paths and climb the trees or put their kids on branches for photos, causing damage.

GREENSBURG, Pa. (AP) - The woman who was allegedly held as a "slave" by a Greensburg family says she wasn't physically restrained. Nineteen-year-old Emily Nicely testified yesterday that she stayed as long as she did because she was in love with the family's 17-year-old son. The family accused of keeping her for about six months must stand trial.

HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. (AP) - Prosecutors say an Altoona man has received one of the longest sentences for child sexual assault in Blair County. Forty-one-year-old Brian Corle has been sentenced to 46 years and ten months to 177 years in prison. He had been convicted in July of 40 counts of sex-related offenses against four children.

SOMERSET, Pa. (AP) - The state says Somerset County Jail officials properly screened a murder suspect before he committed suicide in the jail on March tenth. Jailers checked on 39-year-old William Jerome Cornell every 15 minutes, but he still managed to hang himself.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The former general manager of a Greensburg funeral supply business has pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Federal prosecutors say 51-year-old John Parillo Junior of Scott Township defrauded people who paid in advance for caskets and burial vaults. He was general manager and an officer of Celestial Burial Case Company from 1997 through October 2001.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A Pittsburgh man who prosecutors say threw some of the money he stole from a bank onto the street as he fled has been convicted. Federal prosecutors say a jury yesterday found 56-year-old Tony Atkinson guilty of one count of bank robbery for holding up a P-N-C Bank in downtown Pittsburgh in July 2003.

Local News-Thursday, March 29th

The former New Jersey Governor and Bush EPA chief made a visit to Schuylkill County last night. Governor Christie Todd Whitman was the fifth and final speaker in the Penn State Schuylkill-Alcoa Foundation Distinguished Lecture Series at the John E. Morgan Auditorium.
Whitman addressed a number of topics during a press briefing prior to the speech. Whitman told WPPA/T102 News that while ethanol is a viable biofuel, she is concerned that supplying corn to produce it could create a shortage in feed for animals, which may force farmers to produce fewer animals for the food supply. She also added that the diminshing supply of water is probably the most pressing issue in the 21st century, along with global climate change.
An ethanol plant is in the planning stages in western Schuylkill County. She addressed a wide variety of topics during her address, including biosolids, corporate responsibility for cleaning the environment while improving the bottom line and global warming. About 250 people attended the free address. The Alcoa Foundation granted $50-thousand-dollars for the lecture series, which concluded last night after a three-year run.

The Schuylkill County Election Bureau is gearing up for the May Primary election with its voter outreach program. At Wednesday’s County Commissioners meeting Election Bureau Director Betty Dries said the first program will be held April 3rd at Community Banks, 9 North Centre St. in Pottsville, from 10am to 2pm. She said voting machine demonstrations will be held daily, Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm at the Election Bureau at 420 North Center Street in Pottsville. Additional dates, places and times of machine demonstrations will be made available on the county web site at www.co.schuylkill.pa.us. The web site also features an on-line touch screen demonstration.

The Schuylkill County Commissioners received a $50-thousand-dollar check from the Tamaqua Area Industrial Corporation during Wednesday’s Commissioners Board meeting. Representatives of T.I.D.E. attended the meeting to present the check.
Jerry Knowles, a board member of T.I.D.E. said the money represents an agreement T.I.D.E. made with the County over 6-years ago when they partnered with the state to make funds available to build a building that was recently sold. Knowles said under the agreement, T.I.D.E. would pay the county part of the money it received if it ever sold the building. Knowles said the building’s tenant, High Wood Industries recently purchased the building and is about to undertake a 40-thousan-square foot expansion. Knowles said the company makes synthetic wood products and currently employees 40 people. The expansion, Knowles said, will create more jobs with the company.

Two men were involved in a fight in Gilberton Sunday. Borough police say that Frank Jackowiak Sr. and Vincent Bloss were reportedly fighting in the area of Church and Railroad Streets around 7pm. The Pottsville Republican indicates that when police arrived, Jackowiak was not breathing. He was taken to St. Catherine’s Medical Center, then transferred to Hershey Medical Center yesterday, due to the severity of his injuries. Police are not certain why the fight took place, and plan to continue the investigation once Jackowiak is well enough to be interviewed.

State police have charged three Harrisburg residents for trespassing on Reading Anthracite Company yesterday. Michael Shaffer, Wesley Bescoter and Rie (ree) Kato were all found trespassing at the Old St. Nicholas Breaker in Mahanoy Township by company employees around 2pm. Troopers found the trio on the second floor of the breaker when they arrived.
Criminal Trespass charges are pending.

A Washington Township man made his case for stopping a proposed duck farm in the township at yesterday’s Schuylkill County Commissioners meeting. John Hughes grilled the board about the plan, and questioned the approvals already given for the duck farm. One of his biggest complaints had to do with the approval of a manure cesspool for the 62-acre animal farm. Hughes said that by approving this project, is may set a precedent for other “corporate” poultry farms to come to Schuylkill County. The County Planning Commission gave approval for the farm, but it needs a building permit from the Washington Township supervisors before it can proceed. The farm would raise Peking ducks shipped from Berks County duck farm, and after growing time, would be returned there for processing. Hughes and a group of concerned residents are holding a meeting about the matter at the Washington Township Municipal building in Pine Grove on Tuesday night at 7pm.

National and State News-Thursday, March 29th

UNDATED (AP) - Many of the tornadoes that swept across the Plains yesterday and last night were over open land and didn't cause much damage. But two deaths are reported from a possible twister that hit a home near Elmwood, Oklahoma.

BAGHDAD (AP) - Bombs have killed at least eight people and wounded dozens in Iraq today. One bomb was planted under a parked car at an outdoor market in Baghdad. Meanwhile, Ryan Crocker has been sworn in as the new U-S envoy in Iraq.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) - Britain is rejecting Iran's call that it admit 15 sailors and marines were operating in Iranian waters when they were seized last week. The dispute was one of the
topics today when the U-N chief met with Iran's foreign minister.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A former top aide to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has a date with the Senate Judiciary Committee this morning. Kyle Sampson is expected to defend the firings of eight federal prosecutors last year.

ATLANTA (AP) - The Final Four isn't just fun and games for some college kids. Sports management students at Florida's Lynn University are traveling to Atlanta for this weekend's basketball finals. They get credit for taking a firsthand look at what goes into a major sporting event.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The National Park Service wants to hear the public's ideas on the future of the parks. Superintendents from national parks in the region are to be in
Philadelphia tonight to listen. The forum that the park service calls a "listening session"
begins at 5:30 p-m at the National Constitution Center.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The state Senate has confirmed three of Governor Ed Rendell's nominees -- two for positions on state courts and one atop the Pennsylvania National Guard
Major General Jessica Wright, the state's first female adjutant general, received approval to continue to lead the 19-thousand-member guard. A 31-year veteran of the guard, she was
first nominated in November 2003. Philadelphia Judge James Fitzgerald the Third will fill an
opening on the state Supreme Court. Robert Daniels, a lawyer in private practice from Villanova, will fill a vacant seat on the lower Superior Court. Voters will elect successors to Daniels and Fitzgerald in November.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A state-sponsored study says requiring Lehigh Valley hunters to use shotguns instead of rifles would not necessarily make the area safer during deer season.
The study was ordered following a November 2004 accident in which a pregnant, 18-year-old Lehigh County woman sitting in a car in her driveway was struck in the head by a stray bullet from the rifle of a hunter a half-mile away. The study, commissioned by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, compared the ranges of a rifle and a shotgun, including the distance that the projectiles traveled after ricocheting off the ground. It said the conventional wisdom that rifle bullets travel farther is not always true. When fired parallel to level ground, the study says rifle bullets tend to tumble after they strike the ground, slowing down as they ricochet, while shotgun slugs tend to maintain more of their velocity.

BEAVER, Pa. (AP) - The Beaver County Prison Board has suspended jail Warden William Schouppe for one week without pay in response to a county-ordered investigation that alleged wrongdoing at the jail. County Controller Richard Towcimak says Schouppe also has been
put on probation for one year for failing to properly manage the jail. The board is responding to a report submitted by investigators who say they found a pattern of inappropriate and possibly criminal behavior at the lockup, including sexual encounters between guards and inmates, physical abuse and drug use. Schouppe attended the prison board meeting but declined to
comment.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Philadelphia fire commissioner is cutting two 9-1-1 operator jobs to save money. Commissioner Lloyd Ayers says the city can get by with 52 operators instead of 54. He says he'll pay overtime or, if he has to, have firefighers fill in for 9-1-1 operators. Ayers says the cutback will save about 139-thousand dollars a year. But City Council president Anna Verna doesn't like this. She says the city is endangering public safety with this budget cut.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A cultural organization in Pittsburgh has become the first group to be fined by Allegheny County for violating the new smoking ban. The county health department fined the Lithuanian Citizens' Society of Western Pennsylvania 16-thousand-250 dollars because the organization allowed 65 people to smoke at its bingo game on March 21st.
The county says the group was sent a warning letter last month and an inspector visited the bingo game last week. The group's officials say they will appeal the fine because they
believed the club was exempt until May First, like bars and restaurants. But, the health department says the group wasn't exempt because it had employees who worked during the bingo games and was therefore considered a workplace. The organization has now removed all ash trays and hung "No Smoking" signs in the building.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Allegheny County voters will not get to decide in May whether the sheriff should be appointed rather than elected. County Judge Eugene Strassburger has blocked the proposed referendum, saying the county has to wait five years after its last change to home-rule government to make any new changes. The county amended its form of government in 2005 by allowing six of 10 previously elected row offices to be appointed. The county tried to bypass the five-year rule by having the decision on the sheriff's position take effect in 2010.

CHESTER, Pa. (AP) - A Delaware man charged with rape and other offenses is in custody undergoing evaluation after a long standoff on the Commodore Barry Bridge in Chester.
He's 37-year-old Brian Smith, who lives near New Castle, Delaware. He had been threatening to jump from the bridge for several hours before he surrendered to police about 9 p-m
yesterday. He's accused of raping a 14-year-old girl on Monday evening. Police call it "an extended, calculated and brutal attack." Police say Smith is also wanted in Mooresville, North Carolina, where he's suspected of another rape.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - More than 100 people, alternately tearful and energized, called for an end to violence at a rally in southwest Philadelphia. It's in the neighborhood where gunfire
killed a mother of four and injured three others on Sunday. A bullet struck 28-year-old Jovonne Stelly in the head during a shootout in front of her home. Authorities said Stelly was killed trying to get her children out of the line of fire. Police have charged Stelly's boyfriend and her brother with her murder and issued an arrest warrant for a third suspect.

HUGHESVILLE, Pa. (AP) - An Army National Guard member from Hughesville, Lycoming County, has been killed in Iraq. His mother says 33-year-old Sergeant First Class Sean Michael
Thomas died when a rocket exploded over his head in Baghdad's Green Zone. Thomas is survived by his wife, Carrie, and their six-month-old daughter, Alexa. His mother, Diana Thomas, says he had been planning to attend Officer Candidate School in October and wanted to be a teacher when he returned to civilian life. She says Thomas was sent to Iraq last summer, less than a year after he returned from duty in Afghanistan.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Two soldiers with Pennsylvania ties were among four members of the North Carolina-based 82nd Airborne who died in Iraq on Sunday when a bomb exploded near their truck. The Defense Department says 22-year-old Corporal Jason Nunez, who was born in Fountain Hill, near Bethlehem, lived in Naranjito, Puerto Rico. He joined the Army in March 2005 and moved to the 82nd Airborne in October of that year as a nuclear, biological, and
chemical specialist. Twenty-one-year-old P-f-c Orlando Gonzalez of New Freedom,
Pennsylvania, joined the Army in June 2005 and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne in November 2005 as a scout. Each was assigned to the 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg. Also killed in the blast were 21-year-old P-f-c Anthony White of Columbia, South Carolina and 24-year-old Sergeant Jason Swiger of South Portland, Maine.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Former state Senator Joe Conti can continue to share a house in Harrisburg with Senator Don White. He can even shoot the breeze about baseball with his former Senate colleagues. But the State Ethics Commission is drawing the line at his
representing or discussing the business of his new employer, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. That's how Conti is supposed to behave for the next eight months, until the expiration of a yearlong prohibition on state officials and employees interacting in an official capacity with the agency or body they left. Conti sought the Ethics Commission's opinion for a formal definition of the state law. Conti was picked by Governor Ed Rendell to become the first chief executive of the Liquor Control Board.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A major South Korean shipbuilder says it will be building additional tankers and container ships at the old Philadelphia Navy Yard. The parent of Aker Philadelphia Shipyard says its expanded deal with Hyundai Mipo Dockyard covers an additional six tankers as well as exclusive rights for container ships. Under a 2004 deal, Hyundai Mipo has been providing design and procurement services for a series of 10 tankers currently under construction in Philadelphia. Aker Philadelphia Shipyard and its parent, Aker American
Shipping, are part of the Norway-based Aker group of oil services, engineering, construction and shipbuilding companies.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Pennsylvania's two largest health insurers have agreed to merge.
The prospective merger of Independence Blue Cross of Philadelphia and Highmark Incorporated of Pittsburgh got a swift reaction in the Legislature. The state Senate unanimously approved legislation yesterday intended to require the merger to undergo a review by state insurance regulators. The bill still needs approval by the House of Representatives before it can go to Governor Ed Rendell's desk. Should the merger go through, the organizations will maintain dual headquarters, where they're now based.

Local News-Wednesday, Marcy 28th

A month and a half after the Valentine’s Day ice and snow storm crippled a good portion of the state, a consultant’s report says there was enough blame to go around. Governor Ed Rendell hired former Clinton administration FEMA chief James Lee Witt to examine what happened when a mix of ice and snow forced a 50-mile backup on Interstate 78 in Berks County, and the closure of I-80 and 81, making travel and snow removal a nightmare. The report cited serious communication problems between PennDOT, State Police and emergency management officials, among others. Lack of accurate road conditions, a shutdown of the statewide computer systems and delays in getting plows, and a lack of them on the roads, all contributed to the mess. The Schuylkill County House and Senate delegation are calling for a further investigation into the debacle. Their main concerns center around the lack of privately-contracted snow plows to aid PennDOT’s fleet. The report noted that PennDOT officials have the authority to hire contractors when needed, but there were none available to combat the storm. State Representative Dave Argall said that trying to hire snow plows at the height of the storm is like “suggesting municipalities should wait to hire police officers until the bank is being robbed.” The state paid Witt’s firm over $100-thousand-dollars for the study.

The issues between Schuylkill County and its largest services contractor may come under the scrutiny of the state Auditor General. The state’s financial watchdog, Jack Wagner, tells the Pottsville Republican that he and his staff may conduct a further review of ReDCo’s dealings with the county that were called into question during a three-year financial review by Parente Randolph. That study found that over $439-thousand-dollars in expenses were over charged to the county for services rendered between 2002 and 2004. ReDCo offered a check for about $400-thousand-dollars to settle the matter, with a stipulation that the state Bureau of Financial Operations and the county hold ReDCo harmless from any future scrutiny for those years. The county and BFO have not yet signed off on that request. Schuylkill County Commissioner Mantura Gallagher provided Parente-Randolph’s findings to Wagner’s office. Other state agencies may also take a look at the report for any possible wrongdoing. The county contracts with Pottsville-based ReDCo for more than $8-million-dollars in services annually.

A Mahanoy City man, wanted by Luzerne county authorities, was apprehended last night. The events took an interesting turn as a borough officer saw Ronald Kennedy, who had outstanding warrants for aggravated assault and robbery in neighboring Luzerne County, walking on South Street. They tried to contain him, but he fled on foot. Officials thought that Kennedy got into a car, so a dragnet and roadblocks were issued for the car they though he was driving. That wasn’t the case, since Kennedy was still on foot near the spot where he was first located. Police were able to apprehend Kennedy without incident a short time later. Additional charges are expected to be filed.

No one was injured in a two vehicle crash near the entrance to Lake Wynonah Monday afternoon. Heidi Fique was southbound on Route 183, attempting to turn into the development when she ventured into the path of a Mustang driven by Michael Paulin of Schuylkill Haven, which was headed north. The cars collided, moderately damaging both vehicles. Neither driver complained of injuries, but Schuylkill Haven State Police expect to charge Fique in the incident.
The crash happened after 3pm.

A routine traffic stop near Tamaqua nabs a Pottsville man wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant. James Lempfert was stopped on Route 209 Monday afternoon by state police. When they checked his registration on the computer, police discovered Lempfert was wanted by Summit Township Police, Somerset County, for DUI and other charges. Frackville troopers took him into custody, and sent him to Schuylkill County Prison to await extradition to Somerset County.

National and State News-Wednesday, March 28th

WASHINGTON (AP) - Congressional Democrats say President Bush will eventually have to accept some sort of deal on Iraq troop withdrawals in return for the (b) billions of dollars he wants to fund the war. Bush is threatening to veto any spending bill containing a timetable.

BAGHDAD (AP) - The other shoe has dropped following deadly bombings northwest of Baghdad. Off-duty Shiite policemen in Tal Afar killed at least 45 Sunni residents today in apparent revenge for two truck bombings that killed at least 63 people yesterday.

ATLANTA (AP) - A new study and new guidelines are recommending changes in the way some women get checked for breast cancer. The study says women diagnosed with the disease should get both an M-R-I and mammograms. New American Cancer Society guidelines say the same holds true for women at high risk for the disease.

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - A Philippine day care center founder with a penchant for grabbing attention says he'll release a busload of hostages later this morning. The man says he took his students hostage to protest corruption and demand better lives for the children. The incident comes with mid-term elections scheduled in May.

LONDON (AP) - The author of "The Da Vinci Code" has beaten back efforts from two authors who claimed he stole their book ideas for his best-seller. Dan Brown testified for several days during the British hearing last year. Both books are based on a theory that Jesus and Mary Magdalene married and had a child.


PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The financial picture is looking brighter for most of the state's general hospitals. But a state report released today says many facilities in smaller communities and
rural areas continue to struggle. Net patient revenue, which is the amount hospitals receive for
care, grew to 29-point-seven (b) billion dollars in the that ended June 30th. That's up seven-point-two percent from the year before. However, not all of the news was good at the 170 hospitals included in the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council's tally. Fifty-five hospitals -- nearly a third of the state's total -- reported negative operating margins for the year. Those tend to be in small towns.

GREENSBURG, Pa. (AP) - State Senator Robert Regola is expected to be arraigned today in Greensburg. Regola is accused of improperly storing a handgun that his 14-year-old neighbor used to kill himself. He's also accused of lying about it to authorities investigating the death of Louis Farrell. The perjury and weapons charges against him are felonies. Regola's lawyer says his client is entitled to the presumption of innocence. He wouldn't address the specific allegations against Regola. If Regola is convicted of perjury, he will automatically lose
his Senate seat. It's unclear if he could keep his seat if convicted of other charges, but not perjury.

EBENSBURG, Pa. (AP) - A hearing is scheduled today about whether the Humane Society of Cambria County must reveal who adopted a puppy. A couple who gave the four-month-old golden retriever to the society wants the dog back, but the Humane Society won't say who
adopted it. Now Trevor and Judy Yardley want a judge to order the Humane Society to say who adopted the dog. The society's director says Judy Yardley was adamant about giving up the dog when she brought it in on March 20th. It was adopted about an hour later. The Yardleys say their puppy was put up for adoption by mistake.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) - About 300 union employees at FreightCar America's plant near Johnstown are out of work this week. The railroad freight car maker announced last month it would be laying off 237 workers at the plant this month. More employees have been added to that number. The company says a slowdown in orders prompted the layoffs. Officials say they are hopeful the company will be able to provide some level of work for the foreseeable future.
They say about 75 of the 300 workers laid off could return to work. The company employs another 190 union workers.

LINTHICUM, Md. (AP) - The United Mine Workers of America has authorized a strike at two Foundation Coal operations in Waynesburg and one in Illinois. The union says Foundation has
failed to respond to requests for information needed for contract negotiations. Union president Cecil Roberts says the union doesn't want to strike on April Fourth, but the company isn't giving the union much choice. A call seeking comment from Linthicum, Maryland-based Foundation
was not immediately returned.

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. (AP) - The Slippery Rock School Board has discontinued a program that handed out fluoride tablets to students. The district will notify parents of the decision, and nurses will tell parents who want to continue the fluoride how to get the tablets. Board members took the vote Tuesday after teachers said they were worried about the legality of handling the prescription medicine. For the past 15 years, teachers in the district have given one fluoride tablet daily to students who wanted to participate in the program. But the school board solicitor has said teachers should not dispense the supplements.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A state Senate Committee hearing that was called to answer questions on Governor Ed Rendell's proposed new tax on oil companies only seemed to create more. For instance, the gross profits tax apparently would apply to 274 businesses that have a stake in vehicle and heating fuel sold in Pennsylvania -- not just oil giants. That could include smaller distributors and producers in Pennsylvania. The latter did not go over well with some Republicans on the Transportation Committee, who said they felt the Democratic governor has advertised the tax as a way to tap into Big Oil's gushing profits. In addition, the tax could apply to the profits that companies reap from other lines of business, not just oil. A Revenue Department spokesman says that scenario will depend on how a company is structured.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A judge says Congressman Bob Brady can remain on the ballot for Philadelphia mayor despite an omission on his financial statement. Brady didn't list his city pension in papers he filed with his nominating petition for the Democratic primary. In the past,
candidates have been removed from the ballot for similar omissions. But a judge ruled that he believes the pension is a "governmentally mandated payment," which need not be listed.
The judge says other complaints about Brady's financial statement were minor and that an amended filing is enough to fix them. The legal challenge is backed by rival candidates Tom Knox and Dwight Evans. The plaintiffs are expected to appeal the ruling.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A Pittsburgh police commander who was demoted last year after she criticized a mayoral nominee says she'd do it all over again. Catherine McNeilly says she "had to" criticize the mayor's nominee to head the city's public safety bureau or bad things would
happen. The mayor has agreed to pay McNeilly 85-thousand dollars and legal fees to settle her lawsuit, but isn't acknowledging any wrongdoing. Police Chief Nate Harper maintains the demotion to lieutenant was because McNeilly released some confidential records -- a disciplinary action report about a police officer. A judge ruled in January that McNeilly was likely to win her lawsuit and ordered her back to work. Her rank of commander was
restored at that time.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Justice Department aide in the middle of the political storm over the firing of eight federal prosecutors isn't even discussing the case with her mother in Pennsylvania. Monica Goodling's lawyer says she's planning to invoke her Fifth Amendment right not to answer questions from the Senate about the firings. Last night, as Goodling was on her way to becoming a household name, Goodling spoke with her mother, Cindy Fitt of Osceola Mills. Her mother gave her a vote of confidence, saying Goodling has very high personal standards. Goodling graduated from Northeastern High School in Manchester and from Messiah College in Grantham. She's on voluntary leave as the Justice Department's White House
liaison.

Local News-Tuesday, March 27th

Federal investigators say they found "flagrant violations" at the R&D Coal Company mine in Tremont Township where a worker died in a methane gas explosion last year. The U-S Mine Safety and Health Administration says in a report released yesterday that R-and-D Coal Company is the first company cited for flagrant violations under new federal rules forged last year. Federal officials say R-and-D lacked adequate ventilation, safe blasting practices and other proper procedures at its Buck Mountain Slope Mine. The report says those factors directly contributed to the death October 23rd of a veteran miner, 43-year-old Dale Reightler.
State regulators revoked R-and-D's permit to operate the Buck Mountain site. They found 22 state violations and said the company's alleged cover-up of a similar blast in 2004 might have contributed to Reightler's death. It was the first fatality in an underground Pennsylvania anthracite mine in more than eight years.

A Reading man was picked up by Pottsville police after he was caught breaking into a city home.
Around 10:40pm Sunday, officers responded to a break-in at 800 North 2nd Street, owned by the Pottsville Housing Authority. Neighbors saw a man entering the property through a rear door, which was posted no trespassing and had been vacant since the prior tenant moved out.
Raymond Schell of Reading was apprehended, an a screwdriver used to pry open a window found. Schell said he was picking up clothing that was left there. He also appeared to be drunk.
Schell was arraigned on charges of criminal trespass, prowling and other offenses. He was committed to Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $15-thousand-dollars, 10 percent bail.

If you see more police officers on area roadways this spring and summer, its because they are cracking down on aggressive drivers. The PennDOT Smooth Operator is back in operation.
The program was funded in a 12-county-pilot project last year with positive results, and was expanded statewide, with funding from the Department of Transportation. The Pennsylvania State Police, along with 10 municipal police departments will participate, targeting Routes 61, 309, 901 and 209. Aggressive driving takes many forms, including speeding, tailgating and weaving in and out of traffic. The money will pay for training, overtime and equipment. The program will run through March 31st, then in July, August and September. During the first wave of Smooth Operator last year, over 18-thousand citations and arrests were issued in the 12 county area, including Schuylkill.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is expanding assistance to Schuylkill County for damage to public infrastructure during November, 2006 flooding. The agency made the announcement yesterday. Government and municipal authorities, school districts and private non-profit organizations are now eligible for all categories of public assistance. The aid will provide federal funds to pay 75 percent of the approved costs for removing debris, emergency services related to the disaster and repairing or replacing roads, buildings and utilities damaged by the storms. The state has pledged to pay for the remaining 25 percent. A briefing will be held for local officials shortly to explain how qualifying candidates can apply for funding.

A visitor to the State Correctional Institution at Frackville was caught with drugs during a weekend visit. Mary Louise Nixon of Woodland, Pennsylvania, consented to a routine search of her vehicle Saturday morning in the prison parking lot. Prison officials found cocaine inside of her vehicle. Charges were filed against Nixon in the office of District Judge Bernadette Nahas. She will receive a summons to appear in court to answer those charges.

Two people who vandalized a Minersville church in February have been caught by Minersville Police. Kevin Smith and an unidentified juvenile were apprehended and charged with vandalizing the Church of the Broken Pieces in Minersville. According to the Pottsville Republican and Herald, Smith and the teen were charged with vandalism, criminal mischief and conspiracy, ethnic intimidation and other offenses. The pair spray painted grafitti on the church on February 21st or 22nd. The investigation led to confessions from the two men.
Charges were filed in the office of District Judge Charles Moran.

A Pottsville woman had minor injuries after a two vehicle crash near Cabela’s Sunday night. Hamburg State Police say that Christopher Rae-Kelly of Attleboro, Massachusetts was driving east on Mountain Road, turning left onto the access road leading to Dunkin’ Donuts and Pizza Hut near Cabela’s when he drove into the car driven by Madeline Gravish of Pottsville. Gravish exited her car before putting it in park, and it rolled over her leg. She was taken to Reading Hospital for treatment. Rae-Kelly will be cited for a turning violation.

National and State News-Tuesday, March 27th

GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba (AP) - A former kangaroo skinner who has been detained at the U-S camp for terror suspects in Cuba since 2002 could be back in his native Australia by the end of the year. David Hicks has pleaded guilty to helping al-Qaida fight the
United States. The U-S has agreed to let Hicks serve his sentence in Australia.

WASHINGTON (AP) - F-B-I Director Robert Mueller is to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee today on F-B-I abuse of the Patriot Act. The Justice Department's inspector general has outlined instances of illegal or improper gathering of telephone, e-mail and financial records of Americans and foreigners while pursuing terrorists.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran says 15 British sailors and marines are in good health and being treated humanely. Iran says it detained the 15 on Friday because they had trespassed into Iranian territory. Britain disputes that and is demanding their release.

JERUSALEM (AP) - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says peace in the Middle East is possible before President Bush leaves office. She says the Israeli and Palestinian leaders have agreed to meet every two weeks to discuss day to day issues, as well as the "political horizon."

UNDATED (AP) - The only female umpire in professional baseball is about to get a taste of the big leagues. Ria Cortesio will be on the bases Thursday for an exhibition game between Arizona and the Chicago Cubs. A woman ump hasn't called a big league exhibition game since 1989, and no woman has ever worked in the majors during the regular season.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The state Senate's Transportation Committee will hold a hearing today on Governor Ed Rendell's plan to impose a new gross profits tax on oil companies.
Rendell proposed the new tax last month as a way to raise more than 700 (m) million dollars annually to fund the state's mass transit agencies. Legislators have questioned whether it's possible to keep the companies from passing on the cost to motorists.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Governor Ed Rendell will release a report today with the findings from an evaluation of Pennsylvanias response to the Valentine's Day snow storm. Rendell says he also will propose changes to the state's emergency response system. Rendell's transportation chief, Allen Biehler, says the report will blame local officials as well as the state
Department of Transportation. The storm left a colossal traffic jam on Interstate 78. Hundreds
of motorists spent a frigid night in their vehicles, many without food or water.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Classes resume today at Community College of Philadelphia.
Employees had been on strike for nearly two weeks before negotiators worked out a deal on Sunday. About 14-hundred employees had been on strike, leading to classes being canceled for about 37-thousand students.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Republican lawmakers say they have reservations about imposing a new payroll tax to help expand state-subsidized health insurance. Governor Ed Rendell is calling for a payroll tax on an estimated 100-thousand-plus employers that do not currently insure their employees. The tax rate would be three percent for each of the first three years, then increase to three-and-a-half percent in the fourth year.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The top brass in the Philadelphia Police Department is taking on street duty. Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson says every officer from captain on up will work four hours, one night a week, in uniform in a high-crime area. Johnson says that includes himself, plus about 150 captains, inspectors, chief inspectors and deputy commissioners.
Johnson says it will give regular patrol officers more flexibility and increase police presence in those areas. He says the order starts Monday and will continue indefinitely. The city already has nearly a hundred homicides so far this year and March isn't over yet. The homicide clearance rate has dropped to 56 percent from 62 percent in January. A big problem is
witnesses who aren't willing to talk to police.

EASTON, Pa. (AP) - The widow of an Easton police officer who was fatally shot by another police officer has filed a 20 (m) million dollar lawsuit. Carin Sollman alleges that the death of her husband, officer Jesse Sollman, was a result of a lack of safety procedures and discipline in the police department. Sollman was killed in a hall outside a gun-cleaning room and armory after he and the officer who fired the shot, Matthew Renninger, returned from a training exercise.
Renninger was on paid leave for more than a year after the shooting, and then was allowed to retire. His attorney, Gary Asteak, says Renninger should not be named in the lawsuit.
A state grand jury said Sollman's death was an accident and recommended that no charges be filed against Renninger, but it did recommend firing him and criticized a lack of policies and
procedures in the department.

Local News-Monday, March 26th

Two children were injured in a crash in Shenandoah yesterday afternoon. Shenandoah police say Michael Carduff was backing out of the parking lot at Annunciation BVM church and struck a parked car. He went back into the lot and hit a pickup truck then drove down Columbus Street, where his car hit another car with four people in it. Carduff’s car ended up running through a garage. The Pottsville Republican reports that two children were hurt, and flown to the hospital for treatment. Carduff refused medical treatment at the scene. The crash happened before 1pm Sunday.

A noontime fire in Shenandoah damages two homes on Coal Street. Firefighters responded to 211 and 213 West Coal Street, finding smoke coming from the roof. According to the Pottsville Republican, a woman inside at 213 West Coal did not want to leave and was rescued by a paramedic on scene. Quick work by firefighters contained the fire to the roofs of both homes. Damage was minimal. The cause is deemed accidental.

Two Tamaqua women were hurt in a one vehicle crash on Tumbling Run Road early Sunday morning. Schuylkill Haven State Police say that 25-year-old Jan McGee was driving her SUV, and became distracted while talking on her cell phone. The car left the road, struck several guiderails and and two trees, then rolled down a bank. McGee was trapped in the car, and suffered serious injuries. She was taken to Geisinger Medical Center for treatment via life flight. Her passenger, Monica Mika, was ejected from the car and taken to Pottsville Hospital by a passerby for treatment. The investigation continues.

A Tennessee truck driver is in Schuylkill County Prison for drunk driving late Saturday night.
Frackville State Police say that Tony Lockhart of Millington, Tennessee lost control of his rig on the ramp from Route 309 to Interstate 81 and flipped onto its right side. Troopers determined he was driving under the influence and taken into custody. Following arraignment, he was lodged in Schuylkill County Prison on $20-thousan-dollars bail. The crash happened at 10pm Saturday.

It was a busy weekend for police during DUI enforcement patrols. The roving patrols netted one DUI arrest, 23 other traffic citations and 7 criminal arrests Saturday night. The North Central PA Regional Sobriety Checkpoint program involved 7 police departments. The enforcement program is funded by PennDOT and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The 2007 Great Pottsville Cruise car was unveiled yesterday. Under bright blue skies, the red 1992 Corvette was unveiled to the public for the very first time at the home of its sponsor, Pioneer Pole Buildings, Incorporated in Wayne Township. This is Pioneer’s first year as the cruise car sponsor. Bob Greene, owner of Pioneer Pole Building, said his company gives back to the community in many ways because of his love for the area, and wishes that other businesses would do the same. He said he has had opportunities to move his company out of the area, but he has chosen to stay put to bolster the economy, provide jobs and improve the area. The car will be raffled off during the 14th Great Pottsville Cruise in August. Non-profit organizations can purchase blocks of tickets to be sold to the public, with one lucky ticketholder sure to drive away in the beautiful sports car. The organizations who sell tickets can make money for their worthwhile projects. Tickets can be obtained by contacting Cruise Chairman Jerry Enders at Jerry’s Northeast Auto Sales, or at 12 Volt Dave’s Audio or Hadesty’s Hardware in Pottsville.
The cruise is set for August 8th through the 12th.

Three people are suspected of starting a fire in an SUV in Girardville Saturday. Girardville police picked up an adult and two juveniles on suspicion that they set the fire that destroyed the vehicle parked in the rear of an Ogden Street home early Saturday. The fire was quickly contained so that it didn’t spread to neighboring homes. The unidentified suspects are accused of arson, and have been tied to other vandalism cases. The adult is in Schuylkill County Prison. The younger suspects are under the care of juvenile authorities.

Schuylkill County’s bus transportation system is developing new routes in the Tamaqua area, and want to share those changes with residents. STS is inviting members of the public to participate in a meeting at the Tamaqua High Rise on Wednesday morning at 10am. STS officials will review proposed route changes concerning the Hazleton Connection, as well as the new service scheduled for the new Wal-Mart store in Hometown, expected to be opened soon.
Current route and fare information for the transportation network is available by calling STS, toll-free, at 800-832-3322.

National and State News-Monday, March 26th

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush still stands behind Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, even as more Republican lawmakers are questioning whether he can hang on. On the Sunday talk shows, Senators Arlen Specter, Lindsey Graham and Chuck Hagel all voiced concerns about Gonzales' truthfulness in explaining the firings of eight U-S attorneys.

GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba (AP) - An Australian man is scheduled to be arraigned today on charges that he trained with al-Qaida and fought for the Taliban in Afghanistan. David Hicks is the first Guantanamo detainee charged under new rules for military
trials. Hicks has been held since 2002.

LONDON (AP) - British Prime Minister Tony Blair says the detention of 15 British sailors and marines by Iran is a "very serious situation." Blair says the Britons were not operating in
Iranian waters despite what Tehran says. Iran says the Britons could be tried for illegally entering Iranian waters off Iraq.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The largest study of child care and development in the United States shows a link between length of time in day care and behavior. The more time children spend in
child care, the more likely they are to have behavior problems in sixth grade. Also, quality child care resulted in higher vocabulary scores than low quality care.

UNDATED (AP) - Men's college basketball's Final Four are set. A rematch of last year's championship game will feature Florida against U-C-L-A. In the other semifinal, Georgetown will take on Ohio State. Georgetown defeated North Carolina in overtime yesterday.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Three reports say Pennsylvania's economic growth and quality of life are being undermined by outdated laws governing how municipalities function. The studies were conducted by the Pennsylvania Economy League, Penn State University and the Washington-based Brookings Institution. They say that improvement will come if municipal officials are given the ability, for example, to pool health-care costs or save money by regionalizing services. The economy league study says half of all Pennsylvanians live in
municipalities where taxes are rising, available services are dwindling and the population is moving away.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Negotiators for the Community College of Philadelphia and about 14-hundred faculty and staff have reached a tentative contract agreement that could end the faculty's nearly two-week-old walkout. The agreement will go to the faculty tonight for a ratification vote. College officials say if the faculty agrees, and it if the pact is approved by the schoo's board of trustees, students could return to class tomorrow. Faculty members have been told to return to work today. Union spokesman John Braxton says the agreement would allow
workers to have health care without co-payments. Salary was another major sticking point in the walkout that began March 13th. The college has about 37-thousand students.

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. (AP) - Police in Bloomsburg say they could know today whether skeletal remains found in the woods are those of missing university student Garrett Jay. The York County man was a student at Bloomsburg University when he disappeared ten months ago.
Police say clothing and personal items found with the skeleton on Saturday are consistent with what Jay would have had at the time.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Some Republican senators are questioning whether Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is being truthful about the firing of federal prosecutors. Pennsylvania's Arlen Specter is the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee. He says if the panel finds out Gonzales hasn't been "candid and truthful," that would be "a very compelling reason" for him to go. Gonzales is scheduled to testify before the committee next month. Specter says he'll wait until then to decide whether he'll continue to support Gonzales. Senator Chuck Hagel has already made up his mind on one point. The Nebraska Republican says Gonzales "does have a credibility problem." He adds the nation can't have its chief law enforcement officer "with a cloud hanging over his credibility." Specter appeared on N-B-C's "Meet the Press," and Hagel was on A-B-C's "This Week."

PITTSBURGH (AP) - With a new arena and a casino on the horizon and other projects underway, the Pittsburgh region is about to go on the largest construction boom since the late 1990s. Richard Stanizzo, business manager of the Pittsburgh Building and Construction Trades Council, says the multiyear projects may at times strain the labor pool. But, he says, that's a good problem. The council is the umbrella organization representing 20-thousand trades workers in the greater Pittsburgh region. Jason Fincke of the Builders Guild of Western Pennsylvania says carpenters and iron workers are already at full employment. Stanizzo says the council will be seeking out workers, possibly from as far away as Erie and Altoona, to meet demand.

GUYS MILLS, Pa. (AP) - The Erie National Wildlife Refuge is going native, plant-wise.
Administrators at the nearly nine-thousand acre refuge no longer plan to provide land to farmers to raise crops and instead want to reintroduce native vegetation. Refuge manager Tom Roster says plans call for farming to be phased out over eight years, beginning next year.
That means farmers will have to find someplace else to raise some crops. Farmers didn't pay a lease, but instead gave 20 percent of their yield to the refuge, which went to feed and shelter migrating waterfowl and other wildlife. Refuge officials say farming provided little benefit. They also say the refuge is downsizing and doesn't have the time or staff to devote to crops.
The 48-year-old refuge is in Crawford County about 25 miles south of Erie.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Pittsburgh Zoo and P-P-G Aquarium will close tomorrow through Thursday for renovations. Zoo officials say they wanted to ensure visitor safety during
the work, which includes painting and paving. The zoo will resume its normal schedule on Friday.

Local News - Saturday Mar. 24

Cardinal Brennan to close

After months of study and consideration, the Diocese of Allentown has announced its decision regarding Cardinal Brennan High School. It will close at the end of the year. Bishop Edward Cullen, the Diocese's highest official, made the announcement in a letter sent to parents, citing studies by consultants and officials that the school faces significant financial and enrollment challenges. According to WNEP, Cullen said that the students would receive a warm welcome at Marian Catholic in Hometown or at Nativity BVM in Pottsville. Seventh and eighth grade students will have the opportunity for schooling at Trinity Academy in Shenandoah.

Two Alleged Shooter's Arraigned

Two 19-year-old Pottsville men charged with going on a shooting spree of vehicles and homes in the city's Fifth Ward last month appeared in district court Friday afternoon for their preliminary hearings. According to the Republican and Herald, Alex J. Bulino, and Jonathan W. Kline, both remain in Schuylkill County Prison and were escorted to the Pottsville office of Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley. Bulino waived his right to a hearing on five separate complaints and will have to appear in county court. In connection with the shooting spree that occurred during the early morning hours of Feb. 19, Pottsville Police Detective Steven Guers charged the man with criminal mischief, recklessly endangering another person, possessing instruments of crime, disorderly conduct, criminal conspiracy and discharging a firearm into an occupied structure. Reiley denied a request for a bail reduction on the charges and remanded Bulino to prison under the original bond of $20,000 straight cash. Reiley continued bail of 10 percent of $10,000 in the four other cases against Bulino. They included:a burglary at VG’s X-Sport Shop at 439 Harrison St., Pottsville; the theft of the .22-caliber rifle used in the shooting spree; an incident involving underage drinking in the 500 block of Fairview Street; and the theft of a BMX-style bicycle.In connection with the shooting spree, Guers charged Kline with criminal mischief, recklessly endangering another person, possessing instruments of crime, disorderly conduct, criminal conspiracy and discharging a weapon into an occupied structure. After a brief hearing, Reiley ordered charges against Kline on two separate complaints held for county court. The judge maintained the $20,000 amount, but said Kline will now be allowed to post 10 percent instead of the full amount. The second complaint against Kline stems from the theft at VG’s X-Sport Shop. In that case, Guers charged the man with burglary, criminal trespass, theft, receiving stolen property, criminal conspiracy and corruption of minors. Police Capt. Ronald Moser said a teenager faces charges of criminal mischief, criminal conspiracy, discharging a firearm into an occupied structure, recklessly endangering another person, possessing instruments of crime and disorderly conduct. Moser said the teen will be processed through county juvenile authorities. Guers said Kline, Bulino and the juvenile used a stolen sawed-off .22-caliber rifle to shoot out windows in six vehicles and four homes, three of which were occupied. Police said all three admitted to committing the random crimes and that they did so for fun.

Stand off in Lansford

A police standoff ended in Lansford, Carbon County yesterday after a man with a gun barricaded himself in a Kline Alley home. Shots were fired inside and outside of the home by 37-year-old Lee Walck at his home around 3:30am Friday morning, bringing police to the scene. Police were forced to cordon off a two block radius surrounding the home. A tense standoff ensued with state and local police, until Walck finally surrendered peacefully around 9am. No one else was home at the time. Because the home was very close to the Panther Valley Middle School, the school was closed, along with Our Lady of Angels School. Walck was arraigned yesterday afternoon for a variety of offenses. It is not yet known why Walck began shooting.

Cressona Textile fire still unsolved one year later

One year later, and still no arrests in the Cressona Textile Waste fire. It was early Sunday morning, March 26th, when neighbors near the Front Street factory reported seeing flames from the loading dock. When it was over more than 24 hours later, the building lay in total ruin. The cause was deemed suspicious. WPPA News spoke with State Police Fire Marshal John Burns of the Frackville Barracks, and he said that the investigation is still active, but no arrests have been made. He declined to elaborate about any specifics in the case. Owner Lee Winstian (win-steen) has posted a reward for information leading to the arrest of the people who started the fire that caused more than $1.5 million dollars in damage. His company continues to operate from another location in the Cressona area.

Break in at R&D Coal

Thieves took tools and equipment from a coal mining operation in Tremont Township earlier this week. State police say that someone broke into a garage and storage shed at the R&D Coal Company between Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Rolls of coiled copper and various equipment was stolen. The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information should call 593-2000.

Double crash in Blythe Township

A New Ringgold man was involved in two crashes on Mountain Road Thursday night. Todd Daldos was driving north, lost control on a right curve and hit the oncoming car operated by Charles Kadingo of Orwigsburg. Daldos' car continued on and struck a second vehicle driven by Francis Kane of Schuylkill Haven a short distance down the road. No one was injured, but Daldos was arrested for drunk driving. Charges are pending blood alcohol test results.

Crash in Pottsville

A Pottsville woman's car was heavily damaged in a two vehicle crash outside of the city last night. Shelby Miske (miss-kee) was pulling her van from the Rite Aid parking lot on Mill Creek Avenue and struct a pickup operated by Amy Dillman. Miske's van was heavily damaged, while Dillman's truck had moderate damage. Neither were hurt. Pottsville Police are continuing their investigation.

STS reminds seniors about free rides

The Schuylkill Transportation System is reminding senior citizens about free rides on system busses. All county residents over the age of 65, with proper identification, can ride free all day compliments of the Pennsylvania Lottery and the Schuylkill County Office of Senior Services. STS staff will be available to register all seniors interested in freetransportation from 10:30 AM to noon on several dates in April. Seniors who are able to show proof of age will receive their bus passes right away at these registrations. For a complete list, log on to wpparadio.com, or call STS toll free at 800-832-3322.

Smoke Free Rally Set

In recognition of National Kick Butts Day, North Central Pennsylvania's BUSTED! teens kickin' nicotine will lead an impressive 2007 regional Kick Butts Day event, "MISSION POSSIBLE II: SMOKE-FREE PENNSYLVANIA" on Wednesday, March 28 from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM at the Bloomsburg Town Park. The program highlights will include presentations made by keynote speaker Brian Roth, Vice President of Grassroots for Ignite National (www.ignitegeneration.org) headquartered in Washington D.C.; Marisa Cooper, a senior at Shenandoah Valley High School, the President of North Central Pennsylvania's BUSTED! teens kickin' nicotine and Claude Renninger, the Mayor of Bloomsburg. The purpose of this event is to generate awareness and create change for Pennsylvania - motivating people in our communities to live healthy, tobacco-free lifestyles and support clean indoor air legislation. North Central Pennsylvania's BUSTED! teens kickin' nicotine MISSION is to collect 2,500 letters in support of smoke-free workplace legislation and to hand deliver them to their area legislators in April. More than 10 schools with over 200 students will be participating. They include Danville High School, Shikellamy School District, Bloomsburg Middle School, Tri-Valley Jr./Sr. High School in Hegins, North Schuylkill Jr./Sr. High School in Ashland, All Saints Catholic School in Pottsville, Selinsgrove Area High School, Shenandoah Valley High School in Shenandoah, Hope Academy in Danville, Milton High School, and student board of directors from Hazleton's Serento Gardens. This event is made possible by Clinical Outcomes Group Inc. with funding through the Pennsylvania Department of Health; Wood-Mode, Inc. in Kreamer; Weis Markets; Wal-Mart in Selinsgrove; GIANT; Tulpehocken Mountain Spring Water; DJ Ray Productions and the Schuylkill County Tobacco-Free Youth Coalition. For more information, call Angela Morgan, KBD Committee Member from Clinical Outcomes Group Inc. at 1-800-264-1290. In case of inclement weather, this event will be held at the Bloomsburg YMCA, 30 East Seventh Street. The public is invited to join our youth in their MISSION to make Pennsylvania SMOKE-FREE.

State News - Saturday Mar. 24

WEST CALN TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) - A Chester County man who shot and killed a beloved police dog will not face animal cruelty charges. Authorities say an investigation determined that the shooter, Dennis Herr, would not have been able to see the badge, leash or anything else that would have distinguished the police dog -- Nelo -- from a coyote. Herr told police he thought he was shooting at a coyote on property he owns in West Caln Township back in November. The 16-month-old dog ran off after being frightened off by fireworks on November 26th and was found in dead in nearby woods several days later.

AVONDALE, Pa. (AP) - A Cub Scout treasurer from Chester County is charged with theft. State police say 35-year-old Carolyn Jo Pate stole 48-hundred dollars from the account of Pack 272. Investigators say she's been stealing money in increments since last April, when her stint as treasurer started. Her stint ended this month. Police did not say what they believe she allegedly spent all that money on. Pate faces multiple charges, including writing bad checks.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Firefighters rescued a woman and three children from their West Philadelphia apartment early this morning. Fire broke out in Big D's Playhouse Lounge, which is below their apartment. Flames badly damaged the lounge. Smoke billowed above into the apartment where the woman and children were. They suffered smoke inhalation, but are reported in good condition at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. No other injuries have been reported. Investigators have not said what sparked the fire.

National and International News - Saturday Mar. 24

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Storms that spawned tornadoes in New Mexico yesterday are expected to move into Texas today. At least 16 people in New Mexico were hurt and two dozen homes destroyed by 13 tornadoes.

WASHINGTON (AP) - New documents show Attorney General Alberto Gonzales signed off on the plan last fall to fire several U-S attorneys. Earlier, Gonzales said he was aware that some of the dismissals were being discussed but was not involved in them.

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - President Bush calls a vote by the House to pull combat troops out of Iraq by next year "political theater." Bush is promising to veto any such measure, even though it includes much needed funding to fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

PENTAGON (AP) - A Pentagon investigation concludes nine military officers should be held accountable for missteps after the death of Army Ranger Pat Tillman in Afghanistan. The ambush death was initially reported as friendly fire. Senior defense officials say the inspector general won't recommend any specific punishment.

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has canceled a trip to New York to speak to the U-N Security Council. It's set to vote tomorrow to impose further sanctions against Iran for refusing to stop enriching uranium.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Rat poison may be to blame in the deaths of at least 15 cats and a dog. It's been discovered in samples of pet food produced by Menu Foods. Scientists say more pet deaths will likely be linked to the tainted food. The company has recalled all 95 brands of its "cuts and gravy" pet food.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - An airline passenger who claimed to have smallpox -- doesn't, according to North Carolina health officials. The man's claim prompted authorities to quarantine the U-S Airways jet he was on for several hours yesterday in Charlotte.

NEW YORK (AP) - Model Naomi Campbell has completed her five days of community service at a garbage truck garage in New York City. Campbell was sentenced to the clean-up duty for striking her maid in the head with a cell phone. Campbell's boss for the week says she was pleasant the "entire time."

LOS ANGELES (AP) - He still says there's a chance he's the father of Anna Nicole Smith's daughter. Zsa Zsa Gabor's husband provided a D-N-A sample today. Frederic von Anhalt says he's "almost sure" the test will prove he's the father of six-month-old Dannielynn. He claims he had a long-running affair with Smith.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Twenty-one-year-old Rachel Smith says she's going to be "honest and open" as the new Miss U-S-A. The journalism graduate from Tennessee was crowned in last night's pageant, succeeding Tara Conner, whose reign was marred by publicity surrounding her struggle with alcoholism.

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) - A Brazilian woman has been sentenced to 19 years in prison for stabbing her husband to death and then frying his body parts. Police say the killing was either a black magic ritual or an attempt to collect life insurance.

BREAKING NEWS-FRIDAY AFTERNOON

From WPPA and T102 News:

After months of study and consideration, the Diocese of Allentown has announced its decision regarding Cardinal Brennan High School. It will close at the end of the year. Bishop Edward Cullen, the Diocese’s highest official, made the announcement in a letter sent to parents, citing studies by consultants and officials that the school faces significant financial and enrollment challenges. According to WNEP, Cullen said that the students would receive a warm welcome at Marian Catholic in Hometown or at Nativity BVM in Pottsville. Seventh and eighth grade students will have the opportunity for schooling at Trinity Academy in Shenandoah.

A police standoff is over in Lansford, Carbon County today after a man with a gun barricaded himself in a Kline Alley home. Shots were fired inside and outside of the home by 37-year-old Lee Walck at his home around 3:30am, bringing police to the scene. Police were forced to cordon off a two block radius surrounding the home. A tense standoff ensued with state and local police, until Walck finally surrendered peacefully around 9am. No one else was home at the time. Because the home was very close to the Panther Valley Middle School, the school was closed, along with Our Lady of Angels School. Walck was arraigned this afternoon for a variety of offenses. It is not yet known why Walck began shooting.

Local News-Friday, March 23rd

The driver of a school van that injured her and two students will be cited by state police. Lynne Creitz was driving the van transporting Schuylkill Intermediate Unit students when it rolled down a bank in the village of Kaska. State police concluded that she failed to keep the van in her lane, and was cited for it. Creitz and two teenage boys are patients at Lehigh Valley Medical Center. She was transferred there from Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center.
The crash happened after 3pm Tuesday afternoon.

The developer of an ethanol plant to be built in western Schuylkill County received several approvals from county officials this week. Green Holding LLC, based in Emmaus, was given conditional approvals for a several items by the County Planning Commission, according to the Pottsville Republican. The $300-million dollar plant to be constructed near Joliett will produce the corn-based ethanol product and other alternative fuels. The company can now proceed onto the next step, making applications to the state Departments of Environmental Protection and Transportation. That process will take some time to complete.

Third graders at John S. Clarke Elementary Center in Pottsville will have an important job next week. They will vote to provide funds to worthwhile organizations. The Karen Chattin Ney Education Foundation’s “Karen’s Heroes” program sets aside money each year for 5 charities in the community. Karen, a beloved third-grade teacher died of ovarian cancer 9 years ago. The 5 charities making presentations next week are the Pottsville Soup Kitchen, the Sovereign Majestic Theatre, the Schuylkill County Diabetes Organization, which is a new entry, the Pottsville Free Public Library and the Make A Wish Foundation. Students will hear 30-minute presentations every day next week, and determine how much money will be donated to the charities, with each vote worth $7.50. The program teaches kids the value of making donations to worthwhile causes. The program was featured in the American Profile magazine in January, and adopted by an elementary school in Gainesville, Texas. Karen’s Heroes is in its 8th year.

PennDOT is calling on volunteers to help during the Great Pennsylvania Cleanup April 21st.
The Adopt-A-Highway program started in 1990, and now boasts 71-hundred participating groups and organizations. They adopt a section of roadway for a two-year period, and collects litter on it at least 4 times a year. The groups who volunteer during the Great PA cleanup agree to help pickup trash wherever they choose. PennDOT provides all of the necessary supplies. Anyone interested in volunteering should call the Schuylkill County PennDOT office at 385-7812.

The Schuylkill County Commissioners, at Wednesday’s work session, approved a request by Child Development Inc. to submit a continuation grant for subsidized child care services. The grant is for just over $3.7-million-dollars, an increase of almost $900-thousand-dollars over last year’s funding. The grant will serve more than 16-hundred children. In other business, the commissioners approved a request from Mark Scarbinsky of the county Economic Development office to buy the Union Street parking lot from the City of Pottsville for $1.00. The lot is be used in the development of the county’s Intermodal Transit project. In a related matter, the Commissioners approved a request by Scarbinsky on behalf of STS, to authorize a “Notice to Proceed” for phase two of the Intermodal Transit Project. Scarbinsky said this allows the design team to proceed with work tasks as required by the Federal Transit Administration. The cost is estimated at $300-thousand-dollars which is fully funded through the grant program. The office of Senior Services asked approval to accept a low bid of $144-thousand-dollars from Bognet Inc. of Hazleton for renovation of the Tremont Senior Center. Rest Haven asked authorization to award a linen and personal laundry services contract to Paris Healthcare Linen Services, Dubois for a period of two years at a cost of just over $509-thousand-dollars.
The County Election Bureau received approval to hire Diebold Election Systems for preparation work needed for the primary and general elections at a cost of $84,500.

The County Prison recently underwent its annual inspection from the Department of Corrections. Warden Eugene Berdanier told the prison board at its Wednesday meeting that all areas of operations were evaluated and discussed and a copy of their findings will be made available when the report is finalized. Berdanier also said that due to overcrowding, particularly among the female population, additional cots were borrowed from SCI Frackville on approval from Superintendent Robert Shannon. The Warden said a group presentation for female inmates was scheduled for Wednesday by an organization from New York State on various topics including drugs, alcohol, prostitution and criminal activities. The Warden said the group was at the prison last year and was invited back again because of the favorable response to their program. Berdanier also said he is working on security issues for another female- only outreach program entitled “Realize Your Potential”, sponsored by the New Start Foundation from the Philadelphia area.

National and State News-Friday, March 23rd

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - A bill that sets a deadline for withdrawing U-S troops from Iraq faces a very uncertain future. Democrats say passage in the House today would mark a major step toward ending the war. House leaders are increasingly confident of passage but many senators oppose a timetable and President Bush has promised to veto the bill.

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - The United Nations Security Council is poised to vote on a resolution that imposes new sanctions on Iran for continuing to enrich uranium. A vote could come as early as tonight.

WASHINGTON (AP) - One Democratic consultant says presidential candidates often are measured by how they respond under stress. And he says John Edwards has done as well as can be expected in coming forward quickly with word that his wife's cancer had returned.
Edwards is staying in the race but says he'll be by his wife's side whenever she needs him.

CAMERON, Texas (AP) - A Texas jury has acquitted a man whose six dogs fatally mauled his elderly neighbor in her front yard. The victim's husband says he was told the jury acquitted because there was no evidence the dogs were dangerous before the November 2005
attack.

UNDATED (AP) - College students struggling with tuition, books and other expenses have a new financial worry. The cost of birth control pills at student health centers is soaring, because
companies are ending the deep discounts they had provided to colleges. Health officials fear some women will turn to less effective contraception or stop using it altogether.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - "Pride," the film about Philadelphia's inner-city youth swimming program, opens today. The movie stars actor Terrence Howard as the program's coach and
founder, Jim Ellis. It tells the tale of Ellis' first year working for the Philadelphia Department of Recreation. That's when he took a group of city kids with no formal training and turned them into an official swim team. Ellis says he had to watch it three or four times before he
realized it was really about him, not just about his team. That realization, he says, was heavy.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - House Speaker Dennis O'Brien is asking his bipartisan reform panel to shift its focus to an ambitious array of topics. The next set of subjects includes the state law governing the release of government records and how state campaigns are financed. He also wants recommendations about reorganizing the House Ethics Committee, a code of conduct for state representatives, a smaller Legislature, the policy for granting staff bonuses and term
limits. O'Brien is asking the panel to complete deliberations by this summer so that the legislative committees can consider the recommendations. A little more than a week ago, the House of Representatives adopted nearly all of the changes the commission had recommended
regarding the chamber's internal operations.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Board members and employees of Pennsylvania's student-loan agency will face new limitations on travel expenses. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency approved the new policy at a public meeting yesterday. Just days ago, the agency under court order released expense records detailing how board members spent hundreds of thousands of dollars at trips to retreats at upscale resorts from California to
Virginia. While there, they billed the agency for bar tabs, golf outings and spa treatments, as well as hotel rooms, elaborate banquets and the use of state-owned airplanes. The new travel policy will not reimburse things like airline upgrades and limousines, and replaces a policy that was far less specific. It will also require the agency's 20-member board, 16 of whom are state lawmakers, to take per-diem business travel reimbursements established by the Internal Revenue Service. That's instead of being reimbursed for the full cost of their lodging and meals.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Rene Portland is out as Penn State women's basketball coach.
Portland has resigned after 27 years with the Lady Lions. She compiled a record of 606 wins and 236 losses, but also battled allegations that she discriminated against lesbian players.
The university says in a statement that Portland resigned Wednesday night. The move was announced yesterday. Portland built the team into a powerhouse, although the program
had slipped to subpar records in recent seasons. During her tenure, the coach had a string of discrimination allegations lobbed against her. Most recently, Portland settled a lawsuit filed by a former player, Jennifer Harris, who claimed that Portland had a "no-lesbian" policy on her team. Terms of the settlement were not announced.

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Jauquin Byrd has been convicted of the stabbing and bludgeoning death of a catering office receptionist in January 2006. When he heard the verdict last night, Byrd immediately began shoving and kicking courtroom deputies as his family members screamed obscenities. A Montgomery County jury deliberated five-and-a-half hours
before convicting Byrd of first-degree murder, possession of instruments of crime, and lying to authorities in the death of Sarah Boone at Cricket Catering in Ardmore. Deputies handcuffed Byrd and hustled him from the courtroom.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Penn National Gaming says it will close its off-track betting center in Cambria County on June 20th. Manager Alan Flynn says business has been declining despite the company's best efforts to keep the center in Richland Township afloat. Penn National bought the property in 1998 from Ladbrokes and converted it into a multi-entertainment complex. The company says it will work with its 35 employees to find them jobs at other Penn National sites or in the area. Flynn says all eligible workers will get a severance package and
an extension of benefits.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The inbound lanes of Route 28 near Pittsburgh will remain closed this weekend while crews work to clean up a landslide -- and to shore up the hillside that gave way.
PennDOT officials say the outbound lanes will remain open, but inbound traffic will be detoured across the Highland Park Bridge until Monday morning's rush hour. The landslide happened just before the Route Eight interchange in O'Hara Township early yesterday, closing the inbound lanes to traffic. Route 28 is a major artery connecting Pittsburgh with its northern and eastern suburbs and carries about 80-thousand vehicles a day. PennDOT is trying to figure out what caused the landslide. It occurred in an area of the highway that typically doesn't have
those problems.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Wal-Mart says it has taken over control of its portion of a proposed shopping complex in Kilbuck Township, where a massive landslide occurred last year.
Wal-Mart says it has full operational control of the site, relieving the developer A-S-C Development and its subsidiary, Kilbuck Properties. A landslide on September 19th sent rock, dirt and debris onto Route 65, closing the highway for two weeks. One lane still remains
closed. Wal-Mart says it plans to stabilize the site. The state Department of Environmental Protection says it has been notified of Wal-Mart's decision. The D-E-P says that only work
related to ensuring permanent stability of the site will be considered.

Local News-Thursday, March 22nd

Wednesday night, the lights went out in Frackville. Around 9pm, half of the borough lost power. PPL utility crews worked late into the evening to fix the problem. About 2 thousand people were reportedly without power during the outage. PPL officials tell WPPA/T-102 News that all customers had their service restored around 2:20am. A cause has not yet been determined. They expect to know later today.

Additional details have been released in the shooting death of a Tamaqua man. Robert Hartranft is charged with homicide after David Ruhl died in an East Elm Street home Tuesday evening. Reports say the shooting happened after Hartranft went to the home to break up a fight between Ruhl and his girlfriend. Court records say that Ruhl taunted Hartranft by saying that he wasn’t man enough to shoot him. Ruhl then grabbed the barrel of a shotgun and placed it in his own mouth. Hartranft is lodged in Schuylkill County Prison.

Shenandoah police and surrounding departments had to chase a borough man while attempting to serve an arrest warrant Tuesday night. Officials say that they received a tip that 21-year-old Jesse Hernandez, who was being sought by the court for not showing up at a hearing in October last year, was in the borough, at a home on Oak Street. When police arrived, Hernandez bolted out the back door of the home. Officers gave chase through alleys and between homes. Hernandez broke a window in a home on Center Street and ran from rooftop to rooftop until he disappeared. Hernandez is believed to be in the country illegally. The original crimes is charged with stem from a break-in and assault on October 6th, 2006 at a Shenandoah home. He was captured at that time, but never showed up for his hearing.
If anyone has information about Hernandez’s whereabouts, call Shenandoah police at 462-1008.

The Schuylkill County Commissioners, at Wednesday’s work session, approved a request by Child Development Inc. to submit a continuation grant for subsidized child care services. The grant is for just over $3.7-million-dollars, an increase of almost $900-thousand-dollars over last year’s funding. The grant will serve more than 16-hundred children. In other business, the commissioners approved a request from Mark Scarbinsky of the county Economic Development office to buy the Union Street parking lot from the City of Pottsville for $1.00. The lot is be used in the development of the county’s Intermodal Transit project. In a related matter, the Commissioners approved a request by Scarbinsky on behalf of STS, to authorize a “Notice to Proceed” for phase two of the Intermodal Transit Project. Scarbinsky said this allows the design team to proceed with work tasks as required by the Federal Transit Administration. The cost is estimated at $300-thousand-dollars which is fully funded through the grant program. The office of Senior Services asked approval to accept a low bid of $144-thousand-dollars from Bognet Inc. of Hazleton for renovation of the Tremont Senior Center. Rest Haven asked authorization to award a linen and personal laundry services contract to Paris Healthcare Linen Services, Dubois for a period of two years at a cost of just over $509-thousand-dollars. The County Election Bureau received approval to hire Diebold Election Systems for preparation work needed for the primary and general elections at a cost of $84,500.

Court Room Number-One in the Schuylkill County Courthouse is in line for restoration and rehabilitation work. The County Public Works Department is seeking County Commissioners approval to apply for a $100-thousand-dollar grant from DCED to begin the work. No county matching funds are required. At Wednesday’s work session, it was estimated that a total restoration and rehabilitation would cost $355-thousand-dollars. However, other grants may be available to complete the work. The ornate court room has many unique features, such as large murals which need to be restored. Commissioner Gallagher said it’s the second largest court room east of the Mississippi River, and is used for mostly ceremonial events.

To build or not to build a pre-release center was discussed again during Wednesday’s County Prison Board meeting held at the prison. Patricia Paxson of the Prison Society asked if any decision has been made on building the center. A Committee appointed by the Commissioners is presently in discussions with firms who are analyzing the County’s prison system and will make recommendations. The County is also awaiting word on a loan from the US Department of Agriculture for the project, and a decision from the head of the state prison system on whether he will grant permission to build on state-owned land ground near the Frackville State Prison. Commissioner Mantura Gallagher, who conducted Wednesday’s meeting in the absence of Judge William Baldwin, said the USDA is awaiting a decision from the county on the Pre-release center. County Administrator William Reppy said discussions are ongoing with the prison union over possible staffing at a center. If a pre-release Center is built, about 100 eligible inmates would be transferred there, freeing up space in the prison that most times is over-capacity. Paxson received assurances from the prison board that enough space would be available within the prison for rehabilitation programs for long term inmates if 100 inmates are transferred to a pre-release center.

The County Prison recently underwent its annual inspection from the Department of Corrections. Warden Eugene Berdanier told the prison board at its Wednesday meeting that all areas of operations were evaluated and discussed and a copy of their findings will be made available when the report is finalized. Berdanier also said that due to overcrowding, particularly among the female population, additional cots were borrowed from SCI Frackville on approval from Superintendent Robert Shannon. The Warden said a group presentation for female inmates was scheduled for Wednesday by an organization from New York State on various topics including drugs, alcohol, prostitution and criminal activities. The Warden said the group was at the prison last year and was invited back again because of the favorable response to their program. Berdanier also said he is working on security issues for another female- only outreach program entitled “Realize Your Potential”, sponsored by the New Start Foundation from the Philadelphia area.

National and State News-Thursday, March 22nd

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - Congressional Democrats are barreling ahead with legislation aimed at pulling U-S troops out of Iraq next year. House debate is to begin today, with a vote tomorrow. The pullout measures are tacked on to plans that would provide nearly a hundred (b) billion dollars more for the war.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A government report to be released today will detail a laundry list of mistakes and waste in U-S reconstruction efforts in Iraq. The special inspector general for Iraq rebuilding characterizes the effort as chaotic and poorly managed.

BAGHDAD (AP) - U-N Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is flying to Iraq. It's the first visit by a U-N chief in more than a year. He's to meet with Iraq's prime minister, but U-N aides are
staying mum on what they'll discuss.

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - A federal appeals court has tossed out the conviction of a Republican official accused of jamming phones used by a Democratic get-out-the-vote effort in New Hampshire. The panel says the law under which James Tobin was convicted did not match
what he actually did.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A bill that would require women to see ultrasound pictures of their fetuses before having abortions is moving through the South Carolina legislature. Abortion foes think the images will get women to change their minds.


HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's student-loan agency may start cracking down on travel expenses. The board of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency is meeting today to consider a new expense policy. Among other things, the proposal would not pay for charges for excess baggage, airline upgrades, and clothing. The proposal would also prohibit employees from using limousines and require them to use the lowest-priced rental cars available. It also says expenses related to entertaining clients should "not be excessive or extravagant." The changes come following news reports highlighting the agency's spending. The reports detailed how board members spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on trips to upscale resorts in recent years.

BLAIRSVILLE, Pa. (AP) - State police say fire swept through an Indiana County house, killing a former township supervisor. Authorities say firefighters found 57-year-old William Wheeler
dead shortly after seven a-m yesterday in a first-floor bedroom. Wheeler's wife, Susan, says her daughter called about the fire and when she arrived, smoke was billowing from the building.
She says fire officials told her that her husband died in the fire. Officials say some pets also died.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The director of the Pittsburgh branch of the Pennsylvania League of Young Voters says two of the main reasons young people don't vote are that nobody asks them and they don't feel they have enough information about the candidates. So director Khari Mosley says the branch is giving young voters the information they seek on the upcoming primary elections in a medium that is familiar to them. The branch has launched an interactive video voter guide on its Web site. The online guide includes a questionnaire and videos of
candidates answering questions. It will be updated throughout the campaign season.

GREENVILLE, Pa. (AP) - Thiel College says its former dean Robert Olson has been named interim president. The 60-year-old Olson will replace Lance Masters, who announced
his resignation last month. Olson retired from Thiel in 2005 as vice president for academic
affairs and dean of the college. He previously was a history professor at the Mercer County college. Thiel says it will begin looking for a new president in June. Olson will serve as interim president until a candidate is chosen.

UPPER DARBY, Pa. (AP) - Police in suburban Philadelphia say a child who brought a realistic replica of a gun to school apparently thought it was real. The eight-year-old girl told a teacher she needed it "for protection." Upper Darby Township Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood says the third-grader took the authentic-looking replica of a German Luger pistol with her Monday. He says she knew her older brother would not be able to walk her home from the bus stop that day and was afraid to walk home alone. Children told a teacher about the gun, leading to police being called. Chitwood says the girl will be suspended for ten days and could be expelled from school, but she won't be charged with a crime. He says she didn't threaten anyone, so she didn't break any laws.

Local News-Wednesday, March 21st

A shooting in Tamaqua last night leaves one man dead. Borough police responded to the Edward Sestakaukus home at 541 East Elm Street, where shots were reportedly fired. Schuylkill County 9-1-1 told officers that 32-year-old Robert Hartranft was on the phone, stating that he shot and killed 36-year-old David Ruhl. Police found Ruhl’s body inside the home, with a gunshot wound to the head. Hartranft, who lives two doors away, was on the porch of the home, waiting for police. Ruhl was pronounced dead by Schuylkill County Coroner David Dutcavich at 11:45pm. Robert Hartranft was arraigned, and charged with criminal homicide, aggravated and simple assault and other offenses. Because the charges deal with a capital crime, no bail was set. He is in Schuylkill County Prison. Tamaqua police were assisted by Pennsylvania State Police, and surrounding community police departments.

Three people were injured in a school van crash yesterday afternoon. A contracted van transporting students from the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit was southbound on James Street in Kaska when the vehicle went off the west berm of the road. The driver, 57-year-old Lynne Creitz, of Tamaqua, was unable to regain control of the van and it rolled 50 feet down an embankment, ending right side up. A 10 and 15 year old from Tamaqua were hurt and flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital. Creitz was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital for treatment. The crash happened after 3pm.

A Pottsville businessman’s application to convert his private helipad into a Med-E-Vac helicopter site has been denied by the city’s code enforcement officer. Joseph Mazzuca applied for the permit recently to make the change to the helipad area in the Mount Hope section of Pottsville. According to the Pottsville Republican and Herald, Code Enforcement Officer Donnie Chescavage said that the application constituted a “change of use” for the site, and denied the application on that basis. The helipad has been in use by Mazzuca Enterprises for more than 20 years, although city officials cannot find any evidence of an official approval for the helipad from 1983. The issue has created a firestorm of concern by residents in that area of Pottsville. Dan Dillow, co chair of the Pottsville Concerned Citizens group said that they provided the city with a substantial amount of documentation about the safety of hospital helicopters, and they feel that the city made the right decision. The group cited safety concerns for the neighborhood, and the close proximity to the Pottsville School District campus. Mazzuca will have an opportunity to present his case for the helipad modification before the Pottsville Zoning Hearing Board on April 19th at City Hall.

A Tuesday afternoon crash leaves a New Philadelphia woman with minor injuries. Around 4:45pm, 59-year-old Anna Williams was traveling west on Tumbling Run Road, North Manheim Township, when her van left the road and struck a large rock. The front of her vehicle hit two guideposts and ended up in the middle of the road. Williams' husband took her to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. Her van had to be towed from the scene. Pottsville and Mount Carbon emergency crews assisted state police at the scene.

A grassroots organization led by the former director of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce laid out its legislative agenda in Harrisburg yesterday. David Donlin, of the Frackville area, chairman of Coalition 120 presented the group’s ideas for creating a “new Pennsylvania” that assures business viability and a higher quality of life for all Pennsylvanians. Coaltion 120 was formed last year by Donlin and leaders of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce Executives, a group of 145 state chambers representing more that 120-thousand community businesses statewide. The group will act as the voice of business regionally and in the state capital. Some of the issues that Coalition 120 wants to see addressed include health care, taxes, work force development and a commitment to a "new" Pennsylvania that will provide incentives for highly educated students to stay and work in the state. The group has signed on 48 chambers already, representing some 50-thousand community businesses in Pennsylvania. State Senator Jim Rhoades of Schuylkill County said that Donlin is the right man for the job, and says the coalition is a valuable partner for the legislature. The group has already 48 chambers signed on, representing some 50-thousand community businesses in Pennsylvania.

A Schuylkill Haven woman was involved in a crash in Tilden Township last night. 20-year-old Alyssa Rauenzahn was headed south on Mountain Road, and attempted to turn left, into the path of a car operated by Pamela Hoffman of Robesonia. The two cars collided. Neither Rauenzahn nor Hoffman were hurt, but both cars had to be towed from the scene. The incident happened around 10:30pm. Hamburg State Police investigated.