Today's News-Wednesday, July 11th

Two teens were hurt in a one vehicle crash last night in Lykens Township. Lykens State Police report that two 17-year-old females, one from Pitman and one from Klingerstown, were traveling north on Erdman Road, at an apparent high rate of speed when they lost control of their Pontiac Grand Am. The car left the roadway and entered a corn field and rolled over several times, coming to rest on its roof. Troopers say that seatbelts probably prevented the driver and passenger from being ejected. Both were flown to Hershey Medical Center via Life Lion.

A Schuylkill Haven man was unable to attend his sentencing hearing yesterday, through no fault of his own. He couldn’t get out of his cell. 65-year-old Robert Stephens was scheduled to appear before President Judge William Baldwin to be sentenced on receiving stolen property charges, but couldn’t get there because his cell door at the prison was jammed. The Republican and Herald reports that the door, controlled electronically, was jammed, but prison
maintenance employees were able to correct the problem. Stephens pleaded guilty to the charges in May, and was to learn his sentence. Baldwin continued the hearing to a future date.

The tentative deal on the state budget now faces a new challenge -- getting an affirmative vote by the General Assembly's rank-and-file. Legislative leaders and Governor Ed Rendell struck the tentative agreement that ended furloughs and a partial government shutdown. Now, with details just starting to come into focus, the reaction on today was mixed. House G-O-P spokesman Steve Miskin says there are still "a lot of questions." The budget calls for 27-point-two (b) billion dollars in spending. Along with 300 (m) million dollars in transit funding
being taken out of the general fund, that will be a four-point-five percent increase over last year's budget. In addition, a proposed cargo airport that straddles the Luzerne/Schuylkill County line, would received a half-a-billion dollars in aid, thanks to the efforts of Luzerne County Democrat Todd Eachus, and Republican Senator Jim Rhoades of Schuylkill County. The $1.6 billion dollar project is in the planning stages. Legislative reforms passed earlier this year have slowed down consideration of the budget. Final votes probably will not be taken until Saturday or Sunday, giving lawmakers -- and lobbyists -- the chance to pore over the fine print.

Area residents have an opportunity to bolster blood supplies today at the Roller Roost in Pottsville. The Northeast Pennsylvania News Alliance, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, are hosting the event from 11:30am till 6:30pm at the rollerskating complex. The site is one of four which are open to the public today. The others are located in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. The News Alliance includes various media outlets in northeastern Pennsylvania, including TV, radio and print media.

Pottsville police have made more arrests for underage drinking. Two 17 year olds, and 19-year-old Alicia Gifford, who live at 423 East Market Street , were found to be intoxicated when police arrive. Gifford was charged with two counts of corruption of minor and one count of underage drinking. The juveniles were charged with underage drinking. All charges will be filed in District Court.

Residents in Deer Lake are fed up with the condition of a home on Maple Boulevard, and they want something done about it. At a meeting at the community’s fire house last night, Deer Lake residents told council that the home is run down and poses a hazard. Those present stated that the home is small, but there are as many as 10 people living in the home, according to the Republican and Herald. During the meeting, a number of neighbors told council that the children are at risk because of the home’s condition, and at times, the kids knock on doors looking for food. Testimony indicated that Schuylkill County Children and Youth are aware of the situation. In other business, residents questioned the status of the Deer Lake repair project. The water was drained from the recreation area for repairs after the June, 2006 flood, and now officials are waiting for the silt to be removed before re-filling the lake.

Ashland police are investigating several burglaries in the borough. Three break-ins took place between July 5th and Monday, July 9th. Someone entered Dizio’s Machine Shop at Lehigh and Railroad Streets and took tools and machines. Unknown burglars broke into Ashland Borough Hall last Friday and removed the cash register. It was found near the borough hall. On Monday, thieves broke into the concession stand at the Ashland Girls Softball Field. Drinks, food and a microwave oven were taken. Anyone with information should call Ashland police at 875-2800 or 462-1991.

With the fifth annual Schuylkill County Idol competition well into its quarterfinal round, stand outs began to emerge. Regardless of skipping CD's, illness, and other setbacks, the 7 contestants did their best to wow the judges and the audience as this week marked the beginning of public voting. Anyone may vote at the customer service desk at the Schuylkill Mall. Voting opens immediately following the contest and closes the following Sunday.
Each week, the singers choose 2 songs from any genre while also preparing one song picked at random. After each selection is performed, the vocalist is critiqued by the panel of judges which includes Angie Jordan, Barry D and Kathy Fiorillo. The judges then submit their opinions based on stage presence, technical skill, overall performance and appearance. The results from last night's round will be revealed next Monday while the final outcome will be announced July 30th.

WASHINGTON (AP) - National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley heads to Capitol Hill today, as Republican support for the war in Iraq continues to erode. He'll meet with as many 20 senators. The latest challenge comes from Elizabeth Dole, who says U-S troops should start coming home next year.

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - Democrats insist there is plenty that President Bush's former political director can say about the firings of eight federal prosecutors that is not covered by Bush's
claim of executive privilege. But Sara Taylor says she won't talk unless a court orders her to do so. She's been subpoenaed to appear before a Senate panel today.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Federal prosecutors say they will announce a "major development" today in the 2003 death of a Pennsylvania pizza deliveryman, killed by a bomb fastened around his neck. Before his death, Brian Wells told police he had been ordered to rob a bank. A lawyer says his client has been notified that she may be charged in the case.

COFFEYVILLE, Kan. (AP) - A toxic soup awaits many residents of Coffeyville, Kansas. They've being allowed back into their flooded-and-oil-slickened homes today. They were chased out by
flooding that began June 30th. Then, tens of thousands of gallons of oil spilled from a local refinery.

HOUSTON (AP) - Authorities in Houston are investigating whether a two-year-old was given the drug Ecstasy. A video that appeared on YouTube shows the girl riding in a van with a group of young women who tease her about rolling her eyes back and suggest she took the drug.

SAN DIEGO (AP) - An investigating officer has recommended dismissing murder charges against a Marine from Canonsburg. The recommendation that charges should be dropped
against Lance Corporal Justin Sharratt isn't binding. It's up to the commanding general.

ERIE, Pa. (AP) - Federal prosecutors plan to explain this afternoon what they mean by a "major development" in the unsolved 2003 collar-bombing death of a pizza deliveryman who robbed a bank. A news conference is scheduled later today in Erie.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - The budget lawmakers have tentatively agreed upon would raise Penn State's state funding about two percent. A university spokeswoman says it's unclear how the state funding will affect tuition rates.

WEST CHESTER, Pa. (AP) - Two men are jailed and a third is being sought in the shooting death of a West Chester man. They're suspected in Sunday's slaying of 21-year-old Christian Oliveras. His lawyer says he planned to accept a plea bargain next week for cocaine dealing.

LEBANON, Pa. (AP) - The Humane Society of Lebanon County is planning a free vaccination clinic for dogs in the wake of an outbreak that's killed at least 20 dogs. A Humane Society
investigator says most of the parvovirus cases have occurred in poorer neighborhoods.