Today's News-Monday, December 31st

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

One man was killed when his sport utility vehicle slid into the path of a tractor-trailer this morning near Tamaqua. Police said the SUV was headed north on Route 309 outside of Tamaqua when the driver lost control and slid into the path of the truck. The SUV was hit on the driver's side, killing the driver instantly. The man's name has not been released. Rush Township police said conditions at the time of the crash were slick. There is no word if the truck driver was hurt. Route 309 was closed between Tamaqua and Hometown after the crash.

An Auburn couple suffered minor injuries in a crash on Route 61 this morning on the slush covered roadway. Kenton Hubble and his wife, Kathy, had passed a car on Route 61, north of Red Church Road, and lost control. The vehicle struck a cement paving stop and a mailbox, then rolled over. It came to rest in the front yard of 1177 Center Turnpike. The Hubble's were taken to Good Samaritan Hospital. Their vehicle was extensively damaged.

A Williamstown woman was seriously injured in a crash this morning in Branch Township. Schuylkill Haven state police say that 72-year-old Helen Florida was driving north on Route 209, when she lost control on the slush covered roadway. Her car spun counter-clockwise and slid into the southbound lane, and struck a tractor-trailer driven by Thomas Theis of Strasburg. Florida's car spun back across the road, coming to rest against the guiderail.
Florida was taken to Pottsville Hospital for treatment of her injuries. The crash happened before 9am today.

A man and woman were stabbed in St. Clair early Sunday morning. Their attacker is in custody. Borough police were called to a home on Nicholas Street, where a party was going on. In attendance were several people, including Lori Sleva, Justin Manhart and Steven Close.
According to the criminal complaint, Sleva was dancing for Manhart, which upset Close. He left the home, returning a short time later and attacked Sleva and Manhart with a knife. They had stab wounds to the face, head and other parts of their body. Sleva is in Lehigh Valley Hospital. Manhart, who was taken to Geisinger Medical Center, was treated and released. Close was apprehended by police, and admitted that his anger about Sleva being with another man prompted him to stab them, and that he did intend to kill both Sleva and Manhart. He's charged with two counts of attempted homicide, aggravated assault and other offenses. Following arraignment, Close was taken to Schuylkill County Prison, in lieu of bail.

A Zion Grove woman is suspected of driving under the influence, and crashed her car Saturday night in North Union Township. Frackville state police say that Roseann Buckery was southbound on State Route 1005 and her car left the roadway, striking a pole and a PennDOT sign. She told police that a deer was on the road. During the investigation, police say that she was driving under the influence of alcohol and was taken to Pottsville Hospital for a blood test. Charges are expected to be filed upon receipt of those tests.

A teenager was hurt in a crash yesterday near Delano. Frackville state police say that Stacy Golden of Hanover was driving her SUV on Interstate 81 Sunday afternoon when she fell asleep at the wheel. The vehicle went out of control, struck a dirt embankment and rolled over. A teenage girl who was a passenger in the car was taken to St. Luke's Miners Memorial Hospital for treatment. Careless driving charges will be filed against Golden.

In just a few hours, we'll bid goodbye to the year 2007. There are big plans to ring in the new year in downtown Pottsville. "Through The Eyes of Winter Carnival…Maroons are our Champions" is the theme for Pottsville's 2008 new year's celebration. The events, beginning tonight at 6pm in and around downtown Pottsville, will roll right into the Greater Pottsville Winter Carnival celebration. Carnival has been going strong for 40 years. Horse and carriage rides, a meet and greet with the Winter Carnival candidates, historical displays and more will dot the landscape at Sovereign Bank, the Sovereign Majestic Theatre and the Schuylkill County Historical Society. The festivities move to Garfield Square for the raising of the Yuengling bottle at the stroke of midnight. Winter Carnival runs throughout the month of January, with a lot of the favorite events that everyone has come to enjoy, and the 2008 edition is sure to please even more. For a complete look at all of the Winter Carnival events, log on to schuylkill-dot-com/ wintercarnival. There is also a link on our News website.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A windy, rainy New Year's Day could threaten the Mummers' strut up Broad Street in Philadelphia. Still, most of the participants are hard at work on final
preparations for tomorrow's annual parade. The event is often described as Philadelphia's version of Mardi Gras. It features dozens of string bands, floats, and plenty of feathered and sequined costumes. The parade will be held Saturday (Jan. 5) if the weather doesn't
cooperate on New Year's.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The state Supreme Court has ordered another hearing to determine whether mass murderer George Banks is too mentally ill to be executed. Banks killed 13 people in a 1982 shooting rampage in the Wilkes-Barre area. A state court ruled in February 2006 that he was delusional, psychotic and had no capacity to assist in his own defense. But the state Supreme Court says a lower court erred in barring the commonwealth's psychiatrist from testifying -- and then denied a second state expert witness time to prepare properly. The justices ordered the lower court to "expeditiously" conduct a new hearing to allow the state to "present a meaningful case" on Banks' competency. Two justices dissented, saying a second hearing was unwarranted because the evidence of Banks' incompetency was "nothing short of overwhelming." The U.S. Supreme Court held in 1986 that it is unconstitutional to execute the insane.

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - The new majority of the Lackawanna County Commission says members will be barred from asking county employees for political contributions. Commissioner Mike Washo and commissioner-elect Corey O'Brien say they plan to institute an ethics policy to that effect. O'Brien says the two Democrats have returned more than 10
contributions from county employees since the November election. The pair say they do not know whether the policy will bar commissioners from accepting unsolicited contributions from
employees. O'Brien says extending the ban that far might be unconstitutional.

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) - A high school senior with a love for politics will soon be sworn in as the auditor for Loyalsock Township. Chris Benson has a list of things he wants to change during his six-year term, including redeveloping the township Web site. Benson turned 18 last January and ran for township supervisor in the May primary. He didn't make it onto the November ballot, but he created a stir in the race. Then in the fall, Benson switched from the Republican to Democratic party and ran a successful write-in campaign for auditor. He received 40 of 51 votes cast. Benson, who still lives with his parents, has been involved in politics since he was 14.

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (AP) - Fire destroyed a Cumberland County building used by a firm that supplies municipalities with street sweepers. The large metal building in Silver Spring Township went up in flames at about 8:30 p.m. Saturday. More than 100 firefighters from 13 companies fought the blaze, but officials say it took 90 minutes to get the fire under control
and two and one-half hours to extinguish it. County spokesman John Bruetsch says the cause is unknown, but the fire is not considered suspicious. PA Public Works used the building to sell and repair street sweepers and other equipment for municipalities in 33 counties. Company officials say the five workers will likely relocate to another building in the same complex.

DARLINGTON, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania State Police say they have found the body of an Ohio hunter who drowned when his canoe capsized on a Beaver County lake near the state border.
Police say 23-year-old Brandon Davis fell out of the canoe Saturday into a private lake just off North State Line Road in Darlington Township. Searchers could not find Davis on Saturday night, but located the body in the small lake when the search resumed yesterday.

GREENSBURG, Pa. (AP) - State police are investigating an infant's skeleton that was found in a dead woman's suitcase in Westmoreland County. Police say the skeleton was found Saturday in Hempfield Township by the adult children of the woman, who died earlier this month.
Her children were cleaning out the home and preparing it for sale when they found the skeleton in a suitcase, wrapped in some of their mother's old clothes. Police say an expert will examine the bones to determine the child's gender and, perhaps, when or how the child died. Nobody is charged in the case and police aren't identifying the dead woman or her family so far.

HARBORCREEK, Pa. (AP) - An Erie County mother asked state police to cite her 14-year-old daughter for harassment because the woman says she's tried everything else to keep the girl from running away from home. State police say they filed the citation at the mother's behest.
The girl is not being identified because she is charged as a juvenile. District Judge Mark Krahe says he has handled similar cases in the past, brought by parents at their wit's end with their
children's behavior. The girl's mother tells the Erie Times-News that she has never before gone to police to help discipline her child.

LUTHERSBURG, Pa. (AP) - The state Public Utility Commission is cracking down the operators of unlicensed "Amish taxis." Those are people who drive members of the religious group in
exchange for money, goods or services. Amish religious beliefs don't permit them to drive motor vehicles. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says the PUC is targeting the unlicensed taxis, or jitneys, serving more than 300 Amish families in Clearfield, Indiana and Jefferson counties. The PUC says it is responding to complaints, including those from some drivers who have paid to become state-certified to carry passengers.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The 2008 election races for state treasurer, auditor general and attorney general are still taking shape. Auditor General Jack Wagner and Attorney General Tom Corbett both intend to seek re-election. Treasurer Robin Wiessmann will not seek another term. Possible candidates for treasurer include outgoing Republican Montgomery County commissioner Tom Ellis; Democratic former state representative John Cordisco of Bucks County; and Democratic Montgomery County venture capitalist Rob McCord. Corbett, a Republican, is expected to face Democratic Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli in the race for attorney general. But Democratic Philadelphia District Attorney
Lynne Abraham is a wild card. No one has so far challenged Wagner, a Democrat, as auditor
general.

STROUDSBURG, Pa. (AP) - How far would someone go to be the New England Patriots' "Fan of the Year"? How about 440 miles for nearly every home game in the past 32 years? That's how far Swiftwater resident Pat Noone has driven round-trip to cheer on the Patriots at their home field in Foxborough, Massachusetts. He's only missed two games since 1975. The team honored Noone for his loyalty on December 23rd at a ceremony at Gillette Stadium. Noone received the Patriots' "Fan of the Year" trophy in front of a crowd of about 70,000 before a game against Miami. Noone even has a room in his house that is a replica of the Patriots' locker room.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - Election officials in Pakistan have decided to delay parliamentary elections that had been set for next Tuesday. An announcement is expected tomorrow. One official predicts the vote will be put off by about six weeks. With Pakistan roiled by the murder of Benazir Bhutto, he says elections sooner would not be free or fair.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The people of Iowa this week cast the first votes that count in the 2008 presidential race. Republicans and Democrats hold caucuses Thursday. Polls show it's too close to predict a winner on either side.

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - A contested presidential election in Kenya is causing deadly unrest in one of Africa's most stable democracies. At least 15 people are dead in rioting that followed
yesterday's surprise win by the incumbent. Opponents say the election was rigged. More people voted in one district than the number of eligible voters.

BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraq is closing out the year on a violent note. Two Iraqi soldiers have been killed in an attack on their patrol near the Iranian border. At least two people are dead in a clash north of Baghdad. Several more have been wounded by mortar fire. That includes three people in Baghdad who were hurt when a round landed on their house.

BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) - This is the year we learned about "carbon footprint," the amount of Greenhouse gases each of us generates. In Berkeley, California, Ari Derfel wanted to find out
how much trash he generates. So he saved every speck of it this year. The result is a 96-cubic-foot heap of trash.

Today's News-Saturday, December 29th

Hamburg state police are looking for two men who robbed a bank branch in Shartlesville yesterday evening before closing time. Around 5:50pm, two white men, wearing black ski masks and dark coats, entered the National Penn Bank branch, with one jumping over the counter. Cash was taken from the teller drawers and bank vault, and the robbers fled in a dark colored Jeep Cherokee on I-78 into Dauphin County. Two tellers were injured during the robbery. Anyone with information about the bank heist should call Hamburg State Police at 484-660-1011.

Surrounded by family and friends, 14 people were sworn in to various county offices during ceremonies Friday at the Courthouse. County Judges Jacqueline Russell and William Baldwin received the oath of office first, followed by the three County Commissioners, two District Justices and seven row office heads. For the first time in over 30-years, the County Commissioners office will be headed by a Democratic majority. Newly elected Commissioner Frank McAndrew said he is looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead. Fellow Democrat Mantura Gallagher said she has lofty goals for the county in 2008. Republican Frank Staudenmeier, who now becomes the Minority Commissioner said he confident the three commissioners will work together for the betterment of the county. First time county officeholder Malinda Kantner also took the oath of office and said she is ready to get down to business as the new County Controller. The County Commissioners next meeting is January 7th at 10am in the Commissioners board room for their annual reorganization. A board meeting will be held two days later on January 9th.

Police have concluded their investigation in the death of a man in Cumbola Thursday evening.
State police were called to the Water Street home after 6pm, where the body of 39-year-old Brian Culver was found. Troopers now say that he took his own life, based on evidence at the scene and interviews with family members.

Three persons are locked up in the county jail following a knifepoint robbery of three juveniles Thursday. Pottsville police say that the teens reported that two men, now identified as Vincent Mozloom, Mark Butler, and a woman, Tammy Wert, robbed them at knifepoint, after inviting them back to a home on Seventh Street after meeting up with them at the Pottsville Diner.
Reports indicate that Butler took the money, nearly $150 dollars from the boys, while Mozloom locked the door to prevent them from leaving. Butler also reportedly told the teens he would kill them if they told police. They were released. Mozloom, Butler and Wert were picked up by police, arraigned and taken to jail. Another woman, Tiffany Haller, was not directly involved in the robbery, but was given some of the money they took. She will be charged with receiving stolen property.

Quick action from a retired New York police officer helped local officials nab an escaped prisoner yesterday afternoon in the city. The Republican and Herald reports that Auburn police were transporting 26-year-old William Nichols, Schuylkill Haven, after his arrest in South Manheim Township, and were stopped at the intersection of Norwegian Street and Route 61. Nichols slipped from the handcuffs and kicked out the window of the police car, then fled on foot around the A-Plus mini market. He attempted to break into Roy Finocchio's car. The Shenandoah man, a retired New York police officer, chased and tackled Nichols, detaining him for police.
Nichols, in addition to the probation violation and related offenses, is also facing escape charges.

Just a few days remain in the year 2007. There are big plans to ring in the new year in downtown Pottsville. "Through The Eyes of Winter Carnival…Maroons are our Champions" is the theme for Pottsville’s 2008 new year's celebration. The events, beginning Monday night at 6pm in and around downtown Pottsville, will roll right into the Greater Winter Carnival celebration. Carnival has been going strong for 40 years. Horse and carriage rides, a meet and greet with the Winter Carnival candidates, historical displays and more will dot the landscape at Sovereign Bank, the Sovereign Majestic Theatre and the Schuylkill County Historical Society. The festivities move to Garfield Square for the raising of the Yuengling bottle at the stroke of midnight. Winter Carnival runs throughout the month of January, with a lot of the favorite events that everyone has come to enjoy, and the 2008 edition is sure to please even more. For a complete look at all of the Winter Carnival events, log on to ww.schuylkill.com/wintercarnival.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A top high school basketball prospect from Chester is playing out the season under the watchful eye of bodyguards, amid fears of retaliation over a slaying near his violent hometown. Tyreke Evans, a two-time state player of the year, was driving when a cousin in the vehicle allegedly shot and killed a 19-year-old approaching on foot. Police say 18-year-old Evans, hearing gunshots, ducked down before speeding off to his mother's house. Evans has not been charged, but his tie to the November 25th slaying has marred the final year of his carefully orchestrated prep career just as he moves toward college and an anticipated NBA berth. Several bodyguards joined Evans on the bench during a holiday tournament this week at Widener University, while police stationed extra security officers in the crowd.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The 87-year-old founder of Comcast Corporation has entered into a new agreement with the cable company under which his beneficiaries will be paid his 2007 salary for each of the five years after his death. A Securities and Exchange Commission filing says the new agreement with Ralph Roberts takes effect on January 1st. It replaces the current compensation deal, which expires next week. Roberts sits on the board of directors and is chairman of the executive and finance committee at the Philadelphia company. In 2006, Roberts was paid a salary of $1.8 million. His full 2007 salary and benefits will be disclosed when the company files its proxy statement next year. The new agreement also gives beneficiaries any unpaid annual performance-based cash bonus after his death, health and welfare benefits for his spouse, among other perks.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Federal prosecutors have dismissed 43 of 84 criminal counts against former Allegheny County Coroner Doctor Cyril Wecht. In a document filed yesterday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Stallings says some of the charges against 76-year-old Wecht are being dismissed to "streamline" the case. Stallings says the government is not seeking to dismiss any of the four schemes to defraud. Wecht is accused of using his public office and staff to benefit his multimillion-dollar private pathology practice before resigning as coroner in January 2006. His trial is scheduled to begin on January 28th. Jury selection starts January 10th.

KENNESAW, Ga. (AP) - Chocolate was first used around 1900 B.C. -- seven centuries earlier than previously thought. Kennesaw State University Professor Terry Powis says nearly 4,000 years ago, residents of Central America probably served chocolate as a cold beverage with different flavors. The assistant professor of anthropology spent three weeks in a Chiapas, Mexico lab gathering samples from ceramic jars and bowls that date from 1,900 B.C. to 1,500 B.C. He used sandpaper to lightly scrape residue from the pottery. Powdery samples were sent to the Hershey Foods Technical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Scientists confirmed the existence of key chocolate chemicals such as theobromine and caffeine. The research from Powis' team appeared in the December edition of "Antiquity."

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Pennsylvania Supreme Court says a political activist lacks the legal standing in his bid to force the auditor general to audit the Legislature's spending. The court says discretion over whether to audit the General Assembly lies with Auditor General Jack Wagner. The court says that if activist Gene Stilp doesn't like it, his recourse "like that of all citizens, is at the ballot box." The unanimous decision says a lower court erred when it granted legal standing to Stilp to sue. That lower court, Commonwealth Court, then ruled against Stilp. The Supreme Court says Stilp doesn't have the right to sue, so it's not addressing whether his underlying claim has merit.

Its another change in what you can and can't take on the airplane with you. The Transportation Department says air travelers won't be able to pack loose non-rechargeable lithium batteries in their checked luggage, starting January 1st. The aim is to prevent unintentional short-circuiting and help reduce the risk of fires. Passengers can still check baggage with lithium batteries if they're installed in electronic devices, such as cameras, cell phones and laptop computers. If the batteries are in plastic bags or their original packaging, they may be in carry-on baggage. The limit is two batteries per passenger. Earlier this month, the National Transportation Safety Board said it could not rule out lithium batteries as the source of a cargo plane fire at Philadelphia International Airport last year.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The state's highest court says the merger of telephone giants Verizon and MCI can stay intact because regulators properly considered all viewpoints. The state Supreme Court reversed a lower court's ruling last February that the Public Utility Commission failed to protect rate payers when it approved the merger. The court released its unanimous decision yesterday. Verizon is Pennsylvania's largest telephone company with about 6 million lines. MCI and Verizon applied for state approval of their merger in March 2005. The merger was completed in January 2006.

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - Outgoing Lackawanna County controller John Mellow is vowing to lock himself in his office and continue working until law enforcement makes him leave. Mellow is disputing the legitimacy of his successor. He says the county administrative code disqualifies Controller-elect Ken McDowell from taking over on January 7th because he is not eligible. McDowell currently collects taxes for Lackawanna County, the city of Scranton and the Scranton School District through an entity known as the Single Tax Office. The county administrative code says that "no person holding any other public office" can serve as controller until he or she has been out of office for a year. But an attorney for McDowell's transition team says McDowell's title of tax collector is not listed in the general code for Pennsylvania counties.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Police in Upper Darby have charged a 19-year-old man with killing a taxi driver who was found slain on Christmas Eve. Police say Ramir Steve fatally shot 42-year-old Gregory Cunningham of Clifton Heights during a botched robbery attempt. Authorities say Steve only ended up taking Cunningham's cell phone -- not the $700 in his pocket. They also say Steve used the cab's two-way radio to report that Cunningham would not be showing up for his next assignment. Authorities say Steve's brother provided information in the case. They also recovered a gun at Steve's home in Upper Darby. Steve was arrested in Philadelphia on Thursday and arraigned yesterday. He is being held without bail.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A top high school basketball prospect from Chester is playing out the season under the watchful eye of bodyguards, amid fears of retaliation over a slaying near his violent hometown. Tyreke Evans, a two-time state player of the year, was driving when a cousin in the vehicle allegedly shot and killed a 19-year-old approaching on foot. Police say 18-year-old Evans, hearing gunshots, ducked down before speeding off to his mother's house. Evans has not been charged, but his tie to the November 25th slaying has marred the final year of his carefully orchestrated prep career just as he moves toward college and an anticipated NBA berth. Several bodyguards joined Evans on the bench during a holiday tournament this week at Widener University, while police stationed extra security officers in the crowd.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The 87-year-old founder of Comcast Corporation has entered into a new agreement with the cable company under which his beneficiaries will be paid his 2007 salary for each of the five years after his death. A Securities and Exchange Commission filing says the new agreement with Ralph Roberts takes effect on January 1st. It replaces the current compensation deal, which expires next week. Roberts sits on the board of directors and is chairman of the executive and finance committee at the Philadelphia company. In 2006, Roberts was paid a salary of $1.8 million. His full 2007 salary and benefits will be disclosed when the company files its proxy statement next year. The new agreement also gives beneficiaries any unpaid annual performance-based cash bonus after his death, health and welfare benefits for his spouse, among other perks.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Federal prosecutors have dismissed 43 of 84 criminal counts against former Allegheny County Coroner Doctor Cyril Wecht. In a document filed yesterday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Stallings says some of the charges against 76-year-old Wecht are being dismissed to "streamline" the case. Stallings says the government is not seeking to dismiss any of the four schemes to defraud. Wecht is accused of using his public office and staff to benefit his multimillion-dollar private pathology practice before resigning as coroner in January 2006. His trial is scheduled to begin on January 28th. Jury selection starts January 10th.

KENNESAW, Ga. (AP) - Chocolate was first used around 1900 B.C. -- seven centuries earlier than previously thought. Kennesaw State University Professor Terry Powis says nearly 4,000 years ago, residents of Central America probably served chocolate as a cold beverage with different flavors. The assistant professor of anthropology spent three weeks in a Chiapas, Mexico lab gathering samples from ceramic jars and bowls that date from 1,900 B.C. to 1,500 B.C. He used sandpaper to lightly scrape residue from the pottery. Powdery samples were sent to the Hershey Foods Technical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Scientists confirmed the existence of key chocolate chemicals such as theobromine and caffeine. The research from Powis' team appeared in the December edition of "Antiquity."

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Pennsylvania Supreme Court says a political activist lacks the legal standing in his bid to force the auditor general to audit the Legislature's spending. The court says discretion over whether to audit the General Assembly lies with Auditor General Jack Wagner. The court says that if activist Gene Stilp doesn't like it, his recourse "like that of all citizens, is at the ballot box." The unanimous decision says a lower court erred when it granted legal standing to Stilp to sue. That lower court, Commonwealth Court, then ruled against Stilp. The Supreme Court says Stilp doesn't have the right to sue, so it's not addressing whether his underlying claim has merit.

Its another change in what you can and can't take on the airplane with you. The Transportation Department says air travelers won't be able to pack loose non-rechargeable lithium batteries in their checked luggage, starting January 1st. The aim is to prevent unintentional short-circuiting and help reduce the risk of fires. Passengers can still check baggage with lithium batteries if they're installed in electronic devices, such as cameras, cell phones and laptop computers. If the batteries are in plastic bags or their original packaging, they may be in carry-on baggage. The limit is two batteries per passenger. Earlier this month, the National Transportation Safety Board said it could not rule out lithium batteries as the source of a cargo plane fire at Philadelphia International Airport last year.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The state's highest court says the merger of telephone giants Verizon and MCI can stay intact because regulators properly considered all viewpoints. The state Supreme Court reversed a lower court's ruling last February that the Public Utility Commission failed to protect rate payers when it approved the merger. The court released its unanimous decision yesterday. Verizon is Pennsylvania's largest telephone company with about 6 million lines. MCI and Verizon applied for state approval of their merger in March 2005. The merger was completed in January 2006.

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - Outgoing Lackawanna County controller John Mellow is vowing to lock himself in his office and continue working until law enforcement makes him leave. Mellow is disputing the legitimacy of his successor. He says the county administrative code disqualifies Controller-elect Ken McDowell from taking over on January 7th because he is not eligible. McDowell currently collects taxes for Lackawanna County, the city of Scranton and the Scranton School District through an entity known as the Single Tax Office. The county administrative code says that "no person holding any other public office" can serve as controller until he or she has been out of office for a year. But an attorney for McDowell's transition team says McDowell's title of tax collector is not listed in the general code for Pennsylvania counties.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Police in Upper Darby have charged a 19-year-old man with killing a taxi driver who was found slain on Christmas Eve. Police say Ramir Steve fatally shot 42-year-old Gregory Cunningham of Clifton Heights during a botched robbery attempt. Authorities say Steve only ended up taking Cunningham's cell phone -- not the $700 in his pocket. They also say Steve used the cab's two-way radio to report that Cunningham would not be showing up for his next assignment. Authorities say Steve's brother provided information in the case. They also recovered a gun at Steve's home in Upper Darby. Steve was arrested in Philadelphia on Thursday and arraigned yesterday. He is being held without bail.

NEW YORK (AP) - A break in the TV and movie writers strike. David Letterman's production company has struck a deal that will allow him to return to the airwaves next Wednesday with a full writing staff. Rivals Jay Leno and Jimmy Kimmel also plan to be back on the air, but without writers.

DENISON, Iowa (AP) - The campaign clock is ticking in Iowa and presidential candidates are on the trail there for a final weekend before Thursday's caucuses. It's shaping up as a battle between former governors Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney for the Republican nod. Polls show Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards in a virtual tie among Democrats.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - Thousands of supporters of assassinated Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto are rioting again today. Meantime, the country's election commission says it will meet Monday to discuss next month's elections in light of her death. And an Islamic militant group is denying government allegations it's to blame.

UNDATED (AP) - A winter storm in the Great Lakes region is tying up airports and causing fender benders on the highways. Parts of Michigan are expecting about eight inches of snow. In Wisconsin, the Green Bay Packers are asking for volunteers to help dig out the stadium ahead of tomorrow's game with the Detroit Lions.

GARLAND, Texas (AP) - A six-year-old girl in Texas may lose Hannah Montana concert tickets she won in an essay contest. Organizers say her winning entry lied when it said her father was
killed in Iraq. The girl's mother has admitted the claim was bogus. She's told a Dallas TV station they did "whatever we could to win."

Today's News-Friday, December 28th

NORWEGIAN TOWNSHIP - All they wanted was one officer, Sgt. John Zuratt. But, come Tuesday, he will be out of a job as Norwegian Township's police officer. That was the recurring theme repeated by a standing room only crowd inside and listening through open windows at the Norwegian Township public hearing called to give the residents a voice on the municipality's proposition to cease the operation of its police department effective January 1st. Supervisor Chairman Robert Kirwan opened the meeting to public comment to afford those gathered the opportunity to air their opinions about the proposal made in early December to turn police service to the state police full time. During the comment portion residents, concerned citizens, and a large contingent from law enforcement repeatedly expressed concern about safety by not having someone on the streets on a consistent basis. And that the supervisors’ decision should reflect the view of the majority of the residents. After hearing the public input, the supervisors defended their proposal by recalling a previous contract and the possibility of Zuratt's retirement in February at age 55, but those items did not sway the public's opinions. Township supervisors always contended that the issue was not about money. Keeping in mind the financial ramifications on the tax base, they studied options including adding man power to make it an around the clock force, a regionalized police force, adding part time officers, and turning the responsibility to the state police. In the end, and after much discussion, shouting, and unrest by the crowd the supervisors went with their original plan and disbanded the local police force. Following the meeting, we spoke with Mrs. Zuratt who was in shock and asked her what their next move would be. Her only comment was that her husband's career has been taken from him.

SHENANDOAH - Shenandoah's mayor, not the borough council, controls the police department, Schuylkill County Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin ruled Thursday. According to the Republican and Herald, Dolbin issued an injunction barring the council from approving any changes to its collective bargaining agreement with the borough police department that would interfere with Mayor Thomas F. O'Neill's "right to have full charge and control" over that department. The council had planned to adopt those changes Thursday evening at its meeting. Specifically, Dolbin barred the council from approving sections of the pact that would have given Chief Matthew R. Nestor final say over the seven-member department's work schedule and the scheduling of part-time police officers, authorized officers to leave the borough during meal breaks and barred O'Neill from access to the police office and records. The council cannot bargain away the right of the mayor under the code to control the department, Dolbin wrote. Dolbin ruled O'Neill had proven his case at the 2½-hour hearing attended by about 20 borough officials and citizens.

POTTSVILLE - Pottsville's 2008 budget has been passed. Yesterday, Mayor Reiley and the members of the city council met to pass the spending plan. The new budget anticipates a 1.5 mill tax increase, which will allow the city to continue providing municipal services to its residents. Thomas Palamar, Pottsville's City Administrator, commented on the new budget, saying that the city is committed to continuing the high level of services that citizens have come to expect, and they are looking ahead to 2008.

SUNBURY - After months of psychiatric evaluation, Richard C. Curran has been declared competent to stand trial for the 2005 shooting death of his wife. At a hearing at the Northumberland County Courthouse held Thursday, Judge Robert B. Sacavage heard testimony from Curran, Dr. John M. Hume, a psychiatrist from Marysville, and Dr. Neil Blumberg, a psychiatrist from Timonium, Md. Both doctors testified that Curran, of Shamokin, was competent to stand trial at this time, according to the News Item. A hearing was scheduled on the defendant's previously filed pre-trial motion for Feb. 13. Curran was previously ordered additional psychiatric treatment during a teleconference held in Sacavage's chambers in August, where he was ruled unfit to stand trial. Curran is charged by Coal Township police with the shooting death of his wife, Tina S. Curran, on Aug. 24, 2005. She was shot several times with a .40-caliber handgun in the loading dock area of Shamokin Area Community Hospital during a break in her shift. He was arrested later that evening while trying to cross the Canadian border in Niagra Falls, N.Y. At the time of the murder, Curran was employed part-time as the police chief of Bernville in Berks County.

POTTSVILLE - Four men escaped injury after a 19 year old fell asleep behind the wheel and caused a two vehicle accident on Route 61 about 8:30 a.m. Thursday, according to police. Following the accident, which took place just south of Brokhoff Road, traffic along Route 61 was backed up and had to be rerouted for more than an hour. According to the Republican and Herald, State police at Schuylkill Haven said Joshua Petrozino, Saint Clair, was traveling north in the left lane of travel when he fell asleep and traveled over the center median into the path of a 2001 Dodge Ram driven by Joseph Wallace, of Port Carbon. The 2003 Pontiac Grand Am driven by Petrozino struck the left front of Wallace's vehicle and continued traveling down the left side of the truck until severely impacting the left rear of the vehicle. The impact, police said, disconnected the dual wheel axle of Wallace's vehicle. Following the impact, Petrozino's vehicle continued north on 61 for approximately 15 feet before coming to rest in the northbound lanes, while Wallace's vehicle began spinning before coming to rest on top of the median facing west approximately 183 feet south of the point of impact. Petrozino and his passenger, Eric Betz, of Saint Clair, as well as Wallace and his passenger, Vincent Madonna, of Port Carbon, refused medical treatment from Pottsville/Schuylkill Haven Ambulance, according to police. The vehicles were severely damaged and towed from the scene. Assisting at the scene were Mount Carbon and Pottsville City fire departments, as well as fire police.

POTTSVILLE - The County Commissioners approved five appointments, five promotions and one transfer during their meeting Wednesday. Roy Heim's resignation was accepted from the Schuylkill Municipal Authority and he was reappointed to fill the unexpired term of Clayton Ost who resigned. Commissioner Gallagher voted against the measure. She previously was against reappointments to several boards and commissions until after their terms expire in January. After a ruling by Assistant Solicitor Jay Jones that those appointments were not allowed until January they were set aside. The Heim reappointment could be made because it filled a position left vacant by a resignation. Four appointments and one transfer were approved for Rest Haven and one promotion each was approved for the Drug & Alcohol and MH/MR departments. Two of three promotions in the 9-1-1 Department were unanimously approved but Commissioner Robert Carl voted against establishing a new position of 9-1-1 Training Supervisor. Carl complained that the new position, which would be filled by a promotion from shift supervisor, was not budgeted for and will not result in the reduction of a position. At last weeks work session, Department Head Scott Krater said he still has some vacant positions to fill but does not want to eliminate any of them in exchange for the extra position. During the salary portion of the meeting, Carl and County Controller Gary Hornberger both voted against the salary for the position which was set at $19.25 per hour.


PHOENIX (AP) - US Airways plans to call more than 200 laid-off flight attendants back to work starting Feb. 15 in anticipation of the summer-travel season. Recalled employees will be assigned across five crew-member bases in Boston; Charlotte, N.C.; Washington, D.C.; New York City and Philadelphia. The carrier started giving eligible employees notices on a seniority basis Wednesday.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A grand jury proceeding looking into whether a Scranton area casino owner told the truth to gambling regulators has resumed. Dauphin County prosecutors say the grand jury is investigating whether Louis DeNaples lied in his sworn testimony to the state Gaming Control Board. Prosecutors say the question is whether DeNaples has ties to organized crime.

CLEVELAND (AP) - The FBI is about to give its most wanted bank robbers, violent criminals and terrorists a higher profile. Photos and information on recently committed crimes will soon appear on 150 digital billboards in 20 cities nationwide, along with images of missing children. The FBI is teaming up with Clear Channel Outdoor following a successful test run in Philadelphia.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Three Pittsburgh media outlets are appealing a judge's decision to keep secret the names of jurors in next month's fraud trial of former Allegheny County Coroner Doctor Cyril Wecht. The 22-page federal appeal by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and WPXI-TV argues that U.S. District Judge Arthur Schwab is violating the First Amendment.

SOMERSET, Pa. (AP) - A forensic pathologist from Mercyhurst College in Erie is helping state police in Somerset County to determine the identity of a woman whose skeletal remains were found near an industrial park. Police believe the woman likely was a hitchhiker and that evidence at the scene shows she spent time in Raleigh, N.C., and was at one time on Interstate 80.

GARHI KHUDA BAKHSH, Pakistan (AP) - Opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has been interred at the mausoleum of Pakistan's most famous political dynasty, a day after a suicide attacker killed her. Hundreds of thousands of mourners paid their last respects to the former prime minister.

GARHI KHUDA BAKHSH, Pakistan (AP) - The rioting in Pakistan continues following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. As her funeral was taking place, angry supporters elsewhere shot it out with police, trashed banks and torched train stations.

WASHINGTON (AP) - An ongoing survey suggests the Iraq war is starting to play second fiddle to pocketbook issues among voters as election year approaches. More than half the voters in the survey for The Associated Press and Yahoo News say the economy and health care are extremely important.

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - Congressional mailings by House members, often seen as the government equivalent of junk mail, cost taxpayers more than 20 million dollars last year. Nearly 116 million mailings covered everything from meeting announcements to tips on car care and just plain bragging.

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Wal-Mart says it's investigating the possible re-sale of an x-rated MP3 video player. A father who gave the gift to his 10-year-old daughter says it apparently had been a return that was put back on sale and the previous owner had loaded it with porn and explicit songs.

BAGHDAD (AP) - At least 11 people have been killed by a car bomb that exploded in a crowded, popular market in central Baghdad.Police and hospital officials say 64 people were wounded. It's not the first time the market has been targeted by insurgents.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - His once commanding national leadevaporated, Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani is changing tactics. His latest ad debuting today invokes the Nine-Eleven attacks which made him the face of U.S. resolve and put him on the national political map.

Today's News-Thursday, December 27th

The official vote whether to shut down Norwegian Township's police department is scheduled for this evening. The ongoing battle began early in December when supervisors voted to layoff Sgt. John Zuratt, and turn police coverage over to Pennsylvania state police. Zurratt is the lone officer on the payroll. Concerned citizens in Norwegian Township have been canvassing homes, asking for residents to sign a very simple petition, asking for reconsideration of the shutdown before it takes place on Tuesday, January 1st, 2008. One of the canvassers we spoke last week said they feel confident in their efforts, and they have picked up 12 hundred or so signatures going into tonight's meeting at 7pm. The public hearing will be the final word in determining the department's fate. The township supervisors have gone on record stating that the state police coverage will be much better for residents than the current situation.

A New Jersey man is being extradited to Pennsylvania today on charges stemming from a 2005 armed robbery in Kline Township. Township police went to New Jersey to pick up 22-year-old Ronald Lassiter, who is implicated in the armed robbery at M&A Sunoco Mini Mart on Kennedy Drive in December, 2005. Police charged Lassiter after a DNA match came up from the crime scene and a sample provided last summer. He is charged with robbery, theft, simple assault, terroristic threats and related offenses, and is expected to be arraigned later today in Tamaqua.

A Lansford man is under arrest after he attempted to pass a forged prescription. Kline Township police picked up 29-year-old William Barnes around 3pm at DeBalko's Standard Drug Store. He passed a forged script for Oxycontin, which was stolen from a doctor’s office in Palmerton. Barnes was charged with forgery, theft, receiving stolen property and drug law violations. He was arraigned before District Judge Stephen Bayer, and lodged in county jail. His hearing is scheduled for January 4th.

Two cars were involved in a crash on Route 61 this morning outside of Pottsville. 19-year-old Joshua Petrozino of St. Clair was driving north on Route 61, near Brokhoff Road when he fell asleep at the wheel of his car, traveling across the center line into the path of a car driven by Joseph Wallace of Port Carbon. The cars hit head on, then down the left side of Wallace's car, disconnecting the axle of his car. Petrozino, Wallace, nor their passengers accepted medical treatment on the scene. The crash happened around 8:30am this morning.

Schuylkill County fire departments receive over 100 thousand dollars in national grants. Last night, Congressman Tim Holden awarded 4 grants to volunteer fire companies. To apply for the grant, each department was required to state an immediate need to which they dedicate the money. Rescue Hook and Ladder of Shenandoah determined that an air breathing fill station and exhaust extraction system were among their greatest needs. With the help of local government officials including Senator Jim Rhoades, Representative Tim Seip and Commissioner Mantura Gallagher, the Newtown Fire Company received funding for an in-house training program. New England fire department will purchase a thermal imaging camera and an air and gas monitor to more efficiently serve victims of fires. And the Good Intent Fire Company of Pottsville will apply the money toward physicals and fitness equipment for its volunteers. The money came from a program sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security. It awards 550 million dollars to fire departments nationwide. 53 percent of this money is required to go to volunteer companies. Pennsylvania received about 10 million dollars from this grant annually.
(Samantha Wertz)

County Commissioner Bob Carl and County Controller Gary Hornberger said their final goodbye's during Wednesday's County Commissioner and salary board meetings.
Carl lost a bid for a second four-year term during November's general election and Hornberger did not seek re-election for a fourth four-year term. Carl thanked the citizens for what he said was one of greatest honors ever bestowed on him in choosing to have him serve them for the last four years……

Carl #1 (6090)

Carl also talked about his future employment plans after a few days of vacation…

Carl #2 (6091)

Hornberger also thanked the citizens of the county for electing him controller to three terms.
The swearing-in ceremony for the newly elected County Board of Commissioners will be held Friday December 28th at 10am in Court Room number-one. A new Democratic majority will assume control of the county on Monday, January 7th during the Commissioner's re-organizational board meeting. The new board will include incumbent Democrat Mantura Gallagher, newly elected Democrat Frank McAndrew and Republican incumbent Frank Staudenmeier as minority commissioner. The Courthouse will be closed Tuesday, January 1st, 2008 in observance of New Year's Day.

The Schuylkill County Commissioners adopted a $44-point-4 million dollar budget during Wednesday's meeting, which calls for no increase in taxes. the spending plan holds the line on property taxes for the fourth year in a row and keeps the tax rate at 11 point 98 mills. A $5.00 per capita tax will continue to be collected. Rest Haven and 9-1-1 Communications department budgets were approved, both of which are considered separate entities. Rest Haven's budget is nearly $10 Point 6 Million Dollars and the 9-1-1 department budget totals almost $4-point-7 million dollars. In other business, the commissioners approved selling a $ 4-Million Dollar tax and revenue anticipation note to First National Bank of Pennsylvania, at a fixed rate of
3 Point 1-3 Percent. Commissioner Gallagher abstained from voting because she is a member of the bank's Board of Directors. The Commissioners also approved a Matrix adjustment of 3-Percent effective January 1, 2008 for all county employees not otherwise covered by a collective bargaining unit agreement.

BALTIMORE (AP) - An environmental group says the federal spending bill President Bush signed Wednesday could harm efforts to improve the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation says the $555 billion omnibus bill includes cuts to programs that are critical to bay cleanup efforts. The State Revolving Loan Fund saw the biggest cut. It provides communities with low-interest loans for sewer-treatment plant upgrades. The foundation found that the program's funding for states in the bay watershed fell by $44 million, to about $151 million, for the 2008 budget. The foundation's federal affairs director says the decrease means some communities might do without the sewer plant upgrades. The Chesapeake Bay watershed includes Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, West Virginia and D.C.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A spokesman for the planned SugarHouse casino in Philadelphia says a 1907 law gives the city the right to determine how to develop its own waterfront. But a lawsuit says the city's licensing authority applies only to docks, wharfs and other harbor structures - not casinos. The lawsuit says Philadelphia officials usurped the state's authority by issuing a license to build part of a slot-machine casino over the submerged banks of the Delaware River. Historically, a state legislator has introduced legislation to grant use of submerged lands to a private business in his or her district. They haven't done so in this case.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's newly licensed slot-machine casinos sucked in billions of dollars in bets in 2007 - and spit out a jackpot of controversies. As four more slot-machine casinos opened around the state, a grand jury investigation into one casino owner sprouted in
Harrisburg. In Philadelphia, showdowns erupted over the location of two prospective casinos. And a politically connected casino investor went to court to try to eliminate restrictions on the
industry's political influence. The year offered reason for optimism for those who say gambling
revenues can eventually yield at least $1.5 billion a year for the state. At the same time, critics didn't back down from their contention that casinos create a windfall of addiction, personal
tragedy and ruined neighborhoods.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center says it will no longer seek a tax break from the city in exchange for a $100 million scholarship program for high school students. UPMC announced the pledge to the Pittsburgh Promise scholarship program earlier this month, but included a stipulation that it would not give the full amount if it were ever required to pay the city money in lieu of taxes. After UPMC made its pledge, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl asked the City Council to give the medical center a break if some form of tax-like
payment were to be levied on nonprofits. In a statement Wednesday, UPMC says it was waiving the tax-break condition and would make its initial $10 million contribution and
$90 million in matching donations to Pittsburgh Promise.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A corporation that ran a defunct suburban Pittsburgh nursing home will be dissolved. An Allegheny County judge on Wednesday ordered the dissolution of the nonprofit Alzheimer's Disease Alliance of Western Pennsylvania. The company operated the Ronald Reagan Atrium I Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Robinson Township. The home closed in early 2004, nearly three years after an 88-year-old Alzheimer's patient died after being locked outside in near freezing temperatures. The home's former administrator, Martha Bell, was sentenced up to 44 months in prison for the death. Bell was also sentenced to five years in federal prison on charges the home got more than 7 million dollars in Medicare and Medicaid funds for services not rendered. Bell is awaiting another state court trial next month on charges
she stole payroll funds.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The father of two children who were missing for hours last night says he's extremely grateful to Philadelphia police for finding his kids unharmed. The children were sleeping in the back seat of a sport utility vehicle when it was stolen with them in it. Police later found the children, still in the vehicle. The children - 3-year-old Kaliopi Hionas and 6-year-old George Hionas - had been left alone in the car with the engine running in West Philadephia.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Pittsburgh police have accused a man and a teenage boy of setting fire to an old print shop and two more vacant buildings on Sunday night. Police say they charged 20-year-old Robert McComb and a 16-year-old boy with arson and other offenses in connection with the fire which began in the former Stobie Printing building in the city's Spring Garden neighborhood. Police say they believe the suspects entered the former print shop to strip its copper pipe and set fire to the building before they left. The fire spread to two adjacent buildings. Officials say the fire caused $100,000 damage. A listed phone number for McComb could not immediately be found. The teenager's name has not been released.

EFFORT, Pa. (AP) - State police in Monroe County say a man whose car went off the road and crashed into a tree had been shot several times. The 22-year-old Effort resident was found inside a Toyota Camry that went out of control on a curve in Chestnuthill Township at
about 1:20 p.m. on Christmas Day. The car left the road, continued 380 feet into a wooded area and hit the tree. Paramedics were treating him at the scene when they found he had been wounded by gunfire in his left arm, left leg and right foot. Fern Hill trooper Daniel Zaykowski says no bullet marks were found on the vehicle. The man was flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in stable condition. Police are trying to find out where he was coming
from.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Police in Upper Darby say they want to question a man they call "armed and dangerous" in connection with the Christmas Eve murder of a taxi driver.
Police say the 19-year-old man is being sought on charges unrelated to the murder. They include illegal weapons possession, receiving stolen property and related offenses.
But Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood says authorities want to talk to him about the murder of 42-year-old Gregory Cunningham of Clifton Heights. His body was found before sunrise Monday on a walkway of the Park Lane East Apartments in Upper Darby.
Investigators say Cunningham was shot in the back of the head. They say his body was discovered after someone used the cab's two-way radio to boast about the killing at about 3 a-m Monday.

GRANTSVILLE, Md. (AP) - Maryland Natural Resources Police say a Pennsylvania man hunting deer near Grantsville, Md., was accidentally shot by another hunter who apparently mistook him for a deer. Sgt. Ken Turner says 64-year-old Larry Resh, of Confluence, Pa.,
was wounded by a shot from a 50-caliber muzzleloading weapon shortly after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. Turner says the shot was fired by 47-year-old Jeffrey Orr, of Oakland, Md.
Turner says Resh was wearing a fluorescent orange vest and hat while hunting on private land.
He says the incident remains under investigation and no charges have been filed.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Police say a 20-year-old Marine accused of trying to take a 13-year-old Pittsburgh girl out of state might have thought the girl was 15. Lance Corporal Johnathan Plaisance is charged with interfering with the custody of a child and child concealment.
Plaisance met the girl online and came to Pittsburgh to meet with the girl. City police say the girl's parents reported her missing and police traced her relationship to Plaisance after examining the family computer and the girl's MySpace account. Police say Plaisance met the girl at a local hotel before they hopped on a Greyhound bus headed to North Carolina, where Plaisance is stationed at Camp Lejuene.

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - A Susquehanna County man is accused of crashing his car into his ex-wife's car twice - then following her and crashing a third time. Scranton police say the man then tried to pull their two daughters from her car. No one was hurt in Wednesday afternoon's
incident. The 29-year-old man was arrested and will be charged with aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child. He lives in Hop Bottom, a little more than 25 miles from Scranton.

ANNVILLE, Pa. (AP) - State police say two men impersonating police officers ripped off a 75-year-old woman on Christmas Day. Troopers say the fake officers stopped Etsuko Wells of Annville when she was driving in East Hanover Township, Lebanon County. One of the men told Wells she was speeding and had to pay $50 or go to jail. She paid the man. Police say the impersonators were wearing dark, security-type uniforms with patches and were driving a blue Ford with a yellow light on the roof. No arrests were immediately made.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The state is defending a plan to to expand the use of all-terrain vehicles in state forests. The plan would use township roads to connect ATV trails. A spokesman says they're mostly in townships that already allow ATVs to use township roads. A land conservation group says the plan is a bad and dangerous idea. The Pennsylvania Forest Coalition says the plan will put unlicensed ATVs on roads and highways, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - Civil War buffs are hoping to draw tourists to Missouri for the 150th anniversary of the war. They say Civil War tourists spend more time and money visiting
historic sites than pleasure tourists. Jim Robertson of the Missouri Civil War Heritage Foundation is encouraging local tourism bureaus to create a statewide list of Civil War sites and use it to promote the state. Civil War enthusiasts say more battles or engagements were
fought in Missouri than in any other state except Virginia and Tennessee. States such as Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania are working to promote the Civil War anniversary with driving trails, marketing campaigns, Web sites and maps.

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa (AP) - With the Iowa caucuses just a week away, there's no time for a long Christmas break from the campaigning. The candidates are back for what John Edwards
describes as "crunch time." Barack Obama returned quickly to Iowa after the holiday. He's blaming negative ads and mail sent by unnamed opponents for planting "seeds of doubt" about him.

CARNATION, Wash. (AP) - A relative says a woman who's under arrest in the slayings of six people at a home near Seattle was carrying a grudge against her family, and felt that "everyone
didn't appreciate her." Media reports indicate that the woman is the daughter of two of the victims, and that the others were from two other generations of the family.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - The mother of the man who was killed by a tiger at the San Francisco Zoo on Christmas day is asking, "How did this happen?" Investigators are still trying to find out
whether the tiger escaped by itself from its enclosure, or whether someone let it out.

BAGHDAD (AP) - U.S. military forces have carried out the deadliest raids in months against breakaway members of the Mahdi Army militia. The militia's leader had announced a six-month freeze on activities in August, and it's not clear if today's raids will affect that.

WASHINGTON (AP) - "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and "Dances With Wolves" are among 25 classic American films being added to the national registry of the Library of Congress. There are also some older classics -- like "Grand Hotel" and "Wuthering Heights." Films on the registry are carefully preserved.

Today's News-Wednesday, December 19th

State police at Schuylkill Haven responded to three crashes along the Route 61 corridor Tuesday. Around 2pm, a two vehicle crash occurred at the entrance to Redner's Market along Manheim Road. Jesse Bolinski of Orwigsburg was attempting to make a U-turn, and turned into the path of Joseph Evans' car, who was following behind him. The cars collided. Within the span of a half hour, two crashes occurred. Richard Auker of Schuylkill Haven was driving his Jeep across the ice-covered parking lot at Heritage Kia. He lost control, struck a wooden fence and rolled onto its roof. The car ended up in culvert. At 5:30, Sherry Clark of Pottsville was waiting to turn left into the Cressona Mall. Amandus Dorrell, also of Pottsville was traveling south. Clark turned into the path of Dorrell’s car, blocking both southbound lanes. No one was injured in the three mishaps.

As Pennsylvania looks to ramp up biofuel production, corn is becoming an increasingly important commodity. And an agronomist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences reports that corn production is on the rise. No one's mistaking Pennsylvania for Iowa, but corn production is increasing steadily in the Keystone State. Greg Roth, state program leader for renewable energy with Penn State Extension, says the growth can be attribute to a combination of hard work and good science:
ROTH
Roth says now that corn is in demand for feed, food and fuel, the yield increase shows that Pennsylvania farmers can be more productive, even in drought years like the one we've just experienced.

A Schuylkill Haven fire company, continuing to rebound after being burned out of their station in September, received generous contributions from a community business and its former president yesterday. Schuylkill Hose Company #2, which suffered a $2 million dollar fire September 12th, received a $10-thousand-dollar contribution from Draka Cableteq, the former Tamaqua Cable. The company was one of the responding companies to a fire that saved their plant in 2004, and the company wanted to repay the favor. The money included voluntary donations from some of the company's employees. Draka representatives also stated that other area businesses should step up and help the company financially. The Republican and Herald reports that, in addition, former Tamaqua Cable President William Combs the Third contributed $5-thousand-dollars to Schuylkill Hose. The company is continuing to rebuild from the fire, with work being done on a regular basis.

Police want to know who broke into a garage at an area high school. Troopers say overnight Monday, someone broke into a maintenance garage behind Minersville Senior High School in Cass Township. The thieves made off with several landscaping tools. Anyone with information is asked to call State Police at Frackville.

The Pennsylvania Health Department has approved the sale of one of the nation's largest nursing-home chains to a private equity firm -- despite concerns raised by the state's largest health-care union. Department spokeswoman Stacy Kriedeman says the approval means The Carlyle Group will be licensed to operate 46 nursing homes owned by Manor Care, including one in Schuylkill County. Manor Care officials say the sale won't affect the quality of care provided to more than 7,000 patients in Pennsylvania. The Service Employees International Union has campaigned nationwide to raise concerns about whether Carlyle would cut back on patient care, partly because the purchase will be financed heavily by debt. SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania officials didn't immediately return telephone messages seeking comment on the health department's decision.

A machining company plans to move it's operations to a new location in the county. Ashland Technologies recently acquired the building that formerly housed the Penn Fishing Tackle Manufacturing Company in Hegins. Ash-Tec is a top manufacturer of machined and fabricated parts. The company will vacate an existing 12-thousand-square-foot structure in Ashland and move its entire operation to the newly-purchased 45-thousand-square-foot building in Hegins.
Ash-Tec president, Bill Wydra, Jr., estimates the costs of acquisition, renovation, new equipment purchases and moving expenses will top $850-thousand dollars. All employees of the Ash-Tec's 23-member workforce will continue at the new location and at least 15 new employees will be hired within the next three years.

POTTSVILLE, Pa. (AP) - A writer backing a bid to claim National Football League championship status for the 1925 Pottsville Maroons says he's heard from a high-ranking reader. Author David Fleming says he received a handwritten letter Tuesday from President Bush about his book entitled "Breaker Boys: The NFL's Greatest Team and the Stolen 1925 Championship." Bush compliments Fleming as a "fine writer." The president's letter adds, "I did enjoy the book." Fleming says he doesn't know how the president received a copy. The 1925 Maroons team had a 10-2 record but was stripped of the title for playing an exhibition against Notre Dame's all-stars. The NFL named the Chicago Cardinals as the 1925 champs.
In addition to Fleming's efforts, the Pennsylvania House has approved a resolution urging the NFL to reconsider.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Planes will now begin flying new routes out of Philadelphia International Airport. The Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday is implementing the first stage of its plan to redesign airspace at the Philadelphia and Newark, N.J., airports. The plans face legal challenges. Injunction requests have been filed on behalf of Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey residents.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Comcast Corp. predicts courts will reject a new federal market share rule that would prevent the nation's largest cable television company from growing substantially larger. The Federal Communications Commission voted Tuesday to put a 30
percent limit on the share of the pay television market a single cable company may serve.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - The mining industry is getting more time to have its say about final federal rules requiring stronger seals for abandoned sections in underground coal mines. The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration has extended the comment period on the rules and added a fifth public hearing on January 15th in Virginia.

ERIE, Pa. (AP) - An Erie County church is filling one of its newly drilled gas wells with concrete as a last-ditch effort to stem methane from leaking and allow five families who live nearby
to return home. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection ordered First Alliance Church in Millcreek Township to cap the well, which is one of seven drilled on church property in October.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - The Lehigh Valley IronPigs say they'll open their new stadium, Coca-Cola Park, in Allentown with a March 30 exhibition game with the National League East champion Philadelphia Phillies. IronPigs general manager Kurt Landes says it's an honor to have the Phillies want to help their Triple-A farm club. The $49 million stadium is under construction.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Airline officials say they expect the government to propose limiting the number of flights at New York City-area airports. It's part of a plan to be announced today to
ease congestion at the airports and reduce flight delays around the nation.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush will sign an energy bill today that raises auto fuel efficiency standards for the first time in 32 years. The bill requires the industry to achieve an average of 35 miles per gallon for all vehicles, including SUVs and small trucks, by 2020. It also includes new energy efficiency standards for appliances, light bulbs and buildings.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The New York Times is reporting that White House lawyers took part in discussions with the CIA about whether to destroy videotapes of terror suspect interrogations. The paper quotes one former intelligence official as saying there had been "vigorous sentiment" to destroy the tapes, while other officials said no White House lawyer gave a direct order to preserve the tapes.

SKIATOOK, Okla. (AP) - Utility companies in Oklahoma say they expect to restore electricity to most customers by later today or tomorrow. Thousands have been without power for more than a week after a massive 2-day storm coated much of the state in ice. President Bush declared a major disaster for seven counties in the state yesterday.

NEW YORK (AP) - Time's person of the year is Russian President Vladimir Putin. The magazine's managing editor says Putin accomplished "an extraordinary feat of leadership" by "bringing stability" to "a country that was in chaos." Others in the running for the honor included Nobel Prize-winner Al Gore and Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling.

Today's News- Tuesday, December 18

WASHINGTON (AP) - A contentious vote is expected by the FederalCommunications Commission today on allowing broadcasters in thenation's 20 largest media markets to also own a newspaper in thesame market. That's been banned for 32 years. The ban was approvedby the FCC in 1975 to serve "the twin goals of diversity ofviewpoints and economic competition."

PITTSBURGH (AP) - PNC Investments has filed suit, sayingWachovia Securities wrongly tried to woo its brokerage employeesand their customer databases. Pittsburgh-based PNC says Wachoviasent letters to more than 250 current and former PNC employees latelast month telling them to jump to Wachovia because PNC was leavingthe retail brokerage business. PNC says it's not true.

YORK, Pa. (AP) - Investigators say an overheated electric cordstarted a fire that killed a York couple and two children. YorkFire Chief John Senft says officials believe the blaze that racedthrough the Hernandez residence early Saturday started when anextension cord in the basement overheated. Funeral services arescheduled Thursday at The Salvation Army-York Temple.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A major operator of daily and weeklynewspapers is closing six of its weekly papers in the LehighValley. Journal Register Co. says last week marked the last editionof its Bethlehem, East Penn, Easton, Parkland, Saucon andWhitehall-Catasauqua weekly newspapers. The papers were launched inMarch 2006 and distributed free through stores.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - State College Borough has narrowlyadopted a budget that limits a property tax increase to 5 percent.That's about $25 more for a typical homeowner with a property withmarket value of $260,000. The vote was 4-3 Monday for the nearly$30 million budget. The borough council cut out about $300,000 toprevent a nearly 15 percent rise in property taxes.

KIRKUK, Iraq (AP) - Kurdish officials say the Turkish army has sent some 300 soldiers more than a mile into northern Iraq early today. A Turkish official says the troops seeking Kurdish rebels were still in Iraq by midmorning. The troops crossed into a deserted mountainous frontier area near the border with Iran, about 75 miles north of the city of Irbil. The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad is declining comment on reports of the Turkish operation. The Turkish official says they were sent as "reinforcements" to existing Turkish troops stationed deeper inside Iraq. About 1,200 Turkish military monitors have operated in northern Iraq since 1996 with permission from local authorities.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A severe housing slump is showing no signs of a turnaround.
The Commerce Department is reporting that construction of new homes and apartments dropped by 3.7 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.187 million units.
Construction of single-family homes fell by 5.5 percent to an annual rate of 829,000 units, the lowest level since April of 1991. Meanwhile, multi-family construction was up 4.4 percent to an
annual rate of 332,000 units. The government also reports that applications for building
permits fell for a sixth straight month, dropping by 1.5 percent. That's the slowest pace for building permits since June 1993. The housing slump has raised concerns that the economy could be pushed into a full-blown recession.

NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks open from a position of weakness this morning after a second straight double digit decline by the Dow yesterday. The blue chip index stands at 13,167. Oil prices rose slightly today in Asian trading. Light, sweet crude for January delivery rose 10 cents to $90.73 a barrel in Asian electronic trading in Singapore on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A Federal Reserve plan being unveiled today would give people taking out home mortgages new protections against shady lending practices. The Fed is considering limits on penalties lenders can place on subprime borrowers who pay their loans off early. It's also looking at forcing lenders to make sure subprime borrowers set aside money to pay for taxes and insurance. Loans that don't require proof of a borrower's income could be limited or banned. And there could be new standards for how repay ability is gauged. Fed policymakers also will look into improving financial disclosures so people better understand the terms and conditions of their mortgages. It will consider ways to crack down on misleading mortgage advertising.

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION (AP) - Two astronauts floated outside the international space station this morning for the 100th spacewalk at the orbiting laboratory. They inspected a mechanism that tilts the solar wings toward the sun. It may have been hit by a piece of space junk but the astronauts found no evidence of that today.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The location of futuristic power plant for research into burning coal without adding to global warming will be announced today. Two sites in Illinois and two in Texas are under consideration for the facility which was first proposed eight years ago. The plant is supposed to be virtually pollution-free and produce both electricity and hydrogen. Its carbon dioxide, a leading greenhouse gas, is to be captured and buried. Lawmakers from the two states have been lobbying intensely. Hundreds of jobs are at stake along with the prestige.
Some lawmakers have questioned the soaring cost of the facility -- nearly double the 950 million dollars originally projected --and its long delays.

DENVER (AP) - Colorado's secretary of state says it's a problem with "national repercussions." He's declaring many of the state's electronic voting machines unreliable. The decision affects six of Colorado's 10 most populous counties. Electronic voting machines used in Denver, Arapahoe,
Pueblo, Mesa and Elbert counties can't be used in the upcoming 2008 primary because of problems with accuracy and security. A number of electronic scanners used to count ballots were also decertified. When new rules for testing the voting machines were adopted in
March, the secretary of state required the four electronic voting systems used in all 64 Colorado counties to apply for recertification. Only one system had all its equipment pass muster.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Two of Hollywood's most glamorous events are now caught up in the writers' strike. The writers' union won't let its members write for the Golden Globes next month or the Academy Awards in February. This is the seventh week of the work stoppage.
The producers of the awards shows had asked the Writers Guild of America to waive a strike rule to allow writers to write for them. The guild has rejected the requests, saying in a letter to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association that granting a waiver "would not advance" the union's ongoing battle with studios to negotiate a new contract. It also denied a request to use old movie clips during the Academy Awards show February 24th

GENEVA (AP) - An Iraqi treasure was nearly sold on eBay last week. A 4,000 year-old clay tablet that authorities suspect was smuggled out of Iraq was up for auction online when a sharp-eyed German archaeologist spotted it. EBay stopped the auction "a few minutes" before the end of bidding. And police confiscated the business-card sized tablet from a storage facility in Zurich, Switzerland. The Swiss seller faces criminal charges. The ancient tablet with wedge-shaped cuneiform (kyoo-NEE'-eh-fohrm) script hasn't been deciphered. Cuneiform tablets are included on the International Council of Museums' "red list" of especially endangered Iraqi cultural objects. The Iraqi National Library is believed to have lost numerous
objects when it was burned and looted after the Iraq war started in 2003.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - A Fargo, North Dakota, bank is giving its full-time employees $1,000 each and part-time employees $500 each on one condition -- spend the money on people in need. The 500 or so employees of State Bank & Trust were told they may choose an individual cause, pool their money for a larger project or collaborate with donors outside the bank. They are not to use the money for themselves, their families or families of co-workers. They've also been told to document the good deed with a video camera. One bank official says there'll be a "huge" impact on the community.

Today's News, Monday Dec 17

ALTOONA, Pa. (AP) - The Altoona Mirror is reporting that
Pennsylvania school superintendents will cost taxpayers millions
when they leave their jobs because of contracts that include
payment for unused sick days and free health care in retirement.
The analysis shows compensation beyond publicly disclosed salaries,
and many costs occur after the superintendents leave, retire or
die.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A U.S. Airways Express flight from
Philadelphia slid off the runway as it tried to land on Sunday at
T.F. Green Airport in Providence, Rhode Island. The plane was
carrying 31 passengers and three crew members. No injuries were
reported, but spokespeople told the Providence Journal that the
airport had to close its runways for about 2 1/2 hours.

HAGERSTOWN, Md. - A retrial is scheduled to begin today in
Hagerstown, Maryland, for a local man accused of a March 2004
homicide. Twenty-six-year-old Tyshawn Jones is accused of the
shooting death of Jonathan Dennis of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania.
Jones' conviction in the case was overturned on appeal.

MORGAN, Pa. (AP) - Dozens of Mayview State Hospital employees
are protesting plans to close the Allegheny County mental health
institution. The workers held a snowy candlelight vigil late
Sunday. Workers fear that when the facility closes in December 2008
patients will not get equivalent care in community centers. Mayview
serves five counties in western Pennsylvania.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Army Corps of Engineers will clean up more
than 50,000 tons of nuclear waste in Armstrong County, but will
leave behind other materials containing potentially dangerous heavy
metals. The corps will remove all radioactive materials from the
1950s-era nuclear burial grounds that was used by companies that
produced fuel for nuclear submarines and power plants.

DETROIT (AP) - Some parts of the country from the Great Lakes to
the Northeast are covered by up to a foot-and-a-half of snow from a
blast of wintry weather. High wind is whipping up mounds of snow in
upstate New York. Icy roads are being blamed in eight weekend
deaths.

HILLSBOROUGH, N.H. (AP) - Former Democratic vice-presidential
nominee Joe Lieberman is supporting Republican John McCain in the
2008 presidential race. McCain and Lieberman made a joint
appearance on the New Hampshire campaign trail this morning.
Lieberman is an independent, but caucuses with Senate Democrats.

MOSCOW (AP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin says he'll take a
job as prime minister if the candidate he supports is elected as
his successor in March. The Russian prime minister post is less
powerful than the president's and Putin says he plans to keep it
that way.

WHITE HOUSE (AP) - The White House says it's encouraged by
Democratic concessions in a more than 500 billion dollar spending
bill. The measure mostly sticks within President Bush's spending
limits for domestic programs. The bill is expected to pass Congress
this week and allow lawmakers to head home for Christmas.

ELIZABETH, N.J. (AP) - Two New Jersey inmates have escaped from
a county jail by hiding holes they made in the walls with posters
of women in bikinis. The pair broke out of the jail over the
weekend. Authorities are searching for the men while launching a
security review of the facility.

Today's News-Saturday, December 15th

WEATHER ADVISORY - The region could be in for another mixed bag of precipitation tonight and Sunday. A storm approaching from the southwest will bring snow and sleet early this evening, then change over to sleet and freezing rain, particularly in southern Schuylkill County. There could be some ice buildup overnight. During the day Sunday, the wintry mix will continue, with freezing rain and possibly plain rain continuing. By Sunday night, the precipitation may return to snow as winds pickup and temperatures fall. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for Schuylkill County from 7pm tonight through midnight Sunday. Stay tuned to WPPA for updates and WeatherWatch.

POTTSVILLE - The armed trio who stole diamond rings from Murphy Jewelers in Pottsville on Thursday night may have benefitted from the cover of darkness caused by inoperative street lamps, store co-owner Patrick J. Murphy said Friday. According to the Republican and Herald, in less than a minute, Murphy, said the robbers grabbed the rings, neither the amount nor value have been released, and struck him on the head with a pistol. They bound his hands with duct tape, then fled out on to the 100 block of West Market Street, where the PPL-owned street lights had been out for several days, Murphy said. Pottsville police said Friday they are pursuing leads and have released a surveillance photo of the trio entering the store. The fuses had blown on four PPL light poles and were repaired Friday morning, said Martha M. Herron, regional community relations director for PPL. Daniel E. Kelly, the city's superintendent of streets, said Friday he reported the matter to PPL "either Monday or Tuesday." He said he wasn't sure how long the lamps had not been working. Murphy said he pursued the robbers out of the store at 115 W. Market St. to a getaway vehicle on the 200 block of West Market Street shortly after 7 p.m. Pottsville police Capt. Ronald J. Moser said they vehicles believed to be used in the robbery was located Friday in Port Carbon. Moser said the investigation is ongoing. The robbery happened when the store, which specializes in jewelry, timepieces, china, crystal, silverware and accessories, was fully stocked for the holidays, Murphy said. The digital video security cameras inside the store recorded the robbery, which lasted 53 seconds, from a few angles, Murphy said. Moser reviewed the video at City Hall on Friday, while Murphy watched it in the store's office. The video shows the robbers entering the store at 7:11 p.m., two in dark hooded sweatshirts and a third wearing a dark-blue parka. All three were wearing gloves and covered their faces with black scarves. Murphy said one of the burglars forced him into an office at the rear of the store by striking him in the right temple with a pistol, then bound Murphy's hands behind his back. Murphy said Friday he was in the process of doing an inventory and would not speculate on how many items were taken or the value of the stolen merchandise. Police asked that anyone with information about the crime call 622-1234.

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - A Schuylkill Haven man is in Schuylkill County Prison after he was arrested in an internet child sex sting. PA Attorney General Tom Corbett announced the arrest of 45 year old Michael Deane, Haven Street in the borough, after he reportedly used internet chat rooms to sexually proposition what he believed to be a 14-year-old girl, as well as sending sexually explicit photos and webcam videos to the "girl". The girl in fact was an undercover agent from the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit. Deane operates a DJ and karaoke business from his home. Deane initially contacted the undercover agent in July, 2007. He was arrested yesterday by the Attorney General's office and Schuylkill Haven police. During the search, six computers, a webcam and various data storage devices. Deane is charged with four counts of unlawful contact with a minor, and one count of criminal use of a computer, all felonies. He was arraigned and taken to Schuylkill County Prison, in lieu of $75-thousand-dollars bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for December 24th. The Attorney General's Office has arrested 112 Internet predators from Pennsylvania and several other states, since the inception of the investigation unit in 2005.

PINE GROVE - A Schuylkill County landfill has received certification for expansion work. The PA Department of Environmental Protection made the announcement yesterday that the Pine Grove Landfill can reopen, as soon as next week, with an additional 2.4 acres of landfill space. This is the last expansion allowed at Pine Grove, and should provide an additional 4 and a half years of operational life. An expansion proposed in 2004 was denied, and following appeal by Waste Management, the owners of the site, the company decided to abandoned further plans to expand. This final step was approved by DEP in June. In addition, Pine Grove Landfill is involved in a landfill gas-to-energy project that will provide electricity to the Guilford Mills, a textile and industrial fabric facility in Pine Grove Borough.

NORTH MANHEIM TOWNSHIP - Two people were hurt in a crash on Route 61 at Cressona Mall yesterday afternoon. Pottsville resident Albert Flail temporarily lost consciousness due to a coughing spell, and lost control of his car. The vehicle crossed the center lane, hit the concrete divider and hit a car driven by Robert Seaman of Reidsville, North Carolina. Flail's car then struck a Volkswagen driven by Paul Hutira of Orwigsburg. Flail and Hutira were taken to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. Their cars had to be towed from the scene. The crash happened around 2pm Friday.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Heavy snow in the Plains today will be problematic for crews working to restore power in the region. About 280,000 homes and businesses are still without power following a storm earlier in the week. Kansas appears to be in for the worst of today's winter blast.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - Six weeks of emergency rule in Pakistan have come to an end. Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has lifted the crackdown and restored the constitution.

BALI, Indonesia (AP) - It's a dramatic finish to the U.N. climate conference in Indonesia. World leaders have agreed to negotiate a global warming pact by 2009. Today's agreement came after the U.S. backed off in a showdown with developing countries over special help they say they'll need.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Two blasts have rocked Afghanistan's capital city, Kabul, killing at least five people. In the first attack, a rocket landed in a crowd of civilians near the city's police headquarters. Moments later, a truck full of rockets rigged as a bomb exploded nearby.

WHITE HOUSE (AP) - President Bush will use his weekly radio address today to push Congress to wrap up its budget work. Democrats have agreed to accept Bush's spending limits on domestic programs. He's calling on lawmakers to pass a "fiscally responsible" bill that won't raise taxes.

TORONTO (AP) - The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has ordered restrictions on the use of Tasers by its officers. The decision comes after a report concluded the Mounties are using the stun guns too often. The review was prompted by three recent Taser-related deaths.

CALGARY, Alberta (AP) - It's a severe case of cell-phone sticker shock for a man in Canada. The 22-year-old Calgary resident racked up $142,000 in charges over a two-month period by using his phone to download music and movies. He's negotiated the bill down to about $3,200.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Attorney General Michael Mukasey is saying "no" to a congressional request for details on the government's investigation of why the CIA destroyed videotapes of terror-suspect interrogations. Mukasey says telling Congress might compromise the integrity of the probe.

BEIJING (AP) - Chinese police have caught up with a coal mine official who has been in hiding since an explosion a week and a-half ago killed 105 miners. Chinese media say police are still looking for the mine's owner. Reports have blamed the disaster on management mistakes.

TROY, Ohio (AP) - An Ohio jail is getting a pink and purple makeover. Officials at the jail in Miami County are citing pink's perceived calming abilities as the reason for the change from cream colored walls. The bars will be painted purple.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - A passenger in a car involved in a South Carolina police chase tried to save an officer's life moments after being arrested. The officer suffered a fatal heart attack. The handcuffed passenger tried to use officer's radio to call for help. The driver was caught later and is being charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death.

NEW YORK (AP) - A New York City man wants "ladies' night" to be declared unconstitutional. The man is suing several Manhattan nightclubs over promotions offering women free or discounted cover charges and drinks. A lawyer for one club calls the suit frivolous. Another club notes the special nights are also good for male customers because they attract more women.

Today's News-Friday, December 14th

A landmark Pottsville jewelry store was robbed Thursday night. Three people reportedly robbed Murphy Jewelers on Market Street just before 7:30pm. The Republican and Herald reports that the bandits got away with an undetermined amount of merchandise. The store was scheduled to be open until 8pm. Owner Pat Murphy was hit on the head with a pistol during the heist. No one else was injured. Reports indicate that several people passing by reported suspicious activity near the store around the time of the robbery. Pottsville and state police are investigating and looking for the trio of thieves.

A Cressona family who lost two family members in a horrific fire in July is rebuilding, with the generosity of a local congregation and the public. Faith Worship Center of Orwigsburg is sponsoring a New Home Shower for Jim and Noah Shaak. The father and son are rebuilding their home and lives after the tragic fire deaths of Lisa and Joab Shaak. Their home was destroyed by the fire, and a modular home is being constructed at the site in Cressona. The family expects to be in the home for Christmas, but they need household goods and financial help. The church has established registries at Boscov’s and Wal Mart department stores, and people can buy items, either in person, or online, to help out. There are a variety of items at different price levels available for purchase. Cash donations are also welcomed. For information about the program, contact Faith Worship Center at 366-5131.

The Schuylkill County Commissioners Wednesday approved two contracts and authorized a rate agreement with the Pottsville Parking Authority. Avenues of Pottsville, formerly United Cerebral Palsy, was awarded a one year Courthouse Complex cleaning contract on a low bid of $91,872 and Petco Inc. of Scranton was approved to provide Dietary Equipment at Rest Haven with a contract cap of $32,000. The Pottsville Parking Authority agreement calls for providing 90 parking spaces in the Capitol Parking lot at $27.50 per month and 10 parking spaces along Laurel Blvd. at $17.50 per month. The total cost is $31,800 for the period January 1st through December 31st 2008. The cost is the same as the county is now paying for the parking spots.
The Commissioners also approved three retirements and five appointments. The retirements include, Kathy Lesher of Pottsville from Domestic Relations, Jeanne Androshick of St. Clair from Central Services, and Dan Dereskiewicz of Shenandoah from Maintenance at the Prison. Kent Watkins of St. Clair was appointed Assistant Public Defender, Star Wishkin, Cumbola, Lynn McNamara, Pottsville and Erin Loftus of Seltzer were appointed Part-time Nurses aides at Rest Haven. Shelly Abell of Pottsville was appointed part-time LPN at Rest Haven. Rest Haven also had three resignations that required no action by the Commissioners.

A Jim Thorpe man is in jail after leading police on a high speed chase through parts of Carbon and Schuylkill counties early Thursday. Police report that Michael Guth, Lehigh Street, told a clerk at a Jim Thorpe convenience store that he was going to commit suicide. He also called Carbon County 9-1-1 to report same, then took off from the store on Route 209, with police in pursuit. At one point, the chase exceeded 100 miles per hour. The chase continued into Schuylkill County, on Routes 54 and 309. Police stopped Guth in McAdoo. A chase on foot ensued, and the suspect began to fight off officers. One Jim Thorpe police officer injured his knee. Guth was taken to Gnadden Huetten Hospital for a blood alcohol test. He faces other charges as a result of the pursuit by police from three counties and state police from Hazleton.
After arraignment, Guth was taken to Carbon County Jail.

Pennsylvania transportation agencies seeking approval to collect tolls on Interstate 80 will have to answer some tough questions from federal officials. The Federal Highway Administration has asked for a range of information -- from a simple request for a three-month-old state
report to answers to questions that go to the heart of why the plan should receive approval.
The tolls are vehemently opposed by many public officials in northern Pennsylvania, and opponents promptly called the questions a sign that Pennsylvania's plan is doomed.
However, the federal agency says it is normal to seek such information from the state.
A hearing about the project is being held in Pottsville this morning, at the Sovereign Majestic Theatre.

Now that former Senator George Mitchell has released the findings of his investigation into the use of steroids in major league baseball, legislators in Harrisburg want to take a closer look at their use by teenagers. Legislation has been introduced by Berks County Democratic Representative Dante Santoni, to establish a task force to investigate steroid use by teenage athletes in the state:

SANTONI

The proposed group would include experts in health, education and athletics. They would study the problem, make recommendations and develop an education program for use in schools.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, steroid use among teen athletes has more than doubled over the last decade, with an alarming increase among teenage girls.

A Kulpmont woman suffered minor injuries in a crash in Lebanon County yesterday. State police report that Elizabeth Mikosh was driving her SUV on Interstate 81 in Bethel Township when she lost control while attempting to slow down for traffic. Her vehicle slid into an embankment and rolled over. Her vehicle had to be towed from the scene.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Minor flooding is occurring along the Monongahela River in the greater Pittsburgh area. The National Weather Service says the river will crest about a foot above flood
stage at Point State Park in Pittsburgh about noon. No evacuations are reported, though minor basement and road flooding is being reported. Several roads had to be closed Thursday night.

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Pediatricians are rushing to stock up on a crucial baby vaccine, a day after Merck said it was recalling over one million doses and suspending production indefinitely. Parents are calling doctors' offices to ask whether their children are safe if they recently got the Hib vaccine. Parents are being told there's virtually no effect except swelling and redness around the injection.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphia City Council is dropping its proposal to allow nonunion work on the $700 million Pennsylvania Convention Center expansion. Instead, council members propose to require trade unions to submit a long-term diversity plan to be approved by the council before they can sign agreements to work on the project.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The former chief executive of the bankrupt Le-Nature's drink company is fighting for his right to remain silent in federal bankruptcy court in Pittsburgh. Greg Podlucky is under federal investigation for alleged accounting fraud at the Latrobe company. But he's also being sued by a New Jersey insurance company that says he lied to get a $7.5 million business liability policy.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - State College police say they are searching for a murder suspect who escaped out a hotel window. Antonio Lorenzio Winkleman is wanted for allegedly shooting and killing a 51-year-old man in Cambria County on Sunday. Police say they located Winkleman at the Super 8 Motel, but he fled when police arrived at his room.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Americans have been paying a lot more for gasoline, clothing, prescription drugs and other items -- leading to the biggest jump in consumer prices in more than two years. They rose by eight-tenths of one percent in November, the biggest
increase since a 1.2 percent surge in September of 2005.

UNDATED (AP) - About a half million homes are still without power in Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri today. Mother Nature isn't expected to help out utility workers trying to get things back up and running following a three-day storm earlier this week. Heavy snow is forecast for parts of Oklahoma.

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - A budget deal could be on the horizon in Congress. Congressional negotiators are slashing funds from hundreds of federal programs to meet President Bush's strict domestic spending limits. The White House says it's "encouraged" by the talks.

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - After releasing a scathing report on steroids in baseball to the public, former Senator George Mitchell will head to Congress next week. Mitchell will testify alongside
baseball commissioner Bud Selig and the player's union chief before a House panel next week.

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - New Jersey is poised to become the first state in four decades to abolish the death penalty. State lawmakers have voted to end capital punishment sentences in the state. Governor Jon Corzine is expected to sign the bill within a week.