Today's News-Monday, December 10th

Supporters of the Norwegian Township police department and their long-time leader are taking their campaign to the streets to keep the department in operation. Sunday afternoon, a large crowd of residents met at the Seltzer Hose Company to begin a petition drive to keep the police department intact. Norwegian Township Supervisors voted last week to disband the department, effective January 1st. State police would take over patrolling the streets. Reports indicate that the move is not financially motivated, but rather to improve coverage. Sgt. John Zurratt is the only officer employed by the township. The Republican Herald reports that the residents gathered yesterday to begin signing the petition to keep the police department. Citizens are expected to begin canvassing homes in the township today, with a goal of more than 800 signatures. It is expected that the petition will be presented to the Norwegian Township supervisors later this month.

Saturday night patrols netted a few arrests during sobriety checkpoints. Seven police departments took part in the effort on area roadways, with 78 vehicles contacted. Five drivers were tested for DUI, with two adults arrested. Forty one traffic citations took place, including two for seat belt violations, four criminal arrests and 45 warnings issued. Additional enforcement efforts will be conducted during the week on area roadways.

A chimney fire spread into the walls, floors and attic of a home in Tamaqua this morning, causing severe damage. The call came in around 3:30 this morning for the fire at 136-138 West Spruce Street in Tamaqua. Tamaqua Fire Chief Tom Schlorf says when crews arrived flames were showing from the second floor of the two-and-a-half story double home. Smoke alarms woke the family of Charles Heffelfinger. His wife and three children were able to escape the 138 side of the home. The 136 West Spurce Street side of the home, owned by Gary Taylor of Delano, was vacant and undergoing renovations. Chief Schlorf says the fire caused about $40-thousand dollars in damages. The Heffelfinger's are staying with relatives and are insured. Taylor was not insured for his losses.

Four people escaped injury in a crash Saturday evening in Tower City borough. State police say that 51-year-old Denise Scheib was attempting to turn from Bella Avenue onto Route 209, when she collided with Elaine Mika's car, which was southbound on Route 209. After impact, Scheib's car spun 180 degrees. Mika's car continued on for about 200 feet. Both vehicles were heavily damaged. The crash happened before 7pm Saturday.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - Colorado's governor is urging "a collective sense of outrage" over yesterday's church-related shootings near Denver and in Colorado Springs. Five people
including a gunman died. Police say the shootings were probably related.

OMAHA, Nebraska (AP) - Funerals for five of the victims of last week's shooting rampage in an Omaha, Nebraska, shopping mall are scheduled today. The mall reopened over the weekend, but not the Von Maur store where the gunman opened fire.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - There are warnings, advisories, and watches about an ice storm from Texas to New Hampshire. The storm is already blamed for six traffic deaths in Oklahoma. A forecaster says today could be even worse than yesterday because it's colder.

OSLO, Norway (AP) - Al Gore and the U.N.'s climate agency have been presented the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway. In his remarks, Gore said humans are confronting "a planetary
emergency." He next plans to fly to a climate change conference in Indonesia.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Three weeks after reporting to jail early, pro football star Michael Vick learns his sentence today for bankrolling dogfighting. A federal judge in Richmond, Virginia,
could give him up to five years in prison. Guidelines suggest up to 18 months.