Today's News-Tuesday, January 8

In Northumberland County, fire and environmental officials worked together in an attempt to extinguish a smoldering pile of coal refuse in a wooded section of Coal Township. The News Item reports the fire broke out in an area behind Scot's Lo-Cost just before seven Sunday night and as originally reported to police as a brush fire. Fire officials confirmed Monday that there is coal refuse burning at the site. Fire officials don't know how deep the fire is burning on land owned by the Susquehanna Coal Company. Heavy equipment will be brought in today to excavate the fire.

The remains of Sherry Wolfgang will be laid to rest today. Wolfgang was allegedly murdered by her husband Steven Wolfgang January 5th, 2007 at their Mt. Carmel Home. Steven Wolfgang was charged with her murder over the weekend and remains locked up at the Graterford State Prison where he's serving time on arson charges for trying to destroy Sherry's vehicle days after her death near Helfenstein in Schuylkill County.

Property owned by the borough of Auburn was damaged by vandals overnight Sunday. Borough employees found spray painting on garage doors at the borough municipal building, including slurs against police and obscenities. Borough police Chief Anthony Kuklinski reports that the borough is not taking the vandalism lightly, and state police and the Schuylkill County DA’s office have been called in to assist in the investigation. No dollar amount of damage was available. Anyone with information about the vandalism should contact Schuylkill Haven State Police or Auburn borough police.

A number of Roman Catholic churches in northern Schuylkill and Carbon counties may be consolidating. An announcement was made over the weekend that parishes in Kelayres, McAdoo, and Tresckow would merge, following lengthy discussions among church leaders and the Allentown Diocese, as part of the church consolidation process. The Republican and Herald reports that the information was passed on to parishioners during weekend services. The process has been ongoing for some time at parishes throughout the Diocese. They considered self evaluations by the churches themselves, and numerous other factors. The churches affected include St. Mary Immaculate Conception in Kelayres, St. Patrick’s, St. Mary’s and St. Kunegunda in McAdoo and St. Bartholemew and St. Michael’s in Tresckow.

The first truck of the year became wedged under the Cressona railroad bridge last night. Reports indicate that before 9pm, a trucker from Missouri traveling south misjudged the height of his rig and ripped the top off of his trailer. Last year, nearly 2 dozen trucks hit the 11 foot, 8 inch underpass in the borough of Cressona.

Schuylkill Haven police were involved in a high speed chase and crash as the result of a domestic dispute Sunday afternoon. After 1pm, officers were called to the Drey (dray) home at 232 Dock Street, where a domestic dispute between Robert and Jacquelyn Drey was taking place. The argument turned physical, and Robert Drey fled the scene. After 3pm, police were contacted by the spouse, stating that Drey made threats to harm his wife and himself on the phone. Police spotted Drey leaving the home, and followed in pursuit. The chase ended in North Manheim Township, where Drey rammed the Schuylkill Haven police car several times. Officers had to physically remove Drey from the vehicle and subdued him using a Taser weapon. He was treated at the scene, then transported to Pottsville Hospital where he remains under evaluation. Criminal charges are pending.

Five county offices have new solicitors as the result of resignations and appointments announced during Monday’s County Commissioner’s reorganization meeting. Eric Mika is the new County Solicitor replacing Paul Datte who resigned. Mika, who was Solicitor to the Prothonotary’s office, resigned that position and was replaced by Attorney Jeffrey Markosky.
Attorney Sudhir Patel becomes the solicitor in the Controllers Office replacing Frank Cori who resigned. Attorney David Rattigan is the new Solicitor in the office of Register of Wills, replacing Ronald Derenzo who resigned. Attorney Bill Reiley was appointed Solicitor to the County Coroner’s Office replacing Joseph Zerbe. The Coroner’s office also has a new Chief Deputy. James Nettles replaces David Jarrett. Attorney’s Jay Jones and Robert Fryklund (frick-lund) will remain in their in their present roles as assistant County Solicitors. The Commissioners next scheduled meeting is a work session that will be held Wednesday January 9th at 10am in the Hoffman Room.

The Schuylkill County Commissioners held their reorganization meeting Monday and named Commissioner Mantura Gallagher Chairwoman of the Board. While she is not the first woman to serve as County Commissioner, that honor belonging to MaryAnn Conway, she is the first woman in the history of the County to serve as chairperson of the board……
Gallagher #1 (0675)…..
In other business during the meeting, the Commissioners announced their schedule of meetings for 2008, which includes four meetings outside the courthouse. Commissioner Gallagher said the idea was born during the election campaign when some officials said they would like to host meetings in their communities………
Gallagher #2 (0674)……..
Those meetings will be March 26th at Schuylkill Haven Borough Hall, June 25th at Shenandoah Borough Hall, September 24th at the Hegins Township Municipal Building and December 10th at the Rush Township Municipal Building. All meetings begin at 10Am

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A neighborhood group is opposing thePittsburgh Penguins' plan for a new $290 million arena in theirarea. The One Hill Community Benefits Agreement Coalition wants adevelopment fund to be established from public subsidies and moneyfrom the Penguins. The city and Allegheny County are offering plans for a newgrocery store, job training and other social service programs inthe predominantly black Hill District neighborhood that abuts theplanned arena. But the group says those promises are worthlesswithout the development fund. The Penguins' new arena will replace Mellon Arena, which wasbuilt in 1961 by displacing thousands of black residents. ThePenguins began playing in the arena in 1967 when the team wasestablished.

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - After months of listening, New Hampshirevoters are doing the talking today, in the voting booth. The polls are open for the presidential primary. The vote offers Barack Obama a chance to become the clearfavorite for the Democratic nomination while Republicans JohnMcCain and Mitt Romney are in a close race that could sink theaspirations of one of them. Late polls show Obama ahead of Hillary Rodham Clinton, andMcCain ahead of Romney. Voters lined up before dawn at polling places. It's tough tofind a parking spot outside the Brookside Congregational Church inManchester, where about 50 people were in line before the pollsopened at 6 o'clock. Republican Rudy Giuliani was there greeting voters on their wayin.

DIXVILLE NOTCH, N.H. (AP) - Residents of two tiny New Hampshiretowns stayed up late to give Barack Obama and John McCain earlyvictories in the first presidential primary of 2008. Voters in the villages of Dixville Notch and Hart's Locationcast the initial ballots just after midnight. In Hart's Location, Democrat Obama received nine votes, HillaryRodham Clinton received three and John Edwards received one. On theRepublican side, McCain received six, Mike Huckabee received five,Ron Paul received four and Mitt Romney one. In Dixville Notch, on the Republican side, McCain received fourvotes, Mitt Romney two and Rudy Giuliani one. On the Democraticside, Obama received seven votes, John Edwards two votes and BillRichardson one vote. State law allows towns with fewer than 100 people to open atmidnight and to close as soon as all registered voters have castballots.

MARSHFIELD, Mo. (AP) - More springlike storms are possible todayacross the Midwest. At least two deaths are reported in Missouri after a Januarywarm spell triggered a tornado outbreak. In McHenry County in northern Illinois, about 500 people fledtheir homes after a suspected tornado knocked over rail carscarrying hazardous materials. Several homes were destroyed in Poplar Grove, Illinois, whereauthorities rescued motorists trapped by downed, live electricallines and crews searched damaged structures to make sure no one wastrapped. Three people suffered minor injuries. A tornado also ripped through Wisconsin's Kenosha County.Authorities report 11 houses in Wheatland were destroyed but therewere no serious injuries. The sheriff calls that a miracle.

BAGHDAD (AP) - The U.S. military has begun a joint, nationwideoperation with Iraqi forces aimed at wiping out extremiststrongholds. They're calling it Operation Phantom Phoenix. It's described as a major strike against extremists includingthe al-Qaida-in-Iraq terror group, known as AQI. The military saysAQI is trying to regain strength and set up new support areas in northern Iraq. The number-two American general in the country says,quote, "We are determined not to allow these brutal elements tohave respite anywhere." A military statement says the operation will be using "lethaland non-lethal" means to take advantage of recent security gainsin Iraq and "disrupt terrorist support zones and enemy command andcontrol." It says the "non-lethal" part of the operation involves improving basic life for Iraqi civilians. Violence throughout the country has dropped dramatically inrecent months. Credit has been going to the troop surge ordered byPresident Bush and to cooperation from Sunni groups that had beenpart of the insurgency.

LONDON (AP) - Benazir Bhutto's son has added his voice to those calling for an independent investigation of his mother's murder. The Pakistani political leader and former prime minister was assassinated last month as she left a rally. Her 19-year-old son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is a student at Oxford but has been named to eventually replace her as head of her political party. Zardari told a news conference in London today that he does not trust officials in Pakistan and wants an investigation by the United Nations. Zardari says a lot of the forensic evidence in the killing has already been destroyed. As for his own plans, Zardari says his immediate priority is to continue his studies. But he says politics is in his blood and that while his experience is limited, he intends to learn.

WHITE HOUSE (AP) - It's seen as another major sign of improved relations between the U.S. and Turkey after five years of tension over the Iraq war and Washington's policy on Turkey's fight with Kurdish rebels. Turkish president Abdullah Gul visits the White House today,before Bush heads off on a Mideast trip. Two months ago, Bush hosted the Turkish prime minister and agreed to share intelligence on the rebels. He also agreed not to object to Turkish airstrikes on rebel positions in northern Iraq. During the run-up to the Iraq war, Turkey's parliament rejected U.S. requests to send troops into Iraq through Turkish territory. And a poll last summer showed just nine percent of Turks viewed the U.S. favorably.

BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. (AP) - Authorities have recovered the body of a 24-year-old hiker who'd been missing since New Year's Day. They were led to Meredith Emerson's remains in the mountains of northern Georgia by the drifter who had been charged with her kidnapping. The discovery Monday came hours after a judge denied Gary Hilton bond in Emerson's disappearance. The 61-year-old Hilton was the last person seen on a hiking trail with Emerson, who had gone out with her dog. An arrest warrant says Hilton had tried to use Emerson's creditcard. A district attorney says the suspect is charged with kidnapping with intent of bodily injury, and more charges could be added. Authorities are also looking into whether the disappearance of a couple in North Carolina is related to the case. John and Irene Bryant, who were both in their 80s had gone hiking in the western mountains in October. Her body was found in November. He's still missing and presumed dead.

HOUSTON (AP) - A Texas hunter died over the weekend after his dog apparently stepped on a loaded shotgun and it went off. Perry Price III died from severe blood loss after being shot while he hunted geese about 60 miles east of Houston. He placed the weapon in the back of his truck and was about to open the tailgate to release his chocolate Labrador retriever named Arthur when the gun fired. The dog's paw prints were later found on the gun. Price's hunting partner tried to give his friend first aid and drove him to get help but the man died at a hospital. The local sheriff says it's "the strangest case" he's ever seen.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The new Medicare drug benefit has fueled an overall jump in spending on health care in America. The bill in 2006 was 6.7 percent higher than the year before as Medicare recipients used their new drug benefit cards. Spending on prescription drugs went up 8.5 percent as the benefit kicked in. Still, there was a slowdown in spending in most other areas of health care. Consumers relied more on generic drugs and prices for many brand-names held relatively stable. The cost of going to the doctor or to the hospital went up, but not as much as the year before. In all, U.S. consumers spent 2.1 trillion dollars on health care in 2006. That figure represents just over 16 percent of the whole economy and works out to about $7,000 a person.

NEW YORK (AP) - LSU has become The Associated Press national champion in college football following the Tigers' 38-24 rout of Ohio State in the BCS title game. But Georgia, Southern Cal and Kansas picked up first-place votes following their impressive bowl-game victories. LSU received 60 of 65 first-place votes, while second-ranked Georgia grabbed three. Number-three Southern Cal claimed one first-place vote, as did seventh-ranked Kansas. Missouri is fourth, and the Buckeyes fell four spots to fifth after losing to the Tigers in New Orleans Monday night. West Virginia finishes sixth, ahead of Kansas, Oklahoma, Virginia Tech, Boston College and Texas. The Eagles and Longhorns ended up in a tie for tenth. Number-12 Tennessee is followed by Florida, BYU, Auburn, Arizona State, Cincinnati, Michigan, Hawaii and Illinois. Clemson, Texas Tech, Oregon, Wisconsin and Oregon State roundout the top 25.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - New Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter plansto greet his constituents today (Tuesday) in a receiving line at City Hall. Nutter began his term yesterday (Monday) by pledging to improve residents' quality of life and setting ambitious goals for reducing the number of murders, lowering the school dropout rate and raising the number of college-educated workers. Nutter's first official act was to declare a "crime emergency"and direct the new police commissioner to draw up a crime-fighting plan by the end of the month.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - US Airways has created two new senior executive posts based at Philadelphia International Airport. The Tempe, Arizona-based airline accounts for 60 percent of the traffic at the Philadelphia airport. And US Airways has been making efforts to improve operations and customer service at Philadelphia. Chief operating officer Robert Isom says the airline needs to be better represented at the executive level on the East Coast. The highest-ranking executive based in Philadelphia will be48-year-old Suzanne Boda. The former Northwest Airlines vice president has been named US Airways senior vice president, EastCoast, international and cargo operations. A former American Airlines manager, 56-year-old Robert Ciminelli, is the new vice president of Philadelphia operations.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphia preservationists are taking their arguments to a judge in the state capital for a permanent banon demolition of two historic structures that have been temporarily spared. The Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia obtained a temporary injunction on Christmas Eve halting demolition work on two 20th century commercial buildings in the path of the Pennsylvania Convention Center expansion. That led to scheduled arguments Tuesday before a Commonwealth Court judge in Harrisburg on whether the Christmas Eve injunction should become permanent. The Alliance says the Center Authority agreed in 2004 to incorporate the buildings into the glass facade of the new center. The state agency overseeing the $700 million expansion now says that would be too costly.

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico authorities hope to be able to search by air today (Tuesday) for a missing couple believed to befrom Pennsylvania. Adam Putnam and his fiancee, Rachel Fehl, both 36, were last heard from Sunday night when they phoned from a mountain near SantaFe. There was too much snow to use helicopters yesterday and darkness forced an end to a ground search. The two took a chairlift to top of the ski area Saturday and snowboarded into the wilderness outside of the ski area's boundary. They climbed back up via one of the ridges and became lost. The couple called police with their cell phone Sunday and said they had built a snow cave to stay in overnight. They haven't been heardfrom since.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphia-based Comcast Corporation plans to offer ultra-high-speed Internet service, more high-definition content and gadgets that link video, phone and broadband services. Chief Executive Brian Roberts spoke to The Associated Press in a preview of his speech at the Consumer Electronics show today(Tuesday). Roberts is expected to demonstrate a technology that delivers up to 160 megabits of data per second. That's fast enough to download a high-definition copy of "Batman Begins" in four minutes. The 160 megabits per second would allow Comcast to beat Verizon's speed of 50 with its fiber-optic service. And it would be far faster than the 10 megabits per second that's typical of cable.

BENSALEM, Pa. (AP) - Nearly 1,000 residents in two Bucks County townships have signed up for e-mail alerts when disaster or crime threatens. Police say the next step in spreading word of emergencies is text messages on cellular phones. Some colleges and universities use such systems to alert students to campus safety concerns. Now Bensalem Public Safety Director Fred Harran says about 100 people have signed up for e-mail warnings about dangers such as bank robberies or suspicious activity near schools. Northampton official Steven Kingsdorf says 800 people have signed up for e-mail alerts. In addition, some Bensalem residents have already signed up for text-message alerts that could begin this spring. And Bucks County has paid $400,000 in federal grant money for a text-message warning system that could be operating in March. It is already being used to alert emergency response teams.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A spokesman for PPL Corporation says a lineman cut off power to a burning house at the request of Scranton firefighters. But the spokesman isn't saying whether firefighters asked the lineman to cut off power to the line that's blamed for Sunday's death of a veteran firefighter. Captain James Robeson was in the bucket lift of a fire truck when he came into contact with power lines and suffered a fatal shock. Three other firefighters suffered electrical burns and were hospitalized. Deputy Fire Chief Terry Osborne says it was the result of a communications breakdown with PPL. He says the fire department plans to meet soon with the utility.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A lawyer for a fired Philadelphia newscaster says television station KYW violated his client's employment contract, which had years remaining. Alycia Lane was fired yesterday (Monday), weeks after being arrested in New York and accused of hitting an undercover officer-- which she has denied. Attorney Paul Rosen says the station is firing her when there's no determination that she did anything illegal. The station general manager says he's not making a judgment on whether the criminal charges are true. But he says by becoming the focus of news stories, it's become impossible for Lane to report the news. Following her December 16th arrest, the station had Lane start her previously scheduled vacation a week early. She would have returned yesterday (Monday) if not for the firing.