Today's News-Saturday, February 9th

POTTSVILLE - A 30-year-old Pottsville woman was arrested on a California warrant charging her and at lease five other people with stealing more than $3 million in state funds. According to the Republican and Herald, in all, 55 people were involved were charged in the $3 million child-care scam that involved fake corporations and child-care facilities set up to receive state welfare funds. In the warrant provided to Schuylkill County officials, one of five complaints issued in all, the total amount of money stolen was listed at $382,885. Laurisla Ivy Logan, 1646 W. Norwegian St., was taken into custody Thursday by Schuylkill County detectives on a fugitive from justice warrant issued by the Superior Court of California. She was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Charles V. Moran and committed to Schuylkill County Prison to await further legal action from California.

POTTSVILLE - Now that tax season is underway, filers are bound to have questions. The Pottsville office of the PA Department of Revenue is there to help. Not only are taxpayers filing their state returns, but also the property tax and rent rebate forms as well. Most tax issues can be handled at the office on Centre Street, which is open daily from 8:30am till 5pm. Electronic filing is also available, including telephone and over the internet.

POTTSVILLE - Spend this Sunday afternoon with someone you love at the Sovereign Majestic Theatre. This weekend before Valentine’s Day, it's the sounds of jazz, big bands and the blues with the locally renowned musical group Syncopation. Led by vocalist Cherie Roberts, the combo features local musicians Glenn Roberts on drums, Joe Pitts on tenor sax, Bruce Marianelli on piano, Dave Edwards on bass and guitar and Ron Andrews on trumpet. Tickets are available for this special performance Sunday afternoon at 4pm at the Sovereign Majestic box office for $10.

POTTSVILLE - Need work done on your home in the Elm Street corridor in Pottsville? Monies are available to help. The Home Renovation Program is to enhance and stabilize the Elm Street neighborhood in the Nicholas Street area of Pottsville, according to Elm Street Manager Mike McGeever. Up to $15-thousand-dollars are available in the form of a convertible loan. The monies are interest and payment free as long as the property is the borrower's primary residence, and the construction adheres to building code regulations. Homeowners must also keep taxes and property taxes current. The loan converts to a grant after 5 years. McGeever said that applications are due by February 22nd. All of the Elm Street Home Renovation program requirements are available by calling McGeever at Schuylkill Community Action-622-1995.

POTTSVILLE - Students who are planning to further their education in the healthcare field have some valuable opportunities for scholarship monies through the Good Samaritan Foundation. Applications are now available for the Applications are now available for the Joan Purnell Memorial Scholarship, Joan C. Krammes Memorial Scholarship for Nursing Education and the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Scholarship. The scholarships are not based totally on financial need, but rather on merit, academic promise and community service. In 2007, Good Samaritan Foundation distributed more than $13-thousand-dollars as part of the scholarship programs. Information and applications about the scholarships are from Good Samaritan's website, http://www.gsrmc-dot-com/, or by contacting Good Samaritan Foundation at 570-621‑4002. Application deadline is April 1, 2008.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The latest showdown in the heated battle between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination centers on Washington state today. It's the biggest prize of four states weighing in on the Democratic contest this weekend. John McCain is also pushing for support in Republican contests, even though he's nearly sealed his party's the Republican nod.

PENTAGON (AP) - A classified assessment from the Pentagon concludes that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have hampered the military's ability to deal with any new crisis. The report is to be delivered to Congress.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A Hollywood ending could be in store for the three-month-old writers' strike that's crippled the entertainment industry. The writers will get their first look at a contract offer from Hollywood studios. If they approve the deal, an agreement could be set as soon as Monday.

PERTH, Australia (AP) - Family and friends of Heath Ledger have wrapped up what's being described as a "wonderful tribute" to the late actor. Ledger was remembered today at a memorial service in his hometown in western Australia. The 28-year-old actor died in New York last month of an accidental prescription drug overdose.

TOKYO (AP) - Japan claims a Russian air force bomber briefly violated Japanese airspace today, flying over an uninhabited island off southern Japan. Russia denies it. Japan says it scrambled 22 fighter jets and the Russian plane left. Tokyo has lodged a protest.

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - Roger Clemens' wife is now being implicated by the same ex-trainer who claims he injected the Cy Young Award-winning pitcher with performance enhancing drugs. Brian McNamee is said to have told congressional investigators he gave Debbie Clemens human growth hormone before the couple posed for a 2003 Sports Illustrated swimsuit photo shoot. Clemens' lawyer says McNamee is "a colossal liar."

PORT WENTWORTH, Ga. (AP) - Crews are to resume searching the rubble of a Georgia sugar refinery for more bodies today. Thursday's blast at the plant outside Savannah killed at least four people. Their bodies were recovered yesterday. Four others are missing. One firefighter says it looks like "a small war zone."

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER, Houston (AP) - Astronauts have found no major damage to the space shuttle Atlantis. A piece of insulating foam fell off the external tank and hit the spacecraft during liftoff Thursday, but it wasn't big enough to pose a threat. Atlantis is scheduled to link up with the international space station today. Atlantis is bringing a long-awaited, two-billion-dollar European space lab to the station.

PARIS (AP) - French prosecutors are looking into a legal complaint brought by newlywed President Nicolas Sarkozy over a media report about his love life. A news magazine has claimed Sarkozy promised to call off his engagement if his ex-wife came back to him. Sarkozy claims the report is made up.

ALBANY, Ore. (AP) - Three men are dead following the crash of a small plane in western Oregon. Witnesses tell police they saw the plane spiraling "out of control" before it crashed into a cornfield Friday. Federal officials are investigating.

NEW YORK (AP) - A couple in a posh Manhattan apartment building want a neighbor to keep her smoking habit to herself. They claim her smoke makes the whole place, including their apartment, smell like a casino. They're suing, asking a court to order the woman to keep her smoke from creeping in to common areas.