Today's News-Wednesday, February 6th

Mild temperatures and dense fog awaken the region this Wednesday morning. All across the area, skies are shrouded in fog, combined with light rain is making for some tricky travel. In some of the higher elevations, the fog is so thick that visibility is limited to feet. With the forecast calling for possible heavy rain throughout the day, the fog won't burn off any time soon. Motorists should exercise extreme care for the morning commute.

The American Red Cross has been very busy in the past week, helping victims of two major fires in our area. Now, they need your help. The Schuylkill and Eastern Northumberland County chapters provided aid to fire victims in Ashland and Mahanoy City, helping with food, clothing and shelter. That help is offered free of charge, through voluntary donations of time and money from neighbors in the region. Executive Director Janet Curtis says that we can help the American Red Cross continue to offer this valuable help by making a financial gift to the Schuylkill/East Northumberland chapter. These donations can help to ensure that shelter, food and counseling aids those in need. Donations can be made by calling 622-9550 or 339-1246, using your Visa or Mastercard, or by mailing a donation to the American Red Cross, 1402 Laurel Boulevard, Pottsville. A secure online link at redcross-dot-org is also available. The American Red Cross thanks you for your support.

The restoration project of a railroading treasure in Minersville took a step backwards after vandals damaged one of the cars over the weekend. Two windows were smashed in a caboose at the Minersville train station, according to Robert Kimmel Jr., project coordinator. An engine and other cars have been undergoing a meticulous restoration for several years, with grant monies and donations from the public. Kimmel said that repairs of the damage will have to come from the restoration fund, not insurance, according to the Republican and Herald. Minersville police are investigating.

A Tremont man admitted Tuesday in Schuylkill County Court that he caused an accident in February, 2007, which killed a friend and injured himself and a teenage girl. The Republican Herald reports, 22-year-old William Fisher the Third, pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, driving under the influence and numerous other charges resulting from the crash in which 19-year-old Barry Sites Jr., of Tremont, died. Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin, who accepted the plea, ordered a presentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for March 27th. Fisher faces a possible 15-year prison term.

Governor Ed Rendell unveiled the state's spending plan yesterday, calling it a slow-growth plan that reduces the cost of state government. The $28.3 billion dollar package does not include any broad-based tax increases, but narrower ones, include a dime a pack cigarette tax to extend health benefits for uninsured Pennsylvanians. The plan also calls for investments in education, energy and healthcare for the future.
Some of Schuylkill County’s delegation in Harrisburg weighed in on their thoughts about the spending plan. Senator Jim Rhoades comments on some of the components:
RHOADES
Representative Tim Seip likes the Governor’s energy independence strategy increases:
SEIP
Now, the House and Senate will take the budget apart, and spend the next 3 or 4 months negotiating a compromise spending plan.

The first national primary day of the presidential campaign is in the books. But, looking down the road, what role will Pennsylvania play with an April 22nd primary. Neither Barack Obama nor Hillary Rodham Clinton claimed overall victory on Super Tuesday, although both of them took home some coveted prizes. And
although Super Tuesday left John McCain in command of the contest for the GOP presidential nomination, his two main GOP rivals say they're staying in the race. That could mean that Pennsylvania will play a role in selecting nominees. Dottie Lynch, CBS News political consultant tells WPPA/T102 News that may, in fact, be the case….
LYNCH
Discussions began in 2007 that Pennsylvania may move its primary back several months to be a bigger player in deciding nominees. But there are a number of hurdles that would need to be overcome to make that happen in 2012. Only time will tell.

State police are looking for the individual who struck two vehicles in Port Carbon early Monday. Troopers from the Schuylkill Haven barracks say that the crash occurred on Route 209, when the unknown driver was southbound, crossed into the northbound lanes and hit a Buick Riviera and a Chevy SUV, the fled the scene.
None of the other drivers were identified by state police. They are investigating the accident that occurred before one AM Monday.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell may meet as early as next week to discuss the NFL's handling of "spygate." Specter last week questioned the quality of the NFL's investigation of the New England Patriots as well as the penalties handed out by Goodell.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The brother of former Philadelphia Mayor John Street begins his federal court trial on fraud and tax charges. Jury selection is scheduled today for the trial of 68-year-old T. Milton Street. Sr. Street is accused of plotting to defraud a minority contractor who wanted to get maintenance work at the Philadelphia International Airport.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Pittsburgh wants to use the restitution money it will receive from a former councilwoman convicted of corruption to fight crime in her district. The city council will cast a preliminary vote today on creating a trust fund for the $43,100 Twanda Carlisle has been ordered to pay. Carlisle has been sentenced to up to two years in prison for taking kickbacks.

SWIFTWATER, Pa. (AP) - Authorities say a woman whose severed head and dismembered remains were dumped along highways in the Poconos was supposed to be an alibi witness at a robbery trial.
Police say 36-year-old Deanna Null was to have testified at the trial of a man who said he was with her at the time of a robbery he was accused of committing. A jury convicted him.

EIGHTY-FOUR, Pa. (AP) - A cat born with five legs will soon be a three-legged feline ready for adoption. The cat, named Babygirl, will undergo surgery today near Pittsburgh to remove the extra leg and the crippled rear left leg to which it is attached. The Washington Area Humane Society is caring for the cat. The cost of
the $1,600 surgery will be paid for by donations.

UNDATED (AP) - The number of people killed by a string of tornadoes across the South has continued to rise overnight and now is at least 33. Twisters ripped through several states. The deaths reported so far are in Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky.

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) - Rivers and creeks gushing with rainwater are threatening to flood parts of Ohio this morning. A river in Findlay, Ohio, is predicted to rise to about three feet above flood stage by early afternoon. Flooding is also causing problems in northern Indiana, where some residents were forced to evacuate for
the second time in less than a month.

WASHINGTON (AP) - John McCain has more than half the delegates he needs to win the Republican nomination for president. But the Democratic race is still in doubt and could stretch into the spring. Barack Obama won more states on Super Tuesday, but Hillary Clinton collected more delegates.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Exit polls show John McCain is grabbing his support in the Republican presidential race from moderates and people valuing experience. And they indicate that rival Mitt Romney is drawing votes from the GOP's most conservative members. Polling suggests Hillary Clinton is doing better than Barack Obama among women, while young people, blacks and wealthy voters are favoring Obama.

CAPITOL HILL (AP) - The Senate may act as early as today on an economic stimulus plan that could add some 40 billion dollars to a House-approved proposal backed by President Bush. Senators are considering whether to approve the add-ons, including tax rebate checks for disabled veterans and seniors on Social Security. The
House version would provide larger rebate checks to fewer people.