Today's News-Tuesday, April 15th

A Georgia trucker has been charged in a fatal chain reaction crash last week. Frackville state police report that 27-year-old Errol Copeland turned himself in yesterday. Copeland was reportedly traveling at a high rate of speed on Interstate 81 Thursday, and failed to slow down for backed up traffic from an earlier accident. Donn Atchison of Ontario, Canada died as a result of injuries from that crash. Copeland, David McFadden and Douglass Barnett, both of Canada, had to be flown from the scene for treatment. Copeland, of Covington, Georgia, was arraigned on charges of homicide by vehicle and several traffic violations. He posted bail of 10 percent of $15-thousand dollars bail and was released. He faces a preliminary hearing next Tuesday.

An Ashland man is facing a long stay in state prison, following sentencing yesterday in Schuylkill County Prison. 46-year-old Robert Linkchorst will spend 7 to 14 years in jail on a host of charges, according to the Republican and Herald. In March, Linkchorst was found guilty of theft-related charges and endangering the welfare of children after he stole a boat motor from Boyer's Auto and Marine in Wayne Township. In a second case, Linkchorst was found guilty of receiving stolen property after he was found to have a motorbike in his possession that was stolen from Ken's Tires in Cressona. Linkchorst's public defender asked for a mitigated sentence, due to the fact that he suffers from Parkinson's Disease. But, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin did not find his argument valid. Two other trials that Linkchorst faced were declared mistrials due to potential jurors having heard about his other cases.

Three teenagers were injured in a crash in Butler Township Monday afternoon. Township police say that 18-year-old Ryan Shoffler of Gordon was driving on Beaver Dam Road when his car went off the road and struck a tree. The two teenaged passengers were trapped in the car. One of them had to be flown from the scene. Their identities were not released by police. The crash happened around 3:30pm. The investigation continues.

A New Philadelphia woman has been charged with disorderly conduct following an incident Sunday night. Frackville state police say that 30-year-old Megan Fogarty made a phone call to the barracks and used obscene language against desk personnel. She faces charges of disorderly conduct. The charge will be filed with the office of District Judge Bernadette Nahas.

A Minersville man has been charged with felony assault counts relating to an incident earlier this month. Borough police have just reported that 22-year-old Andrew Thompson of South Delaware Avenue assaulted his pregnant girlfriend on April 1st, then fled the scene. Thompson was charged with aggravated and simple assault, aggravated assault on an unborn child and related offenses. Those charged were lodged against Thompson with the office of District Judge Charles Moran.

Today is a day that procrastinators hate….April 15th. This is deadline day for filing individual tax returns on the federal, state and local level. So, if you haven't gotten your box of receipts and other tax papers out yet, time is running out. For millions of Americans, today is just another day. With the advent of online filing, many people have already received their refunds and have spent them on paying bills. This year's deadline is different for people who haven't filed in several years, because of the federal economic stimulus payments that will begin rolling out in early May. Retirees who receive federal benefits over $3-thousand-dollars will need to file a return by close of business today in order to qualify for a payment from Uncle Sam. The clock is ticking….

SHENANDOAH, Pa. (AP) - Some Democrats in Pennsylvania's Rust Belt communities say they are upset by Barack Obama's suggestion that voters there "cling to guns or religion" because of bitterness about their economic lot. But many seem to think it was no big deal - and if there's a problem, it's with the political tempest that has followed. The Illinois senator made the comment during a San Francisco fundraiser last week. It set off an exchange of insults between the final contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination as they vie for blue-collar support in the state's April 22 primary. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has criticized the comment as "elitist." Obama has mocked the New York senator's own recent emphasis on support for gun owners' rights.

A state House Committee held a hearing in Schuylkill County Monday to discuss health insurance issues. The House Insurance Committee heard testimony at Schuylkill Center about House Bill 1121, that would establish a state Office of Consumer Advocate for Health Insurance to help protect the rights of consumers in health insurance-related matters. 125th District Representative Tim Seip hosted the event, and said that such an advocate is needed:

SEIP (click to listen)

Seip said creating an independent advocate would do for health insurance what Pennsylvania's independent advocate for utility consumers has already done -- save millions of dollars and reduce costs for families and businesses.

A block of the city of Pottsville will come alive with art this weekend. The Second Annual Block of Art will take place April 18th through the 20th from 203 to 215 West Market Street. Organizers say that the mission of the event is to bring downtown Pottsville alive with creativity. Various forms of art will be displayed, including poetry, music and film, in addition to mixed media artworks. Works from the Allied Artists of Schuylkill County will be displayed at the Pottsville Free Public Library on Friday and Saturday. Two films created by local filmmaker Brent Green will be shown at the Sovereign Majestic Theatre on Sunday. For information or to submit artwork, call (570) 640-4612 or visit the Block of Art website at http://www.gallery205.net/.

Allentown mayor endorses Clinton

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton now has the backing of the mayors of Pennsylvania's three largest cities. Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski endorsed Clinton yesterday, saying the New York senator's speech on crime last week clinched his decision. Clinton outlined her $4 billion-a-year anti-crime initiative in a speech in Philadelphia on Friday. She says she would revive several programs started by her husband's administration, including federal funding of community-oriented prosecutors nd police officers. Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl have also endorsed Clinton.

OFFICER-BANK ROBBERY

Rookie police officer charged in Pa. bank heist now charged in New York robberies

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A rookie New York City police officer accused of robbing a Pennsylvania bank now faces charges in two other bank robberies last year in New York. Twenty-one-year-old Christian Torres is accused of robbing a bank in Muhlenberg Township on Thursday, forcing bank employees into a vault at gunpoint before making off with $113,000. Federal prosecutors took the case over from Berks County authorities yesterday. And prosecutors in New York last night filed charges against Torres in a pair of 2007 bank robberies
he was suspected of being involved in. Torres joined the transit division in January after starting at the police academy in July. The NYPD says he has been suspended without pay. His attorney, Paul Missan, says Torres is looking forward to his day in court and appreciates the support of all his friends and
family.

PHILADELPHIA CRIME

Signs of progress under new Philly mayor, but killings endure

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter marks his 100th day in office today by spelling out his plan to offer tax breaks to businesses hiring ex-offenders. Nutter says that is one of the ways he hopes to reduce crime. The mayor's anti-crime plan also includes stop-and-frisk procedures aimed at getting more illegal guns off the street. Pedestrian stops are up 50 percent and are expected to climb higher as police retrain in the new procedures. Nutter last week vowed to enforce five new gun control laws in the city despite a 1974 court ruling that gives only the state the power to enact gun laws. Five people were killed in Philadelphia over the weekend, including an immigrant groom gunned down as he entered a mosque for morning prayer. But there are signs that the city is making progress in reducing crime. The year's homicide tally yesterday stood at 83, down from 110 a year earlier.

Fire that killed 4 Pa. kids ruled accidental

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) - Bethlehem authorities say unattended candles sparked a fire that killed four children last month. Officials say the blaze was accidental and no criminal charges will be filed. The March 9 fire killed 5-year-old Jai-Lynn Echevarria, 8-year-old Nyasia Echevarria, 11-year-old Anthony Echevarria and 13-year-old Jonathan Echevarria. Twelve-year-old Manny Garcia jumped from a second-floor window and spent three weeks in the hospital. Five firefighters were also injured.

Husband found dead, wife shot, at Dauphin County home

LINGLESTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A woman shot in a Dauphin County home is in critical condition. Police found 62-year-old Natalie Boyles and the body of her
62-year-old husband, Warren Boyles, in the Lower Paxton Home yesterday. Officers surrounded the home for two hours after receiving a 10 a.m. call from a man who said there had been a killing there. They forced their way in shortly after noon after several attempts to contact anyone inside. Police say Warren Boyles was found dead in the living room with a gunshot wound to the torso and a revolver nearby. Natalie Boyles, was found in a bedroom and was taken by ambulance to Penn State Hershey Medical Center, where she was listed in critical condition. Investigators say they have not determined what happened in the home.

Court: Number of medical malpractice suits dropped in 2007

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Court officials say the number of medical malpractice lawsuits filed in Pennsylvania declined for a third consecutive year in 2007. Figures released yesterday by the state Supreme Court put the number of suits at 1,617, a 4.5 percent decline from 2006. Officials say it is also a 40.8 percent drop from an annual average of roughly 2,700 malpractice lawsuits filed from 2000 to 2002. Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille attributes the decline to key changes made several years ago. An independent physician or expert must certify the viability of a medical malpractice lawsuit. And a law has ended the practice of "venue shopping" in which attorneys file cases in the county where a favorable jury verdict is most likely. Those changes were made to help stabilize premiums in response to doctors' complaints that spiraling insurance costs were forcing them to leave Pennsylvania.

ABC's Gibson prepares to moderate his 3rd debate this year

NEW YORK (AP) - Charles Gibson says he feels "way too laid-back" in advance of tomorrow's debate between Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and rival Sen. Barack Obama. That's probably because George Stephanopoulos will be with him onstage at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia for the
90-minute debate, airing at 8 p.m. on ABC. The network is soliciting questions from Pennsylvania voters but Gibson isn't sure whether they will be used. He says the network has also talked to a number of superdelegates and gotten good
suggestions about issues to raise that have received little attention so far. Gibson spent days behind closed doors preparing to moderate two presidential debates in January. He says he finds moderating such debates satisfying but not satisfying enough - because he always thinks he could have done better.

Clinton to appear on 'The Colbert Report;' Obama declines invite

PHILADELPHA (AP) - Hillary Rodham Clinton is hoping the "Colbert bump" will help propel her to victory in Pennsylvania. The Democratic presidential hopeful is making her first appearance on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" on Thursday. Both Clinton and Colbert have come to Pennsylvania ahead of the state's hard-fought Democratic primary on April 22. Clinton rival Barack Obama also is in Pennsylvania, but he is declining Colbert's invitation. Obama's wife, Michelle, will appear on the show today. News of Clinton's visit as divulged last night in Philadelphia by MSNBC pundit Chris Matthews during taping of the show at the University of Pennsylvania. The news was confirmed by a person close to the satirical news program who insisted on anonymity. Democrats appearing on the show have sometimes enjoyed increases in fundraising afterward.

BAGHDAD (AP) - Dozens of people are dead or wounded in two car bombings in Iraq. Iraqi police say an explosion in Baqouba has killed at least 30 people, and they expect the death toll could rise. And they say a car bomb exploded near a restaurant in Ramadi, killing at least 14.

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) - Former President Jimmy Carter says he's still planning to meet with a Hamas leader today in the West Bank, despite the diplomatic controversy that's been stirred up. Carter has said isolating the group considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. is counterproductive. He says he's trying to "provide communication between people."

ROME (AP) - Pope Benedict is heading stateside. He's on a plane destined for Washington on his first trip to the U.S. as pope. A crowd of up to 12,000 is expected to greet the pope at the White House tomorrow.

SAN ANGELO, Texas (AP) - One woman from a polygamist sect in Texas says mothers were not allowed to say goodbye to children who remain in state custody after raids earlier this month. More than 400 children are held by the state. Some of their mothers are now back at the group's compound.

EDMOND, Okla. (AP) - Hundreds of campus police have gathered in Oklahoma to figure out how to prevent shootings like the one at Virginia Tech almost a year ago. At the National Campus Security Summit, Princeton's chief of police said it is "absolutely essential" for colleges to develop a behavioral threat assessment process. But he says it must be done while respecting the open
academic environment.