Today's News- Friday, June 13th

Three men face trial in connection with the death of a Donaldson man in a mining accident in 2006. A hearing was held for David Zimmerman, his son Steven Zimmerman, both of Pine Grove, and Jeffrey Klinger of Tremont yesterday before District Judge Carol Pankake. David Zimmerman is an owner of R&D Coal Company, Steven Zimmerman and Jeffrey Klinger both worked at the Buck Mountain Slope where Dale Reightler died in a mining accident. The hearing was to determine if there was enough evidence to carry charges to trial, according to the Republican and Herald. Both Zimmermans face one count of involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and other counts. David Zimmerman is also charged with tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, criminal conspiracy and violating the Anthracite Mining Act. Steven Zimmerman also faces similar charges as well. Klinger faces involuntary manslaughter and other counts in Reightler's death. Mine inspectors say that safety violations, including improper ventilation and inadequate methane testing led to the deadly blast in Tremont Township.

A blocked storm drain is being blamed for causing the death of a Ringtown man. Now, PennDOT is being sued. 17-year-old Donald Hartzell died December 23rd in Butler Township when his car hit a large puddle of standing water, causing him to lose control. His mother, Eva Morgans, has filed a suit against the Transportation Department. The lawsuit contends that PennDOT did not keep proper care of the drain, did not warn motorists of standing water and other allegations. Morgans is seeking damages, and a jury trial in the suit.

One person suffered minor injuries in a crash on Route 61 Wednesday night. Schuylkill Haven state police report that 46-year-old Ralph Thomas was traveling in the right lane, and Gary Troy of Orwigsburg was driving in the left lane, near the Schuylkill Memorial Park when Thomas made a lane change and hit Troy's vehicle. A passenger in Troy's vehicle, a 16 year old male, had minor injuries. The crash happened before 6pm Wednesday night.

Sunshine and warm weather are bringing kids out to area pools. But, they are also finding other things to do as well. WPPA/T102 News was at the Cressona swimming pool Thursday, as a large crowd was on hand, enjoying the crystal blue water and temperatures in the mid 80's.
Blue Mountain Middle School students Sarah Schane and Cassie Faust came to the pool in mid afternoon to take a cool dip. Faust said the pool is cool:

FAUST (click to listen)

The young ladies are also finding other things to do in the summer of 2008:

FAUST (click to listen)

Teenagers aren't the only customers at Cressona pool. Moms and Dads with young children also visited the large and kiddie pools to beat the heat as well.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphia transit police remain on the job, although there's still no settlement in their labor dispute. Transit agency spokesman Richard Maloney says he expects talks to resume at 9 a.m. He says union negotiators didn't make any promises not to strike before then, but he doesn't expect them to.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Gov. Ed Rendell plans to sign Pennsylvania's smoking ban into law at noon. The law says most private businesses and public spaces must be smoke-free within 90 days of Rendell signing it. But smoking can continue in numerous places.

CHICAGO (AP) - Sen. Barack Obama is bringing his Democratic presidential campaign back to the Philadelphia area for two events. He will attend a fundraiser at a hotel in the city this evening. On Saturday, he will hold a small town hall meeting that will be by invitation only.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - University of Pittsburgh researchers say the number of Pennsylvania motorcyclists suffering fatal head injuries has jumped 66 percent since it became legal in 2003 for many to ride without a helmet. One-hundred-31 motorcyclists died of head injuries in 2004 and '05 - up from 79 in 2001 and '02.

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - A video posted online appears to show northeastern Pennsylvania Congressman Paul Kanjorski pushing down the video camera of a man questioning him about campaign remarks he made in August. Kanjorski says he may have overreacted - but it was one of those 'gotcha' moments.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) - When the governor and the FEMA director arrive in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, they'll see about 100 blocks under water from the Cedar River. The officials will be touring flood damaged eastern Iowa today.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A foreclosure listing company says more and more U.S. homeowners are getting swept up in the mortgage crisis. RealtyTrac says filings are up nearly 50 percent over this time last year.

ROME (AP) - President Bush has been given the VIP treatment by the pope. Pope Benedict this morning gave Bush a rare look at the Vatican Gardens, a place reserved for papal prayer and special guests. AIDS and poverty were on their discussion list. Bush next is headed to France.

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER, Houston (AP) - Landing preparations are on the schedule today for the space shuttle crewmembers on their last day in orbit. Discovery astronauts will check out flight-control systems and steering jets. The landing is tomorrow.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Washington D.C. charter school, KEY Academy, is among those offering incentives to students who do well. They get pretend money, redeemable for real merchandise at the school store. And the practice is making believers out of people. KEY is among the capital city's top-performing schools.