Today's News- Wednesday, August 20th, 2008

Petitions to move cases to juvenile court dropped
(AP)

Two of the three teenagers charged in the beating death of an illegal immigrant from Mexico have dropped their bid to be tried as juveniles. A spokeswoman for Schuylkill County President Judge William Baldwin says lawyers for 16-year-old Brandon Piekarsky and 17-year-old Colin Walsh have filed documents to withdraw their motions for trial as juveniles. They are charged with third-degree murder and ethnic intimidation in the death of 25-year-old Luis Ramirez last month in Shenandoah. The decision to withdraw the motions for juvenile court exposes the defendants to possible adult prison sentences if convicted. But it also gives them the right to a jury trial. A co-defendant is 18-year-old Derrick Donchak, who's charged with aggravated assault, ethnic intimidation and other counts.

Fire destroys home in Rock, injures woman

A home in the village of Rock, Washington Township was destroyed by fire Monday night, and one of the homeowners severely burned. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the blaze at Dale and Shirley Krause's home at 3 Natures Road that broke out around 10pm. Shirley Krause was flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital where she remains in critical condition today. Dale Krause was not hurt.

Water Boil Advisory in Pine Grove

Water service is slowly being restored to residents of Pine Grove after a water main break Monday night. Now, borough residents are required to boil their water until further notice. Borough officials say that a large crack in a pipe along the Swatara Creek caused a significant loss of water pressure.

Former police chief sentenced in lost evidence case

Former Lykens police chief Chris Wade has been sentenced by Dauphin County Court for losing evidence. Wade reportedly lost $32-hundred-dollars seized in drug investigations, and pleaded guilty for mishandling evidence. He will serve 9 months on work release, 3 months of house arrest and two years probation, plus pay nearly $6-thousand-dollars in restitution.

Pottsville man sentenced for helping to run a city meth lab

A Pottsville man will serve 3 to 6 years in state prison for helping to run a meth lab from a city home. 35-year-old Michael Setlock pleaded guilty to various drug charges for working with Charles Brilla of Pottsville to produce and traffic methamphetamine from Brilla's home. Both were apprehended last fall. Setlock will also have to pay fines and other restitution in the case. Brilla was sentenced last month to serve 2 to 4 years after pleading guilty to similar charges.

Schuylkill County pilot, wife on terrorist watch list
(AP)

A commercial pilot who believes he's on a terrorist watch list is suing the federal government to save his job. Erich Scherfen is a New Jersey native and Gulf War veteran who says he has no criminal record or ties to terrorists. Scherfen said he believes he and his wife, a naturalized citizen from Pakistan, are on the list because of their Muslim faith. The Schuylkill County couple says they've repeatedly been subjected to questioning and delays at airports. Scherfen was suspended by the airline he works for in April. He faces losing his job unless he's removed from the list by Sept. 1. The couple are being aided by the American Civil Liberties Union. The request for emergency relief was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Harrisburg.

Pa. audit seeks loan-agency board overhaul

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's auditor general is calling for a reduction in the number of legislators on the board that oversees the state's student-loan agency. Auditor General Jack Wagner's audit says the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency has spent too much of its money on its internal operations -- including perks for board members and employees -- and not enough on financial aid for students. Sixteen of the board's 20 members are legislators. Wagner says the number of lawmakers should be cut in half and more seats given to people who have expertise in higher education and finance.

Rendell names new head of Pa. environmental agency

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Gov. Ed Rendell has nominated a veteran environmental lobbyist to serve as Pennsylvania's top environmental protection official. Rendell announced his choice of John Hanger on Tuesday, along with the appointment of James Cawley to be chairman of the state Public Utility Commission. For the past 10 years, Hanger has been president and chief
executive of Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future, a group also known as PennFuture.

Rendell loses Pa. court fight over line-item veto

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Pennsylvania Supreme Court says Gov. Ed Rendell misused his line-item veto powers three years ago. The unanimous high court decision issued Tuesday says Rendell can't veto language in an budget bill without also vetoing the money authorized by the bill. It's a reversal from a Commonwealth Court ruling in 2006 that said the governor used the veto appropriately. The latest court opinion says the governor can't issue "language only" disapprovals.

NE Pa. health care system plans sale

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) - A northeastern Pennsylvania nonprofit health care network plans to sell to a for-profit company. The Wyoming Valley Health Care System has 3,200 employees. Its properties include Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. The system announced Tuesday that it has signed a nonbinding letter of intent to sell to Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health
Systems Inc. There was no immediate word on the sale price. More information is to be released at a Wednesday afternoon announcement in Edwardsville.

Pa. soldier dies in Afghanistan

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - A Pennsylvania National Guard soldier from Scranton has died in Afghanistan. The U.S. Department of Defense says 20-year-old Pfc. Jonathan Luscher died Sunday. His death came from a non-combat incident that's under investigation. Luscher was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 109th Infantry, Pennsylvania Army National Guard in Scranton. He was a 2006 graduate of Scranton High School.

Proposed Pa. medical school raises $120 million

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - The dean of a proposed medical school in northeastern Pennsylvania says the school has raised enough money to start construction. Dr. Robert D'Alessandri spoke Tuesday at a groundbreaking event in Scranton. He says the fledgling Commonwealth Medical College has raised $120 million to build and equip a headquarters building in downtown Scranton. The dean announced a $45 million donation from Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The school will also rely on $40 million in bonds and a $35 million state matching grant. Construction is set to begin soon on the building. The school hopes to open on a temporary site in fall 2009.

Death of Pa. baby left in van ruled accidental

YORK, Pa. (AP) - A coroner says a the death of a girl left in a van in south-central Pennsylvania was accidental. York County Coroner Barry Bloss made the announcement Tuesday after an autopsy on 15-month-old Cassandra Starr. He says the cause of death was hyperthermia due to environmental conditions of being left in a vehicle. Bloss says her father, Christopher Starr, accidentally left the girl in the van after returning to the family's Red Lion home after church on Sunday. District Attorney Stan Rebert says he doesn't expect to file any charges. But he wants to review the coroner's investigation and the police investigation before making a final decision.

Pa. teen attending band camp drowns

HONESDALE, Pa. (AP) - A 15-year-old northeastern Pennsylvania boy attending band camp has drowned in a lake in Wayne County. The Pleasant Valley School District says the student had been attending band camp at Camp Equinunk near Honesdale. State troopers went to a lake at the camp after the teen's clothes were found nearby. The boy's name wasn't immediately released, but the school district in Monroe County says his family has been notified. The school district is providing counselors and psychologists for the teen's classmates.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Tropical Storm Fay is back in the Atlantic, churning off the central coast of Florida. The storm could swing back and make landfall again Thursday, perhaps as a
hurricane. Drought-plagued farmers say they could use the rain.

CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) - President Bush will defend his approach to the war on terror at the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention in Florida today. Bush will highlight some of the themes John McCain has been campaigning on as well.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Barack Obama and his running mate will be campaigning together Saturday in Illinois. He'll also be with one of the supposed finalists, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, tomorrow. Obama is expected to reveal his choice within days.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives four small SUVs top scores in its latest crash tests. The 2009 Ford Escape, 2009 Volkswagen Tiguan, 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander and the 2008 Nissan Rogue, all have standard electronic stability
control and side airbags. Five years ago small SUVs typically did much worse in the crash tests.

BEIJING (AP) - Some Chinese performers in the Olympic opening ceremonies say they sustained injuries from slipping during rain-drenched rehearsals, or fainted with heatstroke during the marathon practices. The director of the show says it was all necessary.