Today's News-Wednesday, October 1st, 2008

Arsonist arrested, arraigned

State police have charged an Auburn man in a string of arson fires in southern Schuylkill County. Fire marshal John Burns arrested 31 year old John Yerusavage yesterday for setting fires at a building near Summit Station, the Precisionaire Industries fire and a blaze that destroyed the Red Hill Gun Club. Authorities say that Yerusavage, a former volunteer firefighter, had been arrested for similar arson fires in 1997. He was arraigned yesterday before District Judge James Ferrier, and sent to the county prison in lieu of $250-thousand-dollars bail.

Minor injuries result from crash in Pine Grove Township

A Pine Grove man suffered minor injuries late Monday in a crash in Pine Grove Township. State police say that 22-year-old James Nagle was traveling too fast on Route 443 when he lost control. His vehicle went up on the curb at the Arby's Restaurant, damaging some shrubbery, then rolled over. Nagle continued on Route 443, damaging a fence at a property on Walmer Lane. The crash happened before midnight Monday.

Philadelphia man finally charged with falsifying gun application at Cabela's

State police have charged a Philadelphia man with falsifying information while purchasing a gun at Cabela's. Troopers from the Hamburg barracks now say that 41-year-old Hugh Pooler lied on an application to purchase a handgun last November. The investigation found that Pooler had been convicted of a felony, prohibiting him from owning a gun. Charges against him have been filed with district court.

A palette of spectacular colors is spreading this fall across Pennsylvania. But watch the skies for the autumn migration of birds, too. Nature lovers enjoying Pennsylvania’s fall foliage should look up for another amazing display as flocks of birds make their autumn migration over the state. The state’s ridges and mountains create excellent updrafts for Golden Eagles and other soaring raptors. A key site is right here in our backyard, at Hawk Mountain Bird Sanctuary near Kempton. Penn State wildlife biologist Margaret Brittingham says birds have good reason to be drawn to the Keystone State:

Brittingham

Brittingham says bird feeders are a great way to attract migrating birds to your backyard, but those feeders can also drawn hungry black bears looking to fatten up for their winter hibernation.

An event later this morning encourages parents and taxypayers to come out in support of their community. The St. Clair School District is hosting two meetings today to reveal PSSA test scores and a call to action from every resident. The meetings are 9am and 6pm with a free meal provided to those who attend. Superintendent Kendy Hinkel says now more than ever does it take a village to raise a child. Those who are interested must RSVP with the elementary school by calling 429-2716.

Pa. trying to keep up with strong interest in gas drilling, environmental official says

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A top Pennsylvania environmental official says the commonwealth needs more inspectors and greater wastewater treatment capacity to better handle the strong interest in drilling for natural gas. John Hanger, the acting secretary of the state Department of Environmental Protection, told a state House panel that his department is able to adequately protect the environment, but he also has concerns. For instance, he says his department will need dozens more people to process drilling permit applications and inspect drilling sites. He also says the state's capacity to treat contaminated drilling water is running out as more exploration companies begin drilling. An industry official says exploration companies have spent about $2 billion on leases and seismic studies at Marcellus Shale, a mostly untapped reservoir of natural gas. Pennsylvania is one of four states atop the 54,000 square-mile Appalachian Basin formation.

Pa. House committee considering whether to allow audio recordings on school buses

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering allowing bus companies and school districts to record audio on school buses in order to deter unruly student behavior.
Some buses already use silent video cameras, but questions have arisen about whether recording sound violates the law. The legislation would allow school boards to authorize audio taping while requiring notification of students and parents and placing signs on buses stating audio taping is taking place. State police and the Pennsylvania School Bus Association favor the change. Supporters say audio recordings can help reduce bullying and sexual harassment and give a more complete account of an incident than video alone. The state School Boards Association says it supports the idea, but not the current bill. The group wants to change the existing wiretap law to say that people cannot expect privacy if there is plainly visible video and audio recording equipment and signs indicating that it is in use. The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania said it has not taken a position on the bill.

Police, family remember slain 30-year-old Philadelphia officer as dedicated, driven man

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - On many mornings, Philadelphia police officer Patrick McDonald would crank up Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" and hit the weights before heading out to patrol the city's streets. Friends and family who remembered the slain patrolman at his funeral say it was hardly surprising that the 30-year-old would listen to an anthem from the "Rocky" movies and make like Philadelphia's favorite fictional fighter. His uncle told more than 1,500 mourners inside the downtown Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul that McDonald was "definitely Philly through and through." McDonald was shot and killed last week by a fugitive he had chased down after a traffic stop. The suspect was later killed by police. Hundreds of officers saluted and bagpipes played as his flag-draped casket was carried down the steps to a waiting hearse. Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey announced that he had posthumously promoted McDonald to sergeant. The funeral was the third this year for a city officer slain in the line of duty.

Suburban Pittsburgh man to be extradited to native Bosnia and Herzegovina for 1993 murder

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A suburban Pittsburgh man has been ordered to return to his native Bosnia and Herzegovina to face charges in the shooting death of another man almost 15 years ago. U.S. Magistrate Amy Reynolds Hay ordered the extradition of 38-year-old Sadik Begic. Begic has been living in the Pittsburgh suburb of Whitehall. He was arrested Sept.
10 in Connecticut, where he was working for a Pittsburgh-based company. Authorities say he is accused of firing a rifle at another man during a party outside the man's house on Oct. 9, 1993. He was indicted in January 1995 by a justice of the Bosnian District Military Court.
According to court documents, he said he was drinking brandy and the rifle discharged accidentally.

Bidders drop $12.8B offer to lease Pa. Turnpike for 75 years, citing legislative inaction

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The partnership that offered $12.8 billion to lease the Pennsylvania Turnpike is walking away from the deal, citing inaction by the state Legislature. Pennsylvania Transportation Partners decided not to renew an offer that expired at the end of the business day. But a spokesman says the partnership is "willing and ready to come back at any time." Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell says he still hopes to see a lease with the partnership eventually. The General Assembly has only a few days of session left before the election, and leaders of both chambers said they weren't interested in putting the offer up for a floor vote. The lease would have been the nation's largest infrastructure deal. Opponents say the bid from Abertis Infraestructuras of Spain and Citi Infrastructure Investors to operate 500 miles of the interstate for 75 years was too low. Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell pursued bids to lease the turnpike as an alternative to adding tolls to Interstate 80, a plan that was rejected by federal regulators on Sept. 11.

Sovereign Bancorp shares double in value as Campanelli is replaced by Chittenden CEO Perrault
NEW YORK (AP) - Shares of Philadelphia-based Sovereign Bancorp Inc. increased in value more than 70 percent as the bank named former Chittenden Corp. top executive Paul A. Perrault as chief executive. Perrault replaces Joseph P. Campanelli as of Jan. 3. Sovereign's chief financial officer, Kirk W. Walters, will serve as chief administrative officer. He will also be interim president and chief executive until Perrault joins the company. The bank says Campanelli is leaving to pursue other family and business interests. He has served as president and CEO since he took over from embattled predecessor Jay Sidhu in 2006. Sidhu had made investors unhappy by negotiating the sale of a large stake in the bank to Spain's Banco Santander without asking for shareholder approval. While Campanelli has been credited for improving transparency and disclosure with Wall Street, Sovereign's stock price has declined to record lows amid fears about instability in the banking sector.

Springsteen to perform at Obama rally in Philly to register voters, recruit volunteers

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Bruce Springsteen will perform an acoustic set at a weekend rally in Philadelphia to help the campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama register voters and recruit volunteers. The program begins at 3:30 p.m. Saturday on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Preferred tickets will be distributed to those who sign up to volunteer. Pennsylvania's voter registration deadline is Monday. Springsteen has endorsed Obama for president. He and fellow performer Billy Joel are teaming up in their first joint concert to benefit Obama next month in New York City after the final presidential debate between Obama and Republican nominee John McCain. Obama plans to attend that Oct. 16 concert.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A financial bailout plan could be resuscitated on Capitol Hill today. The Senate is expected to easily pass a revised measure. Supporters hope a few changes will also lead to passage in the House, after the original deal was voted down Monday.

TOKYO (AP) - Most Asian markets have bounced back from the precipitous drops seen Tuesday, amid word that Congress could revive a financial bailout plan. Tokyo's Nikkei closed up, as did markets in Australia, Taiwan, and India.

NEW YORK (AP) - Investors looking at their 401(k) statements for the quarter that ended yesterday may be plenty spooked by all the volatile gains and losses on the Dow. But by historical standards, the third quarter actually wasn't that bad and wasn't even close to
the worst ever. The first two quarters of the year were worse.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - Pakistani officials say six people are now dead after a U.S. missile targeted the home of a Taliban commander along the Afghan border. Taliban officials are also
denying their top leader in Pakistan is dead from kidney failure related to diabetes.

UNDATED (AP) - Baseball's post-season gets underway with a trio of games. It starts this afternoon in Philadelphia, where the Phillies host the Milwaukee Brewers. Game two sees the Los Angeles Dodgers visit the Chicago Cubs. The Boston Red Sox begin defending their title with a game against the Los Angeles Angels in the nightcap.