Today's News-Friday, February 6, 2009

FIRE RULED ACCIDENTAL

Fire investigators in Hamburg have tenatively identified the cause of the blaze that destroyed one home and heavily damaged two properties on Wednesday. An electrical malfunction at 19 North Fourth Street appears to have started the fire that destroyed that property, and caused significant damage to 17 and 21 North Fourth Street. The Republican and Herald reports that damages to the three properties is in excess of $200 thousand dollars. More than a dozen people were displaced by the blaze, which caused power outages and traffic tie ups while crews from Berks and Schuylkill counties fought the fire.

CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY GETS UNDERWAY

A cooperative effort between Schuylkill Haven police and citizens got underway last night with the first session of the Citizens Police Academy. Over 60 people attended the workshop at the Schuylkill Haven Senior Center to get to know more about how police protect the community and how citizens can help make their neighborhoods safer. Chief Jeff Walcott told the group that he wants people to be comfortable living in the borough, to build a rapport with police officers and to be their eyes and ears in curbing crime. Several teenagers were also in attendance to learn more about police work. Logan Jacoby, a sophomore at Schuylkill Haven High School, explains why he was there:

JACOBY

Citizens from Cressona and other communities were also on hand to learn more about developing a crime watch. Drug investigators talked about spotting traffickers, and the types of drugs that are commonplace in the community. The drugs of choice in southern Schuylkill County are pot, methamphetamine, and cocaine. A discussion about firearms was also held. Those citizens that complete the 8 hour course will have a crime watch sign placed in their neighborhoods.

CITIZEN ACADEMY TWO

More than 60 people gathered to learn more about law enforcement and the role that citizens can play in keeping the community safe at Schuylkill Haven’s Citizens’ Police Academy. Chief Jeff Walcott, who organized the four week course, wants people to gain a better understanding of police work. He also hopes that citizens will be the police department’s eyes and ears in helping to curb crime. Herb Schlegel, a borough resident who moved here from Allentown several years ago tells why he signed up:

SCHLEGEL

Topics included in the 4 week session include drug activity, vehicle laws, identity theft and other topics. Residents from Schuylkill Haven were joined by folks from Cressona and other communities. Haven residents who complete the course will have a Crime Watch sign placed in their neighborhood. The county toll free number to report suspicious drug activity is 800-414-1406.


CITIZEN ACADEMY THREE

The first session of the Citizens Police Academy in Schuylkill Haven last night clearly shows that people are concerned about what’s going on in their community. Over 70 people from Haven and other communities gathered to learn more about the role of the police in protecting the public, and how they can help. Last night’s topics included the drug problem in southern Schuylkill County and firearms laws. The 4 week classes are taught by members of the Schuylkill Haven police department. Cressona Mayor Charles Strause and several other borough residents were in attendance to learn more about establishing a crime watch:

STRAUSE

Cressona borough does not have its own police department. It is served by the Pennsylvania State Police. The Citizen Police Academy continues through Thursday, February 26th.PINE GROVE MAN ESCAPES INJURY IN CRASH

A Pine Grove man escaped injury in an early morning crash in Pine Grove Township Thursday. 28 year old Herbert Zerbe was traveling west on Paradise Road and lost control on a right hand curve. His vehicle struck a tree and a utility pole. Police say he wasn't wearing a seatbelt. Zerbe will be cited in the crash.

DRUNK DRIVING CRASH IN RYAN TOWNSHIP

A Tamaqua man is supected of driving under the influence, causing a crash on I-81 early Thursday. Frackville state police say that 24 year old Shawn Johnson fell asleep at the wheel of his pick up truck and it struck an embankment on the side of the road. In addition to the DUI charges, Johnson was taken into custody on a parole violation. The crash happened around 5:30 Thursday morning.

Pa. gov kept budget secrets well, perhaps too well

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The state Capitol's usually reliable rumor mill might need oiling.
Gov. Ed Rendell's $29 billion recession-driven budget this week caught some lawmakers, lobbyists and many others by surprise. Amid layoffs and struggling businesses, the Democratic governor was forced to scrounge for savings and new dollars. Some things were known for months: That Rendell would try to cut some programs. That he wanted to impose additional taxes on tobacco. That he wanted to tax natural gas production. But few had heard that he would try to legalize video poker machines to help students afford college. They also didn't know he would cut all funding for the 129-year-old Scranton State School for the Deaf and the brand new Commonwealth Medical College. Another surprise was a 2 percent assessment on premiums paid to health insurance companies that don't already pay a 2 percent premium tax on the money. Rendell says criticism of his ideas is always rife right after he presents a budget.
But, he says, that will change when everybody learns about the gravity of the challenge the state faces.

Philadelphia mayor asks for donations to help cash-strapped city keep pools filled this summer

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Officials in cash-strapped Philadelphia are hoping that donations from residents, businesses and community groups will help keep more public swimming pools open this summer. The city manages 73 outdoor pools, 63 of which are scheduled to close this summer due to budget cuts. On Thursday, Mayor Michael Nutter announced the creation of a
three-year fundraising campaign called the "Splash & Summer Fund." Raising $600,000 by March 1 will allow the city to keep 30 pools open three days a week. The donated funds will be collected and administered by The United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania. Officials say the fund already has $170,000. City officials were able to keep open three ice rinks slated for
closure this winter through a deal struck with the private Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation.

Proposed ban on working for lobbyists puts spotlight on Pa. lawmakers' legal side work

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania lawmakers are debating the practice of members moonlighting as lawyers after nearly voting to curtail the practice in a late-night vote.
Outside legal work helps some legislators supplement their 78-thousand-dollar-a-year public salaries. House members voted unanimously Wednesday night for a Republican-backed measure to prevent members from being paid by lobbying firms. But Democrats had second thoughts, and largely along party lines reversed the vote. Now members are trying to decide what they should do about the topic - if anything at all. One member wants to limit all outside income, while others say the lobbying firm ban makes sense. Lawyer-legislators are taking pains to point out that not all lawyers are lobbyists, and not all law firms lobby.

State appeals judge's ruling tossing out regulation cutting mercury pollution from power plants

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The state is appealing a judge's ruling tossing out a regulation that required coal-fired power plants to cut mercury emissions beyond levels set by federal standards. Commonwealth Court Judge Dan Pellegrini last week called the rule unlawful, invalid and unenforceable. The two-year-old rule was challenged by Allentown-based PPL Corp., which owns two coal-fired power plants in the state. John Hanger, acting secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, says an appeal has been filed with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. In a statement, he calls the law a "well-crafted, cost-effective program" designed to protect residents from exposure to mercury emitted by coal-fired power plants. The rule would give three dozen coal-fired plants until 2015 to reduce mercury emissions by 90 percent over 1999's emission levels.

US immigration officials arrest Rwandan professor accused of genocide

TOWSON, Md. (AP) - U.S. immigration officials have arrested a Maryland college professor accused of genocide in his home country of Rwanda. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency says 59-year-old Leopold Munyakazi was taken into custody for being in the United States illegally. Munyakazi taught French at Goucher College, north of Baltimore, until the school learned he was wanted in Rwanda. The agency says it's taking steps to deport Munyakazi, but he's been released from custody with a monitoring device. Agency spokesman Brandon A. Montgomery says the timing of the arrest did not coincide with the genocide allegations becoming public. They stem from 1994, when more than a half-million Tutsis
and moderate Hutus were killed in Rwanda. Munyakazi has denied the accusations. Before arriving at Goucher this fall, Munyakazi taught at a college in New Jersey and a Pennsylvania high school.

New kid on the block: City Council OKs Verizon cable franchise in city home to rival Comcast

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Comcast, the nation's largest cable operator, will now be facing competition on its home turf. Philadelphia's City Council has given final approval for Verizon
to offer its FiOS cable service to residents. That puts Verizon in head-to-head competition with Comcast, which is headquartered downtown. The 15-year franchise agreement allows Verizon to build a citywide $1 billion fiber-optic network within seven years. Verizon spokeswoman Sharon Shaffer says FiOS will be deployed in phases, with some people having service by the end of this year. Councilwoman Donna Miller says residents have been clamoring for cable TV choice, which is already available in many suburbs.

Philadelphia officials warn against rise of shigella cases, urge frequent hand-washing

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphia health officials are warning the public about an increase in cases of shigella, an intestinal infection that has become a common cause of diarrhea among
children. The Department of Public Health says the infection also causes fever, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. Most cases end without treatment, but it can be serious for children and may cause bloody diarrhea or hospitalization. Usually about 10 cases are reported per year, but between September and January, nearly 200 cases were reported in Philadelphia. In a 2003 outbreak, more than 600 cases were reported. Officials say the infection is spread through direct contact, and frequent hand-washing is one of the best ways to prevent that and similar infections. People who have diarrhea should see a doctor, and anyone with that or flu-like symptoms should stay home from work, school or child-care.

Lawmaker says 80 groups express interest in developing high-speed rail service in US

WASHINGTON (AP) - A top lawmaker on the House transportation committee says 80 groups have expressed interest in bringing high-speed rail to the Northeast region and around the nation. The Federal Railroad Administration began soliciting proposals in December for projects to help build, finance and operate high-speed rail service between Washington and New York and 10 other areas across the U.S. Final proposals must be submitted by September 2009.
Rep. John Mica said Thursday that those who have expressed interest include architectural, engineering and construction firms as well as train manufacturers and state transportation
departments. High-speed rail has long been championed by the Florida Republican, who says the U.S. must catch up with European and Asian countries.

College-bound students, their families navigate troubled economy as they save for future

PHILIPSBURG, Pa.(AP) - Katelynn Simcox is heading to Wilkes University this fall, but she feels her parents have enough bills to pay off. So the 18-year-old works about 13 hours a week at a drugstore to pay her own expenses as well as build her resume as an aspiring pharmacist.
The troubled economy has made many families of college-bound teens worry more about rising costs. And with the pool of financial aid tightening, some students like Simcox are getting an early lesson in saving money and thinking ahead. They are bucking a trend that has emerged over the last 10 years. According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, the percentage of youth aged 16-19 in the workforce during school months had declined from 31 percent in 1998 to 24 percent in 2007. School-related reasons cited include more advanced placement exams
and higher-level courses and community service requirements. Other potential reasons were lower wages and fewer teens holding jobs in retail and restaurant businesses.

Jewish Museum building new home in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphia's 33-year-old Jewish history museum seems to have taken an ancient Hebrew expression to heart: "Those who do not grow, grow smaller." The National Museum of American Jewish History is moving from its cramped quarters to a large new space in the city's historic district. It plans to use the high-profile location to grow its mission, its message and its audience. The 100,000 square-foot, five-story museum is scheduled to open
sometime in 2010. It is dedicated to telling the story of 350 years of Jewish life in America and housing scholarly meetings and community discussions. The $150 million facility - 80 percent of which has been raised so far - is being built steps from the National Constitution Center, Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. The current current museum, a small brick building a block away, has a collection of 20,000 items that leaves little room for exhibits. Even so, some
40,000 people visit annually.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The nation's unemployment rate continues to rise. The Labor Department reports employers cut nearly 600,000 jobs last month, the most since 1974. That brings the unemployment rate to 7.6 percent. The report was far worse than economists had
forecast.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is keeping his focus on the economy this morning, announcing a team of outside experts to his Economic Recovery Advisory Board. As an economic stimulus package makes its way through the Senate, Obama told House Democrats last night that relief won't come from turning back to what he called the Republicans' "losing formula" of only tax cuts.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate returns to work on an economic stimulus plan today, with moderates looking to trim "some of the fat" from what's become a $937 billion bill. A long day of votes is planned, and that could see more programs added.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Some family members of 9/11 victims and the 17 sailors killed in the bombing of the USS Cole expressed will have a chance to make their feelings known to President Barack Obama today. Many of them were angry when Obama issued an executive order
halting war crimes trials at Guantanamo Bay. Yesterday, a Pentagon judge dropped charges against an al-Qaida suspect in the Cole attack. It was the last active Guantanamo war crimes case.

WHITTIER, Calif. (AP) - Nadya Suleman is apparently living her dream, after giving birth last week to octuplets. She tells NBC's "Today" show that she always wanted to have a "huge family" and once feared she would never give birth. She now has 14 children. The oldest is 7.