Today's News-Tuesday, June 30, 2009

ARMED ROBBERY AT TURKEY HILL

POLICE IN ASHLAND ARE LOOKING FOR THE INDIVIDUAL WHO HELD UP THE TURKEY HILL CONVENIENCE STORE EARLY MONDAY. THE WHITE MALE, 5 FEET 8 TO 5 FEET 10, AND 180 TO 200 POUNDS, WALKED IN TO THE STORE AROUND 3:30AM MONDAY WITH A BASEBALL BAT, ROBBED THE STORE AND FLED. HE WAS REPORTEDLY WEARING A BLACK KNIT CAP, WHITE BANDANA, A LONG SLEEVED GREY SHIRT AND SILVER SHORTS. IT IS UNKOWN HOW MUCH THE BANDIT GOT. IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION TO AID ASHLAND POLICE, CALL THEM AT 875-2600.

DNA EVIDENCE LEADS TO ARREST

HIGH TECH POLICE WORK HAS LED TO THE ARREST OF A SHENANDOAH MAN FOR A BURGLARY A YEAR AGO. IN JANUARY, 2008, 79 YEAR OLD THOMAS MAJEWSKI, WESTON PLACE, WOKE TO FIND A MAN BURGLARIZING HIS HOME. DNA EVIDENCE COLLECTED AT THE SCENE WAS ANALYZED BY STATE POLICE AT READING, AND FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT 33 YEAR OLD DENNIS BUGDEN WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BURGLARY. HE WAS ARRAIGNED ON BURGLARY AND THEFT CHARGES AND TAKEN TO THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON.

TWO PICKED UP ON WARRANTS

SHENANDOAH BOROUGH AND STATE POLICE HAVE APPREHENDED TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN ON THE RUN FROM AUTHORITIES. MONDAY EVENING, 44 YEAR OLD PAUL JADUS, WHO WAS WANTED ON DRUG WARRANTS FROM 2005, WAS PICKED UP IN THE BOYERS FOOD MARKET PARKING LOT IN SHENANDOAH. FURTHER INVESTIGATION INDICATED THAT 33 YEAR OLD STACEY PUKIEWICZ WAS RECENTLY SEEN WITH JADUS, AND SHE HAD BEEN ON THE RUN AFTER NO RETURNING TO A HALFWAY HOUSE FOLLOWING WORK RELEASE. PUKIEWICZ HAD BEEN IN JAIL FOR FORGERY RELATED CHARGES. SHE WAS RETURNED TO BERKS COUNTY FOR DISPOSITION.

SHEN MAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULT

A SHENANDOAH MAN IS FACING AGGRAVATED AND SIMPLE ASSUALT CHARGES FOLLOWING AN INCIDENT SUNDAY. OFFICERS IN THE BOROUGH SAY THAT SAMUAL SANABRIA ALLEGEDLY BRANDISHED A KNIFE AND LUNGED AT DIANA TAPIA. SHE REPORTEDLY PUT HER HANDS UP TO BLOCK THE KNIFE AND SUFFERED A GASH ON HER RIGHT HAND. SHE WAS TREATED AT ST CATHERINES MEDICAL CENTER.

STATE BUDGET
UPDATE: PA. TO BEGIN 7TH STRAIGHT YEAR WITHOUT A BUDGET
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA'S STATE GOVERNMENT IS POISED
TO BEGIN A SEVENTH STRAIGHT FISCAL YEAR WITHOUT A SPENDING PLAN IN PLACE. WHEN THE NEW BUDGET YEAR BEGINS WEDNESDAY, THE STATE WILL HAVE CURTAILED AUTHORITY TO SPEND MONEY AND BOTH CHAMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE WILL BE IN SESSION, ATTEMPTING TO BREAK THE STALEMATE. GOV. ED RENDELL AND REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS ARE ABOUT $2 BILLION APART ON PROPOSALS TO BALANCE THE RECESSION-WRACKED BUDGET. RENDELL SAYS HE'S PREPARED TO GO AS LONG AS IT TAKES TO GET AN ACCEPTABLE AGREEMENT. HE SAYS RESIDENTS WILL NOTICE LITTLE CHANGE IN STATE SERVICES WEDNESDAY WHEN MANY SEGMENTS OF STATE GOVERNMENT LOSE THE ABILITY TO PAY BILLS. STATE LEGISLATORS ARE EXPECTED TO MISS THEIR MONTHLY PAYCHECKS, WHICH NORMALLY GO OUT ON THE FIRST OF THE MONTH.

PHILADELPHIA UNIONS
NEW: TALKS CONTINUE ON EXPIRING PHILLY LABOR CONTRACTS
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - PHILADELPHIA'S 20,000 UNION WORKERS ARE CONTINUING ON THE JOB AS CONTRACT EXPIRATIONS LOOM. THE LABOR AGREEMENTS EXPIRE AT MIDNIGHT TUESDAY BUT UNIONS FOR THE CITY'S WHITE COLLAR AND BLUE COLLAR EMPLOYEES AREN'T CALLING FOR STRIKE AUTHORIZATION VOTES AT THIS POINT. THE UNIONS ARE NEGOTIATING OVER CITY DEMANDS FOR WAGE FREEZES, CONCESSIONS ON PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS AND WORK RULES AND RESTRUCTURING OF HEALTH BENEFITS. PHILADELPHIA'S POLICE AND FIRE UNIONS CANNOT STRIKE. THEIR CONTRACTS WILL BE RESOLVED THROUGH ARBITRATION.

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
NEW: PA. LAWMAKERS WORK TO EXTEND JOBLESS BENEFITS
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA LAWMAKERS ARE WORKING ON LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ENABLE FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS TO BE EXTENDED ANOTHER SEVEN WEEKS. IF PASSED, THAT WOULD PREVENT MORE THAN 20,000 PENNSYLVANIANS FROM EXHAUSTING THEIR JOBLESS BENEFITS IN MID-JULY. LABOR AND INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT DEPUTY SECRETARY PATRICK BEATY SAYS IF LEGISLATORS AGREE TO EXTEND THE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT, AS MANY AS 60,000 PEOPLE WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR ALL OR PART OF THE SEVEN-WEEK EXTENSION. THAT WOULD BE AT A PROJECTED COST OF $145 MILLION. THE STATE'S MAXIMUM UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION PAYOUT IS $583 PER WEEK. THAT INCLUDES AN ADDITIONAL $25 FROM THE FEDERAL ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE.

CHIROPRACTOR CHARGED
NEW: PA. CHIROPRACTOR'S LAWYER REBUTS PATIENTS' CLAIMS
EASTON, PA. (AP) - THE LAWYER FOR A CHIROPRACTOR IN PENNSYLVANIA'S LEHIGH VALLEY ACCUSED OF SEXUALLY MOLESTING PATIENTS SAYS THE ALLEGATIONS ARE RELATED TO A LAWSUIT HIS CLIENT FILED. DR. JOHN MARINO HAS HIS PRACTICE IN BATH AND ALSO SERVES ON THE NAZARETH AREA SCHOOL BOARD. MICHAEL MCCARRIE SAID MONDAY AT A HEARING ABOUT THE SUSPENSION OF MARINO'S LICENSE THAT ONE OF HIS ACCUSERS IS VERY CLOSELY ASSOCIATED WITH A FORMER BUSINESS PARTNER OF MARINO'S. THAT WOMAN DENIED THAT THE LAWSUIT HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH HER CLAIMS. MCCARRIE SAID MARINO WASN'T CHARGED UNTIL APRIL, THREE MONTHS AFTER SUING THE FORMER BUSINESS PARTNER, EVEN THOUGH THE CRIMES ARE ALLEGED TO HAVE OCCURRED BETWEEN 2004 AND 2006. A DECISION ON THE SUSPENSION OF MARINO'S LICENSE IS EXPECTED BY FRIDAY.

CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
NEW: WOMAN SUES OCEAN CITY EMS IN CO DEATHS
OCEAN CITY, MD. (AP) - A WOMAN WHOSE HUSBAND AND DAUGHTER DIED OF MONOXIDE POISONING AT AN OCEAN CITY HOTEL IS SUING THE RESORT'S FIRE/EMS DIVISION FOR $20 MILLION. YVONNE BOUGHTER OF LEBANON, PA. SAYS THE EMS TEAM FAILED TO COME TO THEIR AID FOR SEVERAL HOURS IN THE 2006 INCIDENT. THE SUIT WAS FILED FRIDAY IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT IN BALTIMORE. IN THE SUIT, BOUGHTER SAYS SHE, HER HUSBAND AND THEIR TWO DAUGHTERS FELL ILL ON JUNE 27, 2006, WHEN THEY WERE STAYING AT THE DAYS INN HOTEL. SHE SAYS SHE CALLED 911 FROM HER CELL PHONE AT 9:43 A.M. AND TOLD THE DISPATCHER HER FAMILY HAD BEEN ILL ALL NIGHT. SHE THEN FELL UNCONSCIOUS, AWOKE ABOUT 2 P.M. AND CALLED 911 AGAIN. THE EMS TEAM ARRIVED ABOUT 2:02 P.M.

NORTHERN LIBERTIES SHOOTINGS
UPDATE: POLICE: PHILLY DOUBLE SLAYING WELL PLANNED
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - POLICE IN PHILADELPHIA SAY A DOUBLE SLAYING IN AN UPSCALE APARTMENT BUILDING WAS WELL PLANNED. POLICE RELEASED SURVEILLANCE VIDEO MONDAY TAKEN IN THE HALLWAY OF THE APARTMENT BUILDING WHERE 34-YEAR-OLD RIAN THAL AND A MALE COMPANION, 40-YEAR-OLD TIMOTHY GILMORE, WERE KILLED SATURDAY. POLICE CAPT. JAMES CLARK SAYS IT SHOWS FOUR MEN CAREFULLY SETTING UP AN AMBUSH OF THE TWO VICTIMS. POLICE SAY THEY FOUND A LARGE AMOUNT OF DRUGS AND MONEY IN THAL'S APARTMENT AT THE PIAZZA AT SCHMIDT'S DEVELOPMENT IN THE CITY'S TRENDY NORTHERN LIBERTIES NEIGHBORHOOD. POLICE SAY THEY BELIEVE THAL AND GILMORE WERE ACCOMPLICES IN A DRUG CRIME.

TRUCK KILLS CHILD
UPDATE: TRUCK KILLS CHILD IN PHILADELPHIA
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A 12-YEAR-OLD BOY IS DEAD AFTER BEING HIT BY A TRACTOR-TRAILER IN THE MAYFAIR NEIGHBORHOOD OF PHILADELPHIA. THE TRUCK DRIVER STOPPED AT THE SCENE OF MONDAY AFTERNOON'S ACCIDENT. POLICE SAY THE BOY STUMBLED INTO THE STREET, LOST HIS FOOTING AND ROLLED UNDER THE TRUCK'S REAR TIRES. THE CHILD WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT ARIA HEALTH'S TORRESDALE CAMPUS A SHORT TIME LATER.

MORTGAGE FRAUD
PA. TOUGHENS LAWS TO PREVENT MORTGAGE FRAUD
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA HAS TWO NEW LAWS TO COMBAT
MORTGAGE FRAUD. GOV. ED RENDELL SIGNED THE TWO BILLS INTO LAW MONDAY AS HE WAS WATCHED BY VICTIMS OF FORMER MORTGAGE BROKER WESLEY SNYDER, WHO WAS SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS IN PRISON. PROSECUTORS SAY SNYDER SWINDLED NEARLY 800 HOMEOWNERS AND 29 INVESTORS IN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA OUT OF MORE THAN $29 MILLION IN A PONZI SCHEME. ONE BILL RENDELL SIGNED WILL HELP CONSUMERS GET MORE INFORMATION FROM THE BANK ABOUT THEIR LOAN TERMS AND PAYMENTS BY PREVENTING THE MORTGAGE BROKER OR ORIGINATOR FROM BEING THE EXCLUSIVE RECIPIENT OF THAT INFORMATION. A SECOND BILL SIGNED BY RENDELL PREVENTS A MORTGAGE COMPANY OWNER FROM FIRING OR PUNISHING EMPLOYEES WHO ALERT AUTHORITIES TO ILLEGAL ACTIVITY. THE PROVISIONS TAKE EFFECT IN 60 DAYS.

Today's News-Monday, June 29, 2009

WEEKEND CRASH INJURES ONE

AN ORWIGSBURG MAN WAS INJURED IN A SATURDAY MORNING CRASH IN WEST BRUNSWICK TOWNSHIP. STATE POLICE INDICATE THAT 20 YEAR OLD BRYAN NOLL THE SECOND WAS NORTHBOUND ON ROUTE 61 AND HIS VOLKSWAGEN LEFT THE ROAD, TRAVELING UP AN EMBANKMENT. THE CAR STRUCK A UTILITY POLE AND WENT AIRBORNE ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, FINALLY LANDING ON ITS ROOF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY. NOLL WAS TAKEN TO READING HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.

RAPE VICTIM ASSISTANCE AGENCY CLOSES UP SHOP

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY’S RAPE VICTIM AND ASSISTANCE CENTER IS CLOSING UP SHOP TOMORROW. ACCORDING TO BOARD PRESIDENT BARB WAGNER, THE LOSS OF THEIR 25 YEAR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND FINANCIAL ISSUES, THE ONLY OPTION WAS TO CLOSE. SERVICES TO THOSE IN NEED WILL BE PROVIDED BY SEXUAL ASSAULT RESOURCE COUNSELING CENTER OF LEBANON. SERVICES WILL CONTINUE WITHOUT DISRUPTION TO THE COUNTY FROM THEIR OFFICE ON SOUTH CENTRE STREET, POTTSVILLE. SARCC’S PHONE NUMBER IS 628-2965.

POTTSVILLE MAN BUNGLES BURGLARY

A POTTSVILLE MANS BUNGLED BURGLARY LEADS TO HIS ARREST. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED LATE LAST WEEK IN BETHLEHEM. A WITNESS TOLD POLICE THEY HEARD GLASS BREAKING AT A BUSINESS ON CENTER STREET, BETHLEHEM EARLY THURSDAY MORNING. THEY SAW A MAN WEARING BLACK CLOTHING WALK AWAY FROM THE SALON AND FOUND TOOLS AND GLASS COVERED WITH BLOOD. 23 YEAR OLD MAURIZIO CARDAUMURO OF POTTSVILLE SHOWED UP AT LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL-MUHLENBURG WITH A SLICE ON HIS FOREARM. CARDAMURO TOLD POLICE HE SLASHED ONE PANE OF GLASS WITH A SCREWDRIVER, AND INJURED HIMSELF WHEN HE PLACED A PILLOWCASE OVER HIS ARM AND PUNCHED IT. CARDAMURO WAS CHARGED WITH BURGLARY AND RELATED COUNTS. HE WAS JAILED IN NORTHAMPTON COUNTY PRISON. POLICE SAY THERE ARE TWO OPEN CASES AGAINST CARDAMURO HERE IN THE COUNTY.

ARE TEENS USING CONTRACEPTIVES LESS OFTEN?

A NEW STUDY SAYS SEXUALLY ACTIVE TEENS ARE USING CONTRACEPTIVES LESS AND PLANNED PARENTHOOD OFFICIALS IN PA HAVE AN IDEA WHY AND WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. THE GUTTMACHER INSTITUTE SAYS SOME OF THE GAINS MADE IN THE 90’S CONVINCING TEENS TO USE ROTECTION HAVE WANED IN RECENT YEARS. SUELLEN CRAIG IS PRESIDENT AND CEO OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF CENTRAL PA AND SAYS THE FIRST HURDLE WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING TEENS THE INFORMATION THEY NEED ABOUT SEX IS TO SORT OUT WHATS TRUTH AND WHATS FICTION:

CRAIG ONE

PLANNED PARENTHOOD SAYS ABSTINENCE-ONLY SEX EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS ONLY TELLS HALF THE STORY. ABSTINENCE ONLY SUPPORTERS SAYS IT OFFERS A MORAL GUIDE THAT TEENS SHOULD STEER AWAY FROM SEX UNTIL MARRIAGE, AND THAT NOT DOING SO CAN CARRY A HEAVY PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL COST. CRAIG SAYS WHEN IT COMES TO TEACHING KIDS ABOUT SEX IN SCHOOLS, WE NEED TO PUT THOSE WHO ARE SEXUALLY ACTIVE ON THE SAME LEVEL AS THOSE WHO AREN’T

CRAIG TWO

PA. BUDGET CRISIS EVOKES MEMORIES OF '91 STANDOFF

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THOSE WHO REMEMBER PENNSYLVANIA'S 1991 BUDGET SHOWDOWN CAN'T HELP BUT SEE THE PARALLELS. A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR IN HIS SECOND TERM GETS WAYLAID BY A NATIONAL RECESSION AND DWINDLING TAX REVENUES. REPUBLICANS WHO CONTROL THE STATE SENATE INSIST ON CUTS RATHER THAN TAX INCREASES. A NEW CROP OF LEGISLATIVE LEADERS BRING CHANGE - AND UNCERTAINTY - TO THE NEGOTIATING PROCESS. IT'S TOO EARLY TO KNOW WHETHER OTHER ASPECTS OF THE '91 CRISIS WILL BE REPEATED. THEY RANGED FROM THE SCUFFLE BETWEEN LAWMAKERS ON THE HOUSE FLOOR TO ORGANIZED PROTESTS BY UNPAID STATE WORKERS AND THE RECORD TAX INCREASE THAT ENDED IT. IT APPEARS LIKELY THAT PENNSYLVANIA WILL END ITS FISCAL YEAR AT MIDNIGHT TUESDAY WITHOUT A BUDGET IN PLACE. THAT'S BEEN A RECURRING THEME SINCE GOV. ED RENDELL TOOK OFFICE IN 2003. BUT THIS YEAR A STEEP FALLOFF IN TAX REVENUES - AND DEEPER PHILOSOPHICAL DIVISIONS BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES - LEAVE PLENTY OF ROOM FOR PESSIMISM ABOUT WHETHER A DEAL CAN BE NEGOTIATED ANYTIME SOON.

POCONO SLOTS
PA. MOUNT AIRY CASINO PARTY WELCOMES OWNER BACK

MOUNT POCONO, PA. (AP) - MOUNT AIRY CASINO RESORT OWNER LOUIS DENAPLES IS BACK AT THE PROPERTY AFTER HAVING HIS GAMING LICENSE RESTORED - WHICH CAME AFTER COUNTY PROSECUTORS DROPPED PERJURY CHARGES AGAINST HIM. HUNDREDS GATHERED AT THE POCONOS CASINO TO WELCOME DENAPLES HOME AT A PARTY SATURDAY NIGHT. HE GREETED THEM WITH HANDSHAKES AND HUGS BUT MADE NO SPEECHES AND SOON LEFT TO ATTEND A PRIVATE PARTY UPSTAIRS. DENAPLES' LICENSE WAS SUSPENDED IN FEBRUARY 2008 AFTER HE WAS CHARGED WITH HAVING LIED TO THE GAMING BOARD ABOUT WHETHER HE HAD CONNECTIONS TO ORGANIZED CRIME. DAUPHIN COUNTY PROSECUTORS DROPPED THE CHARGES IN APRIL AND THE PENNSYLVANIA GAMING CONTROL BOARD LIFTED A SUSPENSION OF HIS LICENSE IN EARLY JUNE. UNDER THE DEAL, DENAPLES CAN GIVE ADVICE AND FINANCIAL BACKING, BUT LEGAL CONTROL IS BEING TRANSFERRED INTO A TRUST IN THE NAME OF HIS ELDEST DAUGHTER, LISA.

NORTHERN LIBERTIES SHOOTINGS
2 SHOT DEAD IN UPSCALE NEW PHILLY COMPLEX

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - PHILADELPHIA POLICE SAY A MAN AND WOMAN WERE SHOT DEAD IN THE HALLWAY OF AN UPSCALE PHILADELPHIA APARTMENT – AND THEY EXPECT IMAGES CAPTURED BY SECURITY CAMERAS TO HELP THEIR INVESTIGATION. POLICE SAY THE TWO WERE SHOT AT ABOUT 6 P.M. SATURDAY IN THE NAVONA BUILDING OF THE RECENTLY OPENED PIAZZA AT SCHMIDTS IN THE NORTHERN LIBERTIES SECTION NORTH OF CENTER CITY. HOMICIDE CAPTAIN JAMES CLARK SAYS A MAN WAS FOUND SHOT SEVERAL TIMES JUST OUTSIDE THE SEVENTH FLOOR ELEVATOR, AND A WOMAN WAS FOUND SHOT OUTSIDE HER APARTMENT. THEIR NAMES HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED. TOWER INVESTMENTS INC. SPOKESWOMAN CLAIRE PELINO SAYS SECURITY CAMERAS ARE TRAINED ON EACH HALLWAY AND SURROUND THE BUILDING. POLICE SAY THEY ARE LOOKING FOR TWO TO THREE MALES WHO WERE SEEN FLEEING THE SCENE. THEY ARE ALSO TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT MAY HAVE SPARKED THE SHOOTINGS.

PHILLY POLICE CRASH
CRASH INJURES 2 PHILLY POLICE OFFICERS; 1 CRITICAL

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - PHILADELPHIA POLICE SAY TWO OFFICERS MAKING A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP WERE STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, INJURING BOTH OF THEM, ONE CRITICALLY. POLICE SAY THE 24TH DISTRICT OFFICERS HAD STOPPED A CAR AT ABOUT 1 A.M. SUNDAY IN THE BRIDESBURG SECTION OF NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA. WHILE OFFICERS WERE DOING AN INVENTORY OF THE VEHICLE, A HONDA RIDGELINE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED HIT THE STOPPED CAR AND THE PATROL CAR. OFFICER RICHARD HAYES WAS TAKEN TO ARIA HEALTH TORRESDALE, WHERE THE 28-YEAR-OLD WAS LISTED IN CRITICAL BUT STABLE CONDITION. TWENTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD OFFICER GEORGE HIGGINSON WAS TAKEN TO HAHNEMANN HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF LACERATIONS TO HIS FACE AND IS IN STABLE CONDITION. POLICE SAY 20-YEAR-OLD JOHN CUSICK OF BRISTOL WAS ARRESTED ON CHARGES OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, AND OTHER COUNTS. A LISTED NUMBER FOR HIM COULD NOT BE FOUND SUNDAY AND IT WAS UNCLEAR WHETHER HE HAD AN ATTORNEY.

PHILADELPHIA JOBS-LITERACY
STUDY: LOW LITERACY HAMPERS HALF OF PHILLY WORKERS

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A STUDY TO BE RELEASED MONDAY SAYS MORE THAN HALF OF THE WORKING-AGE ADULTS IN PHILADELPHIA LACK THE BASIC READING AND ARITHMETIC SKILLS NEEDED TO DO THE MAJORITY OF JOBS IN THE CITY. THE STUDY BY LABOR ECONOMIST PAUL HARRINGTON FOR THE PHILADELPHIA WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD SAYS THE AVERAGE PHILADELPHIA SCORE FOR READING ABILITY IS 260 OUT OF 500. BUT MOST JOBS IN THE CITY, SUCH AS HEALTH CARE TECHNICIANS, SECRETARIES, AND SECURITY GUARDS, REQUIRE WORKERS WITH HIGHER SCORES, RANGING FROM 277 TO 336. IN MATH, THE STUDY SAYS, NEARLY TWO-THIRDS OF PHILADELPHIA'S WORKING-AGE ADULTS ARE AT OR BELOW BASIC LEVELS.

OBIT-BILLY MAYS
POLICE: TV PITCHMAN BILLY MAYS FOUND DEAD AT HOME

TAMPA, FLA. (AP) - TAMPA POLICE SAY BILLY MAYS, THE TELEVISION PITCHMAN KNOWN FOR HIS BOISTEROUS HAWKING OF PRODUCTS SUCH AS ORANGE GLO AND OXICLEAN, HAS DIED. HE WAS 50. AUTHORITIES SAY MAYS WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD SUNDAY MORNING AFTER BEING FOUND BY HIS WIFE AT HOME. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF A BREAK-IN, AND INVESTIGATORS DO NOT SUSPECT FOUL PLAY. THE CORONER'S OFFICE EXPECTS TO HAVE AN AUTOPSY DONE BY MONDAY AFTERNOON. MAYS' WIFE, DEBORAH MAYS, SAYS THE FAMILY DOESN'T EXPECT TO MAKE ANY PUBLIC STATEMENTS AND ASKED FOR PRIVACY. MAYS WAS ALSO FEATURED ON THE REALITY TV SHOW "PITCHMEN" ON THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL, WHICH FOLLOWED MAYS AND ANTHONY SULLIVAN IN THEIR MARKETING JOBS.

PITTSBURGH-G-20
PITTSBURGH CHIEF : CITY MAY NEED 4,000 OFFICERS TO HANDLE PROTESTERS EXPECTED AT G-20 MEETING

PITTSBURGH (AP) - THE PITTSBURGH POLICE CHIEF SAYS HE MAY NEED FOUR-TIMES THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS HE CURRENTLY HAS IF THE CITY IS TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SECURITY DURING THE G-20 SUMMIT THIS FALL. POLICE CHIEF NATE HARPER IS HOPING TO HAVE MORE THAN 4,000 OFFICERS ON HAND FOR THE SEPT. 24-25 MEETING ON THE GLOBAL ECONOMY. THE CITY CURRENTLY HAS 877 POLICE OFFICERS. THE SECRET SERVICE IS COORDINATING THE OVERALL SECURITY, AND HARPER SAYS HELP WILL BE NEEDED FROM DOZENS OF CITIES IN PENNSYLVANIA AND AROUND THE COUNTRY. PITTSBURGH OFFICIALS ALSO PLAN TO SEEK HELP FROM STATE POLICE IN MARYLAND, NEW YORK AND WEST VIRGINIA. ABOUT 10,000 OFFICERS WORKED THE G-20 MEETING IN LONDON IN APRIL.

UNDATED (AP) - A PARTIAL RECOUNT OF BALLOTS CAST IN IRAN'S HOTLY DISPUTED PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IS UNDER WAY. OPPOSITION LEADER MIR HOSSEIN MOUSAVI CONTENDS THE JUNE 12 VOTE WAS TAINTED BY MASSIVE AND SYSTEMATIC FRAUD. ALSO, TODAY IS
THE DEADLINE TO FILE COMPLAINTS OF IRREGULARITIES.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - SOME OF THE BIGGEST STARS ON THE PLANET TURNED BACK INTO GUSHING MICHAEL JACKSON FANS AT THE BET AWARDS LAST NIGHT. THE TELECAST WAS COMPLETELY REVAMPED TO RECOGNIZE THE LEGACY OF JACKSON, WHO DIED THURSDAY AT AGE 50. THERE WERE SOMBER MOMENTS, BUT FOR THE MOST PART, IT WAS A JOYOUS WAKE.

HOUSTON (AP) - TEXAS FINANCIER R. ALLEN STANFORD COULD FIND OUT TODAY IF HE WILL BE FREED ON A BOND OF HALF A MILLION DOLLARS OR STAY LOCKED UNTIL HIS TRIAL. A HEARING WILL BE HELD THIS MORNING IN FEDERAL COURT IN HOUSTON. STANFORD HAS BEEN INDICTED ON CHARGES HE SWINDLED INVESTORS OUT OF $7 BILLION. PROSECUTORS SAY HE'S A FLIGHT RISK.

NEW YORK (AP) - SOME VICTIMS ARE EXPECTED TO ASK A FEDERAL JUDGE TO PUNISH BERNARD MADOFF HARSHLY AT THE DISGRACED FINANCIER'S SENTENCING TODAY IN FEDERAL COURT IN MANHATTAN. MADOFF'S LAWYER INSISTS 12 YEARS IN PRISON IS ENOUGH. PROSECUTORS DEMAND A 150-YEAR SENTENCE.

JOHANNESBURG (AP) - THE UNITED STATES MEN'S SOCCER TEAM FELL TWO GOALS SHORT OF WINNING THE CONFEDERATIONS CUP TITLE DESPITE A 2-0 LEAD AT HALFTIME. LUCIO SCORED A LATE GOAL TO GIVE BRAZIL A 3-2 WIN OVER THE AMERICANS IN THE FINAL AT JOHANNESBURG.

Today's News - Saturday, June 27, 2009

JUDGE SAYS DIRECTORS DIDN’T DO THEIR JOB

WE HAVE NOW LEARNED MORE AS TO WHY JUDGE D MICHAEL STINE REMOVED 8 SCHOOL DIRECTORS FROM THE NORTH SCHUYLKILL BOARD. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THE JUDGE SAID THE DIRECTORS DIDN’T DO THEIR JOBS AND VIOLATED THE SCHOOL CODE IN TRYING TO FIND A SUPERINTENDENT TO RUN THEIR SCHOOL AFTER ROBERT FRANKLIN RETIRED IN 2007. BOARD MEMBERS INSTEAD TRIED TO INSTALL INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT AND BOARD SOLICITOR MARK SEMANCHIK EVEN THOUGH HE DIDN’T MEET THE QUALIFICATIONS. A LAWSUIT BY MORE THAN 50 TAXPAYERS ABOUT THE ISSUE LED TO STINE’S DECISION THAT LEFT ONE BOARD MEMBER STANDING. FOUR PEOPLE WHO WERE ON THE MAY PRIMARY BALLOT WERE APPOINTED TO MAKE UP THE 5 PERSON BOARD. INTERESTED RESIDENTS OF THE NORTH SCHUYLKILL DISTRICT HAVE UNTIL JULY 22ND TO SUBMIT THEIR NAMES FOR CONSIDERATION.

CAP AND TRADE PASSES, HOLDEN VOTES NO

A BILL PASSED BY THE HOUSE FRIDAY NIGHT FORCES THE COUNTRY TO REDUCE POLLUTION AND GENERATE ENERGY MORE CLEANLY. BUT CONGRESSMAN TIM HOLDEN SAID IT DOESN’T HELP THE COAL REGION. HOLDEN TELLS WPPA NEWS SOME OF THE REASONS WHY:

HOLDEN CAP AND TRADE

THE FINAL VOTE WAS 219-212 TO CURB GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, INCLUDING CARBON DIOXIDE AND MAKE IT COST PROHIBITIVE FOR BUSINESSES TO USE FOSSIL FUELS. HOLDEN ALSO SAID IT COULD HURT JOBS HERE IN THE 17TH DISTRICT. THE ST CLAIR CONGRESSMAN INDICATES THAT HIS OFFICE WAS INUNDATED WITH CALLS FROM ALL ACROSS THE NATION TO VOTE NO FOR THE CAP AND TRADE BILL.

HEGINS VALLEY FOLKS TO HELP OUT

PEOPLE IN THE HEGINS VALLEY ARE PULLING TOGETHER TO HELP OUT ONE OF THEIR OWN TODAY AT HEGINS PARK. EVENT ORGANIZER STEVE BIXLER TELLS US ABOUT 27 YEAR OLD ADAM MESSNER, HIS WIFE AND THREE SMALL CHILDREN:

BIXLER EVENT

MESSNER IS ACTIVE WITH THE CIVIL AIR PATROL, HEGINS AMBULANCE AND FIRE COMPANIES. TODAY’S EVENTS INCLUDE MUSIC, FOOD, GAMES AND OTHER ACTIVITIES TO HELP MESSNER’S FAMILY. ORGANIZERS WILL ALSO BE COLLECTING NON PERISHABLE FOOD AND CLEANING SUPPLIES AS WELL. ENTRANCE IS BY FREE WILL DONATION. FOR INFORMATION ON TODAY’S EVENT AT HEGINS PARK, CALL 449-2593.

STATE BUDGET, RENDELL CUTS MORE, STICKS TO GUNS ON SCHOOL AID

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - HOSPITALS AND DOCTORS WHO TREAT THE POOR,
UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGE STUDENTS SEEKING GRANTS WOULD ALL FEEL THE PINCH OF GOV. ED RENDELL'S NEWLY REVISED BUDGET. RENDELL REVEALED FRIDAY WHERE HE IS CUTTING AN ADDITIONAL $500 MILLION IN HIS PROPOSED BUDGET AS STATE POLICY-MAKERS GRAPPLE WITH A $3 BILLION-PLUS SHORTFALL. RENDELL ALSO SLASHED SPENDING TO CREATE HIGH-TECH CLASSROOMS IN HIGH SCHOOLS, A PROGRAM THAT HE LAUNCHED SEVERAL YEARS AGO. HOWEVER, HE STUCK TO HIS GUNS ON A PROPOSED 7 PERCENT INCREASE IN STATE FUNDING FOR INSTRUCTION AND OPERATIONS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. DESPITE THE CUTS, THE UNEXPECTEDLY HIGH COST OF TAX REFUNDS AND CARE FOR THE ELDERLY, POOR AND DISABLED WOULD KEEP THE RENDELL'S TOTAL PROPOSED SPENDING AT AROUND $29 BILLION.

LIFE SENTENCES, RULING COULD AID PA. PRISON LIFERS SEEKING RELEASE

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A FEDERAL JUDGE'S RULING COULD MAKE IT A LITTLE EASIER FOR MANY INMATES SERVING LIFE SENTENCES IN PENNSYLVANIA PRISONS TO GET REQUESTS FOR COMMUTATIONS CONSIDERED BY THE GOVERNOR. THE RULING BY U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE RICHARD CAPUTO OF SCRANTON POTENTIALLY AFFECTS HUNDREDS OF LIFERS WHO COMMITTED THEIR CRIMES BEFORE A NOVEMBER 1997 REFERENDUM VOTE TO AMEND THE STATE CONSTITUTION. THE CHANGE REQUIRES AN UNANIMOUS VOTE OF THE STATE PARDONS BOARD BEFORE A COMMUTATION COULD BE RECOMMENDED TO THE GOVERNOR. BEFORE THAT, ONLY A MAJORITY VOTE BY THE FIVE-MEMBER BOARD WAS REQUIRED. CAPUTO THIS MONTH REAFFIRMED THE KEY PART OF HIS OWN ORIGINAL RULING FROM 2006 THAT IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL TO APPLY THE STRICTER, NEW STANDARD FOR CRIMES COMMITTED BEFORE THE 1997 VOTE. STATE OFFICIALS ARE CONSIDERING APPEALING CAPUTO'S RULING.

VA HOSPITAL ERROR, DOC IN PHILLY VA HOSPITAL CONTROVERSY TAKES LEAVE

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - AN ONCOLOGIST INVOLVED IN THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WHO RECEIVED BOTCHED PROSTATE CANCER THERAPY AT PHILADELPHIA'S VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER HAS TAKEN A LEAVE OF ABSENCE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS SAY DR. GARY KAO WAS GRANTED A LEAVE OF ABSENCE THURSDAY. KAO IS SCHEDULED TO TESTIFY BEFORE A SENATE VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE HEARING ON THE MATTER ON MONDAY IN PHILADELPHIA. ACCORDING TO A NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION REPORT, 92 VETERANS RECEIVED INCORRECT RADIATION DOSES IN A COMMON SURGICAL PROCEDURE THAT IS USED TO TREAT PROSTATE CANCER. THE NRC IS INVESTIGATING. THE MEDICAL CENTER SUSPENDED ITS PROSTATE CANCER TREATMENT PROGRAM IN 2008 AS A RESULT OF THE INVESTIGATION.

NEWSPAPER-LAWSUIT, REPUTED PA. MOBSTER ORDERED TO TESTIFY

ALLENTOWN, PA. (AP) - A REPUTED MOB BOSS HAS BEEN CALLED TO TESTIFY ABOUT ACCUSATIONS THAT HE PLOTTED WITH TWO JUDGES TO FIX A DEFAMATION CASE AGAINST A NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA NEWSPAPER. WILLIAM D'ELIA HAS BEEN ORDERED TO APPEAR NEXT WEEK AT A HEARING IN ALLENTOWN. THE STATE SUPREME COURT GRANTED A REVIEW OF THE $3.5 MILLION VERDICT AGAINST THE CITIZENS' VOICE OF WILKES-BARRE, CITING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ROLE PLAYED BY D'ELIA AND FORMER LUZERNE COUNTY JUDGES MICHAEL CONAHAN AND MARK CIAVARELLA. THE JUDGES PLEADED GUILTY EARLIER THIS YEAR IN A SEPARATE CASE INVOLVING JUVENILE DEFENDANTS. D'ELIA'S LAWYER SAYS HE'S CONSIDERING HOW TO RESPOND TO THE ORDER. D'ELIA IS SERVING NINE YEARS IN PRISON ON FEDERAL MONEY-LAUNDERING AND WITNESS-TAMPERING CHARGES.

PITTSBURGH-G-20, PITTSBURGH DISPLAYS FLAGS OF G-20 SUMMIT MEMBERS

PITTSBURGH (AP) - PITTSBURGH HAS COMPLETED ITS FIRST FLAG DISPLAY AHEAD OF THE GROUP OF 20 SUMMIT IT IS HOSTING ON SEPT. 24 AND 25. ALLEGHENY CONFERENCE VICE PRESIDENT BILL FLANAGAN SAYS AN EXPERT WAS CONSULTED TO AVOID MISTAKES. LUCKILY, THE FINAL ARBITER FOR THE PROPER CARE AND DISPLAY OF THE U.S. FLAG IS BASED IN PITTSBURGH - THE NATIONAL FLAG FOUNDATION. IN THE NEW MEDIA CENTER DISPLAY, THE U.S. FLAG IS ON THE LEFT. THEN, THE 19 OTHER NATION'S FLAGS ARE IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER . THE EUROPEAN UNION FLAG IS AT THE END. NOW, FLANAGAN SAYS THE ORGANIZERS NEED TO GET PITTSBURGH'S G-20 WEB SITE IN LINE. INITIALLY UNAWARE OF THE RULES, THE FLAGS ON THE WEB SITE ARE DISPLAYED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, WITH THE U.S. FLAG ON THE FAR-RIGHT - A FLAG FAUX PAS.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Los Angeles County coroner's office says there is no sign of foul play in the death of Michael Jackson but more testing is needed after an autopsy. The body has now been released to the family. A source says Jackson apparently had a heart attack.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Friends and colleagues say Michael Jackson had been heavily involved in rehearsals for his comeback and seemed to have new life in the days before he collapsed and died. After years of seclusion, he'd hired a personal trainer and was practicing with backup dancers and choreographers several hours a day. A person with knowledge of the situation says it appears he suffered a heart attack.

TRIESTE, Italy (AP) - President Barack Obama's envoy to Afghanistan has announced a new drug policy for the opium-rich country. Richard Holbrooke tells The Associated Press that the U.S. is phasing out funding for eradication efforts and using it for drug interdiction and alternate crop programs instead.

CORFU, Greece (AP) - Foreign ministers from Russia and NATO are set to resume formal military ties for the first time since last year's war between Russia and Georgia. The meeting comes as President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev prepare to hold a summit next month.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea is threatening to shoot down Japanese planes after accusing the nation of spying. North Korea's air force said Japan's E-767 surveillance aircraft conducted the aerial espionage near a missile site on its northeast coast Wednesday and Thursday.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The House has passed a sweeping bill to curb pollution linked to global warming and create a new energy-efficient economy. The 219-to-212 vote comes as a big win for President Barack Obama. But it may be tougher to get the legislation throught the Senate, where 60 votes will be needed to overcome a Republican filibuster.

NEW YORK (AP) - Another five banks have failed. The shutdown of the small banks boosts to 45 the number of failures this year of federally insured banks. More are expected. The latest five are: Community Bank of West Georgia; Neighborhood Community Bank in Newnan, Ga.; Horizon Bank in Pine City, Minn.; MetroPacific Bank in Irvine, Calif.; and Mirae Bank in Los Angeles.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) - Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett have been drawing their share of Internet attention. But Google says curiosity over the identity of South Carolina Gov. Mark Sandford's Argentine paramour has topped them both, even without confirmation of her true identity.

WASHINGTON (AP) - If it can't go through Congress, the White House may go around in its effort to indefinitely imprison a small number of Guantanamo Bay detainees considered too dangerous to prosecute or release. Two administration officials say the White House is considering issuing an executive order.

SAO PAULO (AP) - The search for the black boxes goes on but Brazil has ended the search for more bodies and debris from Air France Flight 447. A Brazilian Air Force officer says it's now impossible to find more bodies. France will coordinate the continued search for the black boxes.

UNDATED (AP) - Opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi's web site is still down today, a day after he effectively ended his role in street protests against a disputed election in Iran. He claims hard-liner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stole the election but says he will seek official permission for any future rallies.

KABUL (AP) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai is trying to get out the vote -- even from the Taliban. Karzai is telling the militants that they should vote for the provincial council delegates and a presidential candidate they support on Aug. 20. The Taliban are not fielding candidates and have warned Afghans against voting in the election.

KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) - Police in Pakistan have raided an apartment in Karachi and killed five suspected militants. The say the insurgents were loyal to the Pakistani Taliban leader blamed for a wave of suicide attacks. Police say they seized explosives and weapons.

UNDATED (AP) - Highway tragedies in two states have taken at least 14 lives. Nine people were killed on an Oklahoma turnpike when a tractor-trailer slammed into a line of cars stopped in traffic due to another accident. And an Indiana couple and their three children died when their pickup truck was crushed between two semi-trailers and burst into flames in Indiana.

NEW YORK (AP) - Disgraced financier Bernard Madoff has been ordered to give up his interests in all property, including real estate, investments, cars and boats -- to the tune of $170 billion. Friday's order from a federal judge comes ahead of his sentencing Monday in his massive fraud case.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - There's no free lunch with billionaire investor Warren Buffett. But the winner of this year's charity auction of a lunch with Buffett is getting a bargain at $1.68 million. Last year's lunch topped $2 million. The winner remains anonymous for now.

Today's News-Friday, June 26, 2009

EMERGENCY APPOINTMENTS NAMED IN N. SCH CASE

AFTER REMOVING EIGHT OF THE NORTH SCHUYLKILL SCHOOL BOARD'S NINE MEMBERS, A JUDGE APPOINTED FOUR NEW MEMBERS HOURS BEFORE LAST NIGHT’S BOARD MEETING. NEWLY APPOINTED MEMBER ROBIN HETHERINGTON WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT. THE ONLY BOARD MEMBER NOT REMOVED BY COURT ORDER
ON TUESDAY, 23-YEAR-OLD ROBERT ORTH, IS NOW VICE PRESIDENT. THE BOARD HAD PLANNED TO APPROVE THE BUDGET AT THURSDAY'S MEETING, BUT THAT WAS DELAYED UNTIL NEXT WEEK. IN ADDITION TO HETHERINGTON, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY JUDGE D. MICHAEL STINE APPOINTED GRACE GLOWACKI, DEBRA HAMPTON AND KELLY MORAN TO THE BOARD BEFORE THURSDAY'S MEETING.

EXCAVATOR FALLS THROUGH BRIDGE

A BRIDGE REPAIR PROJECT IN PORT CARBON IS SHUT DOWN UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE AFTER A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT FELL THROUGH A PART OF THE SIDEWALK. PENN DOT CONTRACTORS ARE SHORING UP THE BRIDGE THAT CROSSES MILL CREEK ON POTTSVILLE STREET. THE EXCAVATOR HAD TO BE REMOVED BY CRANE LAST NIGHT AND A SIZEABLE HOLE REMAINS IN THE BRIDGE DECK. AUTHORITIES EXPECT TO INSPECT THE BRIDGE TODAY. NO ONE WAS HURT.

MINERSVILLE MAN HURT IN BERKS CRASH

A MINERSVILLE MAN WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN BERKS COUNTY THURSDAY. HAMBURG STATE POLICE REPORT 21 YEAR OLD ANTHONY CURTIER WAS NORTHBOUND ON ROUTE 61 IN PERRY TOWNSHIP, AND REAR ENDED A CAR OPERATED BY 46 YEAR OLD JANNINE SHAPIRO OF READING, WHICH WAS WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. CURTIER HAD MINOR INJURIES BUT REFUSED MEDICAL TREATMENT. SHAPIRO WAS TAKEN TO THE READING HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. CURTIER WILL BE CITED FOR DRIVING TOO FAST.

FIGHT IN SCHUYLKILL TOWNSHIP

A FIGHT BETWEEN TWO MEN LANDS CHARGES AGAINST ONE OF THEM. FRACKVILLE STATE POLICE HAVE JUST RELEASED DETAILS OF LAST WEEKEND'S ARGUMENT THAT CAME TO BLOWS BETWEEN CHRISTIAN SHILKO OF TAMAQUA AND SCOTT MACKELVEY OF BARNESVILLE. APPARENTLY, MACKELVEY WAS DRUNK AND REFUSING TO LEAVE. SHILKO, A PASSENGER IN THE CAR, TRIED TO GET HIM TO LEAVE, THEN GRABBED MACKELVEY AND STRUCK HIM SEVERAL TIMES, BREAKING HIS NOSE AND CAUSING OTHER INJURIES. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON WALNUT STREET, TUSCARORA.

BIG GRANT BUCKS AVAILABLE TO FIREFIGHTERS

ONE AREA LAWMAKER IS REMINDING FIREFIGHTERS THAT A BIG CHUNK OF CHANGE IS AVAILABLE FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THEIR FIRE STATIONS. STATE REPRESENTATIVE NEAL GOODMAN SAYS THAT $210 MILLION DOLLARS IN STIMULUS MONIES ARE UP FOR GRABS TO BUILD NEW OR RENOVATE FIRE STATIONS. UNDER THE PROGRAM, EACH VOLUNTEER COMPANY CAN RECEIVE A MAXIMUM OF $15 MILLION DOLLARS, WITH NO LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF PROJECTS UNDER THE APPLICATION. PROJECTS THAT ARE READY TO BEGIN SOON AFTER RECEIVING THE GRANT AND THOSE IN AREAS WITH HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT WILL BE GIVEN PRIORITY. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS JULY 10, 2009. THOSE APPS ARE AVAILABLE ON LINE AT WWW-DOT-USFA-DOT-FEMA-DOT-GOV.

CAMPOUT IN THE BACKYARD

WILDLIFE OFFICIALS ARE ENCOURAGING FOLKS TO GET OUTDOORS THIS WEEKEND WITH THE GREAT AMERICAN BACKYARD CAMPOUT BEING HELD SATURDAY, JUNE 27TH. DAVID MIZEJEWSKI OF THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION EXPLAINS WHAT BROUGHT ABOUT THE IDEA OF HAVING A DAY WHERE AMERICANS SHOULD PITCH THEIR TENTS IN THEIR BACKYARDS OR A PARK NEARBY:

BACKYARD CAMPOUT

ANOTHER REASON TO HOLD A BACKYARD CAMPOUT, MIZEJEWSKI SAYS IS BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMY. HE SAYS MANY FAMILIES CANNOT PLAN BIG FAMILY VACATIONS DUE TO THEIR FAMILY BUDGETS, SO HOLDING A BACKYARD CAMPOUT IS A GREAT WAY TO HAVE A FAMILY STAYCATION THIS SUMMER.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - IF PENNSYLVANIA'S FISCAL YEAR BEGINS NEXT WEDNESDAY WITHOUT A BUDGET IN PLACE, STATE WORKERS WILL HAVE TO STAY ON THE JOB. BUT WORKERS WON'T BE PAID UNTIL THE BUDGET DEADLOCK IS RESOLVED. REPUBLICANS ARE PUSHING A PLAN WITHOUT TAX INCREASES. DEMOCRATIC LEADERS WANT A MIX OF CUTS AND TAX HIKES.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - THE SECRET SERVICE WILL COORDINATE A SECURITY PLAN FOR THE GROUP OF 20 SUMMIT IN PITTSBURGH, WHEN 19 HEADS OF STATE WILL CONVENE. OFFICIALS EXPECT THOUSANDS OF DEMONSTRATORS AND MEDIA AT THE SEPT. 24 AND SEPT. 25 MEETING ON THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC CRISIS.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A MINING COMPANY ATTORNEY IS DEFENDING ITS OPERATIONS AS LEGAL WRANGLING CONTINUES OVER THE QUECREEK MINE
ACCIDENT WHEN COAL MINERS HAD TO BE RESCUED FROM A FLOODED TUNNEL.
THE FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION IS HEARING ARGUMENTS ABOUT WHETHER A JUDGE FAIRLY ASSESSED $110,000 IN FINES.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - TWO DEFENDANTS BEATEN BY PHILADELPHIA POLICE DURING AN ARREST CAUGHT ON TAPE WEPT AS NEWS FOOTAGE AIRED IN COURT. BRIAN HALL AND PETE HOPKINS ARE ON TRIAL FOR A SHOOTING. A THIRD DEFENDANT REMAINED COMPOSED AS THE TAPE PLAYED. FOUR POLICE OFFICERS HAVE BEEN FIRED AND OTHERS DISCIPLINED OR DEMOTED.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - TRANSIT OFFICIALS IN THE PHILADELPHIA AREA ARE TRYING TO REDUCE THE CHANCES OF A CRASH LIKE THE FATAL TRAIN CRASH IN WASHINGTON, D.C. OFFICIALS WITH SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY SAY SEPTA HAS SPENT MORE THAN $200 MILLION
OVER THE PAST DECADE UPGRADING SIGNAL SYSTEMS AND TROLLEYS.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE MOURNING THE UNTIMELY DEATH OF POP STAR MICHAEL JACKSON. QUINCY JONES, WHO PRODUCED "THRILLER," CALLS JACKSON "THE CONSUMMATE ENTERTAINER" AND SAYS HE'S LOST HIS "LITTLE BROTHER." IT'S BELIEVED JACKSON SUFFERED A CARDIAC ARREST YESTERDAY. HE WAS 50. AN AUTOPSY IS PLANNED.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - MICHAEL JACKSON THE SINGER WAS ALSO MICHAEL JACKSON THE BILLION-DOLLAR BUSINESS. BUT DESPITE MAKING A FORTUNE DURING HIS LONG CAREER, HE DIED REPORTEDLY AWASH IN ABOUT $400 MILLION IN DEBT. HE WAS PLANNING A COMEBACK AFTER WELL OVER A DECADE OF SCANDAL.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A HANDFUL OF UNDECIDED DEMOCRATS HOLD THE KEY TO WHETHER THE HOUSE WILL CONFRONT GLOBAL WARMING AND BEGIN THE SWITCH FROM FOSSIL FUELS TO CLEANER ENERGY. DEMOCRATIC LEADERS ARE SCRAMBLING TO ROUND UP ENOUGH VOTES TO PASS A CLIMATE BILL TODAY
BEFORE LAWMAKERS DEPART FOR A WEEKLONG JULY 4 HOLIDAY RECESS.

WASHINGTON (AP) - CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORTERS OF THE F-22 FIGHTER PROGRAM HAVE MANAGED TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL MONEY FOR THE ADVANCED FIGHTER IN A NEW DEFENSE SPENDING BILL. BUT THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION IS THREATENING TO VETO THE MOVE. THE PENTAGON PLANS TO END THE PROGRAM AFTER PURCHASING 187 OF THE JETS.

BAGHDAD (AP) - IRAQI OFFICIALS SAY A BOOBY-TRAPPED MOTORCYCLE EXPLODED IN A CROWDED BAZAAR FRIDAY IN BAGHDAD, KILLING AT LEAST 11 PEOPLE AND WOUNDING DOZENS. IT'S THE LATEST IN A WEEK OF ATTACKS THAT HAVE KILLED SOME 200 PEOPLE AHEAD OF NEXT WEEK'S DEADLINE FOR U.S. TROOPS TO WITHDRAW FROM URBAN AREAS.

Today's News-Thursday, June 25, 2009

DRUG BUST NETS FOUR IN POTTSVILLE

POTTSVILLE POLICE TOOK MORE DRUG DEALERS OFF THE STREETS TUESDAY WITH SEVERAL ARRESTS. TUESDAY, 13 PACKETS OF HEROIN WERE PURCHASED BY DRUG AGENTS AT A NORTH JACKSON STREET HOME. A SUBSEQUENT SEARCH NETTED THE ARREST OF 27 YEAR OLF LUCAS ALMONTI AND 26 YEAR OLD CHRISTOPHER HOPKINS. 46 ADDITIONAL PACKETS OF HEROIN, CELL PHONES AND OTHER ITEMS WERE SEIZED. THE STREET VALUE OF THE DRUGS WAS $900. HOPKINS AND ALMONTI WERE ARRAIGNED AND TAKEN TO THE COUNTY JAIL. FOURTEEN ADDITIONAL PACKETS OF HEROIN WERE TAKEN FROM 27 YEAR OLD JULIE HOWE, WHO ALSO LIVED THERE. SHE'LL BE CHARGED VIA SUMMONS. CARMEN ALMONTI, NORTH SECOND STREET, WAS ALSO ARRESTED TUESDAY ON DRUG RELATED CHARGES AND 9 PACKETS OF HEROIN WERE RECOVERED. HE'S ALSO IN JAIL. THE INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING. A CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANT LINE IS AVAILABLE IN POTTSVILLE BY CALLING 622-1234, X.150.

JOB FAIR A SUCCESS

THEY CAME DRESSED IN TIES, BUSINESS SUITS AND JEANS AND T-SHIRTS…ALL WITH ONE OBJECTIVE…TO SEEK OUT JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORT SERVICES HERE IN THE REGION. PA CAREERLINKS 4TH ANNUAL JOB AND EDUCATION FAIR DREW MORE THAN 16-HUNDRED PEOPLE TO THE FORMER VALUE CITY LOCATION AT FAIRLANE VILLAGE, MANY WITH RESUMES IN HAND. LINES WERE ALREADY FORMING INSIDE THE MALL AT 9AM, AND CONTINUED THROUGHOUT THE DAY. THE EVENT WAS MOVED FROM MARTZ HALL TO THE FORMER DEPARTMENT STORE TO ACCOMDATE THE NEARLY 60 EMPLOYERS, A DOZEN SCHOOLS AND OTHER AGENCIES. WPPA AND T102 WERE PROUD TO BE A PART OF THAT EFFORT.

MAN TO STAND TRIAL FOR ARSON RELATED CHARGES

A MAN ACCUSED OF SETTING A FIRE IN SHENANDOAH LAST MONTH WILL HAVE HIS CASE BOUND OVER FOR COURT. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THAT 27 YEAR OLD DAVID REIDEL, ACCUSED OF THREE COUNTS OF ARSON AND RELATED COUNTS IN THE FIRE ON WEST PENN STREET MAY 21ST, WAIVED HIS RIGHT TO A PRELIMINARY HEARING WEDNESDAY. REIDEL REMAINS IN THE COUNTY PRISON FOR VIOLATING A PROTECTION FROM ABUSE ORDER AND THE STANDING ARSON COUNTS.

LITTLE BIG HORN

MORE THAN 130 YEARS HAVE PASSED SINCE THE MASSACRE OF US CAVALRY TROOPS BY SIOUX INDIANS AT THE BATTLE OF LITTLE BIG HORN. HOWEVER HISTORY FEELS ABOUT WHETHER GENERAL GEORGE CUSTER'S ACTIONS WERE RIGHT OR WRONG, SCHUYLKILL COUNTIANS PLAYED A PART IN THE BATTLE. MILITARY HISTORIAN STU RICHARDS OUTLINED THE MEN’S ROLE AT LITTLE BIG HORN LAST NIGHT AT THE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY. NEARLY 3 DOZEN PEOPLE ATTENDED THE FREE EVENT, AND HEARD THE TALES OF GEORGE ADAMS, MINERSVILLE, WILLIAM HEATH OF GIRARDVILLE AND HERMAN KNAUTH OF BRANDONVILLE AND WHAT THEY MIGHT HAVE SEEN THAT FATEFUL DAY 133 YEARS AGO TODAY. RICHARDS EXPLAINS HOW HE UNCOVERED THESE THREE MEN AMONG THE MORE THAN 200 IN CUSTER'S BRIGADE:

RICHARDS

GENERAL CUSTER WAS A DECORATED SOLDIER IN THE CIVIL WAR.

TWO ESCAPE INJURY IN ROUTE 183 CRASH

TWO WOMEN ESCAPED INJURY IN A TWO VEHICLE CRASH ON ROUTE 183 TUESDAY NIGHT. PERLA ABITANTO OF AUBURN AND CHERYL HENNE OF AUBURN WERE HEADED NORTH. HENNE WAS STOPPED FOR TRAFFIC MAKING A LEFT TURN NEAR THE BLUE RIDGE HOTEL WHEN HER CAR WAS STRUCK BY ABITANTO'S. THE CRASH HAPPENED BEFORE 6PM IN WAYNE TOWNSHIP.

NORTH SCHUYLKILL SCHOOL BOARD'S LONE MEMBER SEEKS ANSWERS

THE LONE REMAINING MEMBER OF THE NORTH SCHUYLKILL SCHOOL BOARD SAYS HE'S BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT AUTHORITY HE HAS NOW THAT A JUDGE ORDERED ALL THE OTHERS OFF. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY JUDGE D. MICHAEL STINE DIDN'T EXPLAIN HIS REASONING FOR TUESDAY'S ORDER REMOVING ALL MEMBERS OF THE NORTH SCHUYLKILL SCHOOL BOARD EXCEPT FOR 23-YEAR-OLD ROBERT ORTH. HE SAID HE WILL PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION LATER. ORTH SAID WEDNESDAY HE DOESN'T KNOW IF HE CAN TAKE ANY ACTION AS A ONE-MAN SCHOOL BOARD. HE DOESN'T HAVE MUCH TIME TO FIND OUT: THE NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING IS TONIGHT. ORTH SAYS HE'S BEEN ASKING STATE OFFICIALS FOR GUIDANCE. HE SAYS MOST PEOPLE HAVE TOLD HIM THEY HAVEN'T HEARD OF ANY SIMILAR SITUATION AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO EITHER.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - POLICE SAY A TAXI JUMPED A CURB AND CRASHED INTO A CROWD IN FRONT OF PHILADELPHIA'S KIMMEL CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, EJECTING THE CAB'S DRIVER AND PASSENGER AND STRIKING TWO EDESTRIANS. A POLICE SPOKESWOMAN TOLD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS THAT ALL FOUR PEOPLE WERE IN CRITICAL CONDITION LAST NIGHT. THE CRASH IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - POLICE HAVE KILLED A MAN IN PHILADELPHIA WHO WAS FIRING A GUN IN THE AIR. COPS SAY THE MAN REFUSED TO DROP THE WEAPON WHEN OFFICERS TOLD HIM TO DO SO. POLICE SAYS THE MAN RAISED HIS WEAPON IN THEIR DIRECTION WHEN COPS OPENED FIRE. THE 55-YEAR-OLD MAN WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD ON ARRIVAL AT A HOSPITAL. HIS NAME WASN'T IMMEDIATELY RELEASED.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - GOVERNOR ED RENDELL AND SENATE PRESIDENT JOE SCARNATI ARE DEFENDING CONFLICTING PLANS FOR BALANCING PENNSYLVANIA'S STATE BUDGET. IN INTERVIEWS AIRING LAST NIGHT ON THE STATE'S PUBLIC-TELEVISION STATIONS, THE STATE GOVERNMENT'S TOP DEMOCRAT AND TOP REPUBLICAN REFUSED TO YIELD LESS THAN A WEEK BEFORE THE BUDGET DEADLINE.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - GOV. ED RENDELL IS ASKING THE LEGISLATURE TO CREATE A FAST-TRACK INTO THE TEACHING RANKS FOR TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS. UNDER RENDELL'S PROPOSAL, CANDIDATES FOR THE "RESIDENCY CERTIFICATION" WOULD HAVE TO COMPLETE AN INTENSIVE, FOUR-MONTH TRAINING PROGRAM ON INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT.
MEDIA, PA. (AP) - A JURY IN SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA HAS SPARED THE
LIFE OF A MAN CONVICTED OF KILLING A CABDRIVER. LAST NIGHT'S
DECISION BY A DELAWARE COUNTY JURY MEANS 20-YEAR-OLD RAMIR STEVE
GETS LIFE IN PRISON WITH NO POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE. HE WAS CONVICTED
OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER ON MONDAY FOR KILLING 42-YEAR-OLD GREGORY
CUNNINGHAM ON DEC. 24, 2007.

STATE COLLEGE, PA. (AP) - PENN STATE UNIVERSITY'S PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION IS LAYING OFF WORKERS. WPSU SAID WEDNESDAY THAT IT IS ELIMINATING EIGHT STAFF POSITIONS AND CANCELING TWO TELEVISION SHOWS. THE STATION SAYS IT'S DOING SO BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL PRESSURES. GOV. ED RENDELL'S BUDGET PROPOSAL RECOMMENDS ELIMINATING ALL FUNDING FOR PENNSYLVANIA'S PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS.

Today's News-Wednesday, June 24, 2009

NORTH SCHUYLKILL SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS KICKED OFF

IN AN UNPRECEDENTED MOVE, A SCHUYLKILL COUNTY JUDGE HAS REMOVED 8 SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS FROM THE NORTH SCHUYLKILL SCHOOL DISTRICT FOLLOWING A SUIT BROUGHT BY RESIDENTS. THE RULING BY JUDGE D MICHAEL STINE GRANTED THE PETITION IN REMOVING ALL BUT ONE BOARD MEMBER ACCORDING TO THE REPUBLICAN AND HERALD. THE SUIT CONTENDED THAT NORTH SCHUYLKILL BOARD MEMBERS VIOLATED THE PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL CODE BY APPOINTING MARK SEMANCHIK AS INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT IN 2008, SAYING THAT HE WASN'T QUALIFIED, AND THAT THE BOARD DIDN'T LOOK FOR A PERMANENT REPLACEMENT. THE NORTH SCHUYLKILL SCHOOL BOARD HAS TRIED TWICE TO GET A WAIVER TO MAKE SEMANCHIK THE PERMANENT SUPERINTENDENT. THE 8 BOARD MEMBERS WHO WERE REMOVED CANNOT SERVE IN ANY SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PENNSYLVANIA FOR 5 YEARS ACCORDING TO STINE'S RULING. INTERESTED CANDIDATES FOR THE POSITION HAVE UNTIL JULY 22ND TO DO SO. A TENTATIVE BUDGET HANGS IN THE BALANCE.

ST CATHERINE’S NAME INTERIM CEO

A VETERAN HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR WILL TAKE THE POSITION OF INTERIM CEO AT ST CATHERINE'S MEDICAL CENTER. ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE FROM ST CATHERINE HEALTHCARE, DANIEL COLON WILL FILL THE SLOT VACATED BY ROBERT MARQUARDT, WHO'S LEAVING FOR A HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT POSITION IN WEST VIRGINIA AFTER TWO YEARS IN THE POST. COLON MOST RECENTLY SERVED AS ADMINISTRATOR AND CEO OF A HOSPITAL AND NURSING HOME IN TENNESSEE.

LITTLE LEAGUE ASSAULT STANDS

A RULING IN STATE SUPERIOR COURT UPHOLDS THE SENTENCE OF A GILBERTON MAN CONVICTED OF SIMPLE ASSAULT IN AN INCIDENT AT A LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL GAME. 42 YEAR OLD VINCENT BLOSS WAS INVOLVED IN AN ALTERCATION AT A LITTLE LEAGUE GAME, WHERE BLOSS PUNCHED 60 YEAR OLD FRANK JACKOWIAK. THE MAN DIED A WEEK LATER AT HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER. INITIALLY, BLOSS WAS CHARGED WITH INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER AND RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT. THE HIGHER COURT SAID THAT BLOSS’S CONTENTION ABOUT FACTORS CONSIDERED IN HIS SENTENCE FROM JUDGE WILLIAM BALDWIN WERE WITHOUT MERIT, AND THAT BLOSS WILL NEED TO SERVE AT LEAST THE ONE YEAR SENTENCE.

THREE SHOT
WOMAN KILLED, 2 MEN WOUNDED FROM PHILADELPHIA SHOOTING
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A WOMAN IS DEAD AND TWO MEN ARE WOUNDED FROM A SHOOTING IN PHILADELPHIA. POLICE SAY 26-YEAR-OLD NYESHA WHITNEY WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD TUESDAY AS SHE SAT ON A PORCH IN THE CITY'S KINGSESSING
NEIGHBORHOOD. SHE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT A HOSPITAL. ALSO, A 19-YEAR-OLD MAN WAS SHOT IN THE HAND AND A 71-YEAR-OLD MAN WAS SHOT IN THE HIP. BOTH WERE HOSPITALIZED AND LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION LATER TUESDAY.
NO ARRESTS WERE IMMEDIATELY MADE.

OFFICER SHOT
WOUNDED PHILADELPHIA POLICEMAN OUT OF HOSPITAL
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A PHILADELPHIA POLICE OFFICER WHO WAS SHOT JUNE 14 IS OUT OF THE HOSPITAL. OFFICER ASHLEY HOGGARD WAS SHOT IN THE SHOULDER AND IS EXPECTED TO FULLY RECOVER. HE WAS RELEASED FROM TEMPLE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL ON TUESDAY. ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE IN THE SERIES OF SHOOTINGS THAT HOGGARD WAS RESPONDING TO, BUT POLICE HAVEN'T FILED CHARGES AGAINST ANYONE ACCUSED OF SHOOTING THE OFFICER.

MOTORCYCLE CRASH-RIVER
WOMAN GOES INTO PA. RIVER AFTER MOTORCYLE CRASH
NORRISTOWN, PA. (AP) - A MOTORCYCLIST HAS CRASHED INTO A BRIDGE OVER THE SCHUYLKILL RIVER NEAR PHILADELPHIA AND HIS PASSENGER WENT INTO THE RIVER. BY LATE TUESDAY NIGHT, THE SEARCH FOR THE FEMALE PASSENGER WAS
DESCRIBED AS A RECOVERY OPERATION, MEANING THE WOMAN WAS BELIEVED
TO HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE MALE MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR WAS AIRLIFTED TO THE HOSPITAL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, WHERE HIS CONDITION WAS NOT AVAILABLE LATE TUESDAY NIGHT.

YOUGHIOGHENY DROWNING
MAN DROWNS IN WESTERN PA. RIVER
OHIOPYLE, PA. (AP) - A MAN HAS DROWNED AFTER BEING SWEPT OVER A WATERFALL IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA. OHIOPYLE STATE PARK MANAGER JOHN HALLAS SAYS A 20-YEAR-OLD WASHINGTON, PA., MAN WAS SWIMMING IN THE YOUGHIOGHENY RIVER WITH FOUR FRIENDS TUESDAY AFTERNOON WHEN HE WAS SWEPT OVER THE 18-FOOT-HIGH OHIOPYLE FALLS. A KAYAKER PULLED HIM FROM THE RIVER, BUT HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD ON ARRIVAL AT UNIONTOWN HOSPITAL. HIS NAME WAS BEING WITHHELD BECAUSE HIS FAMILY HADN'T BEEN NOTIFIED. ALSO TUESDAY, A 12-YEAR-OLD BOY FELL INTO NINE MILE RUN AT FRICK PARK IN PITTSBURGH AND WAS LISTED IN CRITICAL CONDITION AT
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL LATE TUESDAY.

AIR TOXICS-PA
AIR HAS ELEVATED CANCER RISK IN 600 NEIGHBORHOODS
PITTSBURGH (AP) - TWO CENSUS TRACTS IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PA., ARE AMONG NEARLY 600 NATIONWIDE WHERE PEOPLE ARE BREATHING CONCENTRATIONS OF TOXIC AIR POLLUTANTS THAT PUT THEM AT A MUCH GREATER RISK OF CONTRACTING CANCER. NEW FIGURES FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY SHOW THAT CENSUS TRACT 492700, WHICH IS IN CLAIRTON, HAS A CANCER RISK OF 762 IN ONE MILLION. AND TRACT 499300, IN GLASSPORT, HAS A RISK OF 700
IN ONE MILLION. THE AVERAGE CANCER RISK ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS 36 IN ONE MILLION. THE FIGURES ARE FROM THE NATIONAL-SCALE AIR TOXICS ASSESSMENT,
WHICH WILL BE RELEASED BY THE EPA ON WEDNESDAY.

SLOTS CONTRIBUTIONS
UPDATE: PHILLY PLANNING COMMISSION TO HOLD HEARING ON SLOTS PARLOR
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE PHILADELPHIA CITY PLANNING COMMISSION IS ABOUT TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON A PLANS FOR A SLOT-MACHINE PARLOR ALONG THE DELAWARE RIVER. WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON'S HEARING IS TO BE HELD AT THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES IN DOWNTOWN PHILADELPHIA. IT'S ABOUT PLANS FOR THE SUGARHOUSE CASINO. IN OTHER GAMBLING NEWS, LEGISLATION TO REINSTATE A BAN ON GAMBLING INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTIONS TO POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS IN PENNSYLVANIA HAS AN IMPORTANT FIRST ENDORSEMENT. THE SENATE COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC AND RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE BILL TUESDAY. IT'S THE FIRST MAJOR GAMBLING REFORM LEGISLATION TO GET OUT OF COMMITTEE IN THE SENATE SINCE 2006 AND COMES LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AFTER THE STATE'S HIGHEST COURT STRUCK DOWN THE PREVIOUS BAN.

2004 CLEAVER KILLING
PA. MAN CHARGED IN 2004 MEAT CLEAVER KILLING
STROUDSBURG, PA. (AP) - A NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA MAN WHO HAS ACKNOWLEDGED KILLING A MAN WITH A MEAT CLEAVER IN 2004 IS NOW
CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL HOMICIDE. HE IS 66-YEAR-OLD ROBERT GIARDINI OF POCONO TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY, WHO MAINTAINS HE KILLED IN SELF DEFENSE. GIARDINI HAS TOLD POLICE THAT 30-YEAR-OLD KEVIN WALKER OF
PATERSON, N.J., CAME TO HIS HOME IN APRIL 2004, CLAIMING TO HAVE CAR TROUBLE, AND ASKED TO USE THE PHONE. HE SAID HE USED THE CLEAVER AFTER WALKER BECAME VIOLENT. AUTHORITIES SAY A LONG INVESTIGATION INTO GIARDINI'S ACCOUNT CONTRIBUTED TO THE DELAY. HE WAS ARRESTED WITHOUT INCIDENT ON MONDAY AND HELD WITHOUT BAIL. IT WAS UNCLEAR IF HE HAD A LAWYER.

DISMEMBERED TEEN
DA: PA. TEEN WAS KILLED, DISMEMBERED, PUT IN TRASH
WEST CHESTER, PA. (AP) - A PROSECUTOR IN SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA SAYS A 16-YEAR-OLD BOY WAS SHOT DEAD IN OCTOBER AND HIS BODY WAS CUT UP WITH TWO CHAIN SAWS AND PUT IN THE TRASH. CHESTER COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY JOSEPH CARROLL SAID TUESDAY THAT AUTHORITIES HAVEN'T RECOVERED AARON TURNER'S BODY, BUT HE SAYS BLOOD AND HUMAN TISSUE ON BOTH CHAIN SAWS MATCH TURNER'S DNA. CARROLL ANNOUNCED TUESDAY THAT 29-YEAR-OLD LAQUANTA CHAPMAN OF COATESVILLE AND 19-YEAR-OLD BRYAN BYRD OF NEWARK, N.J., ARE CHARGED IN TURNER'S DEATH. BOTH WERE ALREADY JAILED ON OTHER CHARGES. MESSAGES LEFT AFTER BUSINESS HOURS TUESDAY FOR THEIR DEFENSE
LAWYERS WERE NOT IMMEDIATELY RETURNED.

MISSING ERIE GIRL
MONT. MAN CAUGHT WITH PA. GIRL PLEADS NOT GUILTY
ERIE, PA. (AP) - A MONTANA MAN ACCUSED OF TAKING A 14-YEAR-OLD RUNAWAY GIRL FROM PENNSYLVANIA TO ARKANSAS HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY AND HAS GIVEN UP HIS RIGHT TO A DETENTION HEARING. DONALD RAY CATES COULD HAVE SOUGHT TO BE RELEASED FROM JAIL AT SUCH A HEARING. BECAUSE OF TUESDAY'S WAIVER, THE 21-YEAR-OLD LEWISTOWN, MONT., MAN IS TO REMAIN JAILED. CATES IS ACCUSED OF TRAVELING ACROSS STATE LINES TO HAVE SEX WITH THE ERIE GIRL AND COERCING HER INTO SEXUAL CONDUCT THAT WAS RECORDED ON VIDEO. THE FBI SAYS CATES CAME TO ERIE ON APRIL 12 TO MEET THE GIRL, WITH WHOM HE'D CORRESPONDED ONLINE. THEY WERE CAUGHT FOUR DAYS LATER IN CLARKSVILLE, ARK., WHEN SOMEONE SAW THEM TRYING TO HITCH A RIDE, NOTICED HOW YOUNG THE GIRL LOOKED AND CALLED POLICE.

FLIGHT 93 MEMORIAL
INTERIOR SEC. OPTIMISTIC ABOUT FLIGHT 93 LAND
SOMERSET, PA. (AP) - INTERIOR SECRETARY KEN SALAZAR SAYS HE IS OPTIMISTIC DEALS WILL BE MADE FOR LAND IN SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA NEEDED FOR THE FLIGHT 93 MEMORIAL WITHOUT INVOKING EMINENT DOMAIN. SALAZAR SAYS AGREEMENTS IN PRINCIPLE HAVE BEEN REACHED WITH MOST OF THE LANDOWNERS. NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE REST OF THE LANDOWNERS ARE
CONTINUING AND DEALS COULD BE REACHED WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
THE GOVERNMENT SET A DEADLINE EARLIER THIS MONTH FOR DEALS TO BE
IN PLACE OR ELSE THE GOVERNMENT WOULD USE EMINENT DOMAIN TO ACQUIRE
THE LAND. THAT DEADLINE PASSED BUT NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUED. FLIGHT 93 WAS HIJACKED BY TERRORISTS ON SEPT. 11, 2001, AND CRASHED IN RURAL SOMERSET COUNTY, ABOUT 65 MILES OUTSIDE OF PITTSBURGH. THE GOVERNMENT AND VICTIMS' FAMILIES WANT THE MEMORIAL IN PLACE BY THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TERRORIST ATTACKS.

CAIRO (AP) - IRANIAN TV REPORTS A CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE IN IRAN'S DISPUTED PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION SAYS HE'S WITHDRAWING HIS COMPLAINTS ABOUT VOTING FRAUD FOR THE SAKE OF THE COUNTRY. CANDIDATE MOHSEN REZAIE IS A FORMER COMMANDER OF THE FEARED REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS.

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (AP) - A CLOSE ASSOCIATE OF BAITULLAH MEHSUD
IS DENYING REPORTS THAT PAKISTAN'S TOP TALIBAN LEADER HAD A CLOSE CALL. TWO INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS SAY MEHSUD ATTENDED A FUNERAL SHORTLY BEFORE A SUSPECTED U.S. MISSILE STRIKE THAT KILLED ABOUT 55 PEOPLE.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (AP) - AN AMERICAN DESTROYER IS CONTINUING TO TAIL A NORTH KOREAN SHIP SUSPECTED OF TRANSPORTING WEAPONS TOWARD MYANMAR. IT'S SAILING ALONG THE CHINESE COAST. A NEW U.N. SECURITY
COUNCIL RESOLUTION AUTHORIZES MEMBER STATES TO INSPECT SUSPECT
NORTH KOREAN VESSELS.

WASHINGTON (AP) - INVESTIGATORS ARE TRYING TO FIND OUT WHY A WASHINGTON, D.C. METRO TRAIN DIDN'T STOP BEFORE COLLIDING WITH
ANOTHER TRAIN ON MONDAY, KILLING 9 PEOPLE AND INJURING MORE THAN
70. OFFICIALS SAY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CONTROL WAS PUSHED DOWN AND
THERE'S EVIDENCE THE OPERATOR TRIED TO SLOW HER CAR BEFORE IMPACT.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION IS PLANNING TO SIMPLIFY THE FEDERAL COLLEGE AID FORM. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA WANTS TO MAKE IT MUCH MORE USER-FRIENDLY AS PART OF A SWEEPING PLAN TO PUT HIGHER EDUCATION WITHIN REACH OF MORE STUDENTS. THE CURRENT FORM CONTAINS 153 QUESTIONS.

Today's News-Tuesday, June 23, 2009

DAMS GET MONEY

STATE FUNDING ANNOUNCED MONDAY WILL GO A LONG WAY TO MAKING MUCH NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS AT AREA DAMS. LAST WEEK, A $5 MILLION DOLLAR GRANT WAS ANNOUNCED TO UPGRADE THE OWL CREEK DAMS IN THE TAMAQUA AREA. ANOTHER $11 MILLION DOLLARS WAS DOLED OUT YESTERDAY TO IMPROVE 3 DAMS, CONSIDERED HIGH HAZARDS, OWNED BY SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY. THE KAUFFMAN RESERVOIR AND MOUNT LAUREL DAM IN NEW CASTLE TOWNSHIP AND INDIAN RUN DAM IN BRANCH TOWNSHIP WORK WILL CREATE JOBS, AND THE FUNDING HELP WILL REDUCE THE NEED TO RAISE CONSUMER WATER RATES. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY GENERAL MANAGER DAVE HOLLEY SAYS THE DAMS AREN'T IN DANGER OF COLLAPSE, BUT THE TIME HAS COME TO FIX THEM:

HOLLEY 1

ACCORDING TO REPORTS, THE $17 MILLION DOLLAR GRANT PACKAGE FROM THE H2O HIGH HAZARD DAM PROGRAM IS THE LARGEST TO COME TO SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.

TOVAR SUES

A HISPANIC MAN WHO WAS A DEFENSE WITNESS IN THE SHENANDOAH BEATING TRIAL IS SUING A HOST OF PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE DEFENDANTS. REPORTS IN THE REPUBLICAN HERALD SAY THAT DIEGO TOVAR, WHO IS INCARCERATED AT SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON, FILED THE FEDERAL SUIT AGAINST BRANDON PIEKARSKY, ATTORNEYS IN THE CASE, COUNTY OFFICIALS, INCLUDING JUDGE BALDWIN AND DA JIM GOODMAN. TOVAR ALLEGES THAT HIS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS WERE VIOLATED PRIOR TO AND DURING THE TRIAL OF PIEKARSKY AND DERRICK DONCHAK. AMONG HIS CONTENTIONS, TOVAR SAID HE WAS FORCED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EVENTS SURROUNDING LUIS RAMIREZ' DEATH LAST JULY, EVEN THOUGH HE DIDN'T WANT TO. TOVAR ALSO ALLEGES THAT HE WAS FORCED TO PLEAD GUILTY IN HIS OWN CASE. TOVAR IS SEEKING $1 MILLION DOLLARS IN DAMAGES.

GIRLS RESCUED

TWO SCARED YOUNG LADIES WERE RESCUED FROM THE SIDE OF A BANK MONDAY NIGHT NEAR MAHANOY CITY. REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE 10 YEAR OLDS CLIMED A SLATE BANK NEAR THE MAHANOY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT BUT WERE TOO SCARED TO CLIMB BACK DOWN. EMEGENCY CREWS MADE QUICK WORK TO GET THEM BACK TO SAFETY. NO ONE WAS INJURED.

ONE INJURED IN WRECK

A MINERSVILLE WOMAN WAS INJURED IN A CRASH MONDAY AFTERNOON. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON ROUTE 901 NEAR KINGS VILLAGE MALL, AS 78 YEAR OLD LEROY RENNINGER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN INTO THE SHOPPING CENTER, FAILING TO SEE JESSICA STEVENOSKY'S VEHICLE. THE TWO COLLIDED. STEVENOSKY WAS TAKEN TO SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER SOUTH FOR TREATMENT OF MODERATE INJURIES.

TOOLS TAKEN

DAMAGES AND THEFT TO A NORTH MANHEIM TOWNSHIP BUSINESS ARE BEING INVESTIGATED. SCHUYLKILL HAVEN STATE POLICE INDICATE THAT SOMEONE DAMAGED THE RICHARD GRICKIS MOBILE HOME BUSINESS ON ROUTE 61 AND TOOK OVER $700 DOLLARS WORTH OF TOOLS.

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS OUTLINED

AS REPRESENTATIVE JERRY KNOWLES SETTLES INTO HIS ROLE IN THE STATE HOUSE, HIS COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED. KNOWLES, WHO WON THE SPECIAL ELECTION IN THE 124TH DISTRICT IN MAY, WILL SERVE ON THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS AND CHILDREN AND YOUTH COMMITTEES. KNOWLES REPLACED DAVE ARGALL, WHO WON THE 29TH SENATE SEAT IN MARCH.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - OPENING STATEMENTS ARE SCHEDULED LATER TODAY IN THE ATTEMPTED MURDER TRIAL OF THREE MEN BEATEN BY PHILADELPHIA POLICE AFTER A CAR CHASE. LAWYERS FOR THE THREE SHOOTING SUSPECTS HAVE SUGGESTED THAT POLICE ARRESTED THE WRONG MEN. THE BEATING WAS
CAPTURED ON VIDEO FROM A TV NEWS HELICOPTER RESULTING IN THE FIRING
OF FOUR OFFICERS.

MEDIA, PA. (AP) - A JURY IN SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA HAS CONVICTED A MAN OF KILLING A CABDRIVER. JURORS ARE TO RECONVENE WEDNESDAY TO HEAR EVIDENCE ABOUT WHETHER HE DESERVES THE DEATH PENALTY. THE DELAWARE COUNTY JURY CONVICTED RAMIR STEVE OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER ON MONDAY AFTER DELIBERATING FOR MORE THAN 18 HOURS

BERNVILLE, PA. (AP) - A TRAFFIC CRASH IN SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA HAS RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF TWO PEOPLE. STATE POLICE SAY IT HAPPENED MONDAY AFTERNOON ON NEW SCHAEFFERSTOWN ROAD IN JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP, BERKS COUNTY.THE CRASH KILLED 86-YEAR-OLD HERBERT BARE OF RICHLAND, PA., AND ANOTHER DRIVER WHOSE NAME WASN'T RELEASED.

WIND GAP, PA. (AP) - IN PENNSYLVANIA'S LEHIGH VALLEY, POLICE SAY AN ELECTED OFFICIAL PASSED OUT DRUNK AT A PUBLIC MEETING. COPS SAY THAT PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS CHAIRMAN TIM FRANKENFIELD HAD A BLOOD-ALCOHOL CONTENT MORE THAN TWICE THE LEGAL LIMIT FOR DRIVING. FRANKENFIELD DECLINED TO COMMENT ABOUT THE INCIDENT.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - GOV. ED RENDELL IS APPEALING TO HIS FELLOW DEMOCRATS IN HARRISBURG FOR THE NEED FOR A TAX INCREASE . HE MET PRIVATELY YESTERDAY WITH HOUSE AND SENATE DEMOCRATS AS HE WORKED THE CAPITOL HALLS TO LINE UP VOTES BEHIND A 16 PERCENT INCREASE IN THE STATE PERSONAL INCOME TAX.

WASHINGTON (AP) - CREWS ARE STILL PICKING THROUGH THE WRECKAGE OF TWO METRORAIL TRAINS THAT CRASHED IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL YESTERDAY KILLING AT LEAST NINE PEOPLE AND INJURING SCORES OF OTHERS. INVESTIGATORS ARE TRYING TO DETERMINE WHY ONE TRAIN PLOWED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER.

TEHRAN, IRAN (AP) - OPPOSITION SUPPORTERS ALLEGE SYSTEMATIC FRAUD IN IRAN'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION BUT THEY AREN'T GETTING ANY HELP FROM THE COUNTRY'S TOP ELECTORAL BODY. IRAN'S STATE TV IS REPORTING THE GUARDIAN COUNCIL HAS FOUND "NO MAJOR FRAUD" IN THE DISPUTED JUNE 12 VOTE AND HAS RULED OUT ANNULLING THE RESULTS.

PARIS (AP) - A FRENCH NEWSPAPER IS REPORTING THAT FRENCH MILITARY SHIPS HAVE DETECTED A SIGNAL FROM THE BLACK BOXES OF AIR FRANCE FLIGHT 447 DEEP IN THE ATLANTIC. THE REPORT IN LE MONDE SAYS A MINI RESEARCH SUBMARINE HAS DIVED IN SEARCH OF THE FLIGHT RECORDERS AFTER SHIPS PICKED UP A "VERY WEAK SIGNAL.

HONG KONG (AP) - IT'S A DOWN DAY FOR ASIAN STOCK MARKETS. BENCHMARKS IN TOKYO, HONG KONG AND ELSEWHERE SANK AROUND 3 PERCENT IN A BROAD-BASED ROUT AFTER THE WORLD BANK WARNED OF A SHARPER CONTRACTION IN THE WORLD ECONOMY. CRUDE OIL PRICES AND THE DOLLAR ALSO DECLINED.

NEW YORK (AP) - CELEBRITY PARENTS JON AND KATE GOSSELIN SAY THEY PLAN TO DIVORCE. THE CO-STARS OF "JON & KATE PLUS 8" SPOKE OF THEIR DECISION TO SEPARATE DURING MONDAY'S EPISODE OF THE TLC REALITY SERIES. THE COUPLE'S INCREASINGLY TROUBLED MARRIAGE HAS DOMINATED THE SERIES IN RECENT WEEKS.

Today's News-Monday, June 22, 2009

KASKA WOMAN FACING CHARGES ALL OVER

AN EARLY MORNING STOP BY STATE POLICE HAS LANDED A KASKA WOMAN IN TROUBLE. 25 YEAR OLD ALLISON FERNANDO WAS STOPPED FOR A TRAFFIC VIOLATION AND WAS SUSPECTED OF DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, AND WAS ALSO WANTED IN BERKS COUNTY FOR A SIMILAR OFFENSE. FERNANDO FAILED FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS, BUT REFUSED TO SUBMIT TO A CHEMICAL TEST AT THE HOSPITAL. IN ADDITION, TROOPERS FOUND A SMALL AMOUNT OF POT ON A PASSENGER IN FERNANDO'S CAR. FERNANDO IS IN COUNTY PRISON ON A DETAINER FROM BERKS COUNTY. THE NEW CHARGES WILL BE FILED IN DISTRICT JUDGE PLACHKO’S OFFICE.

DAMS GET DOLLARS

AS A PIGGYBACK TO LAST WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENT OF FUNDING TO REPAIR TAMAQUA AREA DAMS, THREE MORE WILL GET MONIES FROM PA'S HIGH HAZARD UNSAFE DAM PROGRAM. JUST SHY OF $12 MILLION DOLLARS WAS ANNOUNCED BY FEDERAL AND STATE OFFICIALS AT THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY IN POTTSVILLE TODAY. THE AUTHORITY OWNED DAMS, KAUFFMAN RESERVOIR AND MOUNT LAUREL DAM IN NEW CASTLE TOWNSHIP, AND THE INDIAN RUN DAM IN BRANCH TOWNSHIP ARE GETTING THE MONIES FOR REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY GENERAL MANAGER DAVE HOLLEY SAYS THE DAMS ARE SHOWING THEIR AGE:

HOLLEY 1

TOTAL FUNDING FOR THE 5 DAMS WAS MORE THAN $17 MILLION DOLLARS.

INTERNET PREDATOR NABBED

A MT CARMEL MAN IS LOCKED UP AFTER USING THE INTERNET TO SEXUALLY PROPOSITION WHAT HE THOUGHT WERE TEENAGEED GIRLS. WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED WAS 40 YEAR OLD RANDY HART SENT NUDE PHOTOS AND ASKED TO MEET UP WITH TWO AGENTS OF THE PA CHILD PREDATOR UNIT. HART MADE CONTACT WITH THE AGENTS POSING AS THE GIRLS ON JUNE 10TH. HES NOW LOCKED UP IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY ON $50-THOUSAND-DOLLARS BAIL, FACING UP TO SEVEN YEARS IN PRISON AND $15-THOUSAND-DOLLARS IN FINES.

ERIE, PA. (AP) - A RETIRED PENNSYLVANIA SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE
WILL NOT FORFEIT HIS $82,000 ANNUAL PENSION FOR THE INSURANCE FRAUD
THAT LANDED HIM IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR 46 MONTHS. THE PENNSYLVANIA
STATE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM HAS DETERMINED JUDGE MICHAEL
JOYCE'S $440,000 INSURANCE FRAUD CONVICTION WASN'T RELATED TO HIS
PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT.

DOYLESTOWN, PA. (AP) - A SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA WOMAN ACCUSED OF
FAKING HER ABDUCTION AND TAKING HER DAUGHTER TO DISNEY WORLD HAS A
DATE IN COURT. A PRELIMINARY HEARING IS SCHEDULED MONDAY IN BUCKS
COUNTY FOR 38-YEAR-OLD BONNIE SWEETEN. SHE IS CHARGED WITH IDENTITY
THEFT AND MAKING FALSE REPORTS.

PENN HILLS, PA. (AP) - POLICE NEAR PITTSBURGH SAY A 5-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND HER MOTHER RETURNED FROM A MAKE-A-WISH TRIP TO DISNEY WORLD ONLY TO FIND THAT THEIR HOME AND VEHICLE HAD BEEN BURGLARIZED. PENN HILLS POLICE SAY MONEERA OGBOMON REPORTED THE BREAK-IN AFTER RETURNING HOME SUNDAY WITH HER DAUGHTER, MENA SMALL. MENA HAS SKIN CANCER.

STROUDSBURG, PA. (AP) - POLICE SAY A 62-YEAR-OLD NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA MAN SHOT HIS 19-YEAR-OLD SON TO DEATH DURING AN
ARGUMENT ON FATHER'S DAY. AUTHORITIES SAY BERNARD UCKELE KILLED HIS SON JUSTIN WITH A HANDGUN ABOUT 12:45 P.M. SUNDAY IN THE GARAGE OF UCKELE'S HOME IN JACKSON TOWNSHIP.

LEMOYNE, PA. (AP) - HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE DRIVERS SEE PEDESTRIANS WHEN THEY CROSS THE STREET? USE FLAES. THE BOROUGH OF LEMOYNE IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA HAS PLACED PLASTIC BINS FILLED WITH BRIGHT ORANGE FLAGS AT TWO OF ITS BUSIEST INTERSECTIONS. PEOPLE ARE SUPPOSED TO TAKE THE FLAGS, CROSS THE STREET, AND DEPOSIT THEM IN THE BIN ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE.

Today's News-Saturday, Jun3 20, 2009

FOUR CAR CRASH ON 61

NO ONE WAS INJURED IN A FOUR CAR CRASH ON ROUTE 61 FRIDAY AFTERNOON. ACCORDING TO STATE POLICE, MATTHEW LIPTAK OF ORWIGSBURG WAS SOUTHBOUND NEAR ROCKWOOD CENTRE. HE FAILED TO SEE MEGAN LEYMEISTER'S CAR IN FROM OF HIM DUE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC NEAR CRESSONA MALL. THE COLLISION FORCED LEYMEISTER'S CAR INTO VEHICLES OPERATED BY WESLEY HABLETT AND ANGELA HEIM, WHICH WERE ALSO STOPPED FOR TRAFFIC. ALL TOLD, 6 PEOPLE ESCAPED INJURY. LIPTAK WILL BE CITED BY STATE POLICE. TRAFFIC IN THE AREA WAS SNARLED FOR SOME TIME FOR CLEANUP YESTERDAY.

TEEN CAUGHT DRINKING, PEEING

A 15 YEAR OLD MIDDLEPORT BOY IS IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED LAST NIGHT AT PEAR AND NORTH STREETS. A WOMAN AND A CHILD OBSERVED THE BOY CAUSING A DISTURBANCE, AND FOUND THAT HE WAS URINATING IN PUBLIC AND WAS INTOXICATED. CHARGES WILL BE FILED AGAINST THE BOY IN DISTRICT COURT.

FATHERS DAY ROOTS

THIS WEEKEND, ITS DAD’S TURN TO BE TREATED LIKE A KING. BUT HOW DID IT ALL COME ABOUT? HISTORY SAYS THAT EARLY IN THE 20TH CENTURY, A YOUNG GIRL, SONORA SMART OF SPOKANE, WASHINGTON, WAS BEING RAISED BY HER DAD, AND AT A MEETING AT A LOCAL YMCA, SONORA WANTED TO KNOW WHY THERE WASN’T A DAY TO HONOR FATHERS…A SHORT TIME LATER, THE FIRST FATHER’S DAY WAS OBSERVED JUNE 19TH, 1910. TODAY, Y'S ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY HONOR THE TRADITION WITH PROGRAMS AND SERVICES DEDICATED TO PARENTS. THE LOCAL Y IN POTTSVILLE IS OFFERING SPECIAL PROGRAMS SUNDAY FOR DADS AND FAMILIES ALIKE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL THE Y AT 622-7850.

STATE CAPITOL ROUNDUP

THE LACK OF A STATE BUDGET TOPS THIS WEEK’S REPUBLICAN CAPITOL ROUNDUP. HERE'S CHUCK NICHOLS IN HARRISBURG:

NICHOLS

Today's News-Friday, June 19, 2009

HAVEN COUPLE TERROR NIGHTMARE CONTINUES

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS ASKING THE COURTS TO DROP A LAWSUIT FILED BY AN AREA COUPLE WHO HAVE BEEN ON A TERRORIST WATCH LIST. MUSLIMS ERICH SCHERFEN AND HIS WIFE, RUBINA TAREEN, SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, HAD FILED SUIT LAST YEAR ABOUT WHY THEY WERE PUT ON GOVERNMENT WATCH LISTS, cREATING JOB PROBLEMS AND SUBJECTING THEM TO SEARCHES AND DETENTION. REPORTS IN TODAY’S REPUBLICAN HERALD INDICATE THAT THE GOVERNMENT ASKED A FEDERAL JUDGE IN SCRANTON TO DROP THE ACLU SUIT, SAYING THE COUPLE HAS NO GROUNDS TO BRING IT. GOVERNMENT LAWYERS SAY THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO EXPLAIN WHY PEOPLE ARE ON LISTS, STATING NATIONAL SECURITY. SCHERFEN, A VETERAN, HAD BEEN SUSPENDED FROM HIS JOB AS A PILOT BECAUSE OF THE MATTER.

VANDALISM AND THEFT IN PALO ALTO

PALO ALTO POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING VANDALISM AND BURGLARY IN THE BOROUGH BETWEEN WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY. SOMEONE BROKE INTO THE PAVILION ON EAST BACON STREET. RESTROOMS AND THE MAIN ROOM WERE VANDALIZED. THE CITIZENS FIRE COMPANY WAS BROKEN INTO THROUGH THE LOADING DOCK AND BEER STOLEN FROM THE CONCESSION AREA. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION, CALL PALO ALTO PD AT 622-0411.

ST CLAIR POLICE WARN OF LOTTERY SCHEME

RESIDENTS ARE BEING WARNED ABOUT LOTTERY SCAMS CIRCULATING IN THE AREA. ST CLAIR POLICE SAY A BOROUGH WOMAN RECEIVED A LETTER THAT SHE WAS THE WINNER OF A LOTTERY DRAWING IN SPAIN, BUT THAT SHE HAD TO SEND MONEY IN ORDER TO CLAIM HER PRIZE. CONTACT LOCAL POLICE IF YOU RECEIVE THIS TYPE OF MAIL SCAM.

TREMONT MAN RESENTENCED

A TREMONT MAN, ALREADY SERVING TIME FOR RUNNING A METH LAB, WAS RESENTENCED IN COUNTY COURT. REPORTS INDICATE THAT BRIAN HOKE JR., HAS BEEN IN STATE PRISON ON A 4 TO 8 YEAR SENTENCE FOR DRUG RELATED COUNTS SINCE 2006. APPEALS FILED BY HOKE IN 2006 AND 2007 WERE UPHELD, BUT THE STATE SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED PART OF THE ORIGINAL SENTENCE, KICKING IT BACK TO SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COURT. JUDGE CYRUS PALMER DOLBIN RESENTENCED HOKE TO THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME, BUT WITH CREDIT FOR TIME SERVED. HOKE RAN A METH LAB IN DOWNTOWN POTTSVILLE PRIOR TO HIS ARREST.

PA. JOBLESS RATE UP, ANOTHER 18K JOBS LOST IN MAY

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA'S JOBLESS RATE ROSE IN MAY TO ITS HIGHEST POINT IN MORE THAN 20 YEARS, ALTHOUGH IT REMAINS WELL BELOW THE NATIONAL LEVEL. THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY SAYS THAT PA'S JOBLESS RATE ROSE TO 8.2 PERCENT AS EMPLOYERS SLASHED ANOTHER 17,700 NONFARM JOBS IN MAY. THE STATE'S JOBLESS RATE HAD BEEN 7.8 PERCENT IN APRIL. MAY'S NATIONAL JOBLESS RATE WAS 9.4 PERCENT. PENNSYLVANIA'S JOBLESS RATE LAST STOOD AT 8.2 PERCENT IN APRIL 1985. WITH MAY'S JOB LOSSES, PENNSYLVANIA NOW HAS FEWER JOBS THAN IT DID IN MAY 2004. THE DEPARTMENT ALSO REVISED APRIL'S JOB LOSSES DOWNWARD BY ANOTHER 6,500 JOBS FOR A TOTAL OF 23,800 THAT MONTH. SINCE THE RECESSION BEGAN IN DECEMBER 2007, PENNSYLVANIA HAS LOST MORE THAN 180,000 JOBS, OR ONE IN EVERY 32.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - GOV. ED RENDELL SAYS PENNSYLVANIA'S STATE BUDGET CANNOT BE BALANCED WITHOUT NEW TAXES. HE SAYS THERE'S ENOUGH TIME TO GET A TAX DEAL PASSED BEFORE THE FISCAL YEAR ENDS IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS. RENDELL HAS CALLED FOR A 16 PERCENT INCREASE IN PERSONAL INCOME TAXES.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A STATE APPEALS COURT HAS STRUCK DOWN A SERIES OF GUN LAWS PASSED BY THE PHILADELPHIA CITY COUNCIL. THE COMMONWEALTH COURT SAYS THE CITY CAN'T ENFORCE AN ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN AND A LAW THAT PROHIBITS STRAW PURCHASES. THE COURT SAYS ONLY THE STATE CAN PASS GUN LAWS.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - FUNERAL SERVICES ARE SCHEDULED TODAY FOR A PHILADELPHIA WOMAN AND HER BABY WHO WERE AMONG FOUR PEOPLE KILLED
IN A CAR CRASH CAUSED BY A ROBBERY SUSPECT FLEEING POLICE. THE MOTHER, 22-YEAR-OLD LATOYA SMITH, WAS THE ONLY ADULT KILLED IN THE CRASH LAST WEEK. HER DAUGHTER, REMEDY, WAS 11 MONTHS OLD.

WILMINGTON, DEL. (AP) - A NEPHEW OF THE LATE CARDINAL JOHN O'CONNOR SAYS HE WAS SEXUALLY ABUSED BY A PRIEST. RICHARD GREEN OF NEW JERSEY SAYS THE LATE REV. JOHN MCDEVITT ABUSED HIM WHEN HE ATTENDED PHILADELPHIA'S FATHER JUDGE HIGH SCHOOL. MCDEVITT'S RELIGIOUS ORDER DECLINED TO COMMENT.

TEHRAN, IRAN (AP) - IRAN'S SUPREME LEADER IS SPEAKING TO THE IRANIAN PEOPLE IN A LIVE BROADCAST TODAY, EXACTLY A WEEK AFTER THE DISPUTED PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. HE HAS APPROVED THE VOTE THAT GAVE HARD-LINE PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD A LANDSLIDE VICTORY, BUT HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO IGNORE THE DEFIANT OPPOSITION. MEANWHILE, IRAN'S GUARDIAN COUNCIL IS SET TO MEET WITH THE OPPOSITION LEADER TOMORROW.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (AP) - THE U.S. MILITARY IS PUTTING ANTI-MISSILE DEFENSES INTO PLACE AROUND HAWAII, FOLLOWING REPORTS THAT NORTH KOREA MAY TEST-FIRE A MISSILE TOWARD THE STATE. THE TEST WOULD REPORTEDLY INVOLVE THE NORTH'S MOST ADVANCED BALLISTIC MISSILE. A JULY 4TH LAUNCH IS POSSIBLE.

WASHINGTON (AP) - CONGRESS IS SENDING PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA A $106 BILLION SPENDING BILL TO PAY FOR MILITARY EFFORTS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN. THE SENATE PASSED THE MEASURE 91-5, IN SPITE OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT ADD-ONS THAT TOTAL MORE THAN $20 BILLION OVER THE ORIGINAL FUNDING REQUEST.

MADRID (AP) - POLICE IN SPAIN SAY A BOMBING IN THE BASQUE CITY OF BILBAO MAY HAVE LEFT ONE PERSON DEAD. THE BLAST OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT. AUTHORITIES SAY ONE PERSON WAS IN THE CAR AT THE TIME.

YANGON, MYANMAR (AP) - SUPPORTERS ACROSS THE WORLD ARE CALLING FOR THE RELEASE OF NOBEL PEACE PRIZE-WINNER AUNG SAN SUU KYI, WHO'S MARKING HER 64TH BIRTHDAY LOCKED IN A MYANMAR PRISON. THE MYANMAR OPPOSITION LEADER HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF VIOLATING HER HOME DETENTION. SHE'S SPENT MORE THAN 13 YEARS IN DETENTION AND IS NOW FACING UP TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON.

Today's News-Thursday, June 18, 2009

TEENS SENTENCED

TWO SHENANDOAH TEENAGED BOYS WILL SPEND TIME IN COUNTY PRISON ON CHARGES RELATING TO THE BEATING OF AN IMMIGRANT LAST SUMMER. JUDGE WILLIAM BALDWIN SENTENCED DERRICK DONCHAK TO SERVE 6-20 MONTHS ON SIMPLE ASSAULT CHARGES, AND AN ADDITIONAL 1 TO 3 MONTHS FOR CORRUPTING THE MORALS OF MINORS. BRANDON PIEKARSKY WILL SERVE 6 TO 23 MONTHS ON THE SIMPLE ASSAULT CHARGE AND 7 DAYS ON THE ALCOHOL RELATED COUNTS. DURING PROCEEDINGS, A LETTER WAS READ FROM LUIS RAMIREZ' MOTHER, WHO SAID THE BOYS SHOWED NO REMORSE FOR THE BEATING AND CALLED THEM ASSASSINS. RAMIREZ'S FIANCE CRYSTAL DILLMAN, IN TEARFUL TESTIMONY, SAID THAT SHE'LL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR JUSTICE FOR HER LATE PARTNER. SEVERAL CHARACTER WITNESSES TESTIFIED FOR DONCHAK AND PIEKARSKY BEFORE SENTENCING. BOTH DEFENSE ATTORNEYS ASKED FOR PROBATION FOR THEIR CLIENTS. JUDGE BALDWIN SAID THE BOYS GANGED UP ON RAMIREZ, AND THAT IT WAS MOTIVATED BY "JUST PLAIN MEANNESS." PIEKARSKY AND DONCHAK ARE TO REPORT TO PRISON ON JULY 19TH.

BALDWIN ON GOVERNOR, SHENANDOAH POLICE AND BOYS CONDUCT

GOVERNOR ED RENDELL'S COMMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE ABOUT THE SHENANDOAH BEATING TRIAL HAS MADE HEADLINES, BUT IT DIDN'T IMPRESS PRESIDENT JUDGE WILLIAM BALDWIN. THE JUDGE OPENED WEDNESDAY'S SENTENCING HEARING TO ADDRESS THAT VERY SUBJECT, STATING "NEVER BEFORE HAS HE HEARD OF A HEAD OF STATE SUGGESTING A SENTENCE FOR A SPECIFIC CRIMINAL CASE." BALDWIN REFUSED TO CONSIDER IT, AND QUESTIONED THE SEPARATION OF THE EXECUTIVE AND JUDICIAL BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT. RENDELL'S LETTER TO DA JIM GOODMAN SAID THAT THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE WAS WARRANTED FOR DERRICK DONCHAK AND BRANDON PIEKARSKY, AND SURMISED THAT THE FIGHT WAS RACIALLY MOTIVATED, EVEN THOUGH RENDELL KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE CASE AS LITTLE AS 6 WEEKS AGO. BALDWIN CITED SERIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE "FRIENDLY" SHENANDOAH POLICE AND THEIR ACTIONS IMMEDIATELY AFTER COMING ON SCENE ON JULY 12TH, 2008. BALDWIN ALSO HAD HARSH WORDS FOR BRANDON PIEKARSKY AND DERRICK DONCHAK, STATING THAT THIS TYPE OF VIOLENCE WON'T BE TOLERATED ON SCHUYLKILL COUNTY'S STREETS, AND THAT PIEKARSKY "LED THE TEAM" THAT GANGED UP ON LUIS RAMIREZ. HE ALSO SAID THAT DERRICK DONCHAK USED POOR JUDGEMENT IN WEARING A BORDER PATROL T-SHIRT TO A PARTY, EVEN WHILE HE WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR THE CRIME. DEFENSE ATTORNEYS FRED FANELLI AND JEFF MARKOSKY WERE "DISAPPOINTED" WITH THE SENTENCING AND MAY APPEAL THE RESPECTIVE SENTENCES.

GOODMAN SATISFIED

GOODMAN 1 SENTENCE

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY JIM GOODMAN COMMENTING ON WEDNESDAY'S SENTENCING OF BRANDON PIEKARSKY AND DERRICK DONCHAK WILL SERVE AT LEAST 6 MONTHS, BUT POSSIBLY CLOSE TO TWO YEARS IN COUNTY PRISON FOR SIMPLE ASSAULT AND ALCOHOL RELATED COUNTS IN THE DEATH OF LUIS RAMIREZ LAST JULY IN SHENANDOAH. THE TEENS WERE ACQUITTED OF MORE SERIOUS CHARGES OF THIRD DEGREE MURDER AND AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, BUT GOODMAN SAYS THAT THE PROSECUTION WOULDN'T HAVE DONE ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY:

GOODMAN 2 SENTENCE

THE DEFENSE SAYS THEY MAY APPEAL THE SENTENCE. THE DA ACKNOWLEDGED THAT A FEDERAL PROBE INTO THE SHENANDOAH POLICE DEPARTMENT'S ROLE IN THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES, BUT WOULD NOT COMMENT FURTHER.

DOWNTOWN CENTER HONORS RHOADES

A FITTING HONOR WAS PAID TO THE LATE SENATOR JIM RHOADES LAST NIGHT. MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE DEDICATION OF THE SENATOR JAMES RHOADES DOWNTOWN CENTER, IN THE FORMER MAHANOY CITY DOWNTOWN CENTER AND ONCE HOME TO RHOADES DISTRICT OFFICE. THE SENATOR DIED FROM INJURIES IN A CAR CRASH IN MONROE COUNTY LAST OCTOBER. FAMILY AND FRIENDS WERE ON HAND TO HONOR THE SENATOR’S MEMORY AT THE BUILDING WHICH ONCE HOUSED A STORE THAT THE SENATOR WORKED IN AS A TEEN.

ASST COUNTY SOLICITOR RETIRING

LONGTIME ASSISTANT COUNTY SOLICITOR JAY JONES IS RETIRING AFTER ACTION AT WEDNESDAY’S COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING. MOVING IN TO SERVE AS ASSISTANT TO COUNTY SOLICITOR ERIC MIKA IS ATTORNEY ED BRENNAN, WHO MOVES FROM THE SHERIFF’S SOLICITOR’S ROLE.

POTTSVILLE SD BUDGET RATIFIED

NO TAX INCREASE FOR RESIDENTS IN THE POTTSVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT. THE NEARLY $37 MILLION DOLLAR SPENDING PLAN KEEPS PROPERTY TAX MILLAGE AT 34.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - IN PITTSBURGH, FIREFIGHTERS AND AMBULANCE WORKERS RESCUED MOTORISTS STRANDED ATOP CARS IN SEVERAL FLOODED NEIGHBORHOODS. WEATHER SERVICE FORECASTER RICH REDMOND SAYS PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED SEEING TORNADOES TOUCH DOWN, BUT THOSE REPORTS ARE UNCONFIRMED. THERE WERE NO IMMEDIATE REPORTS OF INJURIES FROM YESTERDAY'S STORMS.

ERIE, PA. (AP) - SPEAKING IN ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH SAYS WATCHING HIS FATHER CELEBRATE HIS 85TH BIRTHDAY BY PARACHUTING WAS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE. HE SPOKE AT A DINNER HELD BY A MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION IN NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA. HE SAYS THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY CAN BE ENERGIZED THROUGH LOW REGULATIONS AND EXPORTING.

HERSHEY, PA. (AP) - THE MILTON HERSHEY SCHOOL IN SOUTH-CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA REPORTS THAT AT LEAST FIVE STUDENTS HAVE TESTED
POSITIVE FOR SWINE FLU AT THE MILTON HERSHEY ACADEMY IN SOUTH-CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA. AND TEST RESULTS ARE PENDING ON TWO MORE. CLASSES ENDED A WEEK EARLY AND SUMMER PROGRAMMING IS BEING POSTPONED.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A HEARING IS SCHEDULED TODAY FOR A PHILADELPHIA POLICE DETECTIVE ACCUSED OF TIPPING OFF A DRUG KINGPIN ABOUT A PLANNED RAID. A PROSECUTOR SAYS HE'LL TRY TO HAVE 43-YEAR-OLD DETECTIVE RICKIE DURHAM JAILED. DEFENSE LAWYER FORTUNATO PERRI SAYS HIS CLIENT PLANS TO FIGHT THE CHARGES.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - GOV. ED RENDELL'S PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS INCLUDE MONEY FOR COUNTY FAIRS, COMPUTERS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND TREATING THE MENTALLY ILL. RENDELL HAS BEEN WARNING FOR TWO WEEKS THAT SUCH REDUCTIONS WERE NECESSARY AS THE STATE'S REVENUE COLLECTIONS HAVE FALLEN SHORT. HE STILL NEEDS APPROVAL FROM THE LEGISLATURE ON A FINAL BUDGET.

TEHRAN, IRAN (AP) - IRAN IS BRACING FOR ANOTHER DAY OF MASSIVE PROTESTS BY OPPONENTS OF PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD. THE COUNTRY'S OPPOSITION LEADER IS TELLING HIS SUPPORTERS TO WEAR BLACK AS A SIGN OF MOURNING OVER LAST WEEK'S ALLEGED ELECTION FRAUD. IT WOULD ALSO SERVE AS A TRIBUTE TO THOSE KILLED DURING EARLIER PROTESTS.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A NEW POLL SUGGESTS THAT HEALTH-CARE COSTS ARE
WEIGHING HEAVILY ON AMERICANS. NEARLY HALF OF THOSE SURVEYED SAY
THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT PAYING FOR FUTURE CARE. THE UNIVERSITY OF
MICHIGAN FINDS THAT NEARLY ONE IN FOUR PEOPLE ARE AFRAID OF LOSING
COVERAGE IN THE NEXT YEAR.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A CONSULTING FIRM SAYS EMPLOYERS WHO OFFER HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE COULD SEE COSTS RISE BY ABOUT 9 PERCENT NEXT YEAR. PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS SAYS THAT'S PARTLY BECAUSE WORKERS WORRIED ABOUT LOSING THEIR JOBS ARE USING THEIR HEALTH CARE BENEFITS MORE WHILE THEY STILL HAVE IT.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS IS ABOUT TO HIT A MILESTONE: 1 MILLION CLAIMS TO PROCESS. THAT HIGH MARK COMES AS THE AGENCY SCRAMBLES TO IMPROVE ITS CUMBERSOME SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING CLAIMS. A HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE LOOKS INTO THE MATTER LATER TODAY.

WASHINGTON (AP)- A NEW REPORT SAYS THE U.S. ISN'T DOING ENOUGH TO CRACK DOWN ON GUN-SMUGGLING ALONG THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER. THE PROBLEM MAY BE LACK OF COORDINATION BETWEEN FEDERAL AGENCIES, WHICH LEAVES PENINGS THAT MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS CAN USE. A HOUSE PANEL IS INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM.

BREAKING NEWS

PIEKARSKY AND DONCHAK TO DO JAIL TIME

BRANDON PIEKARSKY AND DERRICK DONCHAK, FOUND GUILTY OF SIMPLE ASSAULT AND ALCOHOL RELATED CHARGES IN THE CASE OF LUIS RAMIREZ IN APRIL, HAVE BEEN SENTENCED. ABOUT 60 PEOPLE FILED INTO COURTROOM NUMBER ONE THIS AFTERNOON, AND HEARD CHARACTER TESTIMONY AND ATTORNEY STATEMENTS ON BEHALF OF PIEKARSKY AND DONCHAK, JUDGE BALDWIN SENTENCED DERRICK DONCHAK TO 6 TO 20 MONTHS ON THE SIMPLE ASSAULT CHARGE, 1-3 MONTHS ON CORRUPTION OF MORALS OF A MINOR, SERVED CONSECUTIVELY, AND 1 TO 3 MONTHS CONCURRENT SENTENCES ON OTHER CORRUPTION CHARGES. BRANDON PIEKARSKY WILL SERVE 6 TO 23 MONTHS IN COUNTY PRISON AND 7 DAYS SENTENCE ON THE PURCHASING ALCOHOL BY A MINOR. BOTH YOUNG MEN WILL HAVE FINES AND COSTS TO PAY AS WELL. THE DEFENSE FOR BOTH ARE CONTEMPLATING APPEAL OF THE SENTENCE. DONCHAK AND PIEKARSKY ARE TO REPORT TO THE COUNTY PRISON ON MONDAY, JULY 19TH.

WE’LL HAVE MORE TOMORROW MORNING ON WPPA AND T102 NEWS.

Shenandoah Teens Sentenced

BREAKING NEWS

It took President Judge William Baldwin nearly two hours to sentence 17-year old Brandon Piekarsky and 19-year old Derrick Donchak to 6 - 23 months in prison. The Shenandoah teens were found guilty of simple assault in the beating death of 25-year old illegal Mexican immigrant Luis Ramirez in April. Piekarsky and Donchak are expected to report to the Schuylkill County prison on July 19, 2009.

Shenendoah Teens Sentenced

BREAKING NEWS

Today's News-Wednesday, June 17, 2009

SENTENCING TODAY
TWO SHENANDOAH TEENAGERS ARE DUE IN COURT TO BE SENTENCED FOR SIMPLE ASSAULT IN THE BEATING DEATH OF AN ILLEGAL MEXICAN IMMIGRANT LAST SUMMER. AN ALL-WHITE JURY ACQUITTED 17-YEAR-OLD BRANDON PIEKARSKY AND 19-YEAR-OLD DERRICK DONCHAK OF MORE SERIOUS CHARGES AT A TRIAL IN THE COUNTY IN APRIL. THE VERDICT IN THE DEATH OF LUIS RAMIREZ ANGERED HISPANIC LEADERS AND CIVIL-RIGHTS GROUPS. PROSECUTORS SAID RAMIREZ WAS THE VICTIM OF A GANG OF DRUNKEN WHITE TEENS WHO DISLIKED THE INFLUX OF HISPANIC IMMIGRANTS IN THEIR TOWN. DEFENSE LAWYERS SAID THE 25-YEAR-OLD RAMIREZ WAS THE AGGRESSOR. PIEKARSKY AND DONCHAK ARE SLATED TO BE SENTENCED TODAY IN COURTROOM NUMBER 4 BY SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRESIDENT JUDGE WILLIAM BALDWIN.

COPTER CRASH
FEDERAL AVIATION AUTHORITIES HAVE RELEASED THEIR FINDINGS IN THE CRASH OF A HELICOPTER AT A COUNTY GOLF COURSE LAST SUMMER. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THAT PILOT ERROR PROBABLY CAUSED THE CRASH OF THE CHOPPER AS IT DROPPED GOLF BALLS OVER MOUNTAIN VALLEY GOLF COURSE AS PART OF A FUNDRAISING EVENT. THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD, IN ITS REPORT, SAYS THAT PILOT AL ROMAN DID NOT HAVE A CURRENT MEDICAL CERTIFICATE AND FLIGHT REVIEW, AND THE HELICOPTER HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED WITHIN THE PREVIOUS YEAR….PLUS, REGULATORS BELIEVE THAT ROMAN LOST CONTROL WHILE FLYING AT A SLOW SPEED OVER THE COURSE IN AUGUST, 2008. ROMAN AND A PASSENGER, JOSEPH MATTEO, WERE INJURED IN THE CRASH.

NO RAID
AS THE CLOCK TICKS CLOSER TO DEMOLITION OF BUILDINGS HERE IN POTTSVILLE TO MAKE WAY FOR THE INTERMODAL TRADE AND TRANSIT CENTER, MORE GROUPS ARE USING THE ABANDONED STRUCTURES FOR TRAINING PURPOSES. TUESDAY MORNING, GUARDS FROM SCI/MAHANOY WERE FULLY DECKED OUT IN RIOT GEAR AS THEY STORMED THE BUILDING, AS HAS BEEN THE CASE WITH AREA IREFIGHTING CREWS BEFORE. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE PRISON, WHO DECLINED TO BE IDENTIFIED, TOLD WPPA/T102 NEWS THAT THESE EXERCISES PROVIDE A VALUABLE RESOURCE FOR OFFICERS TO TRAIN FOR SITUATIONS THEY HOPE NEVER HAPPEN. BIDS FOR THE $20 MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT EXPECT TO BE AWARDED SOON.

DUMP THE PUMP
GAS PRICES GOT YOU DOWN? DUMP THE PUMP TOMORROW AND TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION INSTEAD OF DRIVING, JOINING THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS TO SAVE GAS AND HELP THE ECONOMY. SCHUYLKILL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM IS PARTICIPATING IN THE FOURTH ANNUAL OBSERVANCE OF DUMP THE PUMP WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION. JOAN BRESLIN OF STS TELLS US WHAT YOU’LL GET FOR JUST A BUCK THURSDAY…

BRESLIN

ACCORDING TO THE APTA, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SAVES 900-THOUSAND AUTOMOBILE FILLUPS EACH DAY…THAT EQUATES TO 4 POINT 2 BILLION GALLONS OF GAS PER YEAR.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE STATE-CREATED AGENCY THAT OVERSEES PHILADELPHIA'S FINANCES IS GIVING CITY OFFICIALS UNTIL MONDAY TO SUBMIT A 2010 BUDGET AND FIVE-YEAR SPENDING PLAN. MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER'S ADMINISTRATION IS AWAITING STATE LAWMAKERS' APPROVAL ON TWO KEY FUNDING PROPOSALS, INCLUDING A PLAN TO RAISE PHILADELPHIA'S SALES TAX, BUT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT APPROVAL IS LIKELY, OR THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN IN TIME.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - THE POSH NEMACOLIN WOODLANDS RESORT IN WESTERN
PENNSYLVANIA RESORT THAT HAS HOSTED FORMER PRESIDENTS BILL CLINTON
AND GEORGE W. BUSH WILL ACCOMMODATE AT LEAST SOME OF THE 19 WORLD
LEADERS WHO WILL ATTEND THE G-20 ECONOMIC SUMMIT. PRESIDENT BARACK
OBAMA CHOSE PITTSBURGH AS THE SITE FOR THE G-20'S NEXT SUMMIT ON
SEPT. 24-25. ALL 335 ROOMS ARE LISTED AS SOLD OUT.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A MISSING CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA WOMAN HAS BEEN FOUND ALIVE IN THE TRUNK OF HER CAR IN HARRISBURG. POLICE HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR 57-YEAR-OLD MARY WILKERSON SINCE RECEIVING A TELEPHONE CALL MONDAY FROM A RELATIVE. SUSQUEHANNA TOWNSHIP POLICE SEARCHED THE WOMAN'S HOUSE THAT DAY BUT SAY SHE WAS FOUND IN THE CAR TRUNK AROUND 7:30 P.M. TUESDAY IN THE 1900 BLOCK OF YORK STREET.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A BILL THAT DRAWS TOGETHER VARIOUS STATE LAWS RELATED TO CONSTABLES IS ON ITS WAY TO THE HOUSE FLOOR FOLLOWING UNANIMOUS PASSAGE BY THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE. JUDICIARY CHAIRMAN TOM CALTAGIRONE ON TUESDAY CALLED THE MEASURE A FIRST STEP AND SAID HE WILL INTRODUCE A FOLLOW-UP BILL LATER IN THE CURRENT SESSION TO IMPROVE CONSTABLE OPERATIONS, THEIR TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS.

TEHRAN, IRAN (AP) - IRANIAN OPPOSITION LEADER MIR HOSSEIN MOUSAVI IS RENEWING HIS CHALLENGE TO THE RESULTS OF THE COUNTRY'S ELECTION. HE'S CALLING FOR A MASS, PEACEFUL RALLY TOMORROW TO PROTEST HIS DISPUTED ELECTION LOSS TO PRESIDENT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD AND THE VIOLENCE DIRECTED AT HIS FOLLOWERS.

MOSCOW (AP) - THE LEADERS OF RUSSIA AND CHINA HAVE ISSUED A JOINT STATEMENT VOICING "SERIOUS CONCERN" ABOUT BUILDING TENSIONS
ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA. THEY URGE NORTH KOREA TO RETURN TO THE
SIX-NATION TALKS ON ITS NUCLEAR PROGRAM, BUT THE STATEMENT DID NOT
INCLUDE ANY NEW INITIATIVES.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THERE'S FRESH EVIDENCE THAT THE RECESSION IS
KEEPING INFLATION IN CHECK. CONSUMER PRICES ROSE LESS THAN EXPECTED
IN MAY. THE GOVERNMENT SAYS PRICES INCREASED BY A SEASONALLY-ADJUSTED 0.1 PERCENT. THAT'S BELOW ANALYSTS' EXPECTATIONS OF A 0.3 PERCENT RISE.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE LINES ARE BEING DRAWN OVER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S MIDDAY ANNOUNCEMENT DETAILING HIS ADMINISTRATION 'S OVERHAUL OF THE WAY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ARE REGULATED. THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WHITE HOUSE COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISERS SAYS IT STRIKES "THE APPROPRIATE BALANCE." BUT HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER JOHN BOEHNER WORRIES THAT IT PUTS "TOO BIG OF A FOOT" ON A TROUBLED INDUSTRY.

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA PLANS AN ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY THAT MAY HELP QUIET COMPLAINTS FROM HIS GAY AND LESBIAN SUPPORTERS. THE PRESIDENT WILL EXTEND BENEFITS TO SAME-SEX PARTNERS OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES. OBAMA HAS BEEN CRITICIZED FOR SOME RECENT MOVES, INCLUDING A JUSTICE DEPARTMENT BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT.

Today's News-Tuesday, June 18 2009

MAN ACCUSED OF MURDER FOUND

A Virginia man is in custody for allegedly killing his brother and implicated in the death of his ex girlfriend. Police report that Justin Slater was in the county over the weekend. It was first reported yesterday that local authorities assisted the Frederick County, Virginia Sheriffs office in looking for a car that was stolen by Slater, who is accused of killing his brother Gregory in Winchester, Virginia last week. Slater’s girlfriend, Kayleigh Plamondon, was also missing, but that search was suspended after a body was found in a home in West Virginia. Slater came to Schuylkill County from New York state, ditched the Jeep he was driving, stole a car in the Pine Grove area and headed to West Virginia where he was arrested. The Jeep was found by authorities down a 40 foot bank near Newtown. Slater is to be extradited to Virginia to face charges.

WEEKEND BURGLARY

A Tremont Township business was burglarized overnight Sunday, with several items taken. The unknown thieves entered Michael Coal Company on West Main Street in the township and went through several trailers on the property. An estimate of loss is not available, but the burglars fled the scene. Schuylkill Haven state police are investigating.

GIRARDVILLE MAN CHARGED AFTER INCIDENT EARLY MONDAY

An 18 year old Girardville man is jailed following an incident Monday. Frackville state police report that Cory Weikel and 25 year old Amber Judge were involved in a dispute at a home in Nuremberg early yesterday. The disturbance turned physical and Weikel allegedly assaulted Judge, then failed to leave when told to by police. Weikel was charged with harassment, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, and following arraignment, was taken to the county prison.

DAM IMPROVEMENTS

Dams in our area will get fixed with state grant monies. Senator Dave Argall and Representative Jerry Knowles announced $5.3 million dollars to repair the Lower and Upper Owl Creek Dams. The borough of Tamaqua is getting the money to protect residents and businesses that could be affected if the dams fail. The monies are part of 5 dam improvement projects here in Schuylkill.

UPPER DARBY, Pa. (AP) - A man in suburban Philadelphia is accused of raping and killing his 84-year-old neighbor. Jane Morgan's body was found in her apartment last September. Upper
Darby police say 61-year-old Billy Williams, who also lived in the Long Lane Apartments, was arrested Monday after his DNA matched evidence from the scene.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A former airline worker and his roommate have been formally charged with sneaking the roommate's unloaded handgun onto a plane at Philadelphia International Airport. Roshid Milledge and Damien Young of Philadelphia were named in the federal information filed yesterday. US Airways confirms both employees no longer work with the airline.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's State Employees' Retirement System says two judges who have pleaded guilty to corruption charges lost their pensions at the time of their plea.
Luzerne County judges Mark Ciavarella and Michael Conahan took payoffs of more than $2.5 million in exchange for placing juveniles in private detention facilities.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Pennsylvania Supreme Court says a takeout-only policy for beer sales at an Altoona Sheetz convenience store isn't permitted by state law. In a 5-1 ruliing yesterday, the court says that Sheetz's retail dispenser license requires some beer to be consumed within the store, which Sheetz hasn't been allowing.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) - Despite city officials refusing to extend a parking permit, a Lehigh Valley man says he's not taking away his hot dog cart from a Bethlehem parking space. Edwin Padilla got a 10-day permit for his hot dog cart. But after complaints from nearby restaurants, the city refused to extend the permit that expired.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Violent clashes in Iran's capital have left seven people dead. That's according to a report from Iran's state radio, which says the shootings followed a mass rally over
allegations of voter fraud. Witnesses say the fatal shots were fired by a militia linked to Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama meets with South Korea's president today to discuss the North Korean nuclear standoff, among other things. Obama and President Lee Myung-bak will likely condemn the North's recent missile and nuclear tests. They're also expected to express their refusal to accept the North as a nuclear weapons power.

TOKYO (AP) - The designated heir of North Korea's ailing leader has reportedly made a secret visit to China. A Japanese newspaper says the 26-year-old son of Kim Jong Il met with China's president. The paper says the Chinese leader took the opportunity to urge North Korea to halt its nuclear and missile tests.

STOCKHOLM (AP) - General Motors says it has signed a deal to sell its Saab unit to a consortium led by a Swedish carmaker. The sale includes an expected $600 million funding commitment from the European Investment Bank. The agreement is also guaranteed by the
Swedish government.

NEW YORK (AP) - Michelle Obama has been honored for her contributions to fashion at the industry's annual awards ceremony in New York. The Council of Fashion Designers of America handed out its awards last night. The group's president discussed the First lady's "unique look" and her "meteoric rise as a fashion icon."

Today's News-Monday, June 15, 2009

SEARCH FOR VEHICLE INVOLVED IN HOMICIDE

Area law enforcement was scouring Schuylkill County woods over the weekend as part of a homicide investigation. Schuylkill Haven state police were aiding the Frederick County, Virginia Sheriff’s Department in looking for a vehicle that may have been abandoned in a wooded area near Ravine along Route 25. Air and ground search crews found the vehicle in a remote area. The identity of the suspect was not released, but troopers are continuing their joint investigation.

THEFT SPREE IN TOWER CITY

Various electronic equipment was taken from four cars in Tower City over the weekend. The thefts took place on East Grand Avenue where the cars were parked. Stereos, amplifiers, GPS systems and satellite radios were taken. The amount of loss from the thefts is not known, but state troopers are continuing to investigate.

NOONTIME CRASH ON ROUTE 443

No one was hurt in a two vehicle crash at a busy grocery store outside of Schuylkill Haven Sunday. Mark Infanti was attempting to turn into Bills Produce while headed west, and Sara West apparently looked away from the road and rear ended Infanti’s vehicle. State police say both cars ended up in the middle of the roadway.

ETHNIC SLUR PAINTED ON VEHICLE

A rash of vandalism is being investigated by Port Carbon police. Sometime between Thursday and Friday of last week, a vehicle owned by Jennifer Thomas had a swastika spray painted on the side of it as it was parked in the 300 block of Valley Street. A nearby dumpster had the symbol painted on it as well. Four other cases of vehicle vandalism was reported in Palo Alto as well.

OFFICER SHOT
Philly police officer wounded by gunfire
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A police officer wounded by gunfire during an overnight patrol in North Philadelphia is listed in good condition. Philadelphia police spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore says 26-year-old Officer Ashley Hoggard was hit in the shoulder early Sunday. He was initially listed in stable condition at Temple Hospital but a hospital spokesman says he was upgraded to good condition later in the day. Vanore says Hoggard and a colleague were on patrol when they
heard what they thought were gunshots at the intersection of 13th and Somerset streets just before 2:30 a.m. He says Hoggard was struck by gunfire after the officers got out of their car to
investigate. Vanore says three other men in their 30s were wounded at the scene and are hospitalized in stable condition. He says police are trying to learn more details about the incident.

BANK ROBBERY SUSPECT
Suspect in bank robbery jumps off Pa. bridge, dies
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphia police say a man wanted in a series of robberies in Bucks County died after he jumped off a bridge over the Schuylkill River following more than four hours of negotiations. Police say 29-year-old Michael Dixon of Williamstown, N.J., was
pulled over on the bridge around 4:45 a.m. Saturday and climbed over the rail on the westbound side. Police spokesman Frank Vanore says told officers that he had "nothing to live for." Police say he started to climb back to safety three times, but jumped at 9:15 a.m. and landed on a concrete slab, and was pronounced dead at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
shortly before 9:30 a.m. Bensalem police said Dixon was a suspect in a bank robbery there
Thursday. Police also said Dixon stole cash and a jar for charity donations from a Rita's Water Ice stand Tuesday. Dixon had 27 previous arrests in New Jersey.

OLD WELLS
Old wells in Pa. still produce after decades
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Thousands of oil and gas wells, often dating back to the early years of the last century, dot the landscape in Pennsylvania. They produce a small but steady flow over a period of decades - but often draw opposition from residents. Many of the wells were drilled in the early 1900s to supply booming glass and steel industries. That was long before the
housing developments, commercial districts, parking lots and yards that have grown up around them. Such wells have a long life span in Pennsylvania because the densely packed sand and rock formations of the commonwealth release gas and oil deposits slowly. They often go unnoticed by neighbors except in rare cases, such as a 2007 evacuation in Versailles due to seepage from improperly plugged abandoned wells. But even without mishaps, neighbors do not
always welcome their presence. The state has an Orphan Well Plugging Program to seal wells and says there may be 8,000 to 10,000 abandoned wells across the state that are eligible. But officials say action is taken based on public safety concerns.

1919 ARMY CONVOY
NEW: Group recreating 1919 cross-county Army convoy
BEAVER, Pa. (AP) - In 1919, a U.S. Army convoy of motorized vehicles crossed the country for the first time, mostly along the fledgling Lincoln Highway that ran from Washington to San
Francisco. The 3,251-mile trip two months, and on its 90th anniversary, a historical group is re-enacting the event with 50 to 70 restored vintage military vehicles. The 2009 Transcontinental Motor Convoy is organized by the Missouri-based Military Vehicle Preservation Association. It began Saturday in Washington and the convoy is scheduled to pass through the Pittsburgh region on Monday before heading into Ohio. The convoy in 1919 was aimed at demonstrating the need for a mechanized army and better highways, and to test newly developed vehicles under arduous conditions. Officials also wanted to find out how difficult it would be to move an army across the United States in the event of an attack on the West Coast.

PENNSYLVANIA GUN LAWS
8 Pa. cities try gun control despite suit threat
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Eight municipalities in Pennsylvania have approved their own gun control ordinances in an effort to curb firearms violence despite the threat of lawsuits from gun rights advocates who say such measures are illegal. Last week, Lancaster's council unanimously approved an ordinance requiring owners to report lost or stolen guns. The city joins Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Reading, Easton, Pottsville and Wilkinsburg. The city-to-city campaign began after state House lawmakers rejected the reporting proposal, although supporters say they hope to introduce a similar bill this fall. The measure is aimed at curbing illegal guns sales by not allowing legal buyers who sell to felons to claim that their guns were lost or stolen when the firearms are used in crimes. The National Rifle Association, however, argues that such laws threaten innocent gun owners who may not be aware that the weapons are missing.

GASOLINE PRICES
Gasoline prices in NJ top $2.50
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - It's costing New Jersey motorists more at the gasoline pump, but drivers in neighboring states are still paying higher prices. AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of regular hit $2.51 in the Garden State on Sunday, which is up from $2.15 a month ago but lower than $3.99 in 2008. Overall, New Jersey's current price is the fourth cheapest nationwide. "We're not expecting dramatic price swings like we experienced last summer, but small daily increases through July 4 are likely," auto club spokesman David Weinstein said.
The last time the price of gas was this high in New Jersey was Oct. 29, 2008, when the average price was $2.52. AAA says the average price of regular costs $2.80 in New York, $2.78 in Connecticut and $2.65 in Pennsylvania.

DIGITAL TV TRANSITION
800,000 callers phone hot line since Monday about switch to digital TV broadcasts
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Nearly 800,000 calls were received by a federal hot line from people confused about the nationwide move on Friday to drop analog TV signals and broadcast only in digital. The Federal Communications Commission says about 317,450 calls went into the help line, 1-888-CALL-FCC, on Friday alone, the day analog signals were cut off. Another 102,000 came in Saturday by 6 p.m. Eastern time. The total is still below the 600,000 to 3 million callers that the FCC expected in early March would call on transition day. The largest volume of calls to the FCC on Friday came from the Chicago area, followed by Dallas-Ft. Worth, New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore. FCC Acting Chairman Michael Copps said Saturday that if it were
baseball, the digital transition is now closer to home plate. He says "We're safe on third right now." he said.

ISLAMABAD (AP) - Pakistan's interior minister says police in Islamabad have foiled plots to kidnap diplomats and carry out bombings in the Pakistani capital in recent days. But he says while security has already been tightened, more is needed and an additional 20,000 police are being recruited to protect the city.

KABUL (AP) - Gen. Stanley McChrystal says the Afghan people are at the center of the mission for U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan. McChrystal took command of those forces today. He says they will operate with care as they try to protect Afghan civilians from violence, but won't be timid.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - A South Korean newspaper is reporting that the U.S. and Seoul have pinpointed 11 underground sites in North Korea where a third nuclear test could be conducted. The paper quotes an unnamed government intelligence official as saying the allies have mobilized spy satellites and human intelligence networks to check for vehicle movements and other unusual activity.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Obama administration officials say they are open to compromise on an overhaul of the nation's health care system. Republicans have been fighting the idea of a government-run health insurance plan. Administration officials say a cooperative program that expands coverage with taxpayer money but without direct governmental control is one possibility.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) - Auditions for Season Nine of "American Idol" have already begun. Thousands braved rain and unseasonably cold winds as they waited outside Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Host Ryan Seacrest says the bad weather is good for some hopefuls because, "It makes the weak stay home."