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.