Today's News-Thursday, July 30 2009

POWER KNOCKED OUT

ELECTRIC CREWS IN THE BOROUGH OF SCHUYLKILL HAVEN ARE ON O-T THIS MORNING AS THEY CONTINUE TO REPAIR DAMAGED LINES KNOCKED OUT BY AN ACCIDENT. SCHUYLKILL HAVEN POLICE TELL WPPA/T102 NEWS THAT AROUND 6PM WEDNESDAY NIGHT, TWO POLES WERE DESTROYED IN AN ACCIDENT AT THE CORNER OF WEST MAIN AND ST CHARLES STREETS. ONE POLE AND ITS EQUIPMENT WAS REPAIRED OVERNIGHT AND A SECOND IS BEING WORKED ON THIS MORNING. ELECTRICITY IS STILL OUT FOR SOME IN THE SOUTH WARD OF SCHUYLKILL HAVEN.

MONTCO MEN NABBED IN ATM THEFT

STATE POLICE AT FRACKVILLE HAVE APPREHENDED TWO MEN FOR STEALING AN ATM FROM A NEW RINGGOLD CONVENIENCE STORE EARLIER THIS MONTH. 26 YEAR OLD DALE SCHAEFFER AND 53 YEAR OLD DONALD MCNEELY OF NORRISTOWN HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH BURGLARY, CRIMINAL TRESPASS AND A HOST OF OTHER COUNTS FOR FORCIBLY REMOVING THE CASH MACHINE ON JULY 7TH. THE BANDITS WERE ABLE TO OPEN THE ATM AFTER TRANSPORTING IT TO LANSDALE. THAT’S WHERE THEY WERE ARRESTED.

DIOCESE OF ALLENTOWN INSTALLS NEW BISHOP

AN AFTERNOON MASS IN ALLENTOWN TODAY WILL INSTALL A NEW BISHOP. 48 YEAR OLD JOHN BARRES FROM THE DIOCESE OF WILMINGTON WILL BE ELEVATED AT ST CATHERINE OF SIENA TODAY. BARRES REPLACES THE NOW RETIRED BISHOP EDWARD CULLEN. BARRES IS THE FOURTH BISHOP OF ALLENTOWN.

SENIORS HIGHLIGHT COUNTY FAIR

DESPITE A MUGGY AND DAMP DAY, GOOD CROWDS CAME OUT TO SENIOR CITIZENS DAY AT THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY FAIR. SANDRA LONG AND MILTON STETTLER WERE CROWNED QUEEN AND KING OF THE FAIR PRIOR TO VISITORS SETTLING IN FOR A GREAT SHOW FEATURING BEATLE TRIBUTE BAND "THE RETURN" STRAIGHT FROM ATLANTA, GEORGIA. NEARLY EVERYONE MOUTHED THE WORDS OF THE EARLY BEATLE SOUNDS AS JOHN, PAUL, GEORGE AND RINGO CAME ALIVE ON STAGE. THE SECOND SHOW STARTED A HALF HOUR EARLY DUE TO THREATENING STORMS. TODAY IS DAIRY DAY AT THE FAIR, AND ELVIS TRIBUTE ARTIST, PITTSTON NATIVE SHAWN KLUSH WILL TAKE TO THE STAGE AT 7 AND 9PM. GATES OPEN AT 4PM TODAY.

PRESCRIPTION HELP TODAY

IF YOU ARE LIKE MANY SCHUYLKILL COUNTIANS, EACH MONTH YOU HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER TO BUY GROCERIES OR PAY FOR YOUR MEDICATION. TODAY, YOU MAY FIND JUST THE HELP YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IN GETTING THOSE MUCH NEEDED MEDS. THE “HELP IS HERE” EXPRESS FROM THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE IS MAKING A STOP AT FAIRLANE VILLAGE FROM 2 TO 4PM. THE BUS TOUR IS PART OF A NATIONWIDE EFFORT SPONSORED BY AMERICA’S PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH COMPANIES. PEOPLE WHO ATTEND CAN FIND OUT ABOUT PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES FOR FREE OR NEARLY FREE AND CAN ALSO LEARN ABOUT NEW MEDICINES IN DEVELOPMENT TO FIGHT DISEASES. TODAYS PROGRAM IS BROUGHT TO THE AREA IN PART BY THE SCHUYLKILL UNITED WAY.

TWO SUFFER MINOR INJURIES

TWO PEOPLE SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES IN A CRASH IN PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON SWOPES VALLEY ROAD AROUND 4:30PM. JOHN CLARK OF PALMYRA FAILED TO NEGOTIATE A RIGHT HAND CURVE AND CRASHED HIS PICKUP INTO A TREE. CLARK AND A PASSENGER, KRISTIN BUDE OF HUMMELSTOWN WERE WERE REPORTED TO HAVE MINOR INJURIES.

STATE BUDGET
PA. GOV MOVES TO PAY WORKERS AS BUDGET TALKS STALL
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THE LEADER OF THE PENNSYLVANIA SENATE'S REPUBLICAN MAJORITY SAYS A PLAN BY GOV. ED RENDELL FOR A STOPGAP STATE BUDGET HAS ONE BIG FLAW: IT WILL REDUCE PRESSURE ON STATE LAWMAKERS TO STRIKE A DEAL. BUT SEN. DOMINIC PILEGGI SAYS THE BIG ADVANTAGE IS IT WOULD HELP STATE EMPLOYEES WHO AREN'T GETTING PAID. THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR SAYS IF IF THE IMPASSE CONTINUES THROUGH THE WEEKEND HE WANTS THE DEMOCRATIC-CONTROLLED HOUSE TO APPROVE AND SEND HIM A REPUBLICAN-PENNED BUDGET THAT HAS ALREADY PASSED THE SENATE. RENDELL WOULD THEN PARE THE BUDGET BILL DOWN BY USING HIS LINE-ITEM VETO. THAT MEANS SOME 80,000 STATE WORKERS WOULD FINALLY GET THEIR PAYCHECKS. THE EARLIEST THE MEASURE COULD REACH RENDELL'S DESK IS TUESDAY. IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT FIVE MORE DAYS FOR THE STATE TREASURY TO PROCESS CHECKS, INCLUDING BACK PAY, FOR STATE EMPLOYEES. THAT ASSUMES THE HOUSE GOES ALONG WITH THE GOVERNOR.

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
PA. SENATE VOTES TO EXTEND UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A BILL TO ADD SEVEN MORE WEEKS OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS IN PENNSYLVANIA IS A STEP CLOSER TO FINAL APPROVAL. THE SENATE VOTED UNANIMOUSLY WEDNESDAY TO PASS THE BILL, BUT AN AMENDMENT IN THAT CHAMBER REQUIRES ONE MORE VOTE IN THE HOUSE BEFORE GOV. ED RENDELL CAN SIGN IT. THE EXTENSION WOULD ALLOW AS MANY AS 60,000 PEOPLE WHO EXHAUST THE 72 WEEKS OF JOBLESS CHECKS THIS YEAR TO GET THE ADDITIONAL SEVEN WEEKS. THE SENATE AMENDED THE BILL TO ENSURE THAT THOUSANDS WHO ALREADY EXHAUSTED THEIR BENEFITS QUALIFY. IT'S NOT CLEAR WHEN THE HOUSE WILL TAKE UP THE MEASURE. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WOULD COVER THE EXTENSION FOR PEOPLE WHO LOST PRIVATE SECTOR JOBS. THE STATE, CITIES, COUNTIES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO COVER THEIR EX-EMPLOYEES.

RIGHT TO KNOW-ADDRESSES
RELEASE OF PA. SCHOOL EMPLOYEES' ADDRESSES HALTED
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A STATE APPELLATE COURT JUDGE IS TEMPORARILY STOPPING THE RELEASE OF SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEES' HOME ADDRESSES UNDER PENNSYLVANIA'S NEW RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW. COMMONWEALTH COURT SENIOR JUDGE ROCHELLE FRIEDMAN ISSUED THE ORDER TUESDAY SAYING THE RELEASE OF THE INFORMATION SHOULD STOP UNTIL FURTHER DIRECTION FROM HER. THE JUDGE IS EXPECTED TO HOLD A HEARING ON THE REQUEST FOR A PERMANENT INJUNCTION THAT WAS BROUGHT LATE LAST WEEK BY THE STATE 'S LARGEST TEACHER'S UNION. FRIEDMAN ALSO DIRECTED THE STATE OFFICE OF OPEN RECORDS TO NOTIFY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS ABOUT THE LITIGATION AND HER RULING. PENNSYLVANIA OPEN RECORDS CZAR TERRY MUTCHLER SAYS THE LAW ONLY STATES THAT PUBLIC RECORDS SHOULDN'T DISCLOSE THE HOME ADDRESSES OF JUDGES, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICES AND MINORS.

POCONOS STORMS
PA. TORNADO CAUSES MAJOR PROPERTY DAMAGE
STROUDSBURG, PA. (AP) - A TORNADO HAS STRUCK NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA'S POCONO MOUNTAINS, CAUSING MAJOR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
WEDNESDAY'S STORMS CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE IN TWO-MILE RADIUS BETWEEN CHERRY VALLEY AND GODFREY RIDGE IN STROUD AND HAMILTON TOWNSHIPS IN MONROE COUNTY. MORE THAN 10,000 UTILITY CUSTOMERS IN THE REGION LOST ELECTRIC POWER, BUT ALL BUT A FEW HUNDRED HAD POWER AGAIN LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUED A PRELIMINARY REPORT CLASSIFYING THE STORM AS AN EF2 TORNADO. THAT INDICATES WINDS OF 111 TO 135 MPH WITH DAMAGE INCLUDING BLOWN-OFF ROOFS AND SHIFTED FOUNDATIONS.

MOTHER KILLED
DA: 'MOUNTAIN OF EVIDENCE' AGAINST PA. UNDERTAKER
LANCASTER, PA. (AP) - A CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA PROSECUTOR SAYS HE HAS PRESENTED A "MOUNTAIN OF EVIDENCE" AGAINST A FUNERAL DIRECTOR ACCUSED OF KILLING HIS WIFE THAT PROVES HIS GUILT "WAY BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT." LANCASTER COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY CRAIG STEADMAN TOLD JURORS WEDNESDAY THAT ONLY THEY HAVE THE POWER TO HOLD 42-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL ROSEBORO ACCOUNTABLE. DEFENSE LAWYER ALLAN SODOMSKY SAID HIS CLIENT IS GUILTY OF ADULTERY AND TOLD LIES TO COVER UP AN AFFAIR BUT SAID THERE IS NO DIRECT EVIDENCE THAT ROSEBORO KILLED HIS WIFE. HE REPEATEDLY USED THE PHRASE "REASONABLE DOUBT" AS HE URGED THE JURY TO ACQUIT HIS CLIENT. PROSECUTORS ACCUSE ROSEBORO OF BEATING, STRANGLING AND DROWNING 45-YEAR-OLD JAN ROSEBORO SO HE COULD BE WITH HIS MISTRESS WITHOUT A MESSY DIVORCE. JURY DELIBERATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN THURSDAY.

EDITOR-SEX STING
PA. AG UPSET WITH EX-EDITOR'S PENALTY IN SEX STING
GREENSBURG, PA. (AP) - THE LAWYER A FOR FORMER SPORTS EDITOR IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA WHO GOT PROBATION FOR A SEX-STING CONVICTION SAYS PROSECUTORS ARE ENGAGING IN IMPROPER JUDGE-SHOPPING. ROBERT BRADY REPRESENTS THOMAS ROSE, WHO WAS CHARGED IN 2005 AFTER CHATTING ONLINE WITH A POLICE OFFICER POSING AS A 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL. A HIGHER COURT ORDERED WESTMORELAND COUNTY JUDGE RICHARD MCCORMICK JR. TO REINSTATE THE FELONY CONVICTION OF USING COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT TO LURE A CHILD AND TO RE-SENTENCE ROSE. WITH NO EXPLANATION, HE SENTENCED ROSE ON TUESDAY TO PROBATION -- THE SAME SENTENCE HE'D GIVEN EARLIER. IN RESPONSE, PROSECUOTRS SAY THEY WILL TRY DRAWING STING SUSPECTS FROM WESTMORELAND COUNTY TO OTHER JURISDICTIONS FOR ARREST AND PROSECUTION. BRADY SAYS TO PROPER WAY TO HANDLE DISPUTES ABOUT WHETHER JUDGES HAVE FOLLOWED THE LAW IS TO GO TO APPEALS COURTS, NOT TO AVOID A JUDGE'S JURISDICTION.

NORTHERN LIBERTIES SHOOTING
PHILLY POLICE NAB ALLEGED GUNMAN IN APT. SLAYING
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A MAN ACCUSED OF BEING A GUNMAN IN A DOUBLE-HOMICIDE AT AN UPSCALE PHILADELPHIA APARTMENT COMPLEX IS IN CUSTODY. POLICE SAY 33-YEAR-OLD DONNELL MURCHISON WAS ARRESTED WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. A DEPUTY U.S. MARSHAL CHASING HIM ON FOOT WAS HIT BY A VAN AND WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL WITH A HEAD INJURY BUT IS EXPECTED TO RECOVER. MURCHISON IS THE SIXTH PERSON IN CONNECTION WITH A DOUBLE HOMICIDE AT THE PIAZZA AT SCHMIDTS ON JUNE 27. FORTY-YEAR-OLD RIAN THAL AND 41-YEAR-OLD TIMOTHY GILMORE WERE THE VICTIMS OF THAT CRIME. POLICE FOUND FOUR KILOGRAMS OF COCAINE AND $100,000 IN THAL'S APARTMENT.

DETECTIVE'S FUNERAL
TROOPERS TAKE OVER PA. TOWN'S POLICING FOR FUNERAL
CARLISLE, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA STATE TROOPERS ARE TAKING OVER POLICING IN THE BOROUGH OF CARLISLE FOR FIVE HOURS FRIDAY TO ALLOW LOCAL POLICE TO ATTEND A COLLEAGUE'S FUNERAL. DETECTIVE RONALD EGOLF WAS STILL AN ACTIVE DETECTIVE WHEN HE DIED AT HOME MONDAY AT THE AGE OF 57. CARLISLE MAYOR KIRK WILSON SAYS STATE POLICE MADE THE OFFER SHORTLY AFTER EGOLF'S DEATH. THEY ARE TO HANDLE POLICE CALLS FROM 10 A.M. TO 3 P.M. RIDAY. EGOLF'S FUNERAL IS 11 A.M. FRIDAY AT BRETHREN IN CHRIST CHURCH IN CARLISLE.

WASHINGTON (AP) - CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS WANT TO SHOW PROGRESS ON A PROPOSED HEALTH CARE OVERHAUL BEFORE LAWMAKERS LEAVE ON THEIR AUGUST BREAK. THEY'RE AIMING TO GET PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S TOP DOMESTIC PRIORITY THROUGH TWO KEY COMMITTEES IN THE COMING DAYS. A
VOTE BY THE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE COULD COME AS SOON AS
TODAY.

WASHINGTON (AP) - EMERGENCY LEGISLATION IS MOVING THROUGH CONGRESS TO KEEP SOME VITAL FEDERAL PROGRAMS FROM GOING BROKE NEXT MONTH WHILE LAWMAKERS ARE ON VACATION. THE MEASURE INCLUDES A FUND TRANSFER TO KEEP UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FLOWING. THE HOUSE PASSED THE MEASURE YESTERDAY. NOW IT'S UP TO THE SENATE.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A FEDERAL JUDGE HEARS ARGUMENTS LATER TODAY ON
WHETHER A YOUNG GUANTANAMO BAY DETAINEE WILL GO HOME TO AFGHANISTAN -- OR TO THE UNITED STATES TO FACE PROSECUTION. THE PRISONER HAS BEEN HELD FOR MORE THAN SIX YEARS FOR AN ALLEGED GRENADE ATTACK ON TWO U.S. SOLDIERS. IT'S UNCLEAR WHETHER HE WAS 17 AT THE TIME OF
HIS ARREST -- OR AS YOUNG AS 12.

SEATTLE (AP) - HEAT RECORDS ARE BEING BROKEN IN SEVERAL PARTS OF THE NORTHWEST. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS THE TEMPERATURE HIT 103 DEGREES IN SEATTLE YESTERDAY. RECORDS SHOW THAT'S THE HOTTEST DAY SINCE 1891. AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IS IN EFFECT THROUGH TOMORROW IN MUCH OF WESTERN WASHINGTON STATE.

SYDNEY (AP) - MUFFY THE DOG HAS BEEN FOUND ALIVE AND WELL, NINE YEARS AFTER VANISHING FROM HER FAMILY'S HOME IN AUSTRALIA. AUTHORITIES FOUND HER IN ANOTHER BACKYARD ABOUT 1,200 MILES AWAY. SHE WAS IDENTIFIED BY A MICROCHIP IN HER NECK. NO ONE'S QUITE SURE WHAT THE DOG HAS BEEN DOING ALL THIS TIME.