Today's News-Tuesday, July 14, 2009

NEVADA MAN FACES FEDERAL CHARGES

A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS SENTENCED A NEVADA MAN FOR HIS ROLE IN A DRUG RING. THE US DISTRICT COURT IN SCRANTON RELEASED THE SENTENCING INFORMATION MONDAY, INDICATING THAT 60 YEAR OLD DAVID RICCIARDO OF HENDERSON, NEVADA WILL SPEND A YEAR IN PRISON ON CHARGES OF CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE METH, COCAINE AND MARIJUANA. RICCIARDO HELPED TO BRING LARGE QUANTITIES OF THE DRUGS TO THE COUNTY AND TO THE PHILADELPHIA REGION FROM 2005 TO 2007. RICCIARDO WAS FOUND GUILTY ON THE CHARGES IN 2008. HE ALSO HAS TO PAY FINES IN ADDITION TO THE JAIL SENTENCE. LOCAL AUTHORITIES AIDED IN THE EFFORT.

SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CASE TO BE SETTLED

A SPANISH MAN WILL BE SENTENCED LATER THIS WEEK ON CHARGES THAT HE CAME TO OUR AREA TO HAVE SEX WITH A THREE YEAR OLD CHILD. 27 YEAR OLD EDUARDO SANCHEZ-MORANGUES OF MADRID, SPAIN, HAD PLEADED GUILTY IN APRIL TO CHARGES OF TRAVELING TO ENGAGE IN ILLICIT SEXUAL CONDUCT WITH A MINOR. ANOTHER MAN, DAVID WITMER OF PINE GROVE, IS ALREADY IN PRISON FOR EXPLOITING THE CHILD. SANCHEZ-MORANGUES CAME FROM CALIFORNIA TO PINE GROVE VIA BUS IN 2005 AND SEXUALLY ABUSED THE THREE YEAR OLD BOY WHILE WITMER FILMED IT. REPORTEDLY, THE TWO MEN MET ONLINE . SANCHEZ MORANGUES FACES 30 YEARS IN PRISON AND A FINE.

TEEN FOUND GUILTY IN FIGHT

A TEENAGER WHO WAS INVOLVED IN A FIGHT AT POTTSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL EARLIER THIS YEAR WAS FOUND GUILTY OF DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND ORDERED TO PAY A FINE. JUDGE D MICHAEL STINE RULED THAT 18 YEAR OLD JORDAN SCHNECK GOT INTO A FIGHT WITH 18 YEAR OLD MILES MILLER OF MARLIN. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD INDICATES THAT SCHNECK CONTENDED HE WAS ONLY DEFENDING HIMSELF FROM MILLER. MILLER HAS ALREADY PLEADED GUILTY AND PAID A FINE IN THE CASE.

SUCCESSFUL DUI CHECKPOINT

TEN POLICE DEPARTMENTS NABBED A HANDFUL OF DRUNK DRIVERS OVER THE WEEKEND. THAT’S ACCORDING TO INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE NORTH CENTRAL HIGHWAY SAFETY NETWORK, WHO REPORTS THAT 491 CARS WERE CONTACTED FRIDAY NIGHT NEAR SHENANDOAH, 25 VEHICLES WERE DETAINED, 8 DRIVERS TESTED FOR DRUNK DRIVING AND 6 ARRESTS. FOURTEEN OTHER TRAFFIC ARRESTS WERE MADE.

SWIM CLUB-MINORITIES
PHILLY CAMP REJECTS SUBURBAN POOL'S OFFER
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE PRESIDENT OF A SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA SWIM CLUB SAYS HE WILL RESIGN IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES TO RESOLVE A DISPUTE WITH A DAY CAMP THAT ACCUSES THE CLUB OF RACISM. VALLEY CLUB PRESIDENT JOHN DUESLER SAYS THE PROBLEM WITH THE CAMP, CREATIVE STEPS, HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH RACE. HE SAYS THERE WERE SO MANY CHILDREN AT THE CLUB, MANY OF WHOM COULDN'T SWIM, THAT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. ATTORNEY MICHAEL KULDINER REPRESENTS THE DAY CAMP AND THE FAMILIES OF MAJORITY OF THE BLACK AND HISPANIC CHILDREN WHO SWAM AT THE THE VALLEY CLUB IN HUNTINGDON VALLEY ON JUNE 29. HE SAYS IN ADDITION TO THE BOARD MEMBERS STEPPING DOWN, THE CLUB SHOULD EXPEL THOSE MEMBERS WHO USED BIGOTED LANGUAGE THAT DAY. WHEN REACHED AT HIS HOME BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS AND ASKED IF HE WOULD STEP DOWN IF THAT'S WHAT IT TAKES TO RESOLVE THE MATTER, DUESLER REPLIED, "ABSOLUTELY YES."

PREGNANT WOMAN-FATAL
PREGNANT WOMAN DIES IN PA. CRASH
NORTH EAST, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE SAY A PREGNANT WOMAN HAS BEEN KILLED IN A NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA TRAFFIC CRASH. POLICE SAY 25-YEAR-OLD LAURA WALSH RAN A STOP SIGN AND WAS HIT BY A TRUCK IN NORTH EAST TOWNSHIP, ERIE COUNTY. SHE WAS AIRLIFTED TO A HOSPITAL AND PRONOUNCED DEAD A LITTLE OVER AN HOUR LATER.

POLITICAL CONSULTANT CHARGED
PA. POLITICAL CONSULTANT TO STAND TRIAL
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A POLITICAL CONSULTANT FROM PENNSYLVANIA'S LEHIGH VALLEY ACCUSED OF FILING FRAUDULENT CAMPAIGN EXPENSE REPORTS AND SUBMITTING DECEPTIVE INVOICES HAS BEEN ORDERED TO STAND TRIAL. THOMAS SEVERSON LIVES IN PEN ARGYL AND OWNS PRECISION MARKETING INC. IN EASTON. HE FACES CHARGES INCLUDING 12 COUNTS OF FELONY TAMPERING WITH PUBLIC RECORDS. SEVERSON AND HIS LAWYER DECLINED TO COMMENT TO A REPORTER FROM THE EXPRESS-TIMES OF EASTON AFTER HIS PRELIMINARY HEARING IN HARRISBURG ON MONDAY. THE PROSECUTION IS BEING HANDLED BY PENNSYLVANIA ATTORNEY GENERAL TOM CORBETT'S OFFICE BECAUSE NORTHAMPTON COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY JOHN MORGANELLI HAS BEEN A CLIENT OF SEVERSON'S FIRM.

TWO DEAD
DEATHS OF MAN, WOMAN IN PA. HOME INVESTIGATED
WILKES-BARRE, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING THE DEATH OF TWO PEOPLE IN A HOME NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE HOME IN NEWPORT TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY, ON MONDAY AFTERNOON. A MAN AND A WOMAN WERE FOUND DEAD IN THE HOME. THE NAMES OF THE MAN AND THE WOMAN WERE BEING WITHHELD LATE MONDAY NIGHT SO THEIR FAMILIES COULD BE NOTIFIED.

SENATOR INVESTIGATION-TRIAL
EX-PA. SEN. FUMO FACES SENTENCING TODAY
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - FORMER STATE SEN. VINCENT FUMO FACES A FORMIDABLE PRISON TERM WHEN HE IS SENTENCED TODAY. U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE RONALD BUCKWALTER HAS SAID SENTENCING GUIDELINES CALL FOR THE PHILADELPHIA DEMOCRAT TO GET ABOUT 11 TO 14 YEARS. A DEFENSE LAWYER HAS SAID A SENTENCE OF LESS THAN ABOUT 11 YEARS WOULD MAKE FUMO ELIGIBLE FOR A MINIMUM-SECURITY PRISON CAMP. FUMO WAS CONVICTED ON 137 FRAUD, OBSTRUCTION AND TAX-EVASION COUNTS AFTER A FIVE-MONTH TRIAL.

STATE BUDGET
PA. HOUSE PANEL OKS COMPETING BUDGET BILLS
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - TWO COMPETING SPENDING PLANS ARE ON THE WAY TO THE HOUSE FLOOR AS PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATORS WORK TO BREAK A TWO-WEEK-OLD PARTISAN BUDGET IMPASSE. THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE VOTED OUT THE BILLS MONDAY AFTER DEMOCRATIC LEADERS HAD PROMISED TO TAKE ACTION ON A REPUBLICAN-PENNED BILL, EVEN THOUGH THEY OPPOSED IT. THE VOTE FOR A DEMOCRATIC-PENNED BILL WAS ALONG PARTY LINES, 19-TO-14. THEN THE COMMITTEE TOOK A VOICE VOTE TO MOVE UP THE GOP BILL WITH A NEGATIVE RECOMMENDATION. DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ARE MORE THAN $1 BILLION APART ON THEIR SPENDING PROPOSALS. DEMOCRATIC LEADERS ARE PUSHING FOR A TAX INCREASE IN AN EFFORT TO AVERT WHAT THEY SAY WILL BE DEVASTATING CUTS TO CRUCIAL PROGRAMS. REPUBLICANS HAVE VOWED TO OPPOSE ANY TAX INCREASE.

SCHOOL DESEGREGATION
LONG-RUNNING PHILLY DESEGREGATION SUIT SETTLED
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A PENNSYLVANIA JUDGE HAS APPROVED A SETTLEMENT IN A NEARLY 40-YEAR-OLD DESEGREGATION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA. COMMONWEALTH COURT JUDGE DORIS SMITH-RIBNER APPROVED THE SETTLEMENT YESTERDAY IN THE LAWSUIT BROUGHT BY THE STATE'S HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION. THE COMMISSION SUED IN 1970 SEEKING TO CLOSE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP BETWEEN WHITE AND MINORITY STUDENTS. THE AGREEMENT AIMS TO RAISE THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDENTS IN "RACIALLY ISOLATED" SCHOOLS THAT ARE AT LEAST 90 PERCENT BLACK OR LATINO. THE SETTLEMENT SEEKS BETTER PAY FOR TEACHERS AND FIRST CRACK AT PILOT PROGRAMS FOR LOW-ACHIEVING SCHOOLS.

NORTHERN LIBERTIES SHOOTING
SUSPECT IN PHILADELPHIA DOUBLE MURDER SURRENDERS
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A 40-YEAR-OLD MAN ACCUSED OF PLANNING A ROBBERY THAT TURNED INTO A DOUBLE MURDER LAST MONTH HAS SURRENDERED TO PHILADELPHIA POLICE. JAMES WILSON TURNED HIMSELF IN MONDAY EVENING ACCOMPANIED BY HIS LAWYER. ATTORNEY CHRISTOPHER WARREN SAYS HIS CLIENT, WHO'S ALSO KNOWN AS KEITH EPPS, MAINTAINS HE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CRIME. WILSON ISN'T CHARGED IN THE DEATHS OF RIAN THAL AND HER FRIEND TIMOTHY GILMORE. HE FACES BURGLARY AND OTHER CHARGES.

WASHINGTON (AP) - HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE EXPECTED TO UNVEIL THEIR VERSION OF A SWEEPING HEALTH CARE BILL TODAY. THAT'S AS PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAS BEEN PRODDING SENATORS TO WORK FASTER ON THEIR COMPANION BILL. THE PRESIDENT HAS SAID HE'D LIKE TO SEE A SENATE MEASURE READY THIS WEEK.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE SENATE CONFIRMATION HEARING CONTINUES TODAY FOR SUPREME COURT NOMINEE SONIA SOTOMAYOR. SHE GOT TO SPEAK FOR ONLY ABOUT FIVE MINUTES AT THE END OF YESTERDAY'S SESSION. LAWMAKERS WILL GET TO HEAR MUCH MORE FROM HER TODAY, AS SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE MEMBERS OFFICIALLY SUBMIT THEIR QUESTIONS.

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. (AP) - NASA WILL TRY AGAIN TOMORROW TO LAUNCH SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR. THAT'S AFTER NASA'S FIFTH LAUNCH ATTEMPT ENDED IN ANOTHER DELAY YESTERDAY. ENDEAVOUR IS CARRYING THE FINAL SEGMENT OF JAPAN'S $1 BILLION SPACE LAB, AS WELL AS HUNDREDS OF POUNDS OF FOOD FOR THE SPACE STATION CREW. IF IT DOESN'T GET OFF THE GROUND SOON, IT MAY HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL JULY 26.

PHOENIX (AP) - ARIZONA'S REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR HAS SIGNED A BILL THAT IMPOSES NEW MANDATES AND RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTION. IT ALSO SETS A NEW COURSE FROM HER DEMOCRATIC PREDECESSOR, FORMER GOV. JANET NAPOLITANO. ONE OF THE BILL'S PROVISIONS IS A REQUIREMENT THAT THOSE WHO VISIT AN ABORTION PROVIDER WAIT 24 HOURS BEFORE GETTING AN ABORTION.

URUMQI, CHINA (AP) - THERE'S TIGHT SECURITY IN THE CAPITAL OF CHINA'S WESTERN XINJIANG (SHIHN-JAHNG) REGION, A DAY AFTER POLICE FATALLY SHOT TWO UIGHUR (WEE'-GUR) MEN AND WOUNDED A THIRD. YESTERDAY'S SHOOTINGS MARK THE FIRST TIME CHINA'S GOVERNMENT HAS ACKNOWLEDGED ITS FORCES HAVE OPENED FIRE AMID INCREASING ETHNIC VIOLENCE. TODAY, POLICE ARE BLOCKING ACCESS TO AREAS NEAR THE FATAL SHOOTINGS.