Today's News-Wednesday, July 8 2009

BIG HAUL

IT WASN’T YOUR ORDINARY BREAK IN AT THE NEW RINGGOLD MARKET EARLY TUESDAY. THIEVES GOT AWAY WITH AN ATM MACHINE. TWO WHITE MALES GAINED ENTRY BY SMASHING THE GLASS ON THE FRONT DOOR, AND REMOVED THE CASH MACHINE AND MONEY THEN FLED THE SCENE. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION SHOULD CALL FRACKVILLE TROOPERS AT 874-5300.

NEW RINGGOLD MAN HURT IN CRASH

A NEW RINGGOLD MAN WAS INJURED IN A MONDAY EVENING CRASH IN EAST BRUNSWICK TOWNSHIP. 22 YEAR OLD JEFFREY NEIFERT WAS TRAVELING EAST ON ROUTE 443 AND FAILED TO NEGOTIATE A LEFT CURVE, LEAVING THE ROAD AND STRIKING A UTILITY POLE. NEIFERT WAS AIRLIFTED TO LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL WHERE HE WAS TREATED AND RELEASED. THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES.

TRAVEL NOTE

WORK CONTINUES ON THE BRIDGE SPANNING THE SCHUYLKILL RIVER IN PORT CLINTON. HOWEVER, A NEW TRAFFIC PATTERN WILL BE IN EFFECT BEGINNING TODAY. PENNDOT SAYS THAT NORTHBOUND SINGLE LANE WILL TRAFFIC WILL BE SHIFTED BACK TO THE NORTHBOUND SIDE OF THE BRIDGE WHILE SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC REMAINS THE SAME, BUT SINGLE LANE CONDITIONS WILL REMAIN WHILE THE PROJECT IS COMPLETED IN FOUR TO SIX WEEKS.

NORTH SCHUYLKILL BOARD MOVING FORWARD

THE FIVE MEMBER NORTH SCHUYLKILL SCHOOL BOARD MADE SOME SMALL STRIDES AT TUESDAYS MEETING, INCLUDING THE APPOINTMENT OF AN INTERIM SOLICITOR. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THAT ATTORNEY JAMES CARAVAN OF SCHUYLKILL HAVEN WAS APPOINTED TO REPLACE MARK SEMANCHIK WHOSE CONTRACT RAN OUT AT THE END OF JUNE. BEFORE A FULL AUDIENCE, THE BOARD DISCUSSED THE PROPOSED RENOVATION PROJECT FOR THE ATHLETIC FIELD AND TRACK AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, BUT ONCE AGAIN, DID NOT VOTE TO PROCEED OR TURN IT DOWN. REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE BOARD IS CONCERNED THAT THE WORK COULD NOT BE COMPLETED IN TIME FOR THE FALL SPORTS SEASON. THE CONTRACTOR COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD BE DONE BASED ON FACTORS LIKE WEATHER OR OTHER CONTINGENCIES. FOUR OF THE FIVE DIRECTORS WERE APPOINTED BY A COUNTY JUDGE AFTER 8 OF THE NINE BOARD MEMBERS WERE REMOVED.

RENDELL SAYS NEARLY 800 LAYOFFS ARE IMPENDING

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - GOV. ED RENDELL SAYS STATE GOVERNMENT WILL LAY OFF CLOSE TO 800 EMPLOYEES BECAUSE OF SPENDING CUTS THAT ARE LIKELY. RENDELL SAID TUESDAY THAT PINK SLIPS WILL GO OUT WHEN HE AND THE LEGISLATURE AGREE ON A BUDGET, PERHAPS SOONER. RENDELL SAYS HE DEEPLY REGRETS THE LAYOFFS, BUT THAT HE HAS BEEN UNABLE TO PERSUADE LABOR UNIONS TO ALLOW ROLLING FURLOUGHS AS AN ALTERNATIVE. THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE ARE IN THE SEVENTH DAY OF A BUDGET IMPASSE OVER HOW TO DEAL WITH A MULTIBILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT. EGOTIATORS PICKED UP ANOTHER 72 MILLION DOLLARS IN POTENTIAL SAVINGS, BUT RENDELL IS RESIGNED TO THE FACT THAT THE CUTS WILL NOT BE ENOUGH:

RENDELL BUDGET

DURING THE IMPASSE, STATE GOVERNMENT IS UNABLE TO PAY MANY BILLS, INCLUDING THE PAYROLL FOR MUCH OF ITS 79,000-MEMBER WORK FORCE. RENDELL SAYS HE PLANS TO WRITE TO THE STATE'S LARGER VENDORS ASKING THEM TO CONTINUE PROVIDING SERVICES DURING THE IMPASSE.

BLOOD DONATIONS NEEDED

EVERY SECOND OF EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY HOUR SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEEDS BLOOD. IT NEVER TAKES A HOLIDAY…AND THAT’S WHY YOUR LIFE SAVING GIFT IS NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER. THE AMERICAN RED CROSS HAS TEAMED UP WITH WPPA AND T102 FOR THE “O WHAT A SUMMER” BLOOD DRIVE WITH CONVENIENT SITES AVAILABLE IN THE COUNTY TO GIVE BLOOD. TODAY, THE BLOODMOBILE STOPS AT ROLLER ROOST IN POTTSVILLE FROM 11:30AM TILL 6PM…TOMORROW AT JERUSALEM LUTHERAN CHURCH IN SCHUYLKILL HAVEN FROM NOON TILL 6PM AND SATURDAY FROM 10AM TILL 3PM AT FAIRLANE VILLAGE MALL. MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT NOW BY CALLING 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.

HOPKINS TO REMAIN IN JAIL

A CONVICTED ARSONIST WHO SET A FATAL FIRE IN 1990 IN MAHANOY CITY LOST HIS APPEAL AND MUST SPEND THE REST OF HIS LIFE IN PRISON. IN A 26 PAGE OPINION U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE JOHN JONES RULED THAT 57 YEAR OLD ELWOOD HOPKINS WAITED TOO LONG TO FILE HIS LATEST APPEAL, THE FIFTH CHALLENGE THE DEFENDANT HAS RAISED TO HIS CONVICTION. A COUNTY JURY CONVICTED HOPKINS ON NOVEMBER 14TH 1990 OF INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER AND ARSON RELATED CHARGES IN THE FIRE IN HIS APARTMENT THAT SPREAD TO AN ADJOINING PERSONAL CARE HOME, CLAIMING THE LIFE OF 88 YEAR OLD HARRY KRAUT.

BODIES UNEARTHED
PA. MAN FACES TRIAL IN 2003 ROBBERY
STROUDSBURG, PA. (AP) - A NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA MAN HAD AS MANY AS 12 SETS OF HUMAN REMAINS BURIED ON HIS PROPERTY IS TO GO TO TRIAL TODAY ON KIDNAPPING AND ROBBERY CHARGES. THE TRIAL IN MONROE COUNTY IS OVER A HOME INVASION ROBBERY THAT 35-YEAR-OLD HUGO SELENSKI IS ACCUSED OF COMMITTING IN 2003. SELENSKI IS ALSO CHARGED WITH MURDER IN LUZERNE COUNTY, WHERE HE LIVES. HE IS ACCUSED OF KILLING MICHAEL KERKOWSKI AND TAMMY FASSETT, WHOSE REMAINS WERE FOUND BURIED ON HIS KINGSTON TOWNSHIP PROPERTY IN 2003. PROSECUTORS SAY FLEX TIES AND DUCT TAPE USED IN THE MONROE COUNTY ROBBERY ARE SIMILAR TO THE TIES AND TAPE USED ON KERKOWSKI AND FASSETT. SELENSKI WAS ACQUITTED IN 2006 OF KILLING TWO SUSPECTED DRUG DEALERS WHOSE BODIES ALSO WERE FOUND ON THE PROPERTY.

1991 MURDER
JURY TO DELIBERATE 3RD DAY IN 1991 PA. SLAYING
ERIE, PA. (AP) - A JURY IN NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA IS TO RESUME DELIBERATIONS WEDNESDAY IN THE TRIAL OF TWO BROTHERS ACCUSED OF KILLING A WOMAN IN A CRACK HOUSE IN 1991. THE ERIE COUNTY JURY WAS UNABLE TO REACH A DECISION MONDAY OR TUESDAY IN THE TRIAL OF 55-YEAR-OLD THOMAS JORDAN, A CONVICTED RAPIST, AND 50-YEAR-OLD TAMMY JORDAN, BOTH OF ERIE. THEY DENY KILLING 23-YEAR-OLD SABRINA KOWAL IN A DISPUTE OVER DRUGS AND MONEY. KOWAL'S NAKED, BATTERED BODY WAS DUMPED ON A BACK ROAD IN SUMMIT TOWNSHIP, AN ERIE SUBURB.

SENATOR INVESTIGATION-TRIAL
FUMO'S LAWYERS CITE HEALTH WOES IN BID FOR SHORTER SENTENCE
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - LAWYERS FOR FORMER STATE SEN. VINCENT FUMO SAY THE SENTENCE PROSECUTORS ARE SEEKING FOR HIS FRAUD CONVICTIONS WOULD MEAN THE PHILADELPHIA DEMOCRAT WILL DIE IN PRISON. PROSECUTORS SAY SENTENCING GUIDELINES CALL FOR 21 TO 27 YEARS. FUMO IS 66 YEARS OLD NOW AND HIS LAWYERS NOTE HE'S BATTLING HEART PROBLEMS, DIABETES AND OTHER HEALTH WOES. PROSECUTORS, THOUGH, SAY FUMO'S HEALTH PROBLEMS ARE HARDLY EXCEPTIONAL AND CAN BE MANAGED IN PRISON. FUMO'S LAWYERS ARE SET TO CHALLENGE THE PRE-SENTENCE REPORT AT A HEARING ON WEDNESDAY.

MOTHER-SON SLAYINGS
PA. MAN SOUGHT IN SLAYINGS OF GIRLFRIEND, CHILD
EFFORT, PA. (AP) - POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR A NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA MAN THEY SAY KILLED HIS GIRLFRIEND AND THEIR SON IN THEIR APARTMENT. POLICE SAY 23-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL JOHN PARRISH OF EFFORT FATALLY SHOT 21-YEAR-OLD VICTORIA MARIE ADAMS AND 2-YEAR-OLD SIDNEY MICHAEL PARRISH LATE MONDAY NIGHT. POLICE SAID HE REMAINED AT LARGE LATE TUESDAY NIGHT AND WAS BELIEVED TO BE CARRYING GUNS.

LEGISLATIVE BONUSES
PA. LEGISLATIVE BONUS TRIAL DELAYED UNTIL JANUARY
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - ELEVEN PEOPLE CHARGED WITH DIVERTING PENNSYLVANIA STATE RESOURCES TO HELP HOUSE DEMOCRATS WIN CAMPAIGNS WILL GO TO TRIAL IN JANUARY. THE TRIAL IS TO COME EXACTLY THREE YEARS AFTER NEWS FIRST BROKE THAT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN BONUSES WERE DOLED OUT TO LEGISLATIVE AIDES. A 12TH PERSON, FORMER STATE REP. SEAN RAMALEY, GOES TO TRIAL IN SEPTEMBER. THE BEAVER COUNTY DEMOCRAT IS ACCUSED OF HOLDING ON CHARGES THAT HE HELD A LEGISLATIVE JOB THAT FEATURED FEW RESPONSIBILITIES SO HE COULD SPEND HIS TIME CAMPAIGNING. DAUPHIN COUNTY JUDGE RICHARD LEWIS ANNOUNCED THE NEW TRIAL SCHEDULE TUESDAY AFTER A DAYLONG HEARING. LEWIS DIDN'T RULE ON WHETHER THE DEFENDANTS WILL BE ALLOWED TO CALL TO THE STAND 17 STATE REPRESENTATIVES AND 29 GENERAL ASSEMBLY EMPLOYEES WHO WERE SUBPOENAED LAST WEEK. THE DEFENSE SAYS THOSE WITNESSES CAN PROVE CLAIMS OF SELECTIVE PROSECUTION AND
PROSECUTORIAL MISCONDUCT.

PENNSYLVANIA-SENATE
SPECTER MAY FACE 3-WAY NOMINATION CONTEST IN 2010
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - SEN. ARLEN SPECTER MAY HAVE ENDORSEMENTS
FROM TOP LEADERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, BUT IT APPEARS LIKELY HE'LL FACE COMPETITION FOR HIS NEW PARTY'S NOMINATION WHEN HE SEEKS RE-ELECTION IN 2010. U.S. REP. JOE SESTAK, A RETIRED NAVY VICE ADMIRAL FROM THE PHILADELPHIA SUBURBS, AND STATE REP. BILL KORTZ, A FORMER U.S. STEEL CORP. MANAGER FROM THE PITTSBURGH AREA, BOTH SAY THEY PLAN TO CHALLENGE THE FIFTH-TERM SENATOR. NEITHER MAN HAS FORMED A CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE TO RAISE MONEY FOR THAT PURPOSE YET. SPECTER, A LONGTIME REPUBLICAN, DEFECTED TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN APRIL, SAYING THE PENNSYLVANIA GOP HAD GROWN TOO CONSERVATIVE FOR HIM TO WIN NEXT YEAR'S PRIMARY. HIS DEMOCRATIC SUPPORTERS INCLUDE PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AND GOV. ED RENDELL.

SLOTS CONTRIBUTIONS
PA. SENATE OKS BILL ON TOUGHER GAMBLING REGULATION
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - LEGISLATION TO TOUGHEN ANTI-CORRUPTION MEASURES AROUND PENNSYLVANIA'S GAMBLING INDUSTRY IS HEADED TO THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THE SENATE APPROVED THE BILL TUESDAY IN A NEAR UNANIMOUS VOTE, 47-1. ITS PROSPECTS ARE UNCERTAIN IN THE HOUSE, WHERE LEADERS SAY THEY WILL LOOK IT OVER WHEN IT ARRIVES. A KEY PROVISION OF THE BILL WOULD REINSTATE A BAN ON CASH CONTRIBUTIONS TO POLITICAL CAUSES BY GAMBLING INDUSTRY EXECUTIVES AND INVESTORS. IN APRIL, THE STATE SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN A FIVE-YEAR-OLD BAN, SAYING A COMPLETE PROHIBITION ON CONTRIBUTIONS WENT FARTHER IN PRACTICE THAN CALLED FOR BY THE 2004 LAW. THE BILL ALSO WOULD TOUGHEN THE PENNSYLVANIA GAMING CONTROL BOARD'S "REVOLVING DOOR" POLICY TO REQUIRE TOP AND MIDLEVEL EMPLOYEES TO WAIT TWO YEARS, INSTEAD OF JUST ONE, BEFORE WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY.

ROME (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAS ARRIVED IN ITALY WHERE HE'LL ENGAGE IN TALKS WITH OTHER WORLD LEADERS ON CLIMATE CHANGE, THE ECONOMY AND IRAN. THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS LEADERS AT THE G-8 WILL "EXCHANGE VIEWS" ON THE ECONOMY, BUT DON'T EXPECT CONCRETE MEASURES TO COME FROM THE MEETINGS.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (AP) - COULD NORTH KOREAN HACKERS BE BEHIND
SUSPECTED CYBER ATTACKS THAT HAVE PARALYZED SOUTH KOREAN AND U.S. GOVERNMENT WEB SITES? SOUTH KOREA'S YONHAP NEWS AGENCY SAYS MILITARY INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS ARE LOOKING INTO THE POSSIBILITY. SOUTH KOREAN OFFICIALS SAYS THE PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED IN THE U.S. AND SOUTH KOREA DO APPEAR TO BE LINKED.

URUMQI, CHINA (AP) - PARAMILITARY POLICE ARE GUARDING ROADS LEADING INTO UIGHUR (WEE'-GUR) NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE MAIN CITY OF WESTERN CHINA'S XINJIANG (SHIN-JAHNG) TERRITORY. STREET BATTLES BETWEEN THE MINORITY UIGHURS AND HAN CHINESE HAVE LEFT 156 DEAD.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A CONGRESSIONAL REPORT SAY THERE ARE GAPS IN SECURITY AT FEDERAL BUILDINGS AROUND THE COUNTRY. THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE SAYS INVESTIGATORS CARRIED BOMB-MAKING MATERIALS PAST SECURITY AT 10 FEDERAL BUILDINGS. THE REPORT ALSO SAYS THE INVESTIGATORS WERE ABLE CONSTRUCT EXPLOSIVE DEVICES ONCE INSIDE THE BUILDINGS.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON IS RUNNING UP AGAINST REPUBLICAN OPPOSITION IN THE HOUSE. AT YESTERDAY'S PUBLIC MEMORIAL SERVICE, TEXAS DEMOCRAT SHEILA JACKSON LEE PLEDGED TO PASS A HOUSE RESOLUTION TO HONOR THE POP STAR. BUT, GOP REP. PETER KING SAYS JACKSON IS A "PERVERT" AND HE'LL DO "WHATEVER" HE HAS TO TO OPPOSE THE LEGISLATION.