Today's News-Monday, August 31, 2009

TWO DIE IN CRASH

A BALTIMORE POLICE OFFICER LOST CONTROL OF HIS PICKUP TRUCK DURING A SUDDEN DOWNPOUR ON INTERSTATE 81 IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, LEADING TO A CRASH THAT KILLED HIS SON AND HIS SON'S GIRLFRIEND. FORTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL JONES SR. HAS BEEN AIRLIFTED TO MARYLAND SHOCK TRAUMA CENTER, WHERE HE'S LISTED IN SERIOUS CONDITION. BALTIMORE POLICE SPOKESMAN ANTHONY GUGLIELMI SAYS JONES WAS DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ALONG INTERSTATE 81 IN TREMONT TOWNSHIP SHORTLY AFTER 6 P.M. SATURDAY WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK IN BAD WEATHER. GUGLIELMI SAYS THE VEHICLE OVERTURNED, WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND HIT A TREE. JONES' SON, 18-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL JONES JR., WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE HOSPITAL. HIS SON'S GIRLFRIEND, 19-YEAR-OLD SHANIQUA TUCKER, WAS KILLED INSTANTLY.

ROBBERY
A DISGUISED MAN ROBBED A TREMONT CONVENIENCE STORE EARLY TODAY. STATE POLICE REPORT THAT THE LONE BANDIT ENTERED KREISER'S QUICK STOP ON TREMONT STREET BEFORE 1AM AND DEMANDED CASH FROM THE CLERK. LESS THAN $100-DOLLARS WAS TAKEN. THE WHITE MALE IS DESCRIBED AS BEING 20 TO 25 YEARS OLD, ABOUT 5 FEET 9 INCHES TALL AND WORE A HOODED SWEATSHIRT. THE VEHICLE HE WAS DRIVING WAS APPARENTLY A DARK COLORED IMPORT . SCHUYLKILL HAVEN STATE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING.

HOME BURGLARIZED
A BARRY TOWNSHIP HOME WAS BURGLARIZED OVER THE WEEKEND. SOMEONE ENTERED THERESA CHIESA'S HOME ON HALL DRIVE AND TOOK COINS, CASH AND A BULOVA WATCH, ALL VALUED AT MORE THAN $75-HUNDRED DOLLARS. CALL SCHUYLKILL HAVEN STATE POLICE IF YOU CAN AID IN THE INVESTIGATION.

ASSAULT IN SHENANDOAH
FRACKVILLE STATE POLICE HAVE CHARGED A SHENANDOAH MAN WITH AGGRAVATED ASSAULT. DURING AN ARGUMENT WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND, JOHN BLASE STRUCK HER AND STABBED HER WITH A SCREWDRIVER. THE UNIDENTIFIED VICTIM WAS TREATED AT ST CATHERINE'S MEDICAL CENTER FOR PUNCTURE WOUNDS, THEN RELEASED. TROOPERS CHARGED BLASE WITH AGGRAVATED AND SIMPLE ASSAULT AND HARRASSMENT AND TAKEN TO SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON IN LIEU OF $10 THOUSAND DOLLARS BAIL.

ATV STOLEN
A WEST MAHANOY TOWNSHIP MAN'S HOME WAS BROKEN INTO EARLY SATURDAY. SOMEONE FORCIBLY ENTERED THE GARAGE OF KEVIN GRAFF OF LOST CREEK AND TOOK AN ATV WORTH $35-HUNDRED DOLLARS. THE VEHICLE WAS YELLOW IN COLOR. TROOPERS FROM FRACKVILLE ARE CONTINUING THEIR INVESTIGATION.


LOU PAPARAZO'S STAUDACHER LOU'S AWARD FROM F.A.A.

LOU PAPARAZO FLIES FOR 50 YEARS
LEARNING TO FLY A PLANE IS NO SMALL FEAT. BUT FOR A POTTSVILLE BUSINESSMAN, ITS BEEN PART OF HIS LIFE FOR 50 YEARS. LOU PAPARAZO, OWNER OF POTTSVILLE PIZZERIA, WAS HONORED RECENTLY BY THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION FOR TAKING TO THE SKIES FOR HALF A CENTURY. PAPARAZO DOESN'T JUST FLY YOUR RUN OF THE MILL PLANE…HE IS AN ACCOMPLISHED AEROBATIC PILOT, AND THE 350 HORSEPOWER STUNT PLANE HE FLIES WAS BUILT FOR A HOLLYWOOD ICON:

PAPARAZO

SO IF YOU LOOK TO THE SKIES OVER JOE ZERBEY AIRPORT AND SEE A SMALL WHITE AND GREEN PLANE DOING STUNTS IN THE AIR, ITS PROBABLY LOU PAPARAZO. JAY LEVAN'S INTERVIEW WITH LOU PAPARAZO WILL AIR ON STEP UP TO THE MIC THIS MORNING ON WPPA.

FIRE ESCAPE FALL
1 KILLED, 1 INJURED IN PHILLY FIRE ESCAPE FALL
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A MAN IS DEAD AND A WOMAN IS CRITICALLY INJURED AFTER THEY FELL FOUR STORIES FROM A DOWNTOWN PHILADELPHIA FIRE ESCAPE. POLICE SAY THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED AT AN APARTMENT IN THE CITY'S UPSCALE RITTENHOUSE SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD AROUND 3 A.M. SUNDAY. INVESTIGATORS SAY THE TWO FELL AFTER A RAILING THAT THEY WERE LEANING ON GAVE WAY. THE 25-YEAR-OLD MAN WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. THE WOMAN IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION AT A DOWNTOWN HOSPITAL. CITY INSPECTORS ARE INVESTIGATING WHAT CAUSED THE RAILING TO GIVE WAY. OFFICIALS SAY A POPULAR BELGIAN RESTAURANT BELOW THE APARTMENT, MONK'S CAFE, WILL BE CLOSED WHILE THE BUILDING'S OWNER CORRECTS STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS. RESIDENTS OF OTHER APARTMENTS IN THE BUILDING ALSO ARE BEING MOVED ELSEWHERE.

SENATOR INVESTIGATION-TRIAL
FORMER PA. STATE SENATOR HEADED TO PRISON MONDAY
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A FORMER PENNSYLVANIA STATE SENATOR CONVICTED ON FRAUD CHARGES IS SCHEDULED TO REPORT TO FEDERAL PRISON IN KENTUCKY TODAY. SIXTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD VINCENT FUMO HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO 4 1/2 YEARS IN PRISON FOR DEFRAUDING THE SENATE AND TWO NONPROFITS OF SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS. FUMO IS SET TO REPORT TO A LOW-SECURITY PRISON IN ASHLAND, KY. THE 66-YEAR-OLD FUMO WAS A WEALTHY DEMOCRATIC POWER BROKER DURING A 30-YEAR STATE SENATE CAREER. HE WAS CONVICTED IN MARCH OF DEFRAUDING THE STATE SENATE, A SOUTH PHILADELPHIA NONPROFIT AND A SEAPORT MUSEUM OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. IN JULY, HE WAS SENTENCED TO 55 MONTHS IN PRISON. THE SENTENCE WAS WELL UNDER THE GUIDELINE RANGE OF ABOUT 10 TO 12 YEARS.

PITTSBURGH POLICE SHOOTING
UNDERCOVER PITTSBURGH OFFICERS SHOOT MAN IN LEG
PITTSBURGH (AP) - AUTHORITIES SAY UNDERCOVER NARCOTICS OFFICERS IN PITTSBURGH SHOT A SUSPECT IN THE LEG AFTER HE TRIED TO ROB THEM DURING A DRUG PURCHASE. POLICE SAY 29-YEAR-OLD OMAR PRYOR POINTED A GUN AT THE HEAD OF ONE OF THE OFFICERS AND TRIED TO ROB HIM AROUND 8:40 P.M. SATURDAY. THE DETECTIVE BACKED AWAY AND THEN TOLD THE MAN HE WAS UNDER ARREST. POLICE SAY PRYOR OPENED FIRE; THE OFFICERS SHOT BACK, HITTING HIM IN THE LEG. PRYOR WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND FIREARMS VIOLATIONS. POLICE SAY A SECOND MAN WHO HAD ARRANGED FOR THE DRUG BUY WAS ALSO ARRESTED. AUTHORITIES SAY THAT 22-YEAR-OLD ANTHONY DAVIS IS CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT ROBBERY. BOTH OFFICERS ARE ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE PENDING AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION.

SMALL PLANE CRASH
POLICE: 1 KILLED IN SMALL PLANE CRASH IN PA.
EFFORT, PA. (AP) - STATE POLICE SAY ONE PERSON HAS BEEN KILLED IN A SMALL PLANE CRASH IN THE POCONOS. TROOPER BRYON DICKSON SAYS THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED SUNDAY MORNING NEAR A SMALL AIRPORT IN CHESTNUTHILL TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY. THE PLANE CRASHED BEHIND A HOME NEAR THE PEGASUS AIR PARK. DICKSON SAYS THE CALL CAME IN SHORTLY BEFORE 10 A.M. HE SAYS POLICE BELIEVE THE PLANE WAS SOME KIND OF EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT AND THAT IT APPEARED TO BE A ONE-SEATER. THE FEDERAL AVIATION DMINISTRATION IS HEADING TO THE SCENE TO INVESTIGATE.

TOM RIDGE-BOOK
RIDGE: NO PRESSURE TO RAISE TERROR ALERT LEVEL
ERIE, PA. (AP) - FORMER HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY TOM RIDGE SAYS HE DIDN'T FEEL "PRESSURE" FROM THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION TO RAISE THE TERROR ALERT LEVEL BEFORE THE 2004 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. RIDGE TELLS THE ERIE TIME-NEWS THAT, INSTEAD, OFFICIALS "EXPRESSED AN OPINION" DIFFERENT FROM HIS. RIDGE HAS A NEW BOOK COMING OUT TUESDAY, CALLED "THE TEST OF OUR TIMES: AMERICA UNDER SIEGE ... AND HOW WE CAN BE SAFE AGAIN." RIDGE IS A FORMER PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR FROM ERIE. HE TOLD THE NEWSPAPER THAT THE BOOK IS BOTH A HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE FLEDGLING DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND A CAUTION FOR THE FUTURE.

STATE BUDGET HOLDOUTS
PENNSYLVANIA AND CONNECTICUT STATE BUDGETS STILL IN LIMBO
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA AND CONNECTICUT ARE THE ONLY TWO STATES STILL WORKING ON THEIR STATE BUDGETS AMID PLUMMETING STATE REVENUES. CONNECTICUT'S REVENUE FLOW HAS DROPPED BY $2 BILLION FROM LAST YEAR WHILE PENNSYLVANIA'S CAME IN $3.3 BILLION LESS THAN EXPECTED. MEANWHILE, STATES SUCH AS CALIFORNIA, ARIZONA, ILLINOIS, VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND ARE ALREADY REVISITING OR ARE LIKELY TO REVISIT THEIR BUDGETS SO THEY CAN ADJUST THEM TO NEWER, LOWER REVENUE FIGURES. SCOTT PATTISON, OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE BUDGET OFFICERS, SAYS THE PROBLEM LIES IN THE SEVERE RECESSION. HE SAYS LESS MONEY MEANS LAWMAKERS HAVE TO MAKE VERY DIFFICULT POLITICAL CHOICES.

MAYOR-THEFT CHARGES
SUBURBAN PHILLY MAYOR RESIGNS AMID THEFT CHARGES
GLENOLDEN, PA. (AP) - THE MAYOR OF A SMALL PHILADELPHIA SUBURB HAS RESIGNED AMID CHARGES THAT HE STOLE MORE THAN $78,000 FROM CUSTOMERS AT A FUNERAL HOME HE OWNED. GLENOLDEN OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED THE RESIGNATION OF 68-YEAR-OLD THEODORE BATHURST ON FRIDAY. HE HAD BEEN MAYOR SINCE 1994. DELAWARE COUNTY PROSECUTORS SAY BATHURST DEFRAUDED CUSTOMERS OVER A NINE-YEAR PERIOD. AUTHORITIES SAY HE PAID OPERATING EXPENSES USING MONEY FROM A FUND CUSTOMERS COULD PAY INTO IN ADVANCE. HE FACES CHARGES INCLUDING THEFT BY DECEPTION AND RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY. BATHURST SOLD THE FUNERAL HOME IN 2007. THE CURRENT OWNER SAYS SHE DISCOVERED THAT MONEY WAS MISSING WHEN SHE TRIED TO ACCESS THE ESCROW ACCOUNT OF A CLIENT IN MARCH 2008. AFTER HIS AUG. 21 ARRAIGNMENT, BATHURST SAID HE WAS SORRY BUT WOULD NOT SAY WHETHER HE WOULD STEP DOWN AS MAYOR.

LITTLE LEAGUE-BIDEN
BIDEN HONORED AT LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, PA. (AP) - VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN FONDLY RECALLED PLAYING YOUTH BASEBALL IN PENNSYLVANIA WHILE BEING HONORED AT THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES. BIDEN WAS ENSHRINED INTO LITTLE LEAGUE'S HALL OF EXCELLENCE BEFORE SUNDAY'S TITLE GAME BETWEEN CALIFORNIA AND TAIWAN. ACCOMPANIED BY THREE GRANDDAUGHTERS, BIDEN TOLD THE CROWD HE STARTED OUT IN LITTLE LEAGUE AS AN 8-YEAR-OLD PLAYING SHORTSTOP FOR THE GREEN RIDGE LITTLE LEAGUE IN SCRANTON BEFORE MOVING TO CENTER FIELD. BIDEN JOKED THAT IF HE WAS GIVEN THE CHOICE AS A CHILD TO PITCH IN THE WORLD SERIES OR BE VICE PRESIDENT, HE WOULD PICK THE WORLD SERIES. SPORTING A LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES HAT, BIDEN THEN SIGNED A FEW AUTOGRAPHS.

LITTLE LEAGUE
CALIFORNIA BEATS TAIWAN, TAKES LITTLE LEAGUE WS
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, PA. (AP) - CALIFORNIA CAME UP BIG LATE TO WIN THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES. BULLA GRAFT'S SINGLE SCORED THE GO-AHEAD RUN IN THE FOURTH INNING AND CHULA VISTA RALLIED TO DEFEAT TAOYUAN, TAIWAN, 6-3 ON SUNDAY TO TAKE THE LITTLE LEAGUE CROWN. KIKO GARCIA PITCHED THREE-PLUS SCORELESS INNINGS OF RELIEF TO SETTLE DOWN A CALIFORNIA TEAM THAT FELL BEHIND 3-0 EARLY. CALIFORNIA SCORED A RUN IN THE THIRD BEFORE SURGING AHEAD IN THE FOURTH. CALIFORNIA TIED IT ON A SACRIFICE FLY AND WILD PITCH BEFORE GRAFT'S SINGLE WITH TWO OUTS SCORED ANDY RIOS FOR A 4-3 LEAD. GARCIA GOT YU CHIEH KAO TO STRIKE OUT TO END THE GAME. THE UNITED STATES HAS WON FIVE STRAIGHT TITLES.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - CALIFORNIA GOV. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER SAYS "OUR HEARTS ARE HEAVY" FOLLOWING THE DEATHS OF TWO LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS. THEY WERE KILLED SUNDAY WHEN THEIR VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN A MOUNTAINSIDE. FIRE CREWS ARE BATTLING A WILDFIRE THAT'S THREATENING 12,000 HOMES.

CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO (AP) - BAJA CALIFORNIA IS BRACING FOR THE POSSIBLE ARRIVAL OF HURRICANE JIMENA BY TOMORROW EVENING. JIMENA IS NOW A DANGEROUS CATEGORY 4 STORM WITH TOP SUSTAINED WINDS OF 145 MPH. RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN STOCKING UP ON FOOD AND AUTHORITIES SET UP SHELTERS.

PORT ARANSAS, TEXAS (AP) - THREE TEXAS BOATERS MISSING FOR A WEEK IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ARE BACK WITH THEIR FAMILIES. THE COAST GUARD SAYS THEY WERE FOUND SITTING ON TOP OF THEIR CAPSIZED CATAMARAN 180 MILES FROM LAND. THE THREE WERE REPORTED MISSING AUG. 22 AFTER THEY FAILED TO RETURN FROM A FISHING TRIP.

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. (AP) - SPACE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY IS NOW DOCKED AT THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION, WITH A FULL LOAD OF GEAR AND SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS. ONE OF THE ITEMS IS A TREADMILL NAMED FOR COMEDY CENTRAL'S STEPHEN COLBERT.

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, PA. (AP) - CALIFORNIA CAME FROM BEHIND TO WIN THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP. CALIFORNIA DEFEATED THE TEAM FROM TAIWAN 6-3 TO CLAIM THE TITLE. IT'S THE FIFTH STRAIGHT LITTLE LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE UNITED STATES.

Today's News-Saturday, August 29 2009

ARSON IN HEGINS

STATE POLICE INVESTIGATORS HAVE RULED A FIRE IN HEGINS ARSON. THE BLAZE BROKE OUT EARLY FRIDAY AT A VACANT BUILDING ON VALLEY ROAD. THE PROPERTY IS OWNED BY DENNIS AND RICHARD KLOUSER OF REINHOLDS. FIRE MARSHAL JOHN BURNS SAYS THE BLAZE WAS INTENTIONALLY SET, CAUSING $5-THOUSAND DOLLARS IN DAMAGES. THE PROPERTY WAS TORCHED EARLIER THIS YEAR. THE INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING. BURNS ALSO REPORTS THAT SEVERAL OTHER SUSPICIOUS FIRES, INCLUDING BRUSH FIRES, HAVE BURNED IN THE HEGINS VALLEY THIS YEAR. THE INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING.

POTTSVILLE WOMAN ESCAPES INJURY IN CRASH

A POTTSVILLE WOMAN ESCAPED SERIOUS INJURY IN A CRASH ON GLENWORTH ROAD IN NORTH MANHEIM TOWNSHIP FRIDAY AFTERNOON. 34 YEAR OLD SANDRA RIVERA LOST CONTROL AND HER CAR WENT BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE ROAD, SPINNING 90 DEGREES AND ROLLED OVER ON ITS SIDE. A 13 YEAR OLD BOY, A PASSENGER, HAD MINOR ARM AND HAND INJURIES.

PARADE OF NATIONS IN SHENANDOAH

THE 10TH ANNUAL PARADE OF NATIONS STEPS OFF IN SHENANDOAH TODAY AT 10AM, CELEBRATING MANY ETHNICITIES THAT HAVE MADE OUR AREA HOME. IN ADDITION, HERITAGE DAY, COMPLETE WITH FOOD, GAMES AND OTHER EVENTS WILL DOT THE STREETS OF THE NORTHERN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY BOROUGH THROUGHOUT THE DAY. SHENANDOAH NATIVE ELEANOR ORAVITZ WILL SERVE AS PARADE GRAND MARSHAL. THE 11TH HERITAGE DAY WILL FEATURE 20 DIFFERENT NATIONS, AND IS SURE TO BE AN EDUCATIONAL AND FUN DAY FOR ALL.

FIREMENS CONVENTION TODAY IN TAMAQUA

VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS ARE THE BACKBONE OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY’S EMERGENCY RESPONDERS. TODAY IN TAMAQUA, OVER 200 PIECES OF APPARATUS AND 19 MARCHING BANDS WILL FILL THE STREETS AT THE 55TH ANNUAL FIREMEN’S CONVENTION. THE PARADE STEPS OFF IN TAMAQUA THIS AFTERNOON AT 1PM.

BOONE PARK DEDICATION

THERE ARE MANY FAMOUS PEOPLE IN HISTORY WHO HAVE CALLED SCHUYLKILL COUNTY HOME. ONE IS BEING CELEBRATED TODAY WITH THE DEDICATION OF THE ADMIRAL JOEL T. BOONE PARK. BORN 120 YEARS AGO TODAY IN ST CLAIR, BOONE WAS TRAINED AS A DOCTOR AND SERVED VALIANTLY ON THE BATTLEFIELDS OF WORLD WAR ONE, EARNING HIM THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR. HE WENT ON TO BECOME PERSONAL PHYSICIAN TO THREE U.S. PRESIDENTS. THE BOROUGH OF ST CLAIR AND THE ST CLAIR HISTORICAL SOCIETY HAVE SPENT THE LAST 5 YEARS RAISING NEARLY $70 THOUSAND DOLLARS TO BUILD A PARK IN ADMIRAL BOONE'S MEMORY. VAL DAVIS, BOROUGH COUNCILWOMAN, SAYS ITS SO IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER OUR NATIVE SONS:

DAVIS BOONE

A U.S. NAVY FRIGATE AND A HEALTHCARE CLINIC AT LITTLE CREEK NAVAL BASE IN NORFOLK, VIRGINIA BEAR HIS NAME. THE DEDICATION AT THE PARK ON THIRD STREET IN ST. CLAIR BEGINS AT 1PM.

ALLENTOWN, PA. (AP) - THE STATE SUPREME COURT HAS ORDERED A NEW COMPETENCY HEARING FOR A MAN WHO KILLED 13 PEOPLE IN A 1982 SHOOTING RAMPAGE IN NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. THE HIGH COURT SET ASIDE A JUDGE'S RULING THAT GEORGE BANKS IS TOO MENTALLY ILL TO BE EXECUTED.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A SHORT-LIVED BAN ON ASSAULT WEAPONS IN PITTSBURGH MAY GET NEW LIFE UNDER LEGISLATION DRIVEN BY NEXT MONTH'S GROUP OF TWENTY SUMMIT. THE BAN WAS QUASHED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE IN 1994 BUT IT'S STILL ON THE CITY'S BOOKS. A PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO KEEP PROTESTERS FROM THWARTING POLICE CROWD CONTROL MENTIONS THE DEFUNCT ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - RITE AID CORP. FOUNDER ALEX GRASS HAS DIED AT AGE 82. GRASS DIED THURSDAY IN HARRISBURG AFTER A 10-YEAR BATTLE WITH LUNG CANCER. HE HELPED BUILD RITE AID INTO ONE OF THE NATION'S LARGEST DRUGSTORE CHAINS AND WAS A PHILANTHROPIST WHO GAVE TO CIVIC, HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA AUDITOR GENERAL JACK WAGNER IS STILL FIGHTING A PROPOSED DEAL TO SELL THE STATE OFFICE BUILDING IN PITTSBURGH TO A DEVELOPER FOR $4.6 MILLION. WAGNER SAYS IT WILL COST TAXPAYERS $55 MILLION FOR 30-YEAR LEASES TO MOVE ABOUT 800 WORKERS INTO OTHER OFFICE SPACE IN THE CITY.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - GAMBLING REGULATORS HAVE APPROVED A 21-MONTH EXTENSION FOR THE PLANNED FOXWOODS SLOT-MACHINE CASINO ALONG THE DELAWARE RIVER IN SOUTH PHILADELPHIA. STATE GAMING CONTROL BOARD CHAIRMAN GREGORY FAJT (FITE) WARNED FOXWOODS OFFICIALS BEFORE THE VOTE TO STOP ANY FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF ALTERNATIVE SITES.

BOSTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA WILL DELIVER THE EULOGY FOR SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY AT A FUNERAL MASS THIS MORNING IN BOSTON. JOINING OBAMA AND NEARLY 1,500 OTHER INVITEES AT OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP BASILICA WILL BE FORMER PRESIDENTS GEORGE W. BUSH, BILL CLINTON AND JIMMY CARTER.

BOSTON (AP) - FOR MORE THAN THREE HOURS LAST NIGHT, FRIENDS AND POLITICAL COLLEAGUES OF ALL STRIPES REMEMBERED TED KENNEDY IN "A
CELEBRATION OF LIFE." THEY GATHERED AT THE JFK PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY IN BOSTON TO RECALL TED KENNEDY'S DEEP PASSION FOR HIS FAMILY AND COUNTRY.

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. (AP) - NASA SAYS IT APPEARS NO FOAM FLEW OFF THE FUEL TANK DURING THE LAUNCH OF SHUTTLE DISCOVERY LAST NIGHT. DISCOVERY IS CARRYING SEVEN ASTRONAUTS AND 17,000 POUNDS OF EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES TO THE SPACE STATION. IT SHOULD ARRIVE TOMORROW.

MIAMI (AP) - THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER SAYS DANNY HAS BEEN DOWNGRADED FROM A TROPICAL STORM TO A TROPICAL DEPRESSION BUT IS
STILL EXPECTED TO PRODUCE A WEEKEND OF DANGEROUS SURF ON THE EAST
COAST. IN THE PACIFIC, TROPICAL STORM JIMENA HAS FORMED SOUTH OF MEXICO. IT HAS MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS NEAR 40 MPH.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CORONER SAYS MICHAEL JACKSON'S DEATH WAS A HOMICIDE PRIMARILY CAUSED BY TWO DRUGS. THE CORONER SAYS THE CAUSE OF DEATH WAS ACUTE INTOXICATION FROM THE ANESTHETIC PROPOFOL BUT THAT OTHER SEDATIVES CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEATH.

Today's News-Friday, August 28 2009

ATTEMPTED BANK HEIST

AUTHORITIES ARE LOOKING FOR A WOMAN WHO ATTEMPTED A BANK ROBBERY IN OUR AREA YESTERDAY. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AT THE M&T BANK BRANCH IN FRACKVILLE WHERE REPORTS SAY THE HEAVYSET WOMAN WALKED INTO THE OFFICE BEFORE 5PM, AND HANDED THE TELLER A NOTE DEMANDING MONEY WITH NO DYE PACKS. THE NOTE ALSO REPORTEDLY SAID THERE WAS AN EXPLOSIVE DEVICE AROUND. NO MONEY WAS TAKEN, BUT THE WOMAN TOOK THE NOTE AND FLED ON FOOT. THE WOULD BE ROBBER IS DESCRIBED AS A WHITE FEMALE, BELIEVED TO BE IN HER 30'S, 5 FEET 6 TO 5 FEET 8 INCHES TALL, BETWEEN 160 AND 180 POUNDS. SHE WAS WEARING JEANS, A MAROON SHIRT, BANDANA AND SUNGLASSES. AN ALL OUT SEARCH BY POLICE DID NOT LOCATE HER, BUT THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING.

FUNDS TO KEEP WORKERS HERE

TWO SCHUYLKILL COUNTY LAWMAKERS PRESENTED GRANT MONIES TO HELP STUDENTS DEVELOP CAREER OPPORTUNITIES HERE. TIM SEIP AND NEAL GOODMAN PRESENTED THE $10-THOUSAND-DOLLAR CHECK TO THE NORTHEAST PA MANUFACTURERS AND EMPLOYERS COUNCIL TO HELP FUND A NUMBER OF PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE YOUR EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS PROGRAM, INTERNSHIP PLACEMENT AND CAREER FAIR PROGRAMS. THE MONIES HAD BEEN APPROPRIATED IN LAST YEAR’S STATE BUDGET ACCORDING TO THE LAWMAKERS.

TRAFFIC PATTERNS TO CHANGE AT JOHN S CLARKE ELEMENTARY

PARENTS AND STUDENTS AT POTTSVILLE’S JOHN S CLARKE ELEMENTARY WILL SEE NEW TRAFFIC PATTERNS AS CLASSES BEGIN MONDAY. POTTSVILLE POLICE LT. STEVE DURKIN TELLS US WHAT TO EXPECT:

DURKIN 1

A LACK OF PARKING IN THE BUS CIRCLE AREA CAUSED CONGESTION WITH PARENTS DROPPING OFF KIDS AND PREVENTED BUSSES FROM GETTING THROUGH. THAT CONGESTION CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH STUDENTS TRYING TO CROSS THE STREET. PARKING ON 16TH STREET IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL WILL BE LIMITED TO 10 MINUTES, BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8:15 AND 9:15AM.

BOONE PARK DEDICATION SATURDAY

AN AMERICAN HERO, A DOCTOR TO PRESIDENTS…AND BORN IN ST CLAIR. THAT WAS ADMIRAL JOEL T. BOONE, WHO WILL BE HONORED WITH THE DEDICATION OF A PARK TOMORROW. BOONE, BORN IN 1889, WENT TO WAR AS A FIELD DOCTOR IN WORLD WAR ONE, ACCORDING TO VAL DAVIS, BOROUGH COUNCILWOMAN AND AN ORGANIZER OF THE BOONE MEMORIAL PARK EFFORT:

DAVIS BOONE 1

AFTER THE WAR, ADMIRAL BOONE WENT ON TO SERVE AS PERSONAL PHYSICIAN TO SEVERAL PRESIDENTS AND DIRECTOR OF THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION. THE PROJECT COST NEARLY $70 THOUSAND DOLLARS, WITH GRANT MONIES, DONATIONS AND LOCAL FUNDRAISERS. BOONE PARK IS LOCATED ON THIRD STREET IN ST CLAIR, NEAR BOROUGH HALL. DEDICATION SERVICES WILL TAKE PLACE AT 1PM SATURDAY.

DOYLESTOWN, PA. (AP) - A SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA WOMAN ACCUSED OF FAKING AN ABDUCTION AND FLEEING TO DISNEY WORLD WITH HER 9-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER WILL SPEND NINE TO 23 MONTHS IN PRISON. BONNIE SWEETEN PLEADED GUILTY YESTERDAY TO IDENTITY THEFT AND MAKING FALSE REPORTS TO POLICE. A JUDGE CALLED SWEETEN A MANIPULATIVE, COLD-HEARTED WOMAN WHO MADE HER DAUGHTER A PAWN AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO FLEE A CRIMINAL PROBE.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS SAY THEY'RE ANGRY OVER THE LATEST BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS AND PLAN TO RESUME PUBLIC TALK. SPEAKER KEITH MCCALL AND MAJORITY LEADER TODD EACHUS SAID THAT SENATE REPUBLICANS UNDID WEEKS OF WORK BY OFFERING A PROPOSAL ABOUT A HALF-BILLION DOLLARS LESS THAN THE FIGURE THEY THOUGHT HAD BEEN AGREED TO.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - CONVICTED FORMER STATE SEN. VINCENT FUMO OF PHILADELPHIA HAS LOST A BID TO DELAY THE START OF HIS PRISON SENTENCE NEXT MONDAY.FUMO HAD ASKED THE 3RD U.S. CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS TO LET HIM REMAIN FREE ON BAIL WHILE HE APPEALS HIS 139-COUNT CONVICTION AND SENTENCE. BUT A TWO-JUDGE PANEL QUICKLY REJECTED THE REQUEST WITHOUT COMMENT

NEWPORT NEWS, VA. (AP) - A JUDGE IN VIRGINIA HAS APPROVED A PLAN FOR MICHAEL VICK TO REPAY $20 MILLION TO HIS CREDITORS AND EMERGE FROM BANKRUPTCY. THE JUDGE APPROVED THE PLAN YESTERDAY ON THE CONDITION THAT VICK RETAIN A PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNER TO MANAGE HIS FUTURE EARNINGS. THE PLAN WAS OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED IN A BALLOT OF CREDITORS.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - PHILADELPHIA ANIMAL LOVERS ARE TRYING TO TAKE THE SPOTLIGHT OFF MICHAEL VICK AND PUT IT ON DOGS IN NEED OF HOMES. THE PENNSYLVANIA S.P.C.A. HELD A TAILGATE PARTY OUTSIDE OF LAST NIGHT'S GAME WITH MORE THAN A DOZEN DOGS. THE EVENT WAS INTENDED TO RAISE AWARENESS OF DOGFIGHTING AND ENCOURAGE MORE PET ADOPTIONS.

BOSTON (AP) - MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO TOOK TIME OUT TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS TO SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY SAY THEY DID SO BECAUSE HE HAD MADE TIME FOR THEM AT SOME POINT DURING HIS 47 YEARS IN OFFICE. ABOUT 20,000 PEOPLE HAVE FILED PAST KENNEDY'S CLOSED CASKET AT THE JOHN F. KENNEDY PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM IN BOSTON.

WASHINGTON (AP) - TAPES REVEAL THAT PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON CONSIDERED TED KENNEDY SUCH A THREAT THAT HE TRIED TO CATCH KENNEDY CHEATING ON HIS WIFE, EVEN ORDERING AIDES TO RECRUIT SECRET SERVICE AGENTS TO SPILL SECRETS ON THE SENATOR'S BEHAVIOR. NIXON WANTED A SHARP AND PRIVATE EYE KEPT ON KENNEDY'S MOVEMENTS AFTER THE CHAPPAQUIDDICK SCANDAL.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - WILDFIRES ARE CHEWING THROUGH TINDER-DRY BRUSH UP AND DOWN CALIFORNIA, FORCING THOUSANDS TO FLEE RITZY SEASIDE NEIGHBORHOODS, COMFORTABLE FOOTHILL SUBURBS AND FARMING COMMUNITIES. AT LEAST 2,000 PEOPLE WERE ORDERED TO EVACUATE FROM
THE WEALTHY SEASIDE COMMUNITY OF RANCHO PALOS VERDES LATE YESTERDAY.

TOKYO (AP) - TOYOTA IS SHUTTING THE CALIFORNIA FACTORY IT RAN WITH GENERAL MOTORS FOR 25 YEARS. THE JAPANESE AUTOMAKER SAYS IT WILL MOVE PRODUCTION OF THE COROLLA SUBCOMPACT AND THE TACOMA PICKUP TO OTHER PLANTS IN THE U.S., CANADA AND JAPAN. IT'S THE FIRST TIME TOYOTA IS CLOSING A MAJOR AUTO ASSEMBLY PLANT.

PLACERVILLE, CALIF. (AP) - A LITTLE GIRL KIDNAPPED ON HER WAY TO SCHOOL 18 YEARS AGO HAS BEEN FOUND. INVESTIGATORS IN CALIFORNIA SAY JAYCEE LEE DUGARD, WHO WAS 11 AT THE TIME, WAS KEPT HIDDEN FROM THE WORLD FOR YEARS. THEY SAY SHE EVEN GAVE BIRTH TO HER SUSPECTED ABDUCTOR'S CHILDREN IN HIS BACKYARD COMPOUND.

Today's News-Thursday, August 27 2009-UPDATED 7AM

CRASH INJURES FRACKVILLE WOMAN

POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A CRASH IN BUTLER TOWNSHIP EARLY THIS MORNING THAT SERIOUSLY INJURED A FRACKVILLE WOMAN. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED BEFORE 3AM ON INTERSTATE 81. 41 YEAR OLD DARLENE GARNICK LOST CONTROL OF HER VEHICLE AND HIT SOME GUIDERAILS. AUTHORITIES SAY GARNICK WAS NOT WEARING HER SEATBELT AND ALCOHOL MAY HAVE PLAYED A PART IN THE CRASH.

WAYNE TOWNSHIP MAN CHARGED IN SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE

POLICE HAVE CHARGED A WAYNE TOWNSHIP MAN ON A HOST OF SEX RELATED COUNTS. 27 YEAR OLD RANDY LEE CRUMRINE IS ACCUSED OF RAPING A CHILD, INVOLUNTARY DEVIATE SEXUAL INTERCOURSE AND OTHER CHARGES FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING A GIRL OVER A TWO YEAR PERIOD. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THAT THE VICTIM, WHO WAS JUST 8 YEARS OLD WHEN THE INCIDENTS BEGAN IN 2007, REPORTED THE CRIMES TO A CAMP COUNSELOR. CRUMRINE ALSO IS ALLEGED TO HAVE SHOWN THE GIRL EXPLICIT VIDEOS AND PHOTOS. FOLLOWING ARRAIGNMENT, THE DEFENDANT WAS SENT TO THE COUNTY PRISON ON $75 THOUSAND DOLLARS BAIL.

H1N1 PLANS FOR SCHOOLS

AS SCHOOLS RETURN TO SESSION, THE THREAT OF H1N1 FLU IS ON THE MINDS OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS. OFFICIALS ARE EXPECTING THE VIRUS TO FLARE UP THIS FALL, PARTICULARLY AMONG CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS. THE HOUSE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE HEARD TESTIMONY WEDNESDAY FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ABOUT SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS BEING PUT INTO PLACE. STATE REPRESENTATIVE TIM SEIP OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY:

SEIP FLU

THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION ESTIMATES THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN 1 MILLION CASES OF H1N1 IN THE U.S. ACCORDING TO HEALTH DEPARTMENT STATISTICS, THERE ARE 11 CONFIRMED CASES OF SWINE FLU IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT HEALTH.STATE.PA.US.

FIREFIGHTERS GET GRANTS

A RECORD AMOUNT OF FUNDS HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO HELP PENNSYLVANIA'S RURAL COMMUNITIES TO GUARD AGAINST FIRES IN FORESTS AND OTHER UNDEVELOPED AREAS. OVER $600-THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM THE FOREST SERVICE THROUGH THE STATE BUREAU OF FORESTRY WILL HELP 162 VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES TO BATTLE FIRES MORE EFFECTIVELY. IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, 11 COMPANIES WILL SHARE IN $35-THOUSAND-DOLLARS IN FUNDING.

BLASCHAK COAL GETS INFUSION OF PRIVATE CAPITAL

AN AREA COAL COMPANY IS GETTING A FINANCIAL SHOT IN THE ARM TO CONTINUE GROWING THEIR BUSINESS. THE BLASCHAK COAL COMPANY IN MAHANOY CITY HAS BEEN RECAPITALIZED BY MILESTONE PARTNERS OF ST. DAVID'S PA. ACCORDING TO THE REPUBLICAN HERALD, THE INVESTMENT BY MILESTONE WILL GIVE BLASCHAK COAL CAPITAL FOR FUTURE MINE DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION PROJECTS. THE AMOUNT OF THE RECAPITALIZATION WAS NOT RELEASED BY EITHER COMPANY. BLASCHAK IS ONE OF THE LARGEST ANTHRACITE COAL COMPANIES AND BEEN IN BUSINESS SINCE 1937.

TROOPERS TO CONDUCT CHILD SAFETY SEAT CHECKS

AS PART OF NATIONAL CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY WEEK SEPTEMBER 12 TO THE 18TH, STATE POLICE FROM TROOP L WILL BE OFFERING FREE SAFETY SEAT INSPECTIONS. TROOPERS FROM THE SCHUYLKILL HAVEN BARRACKS WILL BE AT THE WEST END FIRE AND RESCUE IN MAHANOY CITY ON SEPTEMBER 12TH. STATE POLICE TROOPER EDWARD SANCHEZ IS COORDINATING THE LOCAL EFFORT. QUESTIONS…CALL 593-2000.

DOES YOUR CELL PHONE CAUSE CANCER?

YOU MAY NOT THINK TWICE WHEN YOU MAKE OR TAKE A CALL ON YOUR CELL PHONE, BUT A NEW REPORT IS OFFERING UP SOME REASON FOR CONCERN. BRIAN STEIN IS CO-AUTHOR OF THE NEW INTERNATIONAL EMF COLLABORATIVE REPORT WHICH QUESTIONS THE METHODOLOGIES OF LONG AWAITED RESEARCH ON WHETHER CELL PHONES CAUSE BRAIN CANCER. STEIN IS ALSO THE CEO OF UK FOOD GIANT SAMWORTH BROTHERS. HE SAYS HE USED HIS CELL REGULARLY FOR FOURTEEN YEARS AND THEN STARTED EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS HE’S CONVINCED HIS CELL PHONE CAUSED:

STEIN 1

THE COLLABORATIVE SAYS FLAWED TECHNIQUES WERE USED IN THE STILL TO BE RELEASED 13 COUNTRY STUDY, AND THEY WORRY THAT THE FINAL FINDINGS COULD BE SKEWED AS A RESULT. THE GROUP SAYS THE STUDY MADE A NUMBER OF MISTAKES INCLUDING CATEGORIZING PEOPLE WHO USED PORTABLE PHONES, WHICH LIKE CELL PHONES EMIT MICROWAVE RADIATION AS UNEXPOSED, AND FAILED TO INCLUDE MANY TYPES OF BRAIN TUMORS. BRIAN STEIN SAYS THE ANSWERS TO POTENTIAL RISKS LIE NOT IN DOING AWAY WITH CELL PHONES IN PRINCIPLE, BUT COMING UP WITH SAFER TECHNOLOGIES.

STEIN 2

SENATE HEARINGS ON THE POTENTIAL DANGERS OF CELL PHONES ARE REPORTEDLY PLANNED FOR NEXT MONTH.

STATE BUDGET
RENDELL BUDGET AIDE SEES WARNING IN BOND RATINGS
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA'S TOP STATE BUDGET EXECUTIVE SAYS RECENT EVALUATIONS OF THE STATE'S FINANCES BY BOND RATING AGENCIES BOLSTER GOV. ED RENDELL'S PUSH FOR SUSTAINABLE SOURCES OF NEW REVENUES. BUDGET SECRETARY MARY SODERBERG SAID WEDNESDAY THE DOWNGRADE IN THE MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE "OUTLOOK" FOR PENNSYLVANIA ILLUSTRATES HOW BALANCING THE BUDGET WITH ONE-TIME SOURCES OF CASH WILL ONLY EXACERBATE THE STATE'S FINANCIAL PROBLEMS IN THE COMING YEARS. MOODY'S SAID THAT PENNSYLVANIA'S OUTLOOK IS "NEGATIVE" AND WILL GET WORSE IF ELECTED OFFICIALS DON'T ADOPT A FISCAL PLAN THAT ACCOUNTS FOR THE DISAPPEARANCE OF FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY IN TWO YEARS. STANDARD & POOR'S SAYS PENNSYLVANIA'S RATING COULD GET WORSE IF ITS USE OF NONRECURRING REVENUES PREVENTS THE STATE FROM RETURNING TO "STRUCTURAL BUDGET BALANCE."

PREGNANT WOMAN KILLED
DISMISSAL SOUGHT IN MURDER CASE OF PA. BOY, 11
NEW CASTLE, PA. (AP) - ATTORNEYS FOR AN 11-YEAR-OLD WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA BOY ACCUSED OF FATALLY SHOOTING HIS FATHER'S PREGNANT FIANCEE ARE AGAIN ASKING A JUDGE TO DISMISS KEY EVIDENCE. ATTORNEYS FOR JORDAN BROWN, OF NEW BEAVER, MADE THE REQUEST AT A HEARING IN LAWRENCE COUNTY COURT ON WEDNESDAY. THE DEFENSE WANTS THE JUDGE TO DISMISS STATEMENTS THE BOY MADE TO A STATE TROOPER ON THE DAY 26-YEAR-OLD KENZIE MARIE HOUK WAS FOUND SHOT TO DEATH IN THE FAMILY'S HOME IN FEBRUARY. BROWN'S ATTORNEYS SAY THE TROOPER DID NOT SEEK JORDAN'S FATHER'S PERMISSION BEFORE QUESTIONING THE BOY AT HIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. JUDGE DOMINICK MOTTO DID NOT ISSUE A RULING ON THE MOTIONS. BROWN IS CHARGED AS AN ADULT IN THE KILLINGS OF HOUK AND HER UNBORN SON. HIS ATTORNEYS ALSO WANT THE CASE MOVED TO JUVENILE COURT.

PLANT EXPLOSION
POLICE: 2 HURT IN NORTHEASTERN PA. PLANT EXPLOSION
BERWICK, PA. (AP) - TWO WORKERS HAVE BEEN HURT IN AN EXPLOSION AT A NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA GAS PLANT. POLICE SAY THE BLAST HAPPENED AROUND 1 P.M. WEDNESDAY AT THE WESTERN INTERNATIONAL GAS AND CYLINDERS FACILITY IN SALEM TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY. INVESTIGATORS SAY TWO EMPLOYEES WERE PAINTING INSIDE THE BUILDING WHEN A TANK EXPLODED. AUTHORITIES SAY ONE WORKER WAS THROWN TO THE GROUND AND MAY HAVE SUFFERED INTERNAL INJURIES. HE WAS FLOWN TO A HOSPITAL. THE OTHER WORKER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE WITH A BURN TO HIS HAND. THEIR CONDITIONS HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED AND THE CAUSE OF THE BLAST REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE PLANT MAKES ACETYLENE AND PROPYLENE GAS.

PHILADELPHIA NEWSPAPERS-BANKRUPTCY
GUILD EXTENDS PHILLY NEWSPAPERS CONTRACT 30 DAYS
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - NEWSROOM EMPLOYEES AT PHILADELPHIA NEWSPAPERS HAVE AGREED TO A ONE-MONTH CONTRACT EXTENSION AS MANAGEMENT FIGHTS TO HOLD ON TO THE COMPANY IN BANKRUPTCY COURT. THE CONTRACT FOR WRITERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ADVERTISING STAFF AT THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER AND PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS WAS SET TO EXPIRE MONDAY. THE COMPANY HAS REFUSED TO START NEGOTIATIONS, CITING THE NEED TO FOCUS ON THE BANKRUPTCY. CREDITORS SEEKING TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE COMPANY HAVE ASKED FOR THE RIGHT TO BEGIN THEIR OWN NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE EDITORIAL UNIT. PHILADELPHIA NEWSPAPERS SPOKESMAN JAY DEVINE SAYS THE COMPANY IS PLEASED THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER GUILD HAS AGREED TO THE EXTENSION.

PENNSYLVANIA PENSIONS
PA. SENATE APPROVES PHILADELPHIA RELIEF PACKAGE
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THE PENNSYLVANIA SENATE HAS GIVEN ITS FINAL APPROVAL TO BILL TO MAKE AVAILABLE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR THE FINANCIALLY STRAPPED CITY OF PHILADELPHIA WHILE OVERHAULING STATE LAWS THAT GOVERN MUNICIPAL PENSION FUNDS. THE SENATE VOTED 38-9 ON WEDNESDAY TO APPROVE THE MEASURE, WHICH STILL REQUIRES ACTION BY THE HOUSE. THE SENATE BILL GOES MUCH FURTHER THAN THE HOUSE VERSION OF THE BILL, WHICH DEALT EXCLUSIVELY WITH PHILADELPHIA'S PROBLEMS. BOTH BILLS GIVE THE CITY WHAT ITS POLITICAL LEADERS MOST WANT - THE AUTHORITY TO TEMPORARILY INCREASE THE SALES TAX RATE AND DEFER PENSION CONTRIBUTIONS TO AVOID THE LAYOFFS OF ABOUT 3,000 EMPLOYEES. GOV. ED RENDELL URGED THE HOUSE TO MOVE QUICKLY IN ACTING ON THE LEGISLATION AND SAID HE WOULD BE WILLING TO SIGN THE SENATE VERSION.

STUDENT ATTACK
W.PA. TEEN ON TRIAL IN ATTACK ON EX-GIRLFRIEND
PITTSBURGH (AP) - A DEFENSE EXPERT FOR A PITTSBURGH-AREA TEENAGER ACCUSED OF ATTACKING HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND WITH A HAMMER SAYS A HAMMER WASN'T USED. FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST DR. CYRIL WECHT SAYS HE'D EXPECT SARAH DEIULIIS TO HAVE HAD MORE SEVERE INJURIES HAD A HAMMER BEEN USED. WECHT TESTIFIED WEDNESDAY IN THE JUVENILE TRIAL FOR 17-YEAR-OLD ROBERTINO DEANGELIS IN THE OCT. 2007 ATTACK. HIS TESTIMONY WAS INTENDED TO SHOW THAT DEANGELIS DIDN'T HAVE INTENT TO KILL. HE'S CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE. POLICE FOUND A HAMMER AT THE SCENE, BUT DEANGELIS HAS SAID HE DOESN'T REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED. AN ALLEGHENY COUNTY JUDGE IS EXPECT TO ISSUE A VERDICT THURSDAY. IF ADJUDICATED DELINQUENT, THE JUVENILE EQUIVALENT OF A GUILTY VERDICT, DEANGELIS COULD FACE COURT SUPERVISION UNTIL HE'S 21.

STIMULUS-PHILLY TRANSIT
SEPTA GETS $49.9M IN STIMULUS MONEY FOR SE PA.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - U.S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY RAY LAHOOD HAS ANNOUNCED AN ADDITIONAL $50 MILLION IN FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY FOR
TRANSIT PROJECTS IN THE PHILADELPHIA AREA. LAHOOD ANNOUNCED $49.9 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR THE SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY ON WEDNESDAY. SEPTA WILL USE SOME OF THE MONEY TO REHAB A PAIR OF SUBWAY STATIONS ON THE CITY'S BROAD STREET LINE. OTHER REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS ARE PLANNED INCLUDING REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF STATION BUILDINGS. THE $49 MILLION WAS MUCH OF THE REMAINDER OF $191 MILLION IN PROJECTS FOR WHICH SEPTA APPLIED EARLIER.

HYANNIS PORT, MASS. (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA WILL DELIVER A EULOGY SATURDAY AT SEN. TED KENNEDY'S FUNERAL MASS. IT WILL BE HELD AT THE SAME BOSTON CHURCH WHERE KENNEDY PRAYED DAILY IN 2003 AS HIS DAUGHTER, KARA, WAS SUCCESSFULLY TREATED FOR LUNG CANCER AT A NEARBY HOSPITAL. KENNEDY WILL BE BURIED AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY.

NEW YORK (AP) - HE'S BEING REMEMBERED FOR HIS BEST-SELLING BOOKS AND HIS MAGAZINE ARTICLES ABOUT CRIMES AMONG THE RICH AND FAMOUS. HIS FAMILY SAYS DOMINICK DUNNE DIED WEDNESDAY FROM BLADDER CANCER. HE WAS 83.

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - A SOURCE TELLS THE AP THAT NEW MEXICO GOV. BILL RICHARDSON AND FORMER TOP AIDES WON'T BE CHARGED IN AN INVESTIGATION INTO PAY-TO-PLAY ALLEGATIONS. THE PROBE LOOKED AT RICHARDSON'S DEALINGS WITH A LARGE POLITICAL DONOR. THE DECISION NOT TO PURSUE INDICTMENTS IS SAID TO HAVE BEEN MADE BY TOP JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS.

PHOENIX (AP) - SEN. JOHN MCCAIN HAS EXPERIENCED WHAT SOME DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS HAVE HAD TO FACE AT BOISTEROUS HEALTH CARE FORUMS. THERE WAS FINGER POINTING AND YELLING AT MCCAIN'S TOWN HALL, HELD AT HIS PHOENIX CHURCH. ONE MAN POINTED AT MCCAIN AND ASKED WHY THE LAWMAKER HAS A BETTER HEALTH CARE PLAN. MCCAIN RESPONDED THAT HE WAS WORKING ON REFORMS.

NEW YORK (AP) - IT WAS APPARENTLY LIFE TRYING TO IMITATE ART. A MODEL IN NEW YORK FACES PUBLIC LEWDNESS CHARGES FOR POSING NUDE AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART. THE PHOTO SHOOT WAS IN FULL VIEW OF VISITORS IN THE MUSEUM'S ARMS AND ARMOR SECTION.

Today's News-Wednesday August 26 2009

TEENS CHARGED IN CEMETERY VANDALISM

POTTSVILLE TEENAGED BOYS, AGES 11 AND 12, ARE FACING CHARGES FOR VANDALIZING THE CHARLES BABER CEMETERY. CITY POLICE SAY THE BOYS ARE CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH THREE SEPARATE INCIDENTS OF KNOCKING OVER TOMBSTONES AND OTHER DAMAGES IN JULY. VANDALISM AND DESECRATION OF VENERATED OBJECTS COUNTS WILL BE HANDLED THROUGH THE JUVENILE COURTS SYSTEM ACCORDING TO POLICE.

MOYER TO FACE PRISON TIME IN ARSON

A SCHUYLKILL HAVEN MAN IS HEADED TO STATE PRISON FOR ARSON. FRANKLIN MOYER JR. SET FIRE TO HIS MOTHER'S HOUSE ON HAVEN STREET IN THE BOROUGH LAST FALL. HE WAS CHARGED WITH ARSON, CRIMINAL MISCHIEF AND RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT ACCORDING TO THE REPUBLICAN AND HERALD. THE HALLOWEEN, 2008 FIRE CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE HOME OF JANET MOYER. FRANKLIN MOYER JR. WILL DO 1 TO 3 YEARS FOR HIS CRIMES. HE WAS SENTENCED TUESDAY BY JUDGE CYRUS PALMER DOLBIN AFTER PLEADING GUILTY FOR HIS CRIMES.

ARGALL HOSTS SUMMIT

SENATOR DAVE ARGALL IS CONTINUING HIS QUEST TO REDUCE BLIGHT IN OUR COMMUNITIES. IN THE FIRST OF TWO COMMUNITY SUMMITS, ARGALL HOSTED A MEETING IN POTTSVILLE LAST NIGHT TO DISCUSS REDEVELOPMENT, JOB CREATION AND RETENTION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. SEVERAL SPEAKERS SPOKE ON VARIOUS TOPICS AT THE MEETING AT SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER. ANOTHER SESSION IN PALMERTON IS SCHEDULED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

PHILLY MEN TO JAIL FOR SELLING DRUGS

TWO FORMER PENN STATE STUDENTS ARE FACING STATE PRISON TIME FOR DRUG AND WEAPONS CHARGES. 22 YEAR OLD ALVIN AND 19 YEAR OLD JAMES FOSTER PLEADED GUILTY TO ASSAULT, RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT, POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER VARIOUS DRUGS AND OTHER COUNTS FOR A FIGHT LAST FALL AT PENN STATE SCHUYLKILL IN WHICH A MINERSVILLE MAN WAS HURT, AND FOR A DRUG RAID AT THEIR CAMPUS APARTMENT. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THAT JUDGE CYRUS PALMER DOLBIN SENTENCED THE FOSTERS TO TWO TO FOUR YEARS IN PRISON FOR THE CRIMES COMMITTED LAST FALL.

GOODFELLAS FACES ENFORCEMENT ACTION

A POTTSVILLE ESTABLISHMENT IS FACING ACTION BY THE STATE LIQUOR CONTROL BOARD. GOODFELLA'S INCORPORATED IS FACING VIOLATIONS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA LIQUOR CONTROL CODE AND THE PA HUMAN RELATIONS ACT FOR INCIDENTS ON JULY 17TH. ACCORDING TO AN LCE PRESS RELEASE, GOODFELLAS ADMITTED FEMALE PATRONS TO THE BAR WHILE CHARGING ADMISSION TO MALE PATRONS. AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE WILL DECIDE WHAT THE PUNISHMENT FOR THE INFRACTIONS WILL BE.

MOHNTON, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA SAY A COLLISION BETWEEN A CAR AND A TRACTOR-TRAILER HAS KILLED A WOMAN AND TWO CHILDREN. OFFICIALS SAY THE CRASH HAPPENED YESTERDAY ON ROUTE 625 IN BERKS COUNTY'S BRECKNOCK TOWNSHIP. THE WOMAN DIED AT THE SCENE AND THE FIVE-YEAR-OLD AND THREE-MONTH-OLD CHILDREN WERE PRONOUNCED DEAD AT A NEARBY HOSPITAL.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - TWO TEENS HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF THIRD-DEGREE MURDER AND A THIRD OF A LESSER CHARGE IN THE FATAL BEATING OF A COFFEE SHOP MANAGER ON A PHILADELPHIA SUBWAY CONCOURSE. AMEER BEST AND NASHIR FISHER FACE UP TO 80 YEARS IN PRISON IN THE DEATH OF SEAN CONROY IN MARCH 2008. THE TEENS ATTACKED CONROY UNPROVOKED, TRIGGERING A FATAL ASTHMA ATTACK.

SCRANTON, PA. (AP) - A REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER HAS REACHED AN AGREEMENT IN HIS LAWSUIT AGAINST WESTFALL TOWNSHIP THAT ONCE OWED HIM $20 MILLION. TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS WERE FOUND GUILTY IN 1999 OF VIOLATING KATZ'S CIVIL RIGHTS BY CONSPIRING TO STOP HIM FROM DEVELOPING A WOODED AREA. WITH INTEREST OVER THE YEARS, THE AMOUNT BALLOONED UP TO MORE THAN $20 MILLION.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THOUSANDS OF INVESTORS SAVING FOR COLLEGE IN PENNSYLVANIA'S GUARANTEED SAVINGS PLAN WILL SOON HAVE TO PAY MORE TO LOCK IN FUTURE TUITION EXPENSES AT TODAY'S PRICES. THE STATE TREASURER'S OFFICE SAYS STARTING SEPT. 1, IT WILL IMPOSE PREMIUMS OF AS MUCH AS 8 PERCENT TO OFFSET A LARGE DEFICIT CAUSED BY THE WALL STREET MELTDOWN.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - INVESTORS IN PHILADELPHIA'S TWO MAJOR NEWSPAPERS ARE PROMOTING THE VIRTUES OF LOCAL OWNERSHIP AS THEY BATTLE CREDITORS FOR CONTROL OF THE COMPANY. THE LOCAL OWNERS LED BY HOUSING ENTREPRENEUR BRUCE TOLL AND FORMER PUBLIC RELATIONS EXECUTIVE BRIAN TIERNEY ARE TRYING TO SHED ABOUT $400 MILLION IN DEBT.

LONDON (AP) - WORLD LEADERS ARE PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE LATE SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY. THE MASSACHUSETTS LAWMAKER DIED LAST NIGHT AFTER A BATTLE WITH BRAIN CANCER. BRITISH PRIME MINISTER GORDON BROWN CALLED KENNEDY, "A TRUE PUBLIC SERVANT." AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER KEVIN RUDD SAYS HE MADE "AN EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTION TO AMERICA'S ROLE IN THE WORLD."

BOSTON (AP) - DESPITE THEIR OBVIOUS POLITICAL DIFFERENCE, NANCY REAGAN SAYS HER HUSBAND AND MASSACHUSETTS SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY WERE ALWAYS ABLE TO FIND COMMON GROUND. SHE SAYS THE FORMER PRESIDENT AND SENATOR HAD "HAD GREAT RESPECT FOR ONE ANOTHER." REAGAN SAYS SHE CONSIDERED KENNEDY "AN ALLY AND A DEAR FRIEND."

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN (AP) - A TALIBAN SPOKESMAN IS CONDEMNING A BOMBING IN THE MILITANT GROUP'S SPIRITUAL HOME IN SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN. YESTERDAY'S EXPLOSION KILLED MORE THAN 40 PEOPLE AND
THE INJURED ARE STILL BEING PULLED FORM THE WRECKAGE TODAY.

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. (AP) - AFTER TWO SCRUBBED LAUNCHES, NASA IS UP AGAINST A TIGHT DEADLINE TO GET DISCOVERY TO THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION. IF THE SHUTTLE ISN'T FLYING BY SUNDAY, THE DELIVERY MISSION WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL OCTOBER BECAUSE OF A PAIR OF JAPANESE AND RUSSIAN LAUNCHES. A TRICKY FUEL VALVE KEPT THE SHUTTLE GROUNDED THIS MORNING.

MIAMI (AP) - A STATE APPEALS COURT TAKES UP FLORIDA'S STRICT BAN ON ADOPTIONS BY GAY PEOPLE TODAY. THE STATE IS APPEALING A MIAMI-DADE COUNTY JUDGE'S NOVEMBER 2008 RULING THAT THE LAW IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

Today's News-Tuesday August 25 2009

FATAL IN SCHUYLKILL TOWNSHIP

POLICE HAVE JUST RELEASED DETAILS OF A FATAL CRASH ON ROUTE 209 FROM THE WEEKEND. 25 YEAR OLD THOMAS COLEMAN OF TUSCARORA WAS DRIVING HIS PICKUP WHEN HE LOST CONTROL, CROSSED THE HIGHWAY AND STRUCK GUIDERAILS AND SEVERAL RETAINING POSTS. COLEMAN WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. THE CRASH HAPPENED EARLY SUNDAY MORNING.

ARRESTS EXPECTED SOON IN BABER CEMETERY VANDALISM

POTTSVILLE CITY POLICE REPORT THEY ARE INVESTIGATING TWO JUVENILE MALES IN CONNECTION WITH VANDALISM AT CHARLES BABER CEMETERY OVER THE PAST MONTH. BOTH OF THE TEENS HAVE ADMITTED TO KICKING AND PUSHING OVER MULTIPLE TOMBSTONES ON THREE OCCASIONS DURING JULY. ARRESTS ARE FORTHCOMING AND THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES, ACCORDING TO POLICE.

BURGLARY AT HEISLERS

STATE POLICE AT FRACKVILLE ARE LOOKING FOR THE BURGLAR WHO BROKE INTO HEISLERS DAIRY BAR. EARLY MONDAY, ACCESS WAS GAINED TO THE MAIN BUILDING ON CATAWISSA ROAD THROUGH A FOOD SERVICE WINDOW. THE CASH REGISTER WAS EMPTY. SAME THING WENT FOR THE MINI GOLF BOOTH. HOWEVER A SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY WAS TAKEN FROM THE GIFT SHOP.

KNOWLES WEIGHS IN ON NEW BUDGET PLAN

A SCHUYLKILL COUNTY LAWMAKER WEIGHS IN ON A NEW REPUBLICAN BUDGET PLAN IN THE STATE HOUSE. MIKE DAVIES HAS MORE:

KNOWLES BUDGET PKG

Rep. Tim Seip presents check at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park Monday morning.

SWEET ARROW LAKE IMPROVEMENTS

SWEET ARROW LAKE COUNTY PARK IS EASIER TO ACCESS THANKS IN PART TO HARD WORK AND FUNDING FROM THE STATE. REPRESENTATIVE TIM SEIP PRESENTED A CEREMONIAL CHECK FOR $15 THOUSAND DOLLARS MONDAY MORNING AT THE PARK. COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION SUPERVISOR BOB EVANCHALK EXPLAINS WHAT THE MONEY WAS USED FOR:

EVANCHALK 1

MORE IMPROVEMENTS ARE IN THE WORKS:

EVANCHALK 2

DUCKS UNLIMITED ARE ALSO WORKING ON A GAZEBO NEAR THE BOAT DOCK ON THE OTHER SIDE OF SWEET ARROW LAKE.

COURTHOUSE KICKBACKS
FORMER PA. JUDGES LOSE BID TO KEEP PLEA IN PLACE
ALLENTOWN, PA. (AP) - TWO FORMER PENNSYLVANIA JUDGES WHO PLEADED
GUILTY TO FRAUD HAVE LOST THEIR BID TO KEEP THEIR PLEA AGREEMENT IN
PLACE. FORMER LUZERNE COUNTY JUDGES MARK CIAVARELLA AND MICHAEL CONAHAN WANTED A FEDERAL JUDGE TO RECONSIDER HIS DECISION TO THROW OUT THEIR PLEA AGREEMENT WITH PROSECUTORS. U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE EDWIN KOSIK RULED LAST MONTH THAT THE JUDGES HAVEN'T ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ACTIONS. ON MONDAY, KOSIK REJECTED THE JUDGES' BID TO GET HIM TO CHANGE HIS MIND. THE JUDGES WERE CHARGED IN JANUARY WITH TAKING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN KICKBACKS TO PLACE YOUTH OFFENDERS IN PRIVATELY OWNED DETENTION CENTERS. THEIR PLEA AGREEMENTS HAD CALLED FOR SENTENCES OF MORE THAN SEVEN YEARS IN PRISON.

STATE BUDGET
RENDELL SAYS PA. BUDGET TALKS ARE SHOWING PROGRESS
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - GOV. ED RENDELL SAYS NEGOTIATORS ARE MAKING PROGRESS ON DECIDING HOW LARGE PENNSYLVANIA'S STATE GOVERNMENT BUDGET OUGHT TO BE. THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR SAID MONDAY THAT THE SIDES ARE "RELATIVELY CLOSE" TO SETTLING ON A FIGURE OF ABOUT $28 BILLION. RENDELL SAYS THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN "CONCESSIONS" ON SOURCES OF RECURRING REVENUES TO PLUG THE BUDGET GAP, BUT HE WASN'T WILLING TO ANNOUNCE WHAT THEY MIGHT BE. PENNSYLVANIA IS NEARLY TWO MONTHS INTO ITS FISCAL YEAR WITHOUT A COMPREHENSIVE BUDGET AGREEMENT IN PLACE. THE BUDGET THAT PASSED IN JULY 2008 WAS $28.3 BILLION. THIS YEAR'S SPENDING PLAN WILL BE SUBSIDIZED BY BILLIONS IN FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY.

PENNSYLVANIA PENSIONS
PA. SENATE PANEL GIVE NOD TO PENSION REFORMS
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A BILL TO REFORM PENNSYLVANIA'S MUNICIPAL PENSION LAWS - AND GIVE PHILADELPHIA NEW TAXATION AUTHORITY - IS BEING UNANIMOUSLY SUPPORTED BY A SENATE COMMITTEE. THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE VOTED MONDAY EVENING TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD OVERHAUL THE MUNICIPAL PENSIONS SYSTEM AND SET UP A NEW AGENCY THAT WOULD TAKE OVER THE MOST TROUBLED FUNDS. THE BILL ALSO WOULD EMPOWER PHILADELPHIA TO INCREASE ITS SALES TAX FROM SEVEN TO EIGHT PERCENT TO HELP FIX ITS AILING PENSION FUND. THE COMMITTEE VOTE SETS THE STAGE FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE FULL SENATE AS EARLY AS WEDNESDAY. IT'S UNCLEAR WHETHER THE HOUSE WOULD GO ALONG WITH THE SENATE AMENDMENT, HOWEVER, LEAVING THE FUTURE OF THE LEGISLATION IN QUESTION.

LANDFILL LAWSUIT
PA. DEP SUES FORMER LANDFILL OWNERS FOR CLEANUP
PITTSBURGH (AP) - THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IS SUING THE OWNERS OF A FORMER LANDFILL IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA TO RECOVER MORE THAN $3 MILLION IN HAZARDOUS WASTE CLEANUP COSTS. THE BOLDAN LANDFILL OPERATED IN AN ABANDONED STRIP MINE IN WESTMORELAND COUNTY FROM 1962 TO 1970. THE DEP SAYS THE OPERATORS IMPROPERLY DISPOSED OF HUNDREDS OF BARRELS OF INDUSTRIAL WASTE, WHICH WERE FILLED WITH SOLVENTS, ACIDS, PCBS AND OTHER CHEMICALS. A MASSIVE CLEANUP WAS DONE IN 2003 AND 2004 TO REMOVE THE BARRELS AND DISPOSE OF THEM PROPERLY. THE DEFENDANTS INCLUDE BOLDAN INC., WHICH OWNS THE PROPERTY, AS WELL COMPANIES WHO HAD HAZARDOUS MATERIALS DISPOSED OF THERE. THOSE COMPANIES INCLUDE CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY, CBS CORP. AND EXXON MOBIL.

SUBWAY ALTERCATION-DEATH
DELIBERATIONS IN PHILLY SUBWAY BEATING DEATH CASE
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A JURY MUST NOW DECIDE THE FATE OF THREE TEENS CHARGED IN THE BEATING DEATH OF A STARBUCKS MANAGER ON A DOWNTOWN PHILADELPHIA SUBWAY CONCOURSE LAST YEAR. JURORS HEARD CLOSING ARGUMENTS MONDAY FROM THE PROSECUTOR AND FROM ATTORNEYS FOR 17-YEAR-OLD KINTA STANTON, 18-YEAR-OLD AMEER BEST AND 17-YEAR-OLD NASHIR FISHER. ALL HAVE PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO THIRD-DEGREE MURDER AND CONSPIRACY IN THE MARCH 2008 DEATH OF 36-YEAR-OLD SEAN CONROY. THEIR ATTORNEYS ATTACKED THE PROSECUTOR'S KEY WITNESS, 17-YEAR-OLD RAHEEM BELL, WHO PLEADED GUILTY EARLIER THIS YEAR. A FIFTH DEFENDANT, 18-YEAR-OLD ARTHUR ALSTON, HAS ALSO PLEADED GUILTY. CONROY DIED OF AN ACUTE STRESS-INDUCED ASTHMA ATTACK DURING THE MARCH 2008 ATTACK, AND BEST'S ATTORNEY SAID NO ONE KNEW THE VICTIM HAD ASTHMA. BUT PROSECUTORS SAY THAT IS IRRELEVANT, AND THE EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT THE GROUP DECIDED ON A DARE TO HIT THE FIRST PERSON THEY SAW WALKING IN THE CONCOURSE.

MOTORCYCLE-SUV CRASH
2 DEAD AFTER PA. MOTORCYCLE AND SUV COLLIDE
AIRVILLE, PA. (AP) - POLICE IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA SAY A COLLISION BETWEEN AN SUV AND A MOTORCYCLE KILLED A MAN AND WOMAN RIDING THE MOTORCYCLE. STATE POLICE SAY 45-YEAR-OLD RONALD EATON AND HIS WIFE,
41-YEAR-OLD PEGGY EATON, WERE PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE OF THE
3:30 P.M. SUNDAY CRASH IN CHANCEFORD TOWNSHIP, YORK COUNTY. POLICE
SAID THE EASTBOUND SUV TURNED LEFT AND COLLIDED WITH THE WESTBOUND MOTORCYCLE. CORPORAL WILLIAM TUCKER SAID NEITHER HUSBAND NOR WIFE WAS WEARING A HELMET.

MARIJUANA DEALER KILLED
2 CHARGED IN DEATH OF PHILLY-AREA MARIJUANA DEALER
NORRISTOWN, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA HAVE ANNOUNCED THE ARREST OF TWO MEN IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF A MARIJUANA DEALER. MONTGOMERY COUNTY PROSECUTORS SAY BOTH MEN HAVE BEEN CHARGED IN THE JUNE 12 DEATH OF CARTER DUNCAN. WESLEY CALMESE IS CHARGED WITH FIRST-, SECOND- AND THIRD-DEGREE MURDER AND RICHARD ENGRAM WITH SECOND- AND THIRD-DEGREE MURDER. PROSECUTORS SAY THE TWO INTENDED TO ROB DUNCAN, SO ENGRAM DROVE THE VICTIM TO A PREARRANGED PLACE AND CALMESE EMERGED FROM BEHIND A PARKED VAN AND SHOT HIM AFTER A STRUGGLE. POLICE ARRESTED ENGRAM JULY 30 AND APPREHENDED CALMESE ON THURSDAY AFTER A SHORT CHASE ON FOOT.

FALSE HOSTAGE REPORT
W. PA. MAN WANTED FOR BOGUS MURDER, HOSTAGE REPORT
MILL RUN, PA. (AP) - A WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA MAN IS WANTED BY THE STATE POLICE FOR ALLEGEDLY CALLING IN A FALSE REPORT THAT GUNMEN HAD TAKEN OVER A CHURCH CAMP, KILLING ONE MAN, INJURING ANOTHER AND HOLDING 13 OTHER PEOPLE HOSTAGE. STATE POLICE IN UNIONTOWN SAY 47-YEAR-OLD FRANK BOWER'S BOGUS CALL ON AUG. 15 COST THEM MORE THAN $3,200 AS TROOPERS SCRAMBLED FROM GREENSBURG, SOMERSET, UNIONTOWN AND ALTOONA TO ANSWER THE CALL. POLICE TRACED THE CALL TO A CELL PHONE OWNED BY BOWER'S NIECE WHO TOLD THEM HE HAD USED THE PHONE EXCLUSIVELY FOR YEARS. POLICE ON MONDAY WERE STILL LOOKING FOR BOWERS, OF MILL RUN. THAT'S ABOUT 45 MILES SOUTHEAST OF PITTSBURGH AND VERY NEAR CAMP CHRISTIAN IN SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, WHERE THE BOGUS HOSTAGE SITUATION REPORTEDLY OCCURRED.

OUTLAWS-METH BUST
PA. AG: METH BUST NETTED PHILLY BIKER GANG MEMBERS
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE PENNSYLVANIA ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS AUTHORITIES HAVE BROKEN UP A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR DRUG RING ASSOCIATED WITH THE OUTLAWS MOTORCYCLE GANG. ATTORNEY GENERAL TOM CORBETT SAYS 16 OUTLAWS MEMBERS ARE AMONG 40 PEOPLE CHARGED WITH BEING PART OF A $5 MILLION METHAMPHETAMINE RING OPERATING IN THE PHILADELPHIA AREA. CORBETT SAYS THE BUST NETTED OUTLAWS PHILADELPHIA CHAPTER PRESIDENT THOMAS ZAROFF JR. AND OTHER GANG MEMBERS. CORBETT SAYS A RAID ON ZAROFF'S HOME TURNED UP DIGITAL SCALES AND MORE THAN $200,000 CASH. CORBETT SAYS THE GROUP IMPORTED METHAMPHETAMINE FROM AS FAR AWAY AS MEXICO AND DISTRIBUTED IT IN PHILADELPHIA AND ITS PENNSYLVANIA AND NEW JERSEY SUBURBS. AUTHORITIES SAY AGENTS SERVED 37 SEARCH WARRANTS AND SEIZED 8 1/2 POUNDS OF CRYSTAL METH AND OVER 2 1/2 POUNDS OF COCAINE AS WELL AS OTHER DRUGS.

TEACHER SLAPPING
YOUTUBE: EX-TEACHER SLAPS PITTSBURGH STUDENT
PITTSBURGH (AP) - A 20-SECOND YOUTUBE VIDEO SHOWS A PITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS TEACHER SLAPPING AND YELLING AT AN AUTISTIC SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENT. ATTORNEY RICHARD THIELE SAYS THE VIDEO SURFACED JUST LAST WEEK UNBEKNOWNST TO HIS CLIENTS WHO KNEW IT EXISTED BUT HADN'T SEEN IT. THIELE REPRESENTS THE 11-YEAR-OLD STUDENT'S PARENTS WHO SUED THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN JULY 2008 FOR THE INCIDENT THAT ALLEGEDLY HAPPENED IN MARCH 2008. THE LAWSUIT SAYS THE VIDEO WAS MADE BY AN INTERN USING A CELL PHONE WHO HAD SEEN THE TEACHER ABUSE THE STUDENT IN THE PAST. THE TEACHER IS NO LONGER EMPLOYED AND WAS REMOVED FROM THE CLASSROOM IN JUNE 2008 WHEN DISTRICT OFFICIALS SAY THEY LEARNED OF THE INCIDENT. THIELE BELIEVES THE VICTIM'S FRIENDS OR RELATIVES POSTED THE VIDEO, BUT HE'S NOT SURE.

WASHINGTON (AP) - TOP REPUBLICAN SENATORS ARE VOICING CONCERN OVER ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER'S DECISION TO BEGIN A NEW CRIMINAL PROBE OF INTERROGATIONS OF TERROR SUSPECTS DURING THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION. THEY SAY SUCH A PROBE COULD HAMPER U.S. INTELLIGENCE EFFORTS.

OAK BLUFFS, MASS. (AP) - A SENIOR OFFICIAL SAYS PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA PLANS TO REAPPOINT BEN BERNANKE AS CHAIRMAN OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE. BERNANKE IS WIDELY CREDITED WITH TAKING AGGRESSIVE ACTION TO AVOID AN ECONOMIC CATASTROPHE AFTER LAST YEAR'S FINANCIAL MELTDOWN.

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. (AP) - NASA WILL MAKE ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO LAUNCH THE SHUTTLE DISCOVERY ON A MISSION TO THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION. THIS MORNING'S LIFTOFF WAS SCRUBBED BECAUSE OF THUNDERSTORMS. THE NEW SCHEDULED LAUNCH TIME IS SET FOR 1:10 A.M. WEDNESDAY.

GOHEUNG, SOUTH KOREA (AP) - SOUTH KOREA HAS SENT ITS FIRST ROCKET INTO SPACE FROM A LAUNCH PAD ON ITS OWN TERRITORY. THE FIRING CAME ABOUT FOUR MONTHS AFTER RIVAL NORTH KOREA DREW INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS FOR ITS OWN ROCKET LAUNCH.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (AP) - NO COMMENT FROM THE U.S. EMBASSY IN SOUTH KOREA ON A PUBLISHED REPORT WHICH SAYS NORTH KOREA HAS INVITED PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S TOP ENVOYS TO VISIT THE COMMUNIST NATION. THE REPORT SAYS THE NORTH WANTS TO DISCUSS ITS NUCLEAR PROGRAM.

Today's News-Monday, August 24 2009

HEROIN BUST IN MAHANOY CITY

TWO PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED IN A DRUG BUST SATURDAY IN MAHANOY CITY. BOROUGH POLICE INDICATE THAT 27 YEAR OLD CRYSTAL LOTT AND 33 YEAR OLD JAMES NEDINSKY WERE STOPPED ON EAST MARKET STREET. LOTT WAS SEEN PUTTING SOMETHING INTO HER PANTS WHILE IN THE CAR, WHICH WAS LATER FOUND TO BE HEROIN. LOTT AND NEDINSKY WERE ARRAIGNED AND TAKEN TO SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON.

CITIZENS FIRE COMPANY BREAK IN

PALO ALTO’S FIRE COMPANY WAS BROKEN INTO LATE LAST WEEK ACCORDING TO STATE POLICE. UNKNOWN BURGLARS BROKE INTO CITIZENS FIRE COMPANY THROUGHA A REAR DOOR. ONCE INSIDE THE BAR AREA, CASH FROM THE REGISTER AND A MONEY BAG WAS TAKEN TOTALING ABOUT $12 HUNDRED DOLLARS. THE INVESTIGATION IS CONTINUING.

UNIDENTIFIED DRIVER INJURED

AN ASHLAND WOMAN SUFFERED INJURIES IN A CRASH ON ROUTE 61. A 20 YEAR OLD FEMALE WAS SOUTHBOUND ON THE FRACKVILLE GRADE WHEN THE CAR LEFT THE ROAD AND WENT UP AN EMBANKMENT. THE WOMAN WAS WEARING HER SEATBELT, BUT WAS STILL TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.

PENN STATE SCHUYLKILL STUDENTS MOVE IN

IT WAS A FLURRY OF ACTIVITY AT PENN STATE SCHUYLKILL OVER THE WEEKEND AS STUDENTS ARRIVED FOR THE START OF CLASSES. OFFICIALS SAY THAT ABOUT ONE THOUSAND STUDENTS WILL BEGIN CLASSES TODAY. LUCKY FISHER, A FRESHMAN FROM PHILADELPHIA TELLS WPPA/T102 NEWS WHY HE CHOSE SCHUYLKILL:

FISHER

PENN STATE IS ALSO OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADULT LEARNERS, AS EXPLAINED BY SHANNON WABBY, ADULT PROGRAM DIRECTOR:

WABBY

ENROLLMENT IS DOWN SLIGHTLY FROM LAST YEAR ACCORDING TO CAMPUS OFFICIALS.

PENN STATE TWO

SOUTHERN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY WAS ABUZZ OVER THE WEEKEND AS STUDENTS AT PENN STATE SCHUYLKILL RETURNED TO CAMPUS. DR KEITH HILLKIRK, CAMPUS CHANCELLOR, RUNS DOWN THE NUMBERS:

HILLKIRK 1

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR NON TRADITIONAL STUDENTS ARE ALSO SEEING AN UPTICK ACCORDING TO HILLKIRK:

HILLKIRK 2

ENROLLMENT OVERALL IS DOWN SLIGHTLY FROM LAST YEAR.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - NONPROFIT GROUPS THAT RELY ON PAYMENTS FROM THE STATE TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO PENNSYLVANIA'S MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS ARE FEELING THE PINCH DURING THE STATE BUDGET STALEMATE. BATTERED WOMEN, HOMELESS PEOPLE AND OTHERS GET SERVICES FROM SUCH GROUPS. THE ORGANIZATIONS ARE BURNING THROUGH THEIR SAVINGS AND OTHERWISE STRUGGLING TO STAY AFLOAT.

POCONO LAKE, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA SAY POLICE OFFICERS WERE JUSTIFIED IN SHOOTING TO DEATH A MAN WHO HAD FIRED SEVERAL SHOTS AT OFFICERS. MICHAEL SCHAFFER, OF POCONO LAKE, WAS SHOT AND KILLED LAST WEEK BY POCONO MOUNTAIN REGIONAL POLICE. AUTHORITIES SAY SCHAFFER HAD BEEN MAKING THREATS IN A FOREST GLEN HOME.

LIMA, PA. (AP) - OFFICIALS IN SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA SAY AN ELDERLY MAN FOUND DEAD INSIDE A BURNING CAR LAST WEEK HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS 84-YEAR-OLD THOMAS LYNAM. STATE POLICE SAY LYNAM'S BODY WAS FOUND IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD LAST WEDNESDAY AFTER FIREFIGHTERS DOUSED THE FLAMES OF THE FIRE IN BROOKHAVEN.

CHARLESTON, W.VA. (AP) - A 23-YEAR-OLD PITTSBURGH MAN HAS DROWNED IN CHEAT LAKE WHILE CAMPING WITH FRIENDS. THE MONONGALIA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SAYS THE BODY OF PETER ANDREW SCALISE WAS PULLED FROM THE LAKE OVER THE WEEKEND. THE STATE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE IS SOON EXPECTED TO RELEASE THE RESULTS OF AN AUTOPSY.

WILKES-BARRE, PA. (AP) - A FORMER NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA JUDGE IS ASKING THE STATE SUPREME COURT TO TAKE OVER A MISCONDUCT CASE AGAINST HER.THE STATE COURT OF JUDICIAL DISCIPLINE SAID IN DECEMBER THAT FORMER LUZERNE COUNTY JUDGE ANN LOKUTA FAILED TO PERFORM HER JUDICIAL DUTIES. BUT LOKUTA SAYS SHE WAS THE TARGET OF A VENDETTA BY OTHER JUDGES, WHO HAVE SINCE PLEADED GUILTY TO FEDERAL CORRUPTION CHARGES.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA (AP) - THE HUNT FOR A REALITY SHOW CONTESTANT WANTED IN THE GRUESOME DEATH AND MUTILATION OF HIS
EX-WIFE IS OVER. AUTHORITIES SAY RYAN JENKINS WAS FOUND DEAD, AN
APPARENT SUICIDE AFTER HANGING HIMSELF IN A SECLUDED MOTEL IN
BRITISH COLUMBIA IN CANADA.

PORTLAND, MAINE (AP) - HURRICANE BILL REMAINS A MINIMAL CATEGORY 1 STORM OFF THE COAST OF NEWFOUNDLAND. FORECASTERS EXPECT IT TO
WEAKEN AS IT MOVES OVER COOLER CANADIAN WATERS. BILL IS BLAMED IN
TWO DEATHS, INCLUDING A 7-YEAR-OLD GIRL WHO DIED IN MAINE AFTER SHE
WAS SWEPT INTO THE OCEAN BY A LARGE WAVE.

CHILMARK, MASS. (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AND HIS FAMILY WILL BE SPENDING THE FIRST FULL DAY OF THEIR WEEKLONG VACATION ON MARTHA'S VINEYARD IN MASSACHUSETTS. PLEADING FOR PRIVACY, THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS OBAMA WILL HAVE NO PUBLIC EVENTS WHILE ON HOLIDAY.

KARAI, MALAYSIA (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN MALAYSIA HAVE ABRUPTLY POSTPONED THE CANING OF A MUSLIM MODEL FOR DRINKING BEER UNTIL AFTER THE ISLAMIC HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN. BUT THEY INSIST THE PUNISHMENT WOULD BE CARRIED OUT DESPITE CRITICISM THAT IT'S TOO HARSH.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS (AP) - MISS VENEZUELA WAS THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL ONCE AGAIN, WINNING THE 2009 MISS UNIVERSE CROWN FOR THE SECOND YEAR STRAIGHT. STEFANIA FERNANDEZ HUGGED THE RUNNER-UP FROM THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AND DANCED IN JOY AS HER VICTORY WAS ANNOUNCED LAST NIGHT IN THE BAHAMAS.

Todays News-Saturday August 22 2009

GUNSHOTS IN WEST PENN

MORE DETAILS HAVE COME TO LIGHT FROM AN INCIDENT THURSDAY NIGHT IN WEST PENN TOWNSHIP. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THAT 39 YEAR OLD DAVID ZELLNER WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AFTER CALLING HIS NEIGHBORS TO COMPLAIN ABOUT LIGHTS BEING ON AT THEIR HOUSE. WHEN TWO MEN WENT TO THE HOME, ZELLNER PULLED A 38 CALIBER HANDGUN ON THEM, FIRING SHOTS TOWARD THEM AND ONTO ROUTE 443, WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY WITHOUT INCIDENT. HE'S CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL ATTEMPT TO COMMIT HOMICIDE, FELONY AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND A HOST OF OTHER CHARGES. ZELLNER IS LODGED IN THE COUNTY PRISON.

TWO LEHIGH COUNTY MEN KILLED IN CRASH

TWO MEN FROM LEHIGH COUNTY DIED IN A CRASH IN WEST PENN TOWNSHIP FRIDAY MORNING. POLICE REPORT THAT A CAR TRAVELING ON ROUTE 309 WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. COUNTY DEPUTY CORONER LARRY NEFF PRONOUNCED NICHOLAS SALTZER AND THE UNIDENTIFIED MAN DEAD AT THE SCENE. A WOMAN DRIVING THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS FLOWN TO LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL.

BROADWAY, JAZZ AND STANDARDS COME TO SOVEREIGN MAJESTIC

TONIGHT IS DATE NIGHT FOR YOU AND YOUR FAVORITE SOMEONE WITH GREAT TUNES AT THE SOVEREIGN MAJESTIC. JAY LEVAN HAS MORE:

SOVEREIGN MACCREADY
1:12
O.C. WPPA NEWS

STATE CAPITOL ROUNDUP

THE BUDGET STALEMATE, HEADING TOWARD ITS EIGHTH WEEK, CAPPED A TUMULTUOUS WEEK IN HARRISBURG. CHUCK NICHOLS HAS THIS WEEK'S STATE CAPITOL ROUNDUP:

NICHOLS
:48

DEMS PUSH FOR ADEQUATE EDUCATION FUNDING

AS STUDENTS ENJOY THEIR FINAL DAYS OF SUMMER VACATION, STATE LAWMAKERS IN HARRISBURG CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR ADEQUATE EDUCATION FUNDING. ROSEANN CADAU REPORTS FROM THE CAPITOL:

CADAU
:55

HARLEY DAVIDSON-PLANT
HARLEY-DAVIDSON LOOKS AT 4 STATES IN PLANT MOVE
NEW YORK (AP) - HARLEY-DAVIDSON INC. SAYS IT IS CONSIDERING SITES IN FOUR STATES FOR A POSSIBLE RELOCATION OF ITS MAIN MOTORCYCLE PLANT IN YORK, PA. HARLEY SPOKESMAN BOB KLEIN SAYS HARLEY OFFICIALS HAVE TOURED LOCATIONS IN MURFREESBORO, TENN., SHELBYVILLE, IND., SHELBYVILLE, KY., AND KANSAS CITY, MO., OVER THE LAST WEEK. HARLEY HAS SAID ITS MOTORCYCLE ASSEMBLY PLANT IN YORK HAS TOO MUCH CAPACITY AND IS NOT COST-EFFECTIVE. THE MILWAUKEE-BASED COMPANY ANNOUNCED IN MAY IT WOULD EITHER FIND WAYS TO IMPROVE THE PLANT'S EFFICIENCY OR RELOCATE ELSEWHERE. A DECISION IS EXPECTED LATER THIS YEAR. KLEIN SAYS REMAINING IN YORK IS THE COMPANY'S PREFERRED PATH. THE FACILITY EMPLOYEES 2,300 PEOPLE.

UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION
PA.'S JOBLESS CLAIMS RISE A BIT AFTER 9-MONTH-LOW
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE FILING FOR THEIR FIRST WEEK OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS IN PENNSYLVANIA ROSE LAST WEEK AFTER HITTING A NINE-MONTH-LOW AT THE END OF JULY. THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY SAID FRIDAY THAT MORE THAN 31,100 PEOPLE SUBMITTED INITIAL BENEFITS FILINGS IN THE WEEK ENDING AUG. 15. THAT WAS ABOUT 1,500 HIGHER THAN THE WEEK ENDING AUG. 1, WHEN THE STATE RECEIVED THE FEWEST FILINGS SINCE NOVEMBER. IT ALSO IS 50 PERCENT HIGHER THAN THE SAME WEEK A YEAR AGO. ALL TOLD, MORE THAN 475,000 PEOPLE RECEIVED AN UNEMPLOYMENT CHECK FROM THE STATE DURING THE WEEK ENDING AUG. 15. THAT'S ABOUT ONE IN EVERY 13 PEOPLE IN THE STATE'S CIVILIAN WORK FORCE. PENNSYLVANIA'S JULY JOBLESS RATE WAS 8.5 PERCENT - THE HIGHEST IN ALMOST 25 YEARS.

PENNSYLVANIA PENSIONS
VOTES NEARING ON PHILLY, MUNICIPAL PENSION BILLS
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THE STATE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE IS PLANNING TO VOTE ON LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ADDRESS PHILADELPHIA'S BUDGET CRISIS, AS WELL AS STRUGGLING MUNICIPAL PENSION FUNDS. FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN PAT BROWNE SAID HE WILL TAKE A VOTE MONDAY ON THE LEGISLATION. A FINAL VOTE IN THE CHAMBER COULD HAPPEN AS EARLY AS WEDNESDAY. LEGISLATORS SAY IT IS VITAL THAT THE STATE LAY OUT A RECOVERY PLAN FOR PENNSYLVANIA'S MUNICIPAL PENSION FUNDS. A BILL ALSO IS PENDING IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THE SENATE BILL WOULD GRANT PHILADELPHIA THE AUTHORITY THAT MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER WANTS TO RAISE THE CITY SALES TAX AND TO RECONFIGURE THE CITY WORKERS' PENSION FUND. THE HOUSE VOTED TO DO SO BUT THE SENATE HASN'T ACTED YET. WITHOUT THAT AUTHORITY, NUTTER IS PREPARING TO SLASH 3,000 CITY JOBS.

SENATOR INVESTIGATION-TRIAL
DOCTOR: EX-PA. SEN. ADDICTED TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - DOCTORS FOR CONVICTED FORMER STATE SEN. VINCENT FUMO SAY HE IS ADDICTED TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, INCLUDING THE ANTI-ANXIETY DRUG XANAX. ACCORDING TO DOCUMENTS UNSEALED FRIDAY, FUMO TOLD A DOCTOR HE TOOK LARGER DOSES OF THE DRUGS THAN PRESCRIBED AND ABUSED ALCOHOL TO COPE WITH HIS CORRUPTION TRIAL. FUMO WAS CONVICTED EARLIER THIS YEAR OF DEFRAUDING THE STATE SENATE, A SOUTH PHILADELPHIA NONPROFIT AND A SEAPORT MUSEUM OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. IN JULY, HE WAS SENTENCED TO 55 MONTHS IN PRISON. FUMO'S ATTORNEYS FILED THE DOCUMENTS AS PART OF A BID TO HAVE HIS DATE TO REPORT TO PRISON DELAYED. U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE RONALD BUCKWALTER DENIED THAT REQUEST THURSDAY. FUMO IS DUE TO REPORT TO PRISON BY AUG. 31. PROSECUTORS SAY FUMO'S REQUEST FOR AN EXTENSION IS BASELESS.

SUBWAY ALTERCATION-DEATH
DEFENSE RESTS IN PHILLY SUBWAY BEATING DEATH CASE
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - CLOSING ARGUMENTS ARE SET FOR MONDAY IN THE TRIAL OF THREE TEENS ACCUSED OF BEATING A COFFEE SHOP MANAGER TO DEATH ON A DOWNTOWN PHILADELPHIA SUBWAY CONCOURSE. EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD AMEER BEST, 17-YEAR-OLD KINTA STANTON AND 17-YEAR-OLD NASHIR FISHER ARE FACING THIRD-DEGREE MURDER CHARGES IN THE DEATH OF 36-YEAR-OLD SEAN CONROY IN MARCH 2008. ATTORNEYS FOR THE TEENS WRAPPED UP HEIR CASE FRIDAY. PROSECUTORS SAY THE TEENS ATTACKED CONROY AS THE RESULT OF A DARE, TRIGGERING A FATAL ASTHMA ATTACK. STANTON TESTIFIED THURSDAY THAT HE AND FISHER NEVER STRUCK CONROY BUT BEST KNOCKED HIM TO THE GROUND. TWO OTHER TEENS HAVE PLEADED GUILTY IN THE CASE AND ARE AWAITING SENTENCING. ATTORNEYS HAVE NOT COMMENTED ON THE CASE BECAUSE OF A GAG ORDER.

POLICE-RELATED DEATH
PUNXY POLICE DEATH TO WEIGH DIABETES OR DRINKING
PUNXSUTAWNEY, PA. (AP) - STATE POLICE ARE TRYING TO DETERMINE IF A MAN WHO DIED IN PUNXSUTAWNEY POLICE CUSTODY MAY HAVE HAD A DIABETIC CONDITION INSTEAD OF BEING DRUNK AS BOROUGH POLICE FIRST SUSPECTED. LT. BERNIE PETROVSKY SAID THAT'S ONE THING PENDING AUTOPSY RESULTS MIGHT HELP POLICE DETERMINE ABOUT 48-YEAR-OLD STEPHEN OBBISH WHO WAS FOUND DEAD IN A POLICE CRUISER JUST BEFORE 3 P.M. SATURDAY. OBBISH HAD BEEN PICKED UP ON SUSPICION OF PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS ABOUT FIVE HOURS EARLIER, BUT PETROVSKY WON'T SAY IF OBBISH WAS IN THE CRUISER THAT ENTIRE TIME. PUNXSUTAWNEY POLICE OFFICIALS ARE ALSO CONDUCTING AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION, BUT AREN'T RETURNING CALLS AND E-MAILS FOR COMMENT. PUNXSUTAWNEY, ABOUT 60 MILES NORTHEAST OF PITTSBURGH, IS BEST KNOWN FOR ITS GROUNDHOG DAY FESTIVITIES.

MAYOR-THEFT CHARGES
PHILLY-AREA MAYOR CHARGED IN FUNERAL HOME SCAM
MEDIA, PA. (AP) - A SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA MAYOR IS FACING THEFT CHARGES FOR ALLEGEDLY BILKING OVER $75,000 FROM CUSTOMERS OF THE FUNERAL HOME HE OWNED. THE DELAWARE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SAYS 68-YEAR-OLD GLENOLDEN MAYOR THEODORE BATHURST DEFRAUDED CUSTOMERS OVER A NINE-YEAR PERIOD. AUTHORITIES SAY BATHURST PAID OPERATING EXPENSES USING MONEY FROM A FUND CUSTOMERS COULD PAY INTO IN ADVANCE. BATHURST WAS ARRAIGNED FRIDAY. HE FACES A TOTAL OF 114 CHARGES INCLUDING THEFT BY DECEPTION AND RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY. FOLLOWING HIS ARRAIGNMENT, BATHURST SAID HE WAS SORRY BUT WOULD NOT SAY WHETHER HE WOULD STEP DOWN AS MAYOR. GLENOLDEN SOLICITOR MIKE PUPPIO SAID IN A STATEMENT THE CHARGES HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH BATHURST'S DUTIES AS MAYOR AND HE HAS NO CONTROL OVER BOROUGH FINANCES. BATHURST SOLD THE FUNERAL HOME IN 2007.

11-YEAR FUGITIVE
PA. WOMAN WHO ESCAPED PRISON IN 1998 FOUND IN DEL.
LYNCH HEIGHTS, DEL. (AP) - DELAWARE STATE POLICE SAY THEY'VE CAPTURED A WOMAN IN KENT COUNTY AFTER SHE ESCAPED FROM A PENNSYLVANIA PRISON 11 YEARS AGO. TROOPERS FOUND CYNTHIA HECK ON LOG CABIN ROAD NEAR LYNCH HEIGHTS TUESDAY NIGHT. THEY'D RECEIVED A TIP THAT SHE WAS STAYING AT A HOUSE IN THAT AREA. HECK WAS FOUND AT THE HOME AND TAKEN INTO CUSTODY WITHOUT INCIDENT. PENDING EXTRADITION TO PENNSYLVANIA, SHE'S BEING HELD AT WOMEN'S CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION IN NEW CASTLE COUNTY. SHE ESCAPED FROM THE LEHIGH COUNTY WOMEN'S CORRECTIONAL CENTER ON AUG. 10, 1998.

PITTSBURGH-G-20
PITTSBURGH APPROVES PERMIT FOR G-20 RALLY
PITTSBURGH (AP) - PITTSBURGH HAS APPROVED A PERMIT FOR A LARGE PROTEST RALLY AT POINT STATE PARK THE DAY BEFORE THE GROUP OF 20 ECONOMIC SUMMIT AND HAS PICKED TWO ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS FOR PROTESTERS TO GATHER ON THE DAYS THAT THE WORLD'S ECONOMIC LEADERS MEET NEXT MONTH. MAYOR LUKE RAVENSTAHL DECLINED TO DISCLOSE THE TWO LOCATIONS ON FRIDAY, SAYING SOME DETAILS STILL MUST BE WORKED OUT WITH THE SECRET SERVICE. BUT THEY WILL BE "WITHIN SIGHT AND WITHIN SOUND" OF THE DAVID L. LAWRENCE CONVENTION CENTER, WHERE THE SUMMIT WILL BE HELD SEPT. 24-25, HE SAID. POINT STATE PARK IS ABOUT A HALF-MILE FROM THE CONVENTION CENTER. THE CITY ALSO APPROVED SIX OTHER PERMITS FOR PROTEST-RELATED ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING A MARCH FROM THE CITY'S OAKLAND SECTION, HOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AND CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY, TO
DOWNTOWN.

VACCINE HEARING
UPMC WANTS TO START $830M VACCINE CENTER IN PA.
PITTSBURGH (AP) - THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH MEDICAL CENTER WANTS TO START AN $830 MILLION CENTER THAT WOULD BE THE WORLD'S LEADING SUPPLIER OF VACCINES. ROBERT CINDRICH, UPMC'S SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND SENIOR LEGAL OFFICER, SAYS THE FACILITY WOULD CREATE ABOUT 1,000 HIGH-PAYING JOBS. UPMC OFFICIALS WERE PITCHING THE IDEA AT A FEDERAL HEARING HOSTED FRIDAY BY DEMOCRATIC U.S. SEN. ARLEN SPECTER AT THE U.S. DISTRICT COURTHOUSE IN PITTSBURGH. SPECTER CALLED THE HEARING, IN PART, BECAUSE OF DELAYS ANNOUNCED IN THE PRODUCTION OF THE SWINE FLU VACCINE FOR THIS FALL. UPMC OFFICIALS ARE PREPARED TO CONTRIBUTE UP TO $250 MILLION IF THE GOVERNMENT WILL SPEND $580 MILLION TO START THE CENTER. SPECTER SAYS A CENTER IS NEEDED TO BETTER COMBAT DISEASES AND BIOTERROR THREATS.

PELTIER-PAROLE
AMERICAN INDIAN ACTIVIST DENIED PAROLE
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - U.S. ATTORNEY DREW WRIGLEY SAYS IMPRISONED AMERICAN INDIAN ACTIVIST LEONARD PELTIER HAS ONCE AGAIN BEEN DENIED PAROLE. WRIGLEY SAYS THE NEXT SCHEDULED HEARING FOR PELTIER IS 2024, WHEN PELTIER WOULD BE 79 YEARS OLD. PELTIER IS SERVING TWO LIFE SENTENCES FOR THE EXECUTION-STYLE DEATHS OF FBI AGENTS JACK COLER AND RONALD WILLIAMS DURING A JUNE 26, 1975, STANDOFF ON SOUTH DAKOTA'S PINE RIDGE INDIAN RESERVATION. HE WAS CONVICTED IN FARGO, N.D., IN 1977. HE HAS CLAIMED THE FBI FRAMED HIM, WHICH THE AGENCY DENIES, AND UNSUCCESSFULLY APPEALED HIS CONVICTION NUMEROUS TIMES. PELTIER HAD A FULL PAROLE HEARING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 15 YEARS LAST MONTH AT THE LEWISBURG, PA., FEDERAL PRISON WHERE HE IS BEING HELD. DEFENSE ATTORNEY ERIC SEITZ DECLINED COMMENT ON THE U.S. PAROLE COMMISSION DECISION FRIDAY, SAYING THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAD NOT INFORMED HIM.

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IS CHALLENGING HIS CRITICS ON A NATIONAL HEALTH CARE OVERHAUL, ACCUSING THEM OF MAKING "PHONY CLAIMS." IN HIS WEEKLY RADIO AND INTERNET ADDRESS, THE PRESIDENT DENIES THE OVERHAUL WILL RESULT IN SO-CALLED "DEATH PANELS," AN IDEA HE CALLS "OFFENSIVE."

WASHINGTON (AP) - FOR THEIR PART, REPUBLICANS ARE ACCUSING PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA OF MISREPRESENTING HIS HEALTH CARE REFORM PROPOSAL. GEORGIA CONGRESSMAN TOM PRICE SAYS OPPOSITION TO THE PLAN IS MOUNTING, AND THAT OBAMA HIMSELF "PLAYS FAST AND LOOSE WITH THE
FACTS."

HAMILTON, BERMUDA (AP) - A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS UP FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS COAST. THERE ARE CONCERNS THE AREA WILL BE BUFFETED
BY HURRICANE BILL, WHICH HAS BEEN GENERATING WAVES THAT HAVE BEEN
POUNDING BERMUDA.

BURGIN, KY. (AP) - A POLICE SPOKESMAN SAYS FIRES SET BY RIOTING INMATES AT A KENTUCKY PRISON LEFT SO MUCH DAMAGE, OFFICIALS ARE STARTING TO BUS SOME OF THE PRISONERS TO OTHER FACILITIES. THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES TO INMATES OR PRISON STAFF IN THE RIOTING, WHICH BEGAN LAST EVENING AND WAS PUT DOWN FOUR HOURS LATER.

BUENA PARK, CALIF. (AP) - AUTHORITIES ARE CONTINUING TO SEARCH FOR A REALITY TV CONTESTANT WANTED IN THE SLAYING OF HIS EX-WIFE, A FORMER MODEL. REPORTS FROM CANADA SAY RYAN JENKINS WAS TAKEN OFF A PLANE IN TORONTO, BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

Today's News-Friday August 21 2009

READING MAN'S DEATH ACCIDENTAL

AUTOPSY RESULTS HAVE DETERMINED A READING MAN'S DEATH IN THE SCHUYLKILL RIVER WEDNESDAY WAS ACCIDENTAL. DR. RICHARD BINDIE PERFORMED THE AUTOPSY ON 32 YEAR OLD RAPHAEL MONTIRO, WHO WITH FRIENDS WERE SWIMMING NEAR THE ROCK AT PORT CLINTON. INVESTIGATORS SAY THE MEN TIRED AND TRIED TO GET BACK TO THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY SIDE. THAT'S WHEN MONTIRO WAS TAKEN UNDER BY THE CURRENT.

SEXUAL ASSAULT

AN ASHLAND MAN IS CHARGED WITH ALLEGED SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A YOUNG GIRL. POLICE SAY 46 YEAR OLD DAVID WAIZENEGGER WAS ARRESTED WEDNESDAY ON FELONY COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED INDECENT ASSAULT AND SEVERAL MISDEMEANORS. TWO GIRLS WERE REPORTEDLY WATCHING TV ON AUGUST 11TH WHEN WAIZENEGGER CAME INTO THE ROOM AND IS ALLEGED TO HAVE TOUCHED THE 10 YEAR OLD GIRL INAPPROPRIATELY. WAIZENEGGER HAS ADMITTED TO TOUCHING THE GIRL. HE FACES A PRELIMINARY HEARING NEXT WEEK.

HOLDEN WEIGHS IN ON HEALTHCARE

WHO REALLY KNOWS WHAT A HEALTHCARE REFORM PACKAGE WILL LOOK LIKE? CONGRESSMAN TIM HOLDEN WEIGHED IN ON THE ISSUE THAT'S ON EVERYONE'S MIND ON WPPA'S STEP UP TO THE MIC PROGRAM THURSDAY:

HOLDEN 1

HOLDEN SAYS HE'S GETTING A LOT OF FEEDBACK FROM HIS CONSTITUENTS ON BOTH SIDES, WITH SOME MISINFORMATION:

HOLDEN 2

THE CONGRESSMAN ACKNOWLEDGED THAT NO ONE PIECE OF LEGISLATION WILL PLEASE EVERYONE.

HEALTHCARE TWO

TALK OF MASSIVE CHANGES IN THE NATION'S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM DOMINATES THE DAILY NEWS. IDEAS OF ALL SORTS CONTINUE TO BE SPECULATED ON IN WASHINGTON AND AT THE LOCAL PUB. CONGRESSMAN TIM HOLDEN TOLD WPPA'S STEP UP TO THE MIC AUDIENCE THURSDAY THAT WE NEED TO CLEAR UP THE MISINFORMATION AND GET A HANDLE ON THE COST:

HOLDEN HLTH 3

HOLDEN SAID THAT HE AND HIS COLLEAGUES CONTINUE TO RESEARCH WHETHER A PUBLIC HEALTH PLAN TO COMPETE WITH PRIVATE INSURERS IS THE RIGHT WAY TO GO.

MAHANOY WOMAN CHARGED WITH HEROIN POSSESSION

POLICE IN MAHANOY CITY HAVE CHARGED A BOROUGH WOMAN WITH HEROIN POSSESSION. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD INDICATES 40 YEAR OLD MICHELLE BRENNAN IS CHARGED WITH DRUG COUNTS AFTER POLICE RECEIVED A TIP SHE WAS BRINGING HEROIN INTO THE COUNTY FROM READING. OTHER WARRANTS WERE ALSO OUTSTANDING AGAINST BRENNAN. FOURTEEN BAGS OF HEROIN WERE FOUND DURING A SEARRCH. BRENNAN WAS JAILED IN LIEU OF BAIL AND FACES A PRELIMINARY HEARING LATER ON THE CHARGES.

WASHINGTON (AP) - FORMER HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY TOM RIDGE SAYS HE HAD TO RESIST PRESSURE FROM OTHER CABINET MEMBERS TO STOP THE NATION'S TERROR ALERT LEVEL FROM BEING RAISED JUST BEFORE THE 2004 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. THE ERIE NATIVE, FORMER CONGRESSMAN AND PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR MAKES THE CLAIM IN A NEW BOOK WHICH COMES OUT
SEPTEMBER 1.

WASHINGTON (AP) - IN AN INTERVIEW YESTERDAY WITH PHILADELPHIA-BASED RADIO TALK SHOW HOST MICHAEL SMERCONISH, PRESIDENT OBAMA IS STANDING BY HIS POSITION THAT A PUBLIC OPTION FOR HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS PART OF LEGISLATION TO OVERHAUL THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. THE PRESIDENT SAYS NO ONE SHOULD BE OBLIGATED TO GO INTO THE PUBLIC PLAN.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - PHILADELPHIA MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER SAYS HE HAS ORDERED DEPARTMENT HEADS TO SUBMIT LAYOFF LISTS TODAY FOR A "DOOMSDAY BUDGET" THAT WOULD CUT 3,000 CITY JOBS. NUTTER SAYS HE DOESN'T WANT TO IMPLEMENT SUCH A BUDGET, BUT SAYS HE WILL IF THERE IS NO RELIEF FROM THE STATE. POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS WOULD BE AMONG THOSE LOSING THEIR JOBS.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - JUDGE RONALD BUCKWALTER RULED YESTERDAY THAT FORMER STATE SEN. VINCENT FUMO MUST REPORT TO PRISON BY AUG. 31. LAWYERS FOR THE PHILADELPHIA DEMOCRAT HAD FILED COURT PAPERS ASKING
THAT FUMO REMAIN FREE ON BAIL WHILE HE APPEALS HIS CONVICTION. FUMO
WAS CONVICTED OF DEFRAUDING THE STATE SENATE, A NONPROFIT AND A SEAPORT MUSEUM OF MILLIONS.

EAST STROUDSBURG, PA. (AP) - A STUDENT AT EAST STROUDSBURG UNIVERSITY HAS ADMITTED TO POLICE THAT SHE FALSELY REPORTED BEING RAPED LAST WEEK. THE STUDENT REPORTED THAT SHE WAS ATTACKED LATE IN THE MORNING ON AUG. 13 WHILE WALKING THROUGH A PARKING LOT. STATE POLICE SAID THAT THE WOMAN LATER ADMITTED SHE WAS NOT ATTACKED AND THAT SHE MADE UP A FALSE REPORT.

MIAMI (AP) - HURRICANE BILL IS PACKING WINDS NEAR 120 MPH, AND COULD STILL GAIN STRENGTH AS IT CHURNS OVER THE WARM ATLANTIC TOWARD BERMUDA. THE SEASON'S FIRST HURRICANE THREATENS TO FLOOD BERMUDA'S COASTLINES AND BRING DANGEROUS SURF AND RIPTIDES TO THE EASTERN U.S. LARGE SWELLS ARE ALREADY AFFECTING PUERTO RICO, HISPANIOLA AND THE BAHAMAS.

BEIJING (AP) - THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION IS WARNING THAT SWINE FLU WILL BE PUTTING MORE LIVES AT RISK IN THE COMING MONTHS. AN OFFICIAL IS URGING NATIONS TO SPEED UP PREPARATIONS FOR THE NEW STRAIN. HE SAYS MOST COUNTRIES MAY SEE SWINE FLU CASES DOUBLE EVERY THREE TO FOUR DAYS -- FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (AP) - CALIFORNIA'S STATE ASSEMBLY IS BALKING AT A SENATE-PASSED BUDGET-TRIMMING PLAN THAT WOULD CUT THE STATE'S
PRISON POPULATION BY 27,000 INMATES. LAWMAKERS HAVE A NEW VERSION
THAT WOULD KEEP 10,600 MORE INMATES BEHIND BARS. IT WOULD ALSO LEAVE THE STATE WITH A NEW, NEARLY $200 MILLION BUDGET HOLE.

DALLAS (AP) - THE DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT IS NOW THE NATION'S LARGEST FORCE TO USE A NEW APPROACH TO THE PHOTO LINEUP SYSTEM LONG USED TO IDENTIFY SUSPECTS. SEQUENTIAL BLIND PHOTO LINEUPS ARE DESIGNED TO REDUCE MISTAKES MADE BY WITNESSES. POLICE SAY THE PRACTICE LEADS TO FEWER -- BUT MORE ACCURATE -- IDENTIFICATIONS.

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAS BEEN TAKING A FEW JABS AT THOSE HE ACCUSES OF SPREADING MISINFORMATION ABOUT HIS HEALTH CARE REFORM PROPOSAL. HE'S ALSO TAKING ON THE MEDIA, SAYING THERE'S NO QUESTION HOW THE LIES ARE BEING SPREAD. BUT HE SAYS THERE'S A WAY TO COUNTER THE MISINFORMATION -- BY HAVING AN HONEST DEBATE.

Today's News-Thursday August 20 2009

COOPER HIGH SCHOOL SOLD

THE FORMER J.W. COOPER HIGH SCHOOL IN SHENANDOAH HAS BEEN SOLD…AND THE NEW OWNER HAS BIG PLANS. KENT STEINMETZ OF SCHUYLKILL HAVEN IS A JEWELER AND SAYS THE POSSIBILITIES FOR THE BUILDING ARE LIMITLESS. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THAT A CULTURAL CENTER, A BED AND BREAKFAST AND OTHER USES ARE ON THE DRAWING BOARD. THE PROJECT COULD ALSO INCLUDE A PARTNERSHIP WITH DOWNTOWN SHENANDOAH INCORPORATED. THE COOPER SCHOOL HAS BEEN VACANT FOR MANY YEARS, SO STEINMETZ SAYS A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO REHAB THE PROPERTY. J.W. COOPER HIGH SCHOOL WAS DEDICATED IN 1919.

READING MAN DROWNS

A READING MAN DROWNED WHILE SWIMMING IN THE SCHUYLKILL RIVER WEDNESDAY. EMERGENCY CREWS FROM BERKS COUNTY AND DIVERS FROM THE SCHUYLKILL HAVEN FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE CALLED TO PORT CLINTON LATE AFTERNOON. STATE POLICE SAY 32 YEAR OLD RAPHAEL MONTIRO AND SOME FRIENDS WERE TRYING TO SWIM ACROSS THE SCHUYLKILL NEAR "THE ROCK" WHEN HE WAS SWEPT UNDER BY THE CURRENT. MONTIRO'S BODY WAS FOUND IN ABOUT 12 FEET OF WATER ACCORDING TO HAMBURG FIRE CHIEF TROY HATT. AN AUTOPSY ON MONTIRO'S BODY IS SCHEDULED TODAY HERE IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.

WEEKEND BURGLARY

POTTSVILLE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A HOME BURGLARY FROM THE WEEKEND. OFFICER STEVE GUERS REPORTS THAT TWO MEN ENTERED A HOME IN THE 15-HUNDRED-BLOCK OF OAK ROAD SUNDAY NIGHT, REMOVING JEWELRY, SILVERWARE, MONEY AND MEDICATIONS. SUSPECTS ARE DESCRIBED AS BEING A WHITE MALE, 20 TO 40 YEARS OF AGE WITH DARK HAIR AND A WHITE FEMALE, SAME AGE RANGE WITH DARK HAIR AND A HEAVY BUILD. CALL 622-1234 FOR ANY CONFIDENTIAL TIPS.

TOOL THEFT AT CONSTRUCTION SITE

A POTTSVILLE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY IS THE VICTIM OF A THEFT. NUMEROUS TOOLS WERE TAKEN FROM THE SITE ON FIREHOUSE ROAD IN UNION TOWNSHIP. THE EQUIPMENT WAS OWNED BY HEIM CONSTRUCTION OF POTTSVILLE.

BUSINESS DAMAGED

A NORTH MANHEIM TOWNSHIP BUSINESS IS VANDALIZED AND STATE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING. SOMEONE SHOT A PELLET GUN AT THE FRONT WINDOWS OF BLUE MOUNTAIN CANDLES ON ROUTE 61. ALL TOLD, EIGHT GLASS PANELS WERE DAMAGED. THE SHOOTER THEN FLED THE SCENE. SCHUYLKILL HAVEN STATE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING.

ARGALL SAYS COLLEGE STUDENTS BEING HELD HOSTAGE

AS THE STATE BUDGET STALEMATE HEADS INTO ITS EIGHTH WEEK, COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE HEADING BACK TO SCHOOL, SOME WITHOUT MUCH NEEDED GRANT MONIES FOR TUITION, BOOKS AND BOARD. STATE SENATOR DAVE ARGALL TOOK TO THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE YESTERDAY TO SAY THAT THE GOVERNOR’S STOP GAP BUDGET IS HOLDING COLLEGE STUDENTS HOSTAGE:

ARGALL
:29

THE STOP GAP APPROVAL OF NEARLY $13 BILLION DOLLARS COVER STATE EMPLOYEES SALARIES ALONG WITH BASIC SERVICES. THERE APPEARS TO BE LITTLE MOVEMENT IN HARRISBURG TO FINALIZE A SPENDING PLAN.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A REPUBLICAN EFFORT TO OVERRIDE SPENDING ITEMS VETOED BY DEMOCRATIC GOV. ED RENDELL HAS FAILED IN THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE SENATE. LEGISLATORS VOTED TO OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR'S VETOES OF COLLEGE TUITION GRANTS AND SERVICES FOR THE MENTALLY ILL AND RETARDED. IT WAS SHORT OF THE TWO-THIRDS COUNT NEEDED TO OVERRIDE A VETO.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - COMEDIAN BILL COSBY JOINED PENNSYLVANIA GOV. ED RENDELL AT A NEWS CONFERENCE THAT CELEBRATED STEADY IMPROVEMENTS IN PENNSYLVANIA'S STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES IN MATH AND READING. RENDELL AND COSBY ALSO CRITICIZED SENATE REPUBLICANS' PLAN TO PROVIDE LESS MONEY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAN THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR HAS PROPOSED.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - SEVERAL OF PHILADELPHIA'S WORST-PERFORMING SCHOOLS ARE HEADED FOR EXTREME MAKEOVERS. THE "RENAISSANCE SCHOOLS" INITIATIVE SEEKS TO TRANSFORM THE MOST TROUBLED SCHOOLS BY REPLACING ENTIRE STAFFS, TURNING THEM INTO CHARTER SCHOOLS. AN ADVISORY BOARD MEETS TODAY TO DECIDE WHICH OF THE DISTRICT'S SCHOOLS WILL BE MADE OVER.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - BEGINNING THIS FALL, FORMER TALK SHOW HOST AND SITCOM STAR TONY DANZA WILL BE CO-TEACHING AN ENGLISH CLASS OF PHILADELPHIA 10TH GRADERS FOR A YET-TO-BE-TITLED REALITY SHOW ON
THE A&E CABLE CHANNEL. SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS APPROVED THE FILMING OF
THE SERIES YESTERDAY. THE VOTE ALLOWS AT LEAST 13 EPISODES TO BE SHOT AND BROADCAST.

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA PLANS TO DISCUSS HIS PUSH FOR HEALTH CARE OVERHAUL WITH CONSERVATIVE RADIO TALK SHOW HOST MICHAEL SMERCONISH (SMUR-KAHN'-IHSH). THE PHILADELPHIA-BASED BROADCASTER IS TO INTERVIEW OBAMA FROM THE WHITE HOUSE THIS AFTERNOON. SMERCONISH ALSO INTERVIEWED OBAMA DURING THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN LAST YEAR.

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA WILL BE PROMOTING HIS PLANS FOR HEALTH CARE REFORM IN A CONFERENCE CALL AND AN ONLINE ADDRESS TO SUPPORTERS TODAY. PUBLICLY, THE PRESIDENT IS STILL CALLING FOR A BIPARTISAN BILL. BUT PRIVATELY, DEMOCRATS ARE PREPARING TO GO IT ALONE, WITHOUT REPUBLICAN HELP.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE WHITE HOUSE PLANS TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE FEDERAL BUDGET DEFICIT FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR WON'T BE AS BIG AS ORIGINALLY PREDICTED. IT WILL STILL BE A RECORD-BREAKER AT $1.58 TRILLION, BUT ABOUT $262 BILLION LESS THAN FIRST THOUGHT.

KABUL (AP) - THERE HAVE BEEN SCATTERED REPORTS OF VIOLENCE FROM AROUND AFGHANISTAN, WHICH IS HOLDING ITS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. TALIBAN THREATS ARE KEEPING VOTER TURNOUT LOW IN THE CAPITAL KABUL AND IN THE MILITANT SOUTH. LOW TURNOUT IN THE SOUTH COULD HARM PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI'S RE-ELECTION CHANCES.

MIAMI (AP) - HURRICANE BILL HAS WEAKENED SLIGHTLY OVER THE OPEN ATLANTIC. IT'S NOW A CATEGORY 3 STORM. FORECASTERS SAY BILL SHOULD
BEGIN PUSHING LARGE SWELLS TOWARD BERMUDA AND PARTS OF THE SOUTHEASTERN U.S. COAST BY THE WEEKEND. IT'S NOT CLEAR YET HOW
CLOSE THE STORM WILL COME TO LAND.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE TINY SMART FORTWO AUTOMOBILE IS THE TOP SCORER IN TESTS FOR ROOF STRENGTH, CONSIDERED IMPORTANT IN ROLLOVER ACCIDENTS. THE FORTWO WAS THE ONLY 2009 MODEL YEAR MINICAR TO EARN THE BEST RATING OF GOOD IN RESULTS RELEASED BY THE INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY.

Todays News-Wednesday August 19 2009

THEFT AT THE ROCK

IT WAS AN EXPENSIVE TRIP FOR PHILADELPHIA AREA MEN WHO WERE SWIMMING AT A “THE ROCK” IN PORT CLINTON SUNDAY. UNKNOWN THIEVES BROKE INTO A TRUCK OWNED BY TENZIN RABZAY OF UPPER DARBY. TAKEN IN THE HAUL…ELECTRONIC DEVICES, WALLETS, CASH AND CLOTHING. SCHUYLKILL HAVEN STATE POLICE ARE CONTINUING THEIR INVESTIGATION.

SHOTS FIRED

STATE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING SHOTS FIRED AT A NORTH MANHEIM TOWNSHIP BUSINESS TUESDAY MORNING. TROOPERS SAY BETWEEN 9:30 AND 9:45AM, WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SMALL CALIBER WEAPON WAS FIRED INTO THE BASHORE TRUCKING SERVICE ON BUILTWELL ROAD. THE SHOOTER THEN FLED. ANYONE WITH INFO ON THE INCIDENT SHOULD CALL SCH HAVEN STATE POLICE AT 593-2000.

POTTSVILLE CHILD SAFETY (FIRST VERSION)

LIFE CENTRE FOURSQUARE CHURCH OPENED ITS DOORS TO KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR CHILD SAFETY DAY TUESDAY. NEARLY THREE DOZEN YOUNGSTERS TOOK PART IN PROGRAMS LIKE “GOOD TOUCH/BAD TOUCH”, TALKING TO STRANGERS, AND FIRE SAFETY AS PART OF THE CHURCH’S DAY CAMP PROGRAM THAT’S BEEN RUNNING ALL SUMMER. ASSOCIATE PASTOR DAVE POISSANT SAYS LIFECENTRE IS REACHING OUT:

POISSANT

IN ADDITION, EACH REGISTERED CHILD WAS PHOTOGRAPHED, FINGERPRINTED AND A DNA SAMPLE COLLECTED FOR PARENTS JUST IN CASE. ONCE THE KIDS RETURN TO SCHOOL AT MONTH’S END, THE CHURCH WILL GEAR UP WITH THEIR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM AT THEIR MAHANTONGO STREET LOCATION.

POTTSVILLE CHILD SAFETY

IT WAS ALL ABOUT CHILD SAFETY TUESDAY AT POTTSVILLE’S LIFECENTRE FOURSQUARE CHURCH. ASSOCIATE PASTOR DAVE POISSANT RUNS DOWN THE PROGRAM:

DAVE POISSANT 2

THE EVENT WAS PART OF LIFECENTRE’S DAY CAMP PROGRAM. A NEW AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM WILL TAKE OVER ONCE SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION AT THEIR MAHANTONGO STREET FACILITY.

BUYING PA

MUCH OF WHAT WE BUY HERE IN PA-FROM DRY WALL TO JEWELRY TO MEDICINES-IS MADE IN OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE MANUFACTURING STANDARDS ARE ALMOST NON-EXISTENT AND THERE’S OBSTACLES TO HOLDING THOSE FOREIGN MANUFACTURERS RESPONSIBLE FOR DEFECTS. CHRISTINE ZINNER WITH THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR JUSTICE SAYS WHEN CONGRESS RETURNS TO WASHINGTON IN SEPTEMBER IT WILL TAKE UP THE FOREIGN MANUFACTURERS LEGAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT WHICH WILL HELP LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD. SHE SAYS THE LEGISLATION COVERS PRODUCTS REGULATED BY U.S AGENCIES:

ZINNER 1
:16

SHE SAYS IF A PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENT IS INJURED BY A PRODUCT MADE OUTSIDE THE U.S., RECOURSE IS DIFFICULT:

ZINNER 2
:12

ZINNER SAYS THAT SUPRISINGLY FEW IN CONGRESS OR IN BUSINESS ARE EXPRESSING OPPOSITION TO THE ACT WHICH WOULD REQUIRE FOREIGN MANUFACTURERS TO HAVE AGENTS IN THE U.S. WHERE LEGAL PAPERS CAN BE SERVED.

STATE BUDGET
PA. SENATE TO TRY OVERRIDING RENDELL'S VETOES
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THE PLAN BY REPUBLICANS IN THE PENNSYLVANIA SENATE TO OVERRIDE DEMOCRATIC GOV. ED RENDELL'S VETO OF SOME BUDGET ITEMS FACES AN UPHILL CLIMB. A SUCCESSFUL VETO OVERRIDE REQUIRES TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY VOTES IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE. IN THE SENATE, COOPERATION FROM FOUR DEMOCRATS IS NECESSARY. IT WOULD FACE AN EVEN TOUGHER TIME IN THE HOUSE, WHERE 37 DEMOCRATIC VOTES ARE NECESSARY. EARLIER THIS MONTH, RENDELL AUTHORIZED JUST $12.8 BILLION IN SPENDING FROM A GOP-SPONSORED BUDGET BILL. IT WAS TO ENSURE THAT STATE EMPLOYEES GET THEIR PAYCHECKS ON TIME; THE POOR GET MEDICAL CARE; AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES, PRISONS AND STATE PARKS STAY OPEN. RENDELL VETOED NEARLY $13 BILLION FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, SCHOOL SUBSIDIES AND MORE. IT WAS A TACTIC TO PRESSURE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS TO AGREE TO ALLOW MORE MONEY FOR THE PROGRAMS.

PITTSBURGH G-20
G-20 PROTESTERS WANT TO MARCH DESPITE NO PERMIT
PITTSBURGH (AP) - A COALITION OPPOSED TO THE GROUP OF 20'S ECONOMIC POLICIES SAY THEY PLAN TO MARCH TO AND GATHER AT A STATE PARK IN PITTSBURGH WHEN THE G-20 ECONOMIC SUMMIT IS HELD - EVEN THOUGH THEIR PERMITS TO DO SO HAVE BEEN DENIED. THE GROUPS REPRESENT ANTI-WAR AND SOCIAL JUSTICE CAUSES. THEY SAY THEY'LL ALSO FIGHT THE CITY'S DENIAL OF THEIR PERMITS IN COURT IF NECESSARY. THE DEMONSTRATORS SAID THEY WANTED TO PEACEFULLY GATHER AT POINT STATE PARK, BUT OFFICIALS SAY THEY CAN'T. THE PARK WILL BE USED INSTEAD AS A COMMAND CENTER FOR POLICE AND THE SECRET SERVICE. THE SUMMIT IS BEING HELD SEPT. 24-25. DEMONSTRATORS SAY THEY'LL ALSO PETITION CITY COUNCIL TO TRY TO GET USE OF THE PARK.

PITTSBURGH SCHOOLS
PITTSBURGH SCHOOLS GET OK FROM GATES FOUNDATION
PITTSBURGH (AP) - PITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT MARK ROOSEVELT SAYS HIS DISTRICT'S PROPOSAL TO THE BILL AND MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION HAS BEEN ACCEPTED. ROOSEVELT SAYS HE GOT THE WORD FROM THE SEATTLE-BASED FOUNDATION TUESDAY. HE SAYS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE FOUNDATION NEED TO AGREE ON A CONTRACT SPELLING OUT DETAILS OF THEIR PARTNERSHIP BEFORE THINGS PROCEED. PITTSBURGH WAS ONE OF 10 SCHOOL DISTRICTS NATIONWIDE THAT THE MICROSOFT FOUNDER INVITED TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVING TEACHER EFFECTIVENESS. IT WASN'T IMMEDIATELY CLEAR HOW MANY OF THOSE 10 WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE FOUNDATION'S $500 MILLION INITIATIVE.

RIVER SEARCH
9-YEAR-OLD GIRL PUSHED INTO SCHUYLKILL RIVER IN PHILADELPHIA BELIEVED DEAD
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A PHILADELPHIA POLICE DETECTIVE SAYS THERE'S NO WAY A 9-YEAR-OLD GIRL WHO WAS PUSHED INTO A RIVER WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SWIM IN IT. LT. JOHN WALKER SAYS THE CURRENT OF THE SCHUYLKILL RIVER WAS TOO SWIFT FOR THE GIRL TO SWIM WHEN SHE WAS PUSHED IN TUESDAY NIGHT. WALKER SAYS THE GIRL WAS PLAYING WITH FRIENDS AND A BOY PUSHED HER INTO THE WATER AROUND 8 P.M. TUESDAY. WALKER SAYS THE GIRL DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO SWIM AND SHE PANICKED AND WAS CARRIED AWAY IN THE WATER. POLICE SAID LATE TUESDAY THAT THE EFFORT HAD TURNED FROM A RESCUE MISSION INTO A RECOVERY MISSION, MEANING THE SEARCH IS FOR A DEAD BODY.

POLICE STANDOFF-SHOOTING
PA. POLICE KILL MAN WHO FIRED AT OFFICERS
BLAKESLEE, PA. (AP) - POLICE IN NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA HAVE FATALLY SHOT A MAN WHO FIRED AT OFFICERS FOLLOWING A STANDOFF THAT LASTED SEVERAL HOURS. POCONO MOUNTAIN REGIONAL POLICE DID NOT IMMEDIATELY RELEASE THE NAME OF THE 27-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO WAS SHOT TUESDAY. HE WAS AIRLIFTED TO A HOSPITAL AND LATER DIED. POLICE CHIEF HARRY LEWIS SAYS THE MAN FIRED SHOTS IN THE AIR AND THREATENED TO USE DEADLY FORCE AGAINST ANY POLICE OFFICERS HE SAW BEFORE SHOOTING AT POLICE. LEWIS SAYS POLICE THEN RETURNED FIRE. POLICE WERE FIRST CALLED TO THE HOUSE TUESDAY MORNING WHEN A WOMAN SAYS HER SON WAS THREATENING HIS PARENTS AT THEIR HOME IN THE FOREST GLEN COMMUNITY.

FORECLOSURE-ARSON
PA. MAN ACCUSED OF ARSON TO OWN HOME
SCRANTON, PA. (AP) - A NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA MAN WHO PROSECUTORS SAY WAS ABOUT TO LOSE HIS HOME TO FORECLOSURE IS ACCUSED OF BURNING IT DOWN FOR INSURANCE MONEY. MANFERD LENNARTZ INSISTED AS HE WAS LED FROM THE LACKAWANNA COUNTY COURTHOUSE ON TUESDAY THAT THE FIRE THAT DESTROYED HIS HOME WAS AN ACCIDENT. THE 60-YEAR-OLD JERMYN MAN SAYS A TREE FELL ON HIS POWER LINE. THE HOME BURNED DOWN JULY 23, A DAY BEFORE INVESTIGATORS SAY IT WAS TO BE AUCTIONED AT A SHERIFF'S SALE. ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY COREY KOLCHARNO SAYS ARSON FOR FINANCIAL GAIN HAS BEEN ON THE RISE RECENTLY.

EX-PROSECUTOR CHARGED
PA. DA SAYS HE'S FIRED DEPUTY CHARGED IN ASSAULT
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A DISTRICT ATTORNEY IN SOUTH-CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA SAYS HE'S FIRED A DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY WHO'S CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING A POLICE OFFICER. DAUPHIN COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY ED MARSICO JR. SAID TUESDAY THAT CHRISTOPHER DREISBACH WAS AN EXCELLENT PROSECUTOR DURING HIS TIME WITH THE OFFICE. MARSICO SAYS HE FIRED DREISBACH BECAUSE HE "WOULD NO LONGER HAVE THE TRUST AND RESPECT NECESSARY TO WORK WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT" FOLLOWING HIS ARREST STEMMING FROM A DOMESTIC DISPUTE AT HIS HOME MONDAY EVENING. MARSICO SAYS HE IMMEDIATELY REFERRED THE CASE TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE FOR PROSECUTION. DREISBACH IS FREE ON BAIL.

ERIE DA
ERIE COUNTY, PA., HAS NEW DISTRICT ATTORNEY
ERIE, PA. (AP) - A NEW DISTRICT ATTORNEY HAS BEEN SWORN IN TO REPLACE ONE WHO DIED LAST WEEK IN NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA. NEW ERIE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY JACK DANERI SAID AT HIS SWEARING-IN TUESDAY THAT HE PLANS TO ADHERE TO THE GOALS SET BY HIS PREDECESSOR, THE LATE BRAD FOULK. DANERI WAS PICKED BY THE COUNTY'S JUDGES EARLIER IN THE DAY. HE HAD BEEN ERIE COUNTY'S CHIEF DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY SINCE 2002. HE IS TO SERVE AS DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR THE REMAINING TWO YEARS AND FOUR MONTHS OF FOULK'S THIRD TERM. FOULK DIED OF LUNG CANCER WEDNESDAY.

HEALTH CLUB SHOOTING
PITT REJECTS $225K ESTATE FROM HEALTH CLUB GUNMAN
PITTSBURGH (AP) - THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SAYS IT WON'T ACCEPT AN ESTIMATED $225,000 BEQUEST FROM THE GUNMAN WHO COMMITTED SUICIDE AFTER KILLING THREE WOMEN AND WOUNDING NINE OTHERS AT A PITTSBURGH-AREA HEALTH CLUB. COURT PAPERS OF THE INTENDED ESTATE GIFT WERE FILED FRIDAY BY THE BROTHER AND EXECUTOR FOR 48-YEAR-OLD GEORGE SODINI. UNIVERSITY SPOKESMAN ROBERT HILL REJECTED THE OFFER ON TUESDAY. TWO WOMEN INJURED IN THE AUG. 4 SHOOTING AN L.A. FITNESS CLUB INTEND TO SUE SODINI'S ESTATE. LISA MARIE FLEEHER AND ASHLEY FERRAGONIO FILED NOTICES TUESDAY IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY COURT. ATTORNEY HENRY SNEATH SAYS BOTH WOMEN WERE SHOT AND HAVE UNDERGONE SURGERY. HE SAYS THEY'RE RECOVERING, BUT FACE ADDITIONAL SURGERIES. SODINI GRADUATED FROM PITT IN 1992 AND NAMED THE SCHOOL AS BENEFICIARY IN A 2007 WILL.

LITTLE LEAGUE-BIDEN
LITTLE LEAGUE TO HONOR VP BIDEN DURING SERIES
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, PA. (AP) - VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN CAN ADD A NEW HONOR TO HIS RESUME: MEMBERSHIP IN THE LITTLE LEAGUE MUSEUM HALL OF EXCELLENCE. LITTLE LEAGUE OFFICIALS SAID TUESDAY THAT BIDEN WILL BE ENSHRINED DURING THIS YEAR'S WORLD SERIES, THOUGH THEY DO NOT KNOW
WHETHER HE PLANS TO ATTEND THE AUG. 30 CEREMONY AT THE CLOSE OF THE
10-DAY TOURNAMENT. THE VICE PRESIDENT GREW UP IN SCRANTON, LITTLE LEAGUE'S HOME IN SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT. GROWING UP, HE PLAYED IN THE GREEN RIDGE LITTLE LEAGUE. NEW YORK RANGERS CENTER CHRIS DRURY WILL ALSO BE ENSHRINED THIS YEAR INTO THE LITTLE LEAGUE HALL. DRURY WAS THE WINNING PITCHER IN THE TITLE GAME FOR THE TRUMBULL, CONN., TEAM THAT TOOK THE 1989 WORLD SERIES TITLE. THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES BEGINS FRIDAY.

MIAMI (AP) - HURRICANE BILL IS NOW A CATEGORY 4 STORM, GAINING STRENGTH AS IT SWIRLS ACROSS THE ATLANTIC. THE STORM'S CORE IS EXPECTED TO PASS WELL NORTHWEST OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS, BUT COULD POSE A THREAT TO BERMUDA.

KABUL (AP) - IT'S ELECTION EVE IN AFGHANISTAN, WHERE GUNFIRE AND EXPLOSIONS HAVE RESOUNDED THROUGH THE HEART OF KABUL. OFFICIALS SAY
POLICE KILLED THREE MILITANTS WHO HAD OVERRUN A BANK. TALIBAN MILITANTS AND THEIR SUPPORTERS ARE VOWING TO DISRUPT TOMORROW'S
VOTE.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (AP) - OFFICIALS IN THE PHILIPPINES SAY AT LEAST SEVEN MUSLIM GUNMEN ARE DEAD IN CLASHES WITH GOVERNMENT TROOPS. SOME 30 GUNMEN HAD TAKEN OVER A REMOTE ISLET. NEGOTIATIONS FAILED, AND MARINES LANDED ON SHORE EARLY TODAY. TWO GUNMEN HAVE BEEN CAPTURED.

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (AP) - AUTHORITIES ARE REPORTING A HEAVY DEATH TOLL AFTER A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT IN INDONESIA. THEY SAY A DUMP TRUCK PACKED WITH MORE THAN 60 PLANTATION WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES OVERTURNED. AT LEAST 25 PEOPLE ARE DEAD AND DOZENS OF OTHERS ARE INJURED. THE DRIVER IS FACING NEGLIGENCE CHARGES.

SEATTLE (AP) - VOTERS IN SEATTLE APPEAR TO HAVE REJECTED A 20-CENT FEE FOR EVERY PAPER OR PLASTIC BAG THEY GET FROM SUPERMARKETS AND OTHER STORES. CITY LEADERS HAD PASSED AN ORDINANCE TO CHARGE THE BAG FEE, BUT THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY BANKROLLED A REFERENDUM TO PUT THE QUESTION TO VOTERS IN YESTERDAY'S ELECTION.

Todays News-Tuesday August 18 2009

OSHA FINES TRANS WESTERN

A COUNTY MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CITED FOR SAFETY VIOLATIONS BY THE U.S. LABOR DEPARTMENT. TRANS WESTERN POLYMERS OF TAMAQUA HAS BEEN FINED $49-THOUSAND-FIVE-HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH VIOLATIONS. A PRESS RELEASE FROM OSHA INDICATES THE COMPANY WAS CITED FOR NOT HAVING "POINTS OF THEIR OPERATION NOT BEING GUARDED ON BAG CONVERSION MACHINES." THE INVESTIGATION WAS CONDUCTED BY THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION OFFICE IN WILKES BARRE.

CHILD SAFETY DAY

AS FAMILIES PREPARE TO SEND THE KIDDOS BACK TO SCHOOL, A CHURCH IN POTTSVILLE IS OFFEREING A FREE FUN DAY TODAY TO FOCUS ON CHILD SAFETY. THE NEW POTTSVILLE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM, SPONSORED BY THE LIFE CENTRE FOURSQUARE CHURCH, IS HOSTING THE DAY FROM 11AM TILL 4PM. AMONG THE GROUPS PARTICIPATING ARE SCHUYLKILL WOMEN IN CRISIS, THE POTTSVILLE POLICE, YORKVILLE HOSE AND SARCC. CHILD SAFETY KITS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ATTENDEES. THE CHURCH IS LOCATED AT 2300 MAHANTONGO STREET, POTTSVILLE.

HUNTER TO CHANGE PLEA

GUILDHALL, VT – A SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MAN CHARGED IN A HUNTING MISHAP THAT COST A GRANBY MAN PART OF HIS LEG IS SCHEDULED TO CHANGE HIS PLEA TODAY. 46 YEAR OLD JOHN BOPPEL OF ASHLAND HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT IN THE OCT. 22ND SHOOTING OF CALVIN NOBLE DURING MOOSE SEASON. POLICE SAY NOBLE WAS SHOT WHILE SITTING ON A STUMP AND USING A MOOSE CALL. BOPPEL TOLD POLICE HE THOUGHT HE WAS SHOOTING AT A BEAR.

ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTS COME TO COUNTY

AREA STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE FIELD TRIPS AND BEAUTIFY THEIR SCHOOL GROUNDS THANKS TO ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTS FROM THE STATE. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SECRETARY JOHN HANGER ANNOUNCED THE EDUCATION GRANTS YESTERDAY. OF THE MORE THAN $356-THOUSAND-DOLLARS IN PROJECTS, $39-HUNDRED-DOLLARS WILL COME TO TWO SCHUYLKILL GROUPS. SCHUYLKILL TECHNOLOGY CENTER WILL RECEIVE $3-THOUSAND-DOLLARS TO TURN A SCHOOL COURTYARD INTO A DISCOVERY GARDEN AND THE BLUE MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL GREEN CLUB WILL RECEIVE $900 DOLLARS FRO TWO FIELD TRIPS.

MINERSVILLE WOMAN TRIES TO RUN OVER MAN AND CHILDREN

MINERSVILLE POLICE CHARGE A WOMAN FOR ALLEGEDLY TRYING TO RUN OVER A MAN AND HIS CHILDREN. THE WEEKEND INCIDENT PLAYED OUT WHEN 41 YEAR OLD DAISY KREVIS OF MIDDLE STREET WAS TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED SATURDAY NIGHT AND SWERVED HER VEHICLE TOWARD A MAN AND HIS TWO CHILDREN. WHILE POLICE WERE TAKING HER INTO CUSTODY, SHE REPORTEDLY BECAME COMBATIVE AND REFUSED TO TAKE A BREATH TEST. COPS CHARGED HER WITH CARELESS DRIVING, DUI AND RESISTING ARREST.

BANK BAG REPORTED TAKEN

A NORTH MANHEIM TOWNSHIP BUSINESS WAS BROKEN INTO OVERNIGHT SUNDAY. STATE POLICE SAY THAT THE OFFICE DOOR AT SCHUYLKILL RACQUET CLUB WAS PRIED OPEN AND A BANK BAG CONTAINING CASH WAS TAKEN. IT IS NOT KNOWN HOW MUCH MONEY THE BURGLAR GOT DURING THE BREAK IN. THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES.

"PUMPY" CLOSED

A FAVORITE SPOT FOR ANGLERS IN NORTHERN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY HAS BEEN SHUT DOWN DUE TO UNSAFE CONDITIONS. THAT INFORMATION WAS PASSED ALONG DURING MONDAY’S SHENANDOAH BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING. ACCORDING TO THE REPUBLICAN HERALD, THE “PUMPY” WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE AND THAT CURRENT CONDITIONS CONSTITUTE A "DAM HAZARD EMERGENCY." THE BOROUGH-OWNED DAM IN EAST UNION TOWNSHIP HAS BEEN DEEMED UNSAFE BY D.E.P. FUNDING FROM STATE AND FEDERAL SOURCES WILL BE SOUGHT TO FIX THE DAM PROBLEMS AND REOPEN THE RECREATION AREA THAT HAS DRAWN ANGLERS FROM ALL OVER THE STATE, ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS.
LOW MILK PRICES AND TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES APPARENTLY WON'T HURT PENN STATE'S AG PROGRESS DAYS EXPO, WHICH RUNS TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY AT ROCK SPRINGS. IN FACT, INTEREST IN THE EVENT MAY BE AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH. CHUCK GILL REPORTS:

AG PROGRESS DAYS

STATE BUDGET-SOCIAL SERVICES
RENDELL SHOWS SUPPORT FROM CHILDREN'S ADVOCATES
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - GOV. ED RENDELL IS DEMONSTRATING HIS SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN'S ADVOCATES EVEN AS DOLLARS DRY UP FOR PRESCHOOL AND DAY CARE BECAUSE OF STATE GOVERNMENT'S SEVEN-WEEK-OLD BUDGET IMPASSE. RENDELL APPEARED MONDAY AT THE CAPITOL WITH DOZENS OF ADVOCATES FOR DAY CARE, PRESCHOOL AND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CALLED ON THE LEGISLATURE TO FINALIZE A RESPONSIBLE BUDGET. HE SAID HE WILL NOT SIGN A BUDGET THAT DOES NOT MAINTAIN HIS FUNDING PROPOSALS FOR SCHOOLS, CHILDREN, HEALTH CARE AND THE ELDERLY. HE SAYS IMPROVING CHILDREN'S EDUCATION IS TOO IMPORTANT TO THE STATE'S FUTURE TO AGREE TO DEEP CUTS, EVEN FOR A YEAR. WITHOUT THE STATE SUBSIDIES, DAY CARE PROVIDERS ARE LAYING OFF WORKERS, PRESCHOOLS ARE SCRAPPING PLANS TO OPEN AND NONPROFIT SERVICE PROVIDERS ARE CONSIDERING CLOSING.

PHILADELPHIA BUDGET
PHILLY MAYOR PLANS CUTS DUE TO PA. BUDGET STANDOFF
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - PHILADELPHIA'S MAYOR SAYS HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO CUT ABOUT 30 CITY JOBS, DELAY THE START OF A NEW CLASS OF POLICE CADETS AND REDUCE THE HOURS OF THE 311 CALL CENTER BECAUSE OF THE STATE BUDGET IMPASSE. MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER SAID MONDAY THAT THOSE CUTS AND OTHERS ARE NEEDED TO RESOLVE A NEW $20 MILLION CITY DEFICIT. THE CITY IS ASKING THE STATE TO APPROVE A TEMPORARY SALES TAX INCREASE IN PHILADELPHIA AND ALLOW CHANGES TO HOW THE CITY MAKES ITS PENSION PAYMENTS. WITHOUT THE SALES TAX INCREASE, NUTTER SAYS THE CITY MISSED OUT ON $20 MILLION IN REVENUE FOR AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER. HE SAYS THE CITY WILL HAVE TO CUT ABOUT 30 POSITIONS, LAYING OFF 12 PEOPLE. A SPOKESMAN FOR SENATE REPUBLICANS SAYS THE CHAMBER IS MOVING THE BUDGET BILL ALONG AND WILL CONSIDER PHILADELPHIA'S REQUESTS.

MISSING CHILDREN
2 PA. CHILDREN MISSING NEAR SUSQUEHANNA RIVER
SUNBURY, PA. (AP) - CREWS SEARCHING FOR TWO CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA CHILDREN MISSING SINCE THEY WENT WADING IN THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER
HAVE RECOVERED TWO BODIES, BUT THE IDENTITIES OF THE VICTIMS HAVE
NOT BEEN CONFIRMED. AUTHORITIES SAY THE BODIES WERE FOUND SHORTLY BEFORE 6 P.M. MONDAY ABOUT 150 FEET AWAY FROM WHERE THE CHILDREN DISAPPEARED SUNDAY NIGHT. THE NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY CORONER'S OFFICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. POLICE SAY 11-YEAR-OLD ASSUNDA ROTOLO AND 8-YEAR-OLD LESLIE DAVIS JR. OF LEWISBURG LEFT THEIR HOME AROUND 7 P.M. SUNDAY, TELLING FAMILY MEMBERS THEY WERE GOING TO THE RIVER. THEY WERE REPORTED MISSING TWO HOURS LATER. THE SEARCH WAS CALLED OFF AROUND 11:30 P.M. SUNDAY AND RESUMED AT 8 A.M. MONDAY, WITH VOLUNTEERS AND DOGS LOOKING ALONG THE RIVER BANKS.

PITTSBURGH-G-20
PITTSBURGH SCHOOLS MAY CLOSE DURING G-20 SUMMIT
PITTSBURGH (AP) - ADMINISTRATORS OF PITTSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE RECOMMENDING THAT THE DISTRICT CLOSE ALL 66 SCHOOLS DURING NEXT
MONTH'S GROUP OF 20 ECONOMIC SUMMIT. SUPERINTENDENT MARK ROOSEVELT SAID MONDAY IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT THAT OFFICIALS ARE WORRIED ABOUT TRANSPORTATION PROBLEMS IF THE SCHOOLS REMAIN OPEN DURING THE SEPT. 24-25 SUMMIT AT THE DAVID L. LAWRENCE CONVENTION CENTER. THE SCHOOL BOARD IS SCHEDULED TO VOTE ON THE PROPOSAL AT A MEETING WEDNESDAY NIGHT. IF THE CLOSURE IS APPROVED, STUDENTS WOULD ATTEND CLASSES NOV. 3 AND FEB.2, WHICH ARE NOW DESIGNATED AS OFF DAYS FOR STUDENTS AND INTENDED FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR STAFF.

TEMPLE STUDENT KILLED
PA. MAN KILLED IN ROBBERY DUE TO LANGUAGE BARRIER
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - POLICE SAY A COLLEGE STUDENT FROM WEST AFRICA WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN A ROBBERY ATTEMPT BECAUSE HE DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE COMMANDS OF A GUNMAN WHO CONFRONTED HIM IN A SOUTHWEST PHILADELPHIA PARK. HOMICIDE CAPTAIN JAMES CLARK SAYS 22-YEAR-OLD MAMADOU MAKADJI WAS SHOT IN THE CHEST AT ABOUT 1:12 A.M. MONDAY IN ELMWOOD PARK. THE TEMPLE UNIVERSITY STUDENT DIED A SHORT TIME LATER AT THE HOSPITAL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. THE VICTIM AND TWO FRIENDS WERE SITTING ON A BENCH IN THE PARK AT 71ST AND BUIST AVENUE WHEN A GUNMAN APPROACHED AND TRIED TO ROB THEM. CLARK SAYS MAKADJI DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT THE MAN WAS SAYING, AND THE GUNMAN STRUCK HIM WITH THE PISTOL AND THEN SHOT HIM. HIS TWO FRIENDS, ALSO STUDENTS FROM WEST AFRICA, WERE NOT HARMED.

SUBWAY ALTERCATION-DEATH
DEFENSE: TRIO HAD NO MALICE IN PHILLY SUBWAY DEATH
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THREE TEENAGERS WHO ALLEGEDLY BEAT A MAN ON A PHILADELPHIA SUBWAY CONCOURSE ON A DARE ARE ON TRIAL IN THE VICTIM'S ASTHMA-RELATED DEATH. DEFENSE LAWYERS SAY AUTHORITIES CANNOT PROVE THEY ARE GUILTY OF CONSPIRACY AND THE MALICE REQUIRED OF THIRD-DEGREE MURDER. AND ONE LAWYER SAYS HIS CLIENT NEVER TOUCHED THE VICTIM, 36-YEAR-OLD STARBUCKS MANAGER SEAN CONROY OF PHILADELPHIA. TWO OTHER TEENS HAVE PLEADED GUILTY IN THE CASE. EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD AMEER BEST AND 17-YEAR-OLDS NASHIR FISHER AND KINTA STANTON ARE ON TRIAL JUST BLOCKS FROM THE SITE OF THE MARCH 2008 ATTACK NEAR CITY HALL. AUTHORITIES SAY ALL FIVE CO-DEFENDANTS HAD SKIPPED SCHOOL THAT AFTERNOON.

SENATOR INVESTIGATION-TRIAL
FUMO ASKS TO DELAY START DATE FOR PRISON TERM
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - FORMER STATE SEN. VINCENT FUMO WANTS TO DELAY THE AUG. 31 DEADLINE TO REPORT TO PRISON IN HIS CORRUPTION CASE. THE 66-YEAR-OLD PHILADELPHIA DEMOCRAT FILED PAPERS MONDAY ASKING TO REMAIN FREE ON BAIL DURING THE APPEALS. FUMO IS APPEALING HIS 137-COUNT CONVICTION ON FRAUD AND TAX CHARGES. FEDERAL PROSECUTORS ARE SEEKING TO APPEAL FUMO'S 55-MONTH SENTENCE, A FRACTION OF THE 15-YEAR TERM THEY SOUGHT. FUMO'S LAWYERS SAY HE HAD PLANNED TO REPORT TO PRISON, BUT NOW NEEDS TIME TO FIGHT THE GOVERNMENT APPEAL. FUMO SAYS THERE ARE ALSO MEDICAL REASONS, FILED UNDER SEAL, TO JUSTIFY THE DELAY. A JURY CONVICTED THE POWERFUL FUMO THIS YEAR OF DEFRAUDING THE STATE SENATE, A SOUTH PHILADELPHIA NONPROFIT AND A SEAPORT MUSEUM OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

GAME LANDS BODY
PA. MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN MOM'S STRANGULATION DEATH
EBENSBURG, PA. (AP) - A WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA MAN HAS PLEADED GUILTY TO THIRD-DEGREE MURDER IN THE STRANGULATION DEATH OF HIS MOTHER LAST FALL. FIFTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD FREDERICK PHILLIPS ENTERED THE PLEA MONDAY BEFORE CAMBRIA COUNTY JUDGE NORMAN KRUMENACKER IN THE DEATH OF 85-YEAR-OLD ANNA PHILLIPS. INVESTIGATORS HAVE SAID THEY BELIEVE PHILLIPS KILLED HIS MOTHER BETWEEN OCT. 6 AND OCT. 8 AND THEN DUMPED HER BODY ON STATE GAME LANDS ON LAUREL MOUNTAIN. HE WAS LATER ARRESTED IN BUCKHANNON, W.VA., WHERE HE HAD CRASHED HIS PICKUP TRUCK. THE DEFENDANT HAD BEEN SCHEDULED FOR TRIAL NEXT MONTH ON HOMICIDE AND AGGRAVATED ASSAULT CHARGES. HE IS SCHEDULED TO BE SENTENCED OCT. 6, ONE YEAR AFTER HIS MOTHER WAS LAST SEEN ALIVE. DISTRICT ATTORNEY PATRICK KINIRY SAID PHILLIPS COULD BE SENTENCED TO 25 TO 50 YEARS ON THE HOMICIDE CHARGE BECAUSE THE PLEA AMOUNTS TO HIS THIRD STRIKE DUE TO PREVIOUS CONVICTIONS.

RENDELL-WEIGHT
PA.'S CHEESESTEAK-LOVING GOVERNOR GOES ON DIET
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - ED RENDELL, PENNSYLVANIA'S FOOD-LOVING GOVERNOR, HAS SWORN OFF CHEESESTEAKS AND ICE CREAM AS PART OF A PERSONAL CAMPAIGN TO LOSE WEIGHT. RENDELL TOLD THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER IN A STORY PUBLISHED MONDAY THAT HE NOW EATS HALF AS MUCH. THAT MEANS SETTLING FOR OMELETS MADE WITH TWO EGGS, NOT THREE, AND FOUR STRIPS OF BACON INSTEAD OF EIGHT. RENDELL SAYS HE'S ALREADY LOST NEARLY 40 OF THE 265 POUNDS HE WAS CARRYING LAST SPRING AND HOPES TO REACH 200 POUNDS. THE 65-YEAR-OLD GOVERNOR'S WIFE, MIDGE, AND THEIR SON JESSE SAID THEY TOLD HIM THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE EFFECT OF HIS WEIGHT ON HIS HEALTH. RENDELL SAID HE BEGAN HIS DIET IN JUNE, WHEN STATE BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS FIRST BOGGED DOWN, BECAUSE IT GAVE HIM SOMETHING POSITIVE TO FOCUS ON.

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IS EXPECTED TO DISCUSS THE STALLED MIDEAST PEACE PROCESS TODAY DURING TALKS WITH EGYPTIAN PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK. A STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL SAYS THE U.S. AND EGYPT ALREADY AGREE THAT ALL SIDES - ISRAEL, THE PALESTINIANS AND ARAB STATES - NEED TO TAKE "PARALLEL STEPS" TO GET THE PEACE PROCESS BACK ON TRACK.

JERUSALEM (AP) - ISRAEL APPEARS TO BE QUIETLY HALTING NEW BUILDING PROJECTS IN THE WEST BANK. AN ANTI-SETTLEMENT GROUP CONFIRMS THAT NO NEW CONSTRUCTION HAS BEEN APPROVED SINCE PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU TOOK POWER IN MARCH.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI (AP) - THE STORM THAT USED TO BE TROPICAL STORM ANA IS STILL POSING A POTENTIAL THREAT TO HAITI AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. FORECASTERS ARE ALSO KEEPING WATCH ON HURRICANE BILL. THEY SAY THE CATEGORY 2 STORM COULD STRENGTHEN AND BE NEAR BERMUDA BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

WASHINGTON (AP) - LIBERAL MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE SHOWING THEIR UNHAPPINESS AT THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION'S SEEMING ABANDONMENT OF
THE PUBLIC OPTION PORTION OF HEALTH CARE REFORM. SPEAKER NANCY
PELOSI IS VOWING THAT THE PROVISION WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE HOUSE
VERSION OF THE BILL.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A NEW SURVEY SUGGESTS THAT CONSUMERS ARE LOSING CONFIDENCE ABOUT HEALTH-INSURANCE COVERAGE AND ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE. A ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON POLL SAYS THE DECLINE IS ESPECIALLY STRIKING AMONG SENIORS ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE. THE POLL WAS TAKEN EVEN BEFORE COVERAGE OF RAUCOUS TOWN HALL MEETINGS OVER THE PROPOSED HEALTH-CARE OVERHAUL.