Today's News-Friday August 7 2009

BODY FOUND

WE EXPECT TO LEARN MORE TODAY ABOUT THE IDENTITY OF A MAN FOUND DEAD NEAR A POTTSVILLE CAR WASH. THE MAN’S BODY WAS SPOTTED BY THE OWNER OF THE WASHERY ON TERRY REILEY WAY BEFORE 8AM THURSDAY. HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE BY SCHUYLKILL COUNTY DEPUTY CORONER BRIAN MURRAY. CITY POLICE CAPTAIN RONALD MOSER TELLS WPPA AND T102 NEWS THAT THEY DON’T BELIEVE THE DEATH IS SUSPICIOUS. THE BODY WAS TO BE AUTOPSIED BY DR RICHARD BINDIE YESTERDAY. AUTHORITIES ARE WITHHOLDING IDENTIFICATION UNTIL THE MAN’S NEXT OF KIN ARE NOTIFIED.

ST CLAIR MAN HEADED TO JAIL ON CHILD PORN CHARGES

A FEDERAL JUDGE WILL DETERMINE SENTENCE OF A ST CLAIR MAN TO ON CHILD PORN CHARGES. 48 YEAR OLD EDWARD UDUT PLEADED GUILTY BEFORE US DISTRICT JUDGE EDWIN KOSIK THAT HE RECEIVED CHILD PORN VIA MAIL AND ONLINE FOR THREE YEARS ACCORDING TO THE REPUBLICAN HERALD. REPORTS SAY THAT AN INVESTIGATION FROM US POSTAL INSPECTORS, STATE POLICE AND ST CLAIR P.D. LED TO THE ARREST. UDUT FACES UP TO SIX YEARS IN THE FEDERAL LOCKUP FOR HIS CRIMES.

MAILBOXES AND SIGN KNOCKED OFF

STATE POLICE ARE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR A RECKLESS DRIVER WHO KNOCKED OFF MAILBOXES AND A SIGN IN PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP EARLIER THIS WEEK. TROOPERS REPORT THAT THE UNKNOWN VEHICLE WAS NORTHBOUND ON OLD FORGE ROAD AFTER 10PM WEDNESDAY, LEFT THE ROADWAY AND NAILED THE MAILBOXES OVER NEARLY A MILE LONG STRETCH. STATE POLICE THINK THE VEHICLE MAY BE RED IN COLOR WITH SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER’S FRONT END. THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES.

CRIME SPREE

A TEENAGED GIRL HAS BEEN APPREHENDED BY POTTSVILLE POLICE FOR TAKING A HOST OF ITEMS FROM CARS IN THE CITY AND THE BOROUGH OF MINERSVILLE. EARLY THURSDAY, THE 15 YEAR OLD WAS PICKED UP ON WEST NORWEGIAN STREET WITH ITEMS THAT SHE ADMITTED TO TAKING FROM AT LEAST 15 DIFFERENT VEHICLES. THE GIRL REPORTEDLY WALKED FROM MINERSVILLE TO POTTSVILLE. ALL OF THE ITEMS HAVE BEEN RECOVERED. IF ANY OF THE STOLEN STUFF IS YOURS, CALL POTTSVILLE POLICE AT 622-1234.

OLDIES DANCE FOR THE POTTSVILLE CRUISE

THE 16TH ANNUAL GREAT POTTSVILLE CRUISE CONTINUES TONIGHT WITH A ROCK N ROLL SOCK HOP AT PINE VIEW ACRES FROM 9 TILL MIDNIGHT, LEADING UP TO SUNDAY’S 10 MILE LONG CRUISE THROUGHOUT THE CITY. PARTIERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO COME IN COSTUME TO WIN GREAT PRIZES AND DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY. SATURDAY, CAR ENTHUSIASTS CAN CRUISE IN TO DOWNTOWN POTTSVILLE WITH SEVERAL EVENTS AS WELL. THE CRUISE ROLLS OUT AT 4PM SUNDAY.

HEALTH CLUB SHOOTING-FUNERALS
FUNERALS SET FOR 3 PA. HEALTH CLUB VICTIMS
BRIDGEVILLE, PA. (AP) - FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE SET FOR THREE WOMEN FATALLY SHOT DURING THEIR EXERCISE CLASS AT A PITTSBURGH-AREA GYM. VISITATION FOR ELIZABETH GANNON WILL BE FRIDAY AT THE WILLIAM SLATER FUNERAL HOME IN SCOTT TOWNSHIP. HER FUNERAL IS SATURDAY AT ST. MARGARET OF SCOTLAND CHURCH IN GREEN TREE, WHERE GANNON LIVED. HEIDI OVERMIER'S VISITATION IS ALSO FRIDAY AT THE SLATER FUNERAL HOME. HER FUNERAL SATURDAY WILL BE AT BRIDGEVILLE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. VIEWINGS FOR JODY BILLINGSLEY WILLL BE FRIDAY AT THE BEINHAUER FUNERAL HOME IN MCMURRAY ON SUNDAY. A SECOND VIEWING WILL BE HELD AT THE HARTLE FUNERAL HOME IN FRANKLIN ON TUESDAY. HER FUNERAL WILL BE WEDNESDAY, BUT NO LOCATION AND TIME HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED. POLICE SAY GEORGE SODINI SHOT ALL THREE WOMEN, AND WOUNDED NINE OTHER, BEFORE KILLING HIMSELF AT AN L.A. FITNESS CLUB IN COLLIER TOWNSHIP ON TUESDAY NIGHT.

HEALTH CLUB SHOOTING-VIGIL
VIGIL HONORS VICTIMS OF PA. HEALTH CLUB SHOOTING
PITTSBURGH (AP) - ABOUT 75 PEOPLE TURNED OUT IN DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH FOR A VIGIL TO REMEMBER THE VICTIMS OF A SHOOTING AT AN AREA HEALTH CLUB AND DENOUNCE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN. ATTENDEES OFFERED PRAYERS, LIT CANDLES AND OBSERVED A MOMENT OF SILENCE THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE GATHERING IN FRONT THE CITY-COUNTY BUILDING. PITTSBURGH MAYOR LUKE RAVENSTAHL WAS AMONG THOSE IN ATTENDANCE. POLICE SAY GEORGE SODINI OPENED FIRE WITH THREE GUNS DURING AN EXERCISE CLASS TUESDAY NIGHT AT AN L.A. FITNESS CENTER IN BRIDGEVILLE. THREE WOMEN DIED, AND NINE OTHER WOMEN WERE INJURED. TWO MORE OF THE INJURED LEFT THE HOSPITAL TUESDAY, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER RELEASED NOW TO FIVE. THREE WOMEN ARE IN FAIR CONDITION AT AREA HOSPITALS, AND ONE REMAINS IN SERIOUS CONDITION.

STATE BUDGET
PA. TREASURER SAYS STATE WORKER PAYCHECKS ARE ON THE WAY
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THE PENNSYLVANIA TREASURY DEPARTMENT IS PAYING ABOUT HALF OF THE STATE WORK FORCE ON FRIDAY, AND OFFICIALS SAY MOST OF THE REST WILL GET THEIR BACK-PAY PAYCHECKS ON MONDAY. STATE TREASURER ROB MCCORD SAID THURSDAY THAT THE FIRST BATCH OF PAYMENTS WILL GO TO THOSE WHO RECEIVED PARTIAL PAYCHECKS ON JULY 24, ALONG WITH EMPLOYEES IN THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM, THE AUDITOR GENERAL'S OFFICE AND THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT. ON MONDAY, MCCORD'S OFFICE WILL PAY THOSE WHO RECEIVED PARTIAL PAY ON JULY 17 AND NO PAY ON JULY 31. ABOUT 77,000 STATE WORKERS HAVE MISSED AT LEAST SOME OF WHAT THEY'VE EARNED SINCE THE START OF JULY. A STATE BUDGET IMPASSE PREVENTED THEM FROM BEING PAID UNTIL SPECIAL LEGISLATION PASSED THIS WEEK. STATE WORKERS AT THE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION, RETIREMENT FUNDS AND OTHER SIMILARLY FUNDED AGENCIES WON'T BE PAID UNTIL SEPARATE AUTHORIZATION IS APPROVED.

SPECIAL ELECTION
GOP PICKS CANDIDATE FOR PA. SPECIAL ELECTION
SCHWENKSVILLE, PA. (AP) - REPUBLICANS HAVE NOMINATED A STATE REPRESENTATIVE AS THEIR CANDIDATE FOR A VACANT PENNSYLVANIA SENATE
SEAT IN PHILADELPHIA'S NORTHERN SUBURBS. REP. BOB MENSCH WAS NOMINATED THURSDAY AS THE GOP CANDIDATE IN THE SEPT. 29 SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE 24TH DISTRICT SEAT. THE DISTRICT INCLUDES PARTS OF MONTGOMERY, NORTHAMPTON, LEHIGH, AND BUCKS COUNTIES. THE ELECTION IS TO REPLACE REPUBLICAN SEN. ROB WONDERLING, WHO HAS RESIGNED TO BECOME PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE GREATER PHILADELPHIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

CASINO HACKING
PA. MAN ACCUSED OF HACKING INTO CASINO COMPUTER
DUNMORE, PA. (AP) - POLICE SAY A DISGRUNTLED FORMER EMPLOYEE OF A NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA CASINO HACKED INTO ITS COMPUTER SYSTEM
FOR REVENGE. LEO HORNBAKER III IS ACCUSED OF DISRUPTING THE MOUNT AIRY CASINO'S COMPUTER SYSTEM, INCLUDING ACCESS CARDS USED FOR GAMBLING. POLICE SAY HE CONFESSED. THE 37-YEAR-OLD MAN FROM WYOMING, PA., AND HIS LAWYER DECLINED TO COMMENT AT A PRELIMINARY HEARING THURSDAY, EXCEPT TO SAY THEY HOPE TO WORK OUT A DEAL WITH PROSECUTORS IN THIS CASE BY NEXT MONTH.

VIDEOTAPED POLICE BEATING
GRAND JURY CLEARS PHILLY OFFICERS IN TAPED BEATING
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - PHILADELPHIA POLICE OFFICERS INVOLVED IN THE VIDEOTAPED BEATING OF THREE SUSPECTS AFTER A CAR CHASE WON'T BE CHARGED WITH CRIMES. A GRAND JURY CONCLUDES THE OFFICERS DID NOT USE EXCESSIVE FORCE. DISTRICT ATTORNEY LYNNE ABRAHAM SAYS THE WIDELY SEEN NEWS FOOTAGE DOES NOT TELL THE WHOLE STORY. ABRAHAM SAYS OFFICERS CONSIDERED THE SUSPECTS ARMED AND DANGEROUS, AND DID NOT BEAT OR KICK THEM ONCE THEY WERE HANDCUFFED. THE CITY'S POLICE COMMISSIONER FIRED FOUR OFFICERS AND DISCIPLINED FOUR OTHERS AFTER THE MAY 2008 ARREST. THE AERIAL FOOTAGE SHOWS A SWARM OF OFFICERS DESCEND ON THE CAR, SMASH A WINDOW, PULL THE MEN OUT AND BEAT AND KICK THEM. SUSPECTS PETE HOPKINS, DWAYNE DYCHES AND BRIAN HALL HAVE SINCE BEEN ACQUITTED IN THE SHOOTING EARLIER THAT NIGHT.

POLICE SHOOTING
TEEN SHOOTS AT PHILADELPHIA OFFICER
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - PHILADELPHIA POLICE SAY A TEENAGER FIRED A GUN AT AN OFFICER DURING A FOOT CHASE, BUT NO POLICE OFFICERS WERE INJURED.
CHIEF INSPECTOR SCOTT SMALL SAYS THE OFFICER RETURNED FIRE AND IT WAS UNCLEAR WHETHER THE TEEN WAS HIT BY POLICE GUNFIRE THURSDAY
NIGHT. POLICE FOUND THE TEEN'S GUN AND LOOKED FOR HIM AT HOSPITALS
IN THE AREA. THE SHOOTING HAPPENED IN NORTH PHILADELPHIA.

CRUSHED BY BRANCH
PHILLY WOMAN KILLED BY TREE BRANCH WAS NEW TEACHER
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE PHILADELPHIA WOMAN KILLED BY A FALLING TREE BRANCH WHILE JOGGING WAS A HIGH SCHOOL MATH TEACHER NEW TO THE
CITY. SHE WAS 23-YEAR-OLD MARY KATHERINE LADANY, WHO LIVED IN THE
ROXBOROUGH SECTION OF PHILADELPHIA AND TAUGHT LAST YEAR AT ROBBINS TECHICAL HIGH SCHOOL IN NORTH PHILADELPHIA. LADANY WAS A 2008 GRADUATE OF BUCKNELL UNIVERISTY WHO MAJORED IN MATH. POLICE SAY SHE WAS ORIGINALLY FROM MONTCLAIR, N.J. LADANY WAS KILLED WEDNESDAY NIGHT WHEN A 30-FOOT-LONG TREE BRANCH FELL 50 FEET ONTO HER. POLICE SAY A PORTABLE MUSIC PLAYER SHE WAS WEARING MIGHT HAVE KEPT HER FROM HEARING THE BRANCH BREAKING. LAST WEEK, A MANHATTAN COMPUTER ENGINEER WALKING TO WORK THROUGH NEW YORK'S CENTRAL PARK WAS HIT ON THE HEAD BY A 100-POUND ROTTED TREE BRANCH. HIS MOTHER SAID OVER THE WEEKEND THAT HE WAS GETTING BETTER.

JUDGE-GUN
CHARGES DISMISSED AGAINST PA. JUDGE, FOR NOW
MERCER, PA. (AP) - CHARGES ARE DISMISSED AGAINST A DISTRICT JUDGE ACCUSED OF HOLDING UP A GUN DURING A TRAFFIC DISPUTE IN NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA. BUT ERIE DISTRICT JUDGE TOM CARNEY ISN'T OUT OF THE WOODS. MERCER COUNTY ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY BRIAN FARRONE SAYS HE WILL REFILE THE CHARGES. MERCER DISTRICT JUDGE LORINDA HINCH SAID THURSDAY THAT THE PROSECUTION HADN'T CLEARLY ESTABLISHED THAT CARNEY WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME OF THE JAN. 11 TRAFFIC DISPUTE ON INTERSTATE 79. PREVIOUSLY, CARNEY HAS SAID HE WAS A VICTIM AND A LAWYER HAS SAID HE ACTED IN SELF-DEFENSE. THE LAWYER HAS SAID CARNEY HAS A LICENSE TO CARRY THE GUN.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE "CASH-FOR-CLUNKERS" PROGRAM WILL KEEP RUNNING THROUGH LABOR DAY, THANKS TO LAST NIGHT'S SENATE VOTE. BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS HAVE NOW OK'D GIVING THE CAR-INCENTIVE PROGRAM AN EXTRA $2 BILLION. WITHOUT THE MONEY, THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION SAID THE PROGRAM'S FUNDS WOULD HAVE RUN OUT BY TODAY.

WASHINGTON (AP) - JUDGE SONIA SOTOMAYOR WILL BE SWORN IN AS THE NEWEST SUPREME COURT JUSTICE TOMORROW. THAT'S AFTER WINNING SENATE CONFIRMATION OVER CONSERVATIVE OPPOSITION. A COURT OFFICIAL SAYS
HER SWEARING-IN CEREMONY WILL APPARENTLY BE THE SUPREME COURT'S
FIRST TO BE OPEN TO TELEVISION CAMERAS.

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA (AP) - SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON HAS BEEN MEETING WITH SOUTH AFRICAN OFFICIALS. SHE'S URGING THEM TO PUSH FOR POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REFORMS IN NEIGHBORING ZIMBABWE. CLINTON IS ON THE SECOND LEG OF A SEVEN-NATION TOUR OF AFRICA.

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, PAKISTAN (AP) - PAKISTAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS HE'S LEARNED THAT PAKISTAN'S TALIBAN LEADER HAS BEEN KILLED IN A U.S. MISSILE STRIKE. BUT HE SAYS AUTHORITIES ARE HEADING TO THE SITE TO BE "100 PERCENT SURE."

KABUL (AP) - OFFICIALS SAY THREE NATO TROOPS HAVE BEEN KILLED IN A TALIBAN ATTACK ON A PATROL IN AFGHANISTAN. NATO HAS NOT YET SPECIFIED THE SOLDIERS' NATIONALITIES. AND IN IRAQ, AUTHORITIES REPORT THAT A SERIES OF ROADSIDE BOMBS HAS KILLED AT LEAST SEVEN PEOPLE. THE BOMBINGS ARE THE LATEST TARGETING IRAQI SHIITES.