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.