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
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.
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.
posted by PBC Radio (WAVT & WPPA) @ 4:56 AM
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