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.