Today's News-Wednesday, September 23, 2009-Updated 8am

Penn State Schuylkill's Jerry Bowman
with University President Graham Spanier

PENN STATE SCHUYLKILL CELEBRATES 75TH

PENN STATE SCHUYLKILL CELEBRATED ITS 75TH BIRTHDAY TUESDAY AFTERNOON WITH CAKE, ICE CREAM AND A VISIT FROM UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT GRAHAM SPANIER. HUNDREDS GATHERED ON THE CAMPUS GREEN TO KICKOFF THE YEAR LONG CELEBRATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION HERE IN THE COUNTY. FROM ITS HUMBLE BEGINNINGS AT THE BUNKER HILL SCHOOL IN 1934, TODAY, PENN STATE SCHUYLKILL EDUCATES UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AND GIVES AN ECONOMIC BOOST TO THE COMMUNITY. ABOUT 1-THOUSAND FULL-TIME STUDENTS ATTEND THE UNIVERSITY. YOU CAN HEAR AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH PENN STATE PRESIDENT GRAHAM SPANIER ON WPPA'S STEP UP TO THE MIC PROGRAM THURSDAY MORNING.

PINE GROVE MAN PAROLE REVOKED

STATE SUPERIOR COURT HAS UPHELD A RULING REVOKING THE PAROLE OF A PINE GROVE MAN. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS 24 YEAR OLD PAUL DAUBERT JR. VIOLATED THE TERMS OF HIS PAROLE BY NOT REPORTING TO HIS COURT ASSIGNED OFFICER, WAS ARRESTED FOR DUI AND DID DRUGS. DAUBERT ORIGINALLY PLEADED GUILTY IN 2007 FOR SETTING A CAR ON FIRE AND FOR STALKING ANOTHER. JUDGE CYRUS PALMER DOLBIN REVOKED DAUBERT’S PAROLE LAST YEAR. HE WAS SENTENCED TO FINISH THE REMAINDER OF HIS SENTENCE IN PRISON.

PLEASANT VALLEY ROLLS OFF 1,000TH MODULAR HOME

A MODULAR HOME MANUFACTURER IN OUR AREA ROLLED OFF THEIR 1-THOUSANDTH HOME THIS WEEK. PLEASANT VALLEY MODULAR HOMES ACCOMPLISHED THAT FEAT IN JUST FOUR YEARS. THE BUSINESS WAS JUMP STARTED BY FUNDING FROM A $1.75 MILLION DOLLAR STATE LOAN ADMINISTERED THROUGH SCHUYLKILL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. ACCORDING TO COMPANY OFFICIALS, THE HOME WAS SENT TO PRIDE HOME SALES, ST CLAIR FOR RESALE.

CHESAPEAKE BAY CLEANUP

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S EXECUTIVE ORDER TO REDOUBLE EFFORTS TO CLEAN UP THE CHESAPEAKE BAY HAS PENNSYLVANIA'S FARMERS FOCUSING ON CONSERVATION PRACTICES THAT CAN IMPROVE WATER QUALITY. AND AN ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERT IN PENN STATE'S COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES SAYS THE GOAL IS ATTAINABLE. GARY ABDULLAH HAS THE STORY:

ABDULLAH CHESAPEAKE
:47



PA. LAWMAKER WARNS OF STATE FORESTS' DESTRUCTION

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A SENIOR HOUSE DEMOCRAT SAYS THE STATE BUDGET AGREEMENT REQUIRING PENNSYLVANIA'S FORESTS DEPARTMENT TO LEASE LAND FOR NATURAL GAS DRILLING IS A DANGEROUS IDEA. HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN DAVID LEVDANSKY SAID TUESDAY THAT AN ORDER TO PRODUCE MONEY BY LEASING LAND TO GAS EXPLORATION COMPANIES IGNORES GOOD SCIENCE AND SOUND FORESTRY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES. A SENATE REPUBLICAN SPOKESMAN SAYS THE BUDGET AGREEMENT STRUCK LAST WEEK BETWEEN GOV. ED RENDELL AND THREE OF THE FOUR LEGISLATIVE CAUCUSES ENTAILS LEASING STATE FOREST LAND TO RAISE $115 MILLION OVER TWO YEARS. THE AGREEMENT REQUIRES LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL. NO VOTES ARE SCHEDULED WHILE NEGOTIATORS HAMMER OUT FINAL DETAILS. LEVDANSKY SAYS THE AGREEMENT MEANS THAT THE REMAINING 225,000 ACRES OF STATE FOREST THAT COULD BE DRILLED ON THE MARCELLUS SHALE FORMATION MUST BE LEASED.

PA. PANEL: SWIM CLUB HAD RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE PENNSYLVANIA HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION HAS FOUND PROBABLE CAUSE OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AT A SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA SWIM CLUB. THE VALLEY CLUB IN HUNTINGDON VALLEY HAS DENIED THAT THERE WAS ANY RACIAL MOTIVE BEHIND A DECISION TO GO BACK ON AN AGREEMENT WITH A PHILADELPHIA DAY CAMP THAT SERVES MOSTLY BLACK CHILDREN. CLUB LAWYER JOE TUCKER SAID TUESDAY NIGHT THAT THE DECISION WAS WRONG AND "THE MEDIA FIRESTORM" SURROUNDING THE CASE GAVE THE STATE PANEL NO CHOICE BUT TO REACH THE CONCLUSION IT DID. BRIAN MILDENBERG IS THE LAWYER FOR A BLACK CHILD WHO SAYS SHE HEARD A CLUB MEMBER ASK, "WHAT ARE ALL THESE BLACK KIDS DOING HERE?" HE SAYS THE CLUB HAD A CHANCE TO PRESENT A DEFENSE TO A FACT-FINDING PANEL AND THE PANEL REJECTED THE CLUB'S ARGUMENTS.

PA. FIRE CHIEF: CHEMICAL SITUATION UNDER CONTROL

BRISTOL, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN THE PHILADELPHIA SUBURB OF BRISTOL SAY THE SITUATION IS UNDER CONTROL AFTER REPORT OF A POSSIBLE EXPLOSIVE IN A HOME. BRISTOL BOROUGH COUNCIL PRESIDENT RALPH DIGUISEPPE SAYS A MAN WHO WAS EVICTED FROM HIS HOUSE TUESDAY LEFT BEHIND SOMETHING THAT COULD BE AN EXPLOSIVE CHEMICAL. THE MAN WAS TAKEN INTO POLICE CUSTODY. BRISTOL BOROUGH FIRE CHIEF HERBERT SLACK SAID TUESDAY EVENING THAT THE CHEMICAL REMAINED UNIDENTIFIED AND THAT AN ENVIORONMENTAL COMPANY WOULD PICK IT UP. HE SAYS THE SITUATION IS UNDER CONTROL.

FEDS CHARGE PHILADELPHIA GUN DEALER

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A PHILADELPHIA GUN DEALER THAT HAS BEEN THE TARGET OF RELIGIOUS ACTIVISTS IS NOW CHARGED IN FEDERAL COURT WITH MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS AND FAILING TO KEEP RECORDS REQUIRED BY LAW. THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ANNOUNCED CHARGES AGAINST COLOSIMO'S INC. AFTER BUSINESS HOURS TUESDAY. A MAN WHO ANSWERED THE PHONE AT THE BUSINESS SAID "WHAT CAN I SAY?" TO A REPORTER SEEKING COMMENT AND EVENTUALLY HUNG UP. OWNER JAMES COLOSIMO HAS PREVIOUSLY SAID HE FOLLOWS ALL LAWS IN HIS BUSINESS. ACTIVISTS HAVE TARGETED COLOSIMO'S BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF GUNS SOLD THERE THAT END UP BEING USED IN CRIMES. THE OWNER HAS SAID THAT'S TO BE EXPECTED FROM A HIGH-VOLUME DEALERSHIP LIKE HIS. HE HAS SAID HE BELIEVES HE HAS SAVED LIVES BY SELLING GUNS TO POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

REGULATORS TAKE PA. COKE COMPANY TO COURT

ERIE, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA AND FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORS HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT IN FEDERAL COURT TO FORCE ERIE COKE CORP. TO UPDATE OR REPLACE EQUIPMENT. THE COMPLAINT FILED BY THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION THREATENS ERIE COKE WITH FINES AS HIGH AS $37,500 PER DAY.
REGULATORS HAVE ALLEGED THAT THE COMPANY'S 58 COKE OVENS DON'T COMPLY WITH CLEAN-AIR REGULATIONS. THE ERIE TIMES-NEWS REPORTED ON THE FILING AFTER BUSINESS HOURS TUESDAY.

DUCT-TAPED CAT FOUND IN PHILADELPHIA

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A $1,000 REWARD IS BEING OFFERED FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE CONVICTION OF WHOEVER WRAPPED A CAT IN DUCT TAPE THAT WAS FOUND IN PHILADELPHIA. A HUMANE OFFICER FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS FOUND THAT CAT TUESDAY AFTERNOON IN THE RHAWNHURST SECTION OF PHILADELPHIA. THE TAPE WAS WRAPPED AROUND THE FEMALE CAT FROM HER TAIL TO HER NECK. THE SPCA SAYS THE CAT IS DOING WELL NOW THAT THE TAPE HAS BEEN REMOVED.

PENN STATE STUDENT'S DEATH RULED ACCIDENTAL

STATE COLLEGE, PA. (AP) - A CORONER SAYS A PENN STATE STUDENT FROM LATROBE DIED AS THE RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT. CENTRE COUNTY CORONER SCOTT SAYERS MADE THE RULING IN THE DEATH OF 18-YEAR-OLD FRESHMAN JOSEPH DADO AFTER AN AUTOPSY CONDUCTED TUESDAY. SAYERS CONCLUDED THE CAUSE OF DEATH WAS HEAD TRAUMA. DADO WAS LAST SEEN ALIVE WHILE LEAVING A FRATERNITY HOUSE AROUND 3 A.M. SUNDAY AND HIS BODY WAS FOUND ABOUT 75 YARDS AWAY ON MONDAY. POLICE BELIEVE HE MAY HAVE FALLEN ABOUT 15 FEET TO THE BOTTOM OF A CONCRETE STAIRWELL. POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING WHETHER ALCOHOL PLAYED A ROLE IN THE DEATH.

JUDGE FINDS FOR PITTSBURGH IN G-20 PROTEST SUIT

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS RULED AGAINST AN ACTIVIST GROUP'S REQUEST TO ORDER PITTSBURGH POLICE TO STOP INTERFERING WITH THEM AS THE G-20 ECONOMIC SUMMIT APPROACHES. U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE GARY LANCASTER SAID TUESDAY IF POLICE VIOLATED THE RIGHTS OF SEEDS OF PEACE, THE VIOLATIONS ALREADY TOOK PLACE AND THE PROPER REMEDY WOULD BE MONETARY DAMAGES. THE ACLU FILED SUIT MONDAY ON BEHALF OF SEEDS OF PEACE AND THREE RIVERS CLIMATE CONVERGENCE. THE SEEDS OF PEACE GROUP MENTIONED IN THE LAWSUIT PROMOTES NONVIOLENCE. IT ISN'T AFFILIATED WITH THE GROUP BY THE SAME NAME THAT PROMOTES ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN COEXISTENCE. THE SUIT CLAIMED POLICE ILLEGALLY SEARCHED AND SEIZED A SEEDS OF PEACE BUS. POLICE SAID THE BUS NEEDED SOMEONE WITH A LICENSE TO
CARRY PASSENGERS.

PANELLA LEADS IN FUNDRAISING FOR PA. HIGH COURT

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - CONTRIBUTIONS FROM ORGANIZED LABOR ARE GIVING JACK PANELLA A BIG EDGE IN FUNDRAISING IN THE TWO-WAY RACE FOR AN OPEN SEAT ON THE PENNSYLVANIA SUPREME COURT. THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE REPORTED TUESDAY THAT HE HAS RAISED NEARLY $1.2 MILLION SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. THAT'S ALMOST THREE TIMES THE $418,000 RAISED BY HIS REPUBLICAN RIVAL, JOAN ORIE MELVIN. A WIDE ARRAY OF UNION GROUPS GAVE TO PANELLA'S CAMPAIGN, INCLUDING SEVERAL SEVEN-DIGIT CONTRIBUTIONS. PANELLA AND MELVIN ARE CURRENTLY JUDGES ON THE STATE SUPERIOR COURT. THEY BOTH BENEFITED FROM THE GENEROSITY OF THE PHILADELPHIA TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION. ITS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE – CALLED THE COMMITTEE FOR A BETTER TOMORROW - GAVE PANELLA $500,000 JUST IN THE LAST THREE-MONTH REPORTING PERIOD. THE COMMITTEE GAVE MELVIN $100,000. +

NEW YORK (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA ADDRESSES THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY LATER THIS MORNING. THE PRESIDENT HAS SAID HE WANTS TO REVERSE THE U.S. IMAGE OF UNILATERALISM ABROAD WITH A MESSAGE OF GLOBAL COOPERATION. HIS REMARKS ARE EXPECTED TO FOCUS ON HALTING THE SPREAD OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS, AS WELL AS GLOBAL WARMING, THE ECONOMY AND STANDING UP FOR UNIVERSAL VALUES AND FREEDOMS.

WASHINGTON (AP) - SENATE MAJORITY LEADER HARRY REID IS PROMISING QUICK ACTION ON A BILL TO EXTEND JOBLESS BENEFITS IN HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT STATES. THE HOUSE PASSED ITS VERSION YESTERDAY. IT WOULD PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 13 WEEKS OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS LAID-OFF WORKERS IN 27 STATES, PLUS THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND PUERTO RICO WITH UNEMPLOYMENT RATES TOPPING 8.5 PERCENT.

WASHINGTON (AP) - FED POLICYMAKERS ARE WINDING UP A TWO-DAY MEETING IN WASHINGTON TODAY. ANALYSTS EXPECT NO CHANGE IN INTEREST RATES, BUT THE CENTRAL BANK'S STATEMENT ACCOMPANYING ITS DECISION WILL BE HEAVILY SCRUTINIZED AS INVESTORS LOOK FOR CLUES ABOUT WHEN A RATE HIKE MIGHT COME.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE RESUMES IT'S WORK ON A HEALTH CARE REFORM BILL THIS MORNING. MORE THAN 500 AMMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN OFFERED TO THE $900 BILLION, 10-YEAR MEASURE. DESPITE WORKING LATE INTO THE NIGHT LAST NIGHT, ONLY ONE OF THEM CAME TO A VOTE.

AUSTELL, GA. (AP) - FLOODWATERS AROUND ATLANTA HAVE BEGUN TO RECEDE, BUT MANY PARTS OF THE SOUTHEAST REMAIN UNDER STAGNANT WATER. TORRENTIAL DOWNPOURS THROUGHOUT MUCH OF THE SOUTHEAST ARE BLAMED FOR AT LEAST NINE DEATHS GEORGIA'S GOVERNOR HAS ASKED PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA TO DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY IN THE STATE.