Today's News-Saturday, October 31, 2009

POLLING LOCATION

TUESDAY'S GENERAL ELECTION FEATURES A SLEW OF LOCAL RACES, SEVERAL COUNTY ROW OFFICES AND A SPOT ON THE STATE'S HIGHEST COURT. BUT VOTERS IN THE BOROUGH OF MECHANICSVILLE WILL HAVE A DIFFERENT POLLING LOCATION. THE SITE TO VOTE HAS BEEN MOVED TO LESSIE'S GARDEN AND GIFT SHOP GREENHOUSE CRAFT ROOM, 2 PARK STREET. PREVIOUSLY, VOTERS CAST THEIR BALLOTS AT THE MECHANICSVILLE FIRE COMPANY.

WHITE SUSPENDED

THE COUNTY'S HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR HAS BEEN SUSPENDED. S. THOMAS WHITE WAS SUSPENDED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS THIS WEEK, AND A VOTE IS EXPECTED TO DECIDE HIS FATE SOON. COMMISSIONER CHAIRWOMAN MANTURA GALLAGHER TELLS THE REPUBLICAN HERALD THAT IF WHITE'S EMPLOYMENT IS TERMINATED, THE POSITION WOULD BE MERGED WITH THE RISK MANAGER'S POSITION CURRENTLY HELD BY MARTINA CHAWASTIAK. OFFICIALS ARE NOT SAYING WHY WHITE WAS SUSPENDED.

POTTSVILLE H1N1

THE POTTSVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL BEGIN OFFERING THE H1N1 VACCINE NEXT SATURDAY. SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT DR. JAMES GALLAGHER:

GALLAGHER

THE DISTRICT REQUESTED 41-HUNDRED-FIFTY DOSES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, BUT DUE TO LIMITED SUPPLY, 25- HUNDRED WERE MADE AVAILABLE, WITH THE REMAINING DOSES PROVIDED AT SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE. THE VACCINE WILL BE ADMINISTERED ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS NEXT SATURDAY. ALL STUDENTS IN THE POTTSVILLE DISTRICT AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS WITHIN THE DISTRICT RECEIVED INFORMATION FRIDAY, ALONG WITH A CONSENT FORM. THAT FORM MUST BE PRESENTED IN ORDER FOR CHILDREN TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE. IT WILL BE ADMINISTERED IN SHOT FORM. FULL DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE POTTSVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT WEBSITE.

COW CHIP BINGO

BEFORE YOU SETTLE IN TO WATCH THE WORLD SERIES TONIGHT, THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP THE WORK OF THE BLUE MOUNTAIN EAGLE FOUNDATION AT THEIR ANNUAL COW CHIP BINGO AND MOO AND BREW. THE FOUNDATION IS A NOT FOR PROFIT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO ENCOURAGING EXCELLENCE AND ENHANCING THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR ALL STUDENTS IN THE BLUE MOUNTAIN DISTRICT. BETH DAL SANTO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FOUNDATION SAYS THE CHIPS WILL FALL WHERE THEY MAY TONIGHT:

BETH DAL SANTO

THE EAGLE FOUNDATION RAISES FUNDS THROUGH ALUMNI AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT , AND IN THE PAST 10 YEARS, HAS DONATED OVER HALF A MILLION DOLLARS BACK TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN SUPPORT OF MORE THAN 250 PROGRAMS AND STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS. THE EVENT IS BEING HELD AT SECOND MOUNTAIN ROD AND GUN CLUB, LOCATED NEAR THE BLUE MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL COMPLEX. FESTIVITIES GET UNDERWAY AT 5:30PM. TICKETS ARE $20 AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR.

TWO HURT IN CRASH

TWO PEOPLE WERE HURT IN A CRASH IN REILLY TOWNSHIP FRIDAY MORNING. KYLE MACK OF TREMONT WAS DRIVING NORTH ON ROUTE 209 AND KATHY MATUKEWICZ OF CRESSONA WAS SOUTHBOUND. THE TWO COLLIDED AND MACK'S CAR SPUN AROUND. EMERGENCY CREWS HAD TO CUT MACK FROM THE WRECKAGE, AND HE WAS TAKEN TO HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER. MATUKEWICZ WAS TAKEN TO SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER SOUTH. THE CRASH HAPPENED AROUND 6:30AM YESTERDAY.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - GOVERNOR ED RENDELL SAYS IT'S INEXCUSABLE THAT SENATE REPUBLICANS AND HOUSE DEMOCRATS HAVEN'T IRONED OUT THE DETAILS OF A BILL LEGALIZING TABLE GAMES AT THE STATE'S CASINOS. RENDELL IS HOLDING UP STATE FUNDS FOR SEVERAL UNIVERSITIES UNTIL THE BILL IS PASSED.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - GOVERNOR ED RENDELL SAYS THE STATE IS HELPING PEOPLE GET SWINE FLU VACCINE MORE QUICKLY. HE SAYS THE STATE IS ALLOWING HOSPITALS TO ADMINISTER THE VACCINE FROM TEMPORARY SITES WITHOUT THE NORMAL RED TAPE. AND THE STATE IS ALLOWING THE VACCINE TO BE GIVEN BY PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS.

GREENSBURG, PA. (AP) - THE ESTRANGED HUSBAND OF A WOMAN ONCE MARRIED TO THE FOUNDER OF 84 LUMBER HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO UP TO NEARLY TWO YEARS IN JAIL FOR STEALING $5 MILLION WORTH OF HER JEWELRY. PAUL UCMAN OF ROSTRAVER INTENDED TO USE THE STOLEN JEWELRY AS LEVERAGE IN HIS PENDING DIVORCE FROM DEBRA HARDY-UCMAN.

NEW YORK (AP) - TELEVISION RATINGS FOR THE WORLD SERIES ARE REBOUNDING FROM LAST YEAR'S RECORD LOWS. THE YANKEES' 3-1 WIN OVER THE PHILLIES ON THURSDAY NIGHT ON FOX EARNED AN 11.7 FAST NATIONAL RATING AND 19 SHARE. THAT'S UP 44 PERCENT FROM LAST YEAR'S PHILLIES-RAYS GAME 2.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE SPECTRUM IS READY TO CLOSE FOR GOOD. THE ARENA THAT ONCE WAS HOME TO THE PHILADELPHIA 76ERS AND THE PHILADELPHIA FLYERS IS READY FOR ITS FINAL ACT. SATURDAY NIGHT'S PEARL JAM CONCERT IS THE FINAL EVENT IN THE 42-YEAR HISTORY OF THE OLDEST ARENA LEFT IN SOUTH PHILADELPHIA'S SPORTS COMPLEX.

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYS REPORTS FINDING THAT THE ECONOMY IS GROWING AGAIN AND THAT HIS STIMULUS PLAN SAVED OR CREATED MORE THAN 1 MILLION JOBS SHOW THE ECONOMY IS "MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION." IN HIS WEEKLY RADIO AND INTERNET ADDRESS, HE WARNED ABOUT FUTURE JOB LOSSES AND SAID THERE'S MORE THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

WASHINGTON (AP) - REPUBLICANS SAY A HEALTH CARE OVERHAUL BILL PRESENTED BY HOUSE DEMOCRATS WOULD RAISE THE COST OF PREMIUMS, KILL JOBS AND CUT MEDICARE BENEFITS. IN THE GOP WEEKLY RADIO AND INTERNET ADDRESS, HOUSE MINORITY LEADER JOHN BOEHNER SUGGESTED A BETTER SOLUTION IS ALLOWING PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS TO POOL TOGETHER TO BUY INSURANCE FOR LOWER PRICES AND REINING IN MALPRACTICE LAWSUITS.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - "THERE IS NO STRIKE RIGHT NOW." THAT'S THE WORD FROM A TRANSPORT WORKERS LOCAL 234 OFFICIAL AS THE UNION NEGOTIATES WITH PHILADELPHIA'S TRANSIT AUTHORITY. THE UNION HAD SET A MIDNIGHT DEADLINE FOR THE STRIKE, BUT HAS SINCE EXTENDED IT TO 6 P.M. -- JUST TWO HOURS BEFORE THE START OF GAME 3 OF THE WORLD SERIES BETWEEN THE PHILLIES AND THE NEW YORK YANKEES.

TEHRAN, IRAN (AP) - IRAN APPEARS LESS LIKELY TO APPROVE A U.N.-BACKED PLAN TO SHIP MUCH OF THE COUNTRY'S URANIUM ABROAD FOR FURTHER ENRICHMENT AFTER SENIOR LAWMAKERS REJECTED THE DEAL. THE HEAD OF THE PARLIAMENT'S NATIONAL SECURITY COMMITTEE TELLS THE SEMI-OFFICIAL ISNA NEWS AGENCY THE LEGISLATURE IS TOTALLY AGAINST THE IDEA.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (AP) - AT LEAST SEVEN PEOPLE ARE DEAD AND SEVERAL MORE MISSING AFTER A TYPHOON SWEPT THROUGH THE PHILIPPINES. THE STORM WAS THE FOURTH IN A MONTH TO LASH THE NATION BEFORE MOVING OUT TO SEA AND WEAKENING TO A TROPICAL STORM.

Today's News-Friday, October 30, 2009

LAST DAY FOR ABSENTEE BALLOTS

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO SUBMIT ABSENTEE BALLOTS FOR THE NOVEMBER 3RD ELECTION. THE ONLY EXCLUSIONS TO THE DEADLINE ARE ABSENTEES FROM MILITARY OR OVERSEAS VOTERS AND THOSE HAVE A VERIFIABLE EMERGENCY AT THE 5 O'CLOCK DEADLINE. THAT WORD COMES FROM SCHUYLKILL COUNTY ELECTION BUREAU DIRECTOR FRANNIE BRENNAN.

RUNAWAY REPORTED

A 17 YEAR OLD GIRL FROM WAYNE TOWNSHIP IS REPORTED MISSING. ASHLEY ADAMS WAS REPORTED MISSING FROM HER HOME BY HER MOTHER. SHE WAS LAST SEEN ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON. THE GIRL ATTENDS BLUE MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL, AND IS DESCRIBED AS BEING 5 FEET 5 INCHES TALL, LONG STRAIGHT BROWN HAIR AND BROWN EYES. SHE WAS LAST SEEN WEARING A BLUE HOODED COAT, BLUE JEANS AND BLACK BOOTS. STATE POLICE SAY THAT ASHLEY ADAMS HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH SOME OF HER FRIENDS THIS WEEK. IF YOU HAVE ANY LEADS, CALL STATE POLICE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN AT 593-2000.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN POTTSVILLE

A POTTSVILLE MAN IS JAILED FOLLOWING A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INCIDENT IN THE CITY WEDNESDAY NIGHT. REPORTS INDICATE THA JOHN LIPTOK JR. OF POTTSVILLE WAS STALKING ROSE MARY ZWEIZIG IN THE 400 BLOCK OF DIVISION STREET. LIPTOK ALLEGEDLY HAD FOLLOWED HER FROM ANOTHER PART OF THE CITY, YELLING AT HER, THEN GRABBED ZWEIZIG'S WRISTS AND SHE FELL TO THE GROUND. ALAN DONMOYER PROVIDED AID TO ZWEIZIG, WHO IS 7 MONTHS PREGNANT, AND SHE WAS TAKEN TO SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER WITH CONTRACTIONS. LIPTOK WAS CHARGED WITH SIMPLE ASSAULT AND STALKING. LIPTOK COULDN'T POST BAIL AND REMAINS IN THE COUNTY LOCKUP.

ELECTRONICS STOLEN AT UNION TOWNSHIP HOME

BURGLARS TOOK ELECTRONICS FROM A HOME IN UNION TOWNSHIP MIDWEEK. JASON EIKSZTA OF RESERVOIR ROAD FOUND GUNS AND SEVERAL ELECTRONIC GAMING SYSTEMS TAKEN FROM HIS HOME WHEN HE RETURNED TO HIS RESIDENCE. STATE POLICE AT FRACKVILLE ARE INVESTIGATING.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

STATE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING CRIMINAL MISCHIEF AT A WORSHIP CENTER IN WAYNE TOWNSHIP. SCHUYLKILL HAVEN STATE POLICE SAY SOMEONE SHOT PAINTBALLS AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE VRAJ TEMPLE ON MANOR ROAD, THEN DAMAGED THE SIGN AND TOOK OFF WITH ANOTHER ORNAMENTAL SIGN, WHICH IS WRITTEN IN ENGLISH, MAROON IN COLOR AND ENGRAVED IN GOLD LETTERS. THE VALUE OF DAMAGE TO THE SIGNS TOTAL $12 THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES.

STOP LOSS SOLDIERS DUE MONEY

ALL SOLDIERS WHO SPENT EXTRA TIME ON ACTIVE DUTY BECAUSE OF THE STOP-LOSS PROGRAM SINCE SEPTEMBER 2001WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR $500 PER MONTH IN COMPENSATION. DON ROONEY HAS DETAILS FROM HARRISBURG:

ROONEY SOLDIERS

ALLENTOWN, PA. (AP) - THE PENNSYLVANIA SUPREME COURT HAS DISMISSED THOUSANDS OF JUVENILE CONVICTIONS ISSUED BY A JUDGE CHARGED IN A CORRUPTION SCANDAL. THE HIGH COURT YESTERDAY THREW OUT MORE THAN FIVE YEARS' WORTH OF CASES HEARD BY FORMER LUZERNE COUNTY JUDGE MARK CIAVARELLA. HE IS CHARGED WITH ACCEPTING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN KICKBACKS.

STATE COLLEGE, PA. (AP) - TWO PENN STATE FRATERNITIES AND TWO STUDENTS FACE MISDEMEANOR CHARGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEATH OF A FRESHMAN FOUND DEAD ON CAMPUS AFTER A NIGHT OF DRINKING LAST MONTH. THE ALPHA TAU OMEGA AND PHI GAMMA DELTA FRATERNITIES ARE CHARGED WITH ALLEGEDLY PROVIDING 18-YEAR-OLD JOSEPH DADO WITH ALCOHOL ON SEPT. 19 AND 20.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THREE TEENS CONVICTED OF FATALLY BEATING A STARBUCKS MANAGER ON A PHILADELPHIA SUBWAY PLATFORM ARE GOING TO PRISON FOR MORE THAN 12 YEARS. PROSECUTORS SAY AMEER BEST, NASHIR FISHER AND KINTA STANTON TOOK PART IN THE ASSAULT ON A DARE AFTER CUTTING SCHOOL IN MARCH 2008. THE VICTIM, SUFFERED A FATAL ASTHMA ATTACK AMID THE SERIES OF BLOWS.

EAST STROUDSBURG, PA. (AP) - A COLLEGE FIELD HOCKEY TEAM FROM EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA IS FORFEITING ITS PLAYOFF GAMES FOLLOWING ALLEGATIONS OF STUDENT HAZING. OFFICIALS AT EAST STROUDSBURG UNIVERSITY DID NOT GIVE DETAILS OF THE ALLEGATIONS IN ANNOUNCING THE FORFEITS YESTERDAY. EAST STROUDSBURG IS A STATE UNIVERSITY LOCATED NEAR THE POCONO MOUNTAINS.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. (AP) - A JUDGE HAS ORDERED THAT BAIL BE KEPT AT $1 MILLION FOR THE JANITOR ACCUSED OF KILLING A NEW JERSEY PRIEST BY STABBING HIM 32 TIMES. JOSE FELICIANO MADE HIS FIRST COURT APPEARANCE IN STATE SUPERIOR COURT IN MORRISTOWN YESTERDAY. JUDGE THOMAS MANAHAN ADJUSTED FELICIANO'S BAIL FROM CASH, BOND OR PROPERTY TO CASH SOLELY.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - HELICOPTERS AND BOATS ARE COMBING THE WATERS OFF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S COAST AFTER A COAST GUARD PLANE AND A MARINE CORPS HELICOPTER CRASHED. OFFICIALS SAY NINE PEOPLE WERE ABOARD THE TWO AIRCRAFT. A PILOT REPORTED SEEING A FIREBALL NEAR THE SUSPECTED CRASH SITE SHORTLY AFTER 7 LAST NIGHT.

TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS (AP) - HONDURAS' OUSTED PRESIDENT AND ITS INTERIM GOVERNMENT ARE GREETING A NEW AGREEMENT AS A RESOLUTION TO THE COUNTRY'S MONTHS-OLD POLITICAL DISPUTE. THE AGREEMENT COULD OPEN THE WAY FOR PRESIDENT MANUEL ZELAYA'S REINSTATEMENT FOUR MONTHS AFTER HE WAS FORCED FROM OFFICE IN A COUP.

PARIS (AP) - A JUDICIAL OFFICIAL SAYS FORMER FRENCH PRESIDENT JACQUES CHIRAC HAS BEEN ORDERED TO STAND TRIAL IN A CORRUPTION SCANDAL. A JUDGE HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING WHETHER PEOPLE IN CHIRAC'S CIRCLE DURING HIS TERM AS PARIS' MAYOR BETWEEN 1977-1995 WERE GIVEN SHAM JOBS AS ADVISERS. CHIRAC'S OFFICE SAID HE'LL DISPUTE THE CHARGES.

TOKYO (AP) - THERE ARE NO REPORTS OF DAMAGE OR CASUALTIES AFTER A MAGNITUDE 6.8 QUAKE STRUCK OFF JAPAN'S SOUTHERN COAST. JAPAN'S METEOROLOGICAL AGENCY SAYS THERE'S NO DANGER OF DAMAGE FROM A TSUNAMI.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - MICHAEL JACKSON'S FINANCIAL AFFAIRS ARE GROWING MORE COMPLICATED. TWO OF THE POP STAR'S COLLABORATORS ON "THRILLER" ARE FILING CLAIMS SAYING THEY'RE DUE MORE THAN $2 MILLION FROM THE LATE SINGER'S ESTATE. JACKSON'S FORMER MANAGER IS ALSO CLAIMING THE SINGER OWED HIM MORE THAN $300,000.

Today's News-October 29, 2009

LOTTERY SCAM WARNING

ST CLAIR POLICE ARE WARNING RESIDENTS TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR A MAIL SCAM. A BOROUGH RESIDENT RECEIVED A LETTER AND A CHECK FOR $47-HUNDRED-DOLLARS FROM CAN EQUITY INVESTMENT, TELLING HER SHE WON A LOTTERY IN CANADA. THE LETTER WAS AN APPARENT SCAM AND THE WOMAN TOLD NOT TO CASH THE CHECK. SHOULD YOU RECEIVE ANY TYPE OF FRAUDULENT SOLICITATION, CALL POLICE.

NEW VISITORS BUREAU DIRECTOR NAMED

THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU HAS NAMED A NEW DIRECTOR. REGINA GARGANO OF POTTSVILLE, FORMERLY WORKED FOR SCHUYLKILL COUNTY CHILD DEVELOPMENT, AND WILL FILL THE SPOT FORMERLY HELD BY MARK MAJOR OF POTTSVILLE, WHO ANNOUNCED HIS RESIGNATION IN AUGUST. GARGANO BEGINS HER NEW ROLE IN MID NOVEMBER.

ARGALL PROPOSES CUT IN SENATE AND LEGISLATURE
　
IS THE STATE LEGISLATURE TOO BIG? SENATOR DAVE ARGALL THINGS SO, AND IS PROPOSING A REDUCTION OF THE NUMBER OF LAWMAKERS BY MORE THAN 20 PERCENT. HANSON QUICKEL REPORTS FROM HARRISBURG:

ARGALL CUT LEGISLATURE

WOMAN CHARGED IN POTTSVILLE INCIDENT

A POTTSVILLE WOMAN IS JAILED FOLLOWING A DOMESTIC DISPUTE IN THE CITY TUESDAY NIGHT. POTTSVILLE POLICE SAY EDNA SHAY AND JOHN KAMANT WERE INVOLVED IN AN ARGUMENT, WITH SHAY THROWING AN ASHTRAY AND STRIKING HIM IN THE MOUTH. KAMANT NEEDED MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR THE INJURIES. A SMALL AMOUNT OF MARIJUANA WAS ALSO FOUND. SHAY WAS CHARGED WITH SIMPLE ASSAULT AND POT POSSESSION AND WAS JAILED ON $10-THOUSAND-DOLLARS BAIL.

CITY MAN FACES STATE PRISON TIME

A POTTSVILLE MAN IS HEADED FOR STATE PRISON ON CHARGES THAT HE FAILED TO CARE FOR AN ELDERLY WOMAN. 52 YEAR OLD ARTHUR DEITER PLEADED GUILTY TO CHARGES OF INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER AND RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT LAST MONTH. HE FAILED TO CARE FOR 69 YEAR OLD JOANNE WEIDER, NOT FEEDING HER AND PROVIDING ADEQUATE MEDICAL CARE. ACCORDING TO THE REPUBLICAN HERALD, DEITER WILL SPEND ONE TO TWO YEARS IN STATE PRISON, BEGINNING NOVEMBER 6TH.



CRUISE DONATES FUNDS FOR NEW LIBRARY VAN

THE POTTSVILLE LIONS CHARITIES CONTINUE TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, THIS TIME AIDING THE POTTSVILLE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY. THE GROUP PURCHASED A NEW VAN THROUGH PROCEEDS FROM THE GREAT POTTSVILLE CRUISE. LIBRARY DIRECTOR NANCY SMINK:

SMINK VAN

CRUISE CHAIRMAN AND POTTSVILLE LIONS MEMBER JERRY ENDERS SAYS THEY HAVE BEEN SOCKING THE MONEY AWAY FOR SEVERAL YEARS:

ENDERS VAN

GEISINGER GETS TOP MARKS

U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT RECENTLY RANKED GEISINGER MEDICAL CENTER AMONG THE TOP 10 PERCENT OF HOSPITALS IN THE COUNTRY FOR NURSING CARE. THE REPORT WAS BASED ON PATIENT SATISFACTION FROM SURVEYS DONE IN 2008. IN THE SURVEY, 78 PERCENT OF GEISINGER PATIENTS RESPONDED THAT NURSES WERE ALWAYS COURTEOUS, LISTENED CAREFULLY AND GAVE CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS. THE LATEST HONOR FOR GMC COMES ON THE HEELS OF LAST YEAR'S DESIGNATION AS A MAGNET HOSPITAL. THAT COVETED STATUS-GRANTED BY THE AMERICAN NURSES CREDENTIALING CENTER RECOGNIZES HOSPITALS WITH NURSES THAT PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL PATIENT CARE.
　
NEW YORK (AP) - IN THE OPENING GAME OF THE WORLD SERIES, CLIFF LEE AND CHASE UTLEY GOT PHILADELPHIA OFF TO A FAST START. LEE PITCHED A COMPLETE-GAME, SIX-HITTER TO OUTDUEL CC SABATHIA, UTLEY HOMERED TWICE AND THE PHILLIES BEAT THE NEW YORK YANKEES 6-1 LAST NIGHT. PEDRO MARTINEZ STARTS FOR THE PHILLIES AGAINST A.J. BURNETT IN GAME 2 TONIGHT.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - THERE'S A NEW TWIST ON THE TRADITIONAL BET BETWEEN GOVERNORS OF STATES WITH WORLD SERIES TEAMS THIS YEAR. IF THE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES WIN, AN ESSAY WINNER AND A GUEST WILL GET A NIGHT ON THE TOWN IN MANHATTAN. IF THE NEW YORK YANKEES WIN, A STATE RESIDENT AND GUEST CHOSEN BY LOTTERY WILL GET A VIP WEEKEND IN THE CITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE.

WIND GAP, PA. (AP) - THE JANITOR ACCUSED OF FATALLY STABBING A NEW JERSEY PRIEST 32 TIMES IS DUE IN COURT TODAY IN MORRISTOWN, N.J. COURT DOCUMENTS FILED IN WIND GAP, PA., SAY THE REV. ED HINDS DISCUSSED FIRING JOSE FELICIANO ONE DAY BEFORE HE WAS ATTACKED IN THE RECTORY OF ST. PATRICK CHURCH IN CHATHAM, N.J. A WAKE FOR HINDS IS SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW.

WILKES-BARRE, PA. (AP) - POLICE IN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA SAY A MAN UNHAPPY WITH HIS NEW VAN TOOK A CAR SALESMAN ON A WILD RIDE AND LATER TORCHED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE DEALERSHIP. AUTHORITIES SAY JOHN WALTON JR. WENT TO COCCIA FORD NEAR WILKES-BARRE, TOOK THE SALESMAN ON RIDE OF OVER 100 MILES PER HOUR AND BURNED THE VEHICLE. WALTON IS CHARGED WITH MAKING THREATS, ARSON AND OTHER CHARGES.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - AN ATTORNEY FOR A WOMAN CHARGED IN THE DEATH OF A 10-YEAR-OLD PHILADELPHIA GIRL SAYS THE VICTIM'S FATHER IS THE ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CRIME.AUTHORITIES SAY CHARLEENI FERREIRA DIED LAST WEEK OF INJURIES SUFFERED THROUGH REPEATED ABUSE. HER FATHER, DOMINGO FERREIRA, AND STEPMOTHER, MARGARITO GARABITO, HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH MURDER.

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, DEL. (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IS PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE FALLEN IN THE EIGHT-YEAR-OLD CONFLICT IN AFGHANISTAN. THE PRESIDENT MADE A MIDNIGHT JOURNEY TO DOVER AIR BASE TO GREET THE FLAG-DRAPED CASKETS OF 18 AMERICANS KILLED THIS WEEK IN AFGHANISTAN. HE ALSO MET PRIVATELY WITH THE SOLDIERS' FAMILIES.

TEHRAN, IRAN (AP) - THE IRANIAN PRESIDENT SAYS THE WEST AND IRAN ARE NOW COOPERATING ON THE NUCLEAR ISSUE. MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD SAYS THE WEST HAS MOVED "FROM CONFRONTATION TO INTERACTION." HE SAYS THE "GROUND HAS BEEN PAVED FOR NUCLEAR COOPERATION" AND THAT TEHRAN IS READY TO WORK WITH THE U.N. NUCLEAR WATCHDOG, WHICH RECENTLY COMPLETED INSPECTIONS OF ITS QOM URANIUM ENRICHMENT SITE.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A SCIENTIST ACCUSED OF TRYING TO SELL U.S. DEFENSE SECRETS TO ISRAEL IS SCHEDULED TO APPEAR IN COURT THIS AFTERNOON. STEWART NOZETTE WORKED FOR DECADES ON VARIOUS SCIENCE AND SPACE PROJECTS FOR THE GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING THE REAGAN-ERA STAR WARS MISSILE SHIELD EFFORT.

WASHINGTON (AP) - TREASURY SECRETARY TIMOTHY GEITHNER PLANS TO ASK A HOUSE PANEL TODAY TO PASS LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW FEDERAL REGULATORS TO DISMANTLE HUGE NONBANK FIRMS BEFORE THEY COLLAPSE. THE PROPOSAL WILL ALSO GIVE NEW POWERS TO THE FEDERAL RESERVE TO ENFORCE TOUGHER REQUIREMENTS FOR THESE "TOO-BIG-TO-FAIL" COMPANIES. THE BILL IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT ANOTHER LEHMAN BROTHERS-LIKE COLLAPSE.

POSTPONEMENTS-Wednesday, October 28th

MINERSVILLE LIONS HALLOWEEN PARADE IS POSTPONED FROM THIS EVENING UNTIL SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST AT 6:30PM

Today's News-Wednesday, October 28, 2009

NORTHERN SCHUYLKILL DRUG SWEEP

STREET LEVEL DRUG DEALERS WERE ROUNDED UP IN A SWEEP IN NORTHERN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY TUESDAY. ALL TOLD, EIGHT PEOPLE WERE PICKED UP FOR DELIVERING PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND MARIJUANA BY AGENTS FROM THE COUNTY DRUG TASK FORCE, SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND LOCAL POLICE. THE GROUP WERE CHARGED INDIVIDUALLY WITH VIOLATIONS OF THE CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, DRUG, DEVICE AND COSMETIC ACT. SIX COULD NOT POST BAIL AND WERE TAKEN TO THE COUNTY PRISON. WARRANTS WERE ALSO SERVED ON TWO PEOPLE FROM ASHLAND WHO HAD OUTSTANDING CHARGES AND A MINOR WILL BE CHARGED WITH POSSESSING XANAX AND PERCOCET. ANYONE WITH TIPS ABOUT ILLEGAL DRUG ACTIVITY SHOULD CALL TOLL FREE 800-414-1406.

THOSE ARRAIGNED:
MARK BILLUS JR-ASHLAND-DELIVERY OF PERCOCET
MARK ZIMMERMAN-ASHLAND-DELIVERY OF OXYCONTIN
DAMIEN ZIMNICKI-ASHLAND-DELIVERY OF PERCOCET
DANA WALENTUKONIS-GIRARDVILLE-DELIVERY OF VICODIN
ERIK ZENDROSKY-ASHLAND-DELIVERY OF OXYCODONE
STEPHEN ZENDROSKY-ASHLAND-DELIVERY OF OXYCONTIN
ROBERT MERWINE-GORDON-DELIVERY OF MARIJUANA
SEINI GUSTITUS-TREMONT-DELIVERY OF OXYCONTIN

BEATING SUSPECT JAILED

POLICE HAVE CHARGED A NEW PHILADELPHIA MAN FOR BEATING ANOTHER EARLIER THIS MONTH. 37-YEAR-OLD ROBERT RULAVAGE IS CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND RELATED COUNTS FOR SEVERELY BEATING ANTHONY BURKE AT BURKE'S HOME IN BLYTHE TOWNSHIP. OFFICERS SAY RULAVAGE WENT THERE IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF OCTOBER 11TH AFTER LEARNING THAT BURKE WAS INVOLVED IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS WIFE AND FOUND THEM TOGETHER. A FIGHT ENSUED AND RULAVAGE HIT BURKE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE LEAVING WITH HIS WIFE. THE PAIR SCUFFLED AGAIN ON BURKE'S PORCH, AND RULAVAGE KICKED BURKE IN THE RIBS, SENDING HIM OFF THE PORCH. BURKE WAS TAKEN TO LEHIGH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER FOR TREATMENT. RULAVAGE IS FREE AFTER POSTING BAIL.

THREE HURT IN CRASH NEAR PORT CLINTON

THREE PEOPLE WERE HURT IN A CRASH ON ROUTE 61 IN MOLINO TUESDAY NIGHT. 39 YEAR OLD STACY HARIG OF POTTSVILLE WAS SOUTHBOUND IN THE PASSING LANE AND AMBER BOHRMAN OF SCHUYLKILL HAVEN WAS DRIVING NORTH IN THE PASSING LANE. HARIG LOST CONTROL ON THE WET ROADWAY, CROSSED THE HIGHWAY AND HIT BOHRMAN'S CAR. A CAR OPERATED BY PAUL SLEVA OF NEW RINGGOLD HIT BOHRMAN'S CAR. HARIG WAS THROWN FROM HER VEHICLE. ALL THREE SUFFERED MODERATE INJURIES, WITH HARIG AND BOHRMAN TAKEN TO LEHIGH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER AND SLEVA WAS TAKEN TO SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER EAST.

FIRE DESTROYS HOME IN RUSH TOWNSHIP

A HOME IN RUSH TOWNSHIP WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE TUESDAY AFTERNOON. GEORGE YEMM JR., CLAREMONT AVENUE, WAS LEFT HOMELESS FROM THE BLAZE THAT APPARENTLY STARTED FROM A KEROSENE HEATER BEING USED TO WARM THE BATHROOM. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT QUICKLY BY FIRE CREWS. THE FIRE HAPPENED AROUND 5:15PM.

PICTOGLYPH

ANYONE WHO HAS WALKED THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MAY HAVE PICKED UP ARROWHEADS AND FOSSILS THAT WERE LEFT FROM THE INDIANS AND NOMADS THAT TREKKED THROUGH THE COUNTY HUNDREDS OF YEARS AGO. FOR FRANCIS BURKE OF MARLIN, ARCHAEOLOGY HAS BEEN HIS LIFE LONG PURSUIT, AND SOME FORTY YEARS AGO, MADE A STARTLING DISCOVERY IN NORWEGIAN TOWNSHIP:

BURKE

THE PICTURE WAS CUT OUT OF THE SANDSTONE AND WEIGHED SEVERAL HUNDRED POUNDS. ITS BEEN IN THE CARE OF THE STATE MUSEUM IN HARRISBURG SINCE THEN. THE PICTOGLYPH WILL COME TO LIFE TONIGHT AT THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY WITH BURKE GOING INTO GREAT DETAIL ABOUT THE FACE CARVED BY INDIANS AROUND 1700. THE PROGRAM IS FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

STATE COLLEGE, PA. (AP) - DEMOCRAT HOWARD DEAN AND REPUBLICAN KARL ROVE TRADED ARGUMENTS AND ONE-LINERS IN A LIVELY DEBATE OVER HEALTH CARE REFORM AT PENN STATE LAST NIGHT. THE EX-DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN AND FORMER DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF TO PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH HAMMERED EACH OTHER WITH FAMILIAR RETORTS IN THE FRACTURED HEALTH CARE FIGHT.

NEW CASTLE, PA. (AP) - POLICE IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA HAVE ARRESTED EIGHT PEOPLE, INCLUDING TWO JUVENILES, ACCUSED OF SETTING A DOZEN FIRES IN THE ARSON-PLAGUED CITY OF NEW CASTLE. NEW CASTLE POLICE CHIEF THOMAS SANSONE SAYS THE SUSPECTS ALL KNEW EACH OTHER BUT WORKED IN GROUPS OF TWO OR THREE. ALL EIGHT WERE ARRESTED YESTERDAY ON CHARGES INCLUDING ARSON.

WASHINGTON, PA. (AP) - THREE WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA MEN WILL SERVE TIME FOR THE ROBBERY AND SLAYING OF A RETIRED POLICE CHIEF AND HIS WIFE. JUSTIN WELCH, OF CHARLEROI WAS SENTENCED TO 20 TO 40 YEARS IN PRISON YESTERDAY. HE PLEADED GUILTY TO CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT HOMICIDE IN THE SHOOTING DEATHS OF FORMER CARROLL TOWNSHIP CHIEF HOWARD SPRINGER AND HIS WIFE NANCY.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A HIGH SCHOOL MATH INSTRUCTOR FROM THE PITTSBURGH SUBURBS IS PENNSYLVANIA'S NEW TEACHER OF THE YEAR. MICHELLE SWITALA (SWIH-TAH'-LAH) RECEIVED THE HONOR YESTERDAY FROM THE STATE CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL STATE TEACHERS OF THE YEAR ORGANIZATION. SWITALA BEAT OUT 11 OTHER FINALISTS TO COLLECT THE AWARD.

NEW YORK (AP) - PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES MANAGER CHARLIE MANUEL HAS ANNOUNCED THAT PEDRO MARTINEZ IS SCHEDULED TO START FOR THE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES IN GAME 2 OF THE WORLD SERIES ON THURSDAY NIGHT AT YANKEE STADIUM. MANUEL HAD ALREADY ANNOUNCED THAT CLIFF LEE WILL START THE OPENING GAME OF THE WORLD SERIES AT YANKEE STADIUM TONIGHT.

KABUL (AP) - THE U.S. EMBASSY SAYS ONE AMERICAN IS AMONG THE SIX UNITED NATIONS EMPLOYEES KILLED IN AN ATTACK ON A GUEST HOUSE IN THE AFGHAN CAPITAL OF KABUL. TWELVE PEOPLE IN TOTAL DIED IN THE ASSAULT, INCLUDING THE THREE GUNMEN STRAPPED WITH SUICIDE VESTS. AFGHAN PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI HAS CONDEMNED THE ATTACK AS AN "INHUMAN ACT."

PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN (AP) - A DOCTOR SAYS THE DEATH TOLL IN A MARKET BOMBING IN NORTHWESTERN PAKISTAN HAS RISEN TO 43. THE DOCTOR SAYS THE DEATH TOLL IS EXPECTED TO RISE. THE BOMBING IN PESHAWAR COMES AS SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON STARTS A THREE-DAY VISIT IN ISLAMABAD.

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - A U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS INVESTIGATOR SAYS U.S. USE OF UNMANNED WARPLANES TO CARRY OUT TARGETED EXECUTIONS MAY VIOLATE INTERNATIONAL LAW. PHILIP ALSTON SAYS UNLESS THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION EXPLAINS THE MEASURES IT'S TAKING TO COMPLY WITH INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW, "IT WILL INCREASINGLY BE PERCEIVED AS CARRYING OUT INDISCRIMINATE KILLINGS."

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - THERE WILL BE EXTRA TRAINS RUNNING IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA TO TRY AND EASE TOMORROW'S EXPECTED TRAFFIC NIGHTMARE, AFTER CREWS WERE FORCED TO SHUT DOWN THE BAY BRIDGE.
OFFICIALS SAY THE SPAN CONNECTING SAN FRANCISCO TO THE EAST BAY WILL BE CLOSED INDEFINITELY AFTER A ROD AND METAL BRACE FELL INTO WESTBOUND LANES DAMAGING TWO VEHICLES.

WASHINGTON (AP) - LEGISLATION TO EXTEND UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS FOR OUT-OF-WORK AMERICANS IS HEADED TO THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE AFTER CLEARING A PROCEDURAL HURDLE. THE LEGISLATION WOULD PROVIDE 14 WEEKS IN EXTRA FINANCIAL AID FOR EVERYONE. PEOPLE LIVING IN 27 STATES WHERE THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS AT LEAST 8.5 PERCENT WOULD GET ANOTHER SIX WEEKS ON TOP OF THE 14.

Today's News-Tuesday, October 27, 2009

VOTER INFORMATION

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO GET YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS TO THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY ELECTION BUREAU FOR THE NOVEMBER 3RD ELECTION. ALL ABSENTEE BALLOTS ARE DUE IN THE OFFICE AT NORTH CENTRE STREET IN POTTSVILLE BY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30TH.

NORTH SCHUYLKILL HIRES FORMER TEACHER AS SUPERINTENDENT

THE BOARD OF FIVE AT THE NORTH SCHUYLKILL SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS HIRED A SUPERINTENDENT. AT LAST NIGHT'S MEETING, DR. ANDREW SMARKANIC, AN AREA NATIVE, FORMER TEACHER AND DISTRICT BUSINESS ADMINSTRATOR WAS HIRED TO LEAD THE DISTRICT, REPLACING INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT PATRICK LUKASAVICH. FOR THE LAST 17 YEARS, SMARKANIC HAS BEEN AN ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR BUSINESS AFFAIRS AT BLUE MOUNTAIN. HE HOLDS DEGREES FROM PENN STATE AND NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY. SMARKANIC WILL TAKE OVER OFFICIALLY ON JANUARY 1ST AT A SALARY OF $136-THOUSAND-DOLLARS. THE NORTH SCHUYLKILL SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS BEEN WITHOUT A PERMANENT LEADER FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS, AFTER EFFORTS TO APPOINT FORMER SOLICITOR MARK SEMANCHICK TO THE POSITION WAS TURNED DOWN BY THE STATE EDUCATION BOARD. EIGHT OF THE NINE ORIGINAL BOARD MEMBERS WERE REMOVED BY JUDGE D MICHAEL STINE AFTER THEY FAILED TO HIRE A QUALIFIED SUPERINTENDENT. FIVE DIRECTORS HAVE BEEN RUNNING THE DISTRICT SINCE THE SUMMER, AND 17 OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN FILLING THE FOUR SPOTS, ACCORDING TO THE REPUBLICAN HERALD. LITIGATION REMAINS UNDER CONSIDERATION BY COMMONWEALTH COURT.

COUNTY UNEMPLOYMENT UP

SEPTEMBER'S UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS HAVE BEEN RELEASED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY. NEW NUMBERS INDICATE THE COUNTY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 10.8 PERCENT LAST MONTH, A HALF PERCENT HIGHER THAN AUGUST. OVER 8-THOUSAND PEOPLE WERE WITHOUT WORK IN THE COUNTY FOR THE MONTH. THE STATE RATE IS 8.8 PERCENT, AND THE NATIONAL LEVEL AT 9.8 PERCENT FOR SEPTEMBER.

ST CLAIR MAN GOES TO FEDERAL PRISON ON CHILD PORN CHARGES.

FEDERAL AUTHORITIES HAVE SENTENCED A ST CLAIR MAN TO SERVE 70 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR RECEIVING CHILD PORN. 48 YEAR OLD EDWARD UDUT PLEADED GUILTY TO OBTAINING THE KIDDIE PORN OVER A 3 YEAR PERIOD FROM 2005 AND 2008. THE SENTENCE WAS HANDED DOWN BY U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE EDWIN KOSIK IN SCRANTON.

TEEN CRASH CASE IN COUNTY COURT

A MCADOO TEENAGER WAS IN COUNTY COURT MONDAY RELATING TO A CRASH IN COLUMBIA COUNTY LAS FALL. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS JOSEPH PUGLIO WAS SPEEDING WHEN HE CRASHED HIS CAR INTO A GARAGE IN BEAVER TOWNSHIP SEPTEMBER 30TH. TWO PASSENGERS WERE KILLED IN THE ACCIDENT. PUGLIO WAS 16 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME. JUVENILE AUTHORITIES HAVE CONDUCTED BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE CASE, AND JUDGE JACQUELINE RUSSELL DELAYED SENTENCING ON THE CASE FOR 90 DAYS FOR FURTHER EVALUATION OF PUGLIO. CHARGES OF INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER, HOMICIDE BY VEHICLE AND OTHER COUNTS ARE PENDING AGAINST PUGLIO. HE COULD FACE TIME IN A JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER UNTIL HE'S 21.

POTTSVILLE MAN DIES FROM KNIFE WOUND

POTTSVILLE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING THE DEATH OF A CITY MAN SUNDAY. OFFICERS WERE CALLED TO AN APARTMENT ON NORTH THIRD STREET, WHERE THEY FOUND 29-YEAR-OLD SHAWN SPEER WITH A KNIFE WOUND, BEING CARED FOR BY HIS GIRLFRIEND. SPEER DIED AT SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER SOUTH. AN AUTOPSY WAS CONDUCTED ON SPEER YESTERDAY AND POLICE ARE STILL LOOKING INTO THE MATTER.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A PHILADELPHIA JURY RETURNED A SEALED PUNITIVE-DAMAGES VERDICT AGAINST DRUGMAKER WYETH PHARMACEUTICALS YESTERDAY AFTER FINDING A LINK BETWEEN A WOMAN'S BREAST CANCER AND THE HORMONE-REPLACEMENT DRUG SHE TOOK. CONNIE BARTON'S CASE IS ONE OF A HANDFUL OF LAWSUITS TO GO TO TRIAL OUT OF SEVERAL THOUSAND FILED ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A CANDIDATE FOR THE PENNSYLVANIA SUPREME COURT IS ATTACKING HER OPPONENT OVER DONATIONS FROM TRIAL LAWYERS. REPUBLICAN JOAN ORIE MELVIN SAYS THAT DEMOCRAT JACK PANELLA'S CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS SUGGEST TO VOTERS THAT JUSTICE IS FOR SALE. PANELLA'S CAMPAIGN RESPONDS THAT MELVIN ALSO TAKES MONEY FROM TRIAL LAWYERS AND IS ALSO HEAVILY SUBSIDIZED BY REPUBLICAN LEADERS OF THE STATE SENATE.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A PHILADELPHIA PEDESTRIAN HAS DIED OF INJURIES SUFFERED AFTER ALLEGEDLY BEING HIT BY A BICYCLIST WHO FLED THE SCENE. POLICE FOUND 40-YEAR-OLD PARALEGAL ANDRE STEED ON A DOWNTOWN STREET BLEEDING FROM SEVERE HEAD INJURIES ON OCT. 15. HE DIED OVER THE WEEKEND. POLICE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR THE PERSON WHO STRUCK STEED.

SCRANTON, PA. (AP) - A NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER CHARGED AS PART OF A CORRUPTION PROBE HAS AGREED TO PLEAD GUILTY TO A FEDERAL BRIBERY CHARGE. WILKES-BARRE AREA SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER BRIAN DUNN ADMITS TO TAKING A $5,000 BRIBE IN EXCHANGE FOR HIS SUPPORT IN THE HIRING OF A TEACHER. DUNN FACES UP TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON AND A $250,000 FINE.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A FEW HUNDRED FANS GATHERED OUTSIDE PHILADELPHIA'S CITY HALL YESTERDAY AT A RALLY IN ADVANCE OF THE WORLD SERIES. PHILADELPHIA MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER AND THE PHILLY PHANATIC HELPED RALLY FANS, WHILE A PHILLIES ANNOUNCER LED THE CROWD IN FRANK SINATRA'S "HIGH HOPES". THE WORLD SERIES BEGINS TOMORROW NIGHT AT YANKEE STADIUM.

WASHINGTON (AP) - SOME DEMOCRATS ARE CALLING SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADER HARRY REID'S MOVE TO ADD A PUBLIC OPTION TO HEALTH CARE REFORM BOLD AND GUTSY. FOR HIS PART, REID IS CALLING THE PUBLIC OPTION THE BEST WAY TO IMPROVE THE CURRENT SYSTEM. BUT REPUBLICANS WARN THAT GOVERNMENT COMPETITION WOULD DRIVE PRIVATE COMPANIES OUT OF THE INSURANCE BUSINESS.

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA WILL BE TALKING UP CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY TODAY AS HE TOURS A SOLAR POWER STATION IN FLORIDA. HE'LL ALSO BE TRUMPETING HIS STIMULUS PLAN AND ITS INVESTMENTS IN SO-CALLED "SMART-GRID" POWER TRANSMISSION TECHNOLOGY.

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. (AP) - NASA'S NEWEST ROCKET IS SET TO BLAST OFF ON A TEST FLIGHT THIS MORNING, WEATHER PERMITTING. THE ARES I-X ROCKET IS THE FIRST STEP IN NASA'S EFFORT TO RETURN ASTRONAUTS TO THE MOON. THE FLIGHT IS EXPECTED TO LAST TWO MINUTES AND COST ABOUT $445 MILLION.

LONDON, KY. (AP) - FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN GATHERING TO REMEMBER A CENSUS WORKER WHOSE BODY WAS FOUND HANGING FROM A TREE IN SOUTHEASTERN KENTUCKY. BILL SPARKMAN WAS FOUND SEPT. 12 WITH A ROPE AROUND HIS NECK AND THE WORD "FED" SCRAWLED ACROSS HIS CHEST. INVESTIGATORS ARE STILL TRYING TO SOLVE THE CASE.

DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) - A MILK GLUT HAS DAIRY FARMERS ACROSS THE U.S. KILLING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF COWS. IT'S AN EFFORT TO REDUCE THE MILK SUPPLY AND BOOST PRICES. EXPERTS SAY THE SLAUGHTER HAS HELPED RAISE PRICES SOME, BUT THEY STILL LAG BEHIND THE COST OF PRODUCTION.

Today's News-Monday, October 26, 2009

RAPE IN DAUPHIN COUNTY

A TOWER CITY MAN IS JAILED ON CHARGES THAT HE SEXUALLY ABUSED A YOUNG GIRL OVER A FOUR YEAR PERIOD. THE JOINT INVESTIGATION BETWEEN STATE POLICE AND DAUPHIN COUNTY CHILDREN AND YOUTH FOUND THAT 40 YEAR OLD AARON HEGGLIN OF TOWER CITY ABUSED THE GIRL BETWEEN 1999 AND 2003, WHEN SHE WAS 8 YEARS OLD. HEGGLIN WAS ARRESTED LAST WEEK AT HIS HOME, CHARGED WITH RAPE, INDECENT SEXUAL ASSAULT, CORRUPTION OF MINORS AND OTHER COUNTS. HE'S JAILED IN DAUPHIN COUNTY PRISON IN LIEU OF $100 THOUSAND DOLLARS.

TWO JAILED IN FIGHT

A MAN AND WOMAN ARE JAILED FOLLOWING A FIGHT AT A TOWER CITY HOME EARLY SUNDAY. STATE POLICE SAY 21 YEAR OLD JONATHAN HOFFER OF TOWER CITY AND 21 YEAR OLD KELSEY GALIE GOT INTO AN ARGUMENT, AND SEVERAL SCUFFLES ENSUED WITH HOFFER GRABBING GALIE BY THE THROAT AND GALIE HITTING HOFFER OVER THE HEAD WITH A BEER BOTTLE SEVERAL TIMES. HOFFER ALSO GAVE TROOPERS A HARD TIME WHEN BEING TAKEN INTO CUSTODY. BOTH ARE CHARGED WITH SIMPLE ASSAULT AND HARRASSMENT, AND HOFFER FACING CHARGES OF PERSISTENT DISORDERLY CONDUCT. AFTER ARRAIGNMENT, BOTH WERE TAKEN TO THE COUNTY PRISON, BEING UNABLE TO POST BAIL.

TWO FROM NY STATE CHARGED WITH STEALING TRUCK

MAHANOY CITY POLICE HAVE CHARGED TWO PEOPLE FROM NEW YORK STATE FOR ATTEMPTING TO STEAL A TRUCK EARLY SUNDAY. OFFICERS SAY THAT AROUND 3:15AM, POLICE STOPED A MAN AND WOMAN, IDENTIFIED AS 48 YEAR OLD GERADO FIGUEROA AND 51 YEAR OLD JULIE LEVINSON, APPARENTLY SITTING IN A PICKUP THAT WASN'T THEIRS AND HAD BEEN IMPOUNDED. FIGUEROA COULDN'T PROVIDE VALID IDENTIFICATION. THE PAIR WERE CHARGED WITH THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING, RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY, POSSESSING INSTRUMENTS OF CRIME AND OTHER COUNTS. BOTH WERE JAILED IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON.

TOURNAMENT OF BANDS

HIGH SCHOOL BANDS FROM EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA CONVERGED ON BLUE MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL STADIUM SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN A COMPETITION OF SIGHT AND SOUND IN THE CHAPTER TWO TOURNAMENT OF BANDS CHAMPIONSHIP. BASED ON MARCHING UNIT SIZE, SCHUYLKILL HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL PLACED SECOND IN GROUP I, WHILE BLUE MOUNTAIN CAPTURED THE TOP PRIZE IN GROUP II, BEATING OUT NORTHWESTERN LEHIGH AND PARKLAND HIGH SCHOOL. IN GROUP IV, DANIEL BOONE DEFEATED WILSON HIGH SCHOOL. THE WINNERS WILL ADVANCE TO THE ATLANTIC COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS AT HERSHEYPARK STADIUM. THREE AREA STUDENTS, ERIC DERSTINE AND COREY KUCHINSKY AND SCHUYLKILL HAVEN'S JOLENE STANKIEWITCH WERE CHOSEN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE T.O.B. ALL STAR BAND IN PHILADELPHIA'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE ON NOVEMBER 26TH.

CRIMESTOPPERS LOOKING FOR ARSONISTS

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY CRIMESTOPPERS AND STATE POLICE AT FRACKVILLE ARE ASKING FOR THE PUBLICS HELP IN FINDING THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR STARTING A FIRE AT TWO VACANT HOMES EARLIER THIS MONTH. TROOPERS SAY THE FIRE HAPPENED OCTOBER 1ST AT 31-33 LOST CREEK ROAD IN LOST CREEK. INVESTIGATORS SAY THE FIRE WAS INTENTIONALLY SET. THE BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN UNOCCUPIED FOR ABOUT 7 YEARS. IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION, CALL POLICE.

HARASSMENT IN LLEWELLYN

A FIGHT BETWEEN A MAN AND WOMAN IN LLEWELLYN LEADS TO AN ARREST FROM AN OUTSTANDING WARRANT. THE ALTERCATION BETWEEN THE 25 YEAR OLD WOMAN AND 38 YEAR OLD DAVID SCHULTZ TOOK PLACE EARLY SUNDAY AT THE HOME ON 1160 BUNTING STREET. FURTHER INVESTIGATION BY STATE POLICE FOUND AN OUTSTANDING WARRANT AGAINST SCHULTZ FROM BUCKS COUNTY. SCHULTZ IS BEING HELD IN THE COUNTY PRISON.

NEW YORK (AP) - THE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES NOW KNOW WHO THEY WILL PLAY IN THE WORLD SERIES STARTING WEDNESDAY. THE NEW YORK YANKEES ARE BACK IN BASEBALL'S BIG EVENT. THE BRONX BOMBERS BEAT THE LOS ANGELES ANGELS 5-2 IN GAME 6 OF THE AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES BEHIND THE SAVVY PITCHING OF ANDY PETTITTE.ALEX RODRIGUEZ LED THE TEAM WITH HIS .438 PLAYOFFS AVERAGE.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES MANAGER CHARLIE MANUEL HAS ANNOUNCED THAT CLIFF LEE WILL START GAME 1 OF THE WORLD SERIES AGAINST THE NEW YORK YANKEES ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. THE LEFT-HANDER HAS BEEN DOMINANT, GOING 2-0 IN THE POST-SEASON WITH AN 0.74 ERA. SINCE JOINING THE PHILLIES FROM CLEVELAND, LEE HAS A RECORD OF 7-4 IN 12 STARTS.

CHATHAM, N.J. (AP) - BAIL HAS BEEN SET AT $1 MILLION FOR AN EASTON, PA. MAN ACCUSED OF STABBING A CHATHAM, N.J. MINISTER 32 TIMES AFTER THEY ARGUED IN THE RECTORY. MORRIS COUNTY PROSECUTOR ROBERT BIANCHI SAYS THAT JOSE FELICIANO, A CHURCH JANITOR, ALLEGEDLY KILLED THE REV. ED HINDS AT ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH IN CHATHAM, AFTER AN ARGUMENT THURSDAY NIGHT.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - THE SON OF AN EX-CONVICT AND THE SON OF A SUPER BOWL HALL OF FAMER ARE CHALLENGING PITTSBURGH'S MAYOR IN NEXT WEEK'S GENERAL ELECTION. THERE HAS BEEN LITTLE VISIBLE CAMPAIGNING IN THE RACE BETWEEN 29-YEAR-OLD INCUMBENT DEMOCRAT LUKE RAVENSTAHL AND INDEPENDENT CHALLENGERS 33-YEAR-OLD KEVIN ACKLIN AND 30-YEAR-OLD FRANCO "DOK" HARRIS.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - REPRESENTATIVES OF PHILADELPHIA'S TRANSIT SYSTEM AND ITS LARGEST UNION SAY THEY HOPE THEY CAN AVERT A WALKOUT AUTHORIZED BY 4,700 WORKERS LESS THAN A WEEK BEFORE THE FIRST WORLD SERIES GAME IS SCHEDULED IN THE CITY. 4,700 WORKERS AUTHORIZED THE TRANSIT WORKER'S UNION TO STRIKE IF LAST-DITCH NEGOTIATIONS WITH S.E.P.T.A. FAIL.

MIAMI (AP) - THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF A SLAIN UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT FOOTBALL PLAYER HAVE BEEN GATHERING IN HIS MIAMI HOMETOWN FOR HIS FUNERAL. THE UCONN FOOTBALL TEAM IS ALSO SCHEDULED TO ATTEND. JASPER HOWARD WAS FATALLY STABBED OUTSIDE A CAMPUS DANCE. NO ONE HAS BEEN CHARGED IN HIS DEATH.

ORANGE PARK, FLA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES SAY THEY'VE GOTTEN MORE THAN A THOUSAND TIPS AS THEY INVESTIGATE THE KILLING OF A 7-YEAR-OLD NORTH FLORIDA GIRL. SOMER THOMPSON VANISHED ON HER WALK HOME FROM SCHOOL LAST MONDAY. HER BODY WAS FOUND IN A GEORGIA LANDFILL TWO DAYS LATER. A PUBLIC VIEWING IS BEING HELD TODAY.

KABUL (AP) - HELICOPTER ACCIDENTS IN AFGHANISTAN, INCLUDING A MIDAIR COLLISION, HAVE KILLED 14 AMERICANS, INCLUDING THREE CIVILIANS. IN THE CAPITAL, KABUL, IT'S A SECOND DAY OF DEMONSTRATIONS BY UNIVERSITY STUDENTS. THEY'RE PROTESTING THE ALLEGED DESECRATION OF THE MUSLIM HOLY BOOK BY U.S. TROOPS. BOTH U.S. AND AFGHAN AUTHORITIES HAVE DENIED THAT ANY DESECRATION TOOK PLACE.

WASHINGTON (AP) - AFGHANISTAN IS ON THE WHITE HOUSE AGENDA TODAY AS PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA MEETS WITH HIS NATIONAL SECURITY TEAM. IT'S THE SIXTH FULL-SCALE AFGHANISTAN CONFERENCE IN THE WHITE HOUSE SITUATION ROOM. LATER, OBAMA TRAVELS TO FLORIDA TO VISIT WITH TROOPS AT THE JACKSONVILLE NAVAL AIR STATION.

NEW YORK (AP) - THE NEW YORK YANKEES WILL BE TRYING FOR THEIR 27TH WORLD SERIES TITLE, WHEN THEY TAKE ON THE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES IN THE WORLD SERIES ON WEDNESDAY. THE YANKS SECURED THEIR TRIP TO THE FALL CLASSIC BY BEATING THE LOS ANGELES ANGELS 5-2 IN THE AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP LAST NIGHT.

Today's News-Saturday, October 24, 2009

MURDER SUICIDE IN POTTSVILLE


AN APPARENT DOMESTIC DISPUTE TURNED DEADLY FRIDAY AFTERNOON IN POTTSVILLE. 51 YEAR OLD FRANK MANGANIELLO SHOT HIS ESTRANGED GIRLFRIEND, 50 YEAR OLD SANDRA PUCCI SEVERAL TIMES IN A PARKING LOT ON WEST MARKET STREET, FLED EAST ON MARKET STREET TO GARFIELD SQUARE, IN PURSUIT BY POLICE. EYEWITNESS STEPHANIE LOZADA, AN EMPLOYEE AT THE GARFIELD DINER, TELLS US WHAT SHE SAW:


STEPHANIE LOZADA


POLICE ASSUMED THAT MANGANIELLO WAS HOLED UP INSIDE, AND POLICE BEGAN TO EVACUATE THE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. MANGANIELLO WAS FOUND DEAD OF A SINGLE GUNSHOT WOUND TO THE HEAD ON THE ALTAR OF THE CHURCH. DISTRICT ATTORNEY JIM GOODMAN SAID THAT CHARGES WERE ALREADY PENDING

AGAINST MANGANIELLO:


GOODMAN MANGANIELLO


PUCCI DIED FROM THE GUNSHOT WOUNDS AT LEHIGH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER. AN AUTOPSY ON MANGANIELLO'S REMAINS WILL BE DONE AT SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER SOUTH THIS MORNING. POTTSVILLE POLICE WERE AIDED BY NUMEROUS MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS, PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE AND COUNTY SHERIFF DEPUTIES. THE PUBLIC IS INVITED ATTEND A PRAYER AND HEALING SERVICE AT FIRST UNITED METHODIST, 4TH AND WEST MARKET STREETS AT 7PM. BISHOP PEGGY JOHNSON WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE.


FIRE IN BUTLER TOWNSHIP


A HOME IS DESTROYED AFTER FIRE RAVAGED THROUGH IT IN LAVELLE THIS MORNING. CREWS WERE CALLED TO 2298 FAIRGROUNDS ROAD AROUND 2:30AM. OTHER DETAILS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE.

WORKER STILL IN CRITICAL CONDITION


A SCHUYLKILL HAVEN BOROUGH ELECTRIC CREW WORKER IS STILL IN CRITICAL CONDITION AT LEHIGH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER AFTER HE WAS BURNED THURSDAY AFTERNOON. JARED BERNITSKY WAS INJURED AT THE BOROUGH ELECTRIC SUBSTATION ON CALDWELL STREET. POWER WAS KNOCKED OUT TO THE ENTIRE TOWN FOR ABOUT FOUR HOURS. THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT CONTINUES.


FOUR ACCUSED MURDERERS CASE HEADED TO COURT


FOUR MEN ACCUSED OF BEATING A FORMER FRIEND TO DEATH LAST MONTH NEAR BRANDONVILLE WILL HAVE THEIR CASE BOUND OVER FOR COURT. SHANE ROOF OF PALMERTON, AND JEFFREY GOMBERT, ANDREW TUTKO THE SECOND AND CURTIS FOOSE OF HAZLETON ALLEGEDLY BEAT 21 YEAR OLD ANTHONY LOCASIO WITH BASEBALL BATS FOR RATTING THE OTHERS OUT TO POLICE IN AN INCIDENT LAST SUMMER. DISTRICT JUDGE ANTHONY KILKER BOUND CHARGES OF CRIMINAL HOMICIDE, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, AND CONSPIRACY OVER TO SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COURT. THE FOUR ACCUSED REMAIN IN THE COUNTY LOCKUP.


ONE INJURED IN CRASH


A VALLEY VIEW MAN SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES IN A CRASH ON ROUTE 501 IN PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP FRIDAY AFTERNOON. 45 YEAR OLD HARRY MAUSSER WAS SOUTHBOUND AROUND 4PM WHEN HIS VEHICLE SKIDDED OUT OF CONTROL, HITTING A GUIDERAIL AND GOING AIRBORNE TWICE AND STRIKING SEVERAL TREES. HE WAS TAKEN TO HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER VIA AMBULANCE FOR TREATMENT.


CYCLE STOLEN AT WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP HOME


A MOTORCYCLE WAS STOLEN FROM A WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP SOMETIME THURSDAY OR FRIDAY. BURGLARS GAINED ENTRY TO A GARAGE AT 6 MAPLE LANE AND TOOK A YELLOW KAWASAKI MOTORCYCLE BELONGING TO JUSTIN DONTON. STATE POLICE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN ARE INVESTIGATING.


MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY


IN SPITE OF THE RAINY WEATHER, PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND WALKS OF LIFE ARE LENDING A HELPING HAND FOR THE 2009 MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY. IN SPITE OF LOWER REGISTRATIONS FOR LOCAL PROJECTS LAST WEEK, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY COORDINATOR JANICE JOHNSTON REPORTS THAT 121 PROJECTS HAVE BEEN REGISTERED, WITH OVER 5800 PEOPLE PARTICIPATING AND OVER 7300 PEOPLE TO BENEFIT FROM KINDNESS. JOHNSTON SAYS THERE ARE MORE PROJECTS BEING DONE, MANY GATHERING FOOD AND OTHER GOODS THAT ARE IN DESPERATE NEED DURING THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN.



HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - GOVERNOR ED RENDELL SAYS HE EXPECTS HUNDREDS OF STATE EMPLOYEES TO BE LAID OFF RIGHT BEFORE THANKSGIVING. HE MADE THE COMMENTS DURING AN INTERVIEW ON WHYY RADIO IN PHILADELPHIA. RENDELL SAYS MANY DETAILS ARE STILL BEING WORKED OUT.


HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A SPOKESMAN FOR THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE HAS DECLINED COMMENT ON A REPORT THAT FIVE OF THE 12 DEFENDANTS IN A LEGISLATIVE CORRUPTION CASE HAVE AGREED TO PLEAD GUILTY. THE PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE REPORTED THE FIVE DEFENDANTS ARE COOPERATING WITH PROSECUTORS.


CLAIRTON, PA. (AP) - A 17-YEAR-OLD CLAIRTON GIRL REMAINS HOSPITALIZED FOLLOWING A TOWN HOUSE FIRE THAT KILLED THREE CHILDREN. THE FIRE EARLY FRIDAY KILLED TWO SISTERS, AGES 9 AND 6, AND A 2-YEAR-OLD BOY WHO WAS NOT RELATED TO THE GIRLS. FIRE OFFICIALS SAY THE BLAZE DOES NOT APPEAR SUSPICIOUS.


UNDATED (AP) - PHYSICIANS AT ERIE'S HAMOT MEDICAL CENTER SAY EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS ARE UP ABOUT 30 PERCENT, WITH MANY PATIENTS REPORTING FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS. HAMOT IS GIVING STAFF AND PATIENTS MASKS TO FIGHT THE SPREAD OF SWINE FLU.


WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYS TOO MANY SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET CREDIT DESPITE THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION'S EFFORTS TO JUMP-START LENDING. HE'S USING HIS
WEEKLY RADIO AND INTERNET ADDRESS TO URGE BANKS TO LEND MORE MONEY
TO SMALL BUSINESSES. HE SAYS SUCH BUSINESSES HAVE CREATED NEARLY
TWO-THIRDS OF THE NATION'S NEW JOBS OVER THE PAST DECADE AND A HALF
AND SHOULD BE "AT THE FOREFRONT" OF THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY.


WASHINGTON (AP) - NEBRASKA SEN. MIKE JOHANNS SAYS MOST PEOPLE AGREE THAT HEALTH CARE CHANGES SHOULD LOWER COSTS AND MAKE IT EASIER TO GET HEALTH CARE. BUT, IN THE REPUBLICANS' WEEKLY ADDRESS, HE SAYS CURRENT PROPOSALS IN CONGRESS DON'T DO THAT -- AND MAY EVEN HAVE THE OPPOSITE EFFECT.


MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - THE FIRST OFFICER OF THE NORTHWEST AIRLINES JET THAT OVERSHOT ITS DESTINATION SAYS THIS WEEK'S INCIDENT WAS NOT "A SERIOUS EVENT." THE FLIGHT TO MINNEAPOLIS SPED 150 MILES TOO FAR, AS AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS TRIED FRANTICALLY TO REACH THE CREW AND MILITARY JETS WERE PREPARING TO CHASE THEM. AN INVESTIGATION IS UNDER WAY.


ISLAMABAD (AP) - PAKISTAN IS ANNOUNCING ITS BIGGEST PRIZE SO FAR IN ITS EIGHT-DAY-OLD ANTI-MILITANT OPERATION NEAR THE AFGHAN BORDER. AFTER FIERCE FIGHTING, THE ARMY HAS CAPTURED THE HOMETOWN OF PAKISTAN'S TALIBAN CHIEF. MEANWHILE, THERE'S WORD THAT A SUSPECTED U.S. AIRSTRIKE KILLED 22 PEOPLE, BUT APPARENTLY MISSED A TOP TALIBAN FIGURE.


KABUL (AP) - CAMPAIGNING FOR THE AFGHAN PRESIDENTIAL RUNOFF ELECTION BEGINS TODAY, EXACTLY TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE VOTE. TALIBAN FIGHTERS ARE ALREADY WARNING PEOPLE NOT TO TAKE PART IN THE BALLOTING. THEY'RE THREATENING A WAVE OF VIOLENCE ON ELECTION DAY TO STOP THEM.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL WEEK 8 FINALS

POTTSVILLE 19 DANIEL BOONE 13
TRI VALLEY 22 MINERSVILLE 0
MARIAN 27 SHENANDOAH VALLEY 20
CONRAD WEISER 36 BLUE MOUNTAIN 15
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN 33 JIM THORPE 16
NORTH SCHUYLKILL 40 MAHANOY AREA 0

BREAKING NEWS-TWO DEAD IN POTTSVILLE

MURDER SUICIDE IN POTTSVILLE
　
TWO PEOPLE ARE DEAD TODAY IN AN APPARENT MURDER SUICIDE. AROUND LUNCHTIME, FRANK MANGANIELLO OF SCHUYLKILL HAVEN SHOT HIS ESTRANGED GIRLFRIEND 49 YEAR OLD SANDRA PUCCI IN THE LOT AT THE SOCIAL SECURITY BUILDING AT 22ND AND WEST MARKET STREETS. PUCCI APPARENTLY WAS GOING TO HER CAR AFTER WORKING AT WAYMART FOOD STORE. MANGIANELLO FLED EAST ON MARKET STREET WITH POLICE IN PURSUIT. EYEWITNESS STEPHANIE LOZADA RECOUNTED WHAT SHE SAW THROUGH THE WINDOW AT THE GARFIELD DINER:

STEPHANIE LOZADA

MANGIANELLO WAS THOUGHT TO BE HOLED UP INSIDE THE CHURCH, BUT AFTER POLICE AND A SWAT TEAM ENTERED THE BUILDING, THEY FOUND HE HAD COMMITTED SUICIDE WITH A GUNSHOT TO THE HEAD. PUCCI WAS LIFEFLIGHTED TO LEHIGH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER WHERE SHE DIED. AUTHORITIES SAY THAT MANGANIELLO HAD A DOMESTIC CASE PENDING AGAINST HIM INVOLVING PUCCI. COUNTY CORONER JOSEPH LIPSETT PRONOUNCED MANGANIELLO DEAD AT THE CHURCH, AND THEY TOOK HIS REMAINS TO SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER SOUTH WHERE AN AUTOPSY WILL BE PERFORMED.

PRAYER SERVICE

Due to the events in Downtown Pottsville on Friday afternoon, the First United Methodist Church, 4th and West Market Streets, will have a prayer service on Saturday at 7PM. The public is invited, and the Methodist Bishop will be in attendance.

Breaking News....Shooting In Pottsville

A man is dead and one woman injured after a shooting today in Pottsville. Around noon, a man allegedly shot his girlfriend in the parking lot of the Social Security Administration building on West Market Street, Pottsville. Police said the gunman fled east on Market to the First United Methodist Church at Garfield Square. Entering through a side door he went to the front of the church and took his own life. Police discovered the body shortly after 1pm. Schuylkill County coroner Joseph Lipsett is on scene at this hour. Police have not released the identity of the alleged gunman or his victim.

Today's News-Friday, October 23, 2009

WATER MAIN BREAK IN BLYTHE TOWNSHIP

A WATER MAIN BREAK IS CAUSING WATER SERVICE INTERRUPTION IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: PRIMROSE, BLACK HEATH, DUNCOTT AND HECKSHERVILLE. BLYTHE TOWNSHIP WATER AUTHORITY SAYS CREWS ARE WORKING ON THE PROBLEM, AND A WATER BOIL ADVISORY WILL BE IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE ONCE THE REPAIRS ARE MADE.

HAVEN WITHOUT POWER, WORKER INJURED

THE BOROUGH OF SCHUYLKILL HAVEN WAS WITHOUT POWER FOR ABOUT 4 HOURS THURSDAY AFTER A WORKER WAS SHOCKED AT AN ELECTRIC SUBSTATION. REPORTS INDICATE THAT JARED BERNITSKY SUFFERED SEVERE BURNS AND WAS FLOWN TO LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL. SCHUYLKILL HAVEN ELECTRIC CREWS WORKED DILIGENTLY TO BRING POWER BACK AS DARKNESS FELL. BOROUGH OFFICIALS ARE LOOKING INTO WHAT HAPPENED. THE SCHUYLKILL HAVEN HALLOWEEN PARADE WAS POSTPONED UNTIL MONDAY BECAUSE OF THE OUTAGE.

ROW HOME FIRE IN TAMAQUA ARSON

AN EARLY THURSDAY MORNING FIRE IN THE BOROUGH OF TAMAQUA DESTROYED A ROW HOME AND DAMAGED TWO OTHERS. CREWS FROM TAMAQUA, SUMMIT HILL AND SURROUNDING TOWNS BATTLED THE BLAZE ON ORWIGSBURG STREET, BRINGING IT UNDER CONTROL WITHIN TWO HOURS. INVESTIGATORS SAY THE THREE UNIT DWELLING WAS UNOCCUPIED AT 134 ORWIGSBURG STREET, AND THE FIRE DELIBERATELY SET. NO ONE WAS INJURED.

STUDENTS THREATEN BUS DRIVER

TWO UPPER DAUPHIN SCHOOL DISTRICT STUDENTS ARE IN HOT WATER AFTER THREATENING A SCHOOL BUS DRIVER WEDNESDAY. STATE POLICE SAY 18 YEAR OLD DUSTIN REHRER OF ELIZABETHVILLE AND A 15 YEAR OLD BOY BOTH THREATENED TO KILL TWO DRIVERS, 45 YEAR OLD KERRY HOOVER AND 69 YEAR OLD KENNETH HOOVER AT THE HIGH SCHOOL IN ELIZABETHVILLE. BOTH TEENS WILL BE CHARGED WITH MAKING TERRORISTIC THREATS, HARRASSMENT AND DISORDERLY CONDUCT.

VEHICLE THEFT

A 1987 CHEVY SUV WAS STOLEN FROM AN AUTO LOT NEAR SHENANDOAH WEDNESDAY ACCORDING TO STATE POLICE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT J AND M AUTO ON THE GOLD STAR HIGHWAY. THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES.

TWO ESCAPE INJURY IN WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP CRASH AN ANIMAL CROSSING

SWEET ARROW LAKE ROAD CAUSED AN ACCIDENT THURSDAY AFTERNOON. 40 YEAR OLD FRANCIS FOSTER OF ST CLAIR SWERVED TO AVOID THE ANIMAL, CROSSED OVER THE ROAD AND STRUCK THE GUIDERAIL. FOSTER AND HIS 17 YEAR OLD PASSENGER WERE BOTH WEARING THEIR SEATBELTS AND WEREN'T HURT. FOSTER'S SUV HAD MODERATE DAMAGE FROM THE CRASH IN WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - MURDER CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED AGAINST THE FATHER AND STEPMOTHER OF A 10-YEAR-OLD PHILADELPHIA GIRL WHO DIED SHORTLY AFTER BEING FOUND UNCONSCIOUS IN HER HOME. POLICE SAY DOMINGO FERREIRA AND MARGARITA GARABITO ARE BOTH CHARGED WITH MURDER AND CHILD ENDANGERMENT IN THE DEATH OF FERREIRA'S 10-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, CHARLEENI, ON WEDNESDAY.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE TWO CANDIDATES FOR PENNSYLVANIA'S HIGHEST COURT FACED QUESTIONS ON PAY RAISES, CAMPAIGN FUNDING AND JUDICIAL CONDUCT IN THE FIRST DEBATE OF THEIR STATEWIDE RACE. JACK PANELLA AND JOAN ORIE MELVIN ARE COMPETING FOR A SINGLE OPENING ON THE STATE SUPREME COURT. THEY DEBATED AT TEMPLE UNIVERSITY'S LAW SCHOOL. THE ELECTION IS NOVEMBER 3.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A STUDY OF 10,000 AT-RISK CHILDREN IN PENNSYLVANIA HAS FOUND THAT SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS DROP FROM AN AVERAGE OF 18 PERCENT TO JUST 2 PERCENT IN KIDS THAT ATTEND PRESCHOOL. THE FOUR-YEAR, $1 MILLION INDEPENDENT STUDY WAS FUNDED BY THE HEINZ ENDOWMENTS AND CONDUCTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH.

ARCHBALD, PA. (AP) - DEFENSE CONTRACTOR LOCKHEED MARTIN IS CUTTING ITS WORK FORCE AT A NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA PLANT. LOCKHEED SAYS JOBS ARE BEING CUT FOR 50 OF THE 550 PEOPLE AT ITS FACILITY IN ARCHBALD. A SPOKESWOMAN SAYS THAT INCLUDES 39 LAYOFFS AND 11 EARLY RETIREMENT BUYOUTS.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A FORMER PHILADELPHIA POLICE DETECTIVE WILL SPEND THREE YEARS IN PRISON FOR STEALING NEARLY $1 MILLION FROM A CHARTER SCHOOL HE HEADED. FORMER PHILADELPHIA ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL CEO KEVIN O'SHEA PLEADED GUILTY IN JULY TO TAKING ABOUT $900,000 IN KICKBACKS, HOME REPAIRS AND OTHER PAYMENTS ON TOP OF HIS $200,000-A-YEAR SALARY.

BRATISLAVA, SLOVAKIA (AP) - TWO NATO MEMBERS SAY THEY WON'T BE WILLING TO SEND NEW TROOPS TO AFGHANISTAN UNTIL PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA DECIDES ON A NEW STRATEGY THERE. THE DUTCH DEFENSE MINISTER ALSO SAYS HIS COUNTRY IS AWAITING THE RESULTS OF NEXT MONTH'S AFGHAN PRESIDENTIAL RUNOFF. NATO MEMBERS ARE MEETING TODAY IN SLOVAKIA.

ISLAMABAD (AP) - A SUICIDE BOMBER HAS KILLED SEVEN PEOPLE AT A CHECKPOINT NEAR A MAJOR AIR FORCE COMPLEX IN PAKISTAN. ELSEWHERE IN THE COUNTRY, A CAR BOMB HAS WOUNDED 15 PEOPLE. THE BOMBINGS ARE THE LATEST IN A SURGE OF MILITANT ATTACKS IN PAKISTAN.

TOKYO (AP) - THE CHAIRMAN OF THE U.S. JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF SAYS JAPAN MUST DECIDE "AS SOON AS POSSIBLE" ON THE RELOCATION OF A MAJOR U.S. MARINE BASE IN OKINAWA. THE DELAY IN IMPLEMENTING A 2006 U.S-JAPANESE DEAL ON THE BASE COULD BECOME A STICKING POINT AHEAD OF NEXT MONTH'S VISIT TO JAPAN BY PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA.

ORANGE PARK, FLA. (AP) - ABOUT 200 PEOPLE HAVE HELD A CANDLELIGHT VIGIL OUTSIDE THE HOME OF 7-YEAR-OLD SOMER THOMPSON. THE NORTH FLORIDA GIRL VANISHED MONDAY DURING HER WALK HOME FROM SCHOOL. HER BODY WAS FOUND IN A GEORGIA LANDFILL TWO DAYS LATER. AUTHORITIES HAVE BEEN QUESTIONING MORE THAN 155 REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS IN THE AREA.

BERN, SWITZERLAND (AP) - THE SWISS GOVERNMENT SAYS THE U.S. HAS FORMALLY REQUESTED THE EXTRADITION OF ROMAN POLANSKI FOR HAVING SEX WITH A 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN 1977. IF IT APPROVES THE U.S. REQUEST, THE JUSTICE MINISTRY SAYS THE FILMMAKER CAN APPEAL. POLANSKI WAS ARRESTED SEPT. 26 AS HE ARRIVED IN ZURICH TO ATTEND A FILM FESTIVAL.

BREAKING NEWS @ 4PM

THE BOROUGH OF SCHUYLKILL HAVEN HAS BEEN WITHOUT POWER SINCE APPROXIMATELY 3:00PM, DUE TO AN OUTAGE AT THE BOROUGH SUBSTATION. DUE TO THE OUTAGE, THE SCHUYLKILL HAVEN HALLOWEEN PARADE HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL MONDAY 7:00PM. MORE DETAILS FRIDAY MORNING ON WPPA/T-102 NEWS.

Today's News-Thursday, October 22, 2009

FIRE IN TAMAQUA

CREWS ARE STILL ON SCENE OF AN EARLY MORNING FIRE IN TAMAQUA. THE CALL CAME IN AROUND 5:25AM INVOLVING SEVERAL HOMES ON ORWIGSBURG STREET. FIREFIGHTERS FROM TAMAQUA AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES BATTLED THE FIRE. NO INJURIES OR DAMAGE REPORTS ARE AVAILABLE YET.

DRUG SWEEP IN TAMAQUA

EIGHT STREET LEVEL DRUG DEALERS WERE ARRESTED WEDNESDAY MORNING BY AGENTS FROM THE D.A.'S DRUG TASK FORCE AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT. CHARGED WERE A COMBINATION OF MEN AND WOMEN, ALLEGED TO HAVE DELIVERED MARIJUANA AND CRACK COCAINE. IN ADDITION, 5 JUVENILES WERE ALSO CHARGED WITH DRUG OFFENSES, THEIR CASES BEING HANDLED BY COUNTY JUVENILE JUSTICE OFFICIALS. THE ARRESTS WERE THE RESULT OF INVESTIGATIONS BY THE TAMAQUA POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE D.A.'S OFFICE. THE ACCUSED WERE ARRAIGNED AT THE OFFICE OF DISTRICT JUDGE STEPHEN BAYER.

LORI OAKES-TAMAQUA-DELIVERY OF CRACK COCAINE
RICKY NELSON-TAMAQUA-DELIVERY OF MARIJUANA
JUSTIN NEFF-TAMAQUA-DELIVERY OF MARIJUANA
BRENDA ZIMMER-TAMAQUA-DELIVERY OF MARIJUANA
ANGELA WAGNER-TAMAQUA-DELIVERY OF CRACK COCAINE
KELLY DELESSIO-TAMAQUA-DELIVERY OF MARIJUANA
DUSTIN ONCAY-TAMAQUA-DELIVERY OF MARIJUANA
NAME WITHHELD-TAMAQUA-DELIVERY OF MARIJUANA

CRASH ON 209

FOUR PEOPLE WERE INJRED IN A TUESDAY NIGHT CRASH ON ROUTE 209 IN EAST NORWEGIAN TOWNSHIP. 26 YEAR OLD KELLY DANGINIS OF CUMBOLA WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON ROUTE 209 AND SWERVED TO AVOID AN ANIMAL, CRASHING HER PICKUP INTO THE ONCOMING VEHICLE DRIVEN BY ARLENE MCSURDY OF POTTSVILLE. DRANGINIS, MCSURDY AND THEIR PASSENGERS WERE TAKEN TO SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER FOR TREATMENT. THE CRASH HAPPENED AROUND 7:30PM.

DUI CHECKPOINTS SCHEDULED

STATE POLICE WILL BE BUSY THIS COMING WEEKEND WITH DUI CHECKPOINTS. SCHUYLKILL HAVEN AND FRACKVILLE TROOPERS WILL BE ON AREA ROADWAYS FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY LOOKING FOR DRUNK DRIVERS AS PART OF THE STATE POLICE CHECKPOINT STRIKEFORCE TWO PROGRAM.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MONTH SALUTED

MORE THAN 70 MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY BUSINESS COMMUNITY WILL TAKE A STROLL FOR PROGRESS LATER TODAY IN DOWNTOWN POTTSVILLE AS PART OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MONTH. THE WALK FOR PROGRESS, FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE WALK FOR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY, STEPS OFF AT 5PM FROM THE CHAMBER OFFICES. LORI KANE, CHAMBER FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EXPLAINS WHY THE NAME CHANGE AND WHAT THE EVENT IS ALL ABOUT:

KANE PROGRESS

A TASTE OF SCHUYLKILL RECEPTION WILL BE HELD AT THE SCHUYLKILL YMCA ON NORTH CENTRE STREET IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE CHAMBER AT 622-1942.

WOLFGANG TRIAL SET FOR MARCH

THE TRIAL OF A MOUNT CARMEL MAN ACCUSED WITH KILLING HIS WIFE IN 2007 WILL HAVE HIS CASE HEARD IN MARCH. THAT WAS THE RULING IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COURT YESTERDAY, AS STEVEN WOLFGANG'S REQUEST TO HAVE A JURY TRIAL MOVES FORWARD. WOLFGANG HAD ORIGINALLY PLEADED NO CONTEST TO KILLING SHERRY WOLFGANG AND DUMPING HER BODY IN A CREEK ON THE SCHUYLKILL/NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY LINE IN JANUARY 2007. THE NEWS ITEM REPORTS THAT WOLFGANG REQUESTED THE JURY TRIAL BECAUSE HE BELIEVES HE IS INNOCENT OF THE CHARGES OF CRIMINAL HOMICIDE. NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY TONY ROSINI PLANS TO SEEK THE DEATH PENALTY AGAINST WOLFGANG. THE DEFENDANT REMAINS IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY PRISON TO AWAIT TRIAL.

PRE RELEASE CENTER QUESTIONS

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY CORRECTIONS OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO ENCOUNTER ISSUES ABOUT THE PRISON PRE-RELEASE CENTER PLANNED FOR A RYAN TOWNSHIP SITE. AT WEDNESDAY'S PRISON BOARD MEETING, JUDGE BALDWIN QUESTIONED STATEMENTS MADE BY STATE GENERAL SERVICES REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT THE COUNTY NOT BEING ABLE TO CONNECT TO THE SEWER SYSTEM AT THE STATE PRISON, POTENTIALLY JACKING THE COST UP BY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO THE COUNTY. OFFICIALS WERE TOLD THAT THE PRISON HAS PLENTY OF CAPACITY TO ADD ON TO THOSE UTILITIES. THE STATE HAS OKAYED THE PURCHASE OF THE LAND BY SCHUYLKILL COUNTY FOR $48 THOUSAND DOLLARS, BUT TOTAL COST OF THE PROJECT IS UNCLEAR AT THIS POINT ACCORDING TO THE REPUBLICAN HERALD. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COULD WALK AWAY FROM THE DEAL IF THE PROJECT COST IS TOO HIGH. COUNTY COMMISSIONER FRANCIS MCANDREW WILL BE A GUEST ON WPPA'S STEP UP TO THE MIC THIS MORNING AT 10AM.

PADCO CAN HELP HAVEN BUSINESS

POTTSVILLE AREA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IS NOW PARTNERING WITH NEIGHBORING SCHUYLKILL HAVEN WITH ITS BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM. PREVIOUSLY PADCO COULD LEND TO STARTUPS, RENOVATIONS AND PURCHASES FOR BUSINESS IN POTTSVILLE CITY, BUT NOW HAS APPROVAL FROM THE PA DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO AID HAVEN BUSINESS AS WELL. PADCO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AMY BURKHART:

BURKHART LOAN

JERRY BOWMAN, SCHUYLKILL HAVEN COUNCILMAN AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION SAYS ITS A WIN-WIN:

BOWMAN LOAN

LENDING CRITERIA FOR BORROWERS IN THE PROGRAM ARE STILL THE SAME ACCORDING TO BURKART. PADCO'S LOAN PROGRAM OFFERS A COMPETITIVE INTEREST RATE OF 4 AND A HALF PERCENT.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - RYAN HOWARD AND THE DEFENDING CHAMPION PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES ARE BACK IN THE WORLD SERIES. THEY BEAT THE
LOS ANGELES DODGERS 10-4 LAST NIGHT, TO WIN THEIR SECOND STRAIGHT
NL PENNANT. JAYSON WERTH HOMERED TWICE, SHANE VICTORINO AND PEDRO
FELIZ ALSO CONNECTED WHILE BRAD LIDGE CLOSED IT OUT. RYAN HOWARD
WAS SELECTED AS MVP OF THE SERIES.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - HUNDREDS OF PHILLIES FANS STREAMED OUT OF RESTAURANTS, BARS AND APARTMENT BUILDINGS IN DOWNTOWN PHILADELPHIA
OVERNIGHT TO CELEBRATE THEIR TEAM'S VICTORY, AS REVELERS HONKED CAR
HORNS AND SET OFF FIREWORKS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE CITY. ABOUT 1,000
GATHERED ON BROAD STREET AS MOUNTED POLICE AND DOZENS OF OFFICERS
IN RIOT GEAR LINED THE STREETS.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA AUDITOR GENERAL JACK WAGNER SAYS A REVIEW OF HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN STATE GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY CONTRACTS SHOWS THE RULES NEED TO BE TIGHTENED. A REPORT ISSUED YESTERDAY SAYS AUDITORS FOUND POOR RECORD KEEPING, INSUFFICIENT OVERSIGHT AND A POTENTIAL FOR A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IN PICKING WINNING BIDS.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A LOCAL OWNERSHIP GROUP SAYS IT WILL UP ITS BID TO BUY THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER AND PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS AT AUCTION BY $20 MILLION, TO ABOUT $87 MILLION. THEY HOPE THE OFFER WILL ERASE THE $400 MILLION IN DEBT THAT FORCED PHILADELPHIA NEWSPAPERS INTO BANKRUPTCY IN FEBRUARY, THREE YEARS AFTER LOCAL OWNERS BOUGHT IT.

HANOVER, PA. (AP) - A CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA SNACK FOOD COMPANY SAYS IT PLANS TO BUY ITS NEARBY COMPETITOR, PENDING REGULATORY APPROVAL. SNYDER'S OF HANOVER SAYS IT INTENDS TO ACQUIRE UTZ QUALITY FOODS. BOTH COMPANIES ARE LOCATED IN HANOVER, YORK COUNTY, AND MAKE PRETZELS, POTATO CHIPS AND OTHER SALTY SNACKS.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - DOZENS OF PEOPLE ARRESTED DURING THE GROUP OF 20 ECONOMIC SUMMIT IN PITTSBURGH HAVE BEEN OFFERED DEALS TO PERFORM
50 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE IN EXCHANGE FOR HAVING THEIR RECORDS
CLEARED. SEVERAL DOZEN PEOPLE DECLINED YESTERDAY'S OFFERS AND PLAN
TO CHALLENGING THEIR ARRESTS - MOSTLY FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND
FAILURE TO DISPERSE.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (AP) - DEFENSE SECRETARY ROBERT GATES SAYS NATO OFFICIALS WILL BE CLOSELY MONITORING NEXT MONTH'S PRESIDENTIAL RUNOFF VOTE IN AFGHANISTAN. THE GOAL IS TO PREVENT FRAUD AND OTHER PROBLEMS THAT PLAGUED THE FIRST ROUND OF VOTING IN AUGUST.

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA (AP) - SHELLING IN THE CAPITAL OF SOMALIA HAS LEFT AT LEAST 16 PEOPLE DEAD. AUTHORITIES SAY MORE THAN TWO DOZEN OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WOUNDED. MOGADISHU SEES NEAR-DAILY BLOODSHED AS MILITANTS LINKED TO AL-QAIDA TRY TO OVERTHROW THE FRAGILE GOVERNMENT AND PUSH OUT AFRICAN UNION PEACEKEEPERS.

REDMOND, WASH. (AP) - MICROSOFT'S LATEST OPERATING SYSTEM BECOMES AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE TODAY. WINDOWS 7 HAS BEEN GETTING FAVORABLE REVIEWS, COMPARED TO ITS PREDECESSOR, VISTA.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A CONGRESSIONAL PANEL IS ON TRACK TO APPROVE THE CREATION OF A CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION AGENCY. THE NEW AGENCY WOULD REGULATE MORTGAGES, CREDIT CARDS AND SAVINGS ACCOUNTS. APPROVAL BY THE HOUSE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE WOULD BE A VICTORY FOR PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA.

Today's News-Wednesday, October 21, 2009

MISSING PERSON FOUND

A MISSING KLINGERSTOWN MAN WAS FOUND EARLY THIS MORNING NEAR HIS HOME. STATE POLICE REPORTED 65 YEAR OLD LESTER ROTHERMEL MISSING AROUND 11:30 TUESDAY NIGHT. CREWS AND A HELICOPTER LOOKED FOR HIM OVERNIGHT, AND HE WAS FOUND AROUND 6AM, APPARENTLY SAFE AND SOUND. ROTHERMEL IS REPORTED TO HAVE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE.

GIRARDVILLE WOMAN CHARGED WITH STEALING FROM THE ELDERLY

A GIRARDVILLE WOMAN IS CHARGED WITH STEALING MONEY FROM AN ELDERLY WOMAN SHE BEFRIENDED. 37 YEAR OLD MICHELE ANN CONNORS WAS ARRAIGNED BEFORE DISTRICT JUDGE KILKER IN SHENANDOAH TUESDAY. CONNERS IS ALLEGED TO HAVE TAKEN MORE THAN $163 THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM 90 YEAR OLD MARY O'CONNELL, WHOM SHE BECAME POWER OF ATTORNEY FOR IN 2006. CONNORS MADE PURCHASES AND CASH WITHDRAWALS FROM O'CONNELL'S BANK ACCOUNT OF ABOUT $160-THOUSAND-DOLLARS AND 3 THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM THE PREPAYMENT OF O'CONNELL'S FUNERAL. SHENANDOAH POLICE AND SCHUYLKILL COUNTY DETECTIVES WERE PART OF THE INVESTIGATION.

HOME BURGLARY

STATE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A HOME BURGLARY IN NORTH UNION TOWNSHIP. SOMEONE BROKE INTO GAIL RENTSCHLER'S HOME AT 485 BUCK MOUNTAIN ROAD BY KICKING IN A SECOND STORY DOOR. ASSORTED JEWELRY VALUED AT OVER $18 HUNDRED DOLLARS AND TWO LARGE CONTAINERS FILLED WITH CURRENCY, VALUED AT ABOUT $600 DOLLARS. THE BURGLARY OCCURRED DURING MIDDAY MONDAY.

TEEN DRIVER SAFETY WEEK

THIS WEEK HAS BEEN DESIGNATED NATIONAL TEEN DRIVER SAFETY WEEK, AND ONE STATE LAWMAKER IS WORKING TO LIMIT DISTRACTIONS FOR TEEN DRIVERS AND PUT THEIR FOCUS BACK ON THE ROAD. ROSEANN CADAU REPORTS FROM HARRISBURG:

CADAU TEEN DRIVER

DON'T CUT THE BROKEN LIMBS JUST YET
　
AFTER LAST WEEK'S EARLY WINTER WEATHER, SNOW AND WIND CAUSED DAMAGE TO SOME TREES STILL FULL OF LEAVES. PENN STATE PROFESSOR OF FOREST RESOURCES JIM FINLEY SAYS WHILE THE SIGHT OF DAMAGED BOUGHS AND LIMBS MAY BE UNSIGHTLY, YOU SHOULDN'T RUSH INTO EXTREME PRUNING OR TREE REMOVAL:

FINLEY

FINLEY SAYS IF THE DAMAGED LIMBS ARE OUT OF YOUR REACH, IT'S TIME TO CALL A PROFESSIONAL ARBORIST. YOU CAN FIND FREE INFORMATION ON PRUNING AND OTHER ASPECTS OF TREE CARE ONLINE FROM PENN STATE COLLEGE OF AG SCIENCES PUBLICATIONS AT PUBS DOT C-A-S DOT P-S-U DOT E-D-U.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - AN ANTI-ISLAMIC DUTCH LAWMAKER'S VISIT TO TEMPLE UNIVERSITY WAS CUT SHORT AFTER A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION TURNED NASTY. GEERT WILDERS CALLS THE MUSLIM HOLY BOOK, THE QURAN, "AN EVIL BOOK" THAT PROMOTES VIOLENCE AND INTOLERANCE. SOME IN THE CROWD SHOUTED JEERS AND THE DUTCH POLITICIAN WAS ESCORTED OUT OF THE LECTURE HALL.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A FRIEND OF IMPRISONED FORMER STATE SEN. VINCENT FUMO ADMITS THE POWERFUL LAWMAKER STEERED HIM NEARLY $290,000 IN STATE FUNDS THROUGH PHONY SENATE CONTRACTS. S. MICHAEL PALERMO ENTERED A PLEA DEAL YESTERDAY IN PHILADELPHIA. HE IS LIKELY TO GET FIVE YEARS PROBATION UNDER TERMS OF A PLEA WHEN HE'S SENTENCED ON JANUARY 22.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - AUTHORITIES SAY A FORMER AIRPORT SCREENER HAS ADMITTED STEALING LAPTOP COMPUTERS AND A VIDEO-GAME SYSTEM FROM
PASSENGERS' CHECKING LUGGAGE IN PHILADELPHIA. OFFICIALS SAY A BAGGAGE HANDLER SPOTTED T.S.A. OFFICER TROY DAVIS REMOVING A LAPTOP FROM A SUITCASE. HE HAS PLEADED GUILTY TO THEFT CHARGES AND WILL BE SENTENCED JANUARY 19.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - MICROSOFT CO-FOUNDER AND PHILANTHROPIST BILL GATES IS ONE OF ELEVEN RECIPIENTS OF THE 2010 FRANKLIN INSTITUTE AWARDS. GATES WAS NAMED THE WINNER OF THE BOWER AWARD FOR BUSINESS LEADERSHIP. THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE SCIENCE MUSEUM IN PHILADELPHIA GIVES THE AWARDS ANNUALLY. PREVIOUS WINNERS INCLUDE ALBERT EINSTEIN AND THOMAS EDISON.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - TONIGHT IS GAME 5 OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES AND THE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES ARE JUST ONE WIN AWAY FROM CLOSING OUT THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS. IF THE PHILLIES WIN, IT WOULD BE THE SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR THAT THEY SECURED A BERTH IN THE WORLD SERIES. THE DEFENDING CHAMPIONS ARE SENDING COLE HAMELS TO THE MOUND TO START TONIGHT.

KABUL (AP) - THE STAGE IS SET IN AFGHANISTAN FOR A PRESIDENTIAL RUN-OFF ELECTION. THAT'S AFTER BOTH TOP CANDIDATE AGREED TO TAKE PART IN THE NOV. 7 VOTE. THE HIGH-STAKES SHOWDOWN COMES IN THE FACE OF TALIBAN THREATS AND APPROACHING WINTER SNOWS. DEFENSE SECRETARY ROBERT GATES SAYS THE RUNOFF IS A POSITIVE DEVELOPMENT BUT WON'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION.

PARACHINAR, PAKISTAN (AP) - PAKISTANI SOLDIERS APPEAR TO BE GAINING GROUND IN A BATTLE TAKING PLACE IN THE HOMETOWN OF PAKISTAN'S TALIBAN LEADER. INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS ALSO SAY PAKISTANI FORCES ARE MOVING AHEAD WITH A MAJOR ASSAULT ON A MILITANT BASE NEAR THE AFGHAN BORDER. IT'S PART OF PAKISTAN'S FIVE-DAY-OLD OFFENSIVE.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE GOOD NEWS IN A NEW GOVERNMENT WATCHDOG REPORT IS THAT THE $700 BILLION FINANCIAL INDUSTRY BAILOUT PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN RESCUING THE ECONOMY. THE BAD NEWS IS THAT THE BAILOUT CAME AT GREAT COST TO TAXPAYERS, TO THE INTEGRITY OF THE FINANCIAL SYSTEM AND TO THE PUBLIC'S PERCEPTION OF THE GOVERNMENT.

MONROE, N.Y. (AP) - POLICE SAY A 15-YEAR-OLD BOY IS BEING HELD IN A PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY PLANNED AN ATTACK AT A HIGH SCHOOL. POLICE SAY THE TEEN HAD STOCKPILED GASOLINE, PROPANE, FUSES AND A MACHETE. THE ATTACK HAD BEEN PLANNED FOR THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL KILLINGS.

GENEVA (AP) - SWISS AUTHORITIES SAY THEY ACTED CORRECTLY WHEN THEY TIPPED OFF THE U.S. AND SET IN MOTION THE ARREST OF ROMAN POLANSKI IN HIS DECADES-OLD CHILD SEX CASE. A MINISTRY SPOKESMAN SAYS SWISS OFFICIALS ASKED THEIR AMERICAN COUNTERPARTS IF THEIR ARREST WARRANT WAS STILL VALID. AFTER RECEIVING U.S. CONFIRMATION, HE SAYS SWITZERLAND WAS OBLIGED BY TREATY TO MAKE THE ARREST.

Today's News-Tuesday, October 20, 2009

9-1-1 OUTAGE

RESIDENTS IN THE 773 PHONE EXCHANGE CAN NOW USE 9-1-1 TO MAKE EMERGENCY CALLS. PROBLEMS WITH THE SYSTEM YESTERDAY MORNING FORCED SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICIALS TO IMPLEMENT ALTERNATIVE PHONE NUMBERS WHILE VERIZON REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. SERVICE WAS RESTORED AFTER 5PM MONDAY.

BREAK-INS AT BURNED OUT BAR

NEW INFORMATION HAS BEEN RELEASED ABOUT SATURDAY'S MASSIVE FIRE AT A NEW PHILADELPHIA BAR. STATE POLICE INVESTIGATORS HAVE CONCLUDED THAT THE FIRE AT MOE'S BAR WAS INTENTIONALLY SET. AND WHILE THE ASHES SMOLDERED AT THE SITE, SOMEONE BROKE INTO THE REMAINS TWICE AND TOOK LIQUOR. THE BUILDING HAD BEEN BOARDED UP, BUT A DOOR ON THE WIGGAN STREET SIDE WAS PRIED OPEN. THOSE BREAK-INS APPARENTLY HAPPENED DURING OVERNIGHT HOURS.

FIRE AT PORTER TOWNSHIP GARAGE

A GARAGE BURNED IN PORTER TOWNSHIP MONDAY MORNING. THE CAUSE OF THE BLAZE AT MENDENHALL'S GARAGE ON WICONISCO STREET IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE OWNER, DWAYNE MENDENHALL AND OTHERS WORKED TO REMOVE WORKBENCHES AND TOOLS FROM THE SITE, AND THE FIRE WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.

POSSIBLE CASE OF MENINGITIS AT NORTH SCHUYLKILL

OFFICIALS AT THE NORTH SCHUYLKILL SCHOOL DISTRICT HAVE REPORTED A "POSSIBLE' CASE OF MENINGITIS IN ONE OF THEIR STUDENTS. THAT ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE AT A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING LAST NIGHT ACCORDING TO THE REPUBLICAN HERALD. THE STUDENT WAS SENT HOME FROM CLASSES YESTERDAY, BUT REPORTS INDICATE FURTHER TESTS ARE NECESSARY TO DETERMINE IF IN FACT THE CHILD HAS MENINGITIS, AN INFLAMMATION OF THE AREA AROUND THE SPINAL CORD AND BRAIN, CAUSED BY AN INFECTION.

ARGALL INTRODUCES BILL TO CUT COSTS

NOW THAT THE STATE BUDGET MESS IS BEHIND US, SENATOR DAVE ARGALL HAS INTRODUCED A MEASURE TO ESTABLISH A BIPARTISAN COMMISSION TO IDENTIFY COST-SAVING MEASURES IN STATE GOVERNMENT:

ARGALL COST CUTTING

A SIMILAR RESOLUTION WAS INTRODUCED IN THE MID 90'S THAT ULTIMATELY PRODUCED SAVINGS OVER A 5 YEAR PERIOD. ARGALL IS LOOKING AT A MUCH MORE DETAILED REVIEW OF EVERY STATE AGENCY TO FIND SAVINGS.

SEIP HONORED

STATE REPRESENTATIVE TIM SEIP WAS HONORED RECENTLY FOR BEING STATE SOCIAL WORKER OF THE YEAR. THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS, PENNSYLVANIA CHAPTER HONORED SEIP AT A MEETING EARLIER THIS MONTH. UNFORTUNATELY, SEIP WAS UNABLE TO ATTEND THE CEREMONY DUE TO THE BUDGET BATTLE IN HARRISBURG. SEIP HAS BEEN A LICENSED SOCIALWORKER IN VARIOUS COUNTY AGENCIES, DOING SO UNTIL HIS ELECTION TO THE STATE HOUSE 3 YEARS AGO. THE AWARD WAS PRESENTED MONDAY IN HARRISBURG.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - GOVERNOR ED RENDELL SAYS THAT HE MIGHT MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON ADDITIONAL LAYOFFS IN STATE GOVERNMENT BY THE END OF THE WEEK. THE STATE HAS LAID OFF MORE THAN 300 EMPLOYEES SINCE JULY BECAUSE OF SPENDING CUTS.

FORT CARSON, COLO. (AP) - TWO SOLDIERS FROM FORT CARSON, COLORADO WITH TIES TO PENNSYLVANIA WERE AMONG FOUR SOLDIERS KILLED IN AN ATTACK IN AFGHANISTAN. THE PENTAGON SAYS STAFF SERGEANT GLEN STIVISON OF BLAIRSVILLE AND PRIVATE FIRST CLASS BRANDON STYER OF LANCASTER DIED THURSDAY AFTER THEIR VEHICLE WAS STRUCK WITH A BOMB.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR THE FIRST LAWSUIT STEMMING FROM LAST WEEK'S CRASH OF A 12-TON CONSTRUCTION LIFT IN DOWNTOWN PHILADELPHIA. NOTICE OF INTENT TO SUE WAS FILED ON BEHALF OF 76-YEAR-OLD DOROTHY RAMOS. SHE CLAIMS TO HAVE SUFFERED INJURIES FROM FALLING DEBRIS. A CONSTRUCTION WORKER WAS KILLED.

MOUNT CARMEL, PA. (AP) - THE FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION IS PROPOSING MORE THAN $500,000 IN FINES AGAINST AN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA COAL MINE OPERATOR FOR A MINER'S DEATH. ROBERT CAREY WAS KILLED IN JUNE 2008, BY FALLING ROCKS OR COAL INSIDE HARMONY MINE NEAR MOUNT CARMEL.

DILLSBURG, PA. (AP) - RESIDENTS IN DILLSBURG, YORK COUNTY, HAVE EXPERIENCED ABOUT 600 SMALL EARTHQUAKES OVER THE LAST YEAR, AND NOW EXPERTS MAY HAVE AN EXPLANATION. RESEARCHER CHARLES SCHAMBERGER SAYS TWO TYPES OF ROCKS THAT WERE ALREADY WEAKENED BY MINING ARE
SLIDING AND MAKING CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER.

WASHINGTON (AP) - HEALTH INSURANCE ANXIETY IS BEING SEEN IN A GROWING NUMBER OF AMERICANS. A ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION POLL FINDS A THIRD OF AMERICANS WORRIED ABOUT LOSING THEIR HEALTH CARE INSURANCE. CONCERN IS EVEN GREATER AMONG YOUNG ADULTS, AT 40 PERCENT.

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAS A BUSY WEEK OF CAMPAIGN STOPS AND FUNDRAISERS THE REST OF THIS WEEK INCLUDING STOPS TODAY IN NEW YORK CITY. HIS EFFORTS TO GET DEMOCRATS ELECTED AND RAISE MONEY FOR THE PARTY COULD BE AN INDICATOR OF HIS POLITICAL INFLUENCE.

WASHINGTON (AP) - AFGHAN PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI IS EXPECTED TO HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY TODAY ABOUT THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CRISIS. U.S. OFFICIALS SAY THEY BELIEVE HE WILL CONCEDE HE DIDN'T WIN ENOUGH VOTES TO AVOID A RUNOFF. IT MIGHT LEAD TO A POWER-SHARING DEAL, OR AN ACTUAL RUNOFF ELECTION IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, PAKISTAN (AP) - PAKISTAN'S ARMY HAS AIR-DROPPED LEAFLETS URGING A MAJOR TRIBE IN SOUTH WAZIRISTAN TO STAND ASIDE DURING AN OFFENSIVE AGAINST THE PAKISTANI TALIBAN. THE
OPERATION AGAINST THE MILITANTS IS CONSIDERED PAKISTAN'S MOST CRITICAL FIGHT AGAINST ISLAMIST EXTREMISTS THREATENING ITS STABILITY.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA (AP) - CRIME-FIGHTING IN AUSTRALIA HAS PUSHED THE BOUNDARIES OF DNA TECHNOLOGY BY MATCHING BLOOD FOUND IN A LEECH TO A MAN WHO ADMITTED ROBBING AN ELDERLY WOMAN. ONE FORENSIC SCIENTIST SAYS THE CASE IS THE FIRST IN AUSTRALIA - AND POSSIBLY ANYWHERE - IN WHICH DNA EXTRACTED FROM A BLOODSUCKER LIKE A LEECH OR A MOSQUITO WAS USED TO SOLVE A CRIME.

Today's News-Monday, October 19, 2009

FIRE RULED ARSON

A MASSIVE FIRE THAT DESTROYED A NEW PHILADELPHIA BAR AND HEAVILY DAMAGED TWO ADJOINING PROPERTIES HAS BEEN RULED SUSPICIOUS. THE CALL CAME IN BEFORE 3AM SATURDAY AT MOE'S BAR, WATER STREET, NEW PHILADELPHIA. FIRE CREWS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTY BATTLED THE BLAZE FOR HOURS, AND THE INVESTIGATION BY STATE POLICE HAS DETERMINED IT WAS INCENDIARY IN NATURE. REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE FIRE BROKE OUT SHORTLY AFTER THE BAR CLOSED AT 2AM.

MT CARMEL MAN DIES IN CRASH

A MOUNT CARMEL MAN DIED IN A CRASH ON ROUTE 901 IN BARRY TOWNSHIP SATURDAY AFTERNOON. 78 YEAR OLD STEPHEN SHEETZ CAR CROSSED THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK THE TANK TRUCK DRIVEN BY 70 YEAR OLD RODNEY UNGER HEAD ON. SHEETZ WAS TRANSPORTED TO ST CATHERINE MEDICAL CENTER IN FOUNTAIN SPRINGS WHERE HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD. UNGER AND HIS PASSENGER, KENNETH FETTEROLT, WERE TREATED AND RELEASED. ROUTE 901 WAS CLOSED FOR ABOUT 6 HOURS FOR CLEANUP. STATE POLICE ARE CONTINUING THEIR INVESTIGATION.

CAR BREAK-INS

TWO MEN ARE ACCUSED WITH ATTEMPTED THEFT OF A MOTOR VEHICLE. EARLY SATURDAY, 24 YEAR OLD RYAN KOLESAR OF MCADOO WAS OBSERVED TRYING TO ENTER A VEHICLE IN KELAYRES BY THE OWNER. HE WAS APPREHENDED A SHORT TIME LATER AND TAKEN INTO CUSTODY. STATE POLICE SAY 47 YEAR OLD DAVID SWEDO OF HAZLETON WAS ALSO INVOLVED AND WILL BE CHARGED IN THE CASE. TROOPERS SAY THAT OTHER VEHICLES IN THE AREA MAY HAVE BEEN VANDALIZED AS WELL.

WET ROADWAY TO BLAME FOR CRASH

WET LEAVES ON BROWNS CHURCH ROAD APPARENTLY WERE TO BLAME FOR A SATURDAY NIGHT CRASH THAT FLIPPED A TRUCK. 49 YEAR OLD CARL SPECE WAS HEADED SOUTH WHEN THE TRUCK LEFT THE ROADWAY, CRASHED INTO A DITCH AND FLIPPED ONTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. STATE POLICE SAY SPECE WAS WEARING HIS SEATBELT AND WAS UNINJURED.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24TH, INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS WILL TAKE TO THE STREETS TO HELP OTHERS. MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY IS A NATIONWIDE EFFORT FOR ALL AGES, AND IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PEOPLE ARE STEPPING UP, BUT IN LESSER NUMBERS THAN IN 2008, ACCORDING TO JANICE JOHNSTON, MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY COORDINATOR:

JOHNSTON 1


A WIDE VARIETY OF PROJECTS ARE ON THE ROSTER FOR MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY, BUT JOHNSTON SAYS THAT THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN HAS PUT A FOCUS ON HELPING THOSE DOWN AND OUT:

JOHNSTON 2

THERE IS STILL TIME TO REGISTER YOUR GROUP AND PROJECT FOR THE 2009 MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY. CALL JOHNSTON AT 628-1426.

MAN HURT IN CRASH

GIRARDVILLE - ONE MAN WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED WHEN THE CAR HE WAS DRIVING CRASHED ON ROUTE 54 EAST OF GIRARDVILLE IN BUTLER TOWNSHIP. THE CRASH HAPPENED AROUND 2PM SATURDAY IN THE 400 BLOCK OF HIGH ROAD IN THE HOMESVILLE SECTION OF THE TOWNSHIP. MICHAEL MCDONALD OF ASHLAND WAS SPEEDING WHEN HE PASSED ANOTHER VEHICLE IN A NO PASSING ZONE. MCDONALD LOST CONTROL OF HIS CAR, WENT OFF THE ROADWAY, HITTING A TREE AND FLIPPING OVER. MCDONALD WAS TAKEN TO GEISINGER MEDICAL CENTER, WHERE HE REMAINS IN SERIOUS CONDITION. POLICE SAY ALCOHOL IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN A FACTOR IN THE CRASH.

READING, PA. (AP) - A JURY HAS AWARDED JUST OVER $7,500 FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES AND LOST WAGES IN A CIVIL SUIT AGAINST A FORMER EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA FUNERAL DIRECTOR FOR A 2006 ASSAULT IN AN EMERGENCY ROOM. KEVIN BEAN, THE FORMER DIRECTOR OF BEAN FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATION SERVICES, WAS PREVIOUSLY SENTENCED TO ONE TO FOUR YEARS IN PRISON FOR THE ASSAULTS.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE DEVELOPER OF A SLOT-MACHINE CASINO ON THE DELAWARE RIVER IN PHILADELPHIA SAYS IT IS THINKING ABOUT BUILDING A TEMPORARY CASINO RATHER THAN PUTTING UP A PERMANENT STRUCTURE IN PHASES. FOXWOODS CASINO NOTIFIED GAMBLING REGULATORS FRIDAY THAT IT WOULD "SERIOUSLY CONSIDER" THE IDEA AT THE SITE, CITING UNANTICIPATED FINANCING ISSUES.

WASHINGTON, PA. (AP) - A 29-YEAR-OLD FORMER PITTSBURGH IS BEING RETRIED IN THE SHOOTING DEATHS OF TWO OHIO COLLEGE STUDENTS A DECADE AGO. TERRELL YARBROUGH IS SCHEDULED TO GO ON TRIAL THIS WEEK IN THE DEATHS OF AARON LAND AND BRIAN MUHA. AN OHIO JURY PREVIOUSLY CONVICTED YARBROUGH AND SENTENCED HIM TO DEATH. THE OHIO SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED THE CONVICTION, SAYING HE WAS TRIED IN THE WRONG STATE.

COLUMBUS, OHIO (AP) - BACKERS OF AN OHIO CASINO PROPOSAL ON THE FALL BALLOT ARE POINTING TO NEIGHBORING STATES, SUCH AS PENNSYLVANIA, THAT ALLOW CASINO GAMBLING AS A REASON TO VOTE FOR IT. OPPONENTS SAY THE JOBS CLAIMS IGNORE SOCIAL COSTS AND THE HARM CASINOS COULD DO TO ADJACENT LOCAL BUSINESSES.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA OFFICIALS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS PLAN TO REAPPLY FOR FEDERAL PERMISSION STATE TO RAISE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR TRANSPORTATION BY INSTALLING TOLL BOOTHS ALONG INTERSTATE 80. THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION TURNED DOWN A PREVIOUSLY APPLICATION TO DO SO, SAYING IT WASN'T BASED ON AN OBJECTIVE MARKET VALUATION OF THE HIGHWAY.

KABUL (AP) - THE LATEST ESCALATION IN THE AFGHAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CRISIS HAS RAISED FEARS PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI WILL REJECT THE RESULTS OF A U.N-BACKED INVESTIGATION. OFFICIALS WHO HAVE SEEN THE RESULTS SAY ENOUGH VOTES HAVE BEEN THROWN OUT TO FORCE A RUNOFF. BUT THE KARZAI-DOMINATED INDEPENDENT ELECTION COMMISSION HAS REJECTED THE DATA.

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, PAKISTAN (AP) - FIGHTING IS TAKING PLACE ON THREE FRONTS NEAR THE AFGHAN BORDER IN PAKISTAN TODAY. TROOPS FOUGHT MILITANTS ON THE GROUND AND FIGHTER JETS BOMBED INSURGENT POSITIONS. PAKISTANI TROOPS AND MILITANTS HAVE EACH CLAIMED EARLY VICTORIES IN SOUTH WAZIRISTAN, A MOUNTAINOUS MILITANT HAVEN.

WASHINGTON (AP) - MEDICAL MARIJUANA SUPPORTERS SAY A CHANGE IN FEDERAL POLICY COMING TODAY IS A BIG STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO TELL FEDERAL DRUG AGENTS NOT TO PURSUE POT-SMOKING PATIENTS OR THEIR SANCTIONED SUPPLIERS IN STATES THAT ALLOW MEDICAL MARIJUANA, AS LONG AS STATE LAW IS OBEYED.

FORT COLLINS, COLO. (AP) - COLORADO AUTHORITIES SAY THE PARENTS OF A SIX-YEAR-OLD BOY WILL PROBABLY FACE FELONY CHARGES FOR ALLEGEDLY CONCOCTING THE STORY OF HIS FLOATING AWAY IN A GIANT HELIUM BALLOON. OFFICIALS SAY THE STORY WAS A HOAX PLANNED TO LAND A REALITY TELEVISION SHOW.

FOXBOROUGH, MASS. (AP) - THE TENNESSEE TITANS REMAIN AMONG THE NFL'S WINLESS, AFTER A 59-0 ROUT AT THE HANDS OF TOM BRADY AND THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS. ON A SNOW-COVERED FIELD IN FOXBOROUGH, MASS., BRADY SET AN NFL RECORD BY THROWING FIVE OF HIS SIX TOUCHDOWN PASSES IN THE SECOND QUARTER.

Today's News-Saturday, October 17, 2009

MOE'S BAR BURNS

A NEW PHILADELPHIA LANDMARK IS IN RUINS AFTER AN EARLY MORNING FIRE. CREWS FROM NEW PHILADELPHIA AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AROUND 3AM AT MOE'S BAR. FLAMES COULD BE SEEN FOR QUITE A DISTANCE AT THE SITE. FIREFIGHTERS WERE STILL ON SCENE KNOCKING DOWN HOTSPOTS AT MOE'S BAR IN NEW PHILADELPHIA.

TWO ESCAPE INJURY IN WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP

TWO GIRLS ESCAPED INJURY WHEN THEIR PICKUP TRUCK CRASHED EARLY THIS MORNING ON SWEET ARROW LAKE ROAD. 20 YEAR OLD TRICIA SEIDEL OF TREMONT WAS DRIVING EAST ON THE RAIN SLICKED ROADWAY WHEN SHE LOST CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE HIT AN EMBANKMENT, SPUN AROUND AND HIT A GUIDERAIL. SEIDEL AND HER PASSENGER WERE WEARING THEIR SEATBELTS. THE CRASH HAPPENED AROUND 3AM TODAY.

TWO CARS COLLIDE ON 61

A YORK WOMAN AND LEBANON MAN WERE NOT HURT IN A TWO VEHICLE CRASH ON ROUTE 61 FRIDAY. MARY GOODWILLIE WAS SOUTHBOUND IN THE PASSING LANE AND BRADLEY BRANDT DRIVING IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE. GOODWILLIE SWERVED TO AVOID STRIKING A VEHICLE IN FROM OF HERS AND WAS HIT BY BRANDT'S CHEVY LUMINA. BOTH VEHICLES COULD BE DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE.
　
PA. ALLOWS CABOT TO RESUME HYDRAULIC GAS DRILLING

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - STATE ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORS SAY CABOT OIL AND GAS CORP. CAN RESUME A DRILLING TECHNIQUE IN PENNSYLVANIA THAT USES LIQUIDS TO FRACTURE ROCK AND RELEASE NATURAL GAS. THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SAID FRIDAY THE HOUSTON-BASED COMPANY COMPLIED WITH THE TERMS OF AN ORDER THAT HALTED THE ACTIVITY LAST MONTH. THE DEP'S NORTHCENTRAL REGIONAL DIRECTOR ROBERT YOWELL SAYS CABOT SUBMITTED ACCEPTABLE PREVENTION PLANS AND AN ENGINEERING STUDY. REGULATORS ACTED AFTER CABOT REPORTED THREE SPILLS OF A LIQUID-GEL LUBRICANT WITHIN SEVEN DAYS AT ONE OF ITS GAS-DRILLING SITES. ALL OF CABOT'S SO-CALLED HYDRAULIC FRACTURING, OR "FRACKING," OPERATIONS ARE IN NORTHEASTERN SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY. CABOT IS ONE OF MANY EXPLORATION COMPANIES THAT HAVE FLOCKED TO PENNSYLVANIA IN HOPES OF PROFITING FROM THE POTENTIALLY LUCRATIVE MARCELLUS SHALE FORMATION.

SLIPPERY ROCK ISSUES MENINGITIS ALERT AFTER DEATH

SLIPPERY ROCK, PA. (AP) - SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SAYS A STUDENT MAY HAVE DIED OF BACTERIAL MENINGITIS AND IS ALERTING THOSE WHO HAVE COME INTO CLOSE CONTACT WITH HIM. SPOKESMAN KARL SCHWAB SAYS 20-YEAR-OLD BENJAMIN SWANTNER, OF NATRONA HEIGHTS, DIED ABOUT 3:30 A.M. FRIDAY AT GROVE CITY MEDICAL CENTER. OFFICIALS SAY HE HAD ALL THE CLINICAL SIGNS OF MENINGITIS, THOUGH THAT HASN'T BEEN CONFIRMED. SWANTNER LIVED IN AN OFF-CAMPUS APARTMENT COMPLEX AND HIS ROOMMATES HAVE ALREADY BEEN TREATED WITH ANTIBIOTICS. THE SCHOOL WANTS TO TREAT ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH SWANTNER RECENTLY. SWANTNER CAME TO THE STUDENT HEALTH CENTER AFTER MIDNIGHT COMPLAINING OF ILLNESS.

BOYFRIEND ARRESTED IN DEATH OF PREGNANT PA. WOMAN

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - POLICE IN PHILADELPHIA HAVE ARRESTED A MAN THEY SAY KILLED HIS 21-YEAR-OLD PREGNANT GIRLFRIEND IN A DOMESTIC DISPUTE. NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD TYRELL HART IS CHARGED WITH MURDER, MURDER OF AN UNBORN CHILD AND OTHER OFFENSES IN THE DEATH OF HIS GIRLFRIEND,
SELENE RAYNOR. RAYNOR'S BODY WAS FOUND SLUMPED OVER THE STEERING WHEEL OF AN SUV IN THE CITY'S STRAWBERRY MANSION NEIGHBORHOOD ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON. POLICE SAY SHE WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD. RAYNOR WAS A THIRD-YEAR CHEMISTRY MAJOR AT WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY, ABOUT 25 MILES WEST OF PHILADELPHIA. AUTHORITIES SAY HER PREGNANCY WAS IN ITS EARLY STAGES.

PA. TEEN ACCUSED OF THREATENING CLASSMATES

HANOVER, PA. (AP) - A 14-YEAR-OLD NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA BOY IS ACCUSED OF MAKING THREATS AGAINST CLASSMATES AT HIS SCHOOL IN LUZERNE COUNTY. HANOVER TOWNSHIP POLICE CHIEF ALBERT WALKER SAID FRIDAY THAT THE NINTH GRADER AT HANOVER AREA HIGH SCHOOL USED A COMPUTER INSTANT MESSAGING PROGRAM TO MAKE THREATS AGAINST STUDENTS. HE SAYS A GIRL REPORTED SUCH A THREAT THURSDAY NIGHT. POLICE WENT TO THE BOY'S HANOVER TOWNSHIP HOME FRIDAY MORNING WITH A SEARCH WARRANT AND REMOVED SOME COMPUTER EQUIPMENT AND GUNS, WHICH MAY BELONG TO THE BOY'S PARENTS. THE BOY'S NAME WASN'T RELEASED. HE'S CHARGED AS A JUVENILE WITH TERRORISTIC THREATS AND DISORDERLY CONDUCT. POLICE SAY THEY'RE CONFIDENT THAT NOTHING WILL COME OF THE THREATS BECAUSE THEY WERE REPORTED TO POLICE PROMPTLY.

6 CHARGED IN PA. WITH BILKING WIC OUT OF $375K

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A GRAND JURY HAS CHARGED SIX EMPLOYEES OF A PHILADELPHIA NONPROFIT WITH SWINDLING TAXPAYERS OUT OF $375,000 THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO GO TO LOW-INCOME MOMS. ATTORNEY GENERAL TOM CORBETT SAYS THE DEFENDANTS WERE EMPLOYEES OF NORTH INC., A NONPROFIT THAT DISTRIBUTES CHECKS FROM THE WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN PROGRAM. WIC CHECKS CAN BE REDEEMED FOR ITEMS SUCH AS BABY FORMULA AND CEREAL BUT CORBETT SAYS THE WORKERS CREATED FAKE CHECKS AND USED THEM TO BUY FOOD OR TRADED THEM OUTRIGHT FOR CASH. CORBETT SAYS A SUPERVISOR, 43-YEAR-OLD MIKIBA CARTER, WOULD BUY BABY FORMULA AND SELL IT ON THE STREET. CARTER AND FIVE OTHERS WERE CHARGED THURSDAY WITH THEFT, TAMPERING WITH PUBLIC RECORDS AND OTHER CHARGES. CORBETT SAYS HE WILL RECOMMEND THE STATE AUDITOR GENERAL EXAMINE THE WIC PROGRAM.

MAN ACCUSED OF SWINDLING 3 PA. CREDIT UNIONS

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA ATTORNEY GENERAL TOM CORBETT SAYS A PITTSBURGH-AREA MAN IS ACCUSED OF RIPPING OFF THREE CREDIT UNIONS OF $2 MILLION. EUGENE MILEY IS ACCUSED OF RUNNING A PONZI SCHEME IN WHICH HE PROMISED TO PURCHASE HIGH-INTEREST CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT FOR CREDIT UNIONS. BUT PROSECUTORS SAY THE 58-YEAR-OLD BEAVER MAN SOLD FICTITIOUS CDS AND PAID INTEREST USING MONEY FROM NEW CUSTOMERS, SO THE SCHEME COLLAPSED WHEN HE RAN OUT OF NEW CLIENTS. PROSECUTORS SAY MILEY DEFRAUDED THE MOONLIGHT CREDIT UNION IN WORTHINGTON, THE VANTAGE TRUST CREDIT UNION IN WILKES-BARRE AND THE STANWOOD AREA CREDIT UNION IN NEW STANTON. MILEY WAS ARRESTED FRIDAY.

FLA. MAN ACCUSED OF BILKING INVESTORS OF MILLIONS

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A FLORIDA MAN FACES A 55-COUNT FEDERAL INDICTMENT IN PENNSYLVANIA THAT ACCUSES HIM OF BILKING INVESTORS OUT OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT HE SPENT ON LUXURY ITEMS. THE INDICTMENT AGAINST SEAN HEALY WAS UNSEALED THURSDAY IN FEDERAL COURT IN HARRISBURG. IT INCLUDES CHARGES OF FRAUD AND MONEY LAUNDERING. THE 38-YEAR-OLD HEALY ALLEGEDLY COLLECTED NEARLY $20 MILLION FROM MORE THAN 50 INVESTORS PRIMARILY IN PENNSYLVANIA BEGINNING IN 2003. BUT PROSECUTORS SAY HE SPENT IT ON A WATERFRONT MANSION IN WESTON, FLA., JEWELRY AND EXOTIC SPORTS CARS INSTEAD OF INVESTING IT AS PROMISED. SOME OF THOSE ASSETS WERE SEIZED AS A RESULT OF GOVERNMENT LAWSUITS FILED IN JULY.

PA. MAN GETS 8-16 MONTHS FOR KILLING CAGED DOG

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A PITTSBURGH-AREA MAN WHO SHOT A DOG TO DEATH WHILE IT WAS IN A CAGE HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO EIGHT TO 16 MONTHS IN PRISON. KEVIN WRIGHT WAS SENTENCED FRIDAY AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. POLICE SAY THE 43-YEAR-OLD GLASSPORT MAN WAS HEAVILY INTOXICATED WHEN POLICE ARRIVED AT HIS APARTMENT ON JUNE 23, 2008, TO RESPOND TO A REPORT OF SHOTS FIRED. POLICE SAY WRIGHT CLAIMED THE DOG HAD ATTACKED HIM, BUT IT WAS IN A CAGE AND WRIGHT WASN'T INJURED. THE DOG DIED IN ABOUT 20 MINUTES. POLICE FOUND TWO HANDGUNS AND 14 SHELL CASINGS ON THE FLOOR.

FISH KILL PROMPTS PA. TO SEEK BRINE WELL SHUTDOWN

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING A REQUEST TO SHUT DOWN AN UNDERGROUND COALBED-METHANE WASTEWATER STORAGE OPERATION THAT PENNSYLVANIA OFFICIALS SUSPECT CONTRIBUTED TO A MASSIVE FISH KILL. U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY SPOKESMAN DAVID STERNBERG SAID FRIDAY THAT HIS AGENCY IS PREPARING A RESPONSE TO THE OCT. 5 REQUEST FROM PENNSYLVANIA'S ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORS. ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICIALS IN PENNSYLVANIA AND WEST VIRGINIA ARE PURSUING THE CAUSE BEHIND THE DEATH OF FISH, MUSSELS, SALAMANDERS
AND OTHER AQUATIC LIFE IN DUNKARD CREEK. THE 38-MILE CREEK MEANDERS ALONG THE STATES' BORDER. A 2005 EPA PERMIT ALLOWS A CONSOL ENERGY SUBSIDIARY TO INJECT THE BRINE INTO UNDERGROUND CAVERNS. THE WATER IS LEFT OVER FROM METHANE DRILLING ON A CLOSED COAL MINE. A COMPANY SPOKESMAN SAYS IT DOESN'T BELIEVE THE BRINE IS THE SOURCE OF THE FISH KILL.

TLC NETWORK IS SUING ITS STAR JON GOSSELIN

NEW YORK (AP) - THE LAWYER FOR REALITY TV PERSONALITY JON GOSSELIN SAYS THE ALLEGATIONS IN A LAWSUIT FROM THE TLC NETWORK ARE "WEAK, FEEBLE AND BASELESS." ATTORNEY MARK JAY HELLER SAYS THE CONTRACT HIS CLIENT IS ACCUSED OF BREACHING IS "UNENFORCEABLE AND UNCONSCIONABLE." THE LAWSUIT, FILED IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MARYLAND, ALLEGES THAT GOSSELIN HAS FAILED TO MEET HIS OBLIGATIONS AS AN EXCLUSIVE EMPLOYEE OF THE NETWORK. IT SAYS HE DID SO WHILE APPEARING ON RIVAL NETWORKS' PROGRAMS FOR PAY AND MAKING UNAUTHORIZED PUBLIC DISCLOSURES ABOUT THE SHOW. HELLER SAYS TLC IS DENYING HIS CLIENT THE RIGHT TO EARN A LIVING. GOSSELIN HAS STARRED SINCE 2007 ON THE WEEKLY "JON & KATE PLUS 8." IT'S A RATINGS HIT FOR THE NETWORK THAT HAS BEEN ROCKED IN RECENT MONTHS BY MARITAL TURMOIL AS GOSSELIN AND HIS WIFE, KATE, FEUDED, THEN FILED FOR DIVORCE.

A NURSE'S AIDE IN US TO BE CROWNED AFRICAN KING

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - AN AFRICAN MAN WHO HELPED THE ELDERLY AND SICK AS A NURSE'S AIDE IN THE UNITED STATES IS BACK IN HIS HOMELAND TO BE CROWNED KING OF HIS PEOPLE IN WESTERN UGANDA. CHARLES WESLEY MUMBERE'S CORONATION IS SET FOR MONDAY. HE WILL RULE OVER RWENZURURU (RWEN-ZOO'-ROO-ROO), A MOUNTAIN KINGDOM OF ABOUT 300,000 PEOPLE THAT IS NOW RECOGNIZED BY THE UGANDAN GOVERNMENT. MUMBERE LIVED IN THE UNITED STATES FOR 25 YEARS. HE KEPT HIS ROYAL ROOTS SECRET UNTIL JULY, WHEN HE GRANTED AN INTERVIEW TO THE PATRIOT-NEWS OF HARRISBURG AS HE WAS PREPARING TO RETURN TO UGANDA. MUMBERE, NOW IN HIS 50S, CAME TO THE UNITED STATES IN 1984. HE MOVED TO HARRISBURG IN 1999 AND WORKED FOR AT LEAST TWO HEALTH CARE FACILITIES THERE.

ISLAMABAD (AP) - A FULL-SCALE PAKISTANI MILITARY OFFENSIVE HAS BEEN LAUNCHED AGAINST THE MAIN AL-QAIDA AND TALIBAN STRONGHOLD NEAR
THE AFGHAN BORDER. OFFICIALS SAY MORE THAN 30,000 TROOPS ARE BEING
DEPLOYED FOR THE GROUND OPERATION IN THE REMOTE AND MOUNTAINOUS
REGION. THE PUSH COMES AFTER WEEKS OF MILITANT ATTACKS THAT HAVE
KILLED MORE THAN 175 PEOPLE.

BAGHDAD (AP) - POLICE IN IRAQ SAY A ROADSIDE BOMB HAS LEFT FOUR IRAQI SOLDIERS DEAD. FOURTEEN OTHER PEOPLE WERE WOUNDED IN THE ATTACK. ELSEWHERE IN WESTERN IRAQ, A SUICIDE BOMBER TARGETED A DYNAMITE-LADEN TRUCK, DESTROYING A BRIDGE ON A HIGHWAY OFTEN USED BY THE U.S. MILITARY.

WASHINGTON (AP) - FEDERAL HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE WARNING THAT SUPPLIES OF SWINE FLU VACCINE WILL BE MORE SCARCE THAN EXPECTED IN THE COMING WEEKS. PRODUCTION DELAYS MEAN THAT UP TO 28 TO 30 MILLION DOSES WILL BE DOLED OUT NATIONWIDE BY THE END OF THE MONTH, FAR LESS THAN EXPECTED. THAT MEANS FLU-SHOT CLINICS IN SOME PARTS OF THE U.S. MAY HAVE TO BE POSTPONED.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (AP) - MANDATORY EVACUATIONS ARE UNDER WAY IN A NORTHERN PHILIPPINE PROVINCE, AS A NEW TYPHOON THREATENS THE AREA. PARTS OF THE PHILIPPINES ARE STILL RECOVERING FROM A LATE SEPTEMBER STORM AND AN EARLY OCTOBER TYPHOON THAT KILLED MORE THAN 773 PEOPLE.

MIAMI (AP) - THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER SAYS HURRICANE RICK HAS GROWN INTO A MAJOR CATEGORY 3 STORM OFF MEXICO'S PACIFIC COAST. THE STORM IS CENTERED ABOUT 250 MILES SOUTHWEST OF ACAPULCO. IT'S EXPECTED TO REMAIN OFFSHORE DURING THE WEEKEND AS ITS MOVES PARALLEL TO MEXICO'S COASTLINE. RICK COULD BECOME A DANGEROUS CATEGORY 4 STORM BY TOMORROW.

Today's News-Friday, October 16, 2009

MIXED BAG CONTINUES

COLD, WET, SOGGY, AND IN SOME PLACES WHITE. THOSE ADJECTIVES DESCRIBE THE WEATHER AS A MIX OF RAIN AND SNOW CONTINUES OVER THE LOWER SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY TODAY INTO LATE TONIGHT. WET HEAVY SNOW AND TEMPS NEAR FREEZING MADE FOR SOME ICY TRAVEL IN THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF OUR LISTENING AREA, WHILE THE MIX OF RAIN AND SNOW IS EXPECTED INTO TONIGHT. OBVIOUSLY, GROUND TEMPERATURES WILL KEEP MOST ROADWAYS JUST WET, BUT SOME SPOTS MAY BECOME ICY, SO EXERCISE CAUTION. A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL SATURDAY MORNING.

STAINED GLASS REMOVED

BOTH SIDES IN THE ST GEORGE CHURCH CASE CONTINUE TO USE LEGAL MANEUVERS TO KEEP THE HISTORIC SHENANDOAH CHURCH FROM THE WRECKING BALL. BUT WORKERS HAVE BEEN REMOVING STAINED GLASS FROM THE PROPERTY ON JARDIN STREET THATS BEEN CLOSED SINCE 2006. WNEP-TV REPORTS THAT WORK CONTINUES AT THE PROPERTY, DEEMED A SAFETY HAZARD BY THE DIOCESE OF ALLENTOWN. PARISHONERS WANT THE BUILDING TO BE SAVED AND MADE INTO A HISTORICAL SHRINE. ST GEORGE IS THE OLDEST LITHUANIAN CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES. JUDGE CYRUS PALMER DOLBIN GAVE BOTH LEGAL TEAMS UNTIL DECEMBER 1ST TO FILE BRIEFS WHETHER MONIES DONATED TO A BUILDING FUND FOR THE CHURCH GIVES MEMBERS AN INTEREST IN THE BUILDING'S FATE, AND TO ALLOW FOR TESTIMONY FROM THE LITHUANIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES.

INTERIM CEO STAYS

OFFICIALS AT ST CATHERINE'S MEDICAL CENTER HAVE ANNOUNCED THAT INTERIM CEO DANIEL COLON WILL STAY ON IN THAT ROLE. ACCORDING TO A PRESS RELEASE, COLON HAS SERVED IN EXECUTIVE POSITIONS AT A NUMBER OF HOSPITALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. COLON CITES THAT ST CATHERINE'S WILL CONTINUE TO BRING MORE PHYSICIANS TO THE COMMUNITY AND IMPROVE TECHNOLOGY TO SERVE ITS PATIENTS. COLON CAME TO THE AREA IN JULY OF THIS YEAR.

STOLEN VEHICLES FOUND

VEHICLES THAT WERE STOLEN FROM A COLUMBIA COUNTY BUSINESS HAVE BEEN FOUND IN OUR AREA. STATE POLICE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN SAY THAT A TRUCK-TRACTOR AND PICKUP OWNED BY ABRACZINSKAS NURSERIES OF CATAWISSA WERE LOCATED AT A LOT BEHIND RENNINGER'S MARKET WEDNESDAY. HOW THEY GOT HERE OR WHO TOOK THE TRUCKS IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

WET AND ICY ROADS

A COUPLE OF ACCIDENTS WERE REPORTED BY STATE POLICE DURING YESTERDAYS WINTRY MIX OF WEATHER. BONITA FEGLEY OF MOUNT CARMEL LOST CONTROL ON INTERSTATE 81 YESTERDAY IN BUTLER TOWNSHIP. HER VEHICLE SMASHED UP AGAINST GUIDERAILS BUT SHE WASN'T HURT. OTHER FENDER BENDERS WERE ALSO REPORTED AND TRAFFIC SLOWED DUE TO THE EARLY FALL WEATHER EVENT.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT HAS UPHELD THE CONVICTIONS OF SIX ANIMAL-RIGHTS ACTIVISTS IN A NEW JERSEY HARASSMENT CASE. THE SIX MEMBERS OF STOP HUNTINGDON ANIMAL CRUELTY WERE CONVICTED IN 2006 OF USING THEIR WEB SITE TO INCITE THREATS AND VANDALISM AGAINST EMPLOYEES OF HUNTINGDON LIFE SCIENCE IN FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, SOMERSET COUNTY, N.J.

TAMPA, FLA. (AP) - THE WIDOW OF TV PITCHMAN BILLY MAYS SAYS AN INDEPENDENT MEDICAL EXAMINER HAS DETERMINED COCAINE USE DID NOT
CONTRIBUTE TO HER LATE HUSBAND'S DEATH. DEBORAH MAYS SAYS IN A STATEMENT RELEASED YESTERDAY THAT THE EXAMINER REVIEWED AUTOPSY
MATERIALS AND FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF CHRONIC COCAINE USE. THE PHYSICIAN CLASSIFIED HIS DEATH AS "NATURAL."

NEW YORK (AP) - FEDERAL AUTHORITIES HAVE CHARGED 41 PEOPLE IN A MORTGAGE FRAUD INVOLVING TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. THIRTY-ONE
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ARRESTED IN NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, OHIO AND NORTH
CAROLINA.THEY ARE AMONG 41 PEOPLE CHARGED WITH ENGAGING IN MORTGAGE
FRAUD SCAMS THAT DEFRAUDED LENDERS OUT OF MORE THAN $64 MILLION IN
HOME MORTGAGE LOANS.

STATE COLLEGE, PA. (AP) - WINTRY WEATHER HAS COME A LITTLE EARLY TO PENNSYLVANIA. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS SOME PARTS OF NORTH-CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA SAW ABOUT 4 INCHES OF SNOW LAST NIGHT PLUS MORE EXPECTED OVERNIGHT. THIS IS THE EARLIEST IN THE YEAR THAT STATE COLLEGE HAS HAD SNOW FOR AS LONG AS RECORDS HAVE BEEN KEPT.

WILLIAMSPORT, PA. (AP) - FORMER PENN STATE TAILBACK AUSTIN SCOTT HAS FILED A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR CIVIL SUIT AGAINST PROSECUTORS, POLICE AND THE UNIVERSITY TWO YEARS AFTER AUTHORITIES DROPPED CHARGES OF RAPE AND OTHER COUNTS AGAINST HIM. SCOTT'S LAWYER, JOHN KAROLY, SAYS HIS CLIENT'S NFL HOPES WERE DASHED BECAUSE OF THE CASE.

PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN (AP) - THERE'S BEEN ANOTHER DEADLY ATTACK IN PAKISTAN. AT LEAST SEVEN PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN THE NORTHWEST CITY OF PESHAWAR WHEN A SUICIDE CAR BOMBER STRUCK NEAR A MOSQUE AND A POLICE STATION. THERE HAS BEEN NO CLAIM OF RESPONSIBILITY YET, BUT THE TALIBAN IS SUSPECTED. MORE THAN 150 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED IN MILITANT ATTACKS OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE SHAPE OF THE SENATE'S HEALTH CARE REFORM EFFORT IS STILL BEING NEGOTIATED. BUT SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN MAX BAUCUS IS PREDICTING THAT ALL SENATE DEMOCRATS AND PERHAPS MORE THAN ONE REPUBLICAN WILL VOTE FOR WHATEVER EMERGES. BAUCUS IS IN TALKS WITH SENATE MAJORITY LEADER HARRY REID AND WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS ON MERGING HIS PANEL'S BILL WITH ONE FROM ANOTHER COMMITTEE.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IS ASKING HIS HARD-CORE DEMOCRATIC SUPPORTERS FOR THEIR TRUST AND PATIENCE. AT A PAIR OF FUNDRAISING EVENTS YESTERDAY, OBAMA ADDRESSED COMPLAINTS BY SOME THAT HIS ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN SLOW TO FULFILL HIS CAMPAIGN PROMISES.

PRESCOTT, ARIZ. (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN ARIZONA SAY THE DEATHS OF TWO PEOPLE DURING A SWEAT LODGE CEREMONY LED BY A SELF-HELP EXPERT ARE BEING INVESTIGATED AS HOMICIDES. THE COUNTY SHERIFF SAYS A "COMBINATION OF CIRCUMSTANCES" LED TO THE DEATHS LAST WEEK AND THEY WERE NOT ACCIDENTAL. BUT HE SAYS IT'S UNCLEAR WHETHER A CRIMINAL CASE CAN BE PROVEN.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - THE PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES HAVE TAKEN GAME 1 OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES. CARLOS RUIZ AND RAUL IBANEZ BOTH HIT THREE-RUN HOME RUNS TO LEAD THE PHILS TO AN 8-6 VICTORY OVER THE DODGERS IN LOS ANGELES. GAME 2 IS SET FOR THIS AFTERNOON.