WEDNESDAY 12.30.09

LOCAL

THERE HAS BEEN A WATERMAIN BREAK IN POTTSVILLE ON 12TH STREET BETWEEN W. MARKET AND MAHANTONGO. IT IS UNCERTAIN HOW MANY HOMES ARE EFFECTED OR WHEN THE UTILITY WILL BE BACK ONLINE. CREWS ARE WORKING ON THE SCENE NOW TO GET IT RESOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

A SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH HAPPENED YESTERDAY MORNING AT 5AM AS IT LOST CONTROL ON STATE HIGHWAY 225. IT WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND WHEN IT TRAVELED UP AN EMBANKMENT AND ROLLED ONTO ITS SIDE. THE DRIVER HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE BY RELIANCE FIRE PERSONNEL AND SUSTAINED NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS LIFTED BACK UPRIGHT AS WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE.


SHENANDOAH, PA. (AP) - FOUR NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA POLICE
OFFICERS WHO WERE ARRESTED DEC. 15 ON FEDERAL CHARGES HAVE RESIGNED
FROM THEIR JOBS.
THE SHENANDOAH BOROUGH POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS ONLY THREE OFFICERS AFTER THE RESIGNATIONS OF CHIEF MATTHEW NESTOR, CAPT. JAMIE GENNARINI, OFFICER JASON HAYES AND LT. WILLIAM MOYER WERE ACCEPTED TUESDAY NIGHT. STATE POLICE ARE HELPING PATROL THE TOWN.
NESTOR, MOYER AND HAYES ARE ACCUSED OF ORCHESTRATING A COVER-UP IN THE FATAL BEATING OF A MEXICAN IMMIGRANT BY ALTERING EVIDENCE OR
LYING TO THE FBI IN A CASE AGAINST TWO WHITE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYERS. NESTOR AND GENNARINI ARE CHARGED WITH EXTORTION AND CIVIL
RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN A SEPARATE CASE.
MESSAGES LEFT LATE TUESDAY SEEKING COMMENT FROM DEFENSE LAWYERS WERE NOT IMMEDIATELY RETURNED.




UNEMPLOYMENT IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY HAS DROPPED IN NOVEMBER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2 YEARS FROM 11 PERCENT TO 10.31 PERCENT. THE RATE HAS INCREASED EACH MONTH SINCE NOVEMBER OF 2007. CURRENTLY IT IS STILL HIGHER THAN MOST OF THE SURROUNDINGS COUNTIES , THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF 8.5 PERCENT AND THE NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF 10 PERCENT. JOB GROWTH IS LIKELY DUE TO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HIRING HOLIDAY HELP AND IT IS UNCERTAIN IF THE RATE WILL RAISE AGAIN AFTER THE NEW YEAR.


DECEMBER 31 MARKS THE LAST DAY TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR THE STATE’S PROPERTY TAX/RENT REBATE PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES PROPERTY TAX RELIEF OR RENT ASSISTANCE TO THOSE 65 AND OLDER, WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS’ 50 OR OLDER, AND THOSE 18 OR OLDER WHO ARE DISABLED. ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME MAY NOT EXCEED $35,000, AND ONLY HALF OF AND SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME AND RAILROAD RETIREMENT BENEFITS COUNT TOWARD THAT CALCULATION. INDIVIDUALS CAN STOP BY ANY LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT OFFICE TO COMPLETE THEIR APPLICATION, AND SHOULD BRING A COPY OF THEIR PAID MUNICIPAL, COUNTY AND SCHOOL TAXES AS WELL AS PROOF OF INCOME.


PA NEWS

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THE CHAIRMAN OF PENNSYLVANIA'S HOUSE
GAMING OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE DANTE SANTONI SAYS HE MIGHT HOLD A
HEARING ON WHETHER THE PENNSYLVANIA CASINO ASSOCIATION VIOLATED THE
STATE LOBBYING-DISCLOSURE LAW. THE ASSOCIATION SAYS IT DOESN'T HAVE
TO REGISTER AS A LOBBYING GROUP. SANTONI SAYS HE WANTS TO CONSULT
WITH LAWYERS ON THE MATTER.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THE PENNSYLVANIA SUPREME COURT SAYS THE
NONPROFIT GROUP THAT ENFORCES PENNSYLVANIA'S ANIMAL CONTROL LAWS
DOESN'T QUALIFY FOR IMMUNITY FROM LAWSUITS BECAUSE OF THAT WORK.THE
COURT UPHELD A PHILADELPHIA JURY'S VERDICT THAT AWARDED A WOMAN
$155,000 FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA S.P.C.A. AFTER DOGS TAKEN FROM HER
HOME WERE EUTHANIZED.

STATE COLLEGE, PA. (AP) - PENN STATE SAYS NEARLY 30,000
INDIVIDUALS MAY HAVE HAD THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS EXPOSED
BECAUSE OF A PRIVACY BREACH CAUSED BY INFECTED UNIVERSITY
COMPUTERS. A SCHOOL SPOKESWOMAN SAYS THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THE
INFORMATION HAS BEEN ACCESSED BY UNAUTHORIZED PARTIES, BUT THAT THE
UNIVERSITY IS NOTIFYING PEOPLE ABOUT THE BREACH.

SHENANDOAH, PA. (AP) - FOUR NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA POLICE
OFFICERS WHO WERE ARRESTED DEC. 15 ON FEDERAL CHARGES HAVE RESIGNED
FROM THEIR JOBS. THE SHENANDOAH BOROUGH POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS ONLY
THREE OFFICERS AFTER THE RESIGNATIONS LAST NIGHT. THE OFFICERS ARE
ACCUSED OF ORCHESTRATING A COVER-UP IN THE FATAL BEATING OF A
MEXICAN IMMIGRANT.

MILTON, PA. (AP) - POLICE IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA SAY A WOMAN
ACCUSED OF KIDNAPPING HER OWN SONS FROM WASHINGTON STATE HAS BEEN
ARRESTED AFTER 11 YEARS AS A FUGITIVE. JILL DIANE HAUGEN WAS
ARRESTED YESTERDAY AT HER HOME IN MILTON, PA., WHERE SHE WAS GOING
BY THE NAME ANN THOMPSON. HER 15 AND 17-YEAR-OLD SONS ARE NOW IN
FOSTER CARE.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THE CHAIRMAN OF PENNSYLVANIA'S HOUSE
GAMING OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE SAYS HE MIGHT HOLD A HEARING ON WHETHER
THE PENNSYLVANIA CASINO ASSOCIATION VIOLATED THE STATE
LOBBYING-DISCLOSURE LAW.
THE ASSOCIATION SAYS IT DOESN'T HAVE TO REGISTER BECAUSE ITS
ACTIVITIES DON'T MEET THE LEGAL DEFINITION OF LOBBYING.
GAMING OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN DANTE SANTONI SAYS HE WANTS
TO CONSULT WITH LAWYERS BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER TO HOLD HEARINGS ON
THE MATTER.
HOUSE AND SENATE NEGOTIATORS ARE STILL TRYING TO WORK OUT THE
REMAINING DIFFERENCES IN A BILL TO LEGALIZE TABLE GAMES SUCH AS
POKER AND BLACKJACK AT SLOT-MACHINE CASINOS.
PROPONENTS SAY EXPANDING GAMBLING IS A LESS PAINFUL ALTERNATIVE
TO RAISING TAXES TO SHORE UP THE STATE'S RECESSION-RAVAGED
TREASURY. OPPONENTS, HOWEVER, SAY THE MEASURE IS A FAVOR FOR THE
POWERFUL GAMBLING INDUSTRY.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THE PENNSYLVANIA SUPREME COURT SAYS THE
NONPROFIT GROUP THAT ENFORCES PENNSYLVANIA'S ANIMAL CONTROL LAWS
DOESN'T QUALIFY FOR IMMUNITY FROM LAWSUITS BECAUSE OF THAT WORK.
THE COURT UPHELD A PHILADELPHIA JURY'S VERDICT THAT AWARDED A
WOMAN $155,000 FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS AFTER ABOUT A DOZEN DOGS TAKEN FROM HER HOME
WERE EUTHANIZED.
THE COURT RULED TUESDAY THAT THERE'S NO REASON TO THINK THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY INTENDED TO GRANT THE SPCA STATUS AS A
COMMONWEALTH AGENCY, SO IT'S NOT ENTITLED TO THE DEFENSE OF
SOVEREIGN OR GOVERNMENTAL IMMUNITY.
THE DOG OWNER, LAILA SNEAD OF READING, SAYS SHE'S PLEASED WITH
THE DECISION BUT THAT MONEY WON'T BRING HER DOGS BACK.
AN SPCA SPOKESWOMAN SAYS THE GROUP IS DISAPPOINTED WITH THE
RULING BECAUSE OF ITS FAR-REACHING IMPLICATIONS.

STATE COLLEGE, PA. (AP) - PENN STATE SAYS NEARLY 30,000
INDIVIDUALS MAY HAVE HAD THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS EXPOSED
BECAUSE OF A PRIVACY BREACH CAUSED BY INFECTED UNIVERSITY
COMPUTERS.
A SCHOOL SPOKESWOMAN SAYS TUESDAY THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THE
INFORMATION HAS BEEN ACCESSED BY UNAUTHORIZED PARTIES, BUT THAT THE
UNIVERSITY IS BEING CAUTIOUS IN NOTIFYING PEOPLE THEIR INFORMATION
IS ON AN INFECTED COMPUTER.
THE SCHOOL ANNOUNCED DEC. 23 THAT THE COMPUTERS HAVE BEEN HIT BY
SO-CALLED "MALWARE," OR MALICIOUS SOFTWARE.
MORE THAN 14,000 OF THE RECORDS WERE AT THE MAIN UNIVERSITY PARK
CAMPUS. THE SCHOOL SAID TUESDAY THOSE INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN
CONTACTED.
ANOTHER 15,000 ARE AT A STILL-UNNAMED BRANCH CAMPUS, THOUGH THAT
INVESTIGATION IS NOT COMPLETE.

MILTON, PA. (AP) - POLICE IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA SAY A WOMAN
ACCUSED OF KIDNAPPING HER OWN SONS FROM WASHINGTON STATE HAS BEEN
ARRESTED AFTER 11 YEARS AS A FUGITIVE.
AN ARREST WARRANT WAS ISSUED IN SPOKANE, WASH., IN 1998 FOR JILL
DIANE HAUGEN. THE 48-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WAS ARRESTED TUESDAY AT HER
HOME IN MILTON, PA., WHERE SHE WAS GOING BY THE NAME ANN THOMPSON.
MILTON POLICE OFFICER TODD ULRICH SAYS HE REACHED THE CHILDREN'S
FATHER ON THE PHONE TUESDAY. ULRICH SAYS WILLIAM CONNINGTON, OF
SPOKANE, WASH., WAS "ABSOLUTELY SURPRISED" AND HAD THOUGHT HE'D
NEVER SEE HIS SONS AGAIN. CONNINGTON'S 17-YEAR-OLD SON, ANTHONY,
AND 15-YEAR-OLD SON, JAMEY, ARE IN FOSTER CARE FOR NOW.
HAUGEN SAID TUESDAY THAT SHE IS A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
AND HER SONS ARE VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE. POLICE SAY THERE'S NO
MERIT TO HER CLAIMS.

CARLISLE, PA. (AP) - A COUNTY JUDGE IN SOUTH-CENTRAL
PENNSYLVANIA SAYS A CORONER DOESN'T HAVE TO RELEASE THE MEANS OF
DEATH OF A 21-YEAR-OLD MAN UNTIL THE END OF JANUARY.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY CORONER MICHAEL NORRIS REFUSED TO RELEASE THE
MEANS OF DEATH FOR SHIPPENSBURG UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL PLAYER THOMAS
RAINEY, A LANDISVILLE MAN WHO DIED IN AN ACCIDENT IN APRIL.
AUTHORITIES HAVE SAID THE DEATH WASN'T SUSPICIOUS.
WGAL-TV ASKED PRESIDENT JUDGE EDGAR BAYLEY TO ORDER THE CORONER
TO RELEASE THE INFORMATION. BAYLEY SAYS THE RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW THAT
TOOK EFFECT THIS YEAR DOESN'T SUPERSEDE THE STATE CORONER'S ACT.
THAT LAW REQUIRES THE AUTOPSY REPORT TO BE FILED WITHIN 30 DAYS OF
THE END OF THE CALENDAR YEAR IN WHICH THE DEATHS OCCURRED.

SCRANTON, PA. (AP) - A NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA JUDGE ENSNARED
IN A FEDERAL PROBE HAS PLEADED GUILTY TO CORRUPTION CHARGES.
LUZERNE COUNTY JUDGE MICHAEL TOOLE PLEADED GUILTY TUESDAY IN
SCRANTON TO HONEST SERVICES FRAUD AND TAX EVASION.
PROSECUTORS SAY HE HID HIS FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH A LAWYER
WHO APPEARED BEFORE HIM AND DIDN'T REPORT A $30,000 REFERRAL FEE
FROM ANOTHER ATTORNEY ON HIS TAXES.
TOOLE'S PLEA REQUIRES HIM TO RESIGN IN THE NEXT 10 DAYS. HE WILL
REMAIN FREE PENDING HIS MARCH 20 SENTENCING.
ABOUT TWO DOZEN PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CHARGED IN THE WIDE-RANGING
LUZERNE COUNTY INVESTIGATION.
TOOLE'S ATTORNEY SAYS HE MIGHT LATER PETITION TO HAVE THE HONEST
SERVICES FRAUD CHARGE DISMISSED, PENDING A RULING ON THE STATUTE'S
LEGALITY BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE PENNSYLVANIA HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
SAID IT WILL LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION INTO COMPLAINTS OF RACIAL
ATTACKS AT SOUTH PHILADELPHIA HIGH SCHOOL.
CHAIRMAN STEPHEN GLASSMAN SAID TUESDAY THAT THE STUDENTS' PLEAS
FOR HELP CONVINCED THE COMMISSION TO ACT.
SCHOOL OFFICIALS SAY 10 STUDENTS HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED OVER THE
ATTACKS EARLIER THIS MONTH, WHEN ABOUT 30 ASIAN STUDENTS SAID THEY
WERE CHASED DOWN HALLWAYS AND BEATEN.
DOZENS OF ASIAN STUDENTS BOYCOTTED CLASSES FOR EIGHT DAYS,
ACCUSING SCHOOL OFFICIALS OF FAILING TO PREVENT THE VIOLENCE.
THE PENNSYLVANIA HUMAN RELATIONS ACT GIVES THE COMMISSION
AUTHORITY TO "INVESTIGATE ANY PROBLEM OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
WITH THE INTENT OF AVOIDING AND PREVENTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF
RACIAL TENSION."


NATIONAL

HON0LULU (AP) - THE NEW YORK TIMES IS REPORTING THAT THE
GOVERNMENT HAD INTELLIGENCE FROM YEMEN BEFORE CHRISTMAS THAT
LEADERS OF A BRANCH OF AL-QAIDA THERE WERE TALKING ABOUT "A
NIGERIAN" BEING PREPARED FOR A TERRORIST ATTACK.
BUT THE NEWSPAPER REPORTS THE INFORMATION DID NOT INCLUDE THE
NAME OF THE NIGERIAN.
A NIGERIAN MAN, UMAR FAROUK ABDULMUTALLAB (OO'-MAHR FAH-ROOK'
AHB-DOOL'-MOO-TAH'-LAHB), IS CHARGED WITH TRYING TO DESTROY AN
AIRLINER THAT WAS HEADED TO DETROIT FROM AMSTERDAM ON CHRISTMAS
DAY.
THE CIA SAYS IT LEARNED OF THE SUSPECT IN NOVEMBER, AND PASSED
ON THE INFORMATION TO THE NATIONAL COUNTERTERRORISM CENTER. THE CIA
SAYS IT FIRST HEARD OF HIM WHEN HIS FATHER TOLD THE U.S. EMBASSY IN
NIGERIA THAT HE FEARED HIS SON MIGHT HAVE BECOME RADICALIZED.
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA WANTS A PRELIMINARY REPORT BY THURSDAY ON
HOW ABDULMUTALLAB GOT ON THE JET WITH EXPLOSIVES. IN HIS SECOND
STATEMENT ON THE INCIDENT IN TWO DAYS, OBAMA SAID THERE WAS "A MIX
OF HUMAN AND SYSTEMIC FAILURES" THAT WAS "TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE."
BUT ONE U.S. INTELLIGENCE OFFICIAL SAYS THE FATHER'S STATEMENT
ALONE WOULD NOT HAVE, ON ITS OWN, STOPPED THE ATTACK. THE OFFICIAL
SAYS THE FATHER "DIDN'T SAY HIS SON WAS A TERRORIST, LET ALONE
PLANNING AN ATTACK."


KABUL (AP) - THE HEAD OF A PRESIDENTIAL DELEGATION INVESTIGATING
THE DEATHS OF 10 PEOPLE IN A VILLAGE IN EASTERN AFGHANISTAN SAYS
THE TEAM OF INVESTIGATORS HAS CONCLUDED THAT CIVILIANS WERE KILLED
IN AN ATTACK BY FOREIGN TROOPS.
ASADULLAH WAFA SAID WEDNESDAY THAT AMONG THE VICTIMS DISCOVERED
IN A VILLAGE HOUSE IN THE NARANG DISTRICT OF KUNAR PROVINCE WERE
EIGHT SCHOOLCHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12 AND 14. WAFA IS A
SENIOR ADVISER TO PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI.
A NATO OFFICIAL SAID INITIAL REPORTS FROM TROOPS INVOLVED IN THE
FIGHTING ON SUNDAY INDICATED THAT THE VICTIMS WERE INSURGENTS - ALL
YOUNG MALES. WAFA SAYS THE VILLAGERS ARE DEMANDING THAT INFORMANTS "WHO GAVE
THE WRONG TARGET TO THE AMERICANS MUST BE FOUND AND PUNISHED BY A
COURT."
IRAN

TEHRAN, IRAN (AP) - IRANIAN HARD-LINERS ARE PLANNING A SERIES OF
STATE-SPONSORED DEMONSTRATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ON WEDNESDAY IN
SUPPORT OF SUPREME LEADER AYATOLLAH ALI KHAMENEI IN WHAT THEY HOPE
WILL BE A SHOW OF STRENGTH AGAINST THE REFORMIST MOVEMENT.
AT LEAST EIGHT PEOPLE HAVE DIED DURING ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS
THIS WEEK AND TOP OPPOSITION FIGURES HAVE BEEN ARRESTED. IT'S THE
WORST UNREST SINCE THE AFTERMATH OF JUNE'S DISPUTED PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTION.
THE GOVERNMENT SAYS THE PROTESTERS ARE A TINY MINORITY, AND IT
ACCUSES THE U.S. AND BRITAIN OF ORCHESTRATING THE DEMONSTRATIONS.
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED AT WEDNESDAY'S
DEMONSTRATIONS IN TEHRAN AND SEVERAL OTHER CITIES.


SAO PAULO (AP) - THE LEGAL BATTLE OVER A 9-YEAR-OLD BOY WHO WAS
TAKEN TO BRAZIL BY HIS MOTHER IN 2004 APPARENTLY ISN'T OVER.
THE BRAZILIAN FAMILY OF SEAN GOLDMAN SAYS THE BOY'S RECENT
RETURN TO THE U.S., "DOES NOT END THE LEGAL PROCESS." THE BOY'S
GRANDMOTHER WANTS HIM TO MAKE HIS OWN WISHES KNOWN IN COURT.
LAWYERS FOR SEAN'S FATHER, DAVID GOLDMAN, SAY THEY'LL WAIT TO
SEE IF THE BOY'S GRANDPARENTS ARE "GOING TO EXERCISE GOOD
JUDGMENT."
SEAN HAD LIVED IN BRAZIL FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS, AFTER HIS
MOTHER BROUGHT HIM THERE FOR WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A TWO-WEEK
VACATION. SHE DIED LAST YEAR AND HER BRAZILIAN HUSBAND WON
TEMPORARY CUSTODY.
A JUDGE ORDERED SEAN RETURNED TO HIS FATHER LAST WEEK. ON MONDAY
HE ARRIVED IN NEW JERSEY.
DAVID GOLDMAN SAYS HIS SON IS HAPPY, AND "HE JUST WANTS TO HAVE
FUN AND NOT HAVE ALL THIS PRESSURE ON HIS SHOULDERS."

PERTH, AUSTRALIA (AP) - HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
HAVE FLED AHEAD OF A WILDFIRE THAT HAS DESTROYED NEARLY 40 HOMES.
AT LEAST THREE PEOPLE WERE INJURED AS TWO MAJOR BLAZES BURNED
OUT OF CONTROL AFTER BREAKING OUT TUESDAY IN A WHEAT AND SHEEP
FARMING DISTRICT NORTH OF THE COASTAL CITY OF PERTH. THE TWO FIRES
SCORCHED A COMBINED TOTAL OF MORE THAN 33,000 ACRES OF FOREST AND
FARMLAND BEFORE COOLER CONDITIONS ON WEDNESDAY HELPED HUNDREDS OF
FIREFIGHTERS CONTAIN THEM.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA STATE PREMIER COLIN BARNETT DECLARED A NATURAL
DISASTER - FREEING UP EMERGENCY FUNDS FOR SURVIVORS - AND PRAISED
AUTHORITIES WHO BATTLED THE BLAZES.
WILDFIRES ARE COMMON ACROSS AUSTRALIAN DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS,
BUT THEY RARELY CLAIM SO MANY HOMES.

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - A STATE PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISER IN NEW
HAMPSHIRE SAYS A WOMAN DIAGNOSED WITH ANTHRAX MAY HAVE INHALED OR
INGESTED A WILD TYPE THAT'S FAIRLY COMMON IN THE ENVIRONMENT.
OFFICIALS HAVEN'T CONFIRMED HOW THE WOMAN CONTRACTED THE RARE,
GASTROINTESTINAL FORM OF ANTHRAX. THEY ARE FOCUSING ON A DRUM
CIRCLE GATHERING SHE ATTENDED DEC. 4 SHORTLY BEFORE BECOMING ILL.
THE ADVISER, DR. ELIZABETH TALBOT, SAYS ONE THEORY IS THAT THE
WOMAN INGESTED AIRBORNE SPORES FROM A DRUM'S ANIMAL-HIDE COVERING.
OFFICIALS SAY VACCINES ARE BEING OFFERED TO ABOUT 80 PEOPLE.
THEY INCLUDE ABOUT 60 WHO ATTENDED THE DRUM CIRCLE.
SAMPLES HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE CDC FOR ANALYSIS.

CHICAGO (AP) - TWO NEW STUDIES FIND SHORTFALLS IN THE FOOD AND
DRUG ADMINISTRATION'S APPROVAL PROCESS FOR HEART DEVICES SUCH AS
PACEMAKERS AND STENTS.
RESEARCHERS FROM THE FDA AND BOSTON'S BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS
MEDICAL CENTER SAID STUDIES SUBMITTED BY DEVICE MAKERS DIDN'T
CLEARLY SPELL OUT SAFETY TARGETS. THEY ADD THAT SUBMISSIONS WERE
MISSING IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON PATIENTS, SUCH AS HOW MANY HAD
HEART DISEASE OR DIABETES.
THE STUDY PUBLISHED IN THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF THERAPEUTICS
LOOKED AT RESEARCH BEHIND 88 HEART AND BLOOD VESSEL DEVICES.
SEPARATELY, A REPORT THAT APPEARS IN THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN
MEDICAL ASSOCIATION FOUND MANY DEVICES WERE APPROVED BASED ON SMALL
STUDIES - 300 PATIENTS ON AVERAGE. OF THE 78 HEART AND BLOOD VESSEL
DEVICES RESEARCHERS REVIEWED, THE REPORT SAYS TWO-THIRDS WERE
APPROVED WITH THE RESULTS OF JUST ONE STUDY.
THE FDA SAYS IT'S TAKING A CLOSE LOOK AT ITS DEVICE PROGRAM AND
MAKING CHANGES.


GRAND CANYON, ARIZ. (AP) - AUTHORITIES SAY A VAN SLID OVER THE
EDGE OF AN EMBANKMENT IN GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, BUT THE
VEHICLE'S SIX PASSENGERS WERE ABLE TO GET OUT BEFORE EMERGENCY
CREWS ARRIVED AND NO LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED.
ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, EMERGENCY CREWS
RESPONDING TO ACCIDENT REPORTS TUESDAY FOUND THE VAN ABOUT 25 FEET
BELOW THE RIM AT THE PARK'S NAVAJO POINT. AUTHORITIES SAY AN
INITIAL INVESTIGATION SHOWS IT ROLLED DOWN THE EMBANKMENT.
THE PARK SERVICE SAYS TWO OF THE VAN'S PASSENGERS WERE TAKEN TO
FLAGSTAFF MEDICAL CENTER WITH NON-LIFE THREATENING INJURIES, AND
THE FOUR OTHERS WILL STAY THE NIGHT IN TUSAYAN, A COMMUNITY IN THE
PARK.
THE PARK SERVICE SAYS THE ROLLOVER AND NUMEROUS OTHER ACCIDENTS,
INVOLVING SOME 40 VEHICLES, WERE REPORTED AT ABOUT 5 P.M. TUESDAY
AFTER LIGHT SNOW FELL ON WET ROAD AND EVENING TEMPERATURES DROPPED
BELOW FREEZING. NO SERIOUS INJURIES WERE REPORTED.
AUSTRALIA-WORLD'S BEST JOB
JELLYFISH BITE MARS "DREAM JOB"

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA (AP) - WHAT'S BEEN CALLED THE "BEST JOB IN
THE WORLD" HAS PROVED TO HAVE AN UNEXPECTED STING FOR THE BRITISH
MAN WHO HOLDS IT.
BEN SOUTHALL WAS BITTEN BY A POTENTIALLY LETHAL JELLYFISH THIS
WEEK OFF THE TROPICAL AUSTRALIAN ISLAND WHERE HE'S BEEN LIVING THE
PAST SIX MONTHS, WRITING A BLOG AIMED AT INCREASING TOURISM TO THE
GREAT BARRIER REEF.
SOUTHALL SAYS IT WAS JUST A "SMALL BEE-LIKE STING" ON HIS ARM,
BUT LED TO FEVER, HEADACHE, LOWER BACK PAIN, CHEST TIGHTNESS AND
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. A DOCTOR TREATED HIM WITH ANTIBIOTICS, AND HE
SLEPT OFF THE EFFECTS OF THE VENOM OVERNIGHT.
SOUTHALL SAYS HE'S NOW FEELING WELL, AND ENJOYING HIS LAST WEEK
ON THE JOB. HE BEAT OUT ALMOST 35,000 APPLICANTS FOR THE ADVENTURE,
WHICH INCLUDES A $120,000 SALARY.


LONDON (AP) - AN ESCAPED BRITISH PRISONER IS TAUNTING POLICE
OVER THE INTERNET, USING HIS FACEBOOK PAGE.
CONVICTED BURGLAR CRAIG LYNCH HAS BEEN UPDATING HIS PROFILE
REGULARLY SINCE HE ESCAPED FROM PRISON THREE MONTHS AGO.
HE'S BEEN MOCKING AUTHORITIES FOR FAILING TO FIND HIM AND OPENLY
MUSING ABOUT MOVING ACROSS THE ATLANTIC. THE 28-YEAR-OLD HAS ALSO
BEEN POSTING PICTURES SHOWING HIM HOLDING A "WANTED" SIGN OR
MAKING OBSCENE GESTURES AT THE CAMERA.
POLICE SAY LYNCH WAS SERVING A SEVEN-YEAR SENTENCE FOR
COMMITTING A BURGLARY WITH A WEAPON. THEY'RE APPEALING TO LYNCH'S
NEARLY 4,000 FACEBOOK FRIENDS TO HELP TRACK HIM DOWN.


BAGHDAD (AP) - OFFICIALS SAY EXPLOSIONS IN CENTRAL IRAQ HAVE
KILLED 18 PEOPLE AND WOUNDED THE GOVERNOR OF ANBAR PROVINCE. POLICE
SAY TWO BOMBS EXPLODED IN RAMADI (RAH-MAH'-DEE) AND THAT THE
GOVERNOR WAS INSPECTING DAMAGE FROM THE FIRST BOMB WHEN HE WAS
CAUGHT IN THE SECOND EXPLOSION.

KABUL (AP) - NATO SAYS THE ALLIANCE IS INVESTIGATING ALLEGATIONS
THAT CIVILIANS WERE KILLED IN A WEEKEND ATTACK. AN AFGHAN
PRESIDENTIAL ADVISER SAYS EIGHT SCHOOLCHILDREN ARE AMONG THE 10
PEOPLE KILLED IN FIGHTING SUNDAY INVOLVING INTERNATIONAL TROOPS.
NATO INITIALLY REPORTED INSURGENTS WERE THE VICTIMS.

HONOLULU (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IS DEMANDING A REPORT ON
WHY RED FLAGS WEREN'T RAISED ABOUT THE MAN SUSPECTED OF A BOTCHED
CHRISTMAS DAY ATTEMPT TO BLOW UP A DETROIT-BOUND AIRLINER. OBAMA'S
CALL FOR ANSWERS COMES AS SENIOR U.S. OFFICIALS SAY INTELLIGENCE
AUTHORITIES ARE NOW LOOKING AT CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN THE SUSPECT
AND AT LEAST ONE AL-QAIDA MEMBER.

NORTHAMPTON, MASS. (AP) - HUNDREDS OF RESIDENTS IN NORTHAMPTON,
MASS., HAVE DISCUSSED PLANS TO SET UP A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM
AFTER A STRING OF SUSPICIOUS WEEKEND FIRES. AT LEAST NINE FIRES
HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN HOMES AND CARS WITHIN A HALF-MILE RADIUS IN
THE COLLEGE TOWN, INCLUDING ONE IN WHICH TWO PEOPLE DIED.

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, ARIZ. (AP) - AUTHORITIES SAY SIX
PEOPLE ARE SAFE AFTER THEIR VAN SLID OVER THE EDGE OF A GRAND
CANYON NATIONAL PARK EMBANKMENT. THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SAYS
EMERGENCY CREWS FOUND THE VAN ABOUT 25 FEET BELOW THE RIM OF THE
CANYON.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA (AP) - COOLER CONDITIONS TODAY HAVE HELPED
CREWS CONTAIN A PAIR OF RAGING WILDFIRES IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA THAT
BURNED MORE THAN 33,000 ACRES AND DESTROYED NEARLY 40 HOMES.
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE FLED EARLIER AS THE FIRES BURNED OUT OF CONTROL.
AT LEAST THREE PEOPLE WERE INJURED.

NEW YORK (AP) - A LAWYER FOR THE TV PRODUCER ACCUSED OF SHAKING
DOWN DAVID LETTERMAN OVER HIS AFFAIRS SAYS HIS CLIENT SHOULDN'T BE
CHARGED SINCE TIGER WOODS' ALLEGED MISTRESS WASN'T WHEN THE GOLFER
REPORTEDLY PAID HER OFF. IN COURT PAPERS FILED YESTERDAY, ROBERT
"JOE" HALDERMAN'S LAWYER CITED PUBLISHED REPORTS, SAYING
"EVIDENCE OF SUCH MISDEEDS IS ROUTINELY SUPPRESSED" THROUGH
PRIVATE BUSINESS ARRANGEMENTS.