NEWS FRIDAY 1.15.10

LOCAL NEWS 1.15.10

CHIEF ACCUSED OF COVER-UP IN BEATING GRANTED BAIL
SCRANTON, PA. (AP) - A POLICE CHIEF CHARGED WITH OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE IN THE FATAL BEATING OF A MEXICAN IMMIGRANT IN NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA CAN BE RELEASED FROM JAIL UNTIL HIS TRIAL. A FEDERAL JUDGE GRANTED BAIL TO SHENANDOAH POLICE CHIEF MATTHEW NESTOR ON THURSDAY. NESTOR AND TWO OTHER OFFICERS ARE CHARGED WITH ORCHESTRATING A COVER-UP AS THE FBI INVESTIGATED THE FATAL JULY 2008 ATTACK ON LUIS RAMIREZ.
TWO TEENS WERE CONVICTED OF ASSAULT IN RAMIREZ'S DEATH. THEY ALSO FACE FEDERAL HATE CRIME CHARGES. NESTOR IS ALSO AWAITING TRIAL IN ANOTHER CASE. PROSECUTORS CHARGED HIM AND ANOTHER OFFICER IN DECEMBER WITH EXTORTING CASH PAYOFFS FROM ILLEGAL GAMBLING OPERATIONS AND A LOCAL BUSINESSMAN. THE OTHER OFFICERS CHARGED HAVE BEEN RELEASED ON HOME CONFINEMENT.

MAILBOX MISCHIEF IN NEW RINGOLD

SEVERAL SHOTS WERE FIRED AT A MAILBOX AROUND MIDNIGHT LAST NIGHT IN NEW RINGGOLD. PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE RESPONDED TO STEPHEN AND CHRISTOPER JAMISON’S HOME AT PINE VALLEY ROAD IN EAST BRUNSWICK TOWNSHIP. THE SHOOTER IS DESCRIBED TO BE A MALE OPERATING A DARK RED SMALL SIZED PICK UP TRUCK. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION REGARDING THIS INCIDENT IS TO CALL STATE TROOPER MATTHEW BARRET OF THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE IN FRACKVILLE.

2 FOUND DEAD IN NEW RINGGOLD

TWO VICTIMS WERE FOUND DECEASED IN A BARN NEXT TO A ONE-STORY HOME LAST NIGHT IN NEW RINGGOLD. FOUND BY A FAMILY MEMBER, THE PRILIMINARY INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE VICTIMS, RANDOLF AND CINDY ARNDT, WERE SHOT AT THE RESIDENCE. THE INCIDENT APPREARS TO BE REALATED TO A DOMESTIC DISPUTE BETWEEN THE VICTIMS AND NO OTHER INDIVIDUALS WERE PRESENT IN THE HOME WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. AUTOPSIES WILL BE PREFORMED BY DR RICHARD BINDIE , FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST AT THE SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER IN POTTSVILLE.

SINGLE CAR CRASH IN TOWER CITY

A ONE CAR CRASH HAPPENED LAST NIGHT ON STATE ROAD 325 AS WILLIAM LAKE SWERVED TO MISS DEBRIS ON THE ROAD. HE WAS TRAVELING EAST ON THE STATE ROAD WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, SPUN COUNTER CLOCKWISE, STRUCK A UTILITY POLE, AND THEN A LARGE TREE. MODERATE INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AND THE VICTIM WAS TAKEN TO THE HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER VIA TOWER CITY EMS.

BURGLARY OF TOOLS AT R&R PORTABLE STORAGE

UNKNOWN SUSPECTS BROKE INTO R&R PORTABLE STORAGE ON WISCONSICO STREET IN UPPER PAXTON TOWNSHIP OVER THE WEEKEND. SEVERAL POWERTOOLS, WATER PUMPS, TATCHET BINDERS AND EXTENSION CORDS WERE TAKEN . ANYONE WITH INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS BURGLURY SHOULD CALL THE STATE POLICE OF LYKENS AT 717-362-8700.

BARN FIRE IN THE COUNTY

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS HAVE BEEN ON THE SCENE OF A BARN FIRE NEAR MOLINO DURING THE NIGHT. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COMMUNICATORION S TELL WPPA AND T102 THAT CREWS ARE STILL ON THE SCENE MOPPING UP FROM THE FIRE EARLY TODAY. OTHER DETAILS ARE SKETCHY AT THIS TIME. WE’LL HAVE MORE AS INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILABLE.

SHENANDOAH TEEN RELEASED AFTER JAIL TIME

THE SECOND OF TWO PENNSYLVANIA TEENAGERS FACING FEDERAL HATE CRIME CHARGES IN THE BEATING DEATH OF A MEXICAN IMMIGRANT CAN BE RELEASED FROM JAIL PENDING TRIAL. A FEDERAL JUDGE ON WEDNESDAY RULED 19-YEAR-OLD DERRICK DONCHAK OF SHENANDOAH CAN BE RELEASED FROM PRISON WHEN HIS STATE ASSAULT SENTENCE IS COMPLETED. DONCHAK AND 18-YEAR-OLD BRANDON PIEKARSKY WERE CONVICTED IN MAY OF ASSAULT IN THE JULY 2008 BEATING DEATH OF 25-YEAR-OLD LUIS RAMIREZ IN SHENANDOAH. A SCHUYLKILL COUNTY JURY ACQUITTED THE TEENS OF THE MOST SERIOUS STATE CHARGES AGAINST THEM. THE TEENS WERE CHARGED IN FEDERAL COURT LAST MONTH. A SEPARATE INDICTMENT CHARGES THREE POLICE OFFICERS WITH OBSTRUCTING THE INVESTIGATION INTO RAMIREZ'S DEATH. PIEKARSKY HAS COMPLETED HIS SENTENCE AND BEEN RELEASED.

MAN ACCUSED OF ASSAULTING HIS WIFE

A MAHANOY CITY MAN IS JAILED AFTER ALLEGEDLY ASSAULTING HIS WIFE. POLICE SAY THAT THEY WERE CALLED TO A HOME ON SOUTH D STREET WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON FOR REPORTS OF DOMESTIC DEPUTE. SAMANTHA DAVIDSON WAS REPORTED TO HAVE BRUISES ON HER BODY, AND THE AT HER HUSBAND, DEREK, ALLEGEDLY CHOKED, SLAPPED HER, AND STRUCK HER IN THE HEAD. DEREK DAVIDSON WAS ARRAIGNED ON A SIMPLE ASSAULT CHARGE, AND WAS TAKEN TO PRISON.

DRUG ARREST IN POTTSVILLE

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY DA’S DRUG TASK FORCE PICKED UP A CITY MAN WEDNESDAY ON DRUG CHARGES. DURING A SEARCH OF DARRIN LYNCH’S HOME AT 848 BUNTING STREET, OFFICERS FOUND ABOUT A HALF POUND OF MARIJUANA, DRUG PARAPHERNALIA AND CASH. THEY ALSO FOUND A LOADED WAPON AT THE HOM E AND A BULLETPROOF VEST. LYNCH WAS ARRAIGNED ON THE DRUG CHARGES. HE’S IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON, UNABLE TO POST BAIL.

PA STATE NEWS
OFFICER SHOT
PA. TROOPER'S KILLER HAD SNIPER'S PERCH IN HOME

FRANKLIN, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE OFFICIALS SAY TROOPER PAUL RICHEY WAS FATALLY SHOT BY A SUICIDAL MAN MADE WHO HAD SET UP A SNIPER'S "PERCH" INSIDE HIS HOME. AUTHORITIES SAY 44-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL SMITH'S POSITION IN AN UPSTAIRS BEDROOM ALLOWED HIM TO AMBUSH THE 40-YEAR-OLD TROOPER AFTER HE HAD VOLUNTEERED TO INVESTIGATE A DOMESTIC-ABUSE REPORT AT SMITH'S HOME. POLICE SAY SMITH USED A SCOPE-EQUIPPED .30-30 HUNTING RIFLE TO SHOOT RICHEY ABOVE HIS BULLETPROOF AS HE TRIED TO ENTER SMITH'S HOME IN NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA WEDNESDAY MORNING.
POLICE BELIEVE SMITH USED THE SAME WEAPON TO KILL HIS 53-YEAR-OLD WIFE, NANCY FREY-SMITH, AND HIMSELF. TROOPER RICHEY IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN, A 9-YEAR-OLD BOY AND A 6-YEAR-OLD GIRL.

WEAPONS INSPECTOR-CHARGES
EX-UN WEAPONS INSPECTOR CHARGED IN CHILD-SEX STING

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A LONGTIME U.N. WEAPONS INSPECTOR WHO BLAMED A 2001 SEX-STING ARREST ON HIS CRITICISM OF THE IRAQ WAR HAS AGAIN BEEN CHARGED IN AN ONLINE CHILD-SEX CASE. THIS TIME, AUTHORITIES SAY SCOTT RITTER WAS CAUGHT ON CAMERA. POLICE SAY THE 48-YEAR-OLD RESIDENT OF AN ALBANY SUBURB ENGAGED IN A SEXUALLY GRAPHIC ONLINE CHAT WITH AN UNDERCOVER POLICE OFFICER POSING AS A 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL NEARLY A YEAR AGO.
INVESTIGATORS SAY HE THEN TURNED ON A WEBCAM AND MASTURBATED ON CAMERA. MONROE COUNTY AUTHORITIES TRACED THE EXCHANGE TO RITTER THROUGH A CELL PHONE NUMBER HE PROVIDED. RITTER SERVED AS A UN WEAPONS INSPECTOR FROM 1991 TO 1998 BEFORE RESIGNING. HE SOON BECAME A HARSH CRITIC OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION'S PUSH TOWARD WAR WITH IRAQ.

PITTSBURGH POLICE CHASE
POLICE: MAN ARRESTED AFTER CHASE IN PITTSBURGH

PITTSBURGH (AP) - PITTSBURGH POLICE SAY A MAN IS IN CUSTODY AFTER HE ABDUCTED A WOMAN AND LED POLICE ON A HIGH-SPEED CHASE. AUTHORITIES SAY 34-YEAR-OLD WILLIAM HUDSON KIDNAPPED THE WOMAN FROM A HOTEL IN NEW KENSINGTON ON THURSDAY. THE TOWN IS ABOUT 15 MILES OUTSIDE PITTSBURGH.
POLICE SAY THEY BEGAN PURSUING HUDSON IN THE TOWN OF ARNOLD AND THAT, AT SOME POINT, HE PUSHED THE WOMAN OUT OF THE CAR. AUTHORITIES THEN PURSUED HUDSON INTO PITTSBURGH, WHERE THEY SAY HE EVENTUALLY HIT TWO POLICE CRUISERS AND A FOURTH CAR BEFORE BEING ARRESTED. POLICE SAY THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES. HUDSON IS IN THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY JAIL, CHARGED WITH RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING ANOTHER PERSON AND OTHER COUNTS.

PENN STATE FRATERNITIES-ALCOHOL
PENN STATE FRATERNITIES TO BAN ALCOHOL DURING RUSH

STATE COLLEGE, PA. (AP) - FRATERNITIES AT PENN STATE UNIVERSITY PLAN TO PROHIBIT ALCOHOL AT ALL RECRUITMENT EVENTS STARTING NEXT WEEK.
THE SCHOOL'S INTERFRATERNITY COUNCIL SAYS THE NEW POLICY IS AIMED AT KEEPING NEW RECRUITS SAFE. THE POLICY SAYS THAT DURING THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS CHAPTERS MAY HOLD ALCOHOL-FREE RECRUITMENT EVENTS DURING SPECIFIED TIMES. CHAPTERS WILL BE ALLOWED TO HOST ONE LAST RECRUITMENT EVENT ON FEB. 8; BIDS WILL BE EXTENDED FEB. 9 AND MUST BE ACCEPTED BY FEB. 11. THE FINE FOR VIOLATING THE ALCOHOL-FREE RULE IS $1,000 PER EVENT. STATE COLLEGE POLICE SAY THEY ARE PLEASED WITH THE MOVE. CAPT. DANA LEONARD SAYS IT'S A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

MORPHINE DEATH FORMER VISITING NURSE DENIES KILLING PA. BOY, 11

LANCASTER, PA. (AP) - A FORMER VISITING NURSE SAYS SHE DID NOT KILL AN 11-YEAR-OLD CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA BOY WITH A LETHAL DOSE OF MORPHINE. FIFTY-YEAR-OLD JOY O'SHEA WOOMER TOOK THE STAND THURSDAY AT HER HOMICIDE TRIAL IN LANCASTER COUNTY COURT. SHE'S CHARGED IN THE SEPTEMBER 2002 DEATH OF 11-YEAR-OLD BRENT WEAVER, WHO HAD CEREBRAL PALSY. HE DIED FROM A LETHAL DOSE OF MORPHINE. WOOMER SAYS SHE'S "ABSOLUTELY 100 PERCENT SURE" SHE DID NOT KILL WEAVER. SHE SAYS SHE NEVER GAVE ANY MEDICATION TO HIM. THE EAST HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP WOMAN WAS A PRIVATE DUTY NURSE WORKING IN THE BOY'S HOME ON THE MORNING HE DIED. HER ATTORNEY HAS SAID THERE WAS NO REASON FOR WOOMER TO KILL THE BOY.

CHILD CARE OVERSIGHT
PA. WELFARE WINS CASE OVER RELIGIOUS CHILD CARE

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A STATE APPEALS COURT HAS SIDED WITH THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE IN A DISPUTE OVER ITS AUTHORITY TO REGULATE RELIGIOUS CHILD-CARE FACILITIES. COMMONWEALTH COURT LAST WEEK UPHELD THE DEPARTMENT'S 1997 ORDER SHUTTING DOWN ST. ELIZABETH'S CHILD CARE CENTER NEAR ALLENTOWN. THE JUDGES SAID THE CATHOLIC DAY CARE'S CASE WAS TOO SHORT ON SPECIFICS AND THAT IT DID NOT ESTABLISH THAT REGULATIONS WOULD INTERFERE WITH ITS FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGION. PUBLIC WELFARE SECRETARY HARRIET DICHTER SAID THE RULING WILL HELP THE AGENCY ENSURE CHILDREN ARE SAFE IN CHILD-CARE SETTINGS.
IN JANUARY 1997, WELFARE INSPECTORS DISCOVERED 20 CHILDREN WERE IN A FACILITY THAT LACKED THE REQUISITE DPW CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE AND ISSUED A CEASE-AND-DESIST ORDER.

BABY MYSTERY
DOCTOR: PA. WOMAN INSANE IN KIDNAPPING CASE

PITTSBURGH (AP) - ACCORDING TO THE TESTIMONY OF A PSYCHIATRIST, A WOMAN ACCUSED OF CUTTING A BABY FROM THE WOMB OF A PREGNANT TEENAGER HAS A DELUSIONAL DISORDER THAT RENDERED HER LEGALLY INSANE AT THE TIME OF THE KILLING, DR. BARBARA ZIV TESTIFIED ON THURSDAY THAT ANDREA CURRY-DEMUS HAD A "BREAK WITH REALITY" AND WAS LONG PREOCCUPIED WITH PREGNANCIES AND BABIES. CURRY-DEMUS' BENCH TRIAL BEGAN A WEEK AGO. DEFENSE ATTORNEY CHRISTOPHER PATARINI IS TRYING TO CONVINCE THE JUDGE THAT CURRY-DEMUS IS NOT GUILTY BY REASON OF INSANITY. SHE'S ACCUSED OF KILLING 18-YEAR-OLD KIA JOHNSON OF MCKEESPORT IN JULY 2008 AND TRYING TO PASS OFF JOHNSON'S BABY AS HER OWN. CLOSING ARGUMENTS ARE EXPECTED FRIDAY AFTER THE PROSECUTION PUTS ON THE STAND A PSYCHIATRIST TO REBUT ZIV'S TESTIMONY.

PA AIRPORT-BIRD KILL
THOUSANDS OF BIRDS TO BE KILLED AT PA. AIRPORT

STATE COLLEGE, PA. (AP) - OFFICIALS PLAN TO POISON THOUSANDS OF BIRDS AT A CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA AIRPORT MORE THAN THREE YEARS AFTER A COMMERCIAL AIRLINE STRUCK A FLOCK THERE. AS MANY AS 15,000 EUROPEAN STARLINGS MAY BE POISONED TO REDUCE THE THREAT. UNIVERSITY PARK AIRPORT DIRECTOR BRYAN RODGERS SAYS THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PLANS TO USE A PESTICIDE ON THE STARLINGS TO HELP REDUCE THE BIRD-STRIKE RISK. RODGERS SAYS THE PLAN COMES IN RESPONSE TO AN INCIDENT ON AUG. 19, 2006, WHEN A COMMERCIAL AIRLINER RAN INTO A FLOCK AFTER TAKEOFF.
HE SAYS THE PLANE SUFFERED ENGINE DAMAGE AND HAD TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. A USDA SPOKESWOMAN SAYS THE STARLING FLOCK FOUND IN THE AREA HAS ABOUT 15,000 TO 20,000 BIRDS, AND THAT THE DEPARTMENT PLANS TO KILL ABOUT 90 PERCENT OF THEM.

NATIONAL NEWS

FORT HOOD-PENTAGON REVIEW
US OFFICIAL: OFFICERS MAY GET PUNISHED IN BASE RAMPAGE CASE

WASHINGTON (AP) - A US OFFICIAL SAYS A PENTAGON INQUIRY INTO THE CASE OF THE ALLEGED FORT HOOD SHOOTER COULD LEAD TO PUNISHMENT OF UP TO EIGHT ARMY OFFICERS. DEFENSE SECRETARY ROBERT GATES IS EXPECTED TO REFER FINDINGS ON THE OFFICERS TO THE ARMY FOR FURTHER INQUIRY AND POSSIBLE
PUNISHMENT. AN OFFICIAL FAMILIAR WITH A PENTAGON INQUIRY SAYS IT FINDS FAULT WITH FIVE TO EIGHT SUPERVISORS WHO KNEW OR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT SHORTCOMINGS AND ERRATIC BEHAVIOR OF THE SHOOTING SUSPECT, MAJ. NIDAL HASAN. HE IS ACCUSED OF KILLING 13 PEOPLE IN THE RAMPAGE AT THE TEXAS ARMY BASE IN NOVEMBER. THE OFFICERS SUPERVISED HASAN WHEN HE WAS A MEDICAL STUDENT AND DURING HIS EARLY WORK AS AN ARMY PSYCHIATRIST AT WALTER REED ARMY MEDICAL CENTER. THE OFFICIAL DESCRIBED THE CONFIDENTIAL REPORT ON CONDITION OF ANONYMITY BECAUSE IT HAS NOT BEEN MADE PUBLIC.

HAITI-EARTHQUAKE
HAITI QUAKE AID SNARLED; UP TO 50,000 FEARED DEAD

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI (AP) - DOZENS OF AID FLIGHTS HAVE ARRIVED IN HAITI, BUT THE SMALL DAMAGED AIRPORT, POOR ROADS AND A DAMAGED PORT ARE SLOWING THE DELIVERY OF AID. THE AIRPORT IS SHORT ON JET FUEL AND RAMP SPACE. THE CONTROL TOWER WAS DESTROYED BY TUESDAY'S KILLER QUAKE. FLIGHT OPERATIONS HAVE BEEN TAKEN OVER BY THE U.S. MILITARY. THE INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS ESTIMATES 45,000 TO 50,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED. HARD-PRESSED RECOVERY TEAMS HAVE RESORTED TO USING BULLDOZERS TO TRANSPORT LOADS OF DEAD. UNCOUNTED BODIES LITTER THE STREETS IN THE 80-DEGREE HEAT. AND DUST-CAKED ARMS OF LIFELESS VICTIMS REACH FROM RUINS. BRAZILIAN U.N. PEACEKEEPERS ARE ORGANIZING MASS BURIALS. THE INJURED, MEANWHILE, ARE WAITING FOR TREATMENT IN MAKESHIFT HOLDING AREAS OUTSIDE THE GENERAL HOSPITAL WHERE THE STENCH FROM PILES OF DEAD IS INESCAPABLE. FRUSTRATION IS BEGINNING TO MOUNT AMONG SOME DESPERATE FOR WATER AND FOOD. SOME ARE SCAVENGING FLATTENED SHOPS LOOKING FOR PROVISIONS.

US-HAITI-MILITARY
US MILITARY RAMPING UP FOR RESCUE MISSION TO HAITI

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE U.S. MILITARY IS CONDUCTING A MAJOR RESPONSE TO EARTHQUAKE-RAVAGED HAITI. THE FIRST WAVES OF SUPPORT ARE IN PLACE, WITH TWO SEARCH-AND-RESCUE TEAMS ON THE GROUND, COAST GUARD CUTTERS IN PORT, THE U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND IN CONTROL OF THE AIRPORT AND AIRLIFTS UNDER WAY. MORE THAN 100 SOLDIERS FROM THE 82ND AIRBORNE DIVISION HAVE
ARRIVED. THEY'LL BE FOLLOWED BY 800 MORE FRIDAY. ABOUT 2,200
MARINES ALSO HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED. BUT WITH A HUGE AMOUNT OF U.S. HELP STILL ON THE WAY, THE MILITARY IS STRUGGLING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MANAGE WITH A BADLY DAMAGED SEA PORT AND SEVERELY CONGESTED AIRPORT.
BY MONDAY, AS MANY AS 5,500 U.S. INFANTRY SOLDIERS AND MARINES ARE SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE. THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS CARL VINSON IS EXPECTED IN HAITI FRIDAY, FOLLOWED BY OTHER NAVY SHIPS. THE HOSPITAL SHIP USNS
COMFORT IS TO ARRIVE A WEEK LATER.

HAITI EARTHQUAKE-US STUDENTS
3 STUDENTS BELIEVED FOUND IN HAITI STILL MISSING

BOCA RATON, FLA. (AP) - A SOUTH FLORIDA COLLEGE SAYS THREE STUDENTS WHO WERE BELIEVED TO BE SAFE IN HAITI ACTUALLY REMAIN UNACCOUNTED FOR.
THE PRESIDENT OF LYNN UNIVERSITY IN BOCA RATON SAYS THE PRIVATE CONTRACTOR THE SCHOOL HIRED TO HELP FIND THE MISSING STUDENTS HAD RECEIVED "BAD INTELLIGENCE." THE STUDENTS ARE STEPHANIE CRISPINELLI OF KATONAH, N.Y.; COURTNEY HAYES OF BOCA RATON, FLA.; AND BRITNEY GENGEL OF RUTLAND, MASS. THEY WERE AMONG 12 STUDENTS AND TWO FACULTY MEMBERS TRAVELING WITH THE AID GROUP FOOD FOR THE POOR. EIGHT OF THE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN EVACUATED TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AFTER A 7.0-MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE STRUCK HAITI ON TUESDAY. ONE OTHER STUDENT, CHRISTINE GIANACACI, OF HOPEWELL, N.J., REMAINS MISSING, AS DO FACULTY MEMBERS PATRICK HARTWICK AND RICHARD BRUNO.

HEALTH CARE OVERHAUL
TENTATIVE TAX DEAL MARKS HEALTH CARE BREAKTHROUGH

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYS SUPPORTERS OF HEALTH CARE REFORM "ARE ON THE DOORSTEP" OF SUCCESS IN REACHING COMPROMISE LEGISLATION. A MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH WAS ACHIEVED DURING A SECOND DAY OF INTENSE BARGAINING AT THE WHITE HOUSE. UNION LEADERS BOWED TO WHITE HOUSE DEMANDS FOR A NEW TAX ON HIGH-COST INSURANCE PLANS AS PART OF THE BILL. THIS AFTERNOON ON CAPITOL HILL, OBAMA SPOKE TO RANK AND FILE HOUSE DEMOCRATS ABOUT THE PROGRESS BEING MADE ON THE BILL. DEMOCRATS ARE HOPING THE LATEST AGREEMENT WILL QUICKLY OPEN THE WAY FOR PROGRESS ON OTHER KEY ISSUES WHERE HOUSE AND SENATE-PASSED BILLS DIFFER. LEADING LAWMAKERS HAVE SET AN INFORMAL TIMETABLE OF FRIDAY FOR A COMPROMISE. REPUBLICANS ARE NEARLY UNANIMOUSLY OPPOSED TO THE LEGISLATION. BUT OBAMA SAYS THAT'S A FIGHT HE WANTS TO HAVE.

US-CHINA-GOOGLE
RIGHTS ACTIVISTS APPLAUD GOOGLE THREAT TO LEAVE CHINA

WASHINGTON (AP) - RELIGIOUS AND HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATES ARE APPLAUDING GOOGLE'S THREAT TO PULL OUT OF CHINA UNLESS BEIJING ALLOWS THE SEARCH ENGINE TO SHOW UNCENSORED RESULTS. GOOGLE ALSO COMPLAINS THAT COMPUTER-HACKING ATTACKS HAVE PRIED INTO THE E-MAIL ACCOUNTS OF DISSIDENTS PROTESTING THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT'S POLICIES. AT A NEWS CONFERENCE, NEW JERSEY CONGRESSMAN CHRIS SMITH SAID MANY OF THOSE ACTIVISTS ARE NOW JAILED "FOR THE CRIME OF PEACEFULLY EXPRESSING THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS OR POLITICAL OPINIONS ON THE INTERNET." AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL'S T. KUMAR SAID, "THANK YOU, GOOGLE, FOR TAKING A PRINCIPLED STAND, AS OPPOSED TO ONLY COUNTING PROFITS." HE'S URGING OTHER COMPANIES TO FOLLOW GOOGLE'S EXAMPLE. SMITH HAS INTRODUCED LEGISLATION TO HELP INTERNET FIRMS FIGHT CENSORSHIP BY REPRESSIVE REGIMES.

DEPUTY KILLED-FLORIDA
FLA. DEPUTY DIES IN SHOOTOUT WITH KILLING SUSPECT

CROSS CITY, FLA. (AP) - A FLORIDA SHERIFF SAYS ONE OF HIS DEPUTIES WAS KILLED IN A SHOOTOUT WITH A MAN SUSPECTED OF KILLING TWO PEOPLE AND WOUNDING TWO OTHERS. DIXIE COUNTY SHERIFF DEWEY HATCHER SAYS CAPT. CHAD REED DIED AT A HOSPITAL THURSDAY. HERNANDO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SPOKESWOMAN DONNA BLACK SAYS THE SUSPECT IS 55-YEAR-OLD JOHN KALISZ. THE GAINESVILLE SUN REPORTS KALISZ ALSO IS IN THE HOSPITAL BUT HIS CONDITION IS NOT KNOWN. BLACK SAYS KALISZ KILLED TWO ELDERLY WOMEN IN A HOME IN BROOKSVILLE ABOUT 40 MILES NORTH OF TAMPA. SHE SAYS HE ALSO SHOT TWO YOUNGER WOMEN. HATCHER SAYS DIXIE COUNTY DEPUTIES INTERCEPTED KALISZ AND EXCHANGED GUNFIRE. DIXIE COUNTY IS ABOUT 90 MILES FROM WHERE THE SHOOTINGS HAPPENED. REED HAD A WIFE AND TWO YOUNG SONS.

TEXAS SCHOOLS-SOCIAL STUDIES
NEW: TEXAS BOARD PUSHES SOCIAL STUDIES VOTE TO FRIDAY

AUSTIN, TEXAS (AP) - THE TEXAS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS PUSHED TO FRIDAY A TENTATIVE VOTE ON NEW STANDARDS FOR TEACHING SOCIAL STUDIES AND OTHER LESSONS AFTER HOURS OF SOMETIMES CONTENTIOUS DEBATE.
THE BOARD SPENT MORE THAN FIVE HOURS WADING THROUGH DOZENS OF AMENDMENTS TO THE STATE'S REQUIRED SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM, BUT ADJOURNED LATE THURSDAY BEFORE VOTING. THE BOARD HAS CHOSEN NOT TO REMOVE CHRISTMAS FROM A LIST OF RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS AND OBSERVANCES IN A SIXTH-GRADE WORLD CULTURES CLASS. AN INITIAL RECOMMENDATION TO DO SO RESULTED IN A PUBLIC OUTCRY. THE GUIDELINES BEING CONSIDERED WILL DICTATE WHAT SOME 4.8 MILLION STUDENTS FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 12TH GRADE ARE REQUIRED TO LEARN IN SOCIAL STUDIES, HISTORY AND ECONOMICS CLASSES FOR THE NEXT DECADE. A FINAL VOTE IS EXPECTED IN MARCH.
TEXAS-MOTHER SLAYING
3RD TEEN CHARGED IN TEXAS MOTHER'S SLAYING

HOUSTON (AP) - A THIRD TEENAGER HAS BEEN CHARGED IN THE STABBING DEATH OF A WOMAN HOUSTON POLICE SAY WAS KILLED IN A PLOT ARRANGED BY HER SON. POLICE SAY 17-YEAR-OLD KEVIN ANDREW HANEY FACES A TAMPERING WITH EVIDENCE CHARGE IN THE NOVEMBER DEATH OF 43-YEAR-OLD TABASSUM KHAN. HANEY IS ACCUSED OF DESTROYING EVIDENCE TAKEN FROM KHAN'S APARTMENT AND RELAYING MONEY TO THE TEEN ALLEGED TO HAVE STABBED THE WOMAN. HE'S JAILED ON AN UNRELATED AGGRAVATED ROBBERY CHARGE. KHAN'S 17-YEAR-OLD SON, DANISH MINHAS, IS CHARGED WITH CAPITAL MURDER. POLICE SAY HE HIRED 18-YEAR-OLD NUR J. MOHAMED TO KILL HIS MOTHER BECAUSE SHE WAS TOO CONTROLLING. MOHAMED ALSO IS CHARGED WITH CAPITAL MURDER. POLICE SAY THEY BOTH CONFESSED, THOUGH MINHAS HAS SINCE DENIED INVOLVEMENT.


TV-LATE NIGHT-O'DONNELL
O'DONNELL SAYS IT'S TIME FOR LENO TO STEP ASIDE

PASADENA, CALIF. (AP) - ROSIE O'DONNELL SAYS IT'S TIME FOR JAY LENO TO STEP AWAY FROM LATE NIGHT AND NOT TRY TO FLATTEN THE TIRES OF CONAN O'BRIEN.
NBC IS SEEKING TO MOVE LENO INTO HIS OLD 11:35 P.M. "TONIGHT" SHOW TIME SLOT AND PUSH O'BRIEN PAST MIDNIGHT AGAIN. O'BRIEN IS BALKING AT THE MOVE AFTER ONLY SEVEN MONTHS AT "TONIGHT," AND A NEGOTIATED EXIT FROM NBC SEEMS LIKELY. O'DONNELL SAYS SHE WAS A HUGE FAN OF O'BRIEN. SHE USED THE METAPHOR OF A BUS DRIVER WHO SHOULD HAND OVER THE KEYS TO A NEW GUY, SAYING: "PASS THE KEYS TO THE NEW GUY WITH RED HAIR AND NOT TRY TO FLATTEN HIS TIRES BEFORE HE EVEN GETS GOING." SHE WAS ASKED HER OPINION ON THE LATE-NIGHT FIGHTS WHILE IN TOWN TO PROMOTE AN HBO DOCUMENTARY.