Today's News-Monday, January 18, 2010

TODAY'S NEWS 1.18.10

LOCAL NEWS

AUBURN WOMEN KILLED IN CAR CRASH

THERE WAS A FATAL CRASH YESTERDAY AFTERNOON ON SCHUYLKILL MOUNTAIN ROAD IN WAYNE TOWNSHIP. MICHELE ANN GILBERT, AGE 56 OF AUBURN, WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON STATE ROAD 183 WHEN SHE WENT OFF THE ROAD AND STRUCK A TREE. AFTER THE IMPACT THE VEHICLE SPUN COUNTER-CLOCKWISE LANDING ON ITS PASSENGER SIDE. STATE ROAD 183 WAS CLOSED FOR SEVERAL HOURS FOR INVESTIGATION. MULTIPLE CREWS ASSISTED ON THE SCENE. THE VICTIM WASN’T WEARING HER SEATBELT. GILBERT WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.

GILBERTON MAN ARRESTED

DENNIS BENNET, 45 OF GILBERTON, WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY OVER THE WEEKEND FOR NUMEROUS MISDEMEANOR AND FELONY WARRANTS PENDING FOR HIS ARREST FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE READING VICE UNIT. DEALING WITH PROCEEDS OF UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES, POSSESION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY AND CORRUPT ORGANIZATIONS ARE JUST A FEW OF WHAT THE WARRENTS INCLUDED. BENNETTT WAS ARRAIGNED BEFORE ON-CALL MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGE REILLY AND HIS BAIL WAS SET AT $75,000. BENNETT WAS UNABLE TO POST BAIL AND REMAINS AT THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISION PENDIND HIS PRELIMINARY HEARING.

JUVENILE CHARGED WITH DEALING PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION

A STUDENT AT WILLIAMS VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL WAS CHARGED WITH DEALING A PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION LAST WEEK. THE 16 YEAR OLD IS BEING PROCESSED THOUGH THE JUVENILE COURT SYSTEM WITH CHARGES OF VIOLATING A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, DRUG, DEVICE AND COSMETIC ACT.

TIRE SLASHING

NICOLE GULDEN, OF SHENANDOAH, HAD HER TIRE SLASHED OVER THE WEEKEND. AN UNKNOWN SUSPECT SLASHED ONE OF THE TIRES ON HER VEHICLE AS IT WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF HER RESIDENCE. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION PRETAINING TO THIS INCIDENT IS TO CONTACT PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE OF FRACKVILLE.

SEN ARGALL ANNOUCES MINE IMPROVEMENTS

SENATOR ARGALL ANNOUCED LAST WEEK THAT A STATE CONTRACT HAS BEEN AWARDED TO ASSIST IN ABANDONDED MINE IMPROVEMENTS IN REILLY TOWNSHIP. THE $464,000 CONTRACT WILL BE USED TO CLEAN AND BACKFILL, AS WELL AS SEED THE BLACKWOOD STAFT, A COMPONENT OF THE BLACKWOOD COLLIERY, WHICH WAS EXTENSIVELY MINED IN THE EARLY 1900. A DESIGN TO BACKFILL THE SHAFT WAS COMPLETED LAST YEAR, ENTAILING THE DRILLING BELOW THE BLOCKAGES AND THE FILLING OF THE MINE. ARGALL STATES THAT “WITHOUT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND PARTNERSHIP FROM THE COMMONWEALTH, THESE ABANDONED MINE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. THIS FUNDING IS CRITICAL FOR HELPINT PROTECT AND IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF REILLY TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS.

MAN WANTED IN LOUISIANA

MARK JOSEPH BOURG IS WANTED IN LOUSIANA, OFFICIALS SAY. AFTER ARRIVING AT HIS RESIDENCE IN WICONSICO TOWNSHIP EARLIER THIS MONTH, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT HE HAD AN OUTSTANDING WARRANT IN THE CREOLE STATE. CONTACT WAS MADE WITH LOUSIANA AND IT WAS CONFIRMED HE WOULD BE EXTRADITED. BOURG WAS TRANSPORTED TO DAUPHIN COUNTY NIGHT COURT WHERE HE WAS PLACED ON $125,000 BAIL AND THEN COMMITTED TO DAUPHIN COUNTY PRISION AWATING THE TRANSFER.


STATE NEWS


JUDGE-ASSAULT CHARGES
NORTHEAST PA. JUDGE IS ACCUSED OF ASSAULTING WIFE

PLYMOUTH, PA. (AP) - A NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA JUDGE WHO TOOK
OVER A CAPITAL MURDER CASE FROM ANOTHER JUDGE WHO PLEADED GUILTY TO CORRUPTION CHARGES HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF PUSHING HIS WIFE DOWN AND CHOKING HER. PERRY COUNTY SENIOR JUDGE C. JOSEPH REHKAMP HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH SIMPLE ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT.
STATE POLICE SAY REHKAMP AND HIS WIFE WERE ARGUING SATURDAY
NIGHT AT THEIR HOME IN PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP WHEN ANOTHER PERSON BROKE THEM UP. POLICE SAY REHKAMP FLED.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY JACQUELINE MUSTO CARROLL TELLS THE
TIMES-LEADER THAT REHKAMP TURNED HIMSELF IN SUNDAY. HE WAS TO BE ARRAIGNED SUNDAY NIGHT.
IT WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY CLEAR WHETHER REHKAMP HAD A LAWYER.
REHKAMP HAD BEEN SCHEDULED TO PRESIDE OVER THE CAPITAL MURDER CASE OF MAN ACCUSED OF FATALLY SHOOTING HIS ESTRANGED WIFE IN MARCH IN FRONT OF TWO OF HER CHILDREN.


OFFICER SHOT
SLAIN PA. TROOPER IS MOURNED AT FUNERAL SERVICE

FRANKLIN, PA. (AP) - FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES SHARED
MEMORIES AND TEARS AT A FUNERAL SERVICE IN NORTH-CENTRAL
PENNSYLVANIA FOR A STATE TROOPER AMBUSHED AND KILLED WHILE
RESPONDING TO A DOMESTIC DISPUTE.
STATE TROOPERS STOOD AT ATTENTION AND SALUTED THE CASKET OF
40-YEAR-OLD TROOPER PAUL RICHEY AT SUNDAY'S SERVICE IN FRANKLIN.
THE PLAYING OF TAPS AND A HELICOPTER FLYOVER PRECEDED A FLAG
CEREMONY FOR THE SLAIN TROOPER'S FAMILY.
COLLEAGUES SAID THE 16-YEAR VETERAN LOVED HIS JOB AND
VOLUNTEERED FOR THE CALL THAT ENDED IN HIS DEATH.
HUNDREDS ALSO LINED UP SATURDAY FOR RICHEY'S VIEWING IN
FRANKLIN.
INVESTIGATORS SAY 44-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL J. SMITH SHOT RICHEY, THEN
KILLED HIS OWN 53-YEAR-OLD WIFE, NANCY FREY-SMITH, BEFORE KILLING
HIMSELF IN VENANGO COUNTY'S CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP ON WEDNESDAY.



NEW MEXICO-NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER
NEW PUBLISHER NAMED AT FARMINGTON, NM, NEWSPAPER

FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) - A LONGTIME NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER WILL TAKE
OVER AS PUBLISHER MONDAY AT THE DAILY TIMES, IN THE NORTHWESTERN NEW MEXICO CITY OF FARMINGTON.
MEDIANEWS GROUP INC. NAMED JOHN ELCHERT, A NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER SINCE 1994, TO SUCCEED SAMMY LOPEZ, WHO LEFT THE DAILY TIMES ON DEC. 31. HEARTLAND PUBLICATIONS HIRED LOPEZ AS PUBLISHER OF THREE DAILY NEWSPAPERS IN OHIO AND WEST VIRGINIA.
ELCHERT MOST RECENTLY WAS PUBLISHER OF THE TIMES OBSERVER IN
WARREN, PA., FOR NEARLY FIVE YEARS. BEFORE THAT, HE WAS PUBLISHER
AT THE DAILY MINING GAZETTE IN HOUGHTON, MICH., AND THE
ADVERTISER-TRIBUNE IN TIFFIN, OHIO.
ELCHERT, A GRADUATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO IN OHIO, ALSO
HAS EXPERIENCE IN NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING AND CIRCULATION.
MEDIANEWS GROUP, BASED IN DENVER, OPERATES 54 DAILY NEWSPAPERS IN 11 STATES, INCLUDING NEWSPAPERS IN FARMINGTON, CARLSBAD, ALAMOGORDO, DEMING AND LAS CRUCES.



HAITI QUAKE-PHILADELPHIA
4 QUAKE SURVIVORS FLOWN TO PHILLY FOR TREATMENT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - FOUR PEOPLE SEVERELY INJURED IN THE
EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI, INCLUDING A 4 1/2-YEAR-OLD BOY, HAVE BEEN FLOWN TO PHILADELPHIA FOR TREATMENT.
OFFICIALS AT THE HOSPITAL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA SAY THE THREE HAITIAN WOMEN - AGED 21, 27 AND 32 - AND THE CHILD AS
WELL AS HIS FATHER ARRIVED IN PHILADELPHIA JUST BEFORE 5 A.M.
SUNDAY. OFFICIALS HAD HOPED TO BRING A FIFTH PATIENT BUT THAT
PERSON WAS JUDGED TO BE TWO ILL TO MAKE THE TRIP.
ONE OF THE WOMEN IS LISTED IN CRITICAL CONDITION WHILE THE OTHER TWO ARE SAID TO BE STABLE. THE CHILD IS IN SERIOUS CONDITION AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA. DOCTORS SAY TWO OF THE WOMEN HAVE REQUIRED AMPUTATIONS, ONE ABOVE AND THE OTHER BELOW THE KNEE.
HOSPITAL OFFICIALS SAY THEY HOPE OTHER EVACUATION FLIGHTS OF
SEVERELY INJURED EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS WILL BE AUTHORIZED.


BACK FROM IRAQ
CLASS CAPTURES SOLDIERS' RARE STORIES FROM IRAQ

STATE COLLEGE, PA. (AP) - U.S. MARINES VETERAN MATT POTH LOOKED
INTO THE VIDEO CAMERA AND TOLD A STORY ABOUT HIS TIME IN IRAQ THAT, UNTIL THAT POINT, ONLY A FEW FELLOW SOLDIERS HAD HEARD.
IT'S HARD FOR HIM TO TALK ABOUT WATCHING A SOLDIER DIE AT THE
HANDS OF A SUICIDE BOMBER, AND HARDER STILL TO RELAY IT TO PEOPLE
WHO HAVE NEVER WORN A UNIFORM.
A FIRST-OF-ITS KIND CLASS AT PENN STATE DOCUMENTED THE
RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR AND MILITARY LIFE FROM POTH AND OTHER STUDENT VETERANS HOME FROM IRAQ. STUDENTS LIKE POTH ALSO SAY IT HAS MADE IT EASIER TO TALK ABOUT A SENSITIVE SUBJECT.
THE ONLINE EXHIBIT RECENTLY POSTED BY WPSU IN STATE COLLEGE IS
CALLED "BACK FROM IRAQ: THE VETERANS' STORIES PROJECT."
EIGHT STUDENTS COMPLETED LAST YEAR'S COURSE ENTITLED
"NARRATIVE, ORAL HISTORY, NEW MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES" DESIGNED TO
TEACH VETERANS VIDEO AND WEB APPLICATIONS TO CHRONICLE STORIES
ABOUT WAR AND THE MILITARY.
THEY LEARNED DOCUMENTARY FILM-MAKING AND ORAL HISTORY
INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES, POSTED BLOGS AND CREATED VIDEOS. THE CLASS ITSELF WAS ALSO DOCUMENTED, WITH PORTIONS POSTED ONLINE LATE LAST
YEAR.


DRUGS BEHIND BARS
DRUG ABUSE IN US PRISONS IS TOUGH TO STAMP OUT

UNDATED (AP) - IN MANY LARGE STATE PRISON SYSTEMS, A MIX OF
INMATE INGENUITY, COMPLICIT VISITORS AND CORRUPT STAFF HAS KEPT THE LEVEL OF INMATE DRUG ABUSE CONSTANT OVER THE PAST DECADE DESPITE CONCERTED EFFORTS TO REDUCE IT. A RECENT BOOM IN CELL PHONE SMUGGLING HAS COMPLICATED MATTERS, WITH INMATES SOMETIMES USING PHONES TO ARRANGE DRUG DELIVERIES.
PENNSYLVANIA, WIDELY CREDITED AS A LEADER, INSTITUTED A
ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY IN 1995 AT A TIME WHEN 6 PERCENT OF INMATE
DRUG TESTS WERE POSITIVE. THE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT BEGAN USING CANINE DETECTION TEAMS, INSTALLED X-RAY MACHINES IN PRISON MAILROOMS, STEPPED UP DRUG TESTING, EXPANDED SEARCH POLICIES AFFECTING PRISONERS AND STAFF, AND PUNISHED VIOLATORS WITH LOSS OF VISITING PRIVILEGES.
THE POSITIVE DRUG TEST RATE IS NOW NEGLIGIBLE, ACCORDING TO
DEPARTMENT SPOKESWOMAN SUSAN MCNAUGHTON, WHO SAID THE RESULT IS GREATER SAFETY FOR STAFF AND INMATES.
THE POLICY HAS ATTRACTED INTEREST IN OTHER STATES.
EXPERTS WHO WORK WITH EX-OFFENDERS IN PENNSYLVANIA AGREE THAT THE ANTI-DRUG EFFORTS HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE - INSIDE THE PRISONS - BUT SAY PROBLEMS ELSEWHERE SERVE TO LIMIT THE BENEFITS TO SOCIETY.



PREGNANT TEEN DIES
JUDGE OKS TEXT MESSAGE EVIDENCE IN FATAL PA. CRASH

WEST CHESTER, PA. (AP) - A JUDGE HAS DECIDED THAT SUBURBAN
PHILADELPHIA PROSECUTORS CAN USE TEXT MESSAGES FROM THE CELL PHONE OF A WOMAN INVOLVED IN A CRASH THAT KILLED HER PREGNANT TEENAGE PASSENGER.
AUTHORITIES IN CHESTER COUNTY ALLEGE THAT 18-YEAR-OLD MEGHAN OBENDORFER OF DOWNINGTOWN WAS ON HER WAY TO MAKE A MARIJUANA DELIVERY AT THE TIME OF THE APRIL 14 CRASH THAT KILLED 17-YEAR-OLD NICOLETTE POMON IN EAST BRANDYWINE TOWNSHIP, 30 MILES WEST OF PHILADELPHIA. POMON WAS NINE MONTHS PREGNANT
OBENDORFER IS CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE BY VEHICLE, INVOLUNTARY
MANSLAUGHTER, RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING ANOTHER PERSON, AND DRUG POSSESSION.
COMMON PLEAS COURT JUDGE RONAL NAGLE RULED LAST WEEK THAT
PROSECUTORS CAN USE MESSAGES DELIVERED IN THE HOUR BEFORE CRASH AND A DIGITAL PHOTO OF A BAG OF MARIJUANA. DEFENSE ATTORNEY GLENN DAVIS OF WEST CHESTER DECLINED COMMENT ON THE RULING. A TRIAL DATE HAS NOT BEEN SET.



MANAGING WILDLIFE
PA. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AGENCIES SEEK MORE FUNDS

PITTSBURGH (AP) - THE AGENCIES THAT MANAGE PENNSYLVANIA'S
WILDLIFE RESOURCES ARE STRUGGLING TO MAINTAIN SERVICES EVEN AS
THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES EXPAND, AND ONE OF THEM IS CONSIDERING
RAISING FEES.
OFFICIALS AT THE PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION AND AT THE
COMMONWEALTH'S FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION SAY THEY HAVE BEEN
STRUGGLING TO FIND ALTERNATIVE FUNDING NEEDED TO MAINTAIN SERVICES. AND FISH AND BOAT COMMISSIONERS, EXPECTING A DEFICIT NEXT YEAR, ARE CONSIDERING RAISING FEES FOR FISHING LICENSES.
THE WILDLIFE COMMISSIONS, UNLIKE OTHER STATE AGENCIES, RECEIVE
NO MONEY FROM THE GENERAL FUND. SINCE THEY WERE FOUNDED A CENTURY AGO, THEY HAVE RELIED ON REVENUE RAISED FROM HUNTERS AND ANGLERS.
BUT OFFICIALS SAY PLANS TO EXPAND MANAGEMENT OF NONGAME SPECIES, INCLUDING GOALS IN THE GAME COMMISSION'S NEW FIVE-YEAR PLAN, ARE NOT FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE.
AND WHILE A U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SURVEY IN 2006 FOUND A
DECLINE IN PARTICIPATION IN TRADITIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING,
WILDLIFE WATCHING HAD BECOME THE FASTEST GROWING OUTDOORS PASTIME, BOTH NATIONALLY AND IN PENNSYLVANIA.


DRUGS BEHIND BARS
DRUG ABUSE IN US PRISONS IS TOUGH TO STAMP OUT

UNDATED (AP) - IN MANY LARGE STATE PRISON SYSTEMS, A MIX OF
INMATE INGENUITY, COMPLICIT VISITORS AND CORRUPT STAFF HAS KEPT THE LEVEL OF INMATE DRUG ABUSE CONSTANT OVER THE PAST DECADE DESPITE CONCERTED EFFORTS TO REDUCE IT. A RECENT BOOM IN CELL PHONE SMUGGLING HAS COMPLICATED MATTERS, WITH INMATES SOMETIMES USING PHONES TO ARRANGE DRUG DELIVERIES.
PENNSYLVANIA, WIDELY CREDITED AS A LEADER, INSTITUTED A
ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY IN 1995 AT A TIME WHEN 6 PERCENT OF INMATE
DRUG TESTS WERE POSITIVE. THE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT BEGAN USING CANINE DETECTION TEAMS, INSTALLED X-RAY MACHINES IN PRISON MAILROOMS, STEPPED UP DRUG TESTING, EXPANDED SEARCH POLICIES AFFECTING PRISONERS AND STAFF, AND PUNISHED VIOLATORS WITH LOSS OF VISITING PRIVILEGES.
THE POSITIVE DRUG TEST RATE IS NOW NEGLIGIBLE, ACCORDING TO
DEPARTMENT SPOKESWOMAN SUSAN MCNAUGHTON, WHO SAID THE RESULT IS GREATER SAFETY FOR STAFF AND INMATES.
THE POLICY HAS ATTRACTED INTEREST IN OTHER STATES.
EXPERTS WHO WORK WITH EX-OFFENDERS IN PENNSYLVANIA AGREE THAT THE ANTI-DRUG EFFORTS HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE - INSIDE THE PRISONS - BUT SAY PROBLEMS ELSEWHERE SERVE TO LIMIT THE BENEFITS TO SOCIETY.



NATIONAL NEWS


JUDGE-ASSAULT CHARGES
NORTHEAST PA. JUDGE IS ACCUSED OF ASSAULTING WIFE

PLYMOUTH, PA. (AP) - A NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA JUDGE WHO TOOK
OVER A CAPITAL MURDER CASE FROM ANOTHER JUDGE WHO PLEADED GUILTY TO CORRUPTION CHARGES HAS BEEN ACCUSED OF PUSHING HIS WIFE DOWN AND CHOKING HER.
PERRY COUNTY SENIOR JUDGE C. JOSEPH REHKAMP HAS BEEN CHARGED
WITH SIMPLE ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT.
STATE POLICE SAY REHKAMP AND HIS WIFE WERE ARGUING SATURDAY
NIGHT AT THEIR HOME IN PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP WHEN ANOTHER PERSON BROKE THEM UP. POLICE SAY REHKAMP FLED.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY JACQUELINE MUSTO CARROLL TELLS THE
TIMES-LEADER THAT REHKAMP TURNED HIMSELF IN SUNDAY. HE WAS TO BE ARRAIGNED SUNDAY NIGHT.
IT WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY CLEAR WHETHER REHKAMP HAD A LAWYER.
REHKAMP HAD BEEN SCHEDULED TO PRESIDE OVER THE CAPITAL MURDER CASE OF MAN ACCUSED OF FATALLY SHOOTING HIS ESTRANGED WIFE IN MARCH IN FRONT OF TWO OF HER CHILDREN.



OFFICER SHOT
SLAIN PA. TROOPER IS MOURNED AT FUNERAL SERVICE

FRANKLIN, PA. (AP) - FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES SHARED
MEMORIES AND TEARS AT A FUNERAL SERVICE IN NORTH-CENTRAL
PENNSYLVANIA FOR A STATE TROOPER AMBUSHED AND KILLED WHILE
RESPONDING TO A DOMESTIC DISPUTE.
STATE TROOPERS STOOD AT ATTENTION AND SALUTED THE CASKET OF
40-YEAR-OLD TROOPER PAUL RICHEY AT SUNDAY'S SERVICE IN FRANKLIN.
THE PLAYING OF TAPS AND A HELICOPTER FLYOVER PRECEDED A FLAG
CEREMONY FOR THE SLAIN TROOPER'S FAMILY.
COLLEAGUES SAID THE 16-YEAR VETERAN LOVED HIS JOB AND
VOLUNTEERED FOR THE CALL THAT ENDED IN HIS DEATH.
HUNDREDS ALSO LINED UP SATURDAY FOR RICHEY'S VIEWING IN
FRANKLIN.
INVESTIGATORS SAY 44-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL J. SMITH SHOT RICHEY, THEN
KILLED HIS OWN 53-YEAR-OLD WIFE, NANCY FREY-SMITH, BEFORE KILLING
HIMSELF IN VENANGO COUNTY'S CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP ON WEDNESDAY.




NEW MEXICO-NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER
NEW PUBLISHER NAMED AT FARMINGTON, NM, NEWSPAPER

FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) - A LONGTIME NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER WILL TAKE
OVER AS PUBLISHER MONDAY AT THE DAILY TIMES, IN THE NORTHWESTERN NEW MEXICO CITY OF FARMINGTON.
MEDIANEWS GROUP INC. NAMED JOHN ELCHERT, A NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER SINCE 1994, TO SUCCEED SAMMY LOPEZ, WHO LEFT THE DAILY TIMES ON DEC. 31. HEARTLAND PUBLICATIONS HIRED LOPEZ AS PUBLISHER OF THREE DAILY NEWSPAPERS IN OHIO AND WEST VIRGINIA.
ELCHERT MOST RECENTLY WAS PUBLISHER OF THE TIMES OBSERVER IN
WARREN, PA., FOR NEARLY FIVE YEARS. BEFORE THAT, HE WAS PUBLISHER
AT THE DAILY MINING GAZETTE IN HOUGHTON, MICH., AND THE
ADVERTISER-TRIBUNE IN TIFFIN, OHIO.
ELCHERT, A GRADUATE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO IN OHIO, ALSO
HAS EXPERIENCE IN NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING AND CIRCULATION.
MEDIANEWS GROUP, BASED IN DENVER, OPERATES 54 DAILY NEWSPAPERS IN 11 STATES, INCLUDING NEWSPAPERS IN FARMINGTON, CARLSBAD, ALAMOGORDO, DEMING AND LAS CRUCES.



HAITI QUAKE-PHILADELPHIA
4 QUAKE SURVIVORS FLOWN TO PHILLY FOR TREATMENT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - FOUR PEOPLE SEVERELY INJURED IN THE
EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI, INCLUDING A 4 1/2-YEAR-OLD BOY, HAVE BEEN FLOWN TO PHILADELPHIA FOR TREATMENT.
OFFICIALS AT THE HOSPITAL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA SAY THE THREE HAITIAN WOMEN - AGED 21, 27 AND 32 - AND THE CHILD AS
WELL AS HIS FATHER ARRIVED IN PHILADELPHIA JUST BEFORE 5 A.M.
SUNDAY. OFFICIALS HAD HOPED TO BRING A FIFTH PATIENT BUT THAT
PERSON WAS JUDGED TO BE TWO ILL TO MAKE THE TRIP.
ONE OF THE WOMEN IS LISTED IN CRITICAL CONDITION WHILE THE OTHER TWO ARE SAID TO BE STABLE. THE CHILD IS IN SERIOUS CONDITION AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA. DOCTORS SAY TWO OF THE WOMEN HAVE REQUIRED AMPUTATIONS, ONE ABOVE AND THE OTHER BELOW THE KNEE.
HOSPITAL OFFICIALS SAY THEY HOPE OTHER EVACUATION FLIGHTS OF
SEVERELY INJURED EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS WILL BE AUTHORIZED.



BACK FROM IRAQ
CLASS CAPTURES SOLDIERS' RARE STORIES FROM IRAQ

STATE COLLEGE, PA. (AP) - U.S. MARINES VETERAN MATT POTH LOOKED
INTO THE VIDEO CAMERA AND TOLD A STORY ABOUT HIS TIME IN IRAQ THAT, UNTIL THAT POINT, ONLY A FEW FELLOW SOLDIERS HAD HEARD.
IT'S HARD FOR HIM TO TALK ABOUT WATCHING A SOLDIER DIE AT THE
HANDS OF A SUICIDE BOMBER, AND HARDER STILL TO RELAY IT TO PEOPLE
WHO HAVE NEVER WORN A UNIFORM.
A FIRST-OF-ITS KIND CLASS AT PENN STATE DOCUMENTED THE
RECOLLECTIONS OF WAR AND MILITARY LIFE FROM POTH AND OTHER STUDENT VETERANS HOME FROM IRAQ. STUDENTS LIKE POTH ALSO SAY IT HAS MADE IT EASIER TO TALK ABOUT A SENSITIVE SUBJECT.
THE ONLINE EXHIBIT RECENTLY POSTED BY WPSU IN STATE COLLEGE IS
CALLED "BACK FROM IRAQ: THE VETERANS' STORIES PROJECT."
EIGHT STUDENTS COMPLETED LAST YEAR'S COURSE ENTITLED
"NARRATIVE, ORAL HISTORY, NEW MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES" DESIGNED TO
TEACH VETERANS VIDEO AND WEB APPLICATIONS TO CHRONICLE STORIES
ABOUT WAR AND THE MILITARY.
THEY LEARNED DOCUMENTARY FILM-MAKING AND ORAL HISTORY
INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES, POSTED BLOGS AND CREATED VIDEOS. THE CLASS ITSELF WAS ALSO DOCUMENTED, WITH PORTIONS POSTED ONLINE LATE LAST
YEAR.



DRUGS BEHIND BARS
DRUG ABUSE IN US PRISONS IS TOUGH TO STAMP OUT

UNDATED (AP) - IN MANY LARGE STATE PRISON SYSTEMS, A MIX OF
INMATE INGENUITY, COMPLICIT VISITORS AND CORRUPT STAFF HAS KEPT THE LEVEL OF INMATE DRUG ABUSE CONSTANT OVER THE PAST DECADE DESPITE CONCERTED EFFORTS TO REDUCE IT. A RECENT BOOM IN CELL PHONE SMUGGLING HAS COMPLICATED MATTERS, WITH INMATES SOMETIMES USING PHONES TO ARRANGE DRUG DELIVERIES.
PENNSYLVANIA, WIDELY CREDITED AS A LEADER, INSTITUTED A
ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY IN 1995 AT A TIME WHEN 6 PERCENT OF INMATE
DRUG TESTS WERE POSITIVE. THE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT BEGAN USING CANINE DETECTION TEAMS, INSTALLED X-RAY MACHINES IN PRISON MAILROOMS, STEPPED UP DRUG TESTING, EXPANDED SEARCH POLICIES AFFECTING PRISONERS AND STAFF, AND PUNISHED VIOLATORS WITH LOSS OF VISITING PRIVILEGES.
THE POSITIVE DRUG TEST RATE IS NOW NEGLIGIBLE, ACCORDING TO
DEPARTMENT SPOKESWOMAN SUSAN MCNAUGHTON, WHO SAID THE RESULT IS GREATER SAFETY FOR STAFF AND INMATES.
THE POLICY HAS ATTRACTED INTEREST IN OTHER STATES.
EXPERTS WHO WORK WITH EX-OFFENDERS IN PENNSYLVANIA AGREE THAT THE ANTI-DRUG EFFORTS HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE - INSIDE THE PRISONS - BUT SAY PROBLEMS ELSEWHERE SERVE TO LIMIT THE BENEFITS TO SOCIETY.


PREGNANT TEEN DIES
JUDGE OKS TEXT MESSAGE EVIDENCE IN FATAL PA. CRASH

WEST CHESTER, PA. (AP) - A JUDGE HAS DECIDED THAT SUBURBAN
PHILADELPHIA PROSECUTORS CAN USE TEXT MESSAGES FROM THE CELL PHONE OF A WOMAN INVOLVED IN A CRASH THAT KILLED HER PREGNANT TEENAGE PASSENGER.
AUTHORITIES IN CHESTER COUNTY ALLEGE THAT 18-YEAR-OLD MEGHAN OBENDORFER OF DOWNINGTOWN WAS ON HER WAY TO MAKE A MARIJUANA DELIVERY AT THE TIME OF THE APRIL 14 CRASH THAT KILLED 17-YEAR-OLD NICOLETTE POMON IN EAST BRANDYWINE TOWNSHIP, 30 MILES WEST OF PHILADELPHIA. POMON WAS NINE MONTHS PREGNANT
OBENDORFER IS CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE BY VEHICLE, INVOLUNTARY
MANSLAUGHTER, RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING ANOTHER PERSON, AND DRUG POSSESSION.
COMMON PLEAS COURT JUDGE RONAL NAGLE RULED LAST WEEK THAT
PROSECUTORS CAN USE MESSAGES DELIVERED IN THE HOUR BEFORE CRASH AND A DIGITAL PHOTO OF A BAG OF MARIJUANA. DEFENSE ATTORNEY GLENN DAVIS OF WEST CHESTER DECLINED COMMENT ON THE RULING. A TRIAL DATE HAS NOT BEEN SET.



MANAGING WILDLIFE
PA. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AGENCIES SEEK MORE FUNDS

PITTSBURGH (AP) - THE AGENCIES THAT MANAGE PENNSYLVANIA'S
WILDLIFE RESOURCES ARE STRUGGLING TO MAINTAIN SERVICES EVEN AS
THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES EXPAND, AND ONE OF THEM IS CONSIDERING
RAISING FEES.
OFFICIALS AT THE PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION AND AT THE
COMMONWEALTH'S FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION SAY THEY HAVE BEEN
STRUGGLING TO FIND ALTERNATIVE FUNDING NEEDED TO MAINTAIN SERVICES. AND FISH AND BOAT COMMISSIONERS, EXPECTING A DEFICIT NEXT YEAR, ARE CONSIDERING RAISING FEES FOR FISHING LICENSES.
THE WILDLIFE COMMISSIONS, UNLIKE OTHER STATE AGENCIES, RECEIVE
NO MONEY FROM THE GENERAL FUND. SINCE THEY WERE FOUNDED A CENTURY AGO, THEY HAVE RELIED ON REVENUE RAISED FROM HUNTERS AND ANGLERS.
BUT OFFICIALS SAY PLANS TO EXPAND MANAGEMENT OF NONGAME SPECIES, INCLUDING GOALS IN THE GAME COMMISSION'S NEW FIVE-YEAR PLAN, ARE NOT FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE.
AND WHILE A U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SURVEY IN 2006 FOUND A
DECLINE IN PARTICIPATION IN TRADITIONAL HUNTING AND FISHING,
WILDLIFE WATCHING HAD BECOME THE FASTEST GROWING OUTDOORS PASTIME, BOTH NATIONALLY AND IN PENNSYLVANIA.


DRUGS BEHIND BARS
DRUG ABUSE IN US PRISONS IS TOUGH TO STAMP OUT

UNDATED (AP) - IN MANY LARGE STATE PRISON SYSTEMS, A MIX OF
INMATE INGENUITY, COMPLICIT VISITORS AND CORRUPT STAFF HAS KEPT THE LEVEL OF INMATE DRUG ABUSE CONSTANT OVER THE PAST DECADE DESPITE CONCERTED EFFORTS TO REDUCE IT. A RECENT BOOM IN CELL PHONE SMUGGLING HAS COMPLICATED MATTERS, WITH INMATES SOMETIMES USING PHONES TO ARRANGE DRUG DELIVERIES.
PENNSYLVANIA, WIDELY CREDITED AS A LEADER, INSTITUTED A
ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY IN 1995 AT A TIME WHEN 6 PERCENT OF INMATE
DRUG TESTS WERE POSITIVE. THE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT BEGAN USING CANINE DETECTION TEAMS, INSTALLED X-RAY MACHINES IN PRISON MAILROOMS, STEPPED UP DRUG TESTING, EXPANDED SEARCH POLICIES AFFECTING PRISONERS AND STAFF, AND PUNISHED VIOLATORS WITH LOSS OF VISITING PRIVILEGES.
THE POSITIVE DRUG TEST RATE IS NOW NEGLIGIBLE, ACCORDING TO
DEPARTMENT SPOKESWOMAN SUSAN MCNAUGHTON, WHO SAID THE RESULT IS GREATER SAFETY FOR STAFF AND INMATES.
THE POLICY HAS ATTRACTED INTEREST IN OTHER STATES.
EXPERTS WHO WORK WITH EX-OFFENDERS IN PENNSYLVANIA AGREE THAT THE ANTI-DRUG EFFORTS HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE - INSIDE THE PRISONS - BUT SAY PROBLEMS ELSEWHERE SERVE TO LIMIT THE BENEFITS TO SOCIETY.