Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Today's News-Wednesday, March 31, 2010

THREE FIREFIGHTERS CHARGED IN ARSONS

THE INVESTIGATION INTO A STRING OF SUSPICIOUS FIRES IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY HAS NETTED THE ARREST OF THREE FIREFIGHTERS. NINE FIRES, DATING BACK TO LAST SEPTEMBER, CAUSED OVER TWO MILLION DOLLARS IN DAMAGE TO PROPERTIES IN WASHINGTON, WAYNE, WEST AND EAST BRUNSWICK TOWNSHIPS. YESTERDAY, INVESTIGATORS FROM THE STATE POLICE MAJOR CASE TEAM RECEIVED INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST OF 21 YEAR OLD SHAWN HOY OF PINE GROVE, 21 YEAR OLD JOHN EICHERT OF ORWIGSBURG AND 18 YEAR OLD MATTHEW DIXON OF FRIEDENSBURG. ALL THREE WERE ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE FRIEDENSBURG FIRE COMPANY. A FIRE IN JANUARY, 2007 WAS ALSO LINKED TO HOY. THE MEN ARE CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT ARSON AND RELATED CHARGES.

WILD WEATHER

A COMBINATION OF RAIN, SLEET AND IN SOME PLACES, SNOW, MADE FOR SLIPPERY ROADS TUESDAY AFTERNOON. A NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS WERE REPORTED AS A RESULT OF THE SPRING WINTERY MIX. TWO PEOPLE HAD TO BE FLOWN TO GEISINGER MEDICAL CENTER AFTER A CRASH IN MAHANOY TOWNSHIP. ALLISON HEINTZE OF SHENANDOAH AND GERALD FOLEY OF ZION GROVE COLLIDED HEAD ON ON ROUTE 924. EMERGENCY CREWS HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM THEIR VEHICLES IN THE CRASH ON THE WET ROADWAY. BOTH ARE IN SERIOUS CONDITION. IN A CRASH ON STATE ROUT 1012 IN DELANO TOWNSHIP, CHRISTINE JOSEPH'S CAR ROLLED OVER ON ITS ROOF. SHE WAS TAKEN TO SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER EAST FOR TREATMENT.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF IN PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP

A CELL PHONE TOWER WAS DAMAGED BY GUNSHOTS IN PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS. STATE POLICE SAY THAT UNKNOWN PERSONS SHOT AT A VERIZON WIRELESS TOWER LOCATED BEHIND A HOME ON SWOPES VALLEY ROAD. THOSE SHOTS CAUSED ABOUT $7-THOUSAND DOLLARS DAMAGE. SCHUYLKILL HAVEN STATE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING.

MAN ACCUSED OF TRYING TO RUN OVER POLICE OFFICER NABBED

A SHENANDOAH MAN WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY YESTERDAY, RELATING TO AN INCIDENT SEVERAL WEEKS AGO. 29 YEAR OLD LUIS ANGEL DIAZ IS CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL ATTEMPT TO COMMIT HOMICIDE AND OTHER COUNTS ACCORDING TO THE REPUBLICAN HERALD. ON MARCH 13TH, DIAZ IS ALLEGED TO HAVE THREATENED TO KILL A POTTSVILLE WOMAN AND ATTEMPTED TO RUN DOWN A POTTSVILLE POLICE OFFICER WHO WAS TRYING TO APPREHEND HIM. THE WOMAN REPORTEDLY HAD BEEN WORKING WITH POLICE ON AN UNDERCOVER DRUG OPERATION. FOLLOWING ARRAIGNMENT, DIAZ WAS TAKEN TO THE COUNTY PRISON IN LIEU OF $125 THOUSAND DOLLARS BAIL.

ANGEL RECEPTION

A FORMER PENN STATE AND NFL STANDOUT WAS THE GUEST SPEAKER AT LAST NIGHT'S BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA ANGEL RECEPTION AT THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTRY CLUB. REPORTER SHERRY MARCHEFSKY HAS THE STORY:

MARCHEFSKY ANGEL RECEPTION

LIHEAP EXTENDED

PENNSYLVANIA'S ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HAS BEEN EXTENDED, ACCORDING TO STATE REPRESENTATIVE JERRY KNOWLES. LIHEAP WAS SCHEDULED TO CLOSE FOR THE SEASON ON FRIDAY. BUT THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE HAS ANNOUNCED THE TWO WEEK EXTENSION. LIHEAP HELPS INCOME ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS PAY FOR HEAT DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE COUNTY ASSISTANCE OFFICE IN POTTSVILLE.

ALLENTOWN, PA. (AP) - THREE DOZEN FORMER OR CURRENT INMATES AT AN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA PRISON WILL GET $7,500 EACH AS TO SETTLE A FEDERAL LAWSUIT AFTER THEY CONTRACTED THE DRUG-RESISTANT STAPH INFECTION KNOWN AS MRSA (MUR'-SUH). THE INMATES HAD CLAIMED THAT CONDITIONS INSIDE THE NORTHAMPTON COUNTY PRISON HAD FOSTERED A BREEDING GROUND FOR THE INFECTION.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - PHILADELPHIA HAS SET A NEW ALL-TIME RECORD FOR WET WEATHER. FORECASTERS SAY THIS IS THE WETTEST 12-MONTH PERIOD IN THE CITY'S HISTORY WITH MORE THAN 62 INCHES OF PRECIPITATION. PHILADELPHIA HAS ALREADY SET A NEW MARK FOR THE SNOWIEST WINTER ON RECORD WITH NEARLY 79 INCHES OF SNOW.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - IT'S A BIG ENDORSEMENT FOR ARLEN SPECTER'S RE-ELECTION BID. THE PENNSYLVANIA AFL-CIO HAS VOTED TO BACK THE REPUBLICAN TURNED DEMOCRAT AS HE SEEKS A SIXTH TERM IN THE SENATE. THE LABOR GROUP ISN'T BACKING A REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE IN THE SENATE PRIMARY.

BETHLEHEM, PA. (AP) - IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A NEW JOB AND YOU'RE A SMOKER, DON'T BOTHER APPLYING FOR A JOB AT ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL IN ALLENTOWN. THE HOSPITAL SAYS IT PLANS TO STOP HIRING NEW EMPLOYEES WHO ARE SMOKERS. BEGINNING IN MAY ALL PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES WILL BE SCREENED FOR NICOTINE AND WILL BE INELIGIBLE FOR A JOB IF THEY TEST POSITIVE.

DETROIT (AP) - BOND HEARINGS ARE SCHEDULED TODAY FOR THE ALLEGED RINGLEADER AND OTHER ALLEGED MEMBERS OF A CHRISTIAN MILITIA THAT
PROSECUTORS CLAIM PLOTTED TO KILL POLICE OFFICERS. NINE MEMBERS
WERE ARRESTED AFTER A SERIES OF RAIDS IN INDIANA, MICHIGAN AND OHIO. PROSECUTORS SAY THE MILITIA PLANNED TO KILL POLICE OFFICERS AND THEN BLOW UP A BOMB AT THE FUNERAL.

CRANSTON, R.I. (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAS ISSUED AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION FOR THE ENTIRE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND. THE TINY STATE HAS SEEN THE WORST OF WIDESPREAD FLOODING IN THE NORTHEAST. HUNDREDS OF RHODE ISLAND RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN EVACUATED.

LONDON (AP) - THE FIRST OF SEVERAL BRITISH INVESTIGATIONS SAYS THERE SEEMS TO BE NO EVIDENCE THAT ONE OF THE WORLD'S LEADING CLIMATE RESEARCH CENTERS DID ANYTHING TO EXAGGERATE THE GLOBAL WARMING THREAT. THE HOUSE OF COMMONS' SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE SAYS IT APPEARS NOTHING IN THE MORE THAN 1,000 STOLEN E-MAILS CHALLENGED SCIENTIFIC CONSENSUS THAT GLOBAL WARMING IS REAL AND CAUSED BY HUMAN ACTIVITY.

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - THE UNITED NATIONS WILL GET AN EARTHQUAKE AID REQUEST FROM HAITI TODAY. IT INCLUDES A COMMISSION TO ADMINISTER THE MONEY AS A KEY STEP TO ALLAY DONOR CONCERNS OVER HAITI'S HISTORY OF OFFICIAL CORRUPTION AND POLITICAL UNREST. FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON HAS BEEN NAMED TO HEAD THE COMMISSION.

KABUL (AP) - THE PENTAGON'S TOP MILITARY OFFICER SAYS THE CITY OF KANDAHAR IN SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN IS A "CORNERSTONE IN REVERSING THE MOMENTUM" OF THE TALIBAN. JOINT CHIEFS CHAIRMAN ADM. MIKE MULLEN SAID AT A NEWS CONFERENCE TODAY IN KABUL THAT SEIZING CONTROL OF KANDAHAR WOULD HELP TO PUT THE AFGHAN GOVERNMENT IN A POSITION OF STRENGTH. KANDAHAR REMAINS THE SPIRITUAL HEARTLAND OF THE INSURGENCY.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Today's News-Tuesday, March 30, 2010

MAN STILL HOSPITALIZED AFTER CYCLE CRASH

BUTLER TOWNSHIP POLICE ARE REPORTING THAT A MAN FROM ASHLAND WAS INJURED IN A WEEKEND MOTORCYCLE CRASH. 44 YEAR OLD STEPHEN MCGRATH WAS TRAVELING ON GORDON ROAD AND MISSED A LEFT HAND CURVE. HIS CYCLE SLID OFF THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD INTO A STORM DRAIN. MCGRATH WAS TAKEN TO ST CATHERINE MEDICAL CENTER, THEN FLOWN TO GEISINGER IN DANVILLE WHERE HE IS REPORTED TO BE IN CRITICAL CONDITION. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

PAIR WAIVE RIGHT TO PRELIMINARY HEARING

TWO MEN NABBED EARLIER THIS MONTH FOR IMPERSONATING DRUG ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND PROWLING HAVE WAIVED THEIR RIGHT TO A PRELIMINARY HEARING. POTTSVILLE POLICE CHARGED JOSEPH DAVIS OF MINERSVILLE AND ROBERT DAVIS OF POTTSVILLE FOR IMPERSONATING A POLICE OFFICER, PROWLING AND POSSESSING INSTRUMENTS OF CRIME. THEY WERE FOUND IN A YARD OF A HOME ON NORTH THIRD STREET MARCH 6TH. AT THE TIME OF THE ARREST, THE MEN ADMITTED TO TRYING TO GAIN ACCESS TO A HOME TO GET DRUGS AND CASH. JOSEPH DAVIS ALSO WAS FOUND TO HAVE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS ON HIM THAT WERE NOT PRESCRIBED TO HIM. THE PAIR APPEARED BEFORE DISTRICT JUDGE JAMES REILEY.

SEARCH PLANNED FOR UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE IN PA.

ANNVILLE, PA. (AP) - NATIONAL GUARD OFFICIALS WANT TO MAKE SURE GAME LANDS ADJACENT TO A CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA MILITARY BASE ARE SAFE FROM UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE. A PRIVATE COMPANY USING SPECIAL EQUIPMENT WILL SEARCH 8,000 ACRES OF STATE GAME LANDS NEAR FORT INDIANTOWN GAP IN A SEARCH FOR UNEXPLODED SHELLS THAT COULD HAVE STRAYED OFF THE BASE'S FIRING RANGES. NATIONAL GUARD LT. COLONEL CHRIS CLEAVER SAYS IT'S UNCLEAR WHAT THE SURVEY MAY TURN UP. MILITARY UNITS HAVE USED THE BASE FOR EXERCISES SINCE 1932. LATE LAST YEAR, A HUNTER FOUND AN UNEXPLODED SHELL ON AN ADJACENT GAME LAND. HE TOOK IT HOME AND LATER CONTACTED
AUTHORITIES, WHO SAFELY DETONATED IT. A PUBLIC MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 8 TO DISCUSS THE SEARCH.

PAY RAISES IN HOUSE DESPITE FREEZE

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS ARE EXPLAINING WHY SOME TOP STAFFERS GOT HEFTY SALARY INCREASES LATE LAST YEAR AND OTHERS RECEIVED RAISES AFTER A PAY FREEZE TOOK EFFECT ON JAN. 1. THE PATRIOT-NEWS OF HARRISBURG REPORTS THAT HOUSE SPEAKER KEITH MCCALL'S CHIEF OF STAFF PAUL PARSELLS RECEIVED A NEARLY $19,000 PAY INCREASE AND PARLIAMENTARIAN REIZDAN MOORE'S SALARY WAS BOOSTED BY ABOUT $3,900. THAT'S IN ADDITION TO A DOZEN HOUSE DEMOCRATIC STAFFERS WHO RECEIVED PAY RAISES AFTER A "SALARY CONTROL" FREEZE ON ANNUAL MERIT PAY INCREASES TOOK EFFECT IN JANUARY. HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER TODD EACHUS SAYS THOSE 12 RAISES WERE MISTAKES BUT HE'S LETTING THE RECIPIENTS KEEP THEM. THE NEWSPAPER SAYS HOUSE DEMOCRATS RESISTED REQUESTS TO RELEASE THE DETAILS, AND IT TOOK THE PAPER SIX WEEKS TO OBTAIN THE INFORMATION.

RENDELL STILL HOPEFUL OF GETTING FEDERAL ED GRANT

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA GOV. ED RENDELL SAYS HE REMAINS HOPEFUL THE STATE'S APPLICATION FOR A FEDERAL " RACE TO THE TOP" EDUCATION GRANT WILL SUCCEED WHEN THE NEXT ROUND IS AWARDED. PENNSYLVANIA OFFICIALS LEARNED MONDAY THE STATE WAS NOT ONE OF THE FIRST TO SHARE IN A $4.4 BILLION PROGRAM DESIGNED TO IMPROVE STUDENT PERFORMANCE. DELAWARE AND TENNESSEE ARE THE FIRST RECIPIENTS. RENDELL SAYS PENNSYLVANIA'S REQUEST FOR $400 MILLION RANKED SEVENTH. PENNSYLVANIA'S APPLICATION FOCUSES ON CHRONICALLY FAILING SCHOOLS. IT CALLS FOR A LONGER SCHOOL DAY AND SCHOOL YEAR AS WELL AS THE ABILITY TO FIRE PRINCIPALS AND UP TO HALF A BUILDING'S STAFF.

JURY IN PA. KENNEL CRUELTY TRIAL MAY BE DEADLOCKED

ALLENTOWN, PA. (AP) - A JURY IN ALLENTOWN SAYS IT CAN'T REACH AGREEMENT ON SOME OF THE CHARGES AGAINST A LEHIGH VALLEY KENNEL OWNER ACCUSED OF ANIMAL CRUELTY. JURORS DELIBERATED NEARLY FOUR HOURS MONDAY BEFORE TELLING LEHIGH COUNTY JUDGE ROBERT L. STEINBERG THEY MAY BE DEADLOCKED ON SOME COUNTS. DERBE "SKIP" ECKHART IS CHARGED WITH NEGLECTING SCORES OF DOGS AND CATS, ALLOWING THEM TO LIVE IN THEIR OWN WASTE AND FAILING TO GIVE THEM SUFFICIENT FOOD, WATER AND MEDICAL CARE AT ALMOST HEAVEN KENNEL IN UPPER MILFORD TOWNSHIP. ECKHART SAYS HE RAN A CLEAN KENNEL.

MAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY THREATENING CONGRESSMAN

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A PHILADELPHIA MAN CHARGED WITH THREATENING A VIRGINIA CONGRESSMAN IS BEING HELD WITHOUT BAIL PENDING A PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION. AUTHORITIES SAY 38-YEAR-OLD NORMAN LEBOON TRIED TO POST A YOUTUBE VIDEO IN WHICH HE THREATENED TO KILL REPUBLICAN REP. ERIC CANTOR. ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY ROBERT REED SAYS LEBOON IS A FUGITIVE WANTED BY CITY AUTHORITIES IN ANOTHER THREAT CASE. REED SAYS THE THREAT AGAINST CANTOR DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE CONNECTED TO THE HEALTH CARE REFORM BILL. HE SAYS IT'S NOT YET CLEAR IF LEBOON WAS UPSET WITH THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN WHIP ABOUT OTHER ISSUES. HE TOLD A JUDGE LEBOON APPEARS TO HAVE "MAJOR" PSYCHIATRIC ISSUES. IN THE VIDEO, THE FBI SAYS LEBOON CALLS HIMSELF THE "SON OF THE GOD OF ENOCH" AND CALLS CANTOR "PURE EVIL."

TEMPLE HOSPITAL NURSES VOTE TO STRIKE WEDNESDAY

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - NURSES AND OTHER WORKERS AT TEMPLE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL HAVE OVERWHELMING REJECTED THE LATEST CONTRACT OFFER AND SAY THEY PLAN TO BE ON THE PICKET LINE WEDNESDAY MORNING. RESULTS OF MONDAY'S VOTE POSTED ON TEMPLEWATCH.ORG INDICATE THAT 980 MEMBERS OF THE PENNSYLVANIA ASSOCIATION OF STAFF NURSES AND ALLIED PROFESSIONALS VOTED AGAINST THE OFFER AND ONLY 50 WERE IN FAVOR. TEMPLE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL CEO SANDY GOMBERG SAYS THE HOSPITAL WILL REMAIN FULLY OPERATIONAL, WITH MORE THAN 400 DOCTORS ON THE JOB AND 3,000 OTHER WORKERS UNAFFECTED BY THE STRIKE. OFFICIALS SAID LAST WEEK THEY HAD HIRED 850 TEMPORARY WORKERS IN ADVANCE OF A POSSIBLE WALKOUT BY NURSES AND OTHER WORKERS SUCH AS REPIRATORY THERAPISTS AND SOCIAL WORKERS. THE TWO SIDES HAVE BEEN DIVIDED BY PROPOSALS ON PAY INCREASES AND HEALTH CARE BENEFITS.

WHEATLAND TOWNSHIP, MICH. (AP) - PROSECUTORS SAY NINE MEMBERS OF A CHRISTIAN MILITIA GROUP THAT HOPED TO TOUCH OFF AN UPRISING AGAINST THE U.S. GOVERNMENT ARE NOW IN CUSTODY. AUTHORITIES SAY THE GROUP PLANNED TO KILL POLICE OFFICERS AND SLAUGHTER SCORES MORE BY BOMBING THE FUNERALS. PROSECUTORS SAY THE GROUP WAS PLANNING AN ATTACK SOMETIME IN APRIL.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE MIDDLEMAN GETS TAKEN OUT OF THE STUDENT LOAN BUSINESS TODAY. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IS PREPARING TO SIGN THE PIECE OF HIS SWEEPING HEALTH CARE OVERHAUL THAT MAKES THE GOVERNMENT THE PRIMARY LENDER TO STUDENTS SEEKING LOANS AND STRIPS BANKS OF THAT POWER. ABOUT HALF OF UNDERGRADUATES RECEIVE FEDERAL STUDENT AID.

HANOI, VIETNAM (AP) - AN AGREEMENT SIGNED TODAY COULD BE A PRECURSOR TO VIETNAM GETTING NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS WITH U.S. HELP SOMEDAY. TODAY'S DEAL ADDRESSES NUCLEAR SAFETY AND NONPROLIFERATION CONCERNS -- AND IF A BROADER AGREEMENT IS EVENTUALLY REACHED, IT COULD ALLOW COMPANIES LIKE WESTINGHOUSE AND GENERAL ELECTRIC TO PARTICIPATE IN VIETNAM'S NUCLEAR ENERGY SECTOR. VIETNAM HAS RAPIDLY GROWING ENERGY NEEDS.

TEHRAN, IRAN (AP) - IRANIAN STATE TV SAYS A DIPLOMAT KIDNAPPED BY GUNMEN IN 2008 IN NORTHWEST PAKISTAN IS SAFELY BACK HOME THANKS TO AN OPERATION BY IRANIAN INTELLIGENCE AGENTS. THE MAN WAS IRAN'S COMMERCIAL ATTACHE IN PESHAWAR. LAST MONTH, IRAN CAPTURED THE LEADER OF AN ARMED SUNNI OPPOSITION GROUP WHOSE INSURGENCY IN SOUTHEAST IRAN HAD DESTABILIZED THE BORDER REGION WITH PAKISTAN.

MIAMI (AP) - IT'S BEEN FIVE YEARS SINCE THE TERRI SCHIAVO RIGHT TO DIE CASE AND THERE'S LITTLE INDICATION THAT IT PROMPTED MORE AMERICANS TO HAVE A LIVING WILL. EXPERTS SAY TODAY, JUST 20 PERCENT TO 30 PERCENT OF U.S. ADULTS HAVE ADVANCE DIRECTIVES, THE SAME RANGE AS BEFORE THE SCHIAVO CASE.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Today's News-Monday, March 29, 2010-7:15am

ASSAULT IN CRESSONA

TWO MEN ARE CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH A DISPUTE IN CRESSONA. STATE POLICE SAY THAT 33 YEAR OLD MICHAEL SHEFCYK AND 43 YEAR OLD JON GOLDEN MET AT A HOME ON JUDY DRIVE IN CRESSONA TO DISCUSS AN ONGOING PROBLEM BETWEEN THEIR CHILDREN. GOLDEN STRUCK SHEFCYK IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD AND SHEFCYK PUNCHED GOLDEN IN THE FACE. SIMPLE ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT CHARGES WERE LODGED AGAINST SHEFCYK AND HARASSMENT CHARGES AGAINST GOLDEN IN DISTRICT COURT.

SATURDAY MORNING THEFT

A WEST BRUNSWICK TOWNSHIP MAN IS THE VICTIM OF THEFT OVER THE WEEKEND. TWO MALES WERE SEEN HOOKING UP A STEEL BODIED UTILITY TRAILER TO A VEHICLE THAT BELONGED TO 70 YEAR OLD SAMUEL BOYER, ORWIGSBURG, THAT WAS PARKED NEAR A BARN HE OWNS. UPON BEING SEEN, THE MEN FLED. POLICE SAY THAT TWO 5 GALLON BUCKETS CONTAINING SCRAP STEEL WERE TAKEN, AND THEY BELIEVE THE MEN WERE ATTEMPTING TO TAKE THE TRAILER FOR SCRAP AS WELL. THE MEN WERE DRIVING A DARK COLORED FORD PICKUP TRUCK. SCHUYLKILL HAVEN STATE POLICE ARE CONTINUING THEIR INVESTIGATION.

BREAK IN AT TOWER CITY

A TOWER CITY MAN'S HOME WAS BURGLARIZED WITH CASH AND OTHER ITEMS TAKEN. THE UNKNOWN THIEVES ENTERED TIMOTHY KOPPENHAVER'S HOME ON DIETRICH AVENUE, TAKING A SMALL SAFE AND OTHER ITEMS, THEN FLED THE SCENE. SCHUYLKILL HAVEN STATE POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR CLUES IN THE CASE.

HO HUM GOVERNOR'S RACE

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THE LAST TIME PENNSYLVANIA'S GOVERNORSHIP WAS UP FOR GRABS, THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES SEEMED LARGER THAN LIFE. THERE WAS NOW-GOV. ED RENDELL, CREDITED WITH SAVING PHILADELPHIA FROM FINANCIAL RUIN AND OUTGOING GENERAL CHAIRMAN OF THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE. AND BOB CASEY, THE FORMER GOVERNOR'S SON FOLLOWING IN HIS FATHER'S OOTSTEPS. BUT THIS YEAR'S LANGUID CONTEST FOR THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION LACKS THOSE INGREDIENTS. BARELY SEVEN WEEKS BEFORE VOTERS CAST BALLOTS, THE APPEAL OF THE CANDIDATES REMAINS LARGELY REGIONAL. THE DEMOCRATIC HOPEFULS ARE ALLEGHENY COUNTY EXECUTIVE DAN ONORATO AND STATE AUDITOR GENERAL JACK WAGNER, BOTH FROM PITTSBURGH, AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMISSIONER JOE HOEFFEL AND STATE SEN. ANTHONY HARDY WILLIAMS FROM THE SOUTHEASTERN CORNER OF THE STATE. A FRANKLIN & MARSHALL COLLEGE POLL RELEASED THIS WEEK SAID 71 PERCENT OF DEMOCRATS HAVE NOT SETTLED ON A FAVORITE TO TAKE ON THE
WINNER OF THE GOP CONTEST BETWEEN STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL TOM CORBETT AND STATE REP. SAM ROHRER.

RURAL DOCTORS SHORTAGE?

CONGRESS' APPROVAL OF HEALTHCARE REFORM IS EXPECTED TO MEAN MILLIONS MORE AMERICANS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURANCE. ONE PART OF THE BILL WILL HELP MAKE SURE THERE ARE DOCTORS IN RURAL AREAS OF PENNSYLVANIA TO SERVE THEM. TOM JOSEPH REPORTS.

JOSEPH DOCTORS

PITTSBURGH (AP) - PITTSBURGH POLICE INVESTIGATORS SAY THEY BELIEVE A GUNSHOT THAT KILLED A 60-YEAR-OLD WOMAN OVER THE WEEKEND WAS FIRED FROM A NEARBY RAILROAD TRESTLE, AND THEY EXPECT TO ARREST A JUVENILE SUSPECT WHO WAS SEEN ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE SHOOTING. CHERYL ESSENY DIED SATURDAY FROM A GUNSHOT WOUND TO HER ABDOMEN.

DELTA, PA. (AP) - PROTESTERS CONVERGED ON A CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA HOG FARM OVER THE WEEKEND, COMPLAINING IT HAS TOO MANY PIGS AND IS HARMING THE AREA'S AIR AND WATER. THEY CLAIM THE GEMMILL FARM IN PEACH BOTTOM TOWNSHIP HAS JUST BELOW THE NUMBER OF PIGS THAT WOULD REQUIRE A SPECIAL PERMIT. THE STATE FARM BUREAU CALLS GEMMILL'S ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES ARE "STATE-OF-THE-ART."

ALLENTOWN, PA. (AP) - A PENN STATE UNIVERSITY CLIMATE SCIENTIST SAYS HE REGRETS THAT HE DID NOT IMMEDIATELY OBJECT WHEN A COLLEAGUE SUGGESTED DELETING E-MAILS ON GLOBAL WARMING. METEOROLOGY PROFESSOR MICHAEL MANN TELLS THE MORNING CALL OF ALLENTOWN THAT HE CONSIDERED THE IDEA IN THE MAY 2008 MESSAGE INAPPROPRIATE.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - PHILADELPHIA POLICE CROWDED A POPULAR CITY NIGHTLIFE DISTRICT OVER THE WEEKEND TO SEND A MESSAGE TO DISORDERLY TEENAGERS WHO HAVE RECENTLY CAUSED CHAOS ON THE STREETS THERE. MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER AND HIS FAMILY ALSO WENT TO SOUTH STREET ON SATURDAY NIGHT.

ADRIAN, MICH. (AP) - SOME SUSPECTS ARE DUE IN COURT TODAY AFTER WEEKEND FBI RAIDS IN INDIANA, MICHIGAN AND OHIO. IT'S NOT CLEAR WHAT PROMPTED THE RAIDS, WHICH THE FBI SAYS RESULTED IN AT LEAST THREE ARRESTS. FEDERAL WARRANTS ARE SEALED, BUT A FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL SAYS GUN CHARGES ARE INVOLVED AND OTHER SUSPECTS ARE BEING SOUGHT.

MOSCOW (AP) - RUSH-HOUR ON MOSCOW'S BUSY SUBWAY SYSTEM TURNED CHAOTIC THIS MORNING WHEN TWO FEMALE SUICIDE BOMBERS BLEW THEMSELVES UP, KILLING 35 PEOPLE AND WOUNDING 38. ONE BLAST WAS IN A STATION UNDERNEATH THE MAIN OFFICES OF THE FEDERAL SECURITY SERVICE. IT'S THE KGB'S MAIN SUCCESSOR AGENCY.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA (AP) - A PROPOSED INTERNET FILTERING PLAN IN AUSTRALIA HAS RAISED CONCERNS IN THE U.S. AUSTRALIAN OFFICIALS SAY THE FILTER WOULD BLOCK ACCESS TO CHILD PORNOGRAPHY, SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS IN CRIME OR DRUG USE. GOOGLE AND YAHOO HAVE CONDEMNED THE PROPOSAL, SAYING IT COULD RESTRICT ACCESS TO LEGAL INFORMATION. OTHER CRITICS SAY IT WILL PUT AUSTRALIA IN THE SAME CENSORSHIP LEAGUE AS CHINA.

KABUL (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SPENT A VERY SECRET SIX HOURS IN AFGHANISTAN UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS TO TELL TROOPS NEAR THE FRONT LINES HOW IMPORTANT THEIR MISSION IS. HE ALSO DEMANDED ACCOUNTABILITY FROM AFGHAN AUTHORITIES TO MAKE GOOD ON REPEATED PROMISES TO IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS AND REIN IN CORRUPTION TO PREVENT PEOPLE FROM JOINING THE INSURGENCY.

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (AP) - A PYTHON HUNT IS ON IN INDONESIA AFTER THE DEATH OF A 13-YEAR-OLD BOY. POLICE SAY THEY THINK THE 23-FOOT-LONG PYTHON IS HIDING IN WATERWAY TUNNELS BUILT BY A TEXTILE COMPANY. VILLAGERS BLOCKED ROAD ACCESS TO THE TUNNELS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC. AUTHORITIES SAY THE VICTIM AND THREE OTHERS WERE SWIMMING WHEN THE SNAKE ATTACKED MARCH 21. IT STRANGLED AND NEARLY SWALLOWED THE BOY.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Today's News-Saturday, March 27, 2010

BICENTENNIAL KICKING INTO HIGH GEAR


THE NEED FOR EFFECTIVE ACCESS TO THE JUDICIAL PROCESS, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY WAS BORN OF PARTS OF BERKS, NORTHAMPTON AND NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTIES IN 1811. NEXT YEAR, WE'LL OBSERVE OUR BICENTENNIAL. FRIDAY MORNING, A PACKED HOUSE AT THE COMMISSIONERS BOARD ROOM AT THE COURTHOUSE HEARD ABOUT ALL OF THE FESTIVITIES OF THE YEAR LONG CELEBRATION. AND, THE UNVEILING OF PLANS FOR THE COURTHOUSE COMMONS TO COMMEMORATE THE COUNTY BICENTENNIAL. THE COMMONS WILL BE CONSTRUCTED ON THE GRASSY AREA AT THE BASE OF THE COURTHOUSE ON LAUREL BOULEVARD AT A COST OF $400-THOUSAND-DOLLARS. FRANK ZUKAS AND DARLENE ROBBINS ARE CO-CHAIRING THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN. ROBBINS TALKS ABOUT THE VARIED USES FOR THE COMMONS:


ROBBINS

THERE ARE VARIOUS LEVELS OF GIVING AVAILABLE FOR THE COURTHOUSE COMMONS, FROM MULTI-THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO THE PURCHASE OF A COMMEMORATIVE BRICK FOR $100-DOLLARS. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE COURTHOUSE COMMONS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN, LOG ON TO SCHUYLKILL200-DOT-COM.

TRIAL FOR HATE CRIMES SCHEDULED

DERRICK DONCHAK AND BRANDON PIEKARSKY NOW KNOW THE START DATE OF THEIR TRIAL SCHEDULED FOR FEDERAL COURT ON CHARGES OF COMMITTING HATE CRIMES IN CONNECTION WITH THE BEATING DEATH OF LUIS RAMIREZ. UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE A. RICHARD CAPUTO HAS SET THE DATE OF OCTOBER 4 AT 9:30 A.M. AT THE FEDERAL COURTHOUSE IN WILKES-BARRE AS THE TIME TO HEAR THE TRIAL. BOTH DEFENSE COUNCIL’S HAVE UNTIL MAY 15 TO FILE PRETRIAL MOTIONS IN THE CASE.

BILL TO BAN CELL PHONE USE WHILD DRIVING ON THE WAY

TALKING OR TEXTING ON YOUR HAND-HELD CELL PHONE WHILE DRIVING IN PENNSYLVANIA MAY SOON BE AGAINST THE LAW. SID MICHAELS HAS MORE ON LEGISLATION THAT IS ON ITS WAY TO THE FLOOR OF THE STATE SENATE FOR A FINAL VOTE.

Michaels

BICENTENNIAL

PLANNING HAS BEEN UNDERWAY FOR THE COUNTY'S BICENTENNIAL FOR WELL OVER A YEAR. FRIDAY MORNING, A LARGE GATHERING WAS HELD AT THE COMMISSIONER'S BOARD ROOM TO UNVEIL A PROPOSED COURTHOUSE COMMONS CAPITAL CAMPAIGN AND TO REVIEW MANY OF THE ACTIVITIES THAT WILL CELEBRATE 200 YEARS AS A COUNTY IN 2011. A FLAG CEREMONY SLATED FOR MARCH 1ST, FIREWORKS AT SWEET ARROW LAKE COUNTY PARK IN JULY AND A SEMI-FORMAL BALL IN OCTOBER ARE JUST SOME OF THE EVENTS PLANNED. THE COUNTY'S HISTORY, COVERING ALL 67 MUNICIPALITIES, WILL BE CHRONICLED DURING THE YEAR. MIKE MCCORD, REGISTER OF WILLS AND CO-CHAIR OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE:

MCCORD

FOR ALL THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BICENTENNIAL, LOG ON TO SCHUYLKILL200.COM.


SCHUYLKILL RIVER FILM


THE SCHUYLKILL RIVER HAS A REMARKABLE HISTORY. NATIVE AMERICANS AND EARLY SETTLERS RELIED ON THE RIVER FOR FOOD AND WATER. REVOLUTIONARY WAR BATTLES WERE FOUGHT ALONG ITS BANKS AND COAL TRANSPORTED ALONG THE SCHUYLKILL CANAL HELPED FUEL THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION. A NEW PBS DOCUMENTARY "OUR NATIONAL HERITAGE EPISODE ONE: THE REVOLUTIONARY RIVER" WILL PREMIERE THIS EVENING AT THE SOVEREIGN MAJESTIC THEATRE AT 7PM. THE 47 MINUTE FILM WAS PRODUCED ON BEHALF OF THE SCHUYLKILL RIVER NATIONAL AND STATE HERITAGE AREA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WILLIAM PENN FOUNDATION, THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND THE PA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES. TICKETS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE IN ADVANCE BY CALLING CINDY KOTT AT 484-945-0200 OR AT CKOTT@SCHUYLKILLRIVER.ORG.

UNDATED (AP) - Governor Ed Rendell and three other Democratic governors have sent a letter to the U.S. attorney general saying they oppose the lawsuit their Republican attorneys general filed against the federal health care law. Rendell and his counterparts say in the letter that they think the legal challenge will fail.

BOOTHWYN, Pa. (AP) - Police in a Philadelphia suburb have made an arrest in the fatal beating and slashing of a young mother of two. Walter Martin is charged with murder in the death of Dana Felts at her home in Upper Chichester Township. Police say Martin and his girlfriend stole drugs and Felts' gambling winnings.

READING, Pa. (AP) - A same-sex couple that went to Massachusetts last year to get married can't get a divorce. A Berks County judge ruled he couldn't grant a divorce because Pennsylvania doesn't recognize same-sex marriages. The couple can't get divorced in Massachusetts because they are not residents.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A judge is refusing to undo former Philadelphia TV newsman Larry Mendte's felony plea for hacking into his co-anchor's e-mails. In his appeal, Mendte complained his lawyer failed to negotiate a misdemeanor plea. Mendte now works for a TV station in New York City.

BAGHDAD (AP) - Former Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's secular political alliance may be the top vote-getter in the parliamentary election, but the slim margin sets the stage for months of political wrangling. Allawi says he's open to bringing any of his rivals into a governing coalition. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki says he'll challenge the results.

CHICAGO (AP) - A Chicago cab driver has been ordered held pending another hearing next week after he was charged with trying to provide funds to al-Qaida. Federal prosecutors say the man planned to send money to a terrorist leader in Pakistan who had said he needed cash to buy explosives.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A Minnesota company that guarantees federal student loans says someone stole personal data on about 3.3 million people from its St. Paul headquarters. Educational Credit Management Corporation says the data includes names, addresses,
dates of birth and Social Security numbers, but no bank account or other financial information.

BAENGNYEONG ISLAND, South Korea (AP) - Possibilities are dwindling for the rescue of 46 sailors missing 20 hours after an explosion sank a South Korean military ship. Authorities continue searching the murky waters near the disputed sea border with rival
North Korea after one of South Korea's worst naval disasters, which occurred in bad weather and rough waves.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Time is running out on "24." Fox announced yesterday that its action-packed real-time show starring Kiefer Sutherland as anti-terrorism agent Jack Bauer will wind down at the end of its current eighth season on May 24.

Today's News-Friday, March 26, 2010-630AM

CIVICS QUIZ AT DHH LENGEL

IT WAS THE STUDENTS TURN TO ASK QUESTIONS OF THE POTTSVILLE AREA SCHOOL BOARD THURSDAY AT D.H.H. LENGEL MIDDLE SCHOOL. SHERRY MARCHEFSKY HAS MORE:

CIVICS DAY Q AND A

NITTANY NEIGHBORS

MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED TWENTY SCHUYLKILL HAVEN RESIDENTS AND PENN STATE SCHUYLKILL STUDENTS SAT DOWN TO BREAK BREAD AND GET ACQUAINTED LAST NIGHT. PASTOR SHAWN VAN DYKE OF THE SCHUYLKILL HAVEN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES EXPLAINS:

VAN DYKE 1

PENN STATE SCHUYLKILL IS A BIG PART OF THE COMMUNITY, AND RACHEL MERCURI, A THIRD YEAR PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR, SAYS THAT THE OUTREACH BY THE RESIDENTS IS IMPORTANT:

MERCURI

THE EVENT WAS HELD AT THE SCHUYLKILL HAVEN COMMUNITY/SENIOR CENTER.

DOMESTIC INCIDENT LEADS TO ARREST

A MAHANOY CITY MAN IS JAILED FOLLOWING A DOMESTIC INCIDENT IN THE BOROUGH WEDNESDAY. BOROUGH POLICE WERE CALLED TO A HOME ON EAST PINE STREET WHERE MARK WILNER HAD ASSAULTED A WOMAN AND HER DAUGHTER, STRIKING THEM AND CHOKING THEM. WILNER IS CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED AND SIMPLE ASSAULT AND RELATED COUNTS. HE WAS JAILED FOLLOWING ARRAIGNMENT BEFORE DISTRICT JUDGE ANTHONY KILKER.

FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP IN HAVEN

THE SCHUYLKILL HAVEN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES, AS PART OF THEIR COMMUNITY OUTREACH, HOSTED THE SECOND NITTANY NEIGHBORS DINNER LAST NIGHT. THE GOAL, TO SHARE GOOD FOOD AND GET TO KNOW THE PEOPLE THAT PENN STATE STUDENTS LIVE WITH EVERY DAY. MORE THAN 120 PEOPLE WERE EXPECTED FOR THE BUFFET MEAL AT THE SCHUYLKILL HAVEN COMMUNITY/SENIOR CENTER. SOPHOMORE ACCOUNTING STUDENT TERRY ROBINSON OF PHILADELPHIA WAS GRATEFUL FOR THE EVENT:

ROBINSON

ASSAULT IN NORWEGIAN TOWNSHIP

A SCUFFLE BETWEEN TWO MEN EARLIER THIS WEEK LEADS TO THE ARREST OF A MINERSVILLE MAN. A VERBAL ARGUMENT BETWEEN WILLIAM SPEARMAN AND STEPHEN WITMAN TURNED PHYSICAL IN THE PARKING LOT AT FAIRLANE MALL. SPEARMAN STRUCK WITMAN, WHO HAD TO BE TREATED AT LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL FOR HIS INJURIES. SPEARMAN TURNED HIMSELF INTO POLICE ON WEDNESDAY AND WAS CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED ASSAULT. HE'S JAILED IN THE COUNTY PRISON AND ADDITIONAL CHARGES MAY BE FILED. WITMAN'S INJURIES DID NOT APPEAR TO BE LIFE THREATENING.

SCHUYLKILL RIVER FILM

THE SCHUYLKILL RIVER HAS A REMARKABLE HISTORY. NATIVE AMERICANS AND EARLY SETTLERS RELIED ON THE RIVER FOR FOOD AND WATER. REVOLUTIONARY WAR BATTLES WERE FOUGHT ALONG ITS BANKS AND COAL TRANSPORTED ALONG THE SCHUYLKILL CANAL HELPED FUEL THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION. A NEW PBS DOCUMENTARY "OUR NATIONAL HERITAGE EPISODE ONE: THE REVOLUTIONARY RIVER" WILL PREMIERE SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE SOVEREIGN MAJESTIC THEATURE AT 7PM. THE 47 MINUTE FILM WAS PRODUCED ON BEHALF OF THE SCHUYLKILL RIVER NATIONAL AND STATE HERITAGE AREA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE WILLIAM PENN FOUNDATION, THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND THE PA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES. TICKETS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE IN ADVANCE BY CALLING CINDY KOTT AT 484-945-0200 OR AT CKOTT@SCHUYLKILLRIVER.ORG.

FAMILIES OF FLIGHT 93 SAY MEMORIAL IS ON TRACK

WASHINGTON (AP) - FAMILIES OF THOSE KILLED ON UNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT 93 SAY PLANS FOR A NATIONAL MEMORIAL AT THE SEPT. 11 CRASH SITE IN SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA ARE ON TRACK. THE GROUP FAMILIES OF FLIGHT 93 TOLD A HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS PANEL THURSDAY THAT CONTINUED FEDERAL FUNDING AND OTHER SUPPORT IS NEEDED SO THE MEMORIAL'S FIRST PHASE CAN OPEN ON THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 2001 TERRORIST ATTACKS. THE INITIAL PHASE REPRESENTS MOST OF THE MEMORIAL'S EXPENSE AND WILL COST $58 MILLION. ABOUT $30 MILLION OF THAT IS TO COME FROM PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS. FLIGHT 93 WAS TRAVELING FROM NEWARK, N.J., TO SAN FRANCISCO WHEN HIJACKERS TOOK IT OVER, APPARENTLY WITH THE GOAL OF CRASHING IT INTO THE WHITE HOUSE OR CAPITOL. THE PASSENGERS FOUGHT BACK, AND THE HIJACKERS CRASHED THE PLANE INTO A FIELD INSTEAD.

ALLENTOWN, PA. (AP) - THE FAMILY OF A 63-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO DIED OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING AT A PENNSYLVANIA HOTEL HAS SETTLED A LAWSUIT. PHILIP PRECHTEL DIED IN 2008 AFTER A MAKESHIFT CANOPY PLACED ON THE SIDE OF THE BEST WESTERN ALLENTOWN INN & SUITES FOR A REMODELING PROJECT CAUSED HIS ROOM TO FILL WITH THE DEADLY GAS. TERMS OF THE SETTLEMENT WEREN'T DISCLOSED.

DOYLESTOWN, PA. (AP) - A 44-YEAR-OLD PHILADELPHIA WOMAN ACCUSED OF OFFERING SEXUAL FAVORS FOR WORLD SERIES TICKETS HAS BEEN FOUND NOT GUILTY OF PROSTITUTION, BUT GUILTY OF ATTEMPTED PROSTITUTION. TESTIFYING AT HER TRIAL YESTERDAY, SUSAN FINKELSTEIN SAID SHE PLACED AN ONLINE AD WITH SEXUAL OVERTONES, BUT SHE ISN'T A PROSTITUTE.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - PHILADELPHIA MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER HAS ENDORSED STATE SENATOR ANTHONY WILLIAMS FOR GOVERNOR. NUTTER AND PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN DWIGHT EVANS
ANNOUNCED THEIR SUPPORT FOR WILLIAMS YESTERDAY. ALL THREE MEN SHARE
A POLITICAL BASE AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICAN VOTERS IN HEAVILY DEMOCRATIC PHILADELPHIA.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - POLICE SAY THEY'VE ARRESTED A THIRD PRETEEN IN THE ASSAULT OF A WOMAN WALKING HOME THROUGH A PHILADELPHIA PLAYGROUND AS PART OF WHAT AUTHORITIES SAY IS A VIOLENT GAME IN WHICH CHILDREN BEAT AND ROB PEOPLE FOR FUN. ANOTHER 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND AN 11-YEAR-OLD BOY WERE PREVIOUSLY CHARGED. POLICE SAY ADDITIONAL ARRESTS ARE POSSIBLE.

WASHINGTON (AP) - HELP COULD BE COMING TO MORE FINANCIALLY-TROUBLED HOMEOWNERS. THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO ANNOUNCE TODAY A PLAN THAT WOULD ALLOW PEOPLE WHO OWE MORE ON THEIR MORTGAGES THAN THEIR PROPERTIES ARE WORTH TO GET NEW LOANS BACKED BY THE FEDERAL HOUSING ADMINISTRATION. ALSO, MORTGAGE COMPANIES PARTICIPATING IN THE ADMINISTRATION'S EXISTING FORECLOSURE PREVENTION PROGRAM WOULD HAVE TO CONSIDER SLASHING THE AMOUNT BORROWERS OWE.

WASHINGTON (AP) - AT LEAST ONE REPUBLICAN SENATOR SAYS THE $9 BILLION TO EXTEND JOBLESS BENEFITS IS TOO MUCH. SEN. TOM COBURN OF OKLAHOMA BLOCKED A STOPGAP BILL, SAYING THAT MUCH MONEY SHOULD NOT BE ADDED TO THE NATIONAL DEBT. SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN OUT OF WORK FOR MORE THAN SIX MONTHS WILL AT LEAST TEMPORARILY LOSE BENEFITS.

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYS IF REPUBLICANS CAMPAIGN FOR THE REPEAL OF HEALTH CARE REFORM AS THEY'VE PROMISED, "I WELCOME THAT FIGHT." CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS PUT THE FINAL TOUCHES ON HEALTH CARE LATE YESTERDAY, WITH A HOUSE VOTE OF 220-207. NOW THE FIXES GO TO THE PRESIDENT FOR HIS SIGNATURE, WHICH IS EXPECTED EARLY NEXT WEEK.

WASHINGTON (AP) - IT'S HARDER TO BOOT GAYS OUT OF THE MILITARY. THE PENTAGON HAS APPROVED NEW RULES TO EASE ENFORCEMENT OF THE 1993 CONGRESSIONAL BAN MEANT TO KEEP THE LAW FROM BEING USED TO LAUNCH WITCH HUNTS OR SETTLE GRUDGES. SOME 13,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED FROM THE MILITARY UNDER THE BAN.

SOUTH PASADENA, CALIF. (AP) - THE TEENAGER WHO GOT THE CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY TO APPROVE A NO CUSSING RESOLUTION EARLIER THIS MONTH IS TELLING VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TO WATCH HIS LANGUAGE. SOUTH PASADENA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT MCKAY HATCH SAYS HE'LL ASK BIDEN TO APOLOGIZE FOR LETTING A PROFANITY SLIP DURING A BILL-SIGNING CEREMONY EARLIER THIS WEEK. HATCH SAYS HE'LL ALSO MAIL BIDEN ONE OF HIS NO CUSSING CLUB'S PENALTY JARS AND AN OFFICIAL CLUB T-SHIRT.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Today's News-Thursday, March 25, 2010-7am

PUMP BROKEN IN GILBERTON

UNDERGROUND MINE WATER IN GILBERTON HAS BEEN A WAY OF LIFE FOR MANY YEARS. NOW, A PUMP THAT DISCHARGES THAT WATER IS BROKEN, AND RESIDENTS ARE BEING WARNED TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS FOR POSSIBLE FLOODING IN SOME HOME BASEMENTS. D.E.P. OFFICIALS TELL THE REPUBLICAN HERALD THAT APPARENTLY A MOTOR BURNED OUT IN THE PUMP, AND NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE AFFECTED AREAS ARE ON DRAPER STREET AND LONG ROW ROAD. RESIDENTS THERE ARE CAUTIONED TO MOVE ITEMS IN THEIR BASEMENTS TO HIGHER GROUND IN THE EVENT OF HEAVY RAINS. A LOCAL COMPANY IS OFFERING THE USE OF EQUIPMENT TO HELP GET RID OF THE WATER UNTIL PUMP REPAIRS ARE MADE.

OLLIVIRRE REMAINS IN NEW YORK

THE THIRD SUSPECT IN THE ROBBERY AND SHOOTING DEATH OF A SHENANDOAH MAN IS FACING CHARGES IN NEW YORK FOR AN UNRELATED INCIDENT THERE. JAHMAL OLLIVIRRE SURRENDERED TO POLICE IN NEW YORK CITY, WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEATH OF BRUCE FORKER LAST WEEK. OFFICIALS SAY THAT OLLIVIRRE IS BEING DETAINED IN A ROBBERY AND SHOOTING. POLICE HAVE NOT RELEASED ANY SPECIFICS AS TO WHY JULIUS ENOE, DAMON ENNETT AND OLLIVIRRE COMMITTED THE CRIME IN FORKERS EAST CENTER STREET HOME IN SHENANDOAH.

COMMISSIONERS

THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TOOK THEIR MEETING ON THE ROAD TO WESTERN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY ON WEDNESDAY. SHERRY MARCHEFSKY HAS MORE FROM PORTER TOWNSHIP:

COMMISSIONERS 3.24

ALLENTOWN MEN NABBED ON DRUGS

POLICE IN SHENANDOAH ARRESTED TWO MEN FROM ALLENTOWN ON DRUG RELATED CHARGES. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED TUESDAY AFTERNOON AT A HOME ON MAIN STREET. COCAINE WAS FOUND DURING A SEARCH, AND 31 YEAR OLD FREDERICK VASQUEZ JR. AND 39 YEAR OLD EDWIN VEGA CHARGED WITH POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER AND OTHER RELATED COUNTS. POLICE ALSO APPREHENDED DANIEL GUIDA ON A PAROLE VIOLATION. ACCORDING TO POLICE, VASQUEZ AND VEGA HAD BEEN TRAVELING TO THE REGION TO DELIVER DRUGS FOR SOME TIME. THEY ARE JAILED IN THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON.

BARNESVILLE MAN JAILED

ACTIVE PURSUIT BY POLICE HAS LED TO THE ARREST OF A BARNESVILLE MAN. TROOPERS REPORT THAT MICHAEL STEWART WAS WANTED ON OUTSTANDING DRUG COUNTS RELATING TO AN INCIDENT IN CUMBOLA LAST SPRING. STEWART WAS LOCATED AT A HOME IN RYAN TOWNSHIP AND ARRESTED. HE'S LODGED IN THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON PENDING A PRELIMINARY HEARING.

CRASH AT MT CARBON

TWO PEOPLE SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON IN MOUNT CARBON. 33 YEAR OLD JASON GREGORY WAS STOPPED FOR TRAFFIC AT THE JUGHANDLE WHEN HE WAS REAR ENDED BY A VEHICLE OPERATED BY 27 YEAR OLD ANGELA LAWELL. LAWELL WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WHILE GREGORY WENT FOR HIS OWN MEDICAL ATTENTION. LAWELL WAS CITED FOR DRIVING UNDER A PERMIT WITHOUT A LICENSED DRIVER PRESENT AND FAILURE TO STOP FOR TRAFFIC AHEAD.

WILLIAMSPORT, PA. (AP) - CHARGES HAVE BEEN DROPPED AGAINST A FORMER PENNSYLVANIA GYM TEACHER ACCUSED OF MOLESTING A STUDENT. JAMES JAMISON, WHO TAUGHT AT BONIFACE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN WILLIAMSPORT, SAID HE DID NOTHING WRONG AND CALLED THE DECISION WELL OVERDUE. PROSECUTORS SAY THE BOY HAS SUFFERED "ENORMOUSLY" AND A TRIAL MIGHT BE MORE THAN HE COULD BEAR.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A JUDGE HAS ORDERED THREE PHILADELPHIA TEENAGERS TO STAND TRIAL FOR MURDER IN THE JANUARY DEATH OF A PIZZA DELIVERY DRIVER WHO DIED OF A HEART ATTACK FOLLOWING A CARJACKING. THE 14-, 17- AND 18-YEAR-OLD DEFENDANTS ARE ACCUSED IN THE DEATH OF 60-YEAR-OLD JAIME OROZCO-TORRES.

DOYLESTOWN, PA. (AP) - PROSECUTORS IN SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA HAVE RESTED THEIR CASE AGAINST A 44-YEAR-OLD WOMAN ACCUSED OF OFFERING AN UNDERCOVER POLICE OFFICER SEXUAL FAVORS IN RETURN FOR WORLD SERIES TICKETS. SUSAN FINKELSTEIN'S LAWYER SAYS HE HASN'T DECIDED IF HE'LL HER TO THE STAND WHEN HE PRESENTS HIS CASE TODAY. FINKLESTEIN DENIES THE CHARGES.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - AUTHORITIES SAY SKELETAL REMAINS UNCOVERED IN A PITTSBURGH-AREA PARK BELONGED TO A MAN WHO COMMITTED SUICIDE. THE
ALLEGHENY COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER SAYS 51-YEAR-OLD DANIEL VANTASSEL, OF WILKINSBURG, HANGED HIMSELF WITH A CHAIN THAT WAS FOUND NEAR HIM IN BULLOCK-PENS PARK. A HUNTER LOOKING FOR DEER ANTLERS FOUND THE REMAINS ON MARCH 17TH.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE HEALTH CARE FIX-IT BILL THAT'S PART OF THE DEAL THAT WON PASSAGE OF HEALTH CARE REFORM WILL HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE HOUSE. SENATE REPUBLICANS HAVE FOUND MINOR GLITCHES IN TWO PROVISIONS THAT VIOLATE THE RULES. THE LANGUAGE WILL HAVE TO BE STRIPPED, AND THE HOUSE WILL HAVE TO VOTE AGAIN.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (AP) - A STRONG EARTHQUAKE IN THE PHILIPPINES, WEST OF MANILA, HAS SHAKEN BUILDINGS AND FRIGHTENED WORKERS, BUT THERE ARE NO IMMEDIATE REPORTS OF INJURIES OR DAMAGE. THE QUAKE WAS SAID TO BE MAGNITUDE 6.2, AND SHOOK MANILA FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS. BUT NO TSUNAMI ALERT WAS ISSUED.

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (AP) - THIS NOVEMBER, CALIFORNIANS WILL GET TO VOTE ON WHETHER THEY WANT TO LEGALIZE RECREATIONAL USE OF MARIJUANA FOR ADULTS. A PROPOSITION CALLING FOR THAT HAS GATHERED ENOUGH SIGNATURES TO GET ON THE BALLOT. CALIFORNIA AND 14 OTHER STATES ALREADY ALLOW MEDICINAL USE OF POT.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA (AP) - AN APPEALS COURT IN MALAYSIA HAS OVERTURNED A COURT RULING IN FAVOR OF A POLITICAL ACTIVIST, AND TOLD HIM TO PAY $15,000 IN COURT COSTS. ANOTHER COURT HAD AWARDED HIM $752,000 FOR BEING ILLEGALLY DETAINED AND ABUSED BY POLICE. THE MAN'S LAWYER SAYS THEY'LL APPEAL.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE U.S. MINT IS COMING OUT WITH NEW QUARTERS THAT WILL FEATURE AMERICA'S NATIONAL PARKS AND FORESTS ON THE BACK. THE FIRST FIVE DESIGNS WERE UNVEILED YESTERDAY, WITH A TOTAL OF 56 PLANNED. THE FIRST ONE WILL GO INTO CIRCULATION NEXT MONTH, HIGHLIGHTING HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK IN ARKANSAS.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Today's News-Wednesday, March 24, 2010

THIRD SUSPECT IN CUSTODY IN SHENANDOAH MURDER

THE THIRD SUSPECT IMPLICATED IN THE MURDER OF A SHENANDOAH MAN HAS TURNED HIMSELF INTO POLICE. 19 YEAR OLD JAHMAL OLLIVIRRE SURRENDERED TO NEW YORK CITY POLICE MONDAY NIGHT. HE'S ACCUSED, ALONG WITH 29 YEAR OLD DAMON ENNET AND 30 YEAR OLD JULIUS ENOE IN THE BURGLARY AND MURDER OF 24 YEAR OLD BRUCE FORKER AT HIS HOME ON EAST CENTER STREET, SHENANDOAH LAST TUESDAY. OLLIVIRRE IS AWAITING A COURT APPEARANCE IN NEW YORK TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT HE WILL WAIVE EXTRADITION TO PENNSYLVANIA. POLICE HAVE BEEN WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK SINCE THE CRIME. IT IS NOT EXACTLY CLEAR WHY THE SUSPECTS TARGETED FORKER.

MAHANOY CITY MAN INJURED IN SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH

A MAHANOY CITY MAN SUFFERED INJURY IN A CRASH IN MAHANOY TOWNSHIP MONDAY AFTERNOON. FRACKVILLE STATE POLICE SAY THOMAS MACALUSO WAS WESTBOUND ON STATE ROUTE 1003 WHEN HIS VEHCILE TRAVELED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION WITH STATE ROUTE 1010 THEN TRAVELED INTO A WOODED AREA, STRIKING SEVERAL TREES. MACALUSO COMPLAINED OF CHEST AND SIDE PAIN AND WAS TAKEN TO SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER SOUTH FOR TREATMENT.

TWO SUFFER MINOR INJURY IN CRASH

TWO PEOPLE SUFFERED MINOR INJURY IN A LATE NIGHT CRASH YESTERDAY. ADAM ADAMS OF GORDON WAS DRIVING NORTH ON ROUTE 183 NEAR MORNINGSIDE DRIVE IN NORTH MANHEIM TOWNSHIP WHEN HE LOST CONTROL AND HIS VEHICLE WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. THE CAR DUG INTO THE MUD THEN ROLLED OVER, COMING TO REST ON ITS ROOF. BOTH ADAMS AND HIS PASSENGER, DANIEL RENN OF MARION HEIGHTS, LEFT THE VEHICLE. ADAMS HAS NOT YET BEEN LOCATED. RENN WAS TAKEN TO SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER SOUTH FOR TREATMENT. THE CRASH HAPPENED AROUND 11:30 LAST NIGHT.

MINE RECLAMATION FUNDING FOR POTTSVILLE

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY'S LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION HAS SECURED ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR MINE RECLAMATION IN POTTSVILLE. MORE THAN $500-THOUSAND-DOLLARS FROM PENNSYLVANIA'S GROWING GREENER PROGRAM WILL HELP TO RECLAIM 28 ACRES OF DANGEROUS SUBSIDENCE AT THE SHARP MOUNTAIN RECLAMATION PROJECT. REPRESENTATIVE TIM SEIP:

SEIP MINE RECLAMATION

THE AREA HAS BEEN UNDER RECLAMATION FOR SEVERAL YEARS, AND HAS POSED A DANGER TO PEOPLE WHO FREQUENT THAT AREA, ACCORDING TO REPRESENTATIVE NEAL GOODMAN. PA'S GROWING GREENER PROGRAM WAS CREATED IN 1999 TO PROTECT WATERSHEDS AND CLEAN ACID MINE DRAINAGE ACROSS THE STATE.

VISION INFORMATION POWER

WHAT IS THE POPULATION FORECAST FOR SCHUYLKILL COUNTY? SHERRY MARCHEFSKY HAS MORE:

MARCHEFSKY VISION

BEES ARE THE KNEES FOR GROWING

BEES, BUTTERFLIES AND OTHER POLLINATORS ARE CRUCIAL TO GROWING BEAUTIFUL SHRUBS AND FLOWERS. AND THE MYSTERIOUS THREAT OF COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDER CONTINUES TO ATTACK BOTH WILD AND DOMESTIC HONEYBEES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. SO GINGER PRYOR, COORDINATOR FOR PENN STATE EXTENSION'S MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM, URGES GROWERS TO DO THEIR PART BY PLANTING GARDENS THAT BLOOM IN EARLY SPRING AND FALL:

PRYOR
 
TULIPS, OTHER FLOWERING BULBS AND MANY HYBRID VARIETIES DON'T PROVIDE NECTAR OR POLLEN, PRYOR SAYS, SO MASTER GARDENERS ACROSS THE STATE ARE READY TO SUGGEST PLANTS THAT WORK IN YOUR AREA. CONTACT THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS AT 622-4225.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - LAWYERS FOR TALK SHOW HOST OPRAH WINFREY SAY SHE HAS SETTLED A DEFAMATION LAWSUIT FILED IN PHILADELPHIA BY THE EX-HEADMISTRESS OF WINFREY'S SOUTH AFRICA GIRLS SCHOOL. THE LAWYERS SAY WINFREY AND NOMVUYO MZAMANE MET AND RESOLVED THEIR DIFFERENCES OUTSIDE OF COURT.

WILKES-BARRE, PA. (AP) - A 22-YEAR-OLD PENNSYLVANIA MAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE FOR BEATING HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND'S SON TO DEATH. ALEXANDER GARCIA OF HAZLETON YESTERDAY PLEADED GUILTY TO FIRST-DEGREE MURDER IN THE DEATH OF 2-YEAR-OLD EMMANUEL GONZALEZ IN DECEMBER 2007. GARCIA'S LAWYER RECOMMENDED THE PLEA DEAL TO AVOID A POSSIBLE DEATH SENTENCE.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA ATTORNEY GENERAL TOM CORBETT SAYS HE'S JOINED HIS COUNTERPARTS IN 12 OTHER STATES THAT ARE CHALLENGING THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE NEW FEDERAL HEALTH-CARE LAW. CORBETT, A REPUBLICAN WHO IS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR, SAYS HE BELIEVES THE GOVERNMENT SHOULDN'T FORCE PEOPLE TO BUY HEALTH INSURANCE.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A DAY AFTER A FORMER PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATIVE LEADER WAS CONVICTED, ATTORNEY GENERAL TOM CORBETT SAID YESTERDAY THAT MORE CHARGES ARE POSSIBLE IN HIS OFFICE'S PUBLIC CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION. JURORS ON MONDAY CONVICTED FORMER REPRESENTATIVE MIKE VEON AND TWO AIDES OF THEFT, CONSPIRACY AND OTHER CHARGES.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE SENATE WORKS ON HEALTH CARE AGAIN THIS MORNING -- THIS TIME A PACKAGE OF FIXES TO THE BIG BILL SIGNED BY PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA YESTERDAY. THE PACKAGE, DEMANDED BY HOUSE DEMOCRATS, ELIMINATES A SPECIAL MEDICAID DEAL FOR NEBRASKA AND SOFTENS A TAX ON SOME INSURANCE PLANS, AMONG OTHER THINGS.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE SAYS IT APPRECIATES WHAT PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAS DONE ON HEALTH CARE, BUT THAT WHAT'S NEEDED NOW IS "A STRONG JOBS BILL." IN ITS REPORT ON BLACK AMERICA, THE LEAGUE SAYS BILLIONS ARE NEEDED FOR JOB CREATION IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO HELP CLOSE RACIAL GAPS IN UNEMPLOYMENT.

SAN DIEGO (AP) - THE PARENTS OF CHELSEA KING SAY THEY WILL ACTIVELY WORK TO GET A LAW PASSED IN CALIFORNIA THAT KEEPS BETTER TABS ON CHILD SEX PREDATORS. THEIR 17-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER WAS FOUND DEAD LESS THAN A MONTH AGO IN A SAN DIEGO AREA PARK. A CONVICTED CHILD MOLESTER IS CHARGED WITH KILLING HER.

PORTLAND, ORE. (AP) - AN OREGON MAN SUING THE BOY SCOUTS FOR ALLEGEDLY KNOWING ABOUT PEDOPHILE SCOUT LEADERS HAS TESTIFIED THAT AT FIRST HE IDOLIZED TIMUR DYKES, WHO'S ADMITTED ABUSING THE PLAINTIFF IN THE EARLY 1980S. THE SUIT SAYS THE SCOUTS HAD FILES ON SUCH TROOP LEADERS, BUT NEVER TOLD PARENTS OR AUTHORITIES.

WASHINGTON (AP) - AN UNUSUAL MEETING YESTERDAY BETWEEN PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AND ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU AT THE WHITE HOUSE. THERE WERE ACTUALLY TWO MEETINGS, WITH NETANYAHU ASKING FOR EXTRA TIME. AND THERE WAS NO PHOTO OPPORTUNITY OR NEWS RELEASE AFTERWARD.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

BREAKING NEWS-1:55pm

The third suspect in last week's Shenandoah shooting has turned himself in. State Police Troop L Major Crimes team reports that Jahmal Ollivirre turned himself into New York City Police and is expected to appear in court today. Ollivirre, along with Damon Ennet and Julius Enoe are accused of breaking into the home of Bruce Forker in Shenandoah a week ago. Forker was shot and killed. More information on the case tomorrow morning on WPPA/T102 News.

Today's News-Tuesday, March 23, 2010-5AM

VICTIM IDENTIFIED IN ATV CRASH

WEST MAHANOY TOWNSHIP POLICE HAVE NOW IDENTIFIED THE MAN WHO DIED IN AN ATV CRASH SUNDAY NIGHT. 24 YEAR OLD JOSEPH ROLLMAN OF FRACKVILLE WAS RIDING THE ALL TERRAIN VEHICLE ON ROUTE 61, ATTEMPTED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE AND COLLIDED WITH THE FUEL TANK ON A RIG OPERATED BY ROBERT NEITZ OF BERWICK. ROLLMAN WAS THROWN FROM THE ATV AND SUFFERED SEVERE INJURIES. HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.

FRAUD IN POTTSVILLE

A POTTSVILLE WOMAN IS CHARGED WITH DEFRAUDING THE POTTSVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY. POTTSVILLE POLICE SAY THAT 50 YEAR OLD DEBRA CRAIG OF 247 NICHOLS STREET HAD HER RENT SUBSIDIZED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT BY MORE THAN $24-HUNDRED DOLLARS. CRAIG WAS ARRESTED ON FELONY THEFT BY DECEPTION, RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY AND OTHER COUNTS. SHE WAS ARRAIGNED, THEN RELEASED ON $20-THOUSAND DOLLARS, UNSECURED BAIL.

DEER HARVEST NUMBERS DOWN

THE PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION REPORTS THAT HUNTERS TOOK FEWER DEER DURING THE 2009-10 SEASON. HUNTERS HARVESTED NEARLY 309-THOUSAND ANTLERED AND ANTLERLESS DEER THIS PAST SEASON, A DROP OF NEARLY 8 PERCENT FROM THE PREVIOUS HUNTING SEASON. THE BIGGEST DECLINE IN THE DEER HARVEST WAS NOTED IN THE ANTLERLESS CATEGORY, DOWN 11 PERCENT FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

COST STUDY COMMITTEE UPDATE

THE STATE SENATE GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT AND COST STUDY COMMISSION MET AGAIN AT THE STATE CAPITOL MONDAY. HANSON QUICKEL SPOKE WITH COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, SENATOR DAVE ARGALL OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY:

ARGALL COST STUDY

CORBETT WEIGHS IN ON HEALTHCARE

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA ATTORNEY GENERAL TOM CORBETT IS PLANNING TO JOIN A LEGAL CHALLENGE TO FEDERAL HEALTH CARE REFORM LEGISLATION. CORBETT'S OFFICE SAID MONDAY HE IS WORKING WITH COUNTERPARTS IN AT LEAST 10 OTHER STATES ON A STRATEGY TO CHALLENGE THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE BILL. IT IS NOT CLEAR WHERE THE CHALLENGE WILL BE FILED OR WHAT ASPECT OF THE BILL THE SUIT WILL CHALLENGE.
IN ADDITION, REPUBLICAN STATE SEN. MIKE FOLMER SAYS HE PLANS TO INTRODUCE A BILL TO PREVENT PENNSYLVANIANS FROM BEING CHARGED A FINE IF THEY DON'T GET HEALTH INSURANCE. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IS PREPARING TO SIGN THE BILL THAT PASSED THE U.S. HOUSE SUNDAY NIGHT. UNDER THE BILL, ALMOST EVERYONE IS REQUIRED TO GET HEALTH INSURANCE OR ELSE PAY A FINE, WHICH TAKES EFFECT IN 2014.

JURY IN PA. CORRUPTION CASE ISSUES MIXED VERDICT

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A HARRISBURG JURY CONVICTED FORMER STATE REP. MIKE VEON AND TWO OF HIS FORMER AIDES OF SOME CHARGES AND ACQUITTED THEM OF OTHERS - BUT THE PANEL ACQUITTED A FOURTH DEFENDANT OF ALL CHARGES IN THE PUBLIC CORRUPTION CASE. THE JURY ON MONDAY FOUND FORMER STATE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC REP. MIKE VEON OF BEAVER COUNTY GUILTY OF 14 OF THE 59 COUNTS HE FACED. THE PANEL FOUND FORMER AIDES ANNAMARIE PERRETTA-ROSEPINK GUILTY OF FIVE COUNTS AND BRETT COTT GUILTY OF THREE COUNTS. DEFENDANT STEVE KEEFER WAS ACQUITTED OF ALL CHARGES. THE JURY VERDICT COMES AFTER NEARLY SIX WEEKS OF TESTIMONY BY DOZENS OF WITNESSES, MANY WHO HAD BEEN GIVEN IMMUNITY OR STRUCK DEALS WITH THE PROSECUTION.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - POLICE SAY TWO MEN WERE KILLED WHEN A CAR RAN INTO THE REAR OF A TOW TRUCK IN PHILADELPHIA. TWENTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD WITCHY LEWIS AND 20-YEAR-OLD SHAHARIAR AHMED RABBI WERE KILLED SUNDAY NIGHT WHEN THEIR SEDAN RAN UNDER THE FLATBED OF THE TRUCK ON ROOSEVELT BOULEVARD IN THE BUSTLETON SECTION OF THE CITY. THE CRASH REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

SWANSEA, MASS. (AP) - A 38-YEAR-OLD CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA WOMAN IS BEING RETURNED TO MASSACHUSETTS TO FACE CHARGES THAT SHE ABDUCTED HER 13-MONTH-OLD NIECE LAST MONTH. ALYSSA DAWN JOHNSON, OF ALTOONA, IS ACCUSED OF DRIVING AWAY WITH THE GIRL WHEN HER MOTHER WENT INTO A GAS STATION LAST MONTH AND THEN ABANDONING HER IN CONNECTICUT.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A 28-YEAR-OLD CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA MAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS IN PRISON FOR SELLING DRUGS THAT AUTHORITIES SAY LED TO FOUR PEOPLE'S FATAL OVERDOSES. THOMAS SWEGER OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY WAS SENTENCED YESTERDAY AFTER HE PLEADED GUILTY TO DISTRIBUTING HEROIN LACED WITH FENTANYL, AN OPIATE DRUG THAT IS USED AS AN ANESTHETIC.

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S SIGNATURE TODAY ON THE HEALTH CARE OVERHAUL ISN'T THE END, JUST THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT PHASE OF THE FIGHT. HE PLANS TO MAKE TRIPS AROUND THE COUNTRY, STARTING WITH IOWA THURSDAY, TO PERSUADE SKEPTICS THAT THE MEDICAL SYSTEM REMAKE WILL MAKE THEIR LIVES BETTER. REPUBLICANS SAY THEY'LL CONTINUE TO FIGHT IT IN WHATEVER FORUM IS APPROPRIATE, INCLUDING THE COURTS.

SAN DIEGO (AP) - FORMER REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER MITT ROMNEY HAS HARSH CRITICISM FOR THE JUST-PASSED HEALTH CARE BILL. HE SAYS IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL, DESERVES TO BE REPEALED AND WILL HELP COST PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA A SECOND TERM. HE COMMENTED AFTER A BOOK SIGNING IN CALIFORNIA.

MEXICO CITY (AP) - SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON TAKES THE LEAD IN MEXICO TODAY AS U.S. OFFICIALS DISCUSS THE DRUG WAR WITH MEXICAN GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES. THE MEETING IS IN KEEPING WITH A PROMISE THAT PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA MADE TO BE A "FULL PARTNER" WITH MEXICO IN THE ANTI-DRUG TRAFFICKING EFFORT. IT COMES JUST TWO WEEKS AFTER THREE PEOPLE LINKED TO THE AMERICAN CONSULATE WERE KILLED.

BEIJING (AP) - CHINA'S OFFICIAL XINHUA NEWS AGENCY SAYS A MAN WHO STABBED EIGHT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN TO DEATH HAS A HISTORY OF MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS. FIVE CHILDREN WERE WOUNDED IN THIS MORNING'S ATTACK AND THE MAN, SAID TO BE A FORMER DOCTOR ARMED WITH A LARGE KNIFE, WAS ARRESTED.

DOHA, QATAR (AP) - THE HEAVILY FISHED HAMMERHEAD SHARK IS STILL IN THE SOUP DESPITE A U.S.-BACKED PROPOSAL TO SAVE IT FROM THE COOKING POT. THE PROPOSAL TO PROTECT THREE SPECIES OF HAMMERHEAD SHARKS, PRIZED FOR THEIR FINS FOR USE IN SOUP, WAS REJECTED AT A U.N. CONSERVATION MEETING. JAPAN LED THE OPPOSITION.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Today's News-Monday, March 22, 2010-9am

MAN KILLED IN ATV ACCIDENT NEAR FRACKVILLE

POLICE ARE REPORTING THAT A MAN DIED IN A COLLISION BETWEEN AN ATV AND A TRACTOR TRAILER LAST NIGHT. AROUND 9:30PM, THE AS YET UNIDENTIFIED MAN WAS NORTHBOUND ON ROUTE 61 AND PASSED ANOTHER VEHICLE, STRIKING THE FUEL TANK OF THE RIG. ROUTE 61 WAS CLOSED FOR OVER AN HOUR AFTER THE ACCIDENT IN WEST MAHANOY TOWNSHIP.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

STATE POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR THE VANDALS WHO DAMAGED PROPERTY IN WAYNE TOWNSHIP OVERNIGHT SATURDAY. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED ON RIDGE ROAD, WHERE A HUNTING TREE STAND WITH A VEHICLE. A BOAT WAS DRAGGED ACROSS A GRASSY AREA AND THE VANDALS TOSSED DEBRIS ON THE PROPERTY OWNED BY WILLIAM YERUSAVAGE OF SUMMIT STATION, THEN THEY FLED THE SCENE. THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES.

VANDALISM IN HEGINS

FOUR FLAT TIRES RESULTED FROM CRIMINAL MISCHIEF THAT TOOK PLACE IN WESTERN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY OVER THE WEEKEND. BETWEEN FRIDAY NIGHT AND SATURDAY, SOMEONE THREW ROOFING NAILS ON THE DRIVEWAY OF FRANK BEAVER AT 345 NORTH GOODSPRING ROAD. THE NAILS CAUSED THE TIRES TO BE FLATTENED. STATE POLICE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN ARE INVESTIGATING.

KIDS KICKING BUTTS

KIDS GATHERED AT FAIRLANE VILLAGE MALL OVER THE WEEKEND TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE DANGERS OF SMOKING. SHERRY MARCHEFSKY HAS THE STORY:

KICK BUTTS DAY

DUI CHECKPOINTS BUSY

DUI CHECKPOINTS ACROSS THE REGION WERE BUSY, WITH OVER 900 VEHCILES STOPPED AT THREE SEPARATE CHECKPOINTS. THIRTEEN ADULT DUI ARRESTS WERE LOGGED, ALONG WITH MORE THAN THREE DOZEN TRAFFIC ARRESTS. THE LARGEST NUMBER OF CITATIONS WERE ISSUED AT A CHECKPOINT IN BUTLER TOWNSHIP.

SECOND SUSPECT TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

THE SECOND OF THREE MEN WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH LAST WEEK'S HOME INVASION, ROBBERY AND FATAL SHOOTING IN SHENANDOAH IS IN PRISON AFTER SURRENDERING TO POLICE IN READING OVER THE WEEKEND. 30 YEAR OLD JULIUS ENOE WAS BROUGHT BEFORE A JUDGE AND JAILED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SHOOTING DEATH OF 24 YEAR OLD BRUCE FORKER AT HIS SHENANDOAH HOME. ON THURSDAY, 29 YEAR OLD DAMON ENNETT OF FREELAND SURRRENDERED AND WAS CHARGED WITH THE SAME OFFENSES. A MANHUNT INVOLVING THE US MARSHALS IS UNDERWAY TO LOCATE A THIRD MAN INVOLVED IN THE ROBBERY AND HOMICIDE, 19 YEAR OLD JAHMAL OLLIVIRRE OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

DOYLESTOWN, PA. (AP) - THE LAWYERS HAVE FINISHED ARGUING THEIR CASES. NOW IT'S UP TO A JURY TO DECIDE IF A PENNSYLVANIA DAY CARE CENTER OWNER SHOULD BE CONVICTED OF INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER IN THE DEATH OF A TODDLER LEFT IN A HOT CAR FOR MORE THAN SEVEN HOURS LAST SUMMER. FORTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD RIMMA SHVARTSMAN OF DOYLESTOWN HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY. HER LAWYER SAYS IT WAS AN ACCIDENT.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA'S PRISON POPULATION IS ON THE RISE, BUCKING A NATIONAL TREND. A STUDY BY THE PEW CENTER ON THE STATES SAYS PENNSYLVANIA HAD A 4.3 PERCENT RISE IN THE NUMBER OF PRISONERS LAST YEAR, ENDING IT WITH ROUGHLY 1.4 MILLION. THAT COMPARES WITH A DECREASE OF SLIGHTLY LESS THAN HALF A PERCENT NATIONWIDE.

SUNBURY, PA. (AP) - A CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA POLICE OFFICER HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN WHAT AUTHORITIES SUSPECT WAS A DOMESTIC DISPUTE IN WHICH HIS WIFE DIED AND HE WAS CRITICALLY INJURED. STATE POLICE SAY OFFICERS WERE CALLED TO A SUNBURY HOME AT ABOUT 2 A.M. SATURDAY AND FOUND 38-YEAR-OLD ROBIN MILLER DEAD AND 37-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL MILLER WOUNDED BEHIND THE HOUSE.

YORK SPRINGS, PA. (AP) - A 68-YEAR-OLD MAN IS BEING HELD WITHOUT BAIL ON SUSPICION HE SHOT AND KILLED HIS WIFE AND ADULT SON IN SOUTH-CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA. STATE POLICE SAY THEY ARRESTED RICHARD LEHMAN AFTER BEING CALLED TO A HOME IN YORK SPRINGS, WHERE THEY FOUND HIS 62-YEAR-OLD WIFE AND 33-YEAR-OLD SON DEAD.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE HEALTH CARE BILL IS HEADED TO PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA FOR HIS SIGNATURE. THE BILL PASSED IN THE HOUSE SUNDAY NIGHT 219-212, BUT EVERY REPUBLICAN AND 34 DEMOCRATS SAID NO TO THE PACKAGE.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE HEALTH CARE BILL APPROVED BY THE HOUSE ALSO INCLUDES SWEEPING CHANGES IN THE STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM. THE BILL ELIMINATES THE RELIANCE ON PRIVATE LENDERS AND USES THE SAVINGS TO DIRECT $36 BILLION IN NEW SPENDING TO PELL GRANTS FOR STUDENTS IN FINANCIAL NEED.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - RESIDENTS IN FARGO, N.D., ARE BREATHING A SIGH OF RELIEF NOW THAT THE RED RIVER HAS CRESTED WITHOUT DOING MUCH DAMAGE. BUT POTENTIAL PROBLEMS REMAIN. RESIDENTS COULD STILL FACE LINGERING ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS. FLOODWATERS CAN BE NOXIOUS BREWS OF PESTICIDES, SEWAGE, GARBAGE AND ANIMAL CARCASSES THAT FOUL DRINKING WATER AND SPREAD DISEASE.

UNDATED (AP) - TIGER WOODS IS ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM THE MEDIA FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE WORD OF HIS EXTRA-MARITAL AFFAIRS BROKE. HE DID TWO INTERVIEWS SUNDAY NIGHT - WITH ESPN AND THE GOLF CHANNEL. WOODS TOLD THE GOLF CHANNEL THAT HE WAS "LIVING A LIE" AND THAT HE ALONE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SEX SCANDAL.

LONG BEACH, CALIF. (AP) - IT'S NOT EXACTLY A PLEASURE CRUISE. A NEW CRUISE OFF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST HAS SIGHTSEERS TRADING WHALES AND DOLPHINS FOR SMOKESTACKS AND OIL. THE SO-CALLED POLLUTION CRUISE IS DESIGNED TO SHOW THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF POLLUTION ON COASTS, HARBORS FISHING AND OTHER HUMAN ACTIVITIES.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

PIAA Playoffs

Class A Girls

Tri Valley 34
Steel High 29

Today's News-Saturday, March 20, 2010

Schuylkill County Leaders set for Court

The impending lawsuit filed by Schuylkill County Controller Melinda Kantner against the three County Commissioners has been scheduled to begin November 1st at 9 a.m. at the Schuylkill County Courthouse. The case will be heard by Dauphin County Senior Judge, Joseph Kleinfelter. Kleinfelter was selected after the second Judge assigned to the case was suspended from judicial duties by the State Supreme Court after a domestic violation was filed in Luzerne County. Kantner made claim January 23, 2009 that the Commissioners eliminated a position from her office and created another. She requested that the position be reapplied to her office and that personnel discussions regarding the controller's office occur at a work session so Kantner can provide input and comments may be gathered from the public. On April 8, 2009, these requests were modified with the request to remove the request of dropping the financial analyst position. All parties are to have any discovery evidence, including depositions completed by July 1st and to file any motions by September 30th. A pretrial conference has been scheduled for October 25th.

Democrat Challenger to 17th Congressional Seat Petition Contested

Sheila Dow-Ford, the Harrisburg Attorney challenging incumbent Tim Holden in the May primary, has allegedly filed a faulty petition to be listed on the ballot. Claims against Dow-Ford's attempt to run include having incomplete information on her petition, having non-democrats sign the petition, and having people from outside the 17th Congressional District appear on the petition. Dow-Ford has garnered about 1,600 signatures, the suit alleges that with the charges against the petition that it will not have the required 1,000 names in all. Dow-Ford feels that she is being forced to use campaign money to fight the suit and that her petition will stand up in Court. No date has been set for the claims to be heard.

Another Drug Bust in Minersville

Jessica Danouski and Hubert Wakefield of 135 Sunbury St. Minersville were arrested Thursday evening and no reside in the County Prison after borough Police searched their apartment. Both are charged with felony possession with intent to deliver narcotics, possession of illegal narcotics, conspiracy and possession of drug paraphernalia and arraigned by Magesterial District Judge James Reiley. Authorities found individually wrapped bags of marijuana, packaging material and other drug paraphernalia as part of their search. Danouski and Wakefield are being held on $20,000 dollars bail each. The Minersville Police are asking for your help in their fight against drugs in the borough. Anyone with information regarding illegal drug pushers to contact them at 544-6212, all calls will be confidential.

Mahanoy Man Injured In Fall From Roof

A Mahanoy City man was injured Friday afternoon after falling from the roof where he was working. According to the Republican and Herald, Gerald Honushefsky was working on the upper roof of City Seafood and Steak House, 28 S. D St., when he fell from either the roof or a ladder about 2:16 p.m. Police said Honushefsky fell about 14 to 17 feet to the sidewalk. According to police, Honushefsky was conscious after the fall but was bleeding from the nose and ears. He was treated by members of Mahanoy City Ambulance and Shenandoah ALS at the scene and later flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown by Life Flight helicopter.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A congressman from western Pennsylvania says he won't be voting for the health-care reform legislation. Second-term Democrat Jason Altmire said in a statement Friday that he thinks the pending bill could compound the problem of skyrocketing health care costs.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The jury in the Harrisburg public-corruption trial has the weekend off after another day without a verdict. Friday was the sixth day jurors have met to consider theft, conspiracy and conflict-of-interest charges against former state representative Mike Veon and three former aides.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's state-owned universities are offering cash incentives to entice about 400 senior employees to retire. The State System of Higher Education says payments will vary from $6,000 to $30,000 per employee, depending on their years of service and pay grade.

WAYNE, Pa. (AP) - Former state Insurance Commissioner and prominent consumer advocate Herb Denenberg has died at his home in the Philadelphia suburb of Wayne. He was 80. Current Insurance Commissioner Joel Ario called Denenberg "a true consumer advocate."

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - The foul winter weather along the East Coast could mean financial windfalls for landscapers this spring. Many trees and shrubs either died, are clinging to life or need some spiffing up.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic leaders worked late last night trying to secure the final votes needed to pass the health care bill Sunday. President Barack Obama does some arm-twisting on
Capitol Hill this afternoon when he meets with House Democrats still on the fence. A total of 77 are being targeted.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Another seven banks have been shut down by the FDIC, raising the total so far this year to 37. The banks are located in five states, with three of them in Georgia. The FDIC says it found banks willing to assume all but one of the seven -- Advanta Bank, based in Draper, Utah. It's failure will cost more than $635 million.

SEATTLE (AP) - A spokesman for the sheriff's department in Thurston County, Washington, says no searches are planned this weekend for the mother who vanished with her 8-year-old boy last Saturday. His body was found two days ago on a beach, and an autopsy rules it an accidental drowning. Their minivan was found partly submerged.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama has made another video appeal to Iranians, with subtitles in Farsi, saying the U.S. still wants to talk with the Iranian government. But Obama says Tehran has chosen isolation. The appeal coincides with a 12-day holiday on the Persian calendar that celebrates the arrival of spring.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Another court ruling in the battle between the estates of Anna Nicole Smith and the elderly billionaire she once married. A federal appeals court says J. Howard Marshall never intended to leave her any part of his fortune. A lawyer for Smith's estate vows to appeal. The fight is already 15 years old.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Today's News-Friday, March 19, 2010

ELECTRONIC DEVICE TO STAY ON FORMER SHEN OFFICER

A FORMER SHENANDOAH POLICE OFFICER WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE WEARING AN ELECTRONIC MONITORING DEVICE WHILE AWAITING TRIAL. THAT WAS THE RULING OF A FEDERAL JUDGE THURSDAY ACCORDING TO THE REPUBLICAN HERALD. FORMER LT. WILLIAM MOYER HAD REQUESTED REMOVAL OF HIS ELECTRONIC MONITORING DEVICE IN CONNECTION WITH CHARGES HE AND TWO FELLOW OFFICERS OBSTRUCTED JUSTICE IN THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEATH OF MEXICAN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT LUIS RAMIREZ IN 2008. MOYER, FORMER POLICE CHIEF MATTHEW NESTOR AND JASON HAYES ARE FACING THE FEDERAL CHARGES. THE OFFICERS, ALONG WITH DERRICK DONCHAK AND BRANDON PIEKARSKY ARE EXPECTED TO SIT FOR TRIAL LATER THIS YEAR AFTER PRE TRIAL PROCEEDINGS ARE COMPLETED.

MINERSVILLE MAN ACCUSED OF FRAUD

A MINERSVILLE MAN IS JAILED, ACCUSED OF DEFRAUDING A BOROUGH BUSINESS WOMAN. POLICE THERE SAY MICHAEL LISKIEWICZ GAVE DEBRA BARNHART A STOCK TIP AND SHE GAVE HIM $4-THOUSAND DOLLARS TO BUY SHARES FOR HER. HOWEVER, THE SCHEME UNRAVELED WHEN BARNHART FOUND OUT THAT LISKIEWICZ HAD BEEN IN JAIL FOR A PRIOR FRAUD. HE GAVE BARNHART A RUBBER CHECK FOR THE $4 THOUSAND DOLLARS AND REPORTED IT TO POLICE. LISKIEWICZ IS CHARGED WITH THEFT AND RELATED COUNTS AND WAS LODGED IN THE COUNTY PRISON FOLLOWING ARRAIGNMENT. MINERSVILLE POLICE ARE ASKING FOR ANYONE WHO MAY HAVE BEEN DEFRAUDED BY LISKIEWICZ TO CALL THEM AT 544-6212.

SPEED AND DUI ENFORCEMENT PATROLS

STATE POLICE WILL BE BLANKETING AREA ROADWAYS WITH DUI AND LIQUOR ENFORCEMENT PATROLS THIS WEEKEND. THAT'S ACCORDING TO FRACKVILLE STATION COMMANDER CHRIS BLUGIS. SPEEDING AND DUI CHECKPOINTS WILL BE IN EFFECT THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND, AS WELL AS CHECKS FOR UNDERAGE DRINKERS AT ESTABLISHMENTS LICENSED BY THE LIQUOR CONTROL BOARD.

COMMISSIONERS

REPORTER SHERRY MARCHEFSKY HAS A RECAP OF THIS WEEK'S COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WORK SESSION.

COMMISSIONERS 3.17.10

UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN CHAIRS ANNOUNCED

THE 2011 SCHUYLKILL UNITED WAY HAS ANNOUNCED NEW CAMPAIGN CHAIRS. ERIC HOLLEN OF WACHOVIA BANK WILL HEAD THE COUNTY-WIDE CAMPAIGN, ASSISTED BY PATRICK KANE OF HIGGINS INSURANCE, POTTSVILLE. THE TAMAQUA ARM OF THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE HEADED UP BY JOE PILLA, A TAMAQUA BUSINESSMAN. HE WILL BE ASSISTED BY SUSAN FEGLEY, WHO WORKS FOR AIR PRODUCTS IN TAMAQUA. OFFICIALS OF THE UNITED WAY ALSO ANNOUNCED THEIR AFFILIATION WITH THE SEXUAL ASSAULT RESOURCE AND COUNSELING CENTER OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. THAT AGENCY PROVIDES COUNSELING, EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY ON SEXUAL ABUSE ISSUES.

CHIP CELEBRATES 18TH BIRTHDAY

PENNSYLVANIA'S CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM IS CELEBRATING ITS 18TH YEAR. CHIP COVERS MORE THAN 195-THOUSAND-KIDS CURRENTLY, MANY WHO WOULD NEVER HAVE HAD ANY HEALTHCARE COVERAGE WITHOUT IT. THE PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WAS SIGNED INTO LAW IN 1992 BY THEN GOVERNOR ROBERT P. CASEY. SINCE ITS INCEPTION, OVER 800-THOUSAND-CHILDREN WERE AIDED BY THE CHIP PROGRAM.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE ROSE TO 8.9 PERCENT LAST MONTH. THAT'S THE HIGHEST IT'S BEEN IN 25 YEARS. BUT IT'S STILL LOWER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF 9.7 PERCENT. STATE LABOR OFFICIALS SAY EMPLOYERS CUT 16,000 JOBS IN FEBRUARY. THAT BRINGS THE NUMBER OF JOBS LOST SINCE THE RECESSION BEGAN IN DECEMBER 2007 TO 260,000.

UNIONTOWN, PA. (AP) - POLICE TESTIFYING IN AN INQUEST INTO THE DEATH OF A WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA MAN FOUND DEAD IN A HOLDING CELL SAY HE HAD GIVEN NO CAUSE FOR CONCERN BEFORE HE WAS LOCKED UP. AUTHORITIES SAY 43-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL GUTHRIE USED A BOOT LACE AND HIS SWEAT PANTS DRAWSTRING TO HANG HIMSELF IN THE CELL IN UNIONTOWN LAST DECEMBER.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - ONE OF THREE SUSPECTS IN WHAT PITTSBURGH POLICE SAY WAS A FAKE KIDNAPPING THAT COST THEM $10,000 HAS TURNED HIMSELF IN TO POLICE. AUTHORITIES SAY 25-YEAR-OLD ANTHONY HINES OF PITTSBURGH SURRENDERED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. HE FACES THEFT, CONSPIRACY AND OTHER CHARGES.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - JURORS IN THE PUBLIC CORRUPTION TRIAL OF A FORMER PENNSYLVANIA LAWMAKER AND THREE AIDES DELIBERATED FOR A FIFTH DAY YESTERDAY WITHOUT REACHING A VERDICT. THE FIFTH DAY OF DELIBERATIONS IN THE PUBLIC CORRUPTION TRIAL OF A FORMER PENNSYLVANIA LAWMAKER AND THREE OF HIS FORMER AIDES IS OVER WITHOUT THE JURY REACHING A VERDICT. THE JURY IN THE CASE CENTERING ON FORMER DEMOCRATIC STATE REPRESENTATIVE MIKE VEON HAS NOW DELIBERATED ABOUT 38 HOURS SINCE CLOSED-DOOR TALKS BEGAN LAST FRIDAY.

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IS SCRAMBLING TO RALLY THE PUBLIC AHEAD OF A POSSIBLE VOTE ON HEALTH CARE SUNDAY. TODAY, OBAMA WILL TALK UP THE SWEEPING OVERHAUL IN A SPEECH IN VIRGINIA. IT'LL BE HIS FOURTH EVENT OUTSIDE-THE-BELTWAY IN TWO WEEKS.

CHICAGO (AP) - THE LAWYER FOR THE AMERICAN WHO ADMITTED SCOUTING FOR THE DEADLY 2008 ATTACK IN MUMBAI, INDIA, SAYS HIS CLIENT IS ALREADY SPILLING TERRORISTS' SECRETS TO U.S. AUTHORITIES. DAVID HEADLEY PLEADED GUILTY YESTERDAY IN FEDERAL COURT IN CHICAGO. FEDERAL OFFICIALS SAY HEADLEY HAS BECOME A VALUABLE ASSET IN THE WAR ON TERRORISM.

PORTLAND, ORE. (AP) - THE LAWYER FOR A MAN WHO WAS MOLESTED IN THE 1980S BY A BOY SCOUT LEADER SAYS SECRET FILES COULD BE RELEASED AT AN OREGON CIVIL TRIAL THAT BEGAN WEDNESDAY. THE LAWYER SAYS THE SCOUTS HAVE LONG KEPT AN EXTENSIVE ARCHIVE OF DOCUMENTS THAT CHRONICLE THE SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG BOYS BY SCOUT LEADERS OVER THE YEARS.

SEATTLE (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN WASHINGTON STATE ARE HOPING TO RESUME THE SEARCH TODAY FOR SHANTINA SMILEY, THE WOMAN WHO DISAPPEARED LAST WEEKEND WITH HER 8-YEAR-OLD BOY. THE BOY'S BODY TURNED UP YESTERDAY ON A BEACH IN PUGET SOUND. SMILEY'S VAN WAS FOUND PARTIALLY SUBMERGED, ONE DAY AFTER SHE AND THE BOY VANISHED.

RIVERSIDE, CALIF. (AP) - AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING WHETHER A MOTORCYCLE GANG BOOBYTRAPPED A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA POLICE BUILDING
AFTER POLICE MONITORED THE FUNERAL OF A GANG MEMBER. POLICE SAY TWO
DAYS AFTER THE DECEMBER FUNERAL, SOMEONE DRILLED A HOLE IN THE ROOF
OF THE POLICE BUILDING AND DIVERTED A NATURAL GAS LINE FROM A HEATER, FILLING THE SPACE WITH FLAMMABLE GAS. NO ONE WAS HURT.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Today's News-Thursday, March 18, 2010

SUSPECTS NAMED IN SHENANDOAH MURDER

THREE MEN HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE MURDER OF A SHENANDOAH MAN EARLIER THIS WEEK. THEY ARE 19 YEAR OLD JAHMAL OLLIVIRRE OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, 30 YEAR OLD JULIUS ENOE OF MOHNTON AND 29 YEAR OLD DAMON ENNET OF FREELAND ARE SUSPECTED IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF 24 YEAR OLD BRUCE FORKER AT HIS EAST CENTER STREET HOME EARLY TUESDAY. THE MEN FORCED THEIR WAY INTO FORKER'S HOME IN A ROBBERY. ENNET HAS BEEN APPREHENDED, WHILE POLICE ALONG WITH U.S. MARSHALS, ARE SEEKING OLLIVIRRE AND ENOE, WHO ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE FLED TO NEW YORK CITY. A SEARCH AT A MUHLENBURG TOWNSHIP HOME WAS CONDUCTED BY STATE POLICE YESTERDAY. LEADS ARE STILL BEING GATHERED BY STATE POLICE BY CALLING 800-4PA-TIPS. A REWARD OF UP TO $1000 DOLLARS IS STILL BEING OFFERED FOR TIPS LEADING TO THE APPREHENSION OF OLLIVIRRE AND ENOE.

ASSAULT AT BLUE MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL

AN ORWIGSBURG TEEN IS ACCUSED OF SIMPLE ASSAULT RELATING TO AN INCIDENT AT BLUE MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL TUESDAY MORNING. SCHUYLKILL HAVEN STATE POLICE SAY THAT 18 YEAR OLD CODY MEYER AND A JUVENILE GOT INTO A SCUFFLE IN A LOCKER ROOM AT THE SCHOOL, WITH MEYER PUSHING THE OTHER BOY INTO A LOCKER AND STRUCK HIM SEVERAL TIMES IN THE FACE. A CRIMINAL COMPLAINT WILL BE FILED AGAINST MEYER IN THE CASE.

CRASH IN GORDON

AN ASHLAND MAN SUFFERED MINOR INJURY IN A THREE VEHICLE CRASH IN GORDON LAST EVENING. WILLIAM QUICK OF MAHANOY CITY WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON MCKNIGHT STREET AND FAILED TO STOP IN TIME AT THE INTERSECTION WITH HOBART STREET. HIS VEHICLE RAN INTO A CAR OPERATED BY 83 YEAR OLD RODNEY MALLAMS OF ASHLAND. MOMENTUM FORCED MALLAMS CAR INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AT THE INTERSECTION. MALLAMS WAS TAKEN TO ST CATHERINE'S MEDICAL CENTER FOR TREATMENT.

TOWER CITY WOMAN ESCAPES INJURY WHEN CAR STRIKES TREE

A TOWER CITY WOMAN ESCAPED INJURY WHEN HER CAR CRASHED ON ROUTE 209 YESTERDAY MORNING. 30 YEAR OLD RACHEL ZIMMERMAN FAILED TO NEGOTIATE A CURVE AND LOST CONTROL OF HER CAR. THE VEHICLE SPUN 180 DEGREES AND STRUCK A TREE. THE CRASH HAPPENED AROUND 10:30 YESTERDAY.

GRATZ CEMETERY BURGLARY

AN ATTEMPTED BURGLARY TOOK PLACE AT GRATZ UNION CEMETERY OVER THE PAST WEEK. LYKENS STATE POLICE SAY THAT UNKNOWN PERSONS BROKE INTO A MAINTENANCE SHED AT GRATZ UNION CEMETERY AND DAMAGE DONE TO THE BUILDING, BUT APPARENTLY, NOTHING WAS TAKEN. TROOPERS ARE STILL INVESTIGATING.

ALCOHOL MAY BE ALLOWED AT ISLAND FEST

VISITORS TO SCHUYLKILL HAVEN'S ISLAND FEST THIS SUMMER WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY ADULT BEVERAGES IN A ONE YEAR TRIAL. SCHUYLKILL HAVEN BOROUGH COUNCIL VOTED 4 TO 3 LAST NIGHT TO ALLOW SALE OF ALCOHOL IN A CONTAINED AREA, WITH PROPER IDENTIFICATION, AT THE ANNUAL EVENT AUGUST 21ST. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THAT WITH ATTENDANCE DROPPING A BIT, THE ISLAND FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE WANTS TO TRY THE ALCOHOL SALES AS A WAY TO BOOST REVENUE. REPORTS SAY THERE IS AN ORDINANCE ON THE BOROUGH'S BOOKS PROHIBITING ALCOHOL ON BOROUGH PROPERTY. SOLICITOR MARK SEMANCHICK IS LOOKING INTO WHAT WOULD NEED TO BE DONE TO ALLOW ALCOHOL FOR THE ONE DAY EVENT.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - JURORS IN THE PUBLIC CORRUPTION TRIAL OF FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE MIKE VEON AND HIS AIDES ARE SHOWING SOME STRAIN. THEY DELIBERATED FOR A FOURTH DAY YESTERDAY. ONE JUROR TOLD THE JUDGE THEY'VE BEEN TURNING ON EACH OTHER, AND THREE SEEMED TO BE WIPING TEARS AS THEY LEFT THE COURTROOM.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A 72-YEAR-OLD MAN FACING MURDER CHARGES AFTER THE DEATH OF A PHILADELPHIA POLICE OFFICER HE SHOT IN 1966 COULD SOON BE TRIED. AUTHORITIES BROUGHT MURDER CHARGES AGAINST WILLIAM BARNES AFTER A MEDICAL EXAMINER RULED THAT FORMER POLICE OFFICER WALTER BARCLAY'S AUGUST 2007 DEATH WAS CAUSED BY AN INFECTION LINKED TO THE 1966 SHOOTING. A TRIAL IS SET FOR MAY.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A PENNSYLVANIA LAWMAKER WHOSE PARENTS RECENTLY DIED OF CANCER IS DENOUNCING A TV AD THAT QUESTIONS HER INTEREST IN PREVENTING CANCER. DEMOCRATIC REPRESENATIVE KATHY DAHLKEMPER SAID SHE WAS OUTRAGED BY THE AD, WHICH IS RUNNING IN 18 DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS AND URGES THE DEFEAT OF PROPOSED HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE PHILADELPHIA VA MEDICAL CENTER HAS BEEN FINED $227,500 STEMMING FROM ERRORS IN A PROSTATE CANCER PROGRAM THAT RESULTED IN 97 VETERANS GETTING INCORRECT RADIATION DOSES. THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SAYS THE FINE ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY IS ONE OF THE LARGEST IT HAS EVER LEVIED AGAINST A MEDICAL FACILITY.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - OFFICIALS IN FARGO, ND, ARE TALKING CONFIDENTLY AS THEY WAIT FOR SUNDAY'S CREST OF THE RED RIVER. THE SANDBAGGING IS DONE THREE DAYS AHEAD OF TIME, THANKS TO A
COORDINATED EFFORT. THE RIVER IS ALREADY AT MAJOR FLOOD STAGE, AND IS EXPECTED TO RISE ANOTHER EIGHT FEET.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THINGS SEEM TO BE FALLING INTO PLACE FOR SUPPORTERS OF THE HEALTH CARE BILL BEFORE THE HOUSE, BUT THERE ARE STILL SOME LOOSE ENDS. THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE HAS YET TO RELEASE ITS ANALYSIS. DEMOCRATS HAVE PROMISED THREE DAYS FOR
EVERYONE TO REVIEW THE BILL, SO THE EARLIEST THERE COULD BE A VOTE IS SUNDAY.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE ALLEGED TERRORIST KNOWN AS "JIHAD JANE" MAKES HER FIRST COURT APPEARANCE TODAY, IN PHILADELPHIA. COLLEEN LA ROSE IS ACCUSED OF PLOTTING WITH TERROR SUSPECTS ABROAD TO KILL A SWEDISH ARTIST. HER MENTAL STATE MAY BECOME AN ISSUE AS HER CASE MOVES THROUGH THE COURTS.

CHICAGO (AP) - AN AMERICAN CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH THE TERRORIST ATTACK IN MUMBAI, INDIA, TWO YEARS AGO IS EXPECTED TO PLEAD GUILTY TODAY IN CHICAGO TO FEDERAL CHARGES THAT MAY SPARE HIM THE DEATH PENALTY. DAVID HEADLEY IS ACCUSED OF SCOUTING MUMBAI FOR THOSE BEHIND THE ATTACK.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - OPENING STATEMENTS THIS MORNING IN PROVIDENCE, R.I., IN THE RAPE TRIAL OF A CITY POLICE OFFICER. MARCUS HUFFMAN IS ACCUSED OF RAPING A WOMAN IN A DESERTED POLICE SUBSTATION THREE YEARS AGO, THEN SHOWING UP TO TAKE HER REPORT AFTER SHE CALLED 911. HE'S CURRENTLY SUSPENDED WITHOUT PAY.


Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Today's News-March 17, 2010

TREMONT ACCUSED

FOUR PEOPLE CHARGED WITH OPERATING A METHAMPHETAMINE LAB THAT CAUGHT FIRE JANUARY 12TH IN PINE GROVE WERE IN COURT TUESDAY. THAT BLAZE DESTROYED SEVEN HOMES, AND NOT 37 YEAR OLD ANGELA SINGH, AND 45 YEAR OLD LANCE CHRISTMAN, WHO LIVED AT 75 SOUTH TULPEHOCKEN STREET, THE HOME WHERE THE EXPLOSION OCCURRED, AND 28 YEAR OLD STEVEN DONTON OF POTTSVILLE, HAD HIS CHARGES HELD FOR COURT. AND, 21 YEAR OLD AMBER MAREK-JOLLEY, OF INDEPENDENCE, MISSOURI, WAS CHARGED WITH THE SAME OFFENSES BUT HAD ALL CHARGES DISMISSED AT HER HEARING WITH THE EXCEPTION OF FAILURE TO REPORT A FIRE AND CONSPIRACY TO MANUFACTURE METHAMPHETAMINE. ALL FOUR REMAIN JAILED IN THE COUNTY PRISON.

BUS RIDES FOR A BUCK

STS IS OFFEREING A GREAT DEAL FOR RIDING THEIR FIXED ROUTES TODAY. ALL RIDERS CAN BOARD FOR A DOLLAR. CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHT ARE FREE. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL STS AT 429-2701.

SUSPECTS STILL BEING SOUGHT IN SHENANDOAH SHOOTING

AUTHORITIES ARE STILL LOOKING FOR TWO MEN IN CONNECTION WITH THE SHOOTING OF A SHENANDOAH MAN TUESDAY. THE UNKNOWN ASSAILANTS ENTERED THE HOME OF BRUCE FORKER AT 333 EAST CENTRE STREET AFTER 2AM, IN AN APPARENT BURGLARY ATTEMPT. DURING THE COURSE OF THE CRIME, FORKER WAS SHOT AND KILLED. HIS GIRLFRIEND AND TWO CHILDREN WERE HOME AT THE TIME, BUT WERE UNINJURED. STATE AND LOCAL POLICE SPENT THE BETTER PART OF TUESDAY AT THE SCENE, LOOKING FOR CLUES AS TO WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED. THEY ARE ASKING FOR YOUR HELP IN SOLVING THE CRIME. LEADS CAN BE CALLED INTO THE FRACKVILLE STATE POLICE BARRACKS AT 874-5300 OR ANONYMOUSLY, AT 1-800-4PA-TIPS. THERE IS A REWARD OF UP TO $1-THOUSAND-DOLLARS FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST OF THE RESPONSIBLE PERSONS.

JOBLESS RATE TICKS UP

MORE PEOPLE WERE WITHOUT WORK IN JANUARY HERE IN THE COUNTY. THAT'S ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY, WHO REPORT THAT SCHUYLKILL COUNTY'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 10-POINT-7 IN JANUARY. THAT'S THREE TENTHS OF A PERCENTAGE POINT HIGHER THAN DECEMBER, BUT LOWER THAN THE HIGH WATER MARK OF 11 PERCENT IN OCTOBER. SCHUYLKILL'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE STILL REMAINS NEARLY TWO FULL PERCENTAGE POINTS HIGHER THAN THE STATE LEVEL OF 8-POINT-8 PERCENT AND ONE PERCENT HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT AVERAGE OF 9-POINT-7 PERCENT.

MINERSVILLE MAN JAILED FOR DRUGS

AN UNDERCOVER DRUG OPERATION HAS LED TO THE ARREST OF A MINERSVILLE MAN SUNDAY. 32 YEAR OLD ROBERT JOHNSON WAS APPREHENDED AT HIS LEWIS STREET HOME, AND CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF DELIVERY OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE ALONG WITH OTHER OFFENSES. JOHNSON REPORTEDLY SOLD POT TO AN UNDERCOVER OFFICER. MINERSVILLE POLICE AND AGENTS FROM THE DA'S DRUG TASK FORCE ARRESTED JOHNSON. HE'S LOCKED UP IN THE COUNTY PRISON.

FEDS ANNOUNCE PLAN FOR DIALUP TO GO AWAY IN RURAL AREAS

MAKING SURE DIAL-UP GOES THE WAY OF THE DINOSAURS--THAT'S PART OF THE GOAL BEHIND THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED NATIONAL BROADBAND PLAN, OFFICIALLY RELEASED BY THE F-C-C ON TUESDAY. MANY ARE STILL COMBING THROUGH THE 360-PAGE PLAN, BUT AMALIA DELONEY WITH THE GRASSROOTS GROUP CENTER FOR MEDIA JUSTICE SAYS THE RELEASE OF THE PLAN IS A VICTORY IN ITSELF.

DELONEY

THE PLAN CALLS FOR INCREASING THE BROADBAND ADOPTION RATE FROM 65 TO 90 PERCENT NATIONWIDE, CONNECTING VITAL INSTITUTIONS LIKE HOSPITALS AND SCHOOLS AND CONNECTING 100 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS TO AFFORDABLE BROADBAND BY 2020.

BETHLEHEM, PA. (AP) - A 21-YEAR-OLD EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA MAN ACCUSED OF POSTING FAKE ONLINE ADS TO LURE VICTIMS TO ROB THEM HAS AGREED TO PLEAD GUILTY. POLICE SAY COREY JACKSON OF EAST STROUDSBURG POSED AS A BUYER INTERESTED IN JEWELRY AND STOLE EXPENSIVE RINGS FROM THE SELLERS, AND OFFERED TO SELL A LAPTOP BUT TOOK THE CASH THEN WRESTLED THE COMPUTER BACK.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A U.S. SENATE PANEL PLANS A HEARING THIS MONTH TO EXAMINE ALLEGATIONS OF WEBCAM SPYING BY A SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA SCHOOL SYSTEM. SENATOR ARLEN SPECTER SAYS HIS SUBCOMMITTEE ON CRIME AND DRUGS WILL HOLD THE HEARING MARCH 29TH ON THE USE OF REMOTE TRACKING SOFTWARE TO TAKE PICTURES USING CAMERAS ON LAPTOPS ISSUED TO LOWER MERION STUDENTS.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - HIGHMARK INCORPORATED, PENNSYLVANIA'S SECOND-LARGEST HEALTH INSURER, IS SUING STATE REGULATORS OVER WHAT IT SAYS IS UNAUTHORIZED SCRUTINY OF MARKETPLACE COMPETITION. THE COMPANY SAYS IT'S PARTICULARLY TROUBLED BY THE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT'S EFFORT TO ANALYZE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD LICENSING AGREEMENTS THAT INCLUDE EXCLUSIVE SERVICE AREA RIGHTS.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - STATE LAWMAKERS HAVE APPROVED A BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE NATURAL-GAS PRODUCERS TO PROMPTLY DISCLOSE HOW MUCH GAS THEY'RE DRAWING FROM PENNSYLVANIA WELLS. GOVERNOR ED RENDELL IS EXPECTED TO SIGN THE BILL, WHICH WOULD OVERRIDE CURRENT LAW THAT REQUIRES STATE REGULATORS TO KEEP OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION DATA CONFIDENTIAL FOR FIVE YEARS.

CHICAGO (AP) - HOUSE DEMOCRATS STILL APPEAR TO BE SHORT OF THE 216 VOTES THEY NEED TO PASS HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION. BUT HEALTH SECRETARY KATHLEEN SEBELIUS (SEH-BEEL'-YUHS) SAYS SHE'S CONFIDENT THEY'LL GET THEM. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AND HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI ARE WORKING TO CHANGE ENOUGH MINDS TO PASS THE BILL.

KABUL (AP) - WOULD-BE SUICIDE ATTACKERS HAVE BEEN KILLED BY SECURITY GUARDS IN SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN BEFORE THEY COULD HIT THEIR INTENDED TARGET. TWO INSURGENTS ATTACKED A CHARITY GROUP, THE INTERNATIONAL RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE IN THE TOWN OF LASHKAR GAH. ONE FOREIGN EMPLOYEE WAS WOUNDED.

HAVANA (AP) - AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL IS AGAIN URGING CUBA TO RELEASE POLITICAL PRISONERS AND DUMP LAWS WHICH ARE SAID TO RESTRICT FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS. AMNESTY'S CALL COMES ON THE SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF A MAJOR CRACKDOWN ON CUBAN DISSIDENTS. THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT HAS NOT RESPONDED, BUT HAVANA ROUTINELY DISMISSES SUCH HUMAN RIGHTS GROUPS AS TOOLS OF THE UNITED STATES.

CAMPBELLTON, TEXAS (AP) - A PUBLIC SAFETY SPOKESMAN SAYS INVESTIGATORS SUSPECT EQUIPMENT FAILURE MAY HAVE CAUSED A MEXICO-BOUND BUS TO CRASH, KILLING TWO PEOPLE AND INJURING 40. BUT OFFICIALS SAY THE TIRES WERE INTACT AND THEY HAVEN'T YET PINNED DOWN THE CAUSE.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - SANDBAGGING OPERATIONS CONTINUE TODAY IN FARGO, N.D. AND NEIGHBORING MOORHEAD, MINN. TO TRY TO FIGHT OFF THE RISING RED RIVER. IT'S EXPECTED TO CREST SUNDAY AT 20 FEET ABOVE FLOOD STAGE. IN IOWA, RESIDENTS NEAR THE DES MOINES RIVER ARE ON THE ALERT BECAUSE OF RISING WATER.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

SHENANDOAH MURDER UPDATE-2:30PM

STATE POLICE HAVE IDENTIFIED THE SHENANDOAH MAN WHO DIED AS THE RESULT OF A GUNSHOT WOUND EARLY THIS MORNING. STATE POLICE REPORT THAT TWO MALES FORCED THEIR WAY INTO THE HOME OF BRUCE FORKER, 333 EAST CENTER STREET TO ROB THE OCCUPANTS. DURING THE ROBBERY, FORKER WAS SHOT AND KILLED. LEADS ARE BEING SOUGHT BY STATE POLICE IN THE CASE. CALL THEM WITH LEADS AT 570-874-5300. ANONYMOUS TIPS CAN BE MADE BY CALLING PA CRIMESTOPPERS AT 800-4PA-TIPS, WITH A REWARD UP TO $1000 FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST OF THE PERSONS RESPONSIBLE.

Today's News-Tuesday, March 16, 2010-9am


SHENANDOAH MURDER

A SHENANDOAH MAN IS DEAD FOLLOWING AN INCIDENT IN THE BOROUGH OVERNIGHT. STATE POLICE LT. THOMAS MCDANIEL OF TROOP L, PA STATE POLICE.


THE 300 BLOCK OF EAST CENTRE STREET IS ROPED OFF AS INVESTIGATORS LOOK FOR CLUES AS TO WHAT HAPPENED AT 333 EAST CENTRE STREET AROUND 2AM. AUTHORITIES ARE INTERVIEWING OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WHO WERE IN THE HOME AT THE TIME, AND ARE ASKING FOR THE PUBLIC'S HELP IN THEIR INVESTIGATION. ANY TIPS CAN BE CALLED INTO THE FRACKVILLE STATE POLICE BARRACKS AT 874-5300 OR 1-800-PA-TIPS.


SENAVITIS FOUND NOT GUILTY ON MOST SERIOUS CHARGES

A KUNKLETOWN, MONROE COUNTY MAN HAS BEEN ACQUITTED OF VEHICULAR HOMICIDE WHILE DRIVING DRUNK IN A 2008 CRASH THAT KILLED SENATOR JAMES RHOADES AND SERIOUSLY INJURED HIS WIFE. JURORS IN STROUDSBURG DECIDED MONDAY THAT 46-YEAR-OLD THOMAS SENAVITIS WAS HIGHLY INTOXICATED BUT DID NOT CAUSE THE CRASH ON STATE ROUTE 209 IN THE POCONOS IN OCTOBER, 2008. SENAVITIS WAS CONVICTED OF RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT AND DRUNKEN DRIVING CHARGES. PROSECUTORS ALLEGED SENAVITIS HAD A BLOOD-ALCOHOL LEVEL MORE THAN FOUR TIMES THE LEGAL LIMIT FOR DRIVING AND HIS PICKUP TRUCK CROSSED A CENTER LINE AND HIT RHOADES' CADILLAC SEDAN. SENAVITIS' ATTORNEY INSISTED THAT IT WAS RHOADES WHO CAUSED THE CRASH BY VEERING INTO THE DEFENDANT'S LANE TO AVOID A MINIVAN PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE ALSO QUESTIONED THE RELIABILITY OF THE BLOOD TEST PERFORMED ON HIS CLIENT. THE JURY DELIBERATED FOR ALMOST 5 HOURS BEFORE A VERDICT WAS REACHED.

MAN WANTED FOR TRYING TO RUN OVER OFFICER

POTTSVILLE CITY POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR A SHENANDOAH MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY TRIED TO RUN OVER A POTTSVILLE POLICE OFFICER SATURDAY NIGHT. OFFICERS WERE CALLED TO A HOME ON JOHN O'HARA STREET, WHERE A WOMAN THERE HAD RECEIVED A DEATH THREAT FROM 28 YEAR OLD LUIS ANGEL DIAZ-RIVERA. THE SUSPECT SHOWED UP AT THE HOME, AND FLED WITH POLICE IN PURSUIT. DIAZ GOT INTO A CAR, AND ATTEMPTED TO RUN OVER A CITY POLICEMAN WHO WAS ON FOOT IN PURSUIT. NO SHOTS WERE FIRED, AND DIAZ GOT AWAY. THE SUSPECT'S LAST KNOWN ADDRESS WAS 205 OHIO AVENUE IN SHENANDOAH HEIGHTS. HE FACES CHARGES OF ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND OTHER RELATED COUNTS. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT DIAZ' WHEREABOUTS SHOULD CALL POTTSVILLE POLICE.

INDUSTRIAL THEFT

A COAL COMPANY IN REILLY TOWNSHIP IS THE VICTIM OF THEFT. STATE POLICE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN ARE INVESTIGATING THE THEFT OF 120 FEET OF HEAVY GAUGE COOPER WIRE FROM THE WHITE PINE COAL COMPANY. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED OVER THE WEEKEND AT THE SITE ON NEW MINES ROAD. THE SUSPECTS ARE STILL AT LARGE.

SEVERAL WANTED ON WARRANTS PICKED UP

FRACKVILLE STATE POLICE HAVE NABBED TWO PEOPLE WHO WERE WANTED ON OUTSTANDING CRIMINAL WARRANTS. 20 YEAR OLD TIFFANY JADUS OF SHENANDOAH WAS SEEN WALKING NEAR WEST CHERRY STREET IN THE BOROUGH, AND WAS PICKED UP ON A THEFT WARRANT. A VEHICLE STOP ON ROUTE 54 LED TO THE APPREHENSION OF 23 YEAR OLD GREGORY SMITH OF GIRARDVILLE. SMITH HAD AN OUTSTANDING WARRANT AGAINST HIM FOR FAILING TO APPEAR ON A CHARGE OF RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY. BOTH SMITH AND JADUS WERE TAKEN TO SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON.

SEIP TO HOLD HOMEOWNER'S WORKSHOP

A FREE WORKSHOP FOR HOMEOWNERS IS BEING OFFERED IN CRESSONA SATURDAY, MARCH 27TH. STATE REPRESENTATIVE TIM SEIP IS HOLDING THE EVENT, DESIGNED TO ASSIST HOMEOWNERS WHO MAY HAVE DIFFICULTY MAKING THEIR MORTGAGE PAYMENTS OR WHO MAY BE FACING FORECLOSURE. IN ADDITION, A SESSION WILL BE HELD TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE LOOKING TO MAKE HOME RENOVATIONS OR ENERGY EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS. PEOPLE WHO WISH TO ATTEND MUST REGISTER BY FRIDAY, MARCH 19TH BY CALLING ONE OF SEIP'S DISTRICT OFFICES OR ONLINE AT PAHOUSE.COM/SEIP.

DENVER (AP) - UNITED STATES STEEL CORPORATION CEO JOHN SURMA EARNED 84 PERCENT LESS LAST YEAR THAN IN 2008 AFTER HE TOOK A SALARY CUT AND REFUSED STOCK AWARDS AMID THE PITTSBURGH STEELMAKER'S STRUGGLES WITH WEAK DEMAND. AN AP ANALYSIS OF REGULATORY FILINGS FINDS SURMAN RECEIVED TOTAL COMPENSATION OF $1.5 MILLION IN 2009, COMPARED WITH $11.1 MILLION IN 2008.

WEST CHESTER, PA. (AP) - A FIFTH DEFENDANT HAS BEEN CONVICTED IN THE JULY 2007 SHOOTING DEATH OF A PHILADELPHIA-AREA FATHER OF TWO WHO HAD BEEN SCHEDULED TO PLEAD GUILTY IN A DRUG CASE. A JUDGE YESTERDAY FOUND 21-YEAR-OLD ANDRES MORALES OF COATESVILLE GUILTY OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER, ROBBERY, AND RELATED OFFENSES IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF CHRISTIAN OLIVERAS.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - JURORS IN THE PUBLIC-CORRUPTION TRIAL OF A FORMER TOP PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE DEMOCRAT AND THREE FORMER AIDES DELIBERATED FOR A SECOND DAY WITHOUT REACHING A VERDICT. THE 12-MEMBER PANEL SPENT ABOUT NINE HOURS YESTERDAY BEHIND CLOSED DOORS AND WENT HOME AT AROUND 5 P.M. THE CASE IS CENTERED ON FORMER BEAVER COUNTY STATE REPRESENTATIVE MIKE VEON.

JERUSALEM (AP) - A U.S. OFFICIAL SAYS WASHINGTON'S MIDDLE EAST PEACE ENVOY STILL PLANS TO GO TO THE MIDDLE EAST BUT THE TIMING IS UNCERTAIN AMID A DEEPENING FEUD WITH JERUSALEM. GEORGE MITCHELL HAS DELAYED HIS TRIP TO THE REGION. IT ALL STARTED DURING VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S VISIT WHEN ISRAEL ANNOUNCED PLANS TO BUILD MORE SETTLEMENTS IN DISPUTED EAST JERUSALEM.

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AND DEMOCRATIC LEADERS ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO ROUND UP ENOUGH VOTES TO PASS THE HEALTH CARE REFORM BILL. THE MAKE-OR-BREAK VOTE THIS WEEK IS EXPECTED TO BE TIGHT. THE PRESIDENT IS WOOING FRESHMAN DEMOCRATS IN THE OVAL OFFICE AND AIDES TO THE LAWMAKERS INVITED SAY THERE WERE AT LEAST TWO ONE-ON-ONE SESSIONS IN THE PAST FEW DAYS THAT NEVER APPEARED ON HIS OFFICIAL SCHEDULE.

WASHINGTON (AP) - AN ASSOCIATED PRESS REVIEW OF ANNUAL FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REPORTS INDICATES THE GOVERNMENT'S USE OF LEGAL EXEMPTIONS ROSE DURING PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE. IN SPITE OF PROMISES OF INCREASED OPENNESS, THE REVIEW FOUND THAT OVERALL, THE USE OF NEARLY EVERY ONE OF THE LAW'S NINE EXEMPTIONS ROSE IN FISCAL YEAR 2009.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE REAL NEWS AS THE FEDERAL RESERVE WRAPS UP ITS POLICY-SETTING MEETING TODAY COULD COME IN WHAT HINTS IT MAY DROP ABOUT FUTURE ACTION ON INTEREST RATES. IT'S NOT EXPECTED TO RAISE THEM TODAY, BUT THE FED COULD SIGNAL WHEN AND HOW THEY WILL BEGIN BOOSTING RATES DOWN THE LINE.

WASHINGTON (AP) - MILLIONS OF USERS ARE SIGNING ON TO FACEBOOK, MYSPACE, LINKEDIN AND TWITTER - AND SO ARE THE FEDS. LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS ARE GOING UNDERCOVER TO COMMUNICATE WITH SUSPECTS AND GATHER INFORMATION, ACCORDING TO AN INTERNAL JUSTICE DEPARTMENT DOCUMENT. BUT CIVIL LIBERTIES ADVOCATES SAY THE DOCUMENT, OBTAINED IN A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT LAWSUIT, APPEARS LACKING WHEN IT COMES TO ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBLE USE.

Monday, March 15, 2010

SENAVITIS TRIAL

CLOSINGS WRAP IN PA. LAWMAKER CRASH DEATH TRIAL

STROUDSBURG, PA. (AP) - CLOSING ARGUMENTS HAVE WRAPPED UP IN THE VEHICULAR HOMICIDE TRIAL OF A MAN ACCUSED OF CAUSING THE 2008 CRASH
THAT KILLED A PENNSYLVANIA LAWMAKER. MONROE COUNTY ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY COLLEEN MANCUSO TOLD JURORS IN MONROE COUNTY THAT 46-YEAR-OLD THOMAS SENAVITIS CROSSED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, CAUSING THE CRASH THAT KILLED STATE SEN. JAMES RHOADES ON OCT. 17, 2008, IN THE POCONOS. SHE SAYS SENAVITIS HAD A BLOOD-ALCOHOL LEVEL MORE THAN FOUR TIMES THE LEGAL LIMIT FOR DRIVING AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. SENAVITIS' ATTORNEY SAYS IT WAS RHOADES WHO CAUSED THE CRASH BY VEERING INTO THE DEFENDANT'S LANE TO AVOID A MINIVAN PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. DEFENSE ATTORNEY WES NIEMOCZYNSKI ALSO QUESTIONED THE RELIABILITY OF THE BLOOD TEST PERFORMED ON SENAVITIS. THE JURY IS SET TO BEGIN DELIBERATING.

TODAY'S NEWS - MONDAY 3.15.10

TODAY'S NEWS MONDAY 3.15.10

LOCAL

One Vehicle Crash I-81
Pennsylvania State Police are investigating a single vehicle crash on Interstate 81 in Ryan Township that happened around noon yesterday. Robert Wagman, 57 of Hazle Township, was traveling southbound on I-81 when he lost control of his vehicle due to slick roadways, and struck a guardrail. Wagman was not injured in the crash however his 2005 Chyster Pacifica had to be towed due to moderate damage. The Delano Fire Company and Ryan Township EMS assisted at the scene. Wagman will be cited for driving on roadways laned for traffic under Pennsylvania Vehicle Code.

New Minersville Hit and Run
An unknown suspect backed into the driver’s side of a 2007 Hyundai Tuscon owned by Andrea Gaylor on Saturday night around 10:00pm. Gaylor’s vehicle was parked at 903 Hickory Street in New Minersville at the time of the hit and run. The suspect fled the scene without stopping after the incident. Anyone with information concerning this accident should contact the Pennsylvania State Police of Schuylkill Haven at 593-2000.

Pump Thefts
Several items were taken from a residence in Orwigsburg late last week. Samuel Boyer, 69 of Orwigsburg, had an Atlantic Gas pump, and electric water pump and a shop vacuum taken from his property at 103 White Tale Lane sometime between 6pm last Thursday night and 11:30 am Friday Morning. Anyone with information concerning this theft should contact the Pennsylvania State Police Schuylkill Haven Barracks at 593-2000.

YMCA/YWCA Merger
The Schuylkill YMCA and YWCA are expected to merge sometime later this year in an effort to save money and better serve the members of the community. Both organizations have been working closely together under a joint operating agreement since the summer of 2006. The merger will utilize the space of the YWCA to its fullest, especially now since space at the YMCA is getting tight. The YWCA is currently only in use 1 time during the week for a co-ed gymnastics program for children on Mondays. The YMCA had its grand opening in May of last year, and became the first full-service YMCA in the county since 1972 when the facility at Market and 2nd was torn down.


STATE

STORMY WEATHER
Northeast wind-driven rain blamed for 6 deaths

EGG HARBOR CITY, N.J. (AP) - The weekend's brutal Northeast
rainstorm is being blamed for the deaths of at least six people.
Connecticut police say a woman died when a falling tree struck
her as she was walking late Saturday in Greenwich (GREN'-ich).
Strong winds and heavy rains uprooted trees, downed power lines
and flooded creeks. A half-million utility customers in
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut lost
electricity.
Police say one person was killed in Westport, Conn., when a tree
fell on a car.
Authorities in Teaneck, N.J., say two neighbors were killed by a
falling tree as they headed home from a prayer service.
In Hartsdale, N.Y., a man died when a tree crushed the roof of
his car.
And in Rhode Island, an off-duty state trooper died Sunday after
his car hydroplaned in a patch of standing water.

STORMY WEATHER-PA
Western Pa. flooding prompted some evacuations

SOMERSET, Pa. (AP) - Residents of western Pennsylvania are
cleaning up Sunday after rains that closed roads, flooded basements
and prompted some precautionary evacuations.
Somerset County 911 supervisor Joel Landis says about 45 people
were evacuated from several personal care homes in the Confluence
area in the southern part of the county on Saturday. He says
several residents were also evacuated from homes in Hollsopple and
Benson Borough from rising water in the Stonycreek River.
Landis says some roads were closed in the county and basements
of homes were flooded, but there have been no reports of serious
damage or injuries.



LANCASTER FARMLAND
Pa. farm preservation program slows with economy

LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) - Three decades after it began, a central
Pennsylvania county's model farmland preservation program is seeing
a slowing of county and private contributions amid the down
economy.
Since Lancaster County began its program 30 years ago this
spring, it has saved nearly 1,100 farms and about 85,300 acres.
That is more than any other county in the nation. But,
preservationists argue, that is only one-fifth of the county's
total agricultural acreage and not enough to ensure that farming
will remain viable.
And, according to a Lancaster Newspapers analysis, the program
is changing in ways that may imperil its future.
For one thing, the recession has meant a significant reduction
in the amount of money the county government is borrowing to
preserve farms. County commissioners are also promoting a
pay-as-you-go approach that may limit future funding.
And the private Lancaster Farmland Trust, amid declining
corporate and foundation support, is reducing the acreage it
preserves each year so that it can concentrate on monitoring farms
already saved.
---
Information from: Intelligencer Journal,
http://www.lancasteronline.com/pages/paper/sundaynews/


NORRISTOWN SHOOTING
3 charged in death during Philly-area robbery
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Authorities in suburban Philadelphia have
charged three men in the shooting death of a man who tried to stop
the gunpoint robbery of his nephew.
Police in Norristown say 48-year-old Stanford Jackson was
standing at his front door and yelled at two men who were holding
up his nephew in front of the home shortly after 9:30 p.m.
Thursday. Police say one of the men shot him, and he later died at
Montgomery Hospital.
The pair and two other men fled in an SUV that was eventually
stopped by police. Eighteen-year-old Leveel Butler-Hayes was
charged with first-degree murder, 32-year-old Chroyya Gordon with
second-degree murder and 27-year-old Zetic Porter with attempted
murder.
The three were ordered held without bail; listed numbers for
them could not be found and it was unclear whether they had
attorneys.
---
TRAFFIC DEATHS
Pa. highway deaths decline to record low
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - The number of deaths on Pennsylvania's
highways has plunged to its lowest level since Model Ts still
chugged along the roads of the commonwealth.
Officials are crediting years of safety programs but cannot rule
out an assist from the struggling economy.
According to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation figures,
1,256 people died in accidents in 2009. That's a 14.4 percent
decline from 2008 and the lowest total since the state started
keeping records in 1928. The previous low mark was 1,328 in
fuel-scarce 1944 during World War II.
Officials had no immediate explanation for the decline, citing
the cumulative effect of safety programs by state and local
governments and others. But a PennDOT spokesman also acknowledged
that less driving because of the recession may have been a factor.
Preliminary numbers indicate decreases in the number of deaths
attributed to alcohol, aggressive driving, and drivers or
passengers not using seat belts. But the number of fatalities in
crashes involving drivers age 65 and older increased from 259 in
2008 to 276 in 2009.


NATIONAL

DRUG WAR-MEXICO
Obama reacts strongly to Mexican killings

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico (AP) - President Barack Obama is described
as "deeply saddened and outraged" over the killings of three
people in Mexico who had ties to the U.S. consulate.
One consulate employee and her husband were shot in their car
with their baby in the back seat. The child was not hurt.
Elsewhere, just minutes earlier, the husband of another consular
employee was shot to death and his two children were wounded.
All three had been at the same social event, but the embassy
says it's not clear if the shootings were related, or what the
motive was.
The State Department is authorizing U.S. government employees at
six Mexican cities in northern Mexico to send their family members
out of the area.
Mexico's president expressed his indignation and condolences,
and vowed to solve the crimes.

RUNAWAY PRIUS
Toyota to release latest on Prius probe

SAN DIEGO (AP) - Toyota holds a news conference Monday in San
Diego to release its early findings on an alleged case of sudden
acceleration by a Prius.
Both Toyota and technicians with the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration say they were unable to duplicate the
incident. That's raised questions in some minds about the sequence
of events.
But a lawyer for James Sikes, the owner of the Prius, says it's
not surprising officials couldn't replicate the sudden
acceleration, because they've never been able to. He notes that
Sikes never had a problem before in the three years he owned the
vehicle.
The California Highway Patrol says it's found no sign of a hoax,
and Sikes' wife says they have no plans to sue Toyota. Sikes has
turned down numerous requests for interviews.

CHILE-BLACKOUT
UPDATE: Blackout leaves millions of Chileans in darkness

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) - Chilean officials are gradually restoring
electricity after a power failure plunged nearly the entire
population into darkness. People's nerves are already frayed after
the magnitude 8.8 earthquake, and the outage didn't help. Officials
say a transformer failure took down the power grid.
The director of the Interior Ministry's emergency office says a
1,200-mile stretch was affected.
Most of Chile's 17 million people live in that area. Many left
their homes and went into the streets.

STORMY WEATHER
UPDATE: Damage from storm may snarl commutes in Northeast

EGG HARBOR CITY, N.J. (AP) - The damage and flooding left in the
wake of a torrential rainstorm in the Northeast could keep some
people from their homes for days and cause headaches for the
morning commute.
The Long Island Railroad says flooding near an East River tunnel
could delay or cancel trains and advised commuters to give
themselves extra time.
Dozens of roads in New York are blocked by fallen limbs and
wires. And in Boston, the transit authority shut down stretches of
the Green and Red rail lines because of rising water.
In the New York-New Jersey area, airlines reported delays and
scattered cancellations.
At least seven people died in storm-related accidents over the
weekend, and nearly half a million people were without electricity
in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut at the peak
of the storm.


CANADA-AVALANCHE
Officials: no word on daredevils

REVELSTOKE, British Columbia (AP) - The Royal Canadian Mounted
Police aren't commenting on the identities of the three daredevils
who may have triggered an avalanche that killed two men.
A police official also declined to say whether the snowmobilers
would face charges, or if they're among the dead.
The avalanche occurred yesterday at an informal snowmobile rally
in the Canadian Rockies. Thirty people were injured, one
critically.
The official says they believe the slide was triggered by a
stunt known as high-marking. That's a contest to see who can race
up a slope and leave the highest mark.
A Montana man and his son, who were swept up by the avalanche,
were rescued. Thirteen-year-old George Hall says he say stars
floating in front of his eyes. His father suffered a huge gash on
the back of his head. The son was just banged up and bruised.

NEW RESIDENTS KILLED
2 people die in NJ home fire a day after moving in

FORT LEE, N.J. (AP) - Two people who'd moved into a northern New
Jersey town house a day earlier have died in a fire that started in
their kitchen and spread upstairs.
Police say the two men were found Saturday night in the
second-floor master bedroom of their home in Fort Lee, overlooking
the Hudson River.
Firefighters had to break down a door to get inside the unit in
the gated complex. They tried to resuscitate the victims, who were
pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.
Authorities say the fire likely started above a gas stove and
was an accident.


AUSTRALIA-ELDERLY KILLING
Woman, 92, charged in death of 98-year-old husband

SYDNEY (AP) - Police in Australia have charged a 92-year-old
woman with killing her 98-year-old husband.
Clare Tang is due to appear in court Tuesday on a murder charge
after her husband was found dead in their apartment in downtown
Sydney on Friday night.
New South Wales state police said in a statement that the
husband was found in the lounge room and that he had suffered head
wounds. A cause of death was still being determined.
Clare Tang was arrested at the scene.
A family friend tells Australian broadcasting that the couple,
from Shanghai, China, had been married for about 70 years, and that
Clare Tang appeared to love her husband deeply.

GAY SENIORS
NEW: Gay seniors come out late, start second lifetime

MIAMI (AP) - Those who work with seniors say they're seeing
growth in the number of people in their 60s, 70s and 80s coming out
of the closet as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.
Social scientists have long noted that people are coming out
younger and younger. They say there's a similar trend at the other
end of the age spectrum.
Growing awareness and acceptance of varied sexualities and
gender identities in the U.S. helps explain the shift.
Support groups and services have cropped up to help such
seniors.
Experts say coming out late in life comes with a unique set of
hurdles. That includes fear of being shunned by children and
grandchildren and a sense of loss over having fewer years to live
life outside the closet.



CENSUS-LET THE COUNT BEGIN
NEW: US census forms arrive in the mail: What to expect

WASHINGTON (AP) - More than 120 million U.S. census forms begin
arriving Monday in mailboxes around the country.
The government's once-a-decade population count will be used to
divvy up congressional seats and more than $400 billion in federal
aid. Fast-growing states in the South and the West could stand to
lose the most because of lower-than-average mail participation
rates in 2000 and higher shares of Hispanics and young adults, who
are among the least likely to mail in their forms.
The Census Bureau is urging cities and states to promote the
census and improve upon rates in 2000, when about 72 percent of
U.S. households returned their forms. If everyone who receives a
census form mailed it back, the government would save an estimated
$1.5 billion in follow-up visits.

PERFUME LAWSUIT
Detroit city workers being warned to go scentsless

DETROIT (AP) - Change is in the air for Detroit city workers.
City employees will be urged not to wear perfume, cologne or
aftershave as a result of a settlement in a federal lawsuit.
Officials plan to place warning placards in three city
buildings. The signs will warn workers to avoid "wearing scented
products, including ... colognes, aftershave lotions, perfumes,
deodorants, body/face lotions ... (and) the use of scented candles,
perfume samples from magazines, spray or solid air fresheners."
The employee handbook and Americans with Disabilities Act
training also will bear warnings.
The Detroit News reports the move stems from a $100,000
settlement in a federal lawsuit filed in 2008 by a city employee
who said a colleague's perfume made it challenging for her to do
her job.