TODAY"S NEWS - MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2010

TODAY"S NEWS - MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2010

NATIONAL NEWS


MEXICO-EARTHQUAKE
Mexico earthquake kills two in Mexico

TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) - A civil protection official says the
earthquake that jolted Mexico's Baja California peninsula has
killed two people. An official says one man died when his home
collapsed just outside of Mexicali, close to the epicenter of the
7.2-magnitude quake. He says a second man was killed when he
panicked as the ground shook, ran into the street and was struck by
a car.
There are reports of more people trapped in homes in Mexicali
and rescue teams with dogs and digging equipment are rushing to the
city from nearby Tijuana.
The quake hit Sunday at about 3:40 p.m.
Damage reports from the border region are growing.
The quake was felt from Tijuana and Los Angeles to Las Vegas and
Phoenix.
Calexico Fire Chief Peter Mercado tells KABC-TV in Los Angeles
there is substantial damage in the older section of the
southeastern California city.



CHINA-MINE FLOOD
UPDATE: More than 100 rescued after more than a week in a
flooded Chinese mine

XIANGNING, China (AP) - There hadn't been much hope of finding
153 Chinese miners alive in a flooded shaft but many of them are.
More than 100 have been pulled out alive after being trapped for
more than a week. Rescuers in tears hugged each other at the scene,
which was broadcast on national television. The sudden surge in
rescues was a rare piece of good news for China's mining industry,
the deadliest in the world.
A mine spokesman in China says a miracle has happened.
China Central Television says some of the miners managed to
attach themselves to a wall with their belts and hung there for
three days before getting into a mining cart that floated by.


PIRACY
SKorean navy pursuing hijacked tanker off Somalia

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - The chase is on off the Somalia coast
as a South Korean navy destroyer pursues a South Korean-owned oil
supertanker believed to have been hijacked by pirates.
Officials say the warship had been in the Gulf of Aden on
anti-piracy operations and was ordered to move toward the tanker's
expected location in Somali waters.
South Korea's Foreign Ministry says the navy received a call
from the Samho Dream saying three pirates had boarded early Sunday,
and then there was no more contact.
The vessel owner says it has lost contact with the ship.
The Samho Dream had no security detail because Somali pirates
were believed to be inactive in the area where the tanker was
seized.
The tanker was sailing from Iraq to Louisiana with 24 sailors on
board.
Somalia, which has no functioning government, is the world's top
piracy hot spot.



RUSSIA-VIOLENCE
Suicide bomber kills 2 police in Russia's Caucasus

NAZRAN, Russia (AP) - Russian investigators say that two police
officers have been killed by a suicide bomber in a restive North
Caucasus province near Chechnya.
Svetlana Gorbakova of the Investigative Committee said a suicide
attacker approached police headquarters in the town of Karabulak in
the province of Ingushetia on Monday and detonated his explosives.
The blast killed two police officers and wounded one other.
Gorbakova said that half an hour later a vehicle parked near the
police headquarters exploded, wounding a worker of the local
prosecutor's office.
The attacks come a week after twin suicide bombings in the
Moscow subway killed 40 and wounded scores of others during rush
hour. Authorities blamed militants from Russia's North Caucasus.

UN-CENTRAL ASIA
Ban says Uzbekistan must observe human rights

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (AP) - The United Nations secretary-general
has urged Uzbekistan to fulfill its international human rights
commitments and to take further steps toward improving the
repressive country's political climate.
In a speech to students at the University of World Economy and
Diplomacy, Ban Ki-moon did not cite specific complaints and stayed
away from any mention of the 2005 brutal suppression of an uprising
in the city of Andijan.
But his Monday speech in the Uzbek capital nonetheless sent a
strong public statement.
Noting that Uzbekistan has signed international agreements on
torture and on civil and political rights, Ban said "it is time to
deliver, time to put them fully into practice."



SPACE SHUTTLE
Space shuttle Discovery fuels for predawn launch

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - The astronauts are at the launch pad
where space shuttle Discovery is set for a morning blastoff to the
International Space Station.
Discovery is scheduled to lift off at 6:21 a.m., nearly an hour
before sunrise. The shuttle and its crew of seven will deliver
spare parts and science experiments to the International Space
Station.
Forecasters say the odds of good weather are 80 percent.
The launch team reported to duty Sunday night. After running
some tests to check out a voltage spike on a fuel cell, controllers
began filling Discovery's external fuel tank.
This is one of four remaining shuttle flights. NASA plans to end
the program this fall.
The space station received three new residents Sunday - one
American and two Russians. They wished everyone a happy Easter
after their Russian spacecraft docked.



BREAST-FEEDING SAVINGS
Study: Breast-feeding would save lives, money

CHICAGO (AP) - A startling analysis says low U.S. breast-feeding
rates are linked with hundreds of infant deaths and billions of
dollars in medical costs each year.
It says the lives of nearly 900 babies and $13 billion could be
saved annually -- if 90 percent of U.S. women breast-fed their
babies for the first six months of life.
The report appears in the online version of the journal
Pediatrics, published Monday, and it's only an estimate. But
several experts say the analysis seems sound.
The findings are based on evidence suggesting breast-feeding may
help prevent many costly and sometimes deadly illnesses. These
include digestive infections, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and even
childhood leukemia. It's also been shown to protect against ear
infections, diabetes and asthma.



AUSTRALIA-COAL CARRIER
UPDATE: Australia rushes to contain Barrier Reef oil spill

BRISBANE, Australia (AP) - Workers are hurrying to contain an
oil spill today from a coal-carrying ship grounded on Australia's
ecologically sensitive Great Barrier Reef.
A tugboat has been sent to stabilize the vessel so that it would
not break apart and further damage the fragile coral beneath.
Traveling at full speed, the Chinese-registered ship rammed into
Douglas Shoals late Saturday, about 9 miles outside normal shipping
lanes. The area has shipping restrictions in order to protect what
is the world's largest coral reef and one that is listed as a World
Heritage site.
Officials say About 2 tons of oil have already spilled from the
1,000 tons of fuel on board, creating a 100-yard slick that
stretches 2 miles.
Salvage efforts could take weeks.




RESTAURANT SHOOTING
Police: LA restaurant shooting victims targeted

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Authorities in California are continuing the
search for a suspect in a deadly weekend shooting at a San Fernando
Valley restaurant.
Meanwhile, more details have emerged, including the identities
of the four victims and the fact that police believe the men were
targeted.
Los Angeles Police Deputy Chief Kirk Albanese says the shootings
were "intentional" and "not a random act of violence." But they
have no motive for the attack.
Police say the Hot Spot Cafe, a Mediterranean restaurant in
North Hollywood, was filled with customers Saturday afternoon when
at least one gunman walked in and opened fire.
Three men died at the scene, and another later died at a
hospital.
Two other people were wounded but are expected to survive.
A nearby resident told The Daily News that the cafe often seemed
strangely deserted.


NYC DOORMEN
NEW: NYC doormen may strike April 21

NEW YORK (AP) - They open doors, carry groceries and hail cabs
for residents at some of New York City's most privileged apartment
buildings. But for some, the job of doorman is more than a
paycheck. It's about making people happy.
Come April 21, there may be less happiness to go around.
Thousands of doormen, concierges and handymen could go on strike
that day if their union and an industry association representing
building owners fail to reach an agreement for a new four-year
contract. At stake are wages, health benefits, sick days and overtime
rules.
Doormen say they act as surrogate family members for thousands
of New Yorkers, toting groceries, collecting packages and sometimes
calling 911.


STATE NEWS

CHURCHGOER STRUCK
Western Pa. woman, 81, killed on way to church

CANONSBURG, Pa. (AP) - Authorities in western Pennsylvania say
an elderly woman was struck by a car and killed as she was crossing
a street on her way to an Easter Sunday service.
Washington County Coroner Tim Warco says 81-year-old Shirley
Howarth walked into the street between two parked cars on her way
to Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church. Officials say she was hit
shortly before 8 a.m. Sunday by a car driven by a 75-year-old man
who was also on his way to church.
Howarth was taken to Canonsburg Hospital, where she was
pronounced dead in what Warco ruled was an accident.
Canonsburg police Sgt. Don Cross calls it "an unfortunate
accident" and says he does not anticipate filing charges.


BOAT RESCUE
Coast Guard rescues 2 boaters stranded near Philly

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The U.S. Coast Guard has rescued two people
aboard a disabled boat near Philadelphia.
It says the rescue took place Sunday evening near the
Tacony-Palmyra Bridge in the Delaware River.
The Coast Guard received a report saying two people aboard a
19-foot boat were waving their arms and honking a horn. A rescue
crew from Coast Guard Station Philadelphia towed the boat and its
crew to a marina.



GAS STATION ROBBERY
Pa. manager injured in gas station robbery dies

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Authorities in western Pennsylvania say a gas
station manager injured by a fleeing robbery suspect's car last
fall has died.
The Allegheny County medical examiner's office says 61-year-old
Walter Wetzel of Pittsburgh died Friday at UPMC Mercy. An autopsy
was planned for today.
Authorities say Wetzel was working as night manager of the BP
station on Nov. 28 when a man tried to grab cash from the register
and then fled. Wetzel pursued, and authorities said he was hit by
the suspect's vehicle, and was caught underneath and dragged before
a tire ran over him.
Wetzel was taken to the hospital in critical condition with
severe head injuries.
Forty-nine-year-old Frank Pekular of Aliquippa is awaiting trial
on charges of robbery, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment
in the case.

GETTYSBURG CYCLORAMA BUILDING
Gettysburg building fans win round vs. war buffs

GETTYSBURG, Pa. (AP) - Lovers of modern architecture have won a
round in their fight to preserve a half-century-old building at
Gettysburg despite efforts by the Civil War purists to demolish the
structure to restore the battlefield to its original appearance.
The dispute involves the Cyclorama Building, built in 1958 by
famed modernist architect Richard Neutra to house a massive
circular painting of the famous 1863 battle. The 377-foot long,
40-foot high painting has been relocated.
The building is near one of the highest points on Cemetery
Ridge, a key defensive position where nearly 1,000 Union soldiers
were killed or wounded during Pickett's Charge. The National Parks
Service has been seeking it to demolish it, citing the site's
importance, but an architectural preservation group says the
building is also historically important.
A federal judge in Washington last week told the park that it
must go back and reconsider its 1999 decision to raze the building
before it can take any action to knock down the structure.

CRASH VICTIM DIES
Pa. woman dies of injuries in crash 4 years ago

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Authorities in eastern Pennsylvania say a
woman has died of injuries stemming from an automobile accident
four years ago.
Lehigh County Corner Scott Grim says 32-year-old Angela Bush
died Friday in the Lehigh Valley Inpatient Hospice Unit in
Allentown.
Grim says the former Minersville resident died of complications
from injuries she received in the two-vehicle collision in
Washington Township on Jan. 6, 2006. He ruled the manner of death
an accident.
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Information from: The Morning Call, http://www.mcall.com



SHIPPENSBURG CRASH
Crash sends SUV into Pa. news building, killing 2

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. (AP) - Authorities say a central Pennsylvania
traffic accident sent a sport utility vehicle crashing into the
front of a newspaper building, which collapsed onto the vehicle and
killed two people.
The Cumberland County Coroner says 49-year-old Jeffrey Gaver and
89-year-old Grace Branthafer were pronounced dead at the scene of
the accident Friday in Shippensburg.
Police say Gaver was driving an SUV that rear-ended a second car
and then slammed into the Shippensburg Sentinel building, sending a
large section of the facade crashing onto the vehicle. The driver
of the other vehicle was treated for moderate injuries. Workers
inside the building were uninjured.


MISSING TODDLER
Missing Pa. girl, 3 turned over to NC police

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Authorities say a missing Pittsburgh toddler
is safe and sound after being turned over to police in North
Carolina.
Pittsburgh police spokeswoman Diane Richard says 3-year-old
Eyairra Collins was brought into the police station in Albemarle,
N.C., about 45 miles east of Charlotte, shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday
by a baby sitter who had vanished with the child last month.
Capt. Kristine Swink says the girl is in good health and is in
custody of the North Carolina Division of Social Services. She says
officials of the Allegheny County Office of Children, Youth and
Families will pick her up in a few days.
Swink says the baby sitter was not detained since there was no
request for that from Pittsburgh police. Richard says Pittsburgh
authorities plan to get a warrant for her arrest, but she did not
say what charge would be pursued.

PENNSYLVANIA PRIMARY-SENATE
New party, same challenge, in Specter's Senate bid

READING, Pa. (AP) - Arlen Specter twisted around from the podium
to peer at the men standing behind him at a recent endorsement
event, as though to remind himself who exactly they were.
All were Democrats. And Pennsylvania's longest-serving U.S.
senator was accustomed to endorsements by Republicans until he
switched parties a year ago after spending more than 28 years in
the GOP. Specter's principal opponent in the May 18 Democratic primary is
Joe Sestak, a second-term congressman and retired Navy vice admiral
from suburban Philadelphia. Also in the race is political newcomer
Joseph Vodvarka.
The Republican primary pits former Lehigh Valley congressman Pat
Toomey against Johnstown activist Peg Luksik. Toomey came within
about 17,000 votes of knocking off the party-endorsed Specter in
the 2004 Republican primary out of 1 million cast. Polls show
Toomey with a lopsided lead over Luksik in the GOP primary.
In the Democratic primary, Specter has led Sestak in recent
polls by more than 2-1. As of Dec. 31, he also had more cash on
hand - $8.7 million to Sestak's $5.1 million.

BRIDGE-TEENS KILLED
2 minors cited in western Pa. crash that killed 3

MEYERSDALE, Pa. (AP) - Police in western Pennsylvania have
issued racing citations to two teenagers stemming from a crash last
month that killed three high school students.
The two youths were 17 at the time of the crash and are charged
with racing on highways, careless driving and speeding.
Summit Township police say 16-year-old Austin Johnson was
driving the car that went off the Route 219 bridge on March 5,
killing him as well as 16-year-old Lee Gnagey and 15-year-old Logan
Buterbaugh. All were from Meyersdale, about 70 miles southeast of
Pittsburgh.
Township police Chief Nathan Claycomb said other vehicles may
have been involved, but summary charges can only be filed against
the two drivers who were with the vehicle at the time of the crash.
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Information from: Daily American, http://www.dailyamerican.com

ROBBERS-STICK SHIFT
Pa. would-be carjackers foiled by stick shift

FOUNTAIN HILL, Pa. (AP) - Police in eastern Pennsylvania say two
men tried to rob and carjack a pizza delivery driver but were
defeated by the vehicle's standard transmission.
Fountain Hill police say the Domino's Pizza driver had stopped
at a red light Friday when a man ran up to the vehicle from the
rear and grabbed her by the throat and shirt. He demanded money
while a second man tried to open the passenger door.
Police say the driver reported that the men fled after making a
reference to the manual transmission. Investigators did not say
whether they escaped with any money from the driver.


LOCAL NEWS


DUI Crash

A DUI crach on state road 924, 3 miles south of Sheppton Village in East Union Twp happened yesterday around 2:30 in the morning. Peter Shumski of Shenandoah was traveling southbound on state road 924 when he lost control of his 2004 Chevrolet Trail Blazer striking a tree and forcing it onto its passenger side. His Trail Blazer had to be towed from the scene, and Shumski was flown to Geisinger Danville for treatment. Signs of intoxication were noted, Shumski wasn’t wearing his seat belt.

Spring Has Sprung

More potent poison ivy and an exploding deer tick population are just two of some major changes happening in the environment, according to a new report from the National Wildlife Federation. The study says climate change is helping some species of wildlife thrive. Now ore people around the world will be introduced to the deer tick, which Pennsylvanians have seen for years. Poison Ivy also seems to be growing more toxic due to increased levels of CO2. In other parts of the country, populations of destructive red fire ants and pine bark beetles are on the rise. The National Wildlife Federation says the key to keeping climate change in check is to restrict practices that can harm the air, land and water.


Residential Burglary

Marvin and Sarah Kerchner, both 67 of Kempton, Pa, had their home broken into last Friday. Unknown suspects entered the locked home on 3279 State Road 73 in Albany Township sometime between 1:30 and 3:30 in the afternoon. The Kerchner’s returned home to find their surveillance equipment had been altered and the recent footage deleted. A Chinese assault rifle was reported missing from the residence. Anyone with information concerning this incident is to contact the PSP of Hamburg.

Weapon on School Property

Brian Boyer, 18 of Halifax, is accused of bringing weapons to school. The .22 caliber hunting rifle, hunting knife, and live ammunition were in plain view in Boyer’s vehicle, which was parked in the parking lot of Halifax Area High School. The incident happened last Thursday around noon.



Harrassment

Russell Stichter, 33 of Shoemakersville, is cited for harassment after he was involved in a domestic dispute with Pamela Wesner, 29 of Bernville, over the weekend. Wesner accused Stichter of striking her in the face several times, once with a shoe and the second with his fist while inside the residence at 7550 south 183 in Upper Tulpehocken Twp. Wesner exited the home and as she was calling for help, Stichter threw her against the porch railing before leaving the scene returning to his resident at 518 Reber Street in Shoemakersvillle Borough, where he was subsequently interviewed and charged.