VOTING
IT WAS A LIGHT TURNOUT ACROSS SCHUYLKILL COUNTY IN TUESDAY'S PRIMARY ELECTION. UNOFFICIALLY, ABOUT 32 PERCENT OF REGISTERED DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS CAST BALLOTS. A LIGHT BALLOT AND RAINY CONDITIONS MAY HAVE PLAYED A PART IN THE TURNOUT AT THE POLLS. NEW IN THE COUNTY IN THIS ELECTION WERE FEWER POLLING LOCATIONS, DOWN FROM 167 TO 125. UNOFFICIAL RESULTS WERE PROCESSED QUICKLY, WITH A FINAL COUNT AVAILABLE BEFORE 11PM.
HOLDEN AND ARGALL WIN IN THE 17TH
TWO POLITICAL VETERANS WILL MEET IN THE 17TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT RACE IN NOVEMBER, FOLLOWING RESOUNDING VICTORIES IN TUESDAY'S PRIMARY ELECTION. IN UNOFFICIAL RESULTS, INCUMBENT DEMOCRAT TIM HOLDEN WON HANDILY OVER CHALLENGER, ATTORNEY SHEILA DOW FORD. IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY, SENATOR DAVE ARGALL DEFEATED THREE OTHER CHALLENGERS. HOLDEN WON THE DISTRICT BY A TWO TO ONE MARGIN ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE. ARGALL WON SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, BUT FACED STIFF COMPETITION FROM BOTH FRANK RYAN AND JOSH FIRST IN DAUPHIN AND LEBANON COUNTIES. UNOFFICIALLY, ARGALL WON BY A MARGIN OF NEARLY 1-THOUSAND VOTES. THE 17TH DISTRICT IS MADE UP OF SCHUYLKILL, DAUPHIN, LEBANON AND PARTS OF BERKS COUNTIES. CONGRESSMAN HOLDEN COMMENTS ON THE VICTORY:
HOLDEN ON WIN CUTARGALL THANKED HIS OPPONENTS AND SUPPORTERS:
ARGALL ON WIN CUTLEGISLATIVE RACES
IN THE RACE FOR THE 123RD LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT, IT WILL BE INCUMBENT NEAL GOODMAN FACING REPUBLICAN ETTORE DICASIMIRRO. BOTH WERE UNOPPOSED. 124TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE JERRY KNOWLES, THE INCUMBENT, WILL FACE DEMOCRAT JEFF FAUST IN NOVEMBER, WITH BOTH RUNNING UNOPPOSED. IN THE 125TH, DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT TIM SEIP WILL RUN AGAINST REPUBLICAN MICHAEL TOBASH, WHO DEFEATED FELLOW CHALLENGER ROBERT LOY.
SPECTER OUTSTED, SESTAK AND TOOMEY TO MEET IN NOVEMBER
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - U.S. SEN. ARLEN SPECTER HAS BEEN DEFEATED IN A PENNSYLVANIA PRIMARY IN HIS BID FOR A SIXTH TERM AFTER TAKING THE RISKY STEP OF SWITCHING TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. VOTERS TUESDAY PICKED U.S. REP. JOE SESTAK AS THE PARTY'S NOMINEE AND REJECTED THE 80-YEAR-OLD SPECTER IN HIS FIRST DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN SINCE HIS GOP DEFECTION. REPUBLICAN PAT TOOMEY SOUNDLY DEFEATED PEG LUKSIK TO SET UP THE SHOWDOWN IN NOVEMBER FOR ONE OF THE TWO U.S. SENATE SEATS FROM PENNSYLVANIA.
GOVERNORS RACE
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA ATTORNEY GENERAL TOM CORBETT HAS WON THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION FOR GOVERNOR. CORBETT DEFEATED STATE REP. SAM ROHRER IN TUESDAY'S PRIMARY. MEANWHILE, DAN ONORATO, A COUNTY EXECUTIVE FROM WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA, HAS WON A FOUR-WAY RACE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION FOR GOVERNOR. ONORATO IS CURRENTLY THE HIGHEST ELECTED OFFICIAL IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY. HE DEFEATED STATE SEN. ANTHONY HARDY WILLIAMS OF PHILADELPHIA, STATE AUDITOR GENERAL JACK WAGNER OF PITTSBURGH AND JOE HOEFFEL, A SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA COUNTY COMMISSIONER. ONORATO WILL FACE CORBETT IN THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION. DEMOCRATIC GOV. ED RENDELL IS COMPLETING HIS SECOND TERM AND IS BARRED FROM SEEKING A THIRD.
CRASH IN WAYNE TOWNSHIP
A MARLIN MAN IS HURT IN A TWO VEHICLE CRASH IN WAYNE TOWNSHIP TUESDAY MORNING. STATE POLICE SAY 41 YEAR OLD CRAIG LAYMEISTER WAS DRIVING ALONG ROUTE 183 IN WAYNE TOWNSHIP JUST NORTH OF SCHUYLKILL MOUNTAIN ROAD AT AN APPARENT HIGH RATE OF SPEED WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF HIS VINTAGE MUSTANG AND HIT A PICK UP TRUCK DRIVEN BY 29 YEAR OLD JAYME COOPER OF SUMMIT STATION. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED JUST BEFORE 8AM YESTERDAY. LAYMEISTER SUFFERED WHAT POLICE SAY WERE MODERATE INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO READING HOSPITAL. COOPER WASN'T HURT. BOTH DRIVERS WERE WEARING THEIR SEAT BELTS. LAYMEISTER WILL BE CITED.
ASHLAND FIRE
AN ASHLAND FIRE HAS LEFT 3 PEOPLE HOMELESS AFTER IT SWEPT THROUGH A BURROUGH HOME YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. STARTING IN THE KITCHEN, THE FIRE ON 900 BROCK STREET IGNITED AROUND 5:50 IN THE HOME OF WANE AND DORTHY ZERBY. AS OF LATE LAST NIGHT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS BEING CLASSIFIED AS “UNDETERMINED” AND THE ZERBY HOME IS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. FIREFIGHERS FROM ASHLAND WERE ALSO ASSISTED BY GIRARDVILLE, ALTAMONT, ENGLEWOOD, GORDON AND MT CARMEL VOLENTEERS. EMS CREWS FROM ASHLAND, GIRARDVILLE AND LOST CREEK WERE ALSON ON THE SCENE AS WAS PPL CREWS AND THE AMERICAN RED CROSS.
WATER MAIN BREAK- WATER ADVISORY
A SINGLE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FIRE HYDRANT BY THE MCCANN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS LAST NIGHT. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED JUST BEFORE 9PM, AND WAS UNDER CONTROL BY 10, BUT HE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MUNICIPLE AUTHORITY HAS ISSUED A WATER BOIL ADVISORY FOR THE ENTIRE INDIAN RUN SYSTEM AREA WHICH INCLUDES CUSTOMERS IN POTTSVILLE FROM 12TH STREET WEST TO WESTWOOD ROAD AND ROUTE 901 AND IN NORWEGIAN TOWNSHIP INCLUDING BULLS HEAD ROAD AND SELTZER CITY. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT RESIDENTS BOIL THEIR WATER FOR A MINIMUM OF 1 MINUTE BEFORE DRINKING. THERE ARE NO FURTHER DETAILS ON THE CRASH.
TWO MALAVE BROTHERS ARRAIGNED
THE TWO MISSING MOLAVE BROTHERS INVOLVED IN THE FEB 17TH BAR BRAWL A THE M&T BAR ON SOUTH MAIN STREET IN SCHENANDOAH HAVE BEEN CAUGHT, EXTRODITED TO PA, AND ARRAIGNED BEFORE MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGE ANTHONY J KILKER YESTERDAY. DANNY “DBLOCK” MALAVE 21, AND RICHARD “BRICK” MALAVE 19 WERE RETURNED TO PA FROM NJ WERE THEY ARE BEING HELD ON FUGITIVE WARRANTS, AND CHARGED WITH TWO FELONY COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, ONE FELONY COUNTY OF CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT SIMPLE ASSAULT, CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING ANOTHER PERSON, TWO MISDEMEANER COUNTS OF RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING ANOTHER PERSON AND ONE MISDEMEANOR COUNT OF SIMPLE ASSAULT. KILKER HAS SET EACH OF THEIR BAIL AT $100,000 CASH, AND THEIR PRELIMINARY HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR MAY 26TH.
CRASH ON STATE ROAD 737
A CRASH OCCURRED ON STATE ROAD 737 YESTERDAY AROUND 2 IN THE AFTERNOON. THE CRASH OCCURRED IN THE SOUTHBOUND LANE AT THE INTERSECTION OF STATE ROAD 8020 ON THE ON RAMP OF EXIT 40 AT i-78 EAST. A SECOND VEHICHLE WAS STOPPED WAITING TO TURN LEFT ON 8020 WHEN STRUCK FROM BEHIND. GETZ TOWING ASSISTED AT THE SCENE AND THE RECKLESS DRIVER WILL BE CITED WTH CARLESS DRIVING AND DRIVING WITHOUT A LICENSE.
HARRASSMENT AT THE NOWHERE SALOON
CHARGES OF HARRASSMENT WILL BE FILED ON KEVIN MICHAEL POWELL, 42 OF GIRARDVILLE AFTER HE TOOK A SWING AT JOANNE GREGIS 49 OF ASHLAND, THE BARTENDER AT THE HALLS NOWHERE SALLON ON 200 NORTH SECOND STREET IN GIRARDVILLE EARLY THIS MORNING. POWELL BECAME ANGRY AFTER HE WAS ASKED TO LEAVE THE BAR AND WHILE BEING ESCORTED OUT BY GREGIS, DECIDED TO GET THE LAST WORD IN. POWELL WILL FACE CHARGES IN DISTRICT COURT IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
STATE NEWS
PENNSYLVANIA SENATE
SPECTER REJECTED BY PA. DEMS IN BID FOR 6TH TERM
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - U.S. SEN. ARLEN SPECTER HAS BEEN DEFEATED IN
A PENNSYLVANIA PRIMARY IN HIS BID FOR A SIXTH TERM AFTER TAKING THE
RISKY STEP OF SWITCHING TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
VOTERS TUESDAY PICKED U.S. REP. JOE SESTAK AS THE PARTY'S
NOMINEE AND REJECTED THE 80-YEAR-OLD SPECTER IN HIS FIRST
DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN SINCE HIS GOP DEFECTION.
SESTAK TOOK THE PODIUM AT A SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA MILITARY
ACADEMY AND CALLED THE VOTE A WIN FOR THE PEOPLE OVER THE
ESTABLISHMENT, THE STATUS QUO AND EVEN WASHINGTON, D.C.
THE VOTE ALSO WAS A DEFEAT FOR PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, WHO
SUPPORTED SPECTER WHEN HE ABANDONED THE REPUBLICAN PARTY LAST YEAR.
THE MODERATE SPECTER CAST HIS SWITCH AS A DECISION OF PRINCIPLE
AFTER INFLAMING THE GOP BY VOTING FOR OBAMA'S ECONOMIC STIMULUS
BILL. BUT MANY DEMOCRATIC VOTERS QUESTIONED HIS MOTIVES.
PENNSYLVANIA SENATE-TOOMEY
PAT TOOMEY WINS GOP SENATE NOMINATION IN PA.
HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - FORMER U.S. REP. PAT TOOMEY IS THE
REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR SENATE IN PENNSYLVANIA.
TOOMEY WON THE NOMINATION OVER ACTIVIST PEG LUKSIC (LUK'-SIK).
TOOMEY LOST THE 2004 NOMINATION TO FIVE-TERM SEN. ARLEN SPECTER.
BUT SPECTER SWITCHED TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY LAST YEAR AFTER
CONCLUDING HE COULD NOT BEAT THE MORE CONSERVATIVE TOOMEY AGAIN IN
A GOP PRIMARY.
THE 48-YEAR-OLD TOOMEY REPRESENTED THE ALLENTOWN AREA IN
CONGRESS FOR SIX YEARS AFTER A CAREER IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WORKING
IN FINANCE AND RUNNING RESTAURANTS. HE WENT ON TO RUN THE ANTI-TAX
GROUP CLUB FOR GROWTH UNTIL LAST YEAR.
SPECTER IS FACING U.S. REP. JOE SESTAK IN THE DEMOCRATIC
PRIMARY. SPECTER HAS HELD THE SEAT SINCE 1981 AND IS ENDORSED BY
THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR
CAWLEY WINS 9-WAY GOP CONTEST FOR LIEUTENANT GOV
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL NOMINEE TOM CORBETT
NOW HAS A RUNNING MATE.
BUCKS COUNTY COMMISSIONER JIM CAWLEY EMERGED AS TUESDAY'S WINNER
IN A NINE-WAY GOP CONTEST FOR THE NOMINATION AS LIEUTENANT
GOVERNOR.
RETURNS FROM MORE THAN 90 PERCENT OF THE 9,233 PRECINCTS SHOWED
CAWLEY VICTORIOUS WITH 25 PERCENT OF THE VOTE.
CAWLEY HAD BEEN ENDORSED BY THE REPUBLICAN STATE COMMITTEE.
PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR
ONORATO WINS 4-WAY PA. DEM PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - DAN ONORATO, A COUNTY EXECUTIVE FROM WESTERN
PENNSYLVANIA, HAS WON A FOUR-WAY RACE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION
FOR GOVERNOR.
ONORATO, THE HIGHEST ELECTED OFFICIAL IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY, HAD
44 PERCENT OF THE VOTE WITH RETURNS TUESDAY NIGHT FROM ONE-THIRD OF
THE STATE'S 9,233 PRECINCTS.
EACH OF THE OTHER CANDIDATES HAD 25 PERCENT OR LESS. THEY ARE
STATE SEN. ANTHONY HARDY WILLIAMS OF PHILADELPHIA, STATE AUDITOR
GENERAL JACK WAGNER OF PITTSBURGH AND JOE HOEFFEL, A SUBURBAN
PHILADELPHIA COUNTY COMMISSIONER.
ONORATO WILL FACE REPUBLICAN STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL TOM CORBETT
IN THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION.
DEMOCRATIC GOV. ED RENDELL IS COMPLETING HIS SECOND TERM AND IS
BARRED FROM SEEKING A THIRD.
PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE-MURTHA'S SEAT
DEMS WIN SPECIAL PA. ELECTION, RETAIN MURTHA SEAT
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - DEMOCRATS WILL RETAIN CONTROL OF THE SEAT
HELD FOR DECADES BY THE LATE PENNSYLVANIA REP. JOHN MURTHA AFTER
WINNING A SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL THE FINAL MONTHS OF HIS TERM.
BOTH PARTIES VIEWED THE CONTEST AS A TEST FOR THE FALL.
WITH 70 PERCENT OF PRECINCTS REPORTING TUESDAY, MURTHA AIDE MARK
CRITZ HAD 53 PERCENT OF THE VOTE COMPARED WITH NEARLY 45 PERCENT
FOR BUSINESSMAN TIM BURNS.
CRITZ AND BURNS WILL HAVE A REMATCH IN THE NOVEMBER GENERAL
ELECTION AFTER ALSO WINNING THEIR PARTIES' NOMINATIONS IN THE
PENNSYLVANIA PRIMARY.
MURTHA DIED IN FEBRUARY OF COMPLICATIONS FROM GALLBLADDER
SURGERY, SETTING OFF A DASH TO THE SPECIAL ELECTION.
PHILLY TAX BOARD
PHILLY VOTERS APPROVE REPLACING PROPERTY TAX BOARD
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - VOTERS IN PHILADELPHIA HAVE APPROVED A
BALLOT MEASURE TO ABOLISH A BOARD THAT HELPED DETERMINE THE TAX DUE
ON EVERY PROPERTY IN THE CITY.
WITH 72 PERCENT OF THE PRECINCTS REPORTING, VOTERS BY A MARGIN
OF 70 PERCENT TO 29 PERCENT APPROVED A PLAN TO REPLACE THE BOARD OF
REVISION OF TAXES WITH TWO ENTITIES.
THE CURRENT BOARD DETERMINES REAL ESTATE VALUES AND HEARS
APPEALS OF THOSE ASSESSMENTS. UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM, THE OFFICE OF
PROPERTY ASSESSMENT IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH WILL DETERMINE REAL
ESTATE VALUES, AND A NEW SEVEN-MEMBER BOARD OF PROPERTY ASSESSMENT
APPEALS WILL HEAR APPEALS.
THE BOARD DREW HEAVY CRITICISM AFTER A SERIES IN THE
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MANAGEMENT OF THE
AGENCY AND THE ACCURACY OF ITS ASSESSMENTS.
NAZI GUARD
US JUDGE ORDERS PA. FORMER NAZI BACK TO AUSTRIA
PITTSBURGH (AP) - THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SAYS A FEDERAL
IMMIGRATION JUDGE HAS ORDERED A WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA MAN DEPORTED
TO AUSTRIA FOR SERVING AS AN ARMED NAZI DEATH CAMP GUARD DURING
WORLD WAR II.
EIGHT-FIVE-YEAR-OLD ANTON GEISER (GY'-SER) AND HIS ATTORNEYS
DIDN'T IMMEDIATELY COMMENT ON THE 14-PAGE DECISION ANNOUNCED
YESTERDAY AND FILED BY AN IMMIGRATION JUDGE IN PHILADELPHIA ON
MONDAY.
GEISER WAS BORN IN WHAT IS NOW PART OF CROATIA, AND CAME TO THE
UNITED STATES FROM AUSTRIA IN 1956. HE LIVES IN SHARON, ABOUT 60
MILES NORTH-NORTHWEST OF PITTSBURGH.
FEDERAL PROSECUTORS SAID GEISER WAS AN ARMED SS DEATH'S HEAD
GUARD AT THE SACHSENHAUSEN (ZAHK'-ZEN-HOW-ZEN) CONCENTRATION CAMP
NEAR BERLIN WHO HAD ORDERS TO SHOOT ANYONE WHO TRIED TO ESCAPE.
A DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SPOKESWOMAN SAYS GEISER IS NOT IN
CUSTODY. HE CAN APPEAL TO THE BOARD OF IMMIGRATION APPEALS IN
WASHINGTON.
LOVE TRIANGLE SLAYING
WESTERN PA. MAN CHARGED IN SHOOTING DEATH
AMBRIDGE, PA. (AP) - A WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA MAN HAS BEEN CHARGED
WITH KILLING ANOTHER MAN OVER WHAT AUTHORITIES SAY APPEARS TO HAVE
BEEN A LOVE TRIANGLE.
AUTHORITIES IN BEAVER COUNTY CHARGED 25-YEAR-OLD TEREL DIXON OF
ALIQUIPPA WITH CRIMINAL HOMICIDE, RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING OTHERS AND
A FIREARMS COUNT IN MONDAY NIGHT'S SHOOTING DEATH OF 45-YEAR-OLD
KEVIN JOHNSON IN AMBRIDGE.
AMBRIDGE POLICE SAID DIXON HAD BEEN VISITING A WOMAN WHEN
JOHNSON ARRIVED AND BEGAN BEATING ON THE FRONT DOOR. THEY SAY HE
EVENTUALLY FORCED HIS WAY INSIDE, AND AN ARGUMENT BEGAN THAT ENDED
IN THE SHOOTING. DIXON FLED BUT SURRENDERED TO AUTHORITIES
YESTERDAY MORNING.
DIXON TEARFULLY TOLD WPXI THAT HE WAS "VERY SORRY ABOUT WHAT
HAPPENED" BUT DECLINED TO SAY WHETHER HE HAD COMMITTED THE CRIME.
HE IS BEING HELD IN THE BEAVER COUNTY JAIL WITHOUT BOND PENDING A
MAY 25 PRELIMINARY HEARING.
BUSHKILL MURDER-SUICIDE
EASTERN PA. COUPLE'S DEATHS RULED MURDER-SUICIDE
BUSHKILL, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA SAY THE
SHOOTING DEATHS OF A MAN AND WOMAN HAVE BEEN RULED A
MURDER-SUICIDE.
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY CORONER ZACHARY LYSEK SAYS 39-YEAR-OLD
MICHELE FOGEL WAS KILLED BY HER HUSBAND, 43-YEAR-OLD TROY FOGEL,
WHO THEN KILLED HIMSELF. POLICE SAID A RELATIVE FOUND THEIR BODIES
MONDAY EVENING IN THEIR BUSHKILL TOWNSHIP HOME.
ACCORDING TO COURT RECORDS, THE COUPLE HAD BEEN ACCUSED OF
DEFAULTING ON THEIR MORTGAGE AND THEIR HOME WAS UP FOR A SHERIFF'S
SALE. COURT RECORDS ALSO INDICATE THAT THE HUSBAND HAD ONCE APPLIED
FOR A PROTECTION FROM ABUSE ORDER AGAINST HIS WIFE ON BEHALF OF
HIMSELF AND THE COUPLE'S THREE TEENAGE DAUGHTERS, BUT THE REQUEST
WAS LATER DISMISSED.
INFANT DEATH
EASTERN PA. PARENTS CHARGED IN INFANT'S DEATH
WEATHERLY, PA. (AP) - AN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA MAN AND WOMAN HAVE
BEEN CHARGED IN THE DEATH OF THEIR 11-MONTH-OLD DAUGHTER.
JACOB AND KIMBERLY TASCHLER OF PALMERTON ARE CHARGED WITH
INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER, ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN AND
RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING ANOTHER PERSON IN THE DEATH OF THEIR
DAUGHTER, KAYLA MARIE. STATE POLICE SAY THE MOTHER BROUGHT THE
CHILD'S BODY TO PALMERTON HOSPITAL ON JAN. 20.
DISTRICT JUDGE JOSEPH HOMANKO IN WEATHERLY SET BAIL AT $150,000
FOR KIMBERLY TASCHLER AND $100,000 FOR JASON TASCHLER. BOTH
DECLINED COMMENT AFTER THEY WERE TAKEN TO CARBON COUNTY JAIL AFTER
YESTERDAY'S ARRAIGNMENT.
DEFENSE LAWYER STEVE VLOSSAK SAID HE WILL CONTEST THE BAIL
AMOUNTS. HE DECLINED COMMENT ON THE CHARGES BUT SAID HIS CLIENTS
HAVE BEEN "DEVASTATED."
BODIES UNEARTHED
SELENSKI TRIAL, SET FOR JUNE, DELAYED INDEFINITELY
WILKES-BARRE, PA. (AP) - THE MURDER TRIAL FOR A MAN WHOSE
NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA PROPERTY CONTAINED UP TO 12 CORPSES HAS
BEEN DELAYED INDEFINITELY.
HUGO SELENSKI'S HAD BEEN SCHEDULED TO GO ON TRIAL JUNE 3 BUT IT
WAS DELAYED AFTER A PRETRIAL HEARING YESTERDAY IN LUZERNE COUNTY
COURT. THE COURT FOUND MORE ISSUES NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE
TRIAL.
SELENSKI IS CHARGED WITH KILLING MICHAEL KERKOWSKI AND TAMMY
FASSETT IN 2002. THEIR BODIES WERE AMONG THE REMAINS OF AS MANY AS
A DOZEN PEOPLE DISCOVERED A YEAR LATER ON SELENSKI'S KINGSTON
TOWNSHIP PROPERTY.
IN 2006, SELENSKI WAS ACQUITTED ON CHARGES HE KILLED TWO OTHER
PEOPLE BUT CONVICTED OF ABUSE OF A CORPSE AFTER THEIR BODIES WERE
FOUND BURIED IN HIS YARD.
PENN-SCHOLARSHIP
PENN GETS $1M GIFT FOR FOREIGN SCHOLARS PROGRAM
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA HAS RECEIVED
A $1 MILLION GIFT TO FUND A SCHOLARSHIP FOR A STUDENT FROM THE
BRITISH COMMONWEALTH.
PENN ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT THE DONATION FROM SIR EVELYN AND
LYNN FORESTER DE ROTHSCHILD WILL GO TOWARD ITS WORLD SCHOLARS
PROGRAM.
THE 2-YEAR-OLD INITIATIVE ALREADY PROVIDES PENN SCHOLARSHIPS TO
19 STUDENTS FROM NATIONS INCLUDING INDIA, AUSTRALIA, LATVIA AND
VIETNAM. THE FIRST ROTHSCHILD SCHOLAR WILL BE CHOSEN FROM THIS
FALL'S FRESHMAN CLASS.
LYNN FORESTER DE ROTHSCHILD IS A FORMER CORPORATE LAWYER AND
TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENTREPRENEUR WHOSE TWO SONS ATTENDED PENN. HER
HUSBAND IS RETIRED.
THE COUPLE NOW OVERSEES A HOLDING COMPANY FOR THEIR GLOBAL
INVESTMENTS.
NATIONAL NEWS
THAILAND-POLITICS
UPDATE: CURFEW DECLARED IN BANGKOK
BANGKOK (AP) - THE THAI GOVERNMENT HAS DECLARED A CURFEW IN
BANGKOK FROM 8 P.M. UNTIL 6 A.M. AS RIOTING AND VIOLENCE SPREAD
ACROSS THE CAPITAL.
AN ANNOUNCEMENT SIGNED BY THE PRIME MINISTER AND BROADCAST ON
TELEVISION SAID NOBODY IN THE CAPITAL IS ALLOWED OUT OF THEIR HOMES
DURING THOSE TIMES UNLESS THEY HAVE PERMISSION FROM AUTHORITIES.
THE CURFEW WAS DECLARED TODAY AFTER BANGKOK BECAME A RAGING
BATTLEGROUND IN THE AFTERMATH OF AN ARMY CRACKDOWN ON PROTESTERS.
THE RED SHIRT PROTEST LEADERS SURRENDERED TO AUTHORITIES, BUT
ENRAGED PROTESTERS SET FIRES AND RIOTED AROUND THE CAPITAL.
AT LEAST TWO PROTESTERS AND AN ITALIAN NEWS PHOTOGRAPHER WERE
KILLED. TWO OTHER FOREIGN JOURNALISTS AND 15 THAIS WERE WOUNDED IN
THE FIGHTING.
EUROPE-FINANCIAL CRISIS
MERKEL: EUROPE FACES HISTORIC TEST IN EURO CRISIS
BERLIN (AP) - CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL IS TELLING GERMAN
LAWMAKERS THAT EUROPE FACES AN "EXISTENTIAL" TEST AS IT WORKS TO
SHORE UP THE EURO.
MERKEL SAID TODAY AS SHE ADDRESSED THE LOWER HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT
THAT THE SHARED CURRENCY IS IN DANGER, AND THAT FAILING TO MEET THE
CHALLENGE WOULD HAVE INCALCULABLE CONSEQUENCES.
PARLIAMENT WAS MEETING TO CONSIDER THE EURO750 BILLION ($1
TRILLION) RESCUE PACKAGE TO HELP EUROZONE NATIONS AVOID DEFAULT -
WITH GERMANY TO CONTRIBUTE AT LEAST EURO123 BILLION IN LOAN
GUARANTEES. IT'S EXPECTED TO VOTE ON FRIDAY.
MERKEL SAID EUROPE IS FACING ITS BIGGEST TEST IN DECADES. SHE
SAID: "IT IS ABOUT NO MORE AND NO LESS THAN THE PRESERVATION OF
THE EUROPEAN IDEA. THAT IS OUR HISTORIC TASK; IF THE EURO FAILS,
THEN EUROPE FAILS."
PENNSYLVANIA SENATE/KENTUCKY SENATE/ARKANSAS SENATE
SPECTER REJECTED BY PA. DEMS IN BID FOR 6TH TERM
VARIOUS (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA SEN. ARLEN SPECTER HAS BEEN DEFEATED
IN A PRIMARY IN HIS BID FOR A SIXTH TERM AFTER TAKING THE RISKY
STEP OF SWITCHING TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
VOTERS YESTERDAY PICKED REP. JOE SESTAK AS THE PARTY'S NOMINEE,
AND REJECTED THE 80-YEAR-OLD SPECTER IN HIS FIRST DEMOCRATIC
CAMPAIGN.
SESTAK FACES REPUBLICAN PAT TOOMEY IN THE FALL ELECTION.
IN KENTUCKY, RAND PAUL SAYS HIS WIN IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
FOR A SENATE NOMINATION IS A "TREMENDOUS MANDATE FOR THE TEA
PARTY."
PAUL, A POLITICAL NEWCOMER, BEAT REPUBLICAN ESTABLISHMENT
FAVORITE TREY GRAYSON.
THE VICTORY GIVES A TEA PARTY ACTIVIST A KEY WIN IN A STATEWIDE
ELECTION THAT COULD EMBOLDEN THE FLEDGLING POLITICAL MOVEMENT IN
OTHER STATES.
IN ARKANSAS, DEMOCRATIC SEN. BLANCHE LINCOLN WAS FORCED INTO A
POTENTIALLY DEBILITATING JUNE RUNOFF ELECTION AGAINST LT. GOV. BILL
HALTER IN HER BID FOR NOMINATION TO A THIRD TERM.
REP. JOHN BOOZMAN WON THE REPUBLICAN LINE ON THE BALLOT
OUTRIGHT.
PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE-MURTHA'S SEAT
DEMS WIN SPECIAL PA. ELECTION, RETAIN MURTHA SEAT
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - DEMOCRATS WILL RETAIN CONTROL OF THE SEAT
HELD FOR DECADES BY THE LATE PENNSYLVANIA REP. JOHN MURTHA AFTER
WINNING A SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL THE FINAL MONTHS OF HIS TERM.
BOTH PARTIES VIEWED THE CONTEST AS A TEST FOR THE FALL.
WITH 70 PERCENT OF PRECINCTS REPORTING TUESDAY, MURTHA AIDE MARK
CRITZ HAD 53 PERCENT OF THE VOTE COMPARED WITH NEARLY 45 PERCENT
FOR BUSINESSMAN TIM BURNS.
CRITZ AND BURNS WILL HAVE A REMATCH IN THE NOVEMBER GENERAL
ELECTION AFTER ALSO WINNING THEIR PARTIES' NOMINATIONS IN THE
PENNSYLVANIA PRIMARY.
MURTHA DIED IN FEBRUARY OF COMPLICATIONS FROM GALLBLADDER
SURGERY, SETTING OFF A DASH TO THE SPECIAL ELECTION.
PAKISTAN
TOP US SECURITY OFFICIALS MEET IN PAKISTAN
ISLAMABAD (AP) - THE FAILED TIMES SQUARE BOMBING AND THE FIGHT
AGAINST MILITANTS ARE KEY TOPICS AS TOP U.S. SECURITY OFFICIALS
MEET WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS TODAY IN PAKISTAN.
THE VISIT BY CIA DIRECTOR LEON PANETTA AND U.S. NATIONAL
SECURITY ADVISER JAMES JONES IS THE FIRST SINCE THE INCIDENT. THE
MEN ARE SCHEDULED TO MEET PAKISTAN'S PRESIDENT, SPY CHIEF AND OTHER
OFFICIALS.
THE MAY 1 BOTCHED CAR BOMBING HAS ADDED TO PRESSURE ON PAKISTAN
TO ATTACK MILITANT-HELD REGIONS IN THE NORTHWEST, NEAR THE BORDER
WITH AFGHANISTAN.
U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL SPOKESMAN MIKE HAMMER SAYS IT'S
TIME "TO REDOUBLE OUR EFFORTS WITH OUR ALLIES IN PAKISTAN TO CLOSE
THIS SAFE HAVEN."
AMERICAN OFFICIALS HAVE RECENTLY PRAISED PAKISTAN'S EFFORTS IN
THE NORTHWEST.
TOBACCO CONTRACTS
BIG TOBACCO CUTTING CONTRACTS WITH US FARMERS
CYNTHIANA, KY. (AP) - CIGARETTE MAKERS ARE CUTTING CONTRACTS
WITH TOBACCO FARMERS AS SMOKING CONTINUES TO DECLINE IN THE U.S.
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY ECONOMIST WILL SNELL SAYS HIS STATE, THE
NATION'S TOP PRODUCER OF BURLEY TOBACCO, COULD LOSE A FOURTH OF ITS
CONTRACTS THIS YEAR. MANY CONTRACTS ALSO HAVE BEEN LOST IN NORTH
CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE AND VIRGINIA.
THE CUTBACKS MEAN FARMERS WHO'VE LOST CONTRACTS MIGHT NOT BE
ABLE TO PAY MORTGAGES, AND RURAL COMMUNITIES COULD LOSE JOBS AND
INCOME AS FARMERS HAVE LESS MONEY TO SPEND.
SOME TOP TOBACCO COMPANIES ACKNOWLEDGE CUTTING CONTRACTS, BUT
WON'T SAY BY HOW MUCH.
AN R.J. REYNOLDS SPOKESMAN SAYS THEY'RE JUST DOING WHAT ANY
BUSINESS WOULD DO TO KEEP SUPPLY IN LINE WITH DEMAND.
GULF OIL SPILL
SCIENTISTS WATCHING WHERE OIL SPILL HEADED NEXT
WASHINGTON (AP) - SCIENTISTS ARE ANXIOUSLY AWAITING SIGNALS
ABOUT WHERE A MASSIVE OIL SLICK IN THE GULF OF MEXICO MAY BE
HEADING NEXT. AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS ACKNOWLEDGE THE GOVERNMENT
COULD HAVE BEEN MORE AGGRESSIVE IN OVERSEEING THE DRILLING, WHILE
EFFORTS TO CONTAIN THE SPILL ARE PROVING INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT.
THE HOUSE TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE IS SET TO
ADDRESS THE SPILL AT A HEARING TODAY.
FEARS ARE GROWING THAT THE GUSHING WELL COULD SPREAD DAMAGE FROM
LOUISIANA TO FLORIDA. INTERIOR SECRETARY KEN SALAZAR TOLD A SENATE
PANEL YESTERDAY THAT HIS AGENCY HAD BEEN LAX IN OVERSEEING OFFSHORE
ACTIVITIES AND THAT MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE DISASTROUS SPILL.
AFGHANISTAN
UPDATE: US: INSURGENTS ATTACK BAGRAM AIR FIELD
KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (AP) - INSURGENTS LAUNCHED A BRAZEN PRE-DAWN
ASSAULT TODAY AGAINST THE GIANT U.S.-RUN BAGRAM AIR FIELD, THE
SECOND TALIBAN STRIKE AT NATO FORCES IN AND AROUND THE CAPITAL IN
AS MANY DAYS.
A SPOKESWOMAN AT THE BASE SAYS AT LEAST 10 INSURGENTS WERE
KILLED AND SEVEN U.S. SERVICE MEMBERS WOUNDED IN THE ATTACK ON
BAGRAM, WHICH STARTED AT ABOUT 3 A.M. WITH ROCKETS, SMALL ARMS AND
GRENADES FIRED INTO THE BASE. ANOTHER SPOKESPERSON SAYS THE GUNFIRE
FINALLY SUBSIDED AROUND MIDDAY.
THE ATTACK CAME ONE DAY AFTER A SUICIDE BOMBER STRUCK A U.S.
CONVOY IN THE CAPITAL OF KABUL, KILLING 18 PEOPLE.
SOUTH KOREA-SHIP SINKS
SKOREAN OFFICIAL SAYS 'OBVIOUS' NKOREA SANK SHIP
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (AP) - SOUTH KOREA'S FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS
IT'S "OBVIOUS" THAT NORTH KOREA SANK A SOUTH KOREAN NAVY SHIP IN
MARCH.
HE TOLD REPORTERS IN SEOUL ON WEDNESDAY THAT THERE'S ENOUGH
EVIDENCE TO TAKE THE MATTER TO THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL.
THE OFFICIAL RESULTS OF THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE MARCH 26
SINKING OF THE CHEONAN (CHUH-NAN) ARE DUE OUT THURSDAY. FORTY-SIX
SAILORS WERE KILLED.
CIVIL WAR-MEDAL OF HONOR
147 YEARS LATER, WIS. CIVIL WAR SOLDIER GETS MEDAL
DELAFIELD, WIS. (AP) - A WISCONSIN SOLDIER WHO DIED AT
GETTYSBURG SEVEN SCORE AND SEVEN YEARS AGO IS FINALLY IN LINE TO
RECEIVE THE NATION'S HIGHEST MILITARY DECORATION.
FIRST LT. ALONZO CUSHING OF DELAFIELD, WIS., DIED 147 YEARS AGO
AT AGE 22. EVEN THOUGH HE WAS WOUNDED, HE LED HIS MEN TO A VALIANT
LAST STAND THAT REPELLED A CONFEDERATE THRUST.
DESCENDANTS AND CIVIL WAR BUFFS TOOK UP CUSHING'S CAUSE. THEY'VE
BEEN TRYING TO GET THE ARMY TO TAKE THE RARE STEP OF BESTOWING THE
MEDAL UPON HIM AFTER ALL THESE YEARS. IT LAST HAPPENED FOR A CIVIL
WAR SOLDIER NINE YEARS AGO.
THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY APPROVED CUSHING'S MEDAL EARLIER THIS
YEAR, LEAVING A FEW FORMAL STEPS BEFORE THE AWARD IS EXPECTED TO
BECOME OFFICIAL THIS SUMMER.
