Today's News-Thursday, May 27, 2010

INVESTIGATION CONTINUES
Authorities continue to probe the circumstances of the shooting of a Tuscarora man Tuesday by police in Walker Township. 41 year old Scott Mackelvey was involved in an altercation with police at a home on Whitetail Crossing Drive, reportedly ramming a police cruiser with a stolen pickup truck. As police tried to stop Mackelvey, he was shot and killed. An autopsy is expected to continue today at Schuylkill Medical Center to determine which shots fired by officers killed Mackelvey. The state police and the District Attorney's office are involved in the investigation.

SCHUYLKILL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
The Schuylkill County Commissioners took another step yesterday to bring the day to day management of the Schuylkill Transportation Authority back under county control. Last month, the Commissioners announced they were exploring options to make that happen. A public hearing was held to hear comments about the proposed change, which could save the county money, rather than paying a management fee of over $300 thousand dollars to ReDCo. That not for profit company has been managing STS for three decades. The assets of STS already are owned by the county. An ordinance was passed by the board to establish a nine member Schuylkill Transportation Authority, made up of individuals from across Schuylkill County. They will be charged with overisight of STS, serving in staggered terms and will be paid $100 per month to serve. Some of the services currently provided by ReDCo are expected to be consolidated into other county departments, or other persons hired to do the work.

CENSUS
As US Census takers criss cross the county to interview persons who didn't file paper questionaires for the 2010 Census, Schuylkill County got a final update of how residents responded in the tally that takes place every ten years. Alvin Taylor addressed the County Commissioners Wednesday with some preliminary numbers after the mail in was completed:

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Taylor commended the county and its residents for doing such a good job in getting the message out to file Census forms in a timely manner. Taylor says that once field enumerators are finished their field work, we should see some preliminary numbers of how many people live in the county, state and nation:

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The Census is very important because the numbers will determine federal funding for the county and to determine Congressional districts. In 2000, about 72 percent of all Americans were counted, according to Taylor.

NIGHT OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY HISTORY
A night of Schuylkill County History was held last evening at the Sovereign Majestic Theatre, honoring 36 famous countians. Pottsville High School Seniors Meg Halcovage, Jill Matz and Hannah Spece presented their research in numerous categories. Hannah Spece explains:

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Meg Halcovage focused on several other individuals and groups:

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The students were assisted by history teacher Pam Delenick, Librarian Lillian Hobbs and the Historical Society of Schuylkill County.

VOTE CERTIFICATION
The first part of the vote certification for the General Primary of May 18th was completed yesterday, according to Frances Brennan, County Election Bureau Director. Anyone wishing to petition the Court of Common Pleas has 5 days from yesterday to do so. In case no petition for a recount is received, the vote will be proclaimed officially certified.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Senate Republicans are calling for a special prosecutor to be appointed to look into the claim by Congressman Joe Sestak that he was offered an administration job if he would drop his primary challenge against Democratic Senator Arlen Specter. Attorney General Eric Holder has already rejected a similar request.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor apparently is Scott Conklin, a state representative from Centre County. Runner-up Jonathan Saidel threw in the towel yesterday afternoon -- ending speculation that an automatic recount would be required to settle the outcome of the May 18th primary.

ROCHESTER, Pa. (AP) - A man driving a car with New Jersey plates traveled the wrong way on the Pennsylvania Turnpike near Pittsburgh for about 10 miles, causing three accidents that slightly hurt four people, including himself. The car was finally stopped yesterday when troopers rammed it into a jersey barrier. The driver will face charges.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Police in western Pennsylvania say a brawl involving several dozen people resulted in six teenage girls and women being injured and five people arrested. Police said the fight broke out on Pittsburgh's North Side yesterday afternoon. Charges of assault, disorderly conduct and failure to disperse are pending.

ROBERT, La. (AP) - Crews are pumping mud into the blown-out well in the Gulf of Mexico in an effort to stop the gushing oil that has already hit an estimated 100 miles of Louisiana coastline. BP says it should know sometime today if the procedure known as a top kill has been successful.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is expected to announce new oil drilling restrictions today in the aftermath of the Gulf oil spill. The administration will also announce delays in granting permits to drill in the Arctic and in portions of the Gulf. Obama plans to travel to the Gulf Coast on Friday.

BEIJING (AP) - China is offering no indication of plans to join the U.S. and its allies in blaming North Korea in the sinking of a South Korean warship, saying the issue remains "highly
complicated." Yesterday, U.S. officials said China had indicated it is prepared to hold Pyongyang accountable.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Congress is headed toward landmark votes on whether to allow gays to serve openly in the military. The House is expected to vote as early as today on a proposal that would repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" law. Also, the Senate Armed Services Committee is expected to take up an identical measure.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Democrats are hoping to extend jobless benefits before they go on vacation next week. House leaders hope to vote today on a bill that would extend the benefits through November, but they're running into opposition from Republicans and some Democrats concerned about the cost of the overall bill.