Today's News-Saturday, June 12, 2010

JUSTINIANO BACK BEHIND BARS

The Pine Grove woman charges with 117 counts of cruelty to animals back in 2009 is back in prison. Virginia Justiniano will serve two to six years in a state correctional facility after being sentenced on parole violations. Justiniano was found to have animals in her possession during a visit from her parole officer in May. As part of her sentencing from the 2009 trial, Justiniano was ordered to stay pet free for 30 years, she failed to meet the terms of her parole by having four cats, a ferret, and a goldfish. She was also ordered to take part in a mental health evaluation while incarcerated by Judge Charles Miller.

CARENET WALK FOR LIFE

A walk to help CareNet of Schuylkill County is scheduled to get underway. The non-profit agency, which offers free and confidential services for pregnant teens, parenting education and other Christian based services, will hold the Walk for Life Saturday at Stoyer's Dam, with registration beginning at 1:30pm. A free concert will be featured at Bubeck Park immediately following, cost of $5.00. All proceeds benefit CareNet's programs.

STATE DEFICIT
　
As the budget process gets underway in Harrisburg, lawmakers will have to deal with a projected deficit of more than 1 billion dollars. One state Senator says the state cannot balance its budget on the backs of people who need help. Don Rooney has more.

ROONEY DEFICIT

GAS THEFT

State police are looking for the bandit who siphoned diesel fuel from a Pine Grove man's rig. Sometime between Wednesday and Thursday, thieves sucked about 100 gallons of fuel from Kevin Zimmerman's truck as it was parked at the end of his driveway along Molleystown Road. The investigation continues.

ITEMS TAKEN FROM PROPERTY IN DELANO TOWNSHIP

A Delano Township man is the victim of theft following an incident earlier this week. Someone entered the property of Scott Kershetsky on Lakeside Avenue and removed a chainsaw, gas generator and other items from a makeshift campsite at the rear of the grounds. Anyone with information should contact Frackville state police at 874-5300.

PRISON REFORM BILL
　
The Senate has passed prison reform legislation expected to save the Commonwealth up to $100 million within the next three years. Don Rooney has more.

ROONEY PRISON REFORM

READING, Pa. (AP) - Authorities say an 11-year-old boy's body was pulled from the Schuylkill River in Berks County yesterday after he went in and apparently drowned. Officials say the boy went into the river near the Stonecliffe Recreation Area in Reading around 4 p.m. Another boy tried to help, but wasn't able to rescue him.

WAYNESBURG, Pa. (AP) - A fire that killed two people at a southwest Pennsylvania apartment complex for elderly and disabled residents has been ruled accidental. Waynesburg police Chief Tim Hawfield says fire marshals were unable to pinpoint the cause of he April 22nd fire at the Avalon Court apartments, but they've ruled out foul play.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Iron City Brewing has agreed to pay $750,000 to settle a $2.7 million past-due sewer bill at its former Pittsburgh brewery. Under the deal announced yesterday, the brewery will pay $450,000 in September, and $300,000 more later. City officials say some of the money will be used to redevelop unused buildings at the former brewery site.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Federal Emergency Management Agency says Pennsylvania will get $1 million to help cover costs and damages from a series of major snow storms in February. The money will also go to certain private nonprofit organizations. FEMA says that more money may be granted as it continues to process requests for public assistance.

CADDO GAP, Ark. (AP) - Authorities are unsure how many people are still missing from an Arkansas campground washed away by flash flooding that killed at least 16 campers. Campers are required to register but the registration book was washed away. Officials say the search could take days or even weeks.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama plans to make an overseas call to his British counterpart today to talk about the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The criticism of British oil company BP has frayed some nerves and strained relations.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - South Korean loudspeakers and other propaganda facilities along their heavily fortified border have riled North Korea into threatening an attack. The General Staff of the Korean People's Army said in a statement today that North Korea would launch an "all-out military strike" and that its retaliation for the psychological warfare would be "merciless."

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A rescue boat is scheduled to arrive anytime now at the spot where a 16-year-old girl sits adrift in the frigid southern Indian Ocean in her disabled boat. Many people criticized Abby Sunderland's parents for allowing the global sailing adventure. Some veteran sailors says it's all but irresponsible.

UNDATED (AP) - Pilots and Spirit Airlines have failed to reach agreement on pay issues after extending a midnight strike deadline. The Airline Pilots Association reports on its website that pilots went on strike early this morning. Spirit pilots have said their pay lags behind competitors like JetBlue Airways Corp. and AirTran Airways.