Today's News-Saturday, July 31, 2010

The former top ranking official with Schuylkill Products agreed to plead guilty in federal court yesterday. Ernest Fink will admit to conspiracy for his part in a mutimillion-dollar fraud against the U.S. government. He faces a maximum prison term of five years, however sentencing in the case has not been scheduled. Fink was employed as the company's former vice president and chief operating officer. He is the fourth man to plead guilty in connection with a $136 million fraud scheme concerning the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program. Joseph W. Nagle, the company's former president and CEO, remains charged with 11 counts each of wire fraud and unlawful monetary transactions, six of mail fraud and two each of conspiracy and forfeiture.

A Tremont man is in county prison after smashing a beer bottle over another man's head Thursday night, state police at Schuylkill Haven said. Police said Daniel Troy Langtry, 21, began arguing with David A. Weikel, 39, inside Weikel's 2262 E. Main St., Hubley Township, home at 6:31 p.m. Langtry then smashed a bottle over Weikel's head and punched him in the face, authorities said. Langtry was arraigned Thursday night before Magisterial District Judge James K. Reiley, Pottsville, and incarcerated in lieu of 10 percent of $20,000 bail, police said.

Temperatures across Pennsylvania have topped 90 degrees regularly over the past month and a half, and more heat is on the way in August. A State Senator from Philadelphia says health officials are reminding us all that keeping cool in this heat can save your life. Don Rooney has more.

ROONEY

The former Shenandoah Valley High School security guard who allegedly threatened the principal and students will pay costs and a fine after pleading guilty Friday in Schuylkill County Court to one summary offense. According to the Republican and Herald, Carlos L. Cintron III of Reading, was seeking dismissal of all charges when he pleaded guilty to harassment and was sentenced by Judge Charles M. Miller to pay costs and a $300 fine. Shenandoah police had charged Cintron, who worked for Anthracite Protective Services, with writing a note in which he threatened to slit the throat of Principal Philip Andras and alluded to a possible massacre at the school.

A vandal damaged property and stole a fiberglass door from World Resources Co., 18 Front St., overnight Thursday, according to state police at Schuylkill Haven. Police said the vandal smashed a plexiglass windshield on a rail mover, causing $250 in damage, then stole the door from a trailer outside the building between 4 p.m. Thursday and 7 a.m. Friday. The door is blue in color and should have a sticker on it that reads "F10." Anyone with information should call state police at Schuylkill Haven at 570-593-2000.

SEWICKLEY, Pa. (AP) - Authorities say a worker apparently overcome by fumes at an Allegheny County sewage plant died Thursday from injuries suffered in a subsequent fall, not toxic gas. The medical examiner says Jack Hogan III of Baden died of blunt force trauma and says the death an accident.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Northeastern Pennsylvania is getting a new area code: 272. The region is expected to run out of 570 numbers next year, and customers will be assigned numbers with the 272 code. Callers will have to dial all 10 digits of a local number - instead of the current seven.

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (AP) - A 41-year-old woman will serve time for lying about her role in what authorities call a drunken boating accident that killed a 12-year-old girl. Barbara Hummer was
sentenced to 21 months to four years in prison. The crash last year on the Susquehanna near Lock Haven killed Valerie Heidt of Howard.

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AP) - A pilot from York (Pennsylvania) is one of four airmen who were killed this week when a cargo plane crashed during a training mission at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage. Captain Jeffrey Hill was assigned to Elmendorf's 517th Airlift Squadron.

DRUMORE, Pa. (AP) - Rescue crews have recovered the body of a teenager who vanished after diving off a cliff into the Susquehanna River in southern Lancaster County. Police say the 19-year-old from Manheim Township was with friends Thursday evening when he dived into the river and didn't resurface.

RHINEBECK, N.Y. (AP) - An exclusive estate along New York's Hudson River is the scene today of Chelsea Clinton's marriage to her longtime boyfriend, investment banker Marc Mezvinsky. It's been preceded by weeks of intrigue, secrecy and buzz and hundreds have been crowding into the small village of Rhinebeck in hopes of catching a glimpse of the Clintons or other VIPs.

PALMDALE, Calif. (AP) - A wildfire that consumed 20 square miles of brush, jumped an aqueduct and menaced power lines that deliver electricity to Southern California has been slowed by water dropping aircraft. The weather isn't helping as fire officials expect low humidity and high temperatures again today with winds gusts of up to 50 mph in the foothills.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The water quality at the nation's beaches isn't doing any better than it was two years ago. The National Resources Defense Council's annual beach water quality survey finds seven percent of beach water samples nationwide last year violated the national health standard.

ISLAMABAD (AP) - The "black box" flight data recorder has been recovered from a plane that went down in Pakistan, killing all 152 people aboard. Officials say they hope the discovery can shed light on why the Airblue flight crashed Wednesday into the hills overlooking the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.

NOWSHERA, Pakistan (AP) - Fears of disease are rising in Pakistan where some flood evacuees are showing signs of diarrhea, fever and other illnesses. Rescuers, meanwhile, are being hampered by deluged roads and damaged bridges as they try to reach thousands of victims. The floods killed more than 430 people, left some 400,000 stranded in far-flung villages and severely damaged the nation's already-weak infrastructure.

TODAY'S NEWS - Friday July, 30 2010

LOCAL NEWS

PA AMONG WORST STATES FOR OIL ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS

Oil companies mean big business in PA, and a new report from the National Wildlife Federations says they can also spell big trouble. From seeps and spills, to fires and explosions, oil-related accidents in the past decade in the state have left 10 people dead, three dozen more injured, and a lot of environmental damage. In 2008 alone, three incidents at the Sunoco’s refinery outside Philadelphia released tons of nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide and other dangerous compounds into the air. The study reveals that the B-P Gulf Coast oil leak is not an isolated incident, and that the oil industry is guilty of broken promises to limit well blowouts, underground tank leaks and worker injuries and deaths. The industry defends its record. BP officials said recently that their mission statement involves safe and reliable operations.

COUNTY SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTS

The PSP at Schuylkill Haven will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint at an undisclosed location , within Schuylkill County, sometime during the weekend. Mororists are reminded to utilize proper restraint systems in their vehicles. One of the main factors in fatal accidents is drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts.

IDENTITIY THEFT

A vehicle-stop was conducted S/B on I-81 at the Luzerne/Schuylkill County line on a 1996 Jeep Cherokee where the driver verbally identified himself as Andrew Gartner, age 40, though he did not have photo identification. Further investigation during the stop through additional law enforcement resources, revealed that Gartner was an alias name and the driver actually was George Hoffman Jr, 44 of Breinigsville. In Addition, Hoffman was somehow able to secure and official PA driver’s license in the alias name, and was operating in society as 2 different people. Hoffman was subsequently placed under arrest and was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Bayer. Bail was set at $25,000 cash and he is currently being housed at the Schuylkill County Prison.


POTTSVILLE’S LIBRARY HAS ANOTHER ATTEMPTED BREAK-IN

The Pottsville Free Public Library has again had another attempted break-in. The incident happened between Wednesday night and Thursday morning. The suspect attempted to gain entry through the wire-laden windows on the building’s south end, smashing three of them with a pipe and brick. Library Maintenance Employee, Marie Whitman, discovered the damage at 7am Thursday morning. While nothing was stolen during the first or second attempted to break in, repairs to the broken windows and upgrades to door locks have cost the library money, and since the PA State Budget has been slashed their funding by 9.1%, they have little left to spare.

POTTSVILLE TO GET 2 NEW COMMUNITY PARKS

Schuylkill Community Action Elm Street program for Pottsville, will have two new parks completed by years end. One is the Pocket Park on the 500 block of N. Centre Street, almost directly across from the YMCA, and the other is the Joan S. Fanelli Overlook Park off Route 61. Over 50 youths volunteers from NJ, part of the Jesus Unites Neighbors Everywhere, will return on Monday to work at the Overlook Park. This is the 19th year volunteers from the project have come to Schuylkill County. City Administrator, Thomas Palamar says by establishing these parks, the Elm Street Program improved the quality of life in the neighborhood.


STATE NEWS

SEWICKLEY, PA. (AP) - OFFICIALS IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY SAY A SEWAGE
PLANT EMPLOYEE BECAME FAINT AND DIED WHILE WORKING IN A 30-FOOT
HOLE, AND THREE OTHER PEOPLE WHO TRIED TO RESCUE HIM WERE OVERCOME
BY AN UNKNOWN GAS AND HAD TO BE HOSPITALIZED. THE DEAD WORKER IS
IDENTIFIED AS JACK HOGAN OF BADEN.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - ONE OF TWO COUNSELORS SUSPENDED AFTER THE
HEAT DEATH OF AN AUTISTIC MAN LEFT FOR HOURS IN A PARKED VAN AT A
PENNSYLVANIA TREATMENT CENTER IS BACK AT WORK. WOODS SERVICES IN
LANGHORNE SAYS A SECOND COUNSELOR WHO DROVE THE VAN SATURDAY
REMAINS SUSPENDED. PROSECUTORS ARE WEIGHING CRIMINAL CHARGES IN THE
DEATH OF BRYAN NEVINS OF NEW YORK.

LOCK HAVEN, PA. (AP) - A CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA MAN WILL SPEND
FIVE TO 11 YEARS IN PRISON FOR WHAT AUTHORITIES SAY WAS A DRUNKEN
BOATING CRASH LAST YEAR THAT KILLED A 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL. JOHN
ENGLERT WAS SENTENCED YESTERDAY. PROSECUTORS SAY HIS BLOOD-ALCOHOL
LEVEL WAS NEARLY THREE TIMES THE LEGAL LIMIT DURING THE ACCIDENT ON
THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER IN LOCK HAVEN.

WILLIAMSPORT, PA. (AP) - A MARINE FROM CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA HAS
BEEN KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN. THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SAYS 21-YEAR-OLD
LANCE CORPORAL ABRAM HOWARD OF WILLIAMSPORT DIED WHILE SUPPORTING
COMBAT OPERATIONS. HOWARD GRADUATED IN 2007 FROM WILLIAMSPORT AREA
HIGH SCHOOL. HE WAS AN AVID HUNTER WHO CAME FROM A LONG LINE OF
MARINES.


NATIONAL NEWS

RANGEL-ETHICS
NEW: RANGEL TALKS ABOUT ETHICS VIOLATIONS

WASHINGTON (AP) - NEW YORK REP. CHARLES RANGEL CAN EXPECT A
SEPTEMBER TRIAL BEFORE THE HOUSE ETHICS COMMITTEE, THE SAME MONTH
HE HAS A PRIMARY.
HOUSE INVESTIGATORS ACCUSED THE VETERAN CONGRESSMAN THURSDAY OF
13 VIOLATIONS OF CONGRESSIONAL ETHICS STANDARDS, INCLUDING FAILURE
TO REPORT RENTAL INCOME FROM VACATION PROPERTY IN THE DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC .
RANGEL SAYS, "EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE SERIOUS CHARGES, I'M
PREPARED TO PROVE THAT THE ONLY THING I'VE EVER HAD IN MY 50 YEARS
OF PUBLIC SERVICE IS SERVICE."
RANGEL ALSO IS ACCUSED OF VIOLATING HOUSE STANDARDS OF CONDUCT
BY USING CONGRESSIONAL LETTERHEAD TO SOLICIT DONATIONS FOR A CENTER
FOR PUBLIC SERVICE TO BEAR RANGEL'S NAME ON THE NEW YORK CAMPUS OF
THE CITY COLLEGE OF NEW YORK.
THE CHARGES CAME AS LAWYERS FOR RANGEL AND THE HOUSE ETHICS
COMMITTEE WORKED OUT A PLEA DEAL, ACCORDING TO PEOPLE FAMILIAR WITH
THE TALKS. BUT REPUBLICANS ON THE ETHICS COMMITTEE INDICATED IT WAS
TOO LATE.

AFGHANISTAN
3 US TROOPS DIE IN DEADLIEST MONTH OF AFGHAN WAR

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (AP) - THREE U.S. SERVICE MEMBERS HAVE BEEN
KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN, BRINGING THE TOLL FOR JULY TO AT LEAST 63
AND MAKING IT THE DEADLIEST MONTH FOR AMERICAN FORCES IN THE NEARLY
9-YEAR-WAR.
A NATO STATEMENT FRIDAY SAID THE THREE DIED IN TWO SEPARATE
BLASTS IN SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN ON THURSDAY. THE STATEMENT GIVES NO
NATIONALITIES BUT U.S. OFFICIALS SAY THEY WERE ALL AMERICANS. THE
OFFICIALS SPOKE ON CONDITION OF ANONYMITY PENDING NOTIFICATION OF
KIN.
THAT BRINGS THE U.S. DEATH TOLL FOR THE MONTH TO AT LEAST 63
ACCORDING TO AN ASSOCIATED PRESS COUNT. JUNE HAD BEEN THE DEADLIEST
MONTH FOR THE U.S. WITH 60 DEATHS AND FOR THE OVERALL NATO LED
FORCE WITH 104 FATALITIES.

CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES
1,200 HOMES UNDER EVACUATION ORDERS IN LA COUNTY

PALMDALE, CALIF. (AP) - AN OUT-OF-CONTROL WILDFIRE HAS BURNED
THROUGH MORE THAN 7 SQUARE MILES AND FORCED HUNDREDS OF EVACUATIONS
IN THE HILLS AROUND PALMDALE IN NORTHERN LOS ANGELES COUNTY.
FIRE INSPECTOR MATT LEVESQUE SAID ABOUT 1,200 HOMES IN LEONA
VALLEY AND PARTS OF PALMDALE ARE UNDER MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDERS
THURSDAY EVENING.
KCAL-TV SHOWED AT LEAST TWO STRUCTURES FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES.
THE BLAZE, BURNING NORTH OF STATE ROUTE 14, JUMPED ELIZABETH
LAKE ROAD IN SEVERAL PLACES, SENDING FIREFIGHTERS AND SHERIFFS
DEPUTIES SCATTERING.
LEVESQUE SAYS THE FIRE IS ACTIVE ON ALL FLANKS, AND DRIVEN BY
HEAVY BRUSH AND DRY BROWN GRASSES THAT BURN EASILY.
ANOTHER FIRE SOUTH OF STATE ROUTE 14 IN THE HILLS THAT CONNECT
LOS ANGELES TO THE INLAND DESERT WAS CONTAINED AT 350 ACRES.

MICHIGAN RIVER-OIL SPILL
COMPANY AT CENTER OF MICH. OIL CITED FOR PROBLEMS

BATTLE CREEK, MICH. (AP) - A CANADIAN COMPANY AT THE CENTER OF A
HUGE OIL SPILL IN MICHIGAN HAS A HISTORY OF PIPELINE PROBLEMS,
INCLUDING LEAKS, AN EXPLOSION AND DOZENS OF REGULATORY VIOLATIONS.
ENBRIDGE INC. OR ITS AFFILIATES HAVE BEEN CITED FOR 30
ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS SINCE 2002 BY THE PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. THE AGENCY IS THE U.S. DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION'S REGULATORY ARM.
THE AGENCY TOLD ENBRIDGE IN JANUARY THAT IT MAY HAVE VIOLATED
SAFETY CODES BY IMPROPERLY MONITORING CORROSION IN THE PIPELINE
RESPONSIBLE FOR MONDAY'S SPILL. OIL FLOWED INTO THE KALAMAZOO
RIVER, WHICH EVENTUALLY CONNECTS TO LAKE MICHIGAN.
THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ESTIMATES THE SPILL AT
MORE THAN 1 MILLION GALLONS, BUT ENBRIDGE'S ESTIMATE IS ABOUT
820,000 GALLONS.

PANAMA-DEAD AMERICANS
PAIR WANTED IN US WOMAN'S DEATH DEPORTED TO PANAMA

PANAMA CITY (AP) - AN AMERICAN COUPLE HAVE BEEN DEPORTED TO
PANAMA, WHERE THEY FACE CHARGES OF KILLING TWO OTHER AMERICANS.
WILLIAM CORTEZ AND HIS WIFE JANE WERE ARRESTED IN NICARAGUA
MONDAY BY SOLDIERS WHO CAPTURED THEM AT THE BORDER WITH COSTA RICA.
AUTHORITIES SAY THE COUPLE GAVE FAKE NAMES.
CORTEZ AND HIS WIFE ARE ACCUSED OF KILLING CHERYL LYNN HUGHES, A
ST. LOUIS NATIVE WHO HAD LIVED IN PANAMA FOR 10 YEARS, AND A FRIEND
DESCRIBED AS THE FORMER OWNER OF A NEW MEXICO GALLERY. THEIR BODIES
WERE UNCOVERED LAST WEEK, BURIED IN SHALLOW GRAVES BEHIND A HOTEL
RUN BY CORTEZ IN BOCAS DEL TORO, PANAMA.
AUTHORITIES BELIEVE THE CORTEZ'S PREYED ON RESIDENTS IN THE
SCENIC COASTAL REGION, AND THEY'RE BEING QUESTIONED ABOUT THE
DISAPPEARANCE OF FIVE OTHER PEOPLE - REPORTEDLY THREE AMERICANS AND
TWO PANAMANIAN WORKERS.

AVIATION SAFETY
HOUSE PASSES BILL TO BOOST COMMUTER AIRLINE SAFETY

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE HOUSE HAS PASSED FAR-REACHING AVIATION
SAFETY LEGISLATION DEVELOPED IN RESPONSE TO A DEADLY COMMUTER
AIRLINE CRASH IN WESTERN NEW YORK LAST YEAR.
THE SAFETY MEASURES WERE APPROVED WITHOUT OPPOSITION LATE
THURSDAY, WITH SENATE ACTION EXPECTED ON FRIDAY.
THE BILL IS AN ATTEMPT TO FORCE AIRLINES TO HIRE MORE
EXPERIENCED PILOTS, INVESTIGATE THEIR PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT MORE
THOROUGHLY AND TRAIN THEM BETTER. IT ALSO WOULD REQUIRE THE FEDERAL
AVIATION ADMINISTRATION TO OVERHAUL REGULATIONS GOVERNING PILOT
WORK SCHEDULES.
THE BILL'S IMPETUS WAS THE CRASH OF A CONTINENTAL CONNECTION
FLIGHT NEAR BUFFALO ON FEB. 12, 2009. ALL 49 PEOPLE ABOARD AND ONE
MAN IN A HOUSE WERE KILLED.
AN INVESTIGATION FAULTED ACTIONS BY THE FLIGHT'S PILOTS.

PAKISTAN-FLOODS
OFFICIALS: FLOODS KILL AT LEAST 267 IN PAKISTAN

PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN (AP) - RESCUE AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SAY
FLOODING HAS KILLED AT LEAST 267 PEOPLE IN PAKISTAN OVER THE PAST
THREE DAYS.
MOST OF THE DEAD WERE IN THE NORTHWEST, WHICH HAS BEEN HIT
ESPECIALLY HARD BY MONSOON RAINS IN RECENT DAYS.
MUJAHID KHAN OF THE EDHI FOUNDATION, A PRIVATELY RUN EMERGENCY
SERVICE, SAYS AT LEAST 245 PEOPLE HAVE DIED THROUGHOUT THE
NORTHWEST. MANY OTHERS WERE STILL MISSING FRIDAY.
SARDAR ATTIQUE KHAN, THE PRIME MINISTER IN PAKISTAN-CONTROLLED
KASHMIR, SAYS FLOODING THERE HAS KILLED 22 PEOPLE.
THE U.N. SAYS OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY ALSO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED
BY THE DELUGE.
POOR WEATHER ALSO MAY HAVE BEEN A FACTOR IN A PLANE CRASH
WEDNESDAY THAT KILLED ALL 152 PEOPLE ONBOARD IN ISLAMABAD.

HACKING CONFERENCE-ONLINE SECURITY
ATTACKING THE EDGES OF SECURE INTERNET TRAFFIC

LAS VEGAS (AP) - RESEARCHERS HAVE UNCOVERED NEW WAYS THAT
CRIMINALS CAN SPY ON INTERNET USERS EVEN IF THEY'RE USING SECURE
CONNECTIONS TO BANKS, ONLINE RETAILERS OR OTHER SENSITIVE WEB
SITES.
THE ATTACKS DEMONSTRATED AT THE BLACK HAT CONFERENCE SHOW HOW
DETERMINED HACKERS CAN SNIFF AROUND THE EDGES OF ENCRYPTED INTERNET
TRAFFIC TO PICK UP CLUES ABOUT WHAT THEIR TARGETS ARE UP TO.
IT'S LIKE TAPPING A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION AND HEARING MUFFLED
VOICES THAT HINT AT THE TONE OF THE CONVERSATION.
THE PROBLEM LIES IN THE WAY WEB BROWSERS HANDLE SECURE SOCKETS
LAYER, OR SSL, ENCRYPTION TECHNOLOGY, ACCORDING TO
CHINA SPY CASE
ATTORNEY: ENGINEER GAVE CHINA UNCLASSIFIED INFO

HONOLULU (AP) - THE ATTORNEY FOR A FORMER B-2 BOMBER ENGINEER
FROM HAWAII ACCUSED OF SELLING MILITARY SECRETS TO CHINA SAYS HIS
CLIENT DESIGNED A CRUISE MISSILE PART FOR CHINA BUT DID SO BASED ON
PUBLIC INFORMATION.
DAVID KLEIN TOLD A FEDERAL JURY THURSDAY THE EXHAUST NOZZLE
NOSHIR GOWADIA DESIGNED FOR A CHINESE STEALTH CRUISE MISSILE WAS
"BASIC STUFF" AND "NOT CLASSIFIED."
HE SAYS THE 67-YEAR-OLD MAUI MAN WANTED TO GET MONEY FROM CHINA,
BUT HE DIDN'T SELL THE COUNTRY MILITARY SECRETS.
KLEIN'S COMMENTS CAME DURING CLOSING ARGUMENTS OF A TRIAL THAT'S
LASTED NEARLY FOUR MONTHS.
GOWADIA HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO 17 COUNTS, INCLUDING
CONSPIRACY, VIOLATING THE ARMS EXPORT CONTROL ACT AND MONEY
LAUNDERING.

TV-AMERICAN IDOL
ELLEN DEGENERES OUT AS 'AMERICAN IDOL' JUDGE

LOS ANGELES (AP) - ELLEN DEGENERES IS LEAVING "AMERICAN IDOL"
AFTER ONE SEASON AS A JUDGE FOR THE HIT FOX TV SINGING CONTEST.
A PERSON CLOSE TO THE SHOW SAYS DEGENERES WON'T RETURN FOR THE
10TH SEASON, WHICH GIVES "AMERICAN IDOL" TWO VACANCIES ON ITS
JUDGING PANEL. FOX HAS YET TO ANNOUNCE A REPLACEMENT FOR SIMON
COWELL, WHO LEFT AT THE END OF LAST SEASON TO START A NEW TALENT
SHOW FOR THE NETWORK.
THE PERSON, WHO LACKED AUTHORITY TO COMMENT PUBLICLY ON
DEGENERES, SPOKE ON CONDITION OF ANONYMITY.
WITH "AMERICAN IDOL" FACING RATINGS EROSION, THE COMEDIAN-TALK
SHOW HOST'S EXIT GIVES FOX THE CHANCE TO MAKE A FRESH START WITH A
REVAMPED JUDGING PANEL. THE SHOW RETURNS IN JANUARY.

TODAY'S NEWS - Thursday July, 29 2010

LOCAL NEWS

PA LAWMAKER’S VIEW OF AZ IMMIGRATION LAW REFLECTED IN FEDERAL COURT DECISION

A FEDERAL COURT RULING IS TEMPORARILY BLOCKING KEY ELEMENTS OF THE CONTROVERSIAL ARIZONA IMMIGRATION LAW THAT TAKES EFFECT TODAY, THROWING WEIGHT BEHIND OPPOSITION TO THE LAW HERE IN PA. THE JUDGE SHOT DOWN PARTS OF THE LAW REQUIRING OFFICERS TO CHECK A PERSON’ IMMIGRATION STATUS WHILE ENFORCING OTHER LAWS, AND ALSO WARRANTLESS ARRESTS OF SUSPECTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. IT ALSO PUT ON HOLD A REQUIREMENT THAT IMMIGRANTS CARRY THEIR PAPERS AT ALL TIMES. PA SENATOR DAYLIN LEACH ALREADY HAS A BILL ON THE TABLE THAT WOULD ENSURE THAT, UNLIKE IN ARIZONA, STATE AND LOCAL POLICE WOULDN’T BE USED TO ENFORCE FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAWS. SUPPORTERS OF THE ARIZONA LAW SAY THEY EXPECT TO APPEAL THE DECISION AND HAVE THE JUDGE’S RULING OVERTURNED. LEACH SAYS IF A LAW LIKE ARIZONA’S PASSED IN PA, IT WOULD FORCE POLICE AGENCIES TO DIVERT THEIR RESOURCES AND MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO DO AN ALREADY CHALLENGING JOB.

WALL STREET HONE “RESALE” FEE’S RAISE IRE, AND EYEBROWS

WITH THE REAL ESTATE VALUES STILL LOW IN MOST OF THE COUNTRY, A NEW INVESTMENT DEVICE HAS SURFACED – AND A COALITION OF CONSUMER GROUPS AND REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY ORGANIZATIONS IS SOUNDING AN ALARM. ‘PRIVATE TRANSFER FEE COVENANTS” BEING PLACED ON HOMES BY INVESTORS AND DEVELOPERS REQUIRE A PERCENTAGE OF THE FINAL SALE PRICE TO BE PAID TO THE PRIVATE THIRD PARTY EVERY TIME THE PROPERTY IS SOLD…FOR UP TO 99 YEARS. KURT PFOTENHAUER WILL THE AMERICAN LAND TITLE ASSOCIATION SAYS HIS ORGANIZATION IS JOINING THE COALITION’S CALL FOR STATE LEGISLATURE TO TAKE ACTIONS AND FOR A FEDERAL BAN. SO FOR 16 STATES HAVE RESTRICTED THE RESALE FEES, AND HUD WON’T INSURE LOANS THAT HAVE THE FEES ATTACHED. THE COALITION IS DELIVERING A LETTER TO US FINANCIAL OFFICIALS ON THE ISSUE THIS WEEK.

PALO ALTO FIRE LEAVES THREE PEOPLE HOMELESS

THREE PEOPLE ARE LEFT HOMELESS AFTER A FIRE DESTROYED A TWO –STORY HOME IN PALO ALTO YESTERDAY EVENING. THE CAUSE OF THE BLAZE IS STILL UNDETERMINED AND THE INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING. A WOMAN AND HER TWO CHILDREN WERE HOME AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE, WHICH STARTED AROUND THE BACK PORCH. THE HOUSE LOCATED AT 418 SAVORY STREET WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES IN LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES. MULTIPLE FIRE COMPANIES FOUGHT THE BLAZE, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.


STATE PARKS REMAIN OPEN AMIDST BUDGET CUTS

YOU WILL STILL BE ABLE TO VISIT ANY OF THE 117 STATE PARKS THIS YEAR WITHOUT WORRY OF THEM CLOSING. STATE CONSERVATION OFFICIALS ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO ENSURE THEY WON’T HAVE TO SHUT DOWN THE PARKS TEMPORARILY UNTIL FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE. THEY WILL RELY ON A COMBINATION OF ADDITIONAL OIL AND GAS REVENUES, REDUCE SERVICES AND FURTHER CUTS IN HOURLY WAGES PAID TO OFFSET THE $3.6 MILLION CUT IN STATE PARK OPERATIONS, AS A RESULT OF THE NEWLY PASSED PA STATE BUDGET. THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATIONAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES IS BEING FUNDED LESS FROM THE TAXPAYER-SUPPORTED GENERAL FUND AND MORE FROM THE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES LIKE TIMBER AND OIL AND GAS DEPOSITS ON THE LANDS IT MANAGES. TAX DOLLARS CURRENTLY PAY FOR 62% OF DCNR’S BUDGET, COMPARED TO 77% TRADITIONALLY.


GOVERNOR GIVE GREEN LIGHT FOR DCNR TO HIRE FORESTERS FOR GAS DRILLING.

LAST WEEK, GOVERNOR ED RENDELL’S ADMINISTRATION GAVE THE GREEN LIGHT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RECOURSES TO HIRE 12 FORESTERS TO OVERSEE THE NATURAL GAS DRILLING IN THE STATE. THE DRILLING, SO FAR CONCENTRATED IN CENTRAL-PENNSYLVANIA, IS KNOWN FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE AND FOCUS IS NEEDED TO IMPLEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE DRILLING-MONITORING PROGRAM. ABOUT 100 WELLS WILL HAVE BEEN DRILLED INTO THE MARCELLUS SHALE BY YEARS END AND DCNR PROJECTS MORE THAN 6,000 WELLS WILL BE DRILLED ON ALREADY LEAST STATE FOREST LAND IN THE NEXT 20 YEARS. THE MONITORING PROGRAM IS A LONG-TERM EFFORT TO MINIMIZE ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE TO THE STATE FORESTS. IT WILL FOCUS ON THE IMPACT OF DRILLING ON AIR, WATER AND SOIL QUALITY, WILD LIFE HABITATS, THE FOREST PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, PARK AND FOREST USERS AND RESIDENT IN NEARBY COMMUNITIES


STATE NEWS

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A PHILADELPHIA MAN IS CHARGED WITH KILLING
HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW. POLICE SAY STEVEN ESTREMERA IS ACCUSED OF
KILLING MARIAN FREW, WHOSE BODY WAS FOUND SUNDAY AT THE BOTTOM OF
THE BASEMENT STEPS IN HIS ROW HOME. POLICE SAY SHE HAD BEEN STABBED
IN THE NECK WHILE HER TWO 9- AND 11-YEAR-OLD GRANDSONS WERE
SLEEPING ON THE SECOND FLOOR.

EBENSBURG, PA. (AP) - A WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA MAN HAS BEEN
CONVICTED OF STEALING MORE THAN $650,000 FROM A 94-YEAR-OLD WOMAN.
THE JOHNSTOWN TRIBUNE-DEMOCRAT REPORTS JURORS IN CAMBRIA COUNTY
DELIBERATED FOR ONLY ABOUT AN HOUR YESTERDAY BEFORE CONVICTING
FRANK SOLENSKY JR. OF WINDBER OF ALL 18 COUNTS OF THEFT BY
DECEPTION.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - TWO REMAINING SPANS OF A NEARLY 60-YEAR-OLD
BRIDGE THAT ONCE TOOK THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE ACROSS THE
ALLEGHENY RIVER NEAR PITTSBURGH WILL BE DEMOLISHED TOMORROW. THE
MAIN SPAN OF THE BRIDGE IN HARMAR TOWNSHIP WAS IMPLODED JULY 13TH
USING 200 POUNDS OF EXPLOSIVES.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - COMPUTER GIANT IBM IS TEAMING UP WITH CARNEGIE
MELLON UNIVERSITY IN PITTSBURGH ON A RESEARCH LAB TO DEVELOP
TECHNOLOGIES TO HELP GOVERNMENTS BETTER MANAGE THEIR
INFRASTRUCTURE. THE COLLABORATIVE LAB IS PART OF THE PENNSYLVANIA
SMART INFRASTRUCTURE INCUBATOR AND SHOULD OPEN IN THE FALL AT CMU'S
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING.


NATIONAL NEWS

MILITARY PLANE CRASH
UPDATE: CARGO PLANE CRASHES AT AK BASE; 4 PEOPLE ON BOARD

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, ALASKA (AP) - A BOARD OF MILITARY
OFFICERS PLANS TO INVESTIGATE A PLANE CRASH THAT WITNESSES SAY SENT
A FIREBALL RISING HUNDREDS OF FEET OVER AN AIR FORCE BASE NEAR
DOWNTOWN ANCHORAGE.
AUTHORITIES SAY THE PLANE WAS ON A LOCAL TRAINING RUN WEDNESDAY
EVENING WHEN IT CRASHED AT ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE.
THEY GAVE NO IMMEDIATE WORD ON CASUALTIES, BUT LT. GEN. DANA
ATKINS NOTED THAT THE PLANE WAS NOT AN EJECTION AIRCRAFT AND SAID
IT WAS "LIKELY NOBODY ESCAPED."
HE SAID LATE WEDNESDAY THAT "IT'S LIKELY THERE ARE FATALITIES
INVOLVED IN THIS MISHAP."
AIR FORCE SPOKESMAN SAYS FOUR PEOPLE WERE ONBOARD THE C-17.

ECONOMIC SURVEY
AP SURVEY: A BLEAKER OUTLOOK FOR ECONOMY INTO 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) - A NEW SURVEY SUGGESTS THE U.S. ECONOMIC
RECOVERY WILL REMAIN SLOW DEEP INTO NEXT YEAR, HELD BACK BY
SHOPPERS RELUCTANT TO SPEND AND EMPLOYERS HESITANT TO HIRE.
THE LATEST QUARTERLY ASSOCIATED PRESS ECONOMY SURVEY SHOWS
ECONOMISTS HAVE TURNED GLOOMIER IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS. THEY
FORESEE WEAKER GROWTH AND HIGHER UNEMPLOYMENT THAN THEY DID BEFORE.
ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY, ECONOMIC GROWTH THE REST OF THIS YEAR
AND EARLY NEXT YEAR WILL WEAKEN, TO LESS THAN 3 PERCENT, AND THE
UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WILL BE NO LOWER AT THE END OF THE YEAR THAN IT
IS NOW -- 9.5 PERCENT.
AS A RESULT, THE ECONOMISTS THINK THE FEDERAL RESERVE WILL KEEP
INTEREST RATES NEAR ZERO UNTIL AT LEAST NEXT SPRING.
DESPITE EXPECTATIONS OF SLOWER GROWTH, A MAJORITY OF THE 42
ECONOMISTS SURVEYED BELIEVE THE RECOVERY REMAINS ON TRACK, RAISING
HOPES THAT THE ECONOMY CAN AVOID FALLING BACK INTO A "DOUBLE-DIP"
RECESSION.

MICHIGAN RIVER-OIL SPILL
UPDATE: EPA: 1M GALLONS OF OIL MAY BE IN MICH. RIVER

BATTLE CREEK, MICH. (AP) - FEDERAL OFFICIALS NOW ESTIMATE THAT
MORE THAN 1 MILLION GALLONS OF OIL MAY HAVE SPILLED INTO A MAJOR
RIVER IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN.
THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY RELEASED THE UPDATE
WEDNESDAY NIGHT, SHORTLY AFTER THE GOVERNOR SHARPLY CRITICIZED
EFFORTS TO CONTAIN OIL FLOWING DOWN THE KALAMAZOO RIVER.
GOV. JENNIFER GRANHOLM WARNED OF A "TRAGEDY OF HISTORIC
PROPORTIONS" IF THE OIL REACHES LAKE MICHIGAN, WHICH IS STILL AT
LEAST 80 MILES DOWNSTREAM FROM WHERE OIL HAS BEEN SEEN.
ENBRIDGE INC. OWNS THE PIPELINE THAT LEAKED THE OIL, AND ITS CEO
SAID EARLIER WEDNESDAY THAT THE COMPANY HAS MADE "SIGNIFICANT
PROGRESS."
THE COMPANY DIDN'T RETURN MESSAGES FOR COMMENT AFTER GRANHOLM'S
STATEMENTS.

AFGHANISTAN
NEW: KARZAI: RELEASE OF SECRET DOCS ENDANGERS AFGHANS

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (AP) - AFGHAN PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI
(HAH'-MIHD KAR'-ZEYE) SAYS THE RELEASE OF SECRET U.S. MILITARY
DOCUMENTS HAS ENDANGERED THE LIVES OF AFGHAN CITIZENS WHO HAVE
COOPERATED WITH THE INTERNATIONAL FORCES.
KARZAI SAYS HE'S ORDERED HIS CABINET MINISTERS TO STUDY THE MORE
THAN 90,000 DOCUMENTS ON THE AFGHANISTAN WAR POSTED SUNDAY ON THE
WEB BY WIKILEAKS. HE CALLS THE RELEASE OF PAPERS NAMING AFGHANS WHO
SIDE WITH THE NATO-LED FORCE "SHOCKING" AND "IRRESPONSIBLE,"
AND SAYS "THEIR LIVES WILL BE IN DANGER NOW."
AT A NEWS CONFERENCE, KARZAI SAYS HE'S PARTICULARLY INTERESTED
IN THE PAPERS THAT ADDRESS CIVILIAN CASUALTIES AND MILITANT AND
TERRORIST SANCTUARIES ACROSS THE BORDER IN PAKISTAN.

ARIZONA IMMIGRATION
JUDGE BLOCKS PARTS OF ARIZONA IMMIGRATION LAW

PHOENIX (AP) - A FEDERAL JUDGE STEPPED INTO THE FIGHT OVER
ARIZONA'S IMMIGRATION LAW AT THE LAST MINUTE WEDNESDAY, BLOCKING
THE HEART OF THE MEASURE AND DEFUSING A CONFRONTATION BETWEEN
POLICE AND THOUSANDS OF ACTIVISTS THAT HAD BEEN BUILDING FOR
MONTHS.
COMING JUST HOURS BEFORE THE LAW WAS TO TAKE EFFECT, THE RULING
ISN'T THE END.
IT SETS UP A LENGTHY LEGAL BATTLE THAT COULD END UP BEFORE THE
SUPREME COURT - ENSURING THAT A LAW THAT REIGNITED THE IMMIGRATION
DEBATE, INSPIRED SIMILAR MEASURES NATIONWIDE, CREATED FODDER FOR
POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS AND RAISED TENSIONS WITH MEXICO WILL STAY IN
THE SPOTLIGHT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR GOV. JAN BREWER SAYS THE STATE WILL APPEAL THE
RULING TO THE 9TH U.S. CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS IN SAN FRANCISCO ON
THURSDAY, ASKING THE APPELLATE COURT TO LIFT THE INJUNCTION AND
ALLOW THE BLOCKED PROVISIONS TO TAKE EFFECT.

BEAR MAULING DEATH
BEAR KILLS 1, INJURES 2 AT MONTANA CAMPGROUND

COOKE CITY, MONT. (AP) - FIVE BAITED TRAPS HAVE BEEN SET AT A
CAMPGROUND IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK AS WILDLIFE OFFICIALS TRY
TO TRACK DOWN ONE OR MORE BEARS RESPONSIBLE FOR A DEADLY ATTACK.
AT LEAST ONE BEAR RAMPAGED THROUGH THE 10-ACRE SODA BUTTE
CAMPGROUND NEAR COOKE CITY, MONT., EARLY WEDNESDAY, KILLING ONE
PERSON AND INJURING TWO OTHERS.
THE IDENTITIES AND AGES OF THE VICTIMS HAVEN'T BEEN RELEASED,
BUT AUTHORITIES SAY A MALE WAS KILLED, AND A MALE AND A FEMALE WERE
HURT.
WILDLIFE EXPERTS ARE COLLECTING BEAR HAIR, SALIVA AND DROPPINGS
WHILE MEASURING THE BITE WOUNDS OF THE VICTIMS TO DETERMINE THE
TYPE AND NUMBER OF BEARS INVOLVED.
A MONTANA WILDLIFE OFFICIAL SAYS IF THEY TRAP A BEAR INVOLVED IN
THE ATTACK, IT WILL BE KILLED.

RUSSIA-SECURITY LAW
MEDVEDEV WIDENS POWERS OF KGB SUCCESSOR AGENCY

MOSCOW (AP) - THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT HAS SIGNED A LAW WIDENING
THE POWERS OF THE FEDERAL SECURITY SERVICE, WHICH IS THE KGB'S MAIN
SUCCESSOR AGENCY.
THE LAW ALLOWS THE AGENCY KNOWN AS FSB TO ISSUE WARNINGS TO
PEOPLE SUSPECTED OF PREPARING TO COMMIT CRIMES AGAINST RUSSIA'S
SECURITY. PERPETRATORS FACE FINES OR UP TO 15 DAYS DETENTION.
CRITICS SAY THIS POWER COULD BE USED TO INTIMIDATE GOVERNMENT
OPPONENTS AND STIFLE PROTESTS.
THE BILL HAS RAISED DOUBTS ABOUT PRESIDENT DMITRY MEDVEDEV'S
(DIH-MEE'-TREE MED-VYEH'-DYEVZ) COMMITMENT TO PROMOTING
FULL-FLEDGED DEMOCRACY AND FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION.
MEDVEDEV HAS TAKEN A SOFTER LINE ON MANY ISSUES THAN HIS
PREDECESSOR, VLADIMIR PUTIN, A FORMER KGB OFFICER AND THEN FSB
CHIEF.
PUTIN IS NOW PRIME MINISTER, AND MANY SEE HIS INTOLERANCE OF
DISSENT AS INFLUENCING THE KREMLIN.

INTELLIGENCE CHIEF
AP SOURCE: INTELLIGENCE NOMINEE HAS SMOOTH SESSION

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S NOMINEE TO BE CHIEF
OF U.S. INTELLIGENCE, JAMES CLAPPER, IS EXPECTED TO BE APPROVED BY
THE SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE WHEN THE PANEL MEETS THURSDAY.
THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE OVERSEES THE NATION'S 16
SPY AGENCIES.
CLAPPER MET PRIVATELY WEDNESDAY WITH REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC
LAWMAKERS. A SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL STAFFER SAYS ONE OF THE MAIN
OPPONENTS OF CLAPPER'S NOMINATION, REPUBLICAN SEN. KIT BOND OF
MISSOURI, LEFT THE SESSION FAVORABLY IMPRESSED WITH CLAPPER. THE
STAFFER REQUESTED ANONYMITY TO DISCUSS THE MEETING.
CLAPPER'S CONFIRMATION MAY STILL FACE OPPOSITION FROM GOP
LAWMAKERS BECAUSE THEY BLAME THE WHITE HOUSE FOR THE CONTINUING
DELAY IN PASSING LAST YEAR'S INTELLIGENCE ACT.

CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES
STRUCTURE LOSSES LOWERED IN CALIF. WILDFIRE

TEHACHAPI, CALIF. (AP) - AUTHORITIES HAVE REVISED DOWNWARD THE
NUMBER OF STRUCTURES DESTROYED BY A 1,400-ACRE WILDFIRE IN
CALIFORNIA'S TEHACHAPI MOUNTAINS.
AUTHORITIES SAID WEDNESDAY THAT 25 STRUCTURES HAVE BEEN LOST IN
THE BLAZE THAT BROKE OUT TUESDAY IN A COMMUNITY OF SCATTERED RURAL
HOMES KNOWN AS OLD WEST RANCH.
KERN COUNTY FIRE OFFICIALS INITIALLY ESTIMATED THAT 30 TO 40
HOMES WERE LOST. OFFICIALS HAVE NOT SPECIFIED HOW MANY OF THE 25
DESTROYED STRUCTURES WERE HOMES.
ABOUT 150 HOMES REMAIN THREATENED. THE FIRE IS 25 PERCENT
CONTAINED.
TO THE NORTH, IN SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST, A MORE-THAN
15,500-ACRE WILDFIRE THAT BURNED EIGHT STRUCTURES NEAR KERNVILLE IS
5 PERCENT CONTAINED. ABOUT 1,200 HOMES ARE CONSIDERED THREATENED.

UNIVISION POLL-HISPANICS
AP-UNIVISION POLL: COLLEGE DREAMS FOR HISPANICS

WASHINGTON (AP) - A NEW ASSOCIATED PRESS-UNIVISION POLL FINDS
THAT HISPANICS PLACE A HIGHER VALUE ON GETTING A COLLEGE DIPLOMA
THAN DOES THE AMERICAN POPULATION AS A WHOLE.
BUT CENSUS FIGURES SHOW ONLY 13 PERCENT OF LATINOS HAVE A
BACHELOR'S DEGREE OR HIGHER, COMPARED WITH 30 PERCENT AMONG
AMERICANS OVERALL.
THE POLL REVEALED SOME OF THE ROADBLOCKS: LATINOS DON'T HAVE
ENOUGH MONEY, AND MANY ARE RELUCTANT TO BORROW. FAMILY OBLIGATIONS
TAKE PRIORITY. PARENTS AND TEACHERS PROVIDE ONLY LUKEWARM SUPPORT.
YET 94 PERCENT OF LATINOS SAY THEY EXPECT THEIR OWN CHILDREN TO
GO TO COLLEGE, A DESIRE THAT'S SLIGHTLY STRONGER WHEN IT COMES TO
DAUGHTERS.

TODAY'S NEWS - Wednesday July, 28 2010

LOCAL NEWS

COUNTY’S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS UNCHANGED

THE COUNTY’S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR JUNE REMAINED AT 11%, THE SAME AS IS WAS IN MAY. THIS IS ACCORDING TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY. THAT IS STILL HIGHER THAN THE STATE AVERAGE OF 9.2% AND THE NATIONAL LEVEL OF 9.5%. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY HAS THE HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE OF IT NEIGHBORING COUNTIES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CARBON COUNTY WHICH IS AT 11.3%. CLOSE TO 1000 JOBS WERE CREATED IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS, AND THE COUNTY’S WORKFORCE DECLINED FROM 75,500 TO 75,100 DURING THE SAME PERIOD. THE NUMBER OF COUNTY JOBS ROSE FROM 51,600 TO 51,800 LAST MONTH, DESPITE LOSING 100 FEDERAL JOBS TO THE ENDING OF THE U.S. CENSUS WORKERS. LOCAL OFFICIALS AGREE THIS IS SIGNS OF STABILITY; HOWEVER THE COUNTY IS STILL NOT OUT OF THE CLEAR YET, FACING A $3.5 MILLION BUDGET DEFICIT AND AN EVEN MORE UNCERTAIN BUDGET OUTLOOK FOR NEXT YEAR.

STATE REFUSES APPEAL ADDITIONAL APPEAL FOR MURDERER

A THREE-PANEL JUDGE STATE SUPERIOR COURT PANEL HAS DENIED A MOREA MAN ANOTHER APPEAL IN THE CASE OF A QUADRUPLE HOMICIDE. MICHAEL H. BECHTEL, 34 OF MOREA, PLEADED GUILTY ON JAN 21, 2004 TO MURDERING HIS WIFE, SON AND TO OTHERS AT HIS HOME AT 19 LOWER STREET IN MOREA IN 2002. BECHTEL CLAIMED INCOMPETENCE IN THE SHOOTING DEATHS THEN ALLEGED HE MADE THE PLEA BECAUSE HE WAS FORCED TO BY HIS LAWYERS. HE DID NOT SUBMIT HIS PETITION IN DUE TIME UNDER THE STATE POST CONVICTION RELIEF ACT, WHICH STATES THAT DEFENDANT’S MUST FILE WITHIN ONE YEAR OF SENTENCING. BECHTEL IS SENTENCED TO SERVE FOUR CONSECUTIVE TERM LIFE SENTENCES AND IS BEHIND BARS AT THE STATE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION/GREENE.

WOMAN ROBBED AT KNIFE-POINT

POLICE IN CASS-FOSTER TOWNSHIP ARE STILL LOOKING FOR A MAN WHO ROBBED A WOMAN AT KNIFE-POINT YESTERDAY MORNING. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AROUND 7:30 ON 346 HIGH STREET. THE WOMAN, WHO REMAINS ANONYMOUS, SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AND WAS TREATED BY MEDICAL PERSONNEL. THE SUSPECT IS DESCRIBED AS BEING A HUSKY 6 FOOT TALL MALE WITH A TATTOO ON ONE OF HIS FOREARMS AND HAVING SHORT, LIGHT BROWN HAIR. HE WAS WEARING A DARK SHIRT AND BLUE JEANS AT THE TIME OF THE ASSAULT. HE MADE OFF WITH THE VICTIMS WALLET AND HOME JEWELRY. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS INCIDENT IS TO CONTACT THE POLICE AT 544-5631.

TAPING OF HATE CRIME TRIAL DENIED

SENIOR DISTRICT JUDGE A. RICHARD CAPUTO DENIED TAPING OF THE HATE CRIME TRIAL IN CONNECTION WITH THE BEATING DEATH OF LUIZ EDUARDO RAMIREZ ZAVALA ON JULY 12, 2008. THE JUDGE CITED THREE-REASONS FOR THE DENIAL: THE FEDERAL RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE BAR PHOTOGRAPHY DURING JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS, A LOCAL COURT RULE BANS TAPING OR RECORDING IN A COURTROOM DURING THOSE PROCEEDINGS AND “THE POLICY OF THE JUDICIAL CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED STATES IS THAT BROADCASTING, TELEVISING, RECORDING OR PHOTOGRAPHING CIVIL AND CRIMINAL COURTROOM PROCEEDINGS IS NOT PERMITTED”. DERRICK DONCHAK AND BRANDON PIEKARSKY ARE SCHEDULED TO GO ON TRIAL AT 9:30AM OCTOBER 4TH IN WILKES-BARRE. BOTH DEFENDANTS FACE POSSIBLE LIFE SENTENCES IF CONVICTED.



STATE NEWS

ATLANTA (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA HAS BEEN NAMED A FINALIST IN THE
SECOND ROUND OF THE FEDERAL "RACE TO THE TOP" SCHOOL REFORM GRANT
COMPETITION. IN ALL, 18 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ARE
GETTING A CHANCE TO RECEIVE A SHARE OF $3 BILLION.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - WATER AUTHORITIES ARE MONITORING THE
SUSQUEHANNA RIVER FOR FUEL THAT SPILLED FROM AN OVERTURNED TANKER
TRUCK ON A SOUTH-CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA HIGHWAY. DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPOKESMAN JOHN REPETZ SAYS, SO FAR, THE
AGENCY HADN'T HEARD OF ANY PROBLEMS CAUSED BY FUEL FLOATING DOWN
THE RIVER.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - CREWS HAVE FINISHED CLEANING UP A FUEL TRUCK
SPILL AT PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, AND A SPOKESWOMAN SAYS
EVERYTHING IS BACK TO NORMAL. THE SPOKESWOMAN SAYS THE TRUCK
APPARENTLY TIPPED OVER ON A SERVICE ROAD NEAR TERMINAL F YESTERDAY
AFTERNOON, SPILLING ABOUT 200 GALLONS OF FUEL.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - QUEEN OF SOUL ARETHA FRANKLIN AND FORMER
SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZA RICE TEAMED UP FOR A RARE JOINT
CONCERT IN PHILADELPHIA TO RAISE MONEY FOR INNER-CITY YOUTH. LAST
NIGHT'S PERFORMANCE FEATURED RICE ON THE PIANO ACCOMPANYING
FRANKLIN'S "I SAY A LITTLE PRAYER" AND "MY COUNTRY 'TIS OF
THEE."


NATIONAL NEWS

PAKISTAN
PLANE CARRYING 152 CRASHES IN PAKISTAN

ISLAMABAD (AP) - A DOMESTIC PASSENGER JET CARRYING 152 PEOPLE
CRASHED INTO THE HILLS SURROUNDING PAKISTAN'S CAPITAL TODAY,
KILLING SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH MANY MORE FEARED DEAD.
OFFICIALS REPORT AT LEAST FIVE INJURED.
CIVIL AVIATION OFFICIAL PERVEZ GEORGE SAYS THE PLANE WAS FLYING
FROM KARACHI TO ISLAMABAD AND WAS TRYING TO LAND DURING DIFFICULT
WEATHER. AIRBLUE IS PRIVATE SERVICE BASED IN KARACHI, PAKISTAN'S
LARGEST CITY.
GUARDS WITH THE FORESTRY SERVICE SAID THEY HAD FOUND SOME
WRECKAGE AND SEEN AT LEAST FIVE DEAD BODIES. FEDERAL INTERIOR
MINISTER REHMAN MALIK SAID AT LEAST FIVE INJURED SURVIVORS HAD BEEN
RESCUED.
PAKISTANI NEWS CHANNELS SHOWED WHAT APPEARED TO BE WRECKAGE OF
THE PLANE AS A HELICOPTER HOVERED ABOVE THE HEAVILY FORESTED HILLS.
FIRE WAS VISIBLE AND SMOKE WAS BLOWING UP FROM THE SCENE.

CONGRESS-WAR FUNDING
HOUSE BACKS FINANCING FOR AFGHAN TROOP BUILD UP

WASHINGTON (AP) - BY A COMFORTABLE MARGIN, THE HOUSE HAS PASSED
LEGISLATION FUNDING THE AFGHAN TROOP BUILD UP THAT PRESIDENT BARACK
OBAMA ORDERED EARLIER THIS YEAR.
ACTION ON THE WAR FUNDING BILL HAD BEEN DELAYED FOR WEEKS, AS
DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS FOUGHT OVER ADDITIONAL MONEY FOR DOMESTIC
PROGRAMS. THE HOUSE HAS ENDED UP PASSING A PARED-BACK, $59 BILLION
MEASURE ON A 308 TO 114 VOTE.
EVEN THOUGH OBAMA FINALLY GOT THE FINANCING HE SOUGHT FOR
AFGHANISTAN, THERE WERE TROUBLE SIGNS AHEAD FOR THE PRESIDENT, AS
SCORES OF FELLOW DEMOCRATS VOTED AGAINST THE BILL.
PENTAGON LEADERS HAD WARNED LAWMAKERS THAT MONEY TO FUND THE
TROOPS COULD RUN OUT AS EARLY AS AUG. 7. THAT PROMPTED THE HOUSE,
WHICH IS LEAVING AT THE END OF THE WEEK FOR ITS AUGUST RECESS, TO
ACCEPT THE SENATE VERSION OF THE LEGISLATION.

OKLAHOMA PRIMARY
EDMONDSON CONCEDES IN OKLA. DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - THE RACE FOR OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR WILL FEATURE
TWO WOMEN AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET.
LT. GOV. JARI ASKINS DEFEATED ATTORNEY GENERAL DREW EDMONSON ON
TUESDAY. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCEDED IN A LATE-NIGHT SPEECH THAT
HE WOULD NOT MAKE UP THE SLIM MARGIN ASKINS HELD AS THE FINAL VOTES
WERE BEING COUNTED.
ASKINS WILL FACE REPUBLICAN U.S. REP. MARY FALLIN IN THE NOV. 2
GENERAL ELECTION.
ASKINS AND EDMONDSON EACH GAVE UP RELATIVELY SAFE SEATS IN AN
EFFORT TO KEEP THE GOVERNOR'S SEAT IN DEMOCRATIC HANDS. GOV. BRAD
HENRY IS TERM-LIMITED AND CANNOT SEEK A THIRD TERM.

CYBER BUST
FBI SAYS MASTERMIND OF BOTNET NABBED

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE FBI SAYS INTERNATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
AUTHORITIES HAVE ARRESTED THE COMPUTER HACKER RESPONSIBLE FOR
CREATING THE MALICIOUS COMPUTER CODE THAT INFECTED ABOUT 12 MILLION
COMPUTERS AND INVADED MAJOR CORPORATIONS WORLDWIDE.
THE ALLEGED MASTERMIND IS A 23-YEAR-OLD SLOVENIAN WHOSE INTERNET
NICKNAME IS ISERDO. THE FBI SAYS HE WAS ARRESTED IN SLOVENIA AFTER
A LENGTHY INVESTIGATION BY POLICE THERE, ALONG WITH FBI AND SPANISH
AUTHORITIES.
HIS ARREST COMES ABOUT FIVE MONTHS AFTER SPANISH POLICE ARRESTED
THREE HACKERS IN THE CYBER SCAM WHO OPERATED THE SO-CALLED MARIPOSA
BOTNET, STEALING CREDIT CARDS AND ONLINE BANKING CREDENTIALS.
A BOTNET IS A NETWORK OF INFECTED COMPUTERS. THE MARIPOSA BOTNET
APPEARED IN DECEMBER 2008.

FAILED DRUG WAR-MEXICAN JUSTICE
NEW: AP IMPACT: MEXICO JUSTICE MEANS CATCH AND RELEASE

CIUDAD JUAREZ, MEXICO (AP) - RECORDS OBTAINED BY THE ASSOCIATED
PRESS SUGGEST THAT ARRESTS TOUTED BY MEXICO IN ITS WAR AGAINST DRUG
CARTELS FREQUENTLY UNRAVEL FOR LACK OF EVIDENCE, AND SUSPECTS ARE
RELEASED.
THE RECORDS SHOW 226,667 ARRESTS BETWEEN DECEMBER 2006 AND
SEPTEMBER 2009. LESS THAN A QUARTER OF THAT NUMBER WERE CHARGED AND
ONLY 15 PERCENT SAW A VERDICT. THE MEXICAN ATTORNEY GENERAL'S
OFFICE WON'T SAY HOW MANY WERE FOUND GUILTY.
IN WHAT'S PRACTICALLY A DAILY RITUAL, ACCUSED DRUG TRAFFICKERS
AND ASSASSINS, SHACKLED AND BRUISED FROM BEATINGS, ARE PARADED
BEFORE THE NEWS MEDIA TO SHOW THAT MEXICO IS WINNING ITS DRUG WAR.
ONCE THE TELEVISION LIGHTS DIM, HOWEVER, ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS OF
THEM ARE LET GO.
SOMETIMES, THE DRUG CARTELS DECIDE WHO GETS ARRESTED.

CHINA EXPLOSION
DEADLY FACTORY BLAST IN CHINA

BEIJING (AP) - STATE MEDIA REPORT A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN
KILLED AND HUNDREDS INJURED IN A POWERFUL BLAST THAT ROCKED A
PLASTICS FACTORY IN EASTERN CHINA.
THE OFFICIAL XINHUA (SHIN-WAH) NEWS AGENCY SAYS A GAS LEAK IS
SUSPECTED AND THAT ITS REPORTERS SAW BURNED BODIES BEING CARRIED
OUT OF THE PLANT. BUILDINGS AND VEHICLES NEAR THE BLAST WERE BADLY
DAMAGED.
ACCIDENTS ARE COMMON IN CHINA'S SAFETY-LAX FACTORIES, WITH
FIRES, EXPLOSIONS AND OTHER PROBLEMS KILLING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE
EACH YEAR.

OBAMA
NEW: AHEAD OF ELECTIONS, OBAMA RAMPS UP HIS FUNDRAISING

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IS STEPPING UP HIS
FUNDRAISING EFFORTS AS THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS DRAW CLOSER.
OBAMA WILL TOUT A LENDING INITIATIVE AIMED AT SMALL BUSINESSES
DURING REMARKS WEDNESDAY AT A SANDWICH SHOP IN EDISON, N.J.
THE SENATE COULD VOTE LATER THAT NIGHT ON THE MEASURE TO CREATE
A NEW LENDING FUND TO HELP COMMUNITY BANKS OFFER LOANS.
OBAMA ALSO IS SET TO TRAVEL TO NEW YORK TO TAPE AN APPEARANCE ON
THE DAYTIME TALK SHOW "THE VIEW" AND TO ATTEND TWO DEMOCRATIC
FUNDRAISERS.
THE PRESIDENT IS HEADLINING EIGHT FUNDRAISING EVENTS DURING THE
NEXT TWO WEEKS.

FBI-CHEATING
NEW: FBI SCRUTINIZED OVER TEST CHEATING

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING
WHETHER HUNDREDS OF FBI AGENTS CHEATED ON A TEST OF NEW RULES
ALLOWING THE BUREAU TO CONDUCT SURVEILLANCE AND OPEN CASES WITHOUT
EVIDENCE THAT A CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED.
IN SOME INSTANCES, AGENTS TOOK THE OPEN-BOOK TEST TOGETHER,
VIOLATING RULES THAT THEY TAKE IT ALONE. OTHERS FINISHED THE
LENGTHY EXAM UNUSUALLY QUICKLY, CURRENT AND FORMER OFFICIALS SAID.
DEPENDING ON THE OUTCOME OF THE INVESTIGATION, AGENTS COULD BE
DISCIPLINED OR EVEN FIRED.

BOYS FOUND DEAD
CA SHERIFF: 2 YOUNG BROTHERS FOUND SHOT TO DEATH

CHINO HILLS, CALIF. (AP) - AUTHORITIES SAY TWO YOUNG BROTHERS
HAVE BEEN FOUND SHOT TO DEATH IN A RAVINE NEAR A SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA RANCH.
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SHERIFF'S SPOKESWOMAN CINDY BACHMAN SAYS A
FAMILY MEMBER DISCOVERED THE BODIES OF 12-YEAR-OLD BRYAN GONZALEZ
AND HIS 10-YEAR-OLD BROTHER, CHRISTIAN GONZALEZ, SHORTLY BEFORE
NOON TUESDAY NEAR A CHINO HILLS RANCH.
DETAILS ABOUT THE DEATHS HAVEN'T BEEN RELEASED, BUT BACHMAN SAYS
IT'S BELIEVED ONLY THE TWO BOYS WERE INVOLVED AND THERE IS NO
OUTSTANDING SUSPECT. SHE SAYS FOUL PLAY HASN'T BEEN COMPLETELY
RULED OUT.
BACHMAN SAYS DEPUTIES WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AFTER NEIGHBORS
HEARD GUNSHOTS.
SHE SAYS THE FAMILY IS COOPERATING WITH INVESTIGATORS.

CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES
DESERT WILDFIRE CONTINUES TO GROW UNCHECKED

TEHACHAPI, CALIF. (AP) - A WILDFIRE IN THE MOJAVE DESERT ABOUT
70 MILES NORTH OF LOS ANGELES HAS DESTROYED UP TO 40 HOMES, AND
REMAINS OUT OF CONTROL.
ANOTHER 150 STRUCTURES ARE THREATENED.
THE FIRE, ABOUT 10 MILES SOUTHEAST OF TEHACHAPI
(TUH-HATCH'-UH-PEE), CA., HAS GROWN TO MORE THAN 500 ACRES. A SMALL
HILL COMMUNITY KNOWN AS OLD WEST RANCH HAS BEEN EVACUATED.
ABOUT 200 FIREFIGHTERS ARE ON THE SCENE, ALONG WITH
WATERDROPPING AIRCRAFT. A COUNTY FIRE OFFICIAL SAYS THE WIND HAS
BEEN A BIG FACTOR BECAUSE IT KEEPS CHANGING.
ONE MAN WHO LIVES IN TEHACHAPI TOLD A LOCAL NEWSPAPER
(BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN) THAT HE'S LIVED IN THE AREA FOR A DECADE
AND HAS NEVER SEEN A FIRE AS BAD AS THIS. THE CAUSE IS UNDER
INVESTIGATION.

AFGHANISTAN
AFGHAN GOVT: BUS HITS BOMB, KILLING 25

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (AP) - AFGHAN OFFICIALS SAY A PACKED BUS HAS
HIT A ROADSIDE BOMB IN SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN, KILLING 25 PASSENGERS
AND WOUNDING 20.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NIMROZ PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT, NAZIR AHMAD,
SAYS THE PACKED BUS WAS TRAVELING WEDNESDAY MORNING ON A MAIN
HIGHWAY HEADED TOWARD THE CAPITAL OF KABUL WHEN IT STRUCK THE
EXPLOSIVE AROUND DELARAM - A VOLATILE AREA NEAR THE BORDERS OF
HELMAND AND FARAH PROVINCES.

ARETHA AND CONDOLEEZZA
ARETHA AND RICE MAKE MUSIC AT PHILLY CONERT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE QUEEN OF SOUL AND A FORMER U.S.
SECRETARY OF STATE HAVE TEAMED UP IN A RARE JOINT CONCERT IN
PHILADELPHIA TO RAISE MONEY FOR INNER-CITY YOUTH.
THE ARETHA FRANKLIN-CONDOLEEZZA RICE EXTRAVAGANZA TUESDAY NIGHT
FEATURED RICE ON THE PIANO ACCOMPANYING FRANKLIN'S "I SAY A LITTLE
PRAYER" AND "MY COUNTRY 'TIS OF THEE." RICE, WHO IS TRAINED AS A
CLASSICAL PIANIST, ALSO PERFORMED MOZART'S PIANO CONCERTO IN D
MINOR WITH THE PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA.
FRANKLIN ALSO INCLUDED SONGS FROM HER NEW ALBUM "A WOMAN
FALLING OUT OF LOVE," TO BE RELEASED LATER THIS YEAR.
THEIR AIM WAS TO RAISE MONEY FOR CHILDREN FROM DETROIT AND
PHILADELPHIA, AS WELL AS AWARENESS FOR MUSIC AND THE ARTS.

TODAY"S NEWS - Tues July 27, 2010

LOCAL NEWS

PA TOPS NATION REVENUE FROM GAMBLING TAX

PENNSYLVANIA GENERATES THE HIGHEST REVENUE IN THE NATION WITH IT’S GAMBLING TAX. STANDING AT 55%, THE 9 CASINOS CURRENTLY OPERATING IN THE STATE GENERATED $1.1BILLION DOLLARS IN 2009. WHICH IS FAR MORE THAN NEVADA’S 260 CASINO’S WHICH GENERATED $831 MILLION LAST YEAR. THE 55% TAX RATE ON SLOTS IS AMONG THE HIGHEST IN THE NATION, AND EXPERTS SAY THIS COULD BE A DETERENT FOR NEW CASINO CONSTRUCTION IN THE FUTURE. IT HAS ALREADY BEEN NOTED THAT SEVERAL PENNSYLVANIA CASINOS HAVE ALREADY SCRATCHED THEIR EXPANSION PLANS. ONE OF THOSE IS MOHEGAN SUN AT POCONO DOWNS WHICH TOOK IN $216 MILLION BUT HAS TO GIVE $116 MILLION OF THAT TO THE STATE. PENNSYLVANIAN’S ARE STILL GAMBLING, EVEN WITH THE UNCERTAIN ECONOMY, SLOT REVENUE INCREASED FROM $13.4 MILLION IN 2006-2007 TO ALMOST $1.5 BILLION THE FOLLOWING YEAR. WITH TABLE GAMES NOW OPEN, PENNSYLVANIA CAN ONLY EXPECT TO GENERATE EVEN MORE INCOME FOR THE STATE. 100, 000 SENIOR CITIZENS WILL HAVE THEIR PROPERTY TAX ELIMINATE NEXT YEAR, AS ONE OF THE PAYBACKS FROM THE GAMBLING TAX,

6-14 YEAR SENTENCE FOR 2009 STABBING

A POTTSVILLE MAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED 6-14 YEARS IN A STATE PRISON FOR THE 2009 STABBING OF TRAVIS KROMER IN POTTSVILLE. TODD M. RICHTER WAS CHARGED WITH TWO ACCOUNTS EACH OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND SIMPLE ASSAULT AND ONE EACH OF PROHIBITED OFFENSIVE WEAPON AND RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING ANOTHER PERSON. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED IN JANUARY OF LAST YEAR. RICHTER GRABBED A KNIFE BEFORE ENTERING TRAVIS KROMER’S HOUSE, STABBING HIM INTENTIONALLY AND LEAVING A PERMANENT SCAR OF HIM. JUDGE D. MICHAEL STINE RULED IN THE TRIAL FOR RICHTER TO ALSO PAY ALMOST $46,000 IN COSTS.

MINERSVILLE ARSONIST STILL OUT THERE

IT HAS BEEN THREE MONTHS SINCE AN ARSONIST BURNED DOWN THE WYNN-ANN RESTAURANT IN MINERSVILLE AND POLICE THINK THEY WILL SOON SOLVE THE CASE. THEY HAVE BEEN ACTIVELY INTERVIEWING PEOPLE AND GATHERING INFORMATION ABOUT THE APRIL 24TH INCIDENT, AT ALSO TOOK OUT SEVERAL BUILDINGS ATTACHED TO THE RESTAURANT ON SUNBURY STREET. DEMOLITION OF THOSE BUILDINGS IS UNDERWAY, HOWEVER THE BOROUGH COUNCIL OF MINERSVILLE VOTED IN MAY TO SEEK CONSERVATORSHIP OF THE WYNN-ANN RESTAURANT BEFORE TEARING IT DOWN, GUARANTEEING THEY WOULD RECOUP THE LOSS OF DEMOLITION. THE RESIDENTS OF MINERSVILLE HAVE BEEN ASKED TO REMAIN VIGILANT ABOUT ARSON IN THEIR TOWN, SINCE SEVERAL OTHER SUSPICIOUS FIRES HAPPENED IN THE AREA SHORTLY AFTER THE APRIL 24TH INCIDENT.



FORMER POLICE CAPTAIN NOT FLIGHT RISK

A FEDERAL JUDGE RULED YESTERDAY, AT A HEARING IN WILKES-BARRE THAT FORMER POLICE CAPTAIN JAMIE GENNARINNI IS NOT A FLIGHT RISK AND WILL NOT HAVE TO WEAR ELECTRONIC MONORITING OR BE ON HOUSE ARREST BEFORE HIS TRIAL. SENIOR US DISTRICT COURT JUDGE A. RICHARD CAPUTO MADE THE DECISION FOLLOWING THE 30-MINUTE HEARING, IN WHICH GENNARINNI IS CHARGED WITH THREE COUNTS OF OBSTRUCTING COMMERCE AND ONE EACH OF CONSPIRACY AGAINST RIGHTS AND DEPRIVATION OF RIGHTS IN THE BEATING DEATH OF LUIS EDUARDO RAMIREZ ON JULY 12, 2008. CAPUTO ALSO RULED THIS MONTH TO END HOME DETENTION FOR TWO OTHER FORMER SHENANDOAH POLICE OFFICERS, WILLIAM MOYER AND JASON HAYSES. THOSE ALONG WITH FORMER POLICE CHIEF, MATHEW R NESTOR FACE CHARGES IN CONNECTION TO THE SAME INCIDENT.


STATE NEWS

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A DISTRICT JUDGE SAYS HE'S HEARD ENOUGH
EVIDENCE TO SEND PUBLIC CORRUPTION CHARGES AGAINST STATE REP. BILL
DEWEESE TO A COUNTY COURT FOR TRIAL. THE CASE REVOLVES AROUND THE
ROLE CAMPAIGN WORK PLAYED IN THE OFFICES OF THE GREENE COUNTY
DEMOCRAT.

CHESTER, PA. (AP) - OFFICIALS IN CHESTER HAVE IDENTIFIED A MAN
SHOT TO DEATH LESS THAN 24 HOURS AFTER OFFICIALS ENDED A STATE OF
EMERGENCY DECLARED MORE THAN A MONTH AGO DUE TO SPIRALING VIOLENCE.
AUTHORITIES TELL THE DELAWARE COUNTY DAILY TIMES RAHIM HICKS DIED
AFTER HE WAS SHOT IN THE DOORWAY OF A MARKET EARLY SATURDAY.

CHESWICK, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION SECRETARY JOHN HANGER SAYS THERE'S "NO DEFINITIVE WORD
YET" ON WHAT CAUSED A FATAL EXPLOSION AT A NATURAL GAS AND OIL
WELL IN INDIANA TOWNSHIP NEAR PITTSBURGH LAST WEEK. HANGER SAYS THE
AGENCY HOPES TO ANNOUNCE ITS FINDINGS WITHIN 45 DAYS.

ELKINS PARK, PA. (AP) - OFFICIALS IN SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA SAY A
KITTEN IS BEING TREATED AFTER SOMEONE LEFT IT IN THE BOOK DROP OF A
COMMUNITY CENTER. STAFFERS SAY THE KITTEN WAS SHOVED INTO THE BOOK
DROP AT THE LA MOTT COMMUNITY CENTER IN CHELTENHAM TOWNSHIP
SOMETIME AFTER CLOSING THURSDAY NIGHT. THE KITTEN WAS FOUND THE
NEXT MORNING BY A MAINTENANCE MAN WHO HEARD MEWING COMING FROM THE
DROP BOX.


NATIONAL NEWS

GULF OIL SPILL
NEW: BP CONFIRMS HAYWARD DEPARTURE AS CEO

LONDON (AP) - BP PLC SAYS TONY HAYWARD WILL STEP DOWN AS CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER FROM OCT. 1, TO BE SUCCEEDED BY AMERICAN ROBERT
DUDLEY.
IN A STATEMENT ACCOMPANYING ITS EARNINGS UPDATE ON TUESDAY, BP
SAYS THE DECISION WAS MADE BY "MUTUAL AGREEMENT."
BP ALSO REPORTS IT HAS TAKEN A PRETAX CHARGE OF $32.2 BILLION
FOR THE GULF OF MEXICO SPILL, AND PLANS TO SELL ASSETS FOR UP TO
$30 BILLION OVER THE NEXT 18 MONTHS.
THE COMPANY SAYS DUDLEY WILL BE BASED IN LONDON WHEN HE TAKES UP
HIS APPOINTMENT AND WILL HAND OVER HIS PRESENT DUTIES IN THE UNITED
STATES TO LAMAR MCKAY - THE CHAIRMAN AND PRESIDENT OF BP AMERICA.
HAYWARD WILL REMAIN ON THE BOARD UNTIL NOV. 30 AND BP PLANS TO
NOMINATE HIM AS A NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ITS RUSSIAN JOINT
VENTURE TNK-BP.

AFGHANISTAN
NATO: 1 MISSING SAILOR KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (AP) - A NATO OFFICIAL SAYS THAT ONE OF TWO
SAILORS MISSING IN AFGHANISTAN SINCE LAST WEEK HAS BEEN CONFIRMED
DEAD. THE OFFICIAL SAYS THE BODY OF THE DEAD SAILOR HAS BEEN
RECOVERED AND FAMILY MEMBERS INFORMED.
THE OFFICIAL SPOKE TUESDAY ON CONDITION OF ANONYMITY OUT OF A
DESIRE TO PROTECT ANY INFORMATION THAT MIGHT AFFECT THE ONGOING
SEARCH FOR THE SECOND SAILOR.
AFGHAN OFFICIALS AND A TALIBAN SPOKESMAN HAD PREVIOUSLY SAID
THAT ONE OF THE SAILORS WAS KILLED IN A FIREFIGHT WHEN THEY DROVE
INTO A TALIBAN-HELD AREA IN EASTERN AFGHANISTAN, AND THE OTHER WAS
CAPTURED.
COLORADO LEGISLATOR JIM KERRY SAID THE NAVY SAILOR KILLED WAS
HIS WIFE'S NEPHEW, JUSTIN MCNELEY, 30. HE SAID THE FAMILY LEARNED
OF HIS DEATH MONDAY.

AFGHANISTAN-WIKILEAKS
PENTAGON ASSESSES DAMAGE FROM POSTING OF LEAKED DOCUMENTS

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE MONUMENTAL LEAK OF CLASSIFIED AFGHAN WAR
DOCUMENTS HAS SENT THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION INTO DAMAGE CONTROL
MODE.
THE LEAK THREATENS TO CREATE DEEPER DOUBTS ABOUT THE WAR AT
HOME, CAUSE NEW FRICTION WITH PAKISTAN OVER ITS SPY AGENCY AND
RAISE QUESTIONS AROUND THE WORLD ABOUT WASHINGTON'S ABILITY TO
PROTECT MILITARY SECRETS.
THE WHITE HOUSE CALLED THE TORRENT OF MORE THAN 91,000 SECRET
DOCUMENTS "ALARMING."
IT'S ONE OF THE LARGEST UNAUTHORIZED DISCLOSURES IN MILITARY
HISTORY AND THE MATERIAL COULD REINFORCE THE VIEW OF CONGRESSIONAL
OPPONENTS THAT ONE OF THE NATION'S LONGEST CONFLICTS IS HOPELESSLY
STALEMATED.
THE LEAKS ALSO COME AT A TIME WHEN POLLS FINDING THAT A MAJORITY
OF AMERICANS NO LONGER THINK THE WAR IS WORTH FIGHTING. THE LEAKS
ARE NOT EXPECTED TO PREVENT PASSAGE OF A $60 BILLION WAR FUNDING
BILL.

AP-UNIVISION POLL-HISPANICS-POLITICS
NEW: POLL: A FEW CRACKS IN OBAMA'S HISPANIC SUPPORT

WASHINGTON (AP) - AN ASSOCIATED PRESS-UNIVISION POLL FINDS A FEW
CRACKS IN PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S ONCE SOLID SUPPORT AMONG
HISPANICS.
THE SURVEY OF MORE THAN 1,500 HISPANICS SHOWS THEY STILL
OVERWHELMINGLY FAVOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OVER THE GOP, AND A
MAJORITY STILL THINK OBAMA IS DOING A GOOD JOB.
BUT THE SURVEY, ALSO SPONSORED BY THE NIELSEN COMPANY AND
STANFORD UNIVERSITY, SHOWS OBAMA GETS ONLY LUKEWARM RATINGS ON
ISSUES IMPORTANT TO HISPANICS LIKE THE ECONOMY AND IMMIGRATION.
THAT COULD BODE POORLY FOR THE PRESIDENT AND HIS PARTY.
IN A TOUGH POLITICAL CLIMATE, DEMOCRATS DESPERATELY NEED THIS
CRITICAL CONSTITUENCY EXCITED ABOUT HELPING THE PARTY HOLD ONTO
CONGRESS THIS FALL.

PANAMA-DEAD AMERICAN
NEW: NICARAGUA DETAINS 2 FOREIGNERS IN PANAMA CASE

MANAGUA, NICARAGUA (AP) - TWO FOREIGNERS ARE BEING HELD IN
NICARAGUA IN THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEATH OF AN AMERICAN WOMAN
IN PANAMA.
THE NICARAGUAN ARMY SAYS THE COUPLE WERE ARRESTED AT THE BORDER
WITH COSTA RICA AFTER IGNORING WARNINGS FROM SOLDIERS TO STOP. THE
TWO WERE TRAVELING BY BOAT ON A RIVER THAT SEPARATES THE TWO
COUNTRIES.
AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING WHETHER THE SUSPECT COUPLE FLED
NORTH THROUGH COSTA RICA FROM PANAMA.
PANAMANIAN PROSECUTORS SAY THE TWO RESEMBLE WILLIAM ADOLFO
CORTEZ OF TEXAS AND HIS WIFE, JANE, WHO ARE BEING SOUGHT IN
CONNECTION WITH THE DEATH OF AMERICAN CHERYL LYNN HUGHES.
HUGHES' BODY AND THE SKELETAL REMAINS OF ANOTHER PERSON WERE
DISCOVERED LAST WEEK, BURIED IN THE BACK PATIO OF A PANAMANIAN
HOTEL OWNED BY CORTEZ. HUGHES HAD BEEN MISSING SINCE MARCH.
AUTHORITIES SAY THE ARRESTED COUPLE HAVE GIVEN NAMES DIFFERENT
FROM THE SUSPECTS.

KOREAS-US-MILITARY DRILLS
NO SIGN OF NKOREA ACTION AS US-SKOREAN EXERCISES ENTER THIRD DAY

ABOARD THE USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (AP) - SOUTH KOREA'S MILITARY
SAYS THERE HAVE BEEN NO SIGNS THAT NORTH KOREA WILL MAKE GOOD ON
ITS THREATS AS U.S. AND SOUTH KOREAN FORCES CONDUCT A THIRD DAY OF
EXERCISES IN THE EAST SEA OFF THE KOREAN COAST.
THE DRILLS, WHICH RUN THROUGH WEDNESDAY, ARE INTENDED TO SEND A
MESSAGE TO NORTH KOREA IN THE WAKE OF THE MARCH SINKING OF A SOUTH
KOREAN WARSHIP THAT KILLED 46 SAILORS. AN INTERNATIONAL
INVESTIGATION DETERMINED A TORPEDO WAS RESPONSIBLE, LIKELY IN A
SNEAK ATTACK BY A NORTH KOREAN SUBMARINE.
THE INCIDENT HAS SHARPLY RAISED TENSIONS BETWEEN THE KOREAS. THE
STATE DEPARTMENT CALLS THIS WEEK'S MILITARY EXERCISES "DEFENSIVE
IN NATURE."

DRUG WAR-MEXICO
MEXICAN POLICE INVESTIGATE POSSIBLE NEW DRUG GANG

ACAPULCO, MEXICO (AP) - MEXICAN AUTHORITIES ARE INVESTIGATING
THE POSSIBLE EMERGENCE OF A NEW DRUG GANG.
OFFICIALS SAY THEY APPEAR TO BE TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR SIX
KILLINGS IN THE STATE OF GUERRERO. POLICE THERE SAY THEY FOUND THE
BODIES INSIDE A CAR ALONG WITH A MESSAGE READING: "THIS WILL
HAPPEN TO ALL RAPISTS, EXTORTIONISTS AND KIDNAPPERS." IT WAS
SIGNED, "THE NEW CARTEL OF THE SIERRA."
PROSECUTORS SAY THEY GROUP HAS NOT PREVIOUSLY BEEN HEARD OF AND
ITS AUTHENTICITY IS BEING INVESTIGATED.
AT LEAST SEVEN MAJOR DRUG TRAFFICKING CARTELS OPERATE IN MEXICO.
MEXICAN AUTHORITIES BLAME INFIGHTING FOR A SURGE OF GANG VIOLENCE
THAT HAS KILLED NEARLY 25,000 PEOPLE IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

US AIRWAYS-PILOTS
CARRIER ASKS FEDERAL JUDGE TO SETTLE PILOT DISPUTE

PHOENIX (AP) - US AIRWAYS HAS ASKED A FEDERAL JUDGE TO RESOLVE A
SENIORITY DISPUTE INVOLVING ITS PILOTS.
EXECUTIVES WITH THE TEMPE, ARIZ.-BASED CARRIER SAID MONDAY'S
LEGAL ACTION IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT IN PHOENIX IS CALLED A
COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY RELIEF. THEY SAY THE DISPUTE HAS
SIGNIFICANTLY STALLED EFFORTS TO NEGOTIATE A JOINT CONTRACT
COVERING THE 4,000 PILOTS JOINED TOGETHER BY THE MERGER OF AMERICA
WEST AND US AIRWAYS FIVE YEARS AGO.
THE AIRLINE'S PILOTS UNION SAYS IT WILL VIGOROUSLY OPPOSE THE
COMPANY'S MOVE. THE US AIRLINE PILOTS ASSOCIATION SAYS THE COURT
HAS NO JURISDICTION IN LABOR CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS.
SENIORITY IS IMPORTANT TO PILOTS AND FLIGHT ATTENDANTS BECAUSE
IT DICTATES THEIR SCHEDULES, PAY, VACATIONS AND PROMOTIONS.

CHINA FLOODS
CHINA LANDSLIDE LEAVES 21 MISSING AMID FLOODS

BEIJING (AP) - A LANDSLIDE CAUSED BY RAINS IN SOUTHERN CHINA
BURIED 58 HOMES AND LEFT 21 PEOPLE MISSING WHILE ABOUT 4,000
VILLAGERS WERE EVACUATED AS THE WORST FLOOD SEASON IN A DECADE
CONTINUES IN CHINA.
THE OFFICIAL XINHUA NEWS AGENCY SAYS RESCUERS ARE SEARCHING FOR
21 PEOPLE MISSING AFTER A LANDSLIDE IN CHINA'S SOUTHERN PROVINCE OF
SICHUAN.
THE STATE FLOOD CONTROL AND DROUGHT PREVENTION OFFICE REPORTS
FLOODS THIS YEAR HAVE ALREADY KILLED AT LEAST 823 PEOPLE, LEFT 437
MISSING AND CAUSED TENS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DAMAGE.
IT SAID TWO DOZEN MAJOR RIVERS HAD RISEN BEYOND THEIR WARNING
LEVELS.
THE WATER LEVEL IN THE MASSIVE THREE GORGES DAM, THE WORLD'S
LARGEST HYDROELECTRIC AND FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT, HIT ITS HIGHEST
LEVEL EVER LAST WEEK.
MORE TORRENTIAL RAINS ARE EXPECTED FOR THE SOUTHWEST, SOUTHEAST
AND NORTHEAST.

RUSSIA-SPACEWALK
2 RUSSIAN ASTRONAUTS START SPACEWALK

MOSCOW (AP) - TWO RUSSIAN ASTRONAUTS HAVE EXITED THE
INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION FOR A SPACEWALK INTENDED TO REPLACE A
VIDEO CAMERA AND IMPROVE CABLE CONNECTIONS TO THE ORBITING
LABORATORY'S NEWEST MODULE.
FYODOR YURCHIKHIN AND MIKHAIL KORNIENKO ARE EXPECTED TO SPEND
ABOUT SIX HOURS OUTSIDE THE STATION TO COMPLETE THE WORK.
IN A VIDEO FEED FROM RUSSIAN MISSION CONTROL JUST OUTSIDE
MOSCOW, ONE OF THE ASTRONAUTS WAS HEARD EXCLAIMING "ISN'T IT
BEAUTIFUL" OUTSIDE AS THE SPACEWALK BEGAN EARLY TUESDAY.
THE ASTRONAUTS ARE REPLACING A CAMERA USED IN MONITORING DOCKING
OF AUTOMATIC TRANSFER VEHICLES, SUPPLY SHIPS SENT BY THE EUROPEAN
SPACE AGENCY. THEY ALSO ARE TO ATTACH CABLES CONNECTING THE REST OF
THE STATION TO THE RUSSIAN RASSVET MODULE. RASSVET, USED FOR
STORAGE AND AS A MINI-LABORATORY, WAS DELIVERED TO THE STATION IN
MAY.

HAITI-ELECTIONS-WYCLEF
PRESIDENT WYCLEF? SINGER/ACTIVIST MULLING HAITI CAMPAIGN

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI (AP) - SINGER WYCLEF JEAN (WY'-KLEF ZHAHN)
IS CONSIDERING A RUN FOR PRESIDENT OF HAITI, BUT HIS FAMILY SAYS
HE'S NOT MADE A DECISION YET.
THERE HAVE BEEN RUMORS THAT THE HAITIAN-BORN ENTERTAINER MIGHT
ENTER THE PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST. PRESIDENT RENE PREVAL, WHO CANNOT
SEEK RE-ELECTION, APPOINTED JEAN AMBASSADOR-AT-LARGE THREE YEARS
AGO.
JEAN WAS BORN NEAR PORT-AU-PRINCE BUT LEFT HAITI AS A CHILD. HE
GREW UP IN NEW YORK. THE MUSIC STAR HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN RECENT YEARS
IN RAISING MONEY THROUGH HIS FOUNDATION AND PARTICIPATED IN THE
EARTHQUAKE RELIEF EFFORT.
A FAMILY STATEMENT SAYS JEAN'S COMMITMENT TO HAITI IS BOUNDLESS
WHETHER HE SEEKS PUBLIC OFFICE OR NOT.

TODAY'S NEWS - Monday July 26, 2010

LOCAL NEWS

SUNDAY STORMS

THE ROUGH PATCHES OF RAIN AND WIND CAUSED TREES TO FALL AND POWER TO BE OUT FOR THOUSANDS ACROSS THE COUNTY YESTERDAY. THE CRESSONA AREA FELT IT THE MOST. THE OUTING OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS THE INTERSECTION AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE CRESSONA MALL BECAME A PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND STATE POLICE AS WELL AS LOCAL FIRE POLICE HAD TO DIRECT TRAFFIC. DOWNED TREES ON POWER LINES AND ROADWAYS WERE REPORTED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. THO UNCONFIRMED, THERE WERE ALSO REPORTS OF HAIL IN THE SOUTHWESTERN AREAS. 2500 CUSTOMERS WERE WITHOUT POWER MID AFTERNOON, ACCORDING TO PPL ELECTRIC. THIS WAS THE 2ND STORM OVER THE WEEKEND CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR RESIDENTS. SATURDAY NIGHT, STORMS CUT POWER TO COUNTY RESIDENCE WITH ST CLAIR LOSING POWER FROM 10:30PM UNTIL ABOUT 6AM SUNDAY MORNING.

ORWIGSBURG TO GET EXPANDED GROCERY STORE

BOYER’S PLANS TO RENOVATE AND TRANSFORM THE FORMER ALPHA MILLS FACTORY ON SOUTH WARREN STREET INTO A NEW GROCERY STORE. THE 48,000 SQUARE FT BUILDING WILL ALSO INCLUDE CORPORATE OFFICES AND WAREHOUSE SPACE. THOUGHT CONTENT WITH IT’S CURRENT LOCATION ON 1165 CENTER TURNPIKE, THE MOVE WILL OPEN UP A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR4 THE COMPANY, SAYS VICE-PRESIDENT JOHN BOYER. THE MOVE IS EXPECTED TO HAPPEN AT THE END OF AUGUST, AND BRING MORE REVENUE TO THE BOROUGH. THE FACTORY IS BEING RENOVATED BY SON-RIC ASSOCIATES. BOYERS WAS FOUNDED 61 YEARS AGO, WITH THREE GENERATIONS OPERATING THE BUSINESS, IT CURRENTLY HAS 17 STORES.

CAR STOLEN DURING A BURGLARY

A 2005 PEARL WHITE CADILLAC CTS WAS STOLEN FROM A BOROUGH WOMAN IN SELTZER OVER THE WEEKEND. AN UNKNOWN SUSPECT GAINED ENTRY TO THE HOME AT 418 NELMS STREET THROUGH AN UNLOCKED ATTACHED THREE CAR GARAGE. THROUGH THE GARAGE THE SUSPECT ENTERED THE HOME STEALING A PLASTIC JUG CONTAINING ABOUT $100 WORTH OF U.S. COINS AND SMASHING A LAMP IN THE INTERIOR BEDROOM. THE SUSPECT THEN FLED THE SCENE UNDETECTED DRIVING THE CADILLAC CTS. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THIS BURGLARY AND CAR JACKING IS TO CONTACT THE PSP OF SCHUYLKILL HAVEN.


BULLET ENTERS HOME

A BULLET ENTERED THE HOME OF A PINE GROVE MAN. AN UNKNOWN SUSPECT SHOT THE UNKNOWN CALIBER BULLET INTO THE REAR OF THE RESIDENCE AT 1338 MOUNTAIN ROAD IN WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP BELONGING TO ARLAND BECKER, 48 OF PINE GROVE. THE BULLET TRAVELED THROUGH THE ALUMINUM SIDING ENTERING THE HOME, BECOMING LODGED INTO THE MATTRESS OF SECOND-FLOOR CHILD’S BEDROOM. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THIS INCIDENT IS CONTACT THE SPS OF SCHUYLKILL HAVEN.


STATE NEWS

WAYMART, PA. (AP) - THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS CONFIRMED
THAT NO FEWER THAN THREE TORNADOS TORE THROUGH NORTHEASTERN
PENNSYLVANIA ON FRIDAY NIGHT. THE TWISTERS TOUCHED DOWN IN WAYNE
AND PIKE COUNTIES. THEY TOPPLED TREES, DAMAGED BUILDINGS AND CUT
POWER TO THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - HEALTH OFFICIALS IN PHILADELPHIA SAY THE
DEATHS OF TWO PEOPLE OVER THE WEEKEND WERE HEAT-RELATED. THE
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH SAYS HYPERTHERMIA WAS A FACTOR IN THE
DEATH OF A 90-YEAR-OLD SOUTH PHILADELPHIA WOMAN. ALSO, A
56-YEAR-OLD NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA MAN WAS TREATED FOR HYPERTHERMIA
AT A HOSPITAL BUT DIDN'T SURVIVE.

WINSLOW, N.J. (AP) - THREE PHILADELPHIA RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN
KILLED IN A ONE-CAR CRASH IN SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY. NEW JERSEY STATE
POLICE SAY THE VEHICLE WAS WESTBOUND ON THE ATLANTIC CITY
EXPRESSWAY WHEN THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL AROUND EARLY SUNDAY AND HIT
A CLUSTER OF TREES. TWO OF THE VICTIMS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS
23-YEAR-OLD STEPHEN BAXLEY AND 22-YEAR-OLD STEVEN BLOUNT.

SOMERSET, PA. (AP) - OFFICIALS AND RESIDENTS IN SOMERSET COUNTY
REMEMBERED THE CRASH OF UNITED FLIGHT 93 AND THE DRAMATIC RESCUE OF
NINE TRAPPED MINERS OVER THE WEEKEND. THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND
QUECREEK MINE RESCUE FOUNDATION HELD BACK-TO-BACK EVENTS IN THE
AREA ON SATURDAY.


NATIONAL NEWS

AFGHANISTAN-WIKILEAKS
LEAKS PROVIDE GROUND-LEVEL ACCOUNT OF AFGHAN WAR

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE WHITE HOUSE IS CONDEMNING AN ONLINE
WHISTLE-BLOWER FOR RELEASING SENSITIVE AFGHAN WAR DOCUMENTS.
IT SAYS THE POSTING BY WIKILEAKS OF SOME 90,000 U.S. MILITARY
RECORDS HAS "PUT THE LIVES OF AMERICANS AND OUR PARTNERS AT
RISK."
THE LEAKED DOCUMENTS AMOUNT TO A BLOW-BY-BLOW ACCOUNT OF SIX
YEARS OF THE AFGHANISTAN WAR, INCLUDING UNREPORTED INCIDENTS OF
AFGHAN CIVILIAN KILLINGS AS WELL AS COVERT OPERATIONS AGAINST
TALIBAN FIGURES.
THE NEW YORK TIMES, LONDON'S GUARDIAN AND GERMANY'S DER SPIEGEL
WERE GIVEN EARLY ACCESS TO THE DOCUMENTS.
THE TIMES SAYS THE DOCUMENTS ALSO DESCRIBE U.S. FEARS THAT
PAKISTAN'S INTELLIGENCE SERVICE WAS ACTUALLY AIDING THE TALIBAN.
BUT THE GUARDIAN SAYS THE DOCUMENTS "FAIL TO PROVIDE A CONVINCING
SMOKING GUN" FOR SUCH COMPLICITY.
THE GUARDIAN REPORTS THAT MORE THAN 2,000 SENIOR FIGURES FROM
THE TALIBAN AND AL-QAIDA ARE ON A "KILL OR CAPTURE" LIST.
PAKISTAN'S AMBASSADOR TO THE U.S. HUSAIN HAQQANI SAYS THE
DOCUMENTS "DO NOT REFLECT THE CURRENT ON-GROUND REALITIES."

GULF OIL SPILL-BP
NEW: BP: NO DECISIONS YET ON CHIEF; AMERICAN IN LINE FOR
HAYRWARD JOB

LONDON (AP) - BP SAYS THAT "NO FINAL DECISION" HAS BEEN MADE
ABOUT POSSIBLE MANAGEMENT CHANGES, WHICH APPARENTLY INCLUDE REPORTS
THAT CHIEF EXECUTIVE TONY HAYWARD IS ON THE WAY OUT.
IN A STATEMENT TO THE LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, BP SAYS NO FINAL
DECISION HAS BEEN MADE ABOUT POTENTIAL CHANGES TO MANAGEMENT AND
THE CHARGE FOR COSTS RELATED TO THE GULF OF MEXICO OIL SPILL.
BP SAYS ITS BOARD MEETS TODAY, A DAY BEFORE THE COMPANY
ANNOUNCES RESULTS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER.
ONE OF THE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS FOR HAYWARD NOW OVERSEES THE
DAY TO DAY RESPONSE BY BP TO THE GULF OIL SPILL CRISIS. IF BOB
DUDLEY DOES SUCCEED THE GAFFE-PRONE HAYWARD, HE'D BE THE FIRST
AMERICAN TO EVER HEAD THE OIL GIANT.
A SENIOR U.S. GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL SAYS HAYWARD IS ON HIS WAY
OUT.

BLAGOJEVICH TRIAL
NEW: CLOSING ARGUMENTS TODAY

CHICAGO (AP) - ATTORNEYS ARE PREPARING TO MAKE THEIR FINAL PITCH
IN THE CORRUPTION TRIAL OF FORMER ILLINOIS GOV. ROD BLAGOJEVICH.
TWENTY MONTHS AFTER BLAGOJEVICH WAS LED OUT OF HIS HOME IN
HANDCUFFS, CLOSING ARGUMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN MONDAY.
BLAGOJEVICH ATTORNEY SAM ADAM JR. BELIEVES PROSECUTORS PROVED
NOTHING DURING THE SEVEN-WEEK TRIAL. HE'LL LIKELY TELL JURORS THAT
THAT'S WHY THE DEFENSE DIDN'T BOTHER PRESENTING ANY EVIDENCE OR
FULFILL PROMISES TO HAVE BLAGOJEVICH TESTIFY.
PROSECUTORS WILL LIKELY SAY BLAGOJEVICH AND HIS INNER CIRCLE
SCHEMED TO BENEFIT FROM HANDING OUT STATE CONTRACTS AND LEVERAGING
OTHER OFFICIAL DECISIONS.
BLAGOJEVICH AND HIS BROTHER HAVE PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO SCHEMING
TO SELL AN APPOINTMENT TO PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S OLD SENATE SEAT.

IRAQ-SECURITY FORCES
IRAQI FORCES STILL FRAIL AS US TROOPS HEAD HOME

MOSUL, IRAQ (AP) - U.S. TROOPS ARE SCHEDULED TO END THEIR COMBAT
MISSION IN IRAQ FIVE WEEKS FROM NOW, BUT IS IRAQ READY?
THE COUNTRY'S MILITARY CHIEF SAYS THAT WITHOUT A U.S. PRESENCE,
IRAQI FORCES WON'T BE ABLE TO FULLY FEND FOR THEMSELVES BEFORE
2020. ANTHONY CORDESMAN, A FORMER DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENCE
ASSESSMENT IN THE PENTAGON, AGREES THAT IT WILL TAKE YEARS.
THAT VIEW HAS ALSO COME ACROSS IN MANY CONVERSATIONS THE
ASSOCIATED PRESS HAS HAD IN RECENT MONTHS WITH IRAQI MILITARY,
POLICE AND KURDISH MILITIA.
U.S. COMMANDERS SAY VIOLENCE IS DOWN BY MORE THAN HALF SINCE
AMERICAN TROOPS PULLED OUT OF IRAQI CITIES A YEAR AGO. BUT BOMBINGS
STILL HAPPEN ALMOST DAILY ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND DRIVE-BY
SHOOTINGS AND KIDNAPPINGS ALSO ARE COMMON.
GEN. RAY ODIERNO, COMMANDER OF U.S. FORCES IN IRAQ, TOLD
REPORTERS LAST WEEK THAT IRAQ SECURITY FORCES "CONTINUE TO GROW
AND IMPROVE EVERY DAY."

POWER OUTAGES
NEW: STORMS SLAM RESIDENTS FROM DC TO NY

UNDATED (AP) - DAYS OF BRUTAL HEAT HAVE BEEN BROKEN BY STORMS
THAT LEFT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FROM WASHINGTON NORTH TO
NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY WITHOUT ELECTRICITY.
A WOMAN IN MARYLAND DIED WHEN A TREE FELL ON HER VEHICLE AND
OFFICIALS SAY A SAILOR IS MISSING ON LONG ISLAND SOUND AFTER
FALLING OVERBOARD. THE STORMS KNOCKED DOWN DOZENS OF TREES.
THE WORST OF THE POWER OUTAGES OCCURRED IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C.
REGION WHERE PEPCO REPORTED MORE THAN 293,000 CUSTOMERS IN THE
DISTRICT AND TWO MARYLAND COUNTIES HAD NO ELECTRICITY. ANOTHER
57,000 CUSTOMERS IN THE BALTIMORE ARE LOST POWER ALONG WITH ABOUT
38,000 IN VIRGINIA.
TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS SAID NUMEROUS TRAFFIC SIGNALS WERE OUT
THROUGHOUT THE REGION INCLUDING SOME ALONG MAJOR ROUTES.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAID A STRONG COLD FRONT COMING IN
AFTER DAYS OF OPPRESSIVE HEAT BREWED UP THE STORMS.

KOREAS-US-MILITARY DRILLS
US-LED ARMADA PRACTICES ANTI-SUB MANEUVERS OFF KOREA

ABOARD USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. AND SOUTH KOREAN
WARSHIPS AND HELICOPTERS ARE PRACTICING ANTI-SUBMARINE MANEUVERS
OFF THE KOREAN PENINSULA.
THEY ARE READYING DEFENSES AGAINST THE KIND OF WEAPON THAT
ALLEGEDLY SANK A SOUTH KOREAN WARSHIP EARLIER THIS YEAR, KILLING 46
SAILORS. AN INTERNATIONAL INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT THE 1,200-TON
SHIP WAS SUNK BY A TORPEDO LAUNCHED FROM A NORTH KOREAN SUBMARINE
THAT SOMEHOW PENETRATED SOUTH KOREA'S DEFENSES.
PYONGYANG HAS DENIED RESPONSIBILITY AND PROTESTED THE EXERCISES,
WHICH IT'S CALLED AN INTOLERABLE PROVOCATION.
THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, A
NUCLEAR-POWERED SUPERCARRIER LEADING THE ARMADA, SAYS HE'S
CONCERNED ABOUT EVERY SUBMARINE UNDERWATER THAT HE DOESN'T KNOW
ABOUT. CAPT. DAVID LAUSMAN DESCRIBES NORTH KOREA'S MILITARY AS
"UNPREDICTABLE" AND SAYS IT SHOULD NOT BE UNDERESTIMATED.

CAMBODIA-GENOCIDE TRIBUNAL
KHMER ROUGE'S CHIEF JAILER GUILTY OF WAR CRIMES

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA (AP) - A U.N.-BACKED TRIBUNAL HAS FOUND THE
FORMER KHMER ROUGE CHIEF JAILER GUILTY OF WAR CRIMES AND CRIMES
AGAINST HUMANITY AND ORDERED HIM TO SERVE 19 YEARS IN PRISON.
IT WAS THE FIRST VERDICT TO BE HANDED DOWN AGAINST A SENIOR
MEMBER OF THE GENOCIDAL REGIME BLAMED FOR THE DEATHS OF 1.7 MILLION
PEOPLE DURING THEIR 1975-79 REIGN OF TERROR.
THE COURT SENTENCED KAING GUEK EAV (GANG GEHK EE'-OO), ALSO
KNOWN AS DUCH (DOYK) TO 35 YEARS IN PRISON, BUT SHAVED OFF THE 11
YEARS HE'S ALREADY SPENT IN DETENTION AND FIVE MORE FOR COOPERATING
WITH THE COURT.

IRAN-SANCTIONS
NEW: EU TO ADOPT NEW SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN

BRUSSELS (AP) - THE EUROPEAN UNION IS SET TO FORMALLY ADOPT A
PACKAGE OF NEW SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN, TARGETING THE COUNTRY'S
FOREIGN TRADE, FINANCIAL SERVICES, AND ENERGY AND GAS SECTORS.
THE MOVE IS THE LATEST IN A SERIES OF MEASURES TAKEN BY THE
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN AN EFFORT TO HALT IRAN'S NUCLEAR
PROGRAM. EU LEADERS ALREADY HAVE ENDORSED A PROPOSAL TO IMPLEMENT
THE NEW MEASURES, WHICH WILL GO FURTHER THAN THE SANCTIONS ADOPTED
BY THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL IN JUNE.
EU FOREIGN MINISTERS MEETING ON MONDAY ALSO WILL REAFFIRM THE
BLOC'S INVITATION TO TEHRAN TO HOLD TALKS ON THE ISSUE.
THE UNITED STATES, ISRAEL AND THE EU FEAR IRAN IS WORKING ON A
NUCLEAR WEAPON. IRAN DENIES THE CHARGE, SAYING ITS PROGRAM IS
INTENDED FOR PEACEFUL PURPOSES SUCH AS ENERGY-GENERATION.

DEVICE INJURIES-KIDS
MEDICAL DEVICE PROBLEMS HURT 70,000+ KIDS ANUALLY

CHICAGO (AP) - GOVERNMENT RESEARCH SAYS CONTACT LENSES ARE THE
TOP CAUSE OF MEDICAL DEVICE COMPLICATIONS IN KIDS.
U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION RESEARCHERS FOUND THAT MORE
THAN 70,000 CHILDREN AND TEENS GET EMERGENCY ROOM TREATMENT EACH
YEAR FOR MEDICAL DEVICE-RELATED PROBLEMS.
MANY PROBLEMS ARE THINGS LIKE INFECTIONS AND EYE ABRASIONS IN
CONTACT LENS WEARERS. THESE CAN RESULT FROM WEARING CONTACT LENSES
TOO LONG WITHOUT CLEANING THEM.
OTHER PROBLEMS INCLUDE PUNCTURE WOUNDS FROM NEEDLE INJECTIONS OF
MEDICINE OR ILLEGAL DRUGS, AND INFECTIONS FROM IMPLANTED SHUNTS AND
CATHETERS IN CHRONICALLY ILL KIDS.
THE STUDY APPEARS IN PEDIATRICS, PUBLISHED ONLINE MONDAY.

MENTALLY DISABLED-DEPORTATION
REPORT DETAILS PLIGHT OF MENTALLY ILL DETAINEES FACING
DEPORTATION

NEW YORK (AP) - A NEW REPORT SAYS THOUSANDS OF MENTALLY DISABLED
IMMIGRANTS ARE ENTANGLED IN DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS EACH YEAR.
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH AND THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION SAY
THEY RECEIVE LITTLE OR NO LEGAL HELP, LEAVING THEM DEFENSELESS AND
DETAINED AS THEIR FATES ARE DECIDED.
THE REPORT'S LEAD AUTHOR SAYS: "NO ONE KNOWS WHAT TO DO WITH
DETAINEES WITH MENTAL DISABILITIES, SO EVERY PART OF THE
IMMIGRATION SYSTEM HAS ABDICATED RESPONSIBILITY."
SHORTCOMINGS INCLUDE NO RIGHT TO APPOINTED COUNSEL, INFLEXIBLE
DETENTION POLICIES, INSUFFICIENT GUIDANCE FOR JUDGES ON HANDLING
PEOPLE WITH MENTAL DISABILITIES, AND INADEQUATELY COORDINATED
SERVICES TO AID DETAINEES WHILE IN CUSTODY.
U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT IS THE AGENCY WHICH
ARRESTS AND DETAINS PEOPLE FACING DEPORTATION. IT'S HOSTING A
NATIONAL FORUM IN SEPTEMBER TO GET INPUT FROM MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS
ON WAYS TO IMPROVE ITS PRACTICES.

ZION FLASH FLOOD
FLASH FLOOD CARRIES 3 THROUGH CANYON IN UTAH PARK

ZION NATIONAL PARK, UTAH (AP) - ZION NATIONAL PARK OFFICIALS SAY
THREE MEN WHO WERE SWEPT AWAY BY A FLASH FLOOD IN A CANYON WERE
WASHED OVER A 40-FOOT DROP AND SURVIVED.
TWO OF THE THREE MEN ALSO WENT OVER ANOTHER 60-FOOT PLUNGE AS
THE WATER RUSHED THROUGH SPRY CANYON ON SATURDAY IN THE UTAH PARK.
ZION SPOKESMAN RON TERRY SAYS THE MEN FROM THE LAS VEGAS AREA
WERE HIKING WHEN ABOUT AN INCH OF RAIN FELL IN LESS THAN 30
MINUTES. ONCE THEY WERE FREE OF THE WATER, ONE OF THE MEN USED A
HEADLAMP TO SIGNAL A DISTRESS CALL AND AN OFF-DUTY PARK RANGER
SPOTTED THE FLASHING LIGHT.
TWO OF THE MEN WERE FLOWN TO A HOSPITAL IN ST. GEORGE, UTAH.
TERRY SAID THEIR NAMES WERE NOT BEING RELEASED AND HAD NO WORD ON
THEIR CONDITION ON SUNDAY.

Today's News-Saturday, July 24, 2010

A former Minersville borough councilman presented allegations to current members last night that borough employees were completing tasks and performing services outside of their job description during work hours all under orders from their supervisors. According to the Republican and Herald, Walter Miscavage alleged that borough employees from the sewer and water authorities and the streets department have come before the council and to him privately to speak about several issues, and fear retribution. Miscavage claims that Borough employees were instructed to deliver coal in a private vehicle of a water authority member to the homes of relatives of other borough employees, employees were directed by water authority supervisors to mow private lawns, install furnaces in private homes and hunting lodges, sent to Bernville, Berks County, to paint lines in a private parking lot, install swimming pools in West West Terrace, fix a vehicle not belonging to the authority all on borough time. He also stated that the borough misallocated liquid fuels funding originally dedicated to Teaberry Hill but used in Cass Township. The move was allegedly documented by former treasurer Norman Woodford and submitted in a letter to the state auditor general's office. Twenty-three bonuses of $1,000 each were made from funding allocated for a sewer separation project. Miscavage said he would release the names involved at the next regular monthly council meeting. Borough solicitor Albert Evans said after Miscavage's statement, "Council has listened to a lot of these issues before." The next regularly scheduled public council meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 10 in the council chambers at the Water Authority Building.

An act of aggressive driving July 16 led to an argument between drivers and charges for one, according to police. State police at Schuylkill Haven said a 17-year-old male from Schuylkill Haven was driving aggressively, and his passenger spit out of the car window at a another driver. The other driver, Jose Antonio Marrero, 44, of Pennsburg, followed the juvenile's car, according to police, and when the drivers pulled over on White Birch Road, West Brunswick Township, the two got into a verbal argument. Marrero broke the window of the juvenile's car and struck him in the face, police said. Charges of criminal mischief and harassment were filed against Marrero

A state Senator says we need to change the state law that controls all legislation dealing with mental health or intellectual disabilities. Don Rooney has details.

ROONEY

After more than 10 years, both the developer and opponents of a water bottling plant are one meeting closer to its potential approval. As reported in the Republican and Herald, the East Union Township Planning Commission voted to recommend the township's board of supervisors approve Stanley Frompovicz's water bottling plant, pending several changes. Commission members Ed Filozof and Kyle Mummey voted "yes"; Linda Croll was absent. The commission's hesitations stemmed from three permits, a zoning board variance and changes to the site design. Planning commission solicitor Donald Karpowich said the plant needs an SEO permit, which is for on-site sewer and provided by the township; an E&S permit, which is for erosion and sediment and provided by the county; and a sewage planning permit, which is provided by the state Department of Environmental Protection. The plant also needs a variance from the township's zoning board. Right now, plans for the plant include 46 parking spaces. The ordinance governing parking spaces for the plant stipulates that 138 parking spaces are needed. Finally, the plans for the plant must be modified to follow requirements from the fire chief, which include three fire hydrants, one on each corner of the building, rather than the one fire hydrant included; and a 20-foot-wide emergency access road circling the building. After Frompovicz, his attorney, Sam Scott, engineer Charles Yourshaw and members of the planning commission discussed modifying the site plan to comply with the fire chief's requirements, the commission heard public comments.

A 48-year-old Port Carbon man was committed to Schuylkill County Prison after being arrested by Pottsville police after a disturbance in the 600 block of Mauch Chunk Street about 8:45 p.m. Thursday. Police said John J. Kamant Jr. was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, on charges of simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, propulsion of missiles onto a roadway, persistent disorderly conduct, possession of a controlled substance and public drunkenness. Kamant was committed to prison unable to post 10 percent of $10,000 bail set by Bayer. Police said officers were called to the area by Edna Shay, 48, of Pottsville, who reported her ex-boyfriend, Kamant, came to her home and started to argue with her. Shay said Kamant also threw a beer can at her vehicle while she was driving, causing her to lose control and veer off the road onto a parking lot, police said. Shay said Kamant then approached the vehicle where she and her friend - Carrie Taylor, 57, of Pottsville - were sitting and continued to yell and throw full cans of beer at the vehicle, police said. Officers found Kamant standing on the sidewalk near Shay's home, where he was taken into custody. During his arrest, police said officers found several tablets inside a clear plastic baggie that were later identified as Xanax.

Gov. Rendell testified before the Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday, presenting his ideas about how to overcome the shortfall in transportation funding in the Commonwealth. Don Rooney has more.

ROONEY

CHESWICK, Pa. (AP) - Authorities say the two men killed in a
natural gas well explosion yesterday in Indiana Township were
employed by a maintenance contractor and were were working on oil
tanks when the blast occurred. A third member of the team wasn't
hurt. The explosion sparked a smoky fire that smoldered for hours.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Officials at a zinc plant in Monaca say the
cause of Thursday's explosion that killed two workers is still
under investigation. The coroner says the men were 53-year-old
James Taylor of Alqiuippa and 41-year-old Corey Keller of Newell,
West Virginia.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - State officials say the new federal
extension of unemployment checks will help nearly 200,000
Pennsylvanians who lost the benefit in the past seven weeks, or
were about to lose it. Those eligible for the extension will be
notified by mail shortly.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A landmark restaurant in Philadelphia is
closing. Georges Perrier of Le Bec-Fin tells The Philadelphia
Inquirer he plans to close his world-renowned French restaurant by
spring. He says he's ready for a change.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Transit officials in Philadelphia are
changing the route names for the area's regional commuter rail
lines. As of this weekend, SEPTA has dropped the number-and-letter
route designators. Now, trains will be identified by their ultimate
destination only.

WASHINGTON (AP) - With some Bush-era tax cuts about to expire,
Republicans promise a fight to renew them. In the weekly GOP radio
and Internet address Indiana Congressman Mike Pence criticizes
Democrats for considering allowing the cuts to expire in January.
Pence says Americans know the country can't tax and spend its way
to recovery.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says an economic plan
from House Republican leader John Boehner will take the country
"backward at a time when we need to keep America moving forward."
In his weekly radio and internet address, Obama also says the new
financial regulations he just signed are a "key pillar" of his
overall economic plan to reverse the recession.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner says he's
encouraged at a gradually improving economy. This comes after
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress earlier this
week that the outlook for the country is "unusually uncertain."
Geithner says he's seeing "private investment expand again, job
growth starting to come back." The comments came in an interview
for NBC's "Meet the Press" tomorrow.

MIAMI (AP) - Bonnie has weakened to a tropical depression but
forecasters say the weather system is likely to strengthen as it
moves over the Gulf of Mexico. Dozens of vessels working at the
site of BP's ruptured oil well are leaving the area. Only a few
vessels are expected to remain Saturday, including ships relaying
video images of the wellhead. Those ships may try to stay.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - U.S. officials confirm that four
American service members have bee killed in a bombing in southern
Afghanistan as international forces step up the fight against the
Taliban. The latest deaths bring to 69 the number of international
service members killed in Afghanistan this month, including 52
Americans.

TODAY'S NEWS - Friday July 23, 2010

LOCAL NEWS

DEATH PENALTY SOUGHT

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY, JAMES GOODMAN SAID THURSDAY HE WILL SEEK THE DEATH PENALTY AGAINST THE BERKS COUNTY MAN CHARGED WITH FATALLY SHOOTING A SHENANDOAH MAN IN MARCH. GOODMAN TELLS THE REPUBLICAN-HERALD, HE WILL SEEK THE LAW’S ULTIMATE SANCTION AGAINST 30-YEAR OLD JULIUS ENOE OF READING, WHOM STATE POLICE AT FRACKVILLE ALLEGE KILLED 24-YEAR OLD BRUCE FORKER ON MARCH 16TH IN THE VICIM’S HOME. 29-YEAR OLD DAMON ENNETT OF FREELAND, AND 19-YEAR OLD JAHMAL OLLIVIRRE OF READING ARE ALSO CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH FORKER’S DEATH.

PPL ELECTRIC UTILITIES SECURES LOWER POWER PRICES FOR 2011

PPL ELECTRIC SAID THURSDAY IT IS SECURING POWER FOR 2011 AT PRICES LOWER THAN ITS CURRENT COST TO SUPPLY POWER TO “DEFAULT” CUSTOMERS – THOSE WHO DO NOT SHOP FOR GENERATION SERVICE FROM COMPETITIVE SUPPLIERS. WITH THE CONTINUING TREND OF LOWER MARKET PRICES FOR POWER, PPL SAID IT WOULD LIKELY BE PASSING ALONG A LOWER RATE FOR ITS GENERATION SERVICE TO RESIDENTIAL AND SMALL BUSINESS CUSTOMERS. THE ACTUAL RATE WILL NOT BE KNOWN UNTIL DECEMBER AFTER ADDITIONAL PURCHASES ARE MADE THIS YEAR. THE STATE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION THIS WEEK FORMALLY APPROVED THE RESULTS OF THE COMPANY’S LATEST ROUND OF POWER PURCHASES, WHICH WAS THE 5TH WHOLESALE POWER PURCHASE THIS YEAR. UNDER STATE RULES, PPL ELECTRIC UTILITIES MUST BUY POWER SUPPLY IN A COMBINATION OF SHORT-TERM, LONG-TERM AND SPOT MARKET PURCHASES AND PASS ALONG THE COSTS TO CUSTOMERS WITHOUT PROFIT. THE GENERATION SERVICE CHARGE MAKES UP ABOUT 3/4THS OF THE TOTAL BILL FOR PPL RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS.

VA MEDICAL HOSPITAL IN LEBANON LOSES AIR CONDITIONING

THE LEBANON VA MEDICAL CENTER EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF AIR CONDITIONING IN MULTIPLE PATIENT CARE BUILDINGS ON WEDNESDAY. A PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE AIR CONDITION SYSTEMS WAS ALSO SUSTAINED ON MONDAY, BUT WAS SINCE REPAIRED. THIS IS DUE TO A COOLING LINE BREAK WHICH HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AND IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. ALL 107 INPATIENTS WERE RELOCATED TO LOCAL AND OTHER VA HOSPITALS AS A PRECAUTION TO THE HIGH TEMPERATURES THIS WEEK. VETERANS WILL NOT BE RETURNED TO THE LEBANON VA MEDICAL CENTER UNTIL THE COOLING LINE IS FULLY REPAIRED AND FUNCTIONAL. NORMAL OPERATIONS CONTINUED YESTERDAY FOR OUTPATIENT CLINICS, SPECIALTY CARE AND PRIMARY CARE.



FOUR CHARGED WITH BURGLARY AND THEFT

FOUR PEOPLE WERE CHARGED WITH THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN A PREVIOUSLY REPORTED BURGLARY/THEFT INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED AT 179 MARKET STREET, VILLAGE OF CUMBOLA, IN BLYTHE TOWNSHIP ON MAY 1ST OF THIS YEAR. WILLIAM WALLACE 20, BRETT WALLACE 18, AND DAVID NETTLES 22 OF POTTSVILLE AS WELL AS A 17 YEAR OLD MINOR OF PALO ALTO ACRE ACCUSED OF STEALING $3965 WORTH OF PROPERTY AND CAUSING $2355 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE RESIDENCE OF SHARON BRISH, 50, OF CUMBOLA. THE MINOR WAS CHARGED THROUGH THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMET AND THE OTHERS WERE ARRAIGNED BEFORE MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGE PLACHKO AND COMMITTED TO THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON, UNABLE TO POST BAIL.


DRIVER NAMED IN CYCLIST’S DEATH

GILBERT WACONDA WAS NAMED WEDNESDAY NIGHT ON KOAT-TV TO BE THE MAN RESPONSIBLE FOR STRIKING THE RINGTOWN CYCLIST JUNE 21 IN THE LAGUNA PUEBLO, AND INDIAN RESERVATION IN NEW MEXICO. JOHN ANCZARSKI, 19 YEARS OLD OF RINGTOWN, WAS CYCLING ACROSS COUNTRY AS PART OF AN AWARENESS AND FUNDRAISING EFFORT FOR BREAST CANCER, THE PINK PEDAL. NO MORE INFORMATION WAS RELEASED ON WACONDA, FOR FEARS IT WOULD HINDER THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION INTO THE CRASH. ANCZARSKI DIED JUNE 22 AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO HOSPITAL IN ALBURQUERQUE.

GILBERTON COUNCILMAN ASKED TO RESIGN

GILBERTON COUNCILMAN ROBERT WAGNER WAS ASKED TO RESIGN BY THE GILBERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL FOLLOWING HIS ARREST LAST WEEK FOR HARASSING THE MAYOR AND POLICE DEPARTMENT BY TELEPHONE. WAGNER ALLEGEDLY USED OBSCENE LANGUAGE IN THE PHONE CALLS. HE WAS ARRAIGNED BEFORE A LOCAL MAGISTERIAL JUDGE AND COMMITTED TO THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON WHERE HE WAS UNABLE TO POST BAIL.



STATE NEWS

MONACA, PA. (AP) - TWO PEOPLE ARE DEAD AND AT LEAST ONE PERSON
IS HURT FOLLOWING AN EXPLOSION AT A ZINC SMELTING PLANT IN WESTERN
PENNSYLVANIA. A HORSEHEAD CORPORATION SPOKESMAN SAYS THE BLAST
INVOLVED A REFINERY COLUMN THAT PRODUCES ZINC OXIDE. AN
INVESTIGATION INTO THE INCIDENT IS UNDER WAY.

SCRANTON, PA. (AP) - A GOOD GOVERNMENT GROUP SAYS THE OIL AND
GAS INDUSTRY POURING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO STATE ELECTION
CAMPAIGNS AND LOBBYING EFFORTS IN ORDER TO GET DRILLING FOR NATURAL
GAS APPROVED IN THE STATE'S LUCRATIVE MARCELLUS SHALE. A
PENNSYLVANIA COMMON CAUSE OFFICIAL SAYS INDUSTRY LOBBYISTS HAVE
SPENT $4.2 MILLION SINCE 2007.

CARLISLE, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES ARE SEARCHING FOR THE PERSON
WHO SHOT AND KILLED A MAN AT A CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA GUN RANGE.
PROSECUTORS TELL THE CARLISLE SENTINEL THAT TODD GETGEN, OF ENOLA,
WAS SHOT MULTIPLE TIMES AT A RANGE IN NORTH MIDDLETON TOWNSHIP,
JUST OUTSIDE CARLISLE.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A MASTERPIECE BY PAINTER THOMAS EAKINS IS
GOING BACK ON DISPLAY AT THE PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART AFTER A
10-MONTH RESTORATION. "THE GROSS CLINIC" WILL BE ON VIEW STARTING
TOMORROW. THE RESTORATION WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY A MASSIVE PUBLIC
EFFORT IN 2006 TO RAISE $68 MILLION TO BUY THE WORK WHEN THOMAS
JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY PLANNED TO SELL IT.


NATIONAL NEWS

TROPICAL WEATHER
TROPICAL STORM BONNIE MOVING TOWARD OIL SPILL

NASSAU, BAHAMAS (AP) - FORECASTERS SAY TROPICAL STORM BONNIE
COULD REACH THE SITE OF THE GULF OF MEXICO OIL SPILL BY SATURDAY.
AND KEY SHIPS STATIONED OVER BP'S CRIPPLED WELL HAVE BEEN ORDERED
TO EVACUATE AHEAD OF THE STORM.
ON FRIDAY, THE CENTER OF BONNIE IS EXPECTED TO PASS NEAR OR OVER
THE FLORIDA KEYS AND PART OF THE SOUTHERN FLORIDA PENINSULA.
FORECASTERS SAY THE STORM COULD SLOWLY STRENGTHEN OVER THE NEXT 48
HOURS, BUT EMERGENCY OFFICIALS AREN'T PLANNING ANY MANDATORY
EVACUATIONS FOR THE KEYS BECAUSE THEY DON'T EXPECT A MAJOR STORM
SURGE.
BONNIE STEAMED THROUGH THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS ON THURSDAY NIGHT
WITH SUSTAINED WINDS OF 40 MPH. BAHAMIAN EMERGENCY OFFICIALS SAY
THERE ARE NO IMMEDIATE REPORTS OF DAMAGE, FLOODING OR INJURIES ON
ISLANDS IN SOUTHEASTERN AND CENTRAL BAHAMAS. MORE POPULATED ISLANDS
IN THE NORTHEAST, INCLUDING GRAND BAHAMA AREN'T YET IN THE CLEAR.

GULF OIL SPILL
KEY SHIPS ORDERED TO LEAVE SPILL SITE BEFORE STORM

ON THE GULF OF MEXICO (AP) - KEY SHIPS AT THE SITE OF BP'S
CRIPPLED WELL IN THE GULF OF MEXICO ARE UNDER ORDERS TO EVACUATE
AHEAD OF TROPICAL STORM BONNIE. BUT ENGINEERS HAVE GROWN SO
CONFIDENT IN THE LEAKY CAP FIXED TO THE WELL HEAD, THEY WILL LEAVE
IT CLOSED WHILE THEY ARE GONE.
THE ORDER TO LEAVE CAME FROM THE GOVERNMENT'S POINT MAN IN THE
CRISIS. RETIRED COAST GUARD ADM. THAD ALLEN ISSUED THE ORDER TO
BEGIN MOVING DOZENS OF VESSELS FROM THE AREA. ALLEN SAYS SOME
VESSELS COULD STAY ON SITE.
TROPICAL STORM BONNIE COULD DELAY BY ANOTHER 12 DAYS THE PUSH TO
PLUG THE BROKEN WELL FOR GOOD USING HEAVY DRILLING MUD AND CEMENT.
EVEN IF IT'S NOT A DIRECT HIT, THE ROUGH WEATHER WILL PUSH BACK
EFFORTS TO KILL THE WELL BY AT LEAST A WEEK.
LOUISIANA GOV. BOBBY JINDAL SAYS HE EXPECTS LOCAL LEADERS IN
COASTAL PARISHES TO CALL FOR EVACUATION OF LOW-LYING AREAS AS EARLY
AS FRIDAY MORNING.

STORMY WEATHER-WISCONSIN
FLOODING SHUTS DOWN AIRPORT, CLOSES ROADS IN WIS.

MILWAUKEE, WIS. (AP) - POWERFUL THUNDERSTORMS ARE CAUSING
WIDESPREAD FLOODING IN SOUTHERN WISCONSIN, CLOSING DOWN MILWAUKEE'S
AIRPORT AND BLOCKING ROADS, AND TWO PEOPLE HAVE BEEN STRUCK BY
LIGHTNING.
HEAVY RAINS POUNDED THE REGION THURSDAY, WITH PARTS OF MILWAUKEE
SEEING UP TO 7.5 INCHES OF RAIN IN JUST TWO HOURS. THE NATIONAL
WEATHER SERVICE RECEIVED SEVERAL REPORTS OF TORNADOES.
STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS SAY TWO PEOPLE HIT BY
LIGHTNING WERE TAKEN TO A MILWAUKEE HOSPITAL. THEIR CONDITIONS
HAVEN'T BEEN RELEASED.
THEY ALSO SAY A MASSIVE SINK HOLE OPENED UP AT AN INTERSECTION
NORTH OF DOWNTOWN - AND SWALLOWED A CADILLAC ESCALADE.
A SPOKESWOMAN SAYS MILWAUKEE-GENERAL MITCHELL INTERNATIONAL
CLOSED AROUND 9:30 P.M. WHEN FLOODWATERS BEGAN COVERING THE
RUNWAYS.

CONGRESS-WAR FUNDING
SENATE PASSES $60B WAR BILL, KILLS HOUSE ADD-ONS

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE SENATE HAS PASSED AN ALMOST $60 BILLION
BILL FUNDING PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S TROOP SURGE IN AFGHANISTAN
AFTER STRIPPING OUT MORE THAN $20 BILLION IN DOMESTIC SPENDING
APPROVED BY THE HOUSE.
IN A TAKE-IT-OR-LEAVE-IT GESTURE, THE SENATE IS RETURNING THE
BILL IT PASSED IN MAY TO THE HOUSE.
THE SPENDING BILL IS NOW LIMITED CHIEFLY TO AFGHANISTAN FUNDING,
FOREIGN AID, MEDICAL CARE FOR VIETNAM WAR VETERANS EXPOSED TO AGENT
ORANGE, AND REPLENISHING ALMOST EMPTY DISASTER AID ACCOUNTS.
THE MOVE REPELS A LONG-SHOT BID BY HOUSE DEMOCRATS EARLIER THIS
MONTH TO RESURRECT THEIR FALTERING JOBS AGENDA WITH $10 BILLION IN
GRANTS TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO AVOID TEACHER LAYOFFS, MONEY FOR A
SUMMER JOBS PROGRAM AND IMPROVED SECURITY ALONG THE U.S.-MEXICO
BORDER.

BELL SALARIES
UPDATE: CALIF. COUNCIL ACCEPTS RESIGNATIONS OF 3 MANAGERS

BELL, CALIF. (AP) - THREE TOP ADMINISTRATORS WHOSE HUGE SALARIES
SPARKED OUTRAGE IN THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY CITY OF BELL HAVE
RESIGNED.
COUNCIL MEMBERS EMERGED FROM A MORE THAN SIX-HOUR MEETING EARLY
FRIDAY AND ANNOUNCED THAT THEY HAD ACCEPTED THE RESIGNATIONS OF
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER ROBERT RIZZO, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
ANGELA SPACCIA AND POLICE CHIEF RANDY ADAMS.
COMBINED, THE OFFICIALS' SALARIES TOTALED MORE THAN $1.6
MILLION. RIZZO WAS THE HIGHEST PAID AT MORE THAN $787,000 A YEAR.
REVELATIONS ABOUT THE PAY SPARKED ANGER IN THE CITY OF FEWER
THAN 40,000 RESIDENTS. CENSUS FIGURES FROM 2008 SHOW 17 PERCENT OF
THE POPULATION LIVES IN POVERTY.
RESIDENTS HAVE STAGED PROTESTS DEMANDING THE FIRINGS AND STARTED
A RECALL CAMPAIGN AGAINST SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS.

STATEN ISLAND FIRE
UPDATE: BOY SAID TO SLASH THROATS, SET FIRE TO HIS NY HOME

NEW YORK (AP) - AUTOPSIES ARE SCHEDULED FOR FIVE FAMILY MEMBERS
WHO DIED AFTER SOME OF THEM HAD THEIR THROATS SLASHED AND THEIR NEW
YORK CITY HOME WAS SET ON FIRE.
POLICE BELIEVE THE DEATHS WERE A MURDER-SUICIDE COMMITTED BY A
TROUBLED TEENAGE BOY WITH A HISTORY OF SETTING FIRES. THEY SAY
14-YEAR-OLD C.J. JONES' BODY WAS FOUND SLUMPED OVER A BED IN A BACK
BEDROOM OF HIS FAMILY'S STATEN ISLAND HOME AND A STRAIGHT RAZOR WAS
UNDERNEATH IT.
THE BOY'S MOTHER WAS FOUND DEAD NEAR HIS 7- AND 10-YEAR-OLD
SISTERS, WHOSE THROATS WERE SLIT. HIS 2-YEAR-OLD BROTHER DIED LATER
AT A HOSPITAL.
THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE SAYS THEIR BODIES ARE BEING
EXAMINED FRIDAY.
NEIGHBORS SAY THE TEENAGER WAS THE MOST LOVING PERSON IN THE
WORLD BUT PLAYED WITH FIRE IN FRONT OF HIS BUILDING.

TAXI DRIVER ARRESTS
NEW: SEATTLE POLICE ARRESTING 22 CABBIES IN THEFT BUST

SEATTLE (AP) - SEATTLE POLICE ARE ARRESTING 22 CAB DRIVERS
ACCUSED OF TRAFFICKING IN STOLEN PROPERTY. THE ARRESTS ANNOUNCED
THURSDAY COME AFTER A 10-WEEK UNDERCOVER OPERATION THAT TARGETED
WHAT POLICE CALL AN OPEN AIR MARKET FOR STOLEN GOODS THAT'S BEEN
OPERATING IN THE WESTLAKE AVENUE AREA OF DOWNTOWN SEATTLE.
THE PROJECT WAS LAUNCHED TO DEAL WITH SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN
DOWNTOWN RETAIL THEFT.
SURVEILLANCE SHOWED SHOPLIFTERS TAKING STOLEN GOODS TO A CAB
STAND NEAR THE WESTIN HOTEL AND PEDDLING THEM TO DRIVERS WAITING
THERE FOR FARES. POLICE FOLLOWED UP WITH AN UNDERCOVER DETECTIVE
POSING AS A SHOPLIFTER.
POLICE SAY THERE ARE 2,500 LICENSED TAXI DRIVERS IN THE SEATTLE
AREA.

ASEAN
UPDATE: US, NKOREA MEET BUT PROGRESS ON NUKES UNLIKELY

HANOI, VIETNAM (AP) - TOP AMERICAN AND NORTH KOREAN DIPLOMATS
ARE MEETING FACE-TO-FACE TODAY AT AN ASIAN SECURITY CONFERENCE IN
VIETNAM.
THE RARE CONTACT IS MIRED IN TENSIONS OVER THE SINKING OF A
SOUTH KOREAN WARSHIP AND IS UNLIKELY TO ADVANCE EFFORTS TO RID
PYONGYANG OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS.
SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON IS TELLING THOSE
GATHERED AT THE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS THAT NORTH
KOREA MUST REVERSE A "CAMPAIGN OF PROVOCATIVE, DANGEROUS
BEHAVIOR" IF IT WANTS TO IMPROVE RELATIONS WITH ITS NEIGHBORS AND
THE UNITED STATES.
CLINTON IS ALSO CALLING ON ASEAN STATES TO PRESS MYANMAR'S
MILITARY RULERS TO ABANDON ANY NUCLEAR WEAPONS COOPERATION IT MAY
HAVE WITH NORTH KOREA. SHE SAYS "RECENT EVENTS" CALLED INTO
QUESTION MYANMAR'S PLEDGES TO ABIDE BY U.N. SANCTIONS ON NORTH
KOREA THAT INCLUDE RESTRICTIONS ON ARMS TRANSACTIONS.
CLINTON IS ALSO CRITICIZING THE JUNTA FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES.

ASEAN-NKOREA THREAT
NEW: NKOREA THREATENS 'PHYSICAL RESPONSE' TO US DRILLS

HANOI, VIETNAM (AP) - NORTH KOREA HAS THREATENED A "PHYSICAL
RESPONSE" IF THE U.S. AND SOUTH KOREA GO AHEAD WITH JOINT MILITARY
EXERCISES PLANNED FOR THIS WEEKEND.
NORTH KOREAN SPOKESMAN RI TONG IL TOLD REPORTERS AT THE
ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS MEETING IN HANOI, VIETNAM,
ON FRIDAY THAT THE EXERCISES WOULD BE "ANOTHER EXPRESSION OF
HOSTILE POLICY AGAINST" NORTH KOREA. HE SAID "THERE WILL BE
PHYSICAL RESPONSE AGAINST THE THREAT IMPOSED BY THE UNITED STATES
MILITARILY."

ISRAEL-CONVERSION
ISRAEL: CONTROVERSIAL CONVERSION BILL SHELVED

JERUSALEM (AP) - ISRAEL'S GOVERNMENT IS SHELVING A BILL ON
JEWISH CONVERSIONS THAT DREW SHARP CRITICISM FROM AMERICAN JEWS.
IN A STATEMENT, GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN NIR HEFETZ SAYS THE
GOVERNMENT HAS REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH LIBERAL JEWISH
DENOMINATIONS OPPOSED TO THE BILL. THE BILL WILL BE WITHDRAWN FOR
SIX MONTHS AS THE SIDES TRY TO HAMMER OUT AN ALTERNATIVE.
THE STATEMENT LATE THURSDAY SAID PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN
NETANYAHU APPROVED THE COMPROMISE TO "PRESERVE THE UNITY OF THE
JEWISH PEOPLE."
THE BILL WOULD HAVE STRENGTHENED THE CONTROL OF ORTHODOX RABBIS
IN ISRAEL OVER THE SENSITIVE PROCESS OF JEWISH CONVERSIONS.
THE LIBERAL JEWISH DENOMINATIONS THAT MAKE UP THE MAJORITY OF
AMERICAN JEWS FEARED THE BILL COULD UNDERMINE THEIR LEGITIMACY AND
CONNECTION TO ISRAEL.

VENEZUELA-COLOMBIA
VENEZUELA BREAKS TIES WITH US-ALLIED COLOMBIA

CARACAS, VENEZUELA (AP) - VENEZUELA HAS BROKEN DIPLOMATIC
RELATIONS WITH NEIGHBORING COLOMBIA.
PRESIDENT HUGO CHAVEZ IS ACCUSING THE CLOSE U.S. ALLY OF
FABRICATING REPORTS THAT COLOMBIAN REBELS FIND SAFE HAVEN INSIDE
VENEZUELA.
CHAVEZ SAYS HE WAS FORCED TO SEVER TIES BECAUSE COLOMBIAN
OFFICIALS INSIST THAT HE HAS FAILED TO MOVE AGAINST LEFTIST REBELS
WHO ALLEGEDLY HAVE TAKEN SHELTER ON VENEZUELAN TERRITORY.
AT A MEETING OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES IN
WASHINGTON, COLOMBIA'S AMBASSADOR PRESENTED PHOTOS, VIDEOS, WITNESS
TESTIMONY AND MAPS OF WHAT HE SAID WERE REBEL CAMPS INSIDE
VENEZUELA AND CHALLENGED VENEZUELAN OFFICIALS TO LET INDEPENDENT
OBSERVERS VISIT THEM.
CHAVEZ RESPONDED WITHIN HOURS, SUGGESTING THAT HIS CONSERVATIVE
COLOMBIAN COUNTERPART, OUTGOING PRESIDENT ALVARO URIBE, COULD BE
ATTEMPTING TO PROVOKE A WAR.