TODAY'S NEWS - FRIDAY JULY 16, 2010

LOCAL NEWS

COUNTY BURN BAN

A COUNTY-WIDE BURN BAN WILL GO INTO EFFECT THIS MORNING AT 10AM. DUE TO A LARGE INCREASE IN BRUSH FIRES IN THE AREA, DISTRICT FORESTER MARK DEIBLER OF PA DISTRICT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCE’S BUREAU OF FORESTRY REQUESTED TO ENACT THE BAN WHICH THE COMMISSIONERS APPROVED AT WEDNESDAY MORNING’S MEETING. THE BAN FORBIDS ANY OUTDOOR BURNING OF ITEMS SUCH AS GARBAGE, LEAVES, GRASS, TWIGS, LITTER AND PAPER. GRILLING IS STILL PERMITTED, HOWEVER RESTRICTS LIGHTING FIRES IN OUTDOOR BURN BARRELS OR FIRE RINGS. CITIZENS CAUGHT IN VIOLATION OF THIS BAN WILL FACE FINES OF $100 FOR THE FIRST OFFENSE, $200 FOR THE SECOND AND $300 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL. COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND THE DCNR WILL ALSO BILL THOSE VIOLATORS FOR MANPOWER, TIME AND RESOURCES NEEDED TO EXTINGUISH ANY BRUSH FIRE IN CONNECTION WITH THE BURN BAN VIOLATION. THOUGH IT HAS RAINED THE LAST FEW DAYS, IT IS STILL NOT ENOUGH TO PENETRATE THE FOREST FLOOR. THE LAST TIME A BURN BAN WAS IN EFFECT IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY WAS APRIL OF 2008.

STOLEN CHECKS

AMANDA RIEGEL, 24 OF 524 W. GIRARD ST IN MT CARMEL, IS ACCUSED OF STEALING SEVERAL CHECK S FROM JENNIFER WEBSTER, 29 OR 54 S. ELMER AVE IN HALIFAX TOWNSHIP IN LATE JUNE. REIGEL APPARENTLY FORGED WEBSTER’S SIGNATURE ON THE CHECKS AND USED THEM TO MAKE PURCHASES AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS IN THE MOUNT CARMEL AREA. CHARGES ARE PENDING.

TRAFFIC CAMERAS IN POTTSVILLE INTERSECTIONS

AUTOMATED SPEEDING TICKETS HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR DECADES. CAMERA’S PLACED AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS AT BUSY INTERSECTIONS TAKE NOTE AT CARS, LICENSE PLATES, TIME AND SPEED AT THOSE TRYING TO BEAT THE RED LIGHT. A NEW BILL PASSED IN PENNSYLVANIA WILL ALLOW ALL SECOND AND THIRD CLASS CITIES IN THE STATE TO INSTALL AN UNLIMITED NUMBER OF CAMERAS IN THEIR INTERSECTIONS. UNDER THIS NEW BILL, 50 PERCENT OF THE REVENUE COLLECTED FROM THESE FINES WOULD GO TO THE STATE POLICE, AND THE OTHER HALF WOULD GO THOSE CORRESPONDING CITIES FOR INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS. A SENATE FISCAL ANALYSIS HAS ESTIMATED THAT THE STATE COULD GENERATE ABOUT $2.5 MILLION ANNUALLY. THOUGH TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AT SMALLER CITY INTERSECTIONS IS LESS THAN THAT IN LARGER CITIES LIKE PHILADELPHIA, INSTALLING CAMERAS ON HEAVILY TRAVELED ROAD INTERACTIONS LIKE THOSE ON ROUTE 61 IN POTTSVILLE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE OFFICIALS SAY. MOTORISTS ARE SURE TO SLOW DOWN THEIR SPEED IF THEY KNOW THEY WATCHED.





10-DIGIT DIALING

PHONE NUMBERS IN THE 570 AREA CODE ARE RUNNING OUT, AND THE STATE PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION APPROVED A PLAN YESTERDAY THAT WOULD APPLY A NEW AREA CODE TO ANY NEW NUMBERS WITHIN THE 570 DIALING AREA ONCE ALL THE ALLOTTED NUMBERS HAVE RUN OUT. WHAT THIS MEANS IS THAT THIS TIME NEXT YEAR, RESIDENCE IN THE AREA WILL HAVE TO DIAL 10 NUMBERS INSTEAD OF 7 TO CONNECT THEIR CITY, COUNTY AND STATE NEIGHBORS. CUSTOMERS WITH NUMBERS ALREADY WITHIN THE 570 AREA CODE WILL KEEP THAT AREA CODE, WHILE NEW CONTRACTED NUMBERS WILL HAVE AN ADDITIONAL AREA CODE. THAT NEW AREA CODE WILL BE ANNOUNCED WITHIN THE YEAR JUST BEFORE THE EXPANSION GOES INTO EFFECT.


KULPMONT BUSINESS FIRE

THE OWNER OF A KULPMONT BUILDING THAT CAUGHT FIRE YESTERDAY MORNING SAYS THAT HE PLANS TO REBUILD HIS BUSINESS AND THE TWO APARTMENTS ABOVE IT. ED BALUTA, OWNER OF PAPPY BALUTA AND SONS PLUMBING AT 940 CHESTNUT STREET ON ROUTE 61 IN KULPMONT WAS ASLEEP IN HIS HOME ACROSS THE BOROUGH WHEN THE STRUCTURE CAUGHT FIRE JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT. CREWS FROM NUMEROUS FIRE DEPARTMENTS ASSISTED WITH THE BLAZE FOR HOURS BEFORE THE STRUCTURE COLLAPSED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE FIRE GUTTED THE BUILDING LEAVING IT STRUCTURALLY UNSAFE AND ONE PERSON HOMELESS.


STATE NEWS

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - POLICE IN PHILADELPHIA SAY AN OFFICER HAS
BEEN SHOT IN THE LEG DURING A TRAFFIC STOP. OFFICER KEVIN LIVEWELL
WAS HOSPITALIZED IN STABLE CONDITION AFTER THE SHOOTING LAST NIGHT.
AUTHORITIES SAY LIVEWELL AND HIS PARTNER HAD STOPPED A WHITE VAN
MATCHING THE DESCRIPTION OF A VEHICLE USED IN AN EARLIER CRIME. ONE
SUSPECT IS IN CUSTODY.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - PITTSBURGH POLICE HAVE CHARGED A REGISTERED
SEX OFFENDER WITH THE FATAL STABBING OF A TEENAGE GIRL WHOSE BODY
WAS DUMPED NEAR A CITY HIGH SCHOOL. TUSHON BROWN WAS ARRESTED
YESTERDAY IN NORTH CAROLINA. HE'S CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE IN THE
KILLING OF 14-YEAR-OLD LAUREN DEIS. HER BODY WAS FOUND WRAPPED IN
TRASH BAGS ON TUESDAY NEAR LANGLEY HIGH SCHOOL.

SCRANTON, PA. (AP) - A NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESSMAN HAS
ADMITTED THREATENING A WITNESS WHO WAS COOPERATING WITH A FEDERAL
CORRUPTION PROBE. BARTON WEIDLICH HAS PLEADED GUILTY TO OBSTRUCTION
OF JUSTICE. PROSECUTORS SAY THE FBI WAS LOOKING INTO WHETHER
WEIDLICH HAD PAID PUBLIC OFFICIALS FOR SEVERAL NO-BID CONTRACTS
WITH LUZERNE COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

SCRANTON, PA. (AP) - NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA WILL BE GETTING A
NEW AREA CODE IN THE COMING YEAR. THE STATE PUBLIC UTILITY
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED A PLAN FOR AN OVERLAY IN THE ZONE SERVED BY
THE 570 AREA CODE. THAT MEANS CALLERS WILL HAVE TO DIAL ALL 10
DIGITS OF A LOCAL NUMBER, INSTEAD OF JUST SEVEN, WHEN THE NEW AREA
CODE IS IMPLEMENTED.


NATIONAL NEWS

GULF OIL SPILL
BP FINALLY STOPS OIL SPEWING FROM GULF GUSHER

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - BP HAS FINALLY GAINED CONTROL OVER ONE OF
AMERICA'S BIGGEST ENVIRONMENTAL CATASTROPHES -- AT LEAST FOR NOW.
THE COMPANY HAS PLACED A CAREFULLY FITTED CAP OVER THE RUNAWAY
WELL THAT HAS BEEN GUSHING CRUDE INTO THE GULF OF MEXICO SINCE
EARLY SPRING.
IT'S ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX BUT IT'S BEING GREETED WITH HOPE AND
HIGH EXPECTATIONS ON THE GULF COAST. BUT SOME RESIDENTS ARE
SKEPTICAL.
IF THE CAP HOLDS, IF THE SEA FLOOR DOESN'T CRACK AND IF THE
RELIEF WELLS BEING PREPARED ARE COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY, THIS COULD
BE THE BEGINNING OF THE END FOR THE SPILL. BUT THAT'S A LOT OF IFS,
AND NO ONE IS DECLARING ANY SORT OF VICTORY BEYOND THE MOMENT.
TEST ARE BEING RUN ON THE CAP TO SEE IF IT CAN HOLD BACK THE
OIL.
BP CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER DOUG SUTTLES SAYS "IT'S A GREAT
SIGHT" BUT HE CAUTIONS THAT THE FLOW COULD RESUME. HE SAYS "IT'S
FAR FROM THE FINISH LINE. ... IT'S NOT THE TIME TO CELEBRATE."
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA CALLS THURSDAY'S DEVELOPMENT "A POSITIVE
SIGN."

AFGHANISTAN
NEW: NATO AIRSTRIKE KILLS TALIBAN COMMANDER IN NORTH

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (AP) - AN OFFICIAL SAYS A NATO AIRSTRIKE
KILLED A TALIBAN COMMANDER RESPONSIBLE FOR A SUICIDE ATTACK ON A
U.S. AID PROGRAM IN NORTHERN AFGHANISTAN.
THE POLICE CHIEF OF KUNDUZ PROVINCE IN THE NORTH SAID FRIDAY
THAT A PRECISION AIRSTRIKE KILLED A LOCAL TALIBAN COMMANDER WHO
USES THE ALIAS QARI LATIF.
THE POLICE CHIEF SAYS LATIF DIED ALONG WITH 12 OTHER INSURGENTS
WHEN A NATO BOMB TARGETED THEM WHILE THEY MET IN A FIELD UNDER A
TREE THURSDAY OUTSIDE THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL.
NATO SAID FRIDAY IT WAS STILL INVESTIGATING THE OUTCOME OF THE
STRIKE. IT SAID LATIF HAD BOASTED OF BEING BEHIND A SUICIDE CAR
BOMB ON A USAID STATION IN KUNDUZ CITY ON JULY 2 THAT KILLED TWO
CIVILIANS AND WOUNDED SEVEN OTHERS.

CIA INTERROGATIONS-LAWSUIT
NY JUDGE REJECTS RELEASE OF CIA MATERIALS TO ACLU

NEW YORK (AP) - A FEDERAL JUDGE IN NEW YORK SAYS HE WON'T FORCE
THE RELEASE OF CIA METHODS RELATING TO SEPT. 11 DETAINEES WHO WERE
INTERROGATED HARSHLY, SAYING THE JUDICIARY'S AUTHORITY IS LIMITED
WHEN NATIONAL SECURITY IS AT STAKE.
THE RULING THURSDAY BY JUDGE ALVIN HELLERSTEIN CAME IN A CASE IN
WHICH THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION WAS SEEKING TO FORCE THE
CIA TO RELEASE NAMES AND DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE DETAINEES.
HELLERSTEIN SAID IT WAS NOT NECESSARY FOR HIM TO DECIDE WHETHER
METHODS USED BY THE CIA WERE LEGAL BEFORE REJECTING THE ACLU'S
REQUEST.
HE SAID TO DO SO WOULD "CONFER AN UNWARRANTED COMPETENCE TO THE
DISTRICT COURT TO EVALUATE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE DECISIONS."
JAMEEL JAFFER, THE ACLU'S DEPUTY LEGAL DIRECTOR, SAYS THE CIVIL
RIGHTS GROUP IS "VERY DISMAYED" BY THE RULING. HE SAYS THE GROUP
IS CONSIDERING AN APPEAL.

FINANCIAL OVERHAUL-OBAMA
OBAMA HAILS PASSAGE OF WALL STREET REFORM MEASURE

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYS BUSINESSES HAVE
NOTHING TO FEAR FROM THE FINANCIAL OVERHAUL BILL, UNLESS THEY CUT
CORNERS OR BILK CUSTOMERS.
THE PRESIDENT SAYS THE LEGISLATION WILL "PROTECT CONSUMERS AND
LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR A STRONGER AND SAFER FINANCIAL SYSTEM." HE
SAYS THAT SYSTEM WILL BE "INNOVATIVE, CREATIVE, COMPETITIVE AND
FAR LESS PRONE TO PANIC AND COLLAPSE."
OBAMA IS EXPECTED TO SIGN THE BILL AS EARLY AS WEDNESDAY. THE
SENATE, ON A 60-39 VOTE, APPROVED IT TODAY -- ALMOST TWO YEARS
AFTER A FINANCIAL MELTDOWN SENT THE ECONOMY INTO A RECESSION.
FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN BEN BERNANKE (BUR-NANG'-KEE) CALLS IT A
FAR-REACHING STEP THAT WILL HELP PREVENT "A REPLAY OF THE RECENT
FINANCIAL CRISIS."
BEFORE THE FINAL VOTE WAS EVEN CAST, HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER
JOHN BOEHNER (BAY'-NUR) CALLED FOR ITS REPEAL.

CALIFORNIA HEAT
UNSTABLE HEAT, LIGHTNING IN CALIF. SPARK 8 FIRES

RIVERSIDE, CALIF. (AP) - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IS SWELTERING IN
TRIPLE-DIGIT HEAT AND MONSOONAL THUNDERSTORMS HAVE HELPED SPARK
SEVERAL BRUSH FIRES.
FIRE OFFICIALS BLAME EIGHT FIRES IN RIVERSIDE COUNTY ON
LIGHTNING STRIKES. THAT NUMBER IS DOWN FROM EARLIER REPORTS OF 15
FIRES. OFFICIALS SAY STRONG WINDS FROM A STORM SYSTEM ARE FANNING
THE FLAMES.
FIRE SPOKESWOMAN CHERI PATTERSON SAYS RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN TOLD
TO BE READY TO EVACUATE AS A FIRE IN THE SAGE AREA GREW TO 50
ACRES.
SHE ALSO SAYS TWO SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES WERE INJURED WHILE RESCUING
A WOMAN FROM A BURNING TRAILER IN LAKE ELSINORE. ONE WAS TREATED
FOR A BURN, AND THE OTHER FOR SMOKE INHALATION.
THE UNSTABLE WEATHER SYSTEM IS BAKING LOS ANGELES' SAN FERNANDO
VALLEY IN 100-DEGREE HEAT WHILE PUMMELING ANTELOPE VALLEY WITH
HEAVY RAIN AND HAIL. THUNDERSTORMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN NEARBY
AREAS.

CAYLEE ANTHONY
JUDGE: 911 TAPE CAN BE USED IN CAYLEE ANTHONY CASE

ORLANDO, FLA. (AP) - A JUDGE HAS RULED THAT A 911 TAPE CAN BE
USED IN THE TRIAL OF A FLORIDA WOMAN ACCUSED OF KILLING HER
2-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, CAYLEE ANTHONY.
A JUDGE IN ORLANDO RULED THURSDAY TO ADMIT THE RECORDING OF
CASEY ANTHONY'S MOTHER TELLING A DISPATCHER THAT HER DAUGHTER'S CAR
SMELLS LIKE A DEAD BODY.
CASEY ANTHONY'S DEFENSE ATTORNEYS HAD TRIED TO STOP THE 911 CALL
FROM BEING PLAYED AT HER TRIAL NEXT MAY.
CASEY ANTHONY'S MOTHER, CINDY, TESTIFIED THAT SHE WAS UNDER
STRESS WHEN SHE MADE THE CALL AND SAID SHE SENSED A LACK OF URGENCY
FROM POLICE.
CASEY ANTHONY HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO KILLING HER 2-YEAR-OLD
DAUGHTER. SHE SAYS A BABY SITTER KIDNAPPED HER DAUGHTER, CAYLEE.
THE TODDLER'S REMAINS WERE FOUND ABOUT SIX MONTHS AFTER CASEY
ANTHONY SAID SHE LAST SAW HER ALIVE.

BYRD SEAT
W.VA. GOV TO NAME BYRD SENATE SUCCESSOR FRIDAY

CHARLESTON, W.VA. (AP) - WEST VIRGINIA'S GOVERNOR PLANS TO
UNVEIL HIS TEMPORARY APPOINTEE FOR THE U.S. SENATE SEAT HELD BY THE
LATE ROBERT C. BYRD ON FRIDAY.
GOV. JOE MANCHIN PLANS TO PRESENT HIS PICK AT 2 P.M. FRIDAY.
THE APPOINTMENT IS CONSIDERED TEMPORARY. MANCHIN HAS PROPOSED
THAT VOTERS DECIDE WHO WILL COMPLETE THE MORE THAN TWO YEARS THAT
REMAIN IN BYRD'S TERM IN NOVEMBER'S GENERAL ELECTION.
THE LEGISLATURE IS CONSIDERING THAT PROPOSAL IN SPECIAL SESSION.
MANCHIN, A DEMOCRAT LIKE BYRD, HAS SAID IT'S HIGHLY LIKELY HE'LL
RUN IF THERE IS AN ELECTION. HE'S EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE THAT
DECISION AFTER HE NAMES HIS APPOINTEE.
POTENTIAL CHOICES INCLUDE EX-DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHIEF NICK CASEY
AND FORMER GOV. GASTON CAPERTON.
BYRD DIED LATE LAST MONTH AFTER MORE THAN A HALF-CENTURY IN THE
SENATE.

US-LOCKERBIE-BOMBER
SENATE TO INVITE BP TO LOCKERBIE BOMBER HEARING

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE IS
INVITING OIL GIANT BP TO TESTIFY AT A HEARING ON LAST YEAR'S
RELEASE OF THE LOCKERBIE AIRLINER BOMBER.
DEMOCRATIC SEN. JOHN KERRY SAYS THE JULY 29 HEARING WILL DEAL
WITH WHAT HE CALLS "THE MISTAKEN RELEASE" OF THE ONLY PERSON EVER
CONVICTED IN THE BOMBING.
SENATORS THIS WEEK ASKED THE STATE DEPARTMENT TO INVESTIGATE
WHETHER BP PLAYED A ROLE IN WINNING THE RELEASE OF ABDEL BASET
AL-MEGRAHI. SCOTLAND RELEASED AL-MEGRAHI AFTER DOCTORS SAID HE HAD
ONLY MONTHS TO LIVE BECAUSE OF CANCER. A DOCTOR NOW SAYS HE MAY
LIVE AS MANY AS 10 YEARS.
THE 1988 BOMBING OF PAN AM FLIGHT 103 KILLED 270 PEOPLE, MOST OF
THEM AMERICAN.

PEOPLE-MEL GIBSON
SOURCE: GIBSON'S WIFE SAYS NO SIGNS OF ABUSE

LOS ANGELES (AP) - MEL GIBSON'S ESTRANGED WIFE HAS FILED A COURT
DECLARATION STATING SHE AND HER CHILDREN NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY
ABUSE BY THE ACADEMY AWARD WINNER.
A SOURCE FAMILIAR WITH THE CASE BUT NOT AUTHORIZED TO SPEAK
PUBLICLY TELLS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS THAT ROBYN GIBSON FILED THE
STATEMENT IN A CUSTODY HEARING BETWEEN HER HUSBAND AND HIS
EX-GIRLFRIEND, OKSANA GRIGORIEVA (GREE-GOR'-YEH-VUH.)
ROBYN GIBSON FILED TO DIVORCE HER HUSBAND OF 28 YEARS IN APRIL
2009. THE DIVORCE IS ONGOING.
NEITHER MEL GIBSON NOR GRIGORIEVA APPEARED AT A DAYLONG HEARING
IN THE CUSTODY CASE HELD THURSDAY IN LOS ANGELES. THE HEARING WAS
CONDUCTED IN CLOSED SESSION. THE FORMER COUPLE HAVE AN 8-MONTH-OLD
DAUGHTER TOGETHER.
SHERIFF'S DETECTIVES INVESTIGATING GIBSON FOR POSSIBLE DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE OBTAINED AUDIO RECORDINGS FROM THE COURT THURSDAY.

BAD LUCK BANDIT
THEFT SUSPECT ARRESTED AFTER RUNNING OUT OF GAS

WENATCHEE, WASH. (AP) - DON'T CALL HIM LUCKY.
WENATCHEE POLICE SAY THEY ARRESTED A 47-YEAR-OLD TACOMA MAN FOR
INVESTIGATION OF FIRST-DEGREE THEFT AFTER HE RAN OUT OF GAS AS HE
WAS LEAVING A STORE WHERE NATIVE AMERICAN COLLECTIBLES WERE STOLEN.
ALERTED TO THE THEFTS BY THE STORE OWNER, POLICE FOUND THE MAN
ON FOOT WEDNESDAY AFTER HIS CAR STALLED ABOUT 50 FEET FROM ITS
ORIGINAL PARKING SPOT.
SGT. JOHN KRUSE SAYS THE MAN IS SUSPECTED OF STEALING SEVERAL
INDIAN COLLECTIBLES FROM THE DISCOUNT CENTER. KRUSE SAYS HE WAS
ALSO IN POSSESSION OF SEVERAL NECKLACES STOLEN FROM THE ANTIQUE
MALL - AND IS SUSPECTED OF STEALING A BEADED NATIVE AMERICAN
CEREMONIAL GARMENT BEARING A PRICE TAG OF $10,500.
POLICE ARE CALLING HIM THE BAD LUCK BANDIT.