TODAY"S NEWS: Tuesday July 20,2010

LOCAL NEWS

HAWK MOUNTAIN SANCTUARY ANNOUNCES NEXT LEADER

HAWK MOUNTAIN SANCTUARY ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT JERRY REGAN WILL BE THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD-FAMOUS RAPTOR CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION. REGAN IS CURRENTLY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE NED SMITH CENTER FOR NATURE AND ART IN MILLERSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA AND WILL ASSUME HIS NEW POSITION AT THE BEGINNING OF OCTOBER. HE LED THE NED SMITH CENTER THROUGH A PERIOD OF DRAMATIC GROWTH, INCREASING HIS STAFF FROM 3 TO11 AND ITS ANNUAL BUDGET TO MORE THAN $11MILLION. HAWK MOUNTAIN SANCTUARY, FOUNDED IN 1934, IS RECOGNIZED INTERNATIONALLY AS THE WORLD’S FIRST REFUGE FOR BIRDS OF PREY AND AN INTERNATIONAL LEADER IN RAPTOR CONSERVATION. THE HAWK MOUNTAIN SANCTUARY ASSOCIATION OPERATES ON THE 2600-ACRE MOUNTAINTOP IN SOUTH EASTERN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY AS A NATURE-TOURISM CENTER TO FUND INTERNATIONAL RAPTOR CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS. MORE THAN 60,000 PEOPLE VISIT THE SANCTUARY EACH YEAR.

ANNUAL AMERICAN LEGION/STATE POLICE YOUTH WEEK

THE ANNUAL AMERICAN LEGION/STATE POLICE YOUTH WEEK WAS CONDUCTED JUNE 13-19 THIS SUMMER AT YORK COLLEGE OF PENNSYLVANIA BY PERSONNEL FROM STATE POLICE, THE AMERICAN LEGION AND THE PENNSYLVANIA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD. 104 YOUNG CADETS FROM ACROSS THE STATE AGES 15-17 GRADUATED FROM THE WEEK LONG PROGRAM THAT GAVE THEM OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE CAREERS IN THE MILITARY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. THEY PARTICIPATED IN PHYSICAL TRAINING AND LEARNED LESSON ABOUT DISCIPLINE AND LEADERSHIP, AND ATTENDED SESSIONS TEACHING THEM ABOUT SELF-DEFENSE, FIREARM SAFETY, THE PENNSYLVANIA CRIMES CODE, FORENSIC SCIENCES AND OTHER TOPICS RELATED TO MILITARY OR POLICE WORK.

VFRA WORKSHOPS FOR FIREFIGHTERS IN THE FALL

AUDITOR GENERAL JACK WAGNER ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THE FALL SCHEDULE FOR FREE WORKSHOPS OFFERED TO OFFICERS AND MEMBERS FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH, PROVIDING OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS’ RELIEF ASSOCIATIONS. THE WORKSHOPS ARE INSTRUCTED BY DEPARTMENT OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL EMPLOYEES AND GIVE EMERGENCY SERVICE VOLUNTEERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE FIRST-HAND INSTRUCTION ON ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE AND TO GET ANSWERS ABOUT RELIEF ASSOCIATION-RELATED MATTERS. VFRA’S ARE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ESTABLISHED TO AFFORD FINANCIAL PROTECTION TO VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS WHO ARE INJURED OR KILLED AS A RESULT OF THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE FIRE SERVICE.

STATE LAYOFFS

THERE HAVE BEEN SPENDING CUTS IN THE NEW STATE BUDGET THAT RECENTLY PASSED, AND WITH THAT WILL COME 700 JOB LAYOFFS OF STATE EMPLOYEES. A KEY VOTE TODAY IN THE U.S. SENATE WILL DETERMINE IF AN ADDITIONAL ROUND OF STATE LAYOFFS IS GOING TO HAPPEN. GOVERNOR ED RENDELL SAID YESTERDAY THAT THE LAYOFFS HAVE COME AS A REFLECTION OF THE $28BILLION STATE BUDGET THAT IS NOW $1BILLION LESS THAT EARLIER PROPOSED THIS YEAR. THE LAYOFFS WILL EFFECT EVERY STATE AGENCY WITH THE ONLY EXCEPTION BEING PUBLIC SAFETY. THERE ARE CURRENTLY 76,807 PEOPLE EMPLOYED BY THE STATE, DOWN 6% SINCE 2003.

PADCO OFFERING MINI-LOANS

THE POTTSVILLE AREA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION LAUNCHED A NEW LOAN PROGRAM YESTERDAY THAT OFFERS LOW-TO –MODERATE INCOME ENTREPRENEURS UP TO $1,500 TO KICK START THEIR BUSINESS IN THE CITY. IN YESTERDAY MORNING’S BOARD MEETING, PADCO DESIGNATED $10,000 TO THE LOAN PROGRAM OFFERING ABOUT 7 DRIVEN INDIVIDUALS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE NEW BUSINESSES. THEIR TARGET IS FOR BUSINESSES THAT DON’T HAVE A LOT OF STARTUP COSTS, LIKE A CLEANING SERVICE OR LANDSCAPE BUSINESS. ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES MUST MEET THE INCOME GUIDELINES AND MUST HAVE THEIR BUSINESS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS. THEY MUST ALSO HAVE LIVED WITHIN POTTSVILLE FOR A MINIMUM OF A YEAR AND PROVIDE 25% OF THE FINANCING.



STATE NEWS


PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA SAYS IT HAS HIRED A
NEW TUGBOAT OPERATOR FOR A SLUDGE-HAULING CONTRACT FOLLOWING THIS
MONTH'S FATAL DUCK BOAT CRASH ON THE DELAWARE RIVER. MAYOR MICHAEL
NUTTER'S OFFICE SAYS K-SEA TRANSPORTATION HAS AGREED TO SUSPEND ITS
CONTRACT PENDING FINDINGS OF A NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD
INVESTIGATION.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A NEWLY UNSEALED SEARCH WARRANT SHOWS
INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE STATE SENATOR JANE ORIE TRIED TO DERAIL A
GRAND JURY INVESTIGATION BY THREATENING A PUBLIC RELATIONS ATTACK
AGAINST THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY LEADING IT. THE DOCUMENTS CLAIM ORIE
WARNED D.A. STEPHEN ZAPPALA JR. SHE WOULD PUBLICLY ACCUSE HIM
BRINGING THE CHARGES FOR POLITICAL REASONS.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - GOVERNOR ED RENDELL SAYS HE SUPPORTS
INCREASING TRANSPORTATION FEES AND THE STATE GASOLINE TAX TO RAISE
MONEY FOR HIGHWAY, BRIDGE AND MASS-TRANSIT PROJECTS. RENDELL WANTS
THE LEGISLATURE TO RECONVENE THIS SUMMER TO APPROVE FUNDING TO MAKE
UP $472 MILLION A YEAR THAT DISAPPEARED WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
REFUSED TO APPROVE TOLL BOOTHS ALONG INTERSTATE 80.

EAST STROUDSBURG, PA. (AP) - TWO SENIOR CITIZENS WHO DIED IN A
POCONOS SKYDIVING ACCIDENT WERE LONGTIME FRIENDS WHO HAD JUMPED
TOGETHER FOR YEARS. 75-YEAR-OLD GEORGE FLYNN AND 70-YEAR-OLD
THEODORE WILSON OF NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., DIED OVER THE WEEKEND AFTER
THEIR PARACHUTES BECAME TANGLED DURING A JUMP.



NATIONAL NEWS

UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
NEW: NEWEST SENATOR EXPECTED TO PUT UNEMPLOYMENT EXTENSION OVER
THE TOP

WASHINGTON (AP) - SENATE DEMOCRATS ARE POISED TO FINALLY CLEAR A
PROCEDURAL HURDLE TODAY IN THEIR BID TO PASS AN EXTENSION OF
JOBLESS BENEFITS.
DEMOCRATS HAVE FALLEN SHORT ON SEVERAL PREVIOUS OCCASIONS BUT
NOW ARE ON THE VERGE OF BREAKING THE GOP FILIBUSTER.
THE VOTE IS SCHEDULED FOR SHORTLY AFTER THE NEWEST SENATOR,
36-YEAR-OLD CARTE GOODWIN, GETS SWORN IN TO SUCCEED THE LATE ROBERT
BYRD OF WEST VIRGINIA. GOODWIN WILL BE THE YOUNGEST SENATOR. BYRD
WAS THE LONGEST SERVING ONE.
GOODWIN IS EXPECTED TO PROVIDE THE 60TH VOTE THAT DEMOCRATS
NEED.
REPUBLICANS SAY THEY TOO WANT TO GET THE MONEY IN THE HANDS OF
THE UNEMPLOYED BUT BELIEVE DEMOCRATS SHOULD FIND A WAY TO PAY FOR
THE AID.
THE BENEFITS OF ABOUT 2 1/2 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE EXPIRED SINCE
EARLY JUNE WHEN AN EARLIER EXTENSION OF RAN OUT.

KAGAN-SUPREME COURT
NEW: KAGAN HEADED FOR JUDICIARY COMMITTEE APPROVAL

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE VOTES TODAY ON
THE NOMINATION OF ELENA KAGAN TO THE SUPREME COURT.
DEMOCRATS HOLD A 12-7 EDGE IN THE COMMITTEE AND SO THE ONLY
QUESTION IS THE MARGIN OF THE VOTE APPROVING HER NOMINATION.
DEMOCRATS ARE UNITED IN BACKING KAGAN AND REPUBLICANS, SO FAR,
ARE UNANIMOUS IN OPPOSING HER, THOUGH SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM MAY VOTE
FOR KAGAN, JUST AS HE DID FOR SONIA SOTOMAYOR A YEAR AGO.
ON THE EVE OF THE VOTE, KAGAN TOLD THE PANEL THAT IF CONFIRMED,
SHE'D CONSIDER RECUSING HERSELF FROM MATTERS INVOLVING THE MASSIVE
HEALTH CARE OVERHAUL ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS.
THERE'S LITTLE DOUBT THAT THE FULL SENATE WILL CONFIRM KAGAN AS
THE NATION'S 112TH JUSTICE, THOUGH PROBABLY WITH FEWER VOTES THAN
SOTOMAYOR GOT LAST YEAR.

GULF OIL SPILL
FEDS: OIL, GAS LEAKING FROM CAP ON RUPTURED WELL

WASHINGTON (AP) - OIL AND GAS ARE LEAKING FROM THE CAP ON BP'S
RUPTURED OIL WELL, BUT FEDERAL OFFICIALS INTEND TO LEAVE THE CORK
IN PLACE FOR NOW.
RETIRED COAST GUARD ADM. THAD ALLEN SAYS MONDAY AFTERNOON THAT
THE LEAKS ARE SO FAR NOT A MAJOR CONCERN.
HE ALSO SAYS SEEPAGE ABOUT TWO MILES AWAY IS LIKELY NOT RELATED
TO THE RUPTURED WELL.
ALLEN SAYS IF THERE WAS A QUICK RISE IN PRESSURE, THEY WOULD
OPEN THE WELL IMMEDIATELY TO KEEP FROM CREATING LEAKS DEEP
UNDERGROUND.

AFGHANISTAN
KARZAI CALLS FOR HELP TO BECOME SELF-RELIANT; CLINTON REASSURES
AFGHANISTAN AND AFGHAN WOMEN

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (AP) - AFGHAN PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI SAYS
VICTORY OVER MILITANTS WILL COME BY GIVING AFGHANS AS MUCH
RESPONSIBILITY AS POSSIBLE IN COMBATTING THE INSURGENCY WITHIN ITS
BORDERS.
SPEAKING AS AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OPENS IN THE AFGHAN
CAPITAL, KARZAI URGED INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS TO HELP HIS COUNTRY
MOVE TOWARD RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS OWN AFFAIRS.
SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON IS VOWING THAT THE
UNITED STATES AND THE WORLD WILL STAND BY AFGHANISTAN EVEN AS FEARS
ARE GROWING ABOUT THE COURSE OF THE NEARLY 9-YEAR-OLD WAR.
CLINTON ACKNOWLEDGED DEEPENING OPPOSITION TO INTERNATIONAL
INVOLVEMENT IN THE CONFLICT AMID RISING DEATH TOLLS OF FOREIGN
TROOPS IN THE COUNTRY.
EARLIER SHE ASSURED AFGHAN WOMEN THAT THEY WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN
AMID FEARS THAT PEACE EFFORTS WILL BRING ISLAMIST EXTREMISTS INTO
THE GOVERNMENT. UNDER TALIBAN RULE WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND ISSUES WERE
SEVERELY RESTRICTED.

SOUTH KOREA-US-ALLIANCE
GATES, CLINTON TO VISIT DMZ DIVIDING 2 KOREAS

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (AP) - DEFENSE SECRETARY ROBERT GATES AND
SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON ARE ABOUT TO BECOME THE
FIRST DEFENSE CHIEF AND TOP DIPLOMAT TO VISIT THE KOREAN
DEMILITARIZED ZONE TOGETHER.
GATES SAYS HE AND CLINTON WILL VISIT THE DMZ ON WEDNESDAY,
MEETING WITH U.S. AND SOUTH KOREAN TROOPS PROTECTING ONE OF THE
WORLD'S MOST HEAVILY FORTIFIED BORDERS.
THE TWO KOREAS TECHNICALLY REMAIN IN A STATE OF WAR BECAUSE
THEIR THREE-YEAR CONFLICT ENDED IN A TRUCE, NOT A PEACE TREATY, IN
1953. THE U.S. KEEPS 28,500 TROOPS IN SOUTH KOREA TO PROTECT ITS
ALLY AGAINST ANY AGGRESSION.
GATES' TRIP, WHICH BEGAN MONDAY NIGHT, COMES AMID CONTINUING
TENSION ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA OVER THE MARCH 26 SINKING OF A
SOUTH KOREAN WARSHIP, BLAMED ON NORTH KOREA.
NORTH KOREA FLATLY DENIES THE ACCUSATIONS AND WARNS THAT ANY
PUNISHMENT WOULD TRIGGER WAR.

CHILD HAMMER DEATH
LA COUPLE CHARGED IN TODDLER'S HAMMER DEATH

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A LOS ANGELES FOSTER MOTHER HAS BEEN CHARGED
WITH MURDER AND HER BOYFRIEND WITH BEING AS AN ACCESSORY IN THE
KILLING OF A 2-YEAR-OLD GIRL WHO WAS STRUCK WITH A HAMMER.
POLICE SAID MONDAY THAT 30-YEAR-OLD KIANA BARKER WAS ARRESTED
LAST WEEK ON MURDER AND CHILD ABUSE CHARGES.
BARKER INITIALLY TOLD INVESTIGATORS THAT SHE ACCIDENTALLY STRUCK
VIOLA VANCLIEF WITH A HAMMER WHILE TRYING TO FREE HER AFTER THE
GIRL BECAME TRAPPED IN A BED FRAME. BUT AUTHORITIES SAY RECORDS
SHOW THE CHILD HAD SEVERAL BRUISES. THE GIRL DIED MARCH 4.
BARKER IS BEING HELD ON $1.1 MILLION BAIL.
HER BOYFRIEND - 38-YEAR-OLD JAMES JULIAN - SURRENDERED SATURDAY
AFTER A WARRANT WAS ISSUED ON CHARGES OF DISSUADING A WITNESS AND
ACCESSORY TO MURDER. HE IS BEING HELD ON $1.6 MILLION BAIL.
IT WAS UNKNOWN IF EITHER HAD AN ATTORNEY.

WASHINGTON WILDFIRE
EASING WINDS HELP CREWS FIGHT WASH. WILDFIRE

YAKIMA, WASH. (AP) - LIGHT WINDS ARE HELPING FIREFIGHTERS GAIN
GROUND ON A WILDFIRE THAT HAS BURNED NEARLY 10 SQUARE MILES OF DRY
GRASS AND SAGEBRUSH IN CENTRAL WASHINGTON.
FIRE SPOKESWOMAN CHRISTY BOISSELLE (BOY-SELL') SAID MONDAY
EVENING THE FIRE IS 35 PERCENT CONTAINED.
FIRE OFFICIALS EARLIER SAID THE FIRE THAT STARTED ABOUT 10 MILES
WEST OF YAKIMA, WASH., HAD BURNED 10,000 ACRES, BUT DOWNGRADED THAT
NUMBER TO 6,200 ACRES ON MONDAY AFTER MAPPING THE BLAZE.
BOISSELLE SAYS FIRE OFFICIALS HAVE CONFIRMED THAT FLAMES
DESTROYED TWO OUTBUILDINGS AND DAMAGED A VACANT STRUCTURE, AS WELL
AS DAMAGING FENCES, PUMPHOUSES AND FRUIT TREES.
THE BLAZE STARTED SUNDAY. THE CAUSE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.
THREE FIREFIGHTERS SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES WHILE FLEEING THEIR
TRUCK.

BYRD SEAT
W.VA. SPECIAL ELECTION FOR BYRD'S SENATE SEAT SET

CHARLESTON, W.VA. (AP) - A LAST-MINUTE LEGISLATIVE COMPROMISE
HAS CLEARED THE WAY FOR A NOVEMBER ELECTION TO FILL THE LATE ROBERT
C. BYRD'S U.S. SENATE SEAT.
THE MEASURE, WHICH SETS AN AUG. 28 PRIMARY AND NOV. 2 GENERAL
ELECTION, WAS PASSED 83-7 BY THE HOUSE AND 29-0 BY THE SENATE.
THE COMPROMISE ALLOWS REPUBLICAN REP. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO TO
RUN BOTH FOR BYRD'S SEAT AND A SIXTH U.S. HOUSE TERM. SHE'S
CONSIDERED THE GOP'S TOP PROSPECT FOR WINNING THE SEAT.
GOV. JOE MANCHIN HAS SAID IT'S HIGHLY LIKELY THAT HE'LL ALSO
RUN. THE DEMOCRAT APPOINTED CARTE GOODWIN TO SUCCEED BYRD
TEMPORARILY ON FRIDAY.
THE BILL HAD TO PASS DURING MONDAY'S SPECIAL SESSION TO APPLY
THIS FALL. IT ALSO LIMITS THE DISCRETION ALLOWED SECRETARY OF STATE
NATALIE TENNANT, WHOSE OFFICE OVERSEES THE SPECIAL ELECTION.

BLAGOJEVICH TRIAL
NEW: BLAGO EXPECTED TO FOLLOW BROTHER TO WITNESS STAND

CHICAGO (AP) - FORMER ILLINOIS GOV. ROD BLAGOJEVICH MAY FINALLY
STEP INTO THE WITNESS BOX AT HIS CORRUPTION TRIAL.
THE OUSTED GOVERNOR IS EXPECTED TO TESTIFY TUESDAY, THOUGH
EXACTLY WHEN WILL DEPEND PARTLY ON HOW QUICKLY PROSECUTORS FINISH
CROSS-EXAMINING HIS BROTHER, WHO ALSO IS CHARGED.
FOR MOST OF THE TRIAL, ROBERT BLAGOJEVICH FADED INTO THE
BACKGROUND. BUT ON MONDAY, THE SOMETIMES EMOTIONAL OLDER BROTHER
TOLD JURORS HE HAD NO PART IN ALLEGED PLANS TO TRADE BARACK OBAMA'S
FORMER SENATE SEAT FOR CAMPAIGN FUNDS OR A CABINET POST FOR HIS
SIBLING.
ROD BLAGOJEVICH'S ATTORNEYS SAY THEY'LL START THEIR CASE BY
CALLING AN FBI AGENT AND A FORMER BLAGOJEVICH ADMINISTRATION BUDGET
OFFICIAL. THEY WOULD THEN CALL THE IMPEACHED GOVERNOR, WHO HAS
OFTEN PROCLAIMED HIS DESIRE TO TAKE THE STAND.

AP-UNIVISION POLL-HISPANICS
NEW: AP-UNIVISION POLL: US HISPANICS MIX HOPES, STRAINS

MIAMI (AP) - AN ASSOCIATED PRESS-UNIVISION POLL OF THE NATION'S
HISPANICS SHOWS THAT THE LARGEST AND FASTEST-GROWING MINORITY HAS
HIGH HOPES FOR THE FUTURE, BUT FEELS CONSTRAINED BY DEEP FINANCIAL
PROBLEMS AND WORRIES.
LATINOS WIDELY BELIEVE EDUCATION IS CRUCIAL AND SHOULD BE THE
MOST IMPORTANT GOAL FOR BOYS AND GIRLS FINISHING HIGH SCHOOL.
BUT IN NUMBERS WELL EXCEEDING THE GENERAL POPULATION, LARGE
PERCENTAGES OF HISPANICS SAY THEY OR A FAMILY MEMBER HAVE RECENTLY
BEEN UNEMPLOYED, AND EXPRESS WORRY ABOUT LOSING JOBS AND PAYING
BILLS.
HISPANICS ALSO HAVE COMPLEX VIEWS OF THEIR ROLE IN U.S. SOCIETY.
A MAJORITY SAYS IT IS IMPORTANT TO BLEND - YET AN EVEN LARGER
MAJORITY SAYS IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN THEIR DISTINCT CULTURES.

ARIZONA-MARINA FIRE
2 CHILDREN FOUND DEAD AFTER FIRE AT ARIZ. MARINA

TEMPLE BAR, ARIZ. (AP) - TWO CHILDREN HAVE BEEN FOUND DEAD AFTER
A TRAILER FIRE IN EMPLOYEE HOUSING AT A MARINA IN THE LAKE MEAD
NATIONAL RECREATION AREA, ON THE ARIZONA-NEVADA BORDER.
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SPOKESMAN ANDREW MUNOZ SAYS THE
SINGLE-WIDE TRAILER AT WAS FULLY ENGULFED WHEN PARK SERVICE
VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS AND PARK RANGERS ARRIVED AT THE TEMPLE BAR
MARINA ON MONDAY.
FEW OTHER DETAILS WERE RELEASED.
MUNOZ SAYS THE VICTIMS' NAMES, AGES AND HOMETOWNS WERE BEING
WITHHELD PENDING COMPLETION OF THE PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION. THE
BODIES HAVE BEEN TURNED OVER TO THE MOHAVE COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER.
INVESTIGATORS FROM THE PARK SERVICE AND THE CLARK COUNTY FIRE
DEPARTMENT IN LAS VEGAS ARE TRYING TO DETERMINE THE FIRE'S CAUSE.
TEMPLE BAR MARINA IS ABOUT 45 MILES FROM HOOVER DAM.