TODAY'S NEWS - MONDAY AUGUST, 9 2010

LOCAL NEWS

LOCAL FRAUD/IDENTITY THEFT

THERE IS A LOCAL FRAUD GOING ON NOW THAT INVOLVES A PHONE CALL WITH THE ACTOR CLAIMING TO BE A ELDERLY GRANDPARENT OR SEMI-DISTANT RELATIVE. THEY CLAIM THAT THEY HAVE BEEN ARRESTED OR IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AND ARE ASKING FOR MONEY TO BE WIRED TO THEM TO PAY FOR THE FINES OR DAMAGES. THE ACTOR USES A SOLID PIECE OF ACCURATE INFORMATION, WHICH THEY OBTAIN FROM PUBLIC INFORMATION SOURCES AS WELL AS BLOG POSTINGS AND INTERNET SOCIAL WEBSITES, TO CONVINCE THE VICTIM THAT THEY ARE ACTUALLY THERE RELATIVE. THEY ACTOR ALSO DISGUISES THEIR VOICE TO PORTRAY AUTHENTICITY. THE VICTIM IS ASKED TO WIRE THE MONEY TO A LOCATION OUTSIDE THE U.S., WHICH HIGHLY COMPLICATES THE LOCAL INVESTIGATION. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON THIS SCAM IS TO CONTACT THE OFFICE OF THE PA ATTORNEY GENERAL.

HIT AND RUN ON SWEET ARROW LAKE

A WOMAN BELIEVED TO BE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND OTHER CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES HIT A PENNDOT ROAD SIGN EARLY YESTERDAY MORNING ON SWEET ARROW LAKE ROAD NEAR EBLING AUTO GLASS. JENNIFER PICKETT, 25 OF SCHUYLKILL HAVE, WAS TRAVELING EAST ON SWEET ARROW LAKE ROAD WHEN SHE LOST CONTROL OF HER 2002 SATURN SC-1. AFTER STRIKING THE ROAD SIGN, PICKETT DROVE ALONG THE BERM AND GOT HUNG UP OF A PIECE OF CONCRETE. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS LATER, SHE WAS ABLE TO FREE HER CAR FROM THE CONCRETE AND FLED THE SCENE. PICKET WAS PICKED UP IN CRESSONA TRAVELING NORTH ON 183 SEVERAL MINUTES LATER.

17 YEAR OLD IN CRASH ON 443

A 17 YEAR OLD FROM PINE GROVE LOST CONTROL THEIR 1999 DODGE- DAKOTA IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT ON SATURDAY ON 443. THE 17-YEAR OLD WAS TRAVELING TOO FAST FOR A RIGHT CURVE ON THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK A CONCRETE BRIDGE. THE DAKOTA TRAVELED ACROSS 443 AND THEN HIT A GUIDERAIL BEFORE ROLLING OVER AND LANDING ON ITS ROOF. THE CRASH HAPPENED JUST EAST OF WATERFALL ROAD IN PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP. THE 17YEAR OLD IS BELIEVED WAS BELIEVED TO BE UNDER THE INFLUENCE, FAILED THE FIELD SOBRIETY TEST AND WAS PLACED UNDER ARREST.


17TH ANNUAL GREAT POTTSVILLE CRUISE DRAWS 1500 CRUISERS

THE 17TH ANNUAL GREAT POTTSVILLE CRUISE WRAPPED UP YESTERDAY WITH OVER 1500 CRUISERS DRIVING DOWN W. MARKET STREET. 10,000 SPECTATORS CAME OUT TO WATCH THE EVENT, WITH WAS THE BIGGEST DRAW IN OVER 8 YEARS. PERFECT WEATHER CONDITIONS PLAYED A BIG FACTOR IN YESTERDAY’S SUCCESS. LAST YEAR IT RAINED, AND THE YEAR BEFORE IT HAILED. A VARIETY OF CRUISE VEHICLES ENTERED THE EVENT. THERE WAS EVEN A COFFIN THAT WAS TURNED INTO A MUSCLE CAR. THE BEST OF CRUISE, SPONSORED BY SCHUYLKILL PLUS MAGAZINE WAS A 1947 CADILLACE SEDANETTE OWNED BY MARY ANN AND TOBY MARINUCCI OF SCRANTON, AND BEST 50’S CRUISE CAR, THE POTTSVILLE LIONS PRESIDENT AWARD WENT TO WILL RAMPH JR OF JERSEY SHORE, PA FOR THIS 1956 FORD CROWN VICTORIA.


STATE NEWS

SALINA, PA. (AP) - FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS ARE WORKING TO REMOVE
THE WRECKAGE OF A PLANE FROM A WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE HIT BY
THE AIRCRAFT SATURDAY, KILLING BOTH MEN ABOARD BUT MISSING THE
HOMEOWNER. A WESTMORELAND COUNTY SPOKESMAN SAYS WORKERS ARE MAKING
"SLOW PROGRESS" IN TRYING TO REMOVE THE FUSELAGE FROM THE HOME
ABOUT 90 MILES NORTH OF PITTSBURGH.

LANCASTER, PA. (AP) - A CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA MAN WAS ONE OF 10
MEMBERS OF A MEDICAL TEAM GUNNED DOWN IN A TALIBAN ATTACK IN
AFGHANISTAN. THE MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE SAYS THE FAMILY OF
GLEN LAPP OF LANCASTER WAS TOLD OF HIS DEATH SUNDAY MORNING. HE WAS
PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE MISSION PROVIDING EYE CARE AND
MEDICAL HELP.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A 12-YEAR-OLD AUTISTIC BOY IS DEAD AFTER A
FIRE SWEPT THROUGH HIS WEST PHILADELPHIA HOME. TWO FIREFIGHTERS AND
A WOMAN WERE INJURED IN THE BLAZE SATURDAY NIGHT. THE CAUSE OF THE
FIRE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

DOYLESTOWN, PA. (AP) - SCORES OF MOSTLY POLISH CATHOLIC PILGRIMS
SPENT THEIR WEEKEND TREKKING FROM NEW JERSEY TO SUBURBAN
PHILADELPHIA IN AN ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE TO A CATHOLIC SHRINE. THE
BUCKS COUNTY COURIER TIMES REPORTS THE 65-MILE WALK BEGAN THURSDAY
AT SAINTS PETER AND PAUL CHURCH IN NEW JERSEY AND ENDED AT THE
NATIONAL SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA (CHEN-STA-HOH'-VAH)' IN
DOYLESTOWN.




NATIONAL NEWS

GULF OIL SPILL
CEMENT PLUG HAS HARDENED, RELIEF WELL TO BE COMPLETED

THERIOT, LA. (AP) - THE STAGE IS SET FOR THE FINAL PHASE IN THE
DRILLING OF A RELIEF WELL, PART OF THE PERMANENT SOLUTION TO THE
GULF OF MEXICO OIL SPILL.
BP SAYS THE CEMENT THAT WAS POURED INTO THE BUSTED OIL WELL TO
SEAL IT HAS HARDENED. ONCE THE RELIEF WELL INTERSECTS THE BROKEN
WELL, MORE MUD AND CEMENT WILL BE POURED IN.
CREWS WILL CAREFULLY DRILL ABOUT 30 FEET AT A TIME, AND BP SAYS
IT WILL LIKELY BE NEXT WEEKEND BEFORE THE TWO WELLS MEET.

GULF OIL SPILL-HURRICANE PLAN
NEW: STORM PLAN COULD DELAY GULF OIL SPILL CLEANUP

WASHINGTON (AP) - IF A HURRICANE HITS THE GULF COAST THIS
SEASON, WORKERS CLEANING UP THE BP OIL SPILL WON'T BE ABLE TO SWOOP
IMMEDIATELY INTO ACTION TO FIX THE MESS.
ACCORDING TO A RESPONSE PLAN OBTAINED BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, A
NEW OBAMA ADMINISTRATION EDICT REQUIRES THAT THE OIL BE TESTED FOR
ITS ORIGIN BEFORE IT CAN BE CLEANED UP.
THAT'S SUPPOSED TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO GET
REIMBURSED FROM BP IF A HURRICANE SPREADS OIL FROM THE GULF OF
MEXICO INTO BACKYARDS, NEIGHBORHOODS AND WETLANDS.
IT COULD ALSO CAUSE FRUSTRATING DELAYS AND PREVENT RESIDENTS
FROM RETURNING TO THEIR HOMES WHILE THE GOVERNMENT FIGURES OUT WHO
PAYS.

AFGHANISTAN
UPDATE: AMERICAN KILLED IN BOMB ATTACK

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (AP) - A U.S. SERVICE MEMBER HAS BEEN KILLED
IN A BOMB ATTACK IN SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN.
NATO ALSO SAYS AN AFGHAN CHILD HAS BEEN SHOT AND KILLED DURING A
GUNBATTLE BETWEEN NATO FORCES AND INSURGENTS.
MEANWHILE, THE BODIES OF TEN RELIEF WORKERS, INCLUDING SIX
AMERICANS, HAVE BEEN RETURNED TO KABUL. THE TALIBAN SAY THE WORKERS
WERE KILLED FOR TRYING TO CONVERT AFGHANS TO CHRISTIANITY, BUT
COLLEAGUES DENY IT.
ALSO BROUGHT BACK TO KABUL WAS AN AFGHAN DRIVER WHO WAS THE LONE
SURVIVOR OF THE ATTACK. POLICE SAY THEY DON'T KNOW IF HE PLAYED A
ROLE IN THE KILLINGS.

INDONESIA-TERROR ARREST
RADICAL INDONESIAN CLERIC ARRESTED FOR TERRORISM

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (AP) - A RADICAL CLERIC IN INDONESIA IS ONCE
AGAIN BEHIND BARS.
ABU BAKAR BASHIR (AH-BOO' BAH-KAR' BAH-SHEER') HAD SPENT 2 1/2
YEARS IN PRISON FOR HIS INVOLVEMENT WITH A TERROR GROUP BEHIND THE
2002 BOMBINGS IN BALI THAT KILLED MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE. HIS LAWYER
SAYS HE'S NOW BEEN ARRESTED AGAIN FOR ALLEGED TIES TO A NEW
MILITANT NETWORK.

GERMANY-MOSQUE CLOSED
GERMAN MOSQUE USED BY 9/11 ATTACKERS SHUT DOWN

BERLIN (AP) - GERMAN AUTHORITIES SAY THEY HAVE CLOSED A HAMBURG
MOSQUE USED BY THE SEPT. 11 ATTACKERS AS A MEETING PLACE BEFORE
THEY MOVED TO THE UNITED STATES.
A STATEMENT BY HAMBURG OFFICIALS SAYS THE TAIBA MOSQUE WAS SHUT
DOWN AND ITS CULTURAL ASSOCIATION WAS BANNED ON MONDAY.
THE PRAYER HOUSE, FORMERLY KNOWN AS AL-QUDS MOSQUE, USED TO BE A
MEETING AND RECRUITING POINT FOR SOME OF THE SEPT. 11 ATTACKERS.
WEEKLY NEWS MAGAZINE FOCUS CITES A REPORT BY A LOCAL
INTELLIGENCE AGENCY BRANCH IN SAYING THE MOSQUE HAS AGAIN BECOME
THE CITY'S "MAIN CENTER OF ATTRACTION FOR THE JIHAD SCENE." IT
SAYS SOME MEMBERS WHO BELONGED TO THE TAIBA GROUP AND PRAYED AT THE
MOSQUE HAVE MOVED ON TO A RADICAL TRAINING CAMP IN UZBEKISTAN.

GAZA BLOCKADE
NEW: NETANYAHU TESTIFIES ABOUT VIOLENCE ON TURKISH SHIP

JERUSALEM (AP) - ISRAEL'S PRIME MINISTER IS TESTIFYING BEFORE
HIS COUNTRY'S INQUIRY COMMISSION ABOUT THE BLOODSHED ABOARD A
TURKISH SHIP THAT TRIED TO BREAK THE GAZA BLOCKADE IN MAY.
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU SAYS HE IS CERTAIN THE INQUIRY WILL SHOW
ISRAEL ACTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL LAW.
NETANYAHU PRAISED THE COMMANDOS WHO BOARDED THE MAVI MARMARA. HE
SAYS TURKEY SHOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE FLOTILLA FROM SAILING BUT WAS
APPARENTLY INTERESTED IN A STANDOFF WITH ISRAEL.
ISRAELI COMMANDOS MET VIOLENT RESISTANCE FROM THE ACTIVISTS ON
THE SHIP AND OPENED FIRE, KILLING NINE PEOPLE. THE BLOODSHED DREW
INTERNATIONAL CRITICISM.
THE ISRAELI COMMISSION IS MEANT TO LOOK AT THE GOVERNMENT'S
DECISION-MAKING RELATED TO THE RAID. THE U.N. HAS ALSO ANNOUNCED
ITS OWN INQUIRY.

RETURNING HOUSE
NEW: HOUSE MEMBERS SCURRY BACK TO PASS JOBS BILL

WASHINGTON (AP) - HOUSE MEMBERS ARE RETURNING TO WASHINGTON FROM
THEIR SUMMER RECESS TO QUICKLY PASS A JOBS BILL THAT DEMOCRATS SAY
IS CRUCIAL TO THE NATION'S WELL-BEING.
THE UNUSUAL IN-AND-OUT SESSION WAS CALLED BECAUSE THE SENATE
WAITED UNTIL LAST THURSDAY TO PASS ITS $26 BILLION JOBS BILL. THE
LEGISLATION IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TEACHERS
AND AN EQUAL NUMBER OF OTHER STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKERS
FROM LOSING THEIR JOBS.
WITH THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR JUST WEEKS AWAY, ELECTION SEASON FAST
APPROACHING AND THE OVERALL JOB PICTURE STILL BLEAK, DEMOCRATS HAD
NO CHOICE BUT TO ACT QUICKLY.

BEER DISTRIBUTOR SHOOTING-VIGIL
VIGIL FOR CONN. BEER WAREHOUSE SHOOTING VICTIMS

MANCHESTER, CONN (AP) - THE TOWN MANAGER OF MANCHESTER, CONN.
SAYS A VIGIL TO REMEMBER THE VICTIMS OF A DEADLY WORKPLACE SHOOTING
WAS A "GOOD END TO AN AWFUL, AWFUL WEEK."
SOME 500 PEOPLE GATHERED AT A COMMUNITY PARK SUNDAY NIGHT TO
REMEMBER THOSE KILLED NEARLY A WEEK AGO WHEN A DRIVER AT A BEER
DISTRIBUTION COMPANY OPENED FIRE ON CO-WORKERS, KILLING EIGHT. OMAR
THORTON THEN CALLED 911 BEFORE KILLING HIMSELF.
THORTON BEGAN SHOOTING AFTER HE WAS CONFRONTED FOR STEALING BEER
FROM THE WAREHOUSE, AND WAS TOLD TO EITHER QUIT OR BE FIRED.
THORTON CLAIMED IN THE 911 CALL THAT HE AND OTHER BLACK EMPLOYEES
WERE MISTREATED ON THE JOB.
SUNDAY NIGHT, MOURNERS LIT CANDLES, HUGGED EACH OTHER AND CRIED
AS A VIOLIN PLAYED. PASTOR CARLOS COPPIN OF THE FIRST HISPANIC
BAPTIST CHURCH OFFERED PRAYERS IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH.
LEON THIBODEAU, WHO CAME TO MOURN FRIEND BILL ACKERMAN, SAYS
ACKERMAN WOULD HAVE BEEN BEEN PROUD TO SEE THE GATHERING. THIBODEAU
SAYS, "HE WAS THE NICEST GUY YOU COULD EVER MEET." HE ADDED, "I
JUST REALLY MISS MY FRIEND."

DRUG WAR-MEXICO
EX-MEXICO PRESIDENT CALLS FOR LEGALIZING DRUGS

MEXICO CITY (AP) - FORMER MEXICAN PRESIDENT VICENTE
(VIH-SEN'-TAY) FOX IS URGING HIS SUCCESSOR TO LEGALIZE DRUGS,
SAYING DOING SO COULD BREAK THE POWER BRUTAL DRUG CARTELS HAVE ON
THE COUNTRY.
FOX'S COMMENTS, POSTED SUNDAY ON HIS BLOG, COME LESS THAN A WEEK
AFTER PRESIDENT FELIPE CALDERON (FAY-LEE'-PAY KAHL-DUH-ROHN')
AGREED TO OPEN THE DOOR TO DISCUSSIONS ABOUT LEGALIZING DRUGS IN
MEXICO. BUT CALDERON STRESSED THAT HE REMAINS OPPOSED TO THE IDEA.
FOX SAYS LEGALIZING THE PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION AND SALE OF
DRUGS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BECAUSE "RADICAL PROHIBITION STRATEGIES
HAVE NEVER WORKED."

MEXICO-GAY MARRIAGE
CARDINAL: HIGH COURT WRONG TO UPHOLD GAY MARRIAGE

MEXICO CITY (AP) - MEXICO'S SUPREME COURT IS COMING UNDER FIRE
FROM A ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP FOR UPHOLDING A LAW ALLOWING GAYS
TO MARRY IN THE COUNTRY'S CAPITAL.
MEXICAN CARDINAL NORBERTO RIVERA SAYS THE RULING IS "IMMORAL."
HE SAYS IT'S WRONG TO GO AGAINST CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE THAT RECOGNIZES
ONLY MARRIAGES BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN.
IN A STATEMENT, HE SAYS, "THE CHURCH CANNOT FAIL TO CALL EVIL
EVIL."
ON THURSDAY, THE SUPREME COURT UPHELD THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF
GAY MARRIAGES IN MEXICO CITY UNDER A LAW PASSED BY THE STATE
LEGISLATURE. MEXICO'S FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAD SOUGHT TO NULLIFY THE
LAW.
THE CITY GOVERNMENT SAID LAST WEEK THAT 320 SAME-SEX COUPLES HAD
MARRIED SINCE MARCH.

PET FOOD SALMONELLA
FIDO'S FOOD COULD BE MAKING KIDS SICK, REPORT SAYS

CHICAGO (AP) - YOUR CHILDREN COULD GET SICK FROM THE FOOD YOUR
PET EATS.
THAT'S ACCORDING TO A NEW GOVERNMENT REPORT ABOUT THE FIRST
KNOWN SALMONELLA OUTBREAK IN HUMANS LINKED TO PET FOOD.
RESEARCHERS SAY THE CHILDREN PROBABLY BECAME INFECTED BY
TOUCHING ANIMALS OR DIRTY PET FOOD DISHES AND THEN PUTTING THEIR
HANDS IN THEIR MOUTHS.
THEY RECOMMEND ROUTINELY CLEANING PET FOOD BOWLS AND FEEDING
AREAS, AND KEEPING YOUNG CHILDREN AWAY FROM PET FOOD AND FEEDING
AREAS.
THE REPORT WAS PUBLISHED ONLINE MONDAY BY THE MEDICAL JOURNAL
PEDIATRICS.

OBIT-PATRICIA NEAL
OSCAR-WINNER ACTRESS PATRICIA NEAL DIES AT AGE 84

EDGARTON, MASS. (AP) - OSCAR-WINNING ACTRESS PATRICIA NEAL HAS
DIED AT THE AGE OF 84.
SHE'D HAD LUNG CANCER -- AND HER FAMILY SAYS SHE FACED IT WITH
"GRACE" AND "STUBBORNNESS."
NEAL HAD SUFFERED A SERIES OF STROKES AT THE AGE OF 39, AND
AFTER STRUGGLING TO AGAIN WALK AND TALK SHE EARNED ANOTHER OSCAR
NOMINATION.
SHE DIED AT HER HOME IN EDGARTON, MASS., ON MARTHA'S VINEYARD.
THE KENTUCKY-BORN NEAL, FAMOUS FOR HER HUSKY VOICE, WAS ALREADY
A TONY-WINNING STAGE ACTRESS WHEN SHE MADE HER FILM DEBUT IN 1949.
SHE WAS BEST KNOWN FOR HER OSCAR-WINNING ROLE IN "HUD" -- BUT HER
MOVIES ALSO INCLUDED "THE FOUNTAINHEAD" AND "A FACE IN THE
CROWD."