TODAY'S NEWS - TUESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2010

LOCAL NEWS

VOLUNTEER FIRE AND AMBULANCE GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

VOLUNTEER FIRE AND AMBULANCE GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2010 ARE NOW AVAILABLE. STATE REP. JERRY KNOWLES AND THE COMMONWEALTH FIRE COMMISSIONER ED MANN ARE ENCOURAGING LOCAL FIRE COMPANIES AND AMBULANCE SERVICES TO TRY TO OBTAIN GRANTS THROUGH THE VOLUNTEER AMBULANCE SERVICE GRANT PROGRAM. THERE IS $25 MILLION AVAILABLE FOR THESE GRANTS IN THE STATE, AND THEY CAN BE USED FOR CONSTRUCTION OR RENOVATION OF A UNIT’S STATION, THE PURCHASE OR REPAIR OF EQUIPMENT, DEBT REDUCTION OR TRAINING. THE GRANTS CAP AT $15,000 FOR VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANIES AND $10,000 FOR AMBULANCE SERVICES. GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE FIRE COMPANIES WILL BE CONTINGENT ON THEIR AGREEING TO PARTICIPATE IN AND REPORT INFORMATION USING THE PA FIRE INFORMATION REPORTING SYSTEM. APPLICATIONS CAN BE SUBMITTED BETWEEN SEPT 7 AND OCT 21. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT REP. KNOWLES WEBSITE.

CRASH ON ROUTE 54 CLOSES ROAD FOR 9 HOURS

A TRACTOR-TRAILER CRASHED YESTERDAY ON ROUTE 54 CLOSING THE ROAD FOR 9 HOURS. IT’S THE SAME PLACE A SIMILAR CRASH OCCURRED LAST WEDNESDAY. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED IN HOMETOWN AROUND 7:10AM YESTERDAY MORNING, WHEN KEVIN SMITH, 20 OF DANBORO, LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK VEERING OFF THE ROADWAY, STRIKING A WOODEN UTILITY POLE AND ROLLING ON IT’S SIDE. SMITH WAS CARRYING A COAL BYPRODUCT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE TO OVERSEE THE REMOVAL OF DIRT ALONG THE ROADWAY WHERE FUEL LEAKED FROM THE TRUCK’S GAS TANK. LAST WEDNESDAY, STEVEN EVANOFSKI ALSO LOST CONTROL OF HIS TRACTOR-TRAILER AND FLIPPED ON IT’S SIDE AFTER VEERING OFF THE ROAD AT THE SAME LOCATION. BOTH MEN WERE ABLE TO ESCAPE UNINJURED. EVEN THOUGH THESE CRASHES HAPPENED IN LESS THAN ONE WEEK AT THE SAME PLACE, POLICE SAY THE HIGHWAY ITSELF ISN’T DANGEROUS IF TRAVELING AT THE POSTED SPEEDS.

ANIMAL FOOD FACILITY CATCHES ON FIRE IN HIGGINS

MICHAEL’S FOOD INDUSTRIES, AN ANIMAL FOOD FACILITY, CAUGHT FIRE LAST NIGHT. THE CALL CAME IN JUST BEFORE 9PM TO THE SACRAMENTO FIRE COMPANY. HEAVY SMOKE WAS POURING FROM THE BUILDING WITH FIREFIGHTERS GOT TO SCENE. THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED BY SCHUYLKILL AND DAUPHIN COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS. IT SEEMS THAT MATERIAL CAUGHT FIRE BY A DRYER LOCATED NEAR THE ROOF OF THE FACILITY, WHICH PROCESSES EGG BYPRODUCTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF ANIMAL FOOD. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.




MEDICAL CONDITION TO BLAME FOR ROUTE 61 CRASH IN ASHLAND

A MEDICAL CONDITION IS TO BLAME FOR A MAN WHO CRASHED HIS CAR ON ROUTE 61 IN ASHLAND YESTERDAY MORNING. JOSEPH MCGINLEY OF 400 N. 19TH STREET WENT OFF THE ROAD AND STRUCK A UTILITY POLE NEAR THE FORMER QUICK SNACK SHOP, CONTINUED ON AND THEN STRUCK A BRICK ISLAND THAT HOUSES THE SIGN FOR THE FORMER BUSINESS. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED AROUND 11:15AM YESTERDAY. ASHLAND FIREFIGHTERS AND EMS REMOVED MCGINLEY FROM HIS VEHICLE AND HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO SAINT CATHERINE MEDICAL CENTER IN FOUNTAIN SPRINGS. INFORMATION ON HIS CONDITION IS UNAVAILABLE.

WOMAN INJURED IN ROUTE 1010 CRASH

A WOMAN HAS BEEN INJURED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH THAT OCCURRED ON ROUTE 1010 IN MAHANOY TOWNSHIP EARLY YESTERDAY MORNING. JILL J. FETTERMAN, 38, WAS DRIVING HER 2003 MITSUBISHI MONTERO WHEN SHE FAILED TO ROUND A LEFT CURVE, WENT OFF THE ROAD, ROLLED AND STRUCK AT TREE. THE CRASH HAPPENED AROUND 3:05AM MONDAY MORNING ON POTTSIE HILL. FETTERMAN WAS TAKEN TO SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER AND TREATED FOR A LACERATION ON HER HEAD. SHE WILL BE CITED FOR DRIVING TOO FAST FOR CONDITIONS AND NOT DRIVING ON ROADWAYS LANED FOR TRAFFIC.



STATE NEWS

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A HIGH PROFILE REPUBLICAN IS THROWING HIS
SUPPORT BEHIND DEMOCRAT JOE SESTAK IN PENNSYLVANIA'S U.S. SENATE
RACE. FORMER NEBRASKA SENATOR CHUCK HAGEL IS BACKING SESTAK IN HIS
RACE AGAINST FORMER REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN PAT TOOMEY. HAGEL PLANS
TO ANNOUNCE HIS ENDORSEMENT TODAY AT NEWS CONFERENCES WITH SESTAK
IN PITTSBURGH AND PHILADELPHIA.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - REPUBLICAN SENATE CANDIDATE PAT TOOMEY
SAYS DEMOCRATIC HOPEFUL JOE SESTAK SHARES THE BLAME FOR THE
NATION'S CONTINUING ECONOMIC PROBLEMS. THE FORMER CONGRESSMAN
CHARGED THAT LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC POLICIES WHICH SESTAK SUPPORTS ARE
OBSTRUCTING, INSTEAD OF HELPING, THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - GOVERNOR ED RENDELL AND HIS
TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY ARE PRESSING LAWMAKERS TO PROVIDE A
MASSIVE INFUSION OF NEW MONEY FOR ROADS, BRIDGES AND MASS TRANSIT
BEFORE THE TWO-YEAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION ENDS. RENDELL WANTS TO TAX
OIL COMPANIES AND INCREASE MOTORISTS FEES TO RAISE ABOUT $1 BILLION
A YEAR.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - BLOGGERS IN PHILADELPHIA ARE UP IN ARMS
ABOUT WHAT THEY'RE CALLING AN UNFAIR TAX. THE CITY'S SO-CALLED
BUSINESS PRIVILEGE LICENSE COSTS $50 A YEAR OR $300 FOR A LIFETIME.
BLOGGERS WHO MAKE MONEY OFF ADVERTISING OR SELL GOODS ON THE
INTERNET MUST PAY FOR THE LICENSE AND PAY TAXES ON PROFITS. SOME
BLOGGERS ARE COMPLAINING THAT THE FEE WOULD IMPINGE ON THEIR FREE
SPEECH.


NATIONAL NEWS

LIRR DISRUPTIONS
DELAYS FORECAST ON NY'S HUGE LONG ISLAND RAIL ROAD

NEW YORK (AP) - IT'S PROBABLY NOT GOING TO BE A PRETTY PICTURE
IN THE MORNING FOR PASSENGERS TRAVELING IN NEW YORK CITY AND ITS
SUBURBS ON THE NATION'S LARGEST COMMUTER TRAIN SYSTEM.
THE LONG ISLAND RAIL ROAD SAYS THERE WILL BE SIGNIFICANT
SCHEDULE CHANGES AND DELAYS DURING TUESDAY'S RUSH HOURS AFTER AN
ELECTRICAL FIRE IN A SWITCHING TOWER.
THE FIRE HALTED TRAIN SERVICE FOR FOUR HOURS EARLY MONDAY AND
DISRUPTED THE EVENING COMMUTE.
THE RAILROAD SAYS IT'S LIKELY TO TAKE SEVERAL DAYS TO REPAIR THE
TOWER'S SWITCHING MACHINE AND WIRING. HUNDREDS OF WIRES NEED TO BE
CHECKED FOR POSSIBLE FIRE DAMAGE.
THE FIRE HAPPENED NEAR THE JAMAICA STATION IN QUEENS, A MAJOR
TRANSFER POINT FOR COMMUTERS GOING TO OR FROM MANHATTAN AND
BROOKLYN AND TO VARIOUS LOCATIONS ACROSS LONG ISLAND.
THE RAILROAD CARRIES ABOUT 265,000 DAILY RIDERS.

CARTER-NKOREA
AP SOURCE: CARTER GOING TO NKOREA TO FREE AMERICAN

WASHINGTON (AP) - A SENIOR U.S. OFFICIAL SAYS FORMER PRESIDENT
JIMMY CARTER PLANS TO TRAVEL TO NORTH KOREA TO BRING BACK AN
AMERICAN CITIZEN NOW DETAINED IN THE COMMUNIST NATION.
THE OFFICIAL SAID LATE MONDAY THAT CARTER IS EXPECTED TO DEPART
ON TUESDAY ON A "PURELY HUMANITARIAN MISSION" TO FREE AIJALON
MAHLI GOMES (GOHMS), WHO WAS ARRESTED AND SENTENCED IN APRIL TO
EIGHT YEARS OF HARD LABOR FOR ENTERING NORTH KOREA ILLEGALLY AND
FOR AN UNSPECIFIED "HOSTILE ACT."
THE U.S. OFFICIAL SAID NO AMERICAN OFFICIALS WILL TRAVEL WITH
CARTER.
THE OFFICIAL SAID NORTH KOREA HAD AGREED TO FREE GOMES IF CARTER
CAME TO BRING HIM HOME.
THE OFFICIAL SPOKE ON CONDITION OF ANONYMITY DUE TO THE
SENSITIVITY OF THE SITUATION.
FOREIGN POLICY MAGAZINE FIRST REPORTED THE CARTER TRIP MONDAY.

TROPICAL WEATHER
HURRICANE DANIELLE FORMS IN ATLANTIC

MIAMI (AP) - HURRICANE DANIELLE HAS FORMED FAR FROM LAND IN THE
ATLANTIC WITH MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS OF 85 MPH AND IT'S EXPECTED
TO STRENGTHEN IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.
DANIELLE IS THE SECOND ATLANTIC HURRICANE OF THE YEAR. ON MONDAY
NIGHT, IT WAS ABOUT 1,205 MILES EAST OF THE LESSER ANTILLES
ISLANDS.
FORECASTERS SAY THE STORM COULD BECOME A MAJOR HURRICANE BY LATE
TUESDAY.
MEANWHILE, TROPICAL STORM FRANK HAS WEAKENED SLIGHTLY IN THE
PACIFIC. ITS MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS WERE 50 MPH BUT IT COULD GAIN
STRENGTH AGAIN IN THE NEXT DAY OR SO.
A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR MEXICO'S COAST FROM
ACAPULCO TO PUNTA SAN TELMO.

SOLDIER KILLINGS
GUILTY PLEA AT LEWIS-MCCHORD IN SOLDIER KILLINGS

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WASH. (AP) - ATTORNEYS FOR A WOMAN WHO
PLEADED GUILTY TO KILLING TWO FELLOW SOLDIERS AND KIDNAPPING THEIR
BABY ARE EXPECTED TO PRESENT THEIR CASE TUESDAY IN THE SENTENCING
PHASE OF THE WOMAN'S COURT MARTIAL.
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD SPOKESWOMAN CATHERINE CARUSO SAYS THE
GOVERNMENT RESTED ITS CASE IN THE PENALTY PHASE MONDAY EVENING.
IVETTE G. DAVILA PLEADED GUILTY EARLIER MONDAY TO PREMEDITATED
MURDER AND KIDNAPPING TO AVOID A POSSIBLE DEATH PENALTY. SHE FACES
LIFE IN PRISON, BUT THE JUDGE WILL DECIDE WHETHER HER SENTENCE WILL
INCLUDE THE POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE.
DAVILA IS ACCUSED IN THE MARCH 2008 SHOOTINGS OF STAFF SGT.
TIMOTHY MILLER AND SGT. RANDI MILLER IN THE COUPLE'S PARKLAND HOME.
OFFICIALS SAY DAVILA POURED MURIATIC ACID OVER THE BODIES IN A
BATHTUB AND TOOK THE COUPLE'S BABY GIRL UNHARMED.

BLAGOJEVICH-DAILY SHOW
BLAGOJEVICH APPEARS ON JON STEWART'S SHOW

NEW YORK (AP) - DESPITE GOADING FROM "THE DAILY SHOW" HOST JON
STEWART, FORMER ILLINOIS GOV. ROD BLAGOJEVICH DECLINED TO VOW THAT
HE WOULD TESTIFY IF HE IS RETRIED ON CORRUPTION CHARGES.
BLAGOJEVICH APPEARED ON STEWART'S TV SHOW ON COMEDY CENTRAL ON
MONDAY NIGHT AS PART OF A NEW MEDIA BLITZ AFTER BEING CONVICTED
LAST WEEK OF ONLY ONE CRIMINAL CHARGE. THE JURY DEADLOCKED ON 23
OTHERS.
BLAGOJEVICH CONTINUED TO PROCLAIM HIS INNOCENCE AND TO ATTACK
WHAT HE SAID WAS THE WEAK CASE OF FEDERAL PROSECUTORS.
STEWART REMINDED HIM REPEATEDLY OF HIS EARLIER PROMISES TO TAKE
THE STAND, CHALLENGING HIM TO MAKE GOOD ON THAT BOAST.
IN RESPONSE, BLAGOJEVICH SAID ONLY THAT HE WOULD HAVE A
"CHANCE" TO DO THAT IN A RETRIAL.

ANSEL ADAMS-LOST WORK
ANSEL ADAMS TRUST SUES OVER GARAGE SALE NEGATIVES

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - THE ANSEL ADAMS PUBLISHING TRUST IS SUING A
CALIFORNIA MAN FOR SELLING PRINTS AND POSTERS UNDER THE NAME OF THE
FAMED NATURE PHOTOGRAPHER.
THE CASE, FILED MONDAY IN FEDERAL COURT IN SAN FRANCISCO, IS THE
LATEST SALVO IN A DISPUTE OVER A TROVE OF GLASS NEGATIVES BOUGHT AT
A GARAGE SALE BY RICK NORSIGIAN AND PURPORTED TO BE ADAMS' LOST
WORK.
THE LAWSUIT SEEKS TO STOP NORSIGIAN AND CONSULTING FIRM PRS
MEDIA PARTNERS FROM USING ADAMS' NAME, LIKENESS AND TRADEMARK TO
SELL PRINTS NOT AUTHORIZED BY THE TRUST. THE SUIT ALLEGES TRADEMARK
INFRINGEMENT AND OTHER CLAIMS.
LAST MONTH, NORSIGIAN AND HIS LAWYER, ARNOLD PETER, SAID A PANEL
OF EXPERTS AUTHENTICATED THE WORK AND VALUED IT AT ABOUT $200
MILLION.
PETER SAID THE LAWSUIT IS WITHOUT MERIT AND DESIGNED TO HARASS
HIS CLIENT.

ALABAMA-AMONIA LEAK
NEW: AMMONIA LEAK AT ALA. PLANT SICKENS AT LEAST 120

THEODORE, ALA. (AP) - AN AMMONIA LEAK MONDAY AT A COASTAL
ALABAMA CHICKEN DISTRIBUTION PLANT SENT MORE THAN 120 PEOPLE TO THE
HOSPITAL AND AT LEAST 29 PEOPLE WERE ADMITTED.
PEOPLE WERE TOLD TO STAY INDOORS, BUT ONCE WORKERS STOPPED THE
LEAK, IT WAS SAFE TO GO OUTSIDE BY EARLY AFTERNOON.
INJURIES TO MOST OF THOSE ADMITTED WERE NOT BELIEVED TO BE
LIFE-THREATENING, AND OTHERS WERE TREATED AND RELEASED, MOSTLY FOR
BREATHING DIFFICULTIES.
ONE WOMAN SAYS THE SCARY PART WAS NOT KNOWING WHAT THE CHEMICAL
WAS.
THE LEAK ALSO FORCED WORKERS TO EVACUATE ONE OF BP PLC'S MAIN
STAGING AREAS FOR THE OIL SPILL CLEANUP.
BETWEEN 400 GALLONS AND 800 GALLONS OF AMMONIA LEAKED AT MILLARD
REFRIGERATED SERVICES, WHICH USES AMMONIA IN THE REFRIGERATION
PROCESS FOR CHICKENS THAT ARE FROZEN AND SHIPPED AROUND THE WORLD.

PHILIPPINES-BUS HOSTAGES
NEW: CHINA WANTS ANSWERS AFTER 9 KILLED ON HIJACKED BUS

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (AP) - CHINA SAYS IT'S LOOKING TO THE
PHILIPPINES FOR ANSWERS TODAY ABOUT WHY EIGHT HONG KONG TOURISTS
DIED IN A BUS HOSTAGE INCIDENT.
THE 12-HOUR HOSTAGE DRAMA IN THE HEART OF MANILA ENDED WITH THE
TOURISTS DEAD ALONG WITH THEIR FILIPINO HOSTAGE-TAKER AFTER A DAY
OF BOTCHED NEGOTIATIONS. THE FORMER POLICE OFFICER WANTED HIS JOB
BACK.
CHINA'S FOREIGN MINISTER SAYS HIS GOVERNMENT IS "APPALLED" AND
TELEPHONED HIS PHILIPPINE COUNTERPART TO VOICE CONCERN. HONG KONG
RESIDENTS EXPRESSED OUTRAGE AND MEDIA OUTLETS IN THE CHINESE
TERRITORY DENOUNCED PHILIPPINE POLICE AS INCOMPETENT.
THE ORDEAL ENDED IN BLOODSHED ON LIVE TV WITH POLICE STORMING
THE BUS AND KILLING THE GUNMAN.
CHINA HAS DEMANDED A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION.
PHILIPPINE POLICE DEFENDED THEIR ACTION BUT PROMISED TO REVIEW
ALL EVENTS LEADING TO THE DEATHS.

PAKISTAN-FLOODS
NEW: PAKISTAN PRESIDENT: FLOOD RECOVERY WILL TAKE YEARS

ISLAMABAD (AP) - PAKISTAN'S PRESIDENT SAYS RECOVERING FROM
DEVASTATING FLOODS STILL BATTERING PAKISTAN IS A LONG-TERM PROCESS
THAT COULD TAKE AT LEAST THREE YEARS.
THE U.N. ESTIMATES THE FLOODS THAT BEGAN NEARLY A MONTH AGO WITH
HAMMERING MONSOON RAINS IN THE NORTHWEST HAVE AFFECTED MORE THAN 17
MILLION PEOPLE AND KILLED 1,500.
THE WIDESPREAD MISERY CAUSED BY THE FLOODS HAS TRIGGERED WORRIES
ABOUT SOCIAL UNREST, FOOD RIOTS OR EVEN A CHALLENGE TO THE
GOVERNMENT'S RULE BEFORE ITS TERM ENDS IN 2013.
MILLIONS HAVE RECEIVED LITTLE OR NO HELP AND AID OFFICIALS WARN
THAT WIDESPREAD OUTBREAKS OF WATERBORNE DISEASES SUCH AS CHOLERA
NOW POSE A THREAT.
OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL GIVE THE
EQUIVALENT OF ABOUT $230 TO EVERY FAMILY AFFECTED BY THE FLOODS, AS
"INITIAL ASSISTANCE."

PRIMARY ROUNDUP
NEW: ESTABLISHMENT VS. OUTSIDERS IN PRIMARIES

WASHINGTON (AP) - IT'S THE POLITICAL ESTABLISHMENT VS. THE
OUTSIDERS IN TUESDAY'S PRIMARIES. AND THE ESTABLISHMENT HAS THE
BETTER ODDS.
REPUBLICAN SENS. JOHN MCCAIN AND LISA MURKOWSKI ARE POISED TO
WIN BITTER PRIMARIES IN ARIZONA AND ALASKA AGAINST TEA-PARTY-BACKED
CANDIDATES.
IN ARIZONA, FORMER REP. J.D. HAYWORTH HOPED ANTI-INCUMBENT
SENTIMENT WOULD HELP HIM RETURN TO WASHINGTON. THE RADIO HOST'S
CHALLENGE TO MCCAIN APPEARED TO FALL FLAT, THOUGH. ONE POLL LAST
MONTH SHOWED MCCAIN, THE 2008 REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE,
WITH A LEAD OF AS MUCH AS 45 PERCENTAGE POINTS.
MCCAIN'S FORMER RUNNING MATE, FORMER ALASKA GOV. SARAH PALIN,
TRIED TO HELP A TEA-PARTY-BACKED CANDIDATE IN ALASKA. BUT NEWCOMER
JOE MILLER IS NOT EXPECTED TO UPSET THE POPULAR MURKOWSKI.