TODAY'S NEWS - FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 17., 2010

LOCAL NEWS

UNCLE FIRED FATAL SHOTS IN SHENANDOAH KILLING

THE NEPHEW OF ACCUSED JULIUS C ENOE, THE MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY SHOT AND KILLED BRUCE FORKER WHILE SEEKING MONEY AND DRUGS, TESTIFIED YESTERDAY THAT HIS UNCLE FIRED THE FATAL SHOTS. JAHMAL OLLIVIRRE, REQUESTED TO PREVENT PROSECUTORS FROM SEEKING THE DEATH PENALTY FOR THE SHENANDOAH MAN. ENOE. 32 OF READING, IS FACING 12 CHARGES FOR THE MARCH 16 KILLING OF FORKER. POLICE ARE SEEKING THE DEATH PENALTY AGAINST HIM STATING THAT HE HAD AGGRAVATED CIRCUMSTANCES AND HIS INVOLVEMENT WITH DRUGS IMPERILED THE LIVES OF FORKER’S GIRLFRIEND AND TWO CHILDREN. HOWEVER, PROSECUTORS HAD CONFLICTING EVIDENCE TO PROVE WHO EXACTLY SHOT FORKER THAT NIGHT, JUSTIFYING THE COURT TO REFUSE ALLOWANCE OF THE DEATH PENALTY IF ENOE IS FOUND GUILTY. ENOE’S CASE IS THE THIRD IN WHICH DISTRICT ATTORNEY, JAMES P GOODMAN HAS SOUGHT THE DEATH PENALTY SINCE TAKING OFFICE IN NOVEMBER 2005. THE TWO PREVIOUS CASES ENDED BEFORE GOING TO TRIAL WITHOUT A DEATH SENTENCE BEING IMPOSED.


VISION HOLD DINNER TO HONOR SEVERAL GROUPS

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY’S VISION BROUGHT TOGETHER SEVERAL GROUPS FOR AN HONORARY DINNER YESTERDAY. IT THE 2ND ANNUAL “PARTNERS AT THE PARK PICNIC” HONORING EIGHT OF VISION’S MOST-VALUED PARTNERS. THOSE RANGE FROM THE SCHUYLKILL ON THE MOVE TO THE COUNTY’S SUICIDE PREVENTION TASK FORCE. DURING YESTERDAY’S PICNIC AT SWEET ARROW LAKE CLUBHOUSE, EACH PARTNER WAS PRESENTED WITH A CERTIFICATE RECOGNIZING THEIR WORK IN THE COUNTY. THERE ARE CURRENTLY 802 REGISTERED NONPROFIT GROUPS IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.


MAHANOY SUPERVISORS DEAL WITH ABANDONED PROPERTIES

THERE IS A PROBLEM IN MAHANOY CITY, PEOPLE ARE BUYING PROPERTIES AND LEAVING THEM EMPTY. THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING ALL OVER THE COUNTY, HOWEVER, THE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ARE DRAWING UP AN ORDINANCE MAKING THE NEW PROPERTY OWNERS REGISTER THEIR PROPERTY UPON PURCHASE FOR A SET FEE. IF THE PROPERTY REMAINS VACANT, THAT FEE GOES UP EACH YEAR. THE TOWNSHIP HOPES THAT, LIKE OTHER MUNICIPALITIES, THEY WILL DETER PEOPLE FROM PURCHASING THE PROPERTIES AND THEN LEAVING THE AREA WITHOUT ANY UPKEEP TO THE PARCELS. MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE ORDINANCE WILL BE AVAILABLE WHEN THE ORDINANCE IS CLOSE TO COMPLETION. THE POINT IS TO HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE FOR NOT MAINTAINING THEIR PURCHASE.


STATE NEWS

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPPED
SLIGHTLY LAST MONTH, AS PAYROLLS AND THE STATE'S WORK FORCE SHRANK.
THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY SAYS THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
FELL ONE-TENTH OF ONE PERCENT LAST MONTH, TO 9.2 PERCENT. THAT'S
BELOW THE NATIONAL RATE OF 9.6 PERCENT.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - PUBLIC HOUSING WORKERS IN PHILADELPHIA SAY
THEY WERE FORCED TO MAKE PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS INTO A SLUSH FUND THAT
PAID FOR IMPROPER LOBBYING AND LAVISH PARTIES FOR THEIR BOSS. THE
ACCUSATIONS IN A LAWSUIT THIS WEEK ARE JUST THE LATEST PROBLEM FOR
THE EMBATTLED PHILADELPHIA HOUSING AUTHORITY.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - THE FORMER HOME OF THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
WILL BE DEMOLISHED. THE PITTSBURGH-ALLEGHENY COUNTY SPORTS AND
EXHIBITION AUTHORITY VOTED YESTERDAY TO DEMOLISH THE BUILDING
FORMERLY KNOWN AS MELLON ARENA AND NICKNAMED THE "IGLOO" BECAUSE
OF ITS DISTINCT DOMED SHAPE. SOME WANTED TO SEE THE ARENA CONVERTED
INTO A PARK, SKATING RINK AND HOTEL FOR TOURISTS.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - IT HAS TAKEN A PENNSYLVANIA BREWERY ONLY
A COUPLE OF HOURS TO SELL 400 BOTTLES OF A LIMITED EDITION BREW AT
$22.95 APIECE. BEER LOVERS BEGAN LINING UP OUTSIDE TROEGS BREWING
COMPANY IN HARRISBURG THE NIGHT BEFORE YESTERDAY'S SPECIAL SALE OF
THE 25-OUNCE BOTTLES OF SPLINTER BLUE BEER.



NATIONAL NEWS

GULF OIL SPILL
RELIEF WELL INTERSECTS BLOWN-OUT BP WELL IN GULF

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - THE U.S GOVERNMENT SAYS A RELIEF WELL HAS
INTERSECTED BP'S BLOWN-OUT WELL IN THE GULF OF MEXICO.
IT'S A PRELUDE TO PLUGGING IT ONCE AND FOR ALL.
RETIRED COAST GUARD ADM. THAD ALLEN, THE GOVERNMENT'S POINT MAN
ON THE OIL SPILL, SAID IN A STATEMENT LATE THURSDAY THAT DATA SHOWS
THE TWO WELLS ARE JOINED.
THE NEXT STEP WILL BE TO PUMP MUD AND CEMENT DOWN THROUGH THE
RELIEF WELL TO SEAL THE BLOWN-OUT WELL FROM THE BOTTOM. THE WELL
CAN'T BE DECLARED DEAD UNTIL THE BLOWN-OUT WELL IS SEALED FROM THE
BOTTOM.
AN EXPLOSION ABOARD A RIG ON APRIL 20 KILLED 11 WORKERS AND
TRIGGERED THE SPILL THAT EVENTUALLY SPEWED 206 MILLION GALLONS OF
OIL INTO THE GULF.

UNITED-CONTINENTAL
UNITED, CONTINENTAL SHAREHOLDERS VOTE ON DEAL

UNDATED (AP) - SHAREHOLDERS OF UNITED'S PARENT COMPANY AND
CONTINENTAL AIRLINES ARE VOTING ON A DEAL THAT WOULD CREATE THE
WORLD'S BIGGEST AIRLINE.
RESULTS OF THE VOTING WILL BE ANNOUNCED FRIDAY. IF SHAREHOLDERS
APPROVE, THE DEAL IS EXPECTED TO CLOSE IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.
THEN THE REAL WORK BEGINS, INCLUDING DEALING WITH LABOR ISSUES,
COMBINING RESERVATIONS SYSTEMS AND GIVING THE PLANES NEW PAINT
JOBS.
THE NEW AIRLINE WILL BE CALLED UNITED AND BASED IN UNITED'S
HOMETOWN OF CHICAGO. IT WILL BE RUN BY CONTINENTAL'S CEO.
SHAREHOLDERS OF UNITED PARENT UAL CORP. WILL MEET IN CHICAGO,
WHILE CONTINENTAL SHAREHOLDERS GATHER IN HOUSTON.

OBAMA-CONSUMER PROTECTION
NEW: OBAMA TO NAME CONSUMER ADVOCATE TO NEW POST

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IS SET TO NAME A TOP
WALL STREET CRITIC TODAY TO SUPERVISE THE SETUP OF A NEW CONSUMER
FINANCE AGENCY WHILE AVOIDING A POLITICAL BATTLE OVER HIS CHOICE.
THE PRESIDENT SAYS WHEN IT COMES TO PROTECTING FAMILIES FROM
GOTCHA LENDING PRACTICES, NO ONE KNOWS MORE THAN ELIZABETH WARREN.
IN MAKING WARREN AN ADVISER ON THE CONSUMER AGENCY, OBAMA IS
AVOIDING WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A BRUISING PARTISAN FIGHT.
MOST REPUBLICANS OPPOSE HER, AND WALL STREET HAS CHAFED AT HER
OVERSIGHT AS CONGRESS'S WATCHDOG FOR THE BANK BAILOUT.
PUTTING ONE OF THE FINANCIAL INDUSTRY'S MOST OUTSPOKEN CRITICS
IN CHARGE OF REGULATING ITS CONSUMER LOANS COULD HAVE SET OFF AN
ELECTION-YEAR BRAWL IN CONFIRMATION HEARINGS.

GUANTANAMO-RELEASE APPEAL
NEW: US FIGHTS ORDER TO RELEASE GUANTANAMO DETAINEE

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE GOVERNMENT IS FIGHTING A JUDGE'S ORDER TO
RELEASE A GUANTANAMO BAY PRISONER ACCUSED OF RECRUITING SEPT. 11
HIJACKERS FOR AL-QAIDA.
A FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERED MOHAMEDOU OULD SALAHI'S RELEASE IN MARCH
AFTER HE ARGUED THAT HE FALSELY ADMITTED ARRANGING TRAVEL FOR SOME
OF THE HIJACKERS AFTER BEING ABUSED BY INTERROGATORS.
SALAHI WAS ARRESTED IN HIS HOME COUNTRY OF MAURITANIA IN LATE
2001 AND SENT TO THE U.S. MILITARY PRISON AT GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA,
A YEAR LATER. HE REMAINS THERE AS LAWYERS ARE SET TO ARGUE OVER HIS
RELEASE BEFORE A THREE-JUDGE PANEL OF THE U.S. APPEALS COURT IN
WASHINGTON ON FRIDAY.
THE 9/11 COMMISSION REPORT DESCRIBED SALAHI AS A SIGNIFICANT
AL-QAIDA OPERATIVE WHO INSTRUCTED THE SEPT. 11 HIJACKERS HOW TO
REACH AFGHANISTAN FOR TRAINING.

SEC-BANKS
SEC EYES NEW RULES ON BANKS' DEBT-LEVEL DISCLOSURE

WASHINGTON (AP) - IN THE FUTURE, IT COULD GET A LOT TOUGHER FOR
FINANCIAL FIRMS TO HIDE THEIR LEVEL OF DEBT.
AT A MEETING THIS MORNING, FEDERAL REGULATORS ARE PLANNING TO
PROPOSE NEW RULES THAT APPLY TO THE PRACTICE OF BANKS TEMPORARILY
TRIMMING THEIR DEBT AT THE END OF A QUARTER TO MAKE THEIR FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS APPEAR STRONGER. THE PRACTICE IS LEGAL, BUT REGULATORS
SAY IT CAN GIVE INVESTORS A DISTORTED PICTURE OF A BANK'S DEBT AND
LEVEL OF RISK.
LEHMAN (LEE'-MUHN) BROTHERS USED THE PRACTICE AS AN ACCOUNTING
TRICK IN THE MONTHS BEFORE IT COLLAPSED TWO YEARS AGO IN THE
BIGGEST BANKRUPTCY IN U.S. HISTORY.
AT THE END OF THE QUARTER, LEHMAN WOULD SELL BILLIONS IN
MORTGAGE SECURITIES - MEANING THEY WOULD BE WIPED OFF ITS BALANCE
SHEET WHEN SHAREHOLDERS AND REGULATORS TOOK A LOOK. THEN, LEHMAN
WOULD QUICKLY BUY BACK THOSE SECURITIES.
ONCE THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PROPOSES THE RULES,
THEY'LL BE OPEN TO PUBLIC COMMENT.

TAX CUTS
DEMS GRAPPLE WITH TAX CUT QUANDARY

WASHINGTON (AP) - CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS CONTINUE TO GRAPPLE
WITH HOW TO HANDLE THE UPCOMING EXPIRATION OF THE BUSH ERA TAX
CUTS.
THE PRESIDENT AND TOP CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS WANT TO EXTEND THE
TAX CUTS FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS WHILE ALLOWING THEM TO EXPIRE FOR THE
WEALTHY.
BUT DEMOCRATS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAPITOL ARE PUSHING FOR AN
ACROSS THE BOARD EXTENSION FOR A YEAR OR TWO. IT'S SOMETHING HOUSE
SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI OPPOSES, THOUGH SHE HASN'T COMPLETELY RULED IT
OUT.
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER JOHN BOEHNER WANTS A VOTE BEFORE THE
ELECTIONS ON EXTENDING ALL THE TAX CUTS. PELOSI WOULDN'T COMMIT TO
THAT BUT PROMISED AN EXTENSION OF THE MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUTS WILL BE
APPROVED BEFORE YEARS END.

AFGHANISTAN
SECURITY RAMPS UP AHEAD OF AFGHAN VOTE

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (AP) - EXTRA SECURITY IS IN PLACE AS
AFGHANISTAN FACES A MAJOR TEST TOMORROW OF ITS ABILITY TO HOLD A
LEGITIMATE ELECTION AFTER LAST YEAR'S DISASTROUS PRESIDENTIAL VOTE.
POLICE SET UP EXTRA CHECKPOINTS TODAY TO SCAN FOR SUICIDE
BOMBERS AND INSURGENTS.
WHETHER THE VOTE IS SAFE AND FAIR WILL REVERBERATE STRONGLY WITH
THE INTERNATIONAL COALITION SUPPORTING AFGHANISTAN WITH 140,000
TROOPS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.
THE FRAUD-MARRED PRESIDENTIAL VOTE IN AUGUST 2009 NEARLY
UNDERMINED PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI'S CREDIBILITY WITH HIS
INTERNATIONAL BACKERS.
THE ELECTIONS COULD BE AN INDICATOR OF THE STRENGTH OF THE
INSURGENCY AS NATO AND AFGHAN FORCES WORK TO SECURE POLLING
STATIONS IN VOLATILE AREAS AMID TALIBAN THREATS.
THE TALIBAN HAVE WARNED OF COUNTRYWIDE ATTACKS TARGETING VOTERS
AND ELECTION WORKERS.

NYC STORM
UPDATE: PROBE INTO WHETHER TORNADO HIT NYC IN DEADLY STORM

NEW YORK (AP) - THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IS DISPATCHING
INVESTIGATORS TO NEW YORK CITY TO DETERMINE WHETHER A TORNADO
TOUCHED DOWN DURING A FIERCE STORM THAT TORE THROUGH THE CITY AND
LEFT ONE PERSON DEAD.
THURSDAY'S STORM TOPPLED TREES, RIPPED ROOFS OFF HOMES AND
KNOCKED OUT POWER FOR THOUSANDS. IT ALSO CREATED HAVOC WITH THE
EVENING COMMUTE. THE LONG ISLAND RAIL ROAD SUSPENDED SERVICE FOR
HOURS.
POLICE SAY A DRIVER WAS KILLED AND HER PASSENGER WAS INJURED
WHEN A TREE FELL ON A CAR ON A ROAD IN QUEENS. NUMEROUS MINOR
INJURIES WERE REPORTED ELSEWHERE.
THE WEATHER SERVICE HAD ISSUED TORNADO WARNINGS FOR PARTS OF THE
CITY. INVESTIGATORS WILL MAP OUT THE WIDTH AND INTENSITY OF THE
STORM TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS A TORNADO.
THE LAST TORNADO TOUCHDOWN IN NEW YORK CITY WAS RECORDED IN JULY
IN THE BRONX.

TROPICAL WEATHER
UPDATE: HURRICANE KARL STRONGER IN THE GULF OF MEXICO

VERACRUZ, MEXICO (AP) - FORECASTERS SAY HURRICANE KARL MAY GROW
INTO A MAJOR STORM TODAY BEFORE SLAMMING INTO MEXICO'S GULF COAST
NEAR PORTS AND OIL INSTALLATIONS.
KARL HAS GROWN WITH SURPRISING SPEED INTO A POWERFUL CATEGORY 2
STORM WITH MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS NEAR 105 MPH. THE NATIONAL
HURRICANE CENTER IN MIAMI SAYS IT'S POSSIBLE KARL COULD BECOME A
MAJOR HURRICANE WITH WINDS OF 110 MPH OR HIGHER.
THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT ISSUED A HURRICANE WARNING FOR A 186-MILE
STRETCH OF COAST IN VERACRUZ STATE, STRETCHING NORTHWARD FROM THE
CITY OF THE SAME NAME.
AUTHORITIES IN VERACRUZ STATE - WHOSE SOUTHERN HALF HAS SUFFERED
SEVERE FLOODING OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS - ARE BRACED FOR A HIT ON
ITS NORTHERN COAST. THEY'VE PREPARING SLEEPING MATS, BOTTLED WATER
AND OTHER SUPPLIES FOR ANYONE TAKING REFUGE IN SHELTERS.

DRUG WAR-MEXICO
22 SUSPECTED DRUG GANG MEMBERS KILLED IN BATTLE WITH MEXICAN
SOLDIERS NEAR US BORDER

MONTERREY, MEXICO (AP) - MEXICO'S MILITARY SAYS 22 SUSPECTED
DRUG GANG MEMBERS HAVE BEEN KILLED IN A GUNBATTLE WITH SOLDIERS
NEAR THE U.S. BORDER.
THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SAYS GUNMEN OPENED FIRE ON SOLDIERS
CONDUCTING RECONNAISSANCE PATROLS AT A RANCH OUTSIDE A TOWN ABOUT
18 MILES SOUTH OF THE BORDER WITH TEXAS.
THE DEPARTMENT SAYS 22 GUNMEN WERE KILLED AND ONE SOLDIER WAS
WOUNDED IN THE ENSUING GUNBATTLE.
SOLDIERS SEIZED 55 GRENADES, 18 RIFLES, FOUR HANDGUNS, 99
AMMUNITION CLIPS, MORE THAN 1,500 ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION AND
VEHICLES. THEY ALSO FOUND MILITARY STYLE UNIFORMS, WHICH ARE
FREQUENTLY USED BY DRUG GANGS STAGING ATTACKS.
THE GUNBATTLE BROKE OUT WEDNESDAY MORNING, HOURS BEFORE
CELEBRATIONS BEGAN ACROSS MEXICO FOR THE BICENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
OF THE COUNTRY'S INDEPENDENCE FROM SPAIN.