TODAY'S NEWS - WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER, 15 2010

LOCAL NEWS

PHEAA 2011-2012 STUDENT AID GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE

THE PA HIGHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE AGENCY ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE 2011-2012 STUDENT AID GUIDE IS NOW AVAILABLE. THE GUIDE IS PA’S MOST COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL AID PUBLICATION AND IS FREE. IT OFFERS IN-DEPTH INFORMATION ON THE FEDERAL STUDENT AID PROCESS AND INCLUDES DETAILS ON THE PA’S AID PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE NEED-BASED STATE GRANT. THE GUIDE IS AVAILABLE ONLINE AT PHEAA.ORG WHERE THE GUIDE INCLUDES QUICK LINKS TO WEB PAGES OF PARTICULAR INTEREST AND OTHER WEBSITES. YOU CAN ALSO FIND A PRINT VERSION AT HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS’ OFFICES. PHEAA, ESTABLISHED IN 1963, IS ONE OF THE LEADING STUDENT AID ORGANIZERS SERVING MILLIONS OF STUDENTS AND THOUSANDS OF SCHOOLS THROUGH ITS LOAN GUARANTY, LOAN SERVICING, FINANCIAL AID PROCESSING, OUTREACH AND OTHER STUDENT AID PROGRAMS

MOTORCYCLIST IN SERIOUS CONDITION AFTER STRIKES DEER

A MILLERSBURG MAN IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION AFTER HE STRUCK A DEER ON STATE ROAD 147 WHILE RIDING HIS MOTORCYCLE. RICHARD D MATTER II, 50, LOST CONTROL OF HIS 1999 KAWASAKI VOLCAN AND WAS THROWN FROM THE MOTORCYCLE LANDING ON THE ROADWAY. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN UPPER PAXTON TOWNSHIP IN DAUPHIN COUNTY AROUND 7:30 LAST NIGHT. MATTER WAS FLOWN TO HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER.


COUNTY MUNICIPLE AUTORITY BUILDING DEDICATED YESTERDAY

THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY DEDICATED ITS OFFICE BUILDING TO THE NEWLY RETIRED FORMER AUTHORITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DAVID J HOLLEY. ABOUT 125 PEOPLE TURNED OUT FOR THE DEDICATION AT 221 S CENTRE STREET IN POTTSVILLE. HOLLEY, WHO SERVED 37 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE AUTHORITY, THANKED THE PAST AND PRESENT BOARDS FOR THEIR CONFIDENCE AD THEIR COOPERATION DURING HIS YEARS OF SERVICE. HE WAS MOVER AND SHAKERS IN THE COMMUNITY AND WAS INVOLVED IN MANY ORGANIZATIONS. MAYOR JOHN D.W. REILEY ALSO PROCLAIMED SEPT 14, 2010 AS DAVID J HOLLEY DAY IN THE CITY OF POTTSVILLE. HOLLEY LED THE AUTHORITY THOUGH MANY SUCCESSFUL VENTURED, INCLUDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF DEDICATED BUILDING IN 2001.

PINE GROVE WATER ADVISORY

THE BOROUGH OF PINE GROVE HAS ISSUED A WATER BOIL ADVISORY CAUSED BY A LEAK IN THE SYSTEM. CUSTOMERS ON WIDEWAKE STREET, HARRIS AVENUE AND OAK GROVE ROAD ARE WARNED TO BOIL THEIR WATER BEFORE USING IT. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 345-3555.



40-YEAR FUGITIVE TO BE EXTRADITED BACK TO NY

RUSSELL B. PEARCE, A FUGITIVE THAT HAD BEEN RUNNING FROM THE COPS IN TWO SEPARATE STATES FOR 40-YEARS, HAS DECIDED TO VOLUNTARILY RETURN TO NEW YORK TO FACE ONE OF HIS CHARGES. THE 73 YEAR OLD MAN IS FACING CHARGES THAT HE RAPED A WOMAN IN 1070 IN FALLSBURG, NEW YORK. PEARCE, WHO ALSO WENT BY THE NAME RUSSEL STENGLE, HAS ORDERED BY JUDGE D. MICHAEL STINE TO BE TURNED OVER TO SULLIVAN COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT. IT ISN’T CLEAR WHEN THE PICK UP WILL TAKE PLACE, HOWEVER CUSTOMS OF PICKING UP SUCH FUGITIVES ARE USUALLY WITHIN 10 DAYS. PEARCE WAS ARRESTED ON SEPT 8TH AFTER AN EXTENSIVE INVESTIGATION. A SULLIVAN COUNTY GRAND JURY INDICTED PEARCE ON DEC 11, 1970 FOR THE ALLEGED RAPE. PEARCE TOLD OFFICIALS HE HAD TO GO LOCK UP HIS HOME BEFORE HE COULD RETURN TO JAIL, AND THEN FLED THE STATE.



STATE NEWS

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - POLICE IN PHILADELPHIA SAY OFFICERS SHOT AND
CRITICALLY WOUNDED A SUSPECT IN THE NORTHEASTERN PART OF THE CITY.
POLICE SAY THE SHOOTING HAPPENED LAST NIGHT AFTER OFFICERS
RESPONDED TO A REPORT OF A MAN WITH A GUN IN THE KENSINGTON
SECTION. POLICE SAY OFFICERS ORDERED THE MAN TO DROP THE GUN,
INSTEAD HE OPENED FIRE.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A DEEPLY EMBARRASSED GOVERNOR ED RENDELL
IS APOLOGIZING TO GROUPS WHOSE PEACEFUL PROTESTS OR EVENTS WERE THE
SUBJECT OF REGULAR ANTI-TERRORISM BULLETINS BEING DISTRIBUTED BY
HIS HOMELAND SECURITY DIRECTOR. RENDELL SAYS DISTRIBUTING THE
INFORMATION WAS TANTAMOUNT TO TRAMPLING ON CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THE GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES HAVE AGREED
TO HOLD THEIR SECOND DEBATE NEXT MONTH IN PITTSBURGH. THE CAMPAIGNS
OF REPUBLICAN NOMINEE TOM CORBETT AND DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE DAN
ONORATO CONFIRMED THE ARRANGEMENTS YESTERDAY. THE CANDIDATES WILL
FACE OFF ON THE EVENING OF OCTOBER 16TH AT THE STUDIOS OF WPXI-TV
IN PITTSBURGH.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - PHILADELPHIA'S TWO MAJOR NEWSPAPERS WILL GO
UP FOR AUCTION AGAIN NEXT WEEK AFTER CREDITORS FAILED TO CLOSE ON
THEIR $139 MILLION PURCHASE BY YESTERDAY'S DEADLINE. CREDITORS HAD
WON AN EARLIER AUCTION BUT FAILED YESTERDAY TO CLOSE ON THEIR $139
MILLION BID AMID LABOR STRIFE WITH UNIONIZED DRIVERS.



NATIONAL NEWS

PRIMARY RDP
TEA PARTY FAVORITE O'DONNELL WINS IN DELAWARE

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE CANDIDATE BACKED BY ESTABLISHMENT
REPUBLICANS AS WELL AS FORMER ALASKA GOV. SARAH PALIN HAS TAKEN THE
LEAD OVER A TEA-PARTY FAVORITE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE'S REPUBLICAN SENATE
PRIMARY.
FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL KELLY AYOTTE (AY'-AHT) EDGED AHEAD OF
OVIDE LAMONTAGNE (OH'-VIHD LA-MAHN-TAYN') AS RETURNS PILED UP AFTER
MIDNIGHT. HER LEAD WAS ROUGHLY 1,000 VOTES WITH RESULTS TALLIED
FROM THREE-QUARTERS OF THE STATE'S PRECINCTS. SHE HAD TRAILED EARLY
ON.
LAMONTAGNE IS A FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
THE WINNER WILL FACE DEMOCRATIC REP. PAUL HODES, WHO IS GIVING
UP HIS SEAT IN THE HOUSE TO RUN FOR THE SENATE.
IN DELAWARE, CHRISTINE O'DONNELL RODE A SURGE OF SUPPORT FROM
TEA PARTY ACTIVISTS TO VICTORY IN THAT STATE'S REPUBLICAN SENATE
PRIMARY TUESDAY NIGHT, DEALING YET ANOTHER SETBACK TO THE GOP
ESTABLISHMENT.
O'DONNELL DEFEATED NINE-TERM REP. MIKE CASTLE, A FIXTURE IN
DELAWARE POLITICS FOR A GENERATION AND A POLITICAL MODERATE

DC MAYOR
DC VOTERS OUST MAYOR DURING DEM PRIMARY

WASHINGTON (AP) - VOTERS IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL HAVE DECIDED TO
OUST MAYOR ADRIAN FENTY, A BACKER OF EDUCATION REFORM WHO SOME SAID
HAD BECOME OUT OF TOUCH.
EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING, WITH 90 PERCENT OF PRECINCTS REPORTING,
FENTY HAD 50,850 VOTES, OR 46 PERCENT, COMPARED WITH 59,285 VOTES
FOR CHALLENGER VINCENT GRAY, OR 53 PERCENT.
GRAY IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COUNCIL. HE LED
FENTY IN PRE-ELECTION POLLS AND THE MAYOR HAD CALLED HIMSELF AN
UNDERDOG IN THE RACE. STILL, BOTH SIDES HAD SAID TURNOUT WOULD BE
IMPORTANT.
GRAY'S VICTORY ALMOST ASSURES HE WILL BECOME THE NEXT MAYOR
SINCE THERE IS NO REPUBLICAN RUNNING IN THE GENERAL ELECTION IN
NOVEMBER AND THE CITY IS OVERWHELMINGLY DEMOCRATIC.

RANGEL-HOUSE
UPDATE: TEA PARTY CANDIDATE FOR GOV. WINS NY PRIMARY; NY REP
RANGEL WINS PRIMARY, DESPITE ETHICS CHARGES

NEW YORK (AP) - A TEA-PARTY BACKED CANDIDATE FOR NEW YORK
GOVERNOR HAS WON THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.
CARL PALADINO RODE A WAVE OF VOTER ANGER ON HIS WAY TO DEFEATING
FORMER CONGRESSMAN RICK LAZIO.
MEANWHILE, CONGRESSMAN CHARLES RANGEL HAS BEATEN FIVE
CHALLENGERS FOR HIS SEAT REPRESENTING NEW YORK CITY'S HARLEM
NEIGHBORHOOD, DESPITE ETHICS QUESTIONS.
RANGEL IS ALL BUT GUARANTEED RE-ELECTION IN NOVEMBER IN THIS
HEAVILY DEMOCRATIC DISTRICT.
SOME DEMOCRATS INCLUDING PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAVE URGED HIM
TO STEP ASIDE BECAUSE OF THE ETHICS ALLEGATIONS.
HIS DISTRICT INCLUDES HARLEM, LONG THE POLITICAL AND CULTURAL
HUB OF NEW YORK'S BLACK COMMUNITY. BUT THE AREA HAS GROWN YOUNGER
AND MORE DIVERSE IN RECENT YEARS.
RANGEL FACES 13 CHARGES INCLUDING FAILING TO REPORT AND PAY
TAXES ON RENTAL INCOME FROM A BEACH VILLA IN THE DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC.

FLU-PREGNANT WOMEN
MEDICAL GROUPS URGE FLU SHOTS FOR PREGNANT WOMEN

WASHINGTON (AP) - LEADING MEDICAL SOCIETIES SAY EVEN THOUGH
THERE'S NO SWINE FLU PANDEMIC, PREGNANT WOMEN STILL NEED FLU SHOTS.
THOUSANDS OF HEALTH PROVIDERS WILL GET THAT MESSAGE IN LETTERS
THIS WEEK.
THE LETTER URGES DOCTORS TO EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANCE OF
VACCINATION TO PREGNANT WOMAN AND HELP THEM FIND A SHOT. IT'S FROM
THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNECOLOGISTS, AMERICAN
MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION AND
EIGHT OTHER MEDICAL GROUPS.
ANY KIND OF FLU IS RISKY DURING PREGNANCY, FOR MOTHER AND BABY.
BUT LAST YEAR'S SWINE FLU PANDEMIC BROUGHT EXTRA ATTENTION TO THE
NEED FOR VACCINATION.
THIS YEAR BRINGS A RETURN TO THE USUAL ONE-DOSE FLU VACCINE,
WHICH WILL PROTECT AGAINST A RETURN OF THAT SWINE FLU STRAIN AS
WELL AS TWO OTHER FLU TYPES.

TROPICAL WEATHER
HURRICANE JULIA STRONGER; TS KARL HEADED TO MEXICO

MIAMI (AP) - JULIA HAS INTENSIFIED RAPIDLY IN THE OPEN ATLANTIC
INTO A MAJOR HURRICANE BUT TROPICAL STORM KARL IN THE NORTHWESTERN
CARIBBEAN COULD DO MORE DAMAGE SOONER ALONG THE YUCATAN PENINSULA.
FORECASTERS LATE TUESDAY SAID KARL HAD MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS
OF ABOUT 45 MPH AND IS LOCATED ABOUT 185 MILES EAST OF CHETUMAL,
MEXICO. THE U.S. NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER IN MIAMI SAYS THE
STRENGTHENING STORM'S CENTER COULD BE OVER THE YUCATAN ON
WEDNESDAY.
MEXICO'S GOVERNMENT HAS ISSUED A TROPICAL STORM WARNING FOR THE
PENINSULA FROM CHETUMAL NORTHWARD TO CABO CATOCHE. PARTS OF BELIZE
ARE UNDER A TROPICAL STORM WATCH.
MEANWHILE, HURRICANE JULIA HAD MAXIMUM WINDS NEAR 125 MPH,
MAKING IT A CATEGORY 3 STORM. ALSO FAR FROM LAND OVER THE ATLANTIC,
HURRICANE IGOR'S TOP WINDS INCREASED TO 155 MPH.

TAX CUTS
NEW: HOUSE DEMS DEEPLY DIVIDED OVER OBAMA TAX CUT PLAN

WASHINGTON (AP) - CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS ARE SHOWING DEEP
DIVISIONS OVER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S PLAN TO PRESERVE MIDDLE
CLASS TAX CUTS WHILE LETTING TAXES ON THE WEALTHY GO UP.
DEMOCRATIC LEADERS COMMITTED TO OBAMA'S PLAN ARE HEARING FROM
SOME LAWMAKERS WHO FEAR THAT RAISING TAXES ON ANYONE IN A WEAK
ECONOMY COULD BE POLITICALLY LETHAL.
A GROUP OF MODERATE AND CONSERVATIVE HOUSE DEMOCRATS IS
COLLECTING SIGNATURES ON A LETTER CALLING FOR DEMOCRATIC LEADERS TO
OFFER A BILL EXTENDING TO ALL AMERICANS TAX CUTS THAT ARE DUE TO
EXPIRE AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
DEMOCRATIC LEADERS AREN'T SAYING WHETHER THEY'RE WILLING TO
CHANGE OBAMA'S PLAN, OR EVEN COMMIT TO A VOTE BEFORE THE BALLOTING
SEVEN WEEKS FROM NOW.
HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE EXPECTED TO DISCUSS THE MATTER AT A MEETING
WEDNESDAY.

PENSION HEADACHES
NEW: STATES CUTTING BENEFITS FOR PUBLIC-SECTOR RETIREES

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - STATE GOVERNMENTS TRYING TO BALANCE THEIR
BUDGETS HAVE STARTED ROLLING BACK PENSION BENEFITS FOR PUBLIC
SECTOR EMPLOYEES.
SEVERAL STATES HAVE TOLD CURRENT WORKERS THAT THEIR DEALS WON'T
BE AS GOOD AS ORIGINALLY PROMISED, AND OTHERS ARE LOOKING INTO IT.
AT LEAST THREE STATES ARE TRYING TO REDUCE ANNUAL COST-OF-LIVING
INCREASES IN THE PENSIONS OF WORKERS WHO ALREADY HAVE RETIRED.
IN NEW JERSEY, FEARS OF BENEFIT CUTS FOR FUTURE RETIREES MAY BE
ONE REASON FOR A JUMP IN RETIREMENTS. THROUGH THE FIRST SEVEN
MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, 48 PERCENT MORE PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS RETIRED
- OR FILED PAPERS TO DO SO LATER IN THE YEAR - THAN DID IN ALL OF
2009.
UNIONS FOR PUBLIC WORKERS SAY THEY'RE MONITORING THE BENEFIT
ROLLBACKS.

ATTACKS-HEALTH
NEW: NEW PUSH FOR BILL TO AID SICK 9/11 RESPONDERS

WASHINGTON (AP) - BACKERS OF A BILL TO PROVIDE UP TO $7.4
BILLION IN AID TO PEOPLE SICKENED BY WORLD TRADE CENTER DUST ARE
RENEWING THEIR PUSH FOR THE MEASURE AS A SECOND HOUSE VOTE NEARS.
FIRST RESPONDERS, SURVIVORS OF THE SEPT. 11 ATTACKS AND
LAWMAKERS ARE GATHERING ON WEDNESDAY ON CAPITOL HILL. THEY ARE
URGING PASSAGE OF THE BILL TO PROVIDE FREE HEALTH CARE AND
COMPENSATION TO 9/11 RESCUE AND RECOVERY WORKERS WHO FELL ILL AFTER
WORKING IN THE TRADE CENTER RUINS. A VOTE IS EXPECTED NEXT WEEK.
IN JULY, THE BILL FAILED TO WIN THE TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY NEEDED
UNDER THE PROCEDURE THAT DEMOCRATIC LEADERS USED TO BRING UP THE
BILL TO BLOCK POTENTIAL AMENDMENTS. THE BILL FELL SHORT BY A VOTE
OF 255-159.
NEW YORK LAWMAKERS SAY THEY'RE MORE OPTIMISTIC THIS TIME BECAUSE
THE BILL WILL NEED ONLY A SIMPLE MAJORITY.

MIDEAST TALKS
CLINTON TO TRY TO DEFUSE SETTLEMENT CRISIS

JERUSALEM (AP) - U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
WILL TRY TO DEFUSE A LOOMING CRISIS OVER ISRAELI SETTLEMENT
CONSTRUCTION IN TALKS WITH PALESTINIAN AND ISRAELI LEADERS.
PALESTINIANS ARE THREATENING TO WALK OUT OF JUST-RESUMED
NEGOTIATIONS IF ISRAEL DOESN'T EXTEND ITS CURB ON JEWISH SETTLEMENT
CONSTRUCTION IN THE WEST BANK, DUE TO EXPIRE IN LATE SEPTEMBER.
CLINTON WILL TRY TO BRIDGE THE GAP IN MEETINGS WITH THE TWO
SIDES IN JERUSALEM ON WEDNESDAY.
ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU HAS SUGGESTED SOME
CURBS WILL REMAIN. BUT HE IS RESISTING U.S. PRESSURE TO CONTINUE
THE MORE SWEEPING SLOWDOWN HE PUSHED THROUGH HIS RELUCTANT CABINET
10 MONTHS AGO.
THE THREE SIDES TACKLED THE PROBLEM IN MEETINGS IN EGYPT ON
TUESDAY, BUT NO BREAKTHROUGHS WERE ANNOUNCED.

GULF OIL SPILL-HAYWARD-BRITAIN
BP'S HAYWARD TO TESTIFY TO UK LAWMAKERS ON SPILL

LONDON (AP) - BRITISH LAWMAKERS GET THEIR CHANCE WEDNESDAY TO
QUESTION OUTGOING BP CEO TONY HAYWARD ABOUT THE GULF OIL SPILL.
THE SESSION COMES MONTHS AFTER HE OFFERED FEW EXPLANATIONS FOR
THE ACCIDENT AT A TESTY HEARING IN WASHINGTON.
HAYWARD IS SCHEDULED TO GIVE EVIDENCE TO A BRITISH PARLIAMENTARY
COMMITTEE STUDYING THE FALLOUT OF THE SPILL AND THE FUTURE OF DEEP
WATER DRILLING.
THE BRITISH EXECUTIVE, WHO WILL BE REPLACED BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE
BOB DUDLEY, AN AMERICAN, ON OCT. 1, WILL APPEAR ALONGSIDE BP'S HEAD
OF SAFETY MARK BLY, AUTHOR OF THE COMPANY'S INTERNAL REPORT INTO
THE SPILL.
HAYWARD ENDURED AN ONSLAUGHT OF CRITICISM IN WASHINGTON LAST
JUNE AFTER HE INSISTED HE HAD LITTLE KNOWLEDGE OF DECISIONS THAT
CONTRIBUTED TO THE RIG EXPLOSION THAT KILLED 11 WORKERS AND
TRIGGERED THE SPILL.

WHO'S A FAMILY
WHO'S A FAMILY? NEW STUDY TRACKS SHIFTING US VIEWS

NEW YORK (AP) - THERE'S NEW RESEARCH COMING OUT WEDNESDAY THAT
SUGGESTS CHANGES ARE AFOOT IN HOW AMERICANS DEFINE FAMILY.
WHILE FAMILY IS STILL MUCH REVERED, THE RESEARCH SHOWS STEADILY
INCREASING RECOGNITION OF UNMARRIED COUPLES - GAY AND STRAIGHT - AS
FAMILIES. BUT THERE'S A SOLID CORE RESISTING THIS TREND WHO ARE
MORE WILLING TO INCLUDE PETS IN THEIR DEFINITION THAN SAME-SEX
PARTNERS.
HOW "FAMILY" IS DEFINED IS A CRUCIAL QUESTION. BEYOND THE
DEBATE OVER SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, IT AFFECTS INCOME TAX FILINGS,
ADOPTION AND FOSTER CARE PRACTICES, EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, INHERITANCE
RIGHTS AND COUNTLESS OTHER MATTERS.
THE PRESENCE OF CHILDREN COUNTS SIGNIFICANTLY IN PEOPLE'S
DEFINITION OF A FAMILY.
THE NEW RESEARCH IS CONTAINED IN A BOOK-LENGTH STUDY AND A
SEPARATE 2010 SURVEY OVERSEEN BY THE BOOK'S LEAD AUTHOR, INDIANA
UNIVERSITY SOCIOLOGIST BRIAN POWELL.