TODAY'S NEWS: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2010

LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

BERKS-IC

POTTSVILLE 52, MUHLENBERG 26
HOLY NAME 20, BLUE MOUNTAIN 14, OT

TWIN VALLEY CONFERENCE

TRIVALLEY 35, NATIVITY 6
WILLIAMS VALLEY 41, PINE GROVE 14

ANTHRACITE LEAGUE

NORTH SCHUYLKILL 54, PANTHER VALLEY 0
TAMAQUA 29, MINERSVILLE 7
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN 21, MAHANOY AREA 0
JIM THORPE 41, MARIAN 0
SHENANDOAH VALLEY 32, CMVT 7

HEARTLAND CONFERENCE

SOUTHERN COLUMBIA 17, MT CARMEL 14
SHIKELLAMY 44, SHAMOKIN 0

ALL AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE

HANCOCK, MD. 22, LOURDES 14

Firefighters quickly extinguished a fire that broke out about noon Friday and damaged a three-story building on Main Street in the Borough of Shenandoah. According to the Republican and Herald, the blaze was limited to the structure at 324-326 S. Main St. owned by David Karpovich. The building contained two businesses - Karpy's Fitness Center and the chiropractic office of Dr. John Bucklar. The only tenant was Daniel Carpee, who was not at home. The first fire call sounded at 11:53 a.m., with fire apparatus and firefighters from Shenandoah, Frackville, Mahanoy City, West Mahanoy Township and Butler Township responding. The fire was brought under control by 12:30 p.m. An investigation was conducted by the Shenandoah Fire Department. Mensick determined that the cause was an accidental electrical fire that started in the kitchen in Carpee's second-floor apartment. Fire damage was limited to Karpovich's building. Representatives from the Schuylkill and Eastern Northumberland Chapter of the American Red Cross were on scene to assist Carpee.

Minersville Borough officials will host an informational session Sunday regarding a string of arsons that have shaken the community. As reported in the Republican and Herald, the focus of the meeting to be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Minersville Area High School auditorium will be on awareness, prevention, education and safety. The agenda will include information from the district attorney's office, law enforcement, fire department and more. Special guest speaker will be Frank Zangari, president of the Schuylkill County Fire Chiefs Association. Nine intentionally set fires since April have borough residents on edge, and borough officials are trying to put a stop to those responsible for the damage. Anthracite Protective Services have offered any and all resources to the borough, including security officers and patrol vehicles for community watch-type operations upon request of the police department and council. The local Lowe's facility has also pledged support toward fire prevention equipment. There has been an anonymous tip line established through the Schuylkill County Crimestoppers and the district attorney's office at 739-2660 or 877-847-7472. Anyone who has any information is encouraged to call the tip line. A reward is being offered to anyone that provides information leading to an arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the fires. Minersville borough, the county district attorney's office, Anthracite Protective Services, First National Bank of Minersville, Minersville Auto Parts, Miners Tavern, Minersville Historical Society and the mayor have each pledged money toward the five thousand dollar reward.

Pennsylvania voters can use the Department of State's voter education website, VotesPA.com, to prepare for the Nov. 2 general election. Don Rooney has more:

ROONEY

A former Mount Carmel Area High School girls' varsity basketball coach has been charged with texting sexually graphic material to a 16-year-old female from Ralpho Township and having unlawful contact with the teen, with whom authorities said he had a relationship earlier this year. According to the News Item, Mark Moyer of Shamokin, was arraigned Friday morning on felony charges of displaying obscene and other sexual materials and unlawful contact with a minor, and a misdemeanor of corruption of minors. The charges, filed by Coal Township Detective Jeff Brennan, relate to offenses that allegedly occurred in Coal Township and Columbia County between Jan. 3 and Jan. 21 while Moyer was serving as head girls' basketball coach at Mount Carmel Area. The victim, who was 16 at the time, was a basketball player for Southern Columbia Area High School. Moyer resigned from his coaching position Jan. 21, citing personal reasons. Moyer, who is a correctional officer at a federal prison, told the judge he understood the charges and posed no questions about his arraignment.

Residents of a central Pennsylvania coal town decimated by a mine fire have gone to federal court in an effort to prevent state officials from evicting them from their homes. Centralia's few remaining residents have filed a civil rights lawsuit against the state Department of Community and Economic Development and other defendants, alleging a conspiracy to swipe the mineral rights to hundreds of millions of dollars worth of anthracite coal. The residents asked a federal judge on Friday for an injunction that would bar the state from proceeding with eminent domain while their lawsuit is being heard. Most homes in Centralia were demolished in the 1980s as an underground fire that began in 1962 threatened residents with poisoning gases and dangerous sinkholes. Only a few people remain, resisting the state's efforts to get them to leave.

A recent report says that Pennsylvania prisons are the best in the nation when it comes to treatment of pregnant inmates. Part of that distinction comes from a new law that prevents county jails from shackling inmates during childbirth. Don Rooney has more:

ROONEY

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphia will be one of 30 jurisdictions where the U.S. Department of Justice plans to deploy observers to monitor next week's midterm elections. The department said yesterday that it will be sending more than 400 federal observers and department personnel to monitor polls in 18 states to ensure that voters' rights are protected.

ERIE, Pa. (AP) - A federal court jury has ended its first day of deliberations without a verdict in the case of a woman accused in a bank robbery conspiracy in which a pizza delivery driver forced to rob a bank wearing a bomb collar was killed. The brother of the dead man says the eventual verdict doesn't matter to him, because the proceedings are a "circus show trial."

GREENSBURG, Pa. (AP) - A judge has refused to move the trial of six people accused of torturing and killing a mentally disabled woman out of Westmoreland County. The suspects in the February killing of Jennifer Daugherty appeared in court yesterday for the first day of three days of pretrial hearings.

ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland (AP) - The prosecution won't appeal the acquittal of a Pennsylvania woman who fatally shot her husband while hunting in central Newfound four years ago. Newfoundland Supreme Court Justice Richard LeBlanc acquitted Mary Beth Harshbarger of charges of criminal negligence causing death in the fatal shooting of her husband, Mark.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Dubai police say the bomb discovered in a shipment of air cargo bound for the U.S. bore the hallmarks of al-Qaida. The say the powerful explosive PETN was in the ink cartridge of a computer printer. The device was sent in a FedEx shipment from Yemen.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Yemen is promising to investigate the plot to mail bombs to Chicago-area synagogues. The U.S. has FBI, military and intelligence officers stationed in the country to conduct an inquiry. U.S. officials are expressing increasing confidence that al-Qaida's Yemen branch was responsible. The group was behind the failed Detroit airliner bombing last Christmas.

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) - A Southeast Asian official says the leaders of Japan and China have held an informal meeting at a regional summit in Vietnam. There had been speculation they would
not meet at all because of a maritime territorial dispute that's plunged relations to a five-year low.

MIAMI (AP) - Forecasters had said Tropical Storm Shary would weaken today, but it's first strengthened into to a Category 1 hurricane. Still, it has passed well east of Bermuda and is no
longer headed toward land. Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Center in Miami says Tropical Storm Tomas is nearing hurricane strength as it passes near Barbados.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama has a busy weekend of campaigning planned. He'll be speaking at Democratic National Committee events in Philadelphia, Chicago, Cleveland and Bridgeport, Conn. Obama will be back at the White House for Halloween tomorrow evening, where he and the first lady will welcome local children and military families trick-or-treating.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL WEEK 9 FINALS

POTTSVILLE 52
MUHLENBERG 26

TRIVALLEY 35
NATIVITY 6

HOLY NAME 20
BLUE MOUNTAIN 14


WILLIAMS VALLEY 41
PINE GROVE 14

NORTH SCHUYLKILL 54
PANTHER VALLEY 0

TAMAQUA 29
MINERSVILLE 7

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN 21
MAHANOY AREA 0

JIM THORPE 41
MARIAN 0

SHENANDOAH VALLEY 32
CMVT 7

SOUTHERN COLUMBIA 17
MT CARMEL 14

SHIKELLAMY 44
SHAMOKIN 0

E STROUD STH 45
HAZLETON 6

TODAY'S NEWS: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2010

PAT TOOMEY IN TAMAQUA

A RECENT POLL PUTS REPUBLICAN PAT TOOMEY AHEAD OF DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE JOE SESTAK, BUT WHEN TOOMEY MET WITH SUPPORTERS THURSDAY MORNING AT THE TAMAQUA TRAIN STATION HE INFORMED THEM OTHERWISE. TOOMEY STRESSED THAT ALTHOUGH REPUBLICANS MAY HAVE THE LEAD, IT'S A SMALL ONE. WITH JUST FIVE DAYS UNTIL THE ELECTION, TOOMEY ASKED SUPPORTERS TO URGE PEOPLE, WHO MAY BE ON THE FENCE, TO VOTE FOR HIM AND STATE SENATOR DAVID ARGALL.

ELECTION REMINDERS

DON'T FORGET TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2ND IS ELECTION DAY. POLLS WILL BE OPEN 7AM-8PM. GET OUT AND SUPPORT YOUR CANDIDATE FOR:

U.S SENATE, DEMOCRAT JOE SESTAK OR REPUBLICAN PAT TOOMEY.

GOVENOR, DEMOCRAT DAN ONORATO OR REPUBLICAN TOM CORBETT.

U.S HOUSE DISTRICT, DEMOCRAT TIME HOLDEN OR REPUBLICAN DAVE ARGALL.

STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 123, DEMOCRAT NEAL GOODMAN OR ETTORE DISCASIMIRRO


STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 124, DEMOCRAT JEFFREY FAUST, REPUBLICAN JERRY KNOWLES, OR INDEPENDENT DANTE PICCIANO.

STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 125, DEMOCRAT TIM SEIP, REPUBLICAN MIKE TOBASH, OR INDEPENDENT DENIIS BAYLOR.

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO HAND IN YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT. MILITARY EXTENSION GOES UNTIL NOVEMBER 9TH. OTHERWISE, SEE YOU AT THE POLLS!

OPERATION SAFE

OPERATION SAFE WAS CONDUCTED OCTOBER 20TH BY MEMBERS OF STATE POLICE MOTOR CARRIER ENFORCEMENT TEAMS, RESULTING IN 87 TRUCKS AND 53 DRIVERS OUT OF SERVICE. THIS ONE-DAY STATEWIDE ENFORCEMENT EFFORT FOCUSED ON SEAT BELT USE AND PROPER DRIVER AND VEHICLE DOCUMENTATION. SAFE STANDS FOR SEAT BELT AND FATIGUE ENFORCEMENT. 1,464 COMMERCIAL VEHICLES WERE INSPECTED, RESULTING IN THE ISSUANCE OF 647 TRAFFIC CITATIONS AND 1,217 WRITTEN WARNINGS. 57 OF THOSE TRAFFIC CITATIONS WERE ISSUED FOR DRIVERS NOT WEARING SEAT BELTS.

NORRISTOWN, PA. (AP) - FORMER DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON AND RISING STARS IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY FLOCKED TO PENNSYLVANIA ON THURSDAY TO CAMPAIGN FOR CANDIDATES JUST DAYS BEFORE VOTERS DECIDE HIGH-PROFILE RACES FOR GOVERNOR AND U.S. SENATE. ON FRIDAY, TWO REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS - CHRIS CHRISTIE OF NEW JERSEY AND TIM PAWLENTY OF MINNESOTA - PLANNED TO STUMP IN THE AREA.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA WILL BE IN PHILADELPHIA ON THE EVE OF TUESDAY'S MIDTERM ELECTIONS TO STUMP FOR DEMOCRATS. OBAMA IS HEADLINING THE GET-OUT-THE-VOTE RALLY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA ON MONDAY NIGHT. THE POPULAR FIRST LADY HIT THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL EARLIER THIS MONTH FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE HER HUSBAND'S 2008 ELECTION.

ERIE, PA. (AP) - MERCYHURST COLLEGE WANTS TO CHANGE ITS NAME TO MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY. THE COLLEGE'S TRUSTEES SAID THURSDAY THEY PLAN TO ASK THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO GRANT THEM UNIVERSITY STATUS. MERCYHURST PRESIDENT TOM GAMBLE TELLS THE ERIE TIMES-NEWS THAT THE NAME CHANGE WON'T CHANGE ANYTHING THERE BUT WILL BETTER DESCRIBE WHAT THE SCHOOL HAS TO OFFER. THE CHANGE COULD BECOME EFFECTIVE SOMETIME NEXT YEAR, IF APPROVED.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A STATE AGENCY CAN'T ACCOUNT FOR MORE THAN 1,800 ITEMS, INCLUDING CIVIL WAR ITEMS AND SCULPTURES. THAT'S ACCORDING TO A NEW AUDIT RELEASED THURSDAY BY THE AUDITOR GENERAL'S OFFICE. THE REVIEW FOUND LAX OVERSIGHT AND AN ANTIQUATED INVENTORY SYSTEM WITHIN THE PENNSYLVANIA HISTORICAL AND MUSEUM COMMISSION AND THE STATE RAILROAD MUSEUM THAT THE COMMISSION ADMINISTERS.

YORK, PA. (AP) - THE YORK DISPATCH IS ENDORSING DEMOCRAT JOE SESTAK OVER REPUBLICAN PAT TOOMEY IN THE RACE FOR PENNSYLVANIA'S U.S. SENATE SEAT. SESTAK AND TOOMEY ARE VYING TO REPLACE FIVE-TERM SEN. ARLEN SPECTER, WHOM SESTAK BEAT IN MAY'S PRIMARY.

LITTLE ROCK, ARK. (AP) - AN ARKANSAS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER IS RESIGNING OVER AN ANTI-GAY RANT HE POSTED ON FACEBOOK. ON CNN'S "ANDERSON COOPER 360," CLINT MCCANCE APOLOGIZED FOR SAYING HE THINKS GAY YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD KILL THEMSELVES. THE HEAD OF AN ANTI-BULLYING GROUP SAYS THE RESIGNATION MEANS MCCANCE'S SENTIMENTS WILL NO LONGER REPRESENT AUTHORITY IN HIS COMMUNITY.

MENTAWAI ISLANDS, INDONESIA (AP) - AN INDONESIAN DISASTER OFFICIAL SAYS THE DEATH TOLL FROM THE TSUNAMI THAT STRUCK ISLANDS OFF SUMATRA HAS RISEN TO MORE THAN 400. ABOUT 300 PEOPLE REMAIN MISSING, AND RESCUERS FEAR MANY OF THEM WERE SWEPT OUT TO SEA. MEANWHILE, THE VOLCANO THAT KILLED 33 PEOPLE EARLIER THIS WEEK CONTINUES TO ERUPT, THOUGHT THERE'S BEEN NO NEW DAMAGE OR INJURIES.

MOSCOW (AP) - RUSSIA'S EMERGENCIES MINISTRY SAYS TWO VOLCANOES THAT ERUPTED ON THE FAR EASTERN KAMCHATKA (KAM-CHAHT'-KUH) PENINSULA HAVE ALL BUT STOPPED SPEWING ASH. ASH CLOUDS FROM THE REMOTE VOLCANOES FORCED FLIGHT DIVERSIONS YESTERDAY AND BLANKETED A TOWN WITH DUST. BUT VISIBILITY IN THE REGION IS BACK TO 7 MILES AND FLIGHTS ARE NO LONGER BEING DIVERTED, THOUGH SCHOOLS REMAIN CLOSED BECAUSE OF A BUILDUP OF ASH.

FULTON, MO. (AP) - POLICE INVESTIGATORS HAVE CAPTURED A SUSPECT IN A SERIES OF FATAL SHOOTINGS IN CENTRAL MISSOURI. BUT THEY SAY THEY HAVE MORE WORK TO DO, COLLECTING EVIDENCE AND INTERVIEWING PEOPLE. THIS WEEK, A GUNMAN KILLED TWO COUPLES AT THEIR HOMES IN SEPARATE ATTACKS. POLICE SAY THE SUSPECT AND THE VICTIMS HAD PREVIOUS CONNECTIONS, BUT THEY'RE NOT ELABORATING.

TOKYO (AP) - A U.N. CONFERENCE ON PRESERVING BIODIVERSITY IS DEADLOCKED. PARTICIPANTS AT THE MEETING IN JAPAN SAY THE BIGGEST STICKING POINT IS A DIVISION BETWEEN DEVELOPING AND INDUSTRIAL NATIONS OVER A SYSTEM TO FAIRLY SHARE IN GENETIC RESOURCES, SUCH AS MEDICINE EXTRACTED FROM PLANTS. DELEGATES FROM MORE THAN 190 COUNTRIES ARE ATTENDING.

TODAY'S NEWS: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2010

125TH DISTRICT TACKLES BUDGET

ELECTION DAY IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER AND THE CANDIDATES FROM THE 125TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT ARE SPEAKING UP ABOUT TACKLING THE BUDGET. DEMOCRAT TIM SEIP, REPUBLICAN MICHAEL TOBASH, AND THIRD PARTY DENNIS BAYLOR TOLD THE REPUBLICAN HERALD THIER GOALS THE FUTURE.SEIP, THE CURRENT STATE REPRESENTATIVE, PROMISES TO CONTINUE FIGHTING FOR STRUCTURAL CHANGE IN HARRISBURG IN WHAT HE CALLS A "BROKEN SYSTEM". TOBASH WANTS TO GET PEOPLE BACK TO WORK IN A STATE HE FEELS IS DIFFICULT TO DO BUSINESS IN. BAYLOR SAYS HE IS READY TO TAKE DRASTIC STEPS TO CUT ABOUT FOUR BILLION DOLLARS FROM THE STATE BUDGET. ALL THREE CANDIDATES ARE RUNNING TO BECOME PENNSYLVANIA STATE REPRESENTATIVE. DON'T FORGET TO VOTE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER SECOND.

FRACKVILLE RAPE

A FRACKVILLE MAN SITS IN JAIL ON RAPE CHARGES. 52-YEAR-OLD EDMUND J. GOVERN JR. OF FRACKVILLE WAS CHARGED BY MINERSVILLE POLICE, ON WEDNESDAY, WITH RAPING AN 11-YEAR-OLD GIRL EARLIER THIS YEAR. GOVERN OF WEST MAHANOY TOWNSHIP WAS INVOLVED IN THE ALLEGED INCIDENT BACK IN AUGUST. HE TOLD THE GIRL NOT TO TELL ANYONE WHAT HAD OCCURED, BUT BY MID OCTOBER THE SECRET WAS OUT. GOVERN NOW SITS IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON UNABLE TO POST $200,000 BAIL.

DEADLY CRASH

A VEHICLE CRASH WEDNESDAY NIGHT KILLED 95-YEAR-OLD MABEL GROFF FROM LEBANON COUNTY. THE CRASH OCCURED JUST AFTER 5PM ON FRANTZ ROAD, JUST OFF ROUTE 443. DEPUTY CORONER PAUL T. KENNEDY PRONOUNCED GROFF, WHO WAS THE PASSENGER, DEAD AT THE SCENE. THE DRIVER, 78-YEAR-OLD ANNA GROFF, WAS FLOWN TO HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER WHERE SHE REMAINS IN CRITICAL CONDITION.

SAINT CLAIR PARADE

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SAINT CLAIR CELEBRATED THIER 50TH YEAR ANNUAL HALLOWEEN PARADE. THE VETERANS COLOR GUARD, POLICE VEHICLES, AND MAYOR ROBERT MALEY LEAD THE PARADE THROUGH SECOND STREET. CANDY, COSTUMES, FLOATS, BANDS, AND OF COURSE TONS OF PEOPLE MADE THE MARCH A SUCCESS!

NORRISTOWN, PA. (AP) - A FORMER SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AIDE HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO SIX TO 18 YEARS IN STATE PRISON IN A CHILD MOLESTATION CASE. VITO GRANIERI WAS ALSO ORDERED BY A MONTGOMERY COUNTY JUDGE YESTERDAY TO SPEND 15 YEARS ON PROBATION AFTER SERVING HIS PRISON TERM. GRANIERI WAS AN AIDE AT SAINT ELEANOR PARISH SCHOOL IN COLLEGEVILLE.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - FUNERAL SERVICES HAVE BEEN HELD FOR THE WOMAN AND FOUR SMALL CHILDREN KILLED IN A FIRE IN A CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA ROW HOUSE LAST WEEK. HARRISBURG MAYOR LINDA THOMPSON AND SEVERAL COUNCIL MEMBERS WERE AMONG THOSE IN ATTENDANCE YESTERDAY AT MOUNT CALVARY CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST.

UNIONTOWN, PA. (AP) - A WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA TEENAGER HAS BEEN ORDERED TO STAND TRIAL IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF HIS ON-AGAIN, OFF-AGAIN GIRLFRIEND LAST MONTH. THE HERALD-STANDARD REPORTS 16-YEAR-OLD RAMAL CHISLER OF UNIONTOWN WAS CHARGED AS AN ADULT WITH CRIMINAL HOMICIDE AND A FIREARMS CRIME IN THE DEATH OF 17-YEAR-OLD TIFFANY MOODY OF UNIONTOWN.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS APPROVED PLANS TO USE SHARPSHOOTERS TO CULL THE BULGING DEER POPULATION AT VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK. THE DECISION REJECTS A LAWSUIT FILED BY SEVERAL ANIMAL-RIGHTS GROUPS. THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PLANS TO BEGIN THE NIGHTTIME HUNT NEXT MONTH.


MENTAWAI ISLANDS, INDONESIA (AP) - RESCUERS ARE SEARCHING ISLANDS OFF WESTERN INDONESIA RAVAGED BY A TSUNAMI EARLIER THIS WEEK. THE DEATH TOLL HAS CLIMBED TO MORE THAN 300, BUT TEAMS ARE FINDING MORE CORPSES ON THE BEACHES AND HUNDREDS ARE STILL MISSING. ELSEWHERE IN INDONESIA TODAY, VILLAGERS HELD A MASS BURIAL FOR SOME OF THE 30 PEOPLE KILLED WHEN ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S MOST VOLATILE VOLCANOS ERUPTED.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - FORECLOSURE WARNINGS CONTINUE TO INCREASE ACROSS MOST MAJOR METROPOLITAN AREAS. THE FORECLOSURE LISTING FIRM REALTYTRAC SAYS 133 OF 206 METROPOLITAN AREAS OF 200,000 PEOPLE OR MORE SAW AN INCREASE IN FORECLOSURE ACTIVITY BETWEEN JULY AND SEPTEMBER. REALTYTRAC SAYS THE DATA SHOW THE PROBLEM IS SPREADING TO AREAS THAT HADN'T PREVIOUSLY BEEN AFFECTED.

WASHINGTON (AP) - POLICE SAY A PAKISTANI-BORN VIRGINIA MAN SPENT SIX MONTHS CASING WASHINGTON, D.C., ARE SUBWAY STATIONS, SIZING UP HOW TO KILL THE MOST PEOPLE IN A BOMB ATTACK. THE FBI SAYS 34-YEAR-OLD FAROOQUE AHMED THOUGHT HE WAS WORKING FOR AL-QAIDA OPERATIVES, BUT IT WAS A SET-UP AND HIS CONTACTS WERE FEDERAL AGENTS. THE FBI SAYS THE PUBLIC WAS NEVER IN DANGER.

NEW YORK (AP) - A NEW YORK GRAND JURY HAS INDICTED THREE MEN ACCUSED OF TAKING PART IN ANTI-GAY ATTACKS IN THE BRONX. THE MEN FACE CHARGES INCLUDING GANG ASSAULT AND AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ABUSE. PROSECUTORS HAVE DROPPED CHARGES AGAINST FOUR OTHER SUSPECTS IN THE ATTACK.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - FREDDY SANCHEZ LED THE GIANTS ATTACK, AS SAN FRANCISCO BATTERED THE TEXAS RANGERS 11-7 IN GAME 1 OF THE WORLD SERIES. SANCHEZ HAD FOUR HITS, DRIVING IN THREE RUNS AND SCORING TWO HIMSELF. THE GIANTS KNOCKED RANGERS' ACE CLIFF LEE FROM THE GAME IN THE FIFTH INNING. GAME 2 IS TONIGHT IN SAN FRANCISCO.

TODAY'S NEWS: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2010

HOLDEN'S MOTHER PASSES

U.S REPRESENTATIVE, TIM HOLDEN'S MOTHER PASSED AWAY ON TUESDAY. 96 YEAR-OLD CATHERINE SINEY HOLDEN DIED AT HER RESIDENCE IN ST. CLAIR. REPRESENTATIVE HOLDEN SUSPENDED HIS CAMPAIGN EARLIER THIS WEEK TO SPEND TIME WITH HIS SICK MOTHER. HOLDEN IS FACING A RE-ELECTION AGAINST SEN. DAVID ARGALL.

TRICK-OR-TREAT WEEK

GET THE CANDY READY BECAUSE THIS WEEK MANY COMMUNITIES WILL BE HOLDING TRICK-OR-TREAT NIGHTS. PENNDOT IS URGING PARENTS TO TEACH SAFE HABITS TO THEIR CHILDREN AND CHOOSE SAFE COSTUMES. MOTORISTS SHOULD ALSO BE CAUTIOUS ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS. TO HELP INCREASE SAFETY AND VISIBILITY OF CHILDREN: MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD'S COSTUME IS BRIGHTLY-COLORED, ADD REFLECTIVE TAPE TO DARKER COLORED COSTUMES OR TRICK-OR-TREAT BAGS, HAVE YOUR CHILD CARRY A FLASHLIGHT OR GLOWSTICK, ACCOMPANY YOUNG CHILDREN WHEN THEY ARE TRICK-OR-TREATING, REMIND CHILDREN TO PAY ATTENTION TO THEIR SURROUNDINGS, AND FINALLY MAKE SURE CHILDREN WALK INSTEAD OF RUN AND STAY ON THE SIDEWALKS WHENEVER POSSIBLE. TO GARENTEE A FUN NIGHT OF TRICK-OR-TREATING PLEASE BE SAFE!
　
SHENANDOAH KIDNAPPING

TWO SHENANDOAH RESIDENTS WERE ARRESTED MONDAY NIGHT ON 22 CHARGES EACH. 42 YEAR-OLD WILLIAM J. MURPHY AND 36 YEAR-OLD MICHELE L. TERENCHIN BOTH OF SHENANDOAH WERE ARRESTED MONDAY AND TAKEN TO SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON FOR THE ALLEGED ROBBERY AND KIDNAPPING OF 23 YEAR-OLD ROBERT WHISPELL OF SHAMOKIN. BOTH WERE ARRAIGNED VIA VIDEO-CONFERENCE BY ON-DUTY MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGE JAMES R. FERRIER. THEY ARE NOW LOCKED UP ON $100,000 BAIL EACH.

2008 HELICOPTER CRASH

AFTER MORE THAN TWO YEARS, FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS HAVE RELEASED THE PROBABLE CAUSE OF A MEDICAL HELICOTER CRASH IN POTTSVILLE. THE MAY 30TH CRASH THAT OCCURED BACK IN 2008 WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ENSURE THAT BOTH ENGINE SWITCHES WERE IN THE "FLIGHT" POSITION FOR TAKEOFF. THAT PILOT IS DANIEL L. HALL OF HUMMELSTOWN.

MINORSVILLE MEETING POSTPONED

THE MINORSVILLE PUBLIC MEETING REGARDING RECENT ARSONS HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY AT 6:30PM AT THE MINERSVILLE AREA HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM. THE MEETING HAS BEEN DELAYED IN ORDER TO HAVE MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

NANTICOKE, PA. (AP) - FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON SAYS VOTERS SHOULD GIVE THE DEMOCRATS TWO MORE YEARS IN POWER TO SHOW THAT THEIR ECONOMIC POLICIES ARE WORKING. CLINTON SPOKE YESTERDAY BEFORE HUNDREDS OF CHEERING DEMOCRATS AT A CAMPAIGN RALLY AT NANTICOKE AREA HIGH SCHOOL, SOUTH OF WILKES-BARRE, FOR DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN PAUL KANJORSKI.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - STATE REGULATORS SAY A GAS DRILLING COMPANY WILL PAY A TOTAL OF $32,000 FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE FROM AN EXPLOSION THAT KILLED TWO PEOPLE AT A WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA DRILLING SITE. THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION YESTERDAY ISSUED THE FINE FOR HUNTLEY & HUNTLEY IN THE JULY 23RD OIL TANK BLAST AT A COMPANY WELL THAT KILLED TWO WELDERS WORKING FOR A SUBCONTRACTOR.

WILKES-BARRE, PA. (AP) - A TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT COMPANY HAS ANNOUNCED PLANS TO EXPAND ITS OPERATION IN NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA, ADDING MORE THAN 200 JOBS. GENPACT, WHICH LEASES SPACE IN HANOVER INDUSTRIAL ESTATES IN LUZERNE COUNTY, WILL EXPAND ITS FACILITY AND BUY NEW EQUIPMENT AS PART OF THE $1.7 MILLION EXPANSION.

MIDWAY, KY. (AP) - SMARTY JONES IS GOING HOME. THE 2004 KENTUCKY DERBY AND PREAKNESS CHAMPION WILL MOVE FROM THREE CHIMNEYS FARM IN KENTUCKY TO GHOST RIDGE FARM IN YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, FOR THE 2011 BREEDING SEASON. SMARTY JONES WAS BORN AT SOMEDAY FARM JUST OUTSIDE PHILADELPHIA.

CHICAGO (AP) - A MASSIVE STORM THAT SOME METEOROLOGISTS SAY HAD A BAROMETRIC READING LIKE A CATEGORY 3 HURRICANE IS ADDING SOME SNOW TO THE MIX AS IT MAKES ITS WAY THROUGH A BIG CHUNK OF THE NATION. EARLIER, THE STORM PRODUCED STRONG WINDS, RAIN AND TORNADOES. SNOW IS FALLING IN THE DAKOTAS AND MINNESOTA. MORE STRONG WINDS ARE IN THE FORECAST IN SEVERAL STATES.

PADANG, INDONESIA (AP) - THE AFTERMATH OF A MAGNITUDE 7.7
EARTHQUAKE AND LOCAL TSUNAMI IN INDONESIA KEEPS GETTING WORSE. A DISASTER OFFICIAL SAYS THE DEATH TOLL HAS CLIMBED TO 154 WITH MORE THAN 400 OTHER VILLAGERS STILL MISSING. WITH RESCUERS STRUGGLING TO REACH MANY OF THE HARDEST HIT VILLAGES, REPORTS OF DAMAGE AND CASUALTIES ARE JUST NOW TRICKLING IN.

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IS OFF THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL FOR A COUPLE MORE DAYS BUT HE HASN'T STOPPED TRYING TO NUDGE CLOSE RACES IN HIS PARTY'S FAVOR. HE'S PERSONALLY TARGETING KEY DEMOCRATIC CONSTITUENCIES FROM THE WHITE HOUSE, HOLDING CONFERENCE CALLS WITH UNION ACTIVISTS AND CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEERS, AND DOING RADIO INTERVIEWS. HE TAPES AN APPEARANCE ON "THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART" TODAY.

FLORENCE, ARIZ. (AP) - A MAN CONVICTED IN A 1989 MURDER HAS BEEN EXECUTED IN ARIZONA. JEFFREY LANDRIGAN DIED BY INJECTION AT A STATE PRISON IN FLORENCE LAST NIGHT AFTER A STAY ISSUED BY A FEDERAL JUDGE WAS LIFTED BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT. THAT STAY WAS BASED ON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE STATE'S SUPPLY OF AN EXECUTION DRUG IN SHORT SUPPLY. ARIZONA GOT A SUPPLY FROM GREAT BRITAIN.

WARSAW, POLAND (AP) - A DETAINEE ACCUSED IN THE 2000 BOMBING OF THE WARSHIP USS COLE HAS GOTTEN A BOOST FROM POLAND IN HIS EFFORTS TO SHOW HE WAS MISTREATED BY INTERROGATORS. A LAWYER FOR THE SAUDI SUSPECT SAYS HIS CLIENT HAS BEEN GRANTED THE STATUS OF VICTIM IN A POLISH INVESTIGATION. LEGAL EXPERTS SAY THAT RECOGNIZES THE VALIDITY OF HIS CLAIMS.

TODAY'S NEWS: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2010

CORBETT RALLIES IN PINE GROVE

REPUBLICAN GOVENOR CANDIATE, TOM CORBETT, AND HIS WIFE SUE ARRIVED IN PINE GROVE MONDAY AFTERNOON FOR A CAMPAIGN RALLY. CORBETT SPOKE AT THE PINE GROVE FIRE COMPANY TO A CROWD OF AREA SUPPORTERS WHERE HE BEGAN BY THANKING HIS WIFE FOR BRINGING HIM INTO THE AREA, AND ALSO TALKING ABOUT THE TIME HE SPENT THERE. HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HIS SUPPORTERS WILL BE KEY IN HIS ELECTION. REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES ETTORE DICASIMIRRO, JERRY KNOWLES, MIKE TOBASH, AND DAVE ARGALL CAME OUT AND SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF CORBETT AND THE PARTY.

ARSONIST AWARD

AFTER A NUMBER OF FIRES AROUND THE AREA, THE BOROUGH OF MINERSVILLE IS OFFERING A $1,000 REWARD TO CATCH THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, THE BOROUGH COUNCIL KNOWS THERE IS AN ARSONIST OUT THERE AND THEY WANT HIM FOUND IMMEDIATELY. MINORSVILLE MAYOR, JOE POST, HAS CALLED A MEETING OF BOROUGH RESIDENTS FOR 7PM TODAY AT GOOD WILL FIRE COMPANY TO DISCUSS THE RECENT ARSONS.

CHARTER SCHOOL APPEALS

AFTER POTTSVILLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT DENIED THEIR APPLICATION, PROPONENTS OF GILLINGHAM CHARTER SCHOOL FILED A PETITION TO START THIER APPEAL. ON MONDAY, THE CHARTER SCHOOL, WHICH IS SEEKING TO OPEN ITS SCHOOL IN POTTSVILLE, ASKED SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COURT TO ISSUE A DECREE AUTHORIZING AN APPEAL TO START THE STATE CHARTER SCHOOL APPEAL BOARD OF THE SCHOOL BOARDS JULY 21 DENIAL OF ITS APPLICATION. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, GILLINGHAM'S PETITION CONTAINS MORE THAN TWICE THE NUMBER REQUIRED UNDER STATE LAW.
　
DUI PROGRAM RENEWED

PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE HAVE CONTINUED A PROGRAM THAT RESULTED IN NEARLY 5,000 DUI ARRESTS DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS. IT'S CALLED "THE CHECKPOINT STRIKEFORCE PROGRAM" AND ITS PURPOSE IS TO REDUCE CRASHES, PREVENT INJURIES, AND SAVE LIVES BY IDENTIFYING AND ARRESTING IMPAIRED DRIVERS. THE PROGRAM STARTED IN OCTOBER OF 2008, AND SINCE THEN HAS BEEN RENEWED DUE TO ITS SUCCESS. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT PSP.STATE.PA.US.

SENIOR IDOL COMPETITION

LAST NIGHT AUDITIONS FOR THE 4TH ANNUAL SENIOR IDOL COMPETITION BEGAN. A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF FIFTY TRIED OUT TO BE APART OF THIS YEARS COMPETITION. EVERYONE IS INVITED TO WATCH THE FREE EVENT ON NOVEMBER 7TH AT 4PM AT THE SOVEREIGN MAJESTIC THEATRE.

DUI TOP GUN AWARD

ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21ST, THE PENNSYLVANIA DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE ASSOCIATION HONORED 21 MUNICIPAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND 27 STATE POLICE TROOPERS WITH 2010 DUI TOP GUN AWARDS. THE AWARDS WERE PRESENTED AT THE ASSOCIATION'S 31ST ANNUAL MEETING. THE NUMBER OF ALCOHOL-RELATED FATALITIES IN PENNSYLVANIA DROPPED FROM 567 IN 2008 TO 451 IN 2009.

MISSING JUVENILE

THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE AT FRACKVILLE ARE INVESTIGATING A MISSING JUVENILE. SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD, SANDRA STOEVER, WAS LAST SEEN BY HER GRANDMOTHER AND LEGAL GAURDIAN WHEN SHE LEFT FOR SCHOOL ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20TH. STOEVER IS DESCRIBED AS A WHITE FEMALE, 5'4, APPROX. 125 LBS, BROWN HAIR, BROWN EYES, AND WEARING EYE GLASSES. ANYONE KNOWING THE WHEREABOUTS IS URGED TO CALL PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE FRACKVILLE AT 570-874-5300.

READING, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN BERKS COUNTY SAY A READING WOMAN SECRETLY CONCEIVED SEVERAL CHILDREN THROUGH AN EXTRAMARITAL AFFAIR KILLED AT LEAST FOUR OF HER NEWBORNS. OFFICIALS HAVE ANNOUNCED HOMICIDE AND AGGRAVATED ASSAULT CHARGES AGAINST MICHELE KALINA.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - GOVERNOR ED RENDELL SAYS THAT RECENT EDUCATION GAINS MADE BY PENNSYLVANIA STUDENTS COULD BE JEOPARDIZED WITH NEXT YEAR'S ANTICIPATED LOSS OF $650 MILLION IN FEDERAL STIMULUS MONEY. RENDELL MADE THE COMMENTS YESTERDAY DURING A JOINT EVENT IN PHILADELPHIA WITH U.S. EDUCATION SECRETARY ARNE (AR'-NEE) DUNCAN.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - PHILADELPHIA FIREFIGHTERS HAVE BEEN BATTLING A FIVE-ALARM WAREHOUSE BLAZE IN THE NORTHEASTERN PART OF THE CITY THAT HAS PROMPTED EVACUATION OF AT LEAST A SCORE OF HOMES, BUT NO INJURIES HAVE BEEN REPORTED. FIRE DISPATCHERS SAY THE BLAZE ON EAST BOSTON STREET IN THE KENSINGTON SECTION OF THE CITY WAS REPORTED SHORTLY BEFORE SEVEN LAST NIGHT.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THE TRUST THAT ADMINISTERS THE MILTON S. HERSHEY SCHOOL REPORTEDLY PAID WELL ABOVE MARKET VALUE FOR A ROADSIDE PUMPKIN ATTRACTION IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA. THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER REPORTS THAT IN 2006 THE HERSHEY TRUST PAID $8.6 MILLION IN SCHOOL MONEY FOR PUMPKIN WORLD, WHICH SITS ON 27-ACRES NORTH OF HERSHEY. THE NEWSPAPER REPORTS THAT'S MORE THAN NINE TIMES FAIR-MARKET VALUE.

TEHRAN, IRAN (AP) - STATE TV SAYS IRAN IS FUELING ITS FIRST NUCLEAR POWER PLANT IN PREPARATION FOR A STARTUP IN EARLY 2011 AFTER YEARS OF DELAYS. THE ENGLISH-LANGUAGE PRESS TV ANNOUNCED MORNING THE INJECTION OF FUEL INTO THE CORE OF THE 1,000-MEGAWATT REACTOR IN SOUTHERN IRAN.

BOSTON (AP) - THE HOME OF A MISSILE SYSTEMS EXPERT WHO WORKED FOR THE U.S. DEFENSE CONTRACTOR RAYTHEON HAS BEEN SEARCHED BY FEDERAL AGENTS WHO REMOVED MATERIALS FROM THE RESIDENCE. OFFICIALS AREN'T REVEALING THE REASON FOR THE SEARCH OR WHAT WAS REMOVED. A SOURCE SAYS THE MAN WAS STOPPED AT NEW YORK'S KENNEDY AIRPORT WITH A LAPTOP CONTAINING INFORMATION HE SHOULDN'T HAVE HAD.

LAS VEGAS (AP) - A SPOKESMAN SAYS A PRESS AIDE TO SENATE MAJORITY LEADER HARRY REID IS NO LONGER WITH HIS OFFICE AFTER AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION OF ALLEGATIONS SHE MARRIED TO HELP A MAN EVADE IMMIGRATION LAWS. REID SPOKESMAN JIM MANLEY SAYS THE ALLEGED CONDUCT WAS "CLEARLY WRONG." THE ALLEGATIONS WERE REPORTED MONDAY ON FOXNEWS.COM.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA SAYS SHE UNDERSTANDS THAT MANY VOTERS FEEL CHANGE IS COMING TOO SLOWLY. SHE TOLD A CROWD OF ABOUT 700 IN SAN FRANCISCO YESTERDAY THAT THE MIDTERM ELECTION ISN'T A REFERENDUM ON THE PAST TWO YEARS, BUT IS ABOUT WHAT'S LEFT TO BE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE YEARS AHEAD. MRS. OBAMA APPEARED WITH HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI.

TOKYO (AP) - JAPAN'S CABINET HAS APPROVED AN EXTRA BUDGET TO HELP FINANCE A STIMULUS PACKAGE WORTH $63 BILLION. THE STIMULUS PACKAGE, WHICH INCLUDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, AIMS TO SHORE UP JAPAN'S LACKLUSTER ECONOMY, WHICH HAS BEEN BATTLING DEFLATION AND A STRONG YEN.

TODAY'S NEWS: MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2010

TIM HOLDEN CANCELS DEBATE

DEMOCRATIC PENNSYLVANIA REP. TIM HOLDEN IS TAKING TIME AWAY FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, CITING HIS MOTHER'S ILLNESS. HOLDEN'S CAMPAIGN SAID SUNDAY THAT THE NINE-TERM 17TH DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN HAS SUSPENDED PERSONAL CAMPAIGNING INDEFINITELY TO SPEND TIME WITH HIS MOTHER, CATHERINE, AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE WITH HER.THE REPUBLICAN AND HERALD OF POTTSVILLE REPORTS THAT 96-YEAR-OLD CATHERINE HOLDEN IS IN HOSPICE CARE AT HER HOME IN ST. CLAIR. A DEBATE SCHEDULED FOR TONIGHT BETWEEN HOLDEN AND HIS REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER, STATE SEN. DAVID ARGALL, HAS BEEN CANCELLED. HOLDEN CAMPAIGN MANAGER ERIC NAGY SAYS HOLDEN'S LEGISLATIVE OFFICES WILL REMAIN OPEN AND THE CAMPAIGN STAFF WILL CONTINUE TO WORK.

MINERSVILLE FIRES

TWO FIRES WERE REPORTED WITHIN A BLOCK OF EACH OTHER IN MINERSVILLE EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. THE TWO FIRES ON SUNBURY STREET WERE ARSON. JUST SIX MONTHS AGO, ANOTHER FIRE WAS INTENTIONALLY SET, DESTROYING ONE OF THE BOROUGH'S LANDMARK BUILDINGS. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, MINERSVILLE FIRE CHIEF, ERIC EICHENBERG, REALIZES THE PROBLEM IS REAL AND GETTING BAD.

MARCHING BAND CHAMPIONSHIP

THE BLUE MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL STADIUM WELCOMED EIGHT COMPETING HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BANDS ONTO ITS FIELD SUNDAY AFTERNOON. MORE THAN 500 HUNDRED PEOPLE CAME TO WATCH "THE TOURNAMENT OF BANDS CHAPTER TWO CHAMPIONSHIP". THE NEXT STEP FOR THE QUALIFIED GROUPS WILL BE IN TWO WEEKS AT THE ATLANTIC COASTAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN HERSHEY PARK ARENA.

DUI CHECKPOINT

THE SCHUYLKILL HAVEN STATE POLICE STATION CONDUCTED A DUI CHECKPOINT ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22ND IN BRANCH TOWNSHIP. DURING THE COURSE OF THE CHECKPOINT, 204 MOTORISTS WERE STOPPED. ONE DUI ARREST, TWO TRAFFIC CITATIONS, AND FIFTEEN WRITTEN WARNINGS FOR MOTOR VEHICLE VIOLATIONS WERE ISSUED.

SCHUYLKILL MALL THEATRE REOPENING

THE SCHUYLKILL MALL THEATRE WILL REOPEN FOR BUSINESS OCTOBER 27TH. FAMECO REAL ESTATE AND EMPIRE REALTY INVESTMENTS, INC. AND KIND THEATRE CIRCUIT HAVE JOINTLY ANNOUCED THE REOPENING OF THE RECENTLY VACATED UNITED ARTISTS THEATRE AT SCHUYLKILL MALL. THE THEATRE WILL OPEN WITH TWO SPECIAL "CHARITY EVENTS" AT 7PM ON BOTH OCTOBER 27TH AND 28TH. ALL SEATS WILL BE JUST TWO DOLLARS. ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TO THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, AND BRAIN CANCER RESEARCH DIVISION.LPHIA (AP) - A PHILADELPHIA JURY MEETS AGAIN TODAY TO RESUME A HEARING ON WHETHER A MAN CONVICTED OF SHOOTING A POLICE OFFICER TO DEATH LAST YEAR DESERVES CAPITAL PUNISHMENT OR LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE. THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER REPORTS RASHEED SCRUGS PLEADED GUILTY LAST WEEK TO FIRST-DEGREE MURDER IN THE FEBRUARY 2009 DEATH OF 25-YEAR-OLD OFFICER JOHN PAWLOWSKI.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - POLICE IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SAY A MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF HIS GIRLFRIEND AT THE SUBURBAN PITTSBURGH HOME THEY SHARED. HOMICIDE DETECTIVES IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY SAY THEY WERE CALLED TO A HOME IN PLUM BOROUGH EARLY SUNDAY AND FOUND A 26-YEAR-OLD WOMAN SHOT TO DEATH AT THE HOME AND A 28-YEAR-OLD MAN WITH STAB WOUNDS.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SPOKESMAN SAYS MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH JAMIE DIXON HELPED RESCUE TWO MEN FROM A CAR ACCIDENT NEAR THE CITY. ATHLETICS SPOKESMAN GREG HOTCHKISS SAYS DIXON WAS HEADING NORTH ON INTERSTATE 279 SATURDAY NIGHT WHEN THE ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE. THE SCHOOL SAYS DIXON RAN TO THE VEHICLE AND CUT HIS HANDS HELPING SOMEONE GET OUT.

GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, CUBA (AP) - THE LAWYER FOR A CANADIAN WHO HAS BEEN IN U.S. CUSTODY SINCE HE WAS 15 IS HOPING FOR A PLEA DEAL TODAY THAT SPARES HIS CLIENT A POSSIBLE LIFE SENTENCE FOR WAR CRIMES. OMAR KHADR - THE LAST WESTERNER HELD AT GUANTANAMO - HAS RESISTED A PLEA DEAL IN THE PAST, BUT HIS ATTORNEYS HOPE TO SECURE AN AGREEMENT AND A JUDGE HAS SCHEDULED A CLOSED MEETING.

NEW YORK (AP) - AN ECONOMIST AND ADVISER AT THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF CHICAGO SAYS BUSINESS CONDITIONS ARE IMPROVING AND THE ECONOMY IS RECOVERING FROM THE RECESSION. WILLIAM STRAUSS HELPED CONDUCT ANALYSIS FOR THE LATEST SURVEY OF ECONOMISTS BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR BUSINESS ECONOMICS. ECONOMISTS SAY THE ECONOMY SHOULD CONTINUE TO GROW, BUT THE PACE MAY BE SLOW.

HANOI, VIETNAM (AP) - A VIETNAMESE BUS DRIVER IS IN POLICE CUSTODY, CHARGED WITH DRIVING INTO A FLOODED AREA WHERE HIS VEHICLE WAS SWEPT AWAY LAST WEEK, LEAVING 20 PEOPLE DEAD OR MISSING. POLICE IN VIETNAM SAY THE 35-YEAR-OLD DRIVER WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY SATURDAY FOR VIOLATING TRAFFIC LAWS CAUSING ESPECIALLY SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. HE COULD FACE 15 YEARS IN PRISON IF CONVICTED.

LONDON (AP) - BP SAYS IT HAS SOLD ITS STAKE IN FOUR MATURE OIL AND GAS FIELDS IN THE GULF OF MEXICO. THE OIL COMPANY HAS BEEN SELLING ASSETS TO RAISE CASH TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE DISASTROUS GULF OIL SPILL. THE SALE TO MARUBENI OIL AND GAS BRINGS IN $650 MILLION.

(AP) - SPATS OVER FEES FOR BROADCASTERS ARE HAVING A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON FREE ONLINE TV. FOX, ABC, NBC AND CBS BLOCKED ACCESS TO THEIR PROGRAMMING ONLINE THIS MONTH IN SEPARATE FEE DISPUTES TO ENFORCE THEIR DEMANDS TO BE PAID. BROADCASTERS THINK THEY CAN MAKE MORE MONEY FROM CABLE TV PROVIDERS IF THEY HOLD BACK SOME PROGRAMMING ONLINE.

TODAY'S NEW: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2010

MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY

TODAY IS THE 20TH ANNUAL MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY. ONCE AGAIN, SCHULYKILL COUNTY WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE LARGEST NATIONAL DAY OF COMMUNITY SERVICE. FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY HAS BEEN HANDS ON, MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN MANY WAYS. JANICE JOHNSTON, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION, PROUDLY SHOWCASES THREE AWARDS IN HER OFFICE WHICH SCHUYLKILL COUNTY HAS WON OVER THE YEARS ON A NATIONAL LEVEL. LAST YEAR, ONE OUT OF EVERY TWENTY-FIVE PEOPLE LIVING IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PARTICIPATED IN MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY. JOHNSTON REMINDS EVERYONE THAT IS NOT A RESIDENT OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY THAT YOU CAN STILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN A SMALL WAY.SO WHETHER YOU MOW A NEIGHBOR'S LAWN, RUN AN ERRAND FOR A FRIEND, OR DONATE FOOD TO A LOCAL FOOD KITCHEN.... GET OUT THERE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

CHAPTER TWO CHAMPIONSHIPS TOURNAMENT OF BANDS

LOOKING FOR A GREAT WAY TO SPEND A FALL SUNDAY AFTERNOON? A CELEBRATION OF HIGH SCHOOL BAND MUSIC WILL BE HELD AT BLUE MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL STADIUM, WHERE THE CHAPTER TWO CHAMPIONSHIPS OF THE TOURNAMENT OF BANDS IS SCHEDULED TO STEP OFF AT 2:30PM. COUNTY BANDS PERFORMING INCLUDE SCHUYLKILL HAVEN AND BLUE MOUNTAIN, ALONG WITH BANDS FROM BERKS AND LEHIGH COUNTIES. WINNERS IN THE RESPECTIVE CATEGORIES WILL EARN THE RIGHT TO COMPETE IN THE T.O.B. CHAMPIONSHIPS THE NEXT TWO WEEKENDS AT HERSHEYPARK STADIUM. GENERAL ADMISSION IS $8.00.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS PUSH MARCELLUS ALTERNATIVE

GOV. ED RENDELL THIS WEEK CALLED ON HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERS TO OFFER ALTERNATIVES TO HIS MARCELLUS SHALE TAX PLAN. REPUBLICAN LEADER SAM SMITH PREPARED A RESPONSE TO THE ADMINISTRATION DETAILING A MORE VIABLE OPTION FOR PENNSYLVANIA. THAT PLAN, THE MARCELLUS WORKS INITIATIVE, RECENTLY INTRODUCED BY HOUSE REPUBLICANS, CONTAINS A PACKAGE OF BILLS THAT FOCUS ON CLEAN-AIR, CLEAN-ENERGY, AND JOB-CREATING SOLUTIONS FOR THE STATE THAT WILL CUT COSTS AND STIMULATE ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE MARCELLUS SHALE REGION. GOVENOR RENDELL SUPPORTS THE HOUSE GOP PROPOSAL AND EVEN PRESENTED IT TO THE PRESIDENT, URGING IT BECOME A NATIONAL POLICY.

EXTREME MAKEOVER HOME EDITION FEATURES BERKS COUNTY FAMILY

WIDOWED BERKS COUNTY MOTHER, TRISHA URBAN , AND HER DAUGHTER CORA WILL BE WATCHING TELEVISION SUNDAY NIGHT AT THEIR HOME NEAR HAMBURG. EXTREME MAKEOVER HOME EDITION: AN URBAN FAIRYTALE WILL AIR AT 8:00 SUNDAY NIGHT, THE EPISODE THAT TY PENNINGTON AND HIS CREW MAKES-OVER URBAN'S 300 YEAR OLD LOG CABIN. URBAN AND HER DAUGHTER WERE SENT TO WALT DISNEY WORLD FOR ONE WEEK IN AUGUST AS THE CREW RENOVATED THE HOME. ANDY, TRISHA'S HUSBAND, DIED OF A HEART-ATTACK THE MORNING OF CORA'S BIRTH BEFORE THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX-UP THE CABIN.

ABSENTEE BALLOT DEADLINE APPROACHING

THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO VOTE BY ABSENTEE BALLOT IN PENNSYLVANIA IS QUICKLY APPROACHING THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS MUST HAVE APPLICATIONS BY 5:00PM ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26TH. MILITARY PERSONNEL, A SPOUSE OR DEPENDENT ACCOMPANYING A U.S. SERVICE MEMBER WHO EXPECTS TO BE ABSENT ON ELECTION DAY, AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EITHER PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO VISIT THE DESIGNATED POLLING PLACE OR ARE AWARE THEY WILL NOT BE IN THE MUNICIPALITY ON NOVEMBER 2ND MAY VOTE BY ABSENTEE BALLOT. VOTERS MUST FILL OUT AN ABSENTEE BALLOT AND HAVE IT COMPLETED, SIGNED AND RECEIVED BY THE COUNTY ELECTION OFFICE BY 5:00PM ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29TH.

STATE NEWS

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE TOM CORBETT IS RAISING MORE CAMPAIGN CASH LATE IN THE RACE THAN DEMOCRATIC RIVAL DAN ONORATO. CAMPAIGN FINANCE SUMMARIES RELEASED YESTERDAY SHOWED CORBETT RECEIVED $6.2 MILLION OVER A FIVE-WEEK PERIOD THAT ENDED MONDAY, WHILE ONORATO TOOK IN $3.3 MILLION.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - DEMOCRAT JOE SESTAK AND REPUBLICAN PAT TOOMEY WERE CLASHING OVER ECONOMIC POLICY DURING THEIR SECOND DEBATE IN THREE DAYS IN PENNSYLVANIA'S RACE FOR U.S. SENATE. SESTAK AND TOOMEY MET YESTERDAY IN PITTSBURGH. POLLS THIS WEEK SHOW SESTAK AND TOOMEY RUNNING ABOUT EVEN.

BLUE BELL, PA. (AP) - FORMER NEW YORK CITY MAYOR RUDY GIULIANI IS IN PENNSYLVANIA TO HELP FELLOW REPUBLICAN PAT TOOMEY IN HIS CLOSE RACE FOR U.S. SENATE. GIULIANI CALLS TOOMEY A FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE CANDIDATE WHO CAN HELP LEAD THE NATION OUT OF ITS
ECONOMIC WOES. HE AND TOOMEY SPOKE FRIDAY TO A PACKED FIREHOUSE IN WHITPAIN TOWNSHIP. TOOMEY IS BATTLING DEMOCRAT JOE SESTAK.

LANCASTER, PA. (AP) - POLICE HAVE ARRESTED A WOMAN THEY SAY BIT AN OFFICER BEFORE STRIKING HER WITH A CAR. MANOR TOWNSHIP POLICE SAY OFFICER COLLEEN TATARA IS RECOVERING AFTER THE UNIDENTIFIED SUSPECT BIT HER AND THEN RAN INTO HER WEDNESDAY NIGHT. THE SUSPECT FACES CHARGES INCLUDING AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND DRIVING UNDER THE
INFLUENCE.

NATIONAL NEWS

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (AP) - IT'S UNCLEAR IF THERE A RE ANY CASUALTIES AFTER A SUICIDE ATTACKER DRIVING AN EXPLOSIVES-PACKED CAR BLEW UP THE ENTRANCE TO A UNITED NATIONS OFFICE SATURDAY IN WESTERN AFGHANISTAN. OFFICIALS SAY MILITANTS WENT INSIDE THE
BUILDING AND THE ATTACK IS STILL UNFOLDING.

PARACHINAR, PAKISTAN (AP) - A LOCAL OFFICIAL SAYS HELICOPTER GUNSHIPS FROM THE PAKISTANI ARMY TARGETED TWO SUSPECTED MILITANT HIDE-OUTS IN A TRIBAL REGION NEAR THE AFGHAN BORDER, KILLING 12 SUSPECTED INSURGENTS. THE ATTACK COMES A DAY AFTER A ROADSIDE BOMB KILLED SIX PARAMILITARY SOLDIERS IN THE SAME REGION.

WASHINGTON (AP) - NEWLY DISCLOSED MILITARY DOCUMENTS INDICATE U.S. FORCES OFTEN FAILED TO FOLLOW UP ON CREDIBLE EVIDENCE THAT IRAQI FORCES MISTREATED, TORTURED AND KILLED THEIR CAPTIVES. THE DOCUMENTS RELEASED BY WIKILEAKS ALSO SUGGEST THAT FAR MORE IRAQIS DIED THAN PREVIOUSLY ACKNOWLEDGED DURING YEARS OF SECTARIAN BLOODLETTING AND CRIMINAL VIOLENCE AFTER THE U.S.-LED INVASION.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A LONG CAMPAIGN SWING WRAPS UP TODAY FOR PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA. HE'LL BE IN MINNESOTA ON BEHALF OF MARK DAYTON, WHO AIMS TO SUCCEED GOP GOVERNOR TIM PAWLENTY, AND FOR A STRING OF HOUSE CANDIDATES. OBAMA WILL ATTEND A RALLY AND
FUNDRAISING EVENTS.

SACRAMENTO, CALIF. (AP) - THE MAIN CANDIDATES FOR CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR HAVE MADE THE RACE THE MOST EXPENSIVE GENERAL ELECTION CONTEST IN STATE HISTORY. THE STATE'S MAJOR POLITICAL WATCHDOG AGENCY SAYS REPUBLICAN MEG WHITMAN AND DEMOCRAT JERRY BROWN HAVE SPENT $188.1 MILLION SO FAR IN BOTH THE PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTION. WHITMAN HAS SPENT $142 MILLION OF HER OWN MONEY.

High School Football-Week 8

POTTSVILLE 29
READING 21 OT

BLUE MOUNTAIN 51
READING CENTRAL CATHOLIC 7

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN 42
JIM THORPE 27

PINE GROVE 47
NATIVITY 14

SHENANDOAH VALLEY 36
MARIAN 14

NORTH SCHUYLKILL 35
MAHANOY AREA 0

TAMAQUA 49
PANTHER VALLEY 6

WILLIAMS VALLEY 48
NEWPORT 21

MT CARMEL 35
SHIKELLAMY 14

TODAY'S NEW: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2010

MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY


JERSEY ACRES


EXTREME MAKEOVER HOME EDITION FEATURES BERKS COUNY FAMILY

WIDOWED BERKS COUNTY MOTHER, TRISHA URBAN , AND HER DAUGHTER CORA WILL BE WATCHING TELEVISION SUNDAY NIGHT AT THEIR HOME NEAR HAMBURG. EXTREME MAKEOVER HOME EDITION: AN URBAN FAIRYTALE WILL AIR AT 8:00 SUNDAY NIGHT, THE EPISODE THAT TY PEDDINGTON AND HIS CREW MAKES-OVER URBAN'S 300 YEAR OLD LOG CABIN. URBAN AND HER DAUGHTER WERE SENT TO WALT DISNEY WORLD FOR ONE WEEK IN AUGUST AS THE CREW RENOVATED THE HOME. ANDY, TRISHA'S HUSBAND, DIED OF A HEART-ATTACK THE MORNING OF CORA'S BIRTH BEFORE THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX-UP THE CABIN.

DOWNLOADING MADE EASY

VDOWNLOADER IS THE NEWEST, MOST POPULAR SOFTWARE FOR DOWNLOADING MUSIC. THE SOFTWARE IS DOWNLOADED OVER A MILLION TIMES A MONTH ALL OVER THE WORLD. NOT TO MENTION, IT'S FREE! THE CREATORS OF VDOWNLOADER 3.0 ANNOUNCED THAT THE SOFTWARE WILL OFFICIALLY BE RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC ON OCTOBER 28TH. THE EAGERLY AWAITED RELEASE CONTAINS A NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS DESIGNED FOR EASE OF USE.

POISONING PREVENTION WEEK

THE U.S ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTING AGENCY IS RECOGNIZING NATIONAL LEAD POISONING PREVENTION WEEK OCTOBER 24-30. LEAD CAUSES A VARIETY OF ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS, INCLUDING BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM DISORDERS, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, HYPERTENSION, AND REPORDUCTIVE PROBLEMS. FOR CHILDREN, EVEN LOW LEVELS OF EXPOSURE, DECREASED INTELLIGENCE AND SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMES. PARENTS CAN REDUCE A CHILD'S EXPOSURE TO LEAD IN MANY WAYS. VISIT LEADFREEKIDS.ORG OR CALL 1-800-424-LEAD FOR MORE INFORMATION.

LOTTERY WINNER

RANDY RITTENBAUGH FROM PINE GROVE IS ONE LUCKY GUY, HE WON THE TOP PRIZES IN THE MONEY COMB AND CASH FIVE GAMES IN THE SAME MONTH. RITTENBAUGH WON $60,000 ON SEPTEMBER SECOND AND 1.2 MILLION ON SEPTEMBER TWENTY-SECOND. ACCORDING TO THE REBLUBICAN HERALD, THE ODDS OF WINNING THE TOP PRIZE IN THE SCRATCH-OFF GAME ARE 1 IN 480,000, WHILE THE ODDS OF WINNING THE CASH FIVE JACKPOT PRIZE ARE 1 IN 962,598. RITTENBAUGH SAYS HE'S A SINGLE DAD SO THE MONEY WILL BE A BIG HELP TO HIS FAMILY.

GIRARDVILLE MAN ADMITS MURDER

A GIRARDVILLE MAN WILL SPEND 26 TO 52 YEARS BEHIND BARS AFTER ADMITTING HE STRANGLED HIS GIRLFRIEND WITH A BUNGEE CORD. 51 YEAR-OLD RANDALL HARNER ADMITTED THAT HE MURDERED HIS FORMER GIRLFRIEND IN AUGUST OF 2008. HARNER PLEADED GUILTY TO THIRD-DEGREE MURDER, BURGLARY, AND POSSESSING AN INSTRUMENT OF CRIME ON WEDNESDAY IN CHESTER COUNTY COURT. HIS FORMER GIRLFRIEND IS 52 YEAR-OLD DEBORAH FRENCH OF BERWYN.

DEADLY CRASH

A MINERSVILLE MAN DIED OF INJURIES AFTER A CRASH IN CASS TOWNSHIP ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON JUST AFTER ONE. TWENTY-NINE YEAR-OLD RANDALL SNYDER CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AT VALLEY ROAD AND MOUNT LAFEE ROAD, COMMONLY KNOWN AS BREAKER ROAD. POLICE SAY SNYDER DROVE INTO THE PATH OF A WESTBOUND PICKUP TRUCK DRIVEN BY ELIZABETH HINKLE. THE IMPACT CAUSED SNYDER TO BE EJECTED FROM HIS CAR. HINKLE WAS NOT INJURED, BUT SNYDER WAS FLOWN TO GEISINGER MEDICAL CENTER IN DANVILLE BY THE LIFE FLIGHT HELICOPTER AND DIED FROM HIS INJURIES.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A MAN ACCUSED OF FATALLY SHOOTING A PHILADELPHIA POLICE OFFICER ABRUPTLY PLEADED GUILTY JUST AS HIS TRIAL WAS SET TO BEGIN. THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER REPORTS RASHEED SCRUGS TOLD THE COURT HE WAS GUILTY OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER JUST BEFORE HIS TRIAL BEGAN TODAY IN THE DEATH OF OFFICER JOHN PAWLOWSKI.

ERIE, PA. (AP) - A FEDERAL JUDGE THREATENED TO REMOVE FROM THE COURTROOM AN ERIE WOMAN ON TRIAL FOR HELPING PLAN A BANK ROBBERY PLOT INVOLVING A MAN FORCED TO WEAR A BOMB COLLAR. U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE SEAN MCLAUGHLIN ISSUED THE WARNING AFTER MARJORIE DIEHL-ARMSTRONG BECAME UNRULY DURING THE TESTIMONY OF KENNETH BARNES, AN ERIE MAN WHO IS SERVING 45 YEARS IN PRISON FOR HIS ROLE IN THE SAME PLOT.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A PHILADELPHIA MAN WHO THREATENED VIRGINIA CONGRESSMAN ERIC CANTOR IN A YOUTUBE VIDEO HAS BEEN CHARGED IN A CRIMINAL INFORMATION. FEDERAL PROSECUTORS IN PHILADELPHIA FILED THE TWO-COUNT INFORMATION TODAY AGAINST NORMAN LEBOON. INVESTIGATORS SAY LEBOON POSTED A VIDEO ON YOUTUBE IN WHICH HE SAID HE WOULD SHOOT CANTOR IN THE HEAD.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FELL FOR A SECOND STRAIGHT MONTH IN SEPTEMBER, AS EMPLOYERS ADDED MORE THAN 7,000 JOBS TO THEIR PAYROLLS. THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY SAID TODAY THAT UNEMPLOYMENT CREPT DOWNWARD BY TWO-TENTHS OF A PERCENTAGE POINT LAST MONTH TO 9 PERCENT.

AMSTERDAM (AP) - EMERGENCY WORKERS ARE TRYING TO PULL PEOPLE OUT OF A CANAL NEAR AMSTERDAM AFTER A FREIGHT SHIP STRUCK A PASSENGER FERRY. NATIONAL POLICE SAY THE SMALLER VESSEL CARRYING PASSENGERS CAPSIZED AND SEVERAL PEOPLE WERE KNOCKED INTO THE WATER.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A HANDFUL OF PAKISTANI MILITARY UNITS ARE NO LONGER GETTING U.S. AID BECAUSE OF CONCERNS THEY MAY HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES. THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION SAYS THE MILITARY UNITS MAY HAVE TORTURED AND CARRIED OUT KILLINGS. THE U.S. IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE A NEW MILITARY AID PLAN FOR PAKISTAN LATER TODAY.

(AP) - THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION MAY DECIDE TO EXPAND A RECALL OF DEADLY, CONTAMINATED PRODUCE LINKED TO A TEXAS PROCESSING PLANT. STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS SHUT DOWN THE SAN ANTONIO PLANT AND ORDERED A RECALL OF ALL THE PRODUCE THAT HAD PASSED THROUGH THE FACILITY SINCE JANUARY. AT LEAST FOUR PEOPLE HAVE DIED AFTER EATING CONTAMINATED CELERY.

NEW YORK (AP) - A JUDGE IN NEW YORK IS EXPECTED TO RULE TODAY WHETHER TO TOSS OUT MANSLAUGHTER AND OTHER CHARGES AGAINST THREE MEN CHARGED IN THE DEATHS OF TWO FIREFIGHTERS IN A BLAZE AT A CONTAMINATED AND CONDEMNED SKYSCRAPER AT GROUND ZERO. PROSECUTORS SAY THE MEN ARE TO BLAME FOR DISREGARDING AND COVERING UP A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD AT THE FORMER DEUTSCHE (DOY'-CHUH) BANK BUILDING. THE MEN SAY THEY'RE SCAPEGOATS.

NEW YORK (AP) - A LARGE GIFT FROM AN ANONYMOUS BENEFACTOR. SOMEONE IN NEW YORK CITY STUFFED $10,000 IN CASH INTO A 9/11 DONATION BOX AT THE WORLD TRADE CENTER. JOE DANIELS, THE PRESIDENT THE NATIONAL SEPTEMBER 11 MEMORIAL & MUSEUM TELLS THE NEW YORK POST THAT 99 $100 BILLS AND FIVE 20S WERE STUFFED INTO THE BOX THAT OFFICIALS DISCOVERED TUESDAY NIGHT. DANIELS SAYS HE WOULD LOVE TO KNOW THE DONOR'S NAME SO HE COULD SAY THANK YOU.

TODAY'S NEWS: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2010

STIPEND REQUESTED

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY BOARD MEMBERS ASKED THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WEDNESDAY TO APPROVE A $100-PER-MONTH STIPEND FOR EACH OF THE SEVEN MEMBERS. THE COMMISSIONERS APPROVED A $200 PER MONTH STIPEND YEARS AGO, BUT MEMBERS VOTED TO SUSPEND IT. NOW BOARD MEMBERS ARE SEEKING TO HAVE THEIR STIPEND REINSTATED.

JUDGE WILL RETIRE

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COURT WILL SAY GOOD-BYE TO JUDGE D. MICHAEL STINE AFTER MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS. STINE HAS HELD THE POSITION SINCE JUNE OF 1990 AND NOW WILL STEP DOWN AT THE AGE OF SIXTY-THREE. THE STATE'S NEW GOVENOR WILL NOMINATE STINE'S SUCCESSOR AND THAT PERSON WILL SERVE UNTIL THE NOVEMBER 2011 ELECTION.

COMMISSIONERS REFUSE TO PAY

COUNTY OFFICIALS SAID WEDNESDAY, THEY WILL NOT BE PAYING A POTTSTOWN ACCOUNTING FIRM THAT ASSISTED IN THE PREPARATION OF TWO STATE-MANDATED FINANCIAL REPORTS. THE $5,000 BILL IS CAUSING A BATTLE BETWEEN THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND CONTROLLER MELINDA KANTNER. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, THE ACCOUNTING CONTRACT WAS NEVER APPROVED.

GRANTS TO HELP FARMERS MARKETS

THROUGH A FEDERAL GRANT THAT SUPPORTS MARKETING AND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES, FARM STANDS AND FARMERS MARKETS CAN EXPAND THEIR BUSINESSES. THE DIRECT FARM SALES GRANT PROVIDES $7,500 IN MATCHING GRANT FUNDS TO PRODUCERS AND MARKETS SELLING DIRECTLY TO CONSUMERS. THIS FUND IS FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL SPECIALTY CROPS BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM THROUGH THE 2008 FARM BILL. APPLICANTS MUST PROVIDE AT LEAST TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT OF THE GRANT AMOUNT IN MATCHING OR INKIND SERVICES. COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY TUESDAY, NOVEMBER TWENTY-THIRD. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT AGRICULTURE.STATE.PA.US AND SEARCH "DIRECT FARM SALES GRANT".
　
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - DEMOCRAT JOE SESTAK AND REPUBLICAN PAT TOOMEY ARE STRIVING TO SHOW WHO IS MORE EXTREME AND OUT OF STEP WITH VOTERS IN THE FIRST DEBATE IN PENNSYLVANIA'S CLOSELY CONTESTED RACE FOR U.S. SENATE. SESTAK AND TOOMEY SQUARED OFF LAST NIGHT AT THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER IN PHILADELPHIA IN AN HOUR-LONG DEBATE.

MEADVILLE, PA. (AP) - REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN MICHAEL STEELE IS CREDITING GRASSROOTS ACTIVISTS WITH RE-ENERGIZING THE GOP FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTION. THE MEADVILLE TRIBUNE REPORTS STEELE TOLD ABOUT 75 PARTY MEMBERS IN NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA'S CRAWFORD COUNTY YESTERDAY THAT THEY HAVE MADE THE DIFFERENCE IN HELPING REPUBLICANS REBOUND FROM DEFEATS TWO YEARS AGO.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - TWO CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA SISTERS ACCUSED OF THROWING SCALDING WATER ON TWO OTHER SISTERS HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO STAND TRIAL ON CHARGES OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY. THE PATRIOT-NEWS OF HARRISBURG SAYS A DAUPHIN COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE SENT CHARGES AGAINST ASIA WANNAMAKER AND LASHAE TOLBERT TO COURT AFTER A PRELIMINARY HEARING.

KEMPTON, PA. (AP) - BIRDWATCHERS IN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA SAY THEY HAVE SEEN A RECORD NUMBER OF AMERICAN BALD EAGLES SO FAR THIS YEAR DURING THE ANNUAL MIGRATORY RAPTOR BIRD COUNT. OFFICIALS AT THE HAWK MOUNTAIN SANCTUARY IN BERKS COUNTY SAY 310 BALD EAGLES HAD BEEN COUNTED AS OF YESTERDAY.

PORTLAND, ORE. (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IS STARTING DAY 2 OF A FOUR-DAY CAMPAIGN BLITZ ON THE WEST COAST IN SEATTLE. OBAMA CAMPAIGNED FOR OREGON GOVERNOR JOHN KITZHABER WEDNESDAY, TELLING DEMOCRATS TO "DEFY THE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM" AND VOTE KITZHABER BACK INTO OFFICE. OBAMA WILL ALSO TRAVEL TO CALIFORNIA, NEVADA AND MINNESOTA.

WASHINGTON (AP) - EARLY-VOTING FIGURES GIVE DEMOCRATS AN EDGE IN A NUMBER OF STATES AND BIG COUNTIES. GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR MICHAEL MCDONALD SAYS "IF PEOPLE THOUGHT THE DEMOCRATS WERE JUST GOING TO ROLL OVER AND PLAY DEAD IN THIS ELECTION, THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE SEEING." MORE THAN 3 MILLION AMERICANS HAVE VOTED EARLY.

PARIS (AP) - THE FRENCH SENATE COULD VOTE ON A PENSION REFORM BILL TODAY THAT HAS SET OFF PROTESTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. PROTESTERS ARE BLOCKING THE AIRPORT AT MARSEILLE (MAHR-SAY') AMID A STANDOFF OVER A BILL TO RAISE THE RETIREMENT AGE. STUDENTS ARE PLANNING NATIONWIDE PROTESTS TO URGE LEGISLATORS TO STRIKE IT DOWN. PROTESTS HAVE EVEN PROMPTED LADY GAGA TO CANCEL HER PARIS CONCERTS.

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (AP) - AN AFGHAN OFFICIAL SAYS THE MILITARY OFFENSIVE IN THE SOUTH IS CHASING THE TALIBAN OUT OF KANDAHAR. PRESIDENT HAMID KARZAI'S HALF BROTHER SAYS MOST OF THE INSURGENTS LEFT KANDAHAR BEFORE NATO AND AFGHAN FORCES BEGAN THE OPERATION IN JULY. HE SAYS THERE'S NOT A SINGLE TALIBAN BASE LEFT IN KANDAHAR. PARACHINAR, PAKISTAN (AP) - A ROADSIDE BOMB HAS KILLED SIX TALIBAN MILITANTS IN NORTHWESTERN PAKISTAN. A LOCAL ADMINISTRATOR SAYS THE BOMB WAS DETONATED BY REMOTE CONTROL, KILLING A TALIBAN COMMANDER AND FIVE LOWER RANKING MILITANTS. THE ATTACK COULD HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT BY A RIVAL INSURGENT GROUP.

TODAY'S NEWS: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2010

VO-TECH STUDENTS LEND A HAND

THANKS TO THE SCHUYLKILL TECHNOLOGY CENTER STUDENTS, THE BOROUGH OF ASHLAND IS SAVING MONEY ON LABOR COSTS. THE STUDENTS HELPED BUILD A POLICE STATION IN ASHLAND WHICH DOESN'T JUST HELP THE BOROUGH, BUT IMPROVES THE STUDENTS SKILLS AS WELL. THE TAXPAYERS ALSO BENIFIT, AN ESTIMATED SAVINGS OF ABOUT $125,000 HAS BEEN REPORTED FROM THE REPUBLICAN HERALD.

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY ROBBERY

A MAN WAS INCARCERATED IN THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON MONDAY NIGHT AFTER ROBBING TWO PEOPLE OF THIER POSSESSIONS. 26-YEAR-OLD JAMES CHEETY OF BENSALEM STRUCK 18-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL WAGNER OF AUBURN WITH A BRICK. AUBURN WAS STRUCK MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE HEAD AND HANDS. CHEETY THEN STOLE WAGNER'S WALLET AND A 17-YEAR-OLD JUVENILE'S CELL PHONE. CHEETY WAS APPREHENDED A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE SCENE AND FACES CHARGES OF ROBBERY, SIMPLE ASSAULT, THEFT, AND HARASSMENT.

FREE CHECKING NO MORE

IF YOU HAVE A NEW ACCOUNT AT BANK OF AMERICA YOU'LL PAY $8.96 PER MONTH JUST TO MEET WITH A TELLER OR GET A PAPER STATEMENT. THAT'S RIGHT, THE DAYS OF FREE CHECKING AND BASIC SERVICES ARE COMING TO AN END. BANKS ARE NOW ADDING FEES DUE TO NEW REGULATIONS. ACCORDING TO THE REPUBLICAN HERALD, THE CHANGE COMES FROM NEW LAWS ENACTED IN THE PAST YEAR, INCLUDING "THE FINANCIAL OVERHAUL PACKAGE". YOUR BANK MAY NOT BE AFFECTED JUST YET, BUT ALMOST ALL OF THE LARGEST U.S BANKS ARE ALREADY MAKING FREE CHECKING MUCH HARDER.

AWAITING RENDELL'S SIGNATURE

GOV. ED RENDELL IS EXPECTED TO SIGN A BILL TO KEEP WAYWARD PAROLEES OUT OF OVERCROWDED STATE PRISIONS AND PUT A DENT IN CORRECTIONS SPENDING. THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAS APPROVED THIS MEASURE TO ALLOW PAROLEES WHO COMMIT A MINOR VIOLATION TO FACE SANCTIONS THAT DON'T INVOLVE BEING SENT BACK TO STATE PRISON.

THE BALD EAGLE BECOMES DOUBLE SUCCESS STORY

RAPTOR BIOLOGISTS, AT HAWK MOUNTAIN, ANNOUNCED THE BALD EAGLE RECOVERY, A DOUBLE SUCCESS, DURING A PRESS CONFERENCE TUESDAY AFTERNOON. AFTER BEING REMOVED FROM THE ENDANGERED SPECIES LIST IN 2007, THE BIRD HAS RECOVERED TO COMMON STATUS. DR. KEITH BILDSTEIN, ACOPIAN DIRECTOR FOR CONSERVATION SCIENCE, SPOKE ON WHAT HE FEELS MAY POSSIBLY BE "THE GREATEST WILDLIFE SUCCUESS STORY OF OUR TIME…"HAWK MOUNTAIN OPERATES THE FIRST AND LONGEST-RUNNING MIGRATION HAWK WATCH, AND PROVIDES THE MOST

DETAILED RECORD OF RAPTOR POPULATIONS IN THE WORLD.

DR. BILDSTEIN ESTIMATES A RECORDING UP TO 350 BALD EAGLES BEFORE THE 2010 SEASON ENDS.

(Above: Dr. Keith Bildstein, South Lookout)

NEW PLAYGROUND

STUDENTS AT WILLIAMS VALLEY ELEMEMTARY SCHOOL WILL SOON BE ABLE TO ENJOY A NEW PLAYGROUND. ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AREA BUSINESS VOLUNTEERS, AND WILLIAMS VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT FACULTY AND STAFF WILL COME TOGETHER TO BUILD A NEW PLAYGROUND. THE NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT WILL REPLACE EQUIPMENT INSTALLED IN 1992 AND REMOVED IN THE BEGINNING OF THE 2010-2011 SCHOOL YEAR. INTERESTED SKILLED VOLUNTEERS, AGE 18 OR OVER, MAY CONTACT ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL, MRS. PAULA HROMYAK AT 717-647-2181.

LEVITTOWN, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES SAY THE DAUGHTER OF A WOMAN FOUND IN A FIRE IN A HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT OUTSIDE PHILADELPHIA OVER THE WEEKEND HAS BEEN CHARGED IN HER DEATH. PROSECUTORS IN BUCKS COUNTY SAY 24-YEAR-OLD REBECCA OLENCHOCK FACES HOMICIDE, ARSON AND OTHER COUNTS IN THE DEATH OF 44-YEAR-OLD KIMBERLY VENOSE-OLENCHOCK.

BEAVER, PA. (AP) - A JURY HAS ACQUITTED A WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA DOCTOR OF ALL CHARGES OF FONDLING, KISSING OR GROPING FEMALE PATIENTS. DR. ROBERT KNAPP OF NEW BRIGHTON TOWNSHIP, AN ENDOCRINOLOGIST WITH AN OFFICE IN BRIDGEWATER, HAD BEEN ACCUSED OF IMPROPERLY TOUCHING EIGHT FEMALE PATIENTS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

EIGHTY FOUR, PA. (AP) - POLICE HAVE ARRESTED A TRUCK DRIVER BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN DRIVING A RIG THAT DAMAGED AN INTERSTATE 70 BRIDGE THAT HAD TO BE DEMOLISHED. STATE POLICE SAY TONY KYLE OF TEXAS WAS ARRESTED YESTERDAY AT A HIGHWAY REST STOP. THE OVERPASS IN SOMERSET TOWNSHIP, WASHINGTON COUNTY, WAS DAMAGED MONDAY WHEN AUTHORITIES SAY KYLE'S TRUCK STRUCK THE BRIDGE THEN TOOK OFF.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THE PENNSYLVANIA FARM BUREAU IS APPLAUDING A NEW STATE LAW THAT LOOSENS RESTRICTIONS ON TRUCKS USED AS FARM VEHICLES. GOVERNOR ED RENDELL YESTERDAY SIGNED LEGISLATION THAT INCREASES THE WEIGHT LIMIT FOR FARM-USE TRUCKS FROM 17,000 POUNDS TO 26,000 POUNDS. THE CHANGE WILL MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 18 TO OPERATE THEM.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND THAT EASED REQUIREMENTS HAVE ALLOWED CANCER PATIENTS TREATED WITH RADIOACTIVE IODINE TO EXPOSE OTHERS TO RADIATION. REP. EDWARD MARKEY SAYS THE PROBLEM STEMS FROM A DECISION BY THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION TO EASE REQUIREMENTS THAT THYROID CANCER PATIENTS REMAIN IN THE HOSPITAL A FEW DAYS AFTER TREATMENT.

(AP) - A REPORT ON COLLEGE MINORITIES FINDS A MIXED BAG OF RESULTS, ESPECIALLY AMONG HISPANICS. IN 2008, 28 PERCENT OF TRADITIONAL COLLEGE-AGE HISPANICS WERE IN COLLEGE, UP FROM 17 PERCENT TWO DECADES EARLIER. BUT OTHER RACIAL GROUPS MADE GREATER GAINS, AND AN ENROLLMENT GAP THAT HAS WHITES AHEAD OF HISPANICS HAS WIDENED. HISPANIC MEN ARE LAGGING FARTHER BEHIND HISPANIC WOMEN.

WICHITA, KAN. (AP) - A KANSAS DOCTOR AND HIS WIFE WILL BE SENTENCED TODAY FOR RUNNING A "PILL MILL" CLINIC BLAMED FOR DOZENS OF OVERDOSE DEATHS. DR. STEPHEN SCHNEIDER AND HIS WIFE, LINDA COULD GET LIFE IN PRISON. FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS TESTIFIED AT A SENTENCING HEARING YESTERDAY.

LONDON (AP) - THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME SERIOUS BELT-TIGHTENING IN BRITAIN. THE GOVERNMENT TODAY WILL OUTLINE THE LARGEST CUTS TO PUBLIC SPENDING SINCE WORLD WAR II, AIMED AT PULLING THE COUNTRY OUT OF A MASSIVE DEFICIT. TAX INCREASES COULD ALSO BE PART OF THE MIX AND 500,000 PUBLIC SECTOR JOBS COULD BE LOST.

ISLAMABAD (AP) - PAKISTAN'S LARGEST CITY AND MAIN ECONOMIC HUB IS REELING FROM A SPATE OF VIOLENCE THAT HAS KILLED AT LEAST 51 PEOPLE SINCE SATURDAY, INCLUDING 11 LATE YESTERDAY. GUNMEN OPENED FIRE IN A COMMERCIAL MARKET, UNDERSCORING THE POOR STATE OF LAW AND ORDER IN THE U.S.-ALLIED NATION. MANY KILLINGS IN KARACHI HAVE BEEN LINKED TO GANGS ALLEGEDLY CONTROLLED BY POLITICAL PARTIES.

TODAY'S NEWS: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2010

FIRE RULED ARSON

SUNDAY'S FIRE THAT DESTROYED A HOME IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY HAS BEEN RULED ARSON. HARRY HOSSLER JUNIOR'S PROPERTY AT 47 SILVER CREEK ROAD IN NEW PHILADELPHIA, BLYTHE TOWNSHIP WAS INVESTIGATED MONDAY. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FIRE WAS INTENTIONALLY IGNITED. DAMAGE IS ESTIMATED AT OVER $30,000. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CONTACT FRACKVILLE STATE POLICE AT 570-874-5300.

CARGO AIRPORT

RESIDENTS FROM UNION TOWNSHIP AND SEVERAL SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES GATHERED TOGETHER MONDAY AT THE SHEPPTON-ONEIDA FIREHOUSE. THEY ALL WERE THERE TO OPPOSE A CARGO AIRPORT TO BE BUILT IN HAZELTON. ALL RESIDENTS THAT MET WERE READY TO TAKE THE FIRST STEPS TOWARD A FUNRAISING EFFORT TO RECRUIT VOLENTEERS WHO WILL SERVE ON A COMMITTEE THAT WILL DEVELOP IDEAS FOR RAISING AWARENESS AND ATTORNEY FEES AS THEY OPPOSE THE CARGO AIRPORT PROPOSED BY GLADSTONE PARTNERS LP AND RIDGE GLOBAL.

WAITING FOR A SENTENCE

WHILE WAITING TO BE SENTENCED IN JANUARY,TWO SHENANDOAH MEN CONVICTED OF A HATE CRIME SIT IN PIKE COUNTY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY. DERRICK DONCHAK AND BRANDON PIEKARSKY WERE CONVICTED OF A HATE CRIME IN CONNECTION WITH THE FATAL BEATING OF AN ILLEGAL MEXICAN IMMIGRANT IN 2008. THE TWO MEN WERE CONVICTED THURSDAY OF VIOLATING THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF LUIS RAMIREZ, ALSO OF SHENANDOAH, BY PARTICIPATING IN THE BEATING THAT LED TO HIS DEATH.

MOTORCYCLE CRASH

SEVERAL MOTORCYCLES WERE TRAVELING NORTH ON SCENIC VIEW DRIVE, IN PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP SUNDAY WHEN ONE OF THE RIDERS CRASHED AND WAS THROWN OVER HIS HANDLEBARS. ROBERT KEICH OF SUMMIT HILL WAS APPROACHING A HARD LEFT TURN AND QUICKLY PRESSED HIS BREAKS, THAT'S WHEN THE FRONT TIRE OF HIS HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTORCYLE LEFT THE ROADWAY LEAVING HIM IN A SHALLOW DITCH. KEICH SUFFERED MODERATE INJURIES.

THREE CAR COLLISION

A THREE CAR COLLISION TOOK PLACE MONDAY ON INTERSTATE 78. ALL THREE VEHICLES WERE TRAVELING WESTBOUND ON INTERSTATE 78 IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE. THREE PEOPLE SUFFERED INJURIES AND WERE TAKEN TO LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL. ALL WERE WEARING A SEATBELT.

OPERATION SAFE STOP

OPERATION SAFE STOP IS A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO EDUCATE THE MOTORING PUBLIC THAT PASSING A STOPPED SCHOOL BUS, WHEN CHILDREN ARE LOADING OR UNLOADING, IS BOTH DANGEROUS AND ILLEGAL. LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION PROVIDERS, PUPIL TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATIONS AND PENNDOT HAVE COMBINED THEIR EFFORTS TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES AND REDUCE THE OCCURRENCE OF ILLEGAL SCHOOL BUS PASSES. TODAY IS THE 14TH ANNUAL OPERATION SAFE STOP. THE GOAL OF TODAY IS FOR ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PARTICIPATE BY HAVING THIER DRIVERS DOCUMENT ANY ILLEGAL PASSES THAT OCCUR ON THIER ROUTES DURING THE DAY. PLEASE REMEMBER WHEN A SCHOOL BUS IS STOPPED, YOU SHOULD BE STOPPED TOO. IT CAN SAVE A LIFE!

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN HARRISBURG SAY FIRE RIPPED THROUGH A ROW HOME LAST NIGHT, KILLING FIVE PEOPLE, INCLUDING FOUR YOUNG CHILDREN. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MAYOR'S OFFICE SAYS A 48-YEAR-OLD WOMAN DIED ALONG WITH FOUR CHILDREN RANGING IN AGE FROM TWO TO FOUR YEARS OLD.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - DEMOCRAT DAN ONORATO ACCUSED HIS REPUBLICAN COUNTERPART IN PENNSYLVANIA GOVERNOR'S RACE OF POLITICAL DOUBLE-TALK ON TAXES, WHILE FRONT-RUNNER TOM CORBETT SAID ELECTING ONORATO WOULD PREVENT THE "TOUGH DECISIONS" NECESSARY TO REIN IN STATE SPENDING. THE COMMENTS CAME LAST NIGHT DURING THE THIRD AND FINAL DEBATE OF THE CAMPAIGN IN PHILADELPHIA.

ALLENTOWN, PA. (AP) - VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SAYS PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO BE ANGRY IN THIS ELECTION SEASON - BUT THEY SHOULD BE MAD AT THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION, NOT THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION. BIDEN WAS IN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA LAST NIGHT TO APPEAR AT AN EVENT IN ALLENTOWN FOR CONGRESSIONAL HOPEFUL JOHN CALLAHAN. THE BETHLEHEM MAYOR IS CHALLENGING INCUMBENT GOP CONGRESSMAN CHARLIE DENT.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THE PENNSYLVANIA NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION HAS AWARDED ITS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD TO NEWSPAPER VETERANS WILLIS SHENK OF LANCASTER AND HAROLD MARION OF SCRANTON. SHENK STARTED AT LANCASTER NEWSPAPERS AS AN ACCOUNTANT AND ROSE TO PRESIDENT IN 1977. MARION HAS WORKED FOR TIMES-SHAMROCK COMMUNICATIONS FOR MORE THAN A HALF-CENTURY AND RETIRED IN DECEMBER 2008.

ST. PETE BEACH, FLA. (AP) - SCIENTISTS SAY THAT WHILE THE DAMAGE FROM THE GULF OIL SPILL HASN'T BEEN AS DRAMATIC AS SOME FEARED, IT FURTHER ERODED A BELEAGUERED BODY OF WATER. IN AN INFORMAL ASSOCIATED PRESS SURVEY, 35 RESEARCHERS LOWERED THEIR RATING OF THE GULF'S ECOLOGICAL HEALTH FROM 71 TO 65 ON A SCALE OF 100. AND WORRIES PERSIST ABOUT THE OIL RESTING ON THE SEA FLOOR.

WASHINGTON (AP) -HOME FORECLOSURES ARE ABOUT TO RATCHET BACK UP DESPITE CONCERNS OVER FLAWED DOCUMENTS. BANK OF AMERICA AND ALLY FINANCIAL'S GMAC MORTGAGE UNIT BOTH SAY THEY'RE GOING TO RESUME FORECLOSURES IN 23 STATES THAT REQUIRE JUDICIAL AUTHORIZATION TO
RESTART THEM. ANALYSTS EXPECT OTHER LENDERS TO FOLLOW SUIT AFTER CORRECTING DOCUMENTATION.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE COST OF FLIGHT DELAYS TO PASSENGERS IS EVEN MORE THAN TO THE AIRLINES THEMSELVES. A GOVERNMENT-FUNDED STUDY SAYS AIRLINE FLIGHT DELAYS COST PASSENGERS $16.7 BILLION IN 2007, THE LATEST YEAR FOR WHICH COMPLETE DATA IS AVAILABLE. THE COST TO AIRLINES FOR DELAYS WAS $8.3 BILLION.

NEW DELHI, INDIA (AP) - THE INDIAN GOVERNMENT'S REPORT ON ITS JUNE INTERROGATION OF DAVID HEADLY SAYS HE TOLD INTERROGATORS THAT PAKISTAN'S SPY AGENCY WAS DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING OF THE 2008 MUMBAI ATTACK. THE REPORT WAS OBTAINED BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. HEADLY WAS CONVICTED OF SCOUTING LOCATIONS.

GROZNY, RUSSIA (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN CHECHNYA SAYS AN INSURGENT ATTACK ON THE PARLIAMENT COMPLEX HAS ENDED WITH THE DEATHS OF AT LEAST THREE ATTACKERS. OFFICIALS SAY AT LEAST 2 POLICE OFFICERS AND ONE PARLIAMENTARY OFFICIAL ALSO DIED. ONE INSURGENT SET OFF A BOMB AT THE GATES OF THE COMPLEX.
　

TODAY'S NEWS: MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2010

FIRE DESTROYS VACANT HOME

IT TOOK FIRE FIGHTERS THIRTY MINUTES TO CONTROL A FIRE THAT BROKE OUT SUNDAY NIGHT IN BLYTHE TOWNSHIP. FIVE FIRE COMPANIES RESPONDED TO THE FIRE THAT BLAZED A DOUBLE HOME LOCATED AT 45-47 SILVER CREEK ROAD. HARRY HOSLER OF POTTSVILLE OWNS THE PROPERTY AND SAID HE LOST ABOUT $30,000 WORTH OF EQUIPMENT. JUST TWO WEEKS EALIER, A GARAGE CAUGHT FIRE ON THE SAME PROPERTY AS A RESULT OF ARSON. SUNDAY'S FIRE WAS TERMED SUSPICIOUS.

POTTSVILLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

THE POTTSVILLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT CLAIMS IT WAS BLINDSIDED AFTER IT FAILED TO MAKE ANNUAL YEARLY PROGRESS BY A CHANGE IN REQUIREMENTS TO ONE AREA OF ASSESSMENT. POTTSVILLE AREA FAILED TO MEET THE STANDARD FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE WITHIN A FOUR-YEAR PERIOD. THE DISTRICT HAS PREVIOUSLY MET THE STATE STANDARD OF EIGHTY PERCENT, BUT THE RATE HAS SINCE BEEN CHANGED AFTER THE U.S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION DETERMINED IT WOULD NOT ACCEPT A RATE LOWER THAN EIGHTY-FIVE PERCENT. OF ALL THE STUDENTS WHO ENTERED POTTSVILLE AREA HIGH SCHOOL IN THE FALL OF 2005, ONLY EIGHTY-ONE PERCENT GRADUATED BY MAY 2009 WHICH IS BELOW THE NEW STANDARD.

WOMAN CRASHES ON OLD ROUTE 209

A WOMAN WRECKED HER CAR ALONG OLD ROUTE 209 IN SCHUYLKILL TOWNSHIP ON SATURDAY MORNING. 54 YEAR-OLD FRANCES ANN NAZAR OF MIDDLEPORT WAS DRIVING ON OLD ROUTE 209 JUST AFTER 2AM WHEN SHE STRUCK AN EMBANKMENT OFF THE ROAD LEAVING HER CAR STUCK IN THE MUD. WHEN POLICE ARRIVED, NAZAR SAID SHE WAS LOST. POLICE SMELLED ALCOHOL ON HER BREATH AND BELIEVE THIS MAY HAVE BEEN A FACTOR. SHE WAS TAKEN TO SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER- SOUTH JACKSON STREET FOR BLOOD TESTS. DUI CHARGES ARE PENDING.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE TOM CORBETT HAS PICKED UP AN ENDORSEMENT FROM HARRISBURG'S DAILY NEWSPAPER. THE PATRIOT-NEWS HAS ENDORSED THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL, CITING HIS PLEDGE TO NOT RAISE TAXES, HIS OFFICE'S INVESTIGATION OF CORRUPTION IN THE LEGISLATURE AND HIS DESIRE TO EXPLORE TAXPAYER-FINANCED ALTERNATIVES TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - TWO WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA NEWSPAPERS HAVE MADE OPPOSING ENDORSEMENTS IN THE U.S. SENATE RACE. THE PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE ENDORSED DEMOCRAT JOE SESTAK YESTERDAY WHILE THE PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW GAVE ITS NOD TO REPUBLICAN PAT TOOMEY.

READING, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA SAY A MAN SERVING A PRISON SENTENCE IN A SHOOTING FOUR YEARS AGO HAS ESCAPED FROM PRISON. STATE POLICE IN BERKS COUNTY SAY DEVIN COSME BROKE OUT OF THE WERNERSVILLE COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL FACILITY BETWEEN 4 A.M. AND 9:45 A.M. YESTERDAY.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY SET TO OPEN NEXT MONTH IN PHILADELPHIA HAS ADOPTED A UNIQUE COMPROMISE ON AN ISSUE THAT PITS RELIGIOUS TEACHING AGAINST ECONOMICS - WHETHER TO OPEN ON THE SABBATH. UNDER A COMPROMISE APPROVED THIS MONTH, THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER REPORTS THE MUSEUM WILL BE OPEN SATURDAY BUT WILL NOT SELL TICKETS THAT DAY.

COLUMBUS, OHIO (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IS TARGETING THE SAME GROUPS THAT HELPED HIM WIN THE WHITE HOUSE IN A HOMESTRETCH EFFORT TO ENERGIZE DEMOCRATIC VOTERS FOR THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS. THEY INCLUDE YOUNG PEOPLE, AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND WOMEN. OBAMA SPOKE TO A LIVELY CROWD OF 35,000 LAST NIGHT AT OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY. HE URGED THEM TO "DEFY THE CONVENTIONAL WISDOM."

PARIS (AP) - THERE'S ANOTHER WARNING OF AN AL-QAIDA TERROR THREAT AGAINST EUROPE AND THIS ONE COMES FROM SAUDI INTELLIGENCE SERVICES. FRANCE'S INTERIOR MINISTRY SAYS THE WARNING SINGLES OUT HIS COUNTRY IN PARTICULAR. HE SAYS THE WARNING CAME IN RECENT DAYS.

NEW YORK (AP) - SOME 3 MILLION VIEWERS IN THE GREATER NEW YORK AREA FACE ANOTHER DAY WITHOUT THEIR FAVORITE FOX SHOWS. NEGOTIATORS FOR CABLEVISION AND FOX PARENT NEWS CORP. PLAN TO RESUME TALKS TODAY IN AN EFFORT TO END A DISPUTE OVER FEES. THE DISPUTE HAS BLACKED OUT THE NETWORK TO CABLEVISION SUBSCRIBERS. PRO FOOTBALL AND PLAYOFF BASEBALL HAVE BEEN AMONG THE CASUALTIES.

DALLAS (AP) - THERE ARE NEW GUIDELINES TODAY FOR PERFORMING CPR. THE GUIDELINES SWITCH THE STEPS, TELLING RESCUERS TO START WITH HARD, FAST CHEST PRESSES BEFORE GIVING MOUTH-TO-MOUTH. CO-AUTHOR DR. MICHAEL SAYRE SAYS IT PUTS THE SIMPLEST STEP FIRST. SAYRE SAYS IT ALSO REDUCES THE DELAY FOR CHEST COMPRESSION, WHICH KEEP THE BLOOD CIRCULATING.

PASADENA, CALIF. (AP) - A MISSING 3-YEAR-OLD BOY HAS BEEN FOUND ASLEEP IN HIS CAR SEAT IN A PARKING GARAGE IN CALIFORNIA. AUTHORITIES SAY THE BOY HAD BEEN LOST BY HIS INTOXICATED FATHER AFTER A WEDDING. HE WAS FOUND SOME 25 HOURS AFTER HE WAS LAST SEEN IN AN SUV WITH HIS FATHER AT THE WHEEL. POLICE WHO ARRESTED THE FATHER SAY HE WAS TOO DRUNK TO EVEN REMEMBER HE HAD LEFT THE WEDDING WITH HIS CHILD.

TODAY'S NEWS: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2010

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL-WEEK 7

BERKS I-C

POTTSVILLE 34, EXETER 17
BLUE MOUNTAIN 56, FLEETWOOD 21

ANTHRACITE FOOTBALL LEAGUE

NORTH SCHUYLKILL 34, MT CARMEL 0
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN 21, TAMAQUA 14
JIM THORPE 18, MAHANOY AREA 12 2 OT
SHENANDOAH VALLEY 32, PANTHER VALLEY 0
MINERSVILLE 28, MARIAN 17

TWIN VALLEY CONFERENCE

WILLIAMS VALLEY 54, NATIVITY 13
PINE GROVE 44, HALIFAX 13
TRI VALLEY 34, MILLERSBURG 0
LINE MOUNTAIN 49, UPPER DAUPHIN 12

HEARTLAND CONFERENCE

SHAMOKIN 21, MONTOURSVILLE 17
DANVILLE 28, SOUTHERN COLUMBIA 18
SHIKELLAMY 42, JERSEY SHORE 3

INVESTIGATORS HAVE ACCUSED A SHENANDOAH MAN OF MANUFACTURING CHILD PORN. AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION BY THE STATE POLICE COMPUTER CRIME TASK FORCE OF 36 YEAR OLD JONATHAN BINNS UNCOVERED CHILD PORNOGRAPHY. BINNS WAS ARRESTED THURSDAY OF MANUFACTURING AND POSSESSING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AS WELL AS CRIMINAL USE OF A COMMUNICATION FACILITY. BINNS IS LOCKED UP IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON IN LIEU OF $300-THOUSAND BAIL.
　
STATE POLICE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN ARE INVESTIGATING A CASE OF VANDALISM TO A PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP MAN'S CAR SOMETIME BETWEEN 12:30 A.M. AND NOON YESTERDAY. BRADLEY KILLIAN REPORTED THAT HIS FRONT AND REAR WINDSHIELDS WERE SMASHED AND TWO TIRES WERE SLASHED ON HIS 2000 CHEVROLET CAVELIER. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL THE SCHUYLKILL HAVEN STATE POLICE AT 593-2000.

THE STATE SENATE HAS APPROVED A PENSING REFORM MEASURE THAT'S INTENDED TO LESSEN THE SPIKE IN RETIREMENT COSTS TO THE STATE AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS. HOWARD ONDICK HAS THIS REPORT.

ONDICK

FRACKVILLE BOROUGH POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING THE THEFT OF 70 POUND CONCRETE BLACK BEAR STATUE FROM THE HOME OF MARK AND RUTH TRUAX AT 204 E. SPRUCE STREET. THE BEAR IS VALUED AT EIGHTY DOLLARS. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION CAN CALL FRACKVILLE POLICE TO MAKE A REPORT.

STATE POLICE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN ARE LOOKING FOR ANYONE INFORMATION ABOUT A MAN WHO USED COUNTERFIT ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR BILLS AT LOWE'S IN EASH NORWEGIAN TOWNSHIP ON WEDNESDAY. TROOPERS SAID THE MAN BOUGHT A DEWALT CIRCULAR SAW AND BOSCH HAMMER DRIVER WITH THE FAKE MONEY. YOU CAN CONTACT STATE POLICE AT THE SCHUYLKILL HAVEN BARRAKS AT 593-2000.

TWO PENNSYLVANIA COMPANIES WERE DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR DRILLING THE HOLE THAT RESCUED THOSE 33 CHILEAN MINERS TRAPPED IN A PARTIALLY COLLAPSED MINE SINCE THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST. DON ROONEY HAS MORE.

ROONEY

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc., the nation's oldest brewer, has signed a letter of intent to buy a Memphis plant. Yuengling Chief Operating Officer David Casinelli told The Commercial Appeal there are serious discussions about the plant now owned by Hardy Bottling Co., but said the deal isn't closed. The proposed sale was first reported Thursday by The Wall Street Journal, which said the Memphis plant would become the fourth brewing plant for Pennsylvania-based Yuengling and help the brand expand beyond 13 Eastern states. The Commercial Appeal said Carolyn Hardy, an owner of the plant, told a committee of the Memphis & Shelby County Industrial Development Board on Wednesday that beer would be again brewed
there. Hardy's company bought it to bottle nonalcoholic drinks.

ERIE, Pa. (AP) - Federal prosecutors yesterday began making
their case against an Erie woman accused of being part of a scheme
to lock a bomb onto a pizza deliveryman's neck and force him to rob
a bank. Marjorie Diehl-Armstrong's lawyer says she will take the
stand as she fights the charges in the 2003 incident, which killed
the deliveryman when the bomb went off.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - House Democratic leaders have summoned
lawmakers back to Harrisburg come Monday in their stalemate with
the Senate. A spokesman says lawmakers will go over the Senate's
changes to a pension reform bill. Talks also continue on a bill to
tax the state's natural gas industry.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Democrat Joe Sestak began this month with
a slight campaign cash edge over his Republican rival for the
Senate Pat Toomey. In new campaign finance reports filed yesterday,
Sestak had nearly $2.7 million left as the month began, compared to
Toomey's $2.2 million.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A body found crushed in a recycling truck
in Allentown Thursday has been identified. The Lehigh County
coroner's office says the death of Michael Dempsey, who was
homeless, has been ruled an accident. Police tell The Morning Call
Dempsey had apparently sought refuge in a large recycling bin that
ended up dumped into the truck.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says tax breaks to
businesses for overseas job creation don't make sense. In his
weekly radio and Internet address, Obama renews his call for
Congress to close tax breaks that reward some U.S. companies with
overseas subsidiaries. Obama says tax breaks should be a reward for
creating jobs here.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Republicans say Bush era tax cuts should be
extended before the midterm election. In the weekly GOP radio and
Internet address, Indiana Rep. Mike Pence urges House Speaker Nancy
Pelosi of California to call Congress back into session to take an
immediate vote on whether to extend the tax cuts.

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Voters in Nevada can get a jump on the midterm
elections starting today. Early voting is starting with a marquee
senate race still neck and neck. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid
and tea party favorite Sharron Angle are turning their attention to
getting out the vote. While Nevada has more registered Democrats
than Republicans, the Angle camp hopes voter anger with the
government will help their cause.

AMSTERDAM (AP) - A prominent Dutch terrorism suspect now says
his former ideas were "morally bankrupt." The man, serving a
15-year sentence for wounding four police officers with a hand
grenade, says he has renounced Islamic radicalism. In an open
letter published in a newspaper, Jason Walters warns Muslim youth
"not to be misled by false promises and ideas."

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL-WEEK 7

NORTH SCHUYLKILL 34
MT CARMEL 0

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN 21
TAMAQUA 14

POTTSVILLE 34
EXETER 17

JIM THORPE 18
MAHANOY AREA 12 2 OVERTIME

WILLIAMS VALLEY 54
NATIVITY 13

BLUE MOUNTAIN 56
FLEETWOOD 21

SHENANDOAH VALLEY 32
PANTHER VALLEY 0

MINERSVILLE 28
MARIAN 17

PINE GROVE 44
HALIFAX 13

TRI VALLEY 34
MILLERSBURG 0

DANVILLE 28
SOUTHERN COLUMBIA 18

TODAY'S NEWS: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15,2010

HATE CRIME REACHES VERDICT

AN EMOTIONAL DERRICK DONCHAK SAID I LOVE YOU TO HIS PARENTS AS HE AND A SOLEMN BRANDON PIEKARSKY WERE LED FROM THE COURTROOM IN HANDCUFFS. BOTH MEN WERE FOUND GUILTY OF VIOLATING THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF AN ILLEGAL MEXICAN IMMIGRANT. AN ALL WHITE JURY OF SIX MEN AND SIX WOMEN RENDERED A VERDICT OF GUILTY AFTER MORE THAN SIX HOURS OF DELIBERATION ON THURSDAY. BOTH MEN FACE A POSSIBLE LIFE SENTENCE AND $250,000 FINE. IN ADDITION TO THE HATE CRIME, DONCHAK WAS ALSO FOUND GUILTY OF CONSPIRACY AND OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE, AND FACES UP TO FIVE YEARS FOR CONSPIRACY AND UP TO 20 YEARS FOR OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE. A SECOND OBSTRUCTION CHARGE WAS THROWN OUT PRIOR TO DELIBERATION.DEFENSE ATTORNEYS JAMES SWETZ, REPRESENTING PIEKARSKY, AND WILLIAM FETTERHOFF, REPRESENTING DONCHAK, STATED THEY WERE DISAPPOINTED, BUT THE FIGHT IS NOT OVER. BOTH MEN WILL BE DETAINED UNTIL THEIR SENTENCING BY FEDERAL JUDGE CAPUTO ON JANUARY 24TH IN SCRANTON.

MEMORIAL BRIDGE

STATE SENATOR DAVID ARGALL AND REPRESENTATIVE JERRY KNOWLES THURSDAY PRAISED PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION THAT WOULD NAME THE STATE STREET BRIDGE OVER THE SCHUYLKILL RIVER IN HAMBURG BOROUGH AND TILDEN TOWNSHIP, BERKS COUNTY, AS THE SENATOR JIM RHOADES MEMORIAL BRIDGE. INTRODUCED IN JUNE BY REPRESENTATIVE KNOWLES AND APPROVED THURSDAY IN THE SENATE, HOUSE BILL 2614 WILL NOW BE SENT TO THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS SIGNATURE.

BLIGHT BILL

ONE MORE SIGNATURE AND THE BILL TO FIGHT BLIGHT IN PENNSYLVANIA BECOMES A LAW. SENATE BILL 900 PASSED THE STATE SENATE BY A UNANIMOUS VOTE ON THURSDAY. THE LEGISLATION NOW AWAITS FINAL APPROVAL BY GOVENOR ED RENDELL. THE BILL'S STRONGEST BLIGHT-FIGHTING PROVISION DEALS WITH ASSET ATTACHMENT. UNDER THE NEW RULES, MUNICIPALITIES COULD ATTACK PROPERTY AND OTHER FINANCIAL ASSETS OF ABSENTEE LANDLORDS, SLUMLORDS OR OTHER WHO ALLOW PROPERTY TO DETERIORATE.

PENN STATE DEDICATION

THE MELODY OF THE WESTMINSTER CHIMES NOW FILL THE AIR EVERY FIFTEEN MINUTES AT PENN STATE'S SCHUYLKILL CAMPUS. SIMILAR CHIMES ARE FEATURED ON TOP OF THE "OLD MAIN BUILDING" AT PENN STATE'S MAIN CAMPUS, AND SO NOW THE TRADITION LIVES ON HERE IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. THESE SOOTHING CHIMES WERE PLACED IN MEMORY OF BILL ZIMMERMAN, A FACULTY MEMBER FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS, WHO RECENTLY PASSED AWAY. THE FIVE SPEAKERS SIT ON SEVERAL BUILDINGS IN THE CENTER OF THE CAMPUS. NOT ONLY DO THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO PLAY MUSIC, BUT CAN ALSO MAKE IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS IF NEEDED. STUDENTS HERE SEEM TO APPRECIATE THE NEW CHIMES AND THE MOOD THEY BRING TO THIER CAMPUS. IN ADDITION TO THE NEW CHIMES, PENN STATE IS ALSO WELCOMING A NEW RESIDENCE HALL FOR STUDENTS. "NITTANY FIVE" IS THE NEWEST HALL TO BE BUILT SINCE 1997. ALTHOUGH NITTANY FIVE IS RESERVED FOR UPPER CLASSMEN, IT SEEMS TO BE WORTH THE WAIT. THE NEW HALL FEATURES AIR CONDITIONING, A SIXTEEN HUNDRED SQAURE FOOT COMMON AREA, AND INDIVIDUAL PORCHES. KELENE IS A SOPHMORE AT PENN STATE AND COULDN'T STOP RAVING ABOUT HER NEW APARTMENT.THE CAMPUS HELD THE DEDICATIONS OF NITTANY FIVE AND THE SCHULKILL CHIMES ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON. THE CELEBRATION ALSO INCLUDED CAKE AND ICE CREAM!

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR WHO SAYS HE WAS IMPROPERLY SEARCHED DURING A TRAFFIC STOP IS SUING THE PHILADELPHIA POLICE DEPARTMENT AND AN OFFICER HAILED AS A HERO AFTER HE WAS SHOT IN THE FACE IN 2007. THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS REPORTS MARC LAMONT HILL, A HIP-HOP SCHOLAR, FILED THE FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS SUIT THIS WEEK.

ERIE, PA. (AP) - OPENING STATEMENTS ARE EXPECTED TODAY IN THE FEDERAL COURT TRIAL OF AN ERIE WOMAN ACCUSED OF MASTERMINDING A BANK ROBBERY IN WHICH A MAN WAS KILLED BY A BOMB HE WAS FORCED TO WEAR ON A METAL COLLAR. MARJORIE DIEHL-ARMSTRONG SAYS SHE'S BEING FRAMED FOR THE PLOT THAT KILLED 46-YEAR-OLD BRIAN WELLS A SHORT TIME AFTER HE ROBBED A PNC BANK BRANCH IN 2003.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THE PENNSYLVANIA SENATE IS FINISHED WITH A FLURRY OF VOTES AS SENATORS WRAPPED UP THEIR LAST SCHEDULED SESSION DAY OF VOTING THIS YEAR. SENATORS YESTERDAY APPROVED BILLS THAT DEAL WITH OVERCROWDED PRISONS, BLIGHTED PROPERTIES, BUDGET-BUSTING STATE PENSION FUNDS AND EXPANDING THE RIGHT TO DEFEND ONE'S SELF WITH DEADLY FORCE.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION IS ASKING A FEDERAL JUDGE TO LET THE MILITARY'S "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL" POLICY STAND WHILE THE CASE IS UNDER APPEAL. A FEDERAL JUDGE ON TUESDAY ABRUPTLY THREW OUT THE BAN ON GAYS SERVING OPENLY IN THE MILITARY. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IS STILL PROMISING THE POLICY WILL END WHILE HE'S PRESIDENT, BUT HE WANTS CONGRESS TO REPEAL IT.

WASHINGTON (AP) - IT'S NOT THE NEWS DEMOCRATS WANT TO HEAR DURING AN ELECTION YEAR. THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE SAYS THE DEFICIT FOR THE 2010 FISCAL YEAR IS ABOUT $1.29 TRILLION. IT'S THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW THE DEFICIT HAS EXCEEDED A TRILLION DOLLARS. THE PREVIOUS BUDGET YEAR WAS $1.4 TRILLION - THE HIGHEST DEFICIT ON RECORD.

FORT HOOD, TEXAS (AP) - MORE SOLDIERS WHO SURVIVED LAST YEAR'S FORT HOOD SHOOTING WILL TESTIFY LATER TODAY IN A MILITARY COURT. THE ARTICLE 32 HEARING WILL DETERMINE WHETHER THERE'S ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO BRING MAJ. NIDAL HASAN TO TRIAL FOR THE DEATHS OF 13 PEOPLE AND THE WOUNDING OF 32 OTHERS. YESTERDAY, A SOLDIER WHO WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD THREE TIMES TESTIFIED THAT AT FIRST HE THOUGHT IT WAS A TRAINING DRILL.

ATLANTA (AP) - RAPPER T.I.'S GOOD DEED COULD HELP HIS IMAGE WHEN HE'S SCHEDULED TO APPEAR IN A FEDERAL COURT LATER TODAY. TWO DAYS AFTER T.I. HELPED ATLANTA POLICE TALK A SUICIDAL MAN DOWN FROM THE LEDGE OF A 22-STORY BUILDING, HE'LL HAVE A PAROLE HEARING. T.I., WHOSE REAL NAME IS CLIFFORD HARRIS, VIOLATED PROBATION ON A WEAPONS CHARGE WHEN HE WAS ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF DRUG POSSESSION IN SEPTEMBER.

VERDICT IN FEDERAL HATE CRIME TRIAL

SIX HOURS OF DELIBERATION LED TO A GUILTY VERDICT AGAINST TWO SHENANDOAH MEN FOR VIOLATING THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF A MEXICAN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT. THE JURY OF SIX MEN AND SIX WOMEN RENDERED THE VERDICT TODAY IN FEDERAL COURT.

LIVE REPORT FROM FEDERAL COURTHOUSE, SCRANTON

DONCHAK CRIED AS THE VERDICT WAS ANNOUNCED, AND TOLD HIS FAMILY THAT HE LOVED THEM. PIEKARSKY WAS STOIC AS THE VERDICT WAS ANNOUNCED.

IN ADDITION TO THE POSSIBLE LIFE SENTENCE, AND A $250-THOUSAND FINE, DONCHAK COULD BE SENTENCED TO AN ADDITIONAL FIVE YEARS ON THE CONSPIRACY COUNT AND UP TO TWENTY YEARS FOR THE OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE CHARGES, PLUS FINES.

THE PROSECUTION PRESENTED A CASE THAT TRIED TO PAINT THE BEATING OF RAMIREZ AS RACIALLY-MOTIVATED. DURING THE EIGHT DAY TRIAL, SEVERAL OF THE OTHER BOYS WHO WERE INVOLVED WERE CALLED TO THE STAND.

TODAY'S NEWS: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2010

TRIAL UPDATE

THE JURY SUBMITTED TWO QUESTIONS AT 3:30PM. THE FIRST RELATING TO DONCHAK'S CONSPIRACY CHARGE ASKING IF DONCHAK KNEW OF A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION. JUDGE CAPUTO RESPONDED WITH INSTRUCTION RELATING TO THE CHARGE AND AN EXPLANATION OF "KNOWING." THE SECOND QUESTION WAS A REQUEST FOR A PORTION OF JUDGE CAPUTO'S RECORDED INSTRUCTION THAT WAS MISSING FROM THE TAPE.

JUDGE CAPUTO INSTRUCTED THE JURY AND SENT THEM TO BEGIN DELIBERATION AT 10:30AM. THE JURY CONSISTS OF SIX MEN AND SIX WOMEN. BOTH ALTERNATES HAVE BEEN EXCUSED.

FEDERAL HATE CRIME TRIAL NEARS VERDICT

THE FEDERAL HATE CRIME TRIAL INVOLVING BRANDON PIEKARSKY AND DERRICK DONCHAK NEARS A VERDICT AS THE JURY IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN DELIBERATION TODAY. THE DEFENSE RESTED SHORTLY BEFORE 10:00AM WEDNESDAY MORNING AFTER CALLING THEIR FINAL WITNESS. OFFICER ROBERT SENAPE, OF WEST MAHANOY TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT, TESTIFIED THAT ARIELLE GARCIA NAMED BRIAN SCULLY AS THE KICKER DURING HER STATEMENT. THE PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE DELIVERED THEIR CLOSING STATEMENTS TO THE JURY LATE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. JUDGE CAPUTO WILL BEGIN INSTRUCTING THE JURY AFTER 9:00AM THIS MORNING. THEN THE JURY, OF SIX MEN AND SIX WOMEN, WILL BEGIN DELIBERATING.

BOILER EXPLOSION

A BOILER EXPLODED IN THE BASEMENT OF A HOME ON WEDNESDAY JUST AFTER 6:00PM. THE EXPLOSION HAPPENED AT 1180 BUNTING STREET ON ROUTE 209. HENREY AND WINIFRED LEMKE WERE EATING INSIDE THIER HOME WHEN THE EXPLOSION BLEW OFF THE REAR INCLOSED PORCH. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS HURT.

WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE

THE POPULAR SHOW "WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE" WILL FEATURE A FAMILIAR FACE. FIFTY-THREE YEAR OLD, DANIEL KELLY OF GIRARDVILLE WILL BE ON THE NEWEST SEASON SHOWING OFF HIS TRIVIA SKILLS. THE SHOW WILL AIR TODAY AT 4:30PM ON WNEP-16.

AGGRAVATED ASSAULT

HAMBURG STATE POLICE ARE NOW INVESTIGATING A DOMESTIC ASSAULT THAT OCCURRED THURSDAY AROUND ONE IN THE MORNING. THIRTY-ONE YEAR OLD, SHANE OXENREIDER OF BERKS COUNTY IS CHARGED WITH AGGRAVED ASSAULT, SIMPLE ASSAULT, AND HARASSMENT AFTER ALLEGEDLY PUSHING AND KICKING A TWENTY-NINE YEAR OLD FEMALE. THE VICTIM LOST CONSCIOUSNESS AND HAS SEVERE SWELLING AND BRUISING TO HER HEAD. OXENREIDER'S WHEREABOUTS ARE CURRENTLY UNKNOWN. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL HAMBURG STATE POLICE AT 610-562-6885.

DUI CHECK POINT

THE FRACKVILLE STATION WILL BE CONDUCTING A DUI CHECK POINT IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY DURING THE WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 15-17. MOTORISTS ARE REMINDED NOT TO DRINK AND DRIVE.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - REPUBLICAN SENATE CANDIDATE PAT TOOMEY SAYS CONGRESS COULD HAVE AVOIDED THE HOUSING MARKET COLLAPSE IF IT HAD HEEDED HIS WARNINGS TO INCREASE REGULATION OF MORTGAGE GIANTS FANNI MAE AND FREDDIE MAC BACK IN 2003. TOOMEY IS CRITICIZING SESTAK FOR VOTING TO BAIL OUT FANNIE AND FREDDIE. THE SESTAK CAMP CALLS TOOMEY'S ATTACKS UNFOUNDED.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A PHILADELPHIA MAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON IN THE DEATH OF A FATHER OF THREE STRIPPED NAKED ON A STREET CORNER AND SHOT TO DEATH OVER WHAT AUTHORITIES SAID WAS A $500 TO $1,000 DEBT. THE POTTSTOWN MERCURY REPORTS GEORGE WILLIAMS WAS SENTENCED TO THE MANDATORY TERM IMMEDIATELY AFTER A JURY CONVICTED HIM YESTERDAY OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER AND OTHER COUNTS.

BRIDGEVILLE, PA. (AP) - A TEENAGER WHO JUST PASSED HIS DRIVING TEST CRASHED INTO A STATE DRIVER LICENSE CENTER IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED YESTERDAY AS THE TEEN WAS TRYING TO LEAVE THE PARKING LOT OF A DRIVER LICENSE CENTER IN THE PITTSBURGH SUBURB OF BRIDGEVILLE.

GENEVA (AP) - THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ESTIMATES THAT NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES LIKE DENGUE (DEN'-GHEE), RABIES AND LEPROSY AFFECT SOME ONE BILLION PEOPLE. IT SAYS MOST OF THE VICTIMS ARE IN REMOTE RURAL AREAS AND URBAN SLUMS. WHO IS BEGINNING A CAMPAIGN TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM.

HAVANA (AP) - HURRICANE PAULA HAS DIMINISHED TO A CATEGORY 1 LEVEL AS IT NEARS WESTERN CUBA, AND IS EXPECTED TO BE LITTLE MORE THAN A TROPICAL DEPRESSION BY THE TIME IT REACHES HAVANA. BUT IN BETWEEN, IT'S DUMPING A LOT OF RAIN, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE INTENSE IN SOME AREAS. CUBAN OFFICIALS ARE TAKING NO CHANCES.

SAN JOSE MINE, CHILE (AP) - THE 33 MEN PULLED FROM A CHILEAN MINE AFTER 69 DAYS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GET USED TO A NEW REALITY. THEY ARE NOW CELEBRITIES, AND HAVE BEEN INVITED TO PRESIDENTIAL PALACES, OFFERED VACATIONS, AND COURTED FOR TV SHOWS. DOCTORS ARE TRYING TO HELP THEM WITH THE PSYCHOLOGICAL READJUSTMENT.

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (AP) - AN IED, OR IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE, IS BLAMED FOR THE DEATHS OF THREE MORE NATO TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN. OFFICIALS SAY IT HAPPENED TODAY IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE COUNTRY, BUT DID NOT IMMEDIATELY RELEASE THE NATIONALITIES. MEANWHILE, EFFORTS CONTINUE TOWARD TALKS WITH THE TALIBAN.

ATHENS, GREECE (AP) - TOURISTS TRYING TO VISIT THE ACROPOLIS IN ATHENS TODAY FOUND IT BARRICADED BY SOME 100 WORKERS DEMANDING NEARLY TWO YEARS' WORTH OF BACK PAY. THEY PADLOCKED THE ENTRANCE GATES. POLICE IN RIOT GEAR BROKE INTO A SIDE ENTRANCE, AND USED PEPPER SPRAY TO BREAK UP THE PROTESTERS.

　

BREAKING NEWS-5PM TRIAL UPDATE

CLOSING STATEMENTS IN THE FEDERAL HATE CRIME TRIAL HAVE COMPLETED. THE PROCESS TOOK FOUR HOURS. FEDERAL JUDGE A. RICHARD CAPUTO IS EXPECTED TO CHARGE THE JURY TOMORROW MORNING AND THE JURY WILL BEGIN DELIBERATIONS. BRANDON PIEKARSKY AND DERRICK DONCHAK ARE CHARGED IN THE BEATING DEATH OF LUIS RAMIREZ IN JULY, 2008 IN SHENANDOAH. THE TRIAL IS BEING HELD IN SCRANTON, PA.




CLOSING STATEMENTS ARE TO BEGIN AT 1PM.



THE DEFENSE RESTED THIS MORNING AT 9:45AM. OFFICER ROBERT SENAPE, OF WEST MAHANOY TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT, WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY WITNESS TO TESTIFY THIS MORNING. OFFICER SENAPE TESTIFIED THAT ARIELLE GARCIA NAMED BRIAN SCULLY AS THE KICKER, ON THE NIGHT OF THE BEATING. SENAPE'S STATEMENTS MATCHED THOSE IN THE REPORT GIVEN TO SHENANDOAH PD ON JULY 15, 2008. CLOSING STATEMENTS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN THIS MORNING AFTER 10:30AM. JUDGE CAPUTO WILL PROCEED WITH THE CHARGE, SO THE JURY CAN DELIBERATE.

TODAY'S NEWS: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2010

TRAIL UPDATE

THE DEFENSE RESTED THIS MORNING AT 9:45AM. OFFICER ROBERT SENAPE, OF WEST MAHANOY TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT, WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY WITNESS TO TESTIFY THIS MORNING. OFFICER SENAPE TESTIFIED THAT ARIELLE GARCIA NAMED BRIAN SCULLY AS THE KICKER, ON THE NIGHT OF THE BEATING. SENAPE'S STATEMENTS MATCHED THOSE IN THE REPORT GIVEN TO SHENANDOAH PD ON JULY 15, 2008. CLOSING STATEMENTS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN THIS MORNING AFTER 10:30AM. JUDGE CAPUTO WILL PROCEED WITH THE CHARGE, SO THE JURY CAN DELIBERATE.

HATE CRIME TRIAL

THE HATE CRIME TRIAL INVOLVING BRANDON PIEKARSKY AND DERRICK DONCHAK RESUMED TUESDAY MORNING. PROSECUTION CALLED THE LAST OF THEIR WITNESSES AND RESTED THEIR CASE MID-TUESDAY AFTERNOON. JOSH REDMOND, ONE OF THE MEN INVOLVED IN THE INCIDENT, TESTIFIED THAT DONCHAK DID NOT OFTEN USE RACIAL SLURS OR EXPRESS HIS OPINION ABOUT HISPANICS. REDMOND ALSO RECOUNTED THE EVENTS OF JULY 12TH 2008, ANSWERING MANY OF THE SAME QUESTIONS AS THE OTHER MEN INVOLVED THAT TESTIFIED LAST WEEK. OTHER SHENANDOAH BORO RESIDENTS AND EMPLOYEES TOOK THE STAND THROUGHOUT TUESDAYS TESTIMONY, INCLUDING JESSE GOMEZ. GOMEZ TESTIFIED DONCHAK HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN AN INCIDENT IN MARCH OF 2008 WHERE HE ALLEGEDLY DAMAGED THE VEHICLE GOMEZ WAS DRIVING, ON MAIN STREET IN SHENANDOAH. THE DEFENSE CALLED THREE MEN INVOLVED IN THAT INCIDENT TO THE STAND. ALL THREE MEN TESTIFIED THAT DONCHAK WAS NOT PRESENT DURING THE ALTERCATION. DEFENSE ALSO CALLED FRACKVILLE CHIEF OF POLICE, MICHELLE ASHMAN, WHO TESTIFIED THAT ARIELLE GARCIA NAMED BRIAN SCULLY AS THE PERSON DELIVERING THE FINAL KICK TO LUIS RAMIREZ. ASHMAN WAS PRESENT WHEN GARCIA IDENTIFIED SCULLY, AS THE KICKER, TO OFFICER JASON HAYES ON THE NIGHT OF THE BEATING. TESTIMONY BEING LED BY THE DEFENSE IS SCHEDULED TO CONTINUE THIS MORNING AFTER 9:00AM. JUDGE CAPUTO EXPECTS THE TRIAL WILL CONCLUDE BY WEEKS END.

MARCELLUS SHALE TAX

HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS WANT THE SENATE TO TAKE ACTION. ON TUESDAY DEMOCRATS URGED THE STATE SENATE TO BEGIN NEGOTIATING, COMPROMISING, AND ULTIMATELY ENACT LEGISLATION ON A REASONABLE TAX ON NATURAL GAS. BY TAXING THE EXTRACTION OF MARCELLUS SHALE NATURAL GAS, THE TAXPAYERS WILL BE COMPENSATED AND THE WATER AND AIR PROTECTED. HOUSE DEMOCRATS BELIEVE THIS MULTI-TRILLION-DOLLAR INDUSTRY CAN AFFORD A REASONABLE TAX.

FALL ALLERGIES

RED EYES AND RUNNY NOSES ARE TYPICALLY THE OUTCOME OF THE FALL ALLERGY SEASON. ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION, THIS YEAR PENNSYLVANIANS ARE REALLY FEELING THE EFFECTS. THE WET AND DRY CONDITIONS CAN AFFECT THE SEVERITY OF ALLERGY SEASONS AS WELL AS CLIMATE CHANGE. DR. AMANDA STAUDT SAYS WE CREATE MORE CARBON DIOXIDE IN THE ATMOSPHERE BY BURNING FOSSIL FUELS WHICH DIRECTLY AFFECTS THE CLIMATE. SO THIS YEAR EXPECT FALL ALLERGIES TO HIT AND HIT HARD.

TRUCK TIPS

ROUTE 901 WAS CLOSED FOR SEVERAL HOURS TUESDAY AFTERNOON AFTER A DUMP TRUCK ROLLED ON ITS SIDE, SPILLING DIRT ON THE ROAD.THE DRIVER OF THE DUMP TRUCK HIT A TELEPHONE POLE CAUSING THE TRUCK TO TIP AND SKID DOWN THE NORTHBOUND LANE ABOUT ONE HUNDRED FEET ON ITS SIDE. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED AND HAD TO BE FLOWN BY HELICOPTER TO LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL IN ALLENTOWN.

NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL

NORTH SCHUYLKILL'S SCHOOL BOARD HAS SET IN MOTION TO BUILD A NEW MIDDLE SCHOOL. THE JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL WILL END, WELCOMING A MORE COMMON MIDDLE SCHOOL/HIGH SCHOOL PLAN. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, THE RENOVATIONS ARE ESTIMATED AT OVER THIRTY MILLION DOLLARS. THE CONSTRUCTION IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN 2012 AND LAST THROUGH 2014.

SCRANTON, PA. (AP) - PROSECUTORS HAVE RESTED THEIR CASE AGAINST TWO PENNSYLVANIA MEN CHARGED WITH A FEDERAL HATE CRIME IN THE BEATING DEATH OF A MEXICAN IMMIGRANT. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT PROSECUTORS FINISHED CALLING WITNESSES YESTERDAY IN THE TRIAL OF DERRICK DONCHAK AND BRANDON PIEKARSKY. THEY'RE CHARGED IN THE JULY 2008 ASSAULT ON LUIS RAMIREZ, AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - PROSECUTORS IN PHILADELPHIA SAY THREE POLICE OFFICERS WERE JUSTIFIED IN SHOOTING A MAN TO DEATH ON A PLAYGROUND LAST SPRING. DISTRICT ATTORNEY SETH WILLIAMS SAYS THE OFFICERS ACTED PROPERLY DURING THE CONFRONTATION WITH VINCENT PARSONS. HE SAID PARSONS FIRED FIRST AND THE OFFICERS HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO RETURN FIRE.

ALIQUIPPA, PA. (AP) - A JUDGE HAS TOSSED OUT SOME SEX ABUSE CHARGES AGAINST A WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA PASTOR BUT ORDERED HIM TO STAND TRIAL ON OTHERS. BEAVER COUNTY JUDGE EDWARD HOWE HAS DISMISSED CHARGES OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AGAINST REVEREND LANEER FISHER OF MOON TOWNSHIP. BUT THE JUDGE HAS ORDERED HIM TO STAND TRIAL ON INDECENT ASSAULT AND OTHER COUNTS.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - THE STEPCHILDREN OF PENNSYLVANIA'S FORMER STATE TREASURER ALLEGE IN A LAWSUIT THAT SHE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF HER LATE HUSBAND AND HAD HIM REARRANGE HIS FINANCES BEFORE HE DIED TO BENEFIT HER. THE PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE REPORTS BARBARA HAFER'S THREE CHILDREN FILED THE LAWSUIT YESTERDAY IN INDIANA COUNTY.

SAN JOSE MINE, CHILE (AP) - A 19-YEAR-OLD WHO IS THE YOUNGEST OF 33 MINERS TRAPPED IN A MINE IN CHILE HAS NOW BEEN BROUGHT TO THE SURFACE. JIMMY SANCHEZ IS THE SON, GRANDSON AND BROTHER OF MINERS. EARLIER, THE LONE BOLIVIAN MINER THANKED CHILE AFTER HIS RESCUE. THE ONE-PERSON RESCUE CAPSULE CONTINUES ITS JOURNEY UP AND DOWN A NARROW SHAFT.

CANCUN, MEXICO (AP) - THE CENTER OF CATEGORY 2 HURRICANE PAULA IS EXPECTED TO PASS JUST TO THE EAST OF CANCUN THIS MORNING AND SLOW DOWN AS IT TURNS TO THE NORTHEAST. THAT WOULD TAKE THE STORM ON A PATH TOWARD THE WESTERN END OF CUBA LATER TODAY. EVACUATIONS HAVE BEEN ORDERED ON A PAIR OF ISLANDS NEAR THE YUCATAN PENINSULA.

WASHINGTON (AP) - UP TO 40 STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL PLAN TO ANNOUNCE A JOINT INVESTIGATION TODAY INTO THE MORTGAGE INDUSTRY'S FORECLOSURE-DOCUMENT MESS. THEY'VE ALSO BEEN DISCUSSING OUTLINES OF POSSIBLE SETTLEMENTS. AUTHORITIES WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORTGAGE COMPANIES REVAMP THE WAY THEY HANDLE FORECLOSURES, PAY PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS AND EXPAND HELP TO DISTRESSED HOMEOWNERS.

BRUSSELS (AP) - NATO'S TOP COMMANDER IN AFGHANISTAN IS EXPECTED TO BE CAUTIOUSLY UPBEAT WHEN HE BRIEFS ALLIANCE MEMBERS TODAY. THE BRIEFING BY GEN. DAVID PETRAEUS COMES A DAY AHEAD OF THE FIRST-EVER JOINT CONFERENCE OF NATO FOREIGN AND DEFENSE MINISTERS.

BEIJING (AP) - SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO USED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A STRICT CENSORSHIP SYSTEM IN CHINA THINK IT MAY BE TIME FOR A CHANGE. A GROUP OF CHINESE COMMUNIST ELDERS HAS POSTED A LETTER ONLINE CALLING FOR THE LIFTING OF CHINA'S RESTRICTIONS ON FREE SPEECH. IT COMES AFTER A CONTROVERSIAL NOBEL PEACE PRIZE AWARD TO AN IMPRISONED CHINESE DISSIDENT.