TODAY'S NEWS: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2010

HOLIDAY ENFORCEMENT EFFORT

STATE POLICE WOULD LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT EXTRA ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS WILL BE USED DURING THE UPCOMING HOLIDAY PERIOD. TROOPERS WILL BE WATCHING FOR SPEEDERS, AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS AND INTOXICATED DRIVERS. MOTORISTS ARE ASKED TO GIVE THEMSELVES EXTRA TIME TO TRAVEL AND OF COURSE WEAR THEIR SEATBELTS. THE NEW YEARS HOLIDAY ENFORCEMENT EFFORT WILL RUN THRU SUNDAY.

GAS PRICES GOING UP

GAS UP TO $5 A GALLON BY 2012? THAT'S WHAT SOME PREDICT THE OUTCOME WITH BE FOR THE NEW YEAR. GAS PRICES IN PA HAVE INCREASED OVER THE PAST MONTH AND THE REPUBLICAN HERALD THE IMPROVING ECONOMY MAY BE THE REASON. NOW SOME WILL DRIVE FURTHER OVER THE HOLIDAYS, AND THAT MEANS MORE PETROLEUM WILL BE USED.

STATE NEWS:

CHARLESTON, W.VA. (AP) - A MECHANICAL PROBLEM FORCED A US AIRWAYS FLIGHT FROM PHILADELPHIA TO CINCINNATI TO BE DIVERTED TO CHARLESTON'S YEAGER AIRPORT. YEAGER AIRPORT SPOKESMAN BRIAN BELCHER TOLD THE STATE JOURNAL THAT THE FLIGHT WITH 26 PASSENGERS ABOARD LANDED SAFELY AT ABOUT NOON THURSDAY.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - PITTSBURGH CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE LAYING PLANS TO MEET THIS EVENING IF NEED BE AS THE CITY WORKS TO MEET A DEADLINE TO AVOID A STATE TAKEOVER OF THE MUNICIPAL PENSION SYSTEM. COUNCIL MEMBERS YESTERDAY OVERRODE A MAYORAL VETO OF A PROPOSAL USING PARKING TAXES TO BOLSTER THE PENSION SYSTEM.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING THE DEATH OF A 2-MONTH-OLD BOY FOUND INSIDE A FAMILY SHELTER BEFORE BEING TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL AS A HOMICIDE, LT. RAYMOND EVERS TOLD THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER ON THURSDAY. AN AUTOPSY OF THE BOY FOUND THAT HE DIED FROM STARVATION AND DEHYDRATION.

COLUMBUS, OHIO (AP) - WHILE IT'S TOO EARLY TO TELL FOR SURE, A NATURAL GAS COMPANY OFFICIAL SAYS THE FIRM IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT ITS GAS EXPLORATION EFFORTS IN OHIO. CHESAPEAKE ENERGY HAS BEEN A MAJOR FORCE BEHIND DEVELOPMENT OF THE MARCELLUS SHALE REGION, ESPECIALLY IN PENNSYLVANIA.

NATIONAL NEWS:

BIZMARK, N.D. (AP) - EVEN THE SNOWPLOWS HAVE BEEN ORDERED OFF THE ROADS IN NORTH DAKOTA. SEVERE WINDS AND HEAVY SNOWFALL ARE CREATING DANGEROUS CONDITIONS IN NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA, AS WELL AS MINNESOTA, WHERE AT LEAST TWO FATAL ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN BLAMED ON THE STORM. AND FORECASTERS SAY MORE IS TO COME. THERE'S A BLIZZARD WARNING THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING FOR PARTS OF NORTH DAKOTA AND
MINNESOTA.

DENVER (AP) - COLORADO, WYOMING AND NEW MEXICO ARE STRUGGLING AGAINST THE TAIL END OF STORMS THAT LEFT SOME WESTERN STATES RECOVERING FROM AN ONSLAUGHT OF SNOW, RAIN AND BITTER WIND. DENVER IS FACING ITS HEAVIEST SNOWS OF THE SEASON THIS MORNING. PARTS OF WYOMING AND NEW MEXICO ARE ENDURING STORMY WEATHER AND FRIGID TEMPERATURES.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - SOME 221 HOUSEHOLDS ARE IN A RACE AGAINST THE CLOCK IN NEW ORLEANS. THEY'VE BEEN LIVING IN FEMA TRAILERS SUPPLIED AFTER HURRICANE KATRINA, BUT THE CITY IS TELLING THOSE RESIDENTS THEY HAVE TO MOVE OUT BY THE START OF 2011 OR FACE STEEP FINES. SIXTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD EDWIN WEBER SAYS THE LETTER HE RECEIVED JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS WARNING OF FINES OF UP TO $500 A DAY IS "WORTHY OF EBENEZER SCROOGE HIMSELF."

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA (AP) - THE WORLD IS READY TO RING IN 2011. CITIES ACROSS ASIA ARE PREPPING FOR MIDNIGHT EVENTS RANGING FROM TRADITIONAL PRAYERS IN JAPAN TO A MASSIVE PYROTECHNIC DISPLAY IN THE SHAPE OF A DRAGON IN TAIWAN. IN NEW YORK CITY, NEARLY A MILLION REVELERS ARE EXPECTED TO CRAM INTO THE STREETS AROUND TIMES SQUARE TO WATCH THE TRADITIONAL MIDNIGHT BALL DROP.

MOSCOW (AP) - RUSSIAN SPY ANNA CHAPMAN IS REVEALING HER PERSONAL SECRETS FOR THE FIRST TIME ON TELEVISION. SHE APPEARED ON A RUSSIAN TALK SHOW YESTERDAY, AND SAYS THE FAILURE OF HER SPY MISSION IN THE UNITED STATES HAS GIVEN HER A CHANCE FOR NEW OPPORTUNITIES. CHAPMAN BECAME A TABLOID STAR AS ONE OF TEN RUSSIAN SLEEPER AGENTS EXPOSED IN THE U.S. AND DEPORTED THIS SUMMER IN THE BIGGEST SPY SWAP SINCE THE COLD WAR. SHE SAYS SEAN CONNERY IS HER FAVORITE JAMES BOND.

TODAY'S NEWS: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2010

CHURCH BURGLARY

STATE POLICE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN ARE INVESTIGATING A BURGLARY AT SCHUYLKILL CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN WAYNE TOWNSHIP. THE BURGLARY TOOK PLACE BETWEEN 3PM MONDAY AND 1PM TUESDAY. ACCORDING TO POLICE, A PIECE OF PVC PIPE WAS USED TO SHATTER A REAR WINDOW TO GAIN ENTRANCE TO THE BUILDING. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL TROOPERS 593-2000.

BACK TO COURT OVER AUDIT PAYMENT

OUTSTANDING PAYMENTS TO SCHUYLKILL COUNTY'S EXTERNAL AUDITOR MAY REUNITE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND CONTROLLER MELINDA KANTNER BACK IN COURT. THE LOCAL PAPER REPORTS, COUNTY SOLICITOR ERIC MIKA IS PREPARING A COMPLAINT AGAINST KANTNER TO PAY $24,000 OWED TO POTTSVILLE ACCOUNTANT SAM DEEGAN FOR HIS WORK AUDITING COUNTY FINANCIAL RECORDS, BUT KANTNER WANTS $4,800 DEDUCTED FROM DEEGAN'S PAYCHECK IN ORDER TO PAY A POTTSTOWN ACCOUNTING FIRM THAT HELPED PREPARE FINANCIAL REPORTS. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, DEEGAN IS CONFIDENT THE COUNTY WILL PAY UP WHILE KANTNER BELIEVES THIS IS ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO POLITICALLY ASSASSINATE HER.

TWO LOCAL MEN INJURED IN CAR CRASH

THE WESTBOUND LANE OF ROUTE 901 WAS CLOSED FOR NEARLY 45 MINUTES YESTERDAY AFTER TWO CARS COLLIDED AROUND 4:30PM WEDNESDAY. 40-YEAR-OLD KEVIN TRIBBLE OF MINERSVILLE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WHEN HE WAS STRUCK BY 43-YEAR-OLD ALBERT ONDECK OF POTTSVILLE. BOTH MEN WERE INJURED AND THEIR CARS TOWED FROM THE SCENE.

STATE NEWS:

HIDDEN VALLEY, PA. (AP) - A 10-YEAR-OLD GIRL HAS BEEN INJURED AFTER FALLING ABOUT 15 FEET FROM A CHAIR LIFT AT HIDDEN VALLEY SKI RESORT IN SOMERSET COUNTY. SHE FELL JUST IN FRONT OF THE UNLOADING STATION AS SHE WAS PREPARING TO GET OFF THE LIFT. SHE WAS TAKEN DOWN THE MOUNTAIN IN A TOBOGGAN AND FLOWN TO A JOHNSTOWN HOSPITAL.

MECHANICSBURG, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA SAY A MECHANICSBURG MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE APPARENT HOMICIDE OF A WOMAN. POLICE IN SILVER SPRING TOWNSHIP IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY SAY THEY WERE CALLED TO A HOME YESTERDAY MORNING AND FOUND A WOMAN WHO APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN KILLED.

BENSALEM, PA. (AP) - A MAN ARRESTED AFTER A POLICE CHASE THROUGH THE PHILADELPHIA SUBURBS HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH THEFT AND FLEEING FROM POLICE. THE CHASE OF A CAR REPORTED STOLEN BEGAN IN RIDLEY TOWNSHIP, DELAWARE COUNTY, YESTERDAY MORNING AND ENDED ABOUT TWO HOURS LATER IN BRISTOL TOWNSHIP, BUCKS COUNTY, WHEN THE CAR CRASHED AGAINST A GUARDRAIL. PAUL MCCURRY JR. WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - GOVERNOR ED RENDELL'S OFFICE SAYS HE'S ABOUT TO SIGN COMMUTATIONS SO THAT THREE CONVICTED KILLERS WILL BE RELEASED FROM STATE PRISON AFTER SPENDING DECADES BEHIND BARS. KEITH SMITH, WILLIAM FULTZ AND TYRONE WERTS THREE ARE CONVICTED OF SEPARATE KILLINGS IN PHILADELPHIA THAT OCCURRED IN THE 1970S.

NATIONAL NEWS:

NEW YORK (AP) - THERE'S AS MUCH ANGER AS SNOW IN NEW YORK IN THE WAKE OF THE STORM THAT PARALYZED THE CITY. MANY RESIDENTS ARE STEAMED ABOUT STREETS STILL UNPLOWED DAYS AFTER THE STORM MOVED ON. MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG PUTS SOME OF THE BLAME ON PEOPLE WHO INSISTED ON DRIVING, AND THEN HAD TO ABANDON THEIR CAR.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - THE LATEST ROUND OF RAIN IN LOS ANGELES HAS BEEN FOLLOWED BY CHILLY WINDS GUSTING UP TO 40 MPH. PEOPLE IN HIGHLAND, CALIF. -- WHERE HOMES WERE SWAMPED BY MUD LAST WEEK -- ARE BREATHING EASIER AFTER THE RAIN PROVED LIGHTER THAN EXPECTED. NO NEW MUDFLOWS ARE REPORTED THERE OR ELSEWHERE.

WAYNE, MICH. (AP) - A NEWS CONFERENCE IS PLANNED THIS MORNING IN WAYNE, MICH., ABOUT YESTERDAY'S HUGE EXPLOSION AT A FURNITURE STORE THAT KILLED TWO WORKERS AND INJURED THE OWNER. A GAS LEAK IS SUSPECTED, BUT NO CAUSE HAS BEEN DETERMINED YET. THE OWNER IS IN SERIOUS CONDITION IN A BURN UNIT.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (AP) - IN ITS LATEST MILITARY REVIEW OF NORTH KOREA, SOUTH KOREA IS BLUNTLY CALLING THE NORTH ITS ENEMY. IN THE LAST REVIEW TWO YEARS AGO, THE SOUTH REFERRED TO PYONGYANG AS A "DIRECT AND SERIOUS THREAT." THE LATEST REVIEW SAYS NORTH KOREA HAS MORE POWERFUL TANKS, AND 200,000 SPECIAL FORCES.

ATLANTA (AP) - EMORY UNIVERSITY IN ATLANTA HAS SOME UNUSUAL NEW STUDENTS. SIX TIBETAN MONKS SENT BY THE DALAI LAMA ARE TAKING SCIENCE COURSES SO THEY CAN RETURN TO THEIR MONASTERIES AND TEACH OTHER MONKS AND NUNS. IT'S SAID TO BE THE FIRST PROGRAM OF ITS TYPE INVOLVING A WESTERN UNIVERSITY.

TODAY'S NEWS: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2010

DUI SUSPECTED IN CRASH

A GIRARDVILLE MAN MAY FACE CHARGES AFTER A ONE VEHICLE CRASH THIS MORNING. THIRTY-FIVE YEAR OLD MICHAEL WILSON WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON SECOND STREET AND STRUCK A UTILITY POLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ONTO A STREET IN GIRARDVILLE. ACCORDING TO POLICE, WILSON EMITTED A STRONG ODOR OF ALCOHOL AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER SOUTH WHERE HE RECEIVED A BLOOD ALCOHOL TEST. CHARGES ARE PENDING UPON TEST RESULTS.

SENTENCING MOVED FOR SHENANDOAH MEN

A CHANGE IN VENUE. THE COURT ISSUED TUESDAY THAT BRANDON PIEKARSKY AND DERRICK DONCHAK WILL STILL FACE SENTENCING THE MORNING OF JANUARY 24TH, BUT IN THE MAX ROSENN UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE, WILKES BARRE. THE SENTENCING WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE AT WILLIAM J. NEALON UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE, SCRANTON, WHERE THE MEN WERE CONVICTED, AFTER AN 8 DAY TRIAL, ON OCTOBER 14TH. THE MEN WILL BE SENTENCED BY UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE A. RICHARD CAPUTO, AND BOTH POTENTIALLY FACE A LIFE SENTENCE.

COUPLE SENTENCED IN CREDIT CARD SCHEME

A FEDERAL JUDGE SENTENCED A SCHUYLKILL HAVEN COUPLE IN CONNECTION WITH A FIVE-YEAR FRAUDULENT CREDIT CARD SCHEME TOTALING $1.86-MILLION. 36-YEAR-OLD KULDEEP SINGH AND 31-YEAR-OLD RUTH SINGH MUST NOW PAY OVER $500,000 RESTITUTION TO TEN CREDIT CARD COMPANIES AND FORFEIT NINE PROPERTIES, TWO VEHICLES, THE CONTENTS OF THEIR BANK ACCOUNT, $800 CASH, AND NUMEROUS ELECTRONIC AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS BOUGHT WITH THE FRAUDULENT CREDIT CARDS. THE LOCAL PAPER REPORTS, KULDEEP SINGH WILL SERVE 33 MONTHS IN PRISON, WHILE RUTH SINGH WILL BE PLACED ON PROBATION.
　
COUPLE WAIVE RIGHT TO PRELIMINARY HEARING

THE COUPLE CHARGED IN THE SCHUYLKILL HAVEN FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY ROBBERY HAVE WAIVED THEIR RIGHT TO A PRELIMINARY HEARING TUESDAY. KRISTEN KRANCH, OF SHENANDOAH HEIGHTS, AND EDWARD REEVES JR, OF MAHANOY CITY, FACE FOUR COUNTS EACH OF CONSPIRACY, ONE COUNT BURGLARY, CRIMINAL TRESPASS, THEFT AND RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE NOVEMBER 28TH ROBBERY. ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL PAPER KRANCH REMAINS FREE ON BAIL, WHILE REEVES RETURNED TO PRISON IN LIEU OF $5,000 PERCENTAGE BAIL. THE COUPLE ALSO FACES CHARGES IN CONNECTION WITH TWO OTHER BURGLARIES ON DECEMBER 11TH.

MORE SHOPPING, MORE JOBS

MORE SHOPPERS EQUAL MORE JOBS. THIS YEAR THE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING RUSH HELPED LOWER SCHUYLKILL COUNTY'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN NOVEMBER. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, THE COUNTY'S JOBLESS FIGURE FELL THREE-TENTHS OF A PERCENTAGE POINT LAST MONTH. ALTHOUGH 7,600 PEOPLE ARE OUT OF WORK, SEASONAL HIRING BY LOCAL RETAILERS HELPED BOOST THE NUMBER OF JOBS.

PA'S BENEFIT FROM CHANGING TIDE IN CHESAPEAKE BAY

AREAS SHOW IMPROVEMENT IN A NEW REPORT ON THE HEALTH OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY, BUT ALSO CLEAR SIGNS THAT ALL IS NOT WELL IN THE WATERSHED. TOM JOSEPH HAS MORE...

CHESAPEAKE

STATE NEWS:

FAIRLESS HILLS, PA. (AP) - POLICE HAVE RELEASED A PHOTO AND A TIMELINE IN THEIR SEARCH FOR A WOMAN ALLEGEDLY ASSAULTED AND KIDNAPPED FROM HER SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA HOME LAST WEEK. POLICE IN BUCKS COUNTY ALLEGE THAT KENNETH PATTERSON BROKE INTO THE APARTMENT OF HIS EX GIRLFRIEND, DIANE CORADO, ON DECEMBER 19TH AND ASSAULTED HER WITH A PIPE BEFORE KIDNAPPING HER AND A FRIEND.

SINKING SPRING, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA ARE INVESTIGATING THE DEATHS OF A MAN AND A WOMAN WHOSE BODIES WERE FOUND IN A BERKS COUNTY APARTMENT. EMERGENCY DISPATCHERS SAID THE BODIES WERE FOUND AT ABOUT EARLY YESTERDAY IN THE UNIT IN CUMRU TOWNSHIP.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A DERAILED FREIGHT TRAIN IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA TEMPORARILY INTERRUPTED AMTRAK SERVICE BETWEEN PITTSBURGH AND HARRISBURG, BUT RIDERS ARE BACK ON TRACK. NORFOLK SOUTHERN SPOKESMAN RUDY HUSBAND TELLS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS THAT CREWS CLEARED THE DISABLED TRAIN YESTERDAY FROM TRACKS NEAR HARRISBURG.

JIM THORPE, PA. (AP) - A HIKER WHO FELL INTO ICY WATER AT AN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA WATERFALL HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT AND OBSERVATION. AUTHORITIES SAY THE MALE WAS WITH A GROUP OF FRIENDS AT GLEN ONOKO FALLS NEAR LEHIGH GORGE STATE PARK WHEN HE SLIPPED ON THE ICE AND FELL YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. HE WAS BROUGHT DOWN THE MOUNTAINSIDE BY RESCUE CREWS AND FLOWN TO ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL.

NATIONAL NEWS:

NEW YORK (AP) - OFFICIALS ARE WARNING IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL MORE DAYS TO REBOOK STRANDED AIRLINE PASSENGERS. ABOUT 250 PASSENGERS ON AN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT WERE FORCED TO WAIT ABOUT EIGHT HOURS BEFORE THE PLANE COULD PULL UP TO A GATE. CONTINENTAL AIRLINES HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET 200 STRANDED MEMBERS OF A HIGH SCHOOL BAND TO THE ROSE BOWL PARADE.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - CALIFORNIANS ARE ABOUT TO GET MORE OF WHAT THEY REALLY DON'T WANT -- STORMY WEATHER. THE STORM IS PUSHING INTO THE WATERLOGGED STATE FROM THE NORTH. THE LATEST WEATHER-MAKER COMES AS PARTS OF CALIFORNIA ARE STILL CLEANING UP MUD AND DAMAGE FROM A SIEGE OF RECORD RAINS LAST WEEK. FLOOD WATCHES, GALE WARNINGS AND HEAVY SNOW WATCHES ARE POSTED IN VARIOUS REGION.

DOVER, FLA. (AP) - THE COLD SNAP THAT'S SHIVERED FLORIDA HAS REPORTEDLY CAUSED AT LEAST $115 MILLION IN CROP DAMAGE. AND THE ST. PETERSBURG TIMES SAYS THAT WAS BEFORE WINTER OFFICIALLY BEGAN JUST OVER A WEEK AGO. A SPOKESWOMAN FOR FLORIDA'S AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE $115 MILLION FIGURE WILL LIKELY RISE.

ISLAMABAD (AP) - PAKISTAN HAS A POLITICAL CRISIS TO GO WITH ITS MILITARY PROBLEMS. CABINET MEMBERS FROM TWO PARTIES AT ODDS WITH THE RULING GOVERNMENT HAVE QUIT, PUTTING PAKISTAN'S RULING COALITION AT RISK. SENIOR GOVERNMENT LEADERS ARE MEETING WITH THE TWO PARTIES TRYING TO GET THEM BACK IN THE FOLD.

UNDATED (AP) - SOMEONE MAY BECOME A NEW YEAR'S MULTI-MILLIONAIRE. THE MEGA-MILLIONS LOTTERY JACKPOT HAS SWOLLEN TO $237 MILLION FOR FRIDAY'S DRAWING, WHICH IS NEW YEAR'S EVE. THERE HAVE BEEN 14 STRAIGHT BI-WEEKLY DRAWINGS WITHOUT A TOP WINNER. MEGA MILLIONS IS PLAYED IN 41 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

TODAY'S NEWS: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2010

POLICE OFFICER KILLED IN DUI CRASH

A HAMBURG POLICE OFFICER WILL BE LAID TO REST TODAY AFTER BEING KILLED IN A DUI CRASH THURSDAY NIGHT. 36-YEAR-OLD KYLE LESHER OF SPRING TOWNSHIP WAS A PART TIME POLICE OFFICER IN HAMBURG AND FULL-TIME BERKS COUNTY DEPUTY SHERIFF. ACCORDING TO POLICE, AT ABOUT 8:30PM LESHER'S VEHICLE FLIPPED ONTO ITS ROOF AND BURST INTO FLAMES AFTER CRASHING INTO A UTILITY POLE IN BERKS COUNTY. POLICE SAID LESHER WAS PULLED FROM THE CAR BY NEIGHBORS WHO EXTINGUISHED HIS BURNING CLOTHES. HE WAS FLOWN TO LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL, WHERE HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD JUST BEFORE 11PM.

INVESTIGATION OF ONE VEHICLE CRASH

THE STATE POLICE AT FRACKVILLE ARE INVESTIGATING A ONE VEHICLE CRASH THAT OCCURRED AFTER 1:00PM MONDAY AFTERNOON. BRETT MORTON, OF SUNBURY, WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON ROUTE 901 IN CASS TOWNSHIP AND LOST CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE AROUND A CURVE AND STRUCK A UTILITY POLE BEFORE COMING TO REST. MORTON AND HIS PASSENGER CORTNI-STARR PEZOLA, 25, WERE UNINJURED. ACCORDING TO POLICE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE, AND MORTON WILL RECEIVE A ROADWAY VIOLATION FOR FAILING TO STAY IN HIS LANE.

CRIMINAL ACTIVITY INVESTIGATED IN COUNTY PRISON

THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY BY THE POTTSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE INVESTIGATION BEGAN LAST WEEK SHORTLY AFTER THREE PRISON OFFICERS WERE SUSPENDED BY THE COUNTY PRISON BOARD. THE OFFICERS HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED WITH PAY AND NO NAMES HAVE BEEN RELEASED DUE TO PENNSYLVANIA’S RIGHT TO KNOW ACT PASSED IN 2009. ACCORDING TO THE REPUBLICAN HERALD, POTTSVILLE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING IF THERE WERE ETHICS VIOLATIONS THAT WILL RESULT IN CRIMINAL CHARGES.

SALVATION ARMY SURPASSES GOAL

DESPITE A LOSS FROM A DECEMBER ROBBERY, THE POTTSVILLE SALVATION ARMY SURPASSED ITS KETTLE CAMPAIGN GOAL COLLECTING OVER $75,000. ACCORDING TO THE REPUBLICAN HERALD, THE GROUP'S OFFICER, CAPT. HENCH BELIEVES ONE REASON WHY DONATIONS WERE UP WAS THE PUBLIC'S RESPONSE TO THE ROBBERY. THE KETTLE CAMPAIGN OPERATED FROM NOVEMBER 19 THROUGH DECEMBER 24.

DEMOLITION PROJECT

THANKS TO FUNDS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH SCHUYLKILL COUNTY'S DEMOLITION PROGRAM, AN ABANDONED BUILDING IN CASS TOWNSHIP WILL BE TORN DOWN IN THE MONTHS TO COME. IT WILL COME WITH A $20,000 PRICE TAG, BUT ACCORDING TO THE REPUBLICAN HERALD NEIGHBORS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YEARS TO GET RID OF WHAT THEY CALL AN "EYESORE". A HEGINS TOWNSHIP BUILDING AND MAHANOY TOWNSHIP BUILDING WILL ALSO BE DEMOLISHED IN 2011.

KEEP YOUR KIDS HEALTHY THROUGH FLU SEASON

WORRIES SPREAD OVER THE H-1-N-1 FLU VIRUS FORCED MANY PARENTS TO BE EXTRA CAUTIOUS WHEN IT CAME TO PROTECTING THEIR CHILDREN LAST FLU SEASON. EXPERTS SAY WITH FLU SEASON UPON US AGAIN, PARENTS SHOULD WORK TO KEEP THEIR KIDS HEALTHY. TOM JOSEPH HAS MORE…

FLU BUG

STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - ALL FOUR RUNWAYS ARE OPEN AT PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AFTER A MAJOR WINTER SNOWSTORM, BUT MOST FLIGHTS YESTERDAY WERE CANCELED BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS ELSEWHERE. AIRPORT SPOKESWOMAN VICTORIA LUPICA SAYS THE AIRLINES HAD CANCELED 600 FLIGHTS YESTERDAY IN PHILADELPHIA. SHE BELIEVES THAT REPRESENTS ABOUT 70 PERCENT OF THOSE SCHEDULED.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - OFFICIALS SAY A FREIGHT TRAIN HAS DERAILED ON A CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA BRIDGE, SENDING TWO SHIPPING CONTAINERS INTO THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER, BUT NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. A NORFOLK SOUTHERN SPOKESMAN SAYS THE TRAIN WAS HEADING TO CHICAGO YESTERDAY AFTERNOON WHEN A STRONG GUST OF WIND APPARENTLY CAUSED THE TRAIN TO DERAIL ON THE ROCKVILLE BRIDGE BETWEEN HARRISBURG AND MARYSVILLE.

LANCASTER, PA. (AP) - A CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA JUDGE HAS REJECTED THE APPEAL OF A TEENAGER SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON IN THE STABBING DEATHS OF A CLASSMATE AND THE CLASSMATE'S PARENTS IN THEIR HOME 3 1/2 YEARS AGO. THE LANCASTER INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL REPORTS ALEC KREIDER WAS 16 WHEN KEVIN HAINES AND HIS PARENTS, THOMAS AND LISA HAINES, WERE KILLED IN LANCASTER COUNTY IN MAY 2007.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - BERNIE WILSON, A BARITONE MEMBER OF THE RHYTHM AND BLUES GROUP HAROLD MELVIN & THE BLUE NOTES, HAS DIED AT THE AGE OF 64, ACCORDING TO HIS COUSIN AND THE GROUP'S FORMER RECORD COMPANY. PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL RECORDS SAYS WILSON WAS PART OF THE LINEUP THAT PRODUCED A STRING OF HITS IN THE 70S THAT HELPED DEFINE THE SOUND OF PHILADELPHIA.

NATIONAL NEWS:

NEW YORK (AP) - SOME AIRLINE PASSENGERS STRANDED BY THE BIG WEEKEND SNOWSTORM COULD BE STUCK FOR DAYS. MANY PLANES ARE BOOKED SOLID BECAUSE OF THE BUSY HOLIDAY SEASON, AND AIRLINES ARE OPERATING FEWER FLIGHTS BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN. BUT OPERATIONS ARE RESTARTING AT THE THREE NEW YORK AREA AIRPORTS. THE STORM WHIPPED UP CRITICISM FROM NEW YORK CITY RESIDENTS ANGRY WITH HOW LONG IT'S TAKING TO GET PLOWED OUT.

PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN (AP) - PAKISTANI INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS SAY TWO U.S. MISSILE STRIKES HAVE KILLED AT LEAST EIGHT PEOPLE INCLUDING SIX SUSPECTED MILITANTS IN A TRIBAL REGION NEAR AFGHANISTAN. THE OFFICIALS SAY THE SECOND STRIKE HIT A HOUSE, KILLING AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE WHO WERE RETRIEVING BODIES FROM THE FIRST ATTACK, IN WHICH SIX MILITANTS DIED.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (AP) - PHILIPPINE OFFICIALS SAY THERE WAS NO ILLEGAL DRUG IN A A PACKET OF SUSPECTED COCAINE CARRIED BY A U.S. NAVY OFFICER JUMPED WHO JUMPED TO HIS DEATH IN THE PHILIPPINES. POLICE SAY THE OFFICER JUMPED TO HIS DEATH YESTERDAY WHILE A SECURITY GUARD ESCORTED HIM TO A BATHROOM AT MANILA'S AIRPORT. THE SUSPICIOUS PACKET WAS TESTED AND FOUND TO BE CLEAN.

NEW DELHI(AP) - INDIAN OFFICIALS SAY MORE POLICE PATROLS AND STRICT SECURITY CHECKS HAVE BEEN ORDERED IN MUMBAI, AND SEVERAL OTHER CITIES FOLLOWING CREDIBLE REPORTS OF A POSSIBLE TERROR STRIKE. INDIA'S HOME MINISTRY ISSUED A COUNTRYWIDE ALERT AFTER RECEIVING INFORMATION ABOUT PLANS BY A BANNED, PAKISTAN-BASED MILITANT GROUP.

HONOLULU (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA WILL LOOK TO FINALIZE THE APPOINTMENT OF A TOP ECONOMIC ADVISER AFTER HE RETURNS FROM HIS HAWAIIAN VACATION NEXT WEEK. IT'S A DECISION THAT COULD SIGNAL A NEW DIRECTION FOR THE ADMINISTRATION AS IT STRUGGLES TO JUMPSTART THE ECONOMY AND WRESTLE DOWN UNEMPLOYMENT. OBAMA'S HANDLING OF THE ISSUE IS CERTAIN TO PLAY A CENTRAL ROLE IN HIS RE-ELECTION BID.


　

TODAY'S NEWS:THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2010

FIRE COMPANY EVICTED AFTER 90 YEARS

AFTER 90 YEARS OF OPERATION, RAINBOW HOSE COMPANY IN WADESVILLE IS BEING SHUT DOWN. THE NEW CASTLE TOWNSHIP FIRE COMPANY IS BEING EVICTED BY THEIR OWNERS READING ANTHRACITE. THE COAL COMPANY STARTED THE EVICTION PROCESS ALMOST 11 YEARS AGO AND NOW THE FIRE COMPANY MUST BE OUT BY MARCH 15. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, THE DEPARTMENT RESPONDS TO BETWEEN 100 AND 120 EMERGENCY CALLS A YEAR.

COUNTY DODGES TAX HIKE

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PUSHES THROUGH SEVEN STRAIGHT YEARS OF NO TAX HIKE AFTER A UNANIMOUS VOTE ON A $47.6 MILLION-DOLLAR BUDGET FOR 2011. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THE 11.98-MILL PROPERTY TAX WILL REMAIN AND THE 3.5 MILLION-DOLLAR DEFICIT WILL BE USED FROM AN UNRESTRICTED TO CLOSE THE GAP. CURRENTLY, THE FUND IS WORTH OVER 10 MILLION. THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DON’T BELIEVE THE DEFICIT IS NOT ENOUGH FOR A TAX HIKE RIGHT NOW, AND WANT TO CONTINUE TO TIGHTEN BUDGETS.

PENNDOT URGES TRAVELS TO MONITOR WEATHER

WITH WEATHER FORECASTS OFFERING UNCERTAIN OUTCOMES FOR CHRISTMAS WEEKEND, PENNDOT IS URGING MOTORISTS TO CLOSELY MONITOR FORECASTS AND MAKE SMART DECISIONS BEFORE DECIDING TO TRAVEL. ANYONE WITH TRAVEL PLANS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A MAJOR WINTER STORM THAT COULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON ALL OR PARTS OF PENNSYLVANIA THIS WEEKEND ACCORDING PENNDOT IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR MOTORISTS TO CAREFULLY MONITOR WEATHER FORECASTS AND CHECK CONDITIONS ALONG THEIR ENTIRE ROUTE BEFORE TRAVELING THIS WEEKEND. IF A STORM DOES STRIKE, PENNDOT ADVISES MOTORISTS TO AVOID TRAVEL UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL, USE COMMON SENSE AND HAVE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS OF ROAD CONDITIONS. PENNDOT CREWS WILL BE PLOWING AND TREATING ROADWAYS TO KEEP ROADS PASSABLE, NOT COMPLETELY FREE OF ICE AND SNOW. PENNDOT WILL CONTINUE TO TREAT ROADWAYS THROUGHOUT THE STORM UNTIL PRECIPITATION STOPS AND ROADS ARE CLEAR.

STATE NEWS:

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE COMMISSION IS MAKING A POLICY U-TURN AND DECIDING TO RESUME PRINTING THE TOLL SCHEDULE ON TICKETS IT HANDS OUT TO MOTORISTS WHO PAY CASH. BUT THE PATRIOT-NEWS OF HARRISBURG REPORTS THAT TICKETS WITH THE FARE INCREASES CURRENTLY SCHEDULED TO TAKE EFFECT JANUARY 2ND WON'T BE AVAILABLE FOR A FEW MONTHS.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SAYS IT WILL NOT CHARGE TWO POLICE OFFICERS IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF A MAN AFTER THE 2009 ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE. PROSECUTORS HAVE INFORMED THE FAMILY OF NICHOLAS HANIOTAKIS THAT IT WILL NOT PURSUE CHARGES AGAINST STATE POLICE TROOPER SAM NASSAN AND PITTSBURGH POLICE SERGEANT TERRY DONNELLY.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - POLICE SAY A GUNMAN WHO SHOT TWO PHILADELPHIA POLICE OFFICERS DURING A STANDOFF WAS THE SAME MAN WHO SHOT AND WOUNDED AN OFFICER LAST WEEK. AUTHORITIES SAY 20-YEAR-OLD NASUIL MARTINEZ IS HOSPITALIZED IN CRITICAL CONDITION AFTER ACCIDENTALLY SHOOTING HIMSELF IN THE NECK DURING A THREE-HOUR STANDOFF WITH POLICE YESTERDAY MORNING.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - LEADERS IN THE PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE ARE SET ON WHO WILL CHAIR COMMITTEES FOR THE TWO-YEAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT STARTS NEXT MONTH. DEMOCRATIC LEADER FRANK DERMODY AND REPUBLICAN LEADER MIKE TURZAI BOTH ANNOUNCED THEIR COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS YESTERDAY. REPUBLICANS WILL HAVE MAJORITY CONTROL IN THE CHAMBER, SO DEMOCRATS WILL SERVE AS RANKING MEMBERS.

NATIONAL NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYS THE U.S. IS A NATION THAT "WELCOMES THE SERVICE OF EVERY PATRIOT" AND HE HOPES GAYS DISMISSED UNDER "DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL" CONSIDER REENLISTING. IN SIGNING THE REPEAL OF THE BAN ON OPENLY GAY MILITARY SERVICE, OBAMA FRAMED THE ISSUE AS A MATTER OF CIVIL RIGHTS.

CHICAGO (AP) - THE CHICAGO BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS IS EXPECTED TO MAKE FORMER WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF RAHM EMANUEL'S MAYORAL CANDIDACY OFFICIAL AT A MEETING TODAY. A HEARING OFFICER RECOMMENDED HIS NAME APPEAR ON THE FEBRUARY BALLOT ALTHOUGH HE HAS SPENT MUCH OF THE LAST TWO YEARS LIVING IN WASHINGTON WORKING FOR PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA. HIS CHICAGO RESIDENCY HAD BEEN CHALLENGED.

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA BEGINS A HOLIDAY VACATION ON A HIGH NOTE. HE LEFT WASHINGTON YESTERDAY FOR HAWAII HAVING SECURED VICTORIES ON TWO TOP PRIORITIES -- REPEALING THE MILITARY'S BAN ON GAYS SERVING OPENLY AND RATIFYING AN ARMS TREATY WITH RUSSIA. IF THE REST OF THE YEAR GOES ACCORDING TO PLAN, HE'LL BE VERY LOW KEY UNTIL THE NEW YEAR.

LONDON (AP) - DAYS OF DISRUPTION CAUSED BY WINTRY WEATHER IN EUROPE HAVE FINALLY GIVEN WAY TO THE WORD NORMAL. BRITAIN'S HEATHROW AIRPORT IS USING THE WORD TO DESCRIBE MOST FLIGHT OPERATIONS TODAY WITH FEW CANCELATIONS OR DELAYS. MOTORING ORGANIZATIONS SAY MILLIONS OF DRIVERS WOULD MAKE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY JOURNEYS OVER THE NEXT TWO DAYS, LIKELY SNARLING ROADS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. TRAIN OPERATORS SAY THE COLD IS LIKELY TO MEAN REDUCED SERVICES.

POCHEON, SOUTH KOREA (AP) - SOUTH KOREA HAS CONCLUDED ITS LARGEST AIR AND GROUND FIRING DRILLS OF THE YEAR IN A SHOW OF FORCE A MONTH AFTER NORTH KOREA'S DEADLY SHELLING OF A FRONT-LINE ISLAND. THE EXERCISE SIGNALED SEOUL'S DETERMINATION TO DEMONSTRATE AND HONE ITS MILITARY STRENGTH, EVEN AT THE RISK OF FURTHER ESCALATION WITH NORTH KOREA.

TODAY'S NEWS: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2010

FIRE DESTROYS TRAILER

A VACANT ONE-STORY HOUSE TRAILER WAS DESTROYED TUESDAY NIGHT AFTER IT CAUGHT FIRE. ACCORDING TO POLICE, THE TRAILER LOCATED IN THE WOODS IN PALO ALTO WAS BEING REMODELED. THE HEAT WAS KEPT ON TO KEEP THE TRAILER FROM FREEZING, BUT FIRE CHIEF BILL BUCKINGHAM WOULD NOT MAKE A RULING ON THE CAUSE. THE OWNERS OF THAT TRAILER ARE RONALD AND CHRISTOPHER CARESTIA. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE FIRE WAS UNDER CONTROL BY 9:35PM.

COUPLE LINKED TO ANOTHER ROBBERY

THE COUPLE CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BURGLARY AT THE SCHUYLKILL HAVEN FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY ARE NOW LINKED TO ANOTHER ROBBERY THAT HAPPENED EARLIER THIS MONTH AT THE JOHN MALINCHOK INSURANCE AGENCY. ACCORDING TO FRACKVILLE POLICE, CHARGES WILL BE FILED AGAINST THREE PEOPLE IN CONNECTION WITH THE BURGLARY INCLUDING KRISTEN KRANCH AND EDWARD REEVES WHO ARE ALREADY IN HOT WATER. KRANCH WILL RECEIVE A SUMMONS IN THE MAIL FOR HER ALLEGED ROLE IN THE INSURANCE AGENCY BURGLARY AND WILL ALSO BE CHARGED WITH RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY FOR ALLEGEDLY POSSESSING STOLEN ITEMS IN HER VEHICLE. REEVES WAS CHARGED WITH FELONY CONSPIRACY, BURGLARY AND CRIMINAL TRESPASS ALONG WITH MISDEMEANOR OFFENSES. AS OF TUESDAY, REEVES WAS COMMITTED TO SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON, WHERE HE REMAINED IN LIEU OF $50,000 STRAIGHT CASH BAIL.

FRACKVILLE MAN SENTENCED IN SEX CRIMES

A FRACKVILLE MAN WAS SENTENCED IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COURT TUESDAY AFTER PLEADING GUILTY, IN AUGUST, TO INDECENTLY ASSAULTING A 10-YEAR-OLD GIRL. 48-YEAR-OLD DAVID WAIZENEGGER, RECEIVED A SENTENCE OF 4 TO EIGHT YEARS IN A STATE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY AND LIFE AS A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER UNDER MEGAN'S LAW EVEN THOUGH JUDGE CHARLES M. MILLER RULED WAIZENEGGER WAS NOT A VIOLENT PREDATOR. WAIZENEGGER DRUGGED TWO GIRLS WITH BENADRYL PILLS AND THE VICTIM AWOKE TO HIS INAPPROPRIATE TOUCHING.

GNDF PLANS INSTITUTE IN MOUNT CARMEL SCHOOL

THE GLOBAL NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT FUND, A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOUNDED BY NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNERS AND SCIENTISTS, HAS PURCHASED HOLY SPIRIT SCHOOL IN MOUNT CARMEL. ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL PAPER, THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION WILL USE THE SCHOOL AS A STRATEGIC STUDIES INSTITUTE, WHICH WILL TRAIN UP TO 100 UNDERGRADUATE AND POST-GRADUATE COLLEGE STUDENTS TO WORK IN EMBASSIES, FOREIGN MINISTRIES, THE UNITED NATIONS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AROUND THE WORLD. THE ORGANIZATIONS PROMOTES PEACE AND SUPERVISES THE DISMANTLEMENT OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS. THE SCHOOL WILL ENROLL STUDENTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, AND IS EXPECTED TO OPEN LATE 2011.

NEW FCC RULES ON OPEN INTERNET CALLED 'FAKE'

THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION APPROVED NEW RULES TUESDAY MEANT TO PROTECT AN OPEN INTERNET, BUT MANY OF THOSE WHO WERE PUSHING FOR THE RULES THAT PREVENT TELECOM AND NETWORK COMPANIES FROM BEING ABLE TO BLOCK, SLOW OR PRIORITIZE DIFFERENT KINDS OF TRAFFIC ONLINE SAY THEY ARE DISAPPOINTED. TOM JOSEPH REPORTS…

FCC RULES

STAY SAFE IN YOUR HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING

LOOKING TO GIVE TO A GOOD CAUSE OVER THE HOLIDAYS? A STATE WEBSITE IS HELPING PENNSYLVANIANS AVOID CHARITY SCAMS. ROSEANN CADAU HAS MORE…

CHARITY

STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - PHILADELPHIA POLICE SAY A THIRD HOMICIDE IS THE WORK OF A SERIAL STRANGLER AND ARE PLEADING WITH RESIDENTS NOT TO BECOME VIGILANTES AS THE SEARCH CONTINUES FOR THE KILLER. AUTHORITIES YESTERDAY SAID THAT DNA LINKS THE DEATH OF 27-YEAR-OLD CASEY MAHONEY TO THE SLAYINGS OF TWO WOMEN FOUND BEATEN, RAPED AND STRANGLED IN THE CITY'S KENSINGTON SECTION.

EASTON, PA. (AP) - AN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA MAN HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH BEATING HIS INFANT DAUGHTER TO DEATH IN THEIR EASTON HOME. JOSEPH URQUIA WAS ARRAIGNED ON A CRIMINAL HOMICIDE CHARGE YESTERDAY, THE SAME DAY THAT 11-WEEK-OLD JOSELYNN WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL-CEDAR CREST. SHE HAD BEEN TAKEN THERE TWO DAYS EARLIER WITH SEVERE HEAD INJURIES.

WASHINGTON (AP) - DEPARTING REPUBLICAN-TURNED-DEMOCRATIC SENATOR ARLEN SPECTER SAYS CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS WHO BACKED TEA PARTY CHALLENGERS AGAINST ESTABLISHMENT CANDIDATES IN THE RECENT ELECTIONS ENGAGED IN POLITICAL CANNIBALISM. IN HIS FINAL FLOOR SPEECH YESTERDAY, SPECTER COMPLAINED THERE'S SCANT ROOM FOR CENTRISTS LIKE HIMSELF IN A POLARIZED SENATE.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A COLORADO MATH TEACHER WHO TACKLED A GUNMAN AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL WHERE HE WORKS IS BEING HONORED FOR HIS HEROISM WITH A CARNEGIE MEDAL. DAVID BENKE WAS ONE OF 21 PEOPLE AWARDED A MEDAL BY THE CARNEGIE HERO FUND COMMISSION. THE PITTSBURGH-BASED CARNEGIE HERO FUND WAS STARTED IN 1904 BY STEEL BARON ANDREW CARNEGIE.

NATIONAL NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA FULFILLS A MAJOR CAMPAIGN PLEDGE TODAY WHEN HE SIGNS THE REPEAL OF THE MILITARY BAN ON OPENLY GAY MEMBERS. SO MANY GAY RIGHTS AND DEMOCRATIC ACTIVISTS ARE EXPECTED THAT THE WHITE HOUSE BOOKED A LARGE AUDITORIUM AT THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT. THE PENTAGON MUST STILL DEVELOP RULES AND CERTIFY IT WON'T DAMAGE COMBAT READINESS. THE PROCESS COULD TAKE MONTHS.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - THE FOCUS IS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TODAY WHERE A MONSTER STORM IS EXPECTED TO BRING TORRENTIAL RAIN, THUNDERSTORMS, FLOODING, HAIL AND POSSIBLE TORNADOES AND WATER SPOUTS. FORECASTERS WARN OF POSSIBLE RAINFALL RATES OF UP TO 1 INCH AN HOUR AND THUNDERSTORM RATES OF 2 INCHES AN HOUR IN THE REGION. MOST PARTS OF THE STATE HAVE SUFFERED DAYS OF DOWNPOURS.

LONDON (AP) - DAYS OF TRAVEL CHAOS DUE TO WINTRY WEATHER IN EUROPE APPEAR TO BE WINDING DOWN TODAY. AIRPORTS AND RAIL TERMINALS IN MAJOR EUROPEAN TRANSPORT HUBS SAY MANY SERVICES ARE RUNNING, BUT THERE ARE STILL LIKELY TO BE CANCELATIONS AND DELAYS. LONDON'S HEATHROW AIRPORT SAYS DOZENS OF FLIGHTS WILL DEPART AND GERMANY'S FRANKFURT AIRPORT IS GETTING BACK TO NORMAL.

WASHINGTON (AP) - TIME IS NOT ON THEIR SIDE, BUT SENATORS FROM NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ARE HOPING FOR A SUCCESSFUL TEST VOTE ON A BILL THAT WOULD AID PEOPLE SICKENED BY TOXINS AT THE WORLD TRADE CENTER. SIXTY VOTES ARE NEEDED TO CUT OFF DEBATE. THEY'RE ALSO CALLING ON THE HOUSE TO REMAIN IN SESSION.

BAGHDAD (AP) - THERE ARE RENEWED THREATS OF ATTACKS AGAINST CHRISTIANS IN IRAQ TODAY FROM AL-QAIDA'S FRONT GROUP THERE. THE ISLAMIC STATE OF IRAQ IS DEMANDING THE RELEASE OF TWO WOMEN IT CLAIMS EGYPT'S COPTIC CHURCH IS HOLDING CAPTIVE FOR CONVERTING TO ISLAM. THE CHURCH DENIES THE ALLEGATIONS.

TODAY'S NEWS: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2010

LOCAL AUTHORITIES CRACK DOWN ON MISSED COURT APPEARANCES

LOCAL OFFICIALS ARE CRACKING DOWN ON DEFENDANTS NEGLECTING TO REPORT FOR THEIR COURT APPEARANCES. BENCH WARRANTS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR 21 DEFENDANTS THAT DID NOT SHOW FOR GUILTY PLEAS OR JURY SELECTION AT THE END OF THE DECEMBER TERM OF COURT. 7 OF THOSE DEFENDANTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN PICKED UP AND WILL BE JAILED UP TO 72 HOURS UNTIL THEIR HEARING. IN THE PAST, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS GIVEN DEFENDANTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TURN THEMSELVES IN, BUT DA GOODMAN SAID TOO MANY HAVE CONTINUED TO BLOW OFF COURT APPEARANCES.

HALIFAX FIRE CLAIMS ONE

A FATAL FIRE BROKE OUT JUST AFTER 4:00 MONDAY MORNING IN JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP, DAUPHIN COUNTY. AUTHORITIES SAY TODD ANTHONY MILLER, 45, WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE DUE TO INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE FIRE. HIS WIFE, MICHELLE MILLER, ESCAPED WITHOUT INJURY. POLICE SAY THE INVESTIGATION SHOWED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY NEWSPAPER AND MAGAZINES STACKED NEAR THE WOOD BURNING STOVE THAT HEATED THE HOME. WORKING SMOKE DETECTORS WERE INSTALLED IN THE HOME.

LIBRARY BURGLARY ARRESTS

ARRESTS HAVE BEEN MADE AFTER LAST MONTH'S BURGLARY AT THE SCHUYLKILL HAVEN FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY. 24-YEAR-OLD KRISTEN KRANCH OF SHENANDOAH HEIGHTS, A FORMER EMPLOYEE OF THE LIBRARY, IS CHARGED WITH PARTICIPATING IN THE BURGLARY ALONG WITH HER BOYFRIEND 30-YEAR-OLD EDWARD REEVES. POLICE REPORT REEVES BROKE INTO THE LIBRARY USING KRANCH'S SECURITY PASSWORD AND KEY THEN STOLE OVER $100 TO BUY DRUGS, GASOLINE, AND CIGARETTES. KRANCH AND REEVES HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH FOUR COUNTS OF CONSPIRACY AND ONE EACH OF BURGLARY, CRIMINAL TRESPASS, THEFT AND RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY. A PRELIMINARY HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 28TH.

CAR CRASH LEAVES MAN WITH MINOR INJURIES

A SCHUYLKILL HAVEN MAN SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AFTER CRASHING HIS VEHICLE SATURDAY MORNING IN PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP. 18-YEAR-OLD KHYLE WILLIS WAS DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON ROUTE 443, PLEASANT VALLEY ROAD WHEN HE SWERVED ONTO THE EASTBOUND SHOULDER. WILLIS' CAR SPUN SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE COMING TO A REST AT A TREE. POLICE REPORT WILLIS WILL BE CHARGED WITH DUI AND OTHER OFFENSES PENDNING THE RESULTS OF A BLOOD ALCOHOL TEST.

ARGALL REPORT LOOKS AT YUENGLING BREWERY

SENATOR DAVID ARGALL WILL TAKE AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE YUENGLING BREWERY IN THIS MONTH’S LOCAL TV REPORT. THE DISCUSSION WILL FOCUS ON ECONOMIC ISSUES INCLUDING JOBS AND EXPANSION DURING TOUGH TIMES. SENATOR ARGALL WANTS TO GIVE CONSTITUENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE LOCAL EMPLOYERS MAKING IT THROUGH THE RECESSION, AND KEEPING THE BUSINESS LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED. THE REPORT IS SCHEDULED TO AIR ON MULTIPLE CHANNELS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS. CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS FOR AIR TIME.

STATE NEWS:

YORK, PA. (AP) - THE CORONER IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA'S YORK COUNTY SAYS THREE PEOPLE HAVE DROWNED OVER A TWO-WEEK PERIOD BY PLUNGING INTO ICY WATER - AND HE'S NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. CORONER BARRY BLOSS SAYS TWO OF THE VICTIMS WENT INTO OUTDOOR POOLS AND ONE INTO A POND. HE TELLS YORK DAILY RECORD HAVING PEOPLE DROWN IN OUTDOOR POOLS IN WINTERTIME IS "VERY STRANGE."

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - TWO MEN CHARGED WITH KILLING A MAN AND A TEENAGER IN NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA 3 1/2 YEARS AGO COULD FACE THE DEATH PENALTY AFTER BEING CONVICTED OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER. THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER REPORTS A JURY RETURNED THE GUILTY VERDICTS AGAINST GERALD DRUMMOND AND ROBERT MCDOWELL. PROSECUTORS SAY THEY KILLED DAMIEN HOLLOWAY AND TIMOTHY CLARK IN JULY 2007.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - GOVERNOR ED RENDELL SAYS A FEDERAL REPORT SHOWS THAT TIGHTENING SUPERVISION OF PENNSYLVANIA'S MEDICAID PROGRAM IS UNLIKELY TO PRODUCE THE HUGE SAVINGS PREDICTED BY SOME CRITICS. RENDELL SAYS THAT A RECENT FEDERAL ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT THE ERROR RATE IS ONLY FOUR PERCENT. HE SAID THAT'S FAR SHY OF THE 15.5 PERCENT ERROR RATE THAT STATE AUDITOR GENERAL JACK WAGNER HAS REPORTED.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A NEW REPORT SAYS PHILADELPHIA'S CREATIVE SECTOR IS GROWING AT A RATE ABOVE NATIONAL AVERAGES. THE "CREATIVE VITALITY IN PHILADELPHIA" REPORT LOOKED AT ARTS-RELATED JOBS AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION FROM 2006 TO 2008. IT FOUND THAT PHILADELPHIA'S CREATIVE SECTOR EMPLOYS MORE THAN 17,000 PEOPLE AND HAS WEATHERED THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN BETTER THAN OTHER SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.

NATIONAL NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - AMERICAN COMMANDERS IN AFGHANISTAN REPORTEDLY WANT TO LAUNCH EXPANDED SPECIAL OPERATIONS RAIDS INTO TRIBAL AREAS OF PAKISTAN AGAINST ISLAMIST MILITANTS. THE NEW YORK TIMES CITES UNNAMED OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON. THE U.S.-LED COALITION SAYS THERE'S NO TRUTH TO THE REPORT.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE CENSUS BUREAU IS EXPECTED TO RELEASE THE FIRST RESULTS TODAY FROM THE LATEST ONCE-A-DECADE GOVERNMENT COUNT. THEY'RE EXPECTED TO SHOW AMERICA'S ONCE-TORRID POPULATION GROWTH DROPPING TO THE LOWEST LEVEL IN SEVEN DECADES. THE FIGURES WILL BE USED TO REAPPORTION THE 435 HOUSE SEATS AMONG THE 50 STATES. REPUBLICANS ARE EXPECTED TO GAIN FROM A STEADY MIGRATION TO THE SOUTH AND WEST.

WASHINGTON (AP) - WITH THE HELP OF EIGHT REPUBLICANS, DEMOCRATS HAVE BEATEN BACK SEVERAL GOP AMENDMENTS TO THE NEW ARMS CONTROL TREATY WITH RUSSIA. THE TREATY, WHICH WAS SIGNED IN APRIL, WOULD REDUCE NUCLEAR WEAPONS AND RESTART WEAPONS INSPECTIONS. A TWO-THIRDS VOTE IS NEEDED FOR RATIFICATION AND THE ADMINISTRATION IS STEPPING UP EFFORTS TO GAIN THE GOP VOTES IT NEEDS. A VOTE TO CUT OFF DEBATE IS SCHEDULED TODAY.

BERLIN (AP) - WINTRY WEATHER CONTINUES TO CAUSE PROBLEMS IN EUROPE. FRESH SNOWFALL HAS FORCED FRANKFURT AIRPORT, GERMANY'S BIGGEST, TO SUSPEND TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS - THE LATEST SETBACK TO BELEAGUERED PRE-CHRISTMAS TRAVELERS IN EUROPE AND BEYOND. LONDON'S HEATHROW AIRPORT PLANS TO OPERATE A "REDUCED FLIGHT SCHEDULE" TODAY.

TEHRAN, IRAN (AP) - IRAN'S STATE TV SAYS A MAGNITUDE 6.5 EARTHQUAKE IN SOUTHEASTERN IRAN HAS KILLED 7 PEOPLE AND INJURED 33 IN A SPARSELY POPULATED AREA IS SOUTHEASTERN IRAN. IRAN IS LOCATED ON SEISMIC FAULT LINES AND IS PRONE TO EARTHQUAKES.

TODAY'S NEWS: MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2010

WATER BOIL ADVISORY
THE TAMAQUA AREA WATER AUTHORITY HAS ISSUED A WATER BOIL ADVISORY FOR ITS CUSTOMERS IN ONE SECTION OF HOMETOWN, DUE TO A WATER MAIN BREAK ON DECEMBER 19TH.THIS WATER BOIL ADVISORY APPLIES TO ALL TAMAQUA AREA WATER AUTHORITY CUSTOMERS LOCATED ON THE FOLLOWING STREETS IN HOMETOWN: BEECHWOOD, CLARRYAN, ELIZABETH, LAURELWOOD, LOCUST, SHERWOOD, RYMIN ROAD AND ARDMORE AVENUE SOUTH OF LOCUST STREET. DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST.

PINE GROVE MAN INJURED IN CRASH

A 19-YEAR-OLD PINE GROVE MAN REMAINS IN FAIR CONDITION AT GEISINGER MEDICAL CENTER AFTER BEING FLOWN THERE FOLLOWING A CRASH IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY SUNDAY. THAT HAPPENED JUST AFTER ONE A.M. ON ROUTE 895 IN WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. POLICE SAY JESSE AUNGST SUFFERED MODERATE INJURIES WHEN HE WAS SPEEDING AND HIS CAR SLID OUT OF CONTROL, HITTING A UTILITY POLE. AUNGST WAS TRAPPED IN HIS VEHICLE AND WAS EXTRACTED BY SUMMIT STATION AND PINE GROVE FIRE DEPARTMENTS. HE FACES MULTIPLE CHARGES INCLUDING DUI PENDING TEST RESULTS.

FRACKVILLE WOMAN FACES FELONY CHARGES

POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR A FRACKVILLE WOMAN FACING FELONY RETAIL THEFT AND RELATED CHARGES. 23-YEAR-OLD STEPHANIE KNORR WAS IDENTIFIED AFTER AN INCIDENT IN EARLY DECEMBER IN THE SEARS STORE, SCHUYLKILL MALL. KNORR WAS APPROACHED BY LOSS PREVENTION PERSONNEL AFTER REMOVING VARIOUS RETAIL ITEMS FROM THE STORE. WHEN CONFRONTED, KNORR STRUCK THE ASSOCIATE WITH A TOOL SET AND PUSHED HER TO THE GROUND. AS OF THIS DATE, KNORR IS NOT IN CUSTODY AND ANYONE WITH INFORMATION LEADING TO HER WHEREABOUTS IS ASKED TO CONTACT STATE POLICE AT FRACKVILLE.

FORMER COUNSELOR FOUND DEAD

A FORMER HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELOR WHO WAS FACING MULTIPLE CHARGES OF CORRUPTION OF MINORS WAS FOUND DEAD THURSDAY AT HER HOME. POLICE SAY HEATHER COOK WAS FOUND THURSDAY NEAR AN OUTDOOR SHED BEHIND HER HOME AT 300 TREMONT ROAD. POLICE AND THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY CORONER SAYS IT APPEARS SHE TOOK HER OWN LIFE. COOK WAS ARRESTED MARCH 18TH BY PINE GROVE POLICE FOR ALLEGEDLY HAVING SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH A FEMALE STUDENT. COOK PLEADED NOT GUILTY IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COURT ON MAY 17TH AND WAS FREE ON $25,000 BAIL. CHARGES AGAINST COOK WERE STILL PENDING AT THE TIME OF HER DEATH. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, PINE GROVE DISTRICT HAS MADE ADDITIONAL COUNSELORS AVAILABLE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS, STAFF AND RESIDENTS.

LOCAL SUPPORT NEEDED IN SHARP MOUNTAIN RECLAMATION PROJECT

FUTURE STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR THE SHARP MOUNTAIN RECLAMATION PROJECT. THE CITY HOPES TO GET LOCAL SUPPORT TO CONTINUE THE PROJECT BY INTRODUCING A NEW PLAN. THE PLAN WOULD INCLUDE LOCAL BUSINESSES TO HELP WITH FUNDING AND KEEP THE PROJECT MOVING WITHOUT STATE MONEY. ACCORDING TO THE REPUBLICAN HERALD, THE GROWING GREENER FUND, WHICH HAS FUNDED THE PROJECT SINCE 1999, HAS BEEN DRASTICALLY CUT.

PA LEADS STATES IN RIVER CLEANUP

PENNSYLVANIA IS REMOVING SOME KEY BARRIERS TO CLEANER RIVERS. IN FACT, IT'S DOING A BETTER JOB THAN ANY OTHER STATE IN THE NATION, ACCORDING TO THE GROUP AMERICAN RIVERS. TOM JOSEPH REPORTS...

PA RIVERS

COUNTY MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGES COULD DROP

THE NEW YEAR COULD BRING MAJOR CHANGES TO SCHUYLKILL COUNTY'S MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGE SYSTEM. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, PROPOSED CHANGES HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF PENNSYLVANIA COURTS BY PRESIDENT JUDGE WILLIAM E. BALDWIN. THE REASON FOR THE PROPOSAL IS THE CHIEF JUSTICE WANTS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF MAGISTERIAL JUDGE DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE COMMONWEATH. THE DETAILS HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN, BUT MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGE CHARLES V. MORAN WILL RETIRE AT THE END OF JANUARY. DISTRICTS WILL NEED TO BE SET IN TIME FOR THE MAY 17TH PRIMARY ELECTION.


MINERSVILLE FOOD DRIVE

TIS' THE SEASON FOR GIVING AND THANKS TO DONATIONS MORE THAN 100 FAMILIES RECEIVED NUTRITIOUS STAPLES FOR THE HOLIDAYS AT A FOOD DRIVE IN MINERSVILLE. THE BOROUGH KICKED OFF THE FOOD DRIVE BACK IN NOVEMBER AND WERE ABLE TO COLLECT ENOUGH FOOD TO HELP OVER 100 FAMILIES. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, MORE THAN 60 VOLUNTEERED FRIDAY TO HELP SORT, PACK, AND DELIVER THE FOOD.

STATE NEWS:

CHAMBERSBURG, PA. (AP) - POLICE SAY A CAR RAN OFF A ROAD AND THROUGH SEVERAL YARDS IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA BEFORE HITTING A FIRE HYDRANT, A TREE AND THE PORCH OF A HOUSE, KILLING FOUR PEOPLE. THE CRASH HAPPENED AROUND 2 A.M. YESTERDAY IN CHAMBERSBURG. OFFICIALS SAY FELIX PEREZ-CENAS, DORIAN SANCHEZ-REYES, TOMAS RAMIREZ AND CECELIA RAMIREZ WERE EJECTED FROM THE CAR AND PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - POLICE IN PHILADELPHIA SAY THEY BROKE OFF AN EARLY MORNING PURSUIT OF A CAR BUT LATER FOUND THE VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES AFTER A CRASH, AND TWO OF THE OCCUPANTS DIED. POLICE SAY THREE PEOPLE IN THE CAR HAD FLED FROM OFFICERS IN THE CITY'S LOGAN SECTION. THEY LATER CAME UPON THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER. ONE PERSON DIED AT THE SCENE AND ANOTHER WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT A HOSPITAL.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - ORGANIZERS OF GOVERNOR-ELECT TOM CORBETT'S JANUARY 18TH INAUGURATION ARE LIMITING THE NUMBER OF INAUGURAL EVENTS IN RECOGNITION OF THE HARD ECONOMIC TIMES AND THE STATE'S SERIOUS FINANCIAL CHALLENGES. STILL, THERE WILL BE A PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM, A ROMAN CATHOLIC MASS AT ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL AND AN INAUGURAL BALL AT THE PENNSYLVANIA FARM SHOW COMPLEX.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - FANS OF A BYGONE AGE HAVE BEEN TAKING TIME IN PHILADELPHIA TO CELEBRATE THE NONDIGITAL, SOLOTASKING, ADMITTEDLY NOISY ERA OF THE MANUAL TYPEWRITER OVER THE WEEKEND. ABOUT A DOZEN PEOPLE SHOWED UP WITH MACHINES IN TOW TO "TYPE-IN" AT BRIDGEWATER'S PUB IN THE CITY HISTORIC 30TH STREET STATION.

NATIONAL NEWS:

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL IS HOLDING AN EMERGENCY MEETING REQUESTED BY RUSSIA AMID RISING TENSIONS ON THE KOREAN PENINSULA. A DRAFT STATEMENT FROM RUSSIA THAT'S BEING
CIRCULATED URGES EFFORTS TO DEFUSE TENSIONS BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA AND RESUME DIALOGUE. IT ASKS SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON (BAHN KEE-MOON) TO IMMEDIATELY SEND AN ENVOY TO BOTH COUNTRIES FOR URGENT CONSULTATIONS.

ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST (AP) - THE UNITED NATIONS SAYS THERE'S GROWING EVIDENCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS SINCE IVORY COAST'S DISPUTED ELECTION, IN WHICH TWO PEOPLE CLAIM TO HAVE BEEN ELECTED PRESIDENT. THE TOP U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICIAL SAYS MORE THAN 50 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED OVER THE PAST THREE DAYS, AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS OF PEOPLE BEING ABDUCTED FROM THEIR HOMES BY ARMED ASSAILANTS IN MILITARY UNIFORM.

COBAN, GUATEMALA (AP) - THE GUATEMALAN MILITARY HAS DECLARED A STATE OF SIEGE IN A PROVINCE THAT THEY CLAIM IS CONTROLLED BY MEXICAN DRUG TRAFFICKERS. AN ORDER THAT WENT INTO EFFECT TODAY ALLOWS THE ARMY TO DETAIN SUSPECTS WITHOUT WARRANTS, CONDUCT WARRANTLESS SEARCHES, PROHIBIT GUN POSSESSION, AND CONTROL THE LOCAL NEWS MEDIA.

MEXICO CITY (AP) - A PIPELINE EXPLOSION IN CENTRAL MEXICO HAS KILLED AT LEAST 22 PEOPLE AND INJURED MORE THAN 30 OTHERS. AN OFFICIAL TELLS MEXICAN TELEVISION THAT THE EXPLOSION HAS DESTROYED 32 HOUSES AND DAMAGED 83. ANOTHER OFFICIAL SAYS THE BLAST OCCURRED AT A DUCT WHERE THIEVES WERE ATTEMPTING TO STEAL EITHER GAS OR OIL. (NOTE LANGUAGE IN THE FOLLOWING)

WASHINGTON (AP) - VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SAYS U.S. TROOPS WILL BE OUT OF AFGHANISTAN BY 2014 "COME HELL OR HIGH WATER." BIDEN'S STATEMENT ON NBC'S "MEET THE PRESS" APPEARS TO GO FURTHER THAN STATEMENTS BY PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA. OBAMA SAID LAST MONTH THAT THERE WOULD BE A REDUCED U.S. FOOTPRINT IN AFGHANISTAN BY 2014 BUT THAT THE NUMBER OF TROOPS THAT WOULD REMAIN WAS STILL IN QUESTION.

TODAY'S NEWS: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2010

Saint Clair Police are seeking information about a suspicious male who reportedly attempted to lure a child into his vehicle Thursday morning on the promise of puppies and candy. Police said the incident occurred about 7:55 a.m. in the 100 block of East Railroad Street as a boy was walking to school. The Saint Clair Elementary/Middle School, 227 S. Mill St., is less than a block away from where the incident occurred. The male is described as being Caucasian with short black hair and driving a four-door mid- or large-size SUV. Officers met with Saint Clair school district personnel to discuss the incident, police said, and to recommend preventative measures to ensure the safety of children. In addition, police said school crossing guards were instructed to be on alert and to report suspicious people or vehicles. Anyone with information on the identity of the male who approached the child is asked to call police at 429-3050. All information will remain confidential, police said.

A 23-year-old New Ringgold man escaped injury when he crashed a Dodge pickup about 9:35 p.m. Thursday in Lenhartsville. Troopers from Hamburg said Jeffrey E. Neifert was found slumped behind the wheel by a local resident and, when approached by troopers, was allegedly found to be under the influence of alcohol. Neifert failed field sobriety testing and faces charges of DUI and related traffic offenses, troopers said.

A Mahanoy City man remains in critical condition at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, after being found about 4:15 a.m. Friday on a Shenandoah street, police said. According to the Republican and Herald, Shenandoah Patrolman Christopher G. Zubris said police were dispatched after a man who refused identification called 911 and reported a man lying in the street near 536 W. Coal St. who appeared to have been assaulted. Zubris said when police arrived they found a man in his early 30s with heavy trauma to his body and face; however, police were unable to determine if the man had been assaulted or if the trauma was caused by an accident. Zubris said the man was not responsive and went unconscious while police attempted to assess him at the scene. Zubris said he was flown from Shenandoah to the hospital, where police later learned he was from Mahanoy City. Police are seeking the public's help, Zubris said. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Shenandoah police at 462-1008 or 462-1991.

A 22-year-old Hazleton man accused of DUI was also found to be a wanted on an outstanding warrant for aggravated assault. State Police at Frackvill said a traffic stop was conducted about 3:05 a.m. Friday along Route 924 on a vehicle driven by Roberto Alvarez-Marquez whom was found to be under the influence of alcohol. He was also allegedly in possession of a small amount of suspected cocaine. Troopers later learned that Alvarez-Marquez was wanted by Hazleton police on the warrant and was released into the custody of that department.

A Friedensburg woman escaped injury in a one-vehicle accident Friday morning on Panther Valley Road, state police at Schuylkill Haven said. Haley Sippel was driving a 2001 Oldsmobile Alero about 10:57 a.m. when she drove off the roadway while rounding a left curve and struck an embankment, causing moderate damage to the vehicle. Sippel, who was wearing a seat belt, be charged with driving vehicle at safe speed and driver's required to be licensed.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Police in Philadelphia have identified a woman who they say may be the third victim of a serial strangler. Authorities on Friday said Casey Mahoney of East Stroudsburg was found dead in a vacant lot in Philadelphia's Kensington area near a set of train tracks. Her body was found a few blocks from where the two earlier victims were discovered last month.

INDIANA, Pa. (AP) - A crossing guard and an elementary school student have been taken to hospitals after authorities say they were hit by a pickup truck in Indiana, Pa., about 45 miles
northeast of Pittsburgh. Authorities aren't releasing the names of the victims, but say the crossing guard and student were both from the Indiana Area School District.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Amtrak says power problems between Baltimore and Philadelphia turned one train's trip between Washington, D.C., and New York City into an 11-hour journey. Amtrak spokesman Steve Kulm says a commercial power line fell on overhead wires around
8:45 p.m. Thursday, impacting eight trains. He says the lights and heat remained on.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Johnson & Johnson must pay $52 million in damages and penalties after a judge found the pharmaceutical company falsely reported the prices of its drugs. Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett says a Commonwealth Court judge rendered the verdict last week after a five-week trial in Easton, Pa.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Taxpayers can breathe easier for the next couple of years. President Barack Obama has signed into law a huge bill extending cuts for all Americans. The measure averts a tax hit for millions of people starting in two weeks on New Year's Day. In addition to preserving Bush-era tax cuts, it givers workers a break from Social Security taxes. It also extends unemployment benefits.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The ban on gays serving openly in the military could be nearing an end. The Senate is ready for a landmark vote today that could deliver a major victory to the gay community, liberals and President Barack Obama. If a procedural vote succeeds as expected the repeal could win final passage by late afternoon.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Oregon authorities say the 19-year-old man accused in an alleged plot to bomb Portland's holiday tree lighting is being held in protective custody though there's no known threat. Multnomah County sheriff's Chief Deputy Michael Shults tells the Oregonian that a lot of jail inmates had friends and relatives at the Nov. 26 lighting ceremony.

PERUGIA, Italy (AP) - A court in Italy is expected to issue a key decision on whether to allow a full independent review of forensic evidence in the appeal of American student Amanda Knox's
murder conviction. The review would include contentious DNA evidence. A rejection would be seen as a blow to hopes of overturning the guilty verdict. Knox is serving 26 years in the sexual assault and killing of her roommate.

BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraq's parliament has taken a step toward a unity government after months of political turmoil. Parliament voted to lift a ban on three Sunni Muslim politicians who had been kept from running in national elections in March because of accusations they had ties to Saddam Hussein's ousted regime.

TODAY'S NEWS: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2010

UPDATE 845AM
A TAN PIT BULL, ANSWERS TO EMMA, IS MISSING. SHE WAS LAST SEEN IN THE MIDDLEPORT AREA & IS WEARING A PINK HARLEY DAVIDSON COLLAR WITH A LICENSE. IF ANYONE SEES EMMA PLEASE CALL (570) 449-8766.

SKOOKAPELLA

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY WILL HEAR THE SOUND OF THE HOLIDAYS THROUGHOUT MANY COMMUNITY STREETS, THANKS TO LOCAL RESIDENTS. JASMINE BROOKS HAS MORE...

SKOOKAPELLA

SALVATION ARMY KETTLE ROBBED

A SALVATION ARMY EMPLOYEE WAS ROBBED OF HIS KETTLES THURSDAY NIGHT AFTER RETURNING TO THE SALVATION ARMY. CAPTAIN ADAM HENCH, THE OFFICER ROBBED, WAS INSIDE THE BUILDING WHEN HE WAS KNOCKED TO THE GROUND BY AT LEAST TWO UNIDENTIFIED MEN. ACCORDING TO POLICE, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY TAKEN AND IF ANY OTHER VAUABLES WERE LIFTED IS UNKNOWN. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.

RULES SET FOR EX-SHENANDOAH COPS' TRIAL

THE JUDGE PRESIDING OVER THE TRIAL FOR THREE FORMER SHENANDOAH COPS SET RULES THURSDAY FOR THE JANUARY 10TH TRIAL. UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE A. RICHARD CAPUTO BARRED THE USED OF CAMERAS, CELL PHONES AN OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES. RESTRICTIONS HAVE BEEN PLACED ON ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT JURORS AT ANY TIME AND SEATING PRIORITY IN THE COURTROOM. THE FORMER COPS MATTHEW NESTOR, WILLIAM MOYER AND JASON HAYES HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH OBSTRUCTIONING THE INVESTIGATION IN THE JULY 12TH 2008 BEATING OF LUIS RAMIREZ.

PPL RATES TO REMAIN THE SAME IN NEW YEAR

TOTAL ELECTRIC BILLS WILL REMAIN ABOUT THE SAME BEGINNING JANUARY 1ST FOR THE TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER WHO RECEIVES ELECTRIC GENERATION SUPPLY FROM PPL ELECTRIC UTILITIES. THE PENNSYLVANIA PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION ,APPROVED THURSDAY, THE COMPANY'S RATES FOR NEXT YEAR. FOR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS, THEY INCLUDE AN INCREASE IN DISTRIBUTION CHARGES, A DECREASE IN TRANSMISSION CHARGES AND A DECREASE IN GENERATION CHARGES THAT PPL ELECTRIC UTILITIES PASSES ON TO CUSTOMERS WHO DON'T SWITCH TO ANOTHER SUPPLIER.

HEAD ON COLLISION INJURS TWO

A CRASH IN PALO ALTO THURSDAY MORNING INJURED TWO. THE CRASH HAPPENED AROUND 7:30 AT THE INTERSECTION OF WEST BACON AND WEST UNION STREETS. POLICE SAY A CAR DRIVEN BY 32-YEAR-OLD RONALD WOLFE JR. OF CUMBOLA SLAMMED HEAD-ON INTO A CAR DRIVEN BY 28-YEAR-OLD JESSICA YOUST OF PORT CARBON. BOTH HAD TO BE CUT FREE OF THE WRECKAGE. POLICE SAY WOLFE WAS FLOWN TO THE LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL WITH MODERATE INJURIES WHILE YOUST WAS FLOWN TO READING HOSPITAL WITH SERIOUS INJURIES. CONDITION REPORTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.


STATE NEWS:

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - STATE GAMBLING REGULATORS HAVE REVOKED THE LICENSE FOR A LONG-STALLED PHILADELPHIA CASINO PROJECT. THE PENNSYLVANIA GAMING CONTROL BOARD ON HAS REJECTED A REQUEST FOR ANOTHER EXTENSION FOR THE FORMER FOXWOODS PHILADELPHIA PROJECT
ALONG A STRETCH OF THE DELAWARE RIVER WATERFRONT.

WASHINGTON, PA. (AP) - POLICE IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SAY SEVEN STUDENTS HAVE SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES IN A SCHOOL BUS CRASH. WASHINGTON COUNTY AUTHORITIES SAY THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP THURSDAY AFTERNOON. POLICE SAY A CAR HIT THE BACK OF THE BUS AS IT WAS MAKING A LEFT-HAND TURN.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - GOVERNOR ED RENDELL SAYS PENNSYLVANIA'S
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK CONTINUES TO IMPROVE AND STATE TAX COLLECTIONS ARE ON TRACK AS HE PREPARES TO STEP DOWN AFTER EIGHT YEARS IN OFFICE. RENDELL SAYS THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FELL TO 8.6 PERCENT IN NOVEMBER, A 0.2 PERCENT DECLINE THAT REFLECTS THE ADDITION OF 5,100 NONFARM JOBS.

NATIONAL NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WON'T BE SEEING A BIG TAX INCREASE NEXT YEAR AND ALMOST ALL WORKERS WILL BE GETTING A BREAK FROM SOCIAL SECURITY TAXES. THE HOUSE YESTERDAY COMPLETED ACTION EXTENDING THE BUSH-ERA TAX BREAKS AS WELL AS EXTENDING JOBLESS BENEFITS FOR THE LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYED. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IS EXPECTED TO SOON SIGN THE BILL.

MCALESTER, OKLA. (AP) - EXPERTS SAY A SEDATIVE USED TO EUTHANIZE ANIMALS COULD BECOME MORE POPULAR FOR HUMAN EXECUTIONS BECAUSE OF THE NATIONWIDE SHORTAGE OF ANOTHER DRUG. JOHN DAVID DUTY IS BELIEVED TO BE THE FIRST PERSON IN THE UNITED STATES WHOSE EXECUTION INCLUDED THE USE OF PENTOBARBITAL. THE DRUG PUTS THE PERSON TO SLEEP BEFORE OTHER DRUGS PARALYZE THE MUSCLES AND STOP THE HEART. DUTY WAS EXECUTED IN OKLAHOMA.

WASHINGTON (AP) - AN UNUSUAL PROTECTION AGREEMENT IS USING TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO DEFEND TWO CIA CONTRACTORS WHO ALLEGEDLY WATERBOARDED TERRORISM SUSPECTS -- A PRACTICE THE U.S. NOW SAYS IS TORTURE. THE MEN'S LEGAL FEES WERE PAID DIRECTLY BY THE CIA. THE CONTRACTORS WERE NOT ONLY BELIEVED TO BE THE ARCHITECTS OF THE INTERROGATION PROGRAM, BUT FORMER U.S. OFFICIALS CONFIRMED THAT THE MEN PERSONALLY CONDUCTED DOZENS OF WATERBOARDINGS.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (AP) - NORTH KOREA IS PROMISING AN EVEN GREATER INTENSITY AND SCOPE OF RETALIATION IF SOUTH KOREA GOES AHEAD WITH PLANNED LIVE-FIRE DRILLS ON AN ISLAND THE NORTH BOMBED LAST MONTH. SEOUL SAYS THE ONE-DAY EXERCISE WILL HAPPEN SOMETIME BETWEEN SATURDAY AND TUESDAY AND IS PART OF "ROUTINE, JUSTIFIED" EXERCISES.

PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN (AP) - PAKISTANI OFFICIALS SAY 15 PEOPLE ARE DEAD IN TWO U.S. MISSILE STRIKES ALONG THE AFGHAN BORDER TODAY. THE ATTACKS STRUCK TWO VILLAGES IN THE KHYBER TRIBAL REGION, AN AREA IN NORTHWEST PAKISTAN THAT HAS SEEN FEW SUCH STRIKES IN THE PAST.

TODAY'S NEWS: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2010

BUS STATION DELAYED

UNION STATION ON SOUTH CENTRE STREET IN POTTSVILLE WAS PREDICTED TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE CHRISTMAS, BUT SHIPMENT OF MATERIALS AND WEATHER HAVE PUT THE PROJECT BEHIND SCHEDULE MORE THAN TWO MONTHS. THE 18,000-SQUARE-FOOT FACILITY WILL HOUSE A BUS STATION, TRAIN STATION, POLICE STATION, VISITORS BUREAU, AND COMMERCIAL SPACE.THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, THE $17 MILLION PROJECT IS NOW SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETE BY MARCH 11.

FIRE LEAVES FAMILY HOMELESS

FOUR PEOPLE ARE NOW HOMELESS AFTER A FIRE BROKE OUT WEDNESDAY EVENING AT THEIR HOME IN VALLEY VIEW. THE BLAZE STARTED JUST BEFORE 7PM AT THE HOME OF SARA WEHRY WHO LIVED IN THE SINGLE HOME WITH TWO CHILDREN AND AN UNIDENTIFIED MALE. THE BLAZE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN AN UPSTAIRS ROOM. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND THE RED CROSS IS AIDING THE FAMILY.

COMMISSIONERS ADVERTISE FOR PRE-RELEASE CENTER BIDS

AFTER A UNANIMOUS BID WEDNESDAY, THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SET TO SEEK BIDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PRE-RELEASE CENTER IN RYAN TOWNSHIP. THE COUNTY RECEIVED A LOAN FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND SET ASIDE PRISONERS FINES AND FEES TO MAKE UP OVER $3 MILLION FOR THE PROJECT. ACCORDING TO THE REPUBLICAN HERALD, THE COMMISSIONS PLAN TO BUDGET WITHIN THE CURRENT FUNDING RANGE THAT WOULD NOT INCLUDE LOCAL TAX DOLLARS, BUT A CAP HAS NOT BEEN SET ON SPENDING. THE FACILITY WILL HOUSE NONVIOLENT CRIMINALS TO REDUCE OVERCROWDING IN THE COUNTY PRISON. BIDDING IS SET TO BEGIN FEBRUARY 2ND.

1 IN 10 PA CHILDREN LIVE WITH JOBLESS PARENT

A NEW REPORT SAYS ONE IN TEN CHILDREN IN PENNSYLVANIA LIVES WITH AN ADULT WHO DOESN’T HAVE A JOB, AND THAT CARRIES WITH IT A HOST OF LIFE-CHANGING ISSUES. TOM JOSEPH REPORTS..

CHILDREN

MAN SUSPECTED OF DUI

A POTTSVILLE MAN FLED THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT HE CAUSED AT THE TURKEY HILL IN NORWEGIAN TOWNSHIP. 39-YEAR-OLD JEFFREY TELLEZ STRUCK THE VEHICLE OF 52-YEAR-OLD DOROTHY REICHERT OF MINERSVILLE AS SHE WAS TRYING TO PULL INTO THE MARKET, THEN DROVE OFF. POLICE CAUGHT UP WITH TELLEZ A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE CRASH AND TOOK HIM INTO CUSTODY. TELLEZ SHOWED SIGNS OF BEING INTOXICATED. CHARGES TO BE FILED PENDING B.A.C. RESULTS.

STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - PHILADELPHIA POLICE SAY THE BODY OF A YOUNG WOMAN HAS BEEN FOUND IN THE SAME GENERAL AREA WHERE TWO OTHER WOMEN HAVE BEEN STRANGLED RECENTLY, BUT IT'S MUCH TOO EARLY TO SAY WHETHER THE CASES MIGHT BE CONNECTED. AUTHORITIES SAY THE PARTIALLY NAKED BODY OF A WOMAN WHO APPEARED TO BE IN HER 20S WAS FOUND AT ABOUT 5 P.M. YESTERDAY IN A VACANT LOT IN THE KENSINGTON SECTION OF THE CITY.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HAS DROPPED ITS PLAN TO FORCE A HOUSTON-BASED DRILLING COMPANY TO PAY NEARLY $12 MILLION TO EXTEND A PUBLIC WATER LINE TO RESIDENTS WHOSE WELLS HAVE BEEN CONTAMINATED WITH METHANE GAS. ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORS SAY CABOT OIL & GAS INSTEAD WILL PAY RESIDENTS A TOTAL OF $4.1 MILLION UNDER A SETTLEMENT ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY.

EASTON, PA. (AP) - PROSECUTORS IN EASTON SAY THEY PLAN TO SEEK THE DEATH PENALTY AGAINST TWO NEW JERSEY MEN ACCUSED OF THE 2007 EXECUTION-STYLE SHOOTING DEATHS OF THREE MEN. AUTHORITIES WILL SEEK CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IF OLAYIWOLA HOLLIST AND DEMAR EDWARDS ARE CONVICTED OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER. THEY'RE CHARGED IN THE KILLINGS OF CHANEL ARMOUR AND ALEAH HAMLIN.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - THREE RETIRED UNION PRINTERS ARE ACCUSING THE PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE AND ITS PUBLISHING COMPANY OF RENEGING ON A PROMISE OF "NO COST" LIFETIME MEDICAL BENEFITS THE RETIREES GOT FOR ACCEPTING COMPANY BUYOUTS. THE PRINTERS FILED SUIT IN FEDERAL COURT ON BEHALF OF OTHER RETIREES, OR THEIR SURVIVING SPOUSES.

NATIONAL NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - HOUSE DEMOCRATS EXPECT TO FOLLOW THE SENATE TODAY AND PASS THE TAX CUT EXTENSION, BUT NOT BEFORE SOME TRY TO TINKER WITH ESTATE TAX CHANGES THEY SAY GIVE THE WEALTHY TOO BIG A BREAK. BUT EVEN CRITICS SAY PASSING THE SENATE VERSION UNCHANGED WILL PROBABLY HAPPEN.

WASHINGTON (AP) - SENATE DEBATE HAS BEGUN OVER THE NEW U.S.-RUSSIA NUCLEAR PACT. RATIFICATION OF THE NEW START TREATY, ALONG WITH A TAX DEAL NEARING APPROVAL, WOULD REPRESENT VICTORIES FOR PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA ON TOP FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES. SOME REPUBLICANS OBJECT TO CONSIDERING THE TREATY IN THE WANING DAYS OF CONGRESS' LAME-DUCK SESSION.

TOKYO (AP) - JAPAN'S CABINET IS GIVING THE OK FOR A CORPORATE TAX CUT OF FIVE PERCENTAGE POINTS IN A BID TO STIMULATE A SLUGGISH ECONOMY. THE CORPORATE TAX CUT IS PART OF TAX REFORM PACKAGE THAT STILL REQUIRES PARLIAMENTARY APPROVAL. JAPAN'S CORPORATE TAX RATE NOW STANDS AT 40 PERCENT. THE GLOBAL AVERAGE IS 25 PERCENT TO 30 PERCENT.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (AP) - THE SOUTH KOREAN ISLAND SHELLED BY A NORTH KOREAN ARTILLERY BARRAGE LAST MONTH WILL SOON BE THE SCENE OF A WEEKEND MILITARY EXERCISE. A MILITARY OFFICIAL SAYS THERE WILL BE A DAY OF LIVE-FIRE DRILLS FROM THE ISLAND NEAR THE TENSE KOREAN SEA BORDER SOME TIME BETWEEN SATURDAY AND TUESDAY. LAST MONTH NORTH KOREA RESPONDED TO SIMILAR DRILLS WITH A RAIN OF SHELLS THAT KILLED FOUR PEOPLE.

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (AP) - AN AFGHAN MILITARY OFFICIAL SAYS THERE'S BEEN A FRIENDLY FIRE INCIDENT IN THE COUNTRY'S SOUTH. THE OFFICIAL SAYS A NATO AIRSTRIKE KILLED FOUR AFGHAN SOLDIERS ON PATROL AFTER THEY WERE MISTAKEN FOR MILITANTS.

TODAY'S NEWS: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2010

SCHOOL DELAYS:
UPDATE 8:45am
NORTH SCHUYLKILL ELEMENTARY ONLY - 2 HOUR DELAY

IF YOU STILL HAVE HOLIDAY PACKAGES TO SEND, YOU MAY WANT TO GET THEM OUT BEFORE MONDAY. WPPA'S JASMINE BROOKS HAS MORE...

MAIL

PINE GROVE STUDENT MAKES THREATS

A TWELVE YEAR OLD PINE GROVE AREA STUDENT AWAITS CHARGES AFTER THREATENING TO KILL A TEACHER. ACCORDING TO PINE GROVE POLICE DETECTIVE TOM TROTTER, THE STUDENT ALLEGEDLY THREATENED TO SHOOT THE TEACHER IN THE FACE AND KILL HIM WITH A HOMEMADE BLOW DART GUN CONTAINING A CHEMICAL. STUDENTS IN THE CLASS NOTIFIED THE TEACHER OF THE THREATS AND HELPED REMOVED THEIR CLASSMATE FROM THE ROOM. ACCORDING TO THE REPUBLICAN HERALD, THE STUDENT WAS RELEASED INTO HIS MOTHERS CUSTODY, EVALUATED AT HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER, AND IS BEING HELD AT KIDS PEACE. THE STUDENT FACES CHARGES OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, POSSESSION OF A WEAPON ON SCHOOL PROPERTY, AND OTHER RELATED CHARGES. NO DETERMINATION OF THE CHEMICAL ON THE WEAPON HAS BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME.

WEST PENN TOWNSHIP FIRE

A FIRE IN WEST PENN TOWNSHIP DESTROYED AN UNOCCUPIED HOUSE TUESDAY MORNING. FIRE-FIGHTERS WERE CALLED TO THE FIRE JUST BEFORE 1AM AND BATTLED THE BLAZE FOR HOURS UNTIL THEY WERE ABLE TO BRING IT UNDER CONTROL. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED, BUT THE WEATHER CONDITIONS DID MAKE THE FIRE-FIGHTERS JOBS DIFFICULT. THE CAUSE AND ORIGIN OF THE FIRE IS STILL UNDETERMINED.

REP. KNOWLES MOVES ORWIGSBURG OFFICE

REPRESENTATIVE JERRY KNOWLES WILL CLOSE HIS ORWIGSBURG OFFICE AND MOVE TO SCHUYLKILL HAVEN. KNOWLES WILL SHARE AN OFFICE WITH REPRESENTATIVE-ELECT MIKE TOBASH TO BEGIN THE NEW YEAR. KNOWLES EXPECTS THE MOVE TO BE COST-EFFECTIVE, BUT ALSO PROVIDE CONSTITUENTS SERVICES TO THE AREA. ACCORDING THE REPUBLICAN HERALD, SOME CONSTITUENTS ARE NOT PLEASE WITH THE MOVE AND BELIEVE LOCATION MAY BE DIFFICULT FOR SOME CONSTITUENTS TO ACCESS. KNOWLES IS ALSO LOOKING TO SCALE BACK HIS TAMAQUA OFFICE.

MAN STRUCK BY VEHICLE

A TREMONT MAN SUFFERED MODERATE LEG AND HEAD INJURIES AFTER BEING STRUCK BY A VEHICLE TUESDAY AFTERNOON IN NORTH MANHEIM TOWNSHIP. 50-YEAR-OLD DEAN SHADE WAS HIT BY 43-YEAR-OLD ROSEMARIE ROTHERMEL OF ORWIGSBURG JUST BEFORE 4PM. ROTHERMEL WAS TRYING TO AVOID TWO VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A FENDER BENDER WHEN SHE STRUCK SHADE. AN AMBULANCE TOOK SHADE TO SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER-EAST NORWEGIAN STREET.

STATE NEWS:

MANCHESTER, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN YORK COUNTY SAY ONE MAN DIED AND ANOTHER WAS FLOWN TO A HOSPITAL FOLLOWING A TRENCH COLLAPSE DURING A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT. CREWS WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE IN NEWBERRY TOWNSHIP SHORTLY AFTER 4 P.M. YESTERDAY WHEN THE 15- TO 20-FOOT TRENCH PARTIALLY COLLAPSED AS THE MEN WERE LAYING A PIPE FOR A STORM WATER DRAINAGE PROJECT.

THORNTON, PA. (AP) - OFFICIALS SAY A SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA JAIL HAS SUSPENDED TWO EMPLOYEES AFTER AN INMATE WAS MISTAKENLY FREED - THE SEVENTH TIME SUCH A THING HAS HAPPENED THIS YEAR. OFFICIALS SAY THE BURGLARY SUSPECT WAS FREED DECEMBER 7TH FROM THE GEORGE HILL CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN DELAWARE COUNTY BEFORE FINAL APPROVAL WAS GIVEN FOR HOME MONITORING.

WILKES-BARRE, PA. (AP) - A NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA JUDGE SAYS PROSECUTORS CAN USE SOME STATEMENTS A HOMICIDE SUSPECT ALLEGEDLY MADE TO INVESTIGATORS, BUT NOT OTHERS. THE SCRANTON TIMES LEADER REPORTS ELVIS RICCARDI IS SCHEDULED TO GO ON TRIAL IN LUZERNE COUNTY NEXT MONTH IN LAST YEAR'S DEATH OF 34-YEAR-OLD DONALD SKIFF. PROSECUTORS HAVE SAID THEY INTEND TO SEEK THE DEATH PENALTY IF HE IS CONVICTED.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - FINDING A PLACE TO PARK IN DOWNTOWN PITTSBURGH COULD GET A LOT EASIER, THANKS TO A NEW HIGH-TECH TOOL. STARTING WEDNESDAY AT NOON, MOTORISTS CAN GO ONLINE BEFORE THEY LEAVE HOME, USE A MOBILE DEVICE, OR CALL A PHONE NUMBER TO FIND OUT WHERE PARKING SPOTS ARE AVAILABLE. IT'S ALL PART OF A PILOT PROGRAM BY THE PITTSBURGH CULTURAL TRUST.

NATIONAL NEWS:

SYDNEY (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN AUSTRALIA SAY 27 BODIES HAVE BEEN RECOVERED FROM AN ASYLUM SEEKERS' BOAT THAT SMASHED APART ON ROCKS OFF AN AUSTRALIAN ISLAND. THE CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION SERVICE SAID IN A STATEMENT WEDNESDAY THAT THERE ARE 41 SURVIVORS. THE WOODEN BOAT CRASHED INTO JAGGED ROCKS ALONG CHRISTMAS ISLAND EARLY THIS MORNING.

WASHINGTON (AP) - HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE WAITING TO GET THEIR HANDS ON A BUSH-ERA TAX CUT EXTENSION EXPECTED TO PASS THE SENATE TODAY. HOUSE DEMOCRATS DON'T LIKE THE CONTINUED CUTS FOR THE WEALTHY AND MAY TRY TO MAKE CHANGES IN THE COMPROMISE BETWEEN PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AND SENATE REPUBLICANS. CRITICS OF THE PACKAGE SAY THEY EXPECT IT WILL EVENTUALLY PASS AS IS.

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND (AP) - NEW ZEALAND IS WARNING OF AN ESPECIALLY VOLATILE MOOD AS PROTESTERS PREPARE FOR THEIR ANNUAL FACE-OFF WITH JAPANESE WHALERS OFF ANTARCTICA. BOTH SIDES ARE BEING URGED TO SHOW RESTRAINT TO ENSURE NO ONE IS KILLED. THE WHALERS LEFT JAPAN EARLIER THIS MONTH AND THE SEA SHEPHERD CONSERVATION SOCIETY BOATS ARE IN PURSUIT.

TEHRAN, IRAN (AP) - THE OFFICIAL IRANIAN NEWS AGENCY REPORTS DOZENS OF PEOPLE DEAD AT A SHIITE MOURNING CEREMONY AFTER A SUICIDE BOMBING NEAR A MOSQUE IN SOUTHEASTERN IRAN. IRNA REPORTS THE ATTACKER STRUCK OUTSIDE IMAM HUSSEIN MOSQUE NEAR THE BORDER WITH PAKISTAN ON WEDNESDAY. THE BOMBING APPEARED TO TARGET A GROUP MOURNING ASHOURA, WHICH MARKS THE 7TH CENTURY DEATH OF THE GRANDSON OF ISLAM'S PROPHET MUHAMMAD.

PANAMA CITY, FLA. (AP) - A FLORIDA SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT WHO CALMLY CONFRONTED A GUNMAN DURING A BOARD MEETING SAYS GOD PROTECTED HIM WHEN THE MAN OPENED FIRE. EX-CON CLAY DUKE FIRED TWO SHOTS AT BAY SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT BILL HUSFELT FROM ABOUT 8 FEET AWAY BUT MISSED. A SECURITY GUARD THEN SHOT DUKE. POLICE SAY DUKE THEN KILLED HIMSELF. DUKE SAID HE WAS UPSET THAT HIS WIFE HAD LOST HER JOB.

Today's News-Tuesday, December 14, 2010

COUNTY BUDGET EXPECTS TO COME UP SHORT

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE PROJECTING A SHORTFALL AS THEY GET SET TO UNVEIL THEIR 2011 SPENDING PLAN TOMORROW. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THAT EXPENSES ARE ANTICIPATED TO BE $47-POINT-5 MILLION DOLLARS, WHILE REVENUES ARE EXPECTED TO BE AROUND $44 MILLION DOLLARS. WHILER THERE ARE MANY OPTIONS ON THE TABLE, A TAX INCREASE IS NOT ONE OF THEM. COUNTY OFFICIALS ALL OPTIONS TO BALANCE THE BUDGET ARE ON THE TABLE, AND THEY MAY DRAW DOWN THE UNRESTRICTED FUND BALANCE, OR SURPLUS, TO BALANCE THE BUDGET. COUNTY PROPERTY TAXES REMAIN AT 11 POINT 96 MILLS.


GUILTY PLEAS

TWO MEN PLEADED GUILTY ON MONDAY TO DRUG RELATED CRIMES FROM INCIDENTS IN JANUARY IN POTTSVILLE. 43-YEAR-OLD ALLAN BITTLE OF POTTSVILLE AND 19-YEAR-OLD JERRY SINKO OF NEW PHILADELPHIA WERE SCHEDULED FOR NONJURY TRIALS IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COURT, BUT INSTEAD PLEAD GUILTY. BITTLE PLEADED GUILTY TO POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA AND PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS. SINKO PLEADED GUILTY TO POSSESSION OF A SMALL AMOUNT OF MARIJUANA. AFTER ACCEPTING BOTH GUILTY PLEAS, JUDGE CYRUS PALMER DOLBIN SENTENCED BITTLE TO SIX MONTHS PROBATION AND FINES, WHILE SINKO WAS ALSO FINED.
　
TWO CAR CRASH

A BETHEL WOMAN WAS FLOWN TO READING HOSPITAL AFTER RUNNING A STOP SIGN MONDAY AFTERNOON. 30-YEAR-OLD LORI HURST FAILED TO YIELD RIGHT OF WAY AND PULLED OUT FROM A STOP SIGN WHEN SHE WAS STRUCK BY 62-YEAR-OLD GRACE MYERS OF TELFORD. HURST SUFFERED MODERATE INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY BETHAL AMBULANCE AND MED-EVAC.


STATE NEWS:


ALLENTOWN, PA. (AP) - A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS ORDERED A BETHLEHEM MAN TO REMAIN BEHIND BARS WHILE AWAITING TRIAL ON CHARGES OF POSTING A THREAT ON THE INTERNET TO CARRY OUT "THE MOST HEINOUS SCHOOL SHOOTING EVER IMAGINED." ANTHONY ELONIS WAS CHARGED LAST WEEK AFTER THE FBI SAID HE MADE THAT THREAT AND OTHERS ON FACEBOOK AFTER HE WAS FIRED IN OCTOBER FROM NEARBY DORNEY PARK AND WILDWOOD KINGDOM.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - PLANNERS IN SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA HAVE NARROWLY APPROVED GOVERNOR ED RENDELL'S PLAN TO PROVIDE $45 MILLION IN EMERGENCY FUNDING TO STAVE OFF SWEEPING CUTS IN PITTSBURGH-AREA TRANSIT SERVICE. THE PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE THAT MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA COMMISSION VOTED 27-22 LAST NIGHT TO REDIRECT UNSPENT FEDERAL FUNDS TO THE PORT AUTHORITY OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY.

SCRANTON, PA. (AP) - A FORMER NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA COUNTY OFFICIAL WHO PLEADED GUILTY TO BRIBERY HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO 15 MONTHS IN PRISON. AUTHORITIES SAY DOUGLAS RICHARDS, FORMER HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR OF LUZERNE COUNTY, ACCEPTED MORE THAN $5,000 IN CASH FROM A NEW YORK STAFFING AGENCY THAT HAD A NO-BID CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE PENNSYLVANIA ACADEMY OF THE FINE ARTS HAS RECEIVED A GIFT OF 400 WORKS OF ART BY WOMEN SPANNING A CENTURY. THE PRESTIGIOUS PHILADELPHIA ART SCHOOL AND MUSEUM SAYS THAT THE GIFT FROM ARTIST AND COLLECTOR LINDA LEE ALTER IS UNPRECEDENTED IN ITS HISTORY. IT INCLUDES WORKS BY ARTISTS INCLUDING LOUISE BOURGEOIS, KIKI SMITH, ALICE NEEL, LOUISE NEVELSON AND MANY OTHERS.

NATIONAL NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - HE'S BEING REMEMBERED AS A GIANT OF U.S. DIPLOMACY. THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS RICHARD HOLBROOKE HAS DIED. HE HAD SURGERY SATURDAY TO REPAIR A TORN AORTA. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA PRAISED HOLBROOKE FOR WHAT OBAMA CALLS "TIRELESS DIPLOMACY, LOVE OF COUNTRY AND PURSUIT OF PEACE."

LAPORTE, IND. (AP) - A SLOW-MOVING STORM THAT'S DUMPED DEEP SNOW ON PARTS OF THE MIDWEST IS MOVING OVER THE GREAT LAKES AND INTO CANADA. FORECASTERS SAY MORE SNOW IS POSSIBLE FOR PARTS OF OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA AND NEW YORK. BITTER COLD HAS STRETCHED INTO THE SOUTH.

BABYLON, N.Y. (AP) - FOUR BODIES HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED ALONGSIDE A PARKWAY AT A BEACH ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND. THE DISCOVERIES WERE MADE DURING A SEARCH FOR A MISSING WOMAN. THREE BODIES WERE FOUND MONDAY AT OAK BEACH, A REMOTE BARRIER ISLAND THAT DIVIDES THE GREAT SOUTH BAY AND THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. THE REMAINS WERE NEAR WHERE SKELETAL REMAINS WERE DISCOVERED OVER THE WEEKEND.

LONG BEACH, CALIF. (AP) - RELATIVES OF A CALIFORNIA MAN KILLED SUNDAY BY LONG BEACH POLICE ARE EXPRESSING ANGER AND CONSIDERING LEGAL ACTION. POLICE SAY DOUGLAS ZERBY HELD A PISTOL-GRIP WATER NOZZLE AS IF IT WERE A GUN. TWO OFFICERS OPENED FIRE, KILLING ZERBY. RELATIVES SAY HE HAD BEEN DRINKING.

WASHINGTON (AP) - AMERICA'S NEIGHBORHOODS ARE BECOMING MORE INTEGRATED. RECENT CENSUS DATA SHOW THAT INTEGRATION INCREASED LAST YEAR TO A HIGHER LEVEL THAN AT ANY TIME IN AT LEAST A CENTURY. SEGREGATION AMONG BLACKS AND WHITES FELL IN ROUGHLY THREE-QUARTERS OF THE NATION'S 100 LARGEST METROPOLITAN AREAS.

TODAY'S NEWS: MONDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2010

MISSING GIRL FOUND

POTTSVILLE POLICE LOCATED A MISSING 15 YEAR OLD NEW PHILADELPHIA GIRL SATURDAY NIGHT. ACCORDING TO STATE POLICE AT FRACKVILLE, JASMINE MARIE STEINHEISER, A STUDENT AT ST. CLAIR MIDDLE SCHOOL, WAS RETURNED UNHARMED TO HER MOTHER. STEINHEISER WAS REPORTED MISSING BY HER MOTHER ON WEDNESDAY.

LOCAL MAN CHARGED IN CASINO ASSAULT

AN AREA MAN FACES CHARGES AFTER ALLEGEDLY ASSAULTING A PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE GAMING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER FRIDAY NIGHT AT HOLLYWOOD CASINO, DAUPHIN COUNTY. 31-YEAR-OLD, MICHAEL KRAMER, OF PINE GROVE, ALLEGEDLY STRUCK THE OFFICER WHILE BEING ESCORTED FROM THE FLOOR DUE TO INTOXICATION. KRAMER FACES CHARGES OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, SIMPLE ASSAULT, DISORDERLY CONDUCT, AND PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS. HE IS BEING HELD IN DAUPHIN COUNTY PRISON ON $100,000 BOND.

MAHANOY CITY MAN FACES BURGLARY CHARGES

A SUSPECT WAS ARRESTED SATURDAY BY FRACKVILLE POLICE IN CONNECTION WITH THE MALINCHOK INSURANCE AGENCY BURGLARY. EDWARD REEVES, OF MAHANOY CITY, FACES FELONY CHARGES OF CONSPIRACY, BURGLARY, CRIMINAL TRESPASS, AND MULTIPLE MISDEMEANOR CHARGES. REEVES IS BEING HELD IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON ON $50,000 STRAIGHT CASH BAIL. ACCORDING TO STATE POLICE AT FRACKVILLE, THERE IS ANOTHER MAN INVOLVED IN THE BURGLARY AND BOTH MEN HAVE ALSO BEEN CONFIRMED IN A ROBBERY OF A WEST MAHANOY TOWNSHIP GARAGE.
　
FRACKVILLE BURGLARY

FRACKVILLE STATE POLICE ARE NOW INVESTIGATING A BURGLARY THAT HAPPENED LATE SATURDAY NIGHT IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. POLICE REPORT THE SUSPECTS BROKE IN THROUGH A REAR WINDOW AT AUTO DIESEL AND ELECTRIC IN WEST MAHANOY TOWNSHIP AND REMOVED MONEY FROM A SODA MACHINE AND CASH REGISTER. THEY ALSO TOOK SEVERAL ITEMS FROM THE BUILDING. ARRESTS ARE PENDING IN THIS INVESTIGATION.

SIX PEOPLE ESCAPE INJURY IN CAR CRASH

SIX PEOPLE MANAGED TO ESCAPE A TWO CAR ACCIDENT SATURDAY AFTERNOON IN WEST BRUNSWICK TOWNSHIP ALONG ROUTE 61. 28-YEAR-OLD JAMIE SHULSKI OF ASHLAND LOST CONTROL OF HER VEHICLE AND CROSSED THE MEDIAN, COLLIDING WITH 61-YEAR-OLD HENRY STEIGERWALT OF SHOEMAKERSVILLE. SHULSKI'S VEHICLE, WHICH WAS CARRYING THREE PASSENGERS INCLUDING TWO THREE-YEAR-OLDS, SPUN AROUND AND STRUCK A GUIDE RAIL BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.

CAR CRASH

A MAN SUFFERED MODERATE INJURIES AFTER ROLLING HIS CAR ONTO ITS' ROOF SUNDAY AROUND 1AM. POLICE REPORT 57-YEAR-OLD WARREN BOYES OF PEACHTREE CITY LOST CONTROL OF HIS VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING ON AN ICE COVERED ROADWAY. BOYES WAS TAKEN TO SAINT LUKE HOSPITAL BY FRACKVILLE AMBULANCE. HE WAS CHARGED FOR DRIVING TOO FAST FOR CONDITIONS.

GRINCHES AFTER HOLIDAY DONATIONS

PENNSYLVANIANS BEWARE...THE SEASON FOR CHARITABLE GIVING IS NOW IN HIGH GEAR, WHICH ALSO MEANS WATCHING OUT FOR GRINCHES IN THE FORM OF SCAMMERS WHO WANT YOUR DONATION DOLLARS. TOM JOSEPH REPORTS...

GRINCHES

STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - ATTORNEYS FOR LONG-POWERFUL STATE SENATOR VINCENT FUMO ARE BATTLING EFFORTS BY FEDERAL PROSECUTORS TO INCREASE HIS 4 1/2-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE IN A CORRUPTION CASE - EVEN AS THEY SEEK A NEW TRIAL, SAYING HE WAS DENIED AN IMPARTIAL JURY. DEFENSE ATTORNEYS ARGUE THAT U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE RONALD BUCKWALTER WAS ON SOLID LEGAL GROUND IN IMPOSING THE SENTENCE.

POTTSTOWN, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA SAY A THREE-ALARM FIRE OVER THE WEEKEND AT AN APARTMENT COMPLEX HAS LEFT OCCUPANTS OF TWO DOZEN UNITS HOMELESS. OFFICIALS SAY THE BLAZE BROKE OUT SATURDAY NIGHT IN A BUILDING AT THE WEXFORD APARTMENTS IN POTTSTOWN IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - OFFICIALS IN PHILADELPHIA SAY THREE FIREFIGHTERS WERE INJURED BATTLING A HOUSE FIRE, BUT THE INJURIES ARE SAID TO BE NOT LIFE-THREATENING. THE BLAZE IN A THREE-STORY HOME IN THE FRANKFORD SECTION OF THE CITY WAS REPORTED YESTERDAY MORNING. OFFICIALS TELL WPVI-TV IT TOOK CREWS ABOUT AN HOUR TO
BRING IT UNDER CONTROL.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A MEMORIAL NEAR THE LIBERTY BELL IN PHILADELPHIA MARKING THE SPOT WHERE GEORGE WASHINGTON LIVED AS PRESIDENT WITH A NUMBER OF SLAVES IS SCHEDULED TO BE DEDICATED THIS WEEK. THE OPENING HAD BEEN PLANNED FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY, BUT THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER REPORTS IT WAS PUSHED BACK TO REVISE INTERPRETIVE MATERIALS TO BETTER PORTRAY SLAVERY IN THE NATION'S EARLY DAYS.

NATIONAL NEWS:

CHICAGO (AP) - DANGEROUSLY COLD TEMPERATURES HAVE MOVED IN AFTER A POWERFUL STORM UNLEASHED SNOW AND STRONG WINDS ACROSS THE UPPER MIDWEST. THE STORM DROPPED NEARLY 2 FEET OF SNOW IN PARTS OF MINNESOTA AND WISCONSIN. OFFICIALS SAY PLUNGING TEMPERATURES IN THE UPPER MIDWEST COULD CAUSE PROBLEMS ON ROADWAYS EVEN IN PLACES WHERE THE STORM HAS PASSED.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE FIRST SENATE TEST VOTE IS SCHEDULED TODAY ON THE TAX-CUT DEAL STRUCK BY PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AND REPUBLICANS. THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS IT EXPECTS THE BILL TO PASS BY YEAR'S END. THE NO. 2 SENATE DEMOCRAT, DICK DURBIN OF ILLINOIS, SAYS A "GOOD CROSS-SECTION" OF SENATORS IN HIS PARTY ARE READY TO ACCEPT THE DEAL.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A $4.5 BILLION EXPANSION OF FREE SCHOOL MEALS FOR THE LOW-INCOME STUDENTS IS EXPECTED TO BE SIGNED INTO LAW TODAY BY PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA. THE LEGISLATION TO FEED MORE LUNCHES AND DINNERS TO HUNGRY CHILDREN AT SCHOOL ALSO GIVES THE GOVERNMENT THE POWER TO MAKE THE MEALS HEALTHIER. OBAMA WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY HIS
WIFE, MICHELLE, AS HE SIGNS THE BILL AT A DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (AP) - OFFICIALS SAY SEVERAL SUSPECTS HAVE BEEN ARRESTED AFTER A SUICIDE ATTACK KILLED SIX AMERICAN TROOPS AT A JOINT NATO-AFGHAN BASE IN SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN. AN EXPLOSIVES-PACKED MINIBUS BLEW UP AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE BASE. A NATO SPOKESMAN SAYS SEVERAL ARRESTS WERE MADE LAST NIGHT.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (AP) - THE SEARCH FOR A SOUTH KOREAN FISHING BOAT THAT SANK IN THE ANTARCTIC OCEAN'S FRIGID WATERS TODAY HAS BEEN SCALED BACK. TWENTY SURVIVORS WERE RESCUED BUT THE SEARCH MONDAY, BUT OFFICIALS SAY IT'S "INCREASINGLY UNLIKELY 22 MISSING SAILORS WILL BE FOUND IN THE OPEN SEA WHERE VESSELS TRAWL FOR DEEPWATER FISH. THREE KOREAN VESSELS CONTINUE TO SEARC

TODAY'S NEWS: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2010

This year, the Schuylkill County Courthouse Christmas tree is getting its own gift - ornaments from municipalities across the county. As part of the county's bicentennial celebration - which will include a variety of events next year - the tree is not only being decked out with the usual decorations but also ornaments donated from Saint Clair, Union Township, Cressona and other parts of the county. According to the Republican and Herald, Friday afternoon, county Register of Wills Mike McCord was putting the finishing touches on the 12-foot Douglas fir, which stands in front of the district attorney's office on the first floor of the courthouse. So far, McCord said at least five municipalities have given ornaments. Others, including Schuylkill Haven and Pine Grove, are expected to send ornaments soon. Ornaments will be accepted any time before Christmas, McCord said, and he stressed that they do not necessarily have to be traditional-style decorations. Municipalities interested in donating an ornament or seeking more information can call McCord at 628-1382.

A dozen people were rounded up Friday morning as part of a drug sweep orchestrated by Schuylkill County District Attorney James P. Goodman, the county sheriff's office and local police departments. As reported by the Republican and Herald, the arrest warrants were executed in New Ringgold, Tamaqua, Delano, Kelayres, Shenandoah, Mahanoy City and Girardville, according to a press release from Goodman's office. Most of the arrests were the result of investigations by the county's Drug Task Force, though several were initiated directly by the Shenandoah Police Department, according to Goodman. Those arrested include: Christopher Hill, New Ringgold; Dawn Brozyno, Tamaqua; Mark Schmeer, Kelayres; Anthony Edmondson, Girardville; Ronald Kennedy, Delano; Eric Berezwick, Mahanoy City; Jose Rivera-Cabrera, Nathaniel Shoup, Stephanie Grant, Richard Davidson, Hope McMannus and Jeifri Suazo, all of Shenandoah, on charges of delivery of crack cocaine. Each alleged drug offender posted bail on Friday and was released, according to the district attorney's office. To report drug activity, call the Schuylkill County District Attorney's Drug Tip Line at 800-414-1406.

Monday marks the busiest day of the year for the Postal Service. Processing and distribution facilities throughout Pennsylvania and the rest of the Nation become abuzz with holiday greeting card volumes mounting. 4.5 million greeting cards are expected to be processed on December 20th. Postal officials also would like to remind you that there will be a modified mail collection on December 24th. Mailboxes and other postal locations will be picked up by noon on Christmas Eve and that postal retail windows will be closing early as well. Mail delivery will not be affected by this change.

State police at Frackville are searching for a 15-year-old girl who has been missing since Tuesday. Police said Jasmine Marie Steinheiser, New Philadelphia, was reported missing by her mother Wednesday. Steinheiser is 5 feet 1 inch tall, weighs about 100 pounds and has brown hair and eyes and double piercings in each ear, police said. She is a student at Saint Clair Elementary/Middle School. Anyone with information should call state police at Frackville at 874-5300.

A Shenandoah man was jailed Thursday and charged with assaulting his girlfriend during the early morning hours. According to the Republican and Herald, Dennis Yezulinas was arrested by Shenandoah Police Capt. George Carado and charged with one count each of felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor offenses of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person. He was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $15,000 straight cash bail. The charges stem from an incident at 427 E. Oak St. between 2:30 and 4 a.m. The assault was brought to the attention of Shenandoah Police by a supervisor from Schuylkill Medical Center-East Norwegian Street, after Fern Subach was brought into the emergency room for treatment of a fractured hip she said she suffered in a fall. During an interview Subach said she and Yezulinas had been living together for several months and had been at Who's Place bar on East Centre Street when Yezulinas became angry because two men were talking to her.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A Philadelphia couple who relied on prayer, not medicine, to cure their dying child have been convicted of involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment. Herbert and Catherine Schaible (SHY'-bull) face more than a decade in prison for the January 2009 death of their two-year-old son Kent. The Schaibles have six other children.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Attorney General's office says several people have been arrested for breaking into western Pennsylvania veterinary clinics and stealing drugs that were then sold at rave parties in Pittsburgh. A grand jury Friday indicted six people involved in the scheme.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A man is facing kidnapping and robbery charges after police say he forced a woman to drive to a store and buy him clothes. Tyquann S. McCord was charged after a woman said he confronted her in the parking lot of a mall Thursday night and made her drive to a store and buy him clothing.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Officials at Pittsburgh International Airport are going to spend about $300,000 on an advertising campaign aimed at drawing Ohio residents over the border to fly out of Pittsburgh. The Allegheny County Airport Authority on Friday approved spending
the money in the Cleveland, Akron and Canton areas.

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) - More bombings are being reported in Afghanistan today. In Helmand province, Afghan officials say a roadside bomb planted by the Taliban killed 15 civilians. Meanwhile in Kandahar, a car bomb exploded outside a police headquarters, wounding at least six people and blowing out the windows of buildings up to a mile away.

CANCUN, Mexico (AP) - A fund to help poorer nations cope with global warming is among the steps agreed to at a U.N. conference climate conference in Mexico. Most of the steps are modest, and that prompted Bolivia to object. It said the deal doesn't go far enough to address climate change. But the chief U.S. and Chinese delegates are both describing the agreements as a good basis for future negotiations.

MILLBRAE, Calif. (AP) - Attorney General Eric Holder is standing behind the FBI sting operations being used in anti-terrorism cases. But in a speech to a Muslim advocacy group last night, he says he's heard from many Muslim and Arab Americans who feel singled out by law enforcement. And he reiterated his resolve to prosecute hate crimes. An Islamic Center in Oregon was set on fire after a man who occasionally worshipped there was arrested for allegedly trying to set off a bomb in Portland.

PERUGIA, Italy (AP) - The American student convicted of murdering her British roommate in Italy in 2007 says she is the innocent victim of an "enormous mistake." Amanda Knox made an
emotional address to an Italian appeals court today, saying her life has been "broken" by three years in jail. She is serving a 26-year sentence.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A fugitive task force has arrested a Pennsylvania couple suspected of chopping up a man and putting pieces of the remains in a backpack. Authorities in Los Angeles say Edward and Melissa Garcia were found yesterday living in squalid conditions in an abandoned office building in Hollywood.

TODAY'S NEWS: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2010

THE HIDDEN VALLEY RIVER CLUB HOUSE HELD AN OPEN HOUSE THURSDAY. WPPA’S JASMINE BROOKS HAS MORE…

CLUB HOUSE

A LOCAL CELEBRITY MAKES HER TELEVISION DEBUT THIS SATURDAY

PENNY

PENNSYLVANIA’S PINT-SIZE FUTURE VOTERS AND TAXPAYERS ARE BEING SHORTCHANGED, ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT FROM THE PEW CENTER ON THE STATES. TOM JOSEPH REPORTS…

PRE-K


JURY ACQUITS DRIVER

A TREMONT MAN WAS FOUND NOT GUILTY OF HOMICIDE BY VEHICLE AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT KILLED A MAN AND INJURED HIS TWO SONS. 25-YEAR-OLD JACOB COOK WAS INTOXICATED DURING THE DECEMBER 2008 CRASH, BUT JURORS RULED ON THURSDAY THAT HE DID NOT CAUSE THE ACCIDENT IN TREMONT TOWNSHIP. COOK WAS FOUND GUILTY ONLY OF DUI.

LOCAL ARTISTS SELL WORK IN FOURTH ANNUAL SHOW

IF YOUR LOOKING FOR UNIQUE HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS GIFTS THE GREYSTONE RESTAURANT HAS WHAT YOU NEED. THE FOURTH ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE ART SHOW AND SALE WILL BE HELD THIS SATURDAY FROM ELEVEN TO FIVE. THE SHOW WILL BE MADE UP OF LOCAL ARTISTS WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF ART FOR SALE, RANGING FROM WINE TO WATER COLOR. ARTWORK WILL BE AVAILABLE IN ALL PRICE RANGES, EVEN AS LOW AS $5 A PIECE. JERRY LABOOTY, OWNER OF THE GREYSTONE, SAID THE NUMBER OF ARTISTS HAS GROWN FROM FOUR TO TWENTY EIGHT SINCE THE SHOW BEGAN IN 2007. THERE WILL BE MUSICAL GUESTS PERFORMING THROUGHOUT THE DAY, COMPLIMENTARY HOR D'OEUVRES AND A CASH BAR. ADMISSION IS FREE.


MINERSVILLE FIRE

A MINERSVILLE WOMAN WAS FLOWN TO LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL AFTER A FIRE BROKE OUT AT HER HOME THURSDAY AFTERNOON. 63-YEAR-OLD SANDRA KRIM WAS BURNED IN THE ACCIDENTAL FIRE THAT STARTED WHILE SHE WAS IN BED WATCHING TV. KRIM WAS SMOKING A CIGARETTE THAT DROPPED, WHICH IGNITED THE FIRE. THE FIRST FLOOR SUFFERED MODERATE SMOKE AND WATER DAMAGE AND THE SECOND DESTROYED, LEAVING THE COUPLE TEMPORARILY HOMELESS. KRIM WAS LISTED IN STABLE CONDITION AS OF THURSDAY NIGHT.


STATE NEWS:

DOWNINGTOWN, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN A SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA COMMUNITY SAY A 93-YEAR-OLD MAN IS DEAD AFTER A HOUSE FIRE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY A PROPANE HEATER. INVESTIGATORS SAY THE FIRE STARTED IN A BARN WOODSHOP IN EAST BRANDYWINE TOWNSHIP SHORTLY AFTER 2 P.M. THURSDAY AND MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE HEATER. THE VICTIM'S NAME WAS NOT RELEASED.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - PHILADELPHIA POLICE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH SOME INCOMING CELL PHONE CALLS TO THE DEPARTMENT'S 911 CALL CENTER. THE DEPARTMENT SAYS THERE HAVE BEEN SPORADIC PROBLEMS IN WHICH DISPATCHERS HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO HEAR THE VOICES OF CELL CALLERS. OFFICIALS SAY VERIZON, ITS TELEPHONE SERVICE PROVIDER, IS WORKING WITH CELL PHONE CARRIERS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

ALLENTOWN, PA. (AP) - A VETERAN POLICE DOG IN ALLENTOWN HAS BEEN EUTHANIZED AFTER BRIEFLY RETURNING TO WORK AMID A BATTLE WITH CANCER. NINE-YEAR-OLD FALKO HAD HIS SPLEEN REMOVED DUE TO A RUPTURED TUMOR IN OCTOBER AND WAS LATER ABLE TO RETURN TO WORK WITH HIS HANDLER. BUT THE MORNING CALL OF ALLENTOWN REPORTS THE CANCER SPREAD TO HIS LIVER AND ELSEWHERE. POLICE SAID THURSDAY THE CANINE WAS EUTHANIZED.

SOMERSET, PA. (AP) - THE CHEMICAL FORTUNE HEIR WHO KILLED AN OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL-WINNING WRESTLER AT HIS PALATIAL SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA ESTATE HAS DIED IN PRISON. STATE PRISONS SPOKESWOMAN SUSAN MCNAUGHTON SAYS JOHN DU PONT WAS FOUND UNRESPONSIVE IN HIS CELL THURSDAY MORNING AT THE LAUREL HIGHLANDS STATE PRISON NEAR SOMERSET. THE 72-YEAR-OLD WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD A SHORT TIME LATER AT SOMERSET COMMUNITY HOSPITAL.

NATIONAL NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - A LITTLE SWEETENING APPEARS TO BE IMPROVING THE SENATE PROSPECTS OF THE PRESIDENT'S TAX CUT DEAL WITH REPUBLICANS. NEGOTIATORS HAVE ADDED PROVISIONS PROMOTING ETHANOL AND OTHER FORMS OF ALTERNATIVE ENERGY. MEANWHILE, HOUSE DEMOCRATS HAVE VOTED NOT TO ALLOW THE PACKAGE TO THE FLOOR UNLESS TAX BREAKS FAVORING THE WEALTHY ARE SCALED BACK.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE FINANCIAL BAILOUT IS EARNING MONEY FOR THE GOVERNMENT. DATA OBTAINED BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SHOW INCOME FROM THE $700 BILLION TROUBLED ASSET RELIEF PROGRAM HAS TOTALED NEARLY $35 BILLION OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS. SALES OF CITIGROUP STOCK BOOSTED THE GOVERNMENT'S EARNINGS 17 PERCENT IN NOVEMBER.

LONDON (AP) - THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS INVESTIGATING THE CYBER ATTACKS AGAINST OPPONENTS OF WIKILEAKS AND THE COMPANIES THAT HAVE STOPPED DOING BUSINESS WITH IT. THE U.N.'S TOP HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICIAL SAYS A "CYBER WAR" HAS BROKEN OUT OVER WIKILEAKS. SHE SAYS THE MOVES TO CUT OFF WIKILEAKS' FUNDING AND SERVER SPACE MAY VIOLATE ITS "RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION."

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI (AP) - RIVAL CANDIDATES IN HAITI'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION ARE CALLING ON SUPPORTERS TO TAKE TO THE STREETS AMID ESCALATING TENSIONS OVER WHICH CANDIDATES SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN A RUN-OFF. GUNFIRE COULD BE HEAR IN THE CAPITAL, PORT-AU-PRINCE YESTERDAY. WITNESSES SAYS AT LEAST ONE MAN WAS KILLED AND SEVERAL OTHERS INJURED. THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS WARNING U.S. CITIZENS TO RECONSIDER NONESSENTIAL TRIPS TO HAITI.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - JURY DELIBERATIONS ARE SCHEDULED TO RESUME THIS MORNING IN SALT LAKE CITY, IN THE CASE OF THE MAN ACCUSED OF KIDNAPPING ELIZABETH SMART IN 2002. EVEN ATTORNEYS FOR BRIAN DAVID MITCHELL SAY THERE'S NO QUESTION THEIR CLIENT TOOK SMART FROM HER UTAH BEDROOM AND RAPED HER ALMOST DAILY UNTIL SHE WAS FOUND. BUT THEY SAY THE NOMADIC STREET PREACHER IS TOO DELUSIONAL TO BE CONVICTED.

TODAY'S NEWS: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2010

SHENANDOAH HEIGHTS MAN FOUND GUILTY

AFTER TRYING TO KILL A POTTSVILLE POLICE OFFICER IN MARCH, 29-YEAR-OLD LUIS DIAZ FROM SHENANDOAH HEIGHTS WAS FOUND GUILTY OF SOME, BUT NOT ALL, OF THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM. DIAZ WAS CHARGED WEDNESDAY IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COURT AND FOUND GUILTY OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, FLEEING OR ATTEMPTING TO ELUDE POLICE AND RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING ANOTHER PERSON. DIAZ WAS CHARGED WITH TRYING TO RUN DOWN PATROLMAN BRIAN KOTZMOYER ON MARCH 13TH WHILE FLEEING A HOME AFTER THREATENING A CONFIDENTIAL INFORMANT WHO LIVED THERE. DIAZ WAS ALSO FOUND GUILTY OF INTIMIDATION OF A WITNESS AND HARASSMENT. JURORS ALSO CONVICTED DIAZ OF DELIVERY OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, AND POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE AFTER HE SOLD $50 WORTH OF COCAINE TO UNDERCOVER OFFICER IN A CONTROLLED BUY ON MARCH 11TH. DIAZ NOW SITS IN THE COUNTY PRISON AWAITING SENTENCING.


POLICE CHASE SHENANDOAH MAN

AFTER ATTEMPTING TO FLEE POLICE WHO WERE TRYING TO ARREST HIM, A SHENANDOAH MAN IS NOW BEING HELD AT SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON. POLICE WERE TRYING TO ARREST 31-YEAR-OLD FABIAN MCGEE ON AN OUTSTANDING WARRANT TUESDAY NIGHT IN NORTH MANHEIM TOWNSHIP. MCGEE WAS FOUND IN THE PARKING LOT OF SHEETZ ON ROUTE 61 AROUND 9PM, BUT IMMEDIATELY FLED LEADING COPS THROUGH PENN STATE SCHUYLKILL'S CAMPUS. AFTER ENDING UP BACK IN THE AREA OF SHEETZ, MCGEE BEGAN TO RUN, BUT WAS CAUGHT AND TAKEN INTO CUSTODY. MCGEE WAS ARRAIGNED ON A WARRANT ON CHARGES OF POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE AND POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.

FRACKVILLE PROPOSED 2011 BUDGET

FRACKVILLE BORO COUNCIL TENTATIVELY APPROVED THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 2011, WEDNESDAY EVENING. THE BUDGET DOES NOT INCLUDE A TAX INCREASE, BUT SHUTS DOWN RECYCLING PROGRAMS AND OPERATING OF THE BORO’S PUBLIC POOL. THE COUNCIL WORKED THE BUDGET THROUGH A SERIES OF LENGTHY MEETINGS BEFORE DECIDING THE RECYCLING PROGRAMS AND POOL REOPENING WERE NOT POSSIBLE. THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF NOT RAISING THE TAXES IN THE BORO HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED, AND THE TENTATIVE BUDGET WILL BE OFFICIALLY APPROVED AT A SPECIAL MEETING BEFORE YEAR’S END.

FRACKVILLE'S BUDGET DOES NOT INCLUDE POOL REOPENING

FRACKVILLE BOUROGH COUNCIL TENTATIVELY APPROVED THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR 2011, WEDNESDAY EVENING. THE BUDGET DOES NOT INCLUDE A TAX INCREASE, BUT SHUT DOWN RECYCLING PROGRAMS AND OPERATING OF THE BOUROUGH'S PUBLIC POOL. THE COUNCIL WORKED THE BUDGET THROUGH A SERIES OF LENGTHY MEETINGS BEFORE DECIDING THE RECYCLING PROGRAMS AND POOL REOPENING WERE NOT POSSIBLE. THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF NOW RAISING THE TAXES IN THE BOROUGH HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED, AND THE TENTATIVE BUDGET WILL BE OFFICIALLY APPROVED AT A SPECIAL MEETING BEFORE YEAR’S END.


STUDENTS RECOGNIZE FATHER CISZEK

TRINITY ACADEMY STUDENTS HONORED FATHER WALTER CISZEK’S WEDNESDAY DURING THE MASS THEY CELEBRATED FOR THE FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. THE STUDENTS RECOGNIZED THE CORRELATION IN HIS WILL SERVE JUST AS MARY DID, AND CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR FATHER CISZEK'S CANONIZATION AS A SAINT. FATHER CISZEK RETURNED TO SHENANDOAH IN 1963, AFTER BEING DETAINED FOR 23 YEARS IN THE SOVIET UNION, AND SPENT HIS TIME WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY UNTIL HIS DEATH ON DECEMBER 8TH 1984.


STATE NEWS:

LOS ANGELES (AP) - POLICE ARE HUNTING A YORK COUPLE THEY SAY KILLED A GOOD SAMARITAN WHO BEFRIENDED THEM BEFORE HE WAS CUT UP AND STUFFED INTO A BACKPACK IN A LOS ANGELES HOTEL ROOM. EDWARD AND MELISSA GARCIA ARE CHARGED WITH MURDER AND ARE CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS. A MAID FOUND THE BODY OF HERBERT TRACY WHITE LATE LAST MONTH.

WEST MIFFLIN, PA. (AP) - POLICE IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SAY A SCHOOL BUS DRIVER WILL BE CITED AFTER ALLEGEDLY THREATENING A 9-YEAR-OLD AUTISTIC BOY WITH A CROWBAR. WEST MIFFLIN POLICE TELL THE PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE REVIEW THAT JON SHIELDS WILL BE CITED FOR HARASSMENT IN CONNECTION WITH LAST WEEK'S INCIDENT. THE OWNER OF THE BUS COMPANY HAS DESCRIBED THE BEHAVIOR AS "HORSEPLAY."

MCKEES ROCKS, PA. (AP) - A 70-YEAR-OLD PITTSBURGH-AREA TAILOR HAS SURRENDERED AND BEEN JAILED ON CHARGES HE GROPED TWO FEMALE CUSTOMERS WHILE MEASURING THEM FOR CLOTHES. ALLEGHENY COUNTY POLICE SAY ANTHONY TORNATORE (TOR-NAH-TOR'-EE), OF KENNEDY TOWNSHIP, GROPED A 51-YEAR-OLD WOMAN ON OCTOBER 30TH, AND TWICE TRIED TO KISS AND GROPE A WOMAN DURING FITTINGS ON NOVEMBER 26TH AND DECEMBER 2ND.

ORLANDO, FLA. (AP) - ACTOR WESLEY SNIPES IS REQUIRED TO REPORT BY NOON TODAY TO A FEDERAL PRISON IN PENNSYLVANIA FOR FAILING TO PAY TAXES. SNIPES IS TO REPORT TO FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION MCKEAN IN LEWIS RUN. THE STAR OF NUMEROUS ACTION FILMS INCLUDING, "BLADE" AND "PASSENGER 57" HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS BEHIND BARS.

NATIONAL NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - REPORTS OF PEOPLE POINTING LASERS AT AIRCRAFT COCKPITS ARE STEADILY RISING. THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION SAYS THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN 2,200 INCIDENTS THIS YEAR. FIVE YEARS AGO, THERE WERE FEWER THAN 300. THE FAA SAYS THE INCIDENTS ARE DANGEROUS, BECAUSE THE LASERS' INTENSE LIGHT CAN DISTRACT AND TEMPORARILY BLIND PILOTS.

BALTIMORE (AP) - ANOTHER NATURALIZED CITIZEN IS FACING CHARGES OF ATTEMPTING TO USE A WEAPON OF MASS DESTRUCTION AFTER BEING CAUGHT IN AN FBI STING. ANTONIO MARTINEZ WAS ARRESTED WHEN HE TRIED TO DETONATE WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS A BOMB AT A MILITARY RECRUITING CENTER IN MARYLAND. THE 21-YEAR-OLD HAS GONE BY THE NAME MUHAMMAD HUSSAIN SINCE RECENTLY CONVERTING TO ISLAM.

WASHINGTON (AP) - SOME DEMOCRATS ARE PREDICTING PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S TAX CUT COMPROMISE WILL PASS, BUT MAINLY BECAUSE OF REPUBLICAN SUPPORT. ANGER AMONG LIBERALS IS FOCUSED ON THE PROPOSED LOWERING OF ESTATE TAXES. BUT AFTER A MEETING OF HOUSE DEMOCRATS WITH THE VICE PRESIDENT, REP. GERALD CONNOLLY SAYS THERE'S MORE DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT THAN THERE APPEARS. HE SAYS, "SOME PEOPLE FELT THEY HAD TO VENT."

WASHINGTON (AP) - LEGISLATION TO FREEZE THE BUDGETS OF MOST CABINET DEPARTMENTS AND FUND THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN IS NOW IN THE HANDS OF THE SENATE. THE HOUSE NARROWLY PASSED THE BUDGET DEAL LAST NIGHT BY A 212-206 VOTE. AS IT STANDS NOW, IT WOULD CAP THE OPERATING BUDGETS OF FEDERAL AGENCIES AT $1.2 TRILLION. THAT'S $46 BILLION LESS THAN PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S REQUEST.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE SURGEON GENERAL SAYS EVEN THE OCCASIONAL CIGARETTE IS BAD FOR A PERSON'S HEALTH. WHILE LUNG CANCER CAN TAKE YEARS TO DEVELOP, A REPORT OUT TODAY SAYS TOBACCO SMOKE BEGINS POISONING IMMEDIATELY WITH MORE THAN 7,000 CHEMICALS IN EACH PUFF CAUSING CELLULAR DAMAGE IN NEARLY EVERY ORGAN. THE REPORT SAYS INHALING SECONDHAND SMOKE IS ALSO DANGEROUS.