TODAY'S NEWS: MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 2011

DA HOLDS PRESS CONFERENCE

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY JAMES P. GOODMAN HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE FRIDAY AT THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COURTHOUSE. WPPA'S JASMINE BROOKS HAS MORE:

GOODMAN


FRACKVILLE MAN STABBED BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT

AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT FROM HONDURAS WAS CHARGED WITH TRYING TO STAB A FRACVILLE MAN IN THE STOMACH WITH A BOX CUTTER FRIDAY. 24-YEAR-OLD OSCAR ROBERTO FLORES-LAINES OF WEST MAHANOY TOWNSHIP WAS CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS EACH OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND SIMPLE ASSAULT AND ONE COUNT EACH OF POSSESSION OF PROHIBITED OFFENSIVE WEAPONS, RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT AND HARASSMENT. BAILS WAS SET AT $55,000 STRAIGHT CASH. FLORES-LAINES WILL BE TRIED FOR HIS CRIMES IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY AND SERVE OUT HIS SENTENCE BEFORE HE IS TURNED OVER TO U.S IMMIGRATIONS AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT.


SHENANDOAH MAN CHARGED IN YOUTH RAPES

A SHENANDOAH MAN WAS CHARGED FRIDAY AFTER A THREE MONTH INVESTIGATION BY THE STATE POLICE AT FRACKVILLE. THRITY-SIX YEAR OLD JONATHAN MICHAEL BINNS WAS ARRAIGNED FRIDAY AFTER BEING CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF RAPE AND OTHER RELATED CHARGES AFTER HAVING SEXUAL CONTACT WITH TWO PRETEEN FEMALES. THIS INVESTIGATION STEMMED FROM ANOTHER CONDUCTED BY THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE COMPUTER CRIMES UNIT WHEN INFORMATION WAS DISCOVERED DURING A SEARCH. BINNS REMAINS IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON IN LIEU OF $100,000 BAIL.

PA WOMEN BATTLE A CANCER THAT CAN SLIP UNDER THE RADAR

IT'S A CANCER THAT STRIKES HUNDREDS OF PENNSYLVANIA WOMEN EACH YEAR. CERVICAL CANCER CAN BE CURED IF CAUGHT EARLY, BUT IT'S A CANCER THAT MANY WOMEN TEND TO OVERLOOK. TOM JOSEPH HAS MORE:

CANCER


STATE NEWS:

ALLENTOWN, PA. (AP) - THE STATE SUPREME COURT HAS DECIDED TO CONSIDER THE ROLE JUDGES PLAY IN DECIDING WHETHER A MINOR CAN HAVE AN ABORTION. THE (ALLENTOWN) MORNING CALL SAYS THE CASE INVOLVES A MINOR GIRL WHO ASKED AN ALLEGHENY COUNTY JUDGE FOR PERMISSION TO HAVE AN ABORTION AFTER SHE WAS UNABLE TO OBTAIN CONSENT FROM ONE OF HER PARENTS.

WILKES-BARRE, PA. (AP) - POLICE IN WILKES-BARRE ARE SEEKING A FORMER EMPLOYEE IN THE STABBING DEATH OF A CONTRACTOR AND THE WOUNDING OF HIS GIRLFRIEND, WHO USED TO BE MARRIED TO THE SUSPECT. POLICE SAY EVARISTO TLATENCHI WAS KILLED EARLY SATURDAY AND MARIA TAPIA WAS WOUNDED. PROSECUTORS SAY TAPIA HAS NAMED HER EX-HUSBAND, EVARISTO TAPIA, AS THE SUSPECT.

NATIONAL NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE U.S. EMBASSY IN CYPRUS SAYS THE FIRST FLIGHTS EVACUATING AMERICANS FROM EGYPT ARE EXPECTED TO ARRIVE THERE TODAY. THE STATE DEPARTMENT IS RELYING LARGELY ON FRIENDS AND FAMILIES IN THE U.S. TO RELAY INFORMATION ON EVACUATION FLIGHTS TO STRANDED AMERICANS. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE JANICE JACOBS SAYS THE U.S. IS LOOKING AT ATHENS, GREECE; ISTANBUL, TURKEY; AND NICOSIA, CYPRUS, AS DESTINATIONS.

CAIRO (AP) - SOLDIERS AND NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH GROUPS ARMED WITH CLUBS AND MACHETES KEPT THE PEACE IN MANY EGYPTIAN DISTRICTS OVERNIGHT. TODAY, POLICE AND GARBAGE COLLECTORS ARE APPEARING ON THE STREETS OF CAIRO AND SUBWAY STATIONS ARE REOPENING. A LEADING MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD OFFICIAL SAYS THE FUNDAMENTALIST MOVEMENT WANTS TO FORM A COMMITTEE OF OPPOSITION GROUPS CALLING FOR THE OUSTER OF PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK.

CHICAGO (AP) - THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW IN THE NATION'S MIDSECTION COULD START IN SOME AREAS TODAY AND A MASSIVE STORM COULD BRING UP TO TWO FEET OF SNOW TOMORROW AND WEDNESDAY. THE WEATHER SERVICE ISSUED A BLIZZARD WATCH FOR TOMORROW AND WEDNESDAY FOR SOUTHERN WISCONSIN, NORTHERN ILLINOIS AND NORTHWEST INDIANA THAT INCLUDED THOSE CITIES.

MONTEGUT, LA. (AP) - THE ADMINISTRATOR OF BP'S $20 BILLION OIL SPILL COMPENSATION FUND SAYS CLAIMS SHOULD BE PAID TO AMERICAN INDIANS WHO MUST NOW GO TO THE STORE TO BUY WHAT THEY ONCE GOT FROM HUNTING OR FISHING. THERE ARE ABOUT 20,000 AMERICAN INDIANS IN COASTAL LOUISIANA.

TODAY'S NEWS: SATURDAY, JANUARY 29, 2011

COUNTY CONTROLLER CHANGES AFFILIATION

County Controller Melinda Kantner is leaving the Democratic Party. As reported by the Republican and Herald, during a fundraising event Friday night at Blu Tavern Restaurant, Kantner announced she'd be seeking re-election as an Independent. She has served as county controller since January 2008 as a Democrat. In the past year, Kantner has been involved in a series of battles with the county's external auditor, Sam Deegan, and the county commissioners concerning the duties of her office, with one skirmish settled in court and another courtroom showdown looming. Chairman of the Schuylkill County Democratic Committee, Ed Kleha suspended her indefinitely on Nov. 15 as a member of the Schuylkill County Executive Committee of the Democratic Party for a variety of reasons. Kantner's official re-election announcement brings the count of candidates vying for the controller's office to three. Republican Eric Hollen of Branch Township, announced his candidacy Thursday while Democrat Bradley Petchulis of Mar Lin, did so Jan 21. With her change in political party, Kantner will not be participating in the Primary Election. To run in the General Election Nov. 8, Kantner said the Schuylkill County Election Bureau will require her to collect a certain number of signatures between March 9 and Aug. 1. She did not know the number needed.

COPPER TAKEN FROM ROOF OF MALL

State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating the theft of three copper and aluminum radiators taken sometime Wednesday from the roof of the Cressona Mall in North Manheim Township. Troopers said someone climbed to the roof and removed the radiators from a heating element mounted on the roof. Anyone with information is asked to call troopers at 593-2000.

RACIST REMARKS MADE IN SNOW

Borough police were called to the home of Angela Tucker, 118 N. Chestnut St., at 11:40 p.m. Thursday regarding racist writings made in the snow. Tucker said someone wrote a racial slur and drew a swastika in front of her porch. Tucker provided the police with the name of a possible suspect and police photographed the writings. The investigation is continuing.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A Pennsylvania woman charged last year in a global terror plot is scheduled for a change of plea hearing next week. Forty-seven-year-old Colleen LaRose of Pennsburg has pleaded not guilty to charges of helping foreign terror suspects intent on starting a holy war in Europe and South Asia. Federal prosecutors say LaRose used the online screen names "Jihad Jane" and "Fatima LaRose." Court records show LaRose is scheduled for a change of plea hearing in federal court in Philadelphia at 2 p.m. Tuesday. A message left for LaRose's attorney was not immediately returned Friday. Another woman, Jamie Paulin-Ramirez, of Leadville, Colo., has also pleaded not guilty in the case.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphia police say an off-duty New Jersey corrections officer fatally shot a man outside a bar in the city's Juniata Park section. It was not immediately clear what sparked the shooting, which occurred at about 2:40 a.m. Friday. The corrections officer was being questioned by police, but no charges have been filed. His name was not disclosed. The victim, identified only as a 28-year-old man, was shot once in the chest and once in the abdomen. He was taken to Temple University Hospital, where he died a short time later.

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) - A Lancaster, Pa., woman faces charges of illegally obtaining more than $100,000 while working as a caregiver for an elderly Hagerstown woman. The Washington County Sheriff's Office says authorities were holding 51-year-old Jackie Sue Carter in Lancaster pending an extradition hearing. She was arrested Tuesday while working at a Lancaster nursing home. Investigators say Carter stole more than $33,000 from Betty Eshelman's bank account. They say she obtained another $70,000 from the 86-year-old woman's accounts through deception, intimidation or undue influence. Police allege that Carter stole the money after Eshelman's husband died in January 2009.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley is promising there'll be no environmental harm if his administration issues new permits for natural gas drilling in western Maryland. O'Malley said Friday in Annapolis that he would not apologize for protecting the natural environment to a greater degree than other states. Two firms are seeking permits to recover natural gas in Garrett County through a process called hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. The technique has been blamed for water contamination and reduced property values in parts of Pennsylvania. O'Malley says his administration won't approve any fracking permits until he is assured it is environmentally sound.

DALLAS (AP) - Fans from Green Bay and Pittsburgh won't get much of a break from the cold during Super Bowl week in Texas. The National Weather Service said Friday freezing temperatures will descend on the Dallas-Fort Worth area early in the week, and highs might not get out of the 40s until after the Feb. 6 game at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.
Meteorologist Dan Huckaby said freezing rain is possible Tuesday, and colder than normal temperatures are expected throughout the week. The overnight low Wednesday could be around 20. Most Super Bowl activity is later in the week, when Huckaby said there will be a gradual warming. Temperatures are forecast in the 70s this weekend with a chance of rain.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - An attorney says Penn National Gaming Inc. has submitted the winning bid for Rosecroft Raceway. Michael Lichtenstein, a Potomac lawyer whose office handled the auction, said Friday the bid is for $10.2 million. He said the company would submit another $3 million, if it gets a bond from the state. Penn National edged out Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos in the auction for the Prince George's County track. Lichtenstein said a third party also bid, but he declined to mention who it was. Rosecroft filed for bankruptcy in June 2009.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The nation's largest cable TV company, Comcast, says it will complete its takeover of NBC Universal at just before midnight Eastern time. The deal will give Comcast Corp. 51 percent of the fourth-ranked broadcaster NBC, a bevy of cable channels and the Universal Pictures movie studio. It caps a yearlong regulatory review that resulted in conditions meant to keep it from stifling the growth of online video services such as Netflix and Hulu. Comcast will pay General Electric Co. about $6.5 billion in cash nd contribute $7.25 billion worth of cable channels such as E! Entertainment and The Golf Channel to NBC Universal. GE's stake will drop to 49 percent from 80 percent, but it plans to exit within seven years and leave Comcast the sole owner.

TODAY'S NEWS: FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 2011

THE JURY FOUND A MIXED VERDICT IN THE CASE INVOLVING THREE FORMER SHENANDOAH POLICE OFFICERS. T102'S JAY LEVAN REPORTS:

COP VERDICT TRIAL 1

COP VERDICT TRIAL 2

TAMAQUA STABBING AND SHOOTING

POLICE WERE CALLED TO A TAMAQUA LIQUOR STORE WEDNESDAY NIGHT FOR A REPORT OF A STOLEN VEHICLE, BUT WHEN THEY ARRIVRED ONE PERSON HAD BEEN STABBED AND OTHER SHOT. POLICE REPORT, WHILE AN OFFICER WAS GETTING INFORMATION FROM A STORE EMPLOYEE ABOUT THE THEFT, ANOTHER EMPLOYEE LEFT AND CONFRONTED SEVERAL PEOPLE HE BELIEVED TO BE INVOLVED. AN ARGUMENT STARTED AND THAT STORE EMPLOYEE WAS CUT IN THE ARM BY A KNIFE AND THEN STABBED. TO PROTECT HIMSELF, THE EMPLOYEE PULLED OUT A GUN AND SHOT ONE OF THE ALLEGED THIEVES IN THE STOMACH. BOTH INJURED MEN WERE TAKEN TO ST. LUKE'S MINERS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL IN COALDALE. THE EMPLOYEE WAS TREATED AND RELEASED, BUT THE MAN WHO WAS SHOT REMAINS IN SERIOUS CONDITION.

THE GREATER POTTSVILLE WINTER CARNIVAL

THE SNOWDROP AND SNOWFLAKE PRINCESS CORONATION WILL TAKE PLACE THIS SATURDAY AS PART OF THE GREATER POTTSVILLE WINTER CARNIVAL. A BALL WILL BE HELD IN THEIR HONOR AT THE POTTSVILLE CLUB FOLLOWING THE CROWNING AT THE POTTSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM THAT STARTS AT 7PM. TICKETS FOR THE BALL ARE AVAILABLE AT MURPHY JEWELERS FOR JUST $5. THE CARNIVAL CELEBRATES THE PAST AND THE FUTURE WITH MORE THAN A MONTH OF EVENTS. THE QUEEN OF SNOWS CORONATION WILL TAKE PLACE FEB. 5.

STOLEN VAN

A THIEF STOLE A BLUE 1999 CHEVROLET 1500 SERIS CONVERSION VAN IN UNION TOWNSHIP AFTER IT WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF ITS OWNER'S HOUSE. POLICE REPORT, THE VAN WAS TAKEN BETWEEN 7AM TUESDAY AND 2PM WEDNESDAY. THE OWNER IS 71-YEAR-OLD LAMAR LEX OF RINGTOWN. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL STATE POLICE AT 874-5300.

PRESS CONFERENCE

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY JAMES GOODMAN WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY AT 10AM IN COURTROOM NUMBER ONE IN THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COURTHOUSE IN POTTSVILLE. GOODMAN WILL HAND OUT CHECKS TO LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS, THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON, THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE, SCHUYLKILL WOMEN IN CRISIS, AND THE SEXUAL ASSAULT RESOURCE CENTER FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S DRUG FORFEITURE ACCOUNT. THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL ANNOUNCE THAT DRUG DEALER'S MONEY IS BEING GIVEN TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO FIGHT THE WAR ON DRUGS. THE MONEY WAS OBTAINED FROM THE SUCCESSFUL SCHUYLKILL ICE OPERATION INVOLVING A MAJOR METHAMPHETAMINE DRUG RING IN NORTHERN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.

STATE NEWS:

WILKES-BARRE, PA. (AP) - ONE OF THREE FORMER PENNSYLVANIA POLICE OFFICERS ACCUSED OF COVERING UP THE BEATING DEATH OF AN ILLEGAL MEXICAN IMMIGRANT HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF THE MOST SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST HIM. A FEDERAL JURY FOUND FORMER SHENANDOAH POLICE CHIEF MATTHEW NESTOR GUILTY OF FALSIFYING HIS POLICE REPORT, A CHARGE THAT CARRIES UP TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A MAN IS HOSPITALIZED AFTER HIS CAR WAS STRUCK BY TWO TRAINS TRAVELING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. HARRISBURG POLICE TOLD THE PATRIOT-NEWS THAT THE MAN DROVE ONTO THE TRACKS NEAR 13TH AND PAXTON STREETS EARLY THURSDAY. THE NEWSPAPER SAYS THE MAN WAS PULLED OUT OF THE VEHICLE BY RESCUE CREWS AND TAKEN TO HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER.

CHARLESTON, W.VA. (AP) - FEDERAL REGULATORS SAY THEY'RE STILL FINDING SERIOUS SAFETY VIOLATIONS AT THE NATION'S COAL MINES DESPITE MORE THAN SIX MONTHS OF SO-CALLED IMPACT INSPECTIONS AT
DANGEROUS OPERATIONS. THE MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION SAID THURSDAY IT ISSUED 288 CITATIONS DURING SUCH INSPECTIONS AT 17 MINES LAST MONTH IN WEST VIRGINIA, PENNSYLVANIA, VIRGINIA, KENTUCKY, TENNESSEE, INDIANA AND WYOMING.

MILWAUKEE (AP) - ART MUSEUMS ARE WAGERING LOANS OF MAJOR WORKS OF ART BASED ON THE OUTCOME OF THE SUPER BOWL. MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM DIRECTOR DANIEL KEEGAN, AN AVID PACKERS FAN, IS BETTING "BOATING ON THE YERRES" BY GUSTAVE CAILLEBOTTE (KY-YUH-BUHT'). CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF ART DIRECTOR LYNN ZELEVANSKY IS WAGERING "BATHERS WITH CRAB," BY PIERRE-AUGUSTE RENOIR (REN'-WAH).

NATIONAL NEWS:

CAIRO (AP) - EGYPT'S FOUR PRIMARY INTERNET PROVIDERS HAVE STOPPED MOVING DATA IN AND OUT OF THE COUNTRY IN WHAT APPEARS TO BE A MOVE BY AUTHORITIES TO DISRUPT THE ORGANIZATION OF ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATIONS. THE COMMUNICATIONS CUT ALSO SEEMS TO INCLUDE CELL-PHONE DATA SERVICE. RIOT POLICE PRESENCE HAS BEEN SCARCE BUT TRUCKLOADS RIOT POLICE AND ARMORED CARS ARE STARTING TO RETURN TO THE STREETS OF CENTRAL CAIRO.

BAGHDAD (AP) - EVEN VEHICLES CARRYING THE DEAD ARE BEING STOPPED AS IRAQI SECURITY FORCES CRACK DOWN ON TRAFFIC IN BAGHDAD NEIGHBORHOODS TODAY AFTER A CAR BOMBING AT A FUNERAL YESTERDAY KILLED 51 PEOPLE. SHRAPNEL IS STILL SCATTERED ACROSS THE STREETS IN NORTHWESTERN BAGHDAD WHERE A NEAR-RIOT BROKE OUT AFTER THE AFTERNOON EXPLOSION. IRAQIS WERE ENRAGED AT SECURITY FORCES FOR FAILING TO STOP THE DEADLY STRIKE.

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (AP) - AT LEAST 16 PEOPLE ARE DEAD IN A PAIR OF TRAVEL DISASTERS IN INDONESIA. TWO INDONESIAN PASSENGER TRAINS COLLIDED, KILLING 5 AND A CROWDED FERRY BURST INTO FLAMES FRIDAY, KILLING 11 AND SENDING HUNDREDS TO THE HOSPITAL, MANY IN CRITICAL CONDITION, OFFICIALS SAY. MORE THAN 400 PEOPLE WERE RESCUED FROM THE FERRY.

WASHINGTON (AP) - ONE ECONOMIST SAYS THERE'S EVIDENCE THE ECONOMY IS BACK ON A PATH OF SUSTAINABLE GROWTH AS THE GOVERNMENT PREPARES TO REPORT FOURTH QUARTER GDP TODAY. ECONOMISTS PREDICT THAT THE ECONOMY GREW AT AN ANNUALIZED RATE OF 3.5 PERCENT IN THE FINAL QUARTER OF LAST YEAR. ECONOMISTS SAY STRONGER SPENDING BY CONSUMERS IS EXPECTED TO BE THE MAIN FACTOR BEHIND THE ECONOMY'S BETTER PERFORMANCE.

NASHVILLE, TENN. (AP) - KIDS IN THE SOUTH AND EAST WHO GOT A BUNCH OF SNOWDAYS IN RECENT WEEKS ARE ABOUT TO FACE THE DARK SIDE. SCHOOL OFFICIALS ARE SQUEEZING IN MORE CLASSROOM DAYS TO MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME. IN SOME CASES SPRING BREAK HAS BEEN CANCELED, ESPECIALLY FOR STUDENTS IN EASTERN KENTUCKY WHO'VE RACKED UP 20 MISSED DAYS.

COP TRIAL WRAP UP

ONE FORMER SHENANDOAH POLICE OFFICER WAS ACQUITTED OF ALL FEDERAL CHARGES HE FACED, WHILE TWO OTHERS WERE FOUND GUILTY THURSDAY AFTER A JURY DELIBERATED FOR 14 HOURS OVER TWO DAYS. FORMER PATROLMAN JASON HAYES FACED CONSPIRACY AND OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE COUNTS AND WAS FOUND NOT GUILTY. FORMER CHIEF MATTHEW NESTOR FACED SIMILAR CHARGES, BUT WAS FOUND GUILTY OF CONSPIRACY AND NOT GUILTY ON THE OBSTRUCTION CHARGE. FORMER LIEUTENANT WILLIAM MOYER FACED FIVE CHARGES, BEING FOUND GUILTY OF LYING TO THE F.B.I. MOYER COMMENTED AFTER THE VERDICT WAS READ:

MOYER 1

MOYER COULD FACE UP TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON, WHILE NESTOR COULD BE SENTENCED UP TO TWENTY YEARS. BOTH MEN WILL BE SENTENCED ON APRIL 29TH. AS FOR JASON HAYES, HE SUMMED IT UP VERY SIMPLY:

HAYES

STORY TWO

THE FEDERAL TRIAL OF THREE SHENANDOAH POLICE OFFICERS HAS ENDED WITH TWO FOUND GUILTY OF ONE COUNT EACH, WHILE A THIRD WAS ACQUITTED. IT TOOK A JURY OF EIGHT WOMEN AND FOUR MEN FOURTEEN HOURS OVER TWO DAYS TO FIND FORMER CHIEF MATTHEW NESTOR GUILTY OF CONSPIRACY AND FORMER LIEUTENANT WILLIAM MOYER GUILTY OF LYING TO THE FBI. MOYER WAS FOUND NOT GUILTY ON FOUR OTHER COUNTS, WHILE NESTOR WAS FOUND NOT GUILTY OF OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE. NESTOR'S CO-COUNSEL, ATTORNEY JOSEPH NAHAS:

NAHAS

FORMER OFFICER JASON HAYES WAS FOUND NOT GUILTY ON CONSPIRACY AND OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE COUNTS. HAYES CO COUNSEL ATTORNEY FRANK NOCITO:

NOCITO 1

MOYER AND NESTOR WILL BE SENTENCED ON APRIL 29TH.

TODAY'S NEWS: THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011

DELIBERATIONS BEGIN

JURY DELIBERATIONS IN THE FEDERAL TRIAL OF THREE FORMER SHENANDOAH POLICE OFFICERS LASTED SEVEN HOURS WEDNESDAY WITHOUT A VERDICT. JUDGE A. RICHARD CAPUTO SPENT TWO HOURS CHARGING THE JURY, COVERING THE CHARGES AGAINST FORMER CHIEF MATTHEW NESTOR, LIEUTENANT WILLIAM MOYER AND PATROLMAN JASON HAYES BEFORE TURNING THE CASE OVER AROUND NOONTIME. TWICE DURING THE AFTERNOON, THE JURY HAD QUESTIONS FOR THE JUDGE ABOUT THE CASE. THE NATURE OF THOSE QUESTIONS WERE NOT DIVULGED TO THE PUBLIC. AROUND 6:45PM, THE JURY ASKED TO BE EXCUSED FOR THE EVENING. DELIBERATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO RESUME AT 9:30AM THURSDAY, WEATHER PERMITTING. THE TRIO ARE CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY AND OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE IN THE INVESTIGATION FOLLOWING THE BEATING OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT LUIS RAMIREZ IN JULY, 2008. MOYER ALSO IS CHARGED WITH LYING TO THE F.B.I. AND TAMPERING WITH WITNESSES.

CHILD PORN CHARGES

A SHENANDOAH MAN WAS INDICTED TUESDAY BY A FEDERAL GRAND JURY FOR PRODUCING, RECEIVING AND DISTRIBUTING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY. 36-YEAR-OLD JONATHAN BINNS WAS ORIGINALLY CHARGED IN OCTOBER OF 2010 WITH PHOTOGRAPHING AND HAVING SEX WITH TWO PRETEEN GIRLS. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, THE GRAND JURY ALLEGES BINNS PRODUCED IMAGES OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND USED A COMPUTER TO DOWNLOAD AND DISTRIBUTE IMAGES BETWEEN FEBRUARY AND OCTOBER 2010. THE INDICTMENT CHARGES BINNS WITH TWO COUNTS OF PRODUCING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND ONE COUNT OF RECEIVING AND DISTRIBUTING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY. IF CONVICTED, BINNS FACES A MANDATORY 15-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE, UP TO 30 YEARS IN PRISON FOR EACH COUNT OF PRODUCING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AS WELL AS A MANDATORY FIVE-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE. BINNS ALSO COULD FACE UP TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON FOR EACH OF THE RECEIVING AND DISTRIBUTING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES.

SEWER SYSTEM STUDY

TO DETERMINE THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO INSTALL A SEWER SYSTEM FOR A PROPOSED PRERELEASE CENTER IN RYAN TOWNSHIP, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY WILL SPEND $9,500. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, THE CENTER IS PLANNED FOR A LOT BESIDE STATE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION/FRACKVILLE AND CONSTRUCTION BIDS ARE SET TO BE OPENED IN LATE MARCH. THE COUNTY MUST MAKE INFRASTRUCTURE PLANS BEFORE THE PROJECT CAN BREAK GROUND. THE COMMISSIONERS APPROVED A CONTRACT WITH ENTECH ENGINEERING, POTTSVILLE AT THEIR MEETING WEDNESDAY TO EXAMINE TWO SEWER LINE OPTIONS FOR THE CENTER.

FIVE SCHUYLKILL RIVER COMMUNITIES EARN GRANTS

THE SCHUYLKILL RIVER HERITAGE AREA HAS AWARDED GRANTS TO COMMUNITIES FOR PROJECTS INTENDED TO DRAW USERS OF THE SCHUYLKILL RIVER LAND AND WATER TRAILS TO AREA DOWNTOWNS, HISTORIC SITES, RESTAURANTS AND SHOPS. THE SELECTED COMMUNITIES WERE POTTSTOWN, PHOENIXVILLE, HAMBURG, POTTSVILLE, AND EAST FALLS. EACH WERE AWARDED $2,000 TO SUPPORT CREATION OF A HERITAGE ACTION PLAN USING THE SRHA'S HERITAGE TOWNS AND TOURS TOOLKIT, AND WILL RECEIVE UP TO $5,000 IN CONSULTANT SUPPORT WHILE DEVELOPING THE PLAN. ONCE A PLAN IS COMPLETED AND APPROVED BY THE SRHA, AWARDEES WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR UP TO $25,000. THE GRANTS ARE INTENDED TO SUPPORT COMMUNITIES ALONG THE SCHUYLKILL RIVER LAND AND WATER TRAILS WITH PROJECTS IN THE AREAS OF IMPROVING CONNECTIONS BETWEEN TRAILS AND TOWNS, CREATING AN IDENTITY AND A SENSE OF PLACE, AND MARKETING THEMSELVES AS DESTINATIONS.

ONE-VEHICLE CRASH INJURES PASSENGER

A ONE-VEHICLE CRASH INJURED A PASSENGER MONDAY IN EAST BRUNSWICK TOWNSHIP. POLICE REPORT 35-YEAR-OLD JOEL HAAS WAS TRAVELING TOO FAST FOR CONDITIONS AND LOST CONTROL ON THE SNOW-COVERED ROADWAY. HAAS' JEEP TRAVELED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STRUCK A TREE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN ACROSS BOTH LANES. A JUVENILE PASSENGER IN THE JEEP WAS INJURED AND HAAS WILL BE CITED.

ROADWAY CLOSED AFTER 3-VEHICLE CRASH

A 3-VEHICLE CRASH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON IN BLYTHE TOWNSHIP RESULTED IN A ROADWAY BEING CLOSED FOR ONE HOUR. POLICE REPORT, SNOW-COVERED ROADWAYS WERE A FACTOR WHEN 30-YEAR-OLD KATIE MERTZ OF TAMAQUA LOST CONTROL OF HER VEHICLE AND CROSSED INTO THE ON-COMING LANE OF TRAVEL AND HIT A UTILITY POLE. TWO OTHER VEHICLES COMING FROM THE OTHER DIRECTION TRIED TO AVOID HITTING MERTZ AND COLLIDED. MERTZ WAS TAKEN TO POTTSVILLE GOOD SAMARITAN EAST HOSPITAL FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT.

STATE NEWS:

NEW YORK (AP) - ANOTHER SNOWSTORM IS CLOSING SCHOOLS AND GROUNDING PLANES. PHILADELPHIA COMMUTER ELLIOTT SELF SAYS HE FELL THREE TIMES LEAVING AN ELEVATED TRAIN. IN HATFIELD TOWNSHIP, PA., RESIDENTS SAW LIGHTNING IN A RARE THUNDERSNOW, A THUNDERSTORM WITH HEAVY SNOW INSTEAD OF RAIN. THE STORM PROMPTED THE CANCELLATION NEARLY 500 FLIGHTS AT PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HAS TEMPORARILY REDUCED THE SPEED LIMIT ON A NUMBER OF MAJOR HIGHWAYS IN THE PHILADELPHIA AREA DUE TO THE WINTER STORM. PENNDOT SAYS THE SPEED LIMIT WILL BE 45 MPH ON INTERSTATES 76, 95, 476 AND 676 AND ON ROUTE 1 AND THE ROOSEVELT EXTENSION, THE ROUTE 30 BYPASS, AND ROUTES 202, 422, 63 AND 309.

WILKES-BARRE, PA. (AP) - A JURY RESUMES DELIBERATIONS THURSDAY IN THE TRIAL OF THREE FORMER POLICE OFFICERS CHARGED WITH COVERING UP THE FATAL BEATING OF AN ILLEGAL MEXICAN IMMIGRANT. FORMER SHENANDOAH POLICE CHIEF MATTHEW NESTOR AND TWO SUBORDINATES, WILLIAM MOYER AND JASON HAYES, ARE CHARGED WITH OBSTRUCTING AN FBI INVESTIGATION INTO THE JULY 2008 ATTACK ON LUIS RAMIREZ.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - AUTHORITIES SAY TWO TEENAGERS ACCUSED EACH OTHER OF KILLING AN 87-YEAR-OLD WORLD WAR II VETERAN LAST SUMMER. INDIA SPELLMAN AND VON COMBS WERE ORDERED HELD FOR TRIAL ON MURDER AND ROBBERY CHARGES. THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER SAYS STATEMENTS BY THE TEENS TO DETECTIVES WERE READ IN COURT AND WERE ALMOST IDENTICAL EXCEPT FOR WHO SHOT GEORGE GREAVES.

NATIONAL NEWS:

BOSTON (AP) - MANY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE NORTHEAST ARE CLOSED FOR A SECOND DAY AND MOTORISTS ARE BEING WARNED OF DANGEROUS ROAD CONDITIONS. A FAST-MOVING STORM HIT THE REGION OVERNIGHT, BRINGING AN ICY MIX OF SNOW AND RAIN. THE STORM STRANDED HUNDREDS OF AIRPLANE PASSENGERS AND LEFT MORE THAN 300,000 CUSTOMERS IN AND AROUND THE NATION'S CAPITAL WITHOUT POWER.

WASHINGTON (AP) - NEW CONGRESSIONAL PROJECTIONS DON'T BODE WELL FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM. THEY SHOW THE PROGRAM RUNNING DEFICITS EVERY YEAR UNTIL ITS TRUST FUNDS ARE EVENTUALLY DRAINED IN ABOUT 2037. THIS YEAR ALONE, SOCIAL SECURITY IS PROJECTED TO COLLECT $45 BILLION LESS IN PAYROLL TAXES THAN IT PAYS OUT IN BENEFITS. THE FIGURES COME FROM NONPARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A GROWING NUMBER OF CITY-DWELLERS ARE FINDING THEMSELVES FACED WITH FORECLOSURE. THE FORECLOSURE LISTING FIRM REALTYTRAC SAYS FORECLOSURE ACTIVITY JUMPED IN 149 OF THE COUNTRY'S 206 LARGEST METROPOLITAN AREAS LAST YEAR. HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT AND LACKLUSTER JOB PROSPECTS ARE FORCING METROPOLITAN HOMEOWNERS INTO DIRE FINANCIAL STRAITS.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE LATEST QUARTERLY AP ECONOMY SURVEY SUGGESTS AN INCREASING IN HIRING THIS YEAR THAT WILL STILL LEAVE UNEMPLOYMENT CHRONICALLY HIGH AT AROUND 9 PERCENT BY YEAR'S END. A MAJORITY OF ECONOMISTS SURVEYED SAY IT WILL BE 2016 OR LATER BEFORE UNEMPLOYMENT DROPS TO A HISTORICALLY NORMAL RATE OF AROUND 5 PERCENT. THEY ALSO SAY LOWER SOCIAL SECURITY TAXES AND HIGHER STOCK PRICES WILL EMBOLDEN AMERICANS TO SPEND MORE AND DRIVE THE ECONOMY.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - THE GATES AT UTAH'S DUGWAY PROVING GROUNDS HAVE BEEN LOCKED WITH NO ONE ALLOWED IN OR OUT AND THE COMMANDER SAYS THE ARMY BASE IS TRYING TO RESOLVE A "SERIOUS PROBLEM." COLONEL WILLIAM E. KING DID NOT PROVIDE ANY DETAILS IN A STATEMENT, BUT SAYS NO ONE IS IN DANGER. MILITARY WEAPONS ARE TESTED AT DUGWAY AND ITS PRIMARY MISSION IS DEFENDING TROOPS AGAINST BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL ATTACKS.

TODAY'S NEWS: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2011

COP TRIAL UPDATE:
JUDGE A. RICHARD CAPUTO CHARGED THE JURY AND GAVE THEM THE CASE AT 1130am.

DEFENSE RESTS IN THE TRIAL OF OFFICERS

THERE MAY BE A VERDICT TODAY AS THE TRIAL OF THREE LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS WRAPS UP. WPPA'S BRITTANY HAS MORE:

COP TRIAL 13

SENATOR ARGALL ANNOUNCES COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

SENATOR DAVID AGRALL HAS BEEN APPOINTED BY PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE JOE SCARNATI TO FIVE COMMITTEES IN THE SENATE OF PENNSYLVANIA FOR THE 2011-2012 LEGISLATIVE SESSION. SENATOR ARGALL WILL SERVE ON AGING AND YOUTH, APPROPRIATIONS, COMMUNITY, ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT, INTER-GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND URBAN AFFAIRS AND HOUSING COMMITTEES. SENATOR ARGALL WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO SERVE ON THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE AIR AND WATER POLLUTION CONTROL AND CONSERVATION COMMITTEE.

PENNDOT URGES DRIVERS TO USE EXTRA CAUTION AROUND SNOWPLOWS

TWENTY-EIGHT PENNDOT PLOW TRUCKS HAVE BEEN STRUCK BY MOTORISTS THIS WINTER. FOR YOUR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHER MOTORISTS AND THE SAFETY OF STATE AND MUNICIPAL SNOWPLOW CREWS, PENNDOT IS ASKING DRIVERS TO TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS WHEN DRIVING NEAR OPERATING SNOWPLOWS. STAY AT LEAST SIX CAR-LENGTHS BEHIND A PLOW, REMAIN ALERT, NEVER PASS OR DRIVE BESIDE A PLOW, AND KEEP YOUR HEADLIGHTS ON. FOR MORE TIPS VISIT DOT.STATE.PA.US/WINTER.

COUPLE ARRESTED FOR THEFT FROM THE POTTSVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY

A POTTSVILLE COUPLE WAS ARRESTED AFTER AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THEY DECEIVED THE POTTSVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY. 28-YEAR-OLD TINA HEISTER WAS CHARGED AFTER SHE SUBSIDIZED HER RENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,182 OF H.U.D FUNDS. POLICE ALSO CHARGED HER HUSBAND 30-YEAR-OLD ROBERT HEISTER. BOTH TURNED THEMSELVES INTO DISTRICT JUSTICE JAMES REILEY'S OFFICE AFTER WARRANTS OF ARREST WERE ISSUED. THEY WERE ARRAIGNED AND RELEASED ON $25,000/10% UNSECURED BAIL.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF IN SCHUYLKILL HAVEN

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN STATE POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR THE PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR FIRING A GUN SHOT OUTSIDE A PINE GROVE WOMAN'S HOME BETWEEN 4PM FRIDAY AND 7AM MONDAY. POLICE REPORT, 39-YEAR-OLD MICHELLE MORASKI'S TWO LAMP POST LAMPS WERE SMASHED BY THE GUN SHOT AND THE ACTOR(S) FLED THE SCENE. MORASKI'S HOME IS LOCATED AT 495 BIRDS HILL ROAD. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CONTACT PSP SCHUYLKILL HAVEN AT 593-2000.

POTTSVILLE'S YWCA WILL DISSOLVE

ESTABLISHED IN 1926, THE YWCA OF POTTSVILLE WILL OFFICIALLY DISSOLVE IN JUNE. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, THE LOCAL ORGANIZATION IS IN THE PROCESS OF SURRENDERING ITS CHARTER TO THE YMCA OF THE USA. THE YWCA IS ALSO FIGURING OUT WHAT TO DO WITH ITS REMAINING ASSETS, INCLUDING A $200,000 TRUST FUND.

STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A FEDERAL INDICTMENT ACCUSES A FORMER TOP OFFICIAL AT TEMPLE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE WITH HAVING SUBMITTED MORE THAN $3 MILLION IN FALSE MEDICAL CLAIMS. DR. JOSEPH J. KUBACKI WAS CHARGED TUESDAY WITH HEALTH CARE FRAUD AND MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS BETWEEN 2002 AND 2007, WHEN HE WAS OPHTHALMOLOGY DEPARTMENT CHAIRMAN AND AN ASSISTANT DEAN.

HOLLIDAYSBURG, PA. (AP) - AN ATTORNEY REPRESENTING A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT CHARGED WITH STABBING A CLASSMATE IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL'S FIELD HOUSE LAST MONTH SAYS HIS CLIENT SHOULD HAVE A PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION TO DETERMINE IF HE CAN BE TREATED IN THE JUVENILE SYSTEM. JEREMIAH MOSER IS CHARGED AS AN ADULT WITH ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING ANOTHER PERSON.

CALIFORNIA, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES HAVE WITHDRAWN CHARGES AGAINST A CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA FRATERNITY MEMBER IN AN ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING THAT SLIGHTLY INJURED A FEMALE STUDENT LAST FALL. POLICE AND THE PROSECUTOR REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH DUSTIN FULLER OF WAYNESBORO THAT REQUIRED HIM TO COMPLETE A FIREARMS CLASS.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - POLICE IN PITTSBURGH SAY A MAN WAS KILLED AFTER BEING SHOT INSIDE HIS VEHICLE, WHICH THEN CRASHED INTO A BOARDED-UP HOME AND FLIPPED ONTO ITS ROOF. THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE IDENTIFIED THE VICTIM AS JABBAR FRIDIA OF THE CITY'S HAZELWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD.

NATIONAL NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYS HIS ECONOMIC SOLUTION IS CAREFULLY BALANCED SPENDING ON EDUCATION, RESEARCH, TECHNOLOGY AND TRANSPORTATION, AND A BUDGET FREEZE. BUT REPUBLICANS SAY THE FREEZE OBAMA TALKS ABOUT IN HIS STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS, DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH. HOUSE BUDGET COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN PAUL RYAN SAYS WITHOUT BIG SPENDING CURBS, THE NATION'S BEST DAYS MAY BE BEHIND IT.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE FEDERAL RESERVE IS EXPECTED TO REPEAT ITS PLEDGE TO HOLD INTEREST RATES AT A RECORD LOW NEAR ZERO FOR AN "EXTENDED PERIOD" TO HELP BOLSTER THE ECONOMY. THE FED WRAPS UP ITS TWO-DAY POLICY-SETTING SESSION TODAY AND ALSO IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE A $600 BILLION BOND-BUYING PLAN BECAUSE OF HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT AND SINKING HOME PRICES.

HOUSTON (AP) - SHE HAS A TUBE TO HELP DRAIN FLUID FROM HER BRAIN BUT BARRING SETBACKS, WOUNDED ARIZONA CONGRESSWOMAN GABRIELLE GIFFORDS WILL BE MOVED TO A REHABILITATION FACILITY THIS MORNING. DOCTORS HAVE UPGRADED HER CONDITION FROM SERIOUS TO GOOD.

TOKYO (AP) - THE BULK OF TOYOTA'S LATEST RECALL IS IN JAPAN AND INVOLVES ABOUT 1.3 MILLION VEHICLES THERE. BUT SOME OF THE NEARLY 1.7 MILLION CARS BEING RECALLED ARE IN THE U.S. TOYOTA SAYS THERE ARE VARIOUS DEFECTS THAT MAY CAUSE FUEL LEAKS.

HALF MOON BAY, CALIF. (AP) - A SURFER WHO NEARLY DROWNED AT THE BIG WAVE CALIFORNIA SPOT KNOWN AS MAVERICKS IS IN FAIR CONDITION THREE DAYS AFTER GETTING PUMMELED ONTO ROCKS. SURFERS HAVE BEEN COMING IN EVER GREATER NUMBERS WHEN THE WAVES ARE RIGHT. MAVERICKS PIONEER JEFF CLARK, WHO FIRST SURFED IT ALONE IN 1975, SAYS MAYBE SOME OF THE NEWCOMERS AREN'T QUITE READY.

TODAY'S NEWS: TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011

COP TRIAL UPDATE:

3:00p
CLOSING STATEMENTS SET TO BEGIN THIS AFTERNOON.

12:15p
DEFENDANT JASON HAYES TOOK THE STAND JUST BEFORE 10:00 THIS MORNING.HAYES RECOUNTED HIS ROLE ON THE SCENE THE NIGHT OF JULY 12th, 2008. HAYES STATED HE DID NOT DISCUSS THE FIGHT, ONLY THE GUN, WITH BOTH TAMMY & BRANDON PIEKARSKY AT THE SCENE. HAYES ALSO TESTIFIED THAT HE WAS REMOVED FROM THE CASE THAT NIGHT AND HAD NO FURTHER INVOLVEMENT WITH THE INVESTIGATION.


FORMER SHENANDOAH OFFICERS TESTIFY

THE TRIAL OF THREE LOCAL OFFICERS WINDS DOWN AS THE DEFENDANTS BEGIN TO TESTIFY. WPPA'S BRITTANY HAS MORE:

TRIAL

SEEDLINGS FOR SCHOOLS

TO HELP SCHOOL STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT THE VITAL ROLE OF TREES IN THE ENVIRONMENT, "SEEDLINGS FOR SCHOOLS" WAS CREATED. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO PLANT A VARIETY OF TREE SEEDLINGS AT HOME, SCHOOL, OR IN THE COMMUNITY. THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROJECT. ALL SEEDLINGS ARE PROVIDED BY THE GAME COMMISSION'S HOWARD NURSERY AND THE COST OF SHIPPING IS DONATED. THIS PROGRAM IS SPLIT INTO TWO LEVELS. "SEEDLINGS FOR YOUR CLASS" PROVIDES A CLASSROOM WITH ENOUGH SEEDLINGS FOR EACH STUDENT TO TAKE A SEEDLING HOME TO PLANT, THIS PROGRAM IS PRIMARILY FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS. "SEEDLINGS TO DEVELOP HABITATS" IS PRIMARILY FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND PROVIDES A VARIETY OF SEEDLINGS TO STUDENTS. AS PART OF THIS PROGRAM, STUDENTS CAN PLANT ON SCHOOL OR COMMUNITY GROUNDS TO IMPROVE HABITAT. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT PGC.STATE.PA.US.

KNOWLES' OFFICE TO PROVIDE STATE AND FEDERAL TAX FORMS

REPRESENTATIVE JERRY KNOWLES WANTS RESIDENTS TO KNOW STATE AND FEDERAL INCOME TAX FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN HIS DISTRICT OFFICE AT 237 W. BROAD STREET IN TAMAQUA. KNOWLES SAID NO OTHER LOCAL FACILITY IS SUPPLYING THE FORMS THIS YEAR AND THEY WILL BE ARRIVING TO HIS OFFICE SHORTLY. ALTHOUGH HIS OFFICE WILL BE PROVIDING THE FORMS, THEY CANNOT COMPLETE THEM. RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO CONTACT A TAX PROFESSIONAL FOR HELP COMPLETING THEIR FORMS.

ARRESTED ON WARRANT

A TOWER CITY MAN WAS PICKED UP ON A FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE WARRANT RECENTLY IN DAUPHIN COUNTY. POLICE REPORT 33-YEAR-OLD CRAIG ALLEN JAMES WAS CHARGED IN 2008 AFTER HE ISSUED A CHECK ON A CLOSED ACCOUNT TO WAL-MART. IT WAS LEARNED THAT JAMES WAS A FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE WHEN POLICE STOPPED HIM FOR A TRAFFIC VIOLATION. JAMES WAS TAKEN TO SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON BY MINERSVILLE OFFICERS. HE WAS ARRAIGNED AND BAIL WAS SET AT $5,000.

BB GUN FOUND IN STUDENT'S BACKPACK

THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST PRIVATE SCHOOL WAS PUT ON A LOCKDOWN MONDAY AFTER A BB GUN WAS FOUND IN A STUDENTS DORM ROOM. POLICE REPORT 18-YEAR-OLD SARAH HARRIS WAS CITED AFTER SHE HAD THE PISTOL IN HER BACKPACL DURING CLASS. STATE POLICE AT HAMBURG AND HAMBURG BOROUGH POLICE SEARCHED FOR THE BLUE MOUNTAIN ACADEMY STUDENT. HARRIS WAS LOCATED AND TAKEN INTO CUSTODY WITHOUT INCIDENT AND THE GUN WAS FOUND IN HER DORM ROOM. HARRIS WAS CITED FOR SUMMERY DISORDERLY CONDUCT AND LATER RELEASED.

POWER OUTAGE

CUSTOMERS OF PPL FROM NORTHUMBERLAND AND COLUMBIA COUNTIES WERE WITHOUT POWER FOR PART OF MONDAY MORNING. THE POWER LOSS LEFT MORE THAN 6,000 PEOPLE FOR AS LONG AS 87 MINUTES WITHOUT POWER. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS A MAJOR TRANSMISSION LINE HAD A FAULT AND IT AFFECTED THREE SUBSTATIONS. ALL POWER WAS RESTORED BY 9:15AM.

STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - PROSECUTORS HAVE CLEARED FOUR UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA POLICE OFFICERS OF ANY WRONGDOING IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF A TEENAGE CARJACKING SUSPECT LAST FALL. THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS REPORTS THAT PROSECUTORS SAID MONDAY OFFICERS WERE DEFENDING THEMSELVES WHEN THEY FIRED BACK AT KARL SAPPLETON ON NOVEMBER 21.

ALLENTOWN, PA. (AP) - A JURY HAS DECIDED THAT A MAN CONVICTED OF A SHOOTING DEATH DURING A BOTCHED HOME INVASION ROBBERY LAST SPRING SHOULD SPEND THE REST OF HIS LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE. THE ALLENTOWN MORNING CALL SAYS JURORS DELIBERATED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR MONDAY BEFORE DECIDING TO SPARE THE LIFE OF KYLE DICKERSON.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA JUDGE HAS DECLINED TO TOSS OUT ETHICS CHARGES AGAINST A STATE SENATOR. ALLEGHENY COUNTY COMMON PLEAS JUDGE JEFFREY MANNING ON MONDAY REJECTED SENATOR JANE ORIE'S MOTION TO DISMISS THE CHARGES ON CONSTITUTIONAL GROUNDS. HER ATTORNEY HAD ARGUED THAT THE LAW WAS TOO VAGUE.

READING, PA. (AP) - A MAN FACES LIFE IN PRISON AFTER BEING CONVICTED OF WHAT AUTHORITIES CALLED A DRUG-RELATED SLAYING IN AN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA BAR ALMOST THREE YEARS AGO. JURORS DELIBERATED FOR NEARLY TWO HOURS BEFORE CONVICTING JAVIER ANTONETTY-RODRIGUEZ OF READING OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER IN THE DEATH OF JOSE RIVERA JR.

NATIONAL NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS IS EXPECTED TO AGREE WITH THE NEED TO CUT SPENDING BUT NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF HELPING COMPANIES CREATE JOBS. OBAMA HAS MADE IT CLEAR TO BACKERS THAT THE NEW DIVIDED GOVERNMENT MAKES FOR A REAL BALANCING ACT WHICH HE HOPES WILL BE HELPED BY THE POST-TUCSON-SHOOTING SPIRIT OF TONED-DOWN RHETORIC.

WASHINGTON (AP) - REPUBLICANS CONTROLLING THE HOUSE EXPECT TO GO ON RECORD TODAY IN FAVOR OF CUTTING THE DAY-TO-DAY BUDGETS FOR DOMESTIC CABINET AGENCIES. THE NONBINDING RESOLUTION PROMISES CUTS APPROACHING 20 PERCENT OF THE BUDGETS FOR AGENCIES LIKE THE DEPARTMENTS OF EDUCATION AND COMMERCE WHEN CONGRESS WRAPS UP THE LONG-OVERDUE BUDGET FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR. THE WHITE HOUSE WARNS THAT SUCH CUTS WOULD MEAN FURLOUGHS OF TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FEDERAL WORKERS.

CHICAGO (AP) - CHICAGO MAYORAL CANDIDATES ONCE OVERSHADOWED BY FORMER WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF RAHM EMANUEL ARE SCRAMBLING FOR THE SPOTLIGHT NOW THAT A COURT HAS RULED EMANUEL OFF THE BALLOT. BUT EMANUEL'S LAWYERS ARE EXPECTED TO APPEAL THE RULING TO THE ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT TODAY. THE LOWER COURT RULED EMANUEL DIDN'T MEET A RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT.

DALLAS (AP) - U.S. AIRLINES ABOUT TO REPORT FOURTH-QUARTER RESULTS ARE EXPECTED TO CAP THE INDUSTRY'S FIRST MONEYMAKING YEAR SINCE 2007. INDICATIONS ARE THE RETURN TO PROSPERITY WILL BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN ITSELF BASED ON A SIMPLE SOLUTION -- MORE IS NOT NECESSARILY BETTER. BY GROUNDING PLANES AND ELIMINATING FLIGHTS, AIRLINES HAVE CUT COSTS AND PUSHED FARES HIGHER WHILE TRAVEL DEMAND IS RISING AND PLANES ARE FULL.

MOSCOW (AP) - THE FINGER-POINTING HAS BEGUN IN RUSSIA FOLLOWING THE AIRPORT SUICIDE BOMBING IN MOSCOW THAT KILLED 35 PEOPLE. RUSSIAN PRESIDENT DMITRY MEDVEDEV SAYS AIRPORT OFFICIALS MUST BEAR RESPONSIBILITY FOR SECURITY FAILURES. AIRPORT MANAGEMENT CONTENDS RUSSIAN TRANSPORT POLICE WERE IN CHARGE. IT COULD SERVE TO FURTHER UNDERMINE CONFIDENCE IN RUSSIA'S SECURITY.

TODAY'S NEWS: MONDAY, JANUARY 24, 2011

COP TRIAL UPDATE:
FORMER CHIEF MATTHEW NESTOR TOOK THE STAND THIS MORNING JUST AFTER 10:00. NESTOR STATED HE CONTACTED TAMMY PIEKARSKY AFTER RAMIREZ' AUTOPSY TO FIND OUT HOW SHE WAS HOLDING UP. HE ALSO STATED BRANDON PIEKARSKY WAS A POTENTIAL SUSPECT AT THE TIME. WILLIAM MOYER IS EXPECTED TO TAKE THE STAND LATER TODAY.



WEEK THREE BEGINS IN TRIAL OF FORMER OFFICERS

THE TRIAL OF THREE FORMER SHENANDOAH POLICE OFFICERS IS SCHEDULED TO CONTINUE THIS MORNING WITH THE TESTIMONY OF WITNESSES CALLED BY THE DEFENSE. THE PROSECUTION RESTED THEIR CASE FRIDAY, AND THE DEFENSE PROCEEDED AFTER BEING DENIED OF A MOTION TO DISMISS THE CHARGES AGAINST THE DEFENDANTS. DUE TO THE LENGTHY TRIAL, THE SENTENCING OF BRANDON PIEKARSKY AND DERRICK DONCHAK WILL BE POSTPONED UNTIL THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 23RD AT 9:00 AND 9:15. BOTH MEN WERE CONVICTED IN OCTOBER 2010 OF VIOLATING THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF LUIS RAMIREZ DUE TO THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN HIS BEATING DEATH IN JULY 2008. THE TRIAL OF THE OFFICERS WILL CONTINUE THIS MORNING AFTER 10:00 AT THE UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE IN WILKES-BARRE.

FOREST SERVICE STUDY CALLS PA HIGHLANDS, 'THREATENED BY DEVELOPMENT'

A NEW REPORT FROM THE U.S FOREST SERVICE SAYS PENNSYLVANIA'S 1.4 MILLION ACRE HIGHLANDS REGION, WHICH PROVIDES DRINKING WATER TO MILLIONS, IS FACING MAJOR THREATS FROM DEVELOPMENT. TOO MUCH DEVELOPMENT WILL CUT INTO THE HIGHLANDS' VAST ARRAY OF FOREST AND STREAMS AND DISRUPT WILDLIFE. MARK ZAKUTANSKY IS THE PA HIGHLANDS COORDINATOR FOR THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB. ZAKUTANSKY SAYS "HAVING THE DATA PROVIDED BY THE U.S FOREST SERVICE IS A HUGE STEP FORWARD IN CONTINUING TO ADVANCE LAND PRESERVATION AND TO CONTINUE TO ADVANCE DRINKING WATER QUALITY FOR RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT THE REGION." THE STUDY ALSO HAS POTENTIAL LONGER-TERM BENEFITS CONCERNING RENEWAL OF THE ACT IN 2014.

HIKING ALONG SCHUYLKILL COUNTY

ON SUNDAY, PATRICK MCKINNEY AKA "PORCUPINE PAT" LED ABOUT 40 WINTER HIKERS ALONG A SECTION OF THE JOHN BARTRAM TRAIL IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, MCKINNEY IS THE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION COORDINATOR FOR THE SCHUYLKILL CONSERVATION DISTRICT. THE TREK WENT ALONG THE MARSH ON A FORMER RAILROAD LINE THAT HAS BEEN CONVERTED TO A WALKING TRAIL. THE NEXT WALK WILL BE IN FEBRUARY WHEN HIKERS WILL TRAVEL TO INDIAN CAVE ABOVE THE POTTSVILLE CLUB.

SCAM ARTISTS WANTED

THREE MEN ARE NOW WANTED IN CONNECTION WITH TWO SCAM INCIDENTS THAT OCCURRED THURSDAY. IN THE FIRST INCIDENT, $6,000 WAS TAKEN FROM A HOME AFTER THE MEN PRETENDED TO BE INSTALLING FENCING NEXT DOOR. A SIMILAR INCIDENT OCCURRED JUST 15 MINUTES LATER. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY CRIMESTOPPERS AND STATE POLICE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN NEED YOUR HELP IN FINDING THESE THREE MEN THAT ARE DESCRIBED AS MIDDLE EASTERN OR HISPANIC WITH MEDIUM BUILDS AND WEARING WORK CLOTHING AND GLOVES. ALL INFORMATION RECEIVED WILL REMAIN CONFIDENTIAL AND A REWARD OF UP TO $1,000 IS BEING OFFERED.

SHEETZ THEFT

AFTER AN INCIDENT ON SATURDAY AT THE SHEETZ IN NORTH MANHEIM TOWNSHIP, A MINERSVILLE MAN WILL BE CHARGED FOR THEFT. POLICE REPORT, 25-YEAR-OLD JUSTIN NEFF STOLE A QUART OF MOTOR OIL AND A WHITE JUG CONTAINING $217. THAT MONEY WAS TO BE USED FOR A CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS PARTY. CRIMINAL CHARGES WILL BE FILED WITH MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGE DAVID PLACHKO, PORT CARBON.

STATE NEWS:

NEW YORK (AP) - AN ARCTIC FRONT WILL BRING BITTER COLD THROUGH MONDAY MORNING WITH FRIGID DAYTIME HIGHS OF ABOUT 10 TO 30 DEGREES BELOW AVERAGE. THE COLD IS ALREADY BEING BLAMED FOR AT LEAST ONE DEATH. ABOUT 90 MILES NORTHWEST OF PHILADELPHIA, A MAN DIED AFTER SPENDING A NIGHT IN HIS CAR.

NEW CASTLE, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SAY A WOMAN SHOT HER 12-YEAR-OLD SON AND HER ELDERLY MOTHER BEFORE TURNING THE GUN ON HERSELF LAST WEEK. LAWRENCE COUNTY CORONER RUSSELL NOGA RULED THE DEATHS OF 40-YEAR-OLD LJUBA (L'YOO-BAH) NOVOSEL, 12-YEAR-OLD TOMISLAV NOVOSEL, AND 81-YEAR-OLD ANKA DENK, A DOUBLE HOMICIDE-SUICIDE AFTER AN AUTOPSY SATURDAY.

DARBY, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES SAY A WOMAN DIED AFTER SHE WAS PULLED OUT OF A TWO-ALARM FIRE IN AN APARTMENT. FIRE CREWS IN DELAWARE COUNTY SUNDAY FOUND SMOKE AND FLAMES SHOOTING FROM THE THREE-STORY DARBY BUILDING AND FOUND A WOMAN IN THE SECOND-FLOOR APARTMENT. MEDICS TRANSPORTED HER TO MERCY FITZGERALD HOSPITAL, WHERE SHE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - GOVERNOR TOM CORBETT SAYS HE WILL ISSUE A PLAN TUESDAY AIMED AT FULFILLING A CAMPAIGN PROMISE FOR CHANGES IN THE WAY GOVERNMENT DOES BUSINESS. CORBETT, SWORN IN AS PENNSYLVANIA'S 46TH GOVERNOR ON TUESDAY, TOLD THE PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW IN AN INTERVIEW THAT THE EFFORT WILL BE AN ONGOING DIALOGUE WITH LEGISLATIVE LEADERS.

NATIONAL NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - JOBS. THAT'S EXPECTED TO BE THE MESSAGE TOMORROW WHEN PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA DELIVERS HIS STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH. HE PLANS TO FOCUS ON KEY INVESTMENTS AND INCENTIVES TO MAKE U.S. COMPANIES MORE COMPETITIVE AND READY TO HIRE. THAT'LL BE TEMPERED BY THE NEED TO START BRINGING DOWN AMERICA'S MOUNTAIN OF DEBT.

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAS A MESSAGE FOR THE NATION TOMORROW AND REPUBLICANS HAVE A MESSAGE FOR THE PRESIDENT. HOUSE REPUBLICANS HAVE SCHEDULED A VOTE JUST A FEW HOURS BEFORE THE STATE OF THE UNION SPEECH, INSTRUCTING BUDGET COMMITTEE CHAIR PAUL RYAN TO CUT NON-SECURITY SPENDING FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR BACK TO 2008 LEVELS.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A TENNESSEE POULTRY FARMER IN A GAME OF CHICKEN WITH TYSON FARMS IS HOPING TO FIND OUT TODAY IF THE SUPREME COURT WILL ACCEPT HIS CASE FOR REVIEW. ALTON TERRY SAYS HE LOST HIS CONTRACT TO RAISE CHICKENS FOR TYSON AND THEN LOST HIS 12-ACRE FARM. TERRY SAYS IT HAPPENED BECAUSE HE BROUGHT TOGETHER A GROUP OF AREA FARMERS AND TOLD THEM THEY HAD THE RIGHT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT TYSON'S PRACTICES. A LOWER COURT RULED AGAINST HIM.

CAIRO (AP) - EGYPT WANTS ITS QUEEN BACK. BUT GERMANY SAYS THAT AT 3,300 YEARS OLD, SHE MAY NOT BE WELL ENOUGH TO TRAVEL. CAIRO HAS OFFICIALLY REQUESTED THE RETURN OF THE BUST OF QUEEN NEFERTITI THAT HAS BEEN IN A BERLIN MUSEUM FOR DECADES. EGYPT HAS AN ONGOING CAMPAIGN TO RETRIEVE THOUSANDS OF ANTIQUITIES SPIRITED OUT DURING THE COLONIAL PERIOD AND AFTERWARD. GERMANY SAYS THE QUEEN IS IN THE COUNTRY LEGALLY AND THE BUST IS VERY FRAGILE.

UNDATED (AP) - THE SUPER BOWL MATCHUP IN TWO WEEKS IS SET, AS THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS AND GREEN BAY PACKERS MEET IN DALLAS. THE STEELERS BEAT THE NEW YORK JETS 24-19 WHILE THE PACKERS BEAT THE CHICAGO BEARS 21-14, FOR THEIR AFC AND NFC CONFERENCE TITLES.

TODAY'S NEWS: SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 2011

PROSECUTION RESTS IN TRIAL OF FORMER OFFICERS

The trial of three local police officers winds down as the prosecution rested their case Friday. WPPA's Brittany has more:

COP TRIAL

A NEW ELECTION YEAR AND MORE CANDIDATES ANNOUNCE

The Democratic pool of county commissioner candidates got a little deeper Friday night when borough Mayor Gary Hess announced his bid for office. According to the Republican and Herald, Hess is dubbing his campaign platform "The People's Platform," Hess said his priorities include being proactive, bringing unity back to the courthouse, job creation, creation of business opportunities for entrepreneurs and being fiscally responsible. Hess, 53, president of Hess Catering Inc., said his years as a business owner have taught him much about serving people, lessons he will take with him to the courthouse, if elected. Hess joins Mount Carbon Mayor Jeffrey Dunkel and county businessman John Platchko who have announced their intentions to seek the Democratic nomination. Republicans who have announced their bids include current minority Commissioner Frank J. Staudenmeier, New Ringgold borough council President Larry Padora and former county administrator Darlene Dolzani.

CONTROLLER TO BE CHALLENGED IN PRIMARY

Bradley Petchulis of Mar Lin, Norwegian Township, announced Friday he will take on Melinda Kantner in the May 17 election. As reported by the Republican and Herald, Petchulis, who holds a degree in business and administration from Albright College, Reading, serves as treasurer for the Schuylkill County Municipal Authority. He has also worked as a manager at his family owned business, Mar Lin Markets, for more than 20 years. In a written statement Friday, Petchulis said he hopes to "work diligently as the watchdog of Schuylkill County's monies, while working in harmony with all branches of county government." One of his duties with the municipal authority is to oversee its pension plan. The county controller sits on the county retirement board, which has authority over the county's public pension fund which pays out monthly to more than 400 retired county workers. Petchulis is also the zoning officer in Norwegian Township. Meanwhile, Democrat County Controller Melinda Kantner has reached out to Republican committee people for support in her bid to win another four-year term. Kantner said Friday "most" of the Schuylkill County Republican Party committee men and women received a letter and invitation to Kantner's re-election fundraiser Friday at a Llewellyn restaurant. County Republican Chairman Joseph Sterns has instructed his fellow party members to steer clear of Kantner's fundraiser. No Republicans have announced their intention to run for controller in the November general election

STATE NEWS

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Former Governor Ed Rendell says he ordered increased clinic inspections after a raid last year on a Philadelphia abortion clinic yielded gruesome accounts of bloody floors and baby parts in jars. Dr. Kermit Gosnell is charged with eight counts of murder. Prosecutors allege he fatally stabbed viable babies in the spine with scissors.

GETTYSBURG, Pa. (AP) - Prosecutors tell The Harrisburg Patriot-News they plan to seek the death penalty in the case of a central Pennsylvania man accused of killing a game warden during a poaching investigation. Twenty-seven-year-old Christopher Lynn Johnson is charged with the November shooting death of Wildlife Conservation Officer David Grove outside Gettysburg.

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. (AP) - A snowstorm that moved up the East coast may be to blame for a fatal crash in Pennsylvania, where falling temperatures mean wind chills of around zero in some areas. The winter storm may have contributed to a crash that killed a tractor-trailer driver on Interstate 80 in northeastern Pennsylvania.

NATIONAL NEWS

ISTANBUL (AP) - Six world powers are offering a carrot to Iran in hopes of achieving broader dialogue about Tehran's nuclear activities. The nation's today sidestepped Iran's refusal to
discuss scrapping uranium enrichment, offering instead to revive smaller-scale talks. But some diplomats familiar with the negotiations say the U.S., China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany were trying a new tack after a frustrating 14-hours of talks yesterday.

BAGHDAD (AP) - An aide says anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has gone back to Iran after a two-week return to Iraq. It's not known when he'll return. Al-Sadr's surprise return to Iraq this month was part of his campaign to boost his credibility in the nation's political and religious circles after nearly four years in voluntary exile in Iran.

HOUSTON (AP) - Her new team of doctors plan to start immediately on rehab therapy for wounded Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Giffords is under intensive care at Texas Medical Center in Houston after a trip from Arizona, where throngs of well-wishers gave her a farewell that brought a tearful smile.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) - An official says an inland sea will surge across southeast Australia and threaten towns in its path for up to 10 more days. Record rains have caused flooding in Australia for more than a month. The floods began in northeast Queensland state, where at least 30 people died. But the focus has now shifted to the state of Victoria. The official says 75 towns there have so far been affected by flooding.

TOKYO (AP) - The International Space Station is about to get busy stocking up on supplies. A Japanese rocket is ferrying nearly 6 tons of food, water, clothing and experimental equipment. The rocket successfully lifted off from a remote island today on a mission designed to help fill a hole left by the retirement of NASA's space shuttle program.

TODAY'S NEWS: FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 2011

COP TRIAL UPDATE:

PROSECUTION RESTED THIS MORNING AFTER 11:00. JUDGE A. RICHARD CAPUTO DENIED THE DISMISSAL OF THE CHARGES FOR ALL THREE DEFENDANTS. THE DEFENSE WILL PROCEED AFTER LUNCH.

BREAKING NEWS:
FIREFIGHTERS FROM PINE GROVE BOROUGH'S HOSE, HOOK AND LADDER FIRE COMPANY WERE CALLED TO THE RUTH STEINERT MEMORIAL SPCA AT 9:30AM FOR A REPORTED STRUCTURE FIRE. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS SAID THE COUNTY ANIMAL RESPONSE TEAM WAS ALSO CALLED TO THE SCENE WITH CAGES TO HELP THE ANIMALS. THE SHELTER IS LOCATED AT 18 WERTZ DRIVE IN PINE GROVE.

COP TRIAL UPDATE:
THE TRIAL HAS BEEN DELAYED UNTIL 11am DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS.

PROSECUTION NEARS END OF WITNESS LIST

PROSECUTION MAY REST TODAY IN THE TRIAL OF THREE LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS. WPPA'S BRITTANY HAS MORE:

COP TRIAL

THE EDUCATION EXPRESS

THE EDUCATION EXPRESS IS TRAVELING TO POTTSVILLE THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 22 FROM 11AM TO 3PM. BRING YOUR CHILD TO THE FAIRLANE VILLAGE MALL CENTER COURT TO EXPERIENCE THIS EDUCATIONAL EVENT. CHILDREN WILL RECEIVE A "PASSPORT TO EDUCATION" WHICH THE PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS WILL STAMP AT EACH ACTIVITY. ALL CHILDREN WHO COMPLETE THEIR PASSPORTS WILL GET TO ENJOY A FREE PRETZEL COMPLIMENTS OF VILLAGE PRETZEL. THIS EVENT WILL INCLUDE CRAFTS, ACTIVITIES, CHANCES FOR LEARNING AND OF COURSE FUN! KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE.

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY LEGISLATORS ANNOUNCE GRANTS

SENATOR DAVID ARGALL ALONG WITH REPRESENTATIVES NEAL GOODMAN, JERRY KNOWLES AND MIKE TOBASH ANNOUNCED THURSDAY THREE GRANTS FOR IMPROVEMENTS FOR WATER QUALITY AND SAFETY. CASS TOWNSHIP, SCHUYLKILL TOWNSHIP, AND POTTSVILLE ALL RECEIVED GRANTS THAT WILL HELP IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT. SCHUYLKILL TOWNSHIP RECEIVED THE GRANT FOR THE THIRD AND FINAL PHASE OF THE BELL COLLIERY AMD REMEDIATION PROJECT. THE GRANT, ALONG WITH THE CASS TOWNSHIP GRANT, WILL HELP REDUCE WATER- POLLUTION FROM NONPOINT SOURCES. THE FUNDING RECEIVED BY THE CITY OF POTTSVILLE WILL CONTINUE TO HELP FILL THE REMAINING 28.25 ACRES BY DANGEROUS MINING SUBSIDENCE ON SHARP MOUNTAIN. MIKE TOBASH COMMENTED "THIS IS CERTAINLY A WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT BY THE COMMONWEALTH."

ASSAULT BY LIFE PRISONER

A FORMER INMATE SERVING A LIFE SENTENCE AT THE STATE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION IN MAHANOY TOWNSHIP WAS CHARGED BY STATE POLICE THURSDAY WITH ASSAULTING A CORRECTIONS OFFICER THERE IN DECEMBER. OFFICER DONALD MALICK SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES BY 31-YEAR-OLD ANTHONY MOTEN. MOTEN WAS ARRAIGNED ON ONE COUNT EACH OF ASSAULT BY LIFE PRISONER, ASSAULT BY PRISONER AND RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING ANOTHER PERSON, ALONG WITH TWO COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT. MOTEN IS CURRENTLY AN INMATE AT SCI/FRACKVILLE. BAIL WAS SET AT $100,000 STRAIGHT CASH. MOTEN RETURNED TO PRISON WITH A HEARING SET FOR FEBUARY 10TH.

STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A FORMER STATE HEALTH OFFICIAL ADMITS TO A MISTAKE IN FAILING TO INVESTIGATE PHILADELPHIA ABORTION DR. KERMIT GOSNELL, WHO IS NOW CHARGED IN THE DEATHS OF SEVEN BABIES AND A WOMAN PATIENT. JANICE STALOSKI HEADED THE DIVISION REGULATING ABORTION PROVIDERS. A GRAND JURY REPORT SAYS STALOSKI FAILED TO ORDER A PROBE OF GOSNELL'S CLINIC DESPITE REPEATED COMPLAINTS.

WASHINGTON (AP) - FORMER SENATOR RICK SANTORUM IS BLASTING PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA ON ABORTION. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH THE CHRISTIAN BROADCASTING NETWORK, SANTORUM YESTERDAY SAID IT SURPRISES HIM THAT THE NATION'S FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT IS WILLING TO DENY CIVIL RIGHTS TO FETUSES. THE WHITE HOUSE WOULDN'T COMMENT ON SANTORUM'S CRITICISM.

SCRANTON, PA. (AP) - A SCRANTON BUSINESSMAN WHO DISAPPEARED BEFORE HE WAS SUPPOSED TO START A 10-YEAR PRISON TERM ON A FRAUD CONVICTION HAS BEEN CAUGHT IN LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO. FEDERAL MARSHALS SAY JOSEPH DONAHUE WAS ARRESTED YESTERDAY AS HE LEFT A HOTEL. HE NOW AWAITS AN EXTRADITION HEARING.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - GOVERNOR TOM CORBETT AND HIS WIFE PLAN TO OPEN THE DOORS OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICIAL RESIDENCE IN HARRISBURG SUNDAY AFTERNOON FOR AN OPEN HOUSE. THE GEORGIAN-STYLE HOME WAS BUILT IN 1968 ALONG THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER. THERE WILL BE GUIDED TOURS AND MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT.

NATIONAL NEWS:

NEW YORK (AP) - FEDERAL AUTHORITIES ARE HOPING A MAJOR CRACKDOWN ON NEW YORK'S FIVE INFAMOUS CRIME FAMILIES WILL BE AN IMPORTANT AND ENCOURAGING STEP IN DISRUPTING THEIR OPERATIONS. SOME 127 SUSPECTED MOBSTERS AND THEIR ASSOCIATES HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH MURDER, EXTORTION AND OTHER CRIMES - SOME THAT GO BACK DECADES. THURSDAY'S ARRESTS ARE THE LATEST EFFORT TO CRIPPLE LA COSA NOSTRA (LUH KOH'-ZUH NOH'-STRUH).

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAS NAMED GENERAL ELECTRIC'S CEO TO HEAD HIS REVAMPED ECONOMIC ADVISORY BOARD. JEFFREY IMMELT WILL TAKE OVER AFTER FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN PAUL VOLCKER'S TENURE EXPIRES FEBRUARY 6. THE NEW ADVISORY BOARD ALSO HAS A NEW NAME - THE PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL ON JOBS AND COMPETITIVENESS - AND IT'LL PUT MORE EMPHASIS ON CREATING JOBS.

TUCSON, ARIZ. (AP) - U.S. CONGRESSWOMAN GABRIELLE GIFFORDS IS EXPECTED TO BE TRANSFERRED TODAY FROM HER TUCSON, ARIZ. HOSPITAL TO A REHAB FACILITY IN HOUSTON. GIFFORDS' HUSBAND SAYS HE'S HOPING HIS WIFE WILL MAKE A FULL RECOVERY, AFTER BEING SHOT IN THE HEAD ALMOST TWO WEEKS AGO. MARK KELLY SAYS HIS WIFE IS "A FIGHTER LIKE NOBODY ELSE THAT I KNOW." HOUSTON IS ALSO WHERE KELLY LIVES AND TRAINS AS AN ASTRONAUT.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (AP) - A WEEK OF BEING HELD CAPTIVE BY SOMALI PIRATES IS OVER FOR 21 CREW MEMBERS OF A SOUTH KOREAN VESSEL. SOUTH KOREAN SPECIAL FORCES STORMED THE FREIGHTER IN THE ARABIAN SEA BEFORE DAWN, RESCUING THE CREW AND KILLING EIGHT PIRATES. FIVE SOMALIS WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY. SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT LEE MYUNG-BAK SAID IN A TELEVISED STATEMENT, "WE WILL NOT TOLERATE ANY BEHAVIOR THAT THREATENS THE LIVES AND SAFETY OF OUR PEOPLE IN THE FUTURE."

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (AP) - THE PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD SAYS IT'S SEARCHING FOR A SAILBOAT WITH FIVE AMERICANS THAT WAS REPORTED MISSING AFTER LEAVING THE PACIFIC ISLAND OF GUAM MORE THAN TWO WEEKS AGO. A COAST GUARD SPOKESMAN SAYS THE U.S. ASKED FOR HELP LOCATING THE FOUR MEN AND ONE WOMAN ABOARD THE BOAT, BUT IT'S NOT CLEAR IF IT HAD ACTUALLY REACHED PHILIPPINE WATERS. THE AMERICANS WERE ON THEIR WAY TO CEBU ISLAND IN THE CENTRAL PHILIPPINES.

TODAY'S NEWS: THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2011

COP TRIAL UPDATE…

CURRENT SHENANDOAH POLICE CHIEF, JOSEPH HALL, STATED HAYES, PIEKARSKY & NESTOR TOOK VACATIONS TOGETHER. HALL ALSO TESTIFIED THAT MOYER WAS VIEWED BY THE COMMUNITY AS AN HONEST, FAIR MAN. DIANE BACHMAN, AN INVESTIGATION OPERATIONS AGENT FOR THE FBI, TESTIFIED TO PHONE RECORDS SHOWING CALLS MADE BETWEN THE BOYS, PARENTS & OFFICERS ON JULY 12th & 13th 2008.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY TESTIFIES IN COP TRIAL

LENGTHY TESTIMONY CONTINUED WEDNESDAY IN THE TRIAL OF THREE LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS...WPPA'S BRITTANY HAS MORE:

COP TRIAL

MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY

THE 2010 MAKE A DIFFERENCE AWARD RECEPTION WAS HELD AT SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER EAST NORWEGIAN ON WEDNESDAY. RECIPIENTS RECEIVED CERTIFICATES OF COMMENDATION AND SPECIAL RECOGNITION. IN ADDITION THE ABOVE AND BEYOND CERTIFICATE WAS PRESENTED TO A RECIPIENT FOR GROUP EXCELLENCE. THE MAKE A DIFFERENCE TROPHY WAS ALSO PRESENTED AS WELL AS OTHER DRAWING PRIZES. A VARIETY OF PROJECTS WERE COMPLETED THIS YEAR INCLUDING A CHINESE AUCTION, A DOG WALK, AND EVEN A FOOD FIGHT CHALLENGE. THERE WERE 114 REGISTERED PROJECTS FOR 2010 THAT HELPED OUT OVER TEN THOUSAND PEOPLE AND COUNTLESS ANIMALS.

FIRE AT RUBBERMAID COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS

FIREFIGHERS WERE CALLED TO RUBBERMAID COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS IN POTTSVILLE AT 6:35AM WEDNESDAY FOR AN ACCIDENTAL FIRE. WHEN THEY ARRIVED ON SCENE ALL EMPLOYEES WERE ALREADY EVACUATED AND THE SPRINKLER SYSTEM HAD THE FIRE UNDER CONTROL. WITHIN JUST 15 MINUTES THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT. FIRE CHIEF, TODD MARCH SAID THE MIDDLE WAREHOUSE CONTAINED HEAVY SMOKE WHICH TOOK TWO HOURS TO REMOVE. WORKERS WERE ABLE TO LEAVE, BUT HAD TO RETURN FOR WORK AT 11AM.

AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE ACT

A NEW ANALYSIS HAS BEEN RELEASED SHOWING THAT WITHOUT THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, UP TO 5.5 MILLION NON-ELDERLY RESIDENTS OF PENNSYLVANIA WHO HAVE A PRE-EXISTING HEALTH CONDITION, MAY BE AT RISK OF LOSING HEALTH INSURANCE. PRE-EXISTING HEALTH CONDITIONS MAY INCLUDE HEART DISEASE, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, ARTHRITIS, AND CANCER. UNDER THE ACT TO BE ENACTED BY 2014, AMERICANS LIVING WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS CAN EASILY GET HEALTH COVERAGE, BUT REPEALING THIS LAW WOULD LEAVE MILLIONS WORRYING ABOUT WHETHER COVERAGE WILL BE THERE WHEN THEY NEED IT.

GOODMAN WELCOMES CORBETT

STATE REPRESENTATIVE NEAL GOODMAN OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY CONGRATULATED GOVERNOR TOM CORBETT FOR BEING SWORN IN WEDNESDAY. GOODMAN SAID DURING THESE CHALLENGING TIMES, HE LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING WITH CORBETT TO ADVANCE THE COMMONWEALTH. GOODMAN ADDED THAT LAWMAKERS AND THE GOVERNOR MUST MAKE SURE PENNSYLAVIA'S SCHOOLS REMAIN A TOP PRIORITY AND HEALTH CARE REMAINS AVAILABLE, AFFORDABLE, AND ACCESSIBLE. GOODMAN ALSO IS CONCERNED ABOUT BALANCING THE BUDGET.

HORSE DIES IN BUGGY ACCIDENT

A HORSE IS DEAD AFTER A NON-MOTORIZED AMISH BUGGY FAILED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND WAS STRUCK BY A LOG TRUCK. THE CRASH OCCURRED WESTBOUND ON STATE ROUTE 25 IN MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP, DAUPHIN COUNTY. THE IMPACT CAUSED THE BUGGY TO FLIP ON ITS SIDE. MINOR DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THAT BUGGY AND THE LONG TRUCK THAT WAS CARRYING APPROX. 73,000 POUNDS OF LOGS. NO PEOPLE WERE INJURED.

TWO CORRECTIONS OFFICERS FIRED

THE COUNTY PRISON BOARD VOTED TO FIRE TWO CORRECTIONS OFFICERS AT THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON WEDNESDAY. 30-YEAR-OLD MATTHEW FARRONE OF GIRARDVILLE AND 41-YEAR-OLD JEFFREY HARNER OF HEGINS ALLEGEDLY ABUSED INMATES. BOTH MEN HAD BEEN SUSPENDED WITH PAY SINCE LAST MONTH, BUT ANOTHER PERSON WILL BE SUSPENDED WITHOUT PAY FOR TWO WEEKS IN CONNECTION WITH THE INCIDENT.

PRERELEASE CENTER WILL USE LOCAL UNION WORKERS

ON WEDNESDAY THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS VOTED TO IMPLEMENT A PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT FOR A PROPOSED PRERELEASE CENTER IN RYAN TOWNSHIP. THE AGREEMENT MANDATES LOCAL UNION LABOR BE USED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE CENTER. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, ABOUT 40 PERCENT OF THE COUNTY'S UNION CONSTRUCTION WORKERS ARE CURRENTLY OUT OF WORK.

STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - AN ABORTION CLINIC DOCTOR IN PHILADELPHIA HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH EIGHT MURDER COUNTS IN THE DEATHS OF A WOMAN AND SEVEN BABIES PROSECUTORS SAY WERE BORN ALIVE BEFORE THEY WERE THEN KILLED WITH SCISSORS. PROSECUTORS ALSO SAY STATE REGULATORS REPEATEDLY IGNORED COMPLAINTS ABOUT DR. KERMIT GOSNELL'S CLINIC.

YORK, PA. (AP) - CLOSING ARGUMENTS COULD COME TODAY IN THE MURDER TRIAL OF A YORK MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING A MAN WHO WAS GOING TO TESTIFY AGAINST HIM IN A DRUG CASE. THE YORK DAILY RECORD REPORTS HERALD MORALES TOOK THE STAND IN HIS OWN DEFENSE YESTERDAY, TELLING JURORS HE WAS INNOCENT OF THE KILLING. PROSECUTORS ARE SEEKING THE DEATH PENALTY.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - AFTER A DAY SPENT CLEARING OUT DEBRIS, INVESTIGATORS ARE NOW TRYING TO PINPOINT THE CAUSE OF TUESDAY NIGHT'S GAS EXPLOSION THAT KILLED A UTILITY WORKER IN NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA AND INJURED SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE. AT LEAST ONE OF THE INJURED REMAINS HOSPITALIZED IN CRITICAL BUT STABLE CONDITION.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - FEDERAL SAFETY OFFICIALS HAVE FINED HORSEHEAD CORPORATION $45,000 FOR SAFETY VIOLATIONS LINKED TO LAST JULY'S EXPLOSION THAT KILLED TWO WORKERS AT A BEAVER COUNTY ZINC PLANT. THE PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW REPORTS THE COMPANY IS REVIEWING THE SAFETY CITATIONS.

NATIONAL NEWS:

TUCSON, ARIZ. (AP) - LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AFTER SURVIVING A BULLET THROUGH THE BRAIN, ARIZONA REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS NEXT STEP IS REHAB. THE QUICK TRANSITION IS BASED ON THE LATEST RESEARCH, WHICH SHOWS THE SOONER REHAB STARTS, THE BETTER PATIENTS RECOVER. GIFFORDS' FAMILY HOPES TO MOVE GIFFORDS TO A HOSPITAL IN HOUSTON AS SOON AS SHE IS ABLE.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED HOUSE PLANS TO VOTE TODAY TO DIRECT FOUR COMMITTEES TO COME UP WITH ALTERNATIVES TO THE HEALTH CARE OVERHAUL MEMBERS VOTED TO REPEAL. REPUBLICANS WANT TO END THE MANDATE TO PURCHASE INSURANCE AND INSTALL TORT REFORM LIMITING MALPRACTICE AWARDS. SENATE APPROVAL WILL BE REQUIRED AND IS CONSIDERED UNLIKELY, AS IT IS WITH THE REPEAL.

GENEVA (AP) - THE MAN WHO CLAIMS TO HAVE HANDED DETAILS OF RICH TAX CHEATS TO WIKILEAKS IS ONCE AGAIN IN POLICE CUSTODY IN SWITZERLAND. RUDOLF ELMER WAS CONVICTED BY A ZURICH COURT YESTERDAY IN AN EARLIER CASE OF COERCION AND BREAKING SWITZERLAND'S STRICT BANK SECRECY LAWS. THE FORMER JULIUS BAER BANKER SAYS HE IS TRYING TO EXPOSE A WIDESPREAD SYSTEM OF TAX EVASION BY RICH BUSINESSPEOPLE AND POLITICIANS.

CHICAGO (AP) - A SENTENCING HEARING IS TO BEGIN TODAY FOR A DECORATED CHICAGO POLICE LIEUTENANT CONVICTED OF LYING ABOUT THE VIOLENT MEANS HE AND HIS MEN USED TO GET CONFESSIONS. PROSECUTORS SAY JON BURGE'S PERJURY AND OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE CONVICTIONS ADD UP TO 30-PLUS YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON. DEFENSE ATTORNEYS ARE ARGUING FOR LESS THAN TWO YEARS. BURG'S NAME HAS BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH POLICE BRUTALITY IN CHICAGO.

WASHINGTON (AP) - FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA IS SCHEDULED TO JOIN WAL-MART EXECUTIVES TODAY TO ANNOUNCE THE RETAILER'S PLANS TO REFORMULATE THOUSANDS OF PRODUCTS TO MAKE THEM HEALTHIER. THE COMPANY PLANS TO REDUCE SODIUM AND SUGARS IN SOME ITEMS, BUILD STORES IN POOR AREAS THAT DON'T ALREADY HAVE GROCERY STORES AND REDUCE PRICES ON PRODUCE.

TODAY'S NEWS: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2011

COP TRIAL UPDATE:
BEN LAWSON TOOK THE STAND AFTER 10:30am, AND RECOUNTED THE EVENTS FROM JULY 12th & 13th OF 2008. LAWSON ALSO STATED NO OFFICERS WERE PRESENT WHEN THE STORY WAS MADE UP BY THE BOYS ABOUT THE EVENTS OF THE FIGHT. COLIN WALSH WAS RECALLED BY PROSECUTION, AND WAS GRILLED BY BOTH SIDES AS TO WHETHER OR NOT AN ERROR WAS MADE IN A STATEMENT REPORTED BY THE FBI. RON MICKALOWSKI, SCULLY'S STEPFATHER, TESTIFIED THAT MOYER CAME TO HIS HOME & SAID THERE ARE WITNESSES WHO SAY SCULLY REPEATEDLY STOMPED RAMIREZ.

TESTIMONY CONTINUES IN LOCAL OFFICER'S TRIAL

TESTIMONY CONTINUED TUESDAY MORNING IN THE FEDERAL TRIAL INVOLVING THREE FORMER SHENANDOAH POLICE OFFICERS. COURT WAS DELAYED UNTIL AFTER 11AM, DUE TO WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS. EDWARD NEY, OF SHENANDOAH, CONFRONTED THE BOYS INVOLVED IN THE BEATING WHEN THEY WERE LEAVING THE SCENE THROUGH A NEARBY LITTLE LEAGUE FIELD. NEY WAS WITH A MAN HE REFERRED TO AS MEXICAN JESSE, WHO WAS CARRYING THE BB GUN MISTAKEN FOR A REAL FIREARM. NEY ALSO TESTIFIED TO BEING IN THE POLICE CAR WITH PIEKARSKY WHILE THE OTHER BOYS SPOKE WITH THE OFFICERS OUTSIDE OF DONCHAKS HOME. SHENANDOAH BORO MANAGER, JOSEPH PALUBINSKY, TOOK THE STAND LATER TUESDAY STATING THAT MOYER AGREED CONTACTING THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE OR STATE POLICE WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO AVOID A CONFLICT OF INTEREST DURING THE INVESTIGATION. DURING CROSS-EXAMINATION, PALUBINSKY READ FROM A JULY 2008 NEWS ARTICLE, PROVIDED BY THE DEFENSE, THAT STATED HE DID NOT BELIEVE THIS WAS A RACIALLY MOTIVATED CRIME, AND CONFIRMED HE STILL HOLDS THAT STANCE TODAY. ALSO, TAKING THE STAND TUESDAY WAS BARRY BOYER, A FRIEND OF THE BOYS THAT ARRIVED AT THE SCENE LATER THAT NIGHT, AND THEN SHENANDOAH OFFICER, NOW LIEUTENANT, GARY KEPPEL WHO WAS PRESENT WHEN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE DETECTIVES ARRIVED EARLY THE MORNING OF JULY 13TH 2008. THE TRIAL IS SCHEDULED TO CONTINUE THIS MORNING, AFTER 9:00, AT THE UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE IN WILKES-BARRE.


WINTER SAFETY

EVERY YEAR, POSTAL SERVICE EMPLOYEES AND CITIZENS ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA EXPERIENCE ACCIDENTS RELATED TO WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS. TO DELIVER MAIL TO YOUR MAILBOX IN A SAFE AND EFFICIENT MANNER, THE POSTAL SERVICE ASKS THAT STEPS AND WALKWAYS BE KEPT CLEAR OF SNOW AND ICE. CURBSIDE MAILBOXES SHOULD BE SHOVELED OUT ENOUGH SO THAT CARRIERS CAN DELIVER OR COLLECT MAIL WITHOUT HAVING TO LEAVE THEIR VEHICLES. THE POSTAL SERVICE ASKS THAT YOU BE AWARE OF LETTER CARRIERS DELIVERING AFTER THE SUN SET IN THEIR PERSONAL VEHICLES ALONGSIDE RURAL ROADWAYS AND ON FOOT IN URBAN NEIGHBORHOODS. THE POSTAL SERVICE APPRECIATES YOUR COOPERATION IN HELPING TO KEEP THE STATE'S LETTER CARRIERS AND ALL RESIDENTS SAFE FROM HARM THIS WINTER BY OBSERVING THESE FEW BASIC SAFETY TIPS.

PA GOVERNOR

THE FIRST PENNSYLVANIA REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR IN EIGHT YEARS TOOK THE OATH TUESDAY IN HARRISBURG. TOM CORBETT VOWED TO REIN IN STATE SPENDING, ENACT GOVERNMENT REFORMS AND DO THE RIGHT THINGS. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, A COUPLE THOUSAND SUPPORTERS ATTENDED THE OUTDOOR CEREMONY AT THE EAST ENTRANCE TO THE CAPITOL. THE OATH WAS ADMINISTERED BY STATE SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE RONALD CASTILLE.

FANS OF THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS SAW THE STARS WHO FUELED A COME-FROM-BEHIND VICTORY ON SUNDAY, BUT THEY PROBABLY DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE PENN STATE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES GRADUATE WHOSE BEHIND-THE-SCENE HEROICS CONTRIBUTED TO THE WIN. GARY ABDULLAH HAS MORE.

ABDULLAH STEELERS

STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - AN EXPLOSION IN A GAS MAIN IN NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA SPAWNED A THREE-ALARM FIRE THAT LEFT ONE PERSON DEAD AND FIVE INJURED AND PROMPTED EVACUATION OF SEVERAL DOZEN RESIDENTS. FIRE DISPATCHERS SAID A GAS AND WATER MAIN BREAK WAS REPORTED IN THE TACONY NEIGHBORHOOD AT ABOUT 7:19 P.M. TUESDAY, AND AN EXPLOSION OCCURRED AT ABOUT 8:30 P.M.

EASTON, PA. (AP) - A MAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO 20 TO 40 YEARS IN PRISON FOR HIS PART IN A BOTCHED EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA HOME INVASION ROBBERY THAT LEFT ONE MAN DEAD AND ANOTHER WOUNDED. JULIO A. LOPEZ OF ALLENTOWN PLEADED GUILTY IN NOVEMBER TO THIRD-DEGREE MURDER IN THE JULY 2007 ROBBERY IN BETHLEHEM THAT ENDED IN THE DEATH OF DANIEL RIVERA OF TAMPA, FLA.

LANCASTER, PA. (AP) - POLICE WANT TO EXAMINE THE CELL PHONES OF FOUR PENNSYLVANIA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYERS KILLED A CAR CRASH TO SEE WHETHER THEY WERE RECORDING A VIDEO TO POST ON YOUTUBE. SOUTH LONDONDERRY TOWNSHIP POLICE CHIEF JEFFREY ARNOLD SAYS THAT A STATEMENT TAKEN FROM SOMEONE AT THE SCENE OF SUNDAY'S CRASH INDICATED THE TEENS INTENDED TO RECORD A VIDEO.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IS BEING CITED AS THE CAUSE OF A FAST-MOVING FIRE THAT KILLED A PHILADELPHIA MOTHER AND HER THREE CHILDREN, WHO RANGED IN AGE FROM 8 TO 14. OFFICIALS SAID THE HOME IN THE FELTONVILLE SECTION OF NORTH PHILADELPHIA WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES WHEN FIREFIGHTERS ARRIVED EARLY THURSDAY.

NATIONAL NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - HOUSE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS ARE EXPECTED TO DELIVER AN EMPHATIC THUMBS-DOWN TODAY ON PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S HEALTH CARE OVERHAUL. HOUSE REPUBLICANS WARN NOT TO UNDERESTIMATE THEIR DETERMINATION OR THEIR WILLINGNESS TO USE PARLIAMENTARY MANEUVERS TO DENY THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION FUNDS NEEDED TO CARRY OUT THE LAW IF THE REPEAL FAILS IN THE SENATE AS EXPECTED.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE DETAILS ARE STILL MOSTLY SECRET AS THE WHITE HOUSE HONORS CHINESE PRESIDENT HU JINTAO (HOO JIHN-TOW) WITH THE HIGH-OCTANE POMP OF A STATE DINNER. BUT THE NAMES OF SOME GUESTS FOR THIS EVENING'S AFFAIR ARE TRICKLING OUT, AND ACTOR JACKIE CHAN IS AMONG THEM, ASSURING THE PARTY WILL HAVE A CELEBRITY QUOTIENT. THE U.S. IS TRYING TO SMOOTH RELATIONS WITH CHINA AMID DIFFERENCES OVER ECONOMIC AND SECURITY ISSUES.

ZURICH (AP) - THERE'S A TRIAL IN SWITZERLAND TODAY FOR BANKER WHO CLAIMS TO HAVE HANDED WIKILEAKS DETAILS OF RICH TAX EVADERS. RUDOLF ELMER IS CHARGED WITH COERCION AND BREAKING SWITZERLAND'S STRICT BANKING SECRECY LAWS. PROSECUTORS SAY ELMER STOLE CLIENT DATA AFTER BEING FIRED AND THEN TRIED TO EXTORT MONEY FROM BANK JULIUS BAER AND SENIOR EXECUTIVES.

BAGHDAD (AP) - AN IRAQI POLICE SPOKESMAN SAYS A CAR BOMB HAS KILLED FOUR PEOPLE AND INJURED 57 AT A HEADQUARTERS FOR A GUARD FORCE THAT PROTECTS GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS IN EASTERN IRAQ. MEANWHILE, AN IRAQI MEDICAL OFFICIAL SAYS THE DEATH TOLL IN A SUICIDE ATTACK ON POLICE RECRUITS IN NORTHERN IRAQ HAS RISEN TO 65. THE HOSPITAL DIRECTOR SAYS 150 PEOPLE WERE WOUNDED.

SPOKANE, WASH. (AP) - FEDERAL AGENTS SAY RACE COULD HAVE BEEN A MOTIVE IN THE PLANTING OF A BOMB DISCOVERED ALONG THE DOWNTOWN ROUTE OF A MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY PARADE IN WASHINGTON STATE. THE SUSPICIOUS BACKPACK WAS SPOTTED BY THREE CITY EMPLOYEES ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE THE PARADE WAS TO START MONDAY. IT WAS SUCCESSFULLY DISMANTLED.

TODAY'S NEWS: TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2011

TRIAL RESUMES AFTER HOLIDAY

THE TRIAL OF THREE FORMER SHENANDOAH POLICE OFFICERS IS SCHUEDLED TO RESUME THIS MORNING, AFTER 9:00, AT THE UNITED STATES COURTHOUSE IN WILKES-BARRE. TESTIMONY WILL CONTINUE WITH THE SIXTH WITNESS TO BE CALLED BY PROSECUTION. COURT WAS NOT IN SESSION MONDAY IN OBSERVANCE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY.

GREATER POTTSVILLE WINTER CARNIVAL

THIS YEAR THE GREATER POTTSVILLE WINTER CARNIVAL IS GIVING LOCAL GIRLS THE CHANCE TO DINE WITH ROYALTY. ON SATURDAY JANUARY 22ND, SCHUYLKILL COUNTIES' LITTLE PRINCESSES WILL BE DRESSED TO THE NINES, AWAITING THEIR PERSONAL AUDIENCE WITH THE QUEEN OF THE SNOW, LAURA ROBINSON. CHILDREN OF ALL AGES ARE INVITED TO THIS TRULY ENCHANTING AFTERNOON, BUT MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT. THERE WILL BE TWO SEATINGS FOR THIS EVENT; 11AM AND 2PM. TICKETS ARE LIMITED AND AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE FOR JUST $5 AT MURPHY'S JEWELERS IN POTTSVILLE. BE SURE TO BE DRESSED IN YOUR FAVORITE PRINCESS ATTIRE AND REMEMBER YOUR TEA CUP!

FAMILIES OF VICTIMS MOURN

THE BRUTAL BEATING, STABBING, AND SHOOTING OF VLADIMIR RUIZ AND JUDA HOPE SUNDAY IN HAZLETON LEFT LOVED ONES MOURNING. A MEMORIAL WAS SET AT THE CRIME SCENE FOR PEOPLE TO GATHER. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS GATHERED MONDAY TO CONSOLE MIGUEL RUIZ AND HIS WIFE ON THE DEATH OF THEIR 22-YEAR-OLD SON, VLADIMIR. ANGEL SANCHEZ IS CHARGED IN RELATION TO THE KILLINGS, BUT RODOLFO HIRALDO-PEREZ IS STILL ON THE RUN.

TOM CORBETT INAUGURATION

GOV-ELECT TOM CORBETT'S INAUGURATION WILL TAKE PLACE TODAY IN HARRISBURG FOLLOWED BY THE INAUGURAL BALL. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRMAN, JOSEPH STERN ALONG WITH HIS WIFE GRETCHEN WILL HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF ATTENDING. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, SEVERAL OTHER SCHUYLKILL REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE MEMBERS WILL ALSO ATTEND THE INAUGURAL BALL AT THE PENNSYLVANIA FARM SHOW COMPLEX AND EXPO CENTER.

PA WOMAN TESTIFIES ON CAPITOL HILL

A PENNSYLVANIA WOMAN WHOSE FAMILY WAS DRIVEN TO BANKRUPTCY AFTER HER TWIN DAUGHTERS WERE DIAGNOSED WITH LEUKEMIA, IS TESTIFYING ON CAPITOL HILL TODAY. STACI RITTER SAYS MEDICAL TREATMENT WAS VERY EXPENSIVE, AND THE BILLS PILED UP WHEN AN INSURANCE COMPANY REFUSED TO PAY FOR SOME OF IT. THE U-S HOUSE IS GEARING UP TO VOTE ON A REPEAL OF THE AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE ACT, AND RITTER SAYS IT NEEDS TO STAY INTACT TO PROTECT FAMILIES LIKE HERS. RITTER SAYS HER STORY TURNS OUT BETTER THAN SOME BECAUSE SHE ATTACKED THE COMPANY PUBLICLY IN HER DAUGHTERS' CASE. RITTER WAS ABLE TO COME TO A SETTLEMENT.

POLICE CHASE

AFTER LEADING STATE POLICE FROM LYKENS ON A CHASE FRIDAY EVENING, A SACRAMENTO MAN WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED. JOSHUA LENTZ WAS CHARGED WITH MULTIPLE TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS AS WELL AS FLEEING AND ATTEMPTING TO ELUDE POLICE AND DRUG CHARGES. LENTZ TOOK POLICE ON A CHASE ON ROUTES 209 AND 225 FROM ELIZABETHVILLE TO LUZEMBURG ROAD IN DAUPHIN COUNTY. TROOPERS REPORT, LENTZ FLED AFTER THEY INITIATED A TRAFFIC STOP.

PHILADELPHIA (AP)-PHILADELPHIA POLICE HAVE ANNOUNCED THE ARREST OF A MAN THEY SAY HAS BEEN LINKED BY DNA TO THE STRANGLING DEATHS OF THREE WOMEN IN THE CITY'S KENSINGTON SECTION. ANTONIO RODRIGUEZ WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON AN UNRELATED BENCH WARRANT AFTER A CALLER PHONED IN A TIP.

PHILADELPHIA (AP)-A WINTER STORM WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR PARTS OF PENNSYLVANIA EXPECTED TO GET SNOW FOLLOWED BY FREEZING RAIN INTO TUESDAY. CARBON, MONROE, BERKS, LEHIGH, AND NORTHAMPTON COUNTIES ARE EXPECTED TO GET 3 TO 6 INCHES OF SNOW FOLLOWED BY SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN. SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA IS EXPECTED TO GET 1 TO 3 INCHES OF SNOW FOLLOWED BY SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN.

MANHEIM, PA. (AP)-A PENNSYLVANIA HIGH SCHOOL IS MOURNING THE LOSS OF FOUR TEENAGERS KILLED IN A TWO-CAR ACCIDENT OVER THE WEEKEND. A PRAYER VIGIL WAS SCHEDULED MONDAY NIGHT IN MANHEIM, LANCASTER COUNTY, IN MEMORY OF FRESHMAN DEVAUGHN LEE, SOPHOMORES NICOLAS BRYSON AND CODY HOLLINGER AND JUNIOR JOHN GRIFFITH. ALL WERE MEMBERS OF THE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM.

PHILADELPHIA (AP)-AN ADVISORY PANEL APPOINTED BY OUTGOING GOVERNOR ED RENDELL ISSUED A REPORT MONDAY ON IMPLEMENTING CHANGES MANDATED BY THE FEDERAL HEALTH CARE LAW, BUT IT WAS UNCLEAR WHAT EFFECT THE RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD HAVE ON THE NEW ADMINISTRATION TAKING OFFICE TUESDAY. THE HEALTH CARE REFORM ADVISORY COMMITTEE WAS CREATED IN JUNE BY THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR.

NEW YORK (AP)-FORECASTERS SAY THE NORTHEAST IS IN FOR ANOTHER WINTRY BLAST IN THE FORM OF SNOW, SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN. UP TO 3 INCHES OF SNOW, RAIN AND ICE THREATEN TO RUIN MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAVEL IN NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY AND CONNECTICUT. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS BOSTON COULD RECEIVE 2 TO 4 INCHES OF SNOW BEGINNING EARLY TODAY.

TUCSON, ARIZ. (AP)-THE HUSBAND OF REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS SAYS THE
PARENTS OF THE MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY SHOT HER MUST BE "HURTING IN THIS SITUATION AS MUCH AS ANYBODY." ASTRONAUT MARK KELLY MADE THE COMMENT IN AN INTERVIEW WITH ABC'S DIANE SAWYER TO BE AIRED TODAY. HE SAYS HE'D BE WILLING TO MEET WITH THEM. GIFFORDS CONTINUES TO SHOW IMPROVEMENT.

WASHINGTON (AP)-CHINESE PRESIDENT HU JINTAO IS DUE IN WASHINGTON LATER TODAY AND PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IS EXPECTED TO LEAD A WARM WELCOME, INCLUDING TOMORROW'S STATE DINNER. THE CARE AND ATTENTION BEING LAVISHED ON THIS VISIT REFLECT HOPES FOR CLOSER COOPERATION WITH THE CHINESE IN DEALING WITH ROGUE REGIMES IN NORTH KOREA AND IRAN, EVEN AS THEY PRESS BEIJING ON TRADE AND MONETARY POLICY.

BAGHDAD (AP)-IRAQI OFFICIALS SAY A SUICIDE BOMBER HAS ATTACKED A POLICE STATION WHERE RECRUITS HAD GATHERED TO APPLY FOR JOBS, KILLING AT LEAST 40 PEOPLE AND WOUNDING AT LEAST 75. A POLICEMAN IN TIKRIT SAY THE BOMBER JOINED A CROWD OF ABOUT 100 RECRUITS OUTSIDE THE STATION ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE CITY, LOCATED SOME 80 MILES NORTH OF BAGHDAD. POLICE OFFICERS ARE AMONG THE DEAD.

TOKYO (AP)-DWINDLING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN JAPAN ARE REFLECTED IN A RECORD ONE-THIRD OF JAPANESE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS SET TO GRADUATE THIS SPRING WITHOUT HAVING A JOB LINED UP. THE LATEST NUMBERS RELEASED BY THE GOVERNMENT TODAY ARE SO BAD, THEY PROMPTED OFFICIALS TO COUPLE THE REPORT WITH NEW MEASURES TO HELP JOBSEEKERS. DESPITE THAT, COMPANIES ARE POSTING ROBUST PROFITS.

TODAY'S NEWS: JANUARY 17, 2011

COURT NOT IN SESSION DUE TO HOLIDAY

THE FEDERAL TRIAL OF THREE LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS IS NOT IN SESSION TODAY IN OBERVANCE OF THE HOLIDAY. WPPA'S BRITTANY HAS MORE:

COP TRIAL

ACCOUNTS EXAMINER LEAVES POSITION

ACCOUNTS EXAMINER, BRETT CLARK, IS LEAVING HIS COUNTY POSITION BEHIND FOR A NEW JOB. HIS POSITION WAS CREATED AS PART OF A LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT BETWEEN CONTROLLER MELINDA KANTNER AND THE COMMISSIONERS JUST TWO MONTHS AGO. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, CLARK'S DEPARTURE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT LAWSUIT. CLARK TOOK A HIGHER PAYING JOB AT REST HAVEN NURSING HOME IN SCHUYLKILL HAVEN.

MAN WANTED FOR WAL-MART THEFT

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS ARE WILLING TO PAY UP TO $1,000 FOR INFORMATION ON A WANTED MAN. POLICE ARE NOW LOOKING FOR THE MAN RESPONSIBLE FOR STEALING MORE THAN $1,000 IN MERCHANDISE FROM THE SAINT CLAIR WAL-MART. POLICE REPORT ON JANUARY 4 THAT MAN ALONG WITH AN ACCOMPLICE STOLE A SONY PLAYSTATION ALONG WITH ABOUT 40 VIDEO GAMES THEN FLED IN A RED OR MAROON JEEP LIBERTY THAT HAD A STOLEN LICENSE PLATE. THE MAN IS ALSO BEING SOUGHT FOR A SIMILAR INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED AT THE COAL TOWNSHIP WAL-MART. IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION CALL CRIME STOPPERS, TOLL-FREE, AT 877-847-7472 OR SAINT CLAIR POLICE.

POLICE CAPTURE ONE SUSPECT IN DOUBLE HOMICIDE

ONE SUSPECT HAS BEEN CAPTURED BY POLICE IN A DOUBLE HOMICIDE IN HAZLETON THAT HAPPENED SUNDAY JUST BEFORE 2AM. 19-YEAR-OLD ANGEL SANCHEZ IS NOW IN CUSTODY AND CHARGED IN RELATION TO THE KILLINGS, BUT 24-YEAR-OLD RODOLFO HIRALDO-PEREZ IS STILL ON THE RUN. FOOTAGE PROVIDED BY A NEARBY RESTAURANT'S SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS HELPED PUT SANCHEZ BEHIND BARS, BUT HAZLETON POLICE ARE ASKING FOR INFORMATION ON HIRALDO-PEREZ'S WHEREABOUTS. YOU CAN REACH THEM AT 570-459-4950.


UNDERAGE DRINKING PARTY

AN UNDERAGE DRINKING PARTY FRIDAY NIGHT IN SCHUYLKILL HAVEN ENDED IN 18 CITATIONS FOR SOME UNLUCKY PARTYGOERS. THE RENTAL PROPERTY WAS OWNED BY BOROUGH COUNCILMAN JERRY BOWMAN. SCHUYLKILL HAVEN POLICE REPORT LOUD MUSIC AND A STRONG SMELL OF BEER AND MARIJUANA FILLED THE HOME. 23 PEOPLE INSIDE THE HOUSE WERE DETAINED AND PHOTOGRAPHED. CHARGES ARE PENDING.

WOMAN OVERTURNS CAR IN CRASH

A NAGS HEAD WOMAN SUFFERED MODERATE INJURIES AFTER LOOSING CONTROL OF HER VEHICLE SATURDAY AFTERNOON. POLICE REPORT, 27-YEAR-OLD ELIZABETH WALBURN WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON JAMES STREET IN KASKA WHEN A DEER ENTERED THE ROADWAY. WALBURN SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING THE DEER AND STRUCK A ROCK EMBANKMENT. HER VEHICLE THEN OVERTURNED COMING TO REST ON ALL FOUR TIRES. WALBURN WAS TAKEN TO SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER EAST BY POTTSVILLE AMBULANCE. SHE WAS TREATED AND RELEASED.

NOEL FLASTERSTEIN IS A UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION EXPERT, ATTORNEY FOR CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CASES, AND GENERAL COUNSEL FOR 2ND AMENDMENT CLUB OF AMERICA. HE SHARED HIS OPINIONS WITH US ON THE ARIZONA SHOOTING.

NOEL FLASTERSTEIN

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON NOEL FLASTERSTEIN VISIT HIS WEBSITE AT GUN RIGHTS FOR YOU .COM

STATE NEWS:

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THERE WON'T BE A PARADE TO MARK TOM CORBETT'S INAUGURATION AS PENNSYLVANIA'S 46TH GOVERNOR ON TUESDAY, BUT CORBETT AND HIS WIFE, SUSAN, WILL BEGIN THEIR DAY AT 8 A.M. AT A CATHOLIC MASS A BLOCK FROM THE CAPITOL, AND THEN CORBETT WILL TAKE HIS OATH ON THE STEPS OF THE CAPITOL. STATE SUPREME COURT CHIEF JUSTICE RONALD CASTILLE WILL ADMINISTER THE OATH.

PALMYRA, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN LEBANON COUNTY SAY FOUR TEENAGERS WERE KILLED IN A TWO-CAR CRASH ON SUNDAY. THE FOUR WERE HEADING SOUTH ON MOUNT WILSON ROAD WHEN THEIR CAR SLID SIDEWAYS AND WAS HIT BY AN ONCOMING VEHICLE AT ABOUT 11:30 A.M. THE HARRISBURG PATRIOT-NEWS SAYS THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT CONFIRMED THAT THE TEENS WERE STUDENTS AT MANHEIM CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL.

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - TWO MEN WERE ARRESTED AFTER A MAN'S BODY WAS FOUND IN THE TRUNK OF THEIR CAR FOLLOWING A POLICE PURSUIT THAT ENDED IN PENNSYLVANIA. SGT. PEDRO MEDINA SAID TRENTON OFFICERS BEGAN PURSUING THE SUSPECTS' CAR AROUND 12:55 A.M. SUNDAY, AND THEY STOPPED THEM A SHORT TIME LATER ON ROUTE 1 IN BUCKS COUNTY. WHILE SEARCHING THE CAR, OFFICERS FOUND THE BODY.

BETHLEHEM, PA. (AP) - A SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEE HAS BEEN ARRESTED ON CHARGES OF MAKING THREATS ONLINE, INCLUDING THE POSSIBILITY OF BRINGING A GUN TO SCHOOL. OFFICIALS SAID JAMES W. KELLEY OF BETHLEHEM WORKS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AT BROUGHAL MIDDLE SCHOOL IN THE BETHLEHEM AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT. HE WAS CHARGED WITH TWO FELONY TERRORISTIC THREAT COUNTS.

NATIONAL NEWS:

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF. (AP) - THE BIG WINNER AT THE GOLDEN GLOBES IS A MOVIE ABOUT A GUY WHO RILES UP EVERYONE ON CAMPUS WITH HIS NEW AND INVASIVE WEBSITE. "THE SOCIAL NETWORK," ABOUT THE FOUNDING OF FACEBOOK, WON FOR DAVID FINCHER'S DIRECTION, AARON SORKIN'S SCRIPT AND THE SCORE FROM TRENT REZNOR AND ATTICUS ROSS. THE FILM IS NOW POSITIONED AS THE FRONT-RUNNER AT THE ACADEMY AWARDS.

TUCSON, ARIZ. (AP) - DOCTORS ARE STILL EXPRESSING BOTH OPTIMISM AND CAUTION ABOUT THE REMARKABLE RECOVERY SO FAR OF ARIZONA REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS AFTER SHE WAS GRAVELY WOUNDED IN THE ARIZONA
SHOOTINGS. HER CONDITION HAS BEEN UPGRADED FROM CRITICAL TO SERIOUS. BUT DOCTORS SAY THE EXTENT OF HER RECOVERY REMAINS UNCERTAIN BECAUSE IT'S RARE FOR PEOPLE WITH GUNSHOT WOUNDS TO THE HEAD TO REGAIN ALL OF THEIR ABILITIES.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI (AP) - A NOTORIOUS FORMER DICTATOR OF HAITI, WHO FLED INTO EXILE IN 1986, HAS UNEXPECTEDLY RETURNED AMID THE ISLAND NATION'S POLITICAL CRISIS AND EARTHQUAKE RECOVERY. JEAN-CLAUDE "BABY DOC" DUVALIER (DOO-VAHL-YAY') WAS PART OF A FATHER-AND-SON DYNASTY THAT PRESIDED OVER ONE OF THE DARKEST CHAPTERS IN HAITIAN HISTORY. DUVALIER PLANS A NEWS CONFERENCE TODAY. HE HASN'T SAID YET WHY HE RETURNED.

TERESOPOLIS, BRAZIL (AP) - RENEWED RAINS IN A REGION NORTH OF RIO DE JANEIRO ARE SLOWING HELICOPTER RESCUE EFFORTS AIMED AT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE STRANDED BY MASSIVE MUDSLIDES IN BRAZIL. MEANWHILE, THE DEATH TOLL KEEPS RISING. IT'S UP TO 633 WITH THOUSANDS MORE PEOPLE HOMELESS.

BAGHDAD (AP) - THE GOVERNOR OF IRAQ'S WESTERN ANBAR PROVINCE HAS SURVIVED UNHARMED AFTER YET ANOTHER ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT-AT LEAST THE FOURTH ON THE LEADER. THE SUICIDE ATTACK TODAY LEFT SIX PEOPLE WOUNDED. THE GOVERNOR LOST AN ARM AND UNDERWENT INTENSIVE SURGERY TO REBUILD HIS LEG AFTER A SUICIDE BOMBER STRUCK HIS RAMADI OFFICE IN DECEMBER 2009.

TODAY'S NEWS: SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 2011

LOCAL NEWS

TAMAQUA MAN ARRESTED ON SEX CHARGES

A 32-YEAR OLD TAMAQUA MAN WAS JAILED THURSDAY AFTER BEING CHARGED WITH HAVING INAPPROPRIATE SEXUAL CONTACT WITH AN 11-YEAR-OLD BOY INSIDE THE TAMAQUA ABC HIGH RISE OVER A SIX MONTH PERIOD. ACCORDING TO THE REPUBLICAN AND HERALD, JOSEPH DELANEY, WHO LIVES IN APARTMENT 401 OF THE BUILDING WAS ARRAIGNED ON CHARGES OF FORCIBLE COMPULSION, INVOLUNTARY DEVIATE SEXUAL INTERCOURSE, INDECENT ASSAULT, CORRUPTION OF MINORS AND INDECENT EXPOSURE. HE WAS COMMITTED TO SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON IN LIEU OF A ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND STRAIGHT CASH BAIL.

ILLEGALS APPREHENDED AT LOCAL WORKSITE

FOUR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE ARRESTED THURSDAY WHILE WORKING AT THE EMPIRE EDUCATION GROUP CONSTRUCTION PROJECT ALONE ROUTE 61. ACCORDING TO THE REPUBLICAN AND HERALD, EMPIRE CHAIRMAN AND CEO FRANKLIN SHOENEMAN SAID FRIDAY THE SUBCONTRACTOR RESPONSIBLE WILL BE FIRED. AN ANONYMOUS CALL PLACED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES LEAD TO THE 11:15 A.M. ROUND UP. THREE OF THE FOUR WERE TURNED OVER TO IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT WHILE A FOURTH IS IN CUSTODY ON AN OUTSTANDING BENCH WARRANT IN NORTHAMPTON COUNTY AS WELL AS BEING WANTED BY FEDERAL AUTHORITIES FOR FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR DEPORTATION.

GIRARDVILLE MAN ON THE LAMB APPREHENDED

THE GIRARDVILLE MAN WHO ESCAPED FROM POLICE FOLLOWING AN ARRAIGNMENT IN FRACKVILLE LAST WEEK WAS APPREHENDED YESTERDAY IN THE BOROUGH. 33-YEAR OLD CRAIG BRENNAN WAS HOLED UP AT A FRIENDS HOUSE ON NORTH RAILROAD STREET IN FRACKVILLE. BRENNAN WAS CHARGED WITH ESCAPE, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, CRIMINAL MISCHIEF AND RESISTING ARREST IN THE INCIDENT ON JANUARY 6TH. DURING HIS GETAWAY BRENNAN PUSHED ASHLAND POLICE CHIEF ADAM BERNARDYN INTO A WALL CAUSING INJURY. HE IS BEING HELD ON ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS STRAIGHT CASH BAIL. IT IS UNCLEAR AT THIS TIME IF THE FRIEND, SHAWN DANIELS, WILL BE CHARGED WITH ANY CRIME IN AIDING A FUGITIVE.

EARLY MORNING CRASH IN CASS TOWNSHIP

A POTTSVILLE MAN WAS INJURED AND TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL FOLLOWING A CRASH FRIDAY MORNING IN CASS TOWNSHIP. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED AROUND 5:30 IN THE MORNING FRIDAY AT THE INTERSECTION OF HIGH RIDGE ROAD AND KEYSTONE BOULEVARD. POLICE SAY 29-YEAR-OLD CHRISTOPHER VALOSIN OF POTTSVILLE PULLED INTO THE PATH OF A PICK UP DRIVEN BY 43-YEAR-OLD TIMOTHY STANITIS OF ASHLAND. VALOSIN’S CAR WAS HIT BROADSIDE BY THE TRUCK. VALOSIN WAS TAKEN TO SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER SOUTH.

STATE NEWS

LAWMAKER URGES COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR MLK DAY

AS PENNSYLVANIA PREPARES TO OBSERVE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY ON MONDAY, A PHILADELPHIA LAWMAKER SAYS A GOOD WAY TO HONOR THE CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER IS BY PARTICIPATING IN COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS. HOWARD ONDICK HAS THIS REPORT.

ONDICK

GET YOUR SUBSIDENCE INSURANCE

ALTHOUGH AS MANY AS ONE-MILLION HOMES IN PENNSYLVANIA SIT ABOVE ABANDONED COAL MINES, VERY FEW HOMEOWNERS HAVE PURCHASED INSURANCE COVERAGE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AGAINST DAMAGE CAUSED BY MINE SUBSIDENCE. AS HOWARD ONDICK TELLS US, ONE STATE LAWMAKER IS URGING HOMEOWNERS TO BE SAFE RATHER THAN SORRY.

ONDICK

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The state Supreme Court is upholding the removal of Luzerne County Judge Ann Lokuta, rejecting her claims that include a request for a new hearing because of misconduct by other judges. A judicial ethics panel said Lokuta mistreated courthouse employees, failed to perform her duties and sent county workers on her personal errands.

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) - A northeastern Pennsylvania judge has declared a mistrial on some counts in the case of a man accused of causing the death of his girlfriend's 1-year-old daughter. A judge halted deliberations Friday in the capital murder trial of Lamont Cherry after learning that one juror did online research about an injury suffered by Zalayia McCloe in May 2009.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Senator Bob Casey is asking for the National Drug Intelligence Center to conduct a threat assessment on drug crime and gang activity in Pennsylvania. Casey says drug dealers are settling in smaller cities in Pennsylvania, and that drug dealers from the New York City area are targeting the northeastern part of the state.

SOMERSET, Pa. (AP) - A western Pennsylvania tire shop owner has come forward to claim a record-breaking jackpot in the state lottery. Somerset resident Ronald Flickinger won $1.57 million in the January 9th Cash 5 drawing. It is the largest single jackpot-winning ticket sold in the game's 19-year history.

NATIONAL NEWS

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama and Republicans say the government must move forward in the aftermath of the Arizona shootings that left six dead and a congresswoman critically wounded. In his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama says there are "great challenges for us to solve." For the GOP, Rep. Jeff Flake of Arizona took note that Gabrielle Giffords was shot during an outreach event -- "a fundamental duty of a lawmaker."

LAKEWOOD, N.J. (AP) - A massive manhunt continues today for a man who fled on foot after shooting and killing a police officer in Lakewood, N.J. The State Policeman's Benevolent Association is offering a $40,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and
prosecution of the suspect. Authorities say the officer was conducting a routine pedestrian stop when the man suddenly pulled a gun and opened fire.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - NATO says a dispute between a U.S. Marine and an Afghan policeman turned deadly when the Marine shot the officer in southern Afghanistan. NATO says that after the dispute, the Afghan policeman reportedly made threats which the Marine reported to his superiors. NATO says the policeman later pointed his gun at the Marine, and was shot when he refused to put the weapon down.

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) - The head of Tunisia's Constitutional Council says the country's new leader has up to 60 days to organize elections. The council head says the departure of the country's autocratic president is permanent. He fled to Saudi Arabia, touching off a wave of violence. The capital's main train station was burned to the ground, and shops have been looted

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) - Authorities in Pakistan say the shattered body of a young man found on the roof of a home apparently fell from the wheel well of a passenger plane as it flew to Dubai from Lahore. A Civil Aviation Authority spokesman says the young man had apparently hidden in the plane's landing gear. Accidents involving such stowaways have happened before and often
involve would-be economic migrants.

TODAY'S NEWS: FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2011

1:00pm COP TRIAL UPDATE:
ARIEL GARCIA TOOK THE STAND SHORTLY AFTER 9:00am. GARCIA RECOUNTED THE EVENTS FROM JULY 12, 2008, AND ANSWERED QUESTIONS REGARDING MULTIPLE STATEMENTS GIVEN TO SHENANDOAH POLICE AND SCHUYLKILL COUNTY DETECTIVES. GARCIA STATED SHE DID NOT MENTION ROXANNE RECTOR IN HER FIRST STATEMENT TO PROTECCT CRYSTAL DILLMAN, LUIS RAMIREZ FIANCE. BRIAN SCULLY TOOK THE STAND SHORTLY BEFORE NOON, AND CROSS-EXAMINATION WILL CONTINUE AFTER 2:00 THIS AFTERNOON.


TESTIMONY CONTINUES IN COP TRIAL

AFTER A LENGHTY JURY SELECTION, THE TRIAL INVOLING THREE LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS IS UNDER WAY. WPPA'S BRITTANY HAS MORE...

COP TRIAL

PPL OFFERS TOOLS TO HELP OUT CUSTOMERS

ARE YOU ONE OF THE 1.4 MILLION CUSTOMERS OF PPL ELECTRIC? IF YOU ARE, THE COMPANY IS NOW OFFERING WEB AND PHONE TOOLS TO HELP CUSTOMERS WHO NEED A PAYMENT PLAN MANAGE THEIR ACCOUNT AND MAINTAIN UNINTERRUPTED ELECTRIC SERVICE. CUSTOMERS CAN NOW COMPLETE A VARIETY OF TASKS REGARDING THEIR ACCOUNT ANYTIME, ANYWHERE! GO TO PPL ELECTRIC.COM OR CALL 1-800-342-5775 FOR HELP MANAGING YOUR ACCOUNT.

BACK TO COURT OVER AUDITOR PAYMENTS

ON THURSDAY, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ASKED A JUDGE TO COMPEL CONTROLLER MELINDA KANTNER TO PAY THE REMAINING MONEY OWED TO THE COUNTY'S EXTERNAL AUDITOR. THEY ARE REQUESTING KANTNER PAY THE LAST INSTALLMENT OF $18,000 OWED TO POTTSVILLE ACCOUNTANT SAM DEEGAN. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, DEEGAN WAS HIRED IN LATE 2009 WITH A FOUR YEAR CONTRACT. ACCORDING TO HIS CONTRACT, DEEGAN IS TO BE PAID THREE INSTALLMENTS OF $18,000 PLUS A $6,000 RETAINER FEE AFTER HIS WORK IS DONE.

BLUE MOUNTAIN SCHOOL DISTRICT TO MAKE CHANGES

ADMINISTRATORS OF THE BLUE MOUNTAIN SCHOOL DISTRICT ARE CONSIDERING A CHANGE FOR THE CRESSONA AND WEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. CREATING A PRIMARY INTERMEDIATE ELEMENTARY MODEL FOR STUDENTS IN THE CRESSONA AND WESTERN PARTS OF THE DISTRICT WAS ONE OPTION TEACHERS AND PARENTS HAVE CONSIDERED. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, THE DISTRICT IS LOOKING AT MANY WAYS TO IMPROVE ITS ELEMENTARY INSTRUCTION WHILE FACING A NEARLY $1.7 MILLION DEFICIT.

TEEN DONATES HAIR

A POTTSVILLE TEEN DONATED TEN INCHES OF HER BLONDE HAIR TO "LOCKS FOR LOVE" THURSDAY. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, 17-YEAR-OLD CHELSEA DALTON GAVE HER LOCKS TO CHILDREN SUFFERING FROM LONG-TERM MEDICAL HAIR LOSS. IT TOOK FOUR YEARS TO GROW AND JUST TWENTY-FIVE SECONDS TO CUT OFF, BUT DALTON IS GIVING BACK TO AN ORGANIZATION THAT ONCE HELPED HER. AT THE AGE OF FIVE, DALTON WAS DIAGNOSED WITH LEUKEMIA. SHE IS NOW HEALTHY AND IN REMISSION.

THE TOLL OF MEDICAL ERRORS IN PA

A NEW REPORT SAYS IN PENNSYLVANIA, AND EVERY STATE IN THE NATION, LIVES ARE BEING LOST DUE TO MEDICAL ERRORS. THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ESTIMATES 180 THOUSAND PEOPLE DIE EACH YEAR BECAUSE OF THEM. THOSE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN GOING UP STEADILY FOR A DECADE. IT CAN BE HARD FOR AFFECTED PATIENTS TO SEEK LEGAL RECOURSE AND A VERY SMALL PERCENTAGE LEAD TO LAWSUITS. A STUDY PUBLISHED IN THE NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE CONCLUDED THAT PREVIOUS HOSPITAL QUALITY INITIATIVES OVER THE PAST DECADE HAVE NOT MADE PROGRESS IN REDUCING MEDICAL ERRORS.

STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - TWO PEOPLE CONVICTED OF KILLING A MAN AND A TEENAGER IN NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA HAVE BEEN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON. ROBERT MCDOWELL AND GERALD DRUMMOND HAD FACED THE DEATH PENALTY IN THE DOUBLE HOMICIDE THAT TOOK PLACE IN JULY 2007. MCDOWELL AND DRUMMOND WERE CONVICTED LAST MONTH OF KILLING DAMIEN HOLLOWAY AND TIMOTHY CLARK.

BERWICK, PA. (AP) - THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION ASSESSED A $7,500 PENALTY AGAINST STEPHEN BODNAR OF BERWICK AFTER A FATAL TRE. BODNAR AND JAMES BERRY WERE WORKING AT THE FUTURE SITE OF THE BODNAROSA MOTEL AND CAMPGROUND IN SALEM TOWNSHIP LAST APRIL WHEN A TRENCH CAVED IN, HURTING BODNAR AND KILLING BERRY.

SHARON HILL, PA. (AP) - FIREFIGHTERS IN SHARON HILL FOUND 10 DEAD PIT BULLS AFTER PUTTING OUT A FIRE IN A GARAGE AROUND 9:30 A.M. THURSDAY, AND OFFICIALS ARE INVESTIGATING WHETHER THE STRUCTURE WAS AN ILLEGAL KENNEL. WPVI-TV REPORTS NO ONE WAS HOME AT THE TIME AND IT IS NOT YET CLEAR HOW THE FIRE STARTED.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - FEDERAL OFFICIALS HAVE FINED U.S. STEEL AND A SUBCONTRACTOR A TOTAL OF $175,000 FOR SAFETY VIOLATIONS FOUND AFTER A COKE PLANT EXPLOSION INJURED AT LEAST 15 WORKERS. THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED THURSDAY IT CITED THE COMPANIES FOLLOWING A PROBE OF THE JULY 14 EXPLOSION AT THE CLAIRTON COKE WORKS NEAR PITTSBURGH.

NATIONAL NEWS:

TUCSON, ARIZ. (AP) - DOCTORS SAY ARIZONA REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS HAS TAKEN A "LEAP FORWARD" IN HER RECOVERY. GIFFORDS IS OPENING HER EYES, MOVING HER LEGS AND ARMS AND IS RESPONDING TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY. DOCTORS SAY THEY HOPE SHE CROSSES "MANY MORE" MILESTONES.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (AP) - DEFENSE SECRETARY ROBERT GATES SAYS THERE MUST BE "CONCRETE STEPS" BY NORTH KOREA FOR NEW TALKS TO BEGIN INVOLVING THE UNITED STATES. HE SAYS THOSE STEPS INVOLVE A WILLINGNESS TO BARGAIN IN GOOD FAITH AND BACK OFF RECENT AGGRESSION AGAINST SOUTH KOREA. HE SAYS DIPLOMACY COULD START WITH DIRECT NORTH-SOUTH TALKS.

TERESOPOLIS, BRAZIL (AP) - DOZENS MORE FUNERALS WILL COME TODAY
AND ANOTHER 300 GRAVES WILL BE DUG TOMORROW IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL FOR THE HUNDREDS KILLED BY TORRENTIAL RAINS. AT LEAST 476 PEOPLE ARE KNOWN DEAD AFTER HEAVY RAINS UNLEASHED MUDSLIDES BEFORE DAWN WEDNESDAY, BURYING PEOPLE AS THEY SLEPT. RIO STATE'S CIVIL DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SAID ON ITS WEBSITE THAT ABOUT 14,000 PEOPLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN FROM THEIR HOMES.

WASHINGTON (AP) - REPUBLICANS PICK A NATIONAL PARTY CHAIRMAN WHEN THE 168 MEMBERS OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE VOTE BY SECRET BALLOT TODAY. CURRENT CHAIRMAN MICHAEL STEELE IS FIGHTING FOR SURVIVAL, SEEKING TO HOLD OFF FOUR CHALLENGERS ACCUSING HIM OF FINANCIAL MISMANAGEMENT AND POOR STEWARDSHIP DURING HIS ROCKY, TWO-YEAR TENURE.

NEW YORK (AP) - IF PROSECUTORS GET THE SENTENCE THEY REQUESTED TODAY, 93-YEAR-OLD CONVICTED MOB BOSS JOHN "SONNY" FRANZESE IS ALMOST CERTAIN TO DIE IN PRISON. THE REPUTED UNDERBOSS OF THE COLOMBO ORGANIZED CRIME FAMILY IS OLD ENOUGH THAT HE KNEW FRANK SINATRA IN HIS HEYDAY. SUPPORTERS INSIST FRANZESE, WHO SUFFERS FROM AN ARRAY OF AILMENTS, SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO "LIVE OUT THE REMAINING FEW YEARS OR MONTHS WITH HIS FAMILY."