TODAY'S NEWS-TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2011

WINTER WEATHER

A VERY LARGE STORM, FULL OF SNOW, SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN WILL CONTINUE TO SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT OUR WEATHER THROUGH MIDDAY TOMORROW. TWO WEATHER SYSTEMS ARE TO BLAME, AND THE REMNANTS OF THE STORM WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY CHALLENGING FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT DAY BEFORE TEMPS RISE AND PLAIN RAIN MOVES IN. A WINTER STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT THROUGH 1PM WEDNESDAY. PENN DOT IS URGING MOTORISTS TO AVOID UNNECESSARY TRAVEL DURING THE STORM, AND ADVISES TO PACK AN EMERGENCY KIT IN YOUR CAR IN CASE YOU GET STUCK. PPL UTILITY CREWS ARE GEARING UP FOR POTENTIAL ICING ON TREES AND POWER LINES.

UNEMPLOYMENT DROPS

NEW JOB NUMBERS FOR SCHUYLKILL COUNTY INDICATE THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HAS DROPPED TO TEN PERCENT IN DECEMBER. THAT'S A DROP OF THREE TENTHS OF A PERCENT FROM NOVEMBER, 2010. PART OF THE DROP IS ATTRIBUTED TO ADDITIONAL HIRING OF WORKERS FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON. THE DECEMBER NUMBERS ARE ALMOST A FULL PERCENT LOWER THAN THEY WERE IN DECEMBER, 2009, WHEN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY'S JOBLESS RATE WAS AT 10-POINT-9 PERCENT.

MAN FOUND DEAD IN PRISON CELL

STATE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING THE DEATH OF AN INMATE FOUND IN HIS CELL AT THE STATE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION IN FRACKVILLE. CORRECTIONS OFFICIALS SAY 52 YEAR OLD FRANK BONITA JR., HOMETOWN UNKNOWN, WAS FOUND UNCONCIOUS IN HIS CELL FRIDAY AFTERNOON. PRISON WORKERS PROVIDED FIRST AID AT THE SCENE, AND HE WAS TRANSPORTED TO ST. CATHERINE'S MEDICAL CENTER WHERE HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD. AN AUTOPSY WILL BE PERFORMED TO DETERMINE AN EXACT CAUSE OF DEATH. BONITA WAS SERVING A SENTENCE FOR RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY.

ANOTHER CANDIDATE FOR COUNTY CONTROLLER

A POTTSVILLE BUSINESSMAN AND ACCOUNTANT HAS ANNOUNCED HIS CANDIDACY FOR COUNTY CONTROLLER. THIRTY NINE YEAR OLD CHRISTY JOY, OWNER OF A CATERING BUSINESS AND CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT, WILL RUN ON THE REPUBLICAN TICKET IN THE MAY 17TH PRIMARY. DEMOCRAT MELINDA KANTNER IS THE CURRENT COUNTY CONTROLLER.

KINGSTON, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES HAVE IDENTIFIED THREE MEN KILLED IN AN EARLY MORNING HOUSE FIRE THAT ALSO INJURED A WOMAN AND A TEENAGER IN NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. THE LUZERNE COUNTY CORONER'S OFFICE SAYS 49-YEAR-OLD ERIC ADAMS, 20-YEAR-OLD ANGEL RAVERA, AND 26-YEAR-OLD WILLIAM SAEZ DIED IN THE BLAZE. OFFICIALS SAID LAURA ADAMS AND HER 18-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER ANGELICA RAVERA JUMPED OFF THE ROOF TO ESCAPE THE FIRE. ADAMS WAS TAKEN TO LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL AND ANGELICA RAVERA WAS TREATED AT GEISINGER MEDICAL CENTER AND RELEASED. NEIGHBORS TELL WNEP-TV THAT PEOPLE WERE SCREAMING FOR HELP FROM INSIDE AND ON TOP OF THE BUILDING WHILE FIREFIGHTERS FRANTICALLY TRIED TO RESCUE THEM. STATE POLICE FIRE MARSHALS ARE INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF THE BLAZE, BUT ONE SAID IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE SUSPICIOUS.

BULLYING ARRESTS

UPPER DARBY, PA. (AP) - POLICE IN A PHILADELPHIA SUBURB SAY THEY HAVE ARRESTED SIX TEENAGERS AND ARE SEEKING A SEVENTH IN CONNECTION WITH AN ASSAULT IN WHICH A 13-YEAR-OLD STUDENT WAS KIDNAPPED AND HUNG FROM A FENCE POST, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY HURT. UPPER DARBY TOWNSHIP POLICE SUPERINTENDENT MICHAEL CHITWOOD SAYS MONDAY'S ARRESTS AT UPPER DARBY HIGH SCHOOL ARE RELATED TO AN ASSAULT THAT HAPPENED JAN. 11 IN AN APARTMENT COMPLEX COURTYARD. CHITWOOD SAYS THE SUSPECTS, AGES 13 TO 17, KIDNAPPED THE VICTIM ON HIS WAY HOME FROM SCHOOL, DRAGGED HIM THROUGH THE SNOW, STUFFED HIM IN A TREE AND HUNG HIM BY HIS JACKET FROM A 7-FOOT-HIGH FENCE POST. CHITWOOD SAYS THE STUDENT DID NOT SUFFER SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURIES. POLICE HAVE NOT YET DETERMINED A MOTIVE.

CLOTHING STORE KILLING

PITTSBURGH (AP) -A SECOND MAN HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF KILLING A WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA CLOTHING STORE OWNER DURING A ROBBERY. A JURY ON MONDAY CONVICTED 22-YEAR-OLD EDWARD DIXON OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER, ROBBERY, CONSPIRACY AND A FIREARMS CRIME IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF 45-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL ROSS DURING A NOVEMBER 2008 ROBBERY OF CM&M FASHION IN PITTSBURGH. HE FACES A MANDATORY LIFE PRISON TERM WITHOUT POSSIBILITY OF PAROLE WHEN HE IS SENTENCED IN APRIL. DIXON'S UNCLE, 25-YEAR-OLD DARNELL DIXON, IS TO BE SENTENCED FEB. 15 ON CONVICTIONS OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER, CONSPIRACY AND DEFENSE ATTORNEY JAMES WYMARD ARGUED UNSUCCESSFULLY THAT THE YOUNGER DIXON WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE ROBBERY OR SHOOTING AND ONLY DROVE HIS UNCLE TO THE HOSPITAL. THE VICTIM'S FATHER, 65-YEAR-OLD FRED ROSS JR., SAID THAT SINCE HIS SON WAS DEAD AND TWO OTHER MEN WERE GOING TO PRISON FOR LIFE, "NOBODY WINS."

HARRISBURG-FINANCIAL WOES

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS LOOKING INTO WHETHER PENNSYLVANIA'S FINANCIALLY TROUBLED CAPITAL CITY PROVIDED APPROPRIATE INFORMATION TO BOND INVESTORS. A SPOKESMAN FOR HARRISBURG MAYOR LINDA THOMPSON SAID MONDAY THAT THE SEC FIRST CONTACTED THE CITY IN NOVEMBER AND OFFICIALS ARE STILL WORKING TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION TO THE FEDERAL AGENCY. SPOKESMAN CHUCK ARDO SAID THE SEC HAS ASKED THE CITY NOT TO REVEAL THE NATURE OF THE INFORMATION IT IS SEEKING. IN WASHINGTON, SEC SPOKESMAN JOHN NESTER DECLINED TO COMMENT. A TOP SEC OFFICIAL SAID IN AUGUST THAT THE AGENCY WANTS TO ENSURE STATES AND MUNICIPALITIES ARE ADEQUATELY DISCLOSING THEIR PENSION FUND LIABILITIES. HARRISBURG'S MOST PRESSING FINANCIAL PROBLEM IS RELATED TO MORE THAN $280 MILLION IN DEBT IT GUARANTEED ON THE RENOVATION OF THE CITY'S TRASH INCINERATOR.

GAS DRILLING-CONGRESS

WASHINGTON (AP) - CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATORS SAY OIL AND GAS COMPANIES HAVE INJECTED MORE THAN 32 MILLION GALLONS OF FLUIDS CONTAINING DIESEL FUEL IN A WIDELY USED TECHNIQUE KNOWN AS HYDRAULIC FRACTURING. DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS SAY THE PRACTICE BY LARGE COMPANIES, SUCH AS HALLIBURTON AND BJ SERVICES CO., APPEARS TO VIOLATE THE SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT, BECAUSE THE COMPANIES DID NOT OBTAIN NEEDED PERMITS FOR USE OF DIESEL FUEL. THE PROBE BY REP. HENRY WAXMAN, D-CALIF., FOUND NO EVIDENCE THAT THE PRACTICE CONTAMINATED WATER SUPPLIES. THE PROBE FOUND THAT 12 OF 14 COMPANIES HIRED TO PERFORM HYDRAULIC FRACTURING, ALSO KNOWN AS "FRACKING," USED DIESEL ALONE OR IN A MIXTURE FROM 2005 TO 2009. OF THE 32.2 MILLION GALLONS REPORTED, MOST WAS INJECTED IN TEXAS, FOLLOWED BY OKLAHOMA, NORTH DAKOTA, LOUISIANA AND WYOMING.

GAS DRILLING-AIR TEST

HARRISBURG (AP) -PENNSYLVANIA ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORS SAY A FOUR-WEEK STUDY OF AIR QUALITY NEAR NATURAL GAS DRILLING OPERATIONS FAILED TO TURN UP HARMFUL EMISSIONS LEVELS. THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SAID MONDAY ITS ASSESSMENT FOCUSED ON VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS TYPICALLY FOUND IN PETROLEUM PRODUCTS, AS WELL AS OTHER POLLUTANTS NEAR DRILLING SITES IN SUSQUEHANNA AND SULLIVAN COUNTIES. DEP SAYS ITS TESTING REVEALED THE MAIN CONSTITUENTS OF NATURAL GAS AND RELATED COMPOUNDS, BUT NONE AT CONCENTRATIONS THAT WOULD TRIGGER HEALTH PROBLEMS. THE AGENCY HAS RECEIVED ODOR COMPLAINTS FROM RESIDENTS DOWNWIND OF EXTRACTION AND PROCESSING SITES.

PRISON INVESTIGATION-NEWSPAPER

EASTON (AP) - A PENNSYLVANIA PROSECUTOR SAYS A NEWSPAPER'S DECISION TO RUN A STORY BASED ON A SEALED SEARCH WARRANT HAS FORCED HIM TO PULL THE PLUG ON HIS INVESTIGATION OF PRISON CORRUPTION. NORTHAMPTON COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY JOHN MORGANELLI SAID MONDAY THAT A PROBE OF AN ALLEGED $10,000-PER-MONTH SMUGGLING RING INSIDE THE COUNTY LOCKUP WAS COMPROMISED BY THE FRONT-PAGE STORY IN THE MORNING CALL OF ALLENTOWN. HE SAYS A COURT CLERK'S MISHANDLING OF THE SEALED AFFIDAVIT ALLOWED IT TO BE VIEWED BY ONE OF THE NEWSPAPER'S REPORTERS. HE SAYS ITS PUBLICATION LAST THURSDAY OVER HIS OBJECTIONS TIPPED OFF SUSPECTS AND PROMPTED PRISON INFORMANTS TO STOP COOPERATING. MORNING CALL EDITOR DAVID ERDMAN SAYS THAT MORGANELLI DID NOT "STRENUOUSLY OBJECT" TO THE STORY'S PUBLICATION, NOR DID HE ESCALATE HIS CONCERNS BEYOND A REPORTER.

LEGISLATIVE REFORMS

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - DEMOCRATS IN THE PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE SAY THEIR REPUBLICAN COUNTERPARTS AREN'T GOING TO CALL AN IMMEDIATE VOTE ON PROPOSED RULES CHANGES THAT WOULD HAVE CUT DEMOCRATS FROM LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES AND MADE IT EASIER FOR REPUBLICANS TO TURN ASIDE AMENDMENTS TO BILLS. HOUSE DEMOCRATIC SPOKESMAN BILL PATTON SAID THE DECISION WAS DISCLOSED AT A MEETING AMONG LEADERS OF BOTH PARTIES MONDAY IN THE CAPITOL. PATTON SAYS THE PLAN INSTEAD IS TO CONSIDER BILLS THE REPUBLICANS ARE PROMOTING AS PART OF THEIR PLAN TO REFORM STATE GOVERNMENT. THE PROPOSED RULES CHANGES CREATED A FUROR LAST WEEK WHEN THEY WERE PUSHED THROUGH A RAUCOUS HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE MEETING. REPUBLICAN LEADERS AREN'T COMMENTING ON THEIR PLANS FOR MONDAY'S SESSION. MONDAY'S BILLS DEAL WITH WHISTLEBLOWERS, STATE CONTRACTING AND NONPROFITS THAT LAWMAKERS RUN.

HUNTER-SUSPICIOUS DEATH

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -A SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA LAWYER CHARGED WITH KILLING A HUNTER WITH AN ILLEGAL, HIGH-POWERED RIFLE HAS WAIVED A PRELIMINARY HEARING. MONTGOMERY COUNTY LAWYER DAVID MANILLA IS OUT ON $2 MILLION BAIL IN THE DEATH OF 52-YEAR-OLD BARRY GROH OF QUAKERTOWN. PROSECUTORS SAY THE 49-YEAR-OLD MANILLA WAS CITED FOR SHOOTING A PHEASANT HUNTER IN 1994 AND IS BANNED FROM HUNTING WITH A FIREARM BECAUSE OF A 1985 FELONY ASSAULT CONVICTION. HE IS NOW CHARGED WITH INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER AND OTHER CRIMES. GROH'S FAMILY IS TRYING TO FREEZE MANILLA'S ASSETS, INCLUDING $740,000 FROM THE SALE OF HIS HUNTING PROPERTY, AS THEY PURSUE A WRONGFUL-DEATH SUIT. MANILLA'S MOTHER TESTIFIED HE HAS REPAID THE $70,000 HE CHARGED TO HER CREDIT CARDS AS HIS LAW PRACTICE FALTERED. MANILLA IS NEXT DUE IN COURT IN MARCH FOR ARRAIGNMENT.

EXPOSURE DEATH

MEDIA, PA. (AP) -OFFICIALS SAY A 91-YEAR-OLD DEMENTIA PATIENT IS DEAD AFTER WANDERING AWAY FROM A SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA HOME OVER THE WEEKEND. DELAWARE COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER IAN HOOD SAYS ANNA MAZUR DIED OF HYPOTHERMIA AFTER SHE WALKED AWAY FROM HER HOME IN MEDIA ON FRIDAY NIGHT. POLICE SAY FAMILY MEMBERS HEARD MAZUR INSIDE THE HOUSE AROUND MIDNIGHT BUT DID NOT KNOW SHE WENT OUTSIDE. HER SON DISCOVERED HER SATURDAY MORNING. HOOD RULED MAZUR'S DEATH ACCIDENTAL.

PRESERVATIONISTS TAKING TITLE OF FAMED CRUISE SHIP

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A NONPROFIT PRESERVATION GROUP IS ABOUT TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF A HISTORIC OCEAN LINER THAT CARRIED PRESIDENTS, CELEBRITIES AND IMMIGRANTS ACROSS THE ATLANTIC IN THE 1950S AND 1960S. THE SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY SAID MONDAY IT'S ACQUIRING THE TITLE OF THE LEGENDARY SHIP, WHICH HAS BEEN BERTHED IN PHILADELPHIA SINCE 1996. THE LINER GOT A REPRIEVE FROM SCRAPPING WHEN PHILANTHROPIST H.F. "GERRY" LENFEST IN JULY PROMISED $5.8 MILLION SO PRESERVATIONISTS COULD BUY IT FROM NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE AND ITS PARENT COMPANY AND MAINTAIN IT FOR 20 MONTHS. SINCE THEN, THE CONSERVANCY HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ON A PLAN FOR REMOVING HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS FROM THE SHIP. THEY SAID THE EPA IS SATISFIED WITH THEIR PLAN, SO THE SALE CAN GO THROUGH. THE SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY IS RELEASING MORE DETAILS WHEN THE DEAL BECOMES OFFICIAL TUESDAY.

PENN ST-NIKE DONATION

STATE COLLEGE, PA. (AP)- NIKE, INC., IS GIVING $400,000 TO PENN STATE'S LIBRARIES IN HONOR OF HALL OF FAME COACH JOE PATERNO'S MILESTONE 400TH WIN. PATERNO AND HIS WIFE, SUE, HAVE BEEN STAUNCH SUPPORTERS OF THE LIBRARIES, AND ONE OF THE SCHOOL'S MAIN LIBRARIES IS NAMED AFTER THE FAMILY. LIBRARIES DEAN BARBARA DEWEY SAID MONDAY THE DONATION WILL IN PART HELP PAY FOR RENOVATIONS AND TECHNOLOGICAL UPGRADES. THE PATERNOS HAVE CONTRIBUTED MORE THAN $4 MILLION TO THE SCHOOL DURING JOEPA'S 45-YEAR CAREER, INCLUDING AID FOR THE LIBRARIES. WIN NO. 400 FOR THE 84-YEAR-OLD PATERNO CAME IN NOVEMBER WHEN THE NITTANY LIONS RALLIED FROM THREE TOUCHDOWNS DOWN TO BEAT NORTHWESTERN 35-21. PENN STATE WON ONE MORE GAME IN 2010 TO GIVE PATERNO 401 CAREER VICTORIES, MOST AMONG MAJOR COLLEGE COACHES.

SUPER BOWL-THEY'RE HERE

STEELERS ARRIVE IN PLAYFUL MOOD

FORT WORTH, TEXAS (AP) -THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS ARRIVED AT THE SUPER BOWL IN A PLAYFUL MOOD, SNAPPING PHOTOS ON THEIR CELL PHONES AND WEARING EVERYTHING FROM MICHIGAN STATE JERSEYS TO FULL COWBOY GARB. A HALF-DOZEN PLAYERS ATTENDED A NEWS CONFERENCE MONDAY; THE GREEN BAY PACKERS WERE ARRIVING LATER IN THE DAY. BEN ROETHLISBERGER HELD HIS MOBILE PHONE HIGH AND TOOK PHOTOS OF THE SIX-DEEP PACK OF REPORTERS AT HIS PODIUM. HINES WARD WENT THE "TRUE GRIT" ROUTE, DECKED OUT IN BLACK COWBOY HAT, BELT BUCKLE AND JEANS. ROETHLISBERGER EXPLAINED IT ALL THIS WAY: "HEY, IT'S THE SUPER BOWL. IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE FUN." THE OFFENSIVE LINEMEN PAID TRIBUTE TO TACKLE FLOZELL ADAMS, WHO SPENT A DOZEN SEASONS AS A DALLAS COWBOY. THEY WORE HIS NO. 76 MICHIGAN STATE SHIRT AS THEY DEPLANED.

ST. LOUIS (AP) - AIRLINES HAVE CANCELED THOUSANDS OF FLIGHTS AND RESIDENTS HAVE RUSHED TO GATHER SUPPLIES AHEAD OF A MONSTER WINTER
STORM THAT COULD BE BIGGER THAN MANY IN THE NATION'S MIDSECTION
HAVE SEEN IN YEARS. WITH TWO FEET OF SNOW FORECAST IN SOME AREAS,
PEOPLE STOCKED UP ON EVERYTHING FROM SNOW SHOVELS AND BACKUP
GENERATORS TO BOTTLED WATER AND BREAD.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (AP) - HOSPITAL PATIENTS ARE BEING EVACUATED TO SAFETY BY MILITARY HELICOPTERS AS NORTHEAST AUSTRALIA AWAITS THE LATEST POTENTIAL WEATHER DISASTER. AUTHORITIES HAVE NOW ORDERED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE LIVING LOW-LYING COASTAL AREAS TO FLEE A POWERFUL, "LIFE-THREATENING" CYCLONE ROARING TOWARD THE WATERLOGGED REGION. IT'S EXPECTED TO HIT TOMORROW.

CAIRO (AP) - ORGANIZERS ARE HOPING FOR A MILLION ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTERS IN EGYPT TODAY WHILE AUTHORITIES TRY TO THWART THEIR PLANS BY SHUTTING DOWN ALL ROADS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO CAIRO. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE CONVERGING ON THE HEART OF CAIRO TO DEMAND THE OUSTER OF PRESIDENT HOSNI MUBARAK AFTER NEARLY 30 YEARS IN POWER. HE'S BLAMED BY MANY FOR IGNORING THE NEEDS OF THE POOR AND ALLOWING RAMPANT CORRUPTION.

CAIRO (AP) - THE COMING DAYS SHOULD SEE EVEN MORE FOREIGNERS FLEEING EGYPT, INCLUDING AMERICANS. THE STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT EXPECTS TO FLY ABOUT 1,400 AMERICANS OUT AFTER EVACUATING MORE THAN 1,200 ALREADY. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN P.J. CROWLEY SAYS THE EVACUEES WILL HEAD TO EITHER CYPRUS, GREECE OR TURKEY.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS (AP) - LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN TEXAS ARE KEEPING WATCH FOR A DIFFERENT KIND OF OUT-OF-TOWN VISITOR FOR SUPER BOWL WEEKEND -- PIMPS SELLING CHILDREN FOR SEX. CITIES THAT HOST THE BIG GAME OFTEN ATTRACT A BUSTLING SEX TRADE AND TEXAS AUTHORITIES AND ADVOCACY GROUPS ARE STEPPING UP THEIR ANTI-PROSTITUTION EFFORTS. VOLUNTEERS HAVE BEEN CANVASSING NEIGHBORHOODS, DISTRIBUTING DOOR HANGARS AND POSTERS WITH INFORMATION.