LOCAL NEWS: THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2011

FIRE LEAVES RYAN TOWNSHIP COUPLE HOMELESS

A FIRE WEDNESDAY MORNING IN RYAN TOWNSHIP LEFT TWO PEOPLE HOMELESS. THE BLAZE DESTROYED THE MOBILE HOME OF JOHN AND SALLY URBAN WHO WERE AWAKENED BY THE SMELL OF SMOKE. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THE COUPLE HAS LIVED IN THE HOME FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS AND DOES NOT HAVE INSURANCE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE AMERICAN RED CROSS IS NOW HELPING THE URBANS WITH CLOTHING AND SHELTER.

DANCE INTO SPRING AT SWEET ARROW LAKE

IT'S TIME TO BANISH THE WINTER BLUES FOR GOOD BY GETTING YOUR GROOVE ON. WPPA'S JASMINE BROOKS HAS THE DETAILS ON HOW:

DANCE

FIREARMS RECOVERED FROM AUBURN MAN

AN AUBURN MAN REMAINS BEHIND BARS IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON AFTER POLICE FOUND TWO LOADED GUNS, HE WAS NOT PERMITTED TO HAVE, DURING A TRAFFIC STOP. POLICE PULLED OVER 56-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL LUCAS WEDNESDAY MORNING AFTER HE WAS WEAVING IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC ON STATE ROUTE 443. LUCAS CONFRONTED TROOPERS AND WAS THEN RESTRAINED BY THEIR TASER GUNS. A SEARCH WARRANT WAS OBTAINED FOR LUCAS’S RESIDENCE AFTER HE TOLD POLICE HE HAD MORE GUNS AT HOME. AN ADDITIONAL TWENTY LONG GUNS, TWO HANDGUNS AND AN ASSORTMENT OF AMMUNITION WERE RECOVERED. AMONG OTHER CHARGES, LUCAS FACES TWO COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND 24 COUNTS OF PERSONS NOT TO POSSESS A FIRE ARM. BAIL WAS SET AT $100,000 STRAIGHT CASH BAIL.

T102/WPPA-CAREER LINK JOB FAIR

IT WAS A SUCCESSFUL DAY AT THE T102/WPPA-CAREER LINK JOB FAIR, JASMINE BROOKS HAS MORE:

JOB FAIR

TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY TO CONTROL STS

THE SCHUYLKILL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY WILL ASSUME COMPLETE CONTROL OF STS TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT. THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVED THE TERMINATION OF THE MANAGEMENT CONTRACT WITH THE REDCO GROUP WEDNESDAY. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THERE WILL BE NO LAYOFFS OR CUTS DUE TO THE NEW MANAGEMENT ASSUMING CONTROL. THE AUTHORITY BOARD IS ALSO CONVERTING OVER THE UNION AGREEMENT, BENEFITS AND RETIREMENT PLANS FOR STS’ 58 EMPLOYEES.

STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA HAS PLACED TWO RETIRED PRIESTS ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE, BRINGING TO 23 THE NUMBER OF PRIESTS SUSPENDED FOLLOWING A SCATHING GRAND JURY REPORT THAT ACCUSED CHURCH OFFICIALS OF PROTECTING PREDATOR PRIESTS. CARDINAL JUSTIN RIGALI PLACED THE UNIDENTIFIED PRIESTS ON LEAVE PENDING AN INVESTIGATION.

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - A PENNSYLVANIA BUS COMPANY INVOLVED IN A DEADLY NEW JERSEY CRASH HAS BEEN TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HAS ANNOUNCED THE FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION HAS TAKEN AWAY PERMISSION FOR SUPER LUXURY TOURS TO OPERATE. A BUS OPERATED BY THE WILKES-BARRE COMPANY CRASHED ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE ON MARCH 14TH.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - APPROVAL OF ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS AND PUNISHMENT AIMED AT MARCELLUS SHALE DRILLING OPERATORS MUST NOW GO THROUGH TOP OFFICIALS IN GOVERNOR TOM CORBETT'S DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. THE AGENCY TELLS THE PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE THE CHANGE IS AIMED AT IMPROVING ITS CONSISTENCY IN HANDLING THE RAPIDLY GROWING INDUSTRY.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - SIX UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN PITTSBURGH ATTEMPTED TO MATCH WITS WITH IBM'S "JEOPARDY!"-PLAYING COMPUTER KNOWN AS WATSON YESTERDAY AND LOST BADLY IN A MOCK GAME SHOW. CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH HOSTED A SYMPOSIUM WEDNESDAY FEATURING A DISCUSSION OF THE CAPABILITIES OF WATSON.

NATIONAL NEWS:

BRUSSELS (AP) - THE U.S. LEAD ROLE IN AIR OPERATIONS OVER LIBYA HAS OFFICIALLY ENDED. NATO SAYS IT HAS TAKEN OVER ALL AIR OPERATIONS OVER LIBYA AS OF 2 A.M., EASTERN TIME. THE OPERATION - CODENAMED UNIFIED PROTECTOR - NOW INCLUDES ENFORCEMENT OF THE NO-FLY ZONE, MAINTAINING THE ARMS EMBARGO ON LIBYA, AND THE PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS FROM ATTACKS BY MOAMMAR GADHAFI'S MILITARY.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A SENIOR U.S. INTELLIGENCE OFFICIAL SAYS BATTLEFIELD SETBACKS ARE HARDENING THE U.S. VIEW THAT THE POORLY EQUIPPED LIBYAN OPPOSITION MAY NEED DECISIVE WESTERN INTERVENTION TO PREVAIL. THE WHITE HOUSE IS DEBATING WHETHER TO ARM THE REBELS, BUT SMALL TEAMS OF CIA OPERATIVES ARE IN LIBYA AND HELPED RESCUE A CREW MEMBER OF A U.S. FIGHTER JET THAT CRASHED.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A TEA PARTY RALLY IS SET FOR TODAY ON CAPITOL HILL TO URGE REPUBLICANS TO ACCEPT NO COMPROMISE ON CUTTING SPENDING FOR THE REST OF THIS FISCAL YEAR. SOME TEA-PARTY-BACKED GOP LAWMAKERS WANT THE ORIGINAL $100 BILLION IN PROPOSED CUTS. CONGRESSIONAL NEGOTIATORS ARE WORKING ON A ROUGHLY $33 BILLION PROPOSAL. THE HOUSE PASSED $60 BILLION IN CUTS LAST MONTH. THERE'S AN APRIL 8 DEADLINE.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A BILL EXPECTED TO CLEAR THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE IS INTENDED TO USE TAX LAW TO CURB ABORTIONS. THE MEASURE WOULD LIMIT TAX BREAKS FOR INSURANCE POLICIES THAT COVER THE PROCEDURE. SUPPORTERS SAY CURRENT LAW DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH IN ENSURING THAT NO TAX MONEY IS USED TO SUBSIDIZE ABORTIONS. THE BILL FACES STRONG OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE.

BRUSSELS (AP) - MICROSOFT IS TURNING UP THE HEAT ON GOOGLE BY FILING A COMPLAINT WITH EUROPEAN UNION COMPETITION REGULATORS. THE FILING ADDS TO AN EXISTING PROBE INTO WHETHER THE SEARCH ENGINE DISCRIMINATES AGAINST COMPETITORS. THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION IS INVESTIGATING HOW GOOGLE LISTS COMPETITORS IN ITS SEARCH RESULTS IN NOVEMBER, FOLLOWING COMPLAINTS FROM SEVERAL SMALLER WEB COMPANIES.

TODAY'S NEWS: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2011

WPPA/T-102 CAREERLINK JOB FAIR

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR NEW EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES OR A SOON TO GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR STOP BY THE WPPA/T102-CAREER LINK JOB FAIR TODAY. WPPA'S JAMSINE BROOKS HAS MORE:

CAREER FAIR

POTTSVILLE MAN FACES CHARGES ON HITTING POLICE CRUISES

A POTTSVILLE MAN APPEARED IN COURT TUESDAY FOR A PRELIMINARY HEARING ON CHARGES OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, FLEEING OR ATTEMPTING TO ELUDE POLICE, CRIMINAL MISCHIEF, AND OTHER RELATED CHARGES. 34-YEAR-OLD SCOTT GLUNZ INJURED FOUR POTTSVILLE POLICE OFFICERS FEBRUARY 24 AFTER REPEATEDLY DRIVING HIS VEHICLE INTO TWO POLICE CRUISERS WHEN THEY ARRIVED AFTER RECEIVING A DOMESTIC DISPUTE CALL TO HIS HOME. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THAT SENIOR MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGE MICHAEL MYCHAK REFUSED TO LOWER BAIL DUE TO THE VIOLENT NATURE OF THE CRIME AND GLUNZ IS BEING HELD IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON IN LIEU OF $25,000 STRAIGHT CASH BAIL.

CRASH LEAVES 3 INJURED

THREE PEOPLE FROM SCHUYLKILL COUNTY SUFFERED MODERATE INJURIES AFTER A CRASH TUESDAY AFTERNOON IN NORTH MANHEIM TOWNSHIP. 54-YEAR-OLD DIANE WARD OF ORWIGSBURG WAS HIT BY 54-YEAR-OLD ROBERT MCCLINTOCK OF SELTZER ON STATE HIGHWAY 61 AT THE INTERSECTION WITH SOUTH LIBERTY STREET. MCCLINTOCK WAS TRAVELING WITH 52-YEAR-OLD KIM HOLLEY. ALL THREE WERE TREATED AT SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER-SOUTH JACKSON STREET.

HAVEN MAN CHARGED WITH SEX ACTS AGAINST MINOR

A SCHUYLKILL HAVEN MAN HEADED BACK TO COURT TUESDAY AFTER A JUDGE RULED PROSECUTORS PRESENTED ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT CHARGES HE RAPED AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTED A BOY OVER A FOUR-YEAR PERIOD. 36-YEAR-OLD JOSEPH CURRY WAS CHARGED WITH THREE COUNTS EACH OF INVOLUNTARY DEVIATE SEXUAL INTERCOURSE AND AGGRAVATED INDECENT ASSAULT AMONG OTHER RELATED CHARGES. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGE JAMES FERRIER REFUSED A REQUEST BY CURRY’S LAWYER TO REDUCE BAIL. CURRY WAS RETURNED TO PRISON IN LIEU OF $200,000 STRAIGHT CASH BAIL.

STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE NATIONAL VICTIMS GROUP SNAP HAS RELEASED A PREVIOUSLY UNDISCLOSED GRAND JURY REPORT FROM 2003 ON SEXUALLY ABUSIVE PRIESTS IN PHILADELPHIA. THE PHILADELPHIA ARCHDIOCESE DECLINED COMMENT DUE TO A GAG ORDER.

CONFLUENCE, PA. (AP) - A MAN ACCUSED OF TRYING TO ABDUCT AN 11-YEAR-OLD GIRL FROM A SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SKI RESORT EARLIER THIS MONTH IS HEADING TO TRIAL. TWENTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD JUSTIN WEBER OF THE PITTSBURGH-AREA BOROUGH OF PLUM WAIVED A PRELIMINARY HEARING YESTERDAY. POLICE ALLEGE THAT WEBER TRIED TO TAKE THE GIRL FROM SEVEN SPRINGS MOUNTAIN RESORT ON MARCH 6TH.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THE SPEAKER OF THE PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IS PUSHING FOR A BILL TO START THE LENGTHY PROCESS NEED TO REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE 203-MEMBER CHAMBER BY ABOUT 25 PERCENT. SPEAKER SAM SMITH HAS INTRODUCED LEGISLATION THAT HE SAYS WILL MAKE THE CHAMBER'S DELIBERATIONS MORE EFFICIENT.

NORRISTOWN, PA. (AP) - A SECOND PETITIONER HAS ASKED A JUDGE TO REOPEN A CONTENTIOUS CASE INVOLVING THE RELOCATION OF A MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR ART COLLECTION TO PHILADELPHIA. THE FILING MADE PUBLIC BY CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA LAWYER RICHARD FEUDALE ARGUES THAT DISMANTLING THE BARNES FOUNDATION VIOLATES THE STATE'S OBLIGATION TO PRESERVE THE "HISTORIC AND ESTHETIC VALUES OF THE ENVIRONMENT."

NATIONAL NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYS THE "NOOSE IS TIGHTENING" AROUND LIBYA'S MOAMMAR GADHAFI AND THE POSSIBILITY OF ARMING LIBYAN REBELS HASN'T BEEN RULED OUT. THE REBELS ARE AGAIN TAKING A BEATING FROM FORCES LOYAL TO GADHAFI. LOYALISTS USED TANKS AND ROCKETS TO FORCE REBELS TO RETREAT AFTER A RAPID ADVANCE HELPED BY INTERNATIONAL AIR STRIKES.

TOKYO (AP) - RADIATION IN SEAWATER NEAR A CRIPPLED JAPANESE NUCLEAR PLANT CONTINUES TO RISE. OFFICIALS SAY THE SEAWATER RADIATION LEVEL IS MORE THAN 3,300 TIMES NORMAL -- THE HIGHEST IT'S BEEN SO FAR. MEANWHILE, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UTILITY COMPANY THAT OWNS THE PLANT IS IN THE HOSPITAL WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE SENATE IS SCHEDULED TO VOTE TODAY ON A REPUBLICAN-BACKED PLAN THAT WOULD BAR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY FROM REGULATING GREENHOUSE GASES. ENVIRONMENTALISTS ARE DOING THEIR BEST TO DEFEAT THE MEASURE, SAYING THE GOVERNMENT MUST CURB GASES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO GLOBAL WARMING. MANY BUSINESSES SUPPORT IT, SAYING REGULATIONS COST TOO MUCH.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION IS TAKING A LOOK AT A POSSIBLE LINK TO HYPERACTIVITY IN CHILDREN. AT A TWO-DAY MEETING STARTING TODAY, AN FDA ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL DECIDE WHETHER AVAILABLE DATA LINKS DYES FOUND IN EVERYDAY FOODS TO THE DISORDER. THE PANEL WILL RECOMMEND WHETHER THE AGENCY SHOULD FURTHER STUDY THE ISSUE OR REQUIRE BETTER LABELING.

UNDATED (AP) - AIRLINES LOST GROUND LAST YEAR IN GETTING CHECKED LUGGAGE TO ARRIVE ON TIME. EUROPEAN AIRLINES LED THE DECLINE, WHILE U.S. CARRIERS ACTUALLY SAW A SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT. ACCORDING TO AN AVIATION COMMUNICATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY PROVIDER, ABOUT 29.4 MILLION BAGS LAST YEAR DIDN'T ARRIVE ON THE SAME FLIGHT AS THEIR OWNERS. THAT'S ABOUT 12 MISHANDLED BAGS FOR EVERY 1,000 PASSENGERS.

TODAY'S NEWS: TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2011

WANTED FUGITIVE CAPTURED IN BERKS CO

STATE POLICE AT READING, US MARSHALLS AND PENNSYLVANIA STATE PATROL CAPTURED A WANTED FUGITIVE MONDAY MORNING IN READING. POLICE REPORTED 26-YEAR OLD MARQUES REAVES WAS WANTED IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY ON TWO OUTSTANDING WARRANTS AFTER HITTING A POTTSVILLE POLICE OFFICER WITH HIS VEHICLE WHILE FLEEING A TRAFFIC STOP ON MARCH 4TH AND ON MARCH 20TH FLEEING STATE POLICE NEAR FRACKVILLE BORO WHERE HE TOOK OFF ON FOOT. REAVES WAS RETURNED TO SCHUYLKILL COUNTY AND WAS COMMITTED TO SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON WHERE HE FACES CHARGES OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, FLEEING AND ELUDING, AND PAROLE VIOLATIONS.

TOBASH TO HOLD OFFICE HOURS IN TREMONT

REPRESENTATIVE MIKE TOBASH WILL HOLD OFFICE HOURS AT TREMONT BOROUGH'S GRIFFITHS COMMUNITY ROOM ON THURSDAY, MARCH 31 AND WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13. STAFF WILL BE ON HAND TO HELP WITH ANY STATE-RELATED ISSUES OR CONCERNS. THEY WILL BE PREPARED SPECIFICALLY TO HELP AREA SENIOR CITIZENS WITH FILLING OUT THEIR PROPERTY TAX/RENT REBATE APPLICATIONS. FOR MORE INFORMATION YOU CAN VISIT REPTOBASH.COM.

SENATORS TO HEAR ABOUT AREA DISEASE CLUSTERS

THE SENATE ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE WILL HEAR TESTIMONY ON THE PROPOSED U.S SENATE BILL 76 TODAY IN WASHINGTON. THE "DISEASE CLUSTER ACT" FOCUSES ON CONFIRMING DISEASE CLUSTERS AND FINDING THEIR CAUSES. DISEASE CLUSTERS HAVE SICKENED A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN 13 STATES WHICH INCLUDE 42 CLUSTERS. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS TWO OF THOSE DISEASE CLUSTERS REPRESENT PEOPLE IN SCHUYLKILL, CARBON AND LUZERNE COUNTIES. A 2008 STUDY SHOWED A BLOOD DISEASE HAS AFFECTED OVER 33 PEOPLE IN THESE COUNTIES WHERE RESIDENTS POINT OUT A NEARBY TOXIC WASTE DUMPING SITE USED IN THE LATE 1970’S. A SECOND REPORT FROM 2004 SHOWS ANOTHER CLUSTER THAT APPEARED WHERE 12 EMPLOYEES OF THE LUZERNE INTERMEDIATE IU18 WERE DIAGNOSED WITH LUPUS AND NON-HODGKINS LYMPHOMA. IN THIS CASE LEVELS OF T-C-E 10,000 HIGHER THAN ACCEPTABLE WERE TRACED TO A CLEANING SOLVENT ROUTINELY SPILLED ONTO CARPETS. IF THE LEGISLATION BEING PROPOSED TODAY PASSED IT WOULD FUND RESEARCH TO DETERMINE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE DISEASE CLUSTER AND ENVIROMENTAL CONTAMINATS.

COPPER THEFT IN AND AROUND COUNTY

MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THEFT OF COPPER PIPE AND WIRE HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN AND AROUND THE AREA IN RECENT WEEKS. STATE POLICE AT HAMBURG REPORT THE MAJORITY OF COPPER PIPING FROM A FARMHOUSE IN PERRY TOWNSHIP, BERKS COUNTY STOLEN BETWEEN MARCH 22ND AND 27TH, AND STATE POLICE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN ARE INVESTIGATING THE THEFT OF COPPER WIRING OVERNIGHT SUNDAY FROM THE LEBANON WATER AUTHORITY BUILDING LOCATED IN PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP. STATE POLICE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN ARE ASKING ANYONE WITH INFORMATION TO CONTACT THEM.

DUI CHECKPOINTS INTO APRIL

THE NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT DUI TASK FORCE ANNOUNCED MONDAY THAT SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTS AND ROVING DUI PATROLS WILL BE PRESENT ON MANY ROUTES IN OUR AREA THROUGH APRIL 4TH. THE SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTS ARE PART OF THE NORTH CENTRAL PA REGIONAL SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT AND EXPANDED DUI/UNDERAGE DRINKING ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM FUNDED THROUGH PENNDOT AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. THE NORTH CENTRAL HIGHWAY SAFETY NETWORK WANTS TO REMIND DRIVERS IF THEY SUSPECT A DRUNK DRIVER TO DIAL 911 AND TO REPORT UNDERAGE DRINKING TO 1-888-UNDER 21.

WPPA/CAREER LINK JOB FAIR

OVER THIRTY LOCAL BUSINESSES, WHO ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING TO HIRE, WILL BE AT THE WPPA/T102-CAREER LINK JOB FAIR HELD AT THE FAIRLANE VILLAGE MALL THIS WEDNESDAY. STOP BY ANYTIME FROM 10AM TO 6PM TO SPEAK WITH REPRESENTATIVES THAT WILL BE ON HAND TO DISCUSS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. APPLICATIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE SPOT TO ALL JOB SEEKERS.

STATE NEWS:

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A LEADER OF THE UNION THAT REPRESENTS MOST EMPLOYEES OF STATE-OWNED LIQUOR AND WINE STORES SAYS THEY DO A BETTER JOB OF COLLECTING TAXES AND PREVENTING UNDERAGE DRINKING THAN PRIVATE BUSINESSES WOULD DO. WENDELL YOUNG OF THE UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS UNION SAYS STATE STORES HAVE A REPUTATION
FOR ENFORCING THE LAW THAT DISCOURAGES UNDERAGE PEOPLE FROM TRYING TO BUY LIQUOR.

SCRANTON, PA. (AP) - AN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA JUDGE HAS APPROVED THE $150 MILLION SALE OF SCRANTON'S MERCY HOSPITAL AND AFFILIATED FACILITIES TO COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES. THE DECISION IS THE LAST FORMAL STEP IN THE SALE OF HOSPITALS IN SCRANTON, NANTICOKE AND TUNKHANNOCK ALONG WITH SOME OUTPATIENT CLINICS TO THE FOR-PROFIT COMPANY.

SOMERSET, PA. (AP) - TESTIMONY HAS BEGUN IN THE TRIAL OF A MAN ACCUSED OF HAVING KILLED HIS WIFE THREE DECADES AGO IN SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA. DISTRICT ATTORNEY JERRY SPANGLER TOLD THE SOMERSET COUNTY JURY THAT JOHN DAWSON HAD THE MOTIVE AND THE MEANS TO KILL KATHERINE DAWSON. AUTHORITIES SAY THE 30-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WAS BEATEN TO DEATH WITH A BLACKJACK AND PUT IN A CAR SET ABLAZE IN NOVEMBER 1981.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - OFFICIALS SAY SHARPSHOOTERS HAVE KILLED 600 DEER AT VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK, OR NEARLY HALF OF THE PARK'S ESTIMATED DEER POPULATION. NATIONAL PARK SERVICE OFFICIALS SAY THE FIRST YEAR OF THE FOUR-YEAR CULLING PROGRAM HAS SENT MORE THAN NINE TONS OF MEAT TO FOOD BANKS.

NATIONAL NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE HUNT IS ALREADY ON FOR TREATMENTS TO HELP PEOPLE EXPOSED TO LARGE AMOUNTS OF RADIATION AS PART OF THE NATION'S PREPARATIONS AGAINST A TERRORIST ATTACK. BUT EXPERTS SAY JAPAN'S NUCLEAR EMERGENCY HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED TO CLOSE A BIG MEDICAL GAP SOONER. FEW TREATMENTS ACTUALLY EXIST TO FIGHT RADIATION EXPOSURE AND SOME IN THE PIPELINE COULD BE A LONG WAY OFF.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION OF HOW READY U.S. NUCLEAR PLANTS ARE FOR A LENGTHY BLACKOUT LIKE THE ONE IN JAPAN IS IT DEPENDS. A LONG BLACKOUT COULD MEAN A RADIATION RELEASE. BUT CHANCES ARE REMOTE THAT A U.S. NUCLEAR POWER PLANT WOULD HAVE THE SORT OF CRISIS FACING JAPAN. HOWEVER, AN ASSOCIATED PRESS
INVESTIGATION FINDS THAT SOME NUCLEAR PLANTS ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO DANGERS FROM A POWER FAILURE THAN OTHERS.

LONDON (AP) - A SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL SAYS THE U.S. WANTS TO IMPROVE TIES WITH LEADERS OF THE LIBYAN REBELS. THE OFFICIAL SAYS AMERICAN DIPLOMAT CHRIS STEVENS WILL TRAVEL TO THE REBEL STRONGHOLD OF BENGHAZI IN THE COMING DAYS TO ESTABLISH BETTER TIES WITH GROUPS SEEKING TO OUST LONGTIME LIBYAN LEADER MOAMMAR GADHAFI. THE MOVE DOES NOT MEAN FORMAL RECOGNITION OF THE REBELS.

CAMP SPRINGS, MD. (AP) - FORECASTERS SAY ANOTHER STORM IS BREWING OVER TEXAS THAT COULD QUICKLY MOVE INTO THE DEEP SOUTH AND THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES. THE NATIONAL FORECAST DESK IN CAMP SPRINGS, MARYLAND, SAYS THE SYSTEM WILL PRODUCE SOME HEAVY
THUNDERSTORMS, AND A RAIN-SNOW MIX FARTHER NORTH. EVEN THOUGH SPRING BEGAN MORE THAN A WEEK AGO, FORECASTERS SAY THE NORTHERN TIER WILL STAY COLD, WITH FORECAST LOWS REACHING ZERO IN SOME PLACES.

MADISON, WIS. (AP) - A WISCONSIN COURT HEARING TODAY COULD HEP DETERMINE WHETHER A NEW LAW ELIMINATING MOST OF STATE WORKERS' COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS HAS GONE INTO EFFECT. REPUBLICAN GOV. SCOTT WALKER'S ADMINISTRATION INSISTS IT HAS, BECAUSE IT WAS PUBLISHED. OTHER STATE AND MUNICIPAL LEADERS DISPUTE THAT BECAUSE OF A COURT ORDER AGAINST THE OFFICIAL PUBLISHING.

TODAY'S NEWS: MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2011

WPPA/CAREER LINK JOB FAIR

OVER THIRTY LOCAL BUSINESSES, WHO ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING TO HIRE, WILL BE AT THE WPPA/CAREER LINK JOB FAIR HELD AT THE FAIRLANE VILLAGE MALL THIS WEDNESDAY. STOP BY ANYTIME FROM 10AM TO 6PM TO SPEAK WITH REPRESENTATIVES THAT WILL BE ON HAND TO DISCUSS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. APPLICATIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE SPOT TO ALL JOB SEEKERS.

MAHANOY TOWNSHIP FAMILY IN NEED OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT

THE FRIENDS OF A MAHANOY TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR, WHO RECENTLY RECEIVED A KIDNEY-LIVER TRANSPLANT, ARE COMING TOGETHER TO RAISE MONEY FOR HIM AND HIS FAMILY. AFTER A LENGTHY ILLNESS, 60-YEAR-OLD TIM BRADBURY RECEIVED THE TRANSPLANT SURGERY HE NEEDED. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS BRADBURY IS NOW RECUPERATING FROM THE SURGERY ALONG WITH HIS WIFE AND SON WHO DONATED THE NEEDED ORGANS. A SPAGHETTI DINNER HAS BEEN ORGANIZED TO HELP TO THE FAMILY DEFRAY MEDICAL COSTS. THE DINNER WILL BE HELD FROM 4 TO 7PM ON APRIL 6 AT THE GOOD AMERICAN HOSE COMPANY WHERE BRADBURY IS A 30-YEAR MEMBER. ADVANCE TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE MAHANOY TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS' OFFICE. MONETARY DONATIONS ARE ALSO BEING ACCEPTED.

ACCIDENTAL FIRE CRITICALLY INJURES ONE

MAR LIN CITIZENS HOSE COMPANY RESPONDED TO A FIRE FRIDAY AFTERNOON AFTER A NEIGHBOR REPORTED THE FIRE AND RESCUED THE VICTIM. POLICE REPORT 50-YEAR-OLD JEFFREY ADAMS, OF 305 BEECHWOOD AVE, MAR LIN, WAS PULLED FROM THE SMOKE FILLED HOME AFTER HIS SON CONTACTED NEIGHBOR MICHAEL TURNITSKA TO FIND THE VICTIM. ADAMS SUFFERED INJURIES AND WAS LAST REPORTED IN CRITICAL, BUT STABLE CONDITION IN THE BURN UNIT AT LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL. STATE POLICE LATER ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND UPON INVESTIGATION RULED THE FIRE ACCIDENTAL CAUSED BY IMPROPERLY DISPOSED SMOKING MATERIALS. THE HOME SUSTAINED HEAVY SMOKE, FIRE AND WATER DAMAGE ESTIMATING $10,000.

FRACKVILLE MAN CHARGED WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

STATE POLICE AT FRACKVILLE RESPONDED TO A DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE CALL IN SATURDAY NIGHT JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT. POLICE REPORT 33-YEAR-OLD WESLEY GRUBB, OF FRACKVILLE, BECAME PHYSICAL AND THREATENED HIS 23-YEAR-OLD GIRLFRIEND AFTER A VERBAL DISPUTE. THE VICTIM SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES, BUT EMS WAS NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. GRUBB WAS CHARGED WITH SIMPLE ASSAULT RELATED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, HARASSMENT, ENDANGERING ANOTHER PERSON AND MAKING TERRORISTIC THREATS. GRUBB WAS ARRAIGNED AND COMMITTED TO SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON IN LIEU OF 10% OF THE $20,000 BAIL.

THINGS LOOKING UP FOR MOUNTAINS IN PA HIGHLANDS

A CONSERVATION GROUP IS WORKING TO PROTECT A SIZEABLE CHUNK OF FOREST LAND WITHIN PENNSYLVANIA'S HIGHLANDS AND FARMLAND-HEAVY LANCASTER COUNTY. TOM JOSEPH HAS MORE:

PA HIGHLANDS & FARMLAND

STATE NEWS: SOMERSET, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SAY AN ELDERLY WOMAN DIED AFTER HER SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE WAS HIT BY A TRAIN. SOMERSET POLICE SAY THE WOMAN WAS HEADING SOUTH ON ROUTE 281 SATURDAY MORNING AND WAS CROSSING THE TRACKS WHEN THE CSX TRAIN STRUCK HER SUV. OFFICIALS SAID 78-YEAR-OLD ANN SIMPSON WAS KILLED.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - GROWING USE OF POWERFUL SYNTHETIC DRUGS LINKED TO VIOLENT EPISODES HAS ALARMED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND PROMPTED LAWMAKERS IN PENNSYLVANIA AND ELSEWHERE TO CONSIDER LEGISLATION TO BAN THEM. AUTHORITIES SAY CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS MARKETED AS "BATH SALTS" STARTED ARRIVING FROM EUROPE LAST YEAR AND ARE SNORTED TO MIMIC THE EFFECTS OF COCAINE AND METHAMPHETAMINES.

CHAMBERSBURG, PA. (AP) - TRIAL IS SCHEDULED TO OPEN TOMORROW FOR A SOUTH-CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA MAN CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE IN A FATAL HIT AND RUN OUTSIDE A TAVERN ALMOST A YEAR AGO. THE CHAMBERSBURG PUBLIC OPINION REPORTS AUTHORITIES IN FRANKLIN COUNTY ALLEGE THAT GERALD BUTERBAUGH OF HUSTONTOWN DELIBERATELY HIT DALE HENRY OF BURNT CABINS, FULTON COUNTY, OUTSIDE THE HILLSIDE TAVERN IN METAL TOWNSHIP ON MAY 31

ST. SPRINGFIELD, PA. (AP) - AFTER CONSIDERING THE ISSUE FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS, A SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA ZONING BOARD HAS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY AGAINST ALLOWING AN INVESTMENT GROUP TO PUT UP BILLBOARDS. THE SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD VOTED 4-0 LAST WEEK TO DENY AN INVESTMENT GROUP'S APPLICATION TO ERECT SIX BILLBOARDS ALONG BALTIMORE PIKE IN DELAWARE COUNTY.

NATIONAL NEWS: RAS LANOUF, LIBYA (AP) - MOAMMAR GADHAFI'S HOMETOWN OF SIRTE (SURT) IS THE NEXT OBJECTIVE OF LIBYAN REBEL FORCES. SIRTE, THE GATEWAY TO THE WESTERN HALF OF THE COUNTRY, HAS BEEN TARGETED FOR THE FIRST TIME BY INTERNATIONAL AIR STRIKES. LIBYA'S REBELS HAVE QUICKLY RECOVERED HUNDREDS OF MILES OF TERRITORY SINCE THE AIRSTRIKES BEGAN.

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IS EXPECTED TO EXPLAIN TONIGHT WHY THE MILITARY MISSION IN LIBYA IS JUSTIFIED. THE PRESIDENT WILL SPEAK FROM NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIVERSITY AND WILL INSIST U.S. LEADERSHIP WAS INDISPENSABLE. BUT HE'LL ALSO STRESS NATO AND ARAB ALLIES ARE NOW TAKING THE LEAD, AND WILL NOW BEAR MOST OF THE BURDEN.

TOKYO (AP) - NEW READINGS SHOW CONTAMINATION IN THE OCEAN HAS SPREAD ABOUT A MILE FARTHER NORTH OF JAPAN'S DAMAGED NUCLEAR SITE THAN BEFORE. WORKERS ARE TRYING TO PUMP OUT CONTAMINATED WATER SUSPECTED OF SENDING RADIOACTIVITY LEVELS SOARING. THE WATER HAS TO BE PUMPED OUT BEFORE THE CRIPPLED COOLING SYSTEM CAN BE RESTARTED.

MIAMI (AP) - PROSECUTORS WILL ANNOUNCE TODAY WHETHER THEY'LL SEEK THE DEATH PENALTY DURING A COURT APPEARANCE FOR THE MIAMI PARENTS CHARGED WITH FATALLY BEATING THEIR 10-YEAR-OLD ADOPTIVE DAUGHTER. JORGE (HOHR'-HAY) AND CARMEN BARAHONA FACE FIRST-DEGREE MURDER CHARGES AND A SLEW OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT CHARGES. THE DAUGHTER'S BODY WAS FOUND FEB. 14 IN THE BACK OF HER FATHER'S TRUCK. A SON, WHO SURVIVED, WAS DRIPPING IN A TOXIC CHEMICAL.

CHICAGO (AP) - DOCTORS SAY THERE ARE UNIQUE ASPECTS OF FACEBOOK THAT CAN MAKE IT A PARTICULARLY TOUGH SOCIAL LANDSCAPE TO NAVIGATE FOR KIDS ALREADY DEALING WITH POOR SELF-ESTEEM. DOCTORS AREN'T SURE WHETHER THE SO-CALLED "FACEBOOK DEPRESSION" IS UNIQUE TO THE SOCIAL NETWORK OR AN EXTENSION OF DEPRESSION SOME KIDS FEEL IN OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.

TODAY'S NEWS: SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2011

FREE DISASTER TRAINING SCHEDULED IN COUNTY

The Schuylkill County Citizen Corps Council, in conjunction with Lehigh Carbon Community College will be hosting Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training at the Summit Station Fire Company Banquet Hall. The training is free of charge and will comprise 16 hours and will be held in three parts during the evening Thursday April 14th, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday April 16th, with the final day in the evening on Tuesday April 19th. The CERT program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area, and the program trains participants in basic disaster response skills- preparing them to handle a situation until first responders can access the scene. Topics include fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. By using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not available to help. Light refreshments will be available during the Thursday and Tuesday sessions and Refreshments and Lunch will be served during the Saturday session. For instructions on how to register please check out wpparadio.com or if you have any questions, contact Rick Deal at 570-622-3739 or via email at rdeal@co.schuylkill.pa.us.

Online Registrations Instructions:

Go to https://banner1.lccc.edu:4443/flexreglccc/index.jsp?frc=A0

Then in the SEARCH BAR ENTER: EMS-610 and hit enter. It should come up with only one result EMS 610-50 CERT-Community Emergency Response Teams Off-Campus. Click Add to Calendar and then Register.

If you are a New Student you will have to create a new account and set up a username and password with LCCC.

Phone Registration Instructions

Call: 610-799-1197 and provide the above class information along with your personal information to register for the class. You may be asked the location of the course, it is located at the Summit Station Fire Company Banquet Hall at 1138 South Route 183, Summit Station, PA 17979.

If you have any questions or trouble registering, please contact Rick Deal at Schuylkill County EMA at (570) 622-3739 or by email at rdeal@co.schuylkill.pa.us.
I 81 ROAD CONSTRUCTION TO RESUME

PennDOT District 5 announced today work is starting back up on a project to improve Interstate 81 between the Luzerne County line and Exit 131 (PA 54) in Schuylkill County. Work was suspended for the winter. Starting Monday (March 28) crews will begin erecting signs and performing other set up work, and motorists may experience daylight lane restrictions on I-81 north or south all next week. On April 1 a 24-hour lane restriction will be implemented on I-81 north. Then on April 8 there will be a 24-hour lane restriction implemented on I-81 south. After they are implemented, the 24-hour restrictions will remain in place until further notice. Motorists are advised to allow for extra time and use caution driving through the area. Updates will be provided whenever traffic patterns change.

ACCIDENT ON ROUTE 61
No injuries were reported when two vehicles collided on Route 61 at R&R Auto Sales in North Manheim Township at 5:03 p.m. Thursday, state police at Schuylkill Haven said. Troops said Lynette Stroup-hauer, 31, of 197 Sweet Arrow Lake Road, Pine Grove, was driving a 1987 Oldsmobile north in the left lane when she made an abrupt stop, causing her to lose control. The woman's vehicle traveled across the right lane and into the car dealership, parking lot where it struck a 2011 Chevrolet Cruz and a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro. Troopers said Strouphauer's vehicle sustained disabling damage to the front, rear and sides and had to be towed from the scene. No fire or EMS units were required at the scene, troopers said.

KOZ ZONES PRODUCTIVE

A PUBLIC HEARING TO REVIEW THE COSTS AND BENEFITS OF PENNSYLVANIA’S TAX FREE “KEYSTONE OPPORTUNITY ZONE PROGRAM” FOR JOB DEVELOPMENT TOOK PLACE FRIDAY MORNING AT POTTSVILLE CITY HALL. STATE SENATOR DAVID G. ARGALL, STATE REPRESENTATIVES JERRY KNOWLES AND MIKE TOBASH AND ED KLEHA REPRESENTING STATE REPRESENTATIVE NEAL GOODMAN JOINED LOCAL BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS TO DISCUSS THE KOZ PROGRAM. WEARING “TWO HATS”, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND COUNTY ECONOMIC DIRECTOR MARK SCARBINSKY SAID THE KOZ PROGRAM HAS BEEN THE MOST EFFECTIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOL UTILIZED HERE IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. AMY BURKHART, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PADCO, SHARED EYE-OPENING IMAGES OF LOCAL BUSINESS BEFORE AND AFTER WORKING WITH THE KOZ PROGRAM. ALL IN ATTENDANCE SEEMED TO AGREE THAT THE KEYSTONE OPPORTUNITY ZONE PROGRAM TRULY CAUSES A RIPPLING EFFECT, MOTIVATING SURROUNDING BUSINESSES AND HOMES TO IMPROVE.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Three Roman Catholic priests and others are heading to trial in a sex abuse case after a Philadelphia judge said the case could proceed. The case marks the first time a church official has been charged with child endangerment for allegedly transferring problem priests to new parishes.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley says he expects a newly formed advisory group to discuss the possibility of allowing local governments to impose fees on natural gas drilling operations to help pay the cost of repairs for damage they might cause. But Cawley said a statewide severance tax would not be considered.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - AAA Mid-Atlantic says highway fatalities rose 5.4 percent in Pennsylvania last year. The group says there were 1,324 lives lost in traffic accidents in the state, up 64 from 2009. The group says significant increases in accidents involving teen drivers and people not wearing seat belts contributed to the rise.

GREENSBURG, Pa. (AP) - An emergency management official says Wednesday's tornado in western Pennsylvania caused about $4.5 million damage when it destroyed 30 homes and damaged about 60 others. But a Westmoreland County public safety spokesman says there probably won't be any federal disaster aid because homeowners surveyed have insurance.

AJDABIYA, Libya (AP) - There's celebration today in the eastern Libyan gateway city of Ajdabiya (ahj-DAH'-bee-yah) where rebels have retaken control. One fighter says international airstrikes on Moammar Gadhafi's forces helped rebels recapture the city. People are driving through streets, honking car horns in celebration after a one-week siege.

SENDAI, Japan (AP) - There's been a switch to fresh water for cooling Japan's crippled nuclear reactors because of fears salt and other contaminants in seawater are hampering the cooling process. The seawater could be clogging up pipes and coating the surface of reactor vessels and fuel rods. Defense Minister Yoshimi Kitazawa says the U.S. made the request to Japan to switch to fresh water. U.S. naval barges are bringing more.

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) - Syrian activists say about 200 people have been arrested after security troops stormed a protest sit-in near the capital, Damascus. The activists say up to 4,000 people were demonstrating around midnight Friday, electricity was cut and the protesters came under attack. The raid capped a day of a relentless government crackdowns on protesters across Syria, one of the Mideast's most repressive regimes.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - NATO says it's investigating an airstrike that mistakenly killed and wounded civilians. NATO aircraft opened fire on two vehicles believed to be carrying Taliban fighters in southern Afghanistan. The helicopter airstrike followed intelligence reports that suggested a Taliban leader and his associates were in the vehicles.

PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona says it's dropping a three-drug protocol used for executions since the 1990s. Corrections Director Charles Ryan says the state plans to switch to using just one execution drug because of perceived concerns about the three-drug method. Three other states have switched to a one-drug protocol.

TODAY'S NEWS: FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2011

ASHLAND MAN SENTENCED ON DRUG AND GAMBLING CHARGES

AN ASHLAND MAN WILL SPEND MORE THAN THREE YEARS BEHIND BARS IN FEDERAL PRISON AFTER LEADING A GAMBLING AND DRUG RING IN AND AROUND SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. 49-YEAR-OLD MICHAEL STOCKUNAS, WHO WAS THE BOOKMAKING RINGLEADER IN THE ICE INVESTIGATION, WAS SENTENCED THURSDAY TO 41 MONTHS IN A FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION. STOCKUNAS PLEADED GUILTY IN FEBRUARY TO GAMBLING, DRUG AND OTHER RELATED CHARGES. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS STOCKUNAS MUST ALSO PAY $116,000 RESTITUTION TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, FORFEIT TO THE GOVERNMENT $32,000 AND REAL ESTATE HE OWNS IN HAZLETON, PAY A $300 SPECIAL ASSESSMENT AND SERVE THREE YEARS ON SUPERVISED RELEASE AFTER HIS PRISON TERM.

WANTED FUGITIVE BELIEVED TO BE IN COUNTY

STATE POLICE AND THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS NEED THE PUBLIC'S HELP IN FINDING A FUGITIVE WHO IS WANTED FOR ASSAULTING A POLICE OFFICER. POLICE SAY ON MARCH 4TH 26-YEAR-OLD MARQUES REAVES STRUCK A POTTSVILLE POLICE OFFICER WITH HIS CAR FOLLOWING A TRAFFIC STOP. ON SUNDAY REAVES WAS PULLED OVER ON INTERSTATE 81 BUT GOT AWAY FROM POLICE AFTER TAKING OFF ON FOOT NEAR FRACKVILLE. POLICE SAY REAVES IS CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS AND IS BELIEVED TO STILL BE IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. A CASH REWARD IS BEING OFFERED TO ANYONE WHO PROVIDES INFORMATION TO POLICE ON REAVES WHEREABOUTS. (WGRC)

DRUG COSTS REFUNDED TO COUNTY

OVER $200,000 IN PRESCRIPTION DRUG REIMBURSEMENTS WILL BE PAID TO SCHUYLKILL COUNTY ACCORDING TO A SETTLEMENT WITH THE BENECON GROUP INC. IN LITITZ. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL REIMBURSE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY FOR DRUG COVERAGE COSTS FOR RETIRED COUNTY EMPLOYEES UNDER THE MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM. THE HEALTH PLAN FOR THE COUNTY COVERS PRESCRIPTIONS AND THE MONEY IS THEN REFUNDED TO THE COUNTY.

PENNDOT DRIVER'S LICENSE CENTERS TEMPORARILY LIMITED

LIMITED SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE SATURDAY, MARCH 26TH AT SOME PENNDOT DRIVERS LICENSE CENTERS. AN UPGRADE HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S PROBLEM DRIVER POINTER SYSTEM WHICH IS USED TO DETERMINE IS APPLICANTS HAVE OUTSTANDING DRIVER SANCTIONS IN OTHER STATES. UNAVAILABLE SERVICES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, LEARNERS PERMITS, REPLACEMENTS LICENSES AND COMMERCIAL OR OUT OF STATE LICENSES. PENNDOT ISSUED AN APOLOGY FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE AND REMINDS CUSTOMERS OF AVAILABLE SERVICES ON THE DMV WEBSITE.

5th ANNUAL LES BROWN WEEKEND

IN HONOR OF THE BIG BAND ICON LES BROWN, THIS WEEKEND TOWER CITY WILL HOLD THE 5TH ANNUAL LES BROWN WEEKEND. JASMINE BROOKS HAS THE STORY:

LES BROWN WEEKEND

PENN STATE SCHUYLKILL CHEF AWARDED

A LOCAL CHEF WAS AWARDED THE 2011 ACHIEVING WOMEN AWARD. PENNY SHADE FROM PENN STATE SCHUYLKILL WORKS IN THE CAMPUS'S HIDDEN STREAM CAFE AND ALSO OVERSEES SCHUYLKILL'S CATERING SERVICE. SHADE WAS PRESENTED THIS AWARD BY THE UNIVERSITY'S COMMISSION FOR WOMEN. DIRECTOR OF FOOD SERVICES, JONATHAN KUKTA SAID SHADE PROVIDES STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY WITH INCREDIBLE SERVICE, CONTINUOUSLY DISPLAYING THE "WOW" FACTOR. SHADE WILL BE HONORED AT A CEREMONY APRIL 15TH AT THE PENN STATER CONFERENCE CENTER HOTEL AT UNIVERSITY PARK.

STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - U.S. CATHOLIC BISHOPS ARE RENEWING THEIR VOW TO OUST PREDATOR PRIESTS, WEEKS AFTER A GRAND JURY ACCUSED THE PHILADELPHIA ARCHDIOCESE OF KEEPING 37 PROBLEM PRIESTS ON THE JOB. THE U.S. CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS SAYS REFORMS ADOPTED BY THE U.S. BISHOPS IN 2002 MUST NOT BE "DERAILED."

GREENSBURG, PA. (AP) - THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS A TORNADO THAT DAMAGED ABOUT 90 HOMES IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA WAS A CATEGORY 2 TWISTER WITH WINDS UP TO 120 MPH. THE WORST DAMAGE FROM WEDNESDAY'S STORM APPEARED TO BE IN HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP IN WESTMORELAND COUNTY, ABOUT 25 MILES EAST OF PITTSBURGH.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THE STATE COURT SYSTEM SAYS IT COLLECTED $480 MILLION LAST YEAR IN FINES, FEES AND RESTITUTION IN CRIMINAL CASES. THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF PENNSYLVANIA COURTS SAYS THE FIGURE WAS 4.3 PERCENT LARGER THAN IN 2009, THANKS PARTLY TO BETTER USE OF COMPUTER AUTOMATION.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - TALK-SHOW HOST MAURY POVICH IS DONATING $1 MILLION TO SUPPORT JOURNALISM PROGRAMS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, HIS ALMA MATER. THE GIFT ESTABLISHES THE POVICH FUND FOR JOURNALISM PROGRAMS, WHICH WILL FUND SEMINARS AND OTHER EVENTS AT PENN'S KELLY WRITERS HOUSE. POVICH GRADUATED FROM PENN IN 1

NATIONAL NEWS:

TOKYO (AP) - A SUSPECTED BREACH IN THE REACTOR CORE AT ONE UNIT OF A STRICKEN NUCLEAR COMPLEX IN JAPAN MAY PROVE A MAJOR SETBACK IN THE MISSION TO BRING THE LEAKING PLANT UNDER CONTROL. IT COULD MEAN MORE SERIOUS RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATION. THE UNCERTAIN SITUATION HALTED WORK TODAY AT THE FUKUSHIMA DAI-ICHI NUCLEAR COMPLEX, WHERE DOZENS HAD BEEN WORKING FEVERISHLY TO STOP THE OVERHEATED PLANT
FROM LEAKING RADIATION.

BRUSSELS (AP) - NATO HAS AGREED TO TAKE OVER PART OF THE MILITARY OPERATIONS AGAINST LIBYA. THE 28-NATION ALLIANCE WILL HELP WITH THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE NO-FLY ZONE, BUT ATTACKS ON GROUND FORCES WILL STILL BE LED BY THE U.S.

SAN DIEGO (AP) - TARGET'S SUIT AGAINST A PRO-GAY MARRIAGE GROUP BEGINS TODAY. TARGET WANTS THE GROUP TO STOP SOLICITING SIGNATURES IN SUPPORT OF GAY MARRIAGE OUTSIDE ITS SAN DIEGO COUNTY STORES. TARGET ALLEGES THE GROUP'S ACTIVISTS HARASS CUSTOMERS AND HURT BUSINESS. THE GROUP SAYS TARGET WANTS TO SILENCE IT.

NEW YORK (AP) - A DISASTER THAT BECAME A TOUCHSTONE FOR THE ORGANIZED LABOR MOVEMENT AND IMPROVING WORKPLACE SAFETY HAPPENED 100 YEARS AGO TODAY. THE BLAZE AT THE TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST FACTORY IN NEW YORK RACED THROUGH THE BUILDING AS HUNDREDS OF MOSTLY JEWISH AND ITALIAN IMMIGRANT WOMEN AND GIRLS TRIED TO ESCAPE. A CRUCIAL EXIT DOOR APPARENTLY WAS LOCKED. THE FIRE KILLED 146 PEOPLE.

GLENDALE, CALIF. (AP) - ONE OF HOLLYWOOD'S BIGGEST STARS HAS BEEN LAID TO REST IN A SIMPLE CEREMONY THAT STARTED AFTER A 15 MINUTE DELAY. HER PUBLICIST SAYS ELIZABETH TAYLOR WANTED TO BE LATE TO HER OWN FUNERAL. THERE WAS NO PROCESSION TO THE FOREST LAWN CEMETERY, JUST LIMOUSINES CARRYING FAMILY MEMBERS. TAYLOR DIED WEDNESDAY OF CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE.

LOCAL NEWS: THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2011

NORTH SCHUYLKILL CUTS EXPANSION PROJECT

NORTH SCHUYLKILL SCHOOL DISTRICT ANNOUNCED WEDNESDAY THE PLAN TO COUNTER STATE AND DISTRICT BUDGET CUTS FOR THE 2011-2012 FISCAL YEAR. AN EFFORT TO MINIMIZE EFFECTS OF THE CUTS ON THE DISTRICT, NORTH SCHUYLKILL SUPERINTENDENT, ANDREW SMARKANIC, SAID EFFECTED AREAS OUTLINED IN THE BUDGET WILL HAVE BOTH IMMEDIATE IMPACT AND OTHERS WILL BE PHASED IN. IN ADDITION, THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THE MIDDLE SCHOOL EXPANSION PROJECT HAS ALSO BEEN SUSPENDED DUE TO THE UNCLEAR FINANCIAL FUTURE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. SMARKANIC ASSURED THE COMMUNITY THAT ALL FISCAL DECISIONS ARE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILDREN AND THE DISTRICTS MISSION OF MAKING EVERY CHILD COUNT WILL NOT BE LOST.

CHAIRMAN SELECTION BEGINS FOR REAPPORTIONMENT COMMISSION

HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER MIKE TURZAI SAYS THE REAPPORTIONMENT COMMISSION IS MOVING FORWARD WITH THE PROCESS OF SELECTING A CHAIRMAN. MIKE DAVIES HAS MORE:

REAPPORTIONMENT COMMISSION

PRERELEASE BIDS OPEN AT COMMISSIONERS’ MEETING

BIDS FOR A PROPOSED PRISON PRERELEASE CENTER WERE OPENED WEDNESDAY AT THE COMMISSIONERS’ WORK SESSION. TWENTY-TWO COMPANIES OFFERED BIDS WHICH WERE DIVIDED INTO FOUR CATEGORIES: HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING, PLUMPING AND ELECTRICAL WORK AND GENERAL CONSTUCTION. PERFORMANCE CONSTRUCTION IN HARRISBURG PRESENTED THE LOWEST BASE BID FOR THE GENERAL CONSTRUCTION. THE PRERELEASE CENTER IS MEANT TO ALLEVIATE OVERCROWDING AT THE COUNTY PRISON. THE PLAN IS TO BUILD BESIDE THE STATE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION/FRACKVILLE.

HILLKIRK TO LEAD BERKS CAMPUS

PENN STATE SCHUYLKILL IS SAYING GOODBYE TO ITS’ CHANCELLOR R. KEITH HILLKIRK. BEGINNING JULY 1 HILLKIRK WILL BECOME THE NEW CHANCELLOR OF PENN STATE BERKS, A CAMPUS TWICE THE SIZE OF SCHUYLKILL. HILLKIRK HAS SERVED AS CHANCELLOR SINCE 2005, LEADING THE CAMPUS IN A POSITIVE WAY BY FOCUSING ON ENROLLMENT GROWTH. STEPHEN COUCH, DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AT PENN STATE SCHUYLKILL, WILL SERVE AS THE INTERIM CHANCELLOR OF THE CAMPUS.

STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SAY A POSSIBLE TORNADO HAS CAUSED ROOF DAMAGE AND LARGE HAIL HAS BEEN REPORTED FROM A SPRINGTIME STORM THAT ALSO DUMPED SNOW ON PARTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH. FORECASTERS SAY A TORNADO WARNING PRECEDED REPORTS OF SEVERAL ROOFS BLOWING OFF ALONG ROUTE 136 IN WESTMORELAND COUNTY'S HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A JAILED PHILADELPHIA ABORTION DOCTOR WILL SELL HIS $900,000 BEACH HOME IF HE NEEDS MONEY FOR LAWYERS DEFENDING HIM ON MURDER CHARGES. A DEFENSE LAWYER VOWS THAT DR. KERMIT GOSNELL AND HIS WIFE WILL NOT SELL ANY OF THE SEVEN PROPERTIES THEY OWN IN PHILADELPHIA. LAWYER JACK MCMAHON SAYS THE GOSNELLS HAVE AGREED TO FREEZE THOSE ASSETS AT THE REQUEST OF A VIRGINIA FAMILY SUING GOSNELL OVER THEIR MOTHER'S DEATH FROM A BOTCHED ABORTION.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - GOVERNOR TOM CORBETT SAYS HE CONTINUES TO OPPOSE A TAX ON DRILLING FOR NATURAL GAS IN PENNSYLVANIA. BUT HE SAYS THAT HE'S NOT OPPOSED TO PROPOSALS THAT WOULD ALLOW COMMUNITIES OR COUNTIES TO IMPOSE FEES TO DEAL WITH THE IMPACT FROM THE BOOMING INDUSTRY.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A PAIR OF RED-TAILED HAWKS IS APPARENTLY FEELING THE BROTHERLY LOVE IN PHILADELPHIA. THE MATING COUPLE HAS RETURNED TO ITS UNUSUAL URBAN NEST ON A LEDGE AT THE CITY'S SCIENCE MUSEUM FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR. THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE HAS A WEBCAM THAT ALLOWS THOUSANDS OF BIRD LOVERS TO WATCH AS THE HAWKS
RAISE THEIR YOUNG.

NATIONAL NEWS:

TOKYO (AP) - A RUN ON BOTTLED WATER COUPLED WITH DELIVERY DISRUPTIONS HAS PROMPTED SHOPS ACROSS TOKYO TO BEGIN RATIONING GOODS LIKE MILK, TOILET PAPER, RICE AND WATER. ANXIETY OVER FOOD AND WATER REMAINS HIGH A DAY AFTER TOKYO OFFICIALS REPORTED HIGHER RADIOACTIVE IODINE IN THE CITY'S TAP. THE LEVELS HAVE SINCE
DROPPED.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE FLOWERING TREES THAT SYMBOLIZE FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND JAPAN WILL BE THE BACKDROP THIS EVENING FOR A FUNDRAISING WALK FOR VICTIMS OF JAPAN'S MARCH 11 EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI. THE ANNUAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL IN WASHINGTON, D.C. BEGINS SATURDAY WITH PEAK BLOOM PREDICTED NEXT WEEK.

MIAMI (AP) - THE FIRE IN AN AREA WHERE FUEL IS KEPT AT THE MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS OUT. THE FIRE WAS REPORTED AROUND 11 P.M. WEDNESDAY AND WAS BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL AROUND 1 A.M. TODAY. A SPOKESMAN FOR MIAMI-DADE FIRE RESCUE SAYS THERE WERE NO INJURIES. ONLY ONE FLIGHT WAS DELAYED. THE CAUSE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

GOLDEN, COLO. (AP) - CALMER WINDS AND MULTIPLE WATER DROPS HAVE RAISED OPTIMISM ABOUT A NEARLY 2-SQUARE-MILE WILDFIRE IN THE FOOTHILLS WEST OF DENVER. THE FIRE BURNING WEST OF GOLDEN AND ABOUT 15 MILES FROM DOWNTOWN DENVER IS ABOUT 25 PERCENT CONTAINED. FIRE MANAGERS SAY IT COULD BE 80 PERCENT CONTAINED BY FRIDAY. NONE OF
THE SEVERAL HUNDRED HOMES IN THE AREA HAS BURNED.

ANKARA, TURKEY (AP) - TURKEY'S MILITARY SAYS NATO'S TOP MILITARY COMMANDER IS INVOLVED IN TALKS WITH THE TURKISH GENERAL STAFF. ANKARA HAS BEEN SEEN AS HOLDING UP AGREEMENT ON A NATO COMMAND STRUCTURE FOR A NO-FLY ZONE OVER LIBYA. TURKEY WANTS RESTRICTIONS THAT WOULD EXCLUDE ANY FURTHER AIR STRIKES AGAINST LIBYAN LEADER
MOAMMAR GADHAFI'S GROUND FORCES.

TODAY'S NEWS: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2011

A LOCAL WORKSHOP IS BEING OFFERED TO PROVIDE INSPIRATION, ENCOURAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP TO YOUR LIFE. JASMINE BROOKS HAS MORE:

DIVINE DESIGN

A LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL IS GIVING PEOPLE A CHANCE TO GRACE THEIR SCHOOL FOR GENERATIONS. JASMINE BROOKS REPORTS:

NATIVITY COMMEMORATIVE BRICKS

GIRARDVILLE AFTERMATH

THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE LINED THE STREETS OF GIRARDVILLE SATURDAY FOR THE ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE. AMONG THE CROWD, PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE BUREAU OF LIQUOR CONTROL ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS CONDUCTED A MINOR PATROL. FIFTEEN PEOPLE WERE CITED FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT, ONE PERSON WAS ISSUED A CITATION FOR UNDERAGE DRINKING AND ONE PERSON WAS CITED FOR PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS.

SCAM CALLS

A NORTH UNION TOWNSHIP RESIDENT RECEIVED SEVERAL PHONE CALLS INSTRUCTING HIM TO WIRE MONEY TO SECURE PRIZE WINNINGS. POLICE ARE NOW WARNING THE PUBLIC TO WATCH OUT FOR ANY CALLS RECEIVED WHERE THE CALLER ASKS FOR MONEY. CALLERS MAY CLAIM A FAMILY MEMBER IS JAILED AND NEEDS BAIL OR MONEY FOR A MEDICAL TREATMENT IS DUE. ANYONE BEING ASKED TO SEND MONEY TO SECURE PRIZES OR OTHER BENEFITS IS ADVISED NOT TO RESPOND AND CONTACT POLICE IMMEDIATELY.

NURSING HOME OWNER PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO CHARGES

THE OWNER OF A MAHANOY CITY NURSING HOME PLEADED NOT GUILTY TUESDAY TO THREE CHARGES INVOLVING THE ALLEGED THEFT OF MONEY FROM A FORMER RESIDENT. 58-YEAR-OLD JAMES MCGILL JR., OF KELAYRES, OWNER OF WHITE OWL MANOR ASSISTED LIVING HOME, IS ACCUSED OF WITHDRAWING FUNDS TOTALING NEARLY $5,000 FROM THE ACCOUNT OF 80-YEAR-OLD WILLIAM BARLOW JR., A FORMER WHITE OWL RESIDENT. POLICE SAY MCGILL OBTAINED AN ATM CARD FOR BARLOW'S ACCOUNT WITHOUT BARLOW'S KNOWLEDGE AND WITHDREW THE FUNDS ON 13 OCCASIONS AT SOVEREIGN BANK, IN HOMETOWN, BETWEEN AUGUST 16TH AND 30TH, 2010. AFTER MCGILL'S HOUR-LONG PRELIMINARY HEARING TUESDAY, DISTRICT JUDGE STEPHEN BAYER, TAMAQUA, HELD CHARGES AGAINST MCGILL FOR COURT. HE REMAINS FREE ON BAIL AWAITING A COURT DATE. (WGRC)

VISITORS BUREAU MOVES IN

WITH HELP FROM COUNTY PRISON INMATES, THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU BEGAN MOVING INTO ITS NEW HEADQUARTERS AT POTTSVILLE'S UNION STATION THIS WEEK. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, THE 18,000-SQUARE-FOOT FACILITY AT 300 SOUTH CENTRE STREET WILL HOUSE A BUS STATION AND A POTTSVILLE POLICE SUBSTATION ON THE THIRD FLOOR, COMMERCIAL SPACE ON THE SECOND AND THE VISITORS BUREAU ON THE GROUND FLOOR.CONSTRUCTION IS NEARLY COMPLETE BUT THE CITY DOES NOT YET HAVE A DATE WHEN THE SCHUYLKILL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM WILL BEGIN OFFERING BUS SERVICE FROM THE SITE, OR WHEN THE GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION WILL BE HELD. IT'S THOUGHT A GRAND OPENING WILL BE HELD SOMETIME IN MAY. (WGRC)

STATE NEWS:

ALTOONA, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES HAVE IDENTIFIED THE FIVE VICTIMS OF AN APARTMENT FIRE THAT OFFICIALS ARE CALLING THE WORST IN ALTOONA SINCE THE 1970S. BLAIR COUNTY CORONER PATRICIA ROSS SAYS THE VICTIMS DIED OF SMOKE INHALATION EARLY YESTERDAY. HER OFFICE IDENTIFIED THEM AS: 57-YEAR-OLD THOMAS BOYLES, 40-YEAR-OLD BARON RICHARD SNYDER SR., 23-YEAR-OLD CHRISTOPHER ALVORD, 35-YEAR-OLD WARREN ARTHUR CARTER JR. AND 17-YEAR-OLD JOEY ALLEN MIDDAUGH.

STROUDSBURG, PA. (AP) - THE CALENDAR MAY SAY IT'S SPRING, BUT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS POSTED A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR PARTS OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. THE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR CARBON AND MONROE COUNTIES FROM 2 A.M. THIS MORNING TO 6 A.M. TOMORROW. FORECASTERS SAY RESIDENTS CAN EXPECT FOUR TO 10 INCHES OF SNOW WITH SLEET MIXING IN AT TIMES.

STATE COLLEGE, PA. (AP) - A CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA WOMAN AND A MAN HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF THE MURDER OF HER HUSBAND, A FATHER OF FOUR. A CENTRE COUNTY JURY DELIBERATED FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS LAST BEFORE CONVICTING 28-YEAR-OLD MIRINDA BOOB AND 31-YEAR-OLD RONALD HEICHEL OF ALL CHARGES. AUTHORITIES SAID MIRINDA BOOB PLANNED THE MURDER OF SAMUEL BOOB IN POTTER TOWNSHIP IN SEPTEMBER 2009.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - STATE LIQUOR CONTROL OFFICIALS SAY THEY SUPPORT MORE CHANGES TO MODERNIZE THE STATE-OWNED SYSTEM OF ABOUT 620 RETAIL LIQUOR STORES IN PENNSYLVANIA, INCLUDING INCREASING THE AVAILABILITY OF ALCOHOL ON SUNDAYS. LIQUOR CONTROL BOARD OFFICIALS APPEARED BEFORE THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, AS THE AGENCY TRIES TO FEND OFF A MOVEMENT BY REPUBLICANS TO PRIVATIZE LIQUOR AND WINE SALES IN PENNSYLVANIA.


NATIONAL NEWS:

TRIPOLI, LIBYA (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYS WHEN THE U.S.- HANDS THE LIBYA MILITARY OPERATION OVER TO INTERNATIONAL FORCES "IT IS NOT GOING TO BE OUR PLANES THAT ARE MAINTAINING THE NO-FLY ZONE" OR U.S. SHIPS "NECESSARILY ENFORCING THE ARMS EMBARGO." OBAMA TALKED WITH THE LEADERS OF BRITAIN AND FRANCE TUESDAY ABOUT HOW TO CARRY OUT THE TRANSITION, WHICH OBAMA SAYS IS DAYS AWAY.

TOKYO (AP) - TOKYO'S UTILITY COMPANY SAYS BLACK SMOKE IS COMING FROM UNIT 3 OF THE CRIPPLED NUCLEAR PLANT IN NORTHEASTERN JAPAN, PROMPTING A NEW EVACUATION OF THE COMPLEX. OPERATORS OF THE POWER STATION HAVE BEEN TRYING TO COOL PLANT REACTORS AND SPENT FUEL POOLS THAT WERE DAMAGED BY THIS MONTH'S TSUNAMI, WHICH KNOCKED OUT POWER TO THE COOLING SYSTEMS.

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WASH. (AP) - A U.S. SOLDIER ACCUSED OF CARRYING OUT A BRUTAL PLOT TO MURDER AFGHAN CIVILIANS FACES A COURT-MARTIAL IN WASHINGTON STATE TODAY. AN ATTORNEY FOR SPECIALIST JEREMY MORLOCK SAYS THE 22-YEAR-OLD HAS AGREED TO PLEAD GUILTY TO THREE COUNTS OF MURDER, ONE COUNT OF CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT ASSAULT AND BATTERY AND OTHER OFFENSES IN EXCHANGE FOR A MAXIMUM SENTENCE OF 24 YEARS. MORLOCK IS ONE OF FIVE SOLDIERS CHARGED IN THE KILLINGS OF THREE UNARMED AFGHAN MEN IN KANDAHAR PROVINCE.

ATHENS, GA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN ATHENS, GEORGIA ARE CONDUCTING A HOUSE TO-HOUSE SEARCH FOR A MAN ACCUSED OF GUNNING DOWN TWO POLICE OFFICERS, KILLING ONE OF THEM. POLICE SAY THE ARMED MAN WAS IN AN SUV THAT WAS STOPPED IN A CARJACKING INVESTIGATION TUESDAY. THE ALLEGED GUNMAN WAS A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A SPOKESWOMAN FOR PHILIPPINE AIRLINES SAYS A TELEPHONED BOMB THREAT THAT FORCED THE EVACUATION OF 357 PASSENGERS AND CREW WAS LIKELY A HOAX BECAUSE AUTHORITIES HAVE YET TO FIND ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS. THE PLANE LANDED LAST NIGHT AT SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AFTER TAKING OFF FROM MANILA AND WAS MOVED TO A REMOTE PART OF THE AIRPORT TO BE SEARCHED.

TODAY'S NEWS: TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2011

WOMAN ARRESTED FOR ENDANGERING CHILDREN

A PINE GROVE WOMAN IS NOW BEHIND BARS FOLLOWING AN INCIDENT LAST WEEK IN WAYNE COUNTY. 31-YEAR-OLD MELANIE BEUCHLER IS CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF CHILDREN. POLICE ARRIVED AT THE HOME ALONG ROUTE 443 AFTER SEVERAL NEIGHBORS CALLED SAYING TWO YOUNG BOYS WERE RUNNING IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC AND NOT WEARING SOCKS, SHOES OR COATS. UPON ARRIVAL A STATE TROOPER WAS ASSAULTED BY BEUCHLER, WHO WAS TAKEN TO POTTSVILLE MEDICAL CENTER. BEUCHLER WAS ARRESTED MONDAY AND PLACED IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON ON $20,000 BAIL. THE CHILDREN WERE TAKEN TO BE WITH RELATIVES AND SCHUYLKILL COUNTY CHILDREN AND YOUTH ARE NOW INVESTIGATING.

EXAMINATION ON BODY FOUND

OFFICIALS SAY THE BODY FOUND IN A WOODED AREA IN RYAN TOWNSHIP SATURDAY IS NOT KEVIN LUCAS, A GORDON MAN MISSING SINCE MARCH 7. THIS CONCLUSION CAME AFTER THE BODY WAS EXAMINED BY A FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST ON SUNDAY. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THE CORPSE MAY TAKE WEEKS TO IDENTIFY. POLICE CONTINUE TO SEARCH FOR LUCAS.

PADCO AND MAHANOY TOWNSHIP RECEIVE FUNDING

THE POTTSVILLE AREA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND THE MAHANOY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS RECEIVED FUNDING MONDAY THAT WAS PRESENTED BY U.S REP TIM HOLDEN AND JACK HOFFMAN OF THE U.S DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS PADCO RECEIVED A $12,000 USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT AND A $200,000 USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT LOAN. MAHANOY TOWNSHIP WAS PRESENTED WITH A $13,990 RURAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT. MAHANOY TOWNSHIP WILL USE THE MONEY TO HELP OFFSET THE PURCHASE OF A NEW DUMP TRUCK AND SNOW PLOW.

FORMAL ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULED FOR DANVILLE KILLER

THE FORMAL ARRAIGNMENT OF A DANVILLE MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING HIS LIVE-IN GIRLFRIEND WILL BE HELD APRIL 11TH AT THE MONTOUR COUNTY COURTHOUSE. AN OPEN COUNT OF CRIMINAL HOMICIDE AGAINST 32-YEAR-OLD WESTLEY WISE OF DANVILLE WAS ORDERED BOUND TO COURT LAST MONTH BY DISTRICT JUDGE MARVIN SHRAWDER. WISE WAS CHARGED BY POLICE WITH THE DEATH OF 25-YEAR-OLD JESSICA FREDERICK ON JANUARY 24TH. (WGRC)

STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - TWO MEN HAVE PLEADED GUILTY IN AN ARMORED CAR ROBBERY, HIGH-SPEED CHASE AND SHOOTOUT THAT LEFT A PHILADELPHIA POLICE OFFICER WOUNDED. UNDER PLEA AGREEMENTS, ANTHONY REID AND BRIAN WILLIAMS BOTH FACE 25- TO 50-YEAR PRISON TERMS. AUTHORITIES SAID THE TWO ROBBED AN ARMORED CAR GUARD OF $100,000 AT A WEST PHILADELPHIA GAS STATION IN SEPTEMBER 2009 AND LED POLICE ON A 10-MILE CHASE THAT ENDED IN A SHOOTOUT IN SOUTHWEST PHILADELPHIA.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - STATE ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATORS ARE TAKING ACTION AGAINST A PAIR OF SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESSES RUN BY A MAN ACCUSED OF DUMPING GAS DRILLING WASTE AND SLUDGE ILLEGALLY. THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HAS ISSUED ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS AGAINST ALLAN SHIPMAN, TRI COUNTY WASTE WATER SERVICE INC. AND ALLAN'S WASTE WATER SERVICE INCORPORATED.

PITTSTON, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA SAY THE BODY OF A WOMAN FOUND ON THE BANKS OF THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS THAT OF A WOMAN REPORTED MISSING EARLIER THIS MONTH. LUZERNE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY JACKIE MUSTO CARROLL CONFIRMED THAT THE BODY FOUND YESTERDAY AFTERNOON ON THE RIVERBANK IN WILKES-BARRE IS THAT LILLIAN CALABRO OF PITTSTON. AN AUTOPSY HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR THIS MORNING.

STATE COLLEGE, PA. (AP) - A PENN STATE GRADUATE AND HIS WIFE ARE DONATING $10 MILLION FOR TWO ENDOWMENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY'S LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE. DOUG AND JULIE ROCK HAVE OFFERED TWO GIFTS OF $5 MILLION EACH. ONE OF THE DONATIONS WILL CREATE AN ENDOWED DEAN'S CHAIR IN THE COLLEGE. THE UNIVERSITY SAYS THE OTHER $5 MILLION DONATION WILL SUPPORT AN ENDOWED DIRECTORSHIP AT THE ROCK ETHICS INSTITUTE.

NATIONAL NEWS:

FUKUSHIMA, JAPAN (AP) - WEARINESS AND ANXIETY ARE SETTING IN FOR EVACUEES WHO LEFT HOMES NEAR JAPAN'S DAMAGED NUCLEAR COMPLEX. ONE MAN WONDERED WHETHER THE TRIP HOME WILL TAKE DAYS, DECADES, OR NEVER HAPPEN. WORKERS PULLED FROM THE COMPLEX YESTERDAY HAVE RESUMED THE WORK OF HOOKING UP ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND TRYING TO REPAIR DAMAGED BUT CRITICAL COOLING UNITS.

BEIJING (AP) - CHINA IS CALLING FOR A CEASE-FIRE IN LIBYA AND TALKS TO END THE VIOLENCE. CHINA WAS ONE OF FIVE COUNTRIES THAT ABSTAINED FROM LAST WEEK'S VOTE ON THE U.N. RESOLUTION TO LAUNCH PUNISHING AIRSTRIKES TO ENFORCE A NO-FLY ZONE.

DETROIT (AP) - THE HEATED NATIONAL DEBATE OVER COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS IS THE BACKDROP THIS WEEK AS THE UNITED AUTO WORKERS UNION MEETS IN DETROIT STARTING TODAY. MORE THAN 1,200 DELEGATES ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE THREE-DAY CONVENTION. AMONG
THE ITEMS ON THEIR AGENDA IS SETTING GOALS FOR CONTRACT TALKS WITH U.S. AUTOMAKERS. THE CONTRACTS EXPIRE SEPT. 14.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - CALIFORNIANS ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO DRYING OUT A BIT TODAY. THE POURING RAIN THAT PROMPTED MUD AND DEBRIS FLOWS IN LOS ANGELES OVER THE WEEKEND WAS PREDICTED TO GIVE WAY TO A SUNNY SKY, WHILE SNOWBOUND CAMPSITES OF YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK EXPECTED A FEW FLURRIES AT MOST. YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK OFFICIALS SAID ROADS INTO THE PARK WOULD REMAIN CLOSED TUESDAY AS CREWS REPAIR DOWNED POWER LINES AND CLEAR FALLEN TREES.

NEW CITY, N.Y. (AP) - FORMER NFL STAR LAWRENCE TAYLOR VENTURES BACK INTO THE LEGAL ARENA TODAY. HE'S SCHEDULED TO BE SENTENCED IN A SUBURBAN NEW YORK COURT FOR HAVING SEX WITH AN UNDERAGE GIRL. THE 51-YEAR-OLD EX-LINEBACKER ALREADY HAS WORKED OUT A PLEA DEAL OF SIX YEARS' PROBATION. HE'LL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO REGISTER AS A SEX OFFENDER. TAYLOR SAYS HE THOUGHT SHE WAS 19.

LOCAL NEWS: MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2011

UNIDENTIFIED BODY IN RYAN TOWNSHIP

FRACKVILLE STATE POLICE HAVE STILL BEEN UNABLE TO IDENTIFY A BODY DISCOVERED NEAR THE INTERSTATE 81/ ROUTE 61 INTERCHANGE SATUDAY AFTERNOON. THE CORPSE WAS FOUND IN A WOODED AREA IN RYAN TOWNSHIP, ONE DAY AFTER POLICE FOUND THE VEHICLE OF A GORDON MAN WHO HAD BEEN MISSING SINCE MARCH IN THE SAME AREA.

SHENANDOAH FIRE

A SUNDAY NIGHT FIRE IN SHENANDOAH DESTROYED A HOME AND DAMAGED AT LEAST THREE OTHERS. BOROUGH FIREFIGHTERS WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE ON WEST OAK STREET JUST BEFORE 9PM. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THE REAR OF 419 W. WEST OAK STREET WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES THAT SPREAD TO THE BACK OF A HOME BEHIND IT. FIREFIGHTERS WERE ABLE TO CONTAIN THE FIRE TO THOSE TWO BUILDINGS, BUT TWO OTHER HOMES ALSO SUFFERED DAMAGE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED.

METH BUST

A METHAMPHETAMINE LAB BUST IN RUSH TOWNSHIP PUT FIVE PEOPLE BEHIND BARS SATURDAY. 29-YEAR-OLD JEREMY SNYDER OF QUAKAKE, 27-YEAR-OLD JENNIFER DIPIETRO AND 29-YEAR-OLD WILLIAM MANNESS JR. BOTH OF TAMAQUA, ALONG WITH 29-YEAR-OLD JOSEPH HOLLAND OF MARYD AND 30-YEAR-OLD RUSSELL GERNERT IV OF NEW RINGGOLD WERE ALL FACED WITH FELONY CHARGES INCLUDING MANUFACTURING A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS ALL FIVE WERE ARRAIGNED AND COMMITTED TO SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON WITH BAIL SET.

CAR DEALERSHIP THEFT

STATE POLICE AT FRACKVILLE ARE INVESTIGATING THE THEFT OF A TAILGATE FROM A SHENANDOAH CAR DEALERSHIP. POLICE REPORT A TAILGATE TAKEN FROM A 2011 CHEVY SILVERADO SOMETIME BETWEEN FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND SATURDAY MORNING FROM VITO RINALDI CHEVROLET ON THE GOLD STAR HIGHWAY. THE ITEM IS VALUED AT $1,200 AND ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CONTACT STATE POLICE AT FRACKVILLE.

INVESTIGATION OF VEHICLE BREAK-IN

STATE POLICE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN ARE INVESTIGATING A VEHICLE BREAK-IN THAT OCCURRED OVERNIGHT SATURDAY IN TOWER CITY. POLICE REPORT AN UNLOCKED 2000 HONDA ACCORD WAS BROKEN INTO AND OVER $700 WORTH OF BASEBALL EQUIPMENT WAS REMOVED. THE VEHICLES OWNER, CATHY SCHELL ALSO REPORTED $50 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CONTACT STATE POLICE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN.

SEVEN STEPS TO A HEALTHIER HEART

NEARLY 40 PERCENT OF AMERICANS THOUGH THEY WERE IN IDEAL HEART HEALTH, WHEN IN REALITY, LESS THAT ONE PERCENT HAS AN IDEAL PROFILE, ACCORDING TO AN AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION SURVEY. GLEN GARDNER REPORTS ON A NEW TOOL TO HELP PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENTS GET BACK ON TRACK TO HEART HEALTH.

HEART HEALTH

STATE NEWS:

LEBANON, PA. (AP) - A LEBANON COUNTY MAN FACES AN AUTOMATIC LIFE PRISON SENTENCE FOLLOWING HIS CONVICTION LAST WEEK IN THE STABBING DEATH OF HIS GIRLFRIEND A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. RUBEN RODRIDGUEZ-MAISONET HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF MURDER IN THE 2009 STABBING DEATH OF CHRISTINE HARDENSTINE.

WALL, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SAY A MAN WAS CRITICALLY INJURED WHEN HE WAS SHOT BY A POLICE OFFICER IN A PITTSBURGH-AREA BAR. ALLEGHENY COUNTY POLICE SAID EAST MCKEESPORT OFFICERS WERE CALLED TO EDDIE'S LOUNGE AND RESTAURANT IN WALL AT ABOUT 2 A.M. SUNDAY BY A REPORT THAT SHOTS HAD BEEN FIRED. POLICE SAY AN ARMED MAN REFUSED TO DROP A GUN AND POINTED IT AT AN
OFFICER.

PARADISE, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN LANCASTER COUNTY SAY A HEAD-ON COLLISION BETWEEN A SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE AND A TRACTOR-TRAILER KILLED A MAN AND A CHILD AND INJURED THREE OTHER PEOPLE. POLICE SAY THE SUV WAS HEADING EAST ON ROUTE 30 IN PARADISE TOWNSHIP SATURDAY AFTERNOON WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH THE ONCOMING TRUCK.

BRADFORD, PA. (AP) - ZIPPO LIGHTERS ARE STILL SO RETRO COOL THAT THE COMPANY EXPECTS TO PRODUCE ITS 500 MILLIONTH LIGHTER WHEN THE NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA COMPANY CELEBRATES ITS 80TH ANNIVERSARY NEXT YEAR. STILL, ZIPPO OFFICIALS SAY INCREASING PRESSURE ON FOLKS NOT TO SMOKE MEANS THE COMPANY'S FUTURE DEPENDS ON ITS ABILITY TO
SELL SOMETHING OTHER THAN LIGHTER, SUCH AS WATCHES AND COLOGNE.

NATIONAL NEWS:

UKUSHIMA, JAPAN (AP) - THE UTILITY COMPANY OPERATING JAPAN'S TROUBLED NUCLEAR PLANT HAS EVACUATED WORKERS AFTER GRAY SMOKE ESCAPED FROM ONE OF THE REACTOR UNITS MONDAY. THE UTILITY SAYS THE SMOKE CAME FROM THE SPENT FUEL STORAGE POOL OF THE PROBLEM-PLAGUED UNIT 3 REACTOR, WHICH HAD BUILT UP PRESSURE IN ITS REACTOR CORE OVER THE WEEKEND.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE FIVE-MEMBER NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION WILL GET AN UPDATE FROM ITS STAFF TODAY ON THE ONGOING CRISIS IN JAPAN. THE GOAL IS TO DEVISE A PLAN TO MEET PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S CALL FOR A COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY REVIEW AT THE 104 U.S.
NUCLEAR REACTORS.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - THE COAST GUARD SAYS MISSISSIPPI RIVER SEDIMENT APPEARS TO BE THE CAUSE OF A MILES-LONG PATCH OF A DISCOLORED GOO FLOATING IN THE GULF OF MEXICO. THE COAST GUARD TESTED THE PATCH YESTERDAY AND FOUND ONLY TRACE AMOUNTS OF PETROLEUM THAT WERE WELL BELOW THE STATE OF LOUISIANA'S STANDARD FOR CLEAN WATER.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - IT'S TAKEN MORE THAN THREE YEARS BUT THE BARRY BONDS PERJURY TRIAL IS FINALLY SCHEDULED TO GET UNDER WAY TODAY IN SAN FRANCISCO. BASEBALL'S ALL-TIME HOME RUN LEADER IS CHARGED WITH LYING TO A FEDERAL GRAND JURY WHEN HE DENIED KNOWINGLY TAKING PERFORMANCE-ENHANCING DRUGS.

CHICAGO (AP) - THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION ARE TELLING PARENTS THAT CHILDREN SHOULD RIDE IN REAR-FACING CAR SEATS UNTIL THEY ARE 2 YEARS OLD, NOT ONE. AND SOME KIDS SHOULD RIDE IN BOOSTER SEATS UNTIL AGE 12. THE DOCTORS GROUP AND THE FEDERAL AGENCY ISSUED SEPARATE BUT CONSISTENT NEW RECOMMENDATIONS TODAY. THE ADVICE IS BASED ON EVIDENCE FROM CRASHES.

TODAY'S NEWS: SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2011

Girardville Parade Today

The 8th Annual Girardville St. Patrick’s Parade is scheduled to step off today at 12 Noon, rain or shine, in the Borough of Girardville, Schuylkill County. Special dignitaries taking part in this years’ parade are Lt. Governor Jim Cawley, US Senator Robert P. Casey Jr., and Congressman Tim Holden. State Route 4030 (in the area of Gilberton Borough) will be closed effective 9am on Sat March 19th (Parade Day). Route 54 will remain open all day to traffic. Parade spectators and participants are asked to utilize Route 61 (in Ashland), and proceed East on Route 54 toward the Borough of Girardville.

Butler Township Police still looking for missing Gordon man

After finding Kevin Lucas' vehicle Friday morning near the Schuylkill Mall in New Castle Township, state police helicopters, K-9 units and foot patrols scoured the area for seven hours looking for traces of the Gordon man missing since March 7. As reported by the Republican and Herald, Lucas was last seen inside Wachovia Bank on Lehigh Avenue, Frackville, at noon March 7. Lucas' family and law enforcement are seeking the public's help to track him down. Butler Township police found his vehicle - a blue and tan Chevrolet Tahoe - parked on a hill near the mall Friday morning. Township police Lt. Daniel Holderman said other than the vehicle, no other clues were found in the area. Police were contacted by two people who reported having seen Lucas' Tahoe, but it is unclear how long it had been parked there. Holderman said it was visible from Route 61. Born Oct. 4, 1977, Lucas is Caucasian, is 6 feet 1 inch tall, has brown hair and eyes and weighs 340 pounds. Anyone with information is asked to contact township police at 875-4131 or the Schuylkill County Communications Center at 462-1991

Driver’s Licenses won’t be processed next Saturday due to upgrades

Some driver’s license services will not be available at PennDOT driver license centers on Saturday, March 26 due to a scheduled upgrade of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Problem Driver Pointer System, or PDPS. The federal government requires states to use the system to determine if applicants have outstanding driver sanctions in other states. All outstanding sanctions must be reconciled before individuals can obtain a driver’s license or learner’s permit in another state. Due to the upgrade, the following services will not be available at the centers next Saturday: initial issuance of learner’s permits and driver’s licenses, extensions/replacements of learner’s permits, driver’s license replacements (duplicates), commercial driver’s license renewals, and out-of-state driver’s license transfers. The following services will be available as usual on Saturday, March 26: initial issuance and replacement of photo identification cards, non-commercial driver’s license renewals (Note: The renewal can be completed provided the customer has not received a notice from PennDOT stating they have an outstanding out-of-state driver sanction.) Learner’s permit testing and on-the-road skills testing. However, a learner’s permit or a driver’s license cannot be issued upon successful completion of the test on March 26. Customers who pass the knowledge or on-the-road skills tests will need to return to the driver license center on or after the next business day to obtain their product.

Minersville man admits to stealing swords

A 19-year-old Minersville man confessed Friday to a burglary earlier this month, borough police said. According to the Republican and Herald, Michael J. Reed, 308 Carbon St., was arrested Friday morning and charged with one count of burglary and two counts of criminal trespass, all felony offenses, as well as four misdemeanor counts each of theft by receiving stolen property and receiving stolen property. Patrolman Jeffrey Bowers charged Reed in connection with the theft of four swords from a home at 320 Carbon St. Bowers said Anthony Sylvester reported coming home on March 10, finding the kitchen door had been entered through and three samurai swords and one medieval-style sword were missing. The investigation determined that on March 8, Nicholas Andrews and another man were at Sylvester's home to discuss repairs that the homeowner wanted. Andrews admired the swords and asked Sylvester about them. Andrews, who is not charged, then went to Reed's home and mentioned the swords he had seen. Reed was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, and committed to Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $35,000 straight cash bail.

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment

MONTROSE, Pa. (AP) - A priest is facing charges of having inappropriate sexual contact with a teen at Our Lady of Solitude Retreat in Little Meadows. The Rev. Phillip Ferrara surrendered to
state police. The 48-year-old Eastern Rite Catholic priest is charged with corruption of a minor and indecent assault.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A Philadelphia man upset over his lost dentures admits he threatened a Pennsylvania congresswoman's staff. Federal prosecutors say 44-year-old Jesse Keel pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor threat charge. Keel faces up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine when he is sentenced May 23.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - An outspoken teacher who criticized the Philadelphia School District will be back at work Monday. The Philadelphia Daily News reports the district and Audenried High
School teacher Hope Moffett have reached an agreement. She was accused her of giving students transit tokens to attend a rally against district plans for the school.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A judge has removed a lawyer defending the wife of a Philadelphia abortion doctor in a high-profile murder and conspiracy case. The judge said Mary Maran (muh-RAN') can't represent Pearl Gosnell because a lawyer in Maran's firm represents Dr. Kermit Gosnell. The doctor is charged with killing a patient and seven viable babies.

Latest National News

BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) - Moammar Gadhafi says the U.N. resolution authorizing international military intervention in Libya is "invalid." The Libyan leader says he sent a message to President Barack Obama and other world leaders defending his decision to attack rebel cities. Leaders from the Arab world, Africa, the U.S. and other Western powers are holding urgent talks in Paris today over possible action.

BENGHAZI, Libya (AP) - A black cloud of smoke has been hanging over Benghazi in eastern Libya today and the sound of artillery and gunfire can be heard. This despite the declaration of a cease-fire by Moammar Gadhafi's government. The smoke came from a warplane shot down by rebels that was seen bombing the outskirts of their capital.

VIENNA (AP) - A diplomat with access to U.N. radiation tracking from Japan's crippled nuclear plant says levels taken elsewhere in the country, as well as in Russia and California, are minuscule. But the Japanese government says it's found radiation levels in milk and spinach from farms near the plant exceeding safety limits. Meanwhile workers at the plant are trying to restore power to the reactors in hopes of restarting their cooling systems.

BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) - President Barack Obama has arrived in Brazil to begin a five-day Latin American tour that will also take him to Chile and El Salvador. In his weekly radio and Internet
address, he emphasized the trip's economic mission, saying partnership with these nations "is only going to become more vital" in an increasingly global economy.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A newly elected Republican congresswoman says senators should confront President Barack Obama on his veto threat and approve $61 million in spending cuts. In the GOP's weekly address, freshman Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (JAY-mee Her-REH-ra
BUT-ler) of Washington state blamed an "army of lobbyists" in Washington for blocking efforts to address the country's debt.

LOCAL NEWS: FRIDAY, MARCH 18TH, 2011

MARCELLUS SHALE TASK FORCE

THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ANNOUNCED PLANS TO CREATE A MARCELLUS SHALE TASK FORCE ON THURSDAY. INCASE THE COUNTY FACES GAS DRILLING, A BODY OF OFFICIALS WHO WILL STUDY THE ISSUE WILL BE AVAILABLE. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THE TASK FORCE WILL CONSIST OF 15 TO 20 GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, LOCAL BUSINESSMEN BUSINESSWOMEN AND RESIDENTS OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. THEN PLAN IS TO HAVE THE TASK FORCE IN PLACE IN ABOUT A MONTH.

PERTUSSIS OUTBREAK STIRS TALK OF VACCINATION

A NEIGHBORING COUNTY HAS REPORTED AN OUTBREAK OF OVER 40 CASES OF PERTUSSIS AND LOCAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ARE URGING BOTH CHILDREN AN ADULTS IN THE AREA TO GET VACCINATED. WPPA'S JAMSINE BROOKS HAS MORE:

PERTUSSIS

COAL & OIL CO. BURGLARY UNDER INVESTIGATION

STATE POLICE AT FRACKVILLE ARE INVESTIGATING A BURGLARY THAT TOOK PLACE IN MAHANOY TOWNSHIP OVERNIGHT WEDNESDAY. POLICE REPORT A SMASHED GARAGE DOOR WINDOW AT SKYTOP COAL AND OIL WHERE THE ACTORS ENTERED THE GARAGE REMOVING TOOLS AND WELDING CABLES. THE VEHICLE USED TO FLEE THE SCENE IS UNKNOWN AND ANYONE WITH INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT STATE POLICE AT FRACKVILLE.

LOCAL CHURCHES TO HELP VICTIMS IN JAPAN

TO HELP THE VICTIMS OF THE DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI IN JAPAN, BISHOP JOHN O. BARRES OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ALLENTOWN HAS AUTHORIZED PARISHES TO TAKE UP A SPECIAL COLLECTION. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS ALL 104 PARISHES IN FIVE COUNTIES, INCLUDING SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, WILL TAKE UP THE SPECIAL COLLECTION DURING THE WEEKENDS OF MARCH 19-20, MARCH 26-27 OR APRIL 2-3. ALL PROCEEDS WILL BE SENT TO CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES.

LOCAL SYRUP DEMONSTRATION SUPPORTS PARK

GET OUT THIS WEEKEND AND ENJOY A SIMPLY SWEET BREAKFAST CONSISTING OF REAL MAPLE SYRUP WHILE LEARNING ABOUT THE PROCESS AND SUPPORTING A LOCAL PARK. WPPA'S JASMINE BROOKS HAS MORE:

MAPLE SYRUP

8th ANNUAL GIRARDVILLE ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE

THE EIGHTH ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE WILL BE HELD THIS SATURDAY IN GIRARDVILLE. THE CELEBRATION WILL KICK OFF AT NOON WITH HUNDREDS TO PERFORM INCLUDING LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL BANDS, BAGPIPES AND FLOATS. AN ESTIMATED 20,000 ONLOOKERS WILL FILL THE STREETS FOR ONE OF THE LARGEST ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE ON THE EAST COAST.

STATE NEWS:

HOLBROOK, PA. (AP) - A SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS AND ITS OWNER HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF ILLEGALLY DUMPING MILLIONS OF GALLONS OF WASTE WATER FROM NATURAL GAS DRILLING, SEWAGE SLUDGE AND RESTAURANT GREASE. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE HAS FILED 98 CRIMINAL COUNTS AGAINST ROBERT ALLAN SHIPMAN OF HOLBROOK AND ALLAN'S WASTE WATER SERVICE INC.

MIDDLETOWN, PA. (AP) - THE EVACUATION OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FROM AREAS NEAR JAPAN'S DAMAGED NUCLEAR PLANTS HAS STIRRED 32-YEAR-OLD MEMORIES IN PENNSYLVANIA OF THE WORST NUCLEAR CRISIS IN U.S. HISTORY. THE 1979 ACCIDENT AT THREE MILE ISLAND NEAR HARRISBURG IS STILL VIVIDLY RECALL BY THOSE WHO LIVED THROUGH IT.

WASHINGTON, PA. (AP) - A MOTHER AND SON FROM WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA HAVE BEEN CHARGED IN THE HOME INVASION ROBBERY AND BEATING OF A PARAPLEGIC MAN WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS. POLICE SAY TERRI LYNN STARK AND HER 18-YEAR-OLD SON MICHAEL PETER STARK BEAT THE VICTIM IN THE HEAD WITH A GUN AND THREATENED HIS LIFE.

LANCASTER, PA. (AP) - A FORMER EMPLOYEE OF A PENNSYLVANIA SECURITY FIRM HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH STEALING $886,000 FROM THE COMPANY OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL YEARS. POLICE SAY PATRICIA WARKOSKI SPENT THE MONEY SHE TOOK FROM YARNELL SECURITY SYSTEMS ON VACATIONS, CARS, FURNITURE AND OTHER ITEMS.

NATIONAL NEWS:

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - NATO ENVOYS ARE MEETING IN BRUSSELS TODAY. THEY'RE CONSIDERING WAYS TO ENFORCE A NO-FLY ZONE OVER LIBYA. THE U.N. RESOLUTION, PASSED YESTERDAY, IS AIMED AT PREVENTING MOAMMAR GADHAFI'S FORCES FROM ATTACKING LIBYANS WHO ARE TRYING TO OUST HIM.

YAMAGATA, JAPAN (AP) - THE HEAD THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION SAYS IT COULD TAKE DAYS AND "POSSIBLY WEEKS" TO GET THE MESS AT A CRIPPLED NUCLEAR PLANT IN JAPAN UNDER CONTROL. JAPANESE OFFICIALS HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE U.S. TO HELP DEAL WITH
THE CRISIS.

YAMAGATA, JAPAN (AP) - IT'S BEEN ONE WEEK SINCE A 9.0-MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE ROCKED JAPAN FOLLOWED BY A DEADLY TSUNAMI. TO MARK THE DAY, SURVIVORS OBSERVED A MINUTE OF SILENCE. MORE THAN 6,500 ARE CONFIRMED DEAD, 10,300 ARE MISSING AND MORE THAN 452,000PEOPLE ARE HOMELESS.

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYS THE U.S. MUST LEARN FROM JAPAN'S NUCLEAR POWER PLANT CRISIS. HE'S ORDERED A "COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW" OF THE SAFETY OF ALL U. S. NUCLEAR PLANTS. THERE ARE 104 NUCLEAR REACTORS IN THE U.S., PROVIDING ROUGHLY 20 PERCENT OF THE NATION'S ELECTRICITY.

TOPEKA, KAN. (AP) - PLANNING A HOLDUP? HERE'S A TIP: DON'T WEAR SOMETHING THAT STANDS OUT. POLICE IN TOPEKA, KAN., SAY THEY PICKED UP A ROBBERY SUSPECT AT A ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE BECAUSE SHE WAS STILL WEARING THE BRIGHT BLUE WARM-UP SUIT WITH BROAD YELLOW STRIPE SEEN ON THE STORE'S SURVEILLANCE TAPE.

LOCAL NEWS: THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2011

LOCALS WHO LOST ADULT BASIC CAN GET HELP

OVER 41 THOUSAND PENNSYLVANIANS RECENTLY LOST THEIR BASIC HEALTH INSURANCE DUE TO ADULT BASIC ENDING. JASMINE BROOKS HAS MORE:

SCHUYLKILL ALLIANCE

COUNTY'S WATER RATES WILL RISE

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 18 YEARS, THE SCHUYLKILL MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY VOTED WEDNESDAY TO RAISE ITS WATER RATES. THE ANNUAL WATER RATE FOR AN AVERAGE FAMILY WILL INCREASE MORE THAN $50. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS REASONS FOR THE INCREASE INCLUDE COSTS TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATORY AGENCIES AND INCREASED COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE WATER SYSTEM. CUSTOMERS WILL FIND THEIR RATES ADJUSTED IN BILLS DUE MAY 15. THE AUTHORITY SERVES MORE THAN 30,000 CUSTOMERS IN 24 MUNICIPALITIES.

TRUCK COLLISION INJURES TWO

A WEDNESDAY MORNING CRASH INVOLVING TWO TRACTOR-TRAILERS ON INTERSTATE 81 NORTH OF FRACKVILLE RESULTED IN INJURIES AND LANE CLOSURES. POLICE REPORT 30-YEAR-OLD CHRISTOPHER HUMLHANZ WAS HAULING A 122,000 POUND MACHINE WHEN HE TRAVELED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD HITTING A PARKED PRODUCE RIG, DRIVEN BY 44-YEAR-OLD FRANCIS BRUNO, RIPPING APART IT'S TRAILER. HUMLHANZ'S TRUCK CONTINUED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT BEFORE COMING TO FINAL REST. BOTH DRIVERS SUFFERED INJURIES AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO AREA HOSPITALS BY EMS. THE RIGHT NORTHBOUND LANE OF 81 REMAINED CLOSED WHILE CLEAN-UP CREWS WORKED INTO THE AFTERNOON HOURS.

PENNDOT REPAIRS PRESERVE BRIDGE

THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BEGAN WORK WEDNESDAY TO PRESERVE THE POTTSVILLE MAROONS HIGHWAY BRIDGE OVER THE READING AND NORTHERN RAIL ROAD IN BRANCH TOWNSHIP. THE BRIDGE WAS CONSTRUCTED IN 1926, AND SUPPORTS ALMOST 10,000 VEHICLES DURING DAILY TRAFFIC. BEAM AND JOINT REPAIRS WILL BE MADE TO THE CONCRETE ENCASED STEEL BEAMS THAT HAVE BECOME DEFICIENT OVER TIME. MOTORISTS CAN EXPECT LANE RESTRICTIONS ON U.S. 209 AND PA 901 THROUGH MAY WHEN THE REPAIRS ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETE.

TEACHERS URGED TO CONSIDER PAY FREEZE

WITH PENNSYLVANIA'S NEW GOVERNOR CALLING FOR A BILLION DOLLAR CUT IN PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING, THE HEAD OF PENNSYLVANIA STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION IS URGING TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER A ONE YEAR PAY FREEZE. TOM JOSEPH HAS MORE:

PAY FREEZE

STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA PHYSICS TEACHER FIRED OVER HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH A ONE-TIME STUDENT HAS SUED HER FOR LIBEL. ROBERT SCHANNE (SHOW'-NEE) SAYS HIS AFFAIR WITH JENNA ADDIS DIDN'T START UNTIL 2004, A YEAR AFTER SHE GRADUATED FROM LOWER MERION HIGH SCHOOL. HE SAYS SHE LIED WHEN SHE LATER TOLD DISTRICT OFFICIALS THE AFFAIR STARTED WHEN SHE WAS A STUDENT.

NORRISTOWN, PA. (AP) - A FORMER MIDDLE SCHOOL VICE PRINCIPAL HAS ADMITTED SENDING SALACIOUS TEXT MESSAGES TO TWO TEENAGE STUDENTS. THIRTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD CHARLES DANIELHURST PLEADED TO GUILTY TO TWO COUNTS OF CORRUPTING A MINOR AND ONE OF COCAINE POSSESSION MONTGOMERY COUNTY COURT. AUTHORITIES SAY THE FORMER PENNBROOK
MIDDLE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR HAD EXPLICIT CONVERSATIONS WITH TWO BOYS WHO ATTENDED THE SCHOOL.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A MAN HAS PLEADED GUILTY TO SHOOTING A PHILADELPHIA POLICE OFFICER OUTSIDE A BAR ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO. THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS REPORTS LAWRENCE PEEL PLEADED GUILTY WEDNESDAY TO AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, ASSAULTON A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND FIREARMS OFFENSES.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A FORMER DEATH ROW INMATE GRANTED A NEW TRIAL IN A 1982 DOUBLE MURDER IN PHILADELPHIA BECAUSE BLACKS WERE DISPROPORTIONATELY EXCLUDED FROM THE JURY HAS PLEADED GUILTY IN A DEAL WITH PROSECUTORS. DONALD HARDCASTLE PLEADED GUILTY IN COMMON PLEAS COURT TO THIRD-DEGREE MURDER AND ARSON IN THE MAY 1982 BREAK-IN AND SLAYINGS OF JOSEPH GREGG AND ERNESTINE DENNIS IN NORTH
PHILADELPHIA.

NATIONAL NEWS:

ZAO, JAPAN (AP) - IT'S GETTING DICIER IN JAPAN, WHERE MILITARY HELICOPTERS ARE DUMPING SEAWATER ON A CRIPPLED NUCLEAR POWER PLANT. BUT TELEVISION FOOTAGE SHOWS MUCH OF THE WATER APPEARING TO DISPERSE IN THE WIND. THE U.S. SAYS IT'S CHARTERING PLANES TO HELP AMERICANS GET OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

ZAO, JAPAN (AP) - NEARLY A WEEK AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI IN JAPAN, OFFICIALS SAY MORE THAN 452,000 PEOPLE ARE STAYING IN SHELTERS, AND SUPPLIES ARE RUNNING SHORT. MORE THAN 5,300 PEOPLE ARE CONFIRMED DEAD, BUT OFFICIALS BELIEVE THE TOLL WILL CLIMB TO WELL OVER 10,000.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE TOP U.S. COMMANDER IN AFGHANISTAN IS URGING THE HOUSE NOT TO BE HASTY. THE CHAMBER WILL CONSIDER TODAY A RESOLUTION TO WITHDRAW AMERICAN FORCES BY YEAR'S END. BUT GEN. DAVID PETRAEUS (PEH-TRAY'-UHS) SAYS THE TALIBAN AND AL-QAIDA WILL SEE THAT AS A VICTORY.

WASHINGTON (AP) - BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS SAY THEY'RE TIRED OF STOPGAP FUNDING BILLS TO KEEP THE GOVERNMENT OPEN. BUT THEY'LL BE VOTING TODAY ON ANOTHER BILL THAT WILL KEEP THINGS RUNNING FOR THREE MORE WEEKS. THE MEASURE INCLUDES $6 BILLION IN DOMESTIC SPENDING CUTS.

AUSTIN, TEXAS (AP) - LAWMAKERS IN TEXAS ARE FACING A HARD FACT: THE STATE IS IN SERIOUS FINANCIAL TROUBLE. THEY'RE FINDING IT TOUGH TO SOLVE THE $27 BILLION BUDGET CRISIS BY CUTTING SPENDING ALONE. A MOVE TO WITHDRAW BILLIONS FROM THE RESERVE FUND WILL HELP IN THE SHORT TERM.

TODAY'S NEWS: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2011

JURORS SPEAK OUT AGAINST FORMER CHIEF'S CONVICTION

MORE THAN ONE JUROR HAS ADMITTED MAKING A MISTAKE IN THE CONVICTION OF FORMER SHENANDOAH POLICE CHIEF MATTHEW NESTOR. DURING A FEDERAL TRIAL IN JANUARY, NESTOR WAS CONVICTED OF FILING A FALSE POLICE REPORT DURING THE INVESTIGATION OF THE BEATING DEATH OF AN ILLEGAL MEXICAN IMMIGRANT. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THAT JUROR, DIANE BERGER, CONTACTED THE COURT THE DAY AFTER THE TRIAL ENDED STATING THE WRONG BOX WAS CHECKED DUE TO CONFUSION OF MULTIPLE VERDICTS. BERGER THEN CONTACTED JOSEPH NAHAS, ONE OF NESTOR'S ATTORNEYS, SAYING SHE WOULD BE WILLING TO SIGN AN AFFIDAVIT THAT WAS ATTACHED TO A REPLY BRIEF FILED MONDAY WITH U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE A. RICHARD CAPUTO. THE JUDGE CAN RULE ONE OF THREE WAYS: THROW THE CONVICTION OUT, ORDER A NEW TRIAL OR LET THE CONVICTION STAND.

CHEESE STEAKS FOR CHARITY

THE BRASS TAP HERE IN POTTSVILLE IS SUPPORTING DAFFODIL DAYS AND THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY BY HOLDING "CHEESE STEAKS FOR CHARITY." WPPA/T102'S JASMINE BROOKS HAS MORE:

CHEESE STEAKS

DEADLY CRASH UPDATE

MORE INFORMATION HAS BEEN RELEASED ON THE DEADLY CRASH IN WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. POLICE REPORT THE 17-YEAR-OLD PINE GROVE BOY DRIVING THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD A LEARNER'S PERMIT, AND WAS IN VIOLATION OF THE STATE VEHICLE CODE. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE CRASH IS PENDING AN INTERVIEW WITH THE DRIVER, BUT THE BOY'S FAMILY IS OBTAINING LEGAL COUNSEL TO BE PRESENT. THE CRASH ON HICKORY ROAD KILLED 16-YEAR-OLD BRYNEN BELL OF PINE GROVE WHO WAS A PASSENGER. BELL DIED OF MASSIVE HEAD AND CHEST TRAUMA SUFFERED IN THE CRASH.

LOCAL SCHOOLS MAKE THE GRADE ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY

NEARLY TWO DOZEN SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN EASTERN AND CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA HAVE RECEIVED ENERGY STAR DESIGNATION FROM PPL ELECTRIC UTILITIES IN THE LAST YEAR. TWO DISTRICTS BEING RECOGNIZED ARE RIGHT HERE IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. TRI VALLEY'S MAHANTANGO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WAS HONORED IN 2010, WHILE POTTSVILLE'S JOHN S. CLARKE ELEMENTARY CENTER RECEIVED THE STATUS IN FEBRUARY, AND WILL BE INCLUDED ON THE EPA'S 2012 LIST. THOMAS STATHOS, MANAGER OF CUSTOMER PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, SAYS "THIS PROGRAM IS JUST ONE WAY PPL PARTNERS WITH ITS EDUCATION CUSTOMERS ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY." STATHOS ALSO SAID SCHOOLS OPERATING AT A HIGHER RATE DESERVE PRAISE. MORE THAN 12,000 BUILDINGS HAVE ACHIEVED ENERGY STAR STATUS SINCE THE PROGRAM BEGAN IN 1999, WHICH RESULTS IN $1.9 BILLION ANNUAL ENERGY SAVINGS.

DEATH INVESTIGATION

HAMBURG POLICE ARE NOW INVESTIGATING THE DEATH OF A MAN FOUND LYING IN A PARKING LOT IN BETHEL TOWNSHIP. 73-YEAR-OLD HUGH CORRY OF NEW JERSEY WAS FOUND TUESDAY BY A PASSING MOTORIST. RESULTS OF AN AUTOPSY CONDUCTED AT READING HOSPITAL FOUND THAT CORRY DID NOT DIE AS A RESULT OF PHYSICAL INJURIES OR TRAUMA. THE CAUSE AND MANNER OF DEATH ARE AWAITING TOXICOLOGY RESULTS.

POTTSVILLE BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION

THE BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION OFFICIALLY KICKED OFF TUESDAY HERE IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. THE POTTSVILLE AREA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION SPONSORS THIS COMPETITION IN ORDER TO ATTRACT NEW BUSINESS TO POTTSVILLE. THE COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO THREE KEY PHASES; THE PRELIMINARY QUESTIONNAIRE, COMPLETED BUSINESS PLAN, AND PERSONAL PRESENTATION. THE WINNER OF THE COMPETITION WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A COMPREHENSIVE PRIZE PACKAGE VALUED AT $20,000. TO RECEIVE AN APPLICATION CONTACT PADCO AT 628-4647.

COMMISSIONERS MEETING IN GIRARDVILLE

TO KICK OFF ST. PATRICK'S DAY CELEBRATIONS, THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL MEET IN GIRARDVILLE THURSDAY MORNING FOR THEIR WEEKLY MEETING. THE PUBLIC IS ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THE 10AM MEETING AT GIRARDVILLE BOROUGH HALL.

STATE NEWS:
WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IS DEFENDING NUCLEAR POWER AS AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF ENERGY IN THE U.S., EVEN AS NEW QUESTIONS ARE RAISED ABOUT ITS SAFETY FOLLOWING RADIATION LEAKS FROM AN EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI-DAMAGED NUCLEAR PLANT IN JAPAN. IN AN INTERVIEW WITH PITTSBURGH TELEVISION STATION KDKA, OBAMA SAYS NUCLEAR FACILITIES IN THE U.S. ARE CLOSELY MONITORED AND ARE DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND CERTAIN LEVELS OF EARTHQUAKES.

ALLENTOWN, PA. (AP) - THE NATURAL GAS UTILITY CONNECTED TO A FATAL EXPLOSION LAST MONTH IN ALLENTOWN SAYS IT COULD TAKE 40 YEARS TO REPLACE ALL ITS AGING, CAST-IRON PIPELINES. UGI CORPORATION VICE PRESIDENT ROBERT BEARD TOLD A STATE SENATE PANEL ON YESTERDAY THAT, AT ITS CURRENT PACE, THE UTILITY WOULD NEED FOUR DECADES TO REPLACE THE OLD PIPES, SOME OF WHICH ARE A CENTURY OLD.

READING, PA. (AP) - VOTERS IN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA HAVE CHOSEN DEMOCRAT JUDY SCHWANK TO SUCCEED THE LATE STATE SENATOR MICHAEL O'PAKE. SCHWANK, A FORMER BERKS COUNTY COMMISSIONER, WON BY NEARLY 6,000 VOTES OVER REPUBLICAN LARRY MEDAGLIA, THE COUNTY REGISTER OF WILLS, WITH ALL 128 PRECINCTS REPORTING IN A SPECIAL ELECTION IN THE 11TH SENATE DISTRICT.

HERSHEY, PA. (AP) - FORMER PENNSYLVANIA FIRST LADY MARY JANE LEADER HAS DIED AT THE AGE OF 92. THE WIFE OF GOVERNOR GEORGE LEADER, A DEMOCRAT WHO LED THE STATE FOR FOUR YEARS IN THE LATE 1950S, DIED YESTERDAY AT HER HOME IN HERSHEY. MARY JANE LEADER IS A NATIVE OF WILLIAMSPORT WHO GREW UP IN YORK, WHERE SHE ATTENDED HIGH SCHOOL WITH HER FUTURE HUSBAND.

NATIONAL NEWS:

FUKUSHIMA, JAPAN (AP) - RADIATION LEVELS AT JAPAN'S EARTHQUAKE-CRIPPLED NUCLEAR PLANT ARE FLUCTUATING. WORKERS TRYING TO COOL THE OVERHEATING REACTORS WERE EVACUATED EARLIER TODAY. NOW THAT LEVELS HAVE GONE DOWN, THERE'S NO WORD ON WHETHER THEY'VE BEEN ALLOWED BACK IN.

TOKYO (AP) - JAPAN'S EMPEROR IS URGING THE NATION NOT TO GIVE UP. EMPEROR AKIHITO IS OFFERING HIS CONDOLENCES FOR THE VICTIMS OF FRIDAY'S MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI AND IS CALLING FOR AN ALL-OUT RESCUE EFFORT. OFFICIALS ESTIMATE MORE THAN 10,000 PEOPLE HAVE DIED.

MANAMA, BAHRAIN (AP) - SECURITY FORCES ARE BLOCKING THE MAIN ROADS INTO BAHRAIN'S CAPITAL TODAY. THEY'RE ALSO USING TEAR GAS AND ARMORED VEHICLES TO DRIVE OUT HUNDREDS OF ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTERS. WITNESSES SAY AT LEAST TWO PROTESTERS HAVE BEEN KILLED. THERE'S NO OFFICIAL WORD FROM AUTHORITIES.

ATLANTA (AP) - GEORGIA'S ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE SAYS IT'S UNLIKELY ANY EXECUTIONS WILL BE SCHEDULED UNTIL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STATE'S SUPPLY OF A DRUG USED IN LETHAL INJECTIONS ARE ANSWERED. FEDERAL DRUG AGENTS HAVE SEIZED THE SUPPLIES IN AN INVESTIGATION INTO HOW THE DRUG WAS IMPORTED TO THE U.S.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - STATE REGULATORS IN CALIFORNIA MAY DECIDE TODAY HOW THEY'LL SANCTION PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC FOR A DEADLY EXPLOSION ON A NATURAL GAS PIPELINE. EIGHT PEOPLE DIED AND THREE DOZEN HOMES IN SAN BRUNO WERE DESTROYED BY THE SEPT. 9 BLAST. OFFICIALS COULD FINE THE UTILITY.

LOCAL NEWS: TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2011

COUNTY UNEMPLOYMENT CONTINUES TO CROP

FIGURES RELEASED MONDAY BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY SHOW A CONTINUED DROP IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY’S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE. FIGURES DROPPED OVER A HALF PERCENT TO 9.6 IN JANUARY, AND SHOW OVER A ONE-PERCENT DECREASE FROM 10.9 IN JANUARY 2010. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS NEARLY 1,300 JOBS LOST, BUT THAT NUMBER REFLECTING SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY, HOURLY EMPLOYEES OUT OF WORK OVER THE WINTER BREAK. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY CURRENTLY RANKS 58TH IN UNEMPLOYMENT OUT OF THE 67 PENNSYLVANIA COUNTIES.

CORBETT’S EDUCATION CUTS RAISE DEBATE

LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS AND BOARD MEMBERS JOINED FIVE STATE LEGISLATORS TO DISCUSS GOVERNOR TOM CORBETT’S PROPOSED $27.3 BILLION BUDGET MONDAY AT THE SCHUYLKILL I.U 29’S ANNUAL CONVENTION. STATE REPRESENTATIVES NEAL GOODMAN, JERRY KNOWLES AND MIKE TOBASH ALONG WITH STATE SENATORS DAVE ARGALL AND JEFFREY PICCOLA LEAD THE DISCUSSION. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS IN THEIR OPENING REMARKS, EACH LEGISLATOR ACKNOWLEDGED THE “CHALLENGING” ECONOMIC TIMES THAT 2011 PRESENTS. THE ISSUE ON SENATE BILL 1, WHICH WOULD ALLOW STUDENTS FROM ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED FAMILIES TO USE STATE FUNDS TO ENROLL IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS, WAS A MAIN TOPIC. GOV. CORBETT’S PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES DRASTIC CUTS TO PUBLIC AND STATE HIGHER EDUCATION.


DUI CHECKPOINTS THROUGH MARCH

THE NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT DUI TASK FORCE ANNOUNCED MONDAY THAT SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTS AND ROVING DUI PATROLS WILL BE PRESENT ON MANY ROUTES IN OUR AREA THROUGHOUT MARCH 21ST. THE NORTH CENTRAL HIGHWAY SAFETY NETWORK WANTS TO REMIND DRIVERS IF THEY SUSPECT A DRUNK DRIVER TO DIAL 911 AND TO REPORT UNDERAGE DRINKING TO 1-888-UNDER 21.

STATE NEWS:

EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) - POLICE SAY A PHILADELPHIA-BOUND BUS OPERATED BY A PENNSYLVANIA COMPANY HAS CRASHED ON A HIGHWAY IN NEW JERSEY, KILLING TWO PEOPLE. STATE POLICE SAY THE LUXURY BUS HIT A GUARD RAIL AND A CONCRETE ABUTMENT. SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE BEEN INJURED.

YORK, PA. (AP) - PROSECUTORS IN YORK SAY A DEFENDANT ACCUSED OF KILLING ANOTHER MAN ALMOST THREE YEARS AGO INTENDED TO KILL SOMEONE WITH A SIMILAR NICKNAME BUT FIRED AN ASSAULT RIFLE AT THE WRONG MAN. WILFREDO RODRIGUEZ JR. IS CHARGED WITH MURDER AND CONSPIRACY IN THE KILLING OF OMAR "BIG O" DOWLING.

WASHINGTON, PA. (AP) - A WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA MAN HAS BEEN CONVICTED IN THE BLUDGEONING DEATH OF HIS LIVE-IN GIRLFRIEND MORE THAN A YEAR AGO. THE OBSERVER-REPORTER SAYS JURORS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY DELIBERATED FOR A FEW HOURS BEFORE CONVICTING LARRY BOYD JR.OF THIRD-DEGREE MURDER AND AGGRAVATED ASSAULT LAST NIGHT.

WELLSVILLE, PA. (AP) - OFFICIALS IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA SAY A DEER CRASHED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD OF A SCHOOL BUS, INJURING THE DRIVER BUT LEAVING MORE THAN TWO DOZEN STUDENTS UNHARMED. POLICE IN YORK COUNTY SAY ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK THE DEER, SENDING IT AIRBORNE AND THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD OF THE KAUFFMAN BUS SERVICES VEHICLE YESTERDAY.

NATIONAL NEWS:

SOMA, JAPAN (AP) - THE INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY SAYS RADIOACTIVITY FROM JAPAN'S EARTHQUAKE-CRIPPLED NUCLEAR PLANT "IS BEING RELEASED DIRECTLY INTO THE ATMOSPHERE." THE AGENCY SAYS JAPANESE OFFICIALS TOLD IT THAT THE REACTOR FIRE WAS IN A POND WHERE USED NUCLEAR FUEL IS KEPT COOL.

TOKYO (AP) -FIRST CAME THE EARTHQUAKE, THEN THE TSUNAMI, A NUCLEAR CRISIS AND NOW -- PANIC-BUYING. CANNED GOODS, BATTERIES, BREAD AND BOTTLED WATER HAVE VANISHED FROM STORE SHELVES IN JAPAN. OFFICIALS FEAR THAT HOARDING MAY KEEP EMERGENCY FOOD AID FROM THOSE WHO REALLY NEED IT.

WASHINGTON (AP) - SEN. JOHN MCCAIN SAYS THE TOP U.S. COMMANDER IN AFGHANISTAN WILL PROBABLY FACE TOUGH QUESTIONS AT TODAY'S SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE HEARING. GEN. DAVID PETRAEUS (PEH-TRAY'-UHS) IS EXPECTED TO TELL LAWMAKERS THAT FORCES CAN BEGIN TO WITHDRAW THIS SUMMER AS PLANNED.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A NEW REPORT SAYS ALMOST 15 MILLION PEOPLE ARE PROVIDING BILLION OF HOURS OF UNPAID CARE FOR AN ESTIMATED 5.4 MILLION ALZHEIMER'S PATIENTS. MEANWHILE, HEALTH AND NURSING HOME EXPENDITURES FOR DEMENTIA PATIENTS WILL REACH $183BILLION THIS YEAR, MUCH OF IT PAID BY MEDICARE AND MEDICAID.

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA (AP) - ALASKA AUTHORITIES SAY A MOOSE ATTACKED A 6-YEAR-OLD ANCHORAGE BOY AS HE WALKED HOME AFTER GETTING OFF A SCHOOL BUS. MICHAEL BARNES' GRANDFATHER SAYS THE BOY HAS BEEN SEDATED AND HIS FAMILY WON'T KNOW HIS CONDITION UNTIL HE AWAKENS.

TODAY'S NEWS: MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2011

FATAL CRASH

AN EARLY MORNING CRASH IN WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP SUNDAY CLAIMED THE LIFE OF A PINE GROVE TEEN AND INJURED FIVE OTHERS. POLICE RELEASED NAMES EARLY THIS MORNING OF 16-YEAR-OLD BRYNAN BELL AS THE DECEASED, AND 18-YEAR-OLD PASSENGER, PATRICK JOSEPH SUFFERING SEVERE INJURIES. THE SIX TEENS WERE TRAVELING WEST ON HICKORY ROAD WHEN THEIR 1997 FORD EXPLORER SPUN CROSSING BOTH LANES, FLIPPED AND CAME TO FINAL REST AFTER HITTING TWO TREES. THREE PASSENGERS WERE TRANSPORTED TO SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER AND TWO PASSENGERS WERE FLOWN FROM THE SCENE; ONE TO HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER AND THE OTHER TO GEISINGER MEDICAL CENTER. THE DRIVER OS THE VEHICLE WAS TREATED AND RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL, BUT THE CURRENT CONDITION OF THE OTHER FOUR TEENS REMAINS UNKNOWN. STATE POLICE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN ARE CONTINUING THE INVESTIGATION OF THE CRASH AND CAUSE.

TAKE BACK DAY

THE U.S DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION HELD ITS’ FIRST NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG TAKE BACK DAY ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2010. MORE THAN $40,000 WORTH OF UNUSED OR EXPIRED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS WERE TURNED IN AT A DROP-OFF SITE IN POTTSVILLE BEFORE BEING DESTROYED AT AN INCINERATOR IN OHIO. THE NATIONWIDE EVENT WILL BE HELD ONCE AGAIN HERE IN POTTSVILLE ON APRIL 30 FROM 10AM TO 2PM. THE LISTING FOR SITES IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY WILL BE POSTED AT THE DEA WEBSITE AT DEADIVERSION.USDOJ.GOV.

POLICE INVESTIGATE HIT & RUN

STATE POLICE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN ARE INVESTIGATING A HIT AND RUN THAT OCCURRED EARLY MONDAY MARCH 7TH. THE OWNER OF A JEEP WRANGLER, POSSIBLY BROWN OR GOLD IN COLOR, WAS TRAVELING WEST ON MILL CREEK ROAD IN NORWEGIAN TOWNSHIP WHEN IT STRUCK THE LEFT SIDE OF AND ILLEGALLY PARK CHEVY AVEO. THE DRIVER FLED THE SCENE TRAVELING WEST TOWARD ROUTE 61. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION REGARDING THIS INCIDENT IS ASKED TO CONTACT STATE POLICE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN.

MOTORCYCLE CRASH INJURES ONE

AN ALLENTOWN MAN WAS FLOWN TO THE LEHIGH VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER FOLLOWING A MOTORCYCLE CRASH SATURDAY AFTERNOON. THE CRASH HAPPENED AROUND 12:30 ON WEST ADAMSDALE ROAD IN NORTH MANHEIM TOWNSHIP. POLICE SAY 57-YEAR-OLD STEVEN MARKOWITZ LOST CONTROL OF HIS MOTORCYCLE ON A CURVE. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH MODERATE INJURIES. (WGRC)


SPRING CLEANING CAN RESULT IN HARMFUL WASTE

NOW THAT WE'VE SET OUR CLOCKS FORWARD AND SPRING ARRIVES IN JUST A FEW DAYS, MANY PENNSYLVANIANS WILL TACKLE THE ANNUAL RITUAL OF SPRING CLEANING. BUT NOT EVERYTHING IN YOUR CABINETS, GARAGE AND BASEMENT SHOULD END UP IN THE TRASH. TOM JOSEPH HAS MORE:

SPRING CLEANING


STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A PHILADELPHIA MAN ACCUSED OF POURING RUBBING ALCOHOL ON HIS FAMILY'S PUPPY AND SETTING IT ON FIRE IN FRONT OF HIS CHILDREN HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO TWO TO SEVEN YEARS IN PRISON. JOHN FLEET HAS PLEADED NO CONTEST IN COMMON PLEAS COURT TO ANIMAL CRUELTY, CHILD ENDANGERMENT AND CORRUPTING A MINOR. HE TOLD JUDGE CHARLES CUNNINGHAM III THAT HE WAS UNDER STRESS AND "TOOK IT OUT ON THE DOG."

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - POLICE IN PHILADELPHIA SAY A MAN WAS CRITICALLY INJURED AFTER HE WAS SHOT BY AN OFFICER WHO AUTHORITIES SAY HAD BEEN THREATENED WITH A KNIFE. POLICE SAY AN OFFICER FOUND THE MAN HOLDING A BLADE TO HIS OWN THROAT. THEY SAY HE IGNORED AN ORDER TO DROP THE KNIFE AND CHARGED AFTER THE OFFICER TRIED TO SUBDUE HIM WITH A TASER, AND THE OFFICER THEN FIRED ONCE, STRIKING THE MAN IN THE CHEST.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA ARE SEEKING A SUSPECT IN THE MURDER OF A MAN STABBED TO DEATH IN HIS PITTSBURGH-AREA HOME 6 1/2 YEARS AGO. THIRTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD ANTHONY MORGAN OF PITTSBURGH WAS CHARGED LAST WEEK WITH CRIMINAL HOMICIDE IN THE SEPTEMBER 2004 DEATH OF DEON SAMUEL THOMAS IN MOUNT OLIVER, WHICH BORDERS PITTSBURGH.

JOSEPHINE, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SAY A MAN WANTED IN A ROBBERY-RELATED SLAYING IN OHIO EARLIER THIS MONTH HAS BEEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY. STATE POLICE IN INDIANA COUNTY TOLD THE INDIANA GAZETTE THAT 20-YEAR-OLD DONZELLE CROSBY OF LORAIN, OHIO, WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY FRIDAY NIGHT NEAR BLAIRSVILLE.

NATIONAL NEWS:

SOMA, JAPAN (AP) - THE U.S. SEVENTH FLEET SAYS IT'S MOVING ITS SHIPS AND AIRCRAFT AWAY FROM A QUAKE-DAMAGED JAPANESE NUCLEAR POWER PLANT AFTER DISCOVERING LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATION. THERE'S BEEN A SECOND HYDROGEN EXPLOSION AT THE PLANT, INJURING 11 WORKERS. AND ANOTHER UNIT HAS LOST ITS COOLING ABILITY.

TAKAJO, JAPAN (AP) - THE DEATH TOLL FROM FRIDAY'S MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI IN JAPAN IS NOW ABOUT 2,800, AFTER ANOTHER 1,000 BODIES WASHED UP ALONG THE MIYAGI COASTLINE. THE POLICE CHIEF SAYS HE EXPECTS THE NUMBER TO CLIMB TO MORE THAN 10,000 IN THAT PROVINCE ALONE.

TOKYO (AP) - JAPAN'S CENTRAL BANK IS TRYING STABILIZE THE QUAKE-DAMAGED COUNTRY'S ECONOMY. IT'S INJECTING A RECORD $184 BILLION INTO MONEY MARKETS. IT'S ALSO EXPANDING THE SIZE OF AN EXISTING PROGRAM TO BUY ASSETS, SUCH AS GOVERNMENT AND CORPORATE BONDS. IT WILL KEEP THE KEY INTEREST RATE AT VIRTUALLY ZERO.

NEW YORK (AP) - PASSENGERS AND WITNESSES TO A DEADLY TOUR BUS CRASH IN NEW YORK ARE DISPUTING THE DRIVER'S ACCOUNT OF THE ACCIDENT. HE SAYS THE BUS WAS CLIPPED BY A TRACTOR-TRAILER, WHILE THEY SAY THE DRIVER WAS SWERVING AND THEY DIDN'T FEEL ANYTHING HIT THEM. FOURTEEN PEOPLE DIED IN THE CRASH.

NEW YORK (AP) - A NEW SURVEY SHOWS MORE AMERICANS ARE GETTING THEIR NEWS FROM THE INTERNET. NEWS CONSUMPTION ONLINE INCREASED 17 PERCENT LAST YEAR FROM THE YEAR BEFORE. IT ALSO SHOWS NEWSROOM STAFFS ARE, ON AVERAGE, 30 PERCENT SMALLER THAN THEY WERE IN 2000.