TODAY'S NEWS: FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011

BREAKING NEWS: WEATHER UPDATE

AFTER SEVERE STORMS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY LAST NIGHT, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS IS NOW STARTING TO GATHER MORE INFORMATION AND GET THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE. EMERGENCY MANAGER COORDINATOR JOHN MATZ FROM SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS SAYS CRESSONA, SCHUYLKILL HAVEN AND ORWIGSBURG HAVE THE WORST DAMAGE. THERE ARE ALSO SOME PRELIMINARY REPORTS OF DAMAGE IN WEST PENN TOWNSHIP. SEVERAL TREES ARE DOWN THROUGHOUT THE AREA.SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS WILL BE WORKING WITH THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AND PPL ELECTRIC TO GET MORE INFORMATION. MORE THAN 80,000 PEOPLE ACROSS THE REGION EXPERIENCED POWER OUTAGES. POWER HAS ALSO BEEN KNOCKED OUT ALONG ROUTE 61 WHERE TRAFFIC LIGHTS ARE DOWN NEAR THE CRESSONA MALL AND CONNORS CROSSING. WE WILL HAVE MORE INFORMATION AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.



SEVERE WEATHER THROUGHOUT COUNTY

SEVERE STORMS BLEW THROUGHOUT SCHUYLKILL COUNTY LAST NIGHT, KNOCKING OUT POWER TO MORE THAN 10,000 CUSTOMERS AND OVER 13,000 IN BERKS COUNTY. A TORNADO WARNING WAS ISSUED AFTER 7:30PM AND POSSIBLY TOUCHED DOWN IN NORTH MANHEIM TOWNSHIP WHERE WINDS TORE THE ROOF OF THE FORMER SEVEN STARS HOTEL. IN ADDITION TO HIGH WINDS, DAMAGING HAIL UP TO TWO INCHES IN DIAMETER FELL IN SCHUYLKILL AND NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTIES. THIS STORM COMES JUST THREE DAYS AFTER AN EF-1 TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN IN WALKER TOWNSHIP. THE RED CROSS OPENED A SHELTER AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN SENIOR CENTER, BUT THAT WAS CLOSED EARLY THIS MORNING.

LOCAL FIRST RESPONDERS ARE INVITED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT STATE AND FEDERAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AT AN UPCOMING GRANT SEMINAR. JASMINE BROOKS HAS MORE:

SENATOR ARGALL TO HOST SENIOR CITIZENS EXPO

SENATOR DAVID ARGALL IS HOSTING AN EXPO FOR THE AREA'S SENIOR CITIZENS THAT WILL FEATURE OVER 35 EXHIBITORS TO PROVIDE UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AVAILABLE TO PENNSYLVANIA’S OLDER RESIDENTS. VENDORS INCLUDE NURSING CARE FACILITIES, CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCIES, INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES, SAFETY AWARENESS ORGANIZATIONS, STS, SCHUYLKILL UNITED WAY AND SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION AMONG OTHERS. ARGALL SAYS HE IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE HE WILL BE AT THE SCHUYLKILL MALL FOR A SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR BECAUSE THE LOCATION ALLOWS EASY ACCESSIBILITY FOR THE AREA'S SENIOR CITIZENS. THE EXPO WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1ST FROM 10AM UNTIL 2PM.


LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE COMMENTS ON BILL ON PHARMACIES

LEGISLATION INITIALLY INTRODUCED BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE NEAL GOODMAN THAT PROTECTS PENNSYLVANIANS' RIGHT TO BUY PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AT A LOCAL PHARMACY WAS VOTED OUT OF THE HOUSE AGING AND ADULT SERVICES COMMITTEE. GOODMAN SAYS THIS LEGISLATION ALLOWS RESIDENTS TO OBTAIN THEIR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FROM THE PROVIDER OF THEIR CHOICE. HE ADDS MANY PENNSYLVANIANS, PARTICULARLY SENIOR CITIZENS, HAVE LONG-STANDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR LOCAL PHARMACISTS, AND SHOULDN’T HAVE TO JEOPARDIZE THAT BECAUSE OF AN INSURANCE COMPANY OR GOVERNMENT PROGRAM.

DUI CHECKPOINTS OVER MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

TO PROTECT THE TRAVELING PUBLIC FROM INTOXICATED DRIVERS IN PENNSYLVANIA, STATE POLICE ARE CONDUCTING DUI SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTS AS WELL AS ROVING DUI ENFORCEMENT PATROLS OVER THE UPCOMING MEMORIAL HOLIDAY PERIOD. IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WILL ALSO BE PARTICIPATING IN THE CLICK IT OR TICKET CAMPAIGN. THE BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION LIMIT HAS BEEN REDUCED TO 0.08% AND PENALTIES CAN RANGE FROM A $300 FINE WITH SIX MONTHS PROBATION ALL THE WAY UP TO $5,000 WITH PRISON SENTENCES OF UP TO FIVE YEARS.

GET MORE MILEAGE FROM GIVING BLOOD

THE AMERICAN RED CROSS IS COMING OUT OF ONE OF THE WORST WINTERS FOR COLLECTIONS IN A VERY LONG TIME, AND ARE ABOUT TO HIT THE HARDEST TIMES OF THE YEAR FOR DONATIONS-SUMMER. BY DONATING NOW AND EVERY 56 DAYS, INDIVIDUALS CAN HELP TO ENSURE THAT BLOOD WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR AREA PATIENTS WHEN IT'S NEEDED. THROUGHOUT THE MONTHS OF MAY AND JUNE, DONORS CAN ENTER TO WIN A ONE YEAR FORD FIESTA CAR LEASE. IT'S ALL PART OF THE "GET MORE MILEAGE FROM GIVING BLOOD" EVENT. THE NEXT BLOOD DRIVE WILL BE HELD TUESDAY, MAY 31 AT GEISINGER HOSPITAL FOR ADVANCED MEDICINE FROM 10AM-4PM. ELIGIBLE VOLUNTEER BLOOD DONORS ARE ASKED TO CALL 1-800-RED CROSS OR VISIT RED CROSS BLOOD.ORG TO FIND A BLOOD DRIVE AND TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS.

MENNOINITE CHURCH ROBBED
THEFT CHARGES ARE PENDING AGAINST A 17 YEAR OLD MALE WHO BROKE INTO A CHURCH. ACCORDING TO STATE POLICE IN HAMBURG. A 17 YEAR OLD MALE BROKE INTO THE SCHUBERT MENNONITE CHURCH IN BETHEL TOWNSHIP BACK ON MAY 18TH, BROKE A WINDOW AND STOLE AN ELECTRIC GUITAR. THE GUITAR WAS LATER RETURNED BUT POLICE PLAN TO CHARGE THE YOUTH WITH BURGLARY, THEFT AND CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

MAHANOY ARE APPROVES BUDGET
THE MAHANOY AREA SCHOOL BOARD HAS APPROVED THEIR PROPOSED FINAL BUDGET FOR THE UP COMING SCHOOL YEAR, WITHOUT A TAX INCREASE. TO BALANCE THE BUDGET THE TEACHERS SALARY CONTRACT WAS FROZEN FOR THE 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR, ALONG WITH DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS. THE OVER 16 MILLION DOLLAR BUDGET INCLUDES THE REDUCTION OF FOUR TEACHING STAFF MEMBERS AND THREE ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS. BOARD MEMBERS ALSO AGREED TO ELIMINATE FREE ATHLETIC PHYSICALS AND AWAY GAME TRANSPORTATION FOR BAND AND CHEERLEADERS AS WELL AS SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS.

ROBBERY SUSPECT HEADED TO COURT

THE MAN CHARGED WITH ROBBING THE RITE-AID IN SHENANDOAH BACK IN FEBRUARY WAIVED HIS RIGHT IN COURT ON THURSDAY. 32 YEAR OLD MICHAEL GARVEY IS CHARGED WITH 3 COUNTS OF FELONY ROBBERY AND ONE MISDEMEANOR OFFENSE FOR EACH OF THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING AND RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY. GARVEY WAS CHARGED WITH ENTERING THE RITE AID IN SHENANDOAH AND POINTING A HANDGUN AT A PHARMACIST AND 2 OTHER EMPLOYEES. GARVEY THEN WAS GIVEN UP TO 4 BOTTLES OF THE DRUG XANAX. POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND WAS LATER ARRESTED AT HIS HOME.

STATE NEWS:

SEWARD, PA. (AP) - OFFICIALS IN WESTMORELAND COUNTY SAY HIGH WINDS TOPPLED A CIRCUS TENT, INJURING THREE CHILDREN AND TWO ADULTS. ONE ADULT WAS STRUCK IN THE HEAD AND IS IN INTENSIVE CARE. SEWARD VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY CHIEF TRAVIS LOVEJOY SAYS SPECTATORS FLED FROM THE TOPPLED TENT PARTWAY THROUGH A PERFORMANCE.

UNDATED (AP) - THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS IT HASN'T CONFIRMED ANY TORNADOES DURING LAST NIGHT'S STORMS IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA, BUT THERE WERE SEVERAL REPORTS OF FUNNEL CLOUDS. A TRACTOR TRAILER WAS BLOWN OVER ON INTERSTATE 81 IN FRANKLIN COUNTY. FLOODING CLOSED PART OF THE SAME HIGHWAY IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A RECOUNT HAS BEEN ORDERED IN THE MAY 17TH DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR COMMONWEALTH COURT JUDGE. RETURNS SHOW DOYLESTOWN LAWYER KATHRYN BOOCKVAR (BOOK'-VAR) AHEAD OF PITTSBURGH LAWYER BARBARA BEHREND ERNSBERGER (URNZ'-BERGER) BY ABOUT 2,100 VOTES. ERNSBERGER SAID YESTERDAY THAT SHE WOULDN'T WAIVE AN AUTOMATIC RECOUNT.

NATIONAL NEWS:

ATLANTA (AP) - STORMS IN THE ATLANTA AREA HAVE TOPPLED POWER LINES AND TREES, KILLING AT LEAST THREE PEOPLE AND TAKING OUT THE ELECTRICITY OF SOME 200,000 CUSTOMERS. UTILITY OFFICIALS SAY 65,000 CUSTOMERS ARE STILL WITHOUT POWER THIS MORNING.

ROUNDUP, MONT. (AP) - THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS SAYS MORE RAIN AND MELTING SNOW COULD CAUSE THE MISSOURI RIVER TO FLOOD HUNDREDS OF HOMES IN DOWNSTREAM STATES. SOME MONTANA TOWNS ALREADY ARE SWAMPED WITH FLOOD WATERS AS HIGH AS 6 FEET IN SOME AREAS. IN VERMONT, SOME PEOPLE IN MONTPELIER AND TWO OTHER CITIES HAVE BEEN EVACUATED BECAUSE OF FLOODED RIVERS FROM OVERNIGHT RAINS.

DEAUVILLE, FRANCE (AP) - INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BANKS ARE PROVIDING MORE THAN $20 BILLION TO EGYPT AND TUNISIA IN THEIR EFFORTS TO BECOME DEMOCRACIES. AND LEADERS AT THE G-8 SUMMIT IN FRANCE ARE ENCOURAGING RICH ARAB NATIONS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE ECONOMIES OF THE TWO COUNTRIES THAT EXPERIENCED POLITICAL UPRISINGS THIS YEAR.

ISLAMABAD (AP) - SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON SAYS ANY PEACE DEAL IN AFGHANISTAN CAN'T BE NEGOTIATED WITHOUT THE HELP OF PAKISTAN. CLINTON IS IN ISLAMABAD IN AN ATTEMPT TO REPAIR RELATIONS FOLLOWING THE U.S. RAID IN PAKISTAN THAT KILLED OSAMA BIN LADEN.

ATLANTA (AP) - VACCINE PRODUCERS SAY THEY'LL MAKE A RECORD AMOUNT OF FLU VACCINE FOR THE UPCOMING FALL AND WINTER - ENOUGH FOR HALF THE POPULATION. SOME DOCTORS SAY YOUNG, HEALTHY PEOPLE MAY NOT NEED THE VACCINE IF THEY GOT IT LAST YEAR, BECAUSE THE SAME FLU STRAINS ARE CIRCULATING.