TODAY'S NEWS: TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2011

EXTORTION TRIAL

TESTIMONY IN THE EXTORTION TRIAL OF TWO FORMER SHENANDOAH POLICE OFFICERS CONTINUED MONDAY IN WILKES-BARRE. REPORTER JAY MATTHEWS REPORTS:


ELECTION DAY

REGISTERED VOTERS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS FOR A HOST OF STATE, COUNTY AND LOCAL CANDIDATES TODAY. POLLS OPENED AT 7AM AND WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL 8PM. ON THE STATE LEVEL, SUPERIOR COURT AND COMMONWEALTH COURT JUDGESHIPS ARE ON THE LINE. ON THE COUNTY SCENE, POSITIONS FOR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS, COUNTY COMMISSIONER AND OTHER ROW OFFICES ARE UP FOR GRABS. LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD, COUNCILS AND OTHER MUNICIPAL RACES ARE ALSO CONTENDED. EXERCISE YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO VOTE, THEN HEAR YOUR VOTE COUNTED WITH JAY LEVAN THIS EVENING AS VOTES ARE TALLIED.

MINERSVILLE FIRE

AN ELDERLY WOMAN WAS RESCUED FROM HER MINERSVILLE HOME MONDAY MORNING AFTER A FIRE BROKE OUT. EMERGENCY CREWS TELL US 92-YEAR-OLD MARY STRAIGES WAS IN AN UPSTAIRS BEDROOM WHEN THEY REMOVED HER AND HER PET SCHNAUZER. THE BLAZE AT 245 SPRUCE STREET WAS PUT OUT BY 10AM.


THE SOVEREIGN MAJESTIC AWARDS

STUDENTS FROM TEN LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS, COMPETING FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS, WILL ATTEND THE 6TH ANNUAL SOVEREIGN MAJESTIC AWARDS THIS THURSDAY NIGHT. MODELED AFTER THE TONY AWARDS, THIS PREMIERE AWARDS CEREMONY FOCUSES ON HIGH SCHOOL MUSICALS. AMY BURKHART IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PADCO. SHE SAYS THIS AWARD CEREMONY HIGHLIGHTS THE EXCELLENCE OF ARTS THAT ALL OUR LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS HAVE.THE AWARD CEREMONY WILL ALSO FEATURE PERFORMANCES FROM EACH SCHOOL, HIGHLIGHTING THE ARTISTIC TALENT IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. THE SOVEREIGN MAJESTIC AWARDS WILL BE HELD THIS THURSDAY AT 7PM AT NORTH SCHUYLKILL HIGH SCHOOL. TICKETS ARE $5.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP STRIP CLUB

SEVERAL WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS SPOKE OUT AT A MEETING MONDAY TO OPPOSE AN ADULT ENTERTAINMENT VENUE THAT OPENED FOR BUSINESS FRIDAY. IT’S CALLED “THE STRIP MINE” AND ONE RESIDENT FEELS THE SITE IS CORRUPTING THE YOUTH. THE CLUB OPENED AT THE SITE OF THE DUTCHMEN MX PARK WHICH IS A MOTOCROSS RACING SITE THAT BRINGS IN KIDS OF ALL AGES TO RIDE THEIR FOUR-WHEELERS. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THE COUNTY AND TOWNSHIP HAS 30 DAYS TO ACCEPT THE SERVICE OF THE COMPLAINT AND TO RESPOND.

ACCESS SERVICES IS CALLING ON LOCAL FAMILIES

FOSTER CARE, LIFE SHARING AND RESPITE FAMILIES ARE ALWAYS NEEDED HERE IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. IN ORDER TO GET THE COMMUNITY AWARE AND INVOLVED, ACCESS SERVICES WILL BE HOLDING AN OPEN HOUSE TODAY AT 11AM AND AGAIN AT 5PM. REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT, SHEILA DAVISON, SAYS THERE IS AN IMMEDIATE NEED FOR FAMILIES WITH HOMES THAT ARE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE IN CARBON, BERKS AND SCHUYLKILL COUNTIES. DAVISON SAYS SOME FAMILIES HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE PROGRAM FOR 35 YEARS AND ADDS THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY BENEFITS. THE OPEN HOUSE WILL TAKE PLACE AT TAMAQUA L.I.F.E. PROGRAM CENTER.

LOCAL SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT AND DUI PATROLS

THE NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT DUI TASKFORCE WILL CONDUCT SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTS AND DUI PATROLS IN THE AREA UNTIL MAY 23. TRAVELERS ARE REMINDED TO DIAL 911 IF THEY SUSPECT A DRUNK DRIVER AND TO REPORT UNDERAGE DRINKING AT 1-888-UNDER21. THE SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTS ARE PART OF THE NORTH CENTRAL PA REGIONAL SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT AND EXPANDED DUI/UNDERAGE DRINKING ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM FUNDED THROUGH THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE NATIONAL.


MAN ESCAPES INJURIES IN UPPER MAHANTONGO TOWNSHIP CRASH

A SHAMOKIN MAN ESCAPED INJURIES AFTER A CRASH IN UPPER MAHANTONGO TOWNSHIP EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. POLICE SAY 24-YEAR-OLD ZACHARY TYSON WAS TRAVELING ON RIDGE ROAD JUST BEFORE 2AM WHEN HE FELL ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL AND DROVE UP AN EMBANKMENT, FLIPPING HIS CAR. TYSON WAS ARRESTED FOR DUI AFTER SHOWING SIGNS OF INTOXICATION. CHARGES ARE PENDING UPON RECEIPT OF A CHEMICAL TEST.

ARE PA FORESTS IN STORE FOR AN EXTREME MAKEOVER?

CLIMATE CHANGE COULD CHANGE PENNSYLVANIA’S LANDSCAPE ACCORDING TO A PROMINENT WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST. WARMER TEMPERATURES IN OUR STATE ARE LIKELY TO ATTRACT PLANTS AND WILDLIFE THAT TRADITIONALLY MAKE THEIR HOME FURTHER SOUTH. DOUG INKLEY OF THE NATIONAL WILDFIRE FEDERATION SAYS THE INVASIVE SPECIES THAT ARE COMMON IN LOWER STATES COULD HAVE DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS OF A NUMBER OF NATIVE TREE SPECIES IN PENNSYLVANIA LIKE SUGAR MAPLE, SWEET BIRCH AND EASTERN PINE. INKLEY SAYS INSECTS MAKING A MOVE NORTH CAN ALSO CAUSE A PROBLEM. THE ARGENTINIAN RED FIRE ANT CAN GROW COLONIES TO HUGE NUMBERS. PENNSYLVANIA MAY NEED TO PREPARE FOR WHAT’S TO COME.

STATE NEWS:

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A TOP PENNSYLVANIA SENATOR HAS INTRODUCED A LONG-AWAITED BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE COMPANIES DRILLING IN THE MARCELLUS SHALE NATURAL GAS FORMATION TO PAY AT LEAST $10,000 PER WELL EACH YEAR. STATE SENATOR JOE SCARNATI SAYS PENNSYLVANIA MUST BE VIGILANT IN ENSURING THAT COMMUNITIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT ARE PROTECTED.

TELFORD, PA. (AP) - FAMILY AND FRIENDS HAVE SAID GOODBYE TO 9-YEAR-OLD SKYLER KAUFFMAN. THE LITTLE GIRL WAS BRUTALLY ASSAULTED AND KILLED LAST WEEK. HER BODY WAS THEN STUFFED IN A TRASH BIN NEAR HER APARTMENT. FUNERAL SERVICES WERE HELD YESTERDAY IN SOUDERTON.JAMES LEE TROUTMAN HAS BEEN CHARGED IN HER DEATH.

GREENSBURG, PA. (AP) - DEFENSE ATTORNEYS FOR A TEENAGER ACCUSED OF INSTIGATING THE TORTURE AND SLAYING OF A MENTALLY DISABLED WOMAN ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN THEIR CASE TODAY. PROSECUTORS IN WESTMORELAND COUNTY RESTED THEIR CASE YESTERDAY AGAINST 18-YEAR-OLD ANGELA MARINUCCI. MARINUCCI IS ONE OF SIX PEOPLE ACCUSED OF TORTURING AND KILLING JENNIFER DAUGHERTY IN FEBRUARY OF 2010

EASTON, PA. (AP) - CLOSING ARGUMENTS ARE SET TO BEGIN TODAY IN THE PENALTY PHASE HEARING FOR A MAN WHO HAS ADMITTED TO KILLING HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND AND THREE OTHER PEOPLE LAST SUMMER. MICHAEL BALLARD HAS PLEADED GUILTY TO THE MURDERS OF DENISE MERHI, HER FATHER, HER GRANDFATHER, AND A NEIGHBOR. BALLARD WAS ON PAROLE FOR A 1991 MURDER.

NATIONAL NEWS:

LOS ANGELES (AP) - THE 25-YEAR MARRIAGE OF ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER AND MARIA SHRIVER REPORTEDLY HIT THE SKIDS WHEN THE FORMER GOVERNOR TOLD HER HE HAD FATHERED A CHILD WITH A WOMAN IN THEIR HOUSEHOLD STAFF. THE LOS ANGELES TIMES REPORTS SCHWARZENEGGER ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING HE WAS "TRULY SORRY." THE PAPER SAYS THE WOMAN HAS CLAIMED HER HUSBAND AT THE TIME FATHERED THE CHILD ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO.

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. (AP) - THE CREW OF SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR HAS BEGUN TODAY'S MAIN TASK -- CHECKING FOR LAUNCH DAMAGE. IT'S A MORE THAN FIVE-HOUR CAMERA INSPECTION OF THE SHUTTLE'S DELICATE HEAT SHIELD. NASA SAYS THERE WASN'T MUCH FALLING INSULATION AT LAUNCH. ENDEAVOUR ARRIVES AT THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION TOMORROW.

BRUSSELS (AP) - AUSTRIA'S FINANCE MINISTER SAYS THE HEAD OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND SHOULD THINK ABOUT ANOTHER LINE OF WORK TO HELP PROTECT THE IMF'S REPUTATION. OTHER EUROPEAN FINANCE MINISTERS MEETING IN BRUSSELS HAVEN'T GONE THAT FAR. DOMINIQUE STRAUSS-KAHN IS BEING HELD WITHOUT BAIL IN NEW YORK IN AN ALLEGED SEXUAL ATTACK ON A HOTEL MAID.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE U.S.-PAKISTAN RELATIONSHIP IN THE WAKE OF THE OSAMA BIN LADEN RAID GETS AN AIRING TODAY BEFORE A SENATE PANEL. SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN JOHN KERRY IS JUST BACK FROM PAKISTAN. KERRY TOLD PAKISTANI OFFICIALS THAT U.S. LAWMAKERS MUST SEE ACTION TO BE CONVINCED ISLAMABAD IS AN ALLY IN THE WAR ON TERROR.

NEW YORK (AP) - SPRINT NEXTEL HAS MOVED UP FROM THE BOTTOM TO THE TOP IN A SURVEY ON CELL PHONE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. THE AMERICAN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION INDEX SAYS SPRINT NEXTEL SHARES LIFE AT THE TOP WITH LONGTIME LEADER VERIZON WIRELESS. SPRINT WAS ONCE DEAD LAST AMONG THE BIG 4 NATIONAL WIRELESS CARRIERS. AT&T AND T-MOBILE, WHICH ARE MERGING, HAVE LOST POINTS IN THE SATISFACTION DEPARTMENT.