TODAY'S NEWS: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011

ACCOMPLICE TESTIFIES AGAINST ENOE

DAY TWO OF THE MURDER TRAIL OF JULIUS ENOE BEGAN TUESDAY IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COURT WITH TESTIMONY FROM HIS ACCOMPLICE. DAMON ENNETT ADMITTED HE HELPED PLAN THE MARCH 2010 ROBBERY, BUT SAID HE WAS SHOCKED WHEN ENOE ALLEGEDLY ADMITTED SHOOTING 24-YEAR-OLD BRUCE FORKER OF SHENANDOAH. PROSECUTORS ARE SCHEDULED TO RESUME PRESENTING THEIR CASE AGAINST ENOE TODAY AT 9:30AM.

POWER OUTAGES STILL OVER ONE-THOUSAND

ELECTRIC UTILITIES ARE GRADUALLY RESTORING POWER TO CUSTOMERS WHO LOST POWER DURING HURRICANE IRENE, BUT THOUSANDS OF CUSTOMERS ARE STILL IN THE DARK ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA. IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, OVER TWELVE-HUNDRED PPL CUSTOMERS ARE STILL WITHOUT POWER. EMERGENCY WORKERS CONTINUED CLEANING UP ALONG IRENE'S PATH ACROSS THE COUNTY TUESDAY BY REPLACING SEVERAL POWER LINES. IN ADDITION TO POWER OUTAGES, FOUR DEATHS RELATED TO THE STORM HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED IN PENNSYLVANIA.

PLANS STALL AT HIGHRIDGE

PLANS TO CONSTRUCT A TRAVEL PLAZA AT THE HIGHRIDGE BUSINESS CENTER HAVE STALLED. THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORP AGREED TO BUILD A TRAVEL PLAZA AT THE HIGHRIDGE BUSINESS PARK 10 YEARS AGO BUT HAVE RUN INTO SOME HEAVEY ROAD BLOCKS ALONG THE WAY. MAINLY BECAUSE SEDCO MUST GET APPROVAL FROM DEP ON HOW IT PLANS TO DEAL WITH STORM WATER RUN OFF AT THE SITE AND ALSO GET A PERMIT FROM THE CONSERVATION DISTRICT THAT ALLOWS THE BUILDING OF THE SITE. ONCE COMPLETE THE PLAZA WILL BE ALONG THE I-81 INTERCHANGE NEAR GORDON MOUNTAIN ROAD.

COUNTY JOBLESS RATE INCREASES

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY'S JOBLESS RATE ROSE IN JULY ALMOST TO 9.5% A TWO TENTH INCREASE FROM THE PREVIOUS MONTH. THE COUNTY LOST OVER 1,000 NON FARM JOBS INCLUDING LOCAL GOVERNMENT, TRANSPORTATION AND MANUFACTURING. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY TIED LUZERNE AND MONROE FOR 58TH OF THE 67 COUNTIES IN PA. CAMERON COUNTY CAME IN AT NUMBER ONE WITH 11% OF ITS COUNTY OUT OF WORK.

ANOTHER BUSINESS TO CLOSE ITS DOORS

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY WILL ONCE AGAIN SEE ANOTHER LONG TIME BUSINESS IN THE COUNTY SHUT IT DOORS FOR GOOD. HUMMEL’S GOOD FURNITURE IN ORWIGSBURG HAS DECIDED TO CLOSE AT THE END OF THE YEAR. THE BUSINESS WHICH HAS BEEN AT IT’S CURRENT LOCATION SINCE 1982 AND OWNERS CHARLIE AND JUDY HUMMEL HAVE DECIDED TO RETIRE AND SAY THAT THE STORE COULD CLOSE AS EARLY AS THANKSGIVING BUT MAY BE EXTENDED.

STRIP CLUB REMAINS OPE

A WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP STRIP CLUB WILL STAY IN BUSINESS FOR NOW. THE HEARING ON THE LEGALITY OF THE STRIP MINE CABARET WAS TERMINATED AFTER EIGHT HOURS OF TESTIMONY TUESDAY. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY FILED THE LAWSUIT IN JULY CLAIMING THE ADULT CLUB VIOLATES THE ZONING ORDINANCE. THE HEARING WILL RESUME AT A LATER DATE.


ROAD CONSTRUCTION CLOSING ROAD

SPRUCE ST BETWEEN CENTER AND SOUTH RAILROAD STREET IN TAMAQUA WILL BE CLOSED STARTING AT 7AM TOMORROW FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION. SCHOOL BUS TRAFFIC WILL BE REROUTED AND ANYONE TRAVELING TO TAMAQUA AREA HIGH SCHOOL OR LEHIGH CARBON COMMUNITY COLLEGE ARE ADVISED TO USE LEHIGH OR HUNTER STREET. CONSTRUCTION IS PART TAMAQUA TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT


BLOOD DONATIONS NEEDED

HURRICANE IRENE HAS AFFECTED BLOOD DONATIONS ALONG THE EAST COAST AT A TIME WHEN THE NATION'S BLOOD SUPPLY IS ALREADY LOW. SINCE HURRICANE IRENE BEGAN ITS PATH ALONG THE EAST COAST, THE STORM HAS FORCED THE CANCELLATION OF NEARLY 60 AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES, RESULTING IN THE SHORTFALL OF MORE THAN 1,500 UNITS OF BLOOD AND THE NUMBERS COULD INCREASE THIS WEEK WHILE AREAS DEAL WITH THE STORM'S AFTERMATH. THE RED CROSS IS URGING IMMEDIATE BLOOD AND PLATELET DONATIONS AND ASKS THAT COMMUNITY MEMBERS CONSIDER DONATING BLOOD IN AFFECTED AREAS, ONCE IT IS SAFE TO DO SO. TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO DONATE BLOOD OR PLATELETS, PLEASE VISIT US ONLINE AT REDCROSSBLOOD.ORG OR CALL 1-800-RED CROSS.

STATE NEWS:

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - AMTRAK SAYS IT WILL RESUME SOME TRAIN SERVICE BETWEEN PHILADELPHIA AND NEW YORK CITY TODAY AFTER FLOODING CAUSED BY HURRICANE IRENE. SERVICE WAS SUSPENDED BECAUSE OF FLOODING AT THE TRENTON, NEW JERSEY, STATION. THE RAIL SERVICE SAYS REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE, BUT THERE WILL BE DELAYS WHEN TRAINS START RUNNING AGAIN.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - TWO COUSINS HAVE BEEN SENTENCED TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE IN A DRUG-RELATED DOUBLE MURDER IN NORTH PHILADELPHIA IN 2006. THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER REPORTS A JUDGE IMPOSED THE MANDATORY SENTENCES YESTERDAY ON MALIK COLLINS, WHO'S ALREADY SERVING TWO LIFE TERMS, AND ANTHONY COLLINS.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA AUDITOR GENERAL JACK WAGNER IS CRITICIZING THE STATE'S EXPERIMENT WITH WINE VENDING MACHINES. HE SAYS REGULATORS INSTEAD SHOULD KEEP STATE-CONTROLLED LIQUOR STORES OPEN FOR SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, 12 HOURS A DAY.


NATIONAL NEWS:

NEWFANE, VT. (AP) - VERMONT RESIDENTS IN SOME 12 COMMUNITIES ARE STILL CUT OFF FROM THE OUTSIDE WORLD BECAUSE OF THE BIG WEEKEND STORM, BUT AT LEAST THEY HAVE FOOD AND WATER NOW. HELICOPTERS DROPPED SUPPLIES LATE YESTERDAY. IN NEW JERSEY AND CONNECTICUT
THERE ARE NEW DANGERS FROM RISING WATERS THIS MORNING, AND NEW JERSEY HAS ORDERED EVACUATIONS.

WASHINGTON (AP) - OFFICIALS SAY THERE'S NO INDICATION OF A TERROR ATTACK PLANNED FOR THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 9/11 TERROR ATTACKS, BUT THEY SAY SECURITY ACROSS THE COUNTRY WILL BE BEEFED UP ANYWAY. FEDERAL OFFICIALS PLAN TO HAVE MORE SECURITY AT U.S. BORDERS, AIRPORTS, MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS AND OTHER PLACES THAT COULD BE POSSIBLE TARGETS.

NEW YORK (AP) - DOCUMENTS SHOW THAT NEW YORK'S POLICE DEPARTMENT KEPT A LIST OF "ANCESTRIES OF INTEREST" AND SENT UNDERCOVER OFFICERS TO MONITOR MUSLIM BUSINESSES AND SOCIAL GROUPS FOLLOWING THE 9/11 TERROR ATTACKS. THE DOCUMENTS OBTAINED BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS REVEAL HOW THE NYPD HAS SINGLED OUT MUSLIM COMMUNITIES FOR SURVEILLANCE AND INFILTRATION.

TRIPOLI, LIBYA (AP) - THOUSANDS OF LIBYANS ARE NOT ONLY CELEBRATING A MAJOR MUSLIM HOLIDAY IN TRIPOLI'S MAIN SQUARE TODAY, THEY'RE ALSO MARKING THE OUSTER OF MOAMMAR GADHAFI. GADHAFI MAY STILL BE ON THE RUN, BUT LIBYANS GATHERED IN MARTYRS' SQUARE THANKED REBEL FIGHTERS AND FIRED CELEBRATORY SHOTS INTO THE AIR. ONE MAN CHOKED BACK TEARS SAYING, "WE JUST WANT TO LIVE FREE."

LOS ANGELES (AP) - FORMER NBA PLAYER JAVARIS CRITTENTON IS SET TO APPEAR IN A LOS ANGELES COURT TODAY FOR A HEARING ON A CHARGE OF MURDER. HE WAS ARRESTED MONDAY. CRITTENTON IS ACCUSED IN THE AUG. 19 SHOOTING DEATH OF A 22-YEAR-OLD WOMAN IN ATLANTA. CRITTENTON WAS PLAYING FOR THE WASHINGTON WIZARDS WHEN HE GOT IN TROUBLE FOR BRINGING A GUN TO THE LOCKER ROOM.

TODAYS NEWS: TUESDAY AUGUST 30, 2011

RECOVERY CONTINUES IN WAKE OF IRENE

MANY PP&L CUSTOMERS ARE STILL WITHOUT POWER IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY THIS MORNING. PP&L WEBSITE SAYS THAT OVER 3000 CUSTOMERS ARE STILL WITH OUT POWER. OVER THE WEEKEND HURRICANE IRENE CAUSED UPTO 6 INCHES OF RAIN AND DAMAGED POWER LINES. AT ONE POINT SCHUYLKILL COUNTY HAD OVER 20,000 CUSTOMERS WITHOUT POWER. NOW OVER 20,000 CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD POWER RESTORED IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. KEEP LISTENING TO WPPA FOR CONTINUOUS UPDATES ON WHEN POWER WILL BE RESTORED.


MURDER TRIAL BEGINS

AFTER A MISTRIAL WAS DECLARED IN MAY, THE CASE AGAINST 32 YEAR OLD JULIUS ENOE OF READING WILL ONCE AGAIN TAKE CENTER STAGE AT THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COURTHOUSE. ENOE IS ACCUSED OF SHOOTING 24 BRUCE FORKER OF SHENANDOAH LAST YEAR. IN YESTERDAY’S TRIAL KASA BRENNAN THE GIRLFRIEND OF FORKER TESTIFIED THAT SHE WAS FORCED BY ENOE TO LET HIM IN HER HOUSE WHERE HE ALLEGEDLY SHOT FORKER. BRENNAN WAS THE ONLY WITNESS TO TESTIFY AT MONDAY’S TRIAL. IF CONVICTED ENOE FACES LIFE IN PRISON.

OFF DUTY POLICE CHIEF SHOT BY OWN GUN

AN OFF DUTY GILBERTON POLICE CHIEF WAS WOUNDED BY HIS OWN GUN SATURDAY NIGHT DURING AN ALTERCATION AT A GIRARDVILLE BAR. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS MARK KESSLER WAS IN THE SECOND STREET PUB WHEN A FIGHT BROKE OUT AMONG PATRONS. KESSLER GOT INVOLVED AND ENDED UP BEING SHOT IN THE HAND WHEN THE PISTOL HE WAS CARRYING DISCHARGED. KESSLER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY A FRIEND. STATE POLICE ARE STILL INVESTIGATING THE INCIDENT.

SALVATION ARMY FACES DAMAGES AFTER STORM

AS IF THE WEATHER WASN'T ENOUGH TO SCARE PEOPLE OVER THE WEEKEND. PARISHIONERS AT THE SALVATION ARMY ON SANDERSON STREET WERE GIVEN A FRIGHT SUNDAY MORNING AS THE WIND AND A WEAKENED DIRT EMBANKMENT FORCED SEVERAL TREES ONTO THE ROOF AT THE REAR OF THE CHURCH. CAPTAIN ADAM HENCH SAID THEY WERE PREPARING FOR SUNDAY SERVICES WHEN IT HAPPENED. POTTSVILLE FIREFIGHTERS WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND RELIEVED SOME OF THE PRESSURE ON THE ROOF. THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WAS TOTALED AND A HOLE LEFT IN THE ROOF. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS HURT. INSURANCE ADJUSTERS ARE EXPECTED TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE THIS WEEK. CLEANUP COMMENCED MONDAY.

TAMAQUA RAPE

STATE POLICE AT FRACKVILLE ARE NOW INVESTIGATING A REPORT OF RAPE. TROOPER KYPER TELLS US A 24-YEAR-OLD TAMAQUA FEMALE REPORTED THAT SHE WAS ASSAULTED BY A PERSON KNOWN TO HER LATE SUNDAY NIGHT. IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE VICTIM'S IDENTITY, NO IDENTIFYING INFORMATION IS BEING RELEASED AT THIS TIME.

RESULTS IN HAMBURG SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT

A SOBRIETY CHECKPOINT IN BERKS COUNTY FRIDAY NIGHT RESULTED IN THREE DUI ARRESTS, ONE ARREST FOR DRUG POSSESSION AND ONE OPERATOR TAKEN INTO CUSTODY FOR A FELONY WARRANT. HAMBURG POLICE CONDUCTED THE STOP IN SUPPORT OF CHECKPOINT STRIKE FORCE. APPROXIMATELY THREE-HUNDRED VEHICLES WERE STOPPED AND FIFTEEN TRAFFIC CITATIONS ISSUED.

CHILD HIT BY CAR

A 14-YEAR-OLD BOY WAS INJURED AND TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL MONDAY WHEN HIS BICYCLE COLLIDED WITH A PICKUP TRUCK. STATE POLICE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN REPORT BENJAMIN KRAMER WAS RIDING HIS BIKE WHEN HIS FRONT BRAKES FAILED CAUSING HIM TO TRAVEL INTO AN INTERSECTION AND STRIKE A TRUCK DRIVEN BY 42-YEAR-OLD MARK ATKINSON. KRAMER FLIPPED OVER THE HANDLEBARS AND ONTO THE STREET. KRAMER WAS NOT WEARING A HELMET. ATKINSON WILL NOT BE CHARGED IN THE CRASH.


RESERVOIR OPTIONS PRESENTED IN ASHLAND

ON MONDAY THE ASHLAND MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY HELD A MEETING AND WERE PRESENTED WITH FIVE OPTIONS TO COMPLY WITH A SAFETY UPGRADE AT THE AUTHORITY'S RESERVOIR. THE UPGRADE, WHICH IS ORDERED BY THE STATE DEPT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION REQUIRES AN ADDITION OF AN UPSTREAM CLOSURE AT THE RESERVOIR IN BUTLER TWP. ONE OPTION IS TO DO NOTHING AT ALL. THE OTHERS INCLUDE INSTALLING MANUAL VALVES, PNEUMATIC VALVES OR TO INSTALL SLUICE GATES AND HAVE THE VALAVES ENCLOSED IN A TOWER. COST FOR EACH OF THE OPTIONS WILL COST ANYWHERE FROM $200,000 UP TP $1 MILLION FOR THE UPGRADE.


MUIR MAN PULLS GUN ON ANOTHER

PA STATE POLICE ARE REPORTING THAT A 34 YEAR OLD MUIR MAN IS BEHIND BARS THIS MORNING IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRION STEMMING FROM AN INCIDENT SATURDAY. 34 YEAR OLD MICHAEL KLINGER OF MUIR VERBALLY THREATENED AND PULLED OUT A SEMI AUTOMATIC PISTOL AND POINTED IT AT 32 YEAR OLD RAHN ERDMAN OF TREMONT. ALTHOUGH, ERDMAN’S LIFE WAS THREATENED NO ONE WAS INJURED IN THE ALTERCATION. KLINGER WAS ARRESTED BY STATE POLICE CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, SIMPLE ASSAULT, AND CARRYING A WEAPON WITHOUT A LICENSE AMONG OTHER CHARGES AND PLACED IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON ON $15,000 BAIL.

STATE NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS ISSUED AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION FOR PENNSYLVANIA AND ORDERED FEDERAL AID TO SUPPLEMENT STATE AND LOCAL RESPONSE EFFORTS STEMMING FROM HURRICANE IRENE. THE ACTION AUTHORIZES THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY TO COORDINATE DISASTER RELIEF EFFORTS IN 13 COUNTIES.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A DEFENSE ATTORNEY SAYS HIS CLIENT WAS ACTING IN SELF-DEFENSE WHEN HE SHOT AND KILLED ANOTHER MAN AND WOUNDED A NEIGHBOR DURING AN ARGUMENT OVER A CELL IN HARRISBURG LAST SUMMER. THE PATRIOT-NEWS OF HARRISBURG REPORTS JHONN LEON-OLIVENCIA IS CHARGED WITH CRIMINAL HOMICIDE AND ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF GORDON KOCHENOUR.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - MICHAEL VICK AND THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES HAVE AGREED ON A SIX-YEAR DEAL. THE EAGLES MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT LAST NIGHT. A SOURCE FAMILIAR WITH THE NEGOTIATIONS TELLS THE ASSOCIATED PRESS THE DEAL IS WORTH $100 MILLION, INCLUDING ABOUT $40 MILLION GUARANTEED. THE PERSON SPOKE TO THE AP ON CONDITION OF ANONYMITY BECAUSE TERMS WEREN'T RELEASED.


NATIONAL NEWS:

NEWFANE, VT. (AP) - WASHED OUT ROADS AND BRIDGES IN LANDLOCKED VERMONT HAVE LEFT RESIDENTS FEELING LIKE YOU CAN'T GET THERE FROM HERE. IRENE HAS LEFT SOME PLACES INACCESSIBLE BY CAR AND REPAIRS WON'T HAPPEN QUICKLY. OTHER STATES ALSO FACE FLOOD WOES FOLLOWING THE STORM, AND ELECTRICITY IS STILL OUT TO MILLIONS OF EAST COAST
RESIDENTS.

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAS PROMISED A JOBS PROPOSAL NEXT MONTH BUT HE'S FACING LIMITS THAT WILL MAKE IT ALL THE MORE DIFFICULT TO CRAFT. BUDGET CUTS AND A TIGHT DEBT CEILING LEAVE HIM WITH LIMITED ECONOMY-BOOSTING TOOLS. AND CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS ARE DEMANDING AUSTERITY, NOT MORE SPENDING.

WASHINGTON (AP) - SAFETY AND INDUSTRY OFFICIALS ARE STARTING TO WORRY ABOUT A DOWNSIDE OF INCREASINGLY AUTOMATED AIRLINE COCKPITS. AS ONE AIRLINE CAPTAIN PUT IT, PILOTS ARE FORGETTING HOW TO FLY BECAUSE THEY DON'T GET ENOUGH HANDS-ON TIME AT IT. EXPERTS WORRY THE RESULT MAY BE AN INCREASE IN DEADLY ACCIDENTS TRACED TO PILOT ERROR.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE GOVERNMENT WILL SHED MORE LIGHT TODAY ON A PIPELINE ACCIDENT LAST SEPTEMBER THAT INCINERATED A SUBURBAN SAN FRANCISCO NEIGHBORHOOD AND KILLED EIGHT PEOPLE. A FEDERAL SAFETY PANEL PLANS TO REVEAL THE RESULTS OF A YEARLONG INVESTIGATION INTO THE EXPLOSION THAT PROMPTED A NATIONAL REEVALUATION OF PIPELINE SAFETY.

WASHINGTON (AP) - POST-IRENE DISASTER AID FROM WASHINGTON COULD BE IN SHORT SUPPLY BECAUSE OF MONEY WOES. THE GOVERNMENT'S MAIN DISASTER AID ACCOUNT HAS LESS THAN $800 MILLION WHILE DAMAGE FROM IRENE IS EXPECTED TO BE IN THE BILLIONS. THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY IS BEING FORCED TO FREEZE REBUILDING PROJECTS FROM EARLIER DISASTERS.

TODAY'S NEWS: MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2011

UPDATE:

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY RESIDENTS CONTINUE TO RECOVER FROM THE IMPACTS OF HURRICANE IRENE. PPL ELECTRIC UTILITIES IS REPORTING THAT 7,821 HOMES ARE STILL WITHOUT POWER AS OF 11AM.


HURRICANE IRENE AFTERMATH

AT LEAST 20 PEOPLE IN SEVEN DIFFERENT STATES DIED OVER THE WEEKEND DUE TO HURRICANE IRENE. IN PENNSYLVANIA, THE 18 HOUR STORM KILLED FOUR PEOPLE WITH TWO SUCCUMBING TO FALLING TREES AND ANOTHER VICTIM IN A CAR ACCIDENT. IRENE STARTED AROUND 7PM SATURDAY AND WRAPPED UP AROUND 1PM SUNDAY, LEAVING BETWEEN 4 AND 6 INCHES OF RAIN WITH WIND GUSTS NEAR 50 MILES PER HOUR. TREES WENT DOWN ON WIRES AND ROADS RESULTING IN OVER 20 THOUSAND PPL CUSTOMERS WITHOUT POWER AND ROUTE 61 NORTH AT SEVEN STARS AND HILLSIDE ROAD SHUT DOWN. AS OF 6:30AM 7 THOUSAND SCHUYLKILL COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE WITHOUT POWER. COUNTY EMA HAD EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER OPENED AND THE RED CROSS WAS ON STANDBY. FLOODING IN THE AREA WAS MINOR.


SOME RESIDENTS SEE POWER RESTORED AFTER IRENE

OVER 7000 PEOPLE ARE STILL WITHOUT POWER THIS MORNING IN THE WAKE OF HURRICANE IRENE WHICH BLEW THROUGH THE AREA OVER THE WEEKEND. RESIDENTS OF WAYNE, RUSH AND PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP ARE THE HEAVIEST HIT BY THE POWER OUTAGES, AT ONE POINT SCHUYLKILL COUNTY HAD OVER 20,000 PPL CUSTOMERS WITHOUT POWER. AS OF THIS MORNING OVER 14,000 CUSTOMERS HAVE HAD POWER RESTORED IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. CONTINUE TO LISTEN TO WPPA NEWS FOR CONTINUOUS UPDATES

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN MAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULT

A SCHUYLKILL HAVEN MAN HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH INDECENT ASSAULT OF A MINOR, IN RELATION TO AN INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED ON SATURDAY NIGHT. SCHUYLKILL HAVEN POLICE REPORT THAT 22 YEAR OLD EDWARD LEYMIESTER OF SCHUYLKILL HAVEN HAD INAPPROPRIATE CONTACT WITH A MINOR IN HIS HOME SATURDAY NIGHT. POLICE SAY THAT THE MOTHER OF THE 16 YEAR OLD GIRL OBSERVED LEYMIESTER HOLDING HER DAUGHTER DOWN AND HAVING INAPPROPRIATE PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH HER. LEYMEISTER IS BEING CHARGED WITH INDECENT ASSAULT OF A MINOR ALONG WITH UNLAWFUL RESTRAINT AND CONTACT AND CORRUPTION CHARGES. LEYMIESTER IS BEING HELD IN THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON ON $25,000 BAIL.

VEHICLE IN ACCIDENT LEFT ABANDONED

PA STATE POLICE AT HAMBURG NEED YOUR HELP IDENTIFYING THE DRIVER OF A VEHICLE FOUND LEFT ABANDONED ON SATURDAY NIGHT IN THE WAKE OF HURRICANE IRENE. STATE POLICE SAY THE VEHICLE TRAVELED SOUTH IN RT 143 AND HIT AN EMBANKMENT AND A TREE BEFORE DRIVING INTO THE NORTHBOUND LANE HITTING THE GUIDE RAIL THEN DROVE ALONG THE EMBANKMENT TO THE VIRGINVILLE COMMUNITY PARKING LOT WHERE IT WAS LEFT. IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 1-877-523-6373

CENTRAILIA CHURCH CELEBRATES 100 YEARS

EVEN WITH THE HURRICANE LOOMING IN THE BACKGROUND IT DIDN’T STOP THE ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY FROM CELEBRATING ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY ON SUNDAY WITH A SPECIAL MASS. CLOSE TO 150 PARISHIONERS ATTENDED THE SERVICE WHICH WAS CONSECRATED BY METROPOLITAN ARCHBISHOP STEFAN SOROKA FROM PHILADELPHIA. AFTER CHURCHES WERE ESTABLISHED IN SHAMOKIN, MINERSVILLE, MOUNT CARMEL AND MARION HEIGHTS, THE GREEK CATHOLICS IN CENTRALIA DECIDED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE THEIR OWN CHURCH. ON AUG. 15, 1911, A COMMITTEE DECIDED TO FORM THEIR OWN PARISH AND BUILD THEIR OWN CHURCH. IN 2010, THE CHURCH AND THE RECTORY SUFFERED A NUMBER OF BREAK-INS, INCLUDING THE THEFT OF A NEWLY DONATED GOLD-PLATED GOSPEL BOOK. THAT BOOK WAS REPLACED IN THE PAST YEAR BY DONATION FROM ANNA AND JOHN LYNN, ALONG WITH NEW CHALICES AND DISKOS FROM ANONYMOUS DONORS.

UNITED WAY READY FOR UPCOMING CAMPAIGN

THE SCHUYLKILL UNITED WAY IS JUST ABOUT READY TO KICK OFF ITS 2012 CAMPAIGN AND THEY’LL DO SO WITH 3 NEW MEMBERS OF THEIR BOARD OF DIRECTORS. RICHARD THORNBURG, JEFFREY BOWE AND EDWARD JOHNSON HAVE ALL BEEN ADDED TO THE BOARD. THE SCHUYLKILL UNITED WAY IS CELEBRATING ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2012 WITH THE THEME, CELEBRATING 75YEARS OF CARING, AND WILL KICK OFF WITH A BREAKFAST ON SEPTEMBER 9 AT PSU SCHUYLKILL.

STATE NEWS:

NORRISTOWN, PA. (AP) - SWOLLEN CREEKS AND RISING RIVERS ARE FILLING THE STREETS OF SOME PENNSYLVANIA CITIES WITH WATER, REMNANTS OF THE RAIN LEFT BY IRENE. ALONG THE SCHUYLKILL RIVER,HOMES WERE INUNDATED BY MUDDY WATER AS IT CRESTED JUST ABOVE 15 FEET WHILE TOWNS BY THE DELAWARE RIVER WERE WATCHING IT RISE TO FLOOD STAGE WITH IT EXPECTED TO CREST BETWEEN 31 AND 32 FEET TODAY.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA OFFICIALS SAY HURRICANE IRENE HAS CAUSED FOUR DEATHS IN THE STATE. GOVERNOR TOM CORBETT SAYS THE STORM IS BEING BLAMED IN THE DEATHS OF THREE PEOPLE WHO WERE KILLED BY FALLING TREES AND ONE MAN WHO WAS KILLED IN A CRASH ON THE PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - POLICE SAY A SOLDIER WANTED IN THE DEATHS OF FOUR PEOPLE IN PENNSYLVANIA AND VIRGINIA HAS BEEN FOUND DEAD OF AN APPARENTLY SELF-INFLICTED GUNSHOT WOUND. STATE POLICE SAY THE BODY OF LEONARD JOHN EGLAND OF FORT LEE, VIRGINIA, WAS FOUND YESTERDAY AFTERNOON IN WARWICK TOWNSHIP. THAT'S WHERE HE'D BEEN SOUGHT SINCE EARLY MORNING.

NATIONAL NEWS:

NEW YORK (AP) - FLOODING IS WIDESPREAD IN VERMONT AND THE MOHAWK RIVER IS OVER ITS BANKS IN PARTS OF NEW YORK IN THE WAKE OF HURRICANE IRENE. THERE'S ALSO FLOODING IN NEW JERSEY AND OTHER AREAS IN NEW ENGLAND. CREWS ARE STILL TRYING TO RESTORE POWER TO MILLIONS WHO LOST IT AS THE STORM CHUGGED UP THE EAST COAST.
ESTIMATED DAMAGE IS IN THE BILLIONS.

WASHINGTON (AP) - ONE EXPERT SAYS THERE'S AT LEAST A GLIMMER OF HOPE THAT THE DEFICIT-REDUCTION CONGRESSIONAL SUPERCOMMITTEE MIGHT FORGE A COMPROMISE. RUTGERS POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR ROSS BAKER NOTES FLASHES OF INDEPENDENCE AMONG THE SIX AND SAYS NONE WANT TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH A TRAIN WRECK THAT WOULD REFLECT BADLY ON ALL.

SHANGHAI (AP) - THERE'S BEEN A KNIFE ATTACK ON CHILDREN IN CHINA. LOCAL REPORTS SAY A WORKER AT AN INFORMAL CHILD CARE CENTER FOR MIGRANT WORKERS IN SHANGHAI WOUNDED EIGHT CHILDREN, ONE SERIOUSLY. THE OFFICIAL XINHUA (SHIN-WAH) NEWS AGENCY AND OTHER REPORTS SAID NONE OF THE CHILDREN SUFFERED LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES.

BAGHDAD (AP) - FUNERALS ARE BEING HELD TODAY FOR WORSHIPPERS KILLED IN A SUICIDE BOMBING INSIDE THE IRAQI CAPITAL'S LARGEST SUNNI MOSQUE. WEEPING RELATIVES AND FRIENDS ATTENDED AS THE VICTIMS' CASKETS WERE CARRIED ON MINIBUSES THROUGH BAGHDAD'S STREETS. SUNDAY NIGHT'S BOMBING KILLED 29 PEOPLE.

BEIRUT (AP) - ACTIVISTS REPORT HEAVY MACHINE GUN FIRE TODAY AS SYRIAN SECURITY FORCES HAVE SURROUND A TOWN IN CENTRAL SYRIA THAT HAS BECOME A HOTBED OF DISSENT AGAINST PRESIDENT BASHAR ASSAD'S REGIME. THE LOCAL COORDINATION COMMITTEES ACTIVIST NETWORK SAYS
RESIDENTS FLED OUT OF FEAR THE TOWN WOULD BE STORMED.

WEATHER UPDATE-9AM

GOOD MORNING
THE EFFECTS OF HURRICANE IRENE CONTINUE TO BE FELT ACROSS THE REGION THIS SUNDAY MORNING. HEAVY RAIN AND WIND GUSTS CONTINUE TO PLAY HAVOC. PPL RESOURCES ARE REPORTING NEARLY 16 THOUSAND PEOPLE WITHOUT POWER AT 9AM. THEY ARE WORKING AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE TO RESTORE POWER. TREES ARE DOWNED AND DEBRIS IS LITTERING THE ROADWAYS CAUSING SOME ROAD CLOSURES.
SCHUYLKILL COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS STRESS NEED FOR PEOPLE TO STAY HOME.
AS FAR AS EVENT CANCELLATIONS…CALL YOUR ORGANIZATION DIRECTLY TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS A CANCELLATION.
THE RAIN IS EXPECTED TO LET UP THIS AFTERNOON, BUT WINDS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE EVENING. THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL NOON AND THE WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL THIS EVENING.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TIPS FROM THE AMERICAN RED CROSS ARE ON OUR WEBSITES AT WPPA AND T102RADIO.COM

TODAY'S NEWS: SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, 2011

LOCAL HURRICANE IRENE UPDATE

GOVERNOR TOM CORBETT DECLARED A STATEWIDE DISASTER EMERGENCY TO ENABLE STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO THE IMPACT OF HURRICANE IRENE, A MASSIVE STORM EXPECTED TO IMPACT MUCH OF THE EASTERN HALF OF THE STATE. THE PROCLAMATION AUTHORIZES STATE AGENCIES TO USE ALL AVAILABLE RESOURCES AND PERSONNEL AS NECESSARY TO COPE WITH THIS EMERGENCY SITUATION.

CORBETT

AS HURRICANE IRENE BEARS DOWN ON THE EAST COAST, IT IS EXPECTED TO BRING A HALF-FOOT OF RAIN OR MORE ALONG WITH IT. JASON KREKELER, METEOROLOGIST WITH THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STATE COLLEGE, SAYS THE RAIN WILL ARRIVE LATER TONIGHT, BUT THE EYE OF THE STORM WON’T HIT UNTIL SUNDAY. EXPECT THE STRONGEST WINDS SUNDAY AFTERNOON BETWEEN NOON AND FOUR. AN AVERAGE RANGE WILL BE 15-25MPH, BUT MORE DANGEROUS GUSTS ARE EXPECTED AT 35-40MPH. THE EYE OF THE STORM WILL PASS SUNDAY, LEAVING NEXT WEEK POSSIBLY DRY.

CRASH ON SELTZER ROAD

TWO ELDERLY WOMEN SUFFERED MODERATE INJURIES AT 5:24 P.M. FRIDAY IN A TWO-CAR ACCIDENT AT BULLS HEAD AND SELTZER ROADS IN NORWEGIAN TOWNSHIP, ACCORDING TO STATE POLICE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN. ACCORDING TO THE REPUBLICAN AND HERALD, TROOPER MICHAEL RYAN SAID THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN MARY C. POTHERING, 81, OF MINERSVILLE, DROVE A GRAY NISSAN ALTIMA INTO THE INTERSECTION NORTHBOUND ON BULLS HEAD ROAD. RYAN SAID POTHERING RAN THE STOP SIGN AND ENTERED THE INTERSECTION, WHERE SHE ENCOUNTERED A WESTBOUND RED ACURA RSX DRIVEN BY ZACHARY L. DIXON, 19, OF POTTSVILLE. AFTER THE CRASH, THE ALTIMA TRAVELED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, RYAN SAID. DEBRIS, INCLUDING THE DOWNED STOP SIGN, LITTERED ONE OF THE LAWNS AT THE INTERSECTION. ABOUT 50 PEOPLE WATCHED EMERGENCY PERSONNEL WORK TO CLEAR THE SCENE. BOTH POTHERING AND HER PASSENGER, ELIZABETH M. RYNDOCK, 87, OF MINERSVILLE, SUFFERED MODERATE INJURIES. BOTH WOMEN WERE FLOWN BY LIFE FLIGHT AND PENN STAR HELICOPTERS TO GEISINGER MEDICAL CENTER, DANVILLE, AND WERE IN STABLE CONDITION FRIDAY NIGHT, RYAN SAID. IT IS UNKNOWN IF POTHERING WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT TROOPERS SAID RYNDOCK WAS NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT. DIXON SUFFERED ONLY MINOR SCRAPES AND HIS PASSENGER, PAUL J. SCHRINER JR., 18, OF MINERSVILLE, WAS NOT INJURED. BOTH MEN WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS, RYAN SAID

STATE NEWS

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Pennsylvania National Guard is calling up 1,500 Army and Air Force guard members in advance of Hurricane Irene. Pennsylvania National Guard spokesman Major Ed Shank said the guard is stepping up its joint emergency operations center at its
headquarters at Fort Indiantown Gap, located north of Harrisburg. Shank said guard members will provide rescue missions, sandbagging and basic aid to civilians as needed. An additional 250 guard members will be on standby in flood-prone areas.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Mass transit in Philadelphia and beyond to the suburbs will be shut down early Sunday morning because of anticipation of strong winds and copious rain from Hurricane Irene. Mayor Michael Nutter said Friday that SEPTA, the mass transit agency that provides bus and rail service in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, will cease operations at 12:30 a.m. Seven regional rail lines are set to stop operating on Saturday afternoon because Amtrak is also canceling service. The SEPTA move also involves buses and trolleys, too.

WEST ALIQUIPPA, Pa. (AP) - Health officials say ice cream from a western Pennsylvania dairy that's had problems with milk may also be tainted. The state Department of Health says consumers and retailers should discard all ice cream purchased from the Brunton Dairy as a
precautionary measure, after a test showed the same bacteria that sickened 16 people who drank the dairy's milk. The family-owned Brunton Dairy in Independence Township, Beaver
County continues to cooperate with the Department of Health's investigation into Yersinia bacteria and voluntarily stopped producing milk and ice cream since the last week in July. The bacteria were discovered in an unopened container of ice cream.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A man who had been reported missing is in custody after police say he set fire at a central Pennsylvania apartment. Harrisburg police arrested 32-year-old Leon Smith on Thursday, hours after he allegedly started the fire that displaced eight people. Smith had been classified as missing by suburban police after authorities say he disappeared and made phone calls to family members that indicated he was in distress. Police in Harrisburg say Smith's unusual behavior was likely drug-related. Smith is being held at Dauphin County Prison on $250,000 bail on charges including reckless endangerment and dangerous burning.

PENN HILLS, Pa. (AP) - Police say a 15-year-old suspect has surrendered in connection with a fatal shooting outside a fast-food restaurant in a Pittsburgh suburb. Authorities say Akeem Willie is charged with criminal homicide, robbery and related crimes in Wednesday's shooting of 18-year-old Dalyn Jones, a recent Penn Hills High School graduate. Allegheny County Police say Willie surrendered Friday evening. Police claim Willie shot and killed Jones after a marijuana deal went bad. The shooting happened outside a busy McDonald's restaurant. It's not immediately clear if Willie has an attorney.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Gov. Tom Corbett is threatening a takeover of the state's financially troubled capital if city leaders do not produce a recovery plan. Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson spoke to reporters Friday to relay the governor's comments from her meeting with him earlier in the day. The Patriot-News of Harrisburg reports that Corbett took the same position in a Tuesday letter to her. City Council has scheduled a Wednesday meeting to consider
Thompson's plan to relieve about $300 million in debt tied to the city's trash incinerator. Last month, it rejected a plan by a state-appointed task force. If City Council defeats Thompson's plan, Corbett told her that he'd sign a bill to create a management board to oversee the city. That bill is pending in the state House of Representatives.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Bob Casey is in Pakistan with three fellow Democratic senators to urge action to stem the flow of roadside bomb ingredients into Afghanistan. Casey said Friday that he spoke with Pakistani government officials about their plans. He calls roadside bombs the biggest killer of U.S. troops in Afghanistan. The senators' three-day agenda includes a meeting with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. Calcium ammonium nitrate fertilizer is a key ingredient in roadside bombs made by Afghan insurgents. The delegation is scheduled to leave Pakistan on Saturday, returning to the U.S. on Tuesday. Casey is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs. Joining Casey were Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, Michael Bennet of Colorado and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Is it time to get rid of the School Reform Commission? That's the question many people are asking in Philadelphia after the ugly and expensive buyout of district Superintendent Arlene Ackerman. The state-controlled commission was created 10 years ago to oversee the financially and academically troubled schools. It replaced the appointed local school board. Yet some wonder if the panel is living up to its mission. Test scores have improved but the district has still encountered fiscal problems. Many state lawmakers from Philadelphia say it's time for the state's largest district to have an elected school board. But Sen. Jeff Piccola, chairman of the Senate Education Committee, says he doesn't think there is a real groundswell to change the governing structure.

NATIONAL NEWS

MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (AP) - A slightly weaker Hurricane Irene is bearing down on North Carolina as a Category 1 storm but forecasters are still emphasizing the potential danger. Some power has already been knocked out and New York City ordered the nation's biggest subway system shut down for the first time because of a natural disaster. Airlines have canceled thousands of flights.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is back at the White House. He flew home from a Martha's Vineyard vacation a bit early, taking his own advice after warning residents and visitors in Irene's path to take the storm seriously. Obama says he's assured state and local officials the Feds will be ready with all available aid.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Republicans continue to take issue with President Barack Obama's economic policies. In the weekly radio and Internet address. Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada says Obama has created "more government that continues to impede economic growth at every
turn."

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is asking Americans to rekindle the spirit of unity felt after the Sept. 11 attacks. In his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama says it can be a lasting, every day virtue. Coming in the aftermath of bitter partisan fights over government spending and tough criticism by Republican presidential candidates, his remarks were an overt call for greater cooperation.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - The embargo is making it hard for Iran to get carbon fiber so Tehran says the country is now making its own. Carbon fiber is part of the U.N. embargo because of its potential use in the country's controversial nuclear program.

TODAY'S NEWS: FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2011

FRACKVILLE WOMAN DRUNK AT WORK

A FRACKVILLE WOMAN WHO POLICE SAY ADMITS TO DRINKING UP TO A QUART OF WHISKEY BEFORE GOING TO WORK AS A HOME CARE NURSE HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT, SIMPLE ASSAULT RESISTING ARREST AND A SLEW OF OTHER CHARGES. MOUNT CARMEL POLICE REPORT THAT 36 YEAR OLD SHANNON O'CONNELL OF FRACKVILLE, WHO IS A LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE SCREAMED OBSCENITIES AT THOMAS SCHOTT AND HIS WIFE AND THREW ITEMS IN THERE HOUSE WHILE O'CONNELL WAS SUPPOSED TO BE CARING FOR THE SCHOTT'S BEDRIDDEN SON. ONCE POLICE ARRIVED O'CONNELL REFUSED TO LEAVE THE HOME AND BRANDISHED A POCKET KNIFE AS POLICE ATTEMPTED TO TAKE HER INTO CUSTODY. O'CONNELL IS CURRENTLY EMPLOYED WITH BAYADA NURSES


MAN DIES IN CRASH

WEST PENN TOWNSHIP POLICE REPORT THAT A CARBON COUNTY MAN HAS DIED FROM INJURIES INCURRED IN A HEAD ON VEHICLE CRASH WITH A TRACTOR TRAILER ON RT 309 WEDNESDAY NIGHT. AUTHORITIES HAVE NOT RELEASED THE MAN'S NAME PENDING FAMILY NOTIFICATION. REPORTS SAY THAT THE TRACTOR TRAILER WAS DRIVING SOUTH WHEN IT STRUCK SOME DEBRIS ON THE ROAD AND VEERED INTO THE NORTHBOUND LANE STRIKING THE SLATINGTON MAN. OFFICIALS PRONOUNCED THE SLATINGTON MAN DEAD AT THE SCENE. AN INVESTIGATION CONTINUES.

POTTSVILLE MAN JAILED ON DRUG CHARGES

A POTTSVILLE MAN WAS JAILED WEDNESDAY EVENING ON DRUG CHARGES AFTER ALLEGEDLY ATTEMPTING TO DISTRIBUTE MORPHINE SULFATE PILLS AT THE FUEL ON CONVENIENCE STORE IN MINERSVILLE. POLICE ARRESTED 41-YEAR-OLD WILLIAM STRIMBOULIS JR. AND CHARGED HIM WITH ONE FELONY COUNT EACH OF POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE AND CRIMINAL ATTEMPT IN ADDITION TO OTHER MISDEMEANOR CHARGES. STRIMBOULIS WAS COMMITTED TO SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON, UNABLE TO POST TEN PERCENT OF $25,000 BAIL.


COUNCILMAN PLANS TO FILE CIVIL RIGHTS LAWSUIT

A GILBERTON BOROUGH COUNCILMAN PLANS TO FILE A CIVIL RIGHTS LAWSUIT AGAINST THE BOROUGH IF CERTAIN CONDITIONS ARE NOT MET RELATING TO HIS ARREST LAST YEAR. COUNCILMAN ROBERT WAGNER SUBMITTED A LETTER TO THE GILBERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL FROM HIS ATTORNEY ALONG WITH THE A-C-L-U. WAGNER WAS ARRESTED IN JULY OF 2010 ON MISDEMEANOR CHARGES OF VERBAL HARASSMENT OF GILBERTON MAYOR MARY LOU HANNON AND POLICE CHIEF MARK KESSLER FOR MAKING PHONE CALLS TO BOTH OFFICIALS ABOUT A-T-V'S RACING NEAR HIS HOME THAT WERE CAUSING A DISTURBANCE. WAGNER STATES THAT HIS FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS WERE VIOLATED AND THAT HIS ARREST WAS IN RETALIATION OF HIM USING HIS FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

TWO CHARGED AFTER LEAVING ANIMALS BEHIND

TWO PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED WEDNESDAY FOR ABANDONING ANIMALS INSIDE A MAHANOY CITY HOME. BOROUGH POLICE FILED CHARGES AGAINST 35-YEAR-OLD BRANDY LEE AND 39-YEAR-OLD CHARLES PALULIS AFTER THEY LEFT FOUR DOGS AND OTHER ANIMALS IN A HOME UNFIT FOR HUMANS OR ANIMALS. POLICE SAY THE ANIMALS HAD NO WATER OR FOOD AND TWO WERE KEPT IN SMALL, RUSTED CAGES FILLED WITH FECES. BOTH LEE AND PALULIS ARE NOW LIVING WITH RELATIVES.

BLUE MOUNTAIN OK'S RENOVATIONS

THE BLUE MOUNTAIN SCHOOL BOARD HAS AGREED TO A $35,000 RENOVATION TO BLUE MOUNTAIN ELEMENTARY EAST. THE PROJECT WILL INVOLVE THE TESTING AND BALANCING OF THE HEATING VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IN THE SCHOOL. THE WORK IS PLANNED TO LAST 2 WEEKS AND WILL NOT INTERRUPT CLASSES. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND SCHOOL IN THE DISTRICT WITH AIR CONDITIONING, WHICH ALSO USES GEOTHERMAL TECHNOLOGY FOR HEATING AND COOLING THE SCHOOL. THE MIDDLE SCHOOL ALSO USES THE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY.


SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PRIMARY NATURAL DISASTER AREA

DUE TO LOSSES CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE RAIN, FLOODING, HIGH WINDS AND TORNADOES THAT OCCURRED IN MAY, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HAS DESIGNATED SCHUYLKILL COUNTY AS A PRIMARY NATURAL DISASTER AREA. FARMERS AND RANCHERS FROM COUNTIES INCLUDING BERKS, COLUMBIA, DAUPHIN, LUZERNE, LEHIGH AND NORTHUMBERLAND QUALIFY FOR NATURAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE. AGRICULTURE SECRETARY TOM VILSACK SAID "PENNSYLVANIA PRODUCERS CAN CONTINUE TO COUNT ON USDA TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE DURING DIFFICULT TIMES."

SOME SCHOOL SUPPLIES MADE WITH TOXIC PLASTIC

PENNSYLVANIA PARENTS ARE BEING OFFERED A LESSON IN BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING. THE GROUP HEALTHY LEGACY IS WARNING THAT SOME SCHOOL SUPPLIES CONTAIN HARMFUL CHEMICALS THAT CAN AFFECT A CHILD'S LEARNING ABILITY AND HEALTH. ORGANIZER KIM LABO SAYS THEIR FOCUS THIS YEAR IS ON P-V-C, WHICH CAN BE FOUND IN BACKPACKS, LUNCHBOXES AND BINDERS. CLUES THAT A PRODUCT CONTAINS P-V-C: A "3" OR “V” UNDER THE UNIVERSAL RECYCLING SYMBOL. IN THE PAST, PENNSYLVANIA HAS CONSIDERED LEGISLATION REQUIRING MANUFACTURERS TO DISCLOSE TOXINS IN THEIR PRODUCTS, BUT NO LAW HAS BEEN PASSED.


STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA OFFICIALS ARE KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON HURRICANE IRENE. GOVERNMENTS, AIRPORTS, UTILITIES AND RESCUE WORKERS ACROSS THE STATE ARE BRACING FOR FLOODING AND OTHER PROBLEMS THAT COULD ARISE IF THE STATE GETS SWAMPED BY HEAVY RAINS
THIS WEEKEND.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - POLICE SAY A HOMELESS MAN WAS FATALLY STABBED IN A WELL-KNOWN PHILADELPHIA PARK. AUTHORITIES SAY THE MAN WAS STABBED LAST NIGHT AT THE ENTRANCE TO LOVE PARK. THE VICTIM WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL BUT LATER DIED. POLICE TOOK A MALE SUSPECT INTO CUSTODY NEAR THE SCENE. THEY SAY HE AND THE VICTIM WERE ARGUING BEFORE THE STABBING.

MURRYSVILLE, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES SAY AN AMMONIA LEAK AT A WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS SENT AT LEAST THREE PEOPLE TO THE HOSPITAL. GENERAL PRODUCT & SUPPLY INCORPORATED IN MURRYSVILLE WAS EVACUATED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. WESTMORELAND COUNTY EMERGENCY DISPATCHERS SAY ABOUT 20 GALLONS OF AMMONIA SPILLED AND THREE PEOPLE WERE SICKENED BY FUMES.

BLOOMSBURG, PA. (AP) - A BOOK MANUFACTURING PLANT IN NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA HAS TOLD ITS EMPLOYEES IT'S CLOSING ITS DOORS. EMPLOYEES HEADING OUT OF THE RR DONNELLEY PLANT OUTSIDE BLOOMSBURG TELL WNEP-TV THEY LEARNED YESTERDAY THEY HAVE ONLY 60 DAYS LEFT OF EMPLOYMENT. THE CHICAGO-BASED COMPANY WILL CLOSE THE PLANT BY THE END OF OCTOBER. ABOUT 400 PEOPLE WILL LOSE THEIR JOB

NATIONAL NEWS:

MIAMI (AP) - THE HURRICANE WARNING FOR IRENE NOW RUNS ALL THE WAY FROM NORTH CAROLINA TO NEW JERSEY. FORECASTERS SAY IRENE HAS WEAKENED TO A CATEGORY 2 STORM AS IT APPROACHES THE EAST COAST. THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER SAYS IT COULD GET STRONGER AGAIN AND BE
NEAR CATEGORY 3 STRENGTH AS IT REACHES NORTH CAROLINA'S COAST TOMORROW.

NAGS HEAD, N.C. (AP) - AS MANY AS 65 MILLION PEOPLE ALONG THE DENSELY POPULATED EAST COAST ARE WARILY WAITING FOR A DANGEROUS WEEKEND HURRICANE THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO INFLICT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DAMAGE. NORTH CAROLINA IS FIRST IN LINE FOR HURRICANE
IRENE AND THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS BIG WAVES AND SWELLS ARE HITTING THE OUTER BANKS.

UNDATED (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAS DECLARED AN EMERGENCY FOR NORTH CAROLINA TO FREE UP FEDERAL RESOURCES TO HELP DEAL WITH HURRICANE IRENE. PEOPLE LEAVING THE NEW JERSEY SHORE, INCLUDING ATLANTIC CITY, COULD BE PART OF THE BIGGEST EVACUATION IN STATE
HISTORY. OFFICIALS IN MARYLAND HAVE ORDERED THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO LEAVE OCEAN CITY.

SAN DIEGO (AP) - LAWYERS FOR THE TUCSON SHOOTING RAMPAGE SUSPECT ARE STILL FIGHTING THE FORCIBLE MEDICATION OF THEIR CLIENT. A JUDGE IN SAN DIEGO WILL HEAR ARGUMENTS TODAY IN THE LATEST ATTEMPT. HE REJECTED A SIMILAR MOTION BROUGHT IN JUNE. THE SHOOTINGS KILLED 13
AND CRITICALLY WOUNDED A CONGRESSWOMAN.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A SURVEY OF ECONOMISTS FINDS PESSIMISM IN THEIR PREDICTION OF THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT'S REVISED SECOND QUARTER GROWTH ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY. THE ECONOMISTS TELL FACTSET THEY EXPECT THE NUMBER TO BE REVISED DOWN FROM 1.3 PERCENT TO 1.1 PERCENT ANNUAL GROWTH. THAT COULD AMPLIFY WORRIES OF A NEW RECESSION.

TODAY'S NEWS: AUGUST 25, 2011

ATTEMPTED MURDER IN BARRY TOWNSHIP

A HEGINS MAN IS BEHIND BARS ON ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGES AFTER AN INCIDENT WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON IN BARRY TOWNSHIP. SCHUYLKILL HAVEN POLICE TELL US 48-YEAR-OLD JEFFREY DALY VERBALLY THREATENED 46-YEAR-OLD CHRISTOPHER SAUERS BEFORE PICKING UP A RIFLE AND FIRING MULTIPLE SHOTS TOWARDS HIM. DALY WAS ARRAIGNED AT SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON AND CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER AMONG OTHER RELATED CHARGES.

COMMISSIONERS HIRE ENGINEER

THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE AGREED WITH ALFRED BENESCH AND COMPANY OF POTTSVILLE TO PROVIDE ENGINEERING REPAIRS TO BRIDGE 120. THE BARRY TWP BRIDGE ON BLACK CREEK ROAD WILL COST OVER $25,000. AN ADDED $2,500 WILL NEED TO BE ADDED IF WETLAND DELINEATION IS NECESSARY. THE COMMISSIONERS ALSO APPROVED THE ADVERTISING OF BIDS TO FURNISH AND INSTALL UNINTERRUPTED POWER SUPPLY TO THE COUNTY'S SEVEN TRAFFIC SIGNALS.

MCADOO BUSINESS OWNER FACES FINES

A MCADOO BUSINESS OWNER IS FACING FINES EXCEEDING $10,000 FOR BUILDING CODE VIOLATIONS. STEFAN LISZKA, OWNER OF MUG SHOTS PUB, WAS FOUND IN VIOLATION OF SEVERAL BUILDING CODES BY MCADOO BOROUGH ENGINEERS. LISZKA PLEADED NOT GUILTY BUT FAILED TO SHOW UP FOR HIS HEARING ON AUGUST 17. THE COURT FOUND LISZKA GUILTY AND WAS ORDERED BY MAGISTERIAL JUDGE STEPHEN BAYER TO PAY OVER AN $11,000 FINE. LISZKA HAS 30 DAYS TO TO PAY THE FINE OR APPEAL THE DECISION TO THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.

KANTER QUESTIONS COUNTY POLICIES

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY CONTROLLER MELINDA KANTNER SPOKE AFTER THE COMMISSIONERS MEETING ON WEDNESDAY. HER MESSAGE WAS TO MAKE EVERYONE AWARE OF THE CURRENT POLICY CONCERNING MEAL REIMBURSEMENTS FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES. KANTER SAYS THAT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE PUT INTO PLACE A POLICY THAT REQUIRES COUNTY EMPLOYEES TO FILE ONE-DAY MEAL REIMBURSEMENTS MUST GO THROUGH PAYROLL. KANTER ADDS THAT THE COUNTY DOES REIMBURSE EMPLOYEES FOR MEALS INCURRED WHEN THEY ARE ON OFFICIAL COUNTY BUSINESS.

CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES TO SHEN VALLEY

CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES ON THE ADDITION OF 34 NEW CLASSROOMS IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT. HOWEVER, DISTRICT OFFICIALS SAY THAT CLASSROOMS WILL BE READY FOR ALL STUDENTS BY THE FIRST DAY OF CLASSES ON MONDAY. THE ORIGINAL PLAN WAS TO HAVE ALL CLASSROOMS FINISHED BY THAT START OF THIS SCHOOL YEAR BUT DUE TO SETBACKS AND OTHER DELAYS DISTRICT OFFICALS SAY REALISTICALLY THE ACTUAL COMPLETION DATES WILL NOT BE TILL AUGUST OF 2012. CURRENTLY, PHASE 1 OF THE PROJECT IS UNDER WAY WITH THE HIGH SCHOOL GYM AND AUDITORIUM ALONG WITH THE HIGH SCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY LIBRARIES BEING RENOVATED.

STATE NEWS:

MONTROSE, PA. (AP) - RESIDENTS AND ACTIVISTS IN NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA SAY THEY WANT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO STEP IN AND KEEP WATCH OVER THE RAPIDLY EXPANDING NATURAL GAS DRILLING INDUSTRY. MORE THAN A DOZEN PEOPLE MET YESTERDAY WITH OFFICIALS FROM THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES IN SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - WAL-MART IS CANCELING AN AGREEMENT TO INSTALL MORE THAN 20 STATE-CONTROLLED WINE-VENDING MACHINES IN SOME PENNSYLVANIA STORES. A COMPANY STATEMENT CITES MECHANICAL CONCERNS. BUT A LAWYER FOR THE CONTRACTOR SAYS MECHANICAL PROBLEMS AFFECT
LESS THAN ONE-HALF PERCENT OF TRANSACTIONS.

NORRISTOWN, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES SAY FOUR PEOPLE WERE INJURED WHEN A CAR PLUNGED THROUGH THE WINDOW OF A SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA FAST-FOOD RESTAURANT. POLICE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY SAY THE CRASH HAPPENED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AT A TACO BELL IN EAST NORRITON
TOWNSHIP. OFFICIALS SAY A MAN WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT WHEN HE HID A SEDAN, AND THEN ACCELERATED FORWARD INTO THE RESTAURANT.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THREE HARRISBURG MEN CONVICTED IN A CONVENIENCE STORE ROBBERY IN 1996 HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH MURDER FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF THE WOUNDED OWNER. JEREMY ENAIRE, RONALD BRILEY AND LEE SMITH, ALL SERVED TIME ON ROBBERY AND CONSPIRACY CONVICTIONS. DAUPHIN COUNTY AUTHORITIES SAY STORE OWNER CHONG KWAK LINGERED IN A COMA UNTIL HE DIED IN JUNE.

NATIONAL NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - A NEW POLL SUGGESTS AN INCREASE IN AMERICAN PESSIMISM ABOUT THE ECONOMY AND A GROWING LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA. THE AP-GFK POLL ALSO SHOWS MORE ADULTS BLAME FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH FOR THE NATION'S ECONOMIC
WOES THAN OBAMA.

BUXTON, N.C. (AP) - OFFICIALS ARE SCRAMBLING TO INSPECT BRIDGES, DUSTING OFF EVACUATION PLANS AND GETTING SANDBAGS READY FOR POTENTIAL FLOODS AHEAD OF HURRICANE IRENE. THE STORM COULD HIT THIS WEEKEND ANYWHERE FROM THE CAROLINAS TO NEW ENGLAND AND FORECASTERS
SAY IT COULD BE A CATEGORY 4 STORM WHEN IT ARRIVES.

LINCOLN, CALIF. (AP) - CALIFORNIANS EVACUATED FROM HOMES NEAR A BURNING PROPANE RAIL TANKER ARE BEING ALLOWED TO GO HOME. AUTHORITIES SAY FIRE CREWS HAVE CONTAINED THE BLAZE AND ENDED THE THREAT OF A MAJOR EXPLOSION. THE TANKER WAS ALLOWED TO BURN ITSELF
OUT.

NEW YORK (AP) - THE HIGHWAY LOSS DATA INSTITUTE SAYS THE MOST STOLEN VEHICLE THESE DAYS IS THE CADILLAC ESCALADE. THE LUXURY SUV IS LOVED BY THE RICH AND THE NOT-SO-RICH -- AND ALSO BY THIEVES AS A STATUS SYMBOL. IT'S SIX TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE HIT BY THIEVES
THAN THE AVERAGE VEHICLE.

LONDON (AP) - SOCIAL NETWORK EXECUTIVES AND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ARE TALKING ABOUT HOW TO PREVENT SOCIAL NETWORKS FROM BEING USED TO PLOT VIOLENCE. EXECUTIVES FROM FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND BLACKBERRY MAKER RESEARCH IN MOTION ARE MEETING THE GOVERNMENT AND POLICE. THE GOVERNMENT HAS EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE WAY SOCIAL MEDIA WERE USED DURING THIS MONTH'S RIOTS ACROSS ENGLAND.

TODAY'S NEWS: WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2011

A 5.8 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE CENTERED IN VIRGINIA HAS BEEN FELT ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA. JASMINE BROOKS HAS MORE:

SCHOOL IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER AND THE TOP CONCERN EVERY YEAR IS SCHOOL SAFETY. JASMINE BROOKS HAS THE STORY:

***WATER BOIL ADVISORY***
RESIDENTS OF PINE GROVE ARE UNDER A WATER BOIL ADVISORY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO CONTAMINATION IN THE DISTRIBUTUION SYSTEM FOR INFO CALL 570-345-3555

CAR CHASE ENDS IN BLAZE

ONE MAN IS IN CUSTODY ANOTHER STILL ON THE LAMB FOLLOWING A HIGH SPEED CHASE MONDAY NIGHT. MAHANOY TWP REPORT THAT A HIGH SPEED CAR CHASE BEGAN NEAR MAHANOY CITY WITH SPEEDS EXCEEDING 100 MPH AND ENDED IN GIRARDVILLE WITH THE VEHICLE CATCHING FIRE. POLICE SAY THAT 29 YEAR OLD JOHN TYM OF MAHANOY CITY FLED ON FOOT AFTER THE CAR BECAME DISABLED AND A PASSENGER 28 YEAR OLD JOSH STEVENS ALSO OF MAHANOY CITY WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND ARRAIGNED ON FELONY DRUG CHARGES AND HELD IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON ON $25,000 BAIL.

STABBING IN RYAN TWP

STATE POLICE IN FRACKVILLE HAVE CHARGED A BARNESVILLE MAN WITH AGGRAVATED AND SIMPLE ASSAULT AMONG OTHER CHARGES. POLICE RESPONDED TO A HOME IN RYAN TWP FOR AN ALLEGED STABBING. POLICE REPORTS SAY THAT 18 YEAR OLD BRYAN OSWALD OF BARNESVILLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ARGUMENT WITH 29 YEAR OLD MICHAEL OSWALD WHEN IT BECAME HEATED, ANOTHER MAN 21 YEAR OLD WILLIAM OSWALD TRIED TO INTERVENE AND WAS STABBED BY BRYAN OSWALD ACCORDING TO POLICE REPORTS. BRYAN OSWALD WAS ARRAIGNED AND REMANDED TO SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRION ON $10,000 BAIL.

STRIP CLUB HEARING

THE COUNTY'S REQUEST TO SHUT DOWN A STRIP CLUB IN WASHINGTON TWP WAS CONTINUED IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COURT. THE HEARING FOR STRIP MINE CABARET WILL BE HELD AUG 30. IN A JULY 5 LAWSUIT THE COUNTY ASKED THE COURT TO CLOSE THE CABARET WHICH IS OWNED BY DUTCHMAN MX PARK OF PINE GROVE BECAUSE IT VIOLATES ZONING LAWS. DUTCHMAN MX DID NOT ASK FOR A VARIANCE OR SPECIAL EXEMPTION THAT WOULD ALLOW IT TO OPERATE ON THE PROPERTY WHICH IS ZONED AS AGRICULTURE.

PROSTITUTION HEARING CONTINUED

A HEARING FOR THE TWO WOMEN CHARGED WITH PROSTITUTION IN NORTH MANHEIM TOWNSHIP HAD THEIR HEARING CONTINUED UNTIL OCTOBER ON MONDAY. MIDUCK PARK OF PHILADELPHIA AND CHUN YANG OF ROCKVILLE MARYLAND WILL APPEAR IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COURT ON OCTOBER 4. THE HEARING WILL BE CONTINUED UNTIL INTERPRETERS CAN BE FOUND FOR BOTH DEFENDANTS. POLICE CHARGED PARK AND YANG ON JULY 27 WITH PROSTITUTION AND RELATED OFFENSES AT THE AROMA SPA ON RT 61.

GIRARDVILLE MAN ARRESTED

A GIRARDVILLE MAN IS NOW IN CUSTODY AFTER TAKING A SHOTGUN ONTO THE STREET AND THREATENING RESIDENTS. STATE POLICE AT FRACKVILLE TELL US 55-YEAR-OLD EDWARD WEYMAN HAD MADE STATEMENTS THAT HE WAS GOING TO KILL EVERYONE. LOCAL RESIDENTS WERE ABLE TO DISARM WEYMAN AND HE NOW FACES TERRORISTIC THREATS AMONG OTHER CHARGES.

KIDS FIRST

A PROGRAM UNDER WAY IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY IS DESIGNED TO HELP PARENTS INVOLVED IN CUSTODY BATTLES DO NOT FORGET THE CHILDREN INVOLVED. KIDS FIRST, IS A 4 HOUR COUNSELING SESSION OFFERED AT THE COURTHOUSE. THE KIDS FIRST PROGRAM TEACHES PARENTS WHAT THE KIDS INVOLVED IN PARENTAL CUSTODY BATTLES ARE GOING THROUGH AND AS OF THIS YEAR IS MANDATORY FOR PARENTS WHO FILE OR DEFENDING CUSTODY LAWSUITS.

STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A 5.8 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE CENTERED IN VIRGINIA HAS BEEN FELT ACROSS PENNSYLVANIA. PEOPLE FROM PHILADELPHIA TO PITTSBURGH EXPERIENCED SHAKING BUILDINGS AND SLIGHT TREMORS. NO INJURIES OR MAJOR DAMAGE WERE REPORTED DURING THE BRIEF WAVE YESTERDAY JUST BEFORE 2 P.M. IN HARRISBURG, PARTS OF THE STATE CAPITOL WERE EVACUATED.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION INSPECTORS ARE CHECKING BRIDGES ACROSS THE STATE IN THE WAKE OF YESTERDAY'S EARTHQUAKE. PENNDOT SAYS IT'S GIVING PRIORITY TO BRIDGES THAT ARE AT LEAST 200 FEET OR LONGER AND AT LEAST 60 FEET HIGH. PENNDOT SAYS THERE'S NO REASON TO BELIEVE THE QUAKE CAUSED ANY MAJOR DAMAGE TO STATE ROADWAYS OR BRIDGES.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE OWNER OF A LANDMARK SOUTH PHILADELPHIA CHEESESTEAK STAND WHO ONCE TOLD CUSTOMERS TO ORDER IN ENGLISH HAS DIED. JOEY VENTO WAS 71. GENO'S STEAKS MANAGER JOSEPH PERNO SAYS HIS UNCLE HAD A MASSIVE HEART ATTACK AND DIED LAST NIGHT.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN PHILADELPHIA HAVE ANNOUNCED A $20,000 REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE GUNMAN WHO OPENED FIRE MONDAY NIGHT AT A CROWDED SOUTHWEST PHILADELPHIA BASKETBALL COURT. SIX PEOPLE WERE INJURED AND HUNDREDS WERE SENT SCATTERING.
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER REPORTS MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER AND POLICE ANNOUNCED THE REWARD YESTERDAY AT THE KINGSESSING RECREATION CENTER.

NATIONAL NEWS:

WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) - THE FIRST TEST COMES TODAY OF WHETHER PEOPLE WILL HEED OFFICIAL WARNINGS TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF A POTENTIALLY MAJOR HURRICANE IRENE. TOURISTS HAVE BEEN TOLD TO EVACUATE OCRACOKE ISLAND IN NORTH CAROLINA, WHICH IS ACCESSIBLE ONLY BY BOAT. FORECASTERS SAY IRENE COULD APPROACH THE U.S. COAST AS A CATEGORY 4.

TRIPOLI, LIBYA (AP) - MOAMMAR GADHAFI IS OUT OF SIGHT BUT NOT SILENT. HE'S CALLED ON THE RESIDENTS OF THE LIBYAN CAPITAL TO "FREE TRIPOLI" FROM THE "DEVILS" WHO HAVE OVERRUN IT. IN THE SPEECH, AIRED TODAY BY LOCAL TV, GADHAFI SOUNDS SUBDUED AND WITHOUT HIS USUAL FIERY RHETORIC.

MONTGOMERY, ALA. (AP) - A FEDERAL JUDGE IN BIRMINGHAM HOLDS A HEARING TODAY ON A CONTROVERSIAL, ALABAMA IMMIGRATION LAW. AT ISSUE IS WHETHER THE LAW IS AN UNFAIR ASSAULT ON CIVIL LIBERTIES OR A LONG-NEEDED EFFORT TO TIGHTEN BORDERS AND PROTECT JOBS. THE LAW'S
PROVISIONS MAKE IT A CRIME TO EVEN TRANSPORT OR PROVIDE SHELTER TO AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT.

NORFOLK, VA. (AP) - CLOSING ARGUMENTS ARE SCHEDULED TODAY FOR A NAVAL OFFICER WHO'S TRYING TO REMAIN IN THE SERVICE. CAPT. OWEN P.HONORS WAS RELIEVED OF COMMAND OF A NUCLEAR-POWERED AIRCRAFT CARRIER AFTER RAUNCHY VIDEOS PRODUCED ABOARD THE USS ENTERPRISE
SURFACED. HE'S FACING A BOARD OF INQUIRY.

JACKSON, MISS. (AP) - A MAJOR-PARTY NOD FOR MISSISSIPPI GOVERNOR HAS GONE TO A BLACK CANDIDATE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER. HATTIESBURG MAYOR JOHNNY DUPREE DEFEATED ATTORNEY AND DEVELOPER BILL LUCKETT IN A DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY RUNOFF. THE 57-YEAR-OLD WILL FACE REPUBLICAN LT. GOV. PHIL BRYANT IN NOVEMBER

BREAKING NEWS-EARTHQUAKE TREMORS FELT

FROM SCHUYLKILL COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:

AT APPROXIMATELY 1:51 P.M., SCHUYLKILL COUNTY ALONG WITH A MAJORITY OF PENNSYLVANIA AND SEVERAL STATES EXPERIENCED TREMORS RELATED TO AN APPARENT EARTHQUAKE THAT OCCURRED IN NORTH CENTRAL VIRGINIA. THE EFFECTS OF THE EARTHQUAKE WERE FELT OVER A WIDESPREAD AREA. UNOFFICIAL REPORT IS THAT THE EARTHQUAKE MEASURED 5.9 ON THE RICHTER SCALE. WE ARE ASKING THAT ANY LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES OR CONDITIONS TO CONTACT 911 IMMEDIATELY. TO REPORT DAMAGE PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MUNICIPALITY.

TODAY'S NEWS: TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2011

BREAKING NEWS:

FORKLIFT TIPS AT HIGHRIDGE BUSINESS PARK

AN ACCIDENT AT HIGHRIDGE BUSINESS PARK ALONG I-81 HAS BEEN REPORTED AT 10:42AM. POLICE TELL US A FORKLIFT ALLEGEDLY CAME OFF THE BACK OF A TRACTOR TRAILER WITH ONE MAN INSIDE. EMERGENCY CREWS ON SCENE ARE MINERSVILLE AMBULANCE, WEST SCHUYLKILL PARAMEDICS, SOUTH CASS TOWNSHIP FIRE COMPANY AND POTTSVILLE/YORKVILLE RESCUE.


TWO MEN LEAD POLICE ON HIGH SPEED CHASE LATE MONDAY

TWO MEN LEAD POLICE ON A HIGH-SPEED CHASE LATE MONDAY THAT RESULTED IN THIER CAR BURSTING INTO FLAMES. IT IS REPORTED THE MEN TOOK OFF AFTER POLICE TRIED TO STOP THE DRIVER FOR A TRAFFIC VIOLATION.THE CAR WAS PURSUED BY VARIOUS POLICE DEPARTMENTS UNTIL IT CAUGHT FIRE NEAR GIRARDVILLE. THE CAR WAS REPORTEDLY DESTOYED. BOTH MEN ARE IN CUSTODY AT THIS TIME AND CHARGES ARE PENDNING. WE WILL HAVE MORE INFORMATION AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.



MINERSVILLE RESPONDS TO INCONSISTENCIES

MINERSVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT JOE BRADY RESPONDED LAST NIGHT TO THE INCONSISTENCIES THAT HAVE PLAGUED THE DISTRICT FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS SINCE THE PENNSYLVANIA SYSTEM OF SCHOOL ASSESSMENT RELEASED A REPORT THAT STATED MANY DISTRICTS IN THE COMMONWEALTH WERE FOUND TO BE CHEATING ON STATE ISSUED TESTS. BRADY’S STATEMENT WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE REPORT DOES NOT IMPLY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT DID ANYTHING WRONG OR INAPPROPRIATE ON THE TESTS. ABOUT THREE DOZEN SCHOOLS DISTRICTS IN THE STATE WERE NAMED IN THE STUDY INCLUDING NORTH SCHUYLKILL AND HAZLETON.

TAMAQUA LACKING IN HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

A RECENT STUDY CONDUCTED SHOWS THAT TAMAQUA AREA IS BEHIND NOT ONLY NATIONALLY BUT STATEWIDE AS WELL IN HEALTH RELATED ISSUES. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THAT HOLLIE GIBBONS, MANAGER OF DISEASE PREVENTION PROGRAMS A ST LUKE'S HOSPITAL AND HEALTH NETWORK, SUMMARIZED THE HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT SURVEY AT A MEETING LAST WEEK. IN THE STUDY IT WAS FOUNDED THAT 15% OF TAMAQUA RESIDENTS AGES 51-60 HAD NO HEALTH INSURANCE, WHICH IS 4%HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AND THAT 71% REPORT A VERY SERIOUS TO SERIOUS ABUSE OF ALCOHOL, ILLEGAL DRUGS AND THAT CIGARETTE SMOKING IN TAMAQUA WAS HIGHER THAN IN STATE AND NATIONAL AVERAGE.

POWER OUTAGE AFFECTS SHENANDOAH AND WEST MAHANOY TWP

A PORTION OF SHENANDOAH AND WEST MAHANOY TWP WERE AFFECTED BY A POWER OUTAGE MONDAY AFTERNOON. THE OUTAGE AFFECTED ALMOST 1500 CUSTOMERS OF PPL ELECTRIC UTILITIES. TERI MCBRIDE A REGIONAL COMMUNTIY RELATIONS DIRECTOR WITH PPL SAYS THAT WORK WAS BEING CONDUCTED ON A CROSS ARM ON WEST CHERRY ST THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE PARTIAL BLACKOUT, BUT AN INVESTIGATION CONTINUES INTO THE CAUSE.

REPRESENTATIVE KNOWLES COMMENTS ON HONOR RECIPIENT CEREMONY

A MEMORIAL MARKER HONORING MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENT CHIEF MASTER SGT. RICHARD ETCHBERGER WAS UNVEILED MONDAY DURING A CEREMONY AT THE SOLDIERS AND SAILORS GROVE AT THE STATE CAPITOL IN HARRISBURG. ETCHBERGER WAS KILLED DURING A CLASSIFIED MISSION DURING THE VIETNAM CONFLICT IN 1968. REP. JERRY KNOWLES (R-SCHUYLKILL, BERKS) SAID HE IS GLAD THAT ETCHBERGER’S HEROIC ACTIONS IN HELPING TO RESCUE 3 WOUNDED COMRADES WHILE EXPOSING HIMSELF TO ENEMY FIRE, HAVE FINALLY BEEN RECOGNIZED.

PAIN KILLERS STOLEN FROM POTTSVILLE MAN'S HOME

STATE POLICE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN ARE NOW INVESTIGATING THE THEFT OF A BOTTLE OF PRESCRIPTION PILLS TAKEN FROM A POTTSVILLE MAN’S HOME. POLICE TELL US APPROXIMATELY 140 OXYCODONE PILLS WERE REMOVED FROM 48-YEAR-OLD ROBERT WAGNER’S MEDICINE CABINET SOMETIME BETWEEN SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY MORNING.

NEW ENERGY POLICIES FOR PA

LAWMAKERS BEGAN A SERIES OF HEARINGS THIS WEEK IN HARRISBURG TO TAKE A DETAILED LOOK AT PENNSYLVANIA'S ENERGY POLICIES AND HOW THEY AFFECT THE STATE'S CONSUMERS AND BUSINESS CLIMATE. REPRESENTATIVE DAVID REED, CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN POLICY COMMITTEE SAID THIS IS THE FIRST STEP IN DETERMINING IF THE PRESENT POLICIES ARE WORKING AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO REDUCE THE COST OF ENERGY AND ENCOURAGE ECONOMIC GROWTH.

SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA, BATH SALTS NOW BANNED IN PA.

POSSESSION AND SALE OF SO CALLED FAKE DRUGS LIKE SYNTHETIC MARIJUANA, BATH SALTS AND SALVIA ARE NOW AGAINST THE LAW IN PENNSYLVANIA. UNDER THE LAW THE FIRST OFFENSE FOR DELIVERY OR POSSESSION WITH THE INTENT TO DELIVER CARRIES A PENALTY OF UP TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON AND A $15,000 FINE. STATE REPRESENTATIVE, JENNIFER MANN, SAYS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH THESE DRUGS WAS THE ACCESS. MANN ADDS, A 17-YEAR-OLD COULDN’T WALK INTO A MINI MART AND BUY CIGARETTES OR WALK INTO A BAR AND BUY ALCOHOL, BUT BEFORE THIS LAW COULD WALK INTO A SMOKE SHOP AND BUY A SYNTHETIC VERSION OF COCAINE. PENNSYLVANIA IS THE 21ST STATE TO BAN THESE DRUGS.

STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - POLICE SAY GUNFIRE ERUPTED AT A SOUTHWEST PHILADELPHIA BASKETBALL COURT DURING HALFTIME OF AN ADULT LEAGUE GAME, INJURING SIX PEOPLE, ONE CRITICALLY. AUTHORITIES SAY ABOUT 500 PEOPLE WERE AT THE 19-AND-OVER LEAGUE PLAYOFF GAME LAST NIGHT AT KINGSESSING RECREATION CENTER WHEN SHOTS RANG OUT.

SLATINGTON, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES HAVE CHARGED A POTTSTOWN AREA MAN IN THE BEATING AND STABBING DEATH OF A SLATINGTON MAN OVER THE WEEKEND. POLICE SAY THE BODY OF BRYAN MAYES WAS FOUND EARLY SATURDAY IN THE MIDDLE OF ROUTE 873 IN WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. OFFICIALS SAY MAYES DIED OF STAB WOUNDS AND BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA. AUTHORITIES SAY ROBERT CHARLES SLOSS WAS ARRESTED AT THE SCENE.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES SAY A MAN HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL AFTER PLUNGING FROM A CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA BRIDGE INTO THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER. STATE POLICE SAY THE DOVER RESIDENT WAS SEEN TALKING ON A CELL PHONE INSIDE A CAR PARKED ALONG THE SHOULDER OF INTERSTATE 83 ON THE JOHN HARRIS MEMORIAL BRIDGE IN DAUPHIN COUNTY. A TROOPER SAYS THE MAN THEN JUMPED INTO THE RIVER.

NATIONAL NEWS:

NAGUA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (AP) - HURRICANE IRENE COULD HIT FLORIDA, GEORGIA OR SOUTH CAROLINA BEFORE THE END OF THE WEEK, AND FORECASTERS SAY IT COULD BECOME A DEADLY AND POWERFUL CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE BEFORE THEN. IRENE WAS LAST TRACKED AS A CATEGORY 2HURRICANE, ON ITS WAY TO THE TURKS AND CAICOS AND THE BAHAMAS.

TRIPOLI, LIBYA (AP) - A SON OF LIBYA'S MOAMMAR GADHAFI WHO HAD BEEN REPORTED CAPTURED BY REBELS IS FREE AND HE'S VOWING TO FIGHT ANTI-GOVERNMENT FORCES. EARLY THIS MORNING SEIF (SAYF) AL-ISLAM GAVE REPORTERS A TOUR OF PARTS OF TRIPOLI STILL UNDER HIS FATHER'S CONTROL AND HE SAID, "WE ARE GOING TO HIT THE HOTTEST SPOTS IN TRIPOLI."

GENEVA (AP) - THE U.N.'S TOP HUMAN RIGHTS BODY IS DEMANDING THAT SYRIA END ITS BLOODY CRACKDOWN AND COOPERATE WITH AN INTERNATIONAL PROBE INTO POSSIBLE CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY BY PRESIDENT BASHAR ASSAD'S GOVERNMENT. THE U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL'S RESOLUTION WOULD DISPATCH A HUMAN RIGHTS TEAM TO SYRIA. CHINA AND RUSSIA SAY THE U.N. MEASURE IS UNNECESSARY INTERVENTION.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A SURVEY OF LEADING ECONOMISTS SAYS HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT AND WEAK CONSUMER SPENDING WILL HOLD BACK THE U.S. ECONOMY INTO 2012. THE ECONOMISTS INTERVIEWED IN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SURVEY ALSO SAY THERE'LL PROBABLY BE NO MEANINGFUL IMPROVEMENT IN THE U.S. ECONOMY IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS, BUT THAT ANOTHER RECESSION IS NOT LIKELY EITHER.

NEW YORK (AP) - THE MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN NEW YORK IS EXPECTED TO ASK A JUDGE TODAY TO FORMALLY DISMISS SEXUAL ASSAULT CHARGES AGAINST DOMINIQUE STRAUSS-KAHN, THE FORMER CHIEF OF THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND. BUT THE HOTEL MAID ACCUSING STRAUSS-KAHN IS ASKING THE JUDGE TO TAKE THE DA'S OFFICE OFF THE CASE AND PUT IT ON HOLD UNTIL A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR CAN BE APPOINTED.

TODAY'S NEWS: AUGUST 22, 2011

NEW TEACHERS DEAL REACHED

THE WILLIAMS VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS REACHED A DEAL WITH TEACHERS JUST DAYS BEFORE THE BEGINNING O F THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR. THE BOARD RATIFIED THE AGREEMENT EARLIER THIS MONTH AND IT WAS APPROVED AT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION HELD BY TEACHERS. TEACHERS IN THE DISTRICT HAVE BEEN WORKING WITHOUT A CONTRACT SINCE THE THREE YEAR AGREEMENT EXPIRED IN JUNE OF 2010. THE NEW AGREEMENT CALLS FOR A SALARY FREEZE 2010-2011 SCHOOL YEAR AND A 2.6 PERCENT RAISE FOR THE REMAINING YEARS OF THE CONTRACT.

LOCAL FIRE COMPANIES RECEIVE GRANTS

12 FIRE COMAPNIES IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY HAVE RECEIVED A COMBINED GRANT FOR FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT AND MORE, IN THE AMOUNT OF CLOSE TO $40,000. THE GRANT COMES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES BUREAU OF FORESTRY. THESE DEPARTMENTS ARE AMONG 160 FIRE COMPANIES THAT HAVE RECEIVED FUNDING. VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER ASSISTANCE GRANTS ARE PROVIDED TO RURAL AREAS WITH POPULATION OF LESS THAN 10,000 PEOPLE TO AID FIREFIGHTERS IN THEIR EFFORTS.

SEWAGE FACILITY SELECTED

A DECISION HAS BEEN MADE FOR THE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT FOR THE HEGINS-HUBLEY JOINT ACT 537 PLAN. SUPERVISORS FROM HEGINS, HUBLEY TOWNSHIPS AND THE HEGINS HUBLEY WATER AUTHORITY BOARD MET WITH ENGINEERS TO TALK ABOUT THE LOCATION. A 40 ACRE PLOT OWNED BY FRANK KRAMMES WAS SELECTED AND PURCHASED BY KRAMMES ON APRIL 29. THE AUTHORITY NOW HAS THE DAUNTING TASK OF FINDING FUNDING TO BUY THE LAND FROM KRAMMES. BASED ON ESTIMATES IF FUNDING AND A DEAL COMPLETE KRAMMES COULD RECEIVE CLOSE TO $240,000 FOR THE LAND.

MOTHER-IN-LAW SHOT WITH PAINT BALL GUN

AN EAST UNION TOWNSHIP MAN WAS ARRESTED EARLY SUNDAY MORNING AFTER SHOOTING HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW IN THE THROAT AND FACE WITH A PAINT BALL GUN. FRACKVILLE POLICE TELL US TODD SINGLEY JR. FIRED THE SHOTS DURING AN ARGUMENT WITH HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW KELLY SINGLEY. HE WAS CHARGED WITH SIMPLE ASSAULT AND RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING ANOTHER PERSON AMONG OTHER CHARGES. SINGLEY WAS ARRAIGNED AND RELEASED PENDING HIS PRELIMINARY HEARING IN SHENANDOAH.


FIREFIGHTERS CONVENTION BEGINS

THE 57TH ANNUAL SCHUYLKILL COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION CONVENTION KICKED OFF SUNDAY IN MINERSVILLE. ABOUT 100 FIREFIGHTERS PARTICIPATED IN THE SERVICE WHICH HONORED ALL FIREFIGHTERS WHO HAVE DIED IN SERVICE. CONVENTION WEEK WILL CONTINUE TODAY WITH A TOUR OF YUENGLING BREWERY.

GUN CHARGES FILED IN BERKS DEPUTY'S DEATH

THE FATHER OF A MAN WHO DIED IN A SHOOTOUT THAT ALSO KILLED SHERIFF'S DEPUTY, KYLE PAGERLY, IS ONE OF THREE PEOPLE CHARGED WITH HAVING ILLEGALLY SUPPLIED WEAPONS TO HIS SON. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS 70-YEAR-OLD MAURICE CONNOR OF KEMPTON WAS ARRESTED FRIDAY AND CHARGED WITH WEAPONS VIOLATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE FIREARMS HIS SON, MATTHEW CONNOR, POSSESSED. ALSO FACING CHARGES ARE JARED ENGLEMAN AND SANDRA KEIM.

STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN PHILADELPHIA SAY A MAN WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY POLICE AFTER A PURSUIT AND A CARJACKING. IT HAPPENED LATE SATURDAY NIGHT IN THE GERMANTOWN SECTION IN NORTHWEST PHILADELPHIA. OFFICIALS SAY THE SUSPECT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL, WHERE HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD. THE IDENTITY OF THE SUSPECT HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED AND THE CASE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

ERIE, PA. (AP) - A PRAYER VIGIL IS PLANNED THURSDAY NIGHT FOR A MAN SHOT TO DEATH EARLIER THIS MONTH IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA. THE ERIE TIMES-NEWS REPORTS CAMERON MITCHELL JR. DIED OF A SINGLE GUNSHOT WOUND TO THE CHEST AFTER HE WAS SHOT IN ERIE.

OXFORD, PA. (AP) - OFFICIALS IN SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA SAY SOME ELDERLY RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN DISPLACED BY A FIRE AT AN APARTMENT BUILDING. AUTHORITIES IN CHESTER COUNTY SAY THE FIRE IN AN UNDERGROUND TRANSFORMER NEAR THE OXFORD HOTEL APARTMENTS WAS REPORTED YESTERDAY MORNING. THE RED CROSS SAYS IT'S HELPING PEOPLE WITH FOOD, CLOTHING AND SHELTER.

NATIONAL NEWS:

MIAMI (AP) - IRENE IS NOW A HURRICANE AND ITS PROJECTED PATH WILL TAKE IT TOWARD THE U.S. COAST LATER THIS WEEK. HURRICANE IRENE IS MOVING OVER PUERTO RICO AND HEADED FOR HISPANIOLA, THE ISLAND SHARED BY THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AND HAITI. NEARLY 600,000HAITIANS STILL LIVE WITHOUT SHELTER AFTER LAST YEAR'S EARTHQUAKE.

LONDON (AP) - THE LIBYAN REBELS' TOP DIPLOMAT IN LONDON SAYS THERE ARE "STILL SOME POCKETS" OF SUPPORT FOR MOAMMAR GADHAFI, BUT REBELS ARE ASSERTING CONTROL OVER THE CAPITAL, TRIPOLI. WORLD LEADERS ARE URGING GADHAFI TO LEAVE NOW.

NEW YORK (AP) - A MAJORITY OF ECONOMISTS SAY THE BEST WAY TO REDUCE THE DEFICIT IS THROUGH SPENDING CUTS ALONE, INCLUDING MEDICARE AND MEDICAID. A NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR BUSINESS ECONOMICS SURVEY FINDS THAT 56 PERCENT OF MEMBERS OPPOSE TAX
INCREASES WHILE 37 PERCENT SAY A MIX OF SPENDING CUTS AND TAX HIKES IS THE WAY TO GO.

NEW YORK (AP) - A SOURCE SAYS NEW YORK PROSECUTORS WILL LIKELY TELL A HOTEL MAID TODAY THAT THERE ISN'T ENOUGH EVIDENCE FOR HER SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST FORMER INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND LEADER DOMINIQUE STRAUSS-KAHN. THE PERSON FAMILIAR WITH THE CASE SAYS THE CHARGES WILL LIKELY BE DROPPED.


WASHINGTON (AP) - THE OFFICIAL CEREMONY IS SUNDAY BUT THE PUBLIC CAN GET ITS FIRST LOOK AT THE WASHINGTON MEMORIAL TO THE REV. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. STARTING TODAY WHEN THE SITE OPENS WITHOUT FANFARE. IT SITS ON THE NATIONAL MALL BETWEEN MEMORIALS HONORING PRESIDENTS ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND THOMAS JEFFERSON.

TODAY'S NEWS: SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 2011

A Thursday night fire in Mahanoy City that left seven people temporarily homeless was accidental, fire officials said Friday. As reported in the Republican and Herald, Anthony Blackwell, Mahanoy City Fire Department administrative assistant and safety officer, said the blaze that damaged four homes in the 300 block of East Pine Street about 10:45 p.m. was caused by an overloaded electrical outlet. It was determined the fire started inside a home at 326 E. Pine St. occupied by Emily Yacovelli and her son, Mark Yacovelli, and Paul Waselewski.

A Pine Grove man escaped injury after he fell asleep at the wheel of his car and hit a sign and several trees early Thursday, according to state police at Schuylkill Haven. Michael Griffith was driving a 1989 Oldsmobile Delta 88 west on Keefers Road when he fell asleep at 7:25 a.m., troopers said. He traveled across both lanes and the south berm, hit a sign owned by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, trees and a drainage pipe, before coming to rest on a grass embankment, troopers said. Troopers charged Griffith for failing to stay in his lane.

A 37-year-old Pottsville man was jailed after being arrested by Pottsville police in connection with an incident at 10:32 p.m. Wednesday. Police said Jamie Ebert was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker, Shenandoah, on one count of indirect criminal contempt for violating a Protection From Abuse order. He was committed to Schuylkill County Prison unable to post 10 percent of $15,000 bail, police said. Police said Ebert violated the order by going to a home on East Norwegian Street and harassing his daughter.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Authorities in Pittsburgh say three people
have died in flash floods after heavy rains submerged cars. Rescue
crews used inflatable boats to reach other stranded drivers, some
of whom say that the waters near the city zoo were 6 feet deep.
Some drivers had to swim to safety from their cars. Station KDKA
reports the area received about 3 inches of rain in an hour.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Priests in Philadelphia's Roman Catholic
archdiocese have banded together to form an independent association
in the wake of the latest clergy-abuse crisis. Chris Walsh says the
Association of Philadelphia Priests has drawn about 100 priests to
recent meetings. He calls them "very Orthodox men who love the
church."

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Police in Philadelphia say a member of the
force has been arrested and charged with assaulting a former
girlfriend. Officer Sean Jang is facing counts including aggravated
assault and reckless endangerment for the alleged incident on
Tuesday. The 28-year-old officer was arraigned yesterday and
released after posting bail.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A Pennsylvania lawyer is blaming an
addiction to video games for the sloppy legal work that's earned
him a three-year suspension. A state disciplinary panel concludes
that Mathew Eshelman retreated into the world of video games to
fight job stress and problems at home. The habit got the
43-year-old Carlisle lawyer fired from a firm in 2007.

VINEYARD HAVEN, Mass. (AP) - President Barack Obama says there
are common sense, economy-boosting, job-creating measures Congress
can get done right away if they put politics aside. In his weekly
radio and Internet address, Obama says members of Congress should
put country first and act together to put people back to work.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Ohio's governor says he hopes President Barack
Obama will "partner with Republicans" to grow the economy and
create jobs through lower taxes and reduced regulation. In the
weekly Republican radio and Internet address, Gov. John Kasich also
tells GOP lawmakers they should "not be stiff-necked" about
compromise on policy if it doesn't compromise their principles.

PHOENIX (AP) - A spokesman for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords says the
Arizona congresswoman know knows who was killed during the January
shooting rampage in Tucson that left her seriously wounded. The
Arizona Republic reports http://bit.ly/mXh3Ik that the Democratic
politician was told the names of the dead in late July.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Three people died and one person is missing
and presumed dead in flash flooding from a storm in Pittsburgh.
Water rose up to 9 feet on one road, submerging more than a dozen
cars, including one containing the victims -- a woman and two
children. Officials say rescuers floated over the car without
knowing it.

LONDON (AP) - Police say this month's disturbances in the
English city of Birmingham included gunshots fired by rioters at
unarmed police and a helicopter. West Midlands Police released
footage today showing masked men firing shots during riots on Aug.
9. The force said 11 shots were fired.

TODAY'S NEWS: FRIDAY AUGUST 19, 2011

RAID AT WEGMANS

FIVE SUSPECTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE ARRESTED THURSDAY MORNING WHEN SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES AND LOCAL POLICE RAIDED A CONSTRUCTION SITE NEAR THE WEGMANS RETAIL SERVICE CENTER IN THE HIGHRIDGE BUSINESS PARK. THE INCIDENT HAPPENED JUST A DAY AFTER THE GROCERY CHAIN ANNOUNCED IT WOULD DOUBLE THE SIZE OF ITS DISTRIBUTION WAREHOUSE BRINGING MORE THAN 200 NEW JOBS TO SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. U.S. IMMIGRATION WAS CONTACTED AND ORDERED THEM REMANDED TO SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COURT PENDING DEPORTATION.

FATHER AND SON ARRESTED IN PALIN CASE

A FATHER AND SON FROM MCADOO WERE ARRESTED THURSDAY BY FEDERAL AGENTS FOR HARASSING SARAH PALIN AND HER FAMILY. CRAIG CHRISTY AND HIS SON SHAWN WERE ARRESTED BY FBI AGENTS IN ALLENTOWN AFTER BEING INDICTED BY A GRAND JURY IN ALASKA. THEY WILL NOW BE EXTRADITED TO ALASKA TO FACE CHARGES OF HARASSMENT. THIS IS THE CULMINATION OF EVENTS THAT HAVE TRANSPIRED BETWEEN THE CHRISTY'S AND PALIN BEGINNING IN 2008.

BERKS COUNTY LEGISLATOR ASKS SENATE TO REDUCE SIZE OF PA LEGISLATURE

SENATOR SCHWANK OF BERKS COUNTY IS CALLING FOR SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION ON HER LEGISLATION, SENATE BILL 1079, THAT WOULD REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE BY MORE THAN ONE THIRD, FROM 253 TO 163 MEMBERS. THE SENATOR SAYS CHANGE IS NECESSARY NOT JUST TO REDUCE COSTS, BUT SO THAT THE LEGISLATURE CAN RESPOND MORE QUICKLY AND EFFECTIVELY TO ALLOW PENNSYLVANIA TO COMPETE FOR BUSINESS AND GROWTH. SHE ADDED THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS TO KEEP PACE WITH CONSTITUENTS WHO COMMUNICATE QUICKLY AND EASILY USING SMART PHONES, THE INTERNET AND OTHER TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES THAT HAVE REPLACED PHYSICAL PRESENCE AS THE ESSENTIAL MEANS OF COMMUNICATION. SCHWANK IS REACHING OUT TO OTHER SENATORS WHO HAVE INTRODUCED SIMILAR LEGISLATION TO WORK TOGETHER TO GET A BILL BEFORE THE FULL SENATE, AND HAS ASKED THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, WHERE THE BILLS HAVE BEEN REFERRED FOR REVIEW, TO SCHEDULE A COMMITTEE VOTE ON THEM.

MOTORCYCLE CRASH IN WEST BRUNSWICK TOWNSHIP

A MARYLAND WOMAN WAS SEVERELY INJURED THURSDAY AFTERNOON WHEN SHE DROVE HER MOTORCYCLE INTO THE BACK OF A STOPPED TRUCK IN WEST BRUNSWICK TOWNSHIP. STATE POLICE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN REPORT 43-YEAR-OLD JOANNAE WESTERMAN WAS THROWN FROM HER MOTORCYCLE AND SUFFERED SEVERE INJURIES. WESTERMAN WAS FLOWN TO LEHIGH VALLEY HOSPITAL-CEDAR CREST.

MAHANOY CITY FIRE

POLICE HELPED TWO PEOPLE ESCAPE THEIR MAHANOY CITY HOME THURSDAY NIGHT AFTER AN ADJOINING HOME CAUGHT FIRE. BOROUGH POLICE ARRIVED TO THE 300 BLOCK OF EAST PINE STREET JUST BEFORE 11PM TO FIND HEAVY FLAMES COMING FROM THE ROOF. NEXT DOOR, A MAN AND A WOMAN WERE GUIDED OUT BY FIRE CREWS AND WERE NOT INJURED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WITHIN FIFTH-TEEN MINUTES.

57TH ANNUAL FIREFIGHTERS CONVENTION

FIREFIGHTERS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY WILL ARRIVE IN MINERSVILLE SUNDAY FOR THE 57TH ANNUAL SCHUYLKILL COUNTY FIREFIGHTERS CONVENTION. THIS YEAR WILL HONOR THE 19TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 AS WELL AS ALL COMMUNITY FIREFIGHTERS. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THE EVENT IS HOSTED BY THE MINERSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENTS. THE CONVENTION WILL RUN UNTIL AUGUST 27.

SWIC CELEBRATES COMPLETION OF RENOVATION PROJECT

SCHUYLKILL WOMEN IN CRISIS CELEBRATED THE CONCLUSION OF THE AGENCY’S $2 MILLION RENOVATION PROJECT THURSDAY WITH A RIBBON CUTTING. THE PROJECT WHICH BEGAN IN 2010 MOVED ITS ADMINISTRATION OFFICES TO A NEW LOCATION AND EXPANDED ITS SHELTER SPACE. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THE SHELTER WHICH PREVIOUSLY ACCOMMODATED 17 PEOPLE WILL NOW HOLD 32.

RUSH TWP PURCHASE NEW CRUISER

THE RUSH TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS HAVE AGREED TO PURCHASE A NEW POLICE CRUISER FOR THE BOROUGH. THE NEW 2011 FORD CROWN VICTORIA WILL COST A LITTLE OVER $30,000 AND IS ALL PART OF THE COSTARS PROGRAM WHICH IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE BETTER CONTRACTS WITH COMPETITIVE PRICING.

ST CLAIR APPROVES APPLICATIONS FOR CHURCH

THE ST CLAIR PLANNING COMMISSION APPROVED TWO LAND DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS FOR THE ST CLAIR OF ASSISI ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH THURSDAY. THE FIRST WILL BE A PARKING LOT LOCATED ON NICHOLS STREET AND THE OTHER AT MILL AND HANCOCK STREETS WHERE THE CHURCH HAS PROPOSED ANOTHER PARKING LOT AND GROTTO, THE LATTER WILL BE WHERE THE FORMER ST CLAIR CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY WAS LOCATED. THE LOT IS BEING BUILT TO PROVIDE HANDICAP PARKING CLOSER TO THE CHURCH.

STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE SAID GOODBYE TO A PHILADELPHIA NATIVE WHO DIED IN A HELICOPTER CRASH IN AFGHANISTAN. SERVICES WERE HELD YESTERDAY FOR NAVY PETTY OFFICER 1ST CLASS MICHAEL STRANGE AT THE CATHEDRAL BASILICA OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL. THE CRYPTOLOGIC TECHNICIAN HAD BEEN ASSIGNED TO THE NAVY SEAL TEAM WHOSE CHINOOK WAS SHOT DOWN EARLIER THIS MONTH.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - AN 11-YEAR-OLD AND TWO TEENAGERS HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THEIR ROLES IN ATTACKING AND ROBBING SEVERAL PEDESTRIANS IN DOWNTOWN PHILADELPHIA. THE TRIO ADMITTED TO
ALLEGATIONS INCLUDING ROBBERY, CONSPIRACY, RIOTING AND ASSAULT IN CONNECTION WITH THE JULY 29TH MOB ATTACKS.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA JUDGE WHO GAVE TWO WOMEN CONDOM-STUFFED ACORNS HAS BEEN CLEARED OF VIOLATING JUDICIAL CONDUCT STANDARDS. THE INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL/LANCASTER NEW ERA REPORTS THE STATE COURT OF JUDICIAL DISCIPLINE DISMISSED THE CASE AGAINST MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGE ISAAC STOLTZFUS.

NATIONAL NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE WHITE HOUSE IS TELLING FEDERAL AGENCIES TO SUBMIT BUDGET PLANS FOR FISCAL 2013 THAT ARE AT LEAST 5 PERCENT BELOW THIS YEAR'S LEVELS. THE ADMINISTRATION ALSO WANTS AGENCIES TO PROPOSE WAYS TO TRIM AT LEAST 10 PERCENT. REPUBLICANS SAY
ADDITIONAL SAVINGS WILL BE NEEDED FROM BENEFIT PROGRAMS TO CONTROL RUNAWAY DEBT.

WASHINGTON (AP) - WITH THE PENTAGON NOW FACING THE SAME BUDGET PRESSURE AS THE REST OF THE NATION, IT MAY BE FORCED TO RETHINK RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR THOSE WHO SERVE IN THE MILITARY. A DRAFT REPORT TO THE PENTAGON RECOMMENDS SCRAPPING THE HALF-PAY AFTER 20
YEARS BENEFIT AND GIVING TROOPS A 401(K)-STYLE SYSTEM.

LINCOLN, NEB. (AP) - GOVERNORS FROM SEVERAL MISSOURI RIVER STATES WILL BE TRYING TO PUT ASIDE KEY POLICY DIFFERENCES TODAY AS THEY TRY TO FIND SOME COMMON GROUND TOWARD PREVENTING A REPEAT OF THIS YEAR'S HISTORIC FLOODING. FLOOD FOR MONTHS HAS FORCED
RESIDENTS FROM THEIR HOMES AND SUBMERGED THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF FARMLAND.

NEW YORK (AP) - COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN BROOKLYN'S CROWN HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD ARE GATHERING TO MARK THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF RACE RIOTS THERE. THE RIOTS TORE THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN 1991, STOKED BY TENSIONS BETWEEN THE JEWISH AND BLACK COMMUNITIES LIVING
SIDE-BY-SIDE AND THE HIT-AND-RUN DEATH OF A YOUNG BLACK BOY.

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (AP) - A POLICE OFFICIAL AND EYEWITNESSES SAY AT LEAST 10 PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM TWIN SUICIDE ATTACKS ON A BRITISH COMPOUND IN AFGHANISTAN'S CAPITAL AND AN ENSUING GUNBATTLE BETWEEN INSURGENTS AND SECURITY TROOPS. THE ATTACK COMES AS AFGHANS MARK INDEPENDENCE DAY FROM BRITAIN IN 1919.

TODAY'S NEWS: THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2011

POTTSVILLE SCHOOL BOARD

ALL IS IN READINESS FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR AT POTTSVILLE AREA. THAT'S ACCORDING TO DIRECTORS AND ADMINISTRATION WHO SAID AT WEDNESDAY NIGHT'S MEETING THAT FACILITY REPAIR PROJECTS ARE JUST ABOUT COMPLETE, INCLUDING AN EXTENSIVE RENOVATION OF THE ROBERT WACHTER AUDITORIUM AT POTTSVILLE HIGH. FACULTY WILL RETURN FOR IN-SERVICE NEXT WEDNESDAY, AND STUDENTS RETURN ON MONDAY, AUGUST 29TH. AS FAR AS ENROLLMENT, AS OF WEDNESDAY, SUPERINTENDENT DR. JIM GALLAGHER REPORTED THAT OVERALL, THE DISTRICT IS DOWN ABOUT 64 STUDENTS COMPARED TO LAST YEAR. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT THE GILLINGHAM CHARTER SCHOOL, SET TO OPEN IN SEPTEMBER, HAS RECEIVED 65 TRANSFERS OF STUDENTS FROM POTTSVILLE'S GRADES K THROUGH 9. GALLAGHER SAID THAT HE EXPECTS SOME NEW ENROLLMENTS AS THE FIRST DAY DRAWS CLOSER, BUT NOT TO MAKE UP THE DEFICIT. SALARIES WERE SET FOR PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES AND OTHER STAFF AS PART OF LAST NIGHT'S BOARD BUSINESS

POTTSVILLE AREA HALTS DRUG POLICY

THE COURT CASE BETWEEN THE A-C-L-U AND THE PANTHER VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT ABOUT STUDENT DRUG TESTING HAS CAUSED THE POTTSVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO REACT. POTTSVILLE AREA WAS PLANNING TO ENACT ITS OWN DRUG POLICY BUT NOW HAS DECIDED TO HOLD OFF UNTIL THEY SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE CURRENT LITIGATION WITH THE ACLU AND PANTHER VALLEY. THE POLICY REQUIRES ALL STUDENTS IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN GRADES 7-12 TO REGISTER FOR RANDOM DRUG TESTING.

FAMA MODIFIES SEWAGE BANK NOTE

ON WEDNESDAY THE FRACKVILLE AREA MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY ENTERED IN AN AGREEMENT WITH M&T BANK TO MODIFY ITS CURRENT SEWER REVENUE TO REDUCE INTEREST AND SAVE CLOSE TO $200,000. THE RATE WILL DROP DOWN TO 4 POINT FOUR-NINE WITH A DECREASE IN THE MONTHLY PAYMENT TO JUST OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS. CREDIT APPROVAL SHOULD BE COMPLETE BY TOMORROW. THE BOARD VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE AGREEMENT.

SCH. HAVEN PLANS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

THE SCHUYLKILL HAVEN BOROUGH COUNCIL HAVE REACHED AN AGREEMENT TO LEASE OFFICE SPACE FOR THE MAIN STREET ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE. THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO RENT THE OFFICE LOCATED 1719 MAIN ST. THE OFFICE WILL LIKELY OPEN BY EARLY NEXT MONTH BUT COULD NOT BE OPERATING BY THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER UNTIL STAFFING IS IN PLACE. THE BOROUGH WILL BEGIN ADVERTISING FOR A PART TIME POSITION AT THE OFFICE WITH SALARY AND HOURS YET TO BE DETERMINED.

WEGMANS EXPANDING AT HIGHRIDGE DISTRIBUTION CENTER

WEGMANS RETAIL SERVICE CENTER ANNOUNCED WEDNESDAY, THE COMPANY PLANS TO CREATE 217 NEW JOBS IN THE REGION AND INVEST $65 MILLION TO DOUBLE THE SIZE OF ITS DISTRIBUTION CAPACITY. THE COMPANY ALSO PLANS TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT CAPITAL INVESTMENTS IN EQUIPMENT AND EMPLOYEE TRAINING. THE PROJECT WAS COORDINATED BY THE GOVERNOR'S ACTION TEAM, A GROUP OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK DIRECTLY WITH BUSINESSES THAT ARE CONSIDERING LOCATING OR EXPANDING IN PENNSYLVANIA.

TAMAQUA TO FIX OWL CREEK DAMS

TAMAQUA COUNCIL APPROVED A $2 MILLION LOAN TUESDAY TO FINANCE THE REHABILITATION OF THE UPPER AND LOWER CREEK DAMS. THE 25-YEAR LOAN IS THROUGH JIM THORPE NATIONAL BANK. THE BOROUGH COUNCIL IS HOPING BOTH DAMS CAN BE COMPLETED FOR A TOTAL COST OF $1.5 MILLION. TAMAQUA CAN DRAW FROM THE LOAN BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 15 AND WILL HAVE 2-YEARS TO USE THE FUNDS.

STATE NEWS:


PHILADELPHIA (AP) - MEMBERS OF THE STATE'S LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS ARE STANDING BEHIND EMBATTLED PHILADELPHIA SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT ARLENE ACKERMAN. LAWMAKERS MET WITH ACKERMAN BEHIND CLOSED DOORS YESTERDAY AMID RUMORS SHE MIGHT BE BOUGHT OUT OF HER CONTRACT. A BUYOUT COULD COST UP TO $1.5 MILLION.

ALLENTOWN, PA. (AP) - AN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA MAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO 10 TO 20 YEARS BEHIND BARS IN A HOME INVASION MURDER. THE MORNING CALL OF ALLENTOWN REPORTS MARCUS BREELAND RECEIVED THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE TUESDAY IN THE JULY 2008 DEATH OF DAVID WALTERICK OF ALLENTOWN.

RANSOM, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES SAY A PILOT HAS DIED AT A HOSPITAL FOLLOWING THE CRASH OF AN ULTRALIGHT AIRCRAFT IN NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. OFFICIALS IN LACKAWANNA COUNTY SAY THE SINGLE-PERSON AIRCRAFT WENT DOWN LAST NIGHT IN A WOODED AREA OF RANSOM TOWNSHIP. AUTHORITIES TELL THE TIMES-TRIBUNE OF SCRANTON THE
PILOT WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE HOSPITAL ABOUT AN HOUR AFTER THE CRASH.

NATIONAL NEWS:

BEIRUT (AP) - AS U.S. OFFICIALS PREPARE TO MAKE AN EXPLICIT STATEMENT ABOUT SYRIA'S LEADER, BASHAR ASSAD IS QUOTED AS TELLING THE U.N. CHIEF THAT MILITARY OPERATIONS IN HIS COUNTRY HAVE ENDED. ACTIVISTS SAY SYRIAN TROOPS HAVE SHOT DEAD NINE PEOPLE IN THE CENTRAL CITY OF HOMS. U.S. OFFICIALS SAY THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION IS READY TO FLATLY CALL FOR ASSAD TO LEAVE POWER.

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA ISN'T GOING TO BE IN WASHINGTON LONG AFTER HIS THREE-STATE MIDWEST CAMPAIGN SWING. HE'S HEADED TO A 10-DAY MARTHA'S VINEYARD VACATION LATER TODAY WITH HIS WIFE, MICHELLE, AND DAUGHTERS, MALIA AND SASHA.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A NEW SYSTEM THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO SIMPLIFY THE SEPARATION PROCESS HAS LEFT THOUSANDS OF WOUNDED, SICK AND INJURED TROOPS STUCK IN LIMBO. MANY HAVE BEEN WAITING AS LONG AS TWO YEARS TO BE DISCHARGED AFTER BEING INJURED. THE PROCESS WAS SUPPOSED TO STREAMLINE DISCHARGE AND DETERMINATION OF BENEFITS, BUT REMAINS CUMBERSOME.

STERLING HEIGHTS, MICH. (AP) - CAR DEALERS ARE BEGINNING TO WORRY THAT THE INCONSISTENT ECONOMY AND STOCK VOLATILITY ARE HAVING A RIPPLE EFFECT ON AUTO SALES. DEALERS ARE BEGINNING TO THINK HEALTHY SALES FORECASTS IN MAY ARE NOW OVERLY OPTIMISTIC.

MADRID (AP) - RIOT POLICE AND PROTESTERS OPPOSED TO A VISIT BY POPE BENEDICT ARE CLASHING IN MADRID. SPANISH POLICE SAY EIGHT DEMONSTRATORS WERE ARRESTED AND 11 PEOPLE INJURED WEDNESDAY NIGHT. AMONG OTHER THINGS, OPPONENTS ARE ANGRY ABOUT TAXPAYER MONEY BEING SPENT ON THE 4-DAY VISIT BY THE POPE.

TODAY'S NEWS: WEDNESDAY AUGUST 17, 2011

ROUNDTABLE FOCUSES ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING

REPRESENTATIVE TIM HOLDEN ALONG WITH REGIONAL BANKING REPRESENTATIVES MET AT THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU TUESDAY TO DISCUSS AFFORDABLE HOUSING. FRED BARVELOS FROM DAUPHIN COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY SAID “HOUSING AUTHORITIES HAVE TRADITIONALLY HOUSED THE LOWEST INCOME PEOPLE, ACTING AS THE CRISIS POINT, BUT WITH THE NEW ECONOMIC CONSTRAINTS, A LOT OF THE MODERATE INCOME PEOPLE ARE NOW BECOMING CLIENTS.” HE ADDED, “WITH AN EVER GROWING WAITING LIST, HOUSING AUTHORITIES CANNOT KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND.”

FRED BARVELOS, DAUPHIN COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY

HOLDEN ACKNOWLEDGED THE “CHALLENGES” IN WASHINGTON AND STATED WE NEED TO LEARN TO DO MORE WITH LESS. IN ADDITION, PENNSYLVANIA HAS RECEIVED ABOUT $105 MILLION TO PROVIDE MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE TO HOMEOWNERS WHOSE INCOMES HAVE DECLINED AT LEAST 15 PERCENT DUE TO INVOLUNTARY LAYOFF. SEPTEMBER 30 MARKS THE DEADLINE TO GET THE MONEY USED.

POTTSVILLE GIVES GO AHEAD TO GILLINGHAM

THE CITY OF POTTSVILLE HAS APPROVED THE RENOVATION PLANS FOR THE GILLINGHAM CHARTER SCHOOL'S 116 YEAR OLD BUILDING. GILLINGHAM SPENT CLOSE TO $1800 TO PURCHASE THE CITY BUILDING PERMIT TO RENOVATE THE INTERIOR AT 915 HOWARD AVE. TOTAL COST OF THE RENOVATION IS ESTIMATED TO BE AROUND $175,000. THE GILLINGHAM CHARTER SCHOOL HAVE BEEN USING AN OLD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN PORT CARBON UNTIL THE RENOVATIONS ARE COMPLETE. CLASSES BEGIN AT THE CHARTER SCHOOL IS SEPTEMBER 6.

BANK PROGRAM TO HELP WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES

A FEDERAL PROGRAM USED TO ENCOURAGE LENDING TO SMALL BUSINESSES IS BEING PUT TO USE IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. THE U.S. TREASURY HAS BOUGHT 3.5 MILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF STOCK IN PHOENIX CORP. THE PARENT COMPANY OF MINERS BANK. CONGRESSMAN TIM HOLDEN WAS ON HAND TO PRESENT A CHECK TO GEORGE GROVE, PRESIDENT AND C-E-O OF MINERS BANK TUESDAY IN NORTH MANHEIM TWP. HOLDEN SAYS THAT WITH THIS GRANT HE HOPES TO TURN THE ECONOMY AROUND. GROVES ADDS THAT WITH THIS MONEY, MINERS BANK WILL LOOK AT EVERY PROSPECT AND IS FOCUSING MORE ON LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES WHO DO NOT HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO GET A BUSINESS LOAN.

FRACKVILLE CLOSE TO CONTRACT WITH POLICE

AT TUESDAY'S FRACKVILLE BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING. BOROUGH OFFICIALS APPROVED THE PREPARATION OF A LABOR AGREEMENT WITH THE POLICE UNION FOR A THREE YEAR CONTRACT. THE CURRENT CONTRACT EXPIRES DECEMBER 31, ONCE THE NEW CONTRACT IS RATIFIED IT WILL BE GOOD UNTIL 2014. THE BOROUGH ALSO APPROVED THE PAYMENT OF CLOSE TO $30,000 TO A FIRM IN HAZLETON TO DEMOLISH A PROPERTY THAT WAS DAMAGED IN A FIRE EARLIER THIS YEAR.

AWARD WINNERS RECOGNIZED

WINNERS OF THE ANNUAL SCHUYLKILL CONSERVATION DISTRICT AWARDS WERE RECOGNIZED TUESDAY AFTER NOON AT SWEET ARROW LAKE COUNTRY PARK IN PINE GROVE. SENATOR DAVE ARGALL WAS ON HAND TO PRESENT A CITATION FROM THE STATE TO ALL THE WINNERS. THESE INDIVIDUALS WERE RECOGNIZED BECAUSE OF THEIR INTEREST IN VOLUNTEERING TO HELP PRESERVE, RESTORE AN PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.

ASSAULT CHARGE REFILED ON EX-PRISON GUARD

POTTSVILLE POLICE REFILED CHARGES TUESDAY AGAINST A FORMER SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON GUARD ACCUSED OF TAKING PART IN AN INMATE ASSAULT IN APRIL. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, 28-YEAR-OLD JAMES PRENETA OF SHENANDOAH IS CHARGED WITH SIMPLE ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT. DUE TO A FAMILY EMERGENCY, DETECTIVE STEVEN GUERS HAD PREVIOUSLY WITHDRAWN THE CHARGES BECAUSE HE WAS UNABLE TO ATTEND PRENETA’S HEARING. A PRELIMINARY HEARING IS NOW SET FOR SEPTEMBER 23.

STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - POLICE SAY A MAN WAS GUNNED DOWN HOURS AFTER A JUDGE UPHELD CHARGES AGAINST HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND, WHO WAS ACCUSED OF OFFERING $1,000 ON FACEBOOK FOR SOMEONE TO KILL HIM. POLICE SAY COREY WHITE WAS SHOT AND KILLED MONDAY NIGHT IN WEST PHILADELPHIA.

NANTICOKE, PA. (AP) - THREE MEN HAVE BEEN CHARGED IN THE CARJACKING ASSAULT OF A NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA MAYOR IN JUNE. THE TIMES LEADER REPORTS DANIEL BANKS, THOMAS OWENS AND STEVEN BRANNIGAN WERE ARRESTED YESTERDAY. POLICE ALLEGE THE THREE WILKES-BARRE MEN ASSAULTED NANTICOKE MAYOR JOSEPH DOUGHERTY AND STOLE HIS CAR AS HE SAT OUTSIDE HIS HOME.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - AUTHORITIES ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT CAUSED A LARGE WALL OF A NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA CHURCH TO COME CRASHING DOWN. WPVI-TV REPORTS POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE FRANKFORD GROUP CHURCH IN THE FRANKFORD SECTION OF THE CITY YESTERDAY
AFTERNOON. THREE LARGE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS WERE DESTROYED IN THE COLLAPSE. NO ONE WAS INJURED.

FREEMANSBURG, PA. (AP) - A PENNSYLVANIA POLICE OFFICER KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY LAST WEEK IS BEING REMEMBERED AS A GREAT COP AND DEVOTED FATHER. FUNERAL SERVICES WERE HELD YESTERDAY FOR FREEMANSBURG POLICE OFFICER ROBERT LASSO. LASSO WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD WHILE INVESTIGATING A DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE REPORT. GEORGE HITCHO JR. IS CHARGED IN HIS DEATH.

NATIONAL NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT'S INSPECTOR GENERAL HAS FOUND THAT 5 MILLION PIECES OF THE CRITICAL BATTLEFIELD EQUIPMENT MAY NOT MEET THE STANDARDS TO PROTECT U.S. TROOPS. THE REPORT SAYS THE ARMY IMPROPERLY TESTED NEW BULLET-BLOCKING PLATES FOR BODY
ARMOR IN CONTRACTS TOTALING $2.5 BILLION.

DAVENPORT, IOWA (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA IS WRAPPING UP HIS THREE-STATE TOUR OF THE MIDWEST IN FAMILIAR TERRITORY TODAY. HE'LL HOLD A PAIR OF TOWN HALL MEETINGS IN THE WESTERN PART OF HIS HOME STATE OF ILLINOIS. HE HAS USED THE TRIP TO CRITICIZE HIS OPPONENTS.

MADRID (AP) - A CHEMISTRY STUDENT HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN SPAIN ON SUSPICION HE PLANNED TO ATTACK OPPONENTS OF A VISIT BY THE POPE THIS WEEK. A STATEMENT SAID THE SUSPECT PLANNED TO ATTACK ANTI-POPE PROTESTERS WITH "SUFFOCATING GASES" AND OTHER CHEMICALS.

BEIRUT (AP) - A SYRIAN RIGHTS GROUP SAYS DOZENS OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DETAINED AFTER GOVERNMENT TROOPS CUT ELECTRICITY IN A DAMASCUS NEIGHBORHOOD. THE LONDON-BASED SYRIAN OBSERVATORY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ALSO SAYS A MAN WAS KILLED IN A NORTHWESTERN PROVINCE AS TROOPS CARRIED OUT RAIDS IN THE AREA AT THE TIME.

JOPLIN, MO. (AP) - IT'S BACK TO SCHOOL IN JOPLIN, MO., LESS THAN THREE MONTHS AFTER THE COUNTRY'S SINGLE DEADLIEST TORNADO IN SIX DECADES CUT THE LAST SCHOOL YEAR SHORT. A LOT HAS CHANGED. SOME JOPLIN STUDENTS RETURN TO THE SAME SCHOOLS TODAY WHILE OTHERS WILL
BE IN MAKESHIFT LOCATIONS THAT INCLUDE AN INDUSTRIAL PARK AND A CONVERTED BIG-BOX RETAIL STORE.

TODAY'S NEWS: TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2011

RT 209 PROJECT DISCUSSED IN TOWER CITY

THE 4.5 MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT TO IMPROVE ROUTE 209 BETWEEN TOWER CITY AND TREMONT TOOK CENTER STAGE LAST NIGHT DURING A PUBLIC MEETING AT THE PORTER-TOWER LIONS CLUB. WITH REP MIKE TOBASH, SEN DAVE ARGALL ALONG WITH CONGRESSMAN TIM HOLDEN IN ATTENDANCE THEY TALKED ABOUT THE MUCH NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ROAD BETWEEN THE TWO BOROUGHS. NO CONTRACTOR HAS BEEN HIRED TO DO THE CONSTRUCTION YET BUT OFFICIALS SAY THAT COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT WILL NOT BE TILL FALL OF 2012

COURTS VACATE MANDAMUS ON KANTNER

THE COMMONWEALTH COURT HAS VACATED AN ORDER BY THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COURT THAT PUT A MANDAMUS ON THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGAINST COUNTY CONTROLLER MELINDA KANTER. THE DECISION SENDS THE MATTER BACK TO THE COUNTY COURT SYSTEM. IT WAS BACK ON AUGUST OF LAST YEAR THAT THE COMMISSIONERS FILED PAPERWORK FOR A WRIT OF MANDAMUS AGAINST KANTER ASKING HER TO COMPLETE AND FILE FINANCIAL REPORTS WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THE COUNTY’S EXTERNAL AUDITOR TO COMPLETE THE AUDIT OF COUNTY BOOKS.

ATTORNEY WAIVES HEARING

THE POTTSVILLE LAWYER CHARGED WITH BILLING SCHUYLKILL COUNTY FOR SERVICES SHE DID NOT PERFORM WAIVED HER RIGHT TO A FORMAL ARRAIGNMENT ON MONDAY. 63 YEAR OLD LYNNE BRESSI SERVED AS COUNTY CONCILIATOR IS CHARGED WITH THEFT BY DECEPTION, RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY, INTIMIDATING A WITNESS AND SOLICITING AND TAMPERING WITH EVIDENCE AND INFORMATION. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED BETWEEN 2006-2009 IN WHERE BRESSI FALSELY BILLED SCHUYLKILL COUNTY OVER $6,000.

CRESSONA RESIDENTS ARGUE QUALITY OF LIFE

MONDAY'S BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING IN CRESSONA HAD ON CENTRAL ISSUE… THE LOOK OF THE BOROUGH. AMONG THE ISSUES WERE CONCRETE AND OTHER ITEMS IN THE YARDS OF RESIDENTS, ABANDONED VEHICLES, WILD VEGETATION AND GENERAL BLIGHT. BOROUGH OFFICIALS ANSERED BACK BY AGREEING TO HAVE CRESSONA’S ENGINEERING TEAM TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTIONS ON AT LEAST TWO OF THE EYE SORE PROPERTIES. THE COUNCIL ALSO TOOK ACTION BY GOING WITH ANOTHER ELECTRICAL PROVIDER FOR STREET LIGHTING DUE TO RISING COSTS.

SHENANDOAH RESIDENTS COMPLAIN ABOUT BLIGHTED PROPERTIES

SHENANDOAH RESIDENTS SPOKE UP ABOUT BLIGHTED PROPERTIES MONDAY NIGHT AT A BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING. COUNCIL MEMBERS ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEMS RESIDENTS WERE HAVING, BUT SAID THEY ARE STRUGGLING THEMSELVES TO GET THINGS FIXED. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, THE BLIGHT LAW DOES NOT HAVE MONEY ALLOTTED FROM THE STATE TO ANY COMMUNITY AND THE OWNER IS RESPONSIBLE.

HAWK MOUNTAIN’S RAPTOR COUNT

MONDAY MARKED DAY ONE FOR RAPTOR COUNT AT HAWK MOUNTAIN SANCTUARY. MORE THAN FIFTY BIRDS WERE COUNTED INCLUDING FOUR BALD EAGLES. THE ANNUAL AUTUMN HAWK WATCH RUNS THROUGH DECEMBER 15.


LOCAL VIETNAM VETERAN HERO TO BE HONORED AT STATE CAPITOL

A HAMBURG NATIVE AND VIETNAM HERO WILL BE HONORED THROUGH A SPECIAL TRIBUTE CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT SOLDIERS AND SAILORS GROVE NEXT WEEK. MASTER SERGEANT RICHARD LOY ETCHBERGER WAS KILLED DURING A SECRET MISSION DURING THE VIETNAM WAR AND WAS ONLY RECOGNIZED LAST YEAR WITH THE NATION’S HIGHEST MILITARY HONOR FOR VALOR. ON MONDAY, AUGUST 22, ETCHBERGER’S LEGACY WILL BE REMEMBERED. THE CEREMONY WILL INCLUDE PARTICIPANTS TO INCLUDE GOVERNOR TOM CORBETT AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE PA DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERAN AFFAIRS.

MDA JAILBIRD

A LOCAL BUSINESSWOMAN WILL BE LOCKED UP THIS MORNING AND NEEDS YOUR HELP TO SET HER BAIL. GINA GARGANO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT SCHUYLKILL COUNTY VISITOR’S BUREAU, WILL BE TAKEN TO YUENGLING BREWERY TOMORROW MORNING TO SPEND TIME BEHIND BARS. IT’S ALL TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION. YOU CAN TAKE YOUR DONATIONS TO YUENGLING ANYTIME BEFORE 10AM.

POTTSVILLE CRUISE CORVETTE WINNER

THIS YEARS CRUISE CAR FEATURED AT THE GREAT POTTSVILLE CRUISE WAS A 1993 CORVETTE 40TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION. THE WINNER OF THE NEW SET OF WHEELS WAS WILLIAM OSWALT OF TEMPLE, PA. ALAN STOKES OF PARKTON, MARYLAND WON BEST OF CRUISE OVERALL “TOP AWARD”. HOWARD DUNLAP OF POTTSVILLE RECEIVED THE “PRESIDENT AWARD”. AND JIMMY GRASSO OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND TOOK HOME THE MAYOR’S AWARD. OVER ONE-HUNDRED TROPHIES WERE AWARDED IN ALL SUNDAY AT THE GREAT POTTSVILLE CRUISE.

CRASH IN PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP

A PINE GROVE MAN WAS INJURED MONDAY AFTERNOON WHEN HE CRASHED HIS TRUCK IN PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP. STATE POLICE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN TELL US 44-YEAR-OLD JOHN COOPER BEGAN DRIVING IN THE WRONG LANE ON SR0125 AND TRAVELED FORTY-FEET OFF ROAD BEFORE STRIKING A UTILITY POLE, TREE AND PARKED CAR. COOPER’S CAR BECAME AIRBORNE BEFORE COMING TO REST. COOPER WAS TAKEN TO SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL EAST FOR HIS INJURIES.

STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - EDUCATION OFFICIALS IN PHILADELPHIA SAY THEY NEED MORE INFORMATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER CHEATING OCCURRED ON STANDARDIZED TESTS IN MORE THAN A DOZEN SCHOOLS. THE DISTRICT SUBMITTED THE FINDINGS OF AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION TO THE PENNSYLVANIA EDUCATION DEPARTMENT YESTERDAY.

BEAVER FALLS, PA. (AP) - SCHOOL OFFICIALS SAY A 15-YEAR-OLD SOCCER PLAYER DIED YESTERDAY AT BRUSH CREEK COUNTY PARK. ACCORDING TO WPXI-TV, BEAVER COUNTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OFFICIALS SAY EMERGENCY RESPONDERS WERE CALLED AFTER 15-YEAR-OLD SAM DICKSON COLLAPSED DURING A BREAK IN A DRILL.

NEW YORK (AP) - TLC SAYS IT'S CANCELING "KATE PLUS 8." THE REALITY SPECIALS FOCUSING ON KATE GOSSELIN, HER TWIN DAUGHTERS AND SET OF SEXTUPLETS MORPHED INTO A WEEKLY SERIES IN ITS SECOND SEASON. BUT TLC ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY ITS FINAL EPISODE WILL AIR SEPTEMBER 12TH.

NATIONAL NEWS:

BANGKOK (AP) - STOCK MARKETS OVERSEAS ARE LOSING SOME STEAM TODAY, AFTER LEARNING THAT GERMANY'S ECONOMIC GROWTH CAME TO A NEAR-STANDSTILL IN THE SECOND QUARTER. THE NEWS IS ADDING TO FEARS THAT THE GLOBAL ECONOMY IS SLOWING DOWN. WALL STREET ALSO APPEARS HEADED FOR A LOWER OPENING AFTER THREE DAYS OF GAINS.

BEIRUT (AP) - RESIDENTS OF A BESIEGED SYRIAN COASTAL CITY SAY HEAVY MACHINE GUN FIRE IS BEING HEARD IN SEVERAL DISTRICTS AS PRESIDENT BASHAR ASSAD'S OFFENSIVE IN LATAKIA (LAH-TAH-KEE'-AH) ENTERS ITS FOURTH DAY. THE RESIDENTS SAY MOST OF THE SHOOTING IS
TAKING PLACE IN TWO IMPOVERISHED NEIGHBORHOODS. SYRIAN ACTIVISTS SAY THE GOVERNMENT CRACKDOWN KILLED 15 PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY YESTERDAY, INCLUDING AT LEAST FIVE IN LATAKIA.

LONDON (AP) - A 16-YEAR-OLD BOY IS DUE IN LONDON YOUTH COURT TODAY ON CHARGES OF MURDERING A RETIREE WHO CONFRONTED RIOTERS IN LONDON LAST WEEK. THE MAN WAS FOUND LYING IN A STREET IN WEST LONDON AND DIED OF HEAD INJURIES THREE DAYS LATER. ACROSS BRITAIN, ABOUT 3,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ARRESTED, AND ABOUT 1,400 OF THEM HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH RIOT-RELATED OFFENSES.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - CIVIL LIBERTIES GROUPS ARE BACKING AWAY FROM THEIR THREATS TO GO TO COURT OVER THE DECISION BY SAN FRANCISCO'S TRANSIT AGENCY TO SHUT DOWN WIRELESS SERVICE IN SOME STATIONS FOR A FEW HOURS LAST WEEK. THOSE TACTICS WEREN'T USED AGAIN DURING A PROTEST LATE YESTERDAY THAT SHUT DOWN FOUR BART STATIONS. CELLPHONE SERVICE WAS OPERATING AS DOZENS OF PROTESTERS GATHERED ON A DOWNTOWN PLATFORM TO DENOUNCE THE CUTOFF OF SERVICE LAST THURSDAY.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (AP) - THE UNITED STATES AND SOUTH KOREA HAVE BEGUN JOINT MILITARY DRILLS THAT NORTH KOREA IS DENOUNCING AS A PRECURSOR TO WAR. THE EXERCISES COME DURING A DIPLOMATIC PUSH TO RESTART LONG-STALLED NORTH KOREAN NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT TALKS. BUT THE 11-DAY DEFENSIVE DRILLS THAT BEGAN TODAY MAKE CLEAR THAT SEOUL AND WASHINGTON STILL VIEW PYONGYANG AS A MILITARY THREAT.