TODAY'S NEWS: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2011

LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

DANIEL BOONE 28, POTTSVILLE 12
NORTH SCHUYLKILL 39, MARIAN 21
BLUE MOUNTAIN 31, SCHUYLKILL VALLEY 14
NATIVITY 40, EAST JUNIATA 7
MINERSVILLE 34, MAHANOY AREA 21
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN 16, PANTHER VALLEY 6
PLEASANT VALLEY 28, TAMAQUA 14
SHENANDOAH VALLEY 42, JIM THORPE 16
TRI VALLEY 26, HALIFAX 14
WILLIAMS VALLEY 38, UPPER DAUPHIN 0
MOUNT CARMEL 27, MONTOURSVILLE 8
SOUTHERN COLUMBIA 29, LEWISBURG 28
SHAMOKIN 42, LOYALSOCK 0

TONIGHT

NEWPORT @ PINE GROVE, 7 P.M. T-102

LOCAL NEWS

HEAD OF COUNTY REPUBLICANS RESIGNS

THE FACE OF POLITICS IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY WILL CHANGE AGAIN. ONLY TWO WEEKS AFTER THE HEAD OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHANGED HANDS, REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRMAN JOE STERNS RELEASED A LETTER RESIGNATION. IN A LETTER RECEIVED LATE LAST EVENING, STERNS CITES A NEW JOB WITH U.S. SENATOR PAT TOOMEY THAT WILL REQUIRE HIM TO BE AWAY FROM SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MORE OFTEN. IN HIS LETTER STERNS STATED THAT VICE CHAIRMAN LARRY PADORA WILL TAKE THE REIGNS AND STERNS WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH PADORA FOR A SEAMLESS TRANSITION.

HELP IS NEEDED THIS WEEKEND

THERE IS AN URGENT NEED FOR BOTH INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEERS AND GROUPS OF VOLUNTEERS FOR CLEAN-UP AND MUCK-OUT IN PINE GROVE THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1 & 2. COME PREPARED TO GET DIRTY. MEET AT THE PINE GROVE BOROUGH BUILDING FOR INSTRUCTIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS. TO REGISTER AND TO GET MORE INFORMATION CONTACT MAYOR KIM BROWN-ZERBE AT 570-952-1374 OR KARL JONES AT 570-617-4018.

SINKHOLE IN CITY STREET

A PORTION OF THE STREET IN FRONT OF THE ZIMMERMAN, LIEBERMAN & TAMULONIS LAW OFFICES AT 111 E. MARKET ST. COLLAPSED FRIDAY AFTERNOON, EXPOSING AN UNDERGROUND STREAM THAT RUNS THROUGH THE CITY. THE POTTSVILLE SEWER AUTHORITY AND MAZZUCA ENTERPRISES INC. WERE ON SCENE ABOUT 3:45 P.M. TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE. ACCORDING TO REPORTS THE HOLE OPENED UP AFTER A TRUCK DROVE ON THE SPOT, SCRAPING ITS BUMPER AS THE STREET FELL. THE DAMAGED PIPES WERE DEAD FOR YEARS. MAZZUCA ENTERPRISES WILL START REPAIRING THE ROAD TODAY AND AIM FOR COMPLETION IN TWO DAYS.

FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE INCLUDES RIGHT OF APPEAL

SOME INDIVIDUALS WHO REGISTERED FOR FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE DUE TO HURRICANE IRENE AND/OR TROPICAL STORM LEE MAY NOT QUALIFY FOR AID. AN APPEALS PROCESS, HOWEVER, CAN ENSURE THOSE AFFECTED BY THE STORMS WILL RECEIVE ALL BENEFITS TO WHICH THEY ARE LEGALLY ELIGIBLE. APPEALS MUST BE MADE IN WRITING AND SENT BY MAIL OR FAXED TO FEMA WITHIN 60 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THE LETTER OF DETERMINATION. THE APPEAL SHOULD INCLUDE NEW OR MISSING INFORMATION, DOCUMENTS AND DAMAGE REPAIR ESTIMATES THAT SUPPORT THE APPEAL REQUEST.

MAIL APPEALS TO:
FEMA - APPEALS OFFICER
NATIONAL PROCESSING SERVICE CENTER
PO BOX 10055
HYATTSVILLE, MD 20782-8055
APPEALS MAY BE FAXED TO: 1-800-827-8112.

NOTIFICATION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR FEDERAL AID WILL BE MAILED IN APPROXIMATELY 10 DAYS AFTER AN INSPECTION OF THE DAMAGED PROPERTY HAS BEEN COMPLETED. IF THE DETERMINATION IS MADE THAT THE APPLICANT IS INELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE, THE PROPERTY OWNER WILL LEARN FROM THE LETTER WHAT STEPS TO TAKE TO APPEAL THE DECISION IF HE OR SHE FEELS THEY HAVE DAMAGES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED.

THREE JUVENILES CAUGHT THROWING CORN

STATE POLICE AT LYKENS SAID THREE JUVENILES, WERE RELEASED TO THEIR PARENTS AFTER IT WAS REPORTED THEY WERE THROWING CORN AT A VEHICLE BELONGING TO TRENT WILLIARD, MARKET STREET, WILLIAMSTOWN, FROM 9 TO 9:45 P.M. THURSDAY. POLICE SAID THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN DRIVING BY THE SCENE AND WHEN THEY ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, IT FLED THROUGH THE BOROUGH BEFORE FINALLY BEING STOPPED ON RAY STREET. THE DRIVER, A 16-YEAR-OLD MALE FROM WICONISCO, WAS ARRESTED FOR THE MISDEMEANOR OF FLEEING POLICE AND DISORDERLY CONDUCT. CHARGES WERE FILED AT DAUPHIN COUNTY JUVENILE COURT. THE PASSENGERS, A 16-YEAR-OLD MALE FROM WILLIAMSTOWN AND A 17-YEAR-OLD MALE FROM WICONISCO, WERE CHARGED WITH DISORDERLY CONDUCT. CHARGES WERE FILED AT DAUPHIN COUNTY DISTRICT COURT.

STATE NEWS

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A defense lawyer says the New York City
parents suspected of abducting their eight children from foster
care will return voluntarily from Pennsylvania to fight the
kidnapping charges. Norman Steiner says he met yesterday in
Harrisburg with 34-year-old Nephra Payne and 28-year-old Shanel
Nadal. Steiner tells the AP the parents will waive extradition at a
hearing Wednesday.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A US Airways plane that reported smoke in
the cockpit has landed safely at Philadelphia International
Airport. US Airways spokeswoman Valerie Wunder says Express Flight
2588 from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Philadelphia declared an
emergency before landing shortly after 5 p.m. yesterday.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Federal Aviation Administration is
investigating how air traffic controllers allowed five planes to
take off from a closed runway at Pittsburgh International Airport.
The FAA says the aircraft departed Tuesday even though the runway
had been closed that morning because of storm damage to runway
lights.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The mayors of Philadelphia and St. Louis
have placed a sudsy wager on the first round of the baseball
playoffs. The losing mayor will send locally made beer to the
winning mayor. The Phillies and Cardinals meet tonight for the
first game in the best-of-five National League division series.

NATIONAL NEWS

WASHINGTON (AP) - In the weekly radio and Internet addresses
today, President Barack Obama and House Republicans sparred over
job creation. Obama demands Congress pass his $447 billion jobs
bill. Virginia Rep. Morgan Griffith countered with a call for less
government red tape.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The U.S. drone attack that killed the top
regional commander of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula is raising
questions in some quarters about the limitations of presidential
power. It is believed to be the first time a U.S. citizen was
tracked and executed based on secret intelligence and the
president's say-so. But Republicans and Democrats are applauding
the action.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate faces tough sledding Monday when it
will take up legislation to impose higher U.S. duties on Chinese
products to offset the perceived advantage China gets from
undervaluing its currency. The legislation faces stiff opposition
from American-based multinational corporations. And the White House
doesn't care for it either, preferring quiet diplomacy.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea has leveled more
accusations against South Korea over propaganda broadcasts.
Pyongyang says Seoul illegally used its television and radio
frequency to air propaganda broadcasts. The warning, carried by the
official Korean Central News Agency, suggests Seoul could suffer
"deadly" and "merciless" retaliation if it doesn't stop.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Afghanistan's intelligence service
says it has handed Pakistani authorities evidence showing the
assassination of former Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani
(boor-HAHN'-uh-deen ruh-BAH'-nee) was planned in Pakistan. A
spokesman for the Afghan intelligence service says investigators
provided addresses, photos and maps to the Pakistani embassy in
Kabul.

TODAY'S NEWS : FRIDAY SEPT. 30, 2011

ORWIGSBURG MAN TO SERVE 11 YEARS

AN ORWIGSBURG MAN WILL SPEND THE NEXT 11 YEARS BEHIND BARS IN FEDERAL PRISON AFTER BEING SENTENCED WEDNESDAY IN FEDERAL COURT. 41 YEAR OLD DAVID BROWN WAS SENTENCED FOR HIS PARTICIPATION IN METHAMPHETAMINE TRAFFICKING OVER A 2 YEAR PERIOD.JUDGE RICHARD CAPUTO ORDERED BROWN TO SPEND 5 YEARS ON SUPERVISED RELEASE AFTER HIS PRISON TERM AND TO PAY THOUSAND DOLLAR FINE AND $100 IN SPECIAL ASSESSMENT. BROWN PLEADED GUILTY IN MAY TO CONSPIRACY TO DISTRIBUTE AND POSSESSION WITH THE INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE MORE THAN 500 GRAMS OF METHAMPHETAMINE.

FIRE SOCIETY PLANS ANTIQUE MUSTER

THE SCHUYLKILL HISTORICAL SOCIETY WILL HOST THE ANNUAL ANTIQUE MUSTER THIS WEEKEND IN FRACKVILLE. THE EVENT WILL BE HELD AT THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY FIRE TRAINING ACADEMY ON FIREMAN'S ROAD. THERE WILL BE A PARADE BEGINNING AT THE SCHUYLKILL MALL AT 11 AM SUNDAY. CEREMONIES, CONTESTS AND DEMONSTRATIONS WILL ALSO BE HELD AND IS FREE OF CHARGE.

STUDENT TESTS SCORE IMPROVING

THE RESULTS ARE IN FOR STUDENT'S TAKING STANDARDIZED TESTS IN PENNSYLVANIA AND THEY LOOK PROMISING. ACCORDING TO THE P-A DEPT OF EDUCATION SCORES IMPROVED IN MATH, SCIENCE AND WRITING AND READING OVER THE LAST YEAR. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION RON TOMALIS SAYS IT’S ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE THE SCORES GO UP IN THE P-S-S-A'S. THE TESTS WERE GIVEN AFTER YEARS OF INCREASING STATE SPENDING ON PUBLIC SCHOOLS BUT BEFORE LAWMAKERS CUT ABOUT $900 MILLION FROM PUBLIC SCHOOL AID.

FEMA CONTINUES TO HELP FLOOD VICTIMS

AFTER RECENT RAINS FLOODED AREAS OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, ABOUT THREE-HUNDRED RESIDENTS HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF ASSISTANCE BEING OFFERED BY FEMA. THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY HAS PROVIDED FLOOD VICTIMS WITH ABOUT THREE-HUNDRED-THOUSAND DOLLARS TO DATE TO HELP THEM ON THEIR ROAD TO RECOVERY. ADDITIONAL RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES ARE EXPECTED TO REGISTER WITH FEMA AND CAN DO SO BY CALLING 800-621-FEMA.

FEMA AND PEMA IN THE COMMUNITY

IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE HORRENDOUS FLOODING SO MUCH OF PENNSYLVANIA HAS ENDURED IN RECENT WEEKS, MANY DISASTER RECOVERY OFFICIALS ARE SURVEYING DAMAGES TO ROADS, BRIDGES, WATER CONTROL FACILITIES, AND THOUSANDS OF PRIVATE RESIDENCES TO HELP PUT PENNSYLVANIANS BACK ON DRY LAND. OFFICIALS OF BOTH THE PENNSYLVANIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY AND THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY OFTEN FIND THEMSELVES CONDUCTING DISASTER RECOVERY BUSINESS THAT DRAWS PUBLIC INTEREST - ESPECIALLY FROM THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THE DISASTER. FEMA AND PEMA EMPLOYEES WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY WEAR ITEMS OF CLOTHING, SUCH AS HATS AND JACKETS THAT CLEARLY IDENTIFY THEM AS DISASTER WORKERS.

DONATE MONEY TO SURVIVORS

WHEN A DISASTER STRIKES, PEOPLE OFTEN WANT TO HELP THE SURVIVORS BY DONATING GOODS AS WELL AS VOLUNTEER TIME. THEY KNOW IT'S NOT EASY TO GET BACK TO A NORMAL LIFE. THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) AND THE PENNSYLVANIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (PEMA) SAY THE QUICKEST AND BEST WAY TO HELP INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE AFFECTED IS BY WRITING A CHECK. THAT ADVICE WAS SHARED BY PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN DISASTERS. CASH DONATIONS ALLOW VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS TO BUY BOTH GOODS AND SERVICES LOCALLY OR TO DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS SO THEY CAN MEET THEIR MOST URGENT NEEDS. CASH DONATIONS ALSO ALLOW AGENCIES TO AVOID THE LABOR-INTENSIVE ACTIVITY IT TAKES TO CLEAN, SORT, PACKAGE, LABEL AND STORE DONATED GOODS. THE QUICKEST AND BEST WAY TO MAKE A CASH DONATION IS BY CONTACTING THE LOCAL VOLUNTARY AGENCY OF YOUR CHOICE IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

EMPIRE BEAUTY SCHOOL ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NEW SCHOOL YEAR

COMMITTED TO HELPING AS MANY STUDENTS AS POSSIBLE REALIZE THE DREAM OF GOING TO COSMETOLOGY SCHOOL AND PURSUING A CAREER IN THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY, EMPIRE BEAUTY SCHOOLS AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS EVERY YEAR TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS RANGING FROM $500 - $1500 EACH. THIS YEAR 56 STUDENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS. TO BE ELIGIBLE, STUDENTS MUST PROVIDE AT LEAST TWO RECOMMENDATION LETTERS, AS WELL AS WRITE AN ESSAY ABOUT WHY THEY ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT A CAREER IN COSMETOLOGY AND WHAT THEIR CAREER GOALS ARE.AMONG THE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS WERE LOCAL RESIDENTS NICOLE ROSENBERGER, LYNSEY WAGNER AND LAUREN ANDRIKITIS WHO WON SCHOLARSHIPS TO ATTEND EMPIRE BEAUTY SCHOOL IN POTTSVILLE.


STATE NEWS:

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - AS GOVERNOR TOM CORBETT LOOKS TO CUT SPENDING AND THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT IN PENNSYLVANIA, HE'LL LOOK TO RECOMMENDATIONS FROM A NEW GROUP HE'S CREATING. CORBETT'S OFFICE SAID YESTERDAY THAT HE'S FORMED THE GOVERNOR'S ADVISORY COUNCIL ON PRIVATIZATION AND INNOVATION.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE BOEING COMPANY SAYS IT INFORMED FEDERAL AUTHORITIES OF ITS SUSPICIONS ABOUT DRUG ACTIVITY AT A SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA PLANT AFTER AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION. A COMPANY SPOKESMAN ALSO SAYS IN A PREPARED STATEMENT THAT EMPLOYEES ARE TESTED IF THEY'RE SUSPECTED OF BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A MOTORIST WHOSE CAR BARRELED THROUGH A BRICK RETAINING WALL AND PLUNGED INTO THE SCHUYLKILL (SKOO'-KUL) RIVER IN PHILADELPHIA REMAINS MISSING DESPITE AN INTENSIVE RESCUE EFFORT. POLICE SEARCHED FOR THE DRIVER FOR HOURS YESTERDAY NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF KELLY DRIVE AND FERRY ROAD IN THE CITY'S EAST FALLS SECTION.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - THE PENNSYLVANIA SUPREME COURT HAS RULED AGAINST A MAN WHO ADMITTED THAT HE DROVE OVER THE BODY OF A FALLEN BICYCLIST AND KEPT GOING. THE JUSTICES YESTERDAY OVERTURNED AN INDIANA COUNTY JUDGE'S RULING PREVIOUSLY UPHELD BY THE STATE SUPERIOR COURT.

NATIONAL NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - A NEW WATCHDOG REPORT SAYS FEDERAL REGULATORS, TO VARYING DEGREES, "BENT" TO PRESSURE FROM BANKS IN LATE 2009 AND RELAXED THE REQUIREMENTS PUT IN ONLY WEEKS EARLIER FOR REPAYING TAXPAYER FUNDED BAILOUTS. THE REPORT SAYS REGULATORS ALSO WERE MOTIVATED BY A DESIRE TO CUT THE GOVERNMENT'S STAKE IN THE BANKS.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - PARAMEDICS WHO TENDED TO MICHAEL JACKSON ARE EXPECTED TO TESTIFY TODAY THAT DR. CONRAD MURRAY TOLD THEM THE SINGER HAD LOST CONSCIOUSNESS ONLY MOMENTS BEFORE 911 WAS CALLED. MURRAY IS ON TRIAL FOR INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER. PROSECUTORS ARE TRYING TO SHOW HE TRIED TO CONCEAL SIGNS THAT HE GAVE THE SINGER DOSES OF PROPOFOL AS A SLEEP AID.

WASHINGTON (AP) - STATES TRYING TO INCREASE THEIR INFLUENCE IN THE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATING PROCESS ARE LEAPFROGGING THEIR PRIMARY DATES, THREATENING TO PUSH THE FIRST REPUBLICAN CONTESTS INTO EARLY JANUARY AGAIN. BOTH PARTIES ARE TRYING TO AVOID A REPEAT OF 2008. A FLORIDA COMMISSION IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE TODAY THAT ITS PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY WILL BE HELD JAN. 31.

FORT BRAGG, CALIF. (AP) - AUTHORITIES SAY THEY'RE BRINGING IN MORE HELP AS THEY CLOSE IN ON A MURDER SUSPECT WHO HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA'S LARGEST MANHUNT IN DECADES. OFFICIALS SAY THEY BELIEVE AARON BASSLER SHOT AT A GROUP OF SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES THURSDAY AS THEY SEARCHED IN A REDWOOD FOREST.

CASTAIC, CALIF. (AP) - A AUTHORIZES SAY A 67-YEAR-OLD MAN SURVIVED BY BUILDING A MAKESHIFT CAMP AND DRINKING WATER FROM A NEARBY STREAM AFTER HIS CAR PLUNGED 200 FEET OFF A MOUNTAIN ROAD. FAMILY MEMBERS FOUND DAVID LAVAU AT THE BOTTOM OF A RAVINE WHILE CONDUCTING THEIR OWN SEARCH DAYS AFTER THE CRASH. ANOTHER DRIVER DIED.

TODAYS NEWS: THURSDAY SEPT 29, 2011

FLOODING HITS AREA AGAIN

HEAVY RAIN IN THE AREA HAS CAUSED THE SWATARA CREEK IN PINE GROVE TO OVERFLOW ONCE AGAIN AFTER MORE THAN FIVE INCHES OF RAIN FELL TUESDAY. SEVERAL PEOPLE WERE RESCUED FROM THEIR VEHICLES AFTER BECOMING STRANDED ON FLOODED STREETS. ADDITIONAL RESIDENTS TOOK SHELTER AT THE PINE GROVE HIGH SCHOOL. IN TREMONT, OVER TWENTY RESIDENTS LEFT THEIR HOMES TO STAY IN THE BOROUGH OFFICE UNTIL FLOOD WATERS RECEDED. FIRST RESPONDERS WERE ALSO ON SCENE CLEANING UP MUD AND VACUUMING FLOOD WATERS FROM THE NORTH END FIRE STATION. AN OIL RIG CLEANER IS HELPING FIREFIGHTERS UNPLUG THE STORM DRAINS. THE IDEA IS TO ALLOW MORE WATER TO FLOW IN THE CREEK.


PORT CARBON MAN SUMMONED FOR DUI CHARGES

A PORT CARBON MAN WILL RECEIVE A SUMMONS TO APPEAR BEFORE MDJ DAVID A. PLACHKO ON THE CHARGES OF DUI UNDER THE COMBINATION OF ALCOHOL AND A SCHEDULE II CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. PORT CARBON POLICE REPORT 25-YEAR-OLD THOMAS MOORE WAS FOUND PASSED OUT BEHIND THE WHEEL, WHILE THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, AND THAT HE HAD STRUCK A PARKED JEEP PATRIOT VEHICLE. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED ON THE 500 BLOCK OF THIRD STREET IN THE SCHOENTOWN SECTION OF THE BOROUGH ON THE AFTERNOON OF AUGUST 28TH. MOORE SHOWED SIGNS OF INTOXICATION AND BEING UNDER A DRUG INFLUENCE AND WAS TAKEN TO SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER - SOUTH FOR A BLOOD TEST.

CANDIDATE DEBATE

THE TAMAQUA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WILL PLAY HOST NEXT MONTH TO A DEBATE AMONGST THE CANDIDATES FOR SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COMMISSIONER. THE DEBATE WILL TAKE PLACE OCT 12 FROM 6:30PM-8PM AT THE TAMAQUA COMMUNITY CENTER. TODD MILLER, PRESIDENT OF THE TAMAQUA AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYS THAT THE DEBATE WILL GIVE LOCAL RESIDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONER CANDIDATES AND THEIR STANCE ON IMPORTANT ISSUES. FOR MORE INFO LOG ON TO OUR WEBSITE WPPARADIO.COM

KOHL'S COMING TO FAIRLANE VILLAGE

THE FAIRLANE VILLAGE MALL WILL LOOK A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN IT DOES TODAY, COME SPRING. CONSTRUCTION HAS BEGUN ON THE SITE WHERE KOHL'S DEPARTMENT STORE WILL BE COMING TO POTTSVILLE. THE STORE IS BEING BUILT ON THE FORMER VALUE CITY SITE, AND IS EXPECTED TO BE READY BY SPRING OF 2012. KOHL'S WEBSITE IS ALREADY TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT AT THE POTTSVILLE LOCATION. KOHL’S HAS MORE THAN 1000 LOCATIONS NATIONWIDE.

COUNTY UNEMPLOYMENT ON THE RISE

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE CONTINUES TO RISE FOR THE 6 CONSECUTIVE MONTH. DURING THE MONTH OF AUGUST THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE ROSE TO 10% UP A HALF A PERCENT FROM JULY. THE NUMBER OF NON FARM AND PROFESSIONAL JOBS INCREASED BY 300 JOBS BUT IT’S NOT ENOUGH TO BATTLE THE INCREASING NUMBER OF COUNTY RESIDENTS LOOKING FOR WORK. STATEWIDE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY RANKS 58TH IN THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTS UNEMPLOYED.

STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - POLICE SAY GUNFIRE IN SOUTH PHILADELPHIA HAS
KILLED TWO PEOPLE AND INJURED TWO OTHERS, INCLUDING A SHOOTING
SUSPECT WOUNDED BY POLICE. SHOTS RANG OUT LAST NIGHT IN THE GRAYS
FERRY SECTION OF THE CITY. POLICE CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE.

WILKES-BARRE, PA. (AP) - PARTS OF NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA
ALREADY DEVASTATED BY MASSIVE FLOODING FROM TWO BIG STORMS HAVE
BEEN HIT WITH EVEN MORE RAIN, LEADING TO EVEN MORE PROBLEMS. THE
(WILKES-BARRE) CITIZENS VOICE REPORTS SOME RESIDENTS HAD TO BE
EVACUATED AFTER WATER SPILLED OVER THE TWIN LAKES DAM ALONG
BOWMAN'S CREEK IN LUZERNE COUNTY.

YORK, PA. (AP) - STATE POLICE SAY THEY'RE INVESTIGATING THE
DEATH OF A CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA MAN FOLLOWING USE OF A STUN GUN
DURING AN ARREST. AUTHORITIES SAY IT ALL STARTED WHEN TWO YORK
OFFICERS PURSUED HOWARD THOMAS COOKE OF YORK AFTER HE FLED FROM A
CAR THAT HAD STOPPED AFTER A TRAFFIC VIOLATION YESTERDAY.

UNIONTOWN, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES SAY A MAN WAS ARRESTED TUESDAY
NIGHT AFTER SEVERAL HOMEMADE EXPLOSIVE DEVICES WERE FOUND INSIDE
HIS HOME. ACCORDING TO WPXI-TV, POLICE SAY MICHAEL SUICH WILL BE
ARRAIGNED ON CRIMINAL CHARGES OF PROHIBITED OFFENSIVE WEAPONS,
RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING ANOTHER PERSON AND MANUFACTURE OF WEAPONS OF
MASS DESTRUCTION.


NATIONAL NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - A SHORT-TERM SPENDING BILL THAT WOULD PREVENT
A PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AT MIDNIGHT FRIDAY IS EXPECTED TO GET
A NOD FROM THE HOUSE TODAY. THAT'LL BUY TIME UNTIL THE ENTIRE HOUSE
GETS BACK NEXT WEEK FROM A ONE-WEEK BREAK TO TAKE UP THE LONGER
TERM FUNDING MEASURE THAT'S ALREADY BEEN APPROVED BY THE SENATE.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - PROSECUTORS WILL CALL A MICHAEL JACKSON
BODYGUARD TO THE STAND TODAY AS A KEY WITNESS IN THE INVOLUNTARY
MANSLAUGHTER TRIAL OF THE SINGER'S PHYSICIAN, DR. CONRAD MURRAY.
TESTIMONY FROM ALBERTO ALVAREZ MAY SHOW THAT MURRAY DELAYED CALLING
AUTHORITIES AND TRIED TO HIDE THE USE OF A POWERFUL SURGICAL
ANESTHETIC.

BERLIN (AP) - A SCHEDULED VOTE BY GERMAN LAWMAKERS TODAY IS
EXPECTED TO BE A KEY STEP TOWARD TACKLING THE EUROZONE'S SPRAWLING
SOVEREIGN DEBT CRISIS. GERMANY'S PARLIAMENT IS EXPECTED TO APPROVE
NEW POWERS FOR THE BLOC'S BAILOUT FUND.

BILLINGS, MONT. (AP) - THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION IS TAKING STEPS
TO EXTEND NEW PROTECTIONS TO A LIST OF IMPERILED ANIMALS AND
PLANTS. WITH A FRIDAY DEADLINE TO ACT ON MORE THAN 700 CASES, THE
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE ALREADY HAS ADVANCED MORE THAN 500
SPECIES TOWARD POTENTIAL NEW PROTECTIONS.

UNDATED (AP) - IT WAS ONE OF THE MORE EXCITING ENDS TO
BASEBALL'S REGULAR SEASON AS TWO PLAYOFF SPORTS WERE DECIDED ON THE
FINAL DAY. TAMPA BAY CLAIMED THE AL WILDCARD BY BEATING THE YANKEES
WHILE BOSTON LOST TO BALTIMORE. AND THE ST. LOUIS CARDINALS CLAIMED
THE NL WILDCARD BY DEFEATING HOUSTON WHILE PHILADELPHIA BEAT
ATLANTA.

TODAY'S NEWS: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2011

BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS WILL TAKE PLACE THIS SUNDAY IN POTTSVILLE. JASMINE BROOKS HAS THE DETAILS:

FLOOD WATERS RETURN TO PINE GROVE

PINE GROVE RESIDENTS FACE MORE FLOODING TODAY, JUST WEEKS AFTER TROPICAL STORM LEE LEFT 15-INCHES IN THE BOROUGH CAUSING MANDATORY EVACUATIONS. FIRE PERSONNEL WATCHED OVER THE SWATARA CREEK LAST NIGHT WHICH WAS RISING CONSIDERABLY. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, FIRE PERSONNEL AND THE SCHUYLKILL HAVEN SWIFT WATER RESCUE TEAM WERE GOING DOOR TO DOOR TO ASK RESIDENTS IF THEY WANTED TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES AND SEEK SHELTER AT AN EVACUATION CENTER SET UP AT THE PINE GROVE HIGH SCHOOL. ANYWHERE FROM THREE TO SIX INCHES OF RAIN FELL ACROSS WESTERN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY RESULTING IN A FLASH FLOOD WARNING BEING IN EFFECT UNTIL 4:45AM TOMORROW MORNING.

POLICE SEIZE ALMOST 300 MARIJUANA PLANTS

POLICE IN KLINE TOWNSHIP HAVE SEIZED CLOSE TO 300 MARIJUANA PLANTS GROWING OUTSIDE A HOME NEAR MCADOO. 57 YEAR OLD MICHAEL MERENDA HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS TO MANUFACTURE, DELIVER OR POSSESS WITH INTENT TO MANUFACTURE OR DELIVER A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. MERENDA CLAIMS HE BEGAN GROWING THE PLANTS IN JUNE FOR PERSONAL USE IN ORDER TO CONTROL HIS BACK AND NECK PAIN. HE WAS ARRAIGNED AND PLACED IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON ON $15,000 BAIL.

FIGHT IN COALDALE SENDS COALDALE MAN TO HOSPITAL

A COALDALE MAN IS NOW IN THE HOSPITAL SUFFERING A FRACTURED SKULL AFTER A FIGHT BROKE OUT SATURDAY NIGHT INVOLVING FIREFIGHTERS. POLICE REPORT JOSEPH TERRY WAS AT A BAR WHERE THEY WERE HOLDING A BENEFIT FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. HE BECAME AGITATED AND THREW AT LEAST ONE BEER BOTTLE AT SOMEONE. HE WAS TOLD TO LEAVE AND HE DID, BUT THAT'S WHEN THE PROBLEM UNFOLDED. A SITUATION THAT BEGAN INSIDE THE BAR WAS THEN TAKEN OUTSIDE INVOLVING SEVERAL FIREFIGHTERS WHO WERE TRYING TO DETAIN TERRY UNTIL POLICE ARRIVED. COALDALE POLICE INTERVIEWED TERRY IN THE HOSPITAL. THEIR INVESTIGATION CONTINUES.

FEMA GRANTS MUST BE SPENT FOR BASIC DISASTER-RELATED NEEDS

SURVIVORS OF THE RECENT PENNSYLVANIA STORMS AND FLOODING ARE REMINDED THAT RECOVERY ASSISTANCE MONEY THEY RECEIVE FROM THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY IS INTENDED TO MEET BASIC DISASTER-RELATED NEEDS. WITHIN A DAY OR TWO OF RECEIVING EITHER A DIRECT DEPOSIT PAYMENT OR A CHECK, THEY WILL ALSO RECEIVE A LETTER EXPLAINING THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT. RECIPIENTS SHOULD READ AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE LETTER AND RETAIN IT WITH THEIR FLOOD RECOVERY RECORDS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP RECEIPTS OF MERCHANDISE AND SERVICES PURCHASED WITH THE MONEY FOR THREE YEARS IN THE EVENT OF AN AUDIT. MISUSE OF THE GRANT COULD MEAN THE RECIPIENT WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE MONEY BACK AND ALSO MIGHT BE DENIED GRANT ASSISTANCE IF A FUTURE DISASTER OCCURS. HOUSING ASSISTANCE GRANTS MUST BE USED ONLY FOR BASIC HOUSING REPAIRS, SHORT-TERM RENTAL HOUSING, OR REIMBURSEMENT OF LODGING COSTS INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE DISASTER. OTHER NEEDS ASSISTANCE GRANTS SHOULD BE USED TO HELP REPLACE ESSENTIAL PERSONAL PROPERTY AND MEET MEDICAL, DENTAL, FUNERAL, TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER SERIOUS DISASTER-RELATED NEEDS NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE OR OTHER FEDERAL, STATE OR CHARITABLE-AID PROGRAMS.

ASHLAND MUNICIPAL APPROVES PROJECT

THE ASHLAND AREA MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY BOARD VOTED MONDAY TO APPROVE AN ADDITION TO THE RESERVOIR RAISING PROJECT THAT WILL ADD ABOUT $400,000 TO THE CURRENT PROJECT. IT WILL INCLUDE THE INSTALLATION OF PNEUMATIC VALVES WITH A FLOATING INTAKE WHICH WILL ALLOW FOR DRAWING OF THE BEST QUALITY RAW WATER IN THE RESERVOIR WHICH WILL REDUCE CHEMICAL USAGE AND LESS BACKWASH AND REDUCE OPERATING COSTS.


STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - AUTHORITIES SAY A HIGH SCHOOL FIGHT LED TO A MELEE IN SOUTH PHILADELPHIA AND GUNFIRE THAT CRITICALLY INJURED A TWO YEAR-OLD GIRL AND HURT SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE. POLICE SAY TWO SUSPECTS ARE BEING SOUGHT IN THE SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT IN THE POINT BREEZE SECTION OF THE CITY.

LEBANON, PA. (AP) - A CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING HIS WIFE AND THEN USING HIS 10-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER AS A SHIELD DURING A STANDOFF HAS PLEADED GUILTY TO FIRST-DEGREE MURDER AND OTHER CHARGES. JONATHAN EISENHAUER ENTERED THE PLEA YESTERDAY
IN LEBANON COUNTY AFTER PROSECUTORS AGREED TO RECOMMEND A SENTENCE OF LIFE PLUS 30 YEARS.

LEETSDALE, PA. (AP) - HUSSEY COPPER LTD. OF LEETSDALE FILED FOR FEDERAL BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION YESTERDAY. THE PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW REPORTS THE COMPANY LISTS MORE THAN $100 MILLION IN DEBT IN THE PETITION IT FILED IN DELAWARE. THE FILING SAYS THE COPPER PRODUCTS MAKER PLANS TO CONTINUE TO RUN ITS BUSINESS.

ELKINS PARK, PA. (AP) - FOR THE 26 MONTHS THAT JOSH FATTAL WAS HELD CAPTIVE IN IRAN, HIS MOTHER AND BROTHER WERE EVER-PRESENT VOICES CALLING FOR HIS RELEASE. BUT HIS FATHER, JACOB FATTAL, NEVER SAID A WORD. IT'S NOW CLEAR WHY: THE FAMILY FEARED THEIR JEWISH FAITH - AND JACOB FATTAL'S TIES TO ISRAEL - WOULD MAKE THINGS WORSE FOR JOSH. IRAN'S LEADERS HAVE TAKEN A HARD LINE AGAINST ISRAEL.

NATIONAL NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA COURTS HISPANIC VOTERS TODAY DURING AN INTERNET FORUM WHERE HE'LL ANSWER QUESTIONS POSTED ONLINE. HE PLANS TO TRUMPET HIS JOBS PROPOSAL IN A BID TO BUILD MORE SUPPORT. OBAMA WILL ALSO SPEAK TO STUDENTS FROM A HIGH SCHOOL IN WASHINGTON. HIS REMARKS WILL BE TELEVISED AND STREAMED ON THE INTERNET.

TUCSON, ARIZ. (AP) - JARED LEE LOUGHNER'S MENTAL STATUS IS AGAIN THE ORDER OF BUSINESS TODAY AS THE MAN ACCUSED OF WOUNDING REP. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS IN A DEADLY SHOOTING RAMPAGE MAKES A COURT APPEARANCE. HE WAS KICKED OUT OF COURT THE LAST TIME AFTER AN ANGRY OUTBURST. THE JUDGE IS CONSIDERING AN EIGHT-MONTH EXTENSION OF LOUGHNER'S STAY AT A MISSOURI PRISON FOR PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT.

LONDON (AP) - A REPORTER DISMISSED FROM RUPERT MURDOCH'S NOW SHUTTERED NEWS OF THE WORLD IS CONTESTING THE FIRING. A BRITISH EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL FILING SHOWS THAT NEVILLE THURLBECK IS CLAIMING UNFAIR DISMISSAL. HE CONTENDS HE WAS SACKED FOR WHISTLEBLOWING IN THE PHONE HACKING SCANDAL.

SANAA, YEMEN (AP) - YEMENI MILITARY OFFICIALS AREN'T GIVING DETAILS BUT SAY ARMED TRIBESMEN HAVE SHOT DOWN A GOVERNMENT WARPLANE THAT WAS BOMBING THEIR POSITIONS NORTH OF THE CAPITAL. TRIBESMEN OVERRAN A MILITARY BASE BELONGING TO YEMEN'S ELITE
REPUBLICAN GUARDS EARLIER THIS WEEK IN THE AREA WHERE THE AIRCRAFT WAS SHOT DOWN.

ISLAMABAD (AP) - A POLICE OFFICER SAYS AUTHORITIES HAVE RE-ARRESTED A PAKISTANI MILITANT LEADER WHO WAS RELEASED LAST MONTH AFTER SPENDING 14 YEARS IN JAIL. THE OFFICER SAYS THE MAN WAS DETAINED AFTER MAKING INFLAMMATORY SPEECHES AGAINST THE COUNTRY'S SHIITE MUSLIM MINORITY.

LOCAL NEWS: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

THE RED CROSS RECEIVED SOME HELP YESTERDAY IN ADDING TO THEIR DISASTER RELIEF FUND. JASMINE BROOKS REPORTS:

CASE DISMISSED IN STRIP CLUB

THE FEDERAL COURTS HAVE DISMISSED THE CASE AGAINST SCHUYLKILL COUNTY AND WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP BY THE OWNERS OF AN ADULT ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENT. U.S DISTRICT JUDGE JAMES MUNLEY RULED LAST WEEK THAT DUTCHMEN MX PARK OWNERS OF THE STRIP MINE CABARET DOESN’T HAVE A CLAIM AGAINST THE TOWNSHIP AND THAT THE FEDERAL COURT SHOULD ABSTAIN FROM HEARING THE CASE BECAUSE OF PENDING LITIGATION IN A ZONING CASE IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COURT. THE COUNTY COURT WILL DECIDE WHETHER THE CABARET SHOULD SHUT DOWN FOR BEING IN VIOLATION OF A COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE. DUTCHMEN MX PARK FILED A LAWSUIT BACK IN MAY CLAIMING THE COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE IS UNCONSTITUTIONALLY LIMITING THE ADULT ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS.

ST CLAIR MAN JAILED FOR SEX ACTS

A ST CLAIR MAN IS BEHIND BARS THIS MORNING CHARGED WITH TAPING HIMSELF AND HIS GIRLFRIEND HAVING SEX WITH OUT HER KNOWLEDGE. POLICE CHARGED 41 YEAR OLD MARK STEFAN WITH FELONY COUNTS OF INTERCEPTION, DISCLOSURE OR USE OF A WIRE AND INVASION OF PRIVACY. PATROLMAN ROBERT CLINK SAYS THE INCIDENTS CAME TO LIGHT ON AUGUST 19 WHEN STEFAN’S ESTRANGED GIRLFRIEND CONTACTED POLICE INFORMING THEM OF STEFAN’S HARASSING PHONE CALLS AND TEXT MESSAGES AND THAT STEFAN CLAIMED HE HAD A VIDEO OF THE TWO IN A SEX ACT. STEFAN WAS SUBSEQUENTLY ARRESTED AND REMANDED TO SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON ON $10,000 BAIL.


MCADOO FIRE CAUSED BY ELECTRICAL PROBLEM

FIRE OFFICIALS SAY ELECTRICAL WIRE DAMAGE WAS THE CAUSE OF A FIRE SUNDAY IN MCADOO. THE THIRD STREET HOME SUFFERED SOME EXTERIOR DAMAGE AS WELL AS INTERIOR SMOKE DAMAGE. THE HOME OWNER IS EXPECTED TO RETURN TO LIVE ONCE THE ELECTRIC IS FIXED. NO ONE WAS INJURED IN THAT BLAZE.

MURAL FOR MINERS BANK

A NEW MURAL WAS WELCOMED TO THE MINERS BANK IN MINERSVILLE. THE RECENTLY UNVEILED WALL PAINTING IS FEATURED IN ITS ROCKWOOD CENTER LOBBY. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THE MURAL ACTS AS A TIMELINES, SHOWING HOW BOTH THE BANK AND COMMUNITY EVOLVED OVER TIME. THE MURAL DESCRIBES THE AREA'S MINING AND RAILROAD HISTORY ALONG WITH MINERSVILLE'S CLASSIC ARCHITECTURE AND THE ROLE OF MINERS BANK IN THE COMMUNITY. DAVID NAYDOCK IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ARTWORK.

FLOOD FUND

THE RED CROSS LOCAL FLOOD RELIEF FUND IS CLOSING IN ON $200,000 IN DONATIONS. AS OF MONDAY AFTERNOON THE FUND STANDS AT A LITTLE OVER $185,000 WITH DONATIONS COMING IN BY MAIL AND THROUGH THE INTERNET. ALL OF THE MONEY WILL BE GIVEN TO THE RED CROSS TO HELP LOCAL FLOOD VICTIMS IN NORTHEAST AND CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA

STATE NEWS:

LANGHORNE, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA SAY AN ELDERLY MAN AND HIS WIFE HAVE BEEN FOUND DEAD IN WHAT OFFICIALS ARE CALLING A MURDER-SUICIDE. THE BUCKS COUNTY CORONER SAYS 92-YEAR-OLD CHARLES HOEZ AND 90-YEAR-OLD JEANNE HOEZ DIED OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING IN THEIR MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP HOME.

WASHINGTON (AP) - FEDERAL AUTHORITIES SAY AN EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA COMPANY IS RECALLING ABOUT 5,550 POUNDS OF PUREED PORK PRODUCTS THAT MAY CONTAIN FOREIGN MATERIALS. THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S FOOD SAFETY AND INSPECTION SERVICE SAYS THE RECALL BY K. HEEPS INCORPORATED OF ALLENTOWN IS FOR 4.5 POUND BOXES OF IMPERIAL SYSCO "PUREE SHAPED MEATS COUNTRY STYLE PORK AND BINDER PRODUCT."

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS COMMITTED $10 MILLION FOR TEMPORARY JOBS TO HELP PENNSYLVANIA RECOVER FROM HURRICANE IRENE. THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THE EMERGENCY GRANT FUNDING WILL CREATE MORE THAN 2,100 TEMPORARY JOBS FOR WORKERS DISPLACED BY LAST MONTH'S STORM.

NATIONAL NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - IT APPEARS CONGRESS HAS NEARLY WORKED ITS WAY OUT OF ANOTHER BITTER PARTISAN BATTLE, THIS ONE OVER DISASTER AID. YESTERDAY, SENATE LEADERS DROPPED $1 BILLION FROM THE LEGISLATION AFTER THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY SAID IT HAD ENOUGH MONEY TO COVER RELIEF EFFORTS THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK. THE DEAL NEEDS HOUSE APPROVAL, BUT IT'S ON RECESS UNTIL NEXT WEEK.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA FINISHES HIS TOUR OF THE WEST TODAY WITH A STOP IN DENVER. HE'S BEEN PITCHING HIS JOBS PLAN AND HOLDING FUNDRAISERS ALONG THE WAY. YESTERDAY HE TOLD SUPPORTERS IN LOS ANGELES THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT A "BOLD AND GENEROUS" VISION FOR THE COUNTRY, NOT THE "CRAMPED" ONE HE SAYS REPUBLICANS ARE OFFERING.

WASHINGTON (AP) - SAFETY ADVOCATES AND THE OIL AND GAS PIPELINE INDUSTRY ARE BACKING LEGISLATION NOW BEFORE THE SENATE THAT WOULD TOUGHEN SAFETY REGULATIONS. BUT ONE SENATOR IS BLOCKING IT. KENTUCKY REPUBLICAN RAND PAUL SAYS HE OPPOSES NEW FEDERAL REGULATIONS ON PHILOSOPHICAL GROUNDS. HE'S MAKING HIS STAND DESPITE A GAS PIPELINE EXPLOSION LAST WEEK THAT SHOOK CONSTITUENTS AWAKE IN THREE KENTUCKY COUNTIES.

WASHINGTON (AP) - TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS SAY THEY'RE SEEING MORE HARASSMENT AND BULLYING ONLINE THESE DAYS. AN ASSOCIATED PRESS-MTV POLL FINDS 56 PERCENT OF RESPONDENTS SAY THEY'VE BEEN THE TARGET OF MEAN BEHAVIOR, FALSE GOSSIP OR TRICKS ON SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES OR IN TEXT MESSAGES. THE POLL ALSO FOUND A THIRD OF THOSE SURVEYED HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH "SEXTING."

LOS ANGELES (AP) - THE TRIAL OF DR. CONRAD MURRAY IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN A LOS ANGELES COURTROOM TODAY. MURRAY IS CHARGED WITH INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER IN THE DEATH OF MICHAEL JACKSON. AUTHORITIES ALLEGE THE DOCTOR ADMINISTERED A LETHAL DOSE OF THE ANESTHETIC PROPOFOL (PROH'-PUH-FAHL) ALONG WITH OTHER SEDATIVES, AND LACKED THE PROPER LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT TO REVIVE JACKSON IN JUNE 2009.

TODAY'S NEWS: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2011

POTTSVILLE TO OPEN CANCER TREATMENT CENTER

A CANCER TREATMENT FACILITY IN POTTSVILLE IS SET TO OPEN IN SPRING 2012. SCHUYLKILL HEALTH SYSTEM AND GEISINGER HEALTH SYSTEM ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO OPEN UP THE FACILITY ON THE CAMPUS OF SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER-EAST NORWEGIAN STREET. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, THROUGH THE NEW FACILITY CANCER PATIENTS WILL NOT HAVE TO TRAVEL AWAY FROM CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA FOR TREATMENT.

FALL FUN IN PALO ALTO

FALL FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES BROUGHT LOCAL RESIDENTS AND PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE AREA TO PALO ALTO SUNDAY. THE EVENT WAS HELD ON BACON STREET AND ORCHESTRATED BY THE PALO ALTO MENNONITE CHURCH. AT LEAST 150 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED, MAKING THIS YEARS EVENT VERY SUCCESSFUL.

GIRL SCOUTS PRESERVE ORWIGSBURG'S HISTORY

TO PRESERVE HISTORY IN ORWIGSBURG, TWO TEENS ARE MAKING A MAP OF HISTORICAL SITES IN THE BOROUGH. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, 18-YEAR-OLD MOLLY LETCHER AND 17-YEAR-OLD MAGGIE BURKHARDT HAVE ALSO ORDERED IDENTIFICATION MARKERS FOR A FEW SIGNIFICANT BUILDINGS. THE TEENS TOOK ON THE PROJECT TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOLD AWARD PROJECT FOR GIRL SCOUTS.

COPPER WIRE STOLEN

THIEVES STOLE MORE THAN $27,000 WORTH OF COPPER WIRE FROM MINING EQUIPMENT IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. STATE POLICE SAID SOMEONE BROKE INTO THE READING ANTHRACITE COMPANY NEAR POTTSVILLE, AND STRIPPED 800 FEET OF COPPER WIRE FROM A POWER SHOVEL. POLICE ESTIMATE THE COPPER WIRE IS WORTH MORE THAN $27,000. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE THEFT IS ASKED TO CALL STATE POLICE.

FEMA ASSISTANCE

THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) AND THE PENNSYLVANIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (PEMA) ANNOUNCED THAT, TO DATE, MORE THAN $47.2 MILLION HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR PENNSYLVANIANS WHO SUFFERED DAMAGE FROM HURRICANE IRENE AND TROPICAL STORM LEE. 73 APPLICANTS HAVE VISITED THE DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY. FEMA/COMMONWEALTH GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS UNDER THE INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS PROGRAM MAY INCLUDE TEMPORARY HOUSING, HOME REPAIRS, PERSONAL PROPERTY LOSSES AND OTHER DISASTER-RELATED NEEDS SUCH AS MEDICAL, DENTAL AND FUNERAL COSTS. LOW INTEREST RATE LOANS MAY ALSO BE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.

STUFF THE BUS HELPS FLOOD VICTIMS

NORTH SCHUYLKILL SCHOOL DISTRICT HELD A "STUFF THE BUS" CAMPAIGN TO BENEFIT FLOOD VICTIMS IN THE PINE GROVE AREA FRIDAY. STUDENT FANS AT THE NORTH SCHUYLKILL VS SCHUYLKILL HAVEN FOOTBALL GAME BROUGHT A DONATION AND WERE THEN ABLE TO GET INTO THE GAME FREE. ADULTS MAKING A DONATION WILL RECEIVED $1 OFF TICKET PRICE. ITEMS REQUESTED WERE: CLEANING SUPPLIES, LAUNDRY DETERGENT, BLEACH, BROOMS, MOPS, GLOVES, TOILETRIES, BABY SUPPLIES, DIAPERS, NON-PERISHABLE FOOD. ALL DONATED ITEMS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED IN PINE GROVE.

SCHUYLKILL UNITED WAY GETS HELP FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES

THE SCHUYLKILL UNITED WAY, WITH THE HELP OF LOCAL BUSINESSES, WILL GIVE COUNTY RESIDENTS ANOTHER WAY TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY.KELLY K. MALONE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SCHUYLKILL UNITED WAY, SAID THE ORGANIZATION WILL “SELL” DIE CUT CARDS IN THE SHAPE OF THE NUMBER 75 FOR $1 WHICH CAN BE HUNG IN STORES TO SHOW SUPPORT FOR THE NONPROFIT. THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR THAT THE SCHUYLKILL UNITED WAY HAS RUN THIS PROMOTION. THE SCHUYLKILL UNITED WAY IS CELEBRATING THEIR 75TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR WHICH IS THE REASON WHY THE DIE CUT CARD IS SHAPED INTO THE NUMBER 75. THIS YEAR ICONS WILL BE SOLD AT THE FOLLOWING BUSINESSES IN THE COUNTY:

BOYER'S FOOD MARKETS (ALL LOCATIONS)
MCDONALDS (SCHUYLKILL HAVEN & POTTSVILLE)
BG'S VALUE MARKET (MINERSVILLE)
LUCKENBILL'S FAMILY RESTAURANT (SCHUYLKILL HAVEN)
BEER SHAK (MINERSVILLE & SCHUYLKILL HAVEN)
IF ANY OTHER BUSINESSES WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE PLEASE CONTACT TANYA M. WEHR, ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR, OF THE SCHUYLKILL UNITED WAY AT 570-622-6421.

FACEBOOK HOAX CAUSES WEEKEND STIR
ATTENTION FACEBOOK'ERS…THIS IS SOMETHING YOU CAN ACTUALLY SAY YOU HEARD ON THE NEWS. FACEBOOK HAS ISSUED A STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO THE WEEKEND FLURRY OF STATUS POSTS WARNING MEMBERS THAT FACEBOOK WOULD PLAN TO START CHARGING FOR THEIR SERVICES STARTING THIS MORNING. FACEBOOK RELEASED THIS STATEMENT EARLIER THIS MORNING SAYING "A RUMOR ON THE INTERNET CAUGHT OUR ATTENTION. WE HAVE NO PLANS TO CHARGE FOR FACEBOOK. IT'S FREE AND ALWAYS WILL BE." THE POPULAR SOCIAL NETWORK CURRENTLY HAS 800THOUSAND MEMBERS, AND THAT IS SOMETHING YOU CAN "LIKE".

STATE NEWS:

STROUDSBURG, PA. (AP) - A MONROE COUNTY MAN FINDS OUT WHETHER HE WILL GET A DEATH SENTENCE OR LIFE IN PRISON FOR THE MURDER OF HIS GIRLFRIEND AND HER TODDLER SON TWO YEARS AGO WEST OF STROUDSBURG. MATTHEW PARRISH PLEADED GUILTY TO THE KILLINGS OF VICTORIA ADAMS AND SIDNEY PARRISH, SAYING HE SUSPECTED ADAMS WAS CHEATING ON HIM. PARRISH HAS TOLD THE POCONO RECORD HE "WON'T CONTEST EXECUTION," IF HE IS SENTENCED TO DEATH TODAY.

POTTSTOWN, PA. (AP) - A CAMBRIA LAWMAKER SAYS IT'S TIME TO DIVERT MONEY FROM THE "JOHNSTOWN FLOOD TAX" ON LIQUOR BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL PURPOSE: FLOOD AND DISASTER RELIEF. STATE SENATOR JOHN WOZNIAK TELLS THE (POTTSTOWN) MERCURY THAT HE'S HOPING THE RECENT FLOODING WILL SPUR MORE SUPPORT TO USE ONE-FIFTH OF THE 18 PERCENT TAX TO CREATE A DISASTER RELIEF FUND.

NATIONAL NEWS:

NEW YORK (AP) - THE ECONOMY MAY BE BAD, BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN THE UPCOMING HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON WILL BE A TOTAL DISASTER FOR RETAILERS. FINANCIAL ADVISER DELOITTE FORECASTS A SLIGHT GAIN FOR IN-STORE SALES, THOUGH SMALLER THAN LAST YEAR, AS WELL AS A SOLID INCREASE IN ONLINE RETAILING.

NEW YORK (AP) - JOSH FATTAL (FUH-TAHL') AND SHANE BAUER SAY THEY MAY NEVER KNOW IF THEY REALLY CROSSED THE BORDER FROM IRAQ INTO IRAN WHILE HIKING. THE TWO 29-YEAR-OLDS CONVICTED OF SPYING WERE FREED FROM IRAN LAST WEEK UNDER A $1 MILLION BAIL DEAL. THEY SAY THEY WERE MISTREATED AND FACED DIFFICULT CONDITIONS IN NEAR
ISOLATION.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE PENTAGON IS EXTENDING EFFORTS TO HARDEN THE NETWORKS OF DEFENSE CONTRACTORS AGAINST CYBERATTACKS THAT ARE GETTING MORE AND MORE CLEVER. THE MOVE COMES AS PENTAGON ANALYSTS INVESTIGATE A GROWING NUMBER OF INTRUSIONS INTO DEFENSE NETWORKS. THAT'S NOW ABOUT 30 PERCENT OF THE PENTAGON'S CYBER CRIME CENTER'S WORKLOAD.

ATHENS, GREECE (AP) - NAVIGATING THE GREEK CAPITAL IS NOT A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE TODAY AS PUBLIC TRANSPORT WORKERS STRIKE TO PROTEST THE GOVERNMENT'S NEW AUSTERITY MEASURES. ATHENS METRO, TRAM AND SUBURBAN RAIL WORKERS ARE ON A 24-HOUR STRIKE. AIRLINE PASSENGERS ALSO FACED DELAYS AS AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS REFUSED TO WORK OVERTIME.

JERUSALEM (AP) - THE DEATH OF A PROMINENT PALESTINIAN PEACE ACTIVIST'S 10-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER WILL COST THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT. AN ISRAELI COURT HAS ORDERED THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY $432,000 TO THE GIRL'S FAMILY. THE GIRL WAS KILLED BY AN ISRAELI RUBBER BULLET IN 2007.

TODAY'S NEWS: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2011

LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

PINE GROVE 48, TRI VALLEY 6
MOUNT CARMEL 43, LOYALSOCK 0
SELINSGROVE 14, SHAMOKIN 7
SOUTHERN COLUMBIA 40, CENTRAL COLUMBIA 0

TODAY'S GAMES

POTTSVILLE @ CONRAD WEISER, 3 P.M. WPPA
HAMBURG @ BLUE MOUNTAIN, 7 P.M. T-102
MARIAN @ PIUS X, 1 P.M.
LINE MOUNTAIN @ NEWPORT, 6 P.M.
SHENANDOAH VALLEY @ MINERSVILLE, 7 P.M.
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN @ NORTH SCHUYLKILL, 7 P.M.
JIM THORPE @ PANTHER VALLEY, 7 P.M.
NATIVITY @ UPPER DAUPHIN, 7 P.M.
WILLIAMS VALLEY @ MILLERSBURG, 7 P.M.
TUNKHANNOCK @ HAZELTON, 7 P.M.

MONDAY

TAMAQUA @ MAHANOY AREA, 6 P.M.

LOCAL NEWS

MCCANN HAS A MATRICULATION FOR BACHELOR’S DEGREES

MCCANN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY HAS ESTABLISHED NEW ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS FOR THEIR GRADUATES OF ALL CAMPUSES IN SPECIFIED MAJORS TO COMPLETE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT AT PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY. WITH THESE NEW ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS, GRADUATES OF MCCANN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY WILL BE ABLE TO COMPLETE A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT AT PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY. “WE ARE EXCITED TO PARTNER WITH PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY TO PROVIDE OUR STUDENTS WITH MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP THEM ADVANCE IN THEIR CAREERS,” SAID PHILIP CAMPBELL, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION FOR MCCANN IN SUNBURY. FOR A COMPLETE OF THE MAJORS THAT QUALIFY, CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT WPPARADIO.COM.

• ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE TECHNOLOGY (A.S.B.)
• COMPUTER SCIENCE & PROGRAMMING (A.S.B.)
• COSMETOLOGY (A.S.T.)
• COURT REPORTING (A.S.B.)
• CRIMINAL JUSTICE (A.S.B.)
• EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (A.S.B.)
• HEALTH & MEDICAL RECORDS MANAGEMENT (A.S.B.)
• MEDICAL ASSISTING (A.S.B.)
• NETWORK ADMINISTRATION (A.S.B.)
• OFFICE TECHNOLOGY – MEDICAL (A.S.B.)
• PROFESSIONAL MASSAGE THERAPY (A.S.B.)
• SECURITY AND INVESTIGATION (A.S.B.)
• SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY (A.S.T.)

CERT TRAINING TO BE OFFERED IN OUR AREA

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS IN CONJUCTION WITH THE CITIZENS CORPS COUNCIL IS GOING TO OFFER A TWO DAY COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE OR (CERT) TRAINING THE WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 8TH AND 9TH IN THE COMMUNITY ROOM OF THE SCHUYLKILL MALL. CERT EDUCATES THE EVERY DAY CITIZEN ABOUT DISASTER PREPAREDNESS FOR HAZARDS THAT MAY IMPACT THEIR AREA, AND TRAINS THEM IN BASIC DISASTER RESPONSE SKILLS, PREPARING THEM TO HANDLE A SITUATION UNTIL FIRST RESPONDERS CAN ACCESS THE SCENE. TOPICS INCLUDE FIRE SAFETY, LIGHT SEARCH
AND RESCUE, TEAM ORGANIZATION, AND BASIC MEDICAL OPERATIONS. USING THE TRAINING LEARNED IN THE CLASSROOM, CERT MEMBERS CAN ASSIST OTHERS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD OR WORKPLACE FOLLOWING AN EVENT WHEN PROFESSIONAL RESPONDERS ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO HELP. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER PLEASE CALL THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY EMA OFFICE AT 570-622-3739. REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE OCTOBER 3RD.

AUBURN FIRE

THE CAUSE OF AN EARLY FRIDAY MORNING FIRE IN AUBURN THAT LEFT SIX PEOPLE HOMELESS IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE 1 A.M. FIRE STARTED IN THE SECOND-FLOOR APARTMENT OF GAIL KLINGER AT 208 MARKET ST. KLINGER WAS NOT HOME AT THE TIME BUT TENANTS OF A FIRST-FLOOR APARTMENT - LEE AND DEBORAH HERRING - WERE FORCED FROM THE BUILDING AS WELL. STATE POLICE FIRE MARSHAL TROOPER JOHN F. BURNS OF THE FRACKVILLE STATION WAS AT THE SCENE LATER IN THE DAY TRYING TO FIND A CAUSE ALTHOUGH THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED, FOUL PLAY IS NOT SUSPECTED. ACCORDING TO REPORTS THE SECOND FLOOR AND ATTIC OF THE BUILDING SUSTAINED SEVERE FIRE AND SMOKE DAMAGE WITH MODERATE SMOKE AND WATER DAMAGE TO THE HERRINGS' APARTMENT. AN ADJOINING BUILDING AT 206 MARKET ST. ALSO SUSTAINED LESSER AMOUNTS OF DAMAGE LEAVING AN ADDITIONAL THREE PEOPLE TEMPORARILY HOMELESS. DAVID REINERT AND VIRGINIA HESS LIVED IN A FIRST-FLOOR APARTMENT WHILE BARBARA ANDERSON LIVED ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THAT BUILDING. THE FIVE TENANTS WHO WERE HOME AT THE TIME, AS WELL AS BETWEEN 50 AND 60 FIREFIGHTERS FROM SEVEN COMPANIES THAT BATTLED THE BLAZE ALL ESCAPED INJURY.

IMPAIRED MAN CRASHES INTO POND

CHARGES ARE PENDING AGAINST AN ORWIGSBURG MAN AFTER HE CRASHED HIS SUV INTO A POND THURSDAY NIGHT IN WEST BRUNSWICK TOWNSHIP. SCHUYLKILL HAVEN POLICE TELL US 54-YEAR-OLD WILLIAM SCHILBE WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL WHEN HE TRAVELED HIS VEHICLE INTO A POND NEAR THE PINE BROOK NURSING HOME. A DRUG RECOGNITION EXPERT CONDUCTED TESTING TO DETERMINE SCHILBE TO BE IMPAIRED. A WITNESS SAYS 75-PERCENT OF THE VEHICLE WAS SUBMERGED IN WATER.

STATE NEWS

HILADELPHIA (AP) - More wet weather is soaking the eastern half of the state, just a few weeks after being deluged by the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee. The weather service says minor flooding is possible in towns including Bloomsburg, Milton and Sunbury.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A western Pennsylvania judge says next week's juvenile court trial of a boy accused of killing his father's pregnant fiancee when he was 11 years old will stay closed to the media. Lawrence County Judge John Hodge denied requests by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and the New Castle News that the trial be opened to the public. Prosecutors originally charged Jordan Brown, of Wampum, as an adult in the February 2009 slaying of 26-year-old Kenzie Houk.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Officials say a baggage cart disconnected from the tug that was pulling it and crashed into a plane wing at Philadelphia International Airport. A U.S. Airways spokesman says the accident happened shortly before noon yesterday as the Richmond-bound U.S. Airways Express flight was getting ready to leave the gate. The plane has been taken out of service and none of the 48 passengers and three crew members was hurt.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The City-County Building jointly owned by Pittsburgh and Allegheny County needs some repairs, as does the tower of Philadelphia's historic City Hall building. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported Friday that contractors will cut holes in the roof of the 94-year-old City-County Building to determine why its cornice and parapet are cracking and sagging. In Philadelphia, tours of the City Hall tower are being suspended while repairs are
made to a crack discovered when marble debris was found on the roof.

NATIONAL NEWS

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says changing education policy and spending billions to upgrade schools and keep teachers on the job is the right thing to do. The president is using his weekly radio and Internet address to promote his $447 billion jobs bill through the prism of education.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Under pressure from skeptical financial markets, the world's economic powers are scrambling to keep Europe's debt crisis from tumbling out of control. Finance
ministers and central bankers meeting in Washington are pushing for bold action by the Group of 20 nations.

GENEVA (AP) - Swiss bank UBS says its chief executive has resigned over a $2.3 billion rogue trading loss. The bank says its Europe chief will take over as interim chief executive until Oswald Gruebel's replacement is appointed.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A defunct NASA satellite has taken its final plunge back to Earth. The space agency and the U.S. Air Force say the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite began its fiery descent somewhere over the Pacific Ocean. No word on exactly where the wreckage ended up.

ERFURT, Germany (AP) - Pope Benedict XVI is closing out his four-day state visit to his native Germany. The pontiff celebrated Mass with some 30,000 people in the city of Erfurt. The service went ahead despite an incident on the edge of the security zone in which a man fired an air gun at a security guard.

SPORTS POSTPONEMENTS

POTTSVILLE AT CONRAD WEISER-PPD UNTIL SATURDAY AT 3PM ON WPPA

HAMBURG AT BLUE MOUNTAIN-PPD UNTIL SATURDAY AT 7PM ON T102

TAMAQUA VS MAHANOY AREA-PPD TILL MONDAY AT 6PM

NATIVITY AT UPPER DAUPHIN-PPD TILL SATURDAY AT 7PM

SHENANDOAH VALLEY VS MINERSVILLE-PPD TILL SATURDAY AT 7PM

TODAY'S NEWS: FRIDAY SEPT, 2011

THE HIGHEST MOUNTAIN IN AFRICA WILL BE CLIMBED BY A FRACKVILLE NATIVE AND IT'S ALL FOR A GREAT CAUSE. JASMINE BROOKS HAS MORE:

A DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER IN PINE GROVE CONTINUES TO HELP FLOOD VICTIMS TODAY. JASMINE BROOKS REPORTS:

POSSIBLE CLOSURE OF LOCAL POST OFFICES

RESIDENTS OF MAHANOY PLANE AND CUMBOLA LEANED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL CLOSING OF THEIR POST OFFICES AT COMMUNITY MEETING THURSDAY. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THE MEETING WAS HELD BY THE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE AND MODERATED BY THE MANAGER FOR THE HARRISBURG DISTRICT FOR THE 178 AND 179 ZIP CODE AREAS. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY HAS A TOTAL OF SEVEN POST OFFICES.

SHENANDOAH MAN FREE ON BAIL

A SHENANDOAH MAN IS FREE ON BAIL AFTER WAIVING HIS RIGHT TO A PRELIMINARY HEARING THURSDAY. 19-YEAR-OLD CHARLES WISHNEFSKY WAS FOUND WITH TWO MOLOTOV COCKTAILS, A LIGHTER AND ILLEGAL NARCOTICS IN AUGUST. WISHNEFSKY'S BAIL WAS REDUCED TO $10,000 UNSECURED, ALLOWING HIM TO BE RELEASED FOLLOWING THE HEARING PENDING FURTHER ACTION IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COURT.

CARGO AIRPORT DECISION BACK TO COUNTY ZONING HEARING BOARD

CONTROVERSY IS STIRRING OVER THE POSSIBILITY OF A CARGO AIRPORT BEING BUILT IN EAST UNION TOWNSHIP. SCHUYLKILL COUNTY ZONING OFFICIALS WILL MAKE THE NEXT DECISION ABOUT WHETHER TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION AFTER A JUDGE DISMISSED AN EFFORT TO BLOCK CONSIDERATION OF THE ISSUE. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS A JUDGE OVERTURNED EAST UNION TOWNSHIP'S APPEAL AT A HEARING THURSDAY.

DRS TO OPEN IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY

THE U.S. FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) AND THE PENNSYLVANIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (PEMA) WILL OPEN A DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER (DRC) IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 TO HELP RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS WITH THEIR RECOVERY FROM THE RECENT STORMS AND FLOODING. REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT LOW INTEREST RATE LOANS. THE CENTER WILL BE AT THE CAREER LINK CENTER ON ARCH STREET IN SHAMOKIN. DISASTER OFFICIALS RECOMMEND THAT YOU REGISTER BEFORE VISITING A DRC SO IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS THEY CAN BE ANSWERED FACE TO FACE. YOU MAY VISIT ANY DRC REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU LIVE OR WORK. TO REGISTER FOR ASSISTANCE, CALL 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).


HEARING CONTINUED FOR MAHANOY CITY WOMAN

THE HEARING FOR THE MAHANOY CITY WOMAN WHO WAS CHARGED WITH TAMPERING OR FABRICATING PHYSICAL EVIDENCE HAD HER HEARING CONTINUED THURSDAY. 39 YEAR OLD TAMMY CASSERLY WAS SCHEDULED TO APPEAR BEFORE DISTRICT JUSTICE ANTHONY KILKER BUT HE CONTINUED THE CASE BECAUSE CASSERLY HAD NO LEGAL REPRESENTATION. CASSERLY WAS CHARGED BY STATE POLICE AT FRACKVILLE WITH REMOVING A GUN FROM A SUICIDE SCENE IN FEBRUARY 2010. CASSERLY'S NEW HEARING HAS BEEN SET FOR EITHER OCTOBER 6 OR 13TH WITH OR WITHOUT LEGAL COUNSEL.

STATE NEWS:

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - A SPENDING FIGHT IN CONGRESS COULD AFFECT FLOOD VICTIMS WAITING FOR HELP IN PENNSYLVANIA. FEDERAL DISASTER OFFICIALS SAY FUNDING IN A DISASTER RELIEF FUND COULD RUN OUT SOMETIME NEXT WEEK. HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE CURRENTLY TRYING TO GET THE VOTES TO OK A $3.7 BILLION DISASTER AID PACKAGE THAT WAS SURPRISINGLY DEFEATED ON WEDNESDAY.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - FORMER PENTAGON HEAD ROBERT GATES HAS BEEN AWARDED THE LIBERTY MEDAL AT PHILADELPHIA'S NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER. TWO IRAQ WAR VETERANS PRESENTED THE MEDAL TO GATES, WHO STEPPED DOWN THIS SUMMER AFTER SERVING AS DEFENSE SECRETARY UNDER PRESIDENTS GEORGE W. BUSH AND BARACK OBAMA.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - TOURS AROUND THE TOWER AT PHILADELPHIA'S HISTORIC CITY HALL HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED AFTER A CRACK TURNED UP IN THE STRUCTURE. OFFICIALS BELIEVE THE CRACK MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE EARTHQUAKE THAT STRUCK THE REGION EARLIER THIS MONTH. THE PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS REPORTS REPAIRING THE CRACK COULD TAKE A MONTH.

NATIONAL NEWS:

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (AP) - THE GROUP OF 20 LEADING ADVANCED AND EMERGING ECONOMIES SAYS IT'S "COMMITTED TO A STRONG AND COORDINATED INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE TO ADDRESS THE RENEWED CHALLENGES FACING THE GLOBAL ECONOMY." IN A STATEMENT RELEASED TODAY IN SOUTH KOREA AMID SLIDING STOCK MARKETS, THE G-20 SAYS SOME OF THE MAIN CHALLENGES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED ARE "FINANCIAL SYSTEM FRAGILITY, MARKET TURBULENCE, WEAK ECONOMIC GROWTH AND UNACCEPTABLY HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT."

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE LATEST MUST-PASS BILL IN CONGRESS COULD BE THE LATEST SHOWDOWN BETWEEN HOUSE REPUBLICANS AND SENATE DEMOCRATS. THE HOUSE BILL ATTEMPTS TO PREVENT A LOOMING GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND REPLENISH DISASTER FUNDS. SENATE DEMOCRATS OBJECT TO CUTS TO TWO CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAMS.

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - A SEVERE SHORTAGE IS FORCING HOSPITALS TO BUY LIFE-SAVING DRUGS AT HUGE MARKUPS BY SECONDARY SOURCES. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FOUND AT LEAST 15 RECENT DEATHS ARE BLAMED ON THE SHORTAGES, MAINLY OF WIDELY-USED, GENERIC INJECTED DRUGS THAT ORDINARILY ARE CHEAP.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - THE NEXT TWO DAYS WILL FIND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SUPERMARKET EMPLOYEES VOTING ON WHETHER TO ACCEPT A DEAL THAT THEIR UNION LEADERS NEGOTIATED WITH THE REGION'S LARGEST GROCERY CHAINS, IN HOPES OF HEADING OFF A STRIKE. UNION OFFICIALS SAY THE PLAN ADDRESSES CONCERNS ABOUT FUNDING FOR THE EMPLOYEES' HEALTH PLAN.

PERUGIA, ITALY (AP) - PROSECUTORS IN ITALY ARE MAKING CLOSING ARGUMENTS IN THEIR FIGHT AGAINST THE CHALLENGE OF THE MURDER CONVICTION OF AMERICAN EXCHANGE STUDENT AMANDA KNOX IN THE BRUTAL 2007 SLAYING OF HER ROOMMATE. KNOX'S FATHER SAYS HE IS HOPEFUL THAT A REVIEW OF DNA EVIDENCE WILL HELP HIS DAUGHTER GET THE CONVICTION OVERTURNED.

PROPERTY TAX REFORM WITH REP. SETH GROVE

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO REP SETH GROVE'S( YORK COUNTY) PRESENTATION OF ELIMINATING SCHOOL PROPERTY TAX.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO AUDIENCE Q & A FROM REP'S KNOWELS, TOBASH AND GROVE AND FROM sEN. DAVE ARGALL.

TODAY'S NEWS: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2011

PENNSYLVANIA LAW MAKERS MET WITH THE PUBLIC LAST NIGHT TO TALK ABOUT THE PROPERTY TAX REFORM. J MATTHEWS HAS MORE:

DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER OPENS IN PINE GROVE

A DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER OPENED IN PINE GROVE WEDNESDAY AT THE HOOK AND LADDER FIRE COMPANY ON ORCHARD STREET. NEARLY THIRTY RESIDENTS CAME TO THE CENTER, PRIMARILY TO CHECK THE STATUS OF THEIR APPLICATIONS ALREADY BEING PROCESSED. AGENTS FROM THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, HAZARD MITIGATION STAFF, THE SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION AND A DOZEN STATE DEPARTMENTS WERE ON HAND TO HELP RESIDENTS.

SALARY BOARD WORK SESSION

DURING THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY SALARY BOARD WORK SESSION WEDNESDAY, THE CREATION OF TWO POSITIONS AT REST HAVEN WERE PRESENTED FOR APPROVAL. COMMISSIONER GALLAGHER AND STAUDERMIRE VOTED TO APPROVE, BUT CONTROLLER MELINDA KANTER WAS THE LONE NO VOTE BECAUSE SHE WAS NOT PRESENTED WITH THE TWO POSITIONS PRIOR TO THE WORK SESSION. KANTER SAYS SHE VOTED NO BECAUSE MOTIONS ARE TO BE PRESENTED AT WORK SESSIONS AND THEN VOTED ON THE FOLLOWING WEEK DURING THE PUBLIC MEETING. RECENTLY IT HAS BECOME COMMON TO VOTE ON MOTIONS DURING WORK SESSION AND KANTER SAYS SHE WILL CONTINUE TO VOTE NO ON THESE TYPES OF PRACTICES. COMMISSIONER GALLAGHER ALSO ALLUDED TO THE FACT THAT KANTER MAY NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT COME DECEMBER DUE TO THE ELECTIONS ON NOVEMBER 8.

READING INSTRUCTION DISCUSSED AT PASD BOARD MEETING

POTTSVILLE AREA SUPERINTENDENT, JAMES GALLAGHER, ADDRESSED THE DISTRICTS READING INSTRUCTION WEDNESDAY DURING A BOARD MEETING. POTTSVILLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT WAS ONE OF THREE DISTRICTS NOT FOLLOWING THE CHARTER SCHOOL LAW ACCORDING TO THE GILLINGHAM CHARTER SCHOOL. GALLAGHER RESPONDED TO PUBLIC COMMENTS CITING THE EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY AS THE REASON FOR DENYING THE CHARTER.

MEALS ON WHEELS HELPED BY LOCAL SENIORS

TAMAQUA MEALS ON WHEELS RECEIVED SOME EXTRA HELP THANKS TO A FEW NORTH SCHUYLKILL SENIORS. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS, THE SENIORS DONATED A PICK UP TRUCK OF FOOD AND $345 FOR THEIR SENIOR PROJECT AT TRINITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST. THE DONATED FOOD WILL BE USED FOR THE PROGRAM'S BLIZZARD BAGS WHICH ARE USED DURING SEVERE WEATHER, WHEN THE MEALS ON WHEELS ARE NOT ABLE TO DELIVER.

MOUNT CARMEL MAN ARRESTED FOR SECOND ROBBERY

AS WE REPORTED YESTERDAY, 19-YEAR-OLD CHARLES FRANTZ OF MOUNT CARMEL WAS ARRAIGNED ON THREE FELONY COUNTS TUESDAY EVENING AFTER ATTEMPTING TO ROB COMMUNITY PHARMACY IN MOUNT CARMEL AT KNIFEPOINT. WE NOW KNOW DURING THE INCIDENT FRANTZ WAS OUT ON BAIL FOR ALLEGEDLY ROBBING BRACEY PHARMACY IN ASHLAND IN FEBRUARY. FRANTZ ATTEMPTED TO ROB THE NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY PHARMACY TUESDAY TO OBTAIN OXYCODONE. HE REMAINS IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY PRISON ON $100,000 BAIL.

MCADOO MEN PLEAD NOT GUILTY TO HARASSING PALIN

A 47-YEAR-OLD PENNSYLVANIA MAN AND HIS SON HAVE PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO FEDERAL CHARGES OF HARASSING SARAH PALIN'S LAWYERS. CRAIG CHRISTY AND HIS 19-YEAR-OLD SON, SHAWN CHRISTY ENTERED THEIR PLEAS IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT IN ANCHORAGE WEDNESDAY AFTER BEING BROUGHT TO ALASKA BY U.S. MARSHALS THIS WEEK. THE CHRISTYS, OF MCADOO, WERE ARRESTED LAST MONTH FOLLOWING A FEDERAL GRAND JURY INDICTMENT IN ALASKA.THE TWO ARE ACCUSED OF MAKING HARASSING PHONE CALLS TO THE LAW FIRM THAT REPRESENTS PALIN, WHO IS CONSIDERING A RUN FOR PRESIDENT. SHE WAS THE 2008 REPUBLICAN VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE. THE CHRISTYS, WHO HAVE BEEN HELD WITHOUT BAIL, ARE ACCUSED OF MAKING HUNDREDS OF PHONE CALLS TO THE OFFICES OF PALIN'S ATTORNEY. THE INDICTMENT SAYS SOME CALLS INVOLVED THREATS AGAINST PALIN AND OTHERS.

NEW YORK MEN SENT TO PRISON FOR TAMAQUA ROBBERY

TWO NEW YORK MEN MUST SPEND AT LEAST FOUR YEARS BEHIND STATE PRISON BARS AFTER ENTERING PLEAS WEDNESDAY IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COURT TO ROBBING A TAMAQUA MAN LAST OCTOBER IN WALKER TOWNSHIP. NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD PHILIP HEMMINGER JR. OF BLACK RIVER, NEW YORK, AND 20-YEAR-OLD ANDREW O'CONNOR OF CARTHAGE, NEW YORK, EACH MUST SERVE FOUR TO EIGHT YEARS IN A STATE PRISON UNDER THE TERMS OF PRESIDENT JUDGE WILLIAM BALDWIN'S SENTENCE. STATE POLICE AT FRACKVILLE CHARGED HEMMINGER AND O'CONNOR WITH ROBBING WILLIAM HANKEY JR. ON OCTOBER 2, 2010, AT STATE GAME LANDS 222, OAK RIDGE ROAD. HEMMINGER AND O'CONNOR POINTED ASSAULT WEAPONS AND BEAT UP HANKEY, WHO WAS ABLE TO FLEE INTO SOME WOODS AND SPENT THE NIGHT IN THE WOODED AREA BEFORE GOING FOR HELP THE NEXT MORNING. POLICE SAID HEMMINGER AND O'CONNOR STOLE HANKEY'S PICK-UP TRUCK, WALLET AND OTHER ITEMS. (WGRC)

MAHANOY CITY MAN ADMITTS TO BURGLARIES

A MAHANOY CITY MAN IS HEADED TO STATE PRISON AFTER HE ADMITTED WEDNESDAY IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COURT THAT HE COMMITTED FOUR BURGLARIES LAST YEAR. THIRTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD EDWARD REEVES JR. PLEADED GUILTY TO FOUR COUNTS EACH OF BURGLARY AND CONSPIRACY AND ONE OF THEFT FROM A MOTOR VEHICLE. MEANWHILE, REEVES' CO-DEFENDANT AND FORMER GIRLFRIEND, 25-YEAR-OLD KRISTEN KRANCH OF SHENANDOAH HEIGHTS, WILL SPEND THE NEXT FIVE YEARS ON PROBATION AFTER SHE PLEADED GUILTY WEDNESDAY TO PARTICIPATING IN THE SAME INCIDENTS. JUDGE CYRUS PALMER DOLBIN SENTENCED REEVES TO SERVE SIX TO 12 YEARS IN A STATE PRISON AND PAY NEARLY $19,000 IN RESTITUTION. KRANCH MUST ALSO PAY NEARLY $19,000 DOLLARS AS PART OF HER PLEA AGREEMENT. PROSECUTORS SAY THE TWO COMMITTED BURGLARIES WITHIN THE SPAN OF TWO WEEKS IN FOUR MUNICIPALITIES IN THE NORTHERN, CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN PARTS OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.(WGRC)


STATE NEWS:

MUSCAT, OMAN (AP) - U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON (BAHN KEE-MOON) IS COMMENDING ALL INVOLVED AFTER THE RELEASE OF TWO AMERICANS CONVICTED IN IRAN OF SPYING. JOSH FATTAL AND SHANE BAUER MADE BRIEF STATEMENTS TO REPORTERS IN OMAN AFTER THEIR RELEASE, WITH BAUER SAYING HE HOPES THEIR RELEASE WILL ALSO BRING FREEDOM FOR "POLITICAL PRISONERS IN AMERICA AND IRAN."

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - NOW THAT THE PENTAGON'S 'DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL' POLICY IS HISTORY A FEMALE SERGEANT FROM HARRISBURG WHO WAS DISCHARGED FROM THE AIR FORCE IS PLANNING TO RE-ENLIST. JENE (JEH-NAY') NEWSOME WAS DISCHARGED AFTER SOUTH DAKOTA POLICE REPORTED HER MARRIAGE TO A WOMAN. NEWSOME SAYS SHE'S EAGER TO RESTART HER MILITARY CAREER.

STROUDSBURG, PA. (AP) - A MONROE COUNTY JURY HAS CONVICTED TWO MEN IN THE STABBING DEATH OF A MAN IN 2009. AUTHORITIES SAY IAN SEAGRAVES AND SHAWN FREEMORE LURED MICHAEL GOUCHER INTO A WOODED AREA AND KILLED HIM. FREEMORE SAID HE DIDN'T REMEMBER THE SLAYING WHILE SEAGRAVES ADMITTED WITNESSING THE MURDER AND HELPING GET RID OF THE BODY.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A TRIAL HAS BEEN ORDERED FOR A NORTH PHILADELPHIA MAN IN THE STABBING DEATH OF HIS LIVE-IN GIRLFRIEND IN JULY. AUTHORITIES SAY KEVIN RIVERA STABBED ZAKIMAH FORDE AFTER AN ARGUMENT OVER AN ONLINE AFFAIR. RIVERA'S ATTORNEY TELLS KYW HIS CLIENT ACTED IN SELF-DEFENSE.

NATIONAL NEWS:

MUSCAT, OMAN (AP) - AMERICAN AND OMANI OFFICIALS AREN'T RELEASING DETAILS ABOUT THE FUTURE PLANS OF TWO AMERICANS RELEASED FROM AN IRANIAN PRISON. JOSH FATTAL AND SHANE BAUER ARE SPENDING THEIR FIRST FULL DAY OF FREEDOM IN SECLUSION WITH THEIR FAMILIES IN OMAN, AFTER MORE THAN TWO YEARS IN CUSTODY AND BEING CONVICTED OF SPYING.

NEW YORK (AP) - DOCUMENTS OBTAINED BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SHOW NEW YORK POLICE INTENDED TO BUILD INTELLIGENCE FILES ON VARIOUS ETHNIC GROUPS AND WERE ALREADY INVESTIGATING U.S. CITIZENS OF MOROCCAN ANCESTRY EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD DONE NOTHING WRONG. A SECRET PROGRAM KNOWN AS THE MOROCCAN INITIATIVE CATALOGUED WHERE PEOPLE OF MOROCCAN ANCESTRY SHOPPED, ATE AND PRAYED.

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (AP) - HAMID KARZAI SAYS THE SUICIDE BOMBER WHO ASSASSINATED FORMER AFGHAN PRESIDENT BURHANUDDIN RABBANI (BOOR-HAHN'-UH-DEEN RUH-BAH'-NEE) TRICKED HIM TO GET CLOSE TO THE HEAD OF THE AFGHAN PEACE COUNCIL. KARZAI SAYS THE ASSASSIN DELIVERED AN AUDIO RECORDING OF A PURPORTED TALIBAN PEACE OFFER. IT DEALT A DEVASTATING BLOW TO EFFORTS OF NEGOTIATING WITH THE TALIBAN IN AFGHANISTAN.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE LAST OBSTACLE TO CONGRESSIONAL ACTION ON THREE WIDELY SUPPORTED FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS COULD TAKE A STEP TOWARD BEING CLEARED TODAY. THE SENATE IS CLOSE TO PASSING LEGISLATION TO HELP WORKERS DISPLACED BY FOREIGN TRADE. THE MEASURE WOULD GO THE HOUSE. OBAMA AND DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS SAY IT'S A PREREQUISITE TO THE TRADE MEASURES.

NEW YORK (AP) - SOME PEOPLE ARE MAKING FACES AT FACEBOOK OVER THE LATEST TWEAKS. THE WORLD'S LARGEST ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORK IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE MORE CHANGES TODAY. THE WORDS "NEW FACEBOOK" QUICKLY BECAME ONE OF THE MOST DISCUSSED TOPICS ON TWITTER. MANY COMMENTS WERE NEGATIVE.

TODAY'S NEWS: WEDNESDAY SEPT 21, 2011

DISASTER RELIEF CENTER SET UP IN PINE GROVE

THE PINE GROVE HOOK AND LADDER HAS BEEN SET UP AS A DISASTER RELIEF CENTER FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY THE FLOODS FROM TROPICAL STORM LEE. THE CENTER WILL BE OPEN FROM 10AM TO 7 PM AND IS DESIGNED TO ASSIST RESIDENTS IN APPLYING FOR FEDERAL FUNDS, TEMPORARY HOUSING CHECKING STATUS OF APPLICATIONS AND MORE DISASTER RELIEF PROGRAMS. REPRESENTATIVES WILL ALSO BE ON SITE FROM THE SMALL BUSINESS ASSOC. TO HELP INDIVIDUALS APPLY FOR LOW-INTEREST LOANS. THE D-R-C IS ONE OF 12 SET UP AROUND PENNSYLVANIA.

PENN STATE SCHUYLKILL TO HOST SYMPOSIUM

COMING UP IN NOVEMBER PENN STATE SCHUYLKILL WILL PLAY HOST TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO HELP EDUCATE OFFICERS AND SUPERVISORS IN WORKING WITH INDIVIDUALS WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS. ON MONDAY THE LAST OF THE PLANNING PHASE SESSIONS WAS HELD WITH REPS FROM PENN STATE AND LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS TO INCLUDE POTTSVILLE, BERKS COUNTY AND STATE POLICE.

YWCA BUILDING SOLD

THE Y-W-C-A BUILDING ON CENTRE ST IN POTTSVILLE HAS BEEN SOLD FOR $145,000 ACCORDING TO WAYNE STUMP C-E-O OF THE POTTSVILLE Y-M-C-A. THE BUILDING ITSELF HASN’T BEEN USED SINCE LAST YEAR. THE Y-M-C-A ACQUIRED THE BUILDING EARLIER THIS YEAR WHEN THE Y-W-C-A DISSOLVED IN JUNE. UP KEEP AND MAINTENANCE FORCED THE YMCA TO PUT THE BUILDING UP FOR SALE. THE NEW OWNER CURRENTLY HAS NO PLANS FOR THE BUILDING THAT WAS CONSTRUCTED IN 1893.

ATTEMPTED PHARMACY ROBBERY IN MOUNT CARMEL

A 19-YEAR-OLD MOUNT CARMEL MAN IS NOW BEHIND BARS AFTER BRANDISHING A KNIFE AT A CLERK INSIDE COMMUNITY PHARMACY ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON DEMANDING OXYCODONE. POLICE REPORT CHARLES FRANTZ JR. WAS DETAINED BY TWO BOROUGH RESIDENTS UNTIL POLICE TOOK HIM INTO CUSTODY. IN ADDITION TO MISDEMEANORS, FRANTZ WAS ARRAIGNED ON THREE FELONY COUNTS. HE WAS COMMITTED TO NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY PRISON IN SUNBURY IN LIEU OF $100,000 CASH BAIL.

MOUNT CARMEL MAN JAILED WITH KIDNAPPING AND ASSAULT

A MOUNT CARMEL MAN WAS PLACED IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON AFTER BEING ARRAIGNED ON CHARGES HE KIDNAPPED AND ASSAULTED HIS WIFE SUNDAY EVENING. STATE POLICE AT FRACKVILLE REPORT 31-YEAR-OLD KYLE KENT ENTERED THE GIRARDVILLE HOME OF 31-YEAR-OLD MELISSA KENT, APPROACHED HER AND PHYSICALLY ASSAULTED HER. KENT THEN DRAGGED HER OUT OF THE RESIDENCE AND DIRECTED HER TO HIS VEHICLE WHERE HE FORCED HER INSIDE AND DROVE AWAY. MELISSA KENT SUSTAINED MULTIPLE CONTUSIONS AND A FACIAL FRACTURE DURING THE ASSAULT. SHE WAS TRANSPORTED FROM THE HOSPITAL BY POLICE. KENT WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND AFTER FAILING TO POST BAIL, HE WAS REMANDED TO SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON TO AWAIT HIS HEARING.

STATE NEWS:

ALLENTOWN, PA. (AP) - A NEW YORK MAN HAS PLEADED GUILTY TO FIRST-DEGREE MURDER IN THE SLAYING OF A WOMAN OUTSIDE A BETHLEHEM NIGHTCLUB IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007. YESTERDAY'S PLEA BY CHRISTIAN BUENO CAME AFTER TWO DAYS OF TESTIMONY AND JUST AS A LEHIGH COUNTY JURY WAS ABOUT TO BEGIN DELIBERATIONS.

WILKES-BARRE, PA. (AP) - A NEIGHBOR AND A 911 OPERATOR HAVE TESTIFIED THAT A NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA MAN CONFESSED TO THE HATCHET MURDER OF HIS FORMER GIRLFRIEND TWO YEARS AGO. THE (WILKES-BARRE) TIMES LEADER SAYS NEIGHBOR DAVID BEACH SR. TESTIFIED JOHN STONE OF SHICKSHINNY CAME TO HIS HOME IN SEPTEMBER OF 2009 AND TOLD HIM HE THOUGHT HE MIGHT HAVE KILLED CATHERINE TABIT.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - LAWYERS HAVE PICKED A JURY FOR THE CORRUPTION TRIAL OF THREE FORMER REPUBLICAN AIDES IN THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. OFFICIALS SAY LAWYERS FINISHED CHOOSING 12 JURORS AND FOUR ALTERNATES. AT LEAST ONE MORE ALTERNATE IS TO BE PICKED TODAY. THE TRIAL IS SCHEDULED TO START MONDAY.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A FIRED PHILADELPHIA HOUSING CHIEF HAS FILED A LIBEL LAWSUIT AGAINST THE CITY'S TWO LARGEST DAILY NEWSPAPERS. FORMER HOUSING DIRECTOR CARL GREENE'S LAWSUIT SAYS THE NEWSPAPERS' "ABUSIVE MUCKRAKING ATTACKS" WERE DESIGNED PARTLY TO BOOST SALES DURING THE NEWS COMPANY'S BANKRUPTCY.


NATIOANL NEWS:

JASPER, TEXAS (AP) - MANY AMERICANS WERE SHOCKED AND OUTRAGED WHEN MORE THAN 13 YEARS AGO A BLACK MAN WAS CHAINED TO A PICKUP TRUCK AND DRAGGED NEARLY THREE MILES TO HIS DEATH IN JASPER, TEXAS. TODAY, ONE OF THREE MEN CONVICTED IN JAMES BYRD'S DEATH IS SCHEDULED TO BE EXECUTED. LAWRENCE RUSSELL BREWER IS SET TO BE PUT TO DEATH BY LETHAL INJECTION.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THERE'S LIKELY TO BE A SHOWDOWN ON CAPITOL HILL OVER DISASTER AID. THE REPUBLICAN-CONTROLLED HOUSE IS EXPECTED TO PASS TODAY $3.7 BILLION IN RELIEF AS PART OF A BILL TO PREVENT A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AT THE END OF THE MONTH. BUT ONE OF THE REASONS THE DEMOCRAT-CONTROLLED SENATE OPPOSES THE BILL IS BECAUSE IT TAKES MONEY FROM A GOVERNMENT PROGRAM THAT HELPS CAR COMPANIES BUILD MORE FUEL-EFFICIENT VEHICLES.

UNITED NATIONS (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AND HIS FRENCH COUNTERPART ARE HOPING TO TALK PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS INTO BACKING OUT OF A REQUEST TO THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL FOR RECOGNITION OF PALESTINIAN STATEHOOD. AND OBAMA AND FRANCE'S NICOLAS SARKOZY (SAHR-KOH-ZEE') WILL MAKE THEIR PITCHES BEFORE THE U.N. GENERAL ASSEMBLY TODAY. THEN OBAMA PLANS TO MEET ONE-ON-ONE WITH ABBAS AND ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A NEW GALLUP SURVEY SAYS A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF YOUNG ADULTS WHO DIDN'T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE GAINED COVERAGE LAST YEAR, THAT'S ABOUT 1 MILLION MORE PEOPLE AGES 18-25. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S NEW HEALTH CARE LAW LETS ADULT CHILDREN STAY ON THEIR PARENTS' HEALTH INSURANCE UNTIL THEY TURN 26.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA (AP) - MALAYSIA'S PRIME MINISTER IS TRYING TO WIN THE VOTES OF MORE YOUNG PEOPLE, SO HE'S WORKING ON BECOMING MORE "COOL." IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS THE 58-YEAR-OLD POLITICIAN HAS MADE AN UNEXPECTED APPEARANCE AT A ROCK CONCERT,
TAKEN PART IN A RADIO PRANK CALL AND OFFERED FREE BEVERAGE COASTERS TO SOME OF HIS 200,000 FOLLOWERS ON TWITTER. NAJIB RAZAK WANTS TO HELP REVERSE A DECLINE IN SUPPORT AHEAD OF NATIONAL ELECTIONS EXPECTED BY MID-2012.

TODAYS NEWS: TUESDAY SEPT 20, 2011

BREAKING NEWS: BOIL WATER ADVISORY

DUE TO A WATER MAIN BREAK, THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY MUNICIPAL AUTHORITY HAS ISSUED A BOIL WATER ADVISORY FOR THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS OF THE CITY OF POTTSVILLE, EAST NORWEGIAN TOWNSHIP, AND PORT CARBON:

- Pine View Acres

- Greenwood Hill

- Mechanicsville

- FROM Mill Creek Avenue to Route 209/Mauch Chunk Street

- FROM Route 61 to Chestnut Street in Port Carbon



RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO BOIL THEIR WATER BEFORE DRINKING. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT THE SCMA WEBSITE AT WWW.SCMAWATER.COM, OR CALL THEIR OFFICE AT 570-622-8240.


MAHANOY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT MOURNS

THE MAHANOY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT IS DEALING WITH THE LOSS OF A FACULTY MEMBER WHO DIED IN A TRAGIC CRASH SUNDAY EVENING. JEFFREY DONNELLY, A SHOP TEACHER, WAS JUST A MILE FROM HIS HOME WHEN A DRUNK DRIVER HIT HIS MOTORCYCLE. DONNELLY WAS A DISTRICT MEMBER FOR AT LEAST 25-YEARS. SUPERINTENDENT JOIE GREEN DISMISSED STUDENTS EARLY MONDAY IN RESPONSE TO THE INCIDENT.

BERKS COUNTY MAN IDENTIFIED AFTER DROWNING

A BERKS COUNTY MAN WHO DROWNED SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN TUSCARORA STATE PARK HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS 18-YEAR-OLD GICARDO JEANBAPTISTE OF LEHNHARTSVILLE. RUSH TOWNSHIP POLICE SAY JEANBAPTISTE WAS AT THE LAKE WITH FRIENDS WHEN HE ACCIDENTALLY WENT UNDER WATER, FULLY CLOTHED, AND NEVER RESURFACED. DIVERS FROM THE RYAN TOWNSHIP RESCUE SQUAD DIVE TEAM RECOVERED JEANBAPTISTE FROM THE WATER, BUT A DOCTOR PRONOUNCED HIM DEAD AT THE HOSPITAL.

OVER $90K RAISED FOR FLOOD VICTIMS VIA RED CROSS

THE RED CROSS HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL WITH THEIR LOCAL FLOOD RELIEF DRIVE, RAISING MORE THAN 90-THOUSAND-DOLLARS IN THE FIRST WEEK. ALL FUNDS ARE DIRECTED TOWARD FLOOD VICTIMS IN NORTHEASTERN AND CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA.CONTRIBUTIONS CAN BE MAILED TO THE AMERICAN RED CROSS SCHUYLKILL AND EASTERN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY CHAPTER AT 1402 LAUREL BLVD., POTTSVILLE PA 17901 OR MADE ONLINE AT WWW.LOCALFLOODRELIEF.COM


TOBASH TO OFFER EXTENDED HOURS

RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES ARE STILL RECOVERING FROM FLOODING AND REP MIKE TOBASH WILL ONCE AGAIN HOLD EXPANDED OFFICE HOURS AT HIS VALLEY VIEW AND PINE GROVE LOCATIONS. THE PINE GROVE SATELLITE SITE IS LOCATED WITHIN THE AMERICAN LEGION ON TULPEHOCKEN ST IN PINE GROVE AND ON MAIN ST IN VALLEY VIEW. TOBASH WILL BE IN THESE LOCATIONS TODAY AND WEDNESDAY.

FRACKVILLE MAN CONVICTED OF SEX CRIMES

IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COURT MONDAY, 46 YEAR OLD MARK ANTALOSKY WAS ORDERED TO SPEND THE NEXT 9 TO 23 MONTHS IN COUNTY JAIL WITH ANOTHER 2 YEARS OF PROBATION. ANTALOSKY WILL ALSO SPEND THE NEXT 10 YEARS ON THE MEGAN’S LAW LIST. ANTALOSKY WAS CONVICTED OF INDECENT ASSAULT AND CORRUPTION OF MINORS FOR HIS INVOLVEMENT OF MOLESTATION OF A GIRL IN FRACKVILLE BEGINNING WHEN SHE WAS 8 YEARS OLD.

REPAIRS TO BEGIN ON BRIDGE ST IN SHENANDOAH

THE SHENANDOAH BOROUGH COUNCIL APPROVED AN AGREEMENT AT A MEETING MONDAY. THE COUNCIL HAS HIRED ALFRED BENESCH AND CO. TO COMPLETE THE ONE LANE BRIDGE THAT CONNECTS CENTRE STREET AND HERALD ROAD. THE BRIDGE HAS BEEN CLOSED SINCE LAST YEAR AFTER BEING HIT BY A TRUCK CAUSING THE BRIDGE TO BECOME UNSAFE AND UNSTABLE. NO DATE WAS SET FOR COMPLETION BUT WORK IS TO BEGIN SOON AND WILL COST AN ESTIMATED $250,000


STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - TWO MEMBERS OF PHILADELPHIA'S SCHOOL REFORM COMMISSION HAVE ABRUPTLY RESIGNED. CHAIRMAN ROBERT ARCHIE JR. AND MEMBER JOHNNY IRIZARRY STEPPED DOWN YESTERDAY FROM THE PANEL OVERSEEING THE STATE'S LARGEST DISTRICT. THE COMMISSION CAME UNDER FIRE LAST MONTH FOR ITS HANDLING OF THE DEPARTURE OF SUPERINTENDENT ARLENE ACKERMAN.

CORRY, PA. (AP) - A GAS DRILLING INDUSTRY GROUP SAYS A WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA COMMUNITY SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO BAN THE DUMPING OF TOXIC WASTE, AND HAS FILED A LAWSUIT ON THE ISSUE. THE PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW REPORTS COLUMBUS TOWNSHIP TRIED TO KEEP MARCELLUS SHALE DRILLERS FROM DUMPING THEIR WASTE WITHIN ITS BORDERS.

WILKES-BARRE, PA. (AP) - OPENING STATEMENTS ARE SCHEDULED TODAY IN THE TRIAL OF A NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND WITH A HATCHET TWO YEARS AGO. THE (WILKES-BARRE) TIMES LEADER SAYS JURY SELECTION WRAPPED UP YESTERDAY FOR THE LUZERNE COUNTY TRIAL OF JOHN STONE OF SHICKSHINNY.

NATIONAL NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - PREPARATIONS FOR DROPPING THE BAN ON OPENLY GAY MILITARY SERVICE HAVE BEEN IN THE WORKS SO LONG, TODAY'S OFFICIAL REPEAL IS MAKING FEW WAVES INSIDE THE MILITARY. THE ARMY, FOR EXAMPLE, PLANNED A BUSINESS-AS-USUAL STATEMENT SAYING SIMPLY, "THE LAW IS REPEALED." PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAID IN JULY THAT REPEAL WILL NOT UNDERMINE THE WAR-FIGHTING READINESS OF THE MILITARY. BUT OPPONENTS OF REPEAL FEAR IT WILL.

TEHRAN, IRAN (AP) - THEIR LAWYER ISN'T GIVING UP HOPE OF FREEING AMERICAN HIKERS SHANE BAUER AND JOSH FATTAL ON BAIL. THE LAWYER WAS BACK IN AN IRANIAN COURT TODAY, TRYING TO GET THE SIGNATURE OF A SECOND JUDGE ON A BAIL DEAL THAT COULD FREE THEM.

ROME (AP) - ITALY IS CRITICIZING STANDARD & POOR'S FOR DOWNGRADING THE COUNTRY'S CREDIT RATING. ITALIAN OFFICIALS SAY THE DOWNGRADE DOESN'T REFLECT ITALY'S EFFORTS TO BOOST GROWTH AND REDUCE THE COUNTRY'S DEBTS. BUT S&P IS WARNING THAT IT MAY DOWNGRADE ITALY AGAIN.

GANGTOK, INDIA (AP) - THE NUMBER OF DEAD FROM A HIMALAYAN EARTHQUAKE THAT SHOOK PARTS OF INDIA, NEPAL AND CHINA HAS BEEN RAISED TO 79. HELICOPTERS ARE BRINGING IN RESCUE WORKERS AND EMERGENCY SUPPLIES. TROOPS TRYING TO REACH SURVIVORS ARE USING EARTHMOVERS TO PUSH THROUGH LANDSLIDE DEBRIS.

ATLANTA (AP) - THE GEORGIA PARDONS BOARD IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE TODAY WHETHER IT WILL GRANT LENIENCY TO CONDEMNED COP KILLER TROY DAVIS. HE HAS SAID HE'S INNOCENT. AND THE DOUBTS ABOUT HIS GUILT HAVE ATTRACTED A HIGH-PROFILE GROUP OF SUPPORTERS, INCLUDING THE POPE AND FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER. DAVIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE PUT TO DEATH TOMORROW BY INJECTION. IT'S THE FOURTH TIME IN FOUR YEARS THAT HIS EXECUTION HAS BEEN SCHEDULED.

TODAY'S NEWS: MONDAY SEPT 19, 2011

CRASH CLAIMS LIFE OF RYAN TWP MAN

A SUNDAY EVENING CRASH HAS CLAIMED THE LIFE OF A RYAN TOWNSHIP MAN. 51-YEAR-OLD JEFF DONNELLY OF BARNESVILLE CRASHED HIS MOTORCYCLE WHEN AN SUV OWNED BY 38- YEAR-OLD EDWARD O'BOYLE CROSSED INTO HIS PATH. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED JUST A MILE FROM DONNELLY’S HOME. DURING THE INVESTIGATION O'BOYLE WAS FOUND TO BE INTOXICATED AND CHARGES WILL BE FILE PENDING BLOOD TEST RESULTS. DONNELLY WAS FLOWN TO SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER SOUTH JACKSON WHERE HE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD.

COUNCELORS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS AFTER FATAL CRASH

GRIEF COUNSELORS WILL BE AVAILABLE THIS MORNING AT TAMAQUA AREA HIGH SCHOOL FOLLOWING A CAR CRASH THAT KILLED A STUDENT. 17-YEAR-OLD SABRINA HILL OF NEW RINGGOLD DIED IN FRIDAY NIGHT'S WRECK. THE HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR SLAMMED INTO A TREE AFTER LOSING CONTROL OF THE CAR ON WILDCAT ROAD IN WALKER TOWNSHIP. HER PASSENGER, 19-YEAR-OLD LUCAS SMITH OF TAMAQUA, SUFFERED ONLY MINOR INJURIES

NEW RINGGOLD MAN SHOOTS DOG AND THREATENS MAN

A NEW RINGGOLD MAN FACES NUMEROUS CHARGES AFTER SHOOTING A DOG AND THEN POINTING A LOADED GUN AT A MAN WHO CONFRONTED HIM. FRACKVILLE STATE POLICE REPORT 44-YEAR-OLD WILLIAM WEAND FELT THREATENED BY THE ANIMAL. AFTER THE SHOOTING, WEAND POINTED A LOADED HANDGUN AT 37-YEAR-OLD LARRY PADORA WHO CONFRONTED HIM. A PENNSYLVANIA DOG LAW OFFICER IS INVESTIGATING THE INCIDENT.


RALLY FOR VICTIMS OF FLOOD HELD IN PINE GROVE

ON SUNDAY THE RALLY FOR RELIEF WAS HELD AT THE WESLEYAN CHURCH IN PINE GROVE. ITS PURPOSE? TO HELP THE VICTIMS AFFECTED BY THE RECENT FLOODS. THE CHURCH HAS BEEN GATHERING DONATIONS FOR THE LOCAL RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITIES, AND SUPPORT HAS BEEN SO GREAT THAT THE CHURCH HAD TO HOLD SERVICES OUTSIDE DUE TO THE INSIDE OF THE CHURCH BEING FILLED WITH CLOTHES, CLEANING ITEMS AND OTHER DONATIONS. THE CHURCH IS ALSO ACCEPTING MONETARY DONATIONS IN EFFORT TO PURCHASE NEW REFRIGERATORS FOR THOSE FAMILIES WHO LOST THEIRS DUE TO FLOODING.

MISSING AUBURN BOY

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN POLICE REPORT A 17-YEAR-OLD AUBURN BOY IS MISSING AFTER HE RAN AWAY FRIDAY NIGHT. OZZY BAGGETT IS 5’7”, 160-POUNDS, WITH BROWN HAIR AND BROWN EYES. BAGGETT WAS LAST SEEN WEARING A RED BASEBALL CAP, BLACK T-SHIRT, BROWN SHORTS AND BLACK SNEAKERS. BAGGETT ATTENDS SCHUYLKILL HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL PSP SCHUYLKILL HAVEN AT 593-2000.

FIRE TEARS THROUGH HISTORICAL DINER

THE HISTORIC WHITE DINER THAT BORDERS TAMAQUA AND WEST PENN TOWNSHIP WAS DAMAGED FROM A FIRE OVER THE WEEKEND. NO ONE WAS INSIDE WHEN THE FIRE BROKE OUT JUST BEFORE 3PM SUNDAY. FIRE INVESTIGATORS SAY THE FIRE POSSIBLY STARTED IN THE KITCHEN BUT ARE STILL UNSURE PENDING AN INVESTIGATION. THE WHITE DINER WAS BUILT IN 1932 AND IS FORMED BY TWO TROLLEY CARES FROM TAMAQUA AND ANOTHER FROM LEHIGHTON THAT DATE BACK TO THE 1800'S.

FEMA INSPECTORS TO VISIT ASAP

IF YOU FILED AN APPLICATION FOR DISASTER ASSISTANCE WITH THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) FOR PROPERTY DAMAGED BY THE RECENT STORMS, EXPECT A CALL FROM A FEMA INSPECTOR. FEMA AND THE PENNSYLVANIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (PEMA) ARE SENDING INSPECTORS INTO FEDERALLY DECLARED DISASTER AREAS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AN INSPECTOR SHOULD VISIT YOUR HOME WITHIN A FEW DAYS AFTER YOU APPLY.

NEW TRAFFIC PATTERN IN EFFECT

THE INSTALLATION OF A GUIDE RAIL IN ASHLAND HAS CHANGED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN ON OAKLAND AVE IN ASHLAND. THE NEW GUIDE RAILS WILL BE INSTALLED LATER TODAY AND THE OLD ONES REMOVED. THE NEW TRAFFIC PATTERN WILL CONSIST OF A NEW ONE WAY SECTION OF OAKLAND AVENUE FROM NORTH FRONT ST HEADING EAST TO FRONT ST BY OAKLAND PARK WHERE THE OPEN BACK TO TWO LANES AGAIN. THE CHANGES REFLECT SPECIFICATIONS SET FORTH BY PENNDOT TO PLACE GUIDE RAILS 3 TO 4 FEET ONTO THE ROAD MAKING THAT PORTION OF OAKLAND AVENUE UNABLE TO HANDLE TWO LANE TRAFFIC.



FEMA UPDATE:MORE THAN $13.8 MILLION APPROVED FOR DISASTER SURVIVORS

THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) AND THE PENNSYLVANIA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (PEMA) ANNOUNCED THAT, TO DATE, MORE THAN $13.8 MILLION IS APPROVED FOR PENNSYLVANIANS WHO SUFFERED DAMAGE FROM HURRICANE IRENE AND TROPICAL STORM LEE. HOMEOWNERS, RENTERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS WHO HAD STORM-RELATED LOSSES ARE URGED TO REGISTER FOR ASSISTANCE WITH FEMA. CALL 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). DISASTER ASSISTANCE APPLICANTS, WHO HAVE A SPEECH DISABILITY OR HEARING LOSS AND USE TTY, SHOULD CALL 1-800-462-7585 DIRECTLY. FOR THOSE WHO USE 711 OR VIDEO RELAY SERVICE (VRS), CALL 1-800-621-3362. OPERATORS WILL ASSIST YOU SEVEN DAYS A WEEK BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 7 A.M AND 10 P.M. APPLICATIONS ARE ALSO TAKEN ONLINE AT DISASTERASSISTANCE.GOV THE SCREENS WILL PROMPT YOU THROUGH THE REGISTRATION PROCESS. YOU CAN ALSO APPLY BY WEB ENABLED MOBILE DEVICE AT M.FEMA.GOV FEMA/COMMONWEALTH GRANTS TO ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS UNDER THE INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS PROGRAM MAY INCLUDE TEMPORARY HOUSING, HOME REPAIRS, PERSONAL PROPERTY LOSSES AND OTHER DISASTER-RELATED NEEDS SUCH AS MEDICAL, DENTAL AND FUNERAL COSTS. LOW INTEREST RATE LOANS MAY ALSO BE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.

HERE IS A SUMMARY OF DISASTER ASSISTANCE AT CLOSE OF BUSINESS, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011:

$13.8 MILLION APPROVED FOR THE INDIVIDUALS AND HOUSEHOLDS PROGRAM (HIP);
$12.979 MILLION APPROVED FOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE,
$898,000 APPROVED FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY LOSS, MEDICAL COSTS AND OTHER SERIOUS DISASTER-RELATED EXPENSES NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE,

19,400 INDIVIDUALS REGISTERED WITH FEMA FOR DISASTER ASSISTANCE;
7 DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS (DRCS) OPERATING, INCLUDING THE COUNTIES OF BRADFORD, COLUMBIA, DAUPHIN, LYCOMING, LUZERNE, WYOMING AND SULLIVAN;
1,789 VISITORS HELPED AT THE DRCS.


STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - NEGOTIATORS FOR PHILADELPHIA'S LAY CATHOLIC
SCHOOL TEACHERS AND THE ARCHDIOCESE SAY THEY'VE REACHED A TENTATIVE
AGREEMENT FOR A NEW CONTRACT THAT COULD END THE STRIKE. A JOINT
STATEMENT ISSUED YESTERDAY SAYS BOTH SIDES HAVE AGREED NOT TO
COMMENT UNTIL AFTER A MEETING TODAY WHEN TEACHERS CAN VOTE ON
WHETHER TO ACCEPT TERMS OF THE CONTRACT.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - AUTHORITIES SAY A WOMAN WAS KILLED AND A MAN
WAS INJURED BY AN EARLY MORNING FIRE THAT BROKE OUT IN A SOUTH
PHILADELPHIA HOME. OFFICIALS SAY THE BLAZE STARTED EARLY YESTERDAY
MORNING IN A SECOND-FLOOR BEDROOM.

BLOOMSBURG, PA. (AP) - CLEANUP CONTINUES IN PENNSYLVANIA AFTER
LAST WEEK'S FLOODING. THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER BURST ITS BANKS AT
RECORD OR NEAR-RECORD LEVELS IN MANY PLACES FOLLOWING RAIN FROM THE
REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM LEE. FEDERAL DISASTER OFFICIALS HAVE SET
UP OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE STATE TO TAKE REPORTS FOR ASSISTANCE.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - SOME OFFICIALS ARE CONDEMNING A STATE
DEPARTMENT'S DECISION TO DENY A CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA PRISON INMATE
A COPY OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION. THE (HARRISBURG) PATRIOT-NEWS
SAYS COAL TOWNSHIP PRISON INMATE MICHAEL BAYNARD HAD REQUESTED A
COPY OF THE CONSTITUTION FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF STATE
THROUGH THE STATE'S RIGHT TO KNOW LAW. HE APPEALED, AND EARLIER
THIS MONTH THE STATE'S OFFICE OF OPEN RECORDS ORDERED THE
DEPARTMENT TO SEND HIM ONE.

NATIONAL NEWS:

LOS ANGELES (AP) - ANOTHER EDITION OF THE EMMY AWARDS IS IN THE
BOOKS WITH "MAD MEN" TAKING THE WIN FOR BEST DRAMA. "MODERN
FAMILY" SCORED A REPEAT WIN FOR BEST COMEDY SERIES AND PICKED UP A
TOTAL OF FIVE AWARDS. THEY INCLUDE SUPPORTING ACTING EMMYS FOR TV
PARENTS JULIE BOWEN AND TY BURRELL AND BEST WRITING AND DIRECTION.

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S PROPOSAL TO REDUCE
LONG-TERM DEFICITS COMES WITH A POPULIST PITCH THAT THE WHITE HOUSE
BELIEVES THE PUBLIC CAN SUPPORT. WHILE THE PLAN WHICH PROPOSES $1.5
TRILLION IN NEW TAXES HAS LITTLE CHANCE OF PASSING, IT DRAWS SHARP
CONTRASTS WITH CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS, WHO HAVE RULED OUT TAX
INCREASES.

CLARKSVILLE, TENN. (AP) - POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING BUT THERE'S
NO SUSPICION OF FOUL PLAY IN THE DEATHS OF THREE MEN AND TWO WOMEN
AT A TENNESSEE BIKER FESTIVAL TO RAISE MONEY FOR NEEDY CHILDREN. AN
EVENT ORGANIZER SAYS THE FIVE DIED IN A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE WHEN
FUMES FROM A GENERATOR LEAKED IN.

SAN JOSE, CALIF. (AP) - POLICE IN CALIFORNIA SAY THE PRIME
SUSPECT IS IN CUSTODY AFTER A VIOLENT CRIME SPREE THAT INCLUDED THE
KIDNAPPING AND KILLING OF A WOMAN AND THE WOUNDING OF A MAN. A
POLICE SPOKESMAN SAYS PAROLEE PAUL RAY CASTILLO WAS ARRESTED IN
WEST SACRAMENTO AFTER A THREE-DAY MANHUNT. HE'S BEING RETURNED TO
SAN JOSE.

LONDON (AP) - BRITISH POLICE SAY THEY ARE SEARCHING SEVERAL
PROPERTIES IN CENTRAL ENGLAND AFTER ARRESTING SIX MEN AND ONE WOMAN
AS PART OF A LARGE ANTI-TERROR OPERATION. WEST MIDLANDS POLICE SAY
THE MEN WERE ARRESTED IN OR NEAR THEIR HOMES. POLICE DECLINED TO
GIVE MORE DETAILS.

TODAY'S NEWS: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL WEEK THREE

POTTSVILLE 27
BLUE MOUNTAIN 6

MINERSVILLE 20
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN 0

MAHANOY AREA 26
MARIAN 6

NATIVITY 47
KUTZTOWN 20

NORTH SCHUYLKILL 67
JIM THORPE 13

SHENANDOAH VALLEY 28
TAMAQUA 21

TRI VALLEY 34
NEWPORT 7

PINE GROVE 53
MILLERSBURG 12

MT CARMEL 53
WEST PERRY 20

DELAWARE VALLEY 44
HAZLETON AREA 7

LOCAL NEWS

FEMA CONTINUES HELPING FLOOD VICTIMS

FEMA WANTS TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE AFFECTED BY FLOODING IS TAKEN CARE OF. JASMINE BROOKS HAS MORE:

FEMA

BATRAM TRAIL CLEAN UP

A GROUP OF STUDENTS AND TINA ROSE, COMMUNITY SERVICE
COORDINATOR WILL BE HOSTING A TRAIL CLEAN-UP OF THE BATRAM TRAIL AT THE LANDINGVILLE TRAIL HEAD ON SUNDAY, SEPT. 18,2011 BEGINNING AT 9 A.M. THE CLEAN-UP SHOULD LAST APPROXIMATELY UNTIL 12 NOON.

COUNTY ROADS CLOSED

THE PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (PENNDOT) ADVISES MOTORISTS MANY STATE ROADS ARE CLOSED IN EAST CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA BECAUSE OF FLOODING AND/OR DOWNED TREES AND POWER LINES CAUSED BY RAIN STORMS LAST WEEK. IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY ROUTE 125 BETWEEN PENNDYE STREET IN PINE GROVE BOROUGH AND THE BEGINNING OF 125. HELFENSTEIN ROAD/MOUNTAIN BETWEEN SHAMOKIN STREET IN BUTLER TOWNSHIP AND CREEK ROAD IN ELDRED TOWNSHIP IS ALSO CLOSED.

PINE GROVE FUNDRAISER

VIDEOS OF THE FLOOD IN PINE GROVE ARE NOW ON SALE FOR $5 EACH IN FRONT OF THE FULTON BANK IN PINE GROVE TODAY FROM 10AM TO NOON. ALL PROCEEDS ARE GOING TO THE DISASTER RELIEF FUND. THE DVD IS AN EXTENDED VERSION OF THE ONE FEATURED ON YOU TUBE THAT HAS ALREADY RECEIVED NEARLY TWO-THOUSAND VIEWS! YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE ORIGINAL VERSION ON OUR WEBSITE WPPA RADIO.COM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZN13cIGNbQ&feature=share

NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY CHAIR IN SCHUYLKILL

POTTSVILLE NATIVE HUGH REILEY HAS BEEN NAMED THE NEW INTERIM CHAIR OF THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY. HE WAS APPOINTED DURING A SPECIAL MEETING ON THURSDAY NIGHT AND A TIMETABLE WAS NOT SET FOR A PERMANENT REPLACEMENT TO BE NAMED. HE FILLS THE POST VACATED BY TAMAQUA MAYOR CHRISTIAN MORRISON EARLIER THIS MONTH.

STATE NEWS

YORK, Pa. (AP) - A jury has decided that the Pennsylvania parents on trial in the death of their 7-year-old adopted son from Russia are guilty of involuntary manslaughter, not murder. Prosecutors had contended the Cravers abused and neglected
Nathaniel Craver, who officials say was emaciated and died of a head injury in August 2009.

SAEGERTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A northwestern Pennsylvania man who police say was stabbed in the abdomen by his wife has died, meaning she will likely face additional charges. The Erie Times-News reports Willis Stoll died Thursday at UPMC Hamot in Erie, where he was being treated for a stab wound allegedly inflicted Sunday by his wife during a domestic dispute at their Cussewago Township home.

SOMERSET, Pa. (AP) - State police are investigating what they say is the accidental shooting death of a 14-year-old western Pennsylvania boy. Police say Bryan Duda was shot at a mobile home in Somerset Township about 4 p.m. Thursday and later died as
Somerset Hospital.

WEST CHESTER, Pa. (AP) - Commissioners in a southeastern Pennsylvania county have sold a portion of the vacant courthouse complex for $4.5 million. The approval of the sale ends a dispute in which another bidder offered a slightly higher amount for the Chester County courthouse facilities.

NATIONAL NEWS

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - It appears bail arrangements are in the works in Iran for two jailed Americans. The lawyer for the two, picked up for spying while they hiked along the Iran-Iraq border, says he's hoping the court clears the way for the deal. Iraq and the Gulf state of Oman have requested the release of Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal.

BANI WALID, Libya (AP) - Libyan revolutionary fighters are pondering their next step after being driven back from the loyalist stronghold of Bani Walid. There are no signs of another assault but another revolutionary offensive sought entry into Moammar Gadhafi's hometown of Sirte on the Mediterranean coast.

RENO, Nev. (AP) - The National Transportation Safety Board have been dispatched to investigate the deadly crash of a modified World War II-era fighter plane at a Nevada air show. Authorities say yesterday's accident killed the pilot and at least two other people and injured more than 50.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says "good middle class jobs that pay well are the top priority among people he meets. In his weekly media message, Obama says Congress should pass his jobs proposal without "division or delay." For the Republicans, Rep. Peter Roskam of Illinois focused on reducing government regulations, saying Washington is "a red tape factory."

WROCLAW, Poland (AP) - A European Union official says there's no consensus among finance ministers about a tax on financial transactions that could raise money as well as make banks share bailout burdens with taxpayers. The levy could be used to support the EU or be a way for banks to repay the costs of massive government bailouts during the 2007-2009 financial crisis.

TODAY'S NEWS: FRIDAY SEPT 16, 2011

MANY PROPLE ARE STILL FEELING THE AFFECTS OF THE FLOODING AFTER THE STORMS LAST WEEK. JANET CURTIS DIRECTOR OF THE SCHUYLKILL CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS SAYS THEY CAN HELP. J MATTHEWS HAS MORE

LAWSUIT ALLOWED AGAINST EX-OFFICERS

A FEDERAL JUDGE RULED THURSDAY THE PARENTS OF DAVID VEGA WHO DIED WHILE IN CUSTODY IN SHENANDOAH IN NOVEMBER 2004 SHOULD HAVE THE CHANCE TO PROVE THEIR ALLEGATION; POLICE KILLED HIM. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS CARLOS VEGA AND GENEVIEVE VICTOR WERE RECOMMENDED THEY BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THEIR LAWSUIT TO TRAIL AGAINST THE BOROUGH AND FORMER POLICE CHIEF MATTHEW NESTOR AND FORMER POLICE CAPTAIN JAMIE GENNARINI. VEGA AND VICTOR FILED THE LAWSUIT IN 2006, SEEKING UNSPECIFIED MONETARY DAMAGES AGAINST THE BOROUGH AND ITS EX-OFFICERS, ALLEGING POLICE KILLED THEIR SON AND CONSPIRED TO MAKE HIS DEATH LOOK LIKE A SUICIDE. IF THE U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE ACCEPTS THE REPORT A STARTING DATE FOR THE TRAIL WILL BE SCHEDULED.

NO CHARGES FILED IN DEATH OF 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL

CHARGES WILL NOT BE FILED AGAINST 29-YEAR-OLD ERICA MABRY OF MINERSVILLE WHOSE VEHICLE STRUCK AND KILLED A YOUNG GIRL WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. POLICE SAY MABRY WAS UNABLE TO AVOID HITTING 12-YEAR-OLD CAITLYN KONKUS AT AN INTERSECTION WHEN SHE WAS RIDING HER BICYCLE OFF A HANDICAP RAMP.

U.S. ASK COURT TO UPHOLD CONVICTIONS

IN A BRIEF FILED THURSDAY, FEDERAL PROSECUTORS ARGUED CONVICTIONS SHOULD BE UPHELD AGAINST TWO FORMER SHENANDOAH POLICE OFFICERS ON CHARGES RELATING TO THE OBSTRUCTION OF THE INVESTIGATION OF THE FATAL BEATING OF AN ILLEGAL MEXICAN IMMIGRANT. PROSECUTORS SAID THE EVIDENCE WAS MORE THAN SUFFICIENT FOR THE JURY TO CONCLUDE THAT FORMER CHIEF MATTHEW NESTOR SUBMITTED A FALSE REPORT AND THAT FORMER LT. WILLIAM MOYER LIED TO FBI AGENTS. THE REPUBLICAN HERALD REPORTS THE THIRD CIRCUIT COURT IS CONSIDERING THE APPEALS FILED BY MOYER AND NESTOR OF THEIR CONVICTIONS.



OPERATION HUGS AND KISSES

A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT STARTED IN 2010 IS HELPING THE VICTIMS IN THE PINE GROVE AREA AFTER THE FLOOD. OPERATION HUGS AND KISSES WORKS IN THE AREA OF PINE GROVE AND TREMONT. MANY RESIDENTS ARE IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE MORE THAN EVER SO HUGS AND KISSES HAS BEEN HANDING OUT CASES OF WATER AND CLEANING SUPPLIES. THEY ARE NOW ASKING FOR YOUR HELP BY ATTENDING AN ALL YOU CAN EAT SPAGHETTI DINNER ON OCTOBER 2 AT HHL FIRE COMPANY. YOU CAN DONATE TO THE PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE FLOODING WHILE ENJOYING A DELICIOUS MEAL. MONETARY DONATIONS ARE ALSO BEING ACCEPTED AT FULTON BANK UNDER THE DISASTER RELIEF FUND. FOR TICKETS TO THE SPAGHETTI DINNER YOU CAN CALL MISSY WITHEROW AT 294-2503.


DOC PLANS A CHANGE BEGINNING IN OCT.

THE DEPT OF CORRECTIONS IS MOVING FORWARD WITH THE PLANS TO USE EXISTING TECHNOLOGY TO ACHIEVE EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION IN LIEU OF A SEPARATE SYSTEM. THE MOVE WILL SAVE TAXPAYERS CLOSE TO $40,000/YR. EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1 THE ALERT-PA SYSTEM WILL BE THE ONLY SYSTEM USED TO NOTIFY CITIZENS OF PRISON EMERGENCIES. YOU CAN REGISTER FOR ALERT-PA BY GOING TO WWW.PA.GOV AND SIGNING UP FOR EMAIL TEXT OR PAGER ALERTS.

CONGRESSMAN HOLDEN RECOGNIZED BY FARMERS

CONGRESSMAN TIM HOLDEN WAS RECENTLY RECOGNIZED BY THE NATIONAL FARMERS UNION. THE N-F-U AWARDED HOLDEN THEIR 2011 GOLDEN TRIANGLE AWARD, THE ORGANIZATION'S HIGHEST LEGISLATIVE HONOR. THE F-M-U AWARDS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED LEADERSHIP ON ISSUES RELEVANT TO AMERICA'S FARMERS, RANCHERS, FISHERMAN AND RURAL COMMUNITIES.


STATE NEWS:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A PENNSYLVANIA INMATE HAS RECEIVED A FIVE-YEAR SENTENCE FOR WRITING A PRISON LETTER IN WHICH HE THREATENED TO KILL PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AND EAT HIS FLESH. SECRET SERVICE AGENTS SAY GREGORY DALE BROCKMAN ALSO THREATENED TO KILL FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA AND FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - LAWMAKERS IN PHILADELPHIA HAVE VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO OVERRIDE THE MAYOR'S VETO OF THEIR PLAN TO PRESERVE A CONTROVERSIAL PENSION PROGRAM. MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER VETOED A CITY COUNCIL BILL THAT KEPT THE DEFERRED RETIREMENT OPTION PROGRAM, KNOWN AS DROP, BUT REDUCED ITS COST. NUTTER WANTS THE PROGRAM ELIMINATED ALTOGETHER, SO HE VETOED THE BILL. ALL 17 MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL YESTERDAY VOTED TO OVERRIDE THE MAYOR'S VETO.

MARIETTA, PA. (AP) - WORKERS AT A CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA CEILING TILE PLANT HAVE OVERWHELMINGLY REJECTED THE COMPANY'S CONTRACT OFFER. UNION WORKERS HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT OF THE ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES PLANT IN MARIETTA, LANCASTER COUNTY SINCE JULY 17TH. ABOUT 85 PERCENT OF THE PLANT'S 260 WORKERS VOTED 'NO' TO THE CONTRACT OFFER YESTERDAY.

ALLENTOWN, PA. (AP) - A PENNSYLVANIA MAN HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY OF ASSAULT, BUT NOT GUILTY OF ATTEMPTED MURDER, IN THE STABBING OF HIS ESTRANGED GIRLFRIEND. NORTHAMPTON COUNTY JUDGE LEONARD ZITO PRESIDED OVER THE NONJURY TRIAL. YESTERDAY, HE RULED DECOLTIUS DICKERSON SR. WAS GUILTY OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT AND UNLAWFUL RESTRAINT BUT NOT GUILTY OF ATTEMPTED MURDER IN THE SEPTEMBER 2010 ATTACK.

NATIONAL NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - NEWLY RELEASED EMAILS SHOW THERE WAS ADMINISTRATION CONCERN ABOUT A SOLAR TECHNOLOGY COMPANY'S FINANCIAL HEALTH EVEN AS IT GOT $528 MILLION IN FEDERAL STIMULUS LOANS. OFFICIALS PUBLICLY DECLARED THE COMPANY IN GOOD SHAPE BUT IT DECLARED BANKRUPTCY LAST MONTH AND LAID OFF 1,100 WORKERS.

WASHINGTON (AP) - THE NATION'S TOP SATELLITE SPY MASTER SAYS THE NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE HAS ITS ACT BACK TOGETHER. IN RARE PUBLIC COMMENTS AS THE NRO TURNS 50, DIRECTOR BRUCE CARLSON BLASTED A CANCELED MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR SATELLITE PROGRAM AS A "COLOSSAL FAILURE." BUT HE SAYS THE NRO IS ON BUDGET NOW WITH NEW PROGRAMS TO TRACK POTENTIAL INTERNATIONAL TROUBLEMAKING.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - TENS OF THOUSANDS OF GROCERY WORKERS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COULD GO ON STRIKE AS SOON AS SUNDAY NIGHT IN A BATTLE OVER HEALTH CARE BENEFITS. UNION OFFICIALS HAVE CANCELED A CONTRACT EXTENSION, CLEARING THE WAY FOR A WORK STOPPAGE. THE UNION HAS ABOUT 62,000 MEMBERS WHO WORK FOR ALBERTSONS, RALPHS AND VONS.

OSLO, NORWAY (AP) - OFFICIALS ARE WARNING THAT A CRUISE SHIP WHICH CAUGHT FIRE OFF NORWAY'S WESTERN COAST IS LISTING BADLY. SALVAGE TEAMS ARE PUMPING WATER OUT OF THE DOCKED SHIP WHICH IS LISTING AT AN ANGLE OF 19.8 DEGREES - CLOSE TO THE "CRITICAL"
TILT OF 20 DEGREES. TWO PEOPLE DIED IN THE FIRE AND 262 PEOPLE WERE EVACUATED.

LUBBOCK, TEXAS (AP) - THE WORST DROUGHT IN DECADES HAS TEXAS WILDLIFE SCIENTISTS OUT RESCUING FISH AND OTHER AQUATIC SPECIES IN RIVERS ACROSS THE STATE. SOME MINNOW SPECIES WHICH ARE CANDIDATES FOR LISTING AS THREATENED OR ENDANGERED ARE IN SHRINKING RIVER POOLS WHERE THE WATER IS HOT, MUDDY AND SALTY. THE FISH WILL BE
TAKEN TO THE STATE'S FISH HATCHERY.

TODAY'S NEWS: THURSDAY SEPT 15,2011

THE POTTSVILLE AREA SCHOOL BOARD HELD ITS WORK SESSION LAST NIGHT AND DURING THE TALKS DR JIM GALLAGHER SPOKE OUT ABOUT THE BOMB THREAT FROM EARLIER THIS WEEK AND DENISE FANELLI SUBMITTED HER RESIGNATION. JASMINE BROOKS WAS THERE AND HAS ALL THE DETAILS

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY CORONER JOSEPH LIPSETT PRESENTED THE COUNTY WITH A CHECK FOR $33,000. J MATTHEWS HAS MORE

2 CHANGE PLEAS IN SHENANDOAH MURDER

WITH THE ACQUITTAL OF THEIR CO-DEFENDANT LAST MONTH. THE TWO OTHER MEN ALSO CHARGED WITH BEING INVOLVED IN THE MURDER OF BRUCE FORKER OF SHENANDOAH IN MARCH 2010 HAVE DECIDED TO GO TO TRIAL. 31 YEAR OLD DAMON ENNETT OF FREELAND AND 20 YEAR JAHMAL OLLIVIRRE OF READING ASKED JUDGE JACQUELINE RUSSELL THAT THEY NO LONGER WANTED TO GO ALONG WITH THE PLEA AGREEMENT WITH PROSECUTORS. NO DATE HAS BEEN SET IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COURT AND PROSECUTORS SAY THE TWO MEN WILL NOT BE TRIED TOGETHER.


CHILD DIES IN CRASH WITH TRUCK

A CRASH ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON HAS CLAIMED THE LIFE OF A 12 YEAR OLD MINERSVILLE GIRL. MINERSVILLE POLICE REPORT THAT AROUND 3PM WEDNESDAY 29 YEAR OLD ERICA MABRY OF MINERSVILLE WAS DRIVING AND STOPPED AT THE INTERSECTION OF NORTH 2ND ST AND LEWIS. AT THE SAME TIME 12 YEAR OLD CAITLYN KONKUS WAS RIDING HER BICYCLE ON NORTH 2ND AND TRAVELED INTO THE PATH OF MABRY. KONKUS WAS TAKEN TO SCHUYLKILL MEDICAL CENTER-SOUTH JACKSON.WERE SHE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD BY SCHUYLKILL COUNTY CORONER. POLICE ARE STILL INVESTIGATING THIS CRASH,

BOARD CANCELS BLOOMSBURG FAIR

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 157 YEARS, THEIR WILL NOT BE A FAIR IN BLOOMSBURG IN 2011. ON WEDNESDAY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DECIDED TO PULL THE PLUG ON THE WEEK LONG EVENT. THE DECISION COMES ONE WEEK AFTER BLOOMSBURG WAS HIT HARD BY THE FLOODS CAUSED FROM TROPICAL STORM LEE. THE FAIR’S POSTED THE ANNOUNCEMENT ON THEIR FACE BOOK PAGE AND APOLOGIZED FOR THE INCONVENIENCE AND HOPED EVERYONE WILL COME BACK IN 2012. THEIR HAS BEEN NO CLARIFICATION ON REFUNDS FOR TICKETS TO SHOWS THAT FEATURED SUCH ACTS AS KENNY ROGERS AND CHEAP TRICK.


MINERSVILLE MAN BILKED OF 65K

ON TUESDAY A BLAKESLEE MAN WAS CHARGED BY MINERSVILLE POLICE WITH BILKING A BOROUGH MAN OUT OF OVER $65,000. 47 YEAR OLD EDMOUR GIGUERE WAS ARRAIGNED ON CHARGES OF THEFT BY DECEPTION RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY AND DECEPTIVE PRACTICES. POLICE REPORT THAT A BOROUGH MAN PAID GIGUERE TWO CHECKS FOR THE BUILDING OF A LOG HOME, HOWEVER GIGUERE SUBMITTED AN EMAIL TO THE MAN STATING HE HAD FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO RETURN THE MONEY. GIGUERE WAS ARRESTED AND COMMITTED TO SCHUYLKILL COUNTY PRISON ON $65,000 BAIL.


STATE NEWS:

GETTYSBURG, PA. (AP) - AUTHORITIES IN SOUTH-CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA ARE TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT STARTED A FIRE THAT CLAIMED THE LIFE OF AN ELDERLY WOMAN. OFFICIALS IN ADAMS COUNTY SAY THE TWO-ALARM BLAZE WAS REPORTED SHORTLY BEFORE MIDNIGHT TUESDAY IN AN UPSTAIRS APARTMENT IN THE BOROUGH OF EAST BERLIN.

WILKES-BARRE, PA. (AP) - A NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA MAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON PLUS AN ADDITIONAL 71 YEARS IN THE BEATING DEATH OF A MAN MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO. A LUZERNE COUNTY JUDGE FORMALLY SENTENCED ELVIS RICCARDI OF WILKES-BARRE YESTERDAY. RICCARDI WAS CONVICTED IN JULY OF FIRST-DEGREE MURDER, ROBBERY, CONSPIRACY, ARSON AND THEFT IN THE APRIL 2009 SLAYING OF DONNIE SKIFF OF PLYMOUTH.

YORK, PA. (AP) - A FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST HAS TESTIFIED FOR THE DEFENSE THAT THERE'S NO WAY TO TELL WHAT CAUSED THE INJURIES THAT KILLED A 7-YEAR-OLD ADOPTED RUSSIAN BOY IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA TWO YEARS AGO. MICHAEL AND NANETTE CRAVER ARE CHARGED IN YORK COUNTY WITH FIRST- AND THIRD-DEGREE MURDER IN THE AUGUST 2009 DEATH OF NATHANIEL, WHO AUTHORITIES SAY WAS INJURED AND EMACIATED.

NORRISTOWN, PA. (AP) - A SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA WOMAN HAS BEEN ORDERED TO STAND TRIAL IN THE DEATH OF AN INFANT ALMOST TWO DECADES AGO. A MONTGOMERY COUNTY JUDGE RULED YESTERDAY THAT PROSECUTORS HAD PROVIDED ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO UPHOLD A THIRD-DEGREE MURDER CHARGE AGAINST MELISSA HASKELL IN THE 1992 DEATH OF 5-MONTH-OLD RYAN
BAURLEY.

NATIONAL NEWS:

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A FORECLOSURE LISTING FIRM SAYS THE FORECLOSURE SLOWDOWN BY BANKS AFTER THEY RAN INTO PROCESSING ISSUES MAY BE ENDING. REALTYTRAC SAYS THE NUMBER OF U.S. HOMES THAT RECEIVED AN INITIAL FORECLOSURE NOTICE IN AUGUST WENT UP 33 PERCENT
FROM THE MONTH BEFORE. THE INCREASE IS A NINE-MONTH HIGH AND THE BIGGEST MONTHLY GAIN IN FOUR YEARS.

DETROIT (AP) - UNITED AUTO WORKERS UNION CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN EXTENDED WHILE NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE WITH CHRYSLER AND GM. A MIDNIGHT DEADLINE CAME AND WENT WITH NO DEALS IN PLACE, BUT UNION MEMBERS ARE BARRED FROM STRIKING OVER WAGES UNDER TERMS OF A GOVERNMENT BAILOUT DEAL WITH AUTOMAKERS.

LOUISVILLE, KY. (AP) - DAKOTA MEYER SAVED 36 LIVES FROM AN AMBUSH IN AFGHANISTAN AND TODAY HE'LL COLLECT THE NATION'S HIGHEST MILITARY HONOR AT THE WHITE HOUSE. WHILE HE'S RECEIVING THE MEDAL OF HONOR, MEYER'S SLAIN COMRADES WILL BE MEMORIALIZED IN HOMETOWN CEREMONIES AT HIS REQUEST.

RAMALLAH, WEST BANK (AP) - THE TOP PALESTINIAN DIPLOMAT SAYS THE BID FOR FULL U.N. MEMBERSHIP WILL MOVE FORWARD THIS MONTH. HE SAYS PALESTINIANS WILL SUBMIT A BID FOR FULL MEMBERSHIP AT THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL ON SEPT. 23. HIS REMARKS APPEAR TO END THE SPECULATION OVER WHETHER THE PALESTINIANS WOULD RISK A THREATENED U.S. VETO.

HANOI, VIETNAM (AP) - VIETNAM SAYS A U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IS BIASED AND CONTAINS "ERRONEOUS" INFORMATION. THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S REPORT, WHICH COVERS THE PERIOD OF JULY-DECEMBER 2010, SAYS THERE WERE CONTINUED REPORTS OF ABUSES OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN VIETNAM DESPITE AREAS OF PROGRESS.