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.