TODAY'S NEWS: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

BREAKING NEWS: BOMB THREAT AT JOHN S. CLARKE ELEMENTARY;NO BOMB FOUND

POTTSVILLE POLICE WERE CONTACTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE JOHN S. CLARKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL REGARDING A SUSPICIOUS AND THREATENING VOICE MAIL THAT HAD BEEN LEFT AT THE SCHOOL OVER THE WEEKEND AND RETRIEVED THIS MORNING. AFTER CONFERRING WITH THE SCHOOL OFFICIALS IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A THOROUGH SEARCH OF THE SCHOOL WOULD BE CONDUCTED WITH SCHOOL OFFICIALS AND POLICE UNITS. THE SEARCH OF THE SCHOOL GROUNDS CAME BACK INCONCLUSIVE AND SCHOOL OPENED FOR THE DAY, YET CONCERNED PARENTS HAVE BEEN REMOVING THEIR CHILDREN FROM THE BUILDING. PRINCIPAL ZWIEBEL SAYS THE BUILDING IS SAFE AND SCHOOL WILL CONTINUE. FOR MORE INFORMATION TUNE INTO T102/WPPA NEWS TUESDAY MORNING.


WEST SCHUYLKILL PHYSICAL THERAPY IN PINE GROVE ON THE CORNER OF OAK GROVE ROAD AND TULPHOCKEN STEET WILL BE PROVIDING FREE HOT FOOD AND DRINKS FOR ALL FLOOD VICITIM EVERYDAY FROM 9AM TO 5 PM IN THEIR LOBBY. THEY ARE ALSO CONTINUUNG TO TAKE DONATIONS.

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY TRYING TO GET AID TO BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS

LOCALLY, MUNICIPALITIES AND THE AREA EMERGENCY SERVICES ARE DEALING WITH THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF THE INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY THE FLOOD. DATA IS BEING COLLECTED CONCERNING THE DAMAGE TO HOMES, BUSINESSES AND INFRASTRUCTURE SUCH AS ROADWAYS, BRIDGES AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS. THE PROCESS AND TIMELINE FOR ATTAINING AID IN THE FORM OF LOANS AND DIRECT GRANTS REQUIRES THAT THE IMPACT TO THE COMMUNITY BE ASSESSED. ONCE THE DATA FROM AFFECTED MUNICIPALITIES IS RECEIVED, IT IS COMPILED AND FORWARDED TO THE STATE AND THEN ONTO FEMA AND THE SBA FOR CONSIDERATION. THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (FEMA) ALONG WITH STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES MAY DO A PRELIMINARY DAMAGE ASSESSMENT BEFORE A FINAL DETERMINATION IS MADE. THE GOAL IS FOR SCHUYLKILL COUNTY TO BE INCLUDED IN A PRESIDENTIAL DISASTER DECLARATION THAT WILL BRING FEDERAL AID TO THE BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS OF THE AREA. WE UNDERSTAND THESE ARE VERY DIFFICULT TIMES FOR AFFECTED RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES AND THE MUNICIPAL PERSONNEL AND EMERGENCY RESPONDERS; PLEASE BE PATIENT AND STAY SAFE. THE EFFORTS TO INSURE THAT BASIC NEEDS ARE MET WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE RECOVERY PROCESS. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MUNICIPALITY.

LOCAL CEREMONIES REMEMBER 9/11

MANY LOCAL COMMUNITIES ON SUNDAY TOOK THE TIME TO REMEMBER THE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED 10 SEPTEMBER’S AGO. IN THE BOROUGH OF SHENANDOAH AN OBSERVANCE AT THE VETERANS MEMORIAL FIREMAN’S BELL AND AT SHENANDOAH VETERAN’S MEMORIAL STADIUM FOR A CANDLELIGHT VIGIL. IN POTTSVILLE A MOMENT OF REMEMBRANCE INCLUDED SIRENS AND BELLS RINGING FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WERE LOST IN NEW YORK, WASHINGTON DC AND IN SHANKSVILLE, PA. OTHER EVENTS TOOK PLACE IN SCHUYLKILL HAVEN AND MAHANOY CITY AS WELL IN THE VILLAGE OF DONALDSON.

FEMA ADVICE

AS CLEANUP FROM THIS WEEK'S FLOODING CONTINUES, A WORD OF ADVICE FROM EMERGENCY OFFICIALS: DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. THOSE AFFECTED BY THE FLOODING SHOULD KEEP RECORDS OF EXPENSES RELATED TO CLEAN-UP EFFORTS, THAT MEANS KEEP RECEIPTS. OFFICIALS ALSO SAY PHOTOGRAPHS ARE USEFUL WHEN SEEKING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND ADVISED THAT PHOTOS BE TAKEN OF THE FLOOD DAMAGE, OF THE CLEANUP EFFORTS AND OF THE FINAL RESULTS. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA DECLARED PENNSYLVANIA TO BE IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY. THOSE WITHOUT FLOOD INSURANCE MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR MONEY THRU THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY. THIS IS THE SECOND FEMA DISASTER DECLARATION OF EMERGENCY FOR PENNSYLVANIA IN A MATTER OF WEEKS. THE FIRST WAS ANNOUNCED EARLIER THIS MONTH AFTER HURRICANE IRENE PASSED THROUGH THE EASTERN REGION OF THE STATE. THE DECLARATION BY FEMA ALLOWS THE AGENCY TO PROVIDE EQUIPMENT AND RESOURCES TO ALLEVIATE THE IMPACT OF THE FLOOD EMERGENCY AT 75 PERCENT FEDERAL FUNDING. THE FEMA WEBSITE IS WWW.FEMA.GOV AND THE HELPLINE NUMBER IS 800-621-FEMA (3362).
(WGRC)

WEGAMNS HELPING FLOOD VICTIMS

TO HELP EMERGENCY RESPONDERS FEED THOSE EVACUATED BY FLOODS IN PENNSYLVANIA AND NEW YORK’S SOUTHERN TIER, WEGMANS FOOD MARKETS, INC. HAS DONATED TWO TRACTOR TRAILER LOADS OF NON-PERISHABLE FOOD. THE TRUCKS WERE DISPATCHED FROM ROCHESTER THIS MORNING: ONE HEADED FOR THE FOOD BANK OF THE SOUTHERN TIER IN ELMIRA, NY; THE OTHER GOING TO THE NORTHEAST REGIONAL WEINBERG FOOD BANK IN WILKES-BARRE, PA. EACH OF THE FOOD BANKS IS WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE LOCAL RED CROSS CHAPTERS TO SUPPLY FOOD TO PEOPLE IN SHELTERS AND TO OTHERS IN NEED. THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE DONATION IS APPROXIMATELY $90,000.

DUMPSTERS FOR CLEAN UP IN PINE GROVE

RESIDENTS IN THE BORO OF PINE GROVE AND IN PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP WILL SOON SEE THE MUCH IN DEMAND DUMPSTERS NEEDED FOR FLOOD CLEAN UP. COMMUNITY OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS OF THE INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM HAVE BEEN DILIGENTLY WORKING TO GET DELIVERY OF THESE SO THAT RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO PROCEED WITH THE REMOVAL OF DAMAGED AND DESTROYED ITEMS FROM IN AND AROUND THEIR HOMES. THE FIRST OF THE DUMPSTERS WERE PUT IN PLACE AT AROUND 8:00 AM SUNDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 11.
SITES WHERE DUMPSTERS WILL BE LOCATED IN PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP ARE:
· AT THE INTERSECTION OF ROUTES 645 AND 443
· ALONG ROUTE 125 AT RAVINE
· AT THE PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL BUILDING
· AT THE SUEDBERG FIRE COMPANY


KLINE TWP MAY HALT RECYCLING

SINCE PLACING RECYCLING BINS IN KLINE TOWNSHIP NEAR THE BOYER’S FOOD MARKET ON SOUTH HANCOCK STREET RESIDENTS HAVE SEEN ANYTHING BUT RECYCLABLES PLACED IN THE BINS. ITEM’S HAVE BEEN PLACED ON THE GROUND, IN BAGS AND IN MOST INSTANCES IT’S RESIDENTIAL TRASH THAT IS PLACED IN THE BINS. TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS ARE LOOKING FOR A WAY TO STOP THIS PRACTICE. THEIR ANSWER? TO REMOVE THE RECYCLE BINS BY THE END OF OCTOBER IF NOT USED PROPERLY. THE BINS WILL ACCEPT CANS, BOTTLES, PLASTICS AND NEWSPAPERS.


GIRARDVILLE HOSTS 2ND ANNUAL TOUR

WITH ONE OF THE FIRST RAIN FREE DAYS IN ALMOST A WEEK, A GROUP OF PEOPLE INTERESTED IN LEARNING THE HISTORY OF GIRARDVILLE AND ITS BUILDINGS USED THE DRY WEATHER TO THEIR BENEFIT. THE GIRARDVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY HELD ITS SECOND TOWN TOUR WHICH FEATURED A CONCERT CHOIR AT THE ST VINCENT DE PAUL ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. ALSO INCLUDED IN THE TOUR WAS THE SITE WHERE A FORMER PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL ONCE STOOD BUT WAS LOST DUE TO UNDERGROUND MINING.

CRASH INJURES TWO

TWO PEOPLE WERE SEVERELY INJURED SUNDAY IN A CRASH ON I78. HAMBURG STATE POLICE REPORT 79-YEAR-OLD EMIL KRISZAT LOST CONTROL OF HER VEHICLE WHEN A REAR WHEEL BROKE OFF. HER PASSENGER, 79-YEAR-OLD ALBERTA DAVIS, WAS FLOWN TO READING HOSPITAL. KRISZAT WAS TAKEN TO LEHIGH VALLEY CEDAR CREST.

DUI CRASH

TWO MEN WERE INJURED EARLY SUNDAY MORNING IN A CRASH ON ROUTE 443 IN NORTH MANHEIM TOWNSHIP. STATE POLICE AT SCHUYLKILL HAVEN REPORT 47-YEAR-OLD EDWARD COMPETUS OF CRESSONA LOST CONTROL OF HIS MUSTANG AFTER HE ACCELERATED, SENDING HIS CAR INTO A PARKED CAR. HIS PASSENGER, 44-YEAR-OLD WILLIAM MCGOVERN OF SCHUYLKILL HAVEN SUFFERED MODERATE INJURIES. BOTH MEN, WHO POLICE SAY HAD BEEN DRINKING, WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL.

PLEASE NOTE: THE BOIL WATER ADVISORY WAS LIFTED FOR ALL PINE GROVE BOROUGH WATER CUSTOMERS AT APPROXIMATELY 11:28AM ON SUNDAY.

STATE NEWS:

SHANKSVILLE, PA. (AP) - AFTER SOMBER CEREMONIES OVER THE WEEKEND TO MARK THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 9/11 TERROR ATTACKS, A PRIVATE AND MORE PERSONAL CEREMONY IS PLANNED FOR TODAY FOR FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS OF FLIGHT 93 NEAR SHANKSVILLE. SOME REMAINS OF VICTIMS OF THE ATTACK AND CRASH WILL BE BURIED AT THE CRASH SITE.

HARRISBURG, PA. (AP) - AMTRAK SAYS IT IS RESUMING TRAIN SERVICE TODAY BETWEEN HARRISBURG AND PHILADELPHIA. KEYSTONE SERVICE WAS SUSPENDED WEDNESDAY AFTER TREES FELL ONTO THE TRACKS. WHTM-TV REPORTS THE REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM LEE ALSO DAMAGED THE OVERHEAD CATENARY LINES THAT POWER THE TRAINS.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A PAIR OF SHOOTINGS SUNDAY HAVE LEFT TWO MEN DEAD IN PHILADELPHIA. POLICE SAY ONE MAN DIED AND THREE OTHERS WERE CRITICALLY INJURED WHEN GUNFIRE BROKE OUT NEAR THE CITY'S STRAWBERRY MANSION SECTION. IN THE OTHER SHOOTING, POLICE FOUND A MAN SHOT MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE CHEST IN NORTH PHILADELPHIA. THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE WORD OF ARRESTS IN EITHER SHOOTING.

NATIONAL NEWS:

SHANKSVILLE, PA. (AP) - THERE'S ONE MORE SEPT. 11 CEREMONY TODAY, A PRIVATE FUNERAL OF REMAINS RECOVERED FROM THE CRASH OF UNITED FLIGHT 93 IN A FIELD IN PENNSYLVANIA. THE NEWLY CHRISTENED FLIGHT 93 NATIONAL MEMORIAL WILL BE CLOSED UNTIL 2 P.M. TODAY WHILE THE REMAINS ARE INTERRED IN A PRIVATE CEREMONY FOR SOME FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE PASSENGERS AND CREW.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A DRAMATIC EXPANSION OF SOPHISTICATED CYBER-ATTACKS HAS DRAWN A WARNING IN A NEW STUDY THAT THE U.S. MUST DEVELOP CYBER INTELLIGENCE AS A NEW AND BETTER COORDINATED GOVERNMENT DISCIPLINE. THE REPORT BY THE INTELLIGENCE AND NATIONAL SECURITY ALLIANCE SAYS THE EXPANSION OF CYBER-ATTACKS HAS MOVED BEYOND ACCEPTABLE LOSSES FOR GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESSES.

WASHINGTON (AP) - PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S JOBS PLAN HOPES TO GET A BOOST, STARTING TODAY, FROM A NEW AD CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED BY THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE. THE TELEVISION CAMPAIGN IS A SERIES OF 30-SECOND ADS THAT WILL AIR IN A NUMBER OF POLITICALLY IMPORTANT STATES AND URGE VIEWERS TO READ AND FIGHT FOR OBAMA'S PROPOSAL.

ATHENS, GREECE (AP) - TWO-DAY STRIKES BY GREEK TAX COLLECTORS AND TAXI OWNERS STARTING TODAY COME AMID INCREASING MARKET ALARM OVER THE GREEK GOVERNMENT'S EFFORTS TO SAVE THE RAPIDLY CONTRACTING ECONOMY. THE SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT CLAIMS NEW BELT-TIGHTENING AFTER 20 MONTHS OF AUSTERITY IS DICTATED BY REVENUE SHORTFALLS THAT ARE THREATENING THE COUNTRY'S INTERNATIONAL BAILOUT.

BHUBANESHWAR, INDIA (AP) - OFFICIALS SAY AT LEAST 16 PEOPLE HAVE DIED AND ANOTHER 100,000 ARE HOMELESS AFTER HEAVY RAINS AND FLOODING IN EASTERN INDIA. OFFICIALS SAY NEARLY 2,800 VILLAGES HAVE BEEN FLOODED BY NEARLY 10 DAYS OF INCESSANT RAINS. THE GOVERNMENT HAS SET UP NEARLY 180 RELIEF CAMPS.