TODAY'S NEWS: TUES OCT 4, 2011

GRANT MONEY TO HELP WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

CONGRESSMAN TIM HOLDEN PRESENTED A CHECK TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SCHUYLKILL WOMEN IN CRISIS SALLY CASEY, COUNTY SHERIFF JOE GROODY, SHERIFF DEPUTY CHRIS ROONEY AND SCHUYLKILL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MANTURA GALLAGHER AND FRANK STAUDENMEIER MONDAY TO HELP FEMALE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND VIOLENCE. JASMINE BROOKS HAS MORE:



FLOOD RELIEF FUND SURPASSES 200K

DONATIONS CONTINUE TO FLOW IN FOR THE RED CROSS LOCAL FLOOD RELIEF FUND, LAST WEEK WE REPORTED THAT THE FUND WAS NEAR $185,000, AND AS OF MONDAY THE FUND HAS SURPASSED THE $230,000 MARK. THE FUND DRIVE CONTINUES WITH ALL THE MONEY TO BE GIVEN TO THE RED CROSS TO HELP LOCAL VICTIMS IN NORTHEAST AND CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA.

JURY INDICTS 2 FOR SELLING OXYCONTIN

A FEDERAL JURY HAS INDICTED 2 MEN FROM BERKS COUNTY ON CHARGES THAT THEY SOLD OXYCONTIN IN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY DURING THE MONTH OF JULY 2010. 59 YEAR OLD RICHARD LAW AND 52 YEAR OLD STEPHAN NESSPOR BOTH OF WEST LAWN CONSPIRED TO AND DID DISTRIBUTE OXYCONTIN IN THE COUNTY ACCORDING TO COURT DOCUMENTS. BOTH MEN ARE FACING 20 YEARS IN PRISON AND $1 MILLION IN FINES.

INVESTIGATION ON PSU STUDENT PARTY

PENN STATE UNIVERSITY SCHUYLKILL CAMPUS’ ADMINISTRATION WILL BEGIN THEIR INVESTIGATION ON AN INCIDENT THAT RESULTED IN TEN STUDENTS BEING ARRESTED FOR UNDERAGE DRINKING OVER THE WEEKEND. JUST LAST MONTH MORE THAN THIRTY STUDENTS WERE ARRESTED AT PARTY IN THE BOROUGH. INTERIM CHANCELLOR STEPHAN COUCH SAID THE UNIVERSITY DOES NOT CONDONE THE ACTIONS BY THE STUDENTS WHO ATTENDED THE PARTY THAT TURNED VIOLENT. THE INVESTIGATION WILL DETERMINE IF BRINGING CHARGES AGAINST THE STUDENTS IS WARRANTED BASED ON THE UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT.

FLU VACCINATIONS TO BE AVAILABLE AT SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTERS

SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTERS WITHIN SCHUYLKILL COUNTY ARE PARTNERING WITH SEVERAL HEALTH-CARE PROVIDERS TO HOLD FLU IMMUNIZATION CLINICS.
THE VACCINE THIS YEAR COMBINES THE SEASONAL FLU VACCINE WITH THAT FOR H1N1. PNEUMONIA IMMUNIZATIONS ALSO WILL BE AVAILABLE. VACCINATIONS ARE OFFERED AT NO CHARGE IF MEDICARE B IS THE PRIMARY INSURER OR A CUSTOMER IS A MEMBER OF A PARTICIPATING PLAN. VACCINES ARE ALSO OFFERED AT NOMINAL COST FOR THOSE WITH NO INSURANCE. VACCINATIONS WILL BE DONE BY STAFF FROM DIAKON HOSPICE SAINT JOHN & HOME HEALTH, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE OCT. 20 EVENT, WHICH WILL BE HANDLED BY ST. LUKE'S MINERS MEMORIAL HOSPITAL HOME CARE. NO PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

CLINICS WILL BE HELD ON THE FOLLOWING DATES IN THESE LOCATIONS:
OCT. 12, 10 A.M. TO NOON, POTTSVILLE SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER, 201 N. CENTRE ST.
OCT. 12, 1 TO 3 P.M., ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH, 4TH AND LEWIS STS., MINERSVILLE.
OCT. 20, 10 A.M. TO NOON, SCHUYLKILL REGIONAL RESOURCE CENTER, 138 W. CENTRE ST., MAHANOY CITY.
OCT. 24, 1 TO 3 P.M., SCHUYLKILL HAVEN HI-RISE, 255 PARKWAY.
OCT. 27, 9:30 TO 11:30 A.M. TREMONT SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER, 139 CLAY ST.
OCT. 27, 1 TO 3 P.M., MARY QUEEN OF PEACE APARTMENTS, 777 WATER ST., POTTSVILLE.

THE SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTERS ARE OPERATED BY DIAKON LUTHERAN SOCIAL MINISTRIES UNDER CONTRACT WITH THE SCHUYLKILL COUNTY OFFICE OF SENIOR SERVICES.

ROAD CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN IN NORWEGIAN TWP

AN $83,000 ROAD PROJECT IS SET TO BEGIN IN NORWEGIAN TWP. LEHIGH VALLEY ASPHALT AND PAVING WILL BE FINISHING UP THE PROJECT FROM LAST YEAR ON MAPLE STREET AS WELL AS 2 CUL DE SAC’S IN THE BROOKSHIRE DEVELOPMENT. TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS SAY THAT THE WORK SHOULD BEGIN BY THE MIDDLE OF THIS MONTH WITH TRAFFIC DELAYS BEING MINIMAL. TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT RESIDENTS CAN PUT ITEMS CURBSIDE WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY DURING FALL CLEANUP WITH THOSE ITEMS BEING IN GOOD CONDITION WILL BE DONATED TO RESIDENTS IN PINE GROVE. LARGE APPLIANCES ARE EXCLUDED.

YUENGLING IS SET TO STARTED DISTRIBUTING ITS BEERS IN OHIO MONDAY. THE POTTSVILLE BASED BREWER WILL BE DISTRIBUTING ITS BEERS IN COLUMBUS AND NORTHEAST OHIO. IT'S THE 14TH DISTRIBUTION STATE FOR THE OLDEST BREWER IN THE U.S.
DISASTER SURVIVORS: BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR SCAM ARTISTS

STATE NEWS:

HARRISBURG, PA. - PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENTS SHOULD BE ALERT FOR INDIVIDUALS TRYING TO SCAM THOSE SEEKING ASSISTANCE FOLLOWING THE RECENT SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING. UNFORTUNATELY, AFTER A DISASTER, SOME INDIVIDUALS TRY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE LOOKING FOR HELP BY TRYING TO GATHER PERSONAL INFORMATION OR BY TRYING TO COLLECT PAYMENT FOR DISASTER ASSISTANCE.

IF YOU SUSPECT ANYONE TO BE MISREPRESENTING THEMSELVES, CALL THE DISASTER FRAUD HOTLINE AT
1-800-323-8603. REMEMBER: FEMA WILL NEVER CHARGE FOR DISASTER ASSISTANCE OR INSPECTIONS. ANYONE ASKING FOR A FEE FOR DISASTER ASSISTANCE IS NOT A FEMA REPRESENTATIVE AND MAY BE ATTEMPTING TO COMMIT FRAUD.

TO PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST FRAUD, FOLLOW THESE TIPS:

ASK TO SEE ID. ALL FEMA REPRESENTATIVES HAVE IDENTIFICATION WITH THEIR NAME AND PHOTOGRAPH. ASK ANYONE WHO APPROACHES YOU AS A FEMA REPRESENTATIVE FOR IDENTIFICATION.
SAFEGUARD PERSONAL INFORMATION. DO NOT GIVE BANK ACCOUNT OR PERSONAL INFORMATION LIKE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS TO INDIVIDUALS CLAIMING TO BE AFFILIATED WITH FEMA OR ANOTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. FEMA WILL ONLY ASK FOR YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY AND BANK INFORMATION WHEN YOU CALL OR GO ONLINE TO REGISTER, NEVER IN PERSON.
BE WARY OF PEOPLE WHO COME TO YOUR DOOR. INDIVIDUALS WHO APPEAR AT YOUR DOOR WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT AND CLAIM TO OFFER DISASTER RELIEF COULD BE TRYING TO COMMIT FRAUD. FEMA HOUSING INSPECTORS WORK BY APPOINTMENT. IF YOU HAVE NOT CONTACTED FEMA OR ARE NOT EXPECTING A FEMA INSPECTOR, TAKE EXTRA CARE.
USE LICENSED CONTRACTORS. DURING THE REBUILDING PROCESS, BE SURE TO USE ONLY LICENSED CONTRACTORS. ASK THE CONTRACTOR FOR A LICENSE AND FOR REFERENCES. GET SEVERAL ESTIMATES FROM CONTRACTORS AND BE SURE THEY CARRY LIABILITY AND WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE AND ARE BONDED. HOMEOWNERS COULD BE LIABLE FOR ACCIDENTS ON THEIR PROPERTY IF THEY HIRE AN UNINSURED CONTRACTOR.

BY EXERCISING CAUTION AND COMMON SENSE, DISASTER SURVIVORS CAN ENSURE THEY DON'T COMPOUND THEIR LOSSES BY FALLING VICTIM TO FRAUD. IF YOU ARE UNSURE THAT THE PERSON AT YOUR DOOR IS WHO THEY CLAIM TO BE, CHECK THEIR ID. WHEN IN DOUBT, CALL THE FEMA HELPLINE AT 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). IF YOU HAVE A DISABILITY AND WOULD LIKE HELP DON'T HESITATE TO CONTACT FEMA.

NEWPORT, PA. (AP) - A CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA COUPLE IS RECOVERING AFTER A BEAR ATTACKED THEM INSIDE THEIR HOME. RELATIVES OF RICH AND ANGIE MOYER SAY A BEAR FOLLOWED THE FAMILY DOG INSIDE THE HOME NEAR NEWPORT EARLY YESTERDAY MORNING. THEY SAY RICH MOYER SUFFERED A BACK INJURY AND ANGIE MOYER SUFFERED A LEG INJURY.

SHAMOKIN, PA. (AP) - A CORONER SAYS AN ELDERLY MAN, HIS WIFE AND THEIR DAUGHTER DIED OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING IN THEIR CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA HOME. ACCORDING TO THE (SUNBURY) DAILY ITEM, AUTHORITIES IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY SAY THE VICTIMS WERE FOUND YESTERDAY MORNING IN THEIR COAL TOWNSHIP HOME.

URSINA, PA. (AP) - A WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA MAN AND WOMAN HAVE BEEN CHARGED IN THE DEATH OF AN 18-MONTH-OLD GIRL. AUTHORITIES SAY CODY
SCHARTIGER AND AMANDA SVENUGSEN OF URSINA WERE ARRESTED YESTERDAY IN THE AUGUST DEATH OF THE CHILD, WHOSE NAME WAS NOT RELEASED.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE IN PHILADELPHIA HAS RECEIVED A $10 MILLION GIFT THAT WILL FUND A LARGE EXPANSION FOR CLASSROOMS AND EXHIBITION SPACE. THE PHILADELPHIA SCIENCE MUSEUM SAYS THE GIFT FROM NICHOLAS AND ATHENA KARABOTS IS THE LARGEST IN ITS 187-YEAR HISTORY. NICHOLAS KARABOTS MADE HIS FORTUNE AS A PUBLISHER OF PUZZLE MAGAZINES AND IN REAL ESTATE.

NATIONAL NEWS:

WASHINGTON (AP) - CONGRESS IS SET TO GIVE THEMSELVES AND PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SOME BREATHING ROOM TO WRAP UP UNFINISHED BUDGET BUSINESS. THE HOUSE TODAY EXPECTS TO PASS A BILL FUNDING THE GOVERNMENT FOR SIX MORE WEEKS. IT ALSO REPLENISHES OF DISASTER AID COFFERS. THE BILL WILL GO TO OBAMA FOR HIS SIGNATURE.

DETROIT (AP) - THE TRIAL OF THE ALLEGED UNDERWEAR BOMBER BEGINS TODAY WITH THE START OF JURY SELECTION. NIGERIAN UMAR FAROUK ABDULMUTALLAB (OO'-MAHR FAH-ROOK' AHB-DOOL'-MOO-TAH'-LAHB) IS CHARGED WITH TRYING TO DETONATE A BOMB ON CHRISTMAS 2009 AS AN INTERNATIONAL JETLINER WITH 290 PEOPLE ABOARD APPROACHED DETROIT.

ATLANTA (AP) - FOUR AIRPORTS ARE SET TO TRY AN EXPERIMENT THAT COULD RESULT IN SPEEDIER TRIPS THROUGH SECURITY IN EXCHANGE FOR ADDITIONAL PERSONAL INFORMATION. UNDER THE PROGRAM, PASSENGERS WHO VOLUNTEER MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THEMSELVES BEFORE A FLIGHT WOULD BE SENT TO SECURITY LANES FOR EXPEDITED SCREENING.

PERUGIA, ITALY (AP) - AMANDA KNOX'S WHEREABOUTS ARE UNKNOWN TODAY BUT SHE'S EXPECTED TO LEAVE FOR THE UNITED STATES SOON AFTER BEING CLEARED OF MURDER CHARGES IN THE DEATH OF HER ROOMMATE IN ITALY. KNOX HAS EXPRESSED THANKS TO ITALIANS WHO SUPPORTED HER THROUGHOUT HER FOUR YEARS OF PRISON.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - THE FIRST PRIVATELY FINANCED MANNED ROCKED TO REACH SPACE HAPPENED IN 2004 BUT SINCE THEN, THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPACE TOURISM HAS BEEN SLOWER THAN EXPECTED. VIRGIN GALACTIC, WHICH LICENSED THE SPACESHIPONE TECHNOLOGY, HAS BEEN CONDUCTING GLIDE TESTS AND HOPES TO BEGIN POWERED FLIGHTS NEXT YEAR. THERE'S NO COMMITMENT YET FOR COMMERCIAL SERVICE.