Today's News Thu. December 15, 2011

Local News For Thu. December 15, 2011

High Tunnels Can Change The "Local" In Local Foods

If you are a local foods enthusiast, you are coming to Pennsylvania's toughest season. But a vegetable specialist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences says high tunnels can help producers and gardeners to grow local, grow longer, and make a profit. Gary Abdullah has more:

HIGH TUNNELS

Crash On I-81 Claims Life Of Joliett Woman

A Tuesday crash on Interstate 81 near the Highridge Business Park exit claimed the life of Laurie Wolfgang of Joliett. State Police report that Wolfgang was driving her 2005 Chevrolet Equinox southbound when, for some reason, she ran into the back of a Kenworth truck tractor that was being towed by Allen Channell of Parsons, West Virginia. State Police are still investigating the accident, and ask that anyone who has relevant information call them at 570-874-5300.

Senator Argall Introduces Resolution To Study Impact Of Breweries

The Senate Law and Justice Committee unanimously passed a resolution on Wednesday sponsored by Senator David Argall (R-29) to study the economic impact of breweries in Pennsylvania. Senate Resolution 216 will thoroughly examine the economic impacts, with a focus on jobs, of breweries in Pennsylvania through the General Assembly's Legislative Budget and Finance Committee.

ARGALL

Palo Alto Woman Charged In Pedestrian Accident In Saint Clair

Saint Clair Police were dispatched on Monday for a pedestrian who had been struck by a car on East Lawton Street outside the Buckhorn Cafe. On arrival, they found 75 year-old Ho Ching Lan lying on the pavement with serious injuries. She was transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital for treatment of fractured ribs, a punctured lung, and other internal injuries. Police received information from witnesses that led them to arrest 62 year-old Joan Trayah of Palo Alto. Trayah has been charged with multiple counts related to the incident, and was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge David Plachko, who released her on $50,000 unsecured bail. She will have a preliminary hearing on December 22 in Judge Plachko's office.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A Republican-designed map of Pennsylvania's 18 new Congressional districts that would take effect for a decade is over a first hurdle. State senators voted 26-24 last night to approve the proposed map, over howls of protest from Democrats who say it carves up communities simply to shore up the re-election chances of Republican congressmen. The bill still requires approval from the House and Governor Tom Corbett.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A bill to impose more stringent regulations on abortion clinics is almost law over the objections of abortion rights supporters. The state Senate voted 32-18 yesterday for a bill that won approval from the House a day earlier. Governor Tom Corbett is expected to sign it.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - A Penn State trustee heading the board's inquiry into child sex abuse allegations against a retired assistant football coach says he hopes the investigation will be finished by the end of the academic year. Kenneth Frazier heads the trustees committee that appointed former FBI director Louis Freeh to handle the internal investigation into the criminal charges against Jerry Sandusky.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Pennsylvania Legislature has approved the creation of a state task force on child abuse. After more than two hours of wide-ranging debate, the House voted 191-5 last night to join the Senate in authorizing an 11-member panel to examine the adequacy of state laws designed to protect children.

UNDATED (AP) - The latest debate among six Republican presidential hopefuls is tonight in Sioux City Iowa. It'll be the last forum before the Iowa caucuses next month. Some of the candidates are squeezing in campaign events ahead of the debate. They include Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry.

BAGHDAD (AP) - The U.S. formally shuts down the Iraq war today. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is in Baghdad for a ceremony to help do it. The flag of U.S. Forces-Iraq has officially been retired. There are about 4,000 U.S. troops left in Iraq.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - Hurricane forecaster William Gray and his research partner have usually begun making next season's hurricane predictions by December, but not this year. Gray says that right now, it's anybody's guess how the season will turn out. So the forecasters will wait until spring, when computer modeling should be more effective.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Researchers say that your hands may be on the steering wheel but if you're on the phone your brain is elsewhere. Studies show that's why drivers get distracted during cellphone conversations, even on hands-free phones. It's part of the reason the National Transportation Safety Board is recommending an end to hands-free, as well as handheld, cellphone use while driving.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - A University of Iowa journalism professor has touched a nerve with his criticism of the state's first-in-the-nation Republican presidential caucuses. Stephen Bloom paints Iowa as undereducated and an economic wasteland undeserving of its political clout. Critics have hit back hard, with some of them telling Bloom to leave.