Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Woman escapes custody in Sunbury
SUNBURY -- Shortly after being arrested and arraigned for criminal activity Wednesday, a Milton woman bolted from custody and sent police on a chase. 34-year-old Tracy Schramm was being held at a Sunbury Constable's office when she escaped around 2:00p.m.
Earlier in the day, Schramm was arraigned on three felony counts of intimidating a witness who was expected to testify in an upcoming hearing against her. In February of last year, Schramm was arrested by Kulpmont Police for threatening to burn down the home of Agent Robert Belfanti of the Pennsylvania State Board of Parole. This month, just weeks before her trial, police say a witness contacted them saying Schramm had met with him on numerous occasions trying to keep him from testifying against her. Schramm was arrested today in her Milton home, arraigned in Sunbury and bail was set at $45,000.
Sunbury Police are still on the lookout for her. She is a Caucasian, 5' 3" tall, about 170 pounds, blond hair, brown eyes and wearing a red top and blue jeans. Anyone with information should call police.
Antonio Michetti ready to face off against Schlegel-Culver
TREVORTON – The attorney from Trevorton who will face off against Lynda Schlegel-Culver in the general election this fall--says he's glad the primary is over and is looking forward to the campaign. 108th district democratic nominee Antonio Michetti talked to us today. He was unopposed in the primary.
He spoke about the selection of Schlegel-Culver in the primary, saying that she was selected and endorsed by Merle Phillips, but says it’s not Merle Phillip’s (R-108th, Sunbury) seat…but the people’s seat. Michetti realizes there are more Republicans in the 108th, but says he is campaigning for government reform and term limits.
He says those issues are not party issues but universal issues that are important to the people of the 108th. Michetti says even though the registration shows more Republican voters, he thinks the people want to see a people’s candidate. (Ali Stevens)
Rededication ceremony for the newly renovated Cameron Park
SUNBURY -- Fresh with renovations, Cameron Park in Sunbury was rededicated Wednesday. The ceremony began with the Shikellamy High School JROTC lowering the flags on the east end of the park. At the end, the American Legion Post 201 Honor Guard raised the flags in their new location at the west end.
Mayor David Persing addressed the crowd saying the park is a focal point of Sunbury. He says the history of the city of Sunbury is Cameron Park. The rededication was to honor the changes in the park. Persing says whether or not people agree with the changes, everything is still in the park and the respect is still there for veterans.
Former Sunbury Mayor Jesse Wooding was one of the many who was instrumental in overseeing the new renovations. He says with the new benches and game tables, the park more user friendly.
Also speaking at Wednesday's ceremony was Cindy Inkrote, the Director of the Northumberland County Historical Society and Dr. Caru Bowns, a Penn State professor whose students worked on the revitalization of the park and the city of Sunbury. Renovations to the park are wrapping up, and the famous fountain will be returned soon, according to Mayor Persing. (Sara Bartlett)
Derk says campaign was great learning experience
MIDDLEBURG – Snyder County Commissioner Malcolm Derk did not win the GOP nomination in the 10th Congressional District, but is still glad that he decided to run for the office. He says he has no regrets and is glad they were able to get their message out to the people.
Derk says he called his opponent Tom Marino to congratulate him on his victory and let him know he has his support in the general election. Derk says he enjoys serving as Snyder County Commissioner and looks forward to focusing on helping to improve the county. He says he enjoyed all the people that he met during his journey through the 10th District. (Ali Stevens)
Erdman says endorsement helped Schlegel-Culver claim victory
SUNBURY – Northumberland County Controller Chuck Erdman believes that Merle Phillips (R-108th, Sunbury) endorsing Lynda Schlegel-Culver in the primary election for the 108th legislative district lead her to victory. However, he is proud of his efforts, even though he didn’t win. Erdman says they ran a great campaign, but didn’t have the endorsement, so they came up a bit short.
And he says reform-minded voters were needed to make the difference in the primary. Erdman says he will continue to enjoy working for Northumberland County and is pleased that Tom Corbett could be the next governor of Pennsylvania after a successful primary. (Ali Stevens)
Outraged taxpayers address the Milton School Board
MILTON – Only six community members were allowed to address the school board, but about 100 turned out to voice their concerns in the Milton School District regarding a proposed 19.6 % tax increase for property owners in Union County. The board approved a preliminary budget last week with a 19.6 percent increase for Union County property owners and a 1.9% decrease for Northumberland County property owners.
Interim superintendent Brian Snyder says the dramatic swing in taxes is due to an increase in market value in Union County, as determined by the state. The Standard Journal reports despite Snyder’s explanations, Union County residents were outraged and suggested the board needed to go back and reassess the tentative budget. (Ali Stevens)
Hearing set for two fired deputies
BLOOMSBURG – A hearing will be held in June for two Northumberland County deputy sheriffs that were fired for violating the department’s computer policy by leaving their computers logged in. The case management hearing is pertaining to a lawsuit filed by Michael Boris and Joe Jones against Commissioner Vinny Clausi and Northumberland County.
The suit was recently amended to include Sheriff Chad Reiner because Boris and Jones believe Reiner and Clausi conspired to have them terminated without cause.
The News Item reports the hearing will be held in Columbia County on June 8th to avoid a conflict of interest. Clausi accused the sheriff’s department employees of viewing pornographic websites on their computers. Boris and Jones filed a defamation suit, saying that someone else could have looked at the websites from their computers. (Ali Stevens)
SEDA-COG hosts energy management summit
LEWISBURG -- Public officials, contractors, educators and manufacturers gathered Wednesday for an energy management summit hosted by SEDA-COG. Stacy Richards, Director of the Energy Resource Center at SEDA-COG says the daylong event of speakers and information focused on how to create 'green' jobs in the region and improve the businesses' bottom line.
Speakers talked about the ability of existing manufacturing companies making the move to creating products for the renewable energy market. Steve Wolf, the Director of the Center for Green Careers, was another speaker. He talked about the $6 million grant received from the Department of Labor to do 'green' job training in Pennsylvania.
He says at Green Careers, they hope to develop relationships with industries to see what sort of training is needed. The grant money will be awarded to businesses, colleges and other workforce development groups who applied. It will assist in training for 'green' jobs involving renewable and alternative energy, energy conservation, wastewater management, industrialized weatherization and more. (Sara Bartlett)
Long-time U.S. Senator Specter falls in the primary
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - U.S. Senator Arlen Specter has been defeated in a Pennsylvania primary in his bid for a sixth term after switching to the Democratic Party. Specter conceded defeat last evening. Voters Tuesday picked U.S. Representative Joe Sestak as the party's nominee and rejected the 80-year-old Specter in his first Democratic campaign since his GOP defection.
Sestak took the podium at a suburban Philadelphia military academy during his win, and called the vote a win for the people over the establishment, the status quo and even Washington, D.C.
The moderate Specter cast his switch as a decision of principle after inflaming the GOP by voting for Obama's economic stimulus bill. But many Democratic voters questioned his motives. In the general election, Sestak will take on Pat Toomey, who defeated Peg Luksik in the primary.
Marino will take on incumbent Carney in the general election
WILLIAMSPORT -- Republican candidate Tom Marino has defeated David Madeira and Malcolm Derk to win the Republican race for the 10th U.S. Congressional District. Marino says he was humbled to win the primary. Marino will now take on Democratic incumbent Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock) in the general election.
In a response from Chris Carney, he says he looks 'forward to a vigorous debate about the issues facing our region and the differences I have with my opponent over how best to keep our country safe and keep our economy on track for a full recovery. He goes on the say that he is 'proud to be one of the most fiscally conservative Democrats in Congress.'
Schlegel-Culver wins in 108th district
SUNBURY -- Lynda Schlegel-Culver has defeated her two opponents to win the Republican race for State House Representative in the 108th district. She calls the primary win surreal. She says they have worked hard to get to this day.
Schlegel-Culver, who was formally an aide for retiring Representative Merle Phillips (R-108th, Sunbury), says she'll continue on fight for job creation and a balanced budget. She defeated Northumberland County Controller Chuck Erdman and Northumberland County Jury Commissioner Sam Deitrick in the primary, and will now take on Democrat Antonio Michetti in November's general election.
Fred Keller wins Republican nomination in 85th district race
MIDDLEBURG -- Republican Fred Keller is the winner of the 85th district seat for State House Representative. Keller defeated his opponents Betsy Snook and Maurice Brubaker in the primary election. Keller is a Middleburg resident who works at Conestoga Wood Specialties as a Plant Operations Manager.
He is a former Middlecreek Township Auditor, is a Deacon at his church and a life member of the NRA. In past interviews with WKOK, Keller has said economic issues are a top priority and the state must do more to attract business to the area. Keller will take on Democrat Trey Casimir in the general election.
Masser, Zalar win 107th District State House nominations
PAXINOS – A field of half a dozen candidates seeking to succeed Robert Belfanti (D-107th, Mt. Carmel) is now down to two following Tuesday’s primaries for 107th District State House nominations. Northumberland County Commissioner Kurt Masser won the GOP primary, by a margin of 68% to 32% over Mt. Carmel Township Supervisor Chairman Sam Scicchitano.
Masser says his experience at the county level sets him apart from Coal Township Supervisor George Zalar, who won the Democratic primary.
Zalar received 37% of the Democratic vote, defeating Kulpmont Mayor Myron Turlis, realtor and retired teacher Ted Yeager, and former county planning director Steve Bartos. Zalar is also a former president of an iron workers union local and received the endorsement of fellow Democrat Bob Belfanti, who is retiring at the end of his current term. (Matt Farrand)
County commissioner takes next step toward State House
PAXINOS – The field of candidates seeking to succeed Robert Belfanti (D-107th, Mt. Carmel) is now down to two. Northumberland County Commissioner Kurt Masser won Tuesday’s Republican primary for the 107th District State House nomination, by a margin of 68% to 32% over Mt. Carmel Township Supervisor Chairman Sam Scicchitano.
Masser celebrated at his family owned restaurant, and recalled his first political race. He says dissatisfaction with the way government was run prompted him to run for County Commissioner seven years ago, and his motivation in running for the State House is much the same.
Masser will face Democrat George Zalar in the general election, and says his work at the county level sets him apart from the Coal Township Commissioner. Zalar was endorsed by Belfanti, who is retiring at the end of his current term. (Matt Farrand)
Bear cubs rescued from tree
SHAMOKIN DAM – A volunteer firefighter was injured during Tuesday’s rescue of three bear cubs from a treetop in Monroe Township, Snyder County. Hummel’s Wharf Fire Chief Jack Grove says the firefighter fractured his leg on slippery ground.
However, the cubs were safely removed from the tree along Route 15 just north of Shamokin Dam. The cubs' mother was struck and killed by a vehicle the previous night. The cubs climbed the tree for safety, and were noticed by game commission officials.
Route 15 was down to one northbound lane, and closed for a time. The last cub was safely rescued by 1:30p.m. Game commission officials say they will introduce the cubs to another sow, who can introduce them to their new home.
Inflation on schedule for summer boating season
SUNBURY – Inflation of the fabridam that slows down the Susquehanna River to form a recreational lake near Sunbury is on schedule. Shikellamy State Park Manager Frank Nanna says the annual operation that creates Lake Augusta takes about two weeks, and sees the water level rise about one foot per day.
Nanna says success of the operation always depends on the strength of river currents, and rainfall. Boats slips at the marina are expected to be in place by the weekend that’s called the unofficial start to summer. Memorial Day weekend will also see the park and surrounding areas host the 1st Annual Confluence Celebration.
The festival will feature food courts, music and outdoor related vendors on Saturday, May 29th. Hot air balloon rides, and airplane rides from the upstream end of Packer’s Island are planned for Sunday, May 30th, along with brunch and a parade of watercraft. (Matt Farrand)
Playworld blood drive to benefit toddler with rare cancer
LEWISBURG – Employees at a local company and others are being encouraged to give blood today (Wednesday). Playworld Systems is holding a blood drive from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in honor of an employee’s young daughter with a rare form of cancer.
Mackenzie Heyler has cancer in both eyes, and is less than two years old. The drive is being coordinated by the Union County Chapter of the American Red Cross, and they would like donors to call 524-0400 to make an appointment. Local churches hosted similar drives for Mackenzie Heyler earlier this year. (Matt Farrand)
Clean up continues on Route 235
BEAVER SPRINGS -- A hazardous materials contractor continues cleanup efforts along Route 235 near Beaver Springs. The road has been closed since last week when a fiery tanker truck crash spilled thousands of gallons of diesel fuel.
The latest estimate is that Route 235 between Route 522 and the Juniata County line will be open Friday. Crews are working Tuesday to install new pipes in the area, and they will also pave the road this week.
One injured after motorcycle crash
HARTLETON -- A man is in fair condition after a crash involving two motorcycles in Union County Sunday. 59-year-old David Cherry, of Granville, was traveling south on Route 235 in Hartley Township when he failed to negotiate a curve and hit another motorcyclist driving in the northbound lane.
That motorcycle was driven by 50-year-old Steven Otto of Dauphin. Otto sustained minor injuries. Following the 4:45p.m. crash, Cherry was taken by Life Flight to Geisinger Medical Center, and is in fair condition.
SADD members host mock trial
SUNBURY – Shikellamy High School was the sight of a mock trial Tuesday hosted by members of the group Students Against Destructive Decisions. The trial follows last year’s mock where a student was killed in an accident due to another motorist that was 'texting' while driving.
Student Advisor of SADD, Beth Zeigler says it’s important that they focus on 'texting' while driving as a dangerous decision; just as dangerous as drinking while driving. The mock trial featured two attorneys from the Northumberland County District Attorney’s office with the 'texter' on trial for a fatal crash they caused.
Road in Herndon to be closed for rail crossing repairs
HERNDON – A road in Herndon will be closed next week for repairs to a rail crossing. The crossing on Pottsville Road, which is also known as Riverside Drive, will be closed starting May 24th. The closure is expected to last for about a week. Norfolk Southern Railroad reports the rail crossing will be replaced. (Ali Stevens)
Latest Pennsylvania news, business and entertainment
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) - Maryland State Police say they are seeking links between two slayings in south-central Pennsylvania and three unsolved homicides in western Maryland. Investigator Rick Bachtell told The Hagerstown Herald-Mail Tuesday he has met with Pennsylvania State Police who charged Jeffrey Miles last month with killing 29-year-old Kristy Hoke of Hagerstown. That investigation led to the remains of 17-year-old Angie Daley of Waynesboro, who disappeared in 1995. No one has been charged in her death. The Maryland victims are 27-year-old Geraldine Butts of Brunswick, whose battered remains were found in 1983; 15-year-old Lorraine Zimmerman of Hagerstown, who was found strangled in 1984; and an unidentified woman whose battered body was found along Interstate 270 in Frederick County in 1991.
ALTOONA, Pa. (AP) - A homeless man who told stadium employees he was looking for the fastest route to a concession stand has been arrested for walking in the outfield during an Altoona Curve minor league baseball game. Logan Township police say they'll file criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness charges against 24-year-old Tyrone Squires in Tuesday night's incident. Police say Squires is from Massachusetts but has no permanent address. Police say Squires lowered himself over a fence and onto the field during the bottom of the ninth inning during a game against the Akron Aeros. Ballpark security allowed Squires to walk slowly along the outfield warning track and grabbed him as he exited near the Curve bullpen along the right field line.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A former medical examiner testifying about the death of a paralyzed Philadelphia police officer is being asked whether he's biased in favor of law enforcement. Dr. Ian Hood says 41-year-old injuries caused the death of Officer Walter Barclay. Hood's testimony continued Wednesday at the trial of 74-year-old William Barnes, who already served time for attempted murder in the case. Hood acknowledged under cross-examination that he has testified on behalf of just one criminal defendant in his entire career. He said he testified for the prosecution 2,000 times over 20 years. But Hood says he relies only on medical evidence and he's not biased. Barclay was paralyzed when Barnes shot him in 1966. Hood says that injury ultimately killed Barclay in 2007.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter has been defeated in a Pennsylvania primary in his bid for a sixth term after taking the risky step of switching to the Democratic Party. Voters Tuesday picked U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak as the party's nominee and rejected the 80-year-old Specter in his first Democratic campaign since his GOP defection. Sestak took the podium at a suburban Philadelphia military academy and called the vote a win for the people over the establishment, the status quo and even Washington, D.C. The vote also was a defeat for President Barack Obama, who supported Specter when he abandoned the Republican Party last year. The moderate Specter cast his switch as a decision of principle after inflaming the GOP by voting for Obama's economic stimulus bill. But many Democratic voters questioned his motives.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Former U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey is the Republican nominee for Senate in Pennsylvania. Toomey won the nomination over activist Peg Luksic. Toomey lost the 2004 nomination to five-term Sen. Arlen Specter. But Specter switched to the Democratic Party last year after concluding he could not beat the more conservative Toomey again in a GOP primary. The 48-year-old Toomey represented the Allentown area in Congress for six years after a career in the private sector working in finance and running restaurants. He went on to run the anti-tax group Club for Growth until last year. Specter is facing U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak in the Democratic primary. Specter has held the seat since 1981 and is endorsed by the Democratic Party.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Republican gubernatorial nominee Tom Corbett now has a running mate. Bucks County Commissioner Jim Cawley emerged as Tuesday's winner in a nine-way GOP contest for the nomination as lieutenant governor. Returns from more than 90 percent of the 9,233 precincts showed Cawley victorious with 25 percent of the vote. Cawley had been endorsed by the Republican State Committee.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Dan Onorato, a county executive from western Pennsylvania, has won a four-way race for the Democratic nomination for governor. Onorato, the highest elected official in Allegheny County, had 44 percent of the vote with returns Tuesday night from one-third of the state's 9,233 precincts. Each of the other candidates had 25 percent or less. They are state Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams of Philadelphia, state Auditor General Jack Wagner of Pittsburgh and Joe Hoeffel, a suburban Philadelphia county commissioner. Onorato will face Republican state Attorney General Tom Corbett in the November general election. Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell is completing his second term and is barred from seeking a third.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Democrats will retain control of the seat held for decades by the late Pennsylvania Rep. John Murtha after winning a special election to fill the final months of his term. Both parties viewed the contest as a test for the fall. With 70 percent of precincts reporting Tuesday, Murtha aide Mark Critz had 53 percent of the vote compared with nearly 45 percent for businessman Tim Burns. Critz and Burns will have a rematch in the November general election after also winning their parties' nominations in the Pennsylvania primary. Murtha died in February of complications from gallbladder surgery, setting off a dash to the special election.
MIDDLE RIVER, Md. (AP) - The Chesapeake Bay is getting a grade of C on its annual report card. Gov. Martin O'Malley and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Sciences announced the grade for the bay's health in 2009 on Tuesday in Middle River. It's up slightly from the C- the bay earned in 2008. The center and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Chesapeake Bay office conduct the analysis annually. Scientists attribute the slight improvement to unique regional rainfall patterns and continued efforts to reduce pollution in the bay watershed. O'Malley is also rolling out a new website called StreamHealth that allows Maryland residents to check on the health of streams and amounts of impervious surface and buffers in watersheds.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Inspection sticker not sticking? PennDOT says not to worry, it's still valid. PennDOT officials say they are hearing complaints from motorists whose inspection stickers are peeling off the inside of their windshields. Transportation officials say motorists can just stick them back on as best they can. They say state police are aware of the problem. Drivers whose stickers won't stay put can opt for a replacement. The replacements cost no more than $4 for an inspection sticker and $4.40 for an emissions sticker. Spokeswoman Danielle Klinger said Monday that PennDOT is working with the manufacturer to fix the problem.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Updates on the latest in business:
Dow: 10,465.30, down -45.65
S&P 500: 1,114.36, down -6.44
NASDAQ: 2,297.50, down -19.76
NEW YORK (AP) - Stock prices have headed lower again today. The market has been weighed down by concern about Europe's debt.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal Reserve officials have a slightly brighter view of the economy than they did at the start of the year. In a new forecast, Fed officials say they think the economy could grow between 3.2 percent and 3.7 percent this year.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The government says consumer prices fell in April for the first time in 13 months, down 0.1 percent. Energy prices posted the biggest drop in over a year.
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is ramping up criticism of border state Arizona's controversial immigration law. Speaking at a joint news conference with Mexican President Felipe Calderon Obama called it "misdirected" and warned that it has the potential for discrimination.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Final credits are rolling for the nation's second-largest movie rental chain. A federal bankruptcy judge has approved Movie Gallery's plan to close its 1,050 remaining stores and liquidate its assets.
NEW YORK (AP) - Stock futures are tumbling a day after Germany banned a form of short selling as part of an effort to try to stabilize Europe's weakening currency. However, the move has not brought relief to investors. European markets plummeted Wednesday and the euro hit a new four-year low. The euro fell as low as $1.2146 before rebounding slightly. Markets worldwide have been tracking the euro lower in recent weeks. The euro is seen as a proxy for confidence in Europe's economy. Dow Jones industrial average futures are down 93, or 0.9 percent, at 10,397. Standard & Poor's 500 index futures are down 11.50, or 1 percent, at 1,107.20, while Nasdaq 100 index futures are down 22.50, or 1.2 percent, at 1,865.50.
NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks yesterday headed lower as the euro lost value. Analysts say news that German regulators plan to limit some kinds of short selling contributed to weakness in stocks. The Dow was down 115 points to 10,511. The S&P fell 16 and the Nasdaq lost 37 points.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Pressed by lawmakers, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar acknowledges his agency was lax overseeing offshore drilling activities and that may have contributed to the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. It was his first appearance before Congress since last month's blowout and explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig.
NEW YORK (AP) - U.S. stock exchanges would briefly halt trading of some stocks that have big prices swings under new trading rules aimed at avoiding market plunges. Two people familiar with the plan say the rules are expected to begin in mid-June under a six-month pilot program agreed to by exchanges and regulators.
UNDATED (AP) - Crude prices continued to head lower. Benchmark crude for June delivery fell 54 cents to settle at $69.41 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. That's the lowest settlement since Sept. 29.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Amazon.com is hoping to sell more electronic books by releasing a version of its Kindle e-reader software for phones that use Google's Android operating system. The free Kindle for Android software will be out this summer.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn Wednesday:
Mega Millions
Estimated jackpot: $54 million
Midday Big 4
4-7-8-8
Midday Number
6-0-7
Midday Quinto
7-5-8-9-7
Powerball
Estimated jackpot: $145 million
Treasure Hunt
01-18-21-23-27
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Wal-Mart still selling Miley Cyrus cadmium jewelry
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Jewelry branded by Miley Cyrus and sold exclusively at Walmarts nationwide contain high levels of the toxic metal cadmium, an Associated Press investigation shows. The world's largest retailer learned in February that the items are tainted, but has continued selling them. The AP also found that a separate line of jewelry charms being sold at Wal-Mart also had high cadmium levels. Long-term exposure to cadmium can lead to bone softening and kidney failure. Representatives for both Wal-Mart and Miley Cyrus have not responded to repeated requests for comment. Last month, Wal-Mart revealed its suppliers now have to prove that children's jewelry and other kids' products have little cadmium. But that policy didn't apply to items already on store shelves.
Chickens, beware: KFC extends Double Down
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Meat lovers, relax. But chickens, beware. KFC says Americans are gobbling down so many Double Down sandwiches that the fast-food chain will offer the bunless, meaty sandwich longer than it had planned. Originally the sandwich - bacon and cheese surrounded by chicken filets - was to have been available through Sunday. But KFC says Wednesday that the sandwich will be available now for as long as customer demand remains high. The Double Down came onto the market on April 12 and was supposed to have lasted about six weeks. But KFC says it has been one of its most successful sandwich launches ever. Later this month, KFC expects to sell its 10 millionth Double Down.
Bret Michaels increasing rehab to twice a day
CHICAGO (AP) - Rocker and reality television star Bret Michaels says he's increasing his rehabilitation to twice a day after suffering a brain hemorrhage last month. Michaels said on Wednesday's episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show," that he's still having trouble moving his lower extremities and has neck stiffness but that "each day gets better." The 47-year-old Michaels was recently released from a Phoenix hospital. He was admitted to a hospital April 22 complaining of a severe headache. The Poison frontman and "Celebrity Apprentice" finalist says he still has headaches but that they're to be expected. Michaels told Winfrey that after the hemorrhage he asked God "to let me live through this."
Secret Service probes Ala. teacher's geometry lesson
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - The Secret Service questioned an Alabama teacher after school officials said he used an hypothetical example of shooting at the president to teach geometric angles. The teacher at Corner High School in Birmingham was not identified Tuesday by the Jefferson County school district. Senior Joseph Brown told the Birmingham News that the teacher "was talking about angles and said, 'If you're in this building, you would need to take this angle to shoot the president."' The Secret Service interviewed the teacher after authorities were notified, determined there was not a credible threat and closed the investigation. Superintendent Phil Hammonds says the teacher showed extremely poor judgment but there are no plans to fire him.
Women hides in coffin
MIFFLINTOWN, Pa. (AP) - You've heard some women say they wouldn't be caught dead in a particular outfit. Here's a case of a woman who was caught alive in something - a coffin. Authorities in Mifflintown, Pennsylvania say 19-year-old Nicole April Kelly decided the best way to hide from the police taking her into custody - was to hide out in a coffin. She was being transported to jail to be extradited to another county to face charges. She got
away - and authorities searched for her several hours before the owner of the Brown Funeral Home found her in one of his caskets. The owner called police and held her until police arrived. The young woman is now confined - though not nearly as much as she was in the coffin. She's being held in a cell in lieu of $75,000 bail.
FEMA: Sorry photog asked faith shirts not be worn
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - The top officer at FEMA says one of the agency's videographers was "absolutely wrong" to ask Mississippi church volunteers to not wear religious T-shirts for a video about tornado cleanup. Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate said Tuesday that the photographer's actions in the small town of Ebenezer this past Saturday "in no way reflect FEMA's policies or priorities." Angelia Lott and Pamela Wedgeworth told The Associated Press that the FEMA worker who was videotaping the cleanup asked them to do on-camera interviews but requested that they change out of their T-shirts because of a Salvation Army logo. They say he didn't want anything faith-based. In a statement issued Monday and sent to AP on Tuesday, Fugate apologized to Crossgates Baptist and to the Salvation Army.
Amazon releasing Kindle software for Android
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Amazon.com is hoping to snag even more customers for the electronic books it sells. It is releasing a version of its Kindle e-reader software for phones that use Google Inc.'s increasingly popular Android operating system. The free "Kindle for Android" software will join a growing roster of programs for such products as Apple Inc.'s iPhone and iPad and Research In Motion Ltd.'s BlackBerry smart phones. The software will be out this summer. "Kindle for Android" lets users read books they have bought from Amazon.com Inc.'s online Kindle store and keeps track of where you are in a book. So if you have the $259 Kindle e-reader, you can start reading on an Android-based phone and continue at the same place on your Kindle.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)