Friday, May 21, 2010
Route 235 reopen
BEAVER SPRINGS -- A road closed since May 10th has been reopen near Beaver Springs. Route 235 was closed following a fiery tanker truck crash. The road, between Route 522 and the Juniata County line, reopen Friday afternoon. Hazmat and road crews worked to clean the site, replace pipes and pave the road. The crash, which critically injured the truck's driver, spilled a significant amount of diesel fuel in the area.
Concession building to open at marina
NORTHUMBERLAND -- Water and park enthusiasts will enjoy a new concession building this summer at the Shikellamy State Park marina. Lake Augusta Outfitters will be run by Angela Troutman. It will be located at a separate out building at the marina, near the docks. There is a gas pump there so boaters will be able to fill up. The shop will also offer a place for refreshments from drinks to chips to ice cream. In addition, people can rent pontoon boats, jet skis, canoes, kayaks and bikes. The concession shop is expected to open sometime next month and will remain open through the season to the end of September. (Sara Bartlett)
Police look for air conditioning thief
PORT TREVORTON -- Police are searching for the person or persons who stole nearly $600 worth of air conditioners from a motel in Port Trevorton. The incident happened sometime between May 7th and May 21st, when someone broke into the Port Trevorton Motel along Routes 11/15. Police say six of thirteen rooms had doors forcibly opened, and seven air conditioning units were removed from the rooms. Anyone with information is asked to call Selinsgrove State Police. (Sara Bartlett)
Mount Pleasant Mills is critical condition after crash
MOUNT PLEASANT MILLS – A Mount Pleasant Mills man was flown to Geisinger Medical Center early this morning after a crash on Route 104 near Oriental Road in Chapman Township, Snyder County. He is now listed in critical condition.
State police say 39-year-old Michael Gaugler was traveling north on Route 104 around 12:20 this morning when he struck a guide rail and some rocks before the vehicle overturned, landing on its roof in the southbound lane.
Gaugler had to be rescued from his car and was transported by Life Flight to Geisinger with unknown injuries. The crash is under investigation by State Police. Port Trevorton, Liverpool and Middleburg fire and rescue crews assisted at the scene. (Ali Stevens)
Two buildings locked down after a verbal threat
DANVILLE – A man is facing charges after he threatened to harm employees at the Geisinger Health Plan offices in Danville. Mahoning Township police charged 65-year-old William Noble of Tunkhannock with terroristic threats, disorderly conduct and other counts for the incident last Friday.
Noble reportedly made several calls to the health plan office and said he was going to come there and someone would die. Both buildings at the Health Plan offices on Woodbine Lane were locked down following the verbal threat. (Ali Stevens)
Fire at a greenhouse in Montour County
TURBOTVILLE – Fire crews from Union, Montour and Columbia Counties were called to the scene of a greenhouse fire just before midnight in Montour County. Emergency dispatchers tell us the fire started in a greenhouse on Hickory Road in Anthony Township near the Northumberland County line, outside of Turbotville.
Crews from Washingtonville, Warrior Run, Mahoning Township and a tanker from Columbia County were called to the scene. Firefighters remained on the scene until 2 a.m. No injuries were reported, but the greenhouse was destroyed by the fire. (Ali Stevens)
May is motorcycle awareness month
UNDATED -- May is motorcycle awareness month and PennDOT has launched a new safety campaign called Live Free, Ride Alive. Danielle Klinger of PennDOT says they are asking motorcyclists to recognize that their vehicle is small on the roadway, and they may fall in other motorists' blind spots.
A big part of the campaign is a website with documentaries and stories about motorcycle crashes. In addition, the website allows riders to take the 'one less' pledge. Klinger says this means drivers pledge to be safe on the road in order to be one less crash statistic or fatality. You can visit the site at www.livefreeridealive.com.
Two road projects continue in Mount Carmel Township next week
MOUNT CARMEL TOWNSHIP – Two road projects will take place next week in Mount Carmel Township, Northumberland County.
PennDOT reports work continues on Merrian Mountain Road from Monday through Wednesday of next week. Detours will be in effect on the Locust Summit side, between the cemeteries and Locust Summit. On Wednesday, the closure will be just at the bridge, north of the Route 901 intersection. The project should be complete by the end of Wednesday.
Also, a PennDOT maintenance crew in Northumberland County will replace a cross pipe to improve drainage along Brennan’s Farm Road in Mount Carmel Township. Work will take place on Wednesday and be done during the day from 7 to 4 p.m. Traffic will be detoured using Route 61 south and Route 54 east. (Ali Stevens)
Game Commission warns motorists about white-tail deer on the move
HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Game Commission is warning motorists to stay alert and slow down because white-tail deer tend to be on the move in the spring. Game Commission executive director Carl Roe says deer congregate on the grassy areas along the state’s busy highways in search of food. Motorists are reminded to watch for deer and drive defensively after dark and before sunrise, when deer are most active.
In the spring, young deer are on the move as does chase them away to prepare to give birth to new fawns. Often times, young deer make the mistakes of crossing roads in the spring, resulting in an increase in accidents with motor vehicles, especially in areas with larger deer populations, such as the Central Susquehanna Valley.
Motorists are reminded not to try and drive around a deer, but slow down and stay on the road. If you do strike a deer, you should call 1-800-FIX-ROAD to have the animal removed from the road. If the deer is still alive, the Game Commission says you should keep your distance. (Ali Stevens)
Bucknell commencement ceremonies are Sunday
LEWISBURG – The 160th commencement ceremony at Bucknell University is Sunday at 10 a.m. 884 undergraduates will receive their degrees along with 26 graduate degrees and three honorary degrees.
Pediatric neurosurgeon and philanthropist Benjamin Carson Sr. will present the commencement address. He has been recognized with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his achievements performing high-risk operations and advancing education for all students. (Ali Stevens)
Milton woman has turned herself in after fleeing from police on Wednesday
MILTON – A Milton woman who fled from custody after being sentenced to prison has turned herself in. 34-year-old Tracy Schramm was charged Wednesday with felony counts of intimidating a witness, who was going to testify against her.
That’s when Schramm, who was at District Judge Bob Bolton’s office in Sunbury, took off and escaped out a side door. She was on the loose overnight, but then turned herself in Thursday afternoon.
Police say Schramm was hiding at her father’s unoccupied mobile home in Watsontown after escaping in handcuffs from Bolton’s office. She told police she was afraid to go back to jail. Schramm now faces a felony escape charge and up to seven years in prison if convicted. Bail was set at $60,000, which is $15,000 more than her original bail before she fled the courtroom. (Ali Stevens)
Fire at a greenhouse in Montour County
TURBOTVILLE – Fire crews from Union, Montour and Columbia Counties were called to the scene of a greenhouse fire just before midnight in Montour County. Emergency dispatchers tell us the fire started in a greenhouse on Hickory Road in Anthony Township near the Northumberland County line, outside of Turbotville.
Crews from Washingtonville, Warrior Run, Mahoning Township and a tanker from Columbia County were called to the scene. Firefighters remained on the scene until 2 a.m. No injuries were reported, but the greenhouse was destroyed by the fire. (Ali Stevens)
Mount Pleasant Mills man flown to Geisinger following a crash early this morning
MOUNT PLEASANT MILLS – A Mount Pleasant Mills man was flown to Geisinger Medical Center early this morning after a crash on Route 104 near Oriental Road in Chapman Township, Snyder County.
State police say 39-year-old Michael Gaugler was traveling north on Route 104 around 12:20 this morning when he struck a guide rail and some rocks before the vehicle overturned, landing on its roof in the southbound lane.
Gaugler had to be rescued from his car and was transported by Life Flight to Geisinger with unknown injuries. His condition is not yet known. The crash is under investigation by State Police and Port Trevorton, Liverpool and Middleburg fire and rescue crews assisted at the scene. (Ali Stevens)
Northumberland County Commissioner Frank Sawicki on Leaders & Lawmakers
SUNBURY – Northumberland County Commissioner Frank Sawicki says there’s been progress, but county government still needs to shrink. Appearing on WKOK’s Leaders & Lawmakers program, he says cutting the size of the local bureaucracy is a long term process.
The Commissioner Chair also admits that changing routines and cutting position can have a major impact on the lives of county employees. However, Sawicki says more efficient operations are emerging, with more yet to be unveiled. He cites refinancing of county debt at lower interest rates and divesting the Mountain View Manor nursing facility among the positive moves his board has made.
Sawicki reiterated that the county is interested in buying Sunbury City Hall, as the county courthouse is virtually obsolete because of new security mandates. Sawicki was on WKOK’s Leaders & Lawmakers program this week. You can hear Leaders & Lawmakers anytime online at www.wkok.com (Matt Farrand)
Mahoning Street closed for firefight
MILTON – Contractors working in the vacant H. Warshow and Sons warehouse in Milton may have started a two alarm fire Thursday. Union County Communications says the initial call to the Mahoning Street site came in shortly before noon.
The street was shut down for a few hours, as firefighters from Northumberland, Union, Lycoming and Snyder Counties battled the smoke-producing fire. There were no reported injuries or medical calls to the former warehouse. Crews were clear from the fire scene at about 1:35 p.m. (Matt Farrand)
Rail conference attendees take train to Norry
NORTHUMBERLAND – Local train buffs enjoyed a treat Thursday, as a Norfolk Southern owned business train was used for a passenger excursion that rode area rails. Several dozen riders traveled from a conference of freight railroad executives in Harrisburg to a banquet style dinner at Front Street Station in Northumberland.
While dinner was served, the train continued via Montandon and Milton to Linden, where it was turned around for the return trip. The train was made up of four 1950’s style diesel units, coaches, a full-length dome car, and an observation car with gallery style seating for track inspection. (Matt Farrand)
Grand Opening of new Fort Augusta Room
SUNBURY -- After years of hard work by volunteers, the new Fort Augusta Room at the Hunter House in Sunbury is ready for visitors. Cindy Inkrote, Director of the Northumberland County Historical Society, says the room now looks a lot less like a museum, and the artifacts are closer to visitors so they can see details.
She says of the artifacts remain from the prior exhibit, but they are enhanced. There are murals, typical dress and uniforms, and a new fort model. Saturday will be the grand opening and dedication of the room.
All are invited on Saturday for an open hour from 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. There is a dedication ceremony at 1:00p.m, with a reception to follow. The Hunter House is located on North Front Street. (Sara Bartlett)
Bus driver accused of indecent assault
NEW BERLIN -- A bus driver in the Midd-West school district has been charged with indecent assault involving four juvenile females. The victims, two 11 year-olds, a 10-year-old and an 8-year-old, say 56-year-old Harry Miller Jr., of New Berlin, was their bus driver and touched them inappropriately. The incidents allegedly occurred many times, some of which happened over a period of five years.
The four victims say they saw Miller touch other children on the bus as well. Miller was charged with indecent assault and corruption of minors. He was arraigned before District Judge Willis Savidge and released on $50,000 bail. (Sara Bartlett)
Bus driver suspected of DUI
KULPMONT -- A school bus driver in Kulpmont has been suspected of DUI. The bus was empty at the time, but had passengers earlier in the day. Police say they were called to Route 61 around 4:00p.m. Wednesday for reports of a school bus swerving on the road.
The driver, who has not been identified, also struck a road sign. Police say the woman driver showed signs of impairment and failed a sobriety test. She was taken into custody for DUI and possession of a controlled substance.
The investigation continues and a number of charges are pending. Police say the driver was completing a route for the Mount Carmel Area School District, but is not an employee of the school district. She is employed by a bus company in Dornsife. (Sara Bartlett)
Girls on the Run
MIDDLEBURG -- Girls on the Run is a special program that is just for pre-teen girls. Cheryl Stumpf is a counselor and outreach coordinator for the program, which is held locally at the Middlecreek Area Community Center in Beaver Springs.
It’s a non-profit organization with a mission of empowering girls and teaching them how to be leaders while training them to run. She says the running is part of the program, but there is so much more too it.
The girls train during the program for a 5K race, which will be held this Saturday at the Middlecreek Area Community Center starting at 9 a.m. The 5K race is open to women and men of all ages.
Proceeds from the race will provide scholarships to girls who can’t afford to pay the full price of the Girls on the Run program. For more information, listen to WKOK’s Thursday Leaders and Lawmakers program online at www.wkok.com.
Local improvement projects get state grant
HARRISBURG -- Two local community improvement projects are getting a boost thanks to a $1.2 million investment by the state. The money goes toward Pennsylvania Conservation Corps projects. In Northumberland Borough, $127,000 was given to the 2nd Street Community Center and Police Station.
Corp members will renovate the center, constructing a storage shed and pavilion, installing playground equipment and removing graffiti. Montour County was also given $127,000 toward the Montour Area Recreation Commission.
The areas affected include Hess Field, Robbins Trail, Danville Waterfront Park, Danville Area Recreation Center and Susquehanna Greenways Trail. Corp members will develop a storage facility, improve trails and clear invasive species.
Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania employers added 34,000 jobs in April, the highest monthly number since 1996, although unemployment remained at its highest rate in more than a quarter century. The state Labor and Industry Department said Friday that many of the jobs added were in professional and business services, tourism, manufacturing and the trade, transportation and utilities category. Gov. Ed Rendell calls it "really good news for Pennsylvania," although he acknowledges that the effects of the recession aren't over. Jobs increased in April nationally and in 37 other states as well. Despite the jump in nonfarm jobs to a seasonally adjusted level of 5.6 million, the unemployment rate remained at 9 percent as more people start or resume looking for work. That's below the national rate of 9.9 percent.
MANSFIELD, Mass. (AP) - The town of Mansfield is losing a bit of its sweetness. A landmark chocolate factory whose founder played a pivotal role in the social and economic history of the town is shutting down. A company spokesman says the century-old ADM Cocoa factory, originally known as Lowney's Chocolates, will move operations to a modern facility in Hazleton, Pa., by the fall. The spokesman for Archer Daniels Midland Co. tells The Sun Chronicle of Attleboro that the factory's 83 workers will either get jobs at the new location or be offered severance packages and employment assistance. Company founder Walter Lowney was responsible for hiring the Italian immigrants whose descendants still define the town's character. He helped develop the town's water and sewer and system and donated park land.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Police are investigating the source of the powder-filled balloon that forced the evacuation of the Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia. Spokesman Lt. Frank Vanore said Friday that city police questioned whether it was linked to the taping of a TV program. But a Food Network statement says no balloons were used in the Thursday morning taping of "Chef vs. City." A guard discovered the stray balloon outside the Liberty Bell entrance that afternoon, leading authorities to shut down the area. The FBI says tests show the powder was not hazardous; the National Park Service says it was flour. Meanwhile, police say powder found on a letter sent to a municipal office building near City Hall that prompted a limited evacuation Friday was not hazardous.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A former Pennsylvania House Democratic staffer convicted in the legislative corruption investigation is sentenced to 21 months to five years in state prison. Dauphin County Judge Richard Lewis on Friday sentenced Brett Cott for felony theft, conflict of interest and conspiracy related to his role in diverting state resources to wage political campaigns. Prosecutors argued that Cott showed contempted for the judicial process and failed to show remorse for his actions. Sentencing is scheduled for next month for the two co-defendants also found guilty, former Rep. Mike Veon of Beaver County and former Veon district aide Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Republican Pat Toomey hardly waited to begin spending money to defeat Democrat Joe Sestak in the race for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania. His campaign debuted a statewide ad Thursday that draws a contrast between their positions on the Wall Street bailout, the national health care debate and terrorist trials. In a statement, Sestak questioned Toomey's accountability, saying his votes for bank deregulation and former President George Bush's budgets led to the national recession and debt. Sestak is a congressman and former Navy admiral from suburban Philadelphia who beat five-term Sen. Arlen Specter in Tuesday's Democratic primary. Toomey easily won the Republican nomination over a little-known opponent. Toomey is a former congressman from the Allentown area. The election is Nov. 2.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House says it's not worried about four consecutive losses by Democratic candidates President Barack Obama had supported. The latest defeat came Tuesday when Sen. Arlen Specter lost to Rep. Joe Sestak in Pennsylvania's Democratic primary. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs gave a simple, one-word answer when asked Thursday if Obama or his political team are concerned about the 0-4 losing streak. "No," Gibbs said. The other three losing Democratic candidates were gubernatorial hopefuls Creigh Deeds of Virginia and Jon Corzine of New Jersey, and Senate candidate Martha Coakley of Massachusetts. Coakley had hoped to succeed the late Edward M. Kennedy.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Democrats are welcoming Mark Critz to their ranks after he dashed Republican hopes of capturing a Pennsylvania House seat seen as a possible bellwether for the midterms. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., swore in Critz Thursday after he won a special election to fill the final months of the late Rep. John Murtha's term. The longtime Murtha aide beat Republican Tim Burns on Tuesday. Both candidates will meet again this fall. Murtha had held the seat for 36 years, but Republicans were counting on opposition to congressional Democrats and tea party-driven discontent to carry them to victory. Critz stressed his ties to his old boss, who as chairman of a House Appropriations panel steered millions of federal dollars to his district. Murtha died in February.
LONG POND, Pa. (AP) - Construction has begun on a three-megawatt solar farm at Pocono Raceway in northeastern Pennsylvania. The Escondido, California-based energy company enXco says it will design and build the project and then turn it over to the raceway. The project is expected to generate clean electricity for the track by this summer, becoming its primary electric energy source. Officials say it also will benefit the local power grid. The $17 million project will see nearly 40,000 solar panels spread over approximately 25 acres of land formerly used as parking lots. The track, located within 90 miles of New York and Philadelphia, hosts two Cup races annually.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The American Civil Liberties Union is helping two people who have posted Internet writings critical of Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett fight a subpoena seeking their identities. ACLU attorney Vic Walczak said Thursday he would file a motion to quash the subpoena if an agreement with the attorney general's office can't be worked out. Walczak says using courts to unmask political critics is unconstitutional retaliation. Corbett is the Republican nominee for governor. The subpoena issued to Twitter Inc. May 6 by a statewide investigative grand jury seeks information about Twitter users "bfbarbie" and "CasablancaPA." Both users have been critical of the investigation by Corbett's office into the use of public resources to run political campaigns. A Twitter attorney says it discloses user information only in "limited circumstances."
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Want journalism with depth? The Philadelphia Inquirer is going 3-D. The paper will publish a special section next month featuring full-page 3-D pictures and advertisements. Publisher Brian Tierney says the section will come with clear-lens 3-D glasses for viewing. The section will appear on newsstands on Sunday, June 13 and be available on the philly.com the following day. Tierney says the paper wants to push the experience readers can get from newspapers. Three-dimensional effects have been growing in popularity recently, including the successful 3-D release of Avatar and Playboy's decision to publish a 3-D centerfold in its June issue. The Inquirer and its sister publication, the Philadelphia Daily News, were sold to a group of creditors last month during a bankruptcy auction.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A teenager has sued a northeastern Pennsylvania school district after her principal confiscated her cell phone, found nude images on it and turned the phone over to prosecutors. The federal suit says Tunkhannock Area High School Principal Gregory Ellsworth illegally searched the 17-year-old student's cell phone after the device was confiscated by a teacher in January 2009. The phone contained racy images that the plaintiff had taken of herself. The suit says Ellsworth turned the phone over to the Wyoming County district attorney, who allegedly threatened to file felony charges against the teen unless she took a class on sexual violence. The student seeks damages against Ellsworth, the school district, prosecutors and a detective. The suit was filed Thursday.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Update on the latest in business:
Dow: 10,064.76, down -3.25
S&P 500: 1,073.32, up 1.73
NASDAQ: 2,205.14, up 1.13
NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks have seen volatile trading again today, after declines on overseas markets. In afternoon trading, the Dow, Nasdaq and the S&P 500 were all in positive territory.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Unemployment rates fell in most states last month as improved economic conditions spurred hiring. The Labor Department says 34 states and the District of Columbia reported falling jobless rates for April. Six states reported higher rates, while 10 saw unemployment hold steady.
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama has ordered federal agencies to craft national mileage and emissions standards for big rig and work trucks for the first time. The goal is to limit the huge amount of pollution coming from large vehicles.
NEW YORK (AP) - Borders Group says financier Bennett LeBow is investing $25 million in the company and will become chairman. LeBow, chairman of tobacco holding company Vector Group, is buying 11 million shares at $2.25 apiece, which will be used to help strengthen Borders' balance sheet and grow its online efforts.
TORONTO (AP) - Chrysler's new CEO says the automaker is considering a public stock offering sometime in 2011. Sergio Marchionne says there is enough demand in the marketplace to support initial public offerings for Chrysler and General Motors. Both were restructured in government-funded bankruptcy protection cases last year.
WALL STREET
Stocks down sharply
NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks are on track for a big decline this week, particularly after yesterday's sell-off. It was the biggest one-day drop for the Dow since February 2009. The index fell 376 points or 3.6 percent to 10,068. The S&P was down 43 points to 1,072. And the Nasdaq dropped 94 points to 2,204. Coming in to today's session, the key averages are down 5 to 6 percent for the week.
WORLD MARKETS
Asian stock markets tumble amid Europe fears
TOKYO (AP) - Asian markets dived Friday, following a brutal day on Wall Street where stocks took their deepest tumble in more than a year. Japan's Nikkei 225 stock average shed 251.66 points, or 2.5 percent, to 9,782.02, with exporters falling sharply on a strong yen. Other markets across the region fell sharply as well. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index was down 2.3 percent at 4,217.1 and Taiwan's market shed 2.2 percent. Benchmarks in mainland China, Indonesia and Singapore also retreated. Hong Kong and South Korean stock exchanges were closed for a public holiday. Trading in Thailand has been suspended due to political turmoil.
FINANCIAL OVERHAUL
Senate passes massive Wall Street regulation bill
WASHINGTON (AP) - Prodded by national anger at Wall Street, the Senate has passed the most far-reaching restraints on big banks since the Great Depression. In its broad sweep, the massive bill would touch Wall Street CEOs and first-time home buyers, high-flying traders and small town lenders. The 59-39 vote last night represents an important achievement for President Barack Obama, and comes just two months after his health care overhaul became law. The bill must now be reconciled with a House version that passed in December. A key House negotiator predicted the legislation would reach Obama's desk before the Fourth of July. The legislation aims to prevent a recurrence of the near-meltdown of big Wall Street investment banks and the resulting costly bailouts. It calls for new ways to watch for risks in the financial system and makes it easier to liquidate large failing financial firms. It also writes new rules for complex securities blamed for helping precipitate the 2008 economic crisis, and it creates a new consumer protection agency.
GEITHNER-EUROPE
US, Britain and Germany to discuss debt crisis
WASHINGTON (AP) - Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner will confer with finance officials in Britain and Germany about ways to restore global confidence in the financial system on a trip to Europe next week. The Treasury Department announced the trip late yesterday after a rough day on global financial markets. In a statement, Treasury said Geithner would meet with European officials "to discuss the economic situation in the region and the measures being taken to restore global confidence and financial stability and to promote global recovery." Investors are concerned that the debt problems in countries like Greece and Portugal will spill over to other parts of Europe and threaten to derail the economic recovery in the United States and elsewhere. Geithner's trip will occur after he and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton hold high-level talks with Chinese officials in Beijing on a range of economic and foreign policy issues. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is scheduled to participate in those talks as well on Monday and Tuesday.
OIL PRICES
Oil settles lower
SINGAPORE (AP) - Oil prices fell to near $70 a barrel today in Asia on investor concern that a financial crisis in Europe could undermine the global economic recovery and crude demand. Crude has fallen about 20 percent so far this month after touching an 18-month high of $87.15 on May 3 as investor confidence tumbled amid fears deep government spending cuts in Greece, Spain, Italy and Portugal to stave off a debt default will hurt European economic growth. Oil had plunged to $32 a barrel in December 2008 from $147 five months earlier as a U.S. financial crisis plunged the global economy into recession. Capital Economics said it expects crude prices to fall to $60 a
barrel at the end of the year.
BP-STOCKHOLDER LAWSUIT
BP stockholder lawsuit filed in AK
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - A stockholder lawsuit claims "gross mismanagement" by top BP officials has severely damaged the company's reputation and hurt its value. The lawsuit, filed yesterday in Superior Court in Anchorage, alleges the officials did not take the necessary steps to ensure BP compliance with safety rules and environmental safeguards, citing last month's oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico, a 2005 refinery blast in Texas and concerns U.S. Reps. Henry Waxman and Bart Stupak raised earlier this year about BP operations on Alaska's North Slope. A spokesman for BP in Alaska has declined comment on pending litigation. Defendants in the suit include BP chief executive Tony Hayward; members of BP's board of directors; Lamar McKay, president of BP America, Inc.; and John Minge, head of BP Exploration Alaska. The named plaintiff is Jeffrey Pickett, identified as a BP shareholder since at least late 2000 acting "for the benefit" of BP. California-based attorney Patrick Coughlin said funds that hold BP stock are interested in joining the lawsuit.
UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
Bill aims to expand unemployment benefits
WASHINGTON (AP) -People who are out of work for long stretches would get expanded unemployment benefits through the end of the year under a bill Democratic lawmakers plan to pass next week. The bill would also extend, for a year, about 50 popular tax cuts that expired in January. The bill would be paid for, in part, by tax increases on investment managers and some U.S.-based multinational companies. House leaders said they plan to vote on the bill early next week, leaving just a few days for the Senate to act before Congress goes on a weeklong vacation for Memorial Day. House leaders had planned to vote this week, but they were still waiting for some cost estimates, and a few issues were unresolved.
EARNS-DELL
Dell profit jumps, shares slide after-hours
SEATTLE (AP) - Computer maker Dell reported after the closing bell that first-quarter net income rose 52 percent. The improvement was helped by sales of computers to businesses and technology services to public-sector customers. At the same time, Dell's gross profit margin dropped from a year ago, and the company said certain PC components are likely to remain in short supply.
Excluding certain items, quarterly earnings came in at 30 cents a share, topping forecasts.
In extended trading the shares fell 3 percent to $13.85.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn Friday:
Mega Millions
Estimated jackpot: $54 million
Midday Big 4
2-2-6-9
Midday Number
5-9-4
Midday Quinto
0-8-9-1-7
Powerball
Estimated jackpot: $170 million
Treasure Hunt
05-09-10-14-27
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn Thursday:
Big 4
9-0-6-3
Cash 5
02-03-06-19-25
Daily Number
7-6-7
Evening Quinto
9-7-2-7-9
Midday Big 4
4-0-5-1
Midday Number
7-2-6
Midday Quinto
8-3-8-9-8
Mix and Match
15-19-02-10-11
Treasure Hunt
06-17-24-25-28
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
'Bling ring' suspect loses motion
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A Los Angeles judge has rejected a defense motion to suppress statements made to police by a suspect in a spate of celebrity burglaries. Los Angeles County district attorney's spokeswoman Jane Robison says Superior Court Judge Darrell Mavis on Friday denied the motion filed by attorneys for Nicholas Prugo claiming his former attorney provided "ineffective counsel" for allowing Prugo to cooperate with police without an immunity deal. Prosecutors say Prugo and his former attorney, who dropped out after being indicted for witness tampering on an unrelated case, came forward to police voluntarily. Prugo is charged with seven counts of felony residential burglary for break-ins at the Hollywood Hills homes of Lindsay Lohan, Hilton, Orlando Bloom and several others. A preliminary hearing for Prugo and other defendants is scheduled for May 25.
NYC theaters back away from $20 'Shrek' showing
NEW YORK (AP) - The owners of AMC Theatres say a $20 adult ticket price for an IMAX showing of "Shrek Forever After" at some of its Manhattan theaters was posted online in error. AMC spokesman Justin Scott said Friday that a limited number of its theaters "posted incorrect pricing." He says customers who bought a $20 ticket would be eligible for a refund. The Wall Street Journal had reported that the $20 price was posted online Wednesday for weekend showings at four Manhattan theaters. By Friday, three of those theaters had ticket prices from $17 to $19. The AMC Loews Lincoln Square in Manhattan was still selling Shrek IMAX tickets for $20. But Scott said it would be adjusted to $19. "Shrek Forever After" is the series' fourth installment, and the first in 3-D.
Rocker has outpatient care after 'warning stroke'
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Bret Michaels is receiving outpatient care after being hospitalized for what doctors called a "warning stroke." His publicist, Joann Mignano, gave no other details Friday in an e-mail to The Associated Press. Mignano had earlier confirmed that Michaels suffered what doctors call a "warning stroke" and has been diagnosed with a patent forum ovale, or hole in the heart. The 47-year-old rocker-TV reality star was hospitalized after experiencing numbness on the left side of his body, particularly in his face and hands. Doctors said the condition is operable and treatable and likely unrelated to the brain hemorrhage he suffered last month.
GE coffee makers recalled due to fire hazard
WASHINGTON (AP) - Nearly 1 million General Electric coffee makers sold at Walmart are being recalled after dozens of reports of overheating, smoking, burning and fires. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says Walmart has received 83 complaints about the GE-branded coffee maker, including three reports of minor burns to consumers' bodies. The reports of property damage include a significant kitchen fire and damage to countertops, cabinets and a wall. The recall involves about 900,000 GE 12-cup digital coffee makers sold exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide. Consumers are advised to immediately stop using the recalled coffee makers, and return the product to any Walmart for a full refund.
Lindsay Lohan headed home...without passport
LOS ANGELES (AP) - When Lindsay Lohan returns to the U.S. she will not be arrested. She's already has made bail. Bond was posted for Lohan yesterday, a few hours after a judge issued an arrest warrant. Bail was set at $100,000. The judge had issued the warrant after Lohan missed a mandatory court hearing. Lohan's attorney told the court Lohan's passport was stolen while she was at the Cannes Film Festival so she couldn't return to Los Angeles in time for the hearing. Her lawyer says Lohan will be back in the U.S. today. When she comes back she'll face several conditions the judge has added to her bail. Lohan will be prohibited from drinking any alcohol, required to wear an alcohol-monitoring bracelet and have to submit to random weekly drug testing.
Pee-Wee leaving the playhouse for Broadway stint
NEW YORK (AP) - Pee-Wee is Broadway bound. "The Pee-Wee Herman Show" will have a 48-performance run at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre starting Oct. 26. It is based in part on the cult TV show "Pee-Wee's Playhouse" and will star Pee-Wee himself, Paul Reubens. Producer Scott Sanders said Thursday that it will follow "a day in the life of our bow-tied hero." Other cast members will be announced later.
People surveyed say Hispanics face discrimination
WASHINGTON (AP) - When it comes to discrimination -- a lot of people think Hispanics face the worst treatment. And it's not just Hispanics who think so. More than three out of five people responding to an Associated Press-Univision poll said Hispanics face significant discrimination.Just over half the people said blacks face significant discrimination, and half said women do. Among Latinos, 81 percent said Hispanics face a lot or some discrimination, while 59 percent of the others who were surveyed said Hispanics do. An official with La Raza, a Latino advocacy organization, says the poll shows that Americans are recognizing that Hispanics have been "singled out and targeted."
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