Wednesday, July 7, 2010

E-mails reveal yoga student had plans to 'assassinate' yoga teacher

MIDDLEBURG -- The St. Louis man accused of killing New Berlin yoga teacher Swami Sudharman plotted the killing.  According to arrest papers 33-year-old Joel Snider, a yoga student, shot Sudharman multiple times in his New Berlin yoga studio, where he also lived.  Sudharman was found on Monday in his residence wrapped in two sheets and a comforter, with duct tape wrapped around the outside.  He also had an apparent gunshot wound to the neck.  While investigating, police say they were contacted by Swami Karunananda, a staff member at Yogaville in Buckingham County, Virginia, where both Sudharman and Snider had ties.  After hearing of Sudharman's death, Karunananda contacted police in regards to disturbing e-mails she had received from Snider, whom she had known for 10 years.

Court papers say an e-mail from Snider dated May 9, 2010 said that he is able to carry out an 'assassination' of Sudharman and another man named Andrew Cohen.  In the e-mail, Snider goes on to say that he is "a very good shot with a rifle and would prefer to do it from a longer range, but I would need to have a handgun.  He also wrote "I would definitely want to avoid prison and U.S. law enforcement."

Snider also sent Karunananda an e-mail the following day.  A portion said: "I am thinking that for both Andrew and Sudharman it would be best if they just disappeared.  No bullet holes, no blood, no signs of forced entry or struggle.  Both appear to be mysterious, eccentric spiritual guys, so it might be easily believable that they would just take off for awhile, or maybe they had spontaneous enlightenment or something  and they reached satori or went home to God or something."  He went on to say that his idea may take more planning and it could be risky, but with God as his guide, he will be fine.  He continued to talk about Sudharman and his New Berlin yoga studio.  He says "Years ago, when he was trying to recruit me to teach in the center he mentioned that he would be living there.  The yoga center is in the middle of a very small town which is very dark at night, few street lights.  The area the center is in is a mostly commercial area so in the early morning or evening when it is dark, there will be potentially no one around.  Place a tarp on floor, roll body up in tarp to carry out to car.  Tidy up yoga center.  Drive to hotel room."

Karunananda told police of a final e-mail she received July 4th around 5:30p.m.  In the e-mail Snider wrote "in PA now.  If the opportunity presents itself there will be a great celebration of independence.  May God's might be swift and strong.  May evil be utterly destroyed wherever it is lurking.  May all be set free from the clutches of evil, for good, for all time."

Though court papers did not say more about Andrew Cohen, he is a known spiritual teacher, who holds retreats and talks worldwide.

Milton State Police say Snider has no known tie to Pennsylvania.  He will be extradited to Pennsylvania at the earliest Thursday. 

Suspect charged with Sudharman murder

MILTON – Yoga teacher Swami Sudharman was murdered and a suspect is in custody.  Milton State Police Trooper Matt Burrows says 33-year-old Joel Snider of St. Louis, Missouri was arrested in Baltimore County, Maryland Wednesday.  Burrows said Snider shot Sudharman multiple times with a small caliber weapon.  Sudharman body was found in his New Berlin yoga studio, where he also lived, around 5:00p.m. Monday.

Burrows says the investigation since Monday has been extensive.  Much of the information came in Tuesday, Wednesday and following the arrest of Snider.  He says numerous organizations helped out with the investigation, and while the death is tragic, it is fortunate that a quick investigation lead to someone in custody. (Sara Bartlett)

Blazing heat continues...Where to find refuge from the heat

LEWISBURG -- Local pools are packed as people try to cool off from the Valley's 100 degree temperatures this week.  Craig Bressler is an intern with the Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority and works at the pool through the summer.  He says people of all ages are coming to cool off.   

Tuesday they were very busy and Bressler says Wednesday they had a line of people waiting to get in before the pool even opened.  In addition to the pool, Bressler says the concession stand has been popular with people buying drinks, Slushies and ice pops.

Meanwhile, down the road from the pool Ron Lentz of Lewisburg has set up for a yard sale.  Lentz says despite the heat, he hopes people would stop by on their way to the pool or the farmers market, but it may just be too hot.  By about noon, they had about a dozen people stop by.  Lentz says it's the one of the hottest times he can think of in recent history.  He stays outside during the yard sale, but has to seek shade every one in a while.

While the Valley may get a break from the 100 degree temperatures, AccuWeather says it will remain hot and sticky through the end of the week with temperatures in the 90s.  A heat advisory remains in effect until 8:00p.m. tonight. (Sara Bartlett)

Three counties to impose burn bans

UNDATED -- Three counties are issuing burn bans due to the lack of rain and dry weather conditions.  In Union County, the ban will go into effect Thursday at 2:00p.m.  Northumberland County's ban also starts Thursday at 3:00p.m.  In Snyder County, the ban will take effect Friday at 4:00p.m.  Each ban is in effect for 30 days.  In all three counties, open burning of combustible material outdoors in a burn barrel, fire ring or on the ground, is prohibited.  Fines range from $100-$300 for anyone in violation.

Fire damages a home in Mount Carmel

MOUNT CARMEL – A fire that started in the basement of a home in Mount Carmel was put out quickly on Tuesday afternoon.  The fire started just before 1 p.m. at 222 S. Beech Street, while Steve and Carol Ennis and their children were swimming in their backyard pool. 

The fire caused heavy damage to the basement and the rest of the home sustained smoke and water damage. 

There was also minor smoke damage reported to a neighboring home at 224 Beech Street.  No injuries were reported.  The fire was put out quickly and crews cleared the scene around 2:30 p.m. The Ennis family is not insured.   (Ali Stevens)

Shamokin man waives charges of possession of child pornography to court

SHAMOKIN – A Shamokin man will be formally arraigned on charges of possession of child pornography and criminal use of a communication device after waiving his charges onto court Tuesday.  24-year-old Justin Wyland of East Packer Street is charged with downloading pornographic movies depicting children after an undercover officer discovered the incidents. 

Wyland apparently used a relative’s wireless connection to download the images.  His arraignment is set for July 30th at the Northumberland County Courthouse in Sunbury following a hearing in Shamokin Tuesday.  (Ali Stevens)

Quizzo tournament to raise money for a student scholarship

SUNBURY – The annual Bill Hoover Quizzo Tournament will be held on Monday to help raise money for a student scholarship in the Shikellamy School District.  Hoover, a teacher and community leader, died a few years ago from cancer and his daughter Angie Brouse organizes the tournament with her mother and brother. 

The Quizzo tournament is for teams of six or more players and features a series of trivia questions from a variety of areas including sports, history, science and more.  The event will be held on Monday evening at the Hotel Edison in Sunbury, with proceeds supporting scholarships for Shikellamy High School Students in Bill Hoover’s honor. 

Brouse says they choose students who wish to further their education and may not be able to afford a college education.  To take part in the Quizzo Tournament, you can call the Hotel Edison at 286-5605 to reserve your teams spot.  The event raises about $4-$5,000 for the scholarship fund.  (Ali Stevens)

Two local residents remain hospitalized after separate incidents

DANVILLE – Two area residents remain hospitalized following separate incidents that left them in critical condition.

Firefighter Shawn Richendrfer is listed in critical condition at Geisinger Medical Center following a motorcycle crash on Sunday.  Police say his bike crashed into a group of trees off of Route 42 in Catawissa Township. 

A Danville woman remains in critical condition following a fire on Sunday.  Kellie English is hospitalized at Lehigh Valley Hospital burn unit in Allentown.  She was burned in a fire at her apartment building.  Officials now say a cigarette probably started that fire in Danville on Sunday.  (Ali Stevens)  

Fugitive captured in Watsontown after a traffic stop

WATSONTOWN – Watsontown Police captured a fugitive on Monday and a Milton woman was also charged following a traffic stop. Police tell us they stopped 28-year-old Jennifer Phillips of Milton, who was found to be driving on a suspended license and had thirteen prior convictions for this offense.

A passenger in the vehicle, 35-year-old Derek Travers, was found to be a fugitive with warrants out for his arrest in Pennsylvania from the Board of Probation and Parole for violating parole. Travers provided multiple different names, dates of birth and social security numbers and was eventually taken into custody.

Travers last address was a halfway house in Harrisburg. He was sent to the Northumberland County Prison and faces charges of providing false information to police and flight to avoid apprehension. Phillips will be charged with driving under suspension for a 14th time. (Ali Stevens)

Another homicide at the Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary

LEWISBURG – Another prisoner has died after a violent attack at the Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary, the second fatality at the facility this month. Another inmate in his cell killed 34-year-old Adam Martin of Tennessee early Tuesday morning and the FBI is investigating.

54-year-old Arnold Smith of California was assaulted in a housing unit at the prison on June 1st and died on June 15th from injuries sustained in the assault. There are also sources that indicate there may have been another homicide at the prison this month, although prison officials have not confirmed the information. (Ali Stevens)

Marino says Supreme Court decision will help deter crime

WILLIAMSPORT -- Challenges to a US Supreme Court decision supporting firearm ownership for self-defense at home are already being planned in both Chicago and Philadelphia. However, GOP congressional candidate Tom Marino says gun laws in both cities have done little to reduce crime.

The former Lycoming County DA and federal prosecutor believes last week's decision, and the second amendment the US Constitution, will ultimately be upheld. Marino says the cities will have to suffer the consequences if they fail to allow law abiding cities to protect themselves from crime.

The City of Chicago plans to revise its restriction on in-home gun possession to be in compliance with the decision, while Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter is confident that his city's ban on most handgun ownership will be upheld. Marino will face incumbent Democrat Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock) in the general election. (Matt Farrand)

Fatalities rise during extended holiday period

HARRISBURG -- Ten people died and more than 360 were injured in 712 crashes statewide over the Fourth of July weekend. State Police commissioner Frank Pawlowski says seven of those who died during the four day holiday period were not wearing seatbelts.

Seventy-two of the crashes were alcohol-related, including three of the fatal crashes. Nine people died and 206 were injured in more than 400 crashes a year ago; however, the 2009 holiday period was only for three days. The figures do not include data from crashes investigated by other police agencies. (Matt Farrand)

Young driver injured and charged after crash

DALMATIA -- A 17-year-old motorist was injured, and will be cited, after a Tuesday morning collision on Route 225 in Lower Mahanoy Township. Macy Ryan of Elizabethville was taken to Geisinger Medical Center after driving into the path of a truck on route 225 at Flying Eagle Road.

The front end of the truck hit the driver's side of Ryan's car, which then spun 180 degrees, coming to rest on the northbound shoulder of the road. Ryan sustained what were described as moderate injurers in the 11:30 a.m. crash. The driver of the truck was not injured. (Matt Farrand)

Immediate burn ban imposed by Point Township

POINT TWP. -- A ban on outdoor burning is now in effect in Point Township. Supervisors and the township's fire chief imposed the ban Tuesday. It takes effect immediately and is in place until further notice. (Matt Farrand)

Union County burn ban to take effect this week

LEWISBURG -- Lack of rain and dry winds are increasing the danger of wildfires. Union County Commissioners are thus imposing a countywide ban on outside burning, effective Thursday, at 2:00 p.m.

The ban covers burning of any combustible material, such as leaves, grass, paper, and litter, either in a burn barrel, a fire ring or on the ground.

Charcoal bar-b-q fires are exempt, as long as they are used for cooking, attended by someone and not pit bar-b-q's. The ban will be enforced by the sheriffs department, and will remain in effect for 30 days, or until conditions improve significantly. Violators risk a $100 fine for the first offense. (Matt Farrand)

Road crews undeterred by high heat

WINFIELD – The AccuWeather Real Feel has been well above 100 all week, and now real temperature has hit 103 at the Penn Valley Airport in Selinsgrove. So far, the heat is proving to be no deterrent to Eastern Industries crews working to widen Route 15 in Winfield.

Extra work breaks or other changes to their work schedules are not planned. Joel Van Buskirk of Watsontown works for the PennDOT contractor and says his crew has had to compensate, but only a little. For those who need to work outdoors during this weather, he recommends doing as his crews do.

His strategy--bringing extra water or fluid replacement beverages. Van Buskirk says this week's heat wave is not the worst he's seen; as a two-week stretch a couple of years ago proved to be much hotter. Meantime, some private contractors took the day off Tuesday. (Matt Farrand)

Relief from heat in Selinsgrove

SELINSGROVE -- Selinsgrove is offering some relief from the heat. In Selinsgrove Borough, the borough building on North High Street will be open from noon until 7:00p.m. until Friday. The building provides public restrooms and drinking fountains. When available, the kitchen attached to the community room will also be open to the public. Anyone with questions can call 374-2311.

Also, the Selinsgrove High School cafeteria, at 500 N. Broad Street, will be open from 11:00a.m.-3:30p.m. through Friday to serve as a cooling station for those who may need an escape from the heat. (Sara Bartlett)

Yoga student talks about his teacher

NEW BERLIN -- As the investigation continues into the death of a local Yoga instructor, a student of Swami Sudharman says he will be missed. Sudharman was found dead at the Integral Yoga Center in New Berlin, where he was the director. . An autopsy will be conducted today, and police say they will then have more information.

Christian Cochran graduated as a yoga teacher under Sudharman in May. He said his teacher was the most graceful person he's ever known, and he considers Sudharman a role model. Cochran last spoke to Sudharman Saturday.

He says Monday, he and friends were driving through New Berlin when he heard the news. Sudharman was found dead by another yoga teacher. Because of suspicious surroundings, State Police say they are investigating the cause of death. (Sara Bartlett)

Sunbury Celebration kicks off Thursday

SUNBURY -- What started off as a small community fun night has expanded into the four-day Sunbury Celebration. Thursday kicks off the 2010 event at the Oppenheimer Playground, according to Ron Pratt, Sunbury's recreation director.

He says there will be free refreshments, games, activities and prizes. Friday night is the Splash Hop at the Sunbury Pool. There will be free refreshments as well as music. Then Saturday is the daylong celebration with vendors and fireworks at night.

The annual soapbox derby will be on Sunday morning. Registration is still being expected for those who want to take part in the derby. For more information go to www.cityofsunbury.com. Also, tune in Thursday at 3:00p.m. to Leaders & Lawmakers where we'll feature more previews of Sunbury Celebration 2010.

Targets stolen from sports club

MILLMONT -- Police are searching for someone who stole from a sports club in Millmont. Sometime between June 19th and July 3rd, someone took 16 steel targets from the Union County Muzzleloaders on Sportsmen’s Club Lane. The value of the targets is $700. Anyone with information is asked to call Milton State Police.

Two injuries after Sunbury area crash

SUNBURY -- Two people were injured after a crash Monday night in Northumberland County. Around 11:00p.m., 50-year-old Daniel Fasold of Sunbury was driving a motorcycle on Anthracite Road near Route 61 in Augusta Township when he lost control of a curve and struck an embankment.

Fasold sustained a leg injury and was taken by ambulance to Geisinger Medical Center. Also taken there was Fasold's passenger 47-year-old Rose Roberts of Sunbury. No word on their conditions

Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Authorities in Philadelphia say a duck boat has overturned after it collided with a barge in the Delaware River and people are being rescued from the water.  Coast Guard Senior Chief Bud Holden says 37 people were on the duck boat, which was struck by a barge on Wednesday afternoon.  Holden says two Coast Guard boats are rescuing people from the water, and police and fire crews are assisting.  Television footage shows at least five people being pulled from the water wearing life vests in an area of the river near Philadelphia's Old City neighborhood. Helicopter footage shows a people in life vests being helped from boats on to a dock and at least one person on a gurney.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - A second central Pennsylvania judge has rescinded court orders directing two newspapers to delete archived stories about defendants.  The orders involving the Centre Daily Times and The Daily Collegian student newspaper at Penn State touched on the potential for media censorship.  Centre County Judge Thomas King Kistler says he signed new expungement orders Wednesday reverting to typical language directing public agencies to clear records when charges are dismissed, withdrawn or otherwise no longer applicable.  Kistler says judges met Wednesday with the lawyer for the defendants. Kistler says 36 other orders also included the newspapers but went unnoticed, and that the court was in the process of finding and revising those orders.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The scorching heat wave bringing triple-digit temperatures to Philadelphia is being blamed for the death of a 92-year-old woman. Authorities say the woman's body was discovered Tuesday by a neighbor who went to check on her. Temperatures reached the upper 90s on Monday and the National Weather Service says it hit a record 102 degrees yesterday at Philadelphia International Airport. That topped the previous high for the date of 98 degrees last reached in 1999. It was also 102 in Reading and 101 in Allentown, breaking the old records of 100 set in 1999 for both cities. An excessive heat warning is in effect until tonight.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The $28 billion state budget that Gov. Ed Rendell signed yesterday is part of a deal that would boost state borrowing by as much as $600 million to pay for construction projects. The planned increase in the state's ceiling on a portion of its debt will be authorized by legislation that Rendell plans to sign today. Rendell is handpicking about half of the projects that it will finance, while legislators expect to assemble a second list in the coming months. Rendell is earmarking $10 million for the Arlen Specter Library at Philadelphia University and another $10 million for the John P. Murtha Center for Public Policy at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. The Democratic governor also is setting aside $20 million for an "American Revolution Center" in Philadelphia and $30 million for a biologics manufacturing facility in Pittsburgh.

WYALUSING, Pa. (AP) - A prosecutor in northern Pennsylvania says a 91-year-old woman who stored the corpses of her husband and twin sister on her property will be allowed to keep them if she installs a crypt. Bradford County District Attorney Daniel Barrett says Jean Stevens plans to build a crypt on her property outside Wyalusing. Stevens says she kept the embalmed bodies of her husband and twin because she wanted to be able to see them and talk to them. She also says she's claustrophobic and couldn't stand the thought of her loved ones in a casket in the ground. The bodies were discovered in mid-June. Authorities haven't yet released the identities of those who retrieved them. Barrett says a decision on charges could be made as early as Friday.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Mullet conservation efforts are under way in Pittsburgh. Not the fish, the hairstyle. The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium held a mullet competition on Monday, with reduced admission for those sporting the business-in-front, party-in-back 80s 'do. The winner walked away with a behind-the-scenes zoo tour. Runners-up got a chance for a free haircut. The tongue-in-cheek promo came at the start of a week of reduced admission gimmicks at the zoo. Stuck in the 60s? A tie-dye shirt will get you in the gates for $5 on Thursday. On Friday, the zoo's Facebook friends can get the discount.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Update on the latest in business

Dow: 10,018.28, up 274.66

S&P 500: 1,060.24 up 32.18

NASDAQ: 2,159.47, up 65.59

NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks are making gains for a second straight session. The Dow has been up more than 150 points at midday. 

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says he's in the process of making good on his pledge to double U.S. exports over the next five years. Speaking at the White House, where some top CEOs and labor leaders were gathered, Obama said the nation's sales abroad were up 17 percent in first four months of this year.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Applications for home loans rose last week as consumers raced to refinance at the lowest rates in decades. The Mortgage Bankers Association says applications increased nearly 7 percent from a week earlier, but they are down from a year earlier.

NEW YORK (AP) - It's a new bump in the road for the new iPhone 4. AT&T says that a software defect in its network is limiting data uploads from the phone in some areas. That would keep it from allowing users to send pictures, video and other content from the phone.

NEW YORK (AP) - When it comes to accessing the Web over mobile devices, Americans are far behind their Internet-connected counterparts in Japan, South Korea and parts of Europe. The survey from the Center for the Digital Future, conducted last year, finds that 25 percent of U.S. Internet users went online using their cell phones.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn Wednesday:

 Mega Millions

     Estimated jackpot: $43 million

 Midday Big 4

     4-0-6-2

Midday Number

     8-2-0

Midday Quinto

     7-2-3-1-4

Powerball

     Estimated jackpot: $54 million

 Treasure Hunt

     07-16-23-26-28

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn

Tuesday:

Big 4

6-2-0-4

Cash 5

03-17-20-21-33

Daily Number

0-4-1

Evening Quinto

4-8-1-9-7

Mega Millions

08-18-45-47-50, Mega Ball: 36

Megaplier

2

Midday Big 4

0-3-6-8

Midday Number

4-6-3

Midday Quinto

0-4-0-8-9

Treasure Hunt

06-18-20-26-30

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Ringo celebrates birthday with 'Peace' salute

NEW YORK (AP) - With a little help from his friends, Ringo Starr celebrated his 70th birthday in New York with a global "Peace and Love" moment.  Starr led the salute Wednesday in Times Square to throngs of spectators looking to catch a glimpse of the legendary Beatle. He told the crowd that being in New York was a "magical moment in 1964, and it's still a magical moment."  Earlier, Starr was honored at the Hard Rock Cafe with a cake and a chorus of "Happy Birthday." He waited patiently for staff to bring a cake knife so he could cut his own cake, as is tradition in Liverpool. Starr wants  people from every part of the globe to say "Peace and Love" at noon everyday by word, e-mail or any form of communication.

Lohan case postponed

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) -- Finally, some good news for Lindsay Lohan. She won't have to deal with other legal issues while she prepares to go to jail in about two weeks. A judge has delayed a civil trial because it was supposed to start during the time that she will now be behind bars. No new date was set. Lohan is being sued by a woman who was in a car chased by Lohan and three men. A deposition on Lohan's drug use at the time has also been postponed.

'Hornet's Nest' on Amazon.com's best for 2010 list

NEW YORK (AP) - Halfway into 2010, it's time for a best-of list for books, including the latest blockbuster from Stieg Larsson.  he late Swedish author's "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" is among the picks by the editors of  Amazon.com for the top 10 releases from January through June.  Others include the Patti Smith memoir "Just Kids," the Karl Marlantes Vietnam novel "Matterhorn" and the Michael Lewis economic crisis best-seller "The Big Short." Amazon.com managing editor of books Daphne Durham calls the list "very global," with settings ranging from China to Baltimore.  The list was announced Wednesday. Also on it are Justin Cronin's "The Passage," Lisa Grunwald's "The Irresistible Henry House," Peter Hessler's "Country Driving: A Journey Through China from Farm to Factory," Tom Rachman's "The Imperfectionists," Rebecca Skloot's "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" and Bradley Udall's "The Lonely Polygamist."

Report: ESPN to air LeBron's decision Thursday

ESPN is reporting that LeBron James will announce his NBA plans on its network Thursday night at 9 p.m. in an hour-long special. ESPN's Chris Broussard is reporting Tuesday night that James' "representatives" contacted the network and asked for the unusual arrangement. Broussard reports ESPN officials confirmed the request but added the network was not told what James' decision will be. Both James' publicist Keith Estabrook and ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz declined comment to The Associated Press. James is believed to be considering staying with the Cleveland Cavaliers or joining the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks or New Jersey Nets.

Judge sends Lohan to jail for probation violation

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) - A judge is sending Lindsay Lohan to jail for 90 days after ruling she violated probation in a 2007 drug case by failing to attend court-ordered alcohol education classes. Lohan immediately burst into tears after the sentencing. She was not required to immediately surrender but will have to turn herself in on July 20. She will also be required to enter an in-patient rehab program after her release from jail. The ruling came during a hearing set for the "Mean Girls" star after she missed a court date in May. She has been required to wear an ankle alcohol monitor since then. Weeks later, the monitor issued an alert after Lohan attended the MTV Movie Awards and after-parties. Prosecutors called it an "alcohol-related" violation.

Mullets live in Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Mullet conservation efforts are under way in Pittsburgh. Not the fish, the hairstyle. The Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium held a mullet competition on Monday, with reduced admission for those sporting the business-in-front, party-in-back 80s 'do. The winner walked away with a behind-the-scenes zoo tour. Runners-up got a chance for a free haircut. The tongue-in-cheek promo came at the start of a week of reduced admission gimmicks at the zoo. Stuck in the 60s? A tie-dye shirt will get you in the gates for $5 on Thursday. On Friday, the zoo's Facebook friends can get the discount.

Black church coalition condemns NAACP support for pot legalization

WASHINGTON (AP) - A nationwide coalition of 34,000 minority churches is condemning the California NAACP for supporting a state ballot initiative that would legalize recreational use of marijuana. The California State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People announced support for the November ballot measure, saying current laws unfairly target non-whites. But the Rev. Anthony Evans, president of the National Black Church Initiative, says drugs have "ravaged" the black community with too much violence and death to consider legalization. Evans says his church will no longer contribute to the NAACP because of its position on marijuana. A California coalition of black churches also has denounced the NAACP for endorsing legalization.

IPOD learning in Utah

KEARNS, Utah (AP) - These kids won't get in trouble for using their iPods in class. School officials in Kearns, Utah, are using a million bucks in federal stimulus grants to buy iPod Touches. About 1,600 students at Kearns High will get the high-tech devices. They'll be used to take notes, do Internet research and read textbooks. The students will be allowed to take the iPods home and will get to keep them after graduation. School officials say the handheld devices have computing power similar to a laptop, but at a much lower cost.