Thursday, July 22, 2010

Northumberland man in prison after sexually assaulting teens

NORTHUMBERLAND -- A Northumberland man is in jail after having sexual contact with two teen girls.  21-year-old Thomas Sechler is accused of having sex with a 13-year-old girl on two occasions, and having sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl.  The incidents happened between April and May of this year. 

Sechler faces charges including involuntary sexual deviate intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, statutory sexual assault and corruption of minors.  He is in Northumberland County Prison on $90,000 bail and has a preliminary hearing next week. (Sara Bartlett)

Visitors Bureau will promote, but not fund, new slide at Liberty Splashland

LEWISBURG -- The decision for the Susquehanna Valley Visitors Bureau to not help fund a new bowl slide at Liberty Splashland in Northumberland is simply due to the Bureau's mission statement.  That's according to the Bureau's Executive Director Andrew Miller, who says they do not fund capital projects.  He says the mission statement states that the Bureau is in the business to promote projects.  In addition, funding projects may jeopardize their non-profit status.  

Northumberland Borough Council President Greg Carl had recently asked the Northumberland County Commissioners for the remaining $40,000 to complete the slide.  On Tuesday, Carl was under the impression that the commissioners would meet with the Visitor's Bureau, who in turn would give the money to Northumberland Borough.  Miller says the Bureau will continue to promote Liberty Splashland as part of a very valuable tourist attraction in our area.

According to Northumberland County Chief Clerk Kymberly Best, the commissioners are still committed to helping with the Liberty Splashland project, and will continue to look for a funding stream. (Sara Bartlett)

A major campaign aimed at motorcycle safety following several area crashes

SUNBURY – There have been several motorcycle crashes in the news recently and WKOK is taking a look at the issue of motorcycle safety, following the death of several motorcyclists and several others who were critically injured.  PennDOT is working to get more motorcycle riders to enjoy riding, but also ride safely and live through the experience. 

Danielle Klinger of PennDOT says the Live Free Ride Alive documentary will be unveiled in Carlisle this weekend at the city’s bike show and it features riders from Pennsylvania that were followed by PennDOT to learn more about motorcycle riding in the state.  The documentary can be seen on the website www.livefreeridealive.com.

Klinger also reminds those riding on motorcycles to have the proper attire on, including a helmet, gloves, long pants, long sleeve shirt and eyeglasses. 

Recently, a woman from Montgomery County, Beverly Latshaw, was killed in a motorcycle crash near Elysburg and was not wearing a helmet.  Her husband Thomas, who also wasn’t wearing a helmet, remains hospitalized at Geisinger Medical Center in serious condition. (Ali Stevens)

Work begins next week on a bridge over Shamokin Creek

SUNBURY – Work will begin on Monday on the Route 61 bridge over Shamokin Creek at the east end of Sunbury.  A two-week detour is planned while the contractor paints the existing bridge.  The truck detour will direct trucks out Reagan Street to Snydertown Road to Black Mill Road and back to Route 61. 

The car detour will take 11^th Street in Sunbury to Snydertown Road, Black Mill Road and onto Route 61.  This will be a signed-detour that will last two weeks.  This bridge preservation work is part of a multi-bridge painting contract involving seven bridges in three counties.  (Ali Stevens)

Three vehicle crash after a Middleburg man has a seizure while driving

SUNBURY – A Middleburg man had a seizure while driving, causing a crash on Snydertown Road Wednesday afternoon.  State police say 49-year-old Nicholas Panarese lost control of his van on Snydertown Road outside Sunbury around 4:30 p.m. colliding with three other vehicles.  The drivers of the other vehicles were not hurt in the accident.  Traffic was tied up for a time following the crash on Snydertown Road. (Ali Stevens)

Paxinos man hired as deputy treasurer

SUNBURY -- A first deputy treasurer has been hired for Northumberland County. Kevin Gilroy of Paxinos will begin the position today. Treasurer Ron Chamberlain, who will resign at the end of the month, and the Northumberland County Republican Committee interviewed six candidates for the position.

Republican Committee Chairman Beth Kramer says Gilroy is well qualified. She says he has 30 years of banking experience. Kramer adds that Gilroy has strong desire to jump right in and get to work, and ill be good for the county.

Once Chamberlain's resignation takes effect, Gilroy will become the acting treasurer for Northumberland County. The Republican Committee will recommend Gilroy to fill Chamberlain's unexpired term as treasurer. Governor Ed Rendell has 90 days to accept the recommendation. (Sara Bartlett)

Congressman thrilled with recently passed Wall Street reform

UNDATED -- Congressman Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock) says he is thrilled to see legislation in place, following a financial reformed measure signed by President Barack Obama yesterday. The new law is the most sweeping overhaul of lending and high finance rules since the Great Depression.

Carney says this means there will be no more bank bailouts. He says the law creates many consumer protections that will be on the side of hard working families, rather than the side of institutions that will manipulate the market and cause more of the economic crisis we have be facing.

Obama singed the law saying, "the American people will never again be asked to foot the bill for Wall Street's mistakes." Carney says he has opposed bailouts in three separate votes, so this legislation is long overdue. (Sara Bartlett/AP)

Danville's Iron Heritage Festival continues

DANVILLE -- The popular band, Stanky and the Coal Miners, is once again part of Danville's Iron Heritage Festival, which continues tonight. The big parade is also tonight beginning at 7:00p.m. and marching town East Market Street to Mill Street.

The parade ends at the Coles Hardware Parking Lot, where the Coal Miners, and other bands will then play until 10:30p.m. The famous outhouse dig begins today on Mill Street, and all are invited to see what artifacts are being dug up. The festival continues through Sunday in Danville. A full schedule is available online at www.ironheritagefestival.com. (Sara Bartlett)

Heavy thunderstorm leaves some in the dark

UNDATED -- Residents in Northumberland and Columbia Counties lost power yesterday following heavy thunderstorms that crossed through the area. At 8:00p.m., nearly 1,100 PPL customers in Northumberland County were without power. Most of the outages were in Point Township and the Shamokin area. There were also scattered outages in the Riverside and Snydertown areas.

In Columbia County, over 800 people lost power. Most of the outages were in the Bloomsburg area, with scattered outages to the south of Bloomsburg. Northumberland remained under a severe thunderstorm warning for several hours in the evening, while the rest of the area remained under a severe thunderstorm watch until 1:00a.m. (Sara Bartlett)

Residents say they were overcharged for sewer projects

DANVILLE -- Eight property owners in Mahoning Township may have been overcharged nearly $20,000 over four years for a sewer project, and now the residents want to know why. Bob Bomboy, resident of Red Lane in the township, says at a meeting of the Mahoning Township Sewer Authority this week, the charges were publicly announced.

Bomboy says there was a document from the Authority's legal council and a document from the Authority's secretary, along with 42 sewer bills going back to 2005. The documents acknowledged that money from projects on Oak Street and Railroad Streets were billed to the Red Lane residents.

Bomboy says it will be impossible to figure out the funds because all of the township's sewer projects are lumped together. He calls the actions 'incompetent' and says the residents want answers. He adds that there needs to be a state investigation into the overcharges.

A new sewer line was being installed following a leaking system along Red Lane. The eight residents were aware that they would be billed for the work, but were taken by surprise when those bills totaled nearly $9,000. (Sara Bartlett)

Autopsy on Watsontown man shows no foul play

WATSONTOWN -- An autopsy has revealed that 81-year-old William Hill died of natural causes at his home in Watsontown. But, an investigation is still ongoing. The death had been under investigation following suspicious circumstances when police found Hill on the floor of his Vincent Avenue residence Saturday night.

Police say now there were no signs of foul play on the body, but they do suspect that someone was with Hill at the time of his death. Police met with District Attorney Tony Rosini Wednesday, and remain quiet on the investigation, but say they do hope to talk to the person that was with Hill when he died.

According to an affidavit, Hill's body was found Saturday covered by a rug. There was also a broken clothes rack near Hill. A neighbor has reported seeing Hill early Saturday evening and police discovered his body just before 9:00p.m. Watsontown Police continue to ask anyone who may have had contact with Hill Thursday, Friday or Saturday of last week to call them at 538-2773. (Sara Bartlett)

Winfield woman shaken after cement cylinder hits her car

NORTHUMBERLAND -- A Winfield woman's windshield was shattered after a cement cylinder flew off a tractor-trailer in Northumberland Tuesday night. One of the cylinders came loose at King and Water Streets and struck a car driven by Angela Keefer of Winfield.

Keefer says she saw the tractor-trailer come around the corner and hit the curb. She then says she remembers seeing a big, white cylinder coming toward, and shattering, her windshield. 70-year-old Donald Groff of Winfield was driving a tractor-trailer hauling cement mixing cylinders just before 8:00p.m.

The cylinder rolled off the truck and hit more vehicles at Duke and Water Streets. Traffic was tied up at both busy intersections for several hours. Police say it was a miracle that no one was injured as the nearly 2-ton device swung into traffic and rolled onto the road.

Groff was driving a truck owned by M. D. Hokenbrough Trucking Incorporated of Mt. Pleasant Mills. Police say Groff may be charged with DUI. Several fire departments and fire police were on hand to clean up and direct traffic after the non-injury accident. (Sara Bartlett)

Celebrity servers to help raise money for the 94KX Cares for Kids Radiothon

SELINSGROVE – Tonight is the 'celebrity server night' at Applebee’s to raise money for the 94KX Cares for Kids Radiothon. For every $10.00 tip that you leave to the celebrity waiters, you will receive a coupon for $6.50 off your next visit to Applebee’s. All proceeds will benefit the 94KX Cares for Kids Radiothon, which raises money for the Children’s Miracle Network and Janet Weis Children’s Hospital at Geisinger Medical Center.

The event will be held at the Selinsgrove Applebee’s from 5 to 9 p.m. Celebrity waiters include Dave Hess, head football coach for the champion Selinsgrove Seals, Chelsea Pagana, PSU Idol winner and Selinsgrove resident, Jeremy Deebel of WYOU TV, Paul Smith of the music group The Badlees and our own Drew Kelly and Ali Stevens from mornings on 94KX.

Janet Weis Children’s Hospital is always full of sick children that can use your help

DANVILLE – Many don't see the work of the Janet Weis Children's Hospital in Danville, until it affects them personally. Dr. Michael Ryan, chairman of the children’s hospital talks, about how full the hospital can be. He says there are 91 beds in the children’s hospital and more than 60 children are currently there, including 30 in the neo-natal intensive care unit for premature babies.

However, Dr. Ryan says the numbers are down in the summer, so the hospital can be much fuller. All of the equipment and services provided at the hospital is paid for through the Children’s Miracle Network. The 94KX Cares for Kids Radiothon is at the end of the month.

The 94KX Radiothon raises money for CMN and the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital at Geisinger Medical Center. Dr. Michael Ryan is a guest on WKOK’s Leaders & Lawmakers program today at 3:30 p.m. You can also listen online at www.wkok.com. More on the 94KX Radiothon at www.wqkx.com. (Ali Stevens)

Selinsgrove man accused of raping a child has a preliminary hearing postponed

SELINSGROVE – A Selinsgrove man charged with raping a child was due in court yesterday for a preliminary hearing, but it was postponed. 21-year-old David Miller Jr. has requested a public defender and remains behind bars on $100,000 bail.

Police say Miller raped a 9-year-old girl on five occasions between February 10th and June 28th. He was arrested on Thursday. Miller is also being investigated for the sexual assaults of two other girls, ages 10 and 11, in Schuylkill County. No new hearing date has been set. (Ali Stevens)

Mount Carmel gets grant for wastewater project

MOUNT CARMEL -- The Mount Carmel Municipal Authority has received a hefty grant that will help sewage from flowing into waterways. $1.4 million was given to replace a storm water box culvert that is creating a public safety hazard.

It will eliminate sewer overflow that discharges untreated sewage into Butternut Creek. The grant is one of many awarded throughout the state by Governor Ed Rendell. The money is provided by PENNVEST and helps local communities make improvements to wastewater projects.

Danville man headed to court for shooting another hunter

DANVILLE – A Danville man has waived two felony charges to court for shooting another hunter on Memorial Day. 44-year-old Michael Kelly was a convicted felon when he shot 52-year-old Jeff Blue in the head, neck and shoulder while Blue was hunting on Bald Top Road on Montour Ridge in Mahoning Township.

Kelly was in court yesterday and waived his right to a preliminary hearing, sending his charges on to court. Kelly has reportedly apologized to Blue for the incident.

Kelly was returned to prison on $25,000 bail. He is accused of fleeing the scene after the shooting and his uncle, 75-year-old Samuel Kelly, is charged with tampering with evidence after hiding the gun on his property and failure to render assistance. He also waived his right to a preliminary hearing and is free on bail. (Ali Stevens)

Bridge preservation project over Penns Creek to begin next week in Snyder County

SELINSGROVE – A more than $320-thousand bridge preservation project will get underway next week in Penn and Monroe Townships in Snyder County. PennDOT says the work will take place at the Camelback Bridge over Penns Creek along Mill Road and will start Monday.

Work will include replacement of concrete, expansion work and new overlay. Two lanes on the bridge will be maintained, but they won’t be as wide. Motorists are reminded to be alert in the work zone. The project should be finished by the end of September. (Ali Stevens)

Man charged with stealing a woman’s debit card and using it

BEAVER SPIRNGS – A Beavertown man is charged with stealing a woman’s debit card and using it at a convenience store in Beaver Springs. State police say 33-year-old Martin Lynn was caught using the stolen card on store surveillance cameras during the Memorial Day weekend. Troopers say Lynn took more than $400 on the card, owned by a 29-year-old Beaver Springs woman. The investigation continues. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, business, lottery and entertainment

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Students in Pennsylvania's 14 state-related universities are in line for a 4.5 percent tuition increase next year.  The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education's governing board on Thursday passed a $1.5 billion budget that also includes a $26 jump in the technology fee for full-time resident students.  Tuition will typically go up by about $250. For a full-time, resident undergraduate, it will be just over $5,800.  An on-campus resident student can expect to pay about $15,000 for tuition, fees, housing and meals next year.  The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education currently enrolls nearly 117,000 students.

CANONSBURG, Pa. (AP) - Hundreds of people are expected to attend a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hearing in southwestern Pennsylvania on a controversial natural gas drilling technique called hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking."  Drilling into the rich Marcellus Shale gas reserve below Pennsylvania is growing rapidly.  Fracking is currently exempt from federal regulation, instead governed by various state rules. The EPA is studying its effect on human health and the environment.  The oil and gas industry says it's been safe for decades and is a crucial tool in the nation's energy future.  The EPA says more than 800 people have registered to attend the public hearing in Canonsburg.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's Supreme Court is providing family court judges, lawyers and other specialists with a new guide for handling cases of abused or neglected children. The court announced  Thursday the release of the "Pennsylvania Dependency Benchbook," which draws together state law and provides examples of practices from around the country that can help judges and lawyers.  It's being distributed to all trial judges and people who work in the child dependency field throughout Pennsylvania. The book is part of the court's effort to reduce delays in placing at-risk children in safe, permanent homes. The number of children in foster care in Pennsylvania is falling, from 21,000 four years ago to 16,000 in March.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's largest newspaper says Tom Corbett should resign as state attorney general. The Philadelphia Inquirer said in an editorial yesterday that the Republican's interest in his campaign for governor is interfering with his duties as the state's top legal officer. The Inquirer cited Corbett's filings in a pair of politically hot federal court cases. He has filed a brief supporting Arizona's immigration enforcement law and joined a challenge of the national health-care overhaul - actions that Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell opposes. The newspaper also cited the ongoing investigation of legislative corruption that Corbett oversees. Corbett campaign spokesman Kevin Harley says Corbett doesn't intend to resign. He says Corbett is an independently elected state official and is basing his actions on sound legal principles.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Gov. Ed Rendell is trying to drive home the dire condition of Pennsylvania's highways, bridges and mass transit systems. Rendell testified before the state Senate Transportation Committee yesterday, and blitzed committee members with photos of deteriorating bridges and highways in their districts. He warned them that those problems will not get fixed without new money, and said that failure to act in the next few months would mean missing next summer's construction season, too. The governor is presenting lawmakers with a variety of ideas about how to raise more money, including an increase in the gas tax. He also says he will undertake a cross-state bus trip in August to illustrate the problem.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - State Sen. Jane Orie and one of her sisters will stand trial on charges they used the lawmaker's taxpayer-funded staff for campaign purposes. Allegheny County Judge Donna Jo McDaniel ordered Jane and Janine Orie yesterday to stand trial for allegedly conspiring to use the senator's staff for campaign work for the senator and a third sister, state Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin. Janine Orie worked as an aide to the judge. A series of former Orie staffers testified during a three-day preliminary hearing that they conducted campaign work at Sen. Orie's direction. The Ories have denied the allegations. Melvin has not been charged. Jane Orie's attorney, William Costopoulous, said the staff members performed campaign work on compensatory time, not while on the clock for the state.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) - A new report done for the American Petroleum Institute says the vast Marcellus Shale natural gas reserves are worth at least $2 trillion to industry and billions in potential tax revenues to states. The report by Timothy Considine of Wyoming's Natural Resource Economics Inc. says the value of the reserves could be even greater. It comes as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency prepares for hearings today in Canonsburg, Pa., and August 12 in Binghamton, N.Y., on issues related to a drilling process now regulated by the states but not the federal government. The oil and gas industry opposes having that process, hydraulic fracturing, governed by the Safe Drinking Water Act and regulated by the EPA.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania regulators are lifting their hold on some drilling permits filed by a natural gas company they blame for contaminating the drinking water of 14 homes in Susquehanna County. The state Department of Environmental Protection says it is taking the steps to reward Houston-based Cabot Oil & Gas for plugging three problem wells and repairing a fourth. Cabot was ordered to take the action in April. Officials continue to hold up Cabot's drilling permits in the affected area. Cabot is still working to permanently fix the polluted water wells. A resident's well exploded on New Year's Day 2009, prompting a state investigation that found Cabot had allowed combustible gas to escape into the region's groundwater supplies.

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

Updates on the latest in business:

Dow: 10,322.30, up 201.77

S&P 500: 1,093.67, up 24.08

NASDAQ: 2,245.89, up 58.56

NEW YORK (AP) - With a wide mix of companies reporting positive earnings outlooks, stocks have been shooting higher today. The Dow was up 228 points, the Nasdaq gained 54 points, and the S&P was up 24. More earnings forecasts from Amazon.com, Microsoft and others are due later today.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Fed chief Ben Bernanke is telling Congress the government should continue its stimulus spending in the short term, saying the fragile economy still needs it to strengthen the recovery and help cut unemployment. Bernanke is under growing pressure to keep the recovery going, since lawmakers have shown little appetite to provide a big new stimulus package.

WASHINGTON (AP) - It's another sign the housing market remains a threat to the economic recovery. Sales of previously occupied homes fell 5.1 percent last month, and they're expected to keep sinking -- with many homeowners unable to move because they owe more on their properties than their mortgages are worth.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The government paid some $110 billion in taxpayer money to dead people, fugitives and others who shouldn't have gotten it. President Barack Obama has signed a bill intended to slash the improper payments. It'll require more audits and other actions to cut down on fraud and checks issued to the wrong person or for the wrong amount.

DETROIT (AP) - A former General Motors employee and her husband have been indicted in an alleged scheme to steal information about hybrid vehicles. The women (Shanshan Du) is accused of copying thousands of GM documents in 2005, just days after getting a severance offer from the company. Prosecutors say her husband then made a deal to give hybrid technology to a Chinese company.

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

Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers

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

 Mega Millions

     Estimated jackpot: $16 million

 Midday Big 4

     1-5-0-6 

Midday Number

     4-1-4

Midday Quinto

     0-3-7-6-9

Powerball

     Estimated jackpot: $52 million

 Treasure Hunt

     08-14-24-25-27

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

Big 4

1-5-7-1

Cash 5

14-17-22-27-33

Daily Number

3-5-7

Evening Quinto

9-0-5-9-4

Midday Big 4

3-8-3-7

Midday Number

3-1-2

Midday Quinto

9-0-3-1-8

Powerball

16-22-30-51-58, Powerball: 25, Power Play: 3

Treasure Hunt

07-13-14-15-29

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

Will Ferrell launches Comic-Con with laughs

SAN DIEGO (AP) - Will Ferrell kicked off Comic-Con in costume.  The funnyman stepped onto the convention stage Thursday decked out as his villainous animated character from the upcoming Dreamworks superhero tale "Megamind."  Ferrell, donning blue facepaint and a bulbous blue helmet, also brought breakfast for the panel's 6,500 attendees - one box of doughnuts and a jug of orange juice.  "I didn't think there would be so many of you," he joked.  Ferrell was joined by his costume-less co-stars Tina Fey and Jonah Hill.  Brad Pitt, who plays the muscle-bound nemesis of "Megamind," was also in attendance - in cardboard cutout form.

Amazon snags exclusive deal for e-editions

SEATTLE (AP) - Amazon.com Inc. says it has struck a deal that will give it exclusive rights to sell some of the great works of 20th century literature in electronic form.  An agreement with The Wylie Agency gives Amazon exclusive rights for two years to sell e-book versions of novels including Saul Bellow's "The Adventures of Augie March" and Philip Roth's "Portnoy's Complaint" among others.  Amazon says it is the first time any of these books have been available for electronic readers. They are being published under a new imprint from Wylie called Odyssey Editions.

Antarctic Whiskey

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - It's aged Scotch -- on ice. Experts at a New Zealand museum are slowly thawing a crate of Scotch whisky that has been frozen in Antarctic ice for more than a century. The booze was found under a hut built by British explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, during his 1908 expedition. But when the Scotch is defrosted, it won't be sipped. Scottish distillery Whyte and Mackay picked up the tab to recover the whisky. It's hoped there will be enough to analyze and duplicate the now defunct Mackinlay's brand

Courthouse dress code imposed in Delaware

DOVER, Del. (AP) - Dressed for court is something judges are taking seriously. Superior Court judges in Kent County, Delaware, don't like what they are seeing from bench. A new courthouse dress code makes miniskirts and baggy pants a no-no. The policy also bans tank tops, bare midriffs, and T-shirts promoting drugs or alcohol. One reporter ran afoul of the dress code when she tried to cover a hearing while wearing a miniskirt that was more than four-inches above the knee. Bare feet and hair curlers are now out of order at the courthouse, too.

Sarah McLachlan will be singing in the JFK airport today

NEW YORK (AP) - Passengers rushing to catch a plane at New York's JFK Airport today might be surprised to see Sarah McLachlan playing there. She will perform post-security at Terminal 5 as part of JetBlue's "Live from T5" concert series for its passengers. That means only those with tickets for a JetBlue flight can see McLachlan, along with a few contest winners chosen by JetBlue.

House Church: Skip the sermon, worship at home

UNDATED (AP) - Instead of going to church, many American Christians now belong to house churches. Unlike church buildings where congregations sit through sermons, house churches consist of 12 to 15 people who share what's going on in their lives, often turning to Scriptures for guidance. They rely on the Holy Spirit or spontaneity to guide their weekly gatherings. House church proponents claim they're sort of a throwback to the early Christian church in that they have no clergy and everyone is expected to contribute to the teaching, singing and praying. The Barna Group, a firm specializing in surveys on religion, estimates that 6 million to 12 million Americans attend house churches. A survey last year by the Pew Forum found that 9 percent of American Protestants worship only at home services.

Wichita City Council says prayers will continue

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - The Wichita, Kan., City Council says it will continue opening meetings with prayer after taking heat for the tradition Tuesday night. Americans United for Separation of Church and State chapter president Vickie Stangl told council members they were promoting religion by allowing the prayer. KSNW-TV reports that Stangl asked that the invocations include all faiths if they continue. Council members said they already do that by having Interfaith Ministries coordinate who will give the prayers. Council members said they appreciated Stangl's opinion, but they don't plan to change how they open their meetings.

Ballot-Expletive

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - An election oversight board says a legislative candidate can't use a profane, racially charged phrase to describe herself on the Wisconsin ballot. Ieshuh Griffin, of Milwaukee, is an independent running for the state Assembly. She contends free speech allows her to use the phrase, "NOT the 'whiteman's b----."' State law lets independent candidates list five words after their names on the ballot. The state Government Accountability Board ruled Wednesday that Griffin's choice was pejorative and not allowed. Three of the five members of the all-white board who voted actually support Griffin, who is black. Four were needed for approval. Griffin says she will seek an injunction in federal court to let her use the phrase.