Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Space heater caused a fire that destroyed two homes in Shamokin

SHAMOKIN – A state police fire marshal says a malfunctioning space heater triggered a fire that destroyed two homes on North Vine Street in Shamokin on Sunday.  A mother and three young girls lived in the home at 104 North Vine and were not at home when the fire started. The News Item reports the home is owned by Jamil Chaudry of Shamokin Dam, who is currently in Pakistan.  Both 104 and 102 Vine Street were destroyed by the fast moving fire.  No injuries were reported.  (Ali Stevens)

DEP Secretary talks about drilling in Marcellus Shale

DANVILLE – There is a natural gas boom underway in parts of Pennsylvania.  It affects the northern tier counties in our region and parts of Lycoming, Clinton and Columbia Counties. It is the drilling in the Marcellus Shale.  It is heavily regulated by a state agency, which has recently undergoing significant budget cuts.  DEP Secretary John Hanger says although their agency experienced cuts, an increase in fees for companies drilling in Pennsylvania, helps keep DEP staff.  He says in 1984 the fee was $100 and raised about $700,000 a year.  Now the fees are based upon how deep drilling goes, and yearly $10 million will be raised.  Hanger says every dollar from the fee goes to oil and gas staff.

Hanger says he hopes the state imposes a severance tax for companies drilling in the state, because everyday without one is a windfall to the gas industry.  Hanger spoke Monday at Geisinger Medical Center to the Susquehanna River Heartland Coalition for Environmental Studies.  He then went to Mount Carmel to tour the expansion of the town’s sewer plant. (Sara Bartlett)

Two waitresses at the Country Cupboard Restaurant accused of stealing

LEWISBURG – Two former waitresses at the Country Cupboard Restaurant in Lewisburg are now facing felony charges after state police say they stole more than $25,000.  22-year-old Aeron Fox of Mifflinburg and 45-year-old Kathy Clayton of Watsontown are accused of manipulating the computer system at the restaurant by transferring merchandise from a check several times and then pocket the extra cash.  Troopers say anti-theft software was recently installed and that identified the suspicious transactions made by Fox and Clayton from October of last year to October of this year.  Fox is accused of stealing more than $21,000 while Clayton is charged with taking more than $5,800.  Fox reportedly admitted to the scam, but Clayton told police the transfers were for legitimate purposes. 

Fox and Clayton were charged with felony counts of theft by deception, theft by unlawful taking and unlawful use of a computer.  (Ali Stevens)

Free Christmas meal in Selinsgrove tonight

SELINSGROVE – A free community Christmas dinner will be served this evening at Emma’s Food for Life in Selinsgrove.  The dinner is first come, first served from 6:00p.m.-7:00p.m., and the entire evening will continue until 8:00p.m.  Donations will be accepted.  The meal includes ham, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables and pumpkin roll.  There will also be musical entertainment.  Emma’s is located in downtown Selinsgrove.  For more information call 374-0178. 

The holidays may put a strain on relationships in divorced families

UNDATED – The holidays can often be a stressful time for divorced parents trying to juggle schedules with their children visiting relatives.  Dr. Tony Butto is a psychologist with the Courtyard Counseling Center in Shamokin Dam and says Christmas, for example, can be a busy time, which takes away from the joy of the holiday.  He says often times children are going to each parents house for the holidays and have multiple celebrations.  Butto says parents should discuss and decide who will get which gifts for the child and Dr. Butto says divorced parents need to work together and not against each other.  Dr. Butto says sometimes parents become competitive when it comes to gift giving and they do it out of their own fear that the child doesn’t love them enough or doesn’t see them as the best parent. 

Dr. Butto recommends not putting too many expectations on the holiday and trying to work together as parents to make your children happy this holiday season.  You can listen to more from Dr’s Butto and Jacobson on a recent roundtable program, which is online at www.wkok.com.  The program will also air on Christmas Day at 6 p.m. on WKOK.  (Ali Stevens)

Another non-profit organization is struggling to survive in the tough economy

MOUNT CARMEL – WKOK is taking time to look at non-profit organizations in need of assistance with unmet needs and high operational costs.  Today, we look at the Winnie the Pooh Day Care in Mount Carmel, which serves about 100 families in the area.  Cheryl Latorre owns the daycare with her husband and says they are able to get by, but are struggling since their heat and electric bill has tripled in the last year.  They also have a number of unmet needs at their facility.  However, Latorre says early childhood education is crucial for a child to have a successful future.

Latorre says if a child can read, by the time they are in third grade, they will be successful.  If you miss those years, she says it’s very difficult to get a child back on track. 

SnyCoComm declares candidacy for congress

MIDDLEBURG – Snyder County Commissioner Malcolm Derk has officially declared his candidacy for U.S. Congress in the 10th District. Derk hopes to face off against incumbent Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock) next fall.

The Republican commissioner made the announcement at the Freeburg Community Center, which is where his political career began when he was a Freeburg councilman for six years. He has been a Snyder County commissioner for two years now and says this has helped him gain the knowledge needed to run for congress.

Derk admits that some will say he is too young and inexperienced for the job, however Derk says Washington needs a fresh new face with new ideas and someone with energy to get the job done. Derk wants to focus on turning the economy around and ensuring the Central Susquehanna Thruway Project is completed.

About 100 people turned out for his announcement last night including fellow commissioner Joe Kantz, Snyder County Republican Committee Chairman John Reed and Selinsgrove Mayor Pete Carroll. You can learn more about Malcolm Derk and his run for congress today on WKOK’s On the Mark program and also on Derk’s Facebook page Derk 2010 for Congress. (Ali Stevens)

Sunbury woman jailed after alleged stabbing

SUNBURY – A name on a Facebook page led to an argument and a stabbing Saturday at the home of a Sunbury woman. Papers filed in the office of Justice Robert Bolton allege that Catherine Reyes-Olmedo of South 10th Street argued with and then stabbed an acquaintance who would not reveal what name he was using on the popular social website.

The papers say the victim, Tariq Mcgriff, claims he was stabbed as he was leaving the residence. He said he was able to remove the knife from his back. Mcgriff was treated at Geisinger Medical Center for wounds measuring about a half-inch wide and up to an inch and a half deep.

However, Reyes-Olmedo claims she was grabbed and scratched by Mcgriff during the argument, and fled to a friend’s home in Mifflinburg, fearing he would return with a weapon. Reyes-Olmedo faces charges of felony aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment after the 2:35 a.m. incident.

She was arraigned before Justice Robert Bolton and a hearing is scheduled before District Justice Carl Rice. Ages of the victim and the suspect were not included on criminal complaint papers supplied by Justice Bolton. (Matt Farrand)

NFF Family: Family hopes to give 2-year-old gifts with Salvation Army’s help

LEWISBURG – In tough economic times, stress can take over. For Stacy Strothers of Lewisburg, she almost sold the Christmas presents for her 2-year-old daughter to get money to pay bills. She says she finally came to her senses realizing she couldn’t take presents from under the Christmas tree. Strothers works part-time for minimum wage at a local motor inn and will begin a second job in January.

She says it’s tough to pay bills, as well as take care of her daughter who is severely underweight and requires care at Geisinger Medical Center. She says the Salvation Army gives her the extra she needs to help with gifts and food this holiday.

Each year, The Daily Item, Susquehanna Bank, Salvation Army and The Sunbury Broadcasting Corporation sponsor The Needy Family Fund. Additionally, a $25,000 Degenstein Challenge Grant will be a boost to the fund—if—and only if—the fund reaches the goal of $75,000.

You are asked to please consider a contribution to the Needy Family Fund. Donations can be directed to any branch of Susquehanna Bank, or mailed to 400 Market Street, Sunbury, PA, 17801. You can get more information at www.wkok.com.

NFF $: Needy Family Fund works toward $75,000 goal

SUNBURY – The Needy Family Fund has topped $50,000 and closer to the $75,000 goal. The total for today is $50,545.70. Recent contributions include $5,000 from Zartman Construction of Northumberland, $680 from Sunbury Broadcasting Corporation, $200 from Steven Miller and Ellen Gauthier of Lewisburg and John D and Lucille Moll of Sunbury.

Also $200 from the United Christian Women of Beavertown and Donna Mattern of Beavertown in memory of Bud Mattern. In addition, Lois Haddon of Northumberland, Matthew Fisher of Lewisburg, Arnold and Greta Bensen of Northumberland and Michael Steimling of Mifflinburg gave $100. There was also $2,010 worth of anonymous donations.

Each year, The Daily Item, Susquehanna Bank, Salvation Army and The Sunbury Broadcasting Corporation sponsor The Needy Family Fund. Additionally, a $25,000 Degenstein Challenge Grant will be a boost to the fund—if—and only if—the fund reaches the goal of $75,000.

You are asked to please consider a contribution to the Needy Family Fund. Donations can be directed to any branch of Susquehanna Bank, or mailed to 400 Market Street, Sunbury, PA, 17801. You can get more information at www.wkok.com.

Three Danville men charged with a burglary

WASHINGTONVILLE – Three Danville men are behind bars, charged with burglary and theft. State police say 19-year-old Thomas Appleman, 18-year-old Matthew Dowsett and 20-year-old Nathanule Yoder were witnessed breaking into DeGreen’s Market in Washingtonville on Sunday morning around 2:15 a.m.

State police say a witness followed the men in a vehicle until troopers could arrive and pull them over. They were arraigned and sent to the Montour County Prison on several charges. Dowsett was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. (Ali Stevens)

Local official talks about importance of thriving downtowns

MOUNT CARMEL – Downtowns are pivotal to survival for the towns in the Central Susquehanna Valley, which is why Mount Carmel Downtown Inc President Meg Bartos continues to be an integral part in projects to promote economic growth.

Bartos says the downtown group is still in the beginning stages in Mount Carmel. They incorporated in March 2008 and was mostly a volunteer organization, without any funding. Bartos says they continue to push along as much as they can with little funds.

Bartos says the focus in Mount Carmel is design, promotion, organization and economic structuring. She says working with community and regional organizations helps to draw people downtown, and she also tries to work with local schools.

Bartos says a most recent project in Mount Carmel is working with DCNR on the Lower Anthracite Regional Heritage Trail. They are finishing up the master plan and feasibility study for the project. The 90-mile trail will span 17 municipalities, three counties and hook in with the Schuylkill trail system coming out of Philadelphia. (Sara Bartlett)

Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate has dropped

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate has dropped a bit. The rate fell to 8.5 percent in November, which is down from October’s rate of 8.9 percent. Pennsylvania’s construction industry added 1,900 jobs in November, which is the biggest gain in nearly two years according to the state’s latest unemployment figures.

Governor Rendell says nearly $1-billion in federal stimulus money has helped boost construction jobs with wastewater treatment upgrades and road repair projects. The unemployment figures show the number of people working in the state rose by 10,000. (Ali Stevens)

Nonprofit group helps collect donations for local food bank

LEWISBURG – A local food bank got a big boost recently thanks to the Susquehanna Valley Young Professionals. The group’s annual canned food drive at the Campus Theater collected donations that will help feed over 700 local residents.

Collections are given to the Lewisburg Food Bank at the First Baptist Church. The food bank serves people living in eastern Union County. The Young Professionals are a nonprofit group open to those ages 21-40 years old looking to give back to their communities while networking with peers. For more information call 743-4100. (Sara Bartlett)

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) - Two eastern Pennsylvania teenagers have pleaded not guilty in federal court to a hate crime in the death of an illegal Mexican immigrant. Eighteen-year-old Brandon Piekarsky and 19-year-old Derrick Donchak were arraigned Tuesday in Wilkes-Barre on charges stemming from the July 2008 beating death of 25 year-old Luis Ramirez in Shenandoah.  A jury had previously acquitted Piekarsky and   Donchak of all serious state charges in the case, angering Hispanic leaders and civil rights groups. The decision prompted Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell to ask the Justice Department to pursue civil-rights charges against the teens.  Three Shenandoah police officers were charged separately last week with obstructing the investigation into Ramirez’s death.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Gov. Ed Rendell says he no longer is confident that legislators will finish a casino-expansion bill that can deliver more revenue to the cash strapped state.  Rendell made the statement Tuesday after speaking with top legislators last week. And he repeated his warning that he will have to cut spending again if he doesn't get a bill by Jan. 8.  He says that will mean laying off at least 1,000 state government employees while closing state parks and cutting grants to museums, universities and hospitals.  The bill to legalize table games is supposed to rake in enough new tax revenue from gambling to prevent the layoffs.  But legislators have been stuck on disagreements in the bill for several months and Rendell says he needs to ensure the budget is balanced.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A section of state road in northeastern Pennsylvania has been named in honor of a state trooper who was killed in the line of duty earlier this year.  A bill that named a portion of Route 611 in Monroe County the Trooper Joshua D. Miller Memorial Highway was signed into law by Gov. Ed Rendell on Tuesday.  Miller was shot and killed in June after a 40-mile chase of an armed man. Daniel Autenrieth also seriously wounded another trooper but was himself killed by police.  Autenrieth had kidnapped his 9-year-old son, but the boy wasn't harmed.  Miller's survivors include his wife Angela, a state police dispatcher in Luzerne County, and three daughters.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -Pennsylvania's revamped Right-to-Know Law may be transforming attitudes among government officials about the public documents and information under their control. A new survey of government offices by The Associated Press and dozens of other media organizations showed about one in seven requests failed entirely. That's a significantly better rate than what was found in similar Pennsylvania open-records audits in 1999 and 2005. The auditors drove nearly 5,000 miles, took copious notes and paid $335 in copying fees to see how agencies responded when people showed up at random to seek information. They obtained grant applications, 911 logs, police blotters, school superintendent contracts and job applications or resumes of public employees.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -Pennsylvania's revamped Right-to-Know Law may be transforming attitudes among government officials about the public documents and information under their control. A new survey of government offices by The Associated Press and dozens of other media organizations showed about one in seven requests failed entirely. That's a significantly better rate than what was found in similar Pennsylvania open-records audits in 1999 and 2005. The auditors drove nearly 5,000 miles, took copious notes and paid $335 in copying fees to see how agencies responded when people showed up at random to seek information. They obtained grant applications, 911 logs, police blotters, school superintendent contracts and job applications or resumes of public employees.

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) - Judges in a northeastern Pennsylvania county have gotten 68 applications from people who want to serve the remainder of the term of a county commissioner who resigned. Greg Skrepenak, who resigned Thursday as a Luzerne County commissioner, has agreed to plead guilty to accepting a bribe. The county's judges are to select a new commissioner from the 68 people who applied before Monday's 4 p.m. deadline. They plan to start interviewing the applicants on Wednesday. Skrepenak is the 23rd person charged in the northeastern Pennsylvania corruption probe. He played six seasons in the NFL as an offensive lineman for the Raiders and Panthers. His lawyer has said Skrepenak accepts responsibility for his actions but declined further comment.

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) - Planners of a multistate, high-voltage transmission line called PATH say they have refiled their stalled application in Maryland and asked to withdraw their application in Virginia. Allegheny Energy Inc. of Greensburg, Pa., and American Electric Power Co., of Columbus, Ohio, announced the filings Monday. The Maryland Public Service Commission rejected an application for the 20-mile Maryland segment in September, saying the proposed operator was not an electric company. The new application is by the Potomac Edison Co., one of Allegheny's electric utilities. The partners say they will refile in early 2010 for the 31-mile Virginia segment to better coordinate proceedings in all three states. The proposed Potomac-Appalachian Transmission Highline would run 275 miles from Putnam County, W.Va., to near New Market, Md.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is planning to send 2,000 inmates to facilities in other states to lessen crowded conditions in state prisons. Prison system spokeswoman Sue McNaughton said Monday that within two months the inmates will be shipped to the Muskegon Correctional Facility in Michigan and the Green Rock Correctional Center in Chatham, Va. Pennsylvania will be paying those states $62 per prisoner per day. Inmates will be selected if they get relatively few visits, have no medical or mental-health issues and at least three years left on their sentences. There are now more than 51,000 inmates in Pennsylvania state prisons, while the capacity is about 44,000. Three new state prisons are planned.

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) - Santa, a snowman, an elf and other secular figures have joined a nativity scene at a northeastern Pennsylvania courthouse, resolving a controversy over the display of religious holiday symbols in a public space. Luzerne County commissioners had removed the crèche and menorah from the courthouse lawn last week after receiving an objection from the ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State. The groups told the county that the displays were an unconstitutional government endorsement of religion. ACLU attorney Mary Catherine Roper told The Associated Press on Monday that she's satisfied now that the county has added some secular symbols to the display. The nativity scene is county-owned and has been placed on the lawn in Wilkes-Barre for decades.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Update on the latest in business

Dow: 10,457.37, up 43.23

S&P 500: 1,117.28, up 3.23

NASDAQ: 2,251.06, up 13.40

WASHINGTON (AP) - Analysts say signs suggest that the economic recovery will close the year on firmer footing. That's despite today's GDP report showing that the economy grew at a 2.2 percent pace in the third quarter, more slowly than previously thought.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says businesses have "enormous opportunities" to start growing and hiring again, if they can get the capital they need. He's been meeting today with leaders of a dozen small and community banks. As for the economy, he says he's "very optimistic" that the worst is over.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House is naming a former Microsoft and eBay executive as the government's new cyber security coordinator. Former Bush administration official Howard Schmidt will lead the effort to shore up the country's computer networks. 

WASHINGTON (AP) - A federal appeals court is upholding a $290 million judgment against Microsoft. The court is also issuing an injunction that will prevent the sale of its popular Word software, starting Jan. 11. At issue is a Texas jury verdict that said recent versions of Microsoft Word infringed on a software patent.

OIL PRICES Oil hangs below $74 amid OPEC supply decision

SINGAPORE (AP) - Oil prices hung below $74 a barrel in Asia as traders anticipated OPEC will leave crude production levels unchanged at the group's meeting later in the day. Benchmark crude for February delivery was up 4 cents to $73.76 at midday Singapore time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract fell 70 cents to settle at $73.72 on Monday. The January contract, which expired Monday, closed down 89 cents at $72.47.

OPEC Meeting OPEC expected to hold the line on output

LUANDA, Angola (AP) - OPEC looks poised to hold the line on oil production when it meets today in Angola. Saudi Arabia's oil minister says current prices are "excellent" and another of the bloc's top officials says there is agreement on maintaining existing production targets. Oil is trading near $75 a barrel. Saudi Arabia and several other OPEC members say they are happy with that price, which is fair for both producers and consumers.

WORLD MARKETS Asia markets rise as deals boost confidence

BANGKOK (AP) - Asian markets rose, snapping a string of losses. In Tokyo trade, the Nikkei was up 1.3 percent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng climbed 1.2 percent. South Korea's Kospi advanced 0.5 percent. Elsewhere, Singapore's market jumped 1.3 percent, Australia's index was up 1.1 percent and Taiwan shares rose 0.9 percent. China's Shanghai index marched to a different drummer, falling 0.6 percent.

HOME SALES Home sales likely rose again in November

WASHINGTON (AP) - Home resales are expected to have risen to their highest level in nearly three years. Thomson Reuters says economists project that November home sales rose 2.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.25 million, up from 6.1 million in October. If accurate, it would be the third-straight increase and the best month for home sales since February 2007. The National Association of Realtors' report will be released this morning. Pete Flint, chief executive of real estate Web site Trulia.com says, "Things are stabilizing." One encouraging sign for sellers is that housing prices are even rising in some areas. About one in five sellers who listed their homes at the start of December cut their prices at least once. That's down from about one in four during most of the year.

ECONOMY Other economic reports due out this week

UNDATED (AP) - The government later today releases its final report on third-quarter gross domestic product, which measures the total economic output of the country. Economists polled by Thomson Reuters predict third-quarter growth was unchanged at an annual rate of 2.8 percent. Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket manufactured goods likely rebounded in November. Orders for durable goods that are expected to last more than three years likely rose 0.5 percent in November, after a 0.6 percent drop a month earlier. The report is due out Thursday.

TARMAC STRANDINGS Airlines say passengers won't benefit from new rules

WASHINGTON (AP) - The airline industry says it will comply with the new rules announced yesterday by the Obama administration -- but it says air travelers won't necessarily benefit. The government is setting a three-hour time limit for keeping passengers on the ground in planes waiting for takeoff. The limit takes effect in 120 days. But the airlines say the result will be more canceled flights, and more inconvenience for passengers. Transportation officials say there are an average of 1,500 domestic flights a year that are delayed more than three hours, affecting about 114,000 passengers. Under the new rules, airlines will also be required to provide food and water for passengers within two hours of a delay, and to maintain operable lavatories.

Boeing-787 Flight Test Second Boeing 787 to fly on Tuesday

EVERETT, Wash. (AP) - Boeing says its second 787 will take to the skies on Tuesday. The company has scheduled a test flight for the second jetliner at 8:45 a.m. The aircraft will take off from Paine Field in Everett, Wash., as long as flight conditions cooperate. About 25,000 people turned out for the first test flight last Tuesday. The 787 is the first commercial airplane made mostly of lightweight composite materials. Ill-fitting parts and other have plagued the 787 program problems. The first flight was supposed to be in 2007, but Chicago-based Boeing Co. was forced to push it back five times. Boeing has orders for 840 of the jets. It plans to make the first delivery to Japan's All Nippon Airways late next year.

AIRLINES-ATLANTA AIRPORT Delta, Atlanta airport finalize lease extension

ATLANTA (AP) - Delta Air Lines Inc., the world's biggest airline, has finalized a seven-year lease extension at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Atlanta-based Delta and the city first announced the deal, which runs through 2017, in October. The city, which runs the worlds busiest airport, said Monday the agreement confirms the airport will be a major player in the region's economic recovery. Earlier this year, Delta threatened to move some flights to other airports if it couldn't maintain competitive costs at the airport. AirTran Airways had said it would consider doing the same if suitable new lease agreements couldn't be reached at Hartsfield-Jackson. The two carriers represent roughly 93 percent of the traffic at the airport.

BAILOUT-EXECUTIVE PAY Pay czar agrees to boost AIG exec's pay package

WASHINGTON (AP) - The government is letting a top executive of American International Group get a $4.3 million boost in his long-term compensation package. The government is the majority owner of AIG. And that kind of boost in compensation needed the approval of the Obama administration's pay czar, Kenneth Feinberg. He said he agreed to it so that the executive's long-term compensation would be comparable to those that were already granted to the company's other top 25 executives. This executive had been planning to leave the company, but decided to stay. The executive's name wasn't released.

CITADEL BROADCASTING Citadel Broadcasting: court grants 1st-day motions

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Citadel Broadcasting Corp. says a bankruptcy court has granted all of its first-day motions. The nation's third-largest radio broadcasting company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Sunday, in a move meant to restructure its heavy debt load. The bankruptcy court Monday allowed Citadel access to over $36 million in cash it has on hand and cash it brings in from daily operations to pay workers and vendors. The company says the move will allow it to keep satisfying financial obligations as it restructures. Citadel owns and operates 224 radio stations and produces radio programming for 4,000 station affiliates and 8,500 program affiliates.

YAHOO-HOLIDAY CLOSURE Cost-cutting Yahoo to close offices for holidays

SUNNYVALE, Calif. (AP) - Yahoo says it will close its offices from Christmas through New Year's to help save money. The cost-cutting move ends a year in which Yahoo's revenue declined for the first time since 2001. It's the first time that Yahoo has required most of its 13,200 employees to use vacation time or unpaid leave during the holidays. Only employees performing essential duties will be working from Dec. 25 through Jan. 1. Yahoo Inc., based in Sunnyvale, Calif., has eliminated about 2,000 jobs and shed other expenses since September 2008. The streamlining has helped offset a 12 percent decline in Yahoo's revenue through the first nine months of this year. Several other Silicon Valley companies traditionally close most of their offices during the holidays.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING Storm put a dent in pre-Christmas shopping

UNDATED (AP) - It could have been a $2 billion storm. According to the weather research firm Planalytics, the weekend Snowstorm that socked much of the East Coast may have put at least a $2 billion dent in "Super Saturday" sales on the last weekend before Christmas. Mall traffic was down 10 percent on Saturday -- but it had surged 65 percent Friday night as more people went out in advance of the storm. The research firm says retailers with must-have items, and one-stop shops like Walmart, are in the best position to recover the lost sales. But not all shopping was lost. Shoppers kept spending online, as retailers offered new discounts and expedited shipping.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers

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

 Midday Big 4

     1-1-7-8

 Midday Number

     2-1-1

 Midday Quinto

     8-3-9-4-7

 Treasure Hunt

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

Big 4 4-8-8-9

Cash 5 01-11-20-24-25

Daily Number 7-1-1

Evening Quinto 4-1-2-8-1

Midday Big 4 7-5-6-6

Midday Number 1-1-4

Midday Quinto 6-6-2-6-8

Mix and Match 19-01-12-07-14

Treasure Hunt 02-15-23-26-29

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Brittany Murphy’s husband denies anorexia and drug overdose

NEW YORK (AP) -- Brittany Murphy's husband is denying that she had an eating disorder or that she overdosed on prescription meds. Simon Monjack tells People.com that the rumors of Murphy being anorexic are "crazy." He says she was "slim, but that was her natural physique." He says she was drinking herbal tea with ginger and lemon to fight laryngitis, but nothing that would speed up her heart. He says there's no way she overdosed on drugs.

Voice of Top Cat, Chunky commercials dies

BOSTON (AP) -- He was the nerdy-looking guy most famous for being the voice of "Top Cat" in the animated series of the '60s. But there are plenty of other projects Arnold Stang is known for. He was in "It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" and "The Man with the Golden Arm." He co-starred in Arnold Schwarzenegger's first big movie, "Hercules in New York." Stang was the voice of the Honey Nut Cheerios Bee and appeared in several commercials for the chocolate candy Chunky. He ended each ad with the phrase, "What a chunk of chocolate!" Stang has now died of pneumonia. He was 91.

Salvation Army gold
 

Mom calls the cops because her kid won’t give up video game

BOSTON (AP) - If you don't stop playing that video game, I'm gonna ... call the police? Police in Boston say that's what one frustrated mom did to get her son to put down the controller and go to sleep. A police spokesman says the mom dialed 911 around 2:30 a.m. Saturday to say her 14-year-old teenager wouldn't stop playing "Grand Theft Auto." She also complained the boy kept walking around the house and burning the lights. Two officers responded - and were able to persuade the boy to listen to his mother. Police say getting a 911 call over video game obsession "was a little unusual" - but hardly surprising, given the way so many kids are hung up on video games and computer use.

YOUNG STUDENT

COLUMBUS, Kan. (AP) - He breezed through high school coursework, and scored above average on the college entrance exam, so Alex Jaeger is off to college. At the age of 10. The southeast Kansas boy has enrolled in a full load of classes for the spring semester at Pittsburg State University. The classes will include university choir, piano, chemistry, calculus and biology. One of his parents will go with him to college classes. But his father, Wesley Jaeger -- who's been home-schooling Alex for more than three years, says his son is ready. He says he "thrives" on new challenges.

"AVATAR" - THE NA'VI LANGUAGE

LONDON (AP) -- Once James Cameron created a whole new world in "Avatar," he had to come up with a language to go along with it. He hired a linguistics professor to help him create a combination of languages from all over the world. Zoe Saldana speaks the Na'vi language the most in the film. She practiced at the dinner table and her mom thought she was crazy.