Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Clausi reacts to lawsuit filed by judge

SUNBURY – A Northumberland County commissioner is offering his thoughts after President Judge Robert Sacavage filed a lawsuit over budget cuts made to the court system.  Commissioner Vinny Clausi says the days of open checkbook government are over at the county level, but concedes it will be up to a court to decide whether the $600,000 cut to the 2010 spending plan will stand.  The commissioner says the county is prepared to defend its actions concerning the budget.  The county commissioners were apparently notified of the pending lawsuit earlier this week. 

Judge Sacavage says he is already running the county courts using fewer employees than a year ago, and claims the new cuts equal the pay given to about six employees.  Sacavage says additional cuts will not allow him to run the court system properly and will jeopardize the citizens of Northumberland County.  (Matt Farrand)

Sunbury man accused of assaulting a woman in her car

SUNBURY – A Sunbury man is locked up in the Northumberland County Prison charged with trying to assault a woman in her vehicle.  Sunbury police say 38-year-old Michael Angstadt got inside the passenger side of the woman’s car as she was heading to work and tried to sexually assault her.  The woman struggled with her attacker and he eventually got out of the car.  Police say Angstadt is charged with felony kidnapping, indecent assault and other charges.  He’s locked up on $50,000 cash bail.  (Ali Stevens)

Vacancy in Snyder County Board of Elections

MIDDLEBURG – Snyder County Commissioner Malcolm Derk has officially resigned from his position as a member of the county’s Board of Elections so he can run for U.S. House Representative in Pennsylvania’s 10th District.  President Judge Harold Woelfel will appoint a new member to serve in Derk’s place.  Anyone interested in serving is asked to submit their name and resume to Woelfel at the Judge’s Chambers in the Snyder County Courthouse no later than December 31^st.

Surveillance video captures the images of two men stealing large flat screen televisions

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)

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 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 Shamokin News Item reports Jamil Chaudry of Shamokin Dam, who is currently in Pakistan, owns the home. Both 104 and 102 Vine Street were destroyed by the fast moving fire. No injuries were reported. (Ali Stevens)

Judge Sacavage sues Northumberland County

SUNBURY – Northumberland County President Judge Robert Sacavage has filed a lawsuit against the Northumberland County Commissioners after they drastically cut his 2010 budget. Attorney Michael Apfelbaum represents Judge Sacavage and a Philadelphia law firm hired by Sacavage filed the lawsuit.

The county commissioners were apparently notified of the pending lawsuit earlier this week. Sacavage, in a written statement, said if the matter isn’t resolved, the dispute will have to be adjudicated by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Sacavage threatened to file a suit against the county after the commissioners informed him he would have to cut about $600,000 from his budget, which he says will force him to cut at least six positions.

Sacavage says he already made dramatic cuts from his budget last year, laying off several people in the process. He says the additional cuts will not allow him to run the court system properly and will jeopardize the citizens of Northumberland County. (Ali Stevens)

Geisinger satellite clinic damaged by fire

DALLAS – Geisinger Health Systems says patients of their clinic in the Luzerne County community of Dallas will be seen at their clinic at Kingston. A fire damaged the clinic at the Dallas Shopping Center Monday night, and it is shut down for now. The facility is largely intact, but there is roof damage, and there is no power.

A release from Geisinger Health Systems says vaccines and other refrigerated medications were taken from the damaged building to the clinic in Kingston, and patients should simply go to the alternate site at their original appointment times. There is no need to call and confirm. Geisinger says the closure of their Dallas clinic is temporary. (Matt Farrand)

NFF Family: Tough times at the holiday for today’s NFF family

SUNBURY – The head of today’s Need Family Fund family finds things especially tough during the holiday season. 52-year-old Mary Jane Soto of Sunbury hopes to have a nice Christmas dinner, but there’s not much else on her plate.

Donations from a local church will take care of dinner on Friday, but within the last six months, she’s had a stroke and lost her job, run behind on the rent and close to everything else. She’s also bothered by not being able to get her daughter much for Christmas, as the 12-year-old needs a new wardrobe for school, and in Mary Jane’s words deserves better.

The family was threatened with eviction and would have no place to go other than relatives in Harrisburg. Mary Jane is asking for financial assistance from the Needy Family Fund to pay off some bills, and hopes to someday be in a position to help others the way she’s been helped.

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 $: Big boosts this week for Needy Family Fund

SUNBURY – A big boost to the Needy Family Fund this week, and today’s total is $63,328.83. Recent contributions include $2,500 from the employees of Metos Minerals Industrials Inc. of Danville, and a $1,500 donation from both Statewide Tax Recovery of Sunbury and Central Credit Audit of Sunbury. In addition, Joe and Linda Reid of Northumberland donated $500 and Chris, Craig and Bill Purdy of Sunbury donated $415.

Lamont and Cynthia Smith of Mifflinburg donated $300, as did Moyer’s Gas Service of Freeburg. Also, $100 was donated from Robert and Helen Underhill pf Middleburg in memory of Kevin Underhill, and Helen Lahr of Sunbury gave $50 in memory of her daughter Judy. In addition, there was $1,083.13 in 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.

Two projects in our area getting help with ‘green’ grants

UNDATED – Two projects in our area will benefit following an announcement by Governor Ed Rendell. Pennsylvania is investing $5 million in federal recovery money in alternative energy projects that use biological materials, such as sewage, animal and food processing to generate waste, which will generate energy to power more than 80,000 homes.

In Northumberland, $850,000 was given to Furmano Foods to expand the company’s wastewater treatment plant to use methane gas. In Snyder County, Ideal Family Farms LLC got over $430,000 to install equipment that will to capture biogas and produce electricity. These are just two of the commonwealth’s eight projects funding by this grant.

Bucknell prof in trouble in Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) - An associate professor of economics at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa., is among five people sentenced to death by an Ethiopian court. He is Berhanu Nega, an exiled opposition leader who was elected mayor of Addis Ababa in 2005. He dismisses the legitimacy of the court and its sentence, saying it's the government's way to terrorize the population.

The court says the professor is a member of a terror group who conspired to assassinate government officials. Berhanu and more than 100 other opposition politicians were arrested after the 2005 election and put on trial for treason. Berhanu and others were pardoned and freed after 20 months, but the government revoked Berhanu's pardon last week. In addition to the five sentenced to death, another 33 have been sentenced to life in prison.

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)

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.

Latorre spoke about some of the daycare’s unmet needs, which include a new fence, a before and after school classroom, more computers, new furniture and carpeting, a new range and some electronics. Latorre says they take it a day at a time and hope their needs will be met over the course of time. She credits her staff for helping them stay on track with the budget. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Gov. Ed Rendell will press for another increase in public school funding and a tax on natural gas production when he presents his last state budget in February. But the Democrat wouldn't say Wednesday whether he will use his final year in office to try to head off a fiscal "tsunami" that he warns is headed toward Pennsylvania after his term ends.  After he leaves office, he estimates the state will need to close a revenue gap of $4.5 billion to $5.5 billion, or more than 15 percent of this year's approved budget.  That's to replace the temporary federal stimulus dollars distributed to help states through the recession and to meet an anticipated increase in public employee pension obligations.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - More than 100 Pennsylvania grocery stores are expected to be getting vending machines that sell wine.  The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board says the kiosks could be operating at all the stores by the middle of 2010.  Board spokesman Nicholas Hays says the kiosks can carry up to 500 bottles of as many as 50 wines.  Patrons would slide a driver's license into the machine to prove they are 21 or older.  A camera would also ensure that the person and the license match. The buyer would also have to breath into a device that would measure blood-alcohol level.  Hays says a prototype will arrive in Harrisburg early next year so the technology can be tested.  Then, Kiosks will be piloted at several stores in the Harrisburg area.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Grand jury witnesses say Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Todd Eachus directed campaign activities by legislative employees and raised campaign funds from inside the state Capitol. Transcripts obtained by The Associated Press allege conduct similar to that for which 25 others have been charged criminally in a state probe of the Legislature. Eachus hasn't been charged. The allegations date to before Eachus was elected Democratic floor leader a year ago. Former aide John Paul Jones says Eachus brought him onto the state payroll with legislative work as a cover. Another former aide, Rachel Manzo, tells grand jurors that Eachus knew staffers were involved in politics as part of their daily work. Eachus isn't commenting.

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) - A judge has denied bail for two Pennsylvania teens charged with a hate crime in the death of a Mexican immigrant. Eighteen-year-old Brandon Piekarsky and 19-year-old Derrick Donchak pleaded not guilty Tuesday in federal court in Wilkes-Barre. They were arraigned on charges stemming from the July 2008 beating death of 25-year-old Luis Ramirez in the town of Shenandoah. Judge Malchy Mannion has denied them bail and said they are dangers to the community. A jury previously acquitted the teens of the most serious state charges, angering Hispanic leaders and civil-rights groups. Gov. Ed Rendell asked the Justice Department to pursue civil rights charges. Three police officers were charged 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.

BOSTON (AP) - Teresa Heinz says she is being treated for breast cancer discovered through a mammogram and wants younger women to keep undergoing the tests despite a federal panel's recent recommendation to reduce their frequency. The 71-year-old wife of 2004 Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry, of Massachusetts, tells The Associated Press the cost of mammography is less than the pain women face if their cancer goes undetected early and they have to be treated with chemotherapy. Heinz says her cancer was discovered through an annual mammogram. Doctors initially thought it was confined to her left breast but later determined it was in her right breast also. Heinz has had two lumpectomies since October and will undergo a new form of radiation treatment next month.

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

Update on the latest in business

Dow: 10,468.40, up 3.47

S&P 500: 1,120.60, up 2.58

NASDAQ: 2,268.96, up 16.28

NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks are modestly up this afternoon after a mixed start. The indexes had retreated from early gains on the news that new home sales dropped sharply last month.

WASHINGTON (AP) - There's a fresh sign the housing market recovery won't be smooth. The government says new home sales took an unexpected plunge last month, by 11.3 percent – suggesting buyers are holding off on using newly extended and expanded tax incentives aimed at spurring sales.

WASHINGTON (AP) - More money, more spending. The latest Commerce Department report shows personal incomes were up 0.4 percent last month, jumping at the quickest pace in six months. Spending was also up for the second straight month, by a half-percent – raising hopes the economic recovery might be gaining traction.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Treasury chief Timothy Geithner says regaining lost jobs is the key to improving the nation's economic situation. And he tells ABC's "Good Morning America" it's reasonable to expect "positive job growth" by springtime.  Geithner says he believes most Americans would say the economy's getting better late in the year.

WORLD MARKETS Asian markets rise on stronger US housing starts

BEIJING (AP) - Asian and European stock markets are higher today after a jump in U.S. housing sales suggests the world's biggest economy is picking up speed. Shanghai, Seoul and Sydney all rose after major U.S. indexes gained Tuesday on news that November home resales jumped 7.4 percent, above a forecast 2.5 percent. As trading got started in Europe, benchmarks in Germany, France and Britain were up about 0.5 percent. Stock futures augur modest gains today on Wall Street. China's benchmark Shanghai Composite Index rose 0.8 percent, while Sydney's S&P/ASX added 0.8 percent amid strength in coal stocks. Tokyo was closed for a holiday after the benchmark Nikkei 225 added 1.9 percent on Tuesday. Hong Kong's Hang Seng reversed losses to climb 1.1 percent. Elsewhere, Seoul's Kospi gained 0.4 percent, while Singapore was up 0.6 percent and Taiwan's Taiex rose 0.6 percent.

ECONOMY Consumer spending and income reports due

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Commerce Department releases its report on consumer spending and incomes this morning. Economists surveyed by Thompson Reuters expect personal spending will rise 0.6 percent in November, only slightly slower than the a better-than-expected 0.7 percent jump in October. Analysts are looking for personal incomes to jump by a solid 0.5 percent, which would be the best showing since May, when the government's stimulus program gave a boost to American pocketbooks. Also coming up today, the Mortgage Bankers Association releases mortgage applications data for last week. The Census Bureau releases November data on new home sales and the U.S. Energy Information Administration releases its weekly petroleum report.

NEW HOME SALES November new home sales seen rising 2.3 percent

WASHINGTON (AP) - Another sign of recovery in the real estate market is expected today as the Commerce Department reports on new home sales. The report covering November is forecast to show a 2.3 percent increase to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 440,000, from 430,000 in October, according to economists polled by Thomson Reuters. The increase would be the third in a row, a sign that the housing market is finally on solid ground. First-time buyers will still be able to save up to $8,000, and now homeowners who have lived in their current properties for at least five years can claim a tax credit of up to $6,500 if they relocate. To qualify, buyers must ink a deal by the end of April. Some analysts don't think the new deadline will have an immediate impact on sales, because many buyers won't act until last-minute.

GEITHNER-CRISIS Geithner: There will be no 'second wave' crisis

WASHINGTON (AP) - Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner says the Obama administration is confident there won't be "a second wave of financial crisis." During an interview on NPR's "All Things Considered," Geithner rejected the idea that a new meltdown could be triggered by lingering problems with commercial real estate loans or with a sudden weakening of the dollar. He did say a repeat of last year's crisis isn't acceptable and the Obama administration will "do what is necessary to prevent that." Geithner said after last year's meltdown, large banks have a "long way to go" to restore public confidence. He defended his contacts with executives from the largest banks, saying he also spent a considerable amount of time talking to small bankers as well. He says it's a "misperception" that he was devoting too much time to the largest banks, saying the conversations should be viewed in the context of a financial system on the brink.

OIL PRICES Oil rose to near $75 a barrel

SINGAPORE (AP) - Oil prices have rise to near $75 a barrel today in Asia after a report shows U.S. crude inventories fell last week and a jump in housing sales suggests the world's biggest economy is picking up speed. Benchmark crude for February delivery was up 36 cents to $74.76 at late afternoon Singapore time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose 68 cents to settle at $74.40 on Tuesday after the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries said the 12-nation cartel won't change production quotas, a move widely expected by investors.

BOEING-787 FLIGHT TEST Second Boeing 787 test plane takes to skies

EVERETT, Washington (AP) - Boeing's second 787 has flown for a little more than two hours. The jet took off Tuesday from Everett's Paine Field and landed at Boeing Field in Seattle. The Seattle Times reports there was a problem with the plane's landing gear. Boeing says the problem was fixed in the air and that the aircraft and its two pilots were never in danger. The initial flight of a 787 took place a week ago. The 787 program has been plagued by ill-fitting parts and other problems. The first flight was supposed to be in 2007, but Boeing was forced to push that back five times. Boeing has orders for 840 of the jets and plans to make the first delivery to Japan's All Nippon Airways late next year.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING-SHORTAGES Holiday stragglers find shortages of hot items

NEW YORK (AP) - Procrastinators may be out of luck this holiday season. Some last-minute shoppers are being met with bare shelves when it comes to key holiday items such as Christmas lights and inflatable Santas. For those sprucing up for a holiday party, glamour is in short supply. Bloomingdales says it has sold out of practically "anything that sparkles." And this late in the season, Zhu Zhu pets aren't the only hard-to-find toys. One shopper searching for Lego and Erector sets says he had to pay up to 35 percent markup on eBay because he couldn't find the toys in stores. Last year, waiting until the bitter end meant discounts up to 90 percent on overstocked items. But this year, stores cut inventories, willing to run the risk of running out rather than having to slash prices.

BOX OFFICE-RECORD YEAR Hollywood's domestic box office tops $10 billion

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Hollywood is crossing a new milestone as domestic revenues top $10 billion for the first time. A Hollywood.com box-office analyst (Paul Dergarabedian) projected that 2009 receipts passed that mark yesterday (Tuesday). The box office already surpassed the $9.7 billion total in 2007, which had been the previous record year for domestic ticket sales. The analyst estimates the movie industry could finish this year with revenues in the $10.5 billion range. A huge Christmas weekend is ahead with Robert Downey Jr.'s "Sherlock Holmes," Meryl Streep's "It's Complicated" and an "Alvin and the Chipmunks" sequel hitting theaters.

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

Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers

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

 Midday Big 4

     5-2-2-6

 Midday Number

     0-9-0

 Midday Quinto

     9-6-9-4-0

 Treasure Hunt

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

Big 4 6-2-8-5

Cash 5 01-06-23-24-28

Daily Number 8-8-0

Evening Quinto 4-7-5-1-3

Midday Big 4 1-1-7-8

Midday Number 2-1-1

Midday Quinto 8-3-9-4-7

Super 7 05-07-17-28-31-33-48-50-55-65-68

Treasure Hunt 02-11-22-25-29

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

Documentary on Jackson doctor planned

LOS ANGELES (AP) - When Michael Jackson's embattled personal physician returned   to work last month, cameras were rolling.  Miranda Sevcik a spokeswoman for Dr. Conrad Murray, confirms that a British documentary crew chronicled his first day back at a Houston clinic for the poor. Murray returned to the clinic Nov. 23 and was greeted by several patients and his pastor.  Murray remains under investigation for his role in Jackson’s June 25 death. No charges have been filed, but investigators are looking into whether Murray improperly administered the pop superstar the powerful anesthetic Propofol.  Sevcik says Murray agreed to be filmed, but only if the footage didn't air until after all legal proceedings are complete.  Details of the project were first reported by celebrity Web site TMZ.

'Mister Ed' actress Connie Hines dies at age 78

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) - Actress Connie Hines, who played Wilbur's wife on the popular 1960s television show "Mister Ed" has died. She was 78.  Her "Mister Ed" co star Alan Young told the Los Angeles Times that Hines died Friday at her Beverly Hills home from complications of heart problems.  Hines was best known for portraying Carol Post on the show that featured a talking horse. She wrote a section about her career in Young's 2007 book "Mister Ed and Me and More."  Born in Massachusetts, Hines also appeared in the 1960 film "Thunder in Carolina" and TV shows that included "The Millionaire," "Johnny Ringo" and "Riverboat."  Hines was married twice, the last time to Lee Savin, an entertainment lawyer and producer who died in 1995.

Some at the Vatican like The Simpsons

VATICAN CITY (AP) - The Simpsons, as Ned Flanders might say, are "okely dokely." And that's not just his opinion. It's the view of the Vatican's newspaper, "L'Osservatore Romano," which is praising the animated Fox TV show on its 20th anniversary. Religion isn't a topic that is ignored on the show. Homer, for example, once called for divine intervention by saying, "I'm not normally a religious man, but if you're up there, save me, Superman!" The Vatican paper says Homer's religious confusion is just "a mirror of the indifference and the need that modern man feels toward faith."

Holiday stragglers find shortages of hot items

NEW YORK (AP) - Procrastinators may be out of luck this holiday season. Some last-minute shoppers are being met with bare shelves when it comes to key holiday items such as Christmas lights and inflatable Santas. For those sprucing up for a holiday party, glamour is in short supply. Bloomingdales says it has sold out of practically "anything that sparkles." And this late in the season, Zhu Zhu pets aren't the only hard-to-find toys. One shopper searching for Lego and Erector sets says he had to pay up to 35 percent markup on eBay because he couldn't find the toys in stores. Last year, waiting until the bitter end meant discounts up to 90 percent on overstocked items. But this year, stores cut inventories, willing to run the risk of running out rather than having to slash prices.

Barry from DC calls talk show

WASHINGTON (AP) - The governor of Virginia had a surprise phone call on his final "Ask the Governor" program on a Washington, DC radio station (WTOP). A producer told Tim Kaine that there was a call from "Barry in DC." The White House says the station knew that "Barry" was President Barack Obama -- but that it was a surprise to Kaine, who was appointed by Obama to be chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Obama jokingly told Kaine he wanted to complain about the bad traffic in northern Virginia.