Thursday, August 26, 2010
Sunbury's skyline changed Thursday
SUNBURY -- What was said to be the tallest structure in Sunbury was brought down Thursday.
Salvage and demolition crews imploded two smoke stacks and a boiler house at the Knight-Celotex property. One structure was 250' tall, the other 180' tall. John Koehler of Winchester Blasting Services in Knoxville, Tennessee says the demolition was challenging, but it went well.
He says it was difficult to control that much force, since there was steel in the structure that was an inch and a half thick. He says that takes a lot of energy, but the smoke stacks and building flattened exactly how they envisioned.
The structures have quite a history, originally being built in 1898 as a textile mill. In 1955 it was most known as a boarding mill. The plant was shut down in Fall 2008. Bruce Rea, of Scrap Trading, LLC says the property does have a future. Moran Industries of Watsontown plans to buy the property and develop it into a logistics site. They may use the railway perhaps for Marcellus Shale or other gas industry business. (Sara Bartlett)
New Berlin teen charged with selling pot prior to deadly Mifflinburg shooting
MIFFLINBURG -- A New Berlin woman has been charged for supplying marijuana to teens shortly before a deadly shooting in Mifflinburg. 18-year-old Kali Kenton admitted to police that she sold one gram of marijuana to both 17-year-old Anthony Hernandez and a 16-year-old boy May 8th. Shortly after, Hernandez was shot and killed by 18-year-old Alexander Shoemaker of Mifflinburg.
Police say around 1:15a.m., Kenton went to 733 Walbash Road after receiving a call from the 16-year-old. She sold the marijuana to the teens and then left the residence. It was around 1:25a.m. that police were called to the scene for a report of a shooting. Hernandez was taken to the hospital where he later died of a single gunshot wound to the chest. Shoemaker has been charged with the shooting and could face up to seven years in prison is found guilty.
Kenton also told police later in the day May 8th, that friends visited her at her New Berlin home and returned drug paraphernalia that was used by the teen boys. She later destroyed all of the items according to police.
Kenton faces two felony charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. She also faces misdemeanor charges of possession of a controlled substance and corruption of minors. (Sara Bartlett)
Danville woman escapes fire
DANVILLE -- A Danville woman sustained no injuries after escaping through a second story window following a fire Wednesday night. 44-year-old Julie Dent was awaken around 11:30p.m. after the blaze shattered a window. The fire broke out at 25 Old Valley School Road, and a state police fire marshal said it started near a set of stairs. There were electrical wires found in the area. The fire was accidental. Damage is estimated at $100,000. (Sara Bartlett)
A fire damaged a home and the lone occupant got out safely
SHAMOKIN – A man in a burning home—got out safely Thursday—by climbing out of a second story window. The blaze heavily damaged the Randy Slodysko home at 131 South Second Street in Shamokin.
The Shamokin News Item reports that Slodysko climbed onto a second story porch roof and got down from the roof safely. He was out of the home as volunteer fire fighters arrived. He was awakened around 3am according to the newspaper’s account.
The fire cause is thought to accidental and electrical in origin. The house was heavily damaged. Volunteers from Shamokin, Coal Township, Kulpmont and Overlook responded. There were no injuries in that Shamokin fire Thursday morning.
Northumberland County crop farm gets preservation distinction
HARRISBURG -- A crop farm in Northumberland County has been added to the state's nationally recognized farmland preservation program. The Ileen Ranck farm received the designation. The action keeps the land in agricultural use and protects it from development.
The 86-acre farm is one of 40 throughout the state that was added by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Land Preservation Board this week. To date, the farmland preservation program has preserved over 440,000 acres on over 4,000 farms in the state. Both figures are the highest of any state in the U.S. (Sara Bartlett)
Updates from GSV United Way on Leaders & Lawmakers
UNDATED -- The Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way is progressing and looking forward to helping more and more people in the future. To date, they help fund 30 non-profits as well as focus on regional problems through their Priorities for Impact program. Keri Albright, President and CEO of the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way, says they are now help fund a collaboration between Clinical Outcomes Group and Susquehanna Valley Women in Transition.
Priorities for Impact focuses on six problems identified in the Valley, including lack of public transportation, issues facing at-risk teens, lack of quality early childhood education, issues focused on diversity, poverty and drug and alcohol abuse. Albright says when giving to United Way, donators are helping not only the nonprofit groups, but helping with these issues as well.
Albright gave more updates on the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way, and talked about the struggle of nonprofits in the current economy on our Leaders & Lawmakers program Thursday. You can download the program online at www.wkok.com. (Sara Bartlett)
A rate increase request, filed by PPL, is advancing
ALLENTOWN – It won’t be until this fall that we know how much PPL’s electric rates will be going up but we know they will be going up. PPL and the state Public Utility Commission have reached a private, tentative agreement on the proposed increases in distribution rates. The amount of the increase on which the two sides now agree, is not yet being disclosed.
PPL was seeking an approximately $7 per month increase in the average residential rate. While the utility and the PUC have a tentative agreement, it still needs to be approved by an administrative law judge and the full commission.
PPL’s distribution division wants the rate increase to offset the nearly one billion dollars in system improvements they’ve made in the past five years. In addition, they say they will continue improvements totaling $1.5 billion in the future.
This rate increase, which will take effect next year, comes on the heels of a 30% increase in residential generation rates, which took effect in the beginning of 2010.
Judge Ranck to be remembered in Northumberland County Court
SUNBURY -- A special session of Northumberland County court will be held next week to honor the late Judge Samuel Ranck. In accordance with tradition, President Judge Robert Sacavage appointed a memorial committee of the Northumberland County Bar Association to prepare a resolution that will be presented at the services.
Members of the Bar and court-related personnel will also offer recollections of the judge, who served more than 30 years on the bench. Ranck died last month at the age of 82. His family will attend during the ceremony Tuesday, August 31st at 11:30a.m. The public is invited to attend in courtroom one at the Northumberland County Courthouse. (Sara Bartlett)
Golf Tourney a huge success
LEWISBURG -- Though no one made a hole-in-one to win a new car, the Evangelical Community Hospital golf classic was a huge success. Last week's event raised more than $30,000 for Evan's pre-hospital services. Nearly 230 golfers played and participated in a silent auction, along with many contests. This is the 24th year for the golf tournament. (Sara Bartlett)
Professor seeking study participants
LEWISBURG -- An assistant professor of psychology at Bucknell University is looking for volunteers. Ruth Tincoff is conducting a study on just how babies understand and how they connect words with their meanings. She is seeking local families with babies who are 4 months to 2-years-old. Appointments will take about a half-hour and will be arranged at the family's convenience.
The study includes two parts. The first, parents sitting with their child as they watch a video. The second, parents playing games with their child while they act out words such as 'sit' and 'hug.' Tincoff is looking at cognitive skills and a child's ability to adapt to information their parents give them. Anyone interested in participating in the study is asked to call 577-1828. (Sara Bartlett)
Shoes in the oven fill a home with smoke
SELINSGROVE -- Cooking a pair of shoes filled a Selinsgrove apartment with smoke and displaced several residents. Selinsgrove fire officials tell us a pair of shoes was stored in an oven at the Pine Meadows Apartments and when the resident turned the oven on--the home filled with smoke. Volunteers put out the fire quickly and there were no injuries.
There was some fire damage to the apartment--and heavy smoke damage throughout the unit. The three residents--who authorities decline to identify--will have to stay in another apartment. Volunteers from Dauntless Hook and Ladder Company, Hummels Wharf and Shamokin Dam fire companies responded. State and local police were also on the scene.
Sunbury man, 19, blames little brother for arson fire
SUNBURY, Pa. (AP) - A Sunbury man facing arson charges blamed his younger brother for setting the fire. At an arraignment Tuesday, 19-year-old Tyler William Hendricks told a district judge that his younger brother actually set the fire a day earlier on the roof of a store in Sunbury. Police arrested Hendricks and three juveniles in connection with the small fire started Monday on the roof of the Dollar General store.
Investigators say a charred board, a lighter and a bottle of charcoal lighter fluid was found at the scene. Hendricks told District Judge Carl Rice that his brother started the fire and he just put it out. Police say the juveniles' statements contradict Hendricks' claim. Bail was set at $100,000. It was not clear if Hendricks had an attorney.
Shikellamy High School teacher among triathlon organizers
SUNBURY -- The sport of triathlon attracts participants from all walks of life. Likewise, race organizers come from a wide range of other professions to ensure the success of events such as the Riverstock Triathlon. Local educator Mark Cox of Sunbury is one of the volunteers behind this weekend's event, and compares it to his job as a teacher.
He says the Riverstock Triathlon can serve as a venue for athletes to succeed, much as his classroom is a place for students to succeed. Cox was a guest on our Leaders & Lawmakers program, to be aired Thursday at 3:00. Among the highlights this weekend, Friday night's kickoff concert at the Shikellamy State Park Marina, Saturday's activities at the Marina including a huge fireworks display Saturday night.
The race Sunday morning that involves swimming in the waters off Shikellamy State Park, cycling in the Sunbury area and running through Northumberland's local roads is scheduled for Sunday morning. This week's Leaders & Lawmakers can also be downloaded from www.wkok.com, along with archived shows from previous weeks. www.riverstocktri.com. (Matt Farrand)
Valley plans big Civil War celebration
LEWISBURG -- To observe the 150th year since the Civil War, the Central Susquehanna Valley has big plans. Andrew Miller, Executive Director of the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau, says a newly formed history and heritage consortium is commemorating the War's sesquicentennial with exhibits in our surrounding counties.
They hope to continue exhibits through 2015 and each year will have its own theme such as the underground railroad, cooking, Civil War widows and more. Miller says they are asking for the Valley's help to provide artifacts for the exhibits. The artifacts could include books, diaries, photographs, clothing, or anything having to do with the Civil War.
Anyone interested in showcasing artifacts are asked to call their local historical society. The consortium, known as The Susquehanna River Valley Heritage Alliance, is made up of a number of local organizations including the Joseph Priestley House Museum, Mifflinburg Buggy Museum, and the Packwood House.
In addition, Bloomsburg's The Moose Exchange, the Slifer House Museum, Warrior Run Fort Freeland Heritage Society, Iron Heritage Festival, Dale/Engle/Walker House, and Northumberland, Montour, Union and Snyder Counties' Historical Societies. (Sara Bartlett)
Carney and Marino spar over social security
UNDATED -- Democratic Congressman Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock) and Republican Tom Marino say they agree on one thing--social security benefits won't be reduced if they are elected. But, the issue has touched off a firestorm of debate between the two.
The sparring began following Marino's Monday appearance on On The Mark, where he said his generation would have to cut social security. Carney refuted the statement saying to suggest that future generations are expected to give up social security does not make sense. He also said he believes Marino is "hell-bent" on getting rid of social security.
Meanwhile, Marino says Carney is twisting his words. He says his comment was in regards to what may happen if nothing is done about social security. Marino says people will suffer if nothing is done now to protect it.
Carney says maybe Marino doesn't need social security, but most of the 10th district is counting on it, and that is who he is trying to protect. Both Carney and Marino called in to On The Mark Wednesday. You can download the entire program online at www.wkok.com. (Sara Bartlett)
Attorney John Reed considering bid for judge
LEWISBURG -- Snyder County's chief public defender says he will seriously consider a bid for Snyder/Union County judge. But, John Reed also says he has many other commitments in the next several months. Reed says there is plenty of time to make the decision whether or not he will run for the position being vacated by retiring judge Harold Woelfel Jr.
Reed tells us he is honored that many individuals have approached him about the position, but right now he is focusing on his private practice, being a public defender and being the chairman of the Snyder County Republican Committee.
Union County Assistant District Attorney Marty Wilson has said that he intends to run for the judge position. Judge Woelfel will retire at the end of the year, and the judge position will be on the spring 2011 primary ballot. (Sara Bartlett)
Wilderness race tests fitness and emergency medical skills
DANVILLE – A Medical Wilderness Adventure Race this Saturday on the Geisinger Medical Center campus involves hiking, biking and kayaking. However, the competition is not for everyone. The 15 three-person teams entered will be made up of mostly of medical students and Geisinger employees.
Dr. Erica McElroy practices emergency medicine and says there’s more to it than just getting over the course with the quickest time. Racers along the rugged course will encounter mock patients who will say they have injuries ranging from bone-fractures to exposure and shock.
Correct answers will improve the team’s final score. McElroy says the MedWAR race is also a great way to attract professionals interested in wilderness medicine to Montour County. Saturday’s eight-hour MedWAR Pennsylvania race is part of a nationwide series. (Matt Farrand)
Hit and run investigation in Snyder County
MIDDLECREEK TWP -- Police are investigating a hit and run in Snyder County Tuesday afternoon. The incident occurred between noon and 8:00p.m. when a Selinsgrove woman's vehicle was struck by another car in the parking lot of the Snyder County Flea Market building near Globe Mills Road and Route 522.
The suspect then fled the scene. Police say there is blue paint left on the victim's car, and the suspect should have damage to the front passenger side. Anyone with information is asked to call police. (Sara Bartlett)
Geisinger President and CEO ranks in national magazine
DANVILLE -- The President and CEO of Geisinger Health System has been named among Modern Healthcare magazine's 100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare. Dr. Glenn Steele Jr. was ranked number 35. Dr Steele came to Geisinger in 2001.
He has worked to recruit experienced physicians and researchers, as well as update and expand medical facilities. The hospital's ProvenCare pay for performance initiative has gotten national attention. Dr. Steele appeared on the magazine's list last year as well at number 90. (Sara Bartlett)
Crash injures one in Snyder County
PENN TWP -- A Danville woman sustained moderate injuries after a crash in Penn Township, Snyder County last week. 47-year-old Charleen Johnson was driving along Sassafras Street when she drove off the road and lost control of her vehicle. She went over an embankment before coming to rest against a tree. She was taken to Geisinger Medical Center by ambulance. No word on her condition. (Sara Bartlett)
Mount Pleasant Mills man injured in crash
PENNS CREEK -- A Mount Pleasant Mills man was injured after a crash last week along Route 104 in Center Township, Snyder County. 25-year-old Andrew Boyer sustained moderate injuries after he was hit by a vehicle driven by 59-year-old Virginia Netherton of Middleburg.
Netherton pulled from a stop sign in front of Boyer, causing Boyer's vehicle to spin and strike a curb and traffic sign. Netherton was not injured, but will be cited with a traffic violation. Boyer was taken to Geisinger Medical Center by ambulance. There is no word on his condition. (Sara Bartlett)
Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment
LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) - A new poll shows Republican Pat Toomey slightly ahead of Democrat Joe Sestak in their U.S. Senate race. The Franklin & Marshall College poll shows Toomey with the support of 40 percent of likely voters to Sestak's 31 percent. About a quarter remain undecided with about 9 weeks left until the November 2 general election. Toomey and Sestak are vying for the seat currently held by Arlen Specter, who was knocked off by Sestak in the primary. Thursday's poll also shows Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett leading his Democratic counterpart. The state attorney general has an 11-point lead over Allegheny County executive Dan Onorato with 31 percent of likely voters undecided. The poll of 577 Pennsylvanians was conducted the week ending Monday. The sampling error margin is plus or minus 5.4 percentage points.
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - A special investigation concludes New York Gov. David Paterson's testimony about his plans to pay for World Series tickets last year was "inaccurate and misleading" and warrants consideration of criminal charges by a prosecutor. In a report Thursday, former state Chief Judge Judith Kaye notes four of five tickets to the World Series opening game between the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies were paid for later. She says there's a question whether Paterson gave "intentionally false testimony" to the State Public Integrity Commission about having written an $850 check in advance for two tickets. Albany County District Attorney David Soares is reviewing the case. Paterson denies wrongdoing. He eventually paid for two tickets and staff members paid for two. He maintains going to the game was part of a ceremonial public duty that entitled him to a ticket.
EASTON, Pa. (AP) - A quotation attributed to Adolf Hitler that made its way into a high school yearbook in Pennsylvania has left students, parents and educators mortified. The principal of Easton Area High School, Michael Koch, says the material got through several layers of editing because of the sheer number of quotes peppered through the 272-page yearbook. The saying, appearing with Hitler's name below it, was, "And in the last analysis, success is what mattered." It has been attributed to Hitler in at least one history book, published in 1963. Koch says the district will replace the page with an edited version if parents and students ask. The Express-Times of Easton first reported the story Wednesday.
NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. (AP) - Officials are planning archery and shotgun hunts in a Philadelphia-area state park to its deer population. Officials this week announced plans to permit archers to hunt in some parts of Ridley Creek State Park starting September 18. The hunts will continue until the end of January and include a one-week shotgun hunt in December. Park manager Roger McChesney says the park has anywhere between 80 and 140 deer per square mile. That's well above the concentration of 20 or so he says is considered healthy. McChesney says the deer feed on saplings and strip ground cover needed by other animals. Last year, a planned hunt at nearby Valley Forge National Historical Park was called off after two animal rights groups filed suit.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - State health officials say Pennsylvania has recorded its first human case of West Nile virus this year. The Department of Health says a 69-year-old Philadelphia man has been found to have the virus. Last year, no human cases were recorded, but there were 14 cases in 2008 and one death. There were 237 cases and nine deaths in 2003, and two deaths each year from 2004 to 2006. West Nile virus is spread to people and animals by infected mosquitoes. Usually, the infection does not cause illness, but older people and those with compromised immune systems are at greatest risk. A severe West Nile infection can cause encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain. A milder form, West Nile fever, also may bring headaches, body aches, skin rashes and swollen lymph glands.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's high court is clarifying the responsibilities of guardians to seek life-preserving treatment for the people under their care. The Supreme Court last week said that when incompetent people who aren't in a coma or in an "end-stage condition" also haven't named a health care agent, they're entitled to medical help that will preserve their lives. The ruling comes in the case of a severely retarded 53-year-old man whose parents wanted to take him off a ventilator after he developed complications from choking on a hairpin. The lawyer for the man's parents declined comment, and his own lawyer didn't immediately return a message yesterday.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Democrat Dan Onorato is accusing his Republican opponent in Pennsylvania's gubernatorial race of flip-flopping on his pledge not to increase taxes if elected. In a telephone conference call with reporters yesterday, Onorato also pledged that he would not increase the state income or sales taxes, but instead would look for savings elsewhere in the budget to offset higher costs. Onorato says Republican Tom Corbett said in a TV interview in March that the no-new-taxes pledge he signed also covered increases in state fees. But Corbett has said more recently that the pledge excludes fees and other levies not called taxes. Onorato says Corbett's change in position shows he lacks the experience necessary to be governor. Corbett's campaign spokesman Kevin Harley noted that the statement Corbett signed mentions only taxes, not fees. Harley says he can't explain why Corbett said in March that it barred fees.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is changing its policy on how transgender people identify themselves on driver's licenses. The department and Equality Pennsylvania announced a settlement yesterday that allows people to change the gender on their licenses if they are living full-time in the new gender and it can be verified by a licensed medical or psychological caregiver. The previous policy only allowed changes in gender for drivers who could prove they'd had sexual reassignment surgery. PennDOT says about half the states already have adopted a similar policy. The new policy takes effect immediately.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Updates on the latest in business:
Dow: 9,985.81, down -74.25
S&P 500: 1,047.22, down -8.11
NASDAQ: 2,118.69, down -22.85
Stocks down...Airline fined...Toyota recall....
NEW YORK (AP) - Stock prices are lower at midday. Investors remain uneasy about the economic outlook, ahead of a speech tomorrow from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and a likely downward revision of second quarter growth.
DALLAS (AP) - Federal officials have slapped American Airlines with a record penalty of $24 million over maintenance lapses that caused thousands of canceled flights in 2008. The FAA says that American failed to take steps to prevent chafing of electrical wires in the wheel wells of its McDonnell Douglas MD-80-series jets. Regulators say the wiring could have led to fires and fuel-tank explosions.
WASHINGTON (AP) - New requests for unemployment benefits fell sharply last week. It was the first decline reported by the Labor Department in a month. Even so, the level of claims remains elevated.
NEW YORK (AP) - Freddie Mac says the average for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages have dropped to the lowest level in decades for the ninth time in 10 weeks. The average, at 4.36 percent this week, is down from 4.42 percent last week. That's the lowest since Freddie Mac began tracking rates in 1971.
NEW YORK (AP) - Toyota has recalled more than 1.1 million Corolla sedans and Matrix hatchbacks. The recall, covering vehicles from the 2005-2008 model years sold in North America, is because their engines may stall.
(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: $133 million
Midday Big 4
0-2-0-0
Midday Number
7-3-0
Midday Quinto
2-1-0-0-8
Powerball
Estimated jackpot: $25 million
Treasure Hunt
02-05-17-18-29
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn
Wednesday:
Big 4
6-2-6-3
Cash 5
12-14-17-22-27
Daily Number
5-5-8
Evening Quinto
8-9-5-5-2
Midday Big 4
7-3-7-2
Midday Number
7-4-2
Midday Quinto
3-4-3-7-9
Powerball
16-17-29-31-36, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 3
Treasure Hunt
05-07-18-21-25
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Chinese dinosaur fossils making US debut in Ohio
CINCINNATI (AP) - Dinosaur fossils discovered in a Chinese province are making their U.S. debut at an Ohio museum. Officials at the Cincinnati Museum Center say the fossils include a rib and three vertebrae from a long-necked titanosaur. Scientists have used the fossils to identify a new species of sauropod unique to China's Henan Province region. A fossilized nest of 26 eggs arranged in pairs and laid by an unknown species of the feathered, beaked oviraptorosaurs also will be on display when the exhibit opens Friday. The items have not been displayed previously outside the Henan Geological Museum in China. They will be included in a new traveling "Dinosaurs Unearthed" exhibit of Chinese dinosaur fossils set to begin touring North America in October.
A changed woman
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) - It took less than a day for the first photo of Lindsay Lohan to pop up since she got out of rehab. She was spotted in a parking garage with an energy drink in her hand. Her attorney, Shawn Chapman Holley, says Lohan's a "changed" woman. She says she's "healthy" and "clear-headed," and is "positive at looking forward." Lohan is allowed to go back to work, but Holley says she won't attend a screening of her new movie "Machete" next Wednesday.
Marshmallow fire
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) - Just about every kid loves roasting marshmallows. But one Virginia boy likes them a little too much. Firefighters in the Charlottesville area battled a fast-moving blaze that nearly destroyed the house. Maynard Pritchett says his grandson was trying to toast marshmallows in the kitchen. Then, grandma couldn't get a fire extinguisher to work. Despite the damage to the home, no one was hurt in the marshmallow fire.
Tiger Woods says divorce a sad time in his life
PARAMUS, N.J. (AP) - Two days after his divorce, Tiger Woods says he feels more sadness than relief. Woods and his wife officially divorced Monday, nine months after he was exposed for having numerous extramarital affairs. Woods returned to golf Wednesday at The Barclays, the same day People magazine released an interview with his ex-wife, Elin Nordegren. The world's No. 1 player says his golf is secondary, and that he's trying to get their two children used to their parents being divorced. Woods says it's a sad time in his life because "you don't ever go into a marriage looking to get divorced."
9/11 families, others rally in favor of NYC mosque
NEW YORK (AP) - The planned mosque and Islamic center blocks from ground zero in New York is getting a new boost from a coalition of supporters that includes 9/11 families. New York Neighbors for American Values rallied for the first time Wednesday at a municipal building near ground zero. Talat Hamdani says her paramedic son, a Muslim, gave his life on Sept. 11 to save Americans and their values, including freedom of religion. The group was started by members of 40 civic and religious organizations. It plans a candlelight vigil near ground zero on Sept. 10, the eve of the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center towers. The head of the watchdog group Common Cause New York, Susan Lerner, says the controversy over the Islamic cultural center was triggered by "irresponsible politicians" using it as an election issue.
BUCKEYE BULLET
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The Buckeye Bullet is the pride of Ohio State. Automobile engineering students from OSU are claiming a new electric car speed record. The Bullet averaged 307 mph on Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats. If it's verified, the Ohio students will have broken the old mark of 246-mph. Team manager David Cooke says they can go even faster, but the Buckeye Bullet was done in by a busted clutch. The electric speedster is powered by nearly 1,600 compact lithium-ion batteries, the kind that power laptops.
COMPUTER SERVER SHOT
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Control-Alt-Delete -- and open fire. Prosecutors charge a Utah mortgage company employee tried a .45 caliber reboot on his firm's computer server. Joshua Lee Campbell is now charged with felony criminal mischief and three misdemeanors. Investigators say the 23-year-old claimed his gun had been stolen by a mystery man, who shot the server. However, authorities charge Campbell was drunk and returned to his office late one night. Police say it was Campbell who shot the $100,000 server at RANLife Home Loans.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)