Wednesday, August 25, 2010
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)
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 displaying 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, the Packwood House, 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)
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 and 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)
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)
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 displaying 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, the Packwood House, 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)
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 and 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)
Troopers, colleges seek to reduce underage drinking
UNDATED -- State troopers say they plan to crack down on underage drinking by college students. Meetings are planned with local college administrators in an effort to reduce underage consumption of alcohol.
State law calls for a citation to be issued to anyone under the age of 21 caught in possession of or consuming alcoholic beverages. the crackdown coincides with the return of college students to area universities.
The summary offense carries a potential fine of $300 and up to 90 days in jail for the first offense. Persons convicted of misrepresenting their age to buy alcohol also risk suspension of their driver license for up to 90 days.
Additionally, troopers say every effort will be made to arrest persons who supply alcohol to underage drinkers, including parents. Buying alcoholic for underage persons is a misdemeanor that carries penalty of a $1,000 fine and a year in jail for the first offense. (Matt Farrand)
Sunbury Masonic Building boasts new elevator
SUNBURY – Masons and other groups that use the Sunbury Masonic Building can now enjoy an easier way to go from floor to floor. There is a new elevator in their building at 220 Market Street.
Bob Zimmerman is the co-chair of the capital campaign that paid for it, and says the need was apparent 50 years ago.
The building is now fully handicapped accessible, which Zimmerman says is good news for all who otherwise had to trudge up and down 44 steps. The elevator is also symbolic of what the Masons hope is a bright future for the city of Sunbury. Ground was broken for the elevator project a year ago. It was dedicated with a ribbon cutting Tuesday night. (Matt Farrand)
Three juveniles, one adult charged in Sunbury arson
SUNBURY -- Four Sunbury teens have been charged in connection with a Sunbury arson. Sunbury Patrolman Steve Bennick tells us 19-year-old Tyler Hendricks, along with a 13-year-old and two 14-year old boys were involved in trying to set fire to the Dollar General store building on Market Street in Sunbury Monday afternoon.
Hendricks is in Northumberland County Prison on $100,000 bail. The three boys were placed in the juvenile court system. Sunbury Police Chief Steven Mazzeo says the investigation is still open and they are taking it very seriously, as the incident could possibly be linked to prior alleged arsonists in Sunbury.
The fire 'never took hold' Monday, and witnesses called police, who caught the four teens before there was heavy damage. The investigation is a joint effort between police and fire personnel. (Sara Bartlett)
Local assistant DA would like to be judge
LEWISBURG – Following the announced resignation of President Judge Harold Woelfel Jr., a local assistant District Attorney says he would like to be the next judge in Snyder and Union Counties. Attorney Marty Wilson tells WKOK he intends to run for the position.
This after Woelfel announced he will step down as president judge at the end of the year and plans to work as a senior judge. Wilson will need to start circulating a petition in February to obtain the 500 needed signatures for the spring primary ballot.
He says he plans to cross-file to be on both the Republican and Democratic ballots, as he has done in the past, when he ran against Mike Sholley in the fall. Sholley will now become the president judge for the two counties. In the meantime, senior judge Louise Knight and judge Harold Woelfel, who is seeking senior judge status, will cover some of the caseload until a new judge is voted in.
Wilson has been the assistant District Attorney in Union County for more than 10 years and an attorney for 31 years. He is a graduate of Lewisburg High School and Bucknell University. He lost by a slim margin to Judge Sholley and says he would be honored to be voted in as judge this time around. (Ali Stevens)
Blaze causes more than $300,000 in damage to Dewart home
DEWART -- The fire that destroyed a Dewart home over the weekend was accidental. Warrior Run Fire Chief Mark Burrows says the investigation will continue into what caused the blaze. Fire broke out around 4:40a.m. Saturday at the Russell and Helen Yordy residence along Route 44 in Delaware Township.
Both had to jump from a second story window to escape the blaze. 79-year-old Helen Yordy was taken to Geisinger Medical Center and is listed in serious condition. 74-year-old Russell Yordy was treated and released from Lehigh Valley Hospital. They are insured for the property, and damage is estimated at more than $300,000. (Sara Bartlett)
Northumberland man charged with sexual assault
SUNBURY -- A Northumberland man is in jail after having sexual contact with a young boy. 27-year-old Jeffery Oberdorf was taken into custody Monday. Police say Oberdorf engaged in sexual acts with an 11-year-old boy Monday, while the boy was sleeping.
Police were notified and Oberdorf was arraigned before District Judge Robert Bolton. He faces charges of indecent assault, corruption of minors, rape, and involuntary sexual deviate intercourse. He is in Northumberland County Prison on $100,000 bail. (Sara Bartlett)
Rehab unit an asset to volunteer firefighters
SUNBURY -- For about a year, the Americus Hose Company has been traveling with a Rehab Unit when responding to fires. Robert Hare, Director of Operations for the company, explains that the year-old unit is designed to help firefighters, but not necessarily help with the firefight.
He says the unit provides resources to the firefighters, giving them water, a cooling station and a chance to check vital signs to make sure they are still able to fight a blaze. Hare says it is important to take good care of the active volunteers who come to a fire scene, and the volunteers appreciate it as well.
The rehab unit has traveled with Americus Hose Company to fires around our area, and has assisted in places such as Lewistown and Shenandoah. Hare says a rehab unit was an area not being covered by other fire or ambulance companies in the area. (Sara Bartlett)
Retail thief caught in Lewisburg
LEWISBURG -- A Watsontown woman is accused of theft from a Lewisburg retail store. Police say 25-year-old Joann Miller stole merchandise from the store along AJK Boulevard over a period of three months.
Miller was taken into custody for the thefts, and it was found that she was wanted on a warrant in Northumberland County. She was taken to Northumberland County Prison for the warrant. She was arraigned for the theft charges before District Judge Leo Armbruster. (Sara Bartlett)
Jail time for Sunbury teen who broke into storage shed
SUNBURY -- A Sunbury man is in jail after a theft in Northumberland. Police say sometime between July 16th and July 22nd, 19-year-old Damen Summers broke into a storage unit owned by the Sunbury Christian Academy.
No word on if anything was taken, but police say Summers also had an accomplice. Summers was arraigned Monday on charges of burglary, criminal trespass, and criminal conspiracy. He is in Northumberland County Prison on $60,000 bail. (Sara Bartlett)
Geisinger doc talks about sports and concussions
DANVILLE -- Another school year means sports seasons beginning once again. Dr. Matthew McElroy, sports medicine doctor at Geisinger Medical Center, is getting the word out on how to protect student athletes from concussions.
McElroy says many students return to playing sports after getting a concussion and may be hit again, which could lead to problems. He says it is important to be aware of concussion symptoms, and the first step in getting out of the game or practice is critical.
McElroy says the issue of concussions is getting more and more attention, following numerous college and professional athletes who get them during games. You can hear more about high school sports this weekend on Roundtable. Four retired local football coaches will be on the program Sunday morning at 9:00a.m. on WKOK.
Latest Pennsylvania news, business, lottery, and entertainment
POTTSVILLE, Pa. (AP) - An eastern Pennsylvania couple has been ordered to jail for stealing $10,000 from an elderly man so they could pay their taxes. Schuylkill County President Judge William Baldwin on Tuesday ordered Robert and Catherine Whitney to begin serving their sentences on Saturday. Fifty-nine-year-old Catherine Whitney will be allowed out 10 hours per day during the week to care for the couple's disabled son. Her 58-year-old husband was denied a request for work release. The Pottsville couple was convicted in 2008 of stealing $10,000 from Louis Long in 2005. Long had granted Catherine Whitney power of attorney and prosecutors say the couple used it to steal the money so they could pay their taxes. He died in 2006. The Whitneys were each sentenced to 11 to 23 months in prison.
LATROBE, Pa. (AP) - The Carnegie Museum of Natural History says natural gas companies have approach it about drilling on the museum's nature preserve about 40 miles east of Pittsburgh. Carnegie spokeswoman Betsy Momich says several companies have inquired about drilling at the site. She says the museum's trustees are studying those proposals but are a long way from approving them at the 2,200-acre Powdermill Nature Reserve. The museum uses the land as a research field station where scientists study changes in the environment and wildlife populations. Momich says any environmental impact is at the top of a list of things being considered by the trustees. Momich says the revenue from drilling is also a factor.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Fear not, cupcake connoisseurs. The Philadelphia cupcake truck wasn't out of business long. Buttercream cupcake truck owner Kate Carrara says the city's Department of Licenses and Inspections confiscated her truck Tuesday in the University City neighborhood, saying she was vending in a prohibited area. Carrara says inspectors cornered her truck to prevent her from leaving before driving it away themselves. She says they gave her a removal report and a violation for vending in a prohibited area and left her on the street. An online outcry ensued. Some of the truck's 4,000 Twitter followers voiced their outrage over what they believed to be ham-fisted regulations. Carrara says she paid $200 to get the truck back and it will be back on the streets Wednesday. But Carrara says she'll skip University City.
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) - The public defender's office in a northeastern Pennsylvania county wracked by a $2.8 million juvenile justice scandal will open a full-time unit focused on young defendants. At a news conference Tuesday, Luzerne County Chief Public Defender Al Flora said the new juvenile unit of three lawyers will push for outpatient treatment services whenever possible. He says incarceration will be a last resort. Two county judges were charged last year with accepting millions of dollars in exchange for putting juvenile offenders into private detention facilities, sometimes for very minor offenses. Ex-judge Michael Conahan has since pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge and faces up to 20 years in prison. Former judge Mark Ciavarella is awaiting trial.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Gov. Ed Rendell says he's "very disappointed" that Pennsylvania lost out in the second and final round of the federal "Race to the Top" educational grant competition. Rendell says Pennsylvania finished in 18th place as the U.S. Education Department doled out $3.4 billion in funding to nine states and Washington, D.C. Tennessee and Delaware obtained grants in the competition's first round. The governor says Pennsylvania's application was hurt by the lack of an alternative certification process that would let mid-career people become teachers without going back to school for two years. He says another problem was opposition by teacher unions to linking salaries and tenure to performance measures.
SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - A New York wind turbine development company says it hopes to build a manufacturing facility in northeastern Pennsylvania by next year. Officials from WindTamer Corp. of Rochester, N.Y., toured facilities in Jessup in Lackawanna County yesterday and plan to visit at least two Wilkes-Barre locations in the coming weeks. Company president and CEO Bill Schmitz says officials hope to bring a facility to the area by the beginning of 2011, creating nearly 400 jobs over the next three years. Officials say the company sees small wind turbines, those producing no more than 100 kilowatts of power, as viable for commercial, residential, and agricultural growth. Schmitz says the region of northeastern Pennsylvania, "with the wind coming over the mountains, is perfect" for the industry.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's gubernatorial candidates are mixing it up over which of them is more likely to increase state taxes. Democrat Dan Onorato held a news conference to declare that he is the only candidate in the race who has never voted to increase property taxes. Onorato pointed out that Republican Tom Corbett backed an increase in the local property tax when he served as a township commissioner in western Pennsylvania more than two decades ago. Corbett's campaign spokesman noted that, as Allegheny County's elected executive, Onorato approved a controversial 2008 tax on alcoholic drinks served in bars to generate money for mass transit. Corbett's campaign also distributed a list of other tax increase that Onorato supported during his eight years on Pittsburgh City Council.
BETHEL PARK, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's oldest resident has died at the age of 110. Agnes Wetzel died Saturday. She lived in the Pittsburgh suburb of Bethel Park with her daughter. Wetzel was the oldest person in Pennsylvania and the 56th oldest person in the world according to the age-tracking Gerontology Research Group in Los Angeles. Wetzel was remembered by family and friends as a kind woman and a good cook. She was a former Sunday school teacher and longtime member of Bethel Presbyterian Church. Wetzel's husband of more than 50 years died 34 years ago. She was also preceded in death by a son.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Updates on the latest in business:
Dow: 10,041.74, up 1.29
S&P 500: 1,053.34, up 1.47
NASDAQ: 2,135.55, up 11.79
WASHINGTON (AP) - Signs of a stalling recovery are seen in manufacturing and housing. Companies cut back last month on their investments in equipment and machines, and Americans bought new homes at the weakest pace in decades.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Securities and Exchange Commission has approved changes intended to make it easier for shareholders to nominate directors of public companies. The vote allows groups that own at least 3 percent of a company's stock to put their nominees for board seats on the annual proxy ballot sent to all shareholders. The financial overhaul law enacted last month formally gave the SEC the authority to make the change.
HOUSTON (AP) - A BP vice president says critical time was wasted in the hours after the Gulf of Mexico well explosion trying to learn what changes had been made to a device meant to prevent oil from leaking from the blown-out well. The official told a panel of federal investigators that he was intimately involved in trying to shut down the well after the explosion April 20.
UNDATED (AP) - Oil prices have edged higher after six days of declines. Crude came back from earlier lows following today's economic reports
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn Wednesday:
Mega Millions
Estimated jackpot: $133 million
Midday Big 4
7-3-7-2
Midday Number
7-4-2
Midday Quinto
3-4-3-7-9
Powerball
Estimated jackpot: $20 million
Treasure Hunt
05-07-18-21-25
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Lohan out
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) Lindsay Lohan's out of inpatient rehab, but she's nowhere near the end of her road to sobriety. A judge has ordered Lohan to an outpatient rehab program. Lohan will get psychotherapy and addiction counseling several times a week until November. She'll also have to get random drug and alcohol tests at least twice week. He says Lohan could be sent back to jail for up to 30 days if she fails any of the tests or doesn't do what's expected of her. The judge says Lohan will have to stay in Los Angeles during this time, which contradicts her mother's plans for her to move her to New York. But he says she can go back to work. The judge did throw out two drug counts that Lohan had pleaded guilty to and he says she'll be on supervised probation only until November, unless she gets into trouble again.
'The Lion Sleeps Tonight' songwriter dies at 89
OLDWICK, N.J. (AP) - George David Weiss, a hall of fame songwriter who helped write chart-topping pop hits including "Can't Help Falling in Love" and "The Lion Sleeps Tonight," has died. His wife, Claire, says he died Monday of natural causes at his home in Oldwick, N.J. He was 89. Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley were among the popular artists who had recorded songs that Weiss wrote or co-wrote. He had also collaborated on several Broadway musicals. Weiss was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984. He was president of the Songwriters Guild of America from 1982 to 2000 and often testified before government agencies, mostly on copyright issues.
Interview: Woods' ex-wife went 'through hell'
WINDERMERE, Fla. (AP) - Tiger Woods' ex-wife Elin Nordegren says she has "been through hell" since learning of her husband's infidelity but she never hit him. In an interview with People magazine, Nordegren says she and Woods tried for months to reconcile the relationship. In the end, she says a marriage "without trust or love" wasn't good for anyone. On Thanksgiving night, Woods drove his SUV over a fire hydrant and into a tree, setting off shocking revelations that sports' biggest star had been cheating on his wife through multiple affairs. Nordegren tells the magazine that she never hit Woods, calling speculation that she hit him with a golf club "truly ridiculous." She appears on the cover of this week's issue, just two days after the couple officially divorced.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)