Johnstown Pennsylvania

Fox Expected To Announce End Of "24"

Administrator — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:33 +0000

Anne Lu – Celebrity News Service Contributor

Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) – Jack Bauer’s time is ticking. Fox is expected to announce the end of its hit action series “24″ after eight seasons on air. It is reported that the network is planning to ax the Kiefer Sutherland-starrer after the end of the current season.

“24″ helped boost the network’s ratings when it premiered in 2001, but its cost of production also continued to increase as its ratings take a continuous slump.

According to Variety, the 20th Century Fox TV is considering to shop the show to other networks, but it fears “24″ will only have a few interested buyers.

But it looks like the news won’t overly concern Sutherland and the rest of the team. They are said to be planning on making a feature film adaptation of the show, and it won’t be possible if a continued storyline is still happening on TV.

“24″ gathered numerous nominations and awards since its debut, including an Emmy, SAG, and Golden Globe win for Sutherland.

Smoking May Be Linked To Decreased Parkinson’s Disease Risk

Administrator — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:32 +0000

David Goodhue – AHN Reporter

Triangle Park, NC, United States (AHN) – The number of years a person smokes is associated with a reduced risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, according to a new report from U.S. scientists.

Dr. Honglei Chen, a scientist with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, said in a statement that current smokers were 44 percent less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease than people who never smoked.

People who smoked for 40 or more years were 46 percent less likely to develop the disease than people who never picked up the habit.

People who smoked in the past and quit were 22 percent less likely to get the nervous system disorder, Chen said. But by contrast, people who smoked for one to nine years were only 8 percent less likely to get the disease.

Chen and his colleagues questioned 305,468 AARP members ages 50 to 71 about diet and lifestyle, and followed up with them 10 years later. In that time frame, 1662 people developed Parkinson’s disease.

His report is published in the March 10 online edition of the journal Neurology.

Doctors Say Youth Throwing Arm Injuries On The Rise

Administrator — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:32 +0000

David Goodhue – AHN Reporter

New Orleans, LA, United States (AHN) – Japanese researchers say youth ‘throwing arm injuries’ are on the rise in Little League and other youth baseball programs worldwide.

The researchers, with the University of Tokushima Graduate School, Institute of Health Bioscience, said in a statement that 25 percent of child and adolescent baseball players have elbow pain and almost 15 percent have tears or fractures in the cartilage and underlying bone of the elbow. The condition is called an osteochindral lesion.

If the condition goes untreated, it could lead to long-term damage, lead researcher Dr. Tetsuya Matsuura said in a statement.

He said pitchers were most at risk for developing osteochonral lesions.

Matsuura’s study is among three that will be discussed at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in New Orleans.

U.S. Minorities More At Risk Of Kidney Failure

Administrator — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:31 +0000

David Goodhue – AHN Reporter

San Francisco, CA, United States (AHN) – A recent study suggests ethnic minorities in United States are at a higher risk than whites of developing moderate to severe kidney disease.

The researchers at the University of Washington, the University of California, San Francisco and at Stanford University said in a statement that minorities with kidney disease are two to four times more likely to progress to kidney failure than their white peers.

Most of the 15,353 participants in the study were indigent. Forty percent were either uninsured or enrolled in Medicaid and one-third spoke a primary language other than English.

The authors of the report said more research is needed to slow the progression of kidney disease in minority populations.

Their report is published in the online edition of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.

New Study Finds Temporary Hearing Deprivation Can Lead To "Lazy Ear"

Administrator — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:30 +0000

Ayinde O. Chase – AHN Editor

Nashville, TN, United States (AHN) – Scientists have gained new insight into why a relatively short-term hearing deprivation during childhood may lead to persistent hearing deficits, long after hearing is restored to normal. According to the findings much like the visual cortex, development of the auditory cortex is quite vulnerable if it does not receive appropriate stimulation at just the right time.

Medical professionals agree that degraded sensory experience during critical periods of childhood development can have detrimental effects on the brain and behavior. A common and classic example of this phenomenon is a medical condition called amblyopia (also known as lazy eye) which can arise when balanced visual signals are not transmitted from each eye to the brain during a critical period for visual cortex development.

Senior study author, Dr. Daniel Polley from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary says that children who routinely experience a buildup of viscous fluid in the middle ear cavity, called otitis media with effusion can ultimately degrade the quality of acoustic signals reaching the brain. He goes on to say that this has been associated with long-lasting loss of auditory perceptual acuity.

Conducting an experiment on rats where they could reversibly block hearing in an infant, juvenile, and adult researchers observed that temporary hearing loss in one ear distorted auditory patterning in the brain, weakened the deprived ear’s representation and strengthened the open ear’s representation. It appears based on the findings that maladaptive plasticity in the developing auditory cortex might underlie “amblyaudio,” in a similar fashion to the contributions of visual cortex plasticity to amblyopia.

The researchers conclude that amblyaudio is unlikely to be a permanent problem for most people so even if the acoustic signal isn’t improved within the critical period, the mature auditory cortex still expresses a remarkable degree of plasticity.

Marines Rescued Off South Carolina Coast After Jet Goes Down

Administrator — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:28 +0000

Kris Alingod – AHN Contributor

Charleston, SC, United States (AHN) – Two Marines were rescued off the coast of South Carolina Wednesday night after their jet went down.

The Coast Guard received a report late in the afternoon about an F-18 Hornet crashing into the waters near Beaufort. The jet, which is attached to the Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224, went down 35 miles off the coast of St. Helena Sound.

A chopper rescue crew from Charleston saved the two pilots, who had ejected from their aircraft and landed safely in the water with their parachutes.

The names of the Marines have not been released, but they are believed to be unharmed.

The Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort maintains seven squadrons of Marine F-18 Hornets and two Navy F-18 squadrons.

"Mad Men" Teams Up With Barbie For New Doll Collection

Administrator — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:27 +0000

Anthony Jones – Celebrity News Service Reporter

Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) – The hit AMC show “Mad Men” has inspired vintage fashions with its portrayal of the men and women at Madison Avenue advertising in the 60’s. And now they’re teaming up with another 60’s icon, Barbie, to debut a new line of “Mad Men” Barbie dolls.

Barbie will go back in time to when it debuts the 1959 versions of “Mad Men” characters including Sterling Cooper Advertising Agency creative director Don Draper (Jon Hamm), wife Betty Draper (January Jones), partner Roger Sterling (John Slattery), and office manager Joan Holloway (Christina Hendricks).

Set to debut in July, the collection designed by Barbie designer Robert Best will highlight the show’s 1960’s fashion style and accessories, including Don Draper’s red-lined suit complete with hat and briefcase, Betty Draper’s pearls and pumps, Roger Sterling’s monogrammed shirt, and Joan Holloway’s purple skirt suit and pen necklace.

The new collection is the first of the new signature Barbie Fashion Model Collection. The collection features dolls made of Silkstone, which resembles the look of porcelain.

Sketches for each of the dolls can be found in the Season 3 DVD of “Mad Men,” which hits stores on March 23rd. The dolls themselves will retail for $75 and will be available in select stores and on the Barbiecollector.com website.

Madonna And Daughter Lourdes Designing Teen Clothing Line

Administrator — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:26 +0000

Anne Lu – Celebrity News Service Contributor

New York, NY, United States (CNS) – Madonna is launching an affordable teen clothing line for Macy’s. The pop superstar, in partnership with Iconix Brand Group, Inc., has announced its first direct-to-retail license agreement with the department store giant.

Called “Material Girl,” the line was inspired and designed by Madonna and 13-year-old daughter Lourdes, along with Iconix’s in-house fashion department. It will feature back-to-school apparel collection just in time for the start of the new school season.

The line will also showcase footwear, handbags and jewelry that retail from $12 to $40.

Macy’s chief merchandising officer, Jeff Gennette, said, “We believe that ‘Material Girl’ will be a dynamic exclusive brand for Macy’s, and we look forward to working with Madonna, Lourdes and the Iconix team. Madonna is a fashion icon who can bring a new dimension to our juniors customer.”

“Material Girl” will launch in approximately 200 Macy’s stores and online in August this year.

National Governors Association, State School Officers Propose New K-12 Standards

Administrator — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:26 +0000

Windsor Genova – AHN News Writer

Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) released Wednesday a draft of new English and math standards from kindergarten to high school.

The NGA Center and CCSSO invited the public to comment on the draft K-12 standards developed together with teachers, school administrators and experts with the aim of providing a clear and consistent framework to prepare children for college and the workforce.

Under the proposed standards for English, fourth graders are expected to differentiate poetry and prose, including what stanza, verse, rhythm and meter means.

A proposed math standards aimed at boosting eighth-graders’ knowledge in algebra is the use of linear equations to solve for an unknown. The students are also expected to explain a proof of the Pythagorean theorem on properties of a triangle.

The plan also lists dozens of classic works that students can read to handle language complexity. For example, E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web” is recommended as a read-aloud book for second- and third-graders while former president Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address is intended for ninth- and 10th-graders.

Public comments on the draft standards are being gathered until April 2.

Report: Somalia Food Aid Diverted To Corrupt Contractors, Armed Groups

Administrator — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:25 +0000

Windsor Genova – AHN News Writer

New York, NY, United States (AHN) – A United Nations group monitoring the arms embargo and humanitarian aid to Somalia claimed in a report that half of food donations intended for 2.5 million poor Somalis was diverted to corrupt contractors and militants.

The report to be presented next week to the UN Security Council blamed the flawed food aid distribution system of the World Food Programme (WFP).

WFP deputy executive director, Amir Abdulla said they will investigate the accusations, which surfaced last year.

The report cited one method of diversion used by one of three contractors in charge of distributing the food aid. It accused Abdulkadir M. Nur of staging hijackings of his own trucks delivering food aid and then selling the food. Nur denied the allegations.

Providence Police Force Threatens To Sue Mayor Over Random Drug Tests

Administrator — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:24 +0000

Windsor Genova – AHN News Writer

Providence, RI, United States (AHN) – The Providence Police Department on Tuesday threatened to sue Mayor David Cicilline for violating state law against mandatory drug test by employers if he carries out his plan to conduct the drug screening on officers.

The Fraternal Order of Police based their position on Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch’s opinion that unilaterally requiring employees to submit to such tests without reasonable grounds to suspect that they are using drugs is illegal. The FOP said violation of the state law is a misdemeanor punishable by a $1,000 fine or imprisonment of not more than one year or both.

The Rhode Island chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) agrees with the FOP.

Cicilline announced his plan to conduct random drug tests on police officers following the arrest last week of three FOP members for allegedly protecting a cocaine distributing ring and for allegedly setting up drug deals.

Osteoporosis Drug Shown To Aid In Rotator Cuff Surgery Recovery

Administrator — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:24 +0000

Ayinde O. Chase – AHN Editor

New York, NY, United States (AHN) – A new research study shows how an approved therapy for osteoporosis, Forteo, may speed healing and improve recovery in tears in the shoulder’s rotator cuff. Surgery to repair the damage for tears in the shoulder’s rotator cuff is a treatment protocol for a common sports injury however typical patient outcomes are often painful and restricting.

“According to a previous study, only 69 percent of rotator cuff repairs were completely healed when evaluated two years after the surgery,” says Scott Rodeo, M.D., co-chief of the Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service at Hospital for Special Surgery and senior author on the study.

He goes on to say, “Although not all of the patients with failed rotator cuff tendon healing had poor clinical outcomes, we wanted to look for ways to further improve patient outcomes.”

The researcher team hypothesized that because Forteo stimulated both bone and cartilage formation, it might enhance the healing process after rotator cuff surgery. Using a rat model, they performed the surgery and then gave some rats Forteo injections in amounts comparable to human doses.

Researchers found that at weeks four through eight, the tendon to bone interface in the rats which had the Forteo treatments appeared much more like normal tissue. Closer analysis also showed that the rats who received Forteo produced more bone and cartilage cells, but the organization of the tissue was better and more closely resembled normal tissue.

Medical professionals say that these early results which showed the tendon was also significantly stiffer, a sign of proper healing, at 8 weeks gives insight into human treatments.

U.S. Budget Deficit Hits New Record In February

Administrator — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:22 +0000

Mitchell Jaworski – AHN Reporter

Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – The U.S. Treasury Department said the nation’s budget deficit widened in February as government spending far exceeded receipts.

Outlays surpassed receipts in February by $221 billion, according to the Treasury, marking the largest deficit for a single month in U.S. history. Outlays totaled about 328.5 billion in February, while receipts were $107.5 billion.

U.S. corporations contribution to receipts has declined despite a rebounding economy as the government has only collected $45.4 billion year-to-date, compared to $52.8 billion in the first five months of fiscal 2009.

The Treasury also said $16.9 billion in outlays were for interest on its debt securities, representing about 5 percent of total outlays for February.

Obama administration has run a budget deficit every month since taking office as broad-based stimulus and spending plans were put into place to jumpstart the economy. Obama recently signed a bill that raised the ceiling on federal debt to $14.3 trillion, a $1.9 trillion increase.

The fiscal year 2010 budget, which began in October, now has a deficit in excess of $650 billion and is expected to top the $1.4 trillion record registered in Fiscal 2009. Five months into fiscal 2009 the budget deficit stood just under $590 billion.

Senate Passes $140 Billion Jobs Bill

Administrator — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:21 +0000

Tom Ramstack – AHN Correspondent

Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – The Senate approved a $140 billion jobs bill Wednesday that gives a boost to the Obama administration’s economic stimulus program.

The bill would provide tax breaks for health care and other industries while extending unemployment benefits.

It also represents what some senators say is a greater effort by Democrats and Republicans to cooperate.

The bill is “necessary to continue to spur economic growth and create jobs,” said Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.).

The jobs bill passed the Senate by a 62-36 vote, with six of the votes coming from Republicans.

The bill now moves to a vote in the House, where it faces differences of opinion over how to spend $40 billion of the funding President Obama wanted for health care.

Any differences between the House and Senate bills are likely to be resolved in a conference committee, according to Senate sponsors of the proposed legislation.

The Senate bill would extend unemployment insurance and COBRA health benefits until the end of the year. It also would give money to states to pay for Medicaid and pension funds that have become nearly depleted during the recession.

Other measures of the bill would prevent a 21 percent pay reduction for doctors of Medicare patients and extend several tax breaks worth $30 billion, including one for research and development by businesses.

The fact the Senate bill won six votes from Republicans represents a greater effort by Democrats to attract bipartisan support, according to Democratic leaders.

Their filibuster-proof majority of 60 Democrats in the Senate was destroyed in January, when Scott Brown (R-Mass.) took over the seat vacated by the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy.

Since Brown was elected, Democrats have tried to win approval for a series of small bills to reduce unemployment rather than sweeping legislation that would polarize Republicans and Democrats.

Each time, a few Republicans have joined the Democratic majority to approve the smaller bills.

An example is a $15 billion jobs bill approved in the Senate last week that would give employers tax credits for hiring unemployed workers.

“It was passed with Republican support, and I’m hopeful that this is a sign of a new bipartisanship in the Senate on one of the greatest issues facing the nation,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.). “I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues – Democrats and Republicans – to pass more legislation that puts Americans back to work.”

After the $15 billion jobs bill passed, President Obama thanked the Senate, saying, “The American people want to see Washington put aside partisan differences and make progress on jobs, and today the Senate took one important step forward in doing that.”

The Senate sponsors decided to revise portions of the bill after the first vote and are resubmitting it for a second Senate approval this week. It is expected to pass easily.

U.S. Markets Cling Onto Gains In Choppy Session

Administrator — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:20 +0000

Mitchell Jaworski – AHN Reporter

New York, NY, United States (AHN) – U.S. markets flirted with 2010 highs for a second straight session, but were unable to close higher after pulling in from intraday highs after the Treasury reported a record budget deficit in February.

Shortly after the opening bell the Commerce Department said wholesale inventories dipped 0.2 percent in January, as opposed to the 0.1 percent increase expected by economists. The decline was mainly due to a 1.3 percent rise in sales during the month, the tenth consecutive monthly increase, as wholesalers struggled to keep inventory levels up.

The Dow Jones Industrial average added 3 points after giving up early gains. Dow components will split evenly between advancers and decliners.

Boeing (NYSE: BA) was a Dow standout, adding 3.3 percent after reporting that United Airlines submitted an order for 25 Airbus A350s.

The S&P 500 tacked on 5 points or 0.5 percent. The index breached its 2010 closing high intraday, but was unable to hold the level.

The Nasdaq Composite was the strongest major index for a third straight day, adding 18 points or 0.8 percent.

Big-cap tech was strong again as the Nasdaq 100 tacked on 0.9 percent. First Solar (NSDQ: FSLR) was a leader, adding 4.5 percent after winning a contract to supply Pacific Gas & Electric Co. with power from a solar facility be built in Southern California.

Crude oil managed a 0.7 percent gain to settle at $82.09 a barrel. The commodity traded up to $83 following inventory data that showed oil reserves of 1.4 million, less than the 2 million expected.

On the economic front, the Treasury Department reported a $221 billion budget deficit in February, marking the largest monthly deficit in U.S. history. The gap was fueled by increased government spending. The fiscal 2010 deficit now stands at nearly $650 billion.

Thursday’s market will see the release of new jobless claims data for the week ended Feb. 27, along with the January trade balance.

Law Firm Files Half-Million Dollar Claim Against Michael Jackson’s Estate

Administrator — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:20 +0000

Anthony Jones – Celebrity News Service Reporter

Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) – A law firm has filed a creditor’s claim against Michael Jackson’s estate, alleging that the King of Pop never paid them for legal services over three years.

According to TMZ, the law firm of Venable LLP are demanding $471,103.56 for legal advice given to Jackson “on a broad sprectum of matters” from the period of September 2006 to June 2009, when he died. Whatever kind of advice is worth half-a-million dollars, it better have been good.

Unfortunately, it’s not the first law firm to come forward seeking money from Jackson’s estate. Los Angeles-based firm Mesereau & Yu filed a claim last year for $341,000 for services rendered during his 2005 trial for child molestation, where he was found not guilty.

Lady Antebellum Return To #1 On Billboard Albums Chart With "Need You Now"

Administrator — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:19 +0000

Anthony Jones – Celebrity News Service Reporter

Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) – Lady Antebellum return to #1 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart this week with their album “Need You Now,” after relinquishing the spot for three weeks while Sade took #1 with their latest “Soldier of Love.” Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now” moves another 126,000 copies this week, spending its third non-consecutive week at the top spot. In its fourth week, Sade is down a spot to #2 with “Soldier of Love” moving 79,000 copies. It’s sold a total of 900,000 copies so far.

The rest of the top 10 is dominated by debuts, with no less than six arriving in the first ten spots. At #3 is country singer Blake Shelton, who moves 71,000 copies of his new album “Hillbilly Bone.” It’s also his highest ranking on the chart. At #4 is the debut from “American Idol” season eight second runner-up Danny Gokey. His album, “My Best Days,” sold 65,000 copies in its first week. Coincidentally for the third-place finisher, its the third-best debut from the season eight Idols, following Adam Lambert and Kris Allen’s debuts.

Debuting this week at #5 is the “Almost Alice” soundtrack, which includes music from and inspired by the new Tim Burton “Alice in Wonderland” remake. The album, heralded by Avril Lavigne’s single “Alice,” sold 58,000 copies its first week out. Lifehouse debut at #6 with their fifth album, “Smoke & Mirrors.” The album, which features lead single “Halfway Gone,” moves 54,000 copies in its first week.

Lady Gaga is at #7 this week with “The Fame” moving 49,000 copies. The 10-minute music video to her latest single “Telephone” debuts this week. The Black Eyed Peas follow at #8 this week with “The E.N.D.” selling 46,000 copies.

Rounding out the top 10 this week are two more debuts. At #9 is Raheem DeVaughn, who moves 45,000 copies of his album “The Love and MasterPeace.” Its his first album since 2008’s “Love Behind the Melody.” At #10 is country singer Easton Corbin with his self-titled debut selling 43,000 copies in its first week.

Billboard Top 200 Albums Week Ending March 20th, 2010

1. Need You Now, Lady Antebellum

2. Soldier of Love, Sade

3. Hillbilly Bone, Blake Shelton

4. My Best Days, Danny Gokey

5. Almost Alice, Various Artists

6. Smoke & Mirrors, Lifehouse

7. The Fame, Lady Gaga

8. The E.N.D., The Black Eyed Peas

9. Love & War Masterpeace, Raheem Devaughn

10. Easton Corbin, Easton Corbin

Microsoft Bares Internet Explorer Weakness Targeted By Hackers

Administrator — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:19 +0000

Windsor Genova – AHN News Writer

San Francisco, CA, United States (AHN) – Microsoft announced Tuesday that a flaw in two versions of its web browser has allowed hackers to take over computers.

The Internet Explorer 6 and Internet Explorer 7 flaws enabled hackers to remotely control computers running on the Windows operating system, according to the software giant. Microsoft did not issue an update to patch the hole, but advised PC users to “disable scripting in the browser window and enable the data execution prevention feature in Internet Explorer.”

The vulnerability was discovered two months after a similar weakness was found in IE 6 that enabled alleged Chinese hackers to attack Google and other firms. Microsoft fixed the flaw by releasing an emergency update to the web browser.

Unemployment Grows In 30 States, But Finally Falls In Michigan

Administrator — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:17 +0000

Mitchell Jaworski – AHN Reporter

Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – The Labor Department reported Wednesday that unemployment rose in 30 states during January, with the western region of the U.S. suffering most.

The report showed a jobless rate of 10.8 percent in the West. The Pacific portion of the region struggled most, with 11.7 percent unemployment in January.

Nevada led the West region with a jobless rate of 13 percent after seeing a 0.3 percent rise in January. That was followed by California, registering a 12.5 percent unemployment rate.

Increases continued at states, such as Florida, where unemployment has been an issue since the real estate collapse. The Sunshine State reported a 0.2 percent increase in unemployment to 11.9 percent, the highest level since records began in 1976.

Michigan, which continues to hold the nation’s highest unemployment rate since being battered by a tumbling automobile industry, posted a decline in joblessness to 14.3 percent, down 0.2 percent from December.

Eight more states joined Michigan in reporting an unemployment decline, including New York and New Jersey, each posting a 0.1 percent decline. The Northeast had the lowest unemployment rate in January of all four regions at 9.1 percent.

The nation’s unemployment rate was 9.7 percent in January after hitting 10 percent in December. The rate held steady at 9.7 percent in February, according to the Labor Department’s latest report.

Nude Burglar Just Needed Place To Sleep

Administrator — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:15 +0000

Hansen Sinclair – AHN Reporter

Lake City, FL, United States (AHN) – Authorities in Columbia County, Florida, said a nude man broke into a home, took a shower, watched television and helped himself to a meal before police arrested him.

Shane Tyler Tinsman, 25, was arrested by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office on charges of burglary of a dwelling, reports stated.

The owner of the house came home last week and noticed lights on in the home. The owner called the police and waited for them to arrive.

One deputy saw a naked man walking through the house. Authorities asked the man to come outside with his hands on his head. When he refused, deputies entered the house and found Tinsman on the bedroom floor, reports stated.

Tinsman confessed to breaking into the home, but only because he was hungry and needed a place to stay, according to reports.

The owner did not notice any items missing from the home.

Tinsman is being held on $2,000 bond.

Coast Guard Holds Hearings On Texas Tanker Collision

Administrator — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:14 +0000

Kris Alingod – AHN Contributor

Port Arthur, TX, United States (AHN) – Hearings have begun on the tanker collision in Texas early this year that resulted in more than 400,000 gallons of oil spilling into the Sabine-Neches waterway.

The Coast Guard introduced 14 exhibits and heard testimony from Pallava Shukla, captain of the Eagle Otome, an oil tanker that crashed into a ship moored at Port Arthur on Jan. 23.

Authorities are investigating what caused the 807-foot Eagle Otome to hit the Gull Arrow on its way into the waterway. The tanker then collided with a barge being pushed by the tug Dixie Vengeance. The accident damaged all vessels as well as the pier. It also injured four dock workers and caused several birds to die.

No analysis or conclusions will be presented during the hearing, which seeks to gather facts and recommendations for approval of the Coast Guard in an investigative report. The National Transportation Safety Board will release its own independent report on the collision.

More than 600 personnel were employed to clean up the oil that leaked from the Eagle Otome. Nearly 100 vessels entering and departing Port Arthur were delayed by the spill, which caused a four-day closure of the waterway.

BET’s Annual Fashion Special "Rip The Runway" Premieres March 15

Administrator — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:13 +0000

Shannon Moore – Celebrity News Service Reporter

Los Angeles, CA, United States (CNS) – BET’s annual fashion special “Rip the Runway” will be making a flashy return to the network on March 15. The network will once again combine fashion and music, while returning with a new group of designers to debut their latest collections alongside the hottest names in music.

The special will be hosted by Pooch Hall and Nicki Minaj and will feature spring 2010 collections from designers such as Tracy Reese, Tennille White, KEVA by Keva Swimwear, Gavin Douglass and Protege. Performances on the show will include Ludacris featuring Nicki Minaj, Trina, Estelle, Janelle Monae and Roscoe Da.

Fashionistas can catch something to suit everyone, from budget-conscious shopping goods to sexy plus-size athletic gear and swimwear. Dwight Eubanks of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” will also stop by for a special appearance and will give one lucky New Yorker a make-over that takes them from the subway to the runway.

Fans can catch the clash of fashion and music on Monday, March 15 at 10:00 pm on BET.

U.S. Wholesale Inventories Dip In January As Sales Rise Again

Administrator — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:13 +0000

Mitchell Jaworski – AHN Reporter

Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – The Commerce Department reported Wednesday a 0.2 percent decline in inventory levels of U.S. wholesalers as they struggle to keep up with recent demand.

The decline was unexpected; economists expected a small 0.2 percent increase in January following the 1 percent decline in December.

A main catalyst in the inventory decline was a 1.3 percent jump in sales to $346.7 billion, which worked down wholesaler’s stockpiles in January. The increase is the best since November and follows a 1.2 percent gain last month.

Inventories had a total value of $382.2 billion in January and would last 1.1 months at the current sales pace. That marks the lowest inventory-to-sales ratio since 1992, when records started being collected.

The lean status of stockpiles comes as a part of 10 straight months of sales increase, coupled with tentative inventory replenishment by wholesalers following last year’s recession.

Wholesalers were slashing inventory levels into the fall off 2009 before finally starting to rebuild stockpiles late in the year, a move which contributed to the 5.9 percent jump in fourth quarter gross domestic product (GDP).

Wholesalers account for roughly 30 percent of all business inventories in the U.S., while factories make up about 38 percent. Inventory levels at factories rose 0.2 percent in January, according to a Commerce Department report last week.

New Hampshire Political Activist "Granny D" Dies At 100

Administrator — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:13 +0000

Hansen Sinclair – AHN Reporter

Dublin, NH, United States (AHN) – Famed political activist Doris “Granny D” Haddock died Tuesday at her New Hampshire home at the age of 100, according to sources close to Haddock.

Haddock was born in Dublin, NH, and made headlines in 1999 whens he walked across America in an effort to bring attention to campaign finance restructuring.

The cross-country walk ended in 2000. She then wrote a book titled “Granny D: Walking Across America in My Ninetieth Year,” documenting her 3,200-mile experience.

Haddock was the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in 2004, winning 34 percent of the vote, losing to incumbent Republican Sen. Judd Gregg, reports stated.

Haddock celebrated her 100th birthday in January.

She is survived by 16 grandchildren.

Archbishop Defends School’s Rejection Of Children Of Lesbian Couple

Administrator — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:42:12 +0000

Kris Alingod – AHN Contributor

Denver, CO, United States (AHN) – The archdiocese of Denver is defending the decision of a school to refuse to re-admit the children of a lesbian couple.

In a column published in the Denver Catholic Register, Archbishop Charles Chaput says church policy was “followed faithfully” when the Sacred Heart of Jesus school refused to let two students continue attending. The school told a lesbian couple last week that their older child would be allowed to attend kindergarten next year but not first grade the following year, and that their younger child may finish preschool but not proceed to kindergarten.

“The policies of our Catholic school system exist to protect all parties involved, including the children of homosexual couples and the couples themselves,” wrote Chaput. “Our schools are meant to be ‘partners in faith’ with parents. If parents don’t respect the beliefs of the Church, or live in a manner that openly rejects those beliefs, then partnering with those parents becomes very difficult, if not impossible.”

“It also places unfair stress on the children, who find themselves caught in the middle, and on their teachers, who have an obligation to teach the authentic faith of the Church,” the archbishop added.

The decision is being criticized by gay advocacy groups. Protesters gathered in front of Sacred Heart of Jesus on Tuesday.

“The archdiocese has ignored the fullness of Catholic understanding of welcome and love, and instead is using a child to make a political point and not a theological one,” Boulder Pride said on its website. “All schools, private and public, should provide safe, welcoming learning environments to all students. A child should never be singled out to make a political statement.”

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation also said the decision “harm[s] the student by taking the child away from friends, teachers and community.”

Chaput, however, made clear in his column, “The Church does not claim that people with a homosexual orientation are ‘bad,’ or that their children are less loved by God. Quite the opposite. But what the Church does teach is that sexual intimacy by anyone outside marriage is wrong… and that marriage can only occur between a man and a woman. The Church cannot change these teachings.”

“Persons who have an understanding of marriage and family life sharply different from Catholic belief are often people of sincerity and good will,” he added. “They have other, excellent options for education and should see in them the better course for their children.”

Some pundits have asked why the Church has not taken the same action on children of parents who are divorced or have committed adultery or other “sins” apart from homosexuality. Observers also pointed out that Chaput is known for his warning in a New York Times interview during the 2004 elections that voting for pro-abortion candidates such as Sen. John Kerry, then the Democratic presidential nominee, would be “cooperating with evil.”

Bill Breslin, pastor at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, asked on the archdiocesan website, “Why would good parents want their children to learn something they don’t believe in? The core issue for us Catholics on this question is our freedom and our obligation to teach about marriage and family life as our Faith teaches.”