Pennsylvania News Briefs

A leading company drilling on the Marcellus Shale natural gas formation in Pennsylvania says it handed out nearly $1.2 million in royalty checks last week.

Range Resources Corp. spokesman Matt Pitzarella said Monday the distribution is the first significant royalty the company has paid from its 120-plus Marcellus shale wells.

People in the exploration industry say they haven’t yet heard of such a large distribution of royalties from Marcellus shale gas wells in Pennsylvania.

The money went to 31 landowners who have wells on or near their land and live near Range’s gas-processing plant about 20 miles south of Pittsburgh.

ALLENTOWN

Teacher charged with homicide by vehicle

An eastern Pennsylvania school teacher has been charged in the hit-and-run death of a motorcyclist in October.

The Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office says math teacher Larry Angney II struck Lori Smeltzer from behind as she rode her motorcycle on Oct. 9. Angney is charged with homicide by vehicle, involuntary manslaughter and other charges. He is free on bail after being arraigned Friday.

The Quakertown Community High School teacher told investigators he thought he hit an animal or street sign but did not stop to check.

HARRISBURG

Gov. pressures Philly on building casinos

Gov. Ed Rendell says he would seriously consider signing a bill to stop slot-machine gambling dollars from flowing to Philadelphia if the city continues to resist construction of two casinos there.

The former Philadelphia mayor made the comments Monday in response to a question about opposition to a pair of riverfront casinos that have been licensed by the state.

By law, Philadelphia gets a share of the state tax revenue from slots to lower the wage tax that is paid by people who live or work in the city.

HERSHEY

Health improving for Pa. legislator

A Pennsylvania state lawmaker who’s being treated for acute pneumonia at Hershey Medical Center since Feb. 25 is showing signs of improvement.

Hospital officials said Monday that Rep. Robert Belfanti was moved to a general medical floor from the intensive care unit but remains in serious condition.

The condition of the Northumberland County Democrat was upgraded on Friday from critical to serious.

PHILADELPHIA

Court blasts firm over legal payout procedure

A U.S. appeals court is blasting a Texas company that offers lump-sum advances to people due much larger legal payouts.

The case involves the City of Philadelphia’s award to the father of “Birdie Africa,” the only child to survive the 1985 MOVE bombing.

Andino Ward and his son, renamed Michael Moses Ward, settled with the city for $840,000 plus escalating monthly payments for life.

Court papers show that 54-year-old Andino Ward of Montgomery County agreed to sign over an estimated $334,000 in future payments in exchange for about $32,000 upfront from a Houston company called Rapid Settlements.