TimesLeader.com

Funeral arrangements in Pa. announced for Murtha - 02/09/2010
Funeral arrangements have been announced for the late congressman John Murtha. Murtha's family said Tuesday the viewing would be Sunday and Monday at Duca's Funeral Home in Westmont, just west of Johnstown. The burial will be Tuesday at Grandview Cemetery in Westmont. The times of the viewing and burial will be announced later.

Lawmaker's death a reminder of surgery risks - 02/09/2010
Gallbladder surgery is usually a very safe operation, but a powerful congressman's death is a reminder of the known risks. Well over half a million people have their gallbladders removed annually, most of them minimally invasively just as the late Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa. Complications are rare. But they include nicking the

Snow shuts down federal government, life goes on - 02/09/2010
If snow keeps 230,000 government employees home for the better part of a week, will anyone notice? With at least another foot of snow headed for Washington, Philadelphia and New York, we're about to find out. The federal government in the nation's capital has largely been shut down since Friday afternoon, when a storm began dumping up

Snow shuts down federal government, life goes on - 02/09/2010
If snow keeps 230,000 government employees home for the better part of a week, will anyone notice? With at least another foot of snow headed for Washington, Philadelphia and New York, we're about to find out. The federal government in the nation's capital has largely been shut down since Friday afternoon, when a storm began dumping up

Murtha's death sets stage for marquee House race - 02/09/2010
Democrats have long dominated the late Rep. John Murtha's district in western Pennsylvania, but Republicans have made inroads in recent years that could help them win back the seat _ and some longtime Murtha supporters say they're open to voting for a GOP candidate. Rose Marie Favina, 69, described herself a Democrat who supported Mur

Most Philly city offices to close amid snowstorm - 02/09/2010
Philadelphia's mayor says government offices and the city's court system will be largely shut down due to the impending snowstorm. Mayor Michael Nutter says all city offices that don't involve public safety will be closed Wednesday, with up to 18 inches of snow expected. Libraries, recreation centers, health centers and the

Eastern Pa. man convicted of killing friend - 02/09/2010
Jurors in eastern Pennsylvania have convicted a man of shooting his friend to death in an Allentown parking lot last spring. The jury deliberated for three hours Tuesday before convicting 33-year-old Quaan White of Freemansburg of first-degree murder in the May 9 death of Joseph Botz. White faces a life term when he is sentenced next

Pa. schools to close as latest snowstorm nears - 02/09/2010
School districts across Pennsylvania are planning to close as the latest winter storm approaches. The Philadelphia and Pittsburgh school systems are among those that have already canceled classes for Wednesday. The Pittsburgh system says several buildings are still without power as western Pennsylvania deals with thousands

Jones, Hopkins ready for fight 17 years in making - 02/09/2010
After nearly two decades of bitter squabbling, Roy Jones Jr. and Bernard Hopkins still can't share the same table. Instead, the former champions appeared behind separate podiums Tuesday with placards that had only their own names and likenesses. The stage inside the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square was set up to resemble a debate, with

Rendell proposes lower sales tax but on more items - 02/09/2010
Gov. Ed Rendell's proposal to expand the state sales tax is getting a mixed reaction in the Capitol. The Democrat wants to eliminate dozens of sales tax exemptions to help offset billions in disappearing federal funding and spiking pension costs. However, Rendell's fellow Democrats did not voice immediate support for his sa

Murtha's death sets stage for marquee House race - 02/09/2010
Democrats have long dominated the late Rep. John Murtha's district in western Pennsylvania, but Republicans have made inroads in recent years that could help them win back the seat _ and some longtime Murtha supporters say they're open to voting for a GOP candidate. Rose Marie Favina, 69, described herself a Democrat who supported Mur

Jones, Hopkins ready for long-awaited rematch - 02/09/2010
After nearly two decades of bitter squabbling, Roy Jones Jr. and Bernard Hopkins still can't share the same table. Instead, the former champions appeared behind separate podiums Tuesday with placards that had only their own names and likenesses. The stage inside the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square was set up to resemble a de

Iverson out for at least 2 more games - 02/09/2010
Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson will miss the team's next two games because of the lingering illness of one of his children. Iverson, who has missed the previous three games, will sit out Tuesday against Minnesota and Wednesday at Toronto. Iverson will return for the Sixers' first game following the All-Star break vs. Miami on

Pa. turnpike official resigns over 2 DUIs - 02/09/2010
The vice chairman of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has resigned after admitting that he was twice convicted of drunken driving during his tenure following accidents in state vehicles that he was operating. In a letter to Gov. Ed Rendell dated Monday and obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press, Timothy Carson says he was convic

2 major airlines to halt flights at Philly airport - 02/09/2010
At least two major airlines are planning to halt flights at Philadelphia International Airport in anticipation of an impending snow storm. Southwest Airlines and US Airways plan to halt flights at 8 p.m. Tuesday. That's according to airport spokeswoman Victoria Lupica. She says US Airways currently plans to resume flights W

Pa. man pleads in teen drinking, pole dance case - 02/09/2010
An eastern Pennsylvania man accused of hosting a teen drinking party at which students danced at a stripper pole has pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor counts of selling alcohol to minors. Thirty-seven-year-old Steven Russo of Bethlehem Township pleaded guilty Tuesday in a deal in which prosecutors dropped more serious charges.

Murtha's death sets stage for marquee House race - 02/09/2010
Democrats have long dominated the late Rep. John Murtha's district in western Pennsylvania, but Republicans have made inroads in recent years that could help them win back the seat _ and some longtime Murtha supporters say they're open to voting for a GOP candidate. Rose Marie Favina, 69, described herself a Democrat who supported Mur

2 major airlines to halt flights at Philly airport - 02/09/2010
At least two major airlines are planning to halt flights at Philadelphia International Airport in anticipation of an impending snow storm. Southwest Airlines and US Airways plan to halt flights at 8 p.m. Tuesday. That's according to airport spokeswoman Victoria Lupica. She says US Airways currently plans to resume flights W

Murtha's death sets stage for marquee House race - 02/09/2010
Democrats have long dominated the late Rep. John Murtha's district in western Pennsylvania, but Republicans have made inroads in recent years that could help them win back the seat _ and some longtime Murtha supporters say they're open to voting for a GOP candidate. Rose Marie Favina, 69, described herself a Democrat who supported Mur

Road crews brace for latest winter blast in Pa. - 02/09/2010
Weary Pennsylvania road crews are bracing for the latest blast of winter. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation crews say they've barely had time to recover from last weekend's storm as they gear up for the Tuesday rush. Fifty-five-year-old plow truck driver Jerry Graham says he worked the weekend clearing roads in Lehi