GOV. TOM CORBETT'S ADMINISTRATION HAS RETURNED A $50 MILLION SECURITY DEPOSIT TO A BRITISH FIRM THAT HAD SUBMITTED THE ONLY BID TO MANAGE THE $3.5 BILLION PENNSYLVANIA LOTTERY BEFORE ATTORNEY GENERAL KATHLEEN KANE REJECTED THE CONTRACT AS ILLEGAL. THE ADMINISTRATION WILL GET A PROMISSORY NOTE IF IT PURSUES THE ABILITY TO HIRE CAMELOT GLOBAL SERVICES. THE CORBETT ADMINISTRATION CAN APPEAL KANE'S REJECTION IN COURT AND THE ADMINISTRATION AND CAMELOT ARE STILL CONSIDERING THEIR OPTIONS. CAMELOT'S BID TO PRODUCE $34 BILLION IN PROFITS OVER 20 YEARS EXPIRES FRIDAY. CAMELOT WOULD HAVE REPLACED THE STATE EMPLOYEES WHO RUN THE LOTTERY. DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS AND THE UNION THAT REPRESENTS LOTTERY EMPLOYEES ARE ALSO CHALLENGING THE CONTRACT'S LEGALITY IN COURT.
FORMER NORTHAMPTON COUNTY EXECUTIVE GLENN REIBMAN WANTS THAT JOB BACK. THE DEMOCRAT HAS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED HE'S RUNNING TO REPLACE JOHN STOFFA, WHO IS NOT SEEKING RE-ELECTION. BETHLEHEM MAYOR JOHN CALLAHAN AND CURRENT COUNTY COUNCILMAN LAMONT McCLURE ARE THE TWO OTHER DEMOCRATS WHO'LL BE ON THE MAY PRIMARY BALLOT. REIBMAN WAS COUNTY EXECUTIVE FROM 1998 TO 2006. HE WANTED A THIRD STRAIGHT TERM BUT LOST THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY TO STOFFA IN THE SPRING OF 2005.
A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT WILL HEAR TODAY AN EASTON SCHOOL DISTRICT APPEAL OF A RULING THAT ALLOWED STUDENTS TO WEAR 'I HEART BOOBIES' BRACELETS TO PROMOTE BREAST CANCER AWARENESS. THE DISTRICT'S FIRST APPEAL FAILED, BUT NOW ALL 13 3RD CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS JUDGES WILL LISTEN TO THE DISTRICT'S ARGUMENT THAT THE BRACELETS ARE DISRUPTIVE, LEWD AND VULGAR. THE CONTROVERSY BEGAN THREE YEARS AGO WHEN A PAIR OF MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WERE SUSPENDED FOR WEARING THE RUBBER BRACELETS WITH THAT MESSAGE.
A LEHIGH VALLEY MAN HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR STABBING A MAN AND WOMAN WHO HAD JUST RETURNED FROM A HOSPITAL WITH THEIR NEWBORN BABY. TWENTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD JOEL ANTONIO VAZQUEZ EARLIER PLEADED GUILTY IN LEHIGH COUNTY TO AGGRAVATED ASSAULT IN THE JUNE STABBINGS IN WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP. TWO COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE WERE WITHDRAWN AS PART OF THE PLEA BARGAIN. VAZQUEZ WILL SPEND THE NEXT 70 MONTHS TO 30 YEARS BEHIND BARS. PUBLIC DEFENDER EARL SUPPLEE SAID VAZQUEZ, DIAGNOSED AS A PARANOID SCHIZOPHRENIC, HAD RUN OUT OF HIS MEDICATION AND WASN'T TAKING IT AT THE TIME. HE SAID HIS CLIENT WAS "VERY SORRY" FOR HIS ACTIONS. THE TWO PARENTS BOTH RECOVERED FROM THEIR WOUNDS AND THE BABY WAS UNINJURED.
THE SONIC DRIVE-IN ON ROUTE 248 IN LOWER NAZARETH TOWNSHIP IS CLOSED. THE NORTHAMPTON COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT CLOSED DOWN THE DRIVE-IN ON MONDAY BASED ON A LAWSUIT FROM SONIC'S LANDLORD, WHO CLAIMS IT IS OWED AROUND $70,000 IN UNPAID RENT AND LEGAL FEES. CLOSING THIS DRIVE-IN LEAVES TWO SONIC DRIVE-INS IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY, ONE ON AIRPORT ROAD AND ANOTHER IN PHILLIPSBURG.
A 2-YEAR-OLD CHILD INJURED IN A FEBRUARY 6 CRASH IN BETHLEHEM HAS NOW DIED. THE CHILD'S NAME HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN THE 700 BLOCK OF CENTRAL BOULEVARD AND IS STILL BEING INVESTIGATED BY BETHLEHEM POLICE.
A RULING BY THE PENNSYLVANIA SUPREME COURT SAYS THE STATE CONSTITUTION DOESN'T GIVE PEOPLE A RIGHT TO PRIVACY WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR HOME ADDRESSES, CLARIFYING WHAT HAS BEEN A MAJOR POINT OF DISPUTE IN THE OPEN RECORDS LAW. THE HIGH COURT ON TUESDAY UPHELD A LOWER-COURT DECISION IN THE CASE OF A MEL MARIN, A PROSPECTIVE CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE WHO WOULDN'T PROVIDE HIS RESIDENCE INFORMATION ON CAMPAIGN DOCUMENTS. THE JUSTICES ARE GIVING THEIR APPROVAL TO A JANUARY 2012 COMMONWEALTH COURT OPINION THAT STATED "THERE IS NO CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO PRIVACY IN ONE'S HOME ADDRESS UNDER THE PENNSYLVANIA CONSTITUTION." TERRY MUTCHLER, DIRECTOR OF THE STATE OFFICE OF OPEN RECORDS, SAYS THE DECISION HAS "PROFOUND IMPLICATIONS" FOR OTHER CASES, AS DISPUTES OVER HOME ADDRESSES HAVE ARISEN REPEATEDLY UNDER THE RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW.
THERE'S NO VERDICT YET IN THE CAMPAIGN CORRUPTION TRIAL OF SUSPENDED STATE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE JOAN ORIE MELVIN AND HER SISTER, JANINE ORIE. THE SISTERS ARE CHARGED WITH MISUSING MELVIN'S FORMER SUPERIOR COURT STAFF TO HELP HER CAMPAIGN FOR THE STATE'S HIGHEST COURT IN 2003 AND 2009. JANINE ORIE WAS AN AIDE TO THE JUDGE THEN AND ALLEGHENY COUNTY PROSECUTORS SAY SHE HELPED ORGANIZE THAT ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN WORK AS WELL AS OTHER ALLEGEDLY ILLEGAL WORK DONE BY THE STATE-FUNDED STAFF OF A THIRD SISTER, THEN-STATE SEN. JANE ORIE. THE SISTERS HAVE DENIED WRONGDOING. THE JURY DELIBERATED A LITTLE MORE THAN TWO HOURS FRIDAY BEFORE RETURNING TO DELIBERATE ALL DAY YESTERDAY. THE JURY IS TO RETURN THIS MORNING.
FREE WI-FI IS NOW AT ALL 15 OPERATIONAL PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE SERVICE PLAZAS. THE TURNPIKE SAYS IT'S ABOUT MORE THAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND CONVENIENCE. "AS WE SEE DRIVER DISTRACTIONS BECOMING MORE OF A SAFETY ISSUE ON THE TURNPIKE, WE WANT TO PROVIDE OPTIONS FOR OUR CUSTOMERS SO THEY CAN STAY CONNECTED AND BE SAFE AT THE SAME TIME," THE TURNPIKE'S CRAIG SHUEY SAYS. THE TWO TURNPIKE PLAZS CURRENTLY BEING RENOVATED WILL ALSO HAVE FREE WI-FI WHEN THEY REOPEN THIS SPRING.
NEW JERSEY'S NEWEST CASINO SAYS ITS CASINO AND HOTEL GUESTS WON'T NOTICE ANYTHING DIFFERENT WHILE IT WORKS OUT A PREPACKAGED BANKRUPTCY FILING. ATLANTIC CITY'S REVEL WILL UNDERGO A CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY RESTRUCTURING IN LATE MARCH, LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER IT OPENED. THE MOVE WILL WIPE AWAY ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF ITS $1.5 BILLION IN DEBT BY CONVERTING MORE THAN $1 BILLION OF IT INTO EQUITY FOR LENDERS. REVEL'S CEO SAYS THE RESTRUCTURING WILL GIVE THE CASINO RESORT MORE FLEXIBILITY TO OPERATE. THE $2.4 BILLION CASINO NEVER CAUGHT ON AS MUCH AS IT HAD EXPECTED TO, AND IT REMAINED MIRED TOWARD THE BOTTOM OF ATLANTIC CITY'S 12 CASINOS IN TERMS OF CASINO REVENUE.
GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE SAYS HE WILL QUICKLY SIGN AN INTERNET GAMBLING BILL IF LAWMAKERS MAKE THE CHANGES HE WANTS TO THE LEGISLATION. BOTH HOUSES ARE SET TO CONSIDER THE BILL NEXT WEEK, AND LAWMAKERS SAY THEY ARE WILLING TO MAKE THE CHANGES CHRISTIE ASKED FOR WHEN HE VETOED IT EARLIER THIS MONTH. THEY INCLUDE A 10-YEAR TRIAL PERIOD ON INTERNET GAMBLING, AND HIGHER TAXES ON THE CASINOS' ONLINE WINNINGS. ATLANTIC CITY'S 12 CASINOS WOULD RUN THE ONLINE OPERATIONS. CHRISTIE SAYS HE COULD CONCEIVABLY SIGN SUCH A BILL THE SAME DAY IT'S APPROVED IN THE LEGISLATURE OR THE NEXT DAY, "DEPENDING ON HOW MY DAY IS GOING." THE LEGISLATURE IS SET TO CONSIDER THE BILL FEBRUARY 26.
GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE HAS SHATTERED ANOTHER PUBLIC OPINION POLL RECORD BY SCORING A 74 PERCENT JOB APPROVAL RATING, THE HIGHEST OF ANY GOVERNOR IN 17 YEARS OF QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY SURVEYS. RESPONDENTS ALSO OVERWHELMINGLY SAID THE REPUBLICAN DESERVES RE-ELECTION THIS YEAR. THE POLL RELEASED WEDNESDAY SHOWS CHRISTIE LEADING HIS LIKELY DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER, STATE SEN. BARBARA BUONO, BY 37 PERCENTAGE POINTS AND 83 PERCENT OF RESPONDENTS SAID THEY DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT BUONO TO HAVE AN OPINION ABOUT HER. CHRISTIE LEADS BUONO AMONG EVERY DEMOGRAPHIC GROUP EXCEPT DEMOCRATS. HE ALSO HOLDS A 50-PERCENTAGE-POINT LEAD AMONG INDEPENDENT VOTERS.
ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS MAY GRANT THEMSELVES SUBPOENA POWER TO COMPEL THE STATE TREASURER TO TESTIFY BEFORE THE CHAMBER'S BUDGET COMMITTEE. GOV. CHRIS CHRISTIE'S TREASURER, ANDREW ERISTOFF, HAS DECLINED FOUR REQUESTS TO APPEAR BEFORE THE COMMITTEE SINCE SEPTEMBER. THE PANEL WANTS ERISTOFF TO PROVIDE UPDATES ON SUPERSTORM SANDY RELIEF FUNDING, PROPOSALS FOR PRIVATIZING THE STATE LOTTERY AND THE STATE'S ONGOING BUDGET SHORTFALL. ERISTOFF'S SPOKESMAN HAS EITHER CITED SCHEDULING CONFLICTS OR FAILED TO GIVE A REASON ON WHY THE TREASURER DIDN'T TESTIFY. BUDGET COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN VINCENT PRIETO SAYS THE PANEL NEEDS TO HEAR FROM THE ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE INFORMED REVENUE DECISIONS.
THE PHILLIES HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A COUPLE YEARS FOR PROSPECT DOMONIC BROWN TO BECOME BIG LEAGUE STAR DOMONIC BROWN. AT SPRING TRAINING BROWN SAYS HE HOPES TO BE THROWN INTO THE OUTFIELD AND ALLOWED TO SINK OR SWIM ONCE AND FOR ALL. MANAGER CHARLIE MANUEL THINKS THAT'LL HAPPEN. "HE SHOULD LOOK AT IT THAT WAY BECAUSE HE'S GOING TO GET A CHANCE TO PLAY," MANUEL SAYS. BROWN SAYS THE KEY WILL BE TO STAY OUT OF THE TRAINER'S ROOM. "I'M GOING OUT AND WORKING HARD AND TRYING TO STAY INJURY-FREE," BROWN SAYS. BROWN IS AMONG FIVE OR SIX PLAYERS FIGHTING FOR FOUR AVAILABLE SPOTS IN THE OUTFIELD.
ANDREW BYNUM SAYS HE PLANS ON MAKING HIS SEASON DEBUT FOR THE PHILADELPHIA 76ERS THIS YEAR, THOUGH HE'S STILL A WEEK OR TWO AWAY FROM PRACTICING WITH THE TEAM. THE 7-FOOT CENTER HAS BEEN SIDELINED BY KNEE INJURIES SINCE THE SIXERS ACQUIRED HIM FROM THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS LAST SUMMER. HE WORKED OUT FOR 80 MINUTES ON TUESDAY AND SAID AFTERWARD HIS KNEES ARE FEELING BETTER, BUT HE DOESN'T EXPECT TO EVER BE PAIN-FREE. BYNUM'S TIMETABLE FOR A RETURN HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE TRAINING CAMP OPENED WITH HIM OFF THE COURT. HE SAYS HE WON'T RUSH HIS RETURN JUST TO HELP PHILADELPHIA MAKE A PLAYOFF PUSH OR TO IMPROVE HIS STATUS WITH HIS PENDING FREE AGENCY.
