TRUMBULL, Conn. – Police said they arrested a young man after he boasted of eluding authorities during a high-speed chase. Officers said Michael Giurintano, 18, of Monroe crashed his car and successfully fled on foot last week. Police said they found his cell phone number in the car and called him. Thinking it was a friend, Giurintano bragged about the incident, police said.
NEW YORK – A former New York Power Authority employee pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges accusing him of taking $167,000 in kickbacks from an equipment supplier. Federal prosecutors said Edward Goldblatt accepted cash and other gifts from the unidentified vendor when he worked as a purchasing warehouse assistant. In exchange, Goldblatt allowed the vendor to overcharge the NYPA by bypassing the bidding process.
SOUTH
OCALA, Fla. – Police said Frankie Lewis, 48, pulled a knife on members of a congregation and threatened to cut them when they refused to give him butter in the church's buffet line, police said. A member then hit Lewis with a wooden board, officials said. Lewis managed to get away on a bicycle, but police caught him. He was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Tennessee Valley Authority agreed to pay $42 million in bonuses and other fees to contractors for work on the Browns Ferry reactor restart that ran $90 million over budget. With TVA rates about to increase by 20 percent, the directors agreed to pay Bechtel Power Corp. and Stone and Webster Construction Inc. $15.5 million each, plus another $11.3 million in fees to settle a legal dispute.
MIDWEST
TULSA, Okla. – Officials from four American Indian tribes prayed in their native languages to bless the city's BOK Center before the new arena's grand opening this weekend. Tribal officials used pots of burning coals and cedar and giant eagle feathers to waft the smoke for blessings to ensure the arena's long-term success. The $178 million venue seats 18,500 people.
SHAWANO, Wis. – One Harley-Davidson dealer has a bike that should stand out among the thousands in this weekend's parade in Milwaukee celebrating the motorcycle maker's 105th anniversary. Steve “Doc” Hopkins, who has a dealership in Bonduel, put together a five-seat motorcycle in 17 days using four rebuilt 1950s flathead engines and spare Harley parts. A beer keg is attached to the back.
WEST
SALEM, Ore. – State Senate Democrats ruled out a gasoline tax increase in 2009. The majority party said the state needs more money for its transportation system, but given current pump prices, the tax would lack public support. Instead, they'll propose a cigarette tax to the 2009 Legislature that would be smaller than the 84.5 cent-a-pack hike rejected by voters last year.
AMERICAN FORK CANYON, Utah – Snowbird ski resort and the conservation group Trout Unlimited have crews working to stop ground water from leaching through waste piles at an old silver mine. The water was picking up heavy metals at the Live Yankee mine and killing aquatic insects that provide food for native trout in nearby streams. Crews are expected to complete the prevention work on Friday.
