Free

Semi overturns, spills holiday hams on interstate ramp

ATLANTA (AP) -- A truck overturned in metro Atlanta, spilling tons of hams onto an interstate ramp. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the truck was hauling 40,000 pounds of hams Thursday around 4 a.m. when it overturned, spilling its cargo south of Atlanta. Authorities were working early Thursday to clear the ramp from Old National Highway to Interstate 85 southbound after the crash. The cab of the truck was destroyed in the crash, which also caused a diesel fuel spill.

The PE Sneak Peek: Dec. 19, 2013

Here's a look at the stories that are keeping our reporters busy: * A father warned he would call police if his son had drugs, charges say. Dad did just that, but the son insists he's innocent. Read about their day in court. * A nurse was caught in her alleged ploy to get Oxycodone illegally; now she'll go before a judge. * When the band didn't play the national anthem before a football game, a local Vietnam vet decided to speak his piece. * Happy New Year: Taxes won't go up in one county in 2014. Look for these stories and more in tomorrow's edition of the Press Enterprise.

Patriarch off 'Duck Dynasty' after gay comments; Palin, Jindal offer support

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- "Duck Dynasty" patriarch Phil Robertson -- suspended from the series indefinitely after making disparaging remarks about gays -- is getting some support from key followers. Sarah Palin posted a picture on her Facebook page of her with the reality show clan with the message, "Free Speech is an endangered species." And Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal also lamented the suspension on free speech terms. "It's a messed-up situation when Miley Cyrus gets a laugh, and Phil Robertson gets suspended," said the governor in a statement Thursday (the show is filmed in his state.

Target: 40M card accounts may be breached

Target says about 40 million credit and debit card accounts may be affected by a data breach that occurred just as the holiday shopping season shifted into high gear. The chain said customers who made purchases by swiping their cards at terminals in its U.S. stores between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15 may have had their accounts exposed. The stolen data includes customer names, credit and debit card numbers, card expiration dates and the three-digit security codes located on the backs of cards. The data breach did not affect online purchases, the company said.

Tourist distracted by Facebook falls off pier

SYDNEY (AP) -- A tourist in Australia had to be rescued by police after plunging off a pier while browsing Facebook on her phone, officials said Wednesday. The woman was walking along a bay in Melbourne on Monday night when she became distracted by her Facebook feed and plummeted off the pier into the chilly water, Victoria state police said. A witness called for help and police rushed to the woman's aid. They found her flailing around in the water, about 65 feet from the pier.

Pets as presents a good idea, study says

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Giving a puppy or kitten to the pet lover on your list is a gift idea animal activists have long warned people to avoid. But a national animal welfare group says the fears of pets being rejected or returned are unfounded. Some shelters around the country are ramping up for Christmas Day deliveries of new family pets, a move applauded by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, whose new study supports seasonal adoptions. But some shelter leaders maintain that adoptions are better left for after the holiday rush.

3 small colleges in Pa., including one in Williamsport, abruptly close

LOWER BURRELL, Pa. (AP) -- Three small two-year colleges in Pennsylvania have suddenly closed, leaving students wondering what to do next. The schools are Oakbridge Academy of Arts in Lower Burrell, near Pittsburgh, and the Newport Business Institute, which has locations in Lower Burrell as well as Williamsport in central Pennsylvania. Staff and students say they received word of the closure Monday afternoon and the schools were locked tight Tuesday morning.

The PE Sneak Peek: Dec. 18, 2013

Here's a look at the stories that are keeping our reporters busy Wednesday: * Case closed: A rape suspect who was due in court today has committed suicide, officials say. Read our online report. * Get the latest on a former teacher who allegedly tried to kill herself while driving drunk. * Business is bounding: A local woman is opening a bounce house for kids next month. * Arrested at gunpoint after a chase, a suspect gets off with a sentence of probation.

Man ticketed for trying to trade gator for beer

MIAMI (AP) -- Florida wildlife officials say a man tried to trade a live alligator for beer at a Miami convenience store. State Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Jorge Pino says the man received a citation for illegally capturing and trying to sell the gator. Pino tells WTVJ-TV that the man trapped the 4-foot-long gator at a nearby park and brought it to the store Dec. 10. When he proposed to trade the animal for a 12-pack of beer, the store clerk called authorities. Pino says the alligator was "pretty much in good shape." The animal was released back into the wild.

Deputies: Jealous man shot co-worker's car window

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- A Florida Wal-Mart employee is facing charges after allegedly shooting a co-worker's car window because she won an employee-of-the-month award. Sonia Diogene told Broward Sheriff's deputies that Willie Mitchell became angry after she received the award last month and started harassing her, saying he had helped her numerous times and that he was the one deserving recognition.