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Pa. girl undergoes double-lung transplant

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- A 10-year-old Pennsylvania girl recovering from two double lung transplants is expected to be released from the hospital this week, her mother said Monday. "We expect Sarah to go home this week! Maybe tomorrow....." Janet Murnaghan said in a post on her Facebook page. Earlier, a spokeswoman for the family, Tracy Simon, said a final decision hasn't been made on exactly when Sarah Murnaghan will leave Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

A big cat on the loose in the city?

DETROIT (AP) -- Stray dogs are a common sight in Detroit. What about a big cat? The Detroit Free Press reports that many residents on the city's northeast side have seen what appears to be an exotic cat, perhaps as tall as 4 feet, roaming the streets. The Michigan Humane Society says it will try to find the cat. Antwaun Asberry, a 6-foot-5 Detroiter, says the cat's tail is longer than his arm. The cat has large black spots and stripes, according to a photo. Fourteen-year-old Paul Hatley says the cat stared back at him when he saw it a few days ago. He says the encounter scared him.

Forest fire lends town's water smoky taste and smell

THE DALLES, Ore. (AP) -- Residents of an Oregon town on the Columbia River gorge have complained about a smoky taste and smell in their water. Turns out, it wasn't their imaginations: Public health authorities say a nearby wildfire burning in a drainage basin contributed the sooty aroma to the town's drinking water. The Dalles Chronicle reports the fire dropped burning debris into the stream. Aside from the aesthetic issues, authorities say the water poses no health risks.

Popular Pa. teacher vanishes in Calif. wilderness

NAZARETH -- When the fall term begins at Nazareth Area High School on Monday, one teacher will be conspicuous by his absence. Matthew Greene, a popular math teacher at the school 65 miles north of Philadelphia, vanished while on a backpacking trip in California last month. Police say Greene was there to hike and climb the Eastern Sierra, a region that features extremely steep and rugged terrain, with many peaks soaring to 12,000 and 13,000 feet. His disappearance has baffled friends and family who call Greene a highly experienced, cautious outdoorsman.

Sandusky victim: PSU should have stopped him

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -- Victims of convicted child abuser Jerry Sandusky who have reached settlements with his former employer, Penn State University, express bitterness toward him and the school as university officials say they continue to negotiate with others toward resolving their complaints. At least eight of 31 claims of abuse by the school's former assistant football coach have been settled, their lawyers say. Among them were deals reached by Sandusky's adopted son and a Sandusky victim key to longtime coach Joe Paterno's firing.

Woman killed after fall onto Philly train tracks

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- A woman was killed when she was hit by a commuter train in Philadelphia after she fell onto the tracks, a regional rail spokesman said. Andrew Busch of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority said the woman apparently was waiting for the train on the Market-Frankford line at the Allegheny Station when she fell about 5:45 p.m. Saturday. He said she fell at the same time an eastbound train was entering the station and there would have been no time for anyone to help her off the tracks before the train hit.

What we're working on: August 23

Here's a look at the stories that are keeping our reporters busy: * The fix is in: 89 feral cats have surgery today in a drive to curb the kitten boom. Find out how it works. * A man allegedly beats his brother right into the operating room. You'll never guess why. * A driver insisted somebody else crashed his truck -- but a witness tells the truth, court papers say. * Plus, teenagers connive to steal a safe, but find little in it -- and throw it in the river, according to police. Look for these stories and more in tomorrow's edition of the Press Enterprise.

Obama: Syria attack a 'big event of grave concern'

BEIRUT (AP) -- Syrian troops and opposition fighters clashed Friday during fierce battles in suburbs of the Syrian capital where the opposition claimed a chemical weapons attack this week killed more than 100 people, activists said. Also Friday, the Lebanese government said its troops captured a truck carrying gas masks near the Syrian border. The government offensive entered its third day and came as U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the Syrian government to allow a U.N. team now in Damascus to swiftly investigate the alleged chemical weapons attack.

The PE Sneak Peak: Aug. 22

Here's a look at the stories that are keeping our reporters busy Thursday: * A drug suspect was spotted unconscious in her car twice in six hours, police say. * A woman is recovering slowly after a collision with a trailer full of therapy animals. * Irked by a bill, a man allegedly threatens a hospital office worker over the phone. * A man with a sledgehammer bangs his way down the road, damaging vending machines, according to charges. Look for these stories and more in Friday's edition of the Press Enterprise.

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