Published November 7, 2009, 6:08 PM EST

by DAVID ESPO, Associated Press

WASHINGTON - (AP) — President Barack Obama summoned Democrats to "answer the call of history" Saturday as the House pushed toward a vote on a landmark health care bill holding out the promise of coverage for tens of millions who lack it.After months of struggle capped by a final wrenching comprom...

Published November 7, 2009, 10:02 AM EST

by ENELLY BETANCOURT

LANCASTER, Pa. - Ask Luis Torres about doing good for others and he will tell you that being a good Samaritan is a blessing and a responsibility.High on his list of priorities is to contribute to his community, and he finds contentment in knowing that he is making a difference in the lives of some young people."...

Published November 7, 2009, 9:52 AM EST

by CIVIA KATZ

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - Manheim Township High School senior Dayanara Urena always carries two or three books with her.A voracious reader, she plans one day to teach English — a language she has learned only since entering the school as a freshman."The first day I came to this school, I didn't go to lunch bec...

Published November 7, 2009, 7:41 AM EST

by TOM MURSE

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - Ten months ago, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center shelved plans for a new children's hospital because of the tanking economy.It was unable to get bond financing for the project amid a credit freeze at the time.Being forced to hold off, it turns out, will pay off.On Friday, Penn State&#...

Published November 7, 2009, 6:28 AM EST

by BRIAN WALLACE

LANCASTER, Pa. - Three weeks ago, Alvia Urdaneta was sitting in traffic, waiting to leave McCaskey High School, when another car sideswiped the vehicle she was riding in.A week earlier, two of the McCaskey junior's friends were knocked off their bicycles after cars struck them in front of the school.And just thi...

Published November 7, 2009, 12:13 AM EST

by LARRY ALEXANDER

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - A wedding photographer has been charged with bilking customers of money and their photos.William James Wellman, 57, of 1372 Hammon Ave., Ephrata, was charged Friday by East Cocalico Township police with theft by deception and deceptive and fraudulent business practices.According to police, Wellman, ...

Published November 7, 2009, 12:11 AM EST

by JANET KELLEY

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - The drug dealer was out of prison just a few years when he was arrested again on new charges.And the message from the Lancaster County judge to 32-year-old Kelvin Monsanto was very clear:One more arrest and he'll be spending the rest of his life in state prison.As it is, Monsanto will be spendin...

Published November 7, 2009, 12:09 AM EST

by LARRY ALEXANDER

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - Two Lancaster women are among four people facing prison sentences in connection with a Lebanon bank robbery.Latricia Samuels and Mayra Rodriguez, both of Lancaster, along with Ronald Samuels, 34, and David Dupree, 32, both of Camden, N.J., are guilty of the 2004 robbery of a M&T Bank in Lebanon. The...

Published November 7, 2009, 12:08 AM EST

by JANET KELLEY

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - The young Columbia man was told Friday that at some point he will be able to walk out of prison and get on with his life.But his son "will never be able to walk away from this situation," a Lancaster County judge said.In fact, the child — who Brandon Scott Brooks admitted assaulting ...

Published November 7, 2009, 12:07 AM EST

by CINDY STAUFFER

LANCASTER, pA. - City police on Wednesday arrested three people on retail theft charges in two separate incidents at Park City Center.A fourth person was cited for retail theft at a downtown retailer.According to police, Michael E. Rivera, 49, of 607 W. Orange St., tried to steal two queen-sized comforters worth a t...