PNA files briefs supporting members
The Pennsylvania Newspaper Association has filed an amicus brief in a Sunshine Act lawsuit supporting two members and will file another regarding court records.

In the Sunshine Act case, PNA is supporting an appeal filed by The (Harrisburg) Patriot-News and The (Carlisle) Sentinel. The paper's appealed a Commonwealth Court decision that allowed secret meetings by the board of governors at Dickinson School of Law, which is part of Penn State University.

The other case involves the Reading Eagle and Berks County's clerk of courts. PNA questions a blanket order to seal records that is inconsistent with principles of an open government and court system.

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State Police retaliate against employee for releasing records to newspaper, suit says
The Pennsylvania State Police have retaliated against a captain they believe leaked internal state police e-mails to the Philadelphia Daily News about controversial underage drinking sweeps into two Philadelphia bars linked to union leader John "Johnny Doc" Dougherty last year, according to a civil lawsuit filed in federal court July 28.

On July 26, the state police abruptly transferred Capt. Darrell Ober, who was director of operations for the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, to the Bureau of Emergency and Special Operations in Hershey, a place known as the "Dog House," "the Penalty Box," and the "Sin Bin," the lawsuit says.

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Hit-and-run driver kills Johnstown editor, police say
A man allegedly driving a stolen sport-utility vehicle crashed into another vehicle, killing the city editor of Johnstown's newspaper, authorities said.

Mike Elswick, 33, of Ligonier Township, was on his way to his evening shift at The Tribune-Democrat of Johnstown when his sport-utility vehicle was hit by the stolen vehicle July 23 on state Route 271 in northern Somerset County, authorities said.

Elswick, the city editor and former sports editor of the newspaper, died at the scene, said Somerset County Coroner Wallace Miller.

The other driver, Randy Shipley Jr., was arrested about six hours after the crash. Shipley, 19, of Johnstown was being held Saturday in the Somerset County jail on $125,000 bond on charges of receiving stolen property, aggravated assault, driving without a license and other counts.

From the Hotline: 
Member Alert: Does our newspaper need to buy both the federal and state 'Do Not Call' registries?
Teri Henning, PNA's media law counsel, explains what telemarketers are required to buy under appropriate laws and regulations.

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Use this link to visit the Headlines & Deadlines page which groups and archives Teri Henning's weekly 'From the Hotline' columns. 

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Simpson promoted to credit manager as Boxter leaves PNA
The Pennsylvania Newspaper Association is pleased to announce the promotion of Brad M. Simpson to the position of credit and collections manager. He will be in charge of supervising the accounts payable and receivables staff, invoice reconciliation, check vouchering, contacting customers concerning delinquent accounts and creating reports for credit analysis. 

Simpson is a 2003 graduate of Penn State University with a bachelor's degree in economics, and recently began a master's degree program in business administration at Penn State Harrisburg. Simpson previously served as a print media buyer for Mid-Atlantic Newspaper Services Inc.

Simpson will succeed Jackie Boxter, who will be leaving PNA to pursue work with the Pennsylvania Association of Area Aging Agencies where she will be working with all accounting departments: creating budgets, assessing financials and payroll, as well as performing select administrative duties.

Boxter is leaving the association after a three-and-a-half year tenure. Boxter was hired as the accounting assistant for advertising cash receipts in March 2001 before being promoted in October 2001 as credit and collections manager where she worked closely with MANSI as well as the accounting department.

Boxter is a graduate of McCann School of Business in Pottsville with an associate's in specialized business degree in accounting. Before she worked at the association, she was employed at H&R Block as a tax preparer.

Boxter's last day was July 30.

Attention: All Classified Advertising Mangers and Directors!
Hurry.....Don't miss your chance to enter the 2004 Classified Sales Contest! The Oct 5th deadline is fast approaching so don't miss out! 

Award winners will be honored at the 2004 Classified Sales Workshop, October 5th at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel, Scranton, PA. All tearsheet entries will be on display. Don't miss the chance to see fresh new ideas while showing off your own. No limit on the number of entries that may be submitted.

For contest information contact Tracy Metz at 717-703-3003 or tracym@pa-news.org 

PNA offers Adobe Acrobat training from leading expert Kevin Slimp Oct. 14
Beginning in 1993, Kevin Slimp developed the process that is now referred to as the PDF remote printing process. Using a new technology being developed by Adobe Systems, Slimp created a process that has become the industry standard for file creation, transmission and printing. 

Since that time, Slimp has spoken at hundreds of press association and newspaper conferences concerning the creation, preflighting, printing and correction of PDF files. 

Slimp is the director of the Institute of Newspaper Technology, a training program attended by newspaper designers, editors and publishers from throughout North America. The Institute is located on the main campus of The University of Tennessee in Knoxville. 

Slimp brings his presentation on PDF creation, preflighting and printing to Harrisburg Oct. 14 at the PNA Headquarters. Cost is $115.

Register soon as this is expected to be one of the most popular seminars of the year!

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FROM THE PNA FOUNDATION] 

Top writers and editors to lead fall writing and editing conference
Some of Pennsylvania's best writers and editors, along with other experts are teaming up with the PNA Foundation for a two-day writing and editing conference, co-sponsored by the State System of Higher Education.

This two-day conference, at the PNA headquarters Sept. 10-11, is available for only $85. Discounted overnight accommodations are available nearby.

Presenters include John Beale of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Donald Serfass of the (Lehighton) Times-News, Jim Lewis of The (Harrisburg) Patriot-News, writing coach Jim Stasioski, Lil Swanson of the Associated Press' NewsTrain and Kim Strong of The Patriot-News. The link below shows a complete conference schedule.

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Zerbey named general manager for The Blade
Joseph H. Zerbey IV, former head of the Salt Lake City Newspaper Agency, has been hired as general manager of The Blade, Toledo.

Zerbey is responsible for the business operations of the newspaper, including advertising, circulation, and production. He succeeds Thomas F. Pounds, who left the Blade in March.

"I'm thrilled to be here," said Zerbey, "It's a terrific newspaper."

Zerbey became president and chief executive in 2001 of the Salt Lake City Newspaper Agency, which is run by MediaNews Group and publishes the Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret Morning News.

He started his newspaper career in advertising sales at the Bristol Press in Connecticut, where he worked his way up to publisher in 1986. MediaNews Group acquired the newspaper while he was publisher, and the firm named him in 1994 as president and chief executive of the York Newspaper Co., which manages the joint operating agreement between the York Daily Record and The York Dispatch.

The (Toledo) Blade is owned by the Block family, who also own the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.