STAFF REPORT A 45-year-old man tried to "get even" with a New Freedom resident by falsely reporting a shooting and hostage situation at the person's home Tuesday, police said.   Full Story

WILKES-BARRE, Pa.—More Pennsylvania troops are headed to the Middle East. One-hundred-seventy-six members of the 320th Military Police Battalion, headquartered in Ashley, will depart on Wednesday for mobilization and then a 12-month deployment to Iraq.   Full Story

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—It took a jury 13 days to convict and sentence Damien Echols to death for the 1993 slayings of three second-graders.   Full Story

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan—Pervez Musharraf seems to be enjoying himself. One day after Pakistan's longtime president resigned to avoid impeachment, he was playing tennis and relaxing with family and friends at his army-guarded residence, a close aide said.   Full Story

It's difficult not to agree with the observation of York City School District board member Sam Beard that having to pass the scrutiny of police officers and metal detectors to enter high school creates a prison-like atmosphere and sends "a message to children that it's not an institution of learning.   Full Story

When 7-year-old Alex Colafrancesco came to the York Expo Center Tuesday to hear Sen. John McCain speak, he didn't know he would get a chance to ask the Republican presidential candidate a question.   Full Story

BEIJING—Crystl Bustos hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning as the U.S. Olympic softball team beat Japan 4-1 in extra innings and will play for its fourth straight gold medal.   Full Story

It's been a tumultuous year for Keoni De Renne. First, there was the battle to raise his batting average over .   Full Story

MOUNT WOLF -- Over his seven years as the manager of the Glen Rock Central League baseball team, Kim McCullough has had a number of excellent pitchers.   Full Story

NEW YORK—Mortgage application volume fell last week to its lowest levels in more than six years, the Mortgage Bankers Association said Wednesday.   Full Story