2nd near collision occurs at JFK airport in week

Two airborne planes _ one landing and the other taking off _ came within a half-mile of colliding at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Friday in the second such incident at the airport in a week, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

The FAA moved quickly to change takeoff and landing procedures at JFK on perpendicular runways _ the kind of runways involved in both incidents.

FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown said a Delta Flight 123 was arriving at the airport Friday when the pilot decided to abort his landing and execute a "go-around" _ a routine procedure often used during heavy congestion. That caused the Delta flight to intersect with the …

Steroids, Red Sox Nation plaguing baseball's return

Two clouds -- one chemical, one unnatural -- hang over baseball asthis season begins. Of course, I speak of anabolic steroids and RedSox Nation. Now, you can legislate against performance-enhancing substances, but you can't legislate against obnoxious NewEngland fans (unless some type of standardized birth control isintroduced to the greater Boston metropolitan area).

Here is the steroid situation, up to the minute:

Jason Giambi is the face of steroids but will not say the S-word.

Mark McGwire will not say anything, including the S-word, if itinvolves discussing the past.

Sammy Sosa will not say the S-word in English but gladly will tellyou, …

House razing delayed.(Main)

WATERVLIET - Demolition of an unsafe house that officials fear could collapse won't happen until Saturday while an adjoining home is protected from damage.

Fire Chief Donald Clickner said the demolition of 303 21st St. was delayed after an inspection found 301 21st St. could be put at risk.

"We will be taking some efforts to shore up this building …

PLAYING HOOP DAD'S WAY TODD AND JENNIFER SCANLON LEARNED AT UNION, STAR AT SHEN.(Sports)

Byline: Gene Levy Staff writer

Union College basketball coach Bill Scanlon and his wife, Barbara, have this small problem Friday night.

Do they go to watch their daughter, Jennifer, the star of Shenendehowa High's girls team, in an important Suburban Council game at Saratoga? Or do they watch their son, Todd, a starter on the boys team, in an equally important Blue Division matchup with Saratoga at Shen?

Such are the conflicts of interest which present themselves in the Scanlon household in Country Knolls. That's because Bill Scanlon, when his Union team isn't playing or practicing, can usually be found watching one of his three talented basketball siblings. The other is Kelly, a seventh- grader, and the latest Scanlon to star on a St. Edward's CYO team.

"It's hard to keep track of where everybody is going," said Barbara Scanlon, the family's chief chauffeur. "They look at …

Bayern Munich apologizes for hoax player signing

MUNICH (AP) — Bayern Munich apologized Friday for tricking fans over a "spectacular new signing" after supporters reacted angrily to a publicity stunt in which the Bundesliga leaders sought to increase their fanbase on Facebook.

Bayern said on its website that it had taken fans' numerous comments into account to determine that many were "very angry" with the club.

"We're sorry. But it wasn't our intention to disappoint you with the new FC Bayern app," Bayern said. "Rather, we wanted to put the focus on you with this action, to show how important each fan is for Bayern Munich."

Fans had been directed to Facebook to watch the announcement of a new striker Thursday, and …

Bankruptcies.(TIPS & LEADS)(Public notice)

Chapter 7--Straight bankruptcy; debtor gives up non-exempt property and debts are discharged.

Chapter 11--Business reorganization; protection from creditors while business devises a plan of reorganization. Income/expense reports must be filed monthly.

Chapter 13--Plan is devised by individual to pay a percentage of debts based on ability to pay. All disposable income must be used to pay.

Chapter 7

Susan Marcia Wheatley, 847 E. Douglas Ave., Bellingham. Filed Sept. 28.

Kristy Lou Olson, 5 Sudden Valley, Bellingham. Filed Sept. 28.

Joshua Dean and Cathrine Margaret Porter, 1123 Kenoyer Drive, Bellingham. Filed Sept. 28. …

Raul Takes Small Steps on Human Rights

Once known as the "fist" of Cuba's revolution, 76-year-old Raul Castro may be showing a brush of the velvet glove since taking power.

Just a week into his job as Cuba's new president, Castro discussed the island's prisoners with a visiting Vatican official and directed his government to sign two international human rights treaties that his older brother, Fidel, opposed.

Some dissidents and human rights activists see reason for cautious optimism, but others don't expect improvements.

"He wants to give the Cuban government a new image," said Oscar Espinosa Chepe, a state-trained economist who became an anti-communist dissident. …