Rescuers fear worst for 11 Chinese miner trapped after explosion
 
YUZHOU, China (AP) — Frantically working rescuers feared the 11 Chinese miners trapped by a deadly gas blast may have suffocated or been buried by coal dust, as loved ones kept a vigil Sunday and the death toll rose to 26 with five more bodies recovered.
 
The Chinese mine drama unfolded as the world still was celebrating Chile’s successful rescue of 33 miners trapped for more than two months. Chinese media had detailed coverage as the Chilean men emerged to cheers.
 
Du Bo, deputy chief of the rescue headquarters, told the state-run Xinhua News Agency that hopes of the others still being alive after Saturday’s early morning blast were slim.
 
“Based on past experience, the remaining 11 miners could be buried in coal dust, so the survival chances are frail,” Du said. Rescuers had to clear tons of coal dust from the mine shaft to reach the trapped workers, and they faced dangerous gas levels and the risk of falling rocks as they worked their way into the mine pit.
 
An initial investigation showed that 6 million cubic feet (173,500 cubic meters) of gas rushed out, Xinhua said, citing rescuers. The outburst generated enough force to throw 2,500 tons of coal dust into the mine pit, it said.
 
Israeli biweekly lottery draws the same numbers twice in one month
 
JERUSALEM (AP) — For the second time in a month, Israel’s biweekly national lottery produced the same winning combination: 13, 14, 26, 32, 33 and 36.
 
The results of Saturday night’s draw were identical to those of Sept. 21.
 
Chairman of Israel’s National Lottery Authority, Saul Sutnik, called the outcome a “rare probability” and said the results were checked several times to verify them.
 
Pennsylvania man to give $1K to charity for each jobless worker hired
 
NEWTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A 71-year-old philanthropist from suburban Philadelphia thinks he can solve the country’s unemployment woes one charitable donation at a time.
 
Gene Epstein plans to give $1,000 to charity in the name of businesses that hire an unemployed worker and keep them on the payroll for at least six months.
 
New Mexico man cleaning handgun accidentally shoots mother, son
 
CHAPARRAL, N.M. (AP) — Investigators in New Mexico say a Chaparral man who was cleaning his handgun Saturday morning accidentally shot his 4-year-old son and the bullet passed through the boy and hit the man’s mother.
 
Dona Ana Sheriff’s Department investigator Bo Nevarez says both are in critical condition but their wounds aren’t believed to be life-threatening.
 
Former mayor Harris convicted of malfeasance, faces $5,000 fine
 
 
RICHWOOD (AP) — A former northeastern Louisiana mayor has been convicted of malfeasance in office.
 
Ed Harris was found guilty Saturday on a charge that stems from $90,000 the mayor allegedly paid himself and other town employees as he prepared to leave office in 2008.
 
Prosecuting attorney Neal Johnson said Harris will have to give up his seat on the Richwood Board of Aldermen, which he won earlier this month, if the conviction stands.
 
Harris had served as the mayor of Richwood since the early 1980s before being defeated in the April 2008 election.
 
Harris faces a maximum sentence of five years and a $5,000 fine.
 
Harris’ attorney, Charles Kincade, told the Monroe News Star he’s preparing for sentencing.
 
Court orders re-sentencing of former Marksville High teacher
 
MARKSVILLE (AP) — The    Louisiana 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal says the sentence given to a former Marksville High School teacher and coach for simple battery on the school’s principal was too harsh.
 
The Alexandria Daily Town Talk reports that the court ordered a re-sentencing for Roch Bordelon, convicted in the attack on Stephen Allgood.
 
Avoyelles Parish District Attorney Charlie Riddle III said Friday the 3rd Circuit’s ruling may be appealed to the Louisiana Supreme Court.
No new sentencing date has been set.
 
Bordelon was accused of beating Allgood at the school on Jan. 26, 2009.
 
District Judge Mark Jeansonne had sentenced Bordelon to six months, the maximum allowed by judicial guidelines.
 
 
 
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