The Pittsburgh Press from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 2

A2 The Pittsburgh Press Sunday, July 1 1 990 i PEOPLE Magpie going home Royal uproar cer. His wife, Lois, was appointed director of the federal Institute of Museum Service by President Ronald Reagan In 1985, and served in the post for four years. Essence of Elvira Just when you thought it was safe to go to the perfume counter again, yet another celebrity tosses in her two-scents into the business. Evil by Elvira, the high-camp vamp mistress of the dark, will be hitting stores in September. Elvira's alter ego, actress Cassandra Peterson, will star in ads for the perfume.

Ms. Peterson, an ardent animal-rights activist, will donate part of the profits to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Ani- mals, which gave the product its first animal cruelty-free seal of approval. Masloff elected The Pennsylvania League of Cities, meeting in Allentown, yesterday elected Oil City Mayor Howard Gierling to the post of president. Gierling, in his first term as mayor, was serving as first vice president of the league. He was elected at the league's 91st annual convention, which started Wednesday and ends today.

Williamsport Mayor Jessie Bloom was elected first vice president of the league. Pittsburgh Mayor Sophie Masloff of Pittsburgh was elected second vice president. Bethlehem Mayor Kenneth Smith was elected treasurer. More than 400 local elected officials from across the state met to discuss issues facing Pennsylvania's municipalities and establish legislative policy for the coming year. have been many and vocal.

"I have never had so many calls in my life" he said. Vaughn said he received at least 100 calls about Joe about 75 percent in favor of handing over Joe to the couple. The zoo will retain ownership of Joe, but the Petersons get custody, Vaughn said. Strange bedfellows One of the few people who believe William Shepard can topple Maryland Gov, William Donald Schaefer in the November election is his wife. That's why she's his running mate.

Shepard, a Republican, has until tomorrow to file for candidacy in the race for governor against Schaefer, a Democrat seeking a second term. He chose his wife over at least two other possible candidates. Shepard is a retired foreign service offi- A semi-official photographer may be banned from Japan's Imperial Palace for snapping a candid picture of the newly married Princess Kiko smoothing her husband's hair, officials said. Prince Aya, 24, married graduate student Kiko Kawashima, 23, in an elaborate ceremony Friday. At an official picture-taking session after the wedding, the newlyweds were preparing to pose with Aya's parents, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

The prince's hair was a little ruffled, and the princess smoothed it. Photographer Toshiaki Nakayama, one of two palace-authorized photographers present, snapped a picture of the fleeting gesture before taking the official portrait. Officials of the Imperial Household Agency, the caretakers of the royal family, called it a betrayal of trust. A talking, coughing, barking magpie named Joe, seized from his longtime owners in a legal tangle over his protection, was heading home. The U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service confiscated Joe June 11 from Bill and Mil Peterson of Omaha, who adopted him 16 years ago after he fell out of a nest. The couple didn't know the federal Migratory Bird Treaty, which protects a variety of species, included magpies. Newspaper coverage of Joe brought the unusual pet to the attention of the wildlife service, which packed him off to the Grand Island Zoo. The Petersons didn't give up. They collected petition signatures in support of Joe and enlisted the help of Nebraska's U.S.

senators in getting a special permit to keep Joe. Cleveland Vaughn, a Fish and Wildlife Service agent, said "Free Joe" supporters By, 9, has a blast at West End Bridge I i i i jiuum ii imniiijui By William Mausteller The Pittsburgh Press With just one touch of his right index finger, 9-year-old Alexander Dick detonated a series of 10 explosions just a of a second apart that ripped through the trusses of the West End Bridge. What sounded like a single, giant blast struck the ears, a dark cloud billowed skyward and fire seemed to race along the 800-foot-length of the steel beams. With a tumbling roar, the beams some of which had been cut through with acetylene torches crashed to the ground. The Manchester end of the bridge was no more, but the main span over the Ohio River was left standing and will be-repaired.

In the immediate aftermath of the explosion and the fire and the smoke, everything was quiet and still. At a time like that, it's nice to know an experienced finger was on the detonator. "I blew up the Monongahela Bridge (about two summers ago) too," said Alexander, grandson of Dorsey Dick, the head of Dick the general contractor for the $46 million repair and reconstruction project. And he added: "You just hit a button. I like blowing up bridges.

It's exciting." Alexander's excitement hit the high point about 7:35 a.m. yesterday when he was handed a remote-control detonator by Scott Gustaf-son, the owner of Demtech, a professional blasting company from Wayne County. With Gustafson yelling out the countdown from 10, Alexander hit the button and the trusses quickly hit the ground. After an inspection of the destruction, Gustafson pronounced it a job well done. Used on the trusses, he said, was about 45 pounds of an explosive compound known as PETN about twice as powerful as that had been formed into 170 linear-shaped charges.

The biggest problem for Demtech, he said, was caused by the close proximity of buildings to the explosion site, a situation that forced the firm to put up more than 2,500 pounds of protective sheeting. They got a break, though, from the weather. Dense fog or low cloud cover could have forced cancellation of the blasting, he said, because they prevent the force of the explosions from dissipating into the atmosphere. Within minutes of the explosions, heavy machinery with a large pincer on the front moved in and began slicing through the beams, cutting them into smaller, easier-to-handle pieces. When the site is clear, concrete ramps will be constructed as approaches to the bridge, which was closed early last month as part of a 16-month rehabilitation.

The work on the 58-year-old span, which is due to reopen in late 1991, is part of a three-year project that includes replacing the bridge deck, overhauling the West End Circle and finishing the last link of Ohio River Boulevard. IZifP Hr47 .5 Hirers Jit vf i sir its 4 "SJT'i ji. MtV ni Callie ShellThe Pltttburgh PrM Explosions demolished four trusses on the Manchester side of the West End Bridge yesterday Tornado touches down in area 2 city bridges to be repaired By Robert Johnson The Pittsburgh Press The state Public Utility Commission has approved two projects involving almost $15 million in improvements to the 40th Street and Schenley Park bridges. PUC spokesman David Bram-son said plans call for reconstruction of the 40th Street Bridge's deck and sidewalks, repairs to the superstructure and installaton of a new lighting system. Bramson said the Schenley Park Bridge, which now has "some structural deficiencies," couldn't have been on the ground more than two minutes," said Jack Patress, who was visiting friends when he saw the tornado touch down, and go over a hill where it hit the Chuey home.

George Calvin, 14, watched the tornado from the other side of the hill and said he saw it plow into the Chuey house and then strike a garage owned by the couple. Emergency officials said two cars inside the garage received heavy damage. North Bethlehem Police Chief John Mudd said the tornado traveled roughly one-tenth of a mile on the ground, felling branches and trees, before dissipating. A Washington County emergency dispatcher said high winds caused minor damage to homes several miles from the tornado site. In other sections of Western Pennsylvania, police reported felled trees, as thunderstorms pelted the region with hail and rain.

Hail, some estimated at lVj inches in diameter, was reported in the South Hills, Sewickley, near the Greater Pittsburgh International Airport and in New Brighton, Beaver County. Scattered power outages were reported in Beaver and Allegheny Counties. Weather Service bulletins warned of severe thunderstorms in Cambria, Clearfield, Fayette, Somerset, Westmoreland, Indiana and Jefferson counties and also issued flash flood warnings in several areas. (This story contains information from the Associated Press). By Joe Smydo The Pittsburgh Press NORTH BETHLEHEM A tornado sheared the upper story from a Washington County house last night and severe thunderstorms pelted the rest of Western Pennsylvania with hail and rain.

Police and firefighters said the tornado touched down briefly in this Washington County community, skipped across a farmer's field and ripped the top story from the home of Russell and Priscilla Chuey. The couple, who were at home when the twister struck, were not injured and surprised neighbors by staying in the home last night. "I watched it come down. I watched it go up through the field. It the 40th Street and Schenley Park spans will be made and paid for by PennDot and the city.

PennDot spokeswoman Deborah Weisberg said the 40th Street project will probably start in a couple of months. Alex Sciulli, director of the city Engineering and Construction Department, said the Schenley Park project could get under way next spring. Bramson said the PUC has specified that work must be completed on the 40th Street Bridge by June 30, 1992, and on the Schenley Park Bridge by the end of 1992. will undergo rehabilitation. He said PUC approval of the projects was required because both bridges span railroad tracks.

The 40th Street Bridge passes over Conrail and CSX Transportation tracks and the Allegheny River. It connects Lawrenceville with Millvale. The Schenley Park Bridge carries four lanes and two sidewalks over the Baltimore Ohio tracks and Boundary Street in Oakland. The costs of the two projects are expected to be $10.3 million for the 40th Street Bridge and $4.5 million for the Schenley Park span. Bramson said the repairs to The weather front today Extended forecast Tuesday, July 3 Thursday, July 5 Western Pennsylvania Tuesday partly sunny, warmer and more humid.

Chance of afternoon thunderstorms. High in the upper 80s. Lows in the 60s. Wednesday and Thursday, hazy, hot and humid with thunderstorms possible. Highs in the lower 90s.

Lows near 70. National forecast Thunderstorms are expected today from Idaho to Montana, from the Dako-tas to Iowa, from New York to Massachusetts, and from southeast Texas into Louisiana unny Oli D. .1 c. nS4" Wam1. ifrcK.

urgh -vrjn SB f7tc rs A. All. Airport temperature deta for yesterday Normal temperature lor the day 71 Excess in tempereture lor the day 6 Excess temperature through June 30 Excess in temperature since Jan. 1 731 Local forecast Today, variably cloudy, cooler and less humid with a 30 percent chance of showers. High 75 to 80.

Tonight partly cloudy and cool. Low near 55. Monday partly cloudy. High 75 to 80. Sunset today, 8:54.

Sunrise tomorrow, 5:54. Tmpratur6 Pittsburgh for 24-hour period nding Saluraiy cvaning. Highest St. Lowest 68 Mean 77. High, low.

precipitation a year ago. 65, 55. 0 00. Highest temperature tnn date since 1674,98 1901. Lowest temperature thie date since 1874, 46 in 1882 Laieat barometer reading 29 86, rising Latest humidity reading 65 percent.

Latest river stage 167 pool. fliver conditiona Rivers were generally stationary and will change little over the next 24 hours. Water temperatures are Airport precipitation data for yesterday Total precipitation through June 30 4 11 Normal precipitation through June 30 3 30 Excesa precipitation through June 30 0 81 Total precipitation since Jan. 1 21.86 Normal precipitation since Jan. 1 18 96 Excess in precipitation since Jan 1 2 90 iifCouas 7'7'Pn-0 'frfy I Bimarcl.X 7V 9562 rkC7k eHepiawny Lf "3B VV 7,.

VHt, 7 in the low 70s. International weather CD rr-T yyt'V 1 Geneva 82 59 clear Harare 77 46 clear Hong Kong 84 77 ram Istsnbul 84 64 ciaar Johannesburg 50 36 clear Kiev 84 68 deer London 70 63 ram Madrid 99 68 clear Manila 91 75 clear Mexico City 70 55 rain Montreal 68 54 cldy Shy Amsierdsm 73 59 cidy Athens 93 73 clear Bangkok 91 79 ram Bting 81 70 cldy Beirut 86 72 Clear Bermuda 86 78 cldy Brisbane 64 40 Cldy Brusuis 75 52 cldy Budapest 66 68 clear Buenos Aires 59 44 cldy Cairo 93 72 clear Copenhsgen 72 52 clear Dublin 61 54 ram NltMU SO BOclMf New Delhi 99 62 claar 00 72 54 clear Pan 77 63 cldy Rome 84 63 dear San Juan 67 75 ddy Seoul 77 62 cldy Singapore 91 77 dear Stockholm 69 56 cidy Sydney 59 40 cidy Tokyo 75 64 ddy Toronto 81 81 ddy Vienna 86 65 dear Waruw 82 64 dear 81 ftUtear TnTslV'e'r prl yZJ 'W7 69 9674 FVX jffl Moscow Nairobi 77 52 Cldy Today's highs, lows y'11 0T, ffJJ I v-nHio27o I nu" 94 77cefir 1 94 73 TnTTN jfK I -rM 1,11 lflrt? 11 A 66 dear Jf "'l" fl) sa UUIi1 9077 it Oh'anomaC'ty Oman 0'iando Pf-ioenn Portland Mb Portland O'B P'ovidenca Rapid City Richmond St LOui St Petersburg 69 bcrV 80 53 Oear 79 58 ciMr 102 70dMf 88 55 c'dy 88 73 dfar 90 74 cy 85 60 ctpar 95 7' ciear 98 74 c'dy 68 c.rty 10') 80 ovm 96 74 66 66 Clear 9' 6 fii)y 95 75 c'dy Hi 76 cidy 76 ie ciear 85 67 cidy 69 r.idy 91 73 Cidy 79 66 fvn I Sky 70 'rim 101 70 C'dy 72 55 Ciesf 95 71 ddy 80 66 82 6(1 Cdy 95 b2 nrjy 96 9 Cdv 91 b3 cJy 89 )5 fdy 70 58 mi 73 56 C'dy 97 74 ce.v 4t' 58 CKIy Hi 60opr 83 59 C'Pf 75 54 C'frf' 81 56 fit 96 75 tidy 99 66 cear Detroit PrJSO HHItjr a) Honolulu Houston jacuson V. jrlcKionviiis Kansa. C''y Las Vet) L-itie hoc LOS Anypiufj ou'V'iie Miami Bfach V'iwauM M-nneapoi! NrlShvitIB New ttans N(t YorH City 90 Cldy K.v hi Albany no A'rjr-ta AMam.c Cty Baltimore Hirm-nnam BO'S Bns'on tJudiO Gr-rtfi lor O'Lri'JO CUfvffifind CotufbuS DenwSf SaH Lax C'ty 100 68 Cdy San D'QO 75 65 Cldy 11 II n-ywn Air poDution A.r quality in Allegheny County is good to moderate; no unhealthy areas. Source.

Allegheny Co. Air Pollution Control Bureau. II you nave a pollution problem in your area, call 578-8IM. 68 53 cldy Tjj III 84 Cldy HAiN TMifNfitB SMOlrVIBS SNIJrt 10BNADO MUiCN( THQPiCAL tTMOuxf 104 77 Clear s'Omms SIOHMb S-atue Spoian Tcreia Tyia Wichita).