Prosecutor named US security adviser

March 20, 2008

President Bush yesterday named a veteran prosecutor who heads the Justice Department's antiterrorism efforts as his homeland security adviser. From the White House, Ken Wainstein will coordinate efforts "to ensure that we continue to make progress on combating terrorism, securing our borders, and strengthening our emergency preparedness," Bush said in a statement. In an e-mail to his staff, Wainstein said he expected to start the job in about 10 days. (AP)

RIVERHEAD - A black father was sentenced to two to four years in prison yesterday for fatally shooting an intoxicated white teenager during a racially charged confrontation with two carloads of young people at the end of his driveway. The parents of victim Daniel Cicciaro Jr., 17, were irate after learning that John White did not receive the maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. (AP)

ATLANTA - The man who was once engaged to the runaway bride has gotten married - to another woman. John Mason, 35, and Shelley Martin, 34, were married in a quiet ceremony Saturday in Duluth, his father, Claude Mason, told People magazine for a story posted yesterday on its website. John Mason was thrust into the national spotlight in 2005 when his then-fiancée, Jennifer Wilbanks, disappeared days before their wedding. She was sentenced to two years' probation for telling authorities a phony story, that she had been kidnapped. (AP)

PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia agency has ruled that English-only signs at a famous cheese steak shop are not discriminatory. The Commission on Human Relations says the sign at Geno's Steaks does not violate the city's Fair Practices Ordinance. Joe Vento posted the signs in October 2005. They read "This is America: When ordering 'please speak English."' Critics say the signs discourage non-English speakers from going to the shop. (AP)

ADELANTO - A Southern California animal control director faces cruelty charges for allegedly drowning dozens of kittens. Kevin Murphy is accused of drowning up to 50 kittens last year. He faces up to six years in prison if convicted and has been placed on leave by the City of Adelanto. (AP)