And The Winner Is? Melanie Amaro Crowned Winner Of X Factor USA

In a star-studded finale that concluded months of competition, Melanie Amaro was crowned the first winner of the American version of X Factor and the winner of a $5 million recording contract.  The biggest prize ever awarded for a singing competition.  Melanie will also appear in a Pepsi commercial.

Star after star graced the stage this evening, Justin Bieber w/ Stevie Wonder, Leona Lewis, 50 Cent, Pit Bull and Neo.  The final twelve returned to perform group numbers and several of the finalists made cameo appearances with the superstars.

Josh Krajcik finished in second place and Chris Rene finished in third place.

Congratulations to all this evening’s finalists. 

X Factor USA will be back in 2012 for a second season!

Adam Lambert Jailed And Released In Finland For Fighting

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American Idol alum, Adam Lambert is known for his “kerfuffles” as well as his singing.

Adam Lambert and his reality TV star boyfriend, Sauli Koskinen, were arrested and jailed Thursday morning for getting into a fight outside a Helsinki, Finland bar.  The duo were released several hours later, and the 29-year-old “American Idol” alumnus says he is ready to move on from the incident.

Read more and watch video: http://wonderwall.msn.com/music/adam-lambert-lesson-learned-after-vodka-induced-arrest-1658912.story

Groundbreaking Kicks Off Reading Sewer Plant Project

As the resident of a “down river” community from Reading, I say Hallelujah to this news!

After years of planning the city’s new sewage treatment plant on Fritz’s Island, dozens of local, state and federal officials gathered Wednesday to officially kick off what will be more than $200 million in construction.

They broke ground for the first of numerous projects, this one a $2.9 million contract for a huge new flow meter and 2,000 feet of new sewer main – the first section of an 8,700-foot replacement for the 50-year-old main that burst three times this year.

Read more: http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=354319

Poor Economy Great For Dollar Stores

Dollar stores have evolved into a go-to spot for holiday shoppers on a tight budget or trying to get more value for their money. In contrast with the often dingy spaces they once occupied, many have undergone renovations and are stocked with a bounty of Christmas trees, wrapping paper, toys and inexpensive electronics for the holiday season. Some even carry steaks.

With the job market and economy still unsettled, dollar stores are predicted to perform robustly as shoppers of all incomes flock there to pick up cheap decor and presents. For the fourth quarter, the category is expected to post a sales increase of 4.2% or higher at stores open at least a year, according to business data firm Thomson Reuters.

Although dollar stores have attracted higher-income customers in recent years, the fallout of the nation’s economic downturn is still especially evident in the aisles of these low-cost stores during the holidays.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/business/la-fi-dollar-store-christmas-20111221,0,3740256.story

Blockbuster Closing More Stores

Blockbuster Video plans to shutter all but one of its remaining Lehigh Valley stores in the coming days, according to several sources.

The beleaguered movie rental chain plans to cease rentals as early as Monday, Dec. 26, at stores at 2221 Lehigh St., Allentown; 2918 William Penn Highway, Palmer Township; and 756 Memorial Parkway, Phillipsburg, according to employees who answered the store phones Wednesday.

Liquidations are planned to start next week, according to the clerks.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-allentown-blockbuster-closing-more-stores-story-20111221,0,4779144.story

Speaker Boehner Succumbs On Tax Deal

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) – House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner on Thursday bowed to pressure from both within and outside his party and agreed to a short-term deal to extend a payroll tax cut for 160 million Americans.

In what could be an end to a toxic stalemate, Boehner informed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid that he will set a vote in the House on a Senate-passed two-month extension of the payroll tax cut, a Democratic leadership aide said.

Now comes the hard part – getting his often rebellious caucus to follow his lead. He is expected to brief members of his caucus later on Thursday, according to one lawmaker’s office.

Read more: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/sns-rt-us-usa-taxestre7b827k-20111209,0,557603.story