BY ALAN FRAM Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON — A top White House adviser questioned the need Sunday for a blanket stop- page of all home foreclosures, even as pressure grows on the Obama administration to do something about mounting evi- dence that banks have used inaccurate documents to evict homeowners. “It is a serious problem,” said David Axelrod, who contended that the flawed paperwork is hurting the nation’s housing market as well as lending institu- tions. But he added, “I’m not sure about a national moratori- um because there are in fact valid foreclosures that probably should go forward” because their documents are accurate. Axelrod said the administra- tion is pressing lenders to accel- erate their reviews of foreclo- sures to determine which ones have flawed documentation. “Our hope is this moves rap- idly and that this gets unwound very, very quickly,” he said. With the reeling economy already the top issue on voters’ minds, the doubts raised over foreclosures and evictions are becoming a political issue with the approach of Nov. 2 elections. Underscoring those pres- sures, two leading lawmakers took opposing stances on the wisdom of a moratorium. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, a top House Democrat, said she backed a foreclosure moratorium and gov- ernment talks with the banking industry to concoct ways to let lenders reshape troubled mort- gages. She said the foreclosure problem has been “extremely vexing” in her state. The No. 2 House Republican, Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia, said a national moratorium would remove the protections that lenders need. “You’re going to shut down the housing industry” with a national stoppage, Cantor said. “People have to take responsibil- ity for themselves.” In recent days, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D- Nev., in a tough re-election race, urged five large mortgage lenders to suspend foreclosures in his state until they establish ways to make sure homeowners don’t lose their homes improper- ly. Attorney General Eric Holder said that the government is look- ing into the matter, and Democratic lawmakers urged bank regulators and the Justice Department to probe whether mortgage companies violated laws in handling foreclosures. The attorneys general of up to 40 states plan to announce a joint investigation soon into banks’ use of flawed foreclosure paperwork, a person familiar with the investiga- tion told The Associated Press late Saturday. On Friday, Bank of America became the first bank to halt fore- closures in all 50 states. Three other institutions — JPMorgan Chase & Co., Ally Financial’s GMAC Mortgage unit and PNC Financial — have stopped foreclo- sures in the 23 states where fore- closures must be approved by a judge. President Barack Obama vetoed a bill last week that would have made it easier for banks to approve foreclosure documents, which the White House said could hurt consumers. Axelrod spoke on CBS’ “Face the Nation” while Wasserman Schultz and Cantor appeared on “Fox News Sunday.” White House Doubts Need To Halt Foreclosures June Irwin WAGNER — The funeral serv- ice for June Irwin, 93, of Wagner will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at the Wagner Community Church, with burial in the ZCBJ Cemetery, rural Wagner. Visitation will be at the Crosby-Jaeger Funeral Home in Wagner from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. June Wanda Irwin, daughter of Charles and Lelah (Kindig) Palmer, was born June 15, 1917 at Kingsley, IA in Woodberry County. She died Saturday, October 9, 2010 at the Good Samaritan Society in Wagner. June attained the age of 93 years, three months and 25 days. June lived in Iowa until she was two years old. Her family moved to South Dakota where they farmed near Ravinia. June graduated from Armour High School in 1935. June married Ivan Irwin on December 26, 1936 in Lake Andes. Four children were blessed to their union. June and Ivan lived in Douglas County and Charles Mix all of their life. They owned and operated the Armour Cleaners. They owned Corral’s Cafe in Lake Andes and also had a cafe in Ravinia. When the Heritage Court opened in Wagner, Ivan and June were some of the origi- nal residents and they managed Heritage Court for many years. Ivan died in October of 1987. June continued to live in the Heritage Court until she decided to move to the Good Samaritan Society in Wagner on October 1, 2009. June will lov- ingly be remem- bered for all the baby quilts she made. She sewed for many people and also enjoyed doing embroidery. Thankful for having shared her life are her children: Darvol of Wagner; Delayne and wife Carol of Corsica; and Shirley and hus- band Jim Leines of Wagner; son- in-law Dave Lile of Wagner; 13 grandchildren; 29 great grand- children with one more of the way; and 10 great-great grandchil- dren. June was preceded in death by her husband; daughter Sharon Lile on August 19, 2010; two brothers: Charles and Curt Palmer; and one sister Mary Matheson. Yankton Press & Dakotan October 11, 2010 Merlin Hinseth IRENE — Merlin K. Hinseth of Irene died Saturday (Oct. 9, 2010) at Sanford Medical Center, Sioux Falls. Arrangements are pending with Hansen Funeral Home, Irene. NATION/WORLD DIGEST 8 Gang Suspects Arraigned In NYC Attack NEW YORK (AP) — Eight gang suspects arrested in the torture of two teenage boys and a man in an anti-gay attack were arraigned Sunday, standing in a courtroom with their heads down and their hands cuffed behind them as their relatives wept. They were expected to face charges including robbery, assault and unlawful imprisonment as hate crimes, but no charges were read aloud at the hearing. They didn’t enter pleas. Police were looking for a ninth suspect, who had been expected to turn himself in but didn’t show up. The nine members of the Latin King Goonies gang earlier this month heard a rumor one of their teenage recruits was gay and then found the teen, stripped him, beat him and sodomized him with a plunger handle until he confessed to having had sex with a man, police say. The gang members then found a second teen they suspect- ed was gay and tortured him and the man, police say. The gang members found the man by inviting him to a house, telling him they were having a party, police say. When he arrived, they burned, beat and tortured him for hours and sodomized him with a miniature baseball bat, police say. Report: No Fines On PG&E Over 6-Year Period SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A review of public records shows the agency responsible for regulating public utilities has taken a mostly hands-off approach to violations by Pacific Gas and Electric Co. The San Francisco Chronicle reports Sunday that even though PG&E had more pipeline infractions than the rest of the state’s major pipelines combined over a six-year period, the California Public Utilities Commission did not levy a single fine on the utility during that period. The newspaper says its review of CPUC records found that PG&E accounted for almost 60 percent of the probable violations of federal safety laws found by regulators between 2004 and 2009. The report comes after word that a CPUC panel will review last month’s PG&E pipeline blast in San Bruno that killed eight people. Vegas Wedding Chapels Busy On 10-10-10 LAS VEGAS (AP) — Churches, banquet halls and other wedding venues across the country were extra busy Sunday as couples seeking a perfect 10 rushed to tie the knot on a once-in-a-century milestone: Oct. 10, 2010. In Las Vegas — long a destination for weddings — one marriage license bureau extended its Sunday hours from 6 p.m. to midnight to accommodate the rush. Hotels and churches in New Hampshire’s Seacoast area were booked long before Oct. 10. Wedding-related businesses said the day was perhaps the most sought-after wedding date since July 7, 2007, when the lucky 07-07-07 marked the calendar. Some 10-10-10 couples even chose to take their vows at 10 a.m. One pastor in Nevada took the rush airborne by planning to join 30 couples at various venues Sunday and aboard a helicopter through the buzz of a headset. “This is kind of a neat way to spend my retirement years. It keeps me in good health and keeps my mind alert,” the Rev. Jim Hamilton of Henderson’s Sunrise Community Church told the Las Vegas Review- Journal. ‘King Of Rock And Soul’ Solomon Burke Dies AMSTERDAM (AP) — Solomon Burke was born to the sound of music in an upstairs room of a Philadelphia church and went on to become one of the greatest soul singers of the 1960s, renowned as among music’s premier vocalists. Yet his popularity never matched that of those he influenced, con- temporaries including James Brown and Marvin Gaye, a reality he accepted with grace and some frustration, colleagues said. Burke, 70, died early Sunday of natural causes at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, his family said in a statement on the singer’s web- site. “This is a time of great sorrow for our entire family. We truly appre- ciate all of the support and well wishes from his friends and fans,” the statement said. ■ Get Updates At Yankton Online (www.yankton.net) www.yankton.net PAGE 3 Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan ■ NATION/WORLD ■ Monday, October 11, 2010 Yankton, 605-665-3644 wintzrayfuneralhome.com Garden of Memories Cemetery We wanted to make sure that our funerals are a moving and personal reflection of the lives we have lived. The Wintz’s took the time to understand the individual’s that we are, and worked with us to plan a ceremony that will be a reflection of our lives. After all, who knows better than us, what we really want is gerbera daisies, classical music and butterflies! We Will Not Live Forever. But we would like to make sure that our memory lives on. Don’t leave it up to your kids... Call the Wintz Family to preplan today. Our care and concern does not end with the funeral service. This week we remember with family and friends the anniversary of the deaths of: Our Thoughts And Prayers Are With Them This remembrance is brought to you free of charge. If you have a loved one you would like remembered, contact us at Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory. Guiding and serving families with compassion and trust. Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton Memorial Resource Center, Tyndall Memorial Chapels, Tyndall, Tabor & Menno 665-9679 • 1-800-495-9679 www.opsahlkostelfuneralhome.com Laurie Broders who passed away on October 13, 2009 Mercedes List who passed away on October 17, 1998 Home Team! MORNING COFFEE WEEKDAYS 7:40 AM MONDAY-FRIDAY Tuesday, October 12 7:40 Tammy Matuska, The Center 8:15 Jeremy Dangel 8:45 Pam Kettering Wednesday, October 13 7:40 Deb Farver, SDHSC 8:15 Hy-Vee Chef Stacy 8:45 Crystal Nelson, Dakota Territorial Museum Charlene Gollnick Charlene K. Gollnick, 67 of Yankton, formerly of Wagner, SD died peacefully Thursday, October 7, 2010 at Avera Yankton Care Center with Avera Sacred Heart Hospice. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, October 12 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. John’s Catholic Church, Wagner, SD with the Rev. Richard Baumberger offi- ciating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation is 5-7 p.m. Monday, October 11 at Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, with a rosary at 7 p.m. Visitations will resume 1 hour prior to the service at the church in Wagner. Charlene K. Gollnick, daughter of James C. and Mary (Soukup) Kubal, was born February 2, 1943 in Wagner, SD. She married Willard L. Gollnick in Webster, SD on October 26, 1957. She made her life as a homemaker and also held numer- ous jobs including childcare provider, foster parent, nanny, restaurant work and several years at the Wagner Good Samaritan Center. Charlene loved spending time with family and friends. Her grandchildren particularly looked forward to spending time with her, playing UNO and enjoying her special lasagna, taco salads and peanut butter pie. She had a lifelong love for animals and the family had many pets throughout the years. Charlene also enjoyed reading, bingo and word puzzles. Those who cherish her memory are her four children: Susan (Don) Sund, Winner, SD, Leonard (Rita) Gollnick, Yankton, Georgene Parlier, Kearney, NE and Paula Skala, Mankato, MN; seven grandchildren; Brian Gollnick, David Lowe, Eric Sund, Jared Skala, Rhebecca Lowe, Josie Skala and Laura Gollnick, one great-grandchild; Nathanial Lowe, four brothers; Charles (Ila) Kubal, Solome, AZ, John Kubal, Ft. Pierre, SD, Laddie Kubal, Rapid City, SD, Robert (Jodie) Kubal, Winner, SD, four sisters; Blanche Smith, Great Falls, MT, Mary Anderson, Ft. Pierre, SD, Deloris Kubal, Yankton, Hattie Flynn, Wagner, SD and many loving nieces, nephews and friends. Charlene was preceded in death by her parents, two sons; Peter and Paul, sisters; Stella McKenzie and Dorothy Flynn and brother; James Kubal. Charlene will be dearly missed. Yankton Press & Dakotan October 11, 2010 Gollnick Irwin Online condolences at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com OBITUARIES NEWS AROUND THE CLOCK www.yankton.net BY PABLO GORONDI Associated Press Writer KOLONTAR, Hungary — The owners of the metals plant whose reservoir burst, flooding several towns in western Hungary with caustic red sludge, expressed their condolences Sunday to the fami- lies of the seven people killed, as well as to those injured — and said they were sorry for not hav- ing done so sooner. MAL Rt., which owns the alumina plant in Ajka, also said it was willing to pay compensation “in proportion to its responsibility” for the damage caused by the deluge. But the trouble may not be over. With the northwest corner of the storage pool still showing a hole 50 meters (yards) wide where the mix of mud and water broke through last week, officials said the collapse of at least one of the breached walls was inevitable. That, they said, would probably unleash a new deluge of toxic mat- ter that could ooze a half-mile (1 kilometer) to the north, wreaking further havoc. That would flood parts of the town nearest the plant — one of those already hit by the industrial waste Oct. 4 — but stop short of the next town to the north. Environmental State Secretary Zoltan Illes said that recently dis- covered cracks on the northern wall of the reservoir at the alumi- na plant have temporarily stopped widening because of favorable weather conditions but will contin- ue to expand, especially at night. Disaster agency spokesman Tibor Dobson said engineers did- n’t detect any new cracks overnight Saturday, and the older cracks were being repaired, but it was too soon to consider lowering the state of alert. Protective walls were being built around the reservoir’s dam- aged area to hold back further spills. And a 2,000-foot- (620- meter-) long dam that will be between 4 and 5 meters (yards) high was under construction to save the areas of the town of Kolontar not directly hit by last week’s toxic flood. “I would describe the situation as hopeful, but nothing has really changed,” Dobson told The Associated Press. “The wall to pro- tect Kolontar is planned to be fin- ished by tonight, but it will likely be several days before residents may be able to move back.” Nearly all of Kolontar’s 800 res- idents were evacuated Saturday, when Prime Minister Viktor Orban said the north wall of the massive storage pool — which is 24.7 acres (10 hectares) in size — was “very likely” to collapse because cracks that had appeared at several points. The roughly 6,000 residents of neighboring Devecser, just north of Kolontar, were told by police Saturday to pack a single bag and get ready to leave at a moment’s notice. “This hasn’t changed,” Dobson said. “We are still on guard in case of any more spills.” Illes said that, since it would be impossible to transfer the 2.5 mil- lion cubic meters (568 million gal- lons) of red sludge still in the dam- aged reservoir anywhere else, he had set a 2-month deadline for closing up the huge opening. “The hole is 50 meters (yards) wide and 23 meters high,” Illes said. “The job, including pouring enough concrete to raise three 10- story buildings, will have to be done from the air. This is unprece- dented.” Red sludge is a byproduct of the refining of bauxite into alumina, the basic material for manufacturing alu- minum. Treated sludge is often stored in ponds where the water eventually evaporates, leaving behind a largely safe red clay. Industry experts say the sludge in Hungary appears to have been treat- ed insufficiently, if at all, meaning it remained highly caustic. Illes, commenting to reporters during a tour of the affected vil- lages and the damaged reservoir, confirmed that the red sludge stored in Hungarian reservoirs had not been treated to reduce its alkalinity. A five-member European civil protection team will start work in Hungary, helping to assess and advise on the impact of the sludge on the environment, in particular on agricultural land, surface and underground water supplies, and the flora and fauna. The team will also anticipate risks and suggest solutions about how to restore nature as well as the agricultural and urban land affected. “The quick selection of this team ... clearly shows that European solidarity is working,” Kristalina Georgieva, the EU crisis response commissioner, said Sunday. Last week, the sludge flooded three villages in less than an hour, burning people and animals. At least seven people were killed and at least 120 were injured. Several of those who were hospitalized were in serious condition. Around 184 million gallons (700,000 cubic meters) of the caustic red sludge was released. The sludge devastated creeks and rivers near the spill site and entered the Danube River on Thursday, moving downstream toward Croatia, Serbia and Romania. But the volume of water in the Danube appeared to be blunting the sludge’s immediate impact. Factory Sorry For Sludge Deaths