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Briefly... CITY/REGION

PHILADELPHIA More lay-teacher talks Negotiations continued last night between the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and union leaders representing striking lay Catholic high-school teachers. The main issues of dispute are the seniority rights of teachers and the hiring of new part-time teachers.

PHILADELPHIA

More lay-teacher talks

Negotiations continued last night between the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and union leaders representing striking lay Catholic high-school teachers. The main issues of dispute are the seniority rights of teachers and the hiring of new part-time teachers.

Rita Schwartz, president of the Association of Catholic Teachers, Local 1776, said no negotiations would take place today because representatives from the union and the Archdiocese need time to review a multitude of proposals presented yesterday.

The discussions are expected to continue tomorrow afternoon. The union on Tuesday voted 589-60 to strike, and the more than 700 teachers began picketing outside the region's 17 archdiocesan high schools on Wednesday, the first day of school, which for most schools was an orientation day for freshmen.

Reward in puppy abuse

A $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to whoever wrapped a pit-bull-mix puppy in duct tape and abandoned it in a lot next to a Catholic school in Kensington.

The Pennsylvania SPCA said its officers responded to an anonymous tip Tuesday and found the dead dog in the lot next to the Ascension of Our Lord Church on Westmoreland Street near F.

A necropsy later determined that the animal had several health problems and lacked medical care, the PSPCA said. Whether the puppy was still alive when it was taped was unknown.

Anyone with information is asked to call the PSPCA at 866-601-7722.

Sorority to honor 7

Seven women will be honored as "Philly's Phenomenal Phemales" by the Rho Theta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at a luncheon today at the Hilton Hotel, 4200 City Ave.

Honored at the event - which runs from noon to 3 p.m. - will be Jill Scott, Vivian Green, Carol Riddick, Shonta Collins, Shandai Moore-Jenkins, Rhonda Annette Crosson and Patience Lehrman. For tickets, contact Candice Richardson at 267-977-0475.

Founded in 1908, the sorority of African-American college women is dedicated to improving the lives of people all over the world and promoting peace.

BUCKS COUNTY

17 years for chiro pyro

Jonathan P. Wiktorchik Jr. was sentenced yesterday to 17 years in prison for burning down the Bucks County Chiropractic Center he owned in 2008.

Wiktorchik, of Southampton, doused the property with gasoline and set it on fire, triggering an explosion and burning down four other businesses, federal authorities say.

Wiktorchik filed an insurance claim for the loss with Maryland Casualty Co. and received a partial payment of $50,000, authorities say.

A federal jury in March convicted Wiktorchik of arson, mail fraud and making false statements to federal investigators.

- Daily News staff report