W-b Woman Jailed In Alleged Shouting Of Obscenities 
Debbie Thurston Was 
Previously Fined After Being 
Found Guilty Of Harassment And 
Disorderly Conduct

Abortion Protesters From Area Rallying

By MITCH MORRISON; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Friday, January 23, 1998 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A 





WILKES-BARRE- Members of the NAACP walked away with more respect for local
cable officials, but not with the channel they wanted- BET. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 However, management at Service Electric Cable TV said Black Entertainment
Television could be included in one of several new packages next year when the
cable company plans to go digital, a technology that will allow for more
stations. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "They seem to be legitimately concerned about maintaining their customers.
I believe they took our concerns seriously," said local NAACP President Ron
Felton, who in the past had criticized Service Electric for not including the
black cultural station in the basic package. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 On Wednesday, Felton, Larry Singleton and Harold Phoenix- all officers of
the Wilkes-Barre chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People- and the Rev. George McMillan of Bethel A.M.E. Church met with
management at Service Electric, which holds the exclusive cable contract in
Wilkes-Barre. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The discussion centered on BET and keeping monthly cable rates affordable.
Since early 1996, cable rates have jumped from $22.25 to $27.50. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "They assured us they are trying to keep the price reasonable," Felton said
Thursday. "They know they're in a competitive market." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For subscribers wanting BET, Felton said the options are few: Buy a
satellite dish or order a satellite cable service. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The fight for BET started in the early 1990s, when the NAACP demonstrated
at Serv

Cable Firm Says The Bet Still Off 
Service Electric Tells 
Naacp Heads That Local 
Interest Is Too Low To Offer 
The Black Entertainment 
Television Channel, But It 
May Be Available Next Year

Cable Firm Says The Bet Still Off Service Electric Tells Naacp Heads That Local Interest Is Too Low To Offer The Black Entertainment Television Channel, But It May Be Available Next Year