Briefly... CITY/REGION

Fatal fire in West Phila.

A house fire in West Philadelphia killed one person early Saturday and displaced five others, said a Fire Department official.

The fire broke out about 2:30 a.m., and was put under control a short time later. The blaze spread through a two-story rowhouse on 57th Street near Cedar Avenue, and several neighboring residences. Authorities did not report the cause of the fire.

SEPTA holiday service

All SEPTA services will be available throughout the holidays, with some reductions on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. This is due to expected reductions in ridership, as most regular SEPTA customers won't be headed out for their normal commute on these days.

These adjustments are detailed in SEPTA's website at www.septa.org/events/holiday.html. Riders can also contact SEPTA Customer Service representatives at 215-580-7800.

J&J ordered to pay $52M

Johnson & Johnson must pay $52 million in damages and penalties after a judge in Easton found the pharmaceutical company falsely reported the prices of its drugs. The verdict came last week after a five-week trial.

Johnson & Johnson was told to repay more than $45 million to Medicaid and the PACE prescription-drug program, and more than $6.5 million in civil penalties.

Hilton casino heads for court

The Hilton, Atlantic City's smallest casino, is headed back to court to try and stop its lenders from seizing control of the gaming hall. The Hilton is in default of its mortgage. U.S. Bank National Association has filed a motion seeking permission to foreclose. A hearing is scheduled tomorrow in Atlantic City before state Superior Court Judge William C. Todd III.

2 survive plane crash

Two people survived the crash Saturday in West Milford, N.J., of a plane owned by a company that flies to disperse the ashes of the deceased.

Police say the pilot, William Fallon, 49, of Bloomingdale, was flown to Morristown Memorial Hospital. A passenger, Mark Gangi, 51, had facial injuries.

Ex-aide suing Rowan U.

Richard Williams, a former Rowan University affirmative-action officer, is suing the school, claiming discrimination. Williams says he was demoted in 2007, then forced to retire the next year after testifying against the university in a bias case eight years ago. Williams, who is black, says he attempted to retract a retirement notice but was denied. He claims that several white employees have been allowed to retract retirement notices.

Man killed by tree

Police in New Castle County, Del., say Galaen Shoun, 60, died after a tree he was cutting in his back yard fell on him. Cops say Shoun was cutting the tree to get firewood when it fell on him and pinned him.

- Staff and wire reports