Roundtable looks at the hard work of the regional chamber of commerce

SUNBURY – 2010 could be a big year for the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce as the chamber is launching several initiatives to help bolster the local economy. One of the promotions you’ll hear more about in 2010 is the ‘buy local’ effort that started last month with the chambers ‘don’t ship…shop.’

Charlie Ross, the new CEO of the chamber wants local folks to consider supporting local folks. He said the ‘buy local’ effort seems simplistic but it has a major impact with local dollars supporting local merchants six-times over.

Ross is on our Roundtable program this weekend talking about the new programs and the good old programs that are part of the chamber. The Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce will have bi-monthly discussions on Roundtable this year.

You can hear Roundtable (Sunday) on Eagle 107 (107.3FM) at 6a.m., 100.9 (100.9FM), The Valley, at 6a.m., Newsradio 1070 WKOK (1070AM) at 9a.m., Talkradio 1380 WMLP (1380AM), 11a.m., 94KX WQKX (94.1FM) at 11p.m., and anytime, at www.wkok.com.

Free H1N1 vaccines

UNDATED – Free H1N1 vaccines will be provided today at Susquehanna University.  Walk-ins are welcome, and Stacy Kriedeman of the Pennsylvania Department of Health says everyone is welcome.  She says they have plenty of vaccines so everyone is encouraged.  Swine Flu cases are down, but Kriedeman says they are expecting another wave of the illness, and when that wave comes it is almost too late to get the vaccine.  The vaccines will be given between 8:00a.m.-4:00p.m. at the Garrett Sports Complex on the Susquehanna University campus.  For more information call 1-877-PA –HEALTH or go to www.H1N1inPA.com.

Man recovers from cancer using donated bone marrow

DANVILLE – June 24^th, 2009 will remain a red-letter date for 59-year-old Thomas Wisniewski of McAdoo.  That was the day he received the bone marrow transplant that likely saved his life.  The one-time salesman had previously been diagnosed with Myelodysplastic syndrome, or what some call “pre-leukemia.”  But treatment stopped working, and he qualified for the transplant program at Geisinger Medical Center. 

A bone marrow donor was then sought to help Wisniewski combat what had turned into an acute form of the disease.  His younger sister Gloria proved to be best match, and gladly served as donor.  Wisniewski’s body accepted the cells, but a long recovery process followed.  It included constant trips to a clinic and occasional bouts with dehydration. 

Snyder County Commissioner Bud Bickhart resigns

MIDDLEBURG – Snyder County Democratic Minority Commissioner Richard ‘Bud’ Bickhart has announced his resignation.  At 65-year-old, Bickhart says he feels it’s time to relax, spend time with family and maybe play some golf.  Bickhart informed his fellow commissioners of his decision Friday, and says they were surprised by the announcement. 

Bickhart says he is proud of the accomplishments made over the six years that he has been a commissioner, including the renovation of the CareerLink building and updating of the 911 center, which Bickhart says is now one of the best in the state.

The Snyder County Democratic Party will make recommendations to both Judge Harold Woelfel and Judge Mike Sholley for someone who could take Bickhart’s place, then those interested will be asked to send in resumes.  The final decision will be made by the judges, but can’t be done until Bickhart’s last day, which is January 29^th. (Sara Bartlett)   

Fatal accident in Columbia County

SCOTT TOWNSHIP – A Bloomsburg man was killed following a crash Friday morning in Scott Township, Columbia County.  52-year-old Arthur Beck Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on Route 487.  Beck was a passenger in a vehicle driven by 55-year-old Bonnie Waters of Bloomsburg.  Waters hit a vehicle driven by Colin Meck of Lancaster County.  Meck and passenger Sarah Snyder, also of Lancaster County, sustained moderate injuries, as did Waters.  The three were taken to Geisinger Medical Center after the 12:30a.m. crash.  The investigation into the accident continues. (Ali Stevens)

Missing man found

SUNBURY – The Sunbury man reported missing has been found safe.  Police say 55-year-old James Campbell was found Friday afternoon around 2:00 in a barn.  He was reported missing Thursday afternoon.  Campbell was transported to Sunbury Community Hospital for a routine evaluation.   

Local lawmaker not happy at all about the legalization of table games

SUNBURY – Governor Ed Rendell's signature is on the new law legalizing table games at Pennsylvania's slots casinos. The governor signed the bill in private Thursday, saying he had mixed feelings about it.  However State Representative Merle Phillips (R-108^th, Sunbury) is strongly against the law, not only because he is personally against gambling.  He says the bill put back in a lot of pet projects for different legislators and he says that’s absolutely wrong. 

Phillips says he always felt that if table games should be passed, it should be for property tax relief, but the money generated will go into the general fund instead.  He had a number of other problems with the bill including ATM machines being allowed in the casinos, even though they are away from the table games.  Phillips says he was afraid the day would come when table games were passed due to the change of the legislature.

The new law is designed to generate millions in license fees to close a gap in the current year's budget, and produce revenues for state and local governments in future years. Table games include poker, blackjack and roulette. Regulators say it'll be at least six months before table games are up and running. (Ali Stevens)

Pennsylvania Consumer Advocate gives tips on electric choice

SUNBURY – Electric choice is confusing to many and that’s why the Consumer Advocate of Pennsylvania is working hard for consumers to help them through the process.  Sonny Popowsky has been Consumer Advocate since 1990 and says when shopping for a service provider, look at the price for 2010 and focus on just this year.  Also, make sure you understand how long the price is good for and how long the contract is for if you choose them.  Make sure you know if there is a cancellation fee if you choose another provider later on.  When it comes to PPL, Popowsky says they don’t care who you choose.  He says believe it or not, they are completely happy if you switch.  He says they don’t make money off of this part of their business anymore.  They just buy the power at wholesale and sell it to you at resale for the same price.

Popowsky says you can shop for electric service providers on PPL’s website and know the information is safe and accurate.  You can learn more about electric choice from Popowsky from WKOK’s On The Mark program on Friday online at www.wkok.com.  (Ali Stevens)

Higher rates not expected for Citizens’ Electric customers

LEWISBURG – Though many PPL Electric Utilities customers are considering shopping for cheaper electricity, customers of Lewisburg-based Citizens’ Electric will not be able to choose an electric provider for now. President and CEO Eric Winslow explains that rate caps which applied only to PPL customers until the start of the year discouraged other suppliers from offering alternatives to customers.

Winslow says the regulated rates were too low, and Citizens’ Electric service area was simply too small to justify marketing directly to it. However, wholesale electricity prices vary from month to month, and Winslow says customers in Lewisburg and surrounding townships will thus get a break in generation rates.

Contracts with suppliers now in effect are lower than in portions of 2008, when all energy prices were going through the roof. Rate caps on PPL electric service expired at the start of the year. Alternative suppliers began offering what they touted as money saving deals to PPL customers in the closing months of 2009. (Matt Farrand)

House fire in Penn Township injures two occupants

SELINSGROVE – Two residents were injured in a house fire in Penn Township, Snyder County early Thursday morning. Jennifer Beaver was taken to Lehigh Valley Burn Unit in Allentown and is listed in critical condition. Christopher Beaver was taken to Geisinger Medical Center and no condition has been released.

Dawayne Betzer, Fire Chief of the Dauntless Hook and Ladder Company in Selinsgrove tells us about 60 firefighters were called to the Beaver residence at 949 Beaver Road in Penn Township around 1:00 this morning for the house fire.

According to Betzer, Jennifer Beaver had to jump from a window to escape. The house was fully involved when crews from Selinsgrove, Hummels Wharf, Kreamer, Kratzerville, Freeburg, Middleburg, Penns Creek and New Berlin arrived. Betzer says it was a long process to bring the fire under control.

He says they had to truck water in from another site, which took time and it took about two hours to get the fire under control. State police fire marshal Norman Fedder is investigating the cause of the blaze. The house was a two-story log style farmhouse and all of the contents are a total loss. Damage is estimated at $215,000. (Ali Stevens)

Selinsgrove man sentenced to state prison for stabbing a Danville man in the stomach

DANVILLE – A Selinsgrove man has been sentenced to five years in prison for the stabbing of a Danville man outside the Days Inn Hotel in Valley Township, Montour County. 26-year-old Raymond Vasquez Jr. was sentenced for the stabbing of 32-year-old Joshua Seidel on August 29th.

Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Warren tells us Vasquez told the court he was struggling with the recent shooting death of his cousin when he stabbed Seidel, who suffered a deep stab wound in the stomach.

His cousin, 19-year-old Anthony Rodriguez, was shot in the back and killed on May 11th. Three men have been sentenced for their roles in the shooting in Monroe Township, Snyder County. Vasquez has been sentenced to state prison and his sentence will begin immediately. (Ali Stevens)

6th annual Dirk Sojka Slam Dunk to benefit Suncom Industries

NORTHUMBERLAND – Everyone is invited to attend the 6th annual Dirk Sojka Slam Dunk at Bucknell’s Sojka Pavilion on Saturday night as Bucknell men’s basketball takes on Navy at 7 p.m. The Dirk Sojka Slam Dunk is an annual fundraising event named after the son of Gary and Sandy Sojka, who help organize the event each year. Dirk Sojka was a client at Suncom for about 11 years.

Peggy Vitale of Suncom tells us Suncom assists people with special needs teaching them basic skills and offering them a chance to work in a safe environment on something they can personally achieve. At the Dirk Sojka Slam Dunk, there is a raffle featuring a $1,000 Visa Gift Card, $500 in cash and a catered Bucknell Basketball party for a large group in a private viewing suite.

There is also a large silent auction with hundreds of items to bid on. During breaks in the basketball game, our sister station 94KX will be competing against members of the Bucknell Athletic Staff in a number of skills challenges. Everyone is encouraged to attend. (Ali Stevens)

Home Improvement Show starts today

SELINSGROVE – Sunbury Broadcasting Corporation’s Home Improvement Show starts today at the Susquehanna Valley Mall—and continues until Sunday. Nichols Mechanical Services is just one of over fifteen local companies that will set up displays.

Owner Jason Nichols says they will show off some of their newest and most energy efficient items. Nichols says now is as good of time as any to browse and buy new systems if yours is old or inefficient. Nichols is also giving away a home heating system; everyone is welcome to register at the show, and the winner will be announced on our sister station 94KX Monday.

Others at the show include Brookside Homes, Culligan Water Conditioning and Kuhn’s Brothers Surplus Outlet. The Home Improvement Show is tomorrow through Sunday during mall hours at the Susquehanna Valley Mall. For more information go online to www.wkok.com. (Sara Bartlett)

Tourism funds help local organizations

LEWISBURG – Organizations in Snyder, Union and Northumberland Counties will get a boost thanks to recent tourism fund grants. In Snyder County over $36,140 in funding was given to five organizations, including $10,000 to Selinsgrove Projects Inc., $9,200 to T&D Cats of the World and over $7,000 to the Beaver Community Fair Association.

In Union County, fourteen organizations will benefit from over $65,000 in funding. This includes $10,000 to the Veteran’s 4th of July Committee, over $8,000 to the Lewisburg Downtown Partnership and $7,000 to both the River Town Race Series and the Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority.

In Northumberland County, over $8,000 will held fund programs for five organizations, including $2,500 for the Warrior Run Fort Freeland Heritage Society and $1,100 for Friends of the Joseph Priestley House.

The grant dollars are the result of a partnership between the three county’s commissioners and the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau. They come from a portion of room tax dollars collected in each county and visitors staying overnight and paying hotel room tax generate the funds.

Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – U.S. Senator Arlen Specter says he'd back legislation to make witness intimidation a federal offense in state cases.  Specter held a hearing on Friday in Philadelphia to search for answers to what he says is a big problem in many city neighborhoods: witness intimidation.  Philadelphia police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said that many good citizens live in neighborhoods where criminals are effectively enforcing a "don't snitch" mentality.  Two people testified at the hearing whose children were killed before they could testify in criminal cases.

GLENMOORE, Pa. (AP) - U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach says he'll seek re-election to Congress, now that he's dropped out of the Republican race for governor.  Gerlach, who represents a suburban Philadelphia district, said Friday his position on the ballot may have changed, but not his goals of holding down taxes and giving businesses more freedom to operate.  The four-term congressman abandoned his gubernatorial campaign Thursday, saying the cost of a statewide campaign is prohibitive.  His withdrawal leaves only state Attorney General Tom Corbett, who is widely regarded as the front-runner, and state Rep. Sam Rohrer, in the race to be decided in the May 18 primary.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Updates on the latest in business:

NEW YORK (AP) - Stock prices ended the trading week with a modest gain. The Dow added 11 points to 10,618. The S&P rose 3 to 1,145 and the Nasdaq composite was up 17 points to 2,317.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The nation's unemployment rate held steady in December. But the Labor Department also says payrolls declined by 85,000 jobs, a worse-than-expected showing.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is pushing for an expanded government program that he says will help create tens of thousands of new clean-technology jobs. Obama announced the award of $2.3 billion in tax credits to companies that manufacture wind turbines, solar panels, cutting-edge batteries and other green technologies.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Consumer borrowing remained out of fashion again in November. The Federal Reserve says Americans borrowed less for the 10th straight month. Total credit and borrowing on credit cards falling by the largest amounts on records going back nearly seven decades. 

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn on Friday:

 Big 4

     3-0-3-4

 Cash 5

     01-11-18-26-33

 Daily Number

     8-4-2

 Evening Quinto

     1-1-5-7-9

 Midday Big 4

     0-0-5-8

 Midday Number

     8-7-8

 Midday Quinto

     2-7-2-6-0

 Super 7

     04-10-11-14-25-34-48-67-68-70-74

 Treasure Hunt

     09-10-12-20-26

Court rules in favor of octuplets mom Suleman

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) - A California appeals court has ruled in favor of octuplets mother Nadya Suleman, denying a call for an independent guardian to monitor her children's finances.  In an opinion filed Friday, the 4th District Court of Appeal in Santa Ana called the petition an "unprecedented, meritless effort by a stranger" and directed an Orange County probate court to vacate its order for an investigation into the family's finances.  Paul Petersen, an advocate for children in the entertainment industry, argued that Suleman's children were vulnerable and that an independent guardian should be appointed to look after their financial interests. The appeals court said the probate judge erred because Petersen failed to show that Suleman was engaging in financial misconduct.

Gumby animator Art Clokey dies at 89 in California

LOS OSOS, Calif. (AP) - Gumby animator Art Clokey, whose bendable creation became a pop culture phenomenon through countless satires, toys and revivals, has died at age 89.  Caretaker Chrisanne Wollett Clokey says Clokey died Friday in Los Osos on California's Central Coast. Clokey first molded Gumby for a surreal student project at the University of Southern California called "Gumbasia." That led to his making shorts for the "Howdy Doody Show" and several series through the years.  He said he based Gumby's swooping head on the hairdo of his father, who died when Clokey was nine.  Clokey also created the moralizing and often satirized claymation duo "Davey and Goliath."  Eddie Murphy brought a surge in Gumby's popularity in the 1980s with his send-up of the character on "Saturday Night Live" as a cigar-smoking primadonna.

O'Brien may find door open at Fox if he bolts NBC