Sunday, January 24, 2010
Bucknell University plans candlelight prayer service for Haiti
LEWISBURG – Prayers for victims and survivors of the January 12th earthquake that struck Haiti will be offered at a candlelight vigil, Monday night at Bucknell University. The vigil will also include a testimonial by junior Christophe Poline, whose family lives in Haiti.
There will be remarks by Bucknell University President Brian Mitchell and Linden Lewis, a sociology professor who is a graduate of the University of the West Indies. The service is planned for 7:00 p.m. Monday in Rooke Chapel on the Bucknell campus. The University’s chaplains will participate, as will the Rooke Chapel Choir. (Matt Farrand)
Shamokin Township crash injures four
SHAMOKIN – A sixteen-year-old driver is one of four people injured in a single vehicle crash Saturday in Northumberland County’s Shamokin Township. State troopers say the unidentified driver lost control of the vehicle while driving south on Hosta Road, near Irish Valley Road. The vehicle left the roadway, before returning to the road and rolling over.
Injured were, passengers 23-year-old Chrystal Henley of Shamokin, 22-year-old John Rudy Jr. of Coal Township, and 22-year-old Matthew C. Dilliplane. Area Ambulance and Elysburg Ambulance services took all the injured to Geisinger Medical Center after the 12:30 p.m. Saturday crash. The driver will be cited. (Matt Farrand)
Gun theft prompts investigation
LEWISBURG – The public is being asked for help after a Lewisburg area resident reported the theft of a shotgun. State troopers say the theft from a dump truck parked at a residence along Millers Bottom Road was reported Friday. The weapon is described as a 12 gauge Mossberg 835 pump shotgun with a wooden stock and blue barrel, valued at about $250. Troopers based in Milton request a call to 524-2662 if you have information. (Matt Farrand)
The Marcellus Shale primer…on WKOK’s Roundtable this weekend
SUNBURY – The Roundtable program today is a compilation of three recent interviews on the topic. We spoke to State Senator Gene Yaw (R-23rd, Williamsport) on our On The Mark program and we air his comments on Marcellus Shale. We also spoke to the state DEP Secretary John Hanger, and the head of the Lycoming College Clean Water Institute, Dr. Mel Zimmerman.
Dr. Zimmerman tells us geologists have always known about the shale, but it was too expensive with conventional drilling equipment to reach the 3,000 to 7,000 feet down. New drilling equipment has allowed the cost effective extraction of the natural gas deposits in the Marcellus Shale.
Roundtable airs today at 9a.m. on WKOK, and you can hear the program at www.wkok.com. The program includes information about an upcoming symposium at Lycoming College related to the shale and it’s extraction. The public is invited the Marcellus Shale symposium this Friday. The details for the all day are posted at www.srhces.org.
Tire failure contributes to single vehicle crash
MIFFLINBURG – A blown-out tire was a factor in a one-car crash that injured two people Saturday in Union County. State troopers say 25-year-old Lauren Rooney of Hummelstown lost control of her car when a tire failed. The vehicle spun around and collided with two embankments. Rooney and a passenger, 24-year-old Leanne Shirk of Mifflinburg, were injured. Both were wearing seatbelts at the time of the 9:55 a.m. crash along Route 304 near SR 3012 in Limestone Township.
Russ Fairchild talks about his years of service
SUNBURY – Russ Fairchild ((R-85th, Lewisburg) talked about his many years serving as a state representative in the 85th District as a guest on WKOK’s On The Mark program Friday. Russ Fairchild announced along with State Representative Merle Phillips last week that he would not seek re-election.
Fairchild talked about one of his favorite accomplishments as a representative…keeping a hazardous waste incinerator out of the Central Susquehanna Valley. The incinerator was proposed by USPCI, which was backed by powerful political players.
Those players include Drew Lewis and the Lieutenant Governor at the time and the former Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. Fairchild says fortunately after many years of enormous hard work by citizens in the area, they were able to put that issue to rest.
Fairchild was also proud of the work done to vindicate Susquehanna University in recent years. It was alleged by a Patriot News Reporter that there was pollution in the area causing a rise in cancer cases. It was proved to be untrue and to this day, Fairchild believes the reporter did a series of articles attempting to win some kind of award.
There were also disappointments along the way including the closing of the Laurelton Center in Union County and the still unfinished Central Susquehanna Thruway Project, which Fairchild worked on for many years. You can hear more from Russ Fairchild from our Friday On The Mark program online at www.wkok.com. You can also hear comments from state representative Merle Phillips in upcoming newscasts on WKOK. (Ali Stevens)
Beer distributor not worried about Weis Markets competition
LEWISBURG – Weis Markets in Lewisburg starting selling six-pack and single bottles and cans of beer this week and local beer distributor says he doesn’t think it will affect his business. Harold Bansickle is the manager of the Beer Barn in Lewisburg and says Weis isn’t in the beer business, they are in the restaurant business.
Bansickle says buying a case, which is how the beer distributor sells the beverage, is cheaper, but understands that some customers like to buy in smaller quantities. He says he is disappointed in the family business bringing beer into their stores. Lewisburg’s location is the seventh Weis Markets in Pennsylvania to sell beer in their store. The stores are required to have an in-store café that sits at least 30 people. (Sara Bartlett)
Snyder County Democratic Committee to endorse Steve Hoffman for commissioner
MIDDLEBURG – The Snyder County Democratic Committee had their monthly meeting last night and voted to endorse Steve Hoffman as their choice for Snyder County Commissioner. Democratic Commissioner Bud Bickhart resigned effective January 29th.
The committee will give their recommendation to Judge Harold Woelfel and Judge Michael Sholley, however the judges can still choose someone other than the recommended candidate. The judges say they will not accept resumes and letters of interest until after Bickhart is off the job.
Another candidate interested in the job, Peggy Chamberlain-Roup of Selinsgrove was present at the meeting and was interviewed by the committee, but was not selected. Hoffman was chosen by a 7 to 4 vote. The county judges say the process will take about a month once interviews get underway, so a new commissioner should be chosen by the end of February or early March. (Ali Stevens)
Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Thousands have paid their respects to R&B legend Teddy Pendergrass at a memorial service in Philadelphia. Pendergrass is best known as the singer of "If You Don't Know Me By Now" and other hits. He died Jan. 13 at age 59 after a battle with colon cancer. A 200-member gospel choir sang at Saturday's service at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church. Singers such as Melba Moore and Tyrese Gibson performed. About 4,000 people attended, including actor Ben Vereen and singer Stephanie Mills. Pendergrass was later laid to rest at a private burial service. Pendergrass was left paralyzed from the waist down following a 1982 car crash, but continued to record music. Music producer Kenny Gamble says after Pendergrass was injured, "His life changed and he started to really give to others."
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - As January melts away, Pennsylvania's election contests for governor and U.S. Senate are heating up. With a Feb. 1 deadline looming for year-end campaign finance reports, candidates are re-examining whether they have the right combination of cash, charisma and connections to be players in the May 18 primary. Adding to the pressure on some candidates are party bosses' desire to avoid messy primary fights by settling them before any ballots are cast. The Democratic State Committee may try to cut through that muddle when it meets next month - as will the GOP state committee - by endorsing a candidate. But a party endorsement is no guarantee of anything. Just eight years ago, the Democratic Party endorsed Bob Casey for governor, and Democratic voters nominated Rendell instead.
DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A suburban Philadelphia man has been ordered to stand trial on charges of looting a family's burial crypt that dates back to the 19th century. A judge ruled Friday that there was enough evidence for 28-year-old John Paxson of Doylestown to face trial in Bucks County Court on charges that include burglary and abusing a corpse. Authorities accuse Paxson of breaking into the Doylestown Cemetery crypt of James Doyle, who died in the 1890s, and stealing a brass rail from the casket and copper. Cemetery officials say Doyle and eight others in the crypt are believed to be descendants of William Doyle, the pre-Revolutionary War tavern owner after whom the town is named. Defense attorney Richard Fink sought dismissal of the charges, saying prosecutors had not proven that his client entered the crypt.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Millionaire Tom Knox is dropping out of the Democratic nomination race for Pennsylvania governor and throwing his support behind Dan Onorato. The Philadelphia businessman disclosed his decision Friday in a conference call with reporters. Knox says he's quitting mainly because his wife doesn't want him to run. He says he believes he could win if he stayed in the race. He says he will urge the other three Democrats to also withdraw and endorse Onorato, who's the Allegheny County executive. He says he shares Onorato's goals and is vowing to make sure that he has enough money to win the governor's race. Knox's withdrawal leaves Onorato and three others vying for the nomination. They are Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty, Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel and state Auditor General Jack Wagner.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Prosecutors in the corruption case against former Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Veon and three aides say they're not sure what's on a hard drive that a defense lawyer has produced. A judge held a closed-door meeting Friday with lawyers concerning the hard drive that defendant Stephen Keefer's lawyer recently provided to the attorney general's office. Prosecutors say they were told the hard drive includes e-mails and that it's a copy Keefer made the day he was fired as a House Democratic caucus employee. Senior Deputy Attorney General Marc Costanzo says he doesn't think evidence on the drive will be a game changer in the upcoming theft, conspiracy and conflict-of-interest trial. Defense lawyers didn't comment after the meeting. Opening statements in the case are expected Feb. 1.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Penn State president Graham Spanier says the university faces financial uncertainty in the coming years that threatens an already tight budget. Spanier says rising health care costs and a looming crisis with funding the State Employees Retirement System could force the university to come up with tens of millions of dollars annually to make up for shortfalls. That outlook comes with the school's budget already tight because of shrinking state appropriations. Spanier did tell university trustees Friday that the school has been able to avert a midyear tuition increase. Penn State on Friday also received a long-delayed portion of its state funding for this academic year. A total of $334 million in subsidies had been stuck in legislative gridlock.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Penn State has frozen 2010 ticket prices for football season-ticket holders. It will cost $55 per game for season-ticket holders, the same as last year. The seven-game 2010 schedule will cost $385. Students will also pay the same as last year - about $29. President Graham Spanier made the announcement Friday at a meeting of university trustees. It comes as the school prepares to implement new season-ticket pricing guidelines in 2011 to account for where people sit in Beaver Stadium. While the cost of a ticket may not change, seat location could change according to new criteria for giving levels to the booster club. The number of tickets and parking are also factors. The price of a single-game football tickets is increasing by $3 in 2010 to $67.
Update on the latest in business:
Iran plans budget on $60 price for crude oil
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran's official news agency says the country has planned next year's budget based on an oil price of $60 per barrel, nearly double the price from last year. Last year, the parliament approved a budget based on $37.5 per barrel. About 80 percent of Iran's foreign revenue comes from oil exports and the economy was severely impact by last year's low prices. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad submitted the budget to the Iranian parliament for approval. Details of the spending plan were not available on Sunday. However Ahmadinejad said more money would go to the agriculture, education and research sections. The budget requires approval by the parliament and a constitutional watchdog.
Obama endorses deficit task force
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama has endorsed a bipartisan plan to name a special task force charged with coming up with a plan to curb the spiraling budget deficit. The bipartisan 18-member panel would study the issue for much of the year and report a deficit reduction blueprint after the November elections that would be voted on before the new Congress convenes next year. Unlike a plan tentatively endorsed on Tuesday by the White House and Capitol Hill Democrats, the new task force would have to be approved by Congress, where there's lots of opposition. That's because the plan endorsed Saturday would have the findings of the task force automatically receive a vote in both House and Senate, eroding the power of top Democrats.
Dodd, Gregg predict Bernanke will win 2nd term
WASHINGTON (AP) - Two key senators leaders predict that embattled Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will be confirmed for a second term. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd, D-Conn., and former Senate Budget Committee Chairman Judd Gregg, R-N.H., said in a statement Saturday that Bernanke is the right person to help guide the economy back from the worst recession since the 1930s. Bernanke's term expires Jan. 31. A Senate vote hasn't been set on whether to OK a second four-year term. Already four Senate Democrats have said they would vote against the Fed chairman. Bernanke has become the focus of increased criticism since Republican Scott Brown won a Senate seat in an upset election in Massachusetts this past week.
PA Lottery:
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn on Saturday:
Big 4
1-2-5-9
Cash 5
17-29-38-39-41
Daily Number
5-9-6
Evening Quinto
3-9-4-0-8
Midday Big 4
0-4-6-9
Midday Number 7-4-7
Midday Quinto
3-7-0-3-9
Powerball
15-16-20-42-53, Powerball: 17, Power Play: 2
Treasure Hunt
02-03-08-12-18
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
'Jersey Shore' cast party overwhelms NJ nightclub
MONTCLAIR, N.J. (AP) - Police say fans of MTV's "Jersey Shore" deluged a New Jersey nightclub, forcing the closure of a thoroughfare and leading to the arrests of four people. Property owner Dick Grabowsky told the Newark Star-Ledger that about 2,000 people showed up at the 501 Lounge in Montclair on Friday night. He says the club has a capacity of 800. Montclair Police Chief David Sabagh says fights broke out among the crowds who gathered for the advertised meet and greet with the cast of the hit reality TV show. Four people were arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and drunken driving. Police closed a stretch of the main business strip outside the club for two hours. The show focuses on the escapades of eight 20-somethings thrown together at a summer shore house.
All-star Haiti telethon raises $57 million, so far
NEW YORK (AP) - Organizers for the all-star "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon say the event raised a record-setting $57 million - and counting. The two-hour telethon aired Friday night on the major networks and dozens of other channels, including MTV, Bravo, and PBS, and was also streamed live online. Stars like Brad Pitt, Beyonce, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen and more used their presence to encourage donations for Haiti, following a Jan. 12 earthquake that killed an estimated 200,000 people. A statement released Saturday said the money raised was a record. It does not include donations by corporations or via iTunes, where people are able to buy performances of the event for 99 cents. People can still donate via text, phone or through the "Hope for Haiti" Web site. http://www.hopeforhaitinow.org
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)