Monday, February 1, 2010

Local outfitter agrees with fish commission: River is impaired

SUNBURY – Calling the Susquehanna River, “increasingly impaired”, the board of commissioners of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has called on state and federal environmental agencies to expand efforts to determine the sources of pollution contributing to the decline in small-mouth bass populations. 

Ken Maurer is the owner of Southside Bait and Tackle in Sunbury and says something needs to be done to get the problem under control. Maurer says over the last five to eight years, there has been a sharp decline in the small-mouth bass population.  He says it’s a complex problem and water quality always comes to the forefront. 

Maurer says there are studies being done, but more is needed. He says he has seen first hand the change in the small-mouth population since 2005.  Maurer says a lot of anglers are calling for some type of regulation on the number of fish you can keep, but the fish commission feels the percentage of the small-mouth that are kept will not affect the overall population. 

Maurer does want folks to know that there are still good small-mouth bass to be caught.  He says they may not be as plentiful, but they are big in size.  The board of the fish and boat commission is urging the DEP and the EPA to increase their investigations—saying recent data confirms serious problems exist.  (Ali Stevens)

Teen assaulted and robbed in Susquehanna Valley Mall parking lot

SELINSGROVE – A Susquehanna Valley Mall parking lot mugging left a teen injured Saturday.  State Police at Selinsgrove say around noon, a 13-year-old Northumberland boy was in the parking lot of the mall, when he was approached by an unknown amount of people. 

The teen was assaulted and was robbed of video game cartridges.  Police did not supply a description of the suspect, nor did they mention whether a weapon was used.  Anyone with information should call police at Selinsgrove state troopers at 374-8145. 

Two other political announcements regarding the state house seats being vacated

UNDATED – Two other political announcements were made regarding the state house seats being vacated by Representatives Merle Phillips (R-108^th, Sunbury) and Russ Fairchild (R-85^th, Winfield). 

Trey Casimir, chairman of the Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority, has announced that he will run for the 85^th District and will make it official tomorrow.  Casimir will announce his intentions at his office on Market Street in Lewisburg at 9:00a.m.

Casimir is a Democrat and works as an acupuncturist.  He also ran for state senate in the 23^rd district, which is currently represented by Gene Yaw.  Casimir is involved in Lewisburg Borough Council, the Lewisburg Business and Professionals Association and the Central Susquehanna Citizens Coalition. 

Another announcement was made by John Meckley of Milton who has decided not to run for the state house in the 108^th District.  Meckley had been considering a run, but ultimately decided that he was already involved in a number of other committees and that a political run would take away from his commitments.

Those commitments include President of the Susquehanna Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and vice president of the Milton Public Library and the Milton High School Alumni Association.  (Ali Stevens)

A familiar former politician is looking to get back to Harrisburg

WILLIAMSPORT—The former mayor of Williamsport, who served two terms in the House, is looking to get back to Harrisburg, after a failed bid for state Senate in 2008.  Steven Cappelli announced his bid to run for the state house in the 83^rd legislative district. 

The republican lost to Senator Gene Yaw in 2008 and has decided to try and win back a seat in the house, which is currently held by Democrat Rick Mirabito (D-83^rd, Williamsport).  The 46-year-old made his announcement at the Community Arts Center in Williamsport, saying one of his priorities will be to make sure tax dollars are being spent properly. 

Cappelli also took time to apologize for voting in favor of Act 44, the legislation that allows for tolling on Interstate 80.  He supported Act 44 while working as a House member in 2007.  He claims language in the bill ended up getting changed to include the toll provision. (Ali Stevens)

Two still hospitalized after fatal crash in Turbotville

DANVILLE – Two people remain in Geisinger Medical Center following a crash that killed an Elysburg man last week.  24-year-old Marybeth Adams and 19-year-old Heather Wirt, both of Turbotville, are listed in fair condition.  They were passengers in a vehicle driven Wednesday morning by 64-year-old Paul Adams. 

Adams was crossing the intersection of Route 54 and Route 44 in Turbotville when he was hit by another vehicle.  Adams was pronounced dead at the scene.  Another passenger, Ellen Edall of Turbotville, was treated and released from the hospital. (Sara Bartlett)

Teen dies following crash with Pa. police cruiser

DANVILLE, Pa. (AP) - A Lycoming County teenager has succumbed to injuries following a traffic crash involving a state police cruiser last week.  Officials say 15-year-old Cordell Page died Saturday night following last Monday's crash. Investigators say Page's 16-year-old brother William was driving when their vehicle crossed into the path of a state police cruiser near Williamsport. 

The Montoursville brothers were both badly hurt in the crash, which caused their vehicle to catch fire. Officials say William Page remains hospitalized in critical condition.  The trooper involved in the crash was not seriously injured. Police say he pulled William Page away from the scene as another trooper extinguished the flames.

Bigs plans for Union-Snyder Habitat for Humanity

SELINSGROVE – The Union-Snyder Habitat for Humanity has been helping provide local families affordable homes since 1994.  Families are chosen to have a house built for them, and they must also be a part in the build including helping with construction and paying a mortgage. 

Tom Rambo was recently named President of Union-Snyder Habitat for Humanity and says they have launched a two-year partnership with Central Pennsylvania YouthBuild.  The program gives young adults a chance to get their lives on the right track and help others.

Haiti devastation witnessed by local doctor

LEWISBURG – A local doctor is back from Haiti and more than a week of helping survivors of the January 12th earthquake. Dr. Jack Devine of Evangelical Community Hospital says his group of medical professionals witnessed a horrific scene.

He says spinal and pelvic fractures were frequent, and most open wounds among survivors were infected. Dr. Devine says living conditions were intolerable, even among those who were not injured, who spent nights under fabric tents made from bed sheets.

Dr. Devine says more than 1,200 people were treated at a makeshift clinic on the property of a mission. God’s Missionary Church of Penns Creek sponsored their trip. Dr. Devine's comments in their entirety can be heard on Thursday’s edition of On The Mark, available at your convenience online at www.wkok.com (Matt Farrand)

Youth robbed of X-Box games

SELINSGROVE – State troopers want to know if and when there have been local incidents similar to a weekend robbery of X-Box games. A 13-year-old was reportedly in the parking lot of the Susquehanna Valley Mall Saturday afternoon and was robbed of an unknown number of game cartridges.

Police did not supply a description of the suspect, nor did they mention whether a weapon was used. State police in Selinsgrove request a call to 374-8145 if you have information. Troopers do say the teen was assaulted and sustained minor injuries. (Matt Farrand)

Domestic incident attracts big police response

SELINSGROVE – A domestic dispute involving a weapon—was the reason state and local police from across the region converged on a Selinsgrove residence Saturday night. The call at about 7:45 p.m. to the Pine Meadows address attracted more than 20 law enforcement units from municipalities that included Selinsgrove, Sunbury and Lewisburg.

State troopers were also on hand for the incident that reportedly involved a man with a knife. Selinsgrove police say the incident is still under investigation and names are being withheld in the meantime. We don’t have any reports of injuries—but full details are not out yet. (Matt Farrand)

Crash claims life of Milton high swimmer

WHITE DEER TWP – Athletic events were canceled Saturday, and grief counselors were on hand at Milton High School, because of a Friday night highway crash in White Deer Township that took the life of a young motorist.

17-year-old Alex Moser of Milton died in the one-car accident along New Columbia Road and two passengers were injured. Moser was a standout on the swim team. He was reportedly traveling at between 80 and 90 miles per hour, lost control of the vehicle and struck a utility pole. Moser was pronounced dead at the scene by Union County Coroner Wanda Walters.

16-year-old Emily McCaffery of New Columbia and 17-year-old Brittany Bridge of Milton are in fair condition at Geisinger Medical Center after being airlifted there. New Columbia Road was closed for several hours for the investigation that followed the 10:00 p.m. crash. (Matt Farrand)

The Milton Cultural Festival—for the first time ever—was on Roundtable

SUNBURY – The Milton Cultural Festival isn’t a household name, but this year’s inaugural event is going to a party to remember—so says one of the organizers George Venios of Milton. The community activist and historian tells us, the festival, which is the former Fiesta de Mayo, is going to be a celebration of all cultures in the region.

The Milton Cultural Festival will take place May 8th in Milton and has grown from about one square block—to two. Venios and a panel of organizers of the Milton Cultural Festival were on Roundtable this weekend. Organizers talk about the festival and seek support and sponsorship for the event. You can hear Roundtable at www.wkok.com.

SU student facing charges after driving car into river

SELINSGROVE – A Susquehanna University student is facing multiple charges, including DUI, after he drove his car into the Susquehanna River Saturday morning. 21-year-old Kevin Schink of Selinsgrove (who hails from New Jersey) was driving on the Isle of Que around 1:45a.m. when he lost control of his vehicle and struck a tree.

The vehicle came to rest in a portion of the river at the southern end of the peninsula. Schink reportedly called a friend to tell them about the accident, and then was not heard from again. Eighteen agencies, including state and local police, fire crews, air crews, K-9 and towing companies assisted in a missing persons search for Schink.

He was eventually located around 6:00a.m. sleeping at a residence on the Isle of Que, which he had unlawfully entered. Schink faces charges of DUI, criminal trespass, failure to notify police of a crash and careless driving, among other counts.

Shamokin Township fire destroys garage

SHAMOKIN TOWNSHIP – Volunteer firefighters were kept busy Saturday morning fighting a blaze that destroyed a garage in Shamokin Township, Northumberland County. The blaze broke out around 5:30a.m. at the Badman Hill Road garage owned by Elwood Swank.

The garage sustained heavy damage and vehicles were destroyed. Northumberland County dispatchers say they sent Elysburg, Overlook, Stonington, Kulpmont, and other volunteers to the scene. No injuries were reported.

Award named for pioneer educator goes to local middle school

LEWISBURG – Lewisburg’s middle school is being honored by a foundation that honors a middle school pioneer, and from whom the school itself takes its name. The Don Eichorn “School to Watch” program says the Donald H. Eichorn Middle School offers an environment where students can reach higher academic goals.

Principal Tracy Krum says there’s more to the award than just a plaque on the wall. She says they take everything into consideration, including test scores, teaching strategies and the school’s understanding of middle school students.

Principal Krum says the award’s fact finders also mostly bypassed the administrator’s office, in favor of talking directly with teachers and students about how things are really going in the classrooms. Some even had lunch with the students and attended meetings of their after school clubs.

Both the school on Washington Avenue in the Lewisburg area and the awards program are named for Donald H. Eichorn, an educator who pioneered the format of the middle school in the 1960’s. Middle schools generally house 6th, 7th and 8th graders, and are meant to address the learning characteristics of young adolescents. (Matt Farrand)

Geisinger accommodations for cancer patients under new manager

DANVILLE – The House of Care at Geisinger Medical Center is a comfortable, home-like setting for cancer patients and others undergoing treatment for serious illness at the hospital. There is a new manager at the House of Care, after many years.

Michelle Smith says the resident’s area all going through similar circumstances, and there are no televisions in the individual rooms. Thus, patients are encouraged to come out and interact with each other. She says the bonds that develop are awesome to watch.

Smith lives on the site, and says it gives her a chance to meet and offer emotional support to patients. The House of Care is partly run using volunteer help and interested volunteers should call 271-8600 for more information. Smith notes even a few hours of volunteering per week can be a big help for patients and other staff members. More info here.

Accepting resumes for Snyder County Commissioner

MIDDLEBURG – Richard Bickhart’s resignation took effect yesterday as Snyder County Commissioner. Union/Snyder County judges Harold Woelfel and Mike Sholley will begin accepting resumes for the position. Those interested must be a registered Democrat and resident in Snyder County.

The judges will accept resumes through the close of business on February 8th. They will then review the resumes and begin interviews starting February 17th. The judges hope to make the appointment shortly after completing the interviews.

Last week, the Snyder County Democratic Committee endorsed Steve Hoffman as their choice for the position. All resumes should be sent to The Honorable Harold Woelfel Jr., President Judge, Union County Courthouse, 103 South Second Street, Lewisburg, PA 17837. (Sara Bartlett)

Pat Toomey says job creation is most important in Pennsylvania

UNDATED – Republican Pat Toomey, who is seeking the Senate spot currently held by Senator Arlen Specter (D, Philadelphia), says he was pleased to hear President Barack Obama talk about job growth during his State Of The Union address last week, but he still has some worries. He says he thinks some of Obama’s specific measures won’t work, and is afraid that if there is no change of course in healthcare and cap and trade, jobs could be lost.

Toomey was a recent guest on our On The Mark program, and also talked about job growth specifically in Pennsylvania. He says she fears the unemployment rate is getting higher, and we shouldn’t be bailing out failing companies. He says out of control spending must get under control, because resources are being sucked out of the private sector where real viable jobs could be created.

Toomey also says Pennsylvania has a unique opportunity with the natural gas of the Marcellus Shale. He calls it a great chance for job creation and diminished reliance on foreign energy. You can hear all of Pat Toomey from our On The Mark program Friday online at www.wkok.com. (Sara Bartlett)

Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Gov. Ed Rendell says Pennsylvania hospitals will begin accepting gravely wounded Haitians.  Rendell said Monday that his administration is responding to a request by the U.S. military last week.  With the U.S. military resuming medical evacuation flights out of Haiti, Pennsylvania officials say they expect wounded quake victims to arrive in a day or two.  State Health Secretary Everette James says the Philadelphia Health Department has a team set up at the airport to accept and screen patients.  Rendell says 11 hospitals so far are volunteering to accept the wounded. Carolyn Scanlan of the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania says the wounded could include amputees and paraplegics.    

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Republican Senate hopeful Pat Toomey raised more money than incumbent Arlen Specter in the last quarter of 2009, but Specter still appears to have the financial edge.  Campaign finance reports on file Monday showed Toomey raised $1.7 million from October through December and ended the year with $2.8 million on hand.  Specter raised $1.1 million and sent out $602,000 in refunds - mostly to contributors unhappy with his switch from the GOP to the Democratic Party last April. Still, the fifth-term senator reported having $8.7 million on hand.  Before he can compete in the general election, Specter must beat a May primary challenge by U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak. Sestak has not yet filed his year-end campaign finance report, but he had nearly $5 million at the end of September.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Dan Onorato's gubernatorial campaign says it finished last year with more than $6.5 million in the bank.  Onorato filed campaign finance reports Monday for two political committees - one for his gubernatorial campaign and the other for an older committee that got him elected twice to his present job as Allegheny County executive. He says the money from the older committee will soon be transferred to his gubernatorial committee.  Onorato says he raised a total of $3.7 million in 2009.  Onorato led the gubernatorial candidates in fundraising through late last year. Monday is the deadline for the year-end reports, and none of the others has filed yet.  

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A state prosecutor in a legislative corruption trial in Harrisburg says former House Democratic whip Mike Veon helped plan an elaborate conspiracy to spend taxpayer money on campaigns and other illegal uses.  Deputy prosecutor Patrick Blessington made his opening statement Monday at the trial of Veon and three of his aides.  Blessington said Veon helped create a plan to motivate legislative employees to pitch in on campaigns. He said that over three years, the bonuses-for campaigning cash amounted to $1.4 million and was a reason why the House Democrats were able to win back a House majority.  Veon lawyer Dan Raynak, attacked how prosecutors have handled the investigation and said they asked questions during the grand jury sessions that let witnesses know the answers they wanted to hear.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The criminal trial of former General Assembly dealmaker Michael R. Veon and three of his ex-aides begins in earnest Monday with opening statements in a Harrisburg courtroom. The case represents a milestone in the attorney general's three-year public corruption investigation of the Legislature – and it is also a significant factor in this year's Pennsylvania gubernatorial campaign. Seven former House Democratic staffers who were arrested with Veon and the three others in July 2008 but recently pleaded guilty and are cooperating with prosecutors, and at least some are expected to testify. The only person to go to trial so far, former Rep. Sean Ramaley, D-Beaver, won a full acquittal in December. Veon and the others are charged with conflict of interest, theft and conspiracy in what the attorney general's office alleges was a multi-million-dollar effort to siphon off public resources for private benefit.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) - Three critically ill children flown from Haiti have arrived in Philadelphia for treatment. Officials at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia say the patients are a 5-year-old girl with tetanus, a 14-month-old boy critically ill with pneumonia, and a baby with a 3rd-degree burn from sun exposure after the earthquake. Officials say all three are being treated and remain in critical condition. The Boston-based aid group Partners in Health contacted the hospital to coordinate the effort. Doctors skirted a bureaucratic logjam to save the children's lives, flying them to Philadelphia on a private jet to avoid a military suspension of medical evacuation flights. The suspension apparently stemmed from a dispute over where seriously injured patients should be taken for treatment.

BRADDOCK, Pa. (AP) - A suburban Pittsburgh hospital has closed its doors despite protests and legal efforts by local residents to keep the century-old hospital open. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center announced three months ago that it could not continue to operate the Braddock hospital at a loss of between $4 million and $12 million annually. UPMC attributed the problems in part to a drop in patient admissions and general underuse by the surrounding Mon Valley communities. At least 150 people braved bone-chilling temperatures Saturday to attend a rally in front of the hospital against the closure, which a judge refused to stop last week. The hospital opened in 1906 as Braddock General Hospital and was acquired by UPMC in 1996.

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

Update on the latest in business

Dow: 10,158.09, up 90.76

S&P 500: 1,085.27, up 11.40

NASDAQ: 2,164.30, up 16.95

NEW YORK (AP) - Wall Street is in rally mode to begin the month. The Dow has been   up more than 100 points.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration predicts little improvement in the nation's unemployment rate by year-end. The administration forecasts 9.8 percent unemployment at the end of this year. That would be down only slightly from the current rate of 10 percent.

NEW YORK (AP) - Manufacturing activity grew in January to its strongest point since 2004. The Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index came in at 58.4 last month. Any number above 50 indicates growth.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Toyota dealers should get parts to fix a sticky gas pedal problem by the end of this week. Some dealers will stay open around the clock to fix the 2.3 million cars and trucks affected by the recall in the U.S.

DETROIT (AP) - General Motors' plan to sell the Hummer brand to a Chinese heavy equipment maker has been delayed by a month. Both firms say they are extending the deadline to complete the transaction until Feb. 28 pending final approval by the Chinese government.

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

Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers

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

 Midday Big 4

     5-9-9-4

 Midday Number

     4-4-4

 Midday Quinto

     6-5-7-6-7

 Treasure Hunt

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

Big 4 3-0-3-5

Cash 5 02-09-23-30-41

Daily Number 7-9-0

Evening Quinto 1-6-8-2-9

Midday Big 4 7-0-6-3

Midday Number 5-0-2

Midday Quinto 2-9-0-0-5

Treasure Hunt 02-10-12-16-26

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

Attorney: Rip Torn heading to rehab after arrest

LITCHFIELD, Conn. (AP) - Rip Torn is out of jail on a $100,000 bond after making a court appearance on burglary and firearms charges in Connecticut.  The "Men in Black" actor is accused of breaking into a bank in his hometown of Salisbury on Friday with a loaded revolver while intoxicated. Defense attorney A. Thomas Waterfall says Torn was so drunk he thought he was at home.  Waterfall says Torn will enter an alcohol treatment center in New York as early as Tuesday.  He says the 78-year-old actor never brandished the gun and has no history of violence. Torn spent the weekend in jail.  Torn did not enter a plea Monday. He returns to court Feb. 17.

Grammy Awards ratings are music to CBS' ears

NEW YORK (AP) - The Grammys have made sweet music in the ratings, with the show's biggest TV audience in six years.  Preliminary Nielsen figures Monday show the CBS broadcast attracted 25.8 million viewers. That would be the annual music award show's highest ratings since 2004. "The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards" logged a year-to-year viewer boost of more than a third and dominated network rivals Sunday night.  ABC took the runner-up position for the evening. It beat out the third-place Fox network with 9.1 million versus 4.3 million viewers, respectively.  Final Nielsen ratings figures are expected Tuesday.

New PlayStation 3 show pits gamer against gamer

NEW YORK (AP) - In the reality show "The Tester," the top prize is a job.  Sony Corp. is launching the show on its PlayStation 3 on Feb. 18. The premise? Pit a broad swath of video game fans against one another to see who's the best at testing out games.  The winner will get a job as a real game tester at Sony. It's an entry-level job, a way to get a start in the industry.  The show's 11 contestants include a writer from Ohio, a cheerleading coach from California and a used car salesman from Maryland.  Sony says the show is part of its strategy to provide content beyond games on the PlayStation. This includes music, movies and TV episodes.

Polar Bear Plunge
 

LAWS AGAINST TEXTING HAVE LITTLE EFFECT

WASHINGTON (AP) - More laws against using cell phones while driving - don't add up to fewer accidents. That's what a new study by the insurance industry has turned up. The report by the Highway Loss Data Institute looks at insurance claims from crashes both before and after laws banning the use of handheld devices to make calls or send texts. The study finds that statelaws banning such activity haven't resulted in fewer vehicle crashes. The study considered data after bans were implemented by California, New York, Connecticut and Washington, D.C. The organization finds that claims rates didn't go down after the laws were passed. And it found no change in patterns in nearby states that had no such bans. The head of the Highway Loss Data Institute says the findings don't bode well for safety gains as a result of laws banning calling or texting behind the wheel.

Pastor denies 'traffiking' charge

MERIDIAN, Idaho (AP) - An Idaho pastor has condemned child trafficking as a "wicked and evil practice." He is defending members of his congregation detained in Haiti after they tried to bus 33 children into the Dominican Republic. Central Valley Baptist Church Senior Pastor Clint Henry told church members yesterday the Americans were trying to rescue children from an orphanage in the Haitian capital. Officials say they lacked the proper documents when they were arrested Friday night. The church, in Meridian, confirmed five of the 10 Americans being held are from its congregation. Members were asked to pray for the detainees' release to be decided at a hearing today before a judge. The children, ages 2 months to 12 years old, were taken to an orphanage run by Austrian-based SOS Children's Villages, where spokesman George Willeit said they arrived "very hungry, very thirsty." He said a 2- to 3-month old baby was dehydrated and had to be hospitalized. Willeit said an 8-year-old was crying and said she still had her parents.

BOX OFFICE

LOS ANGELES (AP) - "Avatar" is still the one to beat. James Cameron's sci-fi epic takes in another $30 million -- to stay number-one for seven weekends in a row. Avatar is now just about six million shy of beating "Titanic's" all-time domestic record. Mel Gibson's revenge-thriller "Edge of Darkness" opens in second this weekend -- followed by the romantic comedy "When in Rome."

BEYONCE' WINS SIX GRAMMYS

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Beyonce' has taken female empowerment beyond just demanding a ring. She's now the queen of the Grammys. She won six Grammys last night, more than any other woman ever. "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" won song of the year. She and Jay-Z will have to make a lot of room on their mantle, though, because he won three Grammys as well.

NEIL YOUNG, JUDAS PRIEST, AC/DC EACH WIN FIRST GRAMMY

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Neil Young finally wins his first Grammy, and it isn't even for his music. Young won the Grammy for best boxed recording package for "Neil Young Archives Volume 1." Judas Priest won their first Grammy for metal performance, and singer Rob Halford says, "Fifth time is the charm." AC/DC picked up their first Grammy, for best hard rock performance. Teen on solo sail around globe to stop in Mexico

Teen sailer sidelined by electrical issue

MARINA DEL REY, Calif. (AP) - A 16-year-old Southern California girl on a mission to become the youngest person to sail around the world alone says she is taking a pit stop in Mexico to deal with an electricity problem. On her blog, Abby Sunderland of Thousand Oaks wrote Saturday she's headed for Cabo San Lucas to add a "new battery or two" because solar panels and wind generators aren't keeping up with her energy needs. Sunderland says she'll restart the solo sail in her 40-foot craft called Wild Eyes as soon as possible. She set sail Jan. 23 from Marina Del Rey and plans to be at sea for five or six months.