Snow…Snow…Snow I: Snow will taper off this morning, 8 inches expected

SUNBURY – Plenty of snow fell overnight and residents in the Central Susquehanna Valley are waking up to about 6 to 8 inches of snow. Plows are out in full force all across the region working to clear area roads. Rural roads are completely snow covered and main roads have a coating also.

Roads are slippery but passable at this hour. Residents are encouraged to hold off on driving until the roads are cleared and the snow stops. No major incidents have been reported since the snow began to fall last evening. (Ali Stevens)

Snow…Snow…Snow II: Snow storm and blizzard much worse to our south

HARRISBURG (AP) – In areas to our south, the National Weather Service says the Mid-Atlantic region's second major snowstorm in less than two months could be "extremely dangerous." From Harrisburg south, heavy, wet snow and strong winds threaten to clog roads and paralyze that region's transportation and retail.

A record 2 1/2 feet or more was predicted for Washington, where snow was falling heavily by evening and forecasters warned that blizzard conditions were on the way. Airlines canceled flights, schools closed and the federal government sent workers home, where they could be stuck for several days in a region ill-equipped to deal with so much snow.

Blizzard warnings were also in effect for much of Delaware and southern New Jersey from Friday afternoon to Saturday night, with strong winds and blowing, drifting snow. Philadelphia could get about a foot of snow and up to 20 inches was expected in the Pittsburgh area.

Snow…Snow…Snow III: Stocking up on the essentials before the snow

LEWISBURG – Grocery stores are a bit more crowded than a normal Friday afternoon as people prepare for what could be eight inches of snow this weekend. At a Lewisburg store, Robert Ott is picking up a few of the essentials for he and his wife, plus he has three snow shovels. Local nurse Alice Murray of Milton says she is stocking up, but not for herself.

She has to work this weekend, but is raising a 4-year-old, so she is making sure she has everything she needs. In most people’s carts were the typical ‘snowed-in’ supplies….bread, milk, eggs, drinks few snacks and toilet paper. Residents are encouraged to get their essentials before the storm, as travel is not recommended because of slippery roads. (Sara Bartlett)

Snow…Snow…Snow IV: Salt, shovels and…birdseed selling before the storm

LEWISBURG – What is flying off the shelves before today’s snowstorm, may not be what you think. Josh Franco is the Lawn and Garden Department Manager at Cole’s Hardware in Lewisburg, and says birdseed is a big seller because people love to watch the birds in the snow.

But, Franco said the normal winter tools, like shovels and salt, are also selling. Franco says other supplies selling are heaters and snow blowers. He says no matter the amount of snow, they will remain open to assist people with what they needs during the impending storm. (Sara Bartlett)

Ice: State College artist shapes 1,800 pounds of ice with chainsaw, bevels

LEWISBURG – Sculptor Gary Glenn of State College put the finishing touches the bear chair sculpture Friday afternoon. It will be on display through the weekend at Hufnagle Park in Lewisburg, and is just one of the sculptures on display at the Heart of Lewisburg Ice Festival.

Glenn says he uses six 300-pound blocks of ice for his masterpiece. But rather than being cut from a frozen lake, it’s man made at ice plants in Huntingdon, Williamsport or Jeanette. Glenn says the snowy weather is just right for displaying his work, as the snow will provide a visual accent for the work.

The cold temperatures will also allow the ice blocks to last longer. Lewisburg Downtown Partnership Executive Director Linda Sterling says just about all activities planned for the weekend have a green light, though fireworks scheduled for 5:00 p.m. Saturday may be delayed if it is snowing at the time. (Matt Farrand)

Fire: Remaining Centralia residents could soon be displaced by state

CENTRALIA – State officials say they will soon take possession of the remaining homes in Centralia. About a dozen residents still live in the Columbia County community in spite of toxic gas and sinkholes caused by an underground mine fire that continues to burn after nearly three decades.

Meantime, journalist Joan Quigley says her book about the town is meant to address its history and politics before it all disappears. Quigley is the grandchild of anthracite miners from Centralia and interviewed residents who’ve left, and some who’ve stayed.

The former business reporter for the Miami Herald wondered why some residents stayed after most of the homes in Centralia were seized in the 1990’s by right of eminent domain. She says there was a sense of connectedness among Centralia residents that is rare these days, as generations had gone to the same schools, worked in the same places and worshiped at the same churches.

Quigley now lives near Washington, DC and worked for seven years on the book titled, “The Day the Earth Caved In - An American Mining Tragedy.” She was also a recent guest on WKOK’s “On The Mark” program recently. (Matt Farrand)

Heart: Expanding cardiac services at Evan

LEWISBURG – In response to growing cardiac needs in the Central Susquehanna Valley, Evangelical Community Hospital is expanding their cardiovascular services through a partnership with Geisinger Medical Center.

Richard Miller, vice president of strategic planning and business development at the hospital, says the expanded program will introduce services at Evangelical that include cardiac catheterization to diagnose heart disease, as well as angioplasty and the use of Stents to open blocked arteries.

Miller says patients who currently travel to other facilities, including Geisinger, will soon be able to access these services at Evan. He says it’s a convenience to not only patients, but also their families that have to travel to visit them.

Geisinger physicians will perform the services along with technicians at Evangelical. Miller says this is part of the hospital’s strategic plan, where they are looking ahead five years and realize cardiac services are needed in the region and are a growing problem. They are pleased to be partnering with Geisinger and their expertise in the field. (Ali Stevens)

Working to make the Shikellamy Overlook a more family friendly state park

SUNBURY – The Shikellamy State Park Overlook has gotten bad publicity over the years due to reports of inappropriate behavior taking place in the park, including homosexual activity. The Friends of the Shikellamy State Park are hoping to change that image and are planning a number of events in the spring to bring more families to the park.

Frank Nanna, park manager, says one event includes restoring trails in the park with a state organization and local volunteers. On March 27th, the Keystone Trail Association will be coming to the Overlook to work on trails in the park. The Friends group will be providing meals to those wishing to volunteer and they hope to have a bonfire at the end of the evening, weather permitting.

Nanna says they have one ranger to patrol the park in Milton, the Shikellamy Marina and the Shikellamy Overlook, so they do what they can to keep the wrong people out of the park. However, the more families and volunteers they can find, will absolutely improve the parks and make them a treasured resource that people look forward to visiting. (Ali Stevens)

GMC's Steele: Rumor not true

DANVILLE – Due to recent Internet reports that Geisinger President and CEO Dr. Glenn Steele was leaving, Steele decided to put the rumors to rest. Some reports on the Internet indicated that Steele was leaving Geisinger to head up Medicare. Steele issued a five-word email to the Scranton Times-Tribune, stating, “The rumors are not true”. That was all he said on the matter. (Ali Stevens)

An update from the GSVCC on Roundtable this weekend

SUNBURY – The Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce is back on Roundtable this weekend only this time not talking about what the chamber is doing—but rather—what they will do. The chamber is undergoing a visioning process.

Richard Smith Jr., the chief operations officer of Evangelical Community Hospital tells us, if you are doing some long term planning, you should think big and include all stakeholders. He said it is important that you help all of your constituents see how the strategic vision will benefit them.

Smith says it is the consensus of strategy on which the upcoming Strategic Thinking Conference will focus. It is entitled Looking before We Leap. Smith, along with Charlie Ross, the CEO of the GSVCC are on our Roundtable this weekend—along with other guests—talking about the chamber’s strategic initiatives.

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

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The public corruption trial of a former Pennsylvania lawmaker has ended for the week, with the prosecution's first witness still on the stand. Defense cross-examination of former House Democratic aide Mike Manzo continued Friday with Manzo saying he participated in a meeting with caucus lawyers about destroying evidence. Manzo also said a large number of leave slips were destroyed and that he deleted information on his work computer after news of a massive bonus program surfaced in 2007. Prosecutors say they expect to call 20 to 30 witnesses, and it now appears the case could take longer than the month that was originally estimated. Former House Democratic whip Mike Veon and three aides are on trial for theft, conspiracy and conflict of interest.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A county judge says Pittsburgh officials have two weeks to produce documents related to protester arrests and police operational plans during September's Group of 20 economic summit. The Citizens Police Review Board says it needs the documents to thoroughly and fairly investigate citizen complaints of police misconduct. The group says it has 12 sworn complaints against police officers and more than 80 notices that other people plan to file complaints against police. City officials didn't immediately comment on Friday's ruling. Review board director Elizabeth Pittinger says the city cited national security in an effort to keep the documents, but she says it's a police issue. Police made nearly 200 arrests when protesters clashed with police on Sept. 24-25.

BROWNSVILLE, Pa. (AP) - A 30-day unpaid suspension has been lifted against a western Pennsylvania high school teacher who appeared next to a male stripper in a picture someone else posted on Facebook. Brownsville Area School District solicitor Jim Davis won't say specifically why the suspension was lifted effective Friday. But he says the teacher has a grievance pending and the school district is continuing to investigate. The unidentified female teacher reportedly posed in a suggestive way next to the stripper who was hired to perform at a bridal shower. The American Civil Liberties Union questioned the suspension saying the teacher's actions were private and legal. Davis says ACLU action didn't end the suspension, which began Jan. 12 and was for 30 school days.

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

AP Business Minute

NEW YORK (AP) - The stock market ended a fractious day Friday narrowly mixed and suffering its fourth straight losing week. Stocks fell sharply for much of the day's trading. The Dow, which was down nearly 170 in the afternoon, closed up 10 points. Fueling the day's movement -- a jobless rate that fell to 9.7 percent in January, but more signs that several weak European governments will have trouble getting their massive deficits under control.

LANHAM, Md. (AP) - President Barack Obama says an unexpected drop in the unemployment rate shows modest progress toward "climbing out of the huge hole that we found ourselves in." But he says "far too many of our neighbors and friends and family are still unemployed." He's asking Congress to temporarily expand two lending programs for the owners of small businesses.

NEW YORK (AP) - Oil prices are down to their lowest level in almost two months. The price settled at $71.19 a barrel after plunging to below $70 earlier in the day. That's the cheapest oil has been since December 15th. Crude prices have dropped more than 14 percent since hitting a 15-month high in early January.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Americans borrowed less for an 11th consecutive month in December, paying off credit cards while increasing borrowing for cars and other products. The mixed picture raises hopes that Americans may soon return to spending. That's a necessary component for economic recovery.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House says there's no meeting set yet for President Barack Obama to talk over health care strategy with Republican and Democratic lawmakers. Speaking last night, Obama said he'd like to sit down with Republicans, Democrats and health care experts to decide what's next.

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

Pennsylvania Lottery Number

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

Big 4 2-7-2-8

Cash 5 22-27-29-37-41

Daily Number 5-1-1

Evening Quinto 4-0-5-0-3

Midday Big 4 3-1-6-1

Midday Number 8-2-8

Midday Quinto 6-4-0-3-9

Super 7 01-09-16-17-20-23-30-42-50-65-72

Treasure Hunt 04-06-07-23-25

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

Cancellations and Postponements

The Greater Susquehanna Valley YMCA’s are open—but all morning programs are cancelled. Afternoon programs are still on schedule at the Sunbury and Milton YMCA’s.

The Harrisburg Area Community College is closed—all campuses, and the Public Safety Center is closed.

Northumberland National Bank branches will have a delayed opening, opening at 10a.m.

The state department of health H1N1 Vaccine clinic is cancelled today.

Luzerne County Community College is closed.

The Himmel’s Church Relay for Life roast beef dinner is postponed until February 20th,

No weekend activities at the Halifax School District.

Be sure to tune to Newsradio 1070 WKOK for the latest Winternet announcements.

Sports Schedules and Scores

Men’s College Basketball

Navy 81 Bucknell 79
USMMA 69 Susquehanna 59

High School girl’s basketball

Northumberland Christian 53 Meadowbrook Christian 52
Shikellamy 39, Milton 31

High School boy’s basketball

Northumberland Christian 59 Meadowbrook Christian 49
Sunbury Christian 41 Watsontown Christian 38

High school basketball schedule today due to postponements:

Boy’s games:
Lewisburg at Midd West 7:30
Milton at Danville 7:30
Selinsgrove at Jersey Shore 7:30
Mount Carmel at Hughesville 7:30
Shamokin at Shikellamy 6:30
Meadowbrook Christian at Line Mountain 7:30
Southern at Warrior Run 7:30
Montoursville at Mifflinburg at 7:30

Girl’s games:
Pine Grove at Selinsgrove 7:30
Wyalusing at Lewisburg 7:30
St. John Neumann at Lourdes 2:15

Wrestling postponements:
D4 Team Duals at Milton delayed from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Central at Southern 7p.m.
Mount Carmel at Upper Dauphin postponed until Tuesday

Boys and Girls bowling:

Shikellamy at Selinsgrove 2 p.m.
Midd-West at Danville postponed to Feb. 12th

Hollywood and people news

Sheen’s car stolen and wrecked

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Around the same time Charlie Sheen was reporting that his Mercedes has been stolen, police found it hundreds of feet down a cliff near his home. Police say they looked in the car and all around it and couldn't find any evidence that anyone had been in the car when it went over the cliff. Police say Sheen couldn't have been in the car because he would've been badly hurt and couldn't have climbed back up the cliff.

Census Bureau defends costly ad

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Ed Begley Junior is the middle of a controversy not of his own making. Begley stars in a commercial urging people to take part in the Census that will air during the Super Bowl. The government spent $2.5. million of your tax dollars for the spot. Census officials says it's a good investment, which will be recouped if they get enough people to mail back their census forms. But John McCain says the government shouldn't be wasting that much money "to compete with ads for Doritos."

Oscar nominated movies back in theaters

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Not many people have seen some of the Oscar nominees, so they've opened in more theaters today or have been re-released. Best picture nominees "Precious" and "An Education" are adding hundreds more theaters. "Crazy Heart" will open in hundreds more theaters so people can see nominees Jeff Bridges and Maggie Gyllenhaal.

Timberlake to get pudding pot from Harvard

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) - Multifaceted entertainer Justin Timberlake is coming to Harvard University to be honored as the Hasty Pudding Man of the Year. The Grammy and Emmy award winner will receive his pudding pot from the nation's oldest undergraduate drama troupe at a roast scheduled for Friday. Hasty Pudding Theatricals said the singer, songwriter, actor and producer was selected because he's "one of pop culture's most influential entertainers." Timberlake is one of the stars of the upcoming movie "The Social Network." The movie expected to be released later this year is about the early days of the Facebook social networking site - set at Harvard. Actress Anne Hathaway was honored as Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year last week.