Monday, February 8, 2010

Commissioners, judge settle on court budget

SUNBURY – Northumberland County Commissioners, and President Judge Robert Sacavage announced an agreement Monday to effectively end a dispute over the county court budget that had lingered from the end of 2009.  The courts will now get about $2.9 million dollars for 2010.  The figure is about $100,000 more than amount originally proposed for operating expenses.  The judge had sought legal action against the commissioners to reinstate the $600,000 they had initially cut. 

The commissioners also agreed to pay legal fees for both sides incurred during the dispute, totaling about $50,000.  The agreement had apparently been worked out over the weekend, through negations involving Commissioner Vinny Clausi and two court department staffers.

Rep. John Murtha of Pa. dies at 77

WASHINGTON (AP) - A spokesman says Democratic Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, a retired Marine Corps officer who became an outspoken critic of the Iraq war, has died. He was 77.  He had been suffering complications from gallbladder surgery.  In 1974, Murtha became the first combat veteran of the Vietnam War elected to Congress. He wielded considerable clout for two decades as a leader of the House subcommittee that oversees Pentagon spending. But frustration over the Iraq war led him to call for an immediate pullout of U.S. troops in 2005. 

Murtha's congressional career was clouded by questions about his ethics - from the Abscam corruption probe in 1980 to more recent investigations into the special interest spending known as earmarks and the raising of cash for election campaigns.

More snow is on the way

UNDATED – AccuWeather says our next winter storm will start late Tuesday afternoon or evening and about four to eight inches of snow is predicted. The forecast indicates that areas to our south and east will get more snow, with twelve-inch accumulations possible.

Non-profit organization in search of crutches and canes for Haiti victims

MILTON – A non-profit organization wanting to help the victims in Haiti following the earthquake came up with a unique contribution that others may not know is very much needed.  Tim Wagner is campaign manager for the “Help Haiti Walk On” initiative.  Walk On is a non-profit group that helps individuals with assistance in purchasing medical equipment and providing financial assistance related to medical hospitalization.  The local group decided they wanted to do something to help those injured in the earthquake in Haiti.

Wagner says there are a number of amputations being done to help the victims of the quake and they will need canes and crutches while they are healing, before they can be fitted for prosthetics.  Wagner says they are asking residents to donate canes and crutches to the cause.

The collection sites identified so far include the West End Fire Company in Laurelton and the Middlecreek Area Community Center in Beaver Springs.  More sites will be identified soon.  The walk on foundation can also be found online at walkonfoundation.com and on Facebook too.  (Ali Stevens)

U.S. Senate candidate calls part of healthcare “absolutely broken”

SUNBURY – Peg Luksik of Johnstown is a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, hoping to face off against Senator Arlen Specter in the general election.  First she will have to beat Pat Toomey in the primary.  Luksik was a guest on our On The Mark Program on Monday and talked about how her grassroots campaign works.  She says she has already visited 55 counties in the state and believes it is time that politics is taken to the people.  Luksik says she wants to hear what Pennsylvania has to say and says people do want an elected official who does want to talk to them and is a good listener. 

Luksik also talked about the part of healthcare that she feels is “absolutely broken”. She says Medicare is going to be bankrupt and recent reports indicate that will happen in the next three years.  Luksik says senior citizens have followed all the rules and are in a healthcare system that will not be able to pay its bills.  Luksik says she would move it to an insurance voucher system so that instead of the government being in the business of providing healthcare, the government guarantees access to healthcare.  Luksik says when you move it into a voucher system; you change the way that the system works. 

You can hear more from Peg Luksik from our Monday On The Mark Program online at www.wkok.com.  (Ali Stevens)

Police believe a former Columbia County man was murdered

NEW WASHINGTON – Police are investigating a possible murder of a former Columbia County resident.  30-year-old Doyle Musselman Jr., who used to live in Orangeville, was found dead near a camper he had moved into recently in New Washington, Clearfield County.  Police say they found Musselman’s frozen body last week outside the trailer and the body was bloody and beaten.  According to the Press Enterprise, Musselman is the grandson of Reuben and Pauline Albertson, who were injured in an arson fire at their home last May.  That fire was reportedly set by Colton Barrett, who is charged with several counts of arson for a number of fires in the Orangeville area. 

Wintry I: Expect up to 6” additional snowfall this week

STATE COLLEGE – Though snowfall measured 11” in some spots, the Central Susquehanna was largely spared the major accumulation seen to the south. AccuWeather meteorologist Matt Keefe says the big storm dumped more than two feet of snow to the south, and was kept there due to cold, dry atmospheric pressure.

Thus, there was little if any snow north of Interstate 80. He notes that the Scranton are received no snow at all. The National Weather Service has posted a Winter Storm Watch for tomorrow evening into Wednesday. Keefe says the Central Susquehanna Valley may not be so lucky this week.

Preliminary estimates of snowfall for Tuesday into Wednesday are for three-to-six inches on top of what is already on the ground. Keefe says if the storm tracks further to the south, it will pick up moisture from gulf coast, and the potential exists for higher snowfall amounts. (Matt Farrand)

Wintry II: Belated birthday party for 40th US President

WEST MILTON – The SUN Area Council of Republican Women’s celebration of President Ronald Reagan’s birthday will be a belated one. The 40th US President would have been 99-years-old February 6th, but snowfall postponed the festivities in his honor.

It is now planned for Saturday, February 20th at the fire hall in Freeburg. Union County Vice-President Carolyn Conner says there will still be chocolate birthday cake and the former president’s favorite jellybeans. US Senate candidate Peg Luksik was among many candidates originally confirmed to appear.

The event is meant to be a birthday celebration; thus there will also be children’s games, such as “pin-the-tail on the elephant,” and signing of valentines for veterans at the VA Hospital in the Wilkes-Barre area. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 2 to 12, with a maximum donation of $20 per household. More information at 568-1217. (Matt Farrand)

Wintry III: Snowfall heavier to south of Central Susquehanna region

UNADATED – As predicted, the snowfall reported Friday and Saturday was heaviest to the south. Selinsgrove and Lewisburg with about 8” on the ground, while the Herndon area got about 11”. Westbound motorists on Interstate 80 had a detour to deal with through the evening hours Saturday.

PennDOT says it took crews until nearly 5:00 p.m. Saturday to clean up enough of the wreckage of two tractor-trailers near milepost 215 to allow single lane driving conditions. PPL Utilities reports no power problems in the region, though Lancaster County still had a dozen or so customers without power early in the early morning Sunday. (Matt Farrand)

Fire destroys a garage in Mount Carmel

MOUNT CARMEL – Fire crews from across the coal region were called to the scene of a garage fire last night in Mount Carmel. The fire started around 11 p.m. in a garage at 12 North Walnut Street in Mount Carmel. Crews remained on the scene until 12:30 this morning putting out the fire. No injuries were reported. The investigation continues into what caused the garage fire. (Ali Stevens)

Three injured in weekend wreck

SHAMOKIN DAM – Three southbound motorists were injured in a chain reaction crash on Routes 11 & 15 Saturday afternoon. State troopers say 20-year-old Matthew Mangan of Kennett Square failed to stop in time to avoid hitting vehicles driven by local drivers.

Mangan was injured in the 3:45 p.m. crash near Park Road, as were 34-year-old Ty Drumm of Sunbury and 57-year-old Kay Cramer of Liverpool. All were wearing seat belts, and their injuries are described as minor. A passenger in Mangan’s vehicle was uninjured. Mangan was ticketed for the crash. (Matt Farrand)

Two New Columbia residents injured in a crash Friday night

NEW COLUMBIA – Two teens from New Columbia were injured in a crash Friday night in White Deer Township, Union County. State police say 17-year-old Katelynn Mollica was traveling east on Ridge Road near Feather Hill Lane when she lost control of her vehicle and struck a curb.

The vehicle spun out and struck a fence. Mollica and her passenger, 15-year-old Erica Caris, were taken to Evangelical Community Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. No other vehicles were involved in the crash. Mollica was cited for the accident around 7:30 Friday night. (Ali Stevens)

Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce was on Roundtable

SUNBURY – The Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce was back on Roundtable over the 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 were on our Roundtable over the weekend—along with other guests—talking about the chamber’s strategic initiatives. You can hear Roundtable at www.wkok.com.

Making 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)

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 (Matt Farrand)

Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Rep. John Murtha was "Jack" in his western Pennsylvania district, where once-prosperous coalmines and steel mills dot the mountainsides.  On Monday, those in his district mourned the loss of the longtime congressman. But they also worried about their future without the man who had steered hundreds of millions of federal dollars to the district over the years, money that has translated into jobs.  Murtha was first elected in 1974 and was chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee on defense spending. He was unapologetic about bringing money home, saying he was "for taking care of the people I represent."  Democrats, Republicans and independents on the streets of Johnstown all agreed Monday that Murtha brought jobs to the hardscrabble city and its suburbs. They said they supported him for that reason, even if they disagreed with him on some other issues.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says he was saddened to hear of the death of Rep. John Murtha and called his fellow Democrat a steadfast advocate for the people of Pennsylvania for nearly 40 years.  Obama on Monday called Murtha a devoted husband and a loving father who had a "tough-as-nails" reputation. The president says Murtha's passion for service was born during his military career and carried over to his congressional service.  Obama says Murtha was a respected voice on issues of national security.  Murtha died Monday at the age of 77.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Gov. Ed Rendell is delivering his annual budget speech for the last time as Pennsylvania faces a difficult financial future.  Rendell is expected Tuesday to call for higher spending on public schools and to discuss the massive financial problems looming for Pennsylvania after he leaves office.  The second-term Democrat is prohibited by the state Constitution from running for a third four-year term. That makes 2010 his last year in office. He'll address a joint session of the Legislature at 10:30 a.m.  The governor is expected to announce an approximately $29 billion spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1. That's an increase of about 4 percent.  But recession-ravaged tax collections are lagging behind expectations, which may make it challenging to absorb spiraling pension and health care costs.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Students in public schools in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have gotten their wish - a snow day. The Philadelphia School District announced Sunday afternoon that all schools will be closed on Monday due to the weekend's monster storm. There are about 161,000 students in district schools. A spokesman says charter schools have another 33,000 students, but each of those schools will make its own decision on whether to open. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia said there would also be no classes for its 45,000 students. The Pittsburgh Public Schools also announced that all schools would be closed Monday. Pittsburgh has about 26,000 public school students.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Authorities in western Pennsylvania say they are investigating three deaths that may have been related to the massive storm that struck the region. The Allegheny County Medical Examiner's office says a 60-year-old man and his 19-year-old daughter were found dead at 12:18 a.m. Sunday of apparent carbon monoxide poisoning. Officials say they had been using a generator for heat because of an electrical outage at their home in McKeesport, about 15 miles east of the city center. Blood tests will be done to determine whether they died of carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas that can be produced by heaters and generators and can be deadly if used in an area that is not properly ventilated. An autopsy is also planned on a 57-year-old man found dead Saturday evening at his home on the North Side of Pittsburgh after shoveling the sidewalk at his sister's home.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - When Ed Rendell delivers his annual budget speech for the last time Tuesday, the governor known for bringing a kitchen-sink full of priorities is expected to outline a narrower set of goals. For one, the second-term Democrat has a short time to coax a politically divided Legislature. Also, Pennsylvania's recession-ravaged tax collections are likely to leave little room for an ambitious agenda. Then there's the approaching November election that many say will deter legislators from taking up controversial issues. Lawmakers expect an approximately $29 billion spending plan that is likely to include another hefty increase for public schools, perhaps Rendell's top priority. But lawmakers do not expect him to seek an increase in the state's personal income tax. The governor has said he will revive last year's failed proposals to impose new taxes on the extraction of natural gas and sales of cigars and smokeless tobacco. He also is expected to try to start a discussion of how to address the expiration of federal stimulus aid in 2011 and a pension-obligation spike that will explode to $4 billion.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - When it comes to the cash that fuels gubernatorial campaigns, Democrat Dan Onorato and Republican Tom Corbett are cruising into the height of primary season with full tanks. Campaign finance reports filed last week give a view of who is manning the pumps. It's an assortment of labor unions, law firms, at least two out-of-state billionaires and numerous corporate executives whose business interests include natural gas, coal, education and insurance. Standing out as the top fundraisers are Onorato, the Allegheny County executive, and fellow county resident Corbett, the state attorney general. As of Dec. 31, Onorato's campaign had $6.5 million on hand and Corbett's had $3.2 million. None of the other candidates reported even close to $1 million.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's Democratic State Committee won't be making an endorsement in the contest for the gubernatorial nomination. Two separate votes Saturday failed to produce the necessary two-thirds majority for any of the candidates. State Auditor General Jack Wagner attracted the most support but fell far short of the total needed for an endorsement. Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato finished second. The state committee also endorsed former Philadelphia city controller Jonathan Saidel for nomination as lieutenant governor. Earlier Saturday, the committee voted overwhelmingly to endorse Republican-turned-Democrat U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter for nomination for a sixth Senate term.

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

Update on the latest in business

Dow: -103.84 (9,908.39)

S&P 500: -9.45 (1,056.74)

NASDAQ: -15.07 (2,126.05)

Chinese spy gets more than 15 years in prison

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) - A Chinese-born engineer convicted of espionage and other federal charges in California has been sentenced to more than 15 years in prison.  Dongfan "Greg" Chung was sentenced Monday in Santa Ana after a judge ruled in July that he hoarded sensitive information about the U.S. space shuttle and a booster rocket with the intent to pass it to China. It was the United States' first trial on economic espionage charges.  The government believes the 74-year-old Chung began spying for the Chinese in the late 1970s. Prosecutors say the stress analyst used his 30-year career at Boeing Co. and Rockwell International to collect 300,000 pages of sensitive documents in his home.  Chung has been in custody since he was convicted of economic espionage, acting as a foreign agent, conspiracy and lying to federal agents.

Iowa AG files charges over film tax credits

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The Iowa attorney general's office has accused two filmmakers, their companies and the former manager of the Iowa Film Office of mishandling tax incentives designed to lure moviemakers to the state.  Wendy Runge, of St. Louis Park, Minn., and Matthias Saunders, of Minneapolis, were charged Monday with first-degree theft. Former film office manager Thomas Wheeler faces a misdemeanor misconduct charge.  Runge and Saunders are accused of unlawfully inflating values on applications for tax credits totaling more than $10,000.  Wheeler's attorney, Gordon Fischer, says the state doesn't have a valid case against Wheeler. Saunders says he wasn't aware that charges had been filed against him.  E-mail sent to Runge's company was not immediately returned.

PA Lottery

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

Midday Big 4

     3-1-0-4

Midday Number

     7-7-1

Midday Quinto

     8-4-8-9-8

Treasure Hunt

     06-16-21-26-30

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

Michael Jackson's doctor pleads not guilty

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The doctor who prosecutors say caused Michael Jackson's death has been released from jail after posting $75,000 in bail, only a few hours after surrendering to authorities on a manslaughter charge.  Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore says Dr. Conrad Murray was released Monday afternoon. Earlier in the day, he appeared in Superior Court and pleaded not guilty. He faces up to four years in prison if convicted.  Murray's lawyer says the doctor plans to return to his medical practices in Houston and Las Vegas while he awaits trial.  However, state officials say they plan to ask that the court suspend his medical license while he is free on bail.

Super Bowl XLIV was tops on TV

NEW YORK (AP) - The Super Bowl was watched by more than 106 million people, surpassing the 1983 finale of "M-A-S-H" to become the most-watched program in television history.  The Nielsen Co. estimated Monday that 106.5 million people watched the New Orleans Saints upset the Indianapolis Colts. That beats the "M-A-S-H" finale, which had 105.97 million viewers in an era when there were fewer television sets.  Compelling story lines involving the city of New Orleans and its recovery from Hurricane Katrina and the quest for a second Super Bowl ring for Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning propelled the viewership.  The game also obliterated the previous record viewership for a Super Bowl - last year's game between Arizona and Pittsburgh in which 98.7 million people watched.

After weeks of furor, public sees Tebow ad

UNDATED (AP) - Viewers primed for controversy over a Christian ministry's Super Bowl ad featuring football star Tim Tebow might be asking, "Is that all there is?" Focus on the Family revealed beforehand that the ad would feature Tebow and his mother, Pam, who gave birth to him in 1987 after rejecting a doctor's advice to have an abortion for medical reasons. But if abortion rights groups hadn't protested, you might never have known what the ad was about. The closest it comes to mentioning abortion is when Pam Tebow says, "I call him my miracle baby. He almost didn't make it into this world. I can remember so many times when I almost lost him." Tim Tebow then bursts in and tackles his mom, who responds that she's tougher than he is. The ad ends by saying viewers should go to Focus on the Family's Web site for the full Tebow story.

Super Bowl-Advertisers

NEW YORK (AP) - The laughs are back. Betty White plays football and a house made of Bud Light cans falls slowly apart. It must be the Super Bowl -- or at least the advertising showcase that entertains amid the gridiron action. The commercials got off to a funny start Sunday night on CBS, with companies like Anheuser-Busch and Coca-Cola going straight for chuckles. Villanova marketing professor Charles R. Taylor says the lighthearted tone is working this year because the ads still manage to tell people what the brands stand for. Not every commercial was strictly humorous. Automaker Toyota aired several pre-game ads to reassure worried owners after its accelerator recalls.

Electricity From Air

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - An energy company is planning to dig a series of salt caverns in central Utah that could help solve one of the problems holding back more widespread development of wind and solar power. Magnum Gas Storage LLC plans to dig some caverns first for storage of natural gas -- a service in high demand in the Rocky Mountains. Eventually, Magnum is looking to dig other caverns for compressed air, which it would pump underground to hold excess energy generated by a wind farm and a planned solar farm in Utah's west desert. Solar and wind power is so erratic -- the wind doesn't always blow; cloud cover can shut down solar cells -- that utilities and power grids can take only so much of it. Storing renewable energy would make balancing loads on the power grid easier.