Friday, February 26, 2010

Wolfgang trial delayed

SUNBURY – The Mount Carmel man charged with killing his wife will not go to trial in March, as expected, with the trial delayed until late summer or early fall.  The Northumberland County District Attorney’s office confirmed that the trial has been delayed for Steven Wolfgang, who is charged with killing his wife Sherry Wolfgang of Mount Carmel in January of 2007. 

President Judge Robert Sacavage ruled Wolfgang competent to stand trial last week, so the D-A’s office says additional testing needs to be done, since the prosecution is seeking the death penalty.  Wolfgang is charged with an open count of homicide after police say he killed his wife and put her body in a box before dumping it in a creek.  (Ali Stevens)

Encore ‘mental health update’ with the Dr’s Paolucci

SUNBURY – This weekend on our Roundtable program we have an encore broadcast of one of our award winning ‘mental health updates.’ Dr.s Stephen Paolucci and Susan Paolucci are the guests on the program recorded on the Geisinger campus in Danville—in 2009. We discuss new medicines, the fight against stigma and the federal health care legislation.

Susan Paolucci, a staff psychiatrist at Geisinger tells us, so far mental health coverage has been carved out of the Washington DC discussions, and that is not ideal. Dr. Stephen Paolucci, the head of the division of psychiatry is the other guest on the program. We discuss the importance of the electronic health record when it comes to mental health care and mental health research.

You can hear the encore 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.

Former congressman: Specter needs to retire

DANVILLE – Former Congressman John Peterson believes it’s time for Arlen Specter to retire.  The conservative, formerly from the 5^th District, says it’s time for a change and he believes Pat Toomey is the right choice. 

Peterson says no one should be elected to congress at the age of 80 and despite being friends with Specter for 40 years, Peterson says now is the time for him to go.  Peterson believes Toomey will win the seat held by Specter for 30 years.  Peterson also talked about President Barack Obama’s Healthcare Summit. 

He says American’s want reform other than what Obama wants.  Peterson believes Obama’s plan is a socialized takeover of the healthcare system, where the government will determine what healthcare you get and how much it will cost.  Peterson says American’s want market based reforms that will cut costs and improve efficiency with more preventative care. (Matt Bowen) 

Gordner questions the A-G’s audits

HARRISBURG – Senator John Gordner (R-27^th, Berwick) says he questions performance audits done by Auditor General Jack Wagner regarding mass transit agencies such at the Port Authority.  Gordner says a good portion of the revenue is based on the tolling of I-80, which doesn’t exist. 

Gordner says tolling hasn’t happened to date, and come July of this year, if the tolling of I-80 hasn’t occurred, there will be about a 50 percent reduction in monies that are available to PennDOT and mass transit agencies.  

Gordner and many other area politicians are strongly opposed to the tolling of Interstate 80, with a decision looming on whether or not it can be done.  However, the governor has budgeted proceeds from the tolling of I-80 for various projects in the proposed budget, totaling about $460-million in revenue. 

Gordner is an outspoken critic of this, along with Congressman Chris Carney (D-10^th, Dimock) and State Representative Merle Phillips (R-108^th, Sunbury). (Ali Stevens)

More snow and some high winds overnight

UNDATED – Snow drifts are forming, some high winds are affecting our area and some schools are delayed or closed—its all the result of our latest winter snow. Snowdrifts—especially in rural areas—are affecting roads and other areas today. Drifts two to three feet in some areas are occurring. Actual snowfall measurements are difficult to calculate. AccuWeather is sticking with their three to six inch total accumulation.

Right now, wind speeds at the Penn Valley Airport are averaging 15-miles per hour and gusting at about 30-miles per hour. These are currently the strongest winds in this storm. Wind speeds at Bucknell are averaging about 15-miles per hour this morning. They recorded gusts about 20-miles per hour earlier this morning.

Some schools are closed and others are delaying the start of their classes. The full list is posted at Newsradio 1070 WKOK’s Winternet. Additionally today, PennDOT imposed vehicle restrictions on I-80 in Northeast Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, PennDOT and the state police are restricting certain vehicle types from using Interstate 80 in northeast Pennsylvania.

The restriction applies to all commercial traffic (except school buses and tow trucks responding to incidents), motorcycles and recreational vehicles on I-80 in both directions between the New Jersey line and the interstate’s intersection with I-81 until further notice. Earlier yesterday, the same restriction was imposed on interstates 84 and 380 in northeastern Pennsylvania. Restrictions are posted on I-78 in Berks County as well.

Another Republican in the race for the 107th District

COAL TOWNSHIP – A Coal Township Republican is the latest to announce his intentions for the 107th legislative district seat, being vacated by the retiring Bob Belfanti (D-107th, Mount Carmel). Michael “Lance” Engle is a businessman in the Coal Township area, working with a local title company, Madison Settlements.

Engle is a newcomer to politics and says he would like to have a hand in bringing the kind of change to Harrisburg that would allow the state to have a budget surplus instead of a deficit. (Ali Stevens)

Harrisburg man killed in a crash on route 104 in Snyder County

MOUNT PLEASANT MILLS – A Harrisburg man was killed in a crash on Route 104 in Franklin Township, Snyder County yesterday afternoon. State police say 54-year-old Steven Schaffer was traveling north on Route 104 south of Summit Road and crossed over the center dividing line and struck a farm tractor in the left wheel area.

Schaffer’s vehicle then struck a car traveling south. Schaffer was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver of the tractor, 32-year-old Ryan Smith of Middleburg, and the driver of the car, 21-year-old James Nace of Richfield were not injured. Route 104 was closed for several hours while the crash was investigated and the wreckage was cleared. (Ali Stevens)

Businesses honored for longevity, resilience, and community involvement

WATSONTOWN – the Central Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce is honoring the Danville-based CATV COMPANY as Small Business of the Year. The company’s resilience, longevity and local community involvement were recognized during the chamber’s annual meeting and awards ceremony Thursday.

CATV President and General Manager Sam Haulman says it’s important that the cable service provider and production company keep its focus local. Haulman also says companies with less than 50 employees can be a driving force behind local economic recovery.

The McCann School of Business and Technology won the chamber’s Business of the Year Award, Facilities Director Chris Herbster of Phoenix Rehabilitation & Health Services accepted the Business and Education Award, and Woman’s Journal Publisher Tere Rill was named Volunteer of the Year. (Matt Farrand)

Former star MLB player and students honored by EconomicsPA

SHAMOKIN DAM – EconomicsPA held their annual Adam Smith Leadership Awards Thursday in Shamokin Dam. The Selinsgrove-based organization helps students learn about financial literacy through a number of activities.

Honored with the Adam Smith Leadership Award was former New York Yankees pitcher and Montoursville resident Mike Mussina, who has a degree in Economics from Stanford University. Also honored was Lewisburg School District Superintendent Dr. Mark DiRocco, for the district’s excellence in teaching economics.

But, it was the students who were received awards—which organizers say are what EconomicsPA is all about. Elementary school kids from St. Joseph Catholic School in Danville were in attendance. They placed first in the elementary division of the stock market game.

Also in attendance was former Pittsburgh Steeler Andy Russell who is on the board of EconomicsPA, as well as State Representatives Merle Phillips (R-108th, Sunbury), Russ Fairchild (R-85th, Winfield) and State Senator John Gordner (R-27th, Berwick). State Representative Garth Everett (R-84th, Muncy) of Lycoming County was also in attendance and presented the award to Mussina.

Campus Theater to show Afghanistan documentary

LEWISBURG – A documentary about Afghan women is coming to the Campus Theater this weekend, and features a local student. Palwasha Siddiqi is a Bucknell University senior who was born in Kabul, Afghanistan. The film Thread focuses on Afghan women entrepreneurs, including herself.

Siddiqi will talk before and after about her involvement in the film, and take questions. She will also talk about Kochah, a nonprofit organization in Afghanistan dedicated to providing humanitarian assistance and educational opportunities for deprived children. She says it’s an important organization to her because she hopes to return to Afghanistan and help.

The film will be shown Sunday, 3:00p.m. at the Campus Theater in Lewisburg. It is free and open to the public, but a collection will be taken to help Kochah provide education to additional children in Afghanistan. (Sara Bartlett)

Total is in…NFF raises most money in 12-year history

SUNBURY – The final total for the Salvation Army’s Needy Family Fund is in, and it is a record number. $128,236 was donated in 2009. That is up from just more than $122,200 in 2008. This far exceeds the $75,000 goal. Both the Sunbury and Milton Salvation Armies help thousands of local families this year during the holiday season.

Each year Sunbury Broadcasting Corporation, The Daily Item and Susquehanna Bank partner with The Salvation Army to help families with food and gifts during the holiday season. In addition, the Degenstein Foundation donates $25,000 to help the Needy Family Fund reach the goal. In its 12-year history nearly $1,800,000 has been raised for the Needy Family Fund. (Sara Bartlett)

Execution warrant signed for Lock Haven woman

HARRISBURG – Governor Ed Rendell signed an execution warrant Thursday for a Lock Haven woman accused of killing an 83-year-old World War II veteran. 30-year-old Shonda Walter is scheduled for lethal injection in April.

Walter was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death for killing her neighbor with a hatchet so she could steal and sell his car to pay off debts and gain entry into a street gang in Lock Haven. With this signing, Governor Rendell has now signed 103 execution warrants.

Thousands of bears killed by hunters

HARRISBURG – The 2009 bear harvest figures are in. The Pennsylvania Game Commission says hunters took a total of 3,052 bears. In our area, Union County had the most bears taken with 51. 44 bears were taken in Snyder County. There were six taken in Northumberland County and one taken in Montour County. A Lykens man took the largest bear in Dauphin County. The bear weighed in at 668 pounds.

Gov candidate coming to Danville

DANVILLE – A Republican gubernatorial candidate will be in Montour County on Saturday. Attorney General Tom Corbett will speak to the Montour County GOP President’s Day Dance on Saturday evening at the Danville Elks. Corbett will be the guest speaker at 7:00p.m.

Northumberland County Commissioner Kurt Masser, a candidate for the 107th District, will be the master of ceremonies at the event. Masser hopes to replace the retiring Bob Belfanti (D-107th, Mount Carmel).

Tom Marino, a 10th Congressional District candidate, has also been invited. He hopes to be the winning Republican in the primary to face off against incumbent Democrat Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock).

In New Berlin on Tuesday evening, a Republican in the race for the 85th District in the State House, will be hosting a meet the candidates event. Fred Keller will be at the Inn at New Berlin from 6 to 8 p.m. Keller is plant operations manager at Conestoga Wood Specialties and a former auditor for Middlecreek Township. He hopes to replace the retiring Russ Fairchild (R-85th, Winfield).

What to do with Lewisburg High School

LEWISBURG – Discussions continue on what to do with the Lewisburg High School building and other facility plans in the Lewisburg Area School District. Mindy Crawford of Preservation Pennsylvania will soon tour the district and offer insight on the facilities options.

Crawford was a guest on WKOK’s On The Mark program and says she is looking forward to the visit and would like to see what all the different proposals are about. Most importantly, Crawford says she would like to talk to the people in the district to learn more. She says it’s imperative for the district to choose a solution that suits the majority of the people involved.

Crawford says when talking with families in a school district, she often finds that people prefer the older buildings to modern ones because of the history and character it adds to their community. You can hear more from Crawford on preservation efforts in the state from our Thursday On The Mark program online at www.wkok.com. (Ali Stevens)

Sexting incident in Middleburg

MIDDLEBURG – A Middleburg woman has been charged for a “sexting” incident. Police say 36-year-old Michelle Stahl posed nude and had a 13-year-old girl take a picture. The teen then sent the picture to her own father, at the request of Stahl. Stahl is charged with two counts of corruption of minors for the incident that took place recently. (Ali Stevens)

Road projects getting underway

ALLENWOOD – Work will get underway next week on a road project along Route 15 in Allenwood. PennDOT says an upgrade project will be done on Route 15 at Russell Road in Gregg Township, Union County. The project is near the entrance to the Allenwood Federal Prison Complex.

The road will be reconstructed with intersection improvements, including adding a turning lane for Russell road from northbound Route 15. A traffic signal upgrade, resurfacing, drainage improvements and curbing are also part of the project, estimated to cost more than $860,000. Route 15 lane restrictions will be in effect during various phases of construction with minor delays possible. Work will continue through mid-May. (Ali Stevens)

Paying more at BU

BLOOMSBURG – Bloomsburg University is raising room and board fees by 5.5 percent for 2010-2011. The council of trustees approved room and board fees at their quarterly meeting and says rates went up about $198 per semester.

Jeff Long, interim vice president for Student Affairs, says Bloomsburg University’s room and board fees remain among the lowest of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education’s 14 universities. The Board of Governors for the state system of higher education will set tuition for the 14 state universities in July. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The winter storm that has had the Northeast on edge for more   than a day has begun tapering off in southern parts of the region.  Officials say that snowplows are making progress on New Jersey highways at midday Friday and that the Philadelphia airport now has both main runways and a secondary runway open.  The wind is easing and authorities have lifted a ban on empty tractor-trailers on four Philadelphia-area bridges between Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  The storm and its effects are still battering New England. The area is dealing with rain, snow, high winds and coastal flooding.   

UNION DALE, Pa. (AP) - It could be two more days before 57 students at a Philadelphia high school and their chaperones can get home after getting stranded by a strong winter storm during a class trip.  The students from Calvary Christian Academy were staying in a hastily assembled Red Cross shelter Friday in northeastern Pennsylvania while they wait for one of their vehicles to be repaired.  After being forced to cut short a ski trip to the Elk Mountain resort their buses got stuck in 4-foot snowdrifts Thursday night. Emergency workers transported everyone to a church in Union Dale, about 35 miles northeast of Scranton.  Seventeen-year-old Sarah Miller says it's been a bonding experience for the senior class.  It was already a star-crossed trip - one boy broke his collarbone while skiing and two girls were also hurt.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's government corruption trial has been delayed by the latest winter storm.  The opening of Friday's court session was postponed for two hours because of the weather.  The trial of former House Democratic whip Mike Veon and three former aides at Harrisburg's Dauphin County courthouse is now four weeks old. It is expected to stretch into March.  The defendants are accused diverting public resources and state employees for election efforts and other improper purposes.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The winter storm has already brought substantial amounts of snow to parts of eastern Pennsylvania. Forecasters say 19 inches of snow was reported shortly after 9 p.m. Thursday in Pocono Summit in Monroe County, and a dozen inches in Albrightsville in Carbon County. About nine inches was reported earlier in Tobyhanna, Monroe County, 7 1/2 inches in Allentown and six inches in other parts of Carbon and Monroe counties. PPL is reporting about 160 customers without power in its northeastern and central Pennsylvania area. PECO Energy reported no significant outages this evening but said crews are standing by to deal with any problems from expected heavy snow and strong winds overnight.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Hundreds of members of the Pennsylvania National Guard are being called up to help deal with a winter storm that's expected to dump more heavy snow on parts of the state. Guard spokesman Sgt. Matt Jones says the first 350 troops were activated around 8 a.m. Thursday and assigned to storm duty in northeastern and southwestern Pennsylvania. Jones says they'll put in a 12-hour shift, then be relieved by 350 fresh troops. Earlier Thursday, PennDOT dispatched a special response team in western Pennsylvania to help treat Interstates 84 and 380 in the Poconos. Six plows, a snowblower, and 14 workers were sent to supplement local PennDOT equipment. The storm has prompted hundreds of schools to close across eastern Pennsylvania, where snowfall totals of more than a foot are possible.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Former Rep. Mike Veon's press secretary says Veon told him to work on political campaigns on state time. Bob Caton said yesterday those directions were normally given to him directly inside Veon's offices in the state Capitol. Caton is the latest legislative aide to testify in the four-week-old public corruption case. Caton says he was involved in a wide range of campaign activities that included writing campaign materials on his taxpayer-paid computer inside the Capitol building. Caton says he knew it wasn't legal to be campaigning while on the clock inside a government building. He testified under a grant of immunity and cooperating with prosecutors in the theft, conspiracy and conflict-of-interest trial of Veon and former legislative aides Brett Cott, Steve Keefer and Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Former Lt. Gov. Mark Singel says he's withdrawing as a candidate for the 12th District Congressional seat vacated by the death of John Murtha. Singel is a Democrat and says the field of Democrats is too large and that the district needs to focus on a candidate who can move the district forward. Singel's withdrawal follows Murtha's widow's endorsement of the late congressman's longtime aide Mark Critz. Other Democrats running include former Pennsylvania treasurer Barbara Hafer and Cambria County Controller Ed Cernic Jr. Prospective Republican candidates include William Russell, who unsuccessfully challenged Murtha in 2008, and Eighty Four businessman Tim Burns.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Republican U.S. Senate candidate Peg Luksik is challenging GOP primary foe Pat Toomey to a series of public debates. Luksik's campaign said in a letter released yesterday that voters want to hear the candidates' views on major issues and are tired of party leaders choosing candidates for them. Toomey's campaign said the former Allentown-area congressman has already appeared with Luksik at four public forums around the state. It said he intends to debate the Johnstown activist before the May 18 primary. The state GOP endorsed Toomey for the Senate nomination earlier this month.

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

Updates on the latest in business

Dow: 10,342.80, up 21.77

S&P 500: 1,106.34, up 3.40

NASDAQ: 2,241.56, up 7.34

NEW YORK (AP) - Stock prices have remained firm today, despite ongoing worries about the strength of the economy. The key averages have managed to edge into positive territory.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The National Association of Realtors says sales of previously owned homes fell in January to their lowest level since summer. Analysts have been surprised at the renewed weakness in housing, given the extent of federal efforts aimed at boosting the market.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - AIG reports losing nearly $8.9 billion in the fourth quarter. While the results mark an improvement from the year-ago quarter, they were weaker than expected.

WASHINGTON (AP) - New York Democratic Congressman Charles Rangel says he will not step down as head of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee. That's after being admonished for violating rules by letting corporations pay for his Caribbean trips.

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

Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers

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

 Midday Big 4

     9-9-3-7

 Midday Number

     1-9-6

 Midday Quinto

     1-7-7-4-7

 Treasure Hunt

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

Big 4 6-1-0-5

Cash 5 05-13-31-38-41

Daily Number 5-7-8

Evening Quinto 0-2-7-2-9

Midday Big 4 2-8-8-8

Midday Number 3-2-6

Midday Quinto 2-3-4-7-6

Mix and Match 15-14-10-17-01

Treasure Hunt 06-08-13-16-28

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

Olympics making men cry

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- OK guys, you can admit it. You can confess to crying while watching the Olympics. You're not alone. A survey conducted by NBC shows 25 percent of the men watching the games have cried at some point. A total of 35 percent of the whole audience admitted to crying or getting teary-eyed. The survey also shows that a third of the viewers have put off paying their bills or doing the laundry to watch. And two-thirds are staying up past their bedtimes, making 42 percent of them "more tired than normal."

U2 leads Money Makers list with $108M earned

NEW YORK (AP) - If money makes the world go round, then U2's latest tour, which is dubbed "360 Degrees," proves this saying true.  The veteran act leads Billboard's 2010 Money Makers list, earning more than $108 million in 2009.  Bruce Springsteen is second with $57 million and Madonna follows with $47 million. AC/DC and Britney Spears round out the top 5 with $43 and $38 million, respectively.  Billboard compiles the list from monies earned through tours, CD and digital sales, publishing royalties and more.  Madonna topped the list last year; Springsteen came in third. Both U2 and Madonna have touring deals with Live Nation.

Philly museum sends SOS to care for historic ship
 

Missing actor found dead

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) - A sad end to a life filled with depression. Andrew Koenig's body was found yesterday in a wooded area of Stanley Park in Vancouver. His father, Walter Koenig says his son took his own life. Walter Koenig says Andrew "was obviously in a lot of pain" and had suffered from depression his whole life. Andrew Koenig was 41. During the late 1980s, he had a recurring role on "Growing Pains" as Richard "Boner" Stabone, a friend of Kirk Cameron's character, Mike. Andrew Koenig was last seen alive on February 14, while visiting friends in Vancouver.

Bad parents banned from Y games

SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) - Parents behaving badly -- and now they're banned. Organizers of a Massachusetts YMCA youth basketball league are fed up with rowdy grownups. Tomorrow, adults will be barred from watching the games at the Tri-Community YMCA in Southbridge. It's the last day of the season for the fifth- through eighth-graders. League organizers say parents have yelled at the refs and argued with each other. A Y official tells The Boston Globe they hope the parent ban will send a message about appropriate behavior.

Museums Attendance Spike

WASHINGTON (AP) - Many museums across the country saw a spike in visitors during the economic slump last year, even as they experienced increasing financial stress. A survey of nearly 500 institutions by the American Association of Museums shows more than 57 percent saw increased attendance in 2009. The study released Thursday reports increases at museums large and small. Museums said more visitors were opting for affordable "staycations," rather than expensive trips. And museums spent more on marketing to local visitors. The survey found the median price for adult admission was unchanged at $7. Still, more than two-thirds of museums reported financial troubles as investment income and government, corporate and philanthropic funding declined.