Saturday, March 1, 2008
15-year old female threatens judge
MIDDLEBURG— A 15-year old juvenile is being detained by Snyder County Juvenile Authorities after making several threats during the day at Midd-West High School Friday. Police in Middleburg say the teenage girl was upset as a result of action taken against another family member in Snyder County court earlier in the week. That’s when the student reportedly threatened to kill Judge Woelfel and personnel with the Snyder County Children and Youth Services. The teen faces charges of terroristic threats, harassment and others. A hearing is pending. (Sara Lauver)
Local stocks largely match market slide
NEW YORK – Stocks fell Friday, closing out the fourth down month in a row. The Dow Industrials lost more than 315 points to 12,266. As talk of another interest rate cut persists, amid concern that it would further weaken the US dollar, banking and financial stocks are feeling the pain. American Express, Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase among the Dow 30 to loose 4.0% or greater on Friday.
Locally: Sovreign Bancorp and M&T Bank were each down more than 2.5% percent. FNB Bank and Omega Financial were each down more than 3.0% percent. FNB fell to 13.71 and Omega closed at 27.51. Elsewhere, Community Health Systems is also down about 3.0% to 31.07. Sara Lee and Weis Markets each hit 52-week lows Friday. Utility PPL Corp is down nearly 2.0% and Conagra will enter the new trading week down a fraction, at 22.10. (Matt Farrand)
A new beginning as eight graduate from DUI Court
SUNBURY – Karen Haddon of Sunbury doesn’t remember the night police pulled her over while driving drunk and she had no idea she was driving on the wrong side of the highway. Haddon, who calls herself an alcoholic, was just one of eight people who graduated Friday from Northumberland County’s DUI Court. Haddon says it’s a great victory, but says she will continue to fight the disease her entire life. She is thankful to her family for their support and for the program that saved her life.
The DUI court is anywhere between 12 and 16 months long, depending on the offender’s sentence. Haddon calls the program intense, with frequent supervision and counseling, strict guidelines and firm treatment. Chief Probation Officer in Northumberland County, Mike Potteiger, commended Judge Charles Saylor, who handed out the graduation plaques, on working to move the court in the right direction. While the eight are now done the program Potteiger says they will continue to be under supervision for the next year.
Northumberland County is just one of nine counties in the state that have a DUI Court, Mental Health Court and Drug Court. This was the first batch of graduates for the DUI Court, and since the Mental Health and Drug Courts have already had graduations, Potteiger says the county’s efforts have now come full circle. In addition to Karen Haddon, others who graduated Friday include Mark Boyer, Joseph Burak, Marc Carnuccio, Jason Herrold, Jannice Mull, Patrick Seiberling and Kenneth Sobel. (Sara Bartlett)
“Leap Babies” arrive at Geisinger
DANVILLE – Some say youngsters born February 29th only have birthdays once every four years. As of Friday afternoon, Geisinger Medical Center reports the births of three so-called “leap babies.” A 7 lb., 4 oz. baby girl to Stacey and Kevin Woodley at 10:25am, a 7 lb., 14 oz. baby boy to Josh and Amanda Bush at 3:01am, and a 7 lb., 1 oz baby girl to April Barrows at 12:08am.
Notable February 29th birthdays include rapper and actor Ja Rule born in 1976, actor Dennis Farina born in 1944, and hockey hall-of-famer Henri Richard who is finally 18 and eligible for the NHL rookie draft. (Matt Farrand)
Bad weather halts Lewisburg recycling pickup
LEWISBURG – A note from the borough of Lewisburg: there will be no curbside recycling pickup tomorrow due to the threat of bad weather. The pickup will be rescheduled fro Saturday, March 8th. Residents can also drop off their recycling at the Lewisburg Recycling Center on Saturdays from 8a.m.-12p.m.
available. (Ali Stevens)
Women’s Day Out this Saturday in Lewisburg
LEWISBURG – Saturday is Evangelical Community Hospital’s 5th annual Women’s Day Out. Women will get a chance to hear from nationally known motivational speaker Sue Kirby, who focuses on positive and motivating messages in everyday life.
Coordinator of the event, Sheila Packer, says it’s a day where women can relax and rejuvenate while mingling with others. They can also participate in numerous activities such as dancing, yoga, cake decorating, floral design, jewelry making and wine tasting. Each person in attendance gets lunch as well.
Nearly 100 women are already attending the event, but registration is still open. The event takes place this Saturday from 8:00a.m.-4:00p.m. at the Country Cupboard in Lewisburg. The cost is $45.00 per person, and registration forms can be found online at www.evanhospital.com. (Sara Bartlett)
Boil water advisory in Middleburg
MIDDLEBURG – A boil water advisory has been set for residents on Schoch Street in the Middleburg Borough. This is due to a water main break in the area. Customers may experience cloudy water and low water pressure. The boil water advisory remains in effect until further notice.
Geisinger doctor writes text chapter on obesity
DANVILLE – A local doctor’s evaluation and recommendations for obesity are being included in a newly published medical manual. Dr. Christopher D. Still of Geisinger Medical Center is contributing a chapter on his area of expertise to a text used by health care providers. He covers all aspects of the disease, including how to treat it. Treatment strategies include diet, exercise, behavior modification and surgery in some cases.
Dr. Still’s writing appears in the 2008 edition of “Conn’s Current Therapy.” Dr. Still is also the author of a consumer’s guide to obesity and its treatment. It’s titled “Adult Obesity, and its Frequently Asked Questions.” It can be purchased at the Geisinger Medical Center gift shop or at Weis Markets. The doctor is Medical Director for Geisinger’s Center for Nutrition and Weight management, and the head of the department of adult obesity. (Matt Farrand)
Here is the latest Pennsylvania news from The Associated Press
ALTOONA, Pa. (AP) - Police say they've broken up a major cocaine and heroin ring in Blair County. Authorities say a grand jury recommended charging 29 suspects. Attorney General Tom Corbett says among those arrested were three central figures of the "Bloods" street gang.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Lawmakers from the Great Lakes region want voters to tell the presidential candidates how important the natural resources are to them. Scientists say the Great Lakes are teetering toward an ecological breakdown after years of exposure to toxic pollution and habitat loss. The lakes make up 90 percent of the nation's surface fresh water.
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Western Pennsylvania callers who want "Medicare Information" should not check the 2007 White Pages published by Verizon. That's because the toll-free number listed in that directory links callers to a Philadelphia-based sex chat service. Verizon spokeswoman Lisa Johnson says a correct Medicare number will be listed in the 2008 directory which will be distributed in March.
PITTSBURGH (AP) - A coalition of more than 100 nonprofits surpassed its fundraising goal by more than $400,000 to help Pittsburgh's finances. The Pittsburgh Public Service Fund gave $13.98 million from 2005 through 2007. The contributions are part of the city's five-year fiscal recovery plan. State financial overseers urged the city to seek voluntary payments from nonprofits. One-third of the city's property value is exempt from taxes.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Friday in the Pennsylvania State Lottery:
FRIDAY NIGHT
Daily Number
0-2-6
Big 4
8-7-9-6
FRIDAY MIDDAY
Daily Number
3-1-8
Big 4
0-4-2-4
Treasure Hunt
11-15-19-25-27
One player matched all five winning numbers drawn in Friday's "Pennsylvania Cash 5" game and will collect a jackpot worth $488,440. Lottery officials said 153 players matched four numbers and won $269.50 each; 5,918 players matched three numbers and won $11.50 each; and 76,299 players matched two numbers and won $1 each. The winning numbers drawn Friday in the "Pennsylvania Cash 5” game were: 19-25-28-41-42.
Tuesday's "Pennsylvania Match 6 Lotto" jackpot will be worth at least $650,000 because no player holds a ticket with one row that matches all six winning numbers drawn in Friday's game. The winning numbers drawn Friday in the "Pennsylvania Match 6 Lotto" game were: 16-22-30-32-42-43.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
HS basketball: PIAA Class AA girls first round play, Trinity beat Lewisburg, 77-41.
Several PIAA first round playoff games were postponed because of snow. They’ll be made up today. Class AAA boys: Selinsgrove and Hershey play at the Shikellamy Field House at 700pm, and the Danville vs. Scranton Prep game is at 7;30pm, at Scranton High School. Class A boys: Lourdes Regional vs. Old Forge is at 7;30pm at Marywood University.
College basketball: Bucknell men’s basketball visits Army in the Patriot League regular season finale. Air time on sister station Eagle 107 is 2:00pm, tip off at 230.