Sunday, March 2, 2008
Threats and aggravated assault charges land a Selinsgrove man in Jail
SELINSGROVE - A 37-year-old Selinsgrove man is facing numerous charges, including assaulting a police officer, after investigators were called to his Snyder County home for a possible drug overdose early this morning. State police say officers were called to the residence of Ernest Welch at 58 Salem Manor Court in Selinsgrove. Police had to break into the home because of the potential of an overdose, when no one answered the door.
Once inside, police took Welch into custody for an unrelated investigation that they were conducting. At that point, Welch allegedly spit on two troopers. He was taken to Evangelical Community Hospital, where he allegedly spit on an officer again. Upon transfer to the state police barracks at Selinsgrove, officers say Welch proceeded to urinate on the floor, on a toilet and on a bathroom wall. He also allegedly made threatening remarks to troopers.
As a result, Welch was arraigned on six counts each of Aggravated assault on a police officer, simple assault and harassment, along with single counts of disorderly conduct, terroristic threats, and industrial vandalism.
District justice Leo Armbruster set bail at $25,000. Welch was locked up in Snyder County Prison after failing to post bail following the incident early today in Selinsgrove. (Terry Diener).
Middle School girls learn science at Bucknell
LEWISBURG – The focus was science for over thirty middle school girls Saturday at Bucknell University. The first Girl’s Play Fair was held by the University’s Women’s Resource Center. Student Event Coordinator of the Center, Lenore Flower, says the day was aimed to instill an interest in the subject at a young age and also to realize that science san be fun.
The girls took part in five stations learning about chemistry, by making ice cream from liquid nitrogen, computer science, by animating cars and people, wiring electronics to focus on electrical engineering, moving Jell-O through different liquids to learn mechanical engineering and making chromosomes out of candy to learn biology.
The event was made possible thanks to a grant from the American Associate of University Women, and Director of the Women’s Resource Center, Micheala Denny, says they hope to hold another girl’s play fair next year. (Sara Bartlett)
Area family members of injured soldier hold fundraiser
MIDDLEBURG— A fundraising event is being held this afternoon for a soldier who was badly injured in Iraq last month. Family members of 23-year-old, Randy Moore, reside in the Middleburg area and wanted to do something to raise money to help with Moore’s recovery. Moore, a resident of West Virginia, was on patrol in Fallujah when he stepped on a mine. His arms and legs were severely burned and Moore has been in critical condition at a hospital in San Antonio. The benefit will be held Sunday at 2p.m. at the Middleburg Towne Tavern. The event will include a karaoke contest and auctions. Many area businesses have donated items for the events.
A dryer causes fire dispatch in Selinsgrove over the weekend
SELINSGROVE— Fire crews responded to a dryer fire in a home in Selinsgrove Saturday afternoon. Reports say the call came in around 12:45p.m. for a dryer fire in the basement of the residence located on 8th Street in the borough. Crews quickly extinguished the fire and removed the dryer from the home. No structural damage is reported and no reports of injuries. Fire crews from Selinsgrove, Hummels Wharf and Shamokin Dam responded to the scene. (Sara Lauver)
State Police kept busy by crashes
STONINGTON – State Police report a number of crashes Friday night and Saturday morning during times of snowfall and poor visibility. 56-year-old Judith Dickson of Sunbury will be cited for after losing control of her vehicle on Route 147 in Lower Augusta Township, and striking a guardrail. No injures reported in the 7:20pm crash. The citation is being filed before Justice Carl Rice.
And an early morning crash in Upper August Township is being investigated. 38-year-old Heidi Ludwig was said to be driving north on Route 61, when her vehicle lost traction with the roadway, struck a tree and rolled over. Ludwig was not injured. Americus Ambulance and Sunbury Fire responded to the scene of the 1:10am crash. (Matt Farrand)
Golf clubs found by State Police
SELINSGROVE – Did you lose your nine iron? State Police in Selinsgrove say they recovered several golf clubs Friday morning from along the Old Trail Road in Monroe Township. Troopers say calling 374-8145 and providing a description can claim them. (Matt Farrand)
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
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Allegheny County has taken in nearly $3 million in its first month of collecting taxes on poured alcoholic drinks and rental cars. County Treasurer John Weinstein says the drink tax brought in $2.57 million in January. The car rental tax gave the county $267,000. If those figures turn out to be the norm, the county could realize more than $34 million from the taxes this year. But Weinstein cautions against extrapolating an annual revenue based on one month. The 10 percent drink levy and $2-per-day car rental tax were approved last year to help pay for the county's $30 million subsidy for public transit. Restaurateurs and bar owners say January's revenue from the drink levy shows they have been overtaxed.
SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - A Roman Catholic bishop has praised the generosity of a casino owner charged with lying to the state Gaming Board. Scranton Bishop Joseph Martino is thanking businessman Louis DeNaples for helping fund the University of Scranton's new student center. The $35 million complex, dedicated yesterday, is named for DeNaples' parents. Martino thanked the DeNaples family, saying he'd be lost without their help. DeNaples, who owns the Mount Airy Casino Resort, is charged with lying about his alleged mob ties. He and the Rev. Joseph Sica, a family friend also charged with perjury in the case, attended the campus event. Both men maintain their innocence.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Friday and Saturday 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
SATURDAY NIGHT
Daily Number
5-9-6
Big 4
1-3-4-1
The winning numbers drawn Saturday night in Powerball are:
2-19-21-31-55
Powerball: 19
Estimated jackpot: $153.3 million.
Power Play: 4
SATURDAY MIDDAY
Daily Number
2-4-8
Big 4
5-3-5-4
Treasure Hunt
11-15-20-21-23