Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Umbrellas will get a lot of use over the next 24 hours

PENNS CREEK – One to three inches of rain is expected over the next several hours, according to the National Weather Service, and that means the river and creeks will rise.  It’s possible Penns Creek could overflow its banks in Penns Creek by Wednesday morning, cresting at about 9 feet, with flood stage at 8 feet. 

Also, the Susquehanna River continues to rise and will approach caution stage of 20 feet in Sunbury by Thursday morning.  If we get closer to 3 inches of rain, the river could crest at about 22 feet, with flood stage at 24 feet. 

The river at Danville and Bloomsburg will crest below flood stage, but should approach caution stage.  The West Branch of the River at Lewisburg will also crest below flood stage Thursday morning. 

Melting snow is also causing the river and creeks to rise.  (Ali Stevens)

Northumberland County Commissioners spar over ‘pager pay’ initiative

SUNBURY – The Northumberland County Commissioners have voted to eliminate pagers for some Northumberland County non-union employees who carry them.  This would consequently get rid of a $500 a month stipend, also known as ‘pager pay,’ that had been given to the five employees.  Commissioner Vinny Clausi brought the motion to the board Tuesday citing that the pay is a waste of money.  Chairman Frank Sawicki agreed, saying most pagers are obsolete, and it’s more cost effective to have a cell phone.

Although Commissioner Kurt Masser agrees that the ‘pager pay’ should be eliminated, he cast the lone ‘no’ vote on at the meeting because he thinks it’s an issue that should have been dealt with on an individual employee basis.  The ‘pager pay’ system has been in the county for over ten years and was a way to compensate employees who were on-call 24 hours a day, without raising their salaries.  All three Commissioners did agree that the decision would be discussed at the next salary board meeting. (Sara Bartlett)   

Merger of two PA banks expected to close March 31^st

STATE COLLEGE – FNB Bank’s buyout of Omega Financial is proceeding, as announced in November.  Omega CFO Daniel Warfel says if all goes as planned, the final official day of business for Omega will be March 31^st.  Meantime, shareholder meetings of both the Hermitage-based FNB and the State College-based Omega are planned for Wednesday the 19^th.  Shareholders will vote on the deal at that time. 

Omega shareholders are being offered slightly more than 2 shares of FNB stock for each Omega share they hold.  Details of the agreement are based on an Omega share price of 31.14.  Omega stock hit a 52-week high when the deal was announced in November and has drifted lower since, trading just under 28 dollars per share Wednesday.  (Matt Farrand)

Prison Board to discuss lawsuit at Wednesday’s meeting

SUNBURY – The Northumberland County Commissioners will be taking actions to defend themselves in the lawsuit filed against the county by the Lewisburg Prison Project.  Although Chairman Frank Sawicki did not get into the details of the lawsuit at Tuesday’s meeting, he did say that the Commissioners have authorized solicitors to take the appropriate actions. 

The lawsuit was brought up last week after non-profit group, Lewisburg Prison Project, filed complaints against Northumberland County Prison on behalf of several inmates.  Inmates named in the lawsuit allege poor medical and mental health treatment at the facility.  The lawsuit will be a topic of discussion at Wednesday’s prison board meeting. (Sara Bartlett) 

Former prison worker admits to a sexual encounter with an inmate

WILLIAMSPORT – A former Allenwood federal prison worker has admitted to a sexual encounter with an inmate.  54-year-old Paul John of Montoursville worked as a food service supervisor when he reportedly had sexual relations with a male inmate six times in late 2005 and early 2006.  John was confronted by authorities and resigned.  He will be sentenced in the coming weeks in U.S. Middle District Court and could face jail time.  (Ali Stevens)

Bake sale to be held in Lewisburg tomorrow

Selinsgrove rodeo star earns ‘full ride’ in Montana

SELINSGROVE— A senior at Selinsgrove High School is getting a lot of attention for her achievements in the Pennsylvania High School Rodeo Association. 18-year-old, Robbi Nace of Selinsgrove, has been earning top honors in the sport since her sophomore year of high school, but recently saw her team win the title of national champion last summer.

An honor, Nace says, has never happened northeast of the Mississippi before. Nace has received a full-ride to Montana State University where she plans to major in secondary education. She says she hopes to teach history for a while but also has plans to compete professionally. Nace was recognized for her achievements at the Selinsgrove School Board meeting last night. (Sara Lauver)

Luxury Apartments to be built along Route 11

SHAMOKIN DAM – Borough officials granted permission to a Florida-based development firm to break ground behind the Econo Lodge on Route 11. The Federated Home and Mortgage Company will be constructing luxury apartments.

The land where the buildings will be erected had been zoned as commercial, but was changed to residential by the Borough Council at last night’s meeting, allowing the company to begin clearing the land. Terry Wilt, Vice President of the company says they won’t take away from the natural beauty of the location, and intend to use the natural spring running through the area, to attract tenants.

Two structures will be built, containing 48 units each. Workers will begin clearing the land as soon as the weather permits. Wilt says the area is ideal for luxury apartment buildings. He hopes to have one building ready for occupancy within a year. (Clayton Gessner)

Power plant project will reduce harmful effects on the environment

SHAMOKIN DAM - Land development plans are in the works that will allow the Sunbury Generation Power Plant to abandon their existing smoke stacks. Having already submitted a preliminary sketch to the borough, officials at the power plant are calling this a “Voluntary Pollution Control Project.” They want to install a new system that would greatly reduce the amount of sulfur dioxide emissions.

Borough Manager Ed Hovenstine says they won’t have the final plans until next month. The planning commission must first review plans, before submitting them to council. The council will then review the plans to make sure they are within borough guidelines before making a final decision at their April meeting.

Workers are in the process of demolishing old buildings that are no longer used. According to the information that was submitted to the borough, the total capital investment for the project is estimated to be $175-million. The project will create over 400 temporary construction jobs over a 36-month period. All construction and renovation is expected to be complete by the end of 2010. (Clayton Gessner)

Local stocks survive up and down Monday

NEW YORK – Stocks survived a rocky day as the Dow 30 sustained minor losses at the close of business. Local financial and banking stocks were mixed as the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust gained 3.2% percent to close at 25.53. Omega Financial was up a fraction to 27.61. M&T Bank was down nearly 2.0% and Sovreign Bancorp lost a fraction, closing at 10.99.

More positive results for other stocks of local interest. Sara Lee gained nearly 3.0% percent to 12.93, Conagra and Weis Markets enter the new day up a fraction. Utility PPL is up 1.2% and health care provider Community Health Systems is up more than 2.0% percent to 31.74.

The Dow Industrials flirted with a 100-point loss at a couple of points during the day, before recovering to close at 12,258, down about 7 points. Oil prices trading at record levels, and disappointing reports on construction spending and manufacturing brought out the sellers. (Matt Farrand)

Ex-man and wife charged with separate alcohol related offenses

SELINSGROVE – A man who wanted to talk with his ex-wife in jail for public drunkenness is himself a DUI suspect. State Police in Selinsgrove claim 37-year-old Travis Schreck of Middleburg walked into the lobby of their headquarters, requested to speak with the woman, but admitted to driving there after consuming an unknown number of alcoholic beverages.

Troopers say he failed a field sobriety test and was taken into custody. Further tests at Evangelical Community Hospital revealed his blood alcohol content was above the legal limit. Schreck is being charged in District Court with DUI. (Matt Farrand)

Rutgers University hires local college coach

SELINSGROVE – A local assistant football coach is jumping from a small college to a major college program. Susquehanna University offensive coordinator Gary Brown is taking a job at Rutgers University, effective for the 2008 season. Brown will coach running backs for the Scarlet Knights, considered one of the top Division I teams in the east.

Brown is a veteran of seven seasons playing in the NFL, and prior coaching experience in the Williamsport area before joining the Susquehanna staff in 2006. Head Coach Steve Briggs says Brown did a tremendous job with the Crusaders and is wishing him well. (Matt Farrand)

Metal powder production plant fined by the DEP in Watsontown

WATSONTOWN – A metal powder production plant in Northumberland County has been fined for numerous air quality violations. The DEP fined the Hoeganaes Corporation of Watsontown $30,000 for violations that began in 2006 and were associated with the company’s insulated particle process and excessive emissions of methylene chloride, which is a hazardous air pollutant.

The DEP says the violations occurred over a two-year period, despite attempts made by the DEP to reduce emissions within acceptable limits. Because the plant wasn’t able to achieve compliance, Hoeganaes shut down the insulated particle process in July of 2007. The $30,000 fine will be paid to the clean air fund. (Ali Stevens)

Lawsuit filed against the State DEP by 54 municipalities

HARRISBURG – More than 50 municipalities in the middle part of the state have filed a lawsuit against the state DEP about the costs for reducing nutrients that flow downstream to the Chesapeake Bay. The Patriot News reports that the Commonwealth Court lawsuit argues that nearly all the mandated costs, estimated at more than a billion dollars, are being assessed on ratepayers of sewage treatment plants, which are responsible for a fraction of nutrient discharges.

The lawsuit also contends that the 2000 Chesapeake Bay Agreement, involving Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C. may be legally invalid and that the DEP violated several state laws in how it chose to implement the pact. More details and the municipalities involved have not been released yet. (Ali Stevens)

Sawmill fire case to be actively investigated

POINT TWP. – The investigation continues into the circumstances surrounding a fire that did about $360,000 worth of damage to a local sawmill. State Police Fire Marshall Norman Fedder says the case will remain active for up to five years, in view of the apparent tension between the owner of Mountain Ridge Products, and Point Township supervisors.

Owner Mark A. Heintzelman of Selinsgrove reportedly filed a claim against township supervisors in January, asserting they are failing to protect residents by not enforcing a clean-air ordinance.

Business partner Sherry DiSiena says the mill along Hookies Grove Road was the site of previous vandalism, and there were unconfirmed reporters of a vehicle driving quickly from the area shortly before the fire was reported late last Monday night. Marshal Fedder says the massive amount of damage made pinpointing the exact cause impossible, though he says it started inside the building. (Matt Farrand)

Penn State students to present their beginning conceptual design for Sunbury

SUNBURY – Penn State architecture and design students will present their research for revitalizing Sunbury this Wednesday. The students have been working in their class as well as with city officials to create a master plan for development in certain areas of the city.

A few months ago the students presented the initial plan to the public, which included designs for Cameron Park, and a change in streetscape for the downtown and Stroh Alley. After taking the public’s input into consideration, they have created their beginning conceptual ideas. The meeting is this Wednesday from 6:30p.m.-9:00p.m. in the council chambers and the public is encouraged to attend. (Sara Bartlett)

Kindergarteners in Line Mountain School District honor Dr. Seuss’s and reading

DALMATIA – Kindergarten students at Dalmatia Elementary School honored Dr. Seuss’s birthday Monday. The kids made and wore the trademark red and white striped hats while listening to 94KX’s Drew Kelly read the popular book “Are You My Mother” by P.D. Eastman. The day helped emphasize the importance of reading.

Kindergarten student Riley Heim says he loves to read all kinds of books, and thinks it’s exciting to look at pictures and also find words that he knows. Dalmatia Elementary was just one of many area schools that will honor Seuss and reading this week. Dr. Seuss, whose real name is Theodore Seuss Geisel, was born March 2nd, 1904 and died in September 1991. (Sara Bartlett)

President of the State Farm Bureau visits with WKOK

SUNBURY – The President of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau was a recent guest on WKOK’s Leaders and Lawmakers program, talking about the proposed budget, farmland preservation and other topics. Carl Shaffer is pleased with the Governor’s budget for agriculture, for the most part, saying assistance was brought back for crop insurance to the level it was two years ago.

There was also money earmarked for the REAP program. However, Shaffer says more money is needed for agricultural research. Shaffer says in 1949, the average farmer was producing food for 19 people, whereas now, the average farmer supplies food for 143 people. He says that’s because of the research that shows farmers how to be more efficient.

The farm bureau president also touted the state’s farmland preservation program, saying it’s one of the best in the nation and other state leaders often come to Pennsylvania to model their program after ours. To date, Shaffer says we have preserved over 382,000 acres of farmland in Pennsylvania. (Ali Stevens)

5th annual Women’s Day Out a success in Lewisburg

LEWISBURG – Celebrate life and relax. That was the message from nationally known motivational speaker Sue Kirby to over 100 women who attended Evangelical Community Hospital’s 5th annual Women’s Day Out over the weekend. Kirby is known for her humorous speeches, encouraging women to celebrate their daily lives.

She talked about differences between women now, as opposed to generations ago, saying nowadays women create too much stress around their lives, while years ago they allowed themselves time to enjoy the day. She says celebration of daily life doesn’t have to be expensive and can be simple, but the point it to actually take the time to do it.

During the daylong event, which was held at the Country Cupboard in Lewisburg, women participated in activities including flower arrangement, jewelry making, yoga, cake decorating, hula dancing and wine tasting. (Sara Bartlett)

State police investigate a stolen vehicle case near Catawissa this morning

CATAWISSA – State police want to know who stole a vehicle from a home near Catawissa early this morning. Troopers say the Chevy Suburban was taken from a home on Sharp Ridge Road in Mayberry Township, Montour County. The vehicle was parked in a driveway and was left unlocked with the keys in the ignition.

Troopers say there were also numerous tools, parts and a welder inside. The vehicle is maroon in color with license plate WR33601. It also has American flags on the rear side windows and white turtle stickers on the tailgate area. Anyone with information on the missing vehicle is asked to call State Police at Stonington. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Pennsylvania State Police commissioner says troopers told top agents of the Gaming Control Board about a perjury investigation.  Current and former gaming board officials have accused the state police of withholding information about the probe from them before they voted to give a casino license to Louis DeNaples. The northeastern Pennsylvania businessman is now charged with perjury. He maintains he's innocent.  Tuesday's testimony from State Police Commissioner Jeffrey Miller would contradict what the gaming board has said. As Sen. Jake Corman put it: "At the minimum, someone isn't being honest."  A gaming board spokesman says the agency has no comment.

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) - A 24-year-old Hazleton man has admitted beating his estranged wife and young daughter with a baseball bat.  Kelvin DeJesus pleaded guilty Tuesday to three counts of aggravated assault for the Sept. 13 attack. As he was led to jail, he said, "I'm sorry."  Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney David Pedri says he's glad he doesn't have to put a 6-year-old girl on the stand to testify against her father. Sentencing is scheduled for June 2.

BERWICK, Pa. (AP) - Operators have shut down the Unit 1 reactor at PPL Corp.'s Susquehanna nuclear power plant to begin a planned refueling and maintenance.  While the reactor is shut down workers will replace about 40 percent of the uranium fuel and complete a number of equipment maintenance tasks and upgrades.  Unit 2 at the plant continues to operate at full power.  Unit 1 is expected to be generating electricity again by the middle of April, before the arrival of summer weather and the increase in electricity use by consumers.  The Susquehanna plant is located in Luzerne County about seven miles north of Berwick.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - The lawyer for the third Penn State football player charged in connection with a campus fight is questioning how his client was identified. Defensive tackle Phil Taylor's lawyer also says he will look into whether Taylor had been defending himself.  Taylor is charged with felony aggravated assault as well as misdemeanor charges of simple assault and disorderly conduct.  Authorities say Taylor along with two former Penn State players already charged beat up a man during a dance in October. The victim was treated at the scene.  Taylor also faces one count of summary harassment and stalking.  He was suspended from the team last month.  Former players Chris Baker and Navorro Bowman were kicked off the team in January and are awaiting trial.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Tuesday in the midday Pennsylvania State Lottery drawing:

 Daily Number

     5-9-0

 Big 4

     3-7-7-9

 Treasure Hunt

     12-13-16-17-23

     (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)