Monday, March 10, 2008

Pharmaceutical risk downplayed by local water suppliers

SUNBURY – A five-month study by the Associated Press says trace amounts of drugs such as antibiotics, mood stabilizers and sex hormones are in the drinking water of 24 major cities.  Locally, general manager Dan Ramer of the Sunbury Municipal Authority says the study is a good indication of how thorough testing can be these days, as the substances found are sometimes measured in parts per trillion.  Ramer says Sunbury city water is tested for copper, lead, and other contaminants.  Chlorine and fluoride are added to it.

There are no current requirements to test for pharmaceuticals, but Ramer says if the state DEP or federal EPA believe the problem is legitimate, they will make sure testing covers it.  Ramer notes about 95% percent of the city’s water comes from Little Shamokin Creek, with the remaining 5% taken from the Susquehanna River, usually only at times when the creek is low.

Meantime, Pennsylvania American Water company spokesman Terry Maenza says the water industry ahs been aware of the presence of drugs in the water for the better part of 30 years. Maenza says Pennsylvania American has equipment to test for pharmaceuticals, but to do so before the EPA deems it necessary would be premature.  He notes the regulated water utility already tests for e-coli bacteria, lead, copper, radon and other contaminants. Pennsylvania American is fresh water supplier in numerous townships in the region.  (Matt Farrand)

A ceremonial groundbreaking for the Union County Public Library

LEWISBURG – Expansion and renovations will get underway on the Union County Public Library.  A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for 10 a.m. on Thursday to mark the start of construction.  Kathleen Vellam, library director, says it will take less than a year to complete and is looking forward to the changes.  Those changes include more room for books, a community room, handicapped accessibility and other features for teens and children.  The library will remain open during construction and the public will be asked to get involved in a capital campaign in April to help raise the other half of $2.5-million still needed to pay for the project. 

The library opened on Reitz Boulevard in 1989 and one renovation project was done in 1996.  This will be the second addition and will add 7,000 square feet of space.  There are currently about 12,000 customers using the library in Lewisburg.  (Ali Stevens)

Possible construction of big bookstore worries one local owner in Lewisburg

LEWISBURG – When Murrie Zlotziver took over the Page After Page bookstore on Market Street in Lewisburg last month, he was aware that the Bucknell community was interesting in connecting the campus more with the downtown, but he wasn’t aware that plans to move the University Bookstore were in the works.  Now, he worries that he won’t be able to keep up with a possible big name bookstore.  He says he can’t compete with a bookstore that has a lot of buying power and that can offer discounts.

Page After Page is located at 336 Market Street, and according to Bucknell’s Vice President for External Relations, Charles Pollock, two possible locations for the new bookstore are properties on 400 Market Street or 416 Market Street.  Pollock says the store will likely serve as an academic superstore, selling textbooks and Bucknell gear, as well as mainstream books.  Although Pollock says the majority of the community is supportive of the project, he acknowledges those who may be a bit worried and says that they will do everything they can to keep those businesses downtown.

In addition to the bookstore, Bucknell plans to put an administration building, as well as an art center in downtown Lewisburg.  Currently an architectural firm is surveying the properties, which Pollock says will take around six to eight weeks.  If all goes well, he predicts work to be underway by the end of the year, and the buildings to open by the end of 2009. (Sara Bartlett)

SU hosts film series in preparation for death penalty seminar

SELINSGROVE  -- In connection with their two-day seminar on the death penalty, the Arlin Adams Center for Law and Society at Susquehanna University is hosting a free film series starting this week.  The Oscar award winning movie, Dead Man Walking, will be shown on campus Thursday in the Isaacs Auditorium at 8:00p.m and at the Campus Theater in Lewisburg on Sunday at 1:30p.m.  PBS Frontline film, The Execution, will be shown Friday at 6:00p.m. and at 9:00p.m. in the Isaacs Auditorium.  And, PBS Documentary, Race to Execution, will be shown on Thursday at 6:00p.m. and Saturday at 2:00p.m, both in Isaacs Auditorium.

Susquehanna University’s seminar entitled ‘Should the Death Penalty Be Abolish?’ will be held March 26^th and 27^th and will feature panels on lethal injection in America and whether the death penalty is moral.  Guests for the seminar include Sister Helen Prejean, a nun who operates a prison ministry in New Orleans, and is the author of the book Dead Man Walking.  Also speaking will be Kirk Bloodsworth, who was convicted of sexual assault, rape and first-degree murder, but was the first man exonerated in the U.S. by DNA testing.  For more information and a full schedule go to www.susqu.edu/deathpenalty.com. (Sara Bartlett)

Comprehensive plan/voting info presented in Union County this week

LEWISBURG – The Union County Planning Commission is holding three meetings this week to inform the public of their progress on the county’s comprehensive plan.  During the meetings, community members will see the strategies and displays for future growth, as well as be able to provide feedback and input.

In light of the importance of Pennsylvania’s Primary Election, the Union County Commissioners will also use these meetings as an opportunity to provide the public with voting information.  A county elections officer will be on site to assist with new voter registrations, voter party affiliation changes and to demonstrate the county’s touch screen voting machine. 

The outreach meetings are open to the public and will take place at 6:30p.m.Tuesday at the Carriage Corner in Mifflinburg, 8:00a.m. Wednesday at the Union County Government Center in Lewisburg and 6:30p.m. Wednesday at the Hartley Township Community Center in Laurelton.  For more information you can go online to www.cultivatingcommunity.net. (Sara Bartlett)    

Stolen vehicle in Point Township

POINT TOWNSHIP – Point Township police say a vehicle was stolen from the American Legion parking lot in Point Township on Sunday.  The vehicle was taken sometime between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.  The vehicle is described as a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee, white in color, with a roof rack, sun roof and gold rims.  The license plate is FWA 0556.  Anyone with information is asked to call state police.  (Ali Stevens)

State police investigate a theft from a home in Montour County

LIMESTONE TOWNSHIP – State police are looking for more details about a theft at a home on Bush Road in Limestone Township, Montour County.  Sometime over the last three weeks, someone took two ATV wheels with tires from the home, valued at about $300.  The wheels and tires were stored on the property in front of the garage.  Anyone with information is asked to call state police.  (Ali Stevens)

Northumberland man arrested for a DUI in Milton

MILTON – State police arrested a Northumberland man early Sunday morning for a DUI in Milton.  Troopers say 24-year-old Aaron Michaels was arrested on Route 642 at Route 405 in Milton around 1:30 Sunday morning.  He was suspected or driving under the influence and will face a number of charges.  He was released and faces a hearing in the coming days.  (Ali Stevens)

Milton man charged with DUI and resisting arrest

No major problems from the rain fall Friday and Saturday

UNDATED – The rainfall Friday and Saturday has not caused many widespread flooding problems in our area. There were volunteer fire calls for basement flooding during the weekend. Friday and Saturday, 1.8 inches of rain fell at the Penn Valley Airport near Selinsgrove.

Elsewhere, rainfall amounts varied in the past 24-hours, from about a half an inch, to just over 1-inch. About ¾” of an inch of rain was reported Saturday in Weikert, in Union County. One rain gauge in Lycoming County measured 1.36 inches, and there were several temporary road closures along the Muncy and Pine Creeks. There may still be some local road closures there.

As for the impact on local waterways, no major roads were significantly impacted in our area. The At Sunbury, the river is nearly 21 feet and is rising slowly. A crest today between 21 and 22 feet is expected this morning. No major problems are expected from river flooding.

The river at Danville and Bloomsburg is approaching 18 feet. A crest near the flood stage of 19 feet is expected this morning. Crests near the flood stage are expected this morning. Susquehanna River at Lewisburg crested about 15’ Sunday. Penns Creek is at about 7 feet and falling.

Investigation continues into a suspected DUI crash

MIDDLEBURG – State police continue to investigate a suspected DUI crash Sunday afternoon near Middleburg. Troopers say 47-year-old Kevin Bickhart of Beaver Springs lost control of his vehicle on Route 522 around 2:30 p.m. The vehicle went out of control and rolled over.

Troopers say Bickhart was under the influence of alcohol and speeding at the time of the incident. Middleburg Fire Company had to extricate Bickhart from the vehicle and directed traffic around the accident scene. Bickhart was taken to Evangelical Community Hospital where he was arrested for DUI and treated for moderate injuries. (Ali Stevens)

Home improvement ideas at the Susquehanna Valley Mall

SELINSGROVE—The Landscape and Garden showcase is underway and will continue through March 22nd. Culligan Water Conditioning, based out of Lewisburg, is one business taking part in this year’s event. Rick Wapinsky tells us the benefits of water softeners range from better skin and hair to economic savings.

Of course, it’s all part of the Landscape and Garden Showcase taking place at the Susquehanna Valley Mall. Many area businesses will be available to show you’re their ideas and answer any questions. Special events are being held this Saturday and are sponsored by the stations of Sunbury Broadcasting Corporation, The Daily Item and Danville News. (Sara Lauver)

Storm-related outages in the Valley

SUNBURY—Some residents in our area were without power Saturday after a storm filled with rains and high winds swept through the valley. PPL reports that over 1,300 customers in Mahoning Township were without power and a few residences into Valley Township were also reporting an outage. Other residents in portions of Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties also reported storm-related outages overnight.

Milton man being held in New Jersey

WATSONTOWN— A car that was stolen last week in Watsontown has been recovered by New Jersey State Police. The Daily Item reports that the car was recovered in New Jersey on Friday after police stopped and arrested 26-year-old, Jeffrey Snyder of Milton.

He was stopped for an unrelated incident on Interstate 80 in New Jersey. Watsontown police say Snyder faces charges of theft, receiving stolen property and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He is being held in a New Jersey jail on $10,000 bail.

Teaching teen girls good steps for a successful future

LEWISBURG – The annual Junior Achievement Young Women’s Futures Symposium is Tuesday at Bucknell University. Junior Achievement hosts the annual event, which is a non-profit agency that provides services to schools throughout the area. The event is for 10th and 11th grade girls who will learn a number of tools to help direct them toward a successful future in the workplace.

Each table of girls is also teamed up with adult facilitators, who offer the girls advice and help direct them throughout the day. Each school in the region is offered six scholarships for girls, which are identified by their guidance counselors as girls who need some help and direction for their futures. Throughout the day, there will be guest speakers, workshops and activities. (Ali Stevens)

Community pool struggling financially will officially close

WATSONTOWN – Borough council has decided to close the community pool in Watsontown. They voted this week to close the pool, citing costly repairs and renovations to the pool, which has been open for 36-years.

Borough maintenance foreman Dale Stahl tells WNEP there are cracks in the concrete casing and ceramic tiles and the pool is losing anywhere from an inch to an inch and a half of water per day. Borough officials say that could be as much as 13,000 gallons of water a day. (Ali Stevens)

Major drug bust in the Mount Carmel area

MOUNT CARMEL – There was a large drug bust in the Coal Region on Friday with 40 alleged drug users and seller charged. The News Item reports the Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force rounded up the suspects ranging in age from 17 to 60. They were taken into custody during a six-hour raid that began around 6:30a.m. in Mount Carmel.

Police seized heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and prescription pills. They also found cash, rifles and drug paraphernalia. Most of the suspects were sent to the Northumberland County Prison after failing to post bail. The drug offenses took place from December of 2006 to February of this year. Several local police departments assisted in the drug bust. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (AP) - The chancellor of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education is leaving to become the new president of the University of Mary Washington.  Judy Hample was selected as the school's new president on Monday by the Board of Visitors of the Fredericksburg school. She has been chancellor of Pennsylvania's 14-campus, 110,000-student public university system since August 2001. She succeeds William Frawley, who was fired by UMW's Board of Visitors nearly one year ago, after he was charged with driving under the influence twice in a two-day span. He was later convicted of the charges in Fredericksburg and in Fairfax County.  Hample's appointment as Mary Washington's eighth president is effective July 1.  The University of Mary Washington is a public, coeducational institution enrolling 5,000 students.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The state Education Department says fewer school districts will be able to raise property taxes above the inflation rate for next school year without seeking approval from the voters.  The department granted referendum exceptions to 102 of Pennsylvania's 501 school districts this year, compared to 210 districts last year.  State law requires school districts to keep tax increases within an inflationary index that varies from district to district.  Larger tax increases must be placed on the April 22 primary ballot unless districts can demonstrate to state officials or a county judge that the increases are linked to certain factors beyond their control. Those factors include the costs of pension contributions, special education and health insurance.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A company says pills found inside a Pennsylvania family's fish fillets last month were harmless over-the-counter herbal supplements.  Gorton's Inc. spokesman Jud Reis says the incident remains an isolated case and federal authorities continue their investigation.  Test results indicated that the pills a Shrewsbury woman reported finding as she and her daughter ate Gorton's fish fillets pose no risk to people. The woman and her children sought medical attention but weren't sickened.  As a precaution, the Gloucester, Mass.-based company recalled about 1,000 cases of its 6 Crispy Battered Fish Fillets in 11 states. Reis said the voluntary recall's harmed the company's business, but it's hard to say how much.

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

            Daily Number

     0-8-5

            Big 4

     7-7-2-1

            Treasure Hunt

     6-12-13-22-30