Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Man jailed on half a million dollars bail after sexually assaulting a teen

SNYDER CO – A man who now lives in Massachusetts is in jail after allegedly sexually assaulting a teen girl in Snyder County.  60-year-old Dennis Hood Sr. was extradited from Massachusetts after he reportedly had repeated sexual contact with a 15-year-old girl over a year period in 2006 and 2007.  Hood was arraigned before District Justice Willis Savidge Tuesday on 30 counts including involuntary indecent assault, deviate sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault and endangering the welfare of a child.  He is in Snyder County Prison in lieu of $500,000 bail. (Sara Bartlett)

Revenue Secretary confirms economic slowdown

SUNBURY – How much money state government collects in taxes can be an indicator of economic growth, or retraction.  State Secretary of Revenue Thomas Wolf says the state collected about $290 million more through the end of February than what his department estimated a year ago.  However, Wolf says 2008 tax estimates were lowered in anticipation of reduced economic activity.  He says the rate of economic growth in the Commonwealth is about half what it was a year ago, reflected by reduced collections of payroll taxes and others. 

Wolf believes the state can weather almost any economic slowdown on the horizon due to wise government budgeting, a diverse economy and an improved outlook for export businesses.  He cites New Jersey, Florida, Illinois, and California among states that overestimated revenue they would collect, and are thus running deficits.  (Matt Farrand) 

Adult Probation Chief in NoCo take a job in Dauphin County

SUNBURY – After five and a half years on the job, Northumberland County Adult Probation Chief Michael Potteiger, is heading back to where he started.  Potteiger is leaving Sunbury to become Director of Adult Probation and Parole in Dauphin County, a department he had previously worked in for 14 years as a supervisor.  Potteiger says it was a difficult decision to leave the area, and while all work is not done here, he says the department has made great progress, including the expansion of the drug court to a DUI and mental health court, as well as the creation of a K-9 unit.  Potteiger’s last day is Friday March 28^th. 

President Judge Robert Sacavage, who appoints the position, is in the process of looking for a replacement.  Probation Supervisor Michael Yasenchak will serve as interim chief until a new one is hired. (Sara Bartlett)

Hotel Edison arsonist gets up to seven years in prison

SUNBURY – The Sunbury man accused of arson at the Hotel Edison will serve time in prison.  Northumberland County Judge William Wiest sentenced 24-year-old Jared Linkus to seven years in state prison after he plead guilty Monday to two counts of arson.  Linkus also plead guilty to setting fire in the bathroom of a Sunbury bar, just days before the hotel fire, as well as filing two false arson reports to Northumberland County 911.  Linkus was also ordered to pay the Hotel Edison over $6,800 in restitution and more than $24,200 to the insurance company of the property.

Linkus set fire to his second floor apartment in the Hotel Edison on November 10^th.  He was arrested the same day.  Damages to the hotel were estimated at $100,000. (Sara Bartlett) 

Sunbury teen charged with forgery and theft

NORTHUMBERLAND – A Sunbury teen faces charges after allegedly stealing a credit card and using it to purchase clothing.  19-year-old Jacquelyn Norris is charged with three felony counts of forgery, as well as one misdemeanor count each of access device fraud, theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property.  In May, Norris reportedly took a credit card from a Point Township resident then used it at the Susquehanna Valley Mall.  She will appear before District Justice Robert Bolton in the upcoming months. (Sara Bartlett)   

Sunbury Mayor approves grievance against the city

SUNBURY— A grievance that was filed against the city of Sunbury by police officer, Bradley Hare, has been approved.  Mayor Jesse Woodring, says he was disappointed that Hare decided to take the matter to the public instead of going to him directly.  Woodring says he believes Hare should have been watching out for our children and people on the streets instead of spending that time at a council meeting watching out for his union.   He says its now finished business and he’s glad it’s finally resolved.  Officer Hare filed the grievance after he was docked nearly two hours of pay for attending a City Council meeting last month.  (Sara Lauver)

Conservative college paper reprints after copies trashed

LEWISBURG - A newspaper published by a conservative student group at Bucknell University ended up being reprinted after vandals destroyed many copies.  Vandals trashed more than 1,000 copies of The Counterweight on Feb. 18. The next day, the paper reprinted about 500 copies – but they were all stolen within an hour.  The complete February issue was reprinted and distributed across campus again on Feb. 26, and those weren't vandalized.  Editors of The Counterweight say they believe the papers were stolen because they had articles critical of the university's sponsorship of a forum on climate change.

Days of Caring 2008…just about a month away

SUNBURY – The Greater Susquehanna Valley and Union County United Ways are teaming up this year to organize the annual Days of Caring.  The goal is to get over 200 community volunteers to help out over a span of two days at non-profit organizations in Northumberland, Union and Snyder counties.  Days of Caring Committee Chair, Randy Shroyer, says the two day event is a way to give back to the non-profits that help the community everyday.  Work projects will include landscaping, painting and yard work.

Last year, over 25 agencies were helped during the event and Shroyer says thousands of dollars were saved because of the volunteers.  Typically area businesses and university groups are asked to get involved in Days of Caring, but, according to Shroyer, individuals are also welcome to volunteer. The 2008 Days of Caring will be held April 18^th and 19^th.  For more information or to volunteer, call the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way at 988-0993. (Sara Bartlett)

Creative ideas for cardboard

LEWISBURG – Don’t just toss that old refrigerator or television box in the trash!  The Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority is hosting a class Wednesday to give some fun and inexpensive ideas for what to do with the heap of cardboard.  A LARA board member will share design ideas for creative ways to play.  LARA Executive Director Angela Zimmerman says the Cardboard 101 workshop is perfect for teachers, parents or babysitters. 

They ask that everyone in attendance be over the age of 14, and that participants bring their own utility knife, fresh blades and straight edge to help cut.  The class will be from 7:30p.m.-9:30p.m Wednesday at the old PA House Showroom on St. Mary Street in Lewisburg.  Cost is $3.00 for residents of East Buffalo Township, $5.00 for non-residents.  For more information call 524-4774. (Sara Bartlett)

“Talk with the Doc” about heart disease

Big Bison Bookstore gets bad review from existing store

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)

Sunbury council will nix fee that angered ‘professionals’

SUNBURY— Sunbury City Council will revisit an ordinance that was passed last December implementing a 100-dollar fee on city professionals. Councilman, John Shipman, says it was passed last minute at the end of the budget cycle and no one understood how comprehensive it was or how many people it would affect.

He says council members are looking into some possible amendments, including a reduced fee of 40-dollars, which would only increase the longer a person waits to make the payment. Shipman says council members will take the next 30 days or so to go over the ideas and consider such revisions.

He says the city will hopefully be able to generate the same kind of revenue needed to pay its bills, while also being a little kinder to those who have to pay it. The fee was originally viewed by council as a way for the city to collect revenue without a tax increase, especially from people who work but don’t live or pay taxes in the city. (Sara Lauver)

A ‘Bud’ to Norry remembered…Charles “Bud” Ditton passes away at 68

NORTHUMBERLAND – A long time PineKnotter is being remembered for his contributions to public life in Northumberland Borough. Charles “Bud” Ditton is being remembered as a “dear friend of (Northumberland) borough.” Council President Bryan Wolfe writes in a release of Ditton’s legacy as a leader who used a combination of persuasion, detail and feistiness in service to the community.

Ditton was a 1957 graduate of Northumberland High School, a US Marine Corps veteran and graduate of both Bloomsburg and Bucknell Universities. Ditton taught mathematics in both Philadelphia and Delaware, then worked in Switzerland for many years in the emerging computer field for banking firms and other businesses.

He returned to the US and received a PhD from Pacific Western University before teaching locally and serving on Northumberland Borough Council. Ditton was 68 and is survived by his wife Judith, their two children, one grandson and other family members. (Matt Farrand)

Dow Industrials enter day at lowest level since 2006

NEW YORK – Stocks enter the new day at their lowest level since 2006, led by banking and financial issues. Analysts believe earnings estimates are too high for the banking issues as the extent of the current credit crisis is not entirely known. The Dow Industrials lost nearly 154 points to 11,740. Locally: Financial stocks were mixed as Sovreign Bancorp lost more than 3.0% percent to close under ten dollars per share.

M&T Bank and the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust also retreated. Omega Financial and FNB bank each gained 0.5% percent. Omega enters the new day at 27.17 and FNB is at 13.50. Elsewhere, PPL Utilities and Weis Markets were down a fraction, Sara Lee was off 1.2% percent to 12.33, Conagra was off a fraction, but Community Health systems gained 0.2% to finish at 31.16. (Matt Farrand)

Local providers: Water here is drug-free

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 through 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)

Susquehanna University 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 26th and 27th 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)

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A package of mortgage-reform bills has been approved by the state Senate.  The chamber on Tuesday unanimously passed six bills designed to offer more protection to homebuyers, and sent them to the house.  The bills would require mortgage brokers to be licensed by the state.  Sen. Pat Browne, R-Lehigh, said that should make the brokers more responsible for ensuring that homebuyers get the kind of loan that is best suited for them.  Another bill would ban prepayment penalties on loans of $200,000 or less, instead of current law, which only bans prepayment penalties for loans of $50,000 or less.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The state House has voted in favor of borrowing $850 million to encourage greater use of cleaner energy sources, a main element of Gov. Ed Rendell's energy strategy.  The 126-74 vote on Tuesday sent the bill to the Senate, which late last year approved a different version that requires much less borrowing.  The House bill's sponsor, Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York, called it "an across-the-board, strong economic development, environmental protection bill."  It would expand solar manufacturing, use of advanced coal technologies and electricity conservation, as well as underwrite related research.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Two Democratic candidates for state treasurer survived a challenge to their candidacy when a court ruled their nominating petitions were valid.  Both cases involved whether the candidates collected at least 100 signatures in five different counties, as legally required. In both cases, a Commonwealth Court judge ruled on Tuesday that they did.  That means Dennis Morrison-Wesley and state Rep. Jennifer Mann of Lehigh County will both appear on the April 22 Democratic primary ballot.  Mann had previously won a separate challenge to her nominating petitions.  The other Democrats running for state treasurer are Rob McCord and John F. Cordisco.  Tom Ellis is the only Republican running.

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

 Daily Number

     3-4-3

 Big 4

     6-7-7-0

 Treasure Hunt

     4-12-20-22-23

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