Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Sunbury’s new Police Chief settling in nicely

SUNBURY – Recently appointed Sunbury Police Chief Steven Mazzeo is getting settled into his new town and his new position.  He says so Sunbury has proved to be a pleasant place to live and work, and he has found the Police Department to be well motivated.  Mazzeo, who is a former Police Chief in Easton, says he does not see unfavorable aspects, whether it is crime, drugs or gangs in Sunbury that can’t be fixed.

Fight prompts numerous charges and jail time for Northumberland woman

NORTHUMBERLAND – A Northumberland women is in jail after getting into a fight with her grandmother.  On Sunday, 30-year-old Shannon McGuigan allegedly knocked her 77-year-old grandmother to the floor after getting into an argument.  Northumberland Police took McGuigan into custody and charged her will simple assault, harassment and recklessly endangering another person.  She was arraigned before District Justice Robert Bolton and sent to Northumberland County Prison on $25,000 bail.  McGuigan will face a preliminary hearing next week in Sunbury. (Sara Bartlett)    

SU College Republicans host 10^th Congressional District debate

SELINSGROVE – The two GOP candidates vying for the 10^th District Congressional seat will square off Monday in a debate.  Chris Hackett and Dan Meuser will debate national and local issues during a one-hour forum hosted by the Susquehanna University College Republicans.  Moderators, including WKOK’s Mark Lawrence, as well as a representative from The Daily Item and the SU College Republicans will each chose questions to present to the candidates.  Citing the importance of the race, SU College Republican Chairman Mike Ubbens says they want to give the community a chance to listen to what each candidate has to say, and then make an educated decision on April 22^nd.  Both Hackett and Meuser will try to unseat incumbent Democrat Chris Carney for the position.

The debate will take place Monday at 7:30p.m. in the Isaacs Auditorium on the Susquehanna University campus.  The public is invited to attend. (Sara Bartlett) 

All 3 Bucknell chaplains on national group's board

Gala is hailed a major success for a local hospital

LEWISBURG – The 2008 Evangelical Gala raised $65,000 this year, which will pay for a new infant security system at the hospital.  Last year, the gala raised $47,000 for the hospital, so this year’s total is $18,000 more.  Co-chair of the event, Ann Madison, says the event was a success because of the people who planned it, with a great group of enthusiastic women on the committee.

The infant security system works by putting an electronic band on a newborn’s ankle and if the baby gets too close to a door leading out of the maternity ward, the hospital is locked down immediately.  Madison says the system has been purchased and is already up and running at Evangelical Community Hospital.  (Ali Stevens)

Watershed journal looking for new submissions

SUNBURY – Submissions are now being accepted for the second issue of Watershed: The Journal of the Susquehanna.  The annually released journal includes written works that promote environmental awareness of the Susquehanna River watershed, as well as taking a look at the region’s culture, history, literature and art.

Four types of writings may be submitted.  They include nonfiction articles, up to 4,000 words, on the environment, history of culture of the region.  Short fiction stories up to 5,000 words.  Personal essays up to 5,000 words, that may be autobiographical or other, but must be rooted in a Susquehanna region experience.  And, up to five poems may also be submitted.  For photographers, up to five black and white photographs may be sent in for consideration in the journal.

E-mail submissions are suggested; with the subject line specifying which genre of writing is being presented.  For more information or to submit your writings and pictures send the works to Bloomsburg University professor and Editor of the Journal, Jerry Wemple, at river@bloom.edu.  The second edition of Watershed: The Journal of the Susquehanna is slated for publication in January 2009. (Sara Bartlett)

Columbia County retired farmer dies after truck runs of the road

J-A’s girl’s event, an inspirational success

LEWISBURG – About 140 students took part in the Young Women’s Futures Symposium at Bucknell University yesterday, which is hosted by non-profit group, Junior Achievement. The event is designed to empower girls in 10th and 11th grade, giving them confidence and helping them choose a good path for their future as young adults.

The keynote speaker was Harriet Turk of Memphis, who is a motivational speaker who has worked with thousands of students, encouraging them to develop their leadership skills. There were also breakout sessions, where the students learned about interviewing skills, communication and other topics.

Dozens of business leaders in the community took the day off from their jobs to serve as facilitators for the students, helping them through the day and giving them advice. The annual event was a great success according to Junior Achievement committee members. (Ali Stevens)

DES’s outraged parents: ‘Backwards decision makes no sense’

DANVILLE – Residents had their voices heard at last night’s school board meeting. Nearly 20 angry Danville citizens expressed their outrage over the board’s decision to close the Danville Elementary School. Plans are to take the 236 students out of Danville Elementary and move them to nearby Mahoning-Cooper and Riverside Elementary Schools.

These schools would undergo renovations to support the incoming students. Most residents argued that smaller class sizes are the key to their children getting good educations. Some had researched the topic and brought their findings with them to present to the board.

Danville resident Edward A’Zary feels the plan is completely backwards. He says that making renovations Mahoning-Cooper and Riverside, which are in worse shape than Danville Elementary, makes no sense at all. Talks of consolidating all four of the district’s Elementary Schools, including Liberty Valley, have been going on for nearly three years. A new building would be built for all elementary students.

The proposed site of this new building would have been near the high school. With the board’s vote to close the Danville Elementary School, it will cost taxpayers nearly six million dollars more than the original consolidation plan would have. (Clayton Gessner)

Fed loan to major banks boosts stocks

NEW YORK – The largest single day jump for the Dow Jones Industrial Average in five years lifted the benchmark index back over 12,000 on Tuesday. Banking and financial stocks saw substantial advances after the Federal Reserve said it would loan more than $200 billion dollars to institutions that have been suffering mortgage related losses.

Locally, Omega Financial gained nearly 12% percent to close at 30.38. FNB Bank advanced more than 10% percent, and M&T Bank gained about 9.0% percent. Sovreign Bancorp was up nearly 7.0% percent to 10.60 and the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust gained 5.1% percent to 24.70.

Other stocks of local interest were largely higher, as Sara Lee and Conagra gained. Weis Markets was up more than 4.0% percent to 33.60 and PPL Corp was up 3.7% percent to 46.59. Community Health Systems enters the new day down a fraction. The Dow Industrials are at 12,157, having gained more than 455 points or 3.5% percent in Tuesday’s trading. (Matt Farrand)

Danville adds boys and girls lacrosse

DANVILLE – The Danville school district will add both boy’s and girl’s Lacrosse as official Club Sport, starting in the spring of 2009. Twenty-two Danville students currently play for the Columbia-Montour Lacrosse Club, but aspire to play lacrosse for their school. The team and their coach made a presentation to the board, asking them to consider adding the sport. Playing as a Club Team will be no cost to the district.

Doug Bastian, who has coached the team over the last four years, says that the board’s decision will greatly benefit his players. “It’s another avenue for young men to ban together in the spirit of team chemistry and learn how to be good sports. It allows them to make decisions as a team, helping them later on in life.”

A female lacrosse club team will also be added, after 66 Danville high females signed up, expressing their interest in playing. The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association voted recently to add lacrosse and an official high school sporting event. Neighboring states have had lacrosse in their high schools for years, and the sport’s popularity has finally reached Pennsylvania’s schools. (Clayton Gessner)

5K run to benefit Haven Ministries

MIFFLINBURG – The woods around Camp Mount Luther near Mifflinburg will be the site this Saturday of what’s thought to be a first for the area, a 5K-trail race at night. Joel Heasley of Middleburg is the race director and says this race might not go to the swiftest, but rather to the most careful.

Extra preparation is recommended, such as wearing a hat with a light attached, or running with a flashlight. Portions of the trail will be highlighted with Glo-sticks and yellow tape. Heasley says newcomers and trail racing veterans may have to slow down and take it easy to truly enjoy the event.

The $20 dollar entry fee benefits Sunbury’s Haven Ministries, and there is more information at 837-1222. Saturday’s race begins at 7:30PM. Heasley says in spite of the recent switch to Daylight Savings Time, it’ll still be plenty dark. (Matt Farrand)

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 Northumberland County to take a job in Dauphin County

SUNBURY – After five and a half years on the job, Northumberland County Adult Probation Chief Michael Potteiger of York Haven, 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 28th. 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.

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 10th. Damages to the hotel were estimated at $100,000. (Sara Bartlett)

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 18th and 19th. For more information or to volunteer, call the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way at 988-0993. (Sara Bartlett)

“Talk with the Doc” about heart disease

SELINSGROVE— Heart disease will be the topic for the next featured speaker in the Evangelical Community Hospital’s “Talk with the Doc” series being held at the Susquehanna Valley Mall. Doctor, Donald Nardone, will discuss “Heart Disease: Prevention and Diagnosis.”

The event is tomorrow at 6:30p.m. at the Susquehanna Valley Mall Community Room. Dr. Nardone is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, with subspecialties in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology. The public is invited to attend. (Sara Lauver)

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell says he's shocked at the allegations against New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer.  Rendell told the Radio Pennsylvania Network that if anyone had told him that a governor would get caught up in a call-girl scandal, Spitzer would have been his "50th pick out of 50 governors." Rendell says "you never know what lurks in a person's personal life."  But He also calls Spitzer one of the most talented public servants he knows. He asks the public to wait till all the facts are known before rushing to judgment.    

MONTROSE, Pa. (AP) - A defense expert in the trial of a doctor accused of killing his friend three  decades ago lost a piece of evidence from the victim's body this morning.  Dr. Michael Baden was examining the piece of tissue from the body of slain attorney Martin Dillon in a courthouse bathroom when it went down the drain.  That led to a tense confrontation in court as prosecutor Patrick Blessington upbraided the nationally known pathologist. Baden says the sample was tiny and irrelevant to the case, but Blessington says no one can know that for sure.  Baden was hired by 67-year-old Dr. Stephen Scher, who is accused of killing Dillon while the two were skeet shooting at the Dillon family's hunting camp near the New York border in 1976. Prosecutors say Scher killed Dillon so he could marry Dillon's wife.  Scher was convicted of first-degree murder in 1997 and sentenced to life in prison. An appeals court ordered a new trial in 2004.  Jurors are expected to get the case Thursday.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - State Sen. Vincent Fumo says it's not his health that's made him decided to retire -- it's the federal indictment he's facing.  The Philadelphia Democrat says it isn't fair to ask people to vote for him while he's preparing for a trial on federal corruption charges. He says he had a lot of time to think about it while he was in a hospital for a week recovering from a heart attack. He was released from the hospital Sunday.  He says he will retire at the end of the year, when his term ends. He says he's staying on till then at Gov. Ed Rendell's insistence.  Rendell spoke to reporters after Fumo. He says Fumo has been instrumental in passing many bills. He says Pennsylvania wouldn't have health insurance that covers all children if not for Fumo.

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) - A lawyer from the Philadelphia suburbs has challenged a judge's assertion that he issued the first sentence in Pennsylvania for possession of a drug commonly  used in parts of Africa and the Middle East.  Last week, Luzerne County Judge Chester Muroski gave a Michigan man 4 1/2 to 12 months in jail for possession of khat, a flowering evergreen shrub native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.  Muroski said at the time he knew of no other khat case in Pennsylvania that had gotten as far as the sentencing stage.  But Vicki Herr of Media says she has sent a letter to Muroski informing him of a similar case from 2005. Herr represented a man in Columbia County who was sentenced to more than four months in prison for possession of nearly the same amount of khat.  She told Muroski she wanted to set the record straight.

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

 Daily Number

     5-7-2

 Big 4

     9-9-7-1

 Treasure Hunt

     10-11-22-26-29

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