Saturday, March 15, 2008
 

LifeFlight called to accident in Montour County 

TURBOTVILLE – Geisinger’s LifeFlight helicopter responded to an accident along Route 54 in Montour County Saturday morning.  Montour County 9-1-1 dispatchers say the accident occurred along Route 54 at Route 44 near Turbotville around 3a.m.  We’re told two people were taken to Geisinger Medical Center by helicopter.  State Police from Milton were on the scene and more details should be out soon. 

Friday morning crash injures Selinsgrove woman 

HUMMELS WHARF – A Selinsgrove woman is in critical condition after driving into a tree Friday morning.  State Police say 24-year-old Andrea Brininger was driving south on Penns Drive in Monroe Township and apparently drove off the road.    

Selinsgrove troopers say she was not wearing a seat belt.  LifeFlight took Brininger to Geisinger Medial Center following the 7:55a.m. crash.  Hummels Wharf Ambulance and Fire assisted at the scene.  State police are still investigating that Friday morning accident. (Matt Farrand) 

Thieves planning a picnic? 

SELINSGROVE – Cases of steaks, hot dogs, chicken and wings are among the items stolen from a truck parked near a Selinsgrove area food merchant.  State Police say the items stolen some time between Wednesday and Thursday are worth more than $1,700 dollars.   

Pudding, cheese and salad dressing are also among the items taken by an unknown number of persons from the business in Penn Township.  Troopers didn’t say if the truck was locked, and they are still investigating.  (Matt Farrand) 

Struggling “Bear” bad for bank stocks 

NEW YORK – Banking stocks of local interest are lower after the market was surprised by news that the Federal Reserve helped engineer an emergency bailout for Bear Stearns.  Analysts say the Fed responded to pleas from the nation’s second biggest mortgage underwriter that their financial position had deteriorated significantly.  Bear Stearns stock fell 47% in Friday trading.   

The Fed is reportedly ready to loan even more money to combat an erosion of confidence in the countries largest institutions.  Banking and financial stocks of local interest are also all lower, as Sovreign Bancorp lost nearly 5.0%, closing at 9.90, M&T bank is down 2.0% to 14.69, Omega Financial and FNB also end the week lower.   

PPL Corp gained a fraction to 45.90, and Community Health Systems gained about 0.9% to 31.90.  But, Weis Markets is down a fraction, Conagra is down 2.2% to 21.28, and Sara Lee is off 2.5% to 12.58.  The Dow Industrials ended the week back under 12-thousand, dropping 194 points to 11,951.  The S&P 500 and the NASDAQ each lost about 2.0% during the last trading day of the week.  (Matt Farrand) 

Photo search for Sunbury baseball history 

SUNBURY – Photos of Sunbury’s Memorial Field are apparently in short supply.  Ed Baker of Northumberland says he’s looking for images of the old ballpark for use on a historical website that specializes in ballparks old and new.  Baker says he once lived near the park and already has a couple of his photos of Memorial Field posted at www.digitalballparks.com.   

Baker says each image collected would only be borrowed, so it could be scanned then submitted.  He notes photos of the inside of the park are ideal, as are other images that would remind people of what it was like to be there.  Memorial Field on Sunbury’s north side is remembered as home for minor league affiliates of the Yankees, Reds, the Giants, and A’s.  More information at 473-8854.  (Matt Farrand)

Family charged with abuse of foster children 

MILTON – A family of three has been charged after allegedly locking two foster children in their bedrooms for extended periods of time at their Delaware Township home.  65-year-old Wayne Reynolds, wife 65-year-old Nancy Reynolds and son 28-year-old Wayne Reynolds II reportedly would lock a 14-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl in their second-floor bedrooms, only being allowed out to use the bathroom.  

State Police at Milton were made aware of the incident in June when the children ran away from the home and reportedly alerted police of how they were being treated. The Reynolds were arraigned and charged with endangering the welfare of children.  They will face a preliminary hearing on March 20^th. (Sara Bartlett)  

What do donkeys, basketball and newspapers have in common?

SUNBURY – For the second year in a row, donkeys will be ushered into Shikellamy High School for a Donkey Basketball game.  The event is a fundraiser for The Daily Item’s Newspapers in Education program, which provides daily newspapers to schools across the valley.   

Last year, more than 1,000 people attended the event and Slade Shreck organized the game once again, pitting employees of Sunbury Broadcasting and The Daily Item against senior athletes at Shikellamy High School.  The public is encouraged to attend and can buy tickets at the door, Tuesday night with the game starting at 7p.m.  (Ali Stevens)  

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment: 

HOUTZDALE, Pa. (AP) - Authorities in Clearfield County say a man beat and stabbed his mother over a stolen computer and read the Bible to her as he watched her die. Twenty-year-old Jesse James Campbell of Houtzdale is in the county jail without bond on criminal homicide and other charges. State police say relatives found the body of 48-year-old Cindy Jo Coleman at her home on Thursday. Police say a friend says Campbell believed his mother was going to send him back to prison. He had been sentenced to one to three years after pleading guilty to theft and receiving stolen property.   It's not clear if Campbell has an attorney. He faces a preliminary hearing March 19.    

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A state representative from Lackawanna County says he will appeal a judge's ruling that he should be removed from the primary election ballot. Commonwealth Court Judge Renee Cohn Jubelirer says first-term Democratic Rep. Frank Andrews Shimkus must be barred from the April 22 primary because he misrepresented his address on his nominating petitions. Shimkus says he will take his case to the Supreme Court and, if necessary, mount a write-in campaign for another two-year term. He says he was elected by an overwhelming margin and calls the issue "baloney." Three people filed the challenge, saying Shimkus falsely provided the address of an empty house owned by his daughter and son-in-law. They say he wanted to avoid drawing attention to the fact he lived in another house with his fiancé, who is 30 years in his junior. Court documents say Shimkus said he stayed at the empty house one or two nights a week, and moved in with his fiancé only recently.    

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Pennsylvania high school students say 17-year-olds who will be 18 by the general election should be able to vote in the corresponding primary. The students told members of the House State Government Committee yesterday (Friday) that a pending bill to extend the vote would create more lifelong voters. They say it would allow teens to participate in the entire electoral process, not just the final decision.

But the legislation's lead sponsor says it would not be enacted in time for the April 22nd primary. A state official says 11 states already permit 17-year-olds to vote in primaries, and at least four others are considering it. Tom Weaver, deputy secretary for administration at the Pennsylvania Department of State, says Gov. Ed Rendell supports the idea. But he also warns that a constitutional amendment might be required to change the voting age -- and that lengthy process would cost about $2 million.    

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

 FRIDAY NIGHT

 Daily Number

     8-4-6    

 Big 4

     4-4-1-6

 FRIDAY MIDDAY

 Daily Number

     3-3-7    

 Big 4

     5-3-6-7    

 Treasure Hunt

     8-14-21-22-24   

The winning numbers drawn Friday in the "Pennsylvania Cash 5" game were:      01-12-22-26-43.        

The winning numbers drawn Friday in the "Pennsylvania Match 6 Lotto" game were:      12-27-34-35-37-46.  

In Sports… 

LEWISBURG – In the PIAA swimming championships, Danville senior Nick Hein claimed the class AA gold medal in the 50 finals taking place at Bucknell University.  In the girls competition, Lewisburg freshman, Maggie Storm and Danville junior Kala Misavage each turned in their two best times ever in the 100 butterfly.  Both boys and girls swimmers will resume competition in the final day of the championships today. 

And last night’s 410 show at the Selinsgrove Speedway was cancelled after rain swept through the valley.  Today’s events will continue as scheduled for the Speedways opening weekend.  They start at 4 p.m.

Two Snyder County EMA employees still suspended as investigation continues

 MIDDLEBURG – There’s no change to the status of two suspended Snyder County Emergency Management Agency employees.  Commissioner Richard Bickhart says he and fellow Commissioners Joe Kantz and Malcolm Derk met with EMA Director Dave Nichols and First Deputy William Michaels today in an executive session to discuss happenings at the 911 center.  Bickhart says Nichols will remain suspended with pay and Michaels will remain suspended without pay.  Bickhart said they got new information from both Nichols and Michaels and will digest that info until next Tuesday, when the Commissioners will make a determination on further action for the two employees. 

There is an investigation ongoing, but Bickhart says he knows very few details about it.  Nichols and Michaels have been suspended since the beginning of the month.  The day of the suspension, Snyder County District Attorney Mike Sholley said that PEMA, State Police and the DA’s office are all working together on the investigation, but wouldn’t comment further.  Currently the Commissioners have appointed Chad Auker as the interim EMA Director. (Sara Bartlett)

Teen faces charges after fleeing police

WATSONTOWN – A 16-year-old Pennsdale boy will face charges in Northumberland County Juvenile Court after fleeing from police Sunday.  Around 2:10am, the male was driving on Pennsylvania Avenue in Watsontown.  When police attempted to stop him, the vehicle reportedly sped up and fled through numerous streets in the Watsontown Borough before being stopped at a dead-end road.  The driver and a 14-year-old male passenger from Allenwood were taken into custody and later released to their parents. 

The driver will be charged with fleeing and eluding police, among other traffic offenses. (Sara Bartlett)  

Director appeals for brighter future for SUN Tech

NORTHUMBERLAND – Expansion and renovation of the SUN Area Career and Technology Center in is delayed, for now.  The Adminstrative Director of the center in New Berlin is appealing to the public to convince a couple of local school boards to let voters decide the issue.  John Bohn notes that Midd-West and Mifflinburg have not moved to put the renovation question on the ballot.  Three other area school districts have already either approved financing for renovations at SUN Tech, or will soon take the question to their constituents. 

All five area districts that send students to SUN Tech must be in agreement for improvements to the center to go forward.  SUN Tech offers career training in areas ranging from computer assisted design and graphic arts, to commercial cooking.  It serves secondary school students as well as adult students at night.  (Matt Farrand)

Sunbury Mayor surprised by resignation of Police Chief

SUNBURY – Mayor Jesse Woodring was surprised and disappointed with the news that Sunbury Police Chief Tim Bremigen would be stepping down next month.  Woodring said he wasn’t aware that Bremigen was thinking about moving into the private sector.  Although Bremigen was only on the job for 10 months, Woodring credits him for being a good Chief, saying he was very open to ideas and always worked toward improving Sunbury.

Woodring says he hasn’t decided if either of Sunbury’s two Sergeants, Joe Jones or Jim Taylor, will be promoted to Chief, but he did say that they will work as quick as they can to fill the position with the right person.  Bremigen plans to take a job in the private sector.  He has been with Sunbury Police since 1995, becoming Chief in March 2007.  His last day on the job will be February 8^th.  Woodring says he will seek Bremigen’s input when deciding who will fill the vacancy. (Sara Bartlett) 

Bomb threat this morning at the YMCA

SUNBURY – Police are following up on a couple of leads following a bomb threat at the YMCA this morning.  Sunbury Police would not disclose how the threat was made, but the building on North 4^th Street was evacuated.  Children who attend daycare and preschool at the facility were moved to the Susquehanna Bank while the building was searched.  Nothing was found.  The investigation continues and police hope to make an arrest soon. The YMCA reopened around noon after being closed for a few hours.  (Ali Stevens)

New way to pay for parking in Danville

DANVILLE – Forget the change, and use a card.  That’s what people who park in Danville can now do.  Motorists can now purchase a card to swipe in parking meters in the borough.  With each swipe, 25-cents will be deducted from the card and if motorists will be parked more than an hour, they can swipe it additional times.  Cash cards can be purchased in $30, $60 or $90 increments at 239 Mill Street in Danville and a demonstration of how the card works can be seen at the Borough Hall. 

Police search for vandals near Stonington

STONINGTON – Three buildings near Stonington were vandalized this week and State Police are searching for the vandals.  All three are located on Hosta Road near Route 61.  The Shamokin Township Municipal Building and the Stonington Baptist Church were left with broken windows and spray painted obscenities.  Also, according to the News Item, a garage, owned by a Marine who is currently serving in Iraq, was covered with spray paint.  State Police at Stonington say the incidents happened late Tuesday or early Wednesday, and anyone with information should contact them at 286-5601. 

Climate change the topic of an all day teach-in at Bucknell

She says the discussions start on the morning of the 31^st, with professors from all disciplines addressing important issues about climate change.  Scott says even a free lunch, held in the middle of the day, will be related to sustainability, with organic, local food being served on biodegradable dishware.  During that time there will also be music, as well as an expo of nature-related art.  The day will culminate with the keynote speaker, Andrew Revkin, a journalist who focuses on global climate change and environmental issues.  All of the events are open to the pubic.  For a full schedule of the events go online to www.bucknell.edu. (Sara Bartlett) 

Man pleads guilty to setting his parent’s business on fire

MIDDLEBURG – Alvin Hoover has pleaded guilty to setting Irvin’s Country Tinware on fire in August. A public defender claimed mental illness led Hoover to start the fire that caused more than $1 million in damages to the three-story building in Mount Pleasant Mills. The 35-year-old Hoover is the son of the owners of Irvin’s, Irvin and Doris Hoover.

During a preliminary hearing a few months ago, police testified that Alvin Hoover told them he burned the business because he heard people telling him to do it. He was committed to a psychiatric facility in Danville after his arrest and is now being held in the Snyder County Prison. Hoover will now undergo a psychiatric evaluation in a state facility before sentencing. (Ali Stevens)

Bremigen to step down as Sunbury Police Chief

SUNBURY – February 8th will be the last day on the job for Tim Bremigan as Police Chief for the City of Sunbury. Mayor Jesse Woodring’s office says Bremigen’s resignation is being accepted with regret. Bremigen has been permanent chief since March 2007, but started with the department in 1995.

The department has helped carry out several far-reaching illegal drug sweeps during his tenure. Bremigan will pursue an opportunity in the private sector. Also, were told, a patrolman will be promoted to Sargeant while the city looks for a permanent replacement. (staff)

Local jail undergoes review

LEWISBURG – Drug Court is a good step toward easing demands on the crowded Union County Jail, but more action must be taken soon. So says Nate Caldwell, a visiting director of community corrections from King County, Washington. Drug Court keeps non-violent drug offenders largely out of jail and often in pursuit of treatment.

Caldwell is putting together a report about the jail and says any decision to improve it needs to be a local one. The official from the Seattle area was here at the request of Union County and under the auspices of the National Institutes of Correction. He notes that many components of law enforcement need to be reviewed, starting with who gets arrested, and how their cases are handed.

Caldwell met with officials including commissioner William Haas on Wednesday, and expects his report to be complete in about three weeks. Caldwell says transporting prisoners to other jails is a time consuming and costly way to relieve prison overcrowding. However, multi-county regional jails are also often ineffective, as problems tend to persist over which counties are responsible for which operations. (Matt Farrand)

Cemetery decorating not a dead issue in Milton

MILTON – According to borough officials, problems still exist in Milton’s cemetery. Some residents are ignoring the rules in regards to the space they have to decorate gravesites. The current ordinance, which has been in effect since May 23rd of 2007, states that no gravesite can have shrubbery or edging more than 12 inches away from the stone.

Borough Manager Chuck Beck says the problem is getting out of hand, and actions may have to be taken. Beck says that overgrown shrubbery at gravesites causes borough workers to spend more time maintaining the area. Sometimes weed whackers are needed where riding mowers would normally take care of the problem.

More time working means the borough has to spend more money to pay the workers. Beck says that he will have the rules posted visibly for everyone to see. He says they will not go in and rip out shrubbery, but would like residents to be mindful of everyone else. (Clayton Gessner)

The growing Milton Library

MILTON - Borough officials in Milton reviewed and accepted a proposal last night that will allow for the expansion of its public library. Engineers began working with Borough Officials in March of 2007 to come up with a way to keep the library within borough limits, as well as free up parking space in the municipal parking lot.

The plan is to sell a portion of the parking lot to the library board, allowing them space to eventually build a new library. John Meckley, who serves on the board of trustees for the library, says this is the first step to building a better library.

Meckley says that he’s recognized the need for a larger library for a few years. The current library is on Front Street in an old bank building, but is too small to fill the needs of the public. While needing a bigger building, library officials wanted to remain within the borough. He thanked the council for their continuing efforts to help the library.

Beck and Meckley both feel that this is a win for both the borough and the library. Beck was very pleased that the council was able to get the ball rolling on the project. Council had the chance to review the proposal for two more weeks, but chose to approve it right away. The project will also allow for 15 new parking spots on Elm Street and Brown Avenue. No date is set for the start of the project. (Clayton Gessner)

Crime victim notification system unveiled

LEWISBURG -- Union County is joining eight other counties in the Commonwealth in use of a crime victim notification system called PA SAVIN. The idea is that when an incarcerated person is released from custody, victims or alleged victims will be notified via phone within 15 minutes.

District Attorney Pete Johnson says it’s important for all counties to get on the same page as defendants are sometimes released in one, while wanted in another. Union County is currently the only county in the region to have the service in place.

Officials hope all 63 counties in the state with jails will have the system in place by October. Participants need to register, and can do so via telephone by calling 1-866-9PA-SAVIN or logging onto www.pacrimevictims.state.pa.us. It is a free and confidential service. (Matt Farrand)

President and Chair of GSVUW to be on Leaders & Lawmakers this week

SUNBURY – It wasn’t an easy decision to choose the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way’s member agency list for 2008. So say both President of the United Way, Keri Albright, and Chairman Norm Rich. Both will be on a recorded segment of Leaders & Lawmakers Thursday talking about the mission of the agency and answering questions about their revised member list.

Rich says they took each applying organization into consideration individually and they accepted the ones that most fit the agency’s strategic plan to develop what the Valley needs. Forty-nine agencies applied and thirty were accepted.

Rich says the agencies that did not get accepted can still apply in the future. You can hear all of the comments from Keri Albright and Norm Rich from the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way on Leaders & Lawmakers today at 11:00a.m. (Sara Bartlett)

One injury after a crash on Route 54 at Route 642 in Montour County

DANVILLE – One person was taken to Geisinger Medical Center following a crash on Route 54 at Route 642 outside Danville. State police say 68-year-old Michael Hoffman of Milton turned in front of a vehicle driven by 23-year-old Jason Burrows of Allenwood. Hoffman was treated for a knee injury following the crash. Burrows was not injured. Hoffman will be cited for failing to yield to thru traffic. (Ali Stevens)

Fundraiser for autism this weekend

NORTHUMBERLAND- Bret’s Adventure, Inc. will be having a fundraiser to help people with autism this Saturday, January 12th from 7 to 10pm at the Front Street Station in Northumberland. There will be a five-dollar cover charge, which will go to Bret’s adventure, a non-profit organization that aids people with autism. The doors will be open at 6:30 and local band Timothy’s Burden will play from 7-10pm.

Funds from Bret’s adventure not only go towards Bret Dunkelberger, a child with autism, but also go to community events relating to autism including educational training for judges and probation officers. Donations by mail or at the event are welcome. For more information please contact Kathleen Dunkelberger at 570-286-4332 or visit their website at www.bretsadventure.com.

Female Rottweiler is lost or possibly stolen in Sunbury.

SUNBURY- Tiffany Ortiz of Sunbury is missing her dog after it was reportedly stolen Tuesday. The 1 ½ year old female Rottweiler named “Sheena” was taken from it’s locked outdoor cage and is wearing a black collar with a license tag. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sunbury Police at 236-4584 or 988-4539. (Kristy Westbrook)

Criminal mischief damages buildings

SHAMOKIN TOWNSHIP- Two Shamokin township buildings are damaged after Pennsylvania State Police in Shamokin Township reported criminal mischief. Shamokin Township Municipal Authority at 138 Old Reading Road in Sunbury and Stonington Baptist church at 2113 Hosta Road in Paxinos are left with broken windows, obscene words in spray paint and other damages.

The destruction was done between January 8th and January 9th from 3:00a.m. to 6:30a.m. Anyone with information on these incidents should contact Pennsylvania State Police at 570-286-5601. (Kristy Westbrook)

Northumberland County emergency call numbers released for 2007

SUNBURY – Most emergency calls decreased in 2007 in Northumberland County according to the Department of Public Safety. They report fire calls decreased to 1,832 as opposed to 1,967 in 2006. Also EMS calls decreased to 9,564 from 10,112. Police calls were the ones that increased last year, going from 30,069 in 2006 to 33,286. More information is online at www.ncdps.org.

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) - A Williamsport college is boosting police patrols after a recent crime wave in the city.  Penn College Police Chief Chris Miller says he will increase manpower on certain shifts to have a more visible presence both on- and off-campus.  Miller says there have been about a dozen burglaries in the campus area over the last month.  Residents are also concerned about five shootings in the city since the start of the new year, leaving one person dead and several injured. The shootings are unrelated to the burglaries.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - A Centre County business executive says he's entering the race to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. John Peterson.  Twenty-eight-year-old Matt Shaner is president of a real estate development company in State College.  The Republican has worked for former Sen. Rick Santorum, and was county chairman for President Bush's 2004 re-election campaign. Shaner was involved in a crash last year in which Patton Township police say his car went through a stop sign and hit an embankment. Police say Shaner told them he had been drinking, but Shaner last year denied alcohol was involved. No alcohol-related charges were filed. Peterson announced last week he was retiring at the end of this year after six terms in office.

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

Daily Number

     3-0-8

 Big 4

     7-0-1-1

 Treasure Hunt

     6-10-15-21-30

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