Monday, March 17, 2008
Animal rescue group seeks answers from Snyder County
SELINSGROVE – A volunteer group that rescues animals after accidents and natural disasters claims they’re being denied daily access to their equipment, in the absence of a permanent Snyder County EMA Director. Coordinator Jeff Brabant says the SUN Counties Animal Response Team faces uncertainty without access to the computers, copiers and other training equipment it needs. Brabant notes that SUN CART is being allowed emergency use of its equipment, much of it donated by private citizens. Brabant says the problem dates to the suspension and eventual firing of EMA Director Dave Nichols earlier this year. Nichols and first deputy William Michaels were let go after what was described as improper use of county money.
Commissioner Joe Kantz says he was only recently made aware of the group and their situation is being evaluated. He expects it to be discussed further at Tuesday’s commissioner’ meeting. Snyder County’s EMA department is being directed on an interim basis by Chad Aucker. (Matt Farrand)
US Senator Arlen Specter: McCain, “conservative enough”
UNDATED – John McCain is the man for the job. That’s US Senator Arlen Specter’s view of the presidential race. Specter defended McCain, saying he is very much conservative, but is not an ideological purist. He says McCain mostly supports the Republican Party, but can also take an independent look at issues and vote accordingly.
In response to the two Democratic candidates, Specter thinks Senator Hillary Clinton is tenacious, but questions her leadership abilities. As for Senator Barack Obama, Specter says he is a new breed with interesting ideas, but does not think he has enough experience to be the President. Specter says when all is said and done, McCain’s experience is what makes his the best candidate.
Specter called into the WKOK news line this week, to talk about his newly released book, which is an inside look to his life after being diagnosed with cancer. He also commented on the War on Terror and the Central Susquehanna Valley Throughway. You will hear his full comments on an upcoming Leaders & Lawmakers program. (Sara Bartlett)
Plant a tree, support a local conservation district
SUNBURY – You can buy your spring plants and trees at a great price while supporting the Northumberland County Conservation Districts 2008 Tree Sale. This is the 38th year for the annual sale, which is the conservation district’s largest fundraiser. Judy Becker says the sale is educational too because they will give you some tips on planting when you pick up your order.
You must order your plants and trees by March 24th and pick-up is a month later. For a brochure or to place an order, you can call 286-7114 extension 4. Many varieties are available including evergreens, fruit trees, spring flowers and gardening tools. (Ali Stevens)
It’s 4-H week in the Central Susquehanna Valley
DANVILLE – If you see people wearing green today, they may not be Irish, but members of the 4-H club. This week is 4-H week and the century old organization continues to grow in size and scope. The group was once focused on farming, but now include a wide spectrum of things, according to Tyson Shrawder, a member of the 4-H club of Montour County. He says projects include fishing, sewing, cooking, jams and jellies and much more.
Shrawder has been involved in 4-H for the past eight years, taking part in regular meetings and summer camps. Montour County now has about 300 4-H members. For information on how you can join or contact the 4-H club nearest you, you can call your local Penn State Cooperative Extension office. (Ali Stevens)
10th District US Congressional debate is tonight
SELINSGROVE – tonight’s the night the 10th District US Congressional candidates face off in debate. The public debate is sponsored by the Susquehanna University College Republicans and will feature Chris Hackett and Dan Meuser. The two businessmen from Northeastern Pennsylvania are seeking the opportunity to oppose democratic incumbent Chris Carney this fall.
Newsradio 1070 WKOK and Eagle 107 will broadcast the debate live, and the debate will be on their ‘live stream’ web broadcasts. The debate begins at 7:30p.m. The questions will come from panelists representing the college republicans, The Daily Item and WKOK. The debate will be on this radio station, at a later date, on Roundtable.
Results are in from a roving DUI patrol on Saturday in Northumberland County
SUNBURY – State police have released details on a roving DUI patrol Saturday night and Sunday morning in Northumberland County. Checkpoints were set up on a number of roads including Route 61 and 147 in several communities.
Two people were arrested for DUI and 7 speeding citations were given. Nine other traffic citations were handed out and several warnings were given. The roving DUI patrols will continue in the coming weeks and months, according to the state police. (Ali Stevens)
Computers and other equipment taken from an office supply store in Lewisburg
LEWISBURG – State police are investigating the theft of several computers from an office supply store in Lewisburg. Around 2:45 yesterday (Sunday) afternoon, someone walked into a rear storage room and cut a lock off a steel cage at Staples on Route 15 in Kelly Township.
The suspect removed six computers valued at more than $6,700. The store’s alarm was activated when the suspect left, but state police have no witnesses to the incident. The computers were all desktop PC’s and were a number of brands including Dell, HP and Compaq. Anyone with information on the theft is asked to call state police. (Ali Stevens)
Two taken by Life Flight after Montour County accident
MILTON – Life Flight flew two people to Geisinger Medical Center early Saturday morning after an accident along Route 54 in Limestone Township, Montour County. Around 3:15a.m, 26-year-old William Runkle of Watsontown was driving when he lost control of his vehicle, ran off the road and hit a tree.
The vehicle then flipped over and hit another tree. Runkle and a 16-year-old passenger, of McEwensville, had to be extricated from the vehicle. Life Flight took them both to Geisinger. He is in serious condition. Warrior Run and Washingtonville Fire Company assisted Milton State Police at the scene. (Sara Bartlett)
Selinsgrove remains in serious condition after crash
HUMMELS WHARF – A Selinsgrove woman has been upgraded to serious condition, but remains in the intensive care unit at Geisinger Medical Center after a Friday morning crash. Around 7:55a.m, 24-year-old Andrea Brininger crashed her car on Penns Drive in Monroe Township. Life Flight took her to the hospital, originally listed in critical condition.
Middleburg man facing jail time after exposing himself to three children
SELINSGROVE – A Middleburg man is serving jail time after exposing himself to young girls at a Selinsgrove store in February. The Daily Item tells us 50-year-old Thomas Swarey exposed himself to an 8-year-old, 2-year-old and 11-month-old in the store on February 22nd.
He then fled after being approached by employees. He was later identified and picked out of a police line-up by three witnesses of the incident. Swarey faces charges of indecent exposure and disorderly conduct, and was arraigned Monday in front of District Justice Edward Mihalik. He is in Snyder County Prison on $25,000 bail.
Local stocks mixed after Bear Stearns Bailout
NEW YORK – Banking stocks of local interest enter the new week lower after the market was surprised by news that the Federal Reserve helped engineer an emergency bailout for Bear Stearns. The Fed reportedly responded to pleas late in the week from the nation’s second biggest mortgage underwriter that their financial position had deteriorated significantly.
Observers say the law used to loan money to Bear Stearns had last been used in the 1960’s and required a special vote by Fed governors. Bear Stearns stock fell 47% in Friday trading. The Dow Industrials, S&P 500 and NASDAQ all retreated Friday.
Banking and financial stocks of local interest also enter trading after an off day late in the week. Sovreign Bancorp lost nearly 5.0%, closing at 9.90, M&T bank is down 2.0%, Omega Financial and FNB also ended the week lower. Mixed results for other local stocks, as PPL Corp and Community Health Systems gained a fraction.
Weis Markets and Conagra are down, and Sara Lee is off 2.5% to 12.58. Wholesale prices as measured by the Producer Price Index and the Core PPI are among items on the economic calendar this week. Analysts expect both to be higher. (Matt Farrand)
Picnic food stolen from parked truck
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 offered no indication whether the truck was locked or not. (Matt Farrand)
How you can gain access to public records
SUNBURY – If you wanted to know how to access public records, for instance the township meeting ‘minutes’ in your community, but were denied access, you can find out more about your rights this weekend on Roundtable. The local chapter of the ACLU is on Roundtable and the guests focus on Pennsylvania’s new open records law. The law changes of presumption that: All records and sealed, and the public has to prove they are open.
Now the rule is…All records are open and the government has to prove they should be sealed. Guests on the program include the leaders of the Central Susquehanna chapter of the ACLU, and a woman whose fight with the Hemlock Township Supervisors in Columbia County, attracted statewide attention. You can hear Roundtable today at www.wkok.com
Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton says winning the vote in northeast Pennsylvania is important to her personally. Clinton finished the second of her two St. Patrick's Day parade appearances in Scranton on Saturday, shaking hands and posing for pictures. Well-wishers lined up 10 deep in some spots along the parade route in the city in which Clinton's father was born and raised. Clinton says she feels at home in Scranton because she has visited so many times. Earlier Saturday, Clinton started her day by walking in Pittsburgh's St. Patrick's Day parade. A smattering of Barack Obama supporters held green "Obama" signs along the Pittsburgh parade route, but Clinton supporters easily outnumbered them. The state's primary is April 22nd.
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Penn State University has decided to directly provide federal student loans, following dozens of other colleges nationwide seeking to protect their loan programs from recent market upheaval. Due to Penn State's move, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency will lose up to 8 percent of its business in the state. That equals about 41,000 of the 500,000 loans the agency currently oversees. PHEAA's spokesman Keith New says the loss is significant and of concern to the agency. He says PHEAA relies on the bond market to raise capital. The unstable market has hurt PHEAA. The loss of Penn State's business is a further blow. The U.S. Department of Education says nearly 60 other colleges and universities have joined the federal loan program since January 1. Analysts say the number is higher than usual. They attribute it to the credit crunch that began last year with defaults on sub-prime mortgages.
HAZLETON, Pa. (AP) - Mayor Lou Barletta is inviting the top three presidential contenders to visit Hazleton to discuss illegal immigration. Barletta has written a letter to the candidates that says, "On behalf of the citizens and elected leaders of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, I respectfully invite you to come to our great city to discuss the issue of illegal immigration in the United States." Barletta's letter says the city has been on the front line of the illegal immigration issue and has passed some of the toughest illegal immigration laws in the country. There is no word on whether the candidates have accepted or declined Barletta's invitation.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Officials say the number of Pennsylvania children in foster care has dropped more than 11 percent since 2002 -- and they credit in part efforts to provide more at-home services to families. State Department of Public Welfare spokeswoman Anne Bale told The Morning Call of Allentown that the number of children in placement has fallen from 37,941 in 2002 to 33,689 in 2007, a decrease of 11.2 percent. Pam Buehrle, executive director of Lehigh County’s Children and Youth Services agency, says the agency provides parenting education, counseling and programs to resolve parent-child conflicts. It also helps people find housing or get drug or alcohol treatment. Nationally, the re-entry rate into foster care after a child is reunited with family is about 15 percent -- and officials would like to bring that number closer to zero.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Harrisburg police say a woman recently noticed that her car had been tagged as abandoned and rushed down to the state transportation building to clear up the problem. When she got back, the tag was gone -- but so was her car. Police say a man apparently saw the tag and arranged for the car to be towed to a salvage yard, where he got cash for the parts. Police say they think he did the same thing on five other occasions. Authorities say such schemes are becoming more common across the country due to high steel prices. Michele Staton, executive director of the Pennsylvania Auto Theft Prevention Agency, says some tow truck drivers have been illegally picking up abandoned vehicles. She says they take them to scrap yards and get money for the parts and metal. Officials say the thefts often go unnoticed because the vehicles are abandoned.
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) - The Williamsport Crosscutters now have a mascot -- but they still need a name for it. Crosscutter’s spokesman Gabe Sinicropi says fans will handle the task in a "Name the Mascot" contest. The fan who picks the winning name will get a 2008 Crosscutters general admission season ticket and the opportunity to throw out the ceremonial first pitch on opening night June 20th.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Monday in the midday Pennsylvania State Lottery drawing:
Daily Number
2-7-5
Big 4
3-1-2-3
Treasure Hunt
6-13-19-27-30
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)