WKOK NEWS

Fire guts a Shamokin row home

SHAMOKIN – Fire gutted a row home in Shamokin Tuesday afternoon. The fire started at 303 South Harrison Street around 12:15p.m. Shamokin Fire Chief Robert Wolfe says they arrived to a working structure fire in the two-story town-home. A next-door neighbor says she saw smoke and flames coming from the rear of the home and called 911. She banged on two neighboring homes to make sure the residents got out safely.

Brenda Schweitzer lives at 303 South Harrison and is now staying elsewhere after the blaze. A second home at 301 South Harrison had minor damage. The investigation continues into what caused the fire. Crews from Shamokin, Coal Township, Elysburg and Kulpmont were able to bring the fire under control in about a half-hour, but remained on scene through the early afternoon, dousing hot spots and cleaning up. (Ali Stevens)

Public invited to attended seminar on Sunbury’s future

SUNBURY – The Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way and the City of Sunbury will be hosting a seminar titled “Sunbury: A City Moving Forward” to address hot topics in the town. Keri Albright, President and CEO of the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way, says the seminar is a chance for the community to talk about both the good and bad in the city, as well as local officials to discuss positive things in Sunbury, something that is not often done. Panel members and the community will discuss the perception of Sunbury and the reality of the city, as well as what is being done to move forward.

The panel includes Sunbury Revitalization President Cory Fasold, Shikellamy School Board President Tim Fister, Sunbury Police Chief Stephen Mazzeo, Northumberland County Commissioner Frank Sawicki, President of SPARC John Shipman and Mayor of Sunbury Jesse Woodring. The seminar will be moderated by WKOK’s Mark Lawrence. It takes place Tuesday, March 25^th from 7:00p.m.-9:00pm. in the Shikellamy High School Auditorium. (Sara Bartlett)

Salary Board OKs raise for new probation chief

SUNBURY – Northumberland County’s next chief of adult probation will earn more money. Commissioners are increasing the job’s annual salary to about $53,000. Commissioner Kurt Masser says the prior salary was too low to attract qualified applicants. The next deputy chief is also being given a raise. Adult probation chief Michael Potteiger recently announced that he was leaving the position for a comparable position in Dauphin county starting in April.

Masser says salary board matters are being addressed when needed prior to regularly scheduled commissioners meetings. Commissioners also approved an increase for non-union court employees of 3.0% retroactive to the first pay period of the year. (Matt Farrand

Financial stocks of local interest gain big

NEW YORK – Stocks of local interest are following the market broadly higher after the Federal Reserve announced it would cut its main lending rate three-quarters of a point to 2.25%. Analysts say it is meant to prop up the US financial system. M&T Bank is up 1.7% to 81.51, FNB Corp, Omega Financial and the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust are all up about 3.0%, and Sovreign Bancorp is up more than 5.0% to more than 10 dollars per share.

Other stocks are also higher, as PPL Corp gained more than 1.6% to 46.70. Weis Markets, Sara Lee, and Conagra Foods are also enjoying gains of more than two percent. Community Health Systems is also more than two percent higher, at more than 31 dollars per share.

PPL donates Hummels Wharf boat launce to Monroe Township

HUMMELS WHARF – Monroe Township now has public use of the Hummels Wharf boat launch. PPL has donated the 4.3 acre boat access area on the west side of the Susquehanna River, to continue its land donation and economic outreach with the township. Community Relations Director of PPL, Don Stringfellow, says this donation, along with a grant the township had received from the PA Fish and Boat Commission, will help improve the area for public use. The launch, located off Old Trail Road, had been maintained by PPL’s staff from the Montour Environmental Preserve. Stringfellow says PPL has a commitment for land preservation in order to enhance recreation on the river, and the boat launch is a way to do so.

Stringfellow says PPL had previously donated 225 acres of land to Snyder County for the use of six islands near Shamokin Dam for use by public boaters to help them bypass the dam. He adds that the next project they may work on is establishing a camping site on Byers Island. (Sara Bartlett)

Tackling Target and tolls

LEWISBURG – Union County Commissioner Preston Boop encourage people to get involved in stopping tolls on Interstate 80. He spoke Tuesday along with fellow commissioner John Showers at the League of Women Voters luncheon in Lewisburg. Boop says tolls would be detrimental to the economy of our region, and cites the building-in-process, Target Distribution Center, that may be negatively affected. He says that free travel along I-80 was one of the economic advantages of the I-80 corridor, but if you take that advantage away, the region is at a serious economic and developmental disadvantage in the state and country.

Boop said the construction of the Target DC is moving along and is slated to be open by 2009, employing about 500 people.

The next League of women voters meeting will be April 15^th. The speaker will be Sean McLaughlin of the Union County Planning office. (Sheri Rippon)

What are the most critical habitat issues in the world as some species decline?

ALLENWOOD – You hear about the polar bears facing extinction from climate change and we recently told you about frogs struggling to survive due to changes in their environment. We asked Chad Peeling of Reptiland in Allenwood to talk about the most critical habitat issues facing the world. He says the number one problem is habitat loss or destruction, which is making habitat unusable for animals used to living there. The other problem is invasive species, which is releasing exotic plants and animals in places where they don’t belong.

Yet another issue is pollution, whether its global climate change or dumping chemicals into our waterways, Peeling says we are fouling the environment. However, Peeling says there is some good news out of this, because people want to help and care about the things making headlines. He says they will probably be able to save something that is hurting the environment, but for some problems, it’s already too late.

Peeling also spoke extensively about other endangered species, including bats and an amphibian known as a skink. You can hear all of Chad Peelings comments about the environment and what we can do to help in an upcoming Leaders and Lawmakers program. (Ali Stevens)

A monopoly tournament coming up at the Susquehanna Valley Mall

SELINSGROVE – If you grew up playing monopoly with your friends and family, you may want to take part in an upcoming tournament. The 5^th Annual Monopoly Tournament, hosted by Clinical Outcomes Group is coming up on April 13^th at the Susquehanna Valley Mall in Selinsgrove and the Fairlane Village Mall in Pottsville. Megan Will of Clinical Outcomes says the tournament is for anyone age 8 and older and will start at 1 p.m. on April 13^th at both malls. Entry fee is $10 and the proceeds will support tobacco free programs organized by Clinical Outcomes and also the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

If you would like to take part in the tournament, you are asked to call 473-1290, or you can just show up at the mall the day of the event. Clinical Outcomes is also looking for volunteers to serve as bankers at each of the tournament tables. The top three players from each mall tournament will move on to compete for $200 on April 27^th.

Lifetime of satisfactions after joining 4-H

DANVILLE – 4-H week continues with more profiles of long time members. Samantha Stump is 18 years old, a senior at Danville High School, and a member of 4-H for nearly 10 years. Samantha says she enjoys 4-H activities such as cooking, sewing, shooting sports and volunteering as a Relay for Life team captain. She expects to go to college soon, but return to 4-H in a leadership capacity.

Meantime, Montour County program head Vonnie Young says many 4-H members make it a life-long commitment that involves many family members. Young say her parents were 4-H leaders, and she’s worked in the Extension office before becoming an assistant for the county chapter. Penn State Cooperative Extension Offices have more information about 4-H, both statewide and locally.

LYCOMING CO. – The name of the man killed in a Monday crash on Interstate 180 is now known. State Police say 22-year-old Jason Snyder of Danville was a passenger in a car heading east near Montoursville. He was thrown from the vehicle when it left the highway and rolled several times at about 12:45pm. Reports say Snyder was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Three others suffered minor injures including a baby in a car seat. Eastbound I-180 was closed for a time near the Warrensville Road exit. (Matt Farrand)

More similarities than differences found at the candidates debate last night

SELINSGROVE – You had to listen carefully to the debate last night in Selinsgrove to hear the differences between Dan Meuser and Chris Hackett, but those differences were there. The GOP candidates facing each other in the 10^th District US Congressional race participated in a form of a debate last night. Moderators posed questions and the two candidates had a limited time to respond.

The candidates did differ on education reform, how and when to get out of Iraq, and how each compares to the other. Dan Meuser said he has more ‘experience’ and has a long list of prominent GOP supporters. Chris Hackett said his supporters are prominent; they are grassroots individuals and organizations.

The two also differed on competitive bidding on federal spending, education reform and the use of congressional earmarks. The debate was sponsored by the Susquehanna Valley College Republicans and was broadcast on Newsradio 1070 WKOK and on Eagle 107. You can hear the debate at www.wkok.com and the event will be on an upcoming Roundtable.

LEWISBURG – Cheers of excitement broke out last night as the Bucknell Women’s Basketball team and their fans gathered on campus to watch the NCAA brackets unfold. The 16^th seeded Bison will take on No. 1 seeded North Carolina in the first round of the tournament. Head Coach Kathy Fedorjaka says she had about four teams in mind for who they might play, and she’s glad it was the Tarheels. She says playing one of the most talented and athletic teams in the country will be a great experience for her squad. Fedorjaka says the team has already begun to prepare for the game and the excitement level is high. Bucknell became the Patriot League Champions after defeating Holy Cross.

The game will be played this Sunday in Norfolk, Virginia. More details will be released today and you can find them online at www.bucknellbison.com. (Sara Bartlett)

LEWISBURG – The Trout Auditorium at Bucknell University was packed yesterday (Monday) as two actors from hit TV shows came to show their support for Senator Barack Obama. Dule Hill, star of the show Psych, and Zach Quinto, star of the show Heroes, are Obama representatives traveling to different colleges spreading the word to vote. Quinto says he’s no expert on political policies, but thinks it’s important, especially for young adults, to have their voice heard.

The celebrities were stumped during the question and answer session when having to answer about Obama’s legislative accomplishments, but explained that they were mainly speaking to the crowd in order to generate passion about the presidential hopeful.

Bucknell President, Brian Mitchell, extended invitations to Obama, as well as Hillary Clinton and John McCain to come to the University to speak during their campaign trail. (Sara Bartlett)

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)

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)

SELINSGROVE – Copper wire, tools and an antique hay rake are among items stolen from construction sites and a residence recently in Snyder County. Troopers say wire, tools and other items were taken from the Target construction site on Routes 11 & 15 Sunday night or Monday morning. The Coles Hardware site in Franklin Township is where a dozen rolls of wire were taken during roughly the same time period. Meantime, troopers say an antique metal hay rake was taken from a field on Orchard Lane in Centre Township, and may have been sold to an area junkyard.

State Police at the Selinsgrove barracks request a call if you have information about these thefts. They are reportedly unrelated. (Matt Farrand)

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 38^th 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 24^th 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)

NEW YORK – The deal that saved a nearly bankrupt brokerage is the reason stocks did what they did Monday. Analysts say JP Morgan Chase got the better of the transaction, buying brokerage Bear Stearns for less than the value of its real estate holdings, or about $2.00 per share. The Dow Industrials enter the day just below 12,000 at 11, 972, having risen 21 points Monday. Dow component JP Morgan is up more than 10% after Monday trading.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Federal authorities say herbal supplements were added to a family's frozen fish dinner by someone after food was purchased. U.S. Food and Drug Administration spokeswoman Stephanie Kwisnek said Monday the agency has finished its investigation into the pills found last month in a New Freedom family's fish fillets and does not plan to seek criminal charges. Kwisnek called the Feb. 24 incident isolated and not the fault of Gorton's Inc., the Gloucester, Mass.-based manufacturer, or Giant, the Shrewsbury grocery store where the food was purchased. Gorton's recalled about 1,000 cases of its 6 Crispy Battered Fish Fillets after Tracy Rowan reported that both she and her 9-year-old daughter discovered the pills in their mouths as they ate dinner. They weren't sickened.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Gov. Ed Rendell is putting his full weight behind a health insurance bill now headed to the Senate. The bill is designed to help pay for health insurance for about 270,000 uninsured Pennsylvania adults at an annual cost expected to reach $1.1 billion in five years. At a press conference Tuesday, Rendell called the bill a "landmark" piece of legislation, saying it sends the message to people without insurance that help is on the way. It passed the House on Monday, 118-81. However, prospects for the bill are uncertain in the Senate. The chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee is questioning whether the funding will be adequate. Rendell responded that he's happy to listen if the committee chairman, Sen. Don White, has other funding ideas.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - People who want Pennsylvania to replace its system of electing appellate judges with an appointed system are undertaking a new effort to convince the Legislature. They say last year's state Supreme Court campaigns that cost nearly $8 million are evidence that the need to raise large campaign donations may be putting judicial independence at risk. At an event in the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday, a coalition of lawmakers, judges and the advocacy group Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts said legislation is about to be introduced to start the constitutional amendment process. They're acknowledging they face an uphill battle, but are hoping the reform momentum and support from Gov. Ed Rendell will lead to wider public support for their cause.

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

	Here is the latest from Newsradio 1070 WKOK

Tuesday, March 18, 2008 Fire guts a Shamokin row home SHAMOKIN – Fire gutted a row home in Shamokin Tuesday afternoon. The fire started at 303 South Harrison Street around 12:15p.m. Shamokin Fire Chief Robert Wolfe says they arrived to a working structure fire in the two-story town-home. A next-door neighbor says she saw smoke and flames coming from the rear of the home and called 911. She banged on two neighboring homes to make sure the residents got out safely. Brenda Schweitzer lives at 303 South Harrison and is now staying elsewhere after the blaze. A second home at 301 South Harrison had minor damage. The investigation continues into what caused the fire. Crews from Shamokin, Coal Township, Elysburg and Kulpmont were able to bring the fire under control in about a half-hour, but remained on scene through the early afternoon, dousing hot spots and cleaning up. (Ali Stevens) Public invited to attended seminar on Sunbury’s future SUNBURY – The Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way and the City of Sunbury will be hosting a seminar titled “Sunbury: A City Moving Forward” to address hot topics in the town. Keri Albright, President and CEO of the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way, says the seminar is a chance for the community to talk about both the good and bad in the city, as well as local officials to discuss positive things in Sunbury, something that is not often done. Panel members and the community will discuss the perception of Sunbury and the reality of the city, as well as what is being done to move forward. The panel includes Sunbury Revitalization President Cory Fasold, Shikellamy School Board President Tim Fister, Sunbury Police Chief Stephen Mazzeo, Northumberland County Commissioner Frank Sawicki, President of SPARC John Shipman and Mayor of Sunbury Jesse Woodring. The seminar will be moderated by WKOK’s Mark Lawrence. It takes place Tuesday, March 25^th from 7:00p.m.-9:00pm. in the Shikellamy High School Auditorium. (Sara Bartlett) Salary Board OKs raise for new probation chief SUNBURY – Northumberland County’s next chief of adult probation will earn more money. Commissioners are increasing the job’s annual salary to about $53,000. Commissioner Kurt Masser says the prior salary was too low to attract qualified applicants. The next deputy chief is also being given a raise. Adult probation chief Michael Potteiger recently announced that he was leaving the position for a comparable position in Dauphin county starting in April. Masser says salary board matters are being addressed when needed prior to regularly scheduled commissioners meetings. Commissioners also approved an increase for non-union court employees of 3.0% retroactive to the first pay period of the year. (Matt Farrand Financial stocks of local interest gain big NEW YORK – Stocks of local interest are following the market broadly higher after the Federal Reserve announced it would cut its main lending rate three-quarters of a point to 2.25%. Analysts say it is meant to prop up the US financial system. M&T Bank is up 1.7% to 81.51, FNB Corp, Omega Financial and the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust are all up about 3.0%, and Sovreign Bancorp is up more than 5.0% to more than 10 dollars per share. Other stocks are also higher, as PPL Corp gained more than 1.6% to 46.70. Weis Markets, Sara Lee, and Conagra Foods are also enjoying gains of more than two percent. Community Health Systems is also more than two percent higher, at more than 31 dollars per share. PPL donates Hummels Wharf boat launce to Monroe Township HUMMELS WHARF – Monroe Township now has public use of the Hummels Wharf boat launch. PPL has donated the 4.3 acre boat access area on the west side of the Susquehanna River, to continue its land donation and economic outreach with the township. Community Relations Director of PPL, Don Stringfellow, says this donation, along with a grant the township had received from the PA Fish and Boat Commission, will help improve the area for public use. The launch, located off Old Trail Road, had been maintained by PPL’s staff from the Montour Environmental Preserve. Stringfellow says PPL has a commitment for land preservation in order to enhance recreation on the river, and the boat launch is a way to do so. Stringfellow says PPL had previously donated 225 acres of land to Snyder County for the use of six islands near Shamokin Dam for use by public boaters to help them bypass the dam. He adds that the next project they may work on is establishing a camping site on Byers Island. (Sara Bartlett) Tackling Target and tolls LEWISBURG – Union County Commissioner Preston Boop encourage people to get involved in stopping tolls on Interstate 80. He spoke Tuesday along with fellow commissioner John Showers at the League of Women Voters luncheon in Lewisburg. Boop says tolls would be detrimental to the economy of our region, and cites the building-in-process, Target Distribution Center, that may be negatively affected. He says that free travel along I-80 was one of the economic advantages of the I-80 corridor, but if you take that advantage away, the region is at a serious economic and developmental disadvantage in the state and country. Boop said the construction of the Target DC is moving along and is slated to be open by 2009, employing about 500 people. The next League of women voters meeting will be April 15^th. The speaker will be Sean McLaughlin of the Union County Planning office. (Sheri Rippon) What are the most critical habitat issues in the world as some species decline? ALLENWOOD – You hear about the polar bears facing extinction from climate change and we recently told you about frogs struggling to survive due to changes in their environment. We asked Chad Peeling of Reptiland in Allenwood to talk about the most critical habitat issues facing the world. He says the number one problem is habitat loss or destruction, which is making habitat unusable for animals used to living there. The other problem is invasive species, which is releasing exotic plants and animals in places where they don’t belong. Yet another issue is pollution, whether its global climate change or dumping chemicals into our waterways, Peeling says we are fouling the environment. However, Peeling says there is some good news out of this, because people want to help and care about the things making headlines. He says they will probably be able to save something that is hurting the environment, but for some problems, it’s already too late. Peeling also spoke extensively about other endangered species, including bats and an amphibian known as a skink. You can hear all of Chad Peelings comments about the environment and what we can do to help in an upcoming Leaders and Lawmakers program. (Ali Stevens) A monopoly tournament coming up at the Susquehanna Valley Mall SELINSGROVE – If you grew up playing monopoly with your friends and family, you may want to take part in an upcoming tournament. The 5^th Annual Monopoly Tournament, hosted by Clinical Outcomes Group is coming up on April 13^th at the Susquehanna Valley Mall in Selinsgrove and the Fairlane Village Mall in Pottsville. Megan Will of Clinical Outcomes says the tournament is for anyone age 8 and older and will start at 1 p.m. on April 13^th at both malls. Entry fee is $10 and the proceeds will support tobacco free programs organized by Clinical Outcomes and also the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. If you would like to take part in the tournament, you are asked to call 473-1290, or you can just show up at the mall the day of the event. Clinical Outcomes is also looking for volunteers to serve as bankers at each of the tournament tables. The top three players from each mall tournament will move on to compete for $200 on April 27^th. Lifetime of satisfactions after joining 4-H DANVILLE – 4-H week continues with more profiles of long time members. Samantha Stump is 18 years old, a senior at Danville High School, and a member of 4-H for nearly 10 years. Samantha says she enjoys 4-H activities such as cooking, sewing, shooting sports and volunteering as a Relay for Life team captain. She expects to go to college soon, but return to 4-H in a leadership capacity. Meantime, Montour County program head Vonnie Young says many 4-H members make it a life-long commitment that involves many family members. Young say her parents were 4-H leaders, and she’s worked in the Extension office before becoming an assistant for the county chapter. Penn State Cooperative Extension Offices have more information about 4-H, both statewide and locally. Danville man dead after I-180 crash LYCOMING CO. – The name of the man killed in a Monday crash on Interstate 180 is now known. State Police say 22-year-old Jason Snyder of Danville was a passenger in a car heading east near Montoursville. He was thrown from the vehicle when it left the highway and rolled several times at about 12:45pm. Reports say Snyder was pronounced dead at a hospital. Three others suffered minor injures including a baby in a car seat. Eastbound I-180 was closed for a time near the Warrensville Road exit. (Matt Farrand) More similarities than differences found at the candidates debate last night SELINSGROVE – You had to listen carefully to the debate last night in Selinsgrove to hear the differences between Dan Meuser and Chris Hackett, but those differences were there. The GOP candidates facing each other in the 10^th District US Congressional race participated in a form of a debate last night. Moderators posed questions and the two candidates had a limited time to respond. The candidates did differ on education reform, how and when to get out of Iraq, and how each compares to the other. Dan Meuser said he has more ‘experience’ and has a long list of prominent GOP supporters. Chris Hackett said his supporters are prominent; they are grassroots individuals and organizations. The two also differed on competitive bidding on federal spending, education reform and the use of congressional earmarks. The debate was sponsored by the Susquehanna Valley College Republicans and was broadcast on Newsradio 1070 WKOK and on Eagle 107. You can hear the debate at www.wkok.com and the event will be on an upcoming Roundtable. Bison to take on the Tarheels LEWISBURG – Cheers of excitement broke out last night as the Bucknell Women’s Basketball team and their fans gathered on campus to watch the NCAA brackets unfold. The 16^th seeded Bison will take on No. 1 seeded North Carolina in the first round of the tournament. Head Coach Kathy Fedorjaka says she had about four teams in mind for who they might play, and she’s glad it was the Tarheels. She says playing one of the most talented and athletic teams in the country will be a great experience for her squad. Fedorjaka says the team has already begun to prepare for the game and the excitement level is high. Bucknell became the Patriot League Champions after defeating Holy Cross. The game will be played this Sunday in Norfolk, Virginia. More details will be released today and you can find them online at www.bucknellbison.com. (Sara Bartlett) TV stars encourage Bucknell students to vote LEWISBURG – The Trout Auditorium at Bucknell University was packed yesterday (Monday) as two actors from hit TV shows came to show their support for Senator Barack Obama. Dule Hill, star of the show Psych, and Zach Quinto, star of the show Heroes, are Obama representatives traveling to different colleges spreading the word to vote. Quinto says he’s no expert on political policies, but thinks it’s important, especially for young adults, to have their voice heard. The celebrities were stumped during the question and answer session when having to answer about Obama’s legislative accomplishments, but explained that they were mainly speaking to the crowd in order to generate passion about the presidential hopeful. Bucknell President, Brian Mitchell, extended invitations to Obama, as well as Hillary Clinton and John McCain to come to the University to speak during their campaign trail. (Sara Bartlett) 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) Thieves net scrap metal and tools SELINSGROVE – Copper wire, tools and an antique hay rake are among items stolen from construction sites and a residence recently in Snyder County. Troopers say wire, tools and other items were taken from the Target construction site on Routes 11 & 15 Sunday night or Monday morning. The Coles Hardware site in Franklin Township is where a dozen rolls of wire were taken during roughly the same time period. Meantime, troopers say an antique metal hay rake was taken from a field on Orchard Lane in Centre Township, and may have been sold to an area junkyard. State Police at the Selinsgrove barracks request a call if you have information about these thefts. They are reportedly unrelated. (Matt Farrand) 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 38^th 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 24^th 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) Weekend deal felt in Monday market NEW YORK – The deal that saved a nearly bankrupt brokerage is the reason stocks did what they did Monday. Analysts say JP Morgan Chase got the better of the transaction, buying brokerage Bear Stearns for less than the value of its real estate holdings, or about $2.00 per share. The Dow Industrials enter the day just below 12,000 at 11, 972, having risen 21 points Monday. Dow component JP Morgan is up more than 10% after Monday trading. Banking and financial stocks of local interest are mixed, as M&T Bank and the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust gained a fraction, F&B Bank and Omega Financial; gained about two percent apiece, but Sovereign Bancorp enters the new day down about 4.0 percent at 9.56. Otherwise, PPL Corp is up a fraction. Weis Markets, Sara Lee and Conagra are down a fraction, and Community Health Systems enters the day down 4.6% at 30.45. (Matt Farrand) Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment: HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Federal authorities say herbal supplements were added to a family's frozen fish dinner by someone after food was purchased. U.S. Food and Drug Administration spokeswoman Stephanie Kwisnek said Monday the agency has finished its investigation into the pills found last month in a New Freedom family's fish fillets and does not plan to seek criminal charges. Kwisnek called the Feb. 24 incident isolated and not the fault of Gorton's Inc., the Gloucester, Mass.-based manufacturer, or Giant, the Shrewsbury grocery store where the food was purchased. Gorton's recalled about 1,000 cases of its 6 Crispy Battered Fish Fillets after Tracy Rowan reported that both she and her 9-year-old daughter discovered the pills in their mouths as they ate dinner. They weren't sickened. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Gov. Ed Rendell is putting his full weight behind a health insurance bill now headed to the Senate. The bill is designed to help pay for health insurance for about 270,000 uninsured Pennsylvania adults at an annual cost expected to reach $1.1 billion in five years. At a press conference Tuesday, Rendell called the bill a "landmark" piece of legislation, saying it sends the message to people without insurance that help is on the way. It passed the House on Monday, 118-81. However, prospects for the bill are uncertain in the Senate. The chairman of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee is questioning whether the funding will be adequate. Rendell responded that he's happy to listen if the committee chairman, Sen. Don White, has other funding ideas. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - People who want Pennsylvania to replace its system of electing appellate judges with an appointed system are undertaking a new effort to convince the Legislature. They say last year's state Supreme Court campaigns that cost nearly $8 million are evidence that the need to raise large campaign donations may be putting judicial independence at risk. At an event in the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday, a coalition of lawmakers, judges and the advocacy group Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts said legislation is about to be introduced to start the constitutional amendment process. They're acknowledging they face an uphill battle, but are hoping the reform momentum and support from Gov. Ed Rendell will lead to wider public support for their cause. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Tuesday in the midday Pennsylvania State Lottery drawing: Daily Number 3-0-4 Big 4 5-5-2-7 Treasure Hunt 1-9-13-16-20 (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)