Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Meuser, Hackett comments draw reaction from Carney

WASHINGTON – Statements issued by GOP challengers during a debate broadcast live on NewsRadio 1070 WKOK and Eagle 107 Monday night are drawing the attention of the legislator they hope to unseat.  Republican Dan Meuser says he is “180 degrees” different, when was asked by moderator Mark Lawrence to compare himself with Democrat Chris Carney.  The 10^th District incumbent spoke on the WKOK News Line Wednesday afternoon, and says Meuser must favor “I-80 tolling and be against the Susquehanna Valley thruway.”  Carney says Chris Hackett’s implication that he does not vote independently is equally without merit. 

The Democrat who beat Republican Don Sherwood in 2006 cites a National Journal that calls Carney’s voting record largely independent of party politics.  Monday night’s debate is available anytime at wkok.com.  (Matt Farrand)

Roofer faces theft charges for not delivering

WATSONTOWN – A Watsontown man faces theft charges after accepting money for a roofing job, then never following through with the work.  In July 2007, 36-year-old John Badman was paid $2,500 by a Watsontown woman to replace the roof on her home.  Badman allegedly never did the work or refund the money to the victim.  He was arraigned Tuesday in front of District Justice William Kear on deceptive business practices and theft by deception.  Badman is in Northumberland County Prison on $7,500 bail. (Sara Bartlett)

SUNCART equipment access gained

MIDDLEBURG – There is mixed news for SUNCART. The Snyder, Union, Northumberland County Animal Rescue Team now has renewed access to their equipment, but they’ll have to pay rent. We first told you Monday that the regional animal rescue and response team was being denied access to their computers, copiers and other training equipment. 

The storage building they were using, which is rented by Snyder County, was sealed while the county 9-1-1 investigation is continuing. Commissioner chairman Joe Kantz told us today…SUNCART can now access their equipment, but the free storage will have to change. He said some rent or utility sharing is necessary, since the county has to pay for the building, and free rent isn’t something they can offer other emergency responders.

The storage building and all EMA oriented buildings were locked down because they contained hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment, which was associated with the former director Dave Nichols investigation. For example, Kantz said 20 laptop computers, which were in storage for two years, are now deployed and will allow county employees to have a portable back up of their stationary computers.

South Harrison St., Shamokin fire called electrical

SHAMOKIN – Fire that gutted a home in Shamokin yesterday has been ruled electrical in nature.  The blaze that destroyed the row home at 303 South Harrison Street was reportedly caused by a malfunction in a baseboard heater.  Neighbors say they saw smoke coming from the structure around 12:15p.m., called 911 and then alerted 40-year-old Brenda Schweitzer who was in the home at the time.

Shamokin Fire Chief Robert Wolfe says they had a great response by crews from Shamokin, Coal Township, Elysburg and Kulpmont, and were able to get the fire under control in about a half-hour.  Some surrounded homes sustained minor damage.  303 South Harrison is said to be a complete loss.  

Detours during Route 522 Bridge replacement, Middleburg

MIDDLEBURG – Contractors are preparing to replace the 75-year-old Route 522 bridge that spans across a tributary of Middle Creek in Middleburg.  Eastern Industries contractors will install temporary utility poles and traffic signals on April 1^st.  Traffic on Route 522 will initially be restricted to a single lane and a temporary traffic signal will be installed at the intersection of Paxtonville Road and Route 104. 

Then in June, a signed detour will be posted and contractors will then begin to remove the existing single-span steel bridge.  It will be replaced with a pre-cast concrete bridge.  There will also be drainage improvements, curbing and sidewalk and new blacktop included in the construction.  The over $1,080,000 project is expected to be complete in August. (Sara Bartlett)         

Burglar scared off by alarm at Upper Augusta Township business 

SUNBURY – State Police are investigating a burglary at the Kratzer Oil Company.  The incident took place around 3:30a.m. this (Wednesday) morning.  Police say the burglar gained entry to the Upper Augusta Township business by smashing a window, entering through the front of the building and into an office.  An alarm was activated once the burglar was inside at which time they ran away.  Police say it appears that nothing was stolen.  Damage to the business is $250, and anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call Milton State Police. (Sara Bartlett)  

Preliminary hearing for man charged with sex assault

MIFFLINBURG – A 40-year-old Mifflinburg man faces numerous charges after having sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl.  David Clay allegedly had sexual intercourse with the girl numerous times in Union County, New Columbia and State College over a two-year period.  He is charged on a number of counts including involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault and corruption of minors.  He will face a preliminary hearing in front of District Justice Jeffrey Mensch on March 25^th. (Sara Bartlett) 

DUI charge pending against Orangeville man

DELAWARE TWP – An Orangeville man faces DUI charges after an accident in Delaware Township on March 5^th.  24-year-old Roland Sassaman Jr. was driving on East 8^th Street near Route 1007 when he failed to stop at an intersection and struck an embankment.  Both he and a passenger, 23-year-old Tammi Snader of West Milton then fled the scene.  Sassaman was picked up by Watsontown Borough Police and placed under arrest for DUI.  He will face charges in front of District Justice William Kear. (Sara Bartlett)

Non-union court employees also get raises

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 maters 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

Tackling Target and tolls

LEWISBURG – You can join coalition of chambers set up to fight the tolling of Interstate 80 that’s according to one county commissioner. Union County Commissioner Preston Boop spoke to the League of Women Voters in Lewisburg today. Boop says that he is against the tolling of I-80 and says that folks can fight it locally by contacting Maria Culp at the Central Pa. Chamber in Milton.

Boop says an issue that is always of interest is the economic barometer in the county and he mentions that the Target is moving along and slated to open by 2009 employing some 500 people. The next League of women voters meeting will be April 15th with Sean McGlaughlin of the Union County Planning office. (Sheri Rippon)

The good and the bad about Sunbury to be discussed a public meeting

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.

It will also give the public and local officials a chance 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.

Refreshments will be served…The panel includes Sunbury Revitalization President Cory Fasold, Shikellamy School Board President Tim Fister, Sunbury Police Chief Stephen Mazzeo, Northumberland County Commissioner Frank Sawicki.

Also on the panel, President of SPARC John Shipman and Mayor of Sunbury Jesse Woodring. WKOK’s Mark Lawrence will moderate the seminar. It takes place Tuesday, March 25th from 7:00p.m.-9:00pm. in the Shikellamy High School Auditorium. (Sara Bartlett)

Structure fire destroys a home in Shamokin

SHAMOKIN – Fire gutted a rowhouse in Shamokin Tuesday afternoon. The fire started at 303 South Harrison Street around 12:15p.m. Fire Chief Robert Wolfe says they arrived to a working structure fire in the two-story town-home.

“Tabitha” lives next door and 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. The first home is 301 South Harrison and minor damage was reported to that home.

Brenda Schwietzer lives at 303 South Harrison and is now staying elsewhere since her home is destroyed. 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)

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)

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 5th Annual Monopoly Tournament, hosted by Clinical Outcomes Group is coming up on April 13th 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 13th 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 27th.

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.

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Barack Obama is refusing to reject his controversial former pastor, but is denouncing his inflammatory statements. In a speech in Philadelphia, Obama urged America to confront its racial divide, which he says involves both black grievances and white resentment. Obama said racial resentments are real, the "anger is real" and can't be wished away. He made his remarks at the National Constitution Center, near Philadelphia's Independence Hall.

LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) - Hillary Rodham Clinton told a group of young veterans that one lesson of the Iraq War is not to commit troops "unless you are prepared to go all the way and are prepared to be successful." Speaking in Lancaster, Clinton was questioned politely about her plans to begin withdrawing troops within 60 days after taking office. The former first lady also said U.S. forces already have fulfilled the mission they were assigned. She says the Iraqi government has failed to create a stable political system despite the U.S. effort. She says it doesn't make sense to stick around indefinitely in that situation.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A state Senate committee has passed a proposal to amend the state Constitution to ban gay marriage and civil unions. The Judiciary Committee approved it Tuesday, 10-4. Opponents sought more hearings on the bill, saying the wording of the proposal that bans civil unions is so poorly defined that it could endanger the rights that gay and lesbian couples have now. Supporters say the wording isn't meant to take away current rights, such as a partner's health care coverage or ability to grant power of attorney. A constitutional amendment requires approval from both legislative chambers in two consecutive two-year sessions and ultimate approval in a statewide referendum.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Gov. Ed Rendell is giving his full support to 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 news 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.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - For the first time, it takes only a couple of mouse clicks to access information on how Pennsylvania hospitals stack up against each other. The Pennsylvania Health Care Quality Alliance is starting a new Web site, www.phcqa.org . It has quality reports that compare performance and outcomes of all 162 primary acute care hospitals in the state. Users of the Web site can look up hospitals with the best, and worst, track records in four categories during a certain year. They are treating heart attacks, heart failure, pneumonia, or preventing certain hospital-acquired infections. The group says those four categories were the first chosen, in part, because they are ailments among the most common and most costly for hospitals.

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

 Daily Number

     8-7-7

 Big 4

     2-8-8-2 

 Treasure Hunt

     6-12-13-21-23

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

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) - He was the visionary science fiction writer who won worldwide acclaim with more than 100 books on space, science and the future. Arthur C. Clarke has died in his adopted home of Sri Lanka at the age of 90. An aide says Clarke had been suffering from breathing problems. His 1968 story "2001: A Space Odyssey" – written simultaneously as a novel and screenplay with director Stanley Kubrick -- was a frightening prophesy of artificial intelligence run amok. Clarke also entered the homes of millions of Americans alongside Walter Cronkite anchoring television coverage of the Apollo moon landing. He was credited with the concept of communications satellites in 1945, decades before they became a reality. And his non-fiction volumes on space travel and his explorations of the Great Barrier Reef and Indian Ocean earned him respect in the world of science. In 1976 Clarke became an honorary fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. At a 90th birthday party thrown for Clarke in December, the author said he had three wishes: for Sri Lanka's raging civil war to end, for the world to embrace cleaner sources of energy and for evidence of extraterrestrial beings to be discovered.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Senator Barack Obama has condemned divisive comments from his longtime pastor in a major speech meant to repair damage to his presidential campaign. But the Illinois Democrat says, "I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community." Obama said the sermons delivered by the Reverend Jeremiah Wright now circulating on the Internet and television "rightly offend white and black alike." Those sermons from years ago curse America and suggest that the U.S. brought the September 11th terrorist attacks on itself. While Obama rejected what Wright said, he also embraced the man who inspired his Christian faith, officiated at his wedding, baptized his daughters and has been his spiritual guide for nearly 20 years.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Bruno Tonioli says deaf actress Marlee Matlin may not be able to hear the music, but it's running through her blood. She made her debut on "Dancing With The Stars" last night with a sexy cha-cha. Olympic figure skating champion Kristi Yamaguchi was another judge favorite. Carrie Ann Inaba said her fox trot was perfection, and Bruno called it one of the best first round performances that he'd ever seen. She got the highest score of the night with 27 out of 30. But the reaction wasn't as good for tennis champ Monica Seles. The judges told her she needed to focus on straightening her core. Carrie Ann told her "it takes a lot of confidence for someone like you because this obviously doesn't come very easy for you." Seles came in last for the ladies with 15 out of 30. The stars dance again on Monday, and then two people will be kicked off Tuesday.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Dick Van Dyke may be 82, but he can still get 14 syllables into a single word. Van Dyke sang "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" on Monday night at the Geffen Playhouse during a tribute to actress Annette Bening and studio chief Robert Iger. The ceremony honored their efforts to support the arts - live theater in particular. Van Dyke even recreated bit of the choreography from "Mary Poppins" with the current Broadway stars of "Poppins" and "Mermaid," Ashley Brown and Sierra Boggess. "The secret to keeping moving," Van Dyke said, "is keeping moving." Not coincidentally, Julie Andrews served as co-chair of the tribute with Van Dyke, marking a "Poppins"-movie reunion on the arrivals line