Friday, March 19, 2010

Teens perish in Snyder County accident

MIDDLEBURG – At least two Snyder County teens are reportedly dead after a crash Friday afternoon.  Snyder County Communications will only say there was a crash with serious injuries in the 3:00 p.m. hour along Sail Barn Road in Middle Creek Township, nor will they confirm that a coroner was summoned.  A third teen reportedly sustained serious injuries.

However, Midd-West School Athletic Director Bree Solomon contacted the WKOK newsroom to cancel a charity basketball game planned for Saturday at the Middle School because of the fatalities.  Middleburg Police investigated the accident and plan to release details.  (Matt Farrand)

Evangelical Community Hospital breaks ground on $32 million project

LEWISBURG – Ground was broken Friday on a $32 million surgical and cardiovascular expansion project at Evangelical Community Hospital.  The 41,000 square foot facility will include a new cardiovascular suite, with a new catheterization lab, a surgical suite with eight new operating rooms and a family and patient waiting area.  The expansion is part of the effort to bring more services to the hospital. 

Officials say last year over 5,000 surgeries were done at the hospital, and when the expansion is complete even more will be done.  The project is expected to take about two and half years. Additionally, Evan board member Roger Haddon Jr. said their ‘comprehensive campaign’ has amassed 70% of the goal. More on this is on Newsradio 1070 WKOK and here on www.wkok.com tomorrow.

Gubernatorial candidate says tolling Interstate 80 is the way to go

STATE COLLEGE – A Democratic Gubernatorial candidate, who is also a county commissioner in Montgomery County, believes tolling Interstate 80 is the way to generate money for mass transit.  Joe Hoeffel talked about the topic on Friday’s On The Mark Program when he called in from State College. 

Hoeffel says I-80 should be tolled and other roads in the state may need to be tolled also.  Hoeffel says there should be a significant increase in the gas tax and motor vehicle fees.  He says he wants to double the income for PennDOT and should come in the form of user fees.  Hoeffel says he knows motorists aren’t in favor of toll roads, but in the long run, he says they will appreciate better and safer highways. 

When asked about the CSVT project, Hoeffel didn’t immediately know what the project was until the bypass was described to him, and then said he does support the CSVT project and other projects across the state.  You can listen to Joe Hoeffel talk about a number of topics, including protecting the environment from drilling in the Marcellus Shale from our Friday On The Mark program, which is online at www.wkok.com.  (Ali Stevens)

Bull Run Neighborhood Committee active in LASD discussion

LEWISBURG – As talks continue about changes in the Lewisburg Area School District, one group has circled petitions to keep the current high school building downtown.  Co-Chair of the Bull Run Neighborhood Committee, Brian Gockley, says many see the school at the corner of Market Street and Route 15 as a “front door to Lewisburg.”

The school board and community members have been involved in a number of discussions about the facilities.  Some options include renovating the existing high school or building a new school altogether.  Gockley says they favor keeping the building downtown, but it doesn’t necessarily have to remain the high school.  He says there is currently no drawing of what a renovated high school would look like, what it would look like if an elementary school was more there, or what a brand new school would look like. 

The Bill Run Neighborhood Committee is comprised of a number of members working to improve housing, beautify the Lewisburg area and enhance the relationship of the community and students.  For more information on the master facilities plan, go online to www.lasd.us. (Sara Bartlett) 

One dead after Lycoming County house fire

MONTOURSVILLE – One man was found dead after a fire broke out at a home near Montoursville around 5:30 Friday morning.  Crews from Lycoming and Union County were called to the scene this morning on Florence Drive and arrived to flames and smoke pouring through the roof. 

The damage was so extensive that the first floor of the home collapsed.  One man was found dead in a first floor bedroom.  He has not been identified.  A state police fire marshal will investigate the cause of the deadly fire.  No working smoke alarms were found in the home.  (Ali Stevens)

The Susquehanna Heartland Wine Trail continues

SUNBURY – Celebrating and supporting local wineries is the concept behind the Susquehanna Heartland Wine Trail taking place each weekend in March.  With two weekends to go, Spy Glass Ridge Winery near Sunbury has a special event planned for tomorrow featuring live music all afternoon.  Tim Kinsey of Spy Glass says Michael O’Brien will perform, which is a very popular show with 650 tickets sold already.

There will be plenty of food and wine to enjoy also. Several local wineries take part in the Susquehanna Heartland Wine Trail including Shade Mountain of Middleburg, Benigna Creek of Klingerstown and Brookmere of Reedsville, along with several others.  Each winery will have their own events planned for the next two weekends and you can visit www.pawinetrail.com for details.  (Ali Stevens)

New Habitat for Humanity home in New Columbia

NEW COLUMBIA – The Union-Snyder chapter of Habitat for Humanity will break ground on a new house for a local family on Saturday.  In partnership with Central Pennsylvania YouthBuild, Habitat will build a new house in New Columbia for the Friend family of Bloomsburg.  Robert and Amanda Friend have two children, ages 6 and 3, with the family looking forward to owning their own home.  Construction will get underway on Saturday in New Columbia.  (Ali Stevens)

Union County roadwork begins next week
 

Long cleanup of Union County roadway after wreck

LEWISBURG – Cross Roads Drive outside of Lewisburg was closed for more than seven hours Thursday, after a mulch truck hit a utility pole and overturned. Traffic was routed over neighboring roads in Kelly Township while crews cleaned up the cargo and the utility pole was replaced following the 10:15 a.m. crash.

24-year-old Nicholas Anspach of Milton was the driver of the truck—he was treated and released from a hospital. Union County Communications reported Cross Roads Drive between Fort Titzell Road and Creek Road was reopened in the 5:00 p.m. hour. (Matt Farrand)

Business growth starts with small business formation

SELINSGROVE – The keys to reviving our economy are small businesses using available local assets. An economist was a recent speaker before members of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce and spoke about job growth. Anirban Basu says small business growth starts with small business formation.

Although Basu says most people are not in a position to start their own small business, the key is to empower people with the skills to start one. He says an advantage in the Greater Susquehanna Valley is that there are so many people who are highly educated that the demographics here are conducive to small business formation, which creates a lot of jobs.

Basu is the President and CEO of Sage Policy Group in Baltimore, and was a speaker during Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce’ recent ‘Look Before You Leap’ conference. (Sara Bartlett)

"Danville 'empty house' fire ruled arson"

DANVILLE – Fire that destroyed an abandon building in Danville Wednesday night has been ruled arson. A state police fire marshal says the blaze at 110 Lower Street in Mahoning Township started outside on the corner of the building and spread to the attic area.

John Pickin, who is not insured, owns the property. Damage is estimated at $28,000. The investigation continues and anyone with information on the blaze that started just after 8:00p.m. is asked to call Mahoning Township Police.

Bloomsburg man charged with stabbing his roommate

BLOOMSBURG – A Bloomsburg man is behind bars, charged with stabbing his roommate. Police were called to a home on West Fourth Street around 1:30 Thursday morning for a report of an assault. They found 39-year-old Jiang Xin Bing, who had been stabbed in the chest and arms.

Bing told police his roommate, 32-year-old Hui Chen, attacked him. Chen has been charged with aggravated assault and reckless endangerment. He’s locked up in the Columbia County Prison. No word on Bing’s condition. (Ali Stevens)

House of Hope hosts their annual Dance Marathon

DANVILLE – The 4th annual House of Hope Susquehanna Valley dance marathon will take place today (Friday) and tomorrow in Danville. The House of Hope is a home away from home for teens struggling with issues such as addictions and abuse.

They teach teen girls how to become healthy and contributing members of society through a Christian based program. The Karen Gronsky School of Dance hosts the Dance Marathon at the Danville Elks. Also at this year’s event is international drummer Aaron Kennedy from Dublin, Ireland.

Kennedy will be hosting an air drumming competition at the event with numerous prizes to give away. Everyone is invited to take part in the Dance Marathon with 13 hours of non-stop dancing to support the House of Hope. More info at www.hohsv.com or www.karengronskyschoolofdance.com. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's state-owned universities are offering cash incentives to entice about 400 senior employees to retire.  A spokesman for the State System of Higher Education says payments will vary from $6,000 to $30,000 per employee, depending on their years of service and pay grade.  Spokesman Kenn Marshall says the offer is open to full-time, non-faculty employees who are at least 60 years old or who have at least 35 years of service. Those employees already are eligible to retire with benefits that include health-care coverage. Kenneth Jarin, chairman of the system's board, says the goal is to hold down costs and maintain quality education.  Marshall said the money for the payments will come out of university operating funds and won't add to the liabilities of the pension fund.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Sen. Arlen Specter is getting back some of the seniority he lost when he switched from Republican to Democrat last year.  The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Friday that Specter has jumped over six other Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee.  The newspaper said Specter was moved up in the seating order at a committee meeting Thursday and that he worked through Senate Democratic leadership to regain some of his seniority.  As a Republican, he spent time as chairman of the Judiciary and Veterans Affairs committees.  Specter entered the Senate in 1981 and is one of the most senior senators. But when he switched parties, his new Democratic colleagues voted him to be the most junior Democrat.  He is running for a sixth term this year.     

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania employers continued to reduce payrolls last month as the state's unemployment rate rose slightly to its highest point in a quarter century. The state Labor and Industry Department says employers shed another 16,000 jobs in February. That brings the number of jobs lost since the recession began in December 2007 to 260,000, or one in 22. The department also says the unemployment rate rose from 8.8 percent to 8.9 percent in February, the highest in 25 years. The department initially reported the jobless rate to be 8.9 percent in October, then later revised it downward to 8.6 percent. Still, Pennsylvania's rate remains below the national jobless rate of 9.7 percent.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A Pennsylvania congressman says the U.S. terrorism suspect known as "Jihad Jane" cooperated in an international probe of radical Muslims. Republican Rep. Charles Dent says his information about Colleen LaRose is based on meetings with the FBI and other briefings. The 46-year-old LaRose lives in Dent's district in Pennsburg in eastern Pennsylvania and is accused of conspiring with jihadist fighters and pledging to murder a Swedish artist. She pleaded not guilty Thursday in Philadelphia to four counts. Dent believes the indictment was filed this month after investigators learned what they could from LaRose. The FBI and U.S. attorney's office won't comment on Dent's remarks.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The fifth day of deliberations in the public corruption trial of a former Pennsylvania lawmaker and three of his former aides has ended without a jury verdict. Jurors finished their talks late this afternoon and were dismissed by Dauphin County Judge Richard Lewis. They didn't indicate how close they might be to a verdict in the trial of former Democratic state Rep. Mike Veon and former staffers Brett Cott, Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink and Steve Keefer. The jury has deliberated for about 38 hours since closed-door talks began late Friday. The defendants are accused of theft, conspiracy and conflict of interest. Prosecutors say they ran a scheme to siphon off taxpayer resources to wage political campaigns and underwrite other activities.

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) - Two county commissioners from northeastern Pennsylvania are calling for the resignation of a fellow official charged in a federal corruption probe. Lackawanna County Commissioners Corey O'Brien and Mike Washo say they want fellow commissioner A.J. Munchak to resign after federal prosecutors charged him Tuesday with taking bribes. Prosecutors say Munchak and former commissioner Robert Cordaro received more than $450,000 in cash and benefits from contractors. They pleaded not guilty at an arraignment Thursday in Wilkes-Barre. Jury selection is tentatively scheduled for May 17. In a statement issued after the indictments, Munchak said he plans to stay in office while fighting the charges.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says it will study potential human health and water quality threats from an oil and natural gas drilling technique that injects massive amounts of water, sand and chemicals underground. Hydraulic fracturing, also known as "fracking," has become widespread and has unlocked extensive natural gas reserves, but the technique has raised concerns about environmental damage. The EPA said says its $1.9 million study will look at the industry's affect on groundwater, surface water, human health and the environment more generally. The study is expected to be done by 2012. Drillers say the practice is safe, but concerns have mounted that unregulated fracking will taint drinking water, siphon off too much surface, deplete aquifers and produce briny wastewater that can kill fish.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Update on the latest in business

Dow: 10,741.98, down –37.19

S&P 500: 1,159.90, down –5.93

NASDAQ: 2,374.41, down –16.87

NEW YORK (AP) - Stock prices are lower. The Dow has risen for eight straight days, its longest stretch of gains since August.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama and Democratic leaders are lobbying intensively for historic health care legislation. Ahead of the expected showdown set for Sunday on the House floor, Democratic leaders don't command the 216 votes they need.

PALM HARBOR, Florida (AP) - Tiger Woods won't replace AT&T with a new corporate sponsor on his golf bag when he returns at the Masters, instead displaying the Nike "TW" brand. AT&T dropped him as a sponsor amid the scandal over Woods' private life.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal regulators are asking for public comment on a petition by cable, satellite and phone companies that want more say in negotiations with TV broadcasters over programming. The move by the FCC comes after a series of disputes over the fees that cable companies pay broadcasters to transmit their signals.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn on Friday:

 Midday Big 4

     6-5-4-5

 Midday Number

     4-7-8

 Midday Quinto

     7-2-9-0-0

 Treasure Hunt

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn on Thursday:

Big 4 6-7-3-6

Cash 5 10-14-16-18-43

Daily Number 4-8-2

Evening Quinto 4-2-6-2-3

Midday Big 4 9-2-3-1

Midday Number 5-9-2

Midday Quinto 4-9-5-6-3

Mix and Match 02-14-09-08-06

Treasure Hunt 01-02-10-21-27

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Court: Anna Nicole Smith gets none of oil fortune

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A federal appeals court says Anna Nicole Smith's estate will receive none of the more than $300 million that she claimed her late billionaire husband had promised her.  The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is the latest stop in the 15-year legal battle over the $1.6 billion estate that oil magnate J. Howard Marshall left after his 1995 death at age 90. Smith had married Marshall the previous year.  The appeals court ruled Friday that a Texas jury's 2001 verdict should be honored because it had heard from all parties during the five-month trial. The jury ruled in favor of Marshall's son, E. Pierce Marshall.  The appeals court says subsequent federal court decisions that granted Smith various parts of Marshall's fortune should be ignored.

Ellen presents $30K to Miss. lesbian in prom flap

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - A lesbian high school student embroiled in a legal flap over her school's prom policy has received a $30,000 scholarship on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."  Constance McMillen was speechless Friday when the talk show host pulled out an oversized check from the Web site Tonic.Com, a digital media company.  DeGeneres says she admires McMillen for challenging Itawamba County School District rules that would prevent her from escorting her girlfriend to the prom. The school district canceled the April 2 prom after McMillen's request.  A hearing is scheduled Monday in federal court in Aberdeen on American Civil Liberties Union efforts to force the district to hold the prom.

Volunteer day promoted to honor late Mister Rogers

Jesse James: I’m sorry Sandra

UNDATED (AP) - Sandra Bullock has gotten a public apology from her husband. Though he doesn't say exactly what he's apologizing for, Jesse James says, quote, "it's because of my poor judgment that I deserve everything bad that is coming my way. This has caused my wife and kids pain and embarrassment beyond comprehension and I am extremely saddened to have brought this on them." It sounds like he doesn't expect Bullock to take him back so fast, if ever, because he adds he hopes "one day they can find it in their hearts to forgive" him. As for why he's apologizing, James says "the vast majority of the allegations reported are untrue and unfounded." A tatted-up woman in her mid-20s claims to have had an affair with Jesse James that went on for 11 months while Bullock was away filming the movie she won her Oscar for: "The Blind Side."

Just in case you don’t know ‘Just –in’Love’

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - When Purdue plays Siena today in the NCAA Tournament -- you may notice the name of senior guard Just-In'Love Smith. That's no nickname. The Siena player's first name is actually Just-In'Love. He says his late mother was "just in love with" him and named him just that. Smith was in the military for four years. He says he played basketball in Iraq to lose weight. Smith is now engaged. He says he and his fiancée have discussed possible names for the their future kids. If they have a boy, Smith says they'll name him Just-In'Love Jr.

Topless gardener attracts lots of stares

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) - Police say Catharine Pierce had on her gardening gloves -- and little else. Officers called on the 52-year-old Boulder, Colo., woman after complaints she was gardening topless. Police add Pierce was wearing a thong, so she wasn't in violation of state law. An officer suggested Pierce put on a shirt, because children at the school across the street were playing outside. But the days of topless gardening could be numbered. Boulder officials are considering a broader anti-nudity law.

Ryan Seacrest spoiler via Tweets

WASHINGTON (AP) - Behold, the power of Twitter. It can put a dent in the highest-rated show on TV. The Washington Post reports Ryan Seacrest tweeted he'd have Lacey Brown on his Los Angeles radio show yesterday, since she was the latest "American Idol" castoff. He tweeted it before the "Idol" results show ran on the West Coast. Angry fans tweeted back that they wouldn't bother to watch since he spoiled it for them. It showed in the ratings. It was the smallest audience of 18-to-49-year-olds for a regular "Idol" episode. Fox has not returned calls for comment.

Cheese Championships

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Europeans are still the world's big cheeses - a gruyere from Switzerland has been named the world's best cheese at the 2010 World Championship Cheese Contest in Madison. Judges lauded the gruyere for its creamy texture and lightly fruity taste. Fragniere Cedric of Kirchberg, Switzerland, makes the cheese. The runner-up in Thursday's contest also was from Switzerland. It's a smear-ripened hard cheese made by Sennerei Andeer. Third place went to Alois Pesendorfer of Gmunden, Austria, for a semisoft cheese. This year's contest featured some 2,300 entries from 20 countries. Organizers say that makes it the largest international cheese and butter competition in the world.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

NCAA TOURNAMENT-MIDWEST REGIONAL
Ohio stuns Georgetown

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Ohio turned in the biggest upset on Day
One of the NCAA men's basketball tournament. Armon Bassett scored 32 points to lead the Midwest Region's No. 14 seed to a 97-83 victory over Georgetown. The Mid-American Conference champion Bobcats took the lead early on their 3-point shooting and the Hoyas were never able to seriously threaten.

Ohio will play Tennessee Saturday in Providence, R.I. The sixth-seeded Vols beat San Diego State 62-59. The Aztecs closed to within one point in the final minute, but Melvin Goins crushed their upset hopes when he sank his fourth 3-pointer of the game with 19 seconds to go.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Lehigh proved itself scrappy, but that just
wasn't enough to knock off Kansas. The NCAA tournament's No. 1 overall seed pulled away midway through the second half and won 90-74 in the Midwest Regional. Marcus Morris led the Jayhawks with 26 points. They'll face Northern Iowa in a second round game in Oklahoma City on Saturday.

A three-pointer with 5 seconds to go lifted Northern Iowa over UNLV 69-66. Ali Farokhmanesh made the shot and finished with 17 points. The Runnin' Rebels had one last chance to tie it, but Tre'Vo Willis didn't get his 3-pointer off before the final buzzer.

NCAA TOURNAMENT-EAST REGIONAL
Kentucky blows out ETSU...Washington drops Marquette

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Ishmael Smith's pull-up jumper from 17 feet
with just 1.3 left in overtime gave ninth-seeded Wake Forest an
81-80 win over Texas in the first round of the NCAA East Regional.
The Demon Deacons blew two double-digit leads in regulation, but
managed a rally of their own in OT. They were down as much as 8
points and still trailed by four in the final minute, before Ari
Stewart sank a 3-pointer to pull within one and set up Smith's
heroics.

The blowout of the day goes to Kentucky.
The top-seeded Wildcats dominated throughout their 100-71
victory over East Tennessee State. Eric Bledsoe shot eight
3-pointers and scored 29 points in all, breaking Tony Delk's school
record for most 3s in an NCAA tournament game.
Kentucky will play Wake Forest on Saturday.

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Quincy Pondexter became Washington's
hero, driving for a tiebreaking bank shot with 1.7 seconds left,
and 11th-seeded Washington opened its NCAA tournament run with an
80-78 victory over Marquette.
The Huskies rallied from a 15-point second half deficit.
They face third-seeded New Mexico at the Shark Tank in San Jose,
Calif. on Saturday.

Roman Martinez had 19 points to lead New Mexico to a 62-57
victory over Montana. Darington Hobson added 11 points, 11 rebounds
and six assists while playing with a sprained left wrist for the
Lobos.

NCAA TOURNAMENT-WEST REGIONAL
Murray State upsets Vandy...Kansas State routs North Texas

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) - Thirteenth seeded Murray State pulled
off the first major upset of the NCAA men's basketball tournament,
if not the biggest.
The 13th seed in the West Regional stunned No. 4 seed Vanderbilt
66-65 in San Jose, Calif. Danero Thomas hit a 15-footer at the
buzzer, to give the Racers' their first NCAA tourney victory since
1988.

Murray State plays Butler next. The fifth-seeded Bulldogs beat
UTEP 77-59. Shelvin Mack hit a career-high seven 3-pointers and
scored 25 points as Butler rallied from a six-point halftime
deficit.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The West's No. 2 seed Kansas State opened
the NCAA tournament with an 82-62 rout of North Texas in the West
Regional.
After a shaky start, the Cougars held the Mean Green to 31
percent shooting. Denis Clemente finished with 17 points and six
assists.
K-State will take on Brigham Young University on Saturday in
Oklahoma City.

BYU's Jimmer Fredette threw in 37 points, including two
3-pointers in double overtime, to seal the seventh-seeded Cougars'
99-92 win over 10th-seeded Florida. Michael Loyd Jr. added a
career-high 26 and scored all of BYU's points in the first
overtime.

NCAA TOURNAMENT-SOUTH REGIONAL
Villanova survives scare...Baylor back in the NCAA win column

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Villanova survived a scare in the NCAA
South Regional. Fifteenth-seed Robert Morris forced overtime, but
the Wildcats emerged 73-70 winners.
Nova coach Jay Wright benched senior Scottie Reynolds earlier,
but he still finished with a team-high 20 points.

Meanwhile, St. Mary's beat Richmond 80-71. Omar Samhan led the
Gaels with 29 points and 12 rebounds despite spending most of the
game in foul trouble.
They'll go up against Villanova on Saturday in Providence, R.I.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Baylor will face Old Dominion in the second
round of the South Regional in New Orleans on Saturday.
The third-seeded Bears broke open a close game down the stretch
and beat 14th-seeded Sam Houston State 68-59. Ekpe Udoh led the way
with 20 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two
steals.

Frank Hassell scored 15 points to lead 11th-seeded Old Dominion
to a 51-50 victory over six-seed Notre Dame.

NHL-RESULTS
Bruins retaliate against Cooke, lose to Penguins

BOSTON (AP) - The Bruins had revenge on their minds, but it was
the Pittsburgh Penguins who got in the shots that counted in
Boston.
Marc-Andre Fleury made 17 saves for Pittsburgh's first shutout
of the season, and the Penguins won 3-0.
It was the first time the two teams had met since a blindside
hit by the Penguins' Matt Cooke gave star center Marc Savard a
grade 2 concussion 11 days ago. The Bruins' Shawn Thornton tried to
give Cooke a beat down less than 2 minutes into the game. Both were
sent off with 5 minute fighting majors, but Thornton picked up an
extra 10-minute misconduct and the team showed little spark
afterward.
Boston coach Claude Julien said his players defended their
teammate well, but added "the other part of the game wasn't
there."

Elsewhere in the NHL:
- Ray Whitney scored four minutes into overtime to give the
Carolina Hurricanes a 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals.
Washington played without captain and league scoring leader Alex
Ovechkin who was finishing off a two-game suspension.
- Paul Kariya's 400th NHL goal snapped a third-period tie and
the St. Louis Blues beat the New York Rangers 4-3. The Rangers
trail the Bruins by three points for the last playoff spot in the
Eastern Conference.
- The Atlanta Thrashers gave themselves some hope in the playoff
race with a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators. Nik Antropov and
Colby Armstrong scored two goals apiece, as the Thrashers closed to
within three points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern
Conference.
- Phil Kessel scored in regulation and in a shootout to lead the
Maple Leafs to a 2-1 win over the New Jersey Devils in Toronto.
- The Buffalo Sabres beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-2. Jason
Pominville scored a hat trick for the visiting Sabres.
- Radim Vrbata (rah-DEEM' vur-BAH'-tah) scored with a minute
left in the third period to force overtime, then added the winner
in the shootout as the Phoenix Coyotes beat the Florida Panthers
4-3.
- The Nashville Predators blanked the visiting Minnesota Wild,
5-0. Pekka Rinne (PEH'-kuh RIH'-nuh) made 17 saves for his fifth
shutout of the season.
- Scott Hartnell scored the tiebreaking goal in the third period
to send the Philadelphia Flyers to a 3-2 victory over the Stars in
Dallas.
- Vancouver beat San Jose for just the second time in the teams'
past 10 meetings. Roberto Luongo had 32 saves for the homestanding
Canucks and they beat the Sharks 3-2.
- Tomas Kopecky (TAHM'-uhz koh-PEHT'-skee) had a pair of third
period goals as the Chicago Blackhawks pulled away from the Kings
for a 3-0 win in Los Angeles.

NHL-NEWS
Ducks' Wisniewski suspended for 8 games for hit on Blackhawks'
Seabrook

TORONTO (AP) - The NHL has given Anaheim Ducks defenseman James
Wisniewski (wihz-NOO'-skee) an eight game suspension for a hit to
the head on Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook.
The NHL's chief disciplinarian Colin Campbell described the hit
as "retaliatory," saying Seabrook "never had possession of the
puck." Wisniewski is considered a repeat offender under the terms
of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, after a two-game suspension
in October.
Seabrook is the second defenseman the Blackhawks have lost in as
many games. On Sunday against Washington, three-time All-Star Brian
Campbell was driven into the end boards from behind by NHL scoring
leader and two-time MVP Alex Ovechkin.

NBA RESULTS
Magic waste lead, but beat Heat in OT

MIAMI (AP) - They blew a 12-point lead in the final 5 minutes of
regulation, but the Orlando Magic managed to revive themselves in
overtime, beating the Miami Heat 108-102.
Vince Carter scored 27 points while Rashard Lewis added 24,
including a huge 3-pointer with less than 30 seconds left.
Dwyane Wade had 36 points and 10 rebounds for Miami.

In the only other game on the pro-hardwood, Denver topped
visiting New Orleans, 93-80. Carmelo Anthony pulled down a
career-best 18 rebounds to go with his 26 points for the Nuggets.

NBA-BOBCATS/JORDAN
Jordan calls owning Bobcats "dream come true"

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Michael Jordan is calling it "a dream
come true."
He spoke for the first time today about becoming the majority
owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. He's the first former player to own
an NBA team, and the league's second black majority owner.
Jordan vows he'll be relentless in "finding ways to win."

PGA-TRANSITIONS CHAMPIONSHIP
Willis takes early lead in Tampa

PALM HARBOR, Fla. (AP) - Garrett Willis is making the most of a
sponsor exemption to his hometown event. He birdied five holes on
the back nine for a 6-under 65 and the first-round lead in the
Transitions Championship in Palm Harbor, Fla.
Defending champion Retief Goosen (reh-TEEF' GOO'-sin) is two
strokes back at 67 along with Jeff Maggert, Jim Furyk (FYOOR'-ihk),
Carl Pettersson, Jonathan Byrd and PGA Tour rookie Rickie Fowler.

NFL-NEWS
Agent: McCloughan still with Niners...Multiyear pact for Tapp

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - The agent for San Francisco 49ers
general manager Scot McCloughan says his client is still employed
by the team -- for now, anyway.
Several reports says McCloughan is on his way out, but Peter
Schaffer tells The Associated Press that he has "not heard any
different" regarding McCloughan's job status.
The 49ers aren't saying anything about it.

Also:
- At his first news conference as a Denver Bronco, quarterback
Brady Quinn says his severely sprained left foot has healed. Quinn
finished last season on injured reserve with the injury and spent
two months in a walking boot.
- New York Jets safety Eric Smith has signed a one-year tender
offer.
- The Eagles have signed defensive end Darryl Tapp to a
three-year contract.
- San Diego has traded third-string quarterback Charlie
Whitehurst to Seattle in a swap of second-round picks that moves
the Chargers up 20 spots to No. 40 overall.
- The St. Louis Rams have signed free agent long snapper Chris
Massey and running back Kenneth Darby.

MLB-SPRING TRAINING NEWS
Cubs, Brewers lose one each...Diamondbacks ink Reynolds

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Cubs reliever Angel Guzman could be out
for the season.
He will have surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right
shoulder. Orthopedist James Andrews has already operated on
Guzman's elbow and shoulder. Guzman also had arthroscopic surgery
on his right knee in January. He pitched in a career high 55 games
last season, posting a 2.95 ERA.

- The Milwaukee Brewers say third baseman Mat Gamel will be out
at least six weeks because of a torn muscle in his right shoulder.
The 23-year-old hit .242 with five homers and 20 RBIs in 61 games
for the Brewers last season.
- Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Mark Reynolds has signed a
three-year contract that includes a club option for 2013. Last
year, Reynolds had career highs with 44 home runs and 102 RBIs,
while his batting average improved to .260.

RACING-OBIT-LANG
Racing exec "Chick" Lang, who transformed Preakness, dies

BALTIMORE (AP) - Longtime Pimlico chief Charles John "Chick"
Lang has died.
Lang is credited with making the Preakness a must-watch race for
sports fans around the country. Lang tirelessly promoted the race
during nearly 30 years with Pimlico, traveling to the Kentucky
Derby with "Next Stop Preakness" signs.
Lang's granddaughter says he died of natural causes in a medical
facility on Maryland's Eastern Shore Thursday. "Chick" Lang was
83.



(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Here are the latest scores from today's sports events:



COLLEGE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS


NCAA

First Round
at Dunkin' Donuts Center
Final Saint Mary's, Calif. 80 Richmond 71

at Ford Center
Final Kansas St. 82 North Texas 62

East
First Round
at HP Pavilion at San Jose
Final Washington 80 Marquette 78
Final New Mexico 62 Montana 57

at New Orleans Arena
Final Kentucky 100 ETSU 71
Final OT Wake Forest 81 Texas 80

Midwest
First Round
at Dunkin' Donuts Center
Final Ohio 97 ( 2) Georgetown 83
Final ( 5) Tennessee 62 San Diego St. 59

at Ford Center
Final N. Iowa 69 ( 7) UNLV 66
Final ( 1) Kansas 90 Lehigh 74

South
First Round
at Dunkin' Donuts Center
Final OT Villanova 73 Robert Morris 70

at New Orleans Arena
Final Old Dominion 51 Notre Dame 50
Final Baylor 68 Sam Houston St. 59

West
Fifth Place
at HP Pavilion at San Jose
Final Murray St. 66 ( 6) Vanderbilt 65

First Round
at Ford Center
Final 2OT BYU 99 ( 1) Florida 92

at HP Pavilion at San Jose
Final ( 5) Butler 77 UTEP 59


(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

 

Road closed due to a truck crash in Union County

LEWISBURG – Crossroads Drive outside of Lewisburg is closed at this hour due to a crash earlier today.  Crossroads Drive is closed between Fort Titzell Road and Creek Road in Kelly Township.  Traffic is being detoured onto Fort Titzell Road, Pleasant View Road and Creek Road.  PennDOT tells us Cross Roads Drive will remain closed for the next several hours, after a truck snapped a utility pole and overturned, spilling spilling much of its load on the roadway. (Ali Stevens)

Geisinger researchers are looking for some problem drinkers

DANVILLE – Is consumption of alcohol causing problems in your life? Are you motivated to change, to curtail your alcohol dependence and get your life back on track? If you answer yes to those questions—you might be able to help yourself and help Geisinger researchers, and potentially help problem drinkers around the world.

The National Institutes of Health has funded national study, which is being conducted at Geisinger, as well as at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. The prime researcher is the goal of the research is to find out genetically—why certain drugs used to treat alcoholism work well in some people and not as well in others.

The psychiatrists at Geisinger Medical Center’s Henry Hood Center for Health Research are looking for people who are interested in participating in the study. First, they must decide if they are problem drinkers—if they are an alcoholic.

Then the subjects in the study have to decide to seek treatment, counseling and other methods to try to change their behavior. Like many efforts to help alcoholics, the motivation to change must exist before treatment can be successful. Then the people will undergo a blood draw, their genetic makeup will be analyzed, and then they will be given the drugs, which do help some alcoholics.

The doctors caution, that they are not testing new drugs—just why—genetically—some drugs in limited use already work well on some people and not on others. They also say they aren’t just distributing drugs that help people stop drinking, but rather they are studying why some drugs which do help some motivated alcoholics don’t help everyone.

For the people who get into the study, their travel expenses, medications, physical exams, lab work, EKG’s are all funded by the study. Call 866-219-5148 for more information. Click here to hear WKOK's stories now:

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