Saturday, March 20, 2010

Sunbury stunned by domestic shooting, many are saddened

SUNBURY – A neighborhood is in shock and the City of Sunbury saddened by a violent, deadly, domestic dispute this morning. Sunbury police tell us they got a call about a domestic incident and multiple gunshots around 2a.m. at 454 Catawissa Avenue.

They found 38-year-old Robin Miller dead, apparently from several gunshots, and Sunbury police corporal Michael Miller gravely wounded. The 37-year-old off duty police officer was flown to Geisinger Medical Center and is in critical condition. Investigators would not confirm reports that officer Miller shot his wife, then turned the gun on himself.

A wide area near Catawissa Avenue and Reagan Street was cordoned off while numerous local and state police agencies investigated the incident. A deputy coroner pronounced Mrs. Miller dead around 3a.m. The exact nature of the shooting is not being disclosed.

Neighbors today, for the most part, avoided the gathering of news reporters. Those who did talk to us indicated their shock and dismay at the tragedy, indicating that Cpl. Miller was a good neighbor and an excellent police officer.

Several neighbors adamantly declined to speak with us, one displayed a 'middle finger' as our reporter approached, and another posted a sign indicating that 'news media' were not welcome.

Additionally, police from Sunbury and several neighboring communities stood shoulder to shoulder, guarding the sidewalk, as people who appeared to be family members--gathered belongings from the house. Family members and friends were seen Saturday afternoon gathered, crying in front of the home, packing and taking boxes from the home. They said they had nothing to say about the incident. The neighborhood is known as a relatively crime free area, with many children typically seen outdoors and a revitalization effort taking hold.

Sunbury Police Chief Steven Mazzeo says it is a tragedy, and thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Corporal Miller and his wife had been married since 2008, and took care of three young children. Miller had worked with the Sunbury Police Department since 1999, and had been very active in the community with DARE and Crimewatch.

Sunbury Mayor David Persing says Miller was even ready to take his test to become a sergeant next week, so that’s what makes the incident even more senseless and puzzling. Persing says he doesn’t know if anyone will ever understand how this could happen, but hopes there could be insight into a reason after an investigation. He says there were no prior warnings or inclinations that this would ever happen.

Stonington State Police are continuing their investigation. Professional counselors have been summoned for anyone in the Sunbury Police Department or elsewhere who may need them.

The response and investigation has been extensive, with police, paramedics and outside help from a wide range of agencies converging on Sunbury. Ralpho Township and Mt. Carmel Police were able to help provide police coverage in the city while Sunbury Police were on the scene. Numerous other crews from surrounding counties also helped at the scene, as did the Northumberland County DA’s and coroner’s offices.

For a time this morning, police coverage in Sunbury was provided by outside police agencies--Mt. Carmel Township police, Ralpho Township police, and others. Shamokin Dam officers also assisted for a time today. (Sara Bartlett)

Crash kills two teens in Snyder County

MIDDLEBURG – Two teens were killed and three were injured Friday afternoon in a tragic Snyder County crash.  14-year-old Kylie Hummel and 16-year-old Jacob Kemble, both students in the Midd-West School District, were killed.  18-year-old Patrick Sullivan, 16-year-old Ethan Miller and 14-year-old Brooke Shwope, also students in the Midd-West District were injured.

Police say Sullivan was driving along Sale Barn Road in Middlecreek Township around 2:50p.m. when his vehicle left the roadway, struck and severed a utility pole.  The vehicle then rolled over, and police say at least four of the occupants were ejected.  Sullivan and Miller were taken by Life Flight to Geisinger Medical Center.  They are both listed in fair condition.  Shwope was transported there by ambulance, and is listed in serious condition.  Hummel and Kemble were pronounced dead at the scene by a Snyder County deputy coroner.  Police say seat belts were not in use at the time of the accident.

Assisting Middleburg Police at the scene were a specialized reconstruction unit of PA State Police, a forensic service from the Montoursville troop, Kreamer Fire Department, Reliance Hose Company and the Snyder County District Attorney.

Officials from the Midd-West School District are meeting Saturday to determine when grief counseling sessions will be held for students and faculty. 

Heroin, crack, cash found on men at traffic stop

SUNBURY – Men from Williamsport and Reading face drug charges after a traffic stop early Wednesday.  The Northumberland-Montour County Drug Task Force reports 36-year-old Jeremy Drummond of Williamsport and 36-year-old Lamar Fredrick of Reading were stopped along Route 54 at 2:20 a.m. by Mount Carmel Township Police.  Officers say the men were carrying 28 bags of heroin, more than 18 grams of crack cocaine, and undisclosed amount of cash at the time.  They were arraigned before District Judge Hugh Jones and jailed after being unable to post $100,000 bail.

The men face a variety of drug charges, a couple of traffic offenses and charges of providing false identification to law enforcement.  Police claim Fredrick gave them a fictitious name, then was turned over to Sunbury Police for what was called “live scanning,” which disclosed his true identity.  (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. 

Members of the board of directors at Evan, and honorary co-chairs of the hospital’s comprehensive campaign, Bob Grunland of Wood-Mode and Jim Apple of Butter-Krust baking, told us, despite the recession, folks continue to support Evangelical.

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, and look to friends of the hospital and the public to help reach the $7.5 million.

Shamokin farmers found not guilty

SUNBURY – Two Shamokin farmers were found not guilty of animal abuse Friday in Northumberland County Court.  Lloyd Reitz Sr. and Andy Reitz, of Reitz Dairy Farm, were both cleared of charges.  The News Item reports a former employee of the farm, Jeannette Aderhold, of Danville, had filed the criminal complaint with the help of PETA.  Aderhold had video of cows, which she said were being mistreated on the farm. 

Some of the cows died, but District Judge Robert Bolton says there was no way of knowing if it was due to animal cruelty, and the videos and testimony from Aderhold did not prove anything.  Lloyd and Andy Reitz were facing up to three months in prison, plus fines, for the charges.

Carney claims group supports big tobacco

WASHINGTON – The group that sponsored a television ad opposing current health care reform efforts is taking some criticism from one of its targets.  Congressman Chris Carney (D-10^th, Dimock) says the ad paid for by a group known as Americans for Prosperity falsely implies that women under the age of 50 will be denied mammograms.  The ad was run in several districts with respective congressional phone numbers posted for viewers to call.  A release from Carney’s office claims Americans for Prosperity has repeatedly fought on behalf of tobacco companies. 

The release also says private health insurance companies are behind efforts to pressure Carney’s vote, though it stops short of revealing what that vote will be.  Both Carney and Democrat Paul Kanjorski (D-11^th, Nanticoke) are reportedly undecided in advance of the vote that is expected Sunday afternoon.  (Matt Farrand) 

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, sports, business and entertainment:

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A Democratic congressman from western Pennsylvania says he won't be voting for the health care reform legislation.  Second-term Rep. Jason Altmire had been undecided on whether to support the legislation when it comes up for a vote in the House on Sunday.  But he said in a statement on his Web site Friday that he thinks the current bill could compound the problem of skyrocketing health care costs.  Altmire says the legislation doesn't enact real reform of the system. He also says that a vast majority of his constituents want him to oppose the bill.  At one point, the congressman had airplanes flying over his district with banners urging him to vote against the bill.      

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The jury in the Harrisburg public-corruption trial is taking the weekend off after another day of deliberations failed to reach a verdict.  Jurors went home at the end of the day Friday, the sixth day they have met behind closed doors to consider theft, conspiracy and conflict-of-interest charges against a former state representative and three former aides.  Earlier Friday, Dauphin County Judge Richard Lewis dismissed a juror for illness and told the jury to start over in the case of former Beaver County Democratic Rep. Mike Veon and co-defendants Brett Cott, Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink and Steve Keefer.  Jurors have been debating the charges since they got the case last Friday after six weeks of trial.     

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.

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

Update on the latest in business

Stocks fade...Health bill fears...Oil edges lower....

NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks ended the Friday session with modest losses. The Dow fell 37 points to 10,742. The S&P lost 6 points and the Nasdaq was down 17 points.

BOSTON (AP) - Massachusetts has fined more than a thousand companies over $18 million for failing to offer medical insurance to their workers. Some businesses fear that is what could happen on a national level if President Obama signs a sweeping health care overhaul.

NEW YORK (AP) - Oil prices edged lower Friday. Benchmark crude for April delivery dropped $1.52 to settle at $80.68 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

WASHINGTON (AP) - An internal department probe finds the Agriculture Department has failed to enforce penalties against some who falsely marketed foods as organic. The agency's inspector general says USDA needs to step up enforcement of those who sell products under the "USDA Organic" label but do not meet government standards.

WASHINGTON (AP) - FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair says loopholes need to be filled in new Senate legislation to ensure an end to the "too-big-to-fail" approach that led to massive bailouts of big banks. Bair says parts of the bill unveiled this week, "seem to allow the potential for backdoor bailouts" through powers of the Federal Reserve.

Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The winning numbers in Friday evening's

drawing of the Pennsylvania Lottery's "Cash 5" game were:

     05-10-15-32-39

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The winning numbers in Friday evening's

drawing of the Pennsylvania Lottery's "Daily Number" game were:

     0-9-9

     HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The winning numbers in Friday evening's

drawing of the Pennsylvania Lottery's "Evening Quinto" game were:

     6-3-5-5-9

     HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The winning numbers in Friday evening's

drawing of the Pennsylvania Lottery's "Super 7" game were:

     20-21-24-31-35-37-49-51-67-73-74

     HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The winning numbers in Friday evening's

drawing of the Pennsylvania Lottery's "Big 4" game were:

     5-1-3-3

Midday Big 4

     6-5-4-5

 Midday Number

     4-7-8

 Midday Quinto

     7-2-9-0-0

 Treasure Hunt

     03-06-13-17-22

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

Bullock’s embarrassment could help?

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Sandra Bullock's embarrassment could actually make her more popular in the long run. One publicist says reports that her husband cheated on her could result in "a massive amount of sympathy." A sociologist who specializes in pop culture says since Bullock has kept her personal life private for so long, the scandal "adds to her image as a sympathetic figure that especially women can relate to." She says this reminds us that celebrities are "humans."

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

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Mister Rogers cared deeply about his neighbors and his neighborhood, both in the Neighborhood of Make-Believe and in real life.  Now, friends of the late television icon want to honor him with a national day of volunteering on his birthday. Rogers died in 2003 and would have been 82 on Saturday.  David Newell, who played Mr. McFeely on "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," says volunteering meant a great deal to Rogers.  The idea for Won't You Be My Neighbor? Day grew out of Sweater Day, which Family Communications Inc. of Pittsburgh has promoted over the past several years to honor Rogers. Rogers created the company to produce his show and other family friendly educational fare.  Of course, people are still encouraged to wear sweaters.

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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