Monday, March 24, 2008

Firearm displayed in robbery of Selinsgrove Dominoes

SELINSGROVE – An armed robber displaying a six-inch silver revolver is said to have demanded money Monday night from the Dominoes Pizza in Selinsgrove, before fleeing on foot.  He is described as a white male, 5’8”, wearing blue jeans, a white sweatshirt and a black ski mask.  Police are not saying whether the lone gunman was given money, though he is described as carrying a bank moneybag.  Police say he was last seen heading from Mill Street to Water Street shortly after the 8:00pm incident. 

It is not known if a vehicle is involved.  Selinsgrove Police ask anyone with information to call them at 374-8655.  (Matt Farrand)

No weapon or shooting suspect found in Snyder Co. homicide investigation

RICHFIELD – Selinsgrove State Police continue to investigate a homicide near Richfield in Snyder County over the weekend.  46-year-old Jeffrey Stock, of Richfield, died of a single gunshot wound to the abdomen.  At a press conference yesterday Monday, Trooper Matt Burrows said they are still in the preliminary stages of the investigation and police are scouring not only areas in Snyder County, but also in Juniata County.  Burrows says they responded to the call late Saturday night and found Stock outside of a residence in West Perry Township on Seven Star Road.  Police believe Stock lived at the home and also worked in the county, but weren’t sure how long he has actually held residence there.

Burrows also said a number of people in the home at the time of the shooting have been interviewed.  Snyder County DA Michael Sholley says they do not have a suspect or know what type of firearm was used yet, but continue to work with a State Police case team.

Sholley says they don’t believe the public is in any danger, and they ask anyone with information to call the Selinsgrove Barracks. (Sara Bartlett) 

Belfanti aids police in arson investigation

MOUNT CARMEL – State Representative Bob Belfanti doesn’t know if the arson fire at his Mount Carmel office was politically motivated or specifically targeted, but he says he is doing everything he can to aid police with the investigation.  He says he has released to police phone records, as well as anonymous e-mails from constituents that may be deemed threatening.  Belfanti says there are also people who are upset with a decision he had made as a political leader, or are upset that he can’t help with something out of his jurisdiction, but for the most part, he says, 99% of people who come into his office get help.

Belfanti will have a makeshift office in the Mount Carmel Borough building while the investigation continues.  He says he is still providing services for constituents, and they can either call his Harrisburg office or Danville satellite office.  Anyone with information about the arson is asked to call State Police. (Sara Bartlett)  

Two local representatives comment on the arson fire

MOUNT CARMEL – Following a devastating arson fire that destroyed Representative Bob Belfanti’s office in Mt. Carmel, local representatives are speaking out about the incident.  Representative Russ Fairchild is in his office in Winfield today and says his heart goes out to Belfanti and his staff.  He says it’s part of the job to be nervous about those who come and go from the office, but he would never expect a fire like this. He says sometimes people are visibly upset, which can make the office staff a bit nervous, but he has never seen blatant violence. 

Representative Merle Phillips of Sunbury says he will offer any assistance he can while Belfanti gets things back in order.  Belfanti issued a statement saying constituents in his legislative district can contact his Harrisburg office for assistance with state issues, programs and concerns. (Ali Stevens)

Specific cause for EBT fire unknown

EAST BUFFALO TWP – State Police say last week’s fire that gutted a home under renovation in East Buffalo Township did about $150,000 in damage.  Fire Marshal Norman Fedder says the fire originated near a kerosene heater being used by the owner while he was remodeling.  However, he is calling the fire undetermined in origin, as several other causes could not be eliminated.  Fedder stresses the Wednesday afternoon blaze is not considered suspicious.

Homeowner Phillip Harte of Lancaster, says he was on his way to the house when he the saw smoke as he was driving on Route 15.  The fire at the structure on Washington Avenue near Stein Lane was called in by a passer-by.  (Matt Farrand)

Death penalty to be the focus of two-day seminar on SU campus

SELINSGROVE – A two-day symposium examining both the pros and cons of the death penalty will begin Wednesday on the campus of Susquehanna University.  The Arlin M. Adams Center for Law and Society will present a number of panels discussing the issue.  Director of the Adams Center, Dr. Allen Sobel, says the event will begin with a speech by Roman Catholic nun, Sister Helen Prejean, who operates a prison ministry in New Orleans and has accompanied inmates to their execution.  Prejean’s story was adapted into the Academy Award winning movie Dead Man Walking, starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn.  Prejean will speak Wednesday at 7:00p.m. in the Weber Chapel Auditorium. 

Daylong events will follow Thursday, with speakers discussing how an inmate is lethally injected, as well as whether the death penalty is moral.  All events are free and open to the public.  You can see a full schedule online at www.susqu.edu/deathpenalty. (Sara Bartlett)   

Two people charged after two separate fights in Selinsgrove

SELINSGROVE – Two people are facing charges after two separate fights on Saturday in the Selinsgrove area. 

28-year-old John Reidinger of Trevorton is charged with harassment after a road rage incident led to a fight near the Susquehanna Valley Mall.  State police say on Saturday around 5:45 p.m., Reidinger punched a Shamokin man in the face after an incident that started on Route 809 in Northumberland County.  Reidinger followed the man in his car to the mall and then got out and reportedly punched him while he sat in the driver’s seat.  He was charged with harassment in District Court. 

20-year-old Nichole Biddinger is charged with harassment after a fight at a home on Salem Road in Selinsgrove.  Police say Biddinger kicked another woman in the face after a dispute outside the home.  The woman was treated for bleeding and swelling to the nose.  Biddinger was also charged in District Court.  (Ali Stevens)

Truck stolen from an auto sales lot in Northumberland County

TREVORTON – State police want to know who stole a truck from a sales lot in Little Mahanoy Township, Northumberland County.  The 1995 Ford F-350 was taken sometime on March 13^th from Troy’s Auto Sales along Route 225.  The truck is white in color and valued at $4,250.  Anyone with information is asked to call state police at Stonington.  (Ali Stevens)

Shamokin man involved in Internet scam

Fire ruled arson at Bob Belfanti’s office building

MT CARMEL—A fire that broke out yesterday at the building housing the office of State Representative Robert Belfanti is being call arson. State Police in Milton say the fire occurred in the building located at 15 West Avenue in the borough of Mount Carmel.

There was also a second floor apartment in the building but reports say no one was injured. A Mount Carmel police officer detected the blaze while on patrol around 1 a.m. yesterday. State Police Fire Marshal, Norman Fedder, says the fire is being ruled arson at this time.

He says four different points of origin were discovered and the fire was not accidental. The owner of the building, John Quinn of Kulpmont, is insured for the loss. Damages are estimated at about $150,000. Anyone with any information is asked to contact State Police in Milton. (Sara Lauver)

Belfanti: “No idea why…

MOUNT CARMEL, Pa. (AP) - A state House member says he has no idea why someone would want to set fire to his Northumberland County office. State police fire investigators say the blaze did about $150,000 damage to the Mount Carmel office of Rep. Robert Belfanti Jr. Investigators say the fire was started at four separate places at the office early Sunday. Mount Carmel police on patrol spotted the flames at about 1 a.m.

The Democratic legislator says he has no idea who would want to do such a thing, and he called it "disturbing." Belfanti was first elected in 1980 to the district, which includes parts of Columbia, Northumberland and Montour counties. Belfanti is unopposed in the primary and general elections. He says he is not aware of any threats, but investigators plan to talk to his staff members to make sure.

Area woman allegedly punches Muncy woman several times

DELAWARE TWP— A Watsontown woman is facing harassment charges after an incident that occurred in Northumberland County earlier this month. State Police in Milton say that 19-year old, Jessica Lee Billman is accused of punching 35-year old, Lorraine Miller of Muncy. Police say Billman punched the victim several times in the early hours of March 1st. Billman is now facing harassment charges and has a date set in District Court in August. (Sara Lauver)

Two area men charged with burglary

SUNBURY— Two 18-year olds are being charged with burglary after they were caught in the act of breaking into the Max E. Baslick Company building yesterday (Saturday) morning. State Police in Stonington say that Daniel Albertson of Ranshaw and Matt Buckles of Coal Township were found hiding in an aisle between merchandise when police arrived on scene around 1:30 a.m.

Police say business owner, Max Baslick, noticed a vehicle outside of his facility, located along Shikellamy Avenue in Upper Augusta Township, when he alerted police. Troopers, Sunbury police and officers from Northumberland and Point Township responded.

A K-9 from the Northumberland County sheriff’s department located the two men, who had been in the process of trying to steal merchandise. Albertson and Buckles now face charges of burglary, criminal trespass and others. They were arraigned and placed in the Northumberland County Prison on $20,000 bail. (Sara Lauver)

Naked driver upgraded to serious condition

SHAMOKIN DAM— A Perry County woman who crashed while driving nude Thursday morning has been upgraded from critical to serious condition at Geisinger Medical Center. Shamokin Dam police say that 64-year old, Susan Shuman of Newport, could not offer any reasoning for driving naked last week along Routes 11&15.

Police say a family member disclosed that the woman has endured some mental health concerns over the past few months. Shuman faces a number of charges after allegedly driving on the wrong side of the roadway and crashing into two other vehicles near the Veterans Memorial Bridge. (Sara Lauver)

PREIT follows other stocks…down

HUMMELS WHARF – Foundations for large retail stores are emerging at the site of the Monroe Marketplace in Hummels Wharf, and traffic patterns may change as work progresses. The project will include a Target retail store and a Giant Food market, and is being developed by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust.

But stock in the Philadelphia based entity is following other financial stocks lower. Its high of more than 50 dollars per share was hit in early April of last year, it was trading at about 40 dollars per share when ground was broken in August and enters the new week at 25.03. Portions of Monroe

Marketplace are expected to be open later this year. Other banking and financial stocks of local interest are weathering similar trends. Sovereign Bancorp was at more than 26 dollars per share nearly a year ago, and is now at 8.71.

M&T Bank also hit its 52-week high of nearly 120 dollars per share almost a year ago, and is now at 86.45. Meantime, takeover target Omega Financial and suitor FNB Corp are in better shape, FNB is up about ten percent in the last couple of weeks, and Omega Financial is near its 52 week high at 32.24. (Matt Farrand)

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - The Scranton building that was designed to be the corporate headquarters of Southern Union Co. has been sold.  Southern Union gave up on its plans to locate its headquarters in Scranton, so the five-story limestone building has been mostly vacant since construction two years ago.  Scranton businessman Jerry Donahue said Monday that he's bought the building and expects to have tenants filling it this year. He says it will take 60 days to formally close the sale.  Southern Union, a gas utility, is now based in Houston.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Wegmans Food Markets Inc. has won permission from the state Liquor Control Board to sell beer at six Pennsylvania supermarkets.  That prompted a court challenge filed Monday by the state's beer distributors' association.  Wegmans was issued liquor licenses last week for its stores in Bethlehem, Dickson City, Lower Nazareth, State College, Wilkes-Barre and Williamsport.  The company also has applications pending to sell beer in Downingtown, Erie and Mechanicsburg.  The Malt Beverage Distributors Association of Pennsylvania says the ruling makes a mockery of rules regarding beer sales that the General Assembly has enacted.

RUTLAND, Vt. (AP) - Cocaine, crack and heroin have made inroads in rural America, but with them is coming more violent crime.  Local officials and experts testified in Rutland, Vt., today before three members of the U.S. Senate Judiciary committee. One was Republican Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania.  The problem has hit home recently in Rutland, where four drug-related shootings - one of them fatal - have occurred since November.  Rutland Police Chief Anthony Bossi says the availability of drugs in Vermont hasn't changed much in recent years. What has changed, he says, is the increase in violence.  Rutland has a population of about 17,000, and Bossi told the senators that police have made more than 375 drug-related arrests in the past five years, with crack cocaine the biggest problem.

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

 Daily Number

     3-4-5

 Big 4

     9-5-4-3

 Treasure Hunt

     4-7-11-20-25

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