Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Former textile plant rises again as recycling center

MILTON – A one-time textile plant in Milton is now a site for recycling not only of metals, fabric and paper, but also of lives.  HandUP Recycling now occupies the former Quaker Narrow plant on Mahoning Street and is collecting scrap items that thrift shops can’t resell.  Recycling Director Dave Crossett says they’re ready to take almost anything of scrap value, and will be sorting and salvaging using PA CareerLink clients who are required to participate in community service.  Crossett says CareerLink volunteers will be able gain marketable skills such as how to operate a forklift, or earn licensing to handle materials such as Freon. 

HandUP Recycling is now open weekdays and accepting items such as refrigerators, electronics, clothing, and even old mattresses.  All money gained through sale of scrap will be spent in local community programs.  HandUP Recycling is part of the faith-based and not for profit HandUP Foundation, which is based in Milton.  (Matt Farrand)

Man accused of raping his girlfriend pleads guilty to aggravated assault

SUNBURY – A Sunbury man has pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in Northumberland County Court.  24-year-old Scott Collins was accused of raping and threatening to kill his girlfriend at an apartment on May 26^th of last year.  Charges of rape, sexual assault, false imprisonment and other counts were withdrawn in exchange for the guilty plea to aggravated assault.  Police say Collins raped the 21-year-old woman at knifepoint, cutting her finger.  Collins was sentenced to 18-months to three-years in state prison and was ordered to enroll in anger management and sex offender programs. (Ali Stevens)

City council discusses possible fundraising event for Sunbury’s riverfront project

SUNBURY – A financial consultant has told Sunbury City Council that they aren’t quite ready yet to ask residents in the city for the matching local funds they need from the community for the riverfront project.  Council member John Shipman says they were told it would be beneficial to do more advertising for the project.  Shipman says the consultant, Craig Harley of Lewisburg, will present a final written report in the upcoming weeks of a financial feasibility study he conducted. 

From there, the city council will begin to generate a strategy to get the public more interested in the city’s revitalization, as well as get correct information out to residents.  The parking issue will also be addressed in Sunbury and Shipman says Mayor Jesse Woodring has started a parking study, which will be complete by the end of the summer.  Shipman expressed his enthusiasm in getting the community involved with the riverfront project, and hopes that public meetings like Tuesday’s in Sunbury will help get the public excited for revitalization in the city. (Sara Bartlett)     

A new football coach hired in the Warrior Run School District

WATSONTOWN—A new football coach has been hired in the Warrior Run School District.  The Standard-Journal reports assistant coach from Williamsport and Loyalsock High Schools, 39-year-old Christopher Eiswerth was hired for a one-year contract at Warrior Run.  The South Williamsport native will replace Scott Shaffer, who resigned after three years on the job.  Shaffer was suspended for a game after he yelled at the high school band director.  Shaffer is now the head coach at Loyalsock High.  Eiswerth is a graduate of South Williamsport High School and Mansfield University and this is his first head-coaching job.  (Ali Stevens)

Danville man in jail after choking ex-girlfriend

Robber needed dough: Robs Domino’s

SELINSGROVE – A man with a gun robbed a pizza shop in Selinsgrove last night. The armed robber displaying a six-inch silver revolver is said to have demanded money Monday night from the Domino’s 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 8:00p.m. incident. It is not known if a vehicle is involved. Selinsgrove Police ask anyone with information to call them at 374-8655. (Matt Farrand)

Presidential ‘race’ big issue this year

LEWISBURG – The scrutiny accorded Democrat Barack Obama says a lot about the nation’s attitude toward race. That’s according to syndicated columnist Leonard Pitts, who supports the Illinois Senator’s run for the presidency.

Pitts says he hopes the Obama candidacy can convince African-Americans to drop the baggage of the past, and white Americans to stop looking at black people merely along racial lines. Pitts spoke Monday night at Bucknell University and calls Obama a candidate who actually has something important to say about America’s role as a world power.

Pitts is based in Miami and is the winner of the 2004 Pulitzer Prize or commentary. His appearance at the Bucknell Forum was the concluding event in the university’s series for the election year titled “The Citizen and Politics in America.” His column is syndicated in papers nationwide, including The Daily Item. (Matt Farrand)

Stocks rise as new Bear Stearns deal emerges

NEW YORK – Local stocks enter the new day mixed, in spite of a 180-point advance by the Dow Industrials, and a revised deal for a nearly bankrupt brokerage. Banking and financial stocks of local interest are mostly higher, as the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust is up more than 5.3% to 26.37.

Sovreign Bancorp is up more than 3.5 percent to 10.52, Omega Financial and FNB Bank are up a fraction. But, M&T Bank is down about 0.3%. Conagra and Sara Lee enter the new day down slightly, while PPL is up a fraction to 46.12.

Community Health Systems is at 31.60. Agitation by shareholders is being credited with raising the price JP Morgan Chase will pay for brokerage Bear Stearns, up from 2.50 to 10 dollars per share. The Dow gained, as the news emerged, finishing the day at 12,549. (Matt Farrand)

Richfield murder: No weapon or shooting suspect found yet

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, 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 Arson I: House member aids police in arson probe

MOUNT CARMEL – State Representative Bob Belfanti (D-107th, Mt. Carmel) doesn’t know if the arson fire at his Mount Carmel office was politically motivated or if he was 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)

Belfanti Arson II: 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 (R-85th, Lewisburg) 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.

State Representative Merle Phillips (R-108th, Sunbury) 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)

Fire Marshall: EBT fire cause 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 13th 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

SHAMOKIN – A Shamokin man is out more than $600 after applying for a loan on the Internet that he never received. A man calling himself Richard Simmons from Alliance National Investment in New York told the Shamokin man to wire him $630 to secure the loan.

The money was wired, but the loan was never received and the number provided by Simmons has since been deactivated. Residents are warned to never wire money to a company you are not familiar with. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) - The former pastor of a Northumberland County church acknowledges using parishioners' personal information to obtain credit cards.  The Rev. Raymond Clayton pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Williamsport to a charge of access device fraud. He awaits sentencing in June. The 43-year-old Clayton is the former pastor of Grace Fellowship Church near Mount Carmel.  Following the plea, 83-year-old church member Patricia Tomedi said, "Thank God." Tomedi says she's lost 20 pounds since Clayton was charged with stealing church members' identities. Her's was one of the Social Security numbers he used.  Clayton's attorney, Assistant Public Defender Toni Byrd, has negotiated a plea agreement promising full restitution and calling for one year and one day in jail.  The church has since disbanded.

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

Daily Number
5-2-8

Big 4
6-4-4-6

Treasure Hunt
14-19-21-24-26

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