Friday, March 28, 2008
Snyder county accident re-routes traffic
PENN TWP – Traffic was detoured for hours Friday evening after reports of an accident around 4:10p.m. State Police remained on the scene for a while and the investigation into the crash continues. Injuries were reported and LifeFlight responded to the scene. More details to be released soon.
Belfanti: Danville site off the drawing board; no halfway house
DANVILLE – The State Department of Corrections has pulled its plan to place a halfway house on the campus of the Danville State Hospital. State Representative Bob Belfanti confirmed Friday that after talking with Director of the State Bureau of Community Corrections, Paul O’Connor, plans for the Danville site are off the drawing board. The decision comes just days after over 200 residents packed Danville’s Borough Hall to express their opposition. Montour County Commissioner Trevor Finn says the perseverance paid off. He says this shows that when the people of Montour County, and surrounding areas, stand together they can accomplish anything.
Representative Belfanti says it was the unanimous opposition of elected officials from state, county and local levels that also made the DOC withdrawal their proposal. Many residents said their safety would be in jeopardy if the halfway house came to PA’s smallest county, and also feared a rise in crime. Belfanti said that Montour County has already given enough and a halfway house would do no one in the area, or surrounding communities any good. (Sara Bartlett)
Bill Clinton campaigns in "Billtown"
HARRISBURG – America’s 42nd President will visit Williamsport Saturday on behalf of the woman who wants to become the 44th President. The Hillary Clinton for President campaign says husband Bill Clinton will host a “Solutions for America” event at Lycoming College. It is scheduled for 3:30pm. The rallies are considered signature events for the campaign, and this one will feature Representative Tim Holden. It follows a morning appearance at a St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Girardville. (Matt Farrand)
Pit bulls rescued from unlivable Milton apartment
MILTON – Additional details are emerging after Thursday’s seizure of 17 pit bulls from a Milton apartment. Milton Police say officials needed self-contained breathing units when they first entered the two-bedroom apartment due to the excrement on the floors. A 37-year-old Milton man is in custody, however his name has not been released. The tenant is being charged with animal cruelty, criminal mischief, and a number of borough Ordinance violations.
The animals are now in the care of officials at the Northumberland County Animal Rescue Center, though their condition is not known. Police say the 3rd floor apartment on Broadway Street sustained heavy damage. (Matt Farrand)
iPod dispute sends teen to juvenile court
SUNBURY – A 16-year-old Shikellamy High School student has been charged after threatening his teacher. On Thursday, teacher Martha Krieger, allegedly told the student that he must give her his iPod during class, as they are prohibited from the school. The student then reportedly threw the device into Krieger’s hand, and then threatened to come back after school with a gun and shoot her if she did not give the iPod back to him. The teen was charged with two misdemeanor counts of terroristic threats and a misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct. Charges were filed against him in Northumberland Juvenile Court and he was turned over to Juvenile Probation. (Sara Bartlett)
Doctor accused of negligent death of a NorCo prisoner files a response
SUNBURY – A psychiatrist employed by the Northumberland County Prison has filed a response to a charge that he was negligent in the treatment of a prisoner that committed suicide. Dr. Frederick Maue is a third-party defendant in a suit filed by the estate of Ryan Francis, who hung himself in his jail cell in March of 2006. The suit claims the staff at the Northumberland County Prison were negligent and so was the psychiatrist who evaluated Francis, Dr. Maue. However on March 18th, Dr. Maue filed an answer to the complaint in Middle District Court. Maue claims Francis’s death is the result of the prison staff and the administration, which ignored his remarks that Francis should be on a suicide watch. Maue previously claimed Francis was the most suicidal inmate he had come across in his years of work there. We spoke with Warden Ralph Reisch about the Maue response, but he chose not to comment.
Ryan Francis was brought to the county prison after causing a disturbance at the funeral of his girlfriend, who was among five people killed in a fire in Trevorton on February 28th, 2006. His mother and half-brother were also killed in the fire. He was unable to post bail and committed suicide two days after his arrest in March. (Ali Stevens)
Local Girl Scouts helping troops
SHAMOKIN – A Shamokin Girl Scout troop is helping local female soldiers serving in Iraq and high schools girls who will attend their spring prom…all at the same time! Troop 2008 is offering new and gentle used prom dresses in exchange for $10.00 worth of toiletries to send to the soldiers.
They came up with the community service idea titled Fairy Godmother’s Helpers, as a project in order to earn their silver award, which is a step below the highest Girl Scout award. The community donated dresses, as did local Lewisburg and Selinsgrove bridal shops. The event will continue today from 11:00a.m.-4:00p.m. at the Grace Lutheran Church on 7th and Chestnut Streets in Shamokin. (Sara Bartlett)
Two candidates for 23rd District State Senate on L&L
SUNBURY – Two Republican hopefuls vying for the 23rd District Senate seat appeared on a recent Leaders & Lawmakers. Doug McLinko, of Wysox and Gene Yaw, of Williamsport shared their views on topics including the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway, I-80 tolls, and how they would represent our area in Harrisburg if elected.
One hot topic the two differed on was placing a statewide smoking ban in public buildings. McLinko says he does not favor the ban and believes it should be up to the individual businesses to choose. Yaw says he does favor the ban, with a few amendments, including a possible outside area for smoking. The House and the Senate passed separate versions of a statewide smoking ban legislation, and debates have continued since. A House-Senate conference committee will meet April 1st in an attempt to reach a compromise.
You can hear McLinko’s and Yaw’s thoughts on a number of issues by downloading Leaders & Lawmakers in full at wkok.com. The third Republican hopeful for the 23rd District Senate is Steve Cappelli, of Lycoming County. He will appear on an upcoming Leaders & Lawmakers. (Sara Bartlett)
Woman who caused Routes 11/15 crash upgraded to good condition at GMC
SHAMOKIN DAM – A Perry County woman involved in a crash while driving nude on Routes 11/15 in Shamokin Dam a week ago is now listed in good condition at Geisinger Medical Center. 64-year-old Susan Shuman, of Newport, could not offer Shamokin Dam Police any reason for driving nude, but family members disclosed that Shuman has had some mental health concerns over the past few months. Shuman faces a number of charges after allegedly driving on the wrong side of the road near the Veterans Memorial Bridge. The crash involved two other vehicles, whose drivers were both treated and released from the hospital. (Sara Bartlett)
Two local men charged with supplying marijuana to two juveniles
POINT TOWNSHIP – Two local men have been charged with smoking marijuana with a 13 and 14-year-old in Point Township. Police say 18-year-old Samuel Hare of Sunbury and 18-year-old George Swancer of Point Township were charged with corruption of minors, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police say on February 1st, Hare and Swancer were found walking with the two juveniles and discovered they had all been smoking marijuana. The men were searched and a small amount of the drug was recovered from both of them. They will appear before District Justice Robert Bolton at a later date. (Ali Stevens)
Firefighters climb Big Mountain south of Trevorton
TREVORTON – An arson fire in an abandoned house trailer meant firefighters had to make a rigorous climb up Big Mountain in Zerbe Township, Northumberland County Thursday afternoon. Trevorton Fire Chief Dan Schlegel says the trailer was discarded and set on fire on property that was once part of the Shingara mining operation.
Initial reports indicated there was a quantity of gasoline within the structure. Schlegel says the trailer was near a hole used to enter the underground mine. He notes that the area where the 6:15p.m. fire was reported is no longer actively mined.
The fire was contained effectively amid coal waste, brush and other debris, though the house trailer was destroyed. There were no injuries reported, and Lower Augusta, and East Cameron firefighters assisted the Trevorton Fire Department. (Matt Farrand)
Hit and run driver plows into police cruiser
WATSONTOWN – A truck plowed into a police cruiser in Watsontown—then the truck took off. A trucker from Jersey Shore is facing numerous charges after police say he struck a police cruiser in Watsontown and kept going. The cruiser was legally parked along 4th Street in front of the Watsontown Borough Building on Thursday morning, when 48-year-old Jack Eck struck the cruiser.
Police say Eck kept going and police caught up with him along Route 405. Eck will be cited for several equipment violations found on the truck and will also be charged with careless driving. The police cruiser was not drivable and was towed from the scene to a local garage. (Ali Stevens)
Montandon burglary under investigation
MONTANDON – State police are investigating a burglary at Central Builders in Montandon sometime Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. Troopers say someone forced open the front door to the office trailer along Route 45 and stole a cash box containing $80.00. A scale was also stolen, which is valued at about $500.00. Anyone with information on the break-in is asked to call state police. (Ali Stevens)
Injuries reported in two local accidents
UNDATED – Three injuries are reported after a two-vehicle crash near the intersection of Routes 147 and 225 Thursday afternoon. State Police say a vehicle driven by a 17-year-old female crossed into the southbound lane of Route 225 striking a vehicle driven by 23-year-old Bobby Lee Lause.
Both drivers were injured, as was a 17-year-old female passenger in Lause’s car. Northumberland County Communications says one of the vehicles rolled over, and Life Flight was called to take one of the injured to Geisinger Medical Center.
Also before 3:00p.m., Union County Communications says emergency crews were dispatched to a two-vehicle crash in Kelly Township. Troopers say 21-year-old Sara Warburton of Milton attempted to take a left turn from northbound Route 15 onto AJK Boulevard.
A southbound vehicle driven by 57-year-old Joseph Luxenberger of Williamsport struck her vehicle head-on. Warburton, Luxenberger and 47-year-old James Luxenberger were taken to Evangelical community Hospital for treatment. James was a passenger in Joseph’s vehicle. (Matt Farrand)
Chef Boy-Ar-Dee owner earnings exceed expectations
OMAHA, NE – Big news announced Thursday by a corporation with local ties. ConAgra Foods is selling its commodities trading group for $2.1 billion even though the division was a big reason behind a 60% increase in profits during its third quarter. ConAgra CEO Gary Rodkin says the company will focus on its core consumer foods business and free up operating capital. The Ospraie Special Opportunities fund is buying the group.
Conagra owns Chef Boyardee, Healthy Choice and Peter Pan, and increased its earnings outlook for the full year Thursday. Conagra stock enters the new day up more than 7.0 % at 23.45. Other stocks of local interest: The banks followed the Dow lower, for the most part. FNB Corp, M&T Bank and Omega Financial each lost more than one percent.
Sovreign Bancorp and Susquehanna Bancshares lost more than 3.0% apiece. But West Milton Bancorp bounced back from Wednesday’s session, gaining more than 8.0% to close at more than $45 per share. Elsewhere, Merck stock enters the new day up a fraction at 44.78 in spite of news that the FDA is looking into whether it’s Singulair respiratory drug may be linked to suicidal behavior in some who take it. (Matt Farrand)
Arsonist says he wasn’t targeting Belfanti
MT CARMEL – A 28-year-old man is in prison after admitting to setting the fire that caused $150,000 damage to the Mount Carmel office of State Representative Bob Belfanti. Kevin Mazur, of Mount Carmel, was arraigned Thursday in front of District Justice Michael Mychak and faces felony counts of arson, burglary, criminal trespass and criminal mischief, along with a number of misdemeanor charges.
Mount Carmel Police say Mazur confessed to the crime after a probation officer found a baseball bat, glass shards, two hammers and drug paraphernalia inside his West Avenue home, just across the street from the Representative’s office building.
Mazur says the night of the arson; he used the hammer to strike the front door of the building, then entered and began to ignite items inside. He then ran back to his residence. Mazur says he was not targeting Belfanti, and committed the crime out of anger over a separate incident. He is in Northumberland County Prison on $100,000 bail. (Staff)
Incoming probation chief brings law enforcement background
SUNBURY – The incoming Chief of Adult Probation and Parole for Northumberland County says he’ll be on the lookout for innovative ways to keep criminals from becoming chronic offenders. Meantime, John D. Wondoloski of Elysburg says he is looking forward to maintaining effective programs established by Judge Robert Sacavage and his predecessor in the job, Michael Potteiger.
They include special sentencing and rehabilitation for non-violent drug offenses, certain DUIs, and those with mental health issues. Wondoloski is the former commander of the Pennsylvania State Police station in Montoursville. He replaces Michael Potteiger, who is accepting a similar post in Dauphin County. An official release distributed Thursday says the new chief’s first official day on the job is in mid-April. (Matt Farrand)
Troopers say Middleburg man uses Taser device on wife
MIDDLEBURG – A Middleburg man faces harassment charges after allegedly using a Taser on his sleeping wife. State Police say 38-year-old Norbert Pronkoskie of Paxtonville Road struck his wife three times on the neck with the device late last Thursday night. Troopers say she was asleep on a couch at their residence at the time. Charges will be filed in District Court. (Matt Farrand)
Injuries reported in two local accidents
UNDATED – Three injuries are reported after a two-vehicle crash near the intersections of Routes 147 and 225 Thursday afternoon. Northumberland County Communications says one of the vehicles rolled over, and Lifeflight was called to take one of the injured to Geisinger Medical Center. State Police are investigating and will provide details of the 3:00pm crash.
Also in the 3:00p.m. hour, Union County Communications says emergency crews were dispatched to a crash along Route 15 in Kelly Township at AJK Boulevard. Two vehicles were involved and three were injured. All were taken to Evangelical Community Hospital. State troopers are also investigating the Union County crash. (Matt Farrand)
How is a possible recession affecting the environment?
LEWISBURG – Is a slumping economy helping or hurting the push to “go green?” Associate Professor of Economics at Bucknell University, Tom Kinnaman, says even with leading economic indicators suggesting otherwise, he doesn’t believe we are facing too much of a problem at the current time.
He says the kind of recession we may be going to will be severe enough to diminish large-scale environmental improvement projects or policies put in place. Kinnaman says producing and consuming renewable products is a worthwhile endeavor and with the rising oil prices, might soon become even more affordable.
With prices rising, Kinnaman says it is likely that we will see more efficiently priced hybrid cars and possibly solar energy vehicles as well. He also says while ethanol is a popular alternative, its really not the most efficient, because it takes just as much energy to create it from corn.
He says a true breakthrough will come when we can extract energy from the leaves of plants. The Associate Professor has written two published books, which focus on the use of economic incentives in environmental policies. (Sara Bartlett)
Selling prom dresses for a good cause
SHAMOKIN – A local Girl Scout troop is selling prom dresses for a good cause. Troop 2008 will be offering brand new or gently used prom dresses to people who donate $10.00 worth of toiletry items that will be sent to local female soldiers serving in Iraq. The two-day event will take place at the Grace Lutheran Church in Shamokin Friday from 6:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. and Saturday from 11:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.
Bridal shops in Selinsgrove and Lewisburg have donated new dresses, and community members have donated other dresses. The church is located on 7th and Chestnut Streets in Shamokin. For more information you can call 648-5548. (Sara Bartlett)
Mifflinburg Hose Company spreading awareness about smoke detectors
MIFFLINBURG – The Mifflinburg Hose Company will be conducting smoke detector sweeps throughout their fire district in the month of April. Fire Chief John Heiges says his crew will be stopping by homes to either replace batteries in smoke detectors or install a new detector if the homeowner would like.
He says you will know the person coming to your door is legitimate because a fire truck will be parked in the block, and crews will also be dressed in full fire gear. Heiges says in the last couple months there have been a number of fire fatalities, and many of those homes did not have working smoke detectors in the proper location.
Crews will get to every town in the fire district starting in April, and Heiges says they will probably conduct the operation on Monday nights. If anyone in the area knows they need a smoke detector, they can call the department at 966-1591. (Sara Bartlett)
Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A federal appeals court has ordered a new penalty hearing for celebrity death row inmate Mumia Abu-Jamal. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals says Abu-Jamal's conviction for the 1981 murder of a Philadelphia police officer should stand. But it says he should get a new sentencing hearing because of flawed jury instructions. If prosecutors don't want to give him a new death penalty hearing, Abu-Jamal would be sentenced automatically to life in prison. A Philadelphia jury convicted Abu-Jamal of killing Officer Daniel Faulkner after the patrolman pulled over Abu-Jamal's brother in an overnight traffic stop 27 years ago.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Friday in the midday Pennsylvania State Lottery drawing:
Daily Number 9-4-5
Big 4 5-7-8-8
Treasure Hunt 6-7-16-26-29
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (AP) - An upstate New York man wants to pay his water bill -- with a toilet paper check. It's Ron Borgna's way of sending a message to officials in Binghamton. But city authorities refused to accept the check, written on floral print, two-ply T-P. Borgna is disputing his more than $2,500 water bill. It stems from a September 2006 bill for more than $422. It's ballooned over the years due to penalties, late fees and other charges. Borgna now says he's taking his case to small claims court.
NEW YORK (AP) - New York cabbie Douglas Guldeniz is being honored for going the extra mile -- thousands of them. He drove a Queens couple some 2,500 miles to their new retirement home in Arizona last April. Now, Guldeniz is getting official recognition for what officials believe is the longest taxi ride in city history. He won the city Taxi and Limousine Commission's Going the Extra Mile award. He was among about 60 cabbies honored yesterday for doing good deeds, ranging from returning lost cell phones to stopping a rape suspect.
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Two years after finishing a movie about Mark David Chapman, "Chapter 27" finally is seeing the light of day in some theaters today. Jared Leto plays Chapman and Lindsay Lohan plays a woman he meets outside the Dakota the night he shoots former Beatle John Lennon. After finishing the film, Lohan said in 2006 that none of her people wanted her to make the movie. Fans didn't either. She says she got death threats. Lohan says "it's a very touchy subject."