Monday, April 7, 2008
Crash on Rt. 11 causes gas leak, reroutes traffic
DANVILLE – Route 11 in Mahoning Township was closed for several hours after a natural gas leak was reported following a vehicle accident. Montour County 911 says Route 11 near Ridge Drive and Schoolhouse Road closed after a vehicle hit a gas line near Sheetz shortly after 4:00p.m. today. The smell of gas was reportedly heavy and residents were asked to keep their windows shut. There were also be a few evacuations reported in the area. (Matt Farrand)
Signs say Firetree is not welcome in Snyder County
BEAVER SPRINGS – Signs are lining both sides of Route 522 from Middleburg to Beaver Springs, telling Firetree to stay out. Despite the fact that a sale is complete on the former Beaver Adams Elementary School site, residents are still trying to keep Firetree Ltd. from turning the site into an inpatient drug and alcohol facility. Signs along the road read “Don’t Let Firetree Trick You” and “Firetree- Stay Out”. Snyder County Commissioner Joe Kantz says he’s okay with that along with the petition that is circulating, since it’s a chance for residents to have their voices heard.
Kantz says however, now that the sale is final, it will be a tough fight, since there is no zoning ordinance in Beaver Springs. Kantz adds that there is some confusion over whether the facility is a half-way house or a inpatient facility. He says he has been told it’s an inpatient facility, but its not clear yet if the patients will be state prisoners. Kantz would like to find that out and know where they are coming from. Firetree is holding a job fair on Wednesday at the site and are expected to hire about 30 new workers.
Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village to add living space
LEWISBURG –Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village in Lewisburg is planning a major expansion. Construction on the senior living center along Fairground Road is slated to begin this fall and bring 19 senior living homes to its grounds. Three new model homes will be built to show off the selections, which include upgrades such as larger kitchens, walk-in closets and covered patios. In addition to living space, the facility will continue to offer personal care service, as well as nursing and rehabilitative care. (Sara Bartlett)
Aggressive drivers take note: Crackdown ahead
DANVILLE – PennDOT, along with local and state police departments have joined together to begin a driving enforcement program. PennDOT Safety Press Officer Mike Hess says local law enforcement are preparing for the first wave of crackdowns of aggressive drivers in work zones.
At a press conference Monday twelve police departments, including Danville and Mahoning Township in Montour County, Northumberland and Sunbury in Northumberland County, Selinsgrove and Shamokin Dam in Snyder County and East Buffalo Township and Lewisburg in Union County joined PennDOT’s 2008 Smooth Operator aggressive driving enforcement program. Hess said not only does aggressive driving, like tailgating and speeding, put someone in a potentially life threatening situation, it will also lead to tickets and fines.
Pennsylvania implemented the Smooth Operator program in 2007 and since has issued over 115,000 aggressive driving citations. The 2008 kickoff runs in conjunction with PennDOT’s observance of National Work Zone Awareness week. (Sara Bartlett)
Fugitive from Jefferson County captured in Watsontown
WATSONTOWN – A Trevorton area man, wanted in Jefferson County, was taken into custody in Watsontown Sunday morning. Watsontown police tell us 34-year-old Larry Rose was stopped for a traffic violation around 1:30 a.m. and police discovered Rose was a wanted as a fugitive. Rose was taken to the Northumberland County Prison to await extradition back to Jefferson County. (Ali Stevens)
Events planned for Sexual Assault Awareness Month
DANVILLE – April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and keeping quiet is considered the worst way to fight the problem. Robin Hampton of the Columbia Montour Women’s Center says breaking down myths surrounding sexual assault is one of the best things concerned men and women can do. Hampton notes the Center is looking to educate restaurant employees on the use of date rape drugs, and the assaults that often follow.
Hampton says there will be a “Take Back the Night” event at Bloomsburg University on Tuesday the 15th. It’ll be at 8:00p.m. in multi-purpose rooms A & B. There will also be a vigil at 12-noon on Thursday the 24th on the steps of the Montour County Courthouse. Hampton notes that attendees are invited to wear a teal ribbon, as it is the official color of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Turbotville man injured in motorcycle crash
TURBOTVILLE – A Turbotville man was injured after a motorcycle crash Saturday night. 37-year-old Ronald Daniel was driving on Route 44 around 7:00p.m, when he lost control of his motorcycle while going around a curve. He ran into a road sign and slid on his side before coming to rest. Daniel was taken to Geisinger Medical Center with moderate injuries, although the hospital has no record of his condition. Warrior Run Ambulance, Fire Company and Fire Police assisted at the scene. (Sara Bartlett)
More than $1,400 worth of items stolen; police search for thief
LEWISBURG – Milton State Police continue to investigate a theft from Wal-Mart near Lewisburg. They say an unknown male went into the business around 7:10p.m. Thursday and began to fill a box containing a trashcan with numerous items such as a stereo, calculators, picture frames and razors. The man then put the box in the hardware department and left the store. He then reportedly changed his clothes and came back a short time later, where he purchased the trashcan box with the hidden items. The stolen items totaled nearly $1,400. Police say the male was white, 5’10”, with brown hair and a goatee. He was driving a Dodge truck. Anyone with information is asked to call Milton State Police. (Sara Bartlett)
Merle Phillips gets good news on fish ladder project
SUNBURY— A fish ladder will be coming to Sunbury. After putting $ 10-million into the capital budget last year, State Representative Merle Philips says he’s received some good news. Phillips says he received a call from DCNR saying Governor Ed Rendell told them that he supports the project and it is his intention to see the fish ladder built.
It’s been nearly five years since Phillips began his fight for funding for a fish ladder to be installed at the fabridam along the Susquehanna River in Sunbury. The fish ladder will allow shad and other migratory fish to
He says the ladder will make it possible for the shad to travel to headwaters, through the area where they are now getting stuck at the dam. Phillips says a bid will go out shortly and there is a possibility for the project to kick into gear this fall or early next spring. Phillips says the fish ladder will have both economical and ecological benefits to the region. (Sara Lauver)
Friday crash ties up traffic along Route 15; minor injuries reported
UNION TWP— Minor injuries are reported after a Union County crash that had a portion of Route 15 closed for nearly an hour Friday evening. State Police in Milton say that 18-year-old, Julen Emedan-Joy of Lewisburg, rear-ended the car driven by 26-year-old, Steven Rims of Sunbury. Rims was stopped at Seven Kitchens Road near Winfield, waiting to make a left-hand turn.
The crash blocked the southbound lanes and slowed northbound traffic for a time during the Friday afternoon rush hour. Only minor injures reported, and police say that Rim and his passenger were both taken to Evangelical Community Hospital where they were treated and released. (Sara Lauver)
Successful weekend for Suncom Industries’ 6th annual yard sales
SUNBURY— SUNCOM’s 6th annual yard sale, bake sale and Chinese auction event is being called a success. Director of Rehab and chairperson for the event, Sharon Roedts, says they raised over $3,700 on Saturday. She says it was a great turnout and they are looking forward to other upcoming fundraisers.
Roedts said they had everything “but the kitchen sink” at the yard sales and someone even brought a toilet to sell. She says all the money raised will go towards their multi-sensory room, which is provided for day programs for adults with disabilities. SUNCOM Industries is a non-profit human service agency that provides vocational opportunities for individuals with disabilities. (Sara Lauver)
Another Selinsgrove business burgled; thieves gets away with food
SELINSGROVE – Over $3,000 worth of meats and poultry were taken from a business in Selinsgrove Sunday morning. Police in Selinsgrove say they were called to Troutman’s Meat Market in the borough around 7a.m., after an employee found that the business had been broken into.
Police say that sometime between 10p.m. Saturday evening and 7a.m. Sunday morning, a person or persons broke into the store and stole large amounts of beef, chicken and fish from the freezers. Police say they believe multiple vehicles and persons may be involved, due to the large amount of food that was taken.
State Police responded to a similar crime at Sunbury Meats and Poultry on March 14th. It is not known if the incidents are related, but police continue to investigate. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Selinsgrove police. (Sara Lauver)
Well-known finance man has died; Funeral arrangements in place
MOUNT CARMEL – Funeral arrangements are set for Bob Burd, a well-known man in the community who died Friday morning of a heart attack. A memorial service will be held Wednesday at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Selinsgrove.
Burial service will follow Thursday at the Northumberland Memorial Park in Stonington. Burd work for a number of years for Susquehanna Bank and most recently had worked for Union National Bank of Mount Carmel. Those who knew him, say he was a financial icon in the community. (Sara Lauver)
Man taken to hospital after Saturday accident in Snyder County
SELINSGROVE— A one-vehicle crash along Route 104 in Snyder County Saturday night sent one man to the hospital with injuries. State Police in Selinsgrove say that 19-year-old, Nathan Ritter of Middleburg, was traveling along Route 104 in Jackson Township around 6 p.m., when his vehicle traveled off the roadway and struck a mailbox. The vehicle continued to travel several yards before hitting a utility pole. Police say Ritter had to be extricated from the vehicle. He was taken to Geisinger Medical Center where a nursing supervisor says he is listed in fair condition. (Sara Lauver)
Injuries after woman swerves to miss animal
SELINSGROVE— A Selinsgrove woman was taken to the hospital after a crash in Snyder County Saturday. State Police in Selinsgrove say that 67-year-old, Janet Smith, was traveling along State School Road in Penn Township just before 4 p.m.
She swerved to miss hitting an animal in the roadway. Police say Smith lost control of her vehicle and struck an embankment on the side of the roadway. She was taken to Sunbury Community Hospital with injuries. No condition report was available. (Sara Lauver)
Friday crash ties up traffic along Route 15; minor injuries reported
UNION TWP— Minor injuries are reported after a Union County crash that had a portion of Route 15 closed for nearly an hour Friday evening. State Police in Milton say that 18-year-old, Julen Emedan-Joy of Lewisburg, rear-ended the car driven by 26-year-old, Steven Rims of Sunbury. Rims was stopped at Seven Kitchens Road near Winfield, waiting to make a left-hand turn.
The crash blocked the southbound lanes and slowed northbound traffic for a time during the Friday afternoon rush hour. Only minor injures reported, and police say that Rim and his passenger were both taken to Evangelical Community Hospital where they were treated and released. (Sara Lauver)
Local housing, financial stocks enter new week lower
WASHINGTON – Most financial markets were indifferent to figures released last week signaling an across-the-board economic slowdown. Analysts say Commerce Department data released last week is consistent with trends noted at the start of prior recessions.
Employers cut payrolls in March for a third straight month and the jobless rate jumped to a two-and-a-half year high at 5.1%. In spite of the news, and a 16-point loss on Friday, the Dow Industrials enter the week up nearly 3.0 percent compared with a week ago, at 12,609.
Locally, manufactured housing builder Fleetwood Enterprises is down from its high of more than 11.50 per share in July of last year and enters the new week at 4.60. Banking and financial stocks all retreated Friday, FNB Corp was down a fraction, but Susquehanna Bancshares lost nearly three percent, M&T Bank dropped 2.5%, and Sovreign Bancorp lost 4.5% percent to close at 9.20.
Monroe Marketplace developer Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust lost a fraction to 26.39. Other stocks enter the new week mixed, Weis Markets is at 35.21, and Sara Lee is a little more than two dollars above its 52-week low at 14.39.
This week’s data that could move the market include chain store sales for March on Thursday and Consumer Sentiment on Friday. Both figures can make some sense of broader economic trends as consumer spending makes up two-thirds of all spending. (Matt Farrand)
Panty burglary in Lewisburg
MILTON— A Lewisburg man has been arrested for stealing some bras and underwear. State Police in Milton say 37-year-old, James Miller, broke into a woman’s home along Black Run Road in Buffalo Township around 2 p.m. Friday. The woman was not home at the time and police say Miller went into her bedroom and stole some of her undergarments. No word on whether or not Miller will face any charges. (Sara Lauver)
McCain, GOP benefit from greater unity
BLOOMSBURG – Arizona Senator John McCain is the presumptive Republican candidate for president. But questions persist as to exactly in what manner he could follow George W. Bush. Low approval ratings for the current president could be a challenge, but Bloomsburg University Political Communications professor Jim Tomlinson notes McCain often stands opposed to President Bush.
They area at odds of issues such as waging g the Iraq War and whether or not to close the terror suspect detention camp at Guantanamo Bay. Dr. Tomlinson says winning the support of the right wing of the GOP is a bigger concern. But he notes that McCain has an advantage in that he has virtually locked up the nomination, while the Democrats continue to fight among themselves. (Matt Bowen)
Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A bill to increase the criminal penalties for possessing a firearm with an altered serial number is heading to the state Senate. The House of Representatives voted unanimously Monday in favor of the bill, which also made other changes to the state's gun laws. Last week, an attempt to amend the bill by making it a criminal offense for gun owners to fail to report a lost or stolen handgun was defeated. The bill prohibits seizure of guns and bullets by the government during an emergency and establishes a state police registry of lost or stolen firearms.
BROCKWAY, Pa. (AP) - Hundreds of people filled a high school auditorium and cafeteria to attend a funeral for 10 people killed in a Jefferson County house fire. The small, tight-knit community of Brockway wept and mourned the Petersons and their friend, Jason Mowry. They packed the auditorium and filled the cafeteria, where they watched the 90-minute service on a screen rolled in for the occasion. Flowers and pictures adorned the caskets, with religious embroideries hanging behind them. Kimberly Peterson, five of her children, three grandchildren and a family friend were killed in Thursday's fire. Two of Peterson's children who were in the house survived. Her husband, Douglas Peterson Jr., was not home.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Voter registration for Pennsylvania's presidential primary may set an all-time record. State officials Monday released updated numbers that show total registration at about 8.3 million - fewer than 50,000 votes shy of the record set in the last presidential election. And that number will increase, because county officials aren't finished processing all the applications that were filed by the March 24 deadline. The number of Democrats now stands at 4.2 million - an increase of 8 percent since last fall's election. The Republican total is 3.2 million - a decline of about 2 percent.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Monday in the midday Pennsylvania State Lottery drawing:
Daily Number
0-5-1
Big 4
1-6-0-1
Treasure Hunt
4-5-8-18-26
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)