Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Fire in Sunbury dumpster damages building

SUNBURY – A fire in a Sunbury dumpster is reportedly under control.  However, a nearby building was also damaged in the blaze reported at about 4:50p.m. in the 200 block of North Fourth Street.  Crews are still on the scene at the rear of the structure as of 5:30p.m. (Matt Farrand)

Crime watch meeting and recruitment set for tonight in Sunbury

SUNBURY – Crime watch members from Sunbury are looking for some new recruits.  A meeting is set for tonight at Shikellamy High School from 7 to 9 p.m. for those interested in getting involved in Sunbury’s crime watch program.  The police department will be on hand along with other local officials and crime watch members.  If you have a love of Sunbury and would like to help eliminate crime in the city, you are encouraged to attend.  (Ali Stevens)

Shamokin man charged with homicide to go to court

SUNBURY – The man accused of killing his wife in the parking lot of Shamokin Community Hospital will go to trial in June.  34-year-old Richard Curran, of Shamokin, was denied a competency hearing.  He’d previously been deemed incompetent to stand trial three times, but Monday, Judge Robert Sacavage said there was no evidence that Curran is suffering from mental illness.  According to the Daily Item, Sacavage also told Curran to submit the name of experts to use in an insanity defense for the trial scheduled June 16^th.

Curran shot his wife Tina Curran to death outside of Shamokin Community Hospital, where she worked, in August 2005.  Richard Curran remains locked up in Northumberland County Prison without bail.

Burglaries under investigation in Sunbury

SUNBURY – Sunbury police are investigating two burglaries from overnight.  The first burglary took place in the 600 block of Edison Avenue at a storage-shed facility.  Someone cut the locks off of 20 storage sheds and ransacked all of them.  The second burglary was at a garage in the 800 block of North Fourth Street.  The garage was entered and a stereo and other equipment was removed from a vehicle inside the garage.  Sunbury police say they did recover evidence from the two break-ins and anyone with information is asked to contact them.  (Ali Stevens)

Evangelical’s Center for Breast Health hosts their annual Mammothon

SELINSGROVE – The annual Mammothon will be held at the Susquehanna Valley Mall on Wednesday, hosted by Evangelical Community Hospital’s Thyra M. Humphrey’s Center for Breast Health.  During the Mammothon, more than 50 volunteers will be making phone calls, reminding area residents to schedule their mammograms.  Each time a mammogram is scheduled, a bell is rung and participants clap and cheer.  The goal is to be sure that all women in our area are getting an annual mammogram to have earlier diagnosis of breast cancer.  Medical studies show the earlier breast cancer is detected, the higher the survival rate.  (Ali Stevens)

Sunbury Community Hospital’s future looks good, says outgoing CEO

SUNBURY – Since Cliff Park started as CEO of Sunbury Community Hospital in October 2005, he says there has been great growth and improvement.  Park is stepping down in May and will take a job at a healthcare facility in Provo, Utah, closer to his family.  Park says the future of the hospital, which is a for-profit affiliate of Community Health Systems, looks hopeful.  He cites the $2.9 million investment in the hospital and the over $5 million investment in the ER as major achievements.  He also says they have also had a boost in physician relations, hiring nine new physicians in the last two years, and partnering with local physicians to provide services.

Park says he and his family have felt a warm and welcome reception from the time they arrived to Sunbury over two years ago, and he hopes that whoever replaces him will get the same welcome.  Park’s last day is May 9^th.  Last week, former CEO of Easton Hospital, Cornelio Catena, was named as interim CEO at Sunbury Community Hospital. (Sara Bartlett)

Students to fast for 30 hours

MIFFLINBURG – Over 90 students will fast for 30 hours this weekend.  Youth Pastor at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Brian Connolly, says it’s part of World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine, which helps young people understand the hunger that children around the world face everyday.  He says during the two-day event students will also focus on local community service projects such as mowing lawns and visiting the elderly.

The students are sponsored, so during the 30 hours they will raise money that will be given to third world countries and used for developing educational sites and hospitals, as well as showing people how to plant and harvest food.  All of the students are part of First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Buffalo Valley Church of the Brethren or the Trinity United Methodist Church.  The fast starts at 12:30p.m. Friday and ends at 6:00p.m. Saturday, with a gathering at Mifflinburg Intermediate School. (Sara Bartlett)

Selinsgrove church offering free meals

SELINSGROVE – A local church is opening its doors twice a month to offer a free dinner to anyone interested.  Betty Keister says after the All Saints Episcopal Church opened a new parish center, they knew they wanted to reach out to the community.  After getting a grant from the Diocese in Harrisburg, the church can now get their goal underway, calling it Martha’s Table.  Keister says the free, hot dinners are open to everyone.

The first meal was last week and Keister says they served about thirty people.  The church serves the first and third Wednesday of each month (that includes tonight!) at 6:00p.m.  All Saints Episcopal Church is located on 129 North Market Street in Selinsgrove. (Sara Bartlett)

Repairs to the main water line in Middleburg

MIDDLEBURG – Repairs on the main water line in Middleburg are underway.  A boil water advisory is now in effect until further notice for Middleburg water customers on East Market Street.  Customers may experience low water pressure and dirty water during the repairs.  (Ali Stevens) 

Larger truck room, new fire trucks for Hummels Wharf Company

HUMMELS WHARF – The Hummels Wharf Fire Company is in new quarters.  Three new fire trucks and a 7000 square foot fire station were officially placed into service Tuesday with a ribbon cutting.  Deputy Chief John Grove says the new fire trucks are big improvements over the 34-year-old units they replace, mostly through use of electronics and automatic transmissions. Grove says the new trucks also spray a more effective firefighting foam, rather than just water. 

SnyCo MVA injures five people and closes Route 11

SHAMOKIN DAM – Several people, including two children, were hurt in a crash on Route 11 near Shamokin Dam last evening. State police from Selinsgrove say the 6:45p.m. accident happened between Shamokin Dam and Northumberland, not far from the Northumberland Boat Club.

Troopers say the pick-up truck of 47-year-old John Rager of Sunbury was traveling south, and a rear tire may have blown out. The truck went out of control and hit a northbound pick-up truck driven by 65-year-old James Crissman of Northumberland.

Rager was taken to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville and he is in serious condition. Three passengers in his truck were taken to Geisinger. Of those passengers, no medical condition is available for 18-year-old Nathan Hand. The names and conditions of a 7-year-old and a 3-year-old are not disclosed.

Crissman was treated and released from the hospital. Numerous local fire, fire police, ambulance and police departments responded to assist after that Route 11 crash in Snyder County last evening. Route 11 was closed for about 90-minutes.

Sunbury’s Crime Watch looking for more citizen involvement

SUNBURY – Crime watch members from Sunbury are looking for some new recruits. A meeting is set for tonight at Shikellamy High School from 7 to 9 p.m. for those interested in getting involved in Sunbury’s crime watch program.

The police department will be on hand along with other local officials and crime watch members. If you have a love of Sunbury and would like to help eliminate crime in the city, you are encouraged to attend. (Ali Stevens)

Sunbury City Council I: Sunbury council still researching ‘license fee’

SUNBURY— Sunbury city council needs more time to look into a proposed professional fee that would be placed on state licensed businesses and individuals. Councilman, John Shipman, says the city wants to be fair to all the businesses and individuals who have state licenses.

He says he’s asked for a 60-day extension, while members continue to research the best option for the proposal. Shipman says the fee would be an attempt to fill a gap in the city budget, and its supposed to go into effect this year.

Shipman adds that the proposal will probably be passed in June, which means the policy would still go into effect on the expected July 1st start date. However, Shipman says nothing has been set in stone and council members want to make sure they do all their research first. (Sara Lauver)

Sunbury City Council II: City eyes Riverfront capital campaign

SUNBURY— A recent feasibility study shows that Sunbury could have a successful capital campaign for the Riverfront Project. Mayor, Jesse Woodring, says City Council members are beginning to look at options for a campaign chairman, an organization committee and an attainable campaign goal. He says that a group outside of the city would run the campaign.

Woodring says that while a majority of the money has been secured already, its hoped that the capital campaign will allow for additional amenities. He also says it’s a way to get the community involved in the project. The capital campaign would allow businesses and individuals to contribute and have naming opportunities for the Riverfront Project. (Sara Lauver)

Mortgage lending losses assessed by banks big and small

NEW YORK – Banks are only now totaling up losses related to mortgage lending, its reflected in their stock prices. Monday, Wachovia Corporation announced an unexpected first quarter loss, and their plans to raise more than $7 billion dollars to replenish capital depleted by mortgage losses. Stock in the fourth largest US bank enters the new day at a seven year low.

Locally, Sovreign Bancorp is at a 52-week low after losing more than 3.0% Monday to close at 8.14, M&T Bank lost more than 3.0% to settle at 80.75. MidPenn Bancorp, Susquehanna Bancshares and FNB Corp also retreated. Housing manufacturer Fleetwood Enterprises is also at a 52-week low, at 3.74.

The Agriculture Department reports that food costs are at their highest in 17 years. Food producer Sara Lee gained a fraction to 14.05, but Conagra dropped about one half of one percent and retailer Weis Markets lost a fraction to 33.60. Other stocks of local interest, PPL Corp, Community Health Systems and the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust each enjoyed modest gains. (Matt Farrand)

Stalking charges filed against a Sunbury man

SUNBURY – A Sunbury man has been charged with stalking after he allegedly made hundreds of lewd phone calls to two different locations. Police say 60-year-old Daniel Zimmerman placed over 700 calls to a home in Northumberland and a business in Sunbury.

Zimmerman reportedly called the number, asked the victim personal questions, and then hung-up. On April 10th, Sunbury police say Zimmerman called a business in Sunbury using a payphone at Sunbury Community Hospital.

Security at the hospital was notified and police were able to pick him up a short time later. He was taken into custody and arraigned before District Justice Carl Rice and sent to the Northumberland County Prison on $50,000 bail. (Ali Stevens)

Sunbury man in jail after indecently touching 7-year-old

SUNBURY – Charges have been filed against a Sunbury man after he allegedly had indecent contact with a 7-year-old girl. Sunbury Police say 31-year-old Tyrone Moten touch the girl inappropriately twice over the last two months.

The girl was interviewed at the Child Advocacy Center where she disclosed the abuse. Moten was taken into custody on a probation violation and charged with felony counts of indecent assault and endangering the welfare of children, along with a misdemeanor count of corruption of minors. Moten is locked up in Northumberland County Prison. (Sara Bartlett)

Annual Applebee’s fundraiser this week

DANVILLE – The annual Applebee’s fundraiser is this week. When a child is sick and goes to the hospital, their families want to be close by. That’s where the Danville Ronald McDonald House comes in. The non-profit organization offers a place for children and families to stay while their loved one receives treatment at Janet Weis Children’s Hospital and other local hospitals.

Ann Blugis helps organize a fundraiser each year, which will take place Thursday. The 2nd Annual Celebrity Service Night will be at Applebee’s in Selinsgrove Thursday from 5 to 9p.m. All tips received will be given to the Ronald McDonald House and celebrity servers will be serving the guests. Residents are encouraged to dine at Applebee’s in Selinsgrove that evening to benefit the Ronald McDonald House. (Ali Stevens)

Expect Science in Motion to be restored to state budget

LEWISBURG – It’s almost a rite of spring, as the acclaimed Science in Motion program is cut from the proposed state budget. However, its restoration is almost as certain according to House Member Merle Phillips (R-108th, Sunbury), who says the program that brings college level science equipment to high schools is often used as a negotiating tool. Science in Motion is based locally at Susquehanna University.

Phillips says the program is highly valued as most school districts can’t afford to sort of equipment it offers. The state’s fiscal year runs through the end of June. Last year’s budget impasse saw state services curtailed and some state employees furloughed for a time before the budget was passed into law in July. (Matt Farrand)

Fuel stolen from church valued at $700

PAXINOS – Heating oil prices are at or near a record high, which may be the catalyst for a theft reported Monday. State Police say someone made off with about 200 gallons of fuel belonging to a church along Irish Valley Road near Paxinos.

State Police say the fill cap of the church’s storage tank was broken, and the fuel that sells for close to $4.00 per gallon was siphoned off. Troopers believe the theft took place some time between the early part of January and last week, though they offered no scenario of how the product was removed from the site.. They estimate the value at $700. (Matt Farrand)

Getting books into the hands of all children

UNDATED – This week is the Week of the Young Child and it’s about putting books in the hands of every family who has children. Many local events are happening in Snyder, Union and Northumberland counties this week.

Mary Mahoney-Ferster is the Coordinator of the Community Engagement Team in Union and Snyder Counties and says community leaders will be reading to children Pennsylvania’s one book, entitled Up, Down and Around by Katherine Ayres.

In connection with Week of the Young Child, Susquehanna University students will be working with the Union Snyder Community Action Agency for SU Serve Day this Saturday. Family Literacy Director for the Agency, Sharon Leon says children can participate in a number of activities as well as read Pennsylvania’s one book. Food will also be provided.

Everyone is invited to the free event which takes place from 12:00p.m.-2:00p.m. at the Selinsgrove CareerLink. Between the three counties, Pennsylvania’s One Book will be given to over 1,500 children and will also be placed in local Pre-K and Kindergarten classes. The Week of the Young Child was the topic of a recent Leaders & Lawmakers program, which you can download online at wkok.com. (Sara Bartlett)

Watsontown man in critical condition after crash

DANVILLE – A Watsontown man remains in critical condition after a crash on Saturday. 48-year-old Gary Chestnut was driving on Route 118 in Sugarloaf Township when he crashed into a tree. It happened around 1:00p.m. Saturday, and police say Chestnut was unresponsive, but breathing after the accident. He was taken to and remains at Geisinger Medical Center. (Sara Bartlett)

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

WASHINGTON – Sen. Arlen Specter's cancer has returned.  The Pennsylvania Republican says in a statement that he has been diagnosed with an early recurrence of Hodgkin's disease, which is a cancer of the lymph system.  Specter underwent treatment for the same type of cancer in 2005 and was later given a clean bill of health.  The statement says the cancer was revealed in a medical scan, but  he has no symptoms.

BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) - Prosecutors in the rape trial of former Penn State running back Austin Scott are appealing two rulings by the judge in the case.  Both rulings by Centre County Judge Thomas Kistler allowed evidence about the alleged victim's involvement in a separate case in 2003 in Bethlehem to be heard at trial. A Moravian College student was acquitted of a rape charge in the 2003 case.  Scott's trial is scheduled to begin Wednesday, though it's unclear whether there will be a delay after prosecutors appealed Kistler's rulings to the Pennsylvania Superior Court.  The running back was suspended from the Penn State football team after being charged in October.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - New figures out today say foreclosures in Pennsylvania rose sharply in March.  California-based RealtyTrac says there were 2,900 properties that received a foreclosure filing last month, a 20 percent jump from February.  However, the figure was nearly the same as March of last year.  Pennsylvania's foreclosure rate ranked 34th among the 50 states and Washington, D.C., and is well below the national average.  Pennsylvania was 21st in the overall number of properties in foreclosure.  Nationally, foreclosures rose 5 percent from February to March and 57 percent from March 2007.

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

 Daily Number

     8-3-7    

 Big 4

     7-4-2-3

 Treasure Hunt

     4-14-16-21-23

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