Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Tribute to the maroon and orange, S-U to VA Tech

SELINSGROVE – The 32 victims of the Virginia Tech University shooting are being remembered on the Susquehanna University campus, one year after gunman Seung-Hui Cho went on an historic rampage.  SU chaplain Dr. Mark Radecke says it’s changed the way he looks at students who may  have mental problems or be subject to ostracizing or bullying.  Dr. Radecke notes the connection between SU and Va Tech runs deep, as many staff and faculty members attended the Blacksburg Virginia school, and others have sent their children there.

The carillon bell atop Weber Chapel rang 32 times, once for each victim and the gunman who took his own life, and the names of each were read.  A report released in August 2007 concluded gunman Seung-Hui Cho had a history of mental problems, which were overlooked by educators, school administrators and mental health professionals.  (Matt Farrand)

Working to stop gang related crime

NORTHUMBERLAND— A presentation on gang awareness was held at the Front Street Station in Northumberland today.  Sergeant Todd Owens, with the Mount Carmel Police department, says nearly 200 area leaders were there to learn more about the problem.  The discussion focused on ways to recognize warning signs in the area and Owens says that although many gangs migrate here from larger cities, local kids are getting involved too. 

Detective Steve Bennick with the Sunbury Police Department says many agencies are starting to work together to prevent gang-related crimes.  He says many people may not be aware that some of the graffiti seen in public areas, is actually gang symbols.  A project is underway to make sure that graffiti is removed from those towns.  Bennick says residents need to be aware of their surroundings and report anything that may seem out of the place or suspicious to authorities.  (Sara Lauver)

Outstanding Young Americans take part in leadership seminar

LEWISBURG – Susquehanna Valley Jeopardy and Financial Bingo were just two of the seminars local high school seniors took part in Wednesday in Lewisburg.  The over 50 students are Outstanding Young Americans named by the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce.  The leadership seminar gave the students a chance to meet each other and work in groups to create a final project that would be presented at the end of the day.  To prepare the students attended four seminars. 

Line Mountain senior Lewis Land said the one on diversity was different than he expected, and focused on more than just gender and race.  During financial bingo, Lyndsay Welker, also a senior at Line Mountain, learned phrases like simple interest, pension and 401K.  Sunbury Christian Academy student Gary Daddario says a session on goal setting helped him realize he must take small steps to reach his life goal of becoming an architect.

Outstanding Young Americans are chosen not only for excelling in academics, but also in extracurricular activities and athletics.  Their leadership seminar was held at the Lewisburg Club.  The students will also be honored at a banquet next month. (Sara Bartlett) 

Mifflinburg capture escaped prisoner, nab DUI suspect

MIFFLINBURG – A prisoner who escaped from a state prison, and was captured in Mifflinburg in February now faces additional charges.  Mifflinburg Police say Justin Richard was taken into custody during a traffic stop and was charged with DUI and possession of a controlled substance.  He was incarcerated on warrants from his escape and is now facing new charges, including driving with a suspended license.

Mifflinburg Police also charged Richard Reeser with a hit and run accident on April 7th.  Reeser was taken into custody after his motorcycle sideswiped a vehicle while attempting to pass in a no-passing zone.  Following an investigation, Reeser was arrested and a blood alcohol test alleges he was driving under the influence at the time of the incident.  (Ali Stevens)  

Rare coins taken from a home in Paxinos

PAXINOS – Banks, merchants and area coin collectors are asked to be on the lookout after numerous rare coins were stolen from a home in Paxinos.  State police say the coins, valued at $800 were taken from a home on Shamrock Road near Poppy Road sometime Sunday afternoon or evening.  Troopers say the burglar forced their way into the home before taking the coins.  (Ali Stevens)

Grants approved in Montour County

HARRISBURG – A $25,000 state grant has been approved for the Montour County Area Recreation Commission to develop a recreation and open space plan for Danville’s riverfront.  State Representative Bob Belfanti says the plan for the riverfront includes three areas for parks, as well as a feasibility study of neighborhood and regional trail connections.  The funding was awarded through the state’s DCNR Community Conservation Partnerships Program.  Belfanti says the grants will help communities preserve open space and improve quality of life for residents.

Also recently awarded in Montour County is a state sewage facilities enforcement grant.  A total of more than $5,000 will be given to Liberty, West Hemlock and Valley Townships in order to reimburse the cost of properly installed on-lot septic systems. (Sara Bartlett) 

Local office opens in support of Meuser Congressional campaign

Governor to visit SU

SELINSGROVE – Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell will be the commencement speaker at Susquehanna University this spring. Students tell us they were notified yesterday that Rendell will address the expected 450 or so, graduates May 11th.

Economics challenge brings out best in students

NORTHUMBERLAND – Young economists got a chance to display what they know at a special competition Tuesday. The Northumberland National Bank Economics Challenge pitted teams from dozens of area high schools against each other to win prizes and advance to higher competition.

Northumberland National Bank president and CEO Donald Steele credits the competition for stimulating interest in topics like money and finance. He also says lack of economic knowledge is partly responsible for homeowners getting into sub-prime mortgages that they may not understand.

A team from Montoursville clinched with a correct answer to this question: Suppose a $1000 deposit is made at a bank with no excess reserves. What would their excess reserves be after the deposit, if the reserve requirement is 10%? ($900 dollars) Other questions included naming the current and previous two chairmen of the Federal Reserve (Ben Bernanke, Alan Greenspan and Paul Volker).

Teams from Montoursville and Halifax move on to statewide competition, and a chance for nationals in New York City. Teams from Lewisburg placed second in divisions named for 18th Century economists Adam Smith and David Ricardo. The competition was also sponsored by EconomicsPennsylvania, an organization devoted to improving economic education for students throughout the state. (Matt Farrand)

Banks rally after M&T sells stake in Visa

NEW YORK – Local bank and financial stocks enter the new day largely higher. The profit picture for M&T Bank is brighter after the bank reportedly sold its stake in Visa Incorporated, part of Visa’s initial public offering. M&T finished Tuesday’s session up more than 6.0% percent at 85.86. Sovreign Bancorp rebounds, gaining more than 3.5% to 8.40.

FNB Corp, Susquehanna Bancshares and West Milton Bancorp all advance as well. However, MidPenn Bancorp retreats 2.0% to 24.40. The Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust enters the new day down nearly 2.5% to 24.30.

Housing builder Fleetwood Enterprises hits another 52-week low, dropping 1.3% to 3.69. Food producer Conagra dropped a fraction to 24.05, but Sara Lee gained 0.4% to 14.11, and retailer Weis Markets up about 1.0% to 33.96. Community Health Systems and PPL Corp finished the day higher. (Matt Farrand)

Co-hosts of Mythbusters visits our area

LEWISBURG— Co-hosts of The Discovery Channel’s popular TV show, Mythbusters, came to Bucknell University last night. Talking to an audience in Sojka Pavilion, Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, discussed some of their most surprising shows, including the one where they proved that elephants really are afraid of mice.

Each week, these special effects experts take on three myths and show the TV audience what’s real and what’s fiction. Their presentation included a yet-to-be aired show, a compilation of some of their favorite explosions and a confession that in “real life,” the two don’t get along. The Student Lectureship Committee on campus sponsored “An Evening with the Mythbusters”. (Sara Lauver)

Crime watch meeting and recruitment held in Sunbury

SUNBURY – Dozens of people and the Crime Watch members from Sunbury were at a recruitment meeting last night. The session at the Shikellamy High School was for those interested in getting involved in Sunbury’s Crime Watch. The police department was on hand along with other local officials and crime watch members. Several people did sign up to participate in Crime Watch in Sunbury. (Ali Stevens)

Burglaries under investigation in Sunbury

SUNBURY – Sunbury police are investigating two burglaries this week. 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 today, 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 9th. 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. The Hummels Wharf Fire Company was organized in 1924 by members of the Evangelical Church, and first chartered in the 1930’s. They’ve been in their current location on the Old trail since 1950. (Matt Farrand)

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

WASHINGTON (AP) - Sen. Arlen Specter says his recurrence of cancer is "a great unifier." The Pennsylvania Republican says it's "one thing everyone can agree on" and that he's gotten hugs from both Democratic and Republican colleagues.  President Bush phoned Specter and told him: "You beat it once, and you'll beat it again."  The five-term senator says he learned of the early recurrence of Hodgkin's disease on Tuesday and will begin chemotherapy next week.  Hodgkins is a cancer of the lymphatic system.  Specter says he still plans to run for a sixth term in 2010.

BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) - The rape trial of former Penn State running back Austin Scott has been delayed. Opening arguments were supposed to begin Wednesday. Instead, Centre County Judge Thomas Kistler told jurors the trial was on hold temporarily.  No new start time was given, though Kistler says it could be in the next couple days.  Kistler also didn't give the jury a reason for the delay, though he did say there were exceptional circumstances.  Prosecutors on Tuesday appealed to state Superior Court a ruling by Kistler that allowed the jury in the Scott case to hear evidence of the alleged victim's involvement in a separate case five years ago.  The defendant in that case was acquitted of rape and other charges.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Groups hoping to win a long-term deal to run the Pennsylvania Turnpike are being told they will have to limit tolls and live up to specific maintenance standards.  Aides to Gov. Ed Rendell say the terms and conditions they're sending to potential bidders will likely lead to job losses among the Turnpike Commission's work force of 2,240.  The governor's office is telling interested groups that bids are due in a couple weeks. Rendell wants the Legislature to consider the deal by mid-June.  The plan is to lease nearly all of the 530-mile system for 75 years as a way to generate billions of dollars to repair roads and bridges and subsidize mass transit.  If it's improved, a proposal to add tolls to Interstate 80 would be scrapped.

BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) - Engineers say replacing Centre County's aging emergency communications system will cost more than $20 million.  County commissioners got a report Tuesday from an engineering firm hired to examine the current 10-year-old system. The county actually has three systems that have that have coverage problems in some areas and have experienced dropped and garbled calls.  Upgrading to a digital system would get all 82 department and agencies that use Centre County's emergency communications on one system. The L.Robert Kimball & Associates firm says the price tag will be $20 million to $28 million.  Commissioner Steve Dershem says he is experiencing sticker shock. The board will present the report and recommendations at 7 p.m. April 24 at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte.

HARRISBURG (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Wednesday in the midday Pennsylvania State Lottery drawing:

 Daily Number

     4-1-3    

 Big 4

     3-9-0-8

Treasure Hunt

     1-12-21-22-28

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