Thursday, April 17, 2008 

PSP catches alleged arson suspect setting fires

DANVILLE – Authorities say a Jerseytown area man is being charged with 37 criminal counts related to arson fires set since November, and he could be linked to others.  52-year-old Chester A. Cyphers, of Whitehall Road, is being held in the Montour County Prison on $400,000 bail.  Montour County District Attorney Bob Buehner says there was a fire reported at about 9:00 a.m. in Madison Township near Jerseytown, and troopers arrived about three minutes behind the suspect.  However, Buehner says, “He was literally caught in the act of fire-setting” later along Berriman road in Muncy Creek Township Lycoming County. 

Cyphers will face a preliminary hearing next Friday in front of District Justice Marvin Shrawder.  He is also being charged with aggravated assault in connection with allegedly setting a November fire that paralyzed Warrior Run firefighter Wayne Hawley.  (Matt Farrand)

Three-vehicle pile-up leaves trucker dead on I-80

DANVILLE – An unknown tractor-trailer driver died early this morning after a fiery three-vehicle crash on I-80 near Danville.  The 12:50a.m. crash occurred when 37-year-old Franklyn Nortelus, of Miami Florida was driving eastbound, he was being followed by a tractor-trailer driven by 48-year-old Oleg Zarutskyy of Staten Island, New York and the tractor-trailer was being followed by the unknown driver.  State Police say Nortelus’ vehicle blew a tire, causing it to slow, and the two vehicles to hit it from behind.

The unknown driver’s tractor-trailer caught on fire, the driver sustained severe burns and he was pronounced dead at the scene.  The crash caused heavy backups throughout the area, and at this time only one lane of I-80 eastbound has reopened.  PennDOT says they hope to have both lanes open by this afternoon. (Sara Bartlett)

Greenhouse fire in Pt. Township

POINT TWP –A greenhouse and a shed were destroyed by fire in Point Township this afternoon.  Crews from Northumberland and Upper Augusta Township assisted at the scene of the fire around 1:30 p.m. at Penn and Terrace Streets in Point Township.  The fire took about 15 minutes to bring under control, but both the greenhouse and shed were destroyed.  Neighbor Susan Hopewell saw the fire start and thought her neighbor was burning something, but realized the fire was spreading and was out of control.  Homes nearby were in danger, however no damage was done, due to quick work by firefighters.  The greenhouse was empty at the time of the fire, according to Hopewell, who says the owner stopped growing plants and flowers for sale about a year ago.  Crews remain on the scene investigating the cause.  (Ali Stevens)

Northumberland County gets $1 million grant for Moran Industries
 

I-80 tolls aren’t part of the governor’s latest proposal

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Gov. Ed Rendell's administration has released a privatization plan for the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Under the plan, toll increases on the Pennsylvania Turnpike would be capped and some of the turnpike's 2,240 employees would eventually lose their jobs. The governor's office is telling interested groups that bids are due in a couple of 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 approved, a proposal to add tolls to Interstate 80 would be scrapped.

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 approved, a proposal to add tolls to Interstate 80 would be scrapped.

More than 100 mammograms scheduled at yesterday’s Mammothon

SELINSGROVE – More than 3,500 phone calls were made and more than 100 mammograms were scheduled at yesterday’s Mammothon, hosted by Evangelical Community Hospital’s Thyra M. Humphrey’s Center for Breast Health. Mel Purdy helps organize the event each year, and says this year was special for her because this is her 5th year being cancer free as a breast cancer survivor.

More than 50 men and women volunteered by calling women in the community to remind them to have their mammogram scheduled for this year. The goal is to promote early detection of breast cancer, which has been proven to increase the survival rate of breast cancer patients. (Ali Stevens)

Report: Banks vulnerable to takeover

NEW YORK – Thrift institutions with real estate holdings that have lost value are vulnerable to takeover, according to a report issued Wednesday. Financier Wilber Ross is collecting billions, and plans to talk to investors in Abu Dhabi about acquiring as many as 200 banks. Ross previously did the same with distressed textile and steel companies.

Banks of local interest enter the new day higher, as FNB Corp gained nearly 6.0% to close at 16.53, Susquehanna Bancshares gained more than 5.0 percent, and M&T Bank rallied for the second day in a row, to close at 89.85.

Sovreign Bancorp advanced nearly 3.5% to settle at 8.73. The Philadelphia based Sovreign is said to hold significant numbers of sub-prime mortgages. 20% of Sovreign was bought in 2006 by a Spanish banking concern.

Other stocks of local interest are all higher, as the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust is up nearly 3.0%, Chesapeake Energy Corp is up a fraction and PPL Corp is up more than 2.5% to 48.84. Community Health Systems is up to $37.00 a share, and Sara Lee and Conagra are each up a fraction. Weis Markets enters the new day 1.5% higher at 34.48. (Matt Farrand)

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 Rev. 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 bells 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)

Obama is coming to Billtown

WILLIAMSPORT – the Barack Obama campaign has announced the Democratic Presidential candidate will be in Williamsport tomorrow. The Friday midday visit will be at 3:30p.m. at Lycoming College.

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

SUNBURY – A Republican candidate for Congress is opening a campaign office in Sunbury. Dan Meuser’s campaign for 10th District GOP nomination says they chose an office at 216 Market Street, on the north side of Cameron Park, and officially opened Wednesday afternoon. Meuser is vying for the Republican nomination with Chris Hackett. The winner of next week’s primary will face incumbent Democrat Chris Carney in the general election. (Matt Farrand)

Latest Pennsylvania news:

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Delta-Northwest combination may kill any chances of landing a second commercial airline at Williamsport Regional Airport.  Airport authority chairman Mark Murawski says the agency had hoped to lure Northwest Airlines to provide a link to the west, perhaps Detroit.  Officials there also wanted a second airline to compete with the airport's lone commercial airline, US Airways.  But Murawski says Delta's purchase of Northwest practically ensures that the new entity will not expand services into other markets.  Murawski says people in the area want service to the northwest and Asia, and the airport authority will still try to secure that.   

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania is reporting a loss of 2,900 jobs in March, the second straight monthly decline in the state.  The loss represents less than a tenth of a percent of the state's seasonally adjusted count of 5.8 million nonfarm jobs.  That's a similar proportion to the 80,000 jobs that the federal government said were shed by employers in March.  The state Department of Labor and Industry says construction, manufacturing and tourism lost jobs.  Meanwhile, education and health services and the trade, transportation and utilities sector added jobs.  The state's unemployment rate, a gauge of how many people are looking for work, remained stable at 4.9 percent, but is above the rate of 4.3 percent a year ago.  The national rate was 5.1 percent in March.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Delta-Northwest combination may kill any chances of landing a second commercial airline at Williamsport Regional Airport.  Airport authority chairman Mark Murawski says the agency had hoped to lure Northwest Airlines to provide a link to the west, perhaps Detroit.  Officials there also wanted a second airline to compete with the airport's lone commercial airline, US Airways.  But Murawski says Delta's purchase of Northwest practically ensures that the new entity will not expand services into other markets.  Murawski says people in the area want service to the northwest and Asia, and the airport authority will still try to secure that.

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

 Daily Number

     2-4-5    

 Big 4

     8-7-2-1  

 Treasure Hunt

     12-18-21-22-23

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