Thursday, May 1, 2008

Evangelical Community Hospital welcomes new COO

LEWISBURG – Richard Smith Jr. thinks Evangelical Community Hospital is a beacon in the area.  Smith was recently named Evan’s new Chief Operations Officer.  He says he is going to build on Evan’s already great foundation to further the hospital.

Smith says Evan has every capability to grow as new healthcare technologies emerge and evolve.  He says as COO he will not only oversee day-to-day operations, but also assist CEO Michael O’Keefe as a liaison in the community.  Smith says at Evan they want to be there for the community whether they are sick or not, and will continue to hold prevention seminars. 

Smith is a native of Baltimore, and most recently served as the Vice President of Physician Services and Development at Mercy Health Partners in Scranton. (Sara Bartlett)

Three charged with Sunbury business burglary

SUNBURY – Three 18-year-olds have been  charged with burglary after breaking into a Sunbury business.  State Police at Stonington say Matt Buckles and Corey Kline of Coal Township, and Christina Wert of Mount Carmel broke into the Max E. Baslick Company building in Upper Augusta Township the night of March 19^th.  All three were arraigned Thursday in front of District Justice Carl Rice.  Buckles and Kline were recommitted to Northumberland County Prison.  Buckles was previously there for a March 22^nd burglary at the same location and Kline was previously there for an unrelated incident.  They are both being held on $50,000 bail. 

Wert was released after the arraignment on $20,000 bail.  All three have a preliminary hearing in the coming weeks. (Sara Bartlett)   

Highway crashes dot area roads

UNDATED – Three crashes were reported on area roads Wednesday, investigated by State Police at Milton. 

The first was just before 3 p.m. on Turkey Path Road near Route 54 in Delaware Township, Northumberland County.  Troopers say 21-year-old Tristan Wertman of Watsontown was traveling east on Route 54 and was speeding as he turned onto Turkey Path Road.  Wertman lost control of the vehicle and struck an embankment.  The vehicle flipped on its side.  Wertman and his passenger, 19-year-old Kyle Steese of Watsontown, were treated at Evangelical Community Hospital for minor injuries. 

Around 4:30 pm, troopers were called to a crash on Route 192 in Buffalo Township, Union County.  78-year-old Ada Sampsell of Mifflinburg was stopped at a stop sign on 16^th Street, when she tried to cross Route 192.  Sampsell was hit by a 17-year-old driver from Lewisburg.  Neither of the drivers were injured, but a passenger in Sampsell’s vehicle, 81-year-old Joyce Fry of Lewisburg was treated for a minor injury. 

And around 5 p.m., a three-vehicle crash was reported on Route 147 in West Chillisquaque Township, Northumberland County.  State police say 18-year-old Mandy Blackburn of Dillsburg was trying to turn left onto Route 405 from Route 147 and didn’t see a vehicle driven by 17-year-old Cole Mausteller of Northumberland.  Mausteller was hit by Blackburn’s vehicle and then hit another vehicle driven by 32-year-old Kandi Kearney of Northumberland.  No injuries were reported.  (Ali Stevens)

Snyder County attracts another pet superstore

SELINSGROVE – First came Superpetz…. now PetSmart.  The Daily Item reports PetSmart is coming to Selinsgrove in 2009, although the company wouldn’t say whether the retail store would be located in the new Monroe Marketplace.  PetSmart stores are typically about 20,000 square feet.  The stores include a grooming salon, pet training and adoptions, thousands of pet products.

PetSmart would need to hire 30 to 40 employees on a full and part-time basis.  (Ali Stevens)

Motorcycle Run held to benefit the annual Danville Kids Fishing Derby

DANVILLE – The annual Danville Kids Fishing Derby is coming up later this month and a fundraiser to assist with the costs of the derby is set for Saturday.  The 6^th annual “Kids Fishin’ for Fun” motorcycle benefit-run and fish fry will start at Washies Fire Company in Danville. 

Jack Lee, president of the sportsmen’s group called Montour County Sportsmen Working for Kids says they raise and stock about 6,000 trout a year for stocking in the area and they are completely non-profit, so fundraising is needed.

Lee says following the more than 80 mile motorcycle run through Montour, Columbia, Northumberland and Sullivan Counties, there will be a fish fry meal provided to all the riders.  The Kids Fishing Derby will take place on May 17^th on Mahoning Creek behind Danville Middle School.  (Ali Stevens)

Northumberland/Point Township History Day this weekend

NORTHUMBERLAND – There are many historical and cultural activities to participate in Saturday at the 6^th annual Northumberland/ Point Township History Day.  Whether your interests lie in crafts, war history or food, there is something for everyone.  Co-Chair of History Day, Dave Ramsey, says the event spans a long period of time; from pre-history to recent historical events as the Vietnam Way.

The day will include buggy rides, crafts and games, strolling musicians, needlepoint and quilt displays, storytellers and more.  Point Township resident Glenda Strauss will be showing off her research and photographs of old farms and barns in the area.  Secretary of History Day, Dana Ramsey will be doing Native American cooking at a hearth-style fireplace.

Two vehicles, one injury, no collision in crash

SNYDERTOWN – A motorist will be cited after a Wednesday afternoon crash that injured a passenger in a vehicle being driven on the Snydertown Road near Sunbury. State Police say 21-year-old Joshua Mull of Sunbury sustained a hand injury in the crash that saw the vehicle he was riding in roll onto its side shortly after noon.

The unidentified 17-year-old driver apparently lost control and struck an embankment, after avoiding an SUV driven by 70-year-old Robert Bilinski of Catawissa. Troopers say Bilinski entered the roadway carelessly and will be cited for it. The vehicles did not collide. Mull was taken to Sunbury Community Hospital where he was treated and released. (Matt Farrand)

Weis Markets, local bank stocks lower

NEW YORK – Former Cherokee plant owner Merck and PPL are among stocks of local interest making news.

The FDA is warning Merck & Company to fix problems reported at a vaccine plant in West Point, PA. They claim manufacturing rules are not being followed. The plant produces a number of children’s vaccines, and drew attention last year after 1.2 million doses were recalled for sterility problems. Merck stock gained more than 2.0% Wednesday to close at 38.04.

PPL says it will expand hydro operations in Maine, following an agreement with a number of government agencies and conservation groups. PPL stock enters the new day off one-half of one percent to 48.02. Elsewhere, Weis Markets hit another 52 week low and settled at 30.71. Pipeline operator Sunoco Logistics was down a fraction to 51.83.

Local banks all enter the new day lower as Fulton Financial dropped more than 2.0% to 12.47, Susquehanna Bancshares and FNB Corp were each down more than 1.0%, M&T Bank and Sovereign Bancorp were each down a fraction. Sara Lee was unchanged at 14.51, and Conagra gained nearly 2.0% to 23.56. (Matt Farrand)

Explicit images okay as evidence against Harclerode

LEWISBURG – The judge hearing child pornography charges against 72-year-old Jack Harclerode is ruling that more than 270 explicit images found on a computer may be used against the retired Bucknell University professor. Judge Louise Knight ruled against a motion to suppress evidence on the grounds that a warrant used by police to search Harclerode’s home was invalid.

Harclerode is free on $100,000 bail. He will also appear at a preliminary hearing May 8th on separate sex charges pertaining to encounters with a young boy over a three-year period, allegedly in the retired professor’s office on the University campus. (Matt Farrand)

Friends and family gather to honor the late Eleanor Kuhns

SHAMOKIN – Family and friends remembered Eleanor Kuhns as she was laid to rest today Wednesday. Kuhns passed away Sunday at the age of 82. Regional Coordinator for Congressman Chris Carney, Sue Mathias, attended the service at St. Patrick’s Church in Trevorton, and says Elli was very active in making sure the Congressman heard her voice, sometimes calling him to pass on advice.

Kuhns, the first woman commissioner in Northumberland County, also served as a Coal Township commissioner, was a member of the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union and the president of the local chapter of the Alliance for Retired Americans. She was buried at the Northumberland Memorial Park in Stonington, where Judge Barry Feudale gave the eulogy. (Sheri Rippon)

$100,000 goal set for Line Mountain’s Relay for Life

MANDATA – Line Mountain Relay for Life has a goal of more than $103,000. The Relay is set for Friday at noon at Line Mountain Junior/Senior High School and Stacy Howerter is excited to co-chair the event with her Aunt Joyce again this year.

This year at the Relay on Saturday, the annual Penny Walk will once again take place. This is the kids chance to take to the track for the relay event. Last year, more than 90 children participated and raised close to $1,900 to fight cancer.

The theme of this year’s walk is “Down on the Farm” and all events will focus on animals and other farm related topics. There will be a luminaria ceremony on Friday night and a Survivor Lap in the evening. The public is encouraged to attend. (Ali Stevens)

Mustang raffle is new this year at Sunbury Fireman’s Fair

SUNBURY – Someone will be driving away in a new 2008 Ford Mustang by the end of Sunbury’s Fireman’s Fair this Saturday. 300 people registered for the giveaway, which is new this year at the fair. Chairman of the fair, Dan Lehman, says all proceeds from the event go towards the purchase of new equipment for the six fire companies and fire police in Sunbury.

There will be all kinds of food, including chicken barbeque, as well as different craft vendors and tractor rides. There will also be a fire truck displaying equipment, where kids can use a fire hose, and the popular firefighters challenge. The Fireman’s Fair is Saturday from 10:00a.m.-7:00p.m. in Cameron Park. (Sara Bartlett)

State Representatives learn more on Chesapeake Bay efforts

WILLIAMSPORT— In an effort to learn more about program operations associated with cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay, a public hearing was held in Williamsport. The hearing, by the House Republican Policy Committee, focused on the impact of new mandates for wastewater plants.

State Representative Steve Cappelli (R-106, Williamsport) said the impact is estimated to be nearly one billion dollars statewide and noted that no federal or state monies have been pledged to subsidize the mandated improvements. He says, environmental and political aspects aside, the nutrient management reduction is the single most, significant financial challenge ever to face Northcentral Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Marel Raub, says that even after 28 years of restoration projects, low levels of oysters and blue crabs still exist and dead zones are still appearing. She says there are excess nitrogen and phosphorous components coming into the Bay, leading to algae blooms. These algae blooms block out the sunlight, harming aquatic plants. And when the alga dies, it robs the system of oxygen needed for animal life in the Bay.

Members of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation were on hand to discuss the Fair Share for Clean Water Plan, which would help finance some of costs associated with mandates, created to reduce the nitrogen and phosphorous levels in the Bay. State Representatives David Millard and Adam Harris were also present to hear testimony on these efforts. (Sara Lauver)

Why drug dealers come to this area

SUNBURY – Montour County District Attorney Bob Buehner Jr. doesn’t think that the number of drug dealers and gang members are rapidly rising in the area, but does say they do see good reasons to move here, as oppose to a big city. He says troublemakers may see Central PA as an untapped area for drug sales. Also, access to public housing and being located near interstates is another reason they may relocate here.

In Montour County, authorities try to combat it by making sure every criminal incident, even a disorderly conduct for yelling on a street corner, is addressed to let them know that any kind of criminal behavior won’t be tolerated. Buehner was a recent guest on On The Mark this week, which you can download in full online at www.wkok.com (Sara Bartlett)

Grandson charged with stealing from grandmother

BEAVER SPRINGS – A Middleburg man has been charged with stealing money from his grandmother. State police say 22-year-old Bruce Aderhold took checks from his grandmother in Beaver Springs and wrote them out to himself.

The theft wasn’t discovered until his grandmother noticed $600 missing from her checking account. Aderhold will be charged with theft and forgery for the incidents taking place between April 22nd and the 24th. (Ali Stevens)

Thursday is the 50th Anniversary of Law Day

SUNBURY – The 50th celebration of Law Day is Thursday, May 1st. It’s an annual day to recognize the principle of government under law. Chairman of the Northumberland County Legal Journal Michael Apfelbaum says local students are invited to court to learn more about the legal system.

That lesson is part of a presentation put on by the local bar association. However, due to busy court schedules faced by county judges on Thursday, Northumberland County Court officials say the 50th Anniversary recognition ceremony will be held Friday at 10:00a.m. at the courthouse.

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A state audit says Pennsylvania's environmental agency needs to do a better job of making sure the state's dams and levees are safe.  The report released Thursday found that as of September 2006, 75 percent of the state's high-hazard dams were operating without adequate emergency action plans outlining how residents will be informed and evacuated if a dam breaks.  Auditor General Jack Wagner says 5 percent of the high-hazard dams never received annual inspections during the audit period, which covers July 1, 2002, to Sept. 18, 2006.  Wagner says the report is his department's first performance audit of dam safety.  Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen McGinty says dam safety improvement efforts that started more than four years ago have already addressed many concerns raised by Wagner's audit.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The state Education Department has released more detailed estimates of how much property-tax relief Pennsylvania homeowners will receive from slot-machine gambling this year. Homeowners who live in poorer districts with higher tax rates will receive the biggest tax breaks. The estimated amounts per homeowner range from $54 in the Dallas School District near Wilkes-Barre to $623 in the Chester-Upland School District near Philadelphia.  Estimates aren't available yet for 48 of the state's 501 school districts.  State officials said last month that Pennsylvania will distribute $612 million for the tax cuts - enough to reduce school property taxes by 10 percent. That could mean an average reduction of $169 for the owner of a home or farm.

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

 Daily Number

     4-3-4

Big 4

     3-4-1-4

Treasure Hunt

     2-5-9-15-27

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