Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Family displaced after fire destroys Snyder County home

PORT ANN – The investigation continues into what caused the fire that destroyed a home in Port Ann, Snyder County this Tuesday morning.  Beaver Springs Assistant Fire Chief Mat Wenrich says the house at 5223 Troxelville Road is a complete loss after the 9:15a.m. blaze, so they have not determined an exact cause.  The home is owned Roger Moyer, but was being rented by Frank and Aimee Benfer.  The Benfers have five children, none of whom were home at the time.  No injuries were reported.

A reported explosion was heard from the house just before the fire broke and Wenrich says a State Police Fire Marshal will be in to investigate the cause, although it does not seem suspicious.  Two sheds near the house were also destroyed.  In addition to Beaver Springs, crews from Middleburg, Beavertown, Union County and Penns Creek were on the scene for nearly four hours battling the blaze. (Sara Bartlett) 

Students crowd Shik Overlook for annual Envirothon

UNION TWP – Busloads of high schoolers were tested Tuesday at the Shikellamy State Park Overlook.  It was part of the annual Susquehanna Valley Envirothon, during which young students were quizzed on a variety of topics, all related to the ecosystem.  Co-advisor Van Wagner brought teams from Lewisburg High School and calls the Shikellamy Overlook sight perfect for a discussion of recreational land and the impact of human use.  Forestry, wildlife, and soil sciences were also among topics for testing.

More than 250 students from Snyder, Union, Northumberland, Montour and Columbia counties were on hand.  The highest scoring teams advanced to state and, potentially, national Envirothon competition.  (Matt Farrand)

After decades of Seals football under Coach Bill Scott…a new era begins

SELINSGROVE – For more than two decades, Dave Hess was an assistant coach of Selinsgrove High School Football.  Now he is the head coach, taking over for the legendary Bill Scott. 

Dave Hess has known Bill Scott for several years, starting when he was a high school tackle on Scott’s first championship team.  He then went to Lock Haven University and after graduation, started coaching for Bill Scott right away. 

After more than 20 years coaching as Bill Scott’s assistant, he will now take over as head coach since Scott is retiring.  The school board voted Monday night 7 to 2 to give Hess the job and he is honored to take over, saying he has the greatest respect for Coach Scott and hopes to do well for the program in the future.

Hess is a native Selinsgrove resident and a special education teacher for the district in a program called Seals Den. He is married to Cindy and has a daughter Lacey, who graduated from Selinsgrove High School also.   He also has a 5-month old grandson named Noah.  (Ali Stevens)

Danville “Main St” Program, new executive director in place July 1^st

DANVILLE – The Danville Business Alliance has its first-ever Executive Director.  James D. Wilson will assume the new duties July 1^st, which will be the same day that the consortium meant to promote local business, starts to receive “Main Street” funding from the state.  Wilson holds law degrees from Georgetown and LSU, and is a veteran of the US Army’s Judge Advocate General Corps.  “Main Street” funding will make more than quarter-of-a-million dollars available over the next four years for the revitalization of downtown Danville. Other funding programs could raise that amount to nearly a million dollars.  (Matt Farrand) 

Route 147 delays expected tomorrow and Thursday

NORTHUMBERLAND – Maintenance will get underway on Route 147 in Northumberland this week.  PennDOT tells us base repairs will be done on 147 from Ninth Street through Northumberland into Point Township and on to the intersection with Route 405 in West Chillisquaque Township in both directions.  Work will begin at about 7 a.m. and continue into the evening hours.  Lane restrictions will be in place and motorists can expect delays and may wish to take an alternate route.  (Ali Stevens)

Find the best chili in Sunbury!

SUNBURY – Think you make a good bowl of chili?  Test your skills at the 2^nd annual Chili Chicken Cook-off Saturday in Sunbury.  The event, sponsored by neighborhood group, Old Towne Sunbury, will take place in Central Park from 11:00a.m.-2:00p.m.  President of Old Towne Sunbury, Whitney Anderson, says they are still accepting applications for cooking competitors.

In addition to the chili judging, there will be entertainment, children’s activities and a cake wheel.  Chicken dinners will also be for sale.  This is the group’s biggest fundraiser and the money raised will go toward beautification projects throughout historic Sunbury.  If you are interested in being a contestant, contact Whitney at 286-5757. (Sara Bartlett)

Acorn Little League will have their hit, pitch and run with a new healthy twist

NORTHUMBERLAND – A Health and Safety Fair will be held in Northumberland on Saturday as part of the annual Acorn Little League hit, pitch and run competition.  Michael DeFeo (Duh-Faye-Oh), is safety officer for the little league organization and says the kids will be competing for prizes including a bike, a YMCA membership and savings bonds from local banks.  DeFeo says the Health and Safety Fair will also be part of the day featuring bicycle safety, seatbelt safety, hygiene tips and healthy food tips.  The event is to teach the kids to find ways to stay safe and healthy in their everyday activities.  The public is invited the Acorn Little League field in Northumberland from 10 to 1 p.m. on Saturday to watch the hit, pitch and run competition and take part in the Health and Safety Fair.  (Ali Stevens)

Mock car crash teaches students importance of safe driving

SELINSGROVE – A mock car crash held at Selinsgrove High School Tuesday afternoon.  Sponsored by the high school’s Students Against Destructive Decision group, the demonstration was aimed at bringing awareness and showing the reality of serious and fatal crashes caused by bad decisions.  Selinsgrove students and members of SADD participated as the actors in the crash.  Milton State Police Trooper Matt Burrows also spoke with the students in an effort to enforce better driving skills.

Police, ambulance, fire crews and the coroner from Selinsgrove all participated in the mock crash, as did a Life Flight helicopter.  Also addressing the students was Nancy Harris who shared the story of her daughter, who was killed two years ago in a car accident. (Sara Bartlett)

Barnyard theme for this year’s Celebrate Communicate Day

MONTANDON – Students from surrounding school districts are getting a little break from school today (Wednesday) to celebrate communication at the CSIU in Montandon.  Special Education Consultant at CSIU, John Deppen, says the fun event is geared toward students with communication impairments and will be a day for them to communicate through their assisted technology devices. 

He says it’s a good chance for students to see that they aren’t the only ones who use these devices to help them.  Deppen says it’s also important to emphasize that just because the particular students can’t communicate like most others, doesn’t mean they don’t have something important or interesting to say.

Crimewatch program possible in Selinsgrove

SELINSGROVE – 22-year-old Matthew Cover has been keeping track. The Selinsgrove resident says crime is growing in the borough and thinks it’s time for the community to do something about it. Cover addressed the Selinsgrove Borough Council Monday night about the idea of a community Crimewatch program.

Although this isn’t the first time Cover has approached them about the issue, he said he was prompted to do so Monday because of recent robberies. Cover says it would be an opportunity for the residents in the borough to work with the police and establish a positive relationship. He says looking for any suspicious activity and then reporting them to police could deter a possible crime.

Borough Police Chief Thomas Garlock says they have looked into a Crimewatch program in the past and it is something that would be an asset in the community, although it’s also something that has to be carefully planned and very well organized. He, along with the borough’s safety committee plan to hold a meeting in the upcoming months to discuss the creation of some sort of community watch program for Selinsgrove. (Sara Bartlett)

Quick progress for Selinsgrove skate park reliant on DCNR grant

SELINSGROVE – Selinsgrove Borough Council has applied for a grant from DCNR to help build a skateboard park in the town. Borough Manager John Bickhart says the idea has been in the works for nearly a year after the ordinance that prohibited skateboarding was revised. A local group that call themselves, SKATERS, helped to revise the ordinance and also offered to raise funds to build the skate park

Bickhart says the park, which would be located adjacent to the ice rink near Sassafras and Water Streets, is a recreational opportunity for the youth in the area, and will hopefully help to keep a good amount of delinquent behavior off the streets. The project would also include a parking lot, tables and benches and a ramp to the water.

Bickhart says because of the positive support from the council and community, the project is progressing quickly, and so they hope they get the grant. If not, he says they will apply again in a year. The council has proposed to DCNR half of the project’s cost, which runs a little more than $100,000.

The rest of the money would be matched with other funds, and Bickhart says the Degenstein Foundation has also expressed interest in helping financially. They hope to receive word from DCNR soon regarding the status of the grant. (Sara Bartlett)

Playworld Systems names Malriat Chief Operating Officer

LEWISBURG – A local company that manufactures entertaining but challenging recreation equipment has a new COO. Playworld Systems reports Steve Malriat is being promoted to Chief Operating Officer. He has been with the company since 2005 as Chief Financial Officer.

Malriat will be directing, planning and coordinating all operating activities in the company. Prior to Playworld Malriat was Global Operations Controller for Southco, a manufacturer of advanced locks, latches and hinges based in Delaware County. (Matt Farrand)

Man charged with having indecent contact with a 12-year-old girl 

MOUNT CARMEL – A Wilburton man has been charged with inappropriately touching a 12-year-old girl from Mount Carmel. 43-year-old Michael Stokes was arraigned on Friday after the incident that reportedly took place at the girl’s home Friday morning. He’s been charged with indecent assault, corruption of minors and other counts. Stokes was sent to the Northumberland County Prison on $75,000 bail. (Ali Stevens)

Service industry expansion does little to boost stocks

NEW YORK – US service industries expanded in April, contributing to a boost in crude oil prices, which in turn weighed heavily on stocks. Last month’s Institute for Supply Management Index of Non-Manufacturing Businesses increased for the first time since December.

Analysts say it could indicate a turnaround in the sector that represents 90% of the US economy. However, higher demand for petroleum could result, contributing to oil prices at record levels Monday.

Stocks in major players like McDonalds, Wal-Mart and Target were off slightly. Among stocks of local interest, Monroe Marketplace developer the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust advanced to 26.18, Weis Markets gains a fraction to 31.21, Sara Lee enters the new day up slightly to 14.76, and Sunoco Logistics is up to 51.50.

However, PPL Corp was off more than 2.0% to 47.35, Conagra was off a fraction and the bank stocks all retreated. Sovereign Bancorp lost 3.0% to 7.93, MidPenn Bancorp and M&T Bank were each off more than one percent, FNB Corp falls to 15.80, and Susquehanna Bancshares drops to 20.45. (Matt Farrand)

Mobile home destroyed by fire in the Shady Nook area of Monroe Township

SELINSGROVE – Fire destroyed a mobile home atop a tall concrete foundation Monday morning in the Shady Nook area of Monroe Township, Snyder County. Motorists driving on Routes 11 and 15 called in the blaze, but weren’t able to determine if the fire was coming from the Isle of Que or Shady Nook.

Assistant Fire Chief Jack Grove of Shamokin Dam says the fire was called in at 5:20 and when they arrived a couple of minutes later, the home was already destroyed by flames. The home is located at the end of River Road along the river and is owned by John Hepner of Mount Carmel.

A State Police Fire Marshal will investigate the cause of the fire tomorrow. Crews from Shamokin Dam, Hummels Wharf, Selinsgrove, Kreamer and Freeburg were all called to the scene and no injuries were reported. (Ali Stevens)

Sunbury man driving away in new Mustang

SUNBURY – Ray Herb of Sunbury is driving away in a new 2008 Mustang after being the big raffle winner at the Sunbury Fireman’s Fair Saturday. Herb was picked out off 300 entries as the winner, and it couldn’t have come at a better time since it is his birthday and the first day of his retirement. Herb picked up his new wheels Monday at Sunbury Motors.

The fair also held a money raffle, where Joyce Heimbach of Sunbury walked away with $500. The annual Sunbury Fireman’s Fair raises money for Sunbury’s six fire companies and fire police, and is held each year in Cameron Park. (Sara Bartlett)

A look at the pros and cons of Lasik surgery now that the FDA is asked to give clearer warnings

DANVILLE – The Food and Drug Administration has been asked to give clearer warnings for Lasik eye surgery following testimony from patients who claimed to be worse off following the operation. WKOK’s Ali Stevens talked with a local doctor and this is part two of a two-part series.

In part one of the series, Dr. Kendall Dobbins of Geisinger Medical Center talked about the importance of determining if you are a good candidate for the surgery and a thorough post-operative exam. Today, Dr. Dobbins expands on how important it is to talk to a surgeon before the procedure. Dobbins says he wants patients to be satisfied with the results and doesn’t just do surgeries because patients want them. In rare cases, corneal surgery was needed to repair damage. You can hear his comments on WKOK.

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) - Trial is under way for a South Williamsport man charged in the shotgun death of a Philadelphia man.  Twenty-one-year-old Javier Cruz-Echevarria is charged with criminal homicide in the death of 37-year-old Eric Sawyer during what police say was a drug deal in an alley in the early morning hours of March 31, 2007. A co-defendant, Sean Durrant, pleaded guilty in March to shooting Sawyer and is scheduled to be sentenced in July. Lycoming County District Attorney Eric Lindhardt said in opening statements this morning that more charges may be filed in the case.  He said a prison inmate ordered the killing, but Lindhardt did not go into detail.  Defense Attorney Ron Travis told the jury Cruz drove Durrant to the alley but was not aware that Durrant would shoot Sawyer.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - One of three finalists has dropped out of the running to become the next chancellor of Pennsylvania's 14 state-owned universities.  University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Chancellor Richard Wells announced Friday that he no longer wants to be considered for the State System of Higher Education job.  Wells says he believes the position probably isn't a good fit for him or for the system that enrolls more than 110,000 students.  The remaining candidates are Jack Warner, commissioner of the Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education, and John Cavanaugh, president of the University of West Florida.  All three were interviewed by the system's board of governors last week, but spokesman Kenn Marshall says no decision has been made.  The board is seeking a replacement for Judy Hample, who will start a new job in July as president of the University of Mary Washington in Virginia.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The growth of an emergency electricity reduction program in the mid-Atlantic region has outpaced the expected increase in peak electricity use this summer.  That's according to the company that runs the regional power grid.  PJM Interconnection says peak demand for electricity this summer is forecast to grow just over one percent, or 1,850 megawatts.  Air conditioners typically push electricity use to the highest annual usage point on the year's hottest days.  But the amount of power committed to load management programs since last summer has doubled to 4,460 megawatts.  Large industrial and commercial users typically receive incentives for cutting back their electricity use during emergencies.  One megawatt can power 800 to 1,000 homes.

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has announced partnerships with 19 states and Puerto Rico to help them save on energy and electricity costs at their capitols.  Wal-Mart will identify engineering experts to perform energy audits at the capitols.  Wal-Mart over the past three years has worked to cut down on energy usage at its stores and suppliers. Through its Greening State Capitols partnership with the National Governors Association, Wal-Mart will offer its services in an outreach effort and to market its audit services.  The states included in Tuesday's announcement are Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - State police troopers made a record number of arrests last year for driving under the influence, up 3 percent over the number of DUI arrests in 2006.  Last year, troopers made 15,583 DUI arrests.  The state police commissioner, Col. Jeffrey B. Miller, says, "When in doubt, don't make a foolish, dangerous decision. Give the keys to someone else, phone for a taxi, or call a friend or family member for a ride."  Troopers investigated 4,775 alcohol-related crashes last year, up 1 percent from 2006.  The state highway department has said the number of alcohol-related crash deaths dropped to 525 last year from 544 in 2006.

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

Daily Number
5-6-8

Big
4 4-9-2-0

Treasure Hunt
4-10-22-25-28

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