Friday, May 9, 2008
Drugs, firearms and cash apprehended in Sunbury round-up
SUNBURY – All but three of twenty-five suspects are in custody after a series of drug arrests in Sunbury. At a news conference today, police say they seized marijuana, cocaine, heroin, Oxycotin, firearms and more than $16,000 in cash. Sunbury Police Chief Steven Mazzeo says most were rounded up within the last 24 to 48 hours and the operation is ongoing. Those taken into custody face charges of possession with intent to deliver and are in Northumberland County Prison following arraignment.
The round up was coordinated by the Northumberland-Montour County Drug Taskforce. Chief Mazzeo expects the remaining three suspects to be picked up within the next day or so. (Matt Farrand)
Suspects from Sunbury or the area being charged with suspicion to deliver controlled substances, possession with intent to deliver, and conspiracy and possession of a controlled substance. Type of substance, conditions of bail, and other charges are as noted:
31-year-old Angela Marie Hollenbach, 240 Lenker Ave, cocaine
44-year-old John Cleary, 529 N. Fifth St, marijuana, $75,000 straight bail
20-year-old Shane Koons, 1263 Market St., marijuana, $75,000 straight bail
36-year-old Chad Richard Koletar, 420 Lenker St., cocaine, $100,000 straight bail.
33-year-old Rex Adam Marciniak, 1063 Market St., marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, bail set at $1,000.
33-year-old Corey Alphonzia Lanier, 112 N. Front St., marijuana, bail set at $100,000.
18-year-old Brent McMichael, 335 Penn St., marijuana, bail was set at $75,000 cash.
25-year-old Jessica Carole Walter 534 Arch St., cocaine and cannabis, possession of a prescription pills and possession of drug paraphernalia, bail set at 10 percent of $10,000.
18 year old Nathan Roush, 140 Apple St. marijuana, conspiracy and possession of a controlled substance. Police allegedly made a buy from Roush, and a short time later searched his home, resulting in the second set of charges when they found approximately six pounds of marijuana in side. Roush’s bail was set at $75,000 for each set of charges.
39-year-old Niki Ann Hummel, 350 Walnut St., marijuana
Nicholas Stahl, marijuana
Jenna Kemper, marijuana
Donovan Pollins, marijuana
Akeem Kibler, marijuana, $177.00 seized
Randy Hay, cocaine
Eric Harrington, cocaine
Charwayne McKenna, marijuana, $203.00 seized
Casey Koppenhaver, 92 grams cocaine, $980.00 seized
Yousef Husam, marijuana, outstanding
Jose Soto, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, $594.00 seized
Frank Diebler, heroin, outstanding
Luis Charriez, marijuana, outstanding
Damon McDermott, marijuana
Damir Budic, marijuana
Lewisburg School budget contains tax increase for 2008-09
LEWISBURG – A real estate tax increase may be coming to the Lewisburg School District. A proposed budget for the 2008-2009 school year, was presented to the school board last night by board Secretary Ronald Kabonick. The budget spends $25.7 million and requires a .97-mill real estate tax increase. The budget also includes three additional full-time kindergarten teachers, a fourth-grade teacher and some aides.
The board will consider the proposal and the recommended budget will be presented in June. (Ali Stevens)
Coal Township man charged with threatening to kill officers and families
COAL TOWNSHIP – A Coal Township man is accused of threatening to kill three police officers and their families. 32-year-old Jason Musser was in court Wednesday on charges of terroristic threats and disorderly conduct. Police say they were called to Musser’s home on February 5th after a disturbance around 1:00 a.m. Musser came to the door with blood on his arms and body and then yelled at officers from a second story window. Musser reportedly told officers he was going to kill them and burn down their homes. He also threatened to get a gun if police entered his home. Musser was shot with a taser gun and taken into custody. He was sent to Sunbury Hospital for a mental evaluation and then released. He will have a preliminary hearing on May 13th. (Ali Stevens)
Wanted man picked up in Northumberland
NORTHUMBERLAND – A man wanted in California was picked up in Northumberland today Friday. Police say they were advised that a wanted male was living at a residence on the 100 block of Duke Street in Northumberland. 38-year-old Todd Barefield was taken into custody and arraigned before District Justice Carl Rice. Barefield is locked up in Northumberland County Prison. (Sara Bartlett)
Man who caused crash was fugitive from NJ
DANVILLE – A man who caused a serious accident in Montour County on March 12th was a wanted fugitive in New Jersey. The Press Enterprise reports 80-year old John Turner of Flushing, New York ran a red light on Route 11 at Woodbine Lane in Mahoning Township and struck a car driven by a Wilkes-Barre woman. Turner was taken to Geisinger Medical Center and was listed in serious condition. He was later picked up by New Jersey Authorities on a charge of endangering the welfare of a child. Police say Turner had been driving erratically prior to the crash and they aren’t sure why he was in the area. (Ali Stevens)
Local post office will not participate in a national food drive
SELINSGROVE – For the first time in its 16-year history, the Selinsgrove Post Office will be unable to participate in Saturday’s national food drive. The post office participated in the event for the past 15 years to help local food banks, however, due to unforeseen circumstances, they will not be able to donate the time needed this year to collect the canned goods. A letter was sent to residents informing them, however they remind folks that no food will be collected on Saturday. (Ali Stevens)
Preparing for the arrival of the 17 year cicadas
STATE COLLEGE – The 17-year cicadas will soon be here. Greg Hoover works for Penn State in the department of Entomology and says the cicadas may not be as plentiful as other years due to drought conditions 17 years ago, when they emerged last. Cicadas are found in forested areas and do cause damage to fruit trees and young plants, so you may want to cover them with plastic in the coming days.
Cicadas do not bite, but are large, so many people are afraid of them. It appears they are flying directly at you, however Hoover says they just have a poor sense of direction. They will emerge in the next couple of weeks and stick around until around July 4th. (Ali Stevens)
Motorist safety around farm vehicles
UNDATED – It’s tempting to want to zoom around a slow moving farm vehicle on a rural road, but it could end up being a deadly move. Member of the Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee, Guy Temple, says since summertime is soon approaching, more and more farm vehicles will be out on the roads. Temple says all farm machinery or other slow moving vehicles on the roads must have proper signage, which includes a reflective orange triangle surrounded by red.
It’s not illegal to pass a slow moving vehicle, but it should be done with caution. Passing should never been done when your view or the view of an oncoming vehicle is blocked. Also, don’t assume that the driver of the farm vehicle can see you; some farm machinery have many blind spots. Stay back from the farm vehicle and also expect sudden turns into farms or fields. Most of all, patience is key when approaching a farm vehicle on a rural road. And remember it’s better to get to your destination a few minutes late, than never arriving at all. (Sara Bartlett)
Golden Spike anniversary recognized as National Train Day
NORTHUMBERLAND – Saturday, May 10th is the first annual National Train Day, a day to recognize rail travel, history, and the industry’s value to business. The date is also the anniversary of the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in 1869. Vice President Jeff Pontius of the North Shore Railroad System notes the days of the steam train are not missed by the industry. Pontius says diesel power is cleaner and more efficient, and a typical coal train could be powered by four locomotives but does the work of nearly 400 trucks.
Pontius is also an expert in railroad history and says Northumberland, Sunbury and Shamokin were local railroad hotbeds. More than 500 ore trains were dispatched each month from Northumberland to Mount Carmel and Bethlehem, and transporting coal from the coal region was a consistent source of business. The North Shore Lines serve shippers in the area using trackage that was originally built by larger railroads, and is now under local control. National Train Day will be observed at Amtrak stations nationwide. (Matt Farrand)
Why are food prices going up so sharply?
SUNBURY – Why food prices are on the increase—and what does the public need to know about farming…those are the questions asked and answered on this weekend’s Roundtable program. Three guests on the program with experience in farming talk about food prices rising. The guests say food prices are higher primarily because of higher transportation costs and higher costs for labor.
Guy Temple, Mike Schrey and Charlie Benner are three of the members of the Agriculture Committee of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce. We discuss changing facing of agriculture and how many people today have a more direct connection with farming. You can hear Roundtable (Sunday) on:
Eagle 107 (107.3FM) at 6a.m.
100.9, The Valley, at 6a.m.
WKOK at 9a.m.
Talkradio 1380 WMLP, 11a.m.
94KX at 11p.m.
And anytime, at www.wkok.com
SV Visitors Bureau has new name, new slogan
LEWISBURG – The Susquehanna Valley Visitors Bureau has a new name and a new slogan, but their focus is the same. Now called the Susquehanna River Valley, the group boasts “every turn a treasure.” Executive Director of the group Andrew Miller says they added “River” to their name to help visitors and tourists better define the region as a destination spot.
The group has been working on market research for the past nine months to better promote the attractions in the Central Susquehanna Valley. Miller says the research also helped them recognize who visits the area, why they visit and what can be done to assist visitors’ needs. Around 130,000 visitors guides are released annually and Miller says their website is getting even more traffic from people downloading the guides. Miller says in 2006, visitor spending in Snyder, Union and Northumberland counties totaled $306 million. You can visit the newly named group’s website at the same address…www.visitcentralpa.org. (Sara Bartlett)Carney supports Clinton after a long thought process
UNDATED – The wondering is over. U.S. Congressman Chris Carney (R-10th, Dimock) is officially supporting Hillary Clinton. The congressman from the 10th District is a superdelegate and has decided that Clinton is the right candidate for president.
He says he has watched the primary process very closely and weighed the temperament and leadership displayed by both Clinton and Barack Obama during the course of the campaign. Carney says Pennsylvania’s 10th District overwhelmingly chose Senator Clinton in the primary and he will respect the voter’s decision. He adds that he met with Clinton yesterday and let her know that he is supporting her.
Here is the full text of Carney’s statement: "I have watched this primary process very closely--and as I said I would do, I have weighed the temperament and leadership displayed by Senators Clinton and Obama during the course of this campaign. We are extremely fortunate to have two very strong candidates vying to lead our nation.
Pennsylvania's 10th District overwhelmingly chose Senator Clinton in the Pennsylvania primary and I will respect their decision. On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to meet with Senator Clinton, and let her know Thursday that I am supporting her," said Congressman Carney. (Ali Stevens)
Learning more about the Latino community
MILTON – It’s an event to familiarize people with the Latino culture and a chance for the community to embrace their neighbors. The first Fiesta De Mayo will be held in Milton this Saturday. The Standard Journal and the Congregacion Menonita Shalom host it.
Pastor Joe Rosa of the Congregacion says the day is also aimed at dispelling myths about Latino culture. He says the majority Latinos in the area are legal, law-abiding citizens, who are doing good for the community.
The event will feature all types of authentic Mexican, Puerto Rican and Dominican Republic foods, as well as traditional dancers, Caribbean drums and a Mariachi band. And don’t forget about the food. Rosa says it’s not just tacos and enchiladas (although they will have those!), they will also have a variety of authentic Puerto Rican and Dominican Republic foods.
Rosa says he is overwhelmed a grateful with the help and donations he’s received to get the first Fiesta De Mayo underway, and he’s hopeful the event that will continue annually. The party kicks off at 9:30a.m. Saturday along Broadway and Bound Avenues in Milton. Listen to Pastor Joe Rosa’s full interview on Leaders & Lawmakers at www.wkok.com. . (Sara Bartlett)
Selinsgrove woman leaves two young children home alone
SELINSGROVE – A Selinsgrove woman faces numerous charges after leaving her children home alone and assault a police officer. Selinsgrove Police were called to a home on 18th Street around 1:15a.m. Thursday, where they found a 4-year-old child crying outside. Inside the home, police found a 7-year-old child sleeping and no adult present.
More than an hour later the children’s mother, 29-year-old Molly White, returned to the home where she got into an argument with police. She kicked and hit Police Officer Mark Wolfberg multiple times. Wolfberg sustained a knee injury and multiple contusions. He was treated and released from Evangelical Community Hospital
White was taken into custody on charges including two felony charges of aggravated assault against a police officer, endangering the welfare of children, and resisting arrest. She was arraigned before District Magistrate John Robinson and was released on her own recognizance. A preliminary hearing for White will be held next week. (Sara Bartlett)
Most local stocks off Thursday
NEW YORK – MidPenn Bancorp stock jumped more than ten percent this week, in advance of a previously announced cash dividend of 20 cents per share. It was to be distributed to shareholders of record as of Wednesday. Stock in the Millersburg based institution is trading at 25.30. Elsewhere, most stocks of local interest retreated Thursday, including other banking and financial stocks.
Monroe Marketplace developer Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust fell 1.3% to 25.98, Sovereign Bancorp is off nearly 4.0% to 7.46, M&T Banks, Susquehanna Bancshares, Fulton Financial and FNB Corp each lost a fraction.
Pipeline operator Sunoco Logistics is off 0.2.% to 50.98. However, PPL Corp gained a fraction, as did Conagra and Sara Lee. Stock in the ButterKrust Baking owner opens the new day at 13.83. Community Health Systems gained more than 1.0% to 35.34, and Weis Markets gains more than 2.0% to 31.84. (matt Farrand)
Access to public records should be easier now
DANVILLE – The state’s revised right to know law is partially in effect now, and will be fully in effect by January. Executive Director Barry Kaufman of Common Cause of Pennsylvania says “Act 3” makes almost all public records more freely available.
He says it is especially handy when local issues are involved as they remain more important to most citizens, while the need to get information from state or federal agencies is secondary. The old rules forced citizens to provide reasons for obtaining public records, and were considered decades behind those in other states.
There will still be some records exempt from “Act 3,” such identities of undercover narcotics officers. Now it will be up to the government to provide reasons to withhold information from the public. Kaufman appeared in Danville at a Thursday seminar hosted by the Central Susquehanna chapter of the ACLU, and moderated by Bloomsburg journalism professor Walter Brasch. (Matt Farrand)
Preliminary hearing for retired Bucknell professor to be continued
LEWISBURG – Retired Bucknell professor Jack Harclerode was back in court Thursday for a preliminary hearing on charges that he allegedly molested a young boy over a three-year period in his on-campus office.
The incidents reportedly happened between 1992 and 1995, starting when the boy was 12-years-old. The now 28-year-old alleged victim testified that he met Harclerode at a 5th grade summer camp and would take fishing trips with the professor.
Those trips would then lead to Harclerode’s office where he would allegedly touch the boy sexually. Harclerode’s attorney, Pete Campana says a statute of limitations prior to 2002 says there is five years to report an incident after a victim’s 18th birthday, so the time has run out for this case to be heard.
However, Union County District Attorney Pete Johnson says after 2002, the statute of limitation changed to twelve years after a child victim has turned 18, so the crime occurred within a time period and can still be reported. District Justice Armbruster said he would continue the hearing so that he can be provided of the statutes in order to look over them.
For this incident, Harclerode is being charged with six counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. He also faces additional charges in Union County in connection with hundreds of pornographic images of children allegedly found on his computer, and in Columbia County he is charged with molesting a young boy at a campground. Hearings and sentencing for these incidents are in the coming months. (Sara Bartlett)
Psychiatrist employed by Northumberland County Prison resigns following a lawsuit
SUNBURY – A psychiatrist employed at the Northumberland County Prison has resigned after being named earlier this year as a third-party defendant in a lawsuit. The suit was filed by Ryan Francis’ estate in federal court.
Ryan Francis hung himself in his jail cell in March of 2006 after being arrested for disorderly conduct at his girlfriend’s funeral. She was among five people killed in a fire in Trevorton in February of 2006, along with Francis’s mother and half-brother. Francis was not able to post bail and committed suicide two-days after his arrest.
Dr. Frederick Maue, the Psychiatrist who evaluated Francis at the prison, says county prison officials ignored his recommendation that Francis be placed on suicide watch. He wants a judgment in his favor and to be awarded court costs.
However county officials filed a complaint against Maue, alleging medical malpractice and wrongful death. The prison hired Maue in 1997. Controller Chuck Erdman says the Warden will now have to interview for another psychiatrist. The prison board is also considering hiring a part-time nurse. (Ali Stevens)
Monroe Marketplace management applies for state funding
SHAMOKIN DAM— What kind of impact will the Monroe Marketplace have on the Susquehanna Valley? Well, the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce welcomed Emily White, a consultant and lobbyist, with Duane Morris Government Affairs (hired by PREIT), to their monthly meeting this week.
White says that PREIT, the developer of the Marketplace, approached them for help in applying for state funding through the Infrastructure and Facilities Improvement Program. She says the funding would help reimburse costs that the Marketplace will incur, primarily from doing highway infrastructure improvements to Routes 11 and 15 and the nearby access roads.
As a condition for the project to move forward, Monroe Township required these highway improvements be made. White says the application has been filed and they expect to hear about the funding sometime this fall. She says the Marketplace can still continue with its development, even without the funding.
She adds that the complex is estimated to bring nearly 261 full-time jobs and 1,100 part-time jobs. She says the impact on state sales tax, earned income taxes and real estate taxes will also be significant and benefit the entire region. (Sara Lauver)
Sunbury man accused of returning a stolen gun to the owner
SUNBURY – A Sunbury man faces a felony firearms possession charge after police say he returned a stolen shotgun. 30-year-old Marcus Lynch allegedly returned a 20-guage shotgun to a home on North Fourth Street. He told the owner that he purchased the gun from a man in front of a bar in the city, saying he paid $60 for the gun.
Lynch told the homeowner that he believed it may have been stolen and was returning it for him. The homeowner called police and told them one of his guns, which were stolen in early April, had been returned. However, Lynch was then charged because he is not allowed to possess weapons, since he is a convicted felon. (Ali Stevens)
Danville borough workers hope to leave earlier on Friday’s in the summer
DANVILLE – Workers in the Danville borough want to leave 90 minutes earlier on Fridays during the summer months. The Press-Enterprise reports borough council discussed the new hours during an executive personnel discussion.
The workers hope to be able to leave at 3:30 on Fridays until late September, but will take shorter lunch breaks three days a week to make up for the lost time. Workers claim traffic in the office on Friday afternoon is at a lower level. Normal office hours are until 5 p.m. No decision on the idea has been made. (Ali Stevens)
Public hearing set to learn more about the future of the Mifflinburg Borough Building
MIFFLINBURG – A public hearing is set for Tuesday, May 20th for residents to learn more about the future of the borough building, which recently was deemed uninhabitable. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Mifflinburg High School Cafeteria on the 20th.
Becky Hagenbaugh, Mifflinburg’s Main Street Manager, says the building was recently examined by Union County Keystone Council of Governments and was condemned, due to cracks in the walls and other problems.
The borough then hired architects RAL Associates of Lewisburg to complete a feasibility study on whether the building should be torn down or restored, and if restored, what the different financial decisions will be.
They will complete the study in time for the public meeting and the public can then help the borough decide what to do. Currently, the borough employees are working out of leased space in the former Yorktowne building in Mifflinburg. (Ali Stevens)
Middleburg borough issues boil water advisory
MIDDLEBURG – Middleburg officials are issuing a boil water advisory for borough water customers on North Main Street. A break in a water main is the source of the problem, and customers may experience dirty water or low water pressure once service is restored. (Matt Farrand)
Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's top budget officials says health care costs for retired state workers are projected to be $8.5 billion dollars in the long term. Budget Secretary Michael Masch says that's about 40 percent lower than officials originally estimated. Masch says that's because the state has recently implemented several measures designed to reduce the cost of the benefits. They include requiring some retirees to pay part of their premiums and increasing co-payments for prescriptions and certain office visits for other retirees. The annual cost of the benefits provided to roughly 60,000 retirees is $550 million this year. There's no immediate comment from the Pennsylvania Association of Retired State Employees on Masch's announcement.
EDWARDSVILLE, Pa. (AP) - A northeast Pennsylvania woman who allegedly named her husband, daughter and niece in a fatal 2005 robbery is now charged in the plot herself. Police say 36-year-old Andrea Bidding of Exeter implicated the three in the beating death of 72-year-old Peter Lach after a recent drug arrest. Luzerne County officials say Bidding knew the victim kept cash on hand. She is facing homicide, conspiracy and other charges filed Thursday. The charges come several days after police arrested 37-year-old Anthony Bidding, and 18-year-olds Erica Legg and Gabrielle Thomas on similar charges. Police say Lach died five days after the attack - which netted $100.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A decision by the Bank of New York Mellon to stop a $70 million data center expansion in western Pennsylvania is being criticized by a state senator. State Senator Don White of Indiana County says the decision has broken the trust of local officials and only enhances the skepticism of corporate America. The New York financial services firm says it instead plans to keep open a New Jersey processing center. As part of the expansion, the bank had promised last June to bring 200 new jobs to the South Buffalo Township facility in Armstrong County. Bank spokesman Jeep Bryant said the company still plans to add 200 technology-related jobs, the majority of them in the bank's downtown Pittsburgh offices.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A proposal to privatize the management of Harrisburg's parking garages, lots and street meters could run into union opposition. A labor contract with the union representing 53 Harrisburg Parking Authority employees includes a clause that prevents the city from leasing its parking facilities. Gail Lewis, a parking authority employee and union steward, says employees don't trust the unknown. The chief investor in the deal, Jacob Frydman of New York, says he is optimistic that the companies can make an offer generous enough to get an agreement with the union. Mayor Stephen Reed wants to lease a total of 8,500 parking spaces for 75 years to two private companies for an upfront payment of $215 million. City Council approval is necessary for the deal to go through.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Friday in the midday Pennsylvania State Lottery drawing:
Daily Number
8-1-6
Big
4 2-0-7-3
Treasure Hunt
4-7-14-21-28
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)