Sunday, May 11, 2008

Sunbury woman suffers major injuries after weekend crash

UPPER AUGUSTA TWP— A Sunbury woman is listed in serious condition after a two-vehicle crash in Northumberland County Saturday morning.  State Police in Stonington say that 54-year-old Elizabeth Snyder was traveling southbound along Route 147 in Upper Augusta Township, when her vehicle collided with the vehicle driven by 58-year-old MaryEllen Brocavich, also of Sunbury.  Police say Brocavich was pulling out onto Route 147 from Ridge Road just before 7 a.m.  That’s when Snyder’s vehicle traveled into the northbound lane, and the vehicles crashed head-on.  Snyder was taken to Geisinger Medical Center with major injuries and is reported in serious condition today.  Police say Brocavich suffered minor injuries, but no condition report was available. (Sara Lauver)

Police investigate break-in at Sunbury business 

UPPER AUGUSTA TWP— Police are investigating a recent break-in at Anthracite Industries in Sunbury.  State Police in Stonington say that sometime between April 25^th and May 1^st, a person or persons broke into the business, located along Sawmill Road in Upper Augusta Township.  Police say the burglar made off with 250 feet of wire, a stainless steel fender from a tractor-trailer and three 10-foot aluminum tubes.  State Police continue to investigate this burglary and they ask anyone with information to contact them.  (Sara Lauver) 

Fiesta de Mayo celebrates with food and music

MILTON— Area residents took part in the first local Fiesta de Mayo held in Milton Saturday.  Pastor of Congregacion Menonita Shalom, Joe Rosa, was one of the organizers of the event.  He says the church had a lot of local support and many people wanted to take part in the festival.  Rosa says the event is a good way to bring the community together and allow people to experience a bit of Latino culture.  The festival included food stands serving hot tamales from Mexico, bread pudding from Puerto Rico and a popular favorite, tacos.  Rosa says there was a great turnout and some of the food stands even sold out before the day was over.  The day also included singers and dancers performing traditional Latin songs.  He says their first year was a successful one and he’s already looking forward to next year.  (Sara Lauver/Sheri Rippon) 

One man is dead and a woman injured, after accidents in Columbia County 

BLOOMSBURG— An area man was killed after being struck by a minivan in Berwick on Friday afternoon.  The Press Enterprise reports that 59-year-old David Vencloski, of Shickshinny, was killed after he was struck by a minivan driven by 16-year-old Ethan Brown.  Reports say Brown’s vehicle slid on wet pavement along Orange Street in the borough.  The crash happened around 4 p.m. Friday afternoon.   

Meanwhile, a Bloomsburg woman was injured after being struck by a vehicle while she was trying to cross East Street in the borough.  65-year-old Sharon Zalonis was using one of the new pedestrian signals to cross the street at the Main Street Intersection, when the vehicle driven by 20-year-old Timothy Haas, of Danville, hit her.  Zalonis was taken to Geisinger Medical Center, where she was later treated and released.  Reports say Zalonis had a “walk” signal at the same time that Haas had a green light.  The state law requires motorists to yield to pedestrians and Haas was cited for traffic violations after that Friday afternoon accident.  (Sara Lauver) 

Reverend Oliver takes position at Yale University

LEWISBURG— Bucknell University Chaplain, Ian B. Oliver, announced he has accepted an offer at Yale University.  Bucknell tells us that Oliver has accepted the position of pastor at the University Church.  He will also assume the role as senior associate university chaplain for Protestant Life at the University.  Reverend Oliver’s move will take effect in July and a search committee is underway at Bucknell to find a replacement.  Reverend Oliver has served at Bucknell for 12 years.   (Sara Lauver) 

Bucknell students are helping the Caring and Sharing program in Williamsport 

WILLIAMSPORT – Typically, college students discard thousands of dollars in good used furniture, electronics and other household items when they exit local universities in the spring. At Bucknell, many of those items are making their way to shelters and needy families.  

The Salvation Army in Williamsport is the recipient of numerous things students’ no longer want or need. The Big Brothers-Big Sisters organization in Lycoming County is in charge of the collection and distribution of the tons of items which would otherwise be discarded…Local shelters and non profit agencies will receive those donated goods this weekend.

State Police investigate hit and run after vehicle crashes into house 

TURBOT TWP— State Police are looking for the driver of a vehicle that crashed into a home in Northumberland County Thursday and then fled the scene.  State Police in Milton say the hit and run accident occurred just before 11:30 p.m. at a home along Paradise Road in Turbot Township.  Police say the driver of a black Chevrolet or GMC truck failed to make a turn in the roadway and then went over an embankment into the property’s yard.  That’s when the vehicle struck the property owner’s home, causing damage to the residence.  Police say the driver fled the scene and continued to drive west on Paradise Road.  An investigation continues and State Police ask anyone with information to contact them.  (Sara Lauver) 

Drug bust in Sunbury  dubbed “Operations Spring Showers”  

SUNBURY – All but three of more than twenty-five suspects are now in custody after a series of drug arrests.  Sunbury Police Chief Steven Mazzeo says “Operation Spring Showers” was a combined effort of the Northumberland-Montour County Drug Taskforce.  Police say they also seized 7.5 pounds of marijuana, 100 grams of cocaine, heroin, Oxycotin, firearms and more than $16,000 in cash. 

Most of the suspects were picked up during the last two days with fourteen arrested Friday.  Others were already jailed on other charges.  There is a complete list of suspects on line at wkok.com.  Chief Mazzeo notes the operation is on-going and the three remaining suspects outstanding are likely to be picked up within the next 24 hours.  Those taken into custody face charges that include possession with intent to deliver and are in Northumberland County Prison following arraignment. (Matt Farrand)

Here is the latest Pennsylvania news from The Associated Press: 

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Pa. (AP) - An official in the Erie County Coroner's office says six people died in a two-car accident on Interstate 90 yesterday, three miles inside the Pennsylvania-Ohio border. Chief Deputy Coroner Korac Timon says that four men and two women between the ages of 20 and 30 died when the minivan they were traveling in crossed the median and hit a car head-on at about 4 p.m. The van came to rest on its roof.  

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Are your household finances tight? Then you might want to have a seat.  Pennsylvanians could be staring at increases in their home electric bills of 40, 50 or even 60 percent by the time decade-old rate caps expire in the next couple years.  Those are estimates from the state's utility consumer advocate, Sonny Popowsky.  Gov. Ed Rendell asked him to project what the bigger bills could look like for more than 4 million residential customers.  This is what Popowsky came up with:

     -Allegheny Power: 63 percent increase
     -Metropolitan Edison: 54 percent increase
     -Peco Energy: 8 percent increase
     -Pennsylvania Electric: 50 percent increase
     -PPL: 37 percent increase 

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A Pittsburgh neighborhood group has approved a community-benefits agreement aimed at guiding development around the $290 million arena for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The One Hill Community Benefits Agreement Coalition is made up of groups representing the Hill District, a predominantly black neighborhood next to the arena site. The Penguins, Pittsburgh and Allegheny County governments, and other agencies must approve it. 

ERIE, Pa. (AP) - Prosecutors say former Superior Court Judge Michael Joyce's insurance fraud trial should remain in Erie's federal court. The 59-year-old Joyce wants the trial moved to U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh. His attorneys claim news coverage has generated prejudice toward him.   

Here are the winning numbers selected Friday and Saturday in the Pennsylvania State Lottery:    

 SATURDAY NIGHT

 Daily Number
     3-6-1         

 Big 4
     1-9-5-2

 SATURDAY MIDDAY

 Daily Number
     1-3-2         

 Big 4
     7-2-8-5         

 Treasure Hunt
     01-03-09-11-21 

The winning numbers drawn Saturday in the "Pennsylvania Cash 5" game were: 
11-13-20-22-26    

 POWERBALL

The winning numbers drawn Saturday night in Powerball are:
 7-18-30-41-45 

Powerball: 6 

Power Play: 2 

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