Friday, August 20, 2010
Talent show winners to offer reprise
SUNBURY -- The Sunbury River Festival has a new look this year, in part, because vendors now line the perimeter of Cameron Park, rather than setting up on the newly reseeded grass. "The Valley's Got Talent," a homegrown "American Idol" style competition is also new this year.
Fans will be able to get another look at the Morgan Family, winners of the "Valley's Got Talent," on the gazebo in Cameron Spark at about noon on Saturday. Entertainment Director Slade Shreck says they'll be on hand to perform a number or two. (Matt Farrand)
Sunbury robbery suspect surrenders to police
LEWISBURG -- After a pursuit and car accident, a Sunbury robbery suspect is now in custody. Steven Willard surrendered to Sunbury Police and U.S. Marshals around 4:30 Thursday afternoon and is charged with multiple counts including robbery, burglary, aggravated assault, simple assault and more. Willard is accused of breaking into a home in the 200 block of Pine Street in Sunbury in the early morning hours of July 31st. While wearing a black ski mask, he allegedly threatened the homeowner with a gun and demanded money. Police say Willard struggled with the man and the gun discharged, but no one was hit.
Police focused their search efforts on the Lewisburg area after receiving tips that he was there. On Wednesday evening, Willard was spotted driving a vehicle on Route 45 outside Lewisburg. Police chased Willard and he wrecked the car and fled on foot.
Police were able to contact Willard's family and they convinced him to turn himself in, which he did peacefully Thursday. Willard is locked up in the Northumberland County Prison on a parole violation. He has a criminal history dating back to 1983, with two separate prison sentences. In March of 2005, Willard was given a state prison sentence on a drug-related matter. At the time of the home invasion in Sunbury, Willard was on parole. (Ali Stevens)
Creativity "a must" at Cardboard Boat Regatta
SUNBURY -- Not all Sunbury River Festivals events are in or around Cameron Park. The fourth annual Cardboard Boat Regatta is planned for the Shikellamy State Park Marina for Saturday, with registration starting at 3:00 p.m.
Participants are asked to build boats, preferably some time in advance, out of cardboard and tape, float it in the river and race against two others. There are prizes for fastest times, most spirited, best sinking and others.
The event is considered a showcase of creativity for local residents of all ages. The first cardboard boats hit the water at 4:00 p.m. (Matt Farrand)
Bloom Road bridge is open to traffic
DANVILLE -- The Bloom Road bridge is now open to traffic in Mahoning Township, Montour County. PennDOT says the new bridge over a tributary to Sechler Run just east of the Frosty Valley Country Club opened to traffic Friday and a detour was lifted. Final paving at the bridge will take place sometime in September, but a detour will not be needed and normal traffic patterns will continue. (Ali Stevens)
Construction continues on Route 11 next week in Montour County
DANVILLE -- PennDOT continues to work on a four-mile resurfacing project along Route 11 in Montour County, from the Northumberland County line through Danville to Clinic Road. Night work is set for Sunday into Monday and Monday into Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Once that work is done, the last couple of weeks in August, contractors will be working on route 11 from the American Legion to the Route 54 intersection. Work is expected to be complete in September. (Ali Stevens)
Owner of a bookstore has been tapped as Elm Street Manager in Mifflinburg
MIFFLINBURG – The owner of the Page After Page bookstore in Vicksburg has been selected as the new Elm Street Manager in Mifflinburg. The job will go to Murrie Zlotziver, whose job it will be to oversee the historic district in Mifflinburg, making sure buildings are up to code and the character of the area is maintained.
The Standard Journal reports the designated areas for the Elm Street project include Market and Green Streets, where several historic buildings are located. The Elm Street program is paid for by a five-year state grant. Zlotziver plans to assemble a neighborhood committee to meet monthly and decide on goals and objectives for the project. (Ali Stevens)
Sunbury man still critical following a crash earlier this week
POINT TOWNSHIP – A Sunbury man remains in critical condition at Geisinger Medical Center following a crash earlier this week in Point Township. Police say 56-year-old Mark Hagy crossed into oncoming traffic and sideswiped a pickup truck on Route 11 at Redman Acres Road just after 11:30 Wednesday morning. Hagy was trapped in his vehicle and had to be rescued.
He was then transported to Geisinger Medical Center where he remains hospitalized in critical condition. The other motorist in the crash, 27-year-old Skyler Ashley of Sunbury, was not seriously injured. (Ali Stevens)
A Shamokin native expected to named as the new solicitor in Northumberland County
SUNBURY – An attorney and Shamokin native is expected to get the job of solicitor in Northumberland County. The News Item reports Commissioner Vinny Clausi said Thursday that he will put Frank Garrigan Jr.’s name up for nomination at the August 31st meeting. Garrigan, who recently returned to the area after working for 10 years as an attorney in the Chicago area, is expected to start the new job on September 1st. If approved, Garrigan will be the fourth county solicitor in a 12-month span.
Hugh Jones resigned before being appointed as a district judge in September of 2009. Vincent Rovito then took over the office, but resigned in April to dedicate himself to his private practice. Attorney Tim Bowers of Danville resigned on July 29th after only two months on the job, saying he was going to run for office in Montour County. His resignation is effective September 3rd. (Ali Stevens)
Sunbury River Festival I: What's new?
SUNBURY -- Most of the same old favorites will surround this year's Sunbury River Festival, but folks who come out today and tomorrow may notice some new things as well. For starters, much of the festival will be surrounding Cameron Park this year, allowing people to walk through the park and for the entertainment.
This year, tie-dye t-shirts will also be for sale, with proceeds going to Sunbury Revitalization Inc. There will also be River Festival mugs for sale. New this year will be a woodcarving station, where a carver will be whittling large pieces of wood into different shapes. Many new contests are happening this year as well.
Last night's Valley's Got Talent was a first. Tonight, a hot dog eating contest (featuring 94KX's Drew Kelly) and air guitar contest will take place. The civil war encampment has a new location this year as well. It will be in the churchyard at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church. More information at www.sunburyriverfestival.com.
Sunbury River Festival II: The Valley’s Got Talent
SUNBURY – More than 200 people attended the first ever “The Valley’s Got Talent” competition in Sunbury to kick off Sunbury River Festival 2010. The winner of the talent competition was the Morgan Family from Fisher’s Ferry.
David Morgan was thrilled to take home the $400 prize and trophy. The other Morgans include 10-year-old Maggie, 8-year-old Jessie, 6-year-old Abbie, 3-year-old Hank and vocal support from their mother, Mary and Uncle Bean. In second place, was 23-year-old Cassie Paul of Sunbury, who won a $200 prize.
Third place went to 14-year-old Shelby Snyder of Sunbury. There are plenty more fun events including the hot dog eating contest and air guitar contest tonight in Sunbury and full day of events and activities tomorrow for Sunbury River Festival 2010. Go to www.sunburyriverfestival.com for a full schedule
Sunbury River Festival III: Unique vehicles at Car Cruise-In
SUNBURY -- The Car Cruise-In is always a big draw at the Sunbury River Festival. This year will be no exception, with some unique vehicles. Deb Lucas who organizes the Car Cruise-In says there will be a 1952 open-cab fire engine truck, an armed forces deuce and a half transportation vehicle, and a racecar. She says there will be a cash drawing for grand prize this year.
To be eligible for cash drawings, the vehicle must be registered by noon and the owner must be present at 2:00p.m. There will be awards for furthest distance, oldest vehicle, newest vehicle and participant favorite. New this year, awards will also be given for people's choice and kid's choice. The Car Cruise-In is Saturday from 9:00a.m.-3:00p.m. Go to www.sunburyriverfestival.com for a full schedule. (Sara Bartlett)
Cardiovascular services expanded at Evan
LEWISBURG -- The most modern heart saving procedures are coming to Evan, including catheterization and angioplasty. Evangelical Community Hospital has partnered with Geisinger Medical Center to expand their cardiovascular services. A new program will include interventional cardiology, as an alternative to surgery.
James Craven is the Service Line Director of Cardiovascular Services at Evan, and explains that the program is part of a national clinical trial called C-PORT E. The trial gathers data from hospitals that use interventional cardiology, which includes procedures like catheterization and angioplasty to open blocked arteries, instead of having surgery.
Craven says bringing this service in the already expanded cardiovascular unit at Evan will be convenient for patients and families. Craven says the new program extends from the hospital's strategic plan last year, as a way to continually meet the needs of the community. (Sara Bartlett)
Corporations with local ties make business headlines
UNDATED – Corporations with local ties are making business headlines. Portions of the corporation that owns the Butterkrust Baking Company are a takeover target. However, the Sunbury baker is not among parts of Sara Lee reportedly attractive to Unilever. The Anglo-Dutch company is interested in the personal care units of Sara Lee, such as Brylcreem and producers of other products sold in both the US and Europe.
Meantime, Monroe Marketplace will soon have a new owner. Cedar Shopping Centers is buying the shopping complex and four similar units from the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust. PREIT developed Monroe Marketplace, and opened it in mid-2008.
Much of the $134 million dollars sale price will reportedly be used for debt service. The other plazas are in Lancaster and Warrington, Pennsylvania, and in the states of Virginia and New Jersey.
And, the possible sale of the Barnes & Noble Corporation would have no immediate effect on operations of the local store that serves as the bookstore for Bucknell University. A university spokesman says the big bookseller only manages the location for the school.
Barnes & Noble stock is down more than 35% this year, as so-called e-books gain in popularity and investors have their doubts about whether the company can continue to post a dividend. (Matt Farrand)
U.S. Marshals search for Sunbury robber
LEWISBURG -- The U.S. Marshals Service continues its search for a Sunbury man accused of armed robbery in the city. 52-year-old Steven Willard, of 12th Street, is accused of breaking into a home along Pine Street July 31st. Armed with a loaded gun, he demanded money from the homeowner.
Willard is still on the run and as of early Thursday morning, U.S. Marshals say they are searching for him in and around Lewisburg. Police considered Willard armed and dangerous. He is a white male, 5'8", 140 pounds with brown eyes. He also has long brown hair, which he wears in a ponytail.
During the incident, Willard and the homeowner struggled and the gun when off but the bullet did not hit anyone. Police say Willard has a history of violence. He is being sought on numerous charges including robbery, burglary, aggravated assault, felon in possession of a firearm, discharging a gun in a residence, terroristic threats, and reckless endangerment. Anyone with information should call police. (Sara Bartlett)
Milton woman convicted of threat charges
SUNBURY -- A Milton woman was convicted on terroristic threat charges. 34-year-old Tracy Schramm faced a jury trial Thursday in Northumberland County Court. The charges stem from incidents in February 2009 when Schramm threatened State Parole Agent Robert Belfanti III. Verbally, and through text messages, Schramm claimed she would 'burn Belfanti's house down.' Schramm will be sentenced for this charge within 90 days.
Schramm is facing additional charges after fleeing District Judge Robert Bolton's office in May of this year. She was being arraigned on counts of intimidating a witness who was to testify against her. Schramm turned herself back in 24 hours later and was sent to Northumberland County Prison. (Sara Bartlett)
Employees at a furniture store find the body of a missing man in the store
KULPMONT -- Employees of a furniture store in Kulpmont were shocked to find the body of a missing man in the display area of the store on Wednesday morning. 53-year-old Leon Pielacha Jr. of Kulpmont was last seen alive on Saturday in Kulpmont and was found dead in the store on Wednesday morning.
Northumberland County Coroner James Kelley says the man was pronounced dead of natural causes. Police say there were no signs of foul play and Pielacha is believed to have entered the store on Saturday without employees' knowledge, since he is a former employee and may have had a key. (Ali Stevens)
Republican candidate for Governor comes to Selinsgrove
SELINSGROVE – The Republican candidate for Governor is visiting Selinsgrove Friday. Tom Corbett will tour L/B Water Services on South High Street in Selinsgrove at 2 p.m. Corbett is touring companies around the state.
Corbett's focus is job creation and fiscal discipline in Harrisburg. L/B Water Service opened for business in Selinsgrove in 1970 with a single salesperson working out of a construction company office. Since then, the company has seven locations and more than 100 employees.
L/B Water Services serves municipalities, private contractors, local, state and federal government agencies, hospitals and schools. Corbett is the current state attorney general and will tour the business and answer reporter’s questions. Newsradio 1070 WKOK will cover the event and will have comments from Corbett in our weekend newscasts. (Ali Stevens)
Russ Fairchild talks about a severance tax for Marcellus Shale drilling
SUNBURY – Chalk up another vote for a limited severance tax on Marcellus Shale drillers. State Representative Russ Fairchild (R-85th, Winfield) is a guest on WKOK’s Leaders & Lawmakers Program this week and talked about a severance tax for companies drilling in the Marcellus Shale.
Asked if he favors a severance tax that is imposed immediately as soon as the natural gas is out and sold, or a tax that comes later, once a drilling company makes back their investment. Fairchild says waiting isn’t a bad idea. He says maybe they can wait a year and make it a gradual tax such as 2 percent this year and 4 percent next year, making it a long-term process and something on which everyone can agree.
Fairchild is referring to a graduated severance tax proposal, which will be part of discussions in the fall caucuses in Harrisburg. You can hear more from State Representative Russ Fairchild on WKOK’s Leaders & Lawmakers program online at www.wkok.com.
Route 11 crash injuries two in Point Township
NORTHUMBERLAND -- Two people were injured after a crash Wednesday morning in Point Township. The accident happened on Route 11 around 11:30a.m. Point Township police tell us 56-year-old Mark Hagy of Sunbury crossed into oncoming traffic with his car and sideswiped a pickup truck driven by 27-year-old Skyler Ashley of Sunbury.
Hagy was trapped in his vehicle and had to be rescued from the car. He was taken to Geisinger Medical Center, where he is listed in critical condition. Ashley was taken to Sunbury Community Hospital by his parents. His condition was not available. The crash blocked both lanes of Route 11 near Redman Acres Road for about three hours, as police, rescue and ambulance personnel were on the scene.
Local supermarket chain says the eggs are safe in the Central Susquehanna Valley
SUNBURY -- A salmonella outbreak linked to eggs has sickened hundreds of people in four states, however a local supermarket chain says the eggs in our region are safe to eat. Health officials are focusing their investigations on restaurants in California, Colorado, Minnesota and North Carolina and suspicious cases have been found in several other states.
Wright County Egg of Iowa has recalled nearly 32 million dozen-egg cartons. Dennis Curtain is spokesperson for Weis Markets and says they purchase all their eggs from local suppliers in the states where their stores are located and never from Wright County Egg. He says Weis Markets is not impacted by the recall. (Ali Stevens)
All charges bound to court for a man accused of burning down his brothers garage
POINT TOWNSHIP -- A Northumberland man accused of burning down his brother's garage will face several felony charges in court, following a preliminary hearing yesterday. Timmy Young was in District Court Wednesday before District Judge Robert Bolton of Sunbury on felony charges of arson, along with criminal mischief and risking a catastrophe.
After repeatedly denying it, Young eventually admitted to police that he set a rag on fire and left it on a workbench inside a garage at 279 14th Street, owned by his brother Wells Young Jr. Point Township police say Young and his wife were living with his brother at the time of the fire.
They say Young had been drinking in Freeburg prior to setting the fire in July. The fire caused more than $25,000 in damage. A motive is not known. Young is locked up in the Northumberland County Prison on $25,000 cash bail. (Ali Stevens)
Woman accused of stealing another woman’s purse and other items
LEWISBURG – A Mount Pleasant Mills woman faces several charges after state police say she stole another woman’s purse and other items from their workplace. 29-year-old Jamie Gill is charged with theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief.
Troopers say Gill took another woman’s purse, wallet, cell phone and other items from her desk at their workplace in Lewisburg. Gill is accused of destroying some of the items at her home by setting them on fire. Charges will be filed in district court. (Ali Stevens)
Woman accused of returning items she never purchased
LEWISBURG – A Lewisburg woman is charged with theft by deception after police say she returned items that she never purchased at the Wal-Mart store. Troopers say 28-year-old Desirae Stevens would remove items from the display shelves at the store in Lewisburg.
The Stevens would take them to customer service to return. She would receive gift cards in exchange for the returns. The incidents took place on three separate occasions in June. The investigation continues. (Ali Stevens)
Union County Democratic Committee opens office in Lewisburg
LEWISBURG -- The Union County Democratic Committee has opened an office in Lewisburg. A grand opening Saturday will be held for the public at the location on the second floor of 424 1/2 Market Street. Light refreshments will be served from 10:00a.m.-12:00p.m. Union County Democratic State Committee
Representative Barbara Sundin will attend, as will Union County Commissioner John Showers, Snyder County Commissioner Peggy Chamberlain Roup and others. The office will serve as a place to get campaign material, as well as reach staff for candidates. The number of the office is 522-9365. (Sara Bartlett)
Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment
TUNKHANNOCK, Pa. (AP) - A small plane has crashed into the Susquehanna River in northeastern Pennsylvania but federal officials say no major injuries are reported. Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Jim Peters says two people were on board the single-engine plane when it crashed Friday afternoon near Skyhaven Airport in Tunkhannock, about 20 miles west of Scranton. Peters says the plane was overturned in the river. The two people on board made it safely out of the aircraft but Peters expected they would be taken to a hospital for treatment for minor cuts. According to Peters, the plane is based at the airport. He says it is not immediately clear if the plane was taking off or landing when it crashed.
STROUDSBURG, Pa. (AP) - A northeastern Pennsylvania man convicted of murder denied involvement in the killing before being sentenced to life in prison without parole. Thirty-five-year-old Ralph Maldonado told a Monroe County judge he was not "the monster" he's been made out to be and denied beating and strangling 22-year-old Blake Natal in January 2009. Maldonado was convicted in June on charges of second- and third- degree murder, robbery and conspiracy. Prosecutors say he and another man robbed Natal then beat and choked him to death in the parking lot of the Quality Inn in Stroudsburg. Twenty-two-year-old Myles White pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and has been sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison.
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Pennsylvania's top environmental official says he will stop issuing permits to gas drilling companies that rack up too many regulatory violations. Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger on Wednesday said his department is reviewing violations by companies drilling in the Marcellus Shale. The DEP has issued 1,500 citations since 2008. Hanger says he's keeping a close eye on three companies: Chief Oil & Gas of Dallas, Citrus Energy of Colorado and EOG Resources, the Houston-based company that had a blowout at a Clearfield County well in June. Kathryn Klaber, president of the industry trade group Marcellus Shale Coalition, says violations can come in many forms. She also says regulators may not be applying standards evenly across the state.
PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Pennsylvania Supreme Court says an Allegheny County judge should unseal documents in the grand jury probe of Republican state Sen. Jane Orie and her sister, Janine. The court says Judge John Zottola should conduct whatever proceedings are necessary to determine which documents should be unsealed. The Ories are awaiting trial on charges they used the senator's paid legislative staff to do campaign work for the senator and a third sister, Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin. Zottola refused to let a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter see some documents in March, citing a Supreme Court order. The newspaper and WPXI-TV appealed, and the court found Zottola erred by sealing all documents pursuant to that order. Zottola was vacationing Thursday and it's unclear when he'll address the ruling.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Unemployment increased in Pennsylvania to 9.3 percent in July. The state Labor and Industry Department said Thursday the statewide rate was up slightly from 9.2 percent in June but that was a full percentage point higher than the July 2009 rate. It remained below last month's national rate of 9.5 percent. The department says statewide employment declined by 45,000 residents to 5.8 million, while the ranks of unemployed Pennsylvanians swelled by 1,000 to 592,000. The state lost 7,000 jobs in July, due largely to the elimination of temporary census jobs. The biggest increase was in the leisure and hospitality sector, as casinos ramped up to offer table games.
BENSALEM, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania gaming regulators say a Bucks County casino must do a better job addressing the problem of players leaving their children in cars while they gamble. The state Gaming Control Board's warning comes after five such incidents this summer. Parx Casino officials say they're taking steps including extra parking lot patrols during busy times. They also say players involved in these incidents are permanently banned from the casino. The gaming board also says the Bensalem Police Department gets money from casino revenues to patrol the area and they need to do a better job, too. Bensalem public safety director Fred Harran says officers are doing their jobs. But he says they're not the "parent police" and he adds that you can't police common sense.
SHANKSVILLE, Pa. (AP) - Bikers are gathering in a rural western Pennsylvania town for a 455-mile trek to honor the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. Participants in the annual ride sponsored by America's 911 Foundation say they want the focus of the ride to be on never forgetting the attacks, not on the controversy over a proposed mosque near ground zero. The foundation says it has no position on the proposal and feelings among bikers Thursday were mixed. Some say they don't see the harm in building an Islamic center there, while others call it insensitive to the victims' families. Friday's ride is the group's 10th. More than 700 bikers are expected to ride from the site of the crash of Flight 93 to the Pentagon on Friday. The following day, they'll ride to New York City.
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) - It's time to play ball again at the Little League World Series. The annual 10-day tournament to decide one of the biggest prizes in youth sports begins Friday. Teams from Georgia, Hawaii, New Jersey and Taiwan each have a chance to win a second Little League crown for their hometowns. There are 16 teams from around the world hoping to take the victory lap around Lamade Stadium. Eight of those teams are from the United States. The players ages 11 to 13 say this week isn't just about baseball. They're having just as much fun making new friends from around the world, taking a dip in the pool or playing Ping-Pong at the players' complex.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Update on the latest in business:
Dow: - 57.62 (10,213.59)
S&P 500: - 3.94 (1,071.69)
NASDAQ: + 0.81 (2,179.76)
WASHINGTON (AP) - There's more evidence that jobs are still hard to come by. The Labor Department says unemployment fell in 18 states and the District of Columbia last month, stayed the same in 18 other states and rose in 14 states. That's a slowdown from the past three months, when unemployment fell in more than 30 states.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Treasury Department says nearly half of the homeowners who sought government help to avoid foreclosure have fallen out of the program. Of the 1.3 million homeowners who enrolled in the mortgage modification program since March of last year, about 48 percent had dropped out through July. Many borrowers have complained that program is a bureaucratic nightmare.
ATHENS, Greece (AP) - The plan to rescue Greece from bankruptcy has kicked in, to the delight of the European Union. However, the Greek public isn't in a mood to celebrate. With the government slashing spending and raising taxes, the deficit is way down, but jobs are vanishing, shops are closing and many are predicting a fall of strikes and demonstrations.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers:
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn Friday:
Midday Big 4
7-9-0-0
Midday Number
9-1-9
Midday Quinto
9-5-6-7-7
Treasure Hunt
07-18-19-26-29
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
NC memorabilia dealer selling Salinger's toilet
KERNERSVILLE, N.C. (AP) - A North Carolina collectibles dealer is hawking a toilet ripped from reclusive author J.D. Salinger's former home. Rick Kohl of The Vault said Friday he bought the standard white porcelain fixture from a New Hampshire couple who owned a home where the author of "Catcher in the Rye" once lived. To vouch that this is no phony, Kohl has a letter from the homeowner attesting that she and her husband replaced the toilet while remodeling, and that they knew the workmen who installed it decades ago. The receptacle has an eBay asking price of $1 million, though Kohl says he's willing to see what the literary giant's home throne will fetch. The toilet's lid is stamped with a manufacturing date of 1962, well after the 1951 publication date of Salinger's classic novel.
Birkhead tearful in Anna Nicole Smith testimony
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The father of Anna Nicole Smith's daughter fought back tears in a Los Angeles courtroom while describing the late model's ailments, including seizures. Larry Birkhead resumed testifying Friday in the drug conspiracy trial of two doctors and Smith's former boyfriend-lawyer Howard K. Stern. Birkhead says Smith sometimes suffered seizures after taking drugs, and at times, he saw her fall asleep while eating and knew she was taking numerous prescription medications. Birkhead says Smith had many illnesses and was strong-willed enough to do things her way, including taking more drugs than prescribed. The defendants have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to provide excessive drugs to the celebrity model. They are not charged in her death.