Sunday, August 22, 2010

River Festival wrap-up I: Neighborhood bakers compete at River Festival

SUNBURY – Festival goers ate the monster at the 2010 Sunbury River Festival Saturday. The festival featured a cookie and pie baking contest, to benefit the neighborhood groups that assist in projects around the city. The goal was to see which neighborhood bakes the best cookies and pies.

The Hill Neighborhood resident Cheryl Casson won the cookie division, and baked what she described as a "monster cookie" from a family recipe. Debbie Betz of The Hill was the runner up in the pie division, and says it's all about what residents can contribute to the quality of life in their city.

Light cloud cover kept the temperatures manageable, as thousands came to Sunbury for the annual festival. Major sponsors of the Sunbury River Festival include the Daily Item and the stations of the Sunbury Broadcasting Corporation. (Matt Farrand)

River Festival wrap up II: 4th Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta draws 300 to river

SUNBURY -- Several hundred spectators lined the banks of the Susquehanna at Shikellamy State Park for the fourth annual Cardboard Boat Regatta. Participants were asked to build watercraft out of cardboard, and then race them along a 300-yard course.

The competition is growing in popularity, as Meeghan and Sally Scott drove from near Washington DC to paddle Waterbug 2, which was constructed by a relative. Over a dozen cardboard boats were entered in youth, adult, mixed and corporate categories.

There were also prizes for fastest times, most spirited, epic sinking and best design. The event is part of the Sunbury River Festival and benefits the Central Pennsylvania Rowing Association. (Matt Farrand)

Fire at Montgomery business diverts LLWS traffic

MONTGOMERY – Route 15 at Montgomery was closed for hours Saturday morning, as a fire destroyed a business near the busy road. BJ's Garden Center sustained major damage in the fire reported shortly after 6:00 a.m.

Flames were reportedly shooting from the roof when firefighters arrived, but there were no reported injuries, nor was a cause for the fire immediately known. Early morning traffic heading for the Little League World Series in South Williamsport was detoured. (Matt Farrand)

Part two in a series of Roundtable interviews…this weekend

SUNBURY – Our Roundtable program goes on the road this weekend for part two of our series of interviews on the Geisinger REAL program. The program involves intensive education, treatment and contact with a family that has one or more children with obesity.

There are three guests in the interview, Dr. Margaret Rukstalis—a clinical investigator, Dr. William Cochran—the vice chair of the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital, and Nicole Quinlan, a pediatric psychologist. They discuss the preventable disease, which stem from obesity including many social and mental health issues.

The REAL program is underway at Geisinger and works with families to change behaviors. It also works with the entire family to make them aware of their role in children’s health. You can hear the Part one of our series at www.wkok.com. You can hear this weekend’s Roundtable Sunday on: Eagle 107 (107.3FM) at 6a.m. 100.9 (100.9FM), The Valley, at 6a.m., Newsradio 1070 WKOK (1070AM) at 9a.m., Talkradio 1380 WMLP (1380AM), 11a.m., 94KX WQKX (94.1FM) at 11p.m.  And anytime, at www.wkok.com

Couple critically hurt in Dewart house fire

DEWART- A man and woman are in critical condition in separate hospitals after a Saturday morning house fire in Northumberland County's Delaware Township.  74-year-old Russell Yordy is in Lehigh Valley Hospital, reportedly with a back fracture.  He is also suffering from smoke inhalation. 

And 79-year-old Helen Yordy is at Geisinger Medical Center with cracked ribs.  The couple jumped from the second story of their home to escape the blaze, which broke out around 4:48 AM. near Routes 405 and 44 in Dewart. 

The Yordy's dog died in the fire, and at least two classic cars were heavily damaged.  About 75 firefighters from three counties responded. A fire official says that it took about 30 minutes to bring the blaze under control.  (Matt Farrand) 

Seven Points Road crash investigated

SUNBURY – State police continue to investigate a crash early Saturday morning in Rockefeller Township, Northumberland County.  Troopers say 28-year-old James Fisher lost control of his SUV on Seven Points Road around 4:20 a.m.   The vehicle traveled off the road and onto a lawn, striking a birdbath and flower garden.  No injuries were reported.  The investigation will continue into what caused the accident.  (Ali Stevens)

Gubernatorial candidate tours Selinsgrove company

SELINSGROVE – Republican Gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett visited Lewisburg and Selinsgrove Friday to talk about the importance of creating and keeping well-paying jobs in Pennsylvania. He toured Playworld Systems in Lewisburg before stopping in Selinsgrove to tour L/B Water Service.

Corbett said it’s time for businesses like L/B Water Service to have someone on their side in Harrisburg. He says for far too long, state government has been an adversary to job growth. Corbett says if elected, his administration will focus on three tried and true principles that include fiscal discipline, limited government and free enterprise.

Corbett told a crowd of about 50 supporters in Selinsgrove that one of the central problems in Harrisburg isn’t a revenue problem but a spending problem. He believes now is the time for a governor who puts the interests of all Pennsylvanians ahead of Harrisburg special interests.

He has three primary points to improve the economic and business climate including tax reform and reducing the corporate net income tax, regulatory reform and cutting through red tape inhibiting growth, and legal reform by limiting excessive and frivolous lawsuits. (Ali Stevens)

Three items from the WKOK Road Report:

SUNBURY -- Here are three of the travelers advisors posted in WKOK's Road Report. PennDOT closes the intersection of Market and 11th Street in Sunbury Monday. The 10-day detour will allow the department to remove and upgrade of the existing curb ramps and installation of new concrete signal pole foundations. Monday to September 2 is the tentative time frame for that work.

Additionally, Norfolk Southern Railroad closes Market Street 3rd Street Monday. They are planning to rebuild the crossing at Market Street (Route 61) in downtown Sunbury Monday through Aug. 27. Market Street will be closed at that location and traffic will be detoured.

In Danville this week, paving continues on Route 11. Now through September 3, there will be night paving and daytime work there will be flagging and motorists should expect delays.

Arrest in 2008 vehicle theft

SHAMOKIN -- A stolen vehicle case has been solved, more than two and half years since the theft was first reported. State troopers say Alfons Keefer of Shamokin faces charges, after towing and storing a "4X4" dual wheel silver truck because of a conflict with Shamokin Police. Troopers say the vehicle was stored at a towing company since February of 2008.

The victim was described as a resident of Beaver Valley Avenue, Shamokin. Keefer faces a number of charges, including felony theft and receiving stolen property a felony. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for September 17th. State troopers they worked closely with Shamokin Police to crack the case, and countless interviews were involved. (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 today 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 this Sunday into Monday and Monday into Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

When 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. You can get more information at WKOK's Road Report at www.wkok.com. (Ali Stevens)

Bookstore owner tapped as Mifflinburg Elm Street Manager

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)

Shamokin native expected to named NorCo solicitor 

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)

Latest Pennsylvania news, business, lottery and entertainment

DICKSON CITY, Pa. (AP) - Authorities in northeastern Pennsylvania say a 12-year-old girl died and her mother and sister were critically injured in an early Saturday morning fire in their home. Fire crews called to the Dickson City blaze at 12:50 a.m. Saturday found flames shooting from the first floor. Fire Chief Joseph Chowanec says heat, flames and smoke prevented firefighters from reaching the girl in a second-floor bedroom in time.  Lackawanna County Deputy Coroner Tim Rowland says 12-year-old Rachel Cusick died of carbon monoxide poisoning. Her mother, Laurie, and sister, Amanda, were taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital, where a spokesman says they were in critical condition. Two other people were treated and released. State Police Fire Marshal Steve Kaneski said he is still investigating the cause, but he said he doubted that the fire was suspicious.

OHIOPYLE, Pa. (AP) - Beginning Sunday, kayakers and canoeists on a western Pennsylvania river will be have free rein to tumble 18 feet down a waterfall, a thrill allowed only once a year up until now.  The state Bureau of Parks earlier this month lifted a ban on access to the Ohiopyle Falls along the Youghiogheny River. On a trial basis daily through Sept. 12, the falls will now be open to qualified kayakers and canoeists willing to take the chance.   Access to the falls was closed when the park was developed in the late 1960s. For a little more than a decade, park officials have designated one day a year for an "Over the Falls" Festival. Some 14,000 runs have been made over the years during that one day - without a single drowning.

TUNKHANNOCK, Pa. (AP) - Authorities say a pilot trying to familiarize himself with his new plane had to ditch in the Susquehanna River in northeast Pennsylvania after experiencing engine trouble. Officials say both men aboard escaped with only minor injuries, but endured tense moments as water filled the cockpit. Tunkhannock Community Ambulance Association Chief Michael Henn identifies the survivors as owner William Earnest and fellow pilot Steven Gay, both of Tunkhannock. The crash occurred near Skyhaven Airport in Tunkhannock, about 20 miles west of Scranton. Henn says Earnest was flying and tried to reach the shoreline. He says the single-engine Piper landed upright but soon overturned, leaving the men belted upside down before they could free themselves.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A state panel has approved regulations that establish temperature, ventilation and lighting guidelines for Pennsylvania's commercial dog kennels. The Independent Regulatory Review Commission voted 3-1 on Thursday to approve the rules, which apply to kennels that sell more than 60 dogs per year or sell to pet stores or dealers. Commercial kennels must adequately ventilate cages and monitor temperatures around the clock. Breeders must consult a veterinarian if temperatures become excessive. Commission members and animal rights activists say the legislature still has to address an inconsistency in the rules. They say there's a loophole in the law's wire floor ban that allows nursing dogs to stand on wire for months at time. The rules are expected to take effect next summer to allow kennels time to renovate.

Update on the latest in business:

Bank CEO says accusations implausible

NEW YORK (AP) - Lawyers for former Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis say in a court filing that a lawsuit accusing him of misleading investors is "implausible" and should be tossed out.  The filing was a response to a civil lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo in February.  That suit accused Lewis and Bank of America of failing to properly disclose losses and bonuses at Merrill Lynch when the two companies merged in 2009. Lawyers for Lewis say the suit is an unfair attempt to assign blame for the financial crisis and doesn't withstand factual scrutiny.  Cuomo's office says it stands by its allegations.

Iowa farms in egg recall have close ties

WASHINGTON (AP) - Two Iowa farms that together recalled more than half a billion potentially tainted eggs share close ties, including suppliers of chickens and feed.  Both are linked to businessman Austin "Jack" DeCoster. He's been cited for numerous health, safety and employment violations over the years.  DeCoster owns Wright County Egg, the original farm that recalled 380 million eggs after they were linked to more than 1,000 reported cases of salmonella poisoning.   He also owns the company Quality Egg, which supplies young chickens and feed to a second farm that recalled another 170 million eggs. But so far, the source of the disease outbreaks remains a mystery that the Food and Drug Administration is working to unravel.

Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers:

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn Saturday:

Daily Number

     6-2-1

Big 4

     8-1-2-7

Evening Quinto

     0-0-9-9-2

Cash 5

     05-07-09-16-34

 Midday Big 4

     2-0-5-7

 Midday Number

     0-3-2

 Midday Quinto

     6-5-7-5-4

 Treasure Hunt

     13-21-22-25-29

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

Moving sale planned at 'Amityville Horror' house

AMITYVILLE, N.Y. (AP) - The owner of the New York house made famous in the 1979 film "The Amityville Horror" is holding a moving sale. The five-bedroom Dutch Colonial on Long Island has been on the market since May for $1.15 million and is under contract. Owner Brian Wilson is holding a moving sale Saturday. Items include furniture and exercise equipment, not loot from the house's infamous past.      The Oscar-nominated film is based on the story of the Lutz family's brief stay in the house in 1975 after six members of the DeFeo family were shot and killed as they slept. Oldest son Ronald DeFeo Jr. was convicted.  The crime spawned a book and a series of movies that chronicled various supernatural horrors, including visions of walls oozing slime and moving furniture.

Ex-Gov. Blagojevich appears at Chicago Comic Con

ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) - Former Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich compared himself to a superhero as he stood alongside folks dressed as Superman and Batman at the Chicago Comic Con.  Blagojevich said Saturday at the show in suburban Chicago that he draws inspiration from the superheroes as he faces his own battles. He charged $80 for each photo taken with him and $50 for autographs.   Some fans said Blagojevich earned the money and that he needs it because he isn't working.  While touring the floor, Blagojevich picked up a red "Batphone" and joked that he was calling his lawyer.  A federal jury convicted Blagojevich this week of lying to the FBI but deadlocked on 23 other charges. Prosecutors plan to retry him.  Actors William Shatner and Adam West are also at the Comic Con.