Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Detective hired in Northumberland County
SUNBURY -- A detective has been hired in Northumberland County. Andrew Orzehowski's hiring was approved Tuesday by the Northumberland County Salary Board following DA Tony Rosini's recommendation. Orzehowski, who is from just outside of Sunbury, was most recently a state trooper at the Stonington barracks. He has 25 years of law enforcement experience.
Rosini says Orzehowski was initially hired to assist Sunbury Police with incidents in the Northumberland County Prison. Rosini says there have been reports of gang members in the prison, and because Sunbury Police have limited manpower, a detective could help expedite the filing of charges. A county detective has countywide jurisdiction, and can also assist other police departments. Orzehowski will start September 13th with a salary of $31,585. (Sara Bartlett)
Democratic candidate listed as Republican on absentee ballots
UNDATED -- About 40 local U.S. military members have received incorrect absentee ballots for Northumberland County. Antonio Michetti, Democratic candidate for the 108th legislative district, says his name was listed under 'Republican' on the ballots.
Michetti says he contacted the Northumberland County Elections Office about the error and they indicated they would mail new, corrected forms to military members who requested absentee ballots. Michetti says he wants every vote to count, especially those serving our country. He also says he notified his opponent, Republican Lynda Schlegel-Culver. (Sara Bartlett)
Selinsgrove building company lays off employees
SELINSGROVE -- About ten people remain employed at Penn Lyon Homes in Selinsgrove, following layoffs. The modular home builder, like many in the housing market, is struggling in the down economy. 82 employees were laid off and those remaining are office employees. There have been rumors that the business may close, but neither Snyder County Commissioners or officials from the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce who we contacted this week could confirm. The company was set to celebrate their 30th anniversary next year. (Sara Bartlett)
One person in custody after Bloomsburg stabbing
BLOOMSBURG – Police are investigating an early morning stabbing in Bloomsburg. The incident happened around 3:20 this morning in the 500 block of East 4th street. Bloomsburg police tell us Wendy Green of Bloomsburg stabbed Martin Simmons of Bloomsburg in the abdomen during a domestic dispute.
Green was arrested and will be arraigned this morning before District Judge Craig Long of Catawissa. Simmons was taken to Bloomsburg Hospital and then transported to Geisinger Medical Center. His condition is not yet available. (Ali Stevens)
Toys R Us is coming to the Susquehanna Valley Mall
SELINSGROVE – Good news for local toy shoppers! Toys R Us will be locating in the Susquehanna Valley Mall for the holiday shopping season. The store will be located near Boscov’s at the former Kay Bee Toys location. Toys R Us will be a temporary holiday tenant, but sources say they could stay longer if they are successful in their new location.
Currently the closest Toys R Us is located at the Lycoming Mall, and there is a toy story in Lewisburg (The Purple Platypus). The new Toys R Us store is expected to open at the Susquehanna Valley Mall sometime in September. (Ali Stevens)
Major injury reported in two-vehicle collision
LEWISBURG – A Lewisburg man is hospitalized after a Monday afternoon crash involving a car and a motorcycle. Geisinger Medical Center reports 52-year-old Dennis Sampsell is in fair condition after being ejected from his motorcycle when it was struck by a car at Colonel John Kelly and JPM Roads.
State troopers say 78-year-old Max Yost of Milton did not stop at a stop sign, and struck Sampsell who sustained a leg injury when he landed in the eastbound lane of Colonel John Kelly Road.
Sampsell was initially reported as driving a car. Yost will be cited for not stopping at the stop sign. (Matt Farrand)
Fuel cleanup postponed until Thursday
SHAMOKIN DAM -- A fuel spill cleanup in Shamokin Dam will be postponed until Thursday. Cleanup on Route 11 north of Tedd's Landing was to get underway Wednesday, but PennDOT says it will now begin Thursday.
A hazmat company will be on scene cleaning up fuel after a Sunday morning tractor-trailer crash. Traffic will be down to one lane with alternating flow controlled by flaggers between 8:00a.m.-4:00p.m. Motorists are asked to plan extra time for their travels.
President of Marcellus Shale Coalition says PA needs competitive severance tax
UNDATED -- The Marcellus Shale Coalition, a gas industry group, formed two years ago in Washington County, is an organization that works with partners all over Pennsylvania to encourage responsible natural gas drilling. President and Executive Director of the Coalition, Kathryn Klaber was a guest on On The Mark Tuesday.
She talks about having a competitive severance tax for drilling in the Marcellus Shale region. She says other states that have a severance tax, have key components to that tax. Klaber calls Pennsylvania 'a shining star' in the gas industry and wants to make sure there isn't a tax put in place that makes it overly punitive for companies to do business here.
The Coalition also works with businesses that see opportunities to work alongside the gas drilling companies, and looks at cost effective ways that the extracted gas could be used. You can hear more from Klaber by downloading Tuesday's On The Mark at www.wkok.com. (Sara Bartlett)
PennDOT says they underestimated traffic volume in Danville during construction work
DANVILLE – Following many complaints about heavy traffic in Danville while paving work was underway during the day on Route 11 at Route 54, PennDOT has admitted they should have done things differently. Dave Serra is the project engineer and was a guest on WKOK’s On The Mark program.
He says traffic on Route 11 north from Burger King to Route 54 was very heavy due to the left turning lane. Serra says that left turn lane was the one causing all the problems. He says contractors should have run the signal manually by opening up the control box and allowing a longer time for traffic to get through at the turn lane.
Motorists in Danville reported 20 to 45 minute delays while the project was ongoing. The paving project continues, however PennDOT says the work will all be done at night and no daytime work is planned. You can hear more from PennDOT and project engineer Dave Serra from WKOK’s Wednesday On The Mark program online at www.wkok.com. (Ali Stevens)
Art and Karen Bowen to head up the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way’s campaign
SELINSGROVE – Art and Karen Bowen of Bowen Agency Realtors have been selected as the campaign chairs for the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way’s annual campaign. The campaign will soon get underway.
Karen Bowen has been on the United Way board for about nine years and says she and her husband Art learned early on from their parents about the importance of giving back. Karen and Art talked about why they feel strongly about giving to the United Way, saying that giving helps so many organizations locally that impact all of us.
In addition, you can make one gift and allocate the money to one agency or spread your gift to all 30 agencies equally. Despite the tough economy, Art and Karen are optimistic about their fundraising efforts and remind folks that the money raised goes to help the people here in the Valley.
The United Way campaign will get underway in mid-September and many “loaned executives” will be visiting area businesses to educate employees about payroll deductions to support the United Way. To find out more about the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way go to www.gsvuw.org.
Woman released from hospital after Dewart fire
DEWART- A Dewart woman and her husband are now both out of hospitals after a fire heavily damaged their home on the morning of August 21st. Geisinger Medical Center says 79-year-old Helen Yordy was released August 29th, after being admitted in critical condition.
Her husband, 74-year-old Russell Yordy, sustained a back fracture and suffered from smoke inhalation, but was released from Lehigh Valley Hospital the day after the fire. The couple jumped from the second story of their home to escape the blaze at their home near Routes 405 and 44 in Dewart.
The fire was considered accidental in nature, and property damage was estimated at about $300,000. (Matt Farrand)
NorCo chiefs say they didn't receive promised money
SUNBURY -- Northumberland County Commissioners today (Tuesday) chastised U.S. Congressman Chris Carney's (D-10th, Dimock) office for failing to come through with $6 million needed for a mandatory upgrade on emergency radios in the county.
Commissioners Vinny Clausi and Kurt Masser said they were assured that at least $5 million would be available for the upgrade. Only $1 million has come through, and that money was for a different purpose. The commissioners turned down that money and decided to seek proposals on borrowing money to upgrade the radios.
Meantime, a spokesman from Carney's office says the Congressman was 'proud to help Northumberland County secure a $1 million appropriation for the county's Emergency's Operations Center.' The statement goes on to say that Carney is 'disappointed the county turned down the funds.'
Carney's spokesman said, 'the congressman makes absolutely no funding assurances when municipalities submit requests and he fights on behalf of every project request that is submitted to the Appropriations Committee.'
Commissioners pick Kaleta fight
SUNBURY -- Commissioners vs. Kaleta is the name of the latest spat with a property owner. The Northumberland County Commissioners voted to end a lease with Coal Township resident David Kaleta. The $1.00 per year lease on 500 acres will end Kaleta's lease and allow exploration to the coal land he leases for an undisclosed big project that will be in that area.
Kaleta had argued he wanted the land to keep a pristine, undeveloped area in Northumberland County. But, commissioners says Kaleta has roped off the area and not allowing anyone to use it. They also say the $1.00 per year lease is inappropriate.
Preservation proponent irked by commissioner’s decision
COAL TOWNSHIP – Tuesday’s decision by Northumberland County Commissioners to terminate a one-dollar per year lease of 500 acres in Coal Township is not sitting well with the man who leased it. Habitat for Wildlife President David Kaleta says his group used the arrangement to improve the unused coal land, and spent thousands of dollars to do just that.
Kaleta believes commissioners took the action they did as retaliation against his call to keep a portion of the proposed Northumberland County OHV park as a vehicle free zone for wildlife. Meantime, he’s baffled by the decision in view of his group’s support of the park, and notes that other groups in the Shamokin area hope to pass a public referendum that would keep the project from progressing.
Commissioners say the public was kept away from the leased land, and one dollar per year fee was simply inappropriate. They hope to use the land in Coal Township as part of an as-yet undisclosed project. (Matt Farrand)
Katrina volunteers speak out about their experience
NORTHUMBERLAND -- As we continue to look back five years when Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and parts of Alabama and Mississippi, we talk to another local volunteer. Bill Shoemaker, of Northumberland, volunteered twice with the Red Cross after Hurricane Katrina. Shoemaker says he worked mainly in a mental health capacity, trying to get resources for those who lost their homes.
Shoemaker says the volunteers also occasionally needed the assistance of a mental health professional, since they would work long hours and sometimes not be able to talk to family members. Shoemaker says he is hopeful, but doesn't know if any of the places that were destroyed in New Orleans five years ago will ever get back to the way they were. (Sara Bartlett)
Tom Marino challenges opponent to more debates
LEWISBURG -- Republican candidate for the 10th Congressional District Tom Marino says, when it comes to his campaign, 'what you see, is what you get.' Marino was in the Lewisburg Tuesday and said he is not afraid to talk about the tough issues facing the 10th district.
Marino used his time, in front of about two dozen people, to challenge his Democratic opponent, incumbent Congressman Christ Carney (D-10th, Dimock) to more debates. He says that would help the 10th district see the differences between he and Carney.
There is one debate scheduled between Carney and Marino at the end of October, but Marino says that is not enough. He says he wants Carney to answer questions including, why Carney voted for the healthcare bill when he said he wouldn't, why Carney voted for the stimulus, and why he supported the expansion of TARP.
Marino was also endorsed by three local officials Tuesday. They included Union County District Attorney Pete Johnson, Union County Commissioner Preston Boop and Hartleton Police Chief Donald Zerbe. (Sara Bartlett)
Danville condo project in works
DANVILLE – High-end condominia could be coming to Danville. Tim Carr, of Villager Realty is purchasing the former Cabinet Industries Property in Danville. The structure was recently damaged by fire when the owner of the building was working inside, despite a court order to stop demolition.
Carr lives in Riverside, across the river from the Cabinet Industries building and tells us the courts endorsed the sale of the property from owner Gib Spradlin to himself for $280,000. The property is more than two acres and Carr would like to construct 27 high-end condominiums overlooking the river.
He says there will be two different types of condos in the building including a larger model at 3,000 square feet and a small model at about 19-hundred square feet. An environmental study is being done on the property before construction can proceed.
Meanwhile, Spradlin remains behind bars for violating a court order. He sparked a fire while using a blow torch inside the building earlier this month, destroying part of the vacant building. (Ali Stevens)
Stop Diabetes Month Person of the Year works to assist diabetes patients
SUNBURY – The radio stations of Sunbury Broadcasting Corporation teamed up with Sunbury Community Hospital during the month of August for Stop Diabetes Month. Beth Ginck of Northumberland is the winner of the Stop Diabetes Month Person of the Year award.
The month is an effort to educate the public about the growing problem of Diabetes and the ways you can detect the disease and treat it properly. Ginck has had diabetes for 25 years after being diagnosed at 19 years old. She says some people don’t even know they have it or are misdiagnosed because symptoms often mask as other concerns.
Ginck works with diabetes patients, helping them monitor blood sugars. She says technology keeps getting better for patients when it comes to treatments. Sunbury Community Hospital CEO Jeff Hunt says Stop Diabetes Month was a success since they put the spotlight on Diabetes.
Beth Ginck will receive a one-year membership to the YMCA in Sunbury and a free sub from Subway every week for a year, amongst other prizes. She says she enjoyed the experience and was happy to bring diabetes to the forefront this month. (Ali Stevens)
Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Dan Onorato says Republican rival Tom Corbett sees only the industry's side in the debate over natural-gas drilling in Pennsylvania. Onorato told reporters Wednesday that Corbett's opposition to a new severance tax on drilling over the Marcellus Shale formation underscores the hands-off approach he advocates for dealing with the industry. Onorato favors imposing the tax to shore up funding for environmental enforcement, maintain local infrastructure and preserve open space. Campaign spokesman Kevin Harley says Corbett views the drilling rush as a means of generating other economic activity, not as a direct source of revenue. Harley said a new tax might drive the industry out of Pennsylvania. The Legislature plans to consider a Marcellus Shale tax when it convenes later this month, before the Nov. 2 election.
MILLINGTON, Md. (AP) - An EPA official says Virginia has asked for a few more days to file its Chesapeake Bay restoration plans to make sure the governor fully supports the plan. Wednesday is the deadline for the six states in the bay watershed to deliver their plans to the federal Environmental Protection Agency for meeting goals under a strategy ordered by President Barack Obama. EPA official Jon Capacasa made the comments during a teleconference with reporters on the state plans. Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell wrote EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson in June expressing concerns about the strategy being developed, saying he wanted to be sure sound science was supporting requirements being placed on the states.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Four new TV ads in Pennsylvania's U.S. Senate campaign began airing in the past week. The latest ad, sponsored by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, started Wednesday in the race between Democrat Joe Sestak and Republican Pat Toomey. That ad and another by the Sestak campaign attack Toomey's statements that he favors eliminating corporate taxes and allowing younger workers to deposit a portion of the Social Security payroll tax they pay into private investment accounts. Meanwhile, two other Washington-based groups, Club for Growth and Crossroads, are airing ads criticizing Sestak. The Crossroads ad singles out Sestak's support for the part of the new federal health care law that expands public coverage for the poor but cuts Medicare reimbursements and raises taxes on employers that don't provide employee health insurance.
COLLINGDALE, Pa. (AP) - Multiple explosions have been reported at a welding supply company in suburban Philadelphia and police are evacuating the area. Delaware County Emergency Services Director Ed Truitt says the explosions happened just before 1 p.m. Wednesday at Scully Welding Supply in Collingdale. Truitt says explosions were still happening when firefighters arrived. No injuries were immediately reported. Broadcast footage shows firefighters dousing flames between a pair of large tanks and debris littering the area between the tanks and nearby buildings. Truitt says authorities are evacuating about a quarter-mile in all directions for safety reasons. The site of the explosion is in a largely industrial area. Truitt says police have requested assistance with evacuations and a hazardous materials team has been dispatched to the scene.
MILLINGTON, Md. (AP) - The Environmental Protection Agency says it is coordinating funding with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Chesapeake Bay restoration. Officials from the two agencies plan to visit an Eastern Shore farm on Wednesday to talk about how projects totaling $5.5 million will help meet goals under a strategy mandated by President Barack Obama's executive order. EPA spokesman Travis Loop says the projects represent unprecedented coordination because of the order. The six bay states also face a Wednesday deadline for plans to meet the strategy's goals. Agriculture is a key source of bay pollution and farmers have achieved some of the greatest pollution cuts. However, some have questioned whether those gains are being accurately tracked.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The city of Harrisburg has notified bond trustees that it cannot make a payment coming due this month on its regular general obligation bonds. Mayor Linda Thompson's interim chief of staff, Robert Kroboth, told trustees in a letter Monday that the city's financial situation "precludes us from making any transfer ... for these debt service payments at this time." Kroboth said the city was developing "a comprehensive plan to meet its debt obligations in the near future." Ambac Assurance, which will make the payment, could not be reached for comment. Mayoral spokesman Chuck Ardo said failure to make the Sept. 15 payment "will have no immediate impact on city services." The payment for nearly $3.3 million on a 1997 debt refunding is separate from massive debt payments on a costly overhaul to the city incinerator that has threatened to drag the city into bankruptcy.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A federal judge says a suburban Philadelphia school district embroiled in a laptop spying scandal must pay a family's lawyer about $260,000. Lower Merion School District was ordered Monday to pay attorney Mark Haltzman for work done in a civil case involving allegations school officials improperly used webcam-enabled laptops to spy on students. Senior U.S. District Judge Jan DuBois says Haltzman deserves to be paid for work he did that led to an injunction barring the district from secretly monitoring activity on school-provided laptops. Haltzman represents Blake Robbins, who claims the district photographed him 400 times in a 15-day period last fall, sometimes as he slept or was half-dressed. District officials say they are disappointed in the judge's decision.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Updates on the latest in business:
Dow: 10,269.50, up 254.75
S&P 500: 1,080.29, up 30.96
NASDAQ: 2,176.84, up 62.81
Strong stocks...Auto sales fade...New iPods
NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks are rising strongly to begin the month of September. Investors were heartened by some stronger-than-expected data on manufacturing today. The Dow has been up more than 200 points.
DETROIT (AP) - Auto sales were fading last month. General Motors' August sales fell 7 percent from July, while Ford's sales were down 5 percent from the previous month.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Apple CEO Steve Jobs has announced a new line of iPods, including a Nano model that has a touch screen and lacks buttons. And, in a refresh of the iPod Touch, Apple is adding video-chat features similar to the newest iPhone.
NEW YORK (AP) - Shares of Burger King Holdings are sizzling today. There have been published reports the fast food chain is in talks to be acquired by a private equity firm.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Major banks are agreeing to give local governments and nonprofit groups the ability to buy foreclosed homes before they are sold to private investors. The Obama administration says local officials could benefit from acquiring these properties and renovating them or using the land for redevelopment projects.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Pennsylvania Lottery Number
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn Wednesday:
Mega Millions
Estimated jackpot: $16 million
Midday Big 4
2-8-4-7
Midday Number
5-6-0
Midday Quinto
6-9-3-9-5
Powerball
Estimated jackpot: $34 million
Treasure Hunt
04-10-13-15-23
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn Tuesday:
Big 4
7-7-6-3
Cash 5
01-06-11-15-27
Daily Number
0-3-6
Evening Quinto
9-1-6-5-6
Mega Millions
10-20-29-47-48, Mega Ball: 38
Megaplier
3
Midday Big 4
3-8-3-5
Midday Number
1-6-2
Midday Quinto
0-9-6-8-1
Treasure Hunt
01-06-13-15-29
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Patrick Wayne gets Pa. Jimmy Stewart museum honor
INDIANA, Pa. (AP) - Actor Patrick Wayne is being honored later this year by a western Pennsylvania museum dedicated to actor Jimmy Stewart. At an Oct. 23 ceremony Wayne will receive one of the museum's Harvey Awards for himself and another for his late father, western movie star John Wayne. The James M. Stewart Museum Foundation is based in Stewart's hometown, Indiana, Pa., about 45 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Patrick Wayne appeared in the movie "Shenandoah" with Stewart. His father appeared in "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" and "The Shootist" with Stewart. Past Harvey Award winners include June Allyson, Janet Leigh, Shirley Jones, Ernest Borgnine and Rich Little. The award is named for the 1950 film in which Stewart befriends an invisible rabbit.
Miranda Lambert sets CMA record
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Miranda Lambert has set a CMA record with nine nominations, more than any woman in the group's history. Only Alan Jackson ever got more nominations. He picked up 10 in 2002. Lambert is up for entertainer of the year, along with Lady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban. Last year's winner, Taylor Swift, isn't nominated. Lambert will compete with her fiancé Blake Shelton in three categories, single and video of the year and music event of the year. She had to call Shelton with the news because a storm knocked out his satellite reception. Lambert says this year has been "just incredible" between these nominations, her three ACM awards in March and her engagement. Winners will be announced Nov. 10 in Nashville.
Douglas' stage 4 cancer
NEW YORK (AP) -- Michael Douglas has revealed that his throat cancer is worse that we originally realized. Douglas told David Letterman that he has late, stage-four cancer, which he says "is intense." But he says the cancer hasn't spread, so doctors are giving him an 80 percent chance or better of beating it. Douglas says this type of cancer wasn't caused by his smoking, but by his drinking. Douglas says a tumor the size of a walnut is on the base of his tongue. His wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones tells People that she's furious that doctors didn't find the tumor earlier, considering that Douglas had spent months going to doctors for pain in his throat and ear.
Feds appeal order blocking stem cell research
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration has appealed a federal judge's order that undercuts federally funded embryonic stem cell research. The Justice Department on Tuesday filed its appeal with the U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia. Federal officials want U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth to reconsider his restraining order. Lamberth blocked government funding of embryonic stem cell research last week. Dozens of experiments aimed at fighting spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's disease and other ailments probably will stop during the legal proceedings.
Rolling Stones featured in two games
UNDATED (AP) - The Rolling Stones have two games coming out all about them: Rolling Stones Monopoly and Rolling Stones Trivial Pursuit. The Monopoly game use Stones' albums as properties. They're lined up roughly in chronological order, which means 2008's "Shine A Light" is Boardwalk and 2005's "A Bigger Bang" is Park Place. Players don't put houses and hotels on them -- they put gold and platinum records on them. The tokens are Tumblin' Dice, Wild Horses, a drum set, a road case, a tour bus and the Stones lips logo. The Trivial Pursuit game includes 2,400 questions about the Stones and they were edited by Bill Wyman. The Stones lips logo is on the die and on the scoring wedges. The Stones Monopoly is out this month, and Stones Trivial Pursuit will be out in October.
Pot growers make a big mistake
RED BLUFF, Calif. (AP) - Authorities in California can thank pot growers for giving them the evidence. State game wardens were looking for deer poachers Monday night. The pot growers apparently thought the wardens' pickup truck was one of their own. State Department of Fish and Game spokesman Pat Foy says the pot growers started tossing duffel bags full of marijuana into the truck. Authorities say the wardens managed to arrest two men and seize a shotgun. Three other men escaped back into a Northern California national forest.
Golf Fire
IRVINE, Calif. (AP) - Forget "Fore!" "Fire!" was the cry of the day for a golfer whose off-target swing sparked a 12-acre blaze in Southern California. The golfer at the Shady Canyon Golf Course in Irvine landed a shot in the rough Saturday. On his next swing, his club snagged a rock, causing a spark that lit the rough ablaze and eventually attracted 150 firefighters to the scene. Fire officials say the fire burned through the rough, into vegetation next to the course and over two dry, brushy hillsides. No charges were filed against the golfer, whose name was withheld.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)