Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Security laid off in NorCo

SUNBURY – Eight Northumberland County security guards have been notified that their services are no longer needed.  Northumberland County Chief Clerk Kymberley Best tells us the security guards were laid off in a cost cutting measure with local company, Allied Barton, taking over the job.  Best says outsourcing Allied Barton will save the county about $60,000 a year. 

The eight workers were notified Tuesday that they will be out of a job at the end of March, but Best says they can apply to work for Allied Barton, although there are no job guarantees.  Allied Barton will take over security detail in Northumberland County April 1^st, with jobs such as guarding the doors at the county courthouse.  (Ali Stevens)

Lark’s preliminary hearing delayed

SUNBURY – The preliminary hearing for a Northumberland woman accused of stealing nearly $300,000 from the Northumberland Borough Sewer Authority has been delayed.  Cynthia Lark’s attorney asked for a continuance, which was granted by District Judge Robert Bolton.  This delays the hearing until April 7^th. 

An investigation into the misuse of funds found that Lark, the Authority’s former clerk and a former member of the borough council, was putting additional money on her paycheck, and forging signatures of the Authority’s president and accountant. 

The theft was nearly $300,000 over a 5-year period.  She stepped down from both positions last week, and is free on $20,000 bail. (Sara Bartlett) 

Washingtonville farm shed fire ruled accidental

WASHINGTONVILLE – A fire Saturday night that destroyed a shed, pen and workshop at a farm near Washingtonville has been ruled accidental in nature.  State Police Fire Marshal Norman Fedder says the fire started in a garage in the area of a battery charger on the Ralph Snook property at 1626 Continental Boulevard. 

Three hogs were killed in the fire and some farm equipment was destroyed.  The fire started around 10 :00p.m. on Saturday and took crews from Washingtonville, Millville, Riverside, Valley Township and Warrior Run about one hour to bring it under control.  Damage is estimated at $35,000 and Fedder says Snook is not insured.  (Ali Stevens)

Lewisburg fire cause undetermined

LEWISBURG – The cause of a fire that destroyed a Lewisburg home and left a family of seven homeless has been ruled undetermined in origin.  A state police fire marshal says the blaze that broke out around 3:30p.m. Sunday at 83 Whitetail Lane originated in the garage area where there was a stand up freezer and spread to the home.  Because of the amount of damage, no cause could be determined.  The home is owned by Edwin Martin.  Damage is estimated at $115,000. (Sara Bartlett) 

Changes coming to the 570 area code

HARRISBURG – Changes are on the way for those in the “570” area code as the last phone numbers available will soon be gone.  Jennifer Kocher of the Public Utility Commission tells us public hearings have been held to get public input on what to do when all the numbers in the “570”area code are taken. 

Kocher explains one of the options being considered is called an overlay, which means once the “570” area code numbers are all taken, any new numbers that would be issued would have a different area code. 

The other option is a “geographic split” and that would take the “570” area code and split it, with one section retaining the “570” area code and another section getting a new area code.  There are currently four options on how the area would be split and the PUC would have to choose one option. 

The final public hearing will take place at the end of March in Lock Haven. You can learn more about the “570” area code changes on the Public Utility Commission’s website at www.puc.state.pa.us.  (Ali Stevens)

Sunbury horse found safe

SUNBURY – The owner of a horse missing since Monday night tells us the horse has been found safe and is doing well.  The 1,800-pound mare bolted though a fence along Mile Run Road south of Sunbury and a neighbor about a mile away found the horse Tuesday. 

The owner tells us the neighbor, who found the mare, heard about the missing horse on our sister station 94KX and contacted State Police.  The neighbor brought the horse in and kept the mare safe. The horse named “John Quill” has been returned to the owner and is said to be doing very well today.  

A local “biggest loser” competition

LEWISBURG – If you’ve seen the television show The Biggest Loser, an upcoming event in Lewisburg may grab your interest.  The Flock of Friends Relay for Life team is holding a fun competition to raise money for the relay and offer a cash prize to the winner.  Organizer Tara Michaels says for $30.00 all are welcome to enter the weight loss competition. 

Michaels says they have teamed up with the Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority, and included in the fee are classes and activities, as well as confidential body measurements and weigh-ins each week to keep everyone on track of their goals. 

The winner of the competition will win half of the registration money, and the other half will be donated to Relay for Life.  All are invited to participate.  The competition begins next month, but pre-registration is encouraged.  For more information or to register you can e-mail michaels@dejazzd.com, call 522-8334, or go online to www.golara.org. (Sara Bartlett)

Moving forward with elementary school construction

DANVILLE – The Danville School Board has moved forward on construction of a new elementary school.  The board voted unanimously on Tuesday to award contracts to five low bidders, totaling $18-million.  Contracts were awarded for general construction, electrical work, heating and air-conditioning, plumbing and fire protection.  Construction on the elementary school is expected to begin early next month.  The total cost of the project could reach almost $23-million according to school officials. (Ali Stevens)

Cow rescued

WINFIELD – Firefighters from the Union Township Fire Department and William Cameron Engine Company were able to rescue a cow that fell into the deep end of a swimming pool in the Winfield area Tuesday afternoon.  The Standard-Journal reports the cow fell into a pool at 305 Amish Road in Union Township while the homeowner was mowing the grass. 

Port Trevorton woman injured when her bike is struck by a car

PORT TREVORTON – A Port Trevorton woman was taken to Geisinger Medical Center with moderate injuries after a car while riding her bicycle struck her. State police say 23-year-old Christie Martin was riding her bike down a driveway and tried to turn onto Routes 11 and 15 near Ferry Hill Road.

Troopers say a passing motorists struck her Monday morning. Martin was transported to Geisinger Medical Center with moderate injuries, but her condition is not known. The driver from Port Trevorton was not injured and will not be charged for the incident. (Ali Stevens)

Unofficial candidate list outlines races to watch

HARRISBURG – Candidates running for the State House or the US Congress had until Tuesday afternoon to file petitions with the Department of State. An unofficial candidates list was revised late in the day. Local election officials stress that petitions filed have yet to be evaluated and certified, a task that won’t be completed until the 29th of the month.

Two Republicans and four Democrats are among candidates who are looking to succeed retiring Democrat Bob Belfanti (D-107th, Mount Carmel). Kurt Masser of Ralpho Township and Sam Scicchitano will vie for the GOP nomination.

Democrats in search of their party’s 107th District nomination include Myron Turlis of Kulpmont, George Zalar of Coal Township, Ted Yeager of Ralpho Township and alternative energy promoter Steve Bartos. The Mount Carmel Democrat is on Belfanti’s staff. Republican Michael Engle was among names heard early, but apparently did not file.

There will likely be a Republican primary to see who will succeed the retiring Merle Phillips (R-108th, Sunbury). His legislative aide Lynda Schlegel-Culver is on the candidate list, as is Northumberland County Controller Chuck Erdman, and former county commissioner Sam Deitrick.

Stanley Geiswhite of Sunbury and Ken Snyder were names talked of earlier, but were not on the list supplied late Tuesday by the Department of State. Antonio Michetti of Jordan Township remains the lone Democrat.

Meantime, Three Republicans are vying for the nomination that they hope will see them win the state house seat held for years by the retiring Russ Fairchild (R-85th, Winfield). Maurice Brubaker and Betsy Snook of East Buffalo Township, as well as Fred Keller of Middlecreek Township have filed. Trey Casimir of Lewisburg is the lone Democrat.

And a couple of republicans whose names were mentioned early for the 10th District GOP congressional nomination did not apparently have enough support to file. Steven Solieri of Lake Ariel and Pike County’s Ted Yale were not on the candidates list.

However, Republicans Malcolm Derk, Tom Marino and David Madeira were. They will likely be in a May primary, and the winner among them will face incumbent Democrat Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock), who is running without a challenge from his party. (Matt Farrand)

Woman who hired hitman seeks shorter sentence

SUNBURY – A woman expected to serve up to 17 ½ years behind bars for trying to hire someone to kill her ex-boyfriend will not be granted a lesser sentence. 30-year-old Christeen Smith filed a post-sentence motion in Northumberland County for a reduced sentence from the one she received several weeks ago.

President Judge Robert Sacavage denied the request and also will not allow her to withdraw her guilty plea to aggravated assault. Smith pleaded guilty in exchange for charges of criminal solicitation of homicide and terroristic threats being dropped against her. Smith was arrested in April of 2008 when police say she tried to hire an undercover state trooper to kill Donald Ellis of Sunbury. (Ali Stevens)

Local attorney kicks off campaign for 108th seat

HERNDON – Local Attorney Antonio Michetti has kicked off his campaign for the 108th State House Seat currently held by State Representative Merle Phillips (R-108th, Sunbury). The Democrat says he has received hundreds of signatures from supporters in Snyder and Northumberland counties. Petitions are due today (Tuesday) for those interested in running.

Michetti is the lone Democrat in the race. Republicans running include Northumberland County Controller Chuck Erdman, former Northumberland County Commissioner Sam Deitrick, Wood-Mode employee Stanley Geiswhite, Representative Phillip’s legislative aide Lynda Schlegel-Culver and Riverside resident Ken Snyder.

Safety changes in Winfield will improve Rt. 15

SUNBURY – Road projects to enhance safety along Route 15 near Winfield will get underway this summer. Union Township Supervisor Billy Allred says they have committed to PennDOT that two intersections with Route 15, at Seven Kitchens Road and Reitz Avenue, will be reconfigured.

He says the two roads will be combined into a new road in between the original roads. They are also purchasing a small plot of lane along the railroad to construct the road. Allred says it will make a much safer driving area. Allred says the reconfiguration is consistent with the planned bridge in the CSVT project and will be paid for through safety funds issued by the federal government.

Other road projects in that area include road widening, creating a turning lane and adding shoulders to the area of Route 15 near the Route 304 intersection. Construction is expected to begin this summer. Traffic will be able to get through during the work, with only one lane being closed at a time. (Sara Bartlett)

Bucknell volunteers fight local hunger

LEWISBURG – Bucknell University hosted their annual Empty Bowls program Tuesday. The program is a fundraiser, with proceeds going to Community Harvest; a free meal served to community members in need each weekday in the Milton area.

Poppy Goforth, Director Community Service at Bucknell, says Empty Bowls is their biggest fundraiser, with each participant giving $10.00. They get a bowl; made by Bucknell students, and can eat from a soup buffet. Gretchen Heuges, Director of the Craft Center at Bucknell, oversaw the making of over 300 bowls for the event.

She says Empty Bowls merges art and creativity with the great cause of fighting local hunger. Bucknell volunteers serve the free Community Harvest meal every Monday at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church in Milton from 4:30-7:30p.m. Goforth says they generally serve about 200 people each week. (Sara Bartlett)

Centralia residents claim fraud

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - The few remaining residents of Centralia claim in court papers that a “massive fraud” is being perpetrated against the town by parties seeking to grab the mineral rights to millions of dollars worth of coal.

In a filing Monday, four property owners and the borough asked a state appeals court to block Pennsylvania officials from seizing their homes. The state condemned the homes in the early 1990’s but only recently moved to oust the remaining holdouts.

Centralia all but ceased to exist in the 1980’s as the 48-year-old underground mine fire spread underneath homes and businesses. More than 1,000 people moved out. The holdouts say they have evidence that the fire isn't a threat and may never have endangered the town.

More theft charges against Norry woman

NORTHUMBERLAND – Point Township police have filed more charges against a woman already facing charges of felony burglary and theft. 40-year-old Kristin Bowersox was arraigned last week after she was accused of stealing $180 from a client while working as a personal care attendant for the Visiting Nursing Association.

Bowersox was suspended for also stealing $400 from another client two months ago. Bowersox apparently admitted to keeping the $400 given to her by the client. Bowersox was released on bail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before District Judge Robert Bolton on Wednesday. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, business and entertainment

STROUDSBURG, Pa. (AP) - The wife of a veteran Pennsylvania lawmaker killed in a head-on crash in the Poconos has testified at the vehicular homicide and drunken driving trial of the man charged in his death.  Mary Edith Rhoades suffered broken ribs, a punctured lung, a shattered knee and other injuries in the 2008 crash that killed her husband, Sen. James Rhoades.  She says 46-year-old Thomas Senavitis crossed over the center line and slammed into their Cadillac with his pickup truck. She testified that her husband, asked by a paramedic right after the crash to name of the president of the United States, was unable to do so.  She says, "I knew something was very wrong then." Rhoades died the following day.  Police say Senavitis had a blood-alcohol level more than four times the legal limit for driving.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner wants Gov. Ed Rendell to extend the already-expired application period for residential property tax cuts financed by taxes on slot-machine gambling.     Wagner said Wednesday he has asked Rendell to issue an executive order extending the deadline for this year's "homestead exclusion" program to April 15.  He says he wants homeowners who are confused about the program to have extra time to apply.  Doug Hill of the Pennsylvania County Commissioners Association says he doubts the governor could order a change in the March 1 deadline because it is clearly spelled out in state law.  Hill noted the tax cut is called an exclusion because it excludes a portion of a property's value from taxation.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The man who was the top-ranking Democrat in the state House of Representatives until a little more than a year ago will not be testifying in the Harrisburg public-corruption trial. Attorney Bill Costopoulos declined to say whether Rep. Bill DeWeese had invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. he said only that DeWeese will not be a witness in the trial of three former legislative aides and Mike Veon – the No. 2 ranking leader until late 2006. DeWeese was himself charged in December as a result of the same investigation. His name has arisen repeatedly during the trial of Veon and the others. Bryan Walk, attorney for defendant Brett Cott, said DeWeese had been at the top of the defense's witness wish list.

WINDSOR HEIGHTS, Iowa (AP) - Former Republican Sen. Rick Santorum is telling Iowa evangelicals that he was once a "pro-life fraud" who only gave lip service to the abortion issue. Now he's calling himself a national anti-abortion leader. The former Pennsylvania lawmaker told the Iowa Christian Alliance on Tuesday night that he's come to welcome attacks on his conservative views on abortion. Santorum says conservatives must be rallied by the Obama administration. He argues that liberals have already launched attacks on religious and social conservatives. The speech is part of Santorum's second swing through Iowa. Religious conservatives play a key role in the Iowa precinct caucuses that traditionally launch the presidential nominating season.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A suburban Philadelphia woman who called herself JihadJane online has been charged with using the Internet to recruit jihadist fighters and help terrorists overseas. Authorities say the case shows how terror groups are looking to recruit Americans to help carry out their goals. A federal indictment charges Colleen LaRose with agreeing to kill a Swedish citizen on orders from the terrorists and traveling to Europe to carry out the killing. It doesn't say whether the Swede was killed. A U.S. official speaking on condition of anonymity says LaRose targeted a Swedish cartoonist and discussed her plans with at least one person apprehended in Ireland today. The official wasn't authorized to discuss details of the investigation. LaRose has been in custody since Oct. 15. She was in court the next day but didn't enter a plea. Her federal public defender won't comment.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A state conduct board has conceded that it never investigated any of the complaints made against a disgraced former judge accused of taking kickbacks to place juveniles in for-profit detention centers. The Pennsylvania Judicial Conduct Board says it received four complaints about former Luzerne County Judge Michael Conahan in 2004, 2006 and 2008, but failed to conduct interviews or review any documents related to the complaints. The Legal Intelligencer of Philadelphia reports that the board made the admission in response to questions posed by a state panel investigating the so-called "kids for cash" scandal. Conahan and another former Luzerne County judge are charged in federal court with racketeering.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's Democratic primary for U.S. Senate is no longer a two-man race. Nominating petitions that were due today revealed a third contestant -- Joseph Vodvarka, a spring manufacturer from western Pennsylvania. Like his primary opponents - Sen. Arlen Specter and U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak - Vodvarka had to gather the signatures of at least 2,000 Democratic voters to qualify for the May 18 primary ballot. Vodvarka has not held public office before. He advocates smaller government, lower taxes and making English the national language. On the Republican side, former U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey and Johnstown activist Peg Luksik both filed petitions. The gubernatorial race produced no surprises. Filing petitions on time were Democrats Jack Wagner, Dan Onorato, Joe Hoeffel and Anthony Williams and Republicans Tom Corbett and Sam Rohrer.

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (AP) - A woman charged in a central Pennsylvania boat crash on the Susquehanna River that killed a teenage girl last summer has pleaded guilty to charges in the case and agreed to testify against her co-defendant. Barbara Hummer pleaded guilty Monday in Clinton County to criminal conspiracy to make false statements to police and obstruction of the administration of law. Authorities said she will testify against 51-year-old John Englert II, who faces charges including involuntary manslaughter and homicide by watercraft. Twelve-year-old Valerie Heidt of Howard was killed July 10 when two boats collided near Lock Haven. Authorities allege that Hummer and Englert conspired before police arrived to say Hummer was operating the boat. Englert was granted a delay in his trial Monday to allow the defense to line up expert witnesses.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Federal economic stimulus money soon will start providing rebates to Pennsylvanians on the purchase of new, Energy Star-rated hot-water heaters, furnaces and boilers. Gov. Ed Rendell said Tuesday that applications for rebates are expected to become available in April on the state's stimulus Web site, www.recovery.pa.gov. Rendell says the $11 million rebate program could benefit more than 30,000 Pennsylvania households and provide long-term energy savings. The rebates will be worth $100 to $500. The higher the equipment's efficiency rating, the larger the rebate. The rebates only apply to non-electric residential heating equipment. Rebates on electrical appliances may be available through regulated electric utility companies.

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

Updates on the latest in business

Dow: 10,575.12, up 10.74

S&P 500: 1,146.53, up 6.08

NASDAQ:  2,359.23, up 18.55

NEW YORK (AP) - Technology and financial shares are leading the market so far today. More stocks are higher than lower.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Labor Department says unemployment rose in 30 states in January. That's somewhat better than December, when 43 states reported higher unemployment rates.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is making a campaign-style effort to push for an overhaul of the nation's medical system. He's to speak today in suburban St. Louis and then travel to northeastern Ohio on Monday.

HARRISON, N.Y. (AP) - A New York police official says Toyota wants a Prius that was involved in a crash - but his department is "not prepared to release it just yet." The driver told police that the 2005 Prius inexplicably lurched down a driveway and into a stone wall yesterday.

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

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

Daily Number: 9-5-8

Big 4: 0-3-8-6

Quinto: 0-0-8-1-4

Treasure Hunt: 01-06-13-23-28

3-D boosts box office worldwide to record $30 bln

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The appeal of 3-D movies helped boost movie ticket sales to a record $29.9 billion worldwide in 2009.  That's according to the Motion Picture Association of America. The jump of nearly 8 percent was driven by a rise in ticket prices and the first increase in attendance in the U.S. and Canada in two years.  There were 20 movies released in 3-D last year, less than 4 percent of the total.  But they accounted for 11 percent of the $10.6 billion in ticket sales in the U.S. and Canada, representing almost all of the increase from a year ago.

'Lost Boys' actor Corey Haim dead in Burbank at 38

BURBANK, Calif. (AP) - The Los Angeles coroner's office says "The Lost Boys" actor Corey Haim is dead at 38.  Coroner's Lt. Cheryl MacWillie said Wednesday that Haim died at 2:15 a.m. at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank. She said an autopsy will determine the cause of death and there are no other details.  Canadian-born Haim became a teen heartthrob with the 1986 film "Lucas" and 1987's "The Lost Boys."  His first role was in the 1984 hit "Firstborn," in which he played a young child caught up in a family war. He then appeared in the 1985 television movie "A Time to Live."  In recent years, he appeared in the A&E reality TV show "The Two Coreys" with his friend Corey Feldman. It was canceled in 2008 after two seasons.

Rooftop Figures

NEW YORK (AP) - Those aren't jumpers -- they're art. The NYPD is worried an art display could trigger 911 calls. Life-size figures will soon be gazing down from buildings near a midtown Manhattan park. Police officials are concerned that some might mistake the sculptures for suicidal people poised to leap. The work is by Antony Gormley and was first displayed in London a few years ago.

3-D TV come to you soon

NEW YORK (AP) - Want 3-D? That will be 3-Gs, please. If you are looking to be the first to get your hands on the new line of 3-D TV sets - be prepared to pay dearly for those bragging rights. Samsung and Panasonic say the 3-D units will be in stores this week - and the cost will be about three grand. Samsung is offering two 3-D sets - a 46-inch model comes with two pairs of special glasses to provide the effect and a 3-D Blu-ray layer. Panasonic will have its units in stores today. While moviegoers have been embracing the recent releases of 3-D films like "Alice in Wonderland" and "Avatar," it's unclear whether TV viewers will be as smitten with the technology. For now, there are few programming options for the added dimension of depth - and there is still the problem of having to don those goofy glasses to watch a 3-D set.

Final Four to be shown in 3-D

NEW YORK (AP) - College basketball's Final Four will be shown in 3-D in movie theaters around the country. CBS announced that the men's basketball national semifinals on April 3 and the championship game two days later will be broadcast in 3-D in up to 100 theaters. TV networks have been experimenting with airing sports events in 3-D in theaters, and ESPN is planning to launch an entire 3-D channel. CBS College Sports Network announcers Dave Ryan and Steve Lappas will call the special 3-D Final Four broadcast.

Restaurant serves up...human breast milk

NEW YORK (AP) - How's this for a gourmet treat? It's cheese made from human breast milk. Manhattan chef Daniel Angerer posted his recipe for "mommy milk cheese" on his blog. He owns the Klee Brasserie with his wife, Lori Mason. The breast milk cheese is encrusted with maple caramelized pumpkin and Concord grapes. Angerer says they had an overabundance of milk for their newborn, Arabella Caroline. So, when the couple ran out of room in their small freezer, Angerer decided to experiment.

Barker donates $2.5 million to create PETA offices

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Bob Barker has donated $2.5 million to help the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals open a new location in Los Angeles. The retired game show host and spay and neuter champion will cut the ribbon Wednesday at the Bob Barker Building on Sunset Boulevard and Alvarado Street. PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk says Barker could have just given the group a refrigerator but instead he paid for an entire building to be renovated. The building will be home to the group's media, marketing, youth outreach and campaign departments. The 86-year-old Barker delivered his spay and neuter message on "The Price Is Right" for a quarter century. Since he retired in June of 2008, he has taken his activism on the road, promoting freedom for whales, an end to the fur trade and other causes.

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