Sunday, January 3, 2010

Fire destroys Northumberland Borough garage

NORTHUMBERLAND – Firefighters spent about two hours Sunday morning putting out a garage fire on the Adam Klock property in Northumberland Borough.  Reports from the scene indicated the garage, which is separate from a historic residence, was engulfed.  Firefighters from Northumberland Borough, Snyder and Montour Counties were among those who responded to the fire in the 200-block of King Street.  There were no injuries reported, and firefighters cleared the scene shortly after noon.  (Matt Farrand)

Bookstore owner to move shop to Vicksburg

LEWISBURG – The owner of an independent bookstore in Lewisburg admits coffee and shopping for books go together.  That’s partly why Murrie Zlotziver is moving his shop to Vicksburg next month, and will share a space with a coffee shop.  He’s owned Page After Page since 2008.  However, Zlotziver has also been an outspoken critic of the government, Lewisburg Downtown Partnership and Bucknell help to locate a Barnes & Noble bookstore only a few doors from Zlotziver’s store on Market Street.

Gourmet coffee has been a feature of the big chain bookseller since the 1980’s.  Their Lewisburg location would also serve as the primary bookstore for Bucknell University and is expected to open this year.  Zlotziver expects to open in his new location February 3^rd. Zlotziver will be calling the WKOK Live Telephone Talkshow On The Mark, tomorrow (Monday) during the 9a.m. hour. (Matt Farrand)

Drivers, passenger injured in Route 15 crash

LEWISBURG – Six were injured in a Saturday afternoon highway crash near Lewisburg.  State Police say a vehicle driven by 23-year-old Tyler Richner of Muncy clipped the rear of a vehicle driven by 58-year-old Leal Smith of Milton, which was stopped a light on Route 15 and AJK Boulevard.  Both drivers were injured, as were the passengers in Richner’s car, 46-year-old Julie Artley of Muncy, as well as a boy and a girl.  18-year-old Caitlyn Smith of Milton was a passenger in Smith’s car, and was also injured.  Troopers say all the injuries are minor, but Richner will be cited for careless driving.  (Matt Farrand) 

Upper Northumberland County crash injures two

TURBOTVILLE – State Police say a motorist from Watsontown will be cited for making a careless left turn after a Wednesday afternoon crash that injured another motorist and passenger.  84-year-old John Nicholas drove into the path of an oncoming vehicle along Route 405 as he attempted to make a left turn into a driveway.  Troopers say 28-year-old Kimberly Erb of Montgomery was driving the other vehicle and sustained moderate injuries.  28-year old Nicholas Kinney of Montgomery was her passenger and sustained a minor injury.  The 4:00 p.m. crashed closed Route 405 for several hours.  (Matt Farrand)

A detailed view on poverty and its effects on children.

SUNBURY –  Roundtable this week is an encore discussion of the effects of poverty on children. Robert Andrews, Pastor Grove Presbyterian Church and Dr. Paul Kettlewell of Geisinger Pediatric Psychology talk about children and poverty, effects of poverty on children's education, social insecurity and the long term impact of income inequality.

They also discuss the causes of poverty, effects of recession on poverty and the trend for childhood poverty to lead to greater stress and insecurity due to poverty. Dr. Kettlewell says poverty predetermines many children’s emotional problems. They also discuss about the various preschool programs, benefit of capitalism and other topics involved with children and poverty.

You can hear Roundtable Talkradio 1380 WMLP (1380AM), 11a.m., 94KX WQKX (94.1FM) at 11p.m., and anytime, at www.wkok.com. (Renjini S)

December by the numbers

SELINSGROVE – There were no fatalities, but State Police based in Selinsgrove say they responded to more than two highway crashes per day in December.  Troopers say they were called to 65 crashes during the last month of 2009.  Seventeen motorists, passengers or pedestrians were injured, and there were 12 arrests for suspicion of DUI.  Citations outnumbered warnings by nearly 10-to-1, and there were six hit and run crashes. 

Otherwise, there were 99 criminal offenses reported, and 60 criminal arrests.  Figures only reflect State Police actions, and do not include incidents responded to only by local police.  (Matt Farrand) 

Evangelical, GMC welcome first babies of 2010

UNDATED – Local maternity wards welcomed new arrivals on New Year’s morning.  Daniel and Alyssa Reid of Sunbury are the parents the first youngster born at Evangelical Community Hospital in the new decade.  A nursing supervisor says Danica Reid arrived at 12:12 a.m.  She weighed in at 7 pounds 12 ounces. 

Meantime, A Bloomsburg couple is blessed with the first baby of the New Year at Geisinger Medical Center.  Megan Gusick gave birth to a 7 pound 10 ounce boy at 5:55 a.m.  This is the first baby for Megan and her husband, Edward Gusick.  Both baby and mom are said to be doing well.  (Staff)

Full-time patrolman hired in Point Township

POINT TOWNSHIP – A new patrolman has been hired in Point Township.  The township police department announced the hiring of Wade Lytle as a full-time officer.  Lytle was working part-time for Sunbury, Northumberland and Milton police before being hired full-time in Point Township.  Lytle is a Shikellamy High School Graduate and completed his Police Academy training at Lackawanna College in 2007.  He begins his full-time position immediately.  (Ali Stevens)

New Year’s Eve crashes injure drivers

UNDATED – Snow-covered roadways contributed to a number of crashes on the last day of the year.  State Police say 41-year-old Timothy Walls of Beavertown lost control of his vehicle on a slush-covered shoulder of Route 204 in Jackson Township, Snyder County.  The vehicle ended up on its roof in a small stream, after traveling over an embankment, shortly after noon.  Walls sustained minor injuries and was able to free himself from the vehicle and summon help.

Meantime, A Port Trevorton man sustained what State Troopers call minor injuries in a crash on Lenig Road, in Snyder County’s Union Township.  67-year-old Dennis Wilhide lost control of his vehicle while traveling west.  It left the roadway and stuck a utility pole, knocking down wires and breaking the pole.  PPL crews were called to safely remove the wires and restore power after the 9:30 a.m. crash.  (Matt Farrand)

Driver flees scene of Route 405 collision

EAST LEWISBURG – State Police say a motorist from New Columbia was the victim of a hit-and run-driver.  51-year-old Brian Bahner was driving northbound on Route 405 in West Chillisquaque Township, Northumberland County, Wednesday at about 3:50 p.m. when a driver attempted to pass in a no-passing zone near the intersection with Route 45.  The unidentified driver clipped Bahner’s driver side bumper with the passenger side of his car and fled north.  State Police say the driver was behind the wheel of a white, compact four-door vehicle, possibly a Nissan or Toyota and may have red markings on it near the point of impact.

State troopers request a call to 524-2662 if you have information.  (Matt Farrand) 

Union County budget passed

Man pinned beneath a tractor this week has died from injuries

DANVILLE – A Columbia County man injured in a tractor accident this week has died from his injuries.  78-year-old Bruce Henrie of the Millville area was pulling a fallen tree on Monday in Madison Township when the tractor he was riding on overturned and pinned him beneath it.  The accident took place on a wooded lot off of Camp Road near Route 44.  Henrie was taken to Geisinger Medical Center and was pronounced dead on Wednesday.  (Ali Stevens)

PPL outlines electric choice for those who are still confused

SUNBURY – If you are still confused about electric choice and why you need to choose, WKOK’s spoke with PPL to outline the basics.  Tom Stathos of PPL says the biggest part of your bill, about 50 percent, is the electricity generation and that’s the part that you will be able to shop for.  PPL rate caps will lift January 1st, meaning rates for customers will go up about 30 percent, since they have been capped for several years.

Stathos says even though he works for PPL, he recommends everyone do their homework when it comes to electric choice.  The suppliers are going to be able to come in with very good prices and there are about 5 suppliers in our area to choose from.  Stathos says in the past week, about 140,000 customers have chosen other suppliers, but if you don’t shop on your own, you will stay with PPL. 

To learn more about electric choice go to the Public Utility Commission’s website at www.puc.state.pa.us. (Ali Stevens)

Columbia County structure fire reported, none injured

MILLVILLE – Columbia County Communications reports a fire call Thursday afternoon at the Columbia Village Apartments near Millville. Officials confirm a structure fire confined to one unit of the apartment complex.  Parking areas near Millville High School were being used as a staging area for tankers.  Damage to the structure was described as moderate.  There were no injuries and fire crews were clear of the scene in about an hour.  (Matt Farrand)

Turbotville man injured in a crash with property destroyed

WASHINGTONVILLE – State police continue to investigate following a crash that left a gazebo destroyed.  Troopers say 55-year-old Samuel Long of Turbotville was traveling south on Preserve Road in Anthony Township, Montour County when he lost control of his vehicle Wednesday night.  The vehicle went off a five-foot embankment and struck and destroyed a gazebo in a yard.  Long fled the scene on foot but was located about a mile from the scene.  Long was taken to Geisinger Medical Center for treatment.  State police suspect the crash was alcohol related and the investigation continues.  (Ali Stevens)  

Hit and run accident in Shamokin turns into a foot chase

SHAMOKIN – A hit-and-run accident is under investigation in Shamokin.  The News item reports 21-year-old Lucas Banting of Elysburg was traveling east on Webster Street in Shamokin when he struck a parked pickup truck early Wednesday morning.  The impact forced the pick-up onto Banting’s vehicle.  Banting then took off on foot and police chased him through a wooded area and several lawns before he was apprehended. 

Banting was charged with driving under the influence and several other counts.  No injuries were reported.  (Ali Stevens)

Woman from Sunbury charged by New Berlin Police

SUNBURY – New Berlin police have charged a Sunbury woman with several counts after she reportedly stole an ATM card and made several withdrawals.  25-year-old Lacey Boyer was arrested Wednesday on an outstanding warrant and charged with 5 counts of access device fraud and identity theft and two counts each of theft by deception and receiving stolen property.  Police say aside from taking an ATM card and making withdrawals, Boyer also took a diamond engagement ring from a home in New Berlin. 

Boyer was arraigned in Middleburg and is free on $20,000 bail.  A hearing is set for January 5^th in Mifflinburg before District Judge Jeffrey Mensch.  (Ali Stevens)

Solicitor says rules of civil procedure went ‘out the window’ for judge’s hearing

SUNBURY – The Northumberland County Commissioners passed their 2010 budget at the Tuesday meeting this week, but the solicitors also took time to explain why the three commissioners did not attended Monday’s court appearance dealing with Judge Robert Sacavage’s suing of the county. Had the issue over the court’s budget not been resolved during that hearing, the county budget could not have been passed.

Assistant Solicitor Kymberly Best says the commissioners simply weren’t served. Best says on December 22nd they were given a letter that the commissioners had until the 23rd to negotiate, and then a hearing was schedule on the 28th. She says if they didn’t show at the hearing, they would have been in contempt and therefore forbidden to pass the budget.

Best says they don’t like the amount of money being provided to the court in the budget, but the actions Monday were about special relief. Best says they were rushed to get things together for the hearing and felt it would be irresponsible to send the commissioners under-prepared. Judge Sacavage was seeking $6.4 million for court operations, while the county was planning to budget $5.8 for the courts. Negotiations will continue. (Sara Bartlett)

Mont Co continues to battle with the state over the District Attorney’s salary

DANVILLE – Montour County is still battling with the state to recover a large portion of the District Attorney’s salary for the past two years. The state made a law two years ago that would require all District Attorneys to be full-time and the state would cover more than 60 percent of their salaries.

However, the state hasn’t paid that money to area counties, so Montour County decided to sue the state several months ago to recover that money. Commissioner Jack Gerst says Montour County received a very small payment at the end of November, which was about $17,000, but they are owed about $200,000.

And Gerst says the state is fighting the lawsuit with high priced lawyers from Philadelphia. Gerst says the county is paying the District Attorney’s salary, which is a big part of their budget…and it’s not fair for the state to hold out on the money they promised.

He says the commissioners of Montour County are not done trying to recover the money. District Attorney Bob Buehner offered to take a pay-cut, but the commissioners said it wasn’t his fault that the state wasn’t paying. (Ali Stevens)

Snyder County hosting an H1N1 vaccination clinic for the general population

SELINSGROVE – There will be an H1N1 vaccination clinic for the general population next week in Snyder County. The clinic is being held at the field house at Susquehanna University on January 8th and 9th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The clinic is open to anyone interested in getting the H1N1 vaccine and will be the largest clinic in the state.

There will be no charge for the vaccine, but appointments are required to attend. You can make your appointment online at www.H1N1inpa.com and click on “What’s Hot”. You can also call 1-877-PA-Health to make an appointment between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The cost of traveling the Pennsylvania Turnpike is going up this weekend.  A 3 percent toll increase announced a year ago goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Sunday. It marks the seventh increase in nearly 70 years.  Turnpike officials say the extra revenue will go toward improvements to off-turnpike roads and bridges.  The most common cash rate for passenger vehicles will increase from 95 cents to $1.  Meanwhile, the most-common cash rate for class-five commercial vehicles will increase from $7.85 to $8.10.  The Pennsylvania Turnpike operates and maintains 545 miles of toll roads statewide. 

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) - Police in northeastern Pennsylvania are searching for a suspect involved in an altercation in which a security officer was assaulted at a bar and at least one shot was fired.  Police say the incident happened around 2 a.m. on New Year's Day at the Luna Bar in downtown Wilkes-Barre.  Luna security officer Richard Brown told police that he was trying to remove a man from the bar when another man hit him in the face.  Brown says that once he removed the first man from the bar, the man came back inside brandishing a handgun.  Brown says the man was then pushed out of the bar onto the sidewalk, where he fired a single shot into the air before fleeing in a car.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Chain restaurants, convenience stores and other eating establishments in Philadelphia are now required to list nutritional information on their menus.  That's under a law that went into effect Jan. 1 after being passed by City Council in November 2008.  The law says establishments that have menu boards and 15 or more locations need to post calories of food items sold.  And chain restaurants that have menus you can hold need to list information on calories, saturated fat, trans fat, carbohydrates and sodium.  There are exceptions for things such as condiments, custom orders and specials or limited-time offerings that appear on menus for less than 30 days a year.  Penalties include a fine of up to $500.  A similar ordinance is in effect in New York.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The U.S. Marshal's Office is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the shooting of an off-duty Philadelphia police officer.  Police are searching for two suspects in Wednesday's shooting in the city's Hunting Park section. Police believe it resulted from a botched robbery.  Twenty-three-year-old Officer Martin Campbell is recovering from surgery to his leg after the bullet nicked an artery. His friend, 30-year-old Rasheen Allen, was shot in the head and killed.  Police say a man shot by officers shortly after the shootings turned out not to have been involved in the fatal hold-up.  Authorities say police shot him after he pulled a gun out of his waistband. He's in stable condition.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Thousands lined the sidewalks and costumed men are danced down the streets of Philadelphia during the 110th annual Mummers Parade.  The heavily festooned bands of comics, string bands and other performers announced early Friday that the annual parade would go on after an earlier threat of rain or snow.  The Mummers and the city waited until the last minute to give the parade the go-ahead, worried about the threat of rain. But they began their strut around 10 a.m. with sun in the sky.  Men were dressed as black-white-penguins, surfers, astronauts, and others wore multicolored capes. One group was followed by a giant chicken float along Broad Street.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A driver has been arrested in a chain reaction crash that killed two people and shut down part of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia early on New Year's Day.  Pennsylvania State Police say the accident happened around 3 a.m. after a van became disabled with a flat tire in the left lane in the city's Port Richmond section.  A second vehicle rear-ended the van. Then, a third vehicle crashed into the second vehicle as the occupants were waiting for police to arrive, killing two people in the second car.  Police say the driver of the third vehicle faces charges of DUI, homicide by vehicle and other counts.  The northbound lanes had to be shut down at Bridge Street after the accident, and reopened shortly before 10 a.m.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) - The city of Johnstown is laying off 14 people - four fewer than anticipated - and increasing taxes nearly 24 percent as part of next year's budget.  Officials say the steps were necessary to end years of deficits, borrowing and money-shuffling. Council passed the budget by a 5-2 vote on Wednesday.  The layoffs include four police officers, six public works employees, recreation director and assistant city manager. The police union says it will challenge the layoffs, claiming its contract only allows cuts through attrition.

WESTMINSTER, Md. (AP) - A 9-year-old Pennsylvania boy has died two days after a tree fell on him at a nature camp in Maryland. Carroll County spokeswoman Vivian Laxton says Noah Asid of Hanover, Pa., died Thursday morning at Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore.  Noah was among 60 fourth- and fifth-graders participating in a three-day nature camp at the county-run Hashawha Environmental Center north of Westminster. The campers were preparing for a hike Tuesday morning when the tree fell. A 10-year-old girl was also injured, but not seriously.  Laxton's says the boy's family is asking for privacy.  The county sheriff's office is still investigating what caused the tree to fall and brought in an arborist to inspect it Wednesday.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A lawyer for former Pennsylvania State Rep. Mike Veon says he needs proof that e-mail messages used as evidence by prosecutors haven't been altered. The Beaver County Democrat and several co-defendants are accused of diverting state workers and resources for campaigns or other purposes. Veon lawyer Dan Raynak says prosecutors have provided e-mails without also giving defendants access to hard drives and other elements that can establish their authenticity. Chief Deputy Attorney General Frank Fina said in court papers that defendants haven't pointed out an e-mail message that was allegedly altered or provided a legal precedent for their argument. Fina says if the judge rules in the defendants' favor, it would "terminate or substantially handicap the prosecution."

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - A coalition of former governors, congressmen, scientists and others are sending are sending the Obama Administration their proposed Chesapeake Bay restoration strategy. The plan is tougher than one being developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. One EPA official says it includes measures that would require new legislation. The 24-point plan unveiled Wednesday in Annapolis calls for significantly expanding farming regulations. Nearly all animal feeding operations would be regulated and the spreading of animal manure would be regulated the same as sludge from sewage treatment plants. The plan also calls on the EPA to require new development to offset any pollution it causes through reductions elsewhere.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Another Pennsylvania Turnpike toll increase takes effect this weekend at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday. Turnpike spokesman Carl DeFebo says a bill passed in 2007 to provide new funding for roads, bridges and mass transit statewide called for a big toll hike of 25 percent a year ago and smaller increases each year after that. The upcoming increase is 3 percent, with cash tolls rounded up to the next nickel. DeFebo said that means for an average motorist, the most frequently paid toll on the turnpike system is 95 cents and that will increase to $1 for a cash toll.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Update on the latest in business:

FAA watching American Airlines after 3 mishaps

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - The Federal Aviation Administration is increasing oversight of American Airlines after three mishaps during landings last month.  Jetliners' wingtips touched the ground during two landings, one in Charlotte, N.C., on Dec. 13, the other in Austin, Texas, on Dec. 24. And in Jamaica, a plane overshot the runway during heavy rain on Dec. 22.  FAA officials said in a statement Friday they will conduct a review of the mishaps to see if there might be a larger issue.  The statement says that if needed, the FAA will work with American on corrective action.  A spokesman for American, a unit of Fort Worth, Texas-based AMR Corp., told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Friday that the company is cooperating with the FAA and conducting its own investigation.

No federal charges in Nebraska missing cars case

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Federal prosecutors say they won't file charges against two Nebraska car dealership executives accused of stealing more than 80 vehicles off their own lot. Jan Sharp of the U.S. attorney's office in Omaha on Saturday confirmed that the office had notified Scotts Bluff County authorities of the decision.  Rachel Fait, Allen Patch and another Legacy Auto Group executive were arrested in March on suspicion of theft and title fraud after the missing cars and trucks were found in Utah, Wyoming, Las Vegas and Scottsbluff, Neb.  In November, Nebraska prosecutors dropped all state charges against the pair to clear the way for possible federal charges. The pair had pleaded not guilty.  The state charges could be refiled.

Cities, counties take back corporate tax breaks

CHICAGO (AP) - As the economy sputters along, municipalities struggling to fix roads and fund schools increasingly are rescinding tax abatements to companies that don't hire enough workers, that lay them off or that close up shop.  They're also sharpening new incentive deals, leaving no doubt what is expected of companies and what will happen if they don't deliver.  Brendon Gallagher, an alderman in the northern Illinois city of DeKalb, said recently that his city tries to "roll out the red carpet" for companies - but they must honor the contract.  Target Corp. got tax abatements from DeKalb, the county and others after promising at least 500 jobs at a distribution center.  But when it came up 66 workers short in 2009, Target found out its next tax bill will jump almost $600,000.

PA Lottery:

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

Big 4

     5-8-5-3

Cash 5

     03-06-13-27-41

Daily Number

     4-4-1

Evening Quinto

     2-9-2-0-9

Midday Big 4

     2-5-0-9

Midday Number

     0-3-1

Midday Quinto

     8-6-2-2-8

Treasure Hunt

     02-09-15-26-30

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

Muslim-Hindu punk rock bands part of new movement

WAYLAND, Mass. (AP) - A small but growing South Asian and Middle Eastern punk rock movement is attracting children of Muslim and Hindu immigrants and sparking new bands across America.  Bands like The Kominas, based in Wayland, Mass., are trying to use their music to explore their identities as Americans and fight stereotypes about South Asian immigrants.  A documentary entitled "Taqwacore: The Birth of Punk Islam" explores the creation of the new movement and how people are responding to the bands' music.  Basim Usmani, a guitarist for The Kominas, said the band tries to keep their lyrics playful but with subtle messages. Pakistani-Canadian filmmaker Omar Majeed says the film is set for release in the U.S. this year.

Rap producer Shawty Redd charged with murder