Thursday, January 7, 2010

House fire in Penn Township injures two occupants

SELINSGROVE – Two residents were injured in a house fire in Penn Township, Snyder County early Thursday morning.  Jennifer Beaver was taken to Lehigh Valley Burn Unit in Allentown and is listed in critical condition.  Christopher Beaver was taken to Geisinger Medical Center and no condition has been released.

Dawayne Betzer, Fire Chief of the Dauntless Hook and Ladder Company in Selinsgrove tells us about 60 firefighters were called to the Beaver residence at 949 Beaver Road in Penn Township around 1:00 this morning for the house fire.  According to Betzer, Jennifer Beaver had to jump from a window to escape.  The house was fully involved when crews from Selinsgrove, Hummels Wharf, Kreamer, Kratzerville, Freeburg, Middleburg, Penns Creek and New Berlin arrived.  Betzer says it was a long process to bring the fire under control.  He says they had to truck water in from another site, which took time and it took about two hours to get the fire under control.

State police fire marshal Norman Fedder is investigating the cause of the blaze.  The house was a two-story log style farmhouse and all of the contents are a total loss.  Damage is estimated at $215,000.  (Ali Stevens)

Selinsgrove man sentenced to state prison for stabbing a Danville man

DANVILLE – A Selinsgrove man has been sentenced to five years in prison for the stabbing of a Danville man outside the Days Inn Hotel in Valley Township, Montour County.  26-year-old Raymond Vasquez Jr. was sentenced for the stabbing of 32-year-old Joshua Seidel on August 29^th. Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Warren tells us Vasquez told the court he was struggling with the recent shooting death of his cousin when he stabbed Seidel, who suffered a deep stab wound in the stomach.  His cousin, 19-year-old Anthony Rodriguez, was shot in the back and killed on May 11^th.  Three men have been sentenced for their roles in the shooting in Monroe Township, Snyder County. Vasquez has been sentenced to state prison and his sentence will begin immediately.  (Ali Stevens)

6^th annual Dirk Sojka Slam Dunk to benefit Suncom Industries

NORTHUMBERLAND – Everyone is invited to attend the 6^th annual Dirk Sojka Slam Dunk at Bucknell’s Sojka Pavilion on Saturday night as Bucknell men’s basketball takes on Navy at 7 p.m.  The Dirk Sojka Slam Dunk is an annual fundraising event named after the son of Gary and Sandy Sojka, who help organize the event each year.  Dirk Sojka was a client at Suncom for about 11 years.  Peggy Vitale of Suncom tells us Suncom assists people with special needs teaching them basic skills and offering them a chance to work in a safe environment on something they can personally achieve. 

At the Dirk Sojka Slam Dunk, there is a raffle featuring a $1,000 Visa Gift Card, $500 in cash and a catered Bucknell Basketball party for a large group in a private viewing suite.  There is also a large silent auction with hundreds of items to bid on.  During breaks in the basketball game, our sister station 94KX will be competing against members of the Bucknell Athletic Staff in a number of skills challenges.  Everyone is encouraged to attend.  (Ali Stevens)

Home Improvement Show starts Friday

SELINSGROVE – Sunbury Broadcasting Corporation’s Home Improvement Show starts Friday at the Susquehanna Valley Mall.  Nichols Mechanical Services is just one of over fifteen local companies that will set up displays.  Owner Jason Nichols says they will show off some of their newest and most energy efficient items.  Nichols says now is as good of time as any to browse and buy new systems if yours is old or inefficient.

Nichols is also giving away a home heating system; everyone is welcome to register at the show, and the winner will be announced on our sister station 94KX Monday.  Others at the show include Brookside Homes, Culligan Water Conditioning and Kuhn’s Brothers Surplus Outlet.  The Home Improvement Show is tomorrow through Sunday during mall hours at the Susquehanna Valley Mall.  For more information go online to www.wkok.com. (Sara Bartlett) 

Tourism funds help local organizations

LEWISBURG – Organizations in Snyder, Union and Northumberland Counties will get a boost thanks to recent tourism fund grants.  In Snyder County over $36,140 in funding was given to five organizations, including $10,000 to Selinsgrove Projects Inc., $9,200 to T&D Cats of the World and over $7,000 to the Beaver Community Fair Association.  In Union County, fourteen organizations will benefit from over $65,000 in funding.  This includes $10,000 to the Veteran’s 4^th of July Committee, over $8,000 to the Lewisburg Downtown Partnership and $7,000 to both the River Town Race Series and the Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority.  In Northumberland County, over $8,000 will held fund programs for five organizations, including $2,500 for the Warrior Run Fort Freeland Heritage Society and $1,100 for Friends of the Joseph Priestley House.

New directors named to Shikellamy School Board

SUNBURY – A familiar figure is back as a director of the Shikellamy School Board, replacing David Persing who is now mayor of Sunbury. The board selected Charlie Dalpiaz to fill the unexpired term of Persing, who was sworn in as mayor on Monday.

John Klinger and former board member Richard Shemory were also nominated. But Dalpiaz won, in three rounds of balloting Wednesday night. He calls his previous four years of service to the board his strongest asset, and hopes to work cooperatively with other board members.

Geisinger Health Systems operations manager Michelle Long was also at her first regular meeting, after being added to the board last week, to serve the two-year term won by board member Terry Marshall last year.

Long has two children attending district schools, and abstained from voting Wednesday night. However, she says her expertise is in her management, organization and budgeting skills. Meantime, Terry Marshall continues to serve on the board, having also won a four-year term in 2009. (Matt Farrand)

Shikellamy could get up to $500,000 to fund after school programs

SUNBURY – After school programs meant to keep Shikellamy District middle school students out of trouble are funded largely by a federal grant. The district school voted unanimously to apply to extend the grant, which pays mostly for personnel to run art and social programs for about two-and-a-half hours, four afternoons per week.

Director of Education Dr. Pamela Emery says they can apply for a three-year extension of up to $500,000, but will likely qualify for their current grant level of about $260,000. Dr. Emery says the principals of C.W. Rice and Sunbury Middle Schools look at the programs as a good way to keep their students engaged in constructive activities. Community Learning Center Grants also have the endorsement of officials in the Obama Administration. (Matt Farrand)

Body shop thieves net cash, brew

TURBOTVILLE – A case of beer was among items stolen last week from an automotive body shop in Montour County. State Police say the business on Gerhart Road in Anthony Township was broken into last Wednesday night. The front door was damaged and a small among of cash was also taken from a coffee can. State Police in Milton request a call to 524-2662 if you have information about the break-in. (Matt Farrand)

Groundbreaking ceremony in Sunbury for the Riverfront Project

SUNBURY – Phase one of the Sunbury Riverfront Project is officially underway after a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday. Work is underway on a new walking path, curbs, sidewalks, lighting and gardens in Merle Phillips Park near Front and Chestnut Streets.

State Senator John Gordner (R-27th, Berwick) was in attendance and says he has seen first-hand what a riverfront project can do for a community. Gordner talked about visiting Lock Haven and running along the river dike. He says they have a walking trail and an amphitheater where many people enjoy outdoor recreation.

The second phase of the project includes riverbank stabilization, refurbishing a wall that protects the main floodwall and adding attractions such as boat docks, an access road and an amphitheater. Those projects are expected to move forward in late January and early February.

Others in attendance at the groundbreaking included Congressman Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock), former Sunbury Mayor Jesse Woodring, Linda Culver of State Representative Merle Phillip’s (R-108th, Sunbury) office and many other local officials involved in the project. (Ali Stevens)

Local officials applaud low-income housing unit

NORTHUMBERLAND – Ground was broken Wednesday for a low-income housing complex near Northumberland. Located along 16th street, Cannery Point will include 24-units for rent. This is the sister site to Queens Point, located nearby, and both are developed Susquehanna Valley Development Group.

Point Township Supervisor Randall Yoxheimer says they are pleased to bring this development to the area, and commends the developer Rober Yoder on the quality and efficiency of his work. The project is partially funded by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The units will be rented to people at or below 60% of median income.

U.S. Congressman Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock) was in attendance, as was state senator John Gordner (R-27th, Berwick). Gordner says he is glad construction will start next week, considering the project almost didn’t happen because there had been a sewer moratorium in the township since Yoder purchased the property in 2005. Construction is expected to take anywhere between nine and twelve months. (Sara Bartlett)

Carney hopes for spirited campaign

NORTHUMBERLAND – Last month, Snyder County Commissioner Malcolm Derk announced he would run against Congressman Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock) for the 10th District seat. Carney says he is gearing up for this year’s reelection campaign. He says he is looking forward to a spirited campaign, and although he takes nothing for granted, has a good record to run on.

During his announcement to run, Derk says he will continue to push for the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway. Carney says that is a project he has been instrumental in advancing and there are now a lot of positives talks and actions are going on behind the scenes.

Carney visited the Central Susquehanna Valley Wednesday attending groundbreaking ceremonies in Northumberland and Sunbury. He was also in Williamsport holding a town hall meeting. He will hold a similar meeting Monday in Selinsgrove with representatives of AARP to discuss healthcare reform. That meeting is open to the public at 11:00a.m. in Stretansky Hall on the campus of Susquehanna University. (Sara Bartlett)

Congressman running for U.S. Senate talks about airport security

SUNBURY – A congressman running against U.S. Senator Arlen Specter for U.S. Senate was a guest on our On The Mark program today. He talked about the Christmas Day airliner terror attempt. Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7th, Media) agrees with President Barack Obama, who says the government needs to do better next time.

Sestak says after September 11th, we need to prevent these things from happening and realize that attacks can happen on our own home turf. Sestak says an important lesson still hasn’t been learned about information sharing. Sestak says the government has failed to recognize that the change in this adversary is one that will take the interagency process in a different direction. He says information must be shared between agencies to prevent future incidents.

Joint Chiefs of Staff. Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen told an audience at George Washington University that the government failed to make use of information that could have prevented the terror attempt over Detroit on Christmas Day. You can hear more from Congressman Joe Sestak on a number of other topics on our Wednesday On The Mark program online at www.wkok.com. (Ali Stevens)

Northumberland County Chief Clerk has resigned

SUNBURY – The chief clerk in Northumberland County has submitted her resignation and will leave her position at the end of January. The commissioner’s office tells us Rose Marquardt has resigned to dedicate more time to her work as a minister at three area churches.

The Reverend Marquardt has been on the job as chief clerk since January of 2008, when the current board of commissioners took office. She has been a minister for nine years and also has been a member of the Mount Carmel School Board for 15 years. No word yet from the commissioners on the search for a new chief clerk in Northumberland County. (Ali Stevens)

Possible gunshot turned out to be just a medical call in Sunbury

SUNBURY – Sunbury police responded to an incident on Highland Avenue in the city last night and thought someone may have been shot, but further investigation showed the victim was just injured by hitting their head. The call came in around 8:30 last night and several officers responded. The victim has not been identified. Police say there was no crime involved and this was just a medical call. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Congressman Jim Gerlach is dropping out of the Pennsylvania governor's race.  The fourth-term Republican from southeastern Pennsylvania said Thursday he decided the statewide campaign is simply too expensive.  Gerlach's decision leaves only two candidates for the Republican nomination. They are state Attorney General Tom Corbett, who is widely viewed as the GOP front-runner, and state Rep. Sam Rohrer of Berks County.  Gerlach says his campaign had raised more than $1 million, but he believes he would need four times that much to be competitive.  Corbett has said he expected to raise close to $4 million by the end of last year. The candidates have until Feb. 1 to file their year-end campaign finance reports.  On the Democratic side, five candidates are vying for the nomination in the May 18 primary.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Gov. Ed Rendell's signature is on the new law legalizing table games at Pennsylvania's slots casinos.  The governor signed the bill in private Thursday, saying he had mixed feelings about it, then talked about it to reporters at a news conference.  The new law is designed to generate millions in license fees to close a gap in the current year's budget, and produce revenues for state and local governments in future years.  Table games include poker, blackjack and roulette.  Regulators say it'll be at least six months before table games are up and running.

BRADFORD, Pa. (AP) - A hospital in north central Pennsylvania has laid off 59 workers after losing about $17 million in the last four years.  President and chief executive officer Timothy Finan says the layoffs Wednesday were necessary "to restore some financial stability" at Bradford Regional Medical Center. The hospital is along the New York border, about 130 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.  The CEO says hospital admissions had dropped in recent years along with demands for some services, but not staff cuts had been made.  Finan says the cuts should save the hospital about $2.5 million a year and help to safeguard about 600 jobs that remain. Officials hope the hospital will start breaking even in 12 to 18 months.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Table games such as poker and blackjack are in the cards for gamblers at Pennsylvania's slots casinos. The state House of Representatives on Wednesday voted 103-to-89 in favor of a bill that allows table games. Gov. Ed Rendell says he'll sign it into law. The law lets larger casinos install 250 tables for games such as poker and blackjack, while the smaller resorts casinos can have 50. State gambling regulators say it'll be six months or longer before table games are up and running. The proceeds are needed to help pay the state's bills as the recession continues to ravage state tax collections.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Seven former Democratic aides for Pennsylvania's House of Representatives have pleaded guilty to crimes uncovered by a state investigation. All seven defendants who entered pleas Wednesday have agreed to cooperate with prosecutors seeking convictions against other House members and staffers implicated in the probe. They have yet to be sentenced. Among the aides who admitted breaking the law were Mike Manzo, the former chief of staff to former Democratic leader Bill DeWeese, who also has been charged. Former state Rep. Mike Veon and three former Democratic aides are scheduled to go on trial later this month. Deputy state attorney general James Reeder called the pleas a victory for justice and for Pennsylvania taxpayers.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Three bomb-sniffing dogs assigned by the federal Transportation Security Administration to inspect cargo at Philadelphia International Airport failed recent recertification tests, according to a congressman who wants the dogs replaced. U.S. Rep. Robert Brady, D-Pa., calls the situation "totally ridiculous." TSA spokesman Greg Soule says the agency cannot confirm how many dogs are assigned to an airport or their status. But he says the rigorous nature of the yearly cerification tests means that some teams may need to go through remedial programs. He says in the meantime other security measures are used to keep passengers safe. Brady says the agency should immediately send new dogs while the others are being recertified. The TSA says 700 canine teams are in air, marine and mass transportation systems across the nation.

CLINTONVILLE, Pa. (AP) - State police say three people have been killed in a multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 80 western Pennsylvania. Police say the crash occurred shortly before 10 p.m. near the Clintonville exit in Venango County and at least one tractor-trailer was involved. The eastbound lanes of the highway have been closed near the accident scene. Emergency officials say freezing rain is creating poor driving conditions on roadways. Police say there have been three other unrelated minor crashes in the same area. Clintonville is about 55 miles north of Pittsburgh.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Penn State's problems with infected computers extended to its branch campus in Schuylkill County. The school last week said about 15,000 records were affected at a branch campus, but was not more specific because the investigation was ongoing. A Penn State spokeswoman on Wednesday said the computers were on the Schuylkill campus. Those computers were infected by malicious software along with computers at the University Park main campus and at the law school in Carlisle. Penn State says roughly 30,000 individuals total have been notified that their Social Security numbers may have been exposed due to the privacy breach. However the school has said there is no evidence the information has been accessed by unauthorized users.

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

Update on the latest in business

Dow: 10,606.86, up 33.18

S&P 500: 1,141.18, up 4.04

NASDAQ: 2,300.05, down –1.04

NEW YORK (AP) - Stock prices are little changed. Investors have been treated today to better than expected reports on weekly jobless claims as well as chain store sales.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Newly released e-mails indicate the Federal Reserve Bank of New York pressed AIG to withhold details of controversial deals that funneled billions in bailout money to Goldman Sachs and other banks. The communication, provided by a California congressman, shows lawyers representing the New York Fed asked AIG to remove the information from a disclosure. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner was president of the New York Fed at the time.

DALLAS (AP) - American Airlines has raised the amount it is willing to invest in ailing Japan Airlines to $1.4 billion. American upped its previous offer by $300 million in a bid to fend off Delta Air Lines. Delta wants to create its own partnership with the Japanese carrier that would operate across the Pacific and throughout Asia.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Rates for 30-year home loans have dropped a bit this week, marking the first decline in a month. Freddie Mac says the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage was 5.09 percent, down from 5.14 percent a week earlier.

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

Pennsylvania Lottery Selections

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

 Midday Big 4

     8-9-5-0

 Midday Number

     4-2-4

 Midday Quinto

     7-8-4-4-9

 Treasure Hunt

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

Big 4 7-4-7-8

Cash 5 08-14-24-32-41

Daily Number 8-8-8

Evening Quinto 5-3-1-6-9

Midday Big 4 8-9-0-1

Midday Number 6-0-4

Midday Quinto 3-1-9-5-9

Treasure Hunt 03-05-10-12-24

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

'Lost' fans fear Obama speech will bump premiere

NEW YORK (AP) - These fans would truly be lost without their favorite TV show – and they're taking their case to the top.  Fans of the ABC series about marooned plane crash survivors fear President Barack Obama will give his State of the Union address Feb. 2. That's the same day as the three-hour premiere of the final season of "Lost."  Twitter comments Wednesday included "Leave my LOST alone, Skippy!" and "Come onnnn, Obama..pick another day."  The Facebook group "Americans Against the State of the Union on the Same Night as LOST" asks "When will it end?" It notes that Obama already bumped "A Charlie Brown Christmas" for his Afghanistan speech in some markets.  The White House isn't saying when Obama will speak. An ABC spokesman wouldn't say whether the network would consider moving the premiere.

Study: Calorie counts off at chains, frozen meals

A new study says food at popular chain restaurants and in the frozen food aisles can be more fattening than advertised.  A study of meals from 10 restaurant chains including Ruby Tuesday and Wendy's found calorie counts averaging 18 percent more than the values listed by the restaurants.  Diet meals made by Lean Cuisine, Weight Watchers, Healthy Choice and others averaged 8 percent higher than the numbers on the label.  The study was led by Susan Roberts, a professor of nutrition at Tufts University, and published in the January issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Roberts says the study "raises a big issue" and that posting calories for consumers is only useful if the numbers are right. 

Tavern on the Green donation

NEW YORK (AP) - New York's homeless will be eating some swanky food. The upscale Tavern on the Green restaurant closed for good New Year's Eve. Yesterday, the landmark Central Park eatery donated its last shipment of food to New York City shelters – two tons worth. Over the years, Tavern officials say they've donated over 50,000 pounds of food for the city's hungry. The Tavern has filed for bankruptcy. Next week everything in the restaurant goes up for auction.

Brit Hume: No regrets for urging Tiger Woods to become a Christian

WASHINGTON (AP) - Fox News analyst Brit Hume says he doesn't regret urging Tiger Woods to become a Christian so the golfer can find forgiveness for marital infidelity. Hume told CBN News that "Christianity is a religion for sinners, and I think that Tiger Woods has an opportunity here and my prayer would be that he would take it." Hume has been denounced for saying on Fox News Sunday that he doesn't think Tiger Woods' belief in Buddhism "offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith." Hume told CBN News he wasn't surprised that the remark aroused controversy. He said "the two most explosive words in the English language" are "Jesus Christ."

Think-Off

NEW YORK MILLS, Minn. (AP) - A Minnesota group has released its annual philosophy question that will lead to one entrant being named "America's Greatest Thinker for 2010." This year's debate question is, "Do the wealthy have an obligation to help the poor?" The 2010 Great American Think-Off is an amateur philosophy contest organized by the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center in Minnesota. The nonprofit has been organizing the contest for 18 years. Anyone can enter free by submitting an essay of 750 words or fewer. Four finalists will debate the question in New York Mills on June 12 before a live audience. New York Mills is a farming town of some 1,200 people in central Minnesota, about 170 miles northwest of Minneapolis.

DeGeneres wins early People's Choice Award

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The people still like Ellen DeGeneres. The comedian picked up her 11th trophy at the 36th annual People's Choice Awards. DeGeneres was awarded the favorite talk show award Wednesday at the fan-favorite ceremony. During her acceptance speech, the new "American Idol" judge poked fun at Sandra Bullock, who was on hand with Ryan Reynolds to receive the favorite comedy movie award for "The Proposal." "One for each of Sandra Bullock's toes," the talk show host joked. Queen Latifah, who returned as show host for the fourth consecutive time, kicked off the ceremony at the Nokia Theatre with a jazzy name-dropping number. Stars such as Mariah Carey and Carrie Underwood were on hand to accept trophies selected by Internet voters.