Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Four vehicle accident in SnyCo
MIDDLEBURG – Middleburg police are investigating a four-vehicle injury accident in Middlecreek Township Tuesday afternoon. Police tell us the accident happened around 3:50 p.m. on Route 522 at Old 522 Road. 27-year-old Christopher Fetter of Selinsgrove was driving north when he failed to see stopped traffic ahead, causing a chain reaction crash.
Fetter rear-ended a vehicle driven by 21-year-old Ashlee Kurrell of Philadelphia. Kurrell’s vehicle was forced into another vehicle driven by 54-year-old Lana Reigle of Selinsgrove. Reigle then struck a vehicle driven by 61-year-old Allen Kitchen of Millville.
A passenger in Kurrell’s vehicle, 22-year-old Justin Rhoades of Middleburg was taken to Sunbury Community Hospital for treatment of unknown injuries. A passenger in Reigle’s vehicle, 23-year-old Sara Spigelmeyer of Selinsgrove was taken to Evangelical Community Hospital. No other injuries were reported. Traffic was slow for about an hour while the accident was cleared. (Ali Stevens)
Video surveillance cameras will soon be in place throughout the city of Sunbury
SUNBURY – More than a dozen video surveillance cameras will soon be in place in the city of Sunbury to help cut back on crime. Sunbury Police Chief Stephen Mazzeo gave us an update on the video surveillance effort saying they are awaiting a $200,000 economic stimulus grant from the federal government to pay for their initiative.
Mazzeo says about 15 to 20 surveillance cameras will be placed in high-crime areas in the city as soon as the government’s check is received. Mazzeo says they are also grateful to residents and businesses who have shared their video surveillance for crime fighting assistance.
The new cameras will be visible to those on the streets, which is a deterrent to criminals, although some say they will just go elsewhere if they know a camera is present. If you are an individual or business in the city of Sunbury with video surveillance and would like to volunteer to help the police department, you can call them at 286-4585. The effort is a confidential consortium of local surveillance systems. (Ali Stevens)
Carney vows to protect water resources from gas drillers
SELINSGROVE – The potential dangers of drilling for natural gas prompted questions for Congressman Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock) Monday during his town hall meeting at Susquehanna University. Some say current methods used to extract gas from the Marcellus Shale pollute groundwater.
Carney says he’ll always support keeping natural resources safe; and it’s a problem that hits close to home. Residents in his Susquehanna County hometown of Dimock recently settled a lawsuit brought against the Cabot Oil and Gas Corporation, which claimed the company polluted local well water and wouldn’t clean it up.
Carney supports looking into alternative gas extraction methods, in the meantime. However, he says it is unlikely the House will sign onto a US Senate bill that would repeal a Clean Water Act exemption enjoyed by the gas industry, without further investigation. An EPA report does not support a connection between the currently popular method of gas extraction and pollution of ground water. (Matt Farrand)
Department of Public Safety investigating sheriff’s department computers
SUNBURY – The Northumberland County Department of Public Safety is now investigating the sheriff’s office to determine if there was any misuse of the computers in the office. Sheriff Chad Reiner recently suggested that pornographic websites viewed on two computers in his department may have been logged onto remotely…by someone not in the office.
This after Commissioner Vinny Clausi said the sheriff knows the two employees in the department that were involved in looking at the websites and demanded an apology from Reiner, who suggested the cleaning staff could have done it. The Department of Public Safety is now looking at any misuse of the JNET and CLEAN systems on the computers in the Sheriff’s department.
Director of public safety Paul Froutz says there will be no comments made regarding the investigation that is ongoing. Reiner claims the incidents took place in mid-November when he was on vacation. All staff members in the office have denied responsibility. Reiner suggested that the computers may have been logged onto remotely, prompting this new investigation. (Ali Stevens)
Eating healthy and saving money
DANVILLE – Eating healthy is a resolution many people have in the New Year, and dietician at Geisinger Medical Center is helping people do just that…on a budget. Dietician Karen Bird says there are a few simple rules to follow when trying to buy and eat healthful foods while keeping money in your pocket.
She says buying foods, like a fruits and vegetables, that are in season can save money. She says eating healthy is a lifestyle change and about making the choice to not pick up that junk food, even if it seems less expensive. Bird says it’s important to plan your shopping trips and limit your time in the grocery store.
Bird also says don’t be afraid to buy the generic version of healthy foods to save a few dollars, and always keep foods such as beans and whole grain rice or pasta in your pantry. She also encourages buying in bulk and freezing food. (Sara Bartlett)
Lots of folks from our area are spending the week at the Pennsylvania Farm Show
HARRISBURG – Thousands of people are visiting the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg and lots of folks from our area are working hard this week displaying their products. Wanda Erdman of Herndon has been coming to the Farm Show for several years and selling peacock feathers for one dollar. She says since 1992, they have been getting most of their feathers from the peacocks on their farm, but also ship feathers in from Illinois, Georgia, Minnesota and Florida. Erdman says they go through thousands of feathers each year at the farm show.
Ron Troutman of Rebuck is working hard selling Troutman’s famous french-fries. And how many potatoes do they need for the show? He says about 30 tons, most of which is in storage already. About 65 people work at the Troutman’s French fry booths at the farm show throughout the week. The Pennsylvania Farm Show runs through Saturday evening at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg and features many local vendors and farms. (Ali Stevens)
Chief of Public Safety at Bucknell getting national recognition
LEWISBURG – The Chief of Public Safety at Bucknell University has been named a finalist in a national magazine. Jason Friedberg is one of ten nationwide who could receive the title of Director of the Year by Campus Safety magazine.
The award honors those who are ‘doing the serious and heroic work of protecting the nation’s students, patients, faculty and staff.’ Friedberg has been in law enforcement since 1995 and came to Bucknell in 2006. The winner will be announced in March.
Judge makes 'no homes' ruling for NorCo golf course
RIVERSIDE – A Northumberland County judge has ruled that a golf course near Riverside cannot be turned into a residential development. The Press-Enterprise reports the owners of Cherokee Golf Course, the Brouse family, cannot develop the land on Route 54 into a development with about 75-single family homes.
The Brouse family wanted to build the housing development because business at the golf course has dwindled, however a zoning change was needed to do so since the property is zoned as agricultural, allowing for only one house per 10 acres.
The family now has 30 days to appeal the judge’s ruling, if they choose to do so. Rush Township last year denied the zoning request due to strong public opposition. The case was then appealed to Northumberland County Court. (Ali Stevens)
Get hot water in your home without the hot water heater
SELINSGROVE – Storage tanks are no longer needed in the basement if you get a tankless water heater. Jason Nichols of Nichols Mechanical says tankless water heaters work using propane or natural gas and is an on-demand system and very efficient. If you open a spigot, it comes on, but if a spigot is off, it’s off. So, you no longer have to turn off a hot water heater when you leave for vacation.
How expensive is it? Nichols says it costs about $1,900 to $2,000 including installation, which compares to a conventional water heater with a power vent at $1,100. Nichols took part in the recent Sunbury Broadcasting Home Improvement Show and says the tankless water heater was the hot topic at their booth. (Ali Stevens)
Nearly 50-thousand people vaccinated for H1N1
SELINSGROVE – The state Department of Health has announced that nearly 50-thousand people were vaccinated for the H1N1 virus at 33 flu clinics across the state, including one at Garrett Sports Complex at Susquehanna University.
The statewide clinics offered free shots on January 8th and 9th by appointment. The department is still urging anyone in the general population who hasn’t been vaccinated to get immunized. The vaccinations will be offered every Saturday at the state health centers through February 6th. For more information, or to find a clinic, call 1-877-PA-Health. (Ali Stevens)
Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Five companies are willing to pay more than $128 million for the right to drill for natural gas on Pennsylvania state forestland. The unsealing of winning bids Tuesday by the state forests Department unofficially awarded drilling rights on nearly 32,000 acres in north-central Pennsylvania. The per-acre average bid of about $4,000 is less than the $5,000-plus that some groups of private landowners received last year. The companies are interested in the Marcellus Shale natural gas formation, which some geologists expect will become the nation's most prolific gas field. The winning bidders on the six tracts included Chesapeake Energy, Exco Resources, Penn Virginia Oil & Gas, Seneca Resources and Anadarko Petroleum. The state would take 18 percent of production royalties.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania House Speaker Keith McCall has decided to retire from the Legislature at the end of this year. McCall said Tuesday that he will step down when his 14th term ends in December because he wants to spend more time with his family. McCall says he wants to be able to join his family more often for dinner, help his children with their homework and be able to attend ball games. The Carbon County Democrat's decision ensures that the House will soon have its fourth speaker in a period of about four years. McCall was first elected in 1982 to fill a House seat left open by the death of his father, Rep. Thomas McCall. The 50-year-old McCall became speaker a year ago.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Congressman Joe Sestak is challenging Sen. Arlen Specter to agree to six debates in the Democratic primary election campaign for Specter's seat. Sestak said at a Harrisburg news conference Tuesday he wants to stage one debate in each of the state's six media markets. The retired Navy vice admiral says he's eager to talk about the Senate votes Specter cast with the Bush administration prior to his defection from the Republican Party last year. A campaign spokesman for Specter said the senator has typically taken part in one debate during the primary-election. Spokesman Christopher Nicholas said Specter is hopeful that can be arranged in this year's campaign.
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) - Authorities in eastern Pennsylvania say an emergency responder was found dead in a burning SUV outside his home. The Luzerne County Coroner's office has identified the victim as 25-year-old Ryan Broghamer, of Hanover Township. Authorities say he was a 911 dispatcher and an emergency medical technician at the Maltby Volunteer Fire Company in Swoyersville. Officials say Broghamer was sitting in the driver's seat in a Jeep Cherokee that was engulfed in flames when firefighters responded at about 4 a.m. Tuesday. Members of the fire company hung a black ribbon outside the firehouse later in the day. A state police fire marshal is investigating the cause of the blaze.
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Punxsutawney Phil will text his weather prediction to those who sign up to have texts sent to their mobile phones. Mickey Rowley, the state's deputy tourism secretary, says he realizes that not everyone can come to Punxsutawney for Groundhog Day, so this is a good way to get the word out. Those wanting Phil's prediction can text "Groundhog" to 247365 until Feb. 2. They can also give their e-mail to get other Pennsylvania tourism messages. Each Feb. 2, thousands of people descend on Punxsutawney, a town of about 6,100 people about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, for Phil's prediction. According to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, Phil has seen his shadow nearly 100 times since 1897.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Business Update
NEW YORK (AP) - Stock prices edged lower Tuesday. The Dow fell 37 points to 10,627. The S&P dropped 11 points and the Nasdaq composite was down 30 points.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Federal Reserve Bank of New York faces a congressional subpoena into bailout decisions made under the leadership of now-Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. Congressman Edolphus Towns of New York says he will subpoena the New York Fed for documents related to the bailout of failed insurer AIG.
NEW YORK (AP) - Bank of America is reshuffling senior management, announcing plans to replace its chief financial officer and naming a new chief risk officer. CEO Brian Moynihan is looking to lift the bank out of the slump associated with billions of dollars in bad loans.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Federal Reserve is issuing sweeping new rules to better protect Americans from sudden hikes in interest rates on credit cards. The new rules, which take effect next month, generally bar rate increases during the first year after an account is opened.
UNDATED (AP) - Oil prices fell for a second straight day. Benchmark crude for February delivery fell $1.73 to settle at $80.79 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Pennsylvania Lottery numbers
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Tuesday in the Pennsylvania State Lottery:
TUESDAY NIGHT Big 4 5-1-5-2
Cash 5 03-32-33-36-43
Daily Number 3-2-6
Evening Quinto 8-6-0-8-1
Super 7 05-06-11-12-14-24-27-54-59-67-75
TUESDAY MIDDAY Midday Big 4 8-0-1-3
Midday Number 8-9-2
Midday Quinto 5-8-3-2-5
Treasure Hunt 03-06-14-24-26
The winning numbers drawn Tuesday in the "Pennsylvania Cash 5" game were: 03-32-33-36-43
The winning numbers drawn Tuesday in the "Super 7" game were: 05-06-11-12-14-24-27-54-59-67-75
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
DIETING FOR DOLLARS
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Lose weight or lose bucks. That's the idea behind a new Web site, Lose It or Lose It. Founder Randy Schmidt figures cash is a good motivation to drop some of those extra pounds. Users create an account. They have to fork over between $5 and $100 for every pound they don't lose as part of their weight goal. Schmidt says he tipped the scale at 282 when Lose It or Lose It debuted in November. He's down to 263 and intends to re-up for at least one more 10-week weight loss run.
Michelle Obama-PETA
McLEAN, Va. (AP) - An animal-rights group is pulling an ad campaign that used the likeness of first lady Michelle Obama without her permission. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals used photos of Mrs. Obama in an anti-fur campaign because the first lady does not wear fur. But they never received authorization from her. PETA also is urging the White House to take a stand against the Ringling Bros. circus, which last week debuted its newest performing elephant, "Baby Barack." PETA says circus elephants are abused. Feld Entertainment, which owns the circus, says its elephants are well cared for and using the name Barack is intended as an honor.
Rembrandt In Bathroom
WASHINGTON (AP) - An original Rembrandt etching hidden in a bathroom cabinet at a university in D.C. is now part of a new exhibit. The Rev. David O'Connell found the print when he was searching for paper towels shortly after he became president of Catholic University of America in 1998. The etching of a bearded old man had been tucked away for years. O'Connell asked the university archivist last year if it could be a real Rembrandt. Archivist Leslie Knoblauch says an appraiser confirmed its authenticity and the Rembrandt became the centerpiece of a new exhibit at the university on Monday. The exhibit is called, "Fine Lines: Discovering Rembrandt and Other Old Masters at Catholic University."
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)