Flooding 2010 I: Flooding causing big commuter headache

NORTHUMBERLAND – Flooding has closed a major commuter route and sent thousands of vehicles into long traffic lines in Sunbury. Route 11 is closed between Northumberland and Shamokin Dam. The underpass at Northumberland is first to fill with river water backing up through storm drains, then Route 11 floods about midway between the two communities.

Now thousands of afternoon commuters are flowing through Sunbury and there are reports of long lines, particularly at the traffic signals approaching the Shikellamy Avenue/Front Street/Edison Bridge intersection. The river is at about 22’ feet and will crest near flood stage this evening. The river should recede quickly and a reopening is likely tomorrow.

Sections of Route 405 along the West Branch of the river, and the Watsontown River Bridge, are also closed because of high water. River Road near Lewisburg is also closed. A full list of state road closures is listed below. River Road in New Columbia is also closed.

Flooding 2010 II: River levels still high and climbing

UNDATED – The National Weather Service Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center is indicating that the main stem of the Susquehanna River at Sunbury will crest this evening near (or slightly above) flood stage. Meantime, on the West Branch, a crest at Lewisburg is expected momentarily and the river is expected to begin falling. At Milton and Lewisburg, crests near flood stage are expected with no widespread flooding.

Flooding 2010 III: West branch residents and business dealing with flood aftermath

MILTON – Residents and business owners in the Milton and Watsontown areas are spent Tuesday dealing with floodwaters invading roads, fields, homes and businesses.  Joseph Prowant has lived in Milton for more than 60 years and says the town is used to flooding and this time around wasn’t so bad. 

However, others didn’t see the flooding as minor, such as businesses like Arrowhead Restaurant and the BP Gas Station, which were completely flooded and unable to operate.  Dave Reynolds is the owner of the Winding Brook Golf Course off of Route 405 and says they had plenty of water on the course Monday, but things are better now, with no permanent damage done to the course.  (Ali Stevens)

Flooding 2010 IV: PennDOT’s frequent road updates

Montoursville – Here is the latest PennDOT list of road closures. Please bear in mind that these are all state roads. Local, municipal, private or other local connector roads may be closed—but not listed here.

Northumberland County
*SR 11 in Northumberland Borough, from Route 147, south to the river;

SR 405 in West Chillisquaque Township near the intersection with Route 147;

SR 1014 - Watsontown River Bridge;

SR 405 (Front Street) in Milton Borough, Garfield to Arch Streets;

SR 1031 (Housels Run Road) in West Chillisquaque Township between Routes 45 and 405;

SR 1025 (Shakespeare Road) in East Chillisquaque Township north of Route 45;

Union County
SR 1005 (River Road) north of Lewisburg between Wolf Field and River Woods Nursing Home;

SR 1008 (River Road) New Columbia;

SR 1010 (White Deer Pike) between SR 1011 and the Watsontown River Bridge.

Flooding 2010 V: Some Benton area residents displaced after flooding

BENTON – Some residents in the Benton area experienced severe flooding during yesterday’s rains and were stranded in their homes.  The Bloomsburg Chapter of the American Red Cross opened a shelter for those who were displaced.  There were no injuries reported. 

EMA officials urged business owners and residents close to waterways to stay vigilant. An attempt was made to rescue one family but that was unsuccessful and the family stayed in place at a home along Fishing Creek. Waters begin receding today and the family is said to be okay.

Decision 2010…Chuck Erdman announces candidacy

SUNBURY – Northumberland County Controller Chuck Erdman has announced that he will run for the 108^th state house district seat.  The seat will become vacant following the retirement of Merle Phillips (R-108^th, Sunbury) at the end of the year.  37-year-old Erdman, a resident of Point Township, is a Republican serving his fourth term as Northumberland County Controller.  In a statement released today, Erdman says he chose to run because our area “needs a reform-minded, fiscally conservative representative who will go to Harrisburg and fight for economic development, fiscal restraint and end the politics-as-usual that has left many of us to lose faith in our legislature and governor.”

Erdman praised Representative Phillips saying he will fight for some of the same priorities, including Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway Funding, keeping I-80 toll free and working to attract good businesses to the area, and helping existing industries thrive.  

Other Republicans, John Meckley of Milton, who is the Vice President of the Milton Library Board and Kathleen Dunkelberger a nurse from Sunbury have announced interest.  In addition Democratic Attorney Antonio Michetti has said he is interested in the position.  Another potential candidate, Sunbury attorney Rick Shoch, said he was considering a run for office—but he said he is not running.

Decision 2010…the campaigning begins: Marino Announces His Run for Congress

WILLIAMSPORT – Former Lycoming County District Attorney and former U. S. Attorney Tom Marino announced today that he is a republican candidate to represent the 10th Congressional District of Pennsylvania. If successful in the GOP spring primary, he will take on Congressman Chris Carney.

Decision 2010…the campaigning begins: Conestoga Wood employee running for state house 

KREAMER – A Snyder County resident and Conestoga Wood employee will run for the 85^th state house district seat, which will be vacated by the retirement of representative Russ Fairchild (R-85^th, Winfield).  Fred Keller will officially announce his candidacy this week.  

Keller is the plant operations manager for the dimension plant at Conestoga Wood in Beavertown.  Keller, a republican, lives in Middlecreek Township with his wife and two kids.  He will announce his candidacy Thursday in Kreamer.

Decision 2010…the campaigning begins: Other candidates?

UNDATED – Following today’s announcement from Chuck Erdman that he will run for the 108^th state house district seat, there is speculation who else will run.  Republicans, John Meckley of Milton, who is the Vice President of the Milton Library Board and Kathleen Dunkelberger a nurse from Sunbury have announced interest.

Additionally, democrat Antonio Michetti has said he is interested in the position again.  Another potential candidate, Sunbury attorney Rick Shoch, said he was considering a run for office, but has confirmed he is not running.

Getting hospitals ready for natural disasters

DANVILLE – U.S. Congressman Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock) was in Danville Monday for a congressional hearing about emergency preparedness in the event of a natural disaster.  Carney, who is the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee's Management, Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee, conducted the hearing. 

He says the purpose of the field hearing was to determine if the country has the capability to have a medical surge incase of a disaster.  Specific questions include how with Homeland Security handle it, how with Health and Human Services Handle it and how will Pennsylvania handle it.

There were two panels present during the hearing, including a federal panel with representatives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as well as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  There was also a panel with local hospital administrators.

Those included president and CEO of Evangelical Community Hospital Michael O'Keefe and Director of Emergency Medical Services at Geisinger Medical Dr. John Skiendzielewski.  Carney says it's how the local hospitals and federal government work together that's important.  Carney says our area is lucky to have so many great medical centers, but it is imperative to identify areas that are still in need of additional resources.

More today about the bittersweet lottery win

SELINSGROVE – For Snyder County resident John Dailey, winning a million dollars in Pennsylvania’s Lottery this month isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.  Dailey says his winnings are lined with overwhelming sadness following the loss of his son in November.  His son was in the Coast Guard and was diagnosed with melanoma cancer. 

Dailey, a 76-year-old retiree and frequent lottery player, lives with his wife and says the majority of his winnings will go to help out his family, including his three daughters, one daughter-in-law and grandchildren.  For himself, Dailey says he may take up flying again. The Pennsylvania Lottery has the millionaire raffle twice a year, where a limited number of tickets are sold and there are guaranteed prizes. 

500,000 tickets were sold in this most recent game, and Dailey was one out of four selected to win the top prize of a million dollars. Dailey was given the money Tuesday at a ceremony at the Giant Food Store in Monroe Marketplace, where the ticket was sold.  The store itself gets $5,000 for selling a winning ticket.

Woman critical after a storm blown tree branch pierces auto

KLINGERSTOWN – A Klingerstown woman is listed in critical condition at Geisinger Medical Center following an accident in Schuylkill County Monday morning. A tree branch crashed through her windshield.  State police say 58-year-old Darice Wehry was driving on Ridge Road in Eldred Township around 5:30a.m.

The tree branch crashed through the windshield hitting her in the face.  She was able to stop the car, but sustained a major injury to her face.  The incident took place during a heavy wind and rainstorm early Monday morning.  (Ali Stevens)

Sunbury City Council gives mayor approval to sign bid documents

SUNBURY – Mayor David Persing is getting the approval of Sunbury City Council to secure a bid submitted by a York based construction company for the pedestrian trail component of the Sunbury Riverfront Project.  The mayor concedes the landscaping phase of the project is not as vital to the city’s safety as the phase that will stabilize the riverbank.  He also notes that many would have preferred stabilizing the riverbank first, but says securing the city side bid before a January 28^th deadline will keep both phases moving. 

Ground was broken earlier this month on the $9 million Sunbury Riverfront project, and construction is expected to begin when warmer weather resumes, though questions regarding public financing will linger.  The mayor says financing for the Sunbury Riverfront Project could come from more than half-a-dozen public sources. (Matt Farrand)

Developer to be made aware of traffic safety concerns

SUNBURY – A private developer that wants to build nine units of low to moderate income housing on Memorial Drive in Sunbury will soon be getting a letter from Sunbury City Council that opposes the development.  The Susquehanna Development Corporation is proposing construction of nine general housing units that would rent to qualified families for from $55 to $450 per month.  However, Sunbury City Council voted to send a letter to the developer’s management company that will cite potential traffic hazards and pedestrian safety in the area of what is commonly called the Yoder property.

Council also noted its proximity to a school.  The measure passed Monday night, with councilman Joe Bartello casting a dissenting vote.  The property is not far from Memorial Acres, garden apartment style public housing owned and operated by the Sunbury Housing Authority.  (Matt Farrand) 

Our first official political announcement

SUNBURY – It looks like our first official political campaign announcement will come today.  Sources close to the Northumberland County Controller Chuck Erdman say he will announce his candidacy.  Erdman has been considering a run for the 108^th District state house seat being vacated by the retiring Merle Phillips (R-108^th, Sunbury).

Police investigate a residential burglary in Point Township

POINT TOWNSHIP – Point Township police are investigating a residential burglary from Sunday afternoon.  Police tell us someone forced their way into a home on Oak Park Drive and stole a 42- inch LCD flat screen television.  Neighbors reported seeing a dark colored pickup in the area, possibly with a cap...or a dark colored SUV.  A man was driving the vehicle and was seen in the area several times near the home.  Police add that the vehicle had a loud exhaust pipe.  Anyone with information on the incident in Point Township Sunday afternoon around 4:20 is asked to call Point Township Police.  (Ali Stevens)

Fire destroys a home in Millville

MILLVILLE – Fire destroyed a home in Millville early Sunday morning.  The fires started around 12:50 a.m. at the Frank Spencer residence at 1394 Millville Road.  Spencer and his two children were not at home at the time of the fire.  Volunteers from seven fire companies were called in to battle the blaze, but the home was leveled by the flames.  A state police fire marshal said the cause of the fire could not be determined.  The owner was insured. 

Christian learning center has a new director
 

Celebrating a new elementary school in Selinsgrove

SELINSGROVE – Second grade students at Selinsgrove Elementary sang “Welcome To Our School” at a special ribbon cutting yesterday afternoon to celebrate the new school in the district. The school has been open since September, but there was still construction going on, but now the school is complete.

School board president Eric Rowe was thrilled to see hundreds turn out for an open house yesterday afternoon. Superintendent Dr. Frederick Johnson says the vision of one campus in the district is now complete. All students in the district are on one campus and Johnson thanked the design and architect team for their new school.

Jackson Penn Elementary is now vacant and Dr. Johnson says they are having the building appraised to determine what steps to take next. The school features a new gymnasium and bleachers, a new cafeteria, new playgrounds and a new wing of classrooms. (Ali Stevens)

Man assaulted in his backyard by another man with brass knuckles

WATSONTOWN – One man is behind bars after he reportedly assaulted a man in his backyard in Watsontown with a pair of brass knuckles. Watsontown police say Quinton Thomas assaulted the man in a yard on East 8th Street Saturday afternoon and then pulled out a knife.

The victim ran from Thomas who chased him onto his back porch. Police say the victim was able to get inside and lock the door and then contacted police. Thomas reportedly kicked at the door trying to get in, but then fled on foot when police arrived. He was arrested on Locust Street in Milton.

Thomas was arraigned on charges of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and harassment. He’s locked up in the Northumberland County Prison on $75,000 bail. The victim of the assault was transported by ambulance to Evangelical Community Hospital and the severity of his injuries is not known. (Ali Stevens)

Burglary at a beverage distributor in Selinsgrove

SELINSGROVE – Selinsgrove police are investigating a burglary at a beverage distributor in the 600 block of South Market Street in the borough. Police tell us someone cut a phone line into the business and broke into the business.

The incident took place sometime between 9 p.m. Saturday and 7:30 a.m. on Sunday. Multiple cases of beer were taken from the business. Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to contact Selinsgrove Police at 374-8655. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, business update, lottery numbers and entertainment:

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Former congressman Joe Hoeffel is crossing the state to kick off the gubernatorial campaign he announced on Facebook four months ago. Hoeffel said at a Capitol rally Tuesday that he would promote socially liberal and fiscally responsible policies. The 59-year-old Montgomery County commissioner said that, as governor, he would work to relax restrictions on abortion in Pennsylvania and legalize marriage between people of the same gender. He also held a rally in Pittsburgh and planned a third rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday. Hoeffel served three terms in Congress before stepping down 2004 to mount what proved to be an unsuccessful challenge to then-Republican Sen. Arlen Specter. He's one of four candidates for the Democratic nomination for governor and the only one from vote-rich southeastern Pennsylvania.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The lawyer for an 18-year-old viola player who alleges Pittsburgh police officers brutally beat him says he has formally requested an FBI investigation. Kerrington Lewis told The Associated Press he has written a letter to Pittsburgh FBI agent Michael A. Rodriguez. Lewis says only an outside agency can fairly investigate. An FBI spokesman says Rodriguez is out of the office Tuesday.      Violist Jordan Miles alleges undercover police beat him Jan. 12. Pictures taken by his mother show his face covered with bruises and his right eye swollen shut. Terez Miles says the three white officers targeted her son because he is black. The officers have been reassigned while the city investigates.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A judge in the public-corruption trial of a former top lawmaker and three one-time aides is denying a defense motion to ban the use of Twitter by courtroom observers.  Dauphin County Judge Richard Lewis said in a Monday order that it would be premature and overly broad to impose such a restriction.  His order says issuing a ban before trial begins would represent an impermissible restraint on constitutionally protected speech.  He also says the proposed restriction exceeds the scope of a judge's authority to limit the broadcast of trial proceedings.  A defense lawyer, Michael Palermo Jr., says he made the motion because he's concerned about shielding witnesses from hearing one another's testimony.  The Associated Press, Pittsburgh Post- Gazette and Patriot-News of Harrisburg opposed the motion.

HARRISBURG , Pa. (AP) - Republican gubernatorial hopeful Sam Rohrer wants state party leaders to hold a candidates' debate before deciding whether to endorse state Attorney General Tom Corbett or Rohrer in the primary election.  The state representative from Berks County addressed a Pennsylvania Press Club luncheon and fielded questions about his candidacy Monday.  Rohrer said he is counting on support from conservative Pennsylvanians who are disenchanted with the political system.  Without an open exchange of ideas, he said the Republican Party risks becoming more of "a social club" than a vehicle to advance different points of view.  Rohrer entered the race two months ago and faces an uphill fight against front-runner Corbett for the GOP nomination.  The Republican State Committee is slated to vote on endorsements at its Feb. 13 meeting in Harrisburg.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A joint state House-Senate committee hearing will be looking into the activities of a casino trade association headed by a former Pennsylvania Supreme Court chief justice.  Sen. Jane Earll said Monday she and Democratic Rep. Dante Santoni of Berks County would hold the hearing on the Pennsylvania Casino Association next week.  Earll's and Santoni's committees handle gambling legislation. Earll, an Erie Country Repubulican, says the hearing is set for Tuesday, Feb. 2. Santoni and others  question whether the casino association should have registered under Pennsylvania's lobbying-disclosure law.  Former chief justice Stephen Zappala and other association officials say the group is within the law. The association maintains that its attempts to influence a new law that will to expand casino gambling does not meet the legal definition of lobbying.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Philadelphia Orchestra touts a long history of firsts in the classical world, but with plunging attendance and strained finances, officials are confronting the unwelcome possibility of becoming the first of America's "Big Five" orchestras to declare bankruptcy. Chairman Richard Worley says he does not know the likelihood of such a step for the Philadelphia Orchestra, traditionally considered one of the best in the nation along with the orchestras in New York, Chicago, Boston and Cleveland. Allison Vulgamore, the orchestra's new president and chief executive officer, acknowledges that the financial situation is very serious. She also acknowledges thinking long and hard before deciding to come to Philadelphia after leading the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for 16 years. Vulgamore will be trying to reverse a decline in ticket sales, which has left Verizon Hall only 62 percent full this season, even with many seats offered at a discount and down from 80 percent at the end of last season. There is also the search for a new music director and differences between the orchestra and its subsidiary Peter Nero and the Philly Pops.

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) - Former NFL linebacker Greg Skrepenak came home to Pennsylvania and parlayed his name recognition and hometown popularity into a seat on the Luzerne County Board of Commissioners. Skrepenak campaigned as a reformer but succumbed to the prevailing pay-for-play politics of the hardscrabble coal region of northeastern Pennsylvania. He's scheduled to plead guilty on Tuesday to federal charges of taking $5,000 in gifts from a developer seeking public financing of a condominium project. He's among 23 people in Luzerne County who have been charged so far by federal authorities investigating a variety of unrelated government corruption schemes over the past year. They include two judges charged with taking $2.8 million in kickbacks to place youth offenders in for-profit detention facilities - a scandal known as "kids for cash."

DRUMS, Pa. (AP) - An one eastern Pennsylvania restaurant, getting a cold one is no problem since everything is on ice – and under it, and surrounded by it. Dementi's Restaurant in Mountain Top has set up a temporary freestanding bar in its backyard that is almost completely made of 50 tons of ice -- including walls, roof, serving bar, benches and decorations. The pirate-themed bar is one of the few ice bars in the country, and owner and chef Kevin McDonald says he knows of no other freestanding one. He's hoping the novelty will bring in the crowds. To keep the ice from melting, air conditioning brought the mercury down to about 20 degrees Saturday inside the bar. McDonald says he thinks the average customer might spend 20 or 30 minutes inside before leaving to warm up. Over the past week and a half, McDonald, his employees and friends shaped, molded, carved and smoothed the 480-square-foot structure, which can accommodate about 40 people. www.delawareonline.com

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

Updates on the latest in business     

Dow: + 9.07 (10,205.93)

S&P 500: - 2.51 (1,094.47)

NASDAQ: - 4.33 (2,206.47)

Consumer confidence rises, a little

CHICAGO (AP) - A new report shows Americans feel slightly better about business conditions and the job picture. Consumer confidence improved modestly in January for the third straight month to its highest level in more than a year. But the number is still half of what's considered a healthy economy 

Tax credits spur home price rise

MIAMI (AP) - Home prices rose for a sixth straight month in November, thanks to tax credits for homebuyers. The home price index is up more than 3 percent from its bottom in May, but still 30 percent below its peak in May 2006. Rising prices are important to the economic recovery because they make homeowners feel wealthier and lead them to spend more money.

Deficit reduction plan rejected

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate is rejecting a plan backed by President Barack Obama to create a bipartisan task force to tackle the deficit this year. The panel would have worked on a plan to combine tax cuts and spending curbs that would have been voted on after the midterm elections. It got just 53 Senate votes, when 60 were needed.

Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers

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

 Midday Big 4

     2-2-3-4

 Midday Number

     0-0-1    

 Midday Quinto

     4-0-6-9-7

  Treasure Hunt

     03-09-19-23-24

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

Kiefer Sutherland roped into alleged cattle scam

STOCKTON, Calif. (AP) - Actor Kiefer Sutherland was among cattle customers roped into an alleged scam that netted more than a million dollars.  Prosecutors say Michael Wayne Carr of Linden had agreements to buy steers in Mexico for his customers and sell them for profit in the United States. Carr allegedly took $869,000 from Sutherland, star of the Fox TV show "24," and $177,000 from a New Mexico couple. Prosecutors say there's no record Carr ever bought the steers.  They also say Carr sold steers that didn't belong to him.  Carr is charged with 12 felonies, including grand theft, forgery and embezzlement. He was scheduled to be arraigned Monday, but a judge postponed it to Feb. 8 after his attorney was removed.  If convicted on all charges, he faces 18 years in prison

Amid Tebow furor, CBS invites more advocacy ads

NEW YORK (AP) - CBS is reacting to a furor over a planned Super Bowl ad featuring college football star Tim Tebow.  The network says it has eased its restrictions on advocacy ads and would consider any that are "responsibly produced" for the few open spots remaining for the Feb. 7 broadcast.  CBS says it has received both critical and supportive e-mails since women's groups began a protest campaign Monday against the ad. Those critics say the ad will use Tebow to convey an  anti-abortion message.  The ad is funded by the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family. It is expected to recount the story of Pam Tebow's pregnancy in 1987. After getting sick, she ignored doctors' recommendation to abort her fifth child and gave birth to Tim, a Heisman Trophy winner.

AC/DC to release official soundtrack to Iron Man 2

NEW YORK (AP) - AC/DC is putting the metal in the upcoming "Iron Man 2" film.  The band announced Tuesday they will release the official soundtrack, "AC/DC: Iron Man 2" on April 19. The first video from the album, "Shoot To Thrill," was released on Tuesday. The CD won't contain new music, but 15 classic songs, including "Let There Be Rock," "Thunderstruck," and the recent "War Machine."  The film opens in the United States on May 7.