Thursday, February 11, 2010

Why the Mid-Atlantic is getting all the snow

Undated – As the Central Susquehanna Valley continues to dig out from a 1-foot snowfall, the question arises—why are we getting more snow than normal. After more than 30 inches of snow this season in Central Pennsylvania, many are left wondering why areas like New England that usually get the most snow, are being spared. 

AccuWeather senior expert meteorologist Joe Lundberg says there is no clear answer, but believes it’s just our turn. He says last year, most winter storms tracked to the north, but this year, they are tracking across the middle part of the country. 

And speaking of snow, Lundberg says another storm is heading our way later Monday afternoon and Monday night.  He says it’s too early to say how much snow that will bring.  He adds that this winter, we have had more than 30 inches of snow in our area, which is double the amount we received last winter. 

Many schools delayed the start of their classes today and some schools were closed. Newsradio 1070 WKOK’s Winternet is posted at www.wkok.com. One local road is still closed, PennDOT says the closure is in lower Northumberland County on SR 3011 in Upper Mahanoy Township between the Schuylkill County line and the intersection with Schwaben Creek Road. (Ali Stevens)

Candidacy I: Former county commissioner vies for the 108^th District

SUNBURY – Former Northumberland County Commissioner Sam Deitrick has formally announced his candidacy for the 108^th state house seat currently held by Merle Phillips (R-108^th, Sunbury). 

Deitrick is a Sunbury native and says he has a passion for this community and the people who live here.  Deitrick is pledging to continue the outstanding record of constituent service that Representative Merle Phillips has provided. 

Deitrick attended Shikellamy High School and graduated from George Washington University.  He was elected Northumberland County Commissioner in 1992 and served for 12 years and as chairman for 3 years.  He currently serves as a Northumberland County jury commissioner.  Deitrick is one of just two declared candidates so far. 

He will have to face off against fellow Republican Chuck Erdman, Northumberland County Controller.  Erdman and Deitrick have served on many local boards together.  After hearing Deitrick’s announcement, Erdman says, “he looks forward to a spirited primary campaign and in the end, I am confident they will decide I am their best choice.”  (Ali Stevens)

Candidacy II: PA Nurses Association CEO running for 85^th District

LEWISBURG – Another candidate has come forward in the race for the 85^th Legislative District.  Betsy Snook of Lewisburg has announced her intentions, hoping to replace the retiring Russ Fairchild (R-85^th, Winfield). 

Snook is the CEO of the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association and says this gives her an important perspective.  She says she’s watched too many people break their word and cut out of deals. 

However, she’s also seen good members of the house, both Republican and Democrat, that have made good decisions and says those are the people she admires. Snook believes Russ Fairchild was one of those good people and she wants to follow his leadership. 

Snook is also pro-life, believes in lowering taxes, and wants local control for school districts.  You can visit her website for more information at www.joinbetsy.com.  She is the third Republican to enter the race, which includes Maurice Brubaker and Fred Keller.  There is only one declared Democratic candidate. That is Trey Casimir of Lewisburg.  (Ali Stevens)

Candidacy III: Kulpmont Mayor to run for 107^th District

KULPMONT – There are now three candidates in the race for the 107^th District, being vacated by retiring state representative Bob Belfanti (D-107^th, Mount Carmel).  Kulpmont Mayor Myron Turlis announced that he will be seeking the office.

He joins fellow Democrat George Zalar, a Coal Township Commissioner who has been endorsed by Bob Belfanti. Mayor Turlis is the owner of Turlis Sewer and Drain Cleaning in Kulpmont and was sworn in as mayor in January.  He is also a former council member.  

On the Republican side, Northumberland County Commissioner Kurt Masser is hoping to win the seat that has been held by a Democrat for decades.  Belfanti started in office in 1981.  He cited health concerns as his reason for not seeking re-election.  (Ali Stevens)

Fire early this morning in Columbia County

ORANGEVILLE – The investigation continues into what caused a fire early this morning at a home in Orange Township, Columbia County.  The fire was called in just after 3 a.m. at the Beers Residence at 3 Nyehart Road. 

The owner of the home called in the fire and was able to get out safely.  Crews found a working fire when they arrived on scene.  No injuries were reported.  A damage estimate is not yet available.  (Ali Stevens)

Susquehanna University to hold Haiti candlelight vigil
 

Overturned truck near Mifflinburg

MIFFLINBURG – An overturned tractor-trailer is completely blocking Route 45, one mile west of Mifflinburg. The accident took place shortly after six this morning and the road is closed until further notice. No injuries were reported. We will update you when more information is available.

Winter Storm I: Storm explodes over Valley

UNDATED – We got about a foot of snow. Blowing and drifting will continue, so travel may be slower today. The governor’s office and PennDOT have urged no unnecessary travel. Motorists are cautioned to drive with added care.

PennDOT says if you must travel, do so with added caution, particularly on secondary roadways and ramps. Watch for drifting snow and icy areas resulting from high winds.

PennDOT plow trucks will continue to do plowback and clean up today. See the latest forecast and read all of our cancellations, delays, school announcements and postponements at www.wkok.com

Winter Storm II: Some Interstates shutdown

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Pennsylvania's governor has reopened three major interstates, which closed yesterday due to blizzard conditions. Gov. Ed Rendell ordered the closures of Interstate 83 and Interstate 78, and part of Interstate 81 - from the Maryland state line to I-80. The closures took effect at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. Those highways are now open.

Rendell says blizzard conditions have made the roadways impassable. He says he's expecting to close more roadways as conditions deteriorate. Pennsylvania Turnpike officials say they plan to keep that road open for now. But a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission says officials are constantly monitoring conditions on the toll road.

Winter Storm III: Sunbury declares state of emergency

SUNBURY – The City of Sunbury has declared a state of emergency, and all motorists are asked to stay off the streets. Snowplows will run until 10:00p.m. Starting at 6:00a.m. Thursday, snow removal will begin on Market, Arch and Chestnut Streets, as well as North 4th Street starting at Chestnut Street. Vehicles must be removed by 6:00a.m. in these areas.

Winter Storm IV: Selinsgrove residents advised to slow sidewalk snow removal?

SELINSGROVE – Selinsgrove borough is making snow removal plans that will require residents to keep their vehicles off the streets. Starting early Thursday morning, snow removal routes will include Market Street from Bough Street to Snyder Street, Pine Street from Water to Orange Streets, Chestnut Street from Water to High Streets, and University Avenue/Walnut Street from Water to High Streets.

Friday, the borough will be clearing snow as close to the curbs as possible on remaining local streets. Residents should remove their vehicles from those streets by then. The borough also recommends postponing sidewalk cleaning until that operation can be completed. Residents have until 48 hours after a major snowfall to clear sidewalks completely under current conditions. (Matt Farrand)

Winter Storm V: Northumberland parking restrictions

NORTHUMBERLAND -- In Northumberland Borough, residents are being asked to remove their cars from the Snow Emergency Route today (Thursday), and are also asked to follow the “no parking on Mondays” street signs, and not park where they are posted. Likewise, the “no parking on Tuesday” street signs should be observed on Friday. There is also no parking in alleys on Friday.

Townships could have to ante up for PSP service

SUNBURY – Talk of charging for State Police protection in townships that don’t have their own police forces continues to circulate in Harrisburg. Sunbury Mayor David Persing expects some sort of plan to emerge, but hopes it will include a way for local police departments to also offer services to surrounding communities.

He says the Sunbury City Police may be able to offer protection on a regular basis, but at a lower rate than what has been proposed. The mayor is willing to talk with officials from any surrounding community, and take steps toward an arrangement that would provide better protection, and ease Sunbury’s financial strain.

Measures considered during the current legislative session, such as House Bill 747, have been criticized as a one-size fits all policy with few incentives or phase-in options. It also would require local townships to levy an annual tax of $100 per resident for state police services.

Persing stresses that his vision is not a merger of police forces with those of surrounding communities. The idea was talked of in Sunbury, Northumberland Borough and Point Township in recent years, but rejected. (Matt Farrand)

Many candidates to attend fundraising dinner

NORTHUMBERLAND – The Sunbury Area Democratic Committee is holding a fundraiser Saturday. In attendance will be Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-7th), who is running for State Senator, as well as Chris Doherty and PA Auditor General Jack Wagner who are candidates for Pennsylvania Governor.

Representatives for Congressman Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock), Senator Arlen Specter (D-PA), as well as Gubernatorial candidates Joe Hoeffel and Dan Onorato will also attend. The event will be held at the Front Street Station Saturday starting at 6:00p.m. Cost is $29.00, which includes dinner. Anyone interested can contact the Sunbury Area Democratic Committee.

Port Trevorton man injured in early morning crash

SUNBURY – A Port Trevorton man was injured in a crash on Route 11 in Snyder County around 5:00a.m. Wednesday. State police tell us 53-year-old James Herrold lost control of his vehicle north of Tedd’s Landing restaurant and spun into the southbound travel lane, hitting a tractor-trailer driven by a man from Ontario, Canada.

Herrold sustained moderate injuries in the crash while the driver of the rig was not injured. Herrold was transported to Geisinger Medical Center for treatment. Route 11 was closed for about two hours while crews cleaned up the wreckage. The incident is still under investigation. (Ali Stevens)

Woman due in court after being charged with choking a 3-year-old

MIDDLEBURG – A Paxtonville woman is due in court this week, charged with choking a 3-year-old child. Police say 28-year-old Lisa Leisenring is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment for the incident that took place on October 19th.

Doctors examined the girl and stated that “severe choking” caused the bruising on her head and face. The young girl reportedly told Child Advocacy Center workers that Leisenring choked her for not taking a nap. Leisenring is locked up in the Snyder County Prison awaiting a court hearing. (Ali Stevens)

Pike County resident plans to run for the GOP nod for the 10th Congressional District

BUSHKILL – A Pike County resident plans to run for the GOP nod for the 10th Congressional District. Ted Yale of Bushkill was a telephone guest on WKOK’s On The Mark program Wednesday and talked about how he made his decision to run.

Yale says he has no political experience, but still feels qualified to do the job. He says this is a job that is more about working with people, about good government and about connecting with voters, which he says is something he knows how to do and is ready to do.

Yale says he is a big political junky and was trying to find out about GOP candidates running against Congressman Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock), and realized there weren’t any from his area. You can hear more from candidate Ted Yale on Wednesday’s On The Mark program online at www.wkok.com. We will also continue to feature candidates for the 10th congressional district on upcoming On The Mark programs. (Ali Stevens)

More candidates running for the 10th Congressional District

SUNBURY – A businessman from the Wilkes-Barre area has announced that he will run for the 10th congressional district. David Madeira of Lehman Township made the official announcement on Tuesday that he will seek the Republican nomination.

Also, Ted Yale of Bushkill in Pike County has announced that he will also run for the Republican nomination. He was a guest on WKOK’s On The Mark program on Wednesday and he will be featured in upcoming newscasts.

Madeira and Yale will have to face off against Snyder County Commissioner Malcolm Derk, former U.S. Attorney Tom Marino and accounting professor Steven Solieri of Lake Ariel in the primary. Whoever wins the GOP nomination will face off against incumbent Democrat Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimmock) in the general election. (Ali Stevens)

Door smashed in a pharmacy burglary in Mifflinburg

MIFFLINBURG – A Mifflinburg man is behind bars following a burglary early this morning at a pharmacy. Mifflinburg police tell us 22-year-old Kenneth Reamer smashed the glass front door to the CVS Pharmacy in Chestnut Plaza overnight. The drug Hydrocodone was removed from the pharmacy before Reamer fled on foot.

Police say they followed footprints in the snow to Reamer’s home on Creek Road. Police say they found wet clothing at his home and shoes matching the footprints at the crime scene. Reamer was arraigned before District Judge Jeffrey Mensch and sent to the Union County Prison on $50,000 bail. Police in Mifflinburg were assisted by police in East Buffalo Township, Lewisburg and Milton. (Ali Stevens)

Danville police receive $10,000 from truck company

DANVILLE – Danville police have received more than $10,000 from the company that hauled a wide-load over the Danville-Riverside Bridge, which got stuck and was left on the road for two weeks.

Police Chief Eric Gill says they billed the company for the costs associated with the incident. The money will be used to renovate the police station and assist with other purchases for Danville Fire Police and to replace things damaged by the truck.

The truck was hauling a huge section of a windmill from Toronto to West Virginia on October 26th. The truck got stuck turning onto the bridge and a crane was used to help move it, but the axle broke. The truck was then left on Front Street in Danville for two weeks awaiting repairs. (Ali Stevens)

State police investigate a hit and run pedestrian accident that injured a 10-year-old boy

LEWISBURG – State police are investigating a hit and run pedestrian accident that happened last evening in Kelly Township, Union County. Troopers tell us a 10-year-old boy was crossing the road at the intersection of Broad Street and Old Route 15 at 7 p.m. when he was struck by a car. The boy told police that the driver yelled at him after he was struck and then continued driving, fleeing the scene on Route 642 towards Milton.

The vehicle is described as a small tan or gold sedan with a Pennsylvania license plate. The driver was described as possibly a Hispanic man with a neatly trimmed beard, approximately 30 to 40 years old. The boy was treated for minor injuries following the accident. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact State Police at Milton. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The natural gas industry is bracing for a political tussle over whether and how Pennsylvania will tax the methane from the potentially lucrative Marcellus Shale formation.  The industry's trade association, the Marcellus Shale Coalition, is responding to Gov. Ed Rendell's call to tax both the sale and volume of natural gas extracted from Pennsylvania.  The shale coalition says other shale states set the initial tax rate low enough to let the companies recoup the multimillion-dollar cost of drilling. The coalition also says Pennsylvania's drilling laws are outdated, cumbersome and costly to comply with.  Rendell wants money to shore up a state treasury that faces a projected multibillion-dollar gap resulting from spiraling public pension costs and the expiration of federal stimulus budget aid.    

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - A central Pennsylvania animal shelter is looking for new homes for more than a dozen pets that had already been displaced nearly five years ago by Hurricane Katrina.  The dogs and cats were initially part of a pack of 100 pet refugees rescued by the woman in Texas in the hurricane's aftermath.  According to the Center County PAWS shelter, the unidentified woman had found new homes for some pets before she moved to Pennsylvania in 2006 and took 75 pets with her.  The woman found new owners for more pets, but a recent crisis forced her to give up caring for the remaining animals.  The shelter said last month it initially took in almost two dozen Katrina pet refugees. Its Web site Thursday showed 11 cats and three dogs awaiting adoption.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Scranton mayor and gubernatorial candidate Chris Doherty is considering whether to run for state Senate instead.  Doherty's spokesman said Thursday that Doherty has been approached about running for a newly open Senate seat and that he is listening.  Spokesman Mark Nevins says Doherty is trying to decide whether he can achieve goals such as job creation from the Senate.  On Tuesday, Sen. Robert Mellow of Lackawanna County announced that he will not seek re-election this year.  Doherty, a Democrat, has been Scranton's mayor since 2002. He is in office through 2013.  His fundraising in the gubernatorial campaign is trailing well behind the other three candidates.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Emergency crews have cleared a backlog of about 200 trucks and other vehicles stuck on Interstate 78 in eastern Pennsylvania because of the blizzard. A crash and snow falling at about 2 inches an hour had left the vehicles stranded beginning about noon Wednesday. Department of Transportation spokesman Sean Brown says emergency vehicles were able to clear some pathways and pull out enough vehicles to get the traffic moving again by midnight. Berks County Emergency Services Director Theodore Cole says gasoline, food and water were delivered to the drivers while they were stranded. Pennsylvania shut down major highways including I-78 after they were rendered nearly impassable by the storm. Enough snow fell to assure Philadelphia of its snowiest winter on record.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The massive storm that has set a new snowfall record in Philadelphia has cut power to about 110,000 electric customers in and around the city. PECO spokesman Fred Maher says rising winds have been toppling snow-covered trees into power lines, leaving 110,000 without power as of 9 p.m. Wednesday in Philadelphia and the four suburban counties. About 49,000 are in Bucks County. Officials say there are more than 138,000 customers without power across the state. Western Pennsylvania power companies say 26,500 customers have no electricity, and some have had none since the last storm began Friday. Allentown-based PPL Corp. says it has about 2,100 customers without service. The National Weather Service says 14 inches of snow has fallen in Philadelphia so far, setting a new record of 70.3 inches for the season so far.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Funeral services for the late Rep. John Murtha have now been finalized for next week in the western Pennsylvania district he represented for 3 1/2 decades. Murtha's family says a private viewing will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday and Monday at Duca's Funeral Home in Johnstown. A private funeral service begins at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Westmont Presbyterian Church, and a private burial service will follow at Grandview Cemetery. Family members say a public memorial is planned at the U.S. Capitol in the coming weeks. In lieu of flowers, they suggest contributions to the UPMC John P. Murtha Cancer Pavilion in Johnstown or the Joyce Murtha Breast Care Center in Windber, Pa. Murtha, D-Pa., died Monday at a hospital at age 77 after complications from gallbladder surgery.

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

Update on the latest in business

Dow: 10,145.55, 107.17

S&P 500: 1,078.33, up 10.20

NASDAQ: 2,177.44, up 29.57

NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks are chalking up gains. Past the midway point of the Wall Street session, the Dow has been up more than 100 points.

BRUSSELS (AP) - European leaders have offered words of support for Greece - but no money so far. They want to calm market fears that the Greek debt crisis may spread to other vulnerable countries and damage the euro currency.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A Senate bipartisan jobs bill being offered includes a tax break for companies that hire unemployed workers. It also gives money for highway construction, relief for private pensions and a one-year extension of the Patriot Act used to combat terrorism.

WASHINGTON (AP) - New figures from a trade group show home prices rose in more than 40 percent of U.S. cities in the fourth quarter of last year. The National Association of Realtors says the median sales price for previously occupied homes rose in 67 out of 151 metro areas in the October-December quarter versus a year ago.

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

Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers .

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

Midday Big 4

     2-5-1-4

 Midday Number

     5-4-7

 Midday Quinto

     9-6-6-2-6

 Treasure Hunt

These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn on Thursday:

Big 4 7-0-7-1

Cash 5 05-19-28-34-42

Daily Number 0-1-2

Evening Quinto 1-3-7-7-3

Midday Big 4 2-1-8-9

Midday Number 0-2-3

Midday Quinto 6-7-0-6-7

Powerball 05-08-29-37-38, Powerball: 34, Power Play: 5

Treasure Hunt 13-14-16-26-29

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

Fan campaign urges 'SNL' to make Betty White host

NEW YORK (AP) - More than 188,000 people on Facebook are urging "Saturday Night Live" to make Betty White a host.  The campaign has been gaining followers and attention, just as the 88-year-old actress has become more ubiquitous. She was given a lifetime achievement award at the Screen Actors Guild Awards and starred in a Super Bowl commercial for Snickers that has ranked as one of the game's most popular.  The Facebook page, which isn't affiliated with White, says she would be a "fantastic" host and that it would be a terrific way to honor her.  Representatives for White said she had no comment. NBC is also not commenting.

Italy court orders Getty's bronze confiscated

ROME (AP) - An Italian court has ordered an ancient bronze statue bought by the J. Paul Getty Museum seized.  The Culture Ministry on Thursday hailed the verdict from the court in Pesaro, saying it hoped it would lead to a serious "reflection" from the Los Angeles museum about returning the Greek statue "Victorious Youth."  The statue, nicknamed the "Getty Bronze," was pulled from the sea by Italian fishermen in 1964 off the eastern town of Fano, near Pesaro.  The Italian government, which has been on an international campaign to reclaim looted antiquities, says it was brought into Italy and then exported illegally.  The Getty maintains Italy has no claim to the bronze and says it bought the statue in good faith in 1977 for $4 million.

Playground for older folks?

LONDON (AP) - When you think playground, you think babies and toddlers - not baby boomers and soon to be toddling older folks. But in London, officials are talking about creating an outdoor playground for older people. No jungle gyms or monkey bars here - the park will feature low-impact exercise equipment to help older people improve their balance and flexibility and tone muscles that may not have been put to use for decades. While it may be a novel idea on this side of the big pond, exercise areas aimed at the elderly are already popular in Europe and Asia. And two years ago, a park for people over 60 was opened in Manchester.

7-YEAR-OLD GIRL TO BE DRUM CORPS QUEEN IN RIO CARNIVAL

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) - It's an honor that usually falls to sexy models or actresses - not to a 7-year-old girl. And that has some people upset in Rio De Janeiro - where a judge has ruled that little Julia Lira will be able to take on the role of drum corps queen during Brazil's Carnival in Rio. Julia will be waving the baton and shaking her tiny hips for the Viradouro samba group. Children's rights group say heading the drum corps is too erotic for a young girl. And lest you ask what her daddy thinks: he's good with it. Marco Lira is the president of the samba group - and he stood by proudly yesterday as his daughter gyrated around in a two-piece outfit while reporters took photos and video footage. Daddy says the girl will bring a fresh, innocent energy to the parade.

Va. House OKs ban on implanted tracking devices

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The Virginia House of Delegates has passed a bill that would ban the forced implantation of tracking devices in people, with supporters citing both privacy concerns and religious prophecy. Del. Mark Cole says the bill means no one could be required to wear a tracking implant as a condition of employment or by insurers. Most people objected chiefly on privacy reasons -- the fear of their whereabouts being electronically pinpointed at all times -- and long-term health concerns. But Cole said some had religious objections, including those rooted in Christian teachings of an Antichrist who would compel followers to wear "the mark of the beast." Del. David Englin, who's Jewish, also noted that some Orthodox Jews would consider the implants a defiling of the body.

Rare 9/11 pictures released

NEW YORK (AP) - Even now, more than nine years later, they have the power to shock. A new batch of aerial photographs of the collapsing World Trade Center was widely released this week – and the images offer a rare and chilling view from the heavens of the burning twin towers and the apocalyptic shroud of smoke and dust that settled over the city. The images were taken from a police helicopter - the only photographers allowed in the airspace near the skyscrapers on Sept. 11, 2001. They were obtained by ABC after it filed a Freedom of Information Act request last year with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the federal agency that investigated the collapse. The chief curator of the planned Sept. 11 museum pronounced the pictures "a phenomenal body of work." One close-up shows orange flames and black smoke pouring from the upper floors of the north tower, the first hit by a hijacked plane.