Monday, February 15, 2010

Fire destroys Hartleton-area home

HARTLETON – A two-story home in Hartley Township, Union County was destroyed by fire Monday afternoon. The blaze broke out around 1:00p.m. at the Steve Noggle residence at Creek and Ranck Road along Penns Creek.

John Heiges is Fire Chief of the Mifflinburg Hose Company and says flames were shooting through the roof when they arrived on scene. He said the blaze had already run its way through the home. The fire is not suspicious and a state police fire marshal will be at the scene this week. The fire was thought to start in the back of the home near the area of a wood-fired boiler. Neighbors discovered the fire and called 911.

Noggle and his wife were not home at the time. No injuries were reported, though two small dogs did die in the blaze. Heiges says the home is a complete loss. Assisting Mifflinburg on the scene was New Berlin, Penns Creek and Middleburg fire crews. (Sara Bartlett)

Donated food to be presented to Ronald McDonald House

DANVILLE – Tuesday, February 16^th is the day that Pennsylvania Farm Bureau says the average American family has earned enough money since the start of the year to pay for their food supply for the entire year. 

Food Check-Out Day is also the day that the Farm Bureau delivers food donations to the Ronald McDonald House in Danville.  Development Manager Ann Blugis says last year’s donations of food and supplies were valued at more than $16,000.  Tuesday’s formal presentation at Danville Ronald McDonald House depends on weather conditions.  (Matt Farrand) 

PA Chamber official discusses Gov’s budget

DANVILLE – Following Governor Ed Rendell’s budget presentation last week, the Director of Government Affairs for the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce is trying to break down the proposed $29 billion spending plan.  John Callahan was a recent speaker in front of members of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce. 

Callahan says the 2010-2011 budget being negotiated leaves the state about $525 million in the hole, and while that’s less than the current budget, it’s still something to take into consideration.  Callahan says Rendell also made his budget presentation based on the assumption that there will be federal fund help.

Penns Creek man killed in Union County crash

Local Democratic committee holds fundraising dinner

SUNBURY – A Saturday night Democratic Party fundraising dinner in Northumberland attracted a candidate for the US Senate. Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7th, Media) focused his remarks on incumbent Senator Arlen Specter, and claims the former Republican is responsible for high unemployment and excessive national debt.

About 60 were on hand. Auditor Jack Wagner and Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty were reportedly invited to the event hosted by the Sunbury Area Democratic Committee. Wagner did not attend for personal reasons, and Doherty canceled earlier on Saturday. Both men are running for governor. (Matt Farrand)

Fire destroys business between Bloomsburg and Berwick

BERWICK – The Saturday night fire that destroyed a Columbia County business will be investigated. A State Police fire marshal will look into the blaze at All Occasion Rental in South Center Township.

There were no injuries in the fire that was reported at about 11:00 p.m. but the building at Route 11 near the bridge to Mifflinville sustained heavy damage. Lime Ridge, Summer Hill, Lightstreet, Millville and Espy fire crews were dispatched to the fire, according to the Columbia County Communications desk. (Matt Farrand)

Fire in a garage ruled accidental

GREGG TWP. – A fire in a garage in Gregg Township, Union County has been ruled accidental in nature. State Police Fire Marshal Norman Fedder says it appears the fire started in the engine of a vehicle parked inside the garage.

Firefighters responded to the call about 4:10 p.m. Thursday at the John Robbins property on South Creek Road and found the garage fully engulfed when they arrived. Damage to the garage, its contents and the house was estimated at $25,000. There were no reported injuries and the property owner was insured. (Ali Stevens)

Former county commissioner hopes to take over when Merle Phillips retires

SUNBURY – Former county commissioner Sam Deitrick is hoping to take over for Merle Phillips (R-108th, Sunbury) when he retires from his job as state representative of the 108th District. Deitrick announced his candidacy recently and talked about his experience with budgeting in the county potentially helping in Harrisburg.

He says he was able to turn things around in Northumberland County following the Cwalina-Lewis administration and balanced the county budget. Deitrick says he can take this experience to Harrisburg to help balance the state budget.

Deitrick says he feels strongly about supporting economic development in the region. He also tells us that if elected to office, he will keep the staff currently working in Merle Phillips office. He says they have done an excellent job over the years helping the constituents.

Deitrick will have to face off against Republican Northumberland County Controller Chuck Erdman, whom he has worked with for several years while serving as a commissioner. (Ali Stevens)

Fire damages home in Shamokin Friday

SHAMOKIN – A house fire caused heavy damage in Shamokin Friday evening. The blaze at 449 South Harrison Street was reported around 9:40p.m. The first floor of the home was damage according to early reports from the Northumberland County 9-1-1 Center.

They tell us, the Shamokin, Coal Township, Ralpho Township, Kulpmont and Mt. Carmel fire departments were involved in the firefight. Crews from about four other volunteer fire companies were involved in a standby capacity. Authorities say they know of no injuries and the crews were finished at the scene around 2:30a.m. Saturday.

Accident in Riverside injures one person

RIVERSIDE – One person was injured in a crash in Riverside Friday afternoon. State police say 19-year-old Kevin Bingaman of Selinsgrove lost control of his vehicle on Sunbury Road and skidded into a vehicle driven by 29-year-old Joshua Kovaschetz of Sunbury.

A passenger is Kovaschetz’s vehicle, Walter Dees of Paxinos, was injured in the crash and taken to Geisinger Medical Center for treatment. No other injuries were reported in the crash around 5:15 Friday afternoon in Riverside. (Ali Stevens)

Draft of school goal chart released

LEWISBURG – While Lewisburg Area School District residents continue to evaluate a master facilities plan; a kind of organizational chart is emerging of what will be taught in those facilities. Superintendent Dr. Mark DiRocco calls the Learning Framework a way to show how intervention, accelerated learning programs, and exams fit in to the overall goals of the district.

Dr. DiRocco says it could be an aid to parents considering a move to the district. Making sure students perform at grade level or better will remain part of the plan, whether or not the federal government renews the No Child Left Behind Act, a mandate that imposes the same goal. Dr. DiRocco says accelerated learning programs can be applied to almost all students. The Learning Framework will be posted on line, when complete. (Matt Farrand)

Belfanti hopes federal funds could help snow removal

HARRISBURG – State Reprehensive Bob Belfanti (D-107th, Mount Carmel) is hoping for some federal funds in his district following this week’s snowstorm. He says federal disaster assistance would help municipalities that were forced to go outside of their budgets to remove the snow.

The governor declared a statewide disaster emergency February 6th to enable state, county and municipal governments to respond effectively to the storm. Until a federal disaster emergency is declared, no FEMA funding will be available, but if a federal disaster is declared FEMA funding would be available for emergency work.

Northumberland County Transportation Director will resign

SUNBURY – Northumberland County Commissioner Vinny Clausi tells us the county’s Transportation Director will resign on Monday. Dennis Hepler had a meeting with the commissioners Tuesday after it was discovered that Hepler overcharged the Area Agency on Aging and PennDOT’s Shared-Ride Program for the past several months.

Hepler admitted to the double-charging for transporting senior citizens and claims he did it in an effort to recoup some of the money his department lost during the past year through a contract with a local cab company.

Hepler claims Clausi encouraged him to enter into the contract with Shamokin Yellow Cab Company, but he says he didn’t budget for it, so he felt he needed to make up the money by double-charging the agency. The overcharge of $15,000 is not expected to lead to criminal charges. (Ali Stevens)

Former MLB pitching star to receive an award from Economics Pennsylvania

SELINSGROVE – Economics Pennsylvania has announced that former major league pitching star Mike Mussina will receive the annual “Adam Smith Award For Distinguished Leadership.” Fritz Heinemann is president and CEO of Economics Pennsylvania and says each year; they choose someone with a strong interest in young people who serves as a role model for their organization.

Mussina was with the Baltimore Orioles from 1991 to 2000 and then pitched for the New York Yankees from 2001 to 2008. In 2000, Mussina established the Mike Mussina Foundation to benefit children and children’s charities.

Former recipients of the Economics Pennsylvania award includes State Representatives Russ Fairchild and Merle Phillips, former Bucknell president Gary Sojka and Selinsgrove Olympian Kelli Smith, just to name a few.

Tickets for the February 25th luncheon featuring Mike Mussina and Pittsburgh Steelers Star Linebacker Andy Russell are $75 each, with the event at Tedd’s on the Hill. Proceeds from the luncheon support Economics Pennsylvania programs. (Ali Stevens)

Elysburg resident wants to run for the 107th

ELYSBURG – A Elysburg resident wants to run for state representative of the 107th district, which is currently held by the retiring Bob Belfanti (D-107th, Mount Carmel). 59-year-old Ted Yeager is running as a Democrat. Yeager graduated from Southern Columbia in 1968 and earned a bachelor’s degree from Wilkes College and a master’s degree from Elmira College.

Yeager spent 27 years teaching social studies in the Danville School District. Yeager is chairman of the Municipal Authority for Ralpho Township and has served on the Ralpho Township Library Board, the Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech Authority and the Elysburg Rotary Club.

He will face off against Kulpmont Mayor Myron Turlis and Coal Township Commissioner George Zalar. The lone Republican candidate is Northumberland County Commissioner Kurt Masser. (Ali Stevens)

Local nurse going on medical mission trip to Bolivia

LEWISBURG – A local nurse will head to Bolivia in a few months to help with surgeries for children born with cleft palates and cleft lips. Vicki Eberhart of Winfield works at SUN Orthopedic and says she has always enjoyed doing mission work, and knows that cleft palates and lips are a big problem in Bolivia.

Eberhart says surgery can repair a child’s mouth, which allows them to eat properly and get the nutrition they need. To help with expenses for the April trip, a fundraiser is being held Saturday at the Towne Tavern in Lewisburg.

Guest bartenders at the fundraiser include local doctor Thomas Dominick and retired Major League baseball player Steve Kline. All are invited to the fundraiser Saturday from 7:00-10:00p.m.

The bright future of the House of Hope Susquehanna Valley on Roundtable this weekend

RIVERSIDE – For most of this century, the House of Hope Susquehanna Valley has been helping teen girls get their lives back on track. The house has been open in the Riverside area for more than 4-years and they were doing non-resident counseling before that. Over twenty girls have called the house their home for a year or so and have graduated.

The house has a bright future too—according to the guests on this weekend’s Roundtable program. Susan McDowell, the founder of the program, and Alex Poirier, the executive director. They and a student at the house—Emily—from Northumberland, discuss the mortgage burning they had last summer, and the need to serve more girls (and eventually…guys) in The Valley. You can hear Roundtable at www.wkok.com.

Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment

ROSTRAVER, Pa. (AP) - The owner of the western Pennsylvania ice skating rink where a roof collapsed won't reopen anytime soon, though a pub and banquet facilities could reopen soon.  Rostraver Ice Garden owner Jim Murphy says he believes excessive snow over the past 10 days appears to have caused a wooden truss to break on Sunday afternoon.  The rink was hosting a youth hockey tournament at the time, but no one was injured. About 100 people were inside at the time.  Murphy says a building inspector was expected Monday. He didn't have a cost estimate of damages.  The rink is in the middle of facility, which was built in 1965, and is flanked by a banquet hall and a pub. Murphy says those sections weren't damaged.

READING, Pa. (AP) - An Internet service provider is trying to figure out what caused 50,000 of its customers in eastern Pennsylvania to lose Internet access for three hours.  Windstream Corp. says the customers in the Reading and Ephrata areas lost service around 10:30 a.m. Sunday.  Officials say it happened as a company contracted by Windstream did maintenance on the fiber-optic network.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Storm warnings are again in effect across much of Pennsylvania as the state could be in for another blast of now.  Forecasters say they aren't sure what path the storm might take.  But areas across the state are forecast to receive anywhere from 2 to 8 inches of new snow starting Monday afternoon or Monday evening.  Much of the state is still recovering from a storm last week that dropped more than two feet of snow in many areas and broke a seasonal snowfall record in Philadelphia.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Cyril Wecht's is a story of how, with the right personality in the right era, death can be a one-way ticket to fame. Ever since 1976, when Jack Klugman gave life to the mulish Los Angeles coroner "Quincy," medical examiners have been a staple of TV. Now, it seems, they're everywhere. Wecht's high-profile cases helped build the bond between death and pop culture. And now that bond helps fill Wecht's classrooms at Carlow University in Pittsburgh, where he teaches forensic science. And it's gained a following for Duquesne University's department of forensic science and law, an institute named after the pathologist himself. Now 78, Wecht began stirring the pot when he was fresh out of medical and law school, when he ridiculed the Warren Commission's findings in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. And it was Wecht's contention that Elvis Presley had died of a deadly mix of prescription drugs, rather than heart disease, that led authorities to reopen the probe, though the cause of death never officially changed.

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

Update on the latest in business:

US stock markets closed for President’s Day

Greece: Eurozone needs more concrete plan

BRUSSELS (AP) - Greece's finance minister says eurozone nations need to make a "more explicit message" to set out how they will help Greece if it risks defaulting on debt payments.  George Papaconstantinou says such a statement should "work out a mechanism" for financial aid to his country.  European leaders last week made an expression of support but gave no details on what they would do. Greece's debt woes are threatening the euro currency. It is feared they could spread to other countries.  Finance ministers from the 16 nations that use the euro meet later Monday.

Toyota may lengthen warranties to keep customers

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Toyota executives say the Japanese automaker may raise incentives or increase warranties as it tries to recover from a string of safety-related recalls.  Group Vice President Bob Carter told dealers at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention in Orlando, Fla., that mechanics have repaired more than 500,000 of the 2.3 million cars and trucks covered by a recall for sticky gas pedals.  Several dealers say people have the mistaken impression they are not selling cars because of publicity about Toyota Motor Corp.'s recall.

Pennsylvania Lottery numbers:

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

Midday Big 4

     6-8-3-1

Midday Number

     4-8-2

Midday Quinto

     5-8-1-1-9

Treasure Hunt

     13-19-25-26-30

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

Walters' 29th annual Oscar special to be her last

NEW YORK (AP) - Barbara Walters says next month's Oscar interview special will be her last, ending a 29-year tradition.  Walters made the announcement Monday on her weekday talk show, "The View." She says she feels like she has "been there, done that."  Walters' farewell Oscar special is tied to ABC's Oscar Awards telecast and will air March 7. It will feature Academy Award Best Actress nominee Sandra Bullock and Best Supporting Actress nominee Mo'Nique, along with a retrospective of past specials.   Walters says she will continue her other annual ABC News special, "The 10 Most Fascinating People," as well as co-hosting “The View" and other assignments.

'Hurt Locker,' 'Hangover,' 'Up' win editing honors

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) - The war story "The Hurt Locker," the bachelor bash "The Hangover" and the animated tale "Up" have earned top honors from the American Cinema Editors.  The group honored "The Hurt Locker" for best editing on a dramatic feature film, while "The Hangover" won in the comedy or musical category and "Up" took the animation award.   "The Hurt Locker" won out over four other nominees that included sci-fi blockbuster "Avatar."  Also among winners Sunday night was the dolphin-slaughter investigation "The Cove," which won for best-edited documentary. Television winners includes "30 Rock," "Dexter" and the TV movie "Grey Gardens."

"THE BACHELOR" - JAKE PAVELKA

BURBANK, Calif. (AP) - Jake Pavelka says he doesn't think America understands how he could have been in love with all of the final 4 bachelorettes on "The Bachelor" at once. Jake says while filming the show he "was crazy about Ali, Vienna, Tenley and Gia." And, because Ali was one of them, it made it more difficult for Jake during last week's episode when she quit the show because her boss threatened to fire her if she stayed away any longer. But, Jake asks, "Who is the authority that says the human heart can't be in love with more than one girl at the same time?" He says he was taught love "can only happen with one girl at a time." But, he's decided "that's not the truth." Tonight, Jake is with Vienna, Tenley and Gia on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia. He'll give his final rose on March 1.

Badge Stops Bullet

LAS VEGAS (AP) - A police officer's badge may have saved his life when it stopped a bullet during an exchange of gunfire in North Las Vegas. Police say the 31-year-old officer was patrolling just before 10 p.m. Saturday when he heard shots being fired in an apartment complex. While investigating, the officer came upon a person with a gun who opened fire. The officer returned fire and was hit. But the bullet hit the badge, and the officer suffered only minor injuries. The person with the gun fled. Police continue to search for the suspect, who might also be injured. The injured police officer's name was not immediately released.

Olympic curler oldest competitor

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) - American curler Tracy Sachtjen doesn't need a reminder that she's the oldest U.S. Olympian in Vancouver. Sachtjen turns 41 this week and is an alternate on the team. She posed the other day for a photo with 16-year-old freestyle aerialist Ashley Caldwell - the skier is the same age as Sachtjen's daughter. American men's curler John Benton, the guy teammates call "great-grandpa," is also a forty-something. But Sachtjen's got him beat by four months.

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