Sunday, March 7, 2010

Accused clerk to appear before judge Wednesday

NORTHUMBERLAND – 48-year-old Cynthia Lark of Northumberland is free on $20,000 unsecured bond, and waits a preliminary hearing this week on charges that stole nearly $300,000 from the Northumberland Borough Sewer Authority.  The former sewer authority clerk and member of borough council is scheduled to appear Wednesday at 11:15 a.m. before District Justice Robert Bolton.  She is accused of transferring money from the Authority’s account to a payroll account, then writing herself checks and forging the signatures of the Authority’s president and treasurer.

An illness that kept Lark out of the office reportedly led to discovery of the alleged theft, by a substitute clerk.  (Matt Farrand) 

Eclectic soundtrack highlights Heiter Center dance-a-thon

LEWISBURG – A Saturday dance-a-thon raised money for summer camp programs at Lewisburg’s Donald Heiter Community Center.  Participants could dance for a five-dollar per hour donation, or stay the entire 13-hours for a donation of $25.00.  Each hour had a theme, featuring either music from a specific decade, or for a specific age group.  Youth Programmer Jane Kessler says about a dozen participants danced at the center during the daytime hours.  She says the “Mommy and Me” was a hit with the kids and their parents.  (Matt Farrand) 

Fire kills livestock, levels buildings

WASHINGTONVILLE – Livestock died in a late-night fire at a farm near Washingtonville, and officials say a woodstove or electrical problem could be the cause.  A shed, pen and workshop on the Ralph Znook property burned to the ground in Derry Township, Montour County at about 9:50 p.m. Saturday.  Three hogs reportedly perished in the blaze, and some farm equipment was destroyed.

Washingtonville, Millville, Warrior Run, Riverside and Valley Township fire personnel responded to the property on Continental Boulevard, and had the fire under control in about an hour.  (Matt Farrand)

Snydertown men, Sunbury woman injured in head on crash

RIVERSIDE – A Snydertown man is in serious condition at Geisinger Medical Center after a two-vehicle crash Saturday morning.  State troopers say 52-year-old John Smink was airlifted to Geisinger after the 8:00 a.m. crash on SR 4004 in Rush Township, Northumberland County.  His northbound vehicle was hit head on by a van driven by 43-year-old Linda Scanzillo of Sunbury, who apparently drove into the oncoming lane.  Scanzillo sustained what were described as moderate injuries. 

48-year-old Thomas Smink of Snydertown was riding in the John Smink vehicle, and was treated and released for injuries sustained in the crash near Murphy Road.  (Matt Farrand)

Kriner admits stealing Milton harvest and alumni money

SUNBURY – A Milton man has pleaded guilty to stealing about $20,000 from two non-profit organizations. Dale Kriner was treasurer of the Milton Harvest Festival and the Milton Area High School Alumni Association when he took the money from the two organizations. Kriner apologized in Northumberland County Court Friday and says he takes full responsibility for what happened.

Police says Kriner took the money after falling victim to a scam on the Internet where he sent money to a Nigerian man who claimed he needed to return to Pennsylvania. Police say between April of 2008 and December of 2009, Kriner made several money transfers from the two organizations into his personal account. Kriner is set to be sentenced in May. (Ali Stevens)

Lark charged in sewer theft

NORTHUMBERLAND – Charges have been filed against a former Northumberland Sewer Authority clerk for stealing nearly $300,000 from the Authority over a five-year period. 48-year-old Cynthia Lark of Northumberland is charged on a number of counts including theft and forgery.

Police say while in charge of accounting duties, Lark would transfer money from the Authority’s account to a payroll account. She would then write herself checks for more than her authorized pay and forge signatures of the Authority’s president and treasurer. A Northumberland Borough employee discovered the forgery and contacted authorities.

Lark turned herself in and is free on $20,000 bail. She will have a preliminary hearing next week. Lark resigned from her position at the Authority and as a member of the Northumberland Borough Council this week. (Sara Bartlett)

Billtown man says he’s ‘unfit’ for murder sentencing

MIDDLEBURG – A Williamsport man says he is “mentally unfit” to be sentenced for a deadly shooting in Monroe Township, Snyder County. The Daily Item reports 26-year-old Abdul Malik Saeed Walker was scheduled to be sentenced to a 10 to 20-year prison term after pleading no-contest to third degree homicide and burglary.

The charges are in connection to the shooting death of 19-year-old Steven Rodriguez over stolen marijuana. Walker’s cousin, 27-year-old David Cannie Jr. admitted to shooting Rodriguez in the chest and was sentenced to up to 60-years in prison last week. President Judge Harold Woelfel Jr. postponed sentencing for Walker to allow for a psychiatric examination to determine Walker’s competency. (Ali Stevens)

Cable boxes do not monitor viewing habits

SUNBURY – Service Electric Cablevision customers can view whatever they choose in confidence that their privacy is not being violated. The company is not monitoring your viewing habits according to local Division Manager Dwight Walter.

He says the boxes customers receive only collect data for billing purposes. He also talked about franchise fees, new tuners and digital technology while appearing on Thursday’s edition of (WKOK’s) On The Mark program. You can download Walter’s entire comments online from www.wkok.com (Matt Farrand)

S-U DiRT team to restore homes in Atlanta

SELINSGROVE – Rather than basking in the sun on a beach, more than half a dozen Susquehanna University students plan to spend their spring break helping rebuild flood-damaged neighborhoods in the Atlanta area. They are members of SU’s Disaster Relief Team, and include junior Chelsey Bennett.

The creative writing major says they will be working with other community groups on a variety of tasks. Bennett says damage from the disaster was comparable to that from Hurricane Katrina, but received only a fraction of the news coverage.

Students and chaperones will be working with students from other colleges, and will assemble at an Atlanta area church. Assignments could include everything from working in animal shelters to rebuilding homes. The group known as DiRT will head south Saturday morning, and expects to return on Friday. Eight people died in Atlanta area flooding last September. (Matt Farrand)

Influenza cautions still advised in spite of H1N1 fizzle

LEWISBURG – Emergency rooms and school nurses saw a spike in flu cases during the fall and early winter of 2009. Many of them were of the H1N1 strain. But did the so-called swine flu fizzle? Experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention think so, and credit publicity and widespread distribution of the vaccine.

Evangelical Community Hospital’s Infection Control Practitioner Paula Roseth agrees, and says the number of cases has leveled off to nearly nothing in the last couple of months. Roseth is somewhat optimistic that the worst is over, but warns that flu season traditionally lasts until May, and anti-flu precautions should be taken in the meantime. (Matt Farrand)

One case dismissed, one going to court in restaurant theft

LEWISBURG – A Mifflinburg woman waived her right to a preliminary hearing and a Watsontown woman had her case dismissed following theft from a Lewisburg restaurant. 22-year-old Aeron Fox of Mifflinburg and 45-year-old Kathy Clayton of Watsontown were facing felony charges after stealing more than $25,000 from the Country Cupboard Restaurant while they worked as waitresses last December.

Fox, who admitted to stealing more than $21,000, waived her charges on to court. Clayton, charged with taking more than $5,800, claims her transfers were for legitimate purposes, and District Judge Leo Armbruster dismissed her case. (Sara Bartlett)

Education, safe driving and our heritage—on Roundtable

SUNBURY – Three local critical issues are discussed on Roundtable this weekend when we again host the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce. This is one of their monthly programs and we talk about their efforts to affect early education funding, distracted driving limits and the work to procure a heritage park in this region.

Alison Stevenson from SEDA-COG tells us, the state heritage park program works to celebrate the history of certain regions. Our region’s history involving the confluence of the Susquehanna River is the topic of the Middle Susquehanna Heritage Park. She talks about the confluence of industries, cultures and of course, geography.

While the idea was gaining momentum, she says the state’s budget currently receives no funding and they are hopeful funding would be restored to heritage areas in the years ahead. On Roundtable, we find out more about the heritage park discussion, and the chamber’s work on distracted driving and promote early education funding.

You can hear Roundtable (Sunday) on Eagle 107 (107.3FM) at 6a.m., 100.9 (100.9FM), The Valley, at 6a.m., Newsradio 1070 WKOK (1070AM) at 9a.m., Talkradio 1380 WMLP (1380AM), 11a.m., 94KX WQKX (94.1FM) at 11p.m., and anytime, at www.wkok.com.

$1.5 million for Shikellamy State Park

SUNBURY – Renovations at Shikellamy State Park are closer to reality thanks to $1.5 million in state spending. As expected, Governor Ed Rendell announced the release of the money today. It will be used for improvements to the marina building. The additional money will hopefully be used to complete the design phase of the project this year, allowing work on research, education and conference facilities to start in 2011.

DCNR and the Susquehanna River Heartland Coalition are spearheading this project for Environmental Studies. The renovated facility will also serve as new offices for the Shikellamy State Park and Marina staff. More information about this project is posted at www.srhces.org.

Do you…ZUMBA?

SUNBURY – ZUMBA is the latest exercise craze and there are some special events planned to get more people involved in the newest craze. What exactly is ZUMBA? It’s a combination of aerobics and dancing, featuring hip-hop, salsa and belly dancing. Health experts say one hour of ZUMBA has the potential to burn 1,000 calories.

The Sunbury YMCA has a ZUMBA-thon planned for Saturday, March 27th with registration at 8:30 and then ZUMBA will take place from 9 to 12 that day. You can learn more about ZUMBA and other programs at the Greater Susquehanna Valley YMCA at www.gsvymca.org.

Hit and run trucker caught

SHAMOKIN – The truck driver that struck a fire hydrant and traffic light in Shamokin and kept on driving has been charged by police. The driver from Ontario, Canada, 51-year-old Joseph Colosimo, turned right onto Market Street from Sunbury Street around 6:20 p.m. Wednesday and struck the traffic signal and hydrant.

Colosimo was pulled over along Route 901 in Locust Gap several minutes later. The crash caused extensive damage to the traffic light, which had to be replaced. No injuries were reported. (Ali Stevens)

Help for Danville-area fire company

WASHINGTON – The Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Company has been awarded a grant of over $25,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The money will provide assistance to the company helping them get the necessary tools and resources to perform their job. Also in our area, the Catawissa Hose Company Number One was awarded over $70,000.

Congressman wants to cut Medicare prescription drug costs

UNDATED – Congressman Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock) wants to cut Medicare prescription drugs costs for both seniors and taxpayers. Carney is a co-sponsor of a bill introduced this week that would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate prescription drug prices on behalf of Medicare Part D beneficiaries for the first time. Carney says the potential savings is $156-billion over 10 years.

Carney says the Medicare Part D program, which benefits 28 million seniors, accounted for more than $50-billion worth of prescription drugs in 2009. But, he says the federal government has been barred from negotiating rates with the pharmaceutical industry since the program’s inception in 2004. Carney claims there is clear evidence that negotiating rates will save money and the legislation has been co-sponsored by 61 members of the house. (Ali Stevens)

Controller officially kicks off his campaign for state house

SUNBURY – Northumberland County Controller Chuck Erdman officially kicked off his campaign for the 108th District State House seat on Thursday night in Northumberland. Erdman and about 75 supporters gathered at the Townside at the Savoy for a campaign kickoff event.

At the event, Erdman introduced his campaign team, which includes Northumberland County Register and Recorder May Zimmerman and Preston “Lin” Davis of Milton as campaign co-chairs. Erdman told those who gathered that, “Our state needs to change.”

He said he’s running for the seat being vacated by Merle Phillips (R-108th, Sunbury) because he thinks he can make the difference and lead by example. Erdman says a conservative leader is needed to create jobs, cut taxes and reform Harrisburg. (Ali Stevens

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

GROVE CITY, Pa. (AP) - A historic Pennsylvania metal forge that made ashtrays for the German airship the Hindenburg has been destroyed by a fire. A spokeswoman for the Wendell August Forge workshop and gift shop in Grove City says Saturday afternoon's fire is thought to have started in the workshop, where lacquer was sprayed on bronze pieces. Spokeswoman Danielle Elderkin says all employees and customers escaped unharmed.  The Wendell August Forge had been in business since 1932 in Grove City, in the heart of scenic western Pennsylvania. Its building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Wendell August produces heirloom-quality personalized metal pieces. It says it made ashtrays for a 1936 Hindenburg flight and did custom work for Coca-Cola and Walt Disney.  Its business operations outside the Grove City location will continue.

WEST CHESTER, Pa. (AP) - Attorneys for a suburban Philadelphia man accused of setting a fire that killed an elderly woman are asking a judge to toss out a videotaped statement he made to police.  24-year-old George Donkewicz is charged with murder and arson in the December 2008 fire in Coatesville that killed 83-year-old Irene Kempest, who had been imprisoned in a German work camp during World War II.  His attorneys argue that mental infirmity prevented him from understanding the charges when police questioned him, and they also want the trial moved or a jury brought in from another county due to publicity. A hearing is scheduled next month.   Donkewicz also faces charges in five other fires in Coatesville, which was hit by a wave of arsons between 2007 and 2009. Two men have pleaded guilty to some of the blazes.

DELMONT, Pa. (AP) - Former congressional aide Mark Critz has won a nonbinding straw vote by Democrats in the 12th District seeking a nominee to fill the U.S. House seat vacated by the Feb. 8 death of John Murtha.  Critz, of Johnstown, won 46 of the 83 votes cast Saturday in Delmont, about 20 miles east of Pittsburgh. Critz was a longtime aide of Murtha's and had been endorsed by the late congressman's widow.  Former state treasurer and auditor general Barbara Hafer received 22 votes, Cambria County controller Ed Cernic took 14, and Washington County businessman Ryan Bucchianeria received one.  The state Democratic Party's executive committee is expected to name a nominee Monday for the May 18 special election.  Prospective Republican candidates for the seat include William Russell, who unsuccessfully challenged Murtha in 2008, and Eighty Four businessman Tim Burns.

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. (AP) - Authorities in Georgia say Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is being investigated in an allegation of sexual assault. Police say the incident occurred early Friday in a nightclub in Milledgeville, about 85 miles southeast of Atlanta. The player owns a home nearby. The player and some of his friends were seen visiting some local restaurants and bars earlier Thursday night. Separately, Roethlisberger has been sued by a woman who claims he raped her in 2008 at a Lake Tahoe hotel. The Steelers star denies those allegations and has asked for counter-damages. Agent Ryan Tollner says that "given the prior accusation against Ben, we are skeptical of motive, but we will continue to cooperate with everyone involved."

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Pennsylvania attorney general's office is done putting on its case in the theft, conspiracy and conflict-of-interest trial of a former state representative and three former legislative aides. Prosecution testimony wrapped up Friday after five weeks with investigators being quizzed by defense attorneys about financial records those investigators generated and displayed for jurors. Defendants Mike Veon, Brett Cott, Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink and Steve Keefer are expected to begin calling their own witnesses on Monday. Veon's attorney says he wants to know why a prosecution list of alleged bonuses for campaign work didn't include some people on a list of campaign volunteers, and why some people who got supposed campaign bonuses weren't on that list. Veon is the former No. 2 ranking House Democrat. He lost re-election in 2006.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - President Barack Obama is coming to the Philadelphia area as part of his pitch for health care reform. The White House announced Friday that Obama will speak at Arcadia University in Glenside on Monday morning. The president has been trying to rally congressional support to push through legislation that would overhaul the health insurance system. He has called for an up-or-down vote in the coming weeks. This event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in the Hospitality Room of Arcadia's Kuch Recreation and Athletic Center.

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

Update on the latest in business:

UAE's Dana Gas makes 2 new Egypt finds

CAIRO (AP) - Dana Gas says it has made two new gas discoveries in Egypt, finds that will further boost the United Arab Emirates-based producer's extensive holdings in the country.  Dana Gas said in a statement Sunday the first discovery in the West El Manzala concession produced 10 million standard cubic feet per day of dry gas, with preliminary estimates of recoverable reserves of 8 to 13 billion cubic feet of gas.   The second find, also in the same concession, produced 16.3 million standard cubic feet per day of gas with condensate and preliminary recoverable reserves are 27 to 57 billion cubic feet of gas with associated condensate.  The two discoveries are expected to be tied into the company's El-Wastani gas processing facility by the end of 2010.

Early results: Iceland voters reject debt deal

REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) - Initial results show that most Icelandic voters have rejected a $5.3 billion plan to pay off Britain and the Netherlands for debts spawned by the collapse of an Icelandic Internet bank.  With more than 70,000 votes counted, first results returned from six constituencies show 93 percent of those voters overwhelmingly said "no" in Saturday's referendum, compared to just 1.6 percent who said "yes."   Voters were considering whether to approve a deal that outlines the payment of $3.5 billion to Britain and $1.8 billion to the Netherlands as compensation for funds that those governments paid out to around 340,000 nationals as compensation after the Icesave internet bank collapsed.  Iceland is still struggling to recover from a deep recession, and many residents object to the tough terms of the repayment plan.

Less stimulus for minority firms

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration is hearing a rising chorus of demands to steer more stimulus money to Hispanic and black businesses.  Those businesses are getting a disproportionately small number of federal stimulus contracts. Latinos own 6.8 percent of businesses but have received only 1.7 percent of federal stimulus contracts recorded in U.S. government data. Blacks own 5.2 percent of businesses but have gotten only 1.1 percent of that money.  Minority advocates are calling for the administration to be more inclusive on this front and to track more closely who receives the contracts.  They say blacks and Latinos have been harder hit by the recession, and getting a fair share of stimulus contracts is key to the recovery of these communities.

Pennsylvania Lottery numbers:

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

Big 4

     2-0-6-6

Cash 5

     01-06-11-15-32

Daily Number

     7-0-0

Evening Quinto

     9-2-4-9-4

Megaplier

     4

Midday Big 4

     3-9-9-4

Midday Number

     7-0-2

Midday Quinto

     0-0-1-0-2

Powerball

     10-29-33-41-59, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 2

Treasure Hunt

     01-09-16-19-20

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

Glover: Help Ohio plant, shun Hugo Boss at Oscars

CLEVELAND (AP) - Actor and activist Danny Glover is calling on Academy Awards nominees and others in the film industry to not wear Hugo Boss suits at Sunday's awards ceremony.  The "Lethal Weapon" star makes the request in a letter on behalf of 375 Cleveland factory workers who'll lose their jobs if the German company closes the plant next month as planned.  The Feb. 26 letter asks Hollywood to "take a small stand for American workers." It asks Oscars attendees to wear on their lapels a pin reading, "Keep the Hugo Boss Plant Open."  Glover is collaborating with the labor union Workers United. The union says the plant is profitable and the company is shutting it because it can make clothing more cheaply in Europe.  Hugo Boss AG says the plant isn't globally competitive.

'Transformers,' Bullock make Razzies worst list

LOS ANGELES (AP) - "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" has been picked as last year's worst picture at the Razzies.  Sandra Bullock won worst actress for her romantic comedy flop "All About Steve" at Saturday's Razzies - on the eve of her expected Academy Awards triumph for "The Blind Side."  If Bullock wins best actress at Sunday's Oscars, she will be the first person ever to win an Oscar and a Razzie over the same weekend. The "Transformers" sequel won two other Razzies, worst director for Michael Bay and worst screenplay for Ehren Kruger, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman.  The worst-actor Razzie went to siblings Kevin, Joe and Nick Jonas for "Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience."

Depp, Burton lift 'Alice' to $41M opening day

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Audiences are mad as hatters about Johnny Depp and Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland," helping it earn a whopping $41 million in its first day.  After its big start Friday, the Disney release could be on track for a $100 million weekend. Box-office tracker Hollywood.com says that would be a record for films opening in March.  The current best March debut is $70.9 million for "300" in 2007.  Director Burton reteamed with frequent collaborator Depp, who plays the Mad Hatter in their new take on Lewis Carroll's classic. The film also features Burton's romantic partner, Helena Bonham Carter, along with Anne Hathaway, Crispin Glover and Mia Wasikowska as Alice.