Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Safety changes in Winfield will improve Rt. 15

SUNBURY – Road projects to enhance safety along Route 15 near Winfield will get underway this summer.  Union Township Supervisor Billy Allred says they have committed to PennDOT that two intersections with Route 15, at Seven Kitchens Road and Reitz Avenue, will be reconfigured. 

He says the two roads will be combined into a new road in between the original roads.  They are also purchasing a small plot of lane along the railroad to construct the road.  Allred says it will make a much safer driving area.  Allred says the reconfiguration is consistent with the planned bridge in the CSVT project and will be paid for through safety funds issued by the federal government. 

Other road projects in that area include road widening, creating a turning lane and adding shoulders to the area of Route 15 near the Route 304 intersection.  Construction is expected to begin this summer.  Traffic will be able to get through during the work, with only one lane being closed at a time. (Sara Bartlett) 

Horse on the loose in the Sunbury area

SUNBURY – Authorities outside Sunbury are hoping they can find a missing horse soon. The large mare took off after it bolted through a fence on a farm along Mile Run Road in Lower Augusta Township. 

The horse reportedly got a shock from an electric fence and ran away.  It has been missing since 8:30 Monday night.  The animal, who answers to the name John Quill, weighs about 1,800 pounds and is a 6’ tall red mare with a white blaze on her head.  She was wearing a red halter when she took off last night. 

Anyone with information is asked to call Stonington State Police.

Bucknell volunteers fight local hunger

LEWISBURG – Bucknell University hosted their annual Empty Bowls program Tuesday.  The program is a fundraiser, with proceeds going to Community Harvest; a free meal served to community members in need each weekday in the Milton area.  Poppy Goforth, Director Community Service at Bucknell, says Empty Bowls is their biggest fundraiser, with each participant giving $10.00.  They get a bowl, made by Bucknell students, and can eat from a soup buffet.

Gretchen Heuges, Director of the Craft Center at Bucknell, oversaw the making of over 300 bowls for the event.  She says Empty Bowls merges art and creativity with the great cause of fighting local hunger.

Bucknell volunteers serve the free Community Harvest meal every Monday at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church in Milton from 4:30-7:30p.m.  Goforth says they generally serve about 200 people each week. (Sara Bartlett)

Centralia residents claim fraud

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - The few remaining residents of Centralia claim in court papers that a “massive fraud” is being perpetrated against the town by parties seeking to grab the mineral rights to millions of dollars worth of coal. 

In a filing Monday, four property owners and the borough asked a state appeals court to block Pennsylvania officials from seizing their homes.  The state condemned the homes in the early 1990’s but only recently moved to oust the remaining holdouts. 

Centralia all but ceased to exist in the 1980’s as the 48-year-old underground mine fire spread underneath homes and businesses.  More than 1,000 people moved out.  The holdouts say they have evidence that the fire isn't a threat and may never have endangered the town.

Local attorney kicks off campaign for 108^th seat

HERNDON – Local Attorney Antonio Michetti has kicked off his campaign for the 108^th State House Seat currently held by State Representative Merle Phillips (R-108^th, Sunbury).  The Democrat says he has received hundreds of signatures from supporters in Snyder and Northumberland counties.  Petitions are due Tuesday for those interested in running.

Michetti is the lone Democrat in the race.  Republicans running include Northumberland County Controller Chuck Erdman, former Northumberland County Commissioner Same Deitrick, Wood-Mode employee Stanley Geiswhite, Representative Phillip’s legislative aide Lynda Schlegel-Culver and Riverside resident Ken Snyder.

More theft charges against Norry woman

NORTHUMBERLAND – Point Township police have filed more charges against a woman already facing charges of felony burglary and theft.  40-year-old Kristin Bowersox was arraigned last week after she was accused of stealing $180 from a client while working as a personal care attendant for the Visiting Nursing Association. 

Bowersox was suspended for also stealing $400 from another client two months ago.  Bowersox apparently admitted to keeping the $400 given to her by the client.  Bowersox was released on bail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing before District Judge Robert Bolton on Wednesday.  (Ali Stevens)

CSVT favored by several GOP congressional hopefuls

LEWISBURG – The CSVT was on the minds of three out of four Republican candidates vying for their party’s 10th District congressional nomination attended a panel discussion Monday night at Bucknell University. They agreed the federal budget is too big, but the millions required to complete the Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation Project would be money well spent.

Snyder County Commissioner Malcolm Derk says the proposed 12-mile stretch of road is vital to the region’s future. Former federal prosecutor Tom Marino likewise calls the 12-mile highway project a business and safety matter that should have been finished years ago; and Luzerne County chiropractor Dave Madeira says, don’t confuse the bypass with pork.

The Susquehanna Valley Conservatives and the Bucknell University Conservatives Club sponsored the night. Their topics also included health care and the role the federal government should play in it. While Derk and Madeira saw little in the current debate that they liked, Marino saw himself as one who could reach across the aisle and be a broker of consensus.

Monday’s discussion at the Elaine Langone Center on the campus of Bucknell University attracted an audience of about 50, but not all the declared candidates were there. Accountant Steven Solieri of Lake Ariel apparently skipped the event, and no reason was given for his absence. (Matt Farrand)

Empowering girls by building their self-esteem

BEAVER SPRINGS – A new program begins this week designed to empower girls and build their self-esteem. The Middlecreek Area Community Center of Beaver Springs is presenting a new program entitled “Girls On the Run”, which is an after school program that uses the power of running and other activities to help prepare girls for healthy living.

Cheryl Stumpf is a counselor and also executive director for the Girls on the Run of the Greater Susquehanna Valley. She says the girls will have an opportunity to physically, emotionally and socially healthy. Stumpf says it’s not just a running program, but there is a lot of psychology behind it.

Molly Barker started it back in 1996, who gained non-profit status in 2000. Research shows the program has helped lower teen pregnancy, keep kids out of the court system and girls with healthier outlooks on life.

The program is held at the Middlecreek Area Community Center on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for 12 weeks, beginning this week. Girls in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades can participate in Girls on the Run. Next spring, Girls on Track is planned for girls in 6th, 7th and 8th grade. You can learn more at the Middlecreek Area Community Center website, which is www.maccrec.org. (Ali Stevens)

Fire destroyed a home in Lewisburg

LEWISBURG – A home was destroyed by fire in Lewisburg Sunday. The home owned by Ervin and Ruth Martin is located at 83 Whitetail Lane in Lewisburg. The family of seven was not home when the fire started around 3 p.m. on Sunday. About 50 firefighters were called to the scene from White Deer Township, Lewisburg, Mifflinburg, Milton and Turbot Township and they remained there for several hours.

Heavy smoke was pouring from the home when crews arrived and an attached garage was already destroyed. A state police fire marshal will investigate the cause. The Union County Red Cross is assisting the Martin family. (Ali Stevens)

Sewer Authority President puzzled by theft

NORTHUMBERLAND – The Northumberland Borough Sewer Authority is working fast to get back on track following the theft of nearly $300,000 over a five-year period allegedly by former clerk and borough council member 48-year-old Cynthia Lark.

Authority President Jack Fasold says he still can’t believe how it all unraveled. He says he has known Lark for over a dozen years, and considered her as close as a daughter. Fasold says he doesn’t know how she pulled the wool over the Authority’s eyes.

Fasold says the last time he spoke to Lark was before she was arrested, telling her not to come to work while the investigation was ongoing. He says he had the same question as many others: how did auditors not catch Lark’s forgery?

Fasold calls Lark ‘very clever’ in covering her tracks. She would get the money by not paying tax bills, giving herself more money and forging signatures on the checks. Fasold says she would also perform audits herself and that even after the theft was uncovered, auditors and those investigating were shocked at how accurate Lark was.

The Authority does have insurance that will cover Lark’s misuse of funds. Lark is free on $20,000 bail and has a preliminary hearing Wednesday. Fasold says they already have sixty applications submitted and are ready to hire a new person for the job. The Sewer Authority’s next meeting is March 22nd at 4:30p.m., and will be at the Kiwanis building in Northumberland. (Sara Bartlett)

Congressional candidates to have panel discussion

LEWISBURG – Republican candidates running for the 10th Congressional District will take part in a panel discussion this evening at Bucknell University. The Susquehanna Valley Conservatives are hosting the event, which will take place at 7:00p.m. in the Langone Center on campus.

Candidates who have confirmed their attendance are Malcolm Derk of Snyder County, David Maderia of Luzerne County, Tom Marino of Lycoming County and Steven Solieri of Wayne County. Ted Yale of Pike County has not confirmed his attendance. The five ar looking to run against incumbent Democrat Congressman Chris Carney (PA-10th, Dimock).

Bucknell hosts Nobel Peace Prize winner today

LEWISBURG – A Nobel Peace Prize winner will speak today on the Bucknell University campus. Jody Williams is the founding coordinator and campaign ambassador of the international campaign to ban landmines. Williams is a former teacher who created a sweeping international treaty banning antipersonnel landmines.

She was the 10th woman in history and third American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Price. Currently she focuses on stopping genocide in Darfur and fighting for women’s rights around the world. All are invited to this free event, at 7:30p.m. in Trout Auditorium on the Bucknell University campus.

Police search for man who exposed himself

PORT TREVORTON – State police are investigating after a report of indecent exposure in Port Trevorton. Troopers tell us a woman was walking along Winding Road in Chapman Township Sunday afternoon, when a man in a vehicle stopped to ask for directions.

When the woman told him how to get to McNess Road, the man got out of the vehicle and exposed himself to her. He then fled the scene in his car. Troopers say the man is a heavy-set white male in his 20’s or 30’s wearing sunglasses. He was driving a small dirty car, maroon in color. Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at Selinsgrove. (Ali Stevens)

Wood-Mode’s fire slowed production for a short time

KREAMER – A fire in an office area—at the Wood-Mode plant in Kreamer Monday—slowed production for about 90-minutes. A company spokesman Tom Morganson tells us the fire was centered in an office in their boiler department and it damaged that desk and the office area. He said the sprinkler system and a fast response by the Kreamer fire company extinguished the fire quickly.

He said the 3:30a.m. fire saw a response from the Kreamer, Selinsgrove, Middleburg, Hummels Wharf, Shamokin Dam and Northumberland fire companies. He said that is a ‘full industrial alarm,’ which involves the main fire fighting responders, plus additional crews including a Rapid Intervention Team from Shamokin Dam and an additional ladder truck from Northumberland.

Volunteers were on the scene until just after 5a.m. Morganson said when workers began their day at 7:00a.m., some production was delayed about 90-minutes and then the day returned to normal, after the small fire at Wood-Mode in Kreamer Monday morning.

Detours in the Elysburg area

ELYSBURG – Detours are planned for Snydertown Road and Bottle Drive in Ralpho Township, Northumberland County starting next week. PennDOT tells us work will be done from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting March 18th along Snydertown Road between Route 487 and Shamrock Road.

After that section of road is completed, another section between Shamrock Road and Penn Avenue will be completed with the same detour in place until about June 1st. The detour includes Route 487, Route 54 and Penn Avenue.

The project includes drainage pipe replacements, base repairs, guide rail upgrades and other work. Construction should be complete on the $2.6-million project by late August and is paid for through federal economic stimulus funding. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's Democratic primary for U.S. Senate is no longer a two man race.  Nominating petitions due Tuesday revealed a third contestant - Joseph Vodvarka, a spring manufacturer from western Pennsylvania.  Like his primary opponents - fifth-term Sen. Arlen Specter and U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak - Vodvarka had to gather the signatures of at least 2,000 Democratic voters to qualify for the May 18 primary ballot.  Vodvarka has not held public office before. He advocates smaller government, lower taxes and making English the national language.  On the Republican side, former U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey has turned in his petitions and Johnstown activist Peg Luksik is also planning to file.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Federal economic stimulus money soon will start providing rebates to Pennsylvanians on the purchase of new, Energy Star-rated hot-water heaters, furnaces and boilers.  Gov. Ed Rendell said Tuesday that applications for rebates are expected to become available in April on the state's stimulus Web site, www.recovery.pa.gov.  Rendell says the $11 million rebate program could benefit more than 30,000 Pennsylvania households and provide long-term energy savings.  The rebates will be worth $100 to $500. The higher the equipment's efficiency rating, the larger the rebate.  The rebates only apply to non-electric residential heating equipment. Rebates on electrical appliances may be available through regulated electric utility companies.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A gas station equipment expert says a central Pennsylvania man's death is only the second documented case of static electricity sparking a fatal gas station fire. Authorities say 19-year-old L. David Byers died early Friday morning when static electricity ignited a fire that killed him as he filled up his car in Camp Hill.  Petroleum Equipment Institute Executive Vice President Robert Renkes says the only other fatality from a similar incident was in Oklahoma more than a decade ago.  Renkes says such fires require a perfect storm of circumstances, including a pump without a vapor recovery device and a motorist that generates static electricity during fueling.  Renkes says static electricity is safely discharged several different ways before a motorist begins fueling his vehicle.  

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Allentown's mayor has signed a bill banning motorists from using hand held cell phones while driving in the city.  Mayor Ed Pawlowski signed the bill Tuesday. It goes into effect on March 19 but police will issue written warnings for the first month.  Allentown's city council unanimously approved the measure last week. Offenders could be fined $150 to $300, and a violation would be a primary traffic offense, meaning police could use it as a reason to pull over a motorist.  Skateboards, inline skaters and bicyclists would also be barred from using cell phones while riding.  Philadelphia, Erie and Harrisburg have passed similar bans.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A museum in Philadelphia will once again showcase the head of Old Baldy, the horse Gen. George Meade rode during many of the Civil War's most infamous battles. The warhorse's preserved head was the subject of a battle between two city museums that both claimed ownership. A deal has been reached that allows the Grand Army of the Republic Museum and the Civil War Museum to share Old Baldy. The head could arrive at the Grand Army museum this month. The Civil War Museum closed in 2008 but plans to reopen in 2015. Other items in its collection have been sent to several area museums. Old Baldy was considered a Union hero after surviving the battles of Antietam and Gettysburg and soldiering on after being shot in battle many times.

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. (AP) - The high-profile attorney representing Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is disputing a woman's claim that the two-time Super Bowl winner sexually assaulted her at a Georgia nightclub. Police are investigating the 20-year-old college student's claim that Roethlisberger sexually assaulted her early Friday. Roethlisberger has not been charged. In a statement today, high-profile Atlanta attorney Ed Garland says there was "no criminal activity" and Roethlisberger is "completely innocent of any crime." Garland also says no sexual assault occurred. Also today, the police chief of the Georgia college town where the investigation is under way said detectives hope to interview Roethlisberger in the next several days.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania Democrats have chosen former congressional aide Mark Critz as the nominee for a special election to fill the U.S. House seat left vacant by the Feb. 8 death of John Murtha. Party officials cited Critz's victory in a nonbinding straw poll by local party members over the weekend. Democratic party chairman T.J. Rooney said the party looks forward to a "spirited and exciting" race but said Critz would be "a phenomenal candidate." Critz, of Johnstown, won 46 of the 83 votes cast at a meeting Saturday in Delmont, about 20 miles east of Pittsburgh. He 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 and Cambria County controller Ed Cernic took 14.

GLENSIDE, Pa. (AP) - President Barack Obama is turning up the heat on the nation's health insurers as he tries to rally support for his overhaul legislation. In a speech in suburban Philadelphia, Obama said insurance companies have decided that they'll make money by denying coverage to some and raising premiums on others. Obama says they'll continue to do so as long as they're able to get away with it. Today's pitch, along with a similar stop in St. Louis Wednesday, comes as Obama makes an all-out push for his health care proposals. The administration hopes to shift attention away from the political debate on health care and onto the ways the president's plan could help consumers. The White House has called on the House to act on legislation by the time the president leaves for Asia on March 18.

GLENSIDE, Pa. (AP) - About 200 protesters turned out to voice their opposition to President Barack Obama's health care reform speech at a suburban Philadelphia college. Protesters associating themselves with the tea party movement rallied outside Arcadia University this morning before Obama delivered a speech urging Democrats to support legislation that would overhaul the health insurance industry. Demonstrators carried signs denouncing Obama's proposals, likening the plan to socialism. A smaller group of counter-protestors also rallied outside the school.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A judge in Harrisburg says defense lawyers at the public corruption trial of former House Democratic whip Mike Veon may call legislators as witnesses as long as their questions about the legislative process are limited. Today's order by Dauphin County Judge Richard Lewis clears the way for the defense to call to the witness stand Rep. Bill DeWeese, other legislators, former House members and aides. DeWeese was the House Democratic floor leader when Veon served in the No. 2 position. Lewis says the special "speech and debate" protection in the state constitution does not apply as long as the lawmakers are not asked to testify about the passage or rejection of specific legislation State prosecutors have suggested the witnesses also may try to exercise their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.

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

Updates on the latest in business

Dow: 10,564.38, up 11.86

S&P 500: 1,140.45, up 1.95

NASDAQ: 2,340.68, up 8.47

NEW YORK (AP) - Wall Street is celebrating the year, which has passed since hitting 12 year lows by sending the key averages higher. The Dow is up 61 percent in the past 12 months. 

EL CAJON, Calif. (AP) - Federal officials are sending an investigator to find out what caused a Toyota Prius to race out of control yesterday on a California freeway. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will try to determine the cause of the incident in San Diego County.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The government says job openings have been on the rise, a sign of healing for the job market. Even so, the Labor Department says there are now about 5.5 unemployed people, on average, competing for each opening.

NEW YORK (AP) - The Energy Department says drivers need to brace for pump prices to climb past $3 per gallon as more motorists hit the road in the coming months. The Energy Information Administration looks for a national average price this year of $2.84 per gallon, up from an average price of $2.35 per gallon in 2009.

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

Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers

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

 Midday Big 4

     7-8-6-8

 Midday Number

     6-6-9

 Midday Quinto

     4-9-6-7-8

 Treasure Hunt

     02-09-18-20-24

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

Big 4 2-0-3-0

Cash 5 15-20-26-27-32

Daily Number 9-4-2

Evening Quinto 3-6-3-7-5

Midday Big 4 1-5-7-1

Midday Number 6-7-0

Midday Quinto 0-3-0-7-3

Mix and Match 08-12-06-14-09

Treasure Hunt 04-05-11-22-24

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

Letterman suspect pleads guilty

NEW YORK (AP) -- The guy accused of trying to blackmail David Letterman has pleaded guilty. Robert Halderman had demanded $2 million dollars from Letterman in exchange for keeping quiet about the affairs he was having with his staffers. Halderman has been sentenced to six months in jail and 1,000 hours of community service.

Suing over talking baby ad

MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) -- Lindsay Lohan is suing over one of the E-Trade commercials with the talking babies. It's the one that aired during the Super Bowl where one of the babies talks about "milkaholic Lindsay." The suit says Lohan is known by the single name Lindsay, just like Madonna and Oprah are known by their first names. She wants $100 million dollars to make things better.

Missing gear

Court to rule in military funeral protest case

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court has agreed to consider whether anti-gay protesters have a First Amendment right to picket military funerals with inflammatory messages like "Thank God for dead soldiers." Members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., have picketed military funerals around the country to proclaim their belief that U.S. deaths in Afghanistan and Iraq are God's punishment for America's tolerance of homosexuality. The justices will hear an appeal from the father of a Marine killed in Iraq to reinstate a $5 million verdict against church protesters who picketed outside his son's funeral in Maryland. A jury awarded Albert Snyder damages for emotional distress and invasion of privacy, but a federal appeals court threw out the verdict, ruling that the signs are constitutionally protected free speech.

Tweeting for school

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - 'Reading. Writing. 'Rithmetic. Tweeting? For some second-graders at a public school system in Kentucky, Twitter has become part of the curriculum. In Jefferson County, students are being encouraged to send tweets about their daily work - updating parents who elect to get the news updates from the school. Until just a couple of weeks ago, students were barred from using Twitter or any other social networking site while at school. But that's changed now. Teacher Mike Ice says he wants his students to be able to communicate about their day in real time. He sees the brief online notes as another way to show parents and others what his kids are learning.

Smuggled Songbirds

LOS ANGELES (AP) - A man who smuggled songbirds into Los Angeles from Vietnam by hiding them in his pants had his sentencing postponed. Sony Dong of Garden Grove was scheduled to be sentenced Monday in Los Angeles, but the hearing is now set for April 12. Dong was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport last March after arriving on a flight from Vietnam. Authorities found 14 birds he had wrapped in cloth and strapped to his legs and ankles. All survived the trip. Authorities say they could have sold for up to $400 each. Dong pleaded guilty to illegally importing wildlife and faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Authorities say another 51 birds were found at the Garden Grove home of co-defendant Duc Le, who has pleaded not guilty to smuggling charges.

Old Baldy

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A museum in Philadelphia will once again showcase the head of Old Baldy, the horse Gen. George Meade rode during many of the Civil War's most infamous battles. The warhorse's preserved head was the subject of a battle between two city museums that both claimed ownership. A deal has been reached that allows the Grand Army of the Republic Museum and the Civil War Museum to share Old Baldy. The head could arrive at the Grand Army museum this month. The Civil War Museum closed in 2008 but plans to reopen in 2015. Other items in its collection have been sent to several area museums. Old Baldy was considered a Union hero after surviving the battles of Antietam and Gettysburg and soldiering on after being shot in battle many times.

Schools-Soft Drinks

NEW YORK (AP) - The beverage industry says the drinks in school vending machines are getting healthier. Former President Bill Clinton will give an update on the effort Monday in Manhattan with officials from the American Beverage Association and the American Heart Association. The industry group says the number of beverage calories shipped to schools dropped by 88 percent from 2004 to 2009. The voluntary initiative, begun in May 2006, is aimed at replacing full-calorie soft drinks with lower-calorie, smaller-portion beverages. The William J. Clinton Foundation and the Heart Association started the Alliance for a Healthier Generation in 2005 to fight childhood obesity.