SUNDAY September 28, 2008

A Lewisburg man charged with attempted murder after shooting his estranged fiancé

LEWISBURG – A 46 year old Lewisburg man is charged with attempted murder for an incident late Saturday night, and the woman he shot was flown to the Geisinger Medical Center.  Lewisburg Police tell us they were called to 55 South Water Street shortly before midnight, after a report of a burglary in progress, with gunshots fired.     Police say the suspect was still inside, but after a brief standoff, Rodney Sims surrendered to officers. Police entered the building and found Sims’ estranged fiancé, 27 year-old Charity Spickler suffering from a gunshot wound. She was initially taken to Evangelical Community Hospital, and then flown to Geisinger Medical Center. A nursing supervisor told WKOK that she had no condition information on the victim.    

Sims was arraigned before District Justice Jeffrey Mensch on numerous charges including attempted murder, aggravated assault and burglary. He is being held on $500 thousand straight bail in the Union County Prison. Lewisburg police were assisted by police from East Buffalo Township, Milton, Mifflinburg, state police at Milton and the State Police Forensic Unit team from Montoursville, along with  emergency Medical Personnel. The investigation continues. (Terry Diener) 

Kawneer workers in Columbia County Okay new deal 

ESPY –Workers at a Columbia County facility have narrowly approved a new three year contract.  According to the Press Enterprise  Kawneer workers on Saturday okayed a contract calling for higher pay and delaying a move to more 12-hour shifts. According to the story, the deal will increase wages $1.52 over three years. About 300 of the company's 340 unionized employees showed up at the Espy Fire Hall to choose between the offer and a strike. Union officials say the vote was a close one, narrowly approved, by a 10- to 20-percent margin. Kawneer makes aluminum windows and doors. An earlier contract had been rejected by the workers. (Terry Diener) 

Attempted vehicle break ins lead to charges 

SNYDER COUNTY – Two people face disorderly conduct charges for allegedly opening or trying to open several vehicles Friday in one part of Snyder County.  Selinsgrove State police arrested 19 year old Jason Secord ad a 17 year old juvenile, both from Shamokin Dam. Police say there were no reports of damage or theft to any of the vehicles. The 17 year old was also witnessed urinating on one of the vehicles.  The incidents occurred along the Susquehanna Trail, in Monroe Township. (Terry Diener) 

Advertising signs for fire company are damaged 

LOWER AUGUSTA TOWNSHIP – Three signs advertising an upcoming Chicken Bar-B-Que for Lower Augusta Township’s Fire Company were damaged between Friday night and early Saturday morning.  State police at Stonington say posts were broken on all three signs, located on roads near the fire company which is located along Boyles Run Road. Damage was estimated at $75 dollars. State Police are asking anyone with information to contact their department. (Terry Diener)

A car strikes a tree in a Snyder County accident 

MONROE TOWNSHIP – One person sustained minor injuries in a vehicle crash Friday night along County Line Road in Monroe Township, Snyder County.  State Police say 20 year old Alicia Burch of Richfield failed to negotiate a curve, lost control, ran off the road and struck a tree. Police say a 19 year old passenger, Alana Hallenbech of Penns Creek had minor injuries. Police say the driver will be cited for driving at an unsafe speed in that Snyder County accident. (Terry Diener)

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment: 

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - A former shipping supervisor at a formal wear company in northeastern Pennsylvania is accused of stealing tuxedos and selling them to competitors. Investigators say 45-year-old John Vermack stole the tuxes from Sarno & Son Formal Wear in Scranton over a six-year period. He allegedly sold the garments to tuxedo stores in nearby Dickson City and Hanover Township. Prosecutors say charges haven't been filed against the people who ran those stores.     Vermack has been arraigned on charges of theft by unlawful taking or disposition, receiving stolen property and criminal conspiracy. He and his attorney declined comment Friday. Authorities identified the stolen inventory through bar codes and alterations made to remove labels. In raids earlier this month, officials seized nearly $50,000 worth of inventory. 

KANE, Pa. (AP) - A railroad that once took passengers across the Kinzua Viaduct in northwestern Pennsylvania is selling off its entire inventory next month.The Knox & Kane Railroad began doing business in 1987. Its business was hurt badly by a tornado that knocked down 11 of 20 bridge supports over Kinzua Gorge in July 2003. The bridge, once the tallest and longest railroad bridge in the country, was never rebuilt. And, as a result, passengers stopped riding the railroad which could now only take them to the gorge.The railroad will sell everything from steam engines to passenger cars on Oct. 10 and 11 during auctions in Kane, Nansen Junction and Marienville.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin takes her Philadelphia cheesesteak with Cheese Whiz and onions. The Republican vice presidential candidate campaigned at Tony Luke's steak shop in South Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon. She greeted curious onlookers, signed autographs and posed for pictures before ordering two steaks to go. She's campaigning in Philadelphia this weekend. The cashier at Tony Luke's told her the order was on the house. So Palin tossed her cash into a donation jar outside the window. 

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Saturday in the Pennsylvania State Lottery: 

SATURDAY MIDDAY

Daily Number

9-3-3

Big 4

6-7-3-5

Quinto

9-7-9-5-4

Treasure Hunt

1-15-21-28-29

Sunday's "Pennsylvania Cash 5" jackpot will be worth at least $225,000 because no player matched the five winning numbers drawn in Saturday's game. Lottery officials said 73 players matched four numbers and won $249 each; 2,554 players matched three numbers and won $12 each; and 31,195 players matched two numbers and won $1 each. 

The winning numbers drawn Saturday in the "Pennsylvania Cash 5" game were: 

06-08-10-32-42 

NEW YORK (AP) - "Saturday Night Live" is having more fun at Sarah Palin's expense. Tina Fey was back at it again in her role as Palin, appearing in the opening skit along side Amy Poehler. This time Poehler played CBS's Katie Couric in a parody of Couric's recent interview with Palin. Poehler mostly played it straight, letting Fey get all the laughs. When Poehler's Couric pushed Fey's Palin to specifically discuss how she would help facilitate democracy abroad, Fey asked to use one of her lifelines. 

WASHINGTON (AP) - "Read All About It!" That's the name of a book and it's the story of a boy named Tyrone who initially doesn't like to read books until strange visitors gain his attention. The book's co-authors are first lady Laura Bush and daughter Jenna. They introduced it today at the National Book Festival in Washington. The first lady is a former librarian and literacy advocate who helped bring the annual book festival to the National Mall. She told the audience of about 300 people that the book was inspired by a former student of hers "and all those little boys who would rather do anything than listen to a story."  Jenna Hager, who also has worked as an elementary school teacher, said, "We were so inspired by Tyrone and other kids like him that we decided we should write about what we know, and I think what we know are kids and books." After taking questions from children, the first lady and daughter signed books.