John Boback resigns from embattled IDA
UNDATED – After weeks of scrutiny and a call for their board to step down, John Boback has resigned from the Northumberland County Industrial Development Authority. He says when public service becomes a fight he has to ask himself, “Do I really need this?”
The IDA has been in the crosshairs of county commissioner Vinny Clausi, and the county planning director who call Boback and his fellow board members, ‘incompetent and poor business people.’ The IDA uses grant money to assist businesses, but has been scrutinized lately by Clausi who says the IDA failed to complete forms documenting how that money was spent and how many jobs are created.
Executive Director of the IDA, Jim King, says they have gotten the clerical and accounting help needed to help turn in all needed paperwork. King was told about Boback’s resignation, but doesn’t believe the rest of the board should follow his lead.
He says the IDA is one of the most competent boards he has ever served on. Clausi and County Planning Director Steve Bartos has expressed concerns about the competence of the IDA’s members, and they are skeptical of how many jobs are being produced by their actions.
King says most of the IDA’s paperwork is up to date or will be up to date in the near future and they do keep years of records about their businesses. Following the Commissioners call to get all the paperwork within 30 days, the IDA has until October 21st to complete it. Boback served as Vice Chairman of the Authority.
Carney votes against bailout
WASHINGTON, DC – Pennsylvania’s delegation to Congress favors the measure to bail out the nation’s financial institutions, by a 12-7 margin. However, 10th District Democrat Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock) again voted against it. Carney says the bill grew to more than $800-billion dollars, about $100-billion bigger than the measure he voted against early in the week. Still, Carney hopes the plan has its intended effect.
Among other members of the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation, Republican Bill Shuster (R-9th, Hollidaysburg) voted in favor, after casting a “no” vote on a comparable measure earlier in the week. Democrat Paul Kanjorski and retiring Republican John Peterson (R-5th, Pleasantville) of the 5th District again voted in favor of it.
Peterson says the bill is not perfect and was one of the toughest of his career. Though there are provisions in it he would not have supported in normal circumstances, Peterson says it does include some safeguards for taxpayers.
The House passed the bailout Friday afternoon, but Carney notes the bill lacks the regulatory authority he would have liked to see. He also says there were too many “sweeteners” in the version that came from the Senate, including tax breaks for rum manufacturers, and an exemption from the federal excise tax for manufacturers of wooden arrows for children. (Matt Farrand)
Shuster supports new $700 billion bailout plan
WASHINGTON (AP) - Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Bill Shuster (R-9th, Hollidaysburg) says he's decided to vote in favor of a bill that would provide $700 billion in relief to ailing financial institutions. Shuster was one of 10 Pennsylvania House members to vote against a similar bill on Monday.
Nine members from the state voted for the legislation, which was defeated. A different version of the bill passed the Senate on Wednesday. Shuster says the legislation being considered in the House on Friday is improved. He says he's voting for it because he's worried about job losses and more potential economic problems. Shuster is from central Pennsylvania and says he knows some voters will be angry.
Critics target PPL plan for third reactor
LEWISBURG – PPL Corp. is applying for federal loan guarantees to help finance a third nuclear power plant in the Berwick area. Critics have questions about safety, disposal of nuclear waste and cost.
Energy consultant Mike Molesevich of Lewisburg says the unit may cost more than ten billion dollars, money that could be better spent on “green” power. PPL Susquehanna station Community Relations Manager Joe Scopelliti says they already buy some power that’s generated from wind, solar and biomass, but baseline power generation requires coal or nuclear power.
PPL says their final decision to go ahead and build the plant depends on that federal loan guarantee, and the fundamentals of the electric power market as the process continues. Other factors include obtaining an NRC license and attracting additional investors. (Matt Farrand)
Police respond to fight between inmates at Snyder County prison
PENN TWP – Police responded to an altercation between inmates at the Snyder County Prison Thursday and charges were filed. State Police in Selinsgrove say 35-year-old Alvin Hoover, got into a fight with another inmate and punched him in the face.
A police report says the victim suffered moderate injuries and had three of his teeth knocked out. Hoover was charged with simple assault, assault by a prisoner and harassment for that incident. He is currently serving a nearly two-year jail term, after pleading guilty, but mentally ill, to arson charges after the $1.8 million fire, which destroyed his parent’s business, Irvin’s Country Tinware in Mt. Pleasant Mills. (Sara Lauver)
Learn more about the state’s clean air law on Roundtable
SUNBURY – Our Roundtable this weekend focuses on the state’s new anti-smoking law, which helped, clear the air in most restaurants. One of the guests is Tina Zanis. She is the policy and enforcement director for Clinical Outcomes Group; Incorporated and she said virtually all workplaces must be smoke free. Restaurants bars, offices and other workplaces must be smoke free.
The new Pennsylvania smoke free clean air law took effect last month and since then, employers have been adjusting to the change and helping employees ‘quit smoking’ if they wish. Also on the Roundtable panel, a representative from Geisinger’s Wellness program and a restaurateur from Lewisburg. You can hear Roundtable Sunday on: Eagle 107 (107.3FM) at 6a.m., 100.9, The Valley, at 6a.m., WKOK at 9a.m., Talkradio 1380 WMLP, 11a.m., 94KX at 11p.m. and anytime, at www.wkok.com.
Private licensee to operate Penn Valley Airport
SELINSGROVE – The future looks a little brighter for the Penn Valley Airport. The Authority that owns the field reports a deal’s been reached to pay off the $400,000 debt it’s incurred through the years. The Penn Valley Airport Authority will reportedly accept a loan from a local foundation backed by homebuilders Heritage and Ritz-Craft.
It will also see the licensing of a private operator who’s pledged to maintain and improve the airport. Heritage Aviation LLC will also be required to post $75,000 security to back up certain aspects of the deal. Supporters are optimistic the loan and the entrance of heritage Aviation will keep the airport running. The Authority hopes to close the deal within a week, and the new fixed based operator could be in charge by the end of the month. (Matt Farrand)
Snyder and Northumberland County Republicans open McCain/Palin victory center
HUMMELS WHARF – In a joint effort between the Northumberland and Snyder County Republicans, a McCain/Palin victory center will open its doors Saturday along Routes 11/15. Republican State Committee member in Northumberland County, Donald Ely, is coordinating the opening. He says it will be a call center where people can get information on the candidates as well as bumper stickers and yard signs.
The center, located next to Hampton Inn, will open at 1:00p.m. Saturday with a ribbon cutting, which the public is invited to. He says someone will be in the office working during business hours to assist anyone interested, and they are also looking for volunteers to help out up to and including Election Day. (Sara Bartlett)
Two face theft charges in Lewisburg
LEWISBURG – Two women face charges after allegedly stealing from a Lewisburg store. State Police in Milton say 22-year-old Christina Auman, of Shamokin, and an unidentified 17-year-old female went into a store along AJK Boulevard at 1:00p.m. on September 30th.
They reportedly put a number of video games in their handbags, totaling nearly $400.00, made an inexpensive purchase and then began to walk out of the store. Auman and the juvenile have been charged with retail theft. (Sara Bartlett)
Senator Bob Casey: On CSVT
HARRISBURG – Although he hasn’t said much about the Central Susquehanna Valley Throughway Project in the past, Senator Bob Casey did acknowledge the project’s importance on Friday. Casey admitted that he hasn’t followed the funding issue in great detail, but his staff is staying on top of it and they want to try and be as helpful as they can.
Casey says they do support the quest for getting unused Appalachian Regional Commission dollars for the CSVT project. He says ultimately federal agencies make these decisions, but once in a while they can be influenced by requests from United States Senators, who are in favor of something being funded. (Ali Stevens)
Senator Casey: No new power lines
HARRISBURG – Senator Bob Casey has voiced his opposition to adding power lines in Pennsylvania. Casey says nearly 75% of our counties are impacted by broad new federal power designations. He was on the WKOK newsline Friday talking about the topic.
Casey says everybody wants more capacity and a reliable grid, but his concern about all these power line efforts is the lack of substantial public input. Casey added that the government and local companies, such as PPL, should know how vital public input is.
Casey says if public input is ignored, communities and farms across the state may be subject to new federal authority over transmission line projects that don’t even serve customers in our state. He also believes Pennsylvania’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is undermined because transmission lines planned serve primarily coal fired power plants. (Ali Stevens)
Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Bruce Springsteen will perform an acoustic set today at a rally in Philadelphia to help the campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama register voters and recruit volunteers. The program begins at 3:30 p.m. on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Pennsylvania's voter registration deadline is Monday. Springsteen has endorsed Obama for president. He is to play at Obama gatherings in Ohio on Sunday and in Eastern Michigan on Monday. Springsteen is teaming up with Billy Joel in a joint concert at an Obama campaign fundraiser in New York City on Oct. 16.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Episcopal church leaders gathered in Philadelphia will formally apologize today (Saturday) for their ancestors' slave ownership - and discuss the "white privilege" they say endures. In a solemn repentance service Saturday, Episcopalians will acknowledge that slavery "was and is a sin and a fundamental betrayal of the humanity of all persons" in which church members took part. The Episcopal Church joins other denominations, including the Southern Baptists, that have apologized for their past support of slavery or racism. Presiding Bishop Katherine Schori of the Episcopal Church USA will be joined by 15 other bishops for today's service at the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas in West Philadelphia.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The former chief of staff to House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese has waived his right to the preliminary hearing that's scheduled for next week in Pennsylvania's legislative corruption case. Mike Manzo and his wife Rachel both appeared before Dauphin County Judge Richard Lewis on Friday and waived their right to the hearing. Neither Mike Manzo's lawyer nor a spokesman for the attorney general's office would say if that means they're cooperating with prosecutors. Defendants who are cooperating or actively seeking plea bargains often waive their preliminary hearings, but that isn't the only possible motive for such a move. The action capped a day of dramatic developments in which three of the other 10 co-defendants unsuccessfully sought to have the hearing delayed until after the Nov. 4 election.
MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association has given preliminary approval to require background checks of all future sports official applicants and is working toward a plan of checking the organization's 13,000 officials. PIAA reported on its Web site that it’s Board of Directors unanimously passed both motions Friday. On a first reading, the Board accepted a recommendation requiring all applicants to become PIAA-registered sports officials submit a background check. The Board also directed its staff to research requiring background checks of all 13,700 registered sports officials and report back at the group's December meeting. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported last month that dozens of people who officiated school sports events since 2005 have criminal records.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Republicans in Pennsylvania are backing a legal effort to stop voters from showing up at the polls with T-shirts or buttons expressing their presidential preferences. Democratic leaders say the GOP is just trying to intimidate new voters. The fight began after the Pennsylvania Department of State advised counties last month that voters may wear partisan apparel into the voting booth as long as their expressions of political sentiment remain "passive." The memo isn't legally binding, and some counties that have restricted voters' attire in the past are maintaining their dress codes. But two Pittsburgh-area elections officials have sued to have the memo rescinded. They say it could lead "a battalion of like-minded individuals" to converge on a polling place, deterring voters who support a different candidate.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Pennsylvania Lottery numbers
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Friday in the Pennsylvania State Lottery:
FRIDAY NIGHT
Daily Number
8-4-9
Big 4
8-3-4-4
Quinto
0-3-5-8-8
FRIDAY MIDDAY
Daily Number
5-2-1
Big 4
6-1-0-9
Quinto
8-0-6-7-2
Treasure Hunt
1-4-8-9-11
The
winning numbers drawn Friday in the "Pennsylvania Cash 5" game
were:
3-15-23-26-29.
The winning numbers drawn Friday in the "Pennsylvania Match 6 Lotto" game were: 4-32-38-46-47-48.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Broadway theaters dim lights Friday for Paul Newman
NEW YORK (AP) - In its own way, Broadway has paid tribute to Paul Newman. The theaters dimmed their lights for one minute when it was time for the curtains to go up Friday, a week after Newman passed away at the age of 83. Newman appeared in five Broadway productions. His first came in 1953 in William Inge's "Picnic." He also co-starred with his wife Joanne Woodward in James Costigan's comedy "Baby Want a Kiss" in 1964. His last Broadway appearance was as the stage manager in a 2002 revival of Thornton Wilder's "Our Town," for which he received a Tony nomination.
'30 Rock' star Tina Fey to write humor book
NEW YORK (AP) - Tina Fey, already the busiest of stars thanks to her Emmy-winning role in "30 Rock" and definitive impersonation of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, is working on a book. According to two publishing officials with knowledge of the negotiations, Little, Brown and Company will release a book of humorous essays by the 38-year-old Fey. Her many writing credits include "30 Rock" and "Saturday Night Live," and the feature film "Mean Girls." The officials asked not to be identified, citing the confidentiality of negotiations, and declined to give financial details Friday. Little, Brown spokeswoman Heather Rizzo did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The New York Observer first reported the deal Friday.
Georgia town keeps Laurel and Hardy's legacy alive
HARLEM, Ga. (AP) - A sleepy hamlet in east Georgia will be the scene of another nice mess this weekend.
Harlem, Georgia, is the location of the country's only museum dedicated to the classic comedy duo of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. It's where Hardy, the heavier half of the team, was born in 1892. Tomorrow, Harlem will balloon to more than 20 times its size when 40,000 people arrive for the annual Oliver Hardy Festival, created two decades ago to raise money for the community. When the festival began in 1988, just a handful of booths were set up downtown. But now the event draws 350 vendors and turns away dozens of others because there just isn't room. The festival will feature Laurel and Hardy look-alike contests, a parade and rows of country fair-style tents.
Radio shock jock Howard Stern ties the knot
NEW YORK (AP) - Shock jock Howard Stern has embraced tradition. The radio talk show host known for hosting porn stars was married Friday to his longtime girlfriend, Beth Ostrosky. Before the ceremony at Manhattan's toney Le Cirque restaurant, she told Newsday she couldn't wait to marry Howard. But she says she knows everyone laughs about it. The bride wore a white chiffon gown with cutaway back and sides. Officiating over the ceremony was actor Mark Consuelos, an ordained minister. The 180 guests included Joan Rivers, Barbara Walters, Billy Joel and wife Katie Lee, "Sopranos" star Steve Schirripa, comedian Chevy Chase, music executive Tommy Mottola, and Donald and Melania Trump.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)