Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Excited shoppers come out to Monroe Marketplace

HUMMELS WHARF –Shoppers came out to check out the newly opened stores at the Monroe Marketplace Wednesday morning.  It was their officially ribbon cutting ceremony.  Director of Development for the Monroe Marketplace talked about the retail shops, specialty stores and restaurants that will fill the 123 acres, once the 600,000 square foot project is complete.  Snyder County Commissioner Joe Kantz attended the ceremony and said it is great news that we live in an area that is thriving with new development, business and jobs.

Kohl’s Department Store, Best Buy, Red Robin and Giant are the stores now open for business.  Target will hold their grand opening Saturday, Bed Bath and Beyond will open October 14^th, Starbucks has not announced an official opening date, but says it will be in late October and Dick’s Sporting Goods will open November 9^th.  The second phase of the shopping center, which includes a Michaels, Staples, Famous Footwear and PetSmart, will have openings early next year. (Sheri Rippon)  

Jury selection continues in Harclerode case

LEWISBURG – Jury selection will continue in one of the cases against retired Bucknell Professor, Jack Harclerode.  Judge Louise Knight approved the motion for a continuance of trial at a hearing in Union County court Wednesday.  72-year-old, Harclerode, faces six counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse for allegedly abusing a young boy in his office between 1992 and 1995. 

Meanwhile, Judge Knight denied a motion for a statute of limitations in the case, which would have established an amount of time, after the incident, that the legal proceedings could have be initiated.  The victim was 15-years-old at the time of the alleged crimes and is now 28. 

Defense attorney, Peter Campana, also requested a motion for a change of venue, stating he believes media reports and other publicity on the case have been sensationalized and there has not been sufficient “cooling off time.”  Union County District Attorney, Pete Johnson, disagreed and said it was another way to delay the case.  Judge Knight ruled that jury selection would continue, but she may reconsider the motion for a venue change at a later date.

Harclerode faces other charges in Union County, after police say they found 249 pornographic images of children on his home computer.  And in Columbia County, he faces charges of first-degree indecent assault for allegedly molesting a 10-year-old boy in July of 2006.

Man shot in the Catawissa area

CATAWISSA – A man was reportedly shot Tuesday night in Catawissa.  The News Item reports an unidentified man was critically wounded by a gunshot around 8:30p.m.  The man was taken by ambulance to a parking lot at Southern Columbia High School, where he was flown by Life Flight to Geisinger Medical Center.  The victim was reportedly in his 40’s or 50’s and suffered life-threatening injuries.  The investigation continues.

Free makeover offered for messy rooms, closets, offices, etc…

SUNBURY – The deadline to submit a photo that could win you a prize for your messy room, closet or office is rapidly approaching. Entrants are being accepted through Thursday by Sunbury Community Hospital, as they’ll offer some free clean-up for the best of the worst.  Director of Marketing Emily Kissinger says the upcoming Healthy Women Anniversary event will feature photos of big time clutter.  Participants will vote for the entrant in the most need of help. 

The winner will get a free visit from professional organizer Betsy Kramer, owner of Cash in Clutter in the Shamokin area.  Kissinger notes that almost all households or offices have a space that’s a catch-all.  The Healthy Women Anniversary event will be on the 14^th at Susquehanna University.

More information at 286-3592, or e-mail your photos to Emily_Kissinger@chs.net  (Matt Farrand)

Mount Carmel fire ruled arson

MOUNT CARMEL – A fire at a Mount Carmel building owned by District Justice Michael Mychak has been ruled arson.  The blaze broke out at Yanni’s Family Restaurant at 15 West 3^rd Street around 7:30 Tuesday night.  The restaurant is attached to a three-story building, which serves as Mychak’s law office, as well as apartments.  All tenants got out safely and no injuries were reported.  No word on what started the fire.  Crews from Mount Carmel and Shamokin responded to the scene. (Ali Stevens) 

A Relay for Life event will feature a popular local rock band

SUNBURY – Fundraising will soon be underway for the Selinsgrove Relay for Life event and in order to kick things off, a rock concert is planned for this Saturday. Four graduates of Shikellamy High School formed a popular band several years ago and continue to draw big crowds at local venues.  The band Kinsey will be performing at the Selinsgrove Relay for Life kickoff party on Saturday night at the Susquehanna Valley Country Club. Janet Bilger is co-chair of the relay and says everyone is welcome, including the public, who will pay a $5.00 cover charge.  Doors open at six and Kinsey will play

Relay for Life is an event that raises money for the American Cancer Society and Kinsey says they are happy to be playing for such a good cause.  You can see their website at www.kinseyband.com (Ali Stevens)

Minitown comes to Kidsgrove this Saturday

SELINSGROVE – The 9^th annual Kidsgrove Fall Festival is this Saturday in Selinsgrove.  Kids can do hay rides, pony rides and play games.  President of the Board of Kidsgrove, Richard Norman, says they will begin the day will the dedication of the newest portion of the park, Minitown.  It is a replica of the businesses in Selinsgrove in mini-size for kids to play in.

There will also be a gift basket Chinese auction, a talent contest and costume contest, as well as activities sponsored by the Snyder County Library.  The Fall Festival is this Saturday from 9:00a.m.-3:30p.m. (Sara Bartlett)

Montour County man charged with a fatal DUI crash

DANVILLE – A Montour County man has been charged with homicide by vehicle and other charges for a DUI crash that left a 32-year-old man dead.  State police say 23-year-old Tyler Yeager of rural Danville was impaired by alcohol, marijuana and amphetamines when he slammed his jeep into a trailer on Route 54 on August 22^nd in Valley Township.  His passenger, 32-year-old Jason Wright, was killed in the crash.  Yeager was arraigned on Tuesday and is free on bail.  State police say Yeager’s blood alcohol was .312 at the time of the crash, which is nearly four times the legal limit.  Troopers say they found an open bottle of beer in the vehicle and a baggie of marijuana on the road near the crash scene.  Yeager was also charged with aggravated assault for seriously injuring another passenger, 23-year-old Barry Anoia.  (Ali Stevens)

Snyder County man charged with trying to solicit sex from a minor

HERSHEY – A McClure man is free on bail after being arrested for trying to solicit sex from a minor in the Hershey area.  Derry Township police say they arrested Rodney Snyder on Tuesday for meeting with an adult male prostitute and two boys, ages 14 and 16.  Snyder was taken into custody without incident.  Police say the boys were not harmed.  The investigation will continue.  (Ali Stevens)

Man charged with an assault at a home in Watsontown

MILTON – A Williamsport man is locked up in the Union County prison, charged with breaking into a home and assaulting a man during a robbery. Levi Mathis is accused of assaulting Jeffrey Young with a pipe at a home in the White Deer area.

They say Mathis was one of two intruders involved in the home invasion on October 5th . Kathy Williams of Williamsport is also charged with theft and robbery in that case. Police believe Mathis and Williams assaulted Young in order to steal drugs from his home. Two others may be involved in the incident and the investigation continues. (Ali Stevens)

Boback resignation draws Commissioner comment

SUNBURY – The resignation of a member of the Northumberland County Industrial Development Authority is on the minds of the County’s Commissioners. Two of three expressed regret following John Boback’s announcement last week that he would step down. Commissioner Kurt Masser calls it sad.

Commissioner Chair Frank Sawicki says Boback served faithfully and honorably, and wished him luck in his future endeavors. Commissioner Vinny Clausi has no comment, though he’s been critical of the IDA. He also says the clock is still ticking toward the date later this month that he’ll call for the IDA to resign, unless certain clerical matters are cleared up.

Elsewhere, the Commissioners approved a fee for use of the Conference room in the county-owned office building. Kurt Masser says they’ll be charging $150 dollars per three hours of use, usually by attorneys taking depositions. He says it will help to recoup some of the expenses incurred in cleaning the room and for utilities. Not for profit organizations will be exempt. (Matt Farrand)

New location for an existing business means double the employment opportunities

HUMMELS WHARF – The Giant grocery store has moved and is 31,000 square feet bigger then the old Shamokin Dam store. The Giant Store kicked off a pre-opening with a check presentation to many community organizations including the Hummels Wharf Fire Company, Snyder County’s DARE program, Selinsgrove Area School District, Elijah’s Bowl Soup Kitchen, Janet Weis Children’s Hospital and Economics PA.

Store manager, Joe Cardone, says the store has a lot to offer for customers and will employ 250 people, which is double what they employed at the Shamokin Dam location. Giant officially opens today (Wednesday) at 8:00a.m. The Monroe Marketplace has their ribbon cutting Wednesday as well at 11a.m. (Sheri Rippon)

County to impose user fee for conference room

SUNBURY – Northumberland County Commissioners say a fee for use of the Conference room in the county-owned office building will help recoup expenses incurred in maintaining it. Commissioner Kurt Masser says they’ll be charging $150 per three hours of use, often by attorneys taking depositions. It is effective immediately other than for those who have already booked the room. In passing the resolution, commissioners note that not for profit organizations will be exempt. (Matt Farrand)

Voters rush to get registered

UNDATED – Election offices around The Valley were busy Monday with last minute voters coming to register. Election worker in Union County, Kim Zerbe, says they had people as early as 6:00a.m, and the rush continued all day. Director of Elections in Snyder County, Pat Nace, says they were busy as well, and the work isn’t over yet.

They still have plenty of filing to do between now and November 4th. Voters registered in our area include, 53,724 in Northumberland County, 23,985 in Union County 21,968 in Snyder County and 12,479 in Montour County.

Statewide, voter registration set an all-time record, with at least 8.6 million people eligible to vote. Democrats saw the biggest gains with more than 500,000 new voters. Republicans saw their numbers shrink slightly by about 28,000. You can get important dates, links to candidates’ websites and updated election information and stories at WKOK’s Election Central page online at www.wkok.com. (Sara Bartlett)

Two men wanted for robbing a bank in Mifflinville were captured near Danville

DANVILLE – A Catawissa man wanted for robbing a Mifflinville bank Monday was captured with another suspect near Danville. Police say Michael Brown robbed the First Keystone National Bank at gunpoint around 1:45 p.m. Monday. Brown and another unidentified man were captured near a gas station in Danville by Police Chief Eric Gill, who reportedly began following the suspects in their vehicle on Bloom Road.

Brown was arraigned Monday night and admitted to robbing the same bank 18 days earlier. The arrest came after a four-hour manhunt involving several police departments and a helicopter search. The two robberies reportedly netted Brown nearly $23,000 in cash. He’s now locked up on $250,000 bail. (Ali Stevens)

Ten cars broken into overnight in Watsontown

WATSONTOWN – Ten vehicles were reportedly broken into Monday night in Watsontown. Police say the vehicles were entered along Pool, Elm and Ash Streets overnight. Several items and money were stolen. Police continue to investigate the incident and ask anyone with information to give them a call at 538-2773. (Sara Bartlett)

Warning for parents with children 4 and under…No cold or cough medicine!

SUNBURY – Drug companies are warning people not to give cough and cold medicines to children under 4. Pediatricians have been sharply critical of the companies for marketing such remedies for children under four.

Dr. John Pagana of Sunbury says studies show the drugs don’t really help kids with their symptoms and kids are coming into the emergency room in respiratory distress, or with cardiac arrhythmias secondary to these drugs. Also kids are often given adult doses of these medicines.

Dr. Pagana says many over the counter medicines still tell parents not to give the drugs to children 2 and under, instead of four. He says the American Academy of Pediatrics is trying to change that so parents don’t use decongestants the way they have in the past. He recommends saline nose drops and cooling vapors for treatment and even something as simple as honey can stop a cough.

The president of the Consumer Healthcare Products Association says the companies are making the voluntarily change "out of an overabundance of caution." The manufacturers are also adding a warning label to their products telling parents not to give young children antihistamines just to make them sleepy. (Ali Stevens/AP)

Flashing lights on Route 54 near Turbotville

TURBOTVILLE – Flashing lights have been installed at the intersection of Route 54 and the Susquehanna Trail in Lewis Township near Turbotville. The intersection has a history of several accidents and residents in the area have asked for flashing lights for several years.

The lights will not be turned on right away though. They will be blinking red in one direction and yellow in the other direction when they are activated. (Ali Stevens)

Conference room fee passed by Northumberland County Commissioners

SUNBURY – Northumberland County Commissioners say a fee for use of the Conference Room in the county-owned office building will help recoup expenses incurred in maintaining it. Commissioner Kurt Masser says it’s been used free of charge for a number of years, often by attorneys taking depositions.

They’ll be charging $150 dollars per three hours of use. Masser says the expenses include lighting, heating and cleaning the room. The fee is effective immediately, other than for those who have already booked the room. In passing the resolution Tuesday, commissioners note that not for profit organizations will be exempt. (Matt Farrand)

A lesson on black bears after one was captured in Lewisburg

LEWISBURG – A black bear that was captured by the Pennsylvania Game Commission in Union County served as an educational experience for kids at the Kelly Elementary School in Lewisburg. Last week, Wildlife Conservation Officer Dirk Remensnyder, says he caught the bear in a trap after it was spotted trying to eat fish out of a resident’s goldfish pond.

He says he called the school to see if they would be interested in an impromptu presentation. Remensnyder adds that bears are formidable animals and some people don’t have a lot of knowledge on them, therefore, making people naturally a little scared when they see one in the wild. He says the presentation touches on a bear’s characteristics and what you should and should not do if you come in contact with one.

Remensnyder says he also explains why they are trapped and how research is done. He suggests people keep their trash indoors and put away bird feeders until the end of the year, to keep bears from roaming into residential areas. He says this is the time of year when bears roam to feed before they go into den in early December.

Historian David McCullough lauded by Bucknell

LEWISBURG – Historian David McCullough now holds an honorary doctorate from Bucknell University. The two-time Pulitzer Prize winner is also this year’s Janet Weis Fellow in Contemporary Letters and warns that the appreciation of history could be slipping away.

McCullough is known for of biographies of Presidents John Adams and Harry Truman. University President Brian Mitchell granted both the degree and the award Tuesday night before more than 1000 at the Weis Center for the Performing Arts. (Matt Farrand)