Thursday, October 9, 2008

Support sought for community college

NORTHUMBERLAND – Proponents of a local two-year college say as technology grows, so does the need for technicians.  Former Shikellamy School District assistant superintendent Dan Perna says technical classes in high school are okay, but will not be enough in the future.  That’s where a local community college fits in.  Dr. Perna and President Lenaire Alhum of the Susquehanna Valley Community Education Project addressed the monthly meeting of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce Thursday, and are encouraging business owners and private citizens to write their legislators, and express their support for a community college in the immediate area.  (Matt Farrand)

More charges filed in Beaver Springs burglary

BEAVER SPRINGS – Another man was arrested in connection with a Beaver Springs burglary.  18-year-old Robert Hannick, of Beaver Springs, is charged with burglary, theft and criminal mischief after breaking into and stealing from Chardon’s Convenience Store last month.  He was released on $25,000 bail.  18-year-old Curt Zechman of Beaver Spring was charged earlier this week in the same incident.  Police also say more charges are now filed against Zechman after he allegedly broke into a restaurant the same week as the convenience store burglary.  Additional charges of burglary, theft and criminal mischief will be filed against Zechman. (Sara Bartlett)

Danville woman sentenced to jail for her role in a local drug ring

WILLIAMSPORT – A Danville woman has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for her role in a local drug ring.  37-year-old Wendy Barrett was sentenced Tuesday in Middle District Court in Williamsport on charges of delivery and possession of cocaine and heroin.  Barrett plead guilty in May of last year to getting heroin in New Jersey and bringing it to the Danville area.  She was one of 12 people indicted for the drug distribution ring in Columbia, Montour, Northumberland and Union Counties.  She was also given three years of supervised release.  (Ali Stevens)

A Columbia County pedestrian struck by a van has died at Geisinger

DANVILLE – A Columbia County man, who was struck by a van as he tried to cross a street in Berwick, has died at Geisinger Medical Center.  The accident happened last Friday when 51-year-old Robert Campbell stepped in front of a minivan while trying to cross West Front Street.  Campbell was flown to Geisinger after the accident and was pronounced dead three days later.  The driver of the minivan was not charged for the accident.  (Ali Stevens)

Milton man charged with statutory sexual assault

MILTON – A Milton man is charged with statutory sexual assault for having sex with a teen girl, who gave birth to his child.  State police say 20-year-old Richard Rolon has been charged with corruption of minors for having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl.  State police were notified after the girl gave birth at Geisinger Medical Center.  (Ali Stevens)

Jury to be selected in Union County pornography case

LEWISBURG – Jury selection will get underway October 27^th in the pornography case against retired Bucknell University professor 73-year-old Jack Harclerode.  In Union County Court Wednesday, Harclerode’s attorney, Pete Campana, requested a motion for a change of venue saying he believes media reports have been sensationalized and that may lead to a biased jury.  Judge Louise Knight said she would also decided on the 27^th if a change of venue is needed.  Harclerode is charged with having nearly 250 pornographic images on his personal computer.

Meanwhile, Judge Knight postponed trial for involuntary deviate sexual intercourse charges against Harclerode.  He is charged with allegedly sexually assaulting a young boy in his Bucknell office between 1992 and 1995.

Harclerode also faces charges in Columbia County for sexually assaulting a young boy at a campground in 2006.  He will appear in Columbia County Court today and is expected to withdrawal his guilty plea to first-degree indecent assault.

A McClure man charged with soliciting under-aged boys for sex is now missing

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 3rd 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. Crews from Mount Carmel and Shamokin responded to the scene. (Ali Stevens)

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. Target, Kohl’s Department Store, Best Buy, Red Robin and Giant are the stores now open for business.

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

Roadwork planned, expect a detour

UPPER AUGUSTA TWP – A portion of Anthracite Road in Upper Augusta Township will be closed from the 15th to the 27th of this month. Township offices say a railroad crossing needs to be upgraded, and other improvements made to the roadway. Truck traffic to Anthracite Industries will need to use a detour via Snydertown Road. Other traffic should use the appropriate detour via Black Mill Road to reach Route 61 or Snydertown Road. (Matt Farrand)

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 14th at Susquehanna University. More information at 286-3592, or e-mail your photos to Emily_Kissinger@chs.net (Matt Farrand)

Relay for Life event will feature a popular local rock band

SUNBURY – Fundraising will begin soon 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 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 6p.m. and Kinsey will play at 7. 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 9th 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 22nd 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)

Woman with local ties cruises through Half-Marathon

LEWISBURG – A woman with local ties was among the top finishers of the more than 13,000 runners who ran 13.1 miles through the streets of Philadelphia Sunday. Williamsport High School grad and Bucknell University junior Molly Pritz was the first American, the 8th woman, and the 16th runner overall to finish the ING Philadelphia Distance Run.

She says the start amid the big field was intimidating, but she got into a groove in a couple of miles as the crowd around her thinned out. Pritz ran among elite athletes from Russia, Kenya, Ethiopia and South Korea, and began to prepare for the race this summer.

Pritz says the race was her second attempt at the half-marathon distance. She’ll also take it easy for a time, and recover from her 1 hour and 16 minute half-marathon, and plans no major racing until early next year. Pritz began running with her Mom and friends several years ago. (Matt Farrand)

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania State Police say serious crime fell by more than 2 percent last year, while overall crime numbers were also down slightly.  The so-called "crime  index" offenses include murder, rape, robbery and other serious crimes. They fell from about 345,000 in 2006 to 338,000 last year, a decrease of 2.2 percent.  Murders fell from 736 to 727, and robberies were down 7 percent.  Other highlights in the new figures announced Thursday are a 6 percent decrease in juvenile arrests, but hate crimes rose from 136 in 2004 to 151 in 2005. The total number of crimes reported to the state police last year was 995,000. That's a little less than 1 percent less than in 2006.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - New laws added to Pennsylvania's books authorize the repair of 411 bridges and provide for a new system to review the deaths of children.  Among the 10 bills Gov. Ed Rendell signed into law on Thursday are licensing mandates for acupuncturists and municipal rules for amateur radio antennas.  Other new laws crack down on out-of-state recreational vehicle dealers and require registration for online auctioneering trading assistants.

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

Daily Number:

         9 9 5

Big 4:

         1 5 1 8

Quinto

         6 9 7 2 1

Treasure Hunt

         9 15 25 29 30

SNL Political Special Tonight – Palin hopes to appear on SNL someday SNL

NEW YORK (AP) -- Sarah Palin hopes to do a sketch with Tina Fey on "Saturday Night Live" someday. Palin says she thinks Fey is "a hoot." She says "it would be fun to meet her, imitate her and keep on giving her new material." Asked if that's a possibility, Lorne Michaels replied, "all in good time." Fey will be playing Palin until the election. But if Palin wins, Michaels says they'll probably find someone else to play her on SNL because Fey can't do it for the rest of her life. Saturday Night Live has a prime-time political special on tonight.

New sushi guides address sustainability

NEW YORK (AP) - Bluefin tuna is known as the king of sushi. But the fish's popularity has been its downfall. Overfishing has sent the world's bluefin population plummeting by 90 percent in 30 years.  Environmentally aware consumers know that bluefin is a no-no. But they may not know whether the rest of the sushi menu is sustainably harvested.  Three conservation groups are aiming to put the information into the hands of restaurant-goers by publishing pocket guides to ocean-friendly sushi.  The guides are published by the Blue Ocean Institute, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Environmental Defense Fund. They will be introduced at a media event next week at the French Culinary Institute  in Manhattan.