Friday, December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas!

Barnes & Noble management seeks peace with existing storeowners

LEWISBURG – The impact a Barnes & Noble bookstore will have on other businesses in downtown Lewisburg is likely to be wide ranging.  Executive Director Linda Sterling of the Lewisburg Downtown Partnership says plans are being made prior to its opening to introduce the management of the new store to owners of existing businesses.  Sterling says local retailers will be met with individually some time early in the New Year. 

The deal that brought Barnes & Noble to downtown Lewisburg spurred a backlash among some small business owners.  But Sterling notes the project is also new to the big bookseller, in that it has never before opened a location in such a small college town in rural surroundings.  The store at 3^rd and Market streets in Lewisburg will also serve as the primary bookseller for Bucknell University students and is expected to be open by the start of classes in the fall of 2010.  Bucknell University will play a major role in the store’s management.  (Matt Farrand)

Needy Family Fund reaches goal on Christmas Day

SUNBURY – The Needy Family Fund has reached and continues to exceed its $75,000 goal.  Major Sharon Cupp of the Sunbury Salvation Army calls this year’s effort successful, even with the tough economy.  More than 750 families were helped this year, which includes over 2,000 children. Cupp says it really shows the passion in a community when they realize other people are still in need.

 Each year, The Salvation Army, The Daily Item, Sunbury Broadcasting Corporation and Susquehanna Bank sponsor the Needy Family Fund, where families get food, toys and financial assistance.  Daily Item Publisher Gary Grossman says this year’s families showed financial distress they may not have had in years past. 

In addition to the donations that continue to come in, a $25,000 Degenstein Challenge Grant will be a boost to the fund since it reached its goal.  Donations are still being accepted and for more information you can go to our website www.wkok.com. (Sara Bartlett)

Needy Family Fund total

SUNBURY – The Needy Family Fund has reached and exceeded the $75,000 goal.  Thanks to the achievement, the Degenstein Foundation has contributed $25,000, which has helped boost the fund to $103,079.69.  Other contributors today include $320 from the Selin’s Grove Brewing Company, $100 from William and Brenda Hockenbrock of Northumberland, Kim and Kii Fisher of Shamokin Dam and Kenneth and Sally Keithan Moore of Lewisburg, in honor of their son Richard Moore.  There was also $1,564.50 in anonymous donations.

Each year, The Daily Item, Susquehanna Bank, Salvation Army and The Sunbury Broadcasting Corporation sponsor The Needy Family Fund. Additionally, a $25,000 Degenstein Challenge Grant will be a boost to the fund—if—and only if—the fund reaches the goal of $75,000.  You are asked to please consider a contribution to the Needy Family Fund. Donations can be directed to any branch of Susquehanna Bank, or mailed to 400 Market Street, Sunbury, PA, 17801. You can get more information at www.wkok.com.   

Bloomsburg fire causes $100,000 in damage

BLOOMSBURG – A state police fire marshal has determined that a discarded match or cigarette was the cause of a fire Wednesday that heavily damaged an apartment building next to the Irondale Inn in Bloomsburg.  According to the Press-Enterprise, there were no injuries reported in the blaze, but eleven people were left homeless.  A fire marshal says the blaze was accidental, as one of the building’s occupants discarded of smoking material in a porch area that was enclosed.  Owner of the building, Nathan Roberts, said he plans to try and restore what he can.  Damage is estimated at $100,000. 

Lewisburg holiday promotion called successful

LEWISBURG – Record crowds flocked to downtown Lewisburg for a late shoppers night in early December.  However, Executive Director Linda Sterling of the Lewisburg Downtown Partnership says how merchants fared this holiday season will probably not be confirmed until the numbers are added up.  Sterling says there is guarded optimism among downtown business owners. 

Parking meters were not bagged this year during the holiday shopping season, a move that will be evaluated by the borough and others.  Sterling notes that whether to offer free parking or not is not the decision of the Business Partnership.  Sterling also concedes a plan to offer parking tokens to shoppers created more confusion than the Partnership hoped for. (Matt Farrand)  

Clinton County judge to hear case in Northumberland County

SUNBURY – A hearing will be held Monday discussing Northumberland County President Judge Robert Sacavage’s decision to sue the county commissioners.  Sacavage says he cannot run the court system properly with the proposed $600,000 cuts by the commissioners in the 2010 budget.  Recently, Commissioner Vinny Clausi says the days of open checkbook of government are over at the county level, and while it is up to a court to decide whether the cuts will stand, the county is prepared to defend its actions.  Monday’s hearing will be presided over by a Clinton County judge and will determine if a ruling can be made to stop the commissioners from cutting the court’s budget. 

McCain courts Carney for switch to GOP
 

Safe holiday travel advised

UNDATED – With the threat of freezing rain and some icy conditions Christmas morning, PennDOT official Rick Mason says their crews are ready, to ensure safe holiday travel.  He says if there is a threat of winter weather, maintenance crews will treat the roads in enough time.  PennDOT have been out pre-treating roads with a liquid, which slows the formation of ice on roads.

Mason says during the holidays motorists should take precautions and plan extra time for travels. AccuWeather says there is a chance for freezing rain throughout Christmas morning, but it should change to all rain after 12:00p.m.

Burgess, Mitchell & Seal release new CD

LEWISBURG – Three top-notch local musicians appeared on Tuesday’s “On the Mark” program, discussing the state of local music and introducing their latest CD.  Burgess Mitchell & Seal play jazz and blues and remain a favorite locally and elsewhere.  Keyboard player Greg Burgess says in spite of reports that live, local music is somehow dying, they continue to find work.  The group sometimes performs as many as five times per week. 

Grammy award winning drummer Steve Mitchell credits their continued acceptance to music programs in local schools and educated audiences.  He notes jazz is sometimes an acquired taste, but even a small amount of musical education early in life can create life long jazz fans. 

Burgess Mitchell & Seal continue to enjoy their work, and have just released their 4^th CD together, called “Downriver Some.”  It features 11 tunes written by Greg Burgess.  You can hear the group’s entire appearance from Tuesday’s “On the Mark” program by logging on to www.wkok.com (Matt Farrand)

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

BANGOR, Pa. (AP) - State police in say a man has been charged in the death of an elderly woman who was hit by a car as she was trying to check her mailbox.  Police say 79-year-old Marion Yannotti of Upper Mount Bethel Township had parked her car in the opposite lane of traffic at about 6 p.m. Wednesday to pick up her mail. She was climbing out of her car when she and it were struck by another vehicle. Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek says Yannotti was pronounced dead at the scene.  Thirty-four-year-old John Gorman was charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence. He was taken to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $35,000 bail. A listed number for him could not be found Sunday and it was unclear whether he had an attorney. 

JOSEPHINE, Pa. (AP) - Authorities in western Pennsylvania are trying to find out what started a blaze that killed a man early Christmas morning.  Neighbors reported seeing smoke coming from the home in Indiana County's Burrell Township just after 3:30 a.m. Friday. Officials say 38-year-old Marcus Crow was apparently home by himself when the blaze broke out. He was taken to Indiana Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead just before 5 a.m.  The county coroner's office says he had extensive burns and possible smoke inhalation. An autopsy will be done at Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown to determine the cause of death.

DICKSON CITY, Pa. (AP) - Police in northeastern Pennsylvania say a woman walked off with a purse that contained about $5,000 in cash on Christmas Eve.  Police released an image from surveillance video Thursday in hopes of identifying the woman who took the purse from a bench inside a Wal-Mart store in Dickson City.  In addition to cash, police say the purse contained various credit cards, passports and birth certificates.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Two of NFL star Michael Vick's former financial advisers will never manage pension plans again as part of an agreement related to the misuse of about $1.3 million.  The   U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday that Mary Wong of Omaha and David Talbot are both barred from handling pension funds again. Both helped manage Vick's money while he was in federal prison on dogfighting charges.  The Labor Department filed a lawsuit against Vick, Wong and Talbot earlier this year. Officials accused Vick and his advisers of making a series of prohibited transfers from a pension plan sponsored by MV7, a celebrity marketing company owned by the former Atlanta Falcons and current Philadelphia Eagles quarterback.  Talbot's hometown is not listed in the agreement or news release.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's highest court is upholding a decision to throw out a state rule that required coal-fired power plants to cut mercury emissions beyond federal standards.  The state Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that Commonwealth Court Judge Dan Pellegrini was correct when he called the rule unlawful, invalid and unenforceable.  The 2007 rule was challenged by Allentown-based PPL Corp., which owns two coal-fired power plants in Pennsylvania.  The administration of Gov. Ed Rendell fought industry resistance for approval of the rule, which made Pennsylvania the first major coal-mining state to attack mercury.  However, a federal judge last year required mercury to be restored to a list of hazardous pollutants that Pennsylvania state law prohibits it from regulating.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Updates on the latest in business:

US markets closed for Christmas holiday

NEW YORK – Traders are taking a day off, after a shortened session on Christmas Eve.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average enters its last week of trading for 2009 up slightly at 10,520.10.  The S&P 500 gained 5.89 Thursday to close at 1,126.48, and the NASDAQ advanced 16.05 to2,285.69. 

Scientists study car safety for pregnant women

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Researchers and automobile designers are looking for ways to reduce fetal deaths by making automobile travel safer for expectant mothers.  Researchers at the Virginia Tech-Wake Forest University School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences are working to develop a computer-aided model of pregnant drivers and passengers so they can

develop better crash protection systems.  There are no official statistics on the number of fetal deaths due to vehicle accidents, but Stefan Duma, who heads the Blacksburg program, says the estimates range from 300 to several thousand per year.  By understanding how injuries occur, researchers can developer safer restraint systems in future vehicle designs.  The Virginia Tech project is being partly funded by Ford.

Japan unveils record $1 trillion budget

TOKYO (AP) - Japan has unveiled a record 92.29 trillion yen or $1 trillion budget for the next fiscal year starting in April 2010.  Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama said Friday his Cabinet approved he budget. The budget must be cleared by Japan's parliament early next year to take effect.  The government will issue new bonds worth 44 trillion yen to cover a drop in tax revenue as Japan struggles to shake off its worst recession since World War II.

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

Midday Big 4

     3-6-8-9

Midday Number

     4-0-6

Midday Quinto

     9-4-8-9-1

Treasure Hunt

     07-11-18-20-30

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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