Tuesday, December 29, 2009

NorCo passes $63 ‘tax decrease’ million budget

SUNBURY – The Northumberland County Commissioners have passed their 2010 ‘tax decrease’ budget.  The budget of just over $63 million is about $20 million less than this year’s spending plan—thanks in part to the sale of Mountain View Manor. Taxes will go down 3.4 mills thanks to a reduced debt service payment. 

Commissioner Kurt Masser admits it’s a very lean budget and he says employees need to get away from thinking about what their staff was, and start to think more like a business and figure out what staff is necessary to run a department.  2009 saw some county employee cuts, something Masser says may happen again in 2010.

An effort to stop the budget being passed was thwarted Monday, after a resolution to the suing of the county commissioners by President Judge Robert Sacavage.  Negotiations on the court’s spending level in 2010 will continue, but had there been no resolution, the budget could not have been passed, and would not take effect January 1, 2010. (Sara Bartlett)  

Talking about electric choice

SUNBURY – The new year brings with it a chance for residents to make an important choice about who they want as their electric service provider.  Not only are rate caps expiring with PPL electric customers rates going up about 30 percent, but electric choice begins on the first day of the year. 

Mike Molesevich of Molesevich Environmental was a guest on Newsradio 1070 WKOK’s On The Mark program and talked about important things people should consider and says residents should first take steps to make their homes more energy efficient.  Then they should see how much their average bill is and how much electricity they use. 

Finally, he says a lot of people will just sit back and wait before deciding. He says waiting a month before deciding is a good idea to see what your bill will look like and because when you choose a supplier, you have to enter into a contract, the same way you do with a phone service provider. 

Currently there are about a dozen companies in the market that you can look at for electric service.  You can find them at the Pennsylvania Utility Commission’s website at www.puc.state.pa.us.  You can listen to more from Mike Molesevich on electric choice from our Tuesday On The Mark program online at www.wkok.com. (Ali Stevens)

Wood-Mode of Kreamer has been fined by DEP

KREAMER – The Department of Environmental Protection has fined Wood Mode of Kreamer for a hazardous waste violation.  The wood cabinet plant in Middlecreek Township, Snyder County was fined $7,400 for a violation DEP claims to have discovered in July.  The DEP says inspectors discovered four 55-gallon drums of hazardous waste, which were not dated. 

Federal and state hazardous waste regulations require waste to be dated so it is shipped off site within a required 90-day period.  DEP Northcentral Regional Director Robert Yowell says this is the fifth time that Wood Mode has been fined for hazardous waste violations.  After a second routine inspection in August, the violation was corrected, according to DEP officials.  (Ali Stevens)

Two people treated at a hospital and an officer injured after a fight at a local bar

MILTON – At least four people were arrested and more charges are pending against other possible suspects following a bar brawl early Monday morning in Milton.  Officer Todd Ulrich tells us about 50 people were involved in numerous fights outside Big Andy’s Bar and Grill on Front Street in Milton around 1a.m. 

Ulrich says a fight started inside the establishment and bar employees moved them outside and then multiple fights broke out.  All of those involved in the fights were under 21 as Big Andy’s hosts a non-alcoholic event for teens under 21 on Sunday nights. 

Officer Eric Goodbrod of Milton Police sustained a hand injury in the fight and will miss several days of work.  Two teens were taken to Evangelical Community Hospital to be treated for Taser and pepper spray injuries, which officers had to use to bring the brawl under control. 

Numerous area police departments including East Buffalo Township, Lewisburg, Watsontown, Sunbury, Point Township and State Police from Milton, Stonington and Selinsgrove supported Milton police.  (Ali Stevens)

Man in critical condition following a farm accident in Columbia County

MILLVILLE – Updating a story we first told you about yesterday, a Millville area man is in critical condition following a farm accident Monday morning.  78-year-old Bruce Henrie was using a tractor to remove a fallen tree, when the tractor rolled and he was pinned underneath it. 

The accident happened around 9:30 a.m. along Camp Road in Madison Township near Route 44.  Henrie was transported to Geisinger Medical Center by LifeFlight and remains in critical condition.  (Ali Stevens)

Learning how to save money in 2010 from a financial expert

SELINSGROVE – One popular New Years resolution that people make is trying to save more money. Sean Christine is a certified financial planner at Waddell and Reed in Selinsgrove and talks about the best way to get started saving money, which is creating a personal budget.  Christine says go through all of your expenses and map out what you spend for an entire year. 

He says you can find a budget form online to fill out.  Christine says look back at what you’ve done over the past year and then go forward and look at how much money you make and what your expenses are and try to find ways to possibly cut expenses.  Also, try to find ways to put money into a savings account. 

Christine says not everyone enjoys making a budget, but it’s an important step to take.  He also talked about common mistakes people make such as missing the opportunity to save your tax refund check. 

Christine says people often see the refund as something extra to buy a television or other item, when you could actually put it in the bank and save that money. Christine says people often think seeing a financial planner is too expensive, but he says it’s an affordable way to get your finances in order and plan for the future.  (Ali Stevens)

2^nd annual Beaver Drop in Beavertown on New Years Eve

BEAVERTOWN – Beavertown in Snyder County will be hosting their 2^nd annual “Beaver Drop” on New Years Eve.  Linda Thomas is secretary for the Beavertown Borough and says the Beaver Drop will be held at the fire hall in Beavertown on Sassafras Street starting at 10 p.m. with music and refreshments in the fire hall.  Then around 11:50, those in attendance will go outside for the “Beaver Drop” and then a fireworks display. 

At the “Beaver Drop”, there will also be “Beaver” items for sale such as 2010 Beaver Drop t-shirts, hats and sweatshirts.  The money raised from the Beaver merchandise will offset the cost of the fireworks.  Everyone is welcome, not just Beavertown residents, and Beavertown hopes to carry on the “Beaver Drop” tradition for years to come.  (Ali Stevens)

The Slifer House Museum will close temporarily

LEWISBURG – The Slifer House Museum of Lewisburg has announced that they will be closed temporarily to reorganize their exhibits.  The museum, which is located on the campus of RiverWoods Senior Living Community, will be closed during the months of January and February and will reopen on March 1^st. 

While the museum is closed, exhibits will be reorganized and some cleaning will be done at the grand Victorian mansion, which was built by Eli Slifer, who served as Secretary of Pennsylvania during the Civil War.  The mansion was built in 1860 and is now a museum owned an operated by Albright Care Services, a faith-based, non-profit organization.  The spring hours, exhibits and event plans will be announced in late February for the Slifer House Museum.  (Ali Stevens)

As January arrives, the number of RSV cases in children will be on the rise

DANVILLE – As January arrives, so does a common illness experienced by babies and children called Respiratory Syncytial Virus or RSV.  Dr. Michael Ryan is chairman of pediatrics at Geisinger Medical Center and says probably a third of the children visiting the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital in January and February are RSV cases, which is a significant number.

Dr. Ryan says it starts with a runny nose and the cough will be a wheeze, followed by a musical whistling sound.  Dr. Ryan says not only could the illness be confused with H1N1 this year, but first time parents are often in the dark about RSV altogether. 

Debt-free Sunbury approves 2010 budget

SUNBURY – City Council approved Sunbury’s 2010 budget Monday night, a plan that spends more than $4.1 million dollars and contains no tax increases. The budget that also holds the line on health care costs was passed without a dissenting vote.

The meeting was the final one to include Council members John Shipman and Mark Walberg, and to be presided over by Mayor Jesse Woodring. Returning mayor David Persing will be sworn in at 6:00 p.m. January 4th, as will new council members Joe Bartello and Todd Snyder. (Matt Farrand0

Northumberland County Court budget stays steady after temporary compromise

SUNBURY – The legal action filed by Northumberland County President Judge Robert Sacavage against County Commissioners was temporarily resolved at a hearing Monday. It means court funding will remain close to its current level in 2010 and more negotiations will occur in the weeks ahead. The compromise required the services of two Philadelphia lawyers to negotiate.

Sacavage says the 10% cuts in the Commissioner’s budget would have made it impossible for the court to properly function. The judge said threatening to undermine the operations of the court because of budgetary matters also threaten the fundamentals of American democracy. Neither he nor the commissioners would disclose how much they paid their outside attorneys.

The parties agreed to further negotiate the final spending level of $6.1 million in the year ahead, which is about 5% less than the budget the judge had hoped for. However, Sacavage says the agreement is better than having to lay off more staff. The compromise means the commissioners can adopt their austere budget Tuesday. Commissioners also have the options to adjust county millage rates as they see fit.

Two Sunbury residents injured in two-car crash

SUNBURY – A Monday afternoon crash injured two Sunbury motorists. Sunbury Police say 55-year-old Betsey Ressler pulled into the path of a vehicle driven by 27-year-old Matthew Chambers at North Fourth and Lincoln Streets.

The drivers sustained injuries of undetermined severity, but were taken via ambulance to a hospital for treatment. Ressler and an uninjured passenger were wearing seatbelts, and the airbags in their vehicle were deployed. Police say Chambers was not wearing a seatbelt. The 4:20 p.m. crash closed the intersection for a time. (Matt Farrand)

Driver who hit a buggy has been identified

WATSONTOWN – State troopers say they have their hit and run driver—the driver who fled after slamming a van into to a horse and buggy Sunday night, leaving behind injured children in the overturned buggy. State police at Milton say the name of the driver isn’t being disclosed pending further investigation and the filing of charges. The driver slammed into the buggy operated by Leroy Glick of the Watsontown area.

Three people on the buggy—including two young children were injured. The driver of the van then left the scene. The 7:30p.m. crash happened on Route 54 in Delaware Township, Northumberland County. This is the latest in a series of buggy versus automobile accidents…other accidents in the region have also been ‘hit and run’ incidents and one involved a fatality.

Needy Family fund exceeds $113,000

SUNBURY – The Needy Family Fund is now at $113,753.71. The latest group contributions include $226.21 from Middleburg Elementary School, $265 from St. John’s Lutheran Church of Potts Grove and $100 from Girl Scout Troop 1112 of Middleburg.

Individual or family donations include $200 from Stephanie Snyder of Lewisburg and $100 each from Richard and Barbara Richter of Sunbury, Bonna and Bruno Cafisco of Sunbury, William and Karen Marosi and Jean and Katherine Hannaford. Also David and Margaret Wilder of Lewisburg gave $150. Additionally, there were anonymous donations of more than $490.

An additional $25,000 Degenstein Challenge Grant was awarded to the fund, after the announced goal of $75,000 was reached on Christmas Day. Each year, The Daily Item, Susquehanna Bank, Salvation Army and The Sunbury Broadcasting Corporation sponsor The Needy Family Fund.

Contributions to the Needy Family Fund are still being accepted. 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

Smoker’s…advice on quitting in the New Year

LEWISBURG – Lots of folks will make a New Year’s resolutions to quit smoking and there is help available today. One common New Year’s resolutions that people make…is to quit smoking. Susan Sidler is assistant director of cardio-pulmonary services at Evangelical Community Hospital and offered some helpful advice.

Sidler says it is important to quit when you are mentally ready and no one else is pressuring you to make that decision. She said there are a few therapeutic drugs available for those wishing to quit and people should talk with their doctor about which is right for them.

She says ‘the patch’ can work well for some people, especially those who smoke a pack a day or less. And she says quitting smoking must be the only resolution. For those wishing to lose weight and quit smoking, Sidler says you should just pick one resolution.

Those who try to quit smoking generally gain weight, due to a change in metabolism, but most only gain about 10 pounds. Sidler says it’s never too late to quit and adds that if you are going to try to quit on your own, you need to be prepared with smoking distractions like exercise, healthy snacks, gum and enjoyable activities. (Ali Stevens)

11-year-old boy injured in a crash

PAXINOS – An 11-year-old boy was the only person injured in a three-vehicle accident Sunday afternoon in Shamokin Township, Northumberland County. State police say 45-year-old Scott Holtzapple of Sunbury rear-ended a vehicle on Route 61, driven by 19-year-old Joseph Kasper of Shamokin. Kasper’s vehicle was then forced into a vehicle driven by 46-year-old Brian Kimmel of West Chester.

No drivers were injured in the crash, but Kimmel’s son, 11-year-old Grant Kimmel, was transported to Geisinger Medical Center, where he was treated and released for minor injuries. Holtzapple will be cited for causing the chain reaction crash around 4 p.m. Sunday. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - A northeastern Pennsylvania judge ensnared in a federal probe has pleaded guilty to corruption charges.  Luzerne County Judge Michael Toole pleaded guilty Tuesday in Scranton to honest services fraud and tax evasion.  Prosecutors say he hid his financial relationship with a lawyer who appeared before him and didn't report a $30,000 referral fee from another attorney on his taxes.  Toole's plea requires him to resign in the next 10 days. He will remain free pending his March 20 sentencing.  About two-dozen people have been charged in the wide-ranging Luzerne County investigation. Toole's attorney says he might later petition to have the honest services fraud charge dismissed, pending a ruling on the statute's legality by the U.S. Supreme Court.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A casino trade association is rebutting a state lawmaker's suggestion that someone from the group should have registered under the state's lobbying disclosure law.  A Pennsylvania Casino Association official wrote in a response letter that its activities didn't meet the state's legal definition of lobbying.  The association sent e-mails to legislators and aired a radio ad.  House Gaming Oversight Committee Chairman Dante Santoni sent a letter last month citing the group's activities surrounding a bill to expand casino gambling.  Santoni says he hasn't decided whether to hold a hearing on the matter.  The Pittsburgh-based casino association is chaired by former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Stephen Zappala.

SUGAR NOTCH, Pa. (AP) - Officials in a small northeastern Pennsylvania borough are questioning a church's plan to house a group of homeless men for a week.  Holy Family Church in Sugar Notch, Luzerne County, wants to house around 40 homeless men for a week in January. The church got a notice from the borough saying that's a violation of local zoning laws punishable by a $500-a-day fine.  Borough Councilman Herman Balas said he's acting in the best interest of his constituents. He said some of the homeless men could be violent or drug users or have shady pasts.  Vince Kabacinski is director of ISION, a nonprofit organization that coordinates the temporary shelter program. He says dozens of area churches participate.

BALTIMORE (AP) - The Environmental Protection Agency is laying out consequences Chesapeake Bay watershed states and Washington, D.C., could face for not meeting goals in a bay restoration strategy the agency is developing.  EPA MidAtlantic regional administrator Shawn Garvin says he signed a letter Tuesday that is being sent to the district as well as Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and New York.  Garvin says he expects the seven governments will meet cleanup goals and   enforcement action won't be necessary.  The head of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, which sued the EPA over bay restoration, says he's not convinced. CBF President Will Baker says the fact that the EPA says the consequences will not be applied to restoration commitments announced in May shows the federal agency is not serious.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A labor leader says a ruling by Pennsylvania's highest court undercuts Gov. Ed Rendell's argument that he was required by law not to pay state workers during a budget impasse. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in favor of state employees' unions, saying the federal Fair Labor Standards Act trumps a section of the state constitution. The state constitution requires an appropriation to be passed, in most cases, before money can be paid from the state treasury. Service Employees International Union Local 668 president Kathy Jellison, a party to the lawsuit, says the ruling should help unions in future budget standoffs. Council 13 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees executive director David Fillman and Rendell spokesman Gary Tuma both declined comment, saying they needed time to review the decision.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Pittsburgh City Council has approved a $3.77 million settlement with a man who spent 19 years in prison before his rape conviction was overturned by DNA evidence in 2005 City attorneys didn't immediately return calls for comment on Monday's vote, but an attorney for the retired city detective who arrested 50-year-old Thomas Doswell says the case settled out of court last month, subject to council's approval. Doswell claimed a 1986 photo lineup was tainted because his mug shot was marked with an "R" when the victim identified him. At that time, Pittsburgh police routinely marked rape suspects pictures with that letter - and Doswell, who had a prior rape arrest, was the only one in the photo lineup with a marked picture. Doswell's attorney confirmed the settlement, but otherwise declined comment.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Pennsylvania court system has new disaster plans to help ensure the judiciary will be able to respond effectively to a range of potential crises. The state Supreme Court on Monday adopted rules to help it cope with terrorist attacks, major floods or public health emergencies. The rules let the justices suspend or modify procedural or administrative rules upon the declaration of a judicial emergency. Under certain circumstances, county president judges can order endangered court facilities closed, move court operations to a safe location, change court calendars, and cancel or suspend trials and jury duty.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - People who want to buy a house in Pennsylvania might get better terms through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. Right now, the agency is financing 30-year, fixed-rate loans for 4.5 percent on newly built homes and 5.25 percent on older homes. The rates are comparable to what's available in the conventional market, but the agency's executive director Brian Hudson says the loans require fewer dollars down. The PHFA loans can be arranged through private lenders. Hudson says the loans are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are backed by $250 million in bonds sold last week. Also, people who qualify for the federal homebuyer tax credit can get the money up front from the state housing agency as a credit toward the purchasing price.

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

Updates on the latest in business

Dow: 10,545.41, down –1.67

S&P 500: 1,126. 20, down 1.58

NASDAQ: 2,288.44, down –2.68

NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks are little changed past the halfway mark of today's session. The key averages are hovering near their fresh highs for the year.

NEW YORK (AP) - A more upbeat outlook on jobs helped consumer confidence edge higher in December. The Conference Board says its confidence index rose to 52.9 this month, up from 50.6 in November.

NEW YORK (AP) - An uneven recovery in the housing market continued in October. The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller home price index edged up 0.4 percent, but only 11 of 20 metro areas tracked enjoyed gains.

NEW YORK (AP) - General Motors confirms that it is offering deep discounts on remaining Saturn and Pontiac vehicles. The decision comes as GM looks to wind down the brands under its restructuring plan.

ECONOMY-DAY AHEAD Reports due on home prices, consumer confidence

NEW YORK (AP) - Two areas that are key to the economy's continued recovery will be covered in economic reports due today. Before the opening bell, the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index is due. Then, during the first hour of trading on Wall Street, the Conference Board releases the monthly consumer confidence reading. The report, covering December, is expected to show a rise from the November level.

WORLD MARKETS Asian markets mixed in light holiday trade

HONG KONG (AP) - Asian stocks markets were narrowly mixed in light holiday trade after Wall Street posted muted gains. The dollar was moderately higher against the euro and yen. Australian shares led the region, its resource-heavy market powered by stronger prices for oil, gold and other commodities in recent days. In Japan, the Nikkei rose 6.97 points, or 0.1 percent, to 10,641.20. Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 12.99 points, or 0.1 percent, to 21,467.23. South Korea's Kospi dropped 1.31 percent to 1,663.47 and Shanghai's index lost 0.3 percent to 3,177.82. Australia's key index rose 1.1 percent, to 4,845.1. India's Sensex gained 0.2 percent and Singapore's market added 0.2 percent. ADD DOW FUTURES

OIL PRICES Oil hangs below $79 in Asia after big surge

BANGKOK (AP) - Oil prices hung below $79 a barrel in Asia, giving back some gains as regional stock markets mostly fell and the dollar strengthened moderately. Benchmark crude for February delivery was down 11 cents to $78.66 a barrel at midday Bangkok time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract settled up 72 cents at $78.77 on Monday after surging above $79 as an extended cold snap in the U.S. triggered an end-of-year rally in energy futures. Futures contracts for oil, natural gas and heating oil have all become more expensive this month as snow storms blanketed parts of the U.S. and a sharp drop in supplies of crude and other fuels surprised traders. Analysts say oil could rise above $80 before the end of the year if U.S. inventories figures later this week show a drop in stockpiles, which would suggest improving demand in the worlds largest economy.

RETAILERS-HOLIDAYS Retail stores restocking in some cases

ATLANTA (AP) - Retailers find themselves in a better than expected situation as they prepare to close the books on 2009. With relatively low stockpiles of goods after surprisingly firm holiday sales, some have had to bring in new merchandise to restock shelves. That's rare so soon after Christmas. While that should be good news for retailer profits, it may also mean relatively slim pickings for shoppers hoping for after-Christmas clearance sales. Analysts say shoppers looking for big sales should act quickly because there are relatively few leftovers to clear out. According to one report, spending rose 3.6 percent from Nov. 1 through Dec. 24 compared with the same period last year.

FED-EXIT STRATEGY Fed proposes creation of "term deposits"

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Federal Reserve is proposing a new way to park some of the billions of dollar injected into the financial system during the meltdown. So-called "term deposits" paying interest would be akin to certificates of deposit at the central bank. By taking money out of the system, the Fed would be trying to head off inflation risk in the future. Chairman Ben Bernanke and other Fed officials have said creation of term deposits would be one of several tools the Fed could use to drain money from the economy when the time is right. The Fed's balance sheet has ballooned to $2.2 trillion, reflecting the creation of lending programs intended to ease the financial crisis. That's more than double the pre-crisis level.

PILGRIM'S PRIDE-BANKRUPTCY Pilgrim's Pride exits bankruptcy protection

PITTSBURGH, Texas (AP) - Chicken producer Pilgrim's Pride says it's emerged from bankruptcy protection and will soon be part of the world's largest meat producer. Pilgrim's Pride filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection more than a year ago after it was unable to cope with mounting debt, low chicken prices and rising feed costs. It continued to operate but closed plants and cut thousands of jobs. Under a court-approved reorganization plan, Pilgrim's Pride is selling a 64 percent stake in the company, worth $800 million, to Brazilian beef giant JBS. JBS is also on track to buy Bertin SA, one of Latin America's largest producers and exporters of milk products, beef and leather. The two deals combined would bump Tyson Foods from the top slot in the industry. Pilgrim's Pride, based in Pittsburgh, Texas, is redistributing shares not being sold to JBS to current stockholders.

AIRPORT SCREENING Better airport scanners delayed by privacy fears

WASHINGTON (AP) - High-tech security scanners that might have prevented the Christmas Day attempt to blow up a jetliner have been installed in only a small number of airports around the world. Privacy concerns are the main reason, since the machines see through clothing and show body contours. Critics say they amount to a virtual strip search. But cost is another concern. Such scanners typically cost six figures. A different type of scanner known as a "backscatter" runs $190,000 each. The Transportation Security Administration has bought 150 of them, and is expected to deploy them next year.

CHINA-GOVERNMENT WASTE Chinese auditor says $34.4 billion misused

BEIJING (AP) - China's state media reports that the country's national auditor says officials stole or misused $34.4 billion this year. A total of 67 are under criminal investigation. The Xinhua News Agency and newspapers report that investigators recovered $2.4 billion following annual audits of 55 government departments and hundreds of public institutions and companies. The alleged abuse is said to include the unauthorized purchase of cars by government agencies. The communist government publicizes such annual audits in hopes of allaying public anger about chronic corruption and official abuses.

THOMAS TOYS-PENALTY RC2 Corp. to pay $1.25 million for lead in toys

WASHINGTON (AP) - The maker of the popular Thomas & Friends children's toys has agreed to pay at $1.25 million settlement for importing and selling toys that contain lead levels above legal limits. RC2 Corp. of Oak Brook, Ill. still denies it knowingly violated federal law. The Consumer Product Safety Commission had charged the company and subsidiary Learning Curb Brands Inc., of knowingly importing and selling Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway toys that had "paints or other surface coatings" containing lead levels above .06 percent by weight. The toys were imported from China.

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

Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers

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

 Midday Big 4

     8-5-9-1

 Midday Number

     3-5-7

 Midday Quinto

     9-2-9-9-1

 Treasure Hunt

     14-15-16-19-29

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

Big 4 5-5-6-9

Cash 5 07-15-27-33-41

Daily Number 2-1-8

Evening Quinto 8-8-3-1-9

Midday Big 4 9-9-2-2

Midday Number 9-0-1

Midday Quinto 7-3-4-0-0

Mix and Match 04-12-11-06-08

Treasure Hunt 01-05-08-10-13

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

Journalists' group slams NBC for flying boy home

NEW YORK (AP) - A professional journalists' group is condemning NBC News for chartering a plane that carried a New Jersey man involved in a bitter custody battle home from Brazil with his son.  The Society of Professional Journalists called it checkbook journalism" and said the arrangement damages the network's credibility.  NBC says it invited David Goldman and his 9-year-old son, Sean, on a plane that had already been booked to carry its own employees home for Christmas. The network says its invitation did not persuade Goldman to give an exclusive interview to Meredith Vieira on NBC's "Today" show that aired Monday. Spokeswoman Lauren Kapp says the interview was booked before Goldman was invited on the plane.

Lottery pickup

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Nick Schwinden got a great Christmas present from his dad -- a winning scratch-off lottery ticket. Yesterday, Schwinden picked up the keys to his new Ford F-150 pickup, the prize in the Montana lottery's Big Truck Raffle. Schwinden says his dad bought 10 tickets and passed them around the table after Christmas Eve dinner. Nick chose last and won big. Lottery officials report the truck package is worth 63-grand.

Charlie Sheen 911 call

ASPEN, Colo. (AP) - Charlie Sheen's wife has told Aspen, Colo. police Sheen pinned her down on a bed, put a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her after she said she wanted a divorce. An arrest warrant affidavit released yesterday quotes Brooke Mueller Sheen as saying Sheen told her, "You better be in fear. If you tell anybody, I'll kill you." The affidavit says Charlie Sheen denied threatening her with a knife. Sheen was arrested Christmas Day on suspicion of menacing, second-degree assault and criminal mischief. He's free on $8,500 bond and has a February 8 court date.

"NIGHTS IN RODANTHE" HOUSE

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - The beachfront house featured in last year's Richard Gere-Diane Lane movie "Nights in Rodanthe will soon be moved. It'll be moved by a bail bondsman who fell in love with the house after his wife bought the DVD for him as a Christmas present last year. In the movie, there's beach in front of the house. But, since then, the beach has eroded to nothing. So, Ben Huss hopes to close escrow on the six-bedroom house this Monday. He plans on having it moved to another beachfront lot about a mile away. And, he hopes to have it ready to rent by Easter weekend.

Stranded Motorists

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) - A Nevada couple traveling through Eastern Oregon are safe at home after spending three days stuck in snow because their SUV's navigation system sent them down a remote forest road. Klamath County Sheriff Tim Evinger says after John Rhoads and his wife, Starry Bush-Rhoads, got stuck on Christmas Day, atmospheric conditions apparently changed enough for their cell phone to get a weak signal and relay GPS coordinates to a Klamath County dispatcher. The couple were rescued Sunday afternoon when a deputy reached them and winched their vehicle out of the snow. Evinger says they are now home safe in Reno, Nev.

Crash Fees

DECATUR, Ga. (AP) - Some victims of car crashes in Georgia will soon have to pay a $250 fee for the first time. DeKalb County has adopted the fee for anyone who needs to be extricated from a crash by the county's fire department. Previously, the service was free. Officials say the new charge will put $750,000 into government coffers at a crucial time. The county is facing a tax hike and layoffs to balance its budget.

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