Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Court order filed against Northumberland County Commissioner Vinny Clausi

NORTHUMBERLAND – The employees of the Northumberland County Sheriff’s department have taken legal action against county commissioner Vinny Clausi claiming ‘defamation of character.’ The initial court filing today claims Clausi’s remarks in a commissioners meeting yesterday were false and defamatory—and they are seeking a retraction and a correction.

Clausi yesterday—said employees of the Sheriff’s department were involved in ‘hours of computer use involving pornography.’ Today the 10 employees’ in the department—through their attorney Gregory Stuck of Northumberland—notified the court that a lawsuit will follow.

Stuck says employees in the sheriff’s department have received “numerous inquiries from friends and other members of the public concerning the baseless allegations made by Mr. Clausi.”  It goes on to say the statements are “false and defamatory.” 

Montour County okays 9% tax increase

DANVILLE – Montour County increased property taxes 9 percent in a budget adopted this week.  The commissioners say they went through the budget line by line to reduce the tax hike from 24 percent to 9 percent.    The budget is $8.4 million and was whittled down in a number of ways according to Commissioner Jack Gerst, who says they went line per line, slashed different items and programs and had some layoffs.  And Gerst says this has been a continual process that was worked on throughout the year. 

Gerst says he and commissioners Jerry Ward and Trevor Finn had a difficult time voting to raise taxes, but realize it had to be done to keep critical services in the county.  (Ali Stevens)

Unemployment rates drop in our area

UNDATED – Following state and national trends, three counties in our area had unemployment rates that dropped from October to November.  The most significant drop was in Snyder County, where the unemployment rate went from 10.8% to 8.9%. 

Northumberland County went from 10.6% to 10.1%, while Union County went from 9.3% to 9.1%.  Montour County stayed at a steady unemployment rate of 6.5%. Statewide, the rate went from 8.9% in October to 8.5% in November.  Nationally the unemployment rate dropped slightly from 10.2% to 10%. 

Burglaries under investigation in Mifflinburg

MIFFLINBURG – Mifflinburg police are investigating some burglaries in the borough this week.  Police say there were two separate thefts reported from the Weis Markets in Mifflinburg and police believe the same suspects are responsible for both incidents. 

Two men in their 20’s or 30’s entered the grocery store and stole large amounts of over-the-counter medications and health care products.  The first incident involved about $1,275 worth of merchandise and the second incident was about $1,630 worth of merchandise. 

Also, a residential burglary was reported in the 500 block of Walnut Street.  Someone entered the home through a window and rummaged through numerous rooms.  Several firearms were removed from the home.  Anyone with information is asked to contact Mifflinburg police.  (Ali Stevens)

Milton man found safe after he was reported missing

MILTON – the 73-year-old man with Alzheimer’s disease, who was reported, missing in the Milton area, has been found safe.  Milton Police say Hector Rosado was reported missing around 5:30 this morning and was located about three hours later.  Initially police thought he had been missing since 5:30 last evening since the Rosado family doesn’t speak English.

Milton police tell us a neighbor woke up to their dog barking around 8:15 this morning and saw Rosado outside in obvious distress.  Rosado was brought indoors and the neighbor gave him blankets and a heat pad and some hot chocolate.  He was found about a ¼ mile from his home on High Street.  Rosado was returned to his family and is said to be doing well.   (Ali Stevens)

Snyder County hosting an H1N1 vaccination clinic for the general population

SELINSGROVE – There will be an H1N1 vaccination clinic for the general population next week in Snyder County.  The clinic is being held at the field house at Susquehanna University on January 8^th and 9^th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.  The clinic is open to anyone interested in getting the H1N1 vaccine and will be the largest clinic in the state. 

NorCo Commissioner say sheriff’s office looks at porn

SUNBURY – Northumberland County Commissioner Vinny Clausi is accusing employees in the county sheriff’s department of looking at pornography websites during work hours. During Tuesday’s meeting, Clausi says there is evidence in the last two weeks that two employees have been spending numerous hours online, including looking at pornography. No comment from the sheriff yet.

Clausi says there are also records that the employees were shopping online during work hours. When questioned by Commissioner Frank Sawicki why he was bringing the allegation up during a public meeting, Clausi told those in attendance that he vows to no longer hide anything from residents in Northumberland County.

He also says Sawicki knew about the allegations. Sawicki said when learning about the allegations he did address it immediately with the sheriff, and thought it was premature for Clausi to bring it up at the meeting because the commissioners do not yet have all of the facts. Sheriff Chad Reiner was not at the meeting. (Sara Bartlett)

Mom charged, accused of kidnapping

MILTON – A woman who’s been living in Northumberland County since 2007 will face charges that she kidnapped her own children more than 12 years ago, when a custody decision did not go as she hoped. Ann Thompson is in jail after being served a warrant and faces felony charges after police investigated a complaint at her home near Milton.

Thompson claims to be a survivor of domestic abuse, and reportedly took the boys to protect them from their father in Washington State. Authorities say Thompson has been on the run since, but will be sent to Washington, where the boys will be reunited with their father. Thompson reportedly used a different name when she lived out of state. (Matt Farrand)

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 also 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)

2nd annual Beaver Drop in Beavertown on New Years Eve

BEAVERTOWN – Beavertown in Snyder County will be hosting their 2nd 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 1st.

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.

Most RSV cases have duration of about a week. Anyone can get RSV, but children and babies are often affected to the greatest degree. There is no vaccine and you can only treat the symptoms. He recommends seeing a doctor if the symptoms are present.

Needy Family Fund total continues to rise

SUNBURY—The total for the Needy Family Fund continues to rise as generous donations pour in. Today’s total is $118,752.71. Recent contributions include $1,000 from Regina and Darrell Heiliger of Millersburg, in memory of Helen Lenker.

A donation of $500 was given from G.D and C.A. Zartman of Selinsgrove, as well as $500 from Lorraine Yarger of Middleburg. John Dagle Jewelers of Sunbury donated $400, and Kevin R. Raker Construction LLC donated $250.

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

Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Another Pennsylvania Turnpike toll increase takes effect this weekend at 12:01a.m. on Sunday.  Turnpike spokesman Carl DeFebo says a bill passed in 2007 to provide new funding for roads, bridges and mass transit statewide called for a big toll hike of 25 percent a year ago and smaller increases each year after that.  The upcoming increase is 3 percent, with cash tolls rounded up to the next nickel.  DeFebo said that means for an average motorist, the most frequently paid toll on the turnpike system is 95 cents and that will increase to $1 for a cash toll.    

CLINTONVILLE, Pa. (AP) - Seven miles of westbound Interstate 80 are closed in western Pennsylvania after a tanker overturned, spilling a toxic chemical across the highway.  Pennsylvania Department of Transportation spokeswoman Deborah Casadei says the road is closed from exit 35 to exit 42. The exits are near Clintonville, about 75 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.  Venango County 911 supervisor Linda Holtz says drivers have been advised to keep their windows up when driving through the area to avoid inhaling the sodium hydrosulfide solution.   She says the chemical is toxic and emergency workers have evacuated a 150-foot area around the spill.  Holtz says residents have not been evacuated from their homes but have been asked to remain inside as a precaution.

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - Consider it a belated Christmas present.  Drivers in downtown Scranton don't need to feed the parking meters for the rest of this week.  City business administrator Stu Renda said that's because workers are calibrating the devices in preparation for the 2010 rate increase.  The initial plan had been to cover the meters so people wouldn't pay the new, higher rate until it takes effect. But Renda said there weren't enough covers or workers for the task.  Like most good things, the free meters won't last long.  Meter monitoring will resume on Monday, when the new rates debut: Under the city's 2010 budget, the meter price increases from 25 cents per half hour to 50 cents. The parking meter overtime fine will increase from $10 to $20.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - A coalition of former governors, congressmen, scientists and others is sending are sending the Obama Administration their proposed Chesapeake Bay restoration strategy.  The plan is tougher than one being developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. One EPA official says it includes measures that would require new legislation.  The 24-point plan unveiled Wednesday in Annapolis calls for significantly expanding farming regulations. Nearly all animal feeding operations would be regulated and the spreading of animal manure would be regulated the same as sludge from sewage treatment plants.  The plan also calls on the EPA to require new development to offset any pollution it causes through reductions elsewhere.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The chairman of Pennsylvania's House Gaming Oversight Committee says he might hold a hearing on whether the Pennsylvania Casino Association violated the state lobbying-disclosure law. The association says it doesn't have to register because its activities don't meet the legal definition of lobbying. Gaming Oversight Committee Chairman Dante Santoni says he wants to consult with lawyers before deciding whether to hold hearings on the matter. House and Senate negotiators are still trying to work out the remaining differences in a bill to legalize table games such as poker and blackjack at slot-machine casinos. Proponents say expanding gambling is a less painful alternative to raising taxes to shore up the state's recession-ravaged treasury. Opponents, however, say the measure is a favor for the powerful gambling industry.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Pennsylvania Supreme Court says the nonprofit group that enforces Pennsylvania’s animal control laws doesn't qualify for immunity from lawsuits because of that work. The court upheld a Philadelphia jury's verdict that awarded a woman $155,000 from the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals after about a dozen dogs taken from her home were euthanized. The court ruled Tuesday that there's no reason to think the General Assembly intended to grant the SPCA status as a commonwealth agency, so it's not entitled to the defense of sovereign or governmental immunity. The dog owner, Laila Snead of Reading, says she's pleased with the decision but that money won't bring her dogs back. An SPCA spokeswoman says the group is disappointed with the ruling because of its far-reaching implications.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Penn State says nearly 30,000 individuals may have had their Social Security numbers exposed because of a privacy breach caused by infected university computers. A school spokeswoman says Tuesday there is no evidence the information has been accessed by unauthorized parties, but that the university is being cautious in notifying people their information is on an infected computer. The school announced Dec. 23 that the computers have been hit by so-called "malaria," or malicious software. More than 14,000 of the records were at the main University Park campus. The school said Tuesday those individuals have been contacted. Another 15,000 are at a still-unnamed branch campus, though that investigation is not complete.

SHENANDOAH, Pa. (AP) - Four northeastern Pennsylvania police officers who were arrested Dec. 15 on federal charges have resigned from their jobs. The Shenandoah Borough Police Department has only three officers after the resignations of Chief Matthew Nestor, Capt. Jamie Gennarini, Officer Jason Hayes and Lt. William Moyer were accepted Tuesday night. State police are helping patrol the town. Nestor, Moyer and Hayes are accused of orchestrating a cover-up in the fatal beating of a Mexican immigrant by altering evidence or lying to the FBI in a case against two white high school football players. Nestor and Gennarini are charged with extortion and civil rights violations in a separate case. Messages left late Tuesday seeking comment from defense lawyers were not immediately returned.

MILTON, Pa. (AP) - Police in central Pennsylvania say a woman accused of kidnapping her own sons from Washington state has been arrested after 11 years as a fugitive. An arrest warrant was issued in Spokane, Wash., in 1998 for Jill Diane Haugen. The 48-year-old woman was arrested Tuesday at her home in Milton, Pa., where she was going by the name Ann Thompson. Milton Police Officer Todd Ulrich says he reached the children's father on the phone Tuesday. Ulrich says William Connington, of Spokane, Wash., was "absolutely surprised" and had thought he'd never see his sons again. Connington's 17-year-old son, Anthony, and 15-year-old son, Jamey, are in foster care for now. Haugen said Tuesday that she is a victim of domestic violence and her sons are victims of sexual abuse. Police say there's no merit to her claims.

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

Updates on the latest in business

Dow: 10,548.51, up 3.10

S&P 500: 1,126.42, up .22

NASDAQ: 2,291.28, up 2.88

WASHINGTON (AP) - A source says the government is pressing ahead on a new multibillion dollar cash infusion for auto financing company GMAC Financial Services. GMAC has already received $12.5 billion in taxpayer money and is 35 percent owned by the federal government.

TOKYO (AP) - Shares of struggling Japan Airlines Corp. nose-dived to a record low in Tokyo. There are growing fears the money-losing carrier could be put through bankruptcy court as part of restructuring.

NEW YORK (AP) - Health insurer Aetna says it expects a fourth-quarter charge of up to $65 million. That would cover costs of a previously announced series of layoffs and office consolidations. Last month, Aetna announced plans to cut 625 jobs, or nearly 2 percent of its staff and expects a similar number of cuts by the end of next year.

Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers

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

 Midday Big 4

     3-4-3-6

 Midday Number

     8-2-9

 Midday Quinto

     2-3-6-7-6

 Treasure Hunt

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

Big 4 2-0-7-5

Cash 5 10-11-22-23-42

Daily Number 8-6-3

Evening Quinto 5-3-1-4-7

Midday Big 4 8-5-9-1

Midday Number 3-5-7

Midday Quinto 9-2-9-9-1

Super 7 15-17-19-20-22-23-47-54-58-65-71

Treasure Hunt 14-15-16-19-29

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

Ratings hold for post-arrest Sheen sitcom episode

LOS ANGELES (AP) - CBS' "Two and a Half Men" held steady in the ratings this week, as star Charlie Sheen faced charges stemming from his wife's Christmas Day allegations that he threatened her with violence.  The sitcom's full cast is expected to resume production Monday after a holiday break, a person close to the show said Wednesday.  The person, who was not authorized to comment publicly on the status of production, spoke on condition of anonymity. "Two and a Half Men," TV's top-rated comedy, drew an estimated 11.1 million viewers Monday for a repeat episode, close to last year's audience, according to preliminary Nielsen Co. ratings. On Wednesday, lawyers for Charlie and Brooke Sheen said the couple want to reconcile despite her allegation to police that he threatened her with a knife, which Sheen denies.

Fox retrenches in Time Warner Cable dispute

LOS ANGELES (AP) - It appears Fox won't accept Time Warner Cable's offer to carry its broadcast signal while a fee dispute continues.  Chase Carey, chief operating officer of Fox owner News Corp., told staff in a memo that a signal interruption was likely when the current deal over fees expires at midnight Thursday, halting service to millions of viewers.  Carey says an interim deal would simply help Time Warner without fair compensation to Fox.  Fox argues it needs to be paid more for broadcast signals that are retransmitted to subscribers of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks.  Time Warner Cable CEO Glenn Britt said Wednesday the cable operator will agree to binding arbitration and whatever steps are necessary to preserve uninterrupted access to Fox signals.  Fox will respond formally later Wednesday.

Regis returns next week after hip replacement

NEW YORK (AP) - Regis Philbin is set to return to his daytime talk show next week after successful hip replacement surgery.  Philbin has been on the disabled list since the Dec. 1 operation. He makes his return to "Live! With Regis and Kelly" on Jan. 4.  Kelly Ripa has been working with guest hosts while Philbin has been away.  He hasn't been completely out of sight: The 78-year-old Philbin called in to pal David Letterman's show this month to deliver a "Top Ten" list.  Amy Adams, Tim Allen, Jenna Elfman and pilot Chesley Sullenberger will be among his first-week guests.

Rare New Year's Eve 'blue moon' to ring in 2010

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Once in a blue moon there actually is a blue moon on New Year's Eve. There'll be a so-called blue moon around for the New Year's countdown on Thursday. According to popular definition, a blue moon is the second full moon in a month. But don't expect it to be blue - the name has nothing to do with its color. This month's first full moon occurred on Dec. 2. On New Year's Eve, a full moon will be visible in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America and Africa. For purists, however, a blue moon is an extra full moon in a typical three-moon season. So this New Year's Eve full moon doesn't count.

Town warns church not to house the homeless

SUGAR NOTCH, Pa. (AP) - Officials in the small borough of Sugar Notch, Pennsylvania, are questioning a church's plan to house a group of homeless men for a week. Holy Family Church wants to house around 40 homeless men for a week in January. But 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 VISION, a nonprofit organization that coordinates the temporary shelter program. He says dozens of other area churches participate.

FREE FUNERAL

ROME, Ga. (AP) - It's one offer good enough to refuse. A north Georgia funeral home is offering a free funeral to those planning to drink and drive this New Year's Eve. Would-be partygoers have to sign a contract with the McGuire, Jennings and Miller Funeral Home in Rome stating they're planning to booze it up. If they die in a New Year's crash, the funeral home will give them a free burial. Officials of the funeral home say they hope the offer will get people thinking about the dangers of drinking and driving.