Thursday, December 31, 2009
Man pinned beneath a tractor this week has died from injuries
DANVILLE – A Columbia County man injured in a tractor accident this week has died from his injuries. 78-year-old Bruce Henri of the Millville area was pulling a fallen tree on Monday in Madison Township when the tractor he was riding on overturned and pinned him beneath it. The accident took place on a wooded lot off of Camp Road near Route 44. Henrie was taken to Geisinger Medical Center and was pronounced dead on Wednesday. (Ali Stevens)
PPL outlines electric choice for those who are still confused
SUNBURY – If you are still confused about electric choice and why you need to choose, WKOK’s spoke with PPL to outline the basics. Tom Stathos of PPL says the biggest part of your bill, about 50 percent, is the electricity generation and that’s the part that you will be able to shop for. PPL rate caps will lift January 1st, meaning rates for customers will go up about 30 percent, since they have been capped for several years.
Stathos says even though he works for PPL, he recommends everyone do their homework when it comes to electric choice. The suppliers are going to be able to come in with very good prices and there are about 5 suppliers in our area to choose from. Stathos says in the past week, about 140,000 customers have chosen other suppliers, but if you don’t shop on your own, you will stay with PPL.
To learn more about electric choice go to the Public Utility Commission’s website at www.puc.state.pa.us. (Ali Stevens)
Capital One Bowl may be a messy game
ORLANDO – Penn State is getting ready to take on LSU at 1 p.m. on Friday in the Capital One Bowl in Orlando, Florida. Steve Jones, play-by-play announcer for the Nittany Lions and is excited to be in Florida for the game, but says there could be poor field conditions due to the weather. The field was rolled Wednesday, but there are showers in the forecast today and tomorrow and there is no tarp for the field.
Aside from bad weather, Jones says the environment is great with plenty of fans there to support Penn State. Jones says this is a really good match-up for both teams. He says LSU has a lot of offensive weapons, but they don’t always know what to do with them. Jones says the LSU quarterback is good, but has also been sacked 35 times this year. Penn State-LSU in the Capital One Bowl will be broadcast live here on WKOK with the pre-game beginning at 11:30 and kickoff at 1 p.m. (Ali Stevens)
Columbia County structure fire reported, none injured
MILLVILLE – Columbia County Communications reports a fire call Thursday afternoon at the Columbia Village Apartments near Millville. Officials confirm a structure fire confined to one unit of the apartment complex. Parking areas near Millville High School were being used as a staging area for tankers. Damage to the structure was described as moderate. There were no injuries and fire crews were clear of the scene in about an hour. (Matt Farrand)
Turbotville man injured in a crash with property destroyed
WASHINGTONVILLE – State police continue to investigate following a crash that left a gazebo destroyed. Troopers say 55-year-old Samuel Long of Turbotville was traveling south on Preserve Road in Anthony Township, Montour County when he lost control of his vehicle Wednesday night. The vehicle went off a five-foot embankment and struck and destroyed a gazebo in a yard. Long fled the scene on foot but was located about a mile from the scene. Long was taken to Geisinger Medical Center for treatment. State police suspect the crash was alcohol related and the investigation continues. (Ali Stevens)
Hit and run accident in Shamokin turns into a foot chase
SHAMOKIN – A hit-and-run accident is under investigation in Shamokin. The News item reports 21-year-old Lucas Banting of Elysburg was traveling east on Webster Street in Shamokin when he struck a parked pickup truck early Wednesday morning. The impact forced the pick-up onto Banting’s vehicle. Banting then took off on foot and police chased him through a wooded area and several lawns before he was apprehended.
Banting was charged with driving under the influence and several other counts. No injuries were reported. (Ali Stevens)
Woman from Sunbury charged by New Berlin Police
SUNBURY – New Berlin police have charged a Sunbury woman with several counts after she reportedly stole an ATM card and made several withdrawals. 25-year-old Lacey Boyer was arrested Wednesday on an outstanding warrant and charged with 5 counts of access device fraud and identity theft and two counts each of theft by deception and receiving stolen property. Police say aside from taking an ATM card and making withdrawals, Boyer also took a diamond engagement ring from a home in New Berlin.
Boyer was arraigned in Middleburg and is free on $20,000 bail. A hearing is set for January 5th in Mifflinburg before District Judge Jeffrey Mensch. (Ali Stevens)
Court order filed against NorCo Commissioner 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 Wednesday claims Clausi’s remarks in a commissioners meeting Tuesdday were false and defamatory—and they are seeking a retraction and a correction.
Clausi Tuesday—said employees of the Sheriff’s department were involved in ‘hours of computer use involving pornography.’ Yesterday 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.”
Clausi said the 'truth' will be his defense
SUNBURY – As of Wednesday evening, Northumberland County Commissioner Vinny Clausi said he had personally received no court order by anybody in the county sheriff’s department. Through lawyer Gregory Stuck, the department filed the action citing defamation of character after Clausi accused two employees of looking at pornography on computers during work hours.
Clausi’s says he will be prepared to defend himself in court. Clausi says he has evidence that two people who work for the sheriff’s department have spent numerous hours on pornography sites using department computers. He says he has no released the names of the employees, but will do so. Through a statement by Stuck, the sheriff’s department has called Clausi’s accusations “false and defamatory.”
Solicitor says rules of civil procedure went ‘out the window’ for judge’s hearing
SUNBURY – The Northumberland County Commissioners passed their 2010 budget at the Tuesday meeting this week, but the solicitors also took time to explain why the three commissioners did not attended Monday’s court appearance dealing with Judge Robert Sacavage’s suing of the county. Had the issue over the court’s budget not been resolved during that hearing, the county budget could not have been passed.
Assistant Solicitor Kymberly Best says the commissioners simply weren’t served. Best says on December 22nd they were given a letter that the commissioners had until the 23rd to negotiate, and then a hearing was schedule on the 28th. She says if they didn’t show at the hearing, they would have been in contempt and therefore forbidden to pass the budget.
Best says they don’t like the amount of money being provided to the court in the budget, but the actions Monday were about special relief. Best says they were rushed to get things together for the hearing and felt it would be irresponsible to send the commissioners under-prepared. Judge Sacavage was seeking $6.4 million for court operations, while the county was planning to budget $5.8 for the courts. Negotiations will continue. (Sara Bartlett)
MontCo continues to battle with the state over the District Attorney’s salary
DANVILLE – Montour County is still battling with the state to recover a large portion of the District Attorney’s salary for the past two years. The state made a law two years ago that would require all District Attorneys to be full-time and the state would cover more than 60 percent of their salaries.
However, the state hasn’t paid that money to area counties, so Montour County decided to sue the state several months ago to recover that money. Commissioner Jack Gerst says Montour County received a very small payment at the end of November, which was about $17,000, but they are owed about $200,000.
And Gerst says the state is fighting the lawsuit with high priced lawyers from Philadelphia. Gerst says the county is paying the District Attorney’s salary, which is a big part of their budget…and it’s not fair for the state to hold out on the money they promised.
He says the commissioners of Montour County are not done trying to recover the money. District Attorney Bob Buehner offered to take a pay-cut, but the commissioners said it wasn’t his fault that the state wasn’t paying. (Ali Stevens)
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%.
Thefts under investigation in Mifflinburg
MIFFLINBURG – Mifflinburg police are investigating some thefts 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 8th and 9th 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.
There will be no charge for the vaccine, but appointments are required to attend. You can make your appointment online at www.H1N1inpa.com and click on “What’s Hot”. You can also call 1-877-PA-Health to make an appointment between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. (Ali Stevens)
Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Mummers have agreed to pay $150,000 to the city of Philadelphia for costs associated with their annual New Year's Day parade. The parade is a tradition in Philadelphia and features string bands, comics and other costumed performers. The Mummers said Wednesday that they have already raised nearly two-thirds of the money. It will go toward police, street clean-up and other costs. Weather could still threaten the parade, though, with snow and rain in the forecast for Friday. Mummers leaders say they will meet at 4 a.m. and then notify the city if the parade will be able to go on.
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) - The city of Johnstown is laying off 14 people - four fewer than anticipated - and increasing taxes nearly 24 percent as part of next year's budget. Officials say the steps were necessary to end years of deficits, borrowing and money-shuffling. Council passed the budget by a 5-2 vote on Wednesday. The layoffs include four police officers, six public works employees, recreation director and assistant city manager. The police union says it will challenge the layoffs, claiming its contract only allows cuts through attrition.
WESTMINSTER, Md. (AP) - A 9-year-old Pennsylvania boy has died two days after a tree fell on him at a nature camp in Maryland. Carroll County spokeswoman Vivian Laxton says Noah Asid of Hanover, Pa., died Thursday morning at Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore. Noah was among 60 fourth- and fifth-graders participating in a three-day nature camp at the county-run Hashawha Environmental Center north of Westminster. The campers were preparing for a hike Tuesday morning when the tree fell. A 10-year-old girl was also injured, but not seriously. Laxton's says the boy's family is asking for privacy. The county sheriff's office is still investigating what caused the tree to fall and brought in an arborist to inspect it Wednesday.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A lawyer for former Pennsylvania State Rep. Mike Veon says he needs proof that e-mail messages used as evidence by prosecutors haven't been altered. The Beaver County Democrat and several co-defendants are accused of diverting state workers and resources for campaigns or other purposes. Veon lawyer Dan Raynak says prosecutors have provided e-mails without also giving defendants access to hard drives and other elements that can establish their authenticity. Chief Deputy Attorney General Frank Fina said in court papers that defendants haven't pointed out an e-mail message that was allegedly altered or provided a legal precedent for their argument. Fina says if the judge rules in the defendants' favor, it would "terminate or substantially handicap the prosecution."
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - A coalition of former governors, congressmen, scientists and others are 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) - Another Pennsylvania Turnpike toll increase takes effect this weekend at 12:01 a.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.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Update on the latest in business:
Dow: - 120.46 (10,428.05)
S&P 500: - 11.32 (1,115.10)
NASDAQ: - 22.13 (2,269.15)
Treasury winds down bank bailouts with $29M outlay
WASHINGTON (AP) - Treasury Department says it has pumped $29.3 million into 10 banks, which will be the last to receive investments as part of the taxpayer-funded program to shore up the financial system. The aid comes from a $700 billion financial bailout program created last year during the height of the financial crisis. The investments in the 10 banks reported Thursday are the last under Treasury's so-called Capital Purchase Program, Treasury officials said. Although the government anticipated winding down support for banks, Treasury Secretary Geithner recently extended the publicly derided bailout program, saying it will focus on helping homeowners avoid foreclosures and small businesses get loans.
Wells Fargo executives denied cash bonuses in 2009
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Wells Fargo says its CEO and three other high-ranking executives won't get cash bonuses in 2009. The bank is awarding the executives performance-based stock awards currently worth a combined $25 million. The shares are forfeited if the executives leave Wells Fargo & Co. for a competitor. They vest after three years if the company meets certain performance goals. The San Francisco bank is awarding CEO John Stumpf a target of 379,600 shares, currently worth $10 million. Chief Financial Officer Howard Atkins, wholesale banking head Dave Hoyt and consumer finance head Mark Oman are each getting 189,800 shares, worth about $5 million. Financial companies have been working to find ways to attract and retain talent as criticism of its pay practices swells.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn on Thursday:
Midday Big 4
6-0-0-6
Midday Number
6-4-1
Midday Quinto
5-4-2-0-3
Treasure Hunt
04-12-25-26-27
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AT&T ends sponsorship of Tiger Woods
NEW YORK (AP) - AT&T says it will no longer sponsor Tiger Woods, joining Accenture and Gillette in dropping support for the golfer after numerous allegations of infidelities. AT&T Inc.'s logo appeared on Woods' golf bag, and he was the host of the AT&T National PGA event in July. The phone company says it will continue to sponsor the event. AT&T did not comment on its reasons for dropping Woods, or how much the contract was worth. Woods has taken an indefinite leave from playing.
E! series puts new Spelling in reality television
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Candy Spelling is on a new path in life, one that's taken her into a reality TV series and to Broadway as a producer. She's one of the celebrities giving away their money on E!'s new "Bank of Hollywood," in which people make the case for requests ranging from touching to intriguing. Spelling is also producing a revival of "Promises, Promises" on Broadway, set to open in April. She says the E! show is both a way to help people and to say, "Hey, this is who I am." Spelling was married to producer Aaron Spelling for 38 years. He died in 2006. His career included "Charlie's Angels," "Beverly Hills, 90210" and other hit TV series.
NEW STAMPS
WASHINGTON (AP) - For those who still send mail, next year you'll have a wide choice of entertainment-related stamps. There's a Katharine Hepburn stamp. There's a set of four early cowboy-actors: Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Tom Mix and William S. Hart. And, there will be a set of stamps featuring these comic book characters: Archie, Beetle Bailey, Dennis the Menace, Garfield and Calvin and Hobbes.
THEATER SMOKING BAN
DENVER (AP) - Where there's smoke -- there's a lawsuit. A Denver theater group plans to challenge a state smoking ban in the U.S. Supreme Court. Denver's Curious Theatre Company contends the Colorado law against smoking is a violation of free speech rights. State courts have ruled the smoking ban applies to actors on stage. Theater artistic director Chip Walton says the company will ask the nation's highest court to review the decision. He says the smoking ban prevents plays from being performed the way they are written.
Top Liar
BURLINGTON, Wis. (AP) - A quip that pokes fun at struggling banks has been named the top tall tale of 2009. The Burlington Liars Club has bestowed its highest award for this line: "I just realized how bad the economy really is. I recently bought a new toaster oven and as a complimentary gift, I was given a bank." The line gives Larry Legro of Sun Prairie the dubious - but serious - distinction of being this year's World Champion Liar. The 58-year-old health inspector says he's ecstatic. A judge says Legro's lie won because it was both clever and topical. The Liars Club began in 1929 after local journalists fabricated a story about a lying contest. A runner-up entrant says this year's bug season is so bad that even a photograph of a dog had ticks.
Once-presidential phrase casualty of word war
DETROIT (AP) - A Michigan school has proposed interring "shovel ready" and other phrases in its annual list of Words to Be Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness. Lake Superior State University also suggests that "transparent/transparency," "czar," "sexting," "tweet," "teachable moment" and "app" should join "shovel ready" in dialectical death. The school releases its 35th annual list Thursday. The Word Banishment Committee's proclamations of previous years have not prevented some overused words and phrases from remaining in popular usage. There is still life left, deserved or not, in "24/7," "it is what it is," "happy camper," "LOL" and "state of the art," which have all made the list in the past 16 years.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)