Thursday, March 11, 2010

100 new jobs coming to Shamokin

SHAMOKIN – A Shamokin production plant is expecting to add 100 new employees thanks to a partnership with a 3D glasses company.  D/E Associates, Inc will soon begin manufacturing a new kind of 3D glasses for the big screen and home high definition TV market.  Co-Owner of D/E, George DeLellis, says this is the first product of its kind in the United States, and it’s in a market that is booming.  He says they will work hard to keep up with the demand of the new product.

DeLellis says in recent years, overseas competition has eroded D/E’s market share and profit margins, and he hopes this new production will help out the company, bringing more jobs to the region.  He says after adding equipment and ramping up the facility, they should have 100 new employees by the end of the year.

DeLellis says they will begin production on a limited scale next week.  According to D/E’s partner company, 3D Global Glasses LLC, there are 2 million TVs that are 3D ready in the U.S., and an additional 25 million are expected to be sold by the end of the year. (Sara Bartlett) 

Grant could help fix Penns Creek sewer plant

PENNS CREEK – Snyder County is onboard with applying for a state grant that could bring in money to fix the wastewater treatment plant in Penns Creek.  Snyder County Commissioner Malcolm Derk says the community development block grant would be a great asset to the project, but it is a competitive grant, but it is a competitive grant throughout the state.  The grant would be worth $500,000.

Derk says changes at the plant are required by DEP.  Changes would include upgrades to take out organic compounds in order to meet new DEP requirements.

The Snyder County Commissioners have already allocated about $50,000 to be used in early work at the plant, and there are other loans and grants that could be obtained.  The process of getting the CDBG grant could take nearly a year. (Sara Bartlett)

Cemetery vandal to stand trial

BLOOMSBURG – A Wilburton man has been ordered to stand trial after police say he vandalized a cemetery in Centralia, causing more than $8,000 in damages.  19-year-old David Pavloski is charged along with three teen girls for toppling about 65 tombstones at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in December. 

Officials say some of the tombstones were more than 100 years old and are irreplaceable.  Pavloski was in court Wednesday and gave up his right to a preliminary hearing.  He is locked up in the Columbia County Prison on other charges.  The teen girls will face their charges in juvenile court.  (Ali Stevens)

Candidate didn’t quit

SUNBURY – A Sunbury man who was expected to be on the Republican ballot for the 108^th legislative district says he didn’t “quit”.  Stanley Geiswhite tells us the State Department disregarded 100 signatures he obtained for technicalities that he should have been permitted to fix. 

He says he was told to go back to all 100 people and get them to sign a new petition.  Geiswhite say it took until Sunday night to get all the signatures needed and he had no time to correct the problems the State Department identified to meet this week’s deadline. 

Geiswhite says the process is designed by lawyers and not for “the common man” and he will know better in the future.  (Ali Stevens)

College fair tonight in Sunbury

SUNBURY – A college fair is being held this evening at Shikellamy High School for prospective students.  All high school students and adult learners are encouraged to attend the event from 5:00 to 8:00p.m., hosted by the Susquehanna Valley College Fair Committee. 

There will be more than a dozen area colleges represented at the fair.  The College Fair will be located in the cafeteria and is free and open to the public.  Students wishing to learn more about area colleges will be able to get important information including applications and financial aid.  (Ali Stevens)

Phone company troubles behind Snyder County 9-1-1 service interruption

MIDDLEBURG – Problems at Verizon's central office in Selinsgrove were reportedly behind the widespread shutdown of telephone service reported Wednesday afternoon. Snyder County’s 9-1-1 systems was unusable for a time, and EMA Coordinator Derek Shambach said residents would have to call emergency providers directly if they had trouble, or report directly to an emergency station if they still couldn’t get through.

Extra personnel were ordered to fire stations during the outage. Snyder County Communications says there were no major incidents reported, and Verizon reported that the system was up and running again in the 6:00 p.m. hour. after that three hour phone outage. (Matt Farrand)

Security laid off in NorCo

SUNBURY – Eight Northumberland County security guards have been notified that their services are no longer needed. Northumberland County Chief Clerk Kymberley Best tells us the security guards were laid off in a cost cutting measure with local company, Allied Barton, taking over the job. Best says outsourcing Allied Barton will save the county about $60,000 a year.

The eight workers were notified Tuesday that they will be out of a job at the end of March, but Best says they can apply to work for Allied Barton, although there are no job guarantees. Allied Barton will take over security detail in Northumberland County April 1st, with jobs such as guarding the doors at the county courthouse. (Ali Stevens)

Lark’s preliminary hearing delayed

SUNBURY – The preliminary hearing for a Northumberland woman accused of stealing nearly $300,000 from the Northumberland Borough Sewer Authority has been delayed. Cynthia Lark’s attorney asked for a continuance, which was granted by District Judge Robert Bolton. This delays the hearing until April 7th.

An investigation into the misuse of funds found that Lark, the Authority’s former clerk and a former member of the borough council, was putting additional money on her paycheck, and forging signatures of the Authority’s president and accountant. The theft was nearly $300,000 over a 5-year period. She stepped down from both positions last week, and is free on $20,000 bail. (Sara Bartlett)

Washingtonville farm shed fire ruled accidental

WASHINGTONVILLE – A fire Saturday night—which destroyed several small buildings on a farm near Washingtonville—has been ruled ‘accidental.’ State Police Fire Marshal Norman Fedder says the fire started in a garage in the area of a battery charger on the Ralph Snook property at 1626 Continental Boulevard.

Three hogs were killed in the fire and some farm equipment was destroyed. The fire started around 10 :00p.m. on Saturday and took crews from Washingtonville, Millville, Riverside, Valley Township and Warrior Run about one hour to bring it under control. Damage is estimated at $35,000 and Fedder says Snook is not insured. (Ali Stevens)

Lewisburg fire cause undetermined

LEWISBURG – The cause of a fire that destroyed a Lewisburg home and left a family of seven homeless has been ruled undetermined in origin. A state police fire marshal says the blaze that broke out around 3:30p.m. Sunday at 83 Whitetail Lane originated in the garage.

The fire started with a freezer and spread to the home. Because of the amount of damage, no cause could be determined. The home is owned by Edwin Martin. Damage is estimated at $115,000. (Sara Bartlett)

Changes coming to the 570 area code

HARRISBURG – Changes are on the way for those in the “570” area code as the last phone numbers available will soon be gone. Jennifer Kocher of the Public Utility Commission tells us public hearings have been held to get public input on what to do when all the numbers in the “570”area code are taken.

Kocher explains one of the options being considered is called an overlay, which means once the “570” area code numbers are all taken, any new numbers that would be issued would have a different area code. The other option is a “geographic split” and that would take the “570” area code and split it, with one section retaining the “570” area code and another section getting a new area code.

There are currently four options on how the area would be split and the PUC would have to choose one option. The final public hearing will take place at the end of March in Lock Haven. You can learn more about the “570” area code changes on the Public Utility Commission’s website at www.puc.state.pa.us. (Ali Stevens)

Sunbury horse found safe

SUNBURY – The owner of a horse missing since Monday night tells us the horse has been found safe and is doing well. The 1,800-pound mare bolted though a fence along Mile Run Road south of Sunbury and a neighbor about a mile away found the horse Tuesday.

The owner tells us the neighbor, who found the mare, heard about the missing horse on our sister station 94KX and contacted State Police. The neighbor brought the horse in and kept the mare safe. The horse named “John Quill” has been returned to the owner and is said to be doing very well today.

A local “biggest loser” competition

LEWISBURG – If you’ve seen the television show The Biggest Loser, an upcoming event in Lewisburg may grab your interest. The Flock of Friends Relay for Life team is holding a fun competition to raise money for the relay and offer a cash prize to the winner. Organizer Tara Michaels says for $30.00 all are welcome to enter the weight loss competition.

Michaels says they have teamed up with the Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority, and included in the fee are classes and activities, as well as confidential body measurements and weigh-ins each week to keep everyone on track of their goals.

The winner of the competition will win half of the registration money, and the other half will be donated to Relay for Life. All are invited to participate. The competition begins next month, but pre-registration is encouraged. For more information or to register you can e-mail michaels@dejazzd.com, call 522-8334, or go online to www.golara.org. (Sara Bartlett)

Cow rescued

WINFIELD – Firefighters from the Union Township Fire Department and William Cameron Engine Company were able to rescue a cow that fell into the deep end of a swimming pool in the Winfield area Tuesday afternoon. The Standard-Journal reports the cow fell into a pool at 305 Amish Road in Union Township while the homeowner was mowing the grass.

Vince Powell called 911 when he discovered the large cow suspended in the pool, caught in a cover, which had been over the pool. The rescue workers were able to guide the cow into the shallow end using the pool cover and then used a backhoe to pull the animal out of the water to safety. The cow had apparently wandered onto the Powell property from a nearby farm. (Ali Stevens)

Susquehanna Valley Chorale holds spring concert

SUNBURY – You may not think you know much about Opera, but the Susquehanna Valley Chorale is betting that you’ll be familiar with at least a few selections they will be singing during their spring concert this weekend.

The concert is titled Love & Loss: Famous Operas, and will feature well-known choruses from a number of different operas. Joining the Chorale are guest singers, soprano Jill Gardner and tenor Zachary Stains. There will be two performances, both at Zion Lutheran Church in Sunbury.

The first is Saturday at 7:30p.m., the second is Sunday at 3:00p.m. Tickets are available at the door. The Susquehanna Valley Chorale is celebrating its 40th performing season. For more information go online to www.svcmusic.org. (Sara Bartlett)

Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment

STROUDSBURG, Pa. (AP) - The employer of a man charged with vehicular homicide and drunken driving in the death of a Pennsylvania lawmaker says the man didn't appear drunk an hour before the fatal crash.  James Renaldi owns a Midas franchise in Stroudsburg where 46-year-old Thomas Senavitis has worked for the past 15 years. Renaldi testified Thursday that Senavitis picked up his paycheck about an hour before the crash on Oct. 17, 2008. He says Senavitis did not slur his words and walked in a straight line. He also says he didn't smell any alcohol on Senavitis's breath.  Prosecutors say Senavitis had a blood-alcohol level more than four times the legal limit for driving when his pickup crossed over a center line and slammed into a Cadillac driven by state Sen. James Rhoades.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A civil case against a former nurse serving a life sentence for killing 29 patients has gone to a Pennsylvania jury.  The Lehigh County jury began deliberations Thursday in the wrongful death suit filed against killer nurse Charles Cullen.   Attorney Mark Altemose says an award from the jury would allow the families of eight alleged victims to collect if Cullen ever sells his story for a book or movie. Cullen has declined to participate in the civil trial. He is serving a life sentencing in New Jersey after he admitted killing 29 people while working as a nurse at hospitals there and in Pennsylvania.  Cullen has told authorities he killed as many as 40 people but has not been charged in the deaths of the patients named in the civil suit.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A former aide to then-Rep. Mike Veon is on the stand in the Harrisburg public corruption trial. George Bedwick testified Wednesday that he sometimes volunteered for campaign work but was careful not to do it on state time. He worked for Veon in the Capitol but has since retired from state government. Bedwick says he collected bonuses but believes they were for his legislative efforts. The defense case of Veon and co-defendants Brett Cott, Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink and Steve Keefer is in its third day. The prosecution rested Friday after five weeks. The defendants are charged with theft, conspiracy and conflict of interest. They're accused of diverting public resources and employees to wage political campaigns and other improper purposes.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A spokesman for Gov. Ed Rendell says his hands are tied when it comes to giving homeowners more time to apply for residential property tax cuts financed by taxes on slot-machine gambling. Rendell spokesman Gary Tuma said Wednesday the March 1 deadline is set by law and cannot be unilaterally changed by the governor. Tuma said Rendell also has no direct control over the counties, which administer the homestead-exclusion program. Earlier Wednesday, state Auditor General Jack Wagner urged Rendell to issue an executive order extending the deadline to April 15 to help homeowners confused by the 2-year-old program. Wagner is one of four candidates for the Democratic nomination for governor.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - An attorney says two off-duty Pennsylvania law enforcement officers were with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at the Georgia nightclub where a woman accused him of sexual assault, but they didn't see anything inappropriate. Pennsylvania attorney Michael Santicola said Wednesday night that Anthony Barravecchio, an officer on a suburban Pittsburgh police force, and Pennsylvania Trooper Ed Joyner were with Roethlisberger celebrating his birthday. Santicola represents Barravecchio but said Joyner is also a longtime friend. Santicola says neither men saw any criminal activity. Police are investigating the 20-year-old college student's claim that Roethlisberger sexually assaulted her early Friday. Roethlisberger has not been charged. An attorney for the two-time Super Bowl winner has said Roethlisberger is innocent.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has declared a state of emergency as the city and surrounding areas prepare for possible flooding in the coming days. Heavy rains are expected Friday and into the weekend and combined with melting snow will create the potential for rising waters. Ravenstahl says the emergency declaration will help the city more easily marshal resources if needed. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for all of southwestern Pennsylvania.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A defense attorney says a Pittsburgh-area man accused of leaving his 23-month-old daughter outside to die in freezing weather made up the story he told police. Twenty-six-year-old William Page of Braddock could face the death penalty if convicted in the February 2007 death of Nyia Page, whose body was found in woods near the family's home. Police said tiny footprints in the snow indicated the girl walked around before she died. Defense attorney Chris Patarini said Wednesday that Page gave a false confession that he kicked his daughter and abandoned her. He said his client had been isolated and repeatedly interrogated and was worried about the girl. Page is charged with criminal homicide, kidnapping, aggravated indecent assault, making false reports, and corruption of minors.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Updates on the latest in business

Dow: 10,595.75, up 28.42

S&P 500: 1,147.95, 2.34

NASDAQ:  2,364.49, up 5.54

NEW YORK (AP) - Stock prices have been little changed today. The market has seen improvement in recent sessions, despite an absence of broad, market-moving news.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Americans recovered more of their damaged net worth last quarter. The Federal Reserve says household net worth rose 1.3 percent in the fourth quarter to more than $54 trillion. While it is the third straight quarter of gains, it was the smallest gain over that period.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of newly laid-off workers requesting unemployment benefits fell by 6,000 last week to 462,000. Even so, it remains above the level many economists say would signal new hiring.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Freddie Mac says mortgage rates held below 5 percent for a second straight week. The average for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages stands at 4.95 percent, down from 4.97 percent last week.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers

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

 Midday Big 4

     8-3-8-0

 Midday Number

     6-0-5

 Midday Quinto

     3-1-9-4-6

 Treasure Hunt

     04-13-19-23-30

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

Big 4 4-2-4-8

Cash 5 02-11-31-35-39

Daily Number 5-8-7

Evening Quinto 8-1-5-6-9

Megaplier 2

Midday Big 4 0-3-8-6

Midday Number 9-5-8

Midday Quinto 0-0-8-1-4

Powerball 17-21-37-41-50, Powerball: 1, Power Play: 2

Treasure Hunt 01-06-13-23-28

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Pro Football Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen dies

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Pro Football Hall of Famer and former television actor Merlin Olsen has died. He was 69.  Utah State University assistant athletic media relations director Zach Fisher says Olsen died Wednesday night.  Olsen was an All-American at Utah State and a first-round draft pick of the Los Angles Rams in 1962.  He was part of the Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" defensive line, which set an NFL record for the fewest yards allowed during a 14-game season in 1968.  Olsen is still the Rams' all-time leader in career tackles with 915.  Olsen moved on to acting with roles in "Little House on the Prairie" and later his own series, "Father Murphy," which ran from 1981 to 1983.  He was diagnosed with mesothelioma last year.    

O’Brien going on tour

 NEW YORK (AP) - Conan O'Brien had a choice. He jokes that he could either go on tour, or he could "start helping around the house." He hits the road April 12th. The tour will stop in 30 cities. O'Brien will be joined by Andy Richter and his former "Tonight Show" band. O'Brien is calling it the "Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour." He's not allowed to return to TV until September first.

Betty White on SNL

NEW YORK (AP) - The Facebook campaign to get Betty White to host "Saturday Night Live" has worked. White will host on May 8th. WNBC-TV in New York says White will be part of a Mother's Day episode that will reunite some former cast members who are also moms: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Molly Shannon, Maya Rudolph and Ana Gasteyer.

Some neighbors say cathedral bells ring too long

SHREVEPORT, La. (AP) - St. Marks Episcopal Cathedral in Shreveport, La., has a new set of bells -- and some neighbors are unhappy about all the practice the bell-ringers are putting in. The English foundry that made the Liberty made the bells Bell. They arrived late last year. Some neighbors say the bells sometimes ring for hours on end, especially on weekends. They ring for calls to services, religious holidays and during funerals -- then more when the ringers practice. The Rev. Michael Millard says he's only heard positive comments about the new bells and would like to speak with neighbors upset by the ringing. Millard says the bell tower shutters are closed during practices to help muffle the sound.

Lesbian Prom Date

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - The prom's off at a northern Mississippi school after a lesbian student demanded she be allowed to bring her girlfriend. The American Civil Liberties Union had demanded that the Itawamba County school district allow 18-year-old Constance McMillen to attend with her date. A school board statement Wednesday announced the district wouldn't host the April 2 prom at Itawamba County Agricultural High School. McMillen wanted to escort her girlfriend, who is also a student. McMillen also was denied permission to wear a tuxedo. A school district policy requires that dates be of the opposite sex. The district's statement never mentioned McMillen's request. But officials said the change was made due to recent distractions. District officials say they hope private citizens will host a prom.

Long love endures

POWELL, Wyo. (AP) - They said it wouldn't last. But nearly seven decades later Curt and Barb Jasper are proving their high school counselors wrong. The couple began dating when he was 15 and she was just 14. Curt says he got chewed out by a disapproving counselor for holding hands with Barb. It's been 69 years since they began dating. Recently, they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. They tell the Powell, Wyo., Tribune that Barb hooked Curt with a bite of her ice cream bar. They have 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, with two more on the way.