Thursday, January 14, 2010

Clausi issues apology; deputies withdraw from defamation suit

SUNBURY – Seven of the nine sheriff’s deputies named in the defamation suit against Northumberland County Commissioner Vinny Clausi have withdrawn their participation from the action.  This follows an apology by the commissioner to the seven sheriff’s deputies this morning, according to Attorney Gregory Stuck.  Stuck says the commissioner made the apology to those in the sheriff’s department, but that did not include recently fired deputies Michael Boris and Joe Jones, since they were not there this morning.  This means Boris and Jones are still, as of now, participating in the complaint.  Stuck says the terminations are not linked to pornography viewed on county computers.  According to a release by Sheriff Chad Reiner, Boris and Jones were terminated because they left their computers logged on under their names.  Deputies are responsible for any actions made while a computer is logged on under their access codes.

Today, Commissioner Vinny Clausi said he did apologies to the other deputies.  He told us that there is evidence porn was looked at while computers were logged under Boris and Jones’ codes, and even if they gave their codes to someone else or weren’t the ones on the computer at the time, it is still their responsibility.  Clausi also reiterated that, if need be, he will present evidence and represent himself in court.

An annual event that helps high school girls is in need of some financial assistance

LEWISBURG – Many non-profit organizations continue to struggle due to the slow economy and one group that helps high school girls is in need of some financial assistance. Each year, Junior Achievement hosts a Young Women’s Future Symposium at Bucknell University.  Joyce Hendricks is chairman of the conference, which selects girls in the “middle” who aren’t in advanced classes, but aren’t falling behind in school.  Those girls often don’t have many opportunities presented to them to help them find a successful career path.  Hendricks says she’s not surprised they are struggling to pay for this year’s symposium since the economy is in poor shape. 

She says they have until the first week of February to raise about $8,000 more to pay for the symposium.  Hendricks says many corporations give year after year to the cause, but they are hoping some new businesses that haven’t been involved with the symposium in the past will step forward and offer financial assistance.   Hendricks says they have been able to raise some money, but they are looking for more help.

If you would like to assist the Junior Achievement’s efforts to help teen girls find a successful path in the future, you can make a contribution by contacting Future Symposium chairperson Joyce Hendricks by calling her at 374-7128.  (Ali Stevens)

Kids Day Out and other activities scheduled for upcoming women’s basketball games

LEWISBURG – Bucknell women’s basketball is hosting three events at their upcoming series of home games in January.  This Saturday, Bucknell will take on Patriot League rival, Holy Cross, at 2p.m.   But before the game, the team will host a Kid’s Day Out event, featuring games, face painting and also a meet and greet with some of the women players on the team.  Head Coach Kathy Fedorjaka says the event will be held at 12:30 on the concourse level of Sojka Pavilion.

Other events are planned for Wednesday January 20^th and Saturday January 23^rd.  Bucknell will take on Lafayette on Wednesday the 20^th at 7 p.m. and if you bring a coat, you get into the game for free.  The coats will be donated to the needy.  On Saturday the 23^rd, the women will be playing against Colgate at 7 p.m. and there will be a halftime performance by the USA Jump Rope Team and it’s also Girl Scout Night with at least 200 Girl Scouts expected in attendance.  To find out more about all the events planned, you can go to www.bucknellbison.com.  (Ali Stevens)           

Wood thief faces charges

Local connection for trooper killed on duty

CRANBERRY – Flags on state buildings are being flown at half-staff in memory of a state trooper shot and killed on duty Wednesday. 40-year-old Paul G. Richey died while responding to a domestic disturbance call Wednesday in Cranberry Township, Venango County.

The 16-year state police veteran was assigned to Troop F in Milton upon graduation from the State Police Academy in November 1993. He served locally for more than three years before being transferred, first to Corry in Erie County, then to Franklin in Venango County.

Richey was hit by gunfire Wednesday morning on arrival at the home in Cranberry Township. Police entered the residence at about 6:15 p.m. and found the bodies of a man and a woman. Their names will be released after family members are notified. State Police Commissioner Frank Pawlowski says Richey's sacrifice and service will not be forgotten. A wife and two children survive him. (Matt Farrand)

Dozens of police officers gathered near the scene and were looking for the gunman. Roads were blocked and police were searching cars in the community near Oil City, which is about 80 miles north of Pittsburgh. The perpetrator turned out to be one of the people killed in the domestic killing.

Governor Ed Rendell calls Richey's death a tragedy and says the trooper's sacrifice will never be forgotten. Richey was a 16-year state police veteran. A wife and two young children survive him. He served at the Milton barracks in the 1990’s according to officials serving there now.

NorCo Porno I: Commissioners support sheriff’s firing of deputies

SUNBURY – Official statements are being issued by both Northumberland County Commissioners and Sheriff Chad Reiner regarding the firing of two deputies this week, and the events that led to it. The release by the Board of Commissioners says they support the decision of Sheriff Chad Reiner to terminate two deputy sheriffs who had violated the county’s computer usage policies.

The release also says the actions were consistent with the county’s policy that makes failure to secure computer passwords a basis for termination. The Commissioners say they regret that the maintenance staff was suspected in the matter, and they believe there was no evidence that anyone outside the sheriff’s office accessed the computer system inappropriately.

Meantime, Sheriff Chad Reiner does not name the deputies who were fired, but clarifies the computer usage policy in effect at the time when it was alleged that adult material was viewed. His statement says each deputy was responsible and accountable for all of his or her computer use.

He says the entries made and all retrievals accessed took place under their log-on code, even if such actions were made by the deputy or another due to their intentional or negligent act or omission. It also says a new policy is in place to ensure that this type of incident will not reoccur. (Matt Farrand)

NorCo Porno II:Two NorCo sheriff’s deputies have been ‘let go’

SUNBURY – In light of the investigation into the misuse of Northumberland County computers, two county sheriff’s deputies have been fired. The names of both aren’t available yet, but we have learned that one is former Sunbury police office Joe Jones. The sheriff Chad Reiner is not commenting on this today but does say he’ll have a statement later.

Confirmation and official comment on the terminations have been difficult to find today—but a source close to the sheriff’s office told WKOK that the terminations followed the several hour closed-door meeting yesterday involving the sheriff and the county commissioners. More on this later today on Newsradio 1070 WKOK.

NorCo Porno III: NorCo sheriff’s department has filed their lawsuit

SUNBURY – The nine members of the Northumberland County sheriff’s department have filed a nearly $1 million defamation lawsuit against Vinny Clausi. The suit was filed today in Northumberland County civil court…the nine plaintiffs are seeking a total of $900,000 in damages and an apology from the Northumberland County Commissioner.

Clausi in recent weeks said someone in the sheriff’s department has been misusing county resources and looking at pornography on their computers. The commissioner wouldn’t say who—and declined an opportunity to clarify his remarks or name the specific subjects of his investigation. As a result, the nine members of the sheriff’s office say their reputations have been damaged.

Clausi said he will defend himself but would offer no further comment. The 17-page defamation lawsuit was filed Wednesday. The computer use discussion came to a head at a meeting Tuesday where all sides agreed to stand-down and let a county personnel investigation produce some tangible results.

The sheriff’s office, the commissioners, the IT department, their solicitors, the sheriff himself and even the county cleaning staff have been involved and/or implicated in sometimes heated public disputes.

Haiti I: Diocese of Harrisburg to coordinate Catholic relief for Haiti

HARRISBURG – Parishioners at St. Pius X in Selinsgrove, Sacred Heart in Lewisburg and other Roman Catholic churches will soon be asked to contribute to a fund that will help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Catholic Charities Assistant Director Pete Biasucci of the Diocese of Harrisburg says the nationwide collection will be passed onto the Baltimore headquarters of Catholic Relief Services.

He says they are better able to handle sending aid on a large scale. Biasucci says an official date for the collection has not yet been determined, nor has exactly how it will be used.

However, he says it will likely be is it likely to be used for supplies to meet immediate needs in its early stages, followed by rebuilding of the nation devastated by this week’s quake. Individual donations are also being accepted by sending a check designated for Haiti Relief to Catholic Charities, Diocese of Harrisburg, 4800 Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg PA 17111. (Matt Farrand)

Haiti II: Monetary donations called the best way to help quake victims

LEWISBURG – The plight of the nearly 9 million people hurt by this week’s earthquake in Haiti is prompting some to consider traveling to the Caribbean nation to help out. However, Disaster Services Coordinator Annie Smith of the Union County Chapter of the American Red Cross says it’s not recommended, for now.

She says the International Community Committee of the Red Cross is in charge of hands-on relief, and should have personnel in the Caribbean nation Thursday. Smith says money is what’s needed now, and most folks could probably come up with a donation simply by checking around the house for spare change.

She says the Red Cross will put it to good use for providing food, shelter, clothing and the things they do best. Online donations to the American Red Cross National Disaster Relief Fund are being accepted via www.unioncountypa.redcross.org (Matt Farrand)

Haiti III: Haiti earthquake registers on Bucknell’s seismograph

LEWISBURG – The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that rocked Haiti Tuesday afternoon registered on a seismograph locally. Bucknell University’s seismic station registered the quake about five minutes after it hit Haiti.

According to Lab Director of Geology at Bucknell, Brad Jordan, most of the quake’s energy was released in a side-to-side motion so there was no displacement in the ocean, which is why there was no significant tsunami associated with the disaster.

Outgoing Milton superintendent has high hopes for the district’s future

MILTON – Outgoing Milton Area School District Superintendent, Dr. William Clark, says he departs the area with mixed emotions. Clark, who has been superintendent for six years, will now take the same position at the Manheim School District in Lancaster County. Clark says he is proud of the goals reached while he was in Milton, including being fiscally responsible.

He says test scores in an area that needs to continue to improve, and there have been many things addressed to help that. Clark also credits the district for their work with the local community. Clark, whose last day in the school district is next Friday, says he has high hopes for the district in the future.

This week two Milton residents, Belinda Stefl and Alvin Weaver, were appointed to the school board. According to the preliminary agenda, the school district’s business manager, Brian Snyder, will be named acting superintendent at next Tuesday’s board meeting. (Sara Bartlett)

Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - A police chief charged with obstructing justice in the fatal beating of a Mexican immigrant in northeastern Pennsylvania can be released from jail until his trial.  A federal judge granted bail to Shenandoah police Chief Matthew Nestor on Thursday. Nestor and two other officers are charged with orchestrating a cover-up as the FBI investigated the fatal July 2008 attack on Luis Ramirez.  Two teens were convicted of assault in Ramirez's death. They also face federal hate crime charges.  Nestor is also awaiting trial in another case. Prosecutors charged him and another officer in December with extorting cash payoffs from illegal gambling operations and a local businessman.  The other officers charged have been released on home confinement.

YORK, Pa. (AP) - A prosecutor in central Pennsylvania says a 2-year-old boy is believed to be brain dead after apparently shooting himself in the head.  York County District Attorney Tom Kearney said Thursday the shooting in Manchester Township appears to be an accident.  Kearney says the child's mother put the boy to bed and later heard a shot Wednesday afternoon. Investigators say the boy found a .22-caliber handgun in a closet.

CRANBERRY, Pa. (AP) - Authorities have released the name of a man accused of fatally shooting a state trooper in northwestern Pennsylvania. State police say 44-year-old Michael J. Smith and his wife, 53-year-old Nancy Smith, were found dead in their home outside Oil City around 6:15 p.m. Wednesday. Police did not immediately say how the couple died. Michael Smith had been wanted for killing 40-year-old Trooper Paul G. Richey. Richey served at the Milton barracks for a time. The trooper was shot dead Wednesday morning when he got out of his police cruiser to respond to a domestic disturbance call at a rural home. Police say the shot was fired from inside the home. Police had blocked off roads in the area for most of the day and were circulating a picture of Michael Smith.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Teddy Pendergrass, who became R & B's reigning sex symbol in the 1970s and '80s and later became an inspirational figure after suffering a devastating car accident that left him paralyzed, died Wednesday at age 59. The singer's son, Teddy Pendergrass II, said his father died at Bryn Mawr Hospital in suburban Philadelphia. The singer underwent colon cancer surgery eight months ago and had "a difficult recovery," his son said. Pendergrass suffered a spinal cord injury and was paralyzed from the waist down in the 1982 car accident. He spent six months in a hospital but returned to recording the next year with the album "Love Language." He returned to the stage at the Live Aid concert in 1985, performing from his wheelchair.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Tom Corbett is picking up more support in his bid for the Republican Party's endorsement for governor. A straw poll of GOP state committee members from southeastern Pennsylvania on Wednesday showed support for Corbett, the state attorney general. Southeastern caucus chairman Michael Meehan of Philadelphia says the vote was nearly unanimous, although he isn't releasing the results of the unofficial vote. Corbett faces competition for the GOP nomination from state Rep. Samuel Rohrer. On Saturday, the central Pennsylvania GOP caucuses voted to back Corbett. The full state committee is slated to vote on an endorsement next month.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The Justice Department accused a suburban Philadelphia swim club of race bias in a lawsuit filed Wednesday, six months after the club barred a group of mostly black day campers from their pool. The civil-rights suit charges that the Valley Club of Huntingdon Valley engaged in a pattern of racial discrimination in canceling its $1,950, eight-week contract with the Philadelphia-based Creative Steps program after the children's first visit. Club officials have said race had nothing to do with the ouster of the mostly black and Hispanic children from Philadelphia last June. They say there were too many children for the lifeguards on duty, and that many of the 65 campers couldn't swim. The lawsuit seeks to bar the swim club, or any successor clubs, from continuing such conduct.

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

Update on the latest in business

Dow: 10,710.55, up 29.78

S&P 500: 1,148.62, up 2.94

NASDAQ: 2,316.74, up 8.84

NEW YORK (AP) - Stock prices are higher at midday. The key averages have worked higher, despite some lackluster economic data out earlier today.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says he wants to tax banks to recoup the public bailout of foundering firms at the height of the financial crisis. Speaking at the White House, Obama branded the latest round of bank bonuses as "obscene."

WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is waging a battle against Senate efforts to strip the Fed from banking supervision. Writing to the Senate Banking Committee, Bernanke says that stripping the Fed of such power would deprive the central bank of needed information.

NEW YORK (AP) - U.S. cell phone users have contributed about $4 million to the Red Cross for Haiti relief efforts in $10 increments. That makes it by far the largest outpouring of support via mobile devices in history.

(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

     0-9-5-3

 Midday Number

     5-0-8

 Midday Quinto

     9-3-6-7-6

 Treasure Hunt

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

Big 4 9-8-4-7

Cash 5 01-02-03-04-43

Daily Number 4-1-2

Evening Quinto 7-8-6-9-2

Midday Big 4 8-5-8-6

Midday Number 3-8-2

Midday Quinto 6-5-4-7-7

Powerball 08-11-15-32-50, Powerball: 27, Power Play: 3

Treasure Hunt 02-05-08-19-28

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

NBC announces post-Leno prime-time lineup

LOS ANGELES (AP) - New and veteran NBC dramas and a comedy produced by Jerry Seinfeld will take over the bulk of the prime-time slots soon to be vacated by Jay Leno. NBC announced Thursday that the freshman drama "Parenthood" and the relocated "Law & Order" and "Law & Order: Special Victim Units" will fill three slots. Another will go to the comedy panel series "The Marriage Ref" from Seinfeld.  "Dateline NBC" will fill another 10 p.m. EST slot.  The new lineup will debut after NBC's coverage of the Winter Olympics from Feb. 12-28.  Yet to be resolved is NBC's effort to make way for Leno to return to late-night by bumping Conan O'Brien's and "Tonight" to midnight, a plan O'Brien has rejected.     

George Clooney, MTV working on Haiti telethon

NEW YORK (AP) - MTV Networks says it is working with George Clooney to stage a telethon for Haitian earthquake relief on Jan. 22.  A representative for MTV said Thursday that details are still being worked out. But Mark Jafar said they are planning one.  There's no word yet about other stars getting involved. A representative for Clooney did not immediately respond to a message seeking details.  Thousands are feared dead after the massive earthquake, and the Caribbean island nation desperately needs aid.

TV job swap ahead for Elisabeth and Tim Hasselbeck
 

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION

WASHINGTON (AP) - Cheech and Chong, and Cohen, too. Tennessee Congressman Steve Cohen shared the stage last night with the stoner comedy duo Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong. Cohen's a Democrat from Memphis who supports legalized medical marijuana and easing of drug laws. He was a featured speaker at the pro-legalization Marijuana Policy Project's 15th annual gala. Cohen got nearly as big a hand from the crowd as Cheech and Chong, who were given a lifetime "trailblazer" award by the pro-pot group.

TEXAS STADIUM-IMPLOSION

IRVING, Texas (AP) - Texas Stadium won't be riding off into the sunset. But it will be disappearing in a cloud of dust. April 11 will be a day Dallas Cowboys haters -- love. That's when Texas Stadium will be imploded. The team moved to the new Cowboys Stadium this season. The old stadium had been home to the Cowboys for 37 years. Local officials say there's great interest in the big blast. There will be public viewing areas and camera installations for those who can't make it in person.

Seminary president warns of hit film's worldview

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - A seminary president says Christian parents whose children have seen "Avatar" should talk to them about the movie's philosophical bent. The Rev. Alex McFarland of Southern Evangelical Seminary says "Avatar" presents a pantheistic worldview, in which God is everything and everything is part of God. He says the film also presents a negative view of capitalism, the military and, implicitly, of America. McFarland says Christian parents whose children have seen "Avatar" should ask what they thought of the movie, and then explain their own beliefs. While children can't be shielded from everything, McFarland says they should be taught to discern the messages in the films they see.

Robertson: Quake-ravaged Haiti is cursed

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) - Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson says Haiti, whose capital is in ruins after Tuesday's massive earthquake, has been cursed since the 19th century. On Wednesday's broadcast of CBN News' "The 700 Club," Robertson said Haitians pledged to serve the devil if he would help them win their independence from France, and the devil said, "It's a deal." Robertson said, "ever since they have been cursed by one thing after the other." His spokesman, Pat Roslan, says the comments were based on Voodoo rituals carried out before a slave rebellion in 1791. Roslan notes that Robertson's Operation Blessing ministry is sending relief to Haiti. Robertson has angered opponents before with comments on current events and criticism of other faiths. He once said American agents should assassinate Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and said Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's stroke was divine retribution for withdrawing from the Gaza Strip.