Sunday, January 17, 2010

Liquid oxygen leak called in by neighbor

MILTON – An observant neighbor is being credited with reporting a leak of liquid oxygen from a tank at a Milton industrial plant.  Union County Communications says the neighbor saw a cloud leaking from a tank at the ACF Industries plant around midnight Sunday morning.  A faulty valve apparently released both vapor and liquid.  No injuries reported, and the tank was fixed by an expert called in from State College.

Fire and EMS personnel from Milton responded.  The ACF plant is currently only in limited use after completing a major order of railroad tank cars in 2009.  (Matt Farrand)

Wrong-way motorist faces DUI charge after Tuesday night crash

TURBOTVILLE – A McEwensville woman faces a DUI charge after a being injured in a Tuesday night crash, which also injured a passenger in another car.  State troopers say 32-year-old Lori Perry was driving northbound in the southbound lane of Route 405 in Turbot Township, Northumberland County.  Perry was also driving without the lights on when she collided with an oncoming vehicle.  66-year-old Priscilla Keiser was a passenger in the vehicle driven by 68-year-old Ronald Keiser of Watsontown, and was injured in the crash at Route 405 and Fort Boone Road.

Fire and EMS personnel from Milton and Watsontown responded to the crash. (Matt Farrand)

St. Monica School and Catholic Schools Week….topic of Roundtable

SUNBURY – Our Roundtable program this weekend goes on the road to find out about the private school in Sunbury that is St. Monica School. We discuss their academic and rigorous standards, Catholic Schools Week and their growing athletic program.

Maureen Troutman is an alumna and a parent with a student in St. Monica and she told us, she is committed to the school’s legacy and works on their development committee to help spread the word—and raise funds for the school.

The Roundtable this weekend talks about the private school that is St. Monica and the upcoming Catholic Schools week. You can hear more about their upcoming fundraisers as well, this weekend on Roundtable.  You can hear Roundtable Sunday on: Eagle 107 (107.3FM) at 6a.m. 100.9 (100.9FM), The Valley, at 6a.m. Newsradio 1070 WKOK (1070AM) at 9a.m.  Talkradio 1380 WMLP (1380AM), 11a.m. 94KX WQKX (94.1FM) at 11p.m.  And anytime, at www.wkok.com

Shamokin priest to lead the Harrisburg Diocese, for now

SHAMOKIN – A native Shamokin priest has been selected to lead the Harrisburg Diocese until a new Bishop is appointed.  Father Chester Snyder is now pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Mechanicsburg and was elected to the position of Diocesan Administrator by the College of Consultors of the Diocese of Harrisburg.  Snyder will be responsible for carrying on the established policies and procedures of the diocese while a new Bishop is selected.

The 58-year-old Snyder was ordained a priest in 1977 by Bishop Joseph Daley in his home parish of St. Joseph in Shamokin.  He has been a priest for 32 years and has served as an advisor for the past two Bishops of Harrisburg.  He graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Shamokin.  (Ali Stevens) 

Crash on Route 11 still under investigation

SHAMOKIN DAM – State police continue to investigate a crash early Saturday morning on Route 11 in Monroe Township, Snyder County.  Troopers say 20-year-old Felicia Varndell of New Columbia lost control of her SUV on Route 11 south near Tedd’s Landing Restaurant.  The vehicle flipped onto its roof and skidded about 250 feet.  Varndell was taken to Geisinger Medical Center for treatment of unknown injuries.  Charges may be filed pending further investigation.  (Ali Stevens)

Russ & Merle retirement prompts congressional reaction

SUNBURY – State House members with more than 50 years of combined service say their current terms will be their last. Neither Merle Phillips (R-108th, Sunbury), nor Russ Fairchild (R-85th, Lewisburg) will be seeking reelection this year. The decision was announced in a joint statement issued Friday morning. The two say they trust voters will elect leaders capable of good local representation in November.

U.S. Congressman Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock) joined the chorus of well wishers--issuing a statement, "Reps. Merle Phillips and Russ Fairchild have been dedicated advocates for the people of our region and I was sorry to learn today that they would not seek reelection. Their dedication and service in the General Assembly will be sorely missed. I look forward to continuing to work with them and their successors on the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway and other matters of importance to our region."

Snyder County Commissioner Malcolm Derk wished both men well. He also shared their disillusionment with political partisanship in Harrisburg. Derk is in his first term as commissioner, and is also running for the Republican nomination to represent the 10th District in Congress. He challenged Fairchild for the 85th District GOP nomination in 2006.

Whoever follows the two Republicans in the House will inherit an expensive problem, state employee pension costs. That’s according to Democrat Steve Connolley, who says the bills for spending endorsed by Phillips and Fairchild will come due in 2011 and 2012. Connolley ran without success against Fairchild a number of times, and continues to be active in local politics. Connolley says he'll announce in the next week if he plans to run again.  (Matt Farrand)

Chairman of the Milton Harvest Festival behind bars

MILTON – A Milton man who has been chairman of the Milton Harvest Festival for 20 years, is behind bars charged with stealing from the Milton High School Alumni Association. Dale Kriner was arraigned in Milton Friday on charges including theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, receiving stolen property and several other counts.

He’s accused of taking money from the Milton High School Alumni Association and also has admitted to taking money from the Milton Harvest Festival. Kriner served as treasurer of both organizations and allegedly wrote checks to himself totaling about $10,000. He was sent to the Northumberland County Prison on $15,000 bail. (Ali Stevens)

Three people are injured in a crash in Northumberland County

DALMATIA – Three people were injured in a crash Friday evening in Lower Mahanoy Township, Northumberland County. State police say a 17-year-old from Elizabethville, who hasn’t been identified, was traveling west on McKees Road and lost control of the vehicle. The car struck a dirt embankment and flipped onto its roof.

The girl was taken to Geisinger Medical Center for treatment of moderate injuries. Her two passengers were also injured. They were 22-year-old Raymond Miller III of Elizabethville and 18-year-old Bethany Harris of Dalmatia. They were both taken to Geisinger Medical Center for treatment of moderate injuries and their conditions are not known. The driver will be cited for speeding and causing the accident. (Ali Stevens)

Police search for man missing since Christmas

SUNBURY – Sunbury Police are searching for a man who has been missing since Christmas Day. 21-year-old Robert Chappell of Sunbury was last seen leaving his sister’s residence in Northumberland Borough. Police say Chappell has not gathered any of his belongings from his Sunbury residence.

According to a news release issued this morning, Chappell may be with a female named Erin. Chappell is described as 5’9”, 165-pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information should call police at 286-6558. (WKOK Staff)

Russ and Merle Retire I: Announcement made Friday

SUNBURY – Both Merle Phillips (R-108th, Sunbury) and Russ Fairchild (R-85th, Lewisburg) have announced they would not be seeking reelection. A joint statement issued this morning indicates the two are making this term—their last terms in office. Despite the loss in seniority, they two say, come November; they trust voters will elect leaders capable of good local representation.

For Phillips, the announcement comes after nearly 30-years representing the 108th District. The republican he has served since March of 1980. Also a republican, Russ Fairchild of Lewisburg was first elected in 1988 and has served just over 21-years. The two say they will be forever grateful to the voters for their faith, confidence and support over the years.

The two said they feel fortunate and honored to serve the people of their respective districts and will serve out their final terms energetically. The statement issued today also says the two have grown increasingly frustrated with the ‘dynamics of government’ lately and the bitter partisan disputes.

Russ and Merle Retire II: State Senator reacts

HARRISBURG – Following the news that State House Representatives Merle Phillips (R-108th, Sunbury) and Russ Fairchild (R-85th, Winfield) will not seek reelection, State Senator John Gordner (R-27th, Berwick) is praising the two for their great work in Harrisburg and in the Central Susquehanna Valley. Gordner says both have a tremendous amount of respect in Harrisburg and their home districts.

He also says he has never seen two House members work more closely together. Gordner credits both Fairchild and Phillips for their work on the CSVT and to help stop tolling on I-80. He calls them major transportation issues in our area that both took on with full steam.

Gordner says their replacements have big shoes to fill. He says someone who wants to run will have to be willing to get their hands dirty and get deep into issues. Gordner says the area is lucky to have both Fairchild and Phillips advocating for our area as they finish out their terms, and says he wishes them only the best for their future endeavors.

Russ and Merle Retire III: Governor comments

HARRISBURG – Governor Ed Rendell has released a short statement following the this will be the last terms for State Representatives Merle Phillips (R-108th, Sunbury) and Russ Fairchild (R-85th, Lewisburg). The Governor says:

“Although Representatives Phillips and Fairchild don’t agree often with some of the programs that I put forth, I believe both individuals are of high integrity, and I have enjoyed working with them on projects in their area.”

Russ and Merle Retire IV: Political bombshell prompts reaction

SUNBURY – State House members with more than 50 years of combined service say their current terms will be their last. Neither Merle Phillips (R-108th, Sunbury), nor Russ Fairchild (R-85th, Lewisburg) will be seeking reelection this year. The decision was announced in a joint statement issued Friday morning. The two say they trust voters will elect leaders capable of good local representation in November.

Whoever follows the two Republicans in the House will inherit an expensive problem, state employee pension costs. That’s according to Democrat Steve Connolley, who says the bills for spending endorsed by Phillips and Fairchild will come due in 2011 and 2012. Connolley ran without success against Fairchild a number of times, and continues to be active in local politics.Connolley says he'll announce in the next week if he plans to run again. (Matt Farrand)

Teen boy remains in critical condition after being hit by a pickup truck

NORTHUMBERLAND – A Northumberland boy remains in critical condition at Geisinger Medical Center after he was struck by a pickup truck on Monday. The accident took place along Route 11 as the boy was walking to his school bus stop in Northumberland just before 7 a.m.

16-year-old Jalen Threet stepped off the curb to cross Water Street near Wheatley Avenue when he was struck in the head by a passing pickup truck. Threet is being treated for a head injury at Geisinger and is expected to recover. The driver of the pickup has not been charged. (Ali Stevens)

Frackville man convicted of drug dealing in Northumberland County

SUNBURY – A Frackville man accused of selling cocaine to a confidential police informant has been convicted in Northumberland County Court. Joseph Yutko was on trial this week on charges of criminal conspiracy, delivery and possession of cocaine for an incident in August of 2008.

Police say a Mount Carmel police officer working with the Northumberland Montour Drug Task Force was able to buy cocaine from Yutko in Mount Carmel Township. Yutko was arrested and more than $300 was confiscated along with marijuana and cocaine. Yutko will be sentenced within 90 days. The Commonwealth is seeking a mandatory sentence due to the amount of cocaine found with Yutko at the time of the arrest. (Ali Stevens)

How was the porno discovered in the Sheriff’s Department? Commissioner explains

SUNBURY – Commissioner Frank Sawicki couldn’t talk much about the pending lawsuit in Northumberland County regarding Vinny Clausi accusing Sheriff’s Department employees of looking at pornography, however he did tell us how the pornography was discovered.

Sawicki was a guest on our On The Mark program and was asked by a listener if the attack on the Sheriff’s office by Commissioner Clausi was a “witch hunt” similar to the recent attacks Clausi made against the former warden at the Northumberland County Prison, who retired last year. Sawicki says this was not a “witch hunt” and explained how the pornography was discovered.

He says they discovered many people were listening to the radio online and that caused download time to be extremely slow. They then asked employees to stop listening to the radio online, but the download time was still very slow. That’s when they ran a scan on all systems and the porn was discovered.

Two employees from the sheriff’s office, Michael Boris and Joe Jones, were both terminated for leaving their computers logged in under their names, but it’s not known if they are the ones who looked at the porn. They are suing Commissioner Clausi for $200,000 and an apology for what they called a defamation of character.

Other’s involved in the suit have dropped out, after Clausi made an apology to several of the Sheriff’s office employees. You can hear more from Frank Sawicki on our Friday On The Mark program online at www.wkok.com. (Ali Stevens)

Learning more about the Revitalizing River Towns initiative

SELINSGROVE – SEDA Council of Governments has teamed up with the Susquehanna Greenways Partnership on an effort called, “The Revitalizing River Towns Initiative. SEDA-COG’s Tom Grbenick of the Community Resource Center was a guest speaker at the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce’s monthly meeting Thursday.

Grbenick says the river-towns initiative focuses on communities along the river and ways to revitalize them and keep them unique. Grbenick says the middle Susquehanna Valley is unique in that there are several small towns within 5 or 10 minutes of each other, also nestled along the river. Grbenick says river towns need to be the focus now because now is the time to plan for the future.

He says areas like Reading and Bethlehem are changing quickly and we need to plan how we would like our river-towns to look in the future. Some of the 10 river towns that are part of the initiative include Sunbury, Catawissa, Selinsgrove, Danville, Watsontown and many others. You can visit SEDA-COG’s website to learn more at www.seda-cog.org. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Whatever happens in Gov. Ed Rendell's final year in office, developing a state policy on the rapidly growing natural gas drilling industry is shaping up to be a major focus.  Two elements sure to generate heated debate for a second straight year in the Legislature are whether to tax the companies that extract methane from beneath Pennsylvania and whether to allow them to explore more of the state's popular public forests. Rendell, a Democrat, wants to help the industry become an important new economic engine for the state. But he also insists that the industry share the tax burden and help protect the environment.  Rendell is likely to reveal more about his approach when he unveils his 2010-11 budget on Feb. 9. But already, he is getting criticism from some rank-and-file House Democrats who fought to limit an expansion of gas drilling on state forestland last fall.

TOBYHANNA, Pa. (AP) - A New Jersey woman accused of providing the gun used to kill one Pennsylvania trooper and wound another has been ordered to stand trial in eastern Pennsylvania.  District Judge Anthony Fluegel ruled Friday that there was enough evidence for 24-year-old Emily Gross of Westfield, N.J., to stand trial in Monroe County Court on charges of criminal conspiracy and providing a prohibited weapon.   Police say Gross was the girlfriend of 31-year-old Daniel Autenrieth, who killed 34-year-old Trooper Joshua Miller and wounded 35-year-old Trooper Robert Lombardo after police stopped his car following a high-speed chase in June.  Police say Autenrieth, who was also killed, was barred from having a weapon

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A Dauphin County-based Pennsylvania Air National Guard unit is heading to Haiti to help with earthquake relief efforts. Gov. Ed Rendell says the 193rd Special Operations Wing has been called upon to provide rapid response capabilities. He says about 50 airmen, two cargo planes and one airborne radio and television station have been deployed as part of the mission. One of the three C-130 planes left Middletown, late Thursday; the other two departed Friday.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Two sisters who run an orphanage in Haiti have received permission to bring 150 Haitian children to Pittsburgh. Jamie and Ali McMutrie are from the Pittsburgh suburb of Ben Avon. They have lived in Port-au-Prince since 2007 and run an orphanage called BRESMA. The three-house orphanage was mostly destroyed by Tuesday's massive earthquake. Former federal prosecutor Mary Beth Buchanan said Friday that the sisters have gotten permission to bring the children to Pittsburgh. Buchanan says the only remaining hurdle is getting approval to land a plane in Haiti. She says she doesn't know when that could happen. Allegheny County officials say they are mobilizing workers and volunteers to prepare for the arrival of the children.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A defense lawyer in the Pennsylvania legislative corruption case says a prosecutor had improper contact with one of his clients. In a loud and profane confrontation inside a Harrisburg courtroom after a hearing Friday, attorney Bryan Walk accused Senior Deputy Attorney General Patrick Blessington of violating rules for lawyer conduct by encouraging one of Walk's clients to hire a different lawyer. The outbreak came after a daylong hearing in which lawyers argued over the remaining pretrial issues in the corruption case against former Beaver County Rep. Mike Veon and three former House Democratic aides. Walk says the dispute involves a female client he won't name. Walk also represents defendant Brett Cott, a former Veon aide. A spokesman for the attorney general's office says the accusation against Blessington isn't true.

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

Update on the latest in business:

Renault to develop just part of new car in France

PARIS (AP) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy's office says that automaker Renault will maintain part of the production of the next generation of the popular Clio in France but will develop the electric car there.  The announcement comes after wrangling over the site for building the Clio 4 after Renault said it was studying the possibility of dividing production between plants in France and Turkey. The French state has a 15 percent stake in the automaker.

Court rules for Monsanto, antitrust case remains

ST. LOUIS (AP) - A legal ruling says contracts give Monsanto the right to stop rival DuPont from selling genetically modified soybeans built with Monsanto's technology, but leaves open DuPont's challenge of the restrictions on antitrust grounds.  The ruling in St. Louis federal court is the latest turn in a lawsuit between the world's two biggest seed companies. At issue is how much freedom Monsanto Co.'s competitors have to develop crops containing their own biotech traits using Monsanto's patented Roundup Ready gene, which is inserted in the vast majority of U.S. corn and soybean crops.  The ruling says a licensing agreement between Monsanto and DuPont prohibits DuPont from breeding new crops that contain both DuPont's patented genes and the Roundup Ready gene, which it uses under license from Monsanto. But the ruling says its not clear if that restriction is legal under antitrust law.

Saudi billionaire eyes new links with News Corp.

CAIRO (AP) - A Saudi billionaire whose investment firm is one of the biggest stakeholders in Citigroup and News Corp. says he is looking to expand alliances with the media giant. Prince  lwaleed bin Talal, who was listed last year by Forbes as the world's 22nd richest person, met with News Corp.'s chief executive Rupert Murdoch on Jan. 14^th.   A statement issued Saturday by Alwaleed's Kingdom Holding Co. says the meeting "touched upon future potential alliances with

News Corp."  Kingdom Holding said Alwaleed is the second largest stakeholder in News Corp. with a 5.7 percent stake in the media company.   Media reports have discussed the possibility that News Corp. would buy a stake in Alwaleed's Rotana Media Services, but neither company has yet to comment.

PA Lottery

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

Big 4

     1-5-3-5

Cash 5

     14-24-34-39-41

Daily Number

     9-1-7

Evening Quinto

     3-4-7-0-4

Midday Big 4

     4-0-2-4

Midday Number

     2-0-6

Midday Quinto

     1-6-0-3-3

Powerball

     07-08-23-41-55, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 5

Treasure Hunt

     01-03-08-23-29

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

Poe to stay put in Baltimore

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Baltimore's claim on Edgar Allan Poe will remain unchallenged, at least for now.  A distant cousin of the macabre master announced in Richmond on Saturday the family's decision against any attempt to move Poe's body to any number of places that are seeking to claim the title as the writer's home.  The announcement was made by Harry Lee Poe, who said the family should take up the matter again in 2049 - the bicentennial of Poe's death.  The decision was announced at the Edgar Allan Poe Museum, which conducted a séance during Poe's 200th birthday last year.

Wyclef Jean defends his Haiti charity

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Haitian-born rapper Wyclef Jean is speaking out in defense of his charitable foundation that is raising money for earthquake victims. Jean issued a statement Saturday condemning recent criticism of The Wyclef Jean Foundation Inc. A day earlier, groups that vet charities raised doubts about the organization's accounting practices.  The Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance is not recommending Jean's group and suggests money be donated to relief organizations with more experience in handling disasters.  Jean says he cannot comprehend why the integrity of his foundation was called into question. He says he has never profited personally through his work with the organization, which is also known as Yele Haiti.

'Slumdog' director making film about hiker's story

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The award-winning director of "Slumdog Millionaire" says he plans to make a movie about the mountaineer renowned for amputating his own arm after it was pinned by a half-ton boulder while he was hiking alone in Utah. Danny Boyle says production on the movie "127 Hours" will take place in Utah over 42 days in March and April. He says some of the filming will be done in Bluejohn Canyon, where Aron Ralston's ordeal took place.  Ralston cut off his right arm with a dull blade in 2003 after he'd be pinned for several days at the bottom of the remote canyon, near Moab. He later wrote a book about the experience, "Between a Rock and a Hard Place," which inspired the movie. The Coloradan also gives motivational speeches.  A Utah state panel has approved a tax credit incentive of up to $2.8 million for the filming of his story.