Saturday, May 10, 2008
Drug bust in Sunbury dubbed “Operations Spring Showers”
SUNBURY – All
but three of more than twenty-five suspects are now in custody after
a series of drug arrests. Sunbury Police Chief Steven Mazzeo says
“Operation Spring Showers” was a combined effort of the
Northumberland-Montour County Drug Taskforce. Police say they also
seized 7.5 pounds of marijuana, 100 grams of cocaine, heroin,
Oxycotin, firearms and more than $16,000 in cash.
Most of the suspects were picked up during the last two days with
fourteen arrested Friday. Others were already jailed on other
charges. There is a complete list of suspects on line at wkok.com.
Chief Mazzeo notes the operation is on-going and the three remaining
suspects outstanding are likely to be picked up within the next 24
hours. Those taken into custody face charges that include
possession with intent to deliver and are in Northumberland County
Prison following arraignment. (Matt Farrand)
Bucknell chaplain heading to Yale
LEWISBURG— Bucknell University Chaplain, Ian B. Oliver, announced he has accepted an offer at Yale University. Bucknell tells us that Oliver has accepted the position of pastor at the University Church. He will also assume the role as senior associate university chaplain for Protestant Life at the University. Reverend Oliver’s move will take effect in July and a search committee is underway at Bucknell to find a replacement. Reverend Oliver has served at Bucknell for 12 years. (Sara Lauver)
Vehicle crashes into home; driver flees the scene
TURBOT TWP— State Police are looking for the driver of a vehicle that crashed into a home in Northumberland County Thursday and then fled the scene. State Police in Milton say the hit and run accident occurred just before 11:30 p.m. at a home along Paradise Road in Turbot Township. Police say the driver of a black Chevrolet or GMC truck failed to make a turn in the roadway and then went over an embankment into the property’s yard. That’s when the vehicle struck the property owner’s home, causing damage to the residence. Police say the driver fled the scene and continued to drive west on Paradise Road. An investigation continues and State Police ask anyone with information to contact them. (Sara Lauver)
Bucknell students are helping the Caring and Sharing program in Williamsport
WILLIAMSPORT – Typically, college students discard thousands of dollars in good used furniture, electronics and other household items when they exit local universities in the spring. At Bucknell, many of those items are making their way to shelters and needy families.
The Salvation Army in Williamsport is the recipient of numerous things students’ no longer want or need. The Big Brothers-Big Sisters organization in Lycoming County is in charge of the collection and distribution of the tons of items which would otherwise be discarded…Local shelters and non profit agencies will receive those donated goods this weekend.
Boosting visitors in the Valley
LEWISBURG – The Susquehanna Valley Visitors Bureau has a new name and a new slogan, but their focus is the same. Now called the Susquehanna River Valley, the group boasts “every turn a treasure.” Executive Director of the group Andrew Miller says they added “River” to their name to help visitors and tourists better define the region as a destination spot.
The group has been working on market research for the past nine months to better promote the attractions in the Central Susquehanna Valley. Miller says the research also helped them recognize who visits the area, why they visit and what can be done to assist visitors’ needs. Around 130,000 visitors guides are released annually and Miller says their website is getting even more traffic from people downloading the guides. Miller says in 2006, visitor spending in Snyder, Union and Northumberland counties totaled $306 million. You can visit the newly named group’s website at the same address…www.visitcentralpa.org. (Sara Bartlett)
Why are food prices going up so sharply?
SUNBURY – Why food prices are on the increase—and what does the public need to know about farming…those are the questions asked and answered on this weekend’s Roundtable program. Three guests on the program with experience in farming will talk about food prices rising. The guests say food prices are higher, primarily because of higher transportation costs and higher costs for labor.
Guy Temple, Mike Schrey and Charlie Benner are three of the members of the Agriculture Committee of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce. We discuss changing faces of agriculture and how many people today have a more direct connection with farming. You can hear Roundtable Sunday at 9 a.m. on WKOK. You can also hear it on our sister stations Eagle 107 (107.3FM) and 100.9, the Valley at 6 a.m. At 11 a.m. on Talkradio 1380, WMLP and at 11 p.m. on 94KX (94.1FM). It can also be heard on wkok.com.
Coal Township man charged with threatening to kill three police officers
COAL TOWNSHIP – A Coal Township man is accused of threatening to kill three police officers and their families. 32-year-old Jason Musser was in court Wednesday on charges of terroristic threats and disorderly conduct. Police say they were called to Musser’s home on February 5th ofr a disturbance around 1 a.m. Musser came to the door with blood on his arms and body and then yelled at officers from a second story window. Musser reportedly told officers he was going to kill them and burn down their homes. He also threatened to get a gun if police entered his home. Musser was shot with a taser gun and taken into custody. He was sent to Sunbury Hospital for a mental evaluation and then released. He will have a preliminary hearing on May 13th. (Ali Stevens)
Golden Spike anniversary recognized by National Train Day
NORTHUMBERLAND – Today is the first annual National Train Day, a day to recognize rail travel, history, and the industry’s value to business. The date is also the anniversary of the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in 1869. Vice President Jeff Pontius of the North Shore Railroad System notes the days of the steam train are not missed by the industry. Pontius says diesel power is cleaner and more efficient, and a typical coal train could be powered by four locomotives but does the work of nearly 400 trucks.
Pontius is also an expert in railroad history and says Northumberland, Sunbury and Shamokin were local railroad hotbeds. More than 500 ore trains were dispatched each month from Northumberland to Mount Carmel and Bethlehem, and transporting coal from the coal region was a consistent source of business. The North Shore Lines serve shippers in the area using trackage that was originally built by larger railroads, and is now under local control. National Train Day will be observed at Amtrak stations nationwide. (Matt Farrand)