Thursday, May 15, 2008
Encouraging biking for health…and for a break in your wallet
SUNBURY – With gas prices rising, bike travel is turning into a more popular option of travel. Manager of Runners Roost Bike & Sports in Sunbury, Tim Kinsey, says spring has been a good season for bike sales, and he’s also seen more people dusting off their old two-wheelers and bringing them in for repairs. Kinsey says he has heard customers talk about conserving gas prices as a reason to take short trips by bicycle, but he says it isn’t the only reason someone should start.
He says a healthy lifestyle is the biggest reason to take bike trips. May is officially “bike month” and Friday may be a great day to take a ride because it’s National Bike to Work Day. (Sara Bartlett)
Danville man charged with riding a bike under the influence
DANVILLE – A Danville man has been charged with DUI on a bicycle. Police say 21-year-old Frederick Gregorio was drunk when he rode his bicycle through a red light at Bloom Road and Route 11 on May 2nd. Police say Gregorio was weaving his bike between moving cars and he admitted to drinking beer prior to getting on the bike. His blood alcohol level was .123 percent according to arrest paper. Gregorio was charged with five summary offenses and DUI for the incident. (Ali Stevens)
Keithan’s Gardens peak bloom time is now
SUNBURY – It sits on little more than an acre and a half along Route 147 south of Sunbury, and from a distance looks like a private home. However, Keithan’s Gardens is a big part of Sunbury’s past, and present. Visitors can enjoy orange, purple, red and white azaleas, dogwood trees and exotic plants imported by the founder of the garden. Keithan’s began as a labor of love for local baking company owner Charles Keithan.
It’s since been bought by the city of Sunbury and is maintained by Paul and Lane Murray. They are the Rejuvenators and Protectors of Keithan’s Bluebird Gardens, as its officially known. Keithan’s has had to bounce back a few times, most notably from a major flood in the 1930’s. Coordinator Beth Kremer is the chair of the Keithan’s Gardens Committee, and says it’s now better than ever, and a busy place this time of year as wedding parties, prom couples and graduates flock there for a pretty spot to pose a photo. (Matt Farrand)
Planning continues on CSVT…still looking for funds
SUNBURY – Work on the final design of the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway is underway, as the search for construction dollars for the project continues. PennDOT Community Relations Coordinator Rick Mason says the majority of the funds need to be identified in Harrisburg and Washington. Construction costs for the project are now near $360 million. Mason says it’s a challenge to get the funds because we are not only competing against other worthy projects in Pennsylvania, but also dealing with higher costs for petroleum, steel, and concrete products.
Mason says the best thing for the community to do is to keep calling, writing and informing local legislators that the CSVT is a needed project for safety, moving of goods and future economic development in our area. (Sara Bartlett)
Carney comments on Farm Bill passed by Congress
WASHINGTON DC – A “huge bipartisan victory” is how Democratic Congressman Chris Carney describes the passing of a veto-proof Farm Bill by Congress Thursday. Carney says this bill will help farmers stay financially sound for generations to come. Carney says family farms are the economic engine in most counties and are especially important in our district.
Carney says, similar to the Milk Income Loss Contract where dairy farmers would be paid if milk goes below a certain price, the new Farm Bill will help with feed adjustment. Feed and fuel are drastically rising in cost. The bill also includes more school nutrition programs for children, more money for food stamps and nearly $8 million in conservation funding. (Sara Bartlett)
A Mount Carmel man found guilty of assaulting a neighbor
SUNBURY – A Mount Carmel man has been found guilty by a jury on a charge of indecent assault. 36-year-old Franklin Persing was on trial this week, charged with entering a neighbor’s bedroom during the early morning hours of March 3rd in 2007, and having indecent contact with the woman without her consent. The victim was a 27-year-old female, who had invited Persing to her home in Mount Carmel to play cards with her and her boyfriend and other friends. Police say the woman had gone to bed and that’s when Persing entered her room and assaulted her. Sentencing will be scheduled within 90-days. (Ali Stevens)
A month of hard living, in an hour and a quarter
SELINSGROVE – Imagine living from paycheck to paycheck, perhaps stealing or lying to make ends meet, or coming home to find a mortgage company foreclosed on your home. That was the point of an exercise called a Poverty Simulation, and the Union-Snyder Community Action Agency hosted one Wednesday at Susquehanna University.
Executive Director Harry Adrian says it demonstrates how frustrating life can be for families on the margin. Many end up neglecting things that other families take for granted such as nurturing children. Participants were assigned roles in families or as administrators of institutions such as banks, supermarkets and help organizations.
The group of more than 100 was then directed to live, work or go to school experiencing severe economic hardship. The Dad was a professional without a job in one family, with unemployment benefits running out, kids in trouble and Mom working full time. One of their children was suspended from school for cheating, and ended up in juvenile detention, accused of drug possession.
The drill lasted about an hour, and represented a month at or below the poverty level. Most families found themselves facing unpaid bills, utilities shut off and possessions turned over to a simulated pawnshop at the end of the “month.” (Matt Farrand)
Outstanding Young Americans recognized
NORTHUMBERLAND – Over 80 students from eleven area school districts were honored Wednesday night as Outstanding Young Americans. The group is composed of students who excel not only academics, but also extracurricular activities. Senior
Program Analyst at SEDA-COG, Ryan Unger, who is a 1997 Shikellamy graduate and former Young American, was the guest speaker for the evening. He called the students the future of the region and the Central Susquehanna Valley’s best asset. Unger encouraged the students to find something they are passionate about and pursue it.
Northumberland Christian School Senior Naomi Ilgenfritz says it’s an honor to be recognized for the work she’s done throughout the school year. Natalie Sauers is a senior student at Meadowbrook Christian School and says it’s exciting to receive the award, and it’s been a great experience to meet so many other Outstanding Young Americans from different school districts.
The students have been involved in numerous activities throughout the school year, including most recently a leadership seminar in Lewisburg. Each student received a plaque at Wednesday’s ceremony presented by the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce, The Daily Item and Sunbury Broadcasting Corporation. (Sara Bartlett)
Reception just for cancer survivors prior to the Relay for Life
SELINSGROVE – A special event is planned for this Saturday for cancer survivors from the region. Selinsgrove’s Relay for Life is just a few weeks away and prior to the two-day event, an activity is planned for this Saturday, just for cancer survivors.
There will be a reception for cancer survivors at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Selinsgrove on Saturday. This is a chance for survivors to spend some time together, sharing stories and experiences, away from the sometimes-hectic scene at the Relay for Life.
Jen Bernstein of the Relay committee, says the focus of the relay is all about cancer survivors. She says when you watch the survivor lap at the Relay for Life, you will see people in the community that you didn’t even know were cancer survivors.
All cancer survivors are invited to St. Paul’s Church in Selinsgrove on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. The Relay for Life will be June Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7 at the Nicholas Lopardo Football Field at Susquehanna University. (Ali Stevens)
School bus and a car collide on Front Street in Sunbury
SUNBURY – A Shikellamy School District bus was rear-ended on Front Street in Sunbury just before 8:00 Wednesday morning. The accident took place at the intersection of Front and Market Streets when a car struck the back of the school bus. Sunbury police say only minor injuries were reported and there were no students injured. (Ali Stevens)
Bus tour to promote the fight against cancer
LEWISBURG – A bus tour to promote the fight against cancer made a stop in Lewisburg. The American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network is sponsoring a nationwide bus tour, with the bus traveling more than 25,000 miles and making stops in 48 states.
The bus stopped in Lewisburg Wednesday afternoon with a goal of making cancer a top priority in the nation and with the government. Karen Maurer is with the American Cancer Society and says there are more than 10.5 million cancer survivors in America today and if each of them can battle cancer, then our nation can rise up to defeat it and that’s the message of this bus rolling into town.
The “Fight Back Express” bus stopped near Evangelical Community Hospital and hospital officials were on hand to talk about their experiences with cancer. The bus will be on the road for six months through Election Day on November 4th. (Ali Stevens)
Early childhood professionals gather to discuss statewide programs
LEWISBURG – Early childhood professionals from the region came together Wednesday for a Leadership Roundtable, which was held by the Central Susquehanna Association for the Education of Young Children. Harriet Dichter, Deputy Secretary for the State Office of Child Development and Early Learning, discussed the growth of early childhood programs throughout the state.
Dichter says that in the ‘02-‘03 school year, the year early childhood programs really got underway, only 18% of the programs around the state were up to standards. She says today, the programs have reached nearly 30%. Dichter says that is a dramatic growth, but it is also a reminder of how much work still needs to be done.
Dichter also touched on funding and says that since 2002 and 2003, four new funding streams have been created. She says that each year, school districts get to decide how they want to invest their accountability block grants, and each year, schools are putting almost two-thirds of that into early childhood programming.
Dichter says she doesn’t believe any other state has created so many new funding streams. She says research has shown how important these programs are for children of Pennsylvania and professionals involved in the programs need to educate the skeptics.
The Office of Child Development and Early Learning was created by Governor Rendell as part of a new initiative to link the Department of Public Welfare and the Department of Education, and bolster early education and care for children throughout the state. (Sara Lauver)
Bone marrow drive to be held in Lewisburg
LEWISBURG – A bone marrow drive will be held this Saturday in Lewisburg. Lewisburg resident Mindy Culp is holding the drive in hopes of finding a bone marrow match for her fiancé, 22-year-old Derrick Dull, who was diagnosed with a form of acute leukemia in January.
Culp says a bone marrow transplant is Derrick’s only hope for a cure. The drive is free and requires a swab of your cheek and a few papers to be filled out to place a perspective donor on the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry.
If found to be a match, most transplant procedures only require a blood donation. The drive will be held this Saturday from 11:00a.m.-3:00p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church on Market Street in Lewisburg. To find out more about bone marrow transplants go online to www.marrow.org. (Sara Bartlett)
Night Vs. Day work on local highways
SUNBURY – Ever wonder why road crews don’t do the majority of their work overnight? Although that idea may ease traffic backups in the daytime, PennDOT Community Relations Coordinator Rick Mason says night work has its downfalls. He says it costs more money because it’s not the normal shift work and it’s more of a challenge to set up lights and to get a quality product.
Mason says night work is still done frequently, including recently on Duke Street in Northumberland and currently on I-180 between Williamsport and Montoursville. He says PennDOT looks at a number of variables to decide when the best time is for work to be done, as well as how to keep the impact to drivers at a minimum. Rick Mason was a recent guest on WKOK’s On The Mark. Download the whole show online here. (Sara Bartlett)
Seniors and law enforcement working together
LEWISBURG – The Union County Triad is a council composed of law enforcement and other members and is created to reduce criminal victimization of elderly people in the community. According to Amy Miller, Protective Services Supervisor at Agency on Aging, Triad is working on a new initiative called Project Lifesaver.
It is an electronic bracelet that allows the person wearing it to be tracked. The device is geared toward seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s, who may have a tendency to wander off. The device is used around the country and Miller says it has a great success rate.
The Triad is still working to get funding for Project Lifesaver and ask anyone who wishes to donate to make the initiative a reality to call the Union County Sheriff’s Department. They hope to secure enough money to purchase the technology and keep it operational without having to charge participants, and hope to bring it to Union County within the next six months. (Sara Bartlett)
Victim in an alleged murder-for-hire plot wants suspect kept away from their child
SUNBURY – Donald Ellis of Sunbury wants his former girlfriend, who reportedly hired someone to kill him, kept away from his or her six-month-old son. Ellis was in court yesterday with his attorney, who petitioned the court to keep 28-year-old Christeen Smith, from having contact with her son if she is released from the Northumberland County Prison.
Police say Smith paid an undercover state police officer $500 to kill Ellis. The Daily Item reports Ellis filed a protection from abuse request against Smith on April 24th, a day after Smith filed a similar PFA request against Ellis.
Smith was jailed in lieu of $100,000 bail on April 24th. She’s charged with criminal solicitation of homicide. The hearing has been postponed, because Smith did not have an attorney and Judge Robert Sacavage wanted her to have representation or a public defender. (Ali Stevens)
Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The debate on gambling in Pennsylvania shifted today, if only briefly, to craps, poker and blackjack. The Democratic-led House Committee on Gaming Oversight took the first step on a bill to legalize table games at the state's licensed slots casinos and held a hearing on it. However, the bill faces heavy opposition in the Senate, and Gov. Ed Rendell says the state is not ready for table games. The hearing featured testimony by casino executives and racing industry officials. They say that legalizing table games would boost the revenue from slots gambling, benefiting taxpayers, the equine industry and more. In recent months, the debate on gambling has focused on whether the Legislature set up a flawed regulatory mechanism to decide who should win a slot-machine casino license.
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) - A Lycoming County jury has convicted a South Williamsport man of first degree murder in the shooing death of a Philadelphia man. The jury deliberated just over three hours Wednesday before finding 21-year-old Javier Cruz-Echeverria guilty in the slaying of 37-year-old Eric Sawyer on March 31, 2007. Prosecutors say Sawyer was lured into an alley about 2 a.m. in a drug deal that went bad." Judge Nancy Butts immediately sentenced Cruz-Echeverria to life in prison without parole and added a concurrent life sentence on a conspiracy count. Defense attorney Ronald Travis said he will appeal. A co-defendant, 40-year-old Sean Durrant, of Williamsport, testified that he shot Sawyer with a sawed-off shotgun. Durant had pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and conspiracy and is awaiting sentencing in a plea deal that calls for a term of 25 to 60 years.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Thursday in the midday Pennsylvania State Lottery drawing:
Daily Number 9-2-5
Big 4 9-4-2-9
Treasure Hunt 1-2-22-27-29
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)