Friday, May 16, 2008

Recipients brave rain for food bank distribution

LEWISBURG – Recipients lined up well ahead of time to receive food from a local food bank Friday.  Administrator Dave Heberlig of the Eastern Union County Supplemental Food Program also says about 50 additional clients were signed up to receive donations, topping the previous peak of 674 set in 2004.  Heberlig says while local support for the food program remains strong, federal and state help is in decline. 

Volunteers will be needed at distributions planned for June 6^th, June 20^th, the 3^rd and 18^th of July and both August 1^st and 15^th.  Heberlig notes first time recipients will need to register, and can do so on the day of the distribution, at the First Baptist Church in Lewisburg   More than a dozen recipient families were on hand in the rain Friday before the scheduled start time of 1:30 p.m.  (Matt Farrand)

Thefts reported at Beavertown home damaged by fire

BEAVERTOWN – Police are searching for someone who took nearly $3,500 worth of items from a home that had recently been damaged by a fire.  The home along Route 235 and Back Mountain Road in Beavertown sustained heavy damages during the fire on February 11^th, and the homeowners then used a generator to heat the house.  A day later the outside generator was reported stolen.  This month, an unknown suspect returned to the home and removed various tools, vehicles parts, chains and aluminum cans from the garage.  Anyone with information on these thefts is asked to call Selinsgrove State Police. (Sara Bartlett) 

Home invasion reported in Ralpho Township

ELYSBURG – Police are investigating a home invasion that happened Thursday in Ralpho Township.  At 1:30p.m. a female rang the doorbell of a home along Turkey Hill Road.  She then allegedly began to talk to the homeowner about landscaping, while a second female entered the residence through an unlocked backdoor.  The owner confronted the second female, who then fled the home.  The first female also fled the scene.  The owner described the suspects as two black females who drove away in a blue car.  Nothing was reported taken from the home.  Anyone with information about the incident should contact Ralpho Township Police at 672-9892. (Sara Bartlett) 

Shoppers come out to Susquehanna Valley Growers’ Market

LEWISBURG – The Susquehanna Valley Growers’ Market in Lewisburg opened Friday and despite the wet weather people still came out to shop.  Sellers set up stands with locally grown and organic products including meat, eggs, vegetables and cheeses.  Lewisburg resident Judy Ellis braved the rain to pick up some meats and veggies.  She says she and her husband Richard like to support the market and are big proponents of cage-free animals.

Michael Bitler, of Muncy, makes his own salsa and salts from homegrown ingredients.  This is his second year at the Grower’s Market, but says the rising food prices this year have made things tough.  He says this is the first year he has had to raise his prices because the cost of tomatoes has gone up.

The market, located in Hufnagle Park, also offers baked goods, crafts and flowers.  It will be set up every Friday from noon-5:00p.m. until October 31^st.  For more information you can log onto http://growersmarket.blogspot.com. (Sara Bartlett)   

Creating a learning experience for kids over the summer

SELINSGROVE – Elementary school students who struggle academically are getting some help over the summer at the Summer Seals Day Camp program.  The goal is to further the learning of “at risk” students who have trouble in reading and math, as well as self-esteem or social development issues.  Dottie Anderson is the Board Secretary of the day camp and says what the students learn during the summer helps them into the next school year and beyond.

Amy Melillo is one of the instructors and says they have integrated units to make the learning fun.  This year they will incorporate lessons about amusement parks, the Olympics and tropical rainforests.  Twelve to fifteen students are in each class; with two teachers in the room to make sure each child gets individual attention.  The camp is scheduled like a school day, with learning, physical activities, lunch and recess.  It’s held at the Selinsgrove Intermediate School. (Sara Bartlett)

Felony charges dropped against Wilburton man

MOUNT CARMEL – Two felony counts have been dropped against a Wilburton man accused with having indecent contact with a 12-year-old girl.  The News Item reports without evidence, the felony charges of indecent assault against 43-year-old Michael Stokes are dismissed.  Stokes is still being charged with two counts of criminal attempt and one count of corruption of minors, because District Justice Michael Mychak says there was an attempt by Stokes to have inappropriate contact with the girl. 

Reports say the girl was sleeping May 2^nd when Stokes allegedly entered her bedroom numerous times in the middle of the night.  A witness in the house testified that when questioned about why he was in the girl’s room, Stokes tried to run out of the home.  Stokes waived his right to a preliminary hearing and will have a pre-trial conference in August. (Sara Bartlett)  

Free eye screening for those diagnosed with diabetes

DANVILLE – A free eye screening will be held at Geisinger Medical Center on Saturday for those diagnosed with diabetes.  Dr. Herb Ingraham is the chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at Geisinger and says some folks don’t have insurance, so they don’t get their eyes checked on a regular basis.  He says early diagnosis of eye conditions can prevent blindness for diabetes patients.

The screening will be held in the main building at Geisinger from 8 to noon on Saturday.  Treatments include medications and laser repair, which can prevent the retina from detaching, which takes place over the course of several years in diabetes patients.  (Ali Stevens)

Peak oil and public health…the timely Roundtable this weekend

SUNBURY – Roundtable this weekend goes on the road to find out about Peak Oil and Public Health…. Peak oil is that point in our economy when oil is far less available and far more expensive. The impact on public health involves transportation, medicines, food, agriculture and every aspect of our lives.

Guests include, Samantha Pearson of the Local Action Network, Dr. Brian Schwartz of Johns Hopkins & Geisinger’s Environmental Health Institute and Mike Molesevich of Molesevich Environmental.  We discuss the many ways we can conserve energy and why global issues are already arising because of peak oil, food shortages and global climate change. You can hear Roundtable (Sunday) on:

• Eagle 107 (107.3FM) at 6a.m.
• 100.9, The Valley, at 6a.m.
• WKOK at 9a.m.
• Talkradio 1380 WMLP, 11a.m.
• 94KX at 11p.m.

Truck crash closes eastbound I-80 in Clinton County

CARROLL, Pa. (AP) - A tractor-trailer crash had a portion of Interstate 80 eastbound in Clinton County shut down for a time. The accident happened just after 3 a.m. at mile marker 192 in Greene Township. Both eastbound lanes were blocked and traffic backed up four to five miles. Detours were in place, but traffic is moving slowly again now.

Dispatchers at the Clinton County 911 center told us, no one was injured. The rig was hauling frozen meat. The trailer did not split open, but diesel fuel is leaking from the tractor. Police say it will be several hours before crews are able to clear the scene.

Harlem Wizards were in Sunbury last night for a successful event

SUNBURY – The big fundraising event last night in Sunbury was a huge success…according to the organizers. The Harlem Wizards performed in front of an estimated crowd of 300 people in the Shikellamy Field House. The event was a benefit for Northumberland/Snyder Counties Special Olympics—with proceeds going toward the replacement of equipment lost in a recent fire.

More than a thousand dollars was raised according to Arden Miller, who is part of the Special Olympics organization. The team played a local team from the Greater Susquehanna Valley YMCA and beat the team 107 to 97.

The goal was to raise money to replace thousands of dollars in lost equipment and uniforms, destroyed in a fire at the Shamokin Dam Health Center March 31st. If you would like to help the local Special Olympics teams, you can contact Miller at 374-5369 or go to www.ns-sopa.org.

Funds needed for Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway project

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)

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 financial 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)

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 (today) may be a great day to take a ride because it’s National Bike to Work Day. (Sara Bartlett)

Keithan’s Gardens busy season 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)

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