Monday, May 17, 2010

Who contributed to the 85th candidates' campaigns?

SUNBURY -- Newsradio 1070 WKOK continues to cover the Pennsylvania Spring Primary races. Here is a partial list of contributors in the 85th District state house race. The Friends of Fred Keller have pulled in the most money for Republican candidates in the 85th District race.  Contributions totaled $43,505.35 for Keller.  Keller himself gave $34,000.  Some of the other contributions include:

- $1,500 from Lawrence Gingrich, Gingrich & Associates, Freeburg

- $1,100 from Max Bingaman, Bingaman & Son Lumber, Kreamer

- $1,000 from John Moran Jr., Moran Industries, Watsontown

- $500 from Dan Meuser, Pride Mobility

The Committee to Elect Maurice Brubaker brought in $18,900 in contributions, with Brubaker himself giving $7,000.  Other contributions include:

- $1,000 from The Pennsylvania Accountant PAC, Harrisburg

- $1,000 from PA Medical PAC, Harrisburg

- $1,000 from E. Charles Wunz, Lewisburg

- $500 from Steven Kramm, Brookpark Family Practice, Lewisburg

Candidate Betsy Snook brought in $12,730.91 in contributions, giving $7,000.50 herself.  Other contributions include:

- $2,500 from PSNA Political Action Committee

- $500 from Patti Smith of the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association

- $500 from PA Coalition of Nurse Practitioners

- $500 from Betsy Walls, Chester County Health Department 

Contributions and expenditures are public records and can be requested at the elections office in Lewisburg and Middleburg.  This is a partial disclosure and more information is available at the Union and Snyder County election offices.

Newsradio 1070 WKOK will have election night coverage on the WKOK and at www.wkok.com starting tomorrow night at 9pm. We will air at least three reports per hour--while continuing our Fox Sports Network broadcasts.

“A Community Clinic” of Sunbury will receive grant money from the state

HARRISBURG – Twenty-seven free medical clinics across the state will receive grant funding from the Commonwealth, including “A Community Clinic, Inc.” of Sunbury.  The funding is through a one-time program included in the current state budget by Senate Republicans, according to state Senator John Gordner. 

The Sunbury clinic will receive a grant of $29,060 from the Department of Public Welfare.   The grant money will be used to offset medical supply costs and to purchase equipment.  The Pennsylvania Independent Free Clinics Special Grant Program is targeted to independent, community-based free clinics that operate with a volunteer-driven staff of health care professionals.  (Ali Stevens)

Fire Marshal: Accidental fire hits Shamokin Dam home

SHAMOKIN DAM – The fire in Shamokin Dam overnight was accidental, says state police fire marshal Norman Fedder. He says the cause of a house fire late last night was accidental, caused by a malfunctioning electrical outlet.

The homeowner, Teresa Boyer and her son got out of the home safely and went to a neighbor’s home for help. Trooper Fedder says the fire caused heavy smoke and water damage throughout the home, but was contained to the basement area, where it originated.

Damage is estimated at about $25,000. The fire started around 11:30 p.m. at 10 Jonathan Road, which is located in the Orchard Hills Development off of Baldwin Boulevard. Crews from Shamokin Dam, Hummels Wharf, Selinsgrove, Winfield, Sunbury, Northumberland and Middleburg all responded. Firefighters remained on the scene until 2 a.m. (Ali Stevens)

Adopt-A-Turkey program to teach about agriculture business

NORTHUMBERLAND -- It's that time of year again when members of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce learn more about the agriculture community by making their own investments.  Mike Schrey of the Chamber's Agriculture Committee says this year they will adopt a turkey.  Working with a local processing company, feed company and farmers, members will invest $10.00 to own one bird.  The turkeys will be placed and raised locally until November.  Then members will find out if they have made or lost money on their investment. 

Schrey says this is a good learning experience to show the true economic reality of running a farm or agri-business in this area.  In past years, members have adopted an acre of corn and of tomatoes. (Sara Bartlett)

Register now for the Ronald McDonald House golf tourney

DANVILLE – It’s time now for golfers to get registered for the 19th annual golf tournament to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Danville.  The Ronald McDonald house is a home away from home for families of critically injured children being treated at Janet Weis Children’s Hospital at Geisinger and other area hospitals. 

Ann Blugis is the executive director and says their golf tournament is an important fundraiser for them. All money raised will benefit the Ronald McDonald House’s ongoing renovation project. The golf tournament will be held on Thursday, June 17th at the Frosty Valley Country Club in Danville.  There is a $25,000 hole-in-one prize along with other prizes for “closest to the pin”, “longest drive” and “straightest drive”. 

There are also flight prizes this year for ladies foursomes.  There are still sponsorship opportunities too. The tournament will begin with registration at 11:30 followed by lunch and then a shotgun start at 1 p.m.  There will also be a dinner buffet and awards presentation afterwards. To register or for more information, contact Ann Blugis at 271-7937.  (Ali Stevens)

Eight Valley trucks parked by troopers

HARRISBURG – “Operation SAFE” by the Pennsylvania State Police has been hailed a success. The state police report they placed 101 trucks and 75 commercial vehicle drivers out of service during a one-day statewide enforcement effort focusing on seat belt use and proper driver and vehicle documentation.

In our area of Troop F, which includes Northumberland, Montour, Snyder and Union Counties, 147 vehicles were inspected, eight were placed out of service and 45 citations were issued. 62 motorists were not wearing seatbelts. Brake issues and inoperable taillights were the primary reason for placing vehicles out of service.

“Operation SAFE”, which stands for Seat Belt and Fatigue Enforcement, was conducted on Wednesday of last week and teams inspected trucks, documents and seatbelt usage. More than 1800 commercial vehicles were inspected statewide resulting in more than 930 citations and more than 1,300 written warnings. (Ali Stevens)

Spin-A-Thon set for this Saturday at Evan

LEWISBURG – A Spin-A-Thon is planned for this Saturday at Evangelical Community Hospital to raise money for the Thyra M. Humphrey’s Center for Breast Health. Spinning is an exercise class on a workout bike and has grown in popularity in recent years.

The bikes will be set up in the main parking lot of the hospital and those participating are asked to donate $15.00 for a 15 minute spinning session. All of the money will then go to the Center for Breast Health.

The Spin-A-Thon will take place on Saturday from 9 to noon at Evangelical Community Hospital’s main parking lot in Lewisburg along Route 15. The public is encouraged to participate and learn more about the benefits of Spinning. (Ali Stevens)

400+ students get B-A's at S-U

SELINSGROVE – The 152nd Commencement ceremony at Susquehanna University took place yesterday afternoon at the James W. Garrett Sports Complex. About 4,500 students, parents and guests attended the commencement and 423 students received their bachelor’s degrees.

The guest speaker was Marie McDemmond, the chair of the Lumina Foundation for Education, who told the graduates the purpose of education is to not only ignite intellectual curiosity, but also to give back. University President Dr. L. Jay Lemons also addressed the graduates and their families. (Ali Stevens)

Murder trial begins in 1966 police shooting

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A man who already served time for attempted murder in the 1966 shooting of a police officer is now on trial for the officer's 2007 death. The murder trial for 74-year-old William Barnes got under way with opening statements Monday morning. Barnes is charged in the death of Philadelphia police Officer Walter Barclay.

Barnes shot and paralyzed Barclay during a burglary on November 27, 1966, and served nearly 20 years for attempted murder. After Barclay died in 2007 a medical examiner ruled that he succumbed to an infection caused by the 41-year-old gunshot wounds. That prompted prosecutors to charge Barnes with murder. Before his arrest latest arrest, Barnes had lectured at Temple University about his criminal past and desire to turn his life

Man survives attack, but still critical

SUNBURY -- A Sunbury man is still hospitalized following a violent attack late last week. A nursing supervisor at Geisinger Medical Center says 26-year-old Jorge Cruz remains in critical condition after being flown there after the incident at 11:30 p.m. Thursday. Sunbury Police said that night that Cruz was 'gravely injured.'

Police arrested 26-year-old Frank Brannon of Sunbury shortly after the attack, but are still investigating. Arrest papers at District Justice Robert Bolton's office say Brannon and another man were involved in attacking Cruz. Brannon faces a felony count of aggravated assault and several other criminal offenses. He was jailed, on $50,000 bail. (Matt Farrand)

Sunbury Firemen’s Fair enjoyed a successful day

SUNBURY -- Hundreds of people surrounded Cameron Park in Sunbury for the annual Sunbury Firemen’s Fair Saturday. The fire company’s biggest fundraiser included a Mustang raffle, firemen’s challenge and a parade of fire trucks.

The winner of the Mustang was Daniel Yetter of East Stroudsburg. He paid $100 to join 300 people in the raffle that was sold out several weeks ago. Dan Saxton, who serves as treasurer for the fair, said they are still totaling up receipts and will have some bills to pay, before they know how financially successful the Sunbury Fire Fair was.

The fire fighter’s challenge is a competition for volunteers. The winners were Dustin Sampsell of the Kreamer Fire Company, David Eister of the Liberty Township Fire Company (in Montour County) and third place went to John Covine of the Beaverdale Fire Company (in Mt. Carmel).

Vandals spray paint school storage buildings

MIDDLEBURG -- Vandals are being sought after spray painted graffiti was discovered at a local athletic field. State troopers say someone sprayed two storage buildings at the Midd West School District Stadium off East Court Street in Franklin Township.

Police provided no other description of the graffiti. The crime is believed to have happened sometime between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. (Matt Farrand)

I-180 crash kills Lancaster County man, wife now critical

WATSONTOWN -- A Lancaster area man is dead after a one-vehicle crash Saturday afternoon on I-180. 72-year-old Samuel Wenger of Akron died when he apparently lost control of his northbound vehicle near the Sulpher Spring Hollow Road overpass.

Troopers say his conversion van struck an embankment, then rolled. 75-year-old Ruth Wenger is in now in critical condition. She was in serious condition initially at Geisinger Medical Center following the 12:25 p.m. crash in Delaware Township, Northumberland County. She was a passenger in the vehicle and was apparently not wearing a seat belt. Muncy EMS and fire personnel assisted at the scene. (Matt Farrand)

Snyder County man released after April car crash

DANVILLE -- One month after a single vehicle crash that took the life of a Mount Pleasant Mills woman, her husband is now out of the hospital. 43-year-old Andrew Kantz spent much of that time in critical condition at Geisinger Medical Center. A nursing supervisor says he was released Thursday.

37-year-old Tina Kantz died in the crash along Reservoir Hill Road near Freeburg. Funds to help their son were established after the April 13th crash. Selinsgrove High School senior KC Kantz was a member of the 2009 PIAA Class AAA state championship football team. (Matt Farrand)

Unit 1 at the Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant is shut down safely

BERWICK – Unit 1 at the Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant near Berwick was shut down safely on Friday night for equipment testing. During the refueling and maintenance outage last month, several equipment upgrades were made including installing a new integrated digital control system and replacing turbines that power pumps providing water to the reactor.

PPL reports all equipment responded to the shutdown as designed and there was no equipment damage reported. They will now complete an evaluation of the shutdown and have Unit 1 back up soon. (Ali Stevens)

Paxtonville teen charged in road deaths

MIDDLEBURG – Homicide and manslaughter charges have been filed against an 18-year-old from Paxtonville for a crash last month which left two teens dead. Snyder County District Attorney Michael Piecuch says Patrick Sullivan has been charged with two counts each of homicide by vehicle and involuntary manslaughter.

Sullivan is also facing four counts each of aggravated and simple assault, careless driving and reckless endangerment. Sullivan was driving about 76 miles per hour in a 30 mile per hour speed zone on March 19th when he crashed his minivan into a utility pole along Sale Barn Road outside Kreamer.

Killed in the crash were 14-year-old Kylie Hummel of Middleburg and 16-year-old Jacob Kemble of Paxtonville. Two other passengers in the vehicle along with Sullivan, were treated for various injuries. (Ali Stevens

Bank employees credited to thwarting scam

NORTHUMBERLAND -- Snyder County District Attorney Michael Piecuch commended employees of a local bank Friday for stopping a $6,000 theft. It started recently when three men from West Virginia offered to put new gravel down for Mount Pleasant Mills couple George and Orpha Glace.

The Glace's say they didn't ask for the gravel, but the men assured them it would be free. When work was done, the men demanded $6,000 from the couple and followed George Glace to Northumberland National Bank in Selins7grove. George Glace went into the bank to withdraw $6,000 and luckily the request raised a red flag for employees.

Police were called and the three scammers were arrested. The DA says this is a classic case of a scam, especially among older individuals. Employees were presented with certificates for their quick thinking in saving the Glace's from losing thousands of dollars. The three men have been charged with attempted theft and will face court time this summer.

Middle school principal explains academic standards

SUNBURY – Students at CW Rice and Sunbury Middle Schools will soon not only have to keep their grades up, they will also have to maintain passing averages in more serious courses if they want to play sports or pursue other after school activities. Passing grades in at least four of five subjects such as math and sciences will be required if students want to participate in extracurricular activities.

Sunbury Middle School Principal Mick Hubicki says the new standards apply only grades six, seven and eight. Passing grades in courses such as art and music previously carried the same weight as core courses. Some parents had reportedly feared the new standards may discourage their youngsters.

Hubicki says there’s academic help for students who struggle, but who also may want to pursue a sport or other activity. Hubicki also believes the new rules will more effectively prepare middle school students for high school. The school district approved the new standards Thursday night, and they will be effective with the start of the new school year. (Matt Farrand)

SU and Geisinger partner to build new health center in Selinsgrove

SELINSGROVE -- A new health center will be located at the former St. Pius X site along University Avenue in Selinsgrove. Officials at the Susquehanna University, which owns the property, announced that they have partnered with Geisinger Health System to bring a health center to students and the greater Selinsgrove community.

The center will be staffed with 40 Geisinger clinicians, be open seven days a week and provide numerous services. One service is pediatric urgent care, which will be the only such service in Selinsgrove. The University will invest $3.1 million in the 16,000-square-foot facility. Geisinger will furnish, equip and lease it back from the University over a 15-year period. (Sara Bartlett)

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The final push is on as Sen. Arlen Specter tries to hold off a primary challenge from U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak. Both candidates will crisscross Pennsylvania on Monday as they make their last pitch to voters before Tuesday's Democratic primary. Sestak told a coffee shop full of voters in Pittsburgh that Specter's "time has come and gone." Sestak has spent much of the campaign painting Specter as a political opportunist for switching parties last year. Sestak also says he can defeat likely Republican nominee Pat Toomey in the general election this fall but Specter cannot. Specter is scheduled for a series of appearances beginning in Erie and ending in Philadelphia. A poll released Monday shows the race is too close to call, the latest of many tough election challenges for the fifth-term Specter.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Vice President Joe Biden is coming to Philadelphia to see his daughter get her master's degree, and will address her class at the University of Pennsylvania. Biden will speak to graduates of the School of Social Policy & Practice on Monday evening. Ashley Biden will receive a master's in social work at the ceremony at Irvine Auditorium. Penn's main commencement on Monday morning featured speaker Jon Huntsman, the U.S. ambassador to China. Huntsman, an alumnus of the Ivy League school, is also the former governor of Utah.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Former President Bill Clinton lent his Democratic star power Sunday to the party's candidate locked in a tight race to fill the western Pennsylvania seat held by the late Rep. John Murtha. Clinton called Murtha's top aide, Mark Critz, a "how-to" guy with the goods to bring economic development and jobs to a blue-collar district hit hard by the recession. Golfing buddies with Murtha, Clinton said the late congressman would want his supporters to vote for Critz in Tuesday's special election. Murtha died in February of complications from gallbladder surgery following 36 years in office. The Republican candidate is businessman Tim Burns, who in part is hoping to capitalize on growing discontent with congressional Democrats to win the seat.

STROUDSBURG, Pa. (AP) - A man acquitted of vehicular homicide in the death of a Pennsylvania lawmaker is free after being sentenced to time already served on other charges. Monroe County President Judge Ronald Vican sentenced 46-year-old Thomas Senavitis, of Kunkletown, to time served Monday on charges stemming from the 2008 crash that killed state Sen. James Rhoades in the Poconos. In March, a jury found Senavitis not guilty of more serious charges but convicted him of reckless endangerment and drunken driving. Authorities say Senavitis was driving drunk on Oct. 17, 2008, when his pickup collided with the car driven by the seven-term

Republican from Schuylkill County. Rhoades' wife was also seriously injured in the crash. Senavitis' attorneys said it was Rhoades who crossed the center line, causing the head-on collision.

Updates on the latest in business:

Dow: 10,560.91, down 59.25

S&P 500: 1,130. 06, down -5.26

NASDAQ: 2,340.49, down -6.36

NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks have declined again today. Investors continue to worry that Europe's debt crisis will weigh on the global economic recovery.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The National Association of Home Builders' housing market index has climbed to its highest level since August 2007. It's up to 22. Readings below 50 indicate negative sentiment, but the rise suggests the outlook is improving. The index hasn't been above 50 since April 2006.

WASHINGTON (AP) - China has increased holdings of U.S. Treasury debt for the first time in six months. The government says China's holdings stood at $895 billion in March.

NEW YORK (AP) - Home improvement retailer Lowe's says its profit rose nearly 3 percent in the first quarter. Consumers were spending more money on projects and bought more big-ticket items like gas grills and riding mowers.

NEW YORK (AP) - Japan's No. 2 drug maker Astellas Pharma says it will buy U.S. cancer drug company OSI Pharmaceuticals. The $4 billion cash purchase is aimed at expanding its cancer drug business worldwide.

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

Mega Millions

Estimated jackpot: $42 million

Midday Big 4

0-5-5-4

Midday Number

6-4-0

Midday Quinto

0-1-9-3-8

Powerball

Estimated jackpot: $145 million

Treasure Hunt

06-07-19-21-24

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

And the Tony Award goes to ... the NYPD?

NEW YORK (AP) - And the Tony Award goes to ... the New York Police Department? Two New York City police precincts will be joining the casts of show like "American Idiot" and "Lend Me A Tenor" at this year's Tony Awards. They will be awarded the Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre for their work in the city's theater district. On May 1, police dealt with a potential car bomb that had been parked outside the theater where "The Lion King" plays. In December, a plainclothes officer killed a suspected scam artist near a landmark Broadway hotel after a gunfight. The Tony Honors are given to people or organizations with extraordinary achievements in theater outside the regular categories. Past winners have included producers, restaurateurs and stylists. The Tony Awards are scheduled for June 13.

Heart group backs video games in obesity campaign

NEW YORK (AP) - Nintendo is partnering with the American Heart Association to promote its popular Wii gaming console. The unlikely partnership Monday comes amid growing concern about obesity among kids who spend much of their time with television and video games. But the AHA says it is giving the Wii its iconic heart branding because it will encourage sedentary Americans to take the first step toward fitness. The Wii comes with a controller that encourages people to physically move as they play. AHA President Clyde Yancy says "We can keep beating the drum on traditional exercise and make small changes to the obesity epidemic, or we can try something that is really provocative and new." Nintendo Co. is donating $1.5 million to the AHA as part of the partnership.

Graduation proposal

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (AP) - Some graduates flip their tassel at their graduations. But this college valedictorian flipped the script at hers. Moments after finishing her speech yesterday at Centenary College, Emily Hawley proposed to her boyfriend. She called fellow grad Josh Walker to the stage - and popped the question in front of the entire graduating class and the rest of the audience. Even though Hawley didn't have a ring - and didn't get down on one knee - Walker said yes. As for why she didn't propose on one knee or offer her hubby-to-be a ring, she tells a local newspaper her proposal was "nontraditional enough."