Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Three bear cubs rescued
SHAMOKIN DAM -- Three bear cubs were safely removed from a tree along Route 15 just north of Shamokin Dam Tuesday. The cubs' mother was struck and killed by a vehicle Monday night. The cubs climbed the tree for safety, and were noticed by game commission officials, who came to remove the mother from the side of the road.
Fire crews used a ladder truck to get the cubs from the tree and the entire rescue process took about two and a half hours. Route 15 was down to one northbound lane, and closed for a time. The last cub was safely rescued by 1:30p.m. The three cubs were taken away in cages. Game commission officials say they will introduce the cubs to another sow, who can introduce them to their new home.
Voters turn out on Primary Day
SUNBURY -- Many are braving the rain to get out and cast their vote in Tuesday's primary. Assistant at the Northumberland County Election Office, Courtney Marise, says they have been gearing up for this day, and making sure voters know where to go. She says they have been fielding calls with people checking whether or not they are registered and if they are registered as a Democrat or Republican.
Marise says there have been a few minor problem with voting machines, but nothing major. Polls are open until 8:00p.m. For full election coverage tune in to WKOK at 9:00p.m. where we will update you on the latest polling results. You can also follow the results online at www.wkok.com.
Clean up continues on Route 235
BEAVER SPRINGS -- A hazardous materials contractor continues cleanup efforts along Route 235 near Beaver Springs. The road has been closed since last week when a fiery tanker truck crash spilled thousands of gallons of diesel fuel. The latest estimate is that Route 235 between Route 522 and the Juniata County line will be open Friday. Crews are working Tuesday to install new pipes in the area, and they will also pave the road this week.
One injured after motorcycle crash
HARTLETON -- A man is in fair condition after a crash involving two motorcycles in Union County Sunday. 59-year-old David Cherry, of Granville, was traveling south on Route 235 in Hartley Township when he failed to negotiate a curve and hit another motorcyclist driving in the northbound lane. That motorcycle was driven by 50-year-old Steven Otto of Dauphin. Otto sustained minor injuries. Following the 4:45p.m. crash, Cherry was taken by Life Flight to Geisinger Medical Center, and is in fair condition.
SADD members host mock trial
SUNBURY – Shikellamy High School was the sight of a mock trial Tuesday hosted by members of the group Students Against Destructive Decisions. The trial follows last year’s mock where a student was killed in an accident due to another motorist that was 'texting' while driving.
Student Advisor of SADD, Beth Zeigler says it’s important that they focus on 'texting' while driving as a dangerous decision; just as dangerous as drinking while driving. The mock trial featured two attorneys from the Northumberland County District Attorney’s office with the 'texter' on trial for a fatal crash they caused.
Road in Herndon to be closed for rail crossing repairs
HERNDON – A road in Herndon will be closed next week for repairs to a rail crossing. The crossing on Pottsville Road, which is also known as Riverside Drive, will be closed starting May 24th. The closure is expected to last for about a week. Norfolk Southern Railroad reports the rail crossing will be replaced. (Ali Stevens)
Penna. Spring Primary I: Primary day features local races
UNDATED – Residents in our region are encouraged to vote today in the Primary Election due to a number of local races. Some of the highlights of our region include the race for the 107th Legislative District, which includes Northumberland and Montour Counties.
There are two republican candidates and four democrats, all vying for the seat being vacated by the retiring Bob Belfanti (D-107th, Mount Carmel). The republicans are Kurt Masser and Sam Scicchitano and the democrats are George Zalar, Myron Turlis, Steve Bartos and Ted Yeager.
In the 108th Legislative District, which includes Northumberland and Snyder Counties, there are three republican candidates and one democrat. The race includes republicans Sam Deitrick, Lynda Schlegel-Culver and Chuck Erdman. They would all like to face Anthony Michetti in the general election to replace retiring state representative Merle Phillips (R-108th, Sunbury).
In the 85th state house race, which includes Snyder and Union Counties, three republicans and one democrat are on the ballot. The republican candidates include Betsy Snook, Maurice Brubaker and Fred Keller. The lone democrat is Trey Casimir. They all look to replace the retiring Russ Fairchild (R-85th, Winfield).
And in the 10th District congressional race, the republican candidates are Dave Madeira, Tom Marino and Malcolm Derk. They all hope to face off against incumbent democrat Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock) in the general election. (Ali Stevens)
Penna. Spring Primary II: 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 tonight at 9pm. We will air at least three reports per hour--while continuing our Fox Sports Network broadcasts.
Penna. Spring Primary III: Twice-a-year spaghetti supper planned for primary day
LEWISBURG – Primary Day brings with it at least one local tradition. The Lewisburg Area High School Alumni Association has a spaghetti supper planned for 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Donald Eichorn Middle School, as they also do for the general election in the fall.
Long-time volunteer chef Angelo Giunta of Lewisburg is in charge of making as many as 30 gallons of sauce for the event. Giunta adopts his popular sauce from a family recipe, handed down from his Sicilian-born mother.
Alumni Association members see the semi-annual dinner as a convenient way to vote, enjoy a meal, and support projects funded by the association. Among them, the recently completed renovation of the high school auditorium and stage. (Matt Farrand)
Penna. Spring Primary IV: AP reports on tight Specter race
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania voters will decide today whether to replace Republican-turned-Democrat Arlen Specter in the U.S. Senate and settle contested Democratic and Republican nominations for governor. Nomination fights in dozens of state legislative and congressional districts also are on the ballot.
A poll released yesterday indicates that the Democratic primary showdown between Sen. Specter and U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak is too close to call. The Quinnipiac University poll found that 16 percent of Democrats considered likely to vote were undecided in the Senate race. Both men put in a final day of campaigning in far-flung locations across the state before returning to their home base in the Philadelphia area.
The winner of the primary will likely square off in November against former U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey, who faces token opposition this year from Johnstown activist Peg Luksik. The poll surveyed 951 Democrats by telephone between Wednesday and Sunday. The sampling error margin is plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.
Penna. Spring Primary V: Latest polls pick Onorato & Corbett
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A Quinnipiac University poll shows Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato continuing to lead the four-way race for the Democratic nomination for governor, backed by 39 percent of the Democrats likely to vote. Thirty-one percent remained undecided.
Trailing were State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams with 11 percent, state Auditor General Jack Wagner, 10 percent, and Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel, 9 percent. Onorato and GOP front-runner Tom Corbett, both from southwestern Pennsylvania, flew across the state from east to west yesterday.
Onorato said he is counting on strong presence in all 67 counties to turn out his supporters today in spite of the rain that is forecast across the state. Corbett cautioned supporters not to let his strong polling numbers lull them into complacency.
Unit 1 at the Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant is back up and running
BERWICK – Unit 1 at the Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant is back up and running again after a routine shutdown for equipment testing on Friday. Unit 1 returned to service last night. PPL reports required tests on a new integrated digital control system were conducted. The tests are designed to ensure that the plant operates safely. (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)
“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)
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. You can register or get more information at www.evanhospital.com.
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)
Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) - The murder trial for a man whose northeastern Pennsylvania property contained up to 12 corpses has been delayed indefinitely. Hugo Selenski's had been scheduled to go on trial June 3 but it was delayed following a pretrial hearing Tuesday in Luzerne County Court. The court found more issues need to be addressed before trial. Selenski is charged with killing Michael Kerkowski and Tammy Fassett in 2002. Their bodies were among the remains of as many as a dozen people discovered a year later on Selenski's Kingston Township property. In 2006, Selenski was acquitted on charges he killed two other people but convicted of abuse of a corpse after their bodies were found buried in his yard.
MIDDLE RIVER, Md. (AP) - The Chesapeake Bay is getting a grade of C on its annual report card. Gov. Martin O'Malley and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Sciences announced the grade for the bay's health in 2009 on Tuesday in Middle River. It's up slightly from the C- the bay earned in 2008. The center and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Chesapeake Bay office conduct the analysis annually. Scientists attribute the slight improvement to unique regional rainfall patterns and continued efforts to reduce pollution in the bay watershed. O'Malley is also rolling out a new website called StreamHealth that allows Maryland residents to check on the health of streams and amounts of impervious surface and buffers in their watersheds.
MIFFLINTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A Philadelphia woman is facing escape charges after she allegedly hid in a coffin at a central Pennsylvania funeral home after slipping away from authorities. Nineteen-year-old Nicole April Kelly was arraigned Monday on charges stemming from the alleged escape on May 13. Police say Kelly was being transported to jail to await extradition to Delaware County on other charges. Authorities say Kelly escaped from custody in Mifflintown, Juniata County, prompting a search that lasted several hours. Investigators say she was discovered at the Brown Funeral Home by the business's owner, who held her until police arrived. Kelly remains jailed in lieu of $75,000 bail. It was not clear if she had an attorney. The funeral home is seek restitution for damage to a coffin Kelly allegedly hid in while trying to evade authorities.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Inspection sticker not sticking? PennDOT says not to worry, it's still valid. PennDOT officials say they are hearing complaints from motorists whose inspection stickers are peeling off the inside of their windshields. Transportation officials say motorists can just stick them back on as best they can. They say state police are aware of the problem. Drivers whose stickers won't stay put can opt for a replacement. The replacements cost no more than $4 for an inspection sticker and $4.40 for an emissions sticker. Spokeswoman Danielle Klinger said Monday that PennDOT is working with the manufacturer to fix the problem.
MCVEYTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Police in Mifflin County say a garbage truck ran off the road and hit a tree, killing two men, including the coroner of a neighboring county. State police at Lewistown say 44-year-old Ronald E. Morder of Mount Union was heading downhill on Little Greenbriar Road in Wayne Township when the truck he was driving failed to negotiate a sharp right curve. Police say the truck left the road and rolled onto the driver's side before hitting the tree at about 12:50 p.m. Monday. Morder, the coroner of Huntingdon County, and his passenger, 44-year-old Harold Knable Jr. of Newton Hamilton, were both pronounced dead at the scene. Police say neither was wearing a seat belt. Police say the crash is still under investigation.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A Pennsylvania state government board is giving its approval to a new set of regulations designed to protect the state's waterways from the waste byproduct of drilling in the Marcellus Shale natural gas formation. The Environmental Quality Board passed rules yesterday that govern the handling of wastewater with heavy concentrations of dissolved solids. The regulations still need approval of legislative committees and the Independent Regulatory Review Commission. Officials say the Monongahela River has shown elevated levels of dissolved solids several times over the past two years. The board is also advancing regulations on well construction and how drillers must respond to incidents of gas migration, such as gas seeping into homes or water wells.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Updates on the latest in business:
Dow: 10,510.95, down -114.88
S&P 500: 1,120.80, down -16.14
NASDAQ: 2,317.26, down -36.97
NEW YORK (AP) - Stock prices are lower at midday. The market has seen some more swings today as investors ride out some volatility.
BOSTON (AP) - Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Mary Schapiro says preliminary findings of the probe into the sudden stock market meltdown earlier this month are due today. She says exchanges will propose new trading rules aimed at preventing another such crash.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Interior Secretary Ken Salazar has come in for sharp criticism from lawmakers today over the government's failures in overseeing offshore oil drilling. He admits that his department had been lax in holding industry accountable.
UNDATED (AP) - The two-week slide in oil prices that dragged crude down to its lowest price of the year may have ended. Benchmark crude for June delivery was trading higher at $70.35 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
NEW YORK (AP) - Wal-Mart says its profit was on the rise in the first quarter. But a key measure of sales fell for a fourth straight quarter. And it offered a muted outlook for the current quarter.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn Tuesday:
Mega Millions
Estimated jackpot: $42 million
Midday Big 4
9-9-1-0
Midday Number
5-3-2
Midday Quinto
9-0-1-3-2
Powerball
Estimated jackpot: $145 million
Treasure Hunt
02-09-11-13-24
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn
Monday:
Big 4
8-6-9-0
Cash 5
07-17-36-40-43
Daily Number
7-5-7
Evening Quinto
6-3-2-2-5
Midday Big 4
0-5-5-4
Midday Number
6-4-0
Midday Quinto
0-1-9-3-8
Mix and Match
12-09-08-02-13
Treasure Hunt
06-07-19-21-24
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Hollywood, people and feature news
Ratings for ABC, NBC show weak spots at prime time
NEW YORK (AP) - ABC and NBC have promised to improve prime time's last hour next season, and last week shows why. The Nielsen Co. says Jerry Seinfeld's "Marriage Ref" reached fewer than 4 million viewers at 10 p.m. last Thursday. That's a fraction of the 20 million-plus viewers that "ER" used to draw in the same time slot during the 1990s, a key component of NBC's financial success. Viewers turned away from NBC as the night went on. "The Office" had 6.6 million viewers at 9 p.m. he effect was more pronounced Wednesday at ABC, where the dead-on-arrival drama "Happy Town" barely reached 3 million. That was less than half the audience for "Cougar Town," the series that directly preceded it. ABC and NBC have new shows scheduled for the 10 p.m. slots in the fall.
Amazon releasing Kindle software for Android
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Amazon.com is hoping to snag even more customers for the electronic books it sells. It is releasing a version of its Kindle e-reader software for phones that use Google Inc.'s increasingly popular Android operating system. The free "Kindle for Android" software will join a growing roster of programs for such products as Apple Inc.'s iPhone and iPad and Research In Motion Ltd.'s BlackBerry smart phones. The software will be out this summer. "Kindle for Android" lets users read books they have bought from Amazon.com Inc.'s online Kindle store and keeps track of where you are in a book. So if you have the $259 Kindle e-reader, you can start reading on an Android-based phone and continue at the same place on your Kindle.
Cellphone dangers checked again
GENEVA (AP) - It seems everybody, everywhere has them these
days. But are they safe? The question of whether cell phones can
cause brain tumors is one of those subjects that comes up every
once in a while - and it's back again. This week a $24 million U.N.
study on the possible dangers of cell phone use has been released.
It suggests frequent cell phone use may slightly increase the
chances of developing a rare but deadly form of brain cancer. The
study's authors say there is no way to tell how big the risk may be
- or even if there is a risk. But the report is certain to
re-ignite the debate of cell phone safety - especially as people
around the world have come to rely on mobile phones as never
before.
Waitres fired for ‘diming’ bad tippers on Facebook
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - People put a lot of things on Facebook. A
North Carolina waitress has learned the hard way there are some
things you shouldn't put on the social networking site. Ashley
Johnson was upset that a couple visiting the restaurant where she
worked gave her a $5 tip after sitting at their table for three
hours. Johnson got upset and posted a remark about how the
tight-fisted couple kept her at work an hour after she was supposed
to be off the clock. She mentioned the name of the restaurant that
employed her - and that was a no-no. The restaurant let her go
because she violated a company policy that workers can't speak
badly about customers or put the eatery in a bad light on social
networking sites. Johnson says she has apologized to her former
employers - and is looking for a new job.
Bristol Palin hits the lecture circuit
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Like mother, like daughter. Bristol Palin
is hitting the speakers' circuit, commanding between $15,000 and
$30,000 for each appearance.
Palin family attorney Thomas Van Flein has confirmed a report by
celebrity news website RadarOnline that the daughter of former
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has signed on with Single Source Speakers.
Van Flein verified Bristol Palin's fee range but said the
ultimate cost will depend on factors such as which group she's
addressing and what she must to do prepare.
Bristol Palin was thrust into the spotlight as a pregnant teen
during her mother's unsuccessful campaign for vice president in
2008. She had son Tripp that year and has since spoken about the
challenges of life as a young single mom.
Train operators asked to stay off the phone
WASHINGTON (AP) - Railroad operators would face new restrictions
on the use of cell phones and other handheld electronic devices
under a proposal issued by the government.
The Transportation Department proposal would prohibit the
improper use of electronic devices by on-duty railroad operators.
Locomotive engineers, conductors, switchmen and other train
employees would be barred from using electronic devices if it
interferes with the performance of safety-related duties.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has pushed for restrictions
on the use of cell phones and other electronic devices by drivers
of cars, buses and trucks. The proposal is subject to a 30-day
public comment period.
Lakers protested over immigration flap
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Los Angeles police say several dozen people
waving signs and American flags gathered outside Staples Center
before the Lakers-Phoenix Suns game in a protest over Lakers coach
Phil Jackson's refusal to criticize Arizona's new anti-immigration
law.
Officer Karen Rayner says the protest last night was peaceful
and there were no arrests.
Among those who came were 15 Los Angeles High School students
brought by their teacher, Rodney Lusain. Lusain told the Los
Angeles Times he wanted his students "to see the power of
protest."
Jackson released a statement in response to criticism of his
comments, saying he has "respect" for those who are opposing the
new law. He said he hoped either would not use his statement
side to rally activists.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)