Thursday, May 22, 2008

Attempted homicide charges filed after home invasion

MIFFLINBURG – One man is in custody and three others are at large after allegedly breaking into a Mifflinburg area home and attempting to kill its lone occupant.  State Police say 22-year-old Robert Schreffler of Williamsport broke into a room occupied by 20-year old Carson Sampsell.  The assailants allegedly struck Sampsell on the face and head with a pistol.  One of the suspects then pointed a gun at the victim and pulled the trigger. 

However, the gun did not discharge and the suspects fled the west Buffalo Township home at about 3:30 a.m.  A shot was reportedly fired in the house, and Sampsell claims to know his assailants.  Schreffler was arraigned before District Justice Leo Armbruster and charged with attempted homicide and burglary.  (Sara Bartlett)   

Accelerated local bridge improvement proposed

HARRISBURG – More than a dozen vehicular bridges in the region could see repairs done more quickly if a proposed “Rebuild Pennsylvania Initiative” is approved.  Locally, Snyder County has the greatest number targeted.  They include three crossings of Mahantango Creek, bridges over Middle Creek in Penn, Union, Franklin and Beaver Townships, and a span of Penn’s Creek in Jackson Township. 

Six bridges in Northumberland County are on the list of more than 1,100 statewide, including the Route 61 bridge over the North Branch of Shamokin Creek in Mount Carmel Township and the Route 225 bridge over Schwaben Run in Jackson Township.  Four in Union County and two in Montour County would also be covered by the measure, which needs state legislative approval and governor Ed Rendell’s signature.  The governor says a sped up repair schedule would help beat price increases for construction material now estimated at 12% annually.  (Matt Farrand)

Beavertown Rose Garden to unveil new war memorial

BEAVERTOWN – Senator John Gordner will be the guest speaker at a Memorial Day event at the Beavertown Rose Garden, featuring the unveiling of a new war memorial.  A committee was able to secure a grant to pay for the memorial, honoring the veterans from Beavertown who have died in wars dating back to the Civil War.  Pat Saylor is the president of the garden association and says the garden is celebrating a 60-year anniversary.  The land was first rented in 1948 from the Beaver Lutheran Church and a payment of one rose a month was paid in exchange for the garden. Since then 500 rose bushes were planted there. 

Senator Gordner is scheduled to speak during the monument’s unveiling at 10:30 Monday at the rose garden, located across the street from the Beavertown Library.  The county commissioners will also be in attendance along with a brass band and choir.  The garden already has an existing monument, but decided a new monument was needed.  (Ali Stevens)

Local Ford dealer deals with announced production cuts

SUNBURY – Ford Motor Company says its cutting North American production for the rest of the year as high gas prices and the weak economy depress sales.  We asked Tom Mertz of Sunbury Motors what that means for local buyers and Ford Dealerships.  Mertz says it will help them as they have an adequate supply of F-series vehicles on their lot and as time goes by, more rebates will be put on these vehicles and it will stimulate the local economy.  They will be able to sell what they have on the lot without buying more product that isn’t selling as fast as they want it to. 

Mertz says there is a new plan for Ford trucks in 2009, so Ford nationally will hold back on production of the 2008 F-series and proceed with the 2009 line.  Mertz says the best sellers for them right now are the Ford cars, the Focus and the Fusion.  However, if you prefer a truck or SUV, he says rebates are high, which can help buy a lot of gas.  Nationally, Ford plans to increase its production of cars and crossovers as pick-up and SUV sales plummet.  (Ali Stevens)

E-mail triggers the arrest of teen

LIME RIDGE – A 15-year-old has been arrested after police say she sent an email to a local newspaper threatening to bomb Central Columbia High School.  The female ninth grade student allegedly sent the e-mail Tuesday evening to the Press Enterprise’s “30 Seconds” column.  The newspaper found the threat on Wednesday and the editor of the paper, Jim Sachetti, contacted the police. 

South Centre Township police were able to trace the message to the girl’s computer at her home in Lime Ridge.  School officials evacuated the high school for about a half-hour on Wednesday afternoon while the building was searched for a bomb.  (Ali Stevens)

110^th annual reunion for Northumberland High School held this weekend

NORTHUMBERLAND – The Northumberland High School Alumni Association is getting ready for their 110^th annual reunion Saturday.  The social event will also include a presentation of their two annual awards, the “alumnus of the year” and “senior student of the year. ”  Last year, lifelong Northumberland resident and 1941 graduate Jack Kerwin won the alumnus of the year award.  Shikellamy High School student Blake Kimmey was honored as the senior student of the year. 

The Northumberland High School Alumni Association is the 2^nd longest running alumni group in our area.  Association past President Ed Zerbe credits the group for keeping in contact with everyone and meeting every week to put together a great banquet.  Last year, nearly 300 people attended the event and Zerbe says they plan to have that many, or more, this year.  The banquet is held at the Front Street Station. (Sara Bartlett)

Former candidate for a police chief position is arrested

Saving a half-a-million at Mountain View Manor

COAL TWP— Changes are being made to help save money and generate revenue at the Mountain View Manor in Northumberland County. Commissioner Vinny Clausi, unveiled multiple areas of concern, which he says were not cost-efficient for the nursing home or the county.

Clausi says one of those concerns is the Manor’s physical therapy department; and the county was paying over $550,000 and only getting about $320,000 in returned revenue. He says they recently signed a new contract that would allow the Manor to generate nearly $150,000 in revenue, where they were losing that money before.

Clausi says other cost-efficient changes can be made by simply buying mattresses and oxygen tanks instead of renting them, cutting back on the number of bed linens purchased annually and reorganizing the nursing staff, which is hired by an outside agency and was paid nearly $350,000 in overtime last year.

Clausi says it’s his obligation to better Northumberland County and he says the county will save hundreds of thousands of dollars once all these changes are in place. Meanwhile, Nursing home Administrator, Bob Druckenmiller, says such changes would create monies for further renovations and better care for their nearly 184 residents. Mountain View Manor is also expected to unveil its renovated Wing A, next month. (Sara Lauver)

Saint Pius X has a new home with a special ceremony set for Saturday evening

SELINSGROVE – Bishop Kevin Rhodes of the Harrisburg Diocese will officiate the dedication Mass of the new Saint Pius X Church in Selinsgrove on Saturday evening. The new church is located off Fairview Drive on one of the highest points in Selinsgrove, close to their former home on University Avenue.

Parishioner Mike Schlinker and his family have been attending church at Saint Pius for 25 years and says the building project has been in the works for a number of years, dating back to the late 1990’s. On Saturday at 5 p.m. Bishop Kevin Rhodes will speak to parishioners at the new church location. The new building will seat 700 and feature a library, class rooms, social hall, kitchen and day chapel.

Saint Pius X was established in 1954 and has grown into a parish with over 650 member families. The construction of the new church was just over 5.5 million dollars and the current church building and land has been sold to Susquehanna University for $1.1 million. (Ali Stevens)

Black bear climbs a tree in Selinsgrove

SELINSGROVE – A black bear was spotted in Selinsgrove last evening. State police were called to the Selinsgrove borough for a bear sighting and when they arrived, the bear had climbed up a tree. A State Game Commission conservation officer was called to the scene and the bear was tranquilized. The bear was removed from the tree and taken to another location. (Ali Stevens)

Earth Science students plant “40 acres of shade” in Lewisburg

LEWISBURG – Lewisburg High School’s 9th grade Earth Science students took time out of class Wednesday morning to prepare around 160 trees for planting. The white pine seedlings were delivered to the class by the Union County Conservation District. The students wrapped the trees in wet newspaper to keep them wet during the school day and will then take them home to plant.

Their teacher, Van Wagner, says the students’ initiative is called “40 Acres of Shade.” He says each tree when mature will shade about 1/4th of an acre. He said shade keeps streams and creeks cool, which is important for fish and other aquatic organisms.

All of the trees were grown in Lewisburg and donated to the students to plant wherever they wish. One tree was planted on the High School campus in a patch of land on the corner of Rt. 15 and St. Louis Street. Service Forester at DCNR, John Portzline, talked with the students this morning, saying the white pine is a native of Pennsylvania, the most common in the state and can grow nearly 100 feet high. (Sara Bartlett)

Recognizing workers during EMS Week

SUNBURY – Emergency Medical Service workers in Sunbury were honored Wednesday as part of EMS Week. The day was to recognize the dedication and hard work of the personnel. EMT with Americus Ambulance, Charles Haertter, says it takes a unique person to do this kind of work.

Haertter says Americus, which used to operate strictly with volunteer personnel, now has 20 paid employees and just 10 who volunteer. He says it’s difficult to recruit volunteers, especially in today’s economy. Haertter says EMS personnel also are essential in providing rehab services for firefighters assessing vital signs and providing water while they are on the job. (Sara Bartlett)

Winfield man will go to trial for alleged rape

MIDDLEBURG – Charges against a Winfield man charged with a sexual assault of a woman in Hummels Wharf will go to court. A preliminary hearing was held this week for 18-year-old Jordan Younkin, who is charged with raping an 18-year-old woman on May 9th near his father’s home along the Old Trail.

Snyder County District Attorney Mike Sholley says the victim knew her attacker for two years and invited him to go out with her. District Justice Edward Mihalik ruled there was enough evidence to send all charges against Younkin to court. He is charged with rape, sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault. Younkin is free on $25,000 cash bail. (Ali Stevens)

Camper owned by Union County’s Department of Emergency Services is stolen

LEWISBURG – State police want to know who took a camper owned by Union County’s Department of Emergency Services. Troopers say the camper valued at $2500 was parked along Route 15 at Zeigler Road in Kelly Township, Union County. The camper was taken sometime late last month. Anyone with information on the theft is asked to call State Police at Milton. (Ali Stevens)

State police hit the streets for Memorial Day Weekend

MILTON – State police will hit the streets this weekend for Memorial Day Weekend sobriety checkpoints. Troopers from barracks in Stonington, Selinsgrove and Milton will set up DUI checkpoints in Northumberland, Snyder, Union and Montour Counties from Friday through Monday.

They will also do roving patrols in the counties as part of a statewide initiative known as STEADD, which stands for selective traffic enforcement against drunk driving. Troopers will also focus on speeding and seat belt usage. (Ali Stevens)

U.S. Congressman Chris Carney will be visiting Shamokin

SHAMOKIN – U.S. Congressman Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock) will be holding a town meeting in Shamokin next Friday. The meeting is Friday, May 30th, at 3p.m. at the Northumberland County Career and Arts Center in Shamokin.

Carney says he will discussing veterans, illegal immigration and will talk about other issues suggested by the public. Carney’s staff will be present too and will accept information for follow-up and referral on various federal issues.

Nikki Bieber: Mom of three, gym owner, bodybuilding pro

MILTON – Nikki Bieber is relatively new to the sport of bodybuilding, but just earned the right to call herself a professional. She is a long time fitness expert, but the idea to turn pro was planted about a year ago at Heartline Health and Fitness near Lewisburg.

Bieber says she was encouraged to train and compete as an amateur by other Heartline patrons who admired her physique. Nikki and her husband Andrew now own Heartline, and she recently earned what’s called a pro card by winning a qualifying tournament held in upstate New York.

She attributes her success to pushing herself beyond her comfort zone in the gym, and paying attention to her diet. It includes some carbs, but lots of high protein foods. She also eats more than half a dozen times daily, and usually consumes more food in a day than her 260-point husband.

Nikki and Andrew have three children, and she says her workouts regularly start at 5:30 a.m. Beiber says that’s the best way to fit training into a day that’s also filled with family and business matters. She’s also planned to compete at a number of pro level tournaments in the upcoming months. (Matt Farrand)

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

MIFFLINBURG, Pa. (AP) - A 22-year-old Williamsport man is in custody and three others are at large following an attempted homicide during a home invasion robbery in Mifflin County.  It happened just north of Mifflinburg in West Buffalo Township before dawn Thursday. Police say the four entered the victim's bedroom and beat him with a handgun. Police say one of the men pointed a gun at the victim and pulled the trigger, but the gun didn't fire. The four men fled the scene.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Gov. Ed Rendell is making a pitch for legislators to approve his $2 billion plan to fix about 3,000 state bridges.  He says approval of the plan, which requires borrowing, is necessary now to prevent more deterioration of the bridges.  In a press conference today in front of the Interstate 81 bridge over the Susquehanna River, he said -- quote -- "If we don't do it now, it's just going to get worse and worse and worse."  Plus, he says bridgework is getting more expensive every year, and interest rates are low right now.  Without more money sooner, state officials say they may never be able to make a substantial dent in Pennsylvania's backlog of 6,000 structurally deficient bridges.  That's the most in the nation.  The money to pay back the bonds would come from existing funds for bridge repairs.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Two people are dead from a plane crash in Philadelphia but police say there were no injuries to people on the ground.  The small plane went down at a warehouse near Northeast Philadelphia Airport just before noon Thursday. Its burning wreckage wound up under a row of trailers parked along the warehouse and appeared to char at least one of the trailers.  Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Holly Baker says the plane was a Grumman AA-5 Tiger. It was coming around to land at the time it crashed. City firefighters put out the blaze.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's high school and college students are getting an opportunity to serve on the State Board of Education.  The board's unanimous vote on Thursday means current students or recent graduates are included as members for the first time in its 45-year history.  Under changes to the board's bylaws, its chairman appoints four students to one-year terms. One member and one-member elect each represent high school and college students.  The changes student representatives will in place by the 2008-09 school year.  The students won't have voting privileges.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Thursday in the midday Pennsylvania State Lottery drawing:

Daily Number 1-0-4

Big 4   7-1-8-7

Treasure Hunt 1-5-11-13-14

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)