Sunday, May 25, 2008
One person dead after a Northumberland County ATV accident
ZERBE TWP— A Halifax woman was killed in an ATV accident in Northumberland County over the weekend. State Police in Stonington say 57-year old, Donna Grosser, was taken to Geisinger Medical Center by helicopter, where she later died. Police say the accident occurred around 2 p.m. Saturday in an area known as the sand pits in Zerbe Township. It is unknown if Grosser was wearing a helmet at the time of that crash. (Sara Lauver)
One man arrested and two injured after weekend accident
CENTER TWP—One man was arrested and two others were injured after an off-road accident in Snyder County Saturday afternoon. State Police in Selinsgrove say 26-year old, Ricky Lee Rhodes Jr., of Lewistown, ran over two people with his “souped-up” jeep at a mud pit event in Center Township, just before 5 p.m. Hundreds were present at the off-roading event held at the Diamond Mud Bog along Troxelville Road. Police say Rhodes’ jeep struck 26-year old, Jason Starr of Muncy, and an 11-year old boy while the two were standing along a dirt road near the parking lot. Starr and the juvenile were both flown to Geisinger Medical Center, where a nursing supervisor says Starr is listed in fair condition. The boy’s name has not been released, and no medical condition is available. Rhodes was placed under arrest for suspicion of operating the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. State Police continue to investigate. (Sara Lauver)
Selinsgrove area parish officially opens new church building
SELINSGROVE – Less than a year-and-a-half after groundbreaking, the parish of St. Pius X is now officially using its new church building on Fairview Avenue, Selinsgrove. Bishop Kevin Rhoades of the Diocese of Harrisburg dedicated the $5.5 million dollar structure Saturday afternoon. The bishop says the spiritual aim of any church building is to provide a suitable place to worship God. Father Ted Keating is the local pastor and says the new building represents the dedication of the parish to the members of the future.
The sanctuary seats more than 700 and features stained glass windows purchased from a now-closed parish in New Jersey. The church building sits atop a hill overlooking Selinsgrove, and also contains classrooms, a library, a social hall and a kitchen. Father Keating notes the church building the parish used since 1959 is being sold to Susquehanna University for $1.1 million dollars. It is on University Avenue, across from the campus. (Matt Farrand)
Northumberland business victim of weekend burglary
NORTHUMBERLAND— A Northumberland business was the victim of a burglary Saturday morning. Police in Point Township say the crime happened sometime between 3:30 and 4:30 a.m. at Mertz Rod & Gun Inc. Reports say nearly $2,000 in bills and coins were taken, along with at least three rifles. Police say it’s believed that the burglars used a sub-compact type vehicle while committing the crime. Anyone with any information on the crime is asked to contact Point Township Police. (Sara Lauver)
Memorial Day drivers face record high prices
SHAMOKIN DAM – Gasoline prices in the Central Susquehanna Valley area usually are close to the national average. That’s currently a record high of about $3.90 for a gallon of unleaded regular. The cost of fuel is on the mind of many drivers along the Route 11 & 15 strip, and they’re also finding fault with who they believe is responsible. That includes President Bush and the petroleum exporting nations.
Some drivers are driving less and others compensating in other areas, but the vacation plans of at least one driver is unchanged. He plans to take his family to World’s End State Park as they annually do. You’ll find even higher fuel prices in the southeastern portion of the state. A Mid-Atlantic AAA survey shows regular unleaded gasoline was selling above $4 per gallon Friday morning in five counties around the Philadelphia area. The highest was $4.299 at a filling station in New Hope, Bucks County.
AAA says prices likely will change throughout the weekend. Prices in excess of $4 gallon are average in seven states - Alaska, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Michigan and New York. (Matt Farrand)
Half-gallon pricing okayed for older fuel pumps
HARRISBURG – With gasoline prices exceeding $4 per gallon in some areas, older fuel pumps may display half gallon prices in coming weeks. The total cost will remain the same, and the consumer will pay double the price on the pump, according to state officials. Some older, non-digital fuel dispensers cannot compute prices exceeding $3.99, making it necessary to allow half-gallon pricing until upgrades can be made.
Signs advertising fuel prices must still advertise the price for a full gallon of unleaded or diesel, but the price displayed on the pump will be half the per-gallon price. Half-gallon pricing was widespread in the early 1980’s when the price of motor fuel went over $1 per gallon for the first time. (Matt Farrand)
SEDA-COG recognizes Carney for CSVT efforts
WASHINGTON – Efforts to secure funding for the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway are netting an award for Congressman Chris Carney. The National Association of Development Organizations and its local affiliate SEDA-COG are giving the first term Democrat a Congressional Partnership Award. Carney toured the congested Routes 11&15 strip last year with Minnesota Congressman James Oberstar, the chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
SEDA-COG Board Member Frank Sawicki says Carney supports federal initiatives to look at economic development as a regional effort rather than as strictly local. Sawicki is a Northumberland County Commissioner. (Matt Farrand)
Representative Phillips happy about Governor’s boost for marina building
SUNBURY – Local legislators are pleased that the Shikellamy State Park Marina building project is moving forward thanks to a grant from Governor Ed Rendell. State Representative Merle Phillips says the $2.5 million boost into the state’s capital budget is a step in the right direction. Phillips says Rendell’s commitment to the project shows that the Governor thinks it is worthwhile for the region.
The marina building will be used by a number of agencies for environmental study labs for six area colleges, offices for the Chesapeake Bay Commission, displays by the Fish and Boat Commission and more. Phillips says the next step is to finish the architectural drawings for the building and then go out for bids and assess where the project is financially. (Sara Bartlett)
One Lewisburg business owner not too happy about “Core Initiative” program downtown
LEWISBURG – Big plans are in the works for downtown Lewisburg in an effort to connect the Bucknell University campus with the town. Barbara Ross is the owner of Wilson Ross, an antique store in downtown Lewisburg that sits in the 400 block of Market Street where a proposed Barnes & Noble bookstore may soon be located. She isn’t too happy about the idea, as her store will most likely be closed.
The Lewisburg Core Community Initiative has plans to close the Bucknell bookstore on campus, replacing it with a three-story commercial bookstore at the corner of Market & 4th Streets downtown. It’s just one of the many proposed ideas to connect the campus with the town and create more foot traffic. Bucknell officials have previously said that the initiative would help local shops, and for the ones who would have to close, they would get help in relocating elsewhere in Lewisburg. Ross says she doesn’t need help relocating, it’s the financial aspect that affects her and moving off the prime location of Market Street will probably put the store out of business.
Ross, who rents her space, says she was approached by the building’s owner with an offer to buy, but the store couldn’t afford it. She says she doesn’t blame the building owner for wanted to sell it, and doesn’t blame Bucknell for wanting to buy it. Other business owners in Lewisburg seem to have a positive outlook on the initiative and are grateful that Bucknell is willing to help make the downtown thrive. A meeting for business owners and the public to learn more about the Lewisburg Core Community Initiative will be held Thursday May 29th at 7:00p.m. in the Parkview at 6th and Market Streets. (Sara Bartlett)
Shamokin man facing up to 30 years in prison for selling drugs
SUNBURY – A Shamokin man was found guilty on a number of drug charges today (Friday) and now faces up to 30 years in prison. 46-year-old Daniel Ruskuski Sr. allegedly sold 22-year-old Hank Millard of Catawissa two patches of the painkiller Fentanyl in 2005. Millard reportedly took the drugs and was found dead in his home the next day. A toxicology report showed Millard’s death was due to an overdose of drugs. Ruskuski denied any involvement with the death.
In Northumberland County Court, Ruskuski was found guilty on charges of delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver, criminal use of communication and criminal conspiracy. Because of his prior convictions of drug delivery, Ruskuski could face a maximum of 30 years in prison. He will be sentence in the coming weeks. (Sara Bartlett)
All charges going to court for man who burned down his house
MIDDLEBURG – All charges will go to court for the Mt. Pleasant Mills man accused of burning down his own house last month. 47-year-old Wayne Roemer appeared at a preliminary hearing in front of District Justice Willis Savidge Friday. He faces a felony count of arson and a misdemeanor count of reckless endangerment. Roemer admitted to setting the fire, which destroyed the home and caused $150,000 in damages. He is in Snyder County Prison on $100,000 bail and is scheduled for a trial in July. (Sara Bartlett)
Giving pay raises to several employees in Snyder County
MIDDLEBURG – 39 Snyder County employees will see their pay go up, effective June 1st. Snyder County Commissioner Malcolm Derk says the salary board approved pay raises for employees that were not being fairly compensated, with the pay scale now based on years of service to the county. Judge Harold Woeful, the chief probation officer and the director of tax claims came up with more than $67,000 from their departments to cover the cost of the employee raises. Commissioner Derk says minority commissioner Richard Bickhart was against the increases, saying he didn’t want to spend the money.
Derk says under the old pay scale, Sheriff’s deputies were being paid less than some administrative positions. With the pay increases approved, the deputies will now be paid the same as probation officers. (Ali Stevens)
Barnyard improvements to be funded by Farm Bill
HARRISBURG – The Senate completed the override of a presidential veto Thursday, and enacted the Farm Bill. Pennsylvania Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Matt Erhart says it includes $480 million dollars over five years to maintain watershed quality of the bay region. It includes conservation funding such as barnyard improvements for small farms, enabling them to water livestock while preventing the herd from fouling streams.
Erhart is based in Harrisburg and notes it will take awhile for upstream improvements to be noticed in the Bay itself. The 82-13 vote in the Senate followed a 316-108 vote in the House Wednesday night. However, not all of the bill is becoming law right away because of a printing error. The version the president vetoed was missing 34 pages on international food aid and trade. That mistake may require Congress to send the White House yet another bill. (Matt Farrand)
Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:
UPLAND, Pa. (AP)
- Registered nurses at Crozer-Chester Medical
Center are calling for a three-day strike next month if a new
contract is not reached. The current contract expires at
midnight June 4th, and the
walkout would begin the next day. The two sides have been
negotiating since mid-April.
Kathy
Scullin, vice president of public relations and marketing
for Crozer-Keystone Health System, says she hopes a deal can be
reached. The nurses' chief negotiator, Bill Cruice, says nurses are
seeking improved nurse-to-patient ratios, and that unresolved
economic issues include recruitment and retention of nurses, pension
benefits and health care costs.
BERNVILLE, Pa. (AP) - State police in Berks County say two men were killed when their motorcycle collided with a delivery truck. Troopers say the motorcycle, which had a sidecar attached, was heading north on route 183 in Penn Township. They say the motorcycle crossed the center line for unknown reasons and collided with the southbound truck yesterday (Saturday). State police say both the motorcycle operator and his passenger were pronounced dead at the scene. No one in the truck was hurt.
BEAVER, Pa. (AP) - A Beaver County man accused of leading police on a six-hour, high-speed chase has been ordered to stand trial. A judge on Friday ordered 31-year-old Mark Baumbach, of Baden, held for trial on charges of aggravated assault, fleeing police, reckless driving and other counts. Baden Patrolman Jeff Olson testified that he responded to a report of a speeding driver running cars off the road on March 3. Police from numerous departments joined the chase, which exceeded 100 mph. The vehicle portion of the chase ended when police say Baumbach crashed his Dodge pickup through a gate at a mule farm. Police say Baumbach then ran and was captured several hours later at a gas station.
CHESTER, Pa. (AP) - The opening of the long-awaited RiverWalk along the Delaware River marks another step forward for Chester's revitalization effort. The one mile Chester RiverWalk is located between the refurbished PECO generating plant known as the Wharf at Rivertown and Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack. The scenic track is expected to draw joggers, bikers and walkers. The $1.5 million walkway was first planned as an addition to Barry Bridge Park in 2001. It borders the future site of the $115 million Major League Soccer stadium. Construction on the stadium is expected to begin later this year as part of a $500 million development plan.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Saturday in the Pennsylvania State Lottery:
SATURDAY NIGHT
Daily Number
7-1-9
Big 4
1-4-0-6
The winning numbers drawn Saturday night in Powerball are: 33-40-41-51-52
Powerball: 6
Power Play:
2
SATURDAY MIDDAY
Daily Number
1-6-4
Big 4
1-8-9-6
Treasure Hunt
16-17-19-25-26
The winning
numbers drawn Saturday in the "Pennsylvania Cash 5" game were:
08-16-17-31-36
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)