Monday, May 26, 2008
Memorial Day 2008
140th Memorial Day observed in Sunbury
SUNBURY – America’s war dead were remembered in solemn services Monday throughout the region, including the City of Sunbury. The holiday once known as Decoration Day is of special importance to Shikellamy High School 10th Grader Marissa Stigerwalt, who presented General Logan’s original orders creating the special day. Shik Sophomore Ethan Haas recited Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, originally read in 1863 on the former battlefield that would become a national cemetery.
Citizens and service men alike marched down Market Street to Cameron Park. The Sunbury City Band and the Shikellamy Marching Braves provided the music, and Representative Merle Phillips served as keynote speaker. Phillips read the names and hometowns of all eight local men killed in the War on Terror, and provided personal remembrances of Army Captain Robert Scheetz Jr. of Shamokin, who succumbed to injures sustained in a car bombing in 2004. (Matt Farrand)
Veteran guest speaker at Selinsgrove ceremony
SELINSGROVE— Selinsgrove residents gathered to remember veterans at a ceremony held on the steps of the borough building today. The Memorial Day ceremony included members of the area legion, boy scouts and the Selinsgrove High School band. Guest speaker, Donald Beaver, retired as a Master Gunnery Sergeant and served tours in Korea and Vietnam where he earned high honors such as the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. Beaver is originally from Selinsgrove and joined the Marine Corps. in 1951. Beaver got emotional as he read a piece addressing the question, “What is a Vet.” He composed himself and said he was remembering many friends.
Overall, his message was a simple one. Beaver says people should remember that each time they see someone who has served, say thank you. He says it would mean more than any medals that could have been awarded or were awarded. Beavers adds, “…just two simple words, thank you.” (Sara Lauver)
Bison to play Seminoles in NCAA baseball regional
LEWISBURG – The baseball Bison are in the NCAA Tournament. Bucknell University reports the Patriot League champs will travel to Tallahassee, Florida to play in regional competition against host Florida State. The tournament begins this week and the Bison will open against the Seminoles at 7:00 p.m. Friday. Bucknell baseball previously played in an NCAA regional tournament in 1996, 2001 and 2003.
The University of Florida and Tulane are also part of the double-elimination format regional. The winner advances to the College World Series in Omaha. (Matt Farrand
Police: Drunk driver strikes pair at mud bog
PENNS CREEK (AP) - State police say an intoxicated man driving a souped-up Jeep at a mud bog ran over an adult and child. Police say 26-year-old victim Jason Starr of Muncy had tire tracks on his back, while the 11-year-old boy complained of leg pain. Police have charged 26-year-old Ricky Lee Rhodes Jr. of
Lewistown with drunken driving. Authorities say he was driving toward the mud pit when he struckthe pair at Saturday's Diamond Mud Bog in Center Township, Snyder County.
Police say about 800 people attended the event. A nursing supervisor Monday says Starr remains in fair condition at Geisinger Medical Center. Police did not release the boy's name, and medical information was unavailable.
Cardiologist leaves it all to Juniata
HUNTINGDON (AP) - A California radiologist has left everything to his alma mater, that includes his property, investments and his cat “Princess.” Juniata College officials say the donation, valued at $6.5 million, is the largest ever for the school.
Accolades flowed at the Northumberland High School reunion over the weekend
NORTHUMBERLAND – More than 300 Northumberland High School alumni gathered over the weekend, as the Northumberland – Point Township Alumni Association held their annual reunion. In additional the music and other festivities, the Pineknotter’s honored some residents of the Northumberland – Point Township community.
The Alumnus of the Year was Michael Daddario. He is an active community leader, former borough council member and owner of Daddario’s Barber Shop on Queen Street. Also, the alumni association honored the ‘senior of the year,’ a Shikellamy School District senior. This year, he is Troy Seiberling who was honored for his outstanding schoolwork and Northumberland activities.
The oldest alumnus at the event was also honored, 1934 graduate, 92-year-old John Sassaman was recognized at the 110th annual Northumberland High School reunion Saturday night. More than 300 people gathered at the Front Street Station restaurant Saturday.
Two people were injured in ATV crashes Sunday in Northumberland County
TREVORTON – Two people from New Jersey were injured in ATV accidents on Sunday in Zerbe Township, Northumberland County.
48-year-old Robert Bishop of Asbury, New Jersey, was going down a steep dirt trail at Reading Anthracite Coal Stripping around 3 p.m., when he was thrown from his ATV. State police say Bishop was flown from the scene to Geisinger Medical Center and admitted for internal injuries, however Geisinger has no treatment record on Bishop.
About a half-hour after the first incident, 28-year-old Heather Cordes of Annandale, New Jersey, struck a large rock on the same dirt trail, causing her to loose control of the ATV and was thrown from the vehicle. She was taken to Geisinger and treated for a knee injury. Troopers say both people injured were wearing helmets. (Ali Stevens)
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.
Also stolen at least three muzzleloader 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)
Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:
LONDON (AP) - Britain's largest union says it has finalized the details of a planned merger with America's United Steelworkers, creating the first trans-Atlantic labor organization. UNITE represents more than 2 million workers in the transportation, energy and public sectors, among others. It is set to join United Steelworkers, which has more than 850,000 members in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. UNITE spokesman Andrew Murray says "the finishing touches" were worked out at a meeting between UNITE and Steelworkers representatives last week. Murray says the unions joined forces because both have been left behind by globalization. He says an official announcement would be made at the Steelworkers' Constitutional Convention in Las Vegas, beginning in June.
HUNTINGDON, Pa. (AP) - A California radiologist has left everything to his alma mater in western Pennsylvania. Absolutely everything. After 68-year-old Dr. Larry Johnson died last year from an apparent heart attack, Juniata College found itself the owner of possessions including his $1.3 million condominium overlooking Monterey Bay, extensive music collection, Lexus, .38-caliber handgun, his cat named Princess and other items. Juniata officials say the donation, valued at $6.5 million, is the largest ever for the school. It includes all of Johnson's personal property, retirement assets and investment accounts. One of Johnson's neighbors has taken his cat. He also left more than $2.5 million for scholarships.
EBENSBURG, Pa. (AP) - Members of a small, isolated Amish community are refusing to follow Pennsylvania state code in their handling of waste from a school's two outhouses, citing their religious convictions. The Amish property owner says he is even willing to go to jail to defend his beliefs. Local officials aren't eager to go to that extreme, but are in a quandary over how to assure the laws are applied uniformly and the raw sewage doesn't contaminate water supplies. Waste from the outhouses has been collected in plastic buckets, then dumped onto fields. The county is demanding the Amish install a holding tank and contract with a certified sewage hauler for disposal. A district judge last month found Andy Swartzentruber and school elder Sam Yoder in violation of state sewage disposal law. They have until Tuesday to pay more than $500 each in fines or to appeal the ruling. Local officials say putting the men in jail won't solve anything.
EASTON, Pa. (AP) - Northampton County is the new owner of Easton's oldest building. The Easton Heritage Alliance closed the 255-year-old Bachmann Publick House in February 2006, and defaulted on a loan from the county's General Purpose Authority the following month. Rather than foreclose, the authority voted to accept the deed to the 1753 building if the county agreed to take it over. The Bachmann Publick House was home to Northampton County's first court, was visited by George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, and was once owned by George Taylor, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Monday in the midday Pennsylvania State Lottery drawing:
Daily Number 7-4-3
Big 4 1-0-9-6
Treasure Hunt 2-8-9-17-25
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)