Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Milton gunplay attracts many police

MILTON -- Several people were questioned, at least one vehicle was impounded and police from neighboring towns converged in Milton last evening. Police aren't disclosing details--but we know several shots were fired during a dispute last evening where a crowd of people had gathered.

The Hepburn Street incident happened around 8pm. Police aren't disclosing anything about the incident but we know police are looking for a suspect: Raul Perez. All area police are seeking him today and they say he could be armed. More information may be out later today.

FEMA is expected to certify Sunbury’s flood protection system

SUNBURY – The City of Sunbury has met and exceeded all criteria for certification of its Flood Control System. A study of the city’s Flood Control System was conducted and funded by the U-S Army Corps of Engineers. Formal certification is expected from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is reviewing that study.

Sunbury Municipal Authority Assistant Manager Greg Wilt told the Authority Board Tuesday night that certification will translate into good news for property owners. Communities not accredited or where levee systems are decertified face mandatory Flood Insurance Requirements, increased flood insurance rates, a decline in property values and reduction of Public Assistance funding for flood losses.

Not receiving accreditation would create a Special Flood Hazard area in Sunbury. It’s an area in which 70% of the city’s population resides, and where 95% of Industry, 98% of businesses and nearly all services and utilities are located. (Terry Diener)

Work is underway to Install Water Meters in all Sunbury Properties

SUNBURY – A project that will install water meters in all properties in the city of Sunbury is now underway. Sunbury Municipal Authority General Manager Dan Ramer tells WKOK that a New Jersey firm, In Line Services, began installation of those meters last week. He says that initial work is expected to take the balance of the year.

Also during Tuesday night’s meeting of the Sunbury Municipal Authority, board members gave the go ahead to apply for a grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority. That money would go toward replacement of an aging dam at the Sunbury water plant that diverts water to the city’s reservoir.

Ramer says if the Authority decides to move forward on the replacement, it would cost over a million dollars. A grant would provide two-thirds in matching funds. Sunbury’s Municipal Authority will be seeking bids to rehabilitate several of its pumping stations in the city. A special meeting will be held at 12 Noon on June 22nd to open those bids. (Terry Diener)

Stetler Hotel historical mural to be painted this summer.

MILTON -- History is usually uncovered when paint is removed from a structure, but just the opposite trend is taking hold in Milton. Another mural to illustrate Milton history will be painted this summer. It will be on one side of the Stetler Hotel, along Broadway.

Artist Pam Snyder of Altoona is being paid to come to Milton and paint a historic timeline. It will focus on the history of the Stetler, which began as the Nagle Hotel, during the mill town's canal era, and was then known as the Bartrum Hotel when it served railroad passengers.

The building was almost leveled in a fire, then reemerged as the Stetler. Several Miltonians of historic note will be portrayed in the windows of the hotel.

The project will cost about $20,000 to paint, with some of the money coming from the Pennsylvania Partnership for the Arts and a DCED facade grant. Donations are still needed. The Improved Milton Experience will oversee the project, and volunteers will be needed. The project should start soon with preparation of the painting surface, and be finished in mid-August.

Danville structure fire intentionally set

DANVILLE -- Authorities say a fire at a vacant residence in Danville was intentionally set. The two-alarm call to the structure at 501 Spruce Street was made at around 4:00 a.m. Tuesday. A state police fire marshal was on the scene by mid-morning.

There were no injuries, but fire personnel found the second story of the structure at Spruce and Cherry Streets fully engulfed in flames where they arrived. An intentionally set fire in a vacant house in Mahoning Township was reported in March. (Matt Farrand)

Looking at the Memorial Day events in our area this weekend

SELINSGROVE – This week, we are taking a look at the Memorial Day events in our area.

In Union County, Paul Earnest is commander of the American Legion Post 182 in Lewisburg and tells us a special ceremony and parade will take place in Lewisburg on Monday at 10 a.m. He says the parade forms at North Second Street in Lewisburg.

The parade then moves to Market Street, heading west to 7th Street and then south on 7th Street to the cemetery, where a service will be held. This year’s speaker is Roger Holtzapple, a retired marine colonel. Area veterans have also been placing American flags on the graves of veterans across Union County.

A Memorial Day celebration will take place in Middleburg Monday evening with a parade at 5:30 p.m. from Midd West High School to Glendale Cemetery. A ceremony will begin at 6:15 in the cemetery featuring bagpipe music by Greg Hood and keynote speaker John Deppen of Northumberland. If the weather is poor, the ceremony will take place at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Middleburg.

In Snyder County, Ron Cowan is commander of the American Legion Post 25 in Selinsgrove and he says they have been busy having Memorial Day ceremonies at cemeteries all across Snyder County over the past several days. Cowan says they have also been marking veterans graves with American flags.

Saturday, there will be a solemn ceremony at the Kratzerville cemetery at 3 p.m. with a bell tolling for the start of each war. Monday features the Selinsgrove ceremony at the borough building at 9 a.m. followed by the Memorial Day parade through Selinsgrove.

Sunbury assault victim dies - case now a death investigation

SUNBURY -- A Sunbury man, who was assaulted recently, has died at Geisinger Medical Center. 26-year-old Jorge Cruz was attacked by at least one man about two weeks ago and was severely injured. He died Tuesday morning at Geisinger.

Cruz was a Mexican national, living in the U-S for at least five years and the attack raised questions about possible racial motivations. Police affidavits do not list any racial component of the incident and don't offer a clear motive for the attack.

Sunbury police have arrested one person--26-year-old Frank Brannon of Walnut Street, Sunbury--is in jail on $50,000 bail. He is charged with a felony count of aggravated assault, and charges of simple assault, harassment and related offenses.

Sunbury police are still investigating and said at least one other person was reportedly in on the assault and more charges are likely. The case now becomes a death investigation and authorities say homicide or manslaughter charges are possible.

The attack happened May 13th near Third Street and Raspberry Avenue occurred after Cruz visited a bar in Sunbury and arrest papers say it may have involved a threat or a dispute over a woman. No exact motive, nor the name of the bar, is listed in Brannon's arrest papers. Cruz reportedly was employed in our area and may have been in the U-S illegally.

Autopsy next in Port Trevorton apparent drowning

CHAPMAN TOWNSHIP – Police say a pathologist will conduct an autopsy on a man found dead after an apparently drowning in a backyard pond. Snyder County District Attorney Michael Piecuch, who has not identified the victim, says the man was seen mowing his lawn Saturday night along Neitz Valley Road in the Port Trevorton area.

He was then found dead in the pond Sunday morning. Piecuch says there does not appear to be any foul play surrounding the incident, but he will know more once the autopsy is complete. The investigation will continue. (Ali Stevens)

High speed NorCo chase leads to multiple charges

LOCUST GAP – A man from Shenandoah is facing multiple charges following an attack on police and a high-speed chase Sunday morning. Michael Linkchorst was arraigned on charges of aggravated assault by vehicle, driving under the influence, fleeing and eluding police, simple assault, resisting arrest and other counts.

He’s locked up in the Northumberland County Prison on $50,000 bail. The chase started in Locust Gap, police say Linkchorst was speeding on Route 901 and when police tried to stop him, he fled and continued on Route 901 near Locust Summit.

He is accused of striking a police cruiser and then took off on foot. He was apprehended a short time later, but not without a struggle with police. Linkchorst was driving on a suspended license and there was a warrant out for his arrest at the time of the incident. (Ali Stevens)

Sign up for the 3rd ACS national cancer study

SELINSGROVE – 500,000 people across the country are needed to take part in a 20 to 30 year cancer study, which is the 3rd official study conducted by the American Cancer Society. There will be a sign-up for local residents to take part in the study at the Selinsgrove Relay for Life on Friday June 4th from 6 to 10 p.m.

Jen Bernstein is organizing the registration for the “Cancer Prevention Study-3” or “CPS3” and says they are looking for people between the ages of 30 and 65, who have never been diagnosed with cancer. For the next 20 to 30 years, you will be mailed surveys every couple of years to follow up on any changes to your health over the years.

This particular cancer study will also focus on genetics, lifestyle and behaviors. To learn more about the cancer prevention study, listen to our Thursday Leaders & Lawmakers program at 3 p.m. on Newsradio 1070 WKOK. (Ali Stevens)

NorCo EMA launches 'Alerts'

SUNBURY – You can now receive text or email alerts from the Northumberland County Department of Public Safety. The Northumberland County Department of Public Safety recently acquired a notification system from the East Central Terrorism Task Force.

Director of Public Safety Paul Froutz says it’s an alert system where the county can give pages for hazardous weather such as flooding, hail or tornados and evacuations. The alerts can be sent directly to your cell phone or email, regarding road closures, school dismissals and other emergency information. You can sign up for the alerts at www.northumberland.alertpa.org. (Ali Stevens)

Burglary at an auto business in Mifflinburg

MIFFLINBURG – Mifflinburg police are investigating a burglary at an auto dealership sometime between Saturday evening and Monday morning. Police tell us someone broke out a window to enter Mifflinburg Auto Sales. Once inside, an undisclosed amount of cash was stolen. Anyone with information on the burglary is asked to contact Mifflinburg police. (Ali Stevens)

Facebook page praying for Seth and Alex attracts 1,500+ users

SELINSGROVE – More than 1500 Facebook users are now members of a Facebook page called “Praying for Seth and Alex.” They are referring to Seth Lauver and Alexandra Mullen, who are both in critical condition following an accident Saturday night after the Selinsgrove high school prom.

Lauver sustained a serious spinal cord injury, while Mullen sustained injuries to her liver and spleen. Hundreds of people have left messages of prayer and support on the Facebook page to the families of the victims. The creator of the page is not identified, but they encourage people to write their thoughts on the wall, so Seth and Alex can see the messages when they recover. You can connect here. (Ali Stevens)

Basket Bingo to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital

SELINSGROVE – A Basket Bingo event will take place Friday evening in Selinsgrove to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. The bingo event starts at 7 p.m. at the Selinsgrove VFW Bingo Hall on Route 522. Advanced tickets are $20 and tickets at the door are $25.00. The fundraiser was put together as a senior project for a student in the Midd West School District. For more information, you can call 539-2528. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, business and entertainment

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania elections officials say Scott Conklin leads Jonathan Saidel by 3,862 votes after tallying unofficial returns from all 67 counties in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor.

Secretary of State Pedro Cortes announced the margin Tuesday, a week after ballots were cast for the party nomination. Saidel is close enough to trigger an automatic recount under state law. Cortes says the recount could start next week if Saidel doesn't waive it. It's expected to cost about $500,000.

BLUE BELL, Pa. (AP) - Republican Senate candidate Pat Toomey says Rep. Joe Sestak should clarify what job the White House offered him to drop a primary challenge to Sen. Arlen Specter. Speaking at an event Tuesday outside Philadelphia, Toomey said he prefers to focus on issues but "it would be helpful" if Sestak cleared the air about the job offer. Sestak and the White House have declined to discuss the offer in detail, but Sestak has said he was offered a job to avoid challenging Specter. Sestak defeated Specter, a longtime Republican who switched parties last year, in last week's primary. Toomey spoke at an appearance with Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele in Blue Bell. A message left for Sestak's campaign manager was not immediately returned.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A 21-year-old New Jersey man has pleaded guilty to intentionally vomiting on a man and his 11-year-old daughter in the stands during a Philadelphia Phillies game. Matthew Clemmens of Cherry Hill, N.J., pleaded guilty Tuesday to charges stemming from the incident at a Phillies-Nationals game on April 14. Police say Clemmens stuck his fingers down his throat and vomited on Easton police Captain Michael Vangelo and his younger daughter after his companion was ejected from the park. Clemmens pleaded guilty to simple assault and other charges. Sentencing is set for July 30. Assistant District Attorney Patrick Doyle says the Vangelo family is satisfied by the plea. Public defender Richard Hark says Clemmens accepts responsibility for his actions.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - With Pennsylvania's casino industry preparing for the arrival of table games, regulators say they're on track for a July launch and one parlor says it has taken delivery of dozens of blackjack, craps and roulette tables. State gaming regulators have licensed eight casinos to offer table games. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is expected to give the go-ahead to two more casinos on Tuesday. Board spokesman Doug Harbach says nine of the 10 casinos should be ready to debut their games in July. The tenth, Sugarhouse Casino in Philadelphia, is scheduled to open in September. Meanwhile, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs says it's the first casino to take delivery of its tables. CEO Bobby Soper says a shipment of 30 tables arrived last week.

TAMAQUA, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania state police say they shot and killed a suspect after he rammed a police cruiser with a stolen pickup truck. The suspect's name was not immediately released. Trooper Edward Maloney says the man led police on a chase Tuesday morning into the Wildcat Mountain housing development in Walker Township, Schuylkill County. Police say the man had stolen the cab of a tractor-trailer belonging to Koch's Turkey Farm, crashed it into a tree in the development, then stole the pickup and hit the cruiser while trying to flee. He died at the scene.

POTTSVILLE, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania officials have suspended the mining permit of a nearly two-century-old eastern Pennsylvania company. John Hanger, secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, says Lehigh Coal & Navigation Co. of Pottsville must bring its entire 8,000-acre mining business into compliance before it can resume operations. He says the company cannot even sell coal it has already mined, and 40 jobs are affected. Lehigh Coal and Navigation was formed in 1820 from the merger of two companies formed in the 1790s. The department accuses the firm of illegal mining practices, violating water quality standards and failed to reclaim mined lands. The company did not immediately return a message Tuesday seeking comment. An involuntary bankruptcy petition filed by creditors against the firm two years ago remains open.

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

Update on the latest in business

WALL STREET

Buying lifts averages off session lows

NEW YORK (AP) - A round of buying lifted the Dow Jones

Industrials back above the 10,000 level after the stock market sank

to its lowest levels of the year.

Bank stocks surged after Congressman Barney Frank, chairman of

the House Financial Services Committee, suggested financial

companies should not have to spin off their derivatives businesses,

as a Senate provision would have them do.

The Dow fell 23 points to 10,044. The S&P gained a fraction to

1,074. And the Nasdaq fell nearly 3 points to 2,211.

WORLD MARKETS

Asian stocks up, but traders wary on Europe, Korea

SINGAPORE (AP) - Asian stock markets rebounded Wednesday on

bargain-hunting following steep losses, but investors traded with

caution on growing fears that Europe's debt crisis could hamper

global economic growth. Global stocks tumbled Tuesday amid jitters

that austerity measures by European nations, including Spain and

Italy, will not be enough to fix the region's fiscal problems, and

such cost-cutting steps could stifle global economic growth.

Apart from worries over Europe's fiscal crisis, Asian markets

have been hit by escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula after

North Korean leader Kim Jong Il reportedly ordered his military to

prepare for combat.

ECONOMY-DAY AHEAD

Reports on new home sales, durable goods orders due

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Commerce Department today releases a

report on April new home sales. Analysts expect the report to show

a rise over the previous month.

Also due today, durable goods orders. A rise is expected in that

April number as well.

BERNANKE

Fed boss: Fed must be free from political meddling

TOKYO (AP) - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke

says the Fed and other central banks must protect

their ability to make key economic decisions free from political

interference.

Speaking at an international conference in Tokyo today, Bernanke

stressed the importance of the Fed and other countries' central

banks maintaining their independence over setting interest rates,

known as monetary policy.

The Fed often must make decisions, such as boosting rates to

keep inflation in check, that are unpopular with politicians but

are necessary for a healthy economy.

Bernanke says political interference in monetary policy can

generate undesirable boom-bust cycles leading to a less stable

economy and higher inflation.

Bernanke's comments come as Congress edges closer to completing

action on revamping U.S. financial rules, and subjecting the Fed to

more oversight.

OIL PRICES

Oil rises to near $70 on stocks, US gasoline drop

SINGAPORE (AP) - Oil prices rose to near $70 a barrel Wednesday

in Asia as a drop in U.S. gasoline supplies and rebounding Asian

stock markets bolstered confidence that demand for fuel is rising.

Benchmark crude for July delivery was up $1.13 to $69.88 a

barrel at late afternoon Singapore time in electronic trading on

the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract dropped $1.46 to

settle at $68.75 on Tuesday.

Gasoline supplies unexpectedly fell last week, dropping by 3.2

million barrels, the American Petroleum Institute said late

Tuesday. Analysts had expected an increase of 150,000 barrels,

according to a survey by Platts, the energy information arm of

McGraw-Hill Cos.

AMERICAN AIRLINES-STRIKE

American looks for replacements in case of strike

DALLAS (AP) - American Airlines is looking for management

employees to volunteer as flight attendants in case the regular

attendants go on strike.

The airline sent an e-mail Tuesday to managers, appealing for

help.

Contract talks between American and the flight attendants' union

broke off Friday with no new sessions scheduled and with the

parties far apart on pay and other issues.

The union has asked federal mediators for permission to strike

after a 30-day cooling-off period, but officials haven't yet

granted the request. Flight attendants voted to support a call for

a strike.

American spokeswoman Missy Latham says the company still

believes it can reach a negotiated agreement with the union but has

a backup plan to keep flying if flight attendants walk out.

J&J-TYLENOL PROBLEMS

J&J vows to fix plant problems as scrutiny grows

WASHINGTON (AP) - Johnson & Johnson says it has hired an outside

consulting firm to help fix manufacturing problems that triggered a

massive recall of children's medicines and have drawn ire from

federal lawmakers and regulators.

The maker of Tylenol, Motrin and other medications laid out

plans to restructure its manufacturing operations in the wake of

the latest in a series of recalls that have tarnished the company's

household brands. In a posting to employees on its website, J&J

says it will share its action plan with the Food and Drug

Administration by mid-July.

The announcement comes on the same day the FDA ratcheted up

scrutiny of J&J, issuing the company a warning letter about lax

procedures at a plant that makes sterilization tools.

EARNS-TIVO

TiVo loss widens, warns

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Digital video recorder pioneer TiVo reports

losing more money in the first quarter, compared to a year earlier.

That was because legal expenses and other costs wiped out an

increase in revenue.

TiVo posted a net loss of $14 million, or 13 cents per share.

TiVo incurred higher legal expenses as part of its lawsuit

against satellite TV company Dish Network for alleged patent

infringement.

Revenue rose 11 percent to $61.4 million. Both figures were

better than expected.

The company warned about results for the current quarter,

sending shares lower in after-hours trading.

AMAZON-KINDLE

Bezos: Color Kindle "a long way out"

SEATTLE (AP) - Don't look for a color version of Amazon.com's

Kindle e-reader any time soon.

Speaking at his annual shareholder meeting, founder and chief

executive Jeff Bezos said that adding color to the Kindle's

"electronic ink" display is a difficult technical challenge and

that a color screen is "still a long way out." Bezos said he's

seen things "in the laboratory" that are "still not ready for

prime-time production."

Tablet computers such as Apple's iPad and some e-readers sport

LCD displays, which can show color. But those are harder to see in

sunlight and consume much more power than e-ink displays.

As usual, Bezos did not detail how many Kindles Amazon has sold

since the product launched in 2007, except to say customers have

bought "millions" of them.

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

Son of 1st American to top Everest reaches summit

PORT TOWNSEND, Wash. (AP) - The son of the first American to top

Mount Everest is following in his father's footsteps - literally.

Proud parents Jim Whittaker and Dianne Roberts of Port Townsend,

Wash., say son Leif Whittaker reached the summit of the world's

tallest peak Monday evening and is on his way down.

Veteran climber Jim Whittaker was the first American to conquer

Mount Everest, in 1963.

Jim Whittaker says he was able to stay at the summit for just a

few minutes. But he says Leif had good weather and was able to

spend nearly an hour at the top.

Roberts said Tuesday she is happy for her son but will feel

better when he's back at base camp.

Brrr! Outdoors Super Bowl coming to NJ in 2014

IRVING, Texas (AP) - Break out the parkas! The 2014 Super Bowl

will be held in New Jersey and it won't be indoors.

NFL owners have voted to put the championship game in the new

$1.6 billion Meadowlands stadium that's about to become home to the

New York Jets and Giants. It does not have a roof and it will be

February.

It is the first time the NFL has picked a known cold weather

site to hold the game outdoors. The 48th Super Bowl in East

Rutherford, N.J., will almost certainly be colder than the Super

Bowl's record low of 39 degrees at kickoff. That came at Tulane

Stadium in New Orleans in 1972.

Bid organizers say February temperatures in northern New Jersey

are usually 24 to 40 degrees. Two Florida cities, Miami and Tampa,

were the other bidders.

FAKE GRASS

GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) - The grass is greener -- when it's fake.

The city of Gillette, Wyo., hopes to get some real savings by using

phony grass. The real stuff is fried during the summer or killed by

ice-melt in winter. Then there are the costs of watering and

mowing. City officials are testing a 15-foot by 15-foot section of

synthetic lawn on the roof of City Hall. The strip will also be

exposed to the elements next to a city parking lot for a year.

Mayor Duane Evenson says one question is whether people will like

the way the fake grass looks.

PUPPIES FOR PAROLE

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) - These dogs are going to prison -- but not

because they're bad. A new program called "Puppies for Parole" is

under way at the state prison in St. Joseph, Mo. Inmates at the

prison are training dogs that have been left at animal shelters.

Officials say the program is good for the pups and the prisoners.

Inmates get to learn a skill and the animals are saved from being

put down. Officials say 30 prisoners have volunteered, with 10

chosen for the initial run. Two dogs will be trained beginning next

month, with more added later.

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