Tuesday, May 27, 2008
911 employees bring up issues with EMA search committee in Snyder County
MIDDLEBURG – Employees of the 911 Center in Snyder County came to county Commissioners Tuesday with concerns about the recent search committee created to find a new EMA Director. Commissioner Joe Kantz says the employees came with issues about who is in the search committee and what duties they will have. Kantz says many of the concerns voiced were taken care of, and much of the information was a result of miscommunication. Kantz says the Commissioners assured the employees that the committee will not choose who the new EMA Director will be, they will only assist in the search.
Kantz says given the problems they had with the previous EMA Director, they felt having increased public support and scrutiny is justified for the search. The committee, which was picked last month, includes members of fire and police departments in Snyder County, as well as officials from Susquehanna University. Commissioners say the search for a new EMA Director will take a few months. (Sara Bartlett)
ATV riding looks dangerous after four injuries and a fatality
SELINSGROVE -- A Halifax woman was killed, two residents from New Jersey were injured and two residents from Shamokin were injured in ATV crashes this weekend in the Coal Region of Northumberland County. Jim Keister is owner of Extreme Power Sports in Selinsgrove and says ATV riding can be a fun and safe recreational outlet, but you need to know the terrain you are traveling on. He recommends riding with someone who knows the trails well. Keister says the Coal Region can be very treacherous terrain with mining lands, large rocks and steep embankments, so those who are familiar with the area are better off driving on the trails.
Keister says riding an ATV is like riding a car…it’s only as safe as the operator. If the operator doesn’t know what they are doing or where they are going, that’s not the fault of the machine. (Ali Stevens)
Wanted: Union County Photographers
LEWISBURG – Union County is looking for photographers of all ages and skill levels. The county Planning Commission is holding a photography contest in connection with the Cultivating Community initiative. Community Planner, John DelVecchio, says they are looking for images that reflect what a photographer defines as “My Union County.” The photos can be of familiar landmarks and events, or something that may not be as known in the county.
DelVecchio says the photos will also be used when the Cultivating Community project is complete. They will put them in the final documents of the plan for visual representation of what the residents think is important. The contest is open until October and the top five photos will receive $50. For entry forms, photo ideas and details log on to www.cultivatingcommunity.net. (Sara Bartlett)
Police are looking for an intruder, who broke into a home near Danville
DANVILLE – Police in Mahoning Township are looking for a man who broke into a home overnight. Officers say the intruder entered a house in the 900 block of Bloom Road just after 3:30 this morning. The suspect tried to assault the owner according to police.
The homeowner fought him off however and now police are seeking that suspect. He's a white male, about 5'5 to 5'8 feet tall and weighs between 180 and 200 pounds. Anyone who may have witnessed anything unusual in that area this morning is asked to contact Mahoning Township police at 275-5611. (Deanna Force)
Vehicle stop on Rt. 11/15 leads to drug arrests
UNION TWP – Four people from Rochester, New York were arrested Monday night after a traffic stop on Rt. 11/15 in Union Township, Snyder County. State Police at Selinsgrove say 39-year-old Alex Murphy was stopped for speeding around 7:30p.m. Police suspected drugs in the car, which was also carrying three other passengers. After a search, police found marijuana in the vehicle. The car was impounded where another search was made and 10 more bags of the drug were found, along with over $2,500 in cash. All four will be charged in the upcoming days. (Sara Bartlett)
Courthouse to offer access to law library, possibly online
MIDDLEBURG – Each courthouse in the state is required to offer access to a law library. However, Snyder County’s currently does not. Commissioner Joe Kantz says a prior administration got rid of the county’s collection of law books. Commissioners are now considering an online law library, using a terminal and access to an advanced website.
There is a system already in use by a number of court employees, which could be adapted for use by the public. It would cost as much as $16,000 annually, but feature firewalls to ensure privacy. The terminal could be installed later this year. (Christian Cochrane)
Monday afternoon motorcycle accident inures area man
DEWART – An area man was injured in a motorcycle accident Monday afternoon. State troopers say 61-year-old Gary McQuay of Watsontown was speeding when he crashed his motorcycle on River Road in the Dewart area. McQuay was taken to Geisinger Medical Center, where no medical treatment information is being disclosed. Troopers say McQuay was wearing a helmet at the time of that 5:40p.m. motorcycle accident. The Warrior Run fire department and state troopers from Milton responded to that incident Monday.
Rivertowns Race Series underway
UNDATED – The Rivertowns Race Series is underway in our area and there’s plenty more races to come. Director of the Series, Dave Decoteau, says almost every weekend this summer you can find a race including a 5K run, bike races, sprints and even a 2-day race.
This Saturday will be the first Rivertown Marathon, which will run through Danville, Bloomsburg and Catawissa. Decoteau says anyone can sign up for the 26.2-mile marathon this week and they are also reserving a few spots for day-of signups. There is also a half-marathon available and the race is a fundraiser for the Montour Area Recreation Commission.
To register and to see the racecourse go online to www.rivertownrace.com. There you can also see the schedule of all 18 races, which take place through November. Decoteau says the races bring in tourists and runners to the area and are also exciting for those who live in the Central Susquehanna Valley. Decoteau was a guest on On The Mark Tuesday. You can download the entire program online at wkok.com. (Sara Bartlett)
Placing flags and plaques on veterans’ graves in Union County
LEWISBURG – A volunteer group in Union County is making sure that all of the county’s deceased veterans’ graves are marked with plaques and flags. They are also making sure the gravestones are in good shape and if not, they repair them. Volunteers have put in numerous hours combing the cemeteries to make sure all veterans are remembered. Administrative Assistant to the Director of Veterans Affairs, JD Kerstetter, says they strive to put the adornments on each of the veterans’ graves that served during the time of war. A new bill that will be signed by the Governor may also require a flag on graves of veterans who also served during peacetime. During the Union County Commissioner’s meeting Tuesday, the group was thanked for all of their hard work.
Kerstetter says over 1,800 veterans are dying nationally each day in 2008. He says they have put over 3,300 flags on the graves, including four confederate veterans’ graves within the county, since the beginning of the year. (Peter Meloni)
Celebration Weekend 2008 to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network
DANVILLE – This weekend in Danville is Celebration Weekend 2008 to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network, supporting the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital at Geisinger Medical Center.
This is the 25th anniversary of the Children’s Miracle Network at Geisinger and to celebrate, plenty of activities are planned, including the annual telethon on WYOU TV. The broadcast begins on Saturday night and continues through Sunday evening. Also on Saturday is an outdoor run and walk.
Bonnie Tharp of CMN says they will host their annual pancake breakfast on Sunday morning from 7 to 11 and then it’s time for the 23rd annual Motorcycle Miracle Tour, which starts at Geisinger and finishes at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds. Following the tour, there will be food, demonstrations and live entertainment.
Also on Sunday is the celebrity auction at 12:30 and Miracle Fest 2008 for kids from 10 to 4, which is a free event featuring numerous fun kids activities and live entertainment. All proceeds from all the events go to the grand total raised during the telethon weekend to support children treated at Janet Weis Children’s Hospital. (Ali Stevens)
Keynote speech includes names of local casualties
SUNBURY – Memorial Day ceremonies at Cameron Park in Sunbury served to remember the most recent military casualties from the area. Keynote speaker Merle Phillips read the names of local servicemen killed in the War on Terror. They include Army Captain Robert Scheetz, who Phillips knew as a youngster. Phillips notes he was a friend to the family and remembers both the day of Scheetz’s birth and when he enlisted in the service.
Scheetz was a 1990 graduate of Shamokin High School, and was killed in a roadside bomb blast in Iraq, May 30th, 2004. Other local casualties include Army Specialist Zachariah Long of Milton, Specialist Matthew Sandri of Shamokin, Sargeant Dale Lloyd of Watsontown, Sargeant Brett Swank of Northumberland and PFC Justin Dreese of Freeburg. (Matt Farrand)
Illegal immigrants captured in Mount Carmel
MOUNT CARMEL – Six illegal immigrants were taken into custody in Mount Carmel on Sunday. Police pulled over a pick-up truck around 10 p.m. on Route 54 after the truck was seen exiting private property. The driver of the truck and five passengers were determined to be in the country illegally from Costa Rica. All six were taken into federal custody pending a deportation hearing. (Ali Stevens)
Mifflinburg borough building’s future will be decided today
MIFFLINBURG – Today, the Mifflinburg Borough Council will be hold two important meetings to decide the fate of the Mifflinburg Borough Building. Becky Hagenbach, Mifflinburg’s Main Street Manager says the first is a ‘Building and Grounds’ committee meeting at the Borough/Yorktowne office at 6.pm. Most of Mifflinburg borough council members are expected to attend and that meeting is open to the public.
The second meeting is a special borough council meeting to vote on an official decision on the fate of the borough building. This meeting will take place at 7p.m at the High School Cafeteria. Officials in Mifflinburg encourage residents who ‘want their voices heard’ as to what happens to our borough hall, to attend one or both of these critical meetings. The Mifflinburg Borough Hall has structural problems and needs extensive repairs.
11-year-old on “Mini chopper” hit by car
MIFFLINBURG – An eleven year old sustained what State Troopers call severe injuries after driving a small motorcycle into the path of an oncoming car. State Police say the girl was driving an unregistered “mini chopper” westbound in the eastbound lane of Grand Valley Road in West Buffalo Township late Monday morning.
She then reportedly turned into the path of a car driven by 20-year-old Benjamin Martin of Mifflinburg, and was thrown from the bike in the collision. Life Flight took the girl to Geisinger Medical Center after the 11:50 a.m. accident. Martin was not injured. The girl was not identified. (Matt Farrand)
Motorcycle, ATV accidents mar holiday
UNDATED – Monday’s holiday and warm weather brought out riders of motorcycles, ATV’s, and saw accidents involving them. State Police say a man and a woman were injured when an ATV was driven over a 75-foot embankment covered with large rocks.
Troopers say two Shamokin residents, 38-year old Donna Marie Fisher was the operator, and 38-year old Scott Francis Fisher was the passenger. Troopers say neither were apparently wearing helmets. The accident was in a stripping area in Zerbe Township known as The Mile. They were taken to Geisinger Medical Center to be treated for trauma following the 4:30 p.m. accident. The hospital says they have no record of them.
Northumberland County Communications reports an earlier crash involving two ATV’s along Bear Valley Road, in which two were inured and taken to Geisinger. And, Union County Communications reports an injury accident involving a motorcycle near Dewart, in Northumberland County. (Matt Farrand)
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)
How are those in need being assisted during difficult times
LEWISBURG – You often hear about the rising gas prices and food costs. How are those in need being assisted through difficult times? A recent Leaders and Lawmakers program focused on that topic. Harry Adrian of the Union-Snyder Community Action Agency and David Heberlig of the Lewisburg Food Pantry, recently discussed how the community is pulling together to help the needy when prices are steadily rising.
Individuals, church and scout groups and other community organizations are donating more of their time and efforts than ever before. Heberlig and Adrian agree that community support is a good thing, since state support has been cut. People are learning to pull together during tough times. To learn more about how you can help those in need in Snyder and Union Counties, you can contact the Union-Snyder Community Action Agency at 374-0181. (Ali Stevens)
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.
Little Harbor Seafood closes after 25 years
SELINSGROVE— A Selinsgrove business that has been around for nearly 25 years, closed its doors over the weekend. Little Harbor Seafood, formerly known as Ulrich’s Seafood Market, served its last customer on Saturday and many were sad to see it go. Owners of the Little Harbor, 74-year old Jim Hare and 79-year old Marvin Lauver, say they went through nearly 100 pounds of crabmeat in their final week.
The restaurant has been known throughout the Valley to have some of the best crab cakes and crab salad. Hare and Lauver purchased the restaurant at the end of 1983, and they say they will cherish the people they’ve met over the past 25 years. The men say they plan to create a cookbook, revealing some of their secret recipes. An auction will be held on the site this weekend. (Sara Lauver)
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.
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, which means a team is not eliminated unless it suffers two losses. The regional winner advances to the College World Series in Omaha. (Matt Farrand)
Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:
TAMAQUA, Pa. (AP) - A Tamaqua man accused of pushing his friend hundreds of feet into an inactive coal mine is ordered to stand trial in Schuylkill County court. He is 23-year-old Richard George, who waived his preliminary hearing Tuesday on felony aggravated assault, simple assault and related counts. George is accused of pushing Nathan Bowman into the canyon-shaped mine after the pair got into an argument early April 25. Bowman was in court for the hearing, sitting in a wheelchair with his fractured right arm and left ankle in casts.
GILBERTON, Pa. (AP) - Water main breaks in Schuylkill County have caused authorities to advise Gilberton residents to boil their water before using it. Water service has been intermittent since Sunday to about 350 homes and businesses. One water main break is believed to be in a swamp, so workers couldn't immediately find it. People are advised to keep boiling their water until Thursday.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Five Philadelphia Eagles cheerleaders are to leave Sunday to entertain U.S. troops in Iraq. Team director of cheerleading Barbara Zaun says it isn't the first time Eagles cheerleaders have entertained troops overseas. The Eagles previously sent cheerleaders to Bosnia and Kosovo. She says other NFL teams have sent cheerleaders to Iraq. Some dance routines are planned, along with trivia contests and giveaways of Eagles gear, and possibly singing. Cheerleader Kjersti Soberg says she's "more than excited" about the trip. She says many of those serving haven't seen American civilians for a long time and she wants to be "that breath of fresh air."
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A Mercer County woman has been charged with illegally selling feathers from protected birds on an Internet auction site. Candas Lynn Rohrdanz, of Sharon, was charged with unlawful selling and possession of wildlife parts of protected birds on April 28. The Pennsylvania Game Commission says it purchased feathers from a red-shouldered hawk, crow, blackbird, Canada goose, gull, blue jay, barred owl, turkey vulture, and wild turkey. Penalties for nine charges of illegally selling and possessing wildlife parts range from $75 to $200 each, and penalties for one charge of unlawful selling and possessing of parts a protected bird range from $100 to $300. A number for Rohrdanz could not be located and it's not clear if she has an attorney.
CONOWINGO, Md. (AP) - Researchers are reporting a significant drop in the number of shad migrating up the Susquehanna River. The number counted at the Conowingo Dam has fallen more than 90 percent in seven years. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission says the numbers are down all along the East Coast. The numbers have fallen since authorities stepped in to protect a leading predator, the striped bass. But pollution and excessive fishing also considered factors in the shad's decline. The commission is planning public hearings on whether more restrictions should be imposed on catching American shad. Fishing for shad is banned in Maryland and in some Pennsylvania waters, but not in several nearby states.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Tuesday in the midday Pennsylvania State Lottery drawing:
Daily Number 6-0-6
Big 4 4-4-1-3
Treasure Hunt 7-8-21-25-26
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)