Friday, May 28, 2010

"Taser" use confirmed by Selinsgrove Police

SELINSGROVE -- Selinsgrove Police confirm a fugitive was taken into custody after a chase last Saturday, and they used electronic means to do it.  Police say Benjamin Mease was found at a location on Orange Street at about 5:05 p.m., then fled on foot for three blocks. 

He was caught on West Chestnut Street, and put up a fight before being subdued with what they described as an electronic control device.  Mease was wanted by Snyder County Probation and now faces additional charges of resisting arrest and related assault charges.  (Matt Farrand) 

Norry home invasion burglary investigated

NORTHUMBERLAND -- Police aren't releasing too many details but they do say are investigating a burglary/home invasion crime last night. Sometime prior to 11:30p.m., a home was entered in the 300 block of Water Street and the occupant--a woman--was tied up.

She was found by her husband, according to reports. A number of area police and K-9 units converged on Northumberland last night and this morning searching for the perpetrator. The search continued into the early morning hours.

Further details will be released later by police and Newsradio 1070 WKOK will continue to follow this incident, which  police say is a burglary/home invasion investigation. Call 473-8556 if you have information on this or other crimes in Northumberland.

Modern sculpture latest addition to Cameron Park

SUNBURY -- Sunbury's Cameron Park has a new addition, a modern metallic sculpture fashioned and donated by attorney Jeff Apfelbaum.  The free-standing circular sculpture was installed Thursday morning, and is about 20 feet from the Cameron Monument.  Apfelbaum talked with us about the sculpture, which he decided to make after a resident called WKOK’s On The Mark program and said someone should donate artwork to the park. 

Apfelbaum says the sculpture is called “Optimism” and is an abstract landscape with coins from the courthouse, some of the circles from the courthouse clock and the circles on the Presbyterian Church.  He says the geometric forms come from looking at the landscape in Sunbury, a city that he says he has loved since 1952. 

It is the latest addition to the park that has seen major renovation in the past year, including moving of a World War I era gun from the west to the east end.  (Matt Farrand) 

Sestak campaign confirms Clinton was a go between

MEDIA -- The campaign of US Senate candidate Congressman Joe Sestak released the following statement today:

"Last summer, I received a phone call from President Clinton.  During the course of the conversation, he expressed concern over my prospects if I were to enter the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate and the value of having me stay in the House of Representatives because of my military background.

He said that White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel had spoken with him about my being on a Presidential Board while remaining in the House of Representatives. I said no.  I told President Clinton that my only consideration in getting into the Senate race or not was whether it was the right thing to do for Pennsylvania working families and not any offer. The former President said he knew I'd say that, and the conversation moved on to other subjects.

"There are many important challenges facing Pennsylvania and the rest of the country.  I intend to remain focused on those issues and continue my fight on behalf of working families."

Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7th, Media) defeated Arlen Specter last week for the Democratic nomination for US Senate.  He will face Republican Pat Toomey in the general election.  (Matt Farrand)

WH used Clinton to get Sestak out of Pa. race

WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House confirms that it used former President Bill Clinton as an intermediary to discourage Rep. Joe Sestak's Democratic primary challenge in the Pennsylvania Senate race.  A White House official familiar with the matter says Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel used Clinton as a go-between to ask Sestak to drop out of the race against Republican-turned-Democratic Sen. Arlen Specter.

The official said Clinton discussed some type of executive branch service for Sestak that would allow him to continue serving in the House. Sestak said no to the offer, stayed in the race and defeated Specter in a primary earlier this month.  The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak ahead of the White House's official response to the issue.

Patterson gets death penalty

WILLIAMSPORT -- In Lycoming County, Maurice Patterson is getting the death penalty.  The Philadelphia man was convicted this week of arranging a murder of a Williamsport man from his cell in the Lycoming County Prison in March of 2007.  District Attorney Eric Linhardt called the jury's decision right and necessary, and has given the family of victim Eric Sawyer the justice they have been waiting for.  (Matt Farrand)

Mifflinburg man injured in crash on Route 192, Union County

MIFFLINBURG – A Mifflinburg man was injured in a crash when he drove off the road and struck an embankment.  78-year-old Jacob Engle was traveling on Route 192 in Hartley Township, west of the Sand Bridge, when he drove off the road around 3 p.m. on Wednesday.  He was transported to Geisinger Medical Center for treatment of moderate injuries.  No other vehicles were involved.  (Ali Stevens)

Brain drain is the focus of the Roundtable this weekend

SUNBURY – The plusses and minuses of ‘Brain Drain’ are the topics of our Roundtable program this weekend. We find out about the young people who leave our area—and in many cases, do eventually return. We also talk about the students at area university, who aren’t from our area, but in many cases, end up staying when they see our region.

The Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce is on Roundtable this weekend. Charlie Ross is president and CEO and he tells us, one of the goals of their Young Professionals program, is to make sure that local students get an opportunity to see what The Valley has to offer. Also on the program, two students from outside our area, talking about what it would take to keep them in this region.

Dr. Wesley Knapp—superintendent at Midd-West School District is also on the show, along with Dr. Jonathon Lincoln of Bloomsburg University. You can hear Roundtable (Sunday) on Eagle 107 (107.3FM) at 6a.m., 100.9 (100.9FM), The Valley, at 6a.m., Newsradio 1070 WKOK (1070AM) at 9a.m., Talkradio 1380 WMLP (1380AM), 11a.m., 94KX WQKX (94.1FM) at 11p.m., and anytime, at www.wkok.com

County Commissioner Chairman says he will run again

SUNBURY – The chair of the Northumberland County Commissioners has plans to run again when he is up for re-election next year.  Frank Sawicki made the announcement on a recent Leaders and Lawmakers program on WKOK.  Sawicki says he has talked it over with his wife and will run for re-election and see what happens. 

Frank Sawicki has been a commissioner since 2004 and was re-elected in 2008.  He has served as chairman of the board since 2008. When it comes to the other Northumberland County Commissioners, it’s not yet known whether or not they will run again.  Newly elected commissioner Vinny Clausi has not stated his intentions and Commissioner Kurt Masser is the republican candidate in the general election for the 107th Legislative District.  (Ali Stevens) 

Ground is broken for a $19-million Armed Forces Reserve Center

DANVILLE -- Ground was broken yesterday for a $19-million Armed Forces Reserve Center that will be located in Liberty Township, Montour County. The reserve center will be made up of two buildings and will be a total of 80,000 square feet.

The center will be used for training Army reservists and National Guard soldiers. The new center will consolidate outdated armories in Bloomsburg, Lewisburg and Sunbury. About 450 people are expected to use the facility, which will be completed in June 2011. Danville Mayor Ed Coleman says he hopes the new center will be an economic boon for the area. (Ali Stevens)

You can help the families of two crash victims in Selinsgrove

SELINSGROVE – A fund has been set up to help the families of Seth Lauver and Alexandra Mullen, the Selinsgrove High School students critically injured in a crash following the prom on Saturday night. The “Support Seth and Alex Fund” is set up at Northumberland National Bank and donations can be dropped off at any branch of Northumberland National.

Both teens from Winfield remain hospitalized at Geisinger Medical Center. Seth Lauver sustained a severe spinal cord injury and is listed in serious condition while Alexandra Mullen sustained injuries to her liver and spleen and is listed in critical condition. (Ali Stevens)

New charges could follow autopsy results

SUNBURY -- Autopsy results for Jorge Cruz are pending, and Northumberland County District Attorney Tony Rosini plans to wait until they come back before filing more charges in connection with the man's death. Cruz was attacked May 13th at Third Street and Raspberry Avenue in Sunbury.

26-year-old Frank Brannon of Walnut Street was arrested shortly after the incident. However, he was charged with aggravated assault and related offences prior to the death of Cruz this week. At least one other person was reportedly involved in the attack on Cruz. Sunbury Police say their investigation remains open, and they are actively seeking information. (Matt Farrand)

It’s a “Dam Inflation Celebration” on the Susquehanna River this weekend

SUNBURY – The first ever “Susquehanna River Confluence” celebration will be held this Saturday and Sunday to celebrate the inflation of the dam and the creation of Lake Augusta. The Friends of Shikellamy State Park organization put the celebration together, according to co-chair Julia Marano, who says they want to celebrate the inflation of the dam at the confluence, which takes place every spring.

Events include sunrise tethered balloon rides at the Sunbury airport from 6 to 8 a.m. and airplane rides available Saturday evening in Selinsgrove at the Penn Valley Airport.

Saturday, there will also be food vendors and live music throughout the day in the Marina, and in Cameron Park, a concert by Nate & the Aces at 6:30 p.m. Sunday will feature a brunch starting at 11 a.m. at the Marina and a watercraft parade for boaters. To find out more about all the events at the Susquehanna River Confluence, go to www.friendsofshikellamystatepark.org. (Ali Stevens)

PennDOT says 2010 has been a bad year for accidents in our region

UNDATED -- Fatal crashes are on the rise in our region in 2010… according to the latest statistics from PennDOT. Compared to the same period last year, our area, which includes nine counties, is significantly higher, with 38 fatalities and 19 of those killed were not wearing seatbelts.

PennDOT’s Rick Mason says its difficult for them to understand why some people don’t take time to buckle their seatbelts when seatbelts can reduce your chances of being injured or killed in a crash by 60 percent.

Mason says the statistics are especially sobering with the Memorial Day holiday driving period this weekend. People will be kicking off their summer with parties and celebrations and Mason reminds motorists to buckle up, drive defensively, slow down and don’t drink and drive. You can hear more from PennDOT on a number of other topics from our Tuesday On The Mark program online at www.wkok.com. (Ali Stevens)

Celebrating Memorial Day in Sunbury on Monday

SUNBURY – It’s an annual tradition in Sunbury. The Memorial Day celebration gets underway at 10:30 Monday morning with a parade. John Borich is Joint Veterans Chairman and says the parade will form at 10 a.m. on Raspberry Avenue and travel to Wolverton and Market Streets and then down 4th Street to the cemetery.

The ceremony in the Sunbury Cemetery will include patriotic songs from 1st and 2nd graders at Saint Monica School and the Sunbury City Band, an address from John Deppen, the commander of the Sons of Veterans of the Civil War Camp 15 and the Shikellamy High School Band performing the National Anthem. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

In Mount Carmel, activities will begin at the American Legion at 8:15 a.m. with wreaths placed at the plaques honoring those from Mount Carmel who died for their country. A parade will travel though Mount Carmel after that, including members of the Mount Carmel Area High School Band and many military organizations. (Ali Stevens)

Woman sentenced to state prison for a DUI crash that injured friend

DANVILLE – A Milton woman has been sentenced to 16 to 32 months in state prison for a DUI crash that injured her friend. 35-year-old Becky Metzger caused a two-vehicle crash in Valley Township, Montour County last summer, which seriously injured her passenger, 60-year-old Norman Troutman. Police say Metzger’s blood alcohol content was four times the legal limit. This was also Metzger’s third DUI. Troutman was left disabled following the crash. (Ali Stevens)

Milton woman charged with escaping from a courtroom will now go to court

SUNBURY – A Milton woman, who escaped from the office of District Judge Bob Bolton, will now go to court on charges of intimidating a witness and new charges filed against her for the escape incident last week. 34-year-old Tracy Schramm went before Judge Bolton again yesterday, this time in handcuffs and leg shackles, and waived charges of escape and intimidating a witness on to court.

Schramm was originally charged for threatening a witness who was going to testify against her. She fled the courtroom and then turned herself in the next day after hiding in a home in Watsontown. She is now behind bars in Northumberland County on $105,000 cash bail. (Ali Stevens)

More than 12,000 chickens killed in a barn fire yesterday morning in Snyder County

HUMMELS WHARF – More than 12,000 chickens were killed in a barn fire yesterday morning in Snyder County. The fire started just before 1 a.m. at 1703 Kratzerville Road in Monroe Township. The barn was fully involved when crews from Snyder, Union and Northumberland Counties arrived on scene. The chicken barn is owned by Rick Bailey, who is insured.

An investigation continues into what caused that fire yesterday morning. No firefighters were hurt in the blaze. The 350-foot barn was a total loss. The investigation continues into what caused that fire in Snyder County. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A Johnstown anesthesiologist has been ordered to stand trial on drunken driving charges because police say he was passed out behind the wheel of his running vehicle has seven previous DUI convictions in Ohio, Michigan and Illinois.  Fifty-five-year-old Dr. Ashok Padhiar was ordered Thursday to stand trial for his Oct. 29 arrest in Johnstown.  The doctor's attorney, Michael Filia, says police can't prove the doctor was driving.  But Cambria County Assistant District Attorney Mark Carbonara says the car was pulled off the street and contained two-and-a-half empty bottles of champagne cognac. The doctor's blood-alcohol content was three times the legal limit.  Records show the doctor has five DUI convictions in Ohio and one each in Michigan and Illinois between 1989 and 2002.

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) - A business owner is the 30th person to be charged in a sweeping federal corruption probe in northeastern Pennsylvania.  Prosecutors on Thursday said 53-year-old Wilkes-Barre restaurant and entertainment developer Thom Greco will plead guilty to failing to provide information about illegal payments made to an elected official.     Greco's attorneys declined comment on the case.  Prosecutors have charged more than two dozen people since January 2009 as part of an investigation into public corruption in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Gov. Ed Rendell is abandoning his plan to cut the state sales tax rate and increase revenue by extending it to more types of purchases. The Democrat told reporters that he now thinks the proposal is too complicated and politically charged to pass in an election year. In his state budget address in February, Rendell advocated cutting the tax from 6 percent to 4 percent and extending it to dozens of things that are currently exempt, including candy and gum, firewood and personal hygiene products. The governor says he's standing by his other tax proposals, which include plans to impose a severance tax on natural-gas extraction and extend the tobacco tax to cigars and smokeless tobacco. He says he believes those proposals have strong public support.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A Harrisburg district judge is ordering the remaining Republican defendants in Pennsylvania's legislative corruption case held for trial. Judge William Wenner affirmed multiple charges against nine people with ties to the House GOP caucus. All are accused of illegally using taxpayer-financed resources for election purposes. They include former House Speaker John Perzel, a state representative from Philadelphia, and Brett Feese a former Lycoming County representative who once headed up the caucus' campaign effort. A 10th defendant was previously ordered held for trial. The six-day preliminary hearing on the outskirts of the state capital began in April. The state attorney general's probe has resulted in 25 arrests, but the only people tried so far have been those connected to the House Democratic caucus.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says that "nothing improper" happened in the case of a Pennsylvania lawmaker who claims the administration offered him a job to drop his primary challenge against Sen. Arlen Specter. At a news conference yesterday, Obama said his administration would provide a full accounting shortly but declined to elaborate. Democratic Congressman Joe Sestak says that he was offered a job if he abandoned his Senate bid. Republicans and some Democrats have called for an explanation from the White House. Last week, Sestak defeated Specter in the primary. Sestak told reporters that someone from the White House on Wednesday telephoned his brother Richard, a lawyer for his campaign, to discuss the matter. Sestak offered no other details.

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (AP) - A Michigan woman who took a flight to Philadelphia says she woke up in her seat and was surprised by what she saw - no one else aboard the United Express plane. Ginger McGuire of Ferndale says she paced the aisle for about 15 minutes Tuesday until the door opened and she was greeted by police. She says they demanded identification. McGuire says no one woke her. She says she fell asleep and didn't wake until about 4 a.m., more than three hours after landing. McGuire spoke yesterday at the law office of Geoffrey Fieger, whose firm sued United Airlines in Wayne County court in Detroit. United Airlines says it's investigating. McGuire's travels took her from Detroit to suburban Washington and, finally, Philadelphia.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Pittsburgh City Council has approved paying $155,000 to a man who said he was wrongly stunned by a Taser for criticizing a city officer after getting a ticket for not using his turn signal. Fifty-three-year-old Daniel Hackett III, of Mount Lebanon, sued claiming he yelled at the officer on March 15, 2008 during the city's St. Patrick's Day celebration. Hackett yelled after he saw someone run a red light and another man urinating in public, complaining that police should ticket people like that instead. Hackett says he was stunned and handcuffed, only to have police later drop resisting arrest and disorderly conduct charges. Council also approved paying $15,000 settlement to a woman who claimed an officer "offensively touched" her while removing her from a dance club in January 2009.

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

Update on the latest in business

Dow: - 156.67 (10,102.32)

S&P 500: - 17.91 (1,085.15)

NASDAQ: - 35.65 (2,2,42.03)

Obama visits Gulf Coast beach

PORT FOURCHON, La. (AP) - President Barack Obama, visiting the Gulf Coast, has inspected a beach south of New Orleans that's threatened by the massive oil spill.  Protective boom and sand bags were laid out on Fourchon Beach and oil rigs were visible on the horizon. Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen gave Obama a tour, pointing things out to the president, who stooped over at the edge of the water to look at the shore.  The area was roped off by yellow protective tape. Obama took a helicopter to the beach after landing. And he was getting a briefing at a Coast Guard station later and planned to deliver remarks. The president is visiting the Gulf 39 days into the oil spill disaster, with the outcome of BP's attempts to stop the leak 5,000 feet under the sea still uncertain.

Judge considers Tribune plan documents

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - A bankruptcy judge in Delaware is considering whether to approve documents describing and soliciting support for the Tribune Co.'s reorganization plan. The judge heard arguments Friday on the disclosure statement outlining Tribune's proposed Chapter 11 plan.  Attorneys for Wells Fargo, an agent for unsecured bridge lenders who provided $1.6 billion in financing to Tribune in 2007, say the description of how the plan treats those lenders is inconsistent and vague. Another group of lenders objects to the inclusion in plan documents of a letter from Tribune's official committee of unsecured creditors urging creditors to support it. The media company based in Chicago filed for bankruptcy protection in December 2008.

Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers:

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn Friday:

 Midday Big 4

     8-7-2-8

 Midday Number

     6-9-8

 Midday Quinto

     2-9-1-2-8

 Treasure Hunt

     04-07-11-19-27

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

New court date for Charlie Sheen over Aspen arrest

ASPEN, Colo. (AP) - Actor Charlie Sheen has a new court date over domestic violence allegations involving his wife, as settlement talks continue. Sheen has pleaded not guilty to menacing, criminal mischief and assault charges stemming from an argument with his wife, Brooke Mueller Sheen, on Christmas Day at an Aspen home where they were on vacation.  A hearing is scheduled June 18, but The Aspen Times reports that the court this week set another hearing for June 7.  Sheen's attorney Richard Cummins told the newspaper the hearing was set "in contemplation of a final disposition being made that's acceptable to the district attorney's office."  Aspen prosecutor Arnold Mordkin declined to comment on settlement discussions.

Investors offer to buy owner of 'American Idol'

NEW YORK (AP) - A group of investors led by British media mogul Simon Fuller is offering to buy CKX, the owner of the "American Idol" reality TV show.  Fuller created the "Idol" franchise but sold his company to CKX Inc. in 2005.  CKX says it is evaluating the proposal and other strategic alternatives, but did not say how much Fuller's group is offering to pay. The company also owns the rights to the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley and Muhammad Ali.  Fuller's bid comes after a seven-year run for "American Idol," which said goodbye to its famously caustic judge Simon Cowell on Wednesday.  While "Idol" remains the nation's favorite show, it has seen audience erosion this season.