Friday, May 30, 2008

Congressman Chris Carney answers questions from area residents

SHAMOKIN— Congressman Chris Carney was in Shamokin and answered questions from residents as part of his Listening Tour Town Hall meetings.  One topic of discussion was the Iraq War and one resident asked Carney why he continues to vote to keep it going.  Carney says he has been very consistent on his point of view to bring the troops home in a responsible way.  He says he believes we should start bringing home the troops the way the Pentagon and the Department of Defense say as the Iraqis become trained.  He says that means, if there are 50,000 Iraqis trained, then he thinks 50,000 Americans should come home.

Another topic of discussion was the rising cost of oil and the possibility of using resources from within the United States.  Carney says the government could begin looking into opening up other areas, but there would be a problem in the fact that there would still be an almost 10-year lag between the time they would be opened up and the time Americans would see any relief at the pump.  He says there are other things that can be done to create some immediate relief, such as, looking into alternative energy sources.  Carney says progress is being made on the use of alternative energy sources, but it’s in a transitional period.  He says he could imagine that within the next ten years, the U.S. will get a lot of its energy from wind, solar, and nuclear sources.

Carney also says that regulating speculation on the cost of oil could lead to some fairly immediate relief at the pump.  He says the rising costs are mainly based on speculation instead of actual supply and demand.  (Sara Lauver)

Northumberland/Snyder Counties Special Olympics  hope to move back to their office soon

SHAMOKIN DAM – The athletes in the Northumberland/Snyder Counties Special Olympics are competing harder than ever just months after their Shamokin Dam office was heavily damaged by fire.  PR Coordinator and Swim Coach, Arden Miller, says although their makeshift office now runs out of peoples’ homes and cars, the community support has been incredible.  She says people have donated money, office furniture, exercise equipment and uniforms. 

The athletes are headed to the statewide summer games at Penn State next weekend, where they will compete in sports such as track and field, swimming and bowling.  Miller says they are still looking for many volunteers for the Special Olympics.

As for the office, Miller says the repairs are continuing and they hope to move back into their old building soon.  For more information on the Northumberland/Snyder Counties Special Olympics log onto www.ns-sopa.org. (Sara Bartlett)  

It’s off to prison for two Danville men charged with breaking into several homes

DANVILLE – Two Danville men charged with breaking into several homes in Montour County are heading to state prison.  24-year-old Alex Frew and 19-year-old Everett Bottesch were sent to state prison Thursday for seven to 20 years.  Police say the two men looted homes in the Mahoning and Valley Township areas last fall and winter.  Frew and Bottesch broke into the homes in the middle of the night, stealing items such as computers and other electronics.  They admitted in court that the items were traded for cash to pay for drugs. (Ali Stevens)


                                Underground gas tank ruptures in Shamokin

SHAMOKIN – Several emergency crews spent the day in Shamokin Thursday after an underground gas tank ruptured.  Crews from Shamokin, the Northumberland County Department of Public Safety and the Northridge Environmental Group of Northumberland investigated the spill, which contaminated soil along Bear Valley Avenue.  Officials say a construction crew was working on a water line hookup when they accidentally ruptured the tank.  Approximately 595 gallons of gas had to be removed from the tank and contaminated soil was removed.  Soil samples will also be done to make sure the fuel was contained to that area.  (Ali Stevens)

Sunbury woman heading to prison for drug distribution

WILLIAMSPORT – A Sunbury woman has been sentenced to more than 7 years in prison for her roll in a drug distribution ring.  42-year-old Jodi Graybill was sentenced Thursday in U.S. Middle District Court for taking part in a crack cocaine ring in Northumberland and surrounding counties.  She had pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of crack.  Her daughter, Brittany Graybill is already serving time after pleading guilty to possession with intent to deliver crack cocaine.  Brittany was sentenced to more than four years in prison. 

The two women are among 16 charged in the ring that brought crack from New York City to the Sunbury area and sold in Selinsgrove, Northumberland, Milton and Kulpmont.  Jodi Graybill will report to prison on June 13^th.   (Ali Stevens)

Belfanti opens new Mount Carmel office

MOUNT CARMEL – State Representative Bob Belfanti has opened a new office in Mount Carmel, nearly two months after his old one was heavily damaged by an arson fire.  The new office is located at 18 East 5^th Street in Mount Carmel and is now fully operational.  Constituents are welcome to call the new office at 339-5252 or stop by Monday through Friday from 9:00a.m.-4:00p.m. or Saturday from 9:00a.m.-noon. (Sara Bartlett) 

How to detect an e-mail scam

UNDATED – Pay close attention if you get e-mail from your bank.  Scams are becoming more and more common, and while the e-mail may look official, Corporate Communications Manager at Susquehanna Bank, Steve Trapnell, says there are clues that it may be a fraud.  If the e-mail is unsolicited or if it requires a deadline for you to send information, with consequences if you don’t; if it probably fake.  Trapnell also says banks will never ask for personal information such as passwords, account numbers or social security numbers through e-mail.  He says banks are working with cyber security services to get fraudulent websites taken down. 

Scam artists are all over, and Trapnell says they may just send out mass e-mails to see how many people they can reach.  Overall, Trapnell says be aware of who and where your e-mails are coming from and never give out any information before double checking with your bank. (Sara Bartlett)   

Man pleads guilty to exposing himself to an undercover agent on the Internet

DANVILLE – A Danville man admitted in court this week that he engaged in sexual talk and exposed himself to an undercover agent on the Internet, who was posing as a 13-year-old girl.  30-year-old Mark Hollingshead plead guilty to felony charges of unlawful contact with a minor and criminal use of a communication facility.  Police say Hollingshead was arrested in November following a five-month investigation.  The man contacted the undercover agent through instant message, writing sexual messages, and transmitted Webcam images of his genitals in 2007.  He is free on bail and will be sentenced in the coming months.  (Ali Stevens)

The Relay of Life, on Roundtable this weekend

SUNBURY – The area Relays for Life are the topic of this weekend’s Roundtable. We found out about the many activities, the ‘cancer education’ available at the Relays, the food, music and fun, and of course, the fundraising for the American Cancer Society.

Tougher to describe, is the ‘Luminaria service,’ says Casey Fenton, of the American Cancer Society. He tells us about his first ‘Luminaria experience, when he was overcome with emotion, at seeing all of the lit candles. He imagined a time, when lit candles to remember cancer victims won’t be necessary.

Casey and five other folks associated with the Relays for Life are on Roundtable. We discuss the survivor’s walk, the ways people can get involved and the opportunities. More info is available at www.cancer.org. You can hear Roundtable (Sunday) on:

n       Eagle 107 (107.3FM) at 6a.m.

n       100.9, The Valley, at 6a.m.

n       WKOK at 9a.m.

n       Talkradio 1380 WMLP, 11a.m.

n       94KX at 11p.m.

Bucknell and Lewisburg Downtown present big changes to the public

LEWISBURG – It was a mixed reaction Thursday night as the Lewisburg Downtown Partnership and Bucknell University presented their plans for the Lewisburg Core Community Initiative to the public. Many residents and business owners brought concerns about the changes being proposed in project.

They worried about preserving the uniqueness of the downtown, and while many risks were addressed, preserving is just what Lewisburg Mayor Judy Wagner says the initiative will do. With the proposal of a Barnes and Noble bookstore, a coffee shop is also likely.

That’s something that doesn’t bother Elaine Campbell, owner of Mya’s Café, who says she’ll just have to adapt, and make different products that may be sold at a shop like Starbucks. Kathy Snyder, owner of Market Street business Brushstrokes Gallery Arts Supplies and Framing echoed what many residents and small business owners said at the meeting. They just want to be kept in the know with the plans.

Officials from the Downtown Partnership and Bucknell agreed to publicize more meetings, put meeting minutes online and try to gather as much input from the community and local businesses that they can. Other plans in the initiative include a 75-bed Inn.

Also, 100 Bucknell Administrative offices, a possible parking structure and getting rid of student rental properties. According to Charlie Pollock, Vice President for External Relations at Bucknell, the state has already committed the first $20 million to the $100 million project. (Sara Bartlett)

$600-million PPL project unveiled in Montour County

WASHINGTONVILLE— PPL Corporation has unveiled its 600-million-dollar scrubber project at the Montour power plant in Washingtonville. A celebration to mark the project’s completion was held yesterday (Thursday) and local government officials and community leaders were invited to attend. The scrubber system will reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide.

PPL says, combined with earlier environmental upgrades, could make Montour County one of the cleanest coal-burning power plants in the country. The scrubbers are creating new jobs in Northcentral PA and the project represents the second-largest construction project in PPL history, trailing only the construction of the Susquehanna nuclear plant near Berwick. (Sara Lauver)

United Way focusing on underlying issues in the community

SUNBURY – An initiative by the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way will focus on solving some of the underlying issues throughout the community, in addition to funding member agencies. President and CEO, Keri Albright, says “Priorities For Impact” is an effort to stop the cycle of issues such as abuse, lack of public transportation and drug and alcohol use among all age groups.

Albright says the work of member agencies is important and relieves immediate symptoms of the problems, but she says a separate stream of money is going to be dedicated to the long-term needs of the community. Albright says the needs and the request for money increases by the United Way member agencies everyday.

She says the problems are not going away and the underlying problems of the issues on a day-to-day basis are not decreasing. Albright says any person or group who may be interested in working on these “Priorities For Impact” can contact the United Way office. Applications are due by July 8th and a meeting is being held July 16th from 7 to 8p.m. at Tedd’s on the hill. (Sara Lauver)

Dinosaur Skeleton in Sunbury Barn

SUNBURY – Dairy barns in Pennsylvania are a common sight but usually they house livestock or hay, not a fully assembled skeleton of a prehistoric dinosaur. In the barn of Barry and April James of Sunbury, though, that’s just what you will find.

The 85% real bone skeleton of the Apatasaurus, more commonly known as a Brontosaurus, is so long that it sticks out of the front of the barn. Barry James who, along with his wife, owns Prehistoric Journeys has prepared 155 skeletons of dinosaurs and extinct mammals for numerous museums, national parks, entertainment and culture centers, movie studios and major corporations.

The couple welcomed the public into their barn Thursday afternoon along with Representative Merle Phillips who will issue a proclamation to the House next week recognizing the efforts of the many community members involved in the process of moving, building and creating this dinosaur. The ten thousand pound, 76 foot long skeleton will be crated and shipped to Europe in the coming weeks. (Tiffany Raker-Brosious)

Charges filed against two people accused of beating a 7-year-old boy with a belt

SUNBURY – Two people from Sunbury have been charged with beating a 7-year-old boy. Police say 41-year-old Christopher McLaurin and 35-year-old Tara Lehman have been charged with endangering the welfare of a child and McLaurin was charged with simple assault.

McLaurin is accused of beating the boy with a belt an apartment on Market Street and Lehman reportedly witnessed the beating and did nothing to stop it. Police say the boy had multiple bruises on his legs. Charges were filed with District Justice Carl Rice. (Ali Stevens)

Bucknell University celebrates reunion weekend

LEWISBURG – It’s reunion weekend at Bucknell University this weekend with thousands of alumni expected to return to campus. Kristen Stetler is Associate Director of Alumni Marketing and Communications at Bucknell and says about 2,000 people coming to Lewisburg has quite an impact on the area.

She says all of the hotels are filled and many of the stores will see an increase of foot traffic. Stetler adds that along the Route 15 corridor, many businesses will have welcome signs posted for the alumni and their families.

From today through Sunday, plenty of activities are planned including class dinners, slide shows, trivia contests, an alumni golf tournament on Friday, a tour of the environmental center, a presentation on the campus master plan, athletic events and a Reunion Rally, where awards will be presented to outstanding alumni. Saturday evening is a large tent party with fireworks that night. (Ali Stevens)

Lewisburg magazine publisher honored

LEWISBURG – A local publisher has been honored with a business award. Founder and Publisher of Susquehanna Life and Susquehanna Business Life magazines, Erica Shames, was named one of Pennsylvania’s Best Women in Business in 2008.

Governor Ed Rendell announced the award, which honors 50 women in the state based on their dedication to business growth, professional and personal accomplishments, community involvement and advocacy for women in business.

All of the recipients were honored at a reception in Harrisburg and got a tour of the Governor’s mansion. Susquehanna Life magazine recently celebrated its 15-year anniversary, while the Business Life magazine was introduced earlier this month. (Sara Bartlett)

Group looks to bring more people to Shikellamy State Park

SUNBURY – This is the second year a volunteer group is working to promote the summer activities in Shikellamy State Park. The Friends of the Shikellamy State Park are holding more events to make people aware of the underused park. Co-Chair Julie Marano and PR Committee Rep, Stuart Shrawder were on Leaders & Lawmakers Thursday morning talking about the effort to get more people to come to the park.

The first Sunday brunch of the season will be held this weekend at the park from 11:00a.m.-1:00p.m. A jazz and blues ensemble will be featured and Emma’s Food for Life of Selinsgrove will provide the brunch. Other June events include wine and cheese tasting, yoga, drum circles and storytelling. For a list of the events, to join the group or to donate you can visit their website at www.friendsofshikellamystatepark.org. (Sara Bartlett)

Controller Chuck Erdman and Commissioner Vinny Clausi: “a difference in style”

SUNBURY – At a recent Northumberland County public meeting, Commissioner Vinny Clausi and Controller Chuck Erdman were heard arguing strongly over proposed cuts at Mountain View Manor. However, Erdman says the two of them were arguing for the benefit of the people of Northumberland County because they both want what’s best for the taxpayers.

He says they just have a different approach and style, but get along just fine. Erdman was a guest on WKOK’s Leaders and Lawmakers program and talked about how he has also made cuts to his own department, with three positions cut in the past 10 years.

Erdman adds that he also didn’t fill a position when starting on the job more than 10 years ago in an effort to cut costs and make his department work more efficiently. You can hear all his comments online at www.wkok.com. (Ali Stevens)

Cracking down on abandoned vehicles in Shamokin

SHAMOKIN – Police are cracking down on abandoned vehicles in Shamokin. The News Item reports there have been 120 tow stickers placed on vehicles since the beginning of the year. Most are for expired registration or inspection stickers or are inoperable.

Police say after placing the tow stickers on the vehicles, more than 100 of them were moved without a citation needed. The remaining vehicles were cited and towed. This is part of a clean up initiative by the city of Shamokin. Residents are encouraged to report abandoned vehicles to police. (Ali Stevens)

Sunbury’s Masonic Hall is up for sale

SUNBURY – Sunbury’s Masonic Hall on Market Street is up for sale. The Daily Item reports the 100-year-old lodge is up for sale because members say upkeep is getting too expensive. The building was put on the market a month or two ago.

All 450 lodge members were given the chance to vote on whether or not they wanted to sell. The lodge is also accepting offers to renovate or rebuild. The Masonic Lodge 22 was founded in 1779 and their first meeting at 220 Market Street was held in April of 1908. (Ali Stevens)

Toys for Tots Golf Classic brings in big money for kids

HUMMELS WHARF – Over $40,000 was raised for children during the annual Toys for Tots Golf Classic held last week at the Susquehanna Valley Country Club. Golf Tournament Chairman of the Marine Corp League, Rachael Rice, presented Representative Merle Phillips (R-85th, Sunbury) with the check of $41,222.

All of the money raised benefits the approximately 4,500 needy children in the surrounding five counties in our area. Last year, the Marine Corp League provided over 27,000 gifts for children through the golf tournament. (Sara Bartlett)

Several DUI arrests during the holiday weekend

MILTON – Several people were charged with driving under the influence over the holiday weekend in Montour, Northumberland and Snyder Counties. Multiple law enforcement agencies were involved in roving patrols Friday and Saturday and there were 10 DUI arrests made. Also, 60 traffic citations were issued and numerous warnings were given to motorists. More roving patrols are planned throughout the summer. (Ali Stevens)

Liquor license suspended at Chuck’s Sports Bar of Selinsgrove

SELINSGROVE – Chuck’s Sports Bar of Selinsgrove is closed after the state suspended the bar’s liquor license. The suspension came after bartenders were seen serving visibly intoxicated patrons in the bar. Chuck’s has been prohibited from selling alcohol through Saturday, with the suspension starting on May 12th. This is one of many suspensions the bar has seen over the past several years. (Ali Stevens)

Charges filed against two people accused of beating a 7-year-old boy with a belt

SUNBURY – Two people from Sunbury have been charged with beating a 7-year-old boy. Police say 41-year-old Christopher McLaurin and 35-year-old Tara Lehman have been charged with endangering the welfare of a child and McLaurin was charged with simple assault.

McLaurin is accused of beating the boy with a belt an apartment on Market Street and Lehman reportedly witnessed the beating and did nothing to stop it. Police say the boy had multiple bruises on his legs. Charges were filed with District Justice Carl Rice. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

MIFFLINTOWN, Pa. (AP) - The Juniata County School District superintendent says teachers plan to begin a six-day walkout Monday, but more talks are scheduled over the weekend. Superintendent Kenneth Albaugh said Friday afternoon that the strike by members of the Juniata County Educators Association is to last through June 9. But he says the strike will be called off if a tentative agreement is reached Saturday.  In the event of a strike, all school and extracurricular events will be canceled and the last day of school will be pushed back from June 5 to June 13. Graduation would be pushed back to June 12 for Juniata High School and June 13 for East Juniata High School.  Teachers union president Wayne Chrismer did not immediately return a call seeking comment.  The union represents about 220 employees. The two sides have been divided by issues including salary and health care benefits. 

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania environmental officials have ordered a partial shutdown of natural gas drilling operations by two companies in the state's northcentral region.  Robert Yowell of the Department of Environmental Protection says the two companies haven't taken the necessary precautions to protect nearby streams from pollution as they drill for gas in Lycoming County.  The streams are located near impoundment areas operated by Range Resources-Appalachia and Chief Oil and Gas. Officials say the impoundments draw tens of thousands of gallons of water per day from the waterways.  The companies are conducting exploratory drilling in a gas reservoir known as the Marcellus Shale.

BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) - Two Penn State football players have each pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge in connection with an on-campus fight last year.  Linebacker Navorro Bowman and defensive tackle Phil Taylor appeared in court Friday to plead guilty to a disorderly conduct charge in exchange for prosecutors' dropping more serious assault charges.  Each is sentenced to one year of probation and 100 hours of community service.  Two other players police say were involved in the Oct. 7 fight have already resolved their cases.  All four had been charged for allegedly beating up a Philadelphia man who was attending a party at Penn State.

HALIFAX, Pa. (AP) - A flatbed truck carrying 5,400 chickens in steel cages overturned just after 7 a.m. Thursday, blocking two lanes of traffic on a Dauphin County bridge. Authorities say as many as 3,800 chickens were killed in the crash in the eastbound lanes of U.S. Route 322 at the Clarks Ferry Bridge. The truck was taking the animals to a slaughter house.      The truck driver was taken to a hospital, complaining of injuries.  The truck was owned by Hain Pure Protein Corp. of Fredericksburg, Lebanon County.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Friday in the midday Pennsylvania State Lottery drawing:

 Daily Number

     9-2-3

 Big 4

     9-1-4-7

 Treasure Hunt

     4-14-17-23-28

     (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)