Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Burglar nets chain saw, hand tools and cash

TURBOTVILLE -- State troopers say a landscape supply company was the victim of a burglar some time late Sunday night or Monday morning. A chain saw, hand tools and cash were taken from the company along Route 54, after someone forced open the front door.

Troopers believe the same person or persons also tried to break into the VFW post across the road. Two wooden gates and a door were damaged, and there was evidence that they tried to get in through the roof. State troopers say their investigation continues and anyone with information is asked to call 524-2662. (Matt Farrand)

Saturday night motorcycle crash injures Milton man

TURBOTVILLE -- A Milton man is still hospitalized following a Saturday night motorcycle crash. A nursing supervisor at Geisinger Medical Center says 25-year-old Adam Hauck is in serious condition after the 6:15 p.m. accident. State troopers say Hauck sustained major injuries after losing control of his motorcycle at a high rate of speed along Red Hill Road in Turbot Township.

The bike apparently slid for a distance before flipping a number of times. Troopers say the rider lost contact with the bike at some point and struck the ground. Hauck will cited for not driving at a safe speed. (Matt Farrand)

Memorial Day ceremonies held in Susquehanna Valley

UNDATED – Numerous communities in the Central Susquehanna Valley took time to host Memorial Day ceremonies Monday to remember the soldiers who died while fighting for our country. Ron Cowan, commander American Legion Victory Post 25 and was Master of Ceremonies at the observance in Selinsgrove told the crowd our nation honors the heroic dead from 1,000 battles of land and sea.

Also speaking at the ceremony was Selinsgrove Mayor Sean Christine, who said Memorial Day is truly a day of mourning as we remember and honor some of the finest human beings that ever walked the earth. Christine however says it’s also a day of celebration and a day not to dwell on the past, but to take stock in the gifts we have been given.

The keynote speaker was Ernest Renninger, who is retiring from the Selinsgrove American Legion after 33 years of dedicated service. Renninger spoke about patriotism and the feeling we all should have when in the presence of an American flag. Also participating in the ceremony was the area Boy Scouts of American and the VFW Post 6631. (Ali Stevens)

Updates on the Seth Lauver and Alexandra Mullen

DANVILLE -- There is some improvement in medical condition of one of the two teens badly hurt in a prom night car accident over a week ago. Seth Lauver is now in fair condition. That is an improvement from the 'serious condition' designation last week.

The stand out athlete and member of the Selinsgrove Seal's state championship team remains at Geisinger Medical Center. Lauver was hurt in a traffic accident May 22nd. That crash still has Alexandra Mullen in critical condition at Geisinger Medical Center. Both are 17-years-olds are from the Winfield area.

To help the families with uncovered medical expenses--and to show community support--there are a number of support and community efforts underway. The Support Seth and Alex Fund is growing at the Northumberland National Bank. That effort is supported and endorsed by Newsradio 1070 WKOK and you can find the link at www.wkok.com.

A Walk-a-Thon will be held Friday, June 11th at the Harold Bolig Stadium in Selinsgrove. There are some hoagie sales in the weeks ahead as well. Orders can be placed with various students and athletes in the Selinsgrove schools and at the Sunbury Motor's Kia dealership on Routes 11 & 15 Hummels Wharf.

Additionally, fundraising wristbands are being sold by the Selinsgrove Football Booster Club and over 1,300 people have signed onto the Praying for Seth and Alex page on Facebook.

Lauver and Mullen families to split proceeds from walk-a-thon

SELINSGROVE -- Community members are rallying to help the families of two teens injured in a prom night auto accident over a week ago. There is now a fundraising walk-a-thon being planned for the night of Friday, June 11th, on the track at Selinsgrove's Harold L. Bolig Memorial Stadium.

Coach and phys ed teacher Cathy Keiser of Selinsgrove hopes the six hour walk-a-thon can help focus the efforts of the many people who care deeply for Seth Lauver and Alexandra Mullen. The format for Team Up for Alex and Seth includes walking along the track by no fewer than two team members at a time.

Registration is $100 for teams of four to six members. The families will split all money raised. Keiser stresses that the details are still being worked out, and there is a need for donated entertainment, food and other things that will raise money. There is more information at 847-6481. (Matt Farrand)

Sunbury summer rec program starts June 3

SUNBURY -- The Sunbury summer recreation program starts Thursday, June 3rd. City officials say the pool will open that day at 12:00 noon. Admission is set at $3.50 for all patrons, age 6 and up. However, admission on Friday June 4th will be free, with hot dogs and soda served.

Summer playground season also hopes this week. The Kiwanis and Keller street playgrounds will be open starting June 3rd, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., weekdays. the Oppenheimer Playground will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. weekdays, and 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekends. (Matt Farrand)

Susquehanna River Confluence Celebration combines lessons with fun

SUNBURY -- The two-day Susquehanna River Confluence Celebration started in the Sunbury area Saturday and continued yesterday. Calling attention to The Valley's river resource and celebrating the Inflation of the fabridam were the dual purposes of the celebration.

The goal was to call attention to, and educate the public about the dam which creates recreational Lake Augusta. There was also a food court and educational displays set up at the Shikellamy State Park Marina. Sam Nicola is the Northumberland County 4-H Coordinator and was among those with river related lessons for the youngsters.

He says the water cycle was demonstrated to kids by letting them take different colored beads and pretend to be water molecules. The region-wide celebration included a Saturday night concert by Nate & the Aces at Cameron Park in Sunbury. Activities continued Sunday with airplane rides, and a watercraft parade in the afternoon. (Matt Farrand)

Police officer assaulted, man charged in Watsontown

WATSONTOWN -- Watsontown Police are charging 46-year-old Kevin E. Houser of Watsontown with a series of offenses after he resisted arrest and had to be restrained using a Taser. Police were summoned to a call for a domestic argument, and say Houser became uncooperative while they were investigating. They also say he assaulted Milton Police Officer Eric Goodbrod, who was assisting.

Houser was restrained using an electronic device and is charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, and resisting arrest. Houser was arraigned before on-call District Judge John Gembic and committed to Northumberland County Prison in lieu of $15,000 cash bail. Milton Police assisted at the scene and during the video arraignment of Houser. (Matt Farrand)

Latest Pennsylvania news, business, lottery and entertainment

YORK, Pa. (AP) - Police in southcentral Pennsylvania say they've identified the remains of a man   killed in 2002.  York Area Regional Police said Tuesday that DNA helped identify the remains of  Hopethan Johnson. They were found near Holtwood Dam on the Susquehanna River two years ago.  Duane Frey was convicted in 2003 of killing Johnson and is serving a life sentence. Police also say they're seeking information from the public about the related homicide  of Stacey Farmer. He was found shot to death in the driveway of his home outside Red Lion about a month after Johnson was killed.  Farmer was facing charges of evidence tampering and hindering apprehension in Johnson's death.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A rape charge against the son of Harrisburg's mayor has been withdrawn but he will still stand trial on assault charges.  Thirty-one-year-old Ray George, the son of Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson, waived a preliminary hearing Tuesday. A felony rape charge against him was withdrawn but he still faces charges including indecent and simple assault.  Police say George attacked an acquaintance at her home in Lower Paxton Township on January 24. The alleged victim told police George had removed her clothes and ripped the phone from the wall when she threatened to call police.  George is free on bail. He and his attorney declined comment following the hearing.   

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Pittsburgh Penguins are looking for 250 students to help with an important task and there's only one major requirement: You must know how to flush a toilet. Construction is near completion on the Penguins' new area, the Consol Energy Center. But like with any new arena or stadium, officials need to simultaneously flush all the toilets and urinals once to make sure everything is working. The Penguins are calling the June 10 event the "Student Flush," a spinoff of their popular ticketing program known as "Student Rush."  Students already involved in the ticketing program can enter for a chance to win. Students must be 18 or older to participate in the flush-apalooza.  In all, there will be 400 flushers, including some  c construction officials, on hand that day.

AVOCA, Pa. (AP) - A former county sheriff in northeastern Pennsylvania will get $150,000 to settle a lawsuit claiming a former borough police chief tried to frame him for drug possession. Avoca Solicitor Charles McCormick says the settlement with former Luzerne County Sheriff Michael Savokinas includes no admission of wrongdoing.  Savokinas, a former Avoca police officer, claimed then-Chief Edward Lukowich tried to fabricate drug charges against him because Savokinas complained about how his ex-boss ran the department.  Savokinas resigned in January 2006 and was later elected county sheriff. Lukowich was charged with conspiracy and other counts in 2007 and entered a program for first-time offenders that allows the charges to be expunged.  McCormick says the settlement was approved last month by borough council.

BUSHKILL, Pa. (AP) - An engaged eastern Pennsylvania couple were born on the same day in the same hospital - and their mothers even shared a room in the maternity ward. Amy Singley and Steven Smith were born at St. Luke's Hospital in Fountain Hill on April 17, 1986. After the mothers were hospital roommates, the two families continued to interact through their church in Easton. Smith asked Singley on a date to the movies when they were sophomores in high school. Singley says she knew Smith was the right guy for her after their second date. She says people are convinced the 24-year-olds were "destined to be together." They plan to get married June 12.

FORKSVILLE, Pa. (AP) - A northeastern Pennsylvania man who was trying to hook up power to his summer home has died after being electrocuted. State police say 48-year-old Michael Joseph Serino died Saturday at his seasonal residence in Elkland Township, Sullivan County. Police say Serino had used a makeshift ladder to climb an electrical pole when he made contact with an energized power line. Police say Serino was electrocuted and fell about 30 feet to the ground. Serino was a construction contractor from West Pittston.

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

Updates on the latest in business:

Dow: 10,024.02, down -112.61

S&P 500: 1,070.71, down -18.70

NASDAQ: 2,222.33, down -34.71

NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks have risen after initial weakness. The market opened lower and has since improved.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A purchasing executives' group says manufacturing expanded in May for a tenth straight month. The Institute for Supply Management index stood at 59.7, slightly below the previous month's level, but well above the 50 level that indicates expansion.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal safety regulators are investigating reports of gas pedals becoming trapped by floor mats in 2010 Ford Fusions and Mercury Milans. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received three complaints involving unsecured all-weather floor mats. There are no reports of crashes or injuries.

NEW YORK (AP) - Hewlett-Packard plans to lay off about 9,000 workers in a technology services unit. The company is consolidating and automating its commercial data centers.

DENVER (AP) - Aluminum manufacturing giant Alcoa has reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with its largest union. Details of the four-year agreement between Alcoa and the Steelworkers Union were not immediately available. It still must be ratified by union members in 10 states.

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

Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers

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

 Mega Millions

     Estimated jackpot: $12 million

 Midday Big 4

     5-1-2-5

 Midday Number

     0-5-5

Midday Quinto

     0-1-9-0-9

Powerball

     Estimated jackpot: $260 million

 Treasure Hunt

     10-11-14-17-30

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

Big 4

6-9-4-0

Cash 5

04-13-16-18-21

Daily Number

1-7-6

(one, seven, six)

Evening Quinto

2-1-9-2-5

Midday Big 4

6-2-1-6

Midday Number

1-0-4

Midday Quinto

8-2-6-1-0

Mix and Match

13-07-03-11-10

Treasure Hunt

07-12-14-20-29

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

Feds meet with film director Cameron on oil spill

WASHINGTON (AP) - "Top kill" didn't stop the Gulf oil spill. How about something "titanic"? Federal officials are hoping film director James Cameron can help them come up with ideas on how to stop the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The "Avatar" and "Titanic" director was  among a group of scientists and other experts who met Tuesday with officials from the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies for a brainstorming session on stopping the massive oil leak.  The Canadian-born Cameron is considered an expert on  underwater filming and remote vehicle technologies. "Avatar" and "Titanic" are the two highest-grossing films of all time.

Ferguson: Access offer began as way to help friend

CHICAGO (AP) - Sarah Ferguson says she initially was trying to get money for a friend when she was caught on video offering access to her former husband, Prince Andrew, for $724,000.  In an interview with Oprah Winfrey that aired Tuesday, the Duchess of York says she wanted $38,000 for her friend, whom she wouldn't identify. She says she's not quite sure why she asked for the rest of the money.  Ferguson says she is in deep financial debt, but she wouldn't elaborate. She also says she doesn't know what she would have done with the rest of the money.  Ferguson apologized for what she had done telling Winfrey that she knew what she was doing was wrong at the time.

Bubble wrap winner

ST. PETER, Minn. (AP) - What do you do with leftover Bubble Wrap. Pop the bubbles, of course. But 13-year-old Matthew Huber has a better idea. The Minnesota teen wins ten-grand for a rather unusual use for the packing material. Matthew suggests using Bubble Wrap as an alternative to conventional glass Petri dishes for science experiments. He entered his idea in a contest sponsored by Sealed Air Corp, the New Jersey company that makes Bubble Wrap. Matthew wins a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond. A local paper (Free Press of Mankato) reports Bubble Wrap ideas run in the family. Last year, Matthew's older brother Nathan was a finalist with a Bubble Wrap flash-card system.

Judge says Conn. town can't hold graduations in church

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) - A federal judge has ruled two Connecticut public high schools can't hold their graduations inside a church because that would be an unconstitutional endorsement of religion. U.S. District Court Judge Janet Hall made the ruling Monday in the case of Enfield High School and Enrico Fermi High School, both in Enfield. The Enfield school board says it voted to hold services June 23 and 24 at The First Cathedral in Bloomfield because it had enough space at the right price. But two students and three of their parents sued. The judge says Enfield had unconstitutionally entangled itself with religion by agreeing to cover much of the church's religious imagery. She also says the town coerced the plaintiffs to support religion by forcing them to enter the church for graduation.

Marlins selling tickets to Halladay's perfect game

MIAMI (AP) - Here's a chance to buy tickets to a guaranteed perfect game - the one Roy Halladay already threw. The Florida Marlins will begin selling on Tuesday unused tickets to the game in which the Philadelphia Phillies ace pitched the 20th perfect game in major league history, a 1-0 victory over the Marlins on Saturday.

All tickets will be regularly priced and on sale both online and through the Marlins' box office. Paid attendance that night was about 25,000, a relatively large crowd for a Marlins' home game. By comparison, Florida drew a paid crowd of 10,115 - its smallest of the season - for Monday's game against Milwaukee.

New cards will depict eastern Nebraska priests

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Like baseball cards that tell fans about their favorite players, priest cards may help Omaha-area Catholics get to know their pastors. One of the women behind the idea is Lori Mellender. She told KETV in Omaha that priests "are wonderful role models for our children, which is why we as mothers wanted to do it." Another organizer, Diane Anderson, says the eastern Nebraska priests were asked a variety of questions so their personalities could be revealed. In one prototype, a priest's photo is on the front and his biographical information is on the back. Organizers say the 125 priest cards will be sold in packs starting in June. Proceeds will be used to recruit new priests.

AARON KELLY DAY IN PENNSYLVANIA

HARRISBURG, Penn. (AP) - Friday will be Aaron Kelly Day in Pennsylvania. State lawmakers have passed a resolution honoring the "American Idol" finalist. Kelly is from the small Pennsylvania town of Sonestown, about 45 miles from Wilkes-Barre.

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