Monday, June 2, 2008
Unattended smoking material called cause of fire
SHAMOKIN DAM— Unattended smoking materials are being cited as the cause for a fire that did some $30,000 worth of damage to a business in Shamokin Dam on Sunday. Seven area fire crews responded to Sky Communications, along Routes 11 & 15. Fire Chief Chad Gavason, was the first there and says they saw light smoke coming from the rear of the building. He says the blaze was out within the first 10 to 15 minutes, but crews stayed on the scene for nearly 2 hours.
The call came in just before 5:30 p.m. and Gavason says the neighboring BP gas station was also shut down for a few hours as a precaution. Crews from Shamokin Dam, Hummels Wharf, Selinsgrove, Northumberland, Sunbury, Kreamer and Middleburg all responded. Sky Communications is a Nextel dealer that provides area Internet and Telephone services. Both the building owner and occupant had insurance. (Sara Lauver)
Live and Silent Auction to benefit Susquehanna Valley Women in Transition
SELINSGROVE – The 21st annual auction to benefit Susquehanna Valley Women in Transition is Thursday evening at Susquehanna University. Linda Treese is on the board and says SVWIT offers shelter for women and children trapped in abusive relationships. They also offer support groups, legal advice and counseling for people in Snyder, Northumberland and Union Counties.
The live and silent auction is the non-profit organizations biggest fundraiser and will begin at 6:00 at the Everett Dining Hall in the Degenstein Center at Susquehanna University. There are more than 200 items in the live auction to bid on, including trips, tickets and more. Tickets will be sold at the door for $50.00, which includes heavy appetizers and drinks. All proceeds support programs at SVWIT, including free education programs on safety at area schools. (Ali Stevens)
Economics PA received $75,000 grant
SELINSGROVE – The largest non-profit economic education and financial literacy organization in Pennsylvania has received a $75,000 grant from the Department of Labor and Industry. John Fischer is the Chairman of Economics PA and says the grant will create an online educational training program for the teachers that allow them to communication with each other through message boards. The grant was received with the help of State Representative Merle Phillips and the Central Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board.
Economics PA is based in Selinsgrove and reaches thousands of teachers and students in over 500 schools district in the state. Recently, Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett joined Economics PA’s Board of Directors. (Sara Bartlett)
Local reaction to a commercial pulled by Dunkin Donuts featuring Rachel Ray
SUNBURY – Dunkin Donuts is pulling an online advertisement that depicts Rachel Ray wearing a fringed black and white scarf. The ad was pulled after complaints were made that the scarf the celebrity chef wore in the ad represented symbolic support for Muslim extremism and terrorism. The scarf is similar in appearance to a scarf worn by former Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat. On this morning’s “Drew and the Crew” program on sister station 94KX, local residents reacted to Dunkin Donuts decision to pull the ad. They range from criticism for confirming to “policies correctness” to offense for Ray’s wearing of the item to begin with.
Dunkin Donuts says the advertisement began appearing online May 7th but was pulled over the weekend because of the possibility of misperception. The coffee chain says the ad detracted from the intention to promote their iced coffee. (Ali Stevens)
Geisinger doc talks about new prostate cancer study
DANVILLE – Minimally invasive surgery to treat prostate cancer is becoming more common, but a new study suggests that is may not be the most effective procedure. An oncologist at Geisinger Medical Center discusses the pros and cons of the surgery. Dr. Daniel Rukstalis is the Director of Urology at Geisinger, who specializes in minimally invasive surgery, and have laparoscopic or robotic surgery to treat prostate cancer can be less painful, as well as shorten and improve recovering time, but there is a negative found in the new study.
The study shows men who had minimally invasive surgery may be more susceptible to come back for another cancer treatment. However, Rukstalis says in the time that Geisinger has had the robotic surgery equipment; they have found that this is not the case. He explains that the study must not have taken into consideration the experienced vs. less experienced surgeons who perform the procedure.
Rukstalis says now there will be more of a focus on training surgeons to use the new technology, which Geisinger currently has. According to Rukstalis, Geisinger performs about 10 prostate surgeries a week using the robotic technology. (Sara Bartlett)
Shamokin man injured in a crash on Route 125 near Gowen City
GOWEN CITY – A Middleburg man was cited for a crash on Route 125 near Gowen City on Saturday morning. State police say 41-year-old Dale Brosious tried to negotiate a curve in the road and crossed into oncoming traffic, hitting a vehicle driven by 32-year-old Alan Swank Jr. of Shamokin. Swank was taken by ambulance to Geisinger Medical Center for treatment of moderate injuries. A condition report is not available. Brosious was not injured and was cited for driving too fast in the area. (Ali Stevens)
Free electronics recycling in Sunbury this week
SUNBURY – The Sunbury Municipal Authority is hosting a free electronics recycling drop-off this week. Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 7:30a.m. and 3:30p.m. items will be accepted. On Saturday from 7:00a.m.-3:00p.m, items will also be accepted. Anything electronic will be taken, including TVs, computers and radios. The recycling drop-off center is located at the end of South 4th Street on Fawn Lane in Sunbury. (Sara Bartlett)
Teen injured in a hit and run bike accident
SELINSGROVE – A Selinsgrove teen was injured in a hit and run bicycle accident on Saturday night. State police say 17-year-old Alden Figard was riding his bike on the Old Trail near Eighth Street when he was struck from behind by a small dark-colored pick-up truck around 9 p.m. Figard was thrown from the bicycle and landed in the front yard of a home. Troopers say the truck continued on the Old Trail and didn’t stop to check on Figard. The teen was treated for a minor injury. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call State Police. (Ali Stevens)
The telethon over the weekend raise two and a half million
DANVILLE – The big telethon over the weekend—to benefit the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital—raised $2.5 million. The Children’s Miracle Network at Geisinger ended its 25th annual ‘Celebration Weekend’ Sunday with a total of $2,505,275. That total includes over $37,000 from last year’s 94KX ‘Cares for Kids’ Radiothon.
The 25th annual telethon, which was on WYOU over the weekend, included $42,000 in funds raised from the Miracle Motorcycle Tour. Numerous local and community groups donated funds, in varying amounts, to put the total at a new record. Incidentally, a comparable Radiothon is scheduled for this August. More info on that at www.wqkx.com.
Historians, food and even ghost stories: part of Mifflinburg Buggy Days
MIFFLINBURG— The annual Buggy Days festival is this weekend and it will include living historians, demonstrations, buggy rides, crafts and much more. Executive Director of the Buggy Museum, Bronwen Sanders, says the festival showcases some of the history of Mifflinburg.
She says they will be covering every period of history from Colonial to Edwardian and Civil War activities will take place on the VFW fairgrounds. She says there will be two fictitious battles with re-enactors and the day will be filled with learning and fun.
Sanders says it’s a fun-filled weekend for the entire family. She says you can learn a little history, have some fun, meet some old friends, make some new friends and take a buggy ride. Buggy Days is taking place June 6th through the 8th and activities will be going on throughout the downtown. For more information about the festival or the Buggy Museum, go to www.buggymuseum.org. (Sara Lauver)
Listening Tour Town Hall meeting held with Congressman Chris Carney
SHAMOKIN— Congressman Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock) 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)
Crash near Milton leaves a woman hospitalized
MILTON – A woman from Milton is hospitalized following a crash on Shakespeare Road in Northumberland County on Saturday morning. State police say 33-year-old Roni Larose-Shaffer was driving too fast on Sodom Road in West Chillisquaque Township around 9:30 a.m.
Her vehicle traveled across a yard and across Shakespeare Road, before hitting a guide rail. Larose-Shaffer was transported by ambulance to Geisinger Medical Center and is listed in fair condition today. No other vehicles were involved in that crash in West Chillisquaque Township outside Milton. (Ali Stevens)
Coal Township man injured in crash
GOWEN CITY – The investigation continues into a crash on Route 125 yesterday near Gowen City. State police say 27-year-old Lewis Hine of Coal Township drove off of Route 125 and struck a tree around 7 p.m. Sunday evening. Hine sustained head and shoulder injuries in the crash. He was transported to Geisinger Medical Center for treatment, but there is no condition report available. Hine was not wearing a seatbelt. (Ali Stevens)
The Relay of Life, was on Roundtable this weekend
SUNBURY – The area Relays for Life were the topic of this past 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 were on Roundtable Program this weekend. They discussed the survivor’s walk, the ways people can get involved and the opportunities. More info is available at www.cancer.org and you can hear Roundtable on www.wkok.com.
Uni-Mart files for bankruptcy; could mean closures in our area
SUNBURY— Uni-Mart announced Friday that it has filed for bankruptcy and the move could mean closures for area stores. The Daily Item reports that at least one area Uni-Mart store is expected to close in the coming weeks.
Reports say an employee at the Sunbury location at Fourth and Race Streets said the store will be closing June 6th. That location is just one of seven area Uni-Mart stores, with others located in Lewisburg, Milton, Montgomery and Northumberland. The store located in Danville is expected to remain open. No word on any other locations at this time.
A spokesperson for the State College based corporation says it intends to find a buyer. Rising fuel prices and other costs are being blamed for the convenience store and gas station chain’s filing for bankruptcy. There are 283 stores operating throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York and it’s said that nearly 45 of them will be closing. (Sara Lauver)
Snyder County crash leads to minor injuries
ADAMS TWP— Minor injuries are reported after a man became ill while driving, and crashed his vehicle in Snyder County. State Police in Selinsgrove say 44-year-old Tony Kline, of Beavertown, became sick while he was driving along a local road in Adams Township Saturday night.
Police say his vehicle went off the roadway and crashed into some trees. Kline and his passenger, 19-year-old Crystal Kline, also of Beavertown, were taken to Evangelical Community Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. (Sara Lauver)
Robert Healy named Director of Athletics Communications
SELINSGROVE— Susquehanna University’s Office of Communications has appointed Robert Healy as their new Director of Athletics Communications. Healy comes to SU from Hamilton College in New York, where he has served as the assistant sports information director for the past year.
He has also served as a media relation’s liaison for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a journalist for the Pittsburgh Sports Report. Healy will assume his new position on July 1st. (Sara Lauver)
Belfanti opens new Mount Carmel office
MOUNT CARMEL – State Representative Bob Belfanti has opened a new office in Mount Carmel, nearly two months after an arson fire heavily damaged his old one. The new office is located at 18 East 5th 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)
E-mail scams becoming more popular
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)
Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:
MIDDLETOWN, Pa. (AP) - A computerized spell-checker run that ran amok christened several Pennsylvania high school students with new - and in some cases unflattering - last names. Middletown Area High School's yearbook listed Max Zupanovic as "Max Supernova," Kathy Carbaugh as "Kathy Airbag" and Alessandra Ippolito as "Alexandria Impolite," just to name a few. Ippolito says, "It was kind of funny, but kind of rude at the same time." The mistakes were found on only four of the yearbook's 176 pages. Ed Patrick of Taylor Publishing, which printed the book, says his company takes responsibility for the errors and will provide free stickers printed with the correct names. He says, "It happens all the time, every year" Patrick says, "Look at any yearbook in the country. “
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - One Pennsylvania liberal-arts college is trying to encourage more families to save for college in the hopes that its counterparts will follow suit. Dickinson College in Carlisle is promising a higher rate of return on the Independent 529 plan, a tax-free college savings plan sponsored by more than 270 private colleges. Established in 2003, the plan allows families to prepay tuition at a slight discount from today's prices. Dickinson plans to increase its discount from 1 percent to 4 percent starting July 1. Dickinson's vice president and treasurer Annette Parker says the higher discount rate means families can set aside less money today than they would need under the old rate to save for the future.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Gov. Ed Rendell and state legislative leaders kicked off a busy June with a frank exchange today on spending proposals and major policy priorities. Rendell and top legislators met for two hours at the governor's official residence in Harrisburg as they work to approve a budget by the July 1 start of the new fiscal year. At a press conference later, Rendell framed the next four weeks as an opportunity to help residents deal with rising bills for food, gas and electricity. He also commended legislators for their spirit of compromise, and says he hopes to avoid the same protracted battle that led to a one-day furlough of more than 20,000 state workers last year. However, he also expressed some anger that the Republican-controlled Senate will not vote on a couple of his priorities. Those include extending state-subsidized health insurance to more uninsured adults and borrowing from existing biomedical research dollars to build research facilities.
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Authorities in Pittsburgh say they have confiscated more than 1,000 counterfeit Penguins' jerseys valued at more than $250,000. The United States Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the state police are warning consumers about an increase in the sale of fake jerseys. The authorities say the merchandise has been illegally shipped from China and intercepted in the Pittsburgh area. The agencies say that in the past week more than 78 parcels with the counterfeit jerseys have been seized. In the past month, they say they have confiscated merchandise valued at more than $250,000. The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Detroit Red Wings are in the Stanley Cup finals. The Red Wings are leading the series 3-1.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Monday in the midday Pennsylvania State Lottery drawing:
Daily Number 5-2-7
Big 4 8-7-8-4
Treasure Hunt 2-8-22-25-29
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)