WKOK NEWS

Obama clinches delegate count, Clinton encourages supporters

NEW YORK – Democrat Hillary Clinton says she “will make no decision (tonight)” in spite of the clinching of the Democratic presidential nomination by Illinois Senator Barack Obama. The New York Senator spoke from Baruch College in Manhattan and encouraged supporters to go to the campaign’s website to express their support while she considers her next move. Mrs. Clinton says she will speak with party leaders in the days ahead.

Mrs. Clinton won the South Dakota democratic primary Tuesday, 56% to 44%. However, Barack Obama gatherer support of superdelegates thought the day and is the projected winner of the Democratic primary in Montana. (Matt Farrand/AP)

Final primaries tonight

WASHINGTON (AP) - Barack Obama has sealed his place in history. The Democrat is the first black candidate to lead a major party into a campaign for the White House. He has arranged a victory celebration in St. Paul, Minnesota, at the site of this summer's GOP national convention. Former President Carter says he plans to endorse Obama after voting stops in South Dakota and Montana. He says "the Obama people already know they have my vote when the polls close tonight." Carter is a superdelegate and has remained officially neutral in the race. Hillary Rodham Clinton has indicated that she is open to joining Barack Obama as his running mate. On a conference call with New York lawmakers, Clinton said she wants to take time to determine how to leave the race in a way that would best help Democrats.

PA smoking ban compromise

HARRISBURG – A conference committee has approved a compromise bill that outlines smoking bans in Pennsylvania and Governor Ed Rendell is urging the House and Senate to approve it as well. State Representative Russ Fairchild says passing the legislation is easier said than done, because the compromise is just as controversial as any other smoking ban. He says he has already received e-mails from both sides of the issue telling him to either vote or not vote for the bill.

The bill would ban smoking in restaurants, office buildings, train and bus stations, sports arenas and many other public places and work places. It would still allow smoking in bars, some hotel rooms, private clubs and portions of casinos. It also allows Philadelphia’s current smoking ban to stay in place, but no other local government would be allowed to enact its own smoking ban. Fairchild says he is disappointed that casinos got their way, as well as Philadelphia being the only place that could run themselves independently.

Representative Bob Belfanti was quoted on the floor as saying he would “take a lot of hits back home in his district for voting on the compromise.” A vote in the House and Senate could come as early as today, and because it is a compromise, it cannot be amended. (AP/SB)

Vehicle on tracks after Route 11 crash

DANVILLE – Montour County Communications tell us traffic is flowing freely again on Route 11 near the Northumberland/Montour County line. It was down to one lane northbound shortly before 5:00p.m. after a crash involving at least two vehicles. A passer-by says one vehicle landed on a nearby railroad track. No indication of how many injuries were involved, if any. Mahoning Township Police were among those responding. (Matt Farrand)

Case against man accused of home invasion to be heard in court

MIFFLINBURG – Attempted homicide and burglary charges against a Williamsport man accused of allegedly breaking into a home near Mifflinburg are being waived onto Union County court. 22-year-old Robert Schreffler is accused in a home invasion burglary in West Buffalo Township, and holding an occupant at gunpoint early in the morning of May 22^nd. A warrant for a second suspect has been issued, though initial reports indicated others were also involved in the attack. Schreffler appeared before justice Jeffrey Mensch Tuesday.

Resident Carson Sampsell says he knows Schreffler and his other attackers. A shot was fired in the incident though there were no injuries. (Matt Farrand)

Teamwork from Erdman and Clausi

SUNBURY – Northumberland County Commissioners Kurt Masser and Frank Sawicki voted to give an $8,000 raise to a county employee at Tuesday’s salary board meeting, but WKOK’s Mark Lawrence reports the unlikely pair of Commissioner Vinny Clausi and County Controller Chuck Erdman denied the raise. Clausi was reportedly late to the meeting and Erdman asked to delay it until he arrived. This teamwork after the two argued for over an hour last meeting. They cited saving money for the county as the reason for denying the raise.

Clausi and Erdman were in agreement that an $8,000 raise for Human Resources worker Betty Nicola was too much. Commissioners Sawicki and Masser cited Nicola’s increased workload, plus the fact that she was promised the money as a reason for the raise. She was eventually given a $4,800 raise, which is effective next year.

Police search for person who stole $1,500 worth of diesel fuel

ELYSBURG – Police are searching for someone who stole a large amount of diesel fuel near Elysburg. Sometime between May 1^st and May 27^th an unknown person siphoned around $1,500 worth of diesel fuel from trucks parked at a concrete business on Rose Road in Shamokin Township, Northumberland County. Anyone with information is asked to contact State Police at Stonington. (Sara Bartlett)

SHAMOKIN – A Shamokin man was injured on Sunday after police say he jumped from a bridge to get away from them. 19-year-old Kyle Sherman was reportedly fighting at a bar on Independence Street in Shamokin early Sunday morning, when police began to chase him. Sherman ran down a few streets to get to the Eighth Street Bridge, where he allegedly jumped 30 feet into the Shamokin Creek. Emergency crews used ropes and a backboard to rescue Sherman, who was taken to Shamokin Hospital before being transferred by Life Flight to Geisinger Medical Center

Sherman was treated and released and now faces public drunkenness, disorderly conduct and other charges. (Ali Stevens)

Ladies’ Night Out raises money for local Relay for Life

LEWISBURG – Over 100 women attended the Ladies’ Night Out fundraiser at the Campus Theater Monday evening to benefit the Lewisburg Relay for Life. Hanna Hall is member of the Lewisburg Lamborghini’s team and says this was their first fundraiser and this event, along with online fundraising has put them over their $2,000 goal.

The night featured food and drinks, along with numerous raffle prizes, all to raise money for the Relay. Many came out to support those who have had a personal battle with cancer. The Lewisburg Relay for Life will be held next weekend, June 13^th and 14^th, at the Lewisburg Middle School track. (Sara Bartlett)

Two Danville women plead guilty to drug charges

DANVILLE – Two Danville women have pleaded guilty to drug charges. Police say 21-year-old Shawn Ashton and 36-year-old Jennifer Hunt were allegedly in possession of heroin on March 18^th and Hunt reported sold two packets of the heroin to a police informant that same day. Hunt is also accused of a drug sale in February at her home on East Mahoning Street. Both Ashton and Hunt will be sentenced on possession and delivery charges. (Ali Stevens)

Man sent to prison for DUI involving illegal prescription drugs

DANVILLE – A rural Northumberland man is going to prison for a DUI involving illegal prescription drugs. Police say 26-year-old Brandon Hendricks had approximately 1,200 pills stored in a bag when he was stopped by Danville police in March of last year. He was given a blood alcohol test, which showed he was above the legal limit. This was his second DUI arrest. Hendricks was ordered to prison this week, sentenced to nine months behind bars. (Ali Stevens)

Work and detours to begin on Route 522 in Middleburg

MIDDLEBURG – Work on the 75-year-old bridge over a tributary of Middle Creek on Route 522 in Middleburg is prompting detours, which are expected to start Thursday. Rick Mason of PennDOT says there are a number of detours, depending on the type of vehicles and the geometry of the roads that are affected. He says larger trucks may not be able to make it through some of the roads and intersections that cars can get through.

A detour for Route 104 southbound takes trucks on Route 304 through Winfield, connects with Route 15, hits Route 35 and eventually gets them back on Route 104. A northbound detour will take them on Route 204 through Kratzerville and meet up with Route 522 to continue to Route 104. While car detours are much shorter, Mason says the whole project may cause some backups, and they hope to have the project complete by August.

SELINSGROVE— Selinsgrove borough residents will soon see some new banners lining the streets of the downtown. The Selinsgrove borough council accepted a proposal by the Selinsgrove Chamber of Commerce, along with Selinsgrove Projects Inc. and Susquehanna University, to place banners on the new street lamps along Market Street and a portion of Pine Street.

Chamber member, Pam White, says they hope to have the banners up by mid-July and some would include the greeting “Welcome to Selinsgrove,” while others will read “Susquehanna University.” The banners would match the ones already in place along the campus.

It’s another way to better connect the borough with the University according to SU officials. Borough Council President, Carol Handlan, says she thinks the banners will be a nice added touch and she thinks they will give the downtown just a bit of pizzazz. (Sara Lauver)

SELINSGROVE— Representatives from Susquehanna University, are discussing possible plans for the University’s upcoming Sesquicentennial Celebration this year. Co-chairs of the planning committee, Marsha Lemons and Jane Daly Seaberg, presented ideas at the Selinsgrove borough council meeting last night.

Those ideas included SU’s participation in this year’s Market Street Festival, as well as holding one of the largest homecoming weekends the University has ever seen. Tentative plans for the upcoming 150 year homecoming celebration, to be held in October, includes an outdoor dance, the groundbreaking for the new Science Center on campus and even a fireworks display.

Council approved the go-ahead for a request to get a permit allowing a fireworks display to be set off in the borough, something that has not been done in several years. SU Associate Dean and Director of Public Safety, Tom Rambo, says the show would be a 15-minute, professionally produced display. The University will be celebrating 150 years during the ’08-’09 school year. (Sara Lauver)

TURBOTVILLE – State police say a motorist swerving to miss a dead deer on Interstate 180 lost control of her vehicle Monday morning, striking a highway sign and an embankment near the Route 44 bridge. 44-year-old Kelly McLaughlin of Hughesville was not injured, but struck the remains of the deer before her car spun for about 150 feet while heading westbound. (Matt Farrand)

SHAMOKIN DAM – A lit cigarette left by a building occupant are being cited as the cause of a fire that did more than $30,000 damage to a local business Sunday. State Police say the fire at Sky Communications spread within an attached garage used for storage. Fire Marshall Norman Fedder says Gary Kratzer of Milton owned the building.

Both Kratzer and Sky Communications were insured, according to Fire Marshall Norman Fedder. Shamokin Dam Fire Chief Chad Gavason says crews put the fire out in less than fifteen minutes. A neighboring gasoline station on the Routes 11 & 15 strip was closed for a time. (Matt Farrand)

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)

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 volunteer chairman of the Economics PA advisory board 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)

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)

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)

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.

He hit 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)

SUNBURY – The Sunbury Municipal Authority is hosting a free electronics recycling drop-off this week. Wednesday and Friday between 7:30a.m. and 3:30p.m. items will be accepted. 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)

PITMAN, Pa. (AP) - A fire at a Schuylkill County kennel has killed 23 dogs, but passing motorists stopped and managed to rescue nine others. By the time Keith Knock and Andrew Oxenrider drove by the kennel in Eldred Township, the building was fully engulfed in flames. The assistant chief of the Mahantango Fire Company says Tuesday's fire is "of suspicious origin." Knock was treated at the scene for minor burns. One of the rescued dogs has severe burns. The kennel is owned by John Yagielniskie of Girardville.

POTTSVILLE, Pa. (AP) - A Pottsville man on death row for a 1992 murder for hire is getting a new trial. Schuylkill County Judge William Baldwin ruled Tuesday that Ronald Champney had ineffective legal counsel when convicted in 1999. He was 52 years old when convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Roy Bensinger of North Manheim Township. Prosecutors maintain that Champney was paid $25,000 to kill Bensinger.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The state House is considering a bill to punish builders that avoid worker's compensation fees and other costs by wrongly classifying workers as independent contractors. The legislation being debated Tuesday aims to address supposed abuses in the construction industry. The prime sponsor, Delaware County state Rep. Brian Lentz, says every lawmaker knows of an instance in their own district that makes such a law necessary. He says companies have been using independent contractor status in hiring illegal immigrants. Republican opponents say the bill would damage Pennsylvania's business climate. It awaits a final vote in the House and faces uncertain prospects in the Republican-controlled state Senate.

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

	Here is the latest from Newsradio 1070 WKOK

Tuesday, June 3, 2008 Obama clinches delegate count, Clinton encourages supporters NEW YORK – Democrat Hillary Clinton says she “will make no decision (tonight)” in spite of the clinching of the Democratic presidential nomination by Illinois Senator Barack Obama. The New York Senator spoke from Baruch College in Manhattan and encouraged supporters to go to the campaign’s website to express their support while she considers her next move. Mrs. Clinton says she will speak with party leaders in the days ahead. Mrs. Clinton won the South Dakota democratic primary Tuesday, 56% to 44%. However, Barack Obama gatherer support of superdelegates thought the day and is the projected winner of the Democratic primary in Montana. (Matt Farrand/AP) Final primaries tonight WASHINGTON (AP) - Barack Obama has sealed his place in history. The Democrat is the first black candidate to lead a major party into a campaign for the White House. He has arranged a victory celebration in St. Paul, Minnesota, at the site of this summer's GOP national convention. Former President Carter says he plans to endorse Obama after voting stops in South Dakota and Montana. He says "the Obama people already know they have my vote when the polls close tonight." Carter is a superdelegate and has remained officially neutral in the race. Hillary Rodham Clinton has indicated that she is open to joining Barack Obama as his running mate. On a conference call with New York lawmakers, Clinton said she wants to take time to determine how to leave the race in a way that would best help Democrats. PA smoking ban compromise HARRISBURG – A conference committee has approved a compromise bill that outlines smoking bans in Pennsylvania and Governor Ed Rendell is urging the House and Senate to approve it as well. State Representative Russ Fairchild says passing the legislation is easier said than done, because the compromise is just as controversial as any other smoking ban. He says he has already received e-mails from both sides of the issue telling him to either vote or not vote for the bill. The bill would ban smoking in restaurants, office buildings, train and bus stations, sports arenas and many other public places and work places. It would still allow smoking in bars, some hotel rooms, private clubs and portions of casinos. It also allows Philadelphia’s current smoking ban to stay in place, but no other local government would be allowed to enact its own smoking ban. Fairchild says he is disappointed that casinos got their way, as well as Philadelphia being the only place that could run themselves independently. Representative Bob Belfanti was quoted on the floor as saying he would “take a lot of hits back home in his district for voting on the compromise.” A vote in the House and Senate could come as early as today, and because it is a compromise, it cannot be amended. (AP/SB) Vehicle on tracks after Route 11 crash DANVILLE – Montour County Communications tell us traffic is flowing freely again on Route 11 near the Northumberland/Montour County line. It was down to one lane northbound shortly before 5:00p.m. after a crash involving at least two vehicles. A passer-by says one vehicle landed on a nearby railroad track. No indication of how many injuries were involved, if any. Mahoning Township Police were among those responding. (Matt Farrand) Case against man accused of home invasion to be heard in court MIFFLINBURG – Attempted homicide and burglary charges against a Williamsport man accused of allegedly breaking into a home near Mifflinburg are being waived onto Union County court. 22-year-old Robert Schreffler is accused in a home invasion burglary in West Buffalo Township, and holding an occupant at gunpoint early in the morning of May 22^nd. A warrant for a second suspect has been issued, though initial reports indicated others were also involved in the attack. Schreffler appeared before justice Jeffrey Mensch Tuesday. Resident Carson Sampsell says he knows Schreffler and his other attackers. A shot was fired in the incident though there were no injuries. (Matt Farrand) Teamwork from Erdman and Clausi SUNBURY – Northumberland County Commissioners Kurt Masser and Frank Sawicki voted to give an $8,000 raise to a county employee at Tuesday’s salary board meeting, but WKOK’s Mark Lawrence reports the unlikely pair of Commissioner Vinny Clausi and County Controller Chuck Erdman denied the raise. Clausi was reportedly late to the meeting and Erdman asked to delay it until he arrived. This teamwork after the two argued for over an hour last meeting. They cited saving money for the county as the reason for denying the raise. Clausi and Erdman were in agreement that an $8,000 raise for Human Resources worker Betty Nicola was too much. Commissioners Sawicki and Masser cited Nicola’s increased workload, plus the fact that she was promised the money as a reason for the raise. She was eventually given a $4,800 raise, which is effective next year. Police search for person who stole $1,500 worth of diesel fuel ELYSBURG – Police are searching for someone who stole a large amount of diesel fuel near Elysburg. Sometime between May 1^st and May 27^th an unknown person siphoned around $1,500 worth of diesel fuel from trucks parked at a concrete business on Rose Road in Shamokin Township, Northumberland County. Anyone with information is asked to contact State Police at Stonington. (Sara Bartlett) Pursued Shamokin man injured after jumping from bridge SHAMOKIN – A Shamokin man was injured on Sunday after police say he jumped from a bridge to get away from them. 19-year-old Kyle Sherman was reportedly fighting at a bar on Independence Street in Shamokin early Sunday morning, when police began to chase him. Sherman ran down a few streets to get to the Eighth Street Bridge, where he allegedly jumped 30 feet into the Shamokin Creek. Emergency crews used ropes and a backboard to rescue Sherman, who was taken to Shamokin Hospital before being transferred by Life Flight to Geisinger Medical Center Sherman was treated and released and now faces public drunkenness, disorderly conduct and other charges. (Ali Stevens) Ladies’ Night Out raises money for local Relay for Life LEWISBURG – Over 100 women attended the Ladies’ Night Out fundraiser at the Campus Theater Monday evening to benefit the Lewisburg Relay for Life. Hanna Hall is member of the Lewisburg Lamborghini’s team and says this was their first fundraiser and this event, along with online fundraising has put them over their $2,000 goal. The night featured food and drinks, along with numerous raffle prizes, all to raise money for the Relay. Many came out to support those who have had a personal battle with cancer. The Lewisburg Relay for Life will be held next weekend, June 13^th and 14^th, at the Lewisburg Middle School track. (Sara Bartlett) Two Danville women plead guilty to drug charges DANVILLE – Two Danville women have pleaded guilty to drug charges. Police say 21-year-old Shawn Ashton and 36-year-old Jennifer Hunt were allegedly in possession of heroin on March 18^th and Hunt reported sold two packets of the heroin to a police informant that same day. Hunt is also accused of a drug sale in February at her home on East Mahoning Street. Both Ashton and Hunt will be sentenced on possession and delivery charges. (Ali Stevens) Man sent to prison for DUI involving illegal prescription drugs DANVILLE – A rural Northumberland man is going to prison for a DUI involving illegal prescription drugs. Police say 26-year-old Brandon Hendricks had approximately 1,200 pills stored in a bag when he was stopped by Danville police in March of last year. He was given a blood alcohol test, which showed he was above the legal limit. This was his second DUI arrest. Hendricks was ordered to prison this week, sentenced to nine months behind bars. (Ali Stevens) Work and detours to begin on Route 522 in Middleburg MIDDLEBURG – Work on the 75-year-old bridge over a tributary of Middle Creek on Route 522 in Middleburg is prompting detours, which are expected to start Thursday. Rick Mason of PennDOT says there are a number of detours, depending on the type of vehicles and the geometry of the roads that are affected. He says larger trucks may not be able to make it through some of the roads and intersections that cars can get through. A detour for Route 104 southbound takes trucks on Route 304 through Winfield, connects with Route 15, hits Route 35 and eventually gets them back on Route 104. A northbound detour will take them on Route 204 through Kratzerville and meet up with Route 522 to continue to Route 104. While car detours are much shorter, Mason says the whole project may cause some backups, and they hope to have the project complete by August. You can keep up to date with this and all road projects and detours in our area with WKOK’s Road Report every weekday on the Morning News Roundup and online at wkok.com (Sara Bartlett) Downtown Selinsgrove to see colorful banners this summer SELINSGROVE— Selinsgrove borough residents will soon see some new banners lining the streets of the downtown. The Selinsgrove borough council accepted a proposal by the Selinsgrove Chamber of Commerce, along with Selinsgrove Projects Inc. and Susquehanna University, to place banners on the new street lamps along Market Street and a portion of Pine Street. Chamber member, Pam White, says they hope to have the banners up by mid-July and some would include the greeting “Welcome to Selinsgrove,” while others will read “Susquehanna University.” The banners would match the ones already in place along the campus. It’s another way to better connect the borough with the University according to SU officials. Borough Council President, Carol Handlan, says she thinks the banners will be a nice added touch and she thinks they will give the downtown just a bit of pizzazz. (Sara Lauver) 150 years to celebrate; SU plans parties SELINSGROVE— Representatives from Susquehanna University, are discussing possible plans for the University’s upcoming Sesquicentennial Celebration this year. Co-chairs of the planning committee, Marsha Lemons and Jane Daly Seaberg, presented ideas at the Selinsgrove borough council meeting last night. Those ideas included SU’s participation in this year’s Market Street Festival, as well as holding one of the largest homecoming weekends the University has ever seen. Tentative plans for the upcoming 150 year homecoming celebration, to be held in October, includes an outdoor dance, the groundbreaking for the new Science Center on campus and even a fireworks display. Council approved the go-ahead for a request to get a permit allowing a fireworks display to be set off in the borough, something that has not been done in several years. SU Associate Dean and Director of Public Safety, Tom Rambo, says the show would be a 15-minute, professionally produced display. The University will be celebrating 150 years during the ’08-’09 school year. (Sara Lauver) Driver crashes avoiding deer carcass TURBOTVILLE – State police say a motorist swerving to miss a dead deer on Interstate 180 lost control of her vehicle Monday morning, striking a highway sign and an embankment near the Route 44 bridge. 44-year-old Kelly McLaughlin of Hughesville was not injured, but struck the remains of the deer before her car spun for about 150 feet while heading westbound. (Matt Farrand) Fire originated with “smoking material” SHAMOKIN DAM – A lit cigarette left by a building occupant are being cited as the cause of a fire that did more than $30,000 damage to a local business Sunday. State Police say the fire at Sky Communications spread within an attached garage used for storage. Fire Marshall Norman Fedder says Gary Kratzer of Milton owned the building. Both Kratzer and Sky Communications were insured, according to Fire Marshall Norman Fedder. Shamokin Dam Fire Chief Chad Gavason says crews put the fire out in less than fifteen minutes. A neighboring gasoline station on the Routes 11 & 15 strip was closed for a time. (Matt Farrand) 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 volunteer chairman of the Economics PA advisory board 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. He hit 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. Wednesday and Friday between 7:30a.m. and 3:30p.m. items will be accepted. 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) Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment: PITMAN, Pa. (AP) - A fire at a Schuylkill County kennel has killed 23 dogs, but passing motorists stopped and managed to rescue nine others. By the time Keith Knock and Andrew Oxenrider drove by the kennel in Eldred Township, the building was fully engulfed in flames. The assistant chief of the Mahantango Fire Company says Tuesday's fire is "of suspicious origin." Knock was treated at the scene for minor burns. One of the rescued dogs has severe burns. The kennel is owned by John Yagielniskie of Girardville. POTTSVILLE, Pa. (AP) - A Pottsville man on death row for a 1992 murder for hire is getting a new trial. Schuylkill County Judge William Baldwin ruled Tuesday that Ronald Champney had ineffective legal counsel when convicted in 1999. He was 52 years old when convicted of first-degree murder in the death of Roy Bensinger of North Manheim Township. Prosecutors maintain that Champney was paid $25,000 to kill Bensinger. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The state House is considering a bill to punish builders that avoid worker's compensation fees and other costs by wrongly classifying workers as independent contractors. The legislation being debated Tuesday aims to address supposed abuses in the construction industry. The prime sponsor, Delaware County state Rep. Brian Lentz, says every lawmaker knows of an instance in their own district that makes such a law necessary. He says companies have been using independent contractor status in hiring illegal immigrants. Republican opponents say the bill would damage Pennsylvania's business climate. It awaits a final vote in the House and faces uncertain prospects in the Republican-controlled state Senate. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Tuesday in the midday Pennsylvania State Lottery drawing: Daily Number 0-1-2 Big 4 6-4-0-1 Treasure Hunt 2-12-19-22-30 (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)