Thursday, June 5, 2008

Superdelegate Carney offers no endorsement of Obama

WASHINGTON – With the formal withdrawal of Hillary Rodham Clinton from the Democratic Presidential race nearly certain, superdelegate Chris Carney is coming out in favor of both Hillary and presumptive nominee Barack Obama.  A statement issued by the 10^th District member of Congress credits both for energizing voters and showing strength under pressure, but offers no endorsement of Obama.  Carney had previously followed state Democratic voters in support of Hillary Clinton.  (Matt Farrand)

Curran insanity defense rejected

SUNBURY – 34-year-old Richard Curran will stand trial later this month for allegedly shooting his estranged wife to death.  However, he will not be able to use insanity as a defense.  Judge Robert Sacavage decided in favor of District Attorney Tony Rosini who noted in a pretrial hearing that the specifics used in a typical insanity defense are not admissible in this state.

Richard Curran is accused of killing Tina Curran in the parking lot of Shamokin Area Hospital in August of 2005.  His mental condition has been evaluated a number of times, and faces execution if found guilty of first degree murder (Matt Farrand)

Monroe Marketplace construction draws picketers

HUMMELS WHARF – You may have noticed a few protesters carrying signs in front of the Monroe Marketplace Thursday afternoon.  The signs read “Shame on Lobar Associates.”  Lobar is a firm doing construction on the new shopping center.  The group protesting was the Greater PA Regional Council of Carpenters.  Council Rep, Vern Johnson, says the reason behind the picket is that they feel some companies don’t pay fair wages and give good benefits.  He says they go all over the state and negotiate contracts to get a better standard of living for their working members.

Johnson says none of their members are currently doing construction work on Monroe Marketplace, but they frequently have members working at the Shamokin Dam power plant.  Construction company, Lobar Associates, is based in Dillsburg. (Sara Bartlett) 

Child pornography charges against former Danville prison guard

DANVILLE – A former federal corrections officer from Danville is facing child pornography charges.  The Press Enterprise reports 42-year-old Randy Albertson plead guilty to receiving child pornography over the Internet.  Albertson had previously been sentenced after molesting a young girl in Bloomsburg.  While investigating that incident, police found nearly 40 inappropriate images of children on his computer.  He was sentenced 23 months in prison for molesting the girl, but recently was awarded a new trial.  He is now in custody awaiting sentencing and a retrial in Columbia County court. (Sara Bartlett)

Local democrat evaluates Obama

LEWISBURG – Union County Democrats chose presumptive nominee Barack Obama over rival Hillary Clinton in the April presidential primary.  Rick Thomas is the Union County Democratic Committee Chair and notes that Union County party members nearly stood alone statewide in their support of the Illinois Senator.  Thomas says local democrats as such may be more progressive, in joining Centre County and Philadelphia area Democrats supporting Obama. 

However, Thomas says both Democratic candidates were well qualified, and partly credits Hillary Clinton’s appeal to Bill Clinton’s presidency.  Hillary Clinton is expected to announce the suspension of her campaign Saturday and aides say she is interested in pursuing a vice presidential nomination.  (Matt Farrand)

Milton State Park walking trail to be showcased this weekend 

MILTON – Work for over two years at 82-acre Milton State Park will be recognized Saturday.  The public is invited to the dedication of a new walking trail.  Amy Davis is the Program Assistant for the Community Resource Center and the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership, says the trail is between a half-mile to a mile and there has been a lot of work done to it.

A ceremony will be held followed by a walk on the trail.  Kids can also participate in a “fun run” on the trail, or check out the new playground.  Musical entertainment will also be provided.  The free event is sponsored by Friends of the Milton State Park and starts at 10:00a.m. Saturday. (Sara Bartlett) 

Local beverage distribution center celebrates 40 years

SUNBURY – Bob Mertz didn’t set out to be in the beer business…it just sort of fell into his lap.

Mertz, who also owns Sunbury Motors, says when he went to by a building for the car dealership, the seller owned a beer business and wanted to see that too.  Now, the beverage distribution center is celebrating 40 years in business.  Bought in 1968, and relocated to its current location in Sunbury in 1978, Mertz says they have many loyal customers and have drawn those from surrounding towns as well. 

Another suspect in custody for Union County home invasion

MIFFLINBURG – Another man accused of a home invasion and attack in West Buffalo Township, Union County has been arrested.  19-year-old Joseph Williams, of Glenside, was apprehended Wednesday in the Philadelphia area.  Williams faces charges of criminal attempted homicide and was arraigned before District Justice Jeffrey Mensch.  He’s now in Union County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing next week. 

On Tuesday, criminal attempted homicide charges were filed against 22-year-old Robert Schreffler of Williamsport, for the same home invasion incident, which occurred on May 22^nd.  Police say Williams and Schreffler, along with two unidentified suspects, entered a home near Mifflinburg and attacked a resident with a gun.  Police say the two other suspects are still at large. (Sara Bartlett)

Graduation time: Selinsgrove grads take diplomas and a message on change

SELINSGROVE— It was graduation day for seniors at Selinsgrove Area High School last night. Class Valedictorian, Kirsten Krebs, told her fellow graduates to enjoy the moment and take time in preparing a future.

She told the Class of 2008 to reflect on the past, but look forward to the bright future that shines ahead. Krebs says that before their class can leave high school behind, they should “stop for a minute, relax, and remember what we have learned, while considering what we will do in the years to come.”

Over 200 seniors received diplomas in last night’s ceremony, which was held in Weber Chapel on the campus of Susquehanna University. Graduation events were also held for seniors of Mifflinburg and Mount Carmel Area High Schools. One will be held for graduates of Shikellamy High School this evening. (Sara Lauver)

Grad time for D & A Court too

SUNBURY – Nine men and three women from Northumberland County are the latest graduates of Treatment Court. The program that gives non-violent drug, DUI and other offenders a chance to get help rather than only serve jail time is backed by President Judge Robert Sacavage. Scott Kilgus is among the graduates making the most of the program, and will attend Penn Tech later this year.

He says support from his peers in the program helped him do what he didn’t think he could. Kilgus plans learn from his experience as a drug offender, earn a counseling degree and help others. Wednesday’s ceremony was in memory 53-year-old Perry Woolsey, a Treatment Court attendee who died from an illness in May. His posthumous degree was accepted by his son, Kyle. (Matt Farrand)

Barack/Hillary ticket has local support

LEWISBURG – Illinois Senator Barack Obama is the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. Locally, only Union County Democrats chose Obama over rival Hillary Clinton in the April primary. Kim Thomas is the co-chair of Union County for Obama and says she’s followed his career since 2004. Thomas believes a Barack Obama presidency could improve the country’s image in the rest of the world.

Thomas says a ticket of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton could be the best chance to unite the party after a long series of primaries, as Obama supporters will vote for him no matter what, and Hillary may attract more traditional blue collar Democrats.

Hillary Clinton did not formally withdraw from the race Tuesday night, and says she will make no decision until she meets with party leaders. She may make a decision regarding the official future of her campaign on Friday morning, according to sources quoted Wednesday night. (Matt Farrand)

Sunbury man charged with January shooting deaths

SUNBURY – The man initially suspected of killing a Sunbury man and woman in January is now charged with their deaths. Michael Harrell faces two open criminal homicide counts, aggravated assault and weapons charges in the shootings of 27-year-old David Moore and 24-year-old Crystal Gordon in a North Fourth Street apartment.

Harrell is 39 years old and court papers say he admitted shooting the two following an argument. He is in the Northumberland County prison without bail following arraignment this morning before District Judge Carl Rice. To date, he’d been held in prison solely on a parole violation, and was not formally charged. (Matt Farrand)

One person injured in a crash on Route 15 in Union County

LEWISBURG – One person was injured in a crash last night on Route 15 in Union County. State police say 21-year-old Tara Erdley was traveling north on Route 15 and lost control of her vehicle. Troopers say Erdley was speeding on a wet roadway.

Troopers say that caused the vehicle to spin out of control and cross over both southbound lanes of Route 15. The vehicle struck an embankment and flipped twice. Erdley was treated for minor injuries at Evangelical Community Hospital following that crash in Union Township around 7:20 last night. (Ali Stevens)

Two accidents on Route 11 in Danville Tuesday

DANVILLE – A Danville man and a Northumberland man were injured in crashes on Route 11 in Mahoning Township yesterday afternoon. Police say 19-year-old Adam Shoup drove off of Route 11 and flipped his car in the woods. Shoup reportedly fell asleep at the wheel and sustained minor injuries.

Traffic was backed up for about an hour and that’s when 33-year-old Jeff Clark of Northumberland lost control of his motorcycle when he tried to stop for the slowed traffic. Clark sustained injuries to his elbows and knees. Both vehicles were towed from the scene. (Ali Stevens)

Sluggish economy making it difficult to get summer jobs

UNDATED – There’s been a national trend of youths having a tough time finding summer employment this year, and a slumping economy is to blame. Rachael Smith is the Manager of Workforce Research and Development at the Central PA Workforce Development Corporation in Lewisburg, and says young people looking for summer work have some competition.

With the rising price of everything, more adults are looking for second jobs for a few extra bucks. Smith says, from her research, there are actually more jobs in our region this summer than there were last summer, but they are difficult to get since more people are applying for them. She says for young people, transportation is another factor. They have to take into consideration how much gas they’ll use, in relation to how much money they’ll make at their jobs.

Many employers are cutting back on their part-time positions this year, and are also weary of hiring teens or students who they know will have to leave the job to go back to school. Smith says career tips for teens include talking with a representative from their local CareerLink and focusing on their skills that are valuable for employers. (Sara Bartlett)

CSVT would be fuel-efficient

SUNBURY – There’s no doubt that the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway would ease traffic, but, according to Northumberland County Commissioner Frank Sawicki, it would also be fuel-efficient. He says now, between Harrisburg and the I-80/I-81 junction, there are many hills. With the Thruway, the road would be flat because it follows the river, allowing trucks to travel in a higher gear, not needing to downshift to crawl up hills.

Sawicki believes nearly four gallons could be saved per trip, which is substantial and could essentially make the bridge pay for itself. They plan to do a study on the gas savings with PennDOT.

Sawicki was recently in Washington DC with SEDA-COG where they discussed the issue with the Federal Highway Administration. They also met with local officials, discussing I-80 tolls and cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay. (Sara Bartlett)

Organ recital this Sunday

SUNBURY – You can hear this piece Sunday at the American Guild of Organists recital. Sub-Dean of the Susquehanna Valley chapter of the Guild, Dave Reier, says six other organists will be performing as well. He invites everyone to come to the show, and hopes it may spark further interest in the instrument.

The performance will be held Sunday at 4:00p.m. at the St. Luke’s Lutheran Church and Reagan Street and Catawissa Avenue in Sunbury. Everyone is invited and a reception will follow the recital. (Sara Bartlett)

A Lewisburg man is facing charges for an incident May 25th in Danville

DANVILLE – A Lewisburg man has been charged after police say he took a woman’s car and drove drunk to Danville. 37-year-old Steve Fetterman is accused of taking the car on May 25th from a woman he was supposed to do yard work for.

Fetterman reportedly drove the vehicle to Danville to visit a girlfriend. Police say they found Fetterman sitting in the car on West Main Street and noticed alcohol on his breath. He admitted to drinking several beers. Fetterman is charged with DUI and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He has a court hearing on July 9th. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Two soldiers from Pennsylvania have been killed in the Middle East - one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. The family of 19-year-old Pvt. Joshua Waltenbaugh, of Kittanning Township, say he was killed by small-arms fire in Iraq on Tuesday.  The Defense Department says Waltenbaugh's death in Taji was not combat-related and is under investigation. Military officials say Spc. Derek Holland, a National Guard soldier from Wind Gap in eastern Pennsylvania, was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on Tuesday afternoon.  The bomb struck Holland's Humvee near the town of Zormat. It also killed an Air Force major serving with the Provincial Reconstruction Team and wounded the vehicle's gunner.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A Pennsylvania National Guard soldier has been killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.  Military officials say 20-year-old Spc. Derek Holland of Wind Gap, Northampton County was killed Tuesday afternoon when the bomb struck his Humvee near the town of Zormat. An Air Force major serving with the Provincial Reconstruction Team was also killed in the attack. The vehicle's gunner was injured.  Holland was a 2006 graduate of Pen Argyl High School and enlisted in the Pennsylvania National Guard during his senior year. He was attached to the 228th Brigade Support Battalion in Bethlehem.  Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Horner was Holland's supervisor. He says Holland was - in his words - "one of the most dedicated soldiers I have known."

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Pennsylvania State Police have a new top 10 wanted poster for the first time in nearly a decade, with four new names.  Police say the poster will be distributed to hundreds of other police offices, and hopefully businesses, college campuses, post offices and elsewhere. The crimes in question were committed as early as 1994, and as recently as this year. Arrest warrants have been issued for all 10 men on the list.  Nine are from eastern Pennsylvania, including Reading and Philadelphia, while one man is from Brooklyn, N.Y.     The poster can be viewed online by clicking the tip submission link at www.psp.state.pa.us.  Police also ask that people with information call their tip line at 1-888-292-1919.

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

Daily Number 0-2-5

Big 4 8-5-5-1

Treasure Hunt 2-6-11-19-21

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

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