Sunday, June 8, 2008
Hot temperatures could set records
UNDATED— We have a bit of a heat wave underway: Today's high temperature is forecast to reach 93. Typically, meteorologists refer to a heat wave, when temperatures exceed daily maximum averages for a prolonged period, but anytime the temperature is in the 90's for several days, most folks around here will say, we're enjoying a heat wave!
AccuWeather is calling for even warmer temperatures tomorrow, with the 'AccuWeather ReelFeel' temperatures exceeding 100. That means the warm weather, humidity and other factors will make it feel like the air temperature is above 100.
As for the record book: In Selinsgrove Saturday, the temperatures reached 96 degrees. That easily broke the record of 89, set back in 1984 (That previous record high, was the most vulnerable high temperature record for June. It was the only record high for June that wasn't in the 90's. Incidentally, the highest record for June in Selinsgrove was 102 on June 28th 1952.) As for today, the record high for this date is 96, our forecast high is 96 degrees, so we could tie a record set in back in 1999. Tomorrow's record high in Selinsgrove is 96 and could be tied or even exceeded by our forecasted high, also of 96 degrees.
Over 200 people attend Special Athlete Celebration
MOUNT CARMEL – The heat didn’t keep nearly 200 people from coming out to the 14th annual Celebration for Special Athletes in Mount Carmel Saturday. The day offered people of all ages with developmental disabilities a chance to participate in all sorts of events, including softball, ring toss, soccer and basketball.
The Beaverdale Fire Company let participants use the fire hose to put out a fake fire in a cardboard house. Ron Tanney is the creator of the Celebration and says many others have donated time to help at the event, local businesses and schools have donated prizes and local legislators have secured grants.
Tanney says the event gets bigger and bigger each year, and this year families came as far as two hours away to participate. The all day event was held at the Mount Carmel High School football stadium, and each athlete came away with a first place ribbon. (Sara Bartlett)
Local voters league encourages full participation by electorate
LEWISBURG – Should sixteen-and-seventeen-year-olds be allowed to vote? That’s an idea put forward by Ralph Nader’s independent candidacy for President. First Vice-President Patricia Longley of the Lewisburg Area League of Women Voters says the league supports full participation by eligible voters regardless of age. However, she notes that it would require a constitutional amendment, and all the implications would need to be considered.
Longley says those implications include military service. Congress changed the US Constitution in 1971, lowering the voting age from 21 to 18. The military draft of that time included men who could not vote prior to the 26th Amendment. Candidate Nader hopes lowering the voting age to include more secondary school students would force high school teachers to present issues in a non-partisan manner. (Matt Farrand)
Charges pending after Northumberland County crash
ZERBE TWP— State Police in Stonington say a Sunbury man suffered injuries after a one-vehicle crash in Northumberland County last week. Police say 35-year-old, Kevin Milton, was traveling along Route 890 in Zerbe Township Thursday evening, when he lost control of his vehicle around a sharp turn in the roadway. Reports say Milton’s vehicle went off the roadway and struck a guardrail. A police report says Milton was taken to Sunbury Hospital with head injuries, however, the hospital had no treatment record for him. State Police say an investigation into the crash continues and charges are pending. (Sara Lauver)
Montour County accident; one man injured
LIBERTY TWP— A crash along I-80 in Montour County Saturday morning sent one man to the hospital with injuries. State Police in Milton say 44-year-old, Paul Craig of Lansdowne, was traveling along Interstate 80 Eastbound around 9 a.m. when the tire blew on his vehicle, causing him to lose control and crash. Police say Craig’s vehicle crossed the median and went into a ditch. He was taken to Geisinger Medical Center with injuries, although no condition report was available. Police say Craig was wearing a seatbelt. (Sara Lauver)
Arizona man suspected of $3,500 equipment theft
SELINSGROVE – An Arizona man working at the Sunbury Generation Plant in Monroe Township is being sought in connection with the disappearance of more than $3,500 worth of industrial tools and equipment. State Police say 29-year-old Shane Boyd is suspected of taking a portable welder, chain pulleys, Haz-mat suits and other property belonging to a sub-contractor. Troopers say all the items are marked with orange paint, and encourage a call to their Selinsgrove station if you have information.
They note Boyd’s whereabouts are currently unknown, though he may have fled to the Southwest, following the thefts that reportedly happened between May 30th and June 2nd. (Matt Farrand)
Congress seeks to regulate informal energy markets
WASHINGTON – Some blame the weak US dollar, others blame speculators, but the $18 dollar per barrel spike in crude oil prices late in the week is attracting Congressional attention. Higher prices for gasoline and home heating oil are almost certain to follow, as noted by congressman Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock). He says he’s talked with local oil dealers who fear that heating oil will be $5.00 per gallon by the winter. Carney says HR 594 will force some energy traders to report to a regulatory body such as the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
“Dark markets” as they are sometimes called operate independent of more formal markets such as the New York Mercantile Exchange. HR 594 has more than 40 co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle. (Matt Farrand)
Over 180 Seniors graduate from Midd-West High School
MIDDLEBURG – At Midd-West High School last night, it was graduation time for over 180 Mustang Seniors. Salutatorian, Kahla Woodling encouraged her classmates to get messy as they go on this journey of life and remember that childhood cartoon figure from the “Magic School Bus” Miss Frizzel by saying, “take chances, make mistakes and get messy.” Woodling also said that life’s highway was full of detours, wrong turns and construction zones.
Over 180 Seniors received their diplomas last night in the gymnasium of Middleburg Middle School. Seniors also graduated from Warrior Run, Lewisburg and Danville. (Peter Meloni)
Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:
TUNKHANNOCK, Pa. (AP) - Police say a 17-year-old is in critical but stable condition following a one-car crash that killed three other teenagers. The car crashed late Friday night in Washington Township, north of Tunkhannock. Police say 19-year-old Brandon Murray of Tunkannock, 17-year-old Brooke Hunsinger of Meshoppen and 18-year-old Brittany Giberson of Factoryville were pronounced dead at the scene. Robert Sands of Mehoopany was flown to Community Medical Center. Police say the car skidded off the road, hit a tree and landed upside down, and investigators say excessive speed may have played a major role.
HARRISBURG, Pa.
(AP) - A court is expected to rule on whether a Schuylkill County
township has the right to prohibit the use of human sewage as
fertilizer on farms. The state Attorney General's Office contends
that East Brunswick Township doesn't have that authority. A
township ordinance bans corporations from spreading sludge that
results after wastewater is treated by municipal systems. State
waste
management and nutrient management laws do not allow municipalities
to regulate sludge. An attorney for the township argues that the
township
ordinance regulates corporations, not sludge. A Commonwealth Court
said
last week that it would issue a decision in the case.
PITTSBURGH (AP)
- The attorney for a former Carnegie Museum of Art guard charged
with vandalizing a $1.2 million painting says his client "snapped"
due to pressures in his life. Attorney James Sheets says
27-year-old Timur Serebrykov, an immigrant from Azerbaijan, is
troubled about the future and his fiancee is due to give birth soon.
Sheets says politics played no role in vandalizing the painting
"Night Sky #2"
by Latvian artist Vija Celmins. Authorities say Serebrykov to use a
key
to slash the painting "Night Sky #2" by Latvian artist Vija Celmins
on May 16.
Pittsburgh police arrested Serebrykov on a charge of institutional
vandalism
after museum officials examined a surveillance tape. Authorities say
Serebrykov apologized and confessed, saying he simply didn't like
the painting.
Sheets says his client is free pending trial and remains under the
care
of a psychiatrist. Museum officials say the painting was on loan
from The Art Institute of Chicago. Police reports had previously
reported the painting was part of its permanent collection.
HARRISBURG, Pa.
(AP) - A Texas auction house later this week plans
to sell off more artifacts that were slated for the Wild West museum
once
planned for Harrisburg. Mayor Stephen Reed collected about 10,000
artifacts
in hopes of creating the museum in central Pennsylvania. He later
had to scrap
the idea and is now selling off many of the pieces. In November,
the city collected
about $1.4 million when it sold off items such as a Gatling gun and
a Wells Fargo coach.
On Friday, items consisting mostly of photos, maps and other
documents will be sold at Heritage Auction's showrooms in Dallas.
Reed amassed the collection with nearly $8 million in nontax city
money from the Harrisburg Authority, which owns the city's
utilities.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Saturday in the Pennsylvania State Lottery:
SATURDAY NIGHT
Daily Number
9-6-7
Big 4
1-2-6-8
The winning numbers drawn Saturday night in Powerball are:
12-26-34-44-48
Powerball: 9
Power Play: 2
SATURDAY MIDDAY
Daily Number
2-7-1
Big 4
1-0-0-0
Treasure Hunt
14-17-18-23-26
The winning numbers drawn Saturday in the "Pennsylvania Cash 5" game
were:
01-09-30-32-38
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)