Monday, June 9, 2008

I-80 toll opponents gather on capitol steps

HARRISBURG -- It was a big event on a hot day in Harrisburg.  More than 30 legislators, advocates and business leaders gathered on the steps of the state capitol building to call for the repeal of a portion of a bill known as Act 44.  It was passed nearly a year ago and calls for tolls to be imposed on users of Intestate highway 80.  Toll opponents include Watsontown Trucking President and CEO Steve Patton, who said he was appearing on behalf of his business and his employees, noting the difficulties of continuing to do business under tax and user fee conditions that would only get worse if tolls were imposed.

Congressman John Peterson also spoke. He is a member of the US House from the 5^th district, and also a former state representative who challenged its current members to repeal Act 44 by the scheduled start of summer recess at the end of June.  State Representative Russ Fairchild, Merle Phillips and Union County Commissioner Preston Boop were also on hand.  All are known opponents to the measure.  (Matt Farrand)

Tomatoes pulled from shelves due to a reported salmonella outbreak

UNDATED – Investigators with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are trying to determine the cause of a salmonella outbreak from tomatoes in 16 states, including Pennsylvania.  As a precaution, some area stores are pulling tomatoes off their shelves and menus.  An advisory was issued on certain raw tomatoes by the Food and Drug Administration.  Giant Food Stores have removed certain tomatoes from their produce section as a precaution, according to Tracy Pawelski.  She says roma tomatoes and certain organic tomatoes have been removed. 

Other types of tomatoes will remain, including ones on the salad bar.  They were not part of the advisory.  Anyone having tomatoes in the advisory can return them to Giant for a refund. 

Some local Subway Restaurants are not putting tomatoes on their sandwiches, removing them from the veggies offered for their subs.  And McDonald’s Restaurants of Lewisburg and Mifflinburg say they are not serving tomatoes on their sandwiches as a precaution.  (Ali Stevens)

Elysburg man killed in crash on Route 61

ELYSBURG – One man was killed in a crash on Route 61 at the border with Coal Township and Kulpmont this morning.  State police say 24-year-old Travis Hoopengardner of Elysburg swerved to miss a deer and drove across the highway, striking an embankment, a sign and a guardrail.  The vehicle went down a large embankment, throwing Hoopengardner from the vehicle.  He was pronounced dead at the scene just before 5 a.m.  Life Flight, Kulpmont East End Fire Company and Ambulance and Americus Hose Company assisted at the scene.  (Ali Stevens)

$4,000 worth of cement blocks stolen from Monroe Marketplace construction site

MONROE TWP – State Police are looking for someone who stole thousands of dollars worth of cement blocks from the construction site of Monroe Marketplace on Routes 11/15.  An unknown person or persons allegedly took over 1,000 cement blocks from a masonry contractor that was working on one of the new buildings at the site.  The value of the blocks is $4,633.  Police say it happened sometime between May 30th and June 2nd.  Anyone with information is asked to contact State Police at Selinsgrove. (Sara Bartlett)     

State-endangered bird found locally

NORTHUMBERLAND – Just a few decades ago there were no peregrine falcons east of the Mississippi River due to a pesticide that had wiped them out.  Today though, there are 25 nests of the falcons in Pennsylvania and President of the Seven Mountains Audubon in Lewisburg, Allen Schweinsberg, is credited with finding one at Shikellamy Overlook.  Schweinsberg says there are only three pairs in Pennsylvania that have nested in their proper place.  He says many nest on bridges or tall buildings, but it is best for them to be on cliff ledges. 

The ban of the pesticide, DDT, with the passing of the Endangered Species Act in the early 1970’s, is a main reason for the resurgence of the peregrine falcons.  Schweinsberg says it also had a positive affect on Bald Eagles.  Pennsylvania’s other two known cliff nests of peregrines are located in Luzerne and Lycoming counties. (Sara Bartlett)

Priestley-Forsyth kicks off summer reading program

NORTHUMBERLAND – It’s all about bugs at the Priestley-Forsyth Memorial Library.  They launched their summer reading program Monday with a magician.  Kim King, Youth Service Coordinator and Assistant Director at the library, says they will have many speakers throughout their summer series and some creepy-crawly guests as well. 

King says there are activities for all ages.  Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays usually include activities for elementary aged children, Wednesdays are for infants and toddlers and there are also many night programs for teens.  For more information on all of the library’s summer programs, log onto www.priestleyforsyth.org. (Sara Bartlett) 

Spraying for mosquitoes in Union County

WHITE DEER TWP – Spraying for mosquitoes will be done tonight in White Deer Township Union County.  It will take place from 8:30 - 9:15p.m. along Judy Road and Crossroads Drive, and will be done by the Union County West Nile Virus staff.  Fore more information you can call them at 966-8194. (Sara Bartlett)

Police look for MACC burglar

BEAVER SPRINGS – State Police are searching for someone who broke into the Middlecreek Area Community Center.  It happened sometime overnight between June 1^st and 2^nd.  Someone allegedly forced their way into the center and took cash from the cash register.  Anyone with information is asked to call Selinsgrove State Police, and a reward will be offered for information leading to an arrest. (Sara Bartlett)     

Commissioner responds to recent rumors

MIDDLEBURG – In recent weeks, rumors have been circulating about the majority commissioners in Snyder County on a number of topics.  We spoke with Commissioner Chair Joe Kantz about some of the things being said. 

Regarding the new commissioners having a “hit-list”, Kantz says his response to that has changed since he denied having a hit-list.  He now says he does have a “Hit-List” and that includes anyone who is not doing their job.  Kantz says there are a lot of good people working for Snyder County, but those not doing what they are supposed to be doing, will be on the so called “Hit-List”.

Some are also saying the majority commissioners wanted minority commissioner Bud Bickhart’s cell phone records, because they believed he was talking with former EMA director, Dave Nichols and giving him information.  Nichols was fired recently, but Joe Kantz says there were no demands made for the cell phone records and that they are already reviewed regularly by Malcolm Derk. He says a resident made the original request for the phone records and they relayed that information to Bickhart. (Ali Stevens)

Jury selection for Richard Curran

SUNBURY – Jury selection for a Shamokin man accused of killing his estranged wife in 2005 will begin Monday.  It was last week when a judge ruled 34-year-old Richard Curran would not be able to use his mental state as a defense in the case.  Northumberland County District Attorney Tony Rosini says he will seek the death penalty for Curran if he is found guilty of first-degree murder.  Prospective jurors will be questioned individually.  Testimony will begin June 16^th. (Sara Bartlett) 

Crash near Bucknell University Friday night

LEWISBURG – A Maryland man remains in fair condition after a Friday night crash in East Buffalo Township.  57-year-old Wayne Rice, of Perry Hall, Maryland, was driving on Route 15 around 9:30p.m. when his vehicle was hit by 17-year-old Sean Bell of Winfield.  Bell was treated and released from Geisinger Medical Center and Rice is listed in fair condition there.  Two passengers were taken also treated and released from Evangelical Community Hospital. (Sara Bartlett)

Motorcycle and car crash in Elysburg injuries two
 

Work continues on a new comprehensive plan for Norry & Point Township

NORTHUMBERLAND – Work will continue to develop a new multi-municipal comprehensive plan for Northumberland and Point Township. A public work session is set for tonight from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Kiwanis Building on Prince Street in Northumberland, for those interested in assisting in the process.

Residents from both communities have been meeting on a monthly basis with professional planners from Gannett-Fleming. The first public meeting on the plan was in October of last year for resident’s comments. The next session is tonight.

The study includes a number of topics such as transportation, industry, agriculture, historical preservation, education and recreation. Once the final draft of the plan is complete, the borough council and township supervisors will take action to implement the plan. (Ali Stevens)

Windows were shot out at three area businesses in Sunbury

SUNBURY – State police are investigating after someone used a BB Gun to shoot out windows at three area businesses in Sunbury. Sometime between June 2nd and 3rd, windows were damaged at a restaurant and another business on Shikellamy Avenue and Ross’s Family Restaurant on Route 147. Anyone with information on the incidents are asked to contact State Police at Stonington. (Ali Stevens)

Hot temperatures could set records

UNDATED— We have a bit of a heat wave underway. 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 warmer temperatures today, 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. Today’s high temperature is forecast to reach 93 and that would not break the record of 96 set in 1933.

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.

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)

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A bill to limit the use of independent contractors by Pennsylvania builders is on its way to the state Senate.  The House voted 122 to 76 on Monday in favor of the Construction Industry Independent Contractor Act.  It includes criminal penalties for builders who intentionally misclassify employees as independent contractors.  Supporters of the bill say the practice is helping builders avoid worker's compensation fees and other costs.  It would establish standards for properly classifying independent contractors, including proof they're free from an employer's direction and control.

YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) - Cle Elum is about to be the new home for seven chimpanzees.  The nonprofit Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest expects to welcome its first inhabitants later this week. The chimps are being brought by truck to the central Washington facility from a laboratory, Buckshire Corp., in Perkasie, Pa. The chimps include one male and six females. They range in age from 24 to 34.  In captivity, chimpanzees can live into their 60s, but generally their life span is 35-50 years old.  The $150,000 sanctuary is one of nine such chimpanzee sanctuaries in the United States. It is being built to give permanent homes to chimps that have been used by the entertainment and biomedical industries.

SHICKSHINNY, Pa. (AP) - Search teams are looking for a man reported missing in the Susquehanna River in Luzerne County.  State police say dive teams were called to the river in Union Township, near Shickshinny, about 8 p.m. Sunday.  Police say a man was reported seen falling into the water, but it is unclear what may have led to the mishap.  A thunderstorm around 9:30 p.m. hampered the effort. At 12:30 a.m. Monday they suspended the search until daylight.

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

Daily Number     1-9-0

Big 4     4-4-1-7

Treasure Hunt    8-16-18-22-29