Wednesday, June 9, 2010

60 new jobs coming to Snyder County

SELINSGROVE – A modular home manufacturer will offer 60 new jobs in Snyder County.  MSI Plus, a division of Durabuilt Homes will purchase the assets of Modular Structures of PA, which stopped production at its manufacturing plant in Selinsgrove in February.  MSI Plus will restart the manufacturing operations as part of a $1.7-million project that will create about 60 full-time jobs in the next three years. 

Charlie Ross, president and CEO of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce, said they worked with the company and the Governor’s Action Team to secure $764,000 in state funding for the project.  Ross says they are grateful for the state’s leadership in this effort and on this particular project.  He says job creation and creating good jobs is what it’s all about. (Ali Stevens)

Local business owners talk about the importance of downtowns

SELINSGROVE – Local business owners in downtown Selinsgrove say keeping the stores open and thriving is important to all of them.  Paul Spiegel of J. Kleinbauer’s says downtown stores are different from big-box stores. He says downtown stores are unique in the sense that they provide access to services and products that are difficult to find in malls.  He says downtown stores are the heart of the district and are what brings people into the downtown area. If a store does close, Spiegel says it impacts all of them.

Sherrie Bolig is owner of Sarah Kate Interiors and Sarah’s Teacup in downtown Selinsgrove and says they are having a tough time staying open. She has decided to take matters into her own hands by holding a celebrity scoop event at her creamery.  She’s hoping people will come out and have some ice cream and do what they can to keep local businesses like hers open for years to come. 

The upcoming fundraiser for the store will be hosted by downtown Selinsgrove.  It includes a huge sale where buyers can also be registered for free gifts such as local dinners, hotel stays and amusement park tickets.  There will also be a fundraising lunch at Sarah's Tea Cup and a special 'celebrity scoop ' event at Kate's Kreamery.  The fundraiser takes place June 17th, 18th and 19th, and all are invited.  (Ali Stevens)

Reintroduction of eels to the river

SUNBURY -- Soon, eels will be returned to the Susquehanna River.  Officials are planning to reintroduce to the river the once popular game and food fish.  Tom Deans, project coordinator for the city's Riverfront Project, says the city will pay to restock the river with eels.  According to Andy Shields, who is the Chief of Fish Production Services for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, eels have an important impact on the ecology of the river.  They also serve as a 'taxi' for fresh water mussels, a species that can significantly improve water quality.

Shields says eels mature anywhere between six and 20 years, where they will then migrate to the ocean to mate, and then make their way back upstream.  He says this is where the fish ladder, along the western shore in Shamokin Dam, will come in handy. 

Shields says in the last 30 years, improvements in water quality have made towns take a closer look at how the river can boost an area.  He also commends Sunbury and surrounding communities for reattaching themselves to the Susquehanna through the Riverfront Project.

Atlas man to face preliminary hearing next week

MOUNT CARMEL -- An Atlas man, who fled police after assaulting a woman in April, will have a preliminary hearing in Northumberland County next week.  The News Item reports 46-year-old Arthur Mickel faces numerous charges including aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and flight to avoid apprehension. 

Mickel is accused in the April 14th incident after pushing a woman to the ground in a convenience store parking lot.  He then fled the scene in a vehicle, which he later crashed on Route 54, before fleeing on foot.  He was tracked down two days later by police after jumping out of a window in a house where he was hiding and breaking both ankles.  Mickel is being held in York County Prison. 

Two others involved in the incident, 25-year-old Becky Donner and 42-year-old John Gilbert, both of Atlas, will be arraigned next week.  Donner is free on bail and faces charges of attempt to commit assault and making false reports to police.  Gilbert is in prison on $150,000 bail and faces charges of conspiracy to commit assault and resisting arrest.

13-year-old boy struck by a car while riding his bike

MILLMONT – A 13-year-old boy was taken to Evangelical Community Hospital after he was struck by a car while riding his mountain bike in Millmont.  State police say the boy was traveling on Creek Road at Pick Road when he failed to stop at the stop sign around 6:20 Tuesday evening.  The boy has not been identified and his injuries were described as moderate.  A 19-year-old woman from Millmont was driving the car that struck the boy and she was not injured.  (Ali Stevens)

Three arrested in connection to Lock Haven meth lab

LOCK HAVEN -- Three Lock Haven residents have been arrested following the Pennsylvania Attorney General's investigation into a methamphetamine lab.  38-year-old Meloney Confer, 40-year-old William Confer and 37-year-old Billie Jo Laubach were arraigned on charges including manufacturing a meth lab, possession and delivery of the drug and risking catastrophe.  The three were involved in setting up the labs at their apartments, as well as at a local hotel in Lock Haven.  The amount of drugs was worth nearly $10,000.  All are being held at the Clinton County Correctional Facility.    

Portion of Mile Hill Road outside Sunbury will be closed next week

SUNBURY – A portion of Mile Hill Road outside of Sunbury will be shut down for construction on Wednesday of next week.  PennDOT says the road will be closed in Upper Augusta Township for replacement of a cross pipe from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The detour will use Reagan Street to Fourth Street to Mile Post Road and Mount Pleasant Road.  The crosspipe being replaced is to improve drainage just north of the Sunbury Armory, between Mountain Trail Road and Tower Road.  (Ali Stevens)

Butterflies featured all summer long at Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland

ALLENWOOD – Back by popular demand, butterflies will be featured this summer at Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland in Allenwood.  You can experience hundreds of butterflies in a native greenhouse at Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland all summer long.  Jeff Cook works for Reptiland and visited our studios this week with a variety of butterfly species.  He says they don’t live very long, anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks depending on the type of butterfly.  At any given time, there can be 15 different species of butterflies flying around the exhibit.  

The exhibit also features flowers and plants for a natural environment.  Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland is an accredited zoo specializing in reptiles and amphibians and has been open since 1964.  School groups, families and individuals with an interest in reptiles and nature are encouraged to visit this summer.  You can visit their website at www.reptiland.com.  (Ali Stevens)

Teen beaten and robbed in Selinsgrove mugging

SELINSGROVE – Police are in search of information leading to suspects following the robbery and beating of a Selinsgrove man Monday night. Their investigation began Tuesday afternoon after the emergency department of Sunbury Community Hospital informed borough police that they’d treated an assault victim.

The victim was assaulted and robbed by at least two individuals while walking along Pump House Alley near East Snyder Street at about 11:00 p.m. Monday. The 19-year-old male said cash was taken from him, but he was not able to provide a description of his assailants.

He was treated for multiple bruises about the face and body and released. Selinsgrove Police say any information about the incident should be directed to 374-8655. (Matt Farrand)

Colescott given permission to build spec unit at Ridge Point Farms

POINT TOWNSHIP – One month ago, the developer of Ridge Point Farms was invited to meet with Point Township Supervisors to discuss the moratorium they imposed on residential on-lot sewage permits. Tuesday night, Shawn Colescott and his attorney did just that.

Discrepancies among records kept by former Sewage Enforcement Officer Kerry Yordy were among the reasons for the ban, along with Yordy’s interests in several subdivisions. Colescott told supervisors that there was a lot at stake and a limited season for building.

Supervisors say they need more information from the DEP about environmental issues before they lift the moratorium, but they are allowing Colescott to proceed with plans to build a single spec unit for Ridge Point Farms. Attorney Paula Leicht says her client should not suffer because of the actions of a convicted felon.

Meantime, Kerry Yordy will be sentenced in August on three felony counts for accepting payment for soil tests he never performed in a separate matter. There were also discrepancies in forms he filled out for on-lot sewage permits at Ridge Point Farms. (Matt Farrand)

Phasing out unemployment insurance can help economy

SUNBURY -- Many economists have said the recession is over—and US Congressman Chris Carney agrees. Carney (D-10th, Dimock) says now the U.S. is in a rebuilding phase to get back where we were prior to 2008. Carney says jobs are always the lagging indicator and the last thing to go up when coming out of a recession.

In regards to jobs, Carney told WKOK it is important to put people back to work and one way to do that is by phasing out unemployment insurance. He says this will be an incentive for people to go back to work. Carney says taxes are at a rate now that they haven't been since Harry Truman was president, and that is stimulating the economy.

All invited to Music in the Park

LEWISBURG -- Lewisburg's Music in the Park series continues tonight at 7:30p.m. KJ and Eric Sundberg, who will perform songs for all ages, tonight provide the music. The concert in Hufnagle Park is free and open to the public.

The rain location is in the Lewisburg High School Auditorium. This is the 14th season for Music in the Park in Lewisburg, and concerts will be held each Wednesday throughout the summer.

Food bank searches for volunteers

LEWISBURG -- Volunteers are needed next week to help out at a Lewisburg food bank. The Eastern Union County Food Bank is looking for anyone willing to give two hours helping to pack and distribute food. The food bank is located at the First Baptist Church at the corner of South 3rd and St. Louis Streets in Lewisburg.

The next batch of volunteers is needed June 18th from 1:15-3:30p.m. The food bank distributes on the first and third Fridays throughout the summer and help is always needed. To volunteer or for more information call Dick Ellis at 524-4740. (Sara Bartlett)

Celebrating history during this year's Love-n-Care Street Fair

SUNBURY -- The 38th annual Love-n-Care Street Fair is Saturday in Sunbury. This year's theme is 'Celebrating a History of Community.' Fair Chairman Truman Purdy says there will be bands, entertainment, plenty of food and the annual raffle. Raffled off this year will be $1,000 in cash, a flat screen TV, Penn State tickets and more.

Purdy says every penny raised goes to the Mary Derr Rockefeller Auxiliary and Sunbury Area Health Foundation. Through those organizations, some of the funds will help provide scholarships to area students who plan to enter the healthcare profession and return to the area after schooling.

The Love-n-Care Street Fair will be held Saturday from 10:00a.m. -6:00p.m. at Cameron Park. You can hear more from Truman Purdy Thursday as he previews the fair on our Leaders & Lawmakers program at 3:00p.m. (Sara Bartlett)

Upcoming fundraisers for the families of Seth Lauver and Alex Mullen

SELINSGROVE – As Seth Lauver and Alex Mullen continue to recover from serious injuries they sustained in a May 22nd crash after the Selinsgrove high school prom, fundraisers are planned to help the families. A Walk-a-Thon will be held Friday evening at the Harold L. Bolig Memorial Stadium at Selinsgrove High School.

The event begins at 6p.m. with registration at 5p.m. The Selinsgrove Football Booster Club will be selling “Stay Strong Seth and Alex” red wristbands at the event. Teams of 4 to 6 people are encouraged to participate in the walk-a-thon.

Sunbury Broadcasting Corporation has teamed up with The Daily Item to host a Splash Hop to benefit Lauver and Mullen. That event will be held at the Sunbury Pool on June 22nd at 5 p.m. There will be free hot dogs and soda provided and our sister station 94KX will provide the music.

Also, donations are still being accepted at Northumberland National Bank for the “Support Seth and Alex Fund”. You can drop off your donation at any branch of Northumberland National. Seth Lauver is currently undergoing treatment at a spinal cord rehabilitation clinic while Alex Mullen will need specialized care for a head injury, so donations are still needed from the community. (Ali Stevens)

You can help children enjoy activities at the YMCA this summer

SUNBURY – Summertime is here and many children participate in activities at day camps such as swimming lessons, sports teams and more. However, some families struggle to be able to afford childcare and activities in the summer, so the YMCA offers many programs for low-income families.

Liz Grove of the Sunbury YMCA says most of the proceeds from various fundraisers they do throughout the year support financial assistance. She says they give out thousands of dollars every year at both the Sunbury and Milton YMCA’s to pay for programs and activities for low-income families.

One upcoming fundraiser the YMCA is hosting is the 24th annual 5K walk and run on Saturday, featuring the 2nd Annual Kids Fun Run. The Kids Fun Run is at 10 a.m. on Saturday. The 5k walk and run begin at 9 a.m. in the front parking lot of the YMCA. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.. The race is a flat course and t-shirts will be given to the first 100 registered. Refreshments are also available and awards are given in a number of categories. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - State officials are ordering a contractor on the natural gas well that blew out last week to stop some of its work in Pennsylvania, hand over equipment records and provide access to employees.  Pennsylvania Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger said Wednesday that his agency needs to fully investigate the equipment used by the company to ensure other sites are not in similar danger.  The company, C.C. Forbes, is a division of Forbes Energy Services of Alice, Texas. It was hired by the well owner, EOG Resources, to provide post-hydraulic fracturing services at the well on the grounds of a Clearfield County hunting club.  The DEP wants to interview employees who were working at the site or are familiar with the equipment used.  No one was hurt in the accident.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell says he wants to know more about what's behind a pattern of rate increases by health insurance companies and suggests the companies are padding revenues before federal health reforms are fully implemented.  Rendell said Wednesday the Insurance Department was investigating the state's nine largest health insurers over the use of what he calls "questionable health profiling tools."  Rendell says some small businesses are being hit with 50 percent increases.  A spokesman for the Pennsylvania Insurance Federation, an industry group, says the use of so-called medical underwriting techniques to set rates in the marketplace for smaller customers isn't new.          

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell and three of his Republican predecessors are speaking out in favor of replacing statewide elections for Pennsylvania's top judges with an appointment process.  Rendell was joined by Mark Schweiker and fellow former Govs. Tom Ridge and Dick Thornburgh participated by telephone at a Wednesday news conference to release a new poll on the issue.  They are urging lawmakers to act on a proposed constitutional amendment that requires voter approval.  The poll commissioned by Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts shows a majority of voters believe they should be allowed to vote on the proposal, and a smaller majority favors the appointment of appellate judges.  But it also revealed that nearly half of the voters do not know whether the state's appellate judges are appointed or elected.      

WEATHERLY, Pa. (AP) - Officials say a fire that killed two women last year in the Poconos was intentionally set.  State police on Wednesday said the fire that killed 43-year-old Julie Ann Everitt and her mother, 81-year-old Mary Catherine Hoffman, has been ruled arson. Everitt and Hoffman  died in the May 2009 fire in Weatherly, about 80 miles northwest of Philadelphia in the Pocono Mountains. Everitt's boyfriend escaped the blaze.  The investigation is continuing.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The state Senate has approved three bills that make changes in how Pennsylvania's justice system deals with nonviolent offenders. The Senate passed all three yesterday and sent them to the House. They have the support of state Corrections Secretary Jeffrey Beard and prisoner advocates as policy-makers try to relieve overcrowded prisons. One bill would find alternative ways to deal with technical parole violators, rather than sending them back to prison. Another would allow some inmates to complete counseling and other prerelease programs in a community corrections center rather than prison. That's a measure the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association opposes. Beard says less serious offenders are a major chunk of Pennsylvania's rising prison costs. Prisons are expected to be at maximum capacity even after $800 million is spent to add 8,000 beds.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania House Speaker Keith McCall is blasting Gov. Ed Rendell for breaking up a unit within the state Department of Transportation that's been used by lawmakers to assist their constituents. A letter sent by McCall to Rendell called the Legislative Services Section a way to help sort out difficult issues and aid people who have complicated problems or lack a computer or other means to deal with their PennDOT problems. The letter was first posted Monday by the online site www.grassrootspa.com. McCall's office says he's already met with Rendell to try to work out a resolution. The existence of the special PennDOT unit was criticized as wasteful in a recent grand jury report on the topic of legislative corruption.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Penn State University plans to file an amended version of its annual Right-to-Know report disclosing top salaries at the school. University spokeswoman Lisa Powers says the school will release the filing Friday to disclose the compensation of two workers who are family members of a school officer or trustee. The disclosure was initially released last month. Penn State was required to release the information in compliance with a state Right-to-Know law that took effect last year. Some IRS reporting had rules changed since then, and Powers says the school learned it had to file an amended return after checking with its tax consultant to make sure it had met requirements.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - An ongoing cyber-security sweep at Penn State found the Social Security numbers of another 25,000 individuals may have been exposed due to infected computers. The university said there is no evidence the data had been accessed after the computers were hit by malicious software, though individuals affected by the breach have been notified as required by law. One recent case involved a University Libraries computer breached with malware, which contained the Social Security numbers of more than 9,700. In a separate case, the school last week sent letters to more than 15,800 people about a possible breach at an Outreach Market Research computer. Another 30,000 individuals had been notified late last year and earlier this year of potential breaches.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Updates on the latest in business:

Dow: 9,902.12, down -37.86

S&P 500: 1,054.01, down -7.99

NASDAQ: 2,157.97, down -12.60

NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks have worked higher. Investors appear to be conforted by comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, who looks for only a modest drag on the economy from Europe's debt problems.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Federal Reserve's latest economic round-up says the recovery has spread to all parts of the country. Manufacturing picked up, retail sales grew, tourism improved and housing was helped by the now-expired tax credit for homebuyers. But commercial real estate is weak and labor market conditions improved only "slightly."

LONDON (AP) - BP shares have dropped again today amid fears the British oil company will be  forced to cut dividends to help pay for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster. BP is due to announce details of the possible payout, which is expected to top $10.5 billion this year, when it reports its quarterly results July 27.

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - Venezuelan officials launched a new bond trading system on Wednesday that is meant to clamp down on speculation in the country's controlled currency. That will set a band of prices that make dollars far cheaper than they were before trading was halted on May 19.

NEW YORK (AP) - A new 169-room hotel just south of the World Trade Center site is celebrating a grand opening today. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has proclaimed it World Center Hotel Day. But in what hotel executives call a soft opening, guests have been staying there for months as  construction was completed floor by floor.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn Wednesday:

 Mega Millions

     Estimated jackpot: $36 million

 Midday Big 4

     7-8-2-5

Midday Number

     5-1-2

 Midday Quinto

     6-5-1-9-5

 Powerball

     Estimated jackpot: $28 million

 Treasure Hunt

     04-10-18-21-22

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn Tuesday:

Big 4

3-8-0-8

Cash 5

08-09-12-36-42

Daily Number

8-8-1

Evening Quinto

0-2-3-2-2

Mega Millions

12-18-28-48-54, Mega Ball: 6

Megaplier

3

Midday Big 4

9-4-3-4

Midday Number

5-6-4

Midday Quinto

0-5-0-4-0

Treasure Hunt

11-17-24-27-30

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Mr. Potato Head adding an Elvis version

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - The Elvis Presley estate has signed a deal for Hasbro Inc. and PPW Toys to release an Elvis version of Mr. Potato Head.  Kevin Kern, a spokesman for Presley's Graceland estate, told The Commercial Appeal the new toy is one of 15,000 Elvis-licensed products and is one the company is excited about.  The first of the Elvis potato heads will be released for Elvis Tribute Week in August. The toy will be in a jumpsuit. A second version - with the likeness dressed in black leather - will be on the market for Christmas.  PPW Toys spokesman Dean Gorby said the Elvis Mr. Potato Head will broaden the audience from young fans to adult toy collectors.

Trip a dream for 'The Daily Show' soccer fan

NEW YORK (AP) - John Oliver's job on "The Daily Show" is giving him an English soccer fan's  ream: the chance to attend the  World Cup - and perhaps more important - taunt the Americans before they take on his national team.  Oliver left for South Africa earlier this week to file reports for Jon Stewart's Comedy Central show. Oliver, a soccer fanatic from Birmingham, England, left behind one earlier-filmed report, where he visited the American soccer team before their World Cup-opening match with England this weekend. Oliver's report airs Thursday.  He keeps a signed jersey from his favorite team, Liverpool, hanging in his Comedy Central office, so the trip is a huge perk. Oliver dreamed of playing soccer professionally when he was a young boy.

Barefoot runner

TALENT, Ore. (AP) - It's quite a feat -- of feet. Todd Ragsdale is claiming a new world's record for running barefoot. Over 24 hours, he covered 102 miles. That was 413 laps on the track at Oregon's South Medford High. He may need a sole retread. Ragsdale's feet are bruised, blistered and swollen. But he says it's worth it. Ragsdale used his barefoot run to raise money for the  American Cancer Society.

Empire State Building says 'no' to Mother Teresa

NEW YORK (AP) - New York's Empire State Building said, "yes" to Mariah Carey, dog shows - even the anniversary of communist China. But the skyscraper's owners have declined to light it up in honor of Mother Teresa. Catholic League President Bill Donohue told The Associated Press that building officials are "bigots" against Catholics. His advocacy group requested the illumination on Aug. 26 for the centennial of the late Nobel Peace Prize winner's birth. Donohue said the request was denied without explanation. Telephone messages left for building spokeswoman Melanie Maasch were not returned Tuesday.

Obama: MLB should consider more instant replay

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says the blown umpire's call that cost a young Detroit Tigers' pitcher a perfect game dramatizes the need for Major League Baseball to "take a look" at more instant replay. Obama was asked in an NBC interview to comment on the incident involving umpire Jim Joyce and Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga. Joyce mistakenly called Cleveland's Jason Donald safe at first base on what would've been the final out. While many Tigers argued, Galarraga merely smiled at his misfortune and went back to the mound. In the interview broadcast Tuesday, Obama said he wouldn't prejudge a review by MLB of the replay policy. And he said he thought Commissioner Bud Selig "made the right call" in not awarding a perfect game after the fact.