Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Teen boy charged with assaulting neighbor with sword

SHAMOKIN -- A 14-year-old boy from Shamokin is jailed, charged with assaulting a neighbor with a sword.  Police say Jordan Bruns will be charged as an adult for the incident Monday evening in Shamokin. 

Bruns is accused of striking a young girl in the arm with the sword along West Sunbury Street.  Police demanded Bruns drop the sword and eventually had to point a gun at him to get him to drop his weapon. 

Bruns was charged with felony assault and possession of a prohibited weapon.  The sword was described as a 3-foot-long samurai style sword.  Bruns was sent to Northumberland County Prison on $60,000 bail.   (Ali Stevens)

Milton man sentenced to federal prison for inappropriate emailing with minors

MILTON -- A Milton man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for sending sexually explicit emails to minors.  53-year-old Dennis Bastian was sentenced in U.S. Middle District Court in Williamsport on Tuesday. 

Bastian must also register as a sex offender, undergo sex offender treatment and his Internet usage is restricted.  Bastian was caught after chatting with an undercover agent for several months. 

Police say Bastian thought the agent was actually a 14-year-old girl.  Bastian pleaded guilty in Northumberland County Court to soliciting a 16-year-old girl and receiving pornographic pictures of her.  (Ali Stevens)

Maryland woman cited for a crash on Routes 11 and 15 in Port Trevorton

PORT TREVORTON – A Maryland woman was cited for speeding after a crash on Routes 11 and 15 in Port Trevorton on Tuesday afternoon.  State police say 32-year-old Jessica Reichner of Ellicott City swerved to avoid another vehicle turning onto 11 and 15 and lost control of car. 

The car went off the road and flipped onto its roof.  Reichner and her passenger, 31-year-old Timothy Barnes, also from Maryland, crawled out of the back window of the vehicle.  They were transported to Sunbury Community Hospital, where they were treated for minor injuries.  (Ali Stevens)

Literary lawn party to raise money for the new Milton Public Library

MILTON --  “Gone with the Wind” is the theme of the 2nd annual Literary Lawn Party to benefit the Milton Public Library. For the past two years, the Milton Library Board has chosen a book in history as a the theme for their Literary Lawn Party fundraiser.  This year’s event will be held on Saturday, June 26th at the Rose Hill property, which was purchased by the library board to be the future site of the Milton Public Library.  John Meckley says this is a fundraiser for the future of the Milton Public Library, which will be moved to the Rose Hill site from the current location on South Front Street.

The Literary Lawn Party will kick off with free demonstrations and re-enactors from 10 to 4 p.m., featuring a civil war reenactment and artillery fire.  From 6 to 9 p.m., you can attend the lawn party with a donation of $40 per person, featuring live music, dancing, food and drink.  For tickets call 742-7111.

Rain delays project on Mile Hill Road until tomorrow

SUNBURY -- A project expected to be done today on Mile Hill Road outside Sunbury has been delayed until tomorrow due to the rain.  PennDOT says tomorrow they will close a section of Mile Hill Road in Upper Augusta Township to replace a cross pipe to improve drainage in the area.  The project is expected to only last one day from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow.  A detour will be set up using Reagan Street, Fourth Street, Mile Post Road and Mount Pleasant Road.  The pipe is being replaced on Mile Hill Road between Mountain Trail Road and Tower Road.  (Ali Stevens)

Local superintendent says school districts aren’t to blame for childhood obesity

SELINSGROVE – As Dr. Frederick Johnson prepares to leave the Selinsgrove School District to take a job in Philadelphia, he gave a final interview on WKOK’s Leaders and Lawmakers program about a number of topics.  One discussion was the controversy over childhood obesity. 

Dr. Johnson says it’s unfair to blame school districts for children becoming overweight since they only eat one meal a day at school and school lunches are nutritious. Dr. Johnson also says a national initiative has an impact on childhood obesity too, the No Child Left Behind Act., which limits recess and exercise time for more time reading and completing math. 

You can hear Dr. Johnson discuss the state of the Selinsgrove School District, the No Child Left Behind act and many other topics on WKOK’s Leaders and Lawmakers program Thursday at 3 p.m. or online at www.wkok.com.  (Ali Stevens)

Exiting superintendent reflects on 9-year career

SELINSGROVE – As Dr. Frederick Johnson prepares to leave the Selinsgrove School District in a few weeks to take a new job in the Philadelphia area, he says the decision to leave Selinsgrove was not an easy one.  He says the relationships he’s made with staff and residents made the decision tough, but ultimately, he wanted to work for a large school district with more than 7,000 students.  

Dr. Johnson gave an exit interview for our WKOK Leaders and Lawmakers program on Thursday. He says after more than 9 years on the job, he didn’t want to stay stagnant and wanted to pursue his goals.

You can hear Dr. Johnson discuss the state of the Selinsgrove School District, the No Child Left Behind act and many other topics on WKOK’s Leaders and Lawmakers program Thursday at 3 p.m. or online at www.wkok.com.  (Ali Stevens)

Benfer Zechman remembered by Milton School Board

MILTON -- The passing of a 27-year board member of the Milton Area School District was acknowledged Tuesday night.  Current board members paused to remember 1935 Milton High School graduate Benfer Zechman with a moment of silence near the close of their regular meeting.

Zechman was involved in many church and civic activities, was a long time booster of Milton sports, and annually presented the “Sprit Award” at the Harvest Festival Princess Pageant.  Zechman died Saturday at age 94.  (Matt Farrand) 

 Road closed in Shamokin after the road buckled

SHAMOKIN – A portion of North Second Street is closed in Shamokin after the road cracked and buckled last night. Dispatchers tell us originally they thought there was a natural gas leak that caused the problem, but that was ruled out by the utility company.

Also ruled out was any water main breaks. At this time the investigation continues into what caused the road to crack and a mine incident could be the cause. The road buckled around 7:50 last evening and remains closed. (Ali Stevens)

Fire call in Northumberland last evening

NORTHUMBERLAND -- Northumberland County Communications says there was fire in a home at 345 Susquehanna Street around 9pm last night. The fire was out quickly and there were no injuries reported.

Northumberland, Point Township and Shamokin Dam volunteers responded and were done at the scene by 10:30pm. Police tell us the homeowner discovered the fire and put it out with a household fire extinguisher. Firefighters found only smoke when they got there and they helped clear the air.

State Tax Equalization Board admits valuation gaffe

MILTON – Union County residents in the Milton Area School District will likely still face higher taxes. However, a state agency admits a software error incorrectly bumped up the market value of White Deer Township properties by more than $30 million dollars, prompting initial projections of a 19% tax hike.

Board critic Albert Golfieri of White Deer Township says there was something amiss in the first figures produced by the State Tax Equalization Board. He says he was leery of claims that new construction in the township accounted for the increased market value.

State Senator Gene Yaw (R-23rd, Williamsport) and State House member Russ Fairchild, (R-85th, Winfield) also looked into the error and were alerted of the mistake on Monday. Superintendent Cathy Groller says a call by school board member Ken Johnson to look further into the matter will have to wait until after the budget is passed.

A tax increase of 14% or less is still expected in the 2010-2011 budget for Union County residents in the Milton Area School District. The State Tax Equalization Board oversees tax matters of school districts that cover more than one county. (Matt Farrand)

Water quality tests ongoing

UNDATED -- The Susquehanna River Heartland Coalition for Environmental Studies has a busy summer. The group, which is a partnership between six colleges and universities, Geisinger Center for Environmental Health and a number of environmental groups in the Valley, focuses on a number of issues in the lower west branch, lower north branch and confluence of the Susquehanna River.

Mel Zimmerman, of Lycoming College, is part of the coalition and says they are working on initiatives from the Marcellus Shale, meeting Chesapeake Bay initiatives, cleaning up abandon mine drainage and working with fish populations.

Specifically, Zimmerman says the group continues some water monitoring that they started last summer. That includes having permanent sans to test water at Shade Nook, Milton and Watsontown area and in Danville.

Zimmerman says they are also hoping to supplement fish data on different portions of the river this summer. He also says the six colleges and universities are each working on separate projects that they will expand on at future meetings of the coalition. More info at www.srhces.org

Northumberland woman threatens caseworkers

NORTHUMBERLAND -- A Northumberland woman has been charged with endangering the welfare of her children. Police say Northumberland County Children & Youth Services was sent to 26-year-old Beth Lewis' Prince Street home earlier this month and witnessed her 5-year-old son biking in the street unattended and almost getting hit by two vehicles.

Police say this isn't the first time that Children & Youth had been called to the residence. When caseworkers approached Lewis, she became aggressive and threatened the worker. Lewis was arraigned and faces charges of endangering the welfare of children, terroristic threats and disorderly conduct. She's in Northumberland County Prison on $40,000 bail. (Sara Bartlett)

Former borough council president charged with theft

NORTHUMBERLAND -- A former Northumberland Borough Council president has been charged with stealing from the borough. 39-year-old Bryan Wolfe is facing charges of theft, theft by deception, access device fraud and unlawful use of a computer. Police say at the time Wolfe was the council's president, between April 2007 and February 2010, he would maintain the borough's website.

During this time he would start to charge the borough for time spent on the website. He also purchased over $18,700 worth of computer software that is currently unaccounted for. Wolfe was arraigned before District Judge Robert Bolton and is in Northumberland County Prison on $40,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is set for next week.

An separate investigation against Wolfe is ongoing in Snyder County. According to search warrant affidavits, troopers searched Wolfe's home in 2008 in connection with missing items at his former employer, Northway Industries. Northway claimed $100,000 in software and purchases could not be accounted for in their inventory.

The company also said Wolfe was in possession of a company-owned computer and two hard drives at his home, and that $1,900 worth of their computer software was sold by Wolfe and he apparently kept the money. Following these allegations, Wolfe stepped down from his position as a borough council member in March. (Sara Bartlett)

New boat rental opens in at the Shikellamy State Park Marina

NORTHUMBERLAND – A new business opened at the Shikellamy State Park Marina this past weekend allowing citizens to rent pontoon boats, canoes, kayaks, personal watercraft and even purchase gasoline. Angela Troutman, the owner of Lake Augusta Outfitters explains that this is an asset to the Susquehanna River Valley.

She says that it has been know for a long time that the river has been underutilized and she adds that Lake Augusta Outfitters provides people the opportunity who cannot afford a boat or watercraft to simply rent for a day in order to explore the environment and nature of the Susquehanna River.

Lake Augusta Outfitter’s opening weekend was a success even though advertising did not start until today. Troutman was told on Friday at 5pm that she was approved to open so advertising was limited. However, she explained that the people who visited the park made spur of the moments decisions to rent equipment which made for a successful opening weekend.

Troutman is anticipating being open until the deflation of the fabridam which typically takes place in October. She plans to reopen next summer adding more equipment and opportunities for families to experience what Susquehanna River has to offer.

She says that you cannot put into words how amazing it is to experience relaxing on the river and seeing a bald eagle fly over your head. Lake Augusta Outfitters is open 7 days a week from 9am to 7pm and you can find more information at www.lakeaugustaoutfitters.org. (Stephanie Klock)

Accidents in Northumberland County

UNDATED -- Three separate accidents in Northumberland County backed up traffic Tuesday. Injuries were reported after a two-vehicle accident on 5th and Reagan Streets in Sunbury. That accident happened around 10:00a.m.

Around the same time, a disable tractor-trailer was reported in Coal Township. The tractor-trailer had problems with an axle along Route 61. Northumberland County 911 did not report any injuries, but say there were fluids down.

Later in the afternoon, around 3:00p.m., a two-vehicle accident with injuries occurred in the 300 block of Duke Street in Northumberland. More information is expected to be released about these accidents and the extent of injuries.

New superintendent in Selinsgrove

SELINSGROVE – The Selinsgrove School Board will not take time to search for a new superintendent. They already have chosen a replacement for Dr. Frederick Johnson, who is leaving the district this summer to take a new job in Philadelphia.

The school board voted last night to appoint Chad Cohrs, the director of curriculum and instruction in the Selinsgrove District, as the new superintendent. Cohrs has been working for the Selinsgrove School District for 21 years in a number of capacities, including classroom teacher, assistant principal, principal and most recently director of curriculum and instruction.

He is a graduate of Milton High School and Clarion University. Cohrs lives in Milton with his wife and daughter and has a son at Penn State. He says he’s happy to move up to the superintendent’s job and says Dr. Johnson has been preparing him to take over. (Ali Stevens)

Interim superintendent takes over in Danville

DANVILLE -- An interim superintendent for the Danville School District has taken over. David Price will resume the duties, as current superintendent Susan Bickford prepares to leave the job at the end of this month. She has been superintendent since 2007. The district will continue the search for a full-time superintendent, and has a number of candidates they are considering.

Responsible Drilling Alliance hosts a bus trip to Harrisburg

WILLIAMSPORT – The Responsible Drilling Alliance is hosting a bus trip to Harrisburg on Tuesday as they work to promote environmentally friendly drilling in the Marcellus Shale. Barb Jarmoska of the Responsible Drilling Alliance says people in our area need to understand the issues raised by gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale.

The Responsible Drilling Alliance advocates for best management practices and regulations needed to protect and preserve our rural life. The RDA is sponsoring a bus that will pick up residents at the Country Cupboard in Lewisburg around 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

The cost of the bus trip is just $5.00. To find out more, go to www.responsibledrillingalliance.org or you can listen to Tuesday’s On The Mark program online at www.wkok.com. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A bill making significant changes to Pennsylvania's large public-sector pension plans is on its way to the state Senate.  The House voted 192-to-6 on Wednesday in favor of legislation to smooth out a looming jump in costs to taxpayers and reduce some benefits for newly hired state workers, teachers and other school employees. Its provisions include raising the standard retirement age to 65 and requiring at least 10 years of service to vest.  The changes involve the Public School Employees' Retirement System and the State Employees' Retirement System.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's top environmental regulator is warning of "serious consequences" for the state's rapidly growing natural gas industry if companies are caught sacrificing safety for profits.  Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger told a state Senate committee Wednesday that the industry must improve its performance and stop well blowouts, gas migration and water pollution.  Hanger says his agency found no violations after inspecting several Pennsylvania wells being drilled by a company that was drilling a West Virginia well that caught fire.  However, Hanger declined to reveal the results so far of the investigation into the blowout of another Pennsylvania well earlier this month.  Hanger's testimony came a day before a state board is to vote on proposed new standards that he views as crucial to protecting public waterways from polluted drilling wastewater.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Mario Lemieux Foundation will benefit when table games get a test run at Pittsburgh's Rivers Casino next month.  The eight-hour, invitation-only test run is set for July 6, two days before the casino on the city's North Shore hopes to being offering table games.  The foundation created by the Pittsburgh Penguins owner raises money for cancer and neonatal research, and funds sibling playrooms in medical facilities.  Lemieux was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease in 1993, in the midst of his Hall of Fame playing career, but survived and has been cancer-free since.  Lemieux's foundation expanded its scope after his son, Austin, was born premature.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives aren't getting the chance yet to vote on new taxes on Marcellus Shale natural gas extraction and another dime a pack on cigarettes. A $317 million tax package was sent back to the Appropriations Committee following a contentious debate on Tuesday that exposed internal Democratic divisions. Republicans say the Democratic-backed package falls short of balancing the budget and would have a harmful effect on the state's economic health. The debate came with lawmakers and Gov. Ed Rendell facing the June 30 end of the fiscal year. Dwindling state revenue collections and uncertainty about the level of federal stimulus payments are complicating the budget process this year.

WHEELERVILLE, Pa. (AP) - Police in northeastern Pennsylvania say a head-on collision has killed two people. State police at Laporte say a car heading south on Route 154 in Wheelerville in Sullivan County crossed the center line and collided with a northbound car at about 1:25 p.m. Monday. Police say the drivers - 26-year-old Jeremiah Hartford and 40-year-old John Norton, both of Shunk - were killed; neither was wearing a seat belt. A passenger in Norton's vehicle who was wearing a seat belt had injuries described as moderate.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is considering substantial changes to how the state's two large public-sector pension systems operate. The House began debate Tuesday on legislation that would reduce a looming increase in pension costs for state government and school districts, and change the rules for new hires. A final vote on the legislation isn't expected until Wednesday at the earliest. The proposals would not eliminate the need for substantially higher costs to taxpayers but would reduce the amount.

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

Update on the latest in business:

Dow: - 25.62 (10,379.15)

S&P 500: - 4.44 (1,110.79)

NASDAQ: - 5.50 (2,300.38)

United Auto Workers elect Bob King as president

DETROIT (AP) - Longtime United Auto Workers labor negotiator Bob King is the new president of the union.   The 63-year-old King will serve a four-year term. More than 2,000 UAW members supported him in a vote at the union's convention.   King faced limited opposition from Detroit-area Ford worker Gary Walkowicz, who also ran for president. Walkowicz says the union made too many wage and benefit concessions as Detroit's automakers restructured.  King has said that one of his priorities will be boosting union membership. UAW membership has dropped to 355,000 active members, one-fifth of its size in the late 1970s.

Judge in Tribune case orders info from JPMorgan 

DOVER, Del. (AP) - The judge in the Tribune Co.'s bankruptcy case has ordered JPMorgan Chase to turn over information sought by a group of lenders who oppose the company's reorganization plan. The lenders told the judge Wednesday that JPMorgan should provide the names and addresses of current holders of Tribune's credit agreement debt, and a list of payments Tribune made under the credit agreement before filing for bankruptcy in 2008. The lenders want to use the information in part to try to rally opposition to Tribune's reorganization plan.  JPMorgan was the administrative agent under the credit agreement and would be among the new owners of Tribune's properties, which include Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, and The Baltimore Sun, under the company's proposed reorganization plan.

Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers:

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

Midday Big 4

     6-7-2-1

 Midday Number

     1-4-8

 Midday Quinto

     0-7-6-4-9

 Treasure Hunt

     05-18-21-22-23

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

Attorney: No funeral for actor Gary Coleman

PROVO, Utah (AP) - The independent attorney appointed to oversee actor Gary Coleman's estate says there will be no funeral services for the former child TV star.  A Utah judge this week named Robert Jeffs the special administrator of Coleman's estate after a dispute between the "Diff'rent Strokes" star's ex-wife and ex-girlfriend.  Jeffs told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Coleman's 2005 will says there should be no funeral services. Jeffs said it was unlikely Coleman would be cremated on Wednesday.  The actor died May 28 after suffering a brain hemorrhage at his home south of Salt Lake City.  Coleman's ex-wife, Shannon Price, and ex-girlfriend, Anna Gray, both contend they are the lawful administrators of Coleman's estate. Gray is named in the 2005 will and Price is named in a 2007 handwritten note by Coleman that names her his sole heir.

'American Pie' actor Chris Klein arrested on DUI

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Actor Chris Klein has been arrested on suspicion of drunken driving after authorities say he was spotted weaving across lanes on a California freeway.  The California Highway Patrol says in a news release that the 31-year-old "American Pie" and "Election" star was stopped early Wednesday after weaving across lanes on the westbound Hollywood Freeway in Sherman Oaks.  CHP Officer Patrick Kimball says Klein was booked and released on his own recognizance.  A request for comment was left with Klein's agent and his manager.