Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Day Two: Richard Curran homicide trial

SUNBURY— Fourteen witnesses testified Tuesday in court in the homicide trial of Richard Curran.  One witness, Kenneth Lauderman, says he and Curran had been friends for many years and Curran talked to him about feelings of wanting to kill his ex-wife Tina and her then-boyfriend, Lt. Jesse James.  Lauderman says one of the conversations happened only two days before the actual shooting occurred outside of Shamokin Hospital.  He says Curran told him that he would never act upon the feelings and Lauderman wanted to believe his friend.  He says he hopes for a fair trial and a fair sentence and he feels for the victim’s family most of all. 

Other witnesses included healthcare officials who worked on Tina Curran after the shooting in August 2005.  A nurse with LifeFlight, Charles Kiessling Jr., said Tina had already suffered massive blood loss and was in cardiac arrest before she was transported to Geisinger Medical Center from Shamokin.  He says that under normal circumstances, a patient in her condition would not have been transported.  Doctor, Timothy Vollmer, was part of the staff in the Emergency Room when Tina arrived at Geisinger.  He says she showed no signs of life upon arrival and was pronounced dead nearly one hour after the shooting.

Officials involved in the Currans’ custody battle also presented details of their ‘back and forth’ actions regarding both custody and custody payments.  Case officer, Tara Fulmer, says there were times when Tina was not receiving any payments because Richard had moved or failed to report his employment situation.  More testimony is expected in court Wednesday at 1p.m.  (Sara Lauver)

Pharmaceutical service protocol challenged

SUNBURY – How Northumberland County spends money on pharmaceutical services for Mountain View Manor was the focus of a tumultuous Commissioner’s meeting today (Tuesday).  Commissioners say they call local pharmacies for the lowest prices rather than putting costs out to bid.  However, a local service provider argued with commissioner Vinny Clausi, insisting that the county did not return their phone calls or letters.  CEO Amanda Kessler of Synergy Services Corp. says her company could save the county more than $100,000, but has been shut out of negotiations or otherwise getting a chance to bid. 

Commissioner Vinny Clausi maintains he is taking the most efficient route for the county.  In the end, commissioners voted 2-1 in favor of keeping the current procedure unchanged.  (Mark Lawrence)

Young at Heart Expo Saturday

SUNBURY – The Young at Heart Expo this weekend offers plenty of activities at the Sunbury YMCA.  Associate Executive Director at the Y, Joy Hoke, says it’s important for people who are “young at heart” to participate and keep a healthy and active lifestyle.  Massages, water aerobics and crafts are just a few of the events going on. 

Participants at the Expo can register to win a two-night stay at a bed & breakfast in Watkins Glen, New York.  They will also have a chance to hear WNEP-TV’s Mike Stevens talk about travel across Pennsylvania.  The Young at Heart Expo is Saturday from 8:00a.m.-4:00p.m.  It is sponsored by the Daily Item, Danville News and the stations of Sunbury Broadcasting Corporation. (Sara Bartlett)

Impact for Priorities Initiative is underway

SHAMOKIN DAM – The Priorities for Impact Initiative, which was created by the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way, was the topic of a public meeting last night at Tedd’s on the Hill in Shamokin Dam.  The United Way is looking to put greater emphasis on programs to improve the lifestyles of the working families and those struggling financially.  They also want to focus on improving health and educational opportunities.  Keri Albright, President and CEO of the United Way says the initiative is a five-year strategic program to help solve the underlying problems in our communities that cause day to day challenges for families and individuals. (Ali Stevens) 

5k Run, 1 mile walk to learn more about alopecia

MIDDLEBURG – 19-year-old Rebecca Hibbs of Middleburg suffers from a disease called , which prevents the growth of hair. Hibbs says it takes a lot of explaining and education to help people understand why she has no hair.  Hibbs is heading up her first fundraiser for alopecia research.  She is organizing a one mile walk and 5K run on Saturday, June 28^th.  The walk will be held at Hummel’s United Methodist Church in Middleburg.  To find out more information about the walk and run, you can contact Rebecca at 837-2692.  (WPGM)

Bloomsburg motorcycle ride benefit

BLOOMSBURG – A motorcycle ride to help people financially deal with tragedies will take place this weekend in Bloomsburg.  The fund started in 2004 when Marylyn Shaffer’s son, Tim, died of cancer, and they weren’t prepared for the burial costs.  The fund now helps others facing difficult situations.  It also provides scholarships to students at Columbia-Montour Vo Tech.  The ride this Sunday starts at TPC Power on Rt. 11 in Bloomsburg.  Registration is at 10:00a.m.  Cost is $20.00 for riders and $5.00 for passengers and a buffet lunch is including.

For Sale: A piece of Watsontown history

WATSONTOWN – The historic Watson theatre is up for sale after the owner’s decided 14 years was enough. Deb Whistler, her husband and son have owned the Watson Theatre for more than a decade, but feel now is the time to sell.  She says the community hasn’t shown much interest in the theatre and would like a fresh owner with a fresh perspective to keep it running and open. 

Storms hit area again, more electric power knocked out

STATE COLLEGE – Monday afternoon thunderstorms left some without power for a time. Storms about an hour apart brought heavy rain and high winds to the region. Union County Communications reports downed tress and utility lines, mostly from a storm that struck at about 4:45 p.m., which also affected southern Lycoming County.

Snyder County Communications says traffic on Route 35 near Mt. Pleasant Mills was interrupted after a couple of utility poles fell, knocking out power lines. Accu-Weather and the National Weather Service say the second storm hit eastern Snyder, Union, central Northumberland and Montour Counties at about 5:45 pm.

PPL Electric says more than 450 customers were without power in Columbia and Montour Counties Monday night. Northumberland and Snyder Counties had nearly 100 reports of power outages. Rainfall amounts varied from about a tenth of an inch, to three-fourths of an inch. Wind speeds approached 50-miles per hour at times. (Matt Farrand)

Richard Curran’s homicide trial underway

SUNBURY – It’s been nearly three years since the arrest of 33-year-old Richard Curran: a former Berks County Police Chief accused of shooting and killing his ex-wife, Tina Curran, outside Shamokin Hospital in August 2005. In the first day of his trial on homicide charges, six men and six women on the jury heard testimony from almost ten witnesses. Those witnesses included employees of the hospital, others who were on the hospital grounds and heard the gunshots and police officials involved in the investigation.

When entering the courthouse, Curran uttered the words “We all live forever,” and his defense attorney, Karl Rominger, says its part of a delusion. He adds that he plans to present all phases of the case in an effort to determine if the killing was planned. In opening statements for the commonwealth, District Attorney Tony Rosini, said Tina Curran was shot seven times and suffered fatal injuries. Rosini plans to seek the death penalty if Curran is convicted.

Meanwhile, testimonies revealed more details about an encounter between Tina and Richard Curran on the morning of August 24th, the day Tina was killed. Curran had wanted Tina to go to the courthouse and lower his child custody payments for their two daughters. Many of Tina’s family members were present at the trial and more testimonies are expected in front of President Judge Robert Sacavage in Northumberland County court on Tuesday. (Sara Lauver)

Coal Miner killed in Mt. Carmel accident

MT CARMEL – A coal miner was killed Monday morning at Harmony Mine near Mt. Carmel. 45-year-old Robert Carey of Shamokin died when the roof of the mine collapsed. Other employees brought him to the surface. The mine was the site of previous fatal accident in 2004. State and federal authorities were called to the scene to investigate the accident that was first reported after 10:00 a.m. (Matt Farrand)

Farmstead applications to be reviewed and included in tax savings

SUNBURY – Northumberland County farmers got some good news this week. Northumberland County will submit farmstead applications and tax saving are likely. Officials say it’s still unknown why a number of farmstead applications were not processed in Northumberland County.

The applications give farmers reductions in property taxes. Commissioner Vinny Clausi says a directive in 2004 led to undercounting in the applications, but now the current board will do everything they can to accurately count each one.

So far the reexamination has turned up an additional 311 farmsteads, which will now be included in the certification. While nearly 22,000 homestead applications were processed in the county, Northumberland was the only county in the state that did not process any farmstead applications. (Sara Bartlett)

Northumberland County apologizes for calling jurors after jury selected

SUNBURY – Northumberland County will still be paying thirty-nine prospective jurors after a mishap Friday. Thirty-nine people were summoned to report for jury duty last week during the jury selection for Richard Curran’s homicide trial. The problem was…jury selection for the trial was complete Thursday evening, but the prospective jurors were not told.

Northumberland County Court Administrator Brandy Yasenchak says a 1-800 number that jurors were told to call to see if they needed to show up for duty was disconnected, and because Friday was a holiday, there was nobody at the courthouse to tell them they weren’t needed. The County will reportedly pay $500 to cover the costs of the mishap. Jurors are paid $9.00 a day for trial and $0.17 per mile for travel costs. (Sara Bartlett)

Corman-sponsored bill would let business

HARRISBURG – State senators approved a $240 million tax-cutting package as negotiators continue to hash out a budget for the next fiscal year. Among four bills passed Monday are a bill co-sponsored by Jake Corman (R-34, Benner Township, Centre County) that would raise the limit on losses a business could declare to offset taxes on future profits.

Corman believes the bill will provide short-term encouragement for research companies in the area of Penn State University to add jobs. Other bills included measures that would grant low-income taxpayers tax forgiveness in some cases, among other tax cuts.

Democrats argued against the bills, saying now isn't the time to cut taxes, when the state is in search of for money for existing programs. Meantime, Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell has proposed a $28 billion-plus budget for the budget year that begins July 1. (Matt Farrand)

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) - A Lancaster County teenager will spend the rest of his life in prison for stabbing a classmate and the classmate's parents to death.  Seventeen-year-old Alec Kreider pleaded guilty Tuesday to three counts of first-degree murder.  Kreider went to his friend Kevin Haines' home in May 2007, intending to kill Haines, but Kreider ended up also stabbing to death Kevin's parents, Lisa and Tom Haines.  The couple's daughter, a Bucknell University student, was awakened by the attacks and was able to escape unharmed. She ran to a neighbor's home to call police.  Tom Haines was a salesman and Lisa Haines was a preschool teacher.  Kreider and Kevin Haines were both 16 and were sophomores at Manheim Township High School.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Gov. Ed Rendell says he will make state operations greener, reducing energy use in state buildings by 10 percent and fuel use by state vehicles by 5 percent.  Rendell said Tuesday some of the changes may cost the state more upfront, but that the state will see lower fuel and energy bills over time.  Under his new directives, the state will increase the proportion of electricity it gets from alternative sources like wind, solar and landfill methane to 50 percent, up from 30 percent.  Office thermostats will go up one degree this summer to 75 degrees, while incandescent lightbulbs that burn out will be replaced with energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs.  The state will look to buy smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles, while Rendell said he will encourage carpooling and conference calls to reduce travel miles.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The state Department of Public Welfare is trying to encourage private nursing homes that serve Medicaid patients to offer a wider variety of programs for elderly Pennsylvanians who want to live more independently.  Public Welfare Secretary Estelle Richman says her agency is seeking federal approval for higher Medicaid reimbursement rates and other incentives that would go to nursing homes that voluntarily reduce or eliminate the number of beds they have. She says the homes could spend the money they save on independent living units, outpatient rehabilitation therapy, and other community services. Richman tells the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee that nursing-home amenities are becoming increasingly diversified in response to consumers' desires to maintain their independence as they age.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Public school funding is emerging as a friction point in budget negotiations in Harrisburg.  A Senate Republican budget bill that is primed for floor debate Wednesday would slash the $28.3 billion spending plan proposed by Gov. Ed Rendell by about $400 million.  It also would reduce the basic education subsidy suggested by Rendell by about $120 million, a move Rendell criticized as "hugely bad policy."  Rendell says he'd rather use some of the state's approximately $750 million budget reserve to fill in any cuts to his school funding proposal.  In the past, lawmakers have been wary of cutting a governor's proposed education budget out of concern they'll be blamed for local property tax increases that might result.

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

Daily Number  2-7-9

Big 4  2-1-5-2

Treasure Hunt  4-6-9-14-20

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