Tuesday, June 24, 2008
US Marshals credit local agencies for information
SUNBURY – US Marshals credit local agencies for helping them apprehend a former Sunbury resident suspected of sex crimes. Supervisory Deputy James Cunfer says Northumberland County Probation and Sunbury Police played a big role in helping capture 43-year-old Joseph Gleason. Cunfer says where Gleason had been in Sunbury and who his past contacts were apparently helped prior to his being picked up early Tuesday morning. Gleason faces 16 charges including two counts of rape of a child, after alleged sexual assaults of 7-and 17-year-old boys in April. (Matt Farrand)
Task force formed to prevent Internet crimes against children
SUNBURY – A new task force has been formed to help prevent Internet crimes against children. District Attorney Tony Rosini says a grant they received allowed them to form and operate the task force. Rosini says the task force will help their office prepare cases against Internet predators and help police department learn more about cracking down on Internet offenders. The task force includes several local officers from Sunbury, Point Township, Northumberland, Shamokin, Mount Carmel, Watsontown and Milton along with State Police. (Ali Stevens)
Selinsgrove man with history of violence charged with disorderly conduct
SELINSGROVE – A Selinsgrove man has been charged with disorderly conduct after a Sunday incident at a local business. State Police say 71-year-old Robert Hovenstine was inside a shopping center on Rt. 11/15 and was yelling obscenities at patrons. Hovenstine was arrested on a probation violation and placed in jail. He reportedly has a history of violence. He was placed in jail last May after threatening to shoot several students in the Selinsgrove School District. Police then found several weapons in his home, and charged him with felony terroristic threats. (Sara Bartlett)
Families on the Margin: Public housing prejudice fought by local exec
SUNBURY – Higher prices for almost everything are putting a strain on budgets and families. We’ll be periodically visiting the effects of this squeeze in a broad ranging series of reports called “Families on the Margin.” The executive director of public housing in Sunbury, believes there is a stigma against families that struggle to get by. Sandra Ressler is the Executive Director of the Housing Authority and says the impression that all who live in public housing are chronically unemployed is simply not true.
Ressler says she sees the attitude all the time, not only among average men and women but ironically, also among employers. Memorial Acres is among properties owned and operated by the Housing Authority and qualifying residents include families with children, some singles, disabled persons and retirees. Ressler says for some, public housing is a relatively short stop on the way to better things. Ressler says the authority is active in helping client families reduce their need for public assistance. (Matt Farrand)
Route 61 reopen between Sunbury and Shamokin Dam
SUNBURY – Traffic is moving again in the Sunbury area after a crash on the Veterans Memorial Bridge, connecting the city with Shamokin Dam. Motorists say they found lengthy delays as traffic had to be rerouted via Routes 11 and 147, through Northumberland Borough. Many took more than two hours to reach their destinations after a feed truck overturned, spilling its cargo, and closing the bridge for more than four hours. There were no injuries in the crash. (Matt Farrand)
About 35 customers without power in Snyder County
SELINSGROVE – Strong thunderstorms moved through Snyder County around 9:30 p.m. Monday night and about 35 customers lost electric power. Tree limbs were knocked down by gusty winds and lightning struck the API building in Middleburg, starting a fire at the plant. No injuries were reported, but fire crews and PPL were kept busy for several hours due to the storms. (Ali Stevens)
Kids called to help create children’s book in Milton
MILTON – Three artists who are painting a mural, as part of The Improved Milton Experience (TIME), on the Moose Family Center in downtown Milton are also giving kids a chance to be part of a history book about the town. Artist Alyssa Scott Pamela Snyder-Etters and Caitlin Thompson are writing a children’s book called the ABC’s of Milton. Snyder-Etters says this is a good side project for them, and a great way for kids to learn about their town. Children will be able to coloring in all of the pictures. The book will then be bound and sold as a fundraiser for TIME’s mural projects.
The artists will be part of Arts in the Park, which happens every Thursday as part of Music in the Park at Lincoln River Front Park in Milton at 6:30p.m. Children are welcome to attended. As for the mural downtown, the artists are looking for anyone interested in helping to paint at the Moose Family Center. All ages are welcome Monday through Friday, and no artistic ability is necessary. For more information on the TIME project you can call 742-7000. (Sara Bartlett)
A former Sunbury resident –wanted for child rape—is now in custody
SUNBURY – A former Sunbury man, wanted for the sexual assault of two young boys, has been taken into custody. City police tell us this morning, 43-year-old Joseph Gleason was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshall’s service in Williamsport. He was then transported to Sunbury.
The incidents reportedly occurred in April of this year. Gleason is charged with felony counts of rape, along with numerous other charges including sexual assault, indecent assault and corruption of minors. Gleason was sent to the Northumberland County Prison on $200,000 cash bail following an arraignment. A preliminary hearing is set for July 1st. (Staff)
Sunbury Weis Markets gets liquor license
SUNBURY – The Sunbury City Council approved a liquor license transfer to Weis Markets on Monday evening by a 3 to 2 vote. The license transfer comes after David Gill, Director of Architecture for Weis Markets Incorporated, proposed the opening of a café/eatery located in the store on N. 4th Street where the grocery chain will then sell alcoholic beverages.
Gill explains that the café/eatery will be a limited access, 1500 square foot establishment within the grocery store. All beer and malt beverages consumption and sales will be completed in the designated area.
Weis’ goal is to make shopping a one-stop convenience for its regular customers. Only beer or malt beverage six packs will be sold. With the approval of the liquor license transfer, Gill expects the café/eatery to open its door in late summer. (L. Scott)
Vandals damage McEwensville restaurant
MCEWENSVILLE – The owner of a restaurant in McEwensville is reportedly putting up $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of whoever targeted it for vandalism. An investigation by State Police also continues. Fred’s Restaurant was the target.
Fred McWilliams believes teenagers are behind the breaking of glass doors and windows at Fred’s Restaurant, once on Friday night, and again on Saturday night or early Sunday. Troopers in Milton want anyone with information to call them at 524-2662. (Matt Farrand)
Man pleads guilty to promoting prostitution at local massage business
SELINSGROVE – Following a guilty plea of promoting prostitution, a man in Snyder County will spend time in jail before being deported to China. The Daily Item says 52-year-old Ming Feng Tsai plead guilty Monday to third-degree felony prostitution.
He was allegedly involved in promoting sexual acts at a Selinsgrove massage parlor. Both he and 43-year-old Tan Ewe Bee were arrested last summer following a two-year investigation into the business. Tan was sentenced to twelve months of probation in March. Ming was sentenced to a maximum of 23 months in prison, and will then be deported to China.
EconomicsPennsylvania gets grant
SELINSGROVE – EconomicsPennsylvania of Selinsgrove has announced that they’ve received a $35,000 grant form the Foundation for Teaching Economics. The grant will be used to sponsor a four-day institute on “The Environment and the Economy”. This symposium will assist middle and high school teachers to better understand environmental economic issues so they can relay those issues to students in the classroom.
EconomicsPennsylvania is a non-profit educational organization that promotes the study of economics and financial literacy in the interest of helping students become prudent savers and investors, productive members of the workforce, informed voters and successful participants in the changing global economy. (Ali Stevens)
Fire company treasurer charged with embezzling money
MILLMONT – The former treasurer of the West End Fire Company will go to court, charged with stealing thousands of dollars from the fire department in Union County. Charges of felony theft and forgery were bound over for court for 58-year-old Joyce Bingaman of Mifflinburg. Police say Bingaman stole more than $37,000 from the West End Fire Company from June of 2006 to June of 2007.
She reportedly ordered a special double-signature stamp in her name and the assistant treasurer’s name and then used the stamp to steal funds. Bingaman is also accused of forging the assistant treasurer’s name on checks. An independent audit last year uncovered the missing funds. (Ali Stevens)
Keeping track of your own health records
LEWISBURG – Imagine getting a test or procedure done at the doctors and being able to check your results online, or having a comprehensive list of all of your family’s immunizations right at your fingertips. By the end of the month Evangelical Community Hospital will join many other medical facilities around the country that offer electronic health records to their patients.
Vice President of Information Services at Evan, Scott Peterson says what’s also involved in electronic health records are personal health records, which offer patients the ability to have a comprehensive list of their immunizations, test results and records to doctor’s visits. Privacy is one topic of concern with the online records, but providers offer guarantees of not selling any personal information.
Peterson says these types of health records are on the rise, mainly because of convenience. Once a patient has an online health record, it will be valid anywhere, even if procedures and tests are done in a different place, or if the patient moves. Once it is put into place at Evangelical Community Hospital, the service will be voluntary and free. (Sara Bartlett)
Items stolen from vehicles in Upper Augusta Township
SUNBURY – Items from cars parked in the Oaklyn and Hamilton areas of Upper Augusta Township. State police say overnight Wednesday, a purse, a checkbook, a gun, bullets, a tool bag, tools, a wallet and other items were taken form three separate cars. Anyone with more information on these thefts is asked to contact State Police at Stonington. (Ali Stevens)
Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Lawmakers are entering the last week of the state's fiscal year attempting to piece together far-reaching policies as well as crafting a $28 billion spending plan. Every year under Gov. Ed Rendell's tenure, negotiations have blown through the end-of-fiscal-year deadline of June 30. But Rendell's chief of staff Greg says there are no major policy differences to delay a conclusion to negotiations in the next seven days or so. Legislators are considering ways to help electricity customers conserve energy and absorb an expected spike in bills in 2010 and 2011. They are also looking at proposals to borrow billions of dollars to encourage cleaner energy projects and rebuild crumbling bridges and aging water and sewer plants. Rendell is fighting for the biggest increase for public schools in more than two decades, sparking debate on how to distribute the money to districts.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - House Republicans say they're worried about Pennsylvania's current government borrowing policies. They used consideration of two bills to pay for capital projects to launch a debate on the wisdom of how much money the state is borrowing. Both bills passed comfortably and were sent to the Senate, but only after GOP lawmakers warned that borrowing will hurt future generations. Rep. Mike Turzai of Allegheny County describes it as a "spend today and tax tomorrow" mindset, which he says is unsustainable. Rep. Dwight Evans is the Philadelphia Democrat who serves as House Appropriations chairman. He says the state needs to deal with its crumbling infrastructure. He says the spending will also create jobs.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A divided state appeals court is upholding part of Philadelphia's ordinance to ban the sale of cigars and single cigarettes used to smoke illegal drugs. The Commonwealth Court ruling issued Monday says the city can't ban tobacco products that are sold in a way that makes them likely to be used for drugs. Examples include some flavored tobacco products or cigarettes sold individually or two at a time. But the court says it's legal for the city to prohibit retailers from selling certain tobacco drug paraphernalia, such as hollowed out cigars known as "blunts." The difference is that the blunt-sales ban requires proof the seller knows or should know they'll be used for drugs. The ordinance's provisions on flavored tobacco or single cigarettes doesn't include that same language.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners has welcomed its newest member. The addition of Ronald Weaner made Monday's meeting the first since June 2006 in which the commission had its full complement of eight members. Weaner says he's a lifelong hunter and has been interested in the Game Commission's work most of his adult life. He lives in Biglerville, Adams County. He represents District 6, which is Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Mifflin, Lebanon, Lancaster, Perry, Snyder and York counties.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Tuesday in the midday Pennsylvania State Lottery drawing:
Daily Number 1-2-1
Big 4 4-8-5-2
Treasure Hunt 6-16-24-27-30
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Female General
PENTAGON (AP) - The nation is about to get its first female four-star general. The Pentagon says President Bush has nominated Lieutenant General Ann Dunwoody to head the Army Materiel Command, which is responsible for equipping, outfitting and arming soldiers throughout the Army. If the Senate confirms her, Dunwoody would be the first woman to attain the rank of a full general. By law, the Army is limited to 11 active-duty four-stars, including the Army chief of staff, General George Casey. The reason women haven't reached four-star rank is because they are excluded by law from serving in combat roles, traditionally the path to the highest-ranking positions. While that exclusion still applies, the Army is making an exception in Dunwoody's case.
MCFIT DIET
QUINTON, Va. (AP) - Chris Coleson is on the McDiet. He's dropped 79 pounds in six months by eating nearly all his meals at McDonald's. But no super-sizing for him. Instead of a Big Mac and fries, Coleson usually orders salads and wraps. The Quinton, Virginia, businessman says he weighed 278 pounds in December. Now, he's down to 199 and his waist size has dropped from 50 inches to 36. He says he decided to go on his McDiet plan because McDonald's is convenient. His goal is to get down to 185, his weight when he was married ten years ago.
ROCK SCISSORS PAPER
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) - You might call Sean Sears a rock star, as in "Rock Paper Scissors." The Massachusetts man has won the third national "Rock Paper Scissors" championship in Las Vegas. You know the routine: Rock crushes scissors, scissors cut paper and paper covers rock. Well, Sears threw a winning rock to crush his opponent's scissors. Sears pockets a lot of paper, $50,000. A Massachusetts newspaper reports Sears will also compete in the inaugural International Rock Paper Scissors championship in Beijing during the Summer Olympics.
MARK TWAIN PRIZE TO BE GIVEN TO GEORGE CARLIN POSTHUMOUSLY
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The show will go on, despite George Carlin's death. Carlin was going to get the Mark Twain Prize for comedy at the Kennedy Center in Washington this November. He'll still get the award, only posthumously. The show has been turned into a tribute. A group of his fellow comedians will honor him. No names have been announced yet. The show will be taped and broadcast on PBS later on. Carlin died of heart failure at the age of 71.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)