Wednesday, June 25, 2008
No out for a 5-year pharmaceutical contract in Northumberland County
SUNBURY – Northumberland County Commissioner Vinny Clausi has implemented a policy that any county contract must come with a 60-day cancellation clause. But that wasn’t the case with a recent no-bid pharmaceutical contract. Now the county is in the agreement for five years, with no chance to cancel, and Clausi says he has no idea why it happened. He says he did sign the contract, but didn’t read the entire 10-pages, because he figured the termination policy would be included.
The county is contracted now with three pharmacies in the Coal Township area, and issues arose when a Northumberland-based pharmaceutical company, Synergy Systems, told Commissioners they could provide the same services for less money. Since Commissioners have already signed the contract, neither Synergy nor any other pharmacies in the county have the chance to be including in a bidding process. CEO of Synergy, Amanda Kessler, says if the Commissioners feel that they were mislead with the contract, it could be enough to get them out of it.
Kessler says their ultimate goal would be for the Commissioners to cancel the current contract and put it out for bid, so that it’s fair for the companies and for the taxpayers in Northumberland County. (Sara Bartlett)
Mifflinburg man charged with rape
MIFFLINBURG – A Mifflinburg man has been charged with rape after allegedly assaulting a child. Milton State Police say 59-year-old Jerry Haines had inappropriate contact with a young boy in February 2006. He also reportedly forced the boy to watch pornographic videos. Haines faces numerous charges, including rape and will have a preliminary hearing next month. (Sara Bartlett)
Architectural firm to work on Shikellamy Marina will be selected soon
SUNBURY – Plans are moving forward at the Shikellamy Marina. Skip Weider of the Susquehanna River Heartland Coalition says the group recently met with members from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the state is now in the process of requesting bids from architectural firms who will do work on an environmental research and education center at the Shikellamy Marina. Weider says it will most likely be a few months before the contract is awarded to a bidding architectural firm.
Once a firm is chosen, they will work with a group from the College Coalition, which includes five scientists who will help determine what the building will be used for. From there, construction is slated to begin in early or mid 2009. Weider says the Coalition is pleased to have progress being made on the Shikellamy Marina because it shows the growing number of organizations that are active in environmental projects that affect the Susquehanna River. (Sara Bartlett)
Point Township residents charged with giving alcohol to minors
POINT TOWNSHIP – Two Point Township residents have been charged after allegedly supplying alcohol to minors. Police say they were called to a home at 1:15a.m. on June 14th, where a reported underage party was going on. 45-year-old Earl Young Sr. and 42-year-old Candace Young are charged with selling or furnishing alcohol to minors. They will appear before District Justice Robert Bolton at an upcoming date. During the incident, Point Township Police, along with Northumberland, Riverside and Mahoning Township Police arrested six people for underage drinking. (Sara Bartlett)
Taxpayers will pay slightly more in Danville Schools
DANVILLE – Two Danville School Directors cast no notes, as the board gave final approval Tuesday night to a $30.5 million spending plan for the 2008-2009 school year. The vote was six-to-two. It results in a tax increase of slightly more than 2 percent for taxpayers in the district.
Dawn Koons-Gill voted against the spending plan because of middle school scheduling issues, which will result in the addition of a science and social studies teacher, as well as two math teachers who will be used as math tutors.
Director Barbara Boyer felt two weeks was not enough time to review the budget before final adoption and wants input beginning in September before final adoption of next years budget. She also feels $400 thousand budget for the athletics program, including $16 thousand for new uniforms is excessive.
Regarding the budget, Business Administrator Richard Snodgrass said more than 4700 property owners qualify under the homestead/farmstead exemption Program, resulting in a reduction of $119 in their tax bills. Those funds come from gambling revenues. (Terry Diener)
Moving forward on Danville Schools Renovation
DANVILLE – Danville School Superintendent Susan Bickford says the district is losing approximately one year, because of the controversy surrounding plans to first consolidate Danville Schools, and now the decision to renovate three separate buildings. Following a lengthy and heated meeting in May, School directors voted to renovate three neighborhood schools.
She says that means three separate plans will now have to be submitted to the state as opposed to one consolidation plan. Bickford says following a meeting last Tuesday, which included the architect, board members and administrators, another meeting will be held in early July with principals to discuss their needs.
She expects a formal presentation to be made at the July 22nd School Board meeting. Dr. Bickford said at some point in the future, the district will have to hold formal meetings on each of the buildings to explain the renovations and cost implications to the public. (Terry Diener)
Will student athletes pay a fee in Danville
DANVILLE – Discussion on a possible fee for student athletes in Danville Schools will be on the agenda at the July School Board meeting. Board president Alan Schappert said more facts will be prepared in order to discuss that possibility. The fee question was raised by Director Dawn Koons-Gill.
She said while the district spends $400 thousand dollars for athletics, far less is spent on academic clubs. Koons-Gill feels having student athletes paying a fee would bring more equity to that issue, and at the same time ease the financial burden on taxpayers.
In a related note, responding to parent inquiries, board president Alan Schappert said there is no formal initiative to cut non-conference games from sports schedules due to rising costs. At the same time, responding to board concerns, Schappert said a possible in depth look at transportation issues, in light of rising fuel costs, and the future renovation program, will be on the July Board Agenda.
Raising money for Camp Victory
MILLVILLE – A $2 million fundraising campaign is now underway for Camp Victory. The 120-acre property in Millville hosts more than 1,200 special needs children a year. The money raised will help maintain buildings and programs for the future, says Secretary of Agriculture and Camp Co-founder Dennis Wolff.
Wolff and his wife Lois donated 35 acres of their family farm in 1987 to start Camp Victory, after their son Nick was born with liver disease. Paul Kettlewell is the Co-Chair of the fundraiser, called Campaign Legacy, and says the programs they offer are vital.
Twenty-two camps are hosted by Victory including Camp Dost for children with cancer, Camp Horizon for those with skin disorders and Camp Echo for those with heart disease. Kettlewell says they offer the lowest cost per camper because most of the staff and counselors are volunteers. He says they receive many donations, and continues to ask for funds for the campaign to keep Camp Victory around for many years to come. (Sara Bartlett)
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.
The task force will 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)
Intensive search leads US Marshals to northern Lycoming County
SUNBURY – A former Sunbury man suspected of sexual assaults of two juvenile males is in custody. City police tell us 43-year-old Joseph Gleason was apprehended Tuesday morning by U.S. Marshals. Supervisory Deputy James Cunfer says their search used information provided by local agencies. That led them to a residence ear Trout Run, where they found Gleason hiding in a first floor closet.
Gleason is suspected of assaults against a 7 year old and a 17 year old in April. He 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 arraignment before District Judge John Gembic. A preliminary hearing is set for July 1st. (Matt Farrand)
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)
Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:
HARRISBURG (AP) - Utilities in Pennsylvania have shut off electricity to about one-third more customers this year than last. The biggest jumps were recorded by PPL and Metropolitan Edison. Figures issued by the Public Utility Commission indicate shutoffs of electric service to PPL customers through May is up 124% versus the same period a year ago. Met-Ed shutoffs are nearly doubled. Statewide, the increase is about 37%. PPL and Met-Ed officials say the number of shutoffs have only affected about 1 percent of their customers, and most have had power restored after reaching payment agreements.
SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - Pizzeria owner Thomas Hashem was targeting college kids when he opened a $1.5 million sports bar across the street from the University of Scranton. Goodfellas has seating for 100, a high-end sound system, big-screen plasma TVs and Xbox game systems. The bar opened before summer break to big crowds, and that worries officials at the Jesuit university, with its more than 4,000 undergraduates. The school took the unusual step of suing to prevent Goodfellas from getting a liquor license - and managed to win some concessions. Now, it is back in court trying to block a proposed expansion that would make the bar even more enticing. Hashem wants to add a space for pool tables and other games, a DJ booth, live music and additional taps. He calls the university's reaction a "knee-jerk response" and says he resents it.
TROUT RUN, Pa. (AP) - Authorities have now released the name of a woman who was the second person killed in a one-vehicle crash in northcentral Pennsylvania. State police say 42-year-old Ryan Downs of Wilkes-Barre died, along with 58-year-old Leslie Millard of Meshoppen, when the sport utility vehicle in which they were passengers went off U.S. Route 15 and plunged over an embankment. The crash occurred just after 11 p.m. Tuesday at a construction zone in Cogan House Township, Lycoming County. State police say the driver of the SUV, 36-year-old Isaac Millard of Meshoppen, fled the scene and went to a house about a half-mile away. The homeowner called police. Millard was taken into custody and transported to Williamsport Hospital for treatment of injuries.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Wednesday in the midday Pennsylvania State Lottery drawing:
Daily Number 1-5-4
Big 4 5-5-9-9
Treasure Hunt 2-9-15-19-22
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)