Thursday, June 26, 2008

Local officers react to a Supreme Court decision on owning guns

WASHINGTON --  The Supreme Court says Americans have a right to own guns for self-defense and hunting, the justices' first major pronouncement on gun rights in U.S. history. The court's 5-4 ruling strikes down the District of Columbia's 32-year-old ban on handguns as incompatible with gun rights under the Second Amendment. Chief Stephen Mazzeo of Sunbury Police is pleased with the ruling, saying it’s an affirmation of the American system of government, that the government is of the people, by the people and for the people. 

Chief Kurt Brown of Point Township Police says a human being should certainly have the right to defend themselves if they meet the criteria that is set forth by the federal and state government to own a firearm. 

The Supreme Court decision goes further than even the Bush administration wanted, but probably leaves most firearms laws intact.  The basic issue for the justices was whether the amendment protects an individual's right to own guns no matter what, or whether that right is somehow tied to service in a state militia. (Ali Stevens/AP)

Carney calls court decision victory for responsible gun owners

WASHINGTON - Lawmakers are reacting to the Supreme Court's 5-4 decision that Americans have a right to own guns for self-defense or hunting.  Congressman Chris Carney (D-10^th Dimock) calls it, “a victory for responsible gun owners everywhere.”  But fellow Democrat Dianne Feinstein of California says the people of the country will be less safe because of the ruling.  The decision strikes down the District of Columbia's 32-year-old ban on handguns, leaving licensing of guns intact. 

Challenges to existing laws based on Thursday’s decision are expected in San Francisco, Chicago and other locations (Matt Farrand)

Job cuts at Geisinger Wilkes Barre facility

WILKES-BARRE – Four hundred employees at a Geisinger Health Systems facility in Wilkes-Barre will soon lose their jobs.  Geisinger South is being converted to a short-stay hospital, as part of a local reorganization of services.  The facility will still offer emergency room and urgent care services, but cuts will include nursing positions.  The conversion is expected to be complete by mid-2009, as long-term patients will be treated at another Geisinger facility. 

A statement issued Thursday by Geisinger President and CEO Dr. Glenn Steele notes hospital use patterns are changing, thanks largely to improved technology.    The layoffs take effect in September. (Matt Farrand)

Mount Carmel man’s aggravated assault charges will go to court

POTTSVILLE – Charges against a Mount Carmel man accused of kidnapping his mother will go to court.  58-year-old Robert Netchel faces charges of aggravated assault and other counts after he allegedly took his mother, Ruth Ann Netchel, from a Schuylkill County Nursing Home in April without her consent.  Police found the two at Robert Netchel’s home in Mount Carmel.  His mother died a day later.  Netchel is free on $50,000 bail. (Sara Bartlett)    

Millville woman left three children alone in a vehicle, pleads guilty

MILLVILLE – A Millville woman pleaded guilty to leaving three young children alone in her vehicle while she shopped in a store for about 20 minutes.  26-year-old Sara Wolfe was fined $750 for the incident in a Buckhorn shopping center parking lot on May 31^st.  Police say Wolfe left her children, ages 5, 2 and 6-months, alone in her van.  A group of people shopping at the store noticed the children alone and contacted authorities.  Wolfe pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and leaving children unattended.  (Ali Stevens)

Northumberland County man’s son killed in Iraq

HARRISBURG – A Harrisburg area man with ties to Northumberland County has been killed in Iraq.  25-year-old Army Private First Class James Yohn was killed by a roadside bomb Tuesday.  Yohn’s father lives in Coal Township.  His mother says an Army chaplain and another officer delivered the news as she was preparing to go to work Wednesday morning.  Yohn’s wife is expecting their first child in just few weeks. (AP/SB)

Obama speaks in Pittsburgh, McCain plans a trip to Wilkes-Barre

PITTSBURGH – As Barack Obama sees it; politics can sometimes get in the way of solving problems.  He told business leaders Thursday at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh that there isn't much disagreement about what needs to be done to keep America competitive in the global economy.

This was Obama’s first appearance in Western PA since the April primary; it’s also the same venue where Republican rival John McCain chose to share his economic views earlier this year.  McCain, meanwhile, has reportedly announced that he will be coming to Wilkes-Barre on July 23^rd as part of his campaign stop.  No other details have been released about the visit. (AP/SB)

A Special Camp for Special Kids in Millville

MILLVILLE – This is 13-year-old Hunter Steinitz’s last year at Camp Horizon, a camp for kids with skin disorders.  Steinitz, who lives in Pittsburgh, has Harlequin Ichthyosis, which makes the skin shed every three to four days.  She has found a special place in her life at Camp Horizon, which is just one of over 20 camps that are hosted at the 125-acre Camp Victory facilities in Millville.  There, kids with special needs can spend the week swimming, climbing, fishing, playing sports, singing, playing in the newly built tree house and having fun.  Steinitz says best of all, you can spend time talking to your friends.

Clausi: Sorry, county signed no-bid, no-out contract with local pharmacies

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)

Teen booze I: Tice charged with giving booze to kids

SELINSGROVE – A handful of Snyder County residents face various charges after a party involving underage drinkers, including an 11-year old boy. State Police charged 20-year-old Nathan Hart of Middleburg, 18-year-old Todd Chappell of Beavertown and 20-year-old Jessica Tice of Middleburg.

The 11-year-old allegedly consumed alcoholic beverages early Sunday, June 15th at a residence in Middleburg. A criminal complaint is also being filed against 21-year-old Shawn Tice of Middleburg. He is accused of selling or furnishing liquor to the minors, and one count of corruption of minors. (Matt Farrand)

Teen booze II: Young couple charged with giving booze to kids

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)

Hair loss research to benefit from Middleburg race

MIDDLEBURG – Alopecia is an incurable condition that can bring about total hair loss. Rebecca Hibbs of Middleburg has had the immune system disorder since childhood. She says she often wore baseball caps when attending elementary school, and later hairpieces or wigs. About five million Americans have alopecia , and though physical pain is minor, self-image can suffer.

Meantime, Rebecca Hibbs believes “bald is beautiful,” but compensates for the condition on a daily basis by applying eyelashes and eyebrows. Hibbs and supporters are planning a 5K race or 1 mile walk to benefit alopecia research, Saturday at 9:00 a.m. Hummel’s United Methodist Church in Middleburg. It’s called the 2008 Tortoise and Hair 5K and more information is available at 837-2692. (Matt Farrand)

Architectural firm to work on Shikellamy Marina will be selected soon

SUNBURY – Plans are moving forward to renovate and reuse the Shikellamy State Park Marina building. Skip Weider of the Susquehanna River Heartland Coalition for Environmental Studies says the group recently met with members from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

He said 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 coalition, which includes five scientists who will help determine the best use of the building.

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)

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania state lawmakers are taking a closer look at the proposed 75-year lease of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, a deal that Gov. Ed Rendell supports.  The House Transportation Committee on Thursday heard from members of the team that submitted the top $12.8 billion bid to operate the roadway.  Rendell's consultant calls the bid "a terrific deal" but legislators had questions about the financial and operational details.  The deal requires legislative approval and a final vote isn't expected to occur until fall.  If the turnpike is leased, the state would use the money to repair roads and bridges and subsidize mass transit. A plan to add tolls to Interstate 80 would be abandoned.

TROUT RUN, Pa. (AP) - Police say the driver in a crash that killed two people in northcentral Pennsylvania was drunk.  State police say 36-year old Isaac Millard of Meshoppen lost control of his sport utility vehicle and it plunged over an embankment along U.S. Route 15 late Tuesday night.  The accident occurred at a construction zone in Cogan House Township, Lycoming County.  Killed in the crash were Millard's father, 58-year old Leslie Millard of Meshoppen, and 42-year old Ryan Downs, of Wilkes-Barre.  Both were pronounced dead at the scene.  Police say Isaac Millard fled after the crash and went to a house about a half mile away. The homeowner called police.  When he is discharged from Williamsport Hospital, police say, Millard will be charged with homicide by vehicle and related offenses.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The father of a disabled Harrisburg girl who died after being scalded in a bathtub faces 20 to 40 years in prison after a jury convicted him of third-degree murder.  A Dauphin County jury also convicted Shawn Lockett Sr. of Harrisburg of endangering the welfare of a child and two counts of conspiracy Wednesday. The 32-year-old Lockett is to be sentenced on July 24.  Ten-year-old Quiniece Lockett, who was blind and had cerebral palsy, died eight days after her father's companion placed her in a scalding bath in April 2007. She was dead by the time the adults sought medical help.  The father's companion, LaShawn Brown, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder last month in exchange for a seven- to  14-year prison term.

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

Daily Number 5-1-3    

Big 4 2-5-8-2

Treasure Hunt 2-7-14-19-22

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