Sunday, June 29th 2008

Union County parade watchers dampened but plentiful

LEWISBURG – Rain or the threat of rain did little to keep good-sized crowds from the 14^th Annual Union County Veterans Fourth of July parade.  Parade watchers enjoyed marching bands from area high schools, as well units visiting from Baltimore and Philadelphia, including the Fralinger String Band.  Awards presented by committee Chair Graham Showalter went to Northumberland’s Theodore “Dutch” Van Kirk, navigator of the Enola Gay, and the late Tom Ferby the bombardier on the historic flight that dropped an atomic bomb over Hiroshima in 1945. 

Distinguished citizen awards went to Colonel Phillip K. Fredrick, Disaster Services Coordinator Anne Smith of the Union County chapter of the American Red Cross, and Marine Thomas Reimensnyder, who coordinates the multi-service color guards that are seen at many public events in the area.  (Matt Farrand)

Route 15 closed for a time due to downed trees, power lines

MONROE TOWNSHIP – Route 15 in Snyder County is open again after storm damage shut down the highway for nearly seven hours overnight.  Emergency officials say a storm rolled through the area around 10:20 p.m., knocking down high voltage lines, and damaging trees on Route 15 in Monroe Township, just north of the split with Route 11.  Following cleanup and repairs, both north and southbound lanes were reopened to traffic at about 5:30 a.m.. (Terry Diener) 

Theft of ATVs reported in Snyder County

BEAVER SPRINGS – Two All Terrain Vehicles were stolen in Snyder County this past week. State Police at Selinsgrove say sometime between June 24^th and 27^th, someone entered a property along Route 522 in Beaver Springs and took them.  Two Arctic Cat ATVs, one black, and the other green were stolen.  Police say they are valued at $10 thousand.  Anyone with information is asked to contact Selinsgrove State Police.  (Terry Diener)

Lewisburg woman hurt in Saturday crash

LEWISBURG – A Lewisburg woman sustained moderate injuries in a crash Saturday morning in Union County.  State police at Milton say 55-year-old Barbara Ginsberg was traveling west on Route 192 in Buffalo Township around 9 AM, when her car left the highway and struck a cement driveway marker.  Ginsberg was wearing a seat belt. She was taken to Evangelical Community Hospital for treatment. Police say a traffic citation is pending. (Terry Diener) 

Crash on Route 44 sends three people to hospital

DELAWARE TOWNSHIP – Three people were taken to Geisinger Medical Center following a crash on Route 44 in Delaware Township Northumberland County. State Police at Milton say it occurred Saturday morning when 18-year-old Britton Beaver of Allenwood was attempting to make a three point turn on Route 44. Police say Weaver pulled her car into the path of a second vehicle operated by 82-year-old Faith Ranck also of Allenwood.  Beaver’s car spun several times after the accident.  Both drivers, along with a passenger in the second vehicle, 83-year-old Arthur Ranck, were all taken by ambulance to Geisinger after the 11:20 AM accident. (Terry Diener)

West End Crash in Union County injures 18-year-old driver

HARTLEY TOWNSHIP – A teenage driver received minor injuries in a Saturday morning accident in western Union County.  State police say 18-year-old Ryan Shallenberger of Mifflinburg was traveling west on Route 235, when he apparently fell asleep at the wheel. His Ford Explorer ran off the road and struck a utility pole. Shallenberger, who was wearing a seat belt, received minor injuries in that crash shortly after 6 AM Saturday. Investigators say  charges are pending.  (Terry Diener)  

Another round in the Yoncuski case in Northumberland County

SUNBURY – A man who refused to tell police where a safe he stole from his estranged wife was hidden, has filed a criminal complaint against the woman, claiming she stole thousands of dollars in furniture and equipment from his business.

The Daily Item reports, Robert Yoncuski of Shamokin says the same day the safe disappeared from Donna Dietrick’s home in August of 2004, Yoncuski claims Dietrick stole more than $200,000 worth of furniture, tools, supplies and equipment from his business, Asbestos Removal Control in Shamokin.

Yoncuski spent six months in the Northumberland County Prison for refusing to say where the safe, which reportedly contained jewelry and cash, was located. The safe was eventually recovered on a friend’s property. Its not clear if Dietrick allegedly took the items before Yoncuski broke into her home and took the safe. (Ali Stevens)

Legislative breakfast tackles energy topics.

LEWISBURG —The rising price of fuel is just another reason to build the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway. Northumberland County Commissioner chairman Frank Sawicki, reinforced the idea at the Legislative Forum on Friday morning.

Commissioner Sawicki says the throughway’s relatively flat terrain would be more fuel-efficient and could potentially save truck drivers 4 gallons of gasoline on a trip from Harrisburg to the 81 junctions in Hazelton. I - 80 toll proposals continue to be a hot topic, as reflected by talk at the at the Legislative Forum on Friday morning.

Sawicki says the toll is not necessary, as the Interstate is in good shape and the state already gets federal money to fund repairs. He reminded the people at the meeting, that the portion of Act 44 that calls for the toll—has not yet been repealed.

Union County Commissioner Preston Boop is also encouraging local citizens to speak out against the toll law. Small cuts can make a big difference. That’s the thinking of the Snyder County Commissioner Joe Kantz, who spoke about one of the small ways the county is cutting costs at the Legislative Forum on Friday morning.

He says they’ve been able to cut about $7,200 pr month on county issued cell phones. The county is also researching ways to cut printing costs, particularly on cartridges, which currently cost over $10,000 annually. Attention to the cuts comes in response to rising electricity and gas prices. (Lindsey Bingaman)

Justice issues are a big topic at legislative forum

LEWISBURG – New options for justice administration was a big topic at the joint legislative forum in Lewisburg Friday morning. Snyder County Commissioner Joe Kantz spoke alongside Northumberland County Commissioners Frank Sawicki and Union County Commissioners Preston Boop.

Kantz said his county is beginning drug court because it saves on incarceration costs and makes offenders a contribution to society. Snyder County will join with Union County’s drug court starting July 1st. The two counties are also looking into a joint regional prison that would cut costs for both counties.

Other issues at the forum include Northumberland County’s renegotiated Center St. leases, and Union County’s energy audit to evaluate county energy use. Union County Commissioner Preston Boop closed the meeting with his concerns over a possible Interstate 80 Toll and encouraged all local resident express their concerns over Act 44, which would implement the toll. (Lindsey Bingaman)

Local congressman says they are working to get gas prices down

UNDATED – As oil futures climbed briefly to a new record above $142 a barrel—a local congressman says he is working to get gasoline prices to come down. Congressman Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock) says there is work being done to address the high gas prices such as taking resources from the petroleum reserve if its full, and put them towards gas.

However, Carney says there is not a gas shortage, just speculation that make it seem that way. Carney says if there weren’t speculators and we were actually pricing oil based on supply and demand, oil would be about $60 to $65.00 a barrel. Oil futures rose today on expectations that the weakening dollar may extend its decline, adding to interest in oil. (Ali Stevens)

Roundtable looks at Autism and dentistry this weekend

SUNBURY – Roundtable this weekend looks at the nuances of dentistry, when it comes to treating a child with Autism. The enlightening program also focuses on holistic dentistry. One of the guests is Kathleen Dunkelberger, an RN who is the mother of a child affected by Autism. She founded the 'Always Question Authority Conference. This year the conference is October 24th.

She is also on the Governor’s task for people with disabilities. The dentist is Dr. Pentti Nupponen of Halifax. We discussed the difference between modern tooth fillings and ‘old school’ fillings. You can hear Roundtable (Sunday) on: Eagle 107 (107.3FM) at 6a.m., 100.9, The Valley, at 6a.m., WKOK at 9a.m., Talkradio 1380 WMLP, 11a.m. 94KX at 11p.m., and anytime, at www.wkok.com.

Tips you can follow to save gas during expensive times

WILLIAMSPORT – If you want to save gas, there are tips you can follow to make a difference in your tank. While there are a lot of little things you can do, the biggest by far is to drive like a person and not “an escapee from NASCAR.” That word comes from Penn College automotive technology assistant professor Dale Jaenke who says driving the speed limit can save plenty in gas.

Jaenke also says keeping your windows up when possible makes your car more aerodynamically efficient, but turning on the air conditioner almost always uses more fuel. Air pressure in the tires and regular maintenance checks can also help conserve gas. But the best way to save gas is to slow down. (Deanna Force/Matt Bowen)

Local women’s center working to keep kids safe this summer

DANVILLE – The Women’s Center for Columbia and Montour Counties is working hard this summer to help keep kids safe during their break from school. Robin Hampton of the center says they are offering a lot of programs on a number of topics, including stranger danger and Internet safety, which is quite popular.

Hampton says they can talk to any group, including summer camps or bible schools. They also have programs on bullies and proper touches. Whether you are dealing with pre-schoolers or high schoolers, Hampton says their programs can be tailored to that specific demographic. To learn more, you can call 784-6632. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) – State Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi says he hopes high-level budget talks will resume at noon Sunday.  The budget process jumped the tracks on Saturday as House Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans stayed home, saying he had a family obligation in Philadelphia. Top  leaders didn't meet. But their staffers did, allowing for some progress.  The House and Senate held brief voting sessions but an expected mid-afternoon budget session didn't materialize and both sides pointed fingers.  Gov. Ed Rendell's chief of staff says the dispute over the state budget is "not insurmountable."   The state’s new fiscal year starts Tuesday.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Associated Press has learned that thousands of Pennsylvania National Guard members will be sent to Iraq early next year. The 4,000 Guard members are among roughly 30,000 troops being sent to allow the U.S. to maintain 15 combat brigades in Iraq through 2009. Several officials familiar with the deployments spoke on condition of anonymity because the orders have not yet been made public. The units include the Pennsylvania's Guard's 56th Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, a large brigade with heavily armored Stryker vehicles. Members of the unit were told in October that they should be prepared to deploy to Iraq early next year. The order this week is the formal notice that includes a more specific time frame. Pennsylvania National Guard spokesman Lt. Col. Christopher Cleaver, while unable to confirm any deployment order, says members of the unit have known about the planned deployment for a long time. He says it will be the state Guard's largest deployment since the 2001 terrorist attacks.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The head of Pennsylvania's public welfare department says her agency plans to make more information available online about personal care homes. Public Welfare Secretary Estelle Richman says a new searchable online personal care home directory includes information such as copies of violation reports. The agency plans to add other information between now and December, such as the number of homes that have received annual inspections and the number that have been closed. Richman disclosed the upcoming changes in a letter earlier this month to Rep. Barbara McIlvaine Smith. The Chester County Democrat has pushed legislation that would require the Legislature to receive annual reports on personal care home inspections. Personal care homes are residences for elderly and disabled people who need assistance with tasks such as bathing, dressing and taking medications.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - About 250 employees of Pennsylvania's student-loan agency are expected to take voluntary buyouts as part of the agency's cost-cutting efforts. A Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency spokesman said Friday the number of buyouts accepted by nonunion workers won't become final until early next week. PHEAA spokesman Mike Reiber says workers who are still trying to make up their minds have until Monday to make a final decision. Sen. Sean Logan, vice chairman of PHEAA's board, says the buyouts could save the agency about $15 million a year in personnel costs. About 1,100 of PHEAA's 2,500 employees were eligible for the buyouts. They were announced in April as a way to help ease financial problems PHEAA has blamed on strained credit markets.

PORT MATILDA, Pa. (AP) - State road builders say Interstate 99 will be open through Skytop Mountain by the end of the year. A short section may be limited to one-lane traffic each way until spring, but Ben LaParne of the state Transportation Department says traffic will flow into State College by the end of 2008. The last section to be paved will be the 850-foot stretch of roadway at the foot of the road cut through Bald Eagle Ridge at the Skytop crest. That’s where a 300-foot-deep excavation in 2003 unearthed a massive amount of sulfur-bearing rocks that threatened water supplies. That halted construction until an $80 million cleanup could be planned, approved and begun. The exposed pyrite is now being smoothed so that a permanent, heavy-duty plastic liner can cover it.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Friday and Saturday in the Pennsylvania State Lottery:

SATURDAY NIGHT

Daily Number 5-9-5

Big 4  0-3-4-8

SATURDAY MIDDAY

Daily Number 1-8-2

Big 4   5-2-2-9

Treasure Hunt   2-4-11-21-29

One player matched all five winning numbers drawn in Saturday's "Pennsylvania Cash 5" game and will collect a jackpot worth $231,079.50.  Lottery officials said 131 players matched four numbers and won $172.50 each; 4,243 players matched three numbers and won $9 each; and 46,608 players matched two numbers and won $1 each.  The winning numbers drawn Saturday in the "Pennsylvania Cash 5" game were:  06-08-17-20-30.

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