Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Detours in place following Herndon crash
HERNDON -- A section of road is closed near Herndon following a crash at this time. Northumberland County 911 says the one-vehicle accident happened near 121 Wise Road just off of Route 147 in Jackson Township. No injuries are reported at this time, but there are detours in place in that area.
Motorcycle and car crash leave man in critical condition
LEWISBURG -- A Watsontown man is listed in critical condition following an accident Tuesday morning in Lewisburg. Police say Clinton Mettler was driving a motorcycle around 7:30a.m. in the 200 block of North 7th Street. Mettler was struck by a turning vehicle driven by Robert Bowersox of Lewisburg. Mettler was thrown from the motorcycle, which then landed on top of him. He was taken by ambulance to Geisinger Medical Center and is in critical condition. Bowersox was not injured. Police say the investigation into the crash continues. (Sara Bartlett)
Water main break in Shamokin Dam
SHAMOKIN DAM -- Shamokin Dam borough experienced a major water pipe break Tuesday. Service is off to a small section of the borough after the break near 11th Avenue. Some areas are experiencing discolored water, but there are no health risks. Residence who have discolored water are asked to flush the line until the water is clear. The borough hopes to have all residents back in service by 8:00p.m.
Injuries after Danville-area crash
DANVILLE -- Injuries were reported after a crash near Danville Tuesday afternoon. The two-vehicle accident happened around 1:30p.m. on Route 54 at the I-80 overpass in Valley Township, Montour County. One vehicle reportedly rolled over and two ambulances were called to the scene according to Montour County 911. No word on who was involved or the extent of injuries. Emergency crews had the scene cleared by around 3:00p.m.
Ex-clerk of Northumberland Sewer Authority pleads guilty to embezzlement
NORTHUMBERLAND – The former office manager for the Northumberland Sewer Authority has entered a guilty plea to three counts of embezzlement. 48-year-old Cynthia Lark was in Northumberland County Court on Monday and entered her plea and will be sentenced in the coming days. She was accused of stealing about $475,000 from the sewer authority over a 10-year-period while working as their office manager. She will have to make full restitution as part of her sentence. (Ali Stevens)
Environmentalist talks about burn ban
WATSONTOWN – The borough of Watsontown is considering enacting a burn ban and a local environmentalist says they absolutely should. A lengthy discussion took place Monday night and the board decided to address the issue again at their meeting on July 26th. Mike Molesevich of Molesevich Environmental was a guest on WKOK’s On The Mark program and talked about putting an end to burning in all communities.
He says burning trash is not a free way of disposing of things like many believe, because when you burn trash, it is turned into noxious fumes and those fumes are going into the air and into someone else’s environment, so it’s really not going away for free.
Molesevich recommends recycling paper and plastic. Mayor Dave Hontz of Watsontown agrees and said residents don’t follow the rules and are inconsiderate when it comes to where and when they burn. To hear more from Mike Molesevich from WKOK’s Tuesday On The Mark program, listen online at www.wkok.com. (Ali Stevens)
Man charged with stabbing another man with a fork
WASHINGTONVILLE – A Washingtonville man is charged with stabbing another man with a fork after an argument at dinner on Monday evening. State police say 41-year-old Lonnie Berkheimer was dining with another man at a personal care home in Washingtonville when the fight broke out. Berkheimer is accused of grabbing a fork out of a man’s hand and stabbing him in the eyebrow, causing a puncture wound.
He is also accused of removing the man from his chair, injuring the man’s ankle. The victim was taken to Geisinger Medical Center for treatment. Berkheimer was arraigned on charges of aggravated and simple assault and harassment. He was unable to post bail and was sent to the Montour County Prison. (Ali Stevens)
Man killed in a motorcycle crash in Northumberland County was driving drunk
ATLAS – Police say a man killed in a motorcycle crash in Northumberland County earlier this month was intoxicated, with a blood alcohol content nearly three times the legal limit. 46-year-old Bernard Kawa of Ashland crashed his motorcycle along Route 901 near the village of Strong. He was being chased by police earlier in the night, but police backed off and then came upon the accident scene a short time later. Kawa was said to be going more than 70 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour speed zone when he hit the back of another vehicle and was killed. (Ali Stevens)
Warrior Run superintendent retiring
TURBOTVILLE – Another area superintendent is leaving the job, however this one has plans to retire. Warrior Run School District superintendent Daniel Sheaffer announced his plans for retirement at Monday's board meeting. He has been on the job for seven years and will retire effective December 23rd, after more than 37 years working in the education field.
Sheaffer joins a number of area superintendents who have stepped down this year. That includes Shikellamy superintendent Robin Musto who took over for Alan Lonoconus, Selinsgrove superintendent Chad Cohrs who took over for Frederick Johnson, Mifflinburg superintendent Dan Lichtel who took over for Barry Tomasetti and Cathy Groller who took over for William Clark in the Milton Area School District. Superintendent Susan Bickford, of the Danville Area School District also announced her resignation effective June 30th.
Also at last night's Warrior Run school board meeting, a $9.2-million budget was passed. The budget includes a small tax increase for property owners in the Warrior Run District. Sheaffer took time to thank Senator John Gordner (R-27th, Berwick) and Representative Russ Fairchild (R-85th, Lewisburg) for working out problems with the State Tax Equalization Board. Sheaffer says they helped reduce taxes in the Warrior Run School District by $29-million. (Ali Stevens)
Former sewage enforcement officer in Point Township sentenced to prison
SUNBURY – A Sunbury man, who was charged with faking soil tests while serving as a sewage enforcement officer in Point Township, has been sentenced to prison. Kerry Yordy was sentenced in Northumberland County Court yesterday to up to 23 months in prison, with a minimum sentence of three months.
Yordy submitted soil test that were not performed and received payment for them. He was convicted on two counts of deceptive business practices and one count of theft by deception. Yordy’s attorney argued that Yordy should serve probation, but Judge Robert Sacavage said the crimes undermined the public’s faith in government and sentenced him to jail time. (Ali Stevens)
Danville gears up for Iron Heritage Festival
DANVILLE -- Organizers call Danville's Iron Heritage Festival a 'melting pot,' with all of the different activities and ethnicities mixing together. One of the organizers, Sis Hause, says festival-goers will clearly see this year's theme, especially during the parade. During the parade, there is music that represents many different nationalities.
The parade is July 22nd, and while most of the festival's activities follow that, Hause says there are some events going on in the weekends leading up to the festival. This includes a garden tour and lecture presented by the Penn State Master Gardeners. That will be July 10th and 11th.
The Iron Heritage Festival takes place from July 21st-25th. A full schedule is available online at www.ironheritagefestival.net.
Children’s fashion show and dinner to benefit an organization that helps folks with medical costs
NORTHUMBERLAND – A kids fashion show and dinner has been planned to benefit a non-profit organization that assists families with medical needs and costs. The Walk On Foundation of Milton provides assistance with medical equipment, safety devices and financial assistance related to medical hospitalization, according to Erin Sauers of the foundation. Sauers says they help people who are underinsured or not insured at all. They try to help them get medical equipment and devices at discounts.
You can help the Walk On Foundation by attending a fundraising event they are holding in July, which is a kids fashion show with plenty of kids in summer fashions on Sunday July 18th at 3 p.m. The event will be held at Front Street Station and will feature a buffet dinner and a silent auction featuring lots of kids stuff. Tickets are $18.00. To find out more or to purchase tickets, go to www.walkonfoundation.com. Tickets must be purchased this week. (Ali Stevens)
Voters to decide
on home rule study commission
Ballot question could lead to home rule
SUNBURY -- Sunbury Mayor David Persing says he wants voters to be prepared this fall. They'll be deciding a ballot question of whether a home rule study commission should be formed, and who should be on it. City Council agreed Monday night to put the question on the ballot.
Voters rejected similar ideas that would have also hired a city manager in the 1990's, but the mayor says the question this time will only be about home rule. Persing says between now and Election Day, he wants city residents to learn more about the seven member commission.
A petition with 41 valid signatures will get a name on the ballot. Proponents say municipalities that have adopted home rule have more flexible fiscal policies, which creates an environment that attracts business and jobs. Detractors say it will lead to higher taxes. If a commission recommends home rule, voters will have the final say on it in a subsequent referendum. (Matt Farrand)
Home Rule Ordinance Question: "Shall a government study commission of seven members be elected to study the existing form of government of the municipality, to consider the advisability of the adoption of a home rule charter; and if advisable, to draft and to recommend a home rule charter?"
Sunbury council creates part time clerical job
SUNBURY -- Sunbury's city treasurer may be getting some office help. City council agreed to hire a part-time purchasing and payroll clerk on Monday night, and offered it to a candidate. Council member and finance director Todd Snyder says the new position will cover 20 hours per week and pay $10 per hour.
Snyder says the job will largely entail maintenance of records. Jentine Balducci will be offered the job, and will answer to Snyder and city treasurer Beth Kramer. (Matt Farrand)
Fee waived for table service
SUNBURY -- The fee charged Sunbury eateries for placing tables on sidewalks and serving food from them is being waived. City council hopes dropping the $10 per month fee will encourage additional sidewalk food service and make the city more socially inviting. The exemption approved Monday night does not apply to general retailers who still pay a fee to put sale items on city sidewalks. (Matt Farrand)
Blaze heavily damages former industrial building in Milton
MILTON -- A fast moving fire heavily damaged a former industrial building in Milton. Now, a portion of the vacant H. Warshow and Sons building in Milton will be knocked down following the fire Monday. The blaze broke out at the former fabric manufacturing plant along Route 642 just after 10:00a.m.
Fire officials say the fire started with workers using a torch to cut piping inside. Those workers were able to escape, but Milton Fire Chief Brad Gaugler says there were other injuries. He says one firefighter fell into a three-foot pit and hurt his shoulder. He was treated and released from the hospital.
Another firefighter and a fire police were overcome by heat of smoke inhalation. Then, following the collapse of a wall, two firefighters had some cuts and bruises when trying to get out of the way. Numerous fire crews from Northumberland, Snyder and Union county assisted at the scene.
Gaugler said the most challenging part of the firefight was rounding up enough manpower to get enough water to the scene. Gaugler says an early estimate puts damages at a 'couple hundred thousand dollars.' The building had been vacant since being sold to Coast Pad and Trim, a California-based company. The building was up for sale and was being cleared out in hopes to be sold soon. (Sara Bartlett)
Three corrections officers injured in a dispute with an inmate at SCI Coal Township
COAL TOWNSHIP – An inmate at the State Correctional Institution in Coal Township has been charged with aggravated assault after fighting with four corrections officers and injuring three of them. The incident took place on Saturday night.
31-year-old Anthony Chadwick allegedly failed to obey an order to submit to be handcuffed for transfer to another part of the facility. Officials say Chadwick assaulted four corrections officers, injuring three of them. The injured officers were treated at Shamokin Hospital for minor injuries. (Ali Stevens)
Richfield man jailed for injuring a baby
RICHFIELD – A Richfield man is behind bars after police say he injured a 5-week-old baby. 26-year-old Joshua Sheaffer is charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats and endangering the welfare of a child. Police say he hurt the baby and threatened to harm the infant’s mother if she took the child to a hospital, in fear he would be charged.
Police say the incident took place in a vehicle in Juniata County. Sheaffer is locked up on $75,000 bail. The child is listed in stable condition at Hershey Medical Center, according to police. (Ali Stevens)
Man charged with sexually assaulting a woman
BUCKHORN – A man from Buckhorn is accused of sexually assaulting a woman he hired to baby sit at his home. The Press-Enterprise reports 27-year-old Brian Metheny was at a home in Buckhorn early Saturday when the babysitter arrived to watch his child and he apparently assaulted the woman. Metheny is charged with aggravated indecent assault and other counts and was sent to prison on $25,000 bail. (Ali Stevens)
Another honor for a Susquehanna University football player
SELINSGROVE -- The National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame has inducted Susquehanna University's senior running back, Dave Paveletz, into the 2010 class of the Hampshire Honor Society. Paveletz was honored for his outstanding accomplishments in the classroom, the community and on the playing field.
The team captain in 2010 is the greatest running back in Susquehanna football history with career rushing yards of 4,731 and 47 touchdowns. He also rushed for more than 1,400 yards in 2009 and owns the SU single-game rushing record with 288 yards on October 11th of 2008. All this, while maintaining his grades and graduating with a 3.6 grade point average in May. (Ali Stevens)
Roadwork pops up on some more busy roads this summer
LEWISBURG – Resurfacing projects are set to begin next week on one busy road in Union County and eventually on two busy roads in Snyder County.
Work will start on Route 192 in Buffalo Township on Tuesday of next week. Resurfacing will be done on a more than mile length stretch between Hoffa Mill Road and Fairfield Road. Traffic will be limited to a single lane through the work zone with flaggers controlling traffic. Delays are possible.
Once the work is done in Union County, the contractor will move to Middleburg in Snyder County, where resurfacing will get underway on Routes 104 and 522. The project includes a quarter-mile section of Route 104 and two-thirds of a mile along 522. PennDOT will update motorists on when that project will begin, once the work in Union County is complete. (Ali Stevens)
Changes coming to a construction zone at the Route 15 bridges in West Milton
WEST MILTON – The contractor working on the twin Route 15 bridges at the West Milton exit plan to switch traffic patterns on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Traffic is currently reduced to a single lane in both directions in the southbound lanes with work being done on the northbound bridge. This week, traffic will be moved onto the northbound bridge, with work beginning on the southbound bridge.
Also there will be a detour for the southbound off-ramp at West Milton. The detour will take motorists on Route 15 to Col. John Kelly Road, JPM Road and Cross Roads Drive. All work on the bridges is expected to be complete in early September. (Ali Stevens)
Latest Pennsylvania news, business and entertainment
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Negotiations over Pennsylvania's state budget dragged into the evening as lawmakers and Gov. Ed Rendell pushed to complete a deal with the end of the state's fiscal year looming in midweek. Talks focused on how to offset the potential loss of $850 million in federal stimulus aid for Pennsylvania that has stalled in Congress, how much to spend on public schools and the details of a tax on Marcellus Shale natural gas extraction. The final 2010-11 budget is expected to be about $28 billion, a slight increase over this fiscal year's approved spending level. With an eye on the June 30 deadline, Senate Republicans threatened to push through a budget bill by the close of business Wednesday, whether Rendell, a Democrat, is on board or not. None of Rendell's first seven budgets has been completed by that date.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Compounds associated with neurological problems or other serious health effects are on a list of chemicals being used to drill natural gas wells in Pennsylvania. The Associated Press has obtained a list that state Environmental Protection officials say they hope to post online soon. It is believed to be the first complete catalog of natural gas drilling chemicals used in Pennsylvania, where the rapidly growing industry is pursuing the rich Marcellus Shale formation. Officials say they assembled the list based on information drilling companies are required to provide. The chemicals are used in a process called hydraulic fracturing. Environmental advocates worry the chemicals are poisoning underground drinking water sources. Industry officials say the chemicals are heavily diluted by water and are handled safely.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter says he's confident his city's existing series of gun-control laws aimed at attempting to curb the city's persistent gun violence problem are constitutional. Nutter's comments today came after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the Constitution restrains government's ability to significantly limit "the right to keep and bear arms." In their 5-4 vote, the justices also signaled some limitations could survive legal challenges.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
New week for Wall Street...Incomes, spending updated...
NEW YORK (AP) - U.S. stocks have faltered in recent sessions because of worries over the economy. Last week, the Dow was down nearly 3 percent. And, the S&P and Nasdaq saw declines of more than 3.5 percent. Futures trading points to losses this morning.
BANGKOK (AP) - International stock markets slid today. A mammoth share sale in China dragged Shanghai stocks down more than 4 percent and investors trimmed bets before the release of crucial indicators from the world's two biggest economies. Investors are also wary of riskier assets like stocks following a fall on Wall Street.
SINGAPORE (AP) - Oil prices tumbled below $77 a barrel today in Asia. The signs are that Tropical Storm Alex woill likely miss most of the rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, leaving supplies undisrupted.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The government today reports on how consumers are holding up these days. Spending is seen rising only slightly in May, while incomes are seen surging.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown is backing away from his support for legislation to overhaul the nation's financial regulations. Republican Brown's position could be crucial to overcome 60-vote procedural obstacles to pass the legislation.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Couple in camo, marries
ANAMOSA, Iowa (AP) — The bride wore ... camo? So did the groom, for that matter. And once you realize the couple we're talking about share a passion for bowhunting as well as each other, it shouldn't be much of a surprise. The wedding for Kim Silver and aptly named groom Marvin Hunter took place in a tree. The couple said their vows on a tree stand hunting platform at the Anamosa Bowhunters Archery Club in northeast Iowa. Hunter said he and his new bride hunted together so much, the camo wedding "seemed like the right thing to do."
CASHIERED GENERAL SAYS HE WILL RESIGN
WASHINGTON (AP) — Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who was fired last week as the top U.S. general in the stalemated Afghanistan war, has told the Army that he will retire. Army spokesman Col. Tom Collins said McChrystal notified the service of his plans on Monday, but he has not yet submitted formal retirement papers. It is not clear when he will leave the service, but the process usually takes a few months.
President Barack Obama has praised McChrystal's long Army career but says his intemperate remarks in a magazine article that appeared last week could not be abided. McChrystal apologized for the remarks in Rolling Stone magazine and flew to Washington last week to resign as commanding general of the war.
Angelina Jolie opens up to VanFair
NEW YORK (AP) - Angelina Jolie is having so much fun being a mother, acting isn't her top priority. She tells Vanity Fair she doesn't think she'll be acting "much longer." Marriage to Brad Pitt isn't part of her plan, either. She says she and Pitt aren't against it, but it's like they're already married anyway.
Jake to Vienna: I want my ring back
NEW YORK (AP) - Now that he's broken off his engagement to Vienna Girardi, Jake Pavelka wants his ring back. Pavelka tells People magazine "she can't wear that ring." He says one of the reasons their relationship didn't work is that Girardi had "an intense amount of jealousy" over the opportunities he got after
"The Bachelor," like competing in "Dancing With the Stars." He says Girardi wanted an entertainment career, too, but "she didn't work, she wasn't looking for a job." He says it also didn't help that Girardi reportedly was getting close to Gregory Michael of "Greek."
Winfrey for Senate?
CHICAGO (AP) - Oprah Winfrey could've had a chance to fill the Senate left when Barack Obama became president. A tape secretly recorded by the FBI shows that former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich considered naming Winfrey to the seat. He called her a "kingmaker" and thought no one could criticize him if he named her to the Senate. The tape was played at the trial where Blagojevich is accused of scheming to sell or trade the Senate seat. He's pleaded not guilty.
Jailers told to check 'papers' on inmates
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee's governor has signed a measure into law that would require the state's jailers to determine whether inmates are in the country illegally and report them if they are. Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen said after signing the bill Monday that it would require a verification process similar to what some Tennessee cities are already doing on their own. Sponsors say the bill is necessary because not all jurisdictions are sharing information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement when they arrest someone they suspect is illegally in the country. The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee urged Bredesen to veto the legislation because it felt the measure would encourage racial profiling Some sheriffs also opposed the measure because it was unclear where money for the checks would come from.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A senior Senate Republican says getting a budget deal done before Pennsylvania's new fiscal year starts on Thursday depends on Gov. Ed Rendell's approach to the talks. Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi told a Pennsylvania Press Club audience Monday that making the deadline "depends solely upon the reasonableness of the governor." He says the Senate will pass a general appropriations bill by the close of business Wednesday, whether or not the Democratic governor has agreed to it. Pileggi says that as difficult as this year's budget process has been, next year's will be even more painful because of a projected multibillion-dollar deficit.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Compounds associated with neurological problems or other serious health effects are on a list of chemicals being used to drill natural gas wells in Pennsylvania. Department of Environmental Protection officials say they plan to post the list online later this week. It is believed to be the first complete catalog of natural gas drilling chemicals used in Pennsylvania, where the rapidly industry is pursuing the rich Marcellus Shale reserve. Officials say they assembled the list based on information drilling companies are required to provide. The chemicals are used in a process called hydraulic fracturing. Environmental advocates worry the chemicals are poisoning underground drinking water sources. Industry officials say the chemicals 7pose no threat because they are handled safely.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A former trucker serving at least 75 years in prison for knife attacks on females in New Jersey and Massachusetts is slated to appear in court in Harrisburg to face charges involving two Pennsylvania victims. Forty-five-year-old Adam Leroy Lane is to appear Monday before Dauphin County Judge Todd Hoover. Prosecutors say the North Carolina man randomly picked his victims in July 2007 and attacked them at their homes near the interstate highways he traveled. He's charged with murder in the stabbing of Darlene Ewalt while she talked on the phone in the early morning hours outside her suburban Harrisburg home. He's also charged with attempted homicide for allegedly attacking a York County woman a few days earlier.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Currently in Business
Dow Jones Averages
30 industrials 10188.55 up 44.74 or 0.44 percent
20 transportation 4235.23 down 5.97 or -0.14 percent
15 utilities 368.87 up 2.66 or 0.73 percent
65 stocks 3507.11 up 11.12 or 0.32 percent
Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn Monday:
Midday Big 4
3-0-2-5
Midday Number
1-4-0
Midday Quinto
7-5-2-0-8
Treasure Hunt
01-02-07-09-27
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Angelina Jolie opens up to VanFair
NEW YORK (AP) - Angelina Jolie is having so much fun being a mother, acting isn't her top priority. She tells Vanity Fair she doesn't think she'll be acting "much longer." Marriage to Brad Pitt isn't part of her plan, either. She says she and Pitt aren't against it, but it's like they're already married anyway.
Jake to Vienna: I want my ring back
NEW YORK (AP) - Now that he's broken off his engagement to Vienna Girardi, Jake Pavelka wants his ring back. Pavelka tells People magazine "she can't wear that ring." He says one of the reasons their relationship didn't work is that Girardi had "an intense amount of jealousy" over the opportunities he got after
"The Bachelor," like competing in "Dancing With the Stars." He says Girardi wanted an entertainment career, too, but "she didn't work, she wasn't looking for a job." He says it also didn't help that Girardi reportedly was getting close to Gregory Michael of "Greek."
Startup mSpot lets you stream your music over Web
NEW YORK (AP) - A new music service launching Monday lets you listen to your music collection from any computer or Android phone over the Web. MSpot's service stores your music on its computers and lets you
access it remotely through a Web browser. It's a concept known as "cloud computing," and it's also popular with music subscription services such as Rhapsody and Thumbplay. MSpot is free for 2 gigabytes of music, or about 1,600 songs, and charges $3 to $14 for up to 100 gigabytes extra storage. It detects cellular network conditions and adapts playback so that your tunes don't get interrupted because of spotty coverage. An "airplane mode" allows you to play songs you've preselected, without Internet access.
Winfrey for Senate?
CHICAGO (AP) - Oprah Winfrey could've had a chance to fill the Senate left when Barack Obama became president. A tape secretly recorded by the FBI shows that former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich considered naming Winfrey to the seat. He called her a "kingmaker" and thought no one could
criticize him if he named her to the Senate. The tape was played at the trial where Blagojevich is accused of scheming to sell or trade the Senate seat. He's pleaded not guilty.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Great loss cited with passing of Marlin Persing
SUNBURY -- Marlin Persing is being remembered for his many contributions to public life in Northumberland County. Persing passed away Friday at the age of 76. Persing was a 20-year veteran of the Sunbury Police Department, and retired as a lieutenant. He also served as the acting chief for a time.
Persing continued his long timework providing overnight security for Weis Markets in retirement, along with leading security efforts at Mountain View Manor for more than a dozen years. Persing was a Veteran of the US Army and Army Reserve, and had a an unsuccessful bid for Northumberland County sheriff in the 1990's, running as a Democrat. He also owned the first working police dog in the county.
Among his other community credits, Persing was on the board of Big Brothers, Big Sisters, and facilitated "Project 10-4," which taught policing to kids. He was also a long time player and coach of area baseball and football. Marlin Persing is survived by his wife Peg, children, Deb, Marlin Jr. Gary and Jeff.
Friends say Persing was committed to his community
SUNBURY -- Those who knew Marlin Persing are looking back at his life with fond memories. Sunbury Treasurer Beth Kremer says she knew Marlin since the 1980's when each had children on the same football team. Kremer says Marlin was proud of his community and proud that he was a police officer. She says he was also a friend who would go out of his way to help others. Kremer says Marlin will be missed.
He is also being remember as an avid sports advocate. Dick Hort, former coach of the Shikellamy High School football team, says Marlin's three sons played football at Shikellamy and Marlin, along with his wife Peg, were very active in the booster club. Hort says they helped the football program over a long period of time. In addition to football, Marlin was involved in softball, running a men's league in Sunbury in the 1960's and 1970's. (Sara Bartlett)
Two people flown to the hospital after a crash Saturday afternoon in Coal Township
COAL TOWNSHIP – Two people were flown to Geisinger Medical Center following a three-vehicle accident Saturday afternoon at the entrance to Wal-Mart on Route 61 in Coal Township. Police say an SUV driven by 18-year-old Joseph Lolla of Coal Township was traveling north on 61 when he made a left turn, into the path of a pickup truck driven by 20-year-old Robert Melton of New Jersey.
The SUV spun into another vehicle driven by 74-year-old James Stankunas of Shamokin. Lolla and his passengers, 17-year-old Cody Snyder of Coal Township and 18-year-old Daniel Pawelczyk were all injured. Snyder and Pawelczyk were flown to Geisinger Medical Center. Snyder remains hospitalized in fair condition. Pawelczyk and Lolla were treated and released. Melton sustained a minor injury. (Ali Stevens)
Milton teen still hospitalized following crash
PICTURE ROCKS – The condition of a woman from Muncy Valley has been upgraded following a Thursday crash that also hospitalized a Milton teen. A nursing supervisor at Geisinger Medical Center says 37-year-old Tammy Gordner is now in serious condition rather than critical condition, while 18-year-old Danelle Brewer of Milton is still in fair condition.
Police say Brewer was heading south on Route 220 near Picture Rocks in Lycoming County when the car crossed into oncoming traffic and struck an SUV carrying Gordner, which was driven by 55-year-old Valerie Gordner of Muncy Valley. 49-year-old Melvin Brown of Williamsport was also a passenger and remains in serious condition. (Ali Stevens)
Lewisburg area home damaged by target shooters
LEWISBURG -- A Lewisburg area woman says target shooters failed to use a proper backstop, and damaged her house Friday evening. One rifle round traveled from where four adult males were shooting, struck the west side of the house, went through the living room and exited the south side of the house on Black Run Road in Buffalo Township, Union County, about 7p.m. Friday. State troopers say their investigation will continue. (Matt Farrand)
As the movie “Eclipse” will soon open in theaters, women across the valley are getting ready!
UNDATED – It’s been called a phenomenon, craze, and obsession. The Twilight Saga continues with their third feature film being released on Wednesday and women in the Central Susquehanna Valley can’t wait! Many expect teen girls to flock to the theaters, but there is also a large group of women in their 20’s, 30’s, 40’s and 50’s that enjoy Twilight just as much.
But are the movies as good as the books? Allyson Rogers of Selinsgrove says the books will always be better but she still looks forward to seeing the movies, because they are action packed and fun. There are also parties and celebrations planned across the valley.
Denise Haddon of Selinsgrove is hosting a premiere party for her friends featuring a dance party, appetizers, trivia games and prizes. Eclipse will premiere at 12:01 Wednesday morning at the Cinema Center at the Susquehanna Valley Mall and at the Campus Theater in Lewisburg. (Ali Stevens)
Huge parade honors veterans
LEWSIBURG – Thousands of people, many wearing red, white and blue, lined Lewisburg’s streets for Saturday's huge parade through the borough. Many then gathered on the Bucknell University campus for the Concert in the Grove, and recognition of military veterans.
The celebrations were all part of the 16th Annual Union County Veterans 4th of July Celebration. Dean Shively served in the military from 1953 to 1977, and said the sacrifices made by veterans make recognition highly appreciated.
Tune to Newsradio 1070 WKOK for extensive coverage of the parade, ceremony and concert. The activities started Friday night with fireworks and an outdoor concert. The next events on the schedule are the Stars, Stripes and Souza concert in Lewisburg 7:30pm this Wednesday in Hufnagle Park. More information is available at www.unioncountyveterans4thofjuly.com.
Next month, the Cavalcade of Champions Drum and Bugle Corps Competition is scheduled for July 17th. More information is at www.cavalcadeofchampions.com. That event is a fundraiser for the Union County Veterans Fourth of July activities.
This year's Independence Day observances coincided with the opening of the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Lewisburg. Merle Engelhart was on hand for the first day of business and says the new store will be good for downtown in that it will attract students and others to the area.
Englehart notes that the downtown only contained one other bookstore, thus the benefits should outweigh any potential problems accompanied by the opening of the big retailer. Lewisburg is said to be the smallest market that Barnes & Noble's has partnered with a university to open a full service retail store. The new store will also serve as the official student bookstore for Bucknell University. (Sara Bartlett)
Boiardi mansion left unsold after auction
MILTON -- The auction to find a buyer for Hector Boiardi's Milton area mansion ended without an apparent sale. More than 200 were on hand Saturday for the public auction of the 1941 home of the Chef Boyardee founder.
The bidding reportedly started at $800,000, but fell to less than half of that shortly after the auction started. Negotiations with potential buyers are expected to continue. (Matt Farrand)
All market property values to be looked at carefully
HARRISBURG – STEB sees its' mistakes and promises to fix errors in school tax rates. The board that oversees tax rates levied by school districts that cross county lines now plans to review all property values in districts statewide. The move follows projections of nearly 20% higher property taxes issued in error to White Deer Township residents of the Milton Area School District.
Certification Director Renee Reynolds of the State Tax Equalization Board says she’s baffled as to why no one contacted STEB when forms were sent out last year with the error that now seems obvious. She says they could have used the time that elapsed since mid-2009 to fix the computer error that started it. Regardless, she admits it was their mistake.
The property data in question is from 2008, and was part of a three-year average of sales figures they use in calculating rates. For now, Reynolds and other STEB staff members are being kept busy, going through data from every district in the state. All districts, including Danville, will now be checked.
STEB officials apologized to taxpayers and Milton Area School District board members Tuesday night, before the board adopted a 2010-2011 budget with only a 2.2% increase for White Deer Township residents. They also admitted significant errors in the Warrior Run School District. (Matt Farrand)
Police confirm Sunbury man robbed two stores
SUNBURY -- Police have confirmed that the Sunbury man who admitted to the attempted robbery at a convenience store last week--did rob another store thirty minutes later. 39-year-old David Holtzapple was arrested last Saturday for demanding cash at knifepoint from a clerk at the Turkey Hill in Sunbury.
At that time, Holtzapple denied that he then went to the A-Plus Sunoco in Sunbury and, at knifepoint, demanded and received cash from a clerk there. Now police say they have concluded their investigation and have charged Holtzapple with both crimes. He's accused of theft, terroristic threats and disorderly conduct and remains in Northumberland County Prison, $65,000 bail. (Sara Bartlett)
Union County in the process of upgrading 911 system
0LEWISBURG -- Union County has launched a more than $4 million communications system upgrade. In order to comply with some new Federal Communication Commission regulations, Union County is working to refit all seven of their emergency communication towers. Union County Commissioner Chairman Preston Boop said they decided to go digital, rather than upgrade the current analog system.
Boop believes the most cost effective way to update the outdated equipment is to 'go digital.' The county is in the process of issuing bonds for $4.5 million to refit the towers. There are seven towers in Union County, and they also provide 911 service in the upper part of Northumberland County. Boop says now is this time to be in the bond market and update the technology at the same time.
Corrections officers injured during a fight at the Allenwood Federal Penitentiary
ALLENWOOD – Several corrections officers were injured trying to break up a fight at the Allenwood Federal Penitentiary. Five inmates were involved in the fight in a housing unit at the prison on Monday morning. Four corrections officers intervened and all sustained minor injuries, with one officer taken to a local hospital for treatment.
That officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries, but is still recuperating. Two inmates were also treated for injuries at the prison. The inmates involved in the incident have been segregated from the general prison population. The investigation continues. (Ali Stevens)
Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The final pieces of a Pennsylvania state budget deal appear to be in place. Gov. Ed Rendell said Tuesday the $28 billion agreement with top lawmakers could pass the Legislature in the next day or two. He calls it a conservative and responsible budget that nevertheless is full of painful cuts to account for a huge recession-driven deficit and the rising cost of prisons, health care and pensions. Most details remained under wraps before rank-and-file lawmakers are briefed on it. The new fiscal year begins Thursday. The deal would increase spending by less than 1 percent. t would not require new or higher taxes, but relies on nearly $3 billion in expected federal budget aid. It also would boost spending on public school instruction by more than 4 percent.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Legislation that would require Pennsylvania state college professors to consider buying the cheapest educationally sound textbooks for their courses is drawing scrutiny from faculty groups. The American Association of University Professors and Association of Pennsylvania State College & University Faculties issued statements Monday expressing concern about academic freedom. Sen. Andrew Dinniman's textbook legislation passed the Senate on June 23. He says student costs would be factored into selecting course materials but that faculty rights would not be abridged. Dinniman is a former full-time professor at West Chester University. The legislation also requires publishers doing business with Pennsylvania colleges to offer digital versions of textbooks by 2020. The bill now heads to the House Education Committee.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Former House Democratic whip Mike Veon not only gave up his freedom when he was sent to prison this month, but he was stripped of his state pension. Veon was sentenced to six to 14 years behind bars on June 18 for his role in a scheme to use taxpayers' money and resources to help elect Democrats. Because Veon was convicted of job-related charges that included theft of services and theft by deception, the state Public Employee Pension Forfeiture Act bars him from collecting a pension. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette calculated its value at about $50,000 a year. The paper says convicted co defendant Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink also lost her pension. She's the former director of Veon's Beaver Falls office.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania state budget negotiators say they've continued to work over the weekend on getting an agreement on a spending plan for the fiscal year that begins Thursday. Work on Sunday included a conference call among legislative leaders, staff-level number crunching and a night meeting with administrative staff. But so far there's no agreement. A Senate Republican spokesman says it's unlikely a deal will be made by the deadline, and Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell's office says a Monday end to the bargaining talks is possible but not certain. It's likely that top House and Senate members will meet again on Monday, but no word yet about where or when that might take place.
LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) - Police say five people were killed and two were injured in a crash in Lancaster County involving three motorcycles and a van. Penn Township police say the crash occurred around 5 p.m. on Route 72 between Auction Road and Graystone Road. Police Cpl. Rodney King tells the Intelligencer Journal-Lancaster New Era that the motorcycles, each carrying a driver and a passenger, crashed into the van. Police are still trying to figure out exactly how it happened. King says three men and two women on the motorcycles died. He says a third woman on a motorcycle is hospitalized in critical condition, while the driver of the van is hospitalized in fair condition. The names of the victims haven't been released. Police are still investigating.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Police say they have recovered the body of a man who disappeared while taking part in the swimming portion of a triathlon in a Philadelphia river. Philadelphia police Lt. Joseph Walsh says the department's marine unit found the 40-year-old man from Prospect Park in Delaware County in the Schuylkill River on Sunday. Police say the man was taking part in a sprint triathlon. They say he entered the river shortly before 8:30 a.m. Saturday and never came out of the water. Lifeguards in kayaks said they had not seen anyone in any apparent trouble in the water. About 1,500 people were taking part in the event, which consisted of a .9K swim, 24K bicycle race and 5K run.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Who says librarians are boring? The sixth annual Library Book Cart Drill Team Championship was held Sunday afternoon in Washington. It's one of the less serious events at the American Library Association's annual conference, which began Thursday and runs until Tuesday at the Washington Convention Center. Drill teams made up of library workers performed themed dance routines with costumes and decorated book carts. The team from the University of Pittsburgh was judged the winner and took home the trophy, a "golden book cart." Other competitors were from Delaware; Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania; Midlothian, Texas; and Roselle, N.J. The library association says the drill teams are a great way to show communities that libraries are fun. The teams can be found at parades and festivals and travel to schools to promote literacy.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Updates on the latest in business:
Dow: 9,870.30, down -268.22
S&P 500: 1,041.24, down -33.33
NASDAQ: 2,135.18, down -85.47
NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks and interest rates have dropped today amid worries about a slowdown in the world economy. The Dow Jones industrial average was down more than 200 points at midday, slipping below 10,000. Asian markets fell after an index that forecasts economic activity for China was revised lower. And then European indexes fell sharply after Greek workers walked off the job to protest steep budget cuts. U.S. stocks were hit with news that consumer confidence fell sharply this month because of worries about jobs and the overall economy.
NEW YORK (AP) - Caught between worry about jobs and the sluggish economic recovery, Americans are losing confidence in their financial fortunes. The Conference Board's consumer confidence index fell nearly 10 points this month to 52.9. Both components of the index - one that measures how consumers feel now about the economy, the other that assesses their outlook over the next six months - dropped. The index had been recovering fitfully since hitting an all-time low of 25 in February 2009. Still, the reading was far below what's considered healthy. A reading above 90 indicates the economy is on solid footing; above 100 signals strong growth.
NEW YORK (AP) - Home prices rose in April for the first time in seven months. Government tax credits bolstered the housing market. But the rebound may be short-lived now that the incentives have expired. The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller 20-city home price index was up 0.8 percent. It had fallen in each of the past six months. Eighteen of 20 cities showed price increases in April from March. Washington, San Francisco and Dallas each posted gains of 2 percent or more. Eleven cities reversed their declines from the month before. Only Miami and New York recorded price declines. Prices in New York were the lowest since 2004. Nationally, prices have risen 3.8 percent from their April 2009 bottom. But they remain 30 percent below their July 2006 peak.
AP-Morning BusinessMinute
NEW YORK (AP) - U.S. stocks have faltered in recent sessions because of worries over the economy. Last week, the Dow was down nearly 3 percent. And, the S&P and Nasdaq saw declines of more than 3.5 percent.
MILAN (AP) - European markets rose today, breaking a four-day run of losses. Britain's FTSE 100 stock index was up 0.46 percent at while Germany's DAX was 0.9 percent higher. France's CAC-40 was up 0.62 percent. In Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index climbed 0.2 percent and benchmarks in South Korea, Taiwan, India, Indonesia and Singapore also posted mild gains. Japan's Nikkei fell 0.3 percent.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The government today reports on how consumers are holding up these days. Spending is seen rising only slightly in May, while incomes are seen surging.
SINGAPORE (AP) - Oil prices dropped slightly to near $78 a barrel Monday in Asia as traders kept a close eye on damage a possible hurricane could cause rigs in the Gulf of Mexico this week. Benchmark crude for August delivery was down 25 cents to $78.61 a barrel at late afternoon Singapore time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract added $2.35 to settle at $78.86 on Friday.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration is getting set to try to make wireless broadband even broader. The White House says President Barack Obama will sign a presidential memorandum today to nearly double the available amount of wireless communications spectrum over the next decade. The government will auction 500 megahertz of federal and commercial spectrum.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn Tuesday:
Mega Millions
Estimated jackpot: $16 million
Midday Big 4
3-3-1-2
Midday Number
6-4-9
Midday Quinto
4-2-5-1-9
Powerball
Estimated jackpot: $27 million
Treasure Hunt
12-16-20-22-24
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Summer camp caters to kids of nonbelievers
CLARKSVILLE, Ohio (AP) - A sleep-away camp in southwest Ohio caters to the children of atheists, agnostics, humanists and other nonbelievers. Kids at Camp Quest in Clarksville take part in normal camp activities, but the overarching philosophy is that life without religion is a healthy, viable option. Started in 1996, the week-long camp emphasizes critical thinking and the scientific method. Counselors lead philosophical discussions about topics such as the nature of happiness. There are also lessons about world religions and their belief systems. Camp Quest's Ohio session has 78 campers. Other sessions are offered in Michigan, Minnesota, Tennessee, California, Texas, Ontario and the United Kingdom.
DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS - DICK CLARK HONORED
LAS VEGAS (AP) - Dick Clark was in tears last night -- as he received a standing ovation at the Daytime Emmy Awards. The TV academy paid tribute to Clark, and his long-running show, "American Bandstand." Simon Cowell was among those saluting Clark. Cowell says, "Without 'Bandstand,' without Dick, there would be no 'American Idol."' Clark didn't stand during the tribute and his speech is still slurred by a stroke he suffered in 2004.
Prince Harry
NEW YORK (AP) - Britain's Prince Harry took a tumble from his horse before his defeat in a New York polo match against Argentine equestrian Nacho Figueras. But it was all for a good cause. The 25-year-old prince fell off his polo pony during Sunday's match, held to benefit children in HIV-ravaged Africa. But he had a smile on his face as he got back up and continued the contest. Figueras won 6-5 in overtime. Harry, who was ending a three-day visit to New York City, participated as part of his pledge to continue his mother's work against AIDs. Princess Diana died in 1997 in a Paris car crash.
US-Ghana sets viewing records for men's World Cup
JOHANNESBURG (AP) - The United States' 2-1 loss to Ghana in extra time, which eliminated the Americans from the tournament in South Africa, was the most-watched men's World Cup game in both households and viewers. Saturday's game, which began at 2:30 p.m. EDT on ABC, received an 8.2 fast national rating, ESPN said Sunday. 14,863,000 viewers saw it in 9,455,000 households and. Only the 1999 Women's World Cup final, featuring the United States and China at the Rose Bowl, averaged more households (11,307,000) and viewers (17,975,000) for a soccer game. The U.S.-Ghana game was also the third highest-rated men's World Cup game on record, behind only the 1994 final between Italy and Brazil (9.5 rating) and the round of 16 game that same year between the United States and Brazil (9.3 rating). The 1999 Women's World Cup final delivered an 11.4 rating.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)