Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Centre County DA reacts to Buehner press conference
BELLEFONTE— Centre County District Attorney, Michael Madeira, is responding to accusations by Montour County District Attorney, Bob Buehner, that elected officials are not doing enough to solve the case of missing DA, Ray Gricar. Madeira was on the WKOK newsline and gave us his reaction to a press conference held by Buehner on the topic. He says he feels disappointment at the lack of professionalism and also at Buehner’s “disingenuousness.” Madeira says Buehner knew before the press conference that things were still being done in the investigation.
Buehner had given three examples of situations that he believed were not being fully investigated. However, Madeira says investigators already looked into the witness that Buehner said no one contacted. He also says action has been taken to resubmit Gricar’s hard drive for further forensic investigation, something Buehner said was not happening.
Madeira says there is no shortage of things that they don’t continue to do on a monthly basis in the investigation. He says there is no obligation to report everything that is done in an investigation and he says “I would never go into his county and just begin to suggest things to him about what he does.” (Sara Lauver)
Rep. Belfanti says his school district will do well with new state budget
HARRISBURG – State Representative Bob Belfanti says the best-case scenario is for a final version of the state budget to be ready for vote by 11:00p.m. Thursday evening. But, he says could be a long process. Belfanti says he has focused a lot on education for his school districts, which include those in Northumberland, Montour and Columbia counties. He says while it isn’t as good as what the Governor originally proposed, he believes his schools will make out fairly well, meaning an increase in state funding, lowing the need for massive property tax hikes. The proposed budget for the fiscal year contains $28.2 billion, which is a 3.8% increase over last year’s spending. (Sara Bartlett)
Edison’s efforts to be celebrated in Sunbury
SUNBURY – The opportunity to showcase a major world event takes place Saturday in Sunbury. It’s the 125th Anniversary celebration of Thomas Edison’s Sunbury Experiment. It was 1883 when Edison used his three-wire system to light what is now known as the Hotel Edison. John Shipman, who chairs SPARC, also says one of the most exciting events Saturday will be a chance for the public to see the original dynamo used by Thomas Edison.
Other activities include a reenactment of the lighting, musical entertainment by the Sunbury City Band and a barbershop quartet, an early antique car display and Victorian Highwheelers Vintage Bicycle group, as well as the dedication of the Edison Plaza. Festivities began at 10:00a.m. on Market Street between 3rd and 5th Streets. (Sara Bartlett)
Flood, fire interrupt good summer season for Campus Theater
LEWISBURG – It’ll be at least a week until it’s known exactly when the Campus Theater in Lewisburg will show its next film. Jenni Stieler serves on the board of the not-for-profit cinema and says they’ve made slow progress since Sunday, when about four feet of water seeped into the basement, shorted out an electrical panel and started a small fire. However, Stieler says the exact source of the leak is still not known, and a special engineer is looking into it. Staff members say they didn’t know something was amiss until the air conditioning quit, and a faint odor of an electrical fire was noticed.
All were evacuated safely from Sunday’s 5:00p.m. screening of Wall-E. (Matt Farrand)
Federal benefits extended for unemployed PA residents
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania residents are including in a thirteen-week extension of federal unemployment benefits. State Representative Bob Belfanti says it’s extremely helpful given the current economic climate. He says the extension could make the difference in residents being able to pay their mortgage or keeping their homes until they find work.
Belfanti calls it a “sad day” when the state is on the cusp of needing this extension, and he hopes in the future PA will no longer be included, meaning that the employment figures will rise. The extension applies to people who are currently unemployed or who have run out of their previous benefits. Those who are eligible will be contacted by mail. (Sara Bartlett)
Sunbury woman charged after fleeing from Children and Youth Services
SUNBURY – Charges are pending against a Sunbury woman after she allegedly tried to keep Northumberland County Children and Youth Services from taking a juvenile. On Tuesday, the agency arrived at the location of 48-year-old Denise Wright to take custody of the juvenile. Wright allegedly then ran with the juvenile and hid. Wright was taken into custody by Stonington State Police and faces charges of endangering the welfare of children and disorderly conduct, which will be filed by District Justice Carl Rice. (Sara Bartlett)
Explosives truck involved in crash, but load not damaged
BLOOMSBURG— There was a tense moment in Columbia County yesterday afternoon after a truck owned by an explosive company hit another vehicle from behind. The crash happened along Route 487 in the borough of Benton and State Police in Bloomsburg say the load in the truck, owned by Guelich Explosive Company, was not damaged.
Police say it happened when Lilley Scheib, of Cambra, attempted to make a turn onto Route 239 and was rear-ended by that truck driven by Jeremiah Mensinger, of Nescopeck. Scheib suffered minor injuries and police say Mensinger was cited for driving at an unsafe speed. (Sara Lauver)
DA alleges wrongdoing in missing prosecutor case
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The district attorney in Montour County is accusing his counterpart in Centre County of "doing nothing" to solve the disappearance of Ray Gricar. Gricar, the former Centre County DA, vanished in April 2005 after saying he was going for a drive.
Montour County DA Robert Buehner said yesterday (Tuesday) that he believes Gricar was abducted and murdered. He accused Centre County DA Michael Madeira and others of ignoring leads in the case. Buehner wants Madeira to resubmit Gricar's laptop for testing, even though it was once deemed too damaged to be evaluated.
He also wants investigators to search hotel registries for the name of a woman seen with Gricar before he disappeared. Madeira says he continues to work on the case. He says while leads have grown cold, "our interest has not grown cold."
US Airways wants out of WRA
MONTOURSVILLE — The only commercial airline flying to Williamsport Regional Airport may drop its service to it. US Airways is reportedly filing a petition with the Federal Department of Transportation to withdraw its five daily flights to Philadelphia. High fuel costs are the reason. They hope to drop service this fall.
The office of Congressman Chris Carney issued a statement expressing disappointment, and a pledge that he will continue to work with local officials and his colleagues on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, to ensure that commercial air service continues to the airport.
US Airways announced two weeks ago its decision to start charging passengers for water, coffee and soft drinks. Last week, American Eagle announced its plans to quit serving Harrisburg International Airport in November, again because of high fuel costs. (Matt Farrand)
E-coli risk prompts beef patty removal
CARLISLE—Giant Food Stores are removing Nature’s Promise 90% lean fresh ground beef patties from its shelves, due to possible e-coli contamination. The affected 1/3 lb. patties are sold in packages of four with a sell by date of July 11, 2008.
The product had a limited distribution and was only available for purchase on Tuesday, July 1. Consumers who have purchased the above product are urged to return them to the store for a full refund. (Matt Farrand)
Police investigate early Tuesday crash
MILTON – State Police are investigating a one car crash early Tuesday morning that injured a 19-year-old from Beavertown. Troopers say Brandon Weader was driving along Route 235 in Turbot Township just before 3:00 a.m., when he failed to make a turn in the roadway and his vehicle struck a tree. Weader was injured, then treated and released from Evangelical Community Hospital. State Police say it could be a DUI crash. (Staff)
Area citizens open to the idea of a Community College
MILTON – Area residents are interested in the idea of a local community college. The Susquehanna Valley Community Education Project recently released survey results monitoring local public opinion and demand about the college.
President, Lenaire Ahlum, says they found demand in the area and want to continue to explore the option with local high schools. The survey confirmed the need for low cost education. It also emphasized the need for local training in the healthcare and manufacturing industry.
Ahlum also said 80-90% of community college students remain in the area after graduating. The research group believes their biggest obstacle will be communicating the purpose of a community college to local residents. The project will move forward with more climate surveys in the coming months. (Lindsey Bingaman)
Low potato supply causing shortage for Middleswarth chips
MIDDLEBURG – It was about a week ago when Ira Middleswarth & Son, Inc., of Middleburg, got a call from their potato provider in North Carolina saying potato supply is being rationed. Vice President of the company, Jeff Goff, says this means their supply is literally cut in half, and they are now getting only four tractor-trailer loads of potatoes a week, as opposed to the normal eight.
The reason for the shortage stems from dry weather and lack of rain in North Carolina, the state where Middleswarth currently gets their potatoes. Goff says yields of potatoes in the South are lower than expected, and some potato supply in the Midwest is completely depleted after heavy flooding.
As for shoppers, Goff says they may not notice the shelves completely empty, but after the holiday weekend and depending on next week’s supply, consumers may notice fewer bags of chips in stores until everything is stabilized. Goff says they hope other markets for potatoes will open up soon and he says they are looking at Maryland’s eastern shore and southern Virginia for supply. (Sara Bartlett)
Montour County DA says there’s not enough progress in Gricar case
LEWISBURG – It was June 3rd when Montour County District Attorney Bob Buehner sent a letter to Centre Count DA Michael Maderia and Union County DA Pete Johnson regarding further investigation into the disappearance of former Centre County DA Ray Gricar. Buehner says no action was taken after his letter was sent, and that’s pretty much how the investigation is going.
He says there is so much lack of progress that it is shameful and reprehensible. Buehner said it’s not only the DAs who have failed to further investigate the disappearance; it’s also Attorney General Tom Corbett, who Buehner said used political power to silence him because he had the audacity to try and figure out what happened to Gricar.
Buehner also gave three examples of situations in the case that have not been fully investigated. They include a complete investigation of hotels and motels in the area where Gricar may have stayed, an interview with a witness who allegedly saw Gricar the day he disappeared.
He also said more forensic investigation is needed on Gricar’s hard drive, which was found in the Susquehanna River days after he disappeared. Buehner, along with Former Clinton County DA Ted McKnight, relayed this information yesterday at a press conference in Lewisburg aimed to point out the lack of progress in the case. (Sara Bartlett)
Revocation of gun ban called “Scalia’s legacy”
SUNBURY – A retired local teacher of history and government calls last week’s decision by the US Supreme Court overturning a ban on gun ownership the most important work of justice Antonin Scalia. Donald Ely of Sunbury says the majority decision the justice wrote was clear and thorough, and used history as a guide.
Ely calls the decision “(Scalia’s) legacy,” but doubts the justice will retire soon, though he has been on the court since 1986. The 5-4 decision struck down a District of Columbia law prohibiting gun ownership, and disappointed supporters of firearm possession exclusively by organized groups of citizens.
Ely notes that other Constitutional Amendments clearly apply to individuals, rather than groups. He adds that the gun ban overturned by the D.C. v. Heller decision kept law-abiding citizens at risk of violent crime. (Matt Farrand)
Police say man on cell phone crashes
KELLY TWP— A Mifflinburg was taken to the hospital with injuries after a crash in Union County Sunday afternoon. State Police in Milton say 21-year-old, Ronald Ingram, was driving on JPM Road in Kelly Township just before 5 p.m., when he lost control of his vehicle and hit a stop sign and a utility pole.
Police say Ingram was on his cell phone when he crashed. He suffered moderate injuries and was taken to Geisinger Medical Center. No condition report was available. (Sara Lauver)
Police say phone lines cut during car dealership burglary
SELINSGROVE— State Police are investigating a weekend burglary at an area car dealership in Snyder County. State Police in Selinsgrove say a person or persons broke into Paul Stine Chevrolet along Routes 11 and 15 and stole nearly $1,200 and 250 Pennsylvania State Inspection stickers.
Police say the phone lines were cut and the break-in happened sometime between Saturday and Sunday afternoon. The investigation continues and State Police ask anyone with information to contact Trooper Monkelis at 570-374-8145. (Sara Lauver)
Area woman in court for late restitution payments
BLOOMSBURG— A Sunbury woman was in court in Columbia County this week for failing to pay restitution on time. The Press Enterprise reports that Laura Eichner, of Sunbury, appeared in court yesterday and owes at least $8,000 stemming from thefts in 2006.
Those thefts occurred when she was treasurer of the nursing honor society at Bloomsburg University. It’s reported that Eichner claims she paid nearly $3,000 of that money directly to her victims outside of the court payment system, but that information has not yet been confirmed.
Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Parents of autistic children would be able to pay for behavioral therapy and related services with private health insurance starting next year under legislation that Gov. Ed Rendell says he'll sign if it reaches his desk. The House of Representatives unanimously passed the measure Tuesday and sent it to the Senate. The bill would require insurers to provide up to $36,000 in coverage initially for autism therapy for people under 21, and the state's Medicaid program would pay for any costs that exceed that cap. Businesses with 51 or more employees would have to offer the coverage starting July 1, 2009. The Senate's Republican leaders says he expects the chamber to send the bill to the governor before the Legislature leaves for its two-month summer break.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's water and sewer systems were among the biggest winners in this year's budget process. Legislators are poised to approve $1.2 billion in borrowing to repair and improve them. By one estimate, the state faces a $20 billion bill over the next 10 to 15 years to improve how it supplies people with fresh water and treats sewage. Legislation before the House includes a pair of water and sewer infrastructure bills that previously passed the state Senate. The House is expected to take up the bills in the closing days before the General Assembly's summer recess, expected later this week. One bill would use slots gambling revenue to pay off $800 million in borrowing to be doled out by the Commonwealth Financing Authority. The second would authorize the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority to divvy up $400 million. That measure needs the approval of voters. Still up in the air is whether to distribute the windfall as grants, or as a mixture of grants and loans, to local water and sewer authorities. The legislation also includes incentives for smaller systems to consolidate.
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Construction on a new $290 million arena for the Pittsburgh Penguins is scheduled to begin within weeks. The city-county Sports and Exhibition Authority on Wednesday authorized payments of more than $50 million to begin clearing debris and excavating land at the site. The agency's executive director says construction-related earth moving should begin by the end of the month or early August. Mary Conturo says the arena is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2010-11 hockey season. The new multipurpose arena will replace Mellon Arena, which was built in 1961.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Wednesday in the midday Pennsylvania State Lottery drawing:
Daily Number 0-8-4
Big 4 5-5-0-5
Treasure Hunt 6-10-12-26-28
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)