Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Road crews undeterred by high heat

WINFIELD – The AccuWeather Real Feel has been well above 100 all week, and now real temperature has hit 103 at the Penn Valley Airport in Selinsgrove. So far, the heat is proving to be no deterrent to Eastern Industries crews working to widen Route 15 in Winfield.  Extra work breaks or other changes to their work schedules are not planned. 

Joel Van Buskirk of Watsontown works for the PennDOT contractor and says his crew has had to compensate, but only a little.  For those who need to work outdoors during this weather, he recommends doing as his crews do, mainly bringing extra water or fluid replacement beverages.

Van Buskirk says this week's heat wave is not the worst he's seen; as a two-week stretch a couple of years ago proved to be much hotter.  Meantime, some private contractors took the day off Tuesday.  (Matt Farrand) 

Relief from heat in Selinsgrove

SELINSGROVE -- Selinsgrove is offering some relief from the heat.  In Selinsgrove Borough, the borough building on North High Street will be open from noon until 7:00p.m. until Friday.  The building provides public restrooms and drinking fountains.  When available, the kitchen attached to the community room will also be open to the public.  Anyone with questions can call 374-2311. 

Also, the Selinsgrove High School cafeteria, at 500 N. Broad Street, will be open from 11:00a.m.-3:30p.m. through Friday to serve as a cooling station for those who may need an escape from the heat. (Sara Bartlett)

Yoga student talks about his teacher

NEW BERLIN -- As the investigation continues into the death of a local Yoga instructor, a student of Swami Sudharman says he will be missed.  Sudharman was found dead at the Integral Yoga Center in New Berlin, where he was the director. .  An autopsy will be conducted Wednesday, and police say they will then have more information.

Christian Cochran graduated as a yoga teacher under Sudharman in May.  He said his teacher was the most graceful person he's ever known, and he considers Sudharman a role model.  Cochran last spoke to Sudharman Saturday. 

He says yesterday (Monday), he and friends were driving through New Berlin when he heard the news.  Sudharman was found dead by another yoga teacher.  Because of suspicious surroundings, State Police say they are investigating the cause of death. (Sara Bartlett)

Sunbury Celebration kicks off Thursday

SUNBURY -- What started off as a small community fun night has expanded into the four-day Sunbury Celebration.  Thursday kicks off the 2010 event at the Oppenheimer Playground, according to Ron Pratt, Sunbury's recreation director.  He says there will be free refreshments, games, activities and prizes.  Friday night is the Splash Hop at the Sunbury Pool. 

There will be free refreshments as well as music.  Then Saturday is the daylong celebration with vendors and fireworks at night. The annual soapbox derby will be on Sunday morning.  Registration is still being expected for those who want to take part in the derby.  For more information go to www.cityofsunbury.com.  Also, tune in Thursday at 3:00p.m. to Leaders & Lawmakers where we'll feature more previews of Sunbury Celebration 2010.

Targets stolen from sports club

MILLMONT -- Police are searching for someone who stole from a sports club in Millmont.  Sometime between June 19th and July 3rd, someone took 16 steel targets from the Union County Muzzleloaders on Sportsmen’s Club Lane.  The value of the targets is $700.  Anyone with information is asked to call Milton State Police.

Two injuries after Sunbury area crash

SUNBURY -- Two people were injured after a crash Monday night in Northumberland County.  Around 11:00p.m., 50-year-old Daniel Fasold of Sunbury was driving a motorcycle on Anthracite Road near Route 61 in Augusta Township when he lost control of a curve and struck an embankment.  Fasold sustained a leg injury and was taken by ambulance to Geisinger Medical Center.  Also taken there was Fasold's passenger 47-year-old Rose Roberts of Sunbury.  No word on their conditions.

Local yoga exponent dies at New Berlin studio

NEW BERLIN -- A local yoga master is dead, and a full investigation is underway in New Berlin. Director Swami Sudharman of the Integral Yoga Center died at his studio and classroom on Market Street. One source told us he believed Swami Sudharman, a practitioner of Hatha Yoga had died, perhaps after a fall.

Apparently, an instructor arrived at the center to teach a class at about 5:00 p.m., and found Sudharman lifeless on the floor. There were consistent reports he was wrapped or covered in a blanket. However, the instructor says some things at the scene seemed suspicious. Thus, the extensive investigation ensued once the instructor reported the death to authorities.

Sudharman was 70 years old, and was apparently susceptible to falls. He was also known as Joseph Fenton, and was once associated with the Valley Spiritual Center and School of Healing Arts in Port Trevorton. The center's website says Sudharman went to Cornell University and was practicing yoga for more than 30 years.

Travelers through New Berlin late Monday said they saw a large Pennsylvania State Police presence around the center, including what they described as forensic units. State police only confirmed that trooper Matt Burrows would likely issue some information at some point. No news releases are out yet. Troopers said they were conducting an exhaustingly through investigation. (Matt Farrand)

Weather Service issues heat advisory for Tuesday

STATE COLLEGE -- The National Weather Service is issuing a heat advisory for much of the region for Tuesday, from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. High pressure at the surface and at higher elevations is keeping heated air stuck in the region. Most northern and eastern states are seeing similar high temperatures, and little, if any, rainfall.

This follows a day during which record temps were recorded at the Penn Valley Airport, Selinsgrove. The official temperature was above the 100-degree mark for about two hours, hitting 101 at about 4:30 p.m. The previous record of 98 was set in 1955, while the Accu-Weather ReelFeel temperature was in triple digits for much of the day.

The National Weather Service recommends wearing light colored, loose fitting clothing, frequent drinking of non-alcoholic beverages, and limiting activity during the midday hours. The Sunbury Chapter of the American Red Cross has additional information at 286-4411. Their website is: www.sunburyredcross.org (Matt Farrand)

Dick Simpson named POY

NORTHUMBERLAND – A crowd gathered in King Street Park Monday night to hear that announcement at Northumberland’s Pineknotter Days. Dick Simpson says the Pineknotter of the Year award humbles him, and it did come as a surprise.

Among his many endeavors in the community, Simpson, who served in the Navy during Vietnam, is very involved in American Legion Post 44 and is a Chaplin at Sunbury Fire Company. He is also involved in the Wreaths for Warriors campaign and is committed to veterans receiving proper military honors. Local historian John Deppen says Simpson is very deserving of the award and said the award is 'wholly appropriate.'

The 2010 Pineknotter Good Citizenship Award was also given out last (Monday) night. The recipients were Kenneth Long and Abigail Fink. Both Long and Fink are 7th graders at C.W. Rice Middle School. Long is involved in numerous sports and the school’s band. He also volunteers throughout the community. Fink is involved in chorus, as well as little league softball

Third floor residents still without homes

DANVILLE – First and second floor residents of Danville's Beaver Apartments are back home again. They were allowed to return Monday afternoon, after Sunday morning fire in an apartment on the third floor. There was no indication as to when third floor residents would be allowed to return.

A total of about 40 residents were displaced by the smoky blaze. State Police Fire Marshal Norman Fedder told Newsradio 1070 WKOK the fire did about $25,000 damage, but was contained to a room occupied by 37-year-old Kellie English. She remains in critical condition at the burn unit at Lehigh Valley Hospital.

Alternatives to jail will help counties

LEWISBURG -- A Union County Commissioner is commended Union and Snyder Counties drug and DUI treatment court as alternatives to incarceration for non-violent, low risk offenders. The first class of drug treatment recipients in the counties recently graduated, as we hear from Preston Boop, who gave an update during the Central PA and Greater Susquehanna Valley Chambers of Commerce joint legislative forum.

He says since coming to office in 2004, he watched Union County incarceration numbers spike, but within the last few months, they have been at their lowest levels in 14 years, with 36 people in jail.

Boop says a Community Service Coordinator was recently hired in Union and Snyder Counties to work with local organizations and the judges to help place offenders in community programs, instead of in jail. In addition, Boop says they hope to implement re-entry education, where people that are in jail can get the training they need to get back into the workforce when they are done serving their sentence.

Boop says another option is a day treatment center, and the county is in talks about this idea. He says offenders would come to the center during the day and would leave at night to go back to their homes. Boop says all of these alternatives to incarceration help keep recidivism rates down and jail numbers low. (Sara Bartlett)

Congressman says putting Petraeus in charge is the right move

UNDATED -- General David Petraeus officially took over as commanding general in Afghanistan Sunday, and a local Congressman is commenting on the move. Congressman Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock) says there was no choice but to relieve General Stanley McChrystal of duty following his comments in Rolling Stone magazine.

He says there cannot even be an impression that the President and a commanding leader are not on the same page. Carney says having Petraeus now on board is a great move. He says Petraeus holds more sway in the Afghan region and with Hamid Karzai.

Carney says it will be difficult, but the U.S. needs to get a definable goal regarding the war. Carney says above all, it is important to support the men and women fight in Afghanistan and elsewhere overseas. McChrystal is retiring from the Army and will retire as a general.

Fireworks complaint in Milton

MILTON -- A fireworks complaint has led to charges against a White Deer woman. Around 10:20p.m. on the 4th of July 46-year-old Kathleen Peterson was setting off fireworks at a home along White Deer Pike. Police say some of the fireworks flew toward a neighboring property.

James Lloyd owns the adjoining property and it set a small area of grass on fire. Fireworks also struck a vehicle parked in Lloyd's driveway. A citation of criminal mischief has been filed against Peterson. (Sara Bartlett)

Montour County crash injures three

LIBERTY TWP – Three people were taken to the hospital after a crash on Route 45 near Danville Thursday. Police say around 4:15p.m. 65-year-old Nancy Gunzenhauser of Danville pulled out in front of a vehicle driven by 67-year-old Patricia Rovenolt of Lewisburg. The vehicles spun when they collided.

Rovenolt sustained moderate injuries and was taken to Evangelical Community Hospital, as was her passenger George Rovenolt of Lewisburg, who sustained minor injuries. They were both treated and released. Gunzenhauser sustained moderate injuries and was taken to Geisinger Medical Center. She was released from the hospital Friday.

Latest Pennsylvania news, business and entertainment

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's $28 billion state budget has been signed into law.  At a signing ceremony Tuesday in Mechanicsburg, Gov. Ed Rendell said the budget does not increase taxes and clamps down on spending in response to a stubborn revenue slump that left last year's budget more than $1 billion in the red.  Rendell says deep spending cuts in some areas, such as social services, allowed for significant increases elsewhere, notably a 4.5 percent boost in spending for the state's public schools.  Hundreds of state employees are expected to be laid off as a result of the cuts.  The budget also contains hundreds of millions of dollars for projects to be picked by the governor and legislators.     

BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) - A central Pennsylvania judge has rescinded an order directing two newspapers to delete archived stories about three defendants.  Centre County Judge Bradley Lunsford says he signed new expungement orders Monday reverting to typical language directing public agencies to clear records when charges are dismissed, withdrawn or otherwise no longer applicable.  In an unusual step, a defense attorney included the Centre Daily Times and The Daily Collegian student newspaper in submitting initial orders for five defendants.  The attorney says media First Amendment rights were trumping his clients' rights for cleared records.  Lunsford cited free press concerns in issuing the new orders. Another judge's orders covering the remaining defendants are still pending.

ORRTANNA, Pa. (AP) - A central Pennsylvania candy store and kitschy museum of all things elephantine has been destroyed by a fire.  Mr. Ed's Elephant Museum burned Monday night in Orrtanna, near Gettysburg. Fire officials say the store's taffy and gum room was badly damaged. The museum is home to a collection of some elephant-themed toys and objects. The room that houses the collection was damaged by smoke and water.  Ed Gotwalt opened the museum as a roadside attraction in 1975. He says he'll rebuild.  A state police fire marshal is investigating.

WYALUSING, Pa. (AP) - A prosecutor in northern Pennsylvania says a 91-year-old woman who stored the corpses of her husband and twin sister on her property will be allowed to keep them if she installs a crypt.  Bradford County District Attorney Daniel Barrett said Tuesday that Jean Stevens plans to build a crypt on her property outside Wyalusing.  Stevens says she kept the embalmed bodies of her husband and twin because she wanted to be able to see them and talk to them.  She also says she's claustrophobic and couldn't stand the thought of her loved ones in a casket in the ground.  The bodies were discovered in mid-June. Authorities haven't yet released the identities of those who retrieved them. Barrett said Tuesday that a decision on charges could be made as early as Friday.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The high-90s heat rising up from the sidewalk on Independence Mall in Philadelphia has Joan Whalen eager to get home - to San Antonio. She and another history teacher have run into stifling heat as they've toured Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia this past week. But Whalen's not worried about the 100-degree temperatures possible over the next few days. She heads back home Tuesday. The National Weather Service is issuing an excessive heat warning in the Philadelphia region through Wednesday evening. Philadelphia resident Christa Gutzler knows what to eat to beat the heat. Gutzler strolled past the Liberty Bell on Monday with a cherry water ice. She says it's much too hot for cheesesteaks.

PALMYRA, Pa. (AP) - Two people remain hospitalized after a fireworks accident injured 11 people gathered for a borough fireworks display near Harrisburg. Palmyra Borough police say a firework misfired, causing an explosion that sent firework material into the nearby crowd at Palmyra Middle School. They say the accident also propelled other fireworks material across the football field. Authorities say the victims suffered burns, contusions and abrasions. They include four minors between 11 and 17 and one fireworks employee. The Fourth of July celebration was also commemorating Palmyra's 250th anniversary. One adult and one minor remain hospitalized at Hershey Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphians may soon start seeing more fresh produce at their corner stores. The city is getting $25 million in stimulus funds to fight obesity and smoking. Mini-grants to about 100 corner stores will help them buy refrigerators or shelving to accommodate fresh produce. Store owner Juan Carlos Romano says business is up 40 percent at his Romano's Grocery Store in North Philadelphia thanks to the addition of produce. The city health department, the Food Trust and others are organizing the effort. Across the country, 44 communities are sharing $372 million in stimulus funds to fight obesity and smoking. The goal is to prevent heart attacks, strokes, cancer, and diabetes, and thereby lower health care costs.

Updates on the latest in business:

Dow: + 10.52 (9,697.00)

S&P 500: - 0.15 (1,022.43)

NASDAQ: - 6.11 (2,085.68)

NEW YORK (AP) - Stock prices have turned mixed, as a rally fades. Coming into today's session, the Dow had been down for seven straight trading days.

NEW YORK (AP) - Another sign that the recovery is losing momentum. The Institute for Supply Management's service sector index showed slower growth in June. A gauge of employment dropped, boding poorly for the job market.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The post office is hoping to increase the price of a first class stamp by 2 cents to 46 cents starting in January. The agency is facing the troubling combination of massive losses and declining mail volume.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Netflix is adding to the group of movies that subscribers can watch online or over Internet-connected devices. They'll be online at the same time as they would have appeared on premium pay TV channels such as HBO or Showtime.

UNDATED (AP) - The price of gas at the pump is going down, and likely headed lower still. Auto club AAA says the national average for regular gasoline is down to $2.74 a gallon, down more than 2 cents from Friday.

(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: $34 million

 Midday Big 4

     0-3-6-8

Midday Number

     4-6-3

Midday Quinto

     0-4-0-8-9

Powerball

     Estimated jackpot: $54 million

 Treasure Hunt

     06-18-20-26-30

     (Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

Judge disallows taped confession in slayings case

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - A judge says he won't allow a videotaped confession that aired on the crime reality show "First 48" to be used at the trial of a Memphis man accused of killing six people.  Judge James Beasley said Tuesday he disallowed the confession widely seen on the A&E program because other information may have been recorded but not aired that's relevant to the case of Jessie Dotson.  Dotson, 35, awaits scheduled trial in September on six counts of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder. Three children survived the March 2008 Memphis house slayings. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.  Dotson's case garnered national attention in part over his appearance on "First 48," which recorded the police investigation and aired a confession from Dotson.

Lohan judge says she won't consider alcohol report

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) - A judge at Lindsay Lohan's probation revocation hearing says she will not consider whether the actress consumed alcohol last month after attending the MTV Movie Awards.  Prosecutors had hoped to introduce reports from an ankle, alcohol monitor to show the “Mean Girls" actress had violated a court order against drinking.  Superior Court Judge Marsha Revel said Tuesday she was going to honor what she said in a closed session to lawyers for both sides, and not allow the negative report to be used at the hearing that could end with Lohan being sent to jail.  Instead, Revel will only consider whether the actress violated her probation by failing to complete the required number of alcohol education courses on time.

Coke collectors

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Things go better with Coke. And there a plenty of Coke things available this week for collectors. More than 600 Coca-Cola collectors from across the nation are expected in Milwaukee for their annual convention. Many of the Coke lovers will be looking to add to their collections. Others will be trying to sell duplicates or unneeded items. Some of the Coca-Cola memorabilia dates back to the 1880s. Saturday will be appraisal day. Experts and Coke company reps will be on hand to evaluate all things Coca-Cola.