Friday, July 16, 2010
Health reasons cited in treasurer resignation
SUNBURY - Northumberland County Treasurer Ronald Chamberlain has announced his resignation, effective July 30. County commissioners received a 24-word letter on Friday, citing ongoing health problems as the reason for his resignation. County officials said they will work with Chamberlain to make the transition in the office smooth and continue its functions.
The announcement follows the apparent resignation of deputy treasurer Shari Benick last week, amid discrepancies in the office. (Matt Farrand)
Snyder County 9-1-1 service suspended by storm
MIDDLEBURG - Due to a lightning strike, the 9-1-1 Center in Snyder County is asking county residents to contact their local fire companies in the event of an emergency. No estimate is yet available on the extent of the damage, but gusty thunderstorms came through the area at about 3:20 p.m.
The strong line of showers knocked down trees, especially south of Selinsgrove, near Route 35 and the Selinsgrove Speedway. Scattered power outages are being reported, with the Port Trevorton area especially hard hit. PPL reports Snyder County has more than 900 customers without power, a handful are without power in Northumberland County. (Matt Farrand)
Fire damages Beavertown home...the blaze is ruled accidental
BEAVERTOWN -- The cause of a blaze that damaged a home in Beavertown has been ruled accidental. The fire broke out just after 3:00p.m. Thursday at 420 East Market Street, home of Kevin and Nicole Walter. State Police fire marshal Norman Fedder says the fire originated on top of a computer desk ,where a computer and speakers were located and the fire has been ruled accidental. The main fire was contained to the room of origin and the remainder of the residence sustained heavy smoke and water damage. Damage is estimated at $50,000. The owner of the property, Steril Knepp of Beavertown, did not have insurance, however the Walter's had renter's insurance.
An adjoining home in the duplex sustained minor damage, and no one was home at the time. Crews from Beavertown, Middleburg, Mifflinburg, Beaver Springs and McClure assisted at the scene and were cleared around 6:00p.m. There were no injuries reported.
PUC says "dial 5-7-0"
HARRISBURG -- The 570 area code is running out of new numbers. and the state Public Utility Commission has approved a new plan for our area. On Thursday, the commission approved a new plan they call overlay, which will require those in the 570 area code to dial the area code first and then the 7 digit number.
That option was chosen over splitting the region into two different area codes and reassigning current customers a new code. 570 numbers are expected to be exhausted in 2011 and then after a three-month adjustment period, 10-digit dialing will take effect.
Any new phone connections after that will receive a new area code, making it possible that two people in a household may have cell phones with different area codes.
Volunteers needed as Selinsgrove dog park progresses
SELINSGROVE – Work continues on a new dog park for Selinsgrove, but work still needs to be done and volunteers are still needed. Borough Council Member Shane Hendricks says the dog park is located between Kidsgrove and Major Anthony Selin Park along Sassafras Street. He says there is still plenty of work to be done this summer and into fall. Hendricks says the project was designed in three phases. Phase 1 was to get the park enclosed and open for use. Phase 2 includes adding attractions for the pets, including tunnels, teeter-totters and other exercise equipment.
Phase 3 will be expansion of the current park location. Hendricks is pleased with the support from the community. If you are interested in helping out at the dog park, you can take part in upcoming work parties. The work is generally done on Saturday mornings and the dates and times are posted on the Selinsgrove borough website at www.selinsgrove.org.
Encore Roundtable features House of Hope Susquehanna Valley
RIVERSIDE – An encore presentation featuring the House of Hope Susquehanna Valley is on Roundtable this weekend. The house has been helping teen girls get their lives back on track. Its been open in the Riverside area for more than 4-years, before that doing non-resident counseling. Susan McDowell, the founder of the program told us they have graduated more than 20 girls who were experiencing significant family and behavioral problems.
McDowell tells us, they are looking for more support and commitment from The Valley. She says financial support, volunteers and help spreading the word about the House of Hope Susquehanna Valley—would go a long way to help dozens of teen girls change their lives.
You can hear Roundtable (Sunday) on Eagle 107 (107.3FM) at 6a.m., 100.9 (100.9FM), The Valley, at 6a.m., Newsradio 1070 WKOK (1070AM) at 9a.m., Talkradio 1380 WMLP (1380AM), 11a.m., 94KX WQKX (94.1FM) at 11p.m., and anytime, at www.wkok.com
Charges going to court for swerving bus driver
KULPMONT -- The Coal Township bus driver seen driving erratically two months ago in Kulpmont has waived her right to a preliminary hearing. 37-year-old Melissa Tehansky is charged on numerous counts, including endangering the welfare of children, after she was seen swerving on Route 61, running a red light and striking a street sign. Police found she illegally possessed four types of prescription medication, and had three of those in her system. On May 19th, Tehansky had just finished her bus route, dropping off children in the Mount Carmel Area School District. She is free on $20,000 bail. (Sara Bartlett)
Multiple rape charges against Selinsgrove man
MONROE TWP --A Selinsgrove man has been arrested after allegedly raping three young girls, one in Snyder County. Police say over the last two years, 21-year-old David Miller Jr. had indecent sexual contact with a 9-year-old girl. He also is being investigated for similar acts against two other girls ages 10 and 11 in Schuylkill County. Miller faces five counts each of rape of a child, involuntary sexual deviate intercourse, statutory sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault and corruption of minors. He was arraigned before District Judge John Robinson and is in Snyder County Prison on $100,000. (Sara Bartlett)
Teen who threatened parents waives right to preliminary hearing
LEWISBURG -- The Allenwood teen accused of threatening his parents with a knife has waived his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday. 16-year-old Martin Pertusio faces charges of aggravated assault and burglary after chasing 36-year-olds Keith and Heidi Pertusio with a butcher knife in their home June 30th. Police say the teen struck his mother several times and threatened to kill both of his parents by slitting their throats. When his parents escaped to what was describe as a 'safe room' in the home, Martin Pertusio tried to break in. Charges will go to court against the teen, who is in Union County Prison on $50,000 bail. (Sara Bartlett)
Milton man killed in crash on Route 405
MILTON -- A Milton motorcyclist died in a motorcycle crash Thursday after colliding with a pickup truck. 38-year-old Brett Paulhamus was killed when a southbound motorist took a left turn into his path along Route 405 near Harvey's Lane.
67-year-old Ray Rothfuss of Muncy was reportedly turning toward an ice cream stand at that location. He sustained a minor injury when his truck hit the motorcycle head on at about 4:30 p.m.
Rothfuss will be charged for making an unsafe left turn. Paulhamus was not wearing a helmet and was thrown from the motorcycle. (Matt Farrand)
Fire destroys business, leaves one homeless
KULPMONT -- Pappy Baluta and Sons Plumbing and Heating, as well as two apartments have been demolished in Kulpmont following a fire early Thursday morning. The blaze ripped through the building in the 900 block of Chestnut Street and crews were on the scene for much of the day. Once the fire was out, the structure was in danger of collapsing. Crews demolished the building in the afternoon.
There were no injuries reported, although a tenant in the apartment is now homeless. Ed Baluta, owner of the plumbing and heating company, says he does plan to rebuild his business. No word on the cause of the blaze, but a state police fire marshal says it does not seem suspicious. Over 100 firefighters from all over the Valley assisted at the scene. (Sara Bartlett)
2008 firing warranted according to new investigation
SUNBURY – Results of an investigation released this week show a former Northumberland County employee stole nearly $40,000 while working as an account clerk in the county’s tax claim bureau. Linda Gilligbauer was terminated in December 2008 after the funds went missing, but was never charged with theft. Now, a report released by a State College arbitrator finds that the county had every right to terminate Gilligbauer and that she is responsible for the missing funds.
A criminal investigation is still open in the county district attorney’s office, but Commissioner Vinny Clausi says he would like the DA to take a closer look at it following the new report. He says he would also like District Attorney Tony Rosini to turn the case over to the state Attorney General.
Prior to her termination, Gilligbauer had been with the county for seventeen years, with duties including the preparation of daily deposits, filing out deposit slips and working with tax lien certifications. It is alleged that Gilligbauer would conceal funds and not deposit correct amounts of money. The report concludes in saying that evidence proves Gilligbauer is responsible for the missing funds. (Sara Bartlett)
Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment
SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - An attorney has been charged with assault after authorities say he repeatedly punched his opposing counsel during an argument in a northeastern Pennsylvania courthouse. Police say 46-year-old Michael Rauch threw three roundhouse punches at Scranton attorney John Fisher at the Lackawanna County Courthouse in Scranton on Thursday. The two had been on opposite sides of a civil lawsuit involving a 2003 car crash. Rauch, of Cherry Hill, N.J., was charged Thursday with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct. Court papers say Rauch told sheriff's deputies that he had told Fisher to leave him alone but that he continued to harass him. Rauch spent the morning in a holding cell and later left the courthouse on $10,000 unsecured bail. He could not immediately be reached by The Associated Press on Friday. Fisher is declining comment.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania's jobless rate remained unchanged in June, and Gov. Ed Rendell says that's one reason Congress needs to approve an extension of emergency unemployment benefits. The Department of Labor and Industry said Thursday that the statewide unemployment rate was 9.2 percent last month - the same as the adjusted rate for May. Pennsylvania lost 6,300 jobs last month, mostly to the phase out of temporary census jobs, but gained more than 64,000 jobs during the first half of the year. Still, hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians are looking for work. Rendell said Americans need two things these days - good-paying jobs for citizens and "a Congress that does its job." The state had initially reported May's jobless rate as 9.1 percent.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A newspaper says two Pittsburgh-area television stations are pulling a commercial attacking the voting record of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Joe Sestak. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Thursday that Sestak had complained about the accuracy of the ad sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. It began airing Monday and says Sestak voted "with Nancy Pelosi 100 percent of the time" and for "a government takeover of health care." Sestak's campaign called both statements false and protested to 16 stations that are airing it. A letter to the campaign from stations WPGH and WPMY says the ad will be discontinued because "it is not true that Sestak voted with Pelosi 100 percent of the time." The chamber's ad is independent of Sestak's opponent, former U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey.
SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - A northeastern Pennsylvania businessman has admitted threatening a witness who was cooperating with a federal corruption probe. Barton Weidlich pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice on Wednesday in federal court in Scranton. Prosecutors say the FBI was looking into whether Weidlich had paid public officials for several no-bid contracts with Luzerne County government. The cooperating witness recorded conversations with the 41-year-old Pittston businessman. Prosecutors say Weidlich became suspicious and threatened the witness on Oct. 1, 2009. More than two dozen people have been charged in the regional corruption probe so far.
PITTSBURGH (AP) - An activist group wants to save the longtime home of the Pittsburgh Penguins from a proposed demolition. The hockey team is vacating decades- old Mellon Arena for the new Consol Energy Center. Mellon Arena, nicknamed the Igloo, is owned by the Allegheny County Sports & Exhibition Authority. Members of Reuse the Igloo asked the authority Thursday to give the group a year to develop a plan to save the facility. They say the civic arena is part of Pittsburgh's history. The Penguins, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and county Executive Dan Onorato favor a demolition. Authority Executive Director Mary Conturo says the agency is reviewing its options.
Update on the latest in business:
Dow: - 261.41 (10,97.90)
S&P 500: - 31.60 (1,064.88)
NASDAQ: - 70.03 (2,179.08)
Iran Guard firm pulls out of gas development deals
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran's Oil Ministry says the powerful Revolutionary Guard's engineering arm, recently hit by U.N. sanctions, has partially withdrawn from developing the giant South Pars natural gas field. The report on the ministry website Friday says Khatam al-Anbia and another Guard-linked firm, Sepanir, pulled out of implementing two phases of the South Pars project, which has 30 phases. The report gives no reason for the withdrawal, and both firms remain involved in other parts of the project. But the announcement comes after the United Nations in June targeted Khatam al-Anbia in new financial sanctions against Iran. Khatam al-Anbia is one of Iran's largest enterprises with stakes in mining, telecommunications and the oil and gas sector.
China reduces US Treasury debt holdings in May
WASHINGTON (AP) - China reduced its holdings of U.S. Treasury debt in May as total foreign holdings of government debt posted a slight increase. The Treasury Department says China's holdings fell by $32.5 billion to $867.7 billion. Total foreign holdings edged up a slight $5.8 billion to $3.96 trillion. The drop in China's holdings and the weak showing overall was a surprise. Analysts expected a sizable gain because they thought foreign investors would seek the safety of U.S. Treasury debt, responding to fears over the European debt crisis.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Lucille Ball letters, awards to be sold at auction
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Some of Lucille Ball's love letters and awards will be sold at auction after a judge ruled to block the sale but imposed a hurdle that the comedienne's daughter cannot overcome. Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill's attorney, Ronald Palmieri, says Ball's items will be sold Saturday at a Beverly Hills auction planned by Heritage Auction Galleries. While a judge agreed to block the sale Friday, he imposed a $250,000 bond that Luckinbill would have to pay to get a restraining order issued. Palmieri says the amount is too high and can't be met. Luckinbill is the daughter of Ball and first husband Desi Arnaz. She sought the return of some of the items after the widow of Ball's second husband, Gary Morton, offered them for sale. Morton remarried after Ball's 1989 death.
Aerosmith's Perry injured in motorcycle accident
MIDDLEBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) - Authorities say Aerosmith guitarist=Joe Perry was rear-ended by a car when he was riding a motorcycle, and he has been treated for minor injuries at a Massachusetts hospital. Middleborough police say Perry was on his 2009 Ducati Monster 696 early Thursday afternoon when he was struck from behind by a car driven by 62-year-old Linda O'Brien. Both vehicles were traveling at a low speed. The 59-year-old Perry, who lives in nearby Duxbury, was taken to a hospital and released a couple of hours later. A hospital spokeswoman did not release the nature of his injuries. O'Brien, who was not injured, was cited for following too closely. The accident is not expected to affect any of Aerosmith's scheduled concert dates.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)