Saturday, July 17, 2010
Noted teen home from rehab, Seth Lauver gets big welcome
SELINSGROVE – Selinsgrove High School student Seth Lauver, who was critically injured in a crash following the Selinsgrove High School prom eight weeks ago, was welcomed home from a rehab facility last night. Lauver arrived home in the evening and friends, family and Selinsgrove students lined the streets with signs welcoming him back.
The 17-year-old from Winfield had been in Philadelphia for several weeks for treatment for a serious spinal cord injury sustained May 22nd. After spending several days at Geisinger Medical Center in critical condition, he was transferred to rehab. The other student injured in the crash, 17-year-old Alex Mullen, remains at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where she is being treated for a head injury.
Relatives of Mullen say Alex continues to make progress and will remain at the hospital for several more weeks. Still no word on whether charges will be filed in the accident. Lauver was driving and struck a vehicle that was parked along the road in Penn Township, while the motorist changed a tire. The vehicle was said to be partly in the road and unavoidable and the county D-Attorney is still investigating. (Ali Stevens)
Stormy Weather I: Thunderstorms cause damage in SnyCo & NorCo
SELINSGROVE – Strong thunderstorms moved through Snyder and Northumberland Counties Friday afternoon, knocking down trees and forcing debris onto area roads. Several lightening strikes were reported in the Selinsgrove area, including a home on Water Street where the chimney was destroyed. The Snyder County 9-1-1 Center was hit and suffered a 9-1-1 outage. All is normal there today.
Also high winds knocked some larger trees onto Market Street. There was other damage reported south of Selinsgrove, near Route 35 and the Selinsgrove Speedway. Hundreds were left without power in Selinsgrove and Port Trevorton.
In Northumberland County, gusty winds and heavy rain was reported. Trees were knocked down including one tree that hit a car along Route 147 near Northumberland. At the height of the outages, PPL reported that Snyder County had more than 900 customers without electricity, a handful area without power in Northumberland County.
Stormy Weather I: Snyder County 9-1-1: All is normal
MIDDLEBURG - A lightning strike rendered Snyder County's 9-1-1 center inoperable for a time Friday afternoon--but all is back to normal this morning. The 9-1-1 Center tells us, by midnight, they had the emergency calling system back up to normal. The problem began after a lightning strike damaged the center during the 3:00 p.m. storms.
During the outage, which began during the thunderstorms Friday afternoon, persons in need of fire or EMS had to call or go to their local emergency responders directly for service. Eventually, by evening, Northumberland County operators are able to take Snyder County's 9-1-1 calls and transfer them to Snyder County.
Unit 1 at the Susquehanna nuke shuts down safely
BERWICK – Unit 1 at PPL’s Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant near Berwick shut down safely Friday afternoon. PPL says operators made a conservative decision to shut the unit down following a leak of river water into the turbine building’s basement.
The river water entered the basement from a hatch that provides access to part of the unit’s condenser, which uses river water to cool the steam leaving the turbine. Following repairs, the operators will restore the system and return the unit to service. (Ali Stevens)
Traffic Switch On Veterans' Memorial Bridge Tuesday
SUNBURY -- Motorists who travel the Route 61 Veterans' Memorial Bridge between Shamokin Dam and Sunbury are advised that work zone traffic patterns will be changing on Tuesday, July 20. The contractor is finishing up phase one of the construction and will shift to phase two on Tuesday.
Traffic will be shifted to the completed half of the bridge so work can begin on the second half. The traffic pattern changes may take most of the day Tuesday to complete. Motorists should expect delays as the traffic patterns are switched. All work under the $1.8 million project is scheduled for a fall completion. (Matt Farrand)
Busy weekend in Selinsgrove
SELINSGROVE – It’s a busy weekend in Selinsgrove, with plenty of activities going on. Today is the annual Hops, Vines and Wines Festival in Selinsgrove, which is sold out. Those who purchased tickets will enjoy beer, wine and food from local restaurants from 2 to 6 p.m. today.
Tomorrow is Antiques on the Isle on the Isle of Que. There will be plenty of vendors selling antiques, crafts and other items throughout the morning and afternoon on the Isle of Que on Sunday. More information is available at www.selinsgrove.net.
Monday, Joe Snedeker, a weatherman for WNEP TV, will be stopping in Selinsgrove for several hours as part of Go Joe, a bike ride to benefit St. Joseph’s Children’s Center. There will be many events that day and you can hear more information on that Sunday and Monday on Newsradio 1070 WKOK. Tuesday, July 20th at 7:30 p.m., the Summer at the Gazebo concert series continues with Vic Boris performing. (Ali Stevens)
Health reasons cited in treasurer resignation
SUNBURY -- Northumberland County Treasurer Ronald Chamberlain is resigning, effective Friday, July 30th. Chamberlain cited ongoing health problems in a 24-word letter to commissioners Friday. Commissioner Vinny Clausi offered best wishes to the outgoing treasurer, and says the next challenge is making sure the treasurer's office functions well during an interim period.
Commissioners have an emergency meeting planned for Monday to discuss the matter. Chamberlain will reportedly work with the commissioners during a transition period. His resignation follows the resignation of deputy treasurer Shari Benick last week amid discrepancies in the office. (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. 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)
Latest Pennsylvania news, business, lottery and entertainment
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Two Pittsburgh-area TV stations are reversing a decision to pull a commercial attacking Democratic policies and the voting record of U.S. Senate candidate Joe Sestak. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce said yesterday that the stations are restoring the ad that the business advocacy group sponsored. An official for sister stations WPGH and WPMY declined comment. Sestak is a second-term congressman from the Philadelphia suburbs and had complained to stations about the accuracy of various statements in the ad. The stations told the Sestak campaign earlier this week that it pulled the ad because the claim that Sestak voted with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi 100 percent of the time is untrue. Sestak's Republican opponent Pat Toomey cites Congressional Quarterly statistics that show 97 percent of Sestak's votes aligning with Pelosi's.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Authorities in Pennsylvania have charged 11 people who they say operated a $6 million marijuana ring that stretched through several states. A state grand jury recommended the criminal charges filed yesterday against seven New York residents, three Pennsylvania residents and a man from Florida. Investigators estimate the ring based in Utica, N.Y., distributed approximately 2,000 pounds of marijuana in New York and Pennsylvania from December 2005 to June 2008. Authorities say it also supplied dealers in Fredericksburg, Va., and Charlotte, N.C. Attorney General Tom Corbett says the case is another phase in the investigation that resulted in drug charges against four Penn State students in April 2009.
MIDDLETOWN, Pa. (AP) - Police in south central Pennsylvania say a popular middle school teacher has been lying about having an inoperable brain tumor. Fifty-one-year-old Leslie Herneisey of Middletown allegedly faked documents to take sick leave. She faces 12 counts of forgery. Police say Herneisey missed work at Middletown Middle School over the years for treatment of a purported tumor. But her lack of symptoms made district officials suspicious. Lower Swatara Township police say Herneisey forged papers stating she needed weeks of chemotherapy and would be unable to teach. Det. Robert Appleby says Herneisey admitted the fabrication and resigned in May. She was arraigned last week and faces an Aug. 5 preliminary hearing. Her attorney, Terry McGowan, says Herneisey is battling depression.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP Business News
BP, scientists try to make sense of well puzzle
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Engineers are closely monitoring whether the massive cap holding back oil from BP's busted Gulf well is holding tight as the end of a critical 48-hour testing window approaches. Their round-the-clock work deciphering a puzzle of data from undersea robots and instruments at the wellhead has yielded
positive but inconclusive signs so far. Saturday afternoon will mark two full days since BP stopped the oil from leaking into the Gulf and entered into the pressure-testing phase. At that point engineers could offer more
definitive evidence that the cap is working, or call for more testing. At any time before then, they could also reopen the cap and allow some oil to spill into the sea. Scientists are watching for leaks either in the well itself or the sea floor.
Regulators shut banks in Fla, Mich, SC
WASHINGTON (AP) - Regulators have shut down three banks in Florida, two in South Carolina and one in Michigan, bringing to 96 the number of U.S. banks to succumb this year to the recession and mounting loan defaults. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. on Friday took over the banks: Woodlands Bank, based in Bluffton, S.C.; First National Bank of the South, based in Spartanburg, S.C.; Miami-based Metro Bank of Dade County; Turnberry Bank of Aventura, Fla.; Olde Cypress Community Bank of Clewiston, Fla.; and Mainstreet Savings Bank of Hastings, Mich.
Treasury prices extend gains in weak economic data
NEW YORK (AP) - More signs of a weak economy are sending Treasury prices up and interest rates down. A sharp drop in an indicator of consumer confidence released Friday was the latest blow to the U.S. economic outlook. Consumer confidence fell in July to its lowest point in nearly a year, according to a survey by the University of Michigan and Reuters. The downbeat news came days after the Federal Reserve dialed down its estimate for long-term economic growth. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.93 percent from 3 percent the day before. That yield helps set interest rates on mortgages and other kinds of loans.
Dow Jones Averages
30 industrials 10097.90 down 261.41 or -2.52 percent
20 transportation 4119.00 down 137.16 or -3.22 percent
15 utilities 377.65 down 6.10 or -1.59 percent
65 stocks 3477.18 down 91.25 or -2.56 percent
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn Friday:
Big 4
6-3-2-1
Cash 5
04-09-12-15-42
Daily Number
2-7-5
Evening Quinto
7-9-1-4-3
Mega Millions
02-15-18-20-39, Mega Ball: 34
Megaplier
3
Midday Big 4
3-4-1-1
Midday Number
6-7-8
Midday Quinto
0-1-3-6-3
Treasure Hunt
06-14-15-20-27
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Lindsay Lohan hires celebrity lawyer Shapiro
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Celebrity lawyer Robert Shapiro says he has agreed to represent Lindsay Lohan, who is scheduled to go to jail next week for a probation violation in a 2007 drug case. In a statement to The Associated Press, Shapiro said the conditions attached to his representation are that Lohan comply with terms of probation and the requirement of jail time. She is scheduled to begin serving a 90-day sentence on Tuesday.
Shapiro said he would be helping the actress get treatment to accomplish long-term recovery and sobriety. Shapiro, a key figure in O.J. Simpson's "dream team" of lawyers, has been involved in working for substance abuse treatment since the death of his son, Brent, from a drug overdose.
Bieber's 'Baby' is most-watched video on YouTube
NEW YORK (AP) - Justin Bieber's music video for "Baby" is the most-watched video ever on YouTube. The 16-year-old pop star's video passed Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" video to take the all-time lead. More than 246 million have watched Bieber's video on the Google Inc.-owned website. Bieber tweeted a thank you to "Beliebers" and said the video's success was "crazy." The singer wrote: "I started on youtube so ... WOW!"
Bieber's video and Lady Gaga's switched positions briefly Friday, but as of late afternoon, Bieber was ahead by more than 600,000 views. The most-watched clip on YouTube that isn't a music video is the popular "Charlie bit my finger" viral video, which more than 210 million have watched.
Activity-filled weekend for the Obamas
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama and his family are packing a lot of fun time into the weekend on the coast of Maine. Aides gave the Obamas a list of activities to choose from and they may have checked "all of the above." The trip is centered on Acadia National Park, a 47,000-acre gem that brackets the upscale Bar Harbor resort. The Obamas have gone biking on a lakeside trail, gazed out from the summit of Cadillac Mountain, the tallest peak on the eastern seaboard, and had a dockside dinner. And, there also time for ice cream -- coconut for the president, who says he highly recommends it. A boat ride across the bay was cut short when clouds and fog rolled in. The trip wraps up tomorrow.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)