Friday, July 23, 2010

Governor signs execution warrant for Brentt Sherwood

HARRISBURG -- Two convicted murderers from The Valley, are a step closer to execution. Governor Ed Rendell has signed execution warrants for two people from our area.  A warrant was signed for 31-year-old Brentt Sherwood who is charged with killing his 4-year-old stepdaughter, Marlee Rose Reed, in December 2004.  Sherwood was sentenced to death in Northumberland County Court in May 2007.  His execution is scheduled for September 16th.

A warrant was also signed for 46-year-old Anthony Dick, who plead guilty to shooting his 19-month-old son and four-year-old stepson while they slept.  The incident happened in January 2006 in Columbia County.  He is scheduled to be executed September 14th.  Both Dick and Sherwood are incarcerated at the State Correctional Institution in Greene County. (Sara Bartlett)

Drug bust in the Shamokin area, 14 people charged

SHAMOKIN – Ten people were arrested and four others have been charged following a drug bust in the Shamokin area by the Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force.  The drug bust took place yesterday morning and is being called “Phase 3” of an effort to stop drugs from entering the Shamokin area from surrounding cities. 

Those arrested in the sweep include:

29-year-old Boyd Lahr, a current inmate at the Northumberland County Prison

24-year-old Jeffrey Trice of Coal Township

27-year-old Jonathan Scott, a current inmate at the Union County Prison

38-year-old Heidi Rugh of Shamokin

21-year-old William Whispell Sr. of Shamokin

19-year-old Nicole Aikey of Shamokin

36-year-old Alba Wehr of Coal Township

21-year-old Rodney Cossari of Kulpmont

24-year-old Jonathan Gregory of Coal Township

22-year-old Christina Hepner of Shamokin

The defendants were arraigned before District Judge John Gembic of Shamokin with several of them detained in the Northumberland County Prison. 

The state of the police department and Crimewatch—on Roundtable

SUNBURY – On Newsradio 1070 WKOK’s Roundtable this weekend, we get a full update on the Sunbury Police Department, the Sunbury Crimewatch program, and a preview of the August 3rd National Night Out. The Roundtable panel discussion features Connie Beegle, the president of the city’s Crimewatch program.

She says the groups hold meetings, learn what to look for and patrol in groups. She said they don’t confront criminals, but rather summon city police when needed. Crimewatch and the police are holding a National Nation Out event in Cameron Park. 

You can find out more about Crimewatch and National Night Out in this weekend’s Roundtable. 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

Mifflinburg man charged with having sex with a 14-year-old girl

MIFFLINBURG -- A Mifflinburg man is charged with having sex with a 14-year-old girl.  The incident happened in Mifflinburg in June according to police. They tell us, 20-year-old Cord Knouse reportedly had sex with the girl in his bedroom and then claims he found out the next day that she was 15.   However, Knouse later admitted to police that he knew the girl was 14 before they had sex.  Knouse is charged with two second-degree felonies including statutory sexual assault.  (Ali Stevens)

Luzerne County teen injured in a crash on Interstate 80 in Northumberland County

TURBOTVILLE -- A teen from Luzerne County was injured in a crash Friday morning on Interstate 80 in Turbot Township, Northumberland County.  State police say the 15-year-old girl was a passenger in a vehicle driven by 51-year-old Bonnie Gemmell of Drums. 

Gemmell was heading west on I-80 around 6:45 a.m. when the vehicle spun out of control and struck a guide rail and a concrete bridge.  Gemmell and her 18-year-old front seat passenger, Lindy Gemmell, were not injured in the crash.  The 15-year-old girl was taken to Evangelical Community Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries.  No other vehicles were involved in that crash.  (Ali Stevens)

Selinsgrove woman facing assault charges

MIFFLINBURG -- A Selinsgrove woman is facing assault charges after hitting a Montgomery man with her vehicle.  Around 3:30p.m. Wednesday, 41-year-old Denise Klapp and 42-year-old  Steven Klapp were involved in an argument along Mile Run Road in West Buffalo Township, Union County.  Denise Klapp struck Steven Klapp several times. 

She then entered her vehicle and ran into Steven Klapp's motorcycle, where he was sitting.  Steven Klapp sustained minor face, arm and leg injuries.  Denise Klapp fled the scene.  Police are continuing the investigation. (Sara Bartlett)   

Fishing expert talks about the small-mouth bass population in the Susquehanna

SUNBURY – A local fishing expert says the smallmouth bass population is dwindling and more needs to be done to find out why.  Ken Maurer is a professional guide on the Susquehanna River, owns Southside Bait and Tackle in Sunbury and is a columnist in The Daily Item.  Maurer says there is still a good population of 'smallies' and some big ones, but there’s not as many fish as there were 10 to 15 years ago. 

And he says the quality of the river and lack of studies has an impact on the population.  Maurer says studies on the river should have been done 5 to 10 years ago that they are just now starting.  He believes pharmaceuticals making their way into the river, has impacted the small-mouth population.  Maurer says male small-mouth are being found with eggs, which is called fish inter-sexing. He says this happens because things like birth control pills make their way into the water. 

You can learn more about the decline of the small mouth population and the status of the Susquehanna River with Ken Maurer, who was a recent guest on WKOK’s On The Mark program.  Listen online to Thursday On The Mark at www.wkok.com.  (Ali Stevens)

Lewisburg school facilities architect asked to consider citizen's plan

LEWISBURG -- A collection of citizen's groups is calling for the Lewisburg Area School District to consider an additional option to their emerging facilities plans. A so-called "Option C" was unveiled to the school board, and calls for building a high school near the current Middle School, rather than on property held by the district in Kelley Township.

"Option C" would also turn the current high school into an elementary school. Brian Gockley of the Bull Run Neighborhood Committee says group took action when there seemed to be few alternatives to plans that could have left the current high school empty, and hurt the social fabric of the borough.

The school board agreed Thursday night to refer "Option C" on to architects who have been evaluating data collected, and will come up with cost estimates. The vote was 4-2, with board members Mary Brouse and Tara Unzicker-Fassero dissenting.

Though some board members were concerned that asking architects to consider a total of four options would delay the process, superintendent Dr. Mark DiRocco says they area still on track for final approval of a facilities plan in September or October. (Matt Farrand)

State, local education budgets depending on FMAP money

LEWISBURG -- A state senator is reminding local school districts that the federal government may not come through with $850 million already budgeted by the state. Senator Jeffrey Piccola (R-15th, Halifax) sent a letter to school superintendents this week, warning that local districts could have to reopen budget discussions.

The problem is, Congress does not yet extend the 2010-2011 Federal Medicare Assistance Program. Lewisburg Area School Superintendent Dr. Mark DiRocco says the FMAP money has local consequences, in that a teaching position could be cut if the $83,000 state subsidy does not materialize.

DiRocco has previously said that the position at Kelly Elementary School was previously added in anticipation of higher enrollment. Piccola's letter said the recently approved state budget would also have to be reopened and adjusted if Congress fails to approve the extension of FMAP funds. (Matt Farrand)

Northumberland man in prison after sexually assaulting teens

NORTHUMBERLAND -- A Northumberland man is in jail after having sexual contact with two teen girls. 21-year-old Thomas Sechler is accused of having sex with a 13-year-old girl on two occasions, and having sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl. The incidents happened between April and May of this year.

Sechler faces charges including involuntary sexual deviate intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, statutory sexual assault and corruption of minors. He is in Northumberland County Prison on $90,000 bail and has a preliminary hearing next week. (Sara Bartlett)

Visitors Bureau will promote, but not fund, new slide at Liberty Splashland

LEWISBURG -- The decision for the Susquehanna Valley Visitors Bureau to not help fund a new bowl slide at Liberty Splashland in Northumberland is simply due to the Bureau's mission statement. That's according to the Bureau's Executive Director Andrew Miller, who says they do not fund capital projects. He says the mission statement states that the Bureau is in the business to promote projects.

In addition, funding projects may jeopardize their non-profit status. Northumberland Borough Council President Greg Carl had recently asked the Northumberland County Commissioners for the remaining $40,000 to complete the slide. On Tuesday, Carl was under the impression that the commissioners would meet with the Visitor's Bureau, who in turn would give the money to Northumberland Borough.

Miller says the Bureau will continue to promote Liberty Splashland as part of a very valuable tourist attraction in our area. According to Northumberland County Chief Clerk Kymberly Best, the commissioners are still committed to helping with the Liberty Splashland project, and will continue to look for a funding stream. (Sara Bartlett)

Major campaign aimed at motorcycle safety following several area crashes

SUNBURY – There have been several motorcycle crashes in the news recently and WKOK is taking a look at the issue of motorcycle safety, following the death of several motorcyclists and several others who were critically injured. PennDOT is working to get more motorcycle riders to enjoy riding, but also ride safely and live through the experience.

Danielle Klinger of PennDOT says the Live Free Ride Alive documentary will be unveiled in Carlisle this weekend at the city’s bike show and it features riders from Pennsylvania that were followed by PennDOT to learn more about motorcycle riding in the state. The documentary can be seen on the website www.livefreeridealive.com.

Klinger also reminds those riding on motorcycles to have the proper attire on, including a helmet, gloves, long pants, long sleeve shirt and eyeglasses.

Recently, a woman from Montgomery County, Beverly Latshaw, was killed in a motorcycle crash near Elysburg and was not wearing a helmet. Her husband Thomas, who also wasn’t wearing a helmet, remains hospitalized at Geisinger Medical Center in serious condition. (Ali Stevens)

Work begins next week on a bridge over Shamokin Creek

SUNBURY – Work starts Monday on the Route 61 bridge over Shamokin Creek at the east end of Sunbury. A two-week detour is planned while the contractor paints the existing bridge. The truck detour will direct trucks out Reagan Street to Snydertown Road to Black Mill Road and back to Route 61.

The car detour will take 11th Street in Sunbury to Snydertown Road, Black Mill Road and onto Route 61. This will be a signed-detour that will last two weeks. This bridge preservation work is part of a multi-bridge painting contract involving seven bridges in three counties. (Ali Stevens)

Three vehicle crash after a Middleburg man has a seizure while driving

SUNBURY – A Middleburg man had a seizure while driving, causing a crash on Snydertown Road Wednesday afternoon. State police say 49-year-old Nicholas Panarese lost control of his van on Snydertown Road outside Sunbury around 4:30 p.m. colliding with three other vehicles. The drivers of the other vehicles were not hurt in the accident. Traffic was tied up for a time following the crash on Snydertown Road. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, business and entertainment

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - State officials say the new federal extension of unemployment checks will help nearly 200,000 Pennsylvanians who lost the benefit in the past seven weeks, or were about to lose it next week.  Labor & Industry Secretary Sandi Vito said Friday that everyone who is eligible for the extension will be notified by mail shortly.  The federal law is retroactive, meaning that everyone who is eligible can be paid for each week they were unemployed after the previous law expired June 5.  Vito says people who continued to file their biweekly claims will get the payment next week. Those who didn't can file now, preferably online to ensure quick processing.  The law authorizes the continuation of the 99-week benefit through Nov. 27. Normally, benefits are limited to 26 weeks.

INDIANOLA, Pa. (AP) - Crews are waiting to see when they can shut off a valve at a gas well where an explosion killed two people so they can put out the last fire burning there.  The natural gas well where welders were believed to be working exploded Friday, killing two people and sparking a fire that spewed black smoke for hours in a remote, wooded area of Indiana Township, northeast of Pittsburgh, police say. Firefighters were able to douse most of the flames with foam, but part of the blaze continued to burn.  The blast's cause was still not known.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Philadelphia's Streets Department has failed to compile safety reports for tour vehicles like the amphibious boat that sank in the Delaware River last month, killing two Hungarian tourists. KYW-AM reports the department has never assembled the reports since it was first required in 2006. The  reports would have included information on traffic violations and land and water accidents for tour vehicles including the type of duck boat that sank after being struck by a barge while stopped in the river.  Deputy Streets Commissioner Steve Buckley tells KYW current staff was unfamiliar with the code.  Buckley says officials have found duck boats were involved in 31 incidents in 2008 and 2009. None involved injuries.  He says the department is looking for the data for 2007 and 2006.

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - A good government group says the oil and gas industry is drawn to Pennsylvania's lucrative Marcellus Shale to drill for natural gas and pours millions of dollars into state election campaigns and lobbying efforts. Pennsylvania Common Cause projects coordinator Alex Kaplan says the money is aimed at keeping Pennsylvania from adopting an oil and gas severance tax. Kaplan said Thursday at a Scranton forum on Marcellus issues that since 2007 industry lobbyists have spent $4.2 million and have ducked a severance tax common in other states. State Rep. Kevin Murphy told about 135 northeast Pennsylvania residents at the forum he supports a drilling moratorium but isn't opposed to gas extraction. The Lackawanna Democrat says he doesn't accept gas industry money. Drillers say they're victims of anti-capitalist demonization and misinformation.

CANONSBURG, Pa. (AP) - Some of the dozens of people speaking at a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency hearing last night in southwestern Pennsylvania said a natural gas drilling technique that involves pumping chemical-laced water deep into the earth has poisoned them or their well water. Drilling into the rich Marcellus Shale gas reserve primarily beneath Pennsylvania, New York and West Virginia is growing rapidly, and the oil and gas industry says hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, has been proven safe for decades. Fracking is currently exempt from federal regulation and is governed by states. The hearing is a part of the EPA's study of fracking's effect on drinking water. Many speakers urged a stop to it or strong, new federal rules. Industry representatives say it's a crucial tool in the nation's energy future and state regulation is adequate.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Students in Pennsylvania's 14 state-owned universities are in line for a 4.5 percent tuition increase next year. The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education's governing board has passed a $1.5 billion budget that also includes a $26 jump in the technology fee for full-time resident students. Tuition will typically go up by about $250. For a full-time, resident undergraduate, it will be just over $5,800. An on-campus resident student can expect to pay about $15,000 for tuition, fees, housing and meals next year. The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education currently enrolls nearly 117,000 students.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Documents from a recent preliminary hearing show Republican state Sen. Jane Orie and her sister, a Supreme Court justice, sought guidance about ethics issues from a woman who claims to hear whispered advice from angels. Orie and a third sister, Janine, were ordered Wednesday to stand trial on charges they used Orie's taxpayer-funded staff to do campaign work for the senator and their sister, Justice Joan Orie Melvin. Janine is an aide to Melvin, who hasn't been charged but was named in e-mails with the senator about the spirit guide. A grand jury is investigating Melvin's possible involvement in the ethics scheme. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette first reported that a search warrant for e-mailed records shows the senator and justice sought advice last fall from a woman they called the "angel lady." An attorney for Melvin did not immediately return calls yesterday, but the senator's attorney, William Costopoulos, dismissed the information as "irrelevant."

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

Updates on the latest in business:

Dow: 10,424.62, up 102.32,

S&P 500: 1,102.66, up 8.99

NASDAQ: 2,269.47, up 23.58

NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks are higher as investors assess the strength of European banks following the results of regulatory reviews. They're also looking at another batch of earnings reports for clues about economic growth. With two hours of trading left, the Dow was up 75 points, the Nasdaq was ahead 13 and the S&P had gained 6.

LONDON (AP) - Seven of 91 European banks have failed stress tests aimed at measuring their strength in case the continent's government debt crisis takes a turn for the worse. European Union officials say the tests were tough, and show their banking system is resilient enough to weather a slower economy and more turbulence on financial markets.

NEW YORK (AP) - General Electric says it's raising its quarterly dividend by 2 cents because of its improving financial performance. It's the company's first increase since it deeply slashed payments to shareholders last year to save cash.

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama has proclaimed this a week of "enormous progress" in fixing economic problems and cracking down on Wall Street. Speaking to reporters at the White House, the president also prodded the Senate to do even more by passing tax credits for small businesses.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Treasury Department says it will sell 1.5 billion shares of Citigroup stock over the next two months. It's the latest effort to recoup money from the government's $700 billion financial bailout

Dow begins higher...world markets up...unemployment may take a few weeks for some

NEW YORK (AP) - Fresh off the biggest stock rally in two weeks, investors are hoping their luck holds out today. The Dow was up 201 points yesterday on the strength of positive earnings reports from UPS, Caterpillar and other companies. Ford, McDonald's and Verizon Communications are among those who will release their earnings and outlooks today.

BANGKOK (AP) - World stock markets were up Friday. Nearly all Asian stock markets advanced and Europe also was in an upbeat mood . Japan's Nikkei jumped 2.3 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 index was up 0.1 percent. Germany's DAX added 0.6 percent and France's CAC-40 rose 0.5 percent. Wall Street was set for a higher opening, with Dow futures up 0.5 percent.

SINGAPORE (AP) - Oil prices held above $79 a barrel Friday in Asia. Benchmark crude for September delivery was down 1 cent at $79.29 a barrel at late afternoon Singapore time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract surged $2.74 on Thursday to settle at $79.30, a 10-week high, as stock markets jumped on better-than-expected second quarter corporate earnings.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal unemployment checks for Americans out of work at least six months should begin flowing again starting next week now that President Barack Obama has signed a restoration of benefits into law. Officials say unemployment checks for people in Pennsylvania and New York should start going out the, but it could take a few weeks for people in Nevada and North Carolina.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Community banks may soon be able tap a $30 billion government fund to help them increase lending to small businesses. A measure creating the fund overcame a Republican filibuster in the Senate Thursday evening. Democrats say banks should be able to use the money to leverage up to $300 billion in loans to small businesses, helping to loosen tight credit markets.

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

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn Friday:

 Mega Millions

     Estimated jackpot: $16 million

 Midday Big 4

     3-8-5-4

Midday Number

     7-1-0

Midday Quinto

     5-6-5-1-7

Powerball

     Estimated jackpot: $52 million

 Treasure Hunt

     03-07-10-15-23

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

AL JARREAU HOSPITALIZED

PARIS (AP) -- Al Jarreau is in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Paris, but hopes to be back on the road next week. Jarreau was taken to the hospital after having trouble breathing before a concert in a town in the Alps. Jarreau decided to admit himself when he wasn't adjusting to the altitude. He's 70. His manager says Jarreau hopes to perform in Nuremberg, Germany, next Thursday.

MTV SCORES BEST ON REPRESENTING GAYS

NEW YORK (AP) -- A gay rights group gives MTV the best score on how gays are represented in their programs. MTV got an "excellent" rating for devoting 42 percent of its original primetime programming to gay, bisexual and transgender people.  GLAAD praised "The Real World" and "America's Best Dance Crew." It also singled out ABC for its portrayal of the gay couple Mitchell and Cameron on "Modern Family." GLAAD also praised Fox for the storyline where Kurt comes out to his father on "Glee." The networks at the bottom of the list are CBS, USA, A-and-E and TBS.

BASEBALL WEDDING

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) - There's a diamond in bride-to-be Jaclyn Valvoda's future. But it's a baseball diamond. She and Brandon Smith will be married on Roosevelt Field, in Mason City, Iowa, July 31. Smith played there while going to Mason City High. He the tells the Globe Gazette that he has so many memories as a player and a coach. But it was his fiancée’s idea to have a baseball field wedding. On the big day, both the bride and groom will be escorted out to the pitcher's mound by their parents. Then they'll walk to home plate where the ceremony will take place. It's not likely anybody will be arguing with the ump's call.

Archaeologists make new find near Stonehenge

LONDON (AP) - Archaeologists have made a new find near Stonehenge - another ceremonial monument only a few hundred yards (meters) from the stone circle. Scientists from Britain as well as teams from Austria, Germany, Norway and Sweden made the new discovery at the start of a new project to map the site. They found a second henge-like structure - a circular area thought to have once held a wooden structure. Professor Vince Gaffney of the University of Birmingham said Thursday the new find will completely change the way we think about the landscape around Stonehenge. The origins of Stonehenge are unclear, but the ancient stone circle in southern England is one of the country's biggest tourist draws. The World Heritage site is particularly popular during the summer and winter solstices.

Oldest American enjoys 114th birthday

JACKSONVILLE, Texas (AP) - Happy 114th Eunice Sanborn. Or is it 115th? Sanborn is the nation's oldest person and the second oldest in the world. The Gerontology Research Group in Los Angeles lists Sanborn as being born on July 20, 1896, but she insists she was born a year earlier, in 1895. In any case, Sanborn had a birthday party earlier this week at the First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Texas. A local paper (Tyler Morning Telegraph) reports about 100 people helped the nation's most-senior, senior citizen celebrate.

iPhone Theft-GPS

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - A man accused of swiping an Apple iPhone out of a woman's hand in San Francisco may have been shocked when police found him only nine minutes later. It turns out the phone had been tracking his every move. The iPhone was being used to test a new, real-time GPS tracking application, and the woman holding it was an intern for the software's maker, Mountain View-based Covia Labs. Covia CEO David Kahn had sent the intern into the street to demonstrate the software. Police say Horatio Toure snatched it and sped away on a bicycle. Khan was watching a live map of the phone's location on a computer and says he was immediately struck by how quickly the image began moving down the street. Police arrested Toure nine minutes later, and the intern identified him as the thief.

Cranky judge deflates tire

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Call it a case of judge rage. A county judge in Maryland is being suspended for five days without pay. Judge Robert Nalley deflated the tire of a courthouse cleaning woman who had parked in his space. The state's highest court ordered the suspension and said Nalley must complete it within 30 days. He also pleaded guilty to tampering with a vehicle in connection with tire case.