Saturday, July 24, 2010

Investigator concludes fires were arson

SUNBURY – The fire that heavily damaged a Sunbury garage this morning was intentionally set. Pennsylvania State Police Fire Marshal Norman Fedder says the fire at 844 Edison Avenue was one of three arson fires reported. Two smaller fires were also reported along Edison Avenue.

The property is owned by Lynette Sheets of Sunbury, and occupied by tenant Patricia Hunter. A vehicle inside the garage was heavily damaged, but there was no confirmation of who owned it. The investigation will continue.

Crews from Sunbury, Shamokin Dam and Upper Augusta Township were involved in putting out the garage fire. Some volunteers from Northumberland and Point Township came to Sunbury to serve in a standby capacity.

Pennsylvania endures summer swelter

STATE COLLEGE -- Temperatures measured at the Penn Valley Airport could hit an all time high for the date this afternoon. The record for July 24th is 99 degrees, set in 1999. Today’s forecast high is 96, but we’ve gone over the forecast high on a number of occasions this summer.

AccuWeather Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski says a high pressure system to our south is spreading this potentially dangerous heat and humidity to Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and southern New England.

He also says the humidity and light cloud cover is keeping things from cooling off much at night. Thus, sunrise temperatures are already in the mid-70's, and only get hotter as the day progresses.

Recommendations for staying safe in the heat include limiting exposure to the sun during the midday hours, wearing loose fitting, light colored clothing, drinking plenty of non-alcoholic beverages, checking up on senior citizens, and making sure your pets have plenty of water. (Matt Farrand)

Governor signs death warrant for Sherwood and Dick

HARRISBURG -- Governor Ed Rendell has signed execution warrants for two people from our area. A warrant was signed for 31-year-old Brentt Sherwood who was convicted of 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 now scheduled for September 16th.

A warrant was also signed for 46-year-old Anthony Dick, who pleaded 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)

Much to do in Danville during the Iron Heritage Festival

DANVILLE -- The Iron Heritage Festival continues today in Danville. There is plenty to do today! All day there will be strolling entertainers, music, plenty of food and more. A 5K and tennis tournament take place this morning. Throughout the day, there will be the outhouse dig demonstrations along Mill Street.

Activities take place throughout downtown and in Danville Middle School. Tonight will close with fireworks on the river at 10:00p.m. Sunday, the Festival continues with a Fly-In at the Danville/Riverside Airport from 10:00a.m.-3:00p.m.

From noon-2:00p.m., there is a Reading Model Railroad and Antique Market in the Danville Middle School gym. The night will end at 6:30p.m. with a hymn sing at Montgomery Park on Water Street. A complete schedule of the Danville Iron Heritage Festival is online at www.wkok.com.

Kathryn's Kloset gives to those in need

SHAMOKIN DAM -- A Shamokin Dam church is doing their part for the community by giving out goods to those in need. Kathryn's Kloset is a program originally based in Baltimore, and is a program of Diakon Lutheran Ministries. Last year, St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Shamokin Dam became a partner and now runs a local branch of the program.

Lisa Yeager is the coordinator and says she is personally committed to the program. Yeager, who is disabled, was injured on the job over a dozen years ago. She says since then, she has had an outpour of community support and helping hands, and she wanted to do her part to help and give back. She says Kathryn's Kloset is her chance to do just that.

Laundry detergent and softener, cleaning supplies, and books are among the items that are collected and given out to local churches, food pantries, nursing homes, women's shelters, homeless shelters and more. Yeager says she hopes Kathryn's Kloset continues to grow, so they can help more and more people.

Every few months, volunteers from St. Matthews go to Baltimore to get the items. Yeager says volunteers are always needed to help drive or unload the truck. For more information about Kathryn's Kloset e-mail jmlvay@ptd.net. (Sara Bartlett)

Professor explains underemployment rate

SUNBURY – Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate is currently 9.5%, and is included in what’s known as the underemployment rate. Bucknell University Professor of Economics and International Relations Steven Stamos says the underemployment rate also includes people working part time looking for full time work.

He says it also includes people working full time but earning less than poverty level income, and a variety of people who’ve dropped out of the labor force. Stamos says the underemployment rate is now at about 16%.

He believes most who receive unemployment compensation really want to find work, though some may find it more practical to continue to receive benefits, if all they can find are minimum wage jobs. Professor Stamos’ entire comments can be heard online at www.wkok.com in Thursday’s edition of our On The Mark program. (Matt Farrand)

DiRocco gets huge raise as contract is renewed

LEWISBURG – Directors of the Lewisburg Area School District like what they see from Superintendent Dr. Mark DiRocco, so he has received a contract extension and a big raise. The board moved to retain the services of Dr. DiRocco for an additional five years as superintendent and CEO of the district.

Starting next year, his salary will increase over $30,000 to $154,000 annually. He currently earns about $ 123,000. The new agreement is a five year extension.

Dr. DiRocco has been a proponent of a series of long-term academic goals for the district, called Vision 20-20, and more recently began guiding the district through a facilities renovation project, which could conclude in a major facelift for Lewisburg area public schools. (Matt Farrand)

The state of the police department and Crimewatch—on Roundtable

SUNBURY – On 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

Drug bust in the Shamokin area, 14 people charged

SHAMOKIN – Ten people were arrested and the Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force has charged four others following a drug bust in the Shamokin area. 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.

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.

He 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 smallmouth 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 smallmouth 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)

Latest Pennsylvania news, business and entertainment

CHESWICK, Pa. (AP) - Firefighters at a natural gas well near Pittsburgh have extinguished a fire sparked by an explosion that killed two workers. A team of oil- and gas-well firefighting experts flew in from Texas to help local crews figure out how to put out the fire, which was being fed by natural gas. The explosion occurred at 9:50 a.m. yesterday at the well in a remote, wooded area of Indiana Township. A third worker, remarkably, was not injured. The resulting fire spewed thick, black smoke and scorched the maintenance team's truck, melting the tires. The fire was extinguished around 8:30 p.m.

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 says 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.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A landmark restaurant in Philadelphia is closing. Georges Perrier of Le Bec-Fin tells The Philadelphia Inquirer he plans to close his world-renowned French restaurant by spring. The 66-year-old Perrier says he's ready for a change after four decades at the helm of the downtown landmark. Le Bec-Fin is famous for elaborate meals and elegant decor. Perrier has put Le Bec-Fin's art deco building on the market for $3.9 million. The business itself is priced separately at $600,000, including the liquor license. Perrier says he is developing three new restaurants that will open next year.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - An unidentified man can be heard yelling for a boat to watch out on recordings of radio communications from a fatal duck boat crash in Philadelphia. The audio released Friday was taken from the emergency channel recorded by the Coast Guard on July 7 when a duck boat carrying 37 people became disabled in the Delaware River and was struck by a barge being pushed by a tug. The duck boat capsized and sank, killing two Hungarian tourists. A few minutes after the crash, the tugboat is heard telling the Coast Guard: "We are the ones that, I guess, capsized the duck boat. We're on scene, but we do have a barge along side so there's not too, too much we can do." The Coast Guard then told the tug's crew to throw lifejackets to survivors. The investigation into the accident continues.

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

Update on the latest in business

NEW YORK (AP) - Investors bought stocks again on the latest reassuring news about the economy. European regulators reported "stress tests" on the continent's banks showed only a handful would struggle if the economy weakens. That helped send the Dow up 102 points, the Nasdaq up 23 and the S&P up 9.

LONDON (AP) - All but 7 of 91 European banks passed the much-anticipated "stress tests" aimed at showing Europe's banking system is sound enough to weather the continent's debt crisis. European Union officials hope the findings will forestall further market turmoil.

WASHINGTON (AP) - New estimates from the White House project a record budget deficit of $1.47 trillion this year. That's actually a little better than the administration projected in February.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Obama administration's pay czar says he didn't try to recoup $1.6 billion in lavish compensation to top executives at bailed-out banks because he felt shaming the banks was punishment enough. Kenneth Feinberg says 17 banks receiving taxpayer money from the bailout made "ill-advised" payments to their executives.

NEW YORK (AP) - The wireless industry is suing the city of San Francisco to stop a law that requires cell phone stores to post how much radio energy each model emits. In the first suit of its kind, the trade group CTIA says the city is usurping the authority of the Federal Communications Commission.

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

Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers

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

Big 4

5-7-4-5

Cash 5

17-20-32-39-43

Daily Number

5-5-7

Evening Quinto

4-1-3-6-0

Mega Millions

16-19-39-44-49, Mega Ball: 26

Megaplier

2

Midday Big 4

3-8-5-4

Midday Number

7-1-0

Midday Quinto

5-6-5-1-7

Treasure Hunt

03-07-10-15-23

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

Wesley Snipes' attorneys want to question jurors

ATLANTA (AP) - Attorneys for Wesley Snipes say they want to question jurors who convicted the actor of tax-related charges to determine whether any had made up their minds about his guilt before trial. The motion filed Friday in Florida federal court says that an unnamed juror sent Snipes' attorney Daniel Meachum an e-mail claiming that three other jurors had presumed Snipe's guilt. The motion says that would violate Snipes' constitutional right to a fair trial. Snipes was convicted in 2008 of three misdemeanor counts of willful failure to file his income tax returns. The 47-year-old is free on an appeals bond. However, federal prosecutors in Florida have asked a judge to revoke the bond and order Snipes to begin serving a three-year sentence.

Publicist says Zsa Zsa Gabor in critical condition

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Zsa Zsa Gabor's publicist says the 93-year-old actress is hospitalized in critical condition after surgery to replace her right hip. Publicist John Blanchette says he spoke to Gabor's husband on Thursday and was told she was not doing well in the wake of her weekend surgery. However, Blanchette said Friday that he has not yet spoken to her doctor to confirm her condition. He says she was heavily sedated. Gabor broke her hip last Saturday when she tumbled out of bed while watching television when she tried to answer a telephone at her Bel-Air home. The Hungarian-born actress was partially paralyzed in a 2002 car accident.

Jobless bro OK with Boehner's benefits 'no' vote

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A brother of U.S. House Republican leader John Boehner would have seen his unemployment benefits dry up if the congressman had succeeded in his push to defeat an extension-of-benefits bill passed this week. Boehner and most fellow Republicans opposed the measure Thursday, but 61-year-old Bob Boehner said Friday he isn't bitter. Bob says he doesn't want his brother voting for government programs that aren't paid for, even if that hurts him. He lost his job with the southwest Ohio city of Reading in February. Sister Lynda Meineke says Bob is one of two brothers and two brothers-in-law back home who are out of work. The congressman told reporters before the vote that three brothers had lost jobs during the recession and he wasn't sure which if any had found work.