Friday, July 30, 2010
Tim Bowers resigns as NorCo solicitor, plans ‘D-A’ run
SUNBURY – Looks like the Montour County D-A could have some competition next year. Attorney Tim Bowers, currently the Northumberland County solicitor, announced his resignation from that job and said he plans to seek public office in Montour County.
Bowers lives in Sunbury but has—or will soon—move to Montour County. He declined to elaborate on what public office he may seek, but he is widely rumored as a candidate for District Attorney next year. Bowers would only say in his letter of resignation, that there is significant interest in having me pursue a public opportunity. Asked if he was running for D-A, Bowers would not comment.
Bowers was appointed Northumberland County solicitor in April of this year and replaced Vincent Rovito. Bowers resignation is effective September 3rd. Robert Buehner, the Montour County District Attorney, has not yet announced his reelection intentions and has not returned a call from the WKOK newsroom. (Mark Lawrence)
Delays continue at Route 11/54 signal, more repairs coming
DANVILLE -- The traffic signal at the Route 54 and Route 11 intersection in Danville may look like it is functioning properly, but those who travel through it frequently may notice a delay. Wednesday, a contractor doing work at the intersection accidentally cut the main line to the traffic signals.
It caused backups and police were in the road directing traffic much of the day. Danville Police Chief Eric Gill tells us the whole system has to be rewired. PennDOT doesn't allow temporary replacement of traffic signals. The rewiring work will be done in the upcoming weeks. Gill says at that time, police would again have to direct traffic, but they hope to do that later in the evening.
For now, the signal is working, but Gill says there may be a one to two minute delay, as the lights in each direction are set to change after the maximum time regardless of how many vehicles are waiting. (Sara Bartlett)
Solicitor says Mahoning Township sewer project is by the books
DANVILLE -- The Mahoning Township solicitor is responding to claims by eight property owners that they overcharged for a recent sewer project. Attorney Rick Shoch says when a new sewer line was installed along Red Lane, there were three other simultaneous projects happening in the township.
He said the engineering firm involved combined the costs of all three projects the first time a bill was issued. Residents never saw that bill, and the authority asked that the projects' costs be broken down. Shoch says the firm did then send a breakdown.
Last week, Red Lane resident Bob Bomboy told us Red Lane residents were being overcharged. He said they were being made to pay for the other projects. Shoch says the residents were told in advance that the costs would be high and they have worked out an agreement with Bomboy and others. The township did offer a long term payment plan for residents who couldn’t foot the cost of the sewer connections.
In addition, he adds that the Mahoning Township Municipal Authority has footed the bill for nearly $10,000 in additional work that was never passed along to Red Lane residents. (Sara Bartlett)
River enthusiasts encouraged to join paddle
UNDATED -- A 12-mile paddle down the Susquehanna River is coming up soon in the Valley. Canoe and kayak enthusiasts are invited to paddle from Milton State Park to Shikellamy State Park. Mark Cox is the coordinator of the second annual paddle between the parks. He says experienced boaters and first timers are both welcome.
Last year, there were 60 kayakers and canoeists that took part, and Cox says they came from all over Pennsylvania. The paddle is sponsored by Friends of Milton State Park and Friends of Shikellamy State Park. When finished, participants can enjoy lunch at Shikellamy State Park.
The paddle will begin at 8:00a.m. Saturday, August 7th. It is $25 for individuals over 18, and $15 for those under 18. To register for paddle between the parks you can e-mail shikstatepark@verizon.net, or call 286-4974. (Sara Bartlett)
Penn State has the annual ‘quarterback question’
HUMMELS WHARF – The Penn State Nittany Lions are now practicing for the fall season and as is occasionally the much talked about question: Who will be the starting quarterback for the Lions?
Steve Jones, the ‘voice of the Nittany Lions,’ the broadcast announcer on the Penn State Radio Network, told WKOK, the race is down to four hopefuls, Robert Bolden, Kevin Newsome, Paul Jones and Matt McGloin. Jones said the quarterback decision is completely up in the air and he said a wise coach wouldn’t even hint at a starter until the first game is a week away.
Jones appeared at the annual Penn State Kick-off meet and greet for the sponsors who support all of the Sunbury Broadcasting Corporation sports broadcasts. Jones said Penn State has a chance to have a great year, but will have a tough time on the road at Iowa, Minnesota and Ohio State. Newsradio 1070 WKOK has its first Penn State game of the season five weeks from now, on Saturday, September 4th with Youngstown State visiting Happy Valley.
National Night Out around the Valley
UNDATED -- Local law enforcement is gearing up for Tuesday's National Night Out. Many communities in the Valley are holding evening events. The night is aimed to heighten awareness of crime and drug abuse, generate support of local anti-crime programs and strengthen the police-community partnership.
- In Lewisburg, from 5:00p.m.-8:00p.m. in Lewisburg Area Recreation Park on St. Mary Street there will be free swimming and food, pony rides, petting zoo, sports for kids, skate demonstrations, and a range of police, fire and emergency service personnel will be in attendance.
- Milton's National Night Out will take place in Brown Avenue Park from 6:00p.m.-9:00p.m. There will be free food, as well as free swimming. The search and rescue dogs will be there, along with police personnel. Something new this year is the DUI course, where participants can simulate driving drunk to show how dangerous and deadly it can be. There will also be raffles and giveaways.
- In Montour County, Danville Police will host the night at Sunnybrook Park starting at 5:00p.m. Swimming will be free all day, and at night there will be games and prizes. Also, at the Exchange Pool swimming will also be free and there will be a number of activities also starting at 5:00p.m.
- In Sunbury, National Night Out events will take place in Cameron Park from 5:00p.m.-9:00p.m. Free food and drink will be available and National Guard members, firefighters and police will all be on hand.
State House hopeful says PFA issue brought up by state party leaders
SUNBURY – Democrat George Zalar says the voters are best equipped to determine whether the Protection From Abuse order issued against his Republican opponent is a serious campaign issue. Zalar appeared on our Leaders & Lawmakers program, and says it was state Democratic leaders that brought up the issue of the 18-year-old PFA against Republican Kurt Masser.
Masser admitted to grabbing and kicking his now ex-wife Paula, and held a recent news conference to take responsibility for the incident and attribute it to marriage at a young age, and the pressures of adulthood. Meantime, Zaler regrets that party officials brought the issue back to life.
Coal Township Supervisor Zalar and Northumberland County Commissioner Masser each hope to fill the seat in the state house being vacated by Democrat Bob Belfanti (D-107th, Mount Carmel), who is retiring. You can hear Zalar’s comments in their entirety from Thursday’s Leaders & Lawmakers program online at www.wkok.com (Matt Farrand)
Bombing survivor talks about her experience
SELINSGROVE -- It's a scene that replays in Lori Ssebulime's mind over and over. The Selinsgrove resident was one of six church missionaries in Uganda July 11th when a bomb went off. She says she doesn't remember the actually explosion, but remembers seeing grey smoke, bodies on the ground and hearing screams.
The events that followed included a trip to the hospital, trying to find the five others in the group, hearing news that three of their Ugandan friends had died, including the pastor of the church that the group was working with.
While the other group members, Pam and Thomas Kramer of Winfield, Joanne Kerstetter of Selinsgrove and her granddaughter Emily Kerstetter of Maryland and Kris Sledge of Selinsgrove remained in the hospital, Ssebulime went back to see the devastation at the restaurant site where she met with the FBI, Ugandan Police and U.S. Embassy, where she heard more about what was suspected to be a suicide bomber.
She says it made her blood run cold to know that the group could have been sitting with, even talking to, a person that knew he was about to let a bomb go off. The U.S. Department of State flew Ssebulime's brother to Uganda and had him accompany her on the plane trip home.
Upon returning to her Selinsgrove house, she says she feels blessed. She says sometimes she doesn't know what to pray for, but she knows that people in the community were praying for the missionaries. She calls the community amazing for all of their support, and reiterates how grateful she is for the kindness and prayers.
While in Uganda, the group was building a fence around a school. Ssebulime says the mission isn't done. She says the group would go back to Uganda with no questions asked. Emily Kerstetter remains in a South African hospital receiving surgery on her leg. Kris Sledge and Joanne Kerstetter and in U.S. hospitals.
Sledge is recovering from deep wounds and a broken leg, while Kerstetter is recovering from facial wounds, hearing loss and a broken arm. Thomas and Pam Kramer have returned home with their injuries, and Pam is facing more surgery. You can read more about the group and their mission online at our website wkok.com. (Sara Bartlett)
Watsontown solider dies in Colorado accident
FORT CARSON, CO -- A U.S. Army soldier from Watsontown died after an accident in Fort Carson, Colorado. 23-year-old Specialist Terry Ryan II drowned while trying to retrieve a boat on a reservoir Sunday morning. Ryan's body was found about an hour after he drowned. He was taken to Evans Army Community Hospital and pronounced dead.
Ryan, who joined the Army in 2007, was part of the 204th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry, and was a motor transport operator. He served in Iraq from August 2008 to August 2009. There, he earned medals including an Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal and two Army Commendation Medals.
Ryan was a father to a son and daughter, and is survived by his parents, sister, two grandmothers and many aunts and uncles. A viewing will be held at Cronrath-Grenoble Funeral Home in Watsontown Tuesday from 5:00p.m.-8:00p.m. A funeral will be held Wednesday at 11:00a.m. in the same location, and a burial with full military honors will follow at Green Lawn Memorial Park in Montgomery. (Sara Bartlett)
New heath center to open next month
SELINSGROVE – The former St. Pius X church building on University Avenue has been transformed into a new health center, thanks to a partnership between Geisinger Medical Center and Susquehanna University. The building will soon serve as the new student health center for Susquehanna, but will also serve the greater Selinsgrove Community.
Carol Tevis, director of the Children’s Miracle Network at Geisinger Medical Center says key specialty care services will be provided at the clinic along with pediatric care. The 16,000-square-foot facility will expand the space, hours of operation and number of practitioners and services currently available at Susquehanna’s existing student health center.
Tevis says CMN dollars allowed for this project to happen with a grant to get the project going. The new clinic is expected to open in middle or late September. It will be open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for pediatric urgent care services. (Ali Stevens)
Joblessness rising in The Valley
UNDATED -- Unemployment rates in the Valley's surrounding counties all rose from May to June. Montour County remains at the lowest unemployment with 7.2%, up from 7% in May. Both Union and Snyder Counties rose .3%, and are now at 9.8% and 9.4% respectively.
Northumberland County remains at the highest unemployment rate at 10.2%, up from 10% in May. June's national unemployment rate is 9.5%, while the rate in Pennsylvania is 9.2%. (Sara Bartlett)
Raising money for Milton fire victims
MILTON – A fundraiser is being held on Saturday to raise money for the victims of a devastating fire on Front Street in Milton in early July. Wayne Reich is administrator at the Milton Moose and tells us they wanted to raise money for the victims of the fire that destroyed a dry cleaning business and an apartment building and will host a chicken barbeque.
Reich says there were several people impacted by the fire, including the owner of Vogel’s Dry Cleaners, a resident living in an apartment above the dry cleaners and four families living in the apartment building. The chicken barbeque is Saturday at the Milton Moose Family Center.
Chicken will be served starting at noon. The chicken is $8.00 and includes a half-chicken, macaroni salad, baked beans, coleslaw and a roll. Donations will also be accepted the day of the event. You can also contact the Moose to reserve your chicken in advance, since dinners are selling fast. (Ali Stevens)
State police investigate a burglary at a home in Beaver Springs
BEAVER SPRINGS – State police are investigating a burglary at a home in Beaver Springs sometime this week. Troopers say someone entered the home along Route 522 and removed a lock box containing important papers such as a birth certificate, bank statements and a title to a vehicle.
Also removed was about $1,000 in cash. Anyone with information on the incident, taking place between Tuesday morning and Thursday morning is asked to contact State Police at Selinsgrove. (Ali Stevens)
Mifflinburg man charged with aggravated assault on two police officers
MIFFLINBURG – A Mifflinburg man has been charged with aggravated assault and other counts after police say he almost hit two police officers with his vehicle. 23-year-old Milford Hoover was witnesses squealing his tires and speeding through Mifflinburg and police were called to the scene.
Hoover then allegedly put the car in reverse and nearly hit two officers who had their guns drawn. Hoover eventually got out the vehicle and surrendered following the incident on July 11th. Police say Hoover had just broken up with a girlfriend prior to the incident. (Ali Stevens)
Latest Pennsylvania news, business, lottery and entertainment
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge is contributing his consulting services to an organization that consists of many of the businesses involved in drilling for natural gas in the massive Marcellus Shale formation. The Marcellus Shale Coalition announced Friday that the two-term Republican governor and former U.S. Homeland Security secretary had agreed to serve as strategic adviser. A coalition spokesman says Ridge's communications and policy groups will be paid $75,000 a month for help in such areas as public outreach, education and coalition building.
CLEARFIELD, Pa. (AP) - A central Pennsylvania man has been convicted for a third time of killing his teenage romantic rival in 1997. A Clearfield County judge immediately sentenced 28-year-old Andrew Callahan to life in prison after Thursday's verdict. The Pennsylvania Superior Court had overturned Callahan's two previous convictions in the killing of 16-year-old Micah Pollock on Nov. 5, 1997. The appeals court cited improper jury instructions in both decisions. Callahan and Pollock were classmates at Glendale High School in Flinton, about 90 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Callahan has claimed a gun accidentally discharged while the two were hunting. But prosecutors say Callahan killed Pollock over jealousy that Pollock was dating Callahan's ex-girlfriend.
DRUMORE, Pa. (AP) - Emergency crews in central Pennsylvania have been looking for a 19 year-old man who went missing after diving into the Susquehanna River. Pennsylvania State Police say the teenager was diving off a cliff with friends in southern Lancaster County around 6 p.m. Thursday. Officials say he never resurfaced. Dive teams were called in to search the water and canines were searching on the ground. It happened at a popular gathering spot near the Ferncliff Wildflower and Wildlife Preserve, where the 20- to 30-foot cliffs offer dramatic views of the river. Crews are expected to resume the search Friday.
SEWICKLEY, Pa. (AP) - Officials in Allegheny County say a sewage plant employee became faint and died while working in a 30-foot hole, and three other people who tried to rescue him were overcome by an unknown gas and had to be hospitalized. Sewickley Borough Manager Kevin Flannery identified the dead worker as 31-year-old Jack Hogan of Baden. Flannery says Hogan was hired in June, and his wife had a baby about eight weeks ago. Flannery says Hogan was working in the hole and fell back into it as he was trying to climb out yesterday afternoon. All three people who tried to help were overcome by fumes. The origin of the fumes isn't clear, but Flannery says emergency workers did detect a small amount of methane gas when they arrived. The plant is owned by the borough and is still in operation. Construction will continue Monday on a $5 million upgrade that Hogan was working on with the others.
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (AP) - A central Pennsylvania man will spend five to 11 years in prison for what authorities say was a drunken boating crash that killed a 12-year-old girl. A Clinton County judge sentenced 52-year-old John Englert II of Mill Hall yesterday, just over a year after the fatal accident. Prosecutors say Englert's blood-alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit for driving when his boat collided with another on the Susquehanna River in Lock Haven. Bellefonte Middle School student Valerie Heidt of Howard died in the crash. Englert pleaded no contest earlier this month to homicide by watercraft while under the influence.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Update on the latest in business
Updates on the latest in business:
Dow: 10,494.67, up 27.51
S&P 500: 1,106.26, up 4.73
NASDAQ: 2,263.75, up 12.06
Stocks down...GDP estimates, revisions...Obama in auto country
NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks have pared earlier losses. The key averages remain in negative territory.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The government has been fine-tuning estimates of where the economy has been. Growth was stronger than thought in the first quarter and weaker in the second. Growth in the April-to-June quarter is said to have expanded at an annual rate of 2.4 percent.
DETROIT (AP) - Speaking in the heart of the nation's auto-producing area, President Barack Obama today hailed his efforts to restructure the industry. Speaking at a Chrysler plant, where a second shift was recently added, Obama said the industry is "growing stronger".
BILOXI, Miss. (AP) - BP's incoming CEO is saying that it's time for a "scaleback" of the massive effort to clean up the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. At the same time, Bob Dudley stressed the commitment to make things right is intact.
WASHINGTON (AP) - A bill aimed at improving air safety has won final approval in Congress and is headed to President Barack Obama's desk. The legislation was developed in response to the crash of a commuter jet near Buffalo last year that killed 50 people.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn Friday:
Mega Millions
Estimated jackpot: $33 million
Midday Big 4
4-5-4-9
Midday Number
3-9-4
Midday Quinto
2-1-3-0-2
Powerball
Estimated jackpot: $85 million
Treasure Hunt
14-17-19-24-30
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Reaction to Ellen leaving Idol
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Ryan Seacrest will be missing Ellen DeGeneres on "American Idol." Seacrest tweets that he spoke to DeGeneres last night. He called her "one of the kindest and most talented people in Hollywood." Simon Cowell tells the Hollywood Reporter that he grew to "really, really like" DeGeneres in her one season on Idol. He says he has "huge respect for her because she's always been in control of her own destiny." DeGeneres says she quit Idol because she couldn't handle criticizing the contestants and because being a judge while hosting her own talk show was too much work.
Should Obama have gone on 'The View?'
UNDATED (AP) -- Rosie O'Donnell and Sarah Palin agree on one thing: they don't think President Obama should've appeared on "The View." O'Donnell told her Sirius-XM radio listeners that she doesn't think sitting presidents should do "fluffy daytime TV shows." She says Oprah might've been more appropriate. Palin tweeted that Obama had "lots of time to chat on 'The View,"' but no time to visit what she called the "porous US/Mexican border" to help those she says are "risking life to secure us."
Sandra Bullock wants out of Gulf restoration video
NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A spokeswoman for Sandra Bullock says the actress wants her parts of a video promoting Gulf Coast restoration removed until she learns whether oil companies influenced it. The statement Thursday came after the website DeSmogBlog called the campaign an industry push to get support for drilling and taxpayer money to repair wetland damage caused by the BP oil spill. Women of the Storm, a New Orleans group that produced the video, lists America's Wetland Foundation as a partner. The foundation lists BP and other oil companies as sponsors on its website. Anne Milling, founder of Women of the Storm, says the foundation provided experts and information. But she says the video was not funded by oil companies.
Jerusalem dinner expands kosher menu
JERUSALEM (AP) - The organizers of a unique six-hour eating marathon in Jerusalem want diners to know two things about locusts: First, they taste great stir-fried, and second, they're kosher. When 240 observant Jews sat down to the 18-course dinner last week, they were served creatures that seemed unlikely candidates to be eaten under the Bible's Jewish dietary laws. Dishes included sparrows, doves, pheasants, deer, roasted elk and grilled cow udders. A cadre of rabbis and academics explained each course to the diners. They also discussed long-running debates over the kosher status of some creatures, such as swordfish, which was also served. Organizers of the dinner say it was meant to show that the list of permissible foods for Jews throughout history is longer and stranger than most people think.
Chelsea's Wedding
RHINEBECK, N.Y. (AP) - Wedding experts say Chelsea Clinton's gala this weekend could run upwards of $2 million to $3 million. That compares to the roughly $24,000 most American newlyweds spend on their special day. Details have been notoriously difficult to pry loose, but industry insiders have gathered enough intelligence to estimate some of the costs of Saturday's wedding. Clinton, the daughter of former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, is marrying investment banker Marc Mezvinsky. The most expensive item? Catering, estimated at $750,000 by Brides magazine deputy editor Sally Kilbridge. Toilets could run about $15,000 to $20,000.
Chelsea's Wedding-Security
RHINEBECK, N.Y. (AP) - Chelsea Clinton's wedding along the Hudson River will be under a no-fly zone. The Federal Aviation Administration says local airspace will be restricted from 3 p.m. Saturday to 3:30 a.m. Sunday. Clinton, the daughter of former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, will wed investment banker Marc Mezvinsky on Saturday evening in Rhinebeck. That's about 90 miles north of New York City. FAA spokesman Jim Peters said Thursday that decisions to restrict air space are made in consultation with other federal agencies. He could not confirm whether the Secret Service requested this one. The FAA website says the restriction will be in place for "VIP (Very Important Person) Movement," but did not elaborate.
CHEESEBURGER-GAS TANK
ROCK HILL, S.C. (AP) - Fast food won't make your car go fast. That's what a South Carolina woman has learned the hard way. The 30-year-old woman filed a complaint with police after a cheeseburger was stuffed into her gas tank. The Herald of Rock Hill reports the woman took her car to a mechanic when it suddenly stopped running. According to police, there was a cheeseburger and pickle inside the car's gas tank. The repair bill was about $1,000.
SAGGY PANTS
NEW YORK (AP) - New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg isn't going to play fashion cop. His honor says he agrees with a judge who threw out a case against a Bronx man for wearing saggy pants. The guy's drawers were showing and he was given a ticket by a police officer. The case was tossed out of court by a judge, who ruled the officer appeared to be making a style decision. Mayor Bloomberg says the government has no business telling people what they can wear.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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