Monday, January 4, 2010

NorCo leaders sworn-in

SUNBURY – Newly elected office holders in Northumberland County were sworn-in Monday.  They include county controller Chuck Erdman, coroner James Kelley and register and recorder Mary Zimmerman.  In addition, Samuel Dietrick and George Dorko were sworn in as jury commissioners, while Kathleen Wolfe-Strausser was sworn in as prothonotary and clerk of courts.  The ceremony was held in the courthouse, and office holders gave brief remarks regarding their positions.  

Cause undetermined for blaze that destroyed Northumberland Borough garage

NORTHUMBERLAND – Fire that destroyed a garage in Northumberland Sunday morning has been ruled undetermined in origin.  The blaze began after 9:00a.m. at 217 King Street.  38-year-old Adam Klock, who is insured for the structure, owns the property.  A state police fire marshal says because of the extent of damage no cause could be determined.  Damage is estimated at $44,000. 

Elected officials sworn in across the Commonwealth, including Union County

LEWISBURG – Elected officials across the state are being officially sworn into office today.  In Union County, the former Snyder County district attorney officially took office as Union-Snyder County judge.  His son and daughter were on hand to help the new judge put on his official robe for him for the first time.  President Judge Harold Woelfel handled the ceremony and says Sholley is a man of integrity, something every judge needs. 

Now that Sholley is a judge, it’s time to find a district attorney in Snyder County, something that will be done immediately.  Letters of interest are being accepted and then interviews will be done and the judges hope to have a new Snyder County district attorney selected by the end of January.  Judge Louise Knight, whom Sholley replaced, will now serve as senior judge on a part-time basis. 

Other elected officials sworn in included Union County District Judge Leo Armbruster, Sheriff Chad Ritter and Coroner Wanda Walters.  (Ali Stevens)

Union County Rail Trail project still a “go”

LEWISBURG – Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority’s Chairman of the Board of Directors says Union County’s Rail Trail project is a go.  Trey Casimir was a recent guest on our On The Mark program and says the $3.7 million PennDOT grant is for construction, which must start by the end of September.  Opposition to the project has come mostly from residents whose land abuts the proposed rail trail.  Casimir says many are worried that even though they are covered under the PA rail trail statute, they may be susceptible to frivolous lawsuits. 

Other concerns among abutting landowners includes privacy and safety issues, as well as damage to crops and animals.  Casimir says these are valid concerns and LARA plans to work during and after construction to make sure the project is safe and doesn’t affect landowners’ property. 

Once construction is done, LARA is in charge of maintenance, and Casimir says they anticipate they will have to buy a large piece of equipment that can mow and trim branches and trees. 

Last month, LARA asked Union County Commissioners to take over the project.  While the decision is still being made, Commissioners John Showers and John Mathias have expressed that they are for it, while Commissioner Preston Boop is against it. 

Senator comments on a state Supreme Court decision regarding “payless paydays”

HARRISBURG – State Senator John Gordner (R-27^th, Bloomsburg) says he is pleased with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court opinion made last week that concluded that Governor Ed Rendell is not required by law to institute furloughs or “payless paydays” in the event of a budget impasse.  Chief Justice Ronald Castille concluded that the state constitution did not prohibit the Commonwealth from continuing to pay all employees if a budget isn’t passed by July 1^st.  Senator Gordner says this decision by The Supreme Court is vindication for thousands of state workers who were used as “pawns” by Governor Rendell during the budget process.  He went on to say that any decision to furlough workers is solely at the discretion of the Governor and is not required by law. 

Governor Rendell had argued that he was required by the state constitution to furlough state employees if the budget isn’t passed on time.  Many workers went several weeks without receiving a paycheck this summer due to the budget impasse.  (Ali Stevens)

Police search for a driver after a vehicle overturns on Route 125

COAL TOWNSHIP – Police were searching for the driver of a car that was found on its roof along Route 125 near Coal Township Sunday night.  Police tell us the accident took place around 6:45 p.m. at Route 125 and Point Breeze Road outside Gowen City.  When police arrived on the scene, they found a car lying on its roof on the right side of the road.  The driver and any possible occupants fled the scene and police were searching the area for information.  (Ali Stevens)

PA Supreme Court decision could serve as example locally

SUNBURY – The needs of a county’s court system apparently trump some decisions made by its commissioners.  That’s the message of the State Supreme Court, in a decision that could have local implications.  The court decreed that Jefferson County Commissioners could not order layoffs of county court employees in order to balance the county budget.  Northumberland County President Judge Robert Sacavage says last week’s decision means how the court spends money allotted to it is not the concern of legislators.

The judge says the case was similar to the situation faced after Northumberland County Commissioners proposed 10% cuts to the court system budget for 2010.  Funding near the level of 2009 was reestablished, but only after the judge named commissioners in a legal action that cited the need for adequate court funding.  (Matt Farrand) 

Fire destroys garage in Northumberland

Bookstore owner to move shop to Vicksburg

LEWISBURG – The owner of an independent bookstore in Lewisburg admits coffee and shopping for books go together.  That’s partly why Murrie Zlotziver is moving his shop to Vicksburg next month, and will share a space with a coffee shop.  He’s owned Page After Page since 2008.  However, Zlotziver has also been an outspoken critic of the government, Lewisburg Downtown Partnership and Bucknell that helped to locate a Barnes & Noble bookstore only a few doors from Zlotziver’s store on Market Street.

Gourmet coffee has been a feature of the big chain bookseller since the 1980’s.  Their Lewisburg location would also serve as the primary bookstore for Bucknell University and is expected to open this year.  Zlotziver expects to open in his new location February 3^rd. Zlotziver will be calling the WKOK Live Telephone Talkshow On The Mark, today during the 9a.m. hour. (Matt Farrand)

Driver cited after New Year’s Eve crash

SNYDERTOWN – Snowy roads are being called a factor in a New Year’s Eve highway crash that injured a Danville man.  State Troopers say 49-year-old Frank Bellace lost control of an SUV along snow-covered SR 4012 in Snydertown Borough.  His vehicle then slid down an embankment near Smith Road and struck a tree.  Bellace is being cited for not driving at a safe speed, not using a restraint system, and failure to notify police immediately of the accident.  He also sustained minor injuries in the 9:45 p.m. accident.  (Matt Farrand)

Drivers, passenger injured in Route 15 crash

LEWISBURG – Six were injured in a Saturday afternoon highway crash near Lewisburg.  State Police say a vehicle driven by 23-year-old Tyler Richner of Muncy clipped the rear of a vehicle driven by 58-year-old Leal Smith of Milton, which was stopped a light on Route 15 and AJK Boulevard.  Both drivers were injured, as were the passengers in Richner’s car, 46-year-old Julie Artley of Muncy, as well as a boy and a girl.  18-year-old Caitlyn Smith of Milton was a passenger in Smith’s car, and was also injured.  Troopers say all the injuries are minor, but Richner will be cited for careless driving.  (Matt Farrand) 

Upper Northumberland County crash injures two

TURBOTVILLE – State Police say a motorist from Watsontown will be cited for making a careless left turn after a Wednesday afternoon crash that injured another motorist and passenger.  84-year-old John Nicholas drove into the path of an oncoming vehicle along Route 405 as he attempted to make a left turn into a driveway.  Troopers say 28-year-old Kimberly Erb of Montgomery was driving the other vehicle and sustained moderate injuries.  28-year old Nicholas Kinney of Montgomery was her passenger and sustained a minor injury.  The 4:00 p.m. crashed closed Route 405 for several hours.  (Matt Farrand)

A detailed view on poverty and its effects on children.

SUNBURY –  Roundtable this week is an encore discussion of the effects of poverty on children. Robert Andrews, Pastor Grove Presbyterian Church and Dr. Paul Kettlewell of Geisinger Pediatric Psychology talk about children and poverty, effects of poverty on children's education, social insecurity and the long term impact of income inequality.

They also discuss the causes of poverty, effects of recession on poverty and the trend for childhood poverty to lead to greater stress and insecurity due to poverty. Dr. Kettlewell says poverty predetermines many children’s emotional problems. They also discuss about the various preschool programs, benefit of capitalism and other topics involved with children and poverty.

You can hear Roundtable at www.wkok.com. (Renjini S)

December by the numbers

SELINSGROVE – There were no fatalities, but State Police based in Selinsgrove say they responded to more than two highway crashes per day in December.  Troopers say they were called to 65 crashes during the last month of 2009.  Seventeen motorists, passengers or pedestrians were injured, and there were 12 arrests for suspicion of DUI.  Citations outnumbered warnings by nearly 10-to-1, and there were six hit and run crashes. 

Otherwise, there were 99 criminal offenses reported, and 60 criminal arrests.  Figures only reflect State Police actions, and do not include incidents responded to only by local police.  (Matt Farrand) 

Evangelical, GMC welcome first babies of 2010

UNDATED – Local maternity wards welcomed new arrivals on New Year’s morning.  Daniel and Alyssa Reid of Sunbury are the parents the first youngster born at Evangelical Community Hospital in the new decade.  A nursing supervisor says Danica Reid arrived at 12:12 a.m.  She weighed in at 7 pounds 12 ounces. 

Meantime, A Bloomsburg couple is blessed with the first baby of the New Year at Geisinger Medical Center.  Megan Gusick gave birth to a 7 pound 10 ounce boy at 5:55 a.m.  This is the first baby for Megan and her husband, Edward Gusick.  Both baby and mom are said to be doing well.  (Staff)

Full-time patrolman hired in Point Township

POINT TOWNSHIP – A new patrolman has been hired in Point Township.  The township police department announced the hiring of Wade Lytle as a full-time officer.  Lytle was working part-time for Sunbury, Northumberland and Milton police before being hired full-time in Point Township.  Lytle is a Shikellamy High School Graduate and completed his Police Academy training at Lackawanna College in 2007.  He begins his full-time position immediately.  (Ali Stevens)

New Year’s Eve crashes injure drivers

UNDATED – Snow-covered roadways contributed to a number of crashes on the last day of the year.  State Police say 41-year-old Timothy Walls of Beavertown lost control of his vehicle on a slush-covered shoulder of Route 204 in Jackson Township, Snyder County.  The vehicle ended up on its roof in a small stream, after traveling over an embankment, shortly after noon.  Walls sustained minor injuries and was able to free himself from the vehicle and summon help.

Meantime, A Port Trevorton man sustained what State Troopers call minor injuries in a crash on Lenig Road, in Snyder County’s Union Township.  67-year-old Dennis Wilhide lost control of his vehicle while traveling west.  It left the roadway and stuck a utility pole, knocking down wires and breaking the pole.  PPL crews were called to safely remove the wires and restore power after the 9:30 a.m. crash.  (Matt Farrand)

Driver flees scene of Route 405 collision

EAST LEWISBURG – State Police say a motorist from New Columbia was the victim of a hit-and run-driver.  51-year-old Brian Bahner was driving northbound on Route 405 in West Chillisquaque Township, Northumberland County, Wednesday at about 3:50 p.m. when a driver attempted to pass in a no-passing zone near the intersection with Route 45.  The unidentified driver clipped Bahner’s driver side bumper with the passenger side of his car and fled north.  State Police say the driver was behind the wheel of a white, compact four-door vehicle, possibly a Nissan or Toyota and may have red markings on it near the point of impact.

State troopers request a call to 524-2662 if you have information.  (Matt Farrand) 

Union County budget passed

Man pinned beneath a tractor this week has died from injuries

DANVILLE – A Columbia County man injured in a tractor accident this week has died from his injuries.  78-year-old Bruce Henrie of the Millville area was pulling a fallen tree on Monday in Madison Township when the tractor he was riding on overturned and pinned him beneath it.  The accident took place on a wooded lot off of Camp Road near Route 44.  Henrie was taken to Geisinger Medical Center and was pronounced dead on Wednesday.  (Ali Stevens)

PPL outlines electric choice for those who are still confused

SUNBURY – If you are still confused about electric choice and why you need to choose, WKOK’s spoke with PPL to outline the basics.  Tom Stathos of PPL says the biggest part of your bill, about 50 percent, is the electricity generation and that’s the part that you will be able to shop for.  PPL rate caps will lift January 1st, meaning rates for customers will go up about 30 percent, since they have been capped for several years.

Stathos says even though he works for PPL, he recommends everyone do their homework when it comes to electric choice.  The suppliers are going to be able to come in with very good prices and there are about 5 suppliers in our area to choose from.  Stathos says in the past week, about 140,000 customers have chosen other suppliers, but if you don’t shop on your own, you will stay with PPL. 

To learn more about electric choice go to the Public Utility Commission’s website at www.puc.state.pa.us. (Ali Stevens)

Columbia County structure fire reported, none injured

MILLVILLE – Columbia County Communications reports a fire call Thursday afternoon at the Columbia Village Apartments near Millville. Officials confirm a structure fire confined to one unit of the apartment complex.  Parking areas near Millville High School were being used as a staging area for tankers.  Damage to the structure was described as moderate.  There were no injuries and fire crews were clear of the scene in about an hour.  (Matt Farrand)

Turbotville man injured in a crash with property destroyed

WASHINGTONVILLE – State police continue to investigate following a crash that left a gazebo destroyed.  Troopers say 55-year-old Samuel Long of Turbotville was traveling south on Preserve Road in Anthony Township, Montour County when he lost control of his vehicle Wednesday night.  The vehicle went off a five-foot embankment and struck and destroyed a gazebo in a yard.  Long fled the scene on foot but was located about a mile from the scene.  Long was taken to Geisinger Medical Center for treatment.  State police suspect the crash was alcohol related and the investigation continues.  (Ali Stevens)  

Hit and run accident in Shamokin turns into a foot chase

SHAMOKIN – A hit-and-run accident is under investigation in Shamokin.  The News item reports 21-year-old Lucas Banting of Elysburg was traveling east on Webster Street in Shamokin when he struck a parked pickup truck early Wednesday morning.  The impact forced the pick-up onto Banting’s vehicle.  Banting then took off on foot and police chased him through a wooded area and several lawns before he was apprehended. 

Banting was charged with driving under the influence and several other counts.  No injuries were reported.  (Ali Stevens)

Woman from Sunbury charged by New Berlin Police

SUNBURY – New Berlin police have charged a Sunbury woman with several counts after she reportedly stole an ATM card and made several withdrawals.  25-year-old Lacey Boyer was arrested Wednesday on an outstanding warrant and charged with 5 counts of access device fraud and identity theft and two counts each of theft by deception and receiving stolen property.  Police say aside from taking an ATM card and making withdrawals, Boyer also took a diamond engagement ring from a home in New Berlin. 

Boyer was arraigned in Middleburg and is free on $20,000 bail.  A hearing is set for January 5^th in Mifflinburg before District Judge Jeffrey Mensch.  (Ali Stevens)

Solicitor says rules of civil procedure went ‘out the window’ for judge’s hearing

SUNBURY – The Northumberland County Commissioners passed their 2010 budget at the Tuesday meeting this week, but the solicitors also took time to explain why the three commissioners did not attended Monday’s court appearance dealing with Judge Robert Sacavage’s suing of the county. Had the issue over the court’s budget not been resolved during that hearing, the county budget could not have been passed.

Assistant Solicitor Kymberly Best says the commissioners simply weren’t served. Best says on December 22nd they were given a letter that the commissioners had until the 23rd to negotiate, and then a hearing was schedule on the 28th. She says if they didn’t show at the hearing, they would have been in contempt and therefore forbidden to pass the budget.

Best says they don’t like the amount of money being provided to the court in the budget, but the actions Monday were about special relief. Best says they were rushed to get things together for the hearing and felt it would be irresponsible to send the commissioners under-prepared. Judge Sacavage was seeking $6.4 million for court operations, while the county was planning to budget $5.8 for the courts. Negotiations will continue. (Sara Bartlett)

Mont Co continues to battle with the state over the District Attorney’s salary

DANVILLE – Montour County is still battling with the state to recover a large portion of the District Attorney’s salary for the past two years. The state made a law two years ago that would require all District Attorneys to be full-time and the state would cover more than 60 percent of their salaries.

However, the state hasn’t paid that money to area counties, so Montour County decided to sue the state several months ago to recover that money. Commissioner Jack Gerst says Montour County received a very small payment at the end of November, which was about $17,000, but they are owed about $200,000.

And Gerst says the state is fighting the lawsuit with high priced lawyers from Philadelphia. Gerst says the county is paying the District Attorney’s salary, which is a big part of their budget…and it’s not fair for the state to hold out on the money they promised.

He says the commissioners of Montour County are not done trying to recover the money. District Attorney Bob Buehner offered to take a pay-cut, but the commissioners said it wasn’t his fault that the state wasn’t paying. (Ali Stevens)

Snyder County hosting an H1N1 vaccination clinic for the general population

SELINSGROVE – There will be an H1N1 vaccination clinic for the general population next week in Snyder County. The clinic is being held at the field house at Susquehanna University on January 8th and 9th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The clinic is open to anyone interested in getting the H1N1 vaccine and will be the largest clinic in the state.

There will be no charge for the vaccine, but appointments are required to attend. You can make your appointment online at www.H1N1inpa.com and click on “What’s Hot”. You can also call 1-877-PA-Health to make an appointment between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment:

BALTIMORE (AP) - The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is asking the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to support Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin's restoration bill.  Foundation president Will Baker made the request in a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, who takes over as chair of the Chesapeake Executive Council on Tuesday. The council sets policy for the Chesapeake Bay Program, the joint federal-state effort that has led restoration efforts.  Baker told Jackson only 18 of 53 members of Congress from bay

watershed states are co-sponsors and urged her to lobby for passage. The EPA is developing a restoration strategy in response to a presidential order. Cardin's bill, meanwhile, would reauthorize the bay program, and contains measures such as a cap-and-trade program for nitrogen and phosphorous pollution credits.  Baker says it will require pollution cuts and ensure compliance.

GLEN ALLEN, Va. (AP) - A wind farm in Pennsylvania that will provide power to Old Dominion Electric Cooperative has begun commercial operation.  The cooperative said Monday that it would receive 50 percent of the electricity generated by the 101-megawatt Armenia Mountain Wind Farm in north central Pennsylvania. Newark, Del.-based Delmarva Power will receive the remaining 50 percent.  AES Wind Generation owns and operates the 67-turbine wind farm.  ODEC President and CEO Jackson E. Reasor says the 15-year contract with AES is part of the cooperative's long-term plan to diversify its power supply portfolio.  ODEC supplies electricity to 11 electric distribution cooperatives in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The economic downturn and relaxed eligibility requirements are increasing participation in Pennsylvania's food stamp program.  The Department of Public Welfare says more than 709,000 households received assistance through the state's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in November. That's a 30 percent increase over two years ago.     While economic forces are responsible for some of that increase, Department of Public Welfare spokeswoman Stacey Witalec says more people are eligible since the program's income limit was raised for the first time in about 20 years.  A family of four can now earn $35,292 and still be eligible for benefits. The previous limit was under $29,000.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A vote on a bill that would deliver poker, craps and other table games to Pennsylvania's casinos is expected in the coming days.  It's also become the latest method for state lawmakers to deliver on their pet projects.  Under the bill's latest version, the casinos will send 14 percent of their table games take to the state  treasury and another 2 percent to fund civic and infrastructure projects in the communities surrounding the casinos.  Some of the local money would fatten municipal and county budgets.  Proponents of the local set-aside say the idea has popular support among rank-and-file lawmakers and local politicians.  But critics say it's reminiscent of the secretive process in which lawmakers have been able to direct grants toward their favored causes.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The cost of traveling the Pennsylvania Turnpike is going up this weekend.  A 3 percent toll increase announced a year ago goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Sunday. It marks the seventh increase in nearly 70 years.  Turnpike officials say the extra revenue will go toward improvements to off-turnpike roads and bridges.  The most common cash rate for passenger vehicles will increase from 95 cents to $1.  Meanwhile, the most-common cash rate for class-five commercial vehicles will increase from $7.85 to $8.10.  The Pennsylvania Turnpike operates and maintains 545 miles of toll roads statewide. 

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) - Police in northeastern Pennsylvania are searching for a suspect involved in an altercation in which a security officer was assaulted at a bar and at least one shot was fired.  Police say the incident happened around 2 a.m. on New Year's Day at the Luna Bar in downtown Wilkes-Barre.  Luna security officer Richard Brown told police that he was trying to remove a man from the bar when another man hit him in the face.  Brown says that once he removed the first man from the bar, the man came back inside brandishing a handgun.  Brown says the man was then pushed out of the bar onto the sidewalk, where he fired a single shot into the air before fleeing in a car.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Chain restaurants, convenience stores and other eating establishments in Philadelphia are now required to list nutritional information on their menus.  That's under a law that went into effect Jan. 1 after being passed by City Council in November 2008.  The law says establishments that have menu boards and 15 or more locations need to post calories of food items sold.  And chain restaurants that have menus you can hold need to list information on calories, saturated fat, trans fat, carbohydrates and sodium.  There are exceptions for things such as condiments, custom orders and specials or limited-time offerings that appear on menus for less than 30 days a year.  Penalties include a fine of up to $500.  A similar ordinance is in effect in New York.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The U.S. Marshal's Office is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the shooting of an off-duty Philadelphia police officer.  Police are searching for two suspects in Wednesday's shooting in the city's Hunting Park section. Police believe it resulted from a botched robbery.  Twenty-three-year-old Officer Martin Campbell is recovering from surgery to his leg after the bullet nicked an artery. His friend, 30-year-old Rasheen Allen, was shot in the head and killed.  Police say a man shot by officers shortly after the shootings turned out not to have been involved in the fatal hold-up.  Authorities say police shot him after he pulled a gun out of his waistband. He's in stable condition.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Thousands lined the sidewalks and costumed men are danced down the streets of Philadelphia during the 110th annual Mummers Parade.  The heavily festooned bands of comics, string bands and other performers announced early Friday that the annual parade would go on after an earlier threat of rain or snow.  The Mummers and the city waited until the last minute to give the parade the go-ahead, worried about the threat of rain. But they began their strut around 10 a.m. with sun in the sky.  Men were dressed as black-white-penguins, surfers, astronauts, and others wore multicolored capes. One group was followed by a giant chicken float along Broad Street.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A driver has been arrested in a chain reaction crash that killed two people and shut down part of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia early on New Year's Day.  Pennsylvania State Police say the accident happened around 3 a.m. after a van became disabled with a flat tire in the left lane in the city's Port Richmond section.  A second vehicle rear-ended the van. Then, a third vehicle crashed into the second vehicle as the occupants were waiting for police to arrive, killing two people in the second car.  Police say the driver of the third vehicle faces charges of DUI, homicide by vehicle and other counts.  The northbound lanes had to be shut down at Bridge Street after the accident, and reopened shortly before 10 a.m.

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) - The city of Johnstown is laying off 14 people - four fewer than anticipated - and increasing taxes nearly 24 percent as part of next year's budget.  Officials say the steps were necessary to end years of deficits, borrowing and money-shuffling. Council passed the budget by a 5-2 vote on Wednesday.  The layoffs include four police officers, six public works employees, recreation director and assistant city manager. The police union says it will challenge the layoffs, claiming its contract only allows cuts through attrition.

WESTMINSTER, Md. (AP) - A 9-year-old Pennsylvania boy has died two days after a tree fell on him at a nature camp in Maryland. Carroll County spokeswoman Vivian Laxton says Noah Asid of Hanover, Pa., died Thursday morning at Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore.  Noah was among 60 fourth- and fifth-graders participating in a three-day nature camp at the county-run Hashawha Environmental Center north of Westminster. The campers were preparing for a hike Tuesday morning when the tree fell. A 10-year-old girl was also injured, but not seriously.  Laxton's says the boy's family is asking for privacy.  The county sheriff's office is still investigating what caused the tree to fall and brought in an arborist to inspect it Wednesday.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A lawyer for former Pennsylvania State Rep. Mike Veon says he needs proof that e-mail messages used as evidence by prosecutors haven't been altered. The Beaver County Democrat and several co-defendants are accused of diverting state workers and resources for campaigns or other purposes. Veon lawyer Dan Raynak says prosecutors have provided e-mails without also giving defendants access to hard drives and other elements that can establish their authenticity. Chief Deputy Attorney General Frank Fina said in court papers that defendants haven't pointed out an e-mail message that was allegedly altered or provided a legal precedent for their argument. Fina says if the judge rules in the defendants' favor, it would "terminate or substantially handicap the prosecution."

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - A coalition of former governors, congressmen, scientists and others are sending are sending the Obama Administration their proposed Chesapeake Bay restoration strategy. The plan is tougher than one being developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. One EPA official says it includes measures that would require new legislation. The 24-point plan unveiled Wednesday in Annapolis calls for significantly expanding farming regulations. Nearly all animal feeding operations would be regulated and the spreading of animal manure would be regulated the same as sludge from sewage treatment plants. The plan also calls on the EPA to require new development to offset any pollution it causes through reductions elsewhere.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Another Pennsylvania Turnpike toll increase takes effect this weekend at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday. Turnpike spokesman Carl DeFebo says a bill passed in 2007 to provide new funding for roads, bridges and mass transit statewide called for a big toll hike of 25 percent a year ago and smaller increases each year after that. The upcoming increase is 3 percent, with cash tolls rounded up to the next nickel. DeFebo said that means for an average motorist, the most frequently paid toll on the turnpike system is 95 cents and that will increase to $1 for a cash toll.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Update on the latest in business:

Dow: + 165.43 (10,593.48)

S&P 500: + 16.75 (1,131.85)

NASDAQ: + 36.56 (2,305.71)

IRS to start regulating paid tax preparers

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Internal Revenue Service plans to start regulating paid tax preparers, requiring them to register with the government, pass competency tests and adhere to ethical standards.  The new regulations, announced Monday, will not be in effect for the current filing season - individual tax returns are due April 15. But IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said tax preparers would be held to higher standards in future years as the IRS steps up its oversight.  More than 80 percent of taxpayers use a paid tax preparer or tax software to complete their yearly returns. However, paid tax preparers are unregulated in many states, unless they are also attorneys, certified public accountants or enrolled agents who represent taxpayers before the IRS.

New Continental CEO makes salary pledge

HOUSTON (AP) - The new CEO of Continental Airlines Inc. says he will refuse to accept a salary or annual bonus until the company makes a full-year profit.  Jeffery A. Smisek, who became CEO Friday after Lawrence Kellner stepped down to join a private-equity firm, told employees about his pledge Monday.  Continental, the nation's fourth-largest airline by traffic, lost $367 million in the first nine months of last year.  Smisek said if employees want better pay and benefits, they need to focus on making money. He said he was making his pledge because "the tone for any business is set at the top."

PA Lottery

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

Midday Big 4

     2-2-9-2

Midday Number

     0-1-7

Midday Quinto

     3-5-5-1-4

Treasure Hunt

     08-20-21-23-27

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

Regis Philbin returns to talk show with new hip

NEW YORK (AP) - Regis Philbin isn't showing any effects from his hip-replacement surgery five weeks ago.  Philbin returned to "Live With Regis and Kelly" by doing a couple of quick dance steps while the audience gave him a standing ovation.  He walked on stage pushing a makeshift walker on wheels and wearing a black bathrobe. Then he picked up the walker and threw it away and ripped off the bathrobe to reveal a suit.  Philbin says he's doing fine except for a blood clot in his right calf. He's taking blood thinners for that.

McConaughey announces birth of 2nd child - a girl

DALLAS (AP) - Actor Matthew McConaughey and his girlfriend have announced the birth of their second child – a baby girl.  The actor says on his Web site that Vida Alves McConaughey was born Sunday. She weighs seven pounds, seven ounces.  McConaughey says his girlfriend, model Camila Alves is "recovering wonderfully" and the couple welcomed "this little lady into our family."  The couple had a son, Levi, in 2008.  McConaughey spokesman Alan Nierob confirmed the Web posting in e-mail on Monday.

Blagojevich competing on 'Celebrity Apprentice'