Thursday, February 18, 2010

Blaze destroys barn in Montour County

DERRY TWP – More then ten fire crews from Montour, Northumberland and Columbia Counties responded to a three alarm structure fire in Derry Township, Montour County Thursday.  The barn blaze broke out around 9:30a.m. at the structure at 350 Strawberry Ridge Road.  Crews remain on the scene into the afternoon fighting the blaze at the barn owned by John Stoltzfus.  No injuries were reported and no word how that blaze started.

Bloomsburg, Washingtonville, Valley Township, Liberty Township, Point Township and Montour Township fire crews responded to the scene, as did the East End Fire Company, Goodwill Hose Company, Washies Fire Company, Southside Fire Company and Continental Fire Company.

Wolfgang back in court

SUNBURY – A hearing is set for Monday to determine if a Mount Carmel man is competent to stand trial in the murder of his wife.  49-year-old Steven Wolfgang is set to go to trial on March 15^th for the death of 42-year-old Sherry Wolfgang.  Psychiatrists and other witnesses are scheduled to testify on Monday at the competency hearing.  If he is ruled competent by President Judge Robert Sacavage, jury selection will begin on March 8^th. 

Wolfgang is accused of killing his wife at their home in Mount Carmel in January of 2007 and then dumping her body in Mahanoy Creek.  He was also charged with arson for setting her SUV on fire and child endangerment, for leaving his children home alone when the crimes took place.  On September 28^th of last year Wolfgang withdrew his plea of no contest and entered a not-guilty plea.  Wolfgang now faces an open count of criminal homicide and possibly the death penalty, which District Attorney Tony Rosini plans to seek.  (Ali Stevens)

Snyder County Commissioner makes a run for Congress

SUNBURY – Snyder County Commissioner Malcolm Derk is hoping to be the next congressman representing the 10^th congressional district.  He was a guest on WKOK’s On The Mark program Thursday and says fiscal responsibility is critically important for a congressman and wants to eliminate pet projects so that money is going to the places it is needed the most. 

In response to a listener e-mail asking Derk about his ‘real-life experience,’ he says he has none as a business owner, but can understand owner’s struggles during the recession and can help them find resources, as well as fight to cut taxes for small business owners.   He adds that he is pro-life and against the death penalty and wants marriage to remain intact as being only between a man and a woman. You can hear more from Malcolm Derk from our Thursday On The Mark program online at www.wkok.com.  (Ali Stevens)

Former Valley residents tries to save the Watson Theatre

WATSONTOWN – A former Watsontown resident is make a big push to save the Watson Theatre.  Matthias Sundberg now lives in New York City, but said he grew up watching movies at the 70-year-old single-screen theater.  Sundberg started the ‘Save the Watson Theatre’ campaign this month, and hopes to get monetary pledges from people who also want to see the building stay the same. 

He says about $200,000 is needed.  If the fundraiser is successful, Sundberg hopes to continue to show movies, as well as hold film festivals.  For more information or to donate money you can go online to www.thewatsontheatre.com.

Danville farmer wins $1 million
 

Sources: Chamberlain-Roup to be named SnyCo Commissioner

MIDDLEBURG – WKOK News has learned that Peggy Chamberlain-Roup of Selinsgrove will be named Snyder County Commissioner, filling the term of Democrat Richard “Bud” Bickhart, who resigned for health reasons effective January 29th. She will become the first woman Snyder County Commissioner. She is a democrat and will serve with majority republican commissioners Malcolm Derk and Joe Kantz.

Judge Harold Woelfel and Judge Michael Sholley reviewed several applications, considered recommendations from the Snyder County Democratic Committee and are expected to write an order naming Chamberlain-Roup. The committee had recommended Steve Hoffman as their choice. Bickhart announced his decision to step aside in early January. (Matt Farrand)

Fire updates: Glen Iron fire accidental, Sunbury blaze may be arson

HARTLETON – A state police fire marshal has ruled a fire in Hartley Township, Union County on Monday as accidental. Trooper Norman Fedder says the fire broke out in the chimney of the home at Creek and Ranck Road in the Glen Iron area. The fire was reported around 1 p.m. at the home owned by Steve Naugle. When crews arrived on scene, the blaze had already tore through the home, destroying everything. No injuries were reported.

In other news, Trooper Fedder will be investigating the cause of a fire yesterday morning at 313 Packer Street in Sunbury. The home is owned by Allen Bubb, but has been boarded up for several years. Officials say arson is a possibility in the fire that caused damage to the exterior of the home. No injuries were reported. (Ali Stevens)

Lewisburg Barnes & Noble opening set for July

LEWISBURG – Project managers, employees and Bucknell University’s president were on hand Wednesday as reporters were given a preview of the Barnes & Noble bookstore taking shape in Lewisburg. Work is still ongoing at the site, though most of it is now on the interior. President Brian Mitchell considers the $9 million dollar Barnes & Noble a way to bridge the gap between the university and the borough.

He says the traffic it will develop are ways Bucknell will keep from isolating itself from the community that surrounds it. President Mitchell says a lot is riding on the success of the store that will also serve as the primary bookstore for Bucknell University. Other projects include possible purchase of the current post office building and use of upper floors as office space, and continued work with the Campus Theater.

Meantime, Barnes & Noble will be one of the few businesses in downtown Lewisburg open seven days per week, creating an employment opportunity for some. Store Manager Vicki Benion expects a mix of full and part time positions to be available.

She says staffing decisions won’t be made until April. Inquiries and professional info should be e-mailed to sm737@bncollege.com Starbucks, a community room and Union County’s first escalators are also among the other features of the store that is expected to open in late July. (Matt Farrand)

UnCo Commissioners: ‘Thanks, but no thanks,’ to rail trail

LEWISBURG – The Union County Commissioners will not take any ownership responsibilities in the Lewisburg Area Recreation Authorities Rail Trail project. In December, LARA officials had asked for the commissioner’s help, but Commissioner John Showers says now that LARA is financially sound for the project, they do not need to get involved.

LARA was recently awarded a $350,000 DCNR grant from the state and now has money in place for design, engineering and construction. LARA Executive Director Kevin Drewencki says progress on the 8-mile trail between Mifflinburg and Lewisburg is ahead of schedule.

Bids for the 8-mile trail between Mifflinburg and Lewisburg will be out before the end of September. Drewencki says once complete the rail-trail will have a great economic impact on the area, bringing in tourists and also offering residents a place for safe biking and running.

Campaign 2010 I: First Democrat steps up for 108th seat

HERNDON – The first Democrat to announce his intentions to run for the 108th district state house seat has name familiar to those who follow local politics. Attorney Antonio Michetti of Herndon has twice run unsuccessfully for the spot held by the retiring Merle Phillips (R-108th, Sunbury).

Like many candidates, Michetti says jobs are important to the region, but his campaign also backs reform of state government. He advocates a smaller state legislature and term limits. Michetti is not only an attorney, but also a registered nurse, who says his dual careers give him an opportunity to evaluate the needs of people in the region in more ways than one.

Michetti is the first Democrat in the race that now contains four Republicans. Legislative aide Lynda Schlegel-Culver announced her intentions earlier this week, joining Northumberland County Controller Chuck Erdman, former Commissioner Sam Deitrick and Wood-Mode employee Stanley Geiswhite of Sunbury on the GOP side. (Matt Farrand)

Campaign 2010 II: Aide looks to replace retiring boss

SUNBURY – State Representative Merle Phillips (R-108th, Sunbury) is retiring and his legislative aide is hoping to take over the job. Lynda Schlegel-Culver announced that she is a candidate for the 108th legislative district. Culver has worked for Phillips for 21 years and says he supported and encouraged her decision to run for the position.

Culver has worked closely on projects important to the valley, including the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway Project, efforts to stop tolling on Interstate 80 and riverfront plans in Sunbury. She lives in Rockefeller Township with her husband and a son.

Schlegel-Culver joins the Republican race with Sam Deitrick, former Northumberland County Commissioner, Northumberland County Controller Chuck Erdman, and Wood Mode employee Stanley Geiswhite. The only declared Democratic candidate is Antonio Michetti, an attorney in Trevorton. (Ali Stevens)

Campaign 2010 III: Erdman ‘not surprised’ by Phillip’s Culver endorsement

SUNBURY – Northumberland County Controller Chuck Erdman has issued a statement regarding State Representative Merle Phillip’s (R-108th, Sunbury) endorsement of his legislative aide as his replacement in the 108th District. Phillips has announced that he is endorsing Linda Schlegel Culver for the job, who made her announcement official.

Following the announcement, Erdman said he was not surprised by Merle’s decision to endorse Lynda Culver. Erdman says it is honorable for Phillips to stand by someone who has been employed with him for so many years. Erdman adds that both Phillips and Culver have supported him in his runs for county controller and he looks forward to their support again May 19th, if he should win the primary. (Ali Stevens)

Pair gets jail time in cemetery vandalism

DANVILLE (AP) – Two Danville women have been sentenced to jail time for their role in the vandalism of cemeteries where more than 75 tombstones were knocked over. 20-year-olds Alicia Auman and Laurie Jones were sentenced Tuesday to up to 23 months in prison for the vandalism incidents in April.

They were ordered to pay restitution to businesses whose signs were damaged and must work 300 hours of community service, including time in Montour County cemeteries that were vandalized. Auman was sentenced to at least 90 days in jail on conspiracy and criminal mischief charges. Jones was sentenced to at least 60 days for corruption of minors. Attorneys for both women say their clients are remorseful.

Senator: Lottery numbers ‘out of whack’

HARRISBURG – Senate Appropriation’s Committee budget hearings are underway at the state capital in Harrisburg and the impact of expanded gaming on the state lottery fund was immediately called into question by State Senator John Gordner (R-27th, Berwick).

Gordner is a Senate Appropriations committee member and says last year’s budget projected almost an 8% increase in lottery sales, but this year’s budget is now saying in the current year that lottery sales will decrease by about 2%.

Gordner says that is close to a 10% swing based upon projections from last year to this year. Senator Gordner said he feared that the implementation of gambling would have a negative impact on lottery revenues. However, administration officials have put the blame on the state’s economy.

Construction season around the corner

HERNDON – With spring right around the corner, PennDOT is gearing up for their spring construction projects. The department announced two Northumberland County projects for next month. A resurfacing project will get started the week of March 1st along Sunbury Street and Snydertown Road from Snydertown to Paxinos.

The contractor will be restricting traffic to a single lane in the work zone from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays with flaggers directing traffic. The $2.6-million project is paid for through federal stimulus funding and will be completed by late August.

Starting the week of March 8th a bridge along Route 225 near the community of Red Cross will be replaced. Work at the bridge over Schwaben Creek in Jackson Township will include tree removal and utility relocations. Traffic will be restricted to a single lane, weekdays from 7 to 4 p.m., with flaggers directing traffic.

The initial work will take about three weeks and then contractors will return in June to replace the existing bridge, with a complete detour set up using Route 147 and Schuyler Road. Bridge replacement should take about four months with work completed by October. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Navy is reviewing the way its Bethesda, Md., medical center cared for Rep. John Murtha, who died following complications from gallbladder surgery.   A Navy spokesman, Cmdr. Danny Hernandez, said Thursday an in-depth review of the care that Murtha received at the National Naval Medical Center has begun. He said it's the type of review required when a patient dies at the facility. Murtha died later at a different hospital.  The 77-year-old Pennsylvania Democrat was first hospitalized with gallbladder problems in December at the National Naval Medical Center and eventually had his gallbladder removed there. A few days later he came to another hospital's emergency room with a fever and infection. The Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Va., said he died there Feb. 8 from "major complications from   surgery" at the first hospital.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Gov. Ed Rendell says the state can't bail out the state's most debt-laden city.  However, Rendell told the Patriot-News on Wednesday after a meeting with Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson that her plan to pay down debt is a workable one.  Thompson is looking to sell city assets and wants Dauphin County to increase the trash-dumping fees it pays to the Harrisburg Authority.  Rendell says it is up to the city to solve its problem, although he offered help from Department of Banking and the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.  Harrisburg has guaranteed the $288 million debt on the city's trash incinerator. However, neither the city nor the Harrisburg Authority, which operates the incinerator, have the cash to meet $68 million in debt payments due this year.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania is getting nearly $130 million in federal stimulus money to develop broadband technology.  More than $99 million is for the Pennsylvania Research and Education Network, or PennREN. The 1,700-mile fiber optic network will expand broadband Internet access to 60 institutions, including public and private universities, schools, libraries and medical facilities in 39 counties across south and central Pennsylvania.     More than $29 million will be used for similar purposes in underserved areas north of Interstate 80.  The cities of Titusville, Dubois, Scranton and Wilkes-Barre will be among those to share this public system that should improve Internet access for institutions and communities that had been isolated by mountainous terrain.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The special election to complete the term of the late U.S. Rep. John Murtha will be held on Pennsylvania's primary election day, May 18. Gov. Ed Rendell made the announcement today. That means there will be two elections involving Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district on primary day. One will decide the Republican and Democratic nominees to run in the general election in November. The other will complete the remainder of Murtha's term, which ends in January. Murtha died Feb. 8 following complications from gallbladder surgery. He was first elected to the seat in 1974. Former Pennsylvania treasurer and auditor general Barbara Hafer says she will run in the race to succeed Murtha. State Sen. John Wozniak said today he will not run.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A legislative aide who helped recruit fellow staffers to work on political campaigns says the payment of taxpayer-funded bonuses between 2004 and 2006 dramatically increased the ranks of volunteers. Eric Webb testified for the prosecution today in the trial of former House Democratic Whip Mike Veon and three staffers. They're charged with theft, conspiracy and conflict of interest. Webb described spreadsheets of volunteers that he kept at the request of his superiors in the House Democratic caucus. He said he graded the best volunteers as "rock stars" and said the resulting bonuses brought growing numbers of volunteers from 2004 to 2006. He says he received a bonus equal to one-quarter of his pay and wondered how soon the attorney general's office would find out about the bonus program.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Hundreds of Pennsylvania homeowners will get a foreclosure relief check as part of a settlement between the state and Countrywide Financial Corp. State Attorney General Tom Corbett said today that checks for more than $4,300 each are in the mail to 630 Countrywide borrowers. In addition, Corbett said Countrywide has modified more than 2,500 loans to save borrowers about $26 million while modification offers worth $44 million were extended to another 1,500 borrowers. The settlement with Countrywide made available as much as $155 million to help keep thousands of state residents in their homes. Corbett alleged Countrywide misled many Pennsylvanians and encouraged them to take out loans they didn't understand and couldn't afford. The practices were at the center of the nation's home-lending crisis.

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A Pittsburgh-area community college will let a student form a campus chapter of a group that promotes the rights of students to carry concealed weapons. A Community College of Allegheny County spokesman says Christa Brashier must provide a copy of the group's revised constitution by March. Brashier threatened to sue after school officials, at first, refused to let her pass out leaflets advocating concealed carry rights in May. After getting permission, she pressed forward with her efforts to form a local chapter of a Texas-based nonprofit, Students for Concealed Carry on Campus. Brashier's efforts have been backed by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education and the American Civil Liberties Union.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Officials in one eastern Pennsylvania community say they are thinking about banning the use of hand-held phones while driving. A measure under consideration by Allentown council members would make using a hand-held device to phone, text or access the Internet while driving punishable by a fine of up to $300. It would also be a "primary" traffic offense, meaning police could pull over a motorist on that basis. The proposed ban is modeled upon a Philadelphia law that took effect in December. It would also apply to people using skateboards, inline skates or bicycles. The council in 2000 rejected an ordinance to regulate cell-phone use after city solicitors said it would conflict with state law. A cell phone ban approved by Bucks County's Hilltop Township in 1999 was overturned by a judge.

BALTIMORE (AP) - Mountains of grimy snow piled in parking lots aren't the prettiest sight for East Coast communities, but experts say that's less toxic to the environment than dumping it into rivers, streams and creeks. The Environmental Protection Agency doesn't have specific regulations for snow disposal. But Jay Apperson, a spokesman for the Maryland Department of the Environment, says they prefer parks or other large open spaces where gradual melting can allow the water to filter slowly into the ground. Dumping snow into brackish waterways like the Chesapeake Bay also isn't a bad solution, but not in fresh water. While road salt can raise the salinity of rivers, streams and creeks, the bay is already salty and the snow shouldn't have much of an impact.

SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty says he'll run for state Senate and drop out of the Pennsylvania gubernatorial race. Doherty told the Times-Tribune of Scranton on Wednesday that he wants to fill the void that Sen. Robert Mellow will leave. He's scheduled to make a formal announcement Thursday. Last week, the Senate's veteran Lackawanna County Democrat announced he won't seek re-election. Doherty, a Democrat, has been Scranton's mayor since 2002. He is in office through 2013. Doherty's fundraising in the Democratic gubernatorial primary race had lagged well behind the other three candidates. The race to replace Mellow as the Democratic Senate nominee is crowded with potential candidates, including state Rep. Jim Wansacz and Scranton School Director Chris Phillips.

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

Updates on the latest in business

Dow: 10,393.13, up 83.89

S&P 500: 1,106.56, up 7.05

NASDAQ: 2,241.05, up 14.76

WASHINGTON (AP) - The chairman of a House committee investigating Toyota's massive recalls says the company's president should testify at a hearing next week. Akio Toyoda has said that he

does not plan to attend a series of hearings scheduled to start on Capitol Hill next week. But he had told reporters in Japan earlier that he would consider appearing if invited.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Microsoft and Yahoo have won clearance from regulators in Washington and Europe to proceed with a search partnership. It is intended to provide more formidable competition against Google.

NEW YORK (AP) - Natural gas prices tumbled nearly 3 percent after the government said supplies are still higher than average. That's despite the rash of snowstorms blanketing the East Coast during the past few weeks.

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

Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers

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

 Midday Big 4

     0-7-0-3

 Midday Number

     1-6-2

 Midday Quinto

     2-6-3-0-8

 Treasure Hunt

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

Big 4 1-0-9-3

Cash 5 01-03-06-08-18

Daily Number 2-6-5

Evening Quinto 5-9-6-6-7

Midday Big 4 0-5-8-6

Midday Number 8-8-5

Midday Quinto 1-9-7-6-0

Powerball 07-08-19-26-36, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 3

Treasure Hunt 06-08-10-19-24

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

Kathryn Grayson, star of '40s, '50s musicals, dies

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Kathryn Grayson, whose beauty and lilting soprano voice brightened some of the most popular movie musicals of the 1940s and '50s, has died. She was 88.  Grayson's longtime companion and secretary, Sally Sherman, says the actress died Wednesday of natural causes at her Los Angeles home.  Grayson starred in such popular MGM musicals as "Anchors Away," "Showboat" and "Kiss Me Kate."  The actress, who was married and divorced twice, is survived by daughter, Patricia Towers, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Sherman says there will be no funeral service.     

You betcha: Fey's 'SNL' return as Palin is likely

NEW YORK (AP) - Tina Fey tells The Associated Press that she'll probably reprise her impression of Sarah Palin when she hosts "Saturday Night Live" in April.  Fey said this week that "it's inevitable that we'll try it, at least." She says "we'll see if it makes it to air." Officials at the NBC show aren't talking. "SNL" generally doesn't discuss upcoming sketches because plans change often.  Fey's performances as the former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate were an icon of the 2008 campaign and drew huge ratings for "SNL." They also helped earn her the title of 2008 AP Entertainer of the Year.  Fey also stars on the NBC sitcom "30 Rock." She says the "SNL" hoopla was "the strangest thing that's ever happened to me."

Google digital library faces outcry at NYC hearing

Breakfast Suspensions

WEST WARWICK, R.I. (AP) - Dozens of students from a Rhode Island high school who skipped classes for a free breakfast at Denny's got grand slammed with suspensions. Officials at West Warwick High School tell The Providence Journal that 46 students went to Denny's in Warwick on Feb. 9 to take advantage of a free "Grand Slam" breakfast. Assistant Principal Paula Santos got wind of the outing and drove to the restaurant to tell the students to go to school. Principal Karen Tarasevich says students who immediately went back were dismissed with a suspension mark on their records. Those who didn't return got two-day suspensions. Tarasevich says she cracked down because last year students did the same thing, and one was involved in a car crash as he returned to school.

Families thankful for missionaries release from Haiti

MERIDIAN, Idaho (AP) - The husband of one of the eight Americans released yesterday from a Haitian prison says God has helped the families get through a difficult couple of weeks. Eric Thompson spoke with reporters in Meridian, Idaho, as Carla Thompson and her fellow Baptist missionaries were preparing to fly back to the United States. They arrived in Miami early today. The Thompsons' pastor, the Rev. Clint Henry, said his congregation at Central Valley Baptist Church will continue to pray for the release of Laura Silsby and Charisa Coulter, who await further questioning by the Haitian judge who freed the others. The missionaries were accused of child kidnapping for trying to take 33 Haitian children to the Dominican Republic without proper documents after last month's earthquake.

Mislabeled Gatorade bottles suspect considers plea

DENVER (AP) - Prosecutors say a man accused of replacing labels on dozens of Gatorade bottles in a supermarket with an image of Tiger Woods and his wife and the word "unfaithful" is considering pleading guilty. Federal prosecutors say 38-year-old Jason Kay will have a chance to enter his plea Friday in Denver. Investigators say Kay replaced the labels on bottles that were found in Safeway and King Soopers stores around Colorado. The bottles didn't appear to have been opened. An FBI investigator says Kay claimed he considered what he did to be pop art in the style of Andy Warhol. Kay had been charged with misbranding and altering food labels with intent to hurt a brand or business.