Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Clausi fires back at local attorney and deputies

SUNBURY – Northumberland County Commissioner Vinny Clausi has filed a countersuit against Northumberland Attorney Gregory Stuck and former sheriff’s deputies Joe Jones and Michael Boris.  Clausi says the multimillion dollar suit is the result of a ‘frivolous and baseless lawsuit’ the three defendants filed against him in January claiming that the Commissioner made defamatory remarks against the sheriff’s department. 

The lawsuits stem from incidents of pornography found on computers in the Northumberland County sheriff’s department.  Clausi alleged that pornography was viewed under the computer log-in names of Jones and Boris, but never claimed that they were the ones who were looking at it. 

A suit filed by Stuck claims that Clausi did accuse and defame the two deputies, who were recently fired.  Clausi says the Stuck suit was filed ‘solely to embarrass and humiliate him and the taxpayers of Northumberland County.’  He tells us his countersuit is funded with his own money, and he is seeking $3 million in damages from the defendants. 

Local postmaster supports curtailing Saturday delivery

SELINSGROVE – The U.S. Postal Service is increasing the pressure for dropping Saturday home delivery as it seeks to fend off massive financial losses.  Selinsgrove Postmaster Mike Wolfberg, who is coming up on 30 years working for the postal service, offered his thoughts on changing from 6 to 5 delivery days a week.

Wolfberg says over the last couple of years, he has seen the mail volume drop drastically and like every other business out there, they have pretty much been asked to do more with less.  He says he does support the plan to go from 6 to 5 days of delivery a week.

The agency was $297 million in the red in a period from October through December, which is usually its best season because of holiday mailings.  Restructuring the way the post office runs is the plan, however, Wolfberg says this doesn’t mean that local post offices will close.  He says they will be able to offer more services door to door for the customer’s convenience. 

The Postal Service has previously proposed eliminating delivery six days a week, but got a cold reception in Congress. The renewed effort comes with a series of consultant reports supporting that idea, as well as other changes.  (Ali Stevens/AP)

Suicide among military personnel

SUNBURY – One of the most alarming trends that the military is looking at now is the constant rise in suicide amongst active military personnel.  John Deppen of Northumberland is an active historian and local advocate for veterans and was guest on our On The Mark Program talking about the growing problem of suicide in the military. 

He says the most disturbing statistic that he’s seen recently is the fact that in January of 2010, more American soldiers committed suicide than were killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan combined.  Deppen says that is a problem that absolutely must be addressed. 

And what is being done to try and solve the problem? Deppen says the military has been making more of an effort to try and address the enormous stress that is produced by multiple deployments for many soldiers.  He says those soldiers going through multiple deployments tend to be the ones involved in the suicide statistics. 

Also the army recruiters are experiencing higher levels of suicides, due to the pressure of getting more volunteers to sign up. You can hear more from John Deppen from our Tuesday On The Mark program online at www.wkok.com.  (Ali Stevens)

Central PA Chamber will soon have a new home in Milton

MILTON – The Central Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce will soon have a new home in Milton.  Chamber president and CEO Maria Culp talks about their move later this month. Culp says this will be their first permanent home with a great location in Milton to service all their members.

Culp says they will be able to offer so much more in the new facility, including “Webinars” onsite, videoconferencing, more space for staff, office space for entrepreneurs and startup businesses and expansion of a partnership with Bucknell’s Small Business Development Center, with more conferences planned. 

The chamber is getting ready to pack and are working on their new building at the Milton Industrial Park on Lawton Lane.  Once renovations are complete, they hope to move in about three weeks.  (Ali Stevens)

Up to 60 years in prison

MIDDLEBURG – It’s up to 60 years in prison for a Philadelphia man charged with killing a man from Snyder County.  27-year-old David Cannie Junior was sentenced Monday to 21 to 60-years behind bars for the shooting death of Steven Rodriguez in Monroe Township on May 11^th.  Police say Cannie shot Rodriquez twice, killing him in his apartment in Monroe Township. 

Also charged in the case was 26-year-old Abdul Walker of Williamsport and 27-year-old Ibrahim Wells of Mill Hall.  The three men went to Rodriguez’s apartment to confront him over a stolen pound of marijuana.  Cannie admitted to the shooting death of Rodriquez and the other men involved were charged with lesser crimes.  (Ali Stevens)

Fatal crash on Route 35

FREEBURG – A McAlisterville man was killed Tuesday morning in a crash along Route 35 south of Freeburg.  Just after 4:15a.m. 28-year-old Joshua Gerber was driving south when his vehicle went into the northbound lane and struck a vehicle head-on driven by 30-year-old Brian Wileman of Port Royal.  Snyder County Coroner Bruce Hummel pronounced Gerber dead at the scene.  Wileman was taken to Geisinger Medical Center with minor injuries.

Assisting Selinsgrove State Police at the scene was Dauntless Hook & Ladder, Freeburg and Americus fire companies, as well as Snyder County District Attorney Michael Piecuch.

Kidnapper could be forced out of state

MILTON – A Milton woman being held in the Northumberland County Prison for allegedly kidnapping her children may soon be extradited to Washington State, where the children were abducted.  Sources say the governor of Washington has taken action to have Jill Haugen of Milton transferred to face charges there. 

Police say Haugen had been living in the Milton area for 11 years before it was discovered she was wanted as a fugitive in Washington for taking her two sons in 1998.  She has been locked up in the Northumberland County Prison since her December arrest.  She faces several years in prison if convicted.  (Ali Stevens)

Five-year contract approved for Shikellamy teachers

SUNBURY – A five-year contract has been approved for teachers in the Shikellamy School District.  The school board approved the contract last week on a vote of 6 to 2, with the contract providing an approximate 3 percent salary increase per year, for the next five years. 

The contract with the Shikellamy Education Association, the district’s teacher’s union, replaces a three-year agreement that expired June 30 and will be retroactive to the start of the school year.

Fight at Pen

LEWISBURG – About eight inmates were involved in fights on Monday at the Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary.  The FBI is investigating after the inmates were assaulted in a recreation area outside of their cells.  One inmate required treatment from medical personnel and no staff members at the prison were injured.  The first fight broke out involving three inmates around 12:30p.m. and then other fights followed.  No other information is available.  (Ali Stevens)

Aggravated assault in Shamokin

SHAMOKIN – An Overlook man is charged with aggravated assault after an incident Sunday night in Shamokin.  18-year-old Steven Moyer was arraigned Monday morning before District Judge John Gembic and sent to the Northumberland County Prison on charges including aggravated and simple assault, harassment and two counts of disorderly conduct. 

Police say Moyer assaulted another man between 11:15 and 11:30 Sunday night at Pine and Franklin Streets. 

The victim is from Coal Township and was punched in the face multiple times and was treated in the emergency room at Shamokin Area Community Hospital and then transferred to Geisinger, where he underwent surgery to his broken jaw.  The investigation continues.  (Ali Stevens)

Rate hike request issued by PPL

ALLENTOWN – PPL Electric Utilities is asking the Public Utility Commission for permission to charge more for distribution of power. The company expects the increase to be about 2.5%, and plans for it to take effect in 2011, if given approval.

A release issued by the utility calls the increase “modest,” and concedes that customers are still adjusting to unregulated generation rates that went into effect at the start of this year. PPL’s last distribution rate request was in 2007. (Matt Farrand)

Former newscaster’s appointment seen favorably

MIDDLEBURG – Monday’s swearing in of Democrat Peggy Chamberlain Roup as Snyder County commissioner followed a review of four applicants and selection by Union-Snyder County judges. Qualifications for the job included membership in the Democratic Party, and residence in Snyder County.

However, Roup was not the choice of Snyder County’s Democratic Committee. They endorsed Steve Hoffman to fill the unexpired term of Bud Bickhart. State Senator John Gordner (R-27th, Berwick) believes the judges still selected the most qualified person.

Senator Gordner says there is some flexibility built into the selection process in these cases, and notes a similar situation in Luzerne County. He was joined by State Representatives Merle Phillips (R-108th, Sunbury), Russ Fairchild (R-85th, Winfield), and Union County’s Commissioners at Monday’s ceremony in Middleburg. (Mat Farrand)

FBI to investigate assault at USP Lewisburg

LEWISBURG – An apparent fight involving three inmates at a recreation pen at the Lewisburg federal prison will be investigated. A news release supplied by officials says one inmate required outside medical attention after the incident at about 12:30 p.m. Monday.

There were no staff injuries and the recreation pen was secured without further incident. The FBI will look into the fracas and the prison is operating under regular schedule. (Matt Farrand)

Street closure while Sunbury Police headquarters is vented

SUNBURY – Portions of the 400-block of Market Street in downtown Sunbury were blocked to traffic Monday afternoon after firefighters were called to the Sunbury Police station. A natural gas leak was reported, streaming from the basement of the department’s headquarters. Venting of the building took about an hour, and the street was reportedly open to traffic again at about 2:45 p.m.

New commissioner in Snyder County

MIDDLEBURG – Well-wishers packed a room at the Snyder County Courthouse for Monday’s swearing in of the county’s newest commissioner. Peggy Chamberlain Roup is filling the unexpired term of commissioner Bud Bickhart, who stepped down earlier this year.

The long time local newscaster is up for the new challenge, and says the first matter of business she wants to deal with is the county budget. Commissioner Chamberlain Roup is the lone Democrat on the board, and will serve with Republicans Joe Kantz and Malcolm Derk.

Chamberlain Roup is also the first woman on the Snyder County board, but not the first woman commissioner to serve in the area. After being sworn in, she cited the accomplishments of other women who’ve served as commissioners in neighboring counties.

They included the late Eleanor Kuhns, who served in Northumberland County. Union County Commissioners were also Monday’s swearing-in, as well as State Representatives Merle Phillips (R-108th, Sunbury), Russ Fairchild (R-85th, Winfield), and State Senator John Gordner (R-27th, Berwick). (Ali Stevens)

Sunbury Firemen’s Banquet honors volunteers

SUNBURY – Nearly 200 volunteer firefighters and their families attended the annual Sunbury Firemen’s Banquet over the weekend. Sunbury Fire Chief Dean Weirick introduced and honored many current and past volunteers and chiefs.

A national medal of honor for gallantry was also given to Bloomsburg University student Mitch Lehman who is a Sunbury Fire Department and Bloomsburg Fire Department volunteer. He responded to a devastating building fire last October in Bloomsburg, and helped a resident escape, likely saving his life.

Also speaking at the banquet was Sunbury Mayor David Persing who commended the volunteers for their proactive approach to safety. He says their hard work makes a different in the city of Sunbury and will ultimately held improve the community. (Sara Bartlett)

Over $3,000 raised for Haiti

MIFFLINBURG – Students and teachers at Mifflinburg High School have raised over $3,000 for earthquake victims in Haiti. Several events were organized, including a hat day where students and faculty could donate money and wear a hat to school. $3,538.31 was presented to the American Red Cross and all of the money will go to the Haiti disaster relief fund.

Man threatens to kill woman; gun confiscated

MIFFLINBURG – A Watsontown man is in jail after threatening a Mifflinburg woman. Police say around 11:30p.m. Sunday 27-year-old Brian Weaver threatened to kill the 26-year-old woman. Police were summoned and confiscated a handgun belonging to Weaver. He was charged with terroristic threats and harassment. Weaver was unable to post $10,000 bail, and is in Union County Jail. (Sara Bartlett)

Latest Pennsylvania news, lottery, business and entertainment

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A new poll shows Democratic Sen. Arlen Specter now leads conservative Pat Toomey, the Republican challenger who drove Specter out of the GOP last April.  The Quinnipiac University poll released Tuesday reflects a significant change in a hypothetical general-election matchup that had been tied since last summer.  The survey shows the fifth-term Specter leading, 49 to 42 percent.  It also says Specter maintains a decisive lead over Rep. Joe Sestak in the May 18 Democratic primary. Toomey nearly beat Specter in the 2004 GOP primary and is considered the front-runner   for the nomination this year.  The telephone poll of 1,452 Pennsylvanians was conducted during the week that ended Sunday. The sampling error margin is plus or minus 2.6 percentage points.      

MOOSIC, Pa. (AP) - State police say a man is in custody accused of setting his northeastern Pennsylvania house on fire and forcing neighbors to rescue his wife from the roof.  Police say 60-year-old Robert Makala was arrested Tuesday for allegedly setting his home on fire a few hours earlier in Moosic, near Scranton.  Investigators say the fire broke out around 3:30 a.m. and Makala made it out of the two-story house. His wife, Mary, was rescued from the porch roof by neighbors who set up a ladder. She was treated at a hospital for smoke inhalation and released.  Authorities say Makala faces charges including arson and reckless endangering. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - More than a dozen states have formed an alliance to battle dismal college completion rates and figure out how to get more students to follow through and earn their diplomas.  Stan Jones, Indiana's former commissioner for higher education, is leading efforts in 17 states, with about $12 million in startup money from several national nonprofits including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  Jones founded the nonprofit Complete College America last year and says about one in every two Americans who start colleges don't finish.  The campaign's goal: Make sure 60 percent of adults between the ages of 25 and 35 hold an associate or bachelor's degree by 2020, up from the 38 percent that now claim this status.  States participating include Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont and West Virginia.

JAMESTOWN, Pa. (AP) - A reported fire at a historic northwestern Pennsylvania residence named for Mark Twain was actually just man-made fog created for a music video being made in the building.  Jamestown's assistant Fire Chief Tom Luckock says people at a restaurant on the building's third floor called the fire department when the fog filled the building Saturday about 5 p.m. The restaurant was hosting a 70th wedding anniversary party for a couple in their 90s at the time. The building about 75 miles northwest of Pittsburgh is named for Twain because he was friends with the Dr. William Gibson, a physician and world traveler who built the home in the mid-1800s.  The video was being shot at a teen dance club in the basement of the building.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A woman who worked in then-Rep. Mike Veon's Beaver County district office says taxpayer-bought equipment and supplies were regularly used for campaign material.  Melissa Lewis took the stand Tuesday in the public-corruption trial of the former No. 2 ranking House Democrat and three former Veon aides. Lewis  says she spent a week in 2004 along with other legislative employees working on an ultimately successful challenge to presidential candidate Ralph Nader's nominating petitions.  Lewis says she received campaign directions directly from Veon co-defendant Annamarie Perretta-Rosepink, who supervised Veon's Beaver Falls legislative office. Lewis' campaign efforts included fundraising, making phone calls, knocking on doors and sending out mail.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Looking for some toy trains? Or maybe some turn-of-the century long underwear? Then the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission has an auction for you.  The museum commission is putting more than 1,600 items up for auction on Saturday. Officials say the auction will include memorabilia from the railroads that crisscrossed the state as well as agricultural tools and textiles.  The commission clears out its collection once a year, auctioning off duplicate items and pieces that have not special significance to the state.  The auction begins at 9 a.m. Saturday at Ziegler Auction Co. in Hummelstown.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Congress' failure to act means that tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians are scheduled to lose their unemployment benefits sooner than expected. The state Department of Labor and Industry said Monday that payments will stop in March for an estimated 44,000 people. It estimates that 161,000 people will lose their benefits by May 31. The federal expiration happened Sunday. Before that, people getting benefits were entitled to 99 weeks. Republican Sen. Jim Bunning of Kentucky single-handedly blocked an extension because, he says, it would add to the deficit. Members of Congress expect to resolve the dispute this week.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A computer consultant says his taxpayer-funded contract with the Pennsylvania House Democrats paid him to update then-Rep. Mike Veon's campaign Web site and send out blast e-mails soliciting campaign volunteers. Eric Buxton testified Monday that he helped Veon and other Democratic candidates send out millions of e-mails during the 2006 election cycle under a contract that paid him more than $400,000 in less than three years. Buxton's father, Dauphin County Rep. Ron Buxton, is a senior member of the House Democratic caucus. Eric Buxton says the use of e-mails to help Democrats win campaigns began while he worked as a legislative employee and continued after he started his own Harrisburg business. The testimony occurred Monday in the fifth week of Veon's trial for theft, conspiracy and conflict of interest.

WERNERSVILLE, Pa. (AP) - Authorities say an eastern Pennsylvania man is dead after being attacked by one of his pet bulls. The Berks County coroner's office says 52-year-old Ricky Weinhold died Saturday after being attacked by a bull on a farm where he leased barn space in Wernersville, about 60 miles northwest of Philadelphia. Chief Deputy Coroner Charles E. Sweitzer Jr. says all of Weinhold's injuries appear to have been inflicted by a bull's head and hooves. Authorities say Weinhold's body was discovered by the son of the farm's owner on Sunday, which would have been his 53rd birthday. Deputy Coroner Terri Straka says the Reinholds man had been injured by one of the animals previously. Authorities suspect that the bull attacked him Sunday.

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

Updates on the latest in business

Dow: 10,410.51, up 6.72

S&P 500: 1,118.38, up 2.67

NASDAQ: 2,279.43, up 5.86

NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks are up for a third day as corporate takeover activity signaled that the economy is recovering. Markets also got a lift from upbeat economic reports in Asia and growing hopes European leaders will complete a bailout for Greece.

DETROIT (AP) - Despite East Coast snowstorms that slowed U.S. auto sales last month, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler are still reporting increases. Toyota says its U.S. sales fell 9 percent last month after an 8.5 million-vehicle recall for safety issues and a temporary sales halt. An industry analyst says Honda, Hyundai, Kia and Ford grabbed the most sales from troubled Toyota in February. 

WASHINGTON (AP) - Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says Toyota's "business model is broken." LaHood told a Senate committee today he won't rest until Toyota vehicles are safe. He also says he may recommend that all new vehicles sold in the U.S. be equipped with brakes that can override the gas pedal.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A retiring Republican senator is blocking the Senate from extending unemployment benefits and health insurance subsidies for the jobless again today. Jim Bunning of Kentucky has single-handedly blocked the stopgap legislation since Thursday. Bunning says he opposes the extension because it would add $10 billion to the budget deficit.

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

Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers

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

 Midday Big 4

     1-6-3-7

 Midday Number

     8-5-9

 Midday Quinto

     5-9-4-4-9

 Treasure Hunt

     10-14-17-20-22

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

Big 4 8-5-7-2

Cash 5 03-06-27-33-40

Daily Number 0-3-2

Evening Quinto 5-3-4-0-7

Midday Big 4 4-4-4-2

Midday Number 0-8-8

Midday Quinto 0-8-7-7-1

Mix and Match 13-19-12-03-09

Treasure Hunt 04-06-18-19-26

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

First lady hails value of reading, Dr. Seuss

WASHINGTON (AP) - First lady Michelle Obama is celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday by reading "The Cat in the Hat" to a group of children wearing red-and-white-striped hats like the book's main character.  Mrs. Obama helped kick off the National Education Association's annual "Read Across America" project Tuesday at the Library of Congress.  The event marked the day that Dr. Seuss would have turned 106.  The first lady told elementary school students from Washington and Arlington, Va. that her daughters, Sasha and Malia, read every night because they are allowed to stay up 30 minutes later if they do so.

Kennedy Center to stage celebrations of JFK, India
 

Supreme Court declines new 10 Commandments fight

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court has declined to get involved in a new dispute over a Ten Commandments display on public property. The justices on Monday left in place a lower court decision that a Ten Commandments marker in Haskell County, Okla., must go. The 8-foot-tall stone monument has been on the county courthouse lawn in Stigler, Okla., since 2004. A federal appeals court ruled last year that it amounts to an unconstitutional endorsement of religion by the county commission. In 2005, the high court said in two cases that determining whether the Ten Commandments could be displayed on government property was a case-by-case affair.

FINGER SUIT

CLACKAMAS, Ore. (AP) - Is the middle finger protected by the Constitution? That's what an Oregon man is asking a federal court. Robert Ekas claims his rights were violated for flipping-off Clackamas County deputies. The lawsuit charges he was given traffic tickets after raising his middle finger to a deputy while driving. Those tickets were later dismissed. A month later, Ekas says he flipped the bird to another deputy and was detained but not ticketed. Ekas charges he's being harassed. An attorney for the county is declining to comment on the lawsuit.

Jake chooses Vienna on 'The Bachelor' finale

NEW YORK (AP) - Jake Pavelka has chosen Vienna Giraldi on the ABC reality television show "The Bachelor." Pavelka revealed his decision on the show's 14th season finale Monday night. Going into the episode, he had winnowed 25 contestants to two women: Giraldi and Tenley Molzahn. Pavelka is a 32-year-old flight instructor from Dallas. He maintained he was in love with both women, a feeling they said they reciprocated. But he got down on one knee to propose to Giraldi, a 23-year-old marketing representative from Geneva, Fla. She accepted. The success rate of "The Bachelor" has been poor, romantically speaking. Only four of the 13 other couples are still together. Last week's episode of "The Bachelor" was watched by 11.5 million viewers.