Saturday, July 3, 2010

Sunbury motorcyclist killed in crash

LAPORTE -- A Sunbury man was killed in an accident in Sullivan County Friday. Police say 43-year-old Edward Eichner Jr. was driving a motorcycle on Route 154 in Laporte Township when he lost control on a curve and crashed into a tree. Eichner died at the scene follow that crash just before 6:00p.m. Eichner was wearing a helmet and the investigation into the crash continues.

A rural Union County accident claimed at least one life

MIFFLINBURG – State police say they may disclose—later today—who was killed in a crash west of Mifflinburg last evening. Word is, at least one person died and one person was flown to Geisinger Medical Center. No other details are being disclosed yet.

Union County Communications tells us, the accident occurred just before 8pm on Paddy Mountain Road near Hassenplug Road. That is in the Laurelton area, near the Centre County line. The Union County Coroner and state police investigated.

Life Flight and volunteers from Mifflinburg fire and ambulance, and Middleburg rescue responded. More information may come out later today—from state police at Milton.

Nearly 40 arrests made during Sunbury saturation patrol

SUNBURY -- A saturation patrol by the Northumberland-Montour County Drug Task Force took place Friday night. The patrol took place in the greater Sunbury area and officers were in contact with over 100 people.

Among the arrests include four illegal drug violations, where nearly thirty grams of both cocaine and marijuana were seized, five probation violations, sending four of them to Northumberland County Prison, three disorderly conducts and nine traffic violations.

In addition, there were two foot pursuits with both individuals now in custody, one wanted person placed in Northumberland County Prison, one illegal immigration violation and one prohibited weapon violation. There were nearly forty arrests in all. Officers from Sunbury, Northumberland, Point Township, Ralpho Township, Mount Carmel, as well as the Northumberland County Adult Probation assisted with the patrol. (Sara Bartlett)

Major fire devastated a section of downtown Milton

MILTON – A business celebrating their 85th year was destroyed by a fast moving fire in downtown Milton Friday afternoon. Three buildings were damaged and about a dozen people are homeless because of the blaze. The fire apparently broke out next to the Vogel’s Cleaners building at 140 South Front Street. The Vogel’s building and two adjoining buildings were destroyed.

Fire fighters were able to keep the fire from spreading further. The cause of the fire is not known and a state police fire marshal will help investigate. The American Red Cross, Upper Northumberland County chapter, is assisting the families. The Milton-Standard reports that Richard Agler owns the adjoining apartment buildings.

The owner of Vogel’s, Jim Vogel said the business started with his grandfather and was handed down to him. He did not know if they planned to rebuild. Among the people homeless, six people in the Terry Guisewhite family, and at least three other families.

The fire started around 3pm and volunteer companies responding to the scene, serving in a standby capacity or providing assistance at the scene included Milton, Turbot Township, Sunbury, Middleburg, Warrior Run, Mifflinburg, White Deer Township, Lewisburg and Montoursville. A fire earlier in the week destroyed one of the main buildings at the H. Warshow and Son’s complex. That fire started from workers using a torch.

Investigation yields charges after mid-April fatality

SUNBURY -- An Elizabethville man now faces a host of charges following a mid-April accident that claimed the life of a Dalmatia woman. State troopers spent more than two months investigating the incident, and now say 29-year old Thomas Schorr had a suspended license and violated more than half a dozen driving regulations that day.

19-year-old Bethany Harris was injured after jumping from Schorr's vehicle as he was driving recklessly along McKees Road and Lenker Lane in Lower Mahanoy Township. She died several days later at Geisinger Medical Center. A front seat passenger at the time is also being charged. 23-year-old Jessica Beers lives with Schorr and let him drive her car knowing he was not properly licensed and the vehicle was uninsured. (Matt Farrand)

Wolfgang enters no contest plea, sentenced promptly

SUNBURY -- A Mount Carmel man will spend 20 to 40 years in prison for killing his wife and dumping her body in a creek. That's the ruling Friday by Northumberland County President Judge Robert Sacavage, after Steven Wolfgang again entered a plea of no contest to a charge of third degree murder.

Wolfgang was accused of accused of killing his wife Sherry Wolfgang in January 2007. Her body was found in Mahanoy Creek in June of that year.

Northumberland County District Attorney Tony Rosini says if the case had gone to trial, the defense was likely to suggest that Wolfgang was intoxicated at the time of the crime and could not formed the specific intent to kill. The DA is satisfied with Friday's sentence, as Wolfgang will spend most, if not all, of the rest of his life in prison. (Matt Farrand)

Wood shop destroyed by fire

WASHINGTONVILLE -- Fire hit a Montour County wood shop Thursday night, and officials are calling the building a total loss. The midnight blaze broke out along Fairview Road. William Smith owned the three buildings and the main building was a wood shop.

A fire marshal has been to the scene, and there is still no word on what caused the blaze. There were no injuries reported. Washingtonville, Warrior Run and Millville fire companies responded. The crews were on the scene of that Montour County fire for about two hours. (Mark Lawrence)

Man hit by car in Shamokin

SHAMOKIN -- A Shamokin man was killed after being hit by a car Friday. The News Item reports 86-year-old Paul Bogdan was walking near Market and Chestnut Street around 11:50a.m. when a vehicle driven by 75-year-old Robert Hine of Coal Township struck him. Bogdan was taken to Shamokin Area Community Hospital and then transferred to Geisinger where he died. The accident is still under investigation.

Marino enjoys freedom to vote, pray and travel

UNDATED -- Republican congressional candidate Tom Marino says Independence Day is among his favorite holidays. The former Lycoming County and federal prosecutor says freedom enjoyed during day-to-day life is the reason, including freedom to travel vote and go to church.

Marino will spend much of the holiday weekend campaigning, but says veterans and current members of the military are in his prayers. He says former and current soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines need to be taken care of. Marino will face incumbent Democrat Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock) in the general election. We'll have remarks from Carney in upcoming newscasts. (Matt Farrand)

CSVT gets boost in House

WASHINGTON – The long planned Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation project is getting a legislative boost. So says Congressman Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock), who tells us the House passed a measure late Thursday.

That bill makes it possible for the 13-mile highway bypass to be eligible for Appalachian Regional Commission money. Carney added language to the bill that now goes to the Senate, which that removes the corridor designation from a proposed project in Centre County. (Matt Farrand)

Lack of rain affecting local farmer

UNDATED -- Although our area is not technically in a 'drought,' rain gauges are virtually dry. Local farmer, Bill Geise, of Geise's Farm in Northumberland, says they have picked and begun selling corn already. It's earlier than in years passed because of the weather.

He says they have been irrigating, but are praying for rain. Geise says the corn needs between one and one-and-a-half inches of rain a week to grow healthy. Geise says they have picked enough corn to be fully stocked through next week, and he expects to have a very busy 4th of July weekend.

Last month, according to AccuWeather senior meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski, our area had about a two-and-a-half inch rainfall deficit, and so far this year, our area has experienced about a six-inch rainfall deficit. Pydynowski says we could see a shower later next week, but until that time, and through the holiday weekend it will remain hot and dry.

Boat rental business booming for holiday weekend

SUNBURY -- With perfect weather forecast for the 4th of July weekend, one local business expects to be extra busy. Angela Troutman, owner of Lake Augusta Outfitters at the Shikellamy Marina, says she's seen a lot of interest already in rental equipment, and the pontoon boats are sold out. But, Troutman says there are still plenty of water rentals available, along with single and tandem bikes.

Troutman says since the business opened last month, the turnout and feedback have been great. She says the community has been very supportive of the business, and she has been getting a lot of spontaneous renters who have come to the park for the day. In addition to rentals, the shop offers refreshments, as well as fishing and boat equipment. They also have a gas pump, where all boaters are welcome to fill up. (Sara Bartlett)

Roundtable this weekend is an update on the CSVT

SUNBURY – This weekend on our Roundtable program, you’ll find out why some of the people pushing for the CSVT are optimistic the highway will be built. Joe McGranaghan—the mayor Shamokin Dam and the chair of the CSVT task force tells us, the project has many allies at the local, state and federal level. He said he is optimistic because the US House and Senate have pledged support.

Joe McGranaghan, along with Charlie Ross of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce, and Ryan Unger of SEDA-COG, are on Roundtable this weekend talking about the so-called Routes 11 & 15 bypass.

You can hear Roundtable (Sunday) on, Eagle 107 (107.3FM) at 6a.m., 100.9 (100.9FM), The Valley, at 6a.m., Newsradio 1070 WKOK (1070AM) at 9a.m., Talkradio 1380 WMLP (1380AM), 11a.m., 94KX WQKX (94.1FM) at 11p.m. and anytime, at www.wkok.com.

Open lewdness charges against Montandon man

MONTANDON -- A Montandon man is being charged with open lewdness after watching pornographic material in front of an open window. Police say 28-year-old Shawn Kelson intentionally positioned a large screen television in his home so that it was visible to the public from the main roadway.

On June 20th, Kelson was observed watching pornographic material at the home along Atlantic Avenue in Montandon. District Judge William Kear charged kelson on counts of open lewdness and viewing obscene and sexual material. (Sara Bartlett)

Northumberland County democratic committee names officials

SUNBURY -- The Northumberland County Democratic Party held a reorganization meeting Thursday, and new officials were named. The new Democratic Chairman is Rodger Babnew of Sunbury. He replaces Paul Niglio of Kulpmont. The Vice Chairperson is Peggy Ferrari of Shamokin. Debbie Howe was named as secretary and Norm Gessner was named as treasurer. They are both from Sunbury.

Testing for tree-killing insect in Union County

UNDATED -- The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is working to stop the spread of a tree-killing beetle after a suspect sample of the bug was found in Union County. A sample from Gregg Township is being tested for confirmation of the emerald ash borer beetle.

The invasive beetle can kill an ash tree within three years of infestation. The Ag Department says they pose a serious threat to the hardwoods industry. The beetle has now been found in 15 Pennsylvania counties.

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, lottery, business and entertainment

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The politically divided Pennsylvania Legislature could wrap up the state's budget package and send it to Gov. Ed Rendell's desk within 24 hours. The state House of Representatives and Senate have shuffled a series of budget-related bills into position for votes that appear to have a majority behind them. The chambers will reconvene this morning to begin voting. The movement came after top lawmakers resolved a late-developing dispute over whether to set up a new state office to analyze state revenue and spending. Pennsylvania's fiscal year began Thursday. On Wednesday, lawmakers passed a $28 billion appropriations bill. However, an assortment of other bills, such as one authorizing money transfers, are necessary before Rendell can sign the spending bill.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The Legislature is poised to approve a new cabinet-level agency to deal with drug and alcohol addiction. The Senate approved a bill 43-to-7 yesterday to create the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. The bill was sent to the House for approval. The sponsor, Rep. Gene DiGirolamo, says the agency's creation will improve the state's ability to pursue federal grants and foster communication in the various governmental bodies that are affected by substance abuse. Critics such as Sen. Jane Earll say the expansion of the state bureaucracy is bound to cost more money. Plus, Earll says the agency will be essentially powerless because it won't have control over the money that pays for the programs.

BIG FLATS, N.Y. (AP) - Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. says it is shutting down a commercial helicopter factory in upstate New York and moving production to Pennsylvania. The Stratford, Conn.-based helicopter maker and military contractor says subsidiary Schweizer Aircraft Corp. plans to shift most of the 400 employees to a nearby military helicopter factory it also operates in Big Flats, N.Y., a small town near Elmira. Spokesman Peter Jackson says the manufacturing of Schweizer's light utility commercial helicopters will shift to Sikorsky's Global Helicopters plant in Coatesville, Pa., 45 miles west of Philadelphia. Jackson says Schweizer employs about 1,250 people at its plants in Big Flats, but some jobs will likely be eliminated during the transition.

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

AP-BusinessMinute

NEW YORK (AP) - Stock prices ended the day lower, after investors digested the June jobs report. The Dow fell 46 points to 9,686. The S&P was down 5 points, while the Nasdaq lost nearly 10. For the week, the Dow and S&P 500 index declined about 5 percent, while the Nasdaq shed 6 percent.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Analysts caution against reading too much into the Labor Department's report that June joblessness fell to 9.5 percent. The unemployment rate fell only because more than a-half million people gave up looking for work.

NEW YORK (AP) - BP shares rose more than 8 percent this week. It was the first weekly increase since an April explosion on a BP-operated triggered a massive Gulf oil spill.

UNDATED (AP) - Gasoline prices have not changed much this week. Some analysts says they could fall a bit more over the long U.S. Independence Day holiday weekend.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - The former head of a mortgage lending company accused of scheming to steal more than $500 million from the government's financial bailout fund has pleaded not guilty in the case. Lee Bentley Farkas entered the not guilty plea in Alexandria, Va. The charges include conspiracy, bank fraud and wire fraud in connection with the alleged plot at Taylor, Bean & Whitaker Corp.

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

Pennsylvania Lottery Number

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

Big 4

6-3-8-5

Cash 5

01-10-11-19-41

Daily Number

9-5-6

Evening Quinto

0-5-0-4-4

Mega Millions

01-10-12-32-36, Mega Ball: 25

Megaplier

4

Midday Big 4

2-3-9-8

Midday Number

4-3-9

Midday Quinto

7-4-4-4-5

Treasure Hunt

09-10-20-22-30

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

Paris Hilton marijuana charges dropped in S. Africa

PORT ELIZABETH, South Africa (AP) - Police in South Africa say they've dropped a marijuana charge against Paris Hilton. She was arrested Friday on suspicion of possession of marijuana at the World Cup quarterfinal match between Brazil and the Netherlands. The charge was dropped when the woman charged with Hilton, Jennifer Rovero, said it was her pot and pleaded guilty. Rovero, who's from New York, was sentenced to a fine of $130 or 30 days in jail. Hilton's publicist called the incident a "misunderstanding."

Later on Twitter, Hilton said she wasn't charged or arrested, she was helping police with their investigation. She wrote: "Everyone was super nice and friendly to me." Three years ago, Hilton spent 23 days in jail after pleading no contest in 2007 to alcohol-related reckless driving.

CPSC: Caution needed at pools over holiday weekend

BETHESDA, Md. (AP) - Along with poolside fun on a summer holiday weekend comes a degree of danger. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning that an extra dose of vigilance is needed as Americans head to swimming pools to cool off and have fun over the Fourth of July weekend. The CPSC's Kathleen Reilly says people always need to keep an eye on the kids at pools and not get distracted by cell phone calls

or reading a book. She says over 70 kids under 15 have drowned in pools since Memorial Day, while another 80 have been rushed to emergency rooms. Reilly says strong suction around pool drains can trap even good

swimmers underwater. Young girls have been unable to surface when their hair was sucked into drains. There are hazards other than drowning, too. Reilly cautions pool-goers to learn CPR, watch out for slippery wet decks and be careful when diving.

Dr Pepper orders sugar for 125th anniversary

NEW YORK (AP) - Dr Pepper is prescribing some sugar - real sugar - this summer in honor of its 125th anniversary. The soda is rolling out Dr Pepper made with sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup this weekend. It's another move by a major soft drink maker to switch the sweeteners, but only for a limited

time. Cans and bottles will feature old logos. They'll be sold until early September. Last summer, rival PepsiCo sold real sugar versions of Pepsi and Mountain Dew. Pepsi Throwback returned for a brief time last

winter. Analysts say these drinks help test the market, because some people worry about the health effects of high fructose corn syrup. The industry switched to it in the 1970s as a cheaper alternative to sugar.

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

Sports

Ross Ohlendorf became the third Pirates starting pitcher in as many days to win for the first time this season. He held the slumping Philadelphia Phillies to five hits over seven innings in Pittsburgh's 2-0 victory. The Phillies' Jamie Moyer was masterful at age 47, but two infield singles and his throwing error figured in the loss.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel will be picking nine National League players this weekend for the All-Star game July 13 in Anaheim. Manuel knows his selections will be debated among fans, players and other managers. But he says he plans to spend as much time as possible this weekend choosing what he says are "the right people."

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Final Toronto 6 N-Y Yankees 1, 11 Innings

Final Oakland 3 Cleveland 0

Final Detroit 7 Seattle 1

Final Boston 3 Baltimore 2

Final Chi White Sox 5 Texas 3

Final Minnesota 2 Tampa Bay 1

Final Kansas City 2 L.A. Angels 1, 10 Innings

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Final Cincinnati 12 Chi Cubs 0

Final N-Y Mets 5 Washington 3

Final Atlanta 4 Florida 3, 11 Innings

Final Colorado 6 San Francisco 3

Final St. Louis 5 Milwaukee 0

Final Arizona 12 L.A. Dodgers 5

Final San Diego 3 Houston 0

Tiger Woods hit the ball well and had little to show for it with a round of par 70, leaving him at 3-over 143 after two rounds of the AT&T National. Woods made a few careless bogeys, including a 30-inch putt that he missed on his 17th hole.

The New York Yankees have brought up a pitcher from their Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Triple-A club -- promoting right-hander Dustin Moseley and sending down lefty reliever Boone Logan. Moseley was 4-4 with a 4.21 ERA in 12 starts this year at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed former Tampa Bay forward Ryan Craig to a two-way contract that will pay him $500,000 if he plays in the NHL next season. The 28-year-old Craig had 23 goals and 25 assists in 73 games last season with Norfolk, Tampa Bay's top farm team. He has 32 goals and 31 assists in 184 NHL games.

Uruguay escaped sure defeat in the closing seconds of overtime and went on to beat Ghana 2-1 on penalty kicks in the World Cup quarterfinals. Uruguay now advances to next week's semifinals against the Netherlands, which rallied with two goals in the second half and beat five-time champ Brazil 2-1.

Rafael Nadal will play in his fourth Wimbledon final on Sunday after the Spaniard beat fourth-seeded Andy Murray 6-4, 7-6, 6-4. Nadal will be trying for a second Wimbledon title and eighth Grand Slam championship when he faces Tomas Berdych who defeated third-seeded Novak Djokovic of Serbia, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.

One day after meeting with the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets, prized free agent LeBron James spent Friday hearing pitches from the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers. Today, James is scheduled to meet with the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers, who are hoping to retain the services of the NBA superstar based on hometown loyalty.

Miami guard Dwyane Wade met with the New York Knicks for a little over two hours, then added a second meeting with the Chicago Bulls. Wade is due back in South Florida early next week, and it's unknown if he'll have any more formal talks with teams before then.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. raced to his first NASCAR victory since 2007, driving a retro paint scheme to Victory Lane at Daytona International Speedway. Earnhardt entered Friday night's Nationwide Series race in a No. 3 Chevrolet with a Wrangler paint scheme to honor his father's induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Dale Earnhardt was killed in a last-lap accident in the 2001 Daytona 500. Earnhardt Jr. bided his time most of the race, then moved to the lead following a pit stop under yellow with 26 laps remaining.