Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Disagreements continue over pharmaceutical contract in NorCo
SUNBURY – A Northumberland County pharmaceutical contract was recently revised to include a 60-day cancellation clause, but County Commissioner Vinny Clausi and Solicitor Hugh Jones still say that contract is a done deal. Jones says the no out clause was originally included in the contract because they used the same draft that had been in place for many years. The contract secures a five-year agreement with the county and three Coal Township area pharmacies. CEO of Synergy Systems, Amanda Kessler, again took issue with the Commissioners asking Clausi in particular why their company got no chance to put out a bid.
Clausi responded by saying that he may have made a mistake when signing the contract, but now the issue is over and he will not answer any more questions. He then turned to Kessler and asked if Synergy had made any political contributions to the Deitrick / Masser campaign. After she said ‘yes,’ Clausi committed to not voting for any bidding company that has given more than $100 in political contributions, something Kessler said was a diversion to the real issue. Commissioner Kurt Masser also took issue with Clausi’s statement, saying that just because someone is a donor to a campaign, does not mean that company will work with the county.
Kessler again asked the Commissioners to consider canceling the contract, putting it out for bid and letting all interested pharmacies in the county have a chance. Clausi said this was end of the discussion, and if she wanted to bring the matter up to Commissioner Frank Sawicki at the next meeting she could talk with him. Sawicki was absent from this meeting because of a personal matter. (Sara Bartlett)
Gas truck crashes with car; no propane released
VALLEY TWP— A Muncy woman was taken to the hospital with an arm injury after her vehicle collided with a propane truck in Montour County. State Police in Milton say 21-year-old, Sarah Ramsey, was driving along Route 54 in Valley Township, when she attempted to make a turn and her vehicle struck the bumper of a propane truck. Police say no propane was released in that crash and Heller’s Gas of Berwick owned the truck, which was driven by 38-year-old Randy Boston of Berwick. He was not injured. The crash happened at the intersection of Route 54 and McCracken Road just after 12 p.m. Tuesday. (Sara Lauver)
Hegins pigeon shoot is still legal, but there are bills to try and stop it
HARRISBURG – As Labor Day approaches once again, the Pennsylvania Humane Society is working to keep the Hegins Pigeon Shoot from taking place on that day. The director of the humane society, Sarah Speed, recently spoke with Mark Lawrence on our live talk show “On the Mark”. Speed says the actual shooting may not be the draw, but the gambling that takes place at these types of events.
Speed says there are steps being taken to prevent this year’s shoot from taking place or any other pigeon shoots, however the two bills introduced to the house and senate will not be signed during this legislative session. So they are trying a new tactic by amending the pigeon shoot language in two separate bills to try and outlaw the pigeon shoots in another way.
The pigeon shoots are organized events in which people pay entry fees and compete for prizes by shooting live pigeons as the birds are catapulted out of small cages. Although some states prohibit killing captured animals for entertainment, Pennsylvania allows some events, including pigeon shoots. (Ali Stevens)
State to spend $350 million dollars on highway bridge repair
MONTOURSVILLE – Between now and 2010, the state will spend more than $350 million dollars to rebuild highway bridges. Locally, the “Transportation Infrastructure Investment’ program includes repairs on three structures. They include spans of Middle Creek and Mahantango Creek in Snyder County, and a bridge over a tributary of Bull Run Creek in Union County. PennDOT spokesman Rick Mason says that though some are structurally deficient, motorists need not worry.
Mason says all state highway bridges in the region are checked regularly, and if they become unsafe before repairs are made, their use will be restricted or they will be closed. He notes that some bids on work are already out and work could start this summer. Other projects are unlikely to be completed before 2010. (Matt Farrand)
Danville area man found safe after a missing persons report was filed
DANVILLE – A Danville area man has been found safe after wandering off and spending the night outside. 87-year-old Lester Thomas has Alzheimer’s and wandered from his home near Routes 642 and 45 on Sunday afternoon. He was reported missing Sunday evening and about 50 volunteers searched the area until he was located yesterday. Thomas was found sitting along a creek and aside from dehydration, was in good shape. The Montour County Commissioners all joined in the search along with a helicopter and dogs. Commissioner Trevor Finn says people from out of the area also helped, with volunteers coming in from Milton, Riverside and even Centre County. The commissioner says they were thrilled with the happy ending and all of the willingness of volunteers. (Ali Stevens)
Memorial Quizzo Tourney in Sunbury
SUNBURY – Get ready to test your knowledge of random facts. It’s the First Annual Bill Hoover Memorial Quizzo Tournament in Sunbury. Quizzo is a game where teams have to answer random questions from a number of categories. The game will take place Monday at the Hotel Edison and will honor Bill Hoover, a community leader and avid Quizzo player, who passed away in February from prostate cancer. Hotel Co-owner Randi Buehner says the money raised at the event will go toward Hoover’s scholarship fund at Shikellamy High School. Buehner says Hoover was a great advocate of children, was an elementary school teacher for a number of years, was very active in the community, and was also her very first Quizzo contestant when they started the weekly games three years ago.
In addition to the game that evening, there will be raffles and a silent auction to raise money. Cost to play is $30.00 per teams of six people. It starts at 8:00p.m. Monday at the Hotel Edison. You can call to reserve at table at 286-5605, or show up the night of the event. (Sara Bartlett)
NY pastor remains in critical condition at GMC
DANVILLE – The pastor of a Brooklyn, New York church injured in I-80 crash that killed three remains in critical condition at Geisinger Medical Center. The Reverend Timothy Wright was taken there after the accident that claimed the life of his wife Betty, grandson D.J. and a motorist who drove the wrong way on the Interstate. 44-year-old John Pick of Lewisburg also died in the crash after driving west on the eastbound lanes, colliding with Reverend Wright’s car and another vehicle. The Wrights were returning to New York Friday night following a religious convention in Detroit. The investigation into the crash will continue and State Police say toxicology tests will be done on Pick to determine if alcohol or drugs were involved. The tests could take two to three weeks to be completed. (Matt Farrand)
Shamokin woman charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
SHAMOKIN – A Shamokin woman, arrested over the weekend, has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Police charged 23-year-old Tia Bogetti following a domestic incident early Saturday morning in Shamokin. Police say a 19-year-old Mount Carmel man had his finger cut off by his girlfriend during an argument. Bogetti was reportedly intoxicated when she got a 12-inch kitchen knife and attacked the man. When the man reportedly tried to protect his face, his finger was severed. Bogetti was found running on Dewart Street and taken into custody. She was arraigned and sent to the Northumberland County Prison on $50,000 bail. (Ali Stevens)
A Shamokin man and a teenager arrested for stealing from vehicles
SHAMOKIN – An 18-year-old Shamokin man was sent to prison after police arrested him and a 16-year-old for stealing from parked cars. The News Item reports Shane Picarella was seen carrying a bag on Saturday near one of the vehicles on Academy Street. When he was stopped for questioning, he know longer had the bag, but it was later located, filled with electronics, including cell phone chargers. The 16-year-old was reportedly found in possession of a satellite radio, a CD player, credit cards and money orders. The two were charged with theft, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief. Picarella was arraigned and sent to the Northumberland County Prison. The teen was charged in Northumberland County Juvenile Court. (Ali Stevens)
Lewis, of Cwalina/Lewis administration, charged with assault
SELINSGROVE – It was a former Northumberland County Commissioner who’s been charged with assaulting a female in Selinsgrove. Police were called to the home of 62-year-old Charles Lewis, Jr. on Sunday around 12:30a.m., where they say a woman claimed Lewis had assaulted her. Police placed Lewis under arrest and charged him with one count of simple assault and one count of harassment.
Lewis was half of the controversial Cwalina/Lewis administration. The county, it was discovered after their resignation, was operating with a massive deficit, and would soon find itself in over $30 million of debt.
Several years ago, Lewis was also named in a Northumberland County Protection From Abuse order, but was not charged with assault. His residence at that time was in Northumberland. He has held several jobs since public office. (Staff)
Sunbury police look for four men accused of attacking a woman in the city
SUNBURY – Sunbury police are still on the lookout for four men charged with attacking a woman and pulling a gun on her in the city. The unidentified woman was walking on South 11th Street on Thursday night around 6 p.m. when the men approached her and began punching and kicking her. One man reportedly pulled a gun from his pants and threatened to kill her, pointing the gun at her head. Sunbury police believe the incident was gang related. They are searching for four African-American males in their 20’s. (Ali Stevens)
Police looking for suspect in Sunbury burglary attempt
SUNBURY— Sunbury Police are investigating a burglary attempt along the 900 block of Susquehanna Avenue in the city. Police say, around 2:00 p.m. Monday, the male burglar was found inside a residence in the area and he fled on foot after being seen. Police are looking for a black male that is over 5 feet 6 inches tall, wearing blue jeans and a black hooded sweatshirt. Reports say the suspect was wearing a red shirt under his sweatshirt and a pair of running shoes.
Police are also investigating the theft of stereo equipment from a garage in the same area. They ask anyone with any information to contact them. (Sara Lauver)
Danville man still critical after a motorcycle crash
DANVILLE – A Danville man remains in critical condition at Geisinger Medical Center following a motorcycle crash in the Williamsport area on Friday evening. Daniel Clark lost control of his motorcycle on Route 180 and was flown to Geisinger Medical Center with serious injuries. A driver and passenger of another vehicle involved in the crash were taken to Williamsport Hospital, where they were treated and released. (Ali Stevens)
Holiday weekend crashes claim 15 lives statewide
HARRISBURG— During the four-day Fourth of July holiday driving period, State Police throughout the state say they investigated a total of 759 accidents. Information released today from the Department of State Police in Harrisburg, says 15 people died and 289 others were injured in those crashes. Commissioner, Jeffrey Miller, says 11 of the 15 who died were not wearing seatbelts and 75 of the crashes, including three of the fatals, were alcohol-related. The report includes information from July 3rd through the 6th and during that time period, troopers say they arrested 339 for driving under the influence. They also issued over 6,800 speeding citations and cited over 370 for failing to wear a seatbelt. Another 68 were given citations for not securing children in safety seats properly.
Miller says last year’s official Fourth of July holiday driving period extended over 6 days and 15 people were killed in crashes and 422 others were injured. Crash numbers cover only those incidents investigated by State Police throughout Pennsylvania and do not include crash statistics where other law-enforcement agencies responded. (Sara Lauver)
Fun for the whole family at this year’s Sunbury Celebration
SUNBURY— Sunbury Celebration 2008 is kicking off this year with lots of activities and fun for the entire family. One of the coordinators, Ron Pratt, says there will be an outdoor movie night starting on Wednesday and the week will continue with a baseball tournament, a free splash hop and a fireworks display Saturday night. He says the weather is supposed to be great with low humidity and they invite all the surrounding communities to come out and enjoy the Celebration. Pratt says it’s a chance to see a lot of new faces and show everyone what Sunbury has to offer.
Food, games and entertainment will also be part of the activities going on Wednesday through Sunday. For a complete schedule of events, go to www.wkok.com. (Sara Lauver)
Here is the latest Pennsylvania news from the Associated Press:
PITTSBURGH (AP) - A Westmoreland County jury has been picked for the trial of state Sen. Robert Regola III. The senator faces perjury and weapons charges related to the death of his 14-year-old neighbor. Opening statements are scheduled for Wednesday morning.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Jurors picked for the fall corruption trial of outgoing Pennsylvania state Sen. Vincent Fumo will work five days a week. The 65-year-old Philadelphia Democrat is facing a Sept. 8 trial on 139 fraud-related counts. The trial could run through Christmas.
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Allegheny County is getting a new sports and athletic complex that will include nontraditional athletic fields and trout fishing. The 78 acres in Moon and Robinson townships are to become fields for rugby, soccer and lacrosse, as well as other activities.
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) - A Maryland judge has sentenced a 30-year-old Pennsylvania man to two years in jail for throwing a punch that killed a Hagerstown man in a street fight. Darrow Lee Shupp of Rouzerville, Pa., offered a tearful apology in court.
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) - Part of a Williamsport charitable group's building has been condemned. City officials have shut down the American Rescue Workers' warehouse because of damage from a fire.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Tuesday in the midday Pennsylvania State Lottery drawing:
Daily Number
9-8-6
Big 4
8-2-4-4
Treasure Hunt
2-6-14-17-30
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
)