Lightning touched off a fire in the Herndon area today

HERNDON – A fire, which started with a lightning strike, damaged a private school in the Herndon area this morning. The blaze hit the St. Louis de Montfort Academy around 2:20a.m.  Two caretakers were in the building at the time and they used cell phones to call 911 because the telephones and fire alarm system were knocked out by the lightning strike.

According to Herndon’s 2^nd Assistant Fire Chief John Hinkley, the fire was contained the attic and was put out quickly.  Hinkley said Herndon’s new tanker truck was today used for its first fire call, and it worked flawlessly.  There were no students at the school at the time; he said students are on summer break.  There were no injuries.  

John McCain speaks to a group in Wilkes-Barre this morning

WILKES-BARRE – Presidential candidate, John McCain, spoke to a large group in Wilkes-Barre today at a town hall meeting.  The republican says the cost of oil and gasoline is "on everybody's mind in this room.” He reminded those in attendance that as soon as President Bush announced that the moratorium would be lifted on offshore drilling, the price of a barrel of oil went down $10.00. 

He says as soon as we get the oil offshore, it’s not only going to help us with our supply, but it’s also going to impact the futures market, which is “out of sight”. 

McCain also talked about the Iraqi people, who he says are working to take back over the security of the country.  He says there is more corruption in Afghanistan then Iraq and things are progressing.  He says they will eventually withdraw troops, but now is not the time.

McCain is expected to announce a running mate soon, but did not do so in Wilkes-Barre today.  (Ali Stevens) 

Sunbury Councilman says floodwall referendum may be too late

SUNBURY – Although voters in Sunbury will see a question on their ballot this fall regarding openings in the floodwall, City Councilman John Shipman says the timing is off on the referendum.  Speaking this week on ‘On The Mark,’ Shipman says the project has been going on for eight years, and the process is basically over.  He says the referendum may not even be binding.

Some residents have expressed concerns about openings in the wall; Shipman says those residents have had many chances to give their input and opinions during several public meetings.  In addition, the plans for the floodwall, as part of the Riverfront Project, now include only one opening in the wall, as opposed to the original four.  The opening would be located at Market and Front Streets and be about 65-feet in width. 

You can hear all of John Shipman’s comments by downloading ‘On The Mark’ online at wkok.com.  You can also voice your opinions about the topic by calling the live telephone talk show weekday mornings from 9:00-10:00a.m. (Sara Bartlett)
 

Local dealership says Ford Motor Company wants more small cars

SUNBURY – The Ford Motor Company is shifting away from trucks and SUV’s and manufacturing more small cars during the current gas crisis.  Ford is expected to announce changes to several North American assembly plants from trucks to cars.  Tom Mertz is the owner of Sunbury Motors in Sunbury and says there will now be four major plants manufacturing cars instead of trucks and SUVs.  Mertz says Ford’s Chief Executive made important decisions years ago about the company’s future products. 

On a local level, Mertz says they are still able to sell trucks, because the demand for trucks is still there. However he admits that sales on SUV’s such as the Explorer, are slumping.  Two cars, the Focus and the Fusion, are picking up in sales though due to gas mileage of about 28 miles a gallon. 

According to the New York Times, for at least a decade, 60 percent of Ford’s sales in the US came from trucks and SUVs.  These numbers are now shifting rapidly due to gas prices.  Ford is set to announce plans to unveil its new direction on Thursday along with quarterly earnings.   (Ali Stevens)

Mine reclamation projects coming to the Coal Region from federal funds

SUNBURY – One billion dollars was earmarked to Pennsylvania by the Federal Government for mine reclamation projects in the state and $250-million will be coming to Northumberland County.  Amanda Kozak is Grants Manager in the county. Kozak says a meeting was held in March to identify the projects needed in the Coal Region and the next step will be evaluation. Projects include prevention acid mine drainage, addressing vertical rock high walls and open stripping pits and the infiltration of surface waters into mines.

83 percent of available funds were identified for the Anthracite Coal Region.  The money is allocated by state and federal agencies, including representatives of the DEP.  The announcement was made at this weeks Northumberland County Commissioner’s Meeting.  (Ali Stevens)

Mothman makes an appearance at Nature and Arts Festival this weekend

MILLERSBURG – The 15^th annual Nature and Arts Festival hosted by the Ned Smith Center will take place Friday and Saturday in Millersburg.  John Laskowski is the Chairman of the festival and says it grows every year.  He says last year nearly 4,800 people attended.  Laskowski says there are activities for all ages, including interactive workshops, musical entertainment and crafts.  He will also be doing a demonstration on moths.

Italian influences on classical music; topic of book by local author

SELINSGROVE – A book signing will be held this weekend with one area author who has recently published his third book.  History buff and former Snyder County Commissioner, Guy Graybill, will be signing copies of his book titled, “Bravo! Greatness of Italian Music.”  Graybill says the book addresses the complete 1,000-year-old story of how Italian geniuses and musicians impacted the world of classical music.  He says music has been a passion of his since childhood, and some of his research came from records he has collected over the years.  Graybill says the book is also filled with old pictures that were collected throughout his research.

The book signing will take place Saturday from 11a.m. to 3p.m. at the Books Etc. store, located in next to Wal-Mart, along Routes 11 and 15 in Hummels Wharf.  (Sara Lauver)

State Police investigate stolen debit card

NEW COLUMBIA – State Police are investigating a recent theft involving a debit card.  State Police in Milton say that sometime on June 30^th, a known suspect, who’s name has not been released, stole a debit card from a woman’s purse in New Columbia and then used it to make his own purchases.  The victim, from Pittston, realized her card was missing at a later date and then reported the loss.  Police say they know who the male suspect is, but no arrests have been made at this time.  That investigation continues.  (Sara Lauver)

Teen bicyclist injured in a crash in Paxinos

Feds get more info from Pa. on I-80 tolling plan

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Federal highway officials are getting more information about Pennsylvania's plans to add tolls to Interstate 80. State transportation officials submitted the new information Tuesday after the Federal Highway Administration in December said the original application was lacking some key answers.

The state Legislature a year ago approved the tolling of I-80 as a way to raise new money to repair highways and bridges and help struggling mass transit agencies. The plan needs federal approval to proceed. However, the plan has received strong opposition from the I-80 corridor in the northern half of the state. If they get federal approval, state transportation officials say they will seek public input on where to put tollbooths.

Employees evacuated after ammonia leak at Weis Markets plant

SUNBURY – Nearly 150 employees were evacuated from the South 2nd Street Weis Markets plant in Sunbury this morning after reports of an ammonia leak. Director of Public Relations for Weis, Dennis Curtain, says the smell of ammonia was noticed around 8:45a.m. in a storage area of the dairy plant, where a valve reportedly broke. He calls the leak ‘minor,’ but says they don’t know yet exactly what caused it.

Curtain says Weis’ Hazmat team, along with Sunbury firefighters worked to clean up the ammonia and ventilate the building. The plant uses ammonia as a refrigerant and the gas is toxic, but no injuries were reported during the incident.

Curtain says it has been at least 10 years since the plant has had an ammonia leak, and since that time, they have invested extensively into the milk, meat and ice cream plant to upgrade systems in order to make them safer. All employees were allowed back into the plant around 11:00a.m. and Curtain says production in the dairy plant will continue later today. (Sara Bartlett)

Waiting in Norry? Call and complain!

NORTHUMBERLAND – Stuck in traffic? Call a local legislator. That’s the message of a sign at King Street Park in Northumberland, urging motorists to make the call supporting the Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation project, and giving out phone numbers for offices including Penna. Governor Ed Rendell, U.S. Congressman Chris Carney (D-10th, Dimock), Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa) and PennDOT.

It’s not just the park sign you’ll be seeing in the upcoming days, according to Northumberland Borough Secretary Jan Bowman. Bowman, along with other council members and Mayor Gretchen Brosius were busy Tuesday making and laminating even more signs that will be placed along Duke Street.

She says motorists who drive in the area know how bad the traffic is, and while drivers are waiting in traffic they thought it would be a good idea to call their local legislators. Council members say they have not heard from one resident who thinks the ‘hibernation’ stage of the project, announced last week, is a good idea. PennDOT had said the hibernation phase means the project can be reactivated at a later time. (Sara Bartlett)

D-A says Hoover got 20-year sentence

MIDDLEBURG – Snyder County District Attorney Mike Sholley spoke with WKOK about the 20-year probation sentence Monday for Alvin Hoover. Hoover plead guilty to burning down his parents business, Irvin’s Country Tinware in Mount Pleasant Mills and Sholley says Hoover’s mental status was an important part of the sentencing.

Hoover was sentenced to up to 23 months in jail and Sholley says the standard sentence for this crime is one to two years behind bars in a state prison. Since they chose 23 months, they were able to have Hoover serve his time in a county prison and avoid a mandatory state prison sentence. Sholley felt due to Hoover’s mental status, state prison would not be a good place for Hoover.

Hoover will also be on probation for almost 20 years and was ordered to have mandatory mental health treatment and a drug and alcohol evaluation. He will spend his time in the Snyder County Prison and Sholley says the evaluation afterward is important too. His mental treatment is an important part of the process according to Sholley.

He says the family is relieved it’s over and believes they were pleased with how the case was handled. He also is prohibited from having contact with siblings and other family. In addition, Judge Harold Woelfel called for Hoover to pay $1.7 million in restitution. (Ali Stevens)

Clausi says campaign contributors should be barred from county contracts

SUNBURY – Talk of Northumberland County not working with any businesses that have given campaign contributions to local officials was discussed again at the Commissioners’ meeting Tuesday. Last meeting, Commissioner Vinny Clausi called for no businesses that had given more than $100 to a campaign to be able to work with the county.

This meeting, Clausi called to adopt a resolution. Commissioner Kurt Masser alleged that there had been no “pay to play” in the county, but thinks if the new rule is passed it will clean up any misconceptions. The resolution would bar businesses and individuals, who have made political contributions, from doing business with the county.

Clausi says he has strong evidence that businesses working with the county have made large contributions to campaigns. Clausi calls it corruption and says it has been going on for the last 20 to 30 years, although he did not go into detail about the businesses involved. The resolution may be considered in the next month. (Sara Bartlett)

Water main installation to temporarily close road in Shamokin Dam

SHAMOKIN DAM – Maple Street in Shamokin Dam will be closed today through Friday, while a water line is installed. All traffic, except for deliveries and residents, will be restricted from driving on Maple Street between 11th Avenue and Stetler Avenue. Work is expected to be complete by Friday. (Sara Bartlett)

Cause of fire in West Beaver Township cannot be determined

BEAVER SPRINGS – The cause of a fire that destroyed a home on Snyder Avenue in Beaver Springs on Friday morning could not be determined. Fire tore through the home of 72-year-old Arlene Everly of Newport. 45-year-old Richard Everly was living in the home and is insured, along with the owner.

Damage is estimated at $95,000, according to State Police Fire Marshal Norman Fedder, who says a cause of the fire could not be determined, but the fire is not suspicious. Fedder says the fire originated in the kitchen around 6:40 a.m. Fire crews from across Snyder and Mifflin Counties were called to the scene and no injuries were reported. (Ali Stevens)

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The chairman of Pennsylvania's State Board of Education is stepping down at the request of Gov. Ed Rendell.  Karl Girton says in a resignation letter he sent to the governor Tuesday that he'll resign from the 22-member board Aug. 1. Rendell spokesman Chuck Ardo says the governor feels the time is right to appoint a new chair in light of recent turnover on the board. The state Senate confirmed eight new members in April.  Ardo says Rendell "strongly supports" the education policy direction Girton set for the board.  Girton didn't return telephone calls seeking comment on his resignation. He has served on the board since 1992, and his current term was set to expire next year.

POTTSVILLE, Pa. (AP) - An eastern Pennsylvania district judge who was charged with drunken driving says he will enter a probation program for first-time offenders.  James Reiley, of Pottsville, waived a preliminary hearing Tuesday on a charge of driving under the influence.  Reiley was arrested after hitting a parked car in Pottsville on June 13. Police say he was driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.27 percent, more than three times the state limit of 0.08 percent.  Reily told District Judge Charles Moran "I was wrong," and he plans to enter an Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program for first-time offenders.  If he completes the probation program and pays all costs and fines, the charges will be dismissed.  Reiley has been a district judge for almost 15 years.

CARLISLE, Pa. (AP) - Prosecutors say a Cumberland County collectibles dealer is being accused of deceptive sales, including forged autographed baseballs and sports card packs that have been tampered with.  The county District Attorney's Office has charged 47-year-old Roger Hooper of Lower Allen Township with deceptive business practices, and investigators are contacting past customers of Hooper.  Cumberland County Detective Earl Bock says hundreds of dubious items - sold for more than $60,000 - have been identified.  Hooper describes the charges as "hogwash" and "totally false." He says he will contest the allegations at a preliminary hearing next month, but he says they have already imperiled the collectibles and auction business he has built over 30 years.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Hershey, the nation's largest candy maker, is reporting higher second-quarter sales and profit as it benefits from a price increase and streamlined production.  The Hershey Co. said Wednesday it earned $41.5 million, or 18 cents a share, for the three months ended June 29.  That compares with last year's second-quarter gain of $3.6 million, or a penny per share, as the Hershey, Pa.-based maker of Hershey's Kisses and Reese's spent heavily to transform its production lines.  Discounting pretax charges of $39.3 million, or 11 cents a share, Hershey says it would have earned nearly $67 million, or 29 cents a share.  Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected 28 cents per share.  Sales rose 5 percent to $1.1 billion, boosted by a price increase and key brand growth.

BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) - Centre County will go to paper ballots read by optical scanners in the November election.  The county Board of Commissioners voted 2-1 Tuesday in favor of the estimated $924,500 equipment purchase. The board may vote as early as Tuesday to finalize the contract with Election Systems & Software.  The county will purchase voting machines on which voters use pens to fill out the paper ballots, and scanners that read those ballots.  The equipment replaces a paperless touch-screen system Centre County purchased two years earlier. Critics say those systems lack a paper record that can be used in the event of a recount or audit.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Wednesday in the midday Pennsylvania State Lottery drawing:

 Daily Number

     3-1-7

 Big 4

     5-7-4-4

 Treasure Hunt

     3-11-16-18-26

     (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)