Here is the latest from Newsradio 1070 WKOK
   

Monday, July 28, 2008

Benton Area High School crash victims named

BENTON – Excessive speed is reportedly a factor in a crash that killed two Benton Area High School students.  Columbia County’s coroner says 18-year-old Jeremiah Cedeno and 17-year-old Brian O’Handley died at around 9:00 p.m. Sunday when their vehicle struck a tree near Waller Road near Benton.  Witnesses say whoever was driving was speeding on the rural road before the vehicle skidded out of control.  (Ali Stevens)

Vehicle thefts reported in Union County

LEWISBURG – Two motor vehicle thefts were reported over the weekend in Union County.  State Police at Milton say an ATV was taken from a home along Pine Lane in Buffalo Township.  The ATV is a red 1986 Suzuki Quad Sport.  Also reported, a 2007 silver Kawasaki motorcycle was taken from a residence along Johnstown Road in West Buffalo Township.  Anyone with information on either of these thefts is asked to contact Milton State Police. (Sara Bartlett) 

September court appearance expected for Harrell

SUNBURY – 39-year-old Michael Harrell of Sunbury is unlikely to appear in court again before September.  He accused of shooting a Sunbury man and woman to death.  A Northumberland County Court administrator says Harrell would be formally arraigned September 3rd before Judge Robert Sacavage.  Court documents reported last week say parts of the .30 caliber rifle believed to be used in the shooting were found July 18th at an apartment where Harrell once lived. 

Harrell remains in custody follow ing the January 18th shootings of Crystal Scholl-Gordon and David Moore, allegedly in a North 4th Street apartment.  (Matt Farrand)

Danville man receives time served for his role in a heroin ring

WILLIAMSPORT – A Danville man has been sentenced to time served for his roll in a heroin ring, where drugs were distributed in Northumberland, Snyder, Montour and Columbia Counties.  25-year-old Travis Boyd was sentenced Friday in U.S. Middle District Court.  Boyd pleaded guilty in June of last year to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to deliver more than 100 grams of heroin.  Boyd is one of more than 20 people indicted in the ring.  Police say for a period of six years, starting in 2001, heroin was brought to the Central Susquehanna Valley from Newark, New Jersey.  Boyd is accused of selling heroin in the Danville area.  (Ali Stevens)

Sobriety checkpoints set up this week on local roads

SUNBURY – The Coal Township Police Department, along with the North Central Highway Safety Network will be conducting roving DUI patrols this week.  The patrols and sobriety checkpoints will be located along Route 61, 225, 125, 54, 487 and 901.  Travelers are asked to report drunk drivers by calling 911, and to report underage drinking call 1-888-863-3721. (Sara Bartlett)  

$1,000 worth of items taken from vehicle in Snydertown

SNYDERTOWN – Police are searching for an unknown person who broke into a vehicle over the weekend in the Snydertown Borough.  It happened overnight between Saturday and Sunday, when someone used a blunt object to break through the passenger side window of a car parked along Furman Road.  The person then removed a large speaker box, which contained other electrical equipment totaling about $1,000.  Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call State Police at Stonington. (Sara Bartlett)

Post Office Art documentary now on free DVD

LEWISBURG – Local post office art is the focus of a documentary film now available as a free DVD.  “New Deal Legacy: A Passage through Pennsylvania’s Valleys of the Susquehanna” premiered in March at the Campus Theater.  Copies are now available at the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau in Lewisburg.  Executive Director Andrew Miller hopes the 60-minute film encourages citizens to get out and see the depression-era treasures. 

The federal government commissioned artists to research local themes for their work.  The transportation history of Milton and Dr. Joseph Priestley of Northumberland are honored in their respective post offices.  The DVD is also available through the mail for a five-dollar handling fee.  The Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau has more information at 524-7234.  (Matt Farrand)

Fresh Air Fund welcomes kids to the Central Susquehanna Valley

SHAMOKIN DAM – Children living in New York City are welcomed to the Central Susquehanna Valley this summer as part of the Fresh Air Fund.  The program offers families the chance to host a child for up to two weeks during the summer, and children to enjoy what, for some of them, may be their first vacation.  8-year-old Elanee arrived in Shamokin Dam Monday to stay with the Baney family in Paxtonville.  Elanee is looking forward to doing some of the same things here she does at home, including playing at the park and shopping.  Rebecca Baney has hosted many children before through the Fresh Air Fund.  She says it’s a rewarding and fun way to spend part of the summer.  And, with five kids of her own, Baney says Elanee will have plenty to do.

Most children who are a part of the program are between the ages of six and twelve.  Host families are able to choose the gender and age of their visitor.  This is Elanee’s first time traveling as part of the program, and Baney says if she likes it they hope to invite her back for years to come. (Sara Bartlett)  

Lemonade Day in Northumberland

NORTHUMBERLAND – Nothing goes better on a hot summer day than a glass of ice-cold lemonade.  The Northumberland Point Township Revitalization Committee is holding their 4th annual Lemonade Day Saturday on Front Street.  Organizer of the event Noelle Long says you’ll never know what kinds of stands you’ll see.  Awards will be handed to out to the best decorated stand and the best tasting lemonade.  There will also be music, games and raffles.

The event will be held Saturday from 11:00a.m. to 4:00p.m in the 200 block of Front Street in Northumberland.  There is still space for kids to sign up to set up a stand at Lemonade Day.  Cost is $2.00 per participant.  To register call Noelle Long at 473-7563. (Sara Bartlett)   

Area department store in struggling according to the company’s CEO

PITTSBURGH – The CEO of Boscov’s Department Stores tells the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that the company is struggling and that this spring was the worst season they have seen. The Reading-based Boscov’s chain has 49 stores in six states, including one at the Susquehanna Valley Mall in Selinsgrove.

A New York Post repot cites unnamed sources that claim about half of Boscov’s major suppliers have stopped making deliveries because of lack of payment. CEO Ken Lakin says the family owned department store chain is near collapse and may close stores. Family members have reportedly put $28-million in equity into the 97-year-old company to keep it running and up to 10 stores may be closed. (Ali Stevens)

Tough financial times in Shamokin

SHAMOKIN – The mayor of Shamokin is reporting tough financial times. Shamokin is now $2.7-million in debt and may have to file for bankruptcy. The mayor, Ron Bradley, attributes the debt to the closure of the dress factories, mines and mills that used to support the city.

He says that’s about one-third of the revenue the city received, or maybe more. If the city files for bankruptcy, the state would have to take over financial operations. (Ali Stevens)

Motorcycle accident outside of Sunbury

SUNBURY – A Danville woman was injured in a motorcycle accident outside of Sunbury on Sunday evening. State police say 26-year-old Amanda Styer lost control of her motorcycle on a curve and struck a utility pole on Mill Hill Road north of the armory in Upper Augusta Township.

Another motorcycle, driven by 29-year-old Michael Syer of Danville, collided with Amanda Styer’s bike. Both motorcyclists declined treatment for minor injuries at the scene. (Ali Stevens)

Leader of the ‘No hole-in-the-wall gang’ defends referendum

SUNBURY – It’s not safe, not needed, and it’s not too late…the bottom line from folks who are fighting the opening in the Sunbury floodwall. In more discussion regarding whether or not openings should be made in the floodwall in Sunbury, Architect Stan Seiple is defending his push for a referendum on the topic.

Seiple has been vocal about his concerns with the openings and he says he believes the city may run into unforeseen problems. He says he can’t think of all the potential risks, because then you would be prepared for them. But Seiple says that’s the point he is trying to make.

City councilman, John Shipman, says council would not make a decision that would imperil the city or its properties. He says its been a balancing act trying to explain to residents what the openings are and how they will operate, but they have been trying very hard to supply all sides with solid information.

The opening would be located at Market and Front Streets and be about 65-feet in width. Both Seiple and Shipman were recent guests and discussed the topic on the WKOK live talk show, ‘On The Mark.’ To hear all of their comments, you can download ‘On The Mark’ at www.wkok.com.

Volunteers keeping up with flower planting around Cameron Park in Sunbury

SUNBURY – You may have noticed planted flowers surrounding Cameron Park in Sunbury, from the railroad tracks to Front Street. But, it’s not the City bringing in the Marigolds and Verbena. Chuck Skipper is one of about eight Sunbury residents who are volunteering to plant the flowers.

Skipper, who also is part owner of the Cameron Café, says this is the third year they’ve been planting flowers. It’s in an effort to revitalize the city. The funds come with the help of a local attorney and others in the community.

Skipper says they hope other Sunbury residents will see the volunteers planting, watering and taking care of the flowers, and maybe, start to help out themselves. Skipper says years ago, when he learned about the revitalization efforts in Sunbury, he knew he wanted to do something to help out, and encourages everyone to do something small that may help Sunbury thrive. (Sara Bartlett)

Pedestrian accident in Lewisburg involves boy

LEWISBURG – Injuries were reported after a pedestrian accident in the borough of Lewisburg Friday afternoon. The Standard Journal reports that a car along North Front Street around 12:30 p.m. struck a 9-year-old boy Friday.

Reports from the scene say the unidentified boy suffered a leg injury after being struck by a mini-van. Police in Lewisburg did not have any additional information on the accident in calls made to the department Sunday. No additional information is being released on that incident.

Coal Township man remains critical after crash that injured four

SHAMOKIN – A Coal Township man remains in critical condition after a Friday afternoon crash in Shamokin Township that injured four people. State Police in Stonington say 68-year-old Marlin Lahr was taken by Life Flight to the hospital after sustaining moderate injuries in the two-vehicle crash.

State Police say it happened when 50-year-old Debra Popiel, of Shamokin, pulled out from a stop sign onto Route 61 from Irish Valley Road. Reports say Popiel drove into the path of the vehicle driven by 41-year-old Robert Gruneberg of Elysburg, and the two vehicles collided.

A nursing supervisor at Geisinger Medical Center says Lahr is listed in critical condition, while another passenger, Ronald Popiel, is reported in good condition. The driver, Debra Popiel was treated for injuries and released. Gruneberg was taken to Shamokin Hospital where he was also treated and released. Police say the investigation into the crash continues and Debra Popiel will face charges for a stop sign violation. (Staff)

Gun found; matches weapons in homicide case

SUNBURY – Parts of a gun have been found in the former residence of 39-year-old Michael Harrell, the Sunbury man accused of double homicide in the city. Serving a search warrant last week, Sunbury Police searched the Fairmount Avenue home where Harrell was arrested after the January shootings of Crystal Scholl-Gordon and David Moore.

Court documents say parts of the gun, including the barrel; sling and wooden stock were found in the attic floorboards on July 18th. The parts matched the description of the murder weapon, which was a .30 caliber rifle. Harrell claims he did not kill Moore and Scholl-Gordon. Following a preliminary hearing Friday, his charges are bound for court. (Sara Bartlett)

How high schools, colleges and the workplace are benefiting from the GSVCC

SUNBURY – This weekend on our Roundtable program, we hear about a crucial committee of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce. The Business and Education committee is working in high schools to make sure the schools are producing graduates with key skills needed by colleges and the workplace.

Dr. James Hartman, former superintendent at Shikellamy, and chair of the committee, said it is time to address the notion; that schools must not ever hurt any child’s self-esteem. He said failure can teach many lessons—but schools today try to hard to make sure that no lessons ever could end in failure.

He also said the notion, that failure is bad, needs to be taught to parents as well, who sometimes shield their children from greater achievement—because of the fear of failure. You can hear Roundtable anytime, at www.wkok.com.

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Political reform activist Gene Stilp has brought his trademark pink pig and 11 contestants to the State Capitol in Harrisburg for a beauty contest of sorts.  The point of the "Miss Legislative Reform" pageant was to push for proposals that are currently stalled in the Legislature, such as term limits and better public access to government meetings.  The contestants wore formal dresses and tiaras, their sashes marked with titles such as "Miss True Redistricting" and "Miss No Lobbyists' Gifts." Stilp was dressed like a circus ringmaster.  The farce was a reference to a charge in the recently announced legislative bonus investigation. Authorities say the top aide to House Democratic Leader Bill DeWeese hired his girlfriend for a job that entailed little actual work.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Just call 'em the Guzzling Gators: The University of Florida is the nation's No. 1 party school.  The school tops the annual list of party campuses compiled by the Princeton Review. The university has made the list before, but has never been first. It wrested the title away from West Virginia

University.  Coming in second was the University of Mississippi, followed by Penn State University, West Virginia and Ohio University.

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

Daily Number 4-1-9

Big 4 6-1-1-2

Treasure Hunt 5-8-9-22-26

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