Thursday, July 29, 2010
Watsontown solider dies in Colorado accident
FORT CARSON, CO -- A U.S. Army soldier from Watsontown died after an accident in Fort Carson, Colorado. 23-year-old Specialist Terry Ryan II drowned while trying to retrieve a boat on a reservoir Sunday morning. Ryan's body was found about an hour after he drowned. He was taken to Evans Army Community Hospital and pronounced dead.
Ryan, who joined the Army in 2007, was part of the 204th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry, and was a motor transport operator. He served in Iraq from August 2008 to August 2009. There, he earned medals including an Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal and two Army Commendation Medals.
Ryan was a father to a son and daughter, and is survived by his parents, sister, two grandmothers and many aunts and uncles. A viewing will be held at Cronrath-Grenoble Funeral Home in Watsontown Tuesday from 5:00p.m.-8:00p.m. A funeral will be held Wednesday at 11:00a.m. in the same location, and a burial with full military honors will follow at Green Lawn Memorial Park in Montgomery. (Sara Bartlett)
New heath center to open next month
SELINSGROVE – The former St. Pius X church building on University Avenue has been transformed into a new health center, thanks to a partnership between Geisinger Medical Center and Susquehanna University. The building will soon serve as the new student health center for Susquehanna, but will also serve the greater Selinsgrove Community, according to Carol Tevis, director of the Children’s Miracle Network at Geisinger Medical Center.
Tevis says key specialty care services will be provided at the clinic along with pediatric care. The 16,000-square-foot facility will expand the space, hours of operation and number of practitioners and services currently available at Susquehanna’s existing student health center. Tevis says CMN dollars allowed for this project to happen with a grant to get the project going.
The new clinic is expected to open in middle or late September. It will be open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for pediatric urgent care services. (Ali Stevens)
Valley's unemployment rates rise
UNDATED -- Unemployment rates in the Valley's surrounding counties all rose from May to June. Montour County remains at the lowest unemployment with 7.2%, up from 7% in May. Both Union and Snyder Counties rose .3%, and are now at 9.8% and 9.4% respectively.
Northumberland County remains at the highest unemployment rate at 10.2%, up from 10% in May. June's national unemployment rate is 9.5%, while the rate in Pennsylvania is 9.2%. (Sara Bartlett)
Raising money for Milton fire victims
MILTON – A fundraiser is being held on Saturday to raise money for the victims of a devastating fire on Front Street in Milton in early July. Wayne Reich is administrator at the Milton Moose and tells us they wanted to raise money for the victims of the fire that destroyed a dry cleaning business and an apartment building and will host a chicken barbeque.
Reich says there were several people impacted by the fire, including the owner of Vogel’s Dry Cleaners, a resident living in an apartment above the dry cleaners and four families living in the apartment building.
The chicken barbeque is Saturday at the Milton Moose Family Center. Chicken will be served starting at noon. The chicken is $8.00 and includes a half-chicken, macaroni salad, baked beans, coleslaw and a roll. Donations will also be accepted the day of the event. You can also contact the Moose to reserve your chicken in advance, since dinners are selling fast. (Ali Stevens)
State police investigate a burglary at a home in Beaver Springs
BEAVER SPRINGS – State police are investigating a burglary at a home in Beaver Springs sometime this week. Troopers say someone entered the home along Route 522 and removed a lock box containing important papers such as a birth certificate, bank statements and a title to a vehicle. Also removed was about $1,000 in cash. Anyone with information on the incident, taking place between Tuesday morning and Thursday morning is asked to contact State Police at Selinsgrove. (Ali Stevens)
Teen sentenced to community service after striking a neighbor girl with a sword
SHAMOKIN – A 14-year-old Shamokin boy has been sentenced to community service after he struck an 11-year-old neighbor girl with a sword. Following the incident on June 14th, the teen was charged with a felony offense of aggravated assault. The boy has also been placed in foster care and must complete a victim’s community awareness program. The girl was hit in the arm with the sword, but was not seriously wounded. Police say the boy wouldn’t drop the weapon until an officer drew his gun and pointed it at the teen. (Ali Stevens)
Mifflinburg man charged with aggravated assault on two police officers
MIFFLINBURG – A Mifflinburg man has been charged with aggravated assault and other counts after police say he almost hit two police officers with his vehicle. 23-year-old Milford Hoover was witnesses squealing his tires and speeding through Mifflinburg and when police arrived on the scene, Hoover apparently put the car in reverse and nearly hit two officers who had their guns drawn. Hoover eventually got out the vehicle and surrendered following the incident on July 11th. Police say Hoover had just broken up with a girlfriend prior to the incident. (Ali Stevens)
Extradition hearing is set for a man accused of killing a yoga instructor
ANNAPOLIS, MD – An extradition hearing has been set for August 19th in Annapolis, Maryland for a man accused of killing a yoga instructor in Union County. Joel Snider remains jailed in Baltimore County, charged with criminal homicide in the shooting death of 70-year-old Sudharman, the owner of the Integral Yoga Center in New Berlin.
Snider was arrested in Maryland after the incident earlier this month. Snider’s attorney has been fighting extradition to Pennsylvania, but a hearing is now scheduled, where Snider will be able to appeal and another hearing will be held a month later.
Sudharman’s body was found in his yoga studio wrapped in blankets and a comforter taped shut with duct tape. It was later learned that he was shot multiple times and police then found emails from Snider to another yoga instructor indicating his plans to kill Sudharman. (Ali Stevens)
Danville traffic signal under repair--but working
DANVILLE -- One of the busiest intersections in The Valley remains without a fully functioning traffic signal today. Traffic is being directed at the intersection of Route 54 and Route 11 in Danville, after construction crews disrupted a power supply and control conduit for the light.
The light is partial repaired and does some sequences, and fire police are still assisting. Crews are still at the scene, and motorists are asked to plan extra time, or take an alternate route if driving in that area. Construction crews continue work at that intersection as they prepare for paving next month.
Northumberland County natives have a hit on their hands
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Three Northumberland County natives, also known as the group 'Sloppy Secondz' have a hit on their hands. Jason McGuigan of Shamokin, Justin Derr of Sunbury and John Duttinger, a Sunbury native have made a five minute parody video of Katy Perry's 'California Gurls.'
They men are dancing and singing in front of backdrops from Erie to Philly. They sport Amish suspenders in front of a Weis supermarket, dress like Ben Franklin guzzling a lager in front of Pottstown's Yuengling brewery, and don green wigs and beads on St. Patrick's Day in Scranton. The five-minute video has been viewed more than 200,000 times on YouTube since it was posted July 21.
More today on the 'OHV park input meeting'
SHAMOKIN – Neither booing nor applause were allowed during the public comment period at Tuesday night’s Off Highway Vehicle park meeting in Shamokin. Pashek Associates, who ran the meeting for the Northumberland County Planning Department, set down ground rules.
Some among the 300 on hand at Shamokin Area Junior Senior High School feared a noisy backlash to the plan, especially among those who see a formal ATV park, and the likely charges for its use, as an imposition on what was once done freely. But participants largely fell in line, which was a relief to Habitat for Wildlife President Dave Kaleta.
Kaleta says his Shamokin based group hopes to help the county find a balance between protecting unused lands in the coal region, while also developing them for recreational purposes. Jim Backes of Coal Township sees development of the park as an economic boon to the coal region, a view shared by many on hand.
Supporters also hope the park will also cut down on the practice of “rogue riding,” and the underage drinking that sometimes accompanies it. The Northumberland County Planning Department hopes to have a formal plan completed by the end of the year, and parts of the park ready to use in about a year. (Matt Farrand)
Cindy O'Hora talks education on OTM
UNDATED -- More spending in a school district doesn't always mean better student performance. That's the view of Cindy O'Hora, a former member of the Selinsgrove Area School District school board and an occasional guest on our On The Mark program.
O'Hora recently spoke about spending per pupil in each school district around the state, taking the amount of money spent and the district's academic rating into consideration. She says it is surprising that amount of district’s that spends hundreds of thousands of dollars, and are still rated among the lowest academic schools in the state.
O'Hora says it is not about the amount of money the district receives and spends, but what the district does with that money to improve academics. You can hear more from O'Hora on our Tuesday On The Mark program. Listen and download the program online at www.wkok.com. (Sara Bartlett)
85th district candidates to debate
LEWISBURG -- Candidates for state representative in the 85th district will participate in a debate next month. The Susquehanna Valley Conservatives will host the debate held at the Best Western in Lewisburg. Democrat Trey Casimir, Republican Fred Keller and Libertarian Erik Viker will participate. The debate is open to the public and will be held Monday, August 9th at 7:00p.m. (Sara Bartlett)
Drug bust outside Sunbury leads to charges for a Sunbury man
SUNBURY – A Sunbury man is behind bars following a drug bust at his home on Snydertown Road Monday. Point Township Police say members of the Northumberland Montour Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at the home of Jay Kessler Jr. Officers seized 56 grams of marijuana, 1.1 grams of cocaine, LSD and a large amount of cash.
Kessler was arraigned on charges of possession with intent to deliver, 3 counts of possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. Kessler was placed in the Northumberland County Prison on $75,000 cash bail. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending. (Ali Stevens)
Commissioner suffers minor injuries after crash
DANVILLE -- A Montour County Commissioner suffered minor injuries after a crash over the weekend. Around 11:00a.m. Saturday Trevor Finn was driving on Pine Street in Danville when 21-year-old Travis Chappell of Danville pulled from an intersection and collided with Finn's vehicle. Finn hit his head and went to Geisinger Medical Center where he was treated and released. Chappell was not injured and will not be cited for the crash. (Sara Bartlett)
No charges for man who lured teen into vehicle
PENNS VALLEY -- Police say they have identified, and not charged, the man who lured a teen into his vehicle just over the Union County line. The man in his 30's was thoroughly interviewed Wednesday and then released.
Monday morning, the man, who worked for an unknown television satellite company, invited a 16-year-old boy into his vehicle after seeing him on the side of Route 45 in Penns Valley, Centre County.
He then drove the boy to a home on Route 192. On their ride back, the man began to ask the boy to perform sexual acts. No contact was made. Police say there should be no further alarm to the community. (Sara Bartlett)
Deadline for elk season approaches
HARRISBURG – Hunters wanting to participate in this year’s Pennsylvania elk season have until August 27th to submit an application through the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s automated license system. You can do this online at www.pgc.state.pa.us or stop by any license issuing agent. Application fee for the license is $10.70 and is non-refundable.
A computerized public drawing will then be held on September 10th to award 50 elk licenses. The first 17 applications drawn will receive an antlered license and then the next 33 drawn will receive an antlerless license.
If a hunter’s application is drawn, elk license fees are $25.00 for residents and $250 for non-residents. The game commission says individuals who applied but were not awarded an elk license in 2003-2009 will have their name entered into the drawing eight times. (Ali Stevens)
Drug, DUI charges net prison term for Muncy man
WILLIAMSPORT -- Three arrests in less than a month will land a Muncy man in state prison for up to three years. 26-year-old Jason Ritter was sentenced Monday in Lycoming County Court on a variety of charges.
Ritter was arrested in early November 2009 for possession of marijuana and cocaine after police stopped him for driving his vehicle at night with no taillights. Days later, he was arrested after a warrant was issued for possession of crack cocaine and digital scales used in drug trafficking.
And at the end of the month, Ritter was charged with DUI after a crash along Route 442 in Moreland Township. Ritter must also pay $1,500 to cover medical expenses of one of his passengers injured in the crash. (Matt Farrand)
Latest Pennsylvania news, business, lottery and entertainment
HADDONFIELD, N.J. (AP) - Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell is calling for tightened controls on the bistate agency that operates four Philadelphia-area bridges. In a letter Thursday to the commissioners of the Delaware River Port Authority, Rendell called for the agency to end free bridge crossings and free rides on the agency's commuter trains for its employees. He also said the DRPA should comply with open public meetings laws of both New Jersey and Pennsylvania and open its books to auditors from both states. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is expected to suggest other changes. Controversy flared this month when it was discovered that the daughter of a DRPA official was getting free bridge tolls through a colleague of her father.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Investigators are looking for clues after a woman was found fatally shot on her front porch in central Pennsylvania. Police say a neighbor found 39-year-old Rezija Sabic shot on the porch in Swatara Township - just outside Harrisburg - around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday. The married mother of two was rushed to the hospital, where she died in surgery. Her husband says the shooting must have happened less than 20 minutes after he left for work, as his wife was getting ready for her job at the packaging department at The Patriot-News of Harrisburg. The couple's teenage daughters were sleeping at the time. Deputy Police Chief Jason Umberger says authorities don't know if it was a random act. The department is urging residents to report any suspicious activity to police.
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (AP) - A new study estimates the number of Amish in North America has doubled since 1992 and increased nearly 10 percent in the past two years alone. The study by the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College found that about two-thirds of today's 249,000 Amish still live in their traditional strongholds of Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana. But it says they're spreading west, particularly into the Midwestern corn belt. The study's author, Don Kraybill, adds that about half of today's Amish are under 18 years old. The Amish are a devout Christian faith dating to the 1500s. They generally eschew modern conveniences such as motorized vehicles, instead relying on horse-drawn carriages and permitting only limited use of telephones and electricity.
PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Federal Environmental Protection Agency is giving the Port of Pittsburgh $1.15 to help three companies that use the city's three rivers retrofit four towboats with new diesel engines and generators that will pollute the air less. Campbell Transportation Co., Consol Energy and River Salvage, Inc. will contribute $1.9 million, combined, for the four new boats. Officials from the EPA, the state Department of Environmental Protection, the Port of Pittsburgh, and the Allegheny County Health Department attended yesterday's announcement along the Allegheny River.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - "Pennsylvania Guys" may not be as cute as Katy Perry or as dapper as Snoop Dogg, whose hit "California Gurls" the local videographers are spoofing, but they have a hit on their hands. The five-minute video by three native Pennsylvanians juxtaposes them dancing and singing in front of backdrops from Erie to Philly. Jason McGuigan of Shamokin, Justin Derr of Sunbury and John Duttinger, a Sunbury native living in Texas are the creators of "Pennsylvania Guys." They sport Amish suspenders in front of a Weis supermarket, dress like Ben Franklin guzzling a lager in front of Pottsville's Yuengling brewery, and don green wigs and beads on St. Patrick's Day in Scranton. The five-minute video has been viewed more than 200,000 times on YouTube since it was posted July 21.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Updates on the latest in business:
Dow: 10,467.16, down -30.72
S&P 500: 1,101.53, down -4.60
NASDAQ: 2,251.69, down -12.87
Stocks pull back...Lending bill blocked...Southwest Air's profit
NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks have retreated, although the averages have improved from their lowest levels of the day. The government tomorrow morning reports on GDP for the second quarter.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Senate leaders say they'll continue to work on amendments to the measure after Republicans blocked a bill aimed at encouraging small business lending. The bill would create a $30 billion government fund to help community banks increase lending to small businesses, combined with tax breaks.
NEW YORK (AP) - Mortgage rates continued to drop. Freddie Mac says the average for 30-year fixed loans fell this week to 4.54 percent.
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (AP) - Federal officials now estimate that more than a million gallons of oil may have spilled into a river in southern Michigan. Gov. Jennifer Granholm warns of a "tragedy of historic proportions" if the oil reaches Lake Michigan, which is still at least 80 miles downstream from where oil has been seen.
DALLAS (AP) - Southwest Airlines says it earned $112 million in the latest quarter, topping expectations. The airline says it could set an all-time record for the percentage of seats filled in July.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn Thursday:
Mega Millions
Estimated jackpot: $33 million
Midday Big 4
5-7-2-5
Midday Number
3-3-4
Midday Quinto
8-3-9-4-5
Powerball
Estimated jackpot: $85 million
Treasure Hunt
04-06-08-11-23
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn
Wednesday:
Big 4
3-6-7-9
Cash 5
11-14-16-22-33
Daily Number
0-2-5
Evening Quinto
2-8-2-5-8
Mega Millions
Estimated jackpot: $33 million
Midday Big 4
9-1-1-3
Midday Number
5-9-2
Midday Quinto
0-1-1-3-0
Powerball
01-11-20-25-27, Powerball: 2, Power Play: 5
Treasure Hunt
05-06-15-24-27
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
HarperCollins reveals cover for new Palin book
NEW YORK (AP) - The cover photo for Sarah Palin's new book is a portrait in red, white, blue and gray. The Alaska ex-governor and former Republican vice presidential candidate is photographed in close-up, wearing a gray sweater and American flag pin, which matches her flag bracelet. Her book, "America by Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith and Flag," comes out in November. HarperCollins, which also published Palin's million-selling "Going Rogue," revealed the cover design Thursday.
Swapping signs
XENIA, Ohio (AP) - Too many wild men are swiping the "Wildman Road" signs. So, officials in Greene County, Ohio, are giving up trying to replace them. Wildman Road is in a rural area, making the signs easier to steal. County Engineer Robert Geyer say most of the missing Wildman signs are probably hanging in garages, bedrooms or dorms.
Obama on 'The View'
NEW YORK (AP) -- President Obama wants no part of Mel Gibson's phone rants at his ex-girlfriend. Obama was asked on "The View" if Gibson needed anger management. Obama started stammering and then asked if he could answer a question about Afghanistan instead. His only comment was that he hadn't seen a Gibson movie in a while. Obama was then asked if Snooki should run for mayor of Sarah Palin's hometown. Obama admitted that he didn't know who Snooki was. But he did know that Lindsay Lohan was in jail. The subject of a pardon didn't come up.
Fla. church organizing Sept. 11 burning of Quran
GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) - A Florida church known for its statements against Islam is planning a Quran-burning ceremony on Sept. 11. The Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville is using its website and social-networking sites to promote the event. Organizers plan to burn the Islamic holy text on church grounds. In response, the Council on American-Islamic Relations is asking Muslims that day to invite friends and acquaintances to share Ramadan fast-breaking meals and distribute copies of the Quran. The church, which also campaigns against homosexuality, made headlines last year after distributing T-shirts that say "Islam is of the Devil."
EPA LETS USERS LOOK UP TOXINS RELEASE BY ZIP CODE
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Environmental Protection Agency is allowing the public to look up what kind of toxins are in their neighborhoods. The EPA is posting data on the release and transfer of nearly 650 chemicals at 21,000 locations across the country. Industries like manufacturing, metal mining, electric utilities and commercial hazardous waste facilities are required to report their data by July 1 of each year. Some of the reports are still being processed and won't be available until August or September. The Toxics Release Inventory data can be viewed, by ZIP code, at http://www.epa.gov/tri.
Chelsea's Wedding
RHINEBECK, N.Y. (AP) - Never mind that details about Chelsea Clinton's wedding are being held as closely as state secrets. The postcard-pretty New York town of Rhinebeck is ready. Signs congratulating the 30-year-old former first daughter are posted on shop windows in the Hudson Valley town. Residents are talking to TV crews, and officials are bracing for crowds. Clinton is marrying investment banker Marc Mezvinsky on Saturday. And Rhinebeck, a little town of upscale boutiques and pricey homes 90 miles north of New York City, is expecting an influx of A-List guests, reporters and rubber-neckers. Clinton and her parents, former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, haven't even confirmed she's getting married in Rhinebeck. But Town Supervisor Tom Traudt says the town fully expects the wedding to happen there.
Indians-James Fan
CLEVELAND (AP) - A fan wearing a Miami Heat jersey of LeBron James drew the ire of the crowd at a Cleveland Indians game and was escorted out of the ballpark. Fans in the left-field bleachers chanted obscenities and pointed at the man Wednesday night during the sixth inning of the game between the Indians and New York Yankees. Hundreds of fans joined in before security led the man out of Progressive Field. As he left, some fans followed him toward the gate with more derisive chants. James' recent departure from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Heat caused a lot of anger in the city. Many fans were near the left-field foul pole in hopes of catching the 600th home run ball by Alex Rodriguez.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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