Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Congressman's wife undergoes surgery for breast cancer
DIMOCK -- Congressman Chris Carney's (D-10th, Dimock) wife Jennifer is recovering after surgery for breast cancer. A release issued by Carney's office Tuesday afternoon says the cancer was caught early and her prognosis is excellent. Jennifer wanted to keep news of her illness as private as possible until after her surgery.
Because of the procedure on Friday, Carney returned home prior to the start of the Congressional recess, and was not present for votes and other legislative business on Thursday and Friday. (Matt Farrand)
Inmate turns himself in after extended furlough
SUNBURY -- A Northumberland County Prison inmate who failed to return after being given a Saturday afternoon furlough is back in custody. 56-year-old Danny Hart turned himself in at about 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, according to a statement issued by Warden Roy Johnson.
Hart was granted temporary release to attend his wife's funeral in Milton on Saturday. He was expected to return Saturday evening, but did not.
Hart was serving four to 15 months in prison for filing false reports and resisting arrest for an incident on March 19th. (Ali Stevens)
Murder accomplice faces prison time
MIDDLEBURG – The accomplice in the May 2009 shooting death of Steven Rodriguez was sentenced to 10-20 years in state prison today. Abdul Malik Saeed Walker will also serve 2 years of consecutive probation. Walker entered a no-contest plea to third-degree homicide and burglary after a shooting inside a Monroe Township apartment, during an argument over stolen marijuana. The admitted shooter, Walker’s cousin, David Cannie Jr. of Philadelphia, was sentenced by Judge Harold F. Woelfel Jr. to a 21-60 year prison sentence in March.
District Attorney Michael Piecuch felt the sentencing for Walker was appropriate given his role in the incident. Judge Woelfel made it clear that even though Walker was not the shooter, he facilitated the disagreement, which prompted the shooting. Piecuch says Walker indicated in court today that he plans to withdraw his plea, which he can do within 10 days of sentencing.
Ibrahim Musa Wells of Mill Hall, a third accomplice in the murder case, was scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday for felony criminal conspiracy to commit manslaughter and burglary charges, however that sentencing will likely be delayed until the Walker case is resolved in court. (Ali Stevens)
Governor Rendell to visit Columbia County on Wednesday
BLOOMSBURG -- Governor Ed Rendell will be visiting Columbia County on Wednesday to discuss the state's transportation funding crisis. The governor will visit the Roaring Creek Bridge on Route 42 in Columbia County Wednesday afternoon at 1:45 p.m. The bridge is located in the Weiser State Forest, about 15 miles south of Interstate 80. The Governor is touring the area to stress the urgent need to solve the state transportation crisis, saying the General Assembly needs to act immediately on funding state transportation projects. He will also visit Bellefonte in Centre County, Plains in Luzerne County and Scranton in Lackawanna County. (Ali Stevens)
Community Food Giveaway
SELINSGROVE – A community food giveaway will be held on Saturday August 7th from 12 noon to 1 pm, along with a free noon meal at the local church of Christ building at 200 Roosevelt Ave. in Selinsgrove. It is located behind the Susquehanna Valley Mall on the corner of Mill and Roosevelt. Supplies are limited, but groceries will be given to as many people in need as possible and will be given out on a first come first serve basis. You can call 743-1533 for more information about this event.
Elysburg man injured in a motorcycle crash in Montour County
DANVILLE – An Elysburg man was injured in a motorcycle crash Monday afternoon on Route 54 in Mayberry Township, Montour County. State police say 66-year-old Philip Hain was trying to turn left onto High Road from Route 54 when he lost control of his motorcycle on loose gravel. The motorcycle landed on its side and Hain sustained moderate injuries in the crash. He was taken to Geisinger Medical Center for treatment of moderate injuries following that crash just before 3 p.m. His condition is not known. Police say he was speeding at the time of the accident and was wearing a helmet. (Ali Stevens)
Animal adoption at Danville Adoption Center
DANVILLE – The no-kill Danville Adoption Center of the Pennsylvania SPCA is offering special pricing on animal adoptions. Cats and kittens are “pick your price” or any price $1 or more and dogs six-months and older can be adopted for $20. The adoption goal of the month for the SPCA center in Danville for the month of August is 75 animals. Cats and dogs 2-years and older are free to people 60-years and older. Cats can be adopted from PetSmart at Monroe Marketplace, near Selinsgrove. The shelter receives no funding and is entirely nonprofit. You can reach the center at 275-0340. (Shea Williams)
Lights Camera Flash, a Photo Contest for the Susquehanna River Valley
LEWISBURG-- “This is a perfect opportunity for locals to show us what they love about the Susquehanna River Valley.” Lisa Leighton, Marketing Director for the Susquehanna River Valley Visitor’s Bureau says about their 3rd Annual “Every Turn a Treasure” Susquehanna River Valley Photo Contest that starts today. Images must be taken in Susquehanna River Valley of Snyder, Union, and Northumberland County. The grand prize is $200. You can view the rules of the contest and submit photos online until January 1st at www.visitcentralpa.org/photocontest. (Stephanie Klock)
If you have a digital camera and an eye for the beauty of the Susquehanna River Valley you could be $200 richer by entering the 3rd Annual “Every Turn a Treasure” Susquehanna River Valley Photo Contest that starts today. Lisa Leighton, Marketing Director for the Susquehanna River Valley Visitor’s Bureau says “This is a perfect opportunity for locals to show us what they love about the Susquehanna River Valley.” Images must be taken in Susquehanna River Valley of Snyder, Union, and Northumberland County. The grand prize is $200 and the winning images will also be used by the Susquehanna River Valley Visitor’s Bureau. You can view the rules of the contest and submit photos online until January 1st at www.visitcentralpa.org/photocontest. (Stephanie Klock)
Peace Walk and Memorial ceremony to remember atomic bombings during WWII
LEWISBURG—This Friday is the anniversary of the dropping of the nuclear bomb on Hiroshima during World War II. The Center for Nonviolent Living will lead a peace walk at 6:40 pm Friday (August 6th) at the Soldier’s Park on North Water and Market Streets in Lewisburg. A memorial ceremony will follow at 7 pm at Hufnagle Park and 7th and Market Streets. The atomic bombs used in WWII at Hiroshima and Nagasaki have been the only uses of atomic weapons in wartime but left 220,000 dead instantly and people dieing and suffering from the effects of the bomb ever since. The event is meant to remember the victims and destruction that happened in hopes to achieve the worldwide elimination of atomic weapons. All are invited to attend and those who do not wish to join in the procession may go right to the ceremony.
American Red Cross Blood Drive holds a August Netbook Giveaway
DANVILLE-- The American Red Cross is gives blood drives an extra boost of "Ram" this month with their August Netbook Giveaway. They will be giving away an Acer Netbook laptop every week this month to lucky blood donors. In order to enter to win, all you have to do is come out and donate.
Tomorrow there are two blood drives including one at the Christ Lutheran Church in Milton at 1125 Mahoning Street between 12am and 6pm and another at Geisinger Medical Center-Woodbine in Danville from 10am to 4pm.
Or come out Thursday for your last chance this week at Geisinger Mill Street in Danville from 8am to 12pm. For more information and other dates for you to donate please call Sue Norton at 418-2988. (Stephanie Klock).
PennDOT plans to fix 'structurally deficient' green bridge at Selinsgrove
SELINSGROVE -- The Route 522 'green bridge' at Selinsgrove is considered 'structurally deficient,' but that doesn't mean it's an immediate threat to public safety and a PennDOT worker says there are big plans to fix it. Jeff Levan is a Bridge Safety Program Engineer for PennDOT and says the 67-year-old bridge needs some work. He says the 'structurally deficient' term means the bridge could become a public threat if left go for many years.
There is a $1.9 million project in the works, which would replace the concrete deck, repair the steel trusses and give it a new paint job. The last major reconstruction on the bridge was done in 2003, and Levan looks at the upcoming work as a 'rehab' of the structure. The work isn't expected to be complete until 2013, but crews are already doing preliminary work.
About 20,000 vehicles, including 1,000 trucks, cross the bridge daily. That, along with the Valley’s sometimes harsh weather, contributes to the deterioration of the bridge. PennDOT crews inspect above and below the bridge, looking a joints and trusses.
Looking at the concrete is important to make sure the bridge is stable. Periodic work will continue until the construction work begins for the bridge's big project and Levan says contracting will begin in 2012, with construction complete in 2013. (Sara Bartlett)
Helicopters, pony ride, bike raffles on menu for National Night Out
LEWISBURG – National Night Out is an annual event that uses upbeat community activities to promote cooperation between law enforcement and private citizens. Lewisburg Police Officer Travis Burrows says the good will generated on the first Tuesday of August helps keep the community safe. Burrows says each citizen can act as “an extra pair of eyes” for law enforcement, as the police can’t be everywhere all the time.
Lewisburg’s National Night Out activities are planned for Recreation Park on St Mary Street for 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. They include helicopter landings, live music pony rides and food donated by Weis Markets. There will also be an open swim at the LARA community pool, and a dozen bicycles will be raffled off for kids under the age of 12. (Matt Farrand)
Sunbury man jailed after stabbing
SUNBURY -- A Sunbury man is in jail after stabbing another man in the city early Saturday morning. Police say around 2:40a.m. 24-year-old Tariq McGriff stabbed 29-year-old John Thorne, also of Sunbury, at a home along North 6th Street. Police say the men knew each other and became involved in an argument when McGriff stabbed Thorne in the face and the wrist.
McGriff was arrested shortly after the incident and arraigned before District Judge Hugh Jones. He faces eight charges, including aggravated and simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct. He is in Northumberland County Prison on $100,000. Thorne was taken to Geisinger Medical Center. No word on his condition. (Sara Bartlett)
Police search for escapee from Northumberland County Prison
SUNBURY -- An inmate has in-effect, escaped from the Northumberland County Prison, by not showing up after a brief furlough. 56-year-old Danny Hart was allowed to leave the prison Saturday at 2:30p.m. to attend his wife's funeral in Milton. He was expected to return by 5:30p.m. that day, but never did. Hart was serving a sentence of four to fifteen months for filing false reports and resisting arrest.
Police say Hart has family and friends in the Sunbury, Milton, Danville and Washingtonville areas. He also has a sister and ex-wife who live in Massachusetts. Police are searching in these areas and beyond for Hart. He is described as a white male, 5'3", 158 pounds with brown eyes and grey hair. (Sara Bartlett)
Armed home invasion under investigation in Sunbury
SUNBURY -- Sunbury Police say charges may be filed soon after a home invasion in the city over the weekend. Around 12:40p.m. Saturday an armed man entered a home in the 200 block of Pine Street. Police say the man was trying to rob the homeowners and did have a gun.
The man and someone in the home struggled and the gun went off, firing one shot, but hitting nobody. There were no injuries reported. The suspect fled the scene, but police say they do have leads and expect to take that person into custody soon. (Sara Bartlett)
Buehner clarifies his 'carpetbagger' statement
DANVILLE -- Montour County District Attorney Bob Buehner is expanding on his comment that Northumberland County solicitor Tim Bowers was a 'carpetbagger,' moving to Montour County just to run for a public office. Buehner says Bowers does not meet the minimum qualifications for the job.
He says someone seeking office must be a resident of the county for at least a year. Buehner says Bowers does have an office here, but is not a resident. He adds that, even if he doesn't seek reelection, Buehner would challenge Bowers' run because he doesn't meet the residence qualification.
Buehner also says Bowers experience as a defense lawyer and dealing with criminal cases is limited. Bowers will step down as solicitor next month, and plans to move near his office in Montour County. He has not publicly announced if he will seek the DA position. Buehner says any decision whether or not he will seek reelection as the DA is premature, and no real decision has to be made until the beginning of next year. (Sara Bartlett)
One injury after a three vehicle crash on 'the strip'
SELINSGROVE – One injury was reported after three vehicles collided on Routes 11 and 15 near the Susquehanna Valley Mall in Monroe Township, Snyder County. The accident happened Sunday at 3:15 p.m. when 43-year-old Joseph Pitcher of Ontario, New York ran a red light, striking a vehicle driven by 74-year-old Edward Smith of Selinsgrove.
Smith’s vehicle was then pushed into another vehicle driven by 27-year-old Ryan McGuire of Middleburg. Smith sustained a minor injury. No other injuries were reported. Traffic was detoured around the scene for about 45 minutes while crews cleaned up the wreckage. Pitcher was cited for causing the crash. (Ali Stevens)
Bechtel’s Restaurant property appears to be up for sale again
LEWISBURG – It appears the property that housed the former Bechtel’s Restaurant is once again for sale. The Standard Journal reports plans for a Rite-Aid to be built there have apparently fallen through, with a “For Sale” sign posted on the property once again.
Lewisburg Borough Manager Chad Smith said the borough council has not been informed of any decisions made by Benderson Development Company, who purchased the property for $1.25-million in 2008. Rite-Aid Corporation has been on shaky financial ground for a couple of years, but it’s not clear if that’s why they backed out of the deal at the Bechtel’s property. (Ali Stevens)
September golf tournament to benefit Memory Care Center
DANVILLE – Solo golfers are being encouraged to enter an annual tournament coming up in September. Organizers of the eighth Maria Joseph tournament say they’ll fill foursomes with any golfer without a partner. Groups will play a two person scramble format for the tournament. It benefits Maria Joseph Memory Care Center, and is planned for Sunday, September 19th at the Frosty Valley Country Club. The $95 entry includes the greens fee, use of a cart, a buffet dinner and two “mulligans.” More information and an application is available online at www.mariajosephccc.org, or by calling 275-8701. (Matt Farrand)
Latest Pennsylvania news, business and entertainment
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvanians who can't get health insurance because of a pre-existing condition can apply soon to a new state-run program. The state Insurance Department said it's taking applications starting Wednesday for a program with enough initial funding to serve 3,500 people. Subsidized premiums are $283.20 a month, plus copays. The program "PA Fair Care" is an element of the new federal health care law. Applicants will be enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis. Insurance Commissioner Joel Ario says the program provides an option for people who need coverage until 2014, when insurers will be barred from denying coverage or charging sick people more. PA Fair Care is administered through a contract with Highmark Blue Shield and includes hospitalization, mental health services and prescription medications. For more information, visit www.PAFairCare.com or call 888-767-7015.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania is bumping up the amount of rebates available to Pennsylvanians who purchase a new, Energy Star-rated hot-water heater, furnace or boiler. Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger says rebates available for appliances purchased from now on will be eligible for the higher rebate amount. The Pennsylvania Home Heating Equipment Rebate Program now offers rebates ranging from $250 to $1,000. The program began in April by offering rebates worth $100 to $500. The higher the equipment's efficiency rating, the larger the rebate. The $11 million program is paid for by federal economic stimulus money. Nearly 3,900 have already received a rebate, which only apply to non-electric residential heating equipment. Rebates on electrical appliances may be available through regulated electric utility companies.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Two candidates from third parties have submitted their nominating petitions to run for Pennsylvania governor and for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Arlen Specter. The Department of State says Libertarian Douglas Jamison and Green Party member Mel Packer submitted enough signatures to make the ballot for Senate. Libertarian Marakay Rogers and Tea Party candidate John Krupa have enough signatures to quality for the governor's race. They'll be on the ballot unless there's a successful legal challenge to their petitions. Third-party candidates had until the close of business Monday to submit their nominating petitions to qualify for the Nov. 2 election. Republican and Democratic candidates for those seats were selected in the May primary.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Update on the latest in business:
Dow: - 38.00 (10,636.38)
S&P 500: - 5.40 (1,120.46)
NASDAQ: - 11.84 (2,283.52)
BP to sell Colombian assets for $1.9 billion
LONDON (AP) - BP says it has agreed to sell its oil and gas exploration business in Colombia for $1.9 billion to a consortium of Ecopetrol, Colombia's national oil company, and Talisman of Canada. The deal announced Tuesday is the latest in BP's plans to sell up to $30 billion of assets to cover costs related to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The company last month agreed to sell assets in the U.S., Canada and Egypt to Apache Corp. for $7 billion. It also plans to sell assets in Pakistan and Vietnam. BP last week revealed it has set aside $32.2 billion to cover spill costs as it posted a $17 billion second quarter loss. It will receive a cash deposit for the Colombian sale, which is expects to complete by the end of the year.
Pending home sales sink 2.6 percent in June
WASHINGTON (AP) - The number of buyers who signed contracts to purchase homes dropped in June, as the weak economy and tight lending standards kept consumers away from the housing market. The National Association of Realtors says its seasonally adjusted index of sales agreements for previously occupied homes dipped 2.6 percent to a reading of 75.7. That was the lowest on records dating back to 2001 and down nearly 19 percent from the same month a year earlier. May's reading was revised slightly downward to 77.7. Economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters had expected the index would rise to 78.1. The index provides an early measurement of sales activity because there is usually a one- to two-month lag between a sales contract and a completed deal.
Pennsylvania Lottery Numbers:
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - These Pennsylvania lotteries were drawn Tuesday:
Midday Big 4
7-2-1-8
Midday Number
2-7-6
Midday Quinto
Treasure Hunt
14-18-22-27-29
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Bobby Hebb, singer of '66 hit 'Sunny,' dies at 72
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Bobby Hebb, whose 1966 hit "Sunny" about a smiling girl became a pop music classic, has died. He was 72. Family members and a funeral home spokesman said Hebb died Tuesday morning at Centennial Medical Center. The cause of death was not announced. At the height of "Sunny" popularity, Hebb toured with the Beatles. "Sunny" also was recorded by many other singers, including Marvin Gaye, Wilson Pickett and Jose Feliciano. Hebb said in several interviews that he wrote "Sunny" in response to the slaying of his brother outside a Nashville nightclub and to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy a few days before. As recently as 2007, he was still writing songs and had his own publishing company and record label, Hebb Cats.
President garners big viewing on daytime TV
NEW YORK (AP) - President Barack Obama's visit has set a standard for "The View." The Nielsen Co. says the president's appearance on the show last week drew 6.6 million viewers. That was the biggest audience ever for a show that's been on the air since 1997. It was believed to be the first time a sitting president had appeared on a daytime TV talk show. Even "The View's" Barbara Walters came in for the show. She's
been recovering from heart surgery and wasn't expected back until the fall. Elsewhere in the ratings, Nickelodeon's "iCarly" reached 7.7 million viewers for a special episode Friday night. There was no telling how many were watching in their pajamas.
Will.i.am doesn't support new Jackson album
NEW YORK (AP) - A new Michael Jackson album is expected by the end of the year, culled from unreleased material in the singer's vaults. But Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am is vehemently opposed to the idea. He says Jackson was a perfectionist and would only want music released that he sanctioned. He adds: "How you gonna release Michael Jackson when Michael Jackson ain't here to bless it?" Jackson died last year at the age of 50. Will.i.am collaborated with the singer on the re-release of "Thriller" in 2008 with remixed versions of some of the album's classic songs.
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