River search continues for canoeist presumed drowned

SUNBURY – The man presumed drowned after a canoe capsized on the Susquehanna River is from the Ukraine.  Reports say 19-year-old Vladyslav Mitrenko was one of four on the canoe that somehow was pulled under the surface near the Sunbury Generation plant.  His brother Alexander was also on board, but was rescued, treated and released.  25-year-old Devon Van Horn and 23-year-old Daniel DiCola of Shamokin Dam were also rescued, treated and released.

An official says the area near a dam is known for strong currents.  Deputy Chief Bill Brown of the Upper Augusta Township Fire Department says even rescue craft had a difficult time.   Brown was unsure who was wearing life vests at the time of the accident Sunday, though some were seen on the water when he arrived.  SONAR and underwater cameras are now being used in the search.  Officials from the Fish and Boat Commission also on hand.  (Matt Farrand)

18-year-old from Columbia County dies in crash

BLOOMSBURG – It was a Columbia County teen killed in a one-car crash on Interstate 80 this morning. 18-year-old Daniel J. Hummel of Mifflinville died in the crash this morning. State troopers say he was driving east on the interstate when he lost control of his car on a curve, the car cross the median, hit an embankment, became airborne, flipped over several times and came to rest in the westbound lanes.

Hummel was thrown from the vehicle during the crash. Troopers say he was not wearing a seatbelt when that crash happened around 3 this morning.

Boscov’s plans to close 10 stores...but not the Susquehanna Valley Mall location

PHILADELPHIA – Boscov’s Department Stores announced today that they are filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and will close 10 stores, however the store at the Susquehanna Valley Mall will remain open…for now. 

Stores to be closed include the one at the Harrisburg East Mall along with four other locations in Pennsylvania, three stores in Maryland, one in New Jersey and one in Virginia.  The Susquehanna Valley Mall store will remain open, according to the announcement of closing stores.

The Reading-based chain of department stores has been struggling since two of the company’s executives retired in 2006.  (Ali Stevens/www.philly.com)

Forklift joy ride in Port Trevorton

PORT TREVORTON – State police want to know who took a forklift and drove it through Port Trevorton.  Troopers say sometime overnight Friday or early Saturday morning, someone drove a large forklift from the parking lot of Keller’s Marine in Port Trevorton.  The forklift, owned by T-Ross Brother’s Construction, was found parked on Main Street in Port Trevorton.  Anyone with information is asked to call State Police.  (Ali Stevens)

Frackville woman stabbed after fight with another woman…both will be charged

SHAMOKIN – A Frackville woman was stabbed during a fight with another woman in an apartment in Paxinos on Sunday afternoon.  State police say 24-year-old Leah Rodriguez of Frackville stabbed 18-year-old Kayla Hurlburt of Shamokin after the Shamokin woman reportedly punched her in the head several times.  Troopers say Rodriguez used a sharp instrument to stab Hurlburt.  It’s not known how seriously either woman was injured.  They are both being charged with simple assault.  (Ali Stevens)

Celebrating National Night Out in Point Township

POINT TOWNSHIP – National Night Out events are planned for all across the area Tuesday evening. 

It’s the 12^th annual National Night Out Against Crime at the Point Township Recreation Park on Ridge Road Tuesday from 5 to 9 p.m.  Point Township Police Chief Kurt Brown has helped organize the event each year and says this year will be just as eventful as years past.  Events include the raffle of 22 kids bikes, a hot-tub raffle, crime prevention literature, Lifeflight, food and much more.  Chief Brown says child safety is key and children will be fingerprinted at the event to keep on file. All proceeds from National Night Out benefit crime prevention programs.  The event will be held rain or shine. (Ali Stevens) 

Fatal crash on Interstate 80 today in Columbia County

BLOOMSBURG – A man was killed in a crash on Interstate 80 early this morning in Scott Township, Columbia County. State police say a man identified as Daniel Hummel was traveling east on the Interstate in the left lane and lost control of his car around 3:15 a.m.

The vehicle went airborne and landed on the west side of the highway before rolling and flipping. Hummel was pronounced dead at the scene after he was thrown from the vehicle. He was not wearing a seatbelt. Troopers did not say how old Hummel was and where he was from. (Ali Stevens)

Charges filed against six Sunbury residents following a disturbance

SUNBURY – Disorderly conduct charges have been filed against six Sunbury residents, ages 18 to 28, for a large disturbance on July 29th. Police say they were called that evening to the 500 block of Market Street in the city for a report of a fight involving baseball bats and a golf club.

The group was separated and charges were filed with District Justice Carl Rice. Another man, Stanley Alexander, reportedly returned while police were conducting interviews and created another disturbance. He was taken into custody and later released and faces similar charges. (Ali Stevens)

Troopers try to ID golf cart vandals

UPPER AUGUSTA TWP. – State Police are still trying to fine who took five golf carts from the Sunny Hills Golf Course in Upper Augusta Township, drove them near portion of Route 890 and crashed several into a nearby stone wall.

The suspects were seen by passers-by. They also damaged the course by diving the carts over portions of the greens. Troopers believe the incident happened late Saturday or early Sunday morning. State Police in Stonington request anyone with information to give them a call. (Matt Farrand)

PSU’s Jones optimistic for 2008

SUNBURY – Penn State Nittany Lion football begins its regular schedule for 2008 in less than a month. Steve Jones is the “Voice of Penn State Football,” and is optimistic for the season ahead, but notes that Ohio State will again be among their most challenging opponents in the Big Ten, as the Buckeyes will enter the season ranked #1 in some polls, and almost their entire roster will be back.

Jones says Penn State should perform well, if they steer clear of injuries. Each member of their offensive line will be back, but they have some holes to fill at linebacker and there could be some competition between Senior Darryl Clark and Sophomore Pat Devlin at quarterback.

81-year-old Joe Paterno is returning for a 42nd season as head coach of Penn State Nittany Lion football. Steve Jones is the “Voice of Penn State Football,” and says veteran coach is a tireless worker, splitting the day between the office, the practice field and working at home.

The Nittany Lions open up against Costal Carolina at Beaver Stadium at 12:00 noon on the 30th of August, and you’ll be able to hear all their games (and enjoy other features) on NewsRadio 1070 WKOK. WKOK also launches our coverage of the Pittsburgh Steelers on WKOK this Friday! (Matt Farrand)

Crash in Union County slows Traffic

EAST BUFFALO TOWNSHIP – Traffic was reduced to one lane following a one-vehicle accident shortly before 8a.m. Sunday, in East Buffalo Township, Union County. Police say the driver of an SUV, 61-year-old Nancy Pabst of Shamokin Dam was headed south on Route 15, near Furnace road, when she apparently fell asleep at the wheel.

Her vehicle ran off the road, into the grassy median, where it struck guardrails, and then flipped onto its side. The vehicle then reentered onto route 15 and came to rest on the west berm. Traffic was limited to one lane for some 30 minutes after the accident.

Police say Pabst was transported to Sunbury Community Hospital with minor injuries. She was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. Lewisburg Police, and emergency rescue personnel assisted at the scene of the accident in East Buffalo Township, Union County. (Terry Diener)

Cleanup of a fuel Spill after a Snyder county Crash

MONROE TOWNSHIP – A crash on the Selinsgrove Bypass in Monroe Township, Snyder County early Sunday morning has slowed traffic, and caused a diesel fuel spill from ruptured tanks. State Police at Selinsgrove tell WKOK that a trucker headed north on Routes 11/15 shortly after 4a.m. didn’t realize the left lane ended and drove up onto some guardrails.

The truck operated by 38-year-old Scott Davis of Stanley New York, drove over some 100 yards of guide rail according to investigators. That caused the fuel tanks to rupture on the vehicle, spilling approximately 75 gallons of diesel fuel onto the roadway. Northridge Group Incorporated remains on the scene, cleaning up the spill.

State police say the driver was not injured. He does face a charge of careless driving. The Hummel’s Wharf Fire department was called to the scene to assist with traffic control following that early morning accident on the Selinsgrove Bypass in Snyder County. (Terry Diener)

Portion of Route 54 closed Saturday while crews respond to fire scene

MT. CARMEL TWP – A fire call near Strong had a portion of Route 54 closed in Northumberland County Saturday afternoon. Natalie Fire Chief, Bob Fanella, says crews saw a lot of smoke and fire when they first arrived on scene around 12p.m. He says numerous area fire crews responded and they were able to knock down the fire fairly quickly, stopping it from spreading to two connecting buildings.

Fanella says the building has been vacant for several years and was once used by a coal mining operation. Crews arrived on scene in full gear, because Fanella says they weren’t sure if any contents in the building were toxic. He says one firefighter was treated for a burn injury and no cause of the fire is known at this time. (Sara Lauver)

Lightning fire I: Fire near Pillow Saturday

PILLOW - A family of four is temporarily homeless after fire damaged their home near Pillow, in Jordan Township, Northumberland County on Saturday afternoon. Pillow Fire Chief Rodney Rumberger as saying that Tod and Lisa Zimmerman and their two sons returned home around 12:30 Saturday afternoon to find their home at 495 Mountain Top Road engulfed in flames.

Rumberger says an initial investigation indicates that lightning may have touched off that fire, which heavily damaged the first floor of the house. The family has temporarily moved into a camper on their property. Firefighters from Pillow, Hickory Corners, Klingerstown, Dalmatia, Herndon, Gratz and Millersburg, spent nearly 41/2 hours on the scene of that blaze in Jordan Township, Northumberland County. (Terry Diener)

Lightning fire II: Irish Valley Road fire hits home

TREVORTON – Flames that destroyed a home along Irish Valley Road in Northumberland County may have been caused by a lightning strike. That’s the word from investigators probing the early morning blaze Saturday morning . Occupants of the home were able to get out safely yesterday morning and went to a neighbor residence to call in the alarm. Northumberland County Communications said the fire was reported around 4a.m.

When volunteers first arrived on scene—flames were reportedly shooting through the roof of the home. Shamokin Township, Stonington, Overlook and Elysburg fire departments all responded to the fire in Paxinos Saturday morning. (Terry Diener)

Kid’s triathlon field full

LEWISBURG – A kids’ triathlon is proving to be more popular than anyone expected. The upcoming 2nd Annual Winans’ Triathlon for Kids involves swimming, cycling and running at the Lewisburg Community Park on St. Mary’s Street. Race Director Tara Michaels says Dr. Lawrence Winans and others supported the event from the beginning and are watching it grow.

Michaels says the three divisions of the kids’ triathlon are already filled to capacity, though if there are cancellations, there is a waiting list. She notes the kids’ triathlon is especially popular among parents and relatives, who fill the park in order to watch.

The Winans’ Triathlon for Kids is planned for Friday, August 15th at 6:30p.m. The 3rd Annual LARA Sprint Triathlon for grown-ups is the following day and still has entry slots available. Portions of both events use roadways in Lewisburg and surrounding townships, and caution is advised for motorists. We’ll have more about the Sprint Triathlon as race day approaches. (Matt Farrand)

Be happy at Lemonade Day in Northumberland

NORTHUMBERLAND – The 4th annual Lemonade Day in Northumberland was held over the weekend and 6-year-old, MacRay Vankirk, tells us he came out to play some games, make some money, and “just be happy.” Kids throughout the community had the opportunity to set-up their own lemonade stands and participate in games and other activities throughout the day.

Awards were given out for the best stand and of course, the best tasting, lemonade. The event is usually held on the 200 block of Front Street in the borough, but it was moved into the Second Street School due to rain. The event is held by the Northumberland Point Township Revitalization Committee. (Sara Lauver)

Drain Pipe theft near Shamokin under investigation

SHAMOKIN TOWNSHIP – Seven large drain pipes have been stolen from a location in Shamokin Township Northumberland County. State police from Stonington say the black, corrugated pipes are twenty feet long, and eighteen inches in Diameter. The pipes, owned by the Department of Transportation were stolen from School House Road between July 22nd and August 1st. They are valued at $28-hundred. (Terry Diener)

Representative Belfanti’s back surgery successful

HARRISBURG – State Representative, Bob Belfanti Jr., (D-107th, Mt. Carmel) says surgery on his lower spine went well and was successful. After being postponed twice, the surgery was performed Wednesday at Hershey Medical Center and Belfanti was sent home Friday. Belfanti says he will be confined to bed rest and limited therapy for the next three to four weeks and full recovery is expected to take between three to four months. (Sara Lauver)

Roundtable takes an advanced look at National Night Out

SUNBURY – This weekend on our Roundtable program, we have a preview of tomorrow night’s National Night Out activities. The Sunbury police department, the Sunbury Crimewatch committee and hundreds of volunteers, donors, businesses and others, converge on Cameron Park, from 6 to 8p.m. for the annual event.

Sunbury’s police chief Steven Mazzeo told us he would like to see the Crimewatch expand, and get more people involved. He said there are numerous cases where Crimewatch patrols discovered suspicious activity and event helped contribute to major drug busts.

The National Night Out event is Tuesday night in downtown Sunbury. If you would like to volunteer or get more information, you can call 286-4584, extension 108. Also on Roundtable this weekend: Connie Beegle, president of Sunbury’s Crimewatch, Charles Ruhl of the Crimewatch program and Sunbury police officer Jamie Quinn. You can hear Roundtable at www.wkok.com.

Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:

BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) - Nathan Miller learned the hard way that "Road Closed" signs are posted for a reason.  The 25-year-old Milesburg man ventured onto a closed road Sunday afternoon in search of good fishing at Bald Eagle State Park, but got his pickup truck stranded on some railroad tracks.  After trying for 45 minutes to dislodge the truck, Miller said he could do nothing but step back and watch a Norfolk Southern train smash into it.  Signs clearly stated the road was closed, but Miller said he decided to "give it a shot" after hearing about the fishing spot. He has no intentions of going back.  No one was hurt, but police cited Miller for trespassing.  Miller said: "I was an idiot. Pretty much a local idiot just trying to go fishing."

READING, Pa. (AP) - The state has begun charging custodial parents in Pennsylvania $25 a year to offset the cost of collecting child support. The fee is the result of the 2006 federal Deficit Reduction Act. Federal officials gave states the option of paying the $25 fee on behalf of parents, collecting it from custodial parents or collecting it from noncustodial parents. The federal government says most states, including Pennsylvania, have chosen to collect from custodial parents. A state Department of Public Welfare spokeswoman says noncustodial parents are harder to track down. If the state were to pay the fee, it would cost taxpayers $2.6 million this year and $3.2 million next year. Not all custodial parents must pay. Parents who have received cash assistance from the welfare department and those who receive $500 to $1,999 a year in child support are exempt.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - A Penn State University scientist says he's discovered the globe's tiniest species of snake. S. Blair Hedges says he found the tiny snake in the easternmost Caribbean island of Barbados. He says full-grown adults of the species typically stretch less than 4 inches long. It can curl up on a U.S. quarter. Hedges says the snake was found slithering beneath a rock near a patch of Barbadian forest. He says the smallest of the roughly 3,100 known snake species will be introduced to the scientific world in the journal "Zootaxa" on Monday. Hedges' research teams also have discovered the world's tiniest lizard in the Dominican Republic and the smallest frog in Cuba.

LONG POND – From the Pocono Record: Cindy McCain, wife of Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., toured the garage area of Pocono Raceway in Long Pond with NASCAR president Mike Helton before the Pennsylvania 500 on Sunday. McCain walked through the garage at the same time fans were seeking autographs from drivers and crewmembers. The knot of photographers and entourage that encircled McCain made it obvious to onlookers that she was a VIP, but the face was not instantly recognizable to most fans. McCain stepped out of Bobby Labonte’s Cheerios hauler when two fans caught a glimpse of her. “Who is that? Is that Labonte’s wife?” one asked. When they were told she was John McCain’s wife, they seemed to lose interest. Race fans patiently waited until she was out of the way so they could pose for pictures in front of their favorite cars. Cindy McCain did not speak publicly, but she was seen on the jumbotron screens. After the drivers were introduced, each shook McCain’s hand. McCain, said to be a race fan by her press assistant, also attended the Brickyard 400 last week. (Pocono Record)

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

Daily Number 2-4-7

Big 4 1-5-7-1

Treasure Hunt   1-2-6-8-20

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

McCain-Obama-Poll

WASHINGTON (AP) - John McCain's political offensive against Barack Obama appears to be paying off in the polls. With a slew of negative ads aimed at Obama, the Republican candidate has effectively erased the Illinois senator's nine-point lead in a national survey. Yesterday's Gallup poll suggests the candidates are tied at 44 percent apiece. McCain, who had vowed to sidestep the kind of negative tactics used against him in the 2000 Republican primary, began his attack while Obama was on his trip to Iraq and Afghanistan last month. The four-term Arizona senator, who backed the war, charged that Obama's promise to withdraw U.S. forces from Iraq within 16 months of taking office amounted to choosing to lose a war to win the presidency. McCain then ran TV ads claiming that Obama didn't visit wounded troops because he couldn't take cameras, and one that compared Obama's fame to that of Britney Spears and Paris Hilton.

CHRISTINA APPLEGATE HAS EARLY BREAST CANCER

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Christina Applegate has an early form of breast cancer that's said to be not life threatening. Applegate's spokeswoman says the cancer was found after a doctor ordered an MRI. She also says "Christina is following the recommended treatment of her doctors and will have a full recovery." Just last week, Applegate, who's 36, was one of many celebrities listed for a telethon on September 5th. "Stand Up to Cancer" will be broadcast simultaneously on CBS, NBC and ABC. It's to raise money to push cancer research into high gear.

TINY SNAKE

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - It's not a worm, it's a snake, but it's not a very big one. A Penn State University scientist says he's discovered the globe's tiniest species of snake. Blair Hedges says he found the tiny critter in the easternmost Caribbean island of Barbados. He says full-grown adults of the species typically stretch fewer than 4 inches long. It can curl up on a U.S. quarter. The snake was found slithering beneath a rock near a patch of forest. The smallest of the roughly 3,100 known snake species will be introduced to the scientific world in the journal "Zootaxa" today. Hedges' research teams also have found the word's tiniest lizard in the Dominican Republic and the smallest frog in Cuba.

FROG SONGS

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Don't expect it to be a major smash hit, but there's a new CD featuring the rhythmic stylings of Nebraska's native frogs. University of Nebraska-Lincoln herpetologist Dennis Ferraro says frog songs are all about attracting a mate. Male frogs produce a simple bass line to say they're in their own territory and a higher-pitched melody to coax females to come over. Female frogs don't make the sounds. Ferraro's CD, "Frog Calls of Nebraska," features 11 tracks, each about one and half to 2 minutes long. It's not just entertainment. Ferraro says listening to frog calls helps scientists track populations.

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