Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Fatal fire in Sunbury
SUNBURY – Northumberland County Coroner James Kelley says 70-year-old Barbara Kunkel who died in a Sunbury house fire early Tuesday morning. Kunkel’s body was found at around 1:15a.m. in a rear bedroom of the double rental home at 127 North 4th Street. The fire heavily damaged the home and a neighboring home. Kelley returned to the scene around 9:30 a.m. He says the Coroner’s office and a State Police Fire Marshal will continue to investigate. (staff)
Selinsgrove bussing decision could be made this week
SELINSGROVE – A decision could be made this week about bus transportation of school age students to and from day care in the Selinsgrove School District. The Transportation Committee meets Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in the Middle School, and may decide whether or not to continue the practice in the upcoming a school year Inconvenienced parents of children in day care are annoyed by the proposals and made their thoughts known at a meeting in July. Superintendent Dr. Fredrick Johnson and Board President Eric Rowe said at the time they’d consider all the complaints before they’d make a decision. (Matt Farrand)
Sellers of natural gas rights should be wary
LEWISBURG – Get a good attorney if you’re following up on ads encouraging the sale of natural gas rights on your property. That’s the message of the founder and director of the Pennsylvania Sierra Club. Jeff Schmidt says property owners risk a great deal when they sign away their claim to what lies underneath. Geologists believe billions of cubic feet of natural gas are locked in shale in Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio.
Schmidt says developers often gain the right to build roads, clear-cut woodlands and set up transmission lines from unwary property owners. Schmidt was the latest speaker in a series of “On Topic” luncheons hosted by Molesevich Environmental and Newsradio 1070 WKOK. His talk also covered environmentally conscious legislation now before the state Senate. Schmidt will also be on an upcoming segment of WKOK’s Leaders & Lawmakers. (Matt Farrand)
Two local bars charged by the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement
WILLIAMSPORT – Two bars in the area have been charged by the Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement for different violations.
At the Dirty Bird Bar in Danville, checks were reportedly issued on three different occasions for purchase of alcohol, but the checks were returned for insufficient funds. The incidents took place in March and April. The bar faces a $50 to $1,000 fine for issuing bad checks.
At Danley’s Hotel in Sunbury, bar employees are accused of serving visibly intoxicated patrons. They are also charged with selling to minors and to possessing gabling devices at the bar. The bar faces a fine of up to $5,000 for the charges against them. (Ali Stevens)
Zerbe Township gets new police chief
TREVORTON – Zerbe Township has a new police chief. The News Item reports former Shamokin City Police Detective Robert John was appointed Monday. John has been a police officer for 23 years and a detective for 11 years. He joins Zerbe Township at a time when there were no police officers in the area, after the resignation of part-time officer Mark Botts three months ago. John replaces Degg Stark who resigned at the beginning of the year. (Sara Bartlett)
Dale/Engle/Walker House hosts Rural Heritage Days
LEWISBURG – Rural Heritage Days begins today outside of Lewisburg. Held at the Dale/Engle/Walker House, the four-day event offers a chance for all ages to see what life was like in years past. Today’s events are geared toward kids, with activities such as hands-on exhibits, old-fashioned games and pony cart rides, from noon to 4:00p.m. There will also be a demonstration of old-time spinning with an Angora rabbit.
Chair of the event committee, Jeannette Lasansky, says tomorrow there will be a presentation titled “Whatever Did They Wear.” It is an 18th century fashion show with period music. Friday there will be a wagon ride and tour to the 19th Century Grove’s Mill. It is $6.00 for the ride. All other activities are free. There are also all day activities Saturday. The Dale/Engle/Walker House is located on Strawbridge Road. For more information call 524-8666. (Sara Bartlett)
Orangeville fire destroys a barn, killing 30 chickens
ORANGEVILLE – A state police fire marshal will investigate after lightening apparently sparked a fire that destroyed a barn in the Orangeville area Monday afternoon. About 30 chickens were killed in the blaze at a barn owned by Gene and Kathy Barrett. Dogs and horses housed in the barn were rescued, but some cats were unaccounted for. According to the Press Enterprise, Kathy Barrett is an Animal Control Officer and the barn was intended to be a startup no-kill animal shelter. The barn on Stoney Brook Road was destroyed, despite three lightening rods on the roof. (Ali Stevens)
Bench warrant issued for a Sunbury man charged with sexual assault of girl
DANVILLE – A bench warrant has been issued for a Sunbury man accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. 46-year-old Mark Nash, formerly of Milton, failed to appear in Montour County Court yesterday. Nash is accused of sexually assaulting the young teen in Valley Township in May of 2007. Prosecutors asked for the bench warrant, saying Nash has had no contact with his lawyer. (Ali Stevens)
Three area school districts awarded grants for tutoring assistance
HARRISBURG – Three school districts in our area have received a grant to provide tutoring services to students who need additional help. State Representative Bob Belfanti announced that the Educational Assistance Program grants will be awarded to the Danville Area, Line Mountain and North Schuylkill School Districts. In all the three districts will split over $200,000. The program offers students additional instruction with their classes before and after school and on weekends. (Sara Bartlett)
Shamokin-Coal Township Sewer Authority fined by DEP
WILLIAMSPORT – The Shamokin-Coal Township Joint Sewer Authority has been fined after illegally dumping nearly 112,000 gallons of sewage into Shamokin Creek for a period of three days. The Department of Environmental Protection issued the $2,400 fine after discovering the activity in June. DEP says the Sewer Authority was illegally discharging at the overflow points during dry weather conditions. The fine was paid to the Clean Water Fund, which is used to pay for cleanups across the state. (Sara Bartlett)
Megan’s Law violator sent to jail
SUNBURY – A
Sunbury man, who is a registered sex offender, is in prison after
failing to register his new address after moving. In May,
34-year-old Walter Tyson moved from Church Street to Susquehanna
Avenue in the city and did not register his address within the
required 48 hours for a registered sex offender. He was arraigned
before District Justice Robert Bolton on a felony count of Megan’s
Law violation and placed in Northumberland County Prison on $60,000
bail. (Sara Bartlett)Lewisburg woman taken to the hospital following a crash
LEWISBURG – A Lewisburg woman was taken to Evangelical Community Hospital following a crash on Hospital Drive near Colonel John Kelly Road yesterday. State police say just before 10a.m., 33-year-old Melissa Hollenbach was speeding on Hospital Drive and lost control on a curve. The vehicle struck an embankment and flipped onto the driver’s side. Hollenbach had to be freed from the vehicle and was treated and released from Evan. She will be charged with speeding and causing an accident. (Ali Stevens)Minor injuries after a motorcycle crash in Northumberland County
MILTON – A Watsontown woman sustained minor injuries following a motorcycle crash on Route 45 Monday afternoon in West Chillisquaque Township, Northumberland County. State police say the accident involved 56-year-old Lorrie Strauch of Watsontown.
They says she was merging from 405 south onto Route 45 west when she lost control of her motorcycle. Strauch struck a concrete median and the bike fell over. She was taken to Evangelical Community Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. (Ali Stevens)
The pictures speak a thousand words in Sunbury
SUNBURY – Sunbury City Council got a Riverfront Project Update last night and Consultant, Tom Deans, showed before and after pictures, which will help, residents visualize what the Riverfront may look like. Deans says he hopes the pictures answer a lot of questions, including suggestions on the floodwall openings.
He says he is not an engineer, but there have been suggestions that would allow people to go over the wall instead of putting a “hole” in the floodwall. Deans says the problem with that, is there needs to be equilibrium and whatever they would do to one side of the wall would have to be done to the other side as well.
Sunbury Mayor, Jesse Woodring, says a picture speaks a thousand words and he hopes the updates answer a lot of questions. A public meeting to address the project and answer more questions as the project moves forward is being scheduled for sometime in September. (Sara Lauver)
McDonald’s on Routes 11 & 15 to be rebuilt
SHAMOKIN DAM – The McDonald’s on Routes 11 & 15 in Shamokin Dam, Snyder County is closed for now, and being demolished. However, owner-operator Jim Rippon says a new one will rise on that site. He says customers will be able to enjoy the latest that McDonald’s has to offer. State-of-the-art improvements include an improved Play Place, and a drive-thru that will be reconfigured to accept two vehicles at a time.
Rippon says it’s as good a time as any to build a new building, one which should be ready by the middle of December, in time for the Holiday shopping season. Rippon says the current restaurant closed Sunday, and demolition of the building that’s been in use since 1974 is already underway. (Matt Farrand)
Great Stream Commons construction site vandalism
GREGG TWP. – Vandals are apparently responsible for $500,000 in environmental damage to the Great Stream Commons construction site and damage to heavy equipment. State Police call it the result of a “joy ride.” They say a water tanker; scrapper pan and roller were taken some time Sunday night or Monday morning.
The tanker was driven over an embankment and into a tree, the scrapper pan was driven into a ravine and left running, and the roller was rolled over and totaled. The site is in Gregg Township, Union County, where construction of a Target Distribution Center has been ongoing since 2007. Troopers say their continues and anyone with information is encouraged to call 524-2662. (Matt Farrand)
DEP officials to hold meeting on fish food plant
CATAWISSA – A Columbia County firm, which has been the source of odor complaints from neighbors for years, wants to double its production of fish food. The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, August 18th, in Catawissa, to discuss an air quality application by Melick Aquafeed.
DEP officials say the firm will need to modify its existing odor treatment system and construct a new ventilation system and stack. Melick declined an invitation to participate in the meeting. The meeting will be held at the Catawissa Hose Company.
During the meeting DEP air quality staff will explain the company’s application and the department’s review process, followed by a question and answer session. The company has worked with air quality staff from DEP over the years in an effort to improve its air emission treatment systems. (Terry Diener)
Hit and run pedestrian accident on Routes 11 & 15 investigated
SELINSGROVE – State police are investigating a hit and run pedestrian accident on Routes 11 and 15 Sunday night in Monroe Township, Snyder County. Troopers say 39-year-old Nicholas Yetter of Milroy was working at Nina Drive with the Monroe Marketplace construction crew when he was hit by a silver Dodge pick-up truck.
The driver of the truck reportedly drove through several orange cones and then struck Yetter. Troopers say he then stopped to yell at the construction workers and told them that his license plate was bad and could not be traced. The plate, identified by state police as Pennsylvania YLE-6979, was not traceable. Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call troopers in Selinsgrove. (Ali Stevens)
Danville assault puts two in jail
DANVILLE – Two people are in jail after reports of a simple assault Sunday night in Danville. Around 10:00p.m., State Police at Milton say they were called to a home on Bridge Road, where 52-year-old Clarence Tubbs and 37-year-old Sharl Starr were arguing. Starr allegedly struck Tubbs in the head with a glass bottle.
He sustained injuries and was treated at Evangelical Community Hospital. Starr was arraigned and sent to Montour County Prison on $5,000 bail. After the incident, State Police say they found Northumberland County Court also wanted Tubbs on a bench warrant. He was taken into custody and transported to Northumberland County Prison. (Sara Bartlett)
Sharing the road during the upcoming triathlon
LEWISBURG – Safety is a big part of the LARA Sprint Triathlon, planned for this Saturday. The cycling and running portions of the third annual event use roadways in Lewisburg and surrounding townships. Race Director Tara Michaels credits local agencies for securing some of the intersections on the course.
Michaels notes that cyclists will have to yield at unguarded intersections, as they will be open to normal traffic. The race benefits LARA and starts at 8:00 a.m. with a 300-yard swim in the pool at the Community Park, followed by cycling and running on roadways in Buffalo, East Buffalo and Kelly Townships.
The Sprint Triathlon follows the 2nd Annual Winan’s Triathlon for Kids on Friday evening. Motorists are also advised to be cautious during those times. The Sprint Triathlon also features 2 or 3 person team competition, and is timed using a chip. Team members will need to hand off the timing chip going from leg to leg. (Matt Farrand)
Plenty new at River Festival
SUNBURY – You don’t have to look far if you’re looking for something fun for the whole family this week. The Sunbury River Festival starts This Thursday at 5 and goes through Saturday at 6 p.m. Some of the things you can enjoy include: 2 stages of free entertainment, games and rides for the kids, train rides, a car Cruise-in, and over 200 crafters.
Fred Scheller, chairman of the festival, says the proceeds from will go to the Sunbury Revitalization Committee. For more information check out their website at www.sunburyriverfestival.com or you can listen to a Leaders & Lawmakers about River Festival, at www.wkok.com. (Sheri Rippon)
2008 94KX Cares for Kids Radiothon beats 2007 total
SUNBURY – A young woman from Selinsgrove raised more than $10,000 on Saturday to push the 94KX Cares for Kids Radiothon total to more than $37,000, which is $200 more than last year. Ashley Brubaker held her silent auction in the Susquehanna Valley Mall on Saturday and raised $10,800. Add that to listener’s pledges and business contributions and the total was well over $37,600.
The Sunbury Bar Crawl raised more than $1,000. National Beef contributed $1,000 along with Jeff’s Auto Body and Collision. Boscov’s raised more than $700 and contributions from companies such as the Bowen Agency, McDonald’s and McCann School of Business added to the total.
$1,000 was raised on Thursday as part of the annual 94KX request-a-thon. And this year, a princess and pirate party was held for the kids at the mall on Saturday, which brought in $500. All of the money raised will go the Children’s Miracle Network, supporting the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital at Geisinger Medical Center. (Ali Stevens)
Snyder County shed fire undetermined in origin
PENNS CREEK – State Police say a fire that caused $6,500 worth of damage to a shed in Snyder County is undermined in origin. Fire Marshal Norman Fedder says the fire was reported early Wednesday morning at an address in Centre Township.
It is owned by Chris Keister of Centreville Road, but used for storage by William Kerstetter, who lives nearby. Fedder notes that the property owner had insurance for the structure, but the man who was using it did not. Penns Creek firefighters and others responded to that blaze. (Matt Farrand)
Latest Pennsylvania news, sports, business and entertainment:
INDIANA, Pa. (AP) - Singing idol and actor Fabian Forte will be honored by the museum dedicated to actor Jimmy Stewart. Sixty-five-year-old Fabian will receive the 2008 Harvey Award on Oct. 24 from the James M. Stewart Museum Foundation. The museum is in Stewart's hometown, Indiana, Pa., about 45 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Fabian was a pop singing star who appeared in more than 30 films, including two with Stewart, "Dear Bridgette" and "Mr. Hobbs Takes A Vacation." Past Harvey Award winners include June Allyson, Janet Leigh, Shirley Jones, Ernest Borgnine and impressionist Rich Little. The foundation's award is named for the 1950 film in which Stewart befriends an invisible rabbit.
PHOENIXVILLE, Pa. (AP) - Each summer, hundreds of people from near and far come to the center of Phoenixville. The Chester County town where the 1958 movie "The Blob" was filmed. In the iconic sci-fi horror flick , a mysterious hunk of extraterrestrial gelatin kills a physician in his home. Then it menaces teenagers in a grocery store, surges toward a crowd of people in a darkened theater and engulfs a diner. ach year, fans visit the house where the doctor "died," stop by the strip mall where the market once stood, eat at the diner on the site where the alien met its frozen end. And, on Phoenixville's main drag, more than 400 of them run screaming from the same theater, the Colonial, in a joyous re-enactment of the movie's big scene.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - The head of a telemarketing firm says he has no comment about a lawsuit accusing the company of violating Pennsylvania's "do not call" law. Attorney General Tom Corbett says Baltimore-based Direct Leadsource is the biggest single violation of the law since it took effect in 2002. Corbett says the company used a telephone center in India to call more than a half-million calls to Pennsylvania consumers to market mortgage loans. Corbett's office filed a consumer-protection lawsuit against the firm Tuesday. He says Direct Leadsource isn't licensed to sell such loans and not registered as a telemarketer in Pennsylvania.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - A legal advocacy group for public school students has asked the state to examine whether enrollment policies in some of Pennsylvania's 501 school districts are unnecessarily preventing children from going to class. The Education Law Center says that in the last school year alone, it's been asked to intervene in 270 cases where questionable policies and practices delayed the enrollment of new students by up to a month or longer. Law center co-director Janet Stotland says some families have encountered problems proving their children can legally enroll in school because they're being asked to provide more documentation than the law requires. State Education Department spokesman Michael Race says the agency is reviewing the law center's concerns, but has no immediate comment.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Here are the winning numbers selected Tuesday in the midday Pennsylvania State Lottery drawing:
Daily Number 8-5-8
Big 4 2-3-1-3
Treasure Hunt 10-11-20-29-30
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)