January 27, 2012

NORTHUMBERLAND – Motorists may want to use caution if traveling on Route 11 in the Borough of Northumberland this morning. Just after three this morning a tractor trailer crashed and rolled over in the area of W&L Subaru on Route 11 Northbound. We are told the rig was leaking fuel and crews are on the scene cleaning up the fuel. We don’t know what that rig was hauling or when the roadway will be cleared. The roadway is open to traffic but a caution is in place. Northumberland County 9-1-1 tells us later this morning the roadway may need to be closed to clear the truck from the crash scene. We are told no one was injured in that crash.
Jim Diehl (WGRC)

MCELHATTEN – Police and rescue crews were sent out around eight last night to reports of a pedestrian hit by a train in Clinton County. The incident happened in the area of 1561 Youngdale Road, in Wayne Township, that’s near McElhatten. State Police say the victim is a 43-year-old black-man from McElhatten, but have not released his name. Police are treating the incident as an accidental death as they continue their investigation.
Jim Diehl (WGRC)

COGAN STATION – Police in Lycoming County are looking for an arson suspect who set fire to 14 bales of hay. The bales of hay were located in a field off Trimble Road in Gamble Township. Police say the hay bales were set on fire sometime late January 10th or early January 11th.
Jim Diehl (WGRC)

SUNBURY – The injuries that a 2-year-old boy suffered were labeled in Northumberland County magistrate’s court Thursday as "serious and heartbreaking."  The Daily Item reports, 26-year-old Jason Philhower of Sunbury appeared in court on assault charges after the child was taken from his Sunbury home January 17th.   Doctors say the toddler had a broken leg and bruises all over his body. Philhower and 25-year-old April Baker were charged with felony aggravated assault and child endangerment after the boy was taken to Sunbury Community Hospital by his aunt. Philhower appeared in court Thursday and asked District Judge Ben Apfelbaum for permission to move back into the home where his mother, Martha Russell, is now caring for the toddler. Philhower also asked Apfelbaum to lower his bail. Apfelbaum did lower bail from $75,000 to $70,000, but Philhower was returned to the Northumberland County Prison. The case against him was sent to county court for trial. Meanwhile Baker sent her charges on to court during her hearing yesterday.
(WGRC)

TREMONT – In Schuylkill County a Spring Glen man charged with slicing the throat of his girlfriend with a box cutter last week sent his charges on to Schuylkill County Court. Twenty-five-year-old Joshua Thurman, appeared before District Judge Carol Pankake, on charges of attempted criminal homicide, aggravated assault, and related counts. Following the proceeding, Thurman was returned to Schuylkill County Prison on $250,000 straight cash bail. State Police say Thurman attacked 34-year-old Natalie Barr, on the front porch of an apartment building on January 18.th Police say Barr has since been released from a hospital.
(WGRC)

STATE COLLEGE - A Centre County dentist is facing charges that he submitted more than $52,000 in false insurance claims following a joint investigation involving the FBI and the state Attorney General’s Office. The Centre Daily Times reports, 53-year-old Jamshid Assadinia, of State College, allegedly submitted insurance claims for dental procedures he never performed, and billed the insurance companies under the names of several patients. The charges filed by the Attorney General’s Office state that from June 2006 through February 2011, Assadinia submitted the insurance claims to six different insurance companies for approximately 100 procedures that were not performed. He could up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
(WGRC)

BLOOMSBURG — In Columbia County a woman turned in her younger brother and his girlfriend for allegedly dealing heroin after finding bags, scales and cash in the house she shared with them. The Press Enterprise reports, police later seized more than 50 items, including 10 cell phones, a safe containing cash and drugs, and cereal boxes with "large" amounts of heroin inside, plus $3,500 in suspected drug money. Now, 20-year-old Jared Hite and girlfriend 19-year-old Katelynne Pursel face numerous drug charges. Police say both admitted to being heroin users. The two were staying with Hite’s sister in the Ferncliff development in Hemlock Township.
(WGRC)

SUNBURY - Sunbury police and Sunbury Community Hospital have joined forces to educate residents about the seriousness of over-the-counter cough and cold medicine abuse after an emergency room director said he has seen an increase in teens being rushed in for help. Emergency room director Kevin Shovlin tells the Daily Item, he has seen nearly double the amount of teens visiting the emergency room over last year. A large number of over-the-counter cough medicines contain dextromethorphan, and when abused, it can cause feelings of euphoria. Effects of dextromethorphan are similar to the drug PCP because they affect similar areas of the brain. The drug will create the feeling of not being oneself or being separate and detached from the environment. Other effects can include impaired motor function, numbness, nausea and vomiting and increased heart rate and blood pressure. Meanwhile Sunbury Police Chief Steve Mazzeo said he has set up a team of officers to visit stores and educate employees about the abuse.
(WGRC)

SELINSGROVE – Evangelical Community Hospital will be holding their 23rd Annual Children’s Health Fair at the Susquehanna Valley Mall this Saturday, January 28 from 10 am to 2 pm. The fair will feature activities including a story time, a Kids Can Cook Demo presented by Weis Markets, and a presentation by the Kingdom Kidz Puppets. Children can also bring their favorite stuffed animal or doll for a check-up. Parents can earn a $5 Gift Card for returning a child safety seat that has either been recalled, is more than six years old, or has been involved in an accident, is broken or has missing parts. There will be language and speech screenings for children ages 3-4 conducted by the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit and vision screenings will be carried out by Central Susquehanna Sight Services. The Children’s Health Fair is sponsored by Swineford National Bank, VNA Health System and Central Penn Women’s Health.
(WGRC)

DANVILLE — People who rely on Montour County's transit system to get to medical appointments may have to find a new ride soon if the state doesn't come up with required funds. A last-minute deal brokered with the state Thursday — which is expected to put $26,000 in county coffers — should keep the ride program afloat for the next few weeks. But Montour may still be forced to cut the Medical Assistance Transit program, and that may include layoffs for drivers and office personnel. The Press Enterprise reports, Montour County Commissioners say the county is owed a total of $101,000 from last year and the beginning of this year. Because the state overpaid some counties for the program, Montour and others were set to get less of the money owed. Commissioners contacted Senator John Gordner who helped procure the $26,000. A news conference is set for 11 a.m. today in the Montour County Courthouse to spell out what cuts might be made due to the funding shortfall.
(WGRC)

WILLIAMSPORT - The Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce honored three businesses Thursday afternoon at the 126th annual meeting and awards banquet for their philanthropy, innovative ideas and community relations. The Sun Gazette reports, the winner of the Ethel Weinhart Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service remained a secret until the end when Trey Phillips, of Phillips Supply House was announced. A new company that filled a gas industry clothing need won the Emerging Business of the Year Award, Magna-Solutions LLC, of Cogan Station, won the award. The 16th Phillips-Plankenhorn Small Business of the Year Award was given to Jenifer Dewald, of Dewald Chiropractic, for her business growth and community relations.
(WGRC)

WILLIAMSPORT - The goal is to see a healthier city employee and lower health care costs, that’s why Williamsport City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Thursday night to join the Pennsylvania Municipal Health Insurance Cooperative. The cooperative, explored and brought to the table by Mayor Gabriel Campana, has been estimated to be able to save as much as $429,000 and no less than $18,000 annually, depending on the type of claim year. By entering into the cooperative the risk of higher cost claims are spread out because of the large number of members. If surpluses exist, they are returned to the City. The program also creates incentives for employees to stay healthier, thereby lowering the risk and frequency of higher medical claims. Some 226 municipalities, authorities and a few cities are enrolled, with nearly 8,000 employee members and 99 percent retention. The plan requires a three-year commitment and offers escape should the city no longer want to be a member. Nearby partners include Clinton County, who has been a member since 2005, and Danville who has had a four-year partnership.
(WGRC)

STATE COLLEGE — Nike founder and chairman Phil Knight got a standing ovation at Joe Paterno's public memorial Thursday afternoon for defending the late coach's response to an accusation of child sex abuse against a former assistant. The Associated Press reports, Knight waded into a subject that had been virtually ignored since Paterno died on Sunday from lung cancer — the immediate cause of his firing after 46 seasons leading Penn State's football team to a record-setting 409 wins. Knight said, "it turns out Paterno gave full disclosure to his superiors, information that went up the chains to the head of the campus police Gary Shultz and the president of the school. The matter was in the hands of a world-class university, and by a president with an outstanding national reputation." Knight added, "...this much is clear to me. If there is a villain in this tragedy, it lies in that investigation and not in Joe Paterno." The remark drew a standing ovation from the crowd of 12,000 at the Bryce Jordan Center — with Paterno's widow, Sue, and former defensive coordinator, Tom Bradley, among those rising to their feet. Paterno's son and former quarterbacks coach, Jay, also got a standing ovation near the end of the ceremony when he said, "Joe Paterno left this world with a clear conscience."
(WGRC)

LANCASTER - A descendant of James Addams Beaver, for whom Penn State’s Beaver Stadium is named, backs a proposal to name the field there for Joe Paterno. Thomas Beaver III of Lancaster says the push to name the field comes from Schuylkill Valley High School student Blake Tobias Jr. He and his father say it would be the perfect way to honor Paterno’s legacy. The Patriot News reports, their “Make PATERNO FIELD at Beaver Stadium,” an appeal to the Penn State University Trustee board, drew close 7,000 signatures within 24 hours of its posting online Monday. Tobias Jr. said he aims for 107,282 signatures to represent the number of seats at the stadium. He says, “That should be more than enough to get university officials thinking this should become a reality.” According to Penn State officials, the field at the stadium currently isn’t named. Spokeswoman Lisa Powers says administrators know about the Tobias petition but haven’t taken action on it.
(WGRC)

BELLEFONTE — The attorney for Jerry Sandusky is asking a judge to order that prosecutors turn over information about witnesses he could expect to see at trial. Joe Amendola filed a request for the information last week from the Attorney General’s Office seeking names, dates of birth, and addresses of the accusers and other witnesses. He also sought dates and locations from where the allegations happened. On Thursday, Amendola filed a request to Senior Judge John Cleland, asking the judge to order prosecutors to provide that information. Sandusky’s next court appearance has not yet been scheduled.
(WGRC)

STATE COLLEGE - Lance Shaner, the president and owner of State College-based Shaner Corporation, and his wife have sued The Second Mile to recover a $250,000 donation they made to help build a proposed learning center. The charity put its 45,000- square-foot Center For Excellence project, planned for a site at Bernel and Fox Hollow roads near University Park Airport, on hold after the state froze a $3 million matching grant in November, in response to child sexual abuse allegations made against The Second Mile founder Jerry Sandusky. The Centre Daily Times reports, the Shaner's say they understand The Second Mile will not go forward with the project, and because their gift was given expressly for that cause, they are demanding the return of the money. Second Mile President David Woodle has said the board of directors of the Second Mile intends to honor Shaner’s request just as soon as it can obtain the necessary approvals from the Pennsylvania attorney general and the appropriate court.
(WGRC)

HARRISBURG - In an unannounced, closed-door meeting Thursday morning, Governor Tom Corbett launched an initiative to reduce prison costs in Pennsylvania. The Patriot News reports the creation of a “justice reinvestment working group” led by Corrections Secretary John Wetzel and Mark Zimmer, chairman of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The panel consists of “judges, lawmakers, state cabinet members and other officials.” Between 2000 and 2010, the number of people in prison in Pennsylvania grew 40 percent. Much of the growth was driven by increases in the number of people convicted of property and drug offenses serving relatively short minimum sentences. Over this same period, annual Department of Corrections spending increased 76 percent.
(WGRC)