February 10, 2012

BELLEFONTE — In Centre County, Jerry Sandusky’s trial date is tentatively set during a hearing today.  Sandusky, testified that he thinks he can get a fair trial in Centre County.  Judge John Cleland had asked Sandusky to take the witness stand to affirm his attorney's argument that he wants his client's trial to stay in Centre County.  Cleland set a tentative trial date of May 14th in Sandusky’s child sex-abuse case, but did not yet make a decision about where the jury pool will be pulled from.  The prosecution wants an out of county jury.  The judge also will rule on motions that Sandusky not be allowed on his deck because it faces an elementary school playground, bail conditions, grand jury testimony and pre-trial discovery.
(WGRC)

BELLEFONTE – A man is arrested on cocaine charges today in Centre County.  Narcotics agents seized a quarter pound of cocaine today from Andre Adams.  The cocaine is worth more than $13,500 on the street.  They also recovered more than $17,000 in cash from Adams.  Adams’ brother, Divine James, was also taken into custody for interfering with officers who were serving a search warrant on Adams’ residence.  Adams is jailed on $100,000 cash bail.  Several controlled buys over the last several months led to the charges against him.  Adams is originally from New York City and uses several aliases.
John Callahan (WGRC)

BURNHAM – A log splitter and trailer stolen in Mifflin County.  Mifflin County Regional Police say they were sent to the 600 block of Oak Street in Burnham for the theft of a log splitter and trailer.  The theft happened overnight and was discovered this morning.  The log splitter is worth about $1200. Police believe someone hooked the trailer up to a vehicle with a hitch and drove away.  Anyone with information about this theft should call Mifflin County Regional Police.
John Callahan (WGRC)

HARRISBURG - A former Republican state lawmaker from Lycoming County will spend at least four years in prison for his role in a scheme to use public money for campaign purposes. A jury in Dauphin County convicted Brett Feese last fall on all the charges against him.  He was sentenced this morning in Harrisburg.  Feese used to represent the Muncy area. Prosecutors accused Feese of using millions of taxpayer dollars to help win elections.
(WNEP)

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT – A man remains in serious condition today continuing to be treated for injuries suffered in a three-vehicle accident in Lycoming County.  Around 11:30 Wednesday morning, 29-year old Lonnie Gainer, of South Williamsport, was hurt when his car was rear-ended and pushed into the rear end of a tractor trailer truck on Route-15 in South Williamsport.  Gainer’s one-year old child escaped with minor injuries.  Police had that portion of Route-15 closed for nearly 2-hours as emergency crews worked at the scene.
Don Casteline (WGRC)

BELLEFONTE – Plenty of media attention is bearing down on Bellefonte, Centre County this morning.  Jerry Sandusky is expected to be in court in person today.  While awaiting his child sex abuse trial, Sandusky is asking for more lenient bail conditions so he can visit with his grandchildren.  Meanwhile, prosecutors are contending that Sandusky should actually have tighter restrictions such as not being allowed on his back porch which overlooks an elementary school playground.  

During today’s hearing, it is also expected that the judge will listen to arguments surrounding whether the jury should be from Centre County or be brought in from outside the area.  Sandusky’s attorneys are requesting a local jury.

(WGRC)

DANVILLE – A woman has been charged with endangering the welfare of children in Montour County.  Reports say 26-year old Brandy Bower lives in an apartment above the O-I-P in Danville, where she works as a waitress.  According to Children and Youth, during a scheduled visit last month they discovered Bower’s 7-year old daughter was left alone home along with her 3-year old nephew while she was at work.  Bower says the baby sitter didn’t show up.  The woman also faces charges for possession of drug paraphernalia.  Bower allegedly offered alcohol to her daughter and two other children.
(WGRC)

MIFFLINTOWN - A woman convicted of first degree murder for killing her son-in-law was sentenced to life in prison yesterday in Mifflin County.  President Judge Kathy Morrow imposed the mandatory sentence after reading a statement from the victim's family.  The Sentinel reports, 56-year old Brenda Smith was found guilty last week of killing her son- in- law, 36-year old Michael Hockenberry, inside his Cedar Street home in Mifflintown in September 2010.
(WGRC)

WILLIAMSPORT – An accident in the kitchen leads to a fire which consumes a home in Lycoming County.  Fire crews were called out just before 8:30 Thursday morning to the home in the 600 block of Second Street in Williamsport.  Fire officials have now determined that a rubber glove caught fire on the stove setting off the blaze.  Eighty-year old Jim Pardee and his 78-year old wife, Florence, were rescued from the burning home by neighbors and their son who lives nearby.  Fire authorities say the couple, who are both blind, were not seriously injured.  The fire was ruled an accident.
(WGRC/WNEP)

WILLIAMSPORT - A woman was taken to the hospital Thursday afternoon after she was hit by a car in Lycoming County.  It happened about 1:30 p.m. on West Third Street near the intersection with William Street in Williamsport.  A witness told police the woman was trying to keep a man from driving away when the man hit the woman with the car, then took off.  He was taken into police custody a short time later. The woman, who has not been identified, was taken to the hospital with what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries. There is no word if any charges will be filed.
(WNEP)

LEWISBURG – A Union County school district is among those taking a hard look at both staff and program cuts as well as potential tax increases.  Lewisburg Superintendent Mark DiRocco told the school board last night that the district is facing a more than 1-million dollar deficit in its 2012-2013 budget of nearly 29-million dollars.  According to the Daily Item, DiRocco spent part of the day yesterday in Harrisburg learning more details about Governor Tom Corbett’s budget proposal.  DiRocco says state funding, which is level with last year’s amount, does not factor in rising fuel and utility costs as well as increases in special education and cyber school costs.
(WGRC)

HARRISBURG – A gas drilling company has been fined by Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection.  Reports say Chesapeake Energy Corporation, of Oklahoma, will pay more than a half-million dollars in fines which stem from three violations.  Damage to streams and wetlands were discovered in Bradford and Potter Counties.  A company spokesperson told reporters yesterday that Chesapeake has worked hard to improve its operation.
(WGRC) 

HARRISBURG – Legislation set to regulate and promote economic growth within Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry, while giving local governments the option of adopting an impact fee, was approved Thursday by the state House.  This legislation will give the majority of the revenue collected from the impact fee to the areas that are affected by the drilling to repair roads and bridges and perform preventative maintenance. It also will provide funds to support water and sewer system construction, and emergency response training. The remaining money will be shared at the state level for similar initiatives, such as protecting infrastructure and the environment.
(WGRC)

COAL TOWNSHIP – The lives of four Northumberland County residents are being remembered following their deaths in a Wednesday afternoon car accident in Florida.  The Coal Township Board of Commissioners observed a moment of silence on Thursday.  Killed in the crash were attorney James Rosini, his wife Patricia, his brother William, and also Deborah Korbich of Elysburg.  Flags were flown at half-staff yesterday at buildings throughout Northumberland County.  Both James and Patricia Rosini held positions within county government.

Police say the victims’ car traveled through a flashing red light.  It was struck by a van driven by a South Williamsport couple.
(WGRC)

WASHINGTON D.C. – The late Joe Paterno was recognized and remembered by Pennsylvania lawmakers in Washington D.C. on Thursday.  The remarks were shared following the conclusion of legislative business. Congressman Glenn Thompson says “Paterno’s accomplishments as a teacher and coach rank him among the very best…”.  Representative Bill Shuster cited the impact that Paterno had on developing his players and the Penn State community.  Representative Lou Barletta was among others who also remembered the long-time head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions.
Don Casteline (WGRC)

JERSEY SHORE – A Lycoming County couple has found an unusually squirrely character.  Reports say Percy and Connie Emert, of Jersey Shore, found and managed to trap a purple squirrel on their property.  Why the squirrel is purple… is a mystery.
(WGRC)