WGRC Christian Radio

WATSONTOWN - A helicopter pilot, flying for a private company, crashed this morning after his chopper struck some power lines across the Susquehanna River in Northumberland County. 68-year old Gerald Racey of Virginia walked away uninjured from the mangled mess after he had to ditch the copter on the river's edge near Watsontown. The Company, Helicopter Applicator Incorporated of Gettysburg was on the way to the scene, along with F-A-A investigators shortly after the crash was reported around 8 this morning. Racey's company had been contracted by D-E-P to spray for black flies in the area.
John Callahan (WGRC w/WRAK)   

CALDWELL -A couple living along the Carrier Road near Caldwell in Clinton County lost their home and all their possessions to a stubborn fire early Saturday. Haneyville Fire Company Chief Bill McCoy tells the Express the home is a total loss. Volunteers were able to save an attached two-story garage that housed some office space. The home, owned by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Shank, was insured. The family is staying with friends. The couple and their dog escaped from the burning home without injury and no fire fighters were hurt fighting the fire. Fire crews were called to the home just before 5 Saturday morning. A state police fire marshal said the fire began in the kitchen area, but the cause remains undetermined.
John Callahan (WGRC)

WESTFIELD - A 22-year old Knoxville man is killed in a Tioga County crash. State Police say Shane Burke drifted into the opposing lane along Route 49 between Potter Brook and Westfield in Westfield Township and into the path of a farm tractor driven by 68-year old Stanley Brubaker of Wesfield just after 4:30 Saturday morning. Burke was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from his car in the collision.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. Brubaker wasn't hurt. Alcohol is believed to have been a factor.
John Callahan (WGRC)

MILESBURG - Police in Centre County are investigating a store robbery. Troopers say someone smashed the glass front door of the Dollar General Store on Dell Street in Boggs Township near Milesburg between 9:30 Saturday night and 4:30 Sunday morning. The culprits went inside the store and made off with an undetermined amount of money from the safe and fled.
John Callahan (WGRC)

GRAVEL HILL - A Schuylkill County man had a portable methamphetamine  lab in his car when he was stopped in North Londonderry Township, Lebanon County.  Police say 38-year old Scott Lucas of Hegins was charged with possession of iodine with intent to manufacture a controlled substance. Lucas was arrested after the alleged lab was found during a traffic stop Saturday morning on Gravel Hill Road.
Police tell the Patriot News, other charges will be filed after a state police lab team finishes processing the vehicle. Lucas is jailed in lieu of $30,000 bail.
John Callahan (WGRC)

ELYSBURG -- A woman is killed in a weekend motorcycle accident in Northumberland County. Reports say the motorcycle and a passenger vehicle collided around 12:30 Sunday afternoon at the entrance to Knoebels Amusement Park near Elysburg. Fifty-one-year old Beverly Latshaw, of East Greenville, Montgomery County, died after being thrown from the motorcycle.  She was riding with her husband Thomas, who was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Police say neither were wearing helmets. The Press Enterprise reports that the 19-year old Bloomsburg woman who was driving the car was believed to be an employee for the amusement park.
Don Casteline (WGRC)

UNDATED -- A number of birthday wishes have been given to 19-year old Kris Sledge as he returns home today from overseas. Sledge was among those injured in the July 11th bombing in Uganda.  Sledge writes on the group's website that his eye has healed enough to travel home. Sledge and two other team members, Pam and Thomas Kramer, expect to arrive home today. Still, others remain abroad recovering.  Among them is 19-year
old Emily Kerstetter.  She is scheduled for her fourth surgery today. She is expected to have at least two more surgeries before a possible return trip home. More information on the short-term missionaries status can be found online.  A link is provided on the WGRC home page.
Don Casteline (WGRC)

VALLEY TOWNSHIP -- A Montour County woman remains in serious condition this morning after being hurt in a weekend crash. State Police say 80-year old John Reilly, of Danville, drove his S-U-V into the path of a car driven by 22-year old Tanya Anspach, of Washingtonville at the intersection of Route-54 and McCracken Road. Anspach remains at Geisinger following the Friday night accident.
Don Casteline (WGRC)

MONROE TOWNSHIP -- A Lewisburg man has been sent home from the hospital after being injured in a weekend accident in Snyder County. A Geisinger Medical Center nursing supervisor tells WGRC 31-year old Jeffrey Swartzlander was discharged yesterday. Selinsgrove State Police are investigating the accident which happened after 10 o'clock Saturday night. They say Swartzlander went off App Road in Monroe Township and struck a utility pole.
Don Casteline (WGRC)
    
WATSONTOWN -- Authorities, in Northumberland County, are investigating the death of a Watsontown man. The Daily Item reports say the body of 81-year old William Hill was found Saturday night at his Vincent Street home. Police are labeling the death as suspicious.  An autopsy is to be conducted today.
(WGRC)

LEWIS TOWNSHIP -- In Northumberland County, aggravated assault charges are being filed against a Watsontown man who ran over another man with his vehicle. Police say several people got into a fight in the area of Hockley Hill Road around 12:30 Saturday morning.  Afterwards, police say 19-year old James Frederick got into his vehicle and ran over 27-year old Nathan Huffman, of Turbotville. Frederick is jailed in Union County Prison.
Don Casteline (WGRC)

LEWISTOWN -- A Mifflin County hit-and-run has left a man jailed in lieu of 50-thousand dollars bail. Mifflin County Regional Police say 36-year old James Haas, of Lewistown, struck a pedestrian late last Wednesday night outside the Log Cabin Inn in Lewistown. Charges include aggravated assault and D-U-I. Police say the pedestrian, 39-year old Marlin Wilson Junior of Lewistown, was treated and released from the hospital.
Don Casteline (WGRC)

MILTON -- Police are investigating the weekend burglary of a Northumberland County bar. Milton State Police say someone smashed through a window at Mindy's Tavern along Route-405 sometime late Friday night or early Saturday morning. Cash and alcohol were taken.
Don Casteline (WGRC)

POINT TOWNSHIP -- Fire crews were called out to extinguish a garage fire early Sunday morning in Point Township, just outside of Northumberland. The garage at 279 14th Street was destroyed after 3 o'clock yesterday morning.  Siding on a neighboring home was damaged. The fire remains under investigation.
(WGRC)

STATE COLLEGE -- For the second time in less than a month, an unmarked police vehicle has been set on fire in State College. Authorities in Centre County continue to investigate both fires. The most recent happened around 3:30 Sunday morning at the rear of the State College Borough Municipal Building. The vehicle was destroyed.
Don Casteline (WGRC)

TROUT RUN -- The funeral for a Trout Run fire fighter will close a portion of Lycoming Creek Road this morning. The Lycoming County Department of Public Safety says the road will be shut down between Route-15 and Route-14 beginning at 8 o'clock this morning. 
Don Casteline (WGRC)

MILTON -- A former judge in Northumberland County has died. Samule Ranck passed away early Sunday morning at the age of 82. Reports say Ranck spent 33-years on the bench.
(WGRC)

AVIS -- A Lycoming County toddler died Saturday after being found a week ago in a Salladasburg swimming pool. Two year old Jesse Thomas, of Avis, was rushed to the hospital after the accident. A visitation will be held Wednesday from 4 until 9pm at Walnut Street Baptist Church on Highland Avenue in Avis.
(WGRC/WRAK)

UNDATED -- Ethics violations are alleged stemming from a rail operator's decision to sell tax credits to an unidentified national company. The move has led to more than a half million dollars in profit in 2009. The Daily Item reports Dennis Shaffer, of Lewisburg, has questioned the decision made by North Shore Railroad Operator Richard Robey. Shaffer says the funds should have instead been given back to the public.
Don Casteline (WGRC)

SUNBURY -- The Northumberland County Treasurer is stepping aside.  Citing health problems, Ronald Chamberlain will resign at the end of July, according to the Daily Item. County Controller Chuck Erdman Junior's office recently began an investigation into 'financial irregularities' in the treasurer's office.
(WGRC)