WGRC Christian Radio

WATSONTOWN - New details in the death of a Northumberland County man over the weekend. A body covered by a rug, a broken clothing rack and what appeared to be drag marks in carpeting are among the pieces of evidence investigators are reviewing in the death of 81-year old William H. Hill. The Daily Item reports, Hill was found just after 8 Saturday evening on the second floor of his residence at 5 Vincent Avenue in Watsontown. An autopsy was conducted on Monday, but investigators have released few details. Watsontown Police continue to investigate and ask anyone with information to contact them.
John Callahan (WGRC)   

BELLEFONTE - A Texas man charged in a drunken driving crash on Interstate 99 in Centre County last year that led to the death of a Lycoming County athlete has a preliminary hearing tomorrow. 37-year-old Shayne Breaux, of La Porte, Texas, faces homicide by vehicle while DUI, involuntary manslaughter and a long list of related charges in connection with the crash November 17th that claimed the life of 24-year-old Brock Choate of Montoursville. State police say Breaux was driving with a blood alcohol level of over three times the legal limit when the SUV crashed and rolled over near the Innovation Park entrance ramp. Choate was thrown from the vehicle and then run over by a tractor trailer following behind the SUV.  The driver of the rig, Max Smith, said he thought his truck was breaking apart as he ran over car parts on the highway, and later stopped on Interstate 80, and noticed blood and tissue on his truck.     That's when he called police.  Breaux's hearing is at 8:30 tomorrow morning.
Jim Diehl/John Callahan (WGRC)

MARYSVILLE - A former police officer in Perry County already serving time for sex crimes has been ordered to stand trial on charges he repeatedly molested a teenager. Former Marysville Officer Robert Pavlovich Junior, was ordered yesterday to stand trial on charges including aggravated indecent assault and victim intimidation. Pavlovich, was convicted last year of molesting or propositioning girls and women while on duty. He was sentenced to at least 10 years in prison. The Daily Item reports that at yesterday's preliminary hearing, the alleged victim, now 23, testified she had at least 30 encounters with Pavlovich between 2001 and 2004. She says last year he asked her to lie for him about the allegations by other women.
John Callahan (WGRC)

POTTSVILLE - A New York man extradited back to Schuylkill County last week on charges of killing a man with his children in the next room waived his right to a preliminary hearing today. State Police say 19-year-old Jahmal Ollivirre of Reading was brought from New York's Sing Sing prison to Schuylkill
County Court last Monday. He was arraigned and sent to the county prison without bail. Authorities allege that Ollivirre, 30-year-old Julius Enoe of Reading and 29-year-old Damon Ennett of Freeland forced their way into the Shenandoah home of 24-year-old Bruce Forker on March 16th and ended up shooting him. Charges against the three include criminal homicide, robbery, burglary, theft and assault.
(WGRC)

WILLIAMSPORT - A Lycoming County man is sentenced to three to six years in prison for cocaine trafficking today. 40-year old Anthony Short of Williamsport was arrested earlier this year after police used a confidential informant to set up drug buys. A search of Short's home turned up 60 grams of cocaine worth around $3,000. He pleaded guilty to the charges last month.
John Callahan (WGRC)

BELLEFONTE - In Centre County, with the reception of a $3 million grant, the borough is looking to continue moving toward enhancing its downtown appearance and appeal with a new hotel and businesses along its waterfront. A letter received from Governor Rendell's office read at last night's Borough Council meeting revealed the state awarded the borough $3 million in Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program funding for the Bellefonte waterfront project.
(WGRC)

LEWISTOWN - A change in leadership is coming to the Salvation Army in Mifflin County. Commanding officers, Majors Paul and Kathleen Knickerbocker, of the Salvation Army in Lewistown have received notice of their reassignment to Marion, Ohio. The Knickerbocker's have served in Lewistown since June 2006. Their final official service will be Sunday morning, August 22nd. Successors to the Knickerbocker's have not yet been named.
John Callahan (WGRC)

SELINSGROVE -- A Millerstown man has been charged for causing a Snyder County accident that seriously injured two Selinsgrove teens in May. The accident injured 17-year olds Seth Lauver and Alexandra Mullen as they traveled after the Selinsgrove prom. Lauver's car struck a car parked along Penns Drive in Monroe Township. Twenty-two year old Jaron Pontius was trying to change his tire along the dark country road when the accident happened.  Snyder County's District Attorney tells the Daily Item the action was reckless.  The D-A adds that a driveway was nearby and would have made for a safer spot to change a tire. Lauver returned home Saturday, while Mullen remains at a rehabilitation center.
Don Casteline (WGRC)

HARRISBURG -- The layoff of 700 state workers is expected. Governor Ed Rendell says every state agency will be impacted except for the Department of Public Safety. Rendell discussed the new state budget situation yesterday.  He added that more cutbacks could become necessary if Pennsylvania doesn't receive 850-million dollars in federal stimulus money for Medicaid programs. Reports say the state's budget is only balanced if the funding is provided.
Don Casteline (WGRC)

POTTSVILLE -- A long-time sweet spot in Schuylkill County has closed its doors. Pottsville's Mootz Candies has been located at 220 South Centre Street for 91 years. The store's owner says irreparable damage to the building has led to the temporary closing. Cracks can now be seen in the building's foundation. The owner tells reporters that he blames construction of the new intermodal center for the damage caused to his and other area buildings. According to the Mootz Candies website, they have ceased taking orders and are required to leave the premises immediately.
(WGRC/WNEP)   

NORTHUMBERLAND -- In Northumberland County, a man confesses to setting fire to his brother's garage. Police say Timothy Young lit a rag on fire in the garage at 279 14th Street just outside of Northumberland around 4 o'clock Sunday morning. Authorities estimate the damage at more than 25-thousand dollars. Young has been jailed in lieu of 25-thousand dollars bail.
Don Casteline (WGRC)

BLOOMSBURG -- Praise was given to the response of emergency personnel yesterday at Bloomsburg Hospital. Reports of a fire were issued early Monday morning. What crews found was an air-conditioning malfunction that filled the third floor with a light haze. Several patients were moved during the incident. Bloomsburg Hospital's Vice President of Operations Melvin Martz tells the Press Enterprise that responders were there in seconds and were terrific.
Don Casteline (WGRC)

CALDWELL -- A weekend blaze in Lycoming County destroys a home. Reports say the one-story home, along Carrier Road in Caldwell, went up in flames after 5 o'clock Saturday morning. Richard Shank, his wife and their dog escaped without injury. A state police fire marshall has not determined the exact cause, but does say the blaze began in the kitchen. Firefighters did manage to save and attached two-story garage.
Don Casteline (WGRC)

WATSONTOWN -- A Virginia helicopter pilot says he had a 'brief lapse of concentration' before his helicopter struck power lines and crashed along the Susquehanna River bank yesterday morning. Gerald Racey was spraying for black flies when the helicopter went down around 8 o'clock Monday morning north of Interstate-80 near Watsontown. State Police say about 800 homes were left without power due to the crash.
Don Casteline (WGRC)

SCOTT TOWNSHIP -- Not only did a woman fail in her attempt to steal a new pair of jeans from a Columbia County store, but she also failed to keep the pair she was wearing. Thirty-year old Jennifer Henry, of Danville, has been charged with retail theft in Columbia County. On July 1st, authorities say Henry switched her jeans with the new jeans and tried to leave the Label Shopper store along Route-11. When confronted in the parking lot she took off the stolen pair and left them in the parking lot. The pair she had been wearing were hanging on the store rack. The Press Enterprise reports that police used Henry's license plate number to track her down.
(WGRC)

LEWISTOWN -- In Mifflin County, a woman has been jailed for assaulting a police officer. Mifflin County Regional Police say 22-year old Gina Wilson was fighting with her brother when they arrived at the home along the 500-block of Woodland Avenue in Lewistown around 5:30 Sunday morning. Police say Wilson punched one of the responding officers in the head.
Don Casteline (WGRC)

POTTSVILLE -- A Schuylkill County man has been sentenced to state prison time for stalking a Pine Grove woman. Fifty-one year old Robert Caudell the Third was sentenced yesterday to between 16 and 32 months behind bars. The Republican and Herald Reports Caudell was convicted twice of stalking the victim.
(WGRC)