WGRC Christian Radio

MIFFLINVILLE – A crash closes I-80 in Columbia and Luzerne Counties this afternoon.  Eastbound Interstate 80 is closed between the Mifflinville exit and Conygham exit due to a vehicle crash and fire at Mile Marker 252.  Traffic is being detoured off the highway at the Mifflinville exit.  The detour is expected to be in place until at least 6 tonight.
John Callahan (WGRC)

WASHINGTON D.C. — Today is that day that most people will have to have their taxes done and sent in to the federal government. The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers that 2011 federal income tax returns, extension requests and tax payments are due by today. For people unable to pay their taxes in full by today, payment agreements and other relief are usually available and can even be requested online. Taxpayers will avoid late filing penalties if they file either their income tax return or a request for a tax-filing extension by midnight tonight. For more information, call 800-316-6541 or visit eftps.gov.
(WGRC)

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT - A Williamsport family was left homeless and two firefighters suffered minor injuries following a blaze at 3 p.m. Monday at 333 West Central Avenue, South Williamsport. The fire damaged the first and second floors of the home. According to fire officials, the fire spread quickly in part because of high winds. In the process of putting out the flames, firefighters had to cut through the roof with a chain saw and axes. The family that lived in the home got out safely. One firefighter hurt his ankle and the other suffered abrasions to his foot. Both were taken to the Williamsport Regional Medical Center.
(WGRC)

PARK PLACE - A fire that destroyed a storage shed in Mahanoy Township on Monday morning was determined to be accidental. Firefighters were called to the rear of 119 Park Place Road around noon for a report of a structure fire. They found a wooden shed completely engulfed in flames that spread to surrounding brush.The blaze was reported by neighbors at 123 Park Place Road who found the seldom used shed fully ablaze after hearing "popping noises" that sounded like gunshots. Park Place Road was closed while crews battled the fire and there were no injuries.
(WGRC)

HEGINS - A motorcycle accident that happened on Schwenks Road in Hegins sent a Gratz man to Hershey Medical Center with serious injuries. Twenty-seven year-old Kyle Yeagley was riding his motorcycle through Hegins on Sunday when the bike left the roadway and struck a tree. As the bike re-entered the roadway, Yeagley was thrown from it onto the blacktop surface. Yeagley was flown to Hershey. State Police are continuing their investigation of the crash.
(WPPA)

WILLIAMSPORT - A jury set to hear testimony Monday in the attempted homicide case against 24-year-old Lawrence Travers Jr. was sent home before the trial even started. Travers changed his mind about going through with the trial and pleaded guilty to all 12 counts leveled against him. Travers admitted to stabbing Kevin Houseknect at least three times in the neck in a drug deal gone bad last June 17th. Travers faces a maximum of 40 years in prison for the attempted homicide charge alone. Travers will be sentenced July 24th.
(WGRC)

BELLEFONTE — A Howard man faces trial beginning today on charges of trying to kill his ex-girlfriend’s boyfriend in a drive-by shooting, then influencing a juror who was to hear his case. The trial for 39-year-old Randall Brooks, is scheduled at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, today. Lawyers picked a jury of 12 with two alternates on April 2nd. Brooks, whose charges include attempted homicide, several counts of witness intimidation, and jury tampering, will represent himself at trial. The prosecution is expected to call several witnesses including Brooks father Daniel Brooks who’s been charged with conspiracy to commit jury tampering.
(WGRC)

WILLIAMSPORT - A not guilty plea was entered in Lycoming County Court during a formal arraignment for a man accused of homicide. William Kemp is accused of shooting Thomas Schmitt Sr. of Allentown outside a Franklin Street home following a fight on February 13th. Yesterday he entered a plea of not guilty. Schmitt died of gunshot wounds to the head and chest. Kemp remains in Lycoming County Prison without bail to await his trial.
(WGRC)

LEWISBURG – A competency hearing will be held today for Roderick Sims, who is charged with killing Charity Spickler in September of 2008. Sims has already undergone three mental evaluations and opposes a request for a fourth exam by his defense attorneys. The attorneys were assigned to represent Sims in January after a conflict arose with the Union County public defender. Sims is accused of gunning down his estranged girlfriend, Charity Spickler in a Water Street apartment in Lewisburg. His trial is set for late October, with jury selection on October 22nd. He remains jailed in the Clinton County Prison.
(WGRC)

SHENANDOAH - The preliminary hearing for a Mahanoy City man charged with killing another man has been continued. State police at Frackville have charged 18-year-old Jarvin Huggins with the beating death of 48-year-old Gene Slavinsky, inside his 408 West Centre Street home in Mahanoy City on April 3rd.
(WGRC)

CENTRE HALL - A Centre Hall man is behind bars accused of stabbing his girlfriend with a kitchen knife during an argument early Sunday morning in Gregg Township, Centre County. State Police have charged 36-year-old Chancil Stitzer with a felony count of aggravated assault and misdemeanor counts of unlawful restraint and simple assault. He turned himself in on Monday and is being held in the Centre County Prison on $100,000 bail. State police say the assault happened after an argument around 3 a.m. at his girlfriend’s home.
(WGRC)

LEWISBURG - State police say an employee at the Weis Markets store near Lewisburg allegedly issued himself $8,300 in gift cards over a period of more than a year. Police say the suspect was reported by other store employees. Police say the allegations came to light on April 9. They believe the suspect had been misappropriating gift cards since early 2011. Charges have not been filed yet.
(WGRC)

SUNBURY — A Warrior Run athletic trainer accused of assaulting one teen girl and having sex with another pleaded guilty to some of the charges Friday. And 27-year-old Matthew Godfrey of Watsontown, could now be registered as a sex offender under Megan's Law. It will take at least 90 days for an assessment board to decide if he will be added to that list, which would restrict his future contact with minors. He won't be sentenced until that process is finished. Prosecutors also agreed he could serve his sentence at the county prison instead of a state penitentiary. However, they made no promises about the length of his term. The Press Enterprise reports the deal was approved by Godfrey's victims and the parents of one girl who is still a minor at Friday’s hearing.
(WGRC)

UNIVERSITY PARK - Penn State President Rodney Erickson has been subpoenaed to testify before the grand jury investigating former football coach Jerry Sandusky. A university attorney confirmed yesterday that Erickson is cooperating with the grand jury.  This appears to be the latest subpoena of a university official from the grand jury. In mid-March, university officials confirmed that several university employees had been subpoenaed. No details of why Erickson was called and what exactly he will be asked were available. Sandusky is slated to stand trial in June on charges of sexual abuse of young boys. He maintains his innocence.
(WGRC)

BLOOMSBURG — Police used "growler" sirens mounted to two cruisers to disperse ornery revelers who began marching toward town early Sunday after several people tossed bottles and other debris at officers. The sirens use low-frequency sounds that are felt as well as heard. This past weekend's incident started when police were called to a loud party on Lightstreet Road. No one was hurt, and there were no arrests. But Police Chief Leo Sokoloski hopes it isn't a precursor of what to expect come Block Party this Saturday.
(WGRC)

LEWISBRUG - If you plan to vote in this month's primary by absentee ballot, time is running out to apply for an absentee ballot. The close of business today is the last day to turn in your application. Absentee ballots must be filled out and mailed to your county Voter’s Registration office by five p.m. this Friday. Pennsylvnai’s primary election is this coming Tuesday April 24th.
Jim Diehl (WGRC)

SUNBURY — Two Northumberland County employees were laid off last week and three more positions are on the chopping block as the commissioners continue to pare a projected $1.8 million deficit. Terminated last week were maintenance director Bruce Campbell and a secretary in the engineering office. The salary board meets this afternoon to vote on proposal to reduce the $71.67 million 2012 budget by about $116,000 eliminating a sheriff’s deputy, a clerk in the prothonotary’s office’s and a secretary in the district attorney’s office.
(WGRC)

PAXINOS - Governor Tom Corbett will be at Indians Hills Golf and Tennis Club in Paxinos Friday night for an invitation-only, $1,000 per couple fundraising dinner on behalf of state Representative Kurt Masser. The visit is certainly welcome by Masser and county Republican Party Chairwoman Beth Kremer, who said it's significant that Corbett would take time to visit what is regarded as a Democratic area. Masser says, Corbett's support of his campaign doesn't mean the two Republicans always see eye to eye or that he owes anything because of it. Masser faces no challenge in next Tuesday's primary for the Republican nominee. Two Democrats, Chris Pfaff, a self-employed tax preparer from Cooper Township, Montour County, and Ted Yeager, a real estate broker and retired teacher from Elysburg, are on the ballot. Meanwhile a group of educators from the Shamokin Area School District who were laid off last week due to funding cuts, plan to protest the Governor’s appearance.
(WGRC)

MIFFLINBURG — Come this fall, third grade in the Mifflinburg Area School District will happen in two places three classes in the intermediate school and five classes in the elementary school — as the expansion continues at the Mifflinburg Area Intermediate School and the Mifflinburg area school district closes and consolidates it’s outlying elementary schools. About 30 people gathered last night at the Intermediate school to hear how school officials plan to address class sizes and locations. The intermediate school’s new wing should be complete in October and the third grades will then be combined at the intermediate school.
(WGRC)

WILLIAMSPORT – Concerned parents, students and taxpayers had a chance to ask questions and tell the Williamsport Area School Board why they should not close each of three elementary schools at a public hearing last night. The Sun Gazette reports, Round Hills, Sheridan and Stevens elementary schools are being looked at for closure. Before the public were allowed to state their opinions, the district gave presentations on a 2008 feasibility study, transportation and staffing information. Sheridan was noted as having poor building condition while Round Hills is a good building and all three buildings were seen to be efficient in use of space. Many parents and students spoke out in favor of keeping Round Hills instead of the others. The district will accept written public comments to be added to the record until July 16. A decision on school closure cannot be decided before 90 days after the public hearing, making July 16 the earliest one could be reached.
(WGRC)

SUNBURY — “Cowardly” and “hypocritical” were some of the scathing descriptions Northumberland County Commissioner Stephen Bridy applied to state lawmakers Monday during a news conference to oppose nearly $2 million in proposed funding cuts to social services. Commissioner Stephen Bridy made those remarks toward state Representative Lynda Schlegel Culver, and Senator John Gordner, for delegating the proposed cuts to the secretary of the state Department of Public Welfare. Act 22 was intended to give Welfare Secretary Gary Alexander temporary authority to cut fraud and wasteful spending and Culver tells the Daily Item “in no way did we think it was going to come to this.” Gordner said there was no way to foresee cuts would be made in to the department of aging, but hopes the funding will be restored if state revenue rebounds for a second month in a row in April.
(WGRC)

UNIVERSITY PARK — More than 100 people participated in the memorial 5K run for a Bellefonte native and Penn State graduate who was gunned down in the Virginia Tech massacre. Jeremy Herbstritt was one of 32 people killed in the nation’s deadliest shooting rampage on April 16, 2007, on the campus in Blacksburg, Virginia. Family and friends organized the memorial run on the University Park campus, where Herbstritt earned two undergraduate degrees before leaving for Virginia Tech. Family members said money raised through donations and the 5-K registration fees will go toward building a running track at Bellefonte Area High School.
(WGRC)

MIFFLINTOWN - You and your pet dog can help the Danville Ronald McDonald House by participating in the 14th annual Juniata County 4-H Walkin’ the Dog benefit. The event will be held on Saturday, April 21st from 10:00 am until 1:00pm at the Mifflintown Playground. To take part walkers must raise a minimum of $35; all proceeds benefit the Danville Ronald McDonald House. It will be a fun filled day that includes food, a cake walk, silent auction and more. To pre-register or for more information call 717-436-7744.
(WGRC)

LEWISTOWN - The local homeless shelter is bigger and better than ever, through the help of the community. Shelter Services Incorporated, which serves Mifflin and Juniata counties, has recently expanded into a second building. On February 14, the shelter purchased their neighboring building for $130,000. The first payment was made possible through two donors, and current staff relocated their offices to the new building in March. The small, one-room office that they once shared has been transformed into a new lounge for shelter residents. Not only does the expansion mean more square footage, it also gives the shelter an opportunity to help more people. Shelter Services Incorporated is one of four agencies belonging to Coalition of H.O.P.E.S., an organization formed to help local residents meet their basic needs. They work closely with Mifflin Juniata Human Services, PA Career Link and other agencies to make residents self-sufficient through local funds and programs.
(WGRC)

FREEBURG - A Snyder County community is addressing water quality issues. The Freeburg Municipal Authority will accept bids to install new distribution lines. Current plans call for the replacement of 2,900 feet, running between Freeburg’s two wells and the community’s reservoir. Bids on the project will be opened early next month.
(WGRC)

HARRISBURG - A spokesman for the Susquehanna River Basin Commission says the Susquehanna River is at near drought conditions. River levels haven’t been seen this low for this time of years since 1910 and 1946, which were both severe drought years. The state has not yet officially declared a drought, but the river and many tributaries are at or near record lows for this time of year.
(WGRC)

HARRISBURG – Regarding the Susquehanna River, the Department of Environmental Protection has declined a request by Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Director John Arway to put the Susquehanna River on a list of impaired waterways. Arway suggested the River be put on the list after smallmouth bass were found with black splotches on them suggesting the river was in need of more clean-up efforts. Officials at the DEP say the river was not listed as impaired yet because the specific stressors on the fish, causing lesions and black spots, have not been determined. DEP officials say that while the river is not being put on a list of impaired waterways does in no way suggest that the health of fish in the river are not being studied to determine why they are suffering, and continued studies are being performed.
(WGRC)