WGRC Christian Radio

CATAWISSA - Route 487 in Columbia County was reopened at 3 this afternoon following emergency flood-repair work under way since Sunday evening.  The detour has been lifted.  The remaining work will be done under daylight flagging operations.
(WGRC)

SHENANDOAH – A fast moving fire severely damaged two homes in Schuylkill County this morning.  Firefighters were called out around 10:15 this morning to 428-430 West New York Street in Shenandoah for a working structure fire.  Shenandoah Police Lt. Gary Keppel tells the Republican Herald, that when he arrived heavy smoke was coming from the second-floor front windows of the 428 West New York Street home.  Flames quickly spread to the adjoining home at 430 West New York Street but firefighters managed to contain the majority of the fire to those two homes.  No one was home in either of the two homes.  Firefighters managed to take an elderly woman out of her 432 West New York Street home during the early stages of the fire as a precaution.  The woman was not injured and her home sustained minor fire damage and some smoke damage.  The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
(WGRC)

SELINSGROVE – A two vehicle crash injures two this morning in Snyder County.  State Police say 36-year old Alicia Wilson-Poust of Selinsgrove was making a turn into Penn Fire off of Route 522 in Penn Township just after 10:30 this morning when she pulled out into the path of a car driven by 80-year old Richard Norman of Selinsgrove.  Wilson-Poust was taken to Geisinger Medical Center.  Police did not know the extent of her injuries.  Norman was treated by EMS personnel on the scene for a moderate injury and released.   Wilson-Poust will be cited for the accident.  Police say her license was suspended after a previous DUI arrest.
John Callahan (WGRC)

BENFER – A teen is hurt in a crash this morning in Snyder County.  State Police say 19-year old Alex Mae Zook of Mifflinburg was driving along Creek Road in Beaver Township just after 7:30 this morning.  Her car went off the road, hit an embankment and rolled onto its roof.  Police say Zook, who was not wearing a seatbelt, suffered a moderate injury but refused treatment at the scene.  She will be cited for the accident.
John Callahan (WGRC)

MILLVILLE – A preliminary hearing has been continued to June 20th for a Columbia County man accused of killing his girlfriend on May 15th.  38-year old Abraham Kline of Benton was to appear this morning before Magisterial District Judge Doug Brewer in Millville.  His hearing is now set for June 20th at 9:15 a.m.  Kline is charged with homicide and aggravated assault in the shooting death of 35-year old Jocelyn Romano before turning the gun on himself outside 204 Coles Creek Mill Road in Sugarloaf Township. 
(WGRC)

SUNBURY – A Northumberland County man is charged with cruelty to animals after stabbing a dog.  State Police say 47-year old John Malin Junior was in an altercation with a bulldog owned by Dawn Lytle at the West 3rd Avenue, Sunbury home he and Lytle shared.  Malin stabbed the dog.  Tank, the bulldog, was taken to an animal hospital where he was treated and released.  Malin is charged with cruelty to animals for the Memorial Day incident.
John Callahan (WGRC)

LEWISTOWN - Mifflin County saw substantial damage as the result of a severe thunderstorm that rolled through the area Tuesday afternoon. At four p.m. Tuesday, the National Weather Service in State College issued a severe thunderstorm warning which extended until 5 p.m., with a severe thunderstorm watch until 9 p.m. Doppler radar indicated a line of severe thunderstorms moving through the region. Damage in Mifflin, Juniata, Perry and parts of Snyder Counties included fallen trees, downed power lines, power outages, transformer fires, destruction to buildings, and even roadway closings. The hardest-hit area was Burnham, extending outward into Lewistown and Derry Township. There was also damage reported in Lycoming and Clinton Counties.
(WGRC)

LANDINGVILLE – Two men are in custody after a homicide found yesterday morning in Schuylkill County.  State Police say they found the body of 26-year old Bryan Smith of Orwigsburg in a wooded area in South Manheim Township yesterday morning near the intersection of Woodland Drive and Meadow Drivenear Landingville. Police say 25-year-old Daniel Dull of Orwigsburg, and 47-year-old Keith Reber of Meadow Drive turned themselves into police. Police say the two men tied Smith to a tree with a zip ties and left him bound and gagged to the tree for around 20 hours in extreme heat and humidity before going to check on him. When they did check on him Smith, they found he had died and that’s when Dull and Reber went to police. Both were charged with criminal homicide and jailed without bail in the Schuylkill County Prison.
John Callahan / Jim Diehl (WGRC)  

McCLURE — Police in Snyder County are still looking for the man with a handgun that entered the Mifflin County Savings bank at 1 East Specht Street in McClure just after 9 a.m., Tuesday and demanded money from a teller before making off with an undisclosed amount of cash. Police say Tuesday’s robber was wearing a blue baseball cap, dark glasses and a dust mask. He got inside, took the cash and left in what police said was “possibly” a stolen white in color SUV.  He was described by police as a white man, about 200 pounds and was wearing a white, long-sleeve shirt and blue jeans. Anyone with information about Tuesday’s bank robbery is asked to call Middleburg police at 837-0321.
Jim Diehl (WGRC)

DANVILLE — Pottsgrove Fire crew members testified yesterday during a hearing for two former firefighters accused of arsons and calling in false reports to emergency communication centers. Former Potts Grove members, 19-year-old Zane Snyder, of Milton, and 35-year-old Charles Jacobs, of Lewisburg sent their charges on to Montour County court, Tuesday afternoon. Snyder and Jacobs previously told police they set the fires so they could help put them out. The two were returned to the Montour County Jail in lieu of$250,000 bail each for the arson fires between January 2nd and March 16th.
(WGRC)

WILLIAMSPORT – Several people were taken to a hospital last Friday following a collision in Lycoming County. The crash happened on Route 220 in Shrewsbury Township. Police say a car driven by 19-year-old Courtney Stackhouse of Hughesville and car driven by 55-year-old Susan Stiger of Muncy collided. The drivers suffered minor injuries while two passengers in Stiger’s vehicle, 52-year-old Gail Hills of Williamsport, and 27-year-old Ashley Plaugher of Williamsport, suffered moderate injuries. The injured were taken to Williamsport Hospital and Muncy Valley Hospital.
Jim Diehl (WGRC)

MILLHEIM - The Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Park Pool in Millheim was forced to close for Memorial Day after vandals left broken glass in the pool. State police at Rockview think vandals broke into the facility, in Millheim, between 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 7:30 a.m. Sunday. The pool was closed on Sunday after broken bottles were found in and around the pool. The pool will remain closed until all debris is removed from the water, police said. Anyone with information regarding the break-in is asked to call state police, Rockview.
(WGRC)

WILLIAMSPORT – Police in Lycoming County are investigating the theft of around 1000 pounds of copper wiring from a Loyalsock Township business. Police say the wiring was stolen from Light Tower Rentals located at 2008 East Third Street. The theft happened sometime between May 11th and the 17th. Anyone with information is asked to call state police Montoursville.
Jim Diehl (WGRC)

PLEASANT GAP - A Tyrone man working on radiators in a woman’s home has been accused of stealing $2,900 worth of jewelry from her bedroom and pawning it for $210. Spring Township police charged 26-year-old John Smith with felony counts of theft and receiving stolen property. He was brought before District Judge Daniel Hoffmann Tuesday and jailed in the Centre County Prison on $50,000 bail. Police said the homeowner reported the theft of the jewelry from her Pleasant Gap home on Thursday. Police say Smith was working unsupervised with two other men for Allied Mechanical and Electrical at the woman’s home. Police say Smith has admitted to taking the jewelry items and selling them.
(WGRC)

JERSEY SHORE - The Jersey Shore School Board last night voted to suspend their district superintendent for fifteen days without pay. Richard Emery was arrested for DUI following a one vehicle crash on State Route 147 in Turbot Township, Northumberland County on April 6th. His blood alcohol level was reported close to 3 times the legal limit that night. This morning Emery sent his charges onto Northumberland County Court before Judge Richard Cashman. If found guilty in Northumberland County Court, Emery will also have to speak to all district students about his decision to drink and drive and the consequences because of it.
(WGRC)

MILLVILLE — A District Judge found enough evidence at a preliminary hearing yesterday in Millville to hold a Stillwater man on charges of homicide by vehicle while DUI in a December truck crash that claimed the life of his passenger. The Press Enterprise reports, 28 year-old Kyle Shaffer is charged with that crash December 2011 along Winding Road, near Asbury that killed 23-year-old Russell Hack. Police say Shaffer, was drunk and driving at least 30 miles over the limit when the pickup crashed. Police also say Shaffer’s blood alcohol was over almost twice the legal limit to be driving. District Judge Doug Brewer bound over charges against Shaffer who remains free on bail.
(WGRC)

WILLIAMSPORT - A company out of Texas and one of their supervisors face 20 federal counts for hiring illegal aliens to work for them in the Williamsport area.  A 20 count indictment has been handed down against GPX, USA, a seismic surveying company based in Sealy Texas. Last Spring, 19 illegal aliens were found living in apartments in Williamsport and working for that company in the gas industry. Douglas Wiggal, a supervisor for the company faces up to 100 years in prison and up to $5 million dollars in fines if found guilty on all 20 counts. The company could pay up to $10 million dollars in fines and be slapped with other penalties if found guilty.
(WGRC)

LOCK HAVEN - A lethal combination of faulty equipment, fog and confused direction led to the recent death of a truck driver hauling water for a local natural gas drilling operation. Discussions about the fatal accident dominated the meeting of the Clinton County Natural Gas Task Force on Tuesday. Local representatives outlined the need for additional safeguards to insure the integrity of the Noyes Township area watershed and reservoir, and talked about other safety concerns. State Police conducted an equipment inspection soon after the crash and filed two citations against QC Logistics late last week, both of which focused on the brake systems.
(WGRC)

LEWISTOWN - An Elizabethtown woman suspected of abducting her three children was taken into custody Monday in Mifflin County. State Police arrested Tatyana Edwards at Tom’s Travel Center in Armagh Township after she agreed to meet with police. Earlier reports that she left Ohio with her three daughters prompted an Amber Alert. The woman was taken to the Mifflin County Prison to await extradition to Ohio. Police said the incident is still under investigation.
(WGRC)

BELLEFONTE - Jerry Sandusky attended a closed-door meeting with the judge in his child sexual abuse case Tuesday and four of his accusers made formal requests for anonymity, a day before what could be the final hearing before the start of trial. The topic of the previously unannounced meeting - which also included Sandusky's lawyer and prosecutors - wasn't clear, and participants declined to comment afterward. Judge John Cleland has not ruled on a pending defense request to have charges dismissed. Jury selection from a pool of State College-area residents is expected to begin June 5. The 68-year-old Sandusky, faces 52 criminal counts. Prosecutors say he sexually abused 10 boys over 15 years, allegations he has repeatedly denied.
(WGRC)

WILLIAMSPORT - The state Superior Court threw out an appeal last week filed by Harry Rogers Jr., of DuBoistown, seeking damages for alleged defamation from comments made four years ago by City Councilman William Hall, former state Representative Steven Cappelli and Williamsport Mayor Gabriel Campana. The recent higher court order comes after the Lycoming County Court of Common Pleas dismissed Rogers' claim in March 2011. Rogers is currently campaigning for the 83rd State Legislative District in the House of Representatives and presently employed as an intensive supervised bail and release coordinator with the Lycoming County Prison. The case stems from an incident from March 30, 2008, when Rogers - who at the time was a Republican committeeman and chairman of the county Republican Committee - said he saw Hall stumble out of his seat at a city tavern. Rogers later approached a city police officer and reported what he saw. But Hall was found not to be under the influence. At the time Rogers was supporting state Senate candidate E. Eugene Yaw, while Hall was supporting Cappelli's bid for the Senate seat. Rogers alleged that Hall slandered him during an April 2008, City Hall press conference, where Hall said he suspected "politics" was behind the DUI traffic stop by giving false reports to law enforcement. Rogers said Tuesday he and his attorney plan to again appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court.
(WGRC)

PHILADELPHIA - A federal appeals court says Thea Tafner must pay nearly  $125,000 up front as part of her sentencing in a multimillion-dollar embezzlement case involving Mount Carmel's American Hose and Chemical Fire Company. A three-judge panel in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Tafner's appeal of the payment. At her sentencing in May 2011, the court ordered the lump-sum payment within 60 days, and allowed the remainder of $1.8 million in restitution to be paid at no less than $250 per month after Tafner's federal prison term is served. Her attorney has 45 days to file a petition for a rehearing. It was unclear how soon the restitution payment could otherwise be ordered. Tafner is serving her prison sentence at the Federal Prison Camp in Alderson, West Virginia.
(WGRC)

POTTSVILLE - The chief operator of the Greater Pottsville Area Sewer Authority was arrested Friday on charges he submitted false monitoring reports to the state Department of Environmental Protection in March. The state attorney general's office made those accusations against 59-year-old David Kraft of Pottsville. However, the authority is defending Kraft who has worked for the authority for more than 30 years. Edward Brennan the authority's solicitor said Tuesday that Kraft will continue to serve in that capacity despite what the authority believes to be unjustified and unfounded criminal charges. Kraft was charged with two third-degree felonies, among other counts including violations of Pennsylvania's Clean Streams Law. Kraft was remains free on $20,000 bail.  Meanwhile, DEP is looking into the possibility of filing civil court charges in the case. The sewer authority serves over 8,000 customers in Pottsville, Port Carbon, Palo Alto, Mechanicsville, Mount Carbon and parts of Norwegian Township and North Manheim Township.
(WGRC)

MOUNT CARMEL - A 62-year-old priest who served two churches in Northumberland County died at the altar Sunday morning while presiding at a worship service. The death of the Rev. Ronald Lausch, rector of Stephen's Episcopal Church at Fourth and Maple streets in Mount Carmel, and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church on Lincoln Street in Shamokin, occurred in front of approximately 15 members of his congregation attending the 8:30 a.m. service. The Rev. Deacon Richard Hazzard, who was assisting Lausch, said he suffered a massive heart attack while singing the "Gloria Patri" during the early stages of worship. Lausch was instrumental in starting a food pantry for needy people in Mount Carmel. He said the Shepherd's Pantry was held at the St. Stephen's Center from 2005 until 2010 before switching locations last year.  The News Item reports, Lausch was a dedicated member of the Lutheran, Anglican and Roman Catholic ministry and always looked forward to proclaiming the gospel.  
(WGRC)

WILLIAMSPORT - A $419,000 COPS hiring grant goes before Williamsport City Council Thursday. Yesterday, the city public safety committee gave the measure a positive recommendation. The grant would pay 100 percent of the costs to hire two officers for three years, with the fourth year to be paid for by the city having reserved about $50,000 a year between 2013 and 2015 to cover expenses for the final unfunded year. The grant has been awarded to the city by the U.S. Department of Justice, but council must authorize acceptance or reject it. Williamsport Police Chief Gary Foresman tells the Sun Gazette, the Police Department expects nine police officers to retire soon. Foresman says, "With this grant and through our normal hiring procedures, we will try to maintain a complement of 54 officers and at the end of the fourth year reduce that number to 52 officers."
(WGRC)

LEWISBURG — The Lewisburg Area School District is moving forward with a flexible version of its master facilities plan with the possibility that construction, including a new Lewisburg Area High School, could begin as soon as 2015 or as late as 2018. The Daily Item reports the first phase, including architectural design, will be put into motion this coming school year for about $75,000. The school board voted 7-1 to go ahead with the plan. Though all Lewisburg schools need work, the centerpiece would be the new high school campus on a 201-acre parcel, formerly the Newman farm, in Kelly Township. It would include all sports fields the school would need.
(WGRC)

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN  - The former Buffet House on Route 61 is being removed. Madonna Enterprises of Port Carbon began removing the debris on Tuesday. On November 26th, a fire broke out at the restaurant which destroyed the building. The cause of the fire is still undetermined. It is unknown what will be done with the property when the property is cleared.
(WPPA)

BERWICK - Unit 2 at the Susquehanna nuclear power plant near Berwick, shut down early this morning for a planned inspection of its turbine. Workers will inspect turbine blades from the Unit 2 low-pressure turbine for indications of cracking following the discovery of cracks during recent inspections of the Unit 1 turbine. The cracks on the Unit 1 turbine were similar to, but less extensive than, those discovered and repaired on both turbines in 2011. Workers also will install additional diagnostic equipment on the turbine to complement the equipment installed in 2011. PPL will use the data from the equipment to validate the suspected causes of the turbine blade cracking currently under engineering review. Workers are wrapping up outage tasks on Unit 1 and are preparing it for restart in the near future.
(WGRC)

NEW COLUMBIA – A proposed electricity generator for the National Gypsum Plant in New Columbia has re-submitted an application for the plant that will burn shredded tires for fuel. The Daily Item reports, the revised plan for the White Deer Energy Project was re-submitted March 19th. The application included a revised air-quality plan approval application. The Plans also add an additional 45 percent more fuel to generate seven megawatts of power for the National Gypsum Plant. The White Deer Energy Project withdrew its application to the Department of Environmental Protection in February saying information on the proposal was outdated and needed updated emission projections. The $30 million dollar energy plant could bring about 40 jobs to Union County if built.
(WGRC)

MIFFLINTOWN - In a crowded room Tuesday, the Juniata County Commissioners agreed to delay voting about the future of the prison until they have gathered more information. Commissioner Teresa O'Neal said she would like to see several things happen before making a decision, including a uniform construction code inspection of the building and a report from the Department of Corrections about space requirements. O'Neal shared suggestions from a town hall meeting Thursday, such as putting the issue on the fall election ballot or forming a community group to consider options for the prison. O’Neal previously reported estimates on housing outside the county. She says the report projected a $617,000 annual savings. About 21 full- and part-time employees would be affected.
(WGRC)

SUNBURY – The former Armory building in Sunbury is up for sale. The News-Item reports the Sunbury Armory located on Catawissa Avenue in Sunbury, is on the market. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs wants to sell the 75-year-old building and grounds. The 18,000-square-foot building was occupied by Pennsylvania Guardsmen until a recent move to the new Danville Armed Forces Reserve Center. The armory is used for public events like the Northumberland County Fair. The building consists of a large drill floor, a kitchen, storage areas, offices and classrooms. Officials said the Sunbury Armory is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. If a buyer is willing to accept historical agreements as part of the sale, the state can accept 20 percent off the fair market value. It was independently appraised at $395,000.
(WGRC)

UNIVERSITY PARK – Penn State basketball coach Patrick Chambers will be joined by fellow Penn State coaches, former Nittany Lion players, notable sports figures and more than 300 golfers and sponsors when he hosts the 16th Annual Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Tournament sponsored by Sheetz, Friday, June 1, at the Penn State Blue and White Golf Courses. The event features more than 60 groups, each captained by a Penn State coach or notable sports figure, and more than 300 golfers will participate in four flights on both Penn State courses.  Additional information regarding participation in or sponsorship of the event is available at CVCPennState.org.
(WGRC)

HARRISBURG - At least 13 people lost their lives and 311 were injured in traffic crashes over the four-day Memorial Day holiday weekend. State Police investigated 817 crashes and State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan says nine of those killed over the weekend were not wearing seat belts. Of the 817 crashes investigated by State Police, 66 of those crashes, including three of the fatal crashes, were alcohol-related. The official holiday driving period was May 25 through May 28.
(WGRC)

HARRISBURG - State Representative Mike Hanna is scheduled to have heart bypass surgery today to remove a small blockage in an artery. The lawmaker from Lock Haven, said the procedure he will have is called "robotic single vessel bypass surgery," one that is less invasive than traditional surgeries. A frequent jogger, Hanna says he did not have a heart attack but has been experiencing shortness of breath while jogging so he underwent a series of tests. The surgery will be performed at PinnacleHealth Hospital, formerly Harrisburg Hospital.
(WGRC)