WGRC Christian Radio

SLABTOWN – A structure fire reported this afternoon in Columbia County.  Fire crews were on the scene of a reported working structure fire at 73 West Lake Glory Road in Locust Township.  Crews were called out to fight that fire just after 5 this afternoon.
John Callahan (WGRC)

TAMAQUA - One man is dead following a three-vehicle accident this afternoon in Schuylkill County.  The crash happened just before 1 this afternoon along Route 309, near the West Penn Township and Tamaqua border.  Police tell the Republican Hereald, the man who died was riding a motorcycle and two tractor-trailers were also involved. The man’s name will not be released until his family is notified.
(WGRC)

MIFFLINBURG – A teen is hurt after hitting a pick-up while riding a bicycle this morning in Union County.  Police say 18-year old Randi Foust of Mifflinburg rode a bicycle into the side of a pick-up truck driven by Walter School of Lewisburg at South 7th and Chestnut Streets in Mifflinburg just after 10:30 this morning.  A life flight helicopter landed at Mifflinburg High School to fly the young woman to Geisinger Medical Center.  Mifflinburg Police say Foust will be cited for the accident.
John Callahan (WGRC)

SALLADASBURG – A truck driver is hurt in a Lycoming County crash this afternoon.  A dump truck reportedly overturned along Route 287 in Mifflin Township just before 1 this afternoon.  The truck lost its load of gravel in the crash.  Reports from the scene indicated that the driver was injured.
John Callahan (WGRC)

WILLIAMSPORT – Jurors fail to find a verdict against a man accused of attempted homicide in Williamsport. Jurors in the attempted murder case against 24-year-old Shacoor Trapp could not render a verdict Thursday in Lycoming County Court and remained "hopelessly deadlocked" after deliberating for more than 5 1/2 hours. The hung jury means Trapp likely will face another trial on accusations he stabbed, choked and shot his neighbor - Tiffany Nixon - in the early morning hours of May 29, 2011 at a Lycoming Housing town home complex in the 600 block of Maple Street. Thursday was the third and final day of the trial, which included defense witnesses and closing arguments. The jury foreman sent Judge Marc Lovecchio a note at 7:40 p.m. declaring that the group of 10 women and two men could not reach a verdict. Lovecchio offered the jury more time Thursday evening and an additional day today for deliberations, but there was no chance for a unanimous decision, as required by law. Trapp remains in the Lycoming County Prison with bail set at $350,000. In addition to attempted murder charges, he faces charges of aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, and related counts. Nixon, who sat through much of the proceedings, wiped away tears as Trapp's mistrial was ordered and attorneys made arrangements for a pre-trial hearing sometime in July.
(WGRC)

LEWISBURG – State Police report another church break-in in Union County. Police say someone pried open a side door to the Dreisbach United Church of Christ along Dreisbach Church Road sometime between noon Monday and ten a.m. Wednesday. The bandits took a small amount of money from the church. Anyone with information on the break-in is asked to call state police, Milton.
Jim Diehl (WGRC)

POTTSVILLE – Police are looking for the thief that stole a 51-year-old Pottsville man’s debit card information and made nearly $5,900 dollars worth of cash withdrawals from an ATM machine at Renninger’s Market in North Manheim Township. Police say the withdrawals were made exclusively from the ATM at the market over the last seven months. Anyone with information on the theft is asked to call state police, Schuylkill Haven.
Jim Diehl (WGRC)

SHAMOKIN - Two Shamokin brothers and two Coal Township residents who allegedly removed electric motors for vehicles from a vacant property at Fourth and Mulberry streets Thursday afternoon were apprehended approximately 10 minutes later in Ralpho Township while reportedly en route to a recycling center. Shamokin Police say theft-related charges are pending against 27-year-old Raymond Villari, his 25-year-old brother, Robert Villari, 19-year-old Alice Reichwein, of Coal Township, and 23-year-old Harry Wheary III, of Ranshaw.  All four defendants were committed to Northumberland County Prison in Sunbury on probation detainers.
(WGRC)

SUNBURY – A Lieutenant at the Northumberland County Prison resigned his position Thursday after allegations he was caught kissing a female inmate. Forty-four-year-old Timothy Zerbe handed in his letter of resignation citing health reasons yesterday less than 24 hours after an investigation into the infraction began. In a written statement handed to Warden Roy Johnson Zerbe admitted to kissing the woman and admitted the actions were wrong. Whether criminal charges will be filed has not been determined by the Northumberland County Prison Board.
Jim Diehl (WGRC)

 BLOOMSBURG — After sending Catawissa Police to a friend's house to investigate a possible crime, 9-1-1 dispatcher 25-year-old Chris Sholley sent two text messages to alert the friend an officer was on the way. Yesterday, police filed a "criminal attempt" charge against Sholley, which accuses him of trying to interfere with an investigation. Sholley was also fired over the allegations yesterday. The Press Enterprise reports, Sholley, a dispatcher since 2008, plans to fight the criminal charge and has looked into hiring a lawyer to fight for his job.
(WGRC)

LEWISBURG — State police at Milton have arrested 65-year-old Carl Dunkle, a convicted sex offender, for failing to meet requirements of Megan’s Law. The law requires those convicted of a sexual abuse crime to register with authorities and advise local officials when they move to a new address. Dunkle was convicted of indecent assault in 1992. Police learned Monday that Dunkle had moved from Cross Roads Drive in Kelly Township, Union County, about six weeks ago but failed to change his address with Megan’s Law authorities within 48 hours as required. Dunkle was charged with a felony 2 count of failure to comply with registration requirements and a misdemeanor 3 of unsworn falsification to authorities.
(WGRC)

WILLIAMSPORT - A car was set on fire late Wednesday afternoon in the 500 block of Eighth Avenue and someone torched a blanket five hours later on a front porch of a property in the 1600 block of Taylor Place in Williamsport. Williamsport city Fire Chief C. Dean Heinbach says both fires are isolated events and are not related to one another or to the rash of 11 arson fires that have plagued Newberry in recent weeks. He declined to elaborate on why investigators have that line of thinking.
(WGRC)

LINDEN - Traffic changes designed to improve safety along the Route 220 corridor between Jersey Shore and Williamsport in Lycoming County go into effect today. PennDOT has just completed a left-turn deceleration lane for Route 220 southbound traffic at the Wagner Road/Young's Road median opening. This is one of the traffic adjustments designed to accommodate traffic pattern changes at the Pine Run Road intersection. Effective beginning today, all straight-through crossovers and left turns from either leg of Pine Run Road onto Route 220 are prohibited. Traffic will be directed to make right turns only from either leg of Pine Run Road onto Route 220. To complete a left turn or straight-through maneuver from Pine Run Road, drivers must first turn right onto Route 220 and proceed to a median crossover or other acceptable point and make a U-turn when it is safe to do so. Left turns from Route 220 onto either leg of Pine Run Road are still allowed.
(WGRC)

BLOOMSBURG – Police are cracking down on J-Walkers and aggressive drivers in Bloomsburg. Some people who live in Bloomsburg say Main Street is a dangerous place because of aggressive drivers and pedestrians who do not pay attention. Police in Bloomsburg hope to make the streets safer. The Bloomsburg Police Department got a $3,000 grant from PennDOT. Police say the grant money will be used to pay for extra patrols around busy intersections along Main Street. Officers say aggressive drivers and pedestrians who do not follow the rules could face fines.
(WNEP)

WILLIAMSPORT - The loss of the state police aviation unit at the Williamsport Regional Airport deals a severe blow to the region's law enforcement capabilities, according to testimony Thursday during a state hearing at Pennsylvania College of Technology. That point may have been driven home best by a pair of retired state police helicopter pilots who spoke before the Senate Law and Justice Committee and House Subcommittee on Crime and Corrections. Former pilot Dennis Hoak called the shut-down of the unit and relocation of the helicopter to Hazleton the "the worst decision ever made." The hearing gathered input regarding state police coverage in the region, but much of the testimony was about the loss of the aviation unit. Until this year state police operated a helicopter and fixed-wing airplane there to provide aerial support to federal and local law enforcement agencies and assist in non-emergency situations. The aircraft provided search rescues, vehicle pursuits, criminal and drug surveillance, crime and traffic scene photography, and transports. Many at the meeting questioned why the decision was made to move the helicopter. An answer was not given. Pennsylvania State Troopers Association President Joseph Kovel says with the Marcellus Shale gas industry booming in remote areas with little law enforcement presence, the need becomes greater. Kovel noted that gas drilling has brought an increased amount of crime for state police in the Marcellus region and the terrain where gas is being drilled for cannot be reached quickly enough by conventional means.
(WGRC)

BLOOMSBURG — The state Attorney General’s Antitrust Section Thursday reached an agreement with Geisinger Heath System Foundation which places provisions on Geisinger’s proposed take-over of the Bloomsburg Hospital. Attorney General Linda Kelly said that a final order was filed, which seeks to preserve health-care competition in the region while ensuring good faith negotiations with health plans and maintaining high quality and affordable health services to the community. A review of the merger raised concerns that Geisinger would be able to raise prices for hospital and physician services to Columbia County residents and their health plans. The final order requires Geisinger to continue to operate Bloomsburg as an acute care hospital six years longer than the Board of Directors of Bloomsburg Hospital and Geisinger had agreed. The agreement also requires that all physicians with privileges at Bloomsburg Hospital will keep their privileges. The original merger agreement with the Bloomsburg Board only protected certain physicians. The agreement also requires Geisinger to negotiate and contract with health plans for Bloomsburg Hospital separately from Geisinger Medical Center. Bloomsburg Hospital historically had lower rates than Geisinger Medical Center. By contracting separately, Bloomsburg’s rates will be comparable to other community hospitals. Kelly tells the Daily Item, “This agreement preserves Bloomsburg as a local hospital serving Columbia County and it constrains the ability of the Geisinger Health System Foundation to raise prices on health plans.”
(WGRC)

WATSONTOWN – A special event marks 40 years of service to pets and their owners today. The Warrior Run Petcare Center will hold a celebratory Ribbon Cutting Ceremony today at noon to celebrate its benchmark of service to pets and their owners in the Susquehanna Valley. The event will be held at noon today at the Petcare Center located along 8th Street Drive, just outside Watsontown.
(WGRC)
 
MIFFLINTOWN - The Juniata County School Board mulled current and future budget figures Thursday as its deadline to pass a spending plan approaches. Administrators have cut technology, administrative and insurance costs and outsourced jobs to pare down the budget to about $31 million. The budget includes a 4.4 percent tax increase, which would offset about $500,000 in additional cuts. The school board approved a tentative budget with the increase in May, and they must pass a final plan by June 30. According to administrators' budget projections, in three years, even with a tax increase, the school district may face a major budget deficit again.
(WGRC)

UNIVERSITY PARK — Rain delayed the opening of the Special Olympics for about 45 minutes but that didn’t stop the enthusiasm by participants and their coaches alike. The 43rd annual Special Olympics of Pennsylvania officially started with an opening ceremony at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Thursday night. Members of Penn State’s football, basketball and volleyball teams greeted the athletes as they entered the stadium, talking sports and signing autographs. Former Penn State assistant football coach Jay Paterno, a surprise guest speaker, echoed that message. He added words from his father, Joe Paterno, regarding the competition beginning today. “He said that winning is always a goal, but that competition gives us the most joy,” Paterno told the crowd. “Watching you compete gives us the most joy.”  Following speeches by Paterno and others, the Olympic torch, which athletes had carried by foot for 150 miles from Pittsburgh’s PNC Park over the last two days, entered the stadium with an escort of eight Pittsburgh police motorcycles, sirens blazing. The noise was matched by the roar from the crowd.
(WGRC)

UNIVERSITY PARK - Penn State has instituted a new policy requiring all employees to report suspected child abuse to state authorities. The policy announced Thursday also requires annual mandatory reporter training for staff. A school spokeswoman says the policy goes beyond current Pennsylvania law, which requires certain individuals to report suspected child abuse. A university statement says the policy is part of the school's effort to become a leader in the protection of children. The announcement comes four days before the start of the child sexual abuse trial of former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.
(WGRC)

HARRISBURG - The Federal Emergency Management Agency has given another $7.1 million dollars for the buyout of flood damaged properties across the state including some in our region. In Lycoming County, another $392,000 dollars has been released to buy five more properties. In Columbia County, $658,000 dollars will be released for the buyout of 6 properties in Benton Township and 1 in Sugarloaf Township. The properties will be torn down and used for green space and other uses, but will not be built upon. FEMA reports that additional applications are being processed.
(WGRC)

HARRISBURG - Nearly a year after flooding from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee devastated many communities in Pennsylvania, Shell Oil Company announced a $200,000 joint initiative with United Way of Pennsylvania. On Thursday, the company said the money will help with long-term and unmet recovery needs as well as promote emergency preparedness throughout the state. The Federal Emergency Management Agency said payments to Pennsylvania families, businesses and communities has exceeded $550 million. The money will be used to rebuild damaged homes, provide for personal needs and to help restore communities by cleaning up debris and damage.
(WGRC)