WGRC Christian Radio

NEW BERLIN - A 22-year-old Mifflinburg driver swerved into oncoming traffic and was killed Saturday afternoon in a two-car crash on New Berlin Mountain Road in Union County. Amanda Waltman, was headed north near the intersection with Violet Road in Buffalo Township at 3:30 p.m. when her passenger-side tires skidded on the eastern fog line, which caused her to abruptly steer into the path of an oncoming car driven by 43-year-old Alex Tatarin. Waltman died at the scene. Neither driver was wearing a seat belt, nor were two children who were riding in Tatarin's vehicle, police said. Police did not release Tatarin's address nor did they say if he or the children, ages 4 and 10, were injured in the crash.  
Jim Diehl (WGRC)

LEHIGH VALLEY — A Southern Columbia graduate was among five people killed when a car collided with a tow truck near New Tripoli in Lehigh County on Thursday. Reports say 23-year-old Michael Bruno was a passenger in a car that ran through a stop sign and into the path of a large wrecker towing a delivery truck. The truck mangled the sedan on impact and appeared to have carried the car beneath it as it slid off the road, through a field and into a marsh.
(WNEP)

ELYSBURG – A Shamokin man was taken to Geisinger Medical Center with what police called major injuries following a motor cycle crash Saturday. That crash happened just after four p.m. on Route 61 in Shamokin Township. Police say 59-year-old Emil Reibsome went off the roadway and hit a guard rail. Reibsome was thrown from his motorcycle. He was flown to Geisinger where he remains in critical condition.
Jim Diehl (WGRC)

MILTON – Two women were taken to Geisinger Medical Center Friday following a crash near Milton in Northumberland County. The crash happened just after five p.m. on Route 405 in Turbot Township. Police say a four wheel ATV operated by 61-year-old Susan Roberts and her passenger 68-year-old Nancy Leihow, both of Bloomsburg, backed out onto Route 405 into the path of a car driven by 63-year-old Belinda Ranck of New Columbia. The impact caused the four wheeler to spin and roll over, throwing both women from it. Police say Roberts and Leihow both suffered moderate injuries. Roberts remains in fair condition while Leihow remains in serious condition at Geisinger. Ranck and her two passengers were not hurt.
Jim Diehl (WGRC)

LAMAR – A Linden man was taken to Lock Haven hospital following a crash Thursday in Clinton County. The crash happened just before eight p.m. at the intersection Kryder Road and Nittany Valley Drive. Police say 69-year-old Burton Ware suffered moderate injuries when he had a low sugar attack and went through the intersection knocking off a stop sign and utility pole before entering the parking lot of Albright’s Feed Mill. There he slammed into a cement block wall. Police say Ware was not wearing his seatbelt.
(WGRC)

MUNCY - Police in Lycoming County say a man was jailed on charged of DUI, hit and run and reckless driving following an incident on Thursday morning. Police say 45 year old William Latham was drunk when he struck a parked vehicle in Montgomery and then another one at the Dunkin Donuts at Route 405 and 442 in Muncy Creek Township. He was found slumped over the wheel of his vehicle around 11am along Route 405 Thursday around 11am, and identified as the hit and run driver. He was charged and jailed in lieu of $25,000 dollars bail.
(WGRC)

BLOOMSBURG — On a section of Interstate 80 in Columbia County, a half dozen drivers ran over some scrap metal on the road and ended up with flat tires. That happened Friday afternoon in Hemlock Township, near the Buckhorn exit, at milemarker 232. Troopers say they are looking for the motorist who left the steel on the highway. Officers say it is illegal to haul an unsecured load and charges could be filed.
(WGRC)

MIFFLINVILLE - All lanes in the Interstate 80 work zone will be open the week of July 2, thanks to the Independence Day holiday. PennDOT says all traffic on Interstate 80 will be open to two lanes in both directions around the Lime Ridge/Berwick exit 241 and the Mifflinville exit 242. The westbound Mifflinville on-ramp remains closed and will remain that way until traffic is switched onto new structures in late August or mid-September.
(WGRC)

HOMETOWN - A man is being treated at a trauma center after being stabbed in the throat Sunday by a hitchhiker he gave a ride to in Rush Township, Schuylkill County. As of 10:30 last night, police were searching for the man who fled on foot after the assault. Police say the man they are looking for is white with black hair and a goatee. The incident happened just before eight p.m. when a man was driving north on Route 309 and stopped to give the other man a ride. The two pulled into the entrance to the Wal-Mart plaza parking lot where the hitchhiker pulled out a knife and stabbed the good Samaritan in the neck. The victim was then flown to St. Luke's Hospital trauma center where he was reported in stable condition. Police are asking that anyone who might know the suspect to call 911 immediately.
(WGRC)

JERSEY SHORE - Volunteer firefighters responded to a 310 Front Street in Jersey Shore and quickly put out a small fire on a back porch just after 11 p.m. Friday. Citizen's Hose Fire Chief Matt Fausey says there were no injuries, and no one was displaced. He believed the property to be a two-unit apartment house. Damage was under $1,000. The cause of the fire remained under investigation.
(WGRC)

FRACKVILLE - State police at Frackville arrested a Shenandoah man Friday who confessed that he'd made a threatening call to Kmart at Schuylkill Mall on Thursday morning, stating there was a bomb in the store. Police charged 22-year-old Michael Levandusky with making terroristic threats and threatening to use weapons of mass destruction. Levandusky is jailed in the Schuylkill County Prison on $25,000 bail. Levandusky called Kmart at 7:30 a.m. Thursday and made the threat, stating "There is a bomb in your store and its set to go off." Immediately, the store and the rest of the Schuylkill Mall was evacuated. After the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Emergency and Special Operations Canine Section searched the premises and found no trace of a bomb, the mall was reopened at 1 p.m.
(WGRC)

WILLIAMSPORT - For at least the past eight months, a Bloomsburg man and his friend have driven to New York, bought heroin, crack cocaine and marijuana, then sold it back in our area, according to charges from a federal grand jury. Federal officials arrested 25-year-old Renard Durant earlier this month at his home in Bloomsburg, and 26-year-old Jeffrey Tripp at his home in Kulpmont. Both Durant and Tripp used their homes and other spots in Northumberland, Columbia and Luzerne counties to process, repackage and store the drugs, then drove to spots in those counties to deliver the drugs to their purchasers. The charges list four times when Durant had drugs in Columbia County. The grand jury charges list three occasions in Northumberland County in May and June when Tripp had bags of heroin and crack cocaine. Durant and Tripp both pled not guilty at arraignments Thursday. They were jailed while awaiting trial. A judge ordered jury selection to start on September 4. If convicted of all the charges alleged, Durant and Tripp could face terms of 120 years in prison and fines of up to $6 million.
(WGRC)

TOWER CITY - A robber struck the Halifax Bank in Tower City, Schuylkill County on Friday morning, getting away with an undetermined amount of cash. It was the second bank robbery in Schuylkill County this month. State police at Schuylkill Haven say around ten a.m., a black man entered the bank at 920 East Wiconisco Avenue, walked up to a teller and demanded money. The man did not show or use a weapon and was handed money from the teller. After getting the money, the man left the bank and walked across East Wiconisco Avenue and fled. On June 6th, a man robbed Miners Bank at 29 East Main Street in Tremont. Anyone with information on either bank robbery is asked to call state police at Schuylkill Haven at 570-593-2000.
(WGRC)

BLOOMSBURG — Police say someone took off with $3,000 worth of rings from Sneidman's Jewelers on Thursday afternoon. Now Police are looking for a woman and man who were in the store at the time of the theft, shortly before 1 p.m. Thursday. The Press Enterprise reports, surveillance video from the store shows a young man and woman talking with owner Bruce Bowman and wandering around the store for at least six minutes. It appears the man may have distracted Bowman while the woman grabbed a box displaying five rings from an unlocked display case at the front of the store at 130 East Main Street. While the video camera caught the woman removing the rings, employees didn't notice they were missing until they were closing the shop at 5 p.m. Thursday.
(WGRC)

MILLMONT – A Millmont man is out $700 dollars after someone stole his two kyacks along Penns Creek in Union County. That Happened around three p.m. Saturday. Police say someone floated down Penns Creek on inner-tubes and took the kyacks from the man’s home along Creek Road in Hartley Township. The bandits left their inner-tubes along the bank of the creek where the kyacks had been. Anyone with information on the theft is asked to call state police, Milton.
Jim Diehl (WGRC)

LINDEN – State Police are looking for the thief that stole $60 in cash and several pieces of jewelry from the home of a Linden woman last month. That happened sometime between June 15th and the 27th at the home along Young’s Road in Piatt Township. Police say the bandit. Police say seven gold rings, a set of diamond earrings, a gold necklace with a gold heart pendant and a memory card from a camera was taken.
Jim Diehl (WGRC)

MONTOURSVILLE - A second arrest has been made in a state police case in which a mother assisted her son and a friend in disposing stolen items by dumping them in Loyalsock Creek in Montoursville. Twenty-four-year-old Robert Hoffman, formerly of Montoursville, has been charged with receiving stolen property for his alleged involvement in getting rid of stolen GPS devices and a stereo faceplace back in January. Hoffman, now living in Sunbury, was taken before District Judge Gary Whiteman and jailed in the Lycoming County Prison. Arrested last week in the same case was 48-year-old Shelly Walter of Muncy, who was charged with hindering apprehension, a felony, and obstructing the administration of law. She is free on bail.
(WGRC)

TREVORTON — Zerbe Township Police and state police from Stonington found a stash of items removed earlier this month from vehicle break-ins in Trevorton and surrounding areas in Northumberland County. GPS units, satellite radios and several other items were recovered from a car parked at Stiely’s Trailer Park in Zerbe Township. Police said they will charge Amy Gearhart, 38, of 117 Hart St. in Stiely’s Trailer Park, with corruption of minors and receiving stolen property. She is currently in the Northumberland County Prison on a probation violation. A 16-year-old boy also was arrested and placed in the Northwestern Academy on charges of theft, receiving stolen property, theft from motor vehicles and possession of drug paraphernalia. Owners of items taken in recent vehicle burglaries can contact the Zerbe Township Police to view and identify missing property.
(WGRC)

COAL TOWNSHIP – An area doctor and member of the Mount Carmel Area School Board has been charged with one count of driving under the influence of alcohol relating to an incident over Memorial Day weekend in which he allegedly stopped at a DUI checkpoint because he thought there was a traffic accident and could offer medical assistance. Charges against 54-year-old Dr. Raymond Kraynak, of Kulpmont, whose family practice is based in Mount Carmel, were filed last week by Coal Township Police. Police say the DUI checkpoint was located on Route 61 near Bressi Motors just east of Shamokin. Police say Kraynak allegedly got out of his car, staggered toward Police and told Police he was there to help. Police say Kraynak's speech was slurred, his body was swaying as he spoke and confirmed that he had been drinking when Police asked. Police asked Kraynak to perform some DUI tests which he failed and refused blood tests.
(WGRC)

UNIVERSITY PARK - Four emails from 2001 give a glimpse into how three Penn State administrators discussed responding to a report Jerry Sandusky was seen in a shower molesting a young boy. CNN obtained details of the emails and reported the email exchanges among former athletic director Tim Curley, former vice president Gary Schultz and former Penn State President Graham Spanier. The emails were turned up by Penn State’s third-party investigative team led by Louis Freeh and given to the state Attorney General’s Office. The report said Sandusky’s name was not mentioned. Instead, he was referred to as “the subject” or the “person.” According to the report, Schultz sent an email to Curley, on Feb. 26, 2001, about “talking with the subject” and contacting both The Second Mile and Department of Public Welfare. The report said Curley responded the next night, writing to Spanier and copying Schultz on the email. Curley wrote, apparently referring to Joe Paterno, in part, “After giving it more thought and talking it over with Joe yesterday, I am uncomfortable with what we agreed were the next steps. I am having trouble with going to everyone but the person involved. I would be more comfortable meeting with the person and tell them about the information we received and tell them we are aware of the first situation.” Spanier responded a few hours later, saying “I am supportive” and that “The only downside for us is if the message isn’t ‘heard’ and acted upon and we then become vulnerable for not having reported it. But that can be assessed down the road.” Spanier also called it a “humane and a reasonable way to proceed.” Schultz responded the next day, according to the report, saying, “This is a more humane and upfront way to handle this.” The report said Schultz said they’d inform The Second Mile and then “play it by ear” about going to the “other organization.” Curley and Schultz are facing perjury and failure to report abuse charges. They maintain their innocence.
(WGRC)

UNIVERSITY PARK - As of the end of April, the Jerry Sandusky scandal had cost Penn State close to $12 million in legal fees and other expenses. The $11.9 million price tag includes $7.6 million in fees for crisis communications and the bill for the investigation Penn State hired Louis Freeh to do. The report from the former FBI director into the university’s response to the Sandusky allegations and whether there was a cover-up could be out by the end of July. Penn State President Rodney Erickson said Friday that he expects the report to be completed by mid- to late July. The university has said that the board of trustees won’t get the report before the public. The $12 million in costs includes $2.6 million that was paid out for university legal services and defense. Another $870,000 went to pay legal fees for former administrators Tim Curley and Gary Schultz and former President Graham Spanier. The Penn State bylaws say the university will cover the legal fees for officers facing civil or criminal action.
(WGRC)

UNIVERSITY PARK - With state funding for Penn State remaining steady, students at University Park will probably see a 2.9 percent tuition increase this fall. That’s a smaller price increase than what the university typically levies on in-state students. President Rodney Erickson, who appeared Friday at a joint announcement with Governor Tom Corbett and other university leaders, said that he will support a 2.9 percent tuition increase for in-state students at University Park. The budget and proposed tuition have to go to university trustees for approval. That is slated to happen at the July 13 meeting at the Worthington Scranton campus. Penn State spokeswoman Lisa Powers said along with a 2.9 percent increase for resident students at University Park, Erickson will propose a 1.9 percent increase for in-state students at the Commonwealth campuses.
(WGRC)

HARRISBURG - The Susquehanna River Basin Commission recently announced that 37 separate water withdrawals approved by the Commission are suspended due to localized stream-flow levels dropping throughout the Susquehanna basin. The suspended withdrawals are operated by 22 companies in seven Pennsylvania and one New York counties. Among the low-flow suspensions are companies withdrawing water from Muncy Creek, a portion of Pine Creek and Little Muncy Creek.
(WGRC)

BLOOMSBURG - A few cases of bedbugs at the Bloomsburg Towers has prompted the apartment manager to call in a specially trained dog to sniff out the problem. Manager Jane Whiteside said there have been only five confirmed cases in the last 11 months, and those apartments have been treated. But as a precaution, she is having K-P Bedbug Detection Service from Pleasant Mount go through the Towers top to bottom to make sure the problem hasn't spread. Although the origin of the infestation isn't known, Whiteside suspects the critters may have come in on second-hand furniture. Residents in four of the five apartments admitted bringing home used furniture recently, which is common. The Press Enterprise reports, the first case of bedbugs came a month after the flood, Whiteside said. The tenant was a displaced flood victim who was housed temporarily in the Towers. The second case was discovered at an apartment frequented by the flood victim. The other three were spread throughout the building, leading Whiteside to believe the bugs are not moving from apartment to apartment, but are being brought in from the outside. The inspection will begin in the community room on the first floor Monday, starting at 9:30 a.m. so residents have an air-conditioned place to sit while the rest of the floors are being examined.
(WGRC)

WILLIAMSPORT - A donation of more than $136,000 one day before the end of its fiscal year will help Hope Enterprises, the city-based nonprofit organization that provides services for developmentally disabled residents, add additional resources for its clients. Park Home's board of directors presented a check to Hope Enterprises Friday, which will be used to purchase a vehicle, computer software, new accessible lifts and other items to enhance residential and business services provided by the organization. The computer software will reduce the time it takes for data entry and information retrieval for Hope's production program. Many Hope Enterprises clients work in its industrial services division that offers area businesses a workforce for light manufacturing, packaging and assembly. As part of its mission, the Park Home, which operated as a retirement facility on West Fourth Street for elderly women from the late 1930s to the early 1990s, donates money yearly to local nonprofit organizations.
(WGRC)

WILLIAMSPORT - Local lawmakers may be done haggling over the state budget process for yet another year, but are still fighting over the return of the state police aviation unit to the Williamsport Regional Airport. The $27.7 billion budget passed by both Houses this week restores some $600 million in funding from the plan proposed by Governor Tom Corbett. But it apparently fails to include any provision in the fiscal code for bringing back the aviation center for helping with law enforcement. The fiscal code is considered separately from the budget and was expected to be voted on over the weekend. Senator Eugene Yaw and Representatives Garth Everett and Rick Mirabito, said last week that they were optimistic the governor would include in the fiscal code the aviation unit, which for a number of years housed a police helicopter and a fixed-wing airplane at the Williamsport Regional Airport. Late Thursday night Mirabito told the Sun-Gazette that the governor had reneged on a verbal agreement to return the aviation center to the airport.
(WGRC)

HARRISBURG – Governor Tom Corbett late Saturday night signed the 2012-13 budget, strengthening the state’s economy and education system, with no increase in taxes for Pennsylvania. The $27.66 billion budget was signed with minutes to spare. It’s the second consecutive year a budget has been signed on time.
(WGRC)

NEW BERLIN - A 4th of July tradition that has been going on for nearly 50-years in New Berlin in Union County may be coming to a close. The annual Turtle Derby sponsored by the Boy Scouts of New Berlin has come under scrutiny by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. New Berlin Activity Committee Secretary Shirl Hummel says the derby has been a staple for young people for years. She says kids from across the region have caught turtles or brought their pet turtles to the derby each July 4th to race down a ramp and hopefully collect awards. Hummel says last week she received a call from Waterways Conservation Officer Steven Boughter who told her anyone bringing an endangered turtle to the derby will be cited on the spot. We contacted the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission who told us that certain turtles which numbers have declined in the past years have been place under no collection restrictions as of 2007. Chris Urban Chief of the Fish and Boat Commission’s Natural Diversity Section says, 50 years ago we knew very little about the distribution and status of these species.  But through more contemporary surveys and studies we have found that many of these species are not doing so well, and taking them out of the wild further threatens their populations – basically, their numbers are so low that further collection could lead us to listing them as threatened or endangered. While Urban says he will not attend the event, there may be somebody there from the Commission to observe the event and says he highly doubts there will be any citations issued! He recommends the Boy Scouts obtain a permit for the event through the Fish and Boat Commission. Urban says the event could go on, but it should probably be permitted through the Commission. The Commission has an “organized reptile and amphibian” hunt permit. He says the event would be permitted like many of the State’s rattlesnake hunts. While Eastern Box turtles and Eastern Wood turtles are not permitted to be captured, Urban says the Snapping turtle, Eastern Musk turtle, Midland and Eastern Painted turtle, and Map turtle can be collected providing a parent has a legal Pennsylvania Fishing license. For more information on turtle guidelines go to the Fish and Boat Commission’s website at fishandboat.com/amp_rep.htm. As for the event this 4th of July at New Berlin, Hummel says it’s still up in the air as to whether the Boy Scouts will coordinate it or if it will be cancelled.
Jim Diehl (WGRC)