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GREENWOOD TOWNSHIP -- Heavy damage is done to a Columbia
County farm when a cement silo collapses. The Greenwood Township
farm, along Bottom Lane, is owned by family of State Agriculture
Secretary Dennis Wolff. The uninsured 70-foot silo came down
yesterday. Lost in the collapse was about 15-thousand dollars
worth of grain. Wolff tells the Press Enterprise that
another silo and part of a barn were also damaged. No people or
animals were hurt during the incident. Don Casteline (WGRC)
BELLEFONTE - A fast-moving fire destroyed a historic Centre
County red barn along Benner Pike Thursday morning. The barn
owned by Larry and Vicki Jodon collapsed within about an hour of
firefighters being called at 4 am. Bellefonte Fire Chief Fred
Bruno tells the Centre Daily Times no one was hurt battling the
fire. He said it was fully involved when crews arrived and they
went into a defensive mode to protect other nearby buildings
which they were able to do. The barn stood for more than 160
years, a landmark that was actually picked up and moved two
years ago to preserve it after a land sale. The barn was built
by the Jodon family in 1847. The cause of the fire has not yet
been determined and a state police fire marshall has been called
to investigate. John Callahan (WGRC)
COALDALE -- An arsonist is to blame for a Schuylkill County
fire. Frackville State Police say 50-thousand dollars in damage
was done to the Coaldale structure at 227 West Ruddle Street.
Investigators determined that the fire began in multiple places
along the side of the home. Police have not yet determined who
the owner is. Don Casteline (WGRC)
NEWPORT -- A Juniata County crash leaves a man in critical
condition this morning. State Police say 23-year old Aaron
Smith, of Port Royal, wasn't wearing his seatbelt when his
vehicle went off the westbound lanes of Route-22/322 just west
of Newport. The accident happened around 7:30 Thursday evening.
Smith was flown to the Hershey Medical Center after being
ejected from the vehicle. Don Casteline (WGRC)
MEISERVILLE -- State Police in Snyder County are trying to
find out who was riding a motorcycle left heavily damaged late
Wednesday night. Police say the motorcycle was found along
Route-104, just north of Meiserville, in Snyder County. No
driver was at the scene. Don Casteline (WGRC)
WILLIAMSPORT -- A Lycoming County homicide trial gets heated.
Javier Cruz-Echevarria, of South Williamsport, is charged in
connection with the drug-related shooting death of Eric Sawyer
last March. Yesterday's proceedings included an outburst from
killer Sean Durrant. Durrant glared at Cruz before
shouting at him. Judge Nancy Butts ordered Durrant to be quiet
and testimony resumed following a 30-minute recess. Durrant is a
key witness for the prosecution. Durrant has confessed to
taking part in the killing and says Cruz was his partner.
Don Casteline (WGRC) with WRAK
LEWISTOWN -- In Mifflin County a man is heading to state
prison for 5 to 10 years after pleading guilty to sexual assault
charges. Reports say 38-year old Charles Swartz Senior, of
Thompsontown, was sentenced yesterday. Swartz had indecent
contact with two girls in Mifflin and Juniata County. (WGRC)
UNDATED -- As promised, U-S Representative Chris Carney is
giving his support to Democrat presidential contender Hillary
Clinton. Carney is a superdelegate and represents Pennsylvania's
10th District. Carney had officially been listed as
undecided before yesterday, according to the Daily Item. Don
Casteline (WGRC)
SHAMOKIN DAM -- A big economic boost is expected in Snyder
County with the opening of the Monroe Marketplace along Routes
11-and-15 in Shamokin Dam. Economic Development Consultant Emily
White updated the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce
yesterday. Reports say the shopping complex expects to add more
than 200 full time jobs and more than 1-thousand part time
positions. White says that while the future openings won't pay
as well as manufacturing jobs, they will provide numerous
opportunities. The complex under construction will house a
number of big name retailers. Don Casteline (WGRC)
UNDATED -- Taxes expected to go up for some and hold even for
others. Lewisburg Area residents have a tentative budget
including a real estate tax increase of nearly 1-mill. The
Lewisburg School Board received the proposed plan last night.
The Daily Item reports the plan includes several new school
positions including 3 kindergarten teachers. In Juniata County,
the school board was giving a preliminary spending plan that
does not include a tax increase. School officials tell The
Lewistown Sentinel that funds might need to be transferred in
order to avoid a tax increase of 3 1/2 mills. Budget passage is
expected in late June. Don Casteline (WGRC)
HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection is offering a series of free workshops to help
business owners find ways to reduce soaring energy costs,
according to State Senator John Gordner. Business owners will
receive information on energy supply options, learn how to
identify energy saving opportunities and develop an energy
action plan. A local workshop has been scheduled for May 28th at
Bucknell University in Lewisburg. Registration for the workshop
is free and the session is open to the all. To request a
registration form or to receive additional information, the
Department may be reached at (717) 783-8411 or by visiting the
Department's website at www.depweb.state.pa.us . John Callahan
(WGRC)
LOCK HAVEN - Firefighters put a quick stop on a Clinton
County structure fire as it was just getting ready to flare out
of control early Thursday at West Third and North Highland
Streets in Lock Haven. After an intensive, 15-minute effort,
firefighters managed to save the structure despite the heavy
flames that were rolling from the windows when they arrived at
about 2:30 in the morning. Lock Haven Fire Chief Robert Neff
tells the Express crews confined the fire to the living room
area of the house and did a good job getting a quick knockdown
on it. Neff estimated the damage at $30,000 and said the
residence was insured. The cause of the blaze is undetermined. A
state police fire will investigate. The two-and-a-half-story,
wood-frame house is owned by Mike Rogers of the Renovo Road, and
was being used as student housing. John Callahan (WGRC)
UNDATED -- The price of stamps goes up a notch. The one
cent increase goes into effect on Monday. The "forever" stamp
remains available at 41-cents through tomorrow. Those
stamps can be used anytime regardless of postage rates. (WGRC)
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