DANVILLE -- A Turbotville firefighter seriously injured last week while fighting a barn fire in Anthony Township, Montour County, is improving, his son said Monday evening.
A state police fire marshal deemed the fire was the work of an arsonist.
Wayne Hawley II, a captain in the Warrior Run Area Fire Department, sustained grave injuries while fighting the fire on Wednesday evening. He remains hospitalized at Geisinger Medical Center in serious condition, according to a nursing supervisor.
"He's doing better," said Wayne Hawley III, Monday evening. "He's off the respirator."
He said his father is expected to be transferred to a Philadelphia-area hospital when a drain, still attached, is removed. That may be in the next few days, he said.
"He's eating solid food, and he's sleeping a lot better, too," said his son. "But he still doesn't have any feeling in his legs."
Mr. Hawley underwent surgery last Friday. He suffered spinal injuries, a punctured lung and other injuries when a heavy barn beam struck him on the head while he was fighting the fire.
Meanwhile, Linda Brown, executive vice-president at Service First federal Credit Union, where Mr. Hawley was an information systems analyst, announced the formation of a recovery fund to benefit Mr. Hawley and his family with expenses not covered by his insurance.
Service First made an undisclosed opening contribution to kick off the fund, Ms. brown said in a statement. "Wayne never misses an opportunity to help those in need, and Service First hopes the community will join us in returning the favor," she said."Wayne demonstrates his dedication to helping others day in and day out. Whether he is responding to a call or just tackling the day, his kindness and sense of humor never cease."
After just a few months working at Service First, Mr. Hawley volunteered to go to Louisiana to assist with the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, where he spent several weeks working on cell towers.
Donations to the Hawley Recovery Fund will be accepted at any Service First location in Danville, Lewisburg, Shamokin Dam, Wilkes-Barre and Williamsport. Donations may be mailed to Hawley Recovery Fund, Service First Federal Credit Union, 1207 Bloom Street, Danville, PA 17821.
News
Related Photos
Discussion
Injured firefighter doing better
Firefighter's employer sets up fund
- News
-
-
Lewisburg schools face cuts in personnel, programs
Superintendent Mark DiRocco told the Lewisburg school board Thursday night that a proposed block grant system of school budget funding will run the district short of cash that will have to be made up through personnel and program cuts.
-
Mom: Keller's response left her cold
Like many people, Elise Nicol is concerned about Marcellus Shale and the industry's effects on Pennsylvania's environment. The Lewisburg mother of two cares about it enough that she sent an email to state Rep. Fred Keller, R-85 of Kreamer, asking him to oppose House Bill 1950, which passed the General Assembly on Wednesday.
-
Point Township authority concerned by sewer plant violations
Point Township Sewer Authority members Thursday night expressed concerns about a Feb. 3 letter sent to the Northumberland Sewer Authority by the state's Department of Environmental Protection saying that the borough authority has violated the Clean Streams Act.
-
Persing truck fee idea stalls
While Pennsylvania has passed legislation allowing communities to collect impact fees in 35 counties, Northumberland County is not one of them, and business leaders and lawmakers do not think Sunbury Mayor David Persing's plan to try to do his own version of an impact fee will pass muster.
-
Barber draws a crowd
The talk can be spirited at times, ranging from hunting to sports to home repairs. "You hear all kinds of stories," Gene Koehler, of Riverside, said Thursday as he waited for a haircut at The Masters barbershop, 209 Mill St.
-
State board approves table games at Valley Forge casino
VALLEY FORGE — A casino resort scheduled to open this spring in the Philadelphia suburb of Valley Forge has been approved for table games.
-
Doctors telling more adults: Get out and exercise
ATLANTA — A new study shows more and more U.S. adults are being told by their doctor to get off their duffs and exercise. A government survey found nearly 33 percent of adults who saw a doctor in the previous year said they were told to exercise. That was up from about 23 percent in 2000.
-
Former Northumberland County judge and three others die in Florida crash
EVERGLADES CITY, Fla. -- A former Northumberland County judge was one of four people killed Wednesday afternoon when their car collided with a van at an intersection, according to the Naples News. The victims were identified as James J. Rosini, 66, William J. Rosini, 68, Patricia C. Rosini, 65, all of Coal Township, Pa., and Deborah A. Korbich, 59, of Elysburg, Pa.
-
Warden demotes four bosses
SUNBURY -- Northumberland County Prison Warden Roy Johnson was able to trim about $135,000 in expenses by demoting four supervisors. He said Wednesday that he found a way to cut costs without laying off any staff. "I cut out 120 hours of supervisors' pay each week, but I need to fill the correction officer positions," Johnson said.
-
DJ pumps up audience
Every Tuesday evening, Richard Grogg can be found spinning tunes at possibly the most well-attended dance in Snyder County. A resident at the Selinsgrove Center since 1988, the 57-year-old said the thing he likes most about selecting and playing music is "making people happy." "Some people come up and ask for requests," he said.
-
Agency closes adult center
PENNS CREEK -- Union and Snyder County caregivers have had to look farther and wider for another program that can offer respite because the Agency on Aging can no longer afford to provide the service. The adult daily living center at the Penns Creek Adult Resource Center was a helpful program each week to about eight adults from the area dealing with Alzheimer's and dementia. But it closed Dec. 30.
-
New Berlin pushes to acquire school
NEW BERLIN -- The Borough Council sold the property where the New Berlin Elementary School is to the precursor of the Mifflinburg Area School District for $1 back in 1950. It was deeded to the district for construction of a school.
- More News Headlines
-
Lewisburg schools face cuts in personnel, programs
