Probe continues in man’s death
COAL TOWNSHIP — The death of a 44-year-old Coal Township man was from “other than natural causes,” Northumberland County Coroner James F. Kelley said Monday.
The body of Robert Powell was found Nov. 1 in a vacant lot at Owl and Wood streets.
Kelley made the determination following an autopsy and toxicology tests on Nov. 2. After the findings, Kelley said he discussed the death and circumstances with Powell’s son, Chris Powell.
The cause and manner of Robert Powell’s death is not being released due to an ongoing investigation by Kelley, Coal Township police Detective Jeffrey Brennan and the Northumberland County district attorney’s office.
Sunbury Shrine Club makes donations
SUNBURY —The Sunbury Shrine Club made a number of donations during 2008.
At a recent meeting, the board of directors donated $2,000 to the Irem Transportation Fund, $750 to the Philadelphia Hospital and $250 to the Boston Burns Center.
Through parade participation, the club’s motor corps was able to donate $600 to the Irem Transportation Fund, $200 to the Philadelphia Hospital and $200 to the burns center. Motor corps meetings are held following the club’s board meetings.
The club recently held a Christmas dinner ladies night at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Selinsgrove. Eighty people attended. After the dinner, officers and directors elected to serve for 2009 were introduced and installed.
The club transported 26 patients to the children’s hospital in Philadelphia in 2008.
The club’s fundraisers and trips for 2009 were announced.
Sunbury Shrine Club officers for 2009 are as follows: William L. Bryan, president; Maurice E. Clouser, vice president; Al Deans, secretary; and Malcom Delsite Jr., treasurer.
Residents want street light at Route 15, Gundy Lane
LEWISBURG — A group of East Buffalo Township residents want Gundy Lane illuminated so they can better see oncoming traffic along Route 15 in poor visibility conditions, but the supervisors say they can make simpler improvements without installing a street light.
Suzanne Murdza, of 289 Gundy Lane, led a group of four neighbors Monday night in asking the township to install a street light similar to the one on Beagle Club Road. The residents say their intersection is an accident waiting to happen.
“It’s very dangerous, especially at night and during bad weather,” Murdza said. “It’s tough to see the oncoming traffic (on Route 15), especially when they’re going 70 mph. Why do we have to wait until there is an accident or a death?”
Lawson Fetterman, supervisor chairman, said many intersections along Route 15 could be improved by street lights, but there are cheaper ways to improve visibility, such as large reflectors that reflect the headlights of oncoming vehicles.
“There are a variety of intersections along Route 15, and a lot of them are dangerous by my standards,” Fetterman said. “Typically when we (install lights) at intersections, which is a rarity, it has been done because there have been some bad accidents.”
Fetterman said the township has installed street lights along Fairview Road, Hardscabble Lane and Beagle Club Road in recent years.
The supervisors suggested a street light may be better served at Supple Mill Road, which intersects Route 15 with Oak Drive, as opposed to Gundy Lane’s isolated T-intersection.
“If it’s a light issue, I’m thinking it should go where it’s better served at a four-way intersection,” Fetterman said. “That’s a better access than Gundy Lane, which more people should be using anyway.”
Fetterman said there also is concern for neighbors who may be negatively affected by a street light shining in bedrooms and illuminating the sky, causing problems for people who are avid stargazers.
“There is a lot that goes into putting up lights,” Fetterman said. “I’m sympathetic with intersections along Route 15 and how people can see (traffic) at night. My request would be to give us an opportunity to (upgrade) the road sign and put some large reflectors in there to see how that works.”
Fetterman added, “If you’re still unhappy, then come back and see us.”
Board splits $5,000 among 3 public libraries
MIDDLEBURG — Midd-West school board members approved a $5,000 donation to Snyder County Libraries on Monday night during a meeting in the Middleburg Middle School.
The money will be distributed to three libraries in the school district. The Middleburg, Beavertown and McClure libraries each will receive $1,667.
Members also approved a district contract with Air Balancing Engineers Inc., of Berwick, to provide LEED commissioning services for the Midd-West High School renovation project.
In a 5-4 vote, the members retained the professional services of Marlin Fields Real Estate Office, Lewistown, at a cost of $2,500, to perform a second appraisal for the proposed acquisition of land near the high school.
Lewisburg Downtown Rotary Club to hold annual winter dance Jan. 24
LEWISBURG — The Downtown Lewisburg Rotary Club will hold its fourth annual winter dance from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Jan. 24 in the Lewisburg Club, 131 Market St.
For the second year in a row, the dance will feature the Ann Kerstetter Band, winner of the 2008 Billtown Blues Challenge.
The dance also will feature an auction, cash bar, a raffle and door prizes. Already donated for prizes are wine, golf items and an item from the Open Door Gallery in Lewisburg.
Tickets are $10 per person and may be purchased by calling 523-1040. They also will be sold at the door.
The club is seeking additional raffle and door prizes and ads for its dance booklet, which will be distributed to attendees. People interested in purchasing an ad or donating an item are asked to call 523-1040. Advertisements are due by Monday.
Proceeds from the dance will benefit community, national and international projects. This past year, the club made donations to Susquehanna Valley Women in Transition, Boy Scouts, American Red Cross, Union County Public Library and Harbour Stables Equine Rescue. At Christmas, the club had a party for residents at the Selinsgrove Center.
This month, the club will participate in Evangelical Community Hospital’s Health Fair in the Susquehanna Valley Mall. The members also make annual donations to the Rotary Polio Plus project.
News
Valley briefs
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Pen pals become BFFs
NORTHUMBERLAND — More than 40 Valley first-grade students may have found their “best friends forever” on Monday, thanks to a mother-daughter teaching combination.
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2 of 134 fail Midd-West drug tests
MIDDLEBURG —The Midd-West School District has spent $1,500 this year to conduct drug tests on 134 students as part of a new policy that requires students in extracurricular activities to agree to random testing.
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Four earn EMS Providers of the Year awards
DANVILLE — More than 50 emergency medical services workers and first responders, including fire and police department personnel, joined together Monday to honor four of their own — winners of the EMS Providers of the Year awards.
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Police: Boy playing with lighter destroyed barn
PAXINOS — An 8-year-old boy playing with a lighter caused a fire that destroyed a barn Saturday evening along Route 890, state police reported Monday.
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Fate of Dalmatia, Leck Kill schools to be discussed
MANDATA — After years of back-and-forth discussion by the Line Mountain school board, a community discussion on the fates of the Dalmatia and Leck Kill elementary schools will be held tonight after the board’s regularly scheduled meeting.
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Police: Ford F-150 pickup truck stolen in Watsontown
WATSONTOWN — Borough police said a Ford F-150 pickup truck was stolen over the weekend.
The truck was parked along East Sixth Street and was last seen Saturday afternoon. Its absence was noticed Sunday afternoon. -
Nursing home exec gets house arrest
MIDDLEBURG — A former Selinsgrove personal care home administrator will spend 23 months on intermediate punishment for pleading no contest to stealing money from an elderly resident.
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YMCA summer lunch program aids hungry kids
MILTON — More than 8,000 Valley children receive free lunches at school because their families’ household incomes are below 130 percent of the federal poverty level. Come summer, the vast majority of them do not have access to free nutritional meals or do not take advantage of the federal program intended to fill that gap.
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Tons of pot found floating off Southern California
DANA POINT, Calif. — Authorities say three and a half tons of marijuana have been found floating in the ocean off Southern California.
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Man becomes third person to survive plunge at Niagara Falls
BUFFALO, N.Y. — A man plunged at least 180 feet over Niagara Falls and survived — only the third person known to have gone over without a safety device and live.
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Facebook shares plunge today on the stock market
NEW YORK — Facebook Inc. shares plunged on their second day on the stock market today, a black eye for all those involved with the social networking company going public.
The shares fell 13.7% early today to well below the $38 price for the initial public offering, before pulling off the low. -
Take Me Home: Daryll
Daryll is a 45 pound, 6-month-old happy, happy Yellow Lab pup. He loves everyone and everything. Some of his favorites are: playing with the other dogs in his foster home, trying to get the cat to play with him too, car rides, walks, playing in the rain, toys, human laps to sit on, and learning new tricks. He is a fun active dog, who is eager to learn and please, and has a great love of life attitude.
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