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News Archive Archives for 2014-03

Monday / March 31, 2014


Road Update

Here is a list of roads opened and closed in Columbia County supplied by PennDOT as of mid – Monday afternoon.

**OPEN - Route 487 (Southern Drive) from Reeder Drive to Hemlock Road in Franklin Township for downed power lines. The lines came down overnight due to trees which came down due to heavy snow from overnight.

** OPEN - Route 1005 (Hidlay Church Road) from Route 1003 in South Centre Township to Fowlersville Road in North Centre Township for downed power lines;

** CLOSED  - Route 2018 (Sycamore Road) from Main Street in Catawissa to Mainville Drive in Main Township for downed power lines;

 

PPL Outages

Power is slowly being restored to Pennsylvania Power and Light subscribers in Columbia County. At last check just over 200 homes and businesses were without power. In Montour County... just over 900 subscribers remain in the dark. Crews have been working ever since the power went out overnight due to the storm.

 

Berwick Arson

Berwick Police say they have a third suspect in custody in connection with the attempted arson of a home on Arch Street last October. David Heckman surrendered to police over the weekend. Also being charged is Kevin Danser. He's currently in the Luzerne County lockup on unrelated charges. If you recall... Tyler Arias was busted on an arson charge when he confessed. Arias and Heckman remain in the Columbia County Prison in Bloomsburg.

 

Heroin Bust

Four people are in the Columbia County Prison after they were busted on a variety of drug charges Saturday morning. Our media partner Newswatch 16 is reporting a raid went down in an apartment at 142 West Main Street around 7 AM. Authorities say the heroin investigation has been underway since last fall. More arrests are expected.

 

Big Event

The sound of rakes hitting the ground... it's a sound heard a lot Saturday during the Big Event... when more than a thousand Bloomsburg University students helped home owner spiff up their property. Alli Luzik of Halifax in Dauphin County and her friends were working in the yard of Rick and Mimi Ward on Market Street. The students were also spotted all over the town... not only cleaning up properties... but also improving town to gown relations.

 

Big Brothers / Sisters

It was a big day Saturday for folks who “Bowled for Kids Sakes” at the P-Nut Bowl in Scott Township. It is one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for the Big Brothers / Big Sisters organization. Local coordinator Diane Macri says the organization is always looking for volunteers to get involved in the program. Their next big fund raising event will take place in May when Big Brothers / Big Sisters holds a golf outing at the Berwick Golf Club.

 

Utility Shutoffs

Gas and electric utility companies are being asked to give customers an extra two weeks to pay their bills before shutting off services. State Representative Peter Daley, chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee, sent a letter to the Public Utility Commission and Energy Association of PA, asking that they grant a two-week reprieve on shutting off service, from April 1st to the 14th. Also this week, the period to apply for heating assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, was extended to April 18th.
 

Toads

An endangered toad won't have to cross the road to get to the other side of its Centre County wetlands. A new bike path will be diverted around it. Discovery of an endangered spadefoot toad has a bike and pedestrian path changing direction in Patton Township near State College. Township engineer Brent Brubaker said the original plan was to build a trench drain so the toads could safely cross. But after the sighting of a toad the Department of Environment Protection told them to stay out all together. Redirecting 500 feet of path will cost $4,800. The estimate to build the trench, was $30,000.

 

Hanover Twp.

Police in Hanover Township... in Luzerne County were busy over the weekend. They report that car tires were slashed on Luzerne Street. The first calls coming in early Sunday morning. Right now... cops have very little to go on since there are no suspects or witnesses.

 

WHLM Sports

BU Baseball

Weather permitting, the Bloomsburg University baseball team will play a doubleheader at West Chester Monday afternoon starting at 1 o'clock. The twin bill was postponed twice this weekend.

 

MLB 

Two games were played in Australia a week ago, but the season's first major league baseball in the United States was played Sunday night in San Diego.... the San Diego Padres downed the Los Angeles Dodgers 3 to 1. Thirteen more openers are scheduled for today including the Phillies playing the Rangers in Texas. That game will start at 2 o'clock. Coverage on the WHLM Stations begins with the pregame show at 1:30.

 

College Basketball

In men's college basketball, the final four is set. In regional finals Sunday... Connecticut defeated Michigan State 60 to 54.... and it was Kentucky over Michigan 75 – 72. This Saturday in Arlington Texas, Florida will play Connecticut and Kentucky will take on Wisconsin.

 

NHL

In the NHL Sunday it was the Boston Bruins getting by the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3..

 

Weekend Sports


* Operation Storm Watch *

2-Hour Delays for Monday, 3/31:

* Benton Area

* Bloomsburg Area

* Berwick Area

* Central Columbia

* CM Vo-Tech

* Danville Area

* Millville Area

* Southern Columbia

 

 

Heroin Bust

Four people are in the Columbia County Prison after they were busted on a variety of drug charges Saturday morning. Our media partner Newswatch 16 is reporting a raid went down in an apartment at 142 West Main Street around 7 AM. Authorities say the heroin investigation has been underway since last fall. More arrests are expected.

 

WHLM Sports

 

Phillies Baseball

The Phillies are coming! Tune in starting this Monday to catch all of the Philadelphia Phillies 2014 season. First pitch is at 2:05, coverage starts at 1:30 PM with the Phillies pregame show on the WHLM stations. 

What's Happening Sunday, March 30, 2014


* Operation Storm Watch *

2-Hour Delays for Monday, 3/31:

* Benton Area

* Bloomsburg Area

* Berwick Area

* Central Columbia

* CM Vo-Tech

* Danville Area

* Millville Area

* Southern Columbia

 

Flood Watch

Columbia and Montour Counties remain under a flood watch until 8 PM Sunday evening. The National Weather Service in State College telling us that we can expect anywhere from one to two inches of rain during the next 18 to 24 hours. That may produce small stream flooding across the area. Residents who live along areas such as Huntington and Fishing Creek are asked to keep an eye on the streams.

 

Heroin Bust

Four people are in the Columbia County Prison after they were busted on a variety of drug charges Saturday morning. Our media partner Newswatch 16 is reporting a raid went down in an apartment at 142 West Main Street around 7 AM. Authorities say the heroin investigation has been underway since last fall. More arrests are expected.

 

What's Happening?

The annual Empty Bowls Banquet is coming up today at the Kehr Union Ballroom on the campus of Bloomsburg University, from 11AM - 1:30 PM. Come enjoy a selection of soups from local restaraunts while helping out the Bloomsburg Food Cupboard. Entry is $10 for adults and $5 for students - kids under 5 eat free. Remember, for a $10 donation you can get a one-of-a-kind bowl from local artists.

 

A Chef Bingo Fundraiser will be held at the Orangeville Fire Company this afternoon. Doors open at 12:30 PM, games start at 2:00PM.  Tickets are $20 for 20 games. There will be a Chinese Raffle, 50/50 Drawing, and Special Games. All proceeds benefit the Orangeville Public Library. For more information, call the library at 570-683-5354.

 

Christ the King church in Benton is holding a spaghetti dinner fundraiser today from 3-6 PM. Cost is $7 each - take out is availible. Porceeds will go toward Northwest Area Student Ambassadors. The church is on Mendenhall lane in Benton.

 

Faith Assembly of God in Hazle Township will present a free concert and evening of worship led by contemporary Christian musicians Russel & Kristi this evening at 6 PM. The church is at 34 Fox Manor Road in Hazle Township.

 

Holy Family School in Berwick is registering students for all-day Pre K and Kindergarten classes. Scholarships are availible. Applications must be in by March 31. Call 570-752-2021 or go to HFSBerwick.org for more information.

 

Sign up now for the Kidsburg March Madness 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament coming up on April 4th at the BU campus Rec Center. Registration deadline is April 1st. Fee is $3 for kids 10 and under, $5 for all older groups. Everyone is welcome, from 4 years old through Senior Citizens. Sign up online at Kidsburg.org

 

The 7th annual Susquehanna Warrior Trail 5K run/walk in Shikshinny is coming up on April 5, starting at 10:15 AM. Registration will be open from 9-10 AM the day of the race at Oak and North Canal Streets. Entry fee is $20. Call 570-542-7946 or go to SusquehannaWarriorTrail.org for more information.

 
It's time to register for the 2014 First Columbia Teen Star musical competition, coming up on June 1 in the Haas center, Bloomsburg University. Two top winners will be selected this year - one vocalist and one instrumentalist. First place in both wins $1,500. It's open to any high school student who attends school in Columbia County. Deadline for registration is April 23. For more information call 570-387-3464.
 

The Kidsburg Rebuilding project will soon be coming to a head. Wednesday April 30th through Sunday May 4th will be Rebuild Kidsburg Week - and they need volunteers and crew captains organized now! If you are interested in helping with construction, call Deb at 301-518-7089, or go to Kidsburg.org

 

WHLM Sports

 

Phillies Baseball

The Phillies are coming! Tune in starting this Monday to catch all of the Philadelphia Phillies 2014 season. First pitch is at 2:05, coverage starts at 1:30 PM with the Phillies pregame show on the WHLM stations. 

 

Saturday / March 29, 2014


Flood Watch

Columbia and Montour Counties remain under a flood watch until 8 PM Sunday evening.

The National Weather Service in State College telling us that we can expect anywhere from one to two inches of rain during the next 18 to 24 hours. That may produce small stream flooding across the area.

Residents who live along areas such as Huntington and Fishing Creek are asked to keep an eye on the streams.

 

Heroin Bust

Four people are in the Columbia County Prison after they were busted on a variety of drug charges Saturday morning. Our media partner Newswatch 16 is reporting a raid went down in an apartment at 142 West Main Street around 7 AM. Authorities say the heroin investigation has been underway since last fall. More arrests are expected.

What's Happening Saturday, March 29, 2014


The Friends of the Bloomsburg University Library Association will hold their 14th annual book sale this weekend at the Andruss library on the BU campus. Times are today from 1-4 PM, Sunday 1-3 PM & 6-9PM, and Monday 31st from 10AM-4PM. Donations of books, CDs, DVDs, Video Games, and other media can be dropped off at the library's circulation desk.

 

It's time for the 2014 Big Event. Bloomsburg University's Community Government Association will be sending out crews of student volunteers today to help the town with service projects like raking up winter leaves and cleaning up yards. 

 

The most famous of all ballets comes to the campus of Bloomsburg University this Saturday with the Celebrity Artist Series presentiation of Tchaikovski's Swan Lake, performed by some of Russia's brightest young dancers. Tickets are $35 for adults, and $17 for students and children. Showtime is 8 PM this Saturday night in Mitrani Hall at the Haas Center on the BU campus.

 

Big Brothers & Big Sisters is holding their 32nd annual Bowl For Kids Sake fundraiser today at the P-Nut-Bowl on Tennytown Road in Scott Township. Sign up a team now and gather pledges. Call 1-800-955-4376 to register or go to BBBS.NEPA.org

 

St Joseph School in Danville is hosting a Coach Purse Bingo this evening starting at 6:30 PM in the school cafeteria. Doors open at 5 PM. Cost is $25 per ticket. The school is at 511 Ferry Street.

 

The Benton Boy Scouts, Troop 51, will sposor a spaghetti supper today at the Benton fire Hall on Colley Street. Dine-in or take-out from 4-7PM. Take-out begins at 3:30PM. Cost is $7 for adults, $5 for children 6-12, and free for kids 5 and under.

 

The free Saturday Trains program, now in its ninth year at Christ Memorial Episcopal Church at the corner of Pine and East Market streets in Danville, will be open as usual today from 10AM - Noon with its talking train, the Amtrak Pennsylvanian, and dozens of other trains and a model merry-go-round that both children and adults can play with.

 

St Paul's Episcopal Church in Bloomsburg is presenting Thanksgiving in Spring this evening, with a full turkey dinner from 5-7 PM. Take-out can be picked up from 4-5PM. Sit-down dinner is all-you-can-eat for $9 for adults and $5 for kids under 12. Take-out is just $8. The church is on the corner of Main and Iron streets in downtown Bloomsburg.

 

Katys Church will be holding a Spaghetti and Lasagna Dinner at the Millville Valley Grange Hall on State Street today from 4-7PM. Tickets for Adults are $8.00, Children 12 to 6 years get in for $4.00 and 5 and under eat free. Takeout is available at the door. For more information or to purchase advance tickets, call 764-2412. Proceeds benefit Katys Church Restoration & Renovation.

 

The annual Empty Bowls Banquet is coming up this Sunday at the Kehr Union Ballroom on the campus of Bloomsburg University, from 11AM - 1:30 PM. Come enjoy a selection of soups from local restaraunts while helping out the Bloomsburg Food Cupboard. Entry is $10 for adults and $5 for students - kids under 5 eat free. Remember, for a $10 donation you can get a one-of-a-kind bowl from local artists.

 

A Chef Bingo Fundraiser will be held at the Orangeville Fire Company on Sunday, March 30th. Doors open at 12:30 PM, games start at 2:00PM.  Tickets are $20 for 20 games. There will be a Chinese Raffle, 50/50 Drawing, and Special Games. All proceeds benefit the Orangeville Public Library. For more information, call the library at 570-683-5354.

 

Christ the King church in Benton is holding a spaghetti dinner fundraiser this Sunday from 3-6 PM. Cost is $7 each - take out is availible. Porceeds will go toward Northwest Area Student Ambassadors. The church is on Mendenhall lane in Benton.

 

Faith Assembly of God in Hazle Township will present a free concert and evening of worship led by contemporary Christian musicians Russel & Kristi this Sunday at 6 PM. The church is at 34 Fox Manor Road in Hazle Township.

 

Holy Family School in Berwick is registering students for all-day Pre K and Kindergarten classes. Scholarships are availible. Applications must be in by March 31. Call 570-752-2021 or go to HFSBerwick.org for more information.

 

Sign up now for the Kidsburg March Madness 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament coming up on April 4th at the BU campus Rec Center. Registration deadline is April 1st. Fee is $3 for kids 10 and under, $5 for all older groups. Everyone is welcome, from 4 years old through Senior Citizens. Sign up online at Kidsburg.org

 

The 7th annual Susquehanna Warrior Trail 5K run/walk in Shikshinny is coming up on April 5, starting at 10:15 AM. Registration will be open from 9-10 AM the day of the race at Oak and North Canal Streets. Entry fee is $20. Call 570-542-7946 or go to SusquehannaWarriorTrail.org for more information.

 
It's time to register for the 2014 First Columbia Teen Star musical competition, coming up on June 1 in the Haas center, Bloomsburg University. Two top winners will be selected this year - one vocalist and one instrumentalist. First place in both wins $1,500. It's open to any high school student who attends school in Columbia County. Deadline for registration is April 23. For more information call 570-387-3464.
 

The Kidsburg Rebuilding project will soon be coming to a head. Wednesday April 30th through Sunday May 4th will be Rebuild Kidsburg Week - and they need volunteers and crew captains organized now! If you are interested in helping with construction, call Deb at 301-518-7089, or go to Kidsburg.org

 

WHLM Sports

 

Phillies Baseball

The Phillies are coming! Tune in starting this Monday to catch all of the Philadelphia Phillies 2014 season. First pitch is at 2:05, coverage starts at 1:30 PM with the Phillies pregame show on the WHLM stations. 

 

Friday / March 28, 2014


Luzerne County CC

Luzerne County Community College... and their five satellite campuses... will be closed for the day. The school was shut down yesterday... after officials received an undisclosed e-mail threat. Now... officials say they're not sure when classes will resume.

 

Boston Trauma

A 1988 Bloomsburg University graduate who became one of the trauma surgeons helping the blast victims of last April's Boston Marathon bombing returned to her Alma Mater Thursday. Dr. Tracey Dechert talked about the injuries sustained by runners and spectators... saying they're not any different than other trauma cases she sees following a motor vehicle accident. Dr. Dechert has been a trauma surgeon since 2009 at the Boston Medical Center where most of the causalities from the April 15th bombing were treated.

 

Fishing Season

Trout season in 18 counties across southeastern Pennsylvania begins this weekend... with the season open across the state on April 12th. Appearing on the Thursday Edition of the WHLM Morning Buzz... PA Fish and Boat Commission executive director John Arway... says the sale of fishing licenses has been brisk. And the cost of a fishing license has remained the same for the past few years. Meantime... streams across the area are being stocked with hatchery – grown trout to make the opening day one to remember.

 

United Way

The United Way of Columbia County has released it's final toll for the 2013 capital campaign. United Way Executive Director John Thomas says $449,000 was raised. The money to either fund or partially fund the budgets of fourteen non – profit agencies.

 

Empty Bowl

What is it like to be hungry. Many of us had not had to experience that... but Sunday an event will be held to raise awareness and raise money for the Bloomsburg Food Cupboard. Jean Downing from the Bloomsburg University's SOLVE Office says this is the 12th year the Empty Bowls event has been held. The event will start at 11 O'clock Sunday in the Kehr Union ballroom at the University.

 

Alleged Theft

The former superintendent of the Northwest Area School district has surrendered to police on a charge of theft. Nancy Tkatch is accused of using a credit card from the West Side Career and Technology Center in Pringle to charge an estimated $1,800 worth of personal purchases. The alleged theft happened when she was administrative director at West Side. Since the charges came to light... Tkatch has since tendered her resignation.

 

LIHEAP
Pennsylvanians struggling to pay home heating bills, have two extra weeks to apply for financial help. The federally-funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, usually expires on April 4th... but the state has managed the program so that the application period has been extended to April 18th. Because of the harsh winter, 107,000 crisis grants have been processed. DPW has processed 357,000 applications for cash assistance with home heating costs.

 

Sugar Notch Fire

A fire marshal says a blaze which cause extensive damage to a Sugar Notch home early Thursday morning was arson. The house was located on Main Street. Investigators say the blaze began on the back porch of the vacant home.

 

WHLM Sports

BU Baseball

The Bloomsburg University baseball team swept a home doubleheader from West Chester Thursday afternoon. The Huskies won the first game 10 to 2 and the nightcap 5 to 1. Bloomsburg now has a record of 12 and 8. They will play at doubleheader at West Chester Saturday afternoon.

 

NCAA Tournament

In the NCAA men's basketball tournament Thursday night... Florida downed UCLA 79 – 68... and Dayton defeated Stanford 82 – 73.

 

NBA

In the NBA Thursday night... it was the Houston Rockets over the Philadelphia 76er's 120 – 98. The loss was the 25th consecutive for the 76ers which ties the NBA record - the 2010-2011 Cleveland Cavaliers also lost 25 straight. The Sixer's next game is Saturday night at home against the Detroit Pistons.

 

 

 

Thursday / March 27, 2014


Southern Drug Seminar

It was a drug seminar like no other... Wednesday night... at the Southern Columbia High School. Folks attending discovering the number of drugs... and the people involved in the drug trade in the area. Locust Township Police Chief Allen Breach says the problem is becoming worse... and is going downhill fast. Guest speakers included former drug users who told those assembled how they kicked the habit... something that is hard to do.

 

Berwick Shooting / Arson

A Berwick man remains in the Columbia County Prison in Bloomsburg as he faces a host of charges following his shooting last October. Berwick Police Chief Ken Strish says Tyler Joseph Arias was shot in the leg... Arias telling investigator a juvenile pulled the trigger. Later he recanted that story. Arias was also charged with arson for allegedly torching a home just days before he was shot. Arias is being held on $100,000 bail.

 

Sobriety Checkpoints

Traveling on roads in Columbia and Montour Counties this weekend... you may run into some Sobriety Checkpoints. The North Central Highway Safety Network says local police officers will be checking highways for impaired drivers. In the past... the checkpoints have been set up on State Route 487... and Route 11 in Columbia County.... as well as Route 54 in Montour County. The checkpoints are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funneling money through PennDOT.

 

Governor Corbett

After a brief meeting with Pope Francis in Rome Wednesday, Governor Tom Corbett is confident that the Pontiff will visit Pennsylvania next year. WHLM's B.J. Small reports that Governor Corbett met Pope Francis in Rome for two to three minutes, after a private meeting was canceled. The Governor and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter were there to plan for and invite the Pontiff, to attend the Eighth World Meeting of Families in the city next year. Governor Corbett admitted to feeling bit intimidated by meeting, and said it was moved outside so more people could see it. The Governor is optimistic that Pope Francis' first visit to the U.S. will be in Philadelphia.

 

Kidsburg

The rebuilding of Kidsburg in the Bloomsburg Town Park is just about a month away... and organizers are still looking for volunteers to help with the project. But Town Park Association President Chuck Wagner says by the time crews arrive... most of the heavy work on where Kidsburg will be located will have been taken care of... such as the asphalt of the old tennis court removed... and holes drilled for anchor bolts. The build gets underway on Saturday, April 30th... and runs a week. If you want to volunteer you time... go to the website Kidsburg.org.

 

County Health Rankings

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has released its annual county-by-county snapshot of health rankings. WHLM's Cathy Clark is reporting the fifth annual County Health Rankings report includes new measures of a community's health. Along with access to care and health behaviors, and social factors like childhood poverty - it looks at environmental factors including housing, transportation and access to healthy food. It's aimed at encouraging communities to make changes to improve the health outcomes. Find your county's results at countyhealthrankings.org.
 

Pottsville Fire

Investigators in Pottsville want to know what started a fire which destroyed four row homes Wednesday night. Authorities say two firefighters were hurt in the Schuylkill Avenue blaze. Three of the four homes were vacant... including where the fire started.

 

Hazleton Area Crash

Pennsylvania State Police are still investigating a two car crash at the intersection of Route 924 and Scotch Pine Drive at the entrance to the Humboldt Industrial Park. One man received head and neck injuries and was airlifted to a Bethlehem. The second driver was not injured.

 

Sherman Hills

Improvements are now taking place at the crime – ridden Sherman Hill low income housing project. A fence is now being erected around the complex. It's believed that will keep undesirable elements out. When it's completed... the fence will be eight feet high with openings for planned guardhouses.

 

PPL Plant

Operators at PPL's Susquehanna nuclear power plant... north of Berwick... reconnected the Unit 2 reactor to the electrical grid Wednesday after repairing a valve on a non-safety-related water supply pump. Operators shut the unit down last Thursday to establish the working conditions needed to perform the required maintenance on this valve. Unit 1 continues to operate at full power.

 

WHLM Sports

BU Baseball

Because of rain in the forecast for tomorrow, the baseball doubleheader between Bloomsburg University and West Chester at Danny Litwhiler Field has been rescheduled for Thursday afternoon. The first game starts at 1 o'clock.

 

BU Swimming

For the second consecutive year, Bloomsburg University swimming coach Stu Marvin has been named the PSAC men's swimming coach of the year. Marvin guided the Huskies to a runner up finish for the second straight year in the PSAC championships.

 

NCAA

The NCAA Men's basketball tournament continues Thursday night. At Memphis... Florida plays UCLA and Stanford faces Dayton. In Anaheim, Wisconsin goes against Baylor, and Arizona faces San Diego State.

 

NBA

In the NBA's top game Wednesday night... the Indiana Pacers just getting by the Miami Heat 84 to 83.

 

 

Wednesday / March 26, 2014


BU Senior Arrested

A senior at Bloomsburg University is now facing kidnap and aggravated assault charges. 22 – year old Katie Partridge is accused of grabbing a child off his bike earlier this month in Northumberland... and running off with him. The child's mother raced after Partridge... retrieving the youngster. Later... she allegedly hit a police officer.... and spit on a nurse. Although Partridge is a BU student... her address is listed in the Lehigh Valley. She remains hospitalized... and once released... will be sent to the Northumberland County Prison in Sunbury.

 

Danville Schools

An estimated 100 teachers formed an informational picket line at the Danville Area High School Tuesday night... expressing their displeasure at the lack of a contract. It happened just before the school board met. Our media partner Newswatch 16 is reporting teachers have been working without a contract since late 2012... and both side are trying to hammer out a new agreement. The next session is slated for April 16th... a day before educator's are expected to go on strike.

 

Drug Seminar

A second in a series of drug seminars will be held Wednesday night at the Southern Columbia High School in Locust Township. Columbia County Commissioner David Kovach... and State Representative Kurt Masser have partnered to present tonight's program. Appearing on a recent edition of the WHLM Morning Buzz... Kovach says there is a drug problem and he's tackling the issue head on. The program... featuring nearly a dozen speakers... begins at 6 O'clock tonight at the Southern High School on Route 487.

 

BU Logo's

Remember that dust up last week between the Southern Columbia School District and Missouri University over Southern's alleged use of Missouri's Tiger logo. The issue over the lifting of logo's is nothing new... but in today's world it's easier due to the internet. Tom McGuire is the gate keeper of the Bloomsburg University Husky logo. He cruises the internet to see if anyone has lifted the BU Husky's logo. Bloomsburg University and other high profile schools... such as the University of Georgia's Bulldog... are highly coveted by businesses who want to latch on to a successful school with a sought after mark.

 

Cash Gifts

Two state senators are introducing legislation and will ask for a rule change when it comes to state lawmakers accepting cash gifts. In light of recent headlines, Senator Lloyd Smucker says it's no longer enough to just disclose cash gifts. He and Senator Lisa Baker of Luzerne County want a ban. Their bill would prohibit lawmakers from accepting cash from lobbyists and others who seek to influence the legislative process. They will also ask for a senate rule to impose the ban on that chamber and its staff as the bill moves through the legislature.

 

PennDOT Milestone

The 102 PennDOT employees in Columbia County has reached a milestone they're proud of. They've worked a thousand days without having a disabling, lost – time injury. The agency's Rick Mason out of the Montoursville office says there's a good reason for that since everyone watches the backs of co-workers when out on the street.

 

Nanticoke Nurse

A nurse is now charged with assault and neglect following a scuffle at the Guardian Elder Care Center near Nanticoke last year. 27 – year old Tonya Harlos of Mocanaqua is accused of fighting with a patient... even allegedly covering her face with a pillow. Harlos denies the charges. She is currently locked up in the Luzerne County Jail.

 

Firefighter Accused

A 20 – year old volunteer firefighter from Mocanaqua is jailed... charged with arson... for allegedly setting fire to the double block home he rented. Corey Davis is accused of setting fire to a closet door to an Italy Street home in Mocanaqua at the beginning of the year. He later responded to the scene when the alarm was sounded as a member of the Shickshinny Volunteer Fire Company. Davis was arraigned... and denied setting the fire. He's now in the Luzerne County lockup.

 

Burn Ban

A thirty day burn ban is now in effect for Union County. In essence... Union County Commissioners imposing the ban on all outside burning due to high winds and dry conditions. The ban will be enforced by the Union County Sheriff's Department... and if you're caught burning... you could be fined 100 dollars.

 

WHLM Sports

BU Baseball

Bloomsburg University senior baseball player Brad Smith is the PSAC Eastern Division player of the week. Smith was 8 for 13 and drove in 6 runs to help the Huskies win three of four games against Lock Haven last weekend. In 18 games this season, he has a batting average of 368. The Huskies have a record of 10 and 8. They return to action Friday with a home doubleheader against West Chester.

 

Kutztown Coach

Kutztown University has a new head football coach. On Monday the school announced that Jim Clements, the head coach at Delaware Valley for the past 8 seasons, is their new head man. He succeeds Drew Folmar, who left after one season to become the offensive coordinator at Lehigh.

 

Basketball Tournament

The NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament resumed last night with second round action. Among last night's results... Connecticut downed St. Joseph's 91 – 52.... and Penn State defeated Florida 83 – 61.

 

Tuesday / March 25, 2013


Bloomsburg Town Council

A simple clarification to the Bloomsburg rental ordinance brought a protest vote against the entire law which goes into effect April 1st. The amendment voted upon Monday night by Town Council defined a “rental home...” but Councilman Fred Trump voted “no.” Trump has been against the rental ordinance since it's inception... and he told WHLM News after the meeting the rental ordinance will raise money paid by renters. The final vote for the amendment was 4 to 2... with councilperson Sylvia Costa casting the second “no” vote.

 

Frank's Burglaries

Bloomsburg police are working leads into the two burglaries which took place at Frank's Pizza in the one hundred block of East Main Street over the past few months. Not only do investigators have the usual things to go by... such as fingerprints.... but they have video surveillance of three people making off with a cash register and safe. Security consultant Eric Bower said there were no other cameras in the Pine Street parking lot to track the route of the burglars. The thefts happened in January... and just last week within an hour after the restaurant's 4 AM closing. If you have information about the burglaries... call Bloomsburg Police or 911.

 

Nor'easter

We should have nothing to be concerned about with the storm moving up the coast today... although Cape Cod in Massachusetts could see blizzard conditions. The spring snowstorm will only dust parts of southern and southeastern PA with about 1 to 3 wet inches of snow and most areas will see less than an inch according to the National Weather Service. After the storm passes by late Tuesday, we can expect milder temperatures by the end of the week. But the storm could hit Cape Cod with blizzard conditions, something to keep in mind if you have travel plans in the Northeast.

 

Danville Teachers

Teachers in the Danville Area School District may be walking the picket line next month. The teachers association has set a strike date for April 17th. That word from their union president. Although he declined to go into specifics... he did tell our media partner Newswatch 16 that teachers should be paid for the job they do.

 

Chili Cook - Off

Want an opportunity to vote for the best chili in Columbia County. You have a chance to do so this Wednesday as Downtown Bloomsburg, Incorporated presents a Chili Cook – Off at the Caldwell Consistory. During an appearance Monday on the WHLM Morning Buzz... Adrienne Mael telling Joe... there are prizes for the best of the best The event begins at 5:30 PM.... and tickets are available at the door. Want more information.... call Ms. Mael at the Columbia – Montour Chamber of Commerce.

 

Burglaries

Police in a rural section of Luzerne County are investigating a series of daylight home burglaries. The burglaries have been taking place in Dorrance and Hollenback Townships sometime between 11 AM and 1 PM... when people aren't home. Police say most of the stolen items consist of jewelry and consumer electronics which are fenced for drug money.

 

Brush Fires

Some touch and go moments Monday for volunteer firefighters in Butler Township near Hazleton. A trash fire got out of control... and spread into a corn field along Roth Road... causing a lot of concern. Firefighters from the Conyngham area extinguished the fire quickly before it spread any further.

 

Gas Prices

The price of gasoline across Northeastern Pennsylvania has come down an estimated 3 cents over the past month. The latest Triple – A fuel gauge report shows self – serve, unleaded regular is averaging $3.59 a gallon... down a penny from the weekend. In the overall scheme of things we were paying 3-62 a gallon a month ago.

 

Ray Musto

Attorney's for former State Senator Ray Musto says he's fighting cancer. That contained in a motion filed on Monday in federal court. If you recall... Musto was transferred to a federal medical facility earlier this year when his trial on corruption charges was postponed. Lawyers telling the court that Musto's non – Hodgkin's lymphoma is in it's final stages... and and the outlook for Musto is not good.

 

Texting
Pennsylvania's ban on texting while driving marked its second anniversary this month. The Triple – A has crunched the numbers. They say more than 1,2000 people were cited statewide for texting behind the wheel. Philadelphia dropped out of the top spot with a more than fifty percent reduction, replaced by Allegheny County. But the Philadelphia Metro area was still at the top of the list as numbers rose for Montgomery and Chester Counties. AAA - Mid Atlantic hopes more people are getting the message that its dangerous and illegal to text behind the wheel in PA.

 

Emerald Ash Borer

The state is trying to get the word out about an invasive species which is killing millions of trees in Pennsylvania. The emerald ash borer, a green beetle native to Asia and eastern Russia, is doing plenty of damage in the commonwealth. It cuts off the tree's ability to circulate water and nutrients... and can spread very quickly. The infestation has gone from 28 counties in 2012 to at least 47, including most of the central part of the state.

 

Truck Stop Meeting

A meeting is scheduled for Tuesday night in Sugarloaf township. It will deal with the truck traffic created by the Pilot Truck Stop at Interstate 80 and State Route 93. For neighbors who live in the area... the truck stop has been a bone of contention for years. But, truck stop management says many of the problems have been addressed. State Representative Tarah Toohill is chairing the meeting which gets underway tonight at 6:30 at the Sugarloaf Township building in Sybertsville.

 

WHLM Sports

Notre Dame Swimming

Bloomsburg High School graduate Zach Stephens is one of 8 Notre Dame swimmers who will compete at the NCAA championships Thursday through Saturday in Austin, Texas. Stephens, now a junior for the Fighting Irish, won three medals at this year's ACC swimming championships. He won gold in the 100 and 200 breastrokes and finished second in the 200 IM.

 

High School Baseball

In high school baseball Monday... Millville downed Columbia – Montour Vo – Tech 4 to 1...

 

NBA

In the NBA Monday night the Philadelphia 76er's lost for the 25th straight time as they were defeated by the San Antonio Spurs 113 to 91...

 

NHL

In the NHL.. The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 3 to 2.

 

Monday / March 24, 2014


Briar Creek Twp. Fire

A Briar Creek Township family is waking up elsewhere Monday morning after a dryer fire took off destroying their home. The structure located on First Avenue in the Briar Crest development off Route 93 in Briar Creek Township. Fire chief Craig Fisher telling our media partner Newswatch 16... the blaze began around noon Sunday when a dryer caught fire the the basement... and the Miller family thought they had it extinguished. But... that was not the case... and by the time firemen arrived the home was fully involved. Everyone getting out by the house. Two cars parked in the driveway were destroyed. Chief Fisher says several pets are unaccounted for.

 

Frank's Burglaries

Bloomsburg Police are investigating two separate burglaries at Frank's Pizza at 134 E. Main Street. BloomUtoday.com is reporting the restaurant sustained damage and thefts amounting to $1,200. The first incident taking place in January the second just last week. All of the thefts taking place within an hour after the restaurant closed at 4 AM. Three suspects were caught on surveillance video. Thieves taking a cash register and safe... then making their getaway towards Third Street. If you have information about the burglaries... call Bloomsburg Police or 911.

 

Drug Seminar / Kane

State Attorney General Kathleen Kane brought her war on drugs home to area police officers at the start of the weekend during a program at the Central Columbia High School. Ms. Kane telling cops her office is at their disposal... even in these times of tight budgets. Ms. Kane telling WHLM News that she has asked for sixteen new agents.

 

Girardville Parade

St. Patrick’s Day may have been a week ago... but don't tell that to the thousands of people who lined Main Street in Girardville on Saturday. The annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade... with folks wearin' the green and imbibing in adult beverages. Leading off the four division event.. the Hawk Mountain Highlanders Piper and Drum Corps out of Deer Lake. There were floats and marching bands from around Schuylkill County... plus fire apparatus and classic cars taking part in the 11th annual parade. Now... planning will start soon for the 2015 event.

 

Liquor Alternative

A proposal to be circulated through the House is an alternative to privatizing the state liquor store system and claims it could raise an additional $185 million annually. Representative Gene DiGirolamo, a Republican from Bucks County, says his legislation would increase customer convenience and more than double the revenue produced by the state store system. He says his plan is economically preferred to a one-time sale of the system. His plan includes increased Sunday sales, lottery sales, out of state sales and shipping into PA, flexible pricing, and consortium buying.

 

Electric Bills
Some electric customers suffered sticker shock when they opened their bills after the bitter cold this winter. WHLM's Cathy Clark reports from our Harrisburg News Bureau... while the complaints are reviewed, a state senator has introduced a bill to improve communications. Senator Lisa Boscola's bill calls on the PUC to mandate stronger consumer notifications, such as both 45 and 15 day notices before a customer could be moved from a fixed to variable rate. She would also give customers a quicker way to get out of a contract if they needed to switch suppliers.

 

Truck Stop Meeting

A meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening in Sugarloaf township dealing with the truck traffic created by the Pilot Truck Stop at Interstate 80 and State Route 93. For neighbors who live in the area... the truck stop has been a thorn in their side. But, truck stop management says many of the problems have been addressed. State Representative Tarah Toohill is chairing the meeting which gets underway Tuesday night at 6:30 at the Sugarloaf Township building in Sybertsville.

 

State Unemployment

The State Department of Labor and Industry is out with the February unemployment figures for the commonwealth. Pennsylvania’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined by two-tenths of a percentage point to 6.2 percent. The rate was its lowest since November 2008, when it also checked in at 6.2 percent. Overall... the state rate was down 1.5 percentage points from its February 2013 rate of 7.7 percent.

 

WHLM Sports

Rutherford Wrestles

A former Benton High School wrestler is an All - American. Zane Retherford, a freshman at Penn State, finished 5th at 141 pounds in the NCAA Division I championships which concluded Saturday in Oklahoma City. Retherford finished the season with a record of 37 and 5 and helped the Nittany Lions win their 4th consecutive team title.

 

BU Baseball

The Bloomsburg University baseball team split a doubleheader Sunday at Lock Haven, winning the first game 16 to nothing and losing the nightcap 7-5. The Huskies now have a record of 10 and 8. Their next action will be a Friday home doubleheader against West Chester.

 

BU Men's Tennis

The Bloomsburg University men's tennis team won its first match of the season yesterday beating Daeman College 8-1. Tuesday afternoon the Huskies have a home match against Wilkes University.

 

NCAA Basketball Tournament

The NCAA men's basketball tournament is down to the final 16 teams. Among Sunday's results previously unbeaten Wichita State lost to Kentucky 78-76. In the late games...Virginia downed Memphis 78 to 60... and Arizona slammed the door on Gonzaga 84 to 61. The tournament resumes Thursday night.

 

Weekend Sports


WHLM Sports

 

Phillies Baseball

The Phillies are coming! Tune in starting this Monday to catch all of the Philadelphia Phillies 2014 season. First pitch is at 2:05, coverage starts at 1:30 PM with the Phillies pregame show on the WHLM stations. 

Sunday / March 23, 2014


Briar Creek Twp. Fire

A Briar Creek Township family is waking up elsewhere this morning after a basement fire took off destroying the home. The home is located on First Avenue in the Briar Crest sub-division off Route 93 in Briar Creek Township. Fire chief Craig Fisher telling our media partner Newswatch 16... the blaze began around noon Sunday when a dryer caught fire the the basement... and the folks living there thought they had it out... but by the time firemen arrived on the scene the home was fully involved. Everyone getting out by the house and two cars were destroyed. Chief Fisher says at least one dog is unaccounted for.

 

Frank's Burglaries

Bloomsburg Police are investigating two separate burglaries at Frank's Pizza at 134 E. Main Street. BloomUtoday.com is reporting the restaurant sustained damage and thefts amounting to $1,200. The first incident taking place in January the second just last week. The two thefts taking place within an hour after the restaurant closed at 4 AM. Three suspects were caught on surveillance video. Thieves making off with a cash registers and safe... then making their getaway towards Third Street. If you have information about the burglaries... call Bloomsburg Police or 911.

What's Happening Sunday, March 23, 2014


 

The Danville High School Drama Club will present their Spring performance this weekend. "Working" is based on a book by Studs Turkel, and takes a look at the hopes and dreams of the American workforce. Showtime is 2 PM this afternoon. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students. Call the Middle School box office at 570-271-3268

 

Nescopeck Borough Volunteer Fire Company will hold a chineese auction this Sunday from 11 AM - 2 PM. The hall is on Warren Street in Nescopeck.

 

Bloomsburg Christian Church at 107 Deussen Drive will hold an old-fashioned ice cream social and hymn sing this Sunday evening. Everyone is invited to attend.

 

Toddler Time is back at the Bloomsburg Public Library this Monday morning. Bring your kids ages 18 months to 3 years old at 9:15 AM for twenty minutes of stories, music, movement, and fun! All children must be accompanied by and adult. The library is on Market Street in downtown Bloomsburg.

 

Holy Family Convent in Danville is selling homemade soup and sandwiches every Wednesday during Lent. Soups are $4.50 a quart or $8.50 for a half gallon. Subs are just $4 each. This week's soups are Chili Con Carne and Butternut Squash Bisque. Call 570-275-3121. Orders can be picked up from Noon - 4 PM. The Convent is at #1 Montour Street in Danville.

 

The 2014 Downtown Bloomsburg Chili Cook-Off is coming up this Wednesday night, from 5:30 - 8 PM at the Caldwell Consistory on Market Square. Chilis can be entered into one of 3 categories: Traditional, Spicy, and Willy-Nilly Chili. Entry into the cook-off is $15 per chili. Admission is $8 ahead of time, or $10 at the door. Top prizes include downtown gift certificates for as much as $100. Call 570-784-2522 for more information, or go to VisitBloomsburg.com

 

It's your last chance to experience the thrilling intrigue of The 39 Steps this weekend at BTE. The show is an adaptation of the novel by John Buchan and the film by Alfred Hitchcock. The 39 Steps is full of inventive staging, mistaken identity, punny coincidences, and an unforgettable race to discover the central secret: just what are the 39 steps? For tickets and information, check out BTE under Our Partners at the top of the page.

 

Holy Family School in Berwick is registering students for all-day Pre K and Kindergarten classes. Scholarships are availible. Applications must be in by March 31. Call 570-752-2021 or go to HFSBerwick.org for more information.

 

The 7th annual Susquehanna Warrior Trail 5K run/walk in Shikshinny is coming up on April 5, starting at 10:15 AM. Registration will be open from 9-10 AM the day of the race at Oak and North Canal Streets. Entry fee is $20. Call 570-542-7946 or go to SusquehannaWarriorTrail.org for more information.

 

 

The Kidsburg Rebuilding project will soon be coming to a head. Wednesday April 30th through Sunday May 4th will be Rebuild Kidsburg Week - and they need volunteers and crew captains organized now! If you are interested in helping with construction, call Deb at 301-518-7089, or go to Kidsburg.org

What's Happening Saturday, March 22, 2014


 

The 7th annual Susquehanna Warrior Trail 5K run/walk in Shikshinny is coming up on April 5, starting at 10:15 AM. Registration will be open from 9-10 AM the day of the race at Oak and North Canal Streets. Entry fee is $20 - or $17 if you enter by today! Call 570-542-7946 or go to SusquehannaWarriorTrail.org for more information.

 

Come out to the Northern Columbia Community and Cultural Center in Benton today for their Spring indoor yard sale. More than 30 vendors will be on hand. Doors open from 7 AM - 1 PM. The center is at 42 Community Drive - behind the Benton Fire Hall.

 

The Danville High School Drama Club will present their Spring performance this weekend. "Working" is based on a book by Studs Turkel, and takes a look at the hopes and dreams of the American workforce. Showtimes are 8 PM tonight, and 2 PM on Sunday afternoon. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students. Call the Middle School box office at 570-271-3268

 

The free Wheelchair Engineers program at the Columbia Mall in Buckhorn, with its handicapped-accessible model train layouts, will be open from Noon - 4 PM every Saturday at the Sears end of the mall. Everyone is welcome.

 

The Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International will hold a meeting this morning at 10AM at the Spirit Life Church at 1338 Old Berwick Road. The speaker will be Evangelist John Killian. Coffee and snacks will be provided - everyone is welcome. For more information, call 570-799-0231

 

The Montour-DeLong Fair Association is holding another all-you-can-eat haddock dinner this evening from 3-7 PM. Cost is $12 for adults, $6 for kids 6-12, and free for kids 5 and under. Any active-duty militart personnel who come in uniform will get their dinner for free. Take-out is availible: call 570-437-2178. The Fairgrounds are at 2628 Broadway Road in Danville.

 

S.M.I.L.E.'s third annual basket auction is coming up this afternoon at the Berwick Elks on 3rd Street. Doors open at 1 PM, the auction runs from 2-5 PM. The event is to help provide educational life skills for single mothers and their children.

 

Straub's Lutheran Church in Danville is holding a family-style Roast Beef Dinner this evening from 3 - 6 PM. They will also be selling homemade ice cream by the quart. Take-out is availible: call 570-452-3837. The church is at 60 Frosty Valley Road in Danville.

 

Town Hill UMC in Shickshinny is holding a family-style ham dinner this evening from 4:30 - 6:30 PM. Cost is $8 for adults and $4 for kids under 12. Take-out is availible. The church is at 417 Town Hill Road.

 

Nescopeck Borough Volunteer Fire Company will hold a chineese auction this Sunday from 11 AM - 2 PM. The hall is on Warren Street in Nescopeck.

 

Bloomsburg Christian Church at 107 Deussen Drive will hold an old-fashioned ice cream social and hymn sing this Sunday evening. Everyone is invited to attend.

 

Toddler Time is back at the Bloomsburg Public Library this Monday morning. Bring your kids ages 18 months to 3 years old at 9:15 AM for twenty minutes of stories, music, movement, and fun! All children must be accompanied by and adult. The library is on Market Street in downtown Bloomsburg.

 

The 2014 Downtown Bloomsburg Chili Cook-Off is coming up this Wednesday night, from 5:30 - 8 PM at the Caldwell Consistory on Market Square. Chilis can be entered into one of 3 categories: Traditional, Spicy, and Willy-Nilly Chili. Entry into the cook-off is $15 per chili. Admission is $8 ahead of time, or $10 at the door. Top prizes include downtown gift certificates for as much as $100. Call 570-784-2522 for more information, or go to VisitBloomsburg.com

 

It's your last chance to experience the thrilling intrigue of The 39 Steps this weekend at BTE. The show is an adaptation of the novel by John Buchan and the film by Alfred Hitchcock. The 39 Steps is full of inventive staging, mistaken identity, punny coincidences, and an unforgettable race to discover the central secret: just what are the 39 steps? For tickets and information, check out BTE under Our Partners at the top of the page.

 

Holy Family School in Berwick is registering students for all-day Pre K and Kindergarten classes. Scholarships are availible. Applications must be in by March 31. Call 570-752-2021 or go to HFSBerwick.org for more information.

 

The Kidsburg Rebuilding project will soon be coming to a head. Wednesday April 30th through Sunday May 4th will be Rebuild Kidsburg Week - and they need volunteers and crew captains organized now! If you are interested in helping with construction, call Deb at 301-518-7089, or go to Kidsburg.org

Friday / March 21, 2013


Briar Creek Twp. Drug Bust

Two Briar Creek Township residents are in the Columbia County prison... after they were busted on drug charges Thursday. The Press – Enterprise is reporting in Friday's edition... 29 – year old Ronald Robbins... and 26 – year old Nicole Morgret face a host of charges. Police raiding the couple's mobile home at the Berlin trailer court near Ber – Vaughn Park. Robbins admitting to manufacturing meth... then tossing out the residue in household garbage.

 

Drug Charges

A former member of the Shamokin Area School Board... who at one time taught... has been arraigned on charges he worked with a drug ring to allegedly obtain cocaine for personal use. 64 – year old Daniel Venn of Coal Township was arraigned Thursday on misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance... and criminal conspiracy. Venn appeared before District Judge John Gembic and released on $20,000 unsecured bail.

 

Poverty Workshop

The Berwick Area United Way holds an all – day workshop Friday dealing with poverty in the area. The participants will be asked to take part in simulations... where they have to decide between buying food or paying the rent... so says United Way CEO Ginny Crake. The Poverty Summit and Workshop begins Friday morning at the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation in the 700 block of West Front Street in Berwick.

 

Water Leaks

United Water of Bloomsburg... the supplier of drinking water to the area... and the Environmental Protection Agency are partnering in a program encouraging homeowners to fix leaks around the home. Utility spokesman Bob Manbeck says having a leaky faucet... toilet or shower head can waste a lot of water... quickly. Manbeck says a leaks can lead to the waste of 10,000 gallons of water a year... equating to 270 loads of laundry. Meantime... United Water is doing it's part to fix their leaks in the water distribution system. Manbeck says the company uses highly sophisticated equipment during the overnight hours to check the main distribution lines.

 

Fatal Accident Charges

A Berwick woman involved in a fatal crash earlier this month.. faces careless driving and failure to yield charges. Friday's edition of the Press – Enterprise is reporting... 77 – year old Catherine Miller pulled into the path of 55 – year old Kirk Williams at the intersection of Cross Road and Route 11. The impact instantly killed Williams... a well known auctioneer from Eyers Grove. Miller was injured and treated for her injuries at Geisinger Medical Center. She faces fines and fees of $700.

 

Transportation

With the onset of spring, the season for road and bridge construction in Pennsylvania is moving up the calendar. The state's new $2.4 billion transportation law will be sprouting projects next month. Governor Tom Corbett says work on roads and bridges will be announced after the first of April. The Governor says roads have already been seasoned with salt, from funding from the new bill. Increased liquid fuel prices are helping to fund the infrastructure and mass transit projects.

 

Nurse

A Carbon County nurse has been arrested by police... after allegedly stealing pills meant for nursing home residents. 29 – year old Keri McCardle of Palmerton is accused of stealing pills and drug patches that were to be used by residents of the Weatherwood Nursing and Rehab Center in Weatherly. Now... she faces a host of charges.

 

Trooper Innocent

A not guilty verdict for a suspended Pennsylvania State Trooper. 36 – year old Carrie Gula innocent of charges of computer trespass... and making a false report to law enforcement. Gula was accused of hacking into her boyfriends cell phone account... they lying to police about a dust up she had. Now... all Gula wants is her job back as a state trooper.

 

Karen Boback

State Representative Karen Boback says she will meet with constituents Friday afternoon during a special open house event. It takes place at Ms. Boback's district office on Twin Stacks Drive in Dallas. The meet and greet begins at 2 O'clock.

 

Flooding

It could be a busy wildfire season out west due to dry conditions, while Pennsylvania faces an elevated risk of minor flooding. Water in the snow pack and increased soil moisture where snowmelt has already occurred will put Pennsylvania at risk of seeing minor flooding this spring, especially along the Susquehanna and Delaware River basins. Government forecaster s say there's an equal chance for PA to be at, above or below normal for both rainfall and temperatures this spring.
 

WHLM Sports

BU Wrestling

Bloomsburg University's Josh Veltre won both of his matches Thursday on the opening day of the NCAA Division One wrestling championships in Oklahoma City. Wrestling at 165 pounds, Veltre upset 5th seeded Nick Moore of Iowa 15-7 and then beat Ryan Leblanc of Indiana 5-2. Four other Husky wrestlers stayed alive in the tournament by winning one match and losing one. They are Bruce Busler at 149 pounds, Mike Dessino at 174, Richard Perry at 197 pounds, and Justin Grant at 285.

 

Zach Rutherford

Former Benton High School star Zach Rutherford, wrestling for Penn State, won both of his matches at 141 pounds.

 

BU Baseball

The Bloomsburg University baseball team opens their home and PSAC East schedules with a doubleheader against Lock Haven tomorrow afternoon at Danny Litwhiler Field. The Huskies have a 7 and 7 record while Lock Haven is 8 and 4. Saturday's first game starts at 1 o'clock.

 

NCAA Tournament

The three Pennsylvania schools in the NCAA men's basketball tournament- Pitt, Saint Joseph's, and Villanova- all saw action Thursday. Pitt routed Colorado 77 – 48... Saint Joe's lost to Connecticut 89 - 81 in overtime... and Villanova defeated Milwaukee 73 to 53.

 

Thursday / March 20, 2014


PPL Plant

Operators at PPL's Susquehanna Steam Electric station north of Berwick disconnected the Unit 2 reactor from the electrical grid Thursday morning to repair a valve on a non-safety-related water supply pump. That unit came back on line earlier this week after maintenance was preformed on turbine blades. A utility spokesman says shutting down the unit will establish the working conditions needed to perform the required maintenance on this valve. Unit 1 continues to operate at full power.

 

New Bishop

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg has a new Bishop. Installation ceremonies were held Wednesday at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Harrisburg for Bishop Ronald Gainer... originally from Pottsville. He's the 11th Bishop of the Diocese... made up of fifteen counties including Luzerne. Bishop Gainer leads an estimated 250 – thousand parishioners... and replaces Bishop Joseph McFadden who died last May.

 

Drug Program / Kovach

Illicit drugs are everywhere.... from schools... to apartments... to rolling labs going up and down the highways. Now... Columbia County Commissioner David Kovach says he'll be holding a drug education program next week at the Southern Columbia High School. The Kovach drug seminar... held with the help of state representative Kurt Masser... takes place next Wednesday night at the Southern Columbia High School... beginning at 6 O'clock.

 

Renegade Candidate
The renegade candidate trying to challenge Governor Tom Corbett in May's Republican primary is trying to fend off challenges to his petitions and his candidacy. Bob Guzzardi submitted petitions last week to get on the Republican ballot. To be a listed candidate, you need 2,000 signatures, with at least 100 from each of 10 different counties. Guzzardi says he believes his petitions will withstand any scrutiny. He also also failed to file a financial disclosure report, which he says he took care of Wednesday morning. Guzzardi is not fund raising and only plans to spend about $10,000 of his own money on the campaign...

 

Celebrate Berwick

Planning is well underway for the second annual Celebrate Berwick event in early May. Amy Shortledge of the Columbia – Montour Chamber of Commerce says it's a way to place a positive spin on a community that has meant so much to the area. Ms. Shortledge says this year's event will take place Saturday, May 10th.... with businesses up and down Front Street participating.

 

Minimum Wage
The push continues to raise the minimum wage in Pennsylvania, with several bills before the legislature. Raise the Wage PA thinks the minimum should be 10 dollars 10 cents an hour with a cost of living adjustment. The group also opposes a separate minimum wage for tip workers. Senator Christine Tartaglione has replaced her original proposal to match the 10 dollar 10 cent hourly minimum but she still supports a separate tip wage rate of 70 percent of the minimum wage.

 

Merger

Pennsylvania is the only state with separate game and fish commissions, and it's likely to stay that way, says a leading proponent of merging the agencies. Rep. Robert Godshall... a Republican from Montgomery County... says he believes the agencies should merge. Consolidating the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission would save about $5 million annually, according to a detailed report released on Wednesday by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee. It's an issue that has been debated periodically for 60 years.

 

Ordinance Consolidation

Further discussions are expected next week... as Luzerne County Government considers placing ordinances and resolutions that date back more than a hundred years on – line. During their meeting this week... the Luzerne County Commission mandate home – rule government calls for the codifying of ordinances. Meantime... the county has received three proposals to do the job.

 

Coughlin Teacher

The dean of students and wrestling coach at Coughlin High School in Wilkes – Barre is accused of having sex with a female student. The incident allegedly happened ten years ago... and now Stephen Stahl was ordered to stand trial on a charge of sex abuse. A district magistrate decided there is evidence for a trial. No date has been set.

 

District Courts

The Freeland – based magisterial district court will be eliminated in early May. That's when Magisterial District Judge Gerald Feissner plans to retire. The court was to phased out in January of 2018. Feissner's retirement will lead to the redistricting of district courts.

 

Police Dog

The state House of Representatives has unanimously passed legislation named for a slain police K-9 that will toughen felony charges against anyone who hurts a police dog. House Bill 2026, also known as “Rocco's Law,” will allow prosecutors to charge anyone who kills a K-9 with a second-degree felony. The penalty would be a maximum fine of $25,000 and 10 years in prison. Current law carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.

 

Wednesday / March 19, 2014


PPL Unit 2

Operators at the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station north of Berwick reconnected the Unit 2 generator to the regional electric grid this week after completing a planned inspection of its turbines. Workers replaced several dozen blades to enhance safe and reliable operations until next spring's refueling outage. No cracked blades were found, which is consistent with the data being received from the turbine's extensive monitoring system. Plant engineers will continue to closely monitor blade performance.

 

Millard / Flood Insurance

The state house has moved to approve a resolution sponsored by Berwick Republican David Millard. He's calling on congress to complete action on legislation to prevent flood insurance rates from skyrocketing for thousands of PA homeowners. The expiration last year of funding to support the federally guaranteed National Flood Insurance Program is threatening huge increases in flood insurance premiums nationwide.

 

Mifflinville Fire

A malfunctioning ceiling fan appears to have been the cause of a small fire yesterday at Berwick Medical Professionals on West Third Street in Mifflinville. Firemen from Espy to Berwick were called to the building around 9:30 Tuesday morning to douse some flames. Folks waiting to start appointments got out of the building safely.

 

Mt.Top Restaurant

Still no word as to the cause of a fire which destroyed a popular Mountain Top restaurant in Butler Township along Route 309. Damenti's went up in flames late Monday night. Although no cause has been assigned... investigators say it began in the kitchen. It's not known if the owners will try and rebuild the establishment.

 

Susquehanna University

Starting next fall... students who attend Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove will be required to live on – campus. A spokesperson for the University says with the addition of new dormitories... it makes it possible for all full – time students to live on school grounds. In the past... students were allowed to live off campus due to the housing crunch. Lycoming College and Bucknell University have a similar housing policy in effect.

 

Bishop Installation

The Diocese of Harrisburg will welcome its 11th Bishop at a Mass of Installation at mid afternoon Wednesday. The Most Reverend Ronald Gainer will be installed as the Bishop of Harrisburg during an Installation Mass starting at 2 O'clock. His influence will be felt up and down the Susquehanna Valley. The Mass can be viewed online and at select TV outlets. The mass includes a procession of 25 to 30 cardinals and bishops. Bishop Gainer follows Bishop Joseph McFadden, who died last May. The Diocese includes 15 counties and 250,000 Catholics.

 

Gas Royalties

A bill in the state House would prevent natural gas companies from short-changing landowners on royalty money. WHLM's B.J. Small is reporting from our Harrisburg News Bureau drilling companies have been deducting processing and transporting costs from the royalties they pay landowners and it's shortchanging the 12.5 % royalties that have been outlined in a 1979 state law. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Garth Everett of Lycoming County, says it hasn't been easy bill to push. The Marcellus Shale Coalition calls the bill unconstitutional and a vast legislative over-reach.

 

WHLM Sports

HS Basketball

The final District 4 high school basketball team remaining in the state playoffs was eliminated Tuesday night. Saint John Neumann from Williamsport lost to Math, Civics, and Science from Philadelphia in a boys Class A state semifinal. The final was 76-53.

 

Division 2 Basketball

In Division 2 men's college basketball Tuesday night, PSAC champ East Stroudsburg lost to West Liberty 89-82 in the Atlantic Region final.

 

Southern Columbia

Southern Columbia High School wrestling coach Jerry Marks has been named the Heartland Conference Division 3 Coach of the year. Marks led the Tigers to the division title.

 

BU Wrestling

Six Bloomsburg University wrestlers will compete in the NCAA Division One championships. Those championships begin Thursday at Oklahoma City.

 

NCAA Tourney

The NCAA men's basketball tournament opened last night in Dayton, Ohio. In the first game, Albany defeated Mount Saint Mary's 71-64. In the second game North Carolina State downed Xavier 74 – 59. Wednesday night in Dayton, Iowa plays Tennessee and Cal Poly plays Texas Southern.

 

Tuesday / March 18, 2013


Voter Registration

The Columbia County Voter Registration office remains busy as we head into an off – year election. Chief Registrar Matt Repasky says April 21st is a deadline day for several issues. You can either sign up to vote... change you status or request an absentee ballot by simply going into see Mr. Repasky at the Courthouse Annex on Main Street in Bloomsburg.

 

Lou Barletta

Congressman Lou Barletta is back in the district this week... pressing the flesh and meeting with a lot of people. Tuesday afternoon... the Hazleton Republican is in Elizabethville in Dauphin County. There... he'll visit a volunteer fire company. Mr. Barletta is expected to talk about the congress and senate voting for the repeal of a portion of ObamaCare which forced departments to consider volunteers as employees. That... he said on the floor of the house... would bankrupt many departments... leaving municipalities without fire protection.

 

Car Vs. Train

A Scott Township man escaped injury Monday... when he drove his car into the path of a North Shore Railroad freight train. The Press – Enterprise is reporting in Tuesday's edition... 21 – year old Justin Mussleman of Almedia didn't see the train as he began crossing the rails at Bissett's Lane. That's when his foreign compact and the right front of locomotive collided. Police say Mussleman will be cited for the accident.

 

Universities

Pennsylvania colleges and universities which operate in the black could strike out on their own... under a bill introduced in the state senate. Republican Senator Tommy Tomlinson says his measure would let institutions of higher education with enrollment of more than 7 - thousand transfer out of the PASSHE system... as long as they can compensate the system for the depreciated value of their property... and can keep making contributions to pension obligations. Tomlinson says the PASSHE system has experienced a decline in enrollment in recent years... and many universities are struggling financially.

 

NEPA Gas Prices

The average price for self – serve, unleaded regular gasoline is slowly coming down across northeastern Pennsylvania. The latest Triple – A Fuel Gauge report shows we're paying an average of $3.60 a gallon... down a penny from the weekend and down two cents from a week ago.

 

Butler Twp. Fire

Fire investigators are expected to be on scene today trying to figure out what started a blaze which leveled Damenti's Restaurant late Monday night. The business is located in Butler Township... along Route 309 near Hazleton. Flames were first discovered around 11 O'clock Monday night... with the fire getting a pretty good head start.

 

Ashley Park

The water is running again at a Luzerne County mobile home park. Residents at Ashley Park have been without water since Saturday. That's when a pipe broke underground and was repaired in short order. About a hundred people were effected by the water outage.

 

Crack Sealing

A PennDOT maintenance crew will be preforming crack – sealing operations along Interstate 80 near Mifflinville the next few days. The Agency's Rick Mason says a crew will be working in the westbound lanes from the Columbia – Luzerne County line to about a mile east of the Mifflinville exit. Some of the lanes will be closed... so there may be a traffic bottleneck. The work is expected to be wrapped up by the end of the week.

 

Attorney General Probe

The state attorney general outlined to reporters in Harrisburg Monday... why she felt a secret investigation of elected officials that started long before she took office was too flawed to proceed or even reboot. WHLM's Cathy Clark reports Attorney General Kathleen Kane says the probe involving an informant posing as a lobbyist was dead before she even took office. She says it was mismanaged, failed to employ traditional law enforcement methods and targeted African – American public officials.

And she says the informant was tainted after charges against him were dropped. Audio tapes caught four state lawmakers from Philadelphia and a judge allegedly accepting cash or gifts.

 

Campaign Financing 

Democratic candidates for governor are speaking out for campaign finance reform. WHLM's B.J. Small working out of our Harrisburg News Bureau says as the field of Democrats seeking the nomination for Pennsylvania Governor dwindled to five, candidates denounced campaign financing. Republican Governor Tom Corbett supports the current law. The Democrats would rather see public financing of statewide campaigns. PA is among seven states with minimal campaign contributions limits. A recent federal ruling may have wiped out the limits that do exist for corporate and union spending

 

WHLM Sports

BU Women

The Bloomsburg University women's basketball team played Edinboro last night in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region final. WHLM's Larry What who called the game for us says Bloomsburg's Cinderella season came to an end... as they were defeated by Edinboro 82 – 76. The men's Atlantic Region final will be played Tuesday night. East Stroudsburg is at home against West Liberty.

 

High School Basketball

In high school basketball, the only District 4 team still alive in the state playoffs is the boys team - Saint John Neumann from Williamsport. Tuesday night at East Pennsboro High School, Saint John Neumann plays Math, Civics, and Science from Philadelphia in a Class A state semifinal.

 

NCAA

The NCAA men's basketball tournament begins Tuesday night with two games in Dayton, Ohio. Albany takes on Mount Saint Mary's and North Carolina State plays Xavier.

 

 

Monday / March 17, 2014


 

Nescopeck Fire

Still no word as to what caused a fire early Saturday evening which destroyed a Nescopeck home. The fire began at the rear of the multi – story structure in the 500 block of Cooper Street shortly after 5 O'clock. Authorities say Rick Sitler, his son, Steven and their three dogs escaped the flames. It took firefighters several hours to squelch the blaze.

 

Modular Systems

With word recently of a Long Island company ready to set up shop in South Center Township to produce modular homes... there are some who question incentives to lure companies to a location. But, for Steve Phillips of the Berwick Industrial Development Association who brokered the deal with Modular Steel Systems, incentives are a way of doing business. Under the deal... Modular Steel Systems will invest $400,000 in the former Design Homes building... and will receive an estimated $222,000 for training... job creation and tax credits.

 

Wind Turbine Fire

It's not a sight seen in our area. Flames shooting from a wind turbine near Mahanoy City. What's still not known how the fire started early Saturday evening at the Locust Ridge Wind Farm. No one was hurt... and the company which operates the farm let the fire burn out by itself.

 

Poverty Conference

What is it like to live in poverty. Not many of us know... but on Friday the Berwick Area United Way will hold a workshop dealing with poverty and it's effect on families... and it includes a simulation for those attending... so says Berwick United Way CEO Ginny Crake. Ms. Crake says that could come down to buying food or paying the rent. The conference takes place Friday at the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation in the 700 block of West Front Street in Berwick.

 

PennDOT / Higher Fees

Pennsylvanians will soon be paying higher fees for a host of motor vehicle and driver services from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. A published report says that beginning April 1st we'll pay higher costs for title certificates... personalized licenses plates... and more than 30 other fee categories. The higher fees were approved as part of the transportation infrastructure law passed late last year that also is boosting gasoline taxes by an estimate of more than a quarter a gallon over several years.

 

Wildfires

We might still be in the grips of winter, but it will only take a few days of spring like temperatures, low humidity and a brisk wind to raise the risk of wildfires. WHLM's Cathy Clark says the harsh winter left a lot of debris behind-- and one of the top causes of brush and wildfires is open burning. Randy White, of the state Bureau of Forestry, says people are responsible for most wildfires. He says it's better to recycle yard waste through mulching or community pick ups.

 

Hazleton Shooting

A Hazleton man is locked up... in prison after he allegedly shot another man several times Saturday morning. 25 – year old Hector Luis Alvarez is being held on a half – million dollars bail after a shooting at the corner of sixth and grant streets. The man who was shot was not identified, but is in an Allentown hospital after undergoing surgery.

 

Wilkes – Barre Stabbing

More troubles at the beleaguered Sherman Hills low income housing project in Wilkes – Barre last night. Cops were called there Sunday night to investigate a domestic disturbance which escalated into a stabbing. A man telling police he and his gal pal were arguing when she allegedly stabbed him and took off. The victim was hustled to a Wilkes – Barre hospital for treatment.

 

Water Woes

Crews will work Monday at an Ashley mobile home park... attempting to restore water service. Residents at Ashley Park have been without water all weekend. Several hundred of them have had to get water from a large water buffalo brought in by Pennsylvania American Water. But it appears to be a broken pipe inside the park... and not a problem of the utility.

 

WHLM Sports

BU Women's Basketball

The Huskies' superb season came to a close on Monday night when they lost to fellow PSAC members Edinboro in the NCAA Atlantic Regional Championshp game. Bloomsburg led for most of the game, but the Fighting Scots steadily crept up and eventually took an 82-76 win. Edinboro will advance to the Elite Eight next week. Bloomsburg ends their season with a 26-5 record. You can hear the details from the evening with Larry White in the WHLM Husky Post-Game Report:

 

 

Bloomsburg Swimming

Bloomsburg High School swimmer Noah Crawford won four medals at the state championships which concluded Saturday at Bucknell University. Crawford's best finish earned him a gold medal in the 100 breaststroke and helped the Panthers to a 4th place finish in the team standings.

 

College Basketball

In college basketball Sunday... in the ACC final, Virginia beat Duke 72-63; in the Big Ten championship game, it was Michigan State 69 and Michigan 55; and in the SEC final, it was Florida 61 Kentucky 60.

 

NCAA Tournament

Sunday night, the NCAA tournament pairings were announced. The four number one seeds went to Florida, Arizona, Wichita State, and Virginia.

 

NHL

In the NHL Sunday, the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3

 

NASCAR

Carl Edwards wins the rain - delayed 500 lap NASCAR Cup Series event at the Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee.

 

 

Weekend Sports


 

WHLM Sports

 

BU Women

The Huskies proved their mettle in Saturday night's victory over #9 Glennville State in the NCAA Atlantic Regionals. Bloomsburg led from the outset in a game that ended 91-78. You can hear the details in the WHLM Husky Post-Game Report with Larry White:

 

 

Bloomsburg moves on to face fellow PSAC members Edinboro in the Atlanic Regional championship game Monday night. Tip-off is at 7 PM, our coverage on the WHLM stations starts with the Pregame at 6:40.

What's Happening Sunday, March 16, 2014


Experience the thrilling intrigue of The 39 Steps at BTE. The show is an adaptation of the novel by John Buchan and the film by Alfred Hitchcock. The 39 Steps is full of inventive staging, mistaken identity, punny coincidences, and an unforgettable race to discover the central secret: just what are the 39 steps? The show runs through Wednesday, March 26th. For tickets and information, check out BTE under Our Partners at the top of the page.

 

St Joseph Church in Berwick is holding an all-you-can-eat pasta dinner today from 11:30 AM - 2 PM. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12, and free for kids 5 and under. Tickets will be available at the door, and take-out will be available. The church Hall is at 721 Monroe Street in Berwick.

 

Columbia County Christian School will hold an open house this Monday evening from 6-7:30 PM for their Learning Center, Kindergarten, and Kindergarten Readiness programs. The school is at 123 Schoolhouse road in Buckhorn. For more information, call 570-784-2977, or go to CCChristianSchool.com

 

The Berwick Anti-Drug Alliance will give a presentation and community discussion at the McBride Memorial Library on Monday the 17th at 6 PM. The topic will be: Families In Crisis - Where to turn when loved-ones are addicted. The Library is on Market Street in Berwick.

 

This Wednesday there will be a blood drive from 1 - 6 PM at the Anthony Township Municipal Building at 1295 White Hall Road in Turbotville. To schedule an appointment, go to RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-Red-Cross

 

The Kidsburg Rebuilding project will soon be coming to a head. Wednesday April 30th through Sunday May 4th will be Rebuild Kidsburg Week - and they need volunteers and crew captains organized now! If you are interested in helping with construction, call Deb at 301-518-7089, or go to Kidsburg.org

 

WHLM Sports

BU Women

The Huskies proved their mettle in Saturday night's victory over #9 Glennville State in the NCAA Atlantic Regionals. Bloomsburg led from the outset in a game that ended 91-78. You can hear the details in the WHLM Husky Post-Game Report with Larry White:

 

 

Bloomsburg moves on to face fellow PSAC members Edinboro in the Atlanic Regional championship game Monday night. Tip-off is at 7 PM, our coverage on the WHLM stations starts with the Pregame at 6:40.

What's Happening Saturday, March 15, 2014


Roaring Creek Valley UMC (Formerly Mt. Zion) is offering breakfast for a donation this morning from 7 - 9:30 AM. Proceeds will benefit Agape and Haven Ministry. The church is at 6 Orchard Drive in Catawissa.

 

The Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society will hold a Chinese auction this afternoon at the history center at 201 S. Main St. Doors open at noon - the auction starts at 1:30 PM. Refreshments will be available. For more information, call 570-462-3626.

 

Strawberry Ridge United Church of Christ is hosting an all-you-can-eat homestyle chicken and waffle dinner today from 1 - 6 PM. Cost for adults is $10, $5 for children 6-12, and free for kids under 6 years old. Take-out is available. The church is at #1 West Diehl Road in Danville, near the Washingtonville plant.

 

A memorial service For area Auctioneer Kirk Williams will be held today at 6 PM. Family will recieve friends starting at 3 PM at the auction house on Route 42 in Eyers Grove.

 

Experience the thrilling intrigue of The 39 Steps at BTE. The show is an adaptation of the novel by John Buchan and the film by Alfred Hitchcock. The 39 Steps is full of inventive staging, mistaken identity, punny coincidences, and an unforgettable race to discover the central secret: just what are the 39 steps? The show runs through Wednesday, March 26th. For tickets and information, check out BTE under Our Partners at the top of the page.

 

St Joseph Church in Berwick is holding an all-you-can-eat pasta dinner this Sunday from 11:30 AM - 2 PM. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12, and free for kids 5 and under. Tickets will be available at the door, and take-out will be available. The church Hall is at 721 Monroe Street in Berwick.

 

Columbia County Christian School will hold an open house this Monday evening from 6-7:30 PM for their Learning Center, Kindergarten, and Kindergarten Readiness programs. The school is at 123 Schoolhouse road in Buckhorn. For more information, call 570-784-2977, or go to CCChristianSchool.com

 

The Berwick Anti-Drug Alliance will give a presentation and community discussion at the McBride Memorial Library on Monday the 17th at 6 PM. The topic will be: Families In Crisis - Where to turn when loved-ones are addicted. The Library is on Market Street in Berwick.

 

This Wednesday there will be a blood drive from 1 - 6 PM at the Anthony Township Municipal Building at 1295 White Hall Road in Turbotville. To schedule an appointment, go to RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-Red-Cross

 

The Kidsburg Rebuilding project will soon be coming to a head. Wednesday April 30th through Sunday May 4th will be Rebuild Kidsburg Week - and they need volunteers and crew captains organized now! If you are interested in helping with construction, call Deb at 301-518-7089, or go to Kidsburg.org

 

WHLM Sports

BU Women

The Huskies proved their mettle in Saturday night's victory over #9 Glennville State in the NCAA Atlantic Regionals. Bloomsburg led from the outset in a game that ended 91-78. You can hear the details in the WHLM Husky Post-Game Report with Larry White:

 

 

Bloomsburg moves on to face fellow PSAC members Edinboro in the Atlanic Regional championship game Monday night. Tip-off is at 7 PM, our coverage on the WHLM stations starts with the Pregame at 6:40.

 

HS Basketball

There were two District 4 high school basketball teams still in the state playoff quarterfinal games Friday night at Hazleton Area High School. In the first game the Saint John Neumann boys team beats New Hope Academy 78-68 in a Class A quarterfinal. In a girls AA game Friday night Mount Carmel fell to Dunmore 58-21.

 

Henry Hynoski

According to ESPN's Adam Shefter, former Southern Columbia star Henry Hynoski has agreed to return to the New York Giants on a one year deal worth one million dollars. As a free agent, Hynoski had visited the Detroit Lions but chose to come back to New York where he has played for the first three seasons of his NFL career.

Friday / March 14, 2014


 

Bloomsburg Robbery

Still no suspect in custody in the attempted armed robbery of two Bloomsburg University students in the 200 block of Iron Street early Thursday morning. Bloomsburg Police say the pair was approached by a man wearing a red ski mask. The would – be bandit brandished a knife... demanding money.... but he eventually walked away empty handed. The person was last seen heading south on Center Street. If you have information about the attempted armed robbery... call Bloomsburg Police.

 

Kidsburg

We're getting closer to the date when the reconstruction of Kidburg begins. Starting April 30th... and running through May 4th... hundreds of volunteers will donate their time to build the play area in Bloomsburg Town Park. Appearing on the WHLM Morning Buzz on Thursday... Park Association President Chuck Wagner says prior to the build... the area will be prepped before the actual construction begins. If you want to help build Kidsburg 2.0 just go to their website at Kidsburg.org and sign up to volunteer your time.

 

Pension Solution

State Senate Democrats say they have a plan that could save taxpayers billions on Pennsylvania's growing public pension debt. Senate Democrats want to float a nine billion dollar bond issue to pay down PA's public pension debt, taking advantage of the current low interest rate environment. They says the plan would save money and not leave 5 billion more in unfunded pension liabilities like Governor Tom Corbett's plan would do. But many Republicans and the Corbett administration say floating pension obligation bonds is risky.

 

Hazleton Chickens

Those 97 chickens are no longer in the basement of a half – double home in the 700 block of North Vine Street in Hazleton. Firemen had been called there this week to squelch a small blaze. That's when the chickens were discovered. Now... the roosters, hens, chicks and eggs have been taken to the Lands at Hillside Farms in the back mountain area of Luzerne County. The homeowner telling police he didn't know the chickens were there... and is facing citations and fines.

 

Sherman Hills

The troubled Sherman Hills housing project in Wilkes – Barre is expected to be sold next month. The complex has been the scene of shootings and other crimes over the past few years. Now... a New Jersey company says it plans to purchase the low – incoming housing project from a New York City firm. The sale price has not been disclosed.

 

John Hanger

And now there are five seeking the Democratic nomination for governor this spring in the statewide primary. The latest causality is John Hanger.. the state's former environmental protection secretary... who was one of the first candidates to enter the race back in 2012. The bottom line turned out to be a lack of cash for items such as television ads... and failing to gain traction on the issue of legalizing marijuana.

 

Williams Memorial

A memorial service will be held Saturday at 6 O'clock for 55 – year old Kirk Williams... a popular Eyers Grove auctioneer. He died this week in a motorcycle accident at the corner of Route 11 and Cross Road in Montour Township. The family to receive friends at Auctions by Kirk on Route 42 in Eyers Grove starting at 3 O'clock.

 

WHLM Sports

BU Women

It was a match-up of two of the nation's top ranked Division II women's college basketball teams Friday night when Bloomsburg University faced Virginia State in the Atlantic Regional quarterfinals at Glenville State in West Virginia. The Huskies led from the start, ending in a 75-57 BU win to move on in the playoffs. You can hear the details in the WHLM Husky Post-Game Report with Larry White:

 

 

The tournament semifinals will be played Saturday night when BU meets with Glennville State at 7:30. Our coverage starts with the pregame at 7:10 PM. The championship game will be Monday night.

 

HS Basketball

There are two District 4 high school basketball teams still alive in the state playoffs and both will play quarterfinal games Friday night at Hazleton Area High School. In the first game at 6 O'clock... the Saint John Neumann boys team plays New Hope Academy in a Class A quarterfinal. That will be followed by a girls AA game with Mount Carmel playing Dunmore.

 

Henry Hynoski

According to ESPN's Adam Shefter, former Southern Columbia star Henry Hynoski has agreed to return to the New York Giants on a one year deal worth one million dollars. As a free agent, Hynoski had visited the Detroit Lions but chose to come back to New York where he has played for the first three seasons of his NFL career.

 

College Basketball

In men's college basketball Thursday, third ranked Villanova was upset by Seton Hall 64-63 in the Big East Tournament. The loss could cost the Wildcats a shot at a number one seed for the upcoming NCAA playoffs.

 

 

Thursday / March 13, 2014


 

Bloomsburg Attempted Robbery

Bloomsburg Police are investigating a attempted armed robbery which occurred overnight. The robbery took place shortly before 4 O'clock in the 200 block of Iron Street when two people were approached by a man wearing a red ski mask. The would – be bandit brandished a knife... demanding money.... but he eventually walked away empty handed. The person was last seen heading south on Center Street. If you have information about the attempted armed robbery... call Bloomsburg Police.

 

Williams Memorial

A memorial service will be held Saturday at 6 PM for 55 – year old Kirk Williams... a popular Eyers Grove auctioneer. He died this week in a motorcycle accident at the corner of Route 11 and Cross Road in Montour Township. The family to receive friends at Col. Kirk's Auction House on Route 42 in Eyers Grove starting at 3 PM Saturday.

 

New Jobs for Area

The economic future of Columbia County is looking a lot brighter now that Long Island – based Modular Steel Systems will set up shop in South Centre Township. The firm will create nearly 60 well – paying jobs over the next three years. The deal was brokered by the Berwick Industrial Development Association so says executive director Steve Phillips. BIDA purchasing the building from a bank, but when an initial deal with a company fell through... Modular Steel Systems was ready to step in. The company's website shows the firm is a leading manufacturer of upscale one and two story modular homes.

 

Radar / Roger Van Loan

Pennsylvania is a bit behind the times. The commonwealth is only state out of 50 that does not allow local police to use radar as a deterrent to speeding. Now... a state representative from Monroe County would like to change that. Bloomsburg Police Chief Roger Van Loan is all for House Bill 38. In the past... it had been believe local cop shops couldn't be trusted... using the detection device as revenue enhancement. No word if House Bill 38 will gain traction.

 

BTE / The 39 Steps

If you're looking for a great stage play... check out the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble's production of the Hitchcock thriller... The 39 Steps. Director Jim Goode says the audience meets the main character.. back in England after many years of being away... and he's bored... and goes to a show. That's where the play takes off. The production runs now through the 23rd with performances Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 with a 3 O'clock Sunday Matinee.

 

Volunteer Vote

A bill proposed by U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta of Hazleton sparing fire companies and other emergency services from providing health insurance to volunteers passed unanimously during a vote this week. A total of 410 representatives voted for the bill that exempts volunteer fire companies from the employer mandate of the Affordable Care Act. Obamacare requires companies with 50 or more employees to insure employees or pay fines, and the Internal Revenue Service once regarded volunteer firefighters as employees.

 

Teen Drugs
Prescription painkiller abuse is also growing among teens according to the American College of Emergency Physicians. WHLM's Cathy Clark tells us Dr. James Williams of the American College of Emergency Physicians says they're seeing a significant number of teens in emergency rooms who have abused prescription drugs. In some cases, they attended parties where drugs were dumped into a jar and kids just grabbed a handful. He says parents need to be alert to the symptoms of prescription drug abuse and must dispose of unused pills properly.

 

Cancer Study
A new report on the State of Cancer Care in America says the country may be facing a shortage of cancer doctors as demand for services grows. There's growing demand for cancer prevention, screening and treatment in the U S as the population ages, but the first ever report from the American Society of Clinical Oncology finds access to care remains uneven, especially in rural areas. The situation is expected to get worse due to financial pressures on smaller and medium practices and the report recommends new delivery and payment models to address access and costs.

 

Interim Manager

The city of Hazleton has a new acting city administrator. Mayor Joseph Yannuzzi says Thomas Pribula will begin his new duties Thursday. Pribula replaces Steven Hahn who was fired this week. Pribula served as interim Luzerne County manager from January through March of 2012.

 

Plea Deal
A 42 – year old Clarks Summit man... in Lackawanna County... has pleaded guilty to posting a threat to kill President Obama. Nicholas Savino admitted sending the threat to the President last August. Under the terms of the plea deal... Savino will give up three firearms... and an estimated 11,000 rounds of ammunition. All were seized by the feds during a raid of his apartment and car during the investigation.

 

Hazleton Chickens

You just never know what's in a basement. That was the case Wednesday when Hazleton firemen were called to a double block home in the 700 block of North Vine Street. They found an estimated 100 chickens living in the home's basement. Now... the city will contract with two farmers to remove the birds.

 

Deer Harvest

Hunters had a healthy harvest during Pennsylvania's 2013-14 deer seasons. WHLM's Cathy Clark reports the State Game Commission estimates hunters took almost 353 thousand deer, an increase of 3% over the previous season. That's despite hunters getting 50 thousand fewer antlerless licenses. The numbers are estimates, because only about one-third of hunters report their deer to the commission. Officials would like to see more report to get a more complete count.

 

WHLM Sports

High School Basketball

The Millville High School girls basketball team played Phil-Mont Christian Academy Wednesday night in a second round Class A state playoff game. WHLM's Jim Doyle reports Millville's spectacular run came to an end as they lost 59 – 38. In other girls Class A state playoff games Wednesday night... Old Forge defeated Marian Catholic 43 – 39... it was Jenkintown over St. John Newmann 49 to 41... and Halifax downed Shade 62 -55. The four games scheduled for the western part of the state were all postponed until Thursday night

 

Boys Basketball

In a boys Class AA playoff game, it was Loyalsock losing to Delaware Valley Charter School 46-45 and in a Quad A boys game, Hazleton Area lost to Chester 79-71.

 

NBA

In the NBA last night... the Philadelphia 76er's lost their 18th straight game... as they were downed by the Sacramento Kings 115 to 98.

 

Wednesday / March 12, 2014


 

Montour Twp. Fatal

A Millville man is dead after his brand new motorcycle collided with an SUV in Montour Township Tuesday night. The accident happened at Route 11 and Cross Road. The Press – Enterprise is reporting in Wednesday's edition 55 – year old Kirk Williams... a Millville auctioneer... died when his brand new Harley – Davidson struck the driver's side of an SUV driven by 77 – year old Catherine Miller of Berwick. Miller attempting to pull onto Route 11 from Cross Road... driving into the path of the motorcycle. Williams died at the scene... while Miller had to be extracted and taken to Geisinger Medical Center where she's listed in “fair” condition. Miller's daughter... 48 – year old Nancy Dohl... a passenger in the SUV was not hurt.

 

Berwick Walk

Berwick Area Crime watch members will be out walking the streets of the Borough Wednesday night. Specifically... a portion of Orange street... where a meth bust went down a couple of weeks ago... and the neighborhood where a Megan's Law offender live. Mayor Tim Burke says Orange Street was selected due to stats provided by the police department. Wednesday night's walk in Berwick forms at 6:45 at the Orange Street School... and begins it's procession to the 1400 block around 7 O'clock.

 

Local Jobs

New jobs coming to Columbia County... as a modular home manufacturer has established an operation in South Centre Township. Modular Steel Systems, Incorporated will lease a 66,000 square foot facility and will create nearly 60 new jobs during the next three years. State Representative David Millard says Modular Steel will invest an estimated $400,000 in building improvements... new equipment and training. As an incentive to set up shop... the company will apply for a DCED funding package... a facilities investment deal and tax credits.

 

Pocono Raceway

Some of the biggest sporting events take place a couple of times a year at the Pocono Raceway in near – by Monroe County. Governor Tom Corbett says NASCAR and IndyCar events draw hundreds of thousand of fans to the track... pumping an estimated $257 – million into the economy of Northeast Pennsylvania. Meantime... the state plans to invest up to $5 – million in infrastructure improvements around the speedway property... improving traffic flow to and from the track.

 

Tax Season

The filing of tax returns is just around the corner... not only for individuals, but corporate and non – profit returns as well. Kim Schooley who runs a tax consulting service near Danville says non – profit groups may be surprised about their status. Schooley... appearing on the Tuesday edition of the WHLM Morning Buzz says he knows of up to a hundred non – profit groups in Columbia and Montour Counties may not be in good standing with the IRS.

 

Drug Bust

Four people were arrested Tuesday during a drug bust in Huntington Township... near Shickshinny. The raid on the alleged drug lab went down on Cope Road. However, cops also finding the makings of plastic explosives. Authorities say they found a lab... taking meth from the two story wood – frame structure. All four are expected to be charged today.

 

Sugarloaf School

That suspected Norovirus which is sweeping Valley Elementary School in Sugarloaf is taking it's toll. On Tuesday... about a third of the students stayed home because they are sick... or don't want to come down with the bug. Meantime.. parents are asking Hazleton school district officials to track down the source of the suspected Norovirus.

 

Universities

A bill being proposed in the state senate would allow some universities in the state system to break away. The bill would give universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education greater independence and flexibility in meeting financial challenges, academic and enrollment needs. The largest schools could transfer out of the system and transition to a state-related university while compensating the state for the depreciated value of its property, bringing money to the remaining smaller schools.

 

 

WHLM Sports

HS Basketball Playoffs

The state high school basketball playoffs resumed Tuesday night. In a girls Class AA second round game... Mt Carmel downed Salisbury Township 60 to 56. Wednesday night in a girls Class A second round game, unbeaten Millville took on Phil-Mont Christian at East Pennsboro High School. Millville showed strong in the first quarter, but PMC pulled away with a wide lead at halftime, ending the game in a 59-38 Millville loss - the first one of the team's season. Millville ends their year with a 25-1 record. You can hear the details from the night's action with Jim Doyle in the WHLM High School Hoops Report:

 

 

BU Women

The Bloomsburg University women's basketball team is one of three PSAC teams that will be competing in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Tournament which begins Friday at Glenville State in West Virginia. On Friday at noon, Gannon plays Shaw University from North Carolina. At 2:30, PSAC Champ Edinboro will face Charleston University from West Virginia. Bloomsbury will face Virginia State at 8:30. Coverage on the WHLM Stations begins with the pregame show at 8:10.

 

NHL

In the NHL Tuesday night... the New Jersey Devils skated past the Philadelphia Flyers 2 to 1.

 

Tuesday / March 11, 2014


Local Jobs

New jobs coming to Columbia County... as a modular home manufacturer has established an operation in Columbia County. Modular Steel Systems, Incorporated will lease a 66,000 square foot facility in South Centre Township and will create nearly 60 new jobs during the next three years. State Representative David Millard says Modular Steel will invest an estimated $400,000 in building improvements... new equipment and training. As an incentive to set up shop... the company will apply for a DCED funding package... a facilities investment deal and tax credits.

 

Bloomsburg Town Council

A Bloomsburg woman says there must be a way to notify neighborhoods when a major crime occurs. Kim Shetler of Country Club Drive telling Town Council Monday night that she found out from her daughter in York... that a person was robbed at the corner of Country Club and Honeysuckle earlier this month. And the notification came three hours after the incident took place. Police Chief Roger Van Loan says when an incident happens... alerting a particular neighborhood is not a priority... since cops are trying to apprehend the bad guy. Bottom line... there will be discussion in the future to figure out how to open the lines of communication.

 

Saturation Patrols

With an aim to deal with issues of underage drinking... Bloomsburg Police... and other area department's conducted a so – called “saturation patrol” of the town. During Friday and Saturday nights... police arrested two people for DUI... issued five citations for underage drinking... as well as four citations for disorderly conduct... and six people were cited for public drunkenness.... while one person was cited for an open container. Bloomsburg Police Chief Roger Van Loan said the heightened efforts of police was also designed to cut down on alcohol – related crimes.

 

Meth Dogs

Those eight mixed boxer puppies found in a suspected meth lab in a Montour Township trailer park will soon be up for adoption. Linda Bird of the Animal Resource Center says all the pups are getting acclimated to their surroundings. Interested in adopting a puppy or a kitten... or an animal which needs a forever home... give the Animal Resource Center a call.

 

Sick School

There is a massive sick out at the Valley Elementary School in Sugarloaf. School officials say kids are showing signs of the Norovirus... which is easily spread from person to person. On Monday... kids were either not in school because of the bug.... or parents pulled out their children so they wouldn't catch it.

 

Hazleton Administrator

Two week after he was charged with harassment... acting Hazleton City Administrator Steve Hahn is out. It's not known at this point whether he was fired by the city... or if he decided to leave on his own accord. Hahn was charged by Sugarloaf Township Police with harassment... as he allegedly pursued a woman. He says the allegations are untrue and faces a preliminary hearing March 24th.

 

Shoplifter / Drugs

A Hazleton man got more than what he bargained for. 31 – year old Rivera Castellano was caught allegedly shoplifting baby formula from a Boyer's Market in Hazleton over the weekend. But, when police searched him.... they found empty packets of heroin... a needle and a burnt spoon. He was arrested and hustled off to the Luzerne County Prison.

 

NEPA Gas Prices

The average price of a gallon of self – serve, unleaded gas has shot up 15 cents over the past month. The Triple A Fuel Gauge report shows that gas is now averaging $3.62 a gallon across northeastern PA... the same as it was over the weekend... and about the same as it was a week ago. But last month at this time we were paying $3.47 a gallon. Nationwide... the Lundberg survey says motorist are paying an average of $3.51 a gallon.

 

Blood Drive

The Bloomsburg Chapter of the American Red Cross needs you. Well... they really need a unit of your blood in order to keep supplies across the area at capacity... in case of accident or injury... or a disaster. That word from Rita Inklovich who runs the chapter. And since we're approaching Tuesday... a big drive is taking place at the Columbia Mall in Buckhorn. The drive begins in the morning... and runs thorough 1 O'clock Tuesday afternoon.

 

WHLM Sports

HS Basketball

The high school basketball state playoffs resume Tuesday night. The Mount Carmel girls, the champions of District 4, play Salisbury Township at Hamburg High School in a second round Class AA game. Wednesday night, the Millville girls will put their 25 and 0 record on the line when they play District 1 champ Phil-Mont Christian in a Class A second round game. The Falcons will take a 24 and 4 record into the game which will be played at East Pennsboro High School starting at 7:30. Coverage on the WHLM Stations will begin with the pregame show at 7:15.

 

BU Women's Basketball

The Bloomsburg University women's basketball team will be playing late Friday night in the NCAA Atlantic Regional tournament at Glenville State in West Virginia. The Huskies will take a 24 and 4 record into their game against Virginia State, a team with a record of 25 and 2. Friday's game tips off at 8:30. Coverage on the WHLM Stations begins with the pregame show at 8:10.

 

NBA

In the NBA Monday night... the Philadelphia 76er's lost their 17th consecutive game when they were defeated by the New York Knicks 123 to 110.

 

 

 

Monday / March 10, 2014


Town Council

A Bloomsburg woman says there must be a way to notify neighborhoods when a major crime occurs. Kim Shetler of Country Club Drive telling Town Council Monday night that she found out from her daughter in York... that a person was robbed at the corner of Country Club and Honeysuckle earlier this month. And the notification came three hours after the incident took place. Police Chief Roger Van Loan says when an incident happens... alerting a particular neighborhood is not a priority... since cops are trying to apprehend the bad guy. Bottom line... there will be discussion in the future to figure out how to open the lines of communication.

 

Blood Drives

The Bloomsburg Chapter of the American Red Cross needs you. Well... they really need a unit of your blood in order to keep supplies across the area at capacity... in case of accident or injury... or a disaster. That word from Rita Inklovich who runs the chapter. And since we're approaching Tuesday... a big drive is taking place at the Columbia Mall in Buckhorn. The drive begins in the morning... and runs thorough 1 O'clock Tuesday afternoon.

 

Dognapping

A case of dognapping in Greenwood Township in northern Columbia County. State Police at Bloomsburg say the theft happened at the start of the weekend when a woman entered the home of Darrell Travelpiece on Rorsburg Road and snatched two, mixed breed female dogs... placed them in her dark – colored car and took off. One of the dogs is 15 years old... while the other is eight. If you have information about the theft of the two dogs... call State Police at Bloomsburg.

 

School Days

As school district's head into the home stretch of the 2013 – 14 school year... many superintendent's are keeping a close eye on the calendar... in essence... when will the school year end if there are no further snow days. Bloomsburg superintendent Cos Curry says the district has missed six day so far this year. One of the days will be made up this Friday... which was to have been the start of a three day weekend. The other five days will be made up between June 5th through the 11th.

 

State Revenues
State revenue collections are down 2.1% for the month of February, the third month that revenues have come in below estimates. WHLM's David Payne is reporting for the fiscal year as a whole, revenues are down a total of $75 – million. State analysts say that's due in part to the harsh winter we've been having, in addition to unpredictable forces in the labor market. Matthew Knittel, Director of the state Independent Fiscal Office, says experts aren't too worried. They expect revenues to improve in March and April, mainly from corporate and sales tax receipts.

 

PennDOT Supplies

With all the snow this winter, most areas of Pennsylvania have depleted their supply of road salt. Now PennDOT has stepped in to remedy that situation. PennDOT has begun distributing 30,000 tons of salt to maintenance sheds across the state. This winter, the state has used a total of 1.24-million tons of salt, a 34-percent increase over the 831-thousand tons used on average in the past five winters. This week's emergency shipments are being delivered to maintenance sheds in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Altoona-Johnstown, Uniontown, and Pittsburgh. The last emergency shipment of 20-thousand tons was delivered between February 25th and March 4th. This latest delivery is expected to take about 2 weeks.
 

Liquor Privatization
Liquor Privatization was a big priority for Governor Tom Corbett last year, but after a lot of talk.. nothing was accomplish. But the issue is not dead. WHLM's Brad Christman reports Governor Corbett couldn't get it done last year after unions and others opposed his plan to privatize the state's liquor stores...but the governor says talks are still happening behind closed doors in Harrisburg. A spokesman for Senate President Pro Tem Joe Scarnati said GOP legislative leaders have a meeting scheduled with the governor Monday and liquor privatization is expected to be one of the issues to be discussed. That same source said aides to the governor have been meeting with leaders for the past 2 weeks

 

Food Stamps

Food stamps benefits will not be reduced to Pennsylvanians on heating assistance, as was threatened by the new farm bill passed by Congress. The new farm bill ended the practice of allowing a small amount of heating assistance to boost what some people received in food stamps. The Corbett administration announced it will use federal heating money to preserve $300 million in food assistance for 400,000 low-income households. A typical senior received a minimal amount in heating assistance and food stamps boosted by 65 dollars before the farm bill change.


Radar

Local police could soon be running radar if a state house bill is approved and okayed by the state senate. House bill 38 would allow local police to use radar to enforce speed limits... as is the case right now with state police. The bill was introduced earlier this year by State Representative Mario Scavello... a Republican from Monroe County. No word if the measure will gain traction. Right now... local police use timing devices to catch suspected speeders.

 

Unemployment Rate

Pennsylvania's unemployment rate dropped in January to its lowest rate since 2008, although hiring remained flat. The state Department of Labor and Industry says Pennsylvania's unemployment rate fell four-tenths of a percentage point to 6.4% in January. The national rate was 6.7% during that same month.

 

Jim Thorpe Parade

The population of Jim Thorpe... south of Hazleton... grew by thousands Sunday as the borough held it's 17th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. Not only were there plenty of marchers... but thousands lined the parade route. As for the luck of the Irish... the sun was out and temperatures were in the upper 40's... touching 50.

 

Schuylkill Fire

Investigators are trying to figure out what cause a fire which extensively damaged a home in West Mahanoy Township in Schuylkill County over the weekend. The flames were contained to the double block home on Virginia Avenue. One firefighter was injured and taken to the hospital for treatment.

 

Shots Fired

Wilkes – Barre Police are investigating a report of shots fired over the weekend in the 100 block of South Welles Street. Witnesses say they saw a man firing a weapon from the passenger side of a small white vehicle toward the rear of a black Cadillac. No one was apparently injured in the early Saturday morning shooting.

 

Biden to Speak

Vice – President Joe Biden is headed for northeastern Pennsylvania. He'll be the keynote speaker at Friday's Greater Pittston area Friendly sons of St. Patrick Banquet this Friday. It's the 100th anniversary of the organization. The banquet to take place at the Woodlands Inn and Resort in Plains Township.

 

 

Weekend Sports


WHLM Sports

 

You can hear the details from Saturday's basketball playoff action in the WHLM Weekend Wrap-Up:

 

 

BU Women's Basketball

The Huskies ended their PSAC tournament run Saturday afternoon as they fell to Gannon 57-51. BU will likely be in the NCAA playoffs. That schedule will be announced on Sunday night.

 

High School Basketball

The unbeaten Millville girls defeated Upper Dauphin at the Whitey MCloskey Center in Danville by a score of 56-33. They go on to face Philmont Christian Academy on Wednesday at a place and time to be determined.

What's Happening Sunday, March 9, 2014


You can help out the kidsburg rebuilding project today by dining out at the Turkey Hill Brewing Company on Central Road in Bloomsburg. From 4 - 9 PM dining proceeds at the restaraunt will benefit Kidsburg. For questions, call 570-387-8422.

 

March 12

Bring your good listeners age three to five to the Bloomsburg Public Library on Wednesday for Storytime at 10:00 AM. A coloring project will follow the half hour of stories. All children must be accompanied by an adult. The Library is on Market Square in Bloomsburg.

 

March 12

Holy Family Convent in Danville is selling homemade soup and sandwiches every Wednesday during Lent. Soups are $4.50 a quart or $8.50 for a half gallon. Subs are just $4 each. This week's soups are Beef Barley and Wisconsin Cheese. Call 570-275-3121. The Convent is at #1 Montour Street in Danville.

 

March 14

Get a glimpse of ancient Egypt this Friday at the Bloomsburg Public Library with "Ancient Faces: Mummy Portraits From Roman Egypt" presented by Dr. Stephen R. Phillips. The program will look at the evolution of mummification throughout Egypt's history through hauntingly modern portraits of ancient Egyptians. The talk starts at 6:30 PM at the library on Market Street.

 

 

WHLM Sports

 

You can hear the details from Saturday's basketball playoff action in the WHLM Weekend Wrap-Up:

 

 

BU Women's Basketball

The Huskies ended their PSAC tournament run Saturday afternoon as they fell to Gannon 57-51. BU will likely be in the NCAA playoffs. That schedule will be announced on Sunday night.

 

High School Basketball

The unbeaten Millville girls defeated Upper Dauphin at the Whitey MCloskey Center in Danville by a score of 56-33. They go on to face Philmont Christian Academy on Wednesday at a place and time to be determined.

 

The Danville girls play Scranton Prep Saturday night at 7:30 at Marywood University in Scranton.

What's Happening Saturday, March 8, 2014


The 125th anniversary celebration of the Bloomsburg Public Library’s charter continues today. At 10:00 AM there will be Irish music and a special program for leprechaun-hunters. Renowned leprechaun expert Hal Pratt will instruct your good listeners age three and up in all they’ll need to know to identify, find, catch—and hold onto—those gold-hoarding little elves. Vicki Radel, teacher and dance expert, will give everyone a chance to Riverdance. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The Library is on Market Street in Bloomsburg. 

 

Grace Bible Church in Catawissa is holding a Ladies' Spring Brunch this morning from 10 AM - Noon. The brunch will feature guest speaker Denise Bosworth, and music provided by Lydia Young and Abigal Inns. The church is on McIntyre Road in Catawissa.

 

The Central Columbia Band Boosters will be holding their annual Basket Bonanza fundraiser today in the school Gymnasium on Old Berwick Road. Doors open at 1 PM - drawings start at 3 PM. Prizes have been donated by local businesses, and includes a Keureg coffee machine.

 

The Bloomsburg High School sudents will present Grease, their 2014 spring musical this weekend. Showtimes are at 1 PM this afternoon and 7:30 PM this evening Tickets are just $10. Call the school box office at 570-784-6100 ext. 6731 to reserve your seat now!

 

Experience the thrilling intrigue of The 39 Steps at BTE starting this week. The show is an adaptation of the novel by John Buchan and the film by Alfred Hitchcock. The 39 Steps is full of inventive staging, mistaken identity, punny coincidences, and an unforgettable race to discover the central secret: just what are the 39 steps? The show runs through March 26th. For tickets and information, check out BTE under Our Partners at the top of the page.

 

You can help out the kidsburg rebuilding project this Sunday by dining out at the Turkey Hill Brewing Company on Central Road in Bloomsburg. From 4 - 9 PM dining proceeds at the restaraunt will benefit Kidsburg. For questions, call 570-387-8422.

 

WHLM Sports

 

You can hear the details from Saturday's basketball playoff action in the WHLM Weekend Wrap-Up:

 

 

BU Women's Basketball

The Huskies ended their PSAC tournament run Saturday afternoon as they fell to Gannon 57-51. BU will likely be in the NCAA playoffs. That schedule will be announced on Sunday night.

 

High School Basketball

The unbeaten Millville girls defeated Upper Dauphin at the Whitey MCloskey Center in Danville by a score of 56-33. They go on to face Philmont Christian Academy on Wednesday at a place and time to be determined.

 

The Danville girls play Scranton Prep Saturday night at 7:30 at Marywood University in Scranton.

Friday / March 7, 2014


 

 

Barn Fire Investigation

A State Police fire marshal is still trying to determine the cause of a blaze which leveled a barn Thursday morning in South Centre Township. Firemen were called to the 7 – thousand block of Chapin's Road around 6 AM for the second time in two days. This time... the building was fully involved... and horses usually kept inside were elsewhere. Not only was the barn a total loss... but several horse trailers were damaged.

 

Kidsburg Build - out

We're about six weeks out from starting the task of building Kidsburg 2-point – oh at the Bloomsburg Town Park. The build will start April 30th and will run a week through May 4th. During a recent interview... organizer Deb Huckens says hundreds of people will be needed.... since the original Kidsburg took nearly 3,000 volunteers to complete. The new Kidsburg will be constructed on the former tennis court on the east side of the Town Park. Want to help... go to the sign up section on the Kidsburg 2.0 website.

 

Robert Morris Poll

A familiar motif of an unpopular Gov. Tom Corbett and surging Democratic challenger Tom Wolf are revealed in a new Robert Morris University poll released Thursday. Corbett earned a meager 29.4% favorable rating from poll respondents, and a 32.5 % job approval rating. 501 likely voters were polled on-line last week. Some 20.7 % of likely Pennsylvania voters said they plan to vote for the governor, but 40.3 % said they would vote for the Democratic candidate... indicating it would be York County Businessman Tom Wolf.

 

Pawn Shop

Two Hazleton pawn shops were the targets of police raids on Thursday. Cops first raiding a pawn shop on East Broad Street... as well as a second shop on Vine Street... both owned by the same person. Authorities say they found items which appear to be brand new... in the box... and may have been stolen. Officers taking the action due to a new city law which make shop owners more accountable.

 

Grease / The Play

Students at Bloomsburg High School took to the stage Thursday night... the opening night of their production of Grease. Appearing on the Thursday edition of the WHLM Morning Buzz.... Lauren McGinty says stage production adapts the motion picture version quite well. There are two more performances.... Friday night at 7:30 and tomorrow afternoon at 1 O'clock. Tickets are available at the box office at the high school... or on line at the District's web page.

 

Car Carrier Accident

Two men are recovering from their injuries suffered when their tractor – trailer... hauling two cars... went off Interstate 81 in Plains Township near Wilkes – Barre Thursday morning. Authorities are still trying to figure out why the driver lost control and went down an embankment. An SUV and a foreign sports car were extensively damaged. Police still investigating the accident in Plains Township.

 

Firefighters

Firefighters in Hazleton and West Hazleton are looking towards the future. They would like to create a regional fire department. Both municipalities have had a mutual aid agreement for the past year... and now they'd like to establish something solid for the future. First responders hope to meet with elected officials soon to lay out their proposal.

 

Pedestrian Fatals

Pedestrian fatalities on U.S. roadways declined by 8.7 % during the first half of last year, reversing four years of increases, according to preliminary data released by the Governors Highway Safety Association. Pennsylvania saw one of the biggest drops in pedestrian deaths, nearly 36%, compared to the same six-month period of 2012. The association reported... there were 52 pedestrians killed on state roads from January to June 2013.

 

WHLM Sports

High School Wrestling

Seven area high school wrestlers, four from Benton and three from Southern Columbia, won their opening round matches Thursday at the Class AA state championships at the Giant Center in Hershey. Winning for Benton were Alan Diltz at 106 pounds, Mike Stuart at 120, Jeric Kasunic at 160, and Logan Womels-dorf at 195. Winning for Southern Columbia were Todd Lane at 120 pounds, Kent Lane at 138, and Blake Marks at 152. The state championships continue Friday.

 

BU Women's Basketball

The Bloomsburg University women's basketball team has won 17 straight games. The last time the Huskies lost was December 21st to Gannon. Saturday they will get a chance to avenge that defeat when they face Gannon in the PSAC semfinals at Edinboro. Game time is 1 o'clock. Coverage on the WHLM Stations begins with the pregame show at 12:40.

 

BU Honors

Two Bloomsburg University seniors have earned all PSAC honors. Donthe Jordan is a first team selection for the third time in his career, and Lorenzo Christmas was named to the second team.

 

HS Basketball

Four area high school basketball teams play first round state playoff games this weekend. Friday night, the Central Columbia boys play Abington Heights in Scranton while the Central Columbia girls play Minersville at Martz Hall in Pottsville. Saturday at 6 O'clock... the unbeaten Millville girls take on Upper Dauphin at the McCloskey Center in Danville. You can hear that game on the WHLM Stations starting with the pregame show at 5:40. Also Saturday night, the Danville girls play Scranton Prep at Marywood University in Scranton.

 

Thursday / March 6, 2014


Moose Exchange

The past month or so has been a whirlwind of activity for Moose Exchange manager Oren Helbok. The Exchange was extensively damaged when a fire tore through the 60 – year old structure... and now Helbok and his board of directors are waiting for an insurance settlement. But in the meantime... the Moose Exchange has set up shop at 24 East Main Street in Bloomsburg. Helbok says there's no word when the insurance company will come through with a settlement so clean up of the Moose Exchange on West Main Street can begin.

 

Highway Marker

It's not an everyday occurrence a community and a product produced there during World War Two is honored with a roadside sign. But, that's the case of the Stuart Tank... built by a Berwick company which saw action around the world. Columbia County Commissioner David Kovach on a committee who submitted an application. Commissioner Kovach is also one of a group of many trying to acquire one of the 15,000 Stuart tanks building between 1941 and 1944 at the ACF. The signage is expected to be placed next to a memorial display at the corner of 3rd and Oak Streets in Berwick.

 

Roadside Marker/Sheppton

It happened back in August of 1963... and now the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission says a roadside marker will be erected near the site of the Sheppton Mine disaster and Rescue in neighboring Schuylkill County. The marker is one of 21 approved this week... selected from the 57 applications submitted to the commission. David Fellin and Henry Thorne were rescued after being trapped underground for two weeks following a cave-in. Their partner... Lewis Bova.. didn't make it out and is still entombed in the mine.

 

WSJ Op - Ed
Governor Corbett is defending himself after an op-ed posted on The Wall Street Journal website criticized him for having few legislative accomplishments to show for his three years in office. The Wall Street Journal blog article criticized Governor Corbett for not achieving critical reforms in education policy, pensions, and taxes. The governor says the piece is flat out wrong. Mr. Corbett says two of his major policy goals remain unfinished: public pension overhaul and dismantling the state liquor system...but he says he kept his campaign promises, and those issues weren't among them.

 

Corbett / Liquor

Governor Corbett says he's still working on a plan to change the state's system of liquor stores but isn't giving any new information about what might eventually be enacted. Corbett addressed the topic at a news conference in Harrisburg this week, after announcing a new designation for veterans on Pennsylvania driver's licenses. He says he's also pursuing changes to the state's two large public-sector pension plans because they require significant state revenue support. Corbett fought for liquor privatization and pension changes during last year's budget negotiations but wasn't able to get them through the Legislature.

 

Hospital Infections

A new set of guidelines have the goal of cutting down on the increasing number of hospital-borne infections which are resistant to most antibiotics. The new rules were established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and include a checklist to improve antibiotic prescribing. A recent study shows that a 30 percent reduction in the use of certain antibiotics can reduce serious infections by more than 25-percent. Geoffrey Roche of the Pocono Medical Center says they're ahead of the game, having placed the new rules in effect at his facility last fall.
 

Former Wilkes – Barre Mayor Funeral Set

Funeral services for former Wilkes – Barre Mayor Lee Namey will be held Saturday. Namey died this week at the age of 69. He served several terms on City Council and was elected mayor in 1988... serving through 1996. Namey was an art teacher at West Side Career and Technology Center before becoming mayor.. and was principal of the school following his retirement from city government.

 

Wyoming Officer Plea

A suspended part – time Wyoming police officer has pleaded guilty in Luzerne County Court with having sex with four teenage girls. 21 – year old Cody Smith made the plea deal in four separate criminal cases. He'll be sentenced in June... and has already agreed to serve from two to four years in state prison.

 

Slots Revenue

Slot revenues in Pennsylvania remained soft in February. Figures released by the gaming commission says revenue was off 7.5% compared to February of 2013. Official believe some of the drop can be attributed to the brutal weather and competition from casinos in Ohio and Maryland.

 

WHLM Sports

HS Wrestling

Eleven area wrestlers will be competing in the Class AA state championships in Hershey. Those championships begin Thursday morning at 9 O'clock.

 

BU Women's

Bloomsburg University senior basketball player Catherine Noack has been named the PSAC Eastern Division Athlete of the year. Noack leads the Huskies in scoring. Her teammate Jocelyn Ford is a second team all PSAC selection. Huskies head coach Bill Cleary has been named the PSAC East coach of the year for the second time in his 6 year tenure at Bloomsburg. Cleary has led the Huskies to a 24 and 3 record. They will take a 17 game winning streak into Saturday afternoon's conference semifinal game against Gannon at Edinboro. You can hear that game on the WHLM Stations starting with the pregame show at 12:40.

 

HS Girls Basketball 

The Millville High School girls basketball team will take a perfect 24 and oh record into their Class A first round playoff game. On Saturday at 6 O'clock... the Quakers will face Upper Dauphin at the McCloskey Center in Danville. Coverage on the WHLM Stations begins with the pregame show at 5:40.

 

NHL

In the NHL Wednesday night... The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Washington Capitals 6 to 4.

 

Wednesday / March 5, 2014


Berwick Crime Walk

The folks trying to put a stop to crime in Berwick plan a walk through a troubled neighborhood next Wednesday. Mayor Tim Burke says the event begins at the Orange Street school and heads to the 15 – hundred block. Mayor Burke says says the area was chosen due to last week's meth bust and a Megan's Law felon has moved into the area. In the past... the Mayor and his friends have walked several areas of west Berwick where stats show a higher than usual number of crimes taking place. Next Wednesday's walk begins at 6:45.

 

Historical Marker

A new roadside historical marker is headed for Columbia County. The Berwick – built Stuart Tank is being honored with a blue and gold lettered sign to be placed at a designated spot. Just over 15,000. Stuart tanks were produced during World War Two at the Berwick A-C-F plant on the Borough's west side. The Stuart tank designation was selected from 57 applications submitted to the PA Historical and Museum Commission.

 

State Revenues

For the third straight month, Pennsylvania collected less in taxes than it expected. The state brought in $34.6 million less in February than it had projected, according to the Department of Revenue. To date, the state is $75.5 million below where it expected to be for the fiscal year, which began July 1. Overall, collections are off 0.5 percent... which could be blamed on harsh winter weather.

 

Henry Hynoski

Former Southern Columbia football player... and now New York Giant... Henry Hynoski may not be re - signed by the team. That word coming from NBC Sports. They report the restricted free agent won't be signed unless it's for less money. But, starting the 11th of the month... Hynoski will be able to sign with any team when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. The 25 – year old Hynoski sat out most of the 2013 – 2014 season due to a shoulder injury.

 

Chilli Cook-Off

It's a great way to shake off the rust left over by winter... and swing into spring. How 'bout a Chilli Cook-off on the 26th of the month at the Caldwell Consistory. Dozens of folks from around the area are expected to participate... but who will judge the event... Adrienne Mael... manager of Downtown Bloomsburg, Incorporated. For more information... give Ms. Mael a call at the Columbia – Montour Chamber of Commerce in Bloomsburg.

 

Block Grants

Amid efforts to expand the human services block grant program to all 67 counties, there are questions about its effectiveness. Governor Tom Corbett would like to see all commonwealth counties be eligible for human services funding through the block grant program. Thirty counties have been participating in a pilot program. Representative Gene DiGirolamo, a Republican from Bucks County, opposes the idea. He would like to see more comparative statistics on the block grant program from prior years. Public Welfare Secretary Beverly Mackereth says measuring the program is more about outcomes than numbers served.

 

Welfare

A new report shows that fewer Pennsylvania children are in foster care now than there were five years ago. But, despite that positive trend, advocates say there is more work to do. WHLM's B.J. Small says the "2014 State of Child Welfare" report shows the number of PA children in foster care is down 26 percent in the last five years and the number in group homes has dropped as well. PA Partnerships for Children says early intervention, preventing abuse, and supporting the families is enabling parents to raise their children. More than 21,000 children were in foster care last year, and 172,000 received services in their own homes.

Lee Namey

Funeral services are expected to be announced Wednesday for former Wilkes – Barre Mayor Lee Namey who died this week at the age of 69. He served several terms on City Council and was elected mayor in 1988... serving through 1996. Namey was an art teacher at West Side Career and Technology Center before becoming mayor.. and after his retirement after serving city government.

 

Mark Ciavarella

The U.S. Supreme Court says it won't hear an appeal from a former northeastern Pennsylvania judge convicted in the "kids for cash" scandal. Former Luzerne County Judge Mark Ciavarella Jr. is serving a 28-year prison sentence after his 2011 conviction on federal corruption charges. The high court ruling means his conviction and sentence stands.

 

Mine Collapse

Those two miners hurt in a roof collapse earlier this week are expected to be okay. Authorities say Terrance Kennedy and Justin Renninger were injured when a roof collapsed at the D & F Mine near Minersville in Schuylkill County. The collapse happened while they were trying to improve the area when it caved in. They were rescued by colleagues... and rushed to a hospital for treatment.

 

WHLM Sports

BU Basketball

The Bloomsburg University men's basketball team played at West Chester Tuesday night in a PSAC quarterfinal playoff game. West Chester defeating the Huskies 99 to 89. Bloomsburg ending the season with a 16 and 12 record. West Chester advances to the conference semi – finals with a 19 and 8 record.  In a PSAC women's quarterfinal Tuesday night at Nelson Field House, Bloomsburg University played East Stroudsburg... leading by 15 points at the half. BU went on to defeat East Stroudsburg 76 to 51... winning their 17th consecutive game. Bloomsburg now advance to the semi – finals against Gannon... the last team to beat the Lady Huskies last December. That game is Saturday at Edinboro at 1 O'clock.

 

NBA

In the NBA Tuesday night... The Philadelphia 76er's lost their 15th consecutive game last night... as they were defeated by the Oklahoma City Thunders 125 to 92.

Tuesday / March 4, 2014


 

Patching Potholes

PennDOT crews across Columbia and Montour Counties are expected to turn their attention this week to fixing a plethora of pothole which dot state maintained roads. The agency's Rick Mason says the pothole patching season began earlier than usual... thanks to the thawing and freezing of the roadway. Mason says if you find a pothole... call toll free at 1-800-FIX-Road. For the most part... cold patch is being placed in the hole as a temporary fix until asphalt plants open in a few weeks... leading to a permanent repair.

 

Bundling Bridge Repairs

As Pennsylvania's new transportation program provides more funding for infrastructure and mass transit, it could be saving money by bundling bridge projects. WHLM's B.J. Small reports the $2.4 billion transportation program hopes to upgrade the commonwealth's dilapidated bridges by bundling the projects. Transportation Secretary Barry Schoch explains how multiple projects can be bundled for savings. He projects a saving of 30 percent on design and construction, or $600,000 per bridge. He also said weight restrictions will be lifted on bridges inside their two-year construction window, meaning some will come off right away.

 

Obama Care

There is a group of Bloomsburg University students volunteering their time to make sure everyone has health insurance under ObamaCare. Appearing on the Monday edition of the WHLM Morning Buzz... BU's Assistant professor of social work... Shiloh Erdley... says they're always trying to find options for health care insurance. Sign up are taking place Tuesday and Wednesday starting at 4 O'clock at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Bloomsburg... and Friday at the Columbia County Volunteers in Medicine Clinic in Mifflinville.

 

Medical Marijuana

Pennsylvania's voters support the legalization of medical marijuana use 85 – to – 14 percent... with numbers at 78 percent or higher among ever partisan... gender and age group. That information is contained in a Quinnipiac University poll released Monday. Even voters over 65 year old support the use of medical marijuana. Meantime... voters are divided on the legalization of possession of a “small amount of marijuana for personnel use.”

 

Hazleton Vs. Supco

The U-S Supreme Court has ended Hazleton's efforts to prevent immigrants from renting apartments. The justices on Monday declined to take up appeals from the city of Hazleton of lower court rulings that blocked local ordinances regulating rental housing. They were intended to keep people who are in the country illegally from finding housing in those jurisdictions. The high court held in 2012 that immigration is primarily a matter for the federal government, ruling out most local and state laws targeting illegal immigration. The Hazleton case also involved an ordinance that would have denied permits to businesses that hired people who are in the U.S. illegally.

 

NEPA Gas Prices

The cost of a gallon of self – serve, unleaded regular gasoline continues to climb. The latest Triple A Fuel Gage report shows that across northeast Pennsylvania we're paying an average of $3.63 a gallon... that's pretty much the same as it was over the weekend... up a penny from a week ago... and up 16 cents from a month ago.

 

Wine Prices

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board announced Monday a regulatory change eliminating the requirement that a licensed Limited Winery cannot sell wine at the winery for less than that same wine sells at State Stores. Wineries around the state that sell their product in the state-store system have been pushing for this change. Previously, products couldn't be sold at a price lower than it was marked in the state store.

 

Coal Twp Fire

Authorities believe ashes from a wood stove sparked a fire which destroyed a Coal Township home near Shamokin early Monday morning. The blaze was spotted around midnight on Chemung Street. 30 – year old William Kreischer... his 26 – year old wife, Jennifer, and their twin six year old daughters escaped the flames thanks to a neighbor. The family is now staying with relatives.

 

WHLM Sports

BU Basketball

The Bloomsburg University Men's and Women's basketball teams played PSAC quarterfinal games Tuesday night. The Women beat East Stroudsburg 76-51, making their series with the Warriors 3-0 for the season. The Huskies will move into the PSAC semifinals this Saturday at Edinboro in a 1 PM game against Gannon. The Men's team pulled to within 4 points of West Chester's lead in the final minutes, but fell short in a 99-89 loss to the Rams. The Men end their season with a 16-12 record.

 

You can hear the deails from Tuesday's action in the WHLM Husky Post-Game Report:

 

 

HS Basketball

Four area high school basketball teams will begin the state playoffs this weekend. On Friday night, the Central Columbia girls and boys will both face district champions. The girls play District 11 champ Minersville at Martz Hall in Pottsville at 6 o'clock. The Central boys take on District 2 AAA champ Abington Heights. That game will be played at Lackawanna College in Scranton starting at 7:30. On Saturday the unbeaten Millville girls play Upper Dauphin at the Whitey McCloskey Center in Danville at 6. The Danville girls play District 2 champion Scranton Prep at Marywood University in Scranton.

That game is scheduled to tip off at 7:30.

 

College BB

In college basketball Monday night... North Carolina defeated Notre Dame 63 – 61... it was Oklahoma State over Kansas State 77 – 61... and North Carolina State downed Pittsburgh 74 – 67.

 

 


 

Monday / March 3, 2014


Hazleton Vs. Supco

The U-S Supreme Court has ended Hazleton's efforts to prevent immigrants from renting apartments. The justices on Monday declined to take up appeals from the city of Hazleton, Pa., of lower court rulings that blocked local ordinances regulating rental housing. They were intended to keep people who are in the country illegally from finding housing in those jurisdictions. The high court held in 2012 that immigration is primarily a matter for the federal government, ruling out most local and state laws targeting illegal immigration. The Hazleton case also involved an ordinance that would have denied permits to businesses that hired people who are in the U.S. illegally.

 

Winter Storm

We dodged a major snow storm overnight. That storm rolling out of the midwest was to have given us anywhere from three to six inches of snow tracked to the south... leaving the Susquehanna Valley unscathed. All of it south of us with cities along the I-95 corridor are expected to get hammered with snow and freezing rain. But now we're bracing for some bitterly cold weather. It could be as low as minus three degrees Tuesday morning.

 

Susquehanna Steam Electric Station

The operators at Pennsylvania Power and Light Steam Electric station... north of Berwick in Luzerne County have disconnected the Unit 2 reactor from the grid. That happened over the weekend as technicians get ready for a planned inspection of turbine blades. A PPL spokesman says the unit has not shown any indication of turbine blade cracking... however, the utility is working closely with the blade manufacturer to make sure it resolves all turbine blade issues. Cracks in the blades turned up during previous shutdowns. It's not known how long Unit 2 will be off line.

 

Jayson Terdiman

It's a long way from Berwick to Sochi, Russia and return. That's the journey winter Olympic double luge competitor Jayson Terdiman took... arriving home to enjoy a homecoming parade north on Front Street Saturday afternoon. The 2007 graduate of Berwick High School was amazed at the turnout... and the folks lining the street... waving American flags. Terdiman and his partner finished eleventh in the double luge competition and sixth in the relays. Now... he returns to Lake Placid this week to prepare for a national event later this month.

 

George Greig

Pennsylvania's Agriculture Secretary came a callin' on agri – businessmen in Montour County at the start of the weekend. George Greig was the guest at a breakfast hosted by 107th District State Representative Kurt Masser in Danville. Secretary Greig spoke on a variety of topics... but during an interview... he hammered home the importance of the state's 109 fairs... and their economic impact. It's also a way to tell the story of agriculture. The fair season in PA begins in June... with the Bloomsburg Fair scheduled to begin September 20th.

 

Budget Hearings

The Secretary of the Commonwealth appeared before the House Appropriations committee at the start of the weekend... as three weeks of state budget hearings wrapped up. In January, a judge ruled that Pennsylvania's Voter ID law is unconstitutional. The case is not done yet, there are still post trial motions. Secretary of the Commonwealth Carol Aichele says the state has spent over $6.9 million, mostly on voter education, while trying to implement the law that never took effect. Almost one million of that went to legal fees.

 

Name Change

Support continues to grow for legislation to change the name of the state welfare department. The new name of Department of Human Services would better reflect those offered by the current Department of Public Welfare, so says legislation stalled in the House and Senate. DPW Secretary Beverly Mackereth told the Appropriations Committee that Pennsylvania can follow the positive trend of other states, by eliminating the negative connotation that goes with the word "welfare." Mackereth says the cost of the name change can be extended over time.

 

Ray Musto

Former State Senator Ray Musto will be spending more time than expected at a federal treatment center in North Carolina. The Wyoming Valley Democrat was to have gone on trial on corruption charges earlier this year... but his attorney said he couldn't live through the proceeding due to illness. Now... a medical team has until June to evaluate the 84 – year old Musto to determine... if in fact... Musto could be tried.

 

Smoking Ban

The operational services committee of the Luzerne County Council is expected to debate the pro's and con's of a proposed anti – smoking ban on all County property. Proponents say it will improve health... reduce little with the lack of butts and help health insurance costs. Opponents believe it's a freedom of choice issue... and thus the county is taking something away that's legal.

 

WHLM Sports

HS Wrestling

Three area high school wrestlers won gold medals at the Class AA Northeast Regional in Williamsport over the weekend. Finishing first were Todd Lane of Southern Columbia at 120 pounds... Lewis Williams of Central Columbia at 126 pounds... and Kent Lane of Southern Columbia at 138 pounds. Benton finished first in the team standings and Southern Columbia was second. Altogether 11 area wrestlers qualified for the state championships which begin Thursday morning in Hershey.

 

BU Basketball

The third time was a charm for the Bloomsburg University men's basketball team. After losing both games to Kutztown during the regular season, the Huskies beat the Golden Bears on Saturday afternoon 82-71 in a first round PSAC playoff game. Tuesday night the Huskies play at West Chester in the PSAC quarterfinals. The Bloomsburg University women's team, which earned a first round bye, is at home Tuesday night in a quarterfinal game against East Stroudsburg.

 

HS Basketball

Of the four area high school basketball teams that played in District 4 championship games on Saturday afternoon.... only the Millville girls emerged as District champions. The Quakers routed Northeast Bradford 66 - 35 in the Class A final to remain unbeaten.

 

Sunday / March 2, 2013


Jayson Terdiman

It's a long way from Berwick to Sochi, Russia and return. That's the journey winter Olympic double luge competitor Jayson Terdiman took... arriving home to enjoy a homecoming parade north on Front Street Saturday afternoon. The 2007 graduate of Berwick High School was amazed at the turnout... and the folks lining the street... waving American flags. Terdiman and his partner finished eleventh in the double luge competition and six in the relays. Now... he returns to Lake Placid this week to prepare for a national event later this month.

 

George Greig

Pennsylvania's Agriculture Secretary came a callin' on agri – businessmen in Montour County at the start of the weekend. George Greig was the guest at a breakfast hosted by 107th District State Representative Kurt Masser in Danville. Secretary Greig spoke on a variety of topics... but during an interview... he hammered home the importance of the state's 109 fairs and their local economic impact.

 

Ray Musto

Former State Senator Ray Musto will be spending more time than expected at a federal treatment center in North Carolina. The Wyoming Valley Democrat was to have gone on trial on corruption charges earlier this year... but his attorney said he couldn't live through the proceeding due to illness. Now... a medical team has until June to evaluate the 84 – year old Musto to determine... if in fact... Musto could be tried.

 

Smoking Ban

The operational services committee of the Luzerne County Council is expected to debate the pro's and con's of a proposed anti – smoking ban on all County property on Tuesday. Proponents say it will improve health... reduce little with the lack of butts and help health insurance costs. Opponents believe it's a freedom of choice issue... and thus the county is taking something away that's legal.

 

What's Happening Sunday, March 2, 2014


** News Update **

Winter Storm Update

That winter storm headed for northeast Pennsylvania will not leave much of an accumulation. The National Weather Service in State College now says we can expect about an inch of snow during the daytime hours Sunday... with an additional one to two inches overnight... and a half - inch on Monday. The storm track has moved to the south... which means area's around the Pennsylvania - Maryland border could really get hammered. We'll keep you posted...

 

Susquehanna Steam Electric Station

The operators at Pennsylvania Power and Light Steam Electric station... north of Berwick in Luzerne County have disconnected the Unit 2 reactor from the grid. That happened early Saturday morning as technicians get ready for a planned inspection of turbine blades. A PPL spokesman says the unit has not shown any indication of turbine blade cracking... the utility is working closely with the blade manufacturer to make sure it resolves all turbine blade issues. Cracks in the blades turned up during previous shutdowns. It's not known how long Unit 2 will be off line.

 

        --00--

 

The Socrates Cafe will meet this Tuesday night for their regular monthly talk. This month's topic is: Are guns an essential part of the American psyche? What compels so many of us to arm ourselves? Bring your opinions. The meeting starts at 6:30 PM at the Bloomsburg Public Library on Market Street.

 

The Bloomsburg High School sudents will present Grease, their 2014 spring musical this coming weekend. Showtimes are at 7:30 PM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with a 1 PM matinee showing Saturday afternoon. Tickets are just $10. Call the school box office at 570-784-6100 ext. 6731 to reserve your seat today!

 

Experience the thrilling intrigue of The 39 Steps at BTE starting this week. The show is an adaptation of the novel by John Buchan and the film by Alfred Hitchcock. The 39 Steps is full of inventive staging, mistaken identity, punny coincidences, and an unforgettable race to discover the central secret: just what are the 39 steps? The show opens with a pay-what-you-wish preview this Thursday at 7:30 PM. For tickets and information, check out BTE under Our Partners at the top of the page.

 

Bloomsburg University's Celebrity artist Series continues this Friday with the National Boadway Tour of Green Day's American Idiot - a stage adaptation of the band's Grammy award-winning 2004 album. Showtime is at 8 PM at the Hass Center on the campus of Bloomsburg University. Tickets are on sale now. Find out more by checking out the Celebrity Artist Series under Our Partners at the top of the page.

 

WHLM Sports

BU Basketball

The Bloomsburg University Men's basketball team will advance in the PSAC playoffs after they beat Kutztown Saturday afternoon 82-71, avenging two previous losses to the Golden Bears this season. You can hear the details with Jim Doyle in the WHLM Husky Post-Game Report:

 

 

HS Basketball

Four area high school basketball teams played in District 4 championship games Saturday afternoon. In a triple header at Shikellamy High School, The Central Columbia Girls fell to Mount Carmel 46-44 in a class AA game. In a Boys' class AAA game, Shamokin beat Central Columbia 59-40. In a Girls' class A playoff game Millville beat Northeast Bradford 66-36. And in a Boys' AA 3rd place match, Southern Columbia fell to Towanda 57-50.

What's Happening Saturday, March 1, 2014


Stop by Artspace in downtown Bloomsburg starting this week and check out Austral Blue, a photographic exhibiton by Robert H. Brown featuring vintage-process images of Patagonia. Artist's reception is tonight from 6 - 8 PM. The show runs through April 6, at the gallery on Center Street.

 

Come on out to the Millville American Legion on Legion Road for a Mardí Gras celebration this eveningfeaturing music by Earthquake Sound with DJ Rebel. There will be food, music, dancing, and fun! It's free and open to the public. Come in costume, and bring a covered dish. Call 570-458-5960 for more information.

 

The Socrates Cafe will meet this Tuesday night for their regular monthly talk. This month's topic is: Are guns an essential part of the American psyche? What compels so many of us to arm ourselves? Bring your opinions. The meeting starts at 6:30 PM at the Bloomsburg Public Library on Market Street.

 

The Bloomsburg High School sudents will present Grease, their 2014 spring musical this coming weekend. Showtimes are at 7:30 PM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with a 1 PM matinee showing Saturday afternoon. Tickets are just $10. Call the school box office at 570-784-6100 ext. 6731 to reserve your seat today!

 

Experience the thrilling intrigue of The 39 Steps at BTE starting this week. The show is an adaptation of the novel by John Buchan and the film by Alfred Hitchcock. The 39 Steps is full of inventive staging, mistaken identity, punny coincidences, and an unforgettable race to discover the central secret: just what are the 39 steps? The show opens with a pay-what-you-wish preview this Thursday at 7:30 PM. For tickets and information, check out BTE under Our Partners at the top of the page.

 

Bloomsburg University's Celebrity artist Series continues this Friday with the National Boadway Tour of Green Day's American Idiot - a stage adaptation of the band's Grammy award-winning 2004 album. Showtime is at 8 PM at the Hass Center on the campus of Bloomsburg University. Tickets are on sale now. Find out more by checking out the Celebrity Artist Series under Our Partners at the top of the page.

 

WHLM Sports

BU Basketball

The Bloomsburg University Men's basketball team will advance in the PSAC playoffs after they beat Kutztown Saturday afternoon 82-71, avenging two previous losses to the Golden Bears this season. You can hear the details with Jim Doyle in the WHLM Husky Post-Game Report:

 

 

HS Basketball

Four area high school basketball teams played in District 4 championship games Saturday afternoon. In a triple header at Shikellamy High School, The Central Columbia Girls fell to Mount Carmel 46-44 in a class AA game. In a Boys' class AAA game, Shamokin beat Central Columbia 59-40. In a Girls' class A playoff game Millville beat Northeast Bradford 66-36. And in a Boys' AA 3rd place match, Southern Columbia fell to Towanda 57-50.

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Solid Gold Saturday Morning
High School Football

 

Local High School Football

Heard On...

News Radio 930, 94.7,

104.3, Danville's 105.5,

WBWX 1280 Berwick

& WHLM.com

 

Friday, Nov. 7

TBD

7:00 PM

 

Berwick Bulldogs Football

Heard On...

Classic Rock 103.5

& ClassicRock1035.com

 

Friday, Nov. 7

vs TBD

7:00 PM

 

 

 

 

BU Football

 

BU Huskies Football

Heard On...

News Radio 930, 94.7,

104.3, Danville's 105.5,

WBWX 1280 Berwick

& WHLM.com

 

Saturday, Nov. 1

vs East Stroudsburg

@ Redman Stadium

2:00 PM

 

Sunbury Motors

Husky Tailgate Show

12:00 Noon

 

WHLM Links

 
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