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PASSHE, APSCUF close to deal on faculty contract

February 3, 2013, 10:08 am
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A weekend of negotiations appears to have paid off for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) as the two sides work toward a new collective bargaining agreement.

Both organizations announced Sunday morning that they had agreed upon a framework for the new faculty contract.

The general framework largely mirrors the agreements reached by Gov. Corbett and other statewide unions, according to the APSCUF news release, but details will not be released until Monday.

The new contract would cover approximately 5,500 faculty members at the 14 state-owned universities, according to PASSHE.
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Hosting Super Bowl all a part of New Orleans' revival

February 3, 2013, 11:46 am
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A lot of change has come to the City of New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina made landfall on August 29, 2005.  On that day, Hurricane Katrina made landfall as a Category 3 storm just south of New Orleans in Buras, Louisiana.

Katrina brought winds of over 100 miles per hour and some of the worst flooding ever seen in the United States. 

However, what at the time was a story of devastation has not turned into a story of redemption.

The levees have been rebuilt and are now stronger than ever before.  This was evident during the last Hurricane season, when the levees held during Hurricane Isaac. 

The tourist parts of New Orleans have also been rebuilt, in fact they were one of the least-damaged areas in New Orleans.  The French Quarter and Bourbon Street only suffered minor damage during the storm.

But it is places like the Lower Ninth Ward and other poor sections of the City that continue to recover from the storm.

Groups like the American Red Cross, Mennonite Disaster Services, Catholic Charities and numerous other organizations continue to rebuild homes in the area. 

Along with these charities, stars like Brad Pitt, Drew Brees and others have partnered with other service organizations to rebuild the city.

Unemployment in the city is actually lower than the national average, at 5.9 percent for the City versus close to 7.6 percent in the U.S.

However, homelessness is a different story.  Almost 6,700 people are homeless, with works out to be 56 people for every 10,000 in the city.  These numbers are three times the national average.

But the rebuild of the city has only been aided by the presence of major sporting events in the City of New Orleans.  The college football BCS Championship was held at the Superdome in 2012.  Only a few months later, the NCAA Men's D1 NCAA Tournament Final Four was held at the Super Dome as well.

Now with the Super Bowl in New Orleans, these large events continue to bring money back into the region, helping businesses in the area.

The Crescent City also was helped when the hometown New Orleans Saints made it to, and won Super Bowl XLVI in Miami, defeating the Indianapolis Colts 31-17.  The victory, and the team over the years since Katrina, have helped to serve as a distraction during the difficult times for the city.

Super Bowl XLVII is a spectacle that shows the best that New Orleans has to offer.  But it is important to remember the locations of New Orleans that continue to rebuild, less than a decade after Hurricane Katrina hit the region. 

Numerous photos attached in a slideshow display some of the highlights of the city, and also some of the damage that occurred in the aftermath of Katrina.


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Wood stove catches fire, damaged pole shed but firefighters save other section

February 3, 2013, 1:23 pm
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A fire Sunday afternoon on Farmersville Road destroyed a portion of a pole shed.

The fire started in a wood stove located in an enclosed portion of the shed. The enclosed portion is used by storage space for his painting business.

The fire was contained to the storage space and did not reach the rest of farm equipment stored in the shed, or the goats.

No was injured in the fire.

The owner said he and his family had just put some wood in the fire and his family had sat down for supper.

Only 15 minutes later, a neighbor came running to the door yelling the shed was on fire.

The fire was put out in 20 minutes and damage is approximately $35,000.

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Man and woman hunting for turtles fall through ice

February 3, 2013, 1:41 pm
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Information provided by CBSNewYork:

A man and woman were out of the hospital Sunday, after they fell through the ice in the Passaic River while turtle hunting.

The 30-year-old woman called 911 around 8:15 p.m. Saturday to report that her 37-year-old boyfriend had fallen into the water, police said. The woman then apparently tried to step in and help the man herself, only to fall in too.

Rescue crews soon arrived and had to paddle against the current and cut down trees with chainsaws to reach the couple, who were holding on to a tree.

Both victims were suffering from extreme hypothermia when they were pulled from the water around 9:15 p.m., but they were treated at a hospital and released on Sunday.

Four firefighters were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Authorities did not know why the man and woman were looking for turtles.
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Harrisburg City Councilman to announce run for Lieutenant Governor

February 3, 2013, 4:41 pm
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Harrisburg City Councilman Brad Koplinski will announce his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor on Monday at noon.

Koplinski aims to help Pa’s cities and towns make decisions without being dictated by the Governor and State Legislature.

“Pennsylvania’s municipalities are in trouble,” Koplinski explained. “They are spending more money than they are taking in. Their infrastructures are crumbling. They are not allowed to generate their own revenue without asking for permission from the Governor and the Legislature. Having fought Governor Corbett in determining the best course for Harrisburg, I want to be able to continue that fight on behalf of all of our cities, towns and boroughs.”

Koplinski has been a City Councilman for the last five years.

He also was the political director for Senator Arlen Specter’s 2010 U.S. Senate effort, the Central Pennsylvania political director for Senator Hillary Clinton in her 2008 Presidential campaign and controller for the 2008 Obama-Biden Pennsylvania campaign.

The announcement will take place in the East Wing Rotunda at the Pennsylvania State Capitol at noon on Monday, February 4th.

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Local family looks forward to Super Bowl as Ravens fans, despite living in Steelers country

February 3, 2013, 5:18 pm
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It's a typical school day for Jake and Josh Rudy, the yellow school bus brings them home under blue skies and white clouds, but on this day, only purple is on the minds of the Rudy brothers and their mom, Michelle.

“Hey guys you want to come and have a snack?” questioned Michelle Rudy, “Brownies!”

The Rudy family stayed Ravens fans even after moving to Pennsylvania.

“For the most part, it's fantastic except for when the Ravens and Steelers play,” Michelle Rudy told us. “That rival is very competitive, so it makes it a little challenging cause our neighbors and a lot of our close friends are Steelers fans.”

Michelle was hoping the 49ers would play the Ravens because the similarities between the Harbaugh brothers and her boys, who are just 17 months apart.

“I don't know what I'd do in that situation, I'd cheer for both and know they'd be supporting each other,” chuckled Michelle. Or so she thinks.

“You'd still be able to get along if one of you won and the other lost, right?” we asked the boys.

“No, we're always very competitive against each other,” Jake Rudy stated.

“If he lost, he'd freak out,” echoed brother Josh. “And if he lost he'd freak out, it's the Super Bowl Josh!” countered Jake.

And with a Ravens loss, and the end of the NFL season, the Rudy brothers will now have to turn their attention to something other than football…not.

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Super Bowl XLVII special for man who kicked a bad habit and made a change

February 3, 2013, 5:29 pm
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As you head south on I-83 you head deeper and deeper into Ravens County.

Sunday, we met a man who turned his love for the Ravens into something that might end up saving his life.

This is a story with several twists, the Baltimore Ravens, cigarettes, a massive heart attack and a 1981 Harley-Davidson.

“It's almost like a cult, Ravens fans are crazy,” explained Tim Sessions.

“I smoked, I drank, did everything I shouldn't do and never listened to the doctors and then one day God reached his hand down and tried to bring me up there with him,” Sessions explained.

Last March, Tim had the kind of heart attack that is so serious it is called the 'widow maker.'

“The doctor told me I had about two minutes, my wife took me to the firehouse, if I had waited for the ambulance to come to my house I wouldn't have made it,” explained Sessions.

“We're very, very happy, fortunate, that he is still around with us,” long-time friend Brian Dahlhdimer stated.

“It was well over $200 a month, $6 a pack, a pack a day,” Sessions said about how much his habit cost him.

Tim's wife helped convince him to spend that $200 a month in a different way.

“I need him, I need him with me, hopefully we are going to be together forever,” stated his wife, Walkyria Sessions. “But he has to take care of himself and if the bike is the incentive, he can have another one if he wants one as long as he doesn't smoke.

“She told me if I started smoking again, I'd have to sell the Harley,” Tim confessed.

Tim is 52 and his bike is inspired by number 52.

“He reminds me a lot of my Dad, the work ethic,” Tim Sessions commented. “Ray has proven this year that he's turned around and come back from a pretty serious injury.”

But nothing quite like being two minutes from death. The American Cancer Society may even be interested in Tim's story to help others put down the ‘cancer sticks.’

“Hey look you can have a have a nice Harley if you don't smoke,” chuckled Tim.

“I saw Punxsutawney Phil didn't see his shadow so spring is right around the corner so hopefully in another couple of weeks we'll be out riding with my buddies,” commented Tim.

“I don't even want to try to ride the bike, I wouldn't touch it,” Tim’s son, Brent Sessions told us. “If I were to crash that I think I would be kicked out of the family for a little bit.”

“Ray, Ray if you see this, please sign my bike for me please,” pleaded Tim Sessions.

Now if Tim can overcome a major heart attack and a 35-year cigarette habit, I've got a hunch that he is going to make that happen.

Sunday night, Tim and his friends watched the game outside, an amazing patio.

A lot of the Ravens fans in York County call themselves Border Jumpers, once from Maryland, but now calling PA home.



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UPDATE(2): Coroner called to the scene of pedestrian accident, I-83 reopened

February 3, 2013, 6:45 pm
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UPDATE:

All lanes of Interstate 83 are now open.  However, traffic may be slow in the area due to residual delays and backups. 
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The coroner is headed to the scene of a fatal crash on Interstate 83 involving a pedestrian.

At this time, reports indicate that a person may have been struck by several cars.

The accident happened between Miles 28, Strinestown and 32, Newberrytown on the southbound side.

However, both directions of I-83 are closed.

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Killer cats: Your house cat is one of the most dangerous animals on Earth

February 3, 2013, 6:53 pm
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A new report says the average house cat is now one of the world's most dangerous and invasive species.

They kill billions of birds and other mammals each year, and that's just in the United States.

The next time your see a cat out here on the streets, the findings in this report will have you thinking twice about handling it yourself.

Sure cats are cute and cuddly on Youtube, but in real life they're attacking bears!

A new report from Nature Communications reveals free-ranging domestic cats kill anywhere between 1.4 and 3.7 billion birds a year and between 6.9 and 20.7 billion mammals annually.

Stray cats, as opposed to owned pets, cause the majority of this mortality.

Mike Romberger has a solution to the problem. His non-profit group called Lower Paxton Community Cats, catches, spays and neuters, then releases them back into the community.

“There's a recent study that says cats are the most dangerous species next to man, against small rodents, birds, wild bird population in the area,” explained Romberger.

Romberger says there are about 4,000 stray cats roaming Lower Paxton Township right now.

“They have to feed themselves, so they kill off small animals, some times birds,” Romberger told us. “One way to prevent that is by actually feeding the cats in our neighborhood.”

Cats are now on the world's top 100 invasive species list. Romberger's group is working hard, to change that.

“Our main goal is to reduce the cat population by preventing them from continually reproducing within the community,” Romberger concluded.

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Winter weather leads to crash on Second Street Sunday evening

February 3, 2013, 7:27 pm
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Winter weather is to blame for causing a car to flip on its roof in Harrisburg Sunday night.

Police say a man lost control of his car, slid down Second Street and then crashed into at least five other vehicles before flipping.

The driver was taken to the hospital.

“It was a black male driving, they had him out on the ground and then, a lady, ER doc was helping him,” commented Corey Thomas. “He had blood on his face.”

One woman sitting in a truck along Second Street was also hurt and taken to the hospital.

The investigation continues by police.

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Baltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII in 34-31 win over San Francisco

February 3, 2013, 8:10 pm
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NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The Baltimore Ravens beat the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 in Super Bowl XLVII

Capping a pretty perfect postseason, Joe Flacco completed 22 of 33 passes for 287 yards and three first-half touchdowns Sunday to earn Super Bowl MVP honors for leading the Baltimore Ravens to a 34-29 victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

Flacco became only the sixth quarterback in 47 Super Bowls to throw for three scores in the first half, connecting with Anquan Boldin for 13 yards, Dennis Pitta for 1, and Jacoby Jones for 56.

And the unassuming guy who played his college football at Delaware finished Baltimore's four-game run to the title with 11 TD passes and zero interceptions. It was an impressive run that included road victories against two of the game's best QBs, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady.

However, Flacco is not the only one notable name to finish a champion. Ray Lewis will ride into retirement as a champion.

Baltimore's standout middle linebacker began his final night on the football field with a motivational speech to his teammates. He ended it looking upward into a shower of silver streamers and purple confetti after the Ravens beat the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 Sunday night to win the Super Bowl.

Standing tall in the middle of a defense that survived a frenzied comeback by Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers, Lewis put a lovely bow on his 17th NFL season by earning his second Super Bowl ring - 12 years after the first.

Lewis was the MVP of the Super Bowl when Baltimore beat the Giants.

On Sunday night, Lewis and his defense played a supporting role to Joe Flacco and the offense.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)


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Lower Paxton Twp. police investigating stabbing

February 4, 2013, 3:41 am
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Police in Dauphin County are investigating an overnight stabbing.
It happened sometime before 1:00 a.m. at Twin Lakes Manor Apartments on Lakepoint Drive in Lower Paxton Township.
Right now all police will confirm is that there was a stabbing, no word on injuries or suspects.
More details are expected later this morning.



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VIDEO: Fighting the food coma

February 4, 2013, 3:49 am
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Lebanon Co. house fire goes to two alarms

February 4, 2013, 4:41 am
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Crews in Lebanon County are on the scene of a two alarm house fire.
Flames broke out just after seven this morning in a home at the intersection of Tunnell-Hill Road and Windsor Drive in North Lebanon Township.
So far dispatchers say they haven't received reports of anyone being trapped inside.

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Harrisburg area weekly gas price update

February 4, 2013, 7:51 am
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Average retail gasoline prices in Harrisburg have risen 11.4 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.63/g yesterday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 241 gas outlets in Harrisburg. This compares with the national average that has increased 14.4 cents per gallon in the last week to $3.48/g, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Harrisburg during the past week, prices yesterday were 5.0 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 13.4 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 21.1 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 4.4 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

"The national average has ticked higher in the last week, as rising oil prices have put upward pressure on gasoline prices," said GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan. "Unfortunately for angry motorists, there doesn't seem to be much relief in sight, at least for the time being, as retail prices continue to climb in virtually all areas of the country," DeHaan said.

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Tentative Pa. university faculty pact awaits votes

February 4, 2013, 8:00 am
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HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A tentative contract agreement affecting about 5,500 faculty members at Pennsylvania's state-owned universities awaits review by a union committee.

The negotiations committee of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties, comprising union leaders from the 14 campuses, is scheduled to vote Monday night.

Faculty members have been working without a contract since June 2011, and members had authorized a strike if necessary.

But early Sunday, after two days of talks, the union said it and the State System of Higher Education had agreed on a "framework" for a new contract that mirrors the terms approved other state-employee unions.

Neither side has provided details about the agreement. Both sides had previously agreed on wage increases, but health coverage was among several stumbling blocks to a settlement.

 

©2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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'Honoring Our Veterans’ license plate now available

February 4, 2013, 9:05 am
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Pennsylvania vehicle owners can now show their support of veterans by purchasing the new “Honoring Our Veterans” license plate.

The plate, authorized by Act 194 of 2012, features an image of the American flag and a bald eagle and contains the words “Honoring Our Veterans.”

“Patriotic-minded individuals frequently ask me how they can pay tribute to veterans or where they can donate a small amount of money that benefits veterans, and this new license plate is a great way to do just that," Brig. Gen. (PA) Mike Gould said, deputy adjutant general for veterans affairs with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “More importantly, you don’t need to be a veteran to get one of these plates.”

The plate is available for passenger cars and light trucks up to 10,000 pounds and costs $35. Fifteen dollars from the sale of each license plate goes to the Veterans Trust Fund administered by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The funds will be used to support and assist Pennsylvania veterans and their families through grants to veterans service organizations and other charitable organizations.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation began issuing the new license plate in mid-January.

For more information and to get a copy of the application visit:

http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/license_plates/special_fund.shtml

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Ephrata police working to solve rash of daylight burglaries

February 4, 2013, 10:37 am
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Ephrata Police are investigating four daylight residential burglaries that have occurred over the past 2 ½ weeks. The homes are entered by force and items such as jewelry and electronics have been taken.

The homes were on Highland Avenue, West Chestnut Street, and Park Avenue.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Brad Ortenzi at 717-738-9200 x 243 or Lancaster City/County Crime Stoppers at (800) 322-1913, or you can anonymously Text a Tip to Crime Stoppers by using your cell phone. Text LANCS plus your message to 847411. Callers may remain anonymous and do not have to give their names.



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AG Kane appoints former Fed to lead Sandusky investigation

February 4, 2013, 11:05 am
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From the Office of the Attorney General:

Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane announced the appointment of H. Geoffrey Moulton, Jr. to lead the office’s internal investigation into how the Sandusky child abuse case was handled. Mr. Moulton will serve as a Special Deputy Attorney General with the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, reporting directly to Pennsylvania Attorney General Kane.

“Mr. Moulton is a highly respected former federal prosecutor who will assist us in providing a comprehensive and independent examination of the facts surrounding the handling of the Sandusky investigation,” said Pennsylvania Attorney General Kane. “Once the facts have been uncovered, my office will make these findings available to the public.”

Mr. Moulton, an Associate Professor at Widener University School of Law, will begin his work effective immediately. His prior work experience includes eight years as a federal prosecutor with four as First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. In that capacity, he was responsible for the day-to-day operation of an office of 130 lawyers, supervised all major cases in the office -- both civil and criminal -- and served as a principal point of contact with state and federal law enforcement agencies.

From 2009 through 2011, Mr. Moulton served in senior positions in the federal government in Washington, D.C., first as Chief Counsel to U.S. Senator Ted Kaufman of Delaware, where he was responsible for all aspects of the Senator’s work on the Judiciary Committee and the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, including drafting and shepherding aspects of major financial fraud and health care fraud legislation. Mr. Moulton then served as Chief of Staff and Deputy Special Inspector General for the Office of Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP). At SIGTARP, Mr. Moulton was responsible for the day-to-day management of an agency of more than 140 employees, including auditors, criminal investigators, and staff. He supervised all agency investigations of fraud and other criminal activity related to TARP as well as all agency audit and evaluation activity.

In 1993, as the Project Director for the U.S. Treasury Department, Mr. Moulton prepared a comprehensive and widely praised report concerning the failed Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) raid on the Branch Davidian compound near Waco, Texas. His report resulted in important changes in the policies and procedures at both ATF and the Treasury Department.

Mr. Moulton is a former United States Supreme Court law clerk. He clerked for the Honorable William H. Rehnquist, and also served as law clerk to the Honorable Wilfred Feinberg, United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Mr. Moulton earned his undergraduate degree from Amherst College and his law degree from Columbia University School of Law, where he was on the Law Review.


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State beats Plum Pox virus

February 4, 2013, 11:08 am
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Agriculture Secretary George Greig today said the more than decade-long effort to eradicate the Plum Pox Virus has been a success after three years of required monitoring shows the disease has not reappeared.

“The department has been committed to eradicating the disease and minimizing its impact on growers’ livelihoods and the state’s economy,” Greig said. “This latest survey officially closes the books on the 14 years of Plum Pox Virus eradication efforts, which were only possible through the cooperative efforts of fruit growers, researchers, educators and governments.”

Pennsylvania was declared free of the virus in October 2009 after three years of negative testing. The latest survey marks the third of three consecutive years of required monitoring during the recovery phase. Since the disease has not reappeared, the virus is considered officially eradicated.

A survey conducted last summer tested 41,408 leaf samples, primarily from Adams County, but also including samples from Cumberland, Franklin, Lancaster and York counties. State and federal agriculture department crews began collecting orchard samples in May and finished at the end of October.

Formal orchard surveys for the virus will not occur in 2013, though standard testing of nursery material will continue. Additional orchard monitoring may be proposed in future years, as part of ongoing early detection strategies for pests of concern.

Plum Pox Virus severely affects production of fruit-bearing and ornamental varieties of almond, apricot, cherry, nectarine, peach and plum stone fruit trees. After it was found in Adams County peach trees in 1999, state and federal agriculture officials teamed with Penn State University to impose a 300 square-mile quarantine area, perform aggressive surveillance and develop an eradication program.

Since trees cannot be cured of Plum Pox, affected growers were required to destroy all exposed stone fruit trees within the quarantined areas in the four affected counties. In Pennsylvania, 1,675 orchard acres were destroyed.

For more information, visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us and search “Plum Pox Virus.”

 

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