David Millard / Budget
The state house Appropriations Committee continues to work on the state's 2012 – 2013 budget... a measure which must be signed by Governor Corbett by the end of June. State Representative David Millard of Millville says it's getting a bit easier to do since tax revenues coming into the state treasury are more than expected.
Berwick Police Chief
Berwick has a new Police Chief. The Borough Council has promoted Kenneth Strish from criminal investigator to chief. He'll replace current chief Jim Comstock who plans to retire next month. The Press – Enterprise is reporting in Tuesday's edition he'll earn $65,000 a year in the first of a three year contract... with planned pay raises. Strish says he wants to hire two detectives to who will be his replacements.
Football Coach Arrest
Federal agents have arrested the varsity football coach at Holy Redeemer High School in Wilkes – Barre. Joseph Ostrowski was arrested on charges dealing with the attempted production of child pornography. In a statement... the Diocese of Scranton said Ostrowski was suspended from his job. Ostrowski has been the head football coach at Holy Redeemer since June of last year.
Assistant Manager
Luzerne County Manager Robert Lawton has selected a deputy. Chief Engineer Joe Gibbons is now the number two man in the county. He'll serve as manager... if... Lawton can't fulfill his duties due to unforeseen circumstances. The 40 – year old Gibbons has been with Luzerne County Government since 2011... and fills the position due to home rule charter requirements.
Gas Prices
The price of a gallon of gas continues to plunge across northeastern Pennsylvania. According to the Triple – A Fuel Gauge report... pump prices dropping twenty – two cents over the past month... and is averaging $3.74 a gallon for self serve, unleaded regular. That's down a penny from the weekend... and seven cents from a week ago.
Milton Board
Money is tight in the Milton Area School District. The board of education is trying to close an estimated $735,000 budget deficit. During the board's finance committee meeting Monday night... they decided to recommend a 2.4% tax increase... cutting the athletic budget $60,000... cutting $35,000 from the tech and vocational budget... and furloughing five teachers... and a school resource officer... saving the district $321,000. The full board to decide on the cuts when they meet the 15th of the month.
Shamokin Road
A lot of head scratching taking place... as the Department of Environmental Protection is trying to figure out how a hole opened up adjacent to Northwestern Academy Drive near Shamokin. The side of the road opened up Friday... and since that time the it has grown to a depth of 35 feet deep and 25 feet wide. The DEP are checking records.... wanting to know if the subsidence occurred due to an old mine in the area.
Mini - Sports Expo
State Representative Kurt Masser who takes care of southern Columbia County in Harrisburg... as well as Montour and Northumberland County's will host a mini sportsman expo in Shamokin next Thursday. A Masser news release says it will be held at the Shamokin Knights of Columbus building on Independence Street. It begins at 5 O'clock in the afternoon... and runs through 8 PM.
Representative Culver
State Representative Linda Culver will be out spending time in her district. Next Thursday... Ms. Culver will make an appearance at the Selinsgrove Senior Activity Center on North Water Street starting at 10:30 AM. Meantime... she will hold a town hall meeting at the Line Mountain High School in Herndon on Thursday, May 17th starting at 6 O'clock.
WHLM Sports
High School Baseball
In high school baseball Monday... Bloomsburg defeated Warrior Run 5 to nothing.
High School Softball
In girls' softball... Warrior Run got by Central Columbia 9 to 7.
Philadelphia 76er's
The Philadelphia 76ers can clinch their playoff series against the Chicago Bulls Tuesday night. The Sixers lead the series three games to one. Tuesday night's game is at the United Center in Chicago.
Philadelphia Flyers
In the National Hockey League Playoffs Tuesday night, the Philadelphia Flyers need a win to stay alive in their series against the New Jersey Devils. The Flyers trail three games to one going into the game at Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies opened a three game series against the New York Mets Monday night... and the Phillies bats failed. They couldn't back up pitcher Roy Halladay... and fell to the Mets 5 to 2. Both teams face each other Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park. You can catch all the action with the pre-game show at 6:30... with the first pitch to be tossed at 7:05 on News Radio 930, 94.7, 104.3 & Berwick's 1280.
