Embattled Northumberland County transportation director Dennis Hepler met behind closed doors with the county commissioners Tuesday to discuss allegations that he committed fraud against the county and state.

A recent study of teen sexual activity suggests abstinence-only programs work.

Demolition has been halted on a building “relevant” to the defense of double-murder suspect Michael A. Harrell.

Near blizzard conditions, with steady falling snow and winds gusting to 35 mph, will make morning commutes extremely treacherous for Valley residents, a meteorologist said Tuesday night.

Oaklyn Elementary School students have constructed their own mountain dulcimer and written an original folk song to go with it.

Nick and Pat Burlone, of Riverside, know “Even though Bob has gone on to a better Coffee Club location, we will always see him in his designated seat at the Danville McDonald’s.”

Not even an impending snowstorm could dim the enthusiasm of businessman David Madeira, who on Tuesday officially announced that he would seek the Republican nomination for Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District seat.

Federal stimulus money soon may fund a position to oversee mandated community service projects throughout Snyder and Union counties.

AUMAN, DANIEL W., 18, of Paxinos. Visitation from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Farrow Funeral Home, Sixth and Chestnut streets, Shamokin. Funeral at 1 p.m. Saturday in St. John’s United Church of Christ, 117 N. Eighth St., Shamokin.

DANVILLE – Two men from Hanover were heading home with a snowblower when they narrowly missed a two-truck accident that snarled traffic during rush hour this afternoon.

George Rupp II said he was able to stop his black pickup truck in time. He was traveling parallel to a blue tractor struck by a white truck that hit the A-Plus Mini Market sign on Route 54 near Perkins Restaurant.

His dad, George Rupp, said the white truck pulled out from the Perkins intersection onto Route 54 and into the path of the tractor heading toward Danville. The white truck spun around and its right front end hit the large sign, the Rupps said.

The driver of the white truck, from Nordo Inc., refused to comment on the accident.
There was an initial report of a minor injury.

JOHNSTOWN — Democrats have long dominated the late Rep. John Murtha's district in western Pennsylvania, but Republicans have made inroads in recent years that could help them win back the seat — and some longtime Murtha supporters say they're open to voting for a GOP candidate.

HARRISBURG — Gov. Ed Rendell today presented lawmakers with a $29 billion spending plan that would devote more money to schools, prisons and health care for the poor while taxing the sale of many services for the first time.

HARRISBURG — The state Senate's longest-serving member and Democratic minority leader is retiring from the Senate.

Gov. Ed Rendell, who said, “Pennsylvania has lost one of its greatest citizens,” following John Murtha’s death on Monday, indicated that he will decide soon whether to hold an election for Murtha’s successor on May 18 when the state holds its Primary Election, or whether to hold a special election on another date.

The filing deadline for party nominations isn’t up until March 9, but early frontrunners in the Pennsylvania governor’s race have amassed a war chest of more than $6 million.

Friday’s debate in Lancaster between two Democratic Senate candidates, Sen. Arlen Specter and his primary opponent Rep. Joe Sestak, featured some sharp barbs and criticisms during a roughly 30-minute session that featured questions on health care, Iran and women’s rights.

And, a kick-off party for George Zalar’s campaign was held Saturday in Shamokin and despite the snow, it was a success.

Highlights of the $29 billion state budget plan for the year that starts July 1:

My proposal begins with commonsense changes to our state tax system:

Using a cell phone while driving is a distraction. Distracted drivers, regardless of age, can cause accidents, but teen drivers using cell phones are the ones being targeted by a bill before the state Legislature.