What we're working on for July 9

Here's a look at the stories that are keeping our reporters busy Monday: * A man perches at the edge of a river bridge, keeping police at bay. See our breaking online report and look for a full story in Tuesday's print edition. * A father is in court on charges of breaking his infant's leg. Reporter Leon Bogdan tells you what happened. * A prominent businessman dies, leaving questions about his landmark moviehouse. Reporter Susan Schwartz has more.

Standoff ensues with suicidal man on ledge of river bridge

SOUTH CENTRE TWP. -- A two-hour standoff with a suicidal man on the Mifflinville bridge ended with a police officer tackling the man as he tried to walk into his nearby home. Wayne Shiffer, 47, was spotted by a passerby at 4:17 a.m., sitting on the ledge about halfway across the Mifflinville bridge and talking on his phone, police say. When officers arrived, they shut down both sides of the bridge, and attempted to talk Shiffer down from the ledge. "He was mad about some life problems, a divorce and child custody," South Centre Township Officer Paul Kelly said.

Man thrown from convertible in wreck

HUNTINGTON TWP. -- A driver was apparently flung from his convertible as the car flipped Friday afternoon and landed upside-down. Rescuers found Kevin G. Whipple, 56, of 794 Waterton Road, sitting on the ground dazed shortly after the crash was reported around 1 p.m. State Police said Whipple was headed south on Waterton Road about a mile and a half south of Route 239 when he crested a small hill and lost control of his 2009 Mazda, possibly due to his speed.

Firefighters overcome fighting barn blaze

ROSS TWP. -- Two firefighters were taken to the hospital suffering from the heat Thursday while fighting a fire that may have started through spontaneous combustion. Michael Howell was out mowing at his home at 177 Grange Hall Road here when he noticed smoke coming from the corner of his small barn, said his sister, Jackie Howell, 33. He told her to call 9-1-1 at 2:21 p.m., according to dispatchers. Then she and her brother led two horses, Trinity and Zeus, out of the field around the barn where they had been grazing. "The horses were scared," Jackie Howell said. "I was scared, too."

What we're working on for Independence Day

Here's a look at the stories that are keeping our reporters busy Wednesday: * A thief grabs money from the register at a local pizzeria -- but a surveillance camera catches him in the act. See our online report, including video surveillance footage, and look for our full report Thursday morning. * A big name in country music is coming to the area this fall. Reporter Peter Kendron tells you who, when and where.

Police seek thieves from Frank's Pizzeria

BLOOMSBURG - Police are looking for help identifying two men who grabbed around $600 from the register at Frank's Pizzeria early Wednesday morning. The theft took place at 12:33 a.m. Wednesday. A surveillance video shows one man in a red tank top with an ID card lanyard around his neck punching keys on the register before a cash drawer opens up. Then he and another man next to him grab and pocket cash from the register. The missing money represented almost an entire day's sales, said restaurant owner Frank Nash.

Child struck by car

BERWICK -- A 7-year-old boy darted out into Market Street and was struck by a car late Tuesday afternoon, police say. The boy, Owen Wright, had been running with a young girl on the sidewalk when the two reached the intersection at 9th Street. The girl stopped, but the boy kept running, police said. Driver Lisa Angell said she slammed on her brakes and tried to swerve to miss the child, but was unable to avoid him. The boy was conscious, but had at least suffered cuts and scrapes. He was taken to Geisinger by ambulance, police said. The accident happened just after 5:30 p.m.

What we're working on for July 3

Here's a look at the stories that are keeping our reporters busy Tuesday: * A bear ambles into a local park. Authorities are calling for help keeping crowds away and talking about shutting down streets. We have a reporter and photographer on the way there. Check back for more. * A man charged with stalking a local woman steps before a judge and gets a stern warning along with his sentence. Julye Wemple reports the case. * A family dog bites a little girl. Reporter Kristin Baver has details on what may have provoked the animal and how the little girl is doing.

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