| Press Enterprise Online

What we're working on for July 2

Here's a look at the stories that are keeping our reporters busy Thursday: * Three teenagers are hurt in a wreck overnight, and two remain in critical condition. Check back for more on the story shortly. * A gun went off in a local emergency room last week. Reporter Michael Lester is pursuing the details.

Motorcycle crash puts two in the hospital

BLOOMSBURG -- A husband and wife were hospitalized after the motorcycle they were riding on rear-ended a truck on Route 11 Monday afternoon. Donald and Mary Bennett were traveling from their home in Bowling Green, Ky. to Maine on a long-distance road trip, said Donald, who was operating the 2007 yellow Honda Goldwing.

Ask a Reporter: Remembering a fire 21 years ago

Question: There was a fire where the Renco Hardware store is at Central Road and Columbia Blvd. It was pretty big .... could (you share) some pics or articles on it? I was telling my grandson about it but I can't remember when it was. I think in the mid to late 80s.
-- Francis Gough, Benton

Wildfire claims lives of 19 firefighters

YARNELL, Ariz. (AP) -- An out-of-control blaze overtook an elite group of firefighters trained to battle the nation's fiercest wildfires, killing 19 members as they tried to protect themselves from the flames under fire-resistant shields. It was the most firefighters killed battling a wildfire in the U.S. in decades.

Fire guts home near Bendertown

FISHING CREEK TWP. - A family lost their home and their dog in a blaze along Old Tioga Turnpike Friday afternoon, they told a reporter. David Butz and his family weren't home when the fire broke out near the living room around 1:45 p.m. But a passing driver saw the flames and stopped at a neighbor's home to call for help. The fire leaves Butz; his wife, Yvette; and his three children Carrie, 17, Kelley, 19, and Devon, 10, homeless. Their brown labrador, Grizzly, was killed in the fire, officials confirmed.

Truck carrying animals collides with car on Route 11

BRIAR CREEK -- A truck towing a trailer full of animals crashed head-on into a car along Route 11 Thursday afternoon, tipping the truck onto its side and sending both drivers to the hospital for injuries. Rescue workers had to set up a pen to corral the animals -- from Young's Funny Farm -- while others worked to free the car's driver from her vehicle. A medical helicopter was summoned to take car driver Patricia McLaughlin, 76, Bloomsburg, to Geisinger. The truck's driver, Neil Young, was taken to a hospital by ambulance. A service dog riding in the truck was taken to the veterinarian.

Ask a Reporter: When does the farmer's market get started?

Question: "Could you let us know when the Berwick Farmer's Market will start this year?" -- John, BerwickAnswer: Our longtime Berwick reporter Susan Schwartz replies: "John, you and I are on the same page - I wrote about the same thing in today's Front Street Beat. The Berwick farmer's market starts at Crispin Field this Saturday. In honor of the grand opening, there will be free lemonade and free reminder magnets from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Gimme shelter: Police look for info on abandoned dog

SCOTT TWP. - Township police are looking for more information about an abandoned dog found tied up outside the Short Stop Mart near Lightstreet around noontime Wednesday. He had a note attached that identified him as "Jagger," a year-old pit bull/labrador mix, and asked someone to find him a new home. Anyone with information on the dog can call Scott Township Police at 784-9114, they say. Reporter Leon Bogdan will have all the details on the dog find in Thursday's Press Enterprise.

Bears shut down Route 42 near Buckhorn

BUCKHORN - A family of bears shut down Route 42 just north of the Millville Road and Mall Boulevard intersection late Wednesday morning, after a stubborn cub became temporarily stuck on a rocky ledge overlooking the road, police said. While its mother called to it from Little Fishing Creek across the road, the cub wouldn't budge. Its two siblings had already crossed the road and climbed a tree. But the cub on the ledge soon drew the attention of drivers passing by, said Hemlock Township Police Chief Mike VanDine. Someone called police about the animals at 11:20 a.m.

Supreme Court strikes down Defense of Marriage Act

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that legally married same-sex couples should get the same federal benefits as heterosexual couples. The court invalidated a provision of the federal Defense of Marriage Act that has prevented married gay couples from receiving a range of tax, health and retirement benefits that are generally available to married people. The vote was 5-4. Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote the majority opinion.