Geisinger determines source of deadly bacteria

DANVILLE — Geisinger infection control investigators have determined the source of bacteria linked to the deaths of three premature babies in Geisinger Medical Center’s neonatal intensive care unit. 

Using DNA testing in collaboration with state Department of Health officials, Geisinger traced the bacteria to equipment used to measure donor breast milk, the health system announced Friday.

Geisinger publicly confirmed the source of the pseudomonas bacteria one month after announcing in October that three premature babies had died in the NICU. 

Suspicious package shuts down Elysburg Sheetz

ELYSBURG — A suspicious trunk left outside Sheetz here shut down the business Thursday morning as authorities tried to figure what it was and who left it behind.

The large, military-style foot locker was spotted near a light pole at the southeast corner of the building and reported to workers inside around 9 a.m. They in turn called police.

Ralpho Township Police Chief Stu Appel said he cleared employees from the building and summoned Elysburg and Overlook fire departments to assist in shutting down the gas station and convenience store.

Bloomsburg University students organize protest

BLOOMSBURG — Days after video of a Bloomsburg University student conducting a mock slave auction surfaced, thousands of students gathered on campus Wednesday, demanding diversity from school officials — and unity and support from classmates.

Senior class president Matthew Lassus led the noon protest, which quickly swelled to fill the academic quad, in a prayer before reminding the crowd it was a peaceful gathering.

BU student fired from job after slave auction video surfaces

BLOOMSBURG — A Bloomsburg University student worker has been fired from the athletic training department after video of him acting out an auction of "n-----s" surfaced Sunday night.

The university addressed the video Monday morning, issuing a statement saying the “actions and language” in the video don’t represent the school’s values.

“As a safe, inclusive and diverse campus community, we promote and value the human dignity of all each and every day,” the statement said. 

CORRECTION: Deceased man is Roney Sr.

DANVILLE — A body removed from an apartment building here Friday, Nov. 1, was that of Tom Roney Sr., 59, according to Montour County Coroner Scott Lynn.  

A story published in the Saturday, Nov. 2, edition misidentified the deceased as Tom Roney Jr., 36. 

Roney Sr. was found by a maintenance man about 9 a.m. in the building at the corner of Center and Mill streets. Danville Borough Police and ambulance, State Police and the coroner investigated. 

An autopsy is scheduled today, Lynn said.

Storm aftermath closes roads

Thursday night's storms left several local roads closed due to flooding, downed trees and downed utilities, PennDOT says.

They include:

• Beaver Valley Road between Mountain Road and Mountain Shadow Road in Beaver Township.
• Millertown Road between Bottom Road in Greenwood Township and Hill Road in Mount Pleasant Township.
• Mainville Drive between State Routes 487 in Catawissa Township and 339 in Main Township.

Meanwhile, two roads that had been closed Friday morning were reopened by Friday afternoon:

Trick-or-treat listing, updated with weather shifts

BERWICK — Trick-or-treating will going on as scheduled in Berwick, Salem Township and Nescopeck borough on Thursday, officials there say.

In Bloomsburg and Scott Township, the town and township have pushed back trick-or-treating for a night to Friday. The same applies in Catawissa. In Danville, it’s been rescheduled until Saturday.

But Berwick Borough Manager Damien Scoblink jokingly suggested the weather may be an omen.

“If (Thursday) night gets rained out, that’s just Mother Nature actively fighting cavities,” Scoblink said.

Bloom will forfeit district playoff

BLOOMSBURG — Decimated by injuries, the Bloomsburg Panthers will forfeit Friday’s District IV football playoff game at Mount Carmel. 

The school district announced Tuesday that the Panthers were down to 17 healthy players after the team had lost seven players to injury in Friday’s season-ending 29-7 loss to Central Columbia. 

“In reality, this number could only drop,” a district statement said, referring to the team’s number of available players. 

Mom and toddler uninjured after crash

CATAWISSA TWP. — A Catawissa mother and her 2-year-old daughter escaped serious injury after the car they were in went off Route 487 and mounted a steep hillside just south of the former Tom’s Family Restaurant late Monday morning.

Calye Goldman, 30, of 604 Hillside Village, said she couldn’t control a 2008 Honda Accord after it veered off the highway and began to ascend a hill while traveling south on Route 487 shortly after 10 a.m. 

Pages