Van hits school bus head-on in Derry Twp; no students seriously hurt

A Danville Area Schools bus was hit head-on by a Dodge caravan along Rhoades Hill Road in Derry Township this afternoon, sending the van's drive to the hospital, state police said.

The bus was carrying 14 middle school students, but none was seriously injured, police said.

The van was driving westbound when it swerved into the bus' lane and collided head on with it, police said. The driver's identity wasn't immediately available. 

After the crash, a passenger in the van fled into a cornfield and was being sought, police said.

Water issue hits Shickshinny

SHICKSHINNY- Residents in the area woke to water woes Saturday morning as American Water began work on what they described as “Emergency Repairs.”  

About 300 customers are affected according to Susan Turcmanovich, external affairs manager for American Water.

There is a water tanker set up outside Thomas Markets in Shickshinny, Turcmanovich said.

A 12-inch break in a line along Route 11 caused the problem, she said. 

The issue affects Shickshinny Borough, Union, Plymouth and Hunlock Townships.

Man accused of killing two area women is charged in third death in Michigan

An alleged serial killer awaiting trial in the brutal murders of two Columbia County women now faces a third set of homicide charges.

Harold David Haulman III, 42, is the subject of an arrest warrant filed Monday by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office in Michigan, online court records show.

Haulman, 42, a long-haul truck driver, is in Luzerne County Prison without bail while awaiting trials for allegedly killing Erica Shultz, 26, of Bloomsburg and Tianna Ann Phillips, 25 of Berwick.

Haulman previously served time for bludgeoning a man to death in Germany.

Police: Rage Room owner torched business after fight with father

A candidate for Salem Township supervisor allegedly used gasoline and matches to set fire to his own business Thursday night during a dispute with his stepfather, who’s a current township supervisor.

Authorities said Friday that Michael A. Beck, 31, of 242 Main St., Salem Township, was on the run after allegedly setting fire to his Rage Room business at 247 Main St. in Salem.

Beck’s girlfriend, Madalyn Fisher, called 911 about 9:10 p.m. to report that Beck and his stepfather, Malcolm Plevyak, the owner of nearby MP Metals, had gotten into an argument.

Body discovered in North Centre Twp.

NORTH CENTRE TWP. — A body was discovered off Moore Road in North Centre Township in a small stream early Thursday, according to the Columbia County Coroner.

Briar Creek Township Police, State Police from Bloomsburg, the coroner and Columbia County District Attorney's Office are investigating the death.

The spot where the body was found was near the northern edge of the Brookside trailer court off of Ridge Road.

We'll have more information as it's available. 

 

PPL: Power outage may last until midnight

BRIAR CREEK TWP. — Monday morning’s fatal tanker truck crash knocked out power to 1,288 PPL customers, and most of them were still without power as of the evening.

PPL was estimating it would take until midnight to restore power to the 1,032 who still didn’t have it as of 7:30 p.m., said spokeswoman Alana Roberts.

Electric company staff weren’t able to reach the downed wires until between 6 and 7 p.m., she said.

Police seek public's help to find alleged machete attacker

BERWICK —  A 41-year-old man slashed another man with a machete, then escaped with the weapon, say police.
Now officers are asking for the public’s help in finding Marlon I. Melendez-Reyes. Anyone who sees him should call 9-1-1, said

Detective Greg Martin. However, police warned the public not to approach him.

“We believe he’s armed, extremely dangerous, and prone to violence,” Martin said.

The alleged attack took place at 9:15 p.m. Sunday night, Martin said.

Fire sweeps through Karen Gronsky School of Dance

DANVILLE — An early Monday morning fire swept through the Karen Gronsky School of Dance, destroying the dance studio and sending neighbors fleeing into the street.

“We just had our recital at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds Saturday. It was the first time in one and half years we could perform, so we had a big high,” Gronsky said. “And now this.

“But we’ll survive. No one was injured. That’s what’s important. We’ll get through this.”

The fire in the three-story brick building at 160 Center St. was reported around 3 a.m.

Teen Star competition Top 12 finalists announced

The 11th annual First Columbia Bank & Trust Co.’s Teen Star singing competition on Wednesday announced its 12 finalists. They include the second- and third-place finishers from last year, as well as two other Top 12 finishers, and the third-place winner from 2019.

The contest is open to high school freshmen through seniors who permanently reside in Columbia County or the Danville Area School District. It follows a format similar to the TV’s “American Idol.”

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