Two-pickup wreck closes Rt. 11 in Salem

SALEM TWP. — Two pickups collided on Route 11 near its intersection with Stone Church Road around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, shutting down the road and sending rescue crews rushing to the area.

Police said a pickup driving erratically, headed north on Route 11 crossed the center line and struck another pickup headed south on the highway. Rescue crews had to use hydraulic tools to cut two people from the wreckage, while a third was able to get out on his own.

Two people were taken by helicopter to the hospital, while a third was taken by ambulance.

Bloom Fair to name a queen this year

BLOOMSBURG — For the first time in its history, the Bloomsburg Fair will crown a queen this year.

The queen will become an ambassador for the 164-year-old event, making appearances at community events like the Millville parade, said coordinator Delores Wright. During fair week, she’ll participate in judging and mingle with fairgoers.

As part of her reign, she will also compete in the annual Pennsylvania Fair Queen Program contest in Hershey, Wright said.

The contest, sponsored by First Keystone Community Bank, is open to girls between 16 and 20. 

'It's just wrecked': Golf course, borough hit hard by storm

BENTON TWP. — A powerful early morning storm cut a path of destruction through the Benton area Monday, snapping trees, tossing trailers, and tearing roofs and porches from homes. 

The storm, which blew into the area around 1 a.m., also likely caused a fire that gutted the newly renovated Mill Race Golf Course clubhouse, and destroyed the course greens and campground.

See storm damage in northern Columbia County

A gusty storm blew through the area early Monday morning, downing trees and power lines, demolishing at least one barn, ripping apart a borough shed and destroying a hangar. Shortly after the storm passed through the Benton area, the clubhouse at the Mill Race Golf Course started ablaze. Here's a collection of the photographs Chief Photographer Keith Haupt has taken so far.

We'll have lots more in Tuesday's Press Enterprise.

Former firefighter and EMT charged with child sex abuse

CATAWISSA — A father of three who is engaged to be married surrendered Friday morning to face charges he sexually assaulted a 7-year-old girl.

Jonathan William Marra, who is 29, unemployed, and lives with his mother at 134 Church St. here, allegedly violated the child orally in January, police say.

The girl told a friend on her school bus about what Marra had allegedly done to her; the friend reported it to school officials.

Assistance office worker stole benefits card, charges say

BLOOMSBURG — A state employee at the public assistance office here used a stolen benefits card to make more than $100 in purchases from local stores, arrest papers say.

Amanda Jo Cashner, 29, of 30 Cashner Road, Danville, allegedly used the card that was supposed to be mailed to a client of the Columbia County Assistance Office to make purchases at a Dollar General store on Bloomsburg as well as Weis Markets in Danville in May 2018.

Wreck in Scott sends two to hospital

SCOTT TWP. — An 81-year-old man his car pulled into the path of another vehicle, sending both drivers to the hospital Tuesday morning, police say.

Charles Joline Jr., 182 Daisy Drive, Berwick, was headed west on Sawmill Road around 9 a.m. when he tried to turn his Buick Century left onto Shaffer Road, according to Scott Township Police Chief Ray Klingler. 

He saw the Dodge Dakota 4x4, driven by Nicole Smith, 370 Summerhill Road, Berwick, coming towards him from the opposite direction on Sawmill Road, but “underestimated her speed,” Klingler noted. 

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