Northumberland County

COAL TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Part of Northumberland County was transformed into a winter wonderland Sunday.
The annual Tharptown Christmas Festival turns this part of Coal Township into a large holiday display.
The exhibit features everyone’s favorite characters including the Peanuts Gang and Disney princesses.
The festival also features traditional decorations like nutcrackers and Santa Claus.
"I think it’s pretty cool how it’s like really creative. It’s fun to come out and just look at all the lights with everybody," Makayla Adams of Kulpmont said.

SHAMOKIN DAM, Pa. -- In an upstairs apartment in Shamokin Dam Colleen Peterson spent much of the weekend with no running water and no electricity.
"It was terrible. It was freezing into Saturday and Sunday," said Colleen Petersen, Shamokin Dam.
Petersen and her boyfriend blame their landlord who is trying to evict them in a dispute over rent.
The law says a property owner must go to the magistrate`s court to begin the eviction process.

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, -- Emergency responders were busy all throughout Northumberland County as freezing rain fell, causing icy roads.
A vehicle flipped onto its side on Boyer Hill road near Sunbury.
EMTs say slick roads were to blame.
"You`ve just gotta drive slower, be careful," said Roy Hallenbach.
Several roads were shut down due to icy conditions.
Drivers in Milton took it slow while crossing over the bridge into West Milton where there were plenty of slick spots.

SUNBURY, Pa. -- The man accused of beating a little girl to death, and the child's mother were both in court Thursday morning in Northumberland County.
A judge called it one of the most horrific cases he's ever seen. Arabella Parker, age 3, died last month after investigators say she was severely beaten.
Jahrid Burgess and Samantha Delcamp were both in court for preliminary hearings. The two will stand trial for what investigators say they did to Arabella Parker.
Burgess is accused of beating his ex-girlfriend's daughter so badly that she died from her injuries.

MOUNT CARMEL, Pa. -- Fire heavily damaged a home under construction in Northumberland County.
Photos show flames shooting from the roof of the double home on West Fifth Street in Mount Carmel around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.
No one was living there. Police say the double home was being renovated.
Investigators are looking for the cause.

MILTON, Pa. -- The Christmas season is filled with traditions. One popular pastime is getting your child's picture taken with Santa Claus.
Crystal Balliet and her husband Keith of Milton have children and grandchildren, so they know how expensive Santa photos can be. Crystal has a photography business, and a few years ago, the couple had an idea.
"Maybe we should offer up something for people so they can bring their children to a safe environment, get their pictures done for free," Crystal Balliet said.

SUNBURY, Pa.-- A hospital has been in Sunbury for nearly 125 years, but on March 31 of next year, UPMC Susquehanna Sunbury will close. Officials with the health system say one of the reasons it is closing is that people in this area are going to other hospitals for their care.
"It's a big blow to the community in general," Bob Hare said.
Bob Hare knows not everyone is going to other hospitals for their care. Hare is Director of Operations for Americus Community Ambulance Service in Sunbury. EMTs there take patients to UPMC Susquehanna Sunbury daily.

SHAMOKIN, Pa. -- A family of six was forced from their home after a fire Sunday night in Northumberland County.
Flames sparked at the home along South Gold Street in Shamokin around 9:00 p.m.
Fire officials say the flames started in the chimney and spread to the walls.
Crews were able to knock down the fire quickly.
The Red Cross is assisting the family after the fire in Northumberland County.

KNOEBELS AMUSEMENT RESORT -- When you think of Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, you probably think of summer fun, but a section of the park has been transformed into a winter wonderland.
Connie Shulski of Elysburg did not think she would be buying a Christmas tree at Knoebels, but here she is.
"I was driving by and I stopped by to eyeball the Christmas trees, to see what they have."

SHAMOKIN, Pa. — A mother is accused of beating her four-year-old daughter because she was mad the child was sleeping in her bed.
Police say Yaminah Bethune-Lewis whipped the child with an extension cord at a home in Shamokin on Tuesday.
She was arrested on Thursday.
Bethune-Lewis is locked up on child abuse charges in Northumberland County.