WORKPLACE ACCIDENT TAKES A LIFE IN CLINTON COUNTY
State police in Lamar continue their investigation into a workplace accident which killed a man in Clinton County on Monday. Police say around 4;30, the as yet unidentified male was working at a site along East Valley Road in Greene Township when he was struck by a piece of equipment. He was pronounced dead. It’s not believed that anyone else was injured. No other details have been released regarding that accident, and State police say that their investigation continues.
WOMAN DIES IN COLUMBIA COUNTY CRASH
A New Jersey woman died in a one vehicle crash in Columbia County on Wednesday. The crash happened along Snyder School Road in Mifflin Township yesterday as a vehicle driven by an as yet unidentified man went off of the roadway and struck a tree. A passenger in the vehicle, 92 year old Regina Cannistraci of Clifton New Jersey was transported to the hospital where the Columbia County Coroner says she died from her injuries. The driver was also taken to the hospital. No word on his condition. No one else was involved and the investigation continues into that Columbia County Crash.
COUNCIL TO TAKE UP BUDGET DURING TONIGHT’S MEETING
Williamsport City Council meets tonight and will tackle the city budget which if passes as stands would contain a $1.5 million dollar deficit. The proposed $27 million dollar spending plan for 2019 contains a tax increase of 0.65 mills and would see the elimination of seven jobs within the city, four in the police department, two in codes and an assistant general manager of streets and parks job, all of which would be eliminated through retirements and attrition. Mayor Gabriel Campana says no current city workers would be losing their jobs. Council is expected to take a vote on first reading tonight and adopt the budget later this month.
COUPLE STRUCK, WOMAN FACES CHARGES
A woman from Richfield faces charges of failing to drive at a safe speed and failing to yield to a pedestrian after striking a husband and wife crossing the street in Selinsgrove on Tuesday evening. The incident happened around 7:15 on Tuesday as 65 year old John and 65 year old Patricia Wendt of Selinsgrove were crossing North Market Street. They were struck by a vehicle driven by 20 year old Melody High. John Wendt was treated at the scene, his wife taken to Geisinger Medical Center. Her condition has not been released.
BAIL DENIED AFTER MAN THREATENS WITNESS
A Williamsport man is back in jail with bail denied after facing a second set of charges stemming from an assault which occurred in Muncy last month. On November 10th, 47 year old Arthur Reed allegedly assaulted Nicole Trimble-Warzel at a residence in Muncy, causing her to be treated at the hospital for her injuries. He was originally jailed in lieu of $50,000 bail but was released after posting bail. The next day, he allegedly threatened a witness to the assault. He was arraigned this week on felony charges of intimidation of a witness and hindering prosecution as well as a misdemeanor count of obstructing the administration of law. Bail has been denied.
FORMER NORTHUMBERLAND COMMISSIONER TO RUN AGAIN
A former Northumberland County Commissioner who held the post from 2008 through 2015 has decided that he would like to become commissioner there again. Vinny Clausi of Coal Township has announced that he will run for an open commissioner post in 2019. Clausi who says he was often the sole voice for county taxpayers during his term as commissioner says he wants to restore fiscal responsibility to county government. He says he also wants to work to bring more jobs to the county.
THEFT LEADS TO FOUR ARRESTS
A theft of a little less than $21 dollars worth of items has led to the arrest of four persons on various drug counts in the Lewisburg area. Police say that back on November 2nd, Ashlee Austinson of Shamokin took items from a Lewisburg Hardware store commonly used in the manufacture of meth. Surveillance video caught the woman and three others leaving in a vehicle which was later pulled over in Lewisburg. Inside the vehicle police found heroin as well as other drugs, and parapherneila. Arrested were Austinson, Bruce Cos of Watsontown, Nicholas Norman of Milton and Brody Reibsome of Lewisburg. Each face multiple counts.
RATE HIKES APPROVED
Rate hikes are on the way for customers of the Lycoming County Water and Sewer Authority. The Authority yesterday approved its 2019 budget bringing with it rate hikes for all customers served by the system except those on the Beaver Lake Sewer System who thanks to their partnership with Penn Township, will see their rates remain the same for next year. Officials say the rate hikes are needed for operation and maintenance costs, upcoming repairs needed and bolstering each system’s capital fund.
CITY BUILDING TO SEE TRAINING SESSION
Extra police and law enforcement personnel will be spotted in downtown Williamsport late this afternoon into early this evening, but it’s only a training session. Officers will conduct a hostage negotiation practice today from 4 to 7:30pm at the county owned building at 33 W. Third Street in the city of Williamsport. The session which is being put on by the Lycoming County District Attorney’s office will include officers carrying firearms. The session will provide precautions to minimize any impact on routine business and the building will remain open to the public.
