COUNCIL GOES LATE INTO THE NIGHT
A late night for Williamsport City Council. During their meeting last night, Council tackled the proposed $27.2 million dollar budget for 2019 which contains a .65 mills tax increase. As it stood going into last night, owners of properties worth $100,000 would have to pay $1500 in property taxes to the city. Council discussed adjusting that tax hike even higher. The budget still contains the elimination of seven job, 4 of them on the police force. Mayor Campana says the jobs would be cut through attrition and retirements and that there would be no layoffs. The city faces a $1.5 million dollar deficit with a proposed reserve of only a little over $107,000. Adoption of the budget is scheduled for next week’s council meeting.
DECISION ON GOLF COURSE TABLED
Talk at yesterday’s Lycoming County Commissioners meeting centered on whether or not the county should renew it’s contract with the management company for the county owned White Deer Golf Course. Commissioners are deciding whether or not to extend the contract with Billy Casper Golf for another three years, a contract which they could opt out of at any time. Commissioners heard from those in favor of the county holding onto the course, and from those who would rather see any county money sunk into the course to go elsewhere to benefit more county residents. Following the debate, Commissioners voted 2-1 to table a decision to next week.
NEW FIELD AT PCT
Pennsylvania College of Technology’s sports programs will receive a boost following a decision made by the board of directors yesterday to spend $1.4 million dollars for a new synthetic turf field for athletics such as soccer. The board voted yesterday to replace the current athletic field of which students have played through poor conditions. It’s hoped that the funds for the field will be replaced through naming opportunities and fundraising. Construction is slated to begin shortly after the 2019 spring sports schedule is completed and be ready for the Fall of 2019.
VEHICLE BREAK-INS CONTINUE IN SUNBURY
The vehicle break-ins continue in Sunbury. Residents in the city were warned last week, about several vehicle break-ins in the Hill Section there with various items taken including cash, computers, cellphones and even Christmas Presents. Since then, Sunbury police have investigated more of the incidents in the Hill Section as well as other parts of the city. So far, over two dozen incidences have been reported. Some of the vehicles were unlocked, while others were broken into. Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity is asked to call 570-988-4539
COLUMBIA COUNTY MAN ARRESTED
A Columbia County man is charged with aggravated assault and other counts following an incident at his home on Wednesday of this week. Police say they were called to the Pealertown Road home in Fishing Creek Township of 50 year old David Albertson who they say arrived at his home, grabbed a shotgun and threatened to shoot his girlfriend. He then proceeded to throw her against a washer and dryer and head butted her. When police arrived, Albertson would not come out of the house and the State Police SERT Team was called in. He did come out carrying his child and was arrested and jailed in lieu of $50,000 bail.
AREA AIRPORT WILL GET SOME FUNDING
An area airport is amongst 26 across the state which will receive state funding for improvements. Governor Wolf yesterday announced more than $6 million dollars in state investments which will go to equipment and infrastructure upgrades to maintain safety and expand aviation-related operational and economic opportunities. Included in this round of funding is $39,109 dollars at the William T. Piper Memorial Airport in Lock Haven to acquire equipment to maintain the airfield.
NEWBERRY MAN JAILED FOR ASSAULT
A Williamsport man was jailed earlier this week for an assault at his Newberry home. City police say they arrested 41 year old Jason Reese early on Tuesday morning. They say he allegedly struck Tonya Chambers in the face at his Newberry Street home. He has been charged with simple assault, was arraigned and jailed in Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $20,000 bail.
NALOXONE DISTRIBUTION
In an effort to curb drug overdoses in Pennsylvania, the state will make the anti-overdose medication Naloxone available to the general public next week. The distribution will take place in 80 locations across the state, most of them state, county and municipal health officers. The Naloxone will be available on Thursday December 13th from 11am to 7pm. It’s believed that over the past four years, more than 20,000 peole have been revived in Pennsylvania by police and medical responders, using Naloxone.
MEETING SCHEDULED NEXT WEEK
A proposed project in the Loyalsock Valley by Pennsylvania General Energy and DCNR will be the subject of a public informational meeting next week. State Representative Garth Everett and State Senator Gene Yaw will host the meeting which will outline the project on a proposed water withdrawal and pipeline project in the Loyalsock Creek Valley just below the former Best Beach. The meeting will be held at the Plunketts Creek Township Fire Hall at 327 Dunwoody Road on Wednesday December 12th at 7pm.
