MURDER TRIAL UNDERWAY
The trial has begun for a 27 year old man accused of shooting a mother and son at their Newberry home on Halloween night of 2016. Jordan Rawls is believed to have pulled the trigger the night Shane Wright and his mother Kristine Kibler were killed. Rawls, Joseph Coleman and Casey Wilson went to the Poplar Street home to commit a robbery when the shootings happened. Coleman has already been found guilty of second degree murder and Wilson has pleaded guilty to 3rd degree murder and is scheduled to testify against Rawls.
WEST FOURTH STREET RECONSTRUCTION BEGINS
A road closing in the West End of Williamsport will impact traffic there for several months. Contractors will shut down West Fourth Street between Arch Street and the Route 15 ramps in Newberry this morning as they begin work on the multi-year West Fourth Street Reconstruction. Detours will be in place for both east and westbound traffic using various city streets. Motorists are reminded that there will be delays and are reminded to leave early for their destination. That section of roadway will be closed until late September of this year.
$160 MILLION OF ROAD PROJECTS
It’s road construction time. The Wolf Administration yesterday announced that 127 highway and bridge projects are anticpated to begin or continue across the nine county north central Pennsylvania region. The state is expected to invest more than $160 million dollars in thos projects across our area. Major projects include the continuing Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway, the Duke Street Reconstruction Project in Northumberland County.Interstate 180 resurfacing from Fairfield to Muncy Creek Township and the West Fourth Street reconstruction project in Newberry which begins today.
DRIVER FLOWN TO GEISINGER
A crash near Lairdsville last night, sent one person to Geisinger Medical Center with what were termed critical injuries. The crash occurred around 9:10 on Route 118 at Bald Eagle Road as a car went off the roadway, down over an embankment and struck a tree. The driver who has not been identified had to be extricated and was flown to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville. Their condition has not been released and the crash remains under investigation.
FIRE MARSHAL TO LOOK INTO CAUSE
A double home in South Williamsport, struck by fire on Sunday has been termed a total loss. A State police fire marshal is expected to be on the scene today to look into the cause of a fire which began on the front porch of a double home at 221-223 West 2nd Avenue owned by John and Christine McDermott quickly spreading through both sides of the home and jumping to the home next door causing damage to the attic and siding. Firefighters were hampered by windy conditions and downed powerlines and were not able to bring that fire under control for about 2 ½ hours. No one was hurt.
$15,000 IN DAMAGE
Damage was estimated at $15,000 dollars in that Williamsport fire in which one of two upstairs occupants had to be rescued on Sunday. Fire investigators say that 39 year old Nicole Spelis was cooking on the stove at her 45 Huffman Street apartment when she stepped out of the room. The other tenant, Akim Smart was able to make it out of the house. Spelis was rescued by off-duty fire chief Todd Heckman who lives nearby. She was treated for smoke inhalation and other injuries. Her condition not released. Fire officials stress safety when cooking on the stove.
SEARCH CONTINUES FOR TWO INVOLVED IN HIT AND RUN
‘State police say they continue looking for the two men involved in a hit and run and shooting incident in Loyalsock Township on Sunday. An as yet unidentified man was struck by a car while walking along Robbins Road near Warrensville Road on Sunday afternoon. The vehicle, containing two men then tried striking the man again, and the passenger shot at him, missing. They then took off. The man was not seriously injured. The car was found at Wal-Mart in Montoursville. Police are not releasing any other details.
CONDITIONS RIPE FOR BRUSH FIRES
Dry breezy conditions yesterday once again contributed to at least four brush fires within Lycoming County. The fires occurred between 1:15 and 3:15 in four separate areas in the county. Most of the fires were put out in short fashion without burning up too much acreage. You are reminded to keep an eye on your outdoor burning and refrain from doing so if possible, especially if winds are kicking up. The next couple of days will be dry and breezy.
