LINDEN WOMAN WHO FAKED HER DEATH EXTRADITED
A former Linden woman who faked her death and tried to flee to Canada has been caught and will be extradited to Williamsport to face 2016 charges of forgery, and criminal trespass. Thirty year-old Harley McKeag failed to appear in Lycoming County court in May of 2017 and a bench warrant was issued. Then an obituary stating McKeag died in California was published here in July which authorities said seemed suspicious. The Sun Gazette reports the woman faced the Canadian court system first telling a judge she was in the witness protection program, but then agreed to the extradition.
MILTON MAN ACCUSES CLERGY, DIOCESE OF ABUSE
A former Milton man has decided to move forward with a lawsuit against the Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg after a court ruling allows child sex abuse survivors to file claims after the staute of limitations has run out. According to WKOK, 67-year-old Donald Asbee is filing the lawsuit against the Diocese, current Bishop Ronald Gainer, and former Bishop Kevin Rhoades. Asbee lived in Milton for about six years and was an altar boy at St. Joseph’s Church in Milton when he was allegedly assaulted in the early 1960s by Fr. Raymond Dougherty and Fr. Walter Sempko. Reports say Asbee turned down an offer from the Diocese’s victim’s compensation fund for over $176,000. The diocese’s attorney did not comment on the case.
COURTHOUSE FLOODING PROMPTS STATE OF EMERGENCY
After struggling with flooding in certain areas of the Lycoming county courthouse during the last storm, Lycoming County Commissioners declared an emergency yesterday in order to expedite repairs. According to the Sun Gazette, this process allows the commissioners to hire a contractor without a lengthy bidding process. A valve needs to be repaired to avoid the flooding in the basement of the courthouse. Work should begin this weekend.
CRACK SEALING PROJECT STARTS IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY
I-180 will be taken up with construction this week as a regional crack sealing project has begun in Northumberland County. Watch for crews on I-180 east and westbound between the Turbotville interchange in Northumberland County to the Lycoming County line. Work will be performed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Motorists should be alert and watch for changing traffic patterns.
SCHOOL DISTRICT SEEKING NEW YOUTH COUNSELOR
Line Mountain School District is now seeking applicants for a mental health/youth counselor as they plan to address mental health among their secondary school students. District Superintendent David Campbell tells us the district hopes to make a hire for that position by its August 27 board meeting. Campbell says addressing mental health has been a goal of the district for a while, even before recently losing two students to suicide.
LAWMAKER WANTS TO CHANGE FIREWORKS LAW BACK
A Pennsylvania lawmaker wants to limit the use of fireworks again after hearing from police and firefighters that this 4th of July was out of control and caused fires and damage in her home of Berks County. Representative Judy Schwank is seeking support from members of the senate to address the numerous complaints about the 2017 enactment of the state Fireworks law that allowed easier access to larger fireworks and increased taxes. Schwank says the new law caused ememrgency crews to respond to dozens of calls, caused 50 thousand dollars worth of damamge to a school and displaced a family after a house fire.
RURAL AREAS TO BE SERVED BY MOBILE MEDICAL UNIT
River Valley Health and Dental has unveiled a new Mobile Care Unit yesterday that will allow it to bring services to rural areas and some Williamsport Schools. The new bus has typical medical consultation and dental office facilities including x-ray and handicapped accessibility and will be staffed four days a week as needed. A 400 thousand dollar grant from the Wiliamsport Lycoming Community Fund at First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania made the mobile unit possible.
HIGHWAY SAFETY SURVEY AVAILABLE UNTIL AUGUST
PennDOT is seeking motorists’ input on traffic safety and driving behaviors through its annual online Highway Safety Survey. The feedback they get will help officials better understand the attitude and actions of the public concerning a variety of driving behaviors.The survey is available on PennDOT’s website through August 12 and should take about five minutes to complete. All responses, including the “comments” fields, are anonymous. Go to PennDOT.gov slash Safety.
Sports
Major League Baseball
Nationals beat the Rockies 11-1, Cardinals over the Pirates 4-3, Blue Jays beat the Indians 2-1, Red Sox over the Rays 5-4, Phillies beat the Tigers 3-2, Mets over the Padres 5-2, Royals beat the Braves 5-4, Reds thumped the Brewers 14-6, Marlins over the White Sox 5-1, A’s beat the Astros 4-3, Yankees over the Twins 14-12, Orioles beat the Diamondbacks 7-2, Giants bumped the Cubs 5-4, Angels beat the Dodgers 5-4, Rangers over the Mariners 7-2
NY Penn League
Crosscutters and Doubledays game was postponed yesterday due to rain
Major Softball Eastern Regional
South Williamsport defeated Connecticut 10-nothing in 5 innings – New Jersey plays Rhode Island today who goes against Connecticut (Conn.’s elimination game) and they face South Thursday at noon in the Eastern Regional Championship Game.
West End Babe Ruth 13 year-old All Stars lost to New Jersey 4-2 but still 3 to 1 in pool play
