SEVENTEEN FELONY CHARGES, FOLLOWING INTENTIONAL FIRE
A 34-year-old mother of children ages 6-14, blocked off exits then, as she and her four children were trapped inside their High Street Apartment, she set it on fire, according to reports from Sun Gazette on Thursday morning. The children escaped their mother and the fire. The children were uninjured. Latoya Nicole Hall, of 1493 High St., was arrested on a total of 17 felony charges and committed to the Lycoming County Prison after District Judge Christian Frey denied her bail.
CITY HALL SECURITY
A security officer for City Hall, according to Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter, would keep people from wandering aimlessly through the entire building. While logistics for a front desk agent are in the works, Mayor Slaughter stressed the importance of security before reopening City Hall. The building was closed last March in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19 through staff and visitors. According to Sun Gazette, there were no cost estimates presented to council for a security or front desk addition to the first floor.
ROADWORK BEGINNING MARCH 22
Motorists traveling on Interstate 180 westbound and eastbound are advised of a long-term guide rail project begining Monday, March 22, in Lycoming County. According to the Milton Standard Journal, Green Acres Contracting Co. Inc. will install guide rail upgrades along Interstate 180 westbound and eastbound in Fairfield Township, Montoursville Borough, Loyalsock Township and the City of Williamsport, Lycoming County. Motorists should expect lane restrictions, as the work takes place 6pm to 6am. The project will take weeks to complete.
COVID-19 UPDATE
Department of Health reports the statewide COVID cases rose by 3,126. Locally, Lycoming County 35 new, Northumberland 17 new, Snyder 8 new, Union 8 new, Columbia 6 new and Montour County 5 new COVID cases reported today.
THE GALLERY AT PENN COLLEGE “NOT A BREATH OF WIND”
A virtual display of kinetic sculptures and carved objects runs March 16 through April 26 on the Gallery at Penn College’s website. “Not a Breath of Wind” is the lastest online exhibit, showcasing work by John Douglas Powers, an associate professor of sculpture and time-based art at the University of Tennessee. According to the Milton Standard Journal, this virtual exhibit”is the seventh online presentation offered by The Gallery at Penn College since last spring. The show runs in tandem with another online exhibit, “Second Nature,” which can also be viewed in person at the gallery through April 9.
CENTRAL MOUNTAIN GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM RECOGNIZED FOR SUCCESS
Members of the Central Mountain girls’ basketball team, Heartland Conference champions, were recognized for their outstanding season when conference honors were announced this week. According to the Record-online.com, this year’s squad finished as Class 5A District 6/8/9 runner-up and won the Heartland Conference large school division.
CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES IN LOCK HAVEN
A long, detailed investigation led to a Lock Haven man and child pornography on his computer. State police from the organization’s Northeast Computer Crime Unit obtained a computer for evidence and Brendon William Griffin, 21, Lock Haven was arrested, arraigned and placed in the Clinton County Correctional Facility in default of $100,000 bail. A preliminary hearing date will be set within the next seven days. The hearing will be before the Honorable Judge Keith G. Kibler.
PA TAX DEADLINE EXTENDED
Pennsylvania is moving its tax filing deadline to May 17 in a move mirroring a step taken by the IRS on Wednesday, meaning the Department of Revenue will waive penalties and interest on final 2020 personal income tax returns and payments through the new deadline. In an announcement by the IRS, under Pennsylvania law, the deadline for filing state income tax returns is tied to the deadline set at the federal level. Individual taxpayers can also postpone federal income tax payments for the 2020 tax year due on April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed, the IRS said.
FELONY FIREARM CHARGES AT BLOOMSBURG UNIVERSITY
A Philadelphia man was charged with two felonies after a loaded gun was discovered inside a dorm room on Bloomsburg University campus. According to the Daily Item, on Feb. 15, Antonio Quahdeir Neal, 20, of Philadelphia, allegedly brought a loaded firearm into the Jessica Kozloff apartments, located on the campus of Bloomsburg University. Neal was charged with two second-degree felonies of receiving stolen property and possessing a firearm with manufacturer numbers altered. Neal was also charged with a first-degree misdemeanor of firearm not to be carried without a license.
AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN AND VALLEY SCHOOLS
Valley school districts will receive a combined $49 million of Pennsylvania’s allocation from the newly passed American Rescue Plan. Just how districts can spend that money remains to be seen, but federal officials say districts should expect the money soon and want to see it spent quickly. According to the Daily Item, Pennsylvania schools will share $4.9 billion of the $122 billion in relief for K-12 schools across the nation.Valley schools will see between $1.6 million (Southern Columbia) and $6.5 million (Shikellamy). Selinsgrove is projected to receive $4.9 million And Warrior Run, $3.5 million.
FEMA PROVIDES ASSISTANCE DURING THE PANDEMIC
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that, in April, it will start reimbursing families for COVID-19 related funerals.As reported on the FEMA website, Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. According to the Daily Item, to be eligible, FEMA said the death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. The person applying must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after Jan. 20, 2020. FEMA said it will begin accepting applications in April. For more details, visit FEMA.gov.
MARCH MADNESS
Texas Southern over Mount St Mary’s 60-52, Drake by one point over Wichita State 53-52, Norfolk State defeats Appalachian State in a one point game at 54-53 and UCLA wins over Michigan State 86-80
NHL
Devils over the Penguins 3-2, Bruins top the Sabres 4-1, Flyers over the Islanders 4-3, Blue Jackets defeat the Hurricanes 3-2, the Lightning over the Blackhawks 4-2, the Predators defeated the Panthers 2-1, Red Wings over the Stars 3-2, Oilers beat the Jets 2-1, Avalanche over the Wild 5-1 and in overtime it was the Ducks over the Coyotes 3-2
MONTGOMERY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT NEW HEAD VARSITY FOOTBALL COACH
The Montgomery area school district has approved the hiring of Christian Digs as the new head varsity football coach. According to SUN Gazette, the board also approved Brady Chappell the a new volunteer varsity baseball coach.
CHAMPIONSHIP HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS SCHEDULE
PIAA Basketball playoffs Class AAA Girls Quarterfinals: Loyalsock at West Catholic tonight 6:30pm.
Class A Boys Quarterfinals: St John Neuman at Nativity BVM tonight 7:00pm.
Class AAA Boys Quarterfinals: Executive Education at Loyalsock Sat 1:00pm.
