POLICE OFFICER SUSPENDED FOLLOWING TIK TOK VIDEO
A Mansfield Borough Police Officer was on duty when he embarked on an offensive rant, live, on Tik Tok. According to the Mansfield Borough Police Department’s Facebook page, on Wednesday, “The Mansfield Borough Council is aware that a borough police officer posted offensive videos on a social media platform which were recorded and posted while he was on duty. The Borough Council is appalled and outraged by this conduct. The officer has been suspended and an investigation is proceeding. The views expressed in these videos do not reflect the values of the Borough government.” As the Mansfield Borough Council noted, the incident with Officer Brian Gossert is being investigated during his suspension from duty.
DRUG CHARGES
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania reports Markeese Askew, age 28, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 192 months’ imprisonment followed by a six-year term of supervised release by U.S. District Court Judge Matthew W. Brann on drug trafficking charges. In total, Askew and the three co-conspirators were charged with delivering a mixture of heroin and carfentanil that resulted in serious bodily injury to eight individuals. Where in a three-day period in June 2017, there was a rash of drug overdoses in Williamsport in which UPMC Susquehanna in Williamsport and Wellsboro reported treating 51 such cases within a 48-hour period.
SHOTS FIRED PSP MONTOURSVILLE
PSP Montoursville yesterday responded to a report of gunshots fired into an occupied structure at 329 Ross Rd. in Cogan House Twp. at approximately 11:20 a.m. As the troopers investigated and photographed the scene, they heard additional gunshots fired in their direction at 12:45 p.m., this according to a news release from PSP Montoursville. Troopers at the scene took cover and called for assistance from PSP Aviation, the Special Emergency Response Team (SERT), and multiple local police departments. At approximately 4:40 p.m. Nakoma Ross, 21, Trout Run, surrendered and was taken into custody, according to PSP Montoursville. Ross was charged with multiple felonies including 4 felony counts of Assault of Law Enforcement Officer, and several misdemeanors. PSP reported the incident remains under investigation.
COVID-19 VACCINE EVENT SCHEDULED
River Valley Health & Dental is holding a second Covid-19 Vaccine Event Saturday, April 3 from 7:45 to 11:45 am, to provide second dose vaccines to 360 eligible patients and community members. The event will take place from 7:45 to 11:45 a.m. According to northcentralpa.com, this event is due, in part, to the Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program which was launched by HRSA and the CDC. The River Valley Health and Dental Center, located at 471 Hepburn St in Hepburn Plaza.
CITY PLANS FOR LOS PARK
A contract for about $31,655 with Larson Design Group for a design for Los Park, has become a planned project with $395,000 of planned investment for improvements to the park, which sits on Memorial Avenue. According to the SUN Gazette, the monies for this project and subsequent improvements will be paid for through the city and the State Department of Conservation and National Resources grant worth $145,000 and last year’s Community Development Block Grant worth $250,000. Projects include; improvement to the basketball court and access from Memorial Avenue, while trees will be planted and seating will be put around a pavilion. Councilwoman Bonnie Katz reported, drawings of the improvements are expected to be provided soon to the public works committee.
COVID-19 NUMBERS FOR TODAY
The PA Dept. of Health COVID-19 reports updated numbers for today: Locally, Lycoming: 6, Potter: 3, Tioga: 12, Bradford: 24, Sullivan: 1, Columbia 11, Montour: 3, Northumerland: 14, Snyder: 3, Union: 5, Centre: 22 and Clinton: 15.
DRUG CHARGES AND DUI IN WEST CHILISQUAQUE TOWNSHIP
He was slumped over his steering wheel, a bag of heroin on his lap, when Pennsylvania State Police found him, shortly after 4 am on March 6 at Housels Run Rad and Main Street in West Chillisquaque Township. According to northcentralpa.com, Dalton Smith, 29, of Montandon, was arrested for drug possession and driving under the influence. Charges were filed at the office of District Judge Michael Diehl in Milton.
ANIMAL CRUELTY
State Police, responding to a call for a deceased dog, find distressing living conditions for dogs and one animal, deceased, with a plastic bag around its head. Cody Collins, 28, Springfield Township, was charged with felony aggravated cruelty to animals and other misdemeanors. Collins was held on $45,000 monetary bail at the Brady County Prison.
GROUNDBREAKING OF NEW MILTON ATHLETIC COMPLEX AND WELLNESS CENTER
Milton athletics will see a big boost in the 2021-2022 Season. Yesterday, a crowd waited with anticipation as the Milton Area High School held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new athletic complex and wellness center. Included with the $14.2 million are significant upgrades to boost Milton’s student athletes and allow them to remain strong competitors with the larger school districts. According to a media outlet, district taxes are not expected to increase due to the project, which should be completed in time for the 2021-22 school year.
LAURELTON CENTER SALE
The former Laurelton Center in Hartley Township sold Tuesday in the Union County Courthouse at judicial sale for $1,005,000, according to the Daily Item. Laurelton Center, a 266-acre complex along Route 45 as well as a separate related parcel just shy of 6 acres was purchased by Jay Fulkroad, of McAlisterville, who operates a family construction firm. Laurelton Center was the final name of a state-owned mental health institution, which closed in 1998. Its creation as an all-female facility was authorized by the Pennsylvania Legislature in 1913 and in January 1920, it received its first patient. There has been no indication as to how the facility will be used.
Sports:
High school baseball:
Muncy shut out Millville 10-0
Boys tennis:
Mifflinburg tops Jersey Shore 3-2
Montoursville shut out Muncy 5-0
