DRUG CHARGES COUPLED WITH CHILD ENDANGERMENT CHARGES
Williamsport City Police retrieved needles and other paraphernalia, cocaine, methamphetamine, mushrooms and over a dozen bundles of heroin from 420 Rural Avenue on March 27 in the possession of Alicia Julie Hunter, 32 and Robert Butry Hunter, 33. According to northcentralpa.com both Hunter and Butry-Hunter were charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors and incarcerated since March 30, unable to post the $125,000 monetary bail, set for each by Magisterial District Judge Aaron S. Biichle.
ASSAULT BY PRISONER
A cup of cold urine thrown in the face of a prison guard at the Bradford County Correctional Facility as he was assaulted by a prisoner, according to the Pennsylvania State Police in Towanda. Dennis Smith, 28, of Troy, threw the urine covering the guard’s face and clothes. According to northcentralpa.com, Smith was charged with third-degree felony aggravated assault by a prisoner in April 2020 and the same charge in July 2020.
JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE
Following six reports of blood clots after the administration of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine in women 18-47 years old, the Pennsylvania Dept of Health directed vaccine providers in the commonwealth to pause using the vaccine until April 20. According to northcentralpa.com, some providers are giving people the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines, instead.
BOIL ADVISORY
The Williamsport Water Authority’s boil water advisory will remain in effect through at least this afternoon according to Wendy Walter, the Director of Compliance and Safety. Testing protocols are strictly followed by the water authority based on guidance from the Pennsylvania DEP. The water boil advisory affects city residents on West Fourth Street between Rose Street and Fifth Avenue; Grier Street between West Third Street and West Fourth Street; and Fifth Avenue between West Fourth Street and Memorial Avenue.
TENNIS IN THE PARK
Tennis in the Park, a series of one-week camps for area youths at the South Williamsport Park Tennis Courts, will provide instruction for all levels of play – beginner to high advanced – for participants between the ages of 5 and 18. According to northcentralpa.com, the Central PA Tennis Center camps scheduling is Monday through Friday, June 21 through August 2 and times vary with age of the participant. For more details or to register, you can visit the Central PA Tennis Center on their website.
STAFF TRANSFER
Citing a need to improve fiscal affairs, issues involving financial over cite and to provide better training to carry out their responsibilities, in a vote of 3 to 1, the Lycoming County commissioners voted to transfer second deputy/general accountant, general accountant and two financial technicians, from the controller’s office to the budget and finance department. According to the SUN Gazette, the action did not sit well with Controller Krista Rogers, claiming the move taken was in direct violation of the county code.
SECOND AMENDMENT SANCTUARY ORDINANCE
At the meeting yesterday, Lycoming County Commissioners advised they do not plan to pass the Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance, citing they have no authority to draft the ordinance or the prosecutorial powers to enforce it. According to the SUN Gazette, at this time, two or three counties in the state have approved resolutions to support the Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance.
TAX INCREASE
Although not included in the initial 2021-22 budget draft, the South Williamsport Area School Board is considering a tax increase. According to Jamie Mowrey, district business manager, an increase of .32 mills would be needed to offset the deficit. If passed the increase would add $32 to the tax bill of a property assessed at a $100,000 value. The current tax rate for district property owners is 16.78 mills. According to the SUN Gazette, the main concerns of the deficit are the lease agreement for iPads and an increase in costs for cyber schools. The final budget will be approved at the June 21 meeting. The next meeting of the board will be at 7 p.m. May 3 in the high school auditorium.
SURPLUS SALE FROM SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT BOROUGH COUNCIL
South Williamsport Borough Council Monday approved the surplus sale of police equipment to South Williamsport Area School District. Pending the school board approval, the surplus equipment will yield $19,858 for the borough. The pending sale includes a 2015 Ford Explorer, camera, firearms and ammunition and a non-lethal Taser. A proposal to hire Officer in Charge Norman Hager as chief was tabled until further details could be worked out. The council voted to remove a residency requirement for police chief in the borough job description.
UPDATED COVID-19 NUMBERS
The Pennsylvania Department of Health today provided update COVID-19 numbers for our area, locally Lycoming 53; Clinton 24; Tioga 5; Sullivan 0 and Northumberland 39.
SPORTS:
HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL:
DANVILLE SHUT OUT CENTRAL MOUNTAIN 2-0, WARRIOR RUN SHUT OUT HUGHESVILLE 4-0, JERSEY SHORE OVER MIDD-WEST 8-3, WELLSBORO OVER ATHENS 5-4, CENTRAL COLUMBIA OVER LOYALSOCK 5-3, MONTOURSVILLE SHUT OUT SOUTHERN COLUMBIA 11-0, NORTH PENN LIBERTY DEFEATED GALETON 16-3, MONTGOMERY SHUT OUT SUGAR VALLEY 15-0
HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL:
ST. JOHN NEUMANN OVER BUCKTAIL 18-1, BELLEFONTE OVER WILLIAMSPORT 5-4, CANTON OVER NORTHEAST BRADFORD 8-4
BOYS TENNIS:
MILTON SHUT OUT LOYALSOCK 5-0, CENTRAL MOUNTAIN OVER MIFFLIN COUNTY 4-1, ALTOONA OVER CENTRAL MOUNTAIN 3-2 AND CENTRAL MOUNTAIN SHUT OUT TYRONE 5-0
