FIRST FRIDAY STREET FESTIVAL

This year’s restart of the monthly First Friday Street Festival, postponed for more than a year, due to COVID-19 pandemic, was basically washed out by inclement weather. Beth Armanda one of the co-chairs for the First Friday Committee, said to never count First Friday out. Armanda added that June’s First Friday will be back to normal, with anywhere between 50 to 70 vendors on West Fourth and Pine Streets, including arts and crafts, non-profits, food and live music to be seen on Pine Street and out front of the Community Arts Center. Lycoming Arts will also have another art project going on in their building.

RIDDELL HELMET LAWSUIT

The co-guardians of a Jersey Shore youth seriously injured in a football practice have sued the helmet manufacturer in a federal court. Danielle Leone and Jacob Leone, co-guardians of Caleb Leone, have sued Riddell, Inc. according to the U.S. Middle District Court records. They alleged Leone was wearing a Riddell helmet when injured during an August 14, 2018 high school football practice when he sustained an impact to his head. They alleged the helmet was defective and are seeking damages for various personal injuries as a result, according to the complaint. The Leones’ claim these companies were aware of the helmet defects. The plaintiffs in the case are seeking interests in excess of $75,000.

DROPPED CHARGES

In a plea agreement, this one before District Judge William Solomon, Maleak Benjamin 24, of 1638 Andrews Place, pled guilty to Old Lycoming Township Police charges of possession of marijuana and driving without a license. He has been ordered to pay the $250 fine plus court costs. As part of the arrangement, police dropped a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. The charges stemmed from an incident in the 1800 block of Lycoming Creek Road on Feb. 13.

FELONY BURGLARY CHARGE

A man in Tioga County was charged after he allegedly entered a victim’s residence through a window and stole power, police report. Darren Hudick, Mansfield, allegedly entred through a window and used extension cords to steal power. Hudick had a preliminary hearing on May 5 at the office of District Judge Tiffany Cummings in which a felony burglary charge and misdemeanor theft by unlawful taking charge were dropped. Hudick is now in Tioga County Jail in lieu of $10,000 monetary bail.

UPDATED DASHBOARD FOR COVID-19

The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed 2,986 cases of COVID-19. There were 22 new cases in Centre County, 21 in Columbia, 20 in Union , 20 in Northumberland, 15 in Lycoming and 6 in Montour.

COMMUNITY THEATER LEAGUE

The Community Theater  League is vacating the third floor space at the Trade and Transit Center Building on West Third Street in Williamsport as early as next Friday. Presently, the CTL occupies the first and third floors of the building. The first floor houses the main stage and the box office, while the third floor holds the administrative offices and almost all of the educational/workshop space. The hope is that all parties involved in the dispute can come to an agreement.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Weldon Fletcher, 1421 West Fourth Street, has been jailed on charges of allegedly threatening a woman and her son with a machete and a handgun. Police responded to Fletcher’s home to handle a domestic situation around 4:30 am Thursday. Police said Fletcher allegedly threatened Shawee Gaines and her son with a machette following an argument between Fletcher and Gaines inside  the  home. Following his arraignment before District Judge Christian Frey on charges of aggravated and simple assault, terroristic threats. recklessly endangering and possession of an instrument of crime, Fletcher was committed to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail.

CHILD ENDANGERMENT

Conspiracy child endangerment charges were added yesterday to the cases of Matthew and Christine Zeigler, accused of abusing their either children over a decade. Three if Zeigler’s children are minors and remain in the dependancy system. With all Lycoming County Judges recused, Potter County Court of Common Pleas Senior Judge John B Leete presided. Leete gave the Commonweath a 30-day extension to attempt to gather more discovery materials.

SNYDER COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT TREES

Flats of blueberry, serviceberry, eastern redbud, river oak and eastern sycamore trees arrived at the Snyder County Conservation District on Tuesday, May 4. PPL Electric Utilities staff with distribute thousands of these trees this coming week to conservation organizations, municipalities, and fourth graders as part of its free tree program. Started in 2017, the PPL Community Roots program has brought more than 90,000 free trees to 29 counties in Pennsylvania. This week’s delivery is just in time for spring planting.

NEW BUSINESS IN LOCK HAVEN

Ashey Foltz came to Lock Haven University in 2003 to pursue her dream of becoming a physician assistant. Five years later, after completing LHU’s  “3+2” PA program, Foltz graduated in 2006 with a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. She has now opened the Skeleton Key Boutique in Lock Haven. The Skeleton Key Boutique mainly sells women’s clothing, but also offers accessories, shoes, a beauty collection and home selection. There is also a small selection of men’s clothing. Sizes range from XS-3X, with a wide array of sizes.

UNSWORN FALSIFICATION CHARGES

In a plea agreement before District Judge Jerry Lepley in Jersey Shore, Tiadaghton Valley Regional Police dropped a charge of illegal sale of a firearm against Aidan Sweeley, 21, of Avis, after he agreed to plead guilty to a charge of making unsworn falsification to authorities. The charges stemmed from Sweeley putting down false information on a form where he attempted to purchase a firearm at  National Sporting Goods on Allegheny Street in the borough last June 24, police alleged. Sweeley made arrangements to pay a $495 fine plus court costs.

WILLIAMSPORT CROSSCUTTERS

Williamsport Crosscutters single game tickets for opening night and all home games will go on sale Saturday, May 15 at 10 am for the inaugural season in the MLB Draft League. The Cutters open the 2021 campaign on Tuesday, May 25, hosting the rival State College Spikes at 7:05pm. Opening night 2021, presented by UPMC and WILQ, will feature a schedule magnet giveaway and post-game fireworks. The Crosscutters box office at Muncy Bank Ballpark is open Monday-Friday from 10am to 5pm and Saturdays, prior to Opening Night, from 10am to 2pm on May 15 and 22. Tickets can be charged by phone at (570) 326-3389 or online at crosscutters.com. Opening night, May 25, will be limited to 600 fans duet o capacity and social distancing restrictions.