CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
On February 15th, State Police in Montoursville received a tip from Children and Youth that Duane Laidacker of Hughesville had taken sexually explicit photographs of a child. Police obtained a warrant and seized several electronics from his home. Laidacker was charged with a third-degree felony of child pornography by Judge Jon Kemp, who set bail at $10,000 monetary. Laidacker’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 12. (NCP)
DISORDERLY PATIENT AT ROBERT PACKER HOSPITAL
Police were called to the scene after a patient became irate and attempted to spit on and hit staff members at the Robert Packer Hospital. Gregory Jackson of Ithac, NY told officers with the Sayre Borough Police Department he was going to fight and spit on them as they entered the room. After talking to staff, officers say Jackson allegedly spit on and kicked a nurse and a doctor. Jackson was charged with six counts of second-degree felony aggravated assault, third-degree misdemeanor disorderly conduct, and summary harassment. Jackson will remain at the Bradford County Prison until a preliminary hearing with Judge Larry Hurley on Nov. 9. (NCP)
STEM COMPETITION
The Governor’s STEM competition is going on again throughout the state. The program provides an opportunity for students to engage in long-term research with other students and work with business in the community to help design their project. Each team receives initial prototype funding and proceeds to the state-wide competition in April 2022. Each team must register their interest in the program by November 19. The contest is open to all kids’ grades 9-12 with a max group size of 5. For more info visit the Department of Education’s website. (NCP)
LEVEL IV TRAUMA CLASSIFICATION
The Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital will now function as a Level IV Trauma Center, effective Monday. In an announcement Friday, they said they will be able to provide enhanced care to patients and be able to transfer patients to higher level trauma centers when needed. The release refers to a trauma center as a specialiazed hospital where they will be able to provide care to patients of a more complex and critical nature. (SUN)
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT CHARGES
Officers with the Danville Borough Police Department arrived at a residence after a man allegedly punched a woman in the face causing swelling and bleeding. Tyrell Thomas of Danville allegedly slapped the woman twice before a punch was thrown. Thomas then fled in the victim’s car before the cops arrived. Thomas was charged with first-degree aggravated assault, second-degree misdemeanor simple assault, and second-degree unauthorized use of motor vehicles. He posted $10,000 monetary bail through a Professional Bondsman. Thomas will meet with Judge Marvin Shrawder on Nov. 4 for a preliminary hearing. (NCP)
UNWANTED VISITOR ASSAULTS RESIDENT
After asking an individual to leave his residence, a man was allegedly put into a rear naked chokehold by his unwelcome visitor in Woodward Township. Eric Lee Sagen of Linden was charged with second-degree strangulation after the incident at the residence. Sagan allegedly entered the house screaming and demanding a meeting with the owner. Sagan is being held at the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $10,000 monetary bail. A preliminary hearing with Judge Gary Whiteman is scheduled for Nov. 3. (NCP)
CRASH SENDS DRIVERS TO HOSPITAL
The driver of Chevrolet Malibu was taken by ambulance to UPMC Williamsport to be treated for injuries when his car and a Subaru collided at West Fourth and Moore Avenue about 6:40 p.m. Friday. Following the collision , the Chevrolet struck the front of a home. Besides police, UPMC paramedics and city firefighters responded to the crash. More information has yet to be released. (SUN)
COVID-19 UPDATE NUMBERS FOR REGION
The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirmed 4,366 new cases of COVID-19. There were 52 new cases in Northumberland County, 45 in Union, 15 in Snyder, and 6 in Montour. (DI)
