ASSAULT IN PRISON
It took pepper spray to separate the women, after a woman from Greencastle, Franklin County, launched an attack on another at the state Correctional Institution at Muncy. Holly Shaffer allegedly struck Nicole Lilley multiple times in an attack on Sept. 27. When the women didn’t stop, pepper spray was utilized and Lilley was transported to UPMC Muncy suffering from multiple facial fractures. According to SUN Gazette, Shaffer was arraigned in front of District Judge Jon E. Kemp with several charges including felony aggravated assault and she remains behind bars with an additional $50,000 in bail.
ICE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE COMING TO LYCOMING COUNTY
The U.S. Immigrations and Custom Enforcement (ICE) office is moving to South Reach Road, near the levee. According to city officials, the administrative building will not be used to detain immigrants. Although the department hasn’t determined who would utilize the office space, according to SUN Gazette, either Enforcement and Removal Operations or Homeland Security Investigations would be there. At present, the building is being prepared for their arrival.
INCREASES FOR 2022 FROM LYCOMING COUNTY WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY
Rate increases for the Montoursville Regional Sewer, Armstrong Sewer and Limestone Water systems are set for next year, according to the Lycoming County Water and Sewer Authority Board. According to SUN Gazette, increases for Montoursville and Armstrong customers are likely to be $70 to $75 monthly per Equivalent Dwelling Unit. The Limestone customers, will see a projected rate increase of $150 per quarter to $160 per quarter. According to Christine Weigle, Water & Sewer Authority Executive Director, rising costs of supplies along with repair work caused the need for the increases in Montoursville and Limestone system respectively.
UPDATED LOCAL COVID-19 CASES
The Pennsylvania Department of Health on Monday reported new COVID-19 cases. Clinton County reported 14 new cases. In Centre County 35 new cases and Lycoming County added 40. There were 58 in Northumberland County, 10 in Snyder, eight in Union and four in Montour. Tioga County had 5 new COVID cases listed yesterday.
RIBBON CUTTING JERSEY SHORE
It was a ribbon cutting and flag raising event to celebrate the official move to ProMedica Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation. This going Green event drew representatives from Geisinger Jersey Shore and ProMedica to oversee the change from ManorCare of Jersey Shore. ProMedica, based in Toledo, is a not-for-profit, mission-based health care and well-being organization. According to therecordonline, it is in 28 states with over 49,000 employees, 12 hospitals, 2500+ physicians, and well over 300 assisted living, skilled nursing centers, and hospice and home health agencies.
GEISINGER RIBBON CUTTING IN MUNCY
Geisinger Medical Center Muncy held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. The new medical center is slated to open January 2022, making better health easier for Lycoming County and the surrounding area. In addition to being a full-service hospital, the new facility brings care closer to home by centralizing services, lessening travel time for patients who went to larger medical facilities for their care. The 120,000-square foot, three-story facility is a $100 million investment in Muncy and the surrounding communities and is part of the clinical joint venture formed by Geisinger and Highmark Health in 2019. Featuring an emergency room, clinical decision unit, intensive care unit, surgical suites and primary and specialty care areas, Geisinger Medical Center Muncy is designed to meet the routine and acute care needs of those living in Lycoming, Sullivan, Clinton and Tioga counties. For routine care, the facility includes a multispecialty clinic with adult and pediatric primary care, orthopedics, cardiology, ophthalmology, pulmonary services and women’s health services. Also available are imaging and lab services, medical oncology services, chemotherapy preparation and general surgery services.
AFSCME WORKERS IN WILLIAMSPORT HAVE CONTRACT APPROVAL
Administration items on last Thursday’s City Council meeting included the approval of contracts for AFSCME workers. The AFSCME contract approvals will save taxpayer dollars while also showing a commitment to our dedicated City employees. Contracts for City Hall AFSCME and Streets and Parks AFSCME were both approved.
MEMORIAL POOL PROJECT
Williamsport City Council has moved to approve the needed equipment and work to get the pool ready for next year. In fact, the Memorial Pool is now a step closer to being repaired and ready for the 2022 summer season. City Council approved the installation of a new pool liner that will save on costs related to maintenance and upkeep and comes with a 10-year warranty. The liner will be installed this spring, according to Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter.
A FIRST IN FIVE YEARS
A nine percent increase in the Lock Haven real estate levy, by a vote of 6-1 at the meeting last night by the Lock Haven City Council is effective in 2022. According to therecordonline.com, this ends five years without a real estate tax increase. The final meeting for the city council, set for Dec. 20, has been dropped and the next meeting is now Monday, Jan 3.
GRANT TO REVITALIZE A PROPERTY IN SUNBURY
A $2 million grant, signed by Governor Tom Wolf and enacted by State Sen John Gordner and State Rep Lynda Culver is the revival that took over 13 years to achieve. The former Knight-Celotex site has a new purpose. The plans include restoration for the 21.83-acre property and selling it off in pieces. A $2 million grant — secured by two Valley lawmakers and signed by Gov. Tom Wolf — will provide Sunbury with funds to begin restoration of the 21.83-acre property, preparing it to be sold off in sections. According to the Daily Item, the first phase of the project is land acquisition costs, then upgrades to utilities and storm water systems.
