CHILD MOLESTATION CHARGES
A Cogan Station man was arrested for molesting a child in Hepburn Township. Jeremy Earnest allegedly had inappropriate contact with a female victim when he sexually assaulted her in a home in mid-October. According to SUN Gazette, Earnest was charged with multiple counts including, but not limited to, two each of indecent assault and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. Charges were filed with District Judge William Solomon and Earnest was committed to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail.
SEXUAL ASSAULTS FROM OVER 20 YEARS AGO
A Williamsport man was arrested for sexually assaulting two children. According to city police, Erick Johnson, is said to have committed the crimes when he was between the ages of 14 to 18, which was over 20 years ago. As reported by the SUN Gazette, Johnson allegedly raped one child when starting when she was 4-years-old to when she turned 8-years-old, upwards of 100 times at residences in Jersey Shore and Williamsport. The second victim was 5-years-old through 9-years-old when the assaults took place. Johnson was arraigned in front of District Justic Biichle for charges of sexual assault, set his bail at $150,000 and incarcerated him at the Lycoming County Prison.
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT ON A POLICE OFFICER
A Jersey Shore woman shoved a police officer and violently swung her arms at him during a disturbance call at her home on Dec. 4. Terra Lee Bertin, disregarded orders to calm down and instead assaulted the police. She was arrested on multiple charges, including aggravated assault. She was arraigned in front of District Justice Frey, where she posted $20,000 bail.
REINDEER READY TO FLY
Governor Tom Wolf was joined by Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding and Pennsylvania State Veterinarian Dr. Kevin Brightbill to meet Santa and his nine reindeer at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane today to announce that the reindeer have received a clean bill of health and are cleared for take-off on December 24. According to Gov. Tom Wolf in a press release, Santa’s reindeer are in good health–despite one’s very bright red nose–and ready to deliver toys to the good girls and boys of Pennsylvania tomorrow evening. All nine reindeer are physically fit and in good spirits, they’re ready to fly this holiday season. Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph received clearance to fly to Pennsylvania.
MORE STATE POLICE GRADUATED
Colonel Robert Evanchick, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, announced today that 59 cadets graduated from the State Police Academy in Hershey and have been assigned to troops across the commonwealth. The men and women represent the 162nd graduating cadet class. The ceremony returned to the Scottish Rite Cathedral in Harrisburg for the first time since December 2019 in front of a limited amount of family members. Cadet Matthew J. Condrad spoke on behalf of the graduating class. The ceremony was live streamed on the academy Facebook page and YouTube channel.
POLICE REMIND YOU TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PETS NEEDS
The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) is reminding pet owners, including those who keep their pets outdoors, that they are required to provide the animals with basic needs, as defined by law, or face potential animal neglect and/or cruelty charges. “Basic needs include the proper sustenance to maintain a healthy body weight, as well as clean, unfrozen water to avoid dehydration,” said Corporal Michael Spada, PSP Bureau of Criminal Investigation Animal Cruelty Officer. “It is important to note that animals need just as much water in the cold of winter as they do in the heat of summer.” Animals must also have access to an appropriate-sized shelter that provides protection from the weather, keeps the animal dry, and allows it to retain its body heat. The shelter must also be clean and sanitary.
STATE SUPREME COURT RATIONAL ON RULING
The state Supreme Court on Thursday released its rationale for why it ruled that Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration had no legal authority to require masks in Pennsylvania’s schools and child care centers, even amid a pandemic and surging cases of COVID-19. The Democratic-majority court ruled 6-0 on Dec. 10, immediately ending the statewide mask mandate, except in school districts that still required them. Justice Thomas Saylor did not participate in the decision. The justices’ 58-page opinion released Thursday does not discuss whether school districts have the legal authority to require masks. But the justices wrote that the Republican-controlled Legislature’s move in June to end Wolf’s COVID-19 emergency disaster declaration also eliminated any legal justification for a school mask mandate.
RELEASED FROM DUTY FOLLOWING ACCIDENT
A Mifflinburg Police Officer lost his job eight days after he crashed the police cruiser while engaged in a pursuit into Limestone Township and down Red Ridge Road. Former officer Riley Bremigen was uninjured, according to the Daily Item. The Mifflinburg Borough Council voted 4-1 during an executive session at Tuesday’s council meeting.
LOCAL COVID-19 CASES
The Pennsylvania Dept of Health released updated COVID-19 case information from yesterday. Tioga County added 19 cases, Lycoming had 62, Clinton 14 new cases, Centre added 126, Northumberland 49, Snyder added 23, Union County had 46 and Montour County added 11 new COVID-19 cases yesterday.
DOMESTIC INJURES CHILD
A domestic dispute brought Sunbury Police to a residence to find an injured 11-month-old. Anthony Dudley and Adreana Merigris of Sunbury, according to police, were engaged in a violent physical altercation, when the child somehow their child obtained multiple scratches and a bloody nose. Both Dudley and Merigris were taken to District Judge Toomy and then committed to the Northumberland County Jail in lieu of $10,000 cash bail.
MIDDLEBURG POLICE QUESTION REQUESTS IN MAIL
Police in Middleburg are calling it a possible fraud, many residents received in the US mail asking them to join nextdoor.com. Officers say the invites appear to have come from a local resident. However, that person says they were not organizing an online neighborhood community.Middleburg police say they are suspicious and don’t advise Middleburg residents to participate in what they call a possible fraud. According to an online media source, the investigation is continuing.
CHILD ENDANGERING IN NORTHUMBERLAND
A Northumberland woman was found heavily intoxicated while caring for her three children ages 8, 6, and 4 years. Jaquelin Stasik, according to a media outlet, is facing several charges, including endangering the welfare of three young children. Police reported they were dispatched Stasik’s home for a domestic disturbance. Reports from the residence indicate she was intoxicated to the extent she was unable to take care of herself or her children. Police say officers found her so intoxicated she couldn’t take care of herself or her children. She was taken to Geisinger for treatment and her boyfriend is now caring for the children at her home.
